Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/73

 of these few comparisons I have drawn between the three Universities will, I think, satisfy yon, gentlemen of the Senate, that Bombay has not failed in her duty, that although the number of her graduates is small, yet that having from the first fixed high standards for her examinations, she has ensured that those who hold her degrees have merited their honours by the soundness and extent of their learning. On the report just read by the Registrar, I have but few observations to make. The most notable fact is that to-day the first European British-born subject has been enrolled among the graduates of the University, the son of one who long laboured in the cause of education in Bombay, who was a Fellow of this University, and a frequent Examiner of its students, and whose sudden removal from the scene of his labours was a matter of deep regret.

I next notice the submission for competition of two new prizes besides the Chancellor's Medal, viz., the James Berkley Gold Medal, unfortunately not awarded, and the Ellis Scholarship for the best proficient in English in the B.A. Examination, which has been won by a Muhammadan gentleman of the Khojah sect—one of two brothers who, having broken through the strong sectarian prejudices of their race, have competed in the ranks of the educated youth of the Presidency, and have both succeeded in their object. Some important changes have been made in the regulations. The Senate, approving of the measures proposed by the Syndicate, have done away with special examinations for the various scholarships and prizes and have attached them to the general examination—a course which, without lowering the standard required for their acquisition, is from convenience and economy much to be desired; all graduates in law have also been now permitted to compete for honours, and thus a greater impetus has been given for the study of the higher branches of legal science. These, gentlemen, seem to me to be the only observations the report calls for. Since I have come to this Convocation a letter has been placed in my hands with a request that I should notice it to you at this assembly. I have great pleasure in doing so, though it is an irregularity, as for such a course I have two precedents. I will, with your permission, state the purport of this letter, which is that a sum of Rs. 6,000 in 5 per cent, notes is tendered to the University for acceptance,—the interest, Rs. 800 a year, to be devoted to a scholarship of Rs. 25 a month to be called the "Arnould Scholarship," in memory of Sir Joseph Arnould, who so long and ably presided as one of the Judges of the late Supreme and present High Court, the said scholarship to be held by the