THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
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gularly built, though few of them are above one story high. 
An Englishman is also surprised to find all the windows here 
having glass-panes after the European manner ; as in our other 
Indian settlements, Venetian blinds and shutters are chiefly used. 
This proceeds probably from the particular customs of the 
Dutch, who love here, as well as in Europe, to keep their 
houses close shut both in the hot and cold seasons, while we 
endeavour to have them as open as possible, in order to admit 
the air freely. 
Before each house, and connected with it, is a large open 
space roofed in and supported on pillars of wood. It is called 
a viranda, and is intended to afford a shade from the sun, and 
an opportunity of enjoying any refreshing breeze that springs 
up from the sea, without being exposed to the scorching beams 
from above. Here it is customary to see the people walking 
about, or lolling in a chair with their feet supported against 
the railing, which is placed along the pillars, to the height 
of three or four feet. In addition to this refuge from the 
sultry rays, the houses are agreeably shaded by a double row 
of thick spreading trees, planted on each side of the several 
streets. These take off from the dazzling and sultry glare 
reflected by the walls, which are all plaistered over and 
white-washed with a very fine bright lime made of burnt 
shells. The colour is beautifully white, and may contribute to 
the coolness of the houses, but throws an unsupportable glare 
in the eyes of the passenger along the streets. 
Most of the houses are of the same construction, and consist 
