“At present, there are seventy-five children in my native schools learning to read, which will tend to undermine the superstructure whose basis is ignorance; and I purpose establishing a school for [native] Christian children, of whom I know now of six, and shall find more. The bulk of the people are wretchedly poor from their indolent habits, which never let them lay up for a rainy day. When a Mahomedan gets a little money, he usually spends it in debauchery; and a Hindoo works no more till it is gone. This is the character of the people: hence, beggars innumerable swarm; many truly wretched objects, who often make one retire with overflowing eyes, unable to supply them all. Of the Europeans, several are very attentive; and my labour is evidently not in vain, though I know only of one or two I can speak of with good hope. Of my three dear young friends, two are going on delightfully: one of these has lately been with a detachment against a native prince who refused his tribute, and saw some hot work: twelve of his brother officers fell on the occasion, but he received only a slight wound in the knee: the dear lad is much grown in spirituality since then; and is not without trials of ‘cruel mockings:’ he writes to me once a week, and I endeavour, by writing constantly to him, to encourage him to stand fast. Away from the means of grace, and without a single companion like-minded, he plainly stands by faith. The other at Madras goes on well, and has the ‘communion of saints’ to resort to. The third, a most affectionate, sensible youth, is, I fear, led captive; though not, I think, with his will. Oh! my heart yearns over them, in consideration of the many, many obstacles in their way! The demon that oppresses Europeans in this land, ‘goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.’ Example, opportunity, solicitation allure them to the paths of death; and few, alas, return from them! Those I allude to, are from eighteen to twenty or thereabouts; from which you will see at once the danger they are in.” On the subject of missions Mr. Corrie adds: