Kandy – Wed morning 7:15 – Your time 1:55 a.m.
March 16/98.
I arose soon after 6 had a bath & then a cup of tea & some fruit. Mr. Brown, G. Berry’s friend, came to the hotel last night soon after 7, & while I was at dinner he sent a note to me saying he was in the barber’s saloon. I went to him; he was being shaved. The hotel was so full he could not get a room but was going to a friend’s for the night. He often comes here, & here I may say a great rush of people came up here about 6 last night just for the run up & stop the night. The P&O China & a French boat had arrived at Colombo from Australia, & homeward bound, & these people take advantage, as hundreds do, to see Kandy, but many of these are off back this morning. Mr. Brown is leaving the firm he is with & now taking his successor around, showing him the work they have in hand, tea factory &c. machinery. He fetched 2 horses with him & they ride to the hill tea factories. He even had trouble in getting stabling & did not succeed up till after 10 when he was going to try a club. He is coming in to see me again this morning. I go to Nuwara Eliya at 10:40 & he is going off at 11. He was very anxious I should stay a week or more at his home as his wife’s brother, a captain, George Berry knows him, is presently with them. He himself would soon be home & we would have the horse & trap to see the country. [2:95] It is on the way to Nuwara Eliya but I had to decline as I must get on with the “Verona”, sailing Saturday or Sunday for the straits. I can’t get assurance yet till she arrives that I can get a berth as there are so many travelling at present. Should I be kept back then I might go back to Mr. Brown’s but this is very unlikely. At least I hope so. Besides, the weather is getting hotter now. Mr. Brown is commencing business with another man & is very busy shaping things. I am sorry I shall not likely see his wife & brother-in-law unless they come to Hatton Station on my return. I can tell you if this works out. What a glorious morning it is & just now the air is fresh. Many folks are out & exercising. When coming home from the drive yesterday evening, we came home around the lake to fill in the 2 hours, & we met Mr. & Mrs. Phillips taking their evening exercise (the prison superintendent, I mean. Mr. Birney’s relative. I did not give his name while writing of him yesterday). As I was walking through the verandah going to bed, I noted the old dining room was like a dormitory with beds, so it’s evident there were many more in the house than they had bedroom convenience for, & I heard the manager during the evening tell a party he could give them a room in which 6 ladies could sleep. I expect this is very exceptional. Brown said so & that often he has found 3 & 4 only. It is therefore very variable & depends upon steamer passengers & cool season. Now it is hottest season.
[2:96]