Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/430

 other peoples, ancient or modern, in the earnestness and assiduity with which they have studied the grammars of their various tongues, and to this must be attributed the wonderful perfection several of those languages have reached as organs of thought and much of the acuteness for which the Indian mind is famed. But the study of the languages of their country by Indian scholars has never beeome comparative and, therefore, has never become scientific. It has fallen behind the scholarship of Europe in grasp and breadth, and consequently in fruitfulness in results. If, however, educated Natives resolved to apply themselves to a study so peculiarly suited to them, I consider it certain that excellent results would soon be realised. If they began to compare their vernaculars one with another, ancient forms with modern, and both with Sanskrit, they would soon find that Language had a history of its own, throwing light on all other histories, and that instead of being the driest of subjects, it was one of the richest in matters of wide human interest. A further advantage of priceless value might also, it is to be hoped, be realised in time in the commencement and development of a good modern Vernacular Literature — a literature equal — if that were possible — to the ancient literature in beauty of form, and superior to it — which would be possible enough — in the value of its subject-matter. A most interesting, but hitherto in India almost untrodden, path of progress opens itself now to the educated Native in the study of Nature. In this branch of research, Hindus in all ages have fallen as much behind other nations as in the study of grammar they have excelled them. The only branch of natural science heretofore studied in India was Astronomy, and that had fallen from its high position and been compelled to do menial service to a silly Astrology. Several branches of natural science have had a place given them of late in the curriculum of Indian Uni- versity studies, and there seems reason to hope that a consider- able number of educated Natives will henceforth learn to observe. To see is not to observe, and to learn up and pass examinations in the observation of others is not to observe. You are surround- ed in the tropics with facilities and incitements to observation which do not exist in Europe. All nature is constantly in a state of excitement, librating between excess and defect, and constantly calling upon you to observe its changes. The habit of observation will prove of the greatest possible advantage to the Indian student, in checking that too ready belief in authority and that fondness for dreamy speculation which are so natural to Natives of the tropics. It may also be expected, if maintained for a sufficient length of time, and by a sufficient number of 18