Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/647

600 In this connection, we will notice here, in passing, the appointment of Pandit Mahes Chandra Nyayratna as a Professor of the Sanskrit College. On the retirement of the old professor, Pandit Premchand Tarkavagis, his place in the College fell vacant. There were two candidates for the post—Rammay Bhattacharyya, a brother of the retired professor, and Mahes Chandra Nyayratna. Both were qualified men; the people naturally expected that the first-named Pandit would get the appointment. Although the second candidate was not a student of the Sanskrit College, yet he was highly proficient in Belles-lettres and Rhetoric, and had acquired a great reputation as the most learned man in the six Darsuvs (Philosophy). Mr. Cowell, the Principal of the college, found a difficulty in making the choice. At last, he asked for Vidyasagar's opinion in the matter. Vidyasagar said,—'To teach the Kavyaprakas to the students of the Rhetoric class, the professor should have a sound knowledge of the Nyaya philosophy. Pandit Mahes Chandra Nyayratna has mastered the whole Nyaya Sastra; I therefore think him to be duly qualified for the post.' Nyayratna was accordingly appointed to the vacant place.

The continued physical and mental sufferings combined with intense afflictions and griefs at the loss of his nearest and dearest relations and friends completely broke down his already unpaired health.