Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/502

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BETHUNE SCHOOL.
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bestowed on Vidyasagar's management of educational institutions by a European high official of the Government of India.

In 1864, appeared his Akhyanmanjari Part I. It is a Bengali Reader for young children, full of instructive lessons. The language of the book is as excellent as that of his former publications of the same class.


CHAPTER XXIII.

Bethune School.

The reader is already aware that Vidyasagar was co-adjutor and fellow-worker of Bethune in the foundation of the best female school in India, known by the name of Bethune School, and that he was its Secretary. It is needless to repeat that he was one of the greatest promoters of the education of the women of this country, and took the keenest interest in the welfare of the Bethune Female School. He encouraged the pupils of this institution in different ways. At the prize distribution meeting of the school held on 13th March, 1865, Vidyasagar gave, out of his own purse, a gold necklace as prize to a meritorious girl. Lord and Lady Lawrence (the then Governor-general of India and his wife) were among those present at this meeting. They were highly delighted, and congratulated Vidyasagar on his award of the handsome gifts.

In the latter part of 1866, Miss Mary Carpenter