364 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
from industry and property, their own inclinations would 
speedily lead them to manufactures and commerce. 
Another immediate consequence of the progress of culti- 
vation would be the amelioration of the climate, by clear- 
ing the country of those thick woods and marshes that 
serve to form and perpetuate those noxious vapours which 
have often proved fatal to Europeans, and deterred the 
natives of the continent from settling in the island. 
By the increase of cultivation, other obstacles to settlers 
would be removed. The high price of provisions on the 
Island in comparison of what it is on the Continent from 
whence they are imported, operates greatly to deter manu- 
facturers from quitting the latter for the former. F or 
whatever commercial advantages Ceylon may present, the 
dearness of provisions must greatly check infant manufac- 
tures, and tend in a high degree to prevent their estab- 
lishment. But if by the progress of cultivation, a sufficiency 
of provisions could be produced in the island, and a reduction 
of prices should, in consequence, take place, manufacturers 
of different descriptions might be more easily tempted, by 
various advantages, to settle there. And, if by this means, 
not only provisions, but clothes and other necessaries could 
be obtained within itself, without having recourse to other 
countries, Ceylon would soon become independent of the 
continent of India, and capable of supporting itself without 
any external assistance. 
