Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/124



We have seen Isvar Chandra as a little child; we have seen him as a naughty village school-boy; we have also seen him as a College student, winning the praise and admiration of every body, he came in contact with. But this was only the bud of a large, sweet-smelling flower, waiting to expand in full bloom,—the sprout of a big tree, to develop into spreading branches, bearing nice fruits in time,—the beginning of a great end. He has left to the poor student an unparalleled example of infinite toil, deep earnestness, forbearing patience, untiring perseverance, resolute self-reliance, and unprecedented success, even under circumstances most discouraging and adverse. He has clearly shown to the world, that poverty is no bar to the attainment of success in an honest undertaking.

We now proceed, step by step, to that part of his life, where the qualities of his early years developed themselves to their full extent, bringing in, in their train, other qualities, equally noble and fascinating. He was now standing on the threshold of his worldly life, which was full of events displaying his intrepidity in danger, vivacity in despondency, love for mankind, disinterestedness in every undertaking, and modesty in prosperity. These qualities were conspicuous in his life at all times, from the very first day of his entrance into the