ate, the importance of the place is gone, and Colombo has
captured its business and its prominence.

"Colombo is the capital of Ceylon. It is about seventy miles from Point de
Galle, on the south-west coast of the island. It has a population of almost
127,000, which has been increased at the expense of Galle, as we generally
call it to economize our breath. It is located on a peninsula, with the sea
on three sides of it, with a lake and moat on the land side. By the way,
Mr. Woolridge, do you happen to remember the Italian name of Christopher
Columbus, whose discovery of America you are to celebrate at Chicago this
year?"

"Cristoforo Colombo," replied Morris promptly. "I read it on his monument
at Genoa last summer."

"Quite right, my young friend; and that is where the capital of Ceylon
obtained its name, which the Portuguese gave it, in honor of the great
discoverer, only twenty-five years after the great event of his life. The
buildings are about the same as you will observe in all British colonial
towns, and I need not mention them. You will ride out to Lake Colombo, and
visit the cinnamon gardens there. The breakwater, which has been the making
of the city, cost L600,000; for it is an entirely safe harbor, with every
facility for landing and embarking passengers and goods. I believe nothing
is left to you but to see what his lordship and I have described."

Sir Modava retired from the stand; and the band started into an overture,
which was hardly finished before the bell for lunch sounded. Before the
collation was finished the ship had taken a pilot, and in due time the
Guardian-Mother came to anchor at her last port in India proper. As the
ship came into the harbor she passed abreast of the Blanche, and was
greeted with three cheers, which were promptly and vigorously returned.

Accommodations had been bespoken by Lord Tremlyn, and early in the
afternoon the party were quartered in the Elphinstone. Carriages were
obtained, and before night they had visited the principal parts of the
town, and even the cinnamon gardens, in which they were greatly interested;
and some of the ladies told what it was good for, both as a spice and a
medicine.

"I suppose you know all about cinnamon, Mrs. Belgrave," said Sir Modava, as
they were looking at the trees.

"I only know enough about it to put it in my apple-pies when I make them."

"This island produces the finest article in the world. It is a very old
spice, mention