581 
to the Court of Candy. 
Sittivacca presents as beautiful and romantic an appearance 
as any spot in Ceylon. It is famous for being the chief 
theatre of intercourse, both friendly and hostile, between the 
Candians and their European neighbours. Here many bloody 
battles were fought by the natives against the Portuguese and 
Dutch ; here their treaties, or rather truces, have been repeat- 
edly signed; and this was the spot usually chosen for, (the in- 
terviews of the European with the native Ambassadors. It is 
the last station belonging to us in this quarter, and is sepa- 
rated from the King’s country only by a large branch of the 
Mullivaddy river, which winds around here in several directions, 
and is joined by a branch of the Malivagonga a little below 
this place. 
On the summit of a hill, immediately under which we en- 
camped, stood a large range of buildings defended by an en- 
trenchment, and formerly occupied by the Dutch, but now al- 
most in ruins. The view of the country from this height is 
truly grand and enchanting. The hills, covered with the 
thickest woods, are diversified with immense perpendicular 
ledges of rocks, which rear their stupendous heads above the 
tallest groves. Through the thickets which cover the val- 
leys, the eye is enabled to trace the windings of the rivers and 
the green tracts of clear land which imitate their serpentine 
course. 
On our arrival here, the general sent across the river to in- 
form the Adigar, who lay encamped on the opposite side with 
several thousand Candians, that he intended passing over next 
day. The thermometer was to day at 96®. The excessive 
heat of the weather was occasioned by the closeness of the 
surrounding hills. About three o’clock the general received a 
