Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/423

380 millionaires. It was for some such similar reason, that he on a subsequent date banished his only son from his heart, of which hereafter.

In 1862, he had to meet with another mournful catastrophe in the death of his once dear friend, Rama Prasad Ray, the youngest son of the illustrious Raja Ram Mohan Ray. Rama Prasad was the ablest pleader of the Sudder Adalat of the day. He was the first native of Bengal, who was nominated to be a justice of the said Hon'ble Court. He had received the appointment letter, but before he could take his seat on the bench, he was suddenly ill and died. A few years before this sad event, Vidyasagar had a great difference with Rama Prasad in connection with the remarriage of Hindu widows. It is said, that on the occasion of the marriage of Sris Chandra Vidyaratna, who was the first to come forward to take a widow to his wife, some influential, wealthy persons had subscribed to an agreement to be present at the wedding festivities and promised to contribute largely to the expenses to be incurred on widow marriages. But most of these subscribers did not keep their word. A few days before the marriage, Vidyasagar called on his friend, Rama Prasad, and reminded him of his agreement and promise. The latter replied:—'No doubt, I am in favour of the cause; you may count on my contribution too. But suppose, I do not join the wedding party. Is there any harm?' Vidyasagar was quite disgusted at his friend's conduct.