54 HOURS WITH NATURE. 



2. "IN MEMORIAM." JULY 18TH 18- 



To be able to read well with a clear voice and cor- 

 rect accent is an essential part of a good education. 

 But however clever an Indian student may be otherwise, 

 he is hopelessly deficient in this respect. To remedy 

 this defect as far as it lies in his power, our good Pro- 

 fessor , has introduced the admirable system of 



making each of us read aloud by turn, selections from 

 standard works in prose and poetry. I take shame to 

 myself that the system proved very disastrous to me 

 yesterday. It was my turn to read the introductory 

 portion of Tennyson's " In Memoriam," All went well 

 for a short time until I came to read 



" Forgive my grief for one removed, 

 Thy creature, whom I found so fair, 

 I trust he lives in thee, and there 



I find him worthier to be loved." 



"Forgive these wild and wandering cries, 



Confusions of a wasted youth ; 



Forgive them where they fail in truth, 

 And in thy wisdom make me wise." 



My voice became choked, and eyes moistened ; all 

 my latent grief for a dear friend lately lost, welled up. 

 I became confused, and despite my efforts not to make 

 a fool of myself, broke down completely. That friend 

 was Janardan, a kind-hearted wiry old man, full of helpful 

 ways for young and old of every village for ten miles 

 round. Like mine to-day, many a yearning and grate- 

 ful heart must be sighing for him these last two months. 

 He was, however, the especial delight of children who 



