Page:Ramtanu Lahiri, Brahman and Reformer - A History of the Renaissance in Bengal.djvu/158

 The corpse at length reached the spot fixed on for its interment, in the plot of ground in front of the Hindu College, and Hare’s bones lie there, under the monument that still draws everybody’s attention. He was buried there because the gates of the cemetery were shut against him, he having lived as a professed non-Christian. To add to the sad awfulness of the scene a terrible storm, attended with a fearful downpour of rain, convulsed Calcutta when his body found its last home.

Language fails to describe Ramtanu’s grief at this sad loss of his friend. It was terrible for him to realise that Hare, who had been a father to him, had helped him in hours of affliction, had put him and his brothers in the way of acquiring that knowledge that ever afterwards stood them in good stead, and who had nursed him when ill, was no more. To the last moment of his life the mere mention of his benefactor’s name caused tears to roll down his cheeks. And as long as he had strength to do so he called a meeting on the 1st of June every year, at his friend’s tomb, to render unto the departed the tribute of love and gratitude.

Ram Gopal Ghosh and other alumni of the Hindu College were as much grieved as Ramtanu. In The Spectator, which they edited, they put in a circular recommending that something should be done to commemorate their departed friend. Raja Krishna Nath Roy of Kassimbazar called a meeting in the Medical College Hall on the 18th of June, the result of which was the formation of an Executive Committee, of which Ram Gopal Ghosh was a member. Influenced by his zeal and example the other admirers of the late David Hare contributed considerable sums, and the marble statue now in front of Hare’s School and Presidency College was erected.

David Hare’s death was not the only bereavement which