Mrs. Wilson at the Central School, and to he introduced to some more English ladies.
In a few weeks the lessons were discontinued; her husband fell into well-merited disgrace. This, however, was the first and last pupil Mrs. Wilson had in the highest ranks, hut the disappointment was more than compensated by the accomplishment of another scheme, perhaps more important, for the amelioration of the main character, namely, the establishment of an asylum for female orphans. We cannot here detail the several circumstances, apparently fortuitous, to us evidently providential, which contributed to the success of this scheme, nor relate all the noble efforts made by Mrs. Wilson to promote its accomplishment, suffice it to say that as soon as suitable buildings at Agiparah, about fourteen miles from Calcutta, were completed, "Mrs. Wilson removed thither with her large orphan family, and discontinued her attendance at the day schools, and almost her connexion with the outer world. All within the precincts of the establishment professed Christianity; and no more enticing example to follow its precepts could have been afforded than Mrs. Wilson's conduct displayed. Her great aim and object in educating the native girl was to elevate the native woman; not merely to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, the use of the needle, etc., but to purify the mind, to subdue the temper, to raise her In the scale of being, to render her the companion and helpmate of her husband, instead of his slave and drudge. Many of the European patronesses of distinction, as soon as they heard of the plan of an Orphan Refuge, hailed it as a most admirable one for rearing a much better class of ladies'-maids or ayahs than was generally to be found in Calcutta, and who could speak English withal; but they little comprehended Mrs. Wilson's scheme. She did not educate for the benefit of the European, but of the native. A few of the most intelligent were taught to read and write English, but all knowledge was conveyed through the medium of their own language; and none were allowed to quit the refuge until they were sought in marriage by suitable native Christians, or till their services were required to assist in forming other orphan retreats. As soon as the dwellings were finished, a place of worship was erected, and steps taken to induce a missionary and his wife to proceed to India to preside over this singular establishment. For all these undertakings finds were never wanting; and though their avowed purpose was to spread Christianity, many rich and influential natives contributed to them, and one Brahmin of high caste, when bequeathing a handsome sum, said he did so under the conviction that their originator was more than human. Before all Mrs. Wilson's plans were brought to maturity, many had gone and done likewise; and influential societies of various denominations were formed to promote female education in the East. There are now several Orphan Refuges in Calcutta, and one in almost every large station in India. It Is not my purpose to speak of these: I wish only to record whence they all spring, and who led the way in the good and great work. Mrs. Wilson is no longer with her lambs, but her deeds do follow her; and wherever the despised and outcast native female child may hereafter find a Christian home, and receive a Christian training, she should be taught to bless the name of Mrs. Wilson, as the first originator of the philanthropic scheme.
