Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/432

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
MICHAEL M. DATTA.
389

the heart of his noblest and greatest benefactor, who had taken so much pains to save him from starvation and bring him back to the country as a Barrister.

Madhusudana returned to Calcutta in February 1867, as penniless as ever. Before his arrival, Vidyasagar had taken for him a nice three-storeyed house, and kept it ready furnished in European style. But Madhusudana, instead of putting up in this house, lodged in Spence Hotel. Vidyasagar called on him, and tried his best to persuade him to remove to the newly furnished house, but failed in his attempts. Michael was now free, and thought within himself that, after all, he was not bound to follow Vidyasagar's advice, and that he was at liberty to act according to his own free will. He thus began to disregard his "truest benefactor" in different ways, but Vidyasagar never minded them. He loved Madhusudana as dearly as if he was his own son. Both of them were great geniuses, and had a sincere attraction for each other.

Madhusudana applied for enrolment at the Calcutta Bar, but he had again many obstacles thrown in his way. His application was about to be rejected, as will be evident from the letter, quoted below, addressed to Vidyasagar by Babu Onoocool Chunder Mookerjee, one of the best pleaders of the time, who subsequently rose to be one of the justices of the High Court at Calcutta. Onoocoul Babu said:—