Page:Macaula yʼs minutes on education in India, written in the years 1835, 1836 and 1837 (IA dli.csl.7615).pdf/65

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Gowhatti School. Economy in the use of paper.—As to the indent for paper, it seems to me very high. It is more than a quire for every pupil. I feel certain that the great majority of the boys may, for a long time to come, do very well with slates. At all events the paper which we send for boys to scrawl upon, should be the coarsest and cheapest.—[Book J. page 119.] 29th August, 1836.

Sasseram Madrussa.—I am in great doubt as to this matter. I feel the force of the considerations urged in the letter which Mr. Sutherland proposes. Yet I am very unwilling to refuse support to an English school at a place where the natives shew so much desire to study our language.

I am inclined to propose that before we return an answer to Government, a reference should be made to the Local Committee at Benares. Sasseram is not very far from Benares and lies on the high road. There is constant intercourse between the two places. The Benares Committee could probably tell us whether an English school would be likely to thrive at Sasseram, and whether it would be possible to provide for the occasional inspection of such a school by some English gentleman. Regular superintendence there cannot be. But as many persons of high character are often travelling to and from Benares through Saseeram, it strikes me as possible that we might make such arrangements as would enable us to receive from time to time reports of the state of the School from quarters in which we could confide.

All this I submit with great diffidence to the judgment of those who know more of this country.—[Book M. page 47,] 8th July, 1836.

Sasseram Madrussa.—Having perused Mr. Smith’s minutes, for which we are all much obliged to him, I vote for sending an answer to the Government to the effect, that we do not think an English school likely to thrive at Sasseram, and that we are unwilling to employ any part of our funds in such an undertaking.—[Book M. page 55.] 14th July, 1836.

Monitors at the Calcutta Madrussa.—We must take care not to revive the abuses of the old stipendiary system under another name. I do not object to paying monitors, provided it is distinctly understood that the monitorships be given on examination to the best scholars, and that they be hold only for a term which ought in no case to exceed a year, and that they be then again open to competition.—[Book N. page 2.] 15th April, 1836.

Increase of stipends in the Calcutta Madrussa.—Our practice must be uniform. My own opinion is expressed in the papers sent up from the Sub-Committee. I see no reason to change