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168 adjoining districts, with the view of helping the masters to understand the object of the College, and to prepare boys for admission to it. The most numerous demands were for Native students of this class, to be surveyors and overseers.

'The idea of the College rose from the Ganges Canal. To a man like Thomason, who could bring to the examination of engineering projects a large amount of accurate technical knowledge, such an undertaking could not fail to be of the highest interest. It was designed to convey from the Ganges, and to spread abroad over thirsty lands, a supply of water enough for an area of 2500 square miles, a splendid provision against uncertain seasons, which it might well delight him to think of. He knew what irrigation canals could do, and he could look forward with confidence to the future of this great work. Within his own province there were canals from the Jumna, on both sides of the river, made by the Muhammadan predecessors of the English Rulers of India. And very precious they were, with all their imperfections.

' The greatest of the works on the Ganges Canal was the aqueduct to carry the great canal stream across the wide sandy channel of the Soláni river, — a channel at one time absolutely dry, at another carrying an impetuous mountain torrent. This aqueduct is near the village of Rúrki, twenty miles from the head of the canal at Hard war. This place was made the headquarters of the canal. Here the central workshops and foundry were set up. And here Mr. Thomason decided also to plant his Engineering College. The works in progress on the canal, the preparation of materials on a very large scale, and the workshop operations, would furnish useful practical lessons to the College students for years, not ceasing with completion of the works.

'After three years, it was resolved to enlarge the College, — to form a new class for commissioned officers of the army (in