.. from cold, and I was frequently compelled to have recourse to 
5 M OL. WA RS TOUR Ns 
250 RS COL. WALKER’S TOUR IN CELON 
crossed and recrossed several times, before we got to our 
resting-place. We at last gained sight of the Bungalow, 
lately erected on the plains of Maha Ellia, (called by the 
English, in compliment to the governor, the Horton plains.) 
As we had been under some apprehension that we might not 
find any shelter at all in this cold region, the appearance of 
anything in the form of a house was a great comfort to us, 
more especially as we also found tolerable cover for our 
servants. We arrived about 3 P.M., and as our Coolies were 
very anxious to return immediately, and some of them had 
only engaged to bring us here, we foolishly (as we afterwards 
found) allowed them allto go. After paying them, I began to 
think of settling ourselves for the night, which we found diffi- 
cult to manage, with the least hope of comfort; for though we 
were thankful to obtain any kind of shelter, yet it was no 
easy matter to keep ourselves warm in this vegetable edifice, 
for we found the house composed of wood and grassy which 
hardly excluded the sharp night-air. However, we crept 
into the snuggest corner we could discover, spread mats, 
tarpaulings, &c., on the damp ground, clothed ourselves ™ 
warm garments, and made ourselves as comfortable as ais 
cumstances would admit. Having despatched a messenger to 
Newera Ellia for supplies and Coolies, we walked about to 
warm ourselves till dinner-time, after which we had a glass 
of hot negus, and got to bed early, after all the fatigue of the 
day. We found the night so cold, that notwithstanding oUt 
weariness we could not sleep, and when dressed, I was - 
to go and sit in the sunshine for warmth. We regretted 
much having not brought a thermometer with us. The house 
being dark, I was obliged to place my drawing-table quite 
in the door-way, where my fingers soon became powerless 
my former expedient of sitting where the sun shone brightest. 
. This Bungalow, being placed in the forest on the edge of the 
- plain, derives little benefit from the rays of the sun, but t! 
~ winds are so strong on this elevated region, that the shelter 
=~ €f the woods is quite necessary; there seems quite a trial of 
