Page:James Thomason (Temple).djvu/175

Rh the eyes of the students, were the finest models for that profession which they were about to enter. But when Thomason arrived, this College was actually a blank. Stone had to be set upon stone, student had to be added to student, the great operation had to be begun in the humblest way. and to be prosecuted with the most cautious steps. The first Principal was Lieutenant (now General) W. Maclagan, of the Royal Bengal Engineers. He has prepared for this memoir the following sketch: —

'For the Ganges Canal, the Grand Trunk Road and other public works, trained men, Europeans and Natives, were wanted. As a small beginning, Mr. Thomason sent three very capable and successful Native students of the Agra College to be employed under the English engineers of the Ganges Canal, then engaged on the extensive head-works at Hardwár. But as this plan could not within any reasonable time supply the men required, he proposed the establishment of an Engineering College, to train English and Native engineers and subordinates. The proposal received the hearty approval of the Governor-General, Lord Hardinge. The prospectus was issued in a gazette order dated 25th November, 1847. The work of instruction commenced (in tents in the first instance) on the 1st January, 1848, and six months later the College opened in its own buildings. As soon as the students could be carried through the required courses of instruction, it began to supply assistant engineers, overseers, sub-overseers, surveyors, and draftsmen, for the Public Works department.

'Mr. Thomason wished to make the College the means of aiding and stimulating the work of the village schools. The Principal was made also a Visitor of Schools for three