General Meeting, Feb. 1th, 1852. 



V. 



doing justice to the work in hand, as they were thus prevented from 

 procuring specimens of carving in wood and ivory, and other industrial 

 objects, the special produce of the colony, which they had hoped would 

 have been among their contributions to that magnificent display of indus- 

 try and skill, which so justly formed the admiration of the world. 



The Sub-Committee is obliged to confess, that with some few excep- 

 tions, the collection from Ceylon was by no means such as they had 

 anticipated ; but to all who are aware of the degree of jealousy with which 

 the Asiatic mind regards whatever is in advance of the present hour, 

 it will not appear strange that the suggestions put forth by the Commit- 

 tee were looked on by many, even of the influential and educated Natives, 

 with apathy and distrust. This fact was the more deplored by the 

 Committee, as it was their especial hope to have exhibited the result of 

 native ingenuity as a prominent feature. 



With the view of obtaining articles of superior workmanship and design, 

 the Sub-Committee offered prizes for specimens of cabinet work, jewellery, 

 &c, but the result did not answer their expectations, as the designs 

 shewed no originality, nor were they objects of superior quality or skill. 



The Committee have much pleasure in acknowledging several contri- 

 butions of raw and wrought materials, some of which were of fair 

 average quality, and if they could be obtained at a remunerating price, 

 promised to be of commercial value ; they had also the benefit of for- 

 warding models of agricultural buildings and implements as well as 

 articles of furniture, which were intended for private distribution, on 

 the closing of the Exhibition. 



Although the Committee are persuaded, that the collection, as a whole, 

 did not fairly represent the capabilities of Ceylon, and must have been 

 completely overshadowed by the brilliant productions of the Continent of 

 India and the refinements of manufacture from various parts of Europe, 

 it is still a source of satisfaction to observe, that the Royal Commissioners 

 have awarded Prize Medals for a very fine collection of Cinnamon in all 

 its stages of growth and manufacture, forwarded by Messrs. Parlett O'Hal- 

 loran and Co., Colombo ; for a collection of the produce of the Cocoa- 

 nut tree, transmitted by the same firm ; and for an interesting collection 

 of medical and commercial Plants, Gums and Oils, the contribution of 

 Mr. Pieris of the Medical establishment at Kandy, to whom the best 

 thanks of the Society are due for the trouble and expense attending the 

 procuring and preparing thereof. 



Immediately before packing the various contributions for shipment to 

 London, the Sub-Committee deemed it right to exhibit them to the Public, 

 and were under obligation to the local Officer of the Board of Ordnance^ 



