Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)

From The Vegetarian (London), June 13, 1891:

- the lead item of the Editorial:

By the time this is in the hands of many of our readers, Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Mozumdar will have started back again on their homeward journey, as they leave London on Friday morning after being called to the bar on the previous Wednesday.

In acknowledging here the debt which the Vegetarians of England owe to them for their ever ready help by voice and influence, pen and purse. We would re-echo the words with which the President of the London Society closed his speech at the "good-bye" dinner on Saturday, and wish them both "God-speed in the great future work that lies before them in India, in helping to bind together into one united whole the Vegetarians of the world, and in procaliming the Truth of Vegetarianism, to those who, as yet, know nothing of its beauty.

- from an inside page:

Farewell Dinner at Holborn. - On Saturday evening Room No. XIX., at the Holborn was brilliantly beautiful with electric light shining down upon a select party of guests of Mr. Mohandas K. Gandhi, upon the bright radiance of plate and glass, upon ruddy fruit and blooming flowers.

Although it was a sort of farewell dinner, there was no sign of sorrow, because all felt that though Mr. Gandhi was going back to India, yet he was going to a still greater work for Vegetarianism, and that upon the completion of his law career and his final success, congratulations to him should take the place of personal wailings.

Among the guests present were Mrs. McDouall, Mrs. Wallace, Mr. A. F. Hills, Josiah Oldfield, Mozumdar, Bhabhubhai Mozumdar, Dr. Reid, Mr. and Mrs. Forward, Mr. and Mrs. Hall, Miss Yates, and Messrs. Field, Trier, Hanson, Beurle, Motheram, Welch, Hayward, and others.

The dinner was of a most elaborate and dainty character, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

At the close MR. GANDHI, in a very graceful though somewhat nervous speech, welcomed all present, spoke of the pleasure it gave him to see the habit of abstinence from flesh diappearing from England, (sic) related the manner in which his connection with the L.V.S. arose, and in doing so took occasion to speak in a touching way of what he owed Mr. Oldfield.

MR. HILLS then, in that eloquent and beautiful language of which he is such a master, proposed the toast of the evening, "Our Host," and in a peroration, which Mr. Gandhi will doubtless long remember, wished him "God speed" in the name of the L.V.S.

MR. OLDFIELD followed, and pointed out the relation of English Vegetarianism to prior Indian customs, maintaining that a careful study of the effect of Vegetarianism on India should form part of every earnest Vegetarian's curriculum. He then offered a tribute of praise to Mr. Gandhi for the lesson he had taught of "patient, persistent overcoming of difficulties in pursuit of an aim."

MR. MOZUMDAR, in a humorous speech, toasted the L.V.S., and generally praised England and Englishmen all round.

MISS YATES very felicitously replied on behalf of L.V.S.

MR. FORWARD, MR. HALL, and MR. WELCH spoke in warm eulogy of their personal appreciation of Mr. Gandhi.

MR. GANDHI replied and pointed to the hope that a future congress of the Federal Union would be held in India.