It was early in January 1822, that the Calcutta Committee of the Church Missionary Society, took measures for the formation of female schools, under the superintendence of this lady; and such was the success attending their first efforts, that three schools were in operation by the middle of February. It was then thought desirable to bring the subject more distinctly before the residents in Calcutta, in the hope that the friends to the moral and intellectual improvement of the natives of India, might be induced to assist in carrying on this important and difficult undertaking: and to Mr. Corrie it was assigned, to draw up and circulate the following address: “NATIVE FEMALE EDUCATION. “The importance of education, in order to the improvement of the state of society among the natives of this country, is now generally acknowledged, and the eagerness of the natives themselves for instruction begins to exceed the opportunities hitherto afforded them. “But to render education effectual to the improvement of society, it must obviously, be extended to both sexes. Man requires a ‘Help-meet;’ and in every country the infant mind receives its earliest impressions from the female sex. Wherever, therefore, this sex is left in a state of ignorance and degradation, the endearing and important duties of wife and mother cannot be duly discharged; and no great progress in general civilization and morals can, in such a state of things, be reasonably hoped for. “Such however, with few exceptions has hitherto been the state of the female sex in this country; but a happy change in this respect seems at length to be gradually taking place. A most pleasing proof of this occurred in the interesting fact, that thirty-five girls were among the number of scholars, at the last examination of the School Society, in the house of one of the most respectable natives in Calcutta. “The arrival of a lady of judgment and experience, at such a crisis, for the purpose of devoting her time and talents to the work of native female education, could not but be regarded, by all interested in the improvement of society among the natives of this country, as a most favourable event. “This lady (Miss Cooke) was recommended, in the first instance, by the British and Foreign School Society, to the Calcutta School Society; but the Committee of this Society, being composed partly of native gentlemen, were not prepared unanimously and actively to engage in any general plan of native female education. Most of these, however, have expressed their good-will towards such a plan, and their intention of availing themselves, as circumstances may admit, of Miss Cooke’s disinterested services to obtain instruction for their families.