£ MO J trodden, and* first-rate paper in the metropolis. It is difficult at the present day to realise the nature of the service the Patrika and its Editor rendered in those days. We must therefore gratefully re- member the man who along with a few others laid the foundation- stone of popular journalism in this country. Sir Richard Temple, the then Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, had a very high opinion of Babu Sisir Kumar and frequently invited him to Belvedere. Sisir Kumar lost none of his independence by this official patronage, but rather utilised, it for purpose of public good. To the friendship between Sir RichaTd and Sisir Kumar we owe, in some measure, the introduction of local self-govern- ment in Bengal The achievements of the Patrika or of Babu Sisir Kumar as its Editor, are too numerous. The Indian League, which, in its early days, did so much to create a public opinion in the interior, was due almost to the single-handed efforts of Babu Sisir Kumar. On the 14th of March, 1874 the Vernacular Press Bill was intro- duced into the Supreme Legislative Council. It was understood that the blow was aimed mainly at the Patrika, which was then pub- lished in both Bengali and English. Sisir Kumar's decision was instantaneous. The Patrika, from its next issue, became purely an English paper. In 1891 the paper became daily. The Patrika is still rendering immense service to the cause of the country under the able editorship of Babu Sisir Kumar's worthy and distinguished brother, Babu Matilal* Ghosh, Babu Sisir Kumar is now leading a sort of secluded life, but hit contact with the world through the Patrika and his Spiritual Maga- zine, the latest offspring of his genius, still continues.
