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t 63 5 PEARICHAND MITRA. Though Pearichand Miira is best known for his excellent work " AWilefOkiri'T Dulal" (the spoilt child) yet he occupied a place in the ».ieial and political life of Calcutta none the less important. Born iu, 1814 ha entered the Hindu College which might then truly have been called "the nurse of all greet wits." Under Professor De Kozio he acquired a habit of free thinking, and ever through his life evinced a strong in- terest in spiritual matters and social reforms. As Secretary to the Public Library he zealonsly cultivated hjs innate love of literature and philosophy, which was also developed by his connexion with the Press, He regularly contributed to the Jn/inanvedian, the Indian FteM, the Bengal Harkara, the Patriot -and the Calcutta Review, and became the editor of tho Hcngal ^prtcntor when the latter was started by his friend, Ilanigopal Chose. L'ko Bnbti Ramgopat Chose, fie preferred* commerce to service, and placed his ample leisure at hia country's disposal. He wan the first Secretary to the British Indian Society, the first Secretary to the Bethune Society, and was the fnnugurator of the Hare Anniversary, which was annually held' on: the* Tat June for 40 yearn He was one of those who founded' the British Indian Association, ami always took a lively inter- est in its affairs. As a member of the- Agri-Horticultural Society fio wrote sevrnd treatises to further the cause. He was a member of the School-Book Society and the Vernacular Litera- ture Commit tee and a fellow of the Calcutta University. Nor did his worth go unrecognised by the Government, He was rnnde s 11 Honorary Magistrate and a Justice of the Peace for Calcutta, and in 1 8<i8 he was appointed a member of' tha Bengal Legislative Council, where m; strungly supported the Act for tlv pro vein i»n of cruelty to animal* When iu confor- mity with the provisions of the Act, a Society was established, ho l*iame its first Secretary and aft. rwards its Vice-Presidents