Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/435

142 not much matter in what department of things, or in what direction, people first begin to carry their convictions of duty into practice, provided they actually do begin somewhere. Duty is like the circumference of a great circle of a sphere, such as that which girds the earth, passing through both poles. Wherever you commence, if only yon steadfastly go on, you will touch in succession every point in the circumference, and unite at length in one majestic, unbroken circuit the two poles of life, the human and the Divine.

 

,—In addressing myself to the task of impressing on those who have this day received their degrees, the duties which they owe to the University, and to society, I would first shortly notice the position of education, secondly, the influence of the University thereon, and thirdly, the prospects of those who have attained the rank of graduates.

First.—As regards the present position of education : I am not here speaking of the mere elementary knowledge of reading and writing the Native tongue, but of that higher training and more extended learning which should constitute an educated mind and fit its recipient for guiding and controlling others to the advantage of society and the good of the State. That there is an ample desire for education in this Presidency must be admitted; whether that desire springs from a thirst for knowledge, for knowledge sake, or whether it may not largely, perhaps more largely than is to be wished, spring from a desire of gain, time only can decide; but the desire existing, without which all educational efforts would be comparatively barren and futile, is that desire well directed?—so directed as to encourage a sound and well-grounded knowledge, rather than a showy, but superficial teaching. In the extended acquisition of the first by its people, there is safety to the Commonwealth. In the spread of the latter is danger. He who has acquired the first will judge calmly, and weigh with care the consequences of changes proposed and consider with thoughtful judgment the measures to be taken or modification of laws or customs necessary to meet the ever- varying phases of a nation's life. He will be no unchanging laudator temporis acti, but he will bring the facts, and experiences of bye-gone historic times to aid him in judging the 