Page:Ramtanu Lahiri, Brahman and Reformer - A History of the Renaissance in Bengal.djvu/106

 made the following representation to the authorities in England:—

“It is a common remark that science and literature are in a progressive state of decay among the natives of India. From every inquiry I have been enabled to make on this interesting subject, that remark appears to me but too well founded. The number of the learned is not only diminished, but the circle of learning, even among those who still devote themselves to it, appears to be considerably constricted. The abstract sciences are abandoned, polite literature neglected, and no branch of learning cultivated but what is connected with the peculiar religious doctrines of the people. The immediate consequence of this state of things is the disuse, and even actual loss, of many books; and it is to be apprehended that, unless Government takes action in the matter, the revival of letters may shortly become hopeless, from the want of books or of persons capable of explaining them. I would accordingly recommend that in addition to the college at Benares (to be subjected, of course, to the reform already suggested), colleges be established at Nadia, and at Bhowi in the district of Tirhoot.”

The question may here arise, what made Lord Minto take up the matter. His predecessors had slept over the wretched condition of learning among the people of India; and the same lethargy might have kept him inactive, but for a certain new force that was made to act on him. Since the time of Sir, Englishmen in India had been possessed by a mania for learning Sanskrit; and at the time of which we are speaking every educated Englishman took a pride in knowing, more or less, this classical language. The great Sanskrit scholars,. Dr, Messrs and  , , , and ,