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ourselves in his position, and recognise his difficulties and his environment. Be it noted that public opinion was not so strong then as it now is, and that, so recently as during Lord Minto’s Viceroyalty, the Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Council, with two honourable exceptions, supported a Press Act (now repealed), in one sense a far more drastic measure than the Act for which the Maharaja had voted. Nor should the fact be overlooked that the Maharaja, subject to the limitations of his position, was thoroughly patriotic and supported public movements whenever he could. His vote at the Council meeting was no doubt indefensible, but it admits of palliation. In judging of the honoured dead, let us weigh the good with the evil; in his case the good certainly preponderates.

Be that as it may, the educated community in Bengal was roused to a sense of anxiety and alarm at the Vernacular Press Act, and the manner of its enactment. The feeling was deepened by the inaction of the British Indian Association and of some of our leading men. It was fortunate that the Indian Association had been formed five years before, and that there was this organization to voice the sentiments of the middle class. We were resolved to do all that lay in our power to bring about the repeal of the Press Act. I went about personally canvassing our leading men. 1 well remember the discouragement I met with from more than one quarter. A Brahmo leader who shall be nameless said to me, ‘Mr. Lethbridge, the Press Commissioner, has seen me on the subject. We had a long talk. I have a responsible position to maintain; I cannot join you’. Another leading man, whom I saw, said to me, ‘I wish you all success; but we cannot help you’. Such was the cold reception that we met with amongst those upon whose help and co-operation in this matter we felt we had a right to count.

Far different was the attitude of some of our Christian friends, including Dr. K. M. Banerjee and the Rev. Dr. K. S. Macdonald of the Free Church of Scotland. From the very first, they were with us and encouraged and helped us. The Rev. Krishna Mohan Banerjee (better known as K. M. Banerjee) was among the earliest Indian converts to Christianity. A scholar and a man of letters, it was not till late in life that he began to take an active part in politics. He was associated with the Indian League and subsequently became President of the Indian Association. Once thrown into the vortex of public life, he was drawn into its deeper currents. He joined the Corporation and became an active member of that