564 
PASSAGE TO CEYLON. 
two vessels that had been lost were lying on the shores as we 
passed down. I was informed they were both old and deeply 
laden ; that the moment they struck there were no hopes of them ; 
but that all the stores, kc. would be saved. The under writers can 
well afford to pay for the ad valorem loss ; they have been making 
fortunes since intelligence of war arrived, as the premium rose 
to ten per cent, and, the enemy having had no official intelligence 
of war, not a ship has been taken. 
December 7. — At one P.M. we got to Kedgeree, where the 
Olive was at anchor waiting for us. Captain Matthews immediately 
came on board. After a cold and sorrowful meal, I took leave of 
my excellent and hospitable friend Mr. Graham, and removed to 
the Olive. We immediately set sail, and at night anchored at 
Sorgur. 
December 15.— After seven days brisk sailing, with the mon- 
soon in our favour, land was visible at noon from the deck, distant 
about nine leagues ; a fragrant smell was wafted to that distance by 
the breeze that bore us rapidly along, without any unpleasant mo- 
tion, under the lee of the island. The land was the Chimney Hill 
in Ceylon, backed by the interior mountains, covered with wood 
to their very summits. The shore has a bold appearance: by 
twelve, we were close to it, having passed the smaller Bassas, over 
which the sea was breaking with considerable violence. 
December 16.— With light breezes we stood olf and on, and 
about six, came to an anchor in six and a half fathoms; the rock 
called the Great Elephant bearing N. N.W. distant about four 
miles. The shore here is a gradual slope : in defiance of a heavy 
swell from the south, which made the ship roll most violently, 
