other of which, varying with the district, is absolutely necessary for those who wish to converse with high-caste women in their own homes. This is so much a recognized fact that all who take up medical or mission work, are expected and obliged to learn one or more native language, according to the part of the country that is to be the scene of their labours.
An Englishwoman going to reside in France or Germany, and being anxious to cultivate friendly relations with the inhabitants of the country, would, as a matter of course, be prepared to speak the language, otherwise the projected intercourse must be of a very restricted nature. There are many Englishwomen in India who would gladly make friends with Indian ladies, but when they go to visit them they find themselves utterly at a loss as to what to say. Even if they are able to exchange with them the few preliminary civil sentences which may be learnt by heart, they are soon obliged to fall back on smiles and signs for the remainder of the interview.
This is surely a wrong state of things, and one which might easily be remedied. It is considered necessary that a well-educated girl should be able to speak French, German, and Italian, even though the probability of her ever residing in those countries for more than a few weeks is a very remote one.
