It is possible that a connoisseur may sometimes make a very advantageous purchase; but I would advise those who have not much experience in these things, not to be dazzled by the size and splendour of the said precious stones and pearls, as the natives, according to all accounts, have learnt from Europeans the art of profiting as much as they can by a favourable opportunity.
Pointe de Galle is charmingly situated: in the fore-ground are some fine groups of rock, and in the back-ground, immediately adjoining the little town, which is protected by fortifications, rise magnificent forests of palms.

The houses present a neat appearance; they are low, and shaded by trees, which, in the better streets, are planted so as to form alleys.
Pointe de Galle is the place of rendezvous for the steamers from China, Bombay, Calcutta, and Suez.

Passengers from Calcutta, Bombay, and Suez, do not stop more than twelve, or, at most, twenty- four hours; but those proceeding from China to Calcutta have to wait ten or fourteen days for the steamer that carries them to their destination.

This delay was to me very agreeable, as I profited by it to make an excursion to Candy.
There are two conveyances from Pointe de Galle to Colombo--the mail which leaves every day, and a coach which starts three times a week.
The distance is seventy-three English miles, and the journey is performed in ten hours.

A place in the mail costs 1 pounds 10s., and in the coach 13s.