or devotees. On the left it was pleasant to get a glimpse of heaven's light, and see some of the exterior of the rock. Leading to a gloomy chapel hollowed out of it was a flight of steps, on each side of which was the sculptured figure of a lion. These noble beasts were of a somewhat distorted form, for the Hindoos in their sculpture and carving never appear to copy nature, yet they were more agreeable objects than some which I had seen in this place.

Preparations were made for dinner outside the entrance, where it was refreshing again to be in the open air, and a sumptuous banquet was laid before us, which inspired us with feelings forming a striking contrast with what we had just experienced. The sight of the sun setting on the water from a solitary elevation was most grand and elevating. Nature has throughout all ages borne her own unvarying testimony to the holiness and greatness of the Creator, who is ever the same, though men forget Him in their many inventions.

When darkness closed in, blue torches were lighted in the temple, which produced wonderful effects of light and shade on the large columns and sculptured figures. In due time we descended to the shore, and a brilliant moon lighted us over the waters to our homes.

The schools were, of course, an early object of my attention, after my return to Bombay. I was invited. to see three, for girls, on the morning of February 7; from that time until my departure, visits to the schools, and conversation with the managers, so as to understand their real wants and wishes, occupied a very large share of my time and attention.

The movement to promote female education in Bombay differs from that in the other Presidency capitals, in having been originated by the native in

habitants themselves. More than fifteen years ago, a number of intelligent young men, who had been educated at the Elphinstone College, had formed themselves into a body called the Students' Society. They strongly felt the great importance of educating the female portion of the population, whose ignorance was a constant clog on their own advancement. But the prejudice against the education of girls was then very great, sufficient to have daunted any but the most determined and persevering. Several native gentlemen, however, undertook the matter, proceeding with the caution which they saw would be necessary, to overcome the opposition made by the ignorant. The very smallest aid from Government would have excited suspicion. of intended interference with social institutions. At first, they taught the little girls themselves, supporting the schools at their own expense, and after they had succeeded in inducing a few to come, and had established a small school, they were obliged to employ pundits in default of native female teachers. A native gentleman, one of those who originated the schools, told me that he was hooted in the streets for what he was doing, and especially by women, as it was supposed that this was a plot to prevent the marriage of their daughters. The Students' Society has retained the management of most of the girls' schools. Some are small, as it is not uncommon for a single individual to undertake the chief support of a school of which he is regarded as the patron; such were those which I saw on that first day, when I had the pleasure of meeting the president, Dr. Bhau Daji, who presented me, from the Society, with a copy of its proceedings, beautifully bound. These little schools were evidently well taught, as were indeed all which I visited. The Hon. Mr.

Munguldass patronises a large school, to which he conducted me, and at another time I visited one containing 200 young ladies, arranged in classes in various rooms. Perfect order prevailed, and evident care had been taken in organising the whole; a female sewingmistress was here employed, and the specimens of worsted work were beautifully executed; some of it now graces my drawing-room at home. These schools were, as I stated to the native gentlemen who accompanied me, as good as they could be made, without female. teachers; the same defects were, however, observable here as elsewhere, inseparable from the existing circumstances. These my native friends were as much alive to as myself, and as anxious to have corrected. Indeed, they requested me to induce some English ladies to visit their schools, as this would inspire the parents with confidence. It was very gratifying to observe such a change in public opinion, and such confidence in the friendly intentions of the ladies of the city. Subsequently, arrangements were made with some to visit the schools, for it was felt that, if unable to speak to the children, through ignorance of their language, the influence of their presence would be beneficial.

After some interviews on the subject, with leading Hindoo gentlemen, they perceived that the first step towards an advanced state of female education would be the establishment of Female Normal Schools, on the plan I had elsewhere proposed, where superior, welleducated teachers should be engaged to give such training to others as should qualify them to carry on efficiently the great work of education. It was resolved at once to prepare a memorial to the Government, of which the following is a copy.

To His Excellency the Honourable Sir H. B. E. Frere, K.C.B., G.C.S.I., Governor of Bombay.

The humble Memorial of the undersigned inhabitants of Bombay most respectfully showeth,—

That there are at present in Bombay about thirteen Native Girls' Schools, maintained entirely by private donations, and that the number of pupils attending these schools is about 1,600.

That, owing to the impossibility of obtaining trained female. teachers, male teachers are necessarily employed in these schools—a state of things which is evidently undesirable in itself, and which, besides, prevents the true development of female education.

That as there are only male teachers available at present, the girls are not allowed to remain in the schools after they are about twelve years of age, and their education consequently remains quite incomplete.

That the want of regularly trained female teachers is felt not only in Bombay, but throughout the Presidency; nay, throughout India.

That as female education is, if not the most, at least one of the most important measures connected with the future welfare of India, and as the Imperial Treasury has not yet been taxed in the cause of female education in this Presidency, your memorialists earnestly solicit that your Government will be pleased to establish at once a Normal School for the training of respectable female teachers to supply the most serious

want.

And your Memorialists, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. MUNGULDASS NUTHOоBнOY (and others).

Bombay: February 27, 1867.

It was gratifying to observe that the Hindoo gentlemen of Bombay not only devoted considerable attention to making their schools as good as circumstances would permit, but took opportunities of giving encouragement

to the little scholars, and exciting an extended interest in the cause of female education. The visit to Bombay of the Thakoor of Bhownuggur on occasion of the Durbah, to present to him the Order of the Star of India, presented an excellent opening for this; it was felt to be very important that a prince of so much influence should be enlisted in the cause, and preparations were hastily made for a prize-giving to a girls' school, held in the residence of a native gentleman. I was also invited. The little girls in their holiday trim, ranged in a large balcony, presented a very pleasing spectacle. The Thakoor arrived in some state with his prime minister, and considerable impression appeared to be made, as the little girls came forward to receive their prizes from him. He returned to his province much struck with what he had seen, and left, I understood, substantial tokens of his approbation.

On the next day, February 23, another native gentleman, the patron of a girls' school, invited a number of friends to be present at a festival for his scholars. A large company was assembled by special invitation, and the little maidens looked much elated with the scene. After receiving the prizes, or rather presents, they were conducted to the balcony, where a splendid display of pyrotechnics delighted both old and young. I withdrew from them to visit the ladies of the family in their seclusion, greatly regretting that those who would most have enjoyed the exhibition could obtain only a furtive glance at it. It is not a matter of wonder that those Hindoos who oppose the emancipation of women object to allow their daughters to go to school, and prefer that they should be educated in the seclusion of the zenana. It cannot be expected that young girls who have enjoyed such festivities as these, freely mingling in society,