THE abstract of this letter, as given in the manuscript, appears to have been inaccurately copied, for which reason I have not attempted a regular translation of it. The subject of it, however, is too remarkable to be entirely passed over. It relates to the establishment of a kind of school in certain of the Risâlas composing the garrison of Seringapatam: and from the context I infer, that the Risâlas in question were some of the Usud Ilhye or Ahmedy corps. The number of pupils in each Risâla was fixed at twenty, who were ordered to be selected from the most promising youths belonging to it. Besides being taught to read the Koran, they were to be instructed in the Persian language and in accounts.

There is reason to conclude, from a curious memorandum among the Sultan’s papers, in which the qualifications of several of his principal servants are specified, that those of the military class were, for the most part, utterly illiterate. It was probably, therefore, with a view to the correction of this evil, and to the forma­tion of a more intelligent and respectable description of officers, that he instituted the schools here spoken of. I am unable to state, what effects resulted from this regulation, or whether, indeed, it continued in force long enough to lead to any. It was, no doubt, well calculated, if steadily pursued and duly executed, to pro­duce a considerable improvement in the character of the superior ranks of the army; and particularly, if it was extended, or intended to be extended, to all the garrisons, among which the Ahmedies and Usud Ilhyes were distributed. But whether or not this was the case I have no means of judging.

The letter, which we are now considering, contains also a paragraph to the fol­lowing effect:

“You did right, in committing five youths to the charge of Uzeem­ûddeeen,* for the purpose of their being taught the encomiastic odes; “but there is no need for adding four more to the number.* The former “are sufficient.”