Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/583

 on which to build such a scheme. I have therefore observed with unmixed pleasure the recent movement of the ex-students of the Madras Christian College to reunite themselves with that college—their true Alma Mater,—inspired by grateful devotion to that eminent man, the Rev.William Miller, who gives his life to the glorious work of educating and elevating South India. It seems to me a laudable ambition for the graduates in Arts of this University, who have attained to the dignity of the Master's degree, or to that of Master of Laws or Doctor of Medicine, to seek to have a voice in the administration of the University; but it is also a laudable ambition that the Heads and Professors of its superior colleges should seek to become more potent factors therein. Such ambitions need not be in conflict, but should be in harmony, the influence of the college being strengthened through its graduates. Such a gathering together of educational forces will, I would fain believe, raise this University to a far higher sphere of usefulness than that which it now occupies—confer on it uniqueness and individuality, and tend to give to the Professors of its colleges University rank. It needs the friction of mind against mind to kindle the heat which generates thought; the sharp strokes of wit on wit to strike out the sparks which fanned become the unquenchable fire of knowledge. To one small people was it given to be the fountain head of progressive thought in the world. "Except the blind forces of nature," says Sir Henry Maine, "nothing moves in this world which is not Greek in its "origin. *** A ferment spreading from that source has vitalised "all the great progressive races of mankind, penetrating from "one to another and producing in each results accordant with "its hidden and latent genius, and results often far greater than "any exhibited in Greece itself." But would, I ask, this new creation have ever dawned upon the world had not Athens centred in herself the mind of Greece?

The next way in which I think the University organisation can hereafter be improved is by providing means, directly or through its affiliated colleges, by which you who have obtained your degrees, and other students. Matriculated or not, may carry on the work of self-culture, or obtain knowledge in subjects which do not fall within the college or school curricula. Many of you probably know how great has been the influence of the schemes of University Extension Lectures and of Local Examinations in obtaining for the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge a truly national character. A similar scheme to the latter has, as you know, been instituted in this