An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies / Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape

The author presents a first-hand account combining a long captivity and eventual escape with detailed observations of the island's geography, plants, animals, economy, and social customs. He documents daily life under detention, interactions with local inhabitants, construction, agricultural practices, and uses of native resources, illustrated with figures and a map. Interspersed reflections address the challenges of recording and publishing travel knowledge and propose improved methods for collecting reliable reports. The tone blends practical survival narrative, ethnographic description, and prescriptive suggestions for future travelers, offering both personal experience and systematic description of natural and cultural features.