Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/280

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NITIBODH AND KATHAMALA.
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not finish it, and he made over its right to his dear friend and pupil, Raj Krishna Banarji. In the preface to the book, dated 18th July, 1851, Raj Krishna Babu says:—

'In conclusion, I acknowledge with thanks, that Pandit Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar has taken much pains to make corrections throughout, and that because he had done so, I venture to publish the book. It is necessary to mention here, that it was he who began to write this book. "Conduct towards Children," "Conduct towards Family", "Conduct towards Superiors and Inferiors," "Industry," "Self-reflection and Self-reliance," "Presence of Mind," "Modesty,"—these pieces are his composition. Of the illustrations to each piece, that of Napoleon Bonaparte is his composition. But, for want of time, he charged me with the completion of this book, and in compliance to that requisition, I applied myself to it.'

We will embrace this opportunity to notice here Vidyasagar's Kathamala. It contains many fables, narrated in the form of conversation between lower animals, in imitation of "Æsop's Fables," intended to impart moral instruction to young children, to whom it is a very agreeable book. It is also a translation, but the translation is as excellent as could be.

On the 4th March, 1852, appeared his Rijupatha, Part II. This is also a selection-book, com-