the eastern coast of Ceylon, our destruction on the Maldives would have been almost inevitable. The night being so light and clear was also greatly in our favour; for, though we were driven near to the most rocky part of the island, the vessel did not strike, nor sustain any injury. This concurrence of circumstances which human skill could not influence, impressed us with a sense of the Divine goodness. It was the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes. The captain's astonishment, on discovering that we were off Point-de-Galle, was equal to our own. "I'll break my quadrant," said he, (uttering at the same the most horrid oaths and blasphemies) “ as soon as I get on shore, and will have a new one. Some of the men must have let it fall, and injured it, for it has misled me, indeed!" He was indeed deceived; having mistaken S. W. for S. E.; but his egregious ignorance of navigation was the cause of his deception, and of the dangers and privations to which we had been reduced.

Before we came to anchor, the captain committed the charge of the vessel to the mate he had so solemnly threatened to destroy! It was now evident, that the displeasure he had manifested towards him was merely assumed, in order to quiet the tumultuous disposition of his crew. This became more apparent, when he ordered two lanterns to be fastened to the rigging, and caused several of the men to be tied up and flogged by candlelight. One of them, a poor Caffre, died in a few days afterwards, and was thrown into the sea!

In the month of April 1822, a vessel bound for England, in her passage from Colombo to Galle, was lost by running on the rocks very near the spot where we first made the island. Mr. Clough was on board at the time; but he and the rest of the passengers, as well as the crew, providentially escaped.

CHAP. X.

Arrival at CEYLON-Interview with Messrs. Clough and SquancePoint-de-Galle-Bay, scenery, &c.-Description of Mr. Clough's residence-Prayer-meeting-Visit from the Guard Moodeliar-Lord Molesworth-His Lordship's character and affecting death-Loss of the Bengal Indiaman by fire-Service in the Dutch churchIllness of Mr. Squance-Receives kind attention from the Hon. Chief Justice-Preaches by an interpreter-Necessity of adopting such a medium of instruction-Narrative of the Conversion and Baptism of PANDITTA SEKARA, a learned Budhuist Priest-His subsequent appointment to a situation under the local governmentMeeting of the Mission party at Galle-The Author's appointment to Colombo-Letter from New South Wales-Mr. Ault's illnessJourney of the Author and his family to Colombo-Rest houses— Caltura-Slow travelling-Met by Mr. Armour-Cinnamon gardens-Relative of the late Queen Charlotte.

FROM the deck of our little vessel, now safely anchored in Galle roads, we surveyed, with feelings of deep interest, the island which we had so long regarded as the scene of those labours, to which we were devoted by duty and inclination. We looked back upon the past with gratitude, and to the future with hope.

Boats, laden with provisions, and various kinds of fruit, soon surrounded our vessel in considerable numbers; the owners of them came on board, and found a ready market for their commodities. We purchased some trifling articles of an interesting native lad, who spoke tolerably good English, and who pleased us much by his quickness of intellect, and obliging manners. Not having any Singhalese coin in our possession, we engaged to pay him in the after part of the day; but he left the ship, and though we used every effort to discover our little creditor, our enquires were unavailing;

nor did we see him afterwards. The wrong which he thus sustained from us, though wholly unintentional, gave me considerable pain.

Our first and immediate business was to forward a note to W. C. Gibson, Esq. to whom we had letters of introduction, acquainting him with our arrival, and requesting him to furnish us with the means of coming on shore. It was my intention to have paid Mr. Clough, my fellow-missionary, an unexpected visit; but, being informed by Mr. Gibson of our arrival, he hastened to the beach, accompanied by Mr. Squance, who was on a visit to Galle for the benefit of his health, and came off to the vessel in the first boat. We recognized each other long before the boat gained the vessel; and testified our mutual joy by signs, till the more intelligible language of speech could be employed.

The meeting was most affecting; but the sensations of my fellow-labourers were peculiarly overpowering, as they had long since regarded us as entombed within the bosom of the ocean. Information had reached them of the time of our sailing from Bombay, and of the smallness of the vessel in which we had embarked, by the captain of a much larger vessel, which left Bombay harbour a few days after us, bound to Colombo; and with whom our attentive and anxious friends had engaged, in case he met with us at sea, to take us on board. The larger vessel arrived nearly a month before us; and every succeeding day strengthened the conviction, that the bars of the great deep had closed on us for ever!

POINT-DE-GALLE* is so named from the projecting rocks on which the Fort is built. It is one of the most populous Forts in the island, and, besides a considerable number of Europeans, comprehends a vast society of natives. The bay is commodious, and capable of re

*In the Singhalese language, Gal signifies a stone.

ceiving vessels of three or four hundred tons. The ships of the East India Company, and other large vessels which call here on their voyage from Continental India to Europe, anchor in the roads. During the war, Galle was a rendezvous for vessels from Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay; where at regular seasons they obtained convoy, and then proceeded on their homeward voyage.

The scenery, on entering the bay of Point de-Galle, is singularly beautiful. The crowded Fort, to the left, presents a fine contrast with the opposite shore, which appears to be without inhabitants. Mr. Gibson's handsome bungaloe rises from a hill on the right, like a Chinese pagoda from the midst of surrounding jungle; while the stupendous Kandyan hills, and Adam's Peak,* proudly rising above all, furnish a most imposing background to the enchanting view.

On reaching the wharf, we found that the kind foresight of Mr. Clough had provided me a conveyance, and that his excellent friend, the Guard Moodeliar, had furnished a palankeen for Mrs. Harvard and the child. We soon arrived at Mr. Clough's residence, and partook of a hearty meal; the privations we had so long endured having prepared our appetites to enjoy, with inconceivable relish, the wholesome and excellent provision which was set before us. Our repast consisted of

Adam's Peak is the highest and most conspicuous mountain in Ceylon. Mr. Cordiner states, that "it is of a conical form, situated about sixteen miles E. by S. of Colombo; and distinctly visible to those who sail on the S. W. coast, for a distance of one hundred and fifty miles." This mountain is highly venerated by the Ceylonese; and many fabulous stories are in circulation respecting it. The bigoted worshippers of Budhu formerly considered it so highly sacred, that no Christian could breathe its atmosphere, and live. But this opinion must have been shaken; as, during my residence on the island, it was visited by several English gentlemen. One of the first who gained its summit informed me, that the natives regarded him with evident surprise on his return from his hazardous enterprize alive, and in good health!

Singhalese rice, and egg curry;* and though I have frequently partook of the same dish, both at my own, and at other's tables, I never met with any which appeared so excellent. Contrasted with the meager and limited fare to which we had been so long restricted, we considered it a delicacy of the highest order.

When we had satisfied the pressing claims of hunger, we had time to observe more particularly the situation of Mr. Clough's residence. A poet's imagination could scarcely conceive of a spot more suited to the residence of a Christian Missionary. It is built between two gradually sloping hills. A native village rises behind it, and is connected with it by an agreeable serpentine walk, which comes to the back door of the house. Immediately in front is a spacious lawn, on which the tenants of the adjoining wood frequently fed and sported, and conveyed to the minds of delighted visitors an idea of the security which reigned in the primitive Eden. A few paddy-fields,† and the spacious bay, formed the distant prospect. The house itself appeared the sacred habitation of devout peace and retirement. A refreshing breeze continually passed through it; and the silence which reigned in the sweet sequestered spot was seldom interrupted but by the warbling of the birds, and the humming sounds from the interesting native-school which adjoined the house.

In the afternoon of the day we landed, Messrs..

* Curry is a dish in high request among all the natives, and most of the Europeans in India. It resembles an English stew; but has rather more liquid. The curry is formed of aromatic seeds, onions, ginger, saffron, &c. Ox's oil, as the natives term it, ghee, or native butter, is sometimes introduced. Fish, flesh, and fowl may be curried. Singhalese rice is peculiarly suited to curry: chillies and a lemon improve it; as does also a native sauce called samball.

↑ Native corn-fields. The rice-grain, before it is beaten and cleared from the husk, is called Paddy.