124 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
CHAPTER VI. 
Country , south of Columho — GaUnest — Puntura — Coltura — Bar- 
bareen — Bentot — Point de Gallc — Matura — Batacolo. 
1 IIE country around Columbo, for several miles, is flat 
and very rich. It is diversified with fields of rice and pasture, 
as well as a variety of groves, among which the cocoa-tree is 
particularly conspicuous. A number of gentle eminences scat- 
tered up and down through the plains, afford an opportunity 
of enjoying this delightful prospect, which is farther embel- 
lished with a number of small rivers, lakes, and canals. The 
shady roads, which every where intersect the country, afford 
an agreeable shelter to the traveller ; while the numerous 
country-seats and gardens which skirt them, present his eye 
with a continual change of gratification. Here it is, that the 
most wealthy Dutch gentlemen have their country residences. 
The late governor, M. Van Anglebeck, had a very pretty 
house delightfully situated on the banks of the Mutwal, where 
the river extends itself into a very broad channel ; and with 
its numerous windings, affords a most enchanting prospect from 
the road, which runs along its banks for many miles. The 
house occupied by Governor North, about a mile from the 
fort, is a very elegant building ; and, with the surrounding 
gardens and grounds, furnishes a delightful residence. 
