Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/197

 be a powerful writer. He, who is expert in the choice of words, particularly suitable and determinate in their signification, and can use them properly, is admired as a good author. He, who rarely expresses the same thoughts more than once, is considered to be a skilful writer. There can be no doubt, that Vidyasagar was an author of this class, as can be easily perceived from the language of his translations, as well as, original compositions. Babu Akshay Kumar Datta's skilfulness in translation and his manner of expression are not less admirable. Akshay Kumar Babu's language is nearly equal to that of Vidyasagar in correctness of grammar and style, but is far inferior to it in variety of expression. It is rather monotonous.

In spite of all these qualities, however, Vidyasagar's "Vasudeva-Charita," was rejected by the authorities of the Fort William College, for which we have found cause to be deeply sorry. We are sorry, not because the Europeans did not approve of it, but because the Hindus have been deprived of its invaluable instructions, in as much as it was not printed, as we have already said. We are deeply sorry, because never more did Vidyasagar exercise his powerful pen and fertile genius in that direction. He never more tried to write another book on the sound principles of Hindu religion. Had he only the inclination, he could have written many instructive books for the guidance of the Hindus in this age of degeneration. If he had had