KANDY IN EARLY PLANTING DAYS. 
road, when a general opening of boxes took place, 
from which a number of articles were taken out. 
These they carried in their hands, and boldly came 
forward into the front v'erandah : one lays down a 
packet of pocket handkerchiefs on the floor, with 
the remark, ‘‘ Very cheap, finest India silk, proper 
price forty shillings a dozen; master can take one 
dozen for one gold sovereign ; very great loss, but 
want some gold to make rings ” ; and without waiting 
for any reply or even for ‘‘the gold pound,” he 
goes back, and sits down beside his friends on the 
roadside. Two or three more now come in with various 
articles in their hands. “ Very fine socks, worth 
twenty-four shillings a dozen. Master can take for less 
than half price. Here is two dozen, for which master 
can pay one gold pound ” ; and he lays down the 
package of “very fine socks” beside the “ very fine 
India silk handkerchiefs,” and rejoins his follows 
at the roadside. And so on the market went in ro- 
tation, with “very fine” white jackets, linen coats, 
and what not, all left in the verandah after stating 
the sale price, which was always at an immense 
sacrifice. We were quite stunned at the large and 
varied stock of articles which we were said to have 
purchased, and which were to be paid for in sovereigns ; 
our small stock would be done, and after coming 
so far we would have none left to pay expenses out 
to the estate. While musing over this predicament 
some other fellows present themselves, with small 
curious-looking boxes in their hands j these they open 
and display a glittering array of jewellery. “ Very 
fine gold rings,” “a cat’s-eye stone,” “a large ruby,” 
“ fine moonstone ring,” “ real Ceylon pearls,” and what 
not. “ Master must buy to send to England, one 
ring price only two gold pounds, and when master 
send home as a present to his friends, just see, they 
will say it is worth twenty ! Fine gold snake chain, 
worth twenty pounds: master can take for five gold 
pounds.” And the fine gold rings and chains are 
laid on the table, and their owners step to the roadside, 
and sit down to watch the course of events. Inclose 
succession followed numerous others, with ivory orna^ 
ments, elephants’ teeth, as also a good-sized tusk, all of 
which, we were told, we must purchase at a great 
sacrifice to the owners. A great stir now took place 
outside ; they all began very suddenly and hurriedly 
to pack up their boxes, and signs were made to those 
inside the verandah. The jewel merchants hurriedly 
put all their rings into the cases, and rushed off. 
The others left the “fine handkerchiefs, socks, white 
jackets,” &c., and said they would wait outside for 
payment, and rushed out. We were not long puzzled 
