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138 power their happiness and prosperity. Quick to judge in which direction the true interests of his Muhammadan countrymen lay, he lost no opportunity, in spite of strong opposition, of pointing it out to them by every means in his power. He served to combine in his character all the best traits of the East and the West. He had the energy of the Anglo-Saxon, tempered by the cautiousness and tact of the Oriental, and the directness and indomitability of the West combined with the patience and industry of the East. When once he had decided what course to follow he pursued it through good report and ill with quiet determination till success crowned his efforts. It was truly said of him that he was the life and centre of Indian society in Calcutta for he alone was the friend equally of European, Muhammadan and Hindu, who all perforce sank their differences and jealousies under the influence of his good nature and quick sympathy. 'This man ne'er lost a friend nor made a foe' might well be taken as his epitaph. The Muhammadan community owes a debt of gratitude to Nawab Abdul Latif Bahadur which it behoves it never to forget. He found it backward and apathetic, sunk in ignorance and prejudice and content to see itself surpassed in every walk of life by the Hindu community, helplessly clinging to its old ideals and shibboleths and obstinately refusing to recognise the march of events and the necessity of change. He left it awake and