44 LIFE AND WORK OF SIR JAGADIS C. BOSE 



so the interview was closed without definite result. Bose 

 had gone up to Darjeeling for the interview and was return- 

 ing next day to Calcutta. But as he was stepping into the 

 train a messenger brought him a letter from the Director of 

 Public Instruction, informing him that the Governor had on 

 his own responsibility decided to send him to England on 

 a scientific deputation for six months ; and that he could 

 therefore start for Europe any day that suited him. The 

 Lieutenant-Governor would telegraphically communicate 

 with the Government of India and the Secretary of State 

 in London. 



The despatch which followed included the following 

 statement from the Director of Public Instruction, now 

 aroused to full support : 



Dr. Bose's work is not merely the education of candidates 

 for University degrees, but the promotion of physical science 

 in a line which he has made peculiarly his own. To help him 

 in that is to promote the cause of science all over the world ; 

 and this, I assume, falls within the functions of the Government. 



To this the Lieutenant-Governor added his own recom- 

 mendation that 



he had done what he could to encourage and advance Dr. Bose's 

 researches, as he thinks it the duty of a great Government to do, 

 when it has a man of such exceptional qualifications on its 

 staff ; and he attaches much importance to Professor Bose's 

 visiting Europe and conferring with the leaders of scientific 

 inquiry there. 



By sheer persistence of work, and by his personality, Bose 

 had thus won from Government a measure of recognition 

 and practical support for scientific work which was then 

 unique, and remains everywhere too rare . And the successes 

 which he has once and again achieved, even against depart- 

 mental difficulties, in winning appreciation and support 

 from his own Government, are so many points gained for 

 the cause of science all over .the world towards its more 

 adequate recognition. 



