Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/372

 the obligation of putting on this dress. You are at liberty to come here in any dress, you choose.'

In the educational despatch of 1854, the authorities in England had sanctioned several lakhs of rupees for making provisions for the dissemination of education among the Indian public. In accordance with the purport of this despatch, Vidyasagar, as Special Inspector of Schools, opened a great number of model schools in the four districts under him. In the interpretation of the purport of this despatch, he had some difference of opinion with his immediate superior, Mr. Young, who directed him not to open any more schools. This was the origin of the subsequent great conflagration, which burnt down poor Vidyasagar's hut. In spite of his superior's interdictions, Vidyasagar opened fresh schools, which gave Young cause to be displeased with his subordinate. Both referred the matter to Halliday, who requested Vidyasagar to postpone the opening of new schools, and referred the matter to the authorities at home. They decided in favour of Vidyasagar, who now began to start new schools with renewed energy. Young felt himself humiliated, and began to cherish ungenerous and unfavourable feelings against his black subordinate, and looked out for opportunities to crush the poor fellow.

In the meantime, there was a change of ministry at home, which caused a change of the educational policy in this country. The authorities in