Volume Ii Part 6 (1/2)
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 32: On the preceding day.]
[Footnote 33: The novel by George Sand (1804-1876), published in 1842.]
_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._
SAINT CLOUD, _le 15 Novembre 1844._
MADAME MA BIEN CHeRE S[OE]UR,--Mes souvenirs de Windsor sont de ceux dont aucun ne s'efface. Je n'oublie donc pas une pet.i.te question qui m'a ete si joliment adressee, _Where is my gun?_ et a present j'en ai trouve un qui serait indigne de la destinee que je prie votre Majeste de me permettre de lui donner, si le regret que la disparition du premier fusil avait cause, ne m'avait pas appris que le second devait etre d'un genre a supporter tous les accidents que l'enfance aime a infliger a ses joujoux. C'est donc tout simplement un tres modeste fusil de munition adapte a sa taille que j'adresse a votre Majeste pour son auguste et charmant enfant le Prince de Galles, comme ma reponse a sa question.
J'ai encore une autre dette dont je vous prie de me permettre de m'acquitter. Quelque vif que soit mon desir de revoir Windsor, ce serait un trop long r.e.t.a.r.d que d'attendre cet heureux moment, pour offrir a la Princesse Royale cette pet.i.te boite a ouvrage, de Paris, qu'elle m'a fait esperer lui serait agreable, et tout ce que je desire c'est que vos enfants se ressouviennent un jour d'avoir vu celui qui a ete le fidele ami de leur grand-pere, comme il l'est et le sera toujours de leurs bien aimes parents.
Que votre Majeste me permette encore d'offrir ici au Prince Albert l'expression de la vive et sincere amitie que je lui porte et que je lui garderai toujours, et d'accepter celle de l'inalterable attachement avec lequel je suis pour la vie, Madame ma bien chere S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste, le bon Frere bien affectionne et fidele Ami,
LOUIS PHILIPPE R.
[Pageheading: EDUCATION IN INDIA]
[Pageheading: SIR HENRY HARDINGE]
_Sir Henry Hardinge to Queen Victoria._
_23rd November 1844._
Sir Henry Hardinge[34] with his most humble duty to your Majesty, humbly submits for your Majesty's consideration the following observations on the state of affairs in this large portion of your Majesty's dominions.
The return of peace has also increased the desire of the native population to receive the advantages of English education. The literature of the West is the most favourite study amongst the Hindoos in their schools and colleges. They will discuss with accuracy the most important events in British History. Boys of fifteen years of age, black in colour, will recite the most favourite pa.s.sages from Shakespeare, ably quoting the notes of the English and German commentators. They excel in mathematics, and in legal subtleties their acuteness is most extraordinary.
In order to reward native talent and render it practically useful to the State, Sir Henry Hardinge, after due deliberation, has issued a resolution, by which the most meritorious students will be appointed to fill the public offices which fall vacant throughout Bengal.
This encouragement has been received by the Hindoo population with the greatest grat.i.tude. The studies in the Mohammedan schools and colleges have hitherto been confined to Arabic, the Koran, and abstruse studies relating to their religion, having always shown a marked aversion to English literature. Since the publication of the Resolution they have at once determined to change their system in order to partic.i.p.ate in the benefits held out to native merit of every sect.
It is impossible throughout your Majesty's immense Empire to employ the number of highly paid European civil servants which the public service requires. This deficiency is the great evil of British Administration. By dispersing annually a proportion of well-educated natives throughout the provinces, under British superintendence, well-founded hopes are entertained that prejudices may gradually disappear, the public service be improved, and attachment to British inst.i.tutions increased....
Sir Henry Hardinge, in closing these observations, most humbly ventures to a.s.sure your Majesty that he antic.i.p.ates no occurrence as probable, by which the tranquillity of this portion of your Majesty's dominions is likely to be disturbed.
H. HARDINGE.
[Footnote 34: Governor-General of India, in succession to Lord Ellenborough.]