i^ort of Columho. 123 
when the lake w connected with the sea, and the garrison 
completely insulated 
In the centre of ne lake stands an island, communicating 
with a sally-port on the east face by a narrow causeway and 
draw-bridges. It was called by the Dutch slave-island, from 
its being the place to which they sent their sick slaves. It 
is a remarkably pleasant spot, full of cocoa-nut trees. A bat- 
talion of Malays is stationed here. There is also an excellent 
house built by the Dutch, which they employed as a mason’s 
lodge, with a very pretty garden attached to it. This island is 
very convenient, as it lies so contiguous to the fort, and opens 
the nearest way to the cinnamon gardens, which are close by it. 
The fort has three gates ; the principal one, where the main- 
guard is stationed, is called the Delft gate, and leads into the 
pettah or black town. It has two draw-bridges to pass over 
the ditch, which here forms an angle. At each of the gates are 
guard houses with a subaltern’s guard placed over them. 
The plan of Columbo is regular. It is nearly divided into 
four equal quarters -by two principal streets, which cross each 
other, and extend the whole length of the town. To these, 
smaller ones run parallel, with connecting lanes between them. 
At the foot of the ramparts on the inside is a broad street 
or way, which goes round the whole fort, and communicates 
-■with the bastions and soldiers’ barracks ; and also affords, at the 
different angles, open spaces for their private parading. 
The grand parade is by no means sufficient for the garrison, 
as it ^can hardly contain one complete regiment. On one side 
of it are ranges of public offices for the civil and military de- 
partments, with the town or stadt-house in the centre of them, 
where the Dutch held their high court of mstice. On our 
' R 2 
