Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/127

 Amongst the miscellaneous matters which, have occurred during the past eight years, I may mention that the University has had the honour to present addresses to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prince of Wales, and to receive their gracious replies, the latter ceremony having taken place in this Hall.

Having thus brought to a conclusion this review, I will take this the last opportunity I may have of presiding over a Convocation to address a few parting words to the Graduates and Students. In so doing, I shall doubtless repeat what I have said on previous occasions, but I feel that for this the importance of the subject will be sufficient excuse. Let me then impress on you. Gentlemen Graduates, not only the necessity of bearing in mind the charge given you on receiving your degrees,—namely, that you ever in your lives and conversation show yourselves worthy of the same—but that you bear in mind that when you can place after your names the letters of your degree your education is not finished—in truth, it has but just begun. It is now your duty to pursue with steadfastness of purpose the line you have chosen to follow—and, be it what it may, go on in that line towards perfection therein. Look at some of the bright examples which we have had in our educational institutions. Witness particularly the two brothers, Bahu and Narayan Daji. See how they never tired of acquiring knowledge—how they sought to make the knowledge they were daily gaining a means for benefiting their fellow-men. I pray you each to remember such examples, and whatever profession you may choose,—be it Law, Medicine, Engineering, Science or Art,—let it be taken up firmly, pursued thoroughly, and with a fixed purpose to excel therein and so benefit others. Let this University have a list of graduates of whom it may be proud, as showing that one result of its exertions is the preparation of a fitting class of men to render services not only in the administration of the Empire in every department of the State, but the more important work of spreading civilisation amongst their fellow countrymen.

To you, students, let me offer a few words of advice. Avoid, above all things, being satisfied with a smattering of many subjects—make up your mind to take up one profession or one branch of a profession and stick to it, and become thorough scholars in the subjects of your choice; and while striving for the mastery over a foreign language, without which success in your profession is impossible, do not forget that you have a vernacular of your own, through which