Page:A General Biography of Bengal Celebrities Vol 1.djvu/180

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HIS PRIVATE LETTERS, 171 previous arrangement. Another observation tljat bas been made to me by several is, that the leading few did all themselves without endeavouring to get all classes to take an active part in the matter. The result of this has been, as I gather from the' 1 report that a disaffection towards several is general amongst the members of the Society. This, however,, I hope and trust, will be healed up before long. In one of the meetings of the committee, I spoke rather warmly and perhaps harshly about the misman- agement of affairs. On this account, 2 or 3 members of the committee have, I suspect, been so seriously offended that I do not know, if it would not be for the interest of the Society for me to resign. But I shall take no such step without consulting some friends. Let me drop this unpleasant affair and proceed on; We have secured the use of the Sanscrit College Hall for our monthly meetings, but they have placed no furniture, and lights at our disposal. We shall therefore have to provide our- selves with these. We have imposed no compulsory oontribuK tion of any kind. But a voluntary subscription has been opened to raise funds. Let us have from you and other Roy Bahadoor friends liberal remittances. The Rev. Mr. Nor- gale has given us Rs 50 through Krishna Mohun, (Banerjea) anil another European calling himself a Friend to "the Society has sent through me a donation of Rs 50. I should have told you that Mr. (David) Hare has been made the Honorary visitor of our Society. The first meeting took place last night (16th if ay 1838) and on the whole it was a gratifying one. It was a very dark night, and had been stormy and rainy in the evening, notwithstanding which a 100 young men were present — and heard with the utmost attention the discourse of the Rev. Krishna (Mohun. Banerjea) "on the advantages of the study of history." It was as remarkable for its chaste and elegant language as well for the varied information with which it was replete. The illustrations were apt and striking, and wera chiefly drawn from ancient History.