And now the Presbyterian mission obtained at last what it had so many years sought in vain. An eligible location was tendered them near the centre of the city, not far below the palace, adjoining one of the largest wats and in the neighborhood of several others.
About this time the king, with a singular appreciation for an Oriental monarch of the importance of female education, in a note in which he says he "desires several ladies who live with him to acquire knowledge in English," invited the wives of the missionaries to visit his palace and alternate in giving regular instruction to his numerous family. Gladly and with much interest did Mrs. Mattoon, Mrs. Dr. Bradley and Mrs. Dr. Jones, representing the three missions in the field, enter upon their work—the first zenana-teaching ever attempted in the East.[A] Twenty-one of the thirty young wives of the king, and several of his royal sisters, composed the class. During the three years these labors continued much Christian as well as secular knowledge was imparted to these secluded ones—saving knowledge, it was hoped, in the case of one at least, a princess of the highest rank.
As soon as the rains were over and possession was given of their new premises, Messrs. Mattoon and Bush proceeded to enclose the ground, dig
[Footnote A: This was in 1851. Instruction was first given in zenanas in India in 1858 [or 1857].]
