Page:On the education of the people of India (IA oneducationofpeo00trevrich).pdf/175

Rh “With a view, however, of introducing a better educated class of individuals into this office, the Court have directed me to state, that they are of opinion, that some well-considered system should be immediately adopted by Government, for the purpose of securing a regular succession of duly qualified native judicial officers. No peculiar acquirements are at present looked for in a native Judge, beyond general good character, respectability of family, and a competent knowledge of the Persian and Bengalese languages. No liberal or polite education, no legal acquirements, no knowledge even of the general forms and rules of practice, prescribed by the regulations of Government, is generally possessed by any candidate for office, save perhaps in the latter instance by some few individuals, who have been attached to the courts in subordinate situations, as mohurrers, or moonshees, or vakeels, and who are, therefore, well acquainted with the general routine of our proceedings.

“As the readiest mode of improving the present system of nomination, the Court would suggest the appointment of a regular professor, at all the Government Colleges, for the purpose of instructing the native youth in the laws and regulations of government, and for enabling the young men brought up at these institutions to qualify themselves for the judicial and revenue branches of the public service. To each college possessing such a professor, whether, indeed, supported by Government or otherwise, and whether in Calcutta or at any city in the interior, one or two moonsiffships and uncovenanted deputy collectorships might be presented as prizes every year, and these prizes should be bestowed on any native youth, above the age of twenty-five years, who might be found duly qualified, on public examination, for the situation; the name of the successful candidate should then be placed on the records of this court, in order that he might be employed in Bengal or Behar, according to his parentage, directly a vacancy occurred; and in the mean time he should be obliged to preme Government, by the Education Committee, by which this immensely important influence may