[ 48 ]
Mr. Bethune, in order to set an example to his countrymen. Besides these, he aided and encouraged students of various schools with tuition fees and prizes.
Not only in education, but also in other matters, Ramgopal showed his zeal for progress. Thus he supported the establishment of the East Indian Railway, which was looked on with disfavour by his countrymen. He was a tower of strength to the British Indian Association and was the leader of every public movement in his days.
But he was chiefly distinguished for his oratorical powers. Some of his speeches display a marvellous power of comprehension, a vigorous grasp of the subject, a power of persuasive rhetoric and a perfect mastery of keen and weighty logic. Bengal is never in want of speakers; but competent old men are often heard to say that they heard no speeches like those of Ramgopal Ghose. Among others his speeches on the removal of the Nimtolla Burning Ghat, on the renewal of the Charter Act of 1853, on Sir Henry Hardinge and on Lord Canning are the most famous, and have been highly spoken of by the "Times".
The high regard in which he was held both by the Government and by the public is shown by the fact that he was a member of several important committees appointed by the Government, and of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Senate of the Calcutta University.
He was an Honorary Presidency Magistrate and a Justice of the Peace, Calcutta. Lastly, he was a member of the Bengal Legislative Council from 1862 to 1804.
Thus he rendered various services to his country as a friend of education, a politician, and an orator, and would have done even more, had he lived longer. He died in January, 1868.
