16, 583

608

SOCIAL INTERCOURSE WITH THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, DIFFICULTY OF

SOCIAL INTERCOURSE, THE PRESENT PRACTICABLE RANGE OF

SOCIAL INTERCOURSE BETWEEN ENGLISH AND INDIANS IN INDIA 234, 294, 299

WITH a deep sense of loss the nation mourns Her Royal Highness the Princess Alice, wife of the Grand Duke of Hesse, who died, after a very short illness, at Darmstadt Palace, on December 14. Her Royal Highness was greatly esteemed on account of her refined and noble character, and her constant unostentatious care for those who needed help and comfort. At the request of Miss Carpenter, for whom she had a warm personal regard, the Princess became in 1874 President of the National Indian Association, and she had ever continued to show a sincere and practical interest in the progress of women's education in India. All members of this Association will grieve that Her name can no longer appear among the promoters of its work, while all will keep in sad but lasting and grateful remembrance this beloved member of Her Majesty's family.

1879.

AT the beginning of the new year it seems desirable to recal in a few words the objects of this Journal. They are, First,— to bring before English readers certain facts regarding India, which are not generally collected in a group, facts showing the advance of education in that country and general progress in connection with all parties and creeds. Secondly,to give the opinions of cultivated Indians on the social state of their country, and on improvements to be attempted in the framework of its society; also, to help to spread the views of English writers possessed of knowledge and experiencesuch as are interested in the educational efforts that are effecting changes in India, and can assist those efforts by their suggestions and sympathy. Thirdly, this Journal is the organ of an Association in aid of Indian social progress, founded eight years ago by Miss Mary Carpenter; it circulates among the members of the Association here and in India, and records the action of its different Branches and Committees. These objects all point to one general aim—that of promoting goodwill and genuine friendly feeling between England and India.

In pursuing the above objects we have received, during the past year, the valued assistance of several English writers, who by name, and some of them personally, are widely known in India, because they spend thought and energy in endeavouring to secure her well-being; among them, Miss Florence Nightingale, Professor Monier Williams, Dr. Knighton, Mr. James Routledge. By such co-operation, and that of several Indian contributors, whose aid we gratefully acknow

ledge, we have been enabled to introduce our readers to various bright and encouraging aspects of Indian life and character that are not generally dwelt on, as well as to some of the perplexing conditions in which reforming efforts at present are often found to be entangled, but which are evidently yielding somewhat to the influences of the age. We have tried to supply continuous and accurate information as to schools, especially girls' schools, and philanthropic societies and institutions in British India and Native States; and in connection with school reports several interesting speeches by high officials of Government have appeared in these pages, furnishing valuable opinions in regard to past and future progress, dealing with the dangers to be avoided in education, and the success best worth aiming at. Books of note on India have from time to time been reviewed; Mr. P. N. Bose supplied some articles on the Caste System; and the question of the Roman-Urdu character has been brought into discussion by Mr. Frederic Pincott. To Indian students in Great Britain we are indebted for several lively and useful papers, describing their impressions of English and American institutions, which have not only interested readers here as showing the points to which their observation directs itself, but have also helped to acquaint the native educated community in India with some of the characteristics of the Western world. The chronicle of the successes of students in professional examinations has been kept up as usual. A good portrait of Miss Carpenter forms a frontispiece for the volume of 1878..

We need not refer to the work of the Association of which this Journal is the organ, as it is the subject of the Annual Report, but we cannot omit mention of Mr. Beverley's suggestive address at Calcutta to the Bengal Branch which appeared in our October number, where he spoke of the

methods of usefulness which he considered to be within the scope of this Association, some of which have been already taken up, on a small scale at present, but with determination and zeal. Rev. Dr. K. M. Banerjea's paper on Vernacular Literature for Indian Women also deserves notice here.

In looking forward to the year in which we have entered, we are very desirous that our objects may be more completely realized in it than in the year that is gone, and in order that this may be the case, we request more and more co-operation. This is a Journal where the opinions of those who in a liberal spirit care to encourage social progress and healthy reforms in India will be gladly inserted, and where practical (but non-political) subjects can receive a full discussion. We hope that we shall be favoured in the year with many articles from India, and that Englishmen who have returned thence will in these pages enlighten English readers on the causes that are at work in India for future good or evil. We shall use our best efforts to make the Journal a medium of true information on social matters. We wish, too, to bring certain educational subjects into prominence in it, which may be only beginning to attract attention in India. Not that our own systems are necessarily suited for that country. The native Oriental training, which has produced some of the very capable men that write and act there, men who have never attended our schools or colleges, has strong points to recommend it, and awakens wonder and respect. English education however will inevitably make its way more and more, and accounts of experience acquired here may assist towards ensuring good results in the same directions in India. This Journal aims at presenting a faithful picture of actual progress, and the ideals of various minds as to progress in the future.

The signs of vitality and activity among those who are