American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-07-11

have several times shown the greatest TENDERNESS
and the French had formerly settlement there
in their manners and customs generaly-and par
.,icoiary in their creduty ard superstition-lhey
fesemblc the inhabitants Of the continent lheyl
nave great ceremonies at their annual Launches OIL
small vessels loaded with odours and flowers, who
are sen. adrts for the use OF the King OF the cea
aud the Emperor OF he WINDS.
Ceylon was called by the aborlgincs, Snghala !;
by the ancien Europeans, Taptobane; by the neigh
boring continent Lanca and by the Mohammedans.
Serendb 1t is between 5, 40, and TO- so, north
latitude, and 70 and 50 east longitude. The gulph
Of Manar separates this island from the Coroman
del coast, which is 90 miles distant, at Cape Como
rim but the northern part OF the island approaches
Tangore. Its length is about 500 miles, and lis
breadth yarie. from 100 to 40. A lofty chain Of
mountains, which seems TO be continuation oil the
e.hauts of Malabar, crosses ii. The monsoons are
the same here as on The continent, and while II is
raining for three months on one side OF the noun
slins, ii is clear and sunny on the other. The IN
dams say that Ceylon and the Maldives once formed
great Island, Ind that, at still more distant period
The whole was torn from the continent. Agrlcul
care is in very rude state the soil Is sandy, and
requires constant irrigation when laid properly IN
der wafer, il yields good crop Of rice which is the
chief susepance OF the natives but sntncency cr
home consumption not heog raised, they are obi
sei 10 Import largely from Bengal. For long
lime Europeans could not raise even the common
sable yes etahes on this island. The British govern
nent then introduced colony OF Chinese garde ers,
Who have no, only succeeded in producing vege,a
bes in great quantities, bull also have some thrlv-
ing sugar planatiDns under Their management.
Their houses are vety neat. Al the upper END OF
the principal room there is high stand over which
bangs a tablet, written in Chinese characters, and
containing the names Of the toreathers Of each tami
~. lamp is kept constantly burning before tins,
20 remind Them ut their native country. ! ne
peasantry or husba6dmen, live in Struggling VII
lagos. composed OF the most simple materials, winch
the forests furnish in abundance They 90 nearly
naked, and each village fo ms sort OF socrly. who
have Joint property in the surrounding land All
The labor is performed by regular contribution
They go out with their poushs which are nothing
bat crooked pieces OF wood shod with iron, and
trawa by pair OF mis- tably yoked oxen, and 500
he ground b. going Iepcaiedy over The same Tor
row, 10 proper depth. The crops are divided ac
rording 10 immenoFal custom, winch awards q
certain portion 10 the government. another 10 he
clergy. third TO tie village Officers and necessary
sradesmen, aud the temauder 10 the cult. ators. 4
very respectable old man IS 10 general The maris
haie aud orsan OF the soc'-,y; who assisted by a
few others compose cout, that seaes al! tgated
.uhject, al heariog Over III sc villages, me
so,etnm-nt has officers called nnodllers, WHOSE
business il is to inspect their ptoceed rs, aid re
pors to The highest an horiy. THIS = he renfanf
81 ancient Hindoo eniilzation, when Mas o.ti
thrown by all INVASION oil RAMA the great Eai sh ~
0ai-; who is mentioned 10 poem called the
RAmayuna as having ealef ed IT over bridge, which
hi, army OF monkeys constructed across the gulpb
Q. Slanar, the remains Of whch. bu whther natu' al
artificial il is hard 10 say, still vslale The
principal ha buls are Ttncomalre AMI Point de-
GaIie but there several others where ships can
anchor very well during the fine season he two
CHEF rivers are called Ma!ivagunga and NluliyaddY j
the former oil which falls into The lea near Trncom4
lee, and the latter not far from Columbo. fhe
Dutch left IN the island maj ks of their ondness fu
canals and lakes. some OF which have been filled up
~ the British Tor the promotion OF health
Ceyon produces fine elephants although no, Of
shr largest kind with wild horses bufiares, deer
s!k gazelles, hares, wild hgs, small tigers tiger
S, leopards ackals, hyeuas, bears, and variety
os monkeys, hut no foxes have been seen. The
great elephant caal, or trap this island is about
sixteen miles from Negomoo. 1t Is in the shape Of
tunnel composed OF strong posts, made Of wnul-
trunks u trees, driven well in the ground and las
ed 10 others, placed horizontally, with stOng ropes
Although the mod Of entrappng these anIma.
ms, be familiar to most of readers, ITS int,
10 Il - n this place appears relevant, tina! We
r.annot rrtrain from giving 4. Fires lehted
fieat the trap, on the outside to inmdate he lie
phante, when caught otlrt wise they would easily
break through all The distractions When these
,nmaIs are driven or decnyed into the trap. the>
a'e prevented from returning oy pa ed a,
he entrance with torches. At length when ;he
csptiye has been driyen far down The funnel thai
he cannot turn himself, the hunters close on him,
and two tame elephants. stationed each side u
the craa put in their trunks, seize that OF the pi
soner, and hold him. while the hunters enter, and
secure hin with ropes round his legs and NECK;
after which The stakes in front removed, and Ii
is forced forward bY the two tame elephants 10 the
tree where he is TO be chained. Daily discipline
soon taues him, although gtiet and indignation an
strongly expressed in his eye when he first finds
himself subdne and II sometlmes occurs That after