( 2 ) 
till 1871 the building housed a school for girls. In 
1870 a graduate of Cambridge was employed as. 
Principal of the Institution and its modern history 
began. In 1876 a new wing was built for the sons 
of Malay rajas and chiefs, who however failed to- 
seek admission. In 1887 the small boarding depart- 
ment, which had hitherto formed part of the Institu- 
tion, was closed. In 1884 the Trustees contemplated 
turning the Institution into “ a high school for the 
more elementary schools which have lately increased 
so rapidly”: — for, already, in 1879 there were six. 
elementary English schools in the city, supported by 
the Government. In 1889 the Government decided 
to open a class for physical science and chemistry 
at the Institution, and classes were started for 
teaching the various subjects required for the 
Queen’s scholarships to England. Educational pro- 
gress, however, led to increased expenditure. The 
Trustees were short of funds. A Commission 
appointed .in 1902 to enquire into the system of 
education in the Colony recommended that the 
Institution should be taken over by the Government. 
This was done in 1903. The Institution became 
purely a secondary school. It has suffered from a 
lack of European masters, so difficult to obtain for 
Malaya, even now when good prospects are offered. 
Its old pride of place has been challenged by energetic- 
younger rivals. But it still remains the chief 
Government English School in the Settlement and 
full of vigorous life. Its history is summarised here 
as an epitome of the stumbles and falls and advance- 
ment of education in Malaya. The differentiation 
between education in English and education in 
the vernacular, and between an elementary and a 
secondary school, the outlining of a curriculum fitted 
to local needs, the education of girls, the teaching 
