vernor found, that from a want of suitable books, such were almost entirely deprived of the best resource during the hours of relaxation from business. A few novels, and other works of a

the sickening spectacle of a poor black man, with his back lacerated and bleeding from such a cause, was frequently presented at the gate of the king's house, when the governor and his lady were entering their car-light description, were occasionally riage for morning or evening airing.

brought to the island by the pursers of the Indiamen; and the resident gentlemen certainly possessed their private libraries: still, a public library of good and standard works, accessible to all, was a desideratum.

It was impossible to allow the continuance of a custom so abhorrent to the feelings of a mind properly regulated, as well as so unjust to the natives, and so brutalizing in its effects on the hearts of the perpetrators them- In order to meet this necessity, selves. A declaration was issued on from a fatherly regard to the case of the subject; and an opportunity too young officers, as well as generally to soon presented itself of proving the encourage a literary taste, Sir Robert governor's determined resolution to laid the foundation of the Columbo enforce the new regulation. A very Library, allotting one of the public honourable and gallant officer was in- buildings to its service; and giving duced, by some who had been long in an example of pecuniary aid, by a the disgraceful habit, to punish very large subscription from himself. The severely his black servant, in order to plan met with that public encourageextort a confession of a theft of which ment it so well deserved. It was he was suspected. For this offence placed in the hands of the Rev. George the officer was tried, and on convic- Bisset, to carry it into execution; the tion sentenced to six months' impri- Hon. and Venerable Doctor Twisbesonment in a distant fort. Such, how- ton, the present worthy archdeacon ever, was the benevolent feeling of of Columbo was ever ready to afford the young gentleman, and his concern his help to a measure so according at what he had been led rather to per- with his own views; and assistance mit than to order,—and such his cha- | was afforded by many of the members ritable feelings toward the natives of government, and others, who were when removed from the contagion of happy to second the judicious and bean evil example, that the governor nevolent design. This institution, so enjoyed a heartfelt pleasure in short- unpretending in its origin, has been ening the period of his confinement. followed by the formation of a LiteTo give an eclât to the act, his excel-rary Society, whose interesting meetlency ordered that on the Prince Re-ings are held in its apartments; and gent's birth-day the officer should be liberated. And with so marked a notice of the evil, it need hardly be added, that no flagrant instance of offence was afterwards repeated; and the natives naturally recognized in the governor a friend and a deliverer.

which, it is hoped, will for many ages continue a monument of honour and benefit to the European and native inhabitants of Ceylon.

It has been seen that it was not Sir Robert Brownrigg's policy to overlook the comfort of the inferior ranks The governor of a colony in his of native society; and hence it will most amiable character appears as a not be thought singular that the enfather wisely and considerately su- joyment of the private soldiers of the perintending the various interests of European army under his command those who have been placed beneath entered also into his calculations. In his rule. On his part, indeed, a regard all his military arrangements, it was to the morals and manners of the peo- evidently the aim of his heart to ple, and especially of the civil and evince himself the soldier's friend: not military officers of the government, is indeed by any unbecoming relaxation an indispensable duty. In a tropical of that discipline so much the glory climate, its relaxing effects are often of our army, and so conspicuously productive of indolent habits; such held up to admiration in his own mias young gentlemen may easily and litary life; but by the exercise of that almost imperceptibly imbibe, as much generous attention to the smaller to the injury of the public welfare, as means of gratification and comfort, of their own real comfort and respect- which forms a feature of public chatability. And on examination, the go-racter so truly British.

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Jumbo, the fallen monarch observed, that the cause of his being there was, that the gods would ever favour him who had given rice to such numbers; and that the governor's charity upon that, and many other occasions, had been often a subject of great praise in his country. This encomium on his conqueror, pronounced in the presence of his own attendants, to two or three English officers, was highly gratifying to their feelings.

he had been placed. During the administration of General Brownrigg in the island of Ceylon, no opportunity was omitted by his excellency of doing honour to the royal master he represented, or the highly favoured country which had given him birth.

The instances would be too numerous for particular detail. But the same laudable and becoming and ho nourable motive was seen to operate on one occasion which deserves record. The governor's return from this tour A system of slavery, but in some of examination and benevolence, was slight respects differing from that of marked by another public measure in the West Indian system, had for ages behalf of the Ceylonese. After ma- existed in the country. It had been turely weighing the subject, his excel- encouraged both by the Portuguese lency resolved upon the abolition of a and the Dutch governments, and by a tax, which, though not very produc- just law of heaven it has amply repaid tive to the revenue, fell very hard on its obligations, in its effects on the the natives, through the system of ex- colonial character of those nations. tortion and oppression maintained by Governor Brownrigg was too much of the collectors. There were subordi- the Briton and the soldier, to contemnate native headmen placed at all the plate with complacency the everlastbarriers, to collect an ad valorem taxing_continuance of such a system. on every article carried into the mar- And when, by the zealous and honourket. From the cause already assign-able exertions of a few benevolent ined, it frequently happened, that the poor people returned home, scarcely having sold sufficient to cover the tribute which had been demanded of them. The Ceylon treasury was not, indeed, at that time, in circumstances to dispense with any of its customary supplies; the governor, therefore, by a trifling impost on another class of society, more able to bear it, provided against such an inconvenience: and it was proclaimed by beat of tom-tom, or native drum, that the Bazar tax should cease on the following 16th of August. The favourable bearing of this measure on the comfort of the native population, will be easily imagined, when it is related, that, when the announcement was made in the public streets, such was the ecstasy of the people, that they ran out of their houses, and forced money into the hands of the crier who brought to them the glad tidings.

On every occasion, when a boon was granted to the colonial public, Sir Robert's feeling of loyalty induced him, in some way or other, to connect it with one of the royal family; and so, in the hearts of the people, to identify every such political benefit with grateful recollections of the household of that revered Sovereign, the dignity of whose crown it was his chiefest pride to uphold before the people over whom

dividuals, (at the head of whom it would be an act of ingratitude not to place the right honourable Sir Alexander Johnstone, at that time the chief justice,) the principal slave owners had become favourable to the cause of gradual emancipation; the 12th of August was adopted as the memorable day on which to announce the commencement of the operation of that desirable measure. All children of slaves born after that day are declared to be free.

The annexation of the Kandyan provinces to the old European territory, had, from the first, appeared an object exceedingly desirable in the estimation of General Brownrigg. He therefore sought, by every means within his reach, to obtain information as to the production and resources of that important part of the island; and the consequence was, an increased conviction that it would not prove a barren and fruitless conquest. Profiting by the failures of preceding commanders, he turned his attention to the means most likely to preserve his people from the sickly effects of a climate so different from that of the maritime districts, and which had been so fatal to the European constitution. above two years he was occupied in various preparations, in conjunction with others well versed in such mat

For

As for the Kandyan king, he had felt so confident of the timidity of the About the same time, a Kandyan, of English government-and consequenthigh distinction, came under the dis-ly of his own security-in view of the pleasure of the king. The intriguing and ambitious disposition of the man might possibly have given him sufficient cause of displeasure; but his revenge was horrible. The offender fled, in apprehension of personal danger; When he was told of the the king had his unoffending and un- British troops having gained the happy wife seized, to become the strong, and, as he supposed, impregvictim of his sanguinary vengeance.nable, pass of Balani, he utterly disEvery indignity was shewn her; three of her children were beheaded in her presence; and, seated in one of his palaces, the sovereign gratified himself with the spectacle of the mother

Sir Robert Brownrigg, were close to his capital, and he fled to what he hoped would have proved his strong hold. A small detachment, immediately in advance of the general, beheld the appalling sight of twelve human beings, exposed to the birds and beasts of prey, impaled by the road side. Some of them were already nearly devoured; and one poor creature had the expression of agony still writhing upon his countenance.

The kingdom was yielded, by convention, to the governor. The wretched despot was soon taken, and sent prisoner to Columbo; from whence he was conveyed, in a man-of-war, to Madras; and is now, at this moment, a prisoner in the strong fortress of Vellore.

It was generally supposed that the Kandyan country was a complete forestand jungle, producing only small dry grain, and but very little rice; and that the extreme unhealthiness of the climate made any attempt to take possession of it a fatal and useless undertaking. Nor did some persons fail thus to prejudge the measure, who had adopted these ideas without making proper inquiry. On public questions of importance, it is frequently the case, that a difference of opinion is found to prevail; and some who were unfavourable to the attempt of the Kandyan conquest, had so far alarmed the government at home, as to produce a positive order to "abandon all idea of entering the Kandyan kingdom, as a measure to be deprecated, and to withdraw the troops." Fortunately, those directions did not arrive until after Sir Robert Brownrigg had attained the complete possession of the country, without the loss of a single life, and when every thing promised to answer his most sanguine expectations. Had the governor not been a man most firm of purpose, when he had reason to think his opinion formed on good grounds, he must have been deterred from that undertaking, which now it is his pride, under divine Providence, to have so happily accomplished.

thirds of the annual supply to fulfil the contract with the India Company. The Kandyan gardens being now laid open, enabled, not only the usual quantity to be cut, but as much more as made up the annual deficiency which had, of necessity, taken place in the Company's contract. In this way, upon the instant, £50,000 was gained by the conquest of Kandy. The immediate advance of the revenue, arising from the trade which began with the Columbo merchants, &c. afforded a gratifying proof that it was not a fruitless conquest; and the re-. markable health of the troops, for the first three years, proved, that the assurances of the balefulness of the climate had been founded on erroneous principles; in fact, gentlemen not unfrequently removed from Columbo to Kandy, to enjoy a cooler and more bracing air. The Kandyan mode of cultivating their rice is superior to that of the Singhalese. The beef, fed on their large plains, proved superior to what was procurable at Columbo; and the soldiers were so amply and comfortably supplied, that to be quartered in Kandy, even by a removal from the maritime districts, was considered an advantage.

The governor was detained at his new head-quarters for some months, making the necessary arrangements for the future government of the country. During this time, various unexpected advantages and resources developed themselves, to increase daily his unalloyed gratification at his success; and when he returned to Columbo, after having attained this bloodless conquest of so rich an addition to the British crown, he had not one feeling of regret to damp the satisfaction of his heart. In his progress, a long line of people were eager to express their joy, and to hail his success and safety: the native merchants rejoicing that the avenues of trade had been thrown open, to their incalculable benefit; others, that he had added glory to the British name, in the rescue of thousands from the hands of a ruthless tyrant; and all, The beneficial effects of the posses- to see one who had so greatly endeared sion of the interior were soon felt, as himself, by his exertions for the pubwell by the inhabitants themselves, as lic good, return to the capital under also by the population of the maritime such happy circumstances. The gendistricts. The cinnamon gardens of tlemen of the colony, and some even the old country were almost worn of the oldest inhabitants, went out to out, and could not have furnished two-meet the governor at the barriers;