Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Genre: Travelogue / Natural History / Memoir

Book Review:
Sport and Travel in Ceylon is a fascinating and rare historical document that offers readers a vivid glimpse into the natural world of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally printed for ''private circulation'' in 1916 with a print run of fewer than 100 copies, this book is a true collector's item.

Author Samuel Haughton, a member of the Ceylon Civil Service, provides detailed accounts of wildlife and hunting in a time when animals were more abundant and free shooting was permissible. His descriptions of the dugong, hog deer, and other fauna are particularly valuable, as many of these species are rarely encountered today. He also describes the 1880 pearl fishery, which is no longer held, and his experiences during a cholera epidemic in Mullaitivu.

The book is not limited to Sri Lanka; it also includes chapters on Haughton's travels in New Zealand, Australia, China, and Japan. This gives readers a broader perspective on his adventures and the world of a British colonial civil servant.

This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in Sri Lankan history, natural history, or travel writing. It is a treasure trove of information and a window into a bygone era.