Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/244

 prominent part in the business of the University for which his educational experience so well fitted him, but all of us who knew him will remember the keen, almost restless, intellectual activity by which he was distinguished, and which made him eminent amongst the eminent graduates sent forth by this University during the first years of its existence. The name of Archbishop Porter, so recently removed from among us, is another which will at once occur to you when you think of the losses which this University has sustained. Although the period of his association with you was so brief, by his frequent attendance at your meetings and the active interest which he manifested in the academical questions which occupied the Senate, he gave proof of that unwearied devotion to public duty by which he was distinguished, and of his desire to contribute to this University the matured fruits of an educational experience won during a life-long acquaintance with academic work in other lands.

We turn now to notice the new benefactions which the year has brought, and to express our gratitude to the generous donors who have placed the University under new obligations. We cannot expect that every year will be able to rival the year 1888, which in respect of large and numerous gifts was, indeed, an annus mirabilis in our history. The gifts announced at last Convocation, some of which were, however, offered to the University in previous years, amounted to more than a lakh of rupees. The new endowments to which it falls to me now to acknowledge amount to Rs. 50,000. With two exceptions they have for their object the promotion of medical education amongst women of India. Foremost amongst these stands the gift of Mr. P. H. Cama, the munificent founder of the Women^s Hospital which bears his name. Mr. Cama has placed at the disposal of the University the sum of Rs. 25,000, for the purpose of assisting native ladies, especially those of his own community, to a medical education in connection with the University. The scholarship which the University has been asked to found is a most appropriate sequel to Mr. Cama's gift of a hospital to the city. In expressing our acknowledgments to him we recognise not only the munificence which has prompted so liberal a gift, but also the wisdom which has been shown in the choice of so excellent an object. To provide the means of raising a succession of trained lady-physicians from among the women of his country, and thus to diffuse the tender ministries of healing amidst them, is an act of far-reaching benevolence,—a fit companion to that other with which his name will ever remain honourably asso-