"The De Sotsas. — The late Joronis Hoysa was one of a large
family. He inherited no fortune, so that the immense property left
by him at his death is what he had himself acquired. From early
life he showed signs of groat enterprise, persevering application to
his work, and indefatigable industry. He was the first young man



• Ceylon Observer, April 28.
3o



386 • ADAM'S PEAK.
who left Morotto to try the new'fiold which Kandy, then recently
Acquired, presented. Hecommenced by taking a contract to supply
firewood to the Government, and, by degrees, fresh contracts to
supply rice and paddy. Having acquired some little money by these
means, he began to farm out the Arrack rent. At first the rent was
limited to small divisions, but by degrees it extended to the entire
Eandyan District, the rent of which was purchased for many years
successively by Mr. Soyso. His dealings with the Government
brought him under the observation of the Honorable George Tumour,
then Agent of the Central Province, who was struck with Mr.
Soysa's scrupulous exactness and punctuality in his dealings, and
gave him largo facilities in his transactions with the Government.
Encouraged by Mr. Tumour, Mr. Soysa purchased the Hangu-
ranketti Coffee Estate in 1835, which proved a highly fortunate
investment It had been formerly the Boyal Coffee Garden, and,
when the jungle was' cleared, large portions were found covered with
Coffee trees left to grow wild. A little pruning brought all these
trees into bearing, so that the very first season after the purchase
Sir. Soysa obtained back not only his purchase money, but a large
sum in excess. This was the turning point in Mr. Soysa's career.
