140 The Harbour and its Beauties. [No. 110. 



better adapted for them, if the taste of the public should ever turn 

 that way. 



The groups of large islands, covered with deep rich foliage, which 

 form the harbour of Kyok Phyoo, rise abruptly from the sea, and 

 afford water beside them so deep that ships can sail in safety. The 

 hills are clothed to the top in dense and luxuriant vegetation, while the 

 peaks of some run up to heights that are computed to extend to 7 or 

 800 feet. 



The harbour of Kyok Phyoo, as I have before remarked, is extreme- 

 ly picturesque, and in its conformation and capabilities, reminds me for- 

 cibly of the one at Trincomalee — Like the latter, it is divided into 

 what may be termed an outer and an inner harbour. The outer one being 

 more of a roadsted than the inner, which is sheltered by the point of land 

 on which the flag staff stands, and is safe for ships in all weathers. The 

 harbour and roadsted, with the contiguous extensive deep bay, known as 

 Fletcher Hayes' Straits, which stretches away amidst a series of many 

 beautifully grouped islands between the eastern side of Rararee and the 

 main, constitute an anchorage that I am assured would afford safe shelter 

 for the shipping of the whole world. 



With all these new and engaging features before me, it was with no 

 ordinary feelings of delight that I stept on shore to investigate and ex- 

 amine for myself. I found that a great and most beneficial change 

 had been wrought of late in the physical condition and aspect of the 

 station of Kyok Phyoo. The dense low jungle which formerly choked the 

 cantonment grounds, had, through the active exertions of the local au- 

 thorities, been effectually removed, as had the brush-wood and most of 

 the timber trees which grew on a contiguous low belt of sandstone hil- 

 locks, which formed the south western boundary of the station. Drains 

 for the outlet of accumulated water had also been cut, and temporary 

 bridges erected. The last it may be expected will shortly be superseded 

 by more becoming brick ones, as the materials, I was informed, had long 

 been lying accumulated on the ground. 



The salubrity of the place has by these measures been much impro- 

 ved, and the first intimation almost which I received on landing, was 

 the gratifying assurance, that during the whole period of service (two 

 years) that the regiment then on the island on duty had passed, not 

 one death had occurred among the officers, or, (I believe I am correct 

 in this) any one of them been obliged to leave it from sickness. One 

 great and powerful complaint still exists against Kyok Phyoo as a regi- 

 mental station. The Hindoostanee soldiers suffer dreadfully from 



