I mean that the names only should appear in the table. Any information about any particular pupil could always be obtained by looking at the quarterly report.—[Book H. page 198.] 9th January, 1836.
Slow lapse of Stipends at Benares.—Mr. Nicholls seems to have taken sufficient care to prevent imposition. The time of studentship (12 years) seems to me absurdly long.[1] However, I do not see how, under the orders of Government, we can disturb the existing usage.—[Book K. page 72.] 1st June, 1836.
Reduction of Stipends at Agra College.—I would abolish the preparatory School. But I do not think that consistently with the orders of Government, we can make any reduction, however proper in itself such reduction may be, of the existing stipends.—[Book L. page 33.] 11th June, 1836.
Stipends at the Nizamut School.—I agree with Mr. Sutherland, except on one point. I would give no stipends to the Nizamut pupils. If stipends are given at all, they ought not to be confined to the Nizamut pupils. If they are, as I imagine, given to those pupils on account of the dignity of their family, they ought to be paid out of a different fund, and not to enter into the charges of a place of education.
I propose that we should tell the Local Committee that we very much regret the difficulty which there appears to be in putting the Nizamut students on the same footing with other pupils, that we trust that every thing in the power of the Local Committee will be done to efface distinctions so inconsistent with the spirit which ought to prevail at a place of education, that we generally object to the stipendiary system, and that all our objections to that system appear to be peculiarly applicable to stipends such as those which Mr. Melville recommends. It seems unnecessary to be offering salaries to one set of persons to come to the School, while we are at the same time forced to turn off others who are willing to learn gratis. The demand for instruction is such that the number of instructors is not sufficient. During the last three months no new pupil has been admitted. Mr. Melville proposes to reduce the present number. And yet, under the circumstances, he proposes to pay stipends and erect lodgings for a particular class of the students, distinguished from the rest only by rank and not by any peculiar proficiency in learning. I would therefore decline complying with what is proposed as to stipends. I am not sure that I would sanction any building on account of these Nizamut
- ↑ (The Secretary states that the age of five years is the “scriptural” age to begin letters.—H. W.)
