had herself trained to the business of general instruction, and did not fear the effects of an Indian climate. Physically, morally, and intellectually, she was fitted for her task. Her health was excellent; her spirits elastic; her temper even; her mind clear, quick, and shrewd; her manners most engaging, though dignified; and her will indomitable. On arriving in India, her first efforts were devoted to acquiring a knowledge of Bengalee, the language of the native of Calcutta; and as soon as she could make herself understood by those around her, she took up her abode in the midst of the native population, and courted and encouraged pupils. Slowly and suspiciously they came in, attracted by a small gratuity each received as a reward for daily attendance. In time others followed their example; and a school which could scarcely be said to aspire to the dignity of ragged, being literally a naked one, was established. The premises occupied by Mrs. Wilson were so confined, that when the pice, not the learning, attracted more pupils, she was obliged to open classes in various parts of the bazaar, and go from one to the other. This occasioned much loss of time; and none but those of the very lowest rank could be enticed even by a fee to attend the school. Any one less earnest would have lost heart, and been disgusted to find that all her efforts were to be so confined. But Miss Cook hoped, and trusted, and determined to remedy what appeared remediable. She was convinced that a large house, in a more respectable part of the native town, would be one means of attracting pupils of rather a higher caste; and she determined to secure this. A rajah, who at that time was anxious to pay court to the government, presented the "Ladies' Society for Promoting Native Female Education" with a piece of ground in a very eligible situation; a European gentleman furnished the plan, and kindly superintended the erection of the buildings; and in about five years after her first arrival in Calcutta, Mrs. Wilson took possession of the Central School, a large, airy, and handsome abode. Five years had accustomed the natives to the anomaly of teaching girls, and a somewhat better class than had at first attended were now to be seen congregated round their energetic teacher, seated cross-legged on the floor, tracing their crabbed characters on a slate; reading in sonorous voices the translations of the parables and miracles; or even chanting hymns, also translated. Still none came, unless brought by the women who were employed to go the rounds of the bazaar in the morning, and who received so much for each child: bribery alone ensured attendance; and none of the pupils remained more than two or three years at the most. As for the natives of the upper classes, all attempts to gain a footing amongst them proved total failures. The examinations of the school were attended by all the native gentlemen of rank who professed to take an interest in education; but none of them favoured it sufficiently to desire its benefits for his own daughters, though Mrs. Wilson offered to attend them privately, when not engaged in the duties of the school. At length the same rajah who had given the ground informed her that his young wife insisted on learning English. She had already learned to read and write Bengalee; but as this did not satisfy her, he requested Mrs. Wilson's services, which were immediately given; and she found her pupil a very apt scholar, eager for information of all kinds. In the course of a few weeks, the lady succeeded in obtaining her husband's permission to visit
