Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/158

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1883.—Sir James Fergusson.
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of the Native Bar during the long period of his services in this country in a great degree to the teaching given in the Elphinstone High School and the University of Bombay. It was, he said, the education given in these and other local institutions that had conduced chiefly to those results. As regards the failure in Previous Examinations, that is a matter for the colleges, and they will doubtless give it adequate consideration. I have to remark that the professional examinations have maintained their usual standard, and it is a matter for congratulation that the percentage of success in law is this year as high in numbers as that in medicine and civil engineering, although it has hitherto been lower, presumably owing to less perfect arrangements for teaching. I must refer, as I did two years ago, to the comparative failure of the provisions for teaching science. In 1879, on the motion of Sir Richard Temple, the University established a new degree for science and prescribed a complete course for that branch of study, physical and experimental. The results of the steps then taken have been disappointing, and this, I think, leads to the deduction that for the pursuit of this most valuable course the same assistance is wanted which proved so valuable in other branches; we must look to private benefactions for the means of study for poor students, and of a sufficient teaching staff. In other branches the liberality shown has been great, but much in this direction remains to be done. Only in one year in the history of the University has there been no addition to its endowments to be announced on this annual occasion. Liberality of the citizens of Bombay. This year I have some additions to make known, which testify afresh to the public spirit and liberality of the citizens of Bombay. We have received from the Naegaumvala family an endowment of Rs. 3,000 for an annual prize for Civil Engineering. Mr. Varjivandas Madhavadas, a Justice of the Peace for the City and a Fellow of the University, has given Rs. 6,000 for a scholarship open to Candidates passing the B.A. degree highest in Sanskrit. Rs.6,000 have been subscribed at Baroda for a scholarship in memory of Mr. Philip Melvill. And, gentlemen, I am most happy to announce that the Muhammedan National Association has promised and has paid the sum of Rs.13,630 for the foundation of three scholarships, to be called the Sir Frank Souter Scholarships, and to be held severally for Matriculation, Previous, and B.A. Examinations. Further, in the last few days it has been announced that an Ashburner Scholarship is to be founded in memory of our friend who has just left us. That is as satisfactory to us as it is honourble to the donors. Before closing I cannot but make one or two