DEDICATION. 
vii 
the escort which accompanied General Macdowal in his 
embassy to the Court of Candy, I was enabled to notice 
the many advantages to be derived from this valuable pos- 
session, as well as to acquire a knowledge of its actual 
state, a subject hitherto but superficially treated of: and 
it struck me that the observations I had made might afford 
some information to the public, and perhaps might not be 
altogether useless in respect to more important considerations. 
All the merit, however, which I can lay claim to in the fol- 
lowing volume, is an authentic relation of facts ; and I hope 
that your Royal Highness, with your usual goodness, will 
excuse the want of elegant and scientifick composition in one 
who has spent his life in a military career. 
Whatever may be the fate of this publication, the con- 
descension of your Royal Highness, in allowing it to be 
ushered into the world under your august patronage, has im- 
pressed the most lively and lasting gratitude on the mind of 
Your Royal Highness’s most humble 
and ever devoted servant. 
ROBERT PERCIVAL. 
