NO. 43.— 1892.] ANCIENT CHRONICLES OP CEYLON. 161 



5. His Lordship the BISHOP delivered an address entitled — 



THE VERIFICATION OF THE ANCIENT CHRONICLES 

 AND HISTORIES OF CEYLON. 



Among the methods by which the objects of this Society- 

 may be attained, I have always been inclined to give 

 prominence to the method of combined work. It is for 

 combination, as distinguished from individual study, that 

 a Society affords special opportunities. And it is obvious 

 that results can be attained by combination, which would 

 be impossible to solitary study. Not many of us are 

 qualified to prosecute the several branches of inquiry 

 which bear on one point, and are necessary to establish a 

 conclusion even on one point, though it be but a minor 

 point. And of those who are qualified, perhaps not one has 

 the necessary leisure. But if some line of study is plotted 

 out — so to speak— to which any Member of the Society can 

 contribute just what comes in his way, as he can and when he 

 can, knowing that it will come into the common stock and be 

 worked up with the rest, then those who have little leisure, or 

 who can touch only one branch of inquiry, may all take part. 



As some Members of the Society may remember, I made 

 suggestions of this kind some years ago in regard to two 

 subjects, the Jdtahas and the collection of Sinhalese Glos- 

 saries. These were not altogether unfruitful, but less fruitful 

 than some other topics migh t prove. They were not altogether 

 unfruitful, for we managed to put together a number of Papers 

 by four or five contributors on the first fifty Jatakas, and the 

 result was not bad, so far as it went ; and as to the Glossaries, 

 a start was made, and a scheme drawn up, which I yet hope 

 to see carried further. Just when that scheme was drawn up, 

 I, for my part, was invited — and thought myself bound to 

 accept the invitation — to another work, which has till now 

 occupied my leisure time. But both topics were rather too 

 limited to secure any wide co-operation : they were necessarily 

 limited to Pali and Sinhalese scholars. 



