Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work/Chapter 20
CHAPTER XX.
Michael m. Datta.
"Versailles—France. *** 2nd June 1864.
"My dear Sir,
"You will be startled, I am sure, grieved to learn, that I am at this moment the wreck of the strong and hearty man who bade you adieu two years ago with a bounding heart, and that this calamity has been brought upon me by the cruel and inexplicable conduct of men, one of whom at least I felt strongly persuaded, was my friend and well-wisher. * * *
"I am going to a French jail, and my poor wife and children must seek shelter in a charitable institution though I have fairly 4,000 Rupees due to me in India.
"You are the only friend who can rescue me from the painful position to which I have been brought, and in this you must go to work with that grand energy which is the companion of your genius and manliness of heart. Not a day is to be lost.
"Shall I apologise for the trouble I am giving you? I do not think so; for I know you well enough to believe with all my heart that you would not allow a friend and countryman to perish miserably.
"Kindly address in France, as above, for there is no earthly chance of my leaving this country before God, and you under God, help me to do so.
"I am, my dear Sir,
"Ever yours faithfully
(Sd.) "Michael M. Dutt."
The letter moved tender-hearted Vidyasagar so much, that tears flowed from his eyes in incessant torrents. He was at that time highly embarrassed himself. He had not a single pice in his hand. But he was determined, at all hazards, to rescue Madhusudana. He resorted to his usual means. He raised a loan, and remitted 1500 rupees to France. If he had not helped Madhusudana by this remittance, there is no knowing what would have befallen the greatest poet of Bengal. Most probably he would have to rot in a "French jail," and there perish miserably, as will be evident from his next letter quoted below:—
"Versailles—France
"2nd September, 1864.
"My Dear Friend,
"On the morning of last Sunday, the 28th Ultimo, as I was seated in my little study, my poor wife came to me with tears in her eyes, and said—"the children want to go to the Fare, and I have only 3 Francs. Why do those people in India treat us this way?" I said—"The mail will be in to-day, and I am sure to receive news, for the man to whom I have appealed has the genius and wisdom of an ancient sage, the energy of an Englishman, and the heart of a Bengali mother." I was right; an hour afterwards I received your letter and the 1500 Rupees you have sent me. How shall I thank you, my noble, my illustrious, my great friend? You have saved me. * *
"Am I not right in thinking that you have the heart of a Bengali mother?
"Yours &c.,
(Sd.) "Michael M. Dutt."
Vidyasagar now found a fresh field to display his natural benevolence, though at great personal sacrifice. This was not the only remittance he sent to Madhusudana. By several successive instalments he had to remit 6,000 Rupees to Europe on Michael's account. All this heavy amount he had to raise by loans. On such occasions, his practice was to borrow Government Promissory Notes of his friends, which he pledged to money-lenders and received loans to the amounts required, and then to repay them at convenience and release the hypothecated Notes. He informed Madhusudana of his own difficulties, but, at the same time, helped him with liberal remittances. The next letter that he received from his friend in Europe was this:—
Versailles-France
18th December 1864.
"My dear friend,
"Your kind letter with a draft for 2490 Francs reached me in due course and in very good time too; for we were without money and eagerly looking out to hear from you. I need scarcely tell you how sincerely I thank you. But your letter has pained me no little. * * *
We should not like to trouble the reader with his numerous letters from Europe to Vidyasagar, which are all full of outbursts of his grateful heart and appeals for fresh remittances. Suffice it to say, that it was solely by the timely kind help of Vidyasagar that he was able to come back to his country as a Barrister-at-law. Endeavours were made by a malicious, mean-minded Indian to throw obstacles in his way, but fortunately he escaped them. He was called to the Bar at the Grey's Inn on the 18th November, 1866. How his heart bounded with delight, he expressed in a letter to his dear friend, Vidyasagar. We crave indulgence to quote some portions of the long letter:—
| "London |
| "7 Bedford Place |
| "Russel Square W. C. |
| 19th November, 1866. |
"My dear friend,
"I am sure you will be highly delighted to hear that I was called to the Bar last night by the Society of Grey's Inn and that I am at last a Barrister-at-law. All this I owe to God and to you under God, and I assure you I shall ever think of you to be my greatest benefactor and truest friend. But for you what might have become of me. *** "I propose to leave Europe by the French Steamer which will leave Marsailles on the 19th of January next. I at first thought of going away in December, but as I am about to leave Mrs. D. and my children behind I should like to spend Christmas and New Year's Day with them. I have done with England now and intend going to France soon, for I mean to leave my family there. * * *
"I dare say my last letter has both surprized and shocked you. It is true that that rascal—has done nothing, but no thanks to his good-will. He was fully determined to write to the Benches of the Grey's Inn, but fortunately for all of us, W. C. Bonnerjee frightened him out of his malevolent intentions. I do not know another Bengali so mean, so low, so unprincipled, so পরশ্রীতে কাতর as the dirty villain! **** "If you have sent the money, as I hope you have, I shan't be in Europe to receive your reply to this. I shall very soon have to encounter the perils of a long voyage by sea. You know, my dear Vidyasagar, that I have no friend except yourself. I leave my wife and two infants in this strange part of the world; should anything happen to me during the voyage, remember that they will look to you for help, comfort and friendship. I am obliged to leave some debts behind. But I shall write to you by and by as to what you must yet do for me.
"I went to the Court of Common Bench in Westminster to put my name down in the list of English Barristers.
"I have no news of importance to give you. So I must hasten to conclude. I have changed the spelling of my name and given it the true Sanskrit form. I am "published" Barrister as Michael Madhusudana Datta, Esquire. You might drop the vulgar form "Dutt."
| "With grateful thanks and kind wishes, |
| "I remain, my dear friend, |
| "Ever your obliged |
| (Sd). Michael M. Datta. |
Madhusudana's outbursts of "grateful thanks" did not end in his letters only. A great poet as he was, he poured forth his heart in verse in his Chaturdasapadi Kavitabali, which is sure to reawaken, in the minds of the readers of Bengali, feelings of deep veneration and esteem for the universally benevolent Vidyasagar to the end of the world. But it must be said with sentiments of profound regret, that Michael did not afterwards act up to Vidyasagar's advice, and latterly stabbed 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:—
"My dear Sir,
"I am anxious to hear what has become of Mr. Michael, whether the Barister machinations has (sic?) been successful in depriving the poor man of his gown. I hope not, the Chief Justice will be disposed to be kind to him and may allow him to come in. ***
| "Yours very sincerely |
| (Sd.) "O. C. Mookerjee." |
Vidyasagar was at this time in Burdwan. Michael ran to him there, and implored his assistance. The former at once came down to Calcutta, and after strenuous efforts, at last, succeeded in getting Madhusudana enrolled as a Barrister of the High Court of Judicature at Fort William (Calcutta). But Michael had never a good practice at the Bar, and that was in consequence of his own irregular habits. His books, no doubt, brought him some small revenue; but, unfortunately, his income from the two sources were too inadequate to maintain himself and his family, who had already returned to him from Europe. He had acquired most intemperate habits, and was very extravagant. Whenever he wanted money, which was an usual occurrence, he appeared before his "noblest friend and benefactor," and obtained from him loans, which he never cared to repay. Sometimes, when he found that coins were lying in rows before his benevolent friend, he would not take the trouble to ask him for them, but would stretch out his hands to receive them, and before Vidyasagar could prevent him, he would help himself to a handful and make good his escape. Vidyasagar bore Madhusudan's such acts of wanton mischief and violence with a degree of patience, which was quite unusual with him. He, who could not tolerate the failings of his own children and did not feel difficulty in estranging his only son, easily put up with the outrages of Madhusudana. In fact, he felt a sort of magnetic attraction for the poetic genius of Michael.
After his return to Calcutta, Michael obtained from Vidyasagar 4,000 rupees over and above the 6,000 rupees that had been remitted to him in Europe by his generous friend. But he never repaid a single pice.
The 6,000 rupees which Vidyasagar remitted to Madhusudana in Europe, he had raised by loans from Onoocool Chunder Mookerjee and Sris Chandra Vidyaratna.
Besides, he had borrowed from them various other sums on Michael's account to pay off his other debts, which were very considerable. When Michael returned from Europe, Onoocool Chunder began to make pressing demands for repayment of his money, as will be seen from the following letter, which was addressed by him to Vidyasagar.
"My Dear Sir, **** "I am at present much in want of money, pray oblige me by letting me have the 3,000 Rs. and the interest on 12,000 Rs. mortgage. You are aware that no interest has yet been paid.
"Now that Mr. Michael is here, he ought to settle these affairs without delay. How do you do--I hope well. Believe me
"Yours very sincerely,
(Sd.) "O. C. Mookerjee."Sris Chandra also demanded repayment of his loan in urgent terms. Vidyasagar was in great difficulty. He was himself so short of money, that he could not meet these demands from his own purse. He, therefore, wrote to Madhusudana earnestly soliciting him to make an early arrangement to relieve him from his disagreeable position. He also mentioned in his letter of his ill health, which necessitated his sojourn in the North-West Provinces for restoration of his health, suggesting that unless Madhusudana settled his affairs, he could not avail of the advice of his medical attendants. To this urgent letter Michael replied as follows:—
"My Dear Vidyasagar,
Your letter, which reached me a few minutes ago, has given me great pain. You know there is scarcely anything in this world which I would hesitate to do for you; of course you have my full permission to adopt any steps you think proper to relieve yourself of the unpleasant burden. Srish has written to me offering Rs. 21,000. But don't you think Onookool would advance fresh money enough to pay off that man and hold the property by way of mortgage—usufructuary mortgage—I paying him the difference in the interest? If we can in this way save the estate let us do so, if not let them go. I wish I could run over and see you. Perhaps I shall do so next
Saturday.
***
But practically Mudhusudana took no steps to relieve his friend from encumbrance. Sweet, flattering words were all he could give. Far from contributing anything towards the clearance of his previous debts, he would melt Vidyasagar's tender heart with pitiful supplications, and obtain from him fresh loans, as will be evident from the letter quoted below:—
| "No. 22 , Baniapooker Road |
| "Entally |
| "Sunday |
"My Dear Vid,
"I was called away to Howrah in a little case and had no time either to write or call yesterday. Excuse my selfishness, my greatest of Benefactors and noblest of Friends for troubling you with my affairs at a time when you yourself are so poorly;—but except Him whose name you bear, I have no one to help me! Now, that most of my creditors are ready to consult my convenience, hearing your name; now that I see land ahead offering me protection from the perish of the tempestuous deep, my heart dies within me, when I think that I must lose all this and sink and perish for such a small sum as Rs. 2,000! Will you let destruction overtake me, my old friend and protector? If you see the Rajeeb and with your fervid eloquence rekindle in his heart his old love for me, now bowed down with shame and sorrow, he will not lend you
a cold ear. What is a loan of 2,000 Rs. to him? I have to meet 3 Dears next Tuesday, my landlord won't wait any longer and all my pretty creditors are up against me. Two thousand rupees would save me and I could at once remove to a smaller house and begin a most rigid system of economy. I must have this money by to-morrow evening, or mine will be the lot of the fugitive or something
still more horrible! I pray God, that this may sound on your gentle ears like a lay of anguish from a breaking heart!
| "With loving salutation, |
| "Ever your grateful |
| (Sd). "Michael M. Datta." |
This was the letter Michael wrote to Vidyasagar on the eve of the return of his family from Europe. The reader may well guess the result of this pathetic appeal. Vidyasagar's benevolent heart would not suffer him to lend a deaf ear to the pitiful cries of an humble supplicant. He resorted to his usual means of borrowing, and helped the supplicant with the amount prayed for. In the middle of 1868, Sris Chandra began to make urgent demands for repayment of his money and even threatened to bring legal proceedings. Vidyasagar, at last, addressed an appealing letter to Madhusudana on the 7th September, 1868, which is quoted below:—
"My dear Datta,
"I have succeeded in persuading a friend of mine to advance rupees 5,000 to enable me to pay off Shrish Chandra who is sure to go to Court in case we fail to clear his account without further delay, The conditions on which my friend is willing to advance money you will find in the enclosed draft. The deed is to be registered. It will therefore be necessary for you to step over to the Registration Office for a few minutes on Wednesday next. Be so kind as to do the needful and save me from the trouble and annoyance, as I feel it exceedingly disagreeable to my feelings to be any longer in connection with the party to pay off whom the new transaction is to take place.
"It will be seen from the following memorandum that to complete the transaction Rs. 141 over the sum of Rs. 5,000 is required. This small amount you will have to pay from your own pocket. Please return the draft by the bearer and oblige.
"Yours sincerely
(Sd.) "I. C. Sarma.
| "Principal | 4,600 |
| "Interest for 22 months and 7 days | 510 |
| "Stamp | 25 |
| "Registration Fee | 6 |
| "7-9-68." | |
| 5,141 | |
| (Sd). "I. C. Sarma." |
But Michael was not the man to pay heed to his noblest friend's advice or request. He did nothing towards repaying his debts. At last, when Sris Chandra grew most pressing and urgent, and when Michael could not be persuaded to do anything, Vidyasagar was obliged to dispose of two-thirds of his "Sanskrit Press" on the 9th August, 1869, to Raj Krishna Banarji and Kali Charan Ghosh in equal shares, at 8,000 rupees, and pay off Sris Chandra. Henceforth he was constrained to cut short heavy money transactions with Madhusudana. Yet he could not help assisting the intemperate and extravagant poet now and then with small amounts as charities, which he never asked him to repay. Consequently Michael was now obliged to look out for loans in other quarters, and was somewhat displeased with his "protector." By degrees his debts grew to such an enormity, that ruin stared him in the face, as will be evident from the following letter addressed to Vidyasagar and the schedule annexed to the letter:—
"Sire,
"At the urgent request of the Maharaja of Panchakot, I am obliged to start this very night for Purulia. I cannot, therefore, call on you. I hope to call again on Monday next.
"I beg to enclose herewith a schedule of Mr. Datta's debts with the names of the creditors. I most humbly request that with your usual unbounded kindness you will rescue Mr. Datta this time. In fact, without your kind favour, I see no way of his deliverance.
"10th Asvin, night. (Sd). Kailas Chandra Basu.
"Schedule of Michael M. Datta's debts.
"Trades Association 500, Babu Kali Charan Ghosh 5000, Mathur Kunda of Tollygunge 4000, Govinda Chandra De, Bowbazar 3000, Dwarka Nath Mitter 2500, Pran Krishna Datta, Syambazar 1100, Hari Mohan Bandyopadhyay, Kidderpore 1600, Rajendra Datta Doctor, Chandernagore 200, Kedar Doctor 200, Gopi Krishna Gosvami 1000, Lala, Barabazar 8500, Mr. Gomage 600, Bisva Nath Laha, 100, De & Co. 100, Manbhum 500, Maniraddin 400, Amiran Ayah 200, Isvar Chandra Basu & Co. 3600, Raja of Benares 1500, Matichand Bandyopadhyay 2000, Umes Chandra Basu and another 500, House-rent 390, Servant's wages 700", amounting in all to 38190 rupees.
Kailas Chandra wrote this letter at the earnest request of Michael. But Vidyasagar could ill afford to pay off this enormously heavy debt of his protege. Some time after this, when the extravagant debtor saw no means of rescue from this "Deep" of debts, he once more appealed to his former "protector" in most pitiful terms. Vidyasagar also once more tried to save his protege, but failed to raise any more loans on Madhusudana's account. At last he addressed the underquoted letter to Michael:—
"My dear datta,
I have tried my best and am sadly convinced that your case is an utterly hopeless one. No exertion of mine or that of anybody else who is not a moneyed man, however strenuous it may be, can save you. It is too late to mend matters by patch-works. I am very unwell and am therefore unable to write more.
Babu Bihari Lal Sarkar, who has written a very good biography of Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar in Bengali, says:—'It must not be thought that Michael did not wilfully repay Vidyasagar's debts out of any evil motive. In fact, he was quite unable to pay. The main cause of this inability was his extravagance. Over and above that, he never cared for his practice and earning.’ It is said that Vidyasagar forced him to attend the Bar against his will. Otherwise, why should he have to end his days like a pauper in the Charitable Medical Hospital at Alipore, where he breathed his last at 2 P. M. on Sunday, the 29th June, 1873. Nearly a year or two before his death, he was banished from the bosom of his "noblest friend." This was owing to his own intemperate and outrageous habits, which exceeded the bounds of Vidyasagar's patience. Latterly Michael did not at all behave well towards his protector. In one of his letters Vidyasagar had addressed him Babu. Michael refused to receive that letter. Henceforth Vidyasagar had a sort of dislike for the England-returned Indians in general, and tried to keep himself aloof from them.
Before bringing this chapter to its close, we will try to show how intemperate Michael Madhusudana Datta was in his habits and how he took advantage of Vidyasagar's generous liberality, by quoting a letter of his own, addressed to Vidyasagar.
"My dear Vid:—
"I am going to take with me to yours for প্রসাদ (Prasad) my learned co-adjutor Babu Mutty Lal Chowdry. You had be a little charitable and send for a bottle of Sherry.
"Yours affectionately