Page:The Modern Review Vol 01 (Jan.-June 1907).djvu/473

and the other is still struggling against it in the 20th: and so on. Not contemporary, not parallel, not serial, yet one common purpose running through both histories—the growth and development of peoples and their organised struggle against many forms of tyranny.

It is a puerile remedy for dangerous discontent that would deprive us of knowledge. The thing to be dreaded in us is not information but the mind that loves information. And if one field of activity be closed to our energy of thought, it is quite certain that we shall only fall with greater vigour upon the study of facts in the world about us, striking out fresh areas of knowledge and fresh lines of struggle for ourselves. It is a sad and an ominous moment when a man will admit that he has a quarrel against Truth.

Bengal has been thrilled of late to her very depths, by a new extension of the process of exploitation. A well-known European firm is trying to buy up the rice of the country, while the crops are still in the fields. It is understood that this is the beginning of the operation known as "making a corner" in rice. The country is startled by the fact that now for the first time, the Chasha is approached by the European dealer direct, ignoring the faria and the mahajan. A wide-spread movement is necessary to meet this and protect the farm-folk against it. If it goes on, a few years may be expected to make of the fertile province of Bengal one great smashan. We unhesitatingly, therefore, urge the peasants to repudiate any engagement they have entered into on this subject. If they have already spent the money, let them consider it as a debt, and pay it when they can. But let them on no account part with their rice, at the time of the Aus crop. Let the word "Hold the rice!" ring throughout the land, and let all the rigours of social ostracism be brought to bear upon any man who fails to obey. This may involve a certain amount of suffering. But any suffering, any "crime" for the individual, is better than that a province should lie at the mercy of an English firm in the city, for the price of its food.

We are glad, since writing the above, to read in the papers of the formation of an "Annarakshini Sabhá," with branches.

From the biographical sketch of the late Colonel Olcott by Mrs. Annie Besant published in the papers one learns that the late President Founder of the Theosophical Society was a notable personality in his own country before he came out to India. What he has done for his Society all the world knows. But