Page:Calcutta Review Vol. II (Oct. - Dec. 1844).pdf/324

Rh Now, here are several castes, the members of which were by the customs of society formerly wholly debarred from the benefit of instruction in letters; but the above enumeration shows that some individuals of those castes have even become instructors of others. The following presents, at one view, a comparison of the number of Kayastha teachers with those of other castes:—

In the Bengal districts Mr. Adam ascertained that about twenty in all gave their instructions gratuitously, as they had other and independent means of support; in the Behar districts, not one. In some of the former instances, however, it appeared that, though no fixed payment was received, either in the form of monthly wages or of fees, presents were accepted at the periods of the great annual festivals and other occasions. Very nearly the whole of the teachers therefore earn their livelihood by teaching, being regularly paid for their professional services. Bearing in mind that presents, whether monthly, yearly, or occasionally, consist of rice, fish, salt, oil, vegetables, cooking utensils, tobacco, clothes, &c., the following enumeration will present at once to the eye a tabulated view of the exceedingly varied, or rather grotesquely diversified ways in which the teachers are remunerated. As a specimen, we select the case of Tirhoot. In that district the number of vernacular teachers is eighty, whose pedagogal labours are thus rewarded:—