Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/469

 older Universities of Europe, and I have no doubt that when these powers are used by the governing bodies they will be employed wisely, and in the true interest of the Indian Universities.

Referring once more to the statistics of the Madras University, I find that the higher education is still mainly restricted to that class of the community which for ages past, has been noted for its intellectual endowment. Of the 1,349 Bachelors in Arts, 899 come from the Brahman community, which community represents only one twenty-sixth part of the Hindu population, The remaining twenty-five parts of the Hindu people have furnished only 252 Bachelors in Arts, —a fact which shows that the higher education has permeated but slightly the lives of the greater numbers of the people. Native Christians have obtained Degrees to the number of 117, and these results speak highly for the educational advantages of the class. The number of East Indian graduates is 55, of Europeans 17, and of Mahomedans 7. These facts in regard to the classes of the population furnishing graduates of the University, are full of significance. They show us that certain sections of the population have a desire for, and appreciation of learning, while other classes have not yet felt the need of it. In this connection it is important to note that the large Mahomedan population of this Presidency (numbering nearly two millions of persons,) is represented by only seven graduates, four of whom obtained Degrees in 1883. Amongst the graduates of the present year there are no Mahomedans, and I mention the fact with regret, that so important a section of the community should allow themselves to be left so far behind, in the higher education encouraged by the University.

To the graduates whose student life ends with the ceremonial of this day, I would offer a few remarks of general application. Your college work and set tasks are ended. You stand upon the threshold of your respective careers, whether your labors are devoted to State service, to the special professions of Law, Medicine, or Engineering, or to any of the numerous callings whereby the material resources of the country are increased, to your own profit, and the benefit of the country at large. In what spirit do you contemplate this new departure in your lives? Has the mental training and discipline of your student life developed in you a love of knowledge for its own sake, irrespective of its utility in fitting you to pass examinations and thereby to enter upon the occupations you have chosen? Has the insight you have