No. 44.— 1893.] KURUNEGALA. 



57 



the rebellion of 1848 the panic-stricken townsfolk took refuge 

 in the latter place, which, strange to say, was not entered by 

 the rebels. 



The other buildings are of comparatively recent date. 



The Wesleyans were allowed a plot of land 100 ft. by 90 ft. 

 on the Kandy road to be used as a burial ground. After the 

 mission w.as abandoned it was used by Christians of other 

 denominations. It contains two interesting tombstones,, 

 one to the memory of Capt. Alex. McBean (ob. February 8 y 

 1821, ast. 40 years), who was Agent of Government of Pahala- 

 dolospattu, Seven Korales, with modified jurisdiction under 

 the 35th clause of the Proclamation of 1819, under superinten- 

 dence of the Agent of Government of the Seven Korales ; and 

 the other to the memory of Margaret (ob. March 4, 1824, set. 

 49), wife of Major Andain, Her Majesty's 16th Regiment, 

 Commandant at Kurunegala. This burial ground was closed 

 in 1868.* 



The charm of the town of Kurunegala lies in the unusual 

 beauty of its position, resting as it does within the shade of 

 JEtd-gala, or the elephant rock, from which it derives its name. 

 It has passed through manifold vicissitudes. Anon a royal 

 city, it crumbled into the dust of a village of Duravos, then 

 elevated into the capital of a Province ; it continues daily to 

 rise in importance, and with the inestimable benefits of 

 railway extension, it is beyond all doubt that the pride of a 

 fabled splendour of a descent from the Sun, or a kindred 

 relation to the Lion, is fast vanishing into the true glory, the 

 real prosperity, and the solid advantages, commercial, moral, 

 and intellectual, which the Kandyan Provinces have derived 

 from their union with the British Crown. 



7. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Swettenham, seconded by the 

 Hon. Mr. Justice Lawrie, the writers of the Papers were accorded a 

 vote of thanks. 



8. The Meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair, 

 moved by the Hon. Mr. Justice Lawrie. 



* For further particulars see Ceylon Literary Register, Vol. iv.. pp. 13, 14. 



