subject, I hope that the Senate and those connected with the University will feel disposed to join me in proposing that this building henceforth be called the Cowasjee Jehangier Hall of the University of Bombay. Other buildings will spring up around it, no doubt, but the Hall will stand alone; and having regard to that gentleman^s well-directed beneficence I think my request is a fair and moderate one. The other buildings on the front of Bombay are now advancing to completion, and when that time comes there will be few cities in the world able to present an equally magnificent spectacle. There is, however, one building not yet begun, although the Government is pledged to the building of it. I think we ought to feel great regret because of the absence of this building—perhaps even feel we have acted rather unworthily by not carrying out our pledges in regard to it. Gentlemen, I allude to the School of Arts. Very many years ago—indeed, before the Queen's Government was established here—a gentleman well known to this community. Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, undertook to endow a School of Arts in Bombay in a fit and proper manner, on the condition that Government should provide a suitable building. The endowment has been drawn from many years, yet the Government has done nothing respecting its part of the bargain. I hope, gentlemen, that this reproach will not long attach fairly to us; but that in the course of a short time the School of Arts will take its place among the other educational buildings of the City of Bombay. When that time arrives I think the City of Bombay may fairly pause in its career of architectural adornment; its inhabitants may well consider that sufficient has been done for many years to come—more, at all events, than many of the present company will live to see. It has been my fortune to see many of the largest cities in India, but I think that though others may boast of greater antiquity, and have more interesting objects to show in them, yet I consider that there is no city in India which can take precedence of Bombay in respect of public buildings of superior architecture. I am aware, gentlemen, that it is customary on these occasions for the Chancellor of the University to review, as it were, the educational operations of the past year. But it seems to me but the other day when I had a similar opportunity of addressing the Convocation of this University, and of expressing my views upon some of the more prominent points connected with education in India. I feel, therefore, that I should be unnecessarily intruding upon your patience if I were again to enter into details of opinions upon these points. You have just heard the report which Mr. Taylor has read, and as you can all draw your own inferences
Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/87
72
University of Bombay
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Convocation_Addresses_of_the_Universities_of_Bombay_and_Madras.djvu/page87-1024px-Convocation_Addresses_of_the_Universities_of_Bombay_and_Madras.djvu.jpg)