CEYLON COCOA ESTATE 231 



CHAPTER XVII 



January 28th. — For weeks past the prin- 

 cipal topic of conversation has been the 

 expected arrival of a magnificent casket 

 presented by the Buddhists of Burmah to the 

 great temple in Kandy, for the purpose of 

 enshrining Buddha's tooth. The money for this 

 valuable shrine has been many years collecting, 

 and the costly undertaking which appealed 

 to the religious enthusiasm of the Burmese 

 was only lately accomplished. Two thousand 

 Burmese pilgrims came over to take part in the 

 presentation, and to visit the various spots held 

 sacred by their co-religionists in Ceylon, 

 including Adams Peak, and Anaradhapura. 

 These pilgrims had amongst them the High 

 Priest of Burmah, a very rich old lady said to 

 be possessed of ,£250,000 pounds, five 

 princesses, and many noblemen, and other 

 ladies and gentlemen, with their retinue. 

 While on pilgrimage they demanded 

 no special privileges, excepting that when in 



