CEYLON COCOA ESTATE 253 



a series of arched windows, though no roof 

 remains. The interior square structure is 

 windowless and tapers inwards, the brickwork 

 being so arranged that each layer of bricks 

 projects a little beyond the previous one, giving 

 the effect of a huge pointed funnel. There are 

 the remains of a rough kind of high altar ; 

 otherwise the building is quite empty, and is 

 not now used for religious purposes. 



But in the same enclosure, and under the 

 very shadow of the ancient shrine, is a com- 

 paratively modern Buddhist temple, containing 

 an inner room where a colossal figure of Buddha 

 painted yellow and red sits cross-legged on a 

 raised platform ; whilst on the outside walls of 

 this square apartment are rows of colossal 

 yellow figures carved in relief; the number 

 corresponding to the number of the supposed 

 incarnations of Buddha. Whilst we were being 

 shown all this, active preparations had been 

 going on for tea — a fire lighted — the kettle 

 boiled, and then the younger members of the 

 party proceeded to spread the tablecloth, and 

 to arrange the cakes and the cushions, in the 

 shade of the old grey walls. We were sur- 

 rounded by a crowd of admiring Sinhalese, 

 from the toddling infant, to the solemn looking 

 caretaker. It seemed to afford them much 

 amusement to watch the eccentric Britisher 

 quitting his comfortable bungalow to sit sipping 



