Evening star., 1909-07-10

did the memory of George Washington
stir and rouse Lincoln himself:
But asked, IF we admit that your
separatist movement succeeds. what form
of government do you propose to set up
in the place of British rule?'
1T is impossible to answer that ques-
ton now. But I imagine that we shall
create the United States Of India, more
or less on the American model. If the
British government really doubts. as II
affects to do, that this movement is truly
national let it hold a plebiscite to decide
the question. l have no doubt as 10 !ne
issue
I'm anv case. the present state of things
cannot last A short time ago / prophe-
sled that ten years will see the END OF
British dominion IN India. 1 hold that
belief more strongly than ever. Let tue
English take heed, lest a catastrophe
oyertake them in India that Will slasser
humanity.
petition of Congress, in 1lI5, SAID Johh
Law Il never heard an American OF an!
class or of any description express
wish for the independence OF the Gulonies.
Eight years later. American independence
was recognized by England
1t is now. exactly thirty years ago that
a Young Hindu, twenty-five years ola,
was appointed assistant to Sir Monier
Williams, Boden professor of Sanscrit at
the University of Oxford. TINS young
professor was Shyamaji krishnaVarna. d
nunil of the late Swami Dayananda,, VINO
was the first apostle of political, social
and religious freedom in India, and whose
nationalist teachings. thouSh at Hfst uii-
noticed are now regarded with susplc1on
nv the British authorities in India Prof.
Monier Williams was anxious TO nave
an assistant who had lmblded Sanscrlt
as only Hindu can, and ShyaInaJl hflSn-
nayarma was deeply Versed IN Sanscrlt
writings and could speak WIN huemcs
..the language of languages, not TO men
ton living oriental idioms. In course OF
time the young Pandit was appoiteu
oriental lecturer at Balliol College, among
his pupils being the present Boden pro-
lessor of Sanscrit, Prof. A. A. Macdoneli.
and Prof Margoiouth. now professor or
Arabic at Oxford. BY strange Gomez
dence Lord Curzon was then an under
graduate at Balliol.
The youthful Pandit soon, attracted
attention by his learning and became
the friend Of many distinguished schol-
ars. In spite of his professional duties
he determined to SO through the Ok
ford course and take his degree. and
such was his power of application and
assimilation that lie rapidly acquired
a good knowledge of Greek and Latin
his culture had been until then purely
oriental-and, what is more remarkable
still though of the Hindu religion. he
studied the Christian doctrine and
passed an examination in the gospels in
Greek. which. in the words o. his ex-
aminers. put to Shame most of the
Christian candidates.. The Pandit was
the first Indian to take the Nj. A. de-
gree at Oxford.
During this busy period of his life
Shyamaji krishnayarma found leisure
to read the works of great English
thinkers and historians. He conceived
an ardent admiration for the late Her
bert Spencer, the friend of India, whose
philosophical teachings produced a pro-
found impression on him and. in fact.
were largely responsible in shaping his
ultimate career. Though he never met
Herbert Spencer. he was in correspond
ence with him. and it was to perpetu
ate the great sociciogist's memory that,
at his funeral. in 1903, he offered $4,000
to the University of Oxford for the
purpose of founding lectureship
which should bear his name and which
is now about to be terminated. The
generous offer was accepted. and every
year distinguished scholar was ap-
pointed to deliver the Herbert Spencer
lecture.
: =
During those happy Oxford days the
Pandit struck up friendship with Mr..
Stephen Gladstone, son Of the great