No. 46—1895.] PROCEEDINGS. 



11 



had been continued with vigour and ability by the Government Archae- 

 ologist, Mr. Bell, whose most interesting Minute had been read. The 

 literary and scientific activity of the Society was shown in the Papers 

 read or published during the year, and in the preparation by Mr. Gore 

 of a most valuable Index, which for the first time made the Journals of 

 the Society available for easy reference and use. Mr. Haly continued 

 his useful contributions on Zoology ; Mr. Lewis on Archaeology. Mr. 

 Coomaraswamy introduced to the Society's notice ancient Tamil 

 poems, which, while valuable as classics, have fixed a much-needed land- 

 mark in the dreary region of Indian chronology, and his efforts in this 

 direction were ably seconded by Mr. Ranasinha. Among other 

 Papers one deserved special mention, — Mr. C. M. Fernando's, — on the 

 Music of the Portuguese Mechanics of Ceylon, rather a new departure, 

 which it was hoped would be persevered in by him as by other compe- 

 tent Members, and light thrown on the musical systems of the various 

 races of the Island. The activity recorded in the Report was not 

 unsatisfactory, considering the paucity of men in the Island who com- 

 bined culture with leisure. Our educated men, who alone were able 

 to help in the objects of the Society, were generally very busy pro- 

 fessional men, and had little time or inclination for literary or scienti- 

 fic pursuits. It was a misfortune to themselves and to the community, 

 but was almost inevitable in the present circumstances. It appeared 

 to be partly an effect of modern civilization. Under the influence of 

 this civilization, the more educated a man became the more his wants 

 increased, the more comforts and luxuries he required, and he devoted 

 all his time to making money in order to supply these increased needs 

 of himself and his family. Simplicity of life thus disappeared as well 

 as leisure. It was not a complaint peculiar to the Island ; but owing 

 to the smallness of our community and the absence of a class of here- 

 ditary wealth, or learning, the effect was rather marked here in the 

 field of literary and scientific work. The combination of culture with 

 simplicity of living was not uncommon both in the East and the West 

 before the fever of modern civilization attacked us. That man would 

 indeed be a benefactor of his race who showed this age how to com- 

 bine the highest degree of culture with the greatest simplicity of life. 

 Under the circumstances the Society might congratulate itself on the 

 help it had received from its Members. He hoped, however, that in 

 coming years still greater activity would be displayed, that the 

 examples would be more generally followed of our much-deplored 

 Vice-President, Mr. Wall, a record of whose political and literary 

 activity during an eventful mercantile and journalistic career had 

 been read to them that night ; of our President, the Bishop of Colombo; 

 and our Vice-President, Mr. Swettenham, — who each found time from 

 busy official and other work to devote to the efficient service of the 

 Society ; of Messrs. Coomaraswamy and Ranasinha, whose literary 

 zeal was not impeded by heavy professional work ; and not least that of 

 the hard-working Secretaries ; and that the Society's Journals would 

 be still further enriched with contributions which would continue to 

 give it an honoured position among the learned Societies of the world. 

 Mr. Arunachalam concluded by moving the adoption of the Report. 



Mr. C. M. Feenando seconded, and expressed the hope that the 

 activity and usefulness displayed by the Society during 1894 might 

 continue, and be still further developed during the current year. 



The Annual Report for 1894 was adopted unanimously. 



