Page:Sketches of some distinguished Indian women.djvu/103



T was a saying of the ancients that "those whom the gods love die young," and, however we may interpret it, it certainly seems as though some strange fate was destined to cut off in their early prime those whose youth has given promise of more than ordinary achievement. Modern India has as yet produced but one real poetess, and she, alas! is one whose early promise has been buried in a premature grave.

The story of the young Hindu girl's life is short and sad.

Tarulatta Datta, or, as she is more commonly called, Toru Dutt, was the youngest child of Babu Govind Chunder Dutt, a Bengali gentleman of good family, high character, and considerable attainments, who was distinguished among his countrymen by his broad-minded views on social questions, and by his clear and vigorous intellect. He was a Chris-