Eyre Burton Powell

“ Be assured, he who has imbibed knowledge himself, and feels its powerful influence in the juster appreciation of all events which his cultivated intellect bestows upon him, in the more elevated moral standard, that is the natural accompaniment of judicious training, and in the additional sources of happiness which are opened up to him, cannot refrain from endeavouring to impart these blessings to others without committing a gross dereliction of duty, and placing himself on a level with the selfish hoarder of grain, who thinks only of his own necessities. ”

“ Hence it is incumbent upon you to look forward, and with your eyes set on the wide field lying open before you, to put your hand to the plough in an earnest and determined spirit, glancing at the furrows already traced only to gain courage for additional exertions; thus using the past simply as a stimulus to the future, and not permitting yourselves to subside into indolence, delusively fancying that enough has already been accomplished. ”

“ Each degree with us will represent an intelligible fact, the exhibition of a certain amount of knowledge. But, it is not to this consideration I wish to direct your minds so much as to the conclusion that, if the degree of Bachelor of Arts be held an imperfect one in Europe, where it may and often does represent the acquisition of a very wide circle of knowledge, much more must it possess that character here, where it indicates a comparatively contracted circle. ”

“ You will observe that the time-honored Universities of Europe are places of educational training, as well as institutions for recognizing and proclaiming degrees of proficiency in Literature and Science: not so our Indian Universities, which, as now constructed, are intended merely to present a standard of education to the Public, and to stamp with honor all such as prove that they have reached that standard. ”

“ You have this day been stamped with honor; you have by your industry, ability and good conduct, won the right to be presented to your countrymen as persons worthy of respect and fit models for imitation. This is undoubtedly a high, a most gratifying position; but allow me to remind you it is also a most responsible one. We all know the higher the station of an individual, the more incumbent upon him it is to walk circumspectly. ”

“ Universities are of long standing in the West, but here they are novelties: and moreover the differences that must necessarily exist between them,—where they have for centuries formed part and parcel of the social and religious framework of a nation,—and where they have been newly introduced in what may be called an exotic form, are so great, as to leave all minds more or less in a state of incertitude regarding their character and operation in India. ”

“ In earlier times knowledge had to be obtained mainly by oral communication, and just as in this country an ardent Hindu scholar, desirous of studying a particular work, would travel far to sit at the feet of some famous Pundit, so, in Europe, thousands resorted from distant regions to a seat of learning, where an eminent Teacher explained a particular science, or commented upon a favorite author. ”

“ Irrespective of times and circumstances, it may be asserted that an individual should be ready and even anxious to communicate to others the knowledge which he has himself acquired. But if such, as a general rule, be the duty of every educated man, how much more is it your duty Co assist in spreading enlightenment among the population of the Madras Presidency. We all feel how odious a character he possesses, who, having his granaries full of corn, looks with an unpitying eye on his starving countrymen. ”

“ Perfect uprightness, moral courage, kindness of heart and of demeanour, a readiness to sacrifice personal comfort, and other qualities of a similar stamp are all required to be united with knowledge, to constitute a genuine member of your noble profession. ”

“ Perhaps the chief difficulty with us will be to secure the appreciation of Degrees by the Natives of this country: but we are entitled to hope that every year which passes away will see this difficulty rendered less by the general spread of intelligence, until at length we shall find the same feelings excited in the breast of an Indian graduate, that quicken the pulse of an English youth when he secures a place, however humble, among the ranks which in past ages contained Chaucer, Bacon, Milton, Newton, and a host of others, the master minds of their times. ”

“ In the revenue and judicial branches of the Government service, as pleaders, as medical men, as merchants, as landed proprietors, it may fall to their lot to possess far greater influence than would belong to a mere schoolmaster, and many of the prejudices and evils existing among the Native community can be attacked with effect only by distinguished members of that community, acting in their several social circles. Let each educated Native, then, regard himself as a Teacher, either directly or indirectly, of his less fortunate countrymen. ”

“ That a student should "gladly lerne" is no more than every one would expect : but does a scholar always feel that his character is defective unless it can be said of him that he is also glad to "teche?" ”

“ Of those however who graduate in Arts, the probability is only a comparatively limited number will seek a livelihood by teaching; the majority will, it is likely, enter other walks of life. These last must recollect that it may lie within their power to contribute to the improvement of their countrymen quite as much or even more than if they were professed instructors. ”

“ As for you, gentlemen, who have this day been created Bachelors of Arts, Mental and moral improvement. I have to call your attention to the fact that your Degree is, in the phraseology of the middle ages, an imperfect one. ”

“ Taking the Universities of Europe, though they always played an important part, and on some occasions a prominent one, still their nature and influence are but slightly brought before the student of general history; to natives of India their constitution must be almost unknown, and the terms connected with them can be little more than mere sounds. ”

“ That such may be your course, and that some years hence you may again come forward to claim from the University still higher honors than those that have been conferred upon you to-day, is, you may be assured, the earnest desire of the Right Hon'ble the Chancellor, and of all the members of this Senate. That you will have great difficulties to contend against in carrying your studies to the point requisite to secure a higher degree,—is undoubted; no regular sources of assistance lie open to you, such as are at the command of students in the different countries of Europe ”

“ At this moment they may be regarded as in an unsettled state, many considering that with the progress of the age the constitution and aims of the Universities should undergo some changes, and that a wider range of studies should be embraced in their curricula. It is unnecessary for me to dwell upon this topic ; and I allude to it only to complete the brief and very superficial sketch of the rise and progress of University education in the West, and more especially in England. ”

“ Flynn, in speaking more immediately to you, I remember with pleasure the honorable testimony Qualifications of a medical man. that has been borne to your merits by those best qualified to be judges. I feel it is almost unnecessary to call to your recollection that other qualifications are looked for in a medical man, beside the mere knowledge of his profession. The situation of a medical adviser is one of the most delicate and confidential in this world. ”

“ However, as in their examination, those of them who have obtained places in the honor classes, have exhausted the subjects entering into the academic curriculum, they are subjected to no after-test in Arts for the attainment of the higher degree. ”

“ In later times the two great English Universities have constituted an agency for finishing the education of the higher classes, and more especially of those among them intending to enter some of the learned professions. ”