3843300The Pilgrims' March — Sir P. C. RayMohandas Karamchand Gandhi

SIR. P. C. RAYS' LETTER

My Dear Sister, I am so much choked up with feelings that I can scarcely give vent to them. Ever since his historic defence of Sjt. Aurobindo Ghosh, which will always rank as one of the classics in state trials, your husband has loomed large before the public. His abundant charity, his lofty patriotism, his high idealism, his heroic and chivalrous defence of the weak, have always evoked our admiration.

Though I do not see eye to eye with him in some matters, I have always felt attracted to him and I do not at all wonder that his striking personality should capture the imagination of young Bengal or for the matter of that of young India. Even those who differ from him in political matters cannot withhold their admiration for the unparalleled self-sacrifice he has made. Our hearts go out to Chittaranjan in this hour of trial. I know the limitations of the expert and from my position of isolation and detachment, I am afraid, I fail to realise the full significance of his life's mission. Has not the poet said—

“The man of science is fond of glory and vain.

An eye well practised in nature is but a spirit bounded and poor.”

Possibly exclusive lifelong devotion to my favourite subject has blurred my vision and my spirit has become circumscribed. I can assure you, however, dear sister, in serving my favourite science I have only one idea in my mind, namely, that, through her, I should serve my country. Our aspirations are the same. God knows I have no other object in my life. Cheerfully and heroically you have been bearing your tribulations and set an example to modern Bengal and woman-hood which has been rarely met with since the days of Rajput Glory.

"I sincerely hope that the dark clouds which have overshadowed our dear motherland will soon be dispelled and your husband restored to us."