Asiatic College. 387 



this, if it be ever effected, must be attempted by suitable means ; 

 flagrant injustice. In their view, nothing but incorrigible negli- 

 gence, or immoral conduct, can form a just reason for depriving 

 any youth, whatever be his religious prejudices, of the advantages 

 of this institution. 



*' They also feel the propriety of introducing into this College, 

 all the science now possessed by the natives themselves. To an 

 institution intended to convey superior information to native youth 

 of the highest casts, it is desirable that there be that respectabi- 

 lity attached in the eyes of the most learned among the natives, 

 which shall prevent their undervaluing the instruction conveyed, 

 because it is not what they have. AH the science they really 

 have, ought to be preserved, and not a particle of it lost. If they 

 have carried the study of any branch of knowledge beyond us, 

 this circumstance ought to be acknowledged and improved ; if 

 they have merely trodden in the same path, a knowledge of the 

 science they really have, will enable us to take it up where they 

 fail, and carry it to its proper extent ; while the ideas thev now 

 possess, and the terms in which they express them, will facilitate 

 the communication of superior ideas. This particularly applies 

 to grammar, and to astronomy, which latter science, from its 

 connexion with their religious festivals, is cultivated by them 

 with peculiar eagerness." 



There are thirty-seven students attached to the College, of 

 which nineteen are Christians or of Christian families, — fourteen 

 are Hindoos of cast, and four have neither cast nor religion. Of 

 the fourteen Hindoos of cast, eleven are Brahmuns ; nine of 

 whom are thoroughly acquainted with astronomy and geography, 

 and who receive for their monthly support three rupees each. 

 They are now employed in studying the Lilavalee, the first 

 astronomical work usually taught in India, preparatory to being 

 made acquainted with European astronomy. 



Since the institution of the College the Committee have de- 

 cided upon printing 



" The Four Vedas, the great palladium of Hindooism, around 

 which Superstition, for obvious purjioses, has thrown such a de- 

 gree of veneration, that the soodra who durst only listen to them, 

 was deemed guilty of a crime to be expiated only by melted 

 lead being poured into his ears. These days of darkness how- 

 ever are now evidently passing away: every thing sacred in the 

 Scriptures has been exposed to public view; and tlie enlightened 

 among the Hindoos themselves do not hesitate to acknowledge, 

 that darkness and concealment can add no real worth to any 

 work, but rather tend to create suspicion ; that every work must 

 found its claims to intrinsic worth wholly on its contents ; and 



L 1 2 that 



