Page:The Message and Ministrations of Dewan Bahadur R. Venkata Ratnam, volume 2.djvu/431



That was really and truly our nation's hope, Gokhale. Beginning his career in ordinary, if not humble, surroundings; by sheer dint of native genius and acquired capacity, distancing powerful rivals, not through the adventitious aid of rank or good luck, but by force of powers faithfully employed, ideals loyally followed and services selflessly rendered, he rose to a position of unsurpassed magnificence and irresistible might, so much so that he