No. 57.— 1906.] 



PROCEEDINGS. 



25 



more generally interesting if its scope were enlarged so as to admit 

 all and sundry " Notes and Queries " respecting Ceylon subjects 

 which are within the object of the Asiatic Society. It is thought 

 that many Members and other residents would readily contribute 

 to such a department who cannot spare time to work up a regular 

 paper for our Journal. The discontinuance of the issue of Monthly 

 Registers with " Notes and Queries " from the Ceylon Observer 

 Press leaves a blank which apparently is felt by not a few, and 

 the suggestions now made as to the future of this quarterly 

 journal deserve careful consideration. 



Before leaving the Museufn, I must congratulate the general 

 public and the Members of the Society on the early prospect at 

 last of the enlargement or extension of the Museum build- 

 ings being taken in hand. It was first urged by the Society in 

 1898. 



The Colombo Museum may be said to be the offspring of the 

 Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. It is a special 

 matter for congratulation, I think, that the wvices of the accom- 

 plished and experienced Architect (Mr. J. G. Smither, F.R.I. B. A.), 

 who designed the existing Museum building for Governor Sir 

 William Gregory, have been secured to design the extended wings 

 now proposed in the time of that Governor's friend and successor, 

 His Excellency Sir Henry Blake, and that the new buildings are 

 likely to be carried out, as Mr. Smither has designed them in 

 accordance with the views of the Director of Public Works, 

 after approval is given by the Executive Government and the 

 necessary funds are voted by the Legislative Council. I have 

 no doubt that there will be unanimity in both Councils in respect 

 of an improvement so long urged and so desirable in every way. 

 Some of the beneficial results which may be anticipated when the 

 extension is complete may here be indicated. The preparation 

 and display of natural history groups and economic products 

 can be carried out on a much larger scale than is at present possible. 

 The economic products particularly are capable of considerable 

 development and representation in the Museum, — a matter of 

 great importance, as Dr. Willis has frequently shown, to the 

 agricultural industries and trade development of the colony,- — 

 a matter, therefore, which should be regarded with much interest 

 by our planting and mercantile community as well as by all 

 agriculturists. 



The addition to the exhibits of the objects of antiquity which 

 have been discovered during past years by the Archaeological 

 Commission and accumulated at Anuradhapura will enhance the 

 reputation of the Colombo Museum among other kindred institu- 

 tions, and will accord with the views and wishes of the founder of 

 the Museum, Sir William Gregory, as well as I am sure with the 

 express desire of His Excellency Sir Henry Blake. The stone 

 inscriptions at present in the Museum and many other antiquities 

 now at Anuradhapura can be exhibited and preserved in an 

 adequate manner and to great advantage, thus placing the 

 Colombo Museum relatively on a par with such Museums as the 

 Neapolitan and Egyptian institutions, having the same bearing 



