280 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol. XIX. 



With these few words, as it is getting very late, I wish on your 

 behalf to propose a vote of thanks to the gentlemen who have 

 afforded us such an interesting and pleasant evening. 



8. The President : Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my duty 

 and great pleasure to move on your behalf a most cordial vote 

 of thanks to His Excellency the Governor, as Patron of this 

 Society, for his kindness in coming here this evening to preside 

 over our meeting. Everyone acquainted with official routine 

 must know how much pressed with important business the Gover- 

 nor must be so soon after his assumption of office and especially 

 at this time of year, when all the heavy expenditure for next year 

 is being arranged. We are, therefore, specially indebted to His 

 Excellency for so readily agreeing to come to us, and our most 

 hearty thanks are due. 



9. Mr. J. Pieris : I have very much pleasure in seconding 

 the vote of thanks proposed to His Excellency for presiding 

 here this evening. As Mr. Ferguson has already told you, it is a 

 matter of great gratification to see His Excellency taking such 

 an early opportunity of showing his interest in this Society, 

 which is an ancient and a very important Society in the Island. 

 His Excellency very truly told us that he could not afford the time 

 to write notes on natural history, but I am sure His Excellency, 

 in the many things he will have to look after in the administration 

 of^this Colony, will find time to come to the Society's meetings to 

 hear the interesting Papers read, especially on matters which 

 throw some light on the administration of Ceylon. The notes 

 read by Mr. Buultjens show His Excellency that there are subjects 

 to be found in the Journals of the Society which will assist him 

 greatly in the work of modern administration. With these few 

 remarks, I beg heartily to second the vote of thanks proposed 

 by the President. 



10. His Excellency the Governor, in acknowledging 

 the vote of thanks, said : I must thank the proposer and seconder 

 very much indeed for the kind words in which they have proposed 

 this vote of thanks to the Chair, and I must also thank you, ladies 

 and gentlemen, for the way in which you have received their 

 remarks. I can only say that during my period of administration 

 here it will give me not only great pleasure, but even more than 

 pleasure — it will give me much gratification to do all I possibly 

 can to further the interests of the Asiatic Society. I notice that 

 my predecessor did not come to a Meeting for about a year after 

 his arrival in the Colony. He wished to familiarize himself with 

 all that is of interest that is to be found in the Island and of which 

 this Society takes so much care and notice. I, on the other hand, 

 think it better to at once throw myself on your mercy and acknow- 

 ledge myself as perfectly ignorant. I have been looking at the 

 Index of proceedings of this Society and all the Papers which have 

 been read for a large number of years past, and I assure you I am 

 appalled at the mass of ignorance I have in these matters apper- 

 taining to Oriental studies, and I think it is better to take the 



