No. 40.— 1890.] account op ceylon. 



329 



and swift currents, no small portions, especially towards the 

 north, have been from time to time washed away from the 

 Island : hence Ceilon cannot now be so extensive as was 

 stated, and with truth, in former times. 



Before the time of the Portuguese, who were the first 

 Christians who came in their ships to the East Indies, the 

 Saracens, the Turks, and the Ethiopians often went to the 

 Island ; and they made no little gain by their trade in 

 pearls, precious stones, and principally in cinnamon. Subse- 

 quently the Portuguese, and lastly our countrymen, the 

 Netherlanders, became not only the masters of the commerce, 

 but also the possessors of the seaports, towns, and fortresses 

 therein. 



Some would have it that this wealthy Island was first 

 discovered by Chinese, who having been driven out of their 

 course in a junk by a storm, and having landed here, gave forth 

 that their ruler was the son of the Sun, which so pleased the 

 Cingalese (who likewise worshipped the sun) that they set up 

 the captain of the junk as king of the Island ; from whom it is 

 said the kings and queens of the Island are descended. 



Among Christians it was the Portuguese, and among them 

 Laurentius de' Almaida and his followers, who first 

 discovered Ceilon. For he having been sent by his father 

 Franciscus Almaida in search of the Saracen merchants who 

 were returning from Amboina, Banda, and the Moluckes, 

 along the Maldives to Arabia, chanced in consequence of con- 

 trary winds and currents to reach Ceilon. Seizing the oppor- 

 tunity, Zoarius* hastily set about building the fortress of 

 Columbo. The Portuguese soon increased their hold upon the 

 country, taking possession everywhere, notwithstanding the 

 opposition of the inhabitants, of the principal seaports and 

 trading places, which subsequently fell into the hands of the 

 Netherlanders. The Portuguese, during their rise and decline, 

 carried on extensive warfare against the kings of the 

 Island. 



* Soares, — D. W.F. 



