Page:Ramtanu Lahiri, Brahman and Reformer - A History of the Renaissance in Bengal.djvu/65

proofs of Kesava’s probity. When clerk in the Judge’s Court at Alipur, he used, after the duties of his post, to look after the lawsuits of many, both Bengalis and foreigners, and act as Mukhtiar, and thereby used to earn something extra. In those days, people connected with courts of law had a chance of soon making themselves rich, by taking bribes, giving false evidence, and practising some kind of deception or other. But Kesava was above these practices. His gains were honest, and therefore small, too small for him to meet his own wants, to remit money to his father, and, at the same time, to bear the expenses of his brother’s education in Calcutta; and for this he had to look for help from others. The child Ramtanu was ushered into the world amidst circumstances favourable to his being received by his people as a special gift of heaven. He was a male child seventh in the order of birth, and some of his brothers and sisters that had preceded him were no more. His birth therefore was a cause of great rejoicings in the family and an event of interest to the people of Baruihuda and Krishnagar, where his maternal grandfather was greatly loved and revered. The little village of his nativity expressed great joy at the occurrence. Matrons crowded to the Dewan’s house, and in honour of the auspicious event blew conch shells, the sounds of which sent a thrill through the whole neighbourhood. Bands of musicians came, in the hope of bakshis, to greet the new-comer; and played on their drums and pipes to their hearts’ content. Ladies at the bathing ghat talked of the incident, and prayed that the new-born child might enjoy a long life. Then followed the many religious rites prescribed by Hinduism for an occasion like this: there were the alkaura, or the feast for the boys on the eighth day, and the Shashti puja, or thanksgiving to Shashti, the guardian goddess of children,