Having about two hours to spare, tiffin not being till 2 p.m., I hired a jinricsha and proceeded to the *Dalada Maligaw: the famous "Temple of the Tooth, Arriving there the native guide first of all took me up a short fight of steps to the Library, a fine room of octagonal shape, where there is a splendid and valuable collection of Bhuddist scriptures written on taliput palm leaves prepared for the purpose and clearly decipherable; some of these books are beautifully bound in silver, while the most of them are covered in ornamented boards. Outside this room is a platform from which a very fine view of Kandy is to be obtained. The city itself lies in a basin surrounded by rugged and picturesque hills; the lake at our feet runs right up to the verge of the hills, its fine azure waters showing up well' the beautiful green foliage of the thickly verdured hills, through which peeps here and there the red-tiled roof of some monastery or house or habitation. Going out of the library and up a few steps, you find yourself in a small room where several images of Bhudda are to be seen, the carvings of which are exquisitely worked. Tam taken once more back to the central building and ere long find myself in front of the lange bell-shaped shrine, in which are six small caskets, all of pure gold and covered with precious stones; in the smallest of these caskets is the Sacred Tooth, said to be the original, but it is very much to be doubted secing that the said tooth resembles very much that of a pig. Although I used my very best persuasive powers T could not get a glimpse at it, and was informed that to see it I would have to get a special permit from his Excellency the Governor, but when speaking about it afterwards I was told that even that would not be sufficient as they watched this precious relic with such a jealous eye that it was only on the occasion of a festival that it could be seen. From her: Twas taken to the front of the principal building where some highly coloured fresh oes could be seen, showing the different punishments that the followers of Bhudda ave to go through if not obeying strictly his commands and precepts; I could not help noticing that they are very hot on drunkards, who have avery warm time of it in the future world. As we retraced our steps through the Temple on our way to the side entrance, I observed some natives engaged in their daily devotions, their heads bowed low to the ground in the direction of the casket. Looking on such a scene you cannot help wondering hat good can possibly be derived from worshipping a supposed human tooth, and a feeling akin to pity comes over you, and yet are we not even worse than they? We, who have been brought up in the belief of a higher and nobler life, and yet the God "Mammon" has got such a hold of us that many have sold their birthrights and even their blessing too, in their eager fight for its favour.
We too, who mock at Israel's golden calf And scoff at Egypt's sacred scarabee, And flood with rapturous tears, and bear Would have our amulets to clasp and kiss, To be our dear companions in the dust, Such magic works an.image in our soul!"
The heathen are thoroughly honest in their belief and in the religion they -have been brought up to, and in many ways we can take a lesson from them, and instead of despising them follow their example, to be more zealous in the worship of the one whom we profess to honour and serve. Stepping once more into the riesha I went for a spin around the Lake, which is partially artificial being at one time a marshy swamp, but through the action of the late Rajah was converted into its present state. As you go along you obtain a fine view of the island in the centre used by the Kandyan King for fishing purposes. Afine run Of two or three miles brings me back again to the Queen's Hotel which faces' the Esplanade; between it and the waters of the lake runs a handsome ornamental palisading, made of stone conerete, at the end of which ix a good red building jutting out into the lake; it supposed to have been the bath house belonging to the Royal. Palace, but is now the library of the Kandy residents.
After tiffin, a drive around Lady Horton's Walk was indulged in. Passing through part of the native city we began our ascent, winding around the contour of the hills. As we go along we pass a number of native women busily sweeping and cleaning the roads, Here as in other heathen lands the weaker sex seems to have to bear the brunt of the sorrows and cares of life. Poor of truth in that old and well-known quota-Woman! There is possibly a good deal
tion Man's work is from sun to sun, Woman's work is never done."
Even in civilised countries, the ladies, to use their' own words, have a pretty rough time of it and the only way I see out of the difficulty is to follow in New Zealand's footsteps and go in for women's suffrage. Look at Mrs.——of Onchunga fame, who has five hundred souls under her control. What a blissful nonce and enviable position the Councillors of that small city must have, to be guided by the sweet voice and lily white hand of a lady.
When reaching the highest point of this beautiful walk, we get a magnificent view of the Dumbara Valley and the Mahaveliyang flowing peacefully on its course, its waters lapping against the roots of the feathery-topped bamboo which grows in luxuriant tufts along its banks. Opposite on the other side stands in lofty grandeur Hunasgiriya Peak about 5,000 feet in height, and a short distance from it stands its neighbour, the Knuckles. Descendin; along a zigzag path which leads throug fine piece of forest land we are soon ogum in the streets of the city.
Next morning I took a drive in the opposite direction along the Katugastota Road. Proceeding for about three miles we come to the Mahaveliganga which is the largest river in Ceylon, where I left the carriage, and, in company with a Sinhalese coolie and four or five little nigger boys, went down to the banks of the river where some elephants were said to be working, but was somewhat disappointed to find that only one was at his post; he was fine fellow called '*Heretah," and under the guidance of his keeper was pulling large trunks of trees out of the river and hand-Ting them in a most sagacious manner, His attendant brought him up the bank and made him go through several manoeuvres, such as sitting on his haunches, bowing, going on his knees, and lastly lying down in a prostrate position. Giving- the Keeper a donation for his amiable companion I returned to my vehicle, and crossing the bridge—a fine structure erected in 1859—qnickly retraced the road to Kandy. On returning to the Hotel I found a note awaiting me from Mr.—, inviting me to spend a few days on his plantation. sent a note back by the coolie, in acceptance of his kind invitation and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.