1.1.

You ask me to give a few reminiscenses of the Poet - a somewhat difficult task indeed, considering that with a failing memory it is not an easy thing for me at this distance of time to bring back to my mind, recollections of "auld lang sene ⟨sine⟩". However there is one incident which of course I will never forget & that is with reference to the introduction of Blank verse in our language. of this I have already mentioned to you but you wish me to give some further details ― well, here they are. It was a fine evening in the Belgachia Villa & we were sitting in the Lawn Hall when the Stage had been set up for the performance of the Re[?]als. Both the brother Rajahs were there and so was MiMichael. It was a rehearsal night & the amateurs were coming in one by one; the conversation gradually turned from the subject of drama in general & of Bengali Drama in particular. Michael said that no real improvement in the Bengali Drama could be expected until Blank verse ways introduced [?] I said that ⟨it⟩ did not [?]⟨seem to me ⟩[?] introduce Blank⟨this [?] of verse⟩ in our language, for th I thought the very nature of construction of the Bengali was ill-adapted for the stately measure & sonorous cadence of blank verse. "I do not argue with you there" said he "& I think it is still worth making an attempt." "You remember I [?] "how once Iswar Chandra Goopta once made a caricature of blank verse in Bengali beginning with the lines. "Oh!" said he "it is no reason because old Iswar Goopto could not manage to write blank verse that nobody else will be able to do it." "But [?]I said [?] "if I am correctly infomed the French which is no doubt a more copious & elaborate language than our own, has no blank verse poems in it, [?] no wonder then ⟨that⟩ the Bengali should be found inadequate for the kind of versification. You forget my dear fellow he replied "that the Bengali is born of the [?] than which is more copious ⟨& elaborate⟩ language does not exist." "True"⟨"True"⟩, said I "but as yet the Bengali seemed to a [?]⟨be a⟩ weakling botho' born of a stout⟨healthy⟩ & robust mother." "Write me down an [?]" said he languishly "if I am not able to convince you⟨you⟩ of your [?]⟨error⟩ written in short time" then looking sharply at me he added "and what if I succeed in proving that to you that the Bengali is quite capable of the blank form of versification?" "Why then" I replied [?] I as ⟨shall⟩ willing stand all the expenses of presenting & publishing any poem which you may write in blank verse" "Done!" said he clapping his hands "You shall get a few stanzas from me written two or three days" and as a matter of fact written three of four days the first canto of তিলোত্তমা কাব্য was sent to me. I I was so arguably surprised since ⟨& at the same time so charmed with the⟩ astute manner in which the verses written ⟨not to speak of the sentence & rich imageries of tapestry⟩ that I at once took the MS to my friends the Rajahs of [?] It was then read by several of our friends who had a reputation for literary tasks & I was glad to find that they were⟨all⟩ argued with my opinion of the composition. ⟨Very large indents were no doubt made upon the Sancrit vocabulary, but for all that his attempt could not but be pronounced a complete success.⟩ A few days after I again met [?] Michael in the Belgachia Hall. He came [?] smiling to me & shaking me heartily by the hand as was his wont he asked me "how I liked his specimen verses?" "Liked this?" said I "Why, they were simply charming! [?] You have won the bet & I frankly acknowledge my defeat" At this my ⟨[?]⟩ friend Rajah [?] said "Well then, our friend Michael must now complete his little poem as soon as soon possible" "Certainly" said Michael " & I hope to do as in about a fortnight." The poem was indeed completed within a very short time & was printed & published at the Stanhope Press the best Bengali press then in existance. By way of a compliment the little volume was dedicated to my humble self & the original MS was also handed over to me. This ⟨as known[?]⟩ is carefully preserved in my Library. I am afraid I have spun a somewhat tediously long yarn about this incident but here my story ends.

1.2.

My dear Sir ― We have now come up to the Fourth act & you must allow me to remind you that unless I get the songs, we must stand still. Have you seen the 2nd Canto of Tilottama? With kind regards & in [?], [?] Michael msDutt

1.3.

My dear Sir I must [?] with you for calling these Songs "doggerels." They deserve a far more honourable name. They are smooth & musical & embody [?] the ideas wanted. I donot think I shall trouble you for the other songs till perhaps this day next week. With kind regards [?] [?] Yours [?] Michael msDutt

1.4.

My dear Sir The letter you recd this morning was written before receipt of the pretty little বিরহিণী Song [for which many thanks] & that is the reason why it made no mention of it. I was in my bath-room when your man came & had no time to substitute another letter. The songs must be beautiful, considering from what source they come. Rajender thinks that I [?] not orthodox in my [?]; but that is of little consequence in a poetical Romance as for "[?]", my [?] was that I had made "Light" the first of all [?] things. But that I have given up to humour him Pray, my dear Sir, who is the gentleman whom you call "কবিন্দ্র as for poor me, I resemble John Milton in this one particular, viz, that there can be no sympathy between me & my contemporaries. Yet I feel [?] to know some things about this "Poetic Moon." With many many thanks for your kindness & with sincerest thanksregds [?] [?] Very sincerely yours MichaelmsDutt

1.5.

My dear Sir Many thanks for the Song & your welcome letters. I dare say both the [?] will make their appearance by the end of this month, though I fear Rajender does not twist the tails of his fellows with sufficient force. The subject proposed by Raj narain is very good. I myself thought of something like it some months ago. I had the wanderings of I[?] (one of Yayati's sons by Sarmista) in my mind. But I don't think I have as yet acquired a sufficient mastery[Page] [Page]over the "art of Poetry" to undertake ⟨the composition of⟩ a grand Epic. So I must for sometime to come, [?] with these Epiclings so as to acquire a pucka hand. [?] [?] man in Poetry. I beg, my dear Sir for will not despair of reading it. I hope to make you [?] in s[?] above forest[?]. I shall [?] all [?]! With kindest regds very[?] MichaelmsDutt