Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/182

158 much criticism and opposition. Nothing daunted however, by fierce denunciation or evil prognostications he set out in the spring of that year, reaching England in the month of March. Of his first European impressions he has left an amusing account. The luxury of hotel life astonished him while what surprised him still more at first sight was the hurry and bustle of the streets, which contrasted so strikingly with the slow movement and general leisureliness of the East. In England he met with a warm welcome. Lord Lawrence and many other retired officials who has known him proved themselves good friends and introduced him to all that was best in English society. Among the many whom he met were Dean Stanley, Professor Max Müller, Mr. Glodstone and John Stuart Mill. With the first two he formed a life long friendship. He was graciously received in private audience by Queen Victoria, who presented him with a large engraving of herself and copies of her two books, inscribed in her own hand "To Keshub Chandra Sen from Victoria, R. Sept. 1870.' He visited no fewer than fourteen of the chief towns of England and Scotland, the National Indian Association which has survived till the present day being founded by Miss Mary Carpenter to promote the cause that Keshub had so closely at heart. After six months in England, he left for India strengthened and encouraged by contact with some of the greatest