Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/92

76 The social atmosphere of Burdwan was very different from that of Krishnagar. The latter was following closely in the steps of Calcutta, keeping itself abreast of the latest movements. In Burdwan there was not the same class of students eager for enquiry and discussion. It was during this period, when Ramtanu doubtless had more time for reflection, that he finally broke with the old Hinduism. In spite of his advanced views and the persecution he had suffered at the hands of his coreligionists he still wore the Brahminical thread. A story is told of an incident that helped to induce him finally to break the last slight link that bound him to a creed to which he no longer adhered in spirit. He was performing the shradh ceremony of his mother at Krishnagar in the manner of an orthodox Brahmin, when a youth pointing at him the finger of scorn laughed at him, saying, 'You do not believe in Hinduism. Yet what is this? Here you are performing your mother's shradh with your paita fully displayed. Truly a real Brahmin! If not, you are a hypocrite.' The taunt cut Ramtanu to the heart, the more so as on reflection he could only admit its justification. In October, 1851 he finally broke the last link that bound him to the old belief by removing the sacred thread.

It was only for a year that Ramtanu remained at Burdwan. In 1852 he went to Uttarpara as Headmaster of the English school there, a position he