rice; but no greater depth was
attained at the time Of writing than to this stratum, viz., eighteen
feet from the surface.

No other holes were sunk to a greater depth than ten feet, on account
of the influx of water, but similar shafts were made in various places,
and all with equal success.

From the commencement of the first stratum of quartz throughout to the
greatest depth attained gold was present.

Upon washing away the clay and gravel, a great number of gems of small
value remained (chiefly sapphire, ruby, jacinth and green tourmaline).
These being picked out, there remained a jet-black fine sand,
resembling gunpowder. This was of great specific gravity, and when
carefully washed, discovered the gold--some in grains, some in mere
specks, and some like fine, golden flour.

At this interesting stage the search has been given up: although the
cheering sight of gold can be obtained in nearly every pan of earth at
such trifling depths, and literally in every direction, the prospect is
abandoned. The government leaves it to private enterprise, but the
enterprising public have no faith in the government.

Without being over-sanguine, or, on the other side, closing our cars
with asinine stubbornness, let us take an impartial view of the facts
determined, and draw rational conclusions.

It appears that from a depth of two and a half feet from the surface to
the greatest depth as yet attained (eighteen feet), gold exists
throughout.

It also appears that this is not only the case in one particular spot,
but all over this part of the country, and that this fact is
undeniable; and, nevertheless, the government did not believe in the
existence of gold in Ceylon until these diggers discovered it; and when
discovered, they gave the diggers neither reward nor encouragement, but
they actually met the discovery by a published prohibition against the
search; they then latterly withdrew the prohibition and left it to
private enterprise, but neglected the unfortunate diggers. In this
manner is the colony mismanaged; in this manner is all public spirit
damped, all private enterprise checked, and all men who have anything
to venture disgusted.

The liberality of a government must be boundless where the actual
subsistence for a few months is refused to the discoverers of gold in a
country where, hitherto, its presence had been denied.

It would be speculative to anticipate the vast changes that in extended
discovery woul