Page:On the education of the people of India (IA oneducationofpeo00trevrich).pdf/172

154 of delinquency have occurred to prove, that the country will not reap the fall benefit of the change that has been made, until we not only open preferment to the natives, but also furnish them with the means by which they may merit that preferment, and learn how to use it; until we not only give them power, but also secure, by a previous training, the existence of those qualities with the aid of which alone power can be beneficially exercised.

The necessity of the case obliged us to begin at the wrong end, and we cannot too soon supply the deficiency. The business of the country is now done; but we must strive that it should be well done. There is now a sufficient number of judges and collectors; but we must endeavour to provide a succession of honest and well instructed judges and collectors. We want native functionaries of a new stamp, trained in a new school; and adding to the acuteness, patience, and intimate acquaintance with the language and manners of the people which may always be expected in natives, some degree of the enlightened views and integrity of character which distinguish the European officers. Our national interest and honour, our duty to our subjects, and even justice to our native servants themselves, require this at our hands.