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Paris is a most beautiful city and a great centre of modern
civilisation. Immediately after my arrival I visited the libraries and the
university and had discussions with the professors. Dr. Sylvian Levi, the
venerable Sanskrit scholar and others requested me to give a Vedic
recitation for recording in the phonograph for the use of European Sanskrit
scholars. The melodious way in which the South Indian brahmin recites the
Vedic hymns is inimitable. His clear intonation and pure language are
rarely heard by foreigners who come to our country. So I gave them two
records for which they offered me royalties. But owing to my Vanaprastha
vow not to accept any renumeration for the knowledge I impart, I asked them
to utilise the money for some charitable purpose.
I left Paris and after 7 hours reached London about 250 miles distant,
where I spent a few days. One of the objects of my western tour was to
approach the India Office and acquaint them with the necessity of
completing the "Catalogus Catalogorum" from 1903 up to date. Dr.
F.W. Thomas (?) of the Oxford
University introduced me to the Under Secretary of State for India and an
educational Officer with whom I had two days’ discussion on the matter.
Although I impressed upon them the desirablity of the Secretary of State
himself taking up the work of compilation forthwith the matter was referred
to the Government of India, Educational department and Sir F.Hussain has
given me through the India Office the usual reply on my return to India,
that the matter will receive the consideration of the Government when
better financial conditions prevail.
While In London, I was ble to see the ideal life some retired civilians
lead. Sir S.M. Fraser who as resident of Kashmir and Hyderabad had given me
much assistance in my manuscript work, having great respect for Indian
culture and learning, invited me to his home in Christ Church, about 103
miles south of London. In his old age, instead of sitting quiet at home and
enjoying a well-earned rest, he was working hard as an honorary Magistrate
and chairman to 2 or 3 committees. We discussed about conditions in India
in his times and at the present moment. He always showed great sympathy for
Indian aspirations. Next I visited the slums and watched the activities of
Miss Kingsley, Mahatma gandhi’s London hostess, for the cause of the cause
of the poor and I also went to a Yoga Asrama, kept by an old lady on the
banks of the Thames.
After more than three weeks’ stay at London I started on the most
important stage of my journey to visit the Arctic regions. From London I
went to Newcastle-on-Tyne, about 250 miles distant in 5 hours and took the
steamer for Norway. The 700 miles distance to Oslo was covered in 33 hours.
At the Norwegian capital I had to wait for about a week for weather conditions
to be favourable at the North Cape. I visited the University and met Dr.
Sten Korow, the professor of Sanskrit.
From Oslo I travelled by train to Trondheim in 12 hours the whole route
of 300 miles being covered with snow. There I took a small boat and entered
the Gulf Stream and passed a number of small islands which reminded me of
the backwaters of Cochin and Alleppey. But there are numerous mountains
covered with snow. From Trondheim we passed the seven hillocks, called the
7 sisters and then came to a natural tunnel, two miles long, through which
we can see the sea on the western side. Ours being a mail steamer, we
called at the various stations, which look so beautiful. One of them is
righly named the Wonderland.
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