PoIITICS AND POLITICA, AssocIATIONs. 245 that plain living and high thinking which was so abundantly practised in that saintly life which the Committee desires to commemorate with all humility and devotion.' Extract from the Report read at the opening ceremony of the Institute Building held on the llth February 1923. Politics and Political Associations. When invited in 1917 to state his views on the subject of constitutional reforms SR (;OOROO 1)As BANERJEE prefaced his reply with the following words. "ln reply I beg to state at the outset that though was a member of several Political Associations wil(o ractising as a Vakil of the High Court, I gave up all connection with politics since I accepted office as a Judge of that Court and though I have retired from that office since 1904, as I have retired on pension I have continued to observe the same judicial aloofness from politics as I did when in office. I no doubt take a keen interest in the political advancement of my country, but it is the interest of a citizeu and not that of a political reformer.' There was one single exception to the rule set forth above and that was on the occasion of the 'artition of Bengal. The following extract from the vivid description by Sir Surendra Nath Banerjea of the laying of the foundation stone of the Federation Hall on the 16th October 1905 the date on which the partition of Bengal took effect is reproduced below.
