Chap. X Singhalese Literature
The Pali language 512
The temples the depositaries of learning 512
Historiographers employed by the kings 512
Ola books, how prepared 513
A stile, and the mode of writing 513
Books on plates of metal (note) 513
Differences between Elu and Singhalese 513
Pali works
Grammar 514
Hardy’s list of Singhalese books (note) 515
Pali books all written in verse 515
The Pittakas 515
The Jatakas—resemble the Talmud 516
Pali literature generally 516
The Milinda-prasna 516
Pali historical books and their character 517
The Mahawanso 517
Scriptural coincidences in Pali books (note) 518
Sanskrit works:
Principally on science and medicine 520
Elu and Singhalese works:
Low tone of the popular literature 520
Chiefly ballads and metrical essays 521
Exempt from licentiousness 521
Sacred poems in honour of Hindu gods 521
General literature of the people 522