256 EVERYDAY LIFE ON A 



in the old country, and the virtues of industry, 

 self-reliance, and dependableness are as neces- 

 sary for success in Ceylon as elsewhere. But 

 I wish once more to repeat that for those 

 possessing the necessary qualifications, mone- 

 tary and otherwise, it is quite one of the most 

 charming colonies in which to make a home. 



The 13th of March at last arrived. Having 

 said good-bye to my coolie friends, and having 

 received many tokens of their good will, in the 

 shape of crystals, curious insects, a snake skin, 

 and a parrot, I, escorted by my son, started for 

 Colombo. There we were joined by other 

 friends proceeding by the same ship. Those 

 last days passed at the luxurious Galle Face 

 Hotel, where we all made such desperate efforts 

 at make believe cheerfulness, soon came to an 

 end. The partings were over, the last boat 

 had left the ship, and we steamed away in the 

 moonlight, the lights of Colombo becoming 

 ever dimmer and dimmer, until the very last 

 flash from the tall tower told us that we had 

 indeed left the shores of Ceylon and those we 

 loved behind us. 



Oh ! the sadness of these partings. The 

 sorrow and the aching hearts which many of us, 

 alas, must bear, as the penalty for our proud 

 heritage, the world wide British Empire. 



FINIS. 



