854 Proceedings of the [June, 



pOrtance, and all parties would unite, for the sake of that truth which was their 

 common object, in desiring to see it become a subject of general interest and dis- 

 cussion. But this was not the scene which Mr. Prinsep should have chosen 

 for any criticisms on the proceedings of the Education Committee. " Cur in 

 thcatrum Cato severe venisti ?" The debate here was totally out of place and 

 character. Mr. Turton had said, that it was proper to pay respect and attention 

 to Native feeling : who ever held a contrary opinion ? It was not he alone who 

 said it — non mens hie sermo, — but there was the declaration of Government 

 in the Resolution of the 7th March, that while the Natives themselves desired it, 

 Instruction in Oriental Learning would be continued. Were Gentlemen to carry 

 their patronage of that course of tuition beyond even the wishes of the Natives ? 

 It seemed to him that there remained but little ground of difference between them. 

 It had happened in this as in other cases, 



" When hot dispute had past 

 They found their tenets much the same at last." 



He would readily support Mr. Macnaghten's resolution — which was then 

 put and carried unanimously. 



Mr. Prinsep, after a few words of preface, moved the appointment of a Com- 

 mittee to Memorialize the Court of Directors and Board of Control. An amend- 

 ment was proposed by Mr. W. Grant, who would modify the wording of the re- 

 solution to secure unanimity. He wished to disconnect the proceedings from the 

 disputes to which the allusion had been made, which the Society need not notice. 

 This drew forth some remarks from Sir Edward Ryan, who expressed his full 

 concurrence in the object aimed at, but objected to certain expressions in 

 Mr. Prinsep's motion, as conveying a censure upon the Government, and a 

 declaration on the legal point. His desire was to adopt the most conciliatory 

 and most effectual means of attaining the end, 



Mr.. Colvin would agree to Mr. W. Grant's amendment, and hoped the 

 members would come to an unanimous vote on this question, as they had done 

 on the others. There would thus be an end to the unnecessary discussions which 

 here and elsewhere had been carried on usque ad nauseam. 



Mr. Turton also liked unanimity, but would not seek it at too great a sacri- 

 fice : he would not blink the question. We must tell the Government at home, 

 why we go to them. Mr. Colvin's unanimity was good in its way, but for 

 himself he liked consistency. " In another place (says Mr. Colvin), I am 

 decidedly of a different opinion, but let us be unanimous here." This sort of 

 consistency he did not understand. There were societies at home which sup- 

 ported Scotch literature, Welch literature, Irish literature ; and why should we 

 consider the ancient literature of India less dear to the natives of this country ? 

 To proceed as the Government are doing is to make them think we have only our 

 own interested objects in view. 



Mr. Colvin explained. He had ever been a friend to all descriptions of liter- 

 ary pursuit, and he was a friend to Oriental li terature, and could support it as a 

 member of this Society, without compromising his opinions regarding the best 

 plan for the education of youth, a subject of which it was quite beyond the pro- 

 vince of the Society to take any cognizance. 



The amendment was then re-modelled, and being re-moved by Mr. W. Grant, 

 and seconded by Mr. Turton, was unanimously adopted as follows : 



