No. 46. — 1895.] JUBILEE COMMEMORATION. 



67 



of chemicals ; and from the Technical School there was a collection 

 of a variety of articles most creditably turned out by students at the 

 Institution, from a model steam engine down to wooden blocks. 

 These things were sent by Mr. E. Human, the Superintendent. 



Non-intoxicating and light refreshments of various kinds were 

 supplied ad libitum from buffets both above and on the ground floor. 

 The Volunteer band was stationed in front of the Museum, and under 

 the baton of Bandmaster Liischwitz played a well-selected programme. 



The scientific displays were procured by Mr. J. Harward, and the 

 decorations and illuminations were under the supervision of Mr. G. A. 

 Joseph, Honorary Secretaries of the Society, the latter being aided 

 by the Museum staff. Mr. Philip Freiidenberg, among other Members 

 of the Council, had also rendered special service in the necessary 

 preliminaries, while the Sub-Committee consisted of the following : — 

 Messrs. P. Ramanathan, F. M. Mackwood, F. H. Price, C. M. 

 Fernando, J. Harward, and G. A. Joseph. 



A deputation of officials, including Mr. A. Haly, the Director of the 

 Museum, met His Excellency Sir E. Noel Walker, who was accom- 

 panied by Captains Lowndes and Justice, at the entrance punctually 

 at 9 o'clock, while His Lordship the Bishop of Colombo (President of 

 the Society) received the Lieutenant-Governor in the Reading Room 

 of the Institution, where Sir Edward at once occupied the Chair. 



On taking the Chair, His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor 

 said : — Ladies and gentlemen, — I call on his Lordship, the Bishop of 

 Colombo, to address the Meeting. Happily the Bishop requires no 

 introduction, and certainly his Address calls for no words of preface 

 from me. 



The Bishop of Colombo, who was received with loud applause, 

 said : — Your Excellency, ladies, and gentlemen, — 



A Sketch of the Early History op the Ceylon 

 Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 



In an attempt to present to the Members of this Society a 

 sketch of its earlier history, I am encouraged by the 

 conviction that I cannot but lead them, though I indulge in 

 no exaggeration, to think more highly than before of the 

 Institution to which it is their privilege to belong. For few, 

 I fancy, especially among the younger Members, are quite 

 aware how considerable a part this Society has played in 

 the development of the Colony. Though it has passed 

 through many periods of alternating prosperity and decline — 

 vicissitude has been, indeed, the law of its existence — yet 

 it has been served by a succession — though a broken 

 succession — of most able men, and the continuity of its life 

 has never been so completely severed as to forbid us at the 



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