80 EvENTS OF HIS IIFE. Reply to the above:- Narifkefdanga, Cafcutta, 31st January, 1904 My Lord I received last evening Your Execellency's kind letter. I donot know how to express adequately my decp feeling of thankfulness to your Excellency for the exceedingly kind terms in which you have been pleased to speak of me and of my humble services to thc public. I will only say that it is my singular good fortunac that my retirement from service takes place at a time when there is at the head of the Government a statesman and a scholar of rare ability and attainments, who amidst the engrossing duties of his high office, and while grappling with some of the most difficult problems that can occupy the attention of a ruler, could find the time and feel the inclination to discern any little merit that there may be in an humble individual like myself, and who, if he is inflexibly severe to all that he deems bad, is indulgently swect to whatever has the least claim to be considered good. I remain, My Lord, Your Excellency's humble and obedient scrvant, Grooroodass Banerjee.
