Page:Macaula yʼs minutes on education in India, written in the years 1835, 1836 and 1837 (IA dli.csl.7615).pdf/101

Rh we should grudge a young officer the pleasure of reading our copy of Boswell’s Life of Johnson, or Memoirs, if he is willing to pay a few rupees for the privilege.

I will not object to the principle of this part of Dr. Wise’s plan. But I do object to his proposal that these subscribers shall subscribe according to their circumstances. I would proceed on this principle, that the object for which the library is established is the good of the students, and that no person should be permitted to take any book thence unless the students receive from that person a compensation fully equal to the loss which they sustain by being temporarily deprived of that book. I would certainly not fix the subscription at less than 1 rupee a month for any body: and I think that every thing raised in this way should be expended in adding to the library.—[Page 54.] 29th October, 1836.

Maulvis’ place for prayer.—What are the objections to allowing the Maulvis to meet for prayer within the College? I think that we can hardly refuse both to suffer them to meet there and to supply them with another place where they may meet, the character of the institution considered. Mr. Sutherland’s remarks seem to me generally quite just, except that I do not attach so much importance as he appears to do to the projection of maps, an accomplishment which depends chiefly on manual dexterity, and without which a student may be an excellent geographer.—[Page 62.] 7th November, 1836.

I propose that we should strike off the list of stipendiary students all but the four whom Dr. Wise formerly wished should keep their present stipends for three years and no longer. At the expiration of that period the practice of giving stipends ought to cease altogether.—[Page 74.] 12th November, 1836.

Examiner for the Hooghly College.—Where is a competent person to be found? I shall be heartily glad if any gentleman can suggest one.—[Page 79.] 1st December, 1836.

Purchase of Perron’s House at Chinsurah.—Nay, I think that we never expected to obtain the house for less than 16,000 Rs. and if I am rightly informed we may, with perfect prudence, authorise Dr. Wise to go as far as 20,000.—[Page 83.] 27th December, 1836.

Suggestions by Mr. Walters and Mr. Samuels.—We are much obliged to Mr. Walters and Mr. Samuels for the trouble which they have taken and for the suggestions which they have offered. To the first proposition, the addition of 45 Rupees a month to the salary of the master of the infant school, I do not object. I am also quite for discharging the useless Pundits. The founder. of the college cannot be supposed to have had