THE SORROWS OF A HINDU SCHOOLMASTER. [To TES EDITOR or
THE " SPECTATOR.”1 Sia,—The accompanying copy of a letter from an English- speaking Hindu schoolmaster received by me whilst encamped, upwards of fifty-five years ago, near a small town in the Wardha District of the Central Provinces, India, is amusing and instructive. The " cats, dogs, and elephants books" were illustrated English primers of the day. Whilst sympathizing fully with the distressed school teacher, one must recognize that the "obstrusioner and vilifier man " of the committee, notwithstanding his many iniquities, had sound views regarding the education of the village urchin of that day.
" [COPY.] From Siwallia Ram Govind, School Master, Bherapur.
MOST RESPECIED Sza,—I most respectfully beg to inform you that I am going to give some trouble to your honor. Some days ago 2 boys of the 1st class and 7 boys of the lower 2nd class had left the school on their fathers and one perfidious revolters man's saying, and that man is one of the committee. Ile is a very talkative great obstrusioner, and a vilifier man. This man also did not take care of about the work of the com- mittee any day if I call him to see the school he never comes.
For the inquiry of those boys about their unattendanee at school I called their fathers, but they are came and answered in such low and bad manner that I did not hear with my ears. Their answers were such ' that we have no need of your cats, Dogs and Elephants books progress. We only want the reading and writing Moodee-Brusia shops work and some mental Arith- metic.' But there is no Government order that these things must be taught in the school. I am very sorry that the annal examination is looking near with his own frightful eyes and so many boys are lefting the school, for this reason if your honor will kindly' enquire about this and checked those men it will be conferring a great boom on me and I shall ever pray for your honors benevolence and happiness.—Your most obedt.
and humble servant, SAWLIA RAN GOVIND, School master. Bherapur, I February, 1866."
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