3-077-971 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Duke and Duchess of Connaught at Ceylon: illumination of the Harbour, 1890. 'Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught...were received in Ceylon [now Sri Lanka] with cordial demonstrations of welcome and of public regard. On March 19 they went up to Kandy, and inspected the scenes and objects of interest, They returned to Colombo in the afternoon, and held a reception at Queen's House. At midnight the Royal party re-embarked on their voyage to China, the harbour and breakwater being brilliantly illuminated in honour of the Duke and Duchess. The scene is represented in one of our Illustrations, from a Sketch by Mr. W. Wright Beling, of the Survey Department. The breakwater was one long line of flaming torches, borne by 4000 coolies; the lighting up of the wharves, extending a mile and a quarter, the landing-stage, and the vessels, including the Kaisar-i-Hind (the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship), the Canton, a cargo steam-boat, and the Board of Trade steamer Ceylon, added to the splendid effect. The illuminations were under the direction of the Hon. G. S. Williams, principal Collector of Customs, Mr. F. R. Ellis, and others, assisted by the Wharf and Warehouse Company of Colombo'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.