Page:Macaula yʼs minutes on education in India, written in the years 1835, 1836 and 1837 (IA dli.csl.7615).pdf/104

 them from being always on the look out for better situations. I would try to give them such salaries that they may settle down to their employment as one which is to be the business of their lives. Otherwise we shall have nothing but change. We shall lose every master as soon as he has acquired experience and established a character; and shall have a constant succession of teachers who will themselves be learners. At some of our institutions want of means prevents us from doing all that could be wished. But at Hooghly we are quite able to do all that is necessary to make the system of instruction efficient.—[Page 116.] 24th April, 1837.

Proposal that pupils should purchase their school-books.—The subject is full of difficulties. Nothing can be proposed which is not open to objection; and there seems to be as little objection to Mr. Sutherland’s proposal as to any other.—[Page 118.] 29th. April, 1837.

Purchase of Philosophical Apparatus.—I approve. I wish that some of our scientific members would look at the models before we buy them.—[Page 120.] 2nd May, 1837.

Periodicals in the College Library.—I do not see Dr. Wise’s letter. I am rather inclined to vote against the proposition as far as I at present understand it. How many boys at the Hooghly College will for a long time to come read the Edinburgh and Quarterly Reviews with any interest? The Principal and the Professor are probably the only persons in the Institution who would ever cut such works open. And we must never forget that we are forming libraries not for the English professors, but for the native students.—[Page 121.] 4th May, 1837.

A Pundit for the Judge’s Court at Hooghly.—I have no objection. But the office of recommending people who are to bear a part in the administration of justice is an important one. I think that some testimonials ought to be laid before us; and that we ought not to let the matter pass as one of mere form.—[Book M. page 119.] 19th May, 1837.

''Proposal to grant a pension of Rs. 25 monthly to the family of Mahomud Soluman, late Principal of the Madrussa''.—I really feel great doubts about this matter. The salary of the Maulvie would surely have enabled him to make some provision for his family; and I am certain that, if we provide for his wife and children, no other Maulvie in the College will think of laying by anything. And I should fear that the evil would spread to other institutions. I own that I cannot satisfy myself as to the propriety of acceding to this request.—[Page 131.] 26th May, 1837.

Family Pensions.—I would certainly rather give a donation