“ The general practice is to allow them to grow up in absolute ignorance; but this custom is not required or even sanctioned by their religion; and in fact a certain degree of education is now given to the female relatives of those who can afford the expense of entertaining special instructors at their own houses. ”

“ Under the influence of the new ideas which have been widely disseminated among large and influential classes of the community, through the Government schools and colleges, it is reasonable to believe that further attempts, for improving the moral and social condition of the people, may now be successfully made, which at an earlier period would have failed altogether to produce any satisfactory result. ”

“ In promulgating the intelligence, the Council intimated their conviction that a measure fraught with such important consequences, and so eminently calculated to extend the benefits and influence of education, would meet with the most cordial support of every person connected with the Education department. ”

“ The success which has been accomplished in so short a time, far exceeding any expectation its most sanguine supporters would have been justified in entertaining at the commencement, receives a double value from the consideration that it has been achieved by the exertions of a private individual, and cannot be attributed to the influence of the power of Government. ”

“ This method of imparting knowledge is impracticable as a general system, but it appears to the Governor General in Council that it is quite possible to establish female schools, in which precautions may be adopted for as close seclusion of the girls as the customs of the country may require. ”

“ The evil influence of the zenana is, in very many instances, never eradicated; and much of the good learnt by a boy at school and college, is neutralized by the habits of his domestic circle, and the absence of educated companions for his hours of leisure and repose. ”

“ It is believed that this influence will be even greater, if possible, in Eastern countries, where all the earliest and most lasting impressions of infancy and childhood are now produced and fostered by uneducated and superstitious mothers. ”