THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
3 67 
coed its expenditure. Considerable advantage is also to be 
expected from an improved mode of taxation and collection : 
and in fact several additions have already been made to 
the revenue since the arrival of Governor North. 
It must however be observed, that these advantages to 
the revenue cannot be expected without a considerable pre- 
vious expense on the part of Government. An example of 
cultivation must be set to the natives. Such advantages 
must also be held out to foreign manufacturers as will 
inauce them to quit their own country for this island. 
By a well-timed liberality on the part of Government, 
much may speedily be effected ; and improvement once 
begun goes on of its own accord with accelerated ra- 
O O 
pidity. 
The natural strength of the island of Ceylon, and the few 
points at which it can be safely approached, seem to promise it 
a great degree of security ; yet repeated experience has shewn that 
they are insufficient, without a considerable military establish- 
ment, to protect it completely against a powerful or an en- 
terprising enemy. The force formerly maintained by the Dutch 
on the island consisted of about three thousand Europeans 
and about two thousand Malays, Topasses, and native Cin- 
glese. These were dispersed in the various strong posts around 
the island, in such a manner that no great number could 
readily be collected upon one point, except at Columbo, 
where by far the larger proportion of the military establish- 
ment was usually stationed; This place had also been greatly 
