Page:Vidyasagar, the Great Indian Educationist and Philanthropist.djvu/62

 under a belief that nothing would come of it. Most of these signatories deserted him one after another, and tried to make a scapegoat of him. Whenever he was out in the streets, coarse abuses and savage threats were freely hurled at him. Some even went the length of attempting his life, and he had a narrow escape from their violence. Without uttering a single complaint, and buoyed up by firm resolve, he continued to persuade and encourage the people. Joy filled his whole being when the first widow marriage was celebrated in Calcutta in December 1856, while the streets were lined with sergeants by way of precaution. He with some of his adherents was present at the ceremony, while others held back. One of them, Babu Rama Prasad Roy, the youngest son of Raja Ram Mohan, had promised his presence and purse. A few days before the marriage Vidyasagar had called on him to remind him of his word. The latter hesitatingly said, "Doubtless, I favour the movement. You shall have