JOURNAL 



OF THE 



EOYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY, 

 CEYLON BRANCH. 



INTRODUCTION TO A HISTORY OF THE 

 INDUSTRIES OF CEYLON. 



By George Wall, f.l.s., f.r.a.s., Vice-President. 



{Read October 4, 1888.) 



HE fact that important changes have taken place in 

 regard to the local industries of the Island in the 

 past suggests that a review of their history with 

 reference to their present condition and future 

 prospect would probably prove useful as well as interesting. 



Much has already been done by previous writers, and 

 especially by the indefatigable compilers of the " Ceylon 

 Handbook and Directory," to show the present state and 

 recent progress of local enterprises ; but much remains to 

 be said respecting the causes which led to the condition in 

 which the British found them. These did not fall within 

 the scope of that useful work, but have a special interest of 

 their own and will amply repay the attention necessary to* 

 follow their operation. 



85—90 B 



