Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/106

86 the names of all the more important and honoured members of the Indian Pantheon.

A general “Good morning, sir!" salutes us as we enter the hall and take our seats on a slightly raised platform at its upper end; the teachers show their zeal by moving through the ranks, and brandishing their rattans threateningly at the scapegoats of their flock. When all are composed, English Bibles are produced, and the place found. Mr. W. reads the first verse in Tamil, and is followed by a scholar reading the same verse in English. After asking any questions suggested by the subject, he reads the next verse, followed by the next boy in English. Thus some twenty verses are read, the Bibles closed, the passage explained and enforced, and prayer offered in Tamil, during which all present stand. The daily text is next repeated, both in Tamil and English, and any matter requiring public comment receives attention. The classes are now called, and the boys file off with their respective teachers to different rooms to study and recite. The instruction is by a head-teacher, who is an East Indian, and several Hindu assistant teachers and monitors. Of these some are Christians, and some heathen. Of course, good