When the English first came to Calcutta to trade, at that time the Seths, Basaks, and Babus were engaged in commerce, but not a single soul in Calcutta knew the English language. All dealings and conversations with the English were conducted through gestures. Such is human nature: when pressed, the mind finds a way. Gradually, through gestures alone, some English words began to be learned. Later, when the Supreme Court was established, the demands of law and justice led to an increased practice of English. In those days, Ramram Mishra and Anandirama Das had learned quite a few English words. Ramram Mishra’s disciple, Ramnarayan Mishra, worked as a clerk for a lawyer and wrote petitions for many people; he even had a school, where students had to pay a monthly fee of fourteen or sixteen rupees each. Later, Ramlochan the barber, Krishnamohan Basu, and many others also took up the profession of schoolmaster. The boys studied “Tom, Dick, and Harry” and memorized the meanings of words by rote. At weddings or feasts, the boy who could recite “John’s rod” would be gazed upon by all, and showered with applause and cries of “Bravo! Well done!”

Following the example of Fenko and Aratoon Petrus and others, Mr. Sharbhoron Sahib also started a school after some time. In that school, the sons of respectable families studied. If the boys truly had the desire, then no matter which school they attended, by their own effort they could certainly learn something or other. Every school has its faults and virtues, and there are also many boys who, declaring, “This school is no good, that school is better,” wander here today and there tomorrow—thinking that if they can just fritter away their days in confusion, they will have fooled their parents. Matilal, after attending Mr. Sharbhoron’s school for a day or two, enrolled in Mr. Kalus’s school.

The true purpose of learning is this: to cultivate good habits and upright character, to develop sound judgment, and to thoroughly learn whatever may be useful in life’s affairs. If children are educated with this aim, they become refined in every way, and can understand and perform all tasks, both at home and outside, with discernment. But to impart such an education, the care of both parents and teachers is required. The path the father walks, the son will follow. If you wish to make your child virtuous, first the parents must—

A father ought to be virtuous. If a father, sunk in drink, forbids his son to drink, why should the son listen? If a father, engaged in wicked deeds, preaches morality, the son will mock him as a hypocritical cat turned ascetic. The son of a father who walks the path of righteousness rarely needs much advice—the son’s good nature grows naturally from the father’s example. And a mother, too, must always keep a watchful eye on her child. Nothing softens a child’s heart like a mother’s sweet words, her affection, and her kisses. If a