Prizes at Benares.—I do not object to what Mr. Sutherland proposes. Indeed I am not averse to giving the whole sum of 60 rupees annually in one prize to a deserving student after open competition.—[Book M. page 155.] 17th October, 1837.
Excessive number of Hindu and Mussulman holidays at Allahabad.—I think the letter a very proper one. As to the practice with respect to holidays, it is an abuse not to be tolerated; and I would use even stronger language about it than Mr. Sutherland has done.—[Book J. page 86.] 16th May, 1836.
Holidays.— This matter of holidays is more serious than I had expected. I would propose that the Secretary should call on the different Local Committees to state the number of days on which the Schools are closed. We must then consider of some general remedy for the evil.—[Book O. page 18.] 3rd June, 1836.
Native Holidays.—I would acquiesce in what the Benares Local Committee propose. As to the Saugor report, I am in the dark as to one very important question. Are the Sundays reckoned among the holidays? If they are, the number is reasonable. If not, the school is shut 126 days in every year, more than one day in three. This would be an abuse which, little as I am disposed to disturb the native usages, where I can avoid it, would call for correction.—[Book K. page 104.] 30th November, 1836.
Native Holidays.—If Mr. Trevelyan proposed to make an immediate and universal change I should altogether dissent from him. But I understand him to propose merely this, that we should tell the Local Committee what the arrangement is, which we think in itself most desirable, and which we would have them keep in view. We must of course pay the greatest respect to the tastes and opinions of the students; and we must allow a very large discretion indeed to the Local Committees. I think that this is sufficiently expressed in the letter drawn by Mr. Trevelyan,—If any gentleman can suggest any addition which would make it clearer, I shall have no objection to adopt that addition.—[Book K. page 113.] 27th December, 1837.
Holidays for Hindus and Mussulmans.—I am inclined to agree with Mr. Sutherland. I do not see how we can allow holidays to half the school boys and keep the rest at work.—[Book K. page 124.] 30th January, 1837.
Meerut School, Financial Statement.—I do not object to what the Local Committee propose. There must be some mistake in the heading of the Financial Statement. It ought surely to be April, 1836.
The appearance of this statement reminds me of a very im-
