ous views,_
_Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm,_
_Others, whose fruit, burnish'd with golden rind,_
_Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true._

_Wednesday, March 28th_.--At midnight the wind was slightly ahead, and
we could distinctly smell the fragrant breezes and spicy odours of
Ceylon. We made the eastern side of the island at daylight, and
coasted along its palm-fringed shores all day. I had been very unwell
for some days past, but this delightful indication of our near
approach to the land seemed to do me good at once. If only the
interior is as beautiful as what we can see from the deck of the
yacht, my expectations will be fully realised, brilliant as they are.

As the sun set, the beauty of the scene from the deck of the yacht
seemed to increase. We proceeded slowly, and at about nine o'clock
were in the roads of Galle and could see the ships at anchor. Tom did
not like to venture further in the dark without a pilot, and
accordingly told the signal-man to make signals for one, but being
impatient he sent up a rocket, besides burning blue lights, a mistake
which had the effect of bringing the first officer of the P. and O.
steamship 'Poonah' on board, who thought perhaps we had got aground or
were in trouble of some sort. He also informed us that pilots never
came off after dark, and kindly offered to show us a good anchorage
for the night.

_Thursday, March 29th_.--The pilot came off early, and soon after six
we dropped anchor in Galle harbour. The entrance is fine, and the bay
one of the most beautiful in the world. The picturesque town, with its
old buildings, and the white surf dashing in among the splendid
cocoa-trees which grow down to the water's edge, combined to make up a
charming picture. We went on board the 'Poonah' to breakfast as
arranged, and afterwards all over the ship, which is in splendid
order. Thence we went ashore to the Oriental Company's Hotel, a most
comfortable building, with a large, shady verandah, which to-day was
crowded by passengers from the 'Poonah.' At tiffin there was a great
crowd, and we met some old friends. At three o'clock we returned to
the yacht, to show her to the captain of the 'Poonah' and some of his
friends, and an hour later we started in two carriages for a drive to
Wockwalla, a hill commanding a splendid view. The drive was
delightful, and the vegetation more beautiful than any we have seen
since leaving Tahiti, but it would have been