Page:Vidyasagar, the Great Indian Educationist and Philanthropist.djvu/102

 Taking the minor sons of the late Raja with him, Vidyasagar called on Sir Cecil Beadon, the Lieutenant-Governor, and earnestly prayed him to save the property. His Honour had the generosity to place it under the Court of Wards.

About this time a fearful famine broke out in Orissa and the southern part of Bengal. It was but partly due to scarcity of rainfall. Myriads died for want of a morsel of rice. Those who left their homes to avoid starvation succumbed to hunger on the way. The Government strove hard to alleviate the sufferings but their measures fell far short of the requirements. Vidyasagar promptly left for the scene of devastation, opened several relief camps and fed about one thousand people a day for months together. His strict injunctions to the workers were to see that the sufferers wanted for nothing. He grudged no expense, however large, to lend a hand to the needy. Such unselfish exertions attracted the notice of Government. They warmly