XIX.] 
A SINGHALESE DANDY. 
433 
provided with some pendulous ornament, and one side of the 
nose was likewise perforated, in order that at that place too might 
he adorn himself with apiece of grandeur. On his head he had, 
like all Singhalese, a comb by which the hair drawn right 
upwards is kept in position, as little girls at home are wont to 
have their hair arranged. As the man did not appear to know 
a word of English, it was impossible to enter into any closer 
acquaintance with him. 
At noon on the following day I found myself compelled, by 
a quite unexpected occurrence, to return precipitately to the 
coast again. Dr. Thwaites and I had been invited to dinner by 
his Excellency the Governor. As I was still limping after my 
long excursion on foot, and besides had not had the forethought 
to take a dress-suit with me, I considered that, vexatious as it 
was to decline, I could not accept this gracious invitation, but 
instead went my way. Thus after six exceedingly pleasant days 
I came back to Point de Galle and the Vega” 
VOL. II. 
F F 
