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    No . 416 , Mahok * 1858 . 1 THE MAPEB . ZW

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    and friendly relations with the English . A _ great demand for the produce of every species of European industry would follow the introduction o higher tastes , new desires , and a new standard of comfort , which could not fail to be the result of intercourse between the two races . There is now to be seen among the uneducated rich a very general desire to possess articles of European manufacture , which manifests itself at present in ratlier a barbarous and ostentatious manner . What is wante < is a more regulated and reasonable taste anc fashion ; and this would be the natural growth of greater knowledge , and of association in the purwitii

    suits of business , duty , and amusement , a race of more elegant and cultivated habits of life . 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 leam that it is better to invest money profitably than to hoard it . They would leam 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 wants and hopes arising contemporaneously with the power of gratifying them . For enlarged desires ana 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 ns lose no time in opening the door for the admittance of qualified persons from among this intelligent , docile , and laborious peop le 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 consequence . 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 antidotes—¦ would 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 functionaries would not be loyal and attached to tho British rule , that their admission would not introduce a conservative clement into our empire , and a progressive and proselytizing element into Indian society ? Which is likely to be tlio _ greatest check and stumbling-block in the way of lliiulooism ~ -a sprinkling of unconciliatory and unsyinpalhizing Europeans , or a thick p lanting of educated natives , who , while understanding and respecting and sympathizing with their countrymen , would show them by their life and actions that they could no longer join in their idolatrous ceremonies and superstitions , or bow to tho senseless tyrannies of casto P Whothor originally of high caste or low , tho powerful influence of such men would soon mako itself felt .

    The Protestant missionaries havo dono more to propagate English knowledge , manners , aud morals among tho unlives than the Government has dono , and more than a Government can or ought to at-, . tonjptJordo . ^ J X ' lioy » aUow-no , casto . _ prqjuclioes-1 ioJ ) 0 displayed in their sohools . They openly aud frankly avow their intention of destroying as far as they can , by tho exhibition and inouloation of what they believe to bo truth , all confidence in Hindooism . Unlike Lho groat majority of English offioiab , especially the juniors , both civil and military , whose repulsive demeanour only enhances the valao of caste distinctions , they mingle with tho natives on terms

    of friendship and familiarity ; no haughty pretensions and parade of superiority deter and forbia intercourse . Their motives and objects are 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 Tinnevelly 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 what 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 transcendental Vedantism can long endure a close attack on a field 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 the Government , and would be attained by the aspirants for the public

    ce . For 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 inauy more people capable 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 demand . The only eduoational institutions to be supported by tho State would be , as at present , high schools and universities ; principally for examining and granting degrees and diplomas , without which no candidate should be admitted to any of tho higher departments of tho public service , and , I repeat , the peoplo of India would soon be paying for their own missionaries . E- V .

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    REMUNERATIVE AND USEFUL EMPLOYMENT FOR WOMEN . Miss Bubjdett Ooutts lately published a volume , to which wo advortcd at the time , on the teaching of oommon things in our female national sohools , in which work sho gavo tho ro 3 uUs of tho examination made by horsofi" personally of several schools , as well as an account of the various papors ecnt in by schoolmistresses who competed for tho prizes which Misa ^ C . Qutt 3 , offeKc , dJorjthQ . nioaLpj , 'actic 3 alJxcatiaes on tho best mode of touching fomalo children of tho poor to bocomo useful in their station in life . She was struok , in tho course of hor inquiries , with tho fact that comparatively few mistresses oi our public sohools come from the middle classes , tho greater park having been themselves taught originally in tho national sohools . Sho has , Ihoreforo , takou tho pains to draw up a paper showing

    the emoluments derived from the profession of a 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 our 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 tliis comparatively liberal income is contrasted with the miserable r > av

    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 by circumstances to get their own living either in this or in s 6 me other calling scarcel y better paid , we feel that Miss Coutts , by her well-directed exertions , is doing a public serviceby 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 and warm approbation of Lord 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 has steadily addressed herself , and we heartily wish her success in her large-minded and well-directed efforts of benevolence .

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    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 , " as also verybusy 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 tho 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 tbe Statute of Limitations might fairly be pleaded against such a charge , and that one investigation at a timo w « a quite enough—more , perhaps , than ia creditable to that body . By asking furthor , they found out the identical man who had the money , and who is supposed to have distributed it . Ho denies having , directly or indirectly , used any funds belonging to Laurence , Stone , aiul Co ., to influence votes . in Congress , but refuses to submit himself to a cross-examination ; whereupon , Congress orders him to be locked up for 1 contempt / and there he is , and there he is likely to be , unless ho consent to ' peach . "

    The Senato baa instructed its Committee on Foreign Relations to inquire into tho expediency of abrogating the Reciprocity Treaty with Great Britain . The alleged slaverr Banchettn , captured and sent to New York for adjudication , has been released on tho ground of insufficient proof . Groat excitement has boon created in Brooklyn by tho assassination of a . respoctablo citizen by a party of 1 rowdies , ' and a Vigilance Committee has been organized to preserve tho poaco . — 'ThcSnprorao-Gourt-of-Galifornlo—kas- ^ oomo—toi ~ thon unanimous conoluaion that tho affirmative voto of tho people at tho last election legalized tho State dubc . Tho State finances arc iu a more prosperous condition than at any former period . Tho markets mo vory dull . Another of tlioao dreadful catastrophes which are constantly occurring in America is reported . A steamer has exploded at Wl > itow « U , WHing nowly twenty poraontt .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), March 6, 1858, page 219, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2233/page/3/