Page:Macaula yʼs minutes on education in India, written in the years 1835, 1836 and 1837 (IA dli.csl.7615).pdf/13

Rh systems of science at our colleges, is this, that the people are wedded to those systems, and that by withdrawing our patronage from them, we should disgust our native subjects. Here is a study which nobody describes as useful in itself, “which every body acknowledges to be also unpopular” which has been abandoned by the native youth from mere disgust and weariness. And we, Englishmen, countrymen of Lord and, are to step in and to do our best be revive it. It is very little to our credit that the natives should have become sick of learning this useless mysticism before we have become sick of teaching it. I would at once decide on adopting the suggestions contained in the 6th and 7th paragraphs of Captain Thoresby's letter. The question as to the disposal of the savings, may lie over for the present.—[Book F. page 57.] 2nd February, 1835.

The first opinion of Lord Macaulay in the Book marked E. is dated the 7th February, 1835. A proposal was made by Mr. Sutherland, the Secretary, to give away a large number of the Committee’s oriental publications to the chief Sanscrit and Arabic scholars in Europe. Macaulay only five days before had remarked in his great minute,

“The Committee contrive to get rid of some portion of their vast stock of oriental literature by giving books away. But they cannot give so fast as they print” On the present occasion he simply states “I approve of the proposition.”—[Book E. page 82.]

Benares College.—As at present advised I conceive that a sum much smaller than that which Captain Thoresby received would suffice for his successor. That successor ought to take a direct part in the instruction of the English classes. I should be glad to know whether there is now at Benares any gentleman possessed of the requisite attainments to whom 300 or 400 rupees a month would be an object. I say this on the supposition that instruction of a higher kind in English science and literature is at present required in our Benares School. If not, I do not see why we should not save the whole salary. For to pay 750 a month or a fifth part of that sum monthly for a superintendence such as that which Captain Thoresby appears to have exercised over the Sanscrit College seems to me mere waste.—[Book C. page 150.] 26th February, 1835.

Allahabad School.—The School seems to be going on in a very satisfactory manner. The evident anxiety of the natives to obtain instruction in the English language must be highly gratifying to those who, like me, look on that language as the great instrument for civilizing and benefiting India. The