Page:Macaula yʼs minutes on education in India, written in the years 1835, 1836 and 1837 (IA dli.csl.7615).pdf/53

Rh The Secretary’s duties.—I shall be truly glad to join with Sir in doing any thing in my power which may serve to lighten the Secretary labours.—[Book O. page 153.] 18th August, 1837.

Masters of schools ought not to be the Secretaries of Local Committees.—I agree with Mr. Sutherland in thinking that the master ought not to be Secretary, if anybody else can be found.—[Book O. page 137.] 8th August, 1837.

Donations for prizes.—I think that it is always best, as the proverb says, not to look a gift horse in the mouth. I would let the donation be invested, and the interest expended in the manner proposed, subject always to our general rules as to the number of prizes; rules which, as they were framed not on grounds of economy, but with a view to the greater efficiency of our system of education, ought not to be infringed merely because our friends are willing to bear the expense of infringing them.—[Book P. page 36.] 4th August, 1837.

The employment of educated natives.—This is a most important question, and surrounded with difficulties on every side. I have thought much about it; and can come to no conclusion satisfactory to my own mind. I very much wish that Mr. Shakespeare, and other gentlemen practically acquainted with the working of the existing system would give their opinions first. My opinion, such as it is, is altogether founded on general reasonings, and on what I have seen in a state of society very different from that which exists in India.—[Book O. page 166.] 4th November, 1837.

The employment of educated natives.—I vote for Mr. Mangles’s proposal, as modified by Mr. Bird’s suggestion.

I should, I own, greatly dislike any plan which gave to our pupils a monopoly of public employments, or which tended to separate them from the body of their countrymen. The education which they receive necessarily has, to a considerable degree, this latter tendency; and this is a set off against the advantages of that education. We mean these youths to be conductors of knowledge to the people, and it is of no use to fill the conductors with knowledge at one end, if you separate them from the people at the other.

It is absolutely necessary that these young men, should, to a certain degree, be estranged from their countrymen by the mode in which they are brought up. It is impossible, but that this estrangement should produce the effects which Mr. Shakespeare points out, and which we all admit. We should I fear, increase the evil if on emerging from their schools they are regularly admitted into situations carefully reserved for them alone, into situations for which none of their countrymen are