Page:Report on public instruction in the lower provinces of the Bengal presidency (1850-51).djvu/28

xvi “He was well aware that this would necessarily entail the forfeiture of his scholarship; but, so keen is the spirit of emulation which has been now excited, that he professed himself ready to do this, and to continue another year as a pay student of the College, rather than in his person compromise the honour of his College, and appear in what would have seemed to him a derogatory position. I could not but admire the high-minded feeling which dictated his resolution: but I encouraged him to go into the examination, and do his best: and it gave me sincere pleasure to find that he lost only one place, having given way, I think, only to Ram Sunker Sen, the first student of this College. Nevertheless you have very good reason to be satisfied with the position your College occupies; the more so, that you were under some disadvantage from the sudden removal of your late zealous professor Mr. Cargill, by his appointment to be Principal of the College at Delhi. No change of masters can take place in the middle of a course of lectures, without some detriment to the students, however great the talent of the new Professor: I regret also to hear of the state of Mr. Foggo's health, which indeed prevents his being present on this occasion.

“Two years ago your first man occupied the 20th place in the general list: last year you held the 11th, 14th and 15th places: this year you have gained the 3d, 5th, 6th, 8th and 19th: so that your fifth man this year stands one step higher than your first did two years ago. I recognise again the old names that I had to notice with honour last year. Ram Sunker Sen, Bhugwan Chunder Bhose, Gournarain Roy, and Oma Churn Bannerjea all distinguished themselves by gaining medals and prizes last year. Koylas Chunder Ghose, a young scholar, who distinguished himself so remarkably in history last year, is this year at the head of the third class in all the Colleges. These comparisons are useful and satisfactory, because they prove that our examinations really do bring out the best men: since the trials of successive years, by different examiners and on diiferent subjects, show corresponding results. You float to the top, because you are the lightest and fittest to ascend.

“You may remember that I exhorted you last year not to neglect the study of your native language, while gaining a knowledge of English literature. To some persons such advice seems superfluous and unnecessary, who probably are not aware that it is not at all difficult to find young men in our Colleges, who are able to speak and write with fluency and correctness, and even elegance, in the English language, who yet cannot write three pages of Bengali without committing gross