Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/282

 judicial capacity will be found in the volumes, extending over a long series of years which contain the reports of many learned judgments delivered by him with authority from the Bench. But while his time was so occupied with the duties more closely connected with his judicial office, he was able to undertake a work of great magnitude in collaboration with Dr. George Buhler, which will always establish his claim to rank as one of the highest authorities in this land or anywhere on Hindu Law. The merits of that work have been borne ample testimony to by eminent scholars and lawyers. It was the result of years of patient labour and investigation; and if ever the time comes for codifying the Hindu Law, as it now exists, the digest of Sir Raymond West and Dr. Buhler will certainly form the most important basis for such codification. But it is in connection with our own University that we shall most readily appreciate the advantages which have accrued from the residence of Sir Raymond West in our midst, and we can never forget the years when he was identified intimately with us in all our undertakings; whether as an examiner at the higher examinations or as a Syndic in Arts or Law for six years or as a Dean in the Faculty of Arts or as Vice-Chancellor for seven years. During all this lengthened period he was no idle holder of office. He was a living power inspiring and guiding our deliberations and always lending aid when needed in the development of our plans. He imparted strength to our institutions and strove with all his might, to raise this University to a position of independence, and to make it something more than a mere board of examiners. He wished to make it a living, growing organism in vital union with its affiliated colleges and exercising a whole-some influence on the life and conduct of all its members. Though we know that he failed to secure the acceptance by the Senate of all his views, as embodied in the University Bill, which we owe to him—but which is, unhappily at this moment, in a state of suspended animation—still we can never be unmindful of the great love he bore to this University, and of his able, conscientious, and long continued service on her behalf. In now conferring an honorary degree on Sir Raymond, we are recognising merit which has been recognised in a similar way already by two older institutions than our own, and I would confidently express the hope that the honour we are conferring will not be less highly valued by him than the degrees he has received from the University of Edinburgh and the Queen's University in Ireland. It is now my duty, my Lord Chancellor, on behalf of the Senate, to present Sir Raymond West to your Excellency, and to ask you in the presence of this assembly, to meet our