to Existing books be improved as opportunity of fers. VII. The existing works noted in the margin of the above paragraph as approved, are considered sufficiently suitable for use in the Vernacular Schools; but it is to be kept constantly in mind, that they are all susceptible of more or less improvement, and that every opportunity which may occur of amending them ought to be sedulously turned to account. VIII. The Board fully concur in the now generally received opinion, that the series of class books should in the first instance be prepared in English, with the view of their being rendered, with more or less modification and adaptation, into the several Vernaculars, and they are further of opinion that in conducting this part of the proceedings, a certain order should be observed. The principle suggested on this point in the following extracts from the Report of the Sub-Committee of the Bengal Council of Education on Vernacular Class Books, is concurred in by the Board.* Class books to be prepared in English in the first instance. "The Commencement would be made with the most elementary books of the series, and in the course of the work it would be necessary to examine all the books in every branch of knowledge designed to be taught, which are now in use either in this country or in England, selecting what is best from each, and by proper modifications and additions, adapting the compilations to the intellectual and moral wants of the people." And again, "The works should be compiled, as far as practicable, in parts suited to the different degrees of progress, in the several classes of the schools, with a view to economy in the printing, adaptation to the pecuniary means of the people and prevention of waste." Class Books or IX. The Board have sometime since commissioned the following School Books from England, 1. Chamber's Educational dered from En- Course, 2. The series of Irish National School Books, gland. 3. The Juvenile Library, published by the Kildare Place Society; and it is their intention to make an immediate and considerable addition to the list. These School Books, with those at present in use in the schools in this country, and the following works either completed or in course of preparation by J. C. Marshman, Esq., of Serampore. 1. A Brief Survey of History. 2. History of India. 3. History of Bengal. * General Report of the late General Committee of Public Instruction for 1810-41 and 1811-12. Appendix. VI. Page xlviii and 1. 4. History of England. 5. A work on the wonders of nature and art in India, will enable the Board, it is hoped, to commence at an early date to give practical effect to the views set forth in this Memorandum. the X. The immediate charge of these very important arrangements will Committee for be intrusted to the Committee, which was nominated preparation in the Board's Memorandum, dated July, 1841, with and selection of class books, con- the addition of the Secretary to the Board of Education who will also officiate as Secretary to the Committee. The Committee will thus consist of the following members: Professor HARKNESS; Professor BELL; Professor BALL SHASTREE; The Secretary to the Board of Education. stituted. Corresponding Members. Captain CANDY; Mr. EISDALE. Duties of the Committee. XI. The Committee, though required to conduct their proceedings in conformity to this Memorandum, ought to take every opportunity, by correspondence or personal intercourse, of possessing themselves of the opinions of others experienced in education in this country, with the view of communicating such information for the consideration of the Board, if deemed expedi ent. XII. The Committee should commence their proceedings by submitting to the Board a list of books which they may desire to possess, for reference, in addition to those noted in the 9th paragraph of this Memorandum, in order that such may be obtained without delay. XIII. As soon as practicable after the receipt of the works noted in the 9th paragraph, the Committee should submit to the Board a classified selection of the books proposed for use in the English Schools. In making this selection, regard should be had to those books of the series which it is proposed to translate or adapt for use in the Vernacular Schools; so that the principle advocated in the 9th paragraph of the Board's Memorandum, dated July 1841, the Professors' Report para. 22d, and Captain Candy's, and Mr. Eisdale's Appendix thereto, para. 5th, may be kept in view, viz., that the Vernacular School Books should, to a certain extent, be counterparts of those used in the English Schools. XIV. After having carefully examined the school books in use in English Schools in this country and in England, the Committee should proceed to select and submit to the Board, those books which they recommend for translation into the Vernaculars, (Murathee, Guzerathee, and Canarese,) commencing with the most elementary of the series and proceeding seriatim. In submitting the works, the Committee should state, whether any and what modifications are necessary preparatory to translation. As the supply of existing school books is very different in the three languages (Murathee, Guzerathee, and Canarese), for which provision is to be made, it is very probable that it may be necessary to follow an order of procedure peculiar to each. This the Committee should keep distinctly in view. XV. At the time of submitting the books for translation, the Committee should name' the parties to whom the work of translation should in their opinion be intrusted, and they should further intimate the amount of reward which in their judgment is adequate, in each particular in stance. XVI. With the first work proposed for translation, the Committee should communicate to the Board a list of persons best qualified for undertaking translations in the different Vernacular languages, entering their names in the order of their supposed proficiency. This list should not be confined to residents in Bombay, but should include the entire Presidency. XVII. On the recommendation of the Committee being approved by the Board, the work will be returned to the Committee in order that the translation may be at once commenced with. At this stage of proEfficient superceedings the Board will be prepared to take into convision and exa- sideration any suggestions of the Committee tending to mination of the translations to be insure an efficient surpervision and examination of the secured. several translations. XVIII. When the translations have been completed, they should be carefully examined by the Committee and when approved, be forwarded to the Board, in order that the necessary measures for their publication, may be ordered. XIX. The Board will communicate a copy of all their past proceedings Past and future relating to the subject of class books for the informproceedings on ation of the Bengal Council of Education, with an the subject of class books to be intimation that all further proceedings will be from the Bengal Coun- time to time transmitted. The Board would request cil of Education. the Council of Education to favor them with copies ordered, so soon communicated to of the English version of the several works are prepared. as they XX. In order that all interested in the Educational proceedings in progress, may be aware of the views and prospective arrangements of the Board in the important subject of class books, a limited number of copies of this Memorandum will be printed for distribution. By order of the Board of Education, Bombay, November 18th, 1842. C. MOREHEAD, Secretary. General Department, I am directed to acquaint you, that certain Books as per List No. 1, annexed, are expected per Northumberland in all next month, and other Books as per List No. 2, will also be ready for delivery in the course of the year. 2. These Books were ordered previous to the change of system prescribed by my Circular No. 23, and forming a main portion of those specified in pages 14 to 19 of the Rules and Regulations, will be for sale at this office at the prices stated. Where £. s. and d. are mentioned, the conversion will be at an exchange of 2s. per Co's R. 3. Should your Committee wish for any of the works in question, you will be pleased to give me due notice thereof, stating the months, the Bills of which allowed per Circular No. 23, should be disallowed in the office of Audit, in payment for the same. 3 15 20 6d.,.. 7 10 0 3 68 2 10 0 50 Oswald's Etymological Manual, 18mo. sewed, 1s. 6d.,.. 6 5 0 500 4 3 4 4 3 4 Copies. £. s. d. 100 Ditto Exemplary and Instructive Biography, 12mo. cloth, 2s. 9d.,.. 13 15 0 7 10 0 100 Ditto First Book of Drawing, 12mo. cloth, 1s. 6d.,. 50 Evans' First 3 Sections of Newton's Principia, with Appen- 7 10 0 12 10 0 32 10 0 10 0 0 15 0 0 16 5 0 £151 13 4 LIST No. II. 100 Lard. Cyc. Edn. History of Rome, 2 vols. 12mo. cloth, at 6 Rupees per copy. 100 Hume and Smollett's England, 1 vol. imperial 8vo. common 8vo. at 12-8 per copy. or 5 vols. 100 Russel's Modern Europe, continued to the Death of William IV., 4 vols, 8vo. cloth, at 26 Rupees. 100 Bacon's Essays, 32mo. cloth, at 1 Rupee. 100 Smith's Moral Sentiments, 8vo. cloth, at 6 Rupees. |