Page:Macaula yʼs minutes on education in India, written in the years 1835, 1836 and 1837 (IA dli.csl.7615).pdf/9

Rh books were circulated among the fourteen or fifteen members of the Committee, others were sent only to Sub-committees, containing five or six members. There were Sub-committees on finance, on books, on the selection of schoolmasters, on the Medical College, and on the Hooghly College. Of the books which went the round of the whole Committee, two were reserved for particular subjects, one marked G. was for the selection and printing of books, and another marked I. for Medical College questions. The other books were kept in constant circulation, and as they came back to the Secretary, were started afresh with precis of new topics for discussion. The same matter is consequently discussed at its different stages in different books. The General Committee seldom met. All business was transacted by the books. Several of the Members urged their opinions with greater warmth and earnestness than is now customary in official correspondence. Lord Auckland in his elaborate educational minute of the 24th November, 1839, remarks concerning their discussions, “Unhappily I have found violent differences existing upon the subject of education, and it was for a time (now I trust past or fast passing away,) a watchword for violent dissension and in some measure of personal feelings. I judged it best, under these circumstances, to abstain from what might have led me into unprofitable controversy, and to allow time and experience to act with their usual healing and enlightening influence upon general opinion.”

Mr. Macaulay formally gives his assent to the amended instructions issued to Mr., who was appointed by the Supreme Government to report on the state of Vernacular Education in Bengal. More than a quarter of a century has elapsed since Mr. Adam was instructed to prepare his reports, which he executed in so full and exhaustive a manner, that they