ll
sounds where the elephant trumpeted of yore. The sunbeam has
penetrated where the forest threw its dreary shade, and a ray of light
has shone through the moral darkness of the spot.

The completion of the church is the grand improvement in Newera Ellia.

Although Newera Ellia was in the wild state described when first
discovered by Europeans, it is not to be supposed that its existence
was unknown to the Cingalese. The name itself proves its former
importance to the kings of Kandy, as Newera Ellia signifies "Royal
Plains." Kandy is termed by the Cingalese "Newera," as it was the
capital of Ceylon and the residence of the king.

However wild the country may be, and in many portions unvisited by
Europeans, still every high mountain and every little plain in this
wilderness of forest is not only known to the natives of the adjacent
low country, but has its separate designation. There is no feature of
the country without its name, although the immense tracts of mountain
are totally uninhabited, and the nearest villages are some ten or
twelve miles distant, between two and three thousand feet below.

There are native paths from village to village across the mountains,
which, although in appearance no more than deer-runs, have existed for
many centuries, and are used by the natives even to this day. The great
range of forest-covered Newera Ellia mountains divides the two
districts of Ouva and Kotmalie, and these native paths have been formed
to connect the two by an arduous accent upon either side, and a
comparatively level cut across the shoulders of the mountains, through
alternate plain and forest, for some twenty-five miles. These paths
would never be known to Europeans were it not for the distant runs of
the hounds, in following which, after some hours of fatiguing
jungle-work, I have come upon a path. The notches on the treestems
have proved its artificial character, and by following its course I
have learnt the country.

There is not a path, stream, hill, or plain, within many miles of
Newera Ellia, that I do not know intimately, although, when the
character of the country is scanned by a stranger from some
mountain-top, the very act of traversing it appears impossible. This
knowledge has been gained by years of unceasing hunting, and by
perseveringly following up the hounds wherever they have gone. From
sunrise till nightfall I have often ploughed along through alternate
jungles and plains, listening eage