CHAPTER XL
 

     PRESENT PROSPECTS  FOR CAPITALISTS IN CEYLON.



Ceylon still a good Field for Investment—Its Freedom from Atmospheric

    Disturbances—Shipping  conveniences at the  New  "Harbour  of

    Colombo—Low Freights—Cheap and Unrivalled Means of Transport

    —Certain Lands available for Tropical  Culture in Coconut Palms,

    Cacao, Liberian Coffee, and to some extent in Tea—Openings for

    Young  Men with  Capital—High Position taken by the Ceylon

    Planter—Facilities for personal Inspection of Investments.



     WHAT we have said  in  the previous chapter will show

      the value of the planting enterprise  to the settled

inhabitants and to  the government  of Ceylon.   We have

also pointed out the immense advantages gained in com¬

merce  and  profits  by the  mother-country.   The  British

Capitalist, who, during the  period of deficient coffee crops,

grievously lost confidence  in Ceylon, has within the past

six years  found  cogent  reason to forbear condemnation,

and to look still on this colony  as one of  the best  of

British dependencies for  the judicious  investment   of

capital.  It may be unnecessary now,  in  1893,  to offer

him encouragement, because the value  of Ceylon tea

is  everywhere recognised;  but in some home circles the

island  may still  be decried.

   The situation  of Ceylon in the Eastern World is pe¬

culiarly favoured in certain respects.  The  atmospheric

disturbances which periodically agitate the Bay of Bengal,

and carry, in hurricanes and cyclones, destruction to the

shipping in the exposed Madras roadstead and the devoted

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