COLLEGE HISTORY
PREFACE
This History of St. Thomas’ College out of an attempt to collect College records for the Library, and a great part of it, more than it has been possible to acknowledge with inverted commas, is on the actual words of those who have spoken or written about the College. The sources of much of the early part are Bishop Chapman’s Memorials written by his daughters; and the records in S.P.G. House, London, and in the Diocesan Office in Colombo. Mr. C. H. Christian David’s History of St. Thomas’ published in 1894, and his "Story of S. T. C. published in 1926, and information given by him personally, have preserved many interesting records; as has also the Jubilee Number of the Magazine published on 1901, and edited by Mr. J. P. Salgadoe. The Magazine form its first. number in 1875 to the last number published this year, has been invaluable, and many thanks are due to those who have written in it, and to those who have given or lent copies of the old magazine to the School for the History. A large number of Old Boys have very kindly given information about Warden Miller and his times. Special thanks re due to Mrs. Miller who, with her wonted kindness, gave every assistance in her power to the work, and allowed a large collection of her husband’s letters to be read for the purposes of the History. Warden Buck, the late Warden Stone, Warden McPherson and Warden de Saram all gave generous help by letters. and by personal interviews. Information was also given by the late Rev. A. W. de Mel, Sir Stewant Schneider, the Rev. Dr. G. B . Ekandyake, Dr. G .H. De Saram, Mr. C. V. Pereira, Mr. J.R. Jayatileke, Mr. E. Navaratnam, Mrs. Horsfall, Mr.W. H. Solomons, Mr. O. P. Gooneratne. To Mr. L. E. Balze a great debt of gratitude is due for the use of many records preserved by him, and for his unfailing help and sympathy throughout the production of the History. Dr. R. L. Hayman has given much assistance and encouragement, and to his care and patience the illustrations in the book are chiefly due. Warden Stone also gave valuable help in finding illustrations. Thanks are due to Willy, the Tuck-Shop keeper, for the pains he took in making the plans of the Old and the New College.
Mr. L. J. Gratiaen’s book "English Schools in Ceylon 1870-1900," and Father S. G. Perera’s "History of Ceylon" published in 1932, have been very helpful: and use has been made of "A History of Trinity College, Kandy" by V. L. O. Reimann, M.A. (1922); the History of Royal College, written by boys in the School (1931); and "k.E.F." the Story of kingswood, Kandym by L. E. Blaze (1934).
Special thanks are due to Mr. L. E. Blaze and the Rev. Mr. A. J. Foster and Dr. R. L. Hayman for reading through the proofs ; to Mr. V. P. Cooke for preparing the Cricket Appendix; and to Dr. R. L. Hayman for making the Index.
To all those, friends Old Boys, masters and boys of the School, who have given their assistance, due thanks are paid. They are in no way responsible for the omissions, mistakes in facts, and errors in opinions that there must be in the book. The writing of this History has been a fascinating task, carried out in such spare time as has been available in the last five years. It is hoped that readers will find something of interest in the book. and that they will have patience with its defects.
W.T.K
