Page:Macaula yʼs minutes on education in India, written in the years 1835, 1836 and 1837 (IA dli.csl.7615).pdf/23

Rh would be in the highest degree pernicious to spend any part of it in hiring boys to come and learn what they are not desirous to know. I am truly glad, though not at all surprised, to find that the rule established by Government has produced no unfavorable effect on the number of students at the Delhi College.—[Book J. page 1.] 27th October, 1835.

Baboo Ramlochun Ghose, gift of Rupees 1,000 to the Dacca School—Thank the Baboo by all means, but do not let us pledge ourselves to employ his money as he suggests. —[Book H. page 38.] 14th May, 1.835.

Dacca College.—I do not think the aspect of things at Dacca by any means discouraging, I should doubt, however, about the expediency of either building or buying a house. I should think that it would be the best course to hire premises for the present. If, as Mr. Lowis believes, and as there seems every reason to expect, scholars should come in fast, and the institution should thrive, we shall probably find before long that the school will, in a great measure, maintain itself. Then we may without imprudence build or buy a house. On this point, however, I feel by no means confident in my own judgment.

I do not quite understand what Mr. Sutherland means by his proposition about the study of Persian. I apprehend that the master whom we have sent to Dacca is not competent to teach that language. And I should certainly object to paying out of our funds any master for that purpose. Indeed under the orders of Government, we have no authority to pay such a master. But if the students at our School wish to learn Persian and are willing to pay a teacher of that language, or if the population of Dacca are disposed to subscribe for the purpose of supporting such a teacher, I have not the least objection to let him have the use of our School-house at all proper times, and every other facility and assistance which we can afford to him, without prejudice to what I consider as more important objects. But none of our students ought to be forced to study Persian as part of the regular course of his education.

Religious instruction is of course excluded.—[Book H. page 89.] 21st July, 1835.

Mr. Wilkinson’s request for a School at Sehore in Bhopal.—This application is one with which on many accounts I should be most happy to comply. But the expense would be great: and there is also a strong objection on principle to carrying our exertions at present beyond the frontier of the Company's territories. The district which we are requested to furnish with a School-master is not present a part of those