পাতা:Reminiscences Speeches And Writings Of Sir Gooroo Dass Banerjee Reminiscences pt. 1.pdf/৩৫৯

340 TRIBUTES TO HIS MEMORY. boleths meant nothing. This is what made his life so beautiful and such a blessing to all. Like all great men his interest in men and things remained undimmcd to the last. The last public function in which he took part was the laying of the foundation-stone of the Benares Hindu University. Not the princes in their resplendent robes, not the noble Lord who presided, but the thin little man with the snow of seventy-one winters on his person, who attracted all cyes in that immense assemblage of distinguished men. What an example was there of sclf-subjugation, of heroic endurance, of dutics faithfully fulfilled He is dead. Felic opportat muitate mortis! If ever the inevitable summons of death comes as a beneficence to a man it comes to him who answers it as Gooroo Dass did, full of years, but still enjoying the plenitude of every power. He has bequeathod to his country the memory of a life that was absolutely devoted, absolutely sincere, and of a character free from all taint of vanity, personal ambition, or self-seeking. Never was prominence achieved with less self-advertisement. Indeed he was too refined and modest to be pleased by notoriety. It is our lot to be living in an age when amid the fierce contentions of parties and principles many of us do not know where we are, so busy everywhere is the spirit of transition, so bewildering the revolution which seems to be changing the face of everything. But here was a man who knew where he was and who spoke with no uncertain voice. To him we may look for guidance in need, for fortitude in adversity and for the example of a life as high, sweet and brave as ever illuminated the history of any people,