English students of the Bengali language and its literature may also find the translation of use, as it has been made literal as far as was possible.
The task of translation, though it has been a pleasant one, has not been easy; owing to the many difficulties in the way of adequately rendering into English, without the qualities of the original suffering in the transfer, a book so essentially colloquial and idiomatic in style and character. The fact that Professor Cowell at one time contemplated a translation of this novel, but abandoned the idea owing to this very difficulty, has made the translator still more diffident of success, and he can only leave it to the indulgence of his Bengali readers to decide how far he has succeeded in his translation, in doing justice to the spirit of the original.
The translator’s thanks are due to Babu Mohiny Mohun Chatterjea, Solicitor, Calcutta, for his kindness in revising the translation for him, and to Babu Amrita Lall Mitter, the Honorary Secretary to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Calcutta, and son of the author, for allowing him to publish it.
CONTENTS.
| Page. | |
| Preface | [i] |
| I. Matilall At Home | [1] |
| II. Matilall’s English Education | [8] |
| III. Matilall at School | [14] |
| IV. Matilall in the Police Court | [20] |
| V. Baburam in Calcutta | [28] |
| VI. Matilall’s Mother and Sisters | [39] |
| VII. Trial of Matilall | [49] |
| VIII. Baburam Returns Home | [59] |
| IX. Matilall and His Friends | [67] |
| X. The Marriage Contract | [74] |
| XI. The Poetaster | [81] |
| XII. Barada Babu | [85] |
| XIII. Barada Babu’s Pupil | [91] |
| XIV. The False Charge | [99] |
| XV. Trial of Barada Babu | [107] |
| XVI. Thakchacha at Home | [113] |
| XVII. Baburam’s Second Marriage | [116] |
| XVIII. Mozoomdar on the Marriage | [120] |
| XIX. Death of Baburam Babu | [125] |
| XX. The Shraddha Ceremony | [131] |
| XXI. Matilall on the Guddee | [140] |
| XXII. Matilall in Business | [144] |
| XXIII. Matilall at Sonagaji | [150] |
| XXIV. Thakchacha Apprehended | [158] |
| XXV. Matilall in Jessore | [166] |
| XXVI. Thakchacha in Jail | [174] |
| XXVII. Trial at the High Court | [181] |
| XXVIII. A Philanthropist | [191] |
| XXIX. Bancharam in Possession | [196] |
| XXX. Matilall at Benares: Home Again | [201] |
| Notes | [219] |
| Glossary | [223] |
PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS.
| Baburam Babu | A Zemindar. |
| Matilall | His Eldest Son. |
| Ramlall | His Youngest Son. |
| Baburam’s First Wife | Mother of his Children. |
| His Second Wife | A Young Girl. |
| Pramada | His Married Daughter. |
| Mokshada | His Widowed Daughter. |
| Beni Babu | A friend. |
| Becharam Babu | A friend. |
| Barada Babu | Kayasth Reformer. |
| Bancharam | A Lawyer’s Clerk. |
| Thakchacha | A Mahomedan Friend. |
| Bahulya | A Mahomedan. |
| Haladhar | Matilall’s friend. |
| Gadadhar | Matilall’s friend. |
| Dolgovinda | Matilall’s friend. |
| Mangovinda | Matilall’s friend. |
| Matilall’s Wife | . |
| Mr. John | A Calcutta Merchant. |
| Mr. Butler | A Solicitor. |
| Mr. Sherborn | A School-Master. |
| Premnarayan Mozoomdar | A House Clerk. |