degrees depends upon their judicious distribution. With regard to fellowships, I may say that it is a matter as much of regret as it is a bounden duty to Government to confer that honor only in the case of academical and literary distinction, while a degree may be not inaptly given in recognition of service which would not qualify for a fellowship. I thought when I rose that I had little to say, and that my observations would not be long, yet there is one more consideration I would offer, which I trust will not be out of place, and which I cannot reconcile to myself to omit. In the year 1883 the country has been greatly distracted by political strife. The Illbert Bill controversy. Animosities have been excited, as they must always be excited by a political difference, which has been greater than we can remember for many years. The University has the privilege of sitting high above the waves of faction. Those—and there may be some amongst us—who have taken part in the controversy of the past year never ought to carry it into their academical life. What occurs to me, gentlemen, is this. We have in such an institution as this a healing element which may go far to soothe the difficulties which political controversy has raised, because in this Senate sit men of different races and countries, actuated simply by the one common desire, to benefit the people of this country of whatever races in one and the same way. With us there is only that desire to impart to them to the utmost the knowledge which we ourselves prize, and this consideration, which seems to me to rise to the highest stage of Catholicism, must, I think, so heal dissensions that they will endure but for a day and in a few years be forgotten. Gentlemen, I trust that this is one of those institutions, which will bring home to the people of this country the true and deeply-seated desire of England to use her great mission in this country for the highest benefit of India; and that it may be seen that Englishmen, and Muhammadan, and Hindu, and Parsi may sit on the same benches to co-operate, not only without jealousy, but with one motive and aspiration,—the advantage of our fellow countrymen.
THE FIRST SPECIAL CONVOCATION.
A Special Convocation of the Bombay University was held on the 18th December 1884, to confer the Honorary Degree of LL.D. on the Marquis of Ripon. Sir James Fergusson, Bart., K.C.M.G,, C.I.E., Governor and Chancellor, was present. The Honorable Mr. Justice West, the Vice- Chancellor, said:—
Gentlemen,—By an Act of the Indian Legislature, No. 1 of 1884, this University has been vested with the power of
