184 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[Ceyfon. 



(lagstalf bearing S., but small vessels run nearer in. There being no shel- 

 ter, this road is much exposed in the S. W. monsoon ; it is therefore unsafe 

 for ships to remain during that period. 



A projecting rock, on which two batteries are creeled, affords shelter to 

 a small semicircular bay on the N. side of the fort. Here the landing place 

 is rendered pleasant and convenient by a wooden quay, extending about 100 

 feet into the sea, and answering well for the loading and unloading boats. 

 The depth of water is not sufficient to allow sloops or large donies to lie 

 alongside of the quay ; those not exceeding 100 tons burden, ride at anchor 

 at the distance of only a cable's length from it, and smaller vessels moor 

 close along the shore. Large ships seldom come within this road ; and when 

 they do, they keep at a greater distance. A bar of sand, on some parts of 

 which the water is not 10 feet deep, extends from the projecting rock across 

 the bay. As the channel, in which it can be crossed, is liable to shift, and 

 not easily discovered, ships commonly anchor about a mile beyond it, and 

 only in the fine weather of the safe season venture to go within ihe bar. The 

 outer road affords secure anchorage for no more than six months in the year, 

 from the beginning of October to the end of March, when the wind blows 

 from the N. E. off the land. During the other six months, the S. W. wind 

 blows from the sea upon the shore, and in that season a ship seldom looks 

 into the road. Strictly speaking, there is no harbour at Columbo ; for the 

 little bay, which affords shelter to small craft, does not deserve that name. 



Near to the wharf stand the Master Attendant's or Harbour Master's 

 office, and the sea custom-house. From thence an arched passage leads to 

 another gateway opening into a square green, railed in for the garrison parade 

 in the north corner of the fort. On the left hand is the Town Major's office ; 

 on the right is seen the principal street running from north to south, the 

 length of the town, and terminated by a lofty gateway and belfry. On one 

 side of the parade-ground stands the church, of a heavy appearance ; on the 

 other a house built for the supreme court of judicature, ornamented with a 

 light cupola, and situated in the centre of a row of public offices. 



Three gates open from the fort towards the sea. Three others commu- 

 nicate with the land : the delft, or main gate, which leads to the pettah ; the 

 S, gate, which opens on the road leading to Point de Galle; and a winding 

 sallyport, which communicates by causeways and bridges with a rugged pe- 

 ninsula, commonly called Slave Island. Here is a mud village, a bazar, and 

 an excellent parade. 



The pettah, or outer town, is situated a few hundred yards to the E. of 

 the fort. The town is neat, clean, regular, and larger than that within the 

 fort. Five streets, each half a mile in length, run parallel to one another. 



