Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/165

 conferring the honorary degree of LL.D. on any person who by reason of eminent position and attainments is a fit and proper person to receive such a degree. In accordance with the provisions of this Act the name of His Excellency the Most Moble the Marquis of Kipon has been brought before the Syndicate and Senate, and it has been voted unanimously that this degree be conferred upon the retiring Viceroy. Now, Mr. Chancellor, although it might be superfluous on the present occasion and in the present instance to enumerate the special reasons for which the bestowal of this degree is specially appropriate, yet this is the first occasion on which this degree is to be conferred; and the Syndicate of this University felt, as you yourself, Mr. Chancellor, also must feel, that we should be cautious and exact in setting up a precedent of what is to be done and what is to be provided before aught is done in relation to the conferring of honorary degrees in future. We are bound to establish well, in the light of day and in. the face of the public, the right of every recipient of such a distinction—the recipient ought to stand forth as a representative either of learning, which will give illustration to this institution, or else as one distinguished for eminent public services which make us proud of him who receiving our humble honor thus associates himself with us.

For this reason, therefore, the duty has been assigned to me, unequal as I feel to the function, of stating as I can to you, Mr. Chancellor, the particular public services which the illustrious gentleman, who has to receive the degree of Doctor of Laws to-day, has performed to entitle him to that distinction and to make us anxious to have him associated with us as a member of this University.

The Marquis of Ripon began his public services by entering Parliament at an early age in the year 1852. He succeeded to his Peerage in 1859 and was immediately afterwards made Under-Secretary for War. In 1861 he became Under-Secretary of State for India, and so commenced that association with this country and its interests which has been of such manifold advantages to all the inhabitants of India. In 1863 he became Secretary of State for War with a seat in the Cabinet. In 1866 he returned again to the care of the interest of India in a still higher position as Secretary of State for India. In 1868, and from that time till 1873, he was Lord President of the Council. During that period, I need hardly remind any of my English hearers, that great measure was passed under the care of Mr. Forster which has made a revolution in the educational condition of