Mss Eur Mack Private 80

1, pp. i, 1-55: The History of the earliest Discovery & Population of the Island of Ceylon & of the origin of the Emperors & Kings there taken from the ancient Ceylonese chronicles - MS. Begins (p. 1): "Upwards of 500 years before the Birth of our Saviour, there reigned in India a Prince named by some Bagu Raya and by others Vigu, Bahu Raya ; who was a descendant of the holy Race of the Sun, and governed not only all the Countries situated along the Banks of the Ganges till the 40th degree of Northern Latitude, but likewise Arracan, Siam, Tanassarim, Pegu, Ava, Cochin-China, Cambodia and others. This extensive and powerful Empire was known by the name of Dambadewu (perhaps Jamboodeep [=Jambudipa]) called Tensïk by the Japoreese [=Japanese]. The fabulous History tells us, that the inhabitants of those Countries, ere they were governed by kings, Laws, or any political or Civil Societies, used, like wild Animals, to live in forests, in Caverns and Cavities of Mountains ; Supporting themselves by hunting and upon Grass, wild fruits and roots, which Nature plentifully provided them with. This legendary history then proceeds to relate the apperarance, in Tenasserim, of a divine personage descended from the Sun, who was subsequently named Mahasamatie, and from whom descended Bahu Raya [=Rāja], whose daughter, being carried off by a lion, became the mother of Singa Bahu. The eldest son of the last named was Widje Comara [=Wijeya Kumāra], who went to Ceylon. Two variant accounts are then given of his adventures there, the one (p. 18) under the title "Arrival of Widje Comara in the Bay of Trammelegamme," the other (p. 28) which commences with a prophecy of Buddha foretelling Wijeya's destiny, being entitled" Arrival of Widje Comara in the Bay of Pra- or Preature," described as " lying between Jafnapatnam and Trinconomale." This last version omits the episode of Wijeya's marriage with the Yakkha girl, and contains a good deal of more or less historical matter subsequent to his death, with references to European authorities on such matters as the relations of Ceylon with Chinese, Persians, Arabs, &c.The following pieces are appendices to this one, and are intended apparently to be covered by its title, though it is not appropriate to all of them. All the contents of this volume are copies, and appear to be written by one hand.

2, pp. 56-75: Appendix to the Foregoing Narrative -- The History of Binga, Bahu Comara [=Kumāra]. Relates in greater detail the history of Singa Bahu and his mother ; a brief rationalized version of this story is given in Donald Obeyesekere, Outlines of Ceylon History (1911), p.5. Cf. Geiger, Mahāvaṃsa (1912), Chapter VI, pp. 51-4 of the translation.

3, pp. 76-82: An Account of Tricoen or Trincoel the Famous Temple, or Pagoda of the Idol Vidamal, formerly situated on the Pagoda-Mountain at Trinconomale. A brief history and description of this temple, destroyed by the Portuguese in 1590. Contains an alleged version of an inscription prophesying its destruction by "the Franks"!

4, pp. 82-3: Abstract copy of a letter from the King of Candia [=Kandy], brought by his Ambassadors, and delivered by them at a public Audience given on the 9 of June 1769, to his Excellency the Governor J. W. Falck at Colombo. Referring to the anticipated arrival of a bride from Southern India and requesting that "all honour and due respect " be shown to her escort. This and the following are addenda to a note appended to 1 supra.

5, pp. 83-6: Colombo, 7 November 1779. Translation of a Cingaleese Olla from the Dessave of the 3 and 4 Corles, Doembere, Rajekaroena, Senewiratoe &(a) Ralehamie; to the High Dessave of the Colombo Countries &(a). On the same kind of subject as the preceding.

6, pp. 87-94: Abstract Report of Don Joan Abesiriwardene Ilangakon Maha Modliaar Mohotiaar & first translator at Matura [=Matara], respecting the form of Government, the Laws & Customs in the Candian [=Kandyan] Empire. This is an addendum to a note appended to 1 supra. It consists of an account (purporting to be from the Mahāvaṃsa) of the ceremonies observed at the coronations of kings of Kandy.

7, pp. 95-107: Of the Qualities required in a King of Candia [=Kandy]. With some account of the theoretical limits of the monarch's power, illustrated rather quaintly by the interpolation of the story of Porisade [=Pāli porisādo," man-eater "], a cannibal king, apparently based on the Mahā-Sutasoma-Jātaka (No. 537 of the usual series: see vol. v, pp. 246 seqq. of the translation by H. T. Francis (1905) in E. B. Cowell's edition). A somewhat similar tale occurs in the legendary history of Kĕdah (Malay Peninsula) entitled Hikayat Marong Mahawangsa.

8, pp. 108-59: Translation of a Short Sketch of the doctrine of Boeddoe [=Buddha]; and of the Foundation of Moelkerigalle, the famous Pagoda on Adams-peak. Written in the Cingaleese Language; and Sent on the 3d of October 1776, by the high priest residing there, called; Sri Bandare Matakare Samenere Samie Wahanse, to his Excellency [man Willem Falck, Governor &(a) &(a) of the Island of Ceilon and its Dependencie ; while the Latter was on a visit to the aforementioned Pagoda. Legends of the Buddha's life, &c., with an interpolation (pp. 140-7) on Buddhist ethics. Then follow brief notices (p. 158) of Dermasoeke [=Asoka] and two Sinhalese kings, one being Dewinipetisse, the founder' of the above-mentioned pagoda.

9, pp. 160-80: Some Accounts of the Old town Anaradjapoora [=Anuradhapura] formerly Situated in the Northern part of Ceilon. An historical and topographical account, derived from various sources, Sinhalese, Tamil, and European.

10, p. 181: Malay Books of Ancient History. A list of five works, mostly on the history of Java.

11, pp. 182-5: Names of Many of the Books or old Manuscripts, most Esteemed among the Cingaleese; and relating to History-Religion-Laws-Kings &(a) &(a). A list of 21 items, including a number of Buddhist works of Pali origin. A volume of Mack. Misc. contains rough copies of 80.1-11.