No. 43.— 1892.] PROCEEDINGS. 



203 



measure was what could be carried in the fist, but they all 

 knew that there were fists and fists. (Laughter.) Certainly 

 he (Sir Edward) had gained some instruction that evening. 



He thought he might also give expression to their sense of 

 thankfulness to the Bishop for the interesting address he 

 had delivered to them as President. (Applause.) They would 

 all admit, he thought, that there was a good deal of truth in 

 what the Bishop had said about the want of life in their 

 Meetings. But at any rate they might say that there had been 

 an exception that evening, and he hoped the Bishop's address 

 would be an incentive and inducement to Members, who had 

 the leisure to pursue inquiries, to give the Society the result 

 of their researches, (Applause.) 



The Hon. Abdul Rahiman seconded, and the vote was 

 cordially passed. 



Mr. Modder, in acknowledging the compliment, apolo- 

 gised for the heaviness and length of his Paper. He feared 

 it was not free from blemishes. The subject was brimful 

 of interest and importance, and he would have been 

 glad if some of those present had discussed the Paper. He 

 had expected his Paper to elicit criticism. The subject 

 demanded the interest of all Ceylonese, and if he had 

 had a little more time — he did his best in three weeks 

 to put hastily together the notes he had made in the course 

 of his studies— and a little more leisure, he would have pre- 

 pared the Paper more carefully and with more satisfaction 

 to himself. He then thanked Sir Edward Walker for 

 having spoken so flatteringly of his humble efforts, and the 

 ladies and gentlemen present for having accorded to his 

 Paper such a favourable reception. He felt that they had 

 weighed his Paper in the scales of partiality, with his own 

 weights and measures. (Laughter). Might he lay the 

 flattering unction to his soul that they had not found him 

 wanting ? (Applause.) 



7. Mr. Modder proposed a vote of thanks to his Lord- 

 ship the Bishop for presiding at the Meeting, and the vote 

 having been passed with acclamation the proceedings 

 terminated. 



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