Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

which prevents those who are desirous of plucking its friuts or flowers, from entering in.

"The learned Jones, Wilkins, and others, broke down this opposing fence in several places; but by the college of Fort William, a highway has been made into the midst of the wood; and you, sir, have entered thereby.

"The successful study of the Shanscrit tongue will distinguish this fourth year of our institution, and constitute an era in the progress of eastern learning, and you, sir, have the honor of being the first to deliver a speech in that ancient and difficult language. The success that has attended you in the acquirement of other branches of oriental literature, will encourage you to prosecute the study of this, as far as it may be useful in qualifying you for the faithfuldischarge of your duties in the public service, or may be subservient to your own reputation, in advancing the interests of useful learning."

[Addressing his excellency Marquis Wellesley, gova. ernor general, founder and patron of the Institut-tion.]

"MY LORD,

"It is just, that the language which has been first: cultivated under your auspices, should primarily be employed in gratefully acknowledging the benefit; and in speaking your praise..

"This ancient language, which refused to disclose itself to the former governors of India, unlocks its treasures at your command, and enriches the world with the history, learning, and science of a distant age.

"The rising importance of our collegiate institu-/ tion has never been more clearly demonstrated than on the present occasion; and thousands of the learn-ed in distant nations will exult in this triumph of lit

erature.

"What a singular exhibition has been this day presented to us! In presence of the supreme governor of India, and of its most learned and illustrious characters, Asiatic and European, an assembly is convened in which no word of our native tongue is spoken but public discourse is maintained on interesting subjects, in the language of Asia. The colloquial Hindostanee, the classic Persian, the commercial Bengalee, the learned Arabic, and the primeval Shanscrit, are spoken fluently, after having been studied grammatically, by English youth. Did ever any university in Europe, or any literary institution in any other age or country, exhibit a scene so interesting as this! And what are the circumstances of these youth! They are not students who prosecute a dead language with uncertain purpose, impelled only by natural genius or love of fame. But having been appointed to the important offices of administering the government of the country in which these langauges are spoken: they apply their acquisitions immediately to useful purposes; in distributing justice to the inhabitants; in transacting the business of the state, revenual and commercial; and in maintaining official intercourse with the people, in their own tongue, and not, as hitherto, by means of an interpre

ter.

"The acquisitions of cur students may be appreciated by their affording to the suppliant native immediate access to his principal; and by their elucidating the spirit of the regulations of our government by oral communication, and by written explanations, varied according to the circumstances and capacities of the people.

"The acquisition of our students are appreciated at this moment by those learned Asiatics, now present in this assembly, some of them strangers from distant provinces; who wonder every man to hear in his own tongue, important subjects discussed, and new and noble principles asserted by the youth of a foreign land.

"The literary proceedings of this day amply repay all the solicitude, labor, and expense that have been bestowed on this institution. If the expense had been a thousand times greater, it would not have equalled the immensity of the advantage, moral and political, that will ensue.

"I, now an old man, have lived for a long series of years among the Hindoos; I have been in the habit of preaching to multitudes daily, of discoursing with the Brahmins on every subject, and of superintending. schools for the instruction of the Hindoo youth. Their language is nearly as familliar to me as my own. This close intercourse with the natives for so long a period, and in different parts of our empire, has afforded me opportunities of information not inferior to those which have hitherto been presented to any other person. I may say indeed that their manners, customs, habits, and sentiments, are as obvious to me, as if I was myself a native. And knowing them as I do, and hearing as I do, their daily obser vations on our government, character and principles, I am warranted to say, (and I deem it my duty to embrace the public opportunity now afforded me of saying it,) that the institution of this college was wanting to complete the happiness of the natives underour dominion; for this institution willbreak down that barrier (our ignorance of their language) which has ever opposed the influence of our laws and principles, and has despoiled our administration of its. energy and effect..

"Were, however, the institution to cease from this moment, its salutary effects would yet remain. Good has been done, which cannot be undone. Sources of useful knowledge, moral instruction and political utility, have been opened to the natives of India,, which can never be closed: and their civil improvement, like the gradual civilization of our own country will advance in progression, for ages to come.

"One hundred original volumes in the Oriental languages and literature, will preserve forever in Asia the name of the founder of this institution. Nor are the examples frequent of a renown, possessing such utility for its basis, or pervading such a vast portion of the habitable globe. My Lord, you have raised a monument of fame, which no length of time, or reverse of fortune, is able to destroy; nor chiefly because it is inscribed with Mahratta and Mysore, with the trophies of war, and the emblems of victory; but because there are inscribed on it the names of those learned youth, who have obtained degrees. of honor for high proficiency in the oriental tongue.

"These youth will rise in regular succession to the government of this country. They will extend the domain of British civilization, security, and happiness, by enlarging the bounds of oriental literature, and thereby diffusing the spirit of Christian principles throughout the nations of Asia. These youth, who have lived so long among us, whose unwearied application to their studies we have all witnessed, whose moral and examplary conduct has, in so solemn a manner, been publicly declared before this august assembly, on this day; and who at the moment of entering on the public service, enjoy the fame of possessing qualities (rarely combined) constituting a reputation of threefold strength for public men, genius, industry, and virtue; these illustrious scholars, my lord, the pride of their country, and the pillars of this empire, will record your name in ma ny a language, and secure your fame forever. Your fame is already recorded in their hearts. The whole body of youth of this service hail you as their father and their friend. Your honor will ever be safe in their hands. No revolution of opinion, or change of circumstances, can rob you of the solid glory derive ed from the humane, just, liberal and magnanimous principles, which have been embodied by your ad ministration,

"To whatever situation the course of future events may recall you, the youth of this service will ever remain the pledges of the wisdom and purity of your government. Your evening of life will be constantly cheered with new testimonies of their reverence and affection; with new proofs of the advantages of the education you have afforded them; and with a demonstration of the numerous benefits, moral, religious, and political, resulting from this institution; benefits which will consolidate the happiness of millions in Asia, with the glory and welfare of our country.

« EdellinenJatka »