Page:On the education of the people of India (IA oneducationofpeo00trevrich).pdf/168

154 damental changes in the frame-work of native society which are essential to its complete regeneration. The class of muftis and pundits, being no longer required, will cease to exist; and those who are learned in the law, and those who actually administer it, will for the future be the same persons. Legal knowledge will pass from pedants and antiquarians to persons who are engaged in the business and sympathise with the feelings of the present age. An improved bench and bar will both ensure a certain and prompt administration of the law, and give that aid to general improvement which may always be expected from a highly cultivated body of men, whose profession obliges them to be familiar with the interests, and attentive to the favour of society.

This happy change, however, will be slowly and imperfectly effected if it be not supported by corresponding arrangements in the department of public instruction. The Indian lawyers of the old school, who fortunately are not numerous, will be laid on the shelf on the promulgation of the new code. An entirely new set must be trained to take their place. It will be as easy now to give instruction in law as in any other branch of knowledge. Instead of an endless variety “of contradictory maxims, there will be one plain consistent body of law.