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 THE 
 
 SECOND 
 
 v 
 
 TRIENNIAL REPORT 
 
 AMERICAN MISSION SEMINARY, 
 
 JAFFNA, 
 
 CEYLON, 
 
 KELLOB E: 
 
 CHURCH MISSION PRESS* 
 
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 1 8 3 0 . 
 
 O F T H E 
 
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 In the first Report of this Institution, published m 
 January 1827, reference was made to a Prospectus issued ir 
 1823, and to a printed statement, which, together with a 
 subscription paper, was circulated to considerable extent in 
 India, in the year 1826. In those publications, a variety of 
 facts, relative to the state of education among the inhabitants 
 of J affna generally, but more especially those within the influ- 
 ence of the American Mission, were presented to the public; 
 together with the reasons, given at some length, which led 
 to the establishment of a Seminary for the benefit of lamul 
 youths. The first Report also contained some vieAVS ot a 
 prospective nature, and a concise statement of what had 
 then been done, in prosecution of the object proposed. 
 
 The general subject being thus somewhat distinctly 
 before the public, it may be proper, without saying much of 
 future plans or anticipated advantages, to confine the present 
 Report, principally, to a retrospective view of the Seminary, 
 for the last three years. This, it is hoped, w ill furnish the 
 friends of the Institution w ith such facts as may enable them 
 to form a correct opinion, as to the probability of securing 
 the objects aimed at by the means employed. 
 
L ADMISSION OF STUDENTS. 
 
 A t the date of the last Report, the whole number ot 
 Students in the Seminary was forty-eight, divided into three 
 classes. In September 1827, twenty-four lads were ad- 
 mitted from the Preparatory School * at Tillipally, 
 after having passed a satisfactory examination; and in 
 September 1829, another class of twenty-nine were re- 
 ceived, all, with one exception, from the same school. They 
 bad made considerable attainments, not only in Tamul, 
 but in English, to which they had attended regularly, for 
 three or four years, in that School. Those first entered 
 were, at that time, fourteen or fifteen years of age: the 
 others, as a class, w'ere considerably younger, being, on an 
 average, not more than twelve years old, as they had been 
 received into the Preparatory School while quit* young; a 
 circumstance very favourable to their acquiring a good 
 pronunciation of English, and a thorough education. 
 
 11 COURSE OF STUDY. 
 
 The study of English, and of various branches of 
 science, principally in that language, occupies about two 
 thirds of the time of the students, and Tamul literature 
 the remainder. In English, the course pursued by different 
 classes has not been precisely the same, owing, in pait, 
 to the difference of capacity and probable situation in 
 
 * See Appendix A. 
 
3 
 
 life, in members of different classes, and, in part, to the 
 deficiency of books, atone time, which has been supplied 
 at another. Experience also has dictated several changes. 
 An enumeration of the principal books, in the order in 
 which they have been studied, will give some idea of 
 the course pursued in the Seminary, and of the extent 
 to which education has been carried. 
 
 1. For the English & Scientific course— Spelling books, 
 with reading' lessons — Dictionaries— The New Testament 
 —Abridgment of Scripture History— English & Tamul 
 Phrases— Lennie’s Grammar— Murray’s Introduction to 
 the English Reader— and Blair’s Class Book, are all used 
 in studying the language. In Mathematics, Geography, &c. 
 Walkingame’s, Hutton’s, and Joyce’s Arithmetic have 
 been used by successive classes— Bonnycastle's Algebra, 
 through Quadratic Equations, and lately, Euler’s, in con- 
 nexion with Bonnycastle’s, — the first four Books of Play- 
 fair’s Euclid — Trigonometry, Mensuration, and Surveying, 
 in Hutton’s Mathematics — Cummins’s first Lessons on 
 Geography & Astronomy — Blair’s Grammar of History — ■ 
 the principal parts of Keith on the use of the Globes — 
 Blair’s Grammar of Natural Philosophy, through Me- 
 chanics & Pneumatics — Cummins’s Questions on the New 
 Testament, accompanied with maps— and Bishop Porteus’s 
 Evidences of Christianity. The Bible, first in Tamul, then 
 in English, is studied and regularly recited on the Sabbath 
 during the whole course. 
 
 2. Tamul Studies . — It has, from the beginning, 
 been considered an important object to introduce a more 
 rational method of teaching Tamul, than that pursued 
 
4 
 
 -in the Native Schools; and also to displace, by works 
 of real utility, those extravagant and immoral fictions 
 of the poets which are studied by all here who make 
 any pretensions to learning, and which are held in 
 high estimation by the people. It was at once evident, 
 however, that no innovations could be effected without 
 much patient and persevering effort. At first indeed it 
 w r as necessary to make a compromise, and to proceed, 
 in some respects, according to the Native System, 
 introducing the new course only in part, and by degrees; 
 but continued effort has at length brought this depart- 
 ment more under controul, and, among others, the follow- 
 ing books have been introduced. An abridgment, in 
 prose, of Nannool, the standard Grammar of the poetic 
 dialect, with an application of its principles in analyz- 
 ing Auveiyar and Moothurei;— Nannool itself accompanied 
 with copious explanations & illustrations from standard 
 authors — Tiruvalluver Cural, a work on moral subjects — 
 some parts of Scanda Purana— Tatwa Kattalei, which 
 treats of the constituent parts and functions of the human 
 body — and a Native System of Arithmetic. The Arith- 
 metic well deserves the Student’s attention, though he 
 may be acquainted with the European Systems. It 
 contains many useful tables, both in integers and fractions, 
 and some important rules in Mensuration and other 
 branches, expressed in a laconic poetical manner, by 
 which they are easily retained in memory for practical 
 purposes. Scanda Purana was lor a time read, mainly 
 for the sake of convincing the people that the mysteries 
 of this very sacred book, which is periodically recited 
 aud interpreted at most of the principal temples, are 
 
not, as was supposed, beyond the reach of Missionaries. 
 It had often been remarked, “ if you were acquainted 
 with the contents of the Scanda Purana, you would 
 not think it necessary to make known to us the 
 Christian Scriptures.” The use of this book in the 
 Seminary produced no small degree of excitement 
 among the people around, some of whom exerted them- 
 selves to hinder the students from reading it. * 
 
 111. GOVERNMENT AND EXERCISES. 
 
 The Principal has the immediate government 
 of the Seminary, and devotes his time to the super- 
 intendency of its concerns. In the business of instruc- 
 tion, he is assisted by two well qualified native teachers 
 employed on a salary, and by twelve or fifteen monitors, 
 selected from the upper classes, who, for teaching, receive 
 a small reward. The lower classes are taught chiefly by 
 the monitors. Tach class is also under the care of a 
 Superintendent, who is, to some extent, responsible 
 for the conduct and daily progress of its members. 
 
 Morning and evening prayers, in Tamul, accompanied 
 with the reading of the Scriptures, are attended in th« 
 Seminary Chapel at sun-rise, and about half an hour 
 belore sun-set, throughout the year. The hours of st v6y, 
 aside from the morning recitation sfion after prayer 
 are from nine o’clock to twelve-from two to evening 
 prayers and from seven to half jSast eight, in the evening. 
 As each monitor is pursuing a course of study with 
 
 h ‘* d * ss ’ he teaches usual ty but a single branch, and 
 * Set Appendix B. 
 
6 
 
 ip employed odIj from one to two hours each day. Th$ 
 Principal attends the recitations of the first Class at 
 half past six, at eleven, and at half past four o’clock. 
 
 The stated weekly exercises have usually been, 
 a meeting on Tuesday evening, for expounding, and en- 
 forcing the Scriptures; on Friday, for communicating mo- 
 ral and religious intelligence from periodical publications, 
 in connexion with reading the prophetical parts of the 
 Scriptures; and on Saturday evening, a meeting of inquiry 
 on subjects connected with personal religion. On Sab- 
 bath afternoon, nearly all the pious students go in 
 companies of three or four each, to the neighbouring 
 Villages, to catechise the children in the Native Free 
 Schools, to distribute tracts, and to converse with th# 
 people. In the evening, all in the Seminary, being di- 
 vided into two Classes) according to their standing, 
 recite the substance of two chapters from the Bible; 
 •ne Class in English, the other in Tamul. 
 
 The lower classes are examined monthly by the 
 Superintendents, and their progress in study is regis- 
 tered; the Monitors’ bills of all descriptions are then 
 inspected and settled; delinquents are corrected by public 
 admonitions, forfeitures, in whole or in part, of a small 
 monthly allowance for stationary, and occasionally, 
 though hut seldom, by corporal punishment, suspension, 
 or expulsion, as the case may require. Premiums aro 
 seldom given, except for extra exercises in copying or 
 translating. The hope of obtaining the small places of 
 trust and emolument in the Seminary, and of being en- 
 titled to a certificate of recommendation at the end of 
 their eourse, is one of the most common and powerful 
 
7 
 
 motifs to diligence and good conduct. Some, it is believ- 
 ed, are influenced by still higher considerations. 
 
 All in the Seminary are members of a Bible 
 Association, which is connected with the Branch Bible 
 Society at Jaffna. Quarterly meetings of the association 
 are held in the Chapel; on which occasions, five or six 
 members make appropriate addresses, or read trans- 
 lations of suitable pieces, taken from periodical pub- 
 lications. 
 
 At the quarterly vacations, which are from ten 
 to twelve days each, the students, who are collected 
 from different parts of the District, have a very 
 favourable opportunity for distributing tracts and por- 
 tions of the Scriptures, not only to their friends and 
 neighbours, but to the people generally; an opportunity 
 which most of them are very ready to embrace. 
 
 IV. EXAMINATIONS. 
 
 Besides private examinations, by the visiting Com- 
 mittee, there have been, since the date of the last Report, 
 four public examinations; two in the English and two in 
 the Tamul language. The first in English was held on the 
 7th. of September 1827. The three lower Classes were ex- 
 amined in different parts of common Arithmetic, English 
 Grammar, Geography, the principles of projecting Maps, 
 and First lessons in Astronomy. The first Class was ex- 
 amined in Algebra, through Quadratic Equations, — in the 
 
 first two books of Euclid’s Elements of Geometry, — and 
 Porteus’s Evidences of Christianity. The examination 
 tvas held immediately after the Sessio* of the Supreme 
 
8 
 
 Lourt, at JafTnapatam. The Chief Justice, with several 
 Other Gentlemen, of the Civil and Military Service, as 
 well as the Missionaries of the District, favoured the Se- 
 minary with their attendance, in the course of the ensuing 
 week, several letters, expressing a decided approbation 
 of the Institution, and enclosing donations lor it, were 
 received by the Principal, from Gentlemen who witnessed 
 the examination.* 
 
 The other Examination in English, was held the ensu- 
 ing year, at the same season, and under similar circum- 
 stances. As the particulars of this Examination were pub- 
 lished in the Madras Government Gazette of January 1829, 
 no further notice w ill be taken of it here, than is necessary to 
 present a connected view of the operations of the 1 nstitution. 
 The first Class, consisting offive members, having finished 
 their course of study, and being about to be honourably dis- 
 missed, the examination was principally confined to them. 
 They were examined with a good degree of particularity, 
 in Plane Trigonometiy,— Mensuration of Stiperfices 
 and Solids,— Mechanics, — Pneumatics,— and the Evi- 
 dences of Christianity. Much of the time was spent in 
 illustrating, by appropriate experiments, the six Mechani- 
 cal powers, and the six essential properties of the Atmos- 
 phere, as given in Blair’s Grammar of Natural Philosophy 
 The principles of the Air Pump, Air Gun, Common Pump, 
 Syphon, Diving Bell, Thermometer, Barometer, Hygrometer, 
 and some o^her instrnmets, were explained and illustrated. 
 At the close ol the examination, a member of the Class 
 made a short speech in English, to the audience, closing 
 with a farewell address to his Teachers and ( lass mates. 
 
 * See Appendix C. 
 
Sir Richard Ottley, Chief Justice of the Island, 
 who had honoured the Seminary, and greatly encouraged 
 the Conductors of it, by attending three previous exami- 
 nations, afterwards favoured the Principal with a letter, 
 expressive of his views of the present state and future 
 prospects of the Institution,* 
 
 The first public Examination in Tamul, since the 
 last Report, was in Junel827. Besides the ordinary studies 
 in this language, the Third Class were examined in the 
 Native and European Systems of fractions; and the superi- 
 ority of the latter was illustrated by the comparative 
 facility of solving questions, which, when wrought by the 
 former System, require very protracted operations. The 
 same Class were examined in Geography, translated into* 
 Tamul,, from a short treatise in English. 
 
 The Second Class exhibited a variety of Maps in Ta- 
 mul, which were distributed among the more intelligent 
 part of the Spectators. 
 
 The First Class were examined in some of the 
 more important practical parts of Geometry, and in the 
 first principles of Astronomy; especially on the subject 
 of Eclipses, showing their nature, and the method of 
 calculating the mean, time of their occurrence. All in 
 the Seminary were then examined in Scripture History 
 and Chronology. 
 
 The other Examination in Tamul was held in 
 April 1829, and i s m0 re particularly worthy of notice* 
 
 * Sec Appendix D„ 
 
m 
 
 on account of the excitement it produced among the 
 best informed natives of the vicinity. Though Ihe several 
 Classes were prepared to be examined, as usual, in 
 various branches of study, the whole day was spent 
 in attending to the dissertations and illustrations ex- 
 hibited on the following subjects. 
 
 1. On the method of ascertaining the distances 
 and magnitudes of the Sun, Moon, and Planets. 
 
 2. A comparison in several important points, of 
 the Hindoo System of Astronomy, as taught in this 
 District, with the European System. 
 
 3. A dissertation on the importance of a knowledge 
 of the English language, as a medium of acquain- 
 tance with the contents of Tamul books in the high 
 language, illustrated by a reference to the Asiatic Re- 
 searches, and other publications in English on Hindoo 
 literature. 
 
 4. An account of the creation of the world, and 
 of the first man and woman; also of the flood, from 
 two of the Vedas and from Bhagavat, the seventh of 
 the eighteen Puranas. 
 
 5. Answers to two important questions suggested 
 by the foregoing accounts. 
 
 6. A dissertation on the six Mechanical Powers, 
 illustrated by experiments. 
 
 7 . A dissertation on the nature and properties of 
 the Atmosphere, illustrated by experiments. 
 
11 
 
 The subjects, thus brought forward, were not 
 only attended to with interest, but excited a very 
 considerable spirit of inquiry, and many doubts as to 
 the truth of the Native Systems.* 
 
 V. DISMISSION OF STUDENTS. 
 
 Of the one hundred and one students who now are, 
 or have been members of the Seminary v. i rhin the last 
 three years, one has died, another left to act as a superin- 
 tendent of Schools, and nine have been dismissed, by the 
 visiting Committee, for not approving themselves worthy 
 of gratuitous support. In September 1828, the first Class, 
 consisting of fifteen youths, and one from the second Class, 
 were regularly dismissed, and received appropriate recom- 
 mendations. Of this number, nine had been received to the 
 ordinance of baptism, on a credible profession of Christia- 
 nity, and were members of the Church in regular standing. 
 It was intended that, as a Class, they should pursue 
 their studies, at least another year; but their anxiety to 
 obtain some profitable employment, and the demands 
 of the Mission for more efficient Native Assistants than 
 could otherwise be procured, induced the Conductors 
 to deviate from their intended course. 
 
 At the annual examination in September 1829, by 
 the Missionaries, eleven members of the first Class were 
 regularly dismissed, with favourable recommendations. They 
 had not proceeded so far in their studies as those who left 
 the Seminary the preceeding year; but on account of their 
 age, the wishes of their parents, and orae ofjv^r eonsider- 
 * -See Appendix E. 
 
12 
 
 'fiitions, it was thought expedient to grant them a dis- 
 mission. 
 
 Of the twenty seven, thus honourably dismissed at 
 two annual examinations, nineteen are employed at the 
 different stations of the American Mission, two in the 
 service of the Wesleyan, one in that of the Church Mission ■, 
 and two in European families, as private teachers. Tw6 
 remain without being permanently employed, and one died 
 in Mission service at Trichinopoly. 
 
 VI. CLASSES. 
 
 Immediately after the last annual examination, the 
 several classes were re-modelled so as to consist of the 
 following numbers. 
 
 First Class 
 
 
 
 Second Class .... 
 
 
 22 
 
 Third Class 
 
 
 
 There are also ten others 1 connected with the 
 Seminary, employed partly in teaching and partly in 
 prosecuting their studies, preparatory to becoming Native 
 Preachers, Interpreters, Translators, and Permanent In- 
 structors. 
 
 VII. BUILDING, APPARATUS, AND LIBRARY. 
 
 Since the publication of the last Report, the rooms 
 for the stadents, which are now sufficiently extensive for 
 
13 
 
 the accommodation of one hundred, together With the 
 Requisite number of Native Teachers, have been tiled, and 
 some of them rendered, in other respects, more substantial 
 and commodious. 
 
 Ottley Hdll— the principal building— designed for 
 public examinations, lectures, library, &c. which was in 
 progress at the date of the last Report* has since been en- 
 larged, by the addition of Virandah rooms on one side 
 and end; at the other end, an Observatory is partly erected. 
 The building, in its present form, including the outer 
 Virandahs, is 109 feet in length and 66 in breadth; the 
 centre being two stories in height. The whole will be fin- 
 ished, it is hoped, in the course of the present year, when 
 accommodation for the Seminary, on its present plan, in 
 regard to buildings, will be tolerably Complete. 
 
 The Philosophical and other Apparatus, theii 
 obtained, was noticed in the last Report; and it was 
 stated, that other articles had been commissioned from 
 England. In March 1828, these were received, to the 
 amount of about £ 125, together with a good supply 
 of books, * for the use of the students. Of the Apparatus, 
 the PneUmatical and Mechanical, with the Orrery and 
 Telescope, have been found particularly useful, in illus- 
 trating various branches of study, which could not be 
 taught, to any good purpose, without such helps, especi- 
 ally where the task is not only to dispel ignorance, 
 but to contend with inveterate prejudices, not readily 
 yielding, even when opposed by ocular demonstration. |- 
 
 * See Appendix F, + Appendix 
 
The Mission Library, which is devoted to the use 
 ■of the teaehers, and students as far as necessary, consists 
 of more than (jOO volumes, (besides class-books, procured 
 for the students) in general, well selected. Some little 
 progress has also been made, in collecting native books, 
 though in regard to these, and other works connected with 
 Oriental literature, the Library is still very deficient, and 
 any of them would be most thankfully received. 
 
 VII. FUNDS AND EXPENDITURES. 
 
 The amount of subscriptions obtained in Ceylon 
 and India, at the time of printing the first Report, w r as 
 £ 758. 4. 3. which had been devoted to preparing 
 buildings for the Institution. Since then, or within the 
 last three years, there has been received £ 331. 18. * 
 which has, in like manner, been laid out in buildings; 
 but it has covered less than one half of the expense, 
 in this department, during the same period. The re- 
 mainder, together with the purchase of books and 
 apparatus— the support of all the students — the pay 
 of the teachers-— and the salary of the Principal, at 
 an average annual amount of more than £ 600, has 
 been provided for by the American Board of Missions; 
 exclusive of defraying the tvhole expense of about 100 
 lads in the Preparatory School. The Board having 
 several large and expensive Missions to support, in 
 which about 800 children are Beneficiaries, and more 
 than 30,000 in the schools, has not been able, and 
 probably will not be, without neglecting other claims. 
 
 * See Appendix H. 
 
15 
 
 %o grant the Seminary more ample funds. 
 must, therefore, be in a great measure, dependant on 
 the private benefactions of its friends, for the means 
 of supporting a larger number of youth, and of exten- 
 ding to them the blessings of education*, on a more 
 liberal scale. The endowment of native scholarships, 
 with suitable provision for the permanent support of, at. 
 least, six or eight of the best students, to be selected 
 from time to time, from such as have finished the regular 
 course, and retained on the foundation, until thoroughly 
 prepared to act as Instructors in different branches of 
 science, is one particular in which aid is needed, and, 
 for which it is respectfully solicited, as being essential 
 to the continued prosperity of the Institution. 
 
 CONCLUDING REMARKS . 
 
 [ 
 
 It is now about twelve years since Free Boarding 
 Schools, for native children, were commenced by the 
 Mission and nearly seven since the Seminary was es- 
 tablished. On reviewing the past, it may, therefore, noth® 
 improper, for the Conductors of this Institution to state, 
 in a few words, the results of their observation and 
 experience thus far. 
 
 I. There is not, as same have supposed, any want 
 of intellect among the natives, which should discourage 
 attempts to elevate their character. On the contrary, the 
 ability and readiness to make improvement, manifested 
 by those who have been brought more fully under in- 
 struction, afford the greatest encouragement to the friends 
 of learning, who would impart unto them, more liberally, 
 the means of acquiring knowledge. 
 
u 
 
 2. The Free Boarding School system is found tcx 
 he productive of the best effects. These schools have 
 awakened attention and given a tone to public feeling* 
 on the subject of education, to a greater extent even* 
 than could have been anticipated. It may afford some 
 illustration and proof of this assertion, to remark that*, 
 when the system was commenced, there were but few 
 schools of any description, in the District; and those 
 few scarcely deserving of the name; and so strong was 
 the prejudice against Missionary influence, that the 
 people would not allow schools to be established a- 
 mong them. But now, — exclusive of nearly two hundred 
 children and youth, supported in the Seminary, the Pre- 
 paratory School, and the Female Central School there 
 are, connected with the Mission, and in the compass of 
 ten or twelve Parishes, ninety Native Free Schools, con- 
 taining about 3, 300 boys and 600 girls, who are at least 
 learning to read and write their own language, and be- 
 coming acquainted with the first principles of Christianity. 
 Three or four Central Schools for teaching Grammar, 
 Arithmetic, and Geography, are also established, with 
 favourable prospects. As the Free Boarding Schools were 
 useful in exciting a desire for education, so also to sup- 
 ply competent teachers and books, and thus to render 
 all the schools more efficient, as well as to increase 
 their number, an Institution of a higher order became 
 obviously necessary. This gave rise to the Seminary, 
 and introduced, it is believed, a new and important era 
 in the history of education in this District. 
 
 3. The plan of assigning to the English lan y 
 gunge a prominent place in the course of instruction. 
 
17 
 
 has approved itself in practice, as it did in theory. 
 The views entertained on this subject, when the Insti- 
 tution was first contemplated, are stated at length in 
 the Prospectus; and experience has, thus fat, fully 
 confirmed them. The importance of a common medium 
 of communication, between a people and their rulers, 
 is so obvious, that, with good reason, great encourage- 
 ment to acquire the native languages is held out by 
 the Government, to those who are to fill official situa- 
 tions. But, if this is manifestly important, the object 
 of giving to the natives a knowledge of English - hun- 
 dreds of whom could acquire it at less expense than 
 attends the acquisition of the Tamul, by some three 
 or four Civilians— must present strong claims on atten- 
 tion. Nothing but a residence among the people in the 
 country, can give any one a just notion of the incon- 
 veniences to which they are subjected, in consequence 
 of the English language not being more extensively 
 known. To understand a date, or stamp, or even a 
 single word or figure, in English, they must sometimes 
 
 go miles for an Interpreter; and to have a petition or 
 any other document, which he may have occasion to 
 present to the officers of the Government, drawn up, 
 a poor native, at a distance in the country, may spend 
 days in travelling and making applications for assis- 
 tance, to say nothing of the expense and embarrass- 
 ment to which he is subjected. This inconvenience is 
 now diminishing; and many impediments to the proper 
 administration of justice, are in the way of being remov- 
 ed, by extending, among the Natives, an acquaintance 
 with English. The teaching of this language as a medium 
 of imparting a knowledge of Science and Christianity, 
 
18 
 
 to a limited number of N atives, and through them to 
 the people generally, in their own tongue, is also found 
 by experience to be not only a judicious attempt, but, 
 with the experience of every year, is seen to be more 
 and more obviously important. 
 
 4. The Members of the Seminary, who have made 
 any considerable progress in their studies, form an im- 
 portant medium of communication between their teachers 
 and the learned Natives . As might be expected, those 
 among *ho Tamul people who are considered leaders 
 in religion and learning, have ever stood aloof from 
 Christian Missionaries, and regarded their pioceedings 
 with jealousy and distrust. jYo Brahmin has, as yet, 
 offered himsell to the service of any Mission in this 
 District, for those occupations in which they are ex- 
 tensively employed, in most parts of India, The most 
 learned of other castes also, studiously avoid intercourse 
 with the Missionaries, and keep their scientific, as 
 well as Religious books, as much concealed as possible. 
 But in their intercourse with the students of the Semin- 
 ary, they have been obliged to declare their opinions 
 on many important points, concerning which they have 
 recently, for the first time, been made acquainted with 
 the views of Europeans. One most obvious effect of 
 this is, that they are last loaning a more conect opi- 
 nion oi the comparative attainments, in Science, of 
 themselves and ol i^uropeans. A leu iacts, to which 
 man) might have been anded, in support of this remark, 
 will be iound in the Appendix.* 
 
 * See Appendix 11, 
 
w 
 
 5. Further experience does not lead to the con- 
 clusion that the plan of the Seminary is too extensive . 
 A doubt has been suggested by some, friendly to the In- 
 stitution, whether it does not propose to carry the 
 business of education farther than the necessities of 
 the people require; or if not, at least, farther than can 
 be done by them, when left to their own resources. But 
 while it is difficult to conceive how any considerable 
 improvement in the state of education here can be ef- 
 fected without foreign aid, and aid bearing some pro- 
 portion to the magnitude and importance of the object 
 to be obtained, it is evident, that when knowledge is 
 once generally diffused, the people will be relieved from 
 so many burthensome expenditures, imposed on them by 
 
 ignorance and superstition, that, without difficulty, they 
 may themselves support a system of education much 
 more extended and liberal. Heathenism is rot cnlv de- 
 basing, but oppressively expensive. Any one acquainted 
 with the contributions of the people in support of idola- 
 try the time spent— the sums of money given— and the 
 personal labour bestowed-must have a thorough con- 
 viction, that the same sacrifices would enable the people, 
 
 with ease and convenience, to pay their taves to Govern- 
 ment, to establish schools throughout the District, and 
 to maintain the various institutions of Christianity. They 
 might, therefore, without increasing their burdens, have 
 within themselves the means of becoming an intelligent, 
 virtuous, and happy people. 
 
 6. The great object o f the Institution — that of train- 
 ing up Christian teachers— is in a fair way of being 
 
20 
 
 m <z good degree accomplished. The diffusion of Scrip- 
 ture knowledge, by well qualified native teachers, is 
 undoubtedly, the destined means for ultimately effecting 
 the renovation of all heathen Countries. It is the lead- 
 ing object oi the Seminary, to prepare N atives for this 
 work; and though the difficnlties in the way of attain- 
 ing the object, are inferior only to its importance and 
 necessity, something has already been effected. It needs 
 not be said, that Christian teachers, such as the Word 
 ot God requires, cannot be brought forward by any merely 
 human culture, mental or moral, however wisely directed 
 or long continued. But there is great reason to hope, 
 that those who are brought under a course of jndi- 
 cious and persevering Christian instruction, will be 
 effectually led to seek and obtain the influence and 
 guidance of the Holy Spirit This hope, so far as it 
 regards those already educated in the Seminary, has 
 it is true, in some instances, not been fully realized. 
 Several who have enjoyed its advantages, though fitted 
 for other stations of usefulness, are destitute of the 
 leading requisite for being set apart as Christian 
 teachers. Nor are all those who appear to be truly 
 pious, fitted to become teachers and guides to others- 
 “ Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall 
 into the condemnation of the devil;” and, on the same 
 authority, it may be added, they should be such as are 
 “ apt to teach ” and have “ a good report of them that are 
 without.” It cannot be expected that those who are not 
 somewhat distinguished for piety, maturity of judgment, 
 and decision of character, will be able to withstand the 
 strong influence which will be continually exerted against 
 them, to thwart their efforts as preachers of the Gos- 
 
21 
 
 pel. Of course,the work of setting apart Native Preach* 
 ers can proceed but slowly. Something, however, has 
 been done. Of those who left the Seminary in Sep- 
 tember 1828, nine were members of the Chnrch; of whom 
 seven, with some others not educated in the Seminary, 
 entered immediately upon a course of Theological 
 studies, under one of the Missionaries. 
 
 An examination of this class, took place on the 23d. 
 of September last, when eighteen were present, of whom, 
 after a satisfactory examination, three were considered 
 qualified for license as Native Preachers, four received 
 certificates as Catechists, and six as Readers and Ex- 
 horters; the remainder being required to pursue their 
 studies farther, before receiving any certificate. 
 
 All these young men, except one since dismis- 
 sed for marrying a heathen eirl, are now in useful em- 
 ployment by the mission, as Christian teachers and assis- 
 tants; and some of them bid fair, with Divine aid, 
 to become useful and successful ministers in the rising 
 native Church. To those duly impressed with the con- 
 viction, which must be clear in the minds of all ac- 
 quainted with the subject, that an extensive and speedy 
 propagation of Christianity in Ceylon or India, can be 
 hoped for only from the labonrs of an adequate native 
 priesthood, aided by subordinate teachers, raised up in 
 the country, this statement, while it shows that some- 
 thing has already been done towards effecting the 
 principal object of the Institution, will also, it is believ- 
 ed, evince that it may most essentially aid in dissemi- 
 nating the blessings of a pure, exalted, and cheering: 
 
22 
 
 faith, among multitudes who might otherwise remain 
 long entangled, in a licentious, degrading, and com- 
 fortless superstition. 
 
 In this view, as a religious Institution, the 
 Seminary is thought to have peculiar claims to the 
 favourable regard of all who are friendly to Christian 
 Missions; and it is hoped that such as have favoured it 
 with their patronage hitherto, will feel satisfied with the 
 result of the experiment thus far, and be encouraged 
 to continue their contributions and their prayers. Thus 
 may a new scene of light and life open upon multi- 
 tudes, now “perishing for lack of vision;’* and some of 
 the dark places of Heathenism assume the outlines 
 of a lovely Christian landscape — “ the wilderness be- 
 “ come like Eden, and the desert like the garden of 
 “the Lord; joy and gladness be found therein, thanks- 
 “ giving and the voice of melody.” 
 
 B. C. MEIGS. 
 
 D. POOR. 
 
 M. WINSLOW. 
 
 L. SPAULDING. 
 H. WOODWARD 
 
 J. SCUDDER. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 A. 
 
 The school at Tillipally is a Charity Boarding School, composed of 
 children selected from a great number of applicants, and received, usually, at a a 
 early age. This School is obviously essential to the prosperity of the Seminary, 
 being indeed its nursery. Though ten or twelve years since, when similar 
 establishments were first commenced, it was rlmost impossible to induce any native 
 to give up his child to be, even gratuitously, boarded and educated; and though , 
 so inveterate were the prejudices of the people, that, for several years, no 
 children could be procured, excepting from the lower classes of society, there 
 are now pressing- applications, even beyond the means of compliance, made from 
 the most respectable families: and some few offer to pay, i« part, the expense 
 of their children's board. The school at present consists of 77 boys, besides day 
 scholars, and is conducted, to some extent, on the monitorial System, Those who 
 appear worthy of support are kept under instruction, till they are able to read 
 and write Tainul and English, to translate easy English into Tamul, and are 
 familiarly acquainted with the ground rules of Arithmetic; after which they are 
 received into the Seminary. 
 
 B. 
 
 The Scanda Purana is in the hands of but few persons in the Country, 
 excepting those immediately connected with the Hindoo Temples, as it i» 
 generally thought unsafe to have the book in the house, lest it should be in 
 gome way defiled. Alter we had succeeded in procuring a copy, several Brahmins 
 and others around us, who are jealous of our proceedings, pretended that we 
 had been imposed upon, and had obtained only a spurious copy. Knowing 
 something of the impositions practised by designing men, in furnishing Europeans 
 with copies of Native books, we had some reason to doubt w hether it was genuine, 
 until it had been compared with another. — Nearly two years ago, it was thought 
 expedient to indroduce the reading of this Purana in the Seminary. As soon a« 
 •ur intention was made known, the principal Tamul teacher who has been con- 
 
■acted with the Initiation from its commencement, respectfully remonstrated 
 against the measure. He urged that the Scanda Purana is one of the most sacred 
 kooks used in the Country,-that it should be taught only in sacred places — that 
 the Mission premises are, in the estimation of the people, very far from sacred — 
 ♦hat it wonld not be possible to perform on them those ceremonies which ought 
 •ver to precede, accompany, and follow, the reading of that book — that the mem- 
 bers of the Seminary were not fit persons to la instructed in the Purana, and 
 finally, that he could not subject himself to the odium that would be cast upon 
 him by the people, lor thus teaching it. This opposition, from the only person 
 connected with the Seminary who was well qualified to instruct a class in th« 
 Purana, somewhat deranged our plan. His objections were at length, however, 
 so far overruled, that he consented to give private assistance to a member of the 
 first Class, who, with his help, could act as a teacher, and thus the Purana 
 was introduced. In the course of a few weeks, a part of the Poem was procured 
 from Nellore, rendered from the Poetic dialect into plain Tamul prose; and as 
 it was desirable that the contents of this highly venerated book should be known 
 to the students, seasons were appointed for its being read, in the presence of all 
 in the Seminary. At the first meeting for this purpose, there was a very unex- 
 pected disclosure of feeling; some of the Students were evidently afraid of the 
 consequences, some much ashamed, and others were pleased that the hidden 
 mysteries of Scanda Purana were about to be brought into the light. These pro- 
 ceedings immediately excited the attention of many in the vicinity. Sad predictions 
 were uttered, by the Brahmins and others, against all who were in any way con- 
 cerned in this profanation of their sacred writings, and many considerations were 
 suggested, for the purpose of dissuading the members of the Seminary from risking 
 *he consequences of entering on forbidden ground. As it was left optional with all, 
 whether to attend the meetings for reading, or not, the number of attendants 
 gradually diminished, and consequently the exercise was discontinued. Enough, 
 however, was read to convince all who would reflect, that the book is filled 
 with the most extravagant fictions, many of which are of an immoral tendency 
 “ for all the people will walk every one in the name of his god. ” 
 
 c. 
 
 The following received from William Gisborne Esq. then Collector 
 of the District of Jaffna, is, with leave, subjoined for the information of distaet 
 contributors to the Seminary. 
 
 “ Dear Sir, 
 
 “ I shall be much obliged to yon to apply the accompanying five 
 “guineas to the very useful ob|ect of the American Mission Seminary; which 
 "•object, fro® whet 1 witnessed on Friday last, with te much gratification, is. 
 

 25 
 
 "1 am convinced, attainable, by a continuance of the leal and attentive care- 
 •‘that have already effected more than the most sanguine hopes could have 
 *• anticipated.” v 
 
 “With my sincere wishes for the success of the Seminary, I remain. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your faithful servant, 
 
 (Signed) W illiam Gisborne. ” 
 
 D. 
 
 An extract of a letter from the Hon. Sir Richard Ottley, 
 
 Chief Justice. 
 
 “ As I may not be able to visit your stations again, previously 
 " to my departure from Ceylon, I take the pi i sent opportunity of address: ng you 
 “ on several points connected with the System on which you are proceeding; 
 
 “ and which I witnessed, in full operation, on the day ot ycur last annual 
 
 “ Examination. On that occasion. I felt real satisfaction at the progress ot the 
 “ boys in Mathematics and in Natural Philosophy. Their improvement in 
 
 “Geometry, in Algebra, as well as in Mechanics, Astronomv. and the doctrine 
 "of the weight and motion of Fluids, afforded me sub-tantial cause of gratifi- 
 cation. " 
 
 “The value of those Sciences may not be immediately apparent 
 •• to those who are not aware of the intimate connexion between the super- 
 " stitions of the Heathen of India, and their absurd notions and gratuitous hy- 
 “ potheses in Natural Philosophy. Their attempts to account for the pheno- 
 “ mena of nature, are, in many cases, so puerile, and are so little founded 
 ‘‘ upon experiment and a correct observation of the rules of sound reasoning, that 
 “ whenever the true principles are explain -d, the baseless fabric, which they have 
 “erected, must necessarily fall; and so iot mate is the connexion between their 
 “ idolatry and these errors, that we may hops the former will not long *or- 
 “ vive the demolition of the latter. ” 
 
 “The first duty of all engaged in the education of the Natives ii 
 “to reach them the va’oe. and rrove to them th; truth, of the Revelation 
 " which we profess to believe. AH ot ter objects ought to be rendered sub- 
 ♦•servient to this, and be estimated chiely in proportion to their tendency 
 
 “ to promote it. ” 
 
56 
 
 •w p.4"t,r::r; os,r " rtion in , Mathomsticar - 
 
 ' hl ° h and important plate in the minds 0 f thosa 
 
 who conduct the education of the people in Ceylon.” 
 
 “The next point to which my attention has been directed i, 
 the education ot the females; and vour i ’ ,» 
 
 , .. , . ’ >0Ur l jIani and exertions for the purpose 
 
 " s s """ ■" d 'i- — 
 
 „ “ " J *«»*—. - — receive, ,, 
 
 cully ot introducing; them has been irn . “ ffi ’ 
 
 ° magnified in consequence of their novelty. 
 
 ••When we consider how much the no:ions and principles of 
 
 - -; lh are 10 be infl “ d ^ the character and conduct of mo- 
 
 hers-how essentially the happiness and respectabihty of families depend on 
 the behaviour of wives towards their husbands, and of mothers towards their 
 •'children; as well as the weight in Society which one half of the human species 
 must necessarily possess; and when we further add to this account, the consi- 
 *' deration, peculiar to the District, of Jaffna, that the landed property is prim 
 -cipully vested in females, no very large array of arguments can be required 
 “to evince the importance of communicating to them that instruction which is 
 "necessary to eni.ghlcn them, and lead them to the knowledge of true Religion. • 
 
 (Signed) Richard Otllay. 
 
 E, 
 
 The object of the first dissertation was to show, by means of 
 an artificial globe, so prepared as to illustrate the Moons or Sun's parallax, 
 that the method of ascertaining the distance of those bodies from the Earth.' 
 rests on the principles of Plane Trigonometry. Though there are Natives 
 in the District who ha7e some knowledge of Trigonometry, they seem to 
 have known nothing of its application to this subject; and when interrogated 
 respecting the distan es of the heavenly bodies, they usually refer to what 
 is contained in the Scanda Purana on this subject; end feel quite satisfied 
 ns to its conectness. The statements from the Purana. contrasted with the 
 account given in European Systems of Astronomy, are as follow. 
 
 Distance of the 
 
 Sun 
 
 Mocn 
 
 Mercury 
 
 Venus 
 
 Hindoo Account Euroj e^n Account 
 
 Yojana 
 
 Eng. Miles. 
 
 Eng. Miles. 
 
 100,000 
 
 1,818,182 
 
 95,000,000 
 
 2GO.OC0 
 
 3,036,363 
 
 2-10,000 
 
 50 ,CC0 
 
 3,036,019 
 
 36,774,000 
 
 VCO.OC’C 
 
 12,727,272 
 
 58.716, GO* 
 
27 
 
 Mars 
 Jupiter 
 Saturn 
 Polar Star 
 
 500,000 16 , 363,636 
 
 1 . 100.000 20 , 000,009 
 
 1 . 300.000 23 , 636,363 
 
 1 . 500.000 25 , 454 ,545 
 
 144 . 760.000 
 
 494 . 265.000 
 
 906 . 183.000 
 
 Respecting these two very different statements, it was observed, 
 rt at while Europeans show a very plain method, by which the distances of the 
 jun' and planets are ascertained, those who credit the account -tamed m 
 the Parana, should mcprire on what authority it has been given, and whether 
 there be any evidence of its correctness. 
 
 In the second dissertation the principal points brought to view 
 
 were the following. 
 
 1, The extent of the Solar System. The Hindoos state that there 
 are nine planets, viz. the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, 
 Rahoo and Keetoo. * On the influence which the seven first mentioned have 
 on the affairs of this world, they have founded a System of Astrology, 
 
 the results of which are annually given in the Native Almanacks. The 
 following is a specimen of this system, translated from the Almanack of 1824. 
 
 “ During this year, Saturn is King; Mars is Prime Minister and 
 Major General; Venus presides over herbs and vegetables, and Mercury over 
 dry grain; the Moon presides over paddy, and directs the clouds; the 
 
 Sun presides over things savoury, and Veuus over things insipid. " 
 
 The following are the effects indicated by this arrangement. 
 ■«‘As Saturn is King, herbs and grain will be but of a moderate quality; there 
 will be rain, here and there, in very unequal quantities; a'nd there will ba 
 great fear of thieves and diseases. As Mars is prime minister, there will 
 
 be but a moderate quantity of rain, and rice, fee. will be rather scarce. As 
 Mars is also Major General, there will be a moderate quantity of vegetation, 
 and the people will have sorrow. As Venus presides over herbs, there will be 
 good crops, where the soil is red; flowers will abound, and the world will 
 have health aud comfort. As Mercury presides over grain, there will be moder- 
 ate crops of all kinds. As the Moon presides over paddy, there will be sea- 
 sonable rain, paddy will be cheap, end the world will be joyful. A* 
 
 the Moon also presides over the clouds, there will be a good supply 
 
 of rain all kinls of grain will grow well, cows will increase, and there wilt be 
 an abundance of milk. As the Sun presides over things savoury, such as 
 honey, oil, &c. these, articles will be cheap. As Venus presides over things 
 
 * Raboo and Keetoo arc the moon’s nodes; but, are considered as the 
 head and tail of the Serpent which devour the Sun or Moon at the time »f 
 an eclipse. 
 
28 
 
 1n?ipid, such as pearls, silver. cotton cloth, fee. thesa articles also will 
 be cheap. ” 
 
 Hus extract is sufficient (o convey some idea of the system found- 
 ed on the supposed inliuence of ;he Sun and Planets, upon the affairs of 
 this world. Cn this part of the subject, it was observed, that, as the 
 framers of the system of Astrology were ignorant of the extent of the 
 Planetary world, and have not permitted Herschel, the four Asteroids, and 
 seventeen .Moons, or Secondary Planets, to share in the distribution of 
 
 office, or to exert an influence on the affairs of this world, we must 
 conclude, either that there is no foundation, in the nature of the case, 
 for such a System, or that it is founded in great injustice. 
 
 2. The time of (he Summer and Winter Solstices. According 
 
 to the computations of the best imormed in this District, the Sun reaches 
 
 the Summer Solstice, or most northern point in the Ecliptic, on the 11th 
 of July, instead of the 21st. of June; — and the Winter Solstice on the 10th. 
 of January, instead of the "21st. of December. An easy method was pointed 
 out (that of simply noticing at what time the length of the shadow at noon 
 is the greatest) by which every person might satisfy himself— as the members 
 of the Seminary had done, by actual obsrvalion — that those who are accounted 
 learned in this District, greatly err in their views of this subject. It is worthy 
 of notice, that, on the 11th. of July and the 10th of January, the Sun is ia 
 
 those points of the Sidereal sphere which were the solstitial points A. D. 533. 
 
 The circumstance favours the supposition that the natives here have some know- 
 ledge of a system formed at that remote period, which was the commence- 
 ment of au important era in the history of Hindoo Astronomy; and that 
 
 they are not aware of the precession of the Equinoxes. 
 
 S. The Hindoo and European theories of Eclipses. 
 
 4. The comparative distance of the Sun and JUoonfrom the Earth. 
 
 While reading the third dissertation, on the importance of English, 
 at a medium of acquaintance with Hindoo learning, the writer exhibited to 
 the audience, for the purpose of illustrating his subject, the Portraits of the 
 Hindoo gods, as found in the first volume of the Asiatic Researches; and 
 mentioned that they were accompanied with a short description of their 
 characters. This produced a strong sensation in the minds of many present, 
 who supposed that these subjacts were, to a great extent, concealed from 
 the knowledge ef Europeans. 
 

 The following are extracts from the Journal of the Semiiary, 
 by the Principal. 
 
 April 2nd. I learn from various quarters that the subiecfs brourbt 
 forward yesteiday at the examination, especially those n the -econd disser- 
 tation, have produced much excittttenl an ong he hest informed in this 
 vicinity. They are resolved to put .0 the test of ofcsen alien, various points in 
 Astronomy, v>h. h were stated n opposition to the Native System. Some are 
 quite severe ;n their remarks upon he students who d ed to come forward, 
 tn puhl-.f, ani charge the most learned men in the countrv with holding erro- 
 neous and absurd opinions. 
 
 April 4th. The student who rend the second dissertation, mentioned 
 above, retnrned from Jaffnapatam. He informs me that, during his absence, he 
 heard much said by different persons on the subject of the examination, and that 
 he is much censured by his friends and relations, for the part he took. They 
 ! av he is bringing disgrace upon himself, his kindred, and countrymen. He in- 
 forms me, also, that some are preparing to notice, by the method suggested, at 
 what time the sun will come to the Summer Solstice. 
 
 April lltb. The term commenced yesterday. From the students 
 who have returned, it appears, that there are many and strange speculations re- 
 jecting the late examination. Some who witnessed the experiment- on the occasion, 
 affirm that the Missionaries are magicians: others, that they are really learned, and 
 that it is surprising they should have a knowledge of the Sciences, as well as 
 of Christianity. The inference in the minds of a few at least, is, that as the 
 Europeans appear to be superior to the Tamulians in science, it is reasonable 
 to suppose, that they have a superior System of Religion. 
 
 F 
 
 The following articles were received from Enrland -Pne - iw?*V, Elec- 
 trical, Chemical, Optical, Magnetic, Meteoroloiical, Meehan - \ ->n’ ffvdraulical 
 Apparatus, with an Orrery and Dolland’s Achromatic Telescope. The latter is 
 five feet in length, with a magnifying power of about two bun ’red. 
 
 Since the establishment of the Seminary a vari :’v rf Class-books 
 have been imported, of which the following are some o r the principal. One 
 hundred and seventy copies of Murray’s and Lenn e s Grammar eight} our Arith- 
 metics of different kinds — one hundred Geographies — one hundred and ten Eng- 
 lish Dictionaries— one hundred and ninety copies of Murray's English Reader, In- 
 troduction to the Reader, and other similar books — thirty-six copies ot Blair* 
 
30 
 
 Grammar of History — thirty-six of Blair's Grammar of Natural Philosophy — forty- 
 eight of several treatises on Algebra — twelve oi Euclid's Elements — and a varia- 
 of other boohs, for he use the Students, to the amount of about L 200. 
 Such boohs ns are essentially necessary, in a course of study, and in subsequent 
 life, are sold to the Students at prime cost, others are lent to them, and some 
 are gratuitously given. The per:. men at aritage to the students, of possessing 
 tho-a rooits •• itch they have caremi.y -ijihed, is great and obvious; but their 
 means of purthi, ing them are so extremely lrmited, that there is often a decree 
 ot necessity to do more to meet their wants than the scanty funds of the Institution 
 can v eil permit. he desirableness of some systematic provision being made for 
 furn shing them with standard books, and thereby promoting the best interests ot 
 learning in the District, will apologise for noticing this subject. 
 
 G 
 
 Soon after the Telescope was received, it was frequenly used, for the pur- 
 pose of viewing the heavenly bodies, and thus giving proof of what had been before 
 taught, respecting Jupiter's Satellites, Saturn’s ring, the partial illumination of 
 the Planets, spots on the Sun, &c. The effect, especially upon those who had 
 attended to the subject, was very pleasing. A rer rr made by one of the stu- 
 dents to the Principal, was doubtless expressive o c the feelings of many;— “Sic, 
 though von have often to’d us of these t! ; ngs, and we have learnt them from 
 our looks, we have always had mrnv secret doubts as to the truth of them; 
 but now we see with one own eves and know that they are true." All, how- 
 ever, were not so readily convinced. It was privately suggested by some, 
 that perhaps the instrument was so fitted up as to deceive; or in other words, 
 that there was an optical illusion. This, it seems, is the opinion of the best 
 informed Natives around us. who have heard reports concerning the Telescope, 
 but are unfrieudlv to the Seminary. Few of this Class are disposed to form 
 an opinion by actual observation. One individual. who was no less skeptical than 
 some others, came frequently to make observations, that he might satisfy himself, 
 ns to the existence and motion ol Jupiter's Satellites, convexity of the moon, and 
 some other points which he could by no means admit. Though quite unwilling 
 to trust his senses, when they led to conclusions con rary to his preconceived notions, 
 be at length felt obliged to yield to their evidence, and to acknowledge the 
 truth, on the points in question. The same n an, however, can see no proof 
 that the earth is round, or in motion, though his attention has often been turn- 
 ed to the evidences usually adduced on these subjects. Nor can he perceive, 
 in the experiments made with the air pump, illustrating the pressure of ths atmox 
 
31 
 
 phere, any thing that is not satisfactorily accounted for on the principle ©f 
 
 •action; by which he unders:; iris soautiii .g very cih'e.eat from the ejects of 
 atmospheric pressure, fhis . uacumen to theory, which is almost uiivers.il a- 
 ir.oug Natives who make any pretensions to learning, shows the desirableness 
 oi bringing those under instruction in the sciences, whose niinh» are unoccupied l 
 and free from obstinate pr.jj lices; and also the importance of furnishing them 
 with ample means, as to books and apparatus, for a successful prosecution of 
 their studies. 
 
 H. 
 
 It has been doubted, till very recently, whether Europeans are able 
 accurately to calculate Eclipses, independently of the knowledge which, it is 
 supposed, they have acquired from the Hindoos by bribery. Tiie Eclipse of the 
 Moon which took place on the 20th of March 1829, afforded a favourable 
 opportunity for correcting their error on this subject. By inspecting a Native 
 Almanack, published by Visvanr. ian, an aged Brahmin, ot Batiicotta — called, 
 by way of eminence, the learned Brahnv.n, and who doubtless has a greater 
 knowledge of Astronomy than nv other Native in the District— it appeared that, 
 in his calculations of the Eclipse, (hers were three errors situ. brr.lv glaring 
 to be noticed by sup die !u observers. According to it, the Eclipse vvo’i'l com- 
 mence fifteen minntes later— contir e r. env -four t. r ites longer — and cover three 
 digits more of the moon s disc — than the true cr.l dilatin'- showed. As the time 
 of the Eclipse drew near, it v.rs i. in ted to the Almanack maker, that he 
 was incorrect in his calculations, whl< h induced him to review his work; bat 
 lie came to the same result. This ha did repeatedly, being assisted by others 
 in the District, who are acquainted with the suh'o 1 ; but all confirmed the state- 
 ment given in the Almanack, Being quite coni lent that they were correct, 
 they were not a little pleased in prospect of having the comparative correct- 
 ness of the two calculations put to the test of observation. As the subject 
 became known in the neighbourhood, it awakened the attention of many who 
 are interested in the continuance of Idolatry. A Pandarum, who has the repu- 
 tation of being a man of more learn ng than mob other? in the Parish, took 
 special precautions that the subject should be so fully understood, as to leave 
 no room for doubt or dispute afterwards. He came several times to the 
 Principal, that he might distinctly apprehend the three points of difference. He 
 mode himself acquainted, also, with our method of reckoning time, so as readily 
 to determ n’ the hour and minute, by a watch or clock, and compare it with 
 the time, according to the Native mode of reckoning; and he determined to be 
 hirnself at the Station, as a witness, at the time of the Eclipse. As it is generally 
 
32 
 
 Relieved, in the Country, that there is an inseparable connexion between Science 
 and Ret'gion, and that the foretelling of Eclipses is a demonstration of the 
 truth of their System of Astronomy, the point at issue did not merely involve a 
 trial of skill in Astronomical calculations, but materially affected one of the most 
 popular arguments in support of the Hindoo system of Idolatry. 
 
 On the evening of the Eclipse, which commenced nine minutes after 
 run-set; many persons asstmhled near the Seminary, to witness the result. Pass- 
 ing over various circumstances, some of which were sufficiently amusing, it is 
 •nough to remark, that all present, even the Pandarum, had occular and satis- 
 factory demonstration, that the Native calculation was wrong, in the three parti- 
 culars above mentioned. While the Eclipse was in progress, a lecture was given 
 in the Seminary Chapel, on the subject of Eclipses. In explaining the cause ot 
 Lunar Eclipses, the lame- (except one attached to the Orrery, and which repre- 
 sented the Sun,) being extinguished, the artificial moon was seen partially eclips- 
 ed bv the Earth's shadow. The representation so well corresponded with what 
 wa« known to be the relative si uation of the heavenly bodies, at the commence- 
 ment of the EcPpse, that, with on • ex- option, all present were ready to ad- 
 mit the truth of the theor that had been explained^ and by which the two 
 serpents, Rahoo and K<e oo, which are supposed periodically to seize the Sun and 
 Moon, and thus to corse E:' : isi-, ware convened into two shadows, one 
 of the Moon and the other of the Earth. 
 
 No single occurrence, in connexion with the Seminary, has had se 
 obvious an effect as tlx , upon different Classes of persons in the vicinity, in 
 awakening their attention to the comparative merits of the two very different 
 systems now taught in the District. 
 
 It is in justice, due to the Pandarum, who listened with great interest 
 to the lecture, and proposed several judicious inquiries, to remark, that he has v 
 from that time to the present, manifested far more candour and docility on 
 the subject, thrn any other Native equally interested to uphold the prevailing 
 ■iv-tern. He has even subjected himself to considerable reproach, for yielding 
 to the convictions of his oun mind, and for speaking openly in favour of die 
 new theory, rle is now anxious to have it understood, that there is no con. 
 nexion between the Native systems of Astronomy and Religion, and that though 
 the former should be overthrown, the latter would remain for ever animpaireff. 
 
33 
 
 DONATIONS TO THE SEMINAR? 
 
 1827 1829. 
 
 IN CEYLON. 
 
 r 
 
 Rds. 
 
 FS. 
 
 p. 
 
 THE HON. SIR RICHARD OTTLEY 
 
 756. 
 
 8. 
 
 0. 
 
 THE YEN. ARCHDEACON GLEN1E 
 
 300. 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 CHARLES BROWNRIGG ESQ. 
 
 266. 
 
 8. 
 
 0. 
 
 WILLIAM GISBORNE ESQ. 
 
 70. 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 JAMES N. MOOYAART ESQ. 
 
 150. 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 LIEUTENANT MC ALPIN 
 
 20. 
 
 o- 
 
 0. 
 
 R. BROOK ESQ. 
 
 35. 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 IN INDIA. 
 
 
 RUp. 
 
 An. 
 
 r. 
 
 JOHN SULLIVAN ESQ. 
 
 to 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 
 
 J. C. WHISH ESQ. 
 
 50- 
 
 0 . 
 
 0. 
 
 MAJOR W. T. BRETT 
 
 35. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 H. STOKES ESQ. 
 
 100. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 - 
 
 COLONEL J. HAZLEWOOD 
 
 30. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 MRS. MOUNTFORD 
 
 20. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 CAPTAIN COTTON 
 
 300. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
34 
 
 
 *up. 
 
 An. 
 
 F. 
 
 MAJOR FLEMING 
 
 30 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 E. IRONSIDE ESQ. 
 
 30 . 
 
 0, 
 
 0. 
 
 CAPTAIN E. MACPHERSON 
 
 10 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 CAPTAIN H. D. ROBERTSON 
 
 50 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 GEORGE BIRD ESQ. 
 
 30 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 REVEREND J. CLOW 
 
 30 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 MRS. CLOW 
 
 30 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 M. LEWIN ESQ. 
 
 30 
 
 0. 
 
 o. 
 
 CAPTAIN H. O’BRIEN 
 
 50 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 J. UNDERWOOD M. D. 
 
 10 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 REVEREND F. SPRING 
 
 30 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 C. NORRIS ESQ. 
 
 20 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 J. CAMPBELL ESQ. 
 
 30 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 WILLIAM A. FORSYTH ESQ. 
 
 30 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 LIEUT. W. LANGFORD 
 
 20 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 J. MORTON ESQ. 
 
 50 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 B. CUNL1FFE ESQ. 
 
 40 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 CAPTAIN CHASE 
 
 20 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 REVEREND J. HALLEWELL 
 
 30 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 GEO. P. BALL ESQ. 
 
 20 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 JAMES THOMAS ESQ. 
 
 60 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 R. W. POE ESQ. 
 
 20 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 J. A. R. S. 
 
 50 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 ENSIGN FRE1SE 
 
 10 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 CAPTAIN MACLEOD 
 
 50 . 
 
 0. 
 
 e. 
 
 COLONEL HARDY 
 
 20 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 PHILOLOGUS 
 
 50 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 MAJOR CLUBLEY 
 
 20 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 CAPTAIN SALMON 
 
 20 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 CAPTAIN GRAHAM 
 
 20 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
 CAPTAIN LYONS 
 
 10 . 
 
 0. 
 
 0. 
 
35 
 
 
 kup. 
 
 An. 
 
 K 
 
 J. GLEN ESQ. 
 
 30. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 LIEUTENANT COTGRAVE 
 
 20. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 LIEUTENANT LEMISSURIES 
 
 35. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 CAPTAIN GLEN 
 
 20. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 J. E. FREDERICK ESQ. 
 
 10. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 LIEUTENANT J. G. GORDON 
 
 10. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 A. F. HUDDLESTON ESQ. 
 
 50. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 J. A. CASSA MAJOR ESQ. 
 
 100. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 CAPTAIN UNDERWOOD 
 
 20. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 LIEUTENANT CRAIGIE 
 
 10. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 , 
 
 COLONEL ARTCHISON 
 
 25. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 MAJOR FIELD 
 
 20. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 MAJOR KELSO 
 
 30. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 LIEUT. COLONEL EVANS 
 
 30. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 CAPTAIN WILSON 
 
 10. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 G. S. HOOPER ESQ. 
 
 30. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 COLONEL MAITLAND 
 
 20. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 MRS. WILLIAMS 
 
 20. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 captain brucks 
 
 30. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 , 
 
 UNKNOWN 
 
 10. 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 MR. T. W. NAYLOR, MADRAS 
 
 50; 
 
 0 . 
 
 0 . 
 
 The amount of the above, as stated in the 
 Report, is £ 331. 18. 0, which has been appropriated to- 
 wards the expense of buildings for the Seminary. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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