Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/81

 may be assumed as good evidence of the increased assiduity of the teachers, and of their desire to save their pupils from the expense and mortification of an unsuccessful competition, by imparting to them a sound and good elementary education. It is satisfactory also to notice the gradual but decided increase in the number of schools whence students are sent for Matriculation, an increase tending to show that the means of obtaining good education are not confined to the few great towns, but are being gradually extended to the remote parts of the Presidency. Indeed candidates have been admitted from beyond those limits, from Akola in Berar and from Indore, and we may hope that in future years our institutions may extend their usefulness to an increasing number of the educated classes of Central India and of Nagpur and Berar. The report also mentions another fact, from which I hope we shall be justified in drawing a favourable augury. It shows that a very fair number of the successful candidates was educated by means of private tuition. It may be hoped that this is in some degree to be accepted as a sign that the wealthier classes, those who can afford to provide their children with private tuition, are becoming more alive to the value of education, and are disposed to meet the cost of it. It has been represented to me that hitherto the main bulk of those who seek education in our schools and Colleges are young men of very limited circumstances and that the wealthy and independent sections of society have regarded the improvement of their minds with indifference. This is much to be regretted and cannot fail to be most discouraging to those whose best efforts are exerted for promoting the spread of learning. They must feel that the success of their endeavours is very limited, as long as the affluent and independent classes choose to remain wholly indifferent to the attractions of literature. It must make them fear that literature and education are not sought for their own selves. But for myself I would go further, and warn such classes that their indifference is not only illiberal but suicidal. One hears much of the immutability of things in India, and no doubt the impediments to serious changes are very great; but I cannot bring myself to believe that they are insuperable,—I cannot think that rail-roads, telegraphs and this very education which we are striving to promote, will altogether fail to effect changes. The wealthy and independent may out of apathy neglect the opportunities offered to them, but other resolute and energetic spirits will eagerly snatch at them, nay, will make them the means of their own advancement. It is but a few weeks since the Governor-General stated his conviction that the British Government fully desired to maintain the position and