Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/373

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THE ISLAND OF CEYLON
315

here, the only one in the place; the living very cheap. There is little trade at this place, excepting on account of the Dutch Company. Topazes, amethysts, and other precious stones are found on the island of Ceylon and brought here for sale; but it is dangerous to purchase them, when set, without being skilled in those commodities, the people who sell them being very expert in making, the false stones appear like true ones, by colouring them at the bottom.

TEMPLE OF THE HOLY TOOTH OF BUDDHA AT KANDY, CEYLON.

No kind of spice, nutmegs, or any other rarities for which this island is so celebrated, are to be met with at this place; nor did we, on our approach to the island, perceive any of those odoriferous gales described by travellers as exhaling from the cinnamon and other spices with which this island abounds. The harbour is circular; at the entrance of it lie many rocks, just above the surface of the water, which make it very dangerous for strange ships to go in without a pilot; the waves beat with

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