FliB. 1, 1894.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
gold. When his career, however, comes to be 
written, it will be found to contain a shocking 
bad example and dreadful sequel. Hia style of 
visiting may be inferred from the fact that 
some years after this, when asked if he would 
take a walk down and see Galbodde, he replied : 
"No faith ye, my boy, I had cliarge of the 
estate for two years and never yet put a foot 
upon it.'' 
In short, the management of Galbodde and 
Illagolla was up to this time not quite a success. 
Money was liberally spent, but the work was 
only done by fits and starts, without any 
method and with very little profit. 
Fortunately for himself and fortunately for 
Rangalla, Mr. Nicol at this time hit upon the idea 
of indenting on home for a thoroughly competent 
manager, and in 1851 Mr. James Sangstei' Martin 
appeared upon the scene. Martin took in the situa- 
tion almost at a glance, and in a marvellously 
short time blossomed forth into one of the best 
and most careful estate managers Ceylon ever saw, 
though strange enough, up to the last he never 
could utter an intelligible sentence in Tamil ! 
Seeing his success, Mr. Nicol soon sent for 
another of the same ilk. Tlie result was Mr. 
John Martin in 1854, and a very fit addition 
to the staff he proved to be, as his career, in 
Dimbula chiefly, ever since — for he is still with 
U3 — was amply shown. With such assistance, the 
Rangalla pioueer was now a made man, and 
could devote his leisure to business, pleasure or 
politics as the spirit might move him. 
It is curious by the way, to compare here the 
two rising young Scotchmen of that day : — both 
coming M. L. C.'s, both born in the same year, 
in neighbouring townships. Hut here the 
similarity ceases. The seer of Duiubara (K.B.T.) 
with his self-acquired capital and education 
gradually developing into a John Bright amongst, 
planters ; while our friend of Rangala with 
almost classical learning and unlinated credit, 
was rapidly ripening into the Roebuck of 
Ceylon. 
A comparison might also be made with an- 
other Colonist already referred to, Mr. Charles 
Shand, who became merchant as Avell as planter 
like Mr. Nicol. For, in 1854, »he subject of 
our notice became the liead of a mercantile 
house in Colombo, which liad previously been 
in existence for a good many years as -'Messrs. 
Dowdall, Cargill & Co." It now became 
" Messrs. Nicol, Cargill & Co," Mr. Nicol's 
partner and manager being Mr. S. T. 
Richuoad (who still survives in Colombo 
as our oldest mercantile resident). Mr. Rich- 
mond arrived in Bombay in 184'2, and came 1 
down to Colombo in April 1848, settling here 
with Meswrs. JJowdall, Cargill & Co. in th(J ; 
following year. — Another partner in the new firm 
was Mr. Alexander Campbell White, also an old 
Bombay merchant, and who has lived to be- 
come one of our most extensive proprietors of 
plantations. 
About this time (1854) Mr. Nicol took hi« 
first trip home, becoming tenant of Auchintoul 
House, Marnocli, Banffsiiire, where he was joined 
by liis friends, W. N. Duckworth and R. Gerard. 
" Three lively blades" they were, as many in the 
neiglil)ourlu)od could testify. 
In 1858, however, the redoubtable Andrew Nicol 
was fairly captured by the then reigning 
belle of Banflfshire, Miss Stronach, who, amidst 
all the troubles at life that were yet to be 
faced, proved a moat devoted, charming and in 
evei-y way suitable helpmeet for him. 
Two years later, viz., in 1858, we find Mr. 
Nicol once more en route for Ceylon, ac- 
companied by Mrs. Nicol and several relatives. 
He had now to return to work in earnest ; for, 
during his absence, the notorious Frank Hudson* 
had made sad inroads upon the capital of his 
firm (Nicol, Cargill & Co.), having received 
heavy advances without giving adequate siJurity ; 
the consequence of which was that Mr. Nicol 
had reluctantly to take over several of what 
appeared at the time to be rather undesirabla 
properties in Dimbula and elsewhere, and to 
endeavour to work out the lo«i as best he could. 
Other estates more or less desirable, Bal- 
lacadua, Cabroosa, of which he had been 
part owner, now fell entirely into his hands. It 
was a brave and hard struggle, all the harder 
that the unlimited banking support gave 
way when most needed. Albeit, right pluckily 
did Mr. Nicol ])ut his shoulder to the wheel, ever 
to be found rushing in red haste from Colombo 
to Dimbula, and from Dimbula to Rangala or 
Matale, always off at a tangent, and always with 
a certain kind of erratic love for planting and 
gardening. Give Mr. Nicol a couple of good 
peaches in Colombo at tiffin, and next morning- 
he would rush up to Lunugalla to plant thp 
stones, returning in time to dictate few drasti; 
letters. No man ever enjoyed his own letters 
more; and no man who knew him, ever felt any 
the worse for them. As a rule he was a liberal 
employer, but subject to tits of economj- ; 
when he wrote in red ink across the Ballac ulna 
Estate subscription to a Kirk: — "Save yoar soul 
at your own expense, Sir, " and returne 1 tlie a/c 
to the manager. 
It was about this time (in the year 18(5')) tluit 
he first dubbed himself " The poor but incl'istrinci 
" Supposed to be a nstural aon of Sir HudgOQ Lo« o 
fin 1 tbe foundor in Colo nbi of 'Wi* short-lived firm of 
Hudson, Chandl-r &Co.— F. Hudton's «ftor carter hw 
been hii eitraordinHrv one a» Uot,l MuiKiger, Billiard 
Mark r, Ac, and il ia not fiuished ytt we boliov*. 
