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.
Pages:
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375