ridiculous, intolerable in the eyes of many of his readers. This indeed is a moral influence of a positive kind for which he is entitled to our lasting gratitude. In giving an estimate of Ratan Nath*s genius I have confined myself to his prose works and even there to one book only --the F2sana--i-Azad--although he has written more than two dozen books, not to mention his excellent translations of Wallace's Russia and Lord Dufferin's Letters from Higher Latitudes, and his work in poetry. There is no book of his which is not worth reading, and some of these in consistency and coherence of plot and charm of style are even superior to Fisana-z-Azad. But in fertility of imagination, in rich variety of detail, in drawings of original characters, and in abounding humour it is his most typical novel—the one book upon which his fame with posterity will ultimately rest. I have not the same high opinion of his poetry, although he held a high place in the rank of second-rate poets, and was certainly better than many who consider themselves in the first rank. I have left myself no space to notice his work as a journalist, although the palmiest days of the Oudh AJchJbar—the leading Urdu daily paper in India—were the days of his Editorship. Ratan Nath Dar has rendered services beyond price to Urdu literature; but the public has not properly recognized them and has not rewarded him with the fame he deserved. For this his life is in no small measure responsible, specially the decadence of his powers in his later days. The young novelists who have learnt their art from him are in revolt against him. The critics have passed their summary judgments upon him. But he has achieved a solid work which the student of our life and manners no less than the lovers of Urdu literature will not willingly let die. Fisana-i-Azad will be as fresh fifty years hence as it is today. The immortal pictures of our picturesque society will continue to amuse the coming generations. The critics and the literary amateurs may pick as many holes in his works as they please. They may withhold their patronage from him and refuse to him entrance into their Pantheon. But when the mists of silly and spiteful criticisms have cleared off, the figure of Ratan Nath Dar will be seen soaring above them all as the eagle soars above the bat and the buzzard. Reprinted from The Kayastha Samachar, April, 1902. 100