Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/541

494 was at his goading instigation that Ram Gopal Ghosh delivered his eloquent speech at a meeting held in the Calcutta Town Hall for the purpose, which made the Government throw up the project. In this connection, the following story is current in the country.

When Vidyasagar heard of the measure projected by Government, he was very firmly resolved to thwart it. Many leading native gentlemen had also sided with Government. Vidyasagar saw that there was only one man who was competent to oppose it vigorously and effectively. That man was Ram Gopal Ghosh. Vidyasagar called on him and gave out his mind, but he, having no scruples of his own on that account, declined to interfere. Vidyasagar now set himself to think of some means whereby his friend could be persuaded to stand against the proposal. It suddenly struck him, that Ram Gopal was highly filial to his mother, and never disobeyed her. He decided upon persuading her to induce her son to take up the cause. Accordingly, early in the next morning, he again called and seated himself in the outer apartments of his friend's house. As Ram Gopal's mother returned from her bath in the Bhagirathi, she saw Vidyasagar seated alone with a very melancholy face, and asked him the cause. He replied:—'Madam, perhaps you are not aware, that Government have resolved upon removing the burning ghat from Nimtala and setting