No better and more hopeful work can fall to the lot of these Committees than that of Education. And here I shall venture a very modest suggestion with regard to Mr. Malabari's scheme.

We know how deep-rooted are the social prejudices of our countrymen; how hard and painful has been the struggle of our Reformers against the vices and the vanities of their age. But we also know how gradually and imperceptibly have melted away many of our prejudices beneath the dissolving agencies of thought and change; how silently but surely many old, antiquated notions of our countrymen have disappeared in the blaze of day; how English education has stirred Indian society to its very depths; how it has revolutionized Indian thought. Indifference is now sometimes shown to the most deeply cherished superstitions of caste the effect of English education. That this change, which under the influence of Western education has gone so far, will go no farther, may be the opinion of some desponding pessimist, but can find no countenance from the hopeful worker who believes in the beneficence of the mysterious "Divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will." But it may be asked, "Will education succeed in working all reform in India, and, slow as the work of education is sure to be, should the educated Indians let social customs alone, to be reformed by this slow process?" Yes, in my opinion. I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that if the educational system of Native children be only set on a better footing, every kind of reform will be brought about insensibly. Men everywhere are guided by opinion, and education is the great moulder of opinion. By changing opinion we can succeed in striking at the very root of our social customs; but by removing the customs only, we remove the external shell, though the evil remains. Can it ever be expected that a generation of young men, bred and brought up in the principles of liberal education, will still cling to notions from which all life has fled, and follow customs which do not at all harmonise with its mode of feeling and thought? Assuredly not. Well, if the Committees of which Mr. Malabari speaks devote themselves altogether to the work of diffusing the light of knowledge, by founding schools and promoting home-teaching on principles which may suit the wants of our national mind, and leave marriage and inter-marriage to their own fate, then can the real reform be wrought in the country. By making these Committees only Educational Committees another facility will be offered in the execution of the real work. None but a handful of English educated men-Anglicised renegades, one of the old school would say-will sympathise with Mr. Malabari's plans of Social Reform. But the circle of his sympathisers is sure to be infinitely enlarged if, instead of Social Reform, he

only undertakes to form Committees of Educational Reform. No doubt both mean really the same thing-the one reform is sure to lead to the other. But, however, they are not the same to the ignorant masses of our country. If the help of the people is wanted-and I think that in a gigantic scheme such as this it is indispensable for the successful carrying out of this scheme-then to me it seems most expedient to let our social customs alone for the time being, and devote all our energies to regenerating the Educational system of our country. And with regard to this point, Mr. Malabari has suggested a very practical plan of collecting funds for the publication of cheap tracts and books, &c., for the use of young boys and girls. There is a great want at present of good and useful books, in the Vernaculars, for the use of our children and our zenanas. No doubt, if Mr. Malabari's scheme succeeds in setting the education of young boys and girls on a better footing, and in purifying and enriching our Vernacular literature by the publication of such moral books and tracts as may be suited to the tastes of ladies and children, Indian society will be immensely benefited.

In conclusion, I express my heartiest thanks to Mr. Malabari for his disinterested labours, and my warmest sympathy with him in the noble cause he is so energetically and so devotedly urging. I wish him all success in his earnest endeavours, and hope that every Indian, who at all cares for his country, will, "while it is day," lend his assistance to Mr. Malabari in carrying out at any rate the educational portion of his patriotic scheme. P. BISHAN NARAYAN Dar.

London.

EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
IN THE WEST.

III. GUY'S HOSPITAL.

On 8th January I went from Notting Hill Gate by the underground railway to the Monument Station, on a visit to Guy's Hospital. I crossed the well-known London Bridge, upon which vast traffic was passing, causing fearful noise, and close by the Bridge I found St. Thomas Street, where the Hospital is situated. Doctor Hale White, a friend of mine, who is connected with the Hospital, kindly showed me over it. First of all we passed through some wards which were full of men patients, suffering from many kinds of illness; they looked cheerful and in good spirits; some of them were reading

newspapers or books. The female wards are of the same kind; I was amused very much to see a little girl who was combing the hair of a doll in her bed. It shows that children are very well provided with things which are dear to them. Some of the wards were decorated with flowers. The sisters (ladies who act as nurses) were busy in their solemn duties of taking care of their helpless patients. My countrymen of India will be surprised to hear that in England ladies often go to visit hospitals and such other places, and take with them flowers and other things for the sick, and have pleasant conversations with them. In India neither women nor men go to such places. They would be afraid of bringing back some disease with them. In former times we used not to have regular hospitals in our country, and the science of surgery was not known then. The dissection of the body was never dreamed of. Mr. Meadows Taylor furnishes us with an interesting account in his History, of a Medical College which was created in 1835 in Calcutta by Lord William Bentinck, then the Governor-General of India; and since that time many regular institutions for medical purposes have been established, which is indeed a great boon for us, under the English Government. Mr. Taylor says, "Except the ancient Hindu, Grecian, and Arabian systems, no means of medical instruction existed in India. Of surgery, as based on anatomy, there was profound ignorance, and the village barber was the usual operator as surgeon, in case of wounds or hurts; while those who had traditional knowledge of simples were the physicians. Now, however, the whole range of European medical science, surgery, and anatomy was opened to the pupils, who became at once very numerous; and the blessings of true medical instruction have since been widely extended."

The following few lines will give the history of Thomas Guy, the founder of the Hospital:

He was born in the year 1645, and his father died when he was a child. In the year 1660 Guy was apprenticed to Mr. John Clarke, a bookseller; and eight years after he became a freeman of London. The largest capital Guy had in the world. was £200 (Rs. 2,000), with which he started business as a bookseller. His wealth increased every day, and in course of time he acquired a considerable amount. This immense fortune raised Guy to the highest reputation, rank, and popularity. He was offered the office of Sheriff of London, but he paid the fine and declined to serve. In 1695 he enjoyed the highest dignity: entered Parliament as a member for Tamworth; and he sat in Parliament till the first year of Queen Anne.

Thomas Guy died, after a long life of 80 years, in 1725.

The Hospital was founded after his name in 1722, with a sum given, secured by his will, amounting to £250,000 (Rupees 250,000,0), and it was opened a few days before his death.

Guy made many gifts for charitable purposes, which rendered him ever memorable in the history of this country. His statue was put up by his admirers in the front square of the Hospital building, and there it still stands.

The Hospital has 695 beds, and contains many wards, operating theatres, &c.; the school connected with the Hospital consists of museum, lecture theatres, class-rooms, and library. A prospectus for particulars can be obtained from the Secretary of Guy's Hospital. It is one of the best known medical schools in Europe, and students from all parts of the world attend it. London. VERITAS.

THE BOMBAY HOSPITAL FOR ANIMALS.

AN interesting ceremony took place at Parel, Bombay, on December 10th, in connection with the opening, by Lord Dufferin, of the Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital, a Hospital for Animals. A large number of distinguished visitors were present on the occasion.

The proceedings began by the reading of a statement by Mr. K. M. Shroff, Secretary of the Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, giving an account of the origin of the institution. Its object is to give curative treatment gratis mainly to the suffering bullocks belonging to poor cartmen, levying on them a small fee for the feeding during treatment. The chief promoter of the Hospital is Mr. Dinshaw Manekjee Petit, who lately purchased, for the sum of Rs. 45,000, the large estate and the spacious bungalow in which the work has been started. In consideration of this gentleman's liberality, the Hospital has been named after his wife. A Veterinary College has been established on the same estate by the co-operation of the Government, and excellent arrangements for stabling the sick horses and cattle have been made. Mr. Justice Bayly addressed Lord and Lady Dufferin on behalf of the Committee; and he referred to the efforts of Mr. K. Kabrajee, who was formerly Hon. Sec. of the Society (which was originated chiefly by Mr. Lee-Warner), and also to the very zealous exertions of the present Hon. Sec., Mr. K. M. Shroff, in collecting funds for the Hospital.

Lord Dufferin, declaring the Hospital open, expressed his pleasure in being present on the occasion, and his interest in the history of the rise and progress of the institution. His Excellency added: "The object is a most noble one, and I am certain that from day to day, as the progress of civilization advances, mankind at large will be more and more inclined to follow that noble example which was first set to them in the Peninsula of India, of regarding with mercy and compassion all those domestic animals which minister to their wants." The Viceroy and Lady Dufferin, and the Governor of Bombay, with members of the Committee, then inspected the Hospital buildings; after which Mr. Dinshaw Manekjee Petit thanked His Excellency for performing the opening ceremony. A Hindu custom was observed, as an augury of success and prosperity to the institution, which struck the Vice-regal party by its quaintness. The posts on both sides of the entrance were masked with gungoo and turmeric, the deep red and yellow scoring the timber in alternate lines. On the ground, round the base of the pillars, new-laid eggs were broken; and to conclude the rite, cocoa-nuts were cracked against the wood, and their milk was sprinkled on the floor, amidst the shells in the husk. The same ceremony was gone through in the bullock-sheds. Before their Excellencies left, trays of flowers were brought forward, and the whole party were decorated by rich, sweet-scented garlands. Amid loud cheers, and the performance of the National Anthem, the visit closed.

MAHARANI'S GIRLS' SCHOOL, MYSORE.

We have pleasure in calling attention again to the excellent School for Girls founded in 1881 at Mysore by H.H. the Maharaja, by the advice and co-operation of the late Dewan, M. Rangacharlu. Its object is to provide sound education for Brahmin and other high caste girls, and it seems to be well appreciated. The Principal of the School is a graduate of the Madras University, who is assisted by