CHAPTER XII

THREE BENGALIS AND THE PAPERS

The Kalighat of Calcutta—Worship of Kali—Her symbolism—Other temple of Kali—Ramakrishna Society—Moti Lal Ghose—His brother and religion—The _Amrita Bazar Patrika_—Moti Lal’s opinions—Surendra Nath Banerjea—Past history—Position in politics—Ripon College and the _Bengalee_—His power as an orator—Manner of eloquence—_Bande Mataram_—An Extremist paper—Arabindo Ghose connected with it—His past career—His policy of general Swadeshi and boycott of the Government and everything foreign—His gratitude for Lord Curzon’s rule—Growth of Indian nationality—Scheme for an Indian popular assembly—Advocacy of national courage—Macaulay’s accusation of cowardice—Religious tone of Bengali Nationalists—Extract from Arabindo Ghose’s address in Bombay—Violent language of Indian and Anglo-Indian papers—Examples of style from the _Asian_ and the _Times of India_—Insults to Mr. Keir Hardie and the Indians of Bombay 206