Page:Reports on the State of Education in Bengal (1835 & 1838).djvu/112

42 funds were invested, they were unable to continue the school on its then extended scale, unless the Government would afford them aid. In support of this application, they urged the greatly increased demand for the admission of destitute children; that they had been compelled to reduce their numbers from 400 to 280, viz., 195 boys and 81 girls; and that, unless aid could be afforded them, they must make a further reduction. Under these circumstances the Government resolved that an allowance of 800 rupees per month, being the amount hitherto contributed by the Government to the Vestry fund, should be granted to the Free school. The Court of Directors confirmed this grant, suggesting at the same time the propriety of uniting the Free school with the Benevolent Institution, the two establishments appearing to be of a similar character; but the Bengal Government in reply stated points of difference which render such an union impracticable. In 1832 in consequence of alleged abuses, an investigation was made into the state of the institution, which terminated in various reforms—the election of four governors from the general body of subscribers; the appointment of two others by the Government; the investment of the permanent funds in Government securities to be placed in the hands of the Governor-General in Council; the appointment of a clergyman who should give his undivided attention to the duties of chaplain and superintendent; the appointment of an active qualified head-master; a general revision and re-modelling of the plan of education and of the domestic arrangements of the institution; and the establishment of effectual checks over the expenditure of the funds. In consequence of these changes the governors, with the aid of a special subscription, have been enabled to build additional accommodations for the girls, and considerably to increase the total number of children, viz., from less than 300 to 381. The number of girls under instruction is 151, and that of boys about 230, and notwithstanding this increase, the monthly expenditure is about 600 rupees less than it was before the reforms were made. The female department of the Free school includes an infant school in which the rudiments of knowledge are communicated to about 50 very young children. The manufacture of straw-bonnets and lace for sale has also been introduced into the girls’ department, and it is hoped that instruction in these mechanical arts will introduce two useful branches of