( 39 ) Americans and Australians. If our country-men were ever to emerge: from their lethargy into trade and commerce, they could never hold their own against those civilized nations without having the full benefit of the English language. In this connection I should beg to quote the memorable words of Macanlay :- “In India English is the language spoken by the higher class of natives at the seat of Government. It is likely to become the language of commerce throughout the seas of the East. It is the language of the two European communities which are rising, the one in the South of Africa, the other in Australasia; communities which are every year becoming more important and more closely connected with our Indian Empire. Whether we look to the intrinsic value of our literature or at the particular situation of this county, we shall see the strongest reason to think that * * * * the English tongue is that which would be most useful to our native subjects." Besides, English being the language of our rulers, it is but proper that our youths should have the best training in that language. Otherwise it is quite clear they will be distanced in the race of life by those who shall have a better knowledge of that language. 3. Now by the innovation that is proposed by the Parishad,-i.e. making the vernacular language the medium of instruction up to the Entrance Examination of the Calculta University, in History, Geography, and Mathematics-the axe will be laid at the root of the acquisition of the English language. At present we teach English for four hours in our schools and our boys acquire a certain amount of knowledge in that language. This knowledge will without doubt greatly deteriorate if English be taught for one or two hours only. It is a Rule-of-Three calculation. I thought this contention was set at rest by committee which sat about twenty-five years ago and which was composed of such veteran Educationists as the late Dr. Rajendra lala Mitter, Mr. Woodrow. Dr. Rajendra Lala expressed the same views in a learned and masterly way. 4. My opinion being then decidedly against the innovation, I would for the present restrict the proposal only to Middle English Echools. But I would by no means introduce it into High English Schools or Public Schools. I believe the system is at present confined to Middle English Shools, and to a very few Public Schools; and that in the latter it has been pronounced to be a failure. I should think that High Schools (Private or Grand-in-aid) and Public Schools supported by Government should be reserved solely for English teaching, Bengalee and Sankrit being taught of course, for one hour daily, as is done now, 峰
