Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work/Chapter 17
CHAPTER XVII.
Retirement from Public Service.
Although Vidyasagar was thus engaged in various toilsome works, he never lost sight of writing Bengali School books. On the 13th April 1855, appeared his Varna-Parichaya, Part I., and on the 14th June of the same year, appeared his Varna-Parichaya, Part II., both of which were elementary Readers, intended for the use of the beginners. He was the pioneer of the systematic classification of the Bengali Alphabet into Vowels and Consonants. Both the little works testify to his creative faculties.
Babu Pyari Charan Sarkar, one of the late professors of English in the Calcutta Presidency College, was among Vidyasagar's dearest friends. One day, when the two were sitting in the house of Pyari Babu, engaged in friendly chat, it was settled between them that Vidyasagar should write Bengali School-books, and Babu Pyari Charan Sarkar should apply himself to the compilation of School-books in English. As fruits of this arrangement, many English and Bengali elementary Readers were soon issued by them. Vidyasagar's two Varna-Parichayas did not, at first, meet with much appreciation. But gradually they rose in estimation.
In July, 1856, appeared his Charitavali. It contains short biographical sketches of such illustrious persons, as Duval, Roscoe, and others, who, though poor in their early years, rose to greatness and eminence by dint of assiduity and perseverance. Its language is beautifully easy and plain.
The University of Calcutta was established in January, 1857. Lord Canning, the greatest European friend that the country ever has had, was then the Governor-General of India. His predecessor in office, Lord Dalhousie, had made all preliminary arrangements, but had left to his successor their consummation. The number of members, at its inception, was 39, of whom only 6 were natives, and of these six, two were Mussulmans. Prasanna Kumar Tagore, Rama Prasad Ray, Ram Gopal Ghosh, and Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar were the Hindu members. At a meeting of the University, shortly after its foundation, a motion was brought forward for the exclusion of Sanskrit from the University and for the abolition of the Sanskrit College. Vidyasagar opposed the motion, and by arguments convinced the other members of the inadvisability of the step. It was mainly through his exertions that the motion was negatived, and the Sanskrit College saved from imminent destruction. At the meeting of the 28th November of that year, a Board of Examiners was framed for conducting the different examinations, and Vidyasagar was appointed Examiner of Sanskrit, Bengali, Hindi, and Uriya. In fact, Vidyasagar had so much influence with the authorities of the time, that it is said, that at the University Convocation for that year, Lord Bishop had his seat on the right of the Chancellor (Governor-General), and Vidyasagar, on the left.
Lord Dalhousie had formed a "Central Committee" for conducting the examinations of the civilians of the Fort William College in the different vernacular languages of the country. Vidyasagar was a member of this committee. In fact, he was connected with all the educational bodies of the time.
Some time before this, Vidyasagar's great friend, Dr. Mouat, Secretary to the Education Council, had left India and gone home on leave. Mr. W. G. Young, a young civilian, was acting in his place.
In 1856, F. J. Halliday, the first Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, remodelled the education Department. The Council of Education was done away with, and the post of its Secretary was converted to that of the "Director of Public Instruction," whose office took the place of the Education Council. W. G. Young was posted as the first Director of Public Instruction. This Young was a young officer without experience. Vidyasagar had, therefore, advised Halliday to appoint an experienced man to the post, instead of the young Young, but he had then been told by the Lieutenant Governor that practically he would do everything. Vidyasagar had also been requested to train up Young, which he did for some time. But, unfortunately, Vidvasagar's fears were not unfounded, as the reader will soon see.
Halliday regarded Vidyasagar with sincere love and esteem, and Vidyasagar reciprocated the same feelings. In fact, the two had a great friendly intimacy between them. Such intimacy is hardly to be found now a-days between a white European and a black native. Vidyasagar waited upon the Lieutenant Governor every Thursday, when the two friends talked and consulted on various matters, general as well as political. If he ever omitted to call at the Belvedere, on a Thursday, his friend would send for him. On one occasion, it so happened that Vidyasagar had not called on the appointed day. Halliday was very anxious for him. By chance, Raja Rajendra Lala Mallik of Chorbagan had gone there to have an interview with the Lieutenant Governor, who after the business was over, requested him to see Vidyasagar that very night and send him on to Belvedere. Rajendra Lala did as he was desired, and Vidyasagar called at the Belvedere on the next morning. On another occasion, when Vidyasagar presented himself at the Lieutenant Governor's palace, he saw several respectable gentlemen waiting in the Drawing-room for an interview with the Governor. Halliday was then upstairs, and as soon as Vidyasagar's card was presented to him, he at once sent for his friend, keeping the other gentlemen in suspense. Vidyasagar used to visit Halliday in his usual native dress (a plain Dhuti and Chadar without even a Shirt) with a pair of ordinary slippers on. But, at last at the earnest request of the Governor, he had to put on native official dress, (i. e. trousers, Chapkan, Choga and pagri) for a few days, when calling at Belvedere. He felt ill at ease with this unaccustomed dress, and one day, said to his friend,—'Sir, if you will excuse me, this is my last visit. This dress puts me to great discomfort.' Halliday replied,—’If this be your only objection, I exempt you from the obligation of putting on this dress. You are at liberty to come here in any dress, you choose.'
In the educational despatch of 1854, the authorities in England had sanctioned several lakhs of rupees for making provisions for the dissemination of education among the Indian public. In accordance with the purport of this despatch, Vidyasagar, as Special Inspector of Schools, opened a great number of model schools in the four districts under him. In the interpretation of the purport of this despatch, he had some difference of opinion with his immediate superior, Mr. Young, who directed him not to open any more schools. This was the origin of the subsequent great conflagration, which burnt down poor Vidyasagar's hut. In spite of his superior's interdictions, Vidyasagar opened fresh schools, which gave Young cause to be displeased with his subordinate. Both referred the matter to Halliday, who requested Vidyasagar to postpone the opening of new schools, and referred the matter to the authorities at home. They decided in favour of Vidyasagar, who now began to start new schools with renewed energy. Young felt himself humiliated, and began to cherish ungenerous and unfavourable feelings against his black subordinate, and looked out for opportunities to crush the poor fellow.
In the meantime, there was a change of ministry at home, which caused a change of the educational policy in this country. The authorities in England were now in favour of curtailing the educational expenditure. Young now found an opportunity of giving vent to his pent up spite and rage. At the verbal request of Halliday, Vidyasagar had opened a number of girl-schools in the interior of the districts under him. The bills for these schools had accumulated for nearly a year, as Young had declined to pass them until a reply to Halliday's reference to England came. But the change of educational policy, in the meantime, gave him a fitting occasion to reject the bills altogether, as Vidyasagar had no official authority to open such schools. Vidyasagar referred the matter to Halliday, who advised him to sue him (Halliday) in court for the money. But Vidyasagar was too generous to bring a law suit against any one, especially against his friend, Halliday. He had no other alternative left now, than to pay the whole amount out of his own pocket, which put him into great embarrassments. It was for this, that Vidyasagar asked Mr. Young for permission to continue in his post for a few days after the acceptance of his resignation by Government had been communicated to him, as will be seen here-after.
The Lieutenant Governor saw the difficulties of Vidyasagar, and requested him to try to conciliate Young and to work in harmony with him. No doubt, Vidyasagar made attempts in that direction, but the haughty young civilian would listen to no conciliation. In this respect Mr. Young had the cooperation of some other European officers, who had also found cause to be dissatisfied with Vidyasagar, and were equally anxious to stifle the spirited black native.
The reader is aware that the Hindu and the Sanskrit Colleges were housed in the same building. There were two spare rooms in the upper floor, quite unoccupied, which belonged to the Hindu College. When English was introduced into the Sanskrit College, these two rooms were required by Vidyasagar for English classes. He asked Young for them, but he was told to see Mr. J. Sutcliffe, the Principal of the Hindu College on the subject. This Vidyasagar declined, as he had already some altercation with Sutcliffe on the matter. But Young grew importunate, and, at last, imperative. But Vidyasagar was not the man to yield, and he left the presence of his superior in disgust.
Some say, that there arose another serious cause of Vidyasagar's dislike for his superior. As Inspector of Schools, Vidyasagar had to submit periodical inspection reports of the schools, he visited. In these reports he gave facts and figures as they were actually found by him. On one occasion, Young requested him to alter his reports in such a way as would show them to advantage. But the honest Vidyasagar flatly denied it, saying that he could not misrepresent facts, and that he would rather resign, than act in a dishonourable way. At this Young was highly inflamed, and resolved to teach his black subordinate a sound lesson.
Vidyasagar plainly saw that, after all, it was quite impossible for him to work under such a superior. He now sought for opportunities for an early removal. With this object he addressed the following letter to his great friend and patron, Halliday:—
"Sir,
"When I had the honour to wait on you on Saturday last and solicited your permission to make a few suggestions regarding the appointment of an Inspector for South Bengal, you were pleased to direct me to submit a written memorandum upon the subject. I have accordingly availed myself of the permission and beg respectfully to suggest that if you should feel inclined to transfer me to that post, the appointment of my successor in the Sanskrit College may be made in consultation with me, as from an intimate personal knowledge of the several parties from whom the selection may be made, I think I will be best able to recommend the most proper person for the place. If however it should be thought inexpedient to place the division under my charge on account of the Government English colleges and schools in it, I would earnestly solicit that at least the districts in which there are model schools, viz, Hooghly, Midnapur, Burdwan and Nuddea may be placed under me, the colleges and schools being without inconvenience in charge of the person who may be appointed Inspector of the Division.
"I have so often troubled you with the subjects connected with the Vernacular Education that I really feel ashamed to intrude any further on your valuable time.
"I have the honour to be,
"Sir,
" Your most obedient servant,
(Sd). "Isvar Chandra Sarma.
"To the Hon'ble F. J. Halliday."
The following was the reply which he received from the Lieutenant Governor on the subject:—
"Darjeeling"
"27th May, 1857.
"My Dear Sir,
"You will have seen that before the receipt of your letter I had nominated Mr. Lodge to the vacant Inspectorship.
"It was at first offered to Lieutenant Lees who is in Europe, but he has refused it. I shall hope soon to see you, as I am on my way to Calcutta, and it will give me much pleasure to talk to you again on the subjects which interest us both.
"Yours sincerely
(Sd). "Fred. Jas. Halliday.
"To Pundit Iswar Chandra Sarma, Calcutta."
In the meantime, Vidyasagar's relations with his young superior grew more straitened every day. Mr. Young's treatment of him became unbearable, and he resolved to sever his connection with Young altogether. He, therefore, thought proper to intimate his intention to his immediate superior in time. He wrote as follows:—
"Calcutta, Sanskrit College,
"29th Augt. 1857.
"My Dear Sir,
"As you are about to leave town for 3 months, I consider this a fitting occasion to intimate to you that I have made up my mind to retire from the public service in a short time. The reasons which have induced me to come to this determination are more of a private than of a public nature, and I therefore refrain from mentioning them.
"The new arrangements for the Sanskrit College have not yet been fully developed and as I am desirous of completing them which will occupy two or three months more, I wish to continue in my present office until the end of December next, when I shall tender my resignation in due form.
"My object in addressing you now is that you may have ample time to consider the arrangements that you may deem most desirable for supplying my place in the Education Department.
"I remain
"Yours truly
(Sd.) "Isvar Chandra Sarma.
"To W. Gordon Young Esq ,
"Director of Public Instruction."
"Calcutta, Sanskrit College,
"31st. Augt. 1857.
"My Dear Sir,
"Sometime ago while talking on the subject of education you were pleased to ask me for a memo on the state of Vernacular Education in Bengal under the present system of management and I agreed at the time, though with reluctance, to submit it. On subsequent consideration however, I feel the task a very delicate one in as much as the required memo, cannot but reflect on the actions of my brother-officers[1] and others. I therefore earnestly beg to be pardoned for not submitting the memo as I had promised.
"I may here be permitted to state that I have made up my mind to retire from the public service from January next and that I have intimated my intention to Mr. Young in a demi-official note of which I venture to enclose a copy for your information also.
"I remain, My dear Sir,
"With every sentiment of respect and esteem,
"Yours most faithfully,
(Sd). "Isvar Chandra Sarma.
"To The Hon'ble F. J. Halliday."
In reply to the above, he received the following note from his patron and well-wisher, Halliday:—
"My Dear Pundit,
"I am really very sorry to hear of your intention.
"Come and see me on Thursday and tell me why it is that you have come to this determination.
"Yours sincerely
"(Sd). Fred. Jas. Halliday."To Pundit Isvar Chandra Sarma"
To say the truth, the Lieutenant Governor was astounded at the news, for he had no knowledge or idea that matters had come to such a crisis. He knew that Vidyasagar had a violent collision with his immediate superior, and had, therefore, advised him all along to make peace with Young, and to work with him in harmony and secure his amity. Vidyasagar called on the Lieutenant Governor as desired, when after much strenuous efforts and persuasions, Halliday induced him not to take such a hasty step at once, but to see and wait for a favourable turn of the gale, that might save his wreckage. Vidyasagar promised, and waited for nearly a year, but the arrogant young civilian was not amenable to reason. Every day, he grew more and more imperative and insolent, and Vidyasagar's independent spirit revolted at the repeated ill-treatments he received at his superior's hands.
In the meantime, Young found another opportunity of giving vent to his spite against Vidyasagar. The readers of the history of India must be aware, that the Sepoy Mutiny broke out at Barrackpore in the beginning of the year 1857, and it was quelled without much effort. But, in a short time, the Sepoys in the different parts of the country rose in arms, and whole India was in great commotion during the months of March, April, May, and June. The residents of Calcutta, both native and European, passed anxious days and nights. No one dared leave his house for fear of life. European soldiers were posted to guard the city day and night. Reinforcements were brought in from other places, and the Sanskrit College building was required to quarter them. There was no time to lose, and Vidyasagar made over the building to the Military, without previously obtaining permission of his superiors. The College had to be closed for a few days. Subsequently when Vidyasagar wrote to Young asking for his permission to hold the college somewhere else, the Director called on him for an explanation as to why he had closed the College and made over the premises to the Military without his permission. Vidyasagar said that he had done so for the safety of the State, and that he had had no self-interest in it. Young, of course, dared not bring the matter to the notice of the higher authorities, for Vidyasagar had done nothing wrong, but the haughty civilian fancied, he had been slighted by a native, and tried to humiliate Vidyasagar by other means.
At last, on the 5th August, 1858, he communicated to the Government of Bengal, through his superior, his final decision of retirement from public service. We crave indulgence to quote below the letter at length:—
"To W. Gordon Young Esq.,
Director of Public Instruction.
"Sir,
"The unceasing mental exertion required by the discharge of my public duties has now so seriously affected my general health, as to compel me to tender my resignation of the Education service to the Honorable the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal.
"2. I feel that I can no longer devote the assiduous attention to my duties which their due performance necessitates. I need repose, and in justice to the public interests, as well as to my own comforts and happiness, can only secure that repose by retiring into private life.
"3. The moment my health is restored, it is my intention to devote my time and attention to the composition and compilation of useful works in the Vernacular language of Bengal. Thus, although my direct official connection with the education and enlightenment of my countrymen will have ceased, I venture humbly to hope that my remaining years will still be devoted to the advancement of a great and sacred cause in which my deep and earnest interest can only close with my life."4. Among the minor causes that have led to my taking so serious a step, are the absence of all further prospects of advancement and the want of that immediate personal sympathy with the present system of education, which every conscientious servant of the Department, should possess.
"5. With regard to the former, I can occupy my time more profitably and with infinitely less strain upon mind and body, than in my present position. It would be idle to deny that such considerations must have weight with one who has not yet been able to make any permanent provision for his family and who fears that failing health will prevent his doing so, if he delays longer the severance of his connection with the arduous and onerous duties that belong to the offices he holds.
"6. With respect to the other, I feel that I have no right to obtrude my views and opinions upon the Government; yet I could not conceal from those I serve, the fact that my heart is not in my work, and that thereby my efficiency is, and must be, impaired. More I am unwilling to say, less I could not express, with the maintenance of the honesty of purpose which I deem to be an essential quality of a conscientious public servant.
"7. I retire with the conscious gratification that I have always labored earnestly to discharge my duties to the best of my humble ability and I trust that I shall not be deemed presumptuous in tendering my most sincere and heartfelt acknowledgments for the unvarying kindness, indulgence and consideration, which I have always experienced at the hands of the Government.
"I have the honour to be
"Sir,
"Your most obedient servant
(Sd.) Isvara Chandra Sarma.
"The Sanskrit College
"5th August 1858."
To this letter Mr. Young replied as follows:—
"My Dear Sir,
"Is it the case that you desire to make some alteration in your letter dated 5th of last month? If so perhaps you had better look in here some day soon and you can either do as you wish in that way or take back the letter and send another (corrected) in its place. But whatever is done should be done on an early day. I shall be here on Saturday and again on Tuesday.
"As I understood from you on Saturday that you did not wish to press your application for leave, I have not sent it on to Government."
"9th Septr. 58."Yours very truly,
(Sd.) "W. Gordon Young.
After this, Vidyasagar had some conversation with his friend, Halliday, who tried his best to persuade him to withdraw his resignation letter. Halliday's idea was that the step taken by his friend was rather hasty and indiscreet, for which he would have to regret hereafter, in as much as it was not as easy to obtain a post worth 500 Rupees a month, as to lose it. But Vidyasagar was firmly resolute, and he said to his friend that he had advanced too far, and that it was then too late to recede. At last, Halliday requested him to make some alterations in those portions of his resignation letter, in which he had expressed his dissatisfaction with the system of the educational administration. From this last conversation, Vidyasagar understood, though wrongly, that Halliday objected to the retention of the passages on his own account. He was unwilling to alter any portion of his resignation letter, and he, therefore, addressed a letter to Halliday, which is quoted below:—
"My Dear Sir,
"After mature deliberation I find that I cannot either with consistency or propriety omit the parts of my letter which appear objectionable to you. It is true that ill-health is one of the principal causes which have induced me to resign. But I cannot conscientiously say that that is the sole cause. If it were so, I could have applied for a long leave and renovated my health. I had often represented to you, that I frequently felt it disagreeable and inconvenient to serve Government under existing circumstances and that I considered the present system upon which the Department of Vernacular Education was conducted, was a mere waste of money. You are aware that I often met with discouragement in my way. I saw besides no prospects of advancement and more than once I felt my just claims passed over. Thus I hope you will be pleased to admit that I had reasonable grounds of complaint: but I would nevertheless have continued in my present post for sometime longer, if I were not forced to take the step I have taken by prolonged ill-health, which has made me unfit for my responsible duties, and when the above considerations had such a considerable share in the decision to which I have come, their omission in my letter would certainly have made me liable to the charge of disingenuousness. For the same reasons, I feel it very difficult to alter it now.
Further the contents of my letter, since it left my hands, have become known to a great many people and there is as much chance of the fact of the alteration becoming equally known, in which case I shall not only be lowered in the estimation of my friends, but of the public generally. *** Nothing can exceed the deep regret which I have felt since I have heard from you, that the passage in question may possibly put you to some inconvenience; but words cannot express my feelings of distress when I think that unwillingly I should have given you the least cause for trouble and inconvenience. I should certainly have felt it a great relief if circumstances had permitted me to retract with any degree of consistency; but I humbly hope that you will be pleased to admit after a due consideration of circumstances I have explained at length, in what an awkward position I have been placed and how delicate and difficult it is for me now to make any alteration in my letter.
With much deference and respect and with many apologies for troubling you in a matter so purely personal to myself.
"Yours most faithfully,
(Sd.) Isvara Chandra Sarma.
"To The Hon'ble F. J. Halliday."
But Halliday had not objected to the portion on his own account, but for his friend's sake, and he explained his views in the following letter which he wrote to Vidyasagar on the subject:—
Dear Sir,
"I have received your letter of this day's date. You are mistaken in supposing that the retention of the paragraph to which you allude in your letter of resignation is likely to put me to any inconvenience. To me it is indifferent whether the paragraph be retained or not.
"I mentioned that I thought it possible you might be asked to explain the cause of your dissatisfaction with the administration of the department and as you expressed an insuperable objection to do this in a public form I suggested that it might be better to omit what you were unwilling to account for and merely allude to your illness which though not the sole was certainly a sufficient reason for resignation.
"You ask me to admit that you have had reasonable grounds of complaint. I am quite unable to admit this as to what is now assigned as your grievance—namely (1) that you thought the present system of Vernacular Education a waste of money, (2) that you often met with discouragement and (3) that your just claims to promotion have been passed over.
"It will be sufficient to say that I quite differ with you as to the last point and as to the second can see nothing in which you have ever been discouraged by me but the contrary, as to the first point it is a mere matter of opinion and moreover cannot relate to the special system of Vernacular Education with which only you had to do.
"I remain
"Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
(Sd.) "Fred. Jas. Halliday.
"To Pundit Isvara Chandra Sarma.
Vidyasagar was happy that he had not even unwillingly and unintentionally put his friend into any inconvenience, and he expressed his thankful satisfaction in the following letter which he addressed to his friend on the 18th September, 1858:-
"My Dear Sir,
"I am very glad to learn from your note that the retention of the para in my letter of resignation therein alluded to, will, in no way, put you to any inconvenience. As far as I can remember I was led to believe from the tenor of our conversation of the other day that the para might occasion such inconvenience, and were it not for that idea, I would never have alluded to it, in my letter of the 15th instant. I feel now, however, a great weight removed from my mind.
"There is only one point upon which I would wish to say a few words. I regret I did not sufficiently explain it in my last. I never for a moment meant to say that I was ever discouraged by you. On the contrary, I am fully sensible of the encouragement which I often received from you, and I think I have given vent to my feelings on this point at the conclusion of my letter of resignation. In referring to the discouragement I met with, I meant to say, that obstruction, I often met with, in my way to remove which I was frequently obliged to trouble you. You were always pleased to lend an attentive ear to my representations and very often those obstacles were removed by your kind interference. I always felt it very disagreeable to my feelings thus frequently to trouble you. But it was merely from absolute necessity that I did so.
"I would not again have troubled you, if I did not think it my duty to offer an explanation upon so delicate a point concerning myself.
"18th Sept. 58."I remain
"With great respect and esteem
"Yours most faithfully
(Sd.) "Isvara Chandra Sarma.
"To the Hon'ble F. J. Halliday."
Vidyasagar's heart was now light and his mind was at ease; and, on the 20th September, he found time to reply to Gordon Young's letter of the 9th September, quoted above. He said as follows:—
"My Dear Sir,
"After a mature deliberation I find that I cannot consistently make any alteration in my letter of resignation.
"Hoping to be excused for the delay in replying to your note.
"I remain
"Yours truly
Sd. "Isvara Chandra Sarma.
"To W. Gordon Young Esq.
"Director, Public Instruction."
Vidyasagar had now done everything, and he awaited the acceptance of his resignation by Government. Ultimately, the Government of Bengal, by their letter No 1566, dated the 25th September, 1858, communicated to the Director of Public Instruction their acceptance of Vidyasagar's resignation, and Mr. Young forwarded an extract from the said letter to Vidyasagar. To satisfy the curiosity of the reader, we give below the extract forwarded:—
"Extract from a letter No. 1566, dated 25th September 1858 from the Junior Secretary to the Government of Bengal to the Director of Public Instruction.
"I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 2097, dated the 18th ultimo, with its enclosure, and in reply to state that the Lieutenant Governor is pleased upon your recommendation to accept the resignation tendered by Pundit Isvara Chandra Sarma, Principal of the Sanskrit College and Special Inspector of Schools. It is to be regretted that the Pundit should have thought fit to make his retirement somewhat ungraciously, especially as he can have no fair reason for dissatisfaction. You will, however, be good enough to inform him, that he carries with him the acknowledgments of the Government for his long and zealous service in the cause of Native Education.
"True Extract
Sd. "W. Gordon Young
"Director of Public Instruction
"To Pundit Isvar Chandra Sarma
"Principal, Sanskrit College."
We have already said, that Vidyasagar had opened many female schools in different parts of the districts under him, and that he had submitted bills for those schools, but that they were lying accumulated in the office of the Director of Public Instruction, pending the final orders of the Supreme Government. Vidyasagar, therefore, on receipt of the communication of the acceptance of his resignation by the Bengal Government, wrote to Young, asking permission to be allowed to continue in his post until the final decision of the Supreme Government came. But the haughty, young civilian, determined to crush his foe at the earliest convenience, denied him this indulgence as will appear from the two letters that passed between the superior and the subordinate, quoted below:—
(i)
"My Dear Sir,
"I received your letter No. 2461 yesterday noon communicating the acceptance of my resignation. *** "I am already in a very disagreeable position for not having yet been able to pay the Pundits of the Female schools, and I am afraid that I will be more so, as soon as I leave my post. And though it is very desirable, in consideration of the present state of my health, that I should cease from work as soon as possible, yet I would wish on the above account to defer making over charge, if you see no particular objection, till the decision of Government on my application for the payment of the bill of the Female Schools is ascertained.
| "5th. Oct 1858. | "Yours very truly |
| Sd. | "Iswar Chandra Sarma, |
| "Thursday morning. | |
| "To W. G. Young Esq. | |
| "Director of Public Instruction." | |
(2)
"My Dear Sir,
"As various arrangements have been made and orders issued in regard to the charge of the College, Normal School, Vernacular Schools &c., which it would be very inconvenient now to cancel, and especially as it is uncertain within what time the Supreme Government may issue final orders in the matter of Female Schools, I do not think it will be expedient on public grounds to defer carrying out the new arrangements any longer. Had your note of the 5th been written a week or two ago I dare say your request could have been complied with, but now I think it is too late.
"I trust the matter of the Female Schools will be dealt with justly and generously by the Supreme Government and that before long you will be relieved from your present awkward position in regard to these schools.
| "I remain, |
| "Yours truly |
| (Sd) "W. Gordon Young, |
| "To Pundit Isvar Chandra Sarma." |
The Hon’ble C. E. Buckland, in his ’Bengal under the Lieutenant-Governors' says:—"In January 1851 he" (Pundit Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar) "was appointed Principal of that" (Sanskrit) "College and introduced various reforms in the educational course and management of that Institution. In 1855 he was appointed special Inspector of Schools for the Districts of Hooghly, Burdwan, Midnapore and Nadia in addition to his duties as Principal, on a consolidated salary of Rs. 500 a month, and helped in establishing a number of model vernacular schools at a cost of Rs. 50 a month each, and also a number of girls' schools. It was in connection with these latter that he came into conflict with the Director of Public Instruction and threw up the appointments under Government in 1858. But for some years after he continued to be an unofficial adviser of Government, being consulted by successive Lieutenant Governors. * * * As a Government Officer he worked with remarkable zeal and intelligence and the Sanskrit College was, under his guidance, made an Anglo-Sanskrit Institution, English studies being introduced with a view to modernize the ideas of the students and render them fit for public service."
- ↑ At Inspector of Schools, he had, at that time, in the four districts under him, four Deputy inspectors of schools,—Harinath Bandyopadhyay, Madhav Chandra Gosvami, Tarasankar Bhattacharyya, and Dinabandhu Nyayratna.