CilAF. I.] 



TRADE. 



109 



proper models, their unaided productions are by no 

 means in accordance with European tastes.^ 



The share of the commerce of Ceylon which at present 

 belongs to the port of Galle is small compared Avith that 

 of Colombo. The latter, from its nearer vicinity to the 

 coffee estates and the cinnamon districts, exports the 

 largest proportion of these, as well as of other articles, 

 from the interior and the north, whilst the chief trade 

 of GaUe consists in the productions of the coco-nut tree 

 with which the southern province is so densely covered 

 that the country in every direction for some distance 

 from the sea, appears a continuous forest of palms.-^ 

 The oil expressed from the nut ; coir and cordage 

 manufactured from its fibre ; and arrack distilled from 

 the sap of the tree, are shipped in large quantities for 

 Europe and India. 



But the local prosperity of Galle is mainly dependent 

 on the merchant vessels and steam packets which make 

 it their rendezvous ; and on the travellers from all parts 

 of the East who are carried there in consequence. These 

 are sufficient to support its numerous hotels, lodging 

 houses, and bazaars ; but private residents complain, and 

 with justice, of the increase of prices, and the excessive 

 cost of living, which has been entailed upon them in con- 

 sequence. 



The Dutch carried to their Eastern settlements two 

 of then* home propensities, which distinguish and em- 

 bellish the towns of the Low Countries ; tlicy indulged 

 in the excavation of canals, and they jilanted long lines 

 of trees to diffuse shade over the sultry passages in 

 their Indian fortresses. For the latter piurpose they 



^ At Galle and elsewhere, I found 

 the cabinet-maliers and carvers using- 

 as a substitute for sand-pajier to 

 polish their work, the rough leaves 

 of a species of fig-tree, called by them 

 sewana meiliya, and of a creeper 

 known as the korossa-mael. I am 

 unable to identify thcui scientifieallv. 



* It is a curious illustration of the 

 innumerable uses of the coco-nut 

 palm, tliat some years ago a shi]i from 

 the Maldive Islands touched at ( Jalle, 

 which was entirely built, rigged, pro- 

 visioned, and laden with tlie produce 

 of that tree. — Pekciy-vl, p. :52G. 



