THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
371 
Mannar, and the other subordinate posts round the island, 
which will require to have garrisons proportionate to their 
importance. There are several posts which it would be ne- 
cessary to strengthen, and place on a more respectable foot- 
ing than they are at present, particularly Manaar, Calpenteen, 
Nigumbo, Caltura and Matura, which the Dutch suffered to 
o 7 
fall almost to total decay, but found much reason to repent 
their neglect on the first attempt made by an enemy at 
invasion. 
Many material improvements have been made in both the 
military and civil department since the arrival of Governor 
North on the island, and it is not to be doubted that by a 
perseverance in the same plans of policy, it will soon, without 
any additional burthen to the British government, be placed 
in such a posture of defence as to set any attempts of an 
enemy at defiance. No motive can be wanting to stimulate 
our government to place the military establishment there on 
a respectable footing, while the examples of the Portuguese 
and Dutch are immediately before our eyes, and while it is 
evident the successive expulsion of these nations, and the 
consequent ruin of their empire in that quarter of the world, 
was owing to the insufficiency of their forces, and the neglect 
of military discipline. 
After the security of the island has been provided for by 
an adequate military establishment, its tranquillity and pros- 
perity must in a great measure depend upon the arrange- 
ment of the civil department, and the proper administration 
3 jj 2 
