There were the Orientalists, and the Occidentalists. The former believed in the emancipation of the Eastern mind by the study of Arabic, Persian, and Sanskrit; the latter trusted only to English instruction. A Committee of Public Instruction had been charged with a report to the Government on the matter. Of this Committee Macaulay was President. Mr. Colvin was an ardent member, fighting in the ranks of those who advocated English instruction. Prinsep and Macaulay 'butted one another like two bulls,' said a critic, later. Finally Macaulay wrote a monster Minute, which carried all before it; and on March 7, 1835, Lord William Bentinck decided in favour of the English section.
Lapse of years has placed the wisdom of that decision beyond doubt; but with the lapse of years have arisen regrets for the neglect of Oriental tongues, and doubts among other points as to the value of the instruction given in India in the name of English education. Great strides have been made in England since 1835 in the physical sciences; but to this study few Indian students apply themselves. Literature is more attractive as being more congenial, and more likely to gain remunerative employ. Hence, while the physical science class-rooms are neglected, the native students crowd round Professors who can present them to Rosalind in her forest of Arden, or will take them with Moses to the fair. Many think that if this kind of instruction, when conveyed to the Indian mind, is not defective, at least it leaves much to be
