Page:Macaula yʼs minutes on education in India, written in the years 1835, 1836 and 1837 (IA dli.csl.7615).pdf/25

Rh scholarships at Madras. Such an arrangement would, in my opinion, be inexpedient: but be this as it may, it would be hardly proper in us to recommend it to Government after the strong manner in which Government has expressed its feeling on the subject.—[Book H. page 63.] 13th June, 1835.

The case of the corrector of the Sanscrit Press.—I feel great commiseration for this poor man, and if there be any small place which is really necessary, I should be glad if he could be put into it. But I do not like to create a place for him. I would rather give him a small pension, for a pension dies of course with the holder. But the place may last as long as the College. It has always been my earnest wish that no person might suffer at all in his pecuniary interest in consequence of the late changes. And I am quite prepared to concur in any reasonable proposition in favour of this petitioner.—[Book H. page 69.] 29th June, 1835.

Petition of Moulvie Gholam Makdoom, the corrector of the Arabic Press for remuneration, owing to the abolition of his appointment.—A certificate by all means, but it does not appear to me that the situation of corrector of the Press is one which can be considered as creating any claim whatever to extra remuneration. This person was paid while he served the Committee. He had no life-interest in his employment. He might have been dismissed any morning with or without a reason. I do not see that I am bound to give him remuneration any more than, when I leave India, I shall be bound to give my cook or my coachman any compensation for the loss of their places, after having paid them wages for their services.—[Book H. page 123.] 12th September, 1835.

Limit of age, inexpedient.—The only point about which I entertain a doubt is the proposed limitation with respect to age. The onus probandi always lies on those who propose a restriction; and I do not clearly see any sufficient reason for the restriction now proposed. Suppose that a young man of sixteen or seventeen, wishes to enter at the Madrassa and to attend the lectures, I cannot conceive why he should not be permitted to do so.—[Book E. page 126.]—1st July, 1835.

A limit of age in English Schools inexpedient.—I do not very clearly see the reason for establishing a limit as to age. The phenomena are exactly the same which have always been found to exist when a new mode of education has been rising into fashion. No man of fifty now learns Greek with boys. But in the sixteenth century it was not at all unusual to see old Doctors of Divinity attending lectures side by side with young students. I should be sorry to deny to any native of any age the facilities which our schools might afford