Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/368

 and Consonants. Both the little works testify to his creative faculties.

Babu Pyari Charan Sarkar, one of the late professors of English in the Calcutta Presidency College, was among Vidyasagar's dearest friends. One day, when the two were sitting in the house of Pyari Babu, engaged in friendly chat, it was settled between them that Vidyasagar should write Bengali School-books, and Babu Pyari Charan Sarkar should apply himself to the compilation of School-books in English. As fruits of this arrangement, many English and Bengali elementary Readers were soon issued by them. Vidyasagar's two Varna-Parichayas did not, at first, meet with much appreciation. But gradually they rose in estimation.

In July, 1856, appeared his Charitavali. It contains short biographical sketches of such illustrious persons, as Duval, Roscoe, and others, who, though poor in their early years, rose to greatness and eminence by dint of assiduity and perseverance. Its language is beautifully easy and plain.

The University of Calcutta was established in January, 1857. Lord Canning, the greatest European friend that the country ever has had, was then the Governor-General of India. His predecessor in office, Lord Dalhousie, had made all preliminary arrangements, but had left to his successor their consummation. The number of members, at its inception, was 39, of whom only 6 were