a small island about 20 miles from that of Manaar, and the nearest channel of communication between Ceylon and the continent of India. When Mr Cordiner and his companions landed here in 1824, they entered the nearest choultry, or place erected for the accommodation of strangers, half a mile beyond which is the grand pagoda, or temple of Shivven, having nothing remarkable in its external appearance, when seen from a distance; but on a nearer inspection it is almost impossible to describe the ornaments and laboured workmanship. workmanship that strike the eye. Yet these are far outdone by the magnificence of the interior parts of the pagoda. Upon this island there are great numbers of small horses, constantly employed in conveying travelers and in transporting goods.

After dinner a number of brahmins with five well dressed dancing girls waited upon Mr Corderin and his companions at the choultry, who very agreeably amused and entertained them for upwards of an hour, and would have continued much longer, had they not been informed that they were at liberty to depart.

The men of this island are stout, and the females have something in their appearance very engaging; they are remarkably clean, and dress with great neatness. They are seen only by accident, for they keep out of the way of travellers with as much caution as possible. The ordinary dress of the brahmins consists only of a piece of muslin folded about the middle, and a string composed of nine threads is used as an ornament for the neck. They shave their heads quite bare, and in general wear them uncovered; but turbans and jackets are occasionally worn by some of them.

So abundant are black cattle on this small island, that it is no uncommon thing to see numbers of them lying in the streets, none of which are ever killed, the food of the inhabitants being entirely composed of milk and vegetable productions. The island being almost wholly covered with shrubs, is verdant and beautiful, yet no vestige of a corn field is to be met with, nor any other appearance of cultivation, if we except the large trees by which the roads are shaded, and a few groves of cocoa-nut trees. The nature of the soil in general is sandy, like that of Manaar, and the circumference of the whole island does not appear to exceed 20 miles. The houses on it are far superior to the ordinary dwellings of India; but the buildings sacred to divine worship, and the choultries for the accommodation of strangers, are truly magnificent, and must have been very expensive.

In a word when Ramifleram is contrasted with the indigent and barren island of Manaar, only 20 miles distant, it must be pronounced rich, fruitful, and luxuriant, exhibiting so much liberty and plenty as warm the heart and kindle in the bosom of every beholder a lively flame of pleasure.