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assurances in reply. Since my husband's death, I have addressed several letters to the Maharajah to none of which I have been favoured with an answer. I have very little doubt that the recollection of his promise, though repeated to Sir Andrew Scoble, has faded from the Maharajah's recollection, and that none of my letters have actually reached him, in consequence, as I have heard, of the clumsy arrangement of the Vizianagram sherista. To whatever causes due, the only two noblemen from whom no aid has been received for this national enterprise are Durbhanga and Vizianagram. It is scarcely necessary to state that between them they can easily suport ten such publishing enterprises as the English translation of the Mahābhārata. No discredit can possibly attach to names so distinguished for liberality as Durbhanga and Vizianagram for such omission to help my husband or his poor widow. That omission must be ascribed to our misfortune.
In finishing the Mahāprasthānika, my debts have increased. There remains only one more fascicule to issue for completing the great task. I have no means for repaying my debts unless I receive help. Hope has been extinguished in my heart. My appeals addressed to different quarters are still unanswered. It is for the patrons of the enterprise to judge whether the Mahābhārata is to remain incomplete by one fascicule and whether a poor Hindu widow who has devoted her all for its completion should bear the burthen of her debts without the means of repaying them till her very house is sold and shared between her creditors.
Sundari Bālā Rāy.
