^66 
POINT DE GALLE. 
vev^ h^sivy fall of rain (pokj pla^je^ ami a dead caW obliged us to 
come to an anchor. On the fog clearing away about seven, we disco- 
vered Point de Galle, distant four miles, backed by a chain of round- 
topped hills covered to the summit with wood ; and beyond them 
a still loftier range, with Adam's Peak rising to an acute point.* 
These appeared blue from the distance, and formed a noble back 
ground. The boat came ofiP for the usual information about nine, 
and by her r Wrote to the officer commanding at Point dc Galle, 
requesting his assistance in proceeding to Columbo. The breeze was 
extremely light, but we weighed and stood in. The shore from the 
Great Basses is bold, with deep water, till you reach Point de Galle, 
which is protected by a reef of tremendous rocks ; groves of cocoa- 
nut trees cover the beach to the water's edge. The equality of their 
height, when massed, renders them an ugly object at distance; but 
the elegance of their foliage on a nearer apf)rbach overcomes the 
dislike occasioned by their first appearance. 
At twelve an answer was received from Lieutenant - Colonel 
Maddison of the sixty -fifth regiment, couched in very polite terms, 
offering me every assistance in my journey, and inviting me to the 
Government-house during my stay at Galle. I accepted this with 
pleasure, and immediately proceeded in a boat, with Mr. Salt. The 
landing place is perfectly protected from the swell, and is just 
below the gate of the fort. The batteries are very numerous, and 
completely command the approach by water. They are in the old 
fashioned style, elevated on walls. Colonel Maddison met me at the 
water's edge, and escorted me to his house, through a narrow and steep 
street. The houses are, of course, Dutch built, the rooms very large, 
* Adam's Peak is in latitude 6° 49' north, longitude 80° 19' east of Greenwich. 
