CEYLON, PEARL OF THE EAST

HARRY WILLIAMS

ROBERT HALE LTD
1953

Some idea of Ceylon's place in the historical sun is conveyed by the extraordinary number of names bestowed upon it by many nations throughout Europe and Asia from the time of the early Greeks onwards. Whether known as Lanka, Taprobaiie, Tenerisim the "Isle of Delight", Ilanare, Caphane, Serendib, or a score of other titles, this small Dominion, loveliest island in the world, has charmed the imagination of travellers for nearly three thousand years. Yet it was not even correctly mapped, and remained mysterious and largely unexplored, until the British captured it from the Dutch and began to develop it early in the nineteenth century. The literature of the island, although large, is specialised. Here almost for the first time in one book, is its complete story, authoritative and definitive, simply written and superbly illustrated.

The author lived for many years in Ceylon, making a sympathetic and comprehensive study of the legends, customs, family life, and religions of the two main communities; the indigenous Sinhalese and the Tamils from southern India. Devil-worship, too, which still exists on a considerable scale, is explained in detail. History, geography, geology, flora, fauna buried and living cities, jewel-mining and pearl fishing, colourful processions and age-old folk-lore, a holy mountain and jungle plains once teeming with a cultured society, each of these comes under review; and a vivid picture is drawn of the struggle now taking place to establish modern scientific enterprises of agriculture and industrialism against the stubborn background of a village life which has remained virtually unchanged since Biblical times.

Mr. Williams' views on the future prospects of Ceylon, caught as it is between the hammer of twentieth century progress and the anvil of an immemorial tradition, are challenging and direct, but it is obvious that they derive from an abiding love of this beautiful land and its kindly and gifted people.

25 x 16 cm. 460 pp + b/w photo plates. Map endpapers.

Very good condition. Top part of the front board slightly faded. A little foxing to the page edges but otherwise clean and tidy.