The Warrington Examiner. — 1870-05-21 (Warrington, Cheshire, England)

FEMALE EDUCATION IN INDIA.  A crowded meeting, called by the Council of the East India Association, was held on Friday, at the Society of Arts, London, to hear an address by Miss Mary Carpenter on her work fur the promotion of female education in India. Mr. C. Wren Hoskyns, M.P., was in the chair, and the audience included several Hin.doo ladies and gentlemen in their rich native costume. In her address, Miss Carpenter referred to her three journeys to India, taken with the object of showinesympathy with, and learning the wants of female education in India. Acknowledging that the British Government desired to do all it could for the welfare of India, she pointed out that there was also wanting sympathy springing from an individual and mutual knowledge of each other's social habits and manners. Her object had not been to found institutions, but to learn what could be done to help native gentlemen in the great work which until recently they could not promote, but upon which they were now disposed earnestly to enter. There was no want of knowledge of our language in India, but *one great obstacle to the improvement of female education was the want of female teachers. She determined from the first to avoid ;.ny interference with the social customs or religious belief of the natives; and her receptiv by the native gentlemen was most gratifying. At present girls were taken from school at 11 years of age, partly because it was not considered proper for them to remain under male teachers after that age, and this was naturally a great drawback. The young men of India could come to England and get a high class education, but no such advantage was enjoyed by the female population. Having referred to several native gentlemen who had suffered religious persecution for their efforts to emancipate their ladies from the social customs of India, Miss Carpenter detailed the mode which she adopted to bring about an improved system of instruction by native female teachers, and the valuable assistance which had been rendered by English ladies. In conclusion, she pointed out the necessity of Government finding some respectable house of lodgement for English female teachers going to India' such provision not being provided at present. She had money for present use, and did not fear any failure on that head. What was chiefly wanted was government recognition of female teachers as essential, and Government aid to female as well as to male schools in India. (Cheers.) On the proposition of the Chalrman, a cordial Vote of thanks to Miss Carpenter for her address was carried by acclamation. Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji (Hon. Sec: of the East India Asgociation) spoke at some length in complimentary terms or the good influence which Miss Carpenter had exercised Cu India.  Baboo Keshub Chunder Seri (who was loudly cheered) bore testimony to the noble work which Miss Carpenter had done, and the readiness with which she risked her life and health, and exposed herself to many inconveniences and hardships. She had earned the gratitude of all classes in India. He described the oppogition to the establishment of female schools in Calcutta during the administration of Lord Dalhousie, and the pernicious effects of early marriages upon the education of girls in India, who left school and married when they ought rather to be commencing their studies. Miss Carpenter's arrival had been timed most opportunely, and her help had been most valuable, because she at once saw the great want of trained female teachers. It only remained for Government to render help in order successfully to carry out what was a great desideratum in India, Bombay he described as .being ahead of other Presidencies on account of the normal schot,l there, but he pointed out that there had been some charming works published by Bengallee ladies. The best of the Bratimo hymns were from their pens. Government having made its grant, it now remained for the natives to do their part. The education of girls was one of India's great wants, and he besought English ladies to aid in the sending out of competent teachers. (Cheers.) A brief discussion followed, and Mr. Sen suggested the formation of a society in England for the promotien of male education in India. 'This idea was warmly supported by Miss Carpenter.  George Campbell has bLen arrested by the Dundee police on suspicion of murdering the tollkeeper at Bract), Perthshire, on the 20th December.