44 
Histoiy of Ceylon 
tories as before ; and their communication with the coast, whicliy 
from the nature of the country, must at any rate have been dif- 
ficult, was by this mode of warfare rendered almost impossible^ 
as every convoy would have required an army to defend it. 
In addition to these difficulties arising from the nature of 
the country, and the manner of fighting practised by the 
inhabitants, the Dutch troops suffered dreadfully from the 
effects of the climate, which, in the interior parts, is exceed- 
ingly unwholesome to Europeans. The immense woods which 
cover the whole face of the country naturally render the 
atmosphere moist and damp ; and the heavy dews that suc- 
ceeded the intense heat of the day, which was not diminished 
by any sea breezes, overpowered the constitution even of those 
who had for years been settled on the coast. The only me- 
thod by which the Dutch could have obviated the disasters aris- 
ing from the climate, would have been the employment of 
native troops, as we do the Sepoys in India ; but this mea- 
sure their own misconduct had rendered impossible. The Cey- 
lonese of the inland parts, like all the other inhabitants of 
mountainous countries, are exceedingly attadied to their native 
land, and have a proportionable antipi hy to a foreign yoke. 
This attachment, originating in the nature of the country, 
supplies the place of all other ties; and though they have not 
the smallest idea of political freedom, yet, as their princes 
seldom violate their customs or the liberty of their persons, they 
cherish Avith enthusiasm the pride of immemorial independence, 
maintaiii the most inviolable attachment to their native Kings, 
and Avould sooner die than swerve from their allegiance, or 
bear arms against them. The behaviour of the foreign nations, 
which have successively invaded their island, has tended greatly 
