advanced ages, considering the nature and amount of the
instruction communicated.
The teachers consist both of young and middle-aged men,
for the most part simple-minded, but poor and ignorant, and,
therefore, having recourse to an occupation which is suitable
both to their expectations and attainments, and on which they
reflect as little honor as they derive emolument from it; they do
not understand the importance of the task they have
undertaken; they do not appear to have made it even a subject of
thought; they do not appreciate the great influence which they
might exert over the minds of their pupils; and they
consequently neglect the highest duties which their situation
would impose, if they were better acquainted with their powers
and obligations. At present they produce chiefly a mechanical
effect upon the intellect of their pupils which is worked upon
and chiseled out, and that in a very rough style, but which
remains nearly passive in their hands, and is seldom taught or
encouraged to put forth its self-acting and self-judging
capacities. As to any moral influence of the teachers over the
pupils—any attempt to form the sentiments and habits, and to
control and guide the passions and emotions—such a notion
never enters into their conceptions, and the formation of the
moral character of the young is consequently wholly left to the
influence of the casual associations amidst which they are
placed, without any endeavour to modify or direct them. Any
measures that may be adopted to improve education in this
country will be greatly inadequate if they are not directed to
increase the attainments of the teachers, and to elevate and
extend their views of the duties belonging to their vocation.
The remuneration of the teachers is derived from various
sources. Two teachers have their salaries wholly, and another
receives his in part, from benevolent individuals who appear to
be influenced only by philanthropic motives; a fourth is
remunerated solely in the form of fees; and the remaining six are
paid by fees and partly by perquisites. There are in general four
stages or gradations in the course of instruction indicated by the
nature of the materials employed for writing on, viz., the ground,
the palm-leaf, the plantain-leaf, and paper; and at the
commencement of each stage after the first a higher fee is
charged. In one instance the first and second stages are merged
into one; in another instance the same fee is charged for the
third and fourth: and in a third, the first, second, and third
stages are equally charged; but the rule I have stated is observed