1834.] On the Education of the Natives in Southern India. 358 



viously require instruction from the head shastry in grammar 

 &c. Though forbidden to demand money, all such persons should 

 be allowed to receive any presents their scholars may offer to 

 them, particularly those usual on enterino; or quitting school. 



The highest ex pence of such an institution would be 273 rupees, 

 the lowest 154 rupees per mensem. The first expense must neces 

 sarily be borne by Government, who alone are able to originate 

 and at first support such a plan. But proper steps may be taken 

 to engage in it the aid of the more opulent classes of the commu- 

 nity, and, if practicable, to induce them, in due time, willingly 

 to contribute to the support of such schools. Indeed, I have 

 little doubt that the plan would soon carry with it the united 

 consent, and grateful approbation, of the more respectable and 

 well informed of the inhabitants at large. 



It would also greatly accelerate the progress and efficiency of 

 such schools, if Government were to appropriate a moderate 

 annual sum to the purpose of preparing and printing at the Col- 

 lege press, or elsewhere, suitable books for the use of these schools, 

 in the prose or common dialects of the Teloogoo and Carnataca lan- 

 guages, on the principle stated by me in a former part of the letter : 

 these should consist of selections from the most approved native 

 school books, tables, proverbs, &c. now in use in the country, to 

 the exclusion, in the first instance, of all new publications whatever. 

 Books of a popular and known character, intelligible to all who read, 

 would thus be procurable at a cheaper rate, and in a more correct 

 state than at present, and the teachers might be employed to dis- 

 pose of them at low prices. 



If public examinations once a year were instituted before the 

 head shastry, and small premiums or badges of distinction were dis- 

 tributed, for the purpose of rewarding, on such occasions, those who 

 are most advanced, a suitable effect might be produced, and a pow 

 erful stimulus afforded to the students. 



To cover the first expense of these schools, and to provide further 

 for their gradual extension, if found advisable, without entailing any 

 additional or new expense on Government, it might be provided 

 that on the demise of any persons now holding yeomiahs, or aliena- 

 ted lands, a new inquiry be instituted ; and that though the same 

 may have been continued for more than one generation by the Bri- 

 tish Government, it be resumed, and carried to a new fund, to be 

 termed the *' School Fund," (to which the proposed expense should 

 also be debited,) unless it is clearly stated in the body of the original 



