342 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
is every way equal to the wild. The Dutch Governor, Falk, 
first attempted to rear cinnamon-trees by art in his garden at 
Pass near Cohimbo ; and soon raised in that spot a plantation 
of several thousands, which yielded cinnamon of the iirst> 
quality. After this he employed the same means to extend 
the cinnamon gardens around Columbo, and reduce them 
more into regular form. These useful labours have rendered 
his memory highly esteemed ; and he is still remembered on 
the island as one who preferred the public benefit to his own 
private interest, the only character fit to preside over a colo- 
ny. Ilis successors, however, did not follow his example : 
cutting and collecting the cinnamon seemed to be their only 
care, and they were at little trouble and expence either to in- 
crease or continue the supply. The -woods were, therefore, 
found by us in a neglected and exhausted state ; but we 
were fortunate enough, on taking Columbo, to find stored up 
there a vast quantity of cinnamon which they had not had 
an opportunity to send off to Europe. The strictest atten- 
tion is now paid to the cinnamon gardens by Governor 
North. Since his arrival, they have been much improved, 
and enclosed with a broad embankment. lie has also 
caused a new road to be made through them in a different 
direction from the circular one I have already described, but 
equally excellent and pleasant. 
The plantations, besides yielding cinnamon of an equal 
quality with that found in the wild state, are infinitely 
more commodious, from the trees being regularly placed 
