Page:Sketches of some distinguished Indian women.djvu/25

Rh the courage and the force of character possessed by those who have succeeded in carrying such a design into execution. In the pages that follow will be found some particulars regarding a few of these pioneer women, women who are indeed worthy of all true honour and respect, both from their own countrywomen and from us who have for so long enjoyed the advantages they are only just beginning to taste.

It will no doubt be noticed that most of these ladies are Christians, and as a consequence far less trammelled than if they still belonged to the Hindu religion ; but we should remember that the Pundita Ramabai had made her stand for freedom before she accepted Christianity, and that Miss Sorabji had to contend, if not with domestic opposition, yet with the full current of popular objection to female education.

There is one other point to which we wish to direct the reader's attention, and that is, all these remarkable women have owed very much to their parents. In every case, in a greater or less degree, the work of education and enlightenment has been begun in the previous generation, and Ramabai, Toru Dutt, and Cornelia Sorabji have all borne witness to the debt they owe to their mothers.

May we not find in this fact a real source of encouragement and ground of hope ? If the result of