New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-01
CEYI.ON THE GORGEOUS
THE ISLE FROM WHICH
COMES THE FINE TEA.
This Earthly Paradise Vas for Ages
Prey of Foreign Invaders and a
Theatre of Internecine Strife.

Ceylon was invaded by. first, the Snghaese, who
gave 1t its ancient civilization, monument TO which
is that remarkable ruin Of the Brazen Palace, built
by Dutugaimunu; then came the ''Malabars," from
Southern India, who beginning their ncursons
early as b. C. 2s7, held possession of the island for
greater lesser periods, kept 1t in turmoil.
UNTIL late In the eleventh century. 1t deliv-
cred for short time from their sway and brought
back TO Its ancient wealth and tranquility. They
reconquered it IN the beginning of the twelfth
century, and. although their occupation was. at in
tervals, confined TO one another portion Of it,
their hold upon 1t was not finally broken until the
coming of the Portuguese. early in the sixteenth
century. Like the latter. their only idea to
During the Portuguese occupation of Ceyion
their rule was characterized by rapacity cruelty
ana Disotry. " al, trade and religion" their
the isa:.i lasted until the subversion of their
moEopo:y in the East by the Dutch. in the first
AithoIsh the Dutch dominion lasted-as did that
or the Portuguese-about one hundred and forty
years, It seems not to have done much for or to
nave lett any great impress upon. the country for
trade monopce= AID to have cared little or moth
ing for the .ct-est q the natives although they
have LEFT "a code of Roman Dutch law which stin
prevails IN the supreme courts of jqstice-ther
With the cession of the island to the British in
IlSo' began lts more modern history: British
isle OF the Eastern seas; has descended upon it as
. benson. The great coonizing nation has sue
ancient, while retraning, extent, from rude
the heTadcabe It Las peranent r or Fsihf In
the soil, IL were au the arts OF peace as known
Old % Of the eonn nd s sus s@h a
methods and its traditions as prove no bar 10
progress. After some well meant, but abortive,
efforts to change. for the beterment of the natives
soma of their unwritten laws and customs, IL has
suffered them to be happy and TO solve their social
problems pretty much after their fashions, so
long their crude ideas and practices have not in
way threatened the welfare Of the island III
The English have introduced modern scientific
asrlcuiture nave deepened, enlarged and protected
the islands splendid harboTs; have built a com
prehensive system of good roads throughout its
length breadth, witt
persistence and pluck carried its products TO the
far corners of the earth. while paying due atten-
ton to the wise establishment of law and order
or educational facilities, and of the principles of
modern sanitation, within its confines
OF course. they have had excellent foundation
and has, as has been pointed out d fine climate
and an abundant rainfall. lies conveniently in
and Orient. and It's people eminenty arricrIltIraI
are comparatively intelligent and docile-and too
that Cleanliness which is next to godliness'' u.s.
with Them matter Of religion. So Il was not So
difficult as with other OrientalS TO bring them TO
modern methods of plant culture. and of prepara-
ton for the markets of the soils varied prodiIcts
Especially In the case of tea culture and nrenare
ton have these characteristics proved of value a
The agricultural instinct. the result of centuries
under proper tuition. for the of a plant for
which bountiful nature has done much; their
pucking its delicate and tender buds (Which only
are used in the preparation of Ceylon tear without
clumsily getting an adrlixture of twigs and rank
older leaves; and their almost fanatical attention
to personal cleanliness prevents their employment
Ito the limited extent that human agencies are
used in Ceylon tea factoTes) in its DreparatiOn
from endansering the product, sanitarily speaking
as has SO frequently been charged against the ma,
tive handlers of other countries All of which soes
TO show that their service adds TO- rather SsS
detracts from, the merits of what has been vari-
ousy termed the ideal tea the blessed bever-
vator's instinct, and their unusual manual skill
and dexterity