Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/542

Rh up an engine crematorium for the cremation of the dead bodies of the Hindus. The law on this subject is going to be passed very shortly.' The old lady was taken by surprise. She asked him if there was no means to prevent it. Vidyasagar said,—'There is only one means. To-morrow the matter will be decided at the Town Hall meeting. If your son should attend the meeting and speak against the measure, the legislation may be averted.' The matron replied,—'I will at once ask Ram Gopal to do so.' She went into the inner apartments and told her son to oppose the proposed legislation. Ram Gopal promised to obey. He then came out and said to Vidyasagar,—'O! You have told mother. There is no help now; I must obey my mother. Very good, come to-morrow at 3 P. M.; I will attend the meeting.' On the next day, Ram Gopal, accompanied by his friend, went to the meeting and made a highly eloquent speech strongly opposing the proposed measure, which made the Government abandon the project.

Shortly after this, Vidyasagar had to encounter the loss of another great friend. Sarada Prasad Ray, a Zemindar of Chakdighi in the Burdwan district, died on the 18th March, 1868. The deceased had a great familiarity with Vidyasagar. He consulted the latter on all points. He had no issue of his own, and he, therefore, had a great mind to take an adopted son. But Vidyasagar prevented him from that step and advised him to establish chari-