( 32 ) 
2. For this reason, therefore, Hia Majesty has 
assigned one portion to Mandalay and another to 
Eangoon in Upper and Lower Burma respectively. 
As to the three towns in Ceylon to which His 
Majesty has assigned one portion to each are: — 
1 . Anuradhapnra, the ancient capital, which con- 
tains an important Pagoda. 
2. Eandy, the present capital posseBsing the sa- 
cred tooth. 
3. Colombo, on account of its being a large town 
of the present day. 
3. Among the members of the deputations who 
have come to receive the relics, Burma has sent one 
to receive the two portions, one for Rangoon and one 
for Mandalay according to arrangements, bnt those 
sent by Ceylon representing various communities fer 
more exceed the three portions which Hia Majesty has 
assigned to that Island, viz., Annradbapnra sent one, 
Kandy sent two and Colombo sent three. As there 
vras only one deputation from Anuradhapura, there- 
fore there was no difficulty with regard to that town, 
but there were two from Kandy, one of Malwatta and 
another of Asgiriya-wihares. each desired that the 
portion of the relics allotted to that town should be 
handed over to them. 
Without recognizing into whose care it should be 
entrusted it was therefore, by His Majesty's com- 
mand, handed over to both of them conjointly to 
be determined by common agreement as to the 
place in which it should be kept. But in case of 
disagreement and should they seek His Majesty's 
advice, the decision would be in favour of the Mal- 
watta, for the reason of its possessing the sacred 
tooth. 
4. Again there were three different sects from 
Colombo, one of Upaliwongse or Siamese sect, one 
of Maramawongse or Burmsse sect, and one of 
Ramanawongse or Pegan sect, and each likewise 
desired to receive the relics, but His Majesty com- 
manded that the one portion allotted to that town 
be formally banded over to the three sects in the 
same manner as the one for Kandy with the con- 
dition of mutual agreement as to the place of de- 
posit. But if such agreement cannot be arrived 
at and should they likewise seek advice, His Majesty 
would give his decision for the one that possesses 
the largest temple in Colombo viz : the Syama 
Nikaya or the Siamese sect. 
But in both cases His Majesty expresses the 
hope of, however, seeing the matter settled amicably 
between the different sects themselves. 
5. Such as the handing over of the sacred relics 
is so far accomplished, His Majesty trusts that the 
Indian Government will consider the task of the 
King, my August Master, as ended and that it will 
meet with their approbation. 
6. I avail myself of this occasion to express to 
you, Monsieur le Charge d'Aifaires, the assurance 
of my high consideration. 
From J P Hewett, Esq., c.s.i., c.i.e., Secretary to the 
Government of India. 
To Her Britannic Majesty's Minister Resident and 
Consul-General in Siam, Bangkok. 
Calcutta, Psbruary 24th, 1900. 
SiE, — I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of 
your letter dated the 16th January, 1900, with which 
you forward a letter dated the 14th idem from the 
Siamese Minister for Foreign Affairs, stating that the 
Buddhist relics were handed over on the 9th idem to 
the deputations sent from Burma and Ceylon to 
receive them. 
2. I am to say that Ihe Government of India have 
learnt with much satisfaction that the sacred relics 
have been distributed by His Majesty the King of 
Siam in the manner stated in Prince Devawongse'a 
letter. I am to request that it may be made known to 
His Majesty that the Government of India approve of 
the manner in which distribution was made and art 
obliged to His Majesty for tbe care and trouble under- 
taken in effectiog it. — I have, &c., 
(Signed) J. P. HEWETT, 
Secretary to the Government of India. 
THE "TIMES" ENCYCLOP>EDIA. BRITAN- 
NICA IN CEYLON AND INDiA. 
The mission of Mr. K W Johnson, the 
Agent for the sale in India and Ceylon of 
the now celebrated reprint of the " Ency- 
clopaedia Britannica," is practically ended 
and he left by the ss. "Rewa" on March 
24th, for Madras and Calcutta. It is interest- 
ing to note that he has been the means of 
introducing to the island of Ceylon very many 
copies of a work in twenty volumes, which is 
aptly described as the most complete and per- 
fect work of reference in the world. Pre- 
vious to Mr. Johnson's visit there were 
only a very few sets (perhaps two) of the 
work (purchased at the original price, £37) 
in Ceylon and amongst these was the one 
included in the Observer library. 
Dxu'ing the last year over 2, OCX) sets have 
been sold in India, and of these nearly one- 
half were taken by native residents, distri- 
buted over a very wide area and including 
several libraries and colleges, where they 
will be accessible to students and others. 
The offer of the London Times was ex- 
tended to" residents in Ceylon on Feb. 3rd 
last and closed on March 15th. The number 
of the last order registered in the Colombo 
office is 168. Of these about 15 per cent are 
Sinhalese, about 10 per cent Bm?ghers, and 
the remainder are Europeans. A few of he 
more prominent names are appended ■ — 
Planters' Association of Ceylon. 
Colombo Club. 
Chamber of Commerce, Colombo. 
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya. 
Post anf) Telegraph Library, 
The Hot . W. T. Taj'lor. 
The Hon. J N CampbeU. 
Mr. Chas. B Brodie. 
Messrs. H. Don Carolis A Son. 
Mr. H S Perera. 
The Rev. W F P Waltham. 
The Rev. Fr. D E Requis, o.s.B. 
air. E W Glanrille. 
Mr. S F Tokmakoff. 
Mr. J. Schrader. 
Although the first offer to residents in 
Ceylon has been withdrawn it is still possible 
to obtain the work, at slightly increased 
prices, upon application to the head office 
of The Times Reprint of the Encyclopaedia 
Britannica at 5a, Dalhousie Square, Calcutta^ 
