Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/722

Rh pray that every one should endeavour to acquire this sincerity and earnestness, and with this sincerity and earnestness apply himself diligently to follow in the footsteps of his forefathers according to the dictates of his own Scripture, and thereby achieve his own end.

The Hon'ble C. E. Buckland, speaking of Vidyasagar in the appendix to his 'Bengal under the Lieutenant-Governor,' says;—"The life of this eminent Bengali was remarkable on several grounds, and may be studied from different aspects; (1) as an educational officer, (2) as author and editor of various publications in Bengali, Sanskrit and English, chiefly of an educational character, (3) as a social reformer, and lastly (4) as a philanthropist. He combined a fearless independence of character with great gentleness and the simplicity of a child in his dealings with people of all classes. A stern disciplinarian, he could yet forgive the shortcomings of others less gifted and less exact than himself. He was a model of patience and perseverance in literary work." Sir Roper Lethbridge says;—"Vidyasagar was the very ideal of a high-minded, intelligent and benevolent Brahmin of the old school."