Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/360

 do they supplicate your Honorable Council. Besides, the boon they are now solicitous to obtain from your Honors, is neither exceptionable nor unjust; for every nation is naturally eager to preserve its religion uncorrupt. It is only the apprehension of interference on your part with their religion which has induced your Petitioners to approach you, in the hope that their prayers will prevail and prevent you from legislating on the subject of widow marriage.

"And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.

(Signed) " and others."

The Act was passed. But the people did not come forward to marry their widowed daughters or sisters. From the eagerness with which the advocates of widow marriage had looked out for the legislation, many thought naturally that they had been only waiting for the Law to marry the widowed girls under their care. But, in fact, such was not the case. Most of the subscribers to the petitions in favour of the innovation had put down their names out of curiosity for novelty, and some had done so under pressure of influential bodies. No sooner was the novelty gone, than they, one by one, began to forsake the party, for they had not espoused the cause from the impulse of their own hearts. For four complete months, even after the passing of the Act, no body ventured to take the initiative. On this point, it would be better to quote what the writer of "The Hindu Child Widow" has said:—

"In spite of warnings and clamours, he (i. e.