Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/121

Rh its feelings by cheering Mr. Tilak vociferously for several minutes, " It was a unique and unprecedented demonstration which ushered the advent of a new force in Indian Politics.

Mr. Tilak was a guest of Her Majesty's gaol at Yeravda till 6th September 1898, when he was released, nearly six months prior to the termination of the prescribed period of eighteen months. This belated grace was accelerated by the influentially signed petition presented by the late Prof. Max Muller to H. M. the Queen Victoria. Prof. Max Muller knew Mr. Tilak as the author of the 'Orion' and it was largely due to his efforts that the sense of justice of Lord Sandhurst was at last awakend. There was still a display of petty-mindedness in insisting upon an application for clemency from Mr. Tilak himself. But Mr. Tilak, who had manfully rejected such a humiliating offer before he was convicted, was not the man to yield now.

Prof. Max Muller's interest in Mr. Tilak enabled the latter to spend much of his enforced leisure profitably. Mr. Tilak was allowed the use of candles for a couple of hours at night and he utilized this opportunity to push on his researches into Vedic antiquities. The goal-diet reduced his weight from 135 lbs. to 104. A slight improvement in his food again increased it to 113 lbs. This diet was also responsible for diabetes which he soon contracted and which more or less tormented him to the end of his life. He was required to do hard work indoors. It is really sad to contemplate the author of the "Arctic Home in the Vedas" caning chairs and painting walls. To Mr. Tilak, all work was equally interesting and he is said to have surprised the gaoler by