THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
105 
from picking up loose articles. While I was at Columbo, I 
recollect a very mischievous monkey who used to run wild 
about the fort, and was so very cunning, that it was impossi- 
ble to catch him. One day he suddenly made his entrance 
into my apartment, carried off a loaf of bread from my table, 
and made his escape. I immediately gave the alarm to an 
officer I observed standing at the next door; upon which he 
ran in to secure his own breakfast ; but, to his great morti- 
fication, found that the monkey had been before-hand with 
him, and was already scrambling up to the roofs of the houses 
with a loaf in each paw. Next day the same monkey snatched 
off a very fine parrot before the gentleman’s face to which 
it belonged, tore it to pieces, and then held it out to the 
gentleman, with many expressions of satisfaction and triumph 
at the exploit. 
In the centre of the principal street is a very handsome and 
lofty house, which belonged to the Dutch governor, M. Van 
Anglebeck. At present it is the residence of General Mac- 
do wal, who commands our forces on the island. There is also 
another very handsome and spacious house for the command- 
ant of the garrison, with suitable offices and gardens. 
The hospital, which is designed for soldiers and sailors, is 
roomy and convenient. It is very properly divided into dis- 
tinct wards, so as to keep the sick of different disorders com- 
pletely separate, and thus prevent infection from spreading. 
Close by it is a house for the chief surgeon, where all the 
hospital stores are prepared and kept. It is with much plea- 
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