[William Sibbald, MD, Deputy Assistant-Inspector to Ceylon [Sri Lanka].] Manuscript translations [from Tamil?] of folk tales titled 'The Origin of the Kandelay Tank', 'Story of Manderapaudey' and 'The History of Santiraksen'. With fourth tale.

Sibbald was in Ceylon between 1818 and 1833. There is no indication that any of these four items have been published. One: 'The Origin of the Kandelay Tank'. 8pp., foolscap 8vo. On two bifoliums of paper with Gater watermark dated 1827. In good condition, on aged paper. Begins: 'In the Eastern country there was a King of the race of Sun called Annasockkaynathan [oriental characters here] the name of whose wife was Manonmasunthary [oriental characters here] who was delivered of a wonderful child who was born with teeth, and dressed him togehter with breasts (full grown) at which the King was astonished and sent to the wise men enquiring of the miraculous birth of the child'. Two: 'Story of Manderapaudey'. 6pp., foolscap 8vo. In poor condition, heavily worn with loss of text. Begins: 'In a City called Vecroomakasum, there lived a Bramany, who had an only daughter, who was a beautiful and accomplished young woman; her Father intended to bestow her hand on a young man, who was in every manner able to support her, and who was well informed, and had Received a proper education'. Three: 'The History of Santiraksen'. 22pp., foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Begins: 'A certain king who reigned over a realm called Kalatasem, was long since without having an Issue, and in Consequence his wife brought forth a child, the prognosticators have prognosticated, that child has been unfortunate to the Parent, and admonished the king to transport the same otherwise the Parent and all other relations will die in a six months'. Four: Headed: 'the craft first | of making two intimates to alienate'. 16pp., foolscap 8vo. Ends abruptly on p.16, with catch word, and clearly the first part only. Written in a closer hand than the other items, presumably at a later date. Begins: 'In a city called was a merchant man Named Vartaman who has thought to peregrinate and merchandize, so he has loaded his merchandizing upon a cart and coupled to it, two oxen'. From the Papers of William Sibbald, perhaps the translator.