character, ought to be the primary object. Nor should these be confined to works of a religious nature; but the selection should include books of instruction, and even amusement. History, geography, elementary works on arts and sciences, would be extremely acceptable to the people; and the acquisition of knowledge would be the first step towards throwing aside their absurd system of idolatry. That the missionaries themselves should learn to speak the languages of the country with correctness and propriety, is indispensable.
Much might be done by the clergy of the Established Church. At large stations, where there are many English troops, their time is much occupied by the duties among the European population, in visiting the sick in the hospitals, in weekly lectures, and a variety of other occupations; still, amidst all this labour, there are many who might, and a few who do, find leisure for the superintendence of native schools. At some of the smaller stations, the clergymen have scarcely any duty to perform except the weekly service. Some of these gentlemen exhibit a very laudable anxiety to benefit the natives; while others, I regret to say, appear wholly indifferent on the subject, and, if invited to exertion, excuse themselves on the plea that their duties lie among the Christian population, and that they have nothing to do with the heathens. It is remarkable that, generally speaking, those clergymen who have the hardest work in their own immediate sphere, are those that exert themselves most for the benefit of the people. It would be highly expedient if a knowledge of Hindostanee were an indispensable requisite to the appointment of a chaplain to a district; and that the superintendence of a native school should constitute a part of their regular work, in all those stations where the duties among the Christian population are not too heavy to allow it, which school it is the duty of Government to establish without delay.
I do not apprehend the slightest fear of any excitement being created among the people, by any endeavours either to diffuse education among them, or convert them to Christianity, provided they be made with temper and judgment. They would hail any assistance in the way of education with the greatest joy; and
