13 years of age, I set before myself five ideals, or rather ambitious wishes, which I hoped in the course of my life to realise. (1) To pay my most loyal and humble respects to Her Gracious Majesty the Queen-Empress. (2) To become a Knight. (3) To become a Member of the Legislative Council. (4) To become a Maha-Rajah. (5) The fifth one, quite a Providential one, and one that, when it will be fully realized, will be known to you. As regards the titles, I must tell you my ideals were simply based on the last words of my worthy grandfather on his death-bed to my adoptive father who did not live long enough to realise them. I dare say you are all aware that it is the duty of every person to carry out the good wishes of his forefathers, especially in a family like mine.
"Allow me once more to thank you most heartily for the address you have so kindly presented to me."
