Page:Vidyasagar, the Great Indian Educationist and Philanthropist.djvu/112

 ceremony without giving him any notice of their intention. As he could not keep his word through no fault of his, he left the village with an aching heart vowing never to return again. Some twenty years after he received by post a pamphlet describing the pitiable condition of the old, familiar place. So moved was he that he purposed to visit it and even gave orders for the repair of his house. But his dangerous illness prevented him from breaking his resolution. Sickness is sometimes sent to us to stand us in good stead.

In August 1869 he gave away the Sanskrit Press Depository to Babu Braja Nath Mukherji under circumstances worth noting. Dissatisfied with its working, he gave out that he would make a free gift of it to anybody who came forward to accept it. Braja Nath, one of the audience, expressed his willingness and the next moment the property was his. The news spread quickly and the following day somebody offered him Rs. 10,000. Vidyasagar who