Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/861

 VI.] BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. — 819 The first line rhymes with the second, the third with the sixth and the fourth with the fifth, so he follows no fixed code. Besides this, while going on with his verses in the above strain, he suddenly introduces a quite different form, which shows some affinity with the Tripadi, more often breaking its rules, however, than conforming to them. When the rules of metre had put such complex restraint on metrical compositions, the Panchaliand the extempore verses of the Aaviwalas opened out a new channel for the free expression of the thoughts and sentiments of our masses for whom Bengali had already became too learned,—not so much in its vocabulary as in its artistic forms and in the subtle conditions of its metre. This was an age when a display of classical learning was made through the vehicle of the ver- nacular, and as a matter of course it was most in evidence in the discussions of scholarly Brah- mins on various points of philosophy and literature. On these occasions there were animated scenes 11) which the Brahmins, in the enthusiasm of advocat- ing their own points, often dragged their opponents by the locks of hair that dangled behind their shaven heads, or otherwise offered what appeared like attronts of a personal nature. These of course never reached any very immoderate excess. The lock was really pulled to draw the attention of the opponent to the points which his rival Pundit had. so enthu- siastically tried to establish. In a heated scene of this nature box after box of snuff was emptied ot its contents in a few moments, and the discussion sometimes continued day and night. There was Learned discus- sions.