[William Sibbald, MD, Deputy Assistant-Inspector to Ceylon [Sri Lanka].] Manuscript of folk tale titled 'The History of Santirakasem | a free translation from the Tamal [sic]'.

30pp., 4to. On seven bifoliums and one single leaf, the bioliums stitched to one another. With several watermarks of J. Whatman, Turkey Mill, all dated to 1844. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Sibbald is not named, but the item is from his papers, and in his hand. Sibbald was in Ceylon between 1818 and 1833. There is no indication that this item has been published. The story begins: 'There was a certain King who reigned over a Realm called Kulutasem, who had long mourned having no heir to his throne - but after many years had elapsed to his great joy his Queen bore him a Son an infant of great beauty and promise, and the happy Father in the fullness of his joy assembled all his Counsellors the Priests of the Temple and Soothsayers at the Palace - that fortunate Omens might be observed and that Prosperity and Happiness might be predicted for the royal Child - but vain were the sanguine hopes and wishes of the Monarch'. It concludes: '[...] but what was his dismay, to find on the following day Santirakasem seated on the Throne, and that the King had left all the Kingdom to him. With sad misgivings he proceeded to the Temple where he beheld the mutilated Body of his Son - struck with remorse, and agony, he dahsed his head against the Stones of the Temple and perished in the presence of the assembled People - They hailed King Santirahasem with loud acclamations who reigned long & prosperously over that Realm'. From the Papers of William Sibbald, perhaps the translator.