44 



RUBBER PLANTING IN CEYLON 



where a German tourist finds good entertainment for about two dollars 

 a day, while an American or an Englishman must pay five dollars. The 

 city lies in a lovely valley, and is built around an artificial lake, on an 

 island, in the middle of which once stood the royal harem. The walks 

 and drives around the city, over beautifully kept roads that ascend with 

 only the slighest grades, are simply ideal. 



As a matter of duty, I visited the Buddhist temple of the Sacred 

 Tooth during service. It was after nightfall, and the beating of the tom- 

 toms and noise of conches were almost deafening. I secured a guide at 

 the main entrance, or rather he secured me, and, accompanied by two 

 self-elected explainers, and a boy carrying a lighted candle, we went 



KANDY LADY HORTON S WALK. 



from one shrine to another, giving up contributions of small change 

 before each, jostled by crowding worshippers, lacjen with fruit and 

 flowers. 



Of the things that linger in my memory, the library of Singal- 

 ese sacred literature is most prominent. There are hundreds of volumes, 

 the leaves of the books being strips of fiber from the Tallipot palm, 

 the letters being etched into the surface and then filled with ink. They 

 are beautifully bound in gold and silver, and ornamented with jewels. 

 There was also an image of the god, three feet high, of solid gold, as well 

 as one carved out of a single block of crystal, some ten inches in height. 



