An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous EscapeKnox, Robert
History
An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape
Knox, Robert
Sri Lanka -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Sri Lanka -- Social life and customs
[Leaves Laggendenny.] Tho I had built my new House, yet durst I not yet
leave my old Quarters in Laggendenny, but wait until a more convenient
time fell out for that purpose. I went away therefore to my old home,
and left my aforesaid three English Neighbours to inhabit in it in
my absence. Not long after I found a fit season to be gone to my
Estate at Elledat. And upon my going, the rest left the Town also,
and went and dwelt elsewhere, each one where he best liked. But by
this means we all lost a Privilege which we had before: which was
that our Victuals were brought unto us, and now we were forced to go
and fetch them our selves; the People alledging (true enough) that
they were not bound to carry our Provisions about the Country after us.
[Settled at his new purchase, with three more living with him.] Being
settled in my new House, I began to plant my ground full of all sorts
of Fruit Trees; and by the Blessing of God all grew and prospered,
and yielded me great Plenty, and good increase, sufficient both for
me, and for those that dwelt with me. For the three English men I
left at my House when I departed back to Laggendenny, still lived
with me. We were all single men; and we agreed very well together,
and were helpful to one another. And for their help and assistance
of me, I freely granted them Liberty to use and enjoy Whatsoever the
ground afforded, as much as my self. And with a joynt consent it was
concluded amongst us, That only single Men and Batchellors should dwell
there, and such as would not he conformable to this present agreement
should depart and absent himself from our Society, and also forfeit
his right and claim to the forementioned Privilege, that is, to be
cut off from all benefit of whatsoever the Trees and Ground afforded.
I thought fit to make such a Covenant, to exclude women from coming
in among us, to prevent all strife and dissention, and to make
all possible Provision for the keeping up love and quietness among
our selves.
In this manner we four lived together some two years very lovingly and
contentedly, not an ill word passing between us. We used to take turns
in keeping at home, while the rest went forth about their Business. For
our house stood alone and no Neighbour near it. Therefore we always
left one within. The rest of the English men lived round about us,
some four or five miles distant, some more. So that we were, as it
were, within reach one of another; which made us like our present
Situation the more.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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