William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald

“ Prominent among the many advantages which have flowed from British rule in India, I look upon Universities as institutions which are day by day conferring the widest and the greatest possible benefits upon the natives of this country. It is not merely that the University diffuses among the population a thirst for knowledge and an intellectual cultivation that was before unattainable to them, but it is preparing and fitting a class of men well fitted to render public service to their country in every department of the State. ”

“ I believe we have given to this country a certainty of administration of justice, a certainty of the tenure of property, and the knowledge that all are equal in the eyes of the law. And by the institution of a University such as this, we are conferring benefits, not perhaps so direct and tangible, but I think not the less valuable and important. We are teaching the youth of this country not to value knowledge only for the power and the success it brings, but for the self-improvement it gives the student,—teaching him to value knowledge for itself. ”

“ I would have them consider that the honours which they here obtain are but the first step on the ladder of learning. Their first course here is really their probation, a training that will fit them for greater efforts and for higher culture, which, if steadily and earnestly continued, will develop in their minds the taste for all that is refined, the love of what is wise and good, and place them in communion with the lofty spirits who, in every language of the world, have embalmed their thoughts in the precious literature which has come down to us. ”

“ 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 would only have them not to prize their learning only for what it can bring; let them strive after knowledge for its own sake. In this, as in every other pursuit and aim, their cry should be "Higher, and higher yet!" and if they persevere, great indeed will be their reward. Benefits of University education. And now let me say a few more general words to the assembly as to the prospects of academic institutions in this country. Each year that I have been in India I have been more and more convinced of the incalculable value of the University that we have established. ”

“ It requires here for the due administration of law—for an enlightened view of law as it ought to be administered in this country—a knowledge of the ancient laws as applying to inheritance, to property, to succession, to marriage, to religion, and to many other subjects of that kind; and it is a great satisfaction to find that there are young men who seek to distinguish themselves not only with a view to success in their professions, but also to obtain that wider and more enlightened view of law which will make a successful prosecution of their profession hereafter most valuable. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Last year I ventured to impress on the young members of this University—and I desire to impress it upon them again—that there is no career which will more certainly enable them to be of use to their country—no career in which it is more certain that they will attain honour and distinction—than that of civil engineering. At present, unfortunately, among those who conduct the engineering works in this country, there are not many who are natives ”

“ Sir, I could say that every other fact which has been disclosed to me by a perusal of the records of past years was equally a subject of gratification, but there is one point upon which I desire to say a few words of warning and counsel to those who come to this University to receive these academical honours.
I find too much reason to believe that most of the young men Contentment with first success—a spirit of "Rest and be thankful." who come up to this University are content with their first successes, and consider that in taking their first degree they have done all that is necessary. ”

“ I have often thought that Europeans in this country are very much given to try everything by the hard and fast rules of a European standard; that our system of government, our legislation, our administration, are not sufficiently imbued with the spirit which enlists the sympathies of the natives of this country, and which those who love their country would like to see exhibited ”

“ 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 is a matter of congratulation, too, that large success has attended the examination in Law, The Examination in Law. because the University examination in Law is not an examination in the knowledge which qualifies a man to be a successful practitioner,—it is not a knowledge of cases and decisions and practice—it is a knowledge of the principles of law and jurisprudence ”

“ And I do not think that there is anything which is more pleasing, in looking back to the past history of this University, than to find that alike in times of prosperity as in times when prosperity is past, there are enlightened men amongst the native community of this country who, feeling and knowing the duty they owe to society, are desiring to dis^charge that duty by nobly supporting this most valuable institution. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ If the matriculation test is lowered, and the standard of the after examinations is maintained, it is obvious that it will only lead to the failure of a greater number in the more important examinations,—lead to the disappointment of the students, and the discredit of the University. ”

“ It must be a satisfaction to him to find that the first person who has obtained the Travelling Fellowship which his munificence has established, has distinguished himself by attaining the honour of the membership of the College of Physicians and the membership of the College of Surgeons of London, has in open competition obtained admission to the Medical Service of this Government, and is now pursuing those studies which will lead him hereafter to a distinguished career. ”

“ 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. ”

“ There is a wider extent of learning, a wider field of study required for a degree in Arts than that which necessarily would be required for the degree of L.M., and I think it is a matter of congratulation that the great success which has been manifested in the examinations, has attended those who have sought to graduate in Arts. ”

“ In the first place I must congratulate the University upon that which is a proof of its steady growth and prosperity. This year we have upwards of 600 candidates for Matriculation; Matriculation. last year we had only a few—above 400—that is to say, that there is this great increase in the desire of the Native youth of all castes and creeds to attain University distinction, that in twelve short months the number of candidates for her honours has increased by 50 per cent. ”

“ There are forty-one less candidates than there were last year, but ninety-five more candidates have passed, showing that young men who have come up to begin their studies at the University have come up better prepared ”

“ We teach him, further, that it is his duty, by cultivating the highest qualities which God has given him, to fit himself to fulfil his highest duties, and in doing this I am sure we confer upon this country benefits even more extensive or more important, or at least equally important, with those institutions which secure to all the benefits of a settled and enlightened Goverment. ”

“ They have a certain practical value in the eyes of the world as rendering them eligible for employment and profitable occupations in life, and the struggle of life is so keen that every advantage which can aid them in their future is rightly to be prized. ”

“ Similarly, of ten Licentiates of Medicine only five have obtained the first class, while of those who have obtained the degree of Licentiate of the College of Civil Engineers, not one has obtained first class honours. ”

“ Vice-Chancellor, that there is much more in the report for me to notice; but 1 would desire to say that I, for my part, am equally desirous to give encouragement to the youth of this University, and I propose, Sir, with your permission, in future years to give a gold medal, for which an examination shall be held under such rules and regulations as you and the Senate may deem fit, The Chancellor's Medal. ”