THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
235 
state, and the constant annoyance of the enemy sheltered 
behind them, would prove an enterprise of time and diffi- 
culty. These hedge-rows form the chief fortifications of 
Candy. The Mali-vagonga also nearly surrounds the hill 
on which it stands : the river is here broad, rocky , and 
rapid ; a very strict guard is kept on it, and every 
one who passes or repasses is closely watched and ex- 
amined. 
The city itself is a poor miserable-looking place, surrouded 
by a mud wall of no strength whatever. It has been 
several times burnt by Europeans, and was once deserted 
by the king, who retired to a more inaccessible part of his 
dominions. It is upon occasion of the embassy of General 
Macdowal, an account of which is subjoined to this volume, 
that any information concerning the present state of Candy 
has been obtained ; and even then it could be little more 
than guessed at, as the embassador and his suite were 
admitted only by torch-light, and always retired before 
break of day. From what could then be observed, the 
city consists of a long straggling street built on the de- 
clivity of a hill ; the houses mean and low, but with their 
foundations raised in such a manner above the level of the. 
street that they appear <pute lofty to passengers. The rea- 
son of this extraodinary taste is to enable the king to hold 
his assemblies of the people and to have his elephant and 
buffalo fights in the street, without interfering with the 
houses. When the king passes along the street, none of 
II h 2 
