u6 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
a good deal surprised me, as in every other place I always 
found every thing accounted vulgar the particular abhorrence 
of the ladies. And yet the Dutch ladies at Colombo hardly 
ever attempt to speak even in their own families and to. 
their own connexions in Dutch, although it is reckoned the 
polite language. I am apt to attribute their adherence to 
the vulgar Portuguese, to their habits of frequent and familiar 
intercourse with their slaves, who all speak this dialect. 
Notwithstanding the difficulty of access to Columbo, and 
its total want of a secure harbour for large vessels, still the 
richness of the district where it is situated, and the variety 
of articles which it affords to commerce, render it a place 
of very considerable trade. It is much frequented on this 
account both by Europeans and the natives of the different 
coasts of India; and the duties on imports and exports, 
bring a revenue of some consequence to Government. It is 
from this district that large quantities of cinnamon and pep- 
per, the staple spices of the island are yearly transported to 
Europe in vessels, which touch here on purpose on their 
voyage from Madras and Bengal. A great quantity of 
arrack is made in the neighbourhood of Colombo, and the 
other districts along the west coast. This liquor is sent to 
our settlements of Bengal, Madras, and Bombay; and in. 
return these send rice and other articles with which Ceylon 
is not able to supply its own consumption. A large quantity 
of coya rope, or cordage, is also manufactured here, and sup- 
plies of it are sent to our ships on the various stations in 
