Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/198

 has formed so pleasing a topic of discussion to the jonrnalists for some years back, and which may be destined to form a topic of their discussion still for some time to come, is really but the leavings of three or four old libraries, a collection of scraps and odds and ends. It has nothing of the systematic or complete in it, and I put it to you, gentlemen, who have wealth, and to gentlemen who shall read what I am now saying, whether some portion of their riches would not be really well disposed of in adding to the treasures of the library by which all the citizens of Bombay might be benefited. Again, we have been extending the range of our University examinations, we have been enlarging the theoretical sphere of its influence; but where are the Professors, where are the teachers, who are to give life to this skeleton, who are to fill out this great outline and make our performance equal to the promises that we hold forth to the world? I think that for the completion of this University course it is obviously necessary that there should be constituted, in one at least of the colleges, a Professorship of the classical languages, Greek and Latin. Perhaps it is news to many of you that there is such a deficiency, but it does exist, and I trust it will not be suffered long to exist. Again, those gentlemen who were so zealous in. advocating the cause of the French language in the curriculum of the University are, I think, bound to go about among some of their wealthy friends and to urge them with all the influence they possess to establish a Professorship of the French language and literature. No language and no literature could be more interesting, none could be more worthy of the expenditure of some of the superfluous wealth which is now rusting, actually rusting, in the coffers of the wealthy of Bombay. Again, we have established a degree in Science, but it has unfortunately not proved very attractive hitherto, and the somewhat poor show in point of numbers of the gentlemen distinguished, as I have no doubt they are in their attainments, who have come up to take their degree of Bachelors of Science to-day, indicates that there is something wanting in the attractions as yet held out to a career in that line. I believe that as the system of technical education is extended, the Science degree will become more and more appreciated, as it certainly ought to become. But in the meantime I will put it to those who have the means, that they might do a great deal of good to their University and their countrymen by establishing one or two chairs in the department of Applied Science, such as a chair of Agricultural Chemistry. Those who are desirous of filling out the great outline which is laid down of University studies here will find