No. 57.— 1906.} 



PROCEEDINGS. 



19 



again, that dagabas had originally existed in modified forms as 

 tombs for saintly characters in ages long past. 



Maldives. 



I might remind you that our Society has not confined its work 

 or interest to this Island, in view of what has been done through 

 Mr. H. C. P. Bell, Mr. Albert Gray, and others (who have con- 

 tributed to our Journals) towards the elucidation of the history of 

 the Maldives, " the 12,000 isles " of tradition, whose Sultan, 

 although his subjects probably do not number more than 30,000, 

 undoubtedly occupies one of the most ancient of Eastern thrones, 

 though now a Protectorate under British rule as represented by the 

 Governor of Ceylon. 



Archaeological. 



But it is in connection with his prolonged and most important 

 work as Archaeological Commissioner that Mr. H. C. P. Bell has 

 been able to do so much to add to the interest of our proceedings, 

 an interest which continues to this day, and which we trust may 

 go on for many years to come. 



Recent Work : " Dutch Records ," and other Publications. 



It is time, however, that I should turn from the past to consider 

 the more recent work of the Society and the' promise for the 

 future. Since the departure of Sir E. F. im Thurn, K.C.M.G., in 

 September, 1904, seven papers have been accepted by the Council 

 and read at General Meetings. It must not be supposed that 

 these are all the contributions offered to the Society ; the Council 

 and its advisers discriminate and endeavour to keep up a certain 

 standard. I am not going to specify or dwell on the papers read, 

 because they have already been named in our reports, and have 

 so recently been before you. Suffice it to say that they very 

 fairly cover several of the departments — historical, archaeological, 

 social, agricultural, and art — which come within the scope of the 

 Society ; and are either by tried and valued contributors, such as 

 Vice-President J. P. Lewis, Messrs. C. M. Fernando, and F. H. 

 de Vos ; or new and highly esteemed Members like Dr. A. 

 Coomaraswamy,Mudaliyar Gunawardana, and Mr. J. Still, Assis- 

 tant to the Archaeological Commissioner. The demonstration of 

 colour photography as applied to animals and plants (with 

 lantern illustrations) given by Professor Saville-Kent in this room 

 some weeks ago was much appreciated, and on this gentleman's 

 return to the East we may have another interesting lecture from 

 him. 



Under the headings of "Literature," "History," and "Oriental 

 Studies," I may be allowed first to call attention to the " Com- 

 mittee on Oriental Studies," originally formed in 1902 by Mr. 

 S. M. Burrows, when acting as Director of Public Instruction, and 

 of which Mr. Harward is now Chairman, with Muda'iyar Guna- 

 wardana, Secretary, and a Standing Committee of five Sinhalese 

 members out of a total Committee membership of 53. From the 



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