Rajkumar College, Raipur : a Sketch. By J. D. Oswell.
(Pioneer Press, Allahabad.)—The Rajkumar College is the successsor of the Rajkumar School, the situation having been changed some few years ago from Jubbulpore to Raipur. Mr. Oswell, who is Head-Master, tells a very interesting story of the institution under his charge. The difficulties to be contended with are con- siderable. There is the multiplicity of vernaculars, for instance. Then there are the social habits of the people, and caste. No pupil is allowed more than three servants,—head-servant, who seems to be the most troublesome of the three, body-servant, and cook. Then there are no common meals. Sometimes pupils belonging to one caste will mess together ; for the most part each pupil eats alone in his own room. The College fee ranges from Re. 100 to Rs. 25 per month, the average being Re. Q. This sounds very little when one thinks of the charges of an English public school. The morale is a subject of no inconsiderable difficulty, the tone of the homes from which the pupils come being commonly anything but satisfactory. A young chief when he cornea will often bring a whole company of playmates with him, and is not a little vexed to find that they cannot be received. Day-boarders, once received, are now forbidden, residence in the town being found to be harmful. One mother was very anxious that her son should be allowed to live with her, but, recognising the dangers of the situation, proposed to pay for a guard of police who were to keep off all bad characters. Then there is difference of rank. In the College all are equal, but the pupils take some time in learning this. The son of a Rajah will think that the son of a Zemindar ought to give up his chair to him. On the system of teaching Mr. Oswell has much to say. In fact, the book is both interesting and instructive.
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