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
[His Pleasure Houses.] Sometimes for his Pleasure, he will ride or
be carried to his Banquetting-House, which is about a Musquet-shot
from his Palace. It stands on a little Hill; where with abundance
of pains and many Months labour, they have made a little Plain,
in length not much above an Arrows flight, in breadth less. Where
at the head of a small Valley, he hath made a Bank cross to stop the
Water running down. It is now become a fine Pond, and exceeding full
of Fish. At this Place the King hath several Houses built according
to his own appointment very handsom, born up with carved Pillars and
Painted, and round about Rails and Banisters turned, one Painted and
one Ebony, like Balconie. Some standing high upon a Wall, being for
him to sit in, and see Sport with his Elephants, and other Beasts,
as also for a Prospect abroad. Others standing over this Pond, where
he himself sits and feedeth his Fish with boiled Rice, Fruits and
Sweet-meats. They are so tame that they will come and eat in his hand;
but never doth he suffer any to be catch'd. This Pond is useful for
his Elephants to wash in. The Plain was made for his Horses to run
upon. For often-times he commands his Grooms to get up and ride in
his Presence; and sometimes for that good Service, gives the Rider
five or ten Shillings, and it may be a piece of Cloath. Always when
he comes forth, his Horses are brought out ready saddled before him;
but he himself mounts them very seldom. All of which he had from the
Dutch, some sent to him for Presents, and some he hath taken in War. He
hath in all some twelve or fourteen: some of which are Persian Horses.
[His Pastimes abroad.] Other Pastimes and Recreations he hath (for
this is all he minds or regards.) As to make them bring wild Elephants
out of the Woods, and catch them in his Presence. The manner how
they get them unto the City, I have mentioned already. Also when he
comes out of his Court, he Delights to look upon his Hawks, altho'
he never use them for his Game; sometimes on his Dogs, and tame Deer,
and Tygers, and strange kind of Birds and Beasts; of both which he
hath a great many. Also he will try his Guns, and shoot at Marks,
which are excellently true, and rarely inlay'd with Silver, Gold,
and Ivory. For the Smiths that make them dare not present them to his
hand, not having sufficiently proved them. He hath Eight or Nine small
Iron Cannon, lately taken from the Dutch, which he hath mounted in
Field-Carriages, all rarely carved, and inlay'd with Silver and Brass,
and coloured Stones, set in convenient places, and painted with Images
and Flowers. But the Guns disgrace the Carriages. He keeps them in an
House on the Plain. Upon some Festival times he useth them. I think,
they are set there chiefly for a Memorial of his late Victories: For
he hath many, and far better Guns of Brass that are not so regarded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account