I 
Village of Nigumhe, 109 
spot, accounted one of the iiealtluest in the island. Many 
Dutch families on this account reside here, and have houses 
and gardens scattered up and down in delightful groves of 
cocoa-nut and other trees. Nigumbo is the largest village in 
Ceylon, and for its size contains the greatest number of inha- 
bitants. The Dutch built a fort here for the protection of the 
cinnamon-cutters, as a considerable quantity of that spice grows 
in the adjacent district. Store-houses are also erected in the 
fort, where the cinnamon, after being dried, is lodged, till an 
opportunity olfers to convey it to Columbo. Tliis cinnamon is 
reckoned equal in quality to any in the island. 
The fort is not strong, being only defended by a steep square 
embankment of sand encompassed with a thick hedge of the 
milk-tree: the front alone is constructed of stone work, and 
has a regular gate and draw-bridge at its entrance. At each 
angle of the square is a bastion with a few old guns planted on 
them ; and in the gateway are guard-houses with an arched cupola 
for a bell. Within the fort are three long ranges of buildings, 
which serve for barracks to the troops, and for store-houses 
to the cinnamon. The command was formerly given to a sub- 
altern ; but according to the new arrangements made by Go- 
vernor North, it is given to a held officer, who also acts as 
president of the Landraed, or civil court appointed to hear and 
determine ditferences among the natives, and take cognizance 
of the crimes committed within this district. 
These civil courts existed under the government of the Dutch, 
and are now established -by Mr. North at all the military posts 
and commands round the island. The commanding officer, who 
is always the president, after investigating any affair brought 
before him, if he finds it of a trivial nature, has the power to 
