184 



JOURNAL , R.A.S (CEYLON). 



[Vol. XXI. 



It is very natural that history in one form or other should 

 be the subject of a large number of Papers contributed to our 

 Society ; and one really considerable and important work is shortly 

 to be issued from the press under the auspices of the Society, 

 namely, "History of Ceylon, from the earliest times to 1600 a.d., 

 as related by Joao de Barros andDiogo de Couto," translated and 

 edited by Mr. Donald Ferguson. 



(' A great authority on education and on history has lately laid 

 down certain rules, which it would be well we all should bear in 

 mind in our reading and study of history. He .says : " There 

 are four things to which the teaching of history may always be 

 made to conduce in different degrees at different stages : an 

 interest in the life of the past, a training in the laws of evidence, 

 a philosophic understanding of the development of human 

 civilization, and last, but not least, a clarified moral sense and the 

 acquisition of a spirit of justice and charity in passing judgment 

 on human nature, whether in nations, in parties, or in individuals." 



The Mineralogical Survey of Ceylon, which was extended from 

 1906 to cover 1907-08-09, will expire at the end of next year, 

 and the Government is asking the opinion of Professor Dunstan 

 of the Imperial Institute as to the wisdom of continuing the Survey 

 for any longer period or not. 



We must all be interested in Dr. Willey's biological work in 

 connection with pearl oyster culture and in other directions, and 

 it should be a matter for general satisfaction that Government 

 has seen its way to make a first vote, though small, in favour of the 

 inland fisheries' investigation, because there can be no doubt of 

 the scope existing for the development of a most important 

 industry in pisciculture through our rivers , lakes , and tanks. 



The publication of interesting and useful selections from the 

 Dutch records under the direction of the Archivist, Mr. R. G. 

 Anthonisz, and his assistant, Miss Pieterz, has been continued, 

 and for this our thanks are due to Government. 



I will not refer to the contents of my long Address of March, 

 1906, and the indications of work to be done, further than to 

 say that I trust our Vice-President, the Hon. Mr. Lewis, will be 

 able before he retires to do justice to "Monumental Inscriptions 

 in Ceylon," in which he has long taken a warm interest. 



Thanks are due from me to the many gentlemen who have 

 helped us with Papers and in other ways during my term of 

 office. 



In saying farewell, I would venture, if I may be permitted to 

 follow the precedent made by my predecessor, to recommend, 

 fully assured of your approval, for the post of President (in case 

 he should be able, and inclined, to give the Society his services) 

 the name of the Hon. Mr. Hugh Clifford, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary 

 of this Island, whose special literary attainments are well known, 

 and who , although only a comparatively short time in our midst , 

 has manifested a wide interest in the concerns of the people and 

 in the working of this Society and the scientific work which it has 

 promoted. I now say farewell. 



