THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 89 
obstacles. Those rivers which add so much to the beauty 
and richness of the country, and those woods which afford so 
much comfort to the traveller, presented so many bars to the 
march of an army, and opportunities to annoy them. For 
twenty miles the road may be considered as one continued 
defile capable of being easily defended against a much supe- 
rior force. It was intersected by two broad, deep, and rapid 
rivers, and several smaller ones, besides ravines whose bridges 
had been broken down. Each side of the path through which 
our army inarched was covered with thick woods and jungle, 
from whence the enemy had an oportunity of destroying their 
adversaries without even being seen themselves. In such a 
situation General Stewart every moment expected an attack, 
and was exceedingly surprised, as were all the officers, at 
being suffered to pass through such a strong and difficult 
country without the smallest opposition. Nothing can give a 
more striking idea of the degraded state to which the Dutch 
military establishments at Ceylon were reduced, than their suf- 
fering an enemy to advance unmolested in such circumstances. 
Neither want of skill or prudence 011 the part of the officers, 
nor want of discipline on that of the soldiers could have pro- 
duced such disgraceful effects. It is only to the total extinc- 
tion of public spirit, of every sentiment of national honour, 
that such conduct can be attributed. A thirst of gain and of 
private emolument appears to have swallowed up every other 
feeling in the breasts of the Dutchmen ; and this is a striking 
warning to all commercial nations to be careful that those 
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