interests of the rising generation. The vast difference between even imperfect discipline and no discipline, must be obvious to the mind of every parent. Restraint, in point of expence alone, must be considered as no small advantage, in a distant country, where the habit of contracting debt, and the danger of native influence, are so prevalent. "The settled state of the college, under the vigilant inspection of the governor-general, during the last year, enabled me to make reports very satisfactory, and highly creditable to the institution. The agitation which again prevails, has produced, within a few weeks, considerable irregularity, as appears from the returns of the professors; and there are other symptoms of rapid departure from the rules of the college, which nothing but established discipline, enforced with more rigor than has heretofore been found necessary, can check. "D. BROWN." (Signed) "Fort William, 23 Dec. 1806." To the Honorable Sir G. H. Barlow, Bart. of The foregoing letter accompanied a very clear and able statement upon the expences the college, according to the new-modelled institution, institution, from which the following is extracted: "I particularly regret that there should be a necessity for any material change during the absence of the vice-provost, without his concurrence or knowledge; from consideration of his having throughout so eminently devoted his superior talents, with utmost zeal, and by every exertion for the benefit of the public service, in the success of the college. In his absence I take it upon me to communicate faithfully my thoughts, and to submit them with respect and deference to the consideration of the honorable the governor-general." [A scale of expenditure here followed.] "Even the sum I have specified falls within the estimate made by the honorable court of directors, and leaves at the disposal of the governor-general, sicca rupees 36,000 per annum. "What has been stated above, relates solely to tuition. Discipline and moral observance, I am persuaded, can only be provided for in the way that has been hitherto adopted; and from the circumstance of the honorable court having retained a clergyman of the church of England at the head of Hertford College, it would appear, that they sanction the principle on on which I was placed as superintendent of the college of Fort William; and indeed, that the institution should preserve any semblance of a college, general custom seems to point out the propriety of retaining a superintending officer, as the organ of communication between the government and the students. "As the orders of the honorable the court of directors, in their letter which I am now considering, seems to affect the sum expended rather than the mode of its expenditure, I feel encouraged to express myself deeply impressed with the important necessity of still retaining that superintendence, as it respects the efficiency, morals, and dignity of the college of Fort William; and from the intimate interest I have had in the conduct of it, I am induced humbly to offer the continuance of my attentions for this office, during the absence of the Rev. Dr. Buchanan, or till some other clergyman receive the charge, if my doing so be deemed desirable by the government, or till instructions from the court of directors be received on the subject. "I am solicitous for the adoption of the measure, with a view to the best interests of the service, in order that the youth brought forward in this institution may be regulated by due inspection, while they pursue their studies, studies, and be restrained from contracting debt, or other ruinous habits; from which dangers, their immediate responsibility to government must be their preservation." The governor-general, Sir G. H. Barlow, on receiving the foregoing papers from the hand of Mr. Brown, expressed himself deeply struck and gratified at his philanthropy and disinterestedness, and assured him, "he should consider of his proposal." No further intimation, however, respecting it, was conveyed to Mr. Brown; but the new modification of the institution immediately took place, by which the offices of provost and vice-provost were abolished. His disinterestedness in the service of the college had likewise been exercised at the earliest period of its formation; for it was originally designed, that the provost should receive the students on their arrival. This idea was, however, dropped, and no allowance was attached to the appointment for such an expence: yet he had in the interim received a student into his own family; and others, whom he could not accommodate under his roof, he placed in the college apartments, and ordered ordered them their meals by the college servants, with their ine, chiefly at his own charge. On the public table being opened, his personal expenditure for the students ceased; but he claimed no remuneration for the trouble and charge he had been at, considering, he said, his appointment and pension, as it originally stood, to be abundant compen sation. It was at the first determined to be the assigned office of the provost, that he should deliver lectures to the students of the college, "on literary, moral and religious subjects, in order to instruct and confirm them in the principles of the christian religion, according to the doctrine, discipline and rites of the Church of England, as established by law." Accordingly Mr. Brown drew up some heads, left among his papers, of the subjects he proposed for discussion, under the head of " Plan of a course of Lectures, moral and religious, adapted to the situation and circumstances of the Students of the College of Fort William;" but it was deemed best to postpone this design, with others of a concurrent nature, till the college should receive the ultimate sanction and countenance from home, and its authority be fully established and acknowledged: but the |