THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
10i3 
sure I add, that this hospital (an institution so indispensably 
necessary in those hot climates) is extremely well managed; 
and that every attention is paid to the health of the troops 
who are sent here for medical assistance. 
The fort of Colombo being of itself very extensive, and its 
outworks and detached posts numerous, requires a strong gar- 
rison. Three or four battalions are usually stationed here. 
The regular guards placed on the different gates, consist of 
eighty Europeans, and three times that number of native troops. 
Besides these, other guards are stationed in the bazars and 
posts, which are established round the garrison, and also in 
the cantonments of the native troops. On my arrival in 1796, 
the garrison consisted of the 73d regiment, half the Madras 
European regiment, two companies of Bengal artillery, and 
three battalions of Sepoys. The immediate command of the 
troops is given to the oldest officer of the battalions on 
duty here. 
The harbour of Columbo, which lies on the west side, is 
nothing more than an open road, affording good and safe 
anchorage to ships for only four months of the year, from 
December to April. During this period the north-west winds, 
to which this road is much exposed, do not prevail to any 
violent degree; and ships from different parts of India put in 
here to trade. But about May, when the monsoon sets in 
on the Malabar coast, and extends its ravages to the west 
coast of Ceylon, the roads of Columbo no longer afford any 
protection. Vessels then iind shelter in the more secure ports 
