Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 592

1841.

Morrison Education Society.

575

Malacca, during the last summer, the Rev. J. Legge, principal of the Anglo-Chinese College, prepared with me a volume for the press, which I believe will very much facilitate the acquisition of the Eng- lish language by pupils here and in Chinese schools elsewhere.

"I beg to express my thanks to the trustees for the very consi- derate kindness with which they assented to and approved of my absence the last summer. I hope it has not been without advantage to the cause in which I am engaged, while the expenses of the Society have been not very materially increased by the measure, which the health of my family required. In the meantime I had an opportunity of observing what is done for the education of the Chinese in the Straits. The college at Malacca, where I was hospitably enter- tained by the Rev. Mr. Legge, I found in as flourishing a condition as could be expected, at this early stage of its progress under the present incumbent. The school has been filled up anew since Mr. Legge took charge of it, on the death of the Rev. Mr. Evans. It had in July about 35 boys, who had been at school only a few months. They were, however, making rapid advances in learning to read. Should the college continue to be under the same superintendance as at present, it will, I doubt not, satisfy all the just expectations of its friends.

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"In Singapore there are three schools for Chinese boys, taught by English and American masters. The largest of these, when I was there, was that supported by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The next was in the Singapore Institution, and the other under the care of the missionaries of the American Pres- byterian Board. The last, though small, is a good beginning. The Institution school had not flourished of late in its Chinese depart- ment, Messrs. Moor and Dickinson informed me, partly because of an epidemic among the native population, and partly because the European instructors are too much occupied in the other depart- ments to allow them to devote much personal attention to it. It is conducted by native masters in their own way. A few Chinese boys are found in the English department, and I noticed a very intelli- gent lad who had risen to the first class, and was reciting a lesson in algebra. Perhaps this branch of the school may be revived to bet- ter advantage when the number of European masters is increased, or by the training of Chinese teachers to take chage of it.

"The first mentioned school, that of the American Board, being of some years standing, and having had the exclusive attention of the gentlemen charged with it, offers at the present time, the most