( vii ) 



In controversy, as in everything else, he was a gentleman to 

 the backbone, and even in the heat of debate he treated his 

 opponents with an old-time courtesy which even they could 

 not fail to appreciate. His arguments were always sound, he 

 never adopted them unless he could quote chapter and verse 

 in their support, and he had a way of putting them forcibly 

 and to the point. The Government often looked to him for 

 counsel and advice — successive Governors have been com- 

 pelled to acknowledge his great ability in the solution of 

 political difficulties — and the graceful courtesy Sir Arthur 

 Havelock paid him, by calling on him, in full state, to inquire 

 as to his condition, when lying, as it was thought, hopelessly 

 ill at Dr. Kynsey's residence, was evidence of the respect 

 entertained for him by the highest gentleman in the land. 



George Wall was born in England in the year 1 820. Eighteen 

 years later he entered the great engineering firm, presided over 

 by Sir (then Mr.) Joseph Whitworth. Here he showed such 

 application to work and ability that within eight years he was 

 made a junior partner. Considerations of health soon after 

 compelled him to seek a kindlier climate than that of England, 

 and he came to Ceylon in 1846 to manage a group of estates 

 belonging to the Ceylon Plantations Company. For some 

 years he resided in Kandy, and in 1854 the firm of Geo. Wall 

 & Co. came into existence in Colombo, his partners at that 

 time being, we believe, Messrs. Harvey and Mackenzie. The 

 coffee enterprise was then at the height of its prosperity, and 

 for a very long time Geo. Wall & Co. enjoyed a most pros- 

 perous career. Our readers will remember how with the 

 failure of coffee came the downfall of that remarkable house. 

 At the present time, however, we have to do with the man 

 himself, the master mind which for so many years directed, 

 not only the great business which bore his name, but also, to 

 a very great extent, public opinion in Ceylon. 



At a recent memorable gathering in Kandy Mr. Wall was 

 described as the founder of the Planters' Association. This 

 he no doubt was, and for some years he enjoyed the distinction 

 of being Chairman of that august body. This was followed 

 by a seat in the Legislative Council, a position he filled with 

 the most conspicuous success, bringing to bear on all his work 



