346 Voyage of the Novara. 



the Pearl. — Poetry and Natural Science. — Artificial Production of the Pearl. — The 

 Chank-shell — The Wealth of Ceylon in Precious Stones. — Visit to a Cocoa-nut Oil 

 Manufactory. — The Cowry-shell, a Promoter of the Slave Trade. — Discovery of 

 valuable Cingalese MSS. on Palm-leaves. — The heroic Poem of " Mahawwanso," 

 and Turner's EngUsh Translation of it. — Hosi^itaHty of English Officials in 

 Colombo. — A second Visit to Father MUiani. — Agreeable Reception. — The Antidote- 

 oil against Bites of Poisonous Snakes. — Adventures on the Journey back to Galle. — 

 Ascent of Adam's Peak by two Members of the Expedition. — The sacred Footprint. 

 — Descent. — The " Bullock-bandy," or Native Waggon. — Depaiture fi-om Galle for 

 Madras. — The Bassos (shallows). — A Berlin Kope-dancer among the Passengers. 

 — Nyctalopia ; or, Night Blindness. — Fu*e on board. — Anival in Madras Roads. 



The inquirer who becomes acquainted by personal examina- 

 tion with the important geographical position of the Island of 

 Ceylon (called also Seilan or Singhala), her commodious 

 harbours, her productiveness, and her marvellous climate, 

 involuntarily wonders at the stepmother's part that England 

 has hitherto played with respect to this renowned island of 

 palms and spices, the Malta of the Indian Ocean, which of all 

 the British possessions in distant parts of the earth, has, till 

 recently, received the least care or attention. 



It must be borne in mind, however, that Ceylon is an 

 appanage of the British Crown, and it is not an independent, 

 self-supporting colony. Those shortcomings of administration, 

 for which the mother country is exclusively responsible, have 

 been hitherto a complete drag upon her development. But the 

 English people have this advantage over all other nations, that 

 once anything has been recognized to be useful and impera- 

 tively required, they proceed to apply it with such energy, that 

 they are enabled to make up for any neglect with giant strides. 

 During late years many fetters have been knocked off which 



