THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
7 
Portuguese in the Eastern world. Its excellent harbours could 
afford protection to their ships at all times of the year, while 
there was no other station on the same coast which could at all 
periods afford shelter to the vessels of any other European power : 
the island was naturally so strong that it could be defended by a 
comparatively small number of troops : and its situation was so 
centrical, that troops could with the utmost ease and expedition, 
be sent from it to any part of India. Albuquerque, however, 
was too much engrossed with extending his conquests over the 
coasts of India, to pay due attention to these advantages ; and 
Ceylon, instead of being made the centre and guardian of the 
Portuguese possessions in India, continued to be cultivated by 
them chiefly on account of its own natural productions. 
The manner in which the Portuguese conducted the government 
of Ceylon, looked as if it had been their intention to counteract, 
as much as lay in their power, the advantages conferred on it by 
nature. Instead of maintaining a friendly intercourse with the 
natives, and inducing them to assist in promoting the cultivation 
of the island, every species of insult and barbarity was practised 
towards them. Not only was any little wealth they possessed 
seized by the rapacious grasp of avarice : their manners and cus- 
toms were trampled upon; and their religious opinions, which 
they could still less give up, were not onty insulted, but even 
persecuted with the most wanton cruelty. The religious bigotry 
of the Portuguese completely triumphed over their real interests ; 
and to this cause in particular may be ascribed the universal 
hatred entertained against them, and the eagerness with winch 
