Henry Fortey

“ Dispersed through the country, and surrounded by those less instructed than yourselves, it will be your high privilege to excite in them a thirst for knowledge, to lead them to take an interest in literature and science, to dispel error, and to inculcate truth. ”

“ This is the immaculate model of excellence that every human being should fix in the chambers of his heart; which he should place before his mind's eye from the rising to the setting of the sun—to strengthen his understanding that he may direct his benevolence, and to exhibit to the world that most beautiful spectacle the world can behold, of consummate virtue guided by consummate talents. ”

“ For, if there is any one truth in morals more clear and indisputable than another, it is this : that the highest good of the individual is not only consistent with, but is absolutely inseparable from an earnest desire for the public welfare. ”

“ Chancellor and Gentlemen,—Barely fifteen years have passed away since the foundation of this University, and during that time it has developed from an experiment into a strong and vigorous Institution most powerful for good throughout the length and breadth of the land. It is indeed almost impossible to over estimate its beneficial influence. It determines the course of study in our schools and colleges, and its examinations, so conducted as to deserve and command the respect of the public, are looked forward to as the great events of the educational year. ”

“ This country is, as you are aware, undergoing a process of transformation, and you will have countless opportunities of aiding in the good work. These I shall not stop to particularize, but I may observe that all reforms are viewed with suspicion and distrust by an ignorant people, and you may do good service in one way by faithfully interpreting the motives and the measures of Government to those with whom you come in contact. ”

“ Devote your best energies to these objects, remembering that between the young student, however successful, and the ripe and mature scholar, there is a vast space which can only be passed over by years of patient and laborious toil. Remember also that every profession is both an Art and a Science, and that dreamy theorism and vulgar empiricism are equally to be avoided. ”

“ Annually the struggle is renewed, and as the close of the academic year comes round, masters and pupils, who have worked hard before, work harder still, and every faculty is brought to bear on the attainment of the one great object in view. And yet the University is not in my opinion open to the imputation that it encourages what is commonly called "cram." ”

“ And now, gentlemen, I turn to a nobler aspect of your promise. You are thie very van-guard of the great intellectual army which is destined to drive ignorance out of the land, and your responsibilities are co-ordinate with your privileges. It will therefore be your duty, and I am sure it will be your pleasure, to help all those who are struggling towards the light. ”

“ Of the Universities in Europe but a small fraction of the graduates are thus employed, and the great majority take to the learned professions, to agriculture, and to commerce. There are many wealthy and respectable merchants in this city and in the provinces, but I fear there are but few who have those enlarged views which follow from a liberal education. I trust that in a few years' time there will be several gentlemen of this class who will take their seats in the Chamber of Commerce and be listened to with respect by the European members. ”

“ My words are indeed feeble to urge this noble duty, but listen to those of a great modern writer, and let them rouse your enthusiasm: "Add to the power of discovering truth the desire of using it for the promotion of human happiness, and you have the great end and object of existence. ”

“ But attention to your own professional work will not necessitate the entire neglect of those other liberal studies in which you have been grounded; and I would especially counsel those whose occupations may not involve any severe mental discipline to cultivate some one of those magnificent branches of knowledge which are prescribed for the Master's degree, and to return hereafter, and claim at the hands of this University the highest honor which it has to bestow. ”

“ And, when your ranks are counted by thousands instead of hundreds, as they surely will be before this generation has passed away, your knowledge and influence will penetrate to the remotest corners of the land, and you will inaugurate a glorious day, the light of which almost dazzles the imagination. ”

“ Gentlemen, I have said but little of the profession to which I have the honour to belong, but I do feel that in the present stage of the progress of this country able men and men devoted to the work are urgently needed. And be sure that, if you enter on this profession in an earnest spirit, not actuated by merely mercenary motives, you will meet your reward. There ai'e, as you know, many of your own countrymen and many Europeans now thus employed who have so labored as to gain the respect and attachment of all who know them. ”

“ You are young men of intelligence and fair repute, and when you leave this Hall you will carry with you our good opinion, and our best wishes for your future. I trust that honorable careers are in store for you all, and of so great a number it is not too much to expect that some will attain to eminence, and become men of mark in the country. ”

“ We cannot all be Crichtons,—and having chosen your occupation your first duty is to attend to that, and to learn to do your work thoroughly well. On a review of your past studies, you will find many important subjects of which your knowledge is meagre and imperfect, and many difficulties to clear up. ”

“ Faith in the future makes life worth having, and I trust it will so operate on you that your lives hereafter may be characterized by the same high qualities which have contributed so much to your present success. ”

“ By the constitution of these Local Fund Boards, spread like a net-work over the land, the people have been admitted to some share in the administration of their own affairs, and the performance of the duties entrusted to these bodies is the best training that they can have for the right use of a larger measure of political power. ”

“ Gentlemen, when I read this fine passage I was reminded of an honored friend, who pours such floods of light on every subject he discusses as continually to astonish and delight his hearers : and who, notwithstanding the arduous duties which devolve on him in virtue of his high office, daily adds to the vast store of his learning. To his great erudition it is too much to hope that any of you will ever attain ”

“ But these Acts are, after all, but the skeletons, the dry bones, which the people must infuse with vitality by their public spirit, and if they fail of their due effect the blame will rest, not with the originators of these measures, but with you. Gentlemen, other noble aims and objects will suggest themselves to you which I have not time to discuss. Female education. One of these is Female Education. Beauty of form is fleeting quality, and, when divorced from culture and refinement loses half its charm ”

“ Steeped in ignorance themselves, they do not desire improved schools for their children, and, accustomed from time immemorial to disregard the laws of health, they attach no importance to sanitation. Now, in cases of this kind you may do much good by pointing out the bearing of these measures on the welfare and progress of the country. ”