[ Ii6 ] mercilessly exposed the weak features of the measure. He was a strong advocate of the admission of Indians to a greatt* share in in the administration of their country, and the very moderation of of his views ensured their success. He steadily opposed the Verna- cular Press Act, and the ultimate repeal of this Act by Lord Ripon was largely due to his efforts. He was a prominent member of the British Indian Association, having been its Assistant Secretary for 21 years, and its Secretary from 1878. He was a champion of scientific education, and urged its claims in the Patriot on several occasions. His honesty and fair play all round were recognised by the Government when, in 1863, he was made Justice of the Peace for Calcutta, a Rai Bahadur in 1877 and a C. I. E., in 1878. Aa a Municipal Commissioner he did much good service to the rate- payers, and opposed several provisions of the Calcutta Municipal Act of 1876, which restricted the powers of elected Commissioners. He took his seat in the Bengal Legislative Council in 1872 and though he opposed the Government several times, every Lieutenant- Governor bore high testimony to his capacities and eloquence. In 1883 he entered the Supreme Legislative Council as an additional member and ably represented the landlords, in the Council when the Bengal Tenancy Act was introduced. But he did not live to see the act as finally passed. He died -in July, 1884. As a public man it was his sincere good fortune to achieve popularity without losing the respect of the powers that be, and this is largely due to his moderation. As a speaker, he was rarely surpassed; his delivery was clear, his language chaste and his action graceful. Sir Richard Temple said, of him, "I found him, ne*t to Sir Madhab Rao, the best informed and the most intelligent Indian."
