IV. NORTH-WEST PROVINCES (Continued).

Agriculture & Law... Cirencester

V.-PUNJAB.

In examining the foregoing list, it is noticeable that the study of Law is that which predominates. We find 53 preparing for, or ready to practice the legal profession, as compared with 38 students of Medicine; and for Science, Agriculture, and Engineering the total is 23. Though a good field is open in India for really capable and well-informed native barristers, this profession has apparently become over-full. It is especially a pity that many enter who are not qualified to succeed in it, but who might get on in other lines of work or study. Too often young men come to England with the object of studying Law, who have a very imperfect knowledge of English, and whose previous education has been very limited. They wish to visit this country, and they look upon Law as an easy * We have not the full number of Ceylon students.

profession, in preparing for which they can have plenty of leisure; and besides, the status which it secures will prove advantageous to them on their return. The Examinations of the Inns of Court have, however, lately been made more severe; so that those only who are determined to work hard will now be able to pass.-With regard to students of Medicine, we notice that there are comparatively fewer than some years ago, when the Indian Medical Service opened more appointments than at present. But the best European diplomas represent a higher standard than do those of India; therefore many think it worth while to come here in order to obtain them; and a certain recognition being mostly given to the previous medical courses of students, the period of stay in Europe is not necessarily very long. It is much to be desired that such subjects as Science, Engineering, Agriculture, and Technical Instruction should be made a more definite object by Indian students; and already we observe that the number, though still not large, of those who take up these lines, is on the increase. Public opinion in India is becoming very favourable to technical study; and though institutions are happily being formed in that country for imparting practical as well as theoretical science, yet the excellent, well-arranged opportunities for such study that are now established in England will not, we hope, fail to attract students of exceptional energy and ability. The experience of such men, after a residence in the West, may prove of the greatest value in stimulating enterprise and industrial progress in India.-One more point in the list calls for remark. It is that it includes the names of boys, who are now frequently sent over for education. Some of these intend to compete for the Indian Civil Service; for, without several years spent here, they have not much chance of passing for it with the present low standard as to the age of competition. Besides, several English-educated Indian gentlemen are now otherwise desirous of giving their sons the benefit of school training in England. We may add that it is a remarkable fact, though not indicated in our list, that some native ladies now come to Europe, and take a lively interest in their travels.

We have tried to make a calculation as to how many Indians have visited England since a few first began to complete their professional studies here, that is, in the last fifteen or twenty years, and we think the number must have been

over 700. The question naturally presents itself, How much good has resulted to India from this experience of English life? Some may think that it would have been better if the habit on the part of students of visiting Europe had never begun, because of the disturbing influence of contact with new ideas, and because a three years' residence here only gives after all a superficial acquaintance with English ways and English thought. There have no doubt been many cases in which want of previous development and the unaccustomed independence in a strange land have caused harm to the individual, and in which the ambition of visiting this country has wrecked lives that might have been successful under more natural conditions. But, on the other hand, numbers of Indian students have, by their steady industry, justified their ardent wish to encounter the difficulties of a lengthened absence from home, and have borne strong testimony to the awakening effect of a near view of English institutions and of the wonders of Western civilisation. Such students have

returned to work in India with enlarged religious, moral, and intellectual ideas, and they feel that their journey has borne valuable fruit for their future lives. It must be remembered that those who come to England have not been educated entirely under Oriental influences. The colleges and schools of India established or encouraged by the Government have already effected a certain break with old traditions. The point, therefore, is, whether the surface knowledge which is so much to be lamented shall be deepened, even though not so much deepened as we might wish, by means of a visit to the West.

But besides effects on persons, the indirect results of the visits to England of these students is necessarily great. Each one in returning conveys ideas to his country which gradually undermine superstition, loosen the sway of undesirable social customs, and supply glimpses of new forms of truth. The present transition period is one of inevitable difficulties, which must often perplex the conscience and sorely try the sympathies of those concerned. We can but hope, however, that in the end it will issue in reverence for what is really good in the East, and practical adherence to all that is of useful adaptation in the West. In conclusion, we may refer to the experience, which is much appreciated by our visitors from India, of cordial, thoughtful intercourse with English men

and women, who endeavour to render their absence from home less lonely, and who thus may succeed in forging thereby a few unbreakable bonds of sympathy between the dwellers in two countries separated by half the globe.

MEETING OF

THE NATIONAL INDIAN
ASSOCIATION.

At a well attended meeting of the Association, held on Thursday afternoon, December 11th, at 1 Adam Street, Adelphi, Sir Barrow H. Ellis, K.C.S.I., in the chair, a very interesting Paper was read by Mr. Thornton, C.S.I., on the Literature of the Punjab. Full extracts from the Paper will be published in a future number of this Journal; meanwhile the following summary indicates its main points. audience, among whom were many who knew the Punjab well, appreciated greatly the learning and the graphic interest of the Lecture.

The

The Punjab, Mr. Thornton said, with its Feudatory States (exclusive of Kashmir), included an area exceeding that of Prussia and a population of 22,700,000 souls. It presented the greatest variety of climate and scenery, and its races were as diverse as its physical aspects, comprising, amongst others, the Jats, a race of Scythic origin (its principal cultivators); Rajputs, of pure Arian blood; Arains, a Punjab race; Gujars, from East Tartary; Ghakkars, from Khorassán; Tájik aboriginals from Iran; Moghul descendants of the soldiery of Baber; Ahirs, from the West Coast of Bombay; Khaggas and Qureshis, from Arabia; Tibetans, from Central Asia; besides a multitude of nomad, commercial, and hill tribes, peculiar to the Province; while on the North-Western frontier were Biloches, of Persian origin, and Patáns, whose nationality was still a puzzle.

After a brief review of the history of the Punjab, in the course of which it was suggested that the rude semblances of triremes which still ply upon the river Satlaj were, perhaps, a reminiscence of Alexander's fleet, Mr. Thornton proceeded to describe the languages, ten in number, spoken in the Province; viz., Hindi and Urdú or Hindustani, Bágri, Pahári, Punjabi, Dogri, Jatki, and Kashmiri, belonging to the Indic