38 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
are destined for exportation ; the vessels which are to receive 
them come to anchor off the harbour, when the goods are 
carried on board and conveyed to the different parts of 
India. 
The inhabitants contain a number of Moors, Malabars, and 
Indian Portuguese ; and it is remarked, that tiie women of 
these casts as well as of the native Cinglese, are prettier here 
than at Columbo and other more noted places. For its cool, 
healthy, and pleasant situation, Nigumbo is usually ranked 
next to Jafnapatam, though some give the preference to 
Caltura, another delightful village about thirty miles south 
of Columbo. 
The English landed at Nigumbo in February 1796, when 
they made themselves masters of it without opposition. 
From Nigumbo southward the road is extremely pleasant; 
it is shaded the whole way, and there are a number of 
resting places provided for travellers. About half way to 
Columbo is a very large choultry or barracks, to which the 
officers of the garrisons frequently go on shooting parties. 
It is situated in a most agreeable spot in the midst of a 
picturesque country ; and snipe and other game abound in 
this quarter. 
After the taking of Nigumbo, General Stewart with the 
fifty - second, seventy - third, and seventy - seventh regiments, 
three battalions of Sepoys, and a detachment of Bengal ar- 
tillery, marched to attack Columbo. The road through which 
he had to pass presented apparently the most formidable 
