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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XV. 



been shown that they require, not only minute scientific knowledge 

 and accuracy, but heroic efforts, which belong rather to the sphere of 

 the athlete, or even of the aeronaut ! 



But while we all join in the thanks to Mr. Bell, we welcome Your 

 Excellency's presence as an encouragement to ourselves and the 

 Society. We are not always fortunate to have at our Meetings the 

 results of great discoveries, or very brilliant or highly coloured 

 scenes. We labour very often in humble corners, and in work which 

 has its usefulness, though very little brilliancy. From time to time 

 we read a Paper on some such subject as some particular bird, its 

 method of making its nest, or of the way of preparing fish for stuffing, 

 or some such practical details as promote the advance of Science. We 

 believe that these things are useful ; and probably they are the larger 

 part of the work the Society can do. It is only on " field-days" of this 

 kind that the Meetings of the Society are graced by a large company : 

 and Your Excellency's presence is valuable for the encouragement it 

 affords to us in our work. I will conclude by proposing to this company 

 a very hearty vote of thanks to Your Excellency (cheers). 



9. Mr. P. Freudenberg seconded the motion. 

 The vote having been received with acclamation — 



10. His Excellency the Governor, in reply, said :— My lord, 

 ladies, and gentlemen : lam extremely obliged to you for the cordial 

 reception you have given me : to you, my lord, for the very kind 

 manner in which you have proposed this motion ; to you, ladies and 

 gentlemen, for the very kind manner in which you have received it. It 

 is a great pleasure to me to be present to-night, and I feel that no thanks 

 are due to me, but rather they are due from me, or they should be 

 given to a more useful officer than the Patron — to the President, Your 

 Lordship, who for many years has kept alive the torch of this Society 

 (hear, hear). I am glad, however, of this opportunity of thanking you 

 for the offer to me of the great honour to make me the Patron of this 

 Society. I recognize that the position is purely honorary, a sinecure, 

 or else I should have hesitated much before I accepted it. At a 

 Scientific Society such as this I do not feel at all at home, though 

 it has my sympathies ; in fact, I feel like the fly in amber, who 

 wondered how on earth he got there (laughter). 



This Society has been independent of Government, and the Govern- 

 ment does not grudge it that position. It is a very proud position, 

 and I wish there were some other institutions in the Colony which could 

 indulge in a similar position. This Society has done, and continues to 

 do, excellent work. I am glad to see such a large number present ; 

 and I hope you are all Members of the Society, but if you are not, I 

 trust you will be speedily. You may be independent of Government, 

 but Government is not independent of you. Much of the scientific 

 work undertaken by the Government of Ceylon has been due to the 



