182 



COLOilBO TO KAXDY, 



[IVVRT VII. 



on the coast to be bartered mtli the Kaiidyans in the 

 hills for " native coffee," wliicli is grown in small qnan- 

 tities round everj^ house, but without systematic culti- 

 vation. Tliis they cany down to the maritime towns, 

 and the proceeds are invested in cotton cloths and brass 

 utensils, dried fish, and other commodities, ^\ith wdiicli the 

 tavalams supply the secluded villages of the interior. 



The mode of hfe both of the conductors of these 

 caravans and of the Singhalese drivers of bandies, is a 

 succession of travel and adventure resembhng that of 

 the mule-diivers of Spain. Like tlie " arrieros " of 

 Andalusia, they move by night, or in tlie dusk, and rest 

 diu^ing the day in the cool sliade of the trees, passing 

 their time in games of chance, to which they are pas- 

 sionately devoted, and resuming thek journey at nisht-ftill. 

 At Yeangodde, twenty-five miles from Colombo, the 

 residence of Don Solomon Dias Bandarnayeke, one of 



the Moodhars of the Go- 

 vernor's Gate, affords the 

 most agreeable example 

 of the dwelling of a low- 

 country headman, witli 

 its broad verandahs, spa- 

 cious rooms, and exten- 

 sive offices, shuded by 

 palm-groves and fruit 

 trees. The chief himself, 

 now upM'ards of eiglity 

 j'ears ^ of age, is a noble 

 specimen of the native 

 race, and in his official 

 costume, decorated Avith 

 tlie gold chains and 

 medals by which his services have been recognised by tlie 

 Britisli Government, his tall and venerable figure makes 

 a striking picture. 



DON SOLOMON DIAS BANDARNA^ EKF. 



* Don Solomon died in 1850, wliilst the first edition of this work was 

 in press. 



