Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/274

Rh that way. It is his "Upakramanika" that has enabled the young and the aged, whether in the town or in the country, to obtain some knowledge of Sanskrit. If they had to begin with an original Sanskrit grammar, how many of them would have the fortune to learn the language? In fact, if Vidyasagar had done nothing else, he would still have won the gratitude of the natives for clearing the way to Sanskrit by the compilation of his "Upakramanika" and other similar grammatical works.'

Vidyasagar has done one great good to the schools of this country. To his credit it must be said, that it was he who introduced the practice of summer vacation into all the schools and colleges of Bengal. He saw that it was very difficult for both students and their teachers to work in the school during the sultry months of May and June, when the heat was quite unbearable. He brought the matter to the notice of the authorities praying for summer vacation, which was granted him. For this act of universal good, the educational institutions of Bengal will ever remain grateful to Vidyasagar.

On the night of the 11th May, 1852, a robbery was committed in Vidyasagar's house at Birsingha. He was then at his native village, enjoying the summer vacation. The reader has already been acquainted with Vidyasagar's love for humanity and unbounded benevolence, combined with liberality.