Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/79

 the people of their country, and who combine that knowledge with the refined education and more sober habits of thought which a European education gives. I believe that it is in this,—in training a class of men who will in future times, perhaps in no distant future, largely administer the affairs of their country in the various departments,—that a pervading and beneficial influence is being established by the University, which even already is beginning to be felt. But there is another benefit which I think will be specially felt in this country from the establishment of University education. It is very difficult to explain to you, gentlemen, here, the influence of University education on European society—I speak now of its social, not intellectual influence. The fact that a man has belonged to the same University appears to establish a relation between individuals which is at once recognised. Thus, when a man takes a high position in literature, science, art, or politics, there are hundreds who eagerly say "I was with him at Oxford, or at the same College with him at Cambridge." In this country, where you have so many religions and so many social distinctions which separate you so widely one from the other, every incident is of infinite value that may tend to lessen or obliterate them. Everything that tends to bring you together is to be encouraged and cherished; and I do not doubt, as years roll on, and social and historic recollections begin to cluster round our young University, a like feeling of academic brotherhood will arise among you; you will cherish the feeling that you belong to the same Alma Mater, and that feeling will establish among the alumni of this University the same sympathy, cordiality, and good-will which is ever found among the sons of the ancient Universities of England. I must now bring my observations to a close, but there remains to me one duty—a painful duty, but yet a grateful one, upon this my last appearance amongst you as your Chancellor,—to bid you farewell. I cannot look forward, as long as my pulses beat, to lead a life of indolence or ease,—such a life would be incompatible with my habits and my tastes. I trust I may, if I am spared, yet devote some years to the active duties of a public life. It may be, although I may not be clothed with official responsibility, in my power to render some service to the country in the affairs of which I have administered for the last five years, and show the interest, the lively interest, I shall ever take in the welfare, both moral and social, of its people. I have already said that I believe one of the great benefits of this University is that it is daily training up men who will hereafter be able to devote themselves in the various walks of life to the advancement of their country. There may be some who listen to me to-day who may be able hereafter to realise this aspiration,