CO129-051 - Sir Bowring - 1855 [7-9] — Page 7

5

of the Colonial functionaries

to the views of Sir

of Her Majesty's Government, on this interesting

matter..

I beg to mention that knowledge of the local oral dialect current in this Colony

would be of no

assistance -

but rather an impediment to the acquisition

of the mandarin,

official language of China,

and that for

the

study of

the latter this Colony at present affords no facilities. – But the prosperous state of our finances

will, I trust, enable

us to take

the whole question of public

Education

on a

large

and liberal

spirit, without calling upon the Imperial Treasury for pecuniary

aid. - And if there should be some delay in my

recommending

a general scheme of popular

instruction, I hope Your Lordship will attribute that delay to my desire of obviating, as well as I can, the objections

of whose nature Your Lordship has

had abundant experience.

I have the honor to be, With the highest respect.

Your Lordships,

Most Obedient.

Humble servant,

W. H. Bourn