Page:Vidyasagar, the Great Indian Educationist and Philanthropist.djvu/42

 of a long interview the nobleman offered him a pair of shawls and Rs. 500 in cash by way of compliment. The visitor politely declined the proffered gift, making a suggestion that such liberality would immensely benefit the poor pundits of toles. His self-abnegation moved the admiration of the Maharaja who cemented a lasting friendship with him.

Next year he published his History of Bengal, a free translation of Marshman's book. It narrates incidents from the time of Nawab Sirajuddowla to that of Lord William Bentinck. Its style is elegant but it falls short of being a reliable history.

In March 1849 he reentered Fort William College as Head-Writer and Treasurer on Rs 80. In September he published his Jiban-Charita, a Bengali version of the lives of some learned men of Europe, compiled from Chambers's 'Biography'. There was great rejoicing in the house two months later when his wife presented him with the only son and heir. She afterwards gave