Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/634

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THE SHOE QUESTION.
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the Asiatic Society of Bengal, I called on the 28th January last, and as I wore native shoes, I was not admitted, unless I would leave my shoes behind. I felt so much affronted that I came back without an expostulation.

"Whilst I was in the compound, I saw that native visitors, wearing native shoes, were made not only to uncover their feet, but also to carry their shoes with their own hands, though there were some upcountry people moving about in the museum-rooms with their shoes on. **** "Besides, if persons so wearing shoes of the English pattern, though coming on foot, could be admitted with shoes on, I could not make out why persons of the same status in life and under similar circumstances should not be admitted, simply because they happened to wear native shoes. ****

"I have &c.,
(Sd). "Isvar Chandra Sarma,

5-2-74."


The Secretary to the Trustees to the Museum forwarded Vidyasagar's letter to the Honorary Secretary to the Asiatic Society on the 26th March, and on the same day informed Vidyasagar of his having done so. In fact, there was much red tape spent on the subject, but the authorities found no cause of complaint in the treatment accorded to Vidyasagar, and they dismissed the sub-