( 38 ) 
while on page 96, the date is given as 
1684, But the Dutch, who ouglit to know, 
assert positively that their old enemy died 
in December, 1687. Again, we are not sure 
tliat by the Raja Siiiha " who defeated 
the Portuguese at Colombo," as mentioned 
ill the colophon of the Kurunega.ia-vistaraya 
(Cat., p. 84) is not meant the second king 
of that name, and not the first, as is here 
taken for granted. 
There are several references to the mys- 
terious capture and deportation (in 1410 ':^) of 
Vijaya or Vira Bahu by the Chinese, but 
no further light is thrown on this obscure 
event in Sinhalese history. 
If the dates given on p. 85 could be relied 
on, they would be of value as well as in- 
terest ; but we fear that they are untrust- 
worthy. (They record an earthquake in 
1679, a flood in 1661, and the death of Raja 
Sinha I. on 8th March, 1593.) 
On pp. 106-107, details are given regarding 
Alagiyavanna Mohottala, the " poet secret- 
ary ' ; but Mr. Wickremasinghe had not, 
when he wrote, seen the fresh information, 
from Portuguese sources, regarding this man, 
communicated in a paper to the Ceylon 
Asiatic Society. 
Among the "letters" described at the end 
of the Catalogue is an ola envelope ad- 
dressed to Joan Gideon Loten, the Dutch 
governor of Ceylon in 1752-57 : the letter itself 
is, unfortunacely, missing. 
In an Inti'oduction Mr. Wickremasinghe 
gives a most valuable and succinct account 
of Sinhalese literature from the earliest times 
down to this century, referring for fuller 
particulars to the introduction to James 
Alwis's Sidat Sangm-a, many of the state- 
ments in which, however, Mr. Wickrema- 
singhe has had to correct. 
This Catalogue does the highest credit to 
its writer ; and to all intex'ested in the his- 
tory and literature of Ceylon it will prove 
a veritable treasure-house. 
MODERN NUWARA ELIYA. 
(From a Correspondent. J 
The periodical visitor must admit that 
outward and visible attempts are being made 
to improve the place ; at least I, after a 
twelve-years' acquaintance, willingly con- 
cede as much, and these brief notes are a 
short record of how I found Nuwara Eliya 
during a late visit : — 
Railway.— The completion of the projected 
railway from Nanuoya will, I think, prove 
generally acceptable to intending visitors, as 
well as residents, because, even if the rate of 
transit is not more rapid than now, it may 
be relied on as more positive, and of greater 
capacity than the present coach service, 
which, however, is very well served, in com- 
parison to others of a similar nature. The 
question, as to whether the propelling power 
be electrical or steam, is of too technical a 
nature for more than passing reference in 
these notes. 
RoAUS.— Of late, complaints (trivial per- 
haps) have appeared in the Press about the 
metalling of the roads, with the resulting in- 
convenience, cruelty to animals, etc., arising 
therefrom. Repairs to roads generally 
cause temporary inconvenience to traffic, and 
if the Improvement Board could afford it, 
mechanical rolling would greatly reduce 
this, due to the less time required. On the 
whole, I think they are maintained in good 
order, but the widening out of the roads 
throughout the town |Koper is a very ne- 
cessary and urgent matter. At present they 
are much too narrow for safety and com- 
fort. Extra width would also facilitate an- 
nual repairs. The additional new roads and 
footpaths now in course of construction, or 
lately completed, will extend the opportun- 
ities for enjoyable walks and drives. 
Wateiiworks.— 1 he establishment of these 
is a great boon, and the supply ap))ears to 
be all that is desirable, except perhaps in 
quantity, and that only during the dry 
season ! On one occasion in Mai'cli last, and 
with only a few of the bung.-ilows taking 
water from the town main, water w;is not 
running over the spill, and as the resei'voir 
capacity is practic:illy nil, I question if 
further conservation will not be very ne- 
cessary. The distributing main will, I hope, 
prove adequate, but it seems to me to be 
too small : and if so, the reduction of pres- 
sure, and therefore supply at the bungalow 
taps, will be noticeable when all are con- 
nected on to the main. At the intake works, 
the stand-pipe now permits of the supiily- 
pipe being easily blocked by any mischievous 
person. The open end should be 8 or 10 feet 
higher, or, what is better, fitted with a 
swan-neck, i.e., the end turned downwards 
to effectually prevent such a possible catas- 
trophe. A very simple provision would have 
prevented the flooding of intake well, and 
thus afforded the intended free access to the 
valves. I do not know if the town main is 
arranged, so that portable stand-pipes can be 
attached at various points, and used for Fire 
Brigade purposes. By this means a very 
cheap and effective fire extinguishing ap|)a- 
ratus could be placed in the hands of the 
local police. A good water supply necessi- 
tates good drainage, and Nuwara Eliya lends 
itself to this latter very readily, except that 
the greater part of the plain is of a very 
absorbent nature. The laying out of part of 
the plain as a park, and the improved drainage 
of the same, will materially help the general 
drainage and health of the town. During 
the rainy season, the lowering of Lake Gre- 
gory spill, at least by one foot, would be an 
effective aid in the same direction, and with- 
out detriment to any other interest. [Indeed ? 
We recollect that Sir Wm. Gregory was 
very irate on his last visit to find how 
low the water was kept, and declared that 
his design for a really full and attractive 
lake — a true ornament to Nuwara Eliya— had 
been entirely spoilt. — Ed L.R.] 
The Polick Station would, I think, be 
more convenient if removed from its 
present position to a more cential one. 
In a short time the present station will 
be far from central (in fact is so even now) 
as the general town extension is decidedly 
away from it. It might be more convenient 
if near the Post office. Perhaps the autho- 
rities conclude they can better watch over 
