6

day with the young Rájá. He told me that I should find little difficulty with the younger, who is of a mild disposition; but as for my elder boy, said he, I cannot imagine how you are to manage with him; for he is the most perverse little fellow alive: when I tell him to eat, he kicks away the plate from before him; and when I tell him not to eat, he fights for the forbidden food. The Regent talking in this way makes me think that I shall have no difficulty in keeping him to the promise so often repeated concerning his sons. Let them and the young Rájá but once commence, and we shall have pupils in abundance. Many now talk of becoming so; but it will not do for the teacher to give a lesson to any person whatsoever, until he gives the precedence to the young Rájá. He must employ himself in the interim in learning Manipuri.

"I shall write to Mr. Ostell, for twenty-four copies of the English Reader, Nos. 1. and II. and twelve copies of No. III. and also for six copies of First Geography, and Geography of Hindustán.”

13th. "The teacher was introduced to his pupil the day before yesterday. The interview was conducted well. The young Rajá appeared with all the state and honors due to royalty. He and his sister (a nice looking girl of eight years of age) occupied chairs at one end of the room. The Bábú Sahib and I did so at the other. Many of the principal men of the country attended, and all sat on the ground, ranged in two lines on our right and left. The Regent did not attend; I suppose, because he could not sit in a chair in the presence of the Rájá, and did not wish to sit on the ground while the Bábú and I occupied chairs. The Rání sent to say that she felt rather unwell, and could not consequently attend.

"I opened the darbar with a speech in favour of the Lord Sahib, for his kindness in sending an instructor to teach his language to the young Rájá; and in favour of the Regent, for all he said he would do in furtherance of His Lordship's good wishes. All present re-echoed my sentiments, and every thing was conducted much to my satisfaction. Before breaking up, the teacher advanced towards his pupil, paid his respects, and blessed him in a Sanskrit couplet. His Highness returned the salutation, and his preceptor mentioned it as being the intention of Government, to send the Rájá some play-things. The young prince stared, but said not a word. Others, however, answered for him, that such a present would give much satisfaction; and, as I think it would do much, particularly if accompanied by a letter, to insure the success of our plans with regard to him and others, I hope a short epistle from the Governor General to the Rájá may accompany the play-things. I think, too, it would be well to mention in such a letter to the Rájá, that the Governor General also sends two parcels of play-things, one for each of his school fellows, the Regent's two sons. Such a proceeding would be likely to give satisfaction to all parties, and would show, that while Government display the interest they feel in the young Rajá, they do not altogether overlook his protector, the Regent. Things now look so favourably, that I shall write for more Spelling Books."

We rejoice to think, that the education of the king and the principal men of Manipur is placed under the direction of a gentleman of such distinguished zeal, intelligence, and perseverance, as Captain Gordon. We feel persuaded, that if he continue at Manipur, the intellectual and moral improvement of this interesting little state will be rapidly promoted. Capt. Gordon has adopted an excellent means to facilitate the attain

ment of English science and literature among all classes. The Manipuri and Bengálí being both more or less understood, he has determined to add the Manipurí meanings to Pearson's Anglo-Bengálí Dictionary, expressing the whole in the Roman character, by which means, instead of three, the student will have only one character to learn, and the book will, besides, be much cheaper and more compendious. The Bengálí is a foreign language in the state, understood only by the court and the brahmans; and those who speak Manipurí do not exceed 40,000, very few of whom are able to read the peculiar character in which that language has hitherto been written; the number of written books in it is small, and printing is unknown. The certain result, therefore, of teaching the higher classes to read and write both the English and their own language in the Roman character, must be that the latter will soon be generally used throughout the state. Whatever character is adopted on the first introduction of the art of printing into a country, must soon become the general character. We doubt much whether there are more than a few hundred books altogether in the Manipurí language at present, and it will be easy to put into circulation three or four times that number in the Roman character in the course of a single year. A press is like a mint at first, and whatever issues it makes, must pass current, whether they have the king's head or the old Persian inscription upon them.

The valley of Manipur is also surrounded by numerous petty tribes, who possess neither literature, nor alphabet; and it is therefore "a consummation devoutly to be wished," that they also may all gradually adopt the Roman character, and their principal men learn the English language, as the great means of introducing amongst them civilization and general improvement*. For such, and indeed for all other people, the Roman

* This remark is applicable to the Coles and other mountain tribes, on the north-west and west of Bengal, even down to the Nilgiris; and the numerous tribes on the north-east, enumerated in the paper on A'sám, in our last No. with twice the number dwelling in that neighbourhood, of whom we have since heard. All may now be gradually made acquainted with the alphabet of their rulers, preparatory to what we trust will soon be effected -the instruction of their chiefs and most promising youth, in the English language. To teach the pupils from all these various tribes who may be collected in our schools, the English language in the Roman character, and their own language in another (beit Munipurí, Barma, Bengali, or Nágri), so that they must learn two characters where one would answer every purpose, a plan which we hope will never be adopted; or if in any case it may have been so, will now, on further consideration of the advantages to be derived from an opposite course, be cheerfully abandoned. In such cases all must allow, that the introduction of this uniform alphabet is well worthy the attention of Government and its servants, as well as Missionary Societies of all denominations.

is

character is not only the cheapest and most perfect which they could adopt, but, owing to the bond of union which it would establish between their languages and the literatures of the West, now the great depositories of human knowledge, and the facility which the use of the same letters would offer for the study of English, this character possesses great advantages which no other can offer.

A'SA'M.-The following extract from a recent letter from Sadiya in this province will shew, that even in this distant quarter, the knowledge of English is already desired for their children by the chiefs.

"I am glad to hear that a school-master has been sanctioned by Government for Gowahatti'. I mentioned to several of the Kamptí chiefs, that a school was about to be established there for the instruction of natives in the English language, and recommended them to send their sons forthwith: they expressed themselves extremely anxious to have their sons taught English, but that they could not bear to send them so far. I think therefore the teacher would gain more pupils here than at Gowahatti*, especially on the arrival of the colony of the 5,000 Munglong Khamtis, who I have little doubt will be here, if permitted, in October or November next."

DHA'KA'.-Mr. Ridge proceeded to this station a few weeks ago, to commence an English school, under the auspices of the Education Committee. We are happy to announce, that he has commenced his labours under very encouraging circumstances, the number of his pupils being already 110, with every prospect of a considerable increase.

CALCUTTA.-In Calcutta, the progress of the English language is still very satisfactory. New institutions, in which a knowledge of it is imparted or required, (among which we especially notice the new Medical College,) have been lately established; while all the elder seminaries, instead of a falling off of pupils in consequence of their demands upon them, appear to increase in numbers as they certainly advance in efficiency.

In connection with this subject, we are happy to announce, that during the last month, there have been received from the United States, twelve complete sets of the publications of the American Sunday School Union. They were sent out by that Society at the request of Messrs. Trevelyan and Pearce, and may be procured at the cost price, including charges, of Mr. Ostell. As a Lending Library to the advanced pupils in our large English Seminaries, they will be found most valuable. Where schools are not sufficiently large to justify the expense of an entire library, 30 or 40 vols. only of the more popular

The necessity for this alteration will be now obviated by the immediate establishment at Sadiya, of the American Missionaries, who will, doubtless, as one of their first measures, establish an English school for the use of the natives.

works, of which extra copies have been ordered, may be procured, and others added as found desirable. They are very cheap, as well as excellent; and we know not in what way & benevolent person could do more extensive and permanent good with the same amount of money, than by purchasing and presenting to any of our European or native schools, a collection of books so well adapted to secure their mental and religious improvement. They would also be extremely useful as a circulating library in European Regiments, as well as in an Orphan Asylum, or any similar institution.

We regard also as highly favourable to the progress of Native Education generally, the numerous Depositories of School Books now formed at different stations in India, in connection with the Calcutta School-Book Society, and Mr. Trevelyan and his friends. In addition to those previously connected with the former institution, others have been lately established, or revived, at Bauliah, Patna, Agra, and Mírat; and fresh ones are in contemplation at other stations. Chatgaun and Gorakhpur have also lately been added to those established by Mr. Trevelyan. As all these afford the opportunity of purchasing English as well as native works, at low prices, on the spot, and are under the direction of judicious and active friends of English Education, they cannot but prove most effective instruments in its advancement.

ORISSA. As it regards this province, the progress of the Romanizing scheme is most satisfactory. In addition to the "Reading Lessons" before issued, the Nitikatha, Parts I. and II. have been recently published; Elements of Natural Philosophy, Part I. printed, and Part II. in the press all in the Roman character. One-half of the edition of each work has been already disposed of to the Baptist Missionaries at Katak, and the remainder, it is anticipated, will be soon required by others in the province who approve of the system, especially by a benevolent gentleman at Púrí, who has established schools for the natives at his own expence.

An English School, admitting both Christian and Heathen boys, has been established at Katak for nearly 12 years. It is under the direction of the General Baptist Missionaries at the station, and is superintended by one of their own body. It is at present in an efficient state, and contains between 50 and 60 scholars, several of whom are boarded as well as educated.

CHHOTA NAGPUR.-Proceeding to this province, we must notice the efforts made for the good of the Coles. The late Lieut. Awdry, who for some months before his death resided among them as Assistant to the Political Agent, was a devoted friend to their education, and regularly appropriated 100 rupees per mensem from his salary to its promotion. Several months ago, he procured two native teachers from the General Assem

bly's School in Calcutta; and their success, amidst no ordinary discouragements, determined him, in concert with Captain Wilkinson, the Political Agent, to apply to the Education Committee for the support of an European teacher, to establish an English Seminary at the sudder station of the district. We have before us an excellent memorial, drawn up by Lieut. Awdry, urging the claims of the Coles to the advantages of education, and the benefits which would accrue to the state by a consequent reduction of these lawless tribes to habits of industry and civilization. These enlightened and benevolent views will, we hope, ere long be carried into effect; and in the mean time, we present our readers with the following extracts, which they will find highly creditable to the benevolence of the writer, one of the native teachers before referred to.

Extract from a Letter, dated Kishanpur, 23rd April, 1835. "You will be very glad, I hope, to hear, that our 1st class boys are now reading the Instructor, No. 2, and the English and Hindustání Student's Assistant, the former of which they will finish in course of some three or four days. This class contains only five boys, others not being able to make such rapid progress with them. Besides these two books, they are going on with other studies.

"Since my coming here, I have been very anxious to see a school esta. blished for the Coles themselves-a poor and depraved race indeed! an account of whose manners, customs, &c. will be the subject of a future number of my letters.

Being of late a little familiarized to them by taking my evening walks through the different villages inhabited by them, adjacent to Kishanpur, and conversing with them on various heads, I resolved to establish a school in one of these villages, at first unnoticed and unassisted. Full of these hopes, I frequented them in their villages, and haunted one hut after another, with pakkás or dhepuás* in my pocket, which is a sure way of extorting attachment.

"At such a crisis, you must judge, Sir, what heartfelt joy and unfeigned satisfaction did a letter from Mr. Awdry give to me, a few lines from which I quote below, which prove in a strong light, the love he feels for these young chaps of Chhotá Nágpúr, and the possession their poor and helpless condition has taken of his mind.

"I am much obliged to you for your note, and am rejoiced to hear that the lads are improving; I wish the number increased in the same proportion. Tell your companion that he must get up a young Cole school.' In another place he says, Set about this (meaning a Cole school), if you please, and if any little expence is necessary for furnishing them with clean coarse cloths, pray incur it, and let me know. I shall be glad to hear that succeed in the attempt.'

you

Extract from another Letter, dated Kishanpur, 13th July, 1835. "You will be glad, I hope, to hear that after a long struggle we have at last set up a class for the Coles. We don't think we can readily meet with success with them; for many impediments present themselves. However, though slow, we don't think our progress can be retarded. On the contrary, we shall lose no opportunity to facilitate it.

*Forty-one of these make a Sicca Rupee.