Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/142

 and must remark, that the University does well so to maintain its standard, because it will incite the educational institutions affiliated to the University to neglect no means to prepare their candidates, so that in future a larger number may pass. At the First Examination in Arts out of 150 candidates, one-half passed; in the "Previous" or Preliminary Examination, two-fifths, and for the degree of Bachelor of Arts one-third passed successfully. I have some further remarks to make on this part of the programme. In the first place I regret to observe that so few of the Mussalman community have appeared in these examinations. I think it is much to be deplored that members of a community which has undoubtedly in previous ages produced many learned men should not be so prominent as their fellow-subjects here in taking advantage of the modern education provided so freely for them. I know that the leading members of that community are sensitive and sensible of this defect, and I am glad to say that an effort has been made to establish a school, which, I trust, will send many pupils in future to our Colleges and graduates to this University. This school has already achieved a great success. In the month of September, through the agency of leading Mussalman gentlemen, subscriptions amounting to Rs. 40,000 were raised by their friends for the establishment of this school; Government most gladly supplemented the amount raised by a regular subsidy; and already the school contains 370 students. I have to remark that in the report this year it is stated that for the first time there has been no addition to the endowments of the University; but I am glad to say that within the last few days there has been a scholarship founded by Mr. Jairazbhoy Peerbhoy, a Mussalman gentleman of this city, for Mussalman candidates obtaining the greatest number of marks in the Matriculation Examination, enabling them to prosecute their studies for at least one year in Bombay, or to proceed to England for that purpose.

Well, gentlemen, this is a beginning; let us hope that it will soon bear great fruits.

The next point which I desire to notice is the little progress which has been made in the scientific branch of the studies qualifying for the Bachelor of Science degree. I find that for the first examination for that degree only two candidates presented themselves this year, and those were from the Elphinstone College. I am glad to say both passed. But if we consider what class of teaching this scientific degree is intended to encourage, I think we may well hope that greater advantage will be taken