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Leader (1850-1860), 6th March 1858, Edition 2 of 2, Page 3, AMERICA. The appointment of the committe...

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      Special Letters From India. • „. . (Jfrc...

      and friendly relations with the English . Ajgteat demand for the produce of every species of European industry would follow the introduction of higher tastes , new desires , and a new standard of coLfort , which could not fail to he the result of intercourse between the two races . There is now to he seen among the uneducated rich a very general desire to possess articles of European manufacture , which manifests itself at present in rather a barbarous and ostentations manner . What is wanted is a more regulated and reasonable taste ana fashion : and this would be the natural growth of greater knowledge , and of association in the pursuits of businessdutyand amusement , with a race

      , , of more elegant and cultivated habits ot lite . A flood of light would be poured on the inhabitants of India from the mature and accumulated experience of Europe . From political economy , and from the mere historical statement and explanation of the progress of England , they would learn that it is better to invest money profitably than to hoard it . They would learn a thousand modes of employing their capital ; they would discover as many contrivances for increasing both their comforts and their wealth . From the higher classes downwards would flow the stream of prosperity ; industrial

      activity would be stimulated , and the labouring classes feel new wauts and hopes arising contemporaneously with the power of gratifying them . For enlarged desires and a higher standard of comfort will not long be confined to a particular class , but will extend their bounds in all directions . The experience of nations confirms the truth of this . Let us lose no time in opening the door for the admittance of qualified persons from among this intelligent , docile , and laborious people to a share and an active interest in the government of their own country . Thus alone can human relations be re-established between the two races ; thus alone

      can a deadly blow be struck at Hindoo superstition and Hindoo stagnation . ' For there could be no such deadly blow to the indescribably obstructive and demoralizing Hindoo institutions as the gradual growth of a body of men of all castes , elevated simply by their educational acquirements and moral characters to positions of profit and dignity , and to the privilege of familiar and friendly association with the English . The ignorant and undistinguished men of high caste could not long maintain their position in general estimation in the presence of their tried and proved superiors . Nor would the influences brought to bear upon the latter be of less weight and

      conof friendship and familiarity ; no haught y pretensions and parade of superiority deter and forbid intercourse . Then- motives and objects ai-e fully proclaimed ; they practise no concealment ; yet they are seldom distrusted or . disliked , because it is very generally known that they have no connexion with the Government . Belonging myself to no recognized religious sect , I have but little liking for the special theological method and objects of the missionaries , with the exception of their healthily negative and destructive operations against idolatry , and against the malignant and impure superstitions of the country . Nor have I any exalted notion of the progress they have made in the conversion or enlightenment of India ; their numbers are very small when

      compared with the extent of this immense continent , and there are among them ( though the same might be said of almost any class of men ) but few men of brilliant qualifications or of commanding abilities . Only in one district , that of Thmevclly in the extreme south of the Madras Presidency , where I believe there are about fifty thousand baptized persons , have they had any marked success in proselytism . But undoubtedly the missionaries have done something towards diffusing those sentiments of self-reliance , self-respect , charity , and veracity which will be found as more or less powerful influences wherever English freedom and European , science prevail . And their labours have done something to raise the character of the English nation for sincerity , faith , and benevolence .

      English knowledge , tastes and "habits , these are wliat are wanted to shake the gigantic structure of Hindoo superstition ; and once well shaken , it will never recover itself . Neither the gross and naked idolatry nor the revived transcendentalL . Vedan . tism can long endure a close attack on a iield enlightened by European science . Place before the natives of India the hope of an honourable career , and in a few years they will be paying for their own missionaries . For already there is a strong predilection for English knowledge , a strong desire to trace the sources of that apparently stupendous and still growing intelligence , which towers above and spreads around them in innumerable forms . Let them but know that the study of English opens the road to honourable and high employment , and any standard of erudition might be demanded by tlie Government , and would be attained by the aspirants for the public service . Pot the natives do not want the capacity , nor are they without the necessary facilities for learning , if the Government were to insist on good English scholarship , familiarity with the various branches of a modern general education , and with special subjects adapted to each particular service , as the conditions of employment , with a more liberal pay and better prospects of promotion , there is no reason to doubt that the summons would be responded to with , marvellous activity . There are numerous families who possess the means of securing the very best instruction for their

      children ; there are many more people oapable of educating scattered about the country than would be imagined ; and the supply and quality of the teachers and of the subjects taught in the schools ( those of the missionaries included ) would be increased and improved according to the demaaKl . The only educational institutions to be supported by the State would be , as at present , high schools and universities ; principally for examining and granting degrees and diplomas , without which no candidate should bo admitted to any of tho higher departments of tho public service , and , I repeat , tho peoplo of India would soou be paying for their own missionaries . E . v .

      sequence . Intercourse with the English , and the freemasonry of English knowledge among themselves , would destroy the charm and value of caste distinctions ; first one prejudice would be laid aside , then some other concession would be made , while the conversation , society , and customs of their natural companions would become distasteful and often revolting . Family divisions , social martyrdoms—those bitter cures , those painful antidoteswould become more common . And then the missionaries , both professional and voluntary , would be able to work with some success among classes to -whom hitherto they have had little opportunity of access .

      Can any one seriously suppose that a class of high native functionai'ics would not be loyal and attached to the British rule , that their admission would not introduce a conservative clement ; into our empire , and a progressive and proselytizing clement into Indian society ? Wliioli is likely tol > e tho greatest check and stumbling block in the way of Hindooism —a sprinkling of unconciliutory and unsympathizing Europeans , or a thick planting of educated natives , who , while understanding and respecting and sympathizing with their countrymen , would show them by their life and notions that they could no longer join m their idolatrous ceremonies and superstitions , or bow to tho scnsolcss tyrannies of casto P Whether originally of high caste or low , the powerful influence of such men would soou make itself felt .

      The Protestant missionaries havo dono more to propagate English knowledge , manners , and morals among the natives than tho Government has done , and more than a Government can or oucht to

      att ' omfittb do . They allow no oasto pvofnehecs to Be displayed in their schools . They openly and frankly avow thoir intention of destroying fts far as they can , by tho exhibition and inculcation of what they bolicvo to bo truth , all confidence in Hindooism . TJnliko tho groat minority of English officials , especially tho juniors , both civil uud military , whoso repulsive demeanour only enhances the valuo of caste diatinotioais , they mingle with tho jmvUt « 3 on terms

      No. 415, March 6, Ifflft.1 The Leader. 2...

      No . 415 , March 6 , ifflft . 1 THE LEADER . 218 :

      Remunerative And Useful Employment For W...

      REMUNERATIVE AND USEFUL EMPLOYMENT FOR WOMEN . Miss Burdett Cotjtts lately published a volume , to which wo adverted at tho time , on the teaching of oorewnou tilings in our fema-lo national schools , in whioli work sho gavo tho results of the examination made by hcrsou personally of aovera / 1 schools , as well us on account of the various papers sent in 'by «« 1 innlimfil . rnssm who nnnrnrtfcGd fortlm nrizos irlrion

      ^ Mi ' aslDouus offerccilbr ' tho most ; practical trontiaea on tho best modo of teaching fomalo children of tho poor to become useful in their station in life Sho was struok , in tho course of her inquiries , with tho fact that comparatively few unstresses or our public aohools come from tho niiikHo classes , tho grcutcr part , having been frbomselvos tuaghi originally in tho national sohools , Slto has , Ihorcforo , token tho paiua to draw up a pa ' per showing

      the emoluments derived from the profession of s national schoolmistress , with the hope of inducing parents in the middle class who have large families , or guardians who have the charge of female orphans , to place girls who have an aptitude for teaching in the way of obtaining what is so great a desideratum , viz ., a remunerative and honourable employment . Many of oar readers will be surprised to learn that the average emoluments of national schoolmistresses in town are upwards of 701 . per annum , and in the country 60 / . per annum , and that in more than half the cases they are , in . addition , living rent free . "When this comparatively liberal income is contrasted M'ith the miserable pav

      of milliners , who , to the great injury of their health , are kept working a large proportion of the twenty-four hours in a vile atmosphere , and when we know how many hundreds of respectable young women are compelled b y circumstances to get their own living either in this or in some other calling scarcely better paid , we feel that Miss Coutts , by her well-directed exertions , is doing a public service by calling attention to the fact of so honourable a , means of employment being in existence , and , at the same time , by attracting a superior class of persons to the office of schoolmistress , raising the character of the public instructors , and so conferring an incalculable benefit on the children who are taught .

      In a circular issued by her , with the concurrence attd warm approbation of IJord Granville , late President of the Council , she has explained in a clear manner the advantages to be obtained , and the means of qualifying females for the office . The more publicity that is given to the paper the better , and we gladly call attention to it as one of the most hopeful aspects of the day . It is comparatively easy for the rich to give money , and to gain a

      reputation for being charitable , by figuring in published lists of subscriptions ; but to give judiciously and continuously time , thought , and care to a great public work , to help young women who are dependent to gain a good livelihood , and , at the same time , to raise the tone of education and public morals , is a work to which Miss Coutts las steadily addressed herself , and we heartily wish her success in her large-minded and well-directed efforts of benevolence .

      America. The Appointment Of The Committe...

      AMERICA . The appointment of the committee in the House of Representatives to investigate the affairs of Kansas has been left with the Speaker , who has given to his list a majority in favour of the Administration . " Congress , " says the Times New York correspondent , " is also very busy raking up the jobs of its predecessor- The failure of the Bay State Mills of Massachusetts , and of its agents , Messrs . Laurence , Stone , and Co . ( the senior of whom was the brother of the late Mr . Abbott Laurence ) , disclosed the fact that about 100 , 000 dollars had been paid out by this house to secure the passage of the revenue laws of the last Congress . This disclosure created such a sensation that Congress was forced to take the matter up , and appointed an investigating committee .

      The first witness called said he knew nothing about this particular tariff , but he could say that a tariff enacted in 1846 had been secured by the judicious distribution of some millions of dollars from England . Congress thought the Statute of Limitations might fairly be pleaded against such a charge , and that one investigation at a timo was quite enough— -more , perhaps , than is creditable to that body . By asking farther , they found out the identical man who had the money , cad who is supposed to have distributed it . Ho denies having , directly or indirectly , used any funds belonging to Laurence , Stone , and Co ., to influence votes in Congress , but refuses to submit himself to a cross-examination ; whereupon , Congress orders luai to be locked up foe ' contempt , ' and there he is , and there ho is likely to be , unless he consent to ' peach . "

      The Senate hns instructed its Committee on Foreign Relations to inquire into the expediency of abrogating the Reciprocity Treaty with Groat Britain . The alleged slaver Banohetta , captured and sent to New York for adjudication , has been released on tho ground of insufficient proof . Groat excitomont has been created in Brooklyn by tlio assassination of a respectablo citizen by a party of 1 rowdies , ' and a Vigilance Committeo has been orfrariized- to-preaervO ' the ~ peacei-T- ~ ——™—~ r-

      —The Supremo Court of California has como to tho unanUnoua conclusion that tho affirmative vote of tho peoplo at tho last election legalized the State debt . TJw State finances are in a more prouperoua condition than At any former period . Tho markets < iro vory dull . Another of thoso dreadful catastrophes which are «©» - atantly occurring In America in xeportod , A Bteamet tuw exploded At Whitowull , kMling n ° wly twenty porsona .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), March 6, 1858, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_06031858/page/3/