Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/126

 the East into a quadrangle which shall be sacred to learning and research. But while no increase has been made during the period we are reviewing to a list of benefactions, which at its commencement already presented an aggregate of more than five lacs of rupees, we must not omit to notice that the University has entered on the full enjoyment of the munificence of its benefactors. The first Convocation was held in this Hall in 1874 and the Library was handed over to us last month.

I cannot, however, conclude this allusion to our being now in possession of our own buildings without one word of personal regret that I shall not be here to see the first movement of the hands on the dial marking the march of time towards eternity, or to hear the first peal from the melodious "joy bells" which are to cheer and enliven this city with their voices. May both be emblematic—the one of the march of this University towards that perfection which should be the end of all our aspirations, the other of the harmony which will attend on its deliberations and the joy with which the people of the Presidency will hail the results.

I may now allude to the Constitution of the University. Although, no change has hitherto been made in this important point, I may, I think, express an opinion that the time is not far off when some change will be called for in this direction. An infant Institution of this nature had, at its commencement of course, to look to the general public whence to choose its directors, and it was not until comparatively a late period that it had men who had grown up within its own borders that could claim to take a part in its management. But that time has now come, and the claimants are increasing in numbers yearly; and I venture to think that the views which the S3mdicate are now about to lay before Government, recommending that steps should be taken to secure in future the presence in the Senate of a greater proportion of graduates of this University, and further to limit the selection of others to those who have distinguished themselves in their literary or professional careers, are most wise. I also venture to think that the Senate may, especially when so strengthened, admit Reporters to its meetings, and so court the voice of public opinion on its proceedings. I do not think an enlargement of the Syndicate, save perhaps to admit the representative of a new Faculty, is advisable; but I hope as time progresses the Senate may make its power more and more felt, not only in its selections for the Syndicate, but in supporting and it may be occasionally in modifying the measures of that body.