Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/204

 of study which it would be impossible for any one engaged in an ordinary profession, or in any ordinary business to have. The professor of a particular subject, as of Chemistry in an University, must give himself up to that one subject. At the same time mixed trades and professions on account of their involving attention to a great many fragmentary subjects are in themselves almost incapable of being taught in an University; you require a combination of qualities, a readiness of resources, and an application of very various species of information for the purpose of carrying on any business which is not best learnt in an University or not learnt there at all, but must be learnt in the practice of the profession and of the business itself. Therefore, I say, that although the scientific part of an education can best be communicated in the University, and by University teachers of the highest rank, yet as for the mixed business and professions but little can be done in the Universities except laying the foundations. These remarks apply especially to the University of Bombay, and I hope that while technical education is being advanced by the Government it will still be accompanied side by side with a large endowment for pure science in the University, and that from out of the studies and the lecture rooms of the professors of science will proceed a large number of men, who will then apply their scientific attainments to the instruction of those who again, in the descending scale, will communicate that fertilizing stream to the members of the community who must needs use it in their ordinary avocations.

These are the chief remarks that occur to me on this occasion. Gentlemen of the Senate, I had intended to say something at greater length on the position which Indian Universities have now attained, on the great services they have rendered to the community amongst whom they are placed, on the duties which devolve upon them, and on the great future which is before them. The topic, I find, is somewhat too extensive and too important to be treated at this stage of my address to you. I will reserve it, if ever I have the opportunity, for some other occasion of addressing you, and I will say no more on the present occasion than to remind my younger hearers, in whom we all feel so much interested, that whether in the field of science, or in the field of literature, there is a certain exaltation of spirit required,—and that can be attained by true attachment to a great institution of this kind, which brings out the noblest abilities into splendid activity; that they owe to this institution and to their country great services on account of their connexion with the University, that they should make their