204 Proceedings of the Mad. Lii, Society [No. 34, 



The bad quality of the paving and roofing tiles made in the pre- 

 sent day in Ceylon for ordinary use, is too well known to call fo-r 

 much comment : the inferiority also of every description of earthen 

 vessel for domestic use is not less notorious. To effect some im- 

 provement in the manufacture need not be a very difficult task, and 

 with the Kaolin so easily obtained, so good in texture, and to be 

 found in such large quantities, we have a ready means of producing 

 the finest description of tiles for the floors of houses, and the better 

 qualities of kitchen pottery. 



It was determined that information should be obtained as to the 

 native mode of working Pottery, and if possible some experiments 

 be made with the Kaolin, 



Some specimens of native flax were exhibited, of a very superior 

 strength and considerable firmness, concerning which it was arrang- 

 ed information should be sought. A member also produced a cloth 

 on which was painted the copy of an ancient inscription to be found 

 on a rock temple near Dambool, sent for the purpose of being deci- 

 phered by the Government Agent of the Central Province. The let- 

 ters to be in Elu. — Ceylon Examiner, Jan. 24, 1849. 



XII. — Proceedings of the Madras Literary Society 

 AND Auxiliary of the Eoyal Asiatic Society. 



At a Meeting of the Managing Committee, held at the Club 

 House, on Tuesday, the 5th January, 1847. 



Read the following letter from the Deputy Secretary to Government, 

 dated 11th December, 1846. 



Fort St. George, lUh December, 1846. 

 No. 1095. 



Gentlemen, 



Para. 1. — I am directed to acknowledge the re- 

 public Departrae cei^t of your Officiating Secretary's letter of the 16th 

 iiltimo, and to convey to you the thanks of Government for the offer of the 

 Society's Museum, which th^y are willing to accept, on the terms proposed. 

 "With regard to its location, arrangements will hereafter be made for de- 

 positing the Museum where it can be most advantageously placed. 



2. Adverting to the 6th para, of the letter under acknowledgment, 

 I am instructed to observe that it is apparently the desire of the Honor- 

 able the Court of Directors, that the proposed central Museum should 



