PREFACE.

‘'YLON was the first country in Asia to express
a desire to participate in the International
Centennial Commemoration of the Louisiana
Territory Purchase. Besides its own Pavilion
near the northern end of the Agricultural
Building, the Island’s products occupy space in the following
sections : Education; Art; Liberal Arts; Manufactures;
Agriculture; Forestry; Mines and Metallurgy ; and Fish
and Game.

In the matter of the standard samples in the Commercial
Sales Room in the Ceylon Court duplicates have been placed
in the Chamber of Commerce Building, Colombo, ensuring
thereby accurate and prompt execution of wholesale orders
by business firms in Ceylon. Most of the curiosities and
other articles exhibited in the Ceylon Court will be for sale
at the close; and inquiries should be made meanwhile of
the Ceylon Commission.
This Handbook is intended to arouse more than a passing
interest in the products and attractions of Ceylon. It is
similar in size to those prepared for Chicago in 1893 and
Paris in 1900, but is obtainable at a much lower price ; and
af 10,000 copies, 7,000 are for distribution in St. Louis.
Americans are now directly interested in paternal administration
 in the Orient; and though Ceylon could hardly be
further away from both seaboards of the North American
continent, it is on the main line of tropical travel and traffic.
Lt is yearly becoming better known, and the journey hither
is being constantly improved in comfort and time.
It may be possible to place on permanent record in part of
this edition the opening scene at the Ceylon Tea House and
a group picture of the Staff.
Colombo, February 1, 1804.