J44 
Description of the Country around Columbo. 
CHAPTER VI. 
Country, south of Columho — GalMest — Pantura- — Caltura — Bar- 
bareen—Bentot — Point de Qalle- — Matura—Batacolo. 
The country round Columbo, for several miles, is flat and 
very rich. It is diversified with fields of rice and pasture, as 
M^ell as a variety- of groves, among which the cocoa-tree is par- 
ticularly conspicuous. A number of gentle eminences, scattered 
up and down through the plains, aftbrd an opportunity of en- 
joying this delightful prospect, which is farther embellished with 
a number of small rivers, lakes, and canals. The shady roads, 
which every where intersect the country, afford an agreeable 
shelter to the traveller ; while the numerous country-seats and 
' gardens which skirt them present his eye with a continual 
change of gratification. Here it is that the most wealthy Dutch 
gentlemen have their country residences. The late governor, 
AT. Van Anglebeck, had a very pretty house delightfully situ- 
ated on the banks of the Alutwal, where the river extends 
itself into a very broad channel, and with its numerous wind- 
ings affords a most enchanting prospect from the road which 
runs along its banks for many miles. The house occupied by 
governor North about a mile from the fort, is a very elegant 
building ; and, with the surrounding gardens and grounds, fur- 
nishes a delightful residence. Several Temples of the natives 
are situated along the banks of this river and amongst the 
adjoining groves. 
