work it was now doing in England in the encouragement and protection afforded to Indian youths residing there for education. women. The Chairman said he had no intention of adding to the warmth of the discussion. It seemed to him that the lecturer was mistaken in the cause assigned by him for the continued seclusion of Hindu He took it that the real cause was to be found in the fact that Hindu society outside the Zenana was not fitted for the association of women. Let the tone of Hindu society be raised, let its habits and morals be reformed, and the emancipation of women would surely follow. The great work of reformation rested with the young men of this generation, so many of whom he saw around him, and he called on them to fulfil it. The lecturer had. drawn a very interesting picture of Hindu women in past times. He (the Chairman), from his own professional experience, could speak of Hindu women in the present day, and he could bear testimony to the fact that they exhibited the domestic virtues in a high degree, and that they were good wives and loving mothers. But this was not sufficient. Their influence in the household was necessarily limited, and he desired to see the great and good influence of women exerted in social circles. In this respect it appeared that Hindu women had fallen from the high ideal of former days, or, at all events, from the old high standard of practice. The Hindu woman of antiquity was a free woman; she moved in society, and exercised the elevating influence which was the privilege of her sex. What was their present state they knew pretty well. As to their future, he would venture to take up the language of prophecy, and to describe, not in his own halting speech, but in the words of a great English poet, what the Hindu woman of the future might be : "I saw her upon nearer view, A spirit, yet a woman, too! Her household motions light and free, A countenance in which did meet Sweet records, promises as sweet; Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears and smiles. "And now I see with eye serene With something of an angel light.” The Lecturer, in reply, briefly disclaimed all intention of giving offence to anyone by his paper, still less to introduce political discussion. It was necessary that he should point out what seemed to him the great difficulty in the way of what was called the emancipation of Hindu women. With regard to the Zenana Mission, he did not mean to say that the ladies engaged were not earnest and diligent, but he did say that the mode and character of their teaching was not calculated to promote the object in view. With a vote of thanks to the Chair, the meeting closed. REPORT OF THE Bengal BRANCH. The Report read at the Meeting of August 27th described the work done since March, and begins by referring to the Mary Carpenter Series of Reading Books. The first edition of one of the books published last year, Mejho Bou, was nearly exhausted by July, and the copyright was ceded to the author to enable him to publish a second edition, with the stipulation that the Mary Carpenter Series should be maintained, and the new edition submitted for approval before publication. "The Committee ruled that fresh editions of all works issued by the Association in this Series should be submitted by the authors to the Committee to ensure the purity of the text, and the maintenance of the standard of the Association as to purity and style. These conditions do not seem to have been fully understood, and the Committee regret to say that the second edition of this work is not equal to the first in appearance. The other work, Prabandha Kusum, does not sell so rapidly, owing probably to its not being a work of fiction." For this year's issue, the Committee offered a prize of rs. 200 for the best work published during the year ending June 30, 1880, provided it should meet the Association's standard. Of seven works sent in competition, two only were considered suitable. One of these, an original tale illustrating Domestic Economy, has been accepted on condition that the author (which he agrees to do) makes the new edition uniform in every respect with the Series. The Life of Mary Carpenter, by Rev. J. E. Carpenter, having appeared, the Committee think it desirable that an epitome of the same in the Bengali Vernacular should form the issue of the series for 1881, and they are happy to announce that permission has been received from the publishers to carry out this idea. With regard to the Mary Carpenter Scholarships granted by the London Committee, the Report mentions that a circular has been issued by the Director of Public Instruction to the five Educational Circles inviting the competition of all girls. The award will be based on Departmental Returns from the October Examinations. The Director expresses the opinion that these Scholarships are of great value in promoting the education of girls, and has promised to the Branch Committee every aid at his disposal. The award will be made in January, 1881. A box containing prizes for schools and small gifts for ladies and children in the Zenana has been received from some friends of the late Miss Carpenter. These articles have been distributed by the Committee and have afforded much pleasure. The Zenana teaching had been continued, and the fees received from the pupils were above the average in amount and now exceed the cost of conveyance of teachers. But the work is not self-supporting and cannot be made so for some time to come. The donations received this year had enabled the Committee to keep it up, but their regular income is still insufficient for the requirements of this branch of their work. Two teachers are employed, and they give satisfaction to those whose families they instruct. They teach the ordinary subjects of education without interfering with religious opinions. It appears likely that an increasing number of educated gentlemen may welcome such teaching for the ladies of their families and that in time the fees can be raised. The commencement of most educational schemes requires some outlay, and it is to be hoped that for a little while generous contributors will come forward to set this arrangement for solid instruction on a firm basis, particularly as it promises in the future to be self-supporting. A few contributions from English people who sympathise in the movement for female education in India would be very helpful and acceptable. The Report also mentions that the Committee had arranged to have three meetings for the reading of papers in the year instead of four. And it refers to a question that had arisen as to the affiliation of Mofussil Societies to the Association, in regard to which the London Committee agree with the suggestion of the Calcutta Committee, that such Societies should be called Local Committees rather than Branches, and should send their Annual Report through the Bengal Branch Committee. The Report shows that the work undertaken had been carried forward with earnestness, through the activity of Mrs. J. B. Knight, Hon. Sec., and we hope that increased support will enable the Committee to carry forward their objects more widely, and with less fear as to funds in the future. TRAVANCORE. The Report on the Administration of Travancore for the years 1878-1879 gives evidence of the steady endeavour made by the Government of that State for promoting reforms in all its departments. Justice is becoming more speedy, though still needing improvement, education is progressing, public works are liberally carried forward, and there is a continual effort to ameliorate the laws, as well as to ensure their execution. In the year under review, the finances of the State were in an unusually prosperous condition, partly owing to the favourable agricultural seasons, which enabled the land tax to keep up, the improvement in the amount of salt manufacture, and the good crop of cardamoms. The Government have been therefore able to devote large sums to irrigation works, and to the completion of roads and bridges. In regard to education, there had been a falling off of students at the College at Trevandrum, but the High School had increased, and the Principal was very well satisfied with the attendance and work. Two matriculated youths had been maintained at the Sydapet (Madras) Agricultual School for the study of Agriculture. The English Girls' School at Trevandrum was about the same as before in numbers. We are glad to learn that a Drawing class there had done remarkably well. Besides the drawing master for this school, the State maintains two native artists, one of whom has often carried away prizes at Madras. The present Mahárája is likely to be as earnest as his brother was in trying to promote the welfare of his people. We have the satisfaction of mentioning that His Highness has become a Life Member of the National Indian Association. The Dewan Mr. Nanoo Pillay has lately resigned, and it is stated that the Hon. V. Ramiengar is likely to succeed him. H.H. Ram Singh, Mahárája of Jaipur, G.C.S.I., C.I.E., died September 18, at the age of 43. He was remarkable for the enlightened principles which he adopted in the government of his State, and for his sympathy with reforms; he promoted education and supported many charitable institutions, and was much beloved by his subjects. The funeral rites of cremation were performed at Gehtore amidst signs of universal sorrow. The following account of the ceremony is given by the Times of India :-"The body of the late Mahárája was brought out of the palace and conveyed to the burning ground, clad in his royal robes and jewels, and placed erect in a car of state. Before this car torch-bearers ran, carrying funeral cakes and oil. Next went the family priests of the deceased; their long hair unbound and waving in the wind, calling all the while upon Vishnu (with all sects), the guardian of the vital spark. Then came the carriage itself, and immediately in rear the nearer relatives followed; and behind, the populace, all showing signs of genuine woe, for the late prince was much beloved and did very much for the good of his subjects. Many |