No. 40. — 1890.] ACCOUNT OF CEYLON. 



325 



board ship, observed a general day of fasting and prayer to 

 obtain God's help and blessing in this important undertaking, 

 so that we might return victorious. 



On the 6th of November, seven ships with 800 gallant 

 soldiers were sent in advance from Columbo to Tutocoryn 

 and Keilpatnam, viz. : den Achillis, de Goutsblom, Tertolen, 

 Vlissingen, Bloemendael, Bantam, and de Schelvis ; they 

 were to obtain, for fair price, a great number of 

 fast-sailing boats, also cows and other cattle from the natives 

 who were friendly to us. 



Whilst thus riding at anchor off Columbo, we found an 

 opportunity to go and see this old and famous town. Many 

 fine buildings, even whole streets, were lying in ruins, partly 

 from age, partly from sieges and wars, and many of the 

 ruins were covered with grass and brushwood. Nevertheless, 

 we found in the town fine buildings, lofty churches, wide 

 streets and walks, and large houses in great number. They 

 were built spacious, airy, and high, with stone walls, as if 

 meant to stand for ever, according to the Portuguese 

 manner of building. 



The town of Columbo, famous from olden times, is 

 situated barely seven degrees to the north of the equator, 

 on the west coast of the Island of Ceilon, which is large, 

 beautiful, and rich in cinnamon. The gallant Portuguese 

 constructed it fully 150 years ago. They peopled it and have 

 since dwelt in it in affluence and state. But in May, 1656, 

 after a complete siege of seven months' duration, after many 

 desperate assaults and stern fights, the daring Netherlanders 

 compelled the Portuguese to surrender by capitulation to the 

 East India Company the afore-named fortified town of 

 Columbo, their finest pearl in the East Indies. The principal 

 Kings in India were surprised at this, and not less the 

 Portuguese, who considered Columbo impregnable. Since 

 then our countrymen have reduced the town, which was 

 large and spacious, and had too large a garrison, to smaller 

 compass, and made it a compact fortress. Still, Columbo 

 remained provided with many strong bastions, bulwarks, 



