FEMALE EDUCATION IN INDIA.
(TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.]
Sra,—There are many improvements in the social condition of the people of India which are greatly desired by its educated men, and which we at home may aid in promoting. Alike for the security of our Eastern Empire and for its true welfare, oppor- tunities of showing sympathy and good-will towards our fellow- subjects there should be cordially embraced. The often regretted ignorance of the English public in respect to the condition of the people of India arises not so much from indifference, as from a sense of inability to turn any knowledge to good account. Many persons, therefore, may be glad to learn that there is an Association in London which has for its object not only to disseminate information regarding the social condition of India, but to co-operate in a practical manner with intelligent and zealous social reformers there. The "National Indian Association" was founded by that wise philanthropist, the late Miss Carpenter, and is supported by several distinguished persons, both in England and in India. One of the members of the Royal Family, the Grand Duchess of Hesse, has accepted the post of President, and takes much interest in the proceedings of the Asso- ciation. It has for some years past been doing useful work, by rendering various services to Indian students in this country, by circulating information as to the social condition and wants of India, and as to philanthropic undertakings there, as well as by corresponding with and aiding educationists and others. The Association publishes a monthly journal of social progress in India, which circulates among readers in both countries.
Besides wishing to call attention to the work of this Association, with a view to obtain increased support and active co-operation, I desire to show that there is a special service which the Associa- tion is at present rendering to the cause of improvement in India. In some of the Presidencies considerable efforts have been made by enlightened natives to found female schools, and although girls are obliged, by the custom of the country, to cease attend- ance at a very early age, much good may be done during the few years they remain there.
Such schools receive but little pecuniary support, although parents are showing increased readiness to allow their daughters to attend them. The few earnest reformers who set these schools on foot are generally not able to do more than contribute a small portion of the expenses, in addition to a small grant in aid re- ceived from the Government. It has therefore been determined to invite English friends to contribute to the maintenance of such schools, by subscribing to a fund for the grant of scholarships, varying in amount from /3 to 16 per annum. The scholar- ships will be granted through the medium of the local branches of the Association in India, and in communi- cation with the Education Departments of the several Presi- dencies. The London Committee has received information from one of the Directors of Public Instruction that such grants would be very useful, by enabling girls to remain a year or two longer at school, and the Association has received the thanks of the Government of Bengal for its services in this respect.
It is also hoped that girls who become widows at an early age may by such aid be induced to take up the profession of teacher in girls' schools. It is well known that by Hindu usage, prevail- ing in many parts of India, widows cannot remarry, and are condemned to a life-long observance of mourning, of neglect, and of household drudgery. Girls so situated may more easily than any others remain longer at school, and go out-of-doors to teach.
In that case, their hard fate would be greatly ameliorated, while one great and serious difficulty which has impeded the progress of female schools in India—the want of female teachers —would be partly overcome. In order, therefore, to accomplish this doubly-beneficent object, the Committee of the National Indian Association very earnestly invites the English public to contribute to the "Mary Carpenter Scholarships," which have been established for this purpose. Remittances may be forwarded to Miss E. A. Manning, the Hon. Secretary of the Association, 35 Blorafield Road, W.—I am, Sir, &c., HODGSON PRATT.
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