oct. — MAR. 1858-59.] for the Indian characters. 255 



speaking those characters are not European : we borrowed them 

 from the Arabs, and the Arabs from the Hindus ; but so many 

 changes have been made in their shape during the lapse of ages, 

 on the one hand by Europeans and on the other by the Hindus 

 themselves, that there is now not much more resemblance between 

 the Indian ciphers, as used by Hindus, and their European equiva- 

 lents, than there is between the alphabetical characters of India 

 and those of Europe. In the Tamil country, the ancient shapes of 

 the ciphers were more completely lost than elsewhere, and even de- 

 cimal notation, though a Hindu invention, had been completely 

 forgotten. In consequence of this, the old Indian numeral ciphers 

 that were re-introduced from Europe were universally called " the 

 English numerals," and the old Indian system of notation was 

 called " the English mode of arithmetic." In this instance, as 

 truly as in that of the alphabetical characters of India, the ground 

 had been pre-occupied for ages ; but notwithstanding this, Govern- 

 ment came to the conclusion that it was expedient that the English 

 cipher and the English modes of calculation should alone be used 

 in all public accounts. It had been the custom that the public ac- 

 counts should be made out first in the vernacular of the district, 

 then translated into Marathi for the benefit of the Sheristadars, 

 (who were always Maratha Brahmans, because none but Maratha 

 Brahmans could understand the Maratha accounts,) and then final- 

 ly translated into English for the information of Government. 

 But no sooner did Government determine that this round-about 

 system should cease, and that the English cipher and English 

 modes of calculation should be used from first to last, than the 

 change was successfully accomplished. The substitution was car- 

 ried into effect at a word, and now all Government officials, down 

 to the Curnums of the villages, nor they only, but even the poor- 

 est peasant children in our schools (in this neighbourhood, at 

 least, and I presume elsewhere,) are daily using " the English 

 cipher." 



It is true that at present every Native boy learns the Native 

 numerals, as well as the English, but this double trouble will 

 cease of itself in due time, when it is practically found to be un 

 necessary. 



