Shouts of reverential salutation arc then chorusaed by the
pilgrims as the object of their journey thus bursts upon
their eight. Its appearance reminded ua of Milton's de-
scription of the enstcrn gate of Paradise. True, it was no
"rock of alabaster," yet was it, and the pilgrims' path, and
the shrine, surmounting all

• " piled up trt the nlouds
Conspicuous fur, winding with one ascent
Accessible from earth, one entrance high;
The rest was craggy cliff, that overhung
Still as it rose, impossible to climb."

On the south of the plain stands a dilapidated bungalow,
once a good substantial rest-house, built, the Ga^-^rachchi
told us, for a lady, by Dasanayaka N ilam6, in the Rajakdriya*
times. This lady, we understood, was the universally
esteemed wife of the Governor, General Sir Robert Brown-
rijrsr. Our informant seemed to take an interest in the

DO

place, and added that his father was one of those who were
obliged to assist in its construction. Roofless, doorless, and



• A royal or Government service ; under which system works were
executed by the compulsory labour of the inhabitants. This system was
abolished in 1832.
ADAM'S PEAK. 169



windowless, it is now utterly abandoned, the interior being
choked up with rank vegetation.*



* Mr. Kniqiitom, who visited the Peak about 1844, and ata^red a night
in this building, thusnotiues it. "Tho Ambalam at Diyabetme, is a largo
uncomfortable tiled building, having two rooms surrounded by u kind of
walled verandah of peculiarly forbidding aspect. The interior of it, as
may be easily imagined, is a damp, close uncoml'ortuble cell, the floor
being of eartli, and so thoroughly sniiirated with tho heavy duws of the
district, that the guide informed mc, It was never known to be dry.
