Page:Vidyasagar, the Great Indian Educationist and Philanthropist.djvu/23

 scattering joy, spreading plenty. This serene benevolence, which he inherited in part from his mother, became one of the most salient traits of his character in manhood.

One of his eccentricities, born of latent energy and innate firmness, may be noted here. He was now and then very wayward and intractable, for which Thakurdas gave him a sound beating often enough. Finding him still incorrigible, he had recourse to a new device. When he wished the child should do a thing, he had only to forbid him to do it. For a time the plan answered his purpose admirably but the younger gradually saw through it. There was in consequence a change in his tactics. What was really desired was left undone. All reformatory schemes failing, the devoted father at last left him to himself. He did not realise that the invincible self-will would in large measure bestead Isvar Chandra in years to come and the apparent blemish might be convertible into a shining merit.