even now, when the old man is no more, are the best friends of his family, sympathising with them, and helping them in every way. Raja Peari Mohan Mukerji is one of these. But for his help, Sharat Kumar Lahiri, the second son of our hero, would never have prospered so well in his business.
The tablet in the Uttarpara School to commemorate Mr Lahiri owes its existence chiefly to the Raja. Happy the teacher who lives thus in the memory of his pupils; and happy are the pupils to retain in their hearts the image of their beloved instructor.
As to Mr Lahiri’s hold on the hearts of the common people, we give below what we ourselves have personally witnessed. We were once on a visit to him in Krishnagar. Having spent the whole day with him, we were proceeding in the evening to another friend’s house. When on the way we met some men belonging to the lower classes of society, who apparently were returning home from the bazaar. Curious to ascertain their opinion of the old man whom we so much revered, we entered into the following conversation.
We. Well, friends, do you live in Krishnagar?
People. Yes, sir, in a way—we live in the adjacent village.
We. Do you know Ramtanu Babu?
People. Whom?—our old Lahiri Babu? Who does not know him?
We. What kind of man is he?
People. Do you call him a man? He is a god.
We. How do you rank him among the gods who has cast off his Brahmanical threads, and eats fowls?
The men stared at me, and one of them said, “I see you do not belong to this part of the country, or you would not have spoken in this way. Casting off the thread and eating fowls are faults in others, but not in him. Whatever he does is good.”
