The real Alice in Wonderland's book up for auction

A copy of the book "Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There" that belonged to the British girl who inspired author Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" will be sold at an auction next month, the company behind the sale said recently.At its December 16 auction, Profiles in History also will sell a copy of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" that belonged to its author, Beatrix Potter.

The items come from the collection of former U.S. professional football player Pat McInally, the auctioneer said.

"Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There," which belonged to the late Alice Liddell before it came into McInally's collection, has an estimated sales price of $150,000 (90,000 pounds).

When she was 10 years old in 1862, Alice Liddell went on a picnic with her neighbour, the Oxford mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll.

He told her a story that later became the classic book "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."His book "Through the Looking Glass" was a sequel.

Potter's copy of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" is expected to sell for up to $120,000, Profiles in History said.The auction, which focuses on children's literature, also includes a first edition copy of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and signed, limited edition copies of author A.A. Milne's "Winnie the Pooh" and "The House at Pooh Corner."

The auction is expected to generate total sales of $1 million, said Profiles in History.

-Courtesy Reuters

Once upon a time, there was a cat who died. When she got to heaven, God asked her how she liked being on Earth. She told the Lord that it was awful, she had to sleep in cold back alleys where there was no food, and life was hard.

God told her that he was sorry it had turned out that way but here, in heaven, she would be happy and He would give her the most comfortable, warm pillow to sleep on. The cat laid down upon the pillow and was happy.

A few days later, about a dozen mice came to heaven together and God asked them how they had liked Earth. It was no better for them than it was the cat.

They explained to God that it was tough and exhausting and their feet were worn out from always running from cats and dogs and people. God felt bad for the mice and decided to give them rollerskates.

One day God saw the cat again and asked her how she was liking heaven. She explained that it was absolutely wonderful.

The pillow He gave her was the most comfortable place that she had ever slept on, but even better than the pillow were the "meals on wheels".

December 6

Prof.A.K.Kailasapathy, a former Chancellor of the Jaffna University and former chief editor of the "Thinakaran" newspaper (1951-1961) died in 1982.

December 7

Ven.Weweldeniye Medhalankara Thera was born in 1909.

December 8

Ven.Baddegama Wimalawansa Nayaka Thera was born in 1913.

Herbert Spencer, English sociologist and a philosopher died in 1903.

Golda Meir, a former prime minister of Israel (1969-1974) died in 1978.

John Lennon, English singer and member of the popular band Beatles was assassinated in 1980.

George Boole, English mathematician died in 1864.

December 9

John Milton, veteran English poet was born in 1608.

Kirk Douglas, American actor was born in 1918.

Leel Gunasekara, civil servant and a writer was born in 1932.

December 10

Alfred Nobel, Swedish inventor of Dynamite, and founder of the Nobel Prize, died in 1896.

Melvil Dewey, who created the Dewey decimal classification for Libraries was born in 1851.

Sir Chitthampalam A. Gardiner, founder of Ceylon Theatres Ltd died in 1960.

Thomas H.Gallaudet, pioneer in the education of the deaf was born in 1787.

Jehangir Khan, Pakistan squash player was born in 1963.

December 11

H.S.Perera, founder editor of Dinamina Sinhala daily died in 1914.

Robert Koch, German bacteriologist who discovered tubercle bacillus and cholera bacillus was born in 1843.

December 12

Gustav Flaubert, a French novelist was born in 1821.

E.W.Perera, (Lion of Kotte), a freedom fighter was born in 1875.

Robert Browning, English poet died in 1889.

Frank Sinatra, American actor and singer was born in 1915.

Mulk Raj Anand, a great Indian writer was born in 1905.

John Osborne, English playwright was born in 1929.

December 6

Christopher Columbus discovered Haiti and the Dominican Republic in 1492.

Tower Hall Theatre was opened in 1911.

The human voice was recorded in a phonograph for the first time by Thomas Alva Edison in 1877.

December 7

International Civil Aviation Day was first announced in 1996 by the United Nations Organization.

Yuri Gagarin, Soviet cosmonaut arrived in Colombo 1961.

The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour in 1941.

December 9

Tanzania National Day; declaration of

independence from Britain.

International Anti Corruption Day.

December 10

Mahinda College, Galle was founded in 1892.

World Human Rights Day began in 1949.

December 11

The Royal Asiatic Society was founded in 1815.

South Africa National Day; gained independence from Britain in 1931.

Ceylon National Congress Party was formed in 1919.

International Mountain Day was declared by United Nations General Assembly in 2003.

Pure Beverages Company commenced operations in 1955.

December 12

Guglielmo Marconi transmitted the first transatlantic radio signal in 1901.

Compiled by W.A. Rusiru JAYASURIYA

Island schools to be upgraded

*21 schools function in islands around Jaffna peninsula

*Over 2,200 students attend school:

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The education facilities of children in 21 schools in Karainagar, Nanathivu, Analaithivu, Punguduthivu, Velanaithivu and Delft islands around the Jaffna peninsula will be upgraded by the Education Ministry on the directive of Minister Susil Premajayantha.

According to Education Ministry statistics over 2200 children are currently receiving education in these schools.Deputy Minister M. Satchithananda was on a four day observation tour in the five islands as a special representative of the Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

Referring to his recent visit to the islands, Deputy Minister Satchithananda told the Junior Observer that prompt action will be taken to improve the education of students in the island schools and also renovate existing school buildings.

As the first member of Parliament, who made an official visit to the island schools, especially after the war period, Minister Satchithananda said he had discussed with principals, teachers and parents of children about the ongoing educational activities in the schools.

He said according to their comments, he will have to expedite educational development activities in these island schools after discussing with Minister Premajayantha, during the coming months.

On their arrival the islanders who had welcomed the Minister and his team had requested them to give priority to the improvement of education facilities of their children, since their education was neglected due to various reasons during the past several years.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that not a single school in the island was damaged during the war period.Although there are 25 schools in the islands, about four schools have not been functioning due to security reasons in the past and steps will be taken to open every school before long.Deputy Minister Satchithananda also paid special attention towards recruiting more teachers to ease the present shortage of teachers in the schools.

He said in addition, children should be provided with educational equipment and sports gear to improve their extra-curricular activities.“I have already discussed with Power and Energy Minister, W.D.J. Seneviratne about providing electricity to the schools in the islands”, he said adding that the Minister had agreed to provide seven generators until a permanent electricity project was established”.

He said in addition, he planned to discuss with the State Engineering Corporation, regarding the construction of new school buildings and renovating existing buildings, since many of them are in a dilapidated condition.

“I will also discuss with the health authorities about ways to improve the health conditions of the people living in these islands,” he added.