y fear over our heads, (as, up to Waterloo, we always
had,) that possibly at a general peace we might find it diplomatically
prudent to let it return under Dutch possession, we have no excuse for any
longer neglecting the jewel in our power. We gave up to Holland, through
unwise generosity, already one splendid island, viz. Java. Let one such
folly suffice for one century.

For the same reason--namely, the absolute and undivided possession which
we now hold of the island--it is at length time that our home government
should more distinctly invite colonists, and make known the unrivaled
capabilities of this region. So vast are our colonial territories, that
for every class in our huge framework of society we have separate and
characteristic attractions. In some it is chiefly labour that is wanted,
capital being in excess. In others these proportions are reversed. In some
it is great capitalists that are wanted for the present; in others almost
exclusively small ones. Now, in Ceylon, either class will be welcome. It
ought also to be published every where, that immediately after the
conquest of Kandy, the government entered upon the Roman career of
civilization, and upon that also which may be considered peculiarly
British. Military roads were so carried as to pierce and traverse all the
guilty fastnesses of disease, and of rebellion by means of disease.
Bridges, firmly built of satin-wood, were planted over every important
stream. The Kirime canal was completed in the most eligible situation. The
English institution of mail-coaches was perfected in all parts of the
island. At this moment there are three separate modes of itinerating
through the island--viz., by mail-coach, by buggy, or by palanquin; to say
nothing of the opportunities offered at intervals, along the maritime
provinces, for coasting by ships or boats. To the botanist, the
mineralogist, the naturalist, the sportsman, Ceylon offers almost a
virgin Eldorado. To a man wishing to combine the lucrative pursuits of the
colonist with the elegances of life, and with the comforts of compatriot
society, not (as in Australia, or in American back settlements) to weather
the hardships of Robinson Crusoe, the invitations from the infinite
resources of Ceylon are past all count or estimate. "For my own part,"
says Mr Bennett, who is _now_ a party absolutely disinterested, "having
visited all but the northern regions of the globe, I have seen nothing to
equal this incompara