Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/543

496 table institutions and to do other useful works. Sarada Prasad acted up to this advice. In 1853, he opened a charitable dispensary, and on the 1st August, 1861, established a free school, both at Chakdighi. It was on a poor family of this village that Vidyasagar had settled a monthly allowance of fifteen rupees. A few years subsequent to the death of this Zemindar, there was a suit instituted with respect to his will. In this case, Vidyasagar had to appear in Court as a witness, of which hereafter.

Although Vidyasagar was heavily embarrassed with debts on account of his widow marriage movement, he never stinted his charities. We have already said, that he never refused a beggar or supplicant. He always contributed very liberally to the aid of such works, as in his opinion were useful to the country.

About the middle of 1868, some respectable residents of Ghatal in the Midnapore district appealed to him for aid towards the establishment of a High English School at Ghatal. Vidyasagar was a warm supporter of English education, and he very generously responded to the appeal. He contributed as donation the whole amount of 500 rupees which they wanted.

The reader may recollect the name of Rani Katyayani of Paikpara Raj, and how much indebted she was to Vidyasagar. The Rani was now grown too old. She breathed her last on the 17th day of August, 1868.