chapter VI

., and their supposed habit of retiring to one spot when about to die, and the curious legend of the Bẹ́na Samanala, or “False Peak,” in the same chapter. Space will not allow us to do more than glance at the Kuruwiṭa Falls, and the halt at Hẹramiṭipána, where the congregation of pilgrims is graphically described.

There are many men who have determination and curiosity sufficient to induce them to set out on three different pilgrimages, which in spite of the pleasant places through which the way lies, plainly entailed much fatigue and inconvenience, but there are few gifted with the great powers of observation which the writer of “Adam’s Peak” evidently possesses, or the ability to express their impressions which he evinces. Whether toiling over a mountain, rambling amidst the ruins of an old Buddhist temple, or excavating those curiosities of fact and tradition of which but for this literary pilgrim we should have remained in ignorance, the author has in almost every page got something new to tell us about, which he relates in a remarkably happy way.

Having attentively perused “Adam’s Peak,” it remains for us to pass upon it our carefully formed opinion. In a former notice we said that the author had “accomplished a most difficult task uncommonly well,” and we reiterate our statement. To have compressed so much useful knowledge into so small a compass can only be the result of deep research and hard and persevering study. Mr. Skeen has collected a number of local traditions, legends, and facts, which he has elaborately arranged, and by a pleasant account of incidents connected with his three pilgrimages to the holy mountain, unites the whole in a pleasing and sightly form. The book abounds in quotations which are generally apt and appropriate. The foot notes and copious appendix form by no means the least valuable part of the work.”--_Ceylon Times._

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“In a careful perusal of the above production [ADAM’S PEAK] we have been most favorably impressed with its general character and ability; the labour that produced it must have been most painstaking, and involving great research. Nearly a hundred authors are quoted or referred to for confirmation or illustration of the text, which, with well executed engravings, a large and interesting Appendix, and an excellent Index for facility of reference, becomes a most useful addition to Eastern literature. Besides the direct textual matter of the book concerning the Peak, its history, and the pilgrimages made to it, we have a large amount of very interesting particulars respecting the Geology, Botany, and History of the Island, and the religions, manners and customs of the people, with much legendary and traditional lore, which, if not always reliable, is not without either interest or importance, in the assistance it affords to a fuller knowledge of the country and its inhabitants. Indeed the book is almost of encyclopedic utility concerning Ceylon.

For a knowledge of the route, viâ Ratnapura, and of its many interests and attractions of scenery, &c., and also for the many delights of the Peak itself, as given by our author, we recommend a careful perusal of his most interesting and able work.”--_Colombo Friend._

MOUNTAIN LIFE AND COFFEE CULTIVATION IN CEYLON;--A POEM ON THE KNUCKLES RANGE, with other Poems. By WILLIAM SKEEN. 1870.

_Foolscap 4to. 182 pp._ EDWARD STANFORD, Charing Cross, London.

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“Adam’s Peak,” and “Mountain Life and Coffee Cultivation in Ceylon,”--two companion volumes devoted to one of our most interesting though least known Eastern possessions ... abound in local colour and afford life-like glimpses into the industry of the society of an island which the Anglo-Cingalese not unpardonably regard as the centre of the earth.”--_Daily Telegraph._

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“The poem contains interesting historical records which evince considerable research and extensive reading; also a very full account of the processes of planting the Coffee tree, of collecting the berries, and preparing them for use and exportation. As a picture of Eastern life and industry this book is not only interesting but instructive.”--_The Messenger._

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“IN the main poem Mr. Skeen records the impressions derived from a visit to the Knuckles District, and in the text alludes to, while in the notes he affords, valuable information respecting historical personages and events. The specimens quoted will give our readers some idea of a poem in which, clustered round the scenery of the Knuckles, we have described to us a large portion of the incidents of coffee planting life, much history, ancient and modern, more or less connected with the coffee enterprise, with striking references to Hindu mythology. The notes, which explain the brief allusions in the poem, embody a fund of interesting and curious information. The work is probably the most beautifully got up that has ever issued from the local press, and we trust the venture will be largely encouraged.”--_Ceylon Observer._

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“The main poem treats of a well known Coffee District, its magnificent scenery, its hospitable planters, and its prosperity. There is abundant evidence in the poem that Mr. Skeen does not now come before the public for the first time. He has at least the assurance, gained from experience, to encourage him in his aspirations; and if he has not quite succeeded in establishing a poetic reputation of the highest order, he yet gives ample promise of better results in the future. With a wonderful facility for versification, and an inexhaustible resource for rhyme, Mr. Skeen has amplified his subject in a manner which less practised or more timorous hands would hardly have dared. We can recommend the book as well worthy perusal, not only for the sake of its poetic beauties, but also on account of the valuable mass of information it contains both in the body of the main poem, and the copious notes at the end.”--_Colombo Examiner._

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“One of the most attractive volumes of flowing verse that Ceylon has ever sent forth. The typography is perfect, the general getting up of the book all that could be desired, and the verses are highly descriptive.”--_Ceylon Times._

EARLY TYPOGRAPHY, A LECTURE ON LETTER-PRESS PRINTING IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. By WILLIAM SKEEN. 1853. Sm. 8vo. 48 pp. (_out of print_)

“This little work, issued from the [Ceylon] Government Press, does credit to the author and printer alike.... We can say in all truth and honesty, that the work of Mr. Skeen would reflect credit on any Printing Office in the world. He has certainly illustrated what has been done for the improvement of Printing in Ceylon by _himself_, for to him it is entirely due. He has issued a pamphlet of sound historical matter, carefully written, admirably printed, and on excellent paper. The matter consists of a history of the discovery of the Art of Printing and its various improvements, down to the close of the Fifteenth Century; and while it contains much new and interesting matter, there is but one fault to find with it:--it is too short, and stops at a very interesting point.... We welcome such works with the right hand of fellowship; and in conclusion, we will only add, that we hope Mr. Skeen will have the inclination and leisure to complete this history of the Art of Printing, in the first part of which, now published, he has imparted his information in so agreeable a manner, and illustrated the present state of the Art by so perfect an example.”--_Colombo Examiner_, [1853.]

Transcriber’s Note:

Equals signs indicate the word or character was printed in an ornate font, for example, =Ornate font=

The tilde character in ~TYPOGRAPHY~ indicates spaced letters

Some fonts may not render the following characters as expected:

n under ring --Sin̥halese --Sy-chong-n̥gén-pon --Mámyan̥gama

dot under --e and d in Wẹlikaḍa --l in Avissáweḷa --é in Bẹ́na --t in Kuruwiṭa and Hẹramiṭipána

Items in the Errata listed on page 424 have been changed. Otherwise, no known changes to spelling or punctuation as appeared in the original publication have been made except as follows:

Page 22 papier-maché castings _changed to_ papier-mâché castings

Page 243 by the name of the printing house.” _changed to_ by the name of the printing house.’”

Page 316 “NO ONE KNOWS; yet it seems _changed to_ “NO ONE KNOWS;” yet it seems

the assistants of Guttenberg, Faust and Schœffer _changed to_ the assistants of Gutenberg, Faust and Schœffer

Page 383 and eighth formes: the next quaternion _changed to_ and eighth formes; the next quaternion

Page 417 ‘experiments of his foreman H. le Blansch _changed to_ ‘experiments’ of his foreman H. le Blansch

Page 420 that of Zell, who says Gutenburg _changed to_ that of Zell, who says Gutenberg

Page 421 were the work of a letter-synder _changed to_ were the work of a letter-snyder

Page i pleasing and anecdotal manner it which _changed to_ pleasing and anecdotal manner in which

Page ii little has hitherto been known. _changed to_ little has hitherto been known.”

Page iv only interesting but instructive.--_The Messenger._ _changed to_ only interesting but instructive.”--_The Messenger._

Footnote 11 Monumens Typographiques des Pays Bays _changed to_ Monumens Typographiques des Pays Bas

Sieclé _changed to_ Siècle

Footnote 17 Thomas á Kempis, according to Meiners, _changed to_ Thomas à Kempis, according to Meiners,

Footnote 63 plusquam 4000 florenorem _changed to_ plusquam 4000 florenorum

Footnote 79 Introduction Historique et Bibliographique. _changed to_ Introduction Historique et Bibliographique.”

Footnote 83 Harlem, 1628. 4to. _changed to_ Haarlem, 1628. 4to.

Footnote 98 clarum nomem Mogus _changed to_ clarum nomen Mogus

Footnote 107 The attitude of the statute, nobly draped _changed to_ The attitude of the statue, nobly draped

Footnote 139 Justiniani codex institutionem _changed to_ Justiniani codex institutionum

Footnote 140 that William Tydnale’s version of the _changed to_ that William Tyndale’s version of the

by Joann. Schæffier _changed to_ by Joann. Schæffler