Page:Reports on the State of Education in Bengal (1835 & 1838).djvu/114

44 of teachers and books of every kind. Notwithstanding this extreme economy and the benevolence of the object of the institution, the funds do not appear to equal the expenditure. In 1826, the managers represented to the Bengal Government, that the average daily attendance of children of both sexes was 250, that more than 1,000 children had been educated in it, and introduced to public life under favourable auspices, and that it still enjoyed the sanction of public patronage; but that owing to the increase of charitable schools and the death or return to Europe of some of the early patrons of this institution, its funds were so materially diminished as to leave a balance against it on the year’s account. Under these circumstances they solicited the aid of the Company, which the Bengal Government consented to grant, and passed an order for the payment of the sum of rupees 13,000 on behalf of this institution. In 1827, in consequence of the continued insufficiency of funds, another application was made by the managers to the Bengal Government, by whom a permanent grant was made to the institution of 200 rupees per month. In 1833, a debt of 4,000 rupees had accumulated against the institution which had not been reduced in 1834.

The European Female Orphan Asylum was established for the reception and education of female European orphans, principally those of the King’s regiments in India. Such children are very seldom reared to maturity, through the ignorance, indolence, or cruelty of those who are entrusted with their management, and being exposed to the scenes and temptations of barracks are nurtured in vice and inured to profligacy. The regimental schools provide instruction for all the children of the regiment, but still leave the orphans in an unprotected state. The asylum was established for the purpose of giving them a suitable education and training them up to the management of a house and care over younger children, free from the corrupting influences to which they would otherwise be exposed. Those children only are admissible who are under ten years of age, whose fathers and mothers were both Europeans, and who have been deprived of both parents. The education given is in conformity with the principles of the church of England. For the purpose of economy and also of bringing up the orphans in habits of useful labour, all the business of the house is conducted, as far as is expedient and practicable, by a number of the senior children who take