Minute by J. Lowie, April 3, 1850

Minute, dated the 3rd April 1850, by J. Lowie.

        Native Female Education. I cordially concur with the Governor General in the sentiments he has expressed on this occasion.

        The necessity of absolute ignorance on the part of the women is not insisted on as a tenet of his religion by the Hindu and I share in no degree this apprehension with which Sir John Littler views the proposed innovation. In my opinion it is both safe and salutary to make it-and looking at the predominant influence which the mother's training of the child has upon the character of the man. I anticipate from Mr. Bethune's project, even if successful only in a very limited degree, large and lasting social benefits.

J. LOWIE

From: Bureau of Education. Selections from Educational Records, Part II (1840-1859). Edited by J. A. Richey. Calcutta: Superintendent Government Printing, 1922. Reprint. Delhi: National Archives of India, 1965, 58.