Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/75

60 State, are drawn from our Universities; and while we have had our pedants, men from whose vast yet silent labours those training in the great schools at home have derived most important help, yet the leading men in England as a rule have been trained for their future distinguished careers by the Universities. Let it be so with us; let it not be said that the University here is unable to produce public men as well as its sisters in Great Britain and Ireland. It has succeeded in raising the moral tone of our youth, as all who have been engaged in carrying on the government of this Presidency will heartily acknowledge. Let us add to this; let us endeavour more prominently to induce in our students habits of active thought and independence of opinion, which, if combined with personal modesty, will lead to success in the world—success not only for the individual, but success for the country at large.

 

Mr. Vice-Chancellor and Gentlemen of the Senate,—I am little fit, from somewhat severe indisposition, which oppresses me even as I speak, to address you on the present occasion, and I fear therefore that the difficulty which is always felt in this room of making the voice heard will prevent my words from being audible, even to those who are nearest to me, upon an occasion when I should wish what I say to reach the more distant parts of the chamber where the younger members of this assembly are seated. But upon this the last occasion that I shall have an opportunity of presiding over your Convocation, I have thought that I should be wanting in respect to you, and in duty to the University, if I devolved this duty upon my friend near me, the Vice-Chancellor, and I gladly avail myself of my privilege to address you in order that I may, before I say farewell, make my acknowledgments to the authorities of the University, who have made, during the whole time I have been here, my office as Chancellor practically a sinecure, so that I have been called upon only to preside over your annual meetings and express my sympathy with your labours. Mr. Vice-Chancellor, I desire to tender my warmest thanks for the assistance you have upon every occasion rendered to me, and for the zeal, ability, and judgment with which you have fulfilled the duties of your high office. To the distinguished scholar who held the same post which you. Sir, now fill, at the time when I arrived in this country, and who has since been appointed to preside permanently over one of the 