^68 Voyage of the Novara. 



are among the oldest institutions of the country, and were 

 formerly maintained at the expense of private individuals. 

 The resting-houses, which have been erected under the 

 English rule on the main roads of the island, are in all 

 respects of a far higher class, and strongly resemble the 

 waiting-rooms of our own (German) railroads. One is not 

 merely provided in these with shelter, but also with food and 

 drink, at a fixed tariff. A special committee (the Provincial 

 Eoad Committee) is appointed to superintend the manage- 

 ment of these resting-houses. 



Here we partook of a luxurious " tiffin," as the customary 

 meal between breakfast and dinner is called in Ceylon, as 

 well as throughout India ; and in so doing, made acquaintance 

 for the first time with the renowned Indian dish " Curry," 

 which consists of flesh or fish prepared with a powder com- 

 pounded of spices. It tastes so hot that the European palate 

 only gets accustomed to it by degrees ; but in these countries 

 it is looked on as the favourite dish, which must never be 

 absent from any meal, because the cayenne pepper plenti- 

 fully sprinkled over it, stimulates the stomach and promotes 

 digestion. Hence the curry-powder is in immense request, 

 and is largely exported. The assertion that this dish w'as 

 first invented by the Portuguese is quite erroneous, as the 

 chronicles of the country establish that it was in request 

 in Ceylon in the second century before Christ.* 



* According to Professor "Wilson, " Ciu-ry " is but a corruption of tlie Carnatic 

 term Mdjkki-Kari, a dish composed of rice, sour milk, spices, and red pepper. 



