always occupy a share of your attention, and we trust we shall never forget the name and the philanthropic labours of Miss Mary Carpenter! With great respect, we subscribe ourselves to be, Madam, your humble servants and admirers.'

It was then announced that a silver tea-service would be presented to me as a memorial of my visit.*

Thus concluded my parting words :

'And now I must say farewell to my friends, for the time is come when I must return to my own home. I have been asked to stay longer here, and many have said that I ought to remain, and carry out the work which I have begun. But I have said-No. If I have been successful in rousing any persons, they will be able to carry on the undertaking I have commenced. I do not think it necessary to stay, when there is so highly intellectual and enlightened a native population to go on with the work. .

'Your address has lamented that you have not, at present, pecuniary means to carry out my plans as you desire. Now, I did not come here expecting that you would, and I do not ask you for pecuniary help; all I request is your co-operation. I am sure, from what I know of you, that you do not wish England to assist you in a pecuniary way, but that what you do hope is, that England will give you its sympathy in your work. I am glad to be able to state that which will stimulate England in its sympathy, and to bring before members of the English Government, with whom I have the honour to be acquainted, the wants of, and the means for improving, female education in India. I hope, too, that I may be the means of inducing ladies of superior minds and education to come out to India, and help you in the training of your ladies. I shall then be carrying on at home the work which has been begun

here.

'In conclusion, I hope that if any native gentlemen feel that there is any way in which I can assist them, they will com* Vide Appendix C. † VideAddresses,' pp. 85-91.

municate it to me; and, on the other hand, if there is any information which you think will be useful in England, you will forward it to me.

'I must now say farewell! I leave your shores with deep regret, but with many agreeable recollections of the kindness with which I have been received; these will always be treasured by me! I hope you will not forget me!'

CHAPTER II.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS-RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT SOCIAL POSITION OF WOMEN.

A THOUGHTFUL perusal of the foregoing brief narrative of the most striking features of my eventful six months spent in India, will probably have led the reader to the following conclusions:

1st. That the British public is, generally, very little informed of the actual condition and wants of that great country and its inhabitants, beyond what may be gathered from official or from missionary reports.

2ndly. That a more familiar knowledge of India is most important to both countries, not only as leading the way to that social intercourse which ought to exist between the two races, but as preparing for improvements which can be made only through the medium of friendly confidence.

3rdly.--That the time is come when the Hindoos gladly welcome such friendly intercourse with Europeans, provided this is conducted with the care which true courtesy suggests, not to wound the feelings of others, or to interfere with social customs.

4thly. That there are many ways in which the English can give very important help to their Hindoo fellowsubjects, and especially in which Englishwomen can help to raise those of their own sex in India.

5thly. That the progress of events renders improvements in some branches of legislation greatly needed, and that those who cannot directly promote these, may, indirectly, do good by drawing public attention to them.

With respect to the two first of these positions, a few general remarks may be offered.

The impression which prevails in England of the unhealthiness of India, and of the dangers and difficulties of the route, I have found to be much exagge rated. Such impressions led to great apprehensions being entertained by my friends respecting my own undertaking the journey; yet I not only did not suffer any serious inconvenience on the voyage, or during my stay in the country, but found my health permanently benefited by the relaxation and change. Instead of finding the English resident gentlemen and ladies looking sallow, as it is usually supposed they are, there was among them, generally, as great an appearance of health as at home. I found many who had been twenty or thirty years in the country without any injury to their health, and several preferred the climate of India, as well as the way of living, to that in England. I made specific inquiries, from both gentlemen and ladies, respecting the course they pursued thus to preserve their health. Their replies were always to the same effect-viz., they adopted regular and moderate diet, gave proper attention to sanitary precautions, and, above all, had full occupation of both body and mind. Ladies who enjoyed excellent health, after a residence of a dozen years in India, spoke strongly on the importance of sustaining mental action, and avoiding the indulgence of sitting in dark rooms, and regular midday siestas. I did not hear of a single death of an English resident while I was in India.

There are, of course, many to whose constitutions the. country proves injurious, and there are still more whose. health has suffered from over-exertion; such cases only prove the necessity of caution. With respect to young children, it certainly does appear that, under the present conditions of Indian society, they can very rarely be brought up with safety in that country; the climate appears generally injurious to the young of our race; and, besides, they are exposed to great and almost inevitable evil, in consequence of the very injudicious treatment, both moral and physical, which they receive from the native ayahs. The wilfulness and deceit which children thus learn, induce a state of fretfulness which is most injurious to the health, as well as to the character. The necessity existing for sending children home for education, and thus dividing families, is the grand hindrance to the settlement of the English in India. No change in this respect can be anticipated while the present social condition of domestic service in that country remains. It is not, then, a matter for surprise, that very few of the English residents, if any, except a few missionaries, look forward to make in India a permanent home, or a residence any longer than their business or official position renders necessary. While there, a change of locality may at any time be appointed, and a passage to England is continually occurring, whenever necessity compels, or official leave permits; all these things are great hindrances to improvement in the country. Such changes I frequently observed during my short stay, and the number of English friends whom I met in India, and have seen or heard of in England since my return, is very great. This, from the circumstances of the case, is likely to be a permanent, not an accidental condition.

No