Scholarship Examinations.

The scholarship examinations of the Calcutta Mudrissa were conducted in the usual manner in the examination hall of the College, on the 23rd, 24th, 26th, 28th, 29th and 31st October, under the superintendence of Captain Hayes. There were fifty-six competitors for junior scholarships, of whom four were out-candidates, and thirty for senior scholarships. The subjoined is the list of those who gain and retain according to Captain Hayes's award:

SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS OF RUPEES TWENTY.
3 Abdul Huq.

1 Wujh Ullah.

2 Sadut Alee.

4 Moohummud Raschid.

SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS OF THE SECOND GRADE OF RUPEES FIFTEEN.

In March last, the Government called upon the Council of

12. "We do not object to the grant of 100 rupees

No. 24, dated 12th De

cember 1849.

Grant for establishing an English class in the Mudrissa.

Education to furnish a report on the English department of the

per mensem for establish-
ing an English class in
the Calcutta Mudrissa, al-
though we must remind
you that the view taken by Mudrissa, conse-

the Arabic students, as expressed in the letter of the Secretary to the Mudrissa of the 24th June 1847, is undoubtedly correct, and that the English school already attached to that institution and supported from its funds was intended originally for the sole benefit of the Arabic students,

not for that of more Juvenile scholars taken indiscri

minately from all classes of the Moohummudan population of Calcutta. It is no doubt of much greater importance that a knowledge of English should be imparted to Moohummudans of cultivated and matured understandings who cannot fail to exercise extensive influence over their countrymen, than to communicate a mere elementary use of it, to the children of

quent upon instructions received from the Hon'ble Court of Directors, an extract of whose despatch on the subject is given in the margin. In addition to the points of re

individuals of inferior consideration. Had the original intention been adhered to, there would not now have been any necessity for a special grant for its ultimate fulfilment, and we trust that the Government of Bengal will find it practicable and in conformity with your injunctions to make such reductions elsewhere in the educational outlays, and if possible in the cost of the elementary English school of the Mudrissa as shall provide for the salary of the English teacher of the Arabic students of that institution."

and to explain what connexion exists in point of fact between the English school of the Mudrissa and the Mudrissa itself, other than that in matters of account arising from the payment of the expenses of the school out of the sum appropriated for the Mudrissa generally.

The Council were also requested, with reference to Mr. Secretary Bushby's letter of the 16th October 1847, to state in what manner they propose to make the reduction of the extra grant, which under those orders it is necessary to keep in view, without affecting injuriously the really important object of affording the respectable Moohummudan young men attending the Mudrissa, the means of acquiring the English language.

The subject is still under consideration.

Libraries.

The books in the Arabic library are in good condition, and the room is water-proof. The books of the State of the English library are also in good condition, but they have been removed to the office room on account of the leaking of the roof of the library room. State of the Col- The whole of the buildings were lege Buildings. repaired during March last. The roof of the examination hall fell in during the rains, having been originally extremely badly constructed: since the completion of the repairs it still leaks, and is so infested with white ants as again to threaten to fall in.

M

MANAGING COMMITTEE

As on the 30th September 1850.

CAPTAIN F. F. C. HAYES, M. A., Officiating Superintendent.
HIS HIGHNESS PRINCE GHOLAM MOOHUMMUD.
PRINCE MOOHUMMUD BUSHEEROO-DEEN.
NAWAB KYROOLAH KHAN.

SAHIBZADAH MOOHUMMUD JULLALOO-DEEN.

There are four classes in this school; the number of pupils in the first is 3, in the second 14, in the third 13, in the fourth 32. Examination Mr. Jones, of the Hindu College, who of English De- examined the English department, reports as follows:

partment.

"The greater portion of the first class left the school during the year, and it now contains only three students, and these passed the junior scholarship examination at the Hindu College.

"The classes which I examined are not further advanced in their studies than the lower classes of the junior department, Hindu College, and they are not well grounded in what they profess to have learned. I was informed that these classes receive only one hour and a half of instruction in English daily, which sufficiently accounts for the small progress they have made. To render the school efficient, it would be necessary to engage an additional teacher and to devote at least three hours daily to instruction in English. This would draw a number of intelligent boys to the school and give them a chance of competing successfully for junior scholarships.

"There are some very excellent Free Schools in the vicinity of this institution, and unless higher inducements be held out than are at present offered, I think it improbable that Hindu parents will feel inclined to send their children to a pay school where so little English is taught. Novelty may for a time attract a few boys to the school, but under the present system it will be in vain to expect it to be filled permanently with intelligent and diligent lads."

The classes of the Bengali Department were examined by Bengali Depart- Prince Moohummud Jullaloodeen whose report is as follows:

ment.

"At the suggestion of Prince Gholam Moohummud and the other members of the School Committee, I undertook to conduct the examination of the Bengali department of the institution, but finding, I had more to do than I could possibly get through, I was induced to ask the head master to lend his assistance on the occasion.

"The first class which last year consisted of many more pupils, has this year been so divested as to leave only three on the list, the best part of them having joined the Medical College, some having obtained small situations in and about Calcutta, and the remainder that might with propriety be termed refuse, being left to take their chance at the junior scholarship examinations. These consequently were not examined by me. "The second class was composed of six pupils, all present, with the exception of one lad, said to have been sick. Every one of them acquitted himself quite to my satisfaction in the reading of several of the pages of the Pooroosh Parikhya, but in the spelling of compound words there was a marked deficiency. In grammar they were tolerably well up, and in translation of English sentences into Bengali, they exhibited fair ability. This is the most promising class at present, and will, if joined by a few more lads, do exceedingly well next year. I would recommend two lads-Gopal Chunder Munnah for the first prize, and Bejoygopal Mookerjee for the second.

"In the third class are eleven boys, two of whom were absent without leave and two sick. Those present were examined with more than usual strictness by Mr. Scott in the reading and explanation of a full page of the Hetopodesh that had never before formed part of their lessons, and in this, all with a few exceptions, gave general satisfaction. The only fault (if I may here be allowed so to use the term) was a considerable slowness with which they proceeded; but this is easily accounted for, and could not but be expected. I agree with Mr. Scott in pronouncing Koylash Chunder Chatterjee, the most worthy of a prize, and as there was another very intelligent youngster, Nobin Chunder Bannerjee, who made many creditable replies, I beg that he also receive some small reward. The pupils of the fourth class, eight in number, were engaged in Niti Kotha, Part I. One half of them did tolerably, the rest failed entirely to explain the meaning of what they had read. By way of encouragement alone, I would request that Woomesh Chunder Gooptoo, the most regular in attendance, receive some trifling gift, for I have not been able to discover in this class any meritorious youths worth recording, or recommending on the ground of proficiency for award."

Three Hindu lads of the Russapuglah School presented themselves as candidates for junior scholarships. They were directed to attend at the junior scholarship examination of the Hindu College, and the subjoined tabular statement exhibits the number of marks they obtained in each subject and the result of the competition.