[An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies by Robert Knox]@TWC D-Link bookAn Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies PART III 30/205
Which many of them do so improve; that except in Dignity they are not far behind their Masters, only they are not permitted to have Slaves.
Their Masters will not diminish or take away ought, that by their Diligence and Industry they have procured, but approve of it, as being Persons capable to repose trust in.
And when they do buy or otherways get a new Slave, they presently provide him a Wife, and so put him forward to keep House, and settle, that he may not think of running away.
Slaves that are born of Hondrew Parents, retain the Honour of their degree. [Beggars.] There is one sort of People more, and they are the Beggars: who for their Transgression, as hereafter shall be shewn, have by former Kings been made so low and base, that they can be no lower or baser.
And they must and do give such titles and respects to all other People, as are due from other People to Kings and Princes. [The Reason they became so base and mean a People.] The Predecessors of these People, from whom they sprang, were Dodda Vaddahs, which signifies Hunters: to whom it did belong to catch and bring Venison for the King's Table.
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