RECOLLECTIONS OF A JOURNEY 
Palepattoola is a rest-house or caravansary, situate at 
the bottom of the Peak, for the accommodation of pilgrims^ 
We left this place about half past 5 a. m. During the 
early part of this day'^s journey, the road was remarkably 
ruggedj and passed through woods of tall trees and thick 
jungle. As we approached Ratnapore, the prospect be- 
came more open. The country was now comparatively 
level, and some marks of cultivation were perceived. We 
reached Ratnapore about 10 a. m. Here we halted until 
about 5 p. M., and then embarked in a boat on the Calloo 
Ganga (Caltura River), and at ^ p. m, next day we reached 
Caltura, a station situate at the estuary of the river. 
We left Kandy in the hope that the road would per- 
mit of our being carried in chairs great part of the way. 
After reaching Ambegamme, however, the road became too 
narrow and rugged to admit of this mode of conveyance. 
We had therefore to prosecute the journey on foot until 
we reached Palepattoola. 
Owing to the uninhabited state of the country through 
which the route lay, we could not expect to be often accom=. 
modated with a hut to sleep in. Mr Saweiis had there- 
fore provided a tent. On this account, the number of fol- 
lowers was greatly increased. Including the coolies who 
carried the tent, chair-bearers, baggage-coolies, servants^ 
&c. the whole party consisted of about ninety individuals. 
Although our road passed through ever-verdant forests, 
and frequently within view of some grand and picturesque 
displays of inanimate nature, still the scene was seldom 
particularly pleasing. Tropical woods of great extent pre- 
sent few objects capable of exciting delightful emotions, 
A gloomy silence prevails in these solitudes to a remarkable 
degree. The stillness and absence of animated nature is 
more striking while the sun sheds his ardent meridian rays 
on the eartb> than during any other time of the day. 
