392 Journal of the Emhassy 
painted with streaks of red and black. It was attended by 
two priests, who permitted us to enter without any difficulty ; 
nor did they insist on our taking off our shoes, a custom 
which they generally oblige visitors to observe. Their duty 
was to wait at the temple, and never to allow the lamp burn- 
ed before the image to be extinguished. Another reason per- 
haps operated as powerfully as the rules of their order to en- 
force their constant attendance; which was, to receive the of- 
ferings of the votaries who continually flock to this temple. 
Our detachment aftbrded very welcome visitors, as every one 
who went thither always left some money, fruit, or rice, for 
the service of the god. The natives who repair hither for the 
purposes of devotion are constantly obliged to contribute either 
money, rice, cloth, or some other commodity of value. From 
the numerous votaries who frequent this temple, the priests 
are reputed to possess great riches ; and the king, who never 
fails to come in for his share of every thing, accordingly taxes 
them very highly. I doubt not that his Majesty would be 
well pleased that his priests should frequently have such liberal 
visitors as they found our troops during our stay at Ruanelli. 
Adjoining the temple where the image was placed, were two 
other apartments where the priests resided at those hours when 
their attendance on Buddou was not requisite. 
This day it began to rain violently about two o’clock, ac- 
companied with severe peals of thunder succeeding each other 
almost without an interval. Sent down to Columbo four sick 
men of the 19th regiment. 
27 th. Remained in the same place. The early part of the 
day uncommonly hot, with terrible thunder and lightning about 
the usual hour. The evening was very cold ; the dews which 
