MR. WILTON.  “Quite true, George; and this proves that many ‘traveller’s wonders’ cease to be wonderful when we examine into the circumstances and particulars, or compare their relations with the commonplace occurrences of everyday life.  Now for the Bay of Bengal, which contains the fine islands of Andaman, Nicobar, and Ceylon; for the particulars of these islands I beg to refer the members to Mrs. Wilton.”

MRS. WILTON.  “We will describe them according to their merits; and by so doing, the last will be first.  Ceylon is considered the finest and richest island in the world:  we read that the stones are rubies and sapphires, that amonium scents the marshes, and cinnamon the forests, and that the most common plants furnish precious perfumes.  Its length is about 250 miles, its breadth 150.  Its principal productions are gold, silver, and other metals; excellent fruits of all kinds; delicious spices; ivory, cotton, silk, musk, and many varieties of precious stones.  The chief town is Candy, situated on a mountain in the middle of the island.  Trincomale and Columbo are its other great towns.  I forgot to tell you that elephants of the most handsome and valuable kind run here in herds, as the wild boars do in the forests of Europe; while the brilliant peacock and bird of paradise occupy the places of our rooks and swallows.

“The Andainans—­The inhabitants are probably cannibals; their antipathy to strangers is singularly strong.  They possess all the characteristics of the negro, but scarcely know how to build a boat, or manage a rope; however, they have acquired a little more civilization since the foundation of an English establishment on the Great Andaman, for the reception of criminals sent from Bengal.

“The Nicobar Isles are inhabited by a harmless inoffensive race of people; and here, as also in Andaman, are found the edible bird’s-nests so much esteemed in China.”

MR. BARRAUD.  “These nests form an extensive article of commerce:  they are built by a little bird called the Jaimalani, black as jet, and very much like a martin, but considerably smaller.  The nests are made of a slimy gelatinous substance found on the shore, of the sea-weed called agal-agal, and of a soft, greenish, sizy matter, often seen on rocks in the shade, when the water oozes from above.  The best are found in damp caves, very difficult of access.  They are sold at a high price, and considered a great luxury, consequently only consumed by the great people of China, chiefly by the emperor and his court.”

MR. WILTON.  “George looks as if he did not relish the idea of feasting on bird’s-nests.  I believe the Chinese monopolize these delicacies entirely, and they are quite welcome so to do, as they are not esteemed elsewhere:  so do not look so scornful George; the inhabitants of the celestial empire would not offer you a bird’s-nest for your supper if you paid them a visit.  They cost, I have heard, their weight in silver!  Emma, can you tell me in what sea to look for the Maldives?”