178 TRAINING OF I.C.S. GOKHALE 



possessing in my opinion much of the greatness 

 and many of the weaknesses of that statesman. 



He said to me when leaving : 



" When I go to England I am invited to stay 

 with distinguished men of the political, academic, 

 and literary world, but yours is the first English- 

 man's roof in India under which I have been invited 

 to sleep." 



And yet to converse with Gokhale is at once joy 

 and enlightenment. 



Alas ! my time is drawing to a close. In a brief 

 period I shall have to leave my beloved India for 

 ever, and mine will be a sore, sore sorrow. 



I landed in India unknown to all Indians and 

 I myself knew them not. Their country was a 

 mere geographical expression to me; but from the 

 very first they dealt with me fairly, throughout 

 they dealt with me generously, and after I had 

 been a time in their land they gave me, in full 

 measure, friendship and affection. 



I part with them all, highly-placed and lowly, 

 rich and poor, with a heavy heart. 



A hard life has made somewhat of a materialist 

 of me, yet at times I experience a weird feeling 

 that when my body ends in corruption my spirit 

 may hover over the sacred river I have learnt to 

 love so well. 



A large number of what may justly be termed 

 the best and most distinguished of the Indian 

 community have given me a farewell banquet on 

 the eve of my departure. 



Will you think me very egotistical if I send 

 you a report of the speech which I addressed to 

 them on the occasion ? 



