As soon as it became sufficiently
cool we went on round the upper lake and to the hills above, whence we
looked down upon Kandy, one of the most charmingly placed cities in
the world. As we came back we stopped for a few minutes at the Court,
a very fair specimen of florid Hindoo architecture, where the judges
sit, and justice of all kinds is administered, and where the Prince of
Wales held the installation of the Order of St. Michael and St. George
during his visit. We also looked in at some of the bazaars, to examine
the brass chatties and straw-work. Then came another delicious rest in
the verandah among the flowers until it was time for dinner. Such
flowers as they are! The Cape jessamines are in full beauty just now,
and our host breaks off for us great branches laden with the fragrant
bloom.
_Monday, April 2nd_.--Before breakfast I took a stroll all round the
place, with our host, to look at his numerous pets, which include
spotted deer, monkeys, and all sorts of other creatures. We also went
to the stables, and saw first the horses, and the horsekeepers with
their pretty Indian wives and children. Then we wandered down to the
bamboo-fringed shores of the river, which rises in the mountains here,
and flows right through the island to Trincomalee.
At eleven o'clock Tom and I said 'good-bye' to the rest of the party,
and went by train to Gampola, to take the coach to Neuera-ellia, where
we were to stay with an old friend.
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