ISLAND OF CEYLON. 253 



of their climate creates ideas filled with the ftrangeft imagery. 

 The tooth was probably worfhipped as one belonging to his 

 godQiip. 



Most of the eaftern fide of Ceylon is guarded with fand banks TRiNcoMAit. 

 or rocks "-^-. T'rincotnale harbour is in Lat. 8° 30', a fine and 

 fecure port, protected by a flrong garrifon, confiiiing of about 

 four hundred men. Such was the number in fort OJlejidurgb, 

 when it was taken by affault, on January 11, 1782, by our brave 

 feaman, Sir Edzvard Hughes ; which, on Auguji 26 of the lame 

 year, was wrefted from us by his acflive and gallant rival Suf- 

 frein. 



On September 2d, the former came off 'Trincomale, and to 

 his great furprife found the French colors flying on all the forts. 

 Suffrein, with a fuperior fquadron, failed out of the harbour, 

 fecure, as he thought, of victory. Our brave admiral, and his 

 officers, enraged at the lofs of the place, eagerly accepted the 

 offer of combat. The contending admirals difplayed every proof 

 of courage and fkill. Suffrein''^ fliip was reduced to a wreck, 

 and he obliged to remove his flag to another. By fome negledt 

 of ours we loll: the difabled fliip. Night alone terminated the 

 battle. Suffrein retired into 'TrincomaJe, crowding in without 

 order. Thus fecured, Hughes left him relucftantly, and failed 

 for Madras with his fliattered fquadron. Our lofs was inconfi- 

 derable, in common men, fur it did not exceed fifty-one killed 



* Between the bay of Trincomale and the fort Calirauw is the country called Bedas, a 

 traft of foreft, comprehending a hundred and twenty miles. The habitation of the Bedas. 



and 



