1838/) Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 571 



8. That effective and judicious instruction in the English language and in Euro- 

 pean Science in India is an object of the first importance, formed both the theory 

 and the practice of the Education Committee during the whole period in which I was 

 a member of it, and the present rage for its still wider diffusion is nothing more than 

 the indiscreet prosecution of the principle and plans of the committee to extreme 

 and precipitate consequences. The former committee however anxious to promote 

 a well grounded conversancy with English, did not hold it con-intent with jus- 

 tice to alienate for this object, grants that had been made to native institutions 

 for very different purposes, nor did they think, it equitable or generous to exclude 

 literary natives from all share whatever of that subsequent bounty which was at 

 least in part awarded '.' for the revival of native literature and the encouragement 

 of learned natives." But above all, the committee being convinced that no real and 

 permanent impression could be effected on the minds and feelings of the natives of 

 India without their own consent and co-operation, they eudeavoured to secure both 

 in whatever measures they adopted for the improvement of the people ; and in all 

 their innovations, and they originated many, they were careful to maintain a spirit 

 of considerateness and conciliation. By this Hue of conduct they new -modelled the 

 course of study in the native colleges, and introduced English classes and establish- 

 ed and extended English schools without exciting the slightest indication of jea- 

 lousy, dissatisfaction or alarm. It was reserved for their successors to arouse the 

 angry remonstrances of the Muhammadans of Calcutta, and to excite the deep 

 though less audibly uttered apprehensions of the Hindus. 



9. Whilst then the judicious extension of English instruction unquestionably 

 merits the encouragement of the government of India, it may well be doubted, if it 

 is judicious or just to encourage it exclusively and at the expense of native insti- 

 tutions and native literature. It may be matter of regret that funds sufficiently 

 ample for both objects are not available, but it cannot be equitable or politic to 

 withdraw all support from the older and more strictly national purpose in favour of 

 one of recent date and foreign introduction, especially when there is no urgent ne- 

 cessity for such an alternative. Under the arrangements hitherto adopted both 

 interests were consulted and yet improvement was rapidly progressive. It is very 

 doubtful if the advance that may be made under the change of system will bear any 

 proportion to that which was effected under the first committee of public instruc- 

 tion. No evidence of acceleration has yet been offered. On the contrary, it is certain 

 that the native institutions are languishing under discountenance and neglect, and 

 although the number of English students may possibly have increased, the scale of 

 their attainments has been very much depressed. 



10. Under these circumstances then I beg to submit to the wisdom of the Hono- 

 rable Court the expedience of reverting to the principles and practice of the early 

 Education Committee subject to such modifications only as are unavoidable or desi- 

 rable. In this case the specific endowments of the Madressa, of the Sanskrit Col- 

 leges of Calcutta and Benares and of the mixed colleges of Agra and Delhi, will be 

 held sacred, and will be exclusively appropriated to education in the native languages 

 and literature. The expense of the English classes which have been attached to 

 them will be defrayed from other sources, and the cost of hooks in the oriental lan- 

 guages with which they have been hitherto supplied from the general fund may then 

 be provided for out of the funds with which they are severally endowed. They will 

 thus contribute to the support of the native press which will be an article of expen- 

 diture strictly within the scope of their foundation. To divert their funds to other 

 purposes than those for which they were expressly bestowed, or for English tuition, 

 is likely to produce more evil than good. The command of a few thousand rupees 

 obtained by what the natives will consider an act of spoliation will work no advan- 

 tage equivalent to the mischief of creating a distrust in the durability of public en- 

 dowments, — in the inviolability of British faith. 



11. As the management of the Oriental Press may not be unfitly exercised by 

 the Asiatic Society of Bengal, and as the Education Committee may be conveniently 

 relieved of the labour, the transfer of this business the Honorable Court may per- 

 haps see reason to confirm ; but I am satisfied that they will not consider it expe- 

 dient to leave the fulfilment of an useful public service to the unassisted resources 

 of a Society depending upon private and fluctuating contributions. The application 

 of the Society will therefore, I venture to hope, receive the favorable consideration 

 of the Honorable Court ; and pecuniary aid be authorized if it be not of an extent or 

 nature incompatible with the state of the public finances. I have no authority to 

 suggest any specific amount ; and the. Society will no doubt be thankful for whatever 

 aid the court may be pleased to sanction ; but, judging from the average expenditure 

 of past years, about 6000 rupees a year, or 500 rupees a month, will probably suffice 

 in addition to the Society's own funds, and the returns which may be expected from 



