63
succeeded in gaining the particular distinction
race
at which they aimed, they have acquired much useful knowledge; for they have acquired powers of thought and of application, which may prove useful to them during the rest of their lives. There is an old story of a father who, upon his deathbed, told his sons that he had a treasure buried in a certain field; and that if they dug the whole field over they would be sure to find it. The sons dug the field, but no gold was there. In the next season, however, there was what to them was the best treasure,—a sound and valuable harvest. That was the treasure which their father really wished them to seek for, and which they found. So it is with the unsuccessful competitors in this College. They have not found the treasure which they sought for, namely, a prize from the examiners, but they have found treasure of more permanent value, that is powers of thought and study which will be of practical assistance in whatever career they may choose to pursue in after life. (Cheers.)
When I last addressed you, my young friends, I reminded you that every native-born or naturalised British subject in Hongkong, from whatever race he may have sprung, is equally with those of the British race, a son and heir of the British Empire; and that it is alike his duty and his interest to make himself master of the English language, which he will find a powerful aid to success in life here and elsewhere; for the English language, like the English race, is fast overspreading the world from one end of it to the other. I trust that the golden words which you have just heard on this subject from the eloquent lips of your Bishop will sink into the hearts of you all. Most of you here to-day are, I think, of Portuguese or Chinese origin. I need hardly remind you that I have opened the minor posts in the public service to competitive examination; and that there is an extensive field of honourable employment before the native youth of this Colony.
I find indeed that among 89 members of the clerical staff in the public offices, there are now only 12 Englishmen, that is, less than one-seventh of the whole number; and that the rest are mainly of Portuguese or Chinese origin. Moreover, I intend to propose to the Colonial Legislature that, in this, as in other Colonies, a certain number of the most promising students from the principal colleges, shall be sent to England, at the public expense, there to complete their education, as members of the legal or medical professions, or as engineers or accountants. (Cheers.) A noble career will thus be brought within the reach of every youth in this Colony—whatever his race may be.
It has always been the wise and generous policy of England to admit to the privileges of her own citizenship the alien races within the wide bounds of her Empire. To the British Empire of the present day may be applied, with greater truth, the fine lines applied by Claudian to the Roman Empire of old:——
"Hac est in gremio victos quæ sola recepit,
Humarumque genus communi nomine fovit,
Matris, non domini ritu; civesque vocavit
Quos domuit
This is the policy of England, which in British India and throughout her eastern colonies has established a free press, together with civil and religious liberty; which has promoted education among every class of the population; which has admitted natives more and more largely to the public service in its various branches; and which has everywhere promoted the extension of local and municipal institutions.
I will now proceed to distribute the prizes. (Applause.)
63
succeeded in gaining the particular distinction'
race
at which they aimed, they have acquire much useful knowledge; for they have acquired powere of bought and of application, which may prove uful to them during the rest of their lives. fare is an old story of a father who, upon his deathbed, told his sons that he ha a treasure buried in a certain field; and that if they dug The whole field over they would be sure to find i. The suns da the field, but no gold was there. In the next season, however, there was what to them was the best treasure,-80 stund. ant and valuable harvast. That was the treasure which their father really wished them to seek for, and which they found. So it is with the unsuccessful competitors in this College. They have not found the treasure which they sought for, namely, a prize from the examiners, but they have found treasure of more permanent value, that is powers of thought and study which will be of practical assistance in whatever career they may choose to pursue in after life. (Cheers.) When I last addressed you, toy young friends, I reminded you that every native born
naturalised British subject in Hongkong, from whatever he may have sprung, is equally with those of the British race, a son and bair of the British Empire; and that it is alike bis daty and his interest to make himself master of the English language, which he will find a powerful aid to success in life bere and elsewhere; for the English language, like the English race, is fast overspreading the world from one end of it to the other. I trust that the golden words which you have just heard ou this subject from the eloquent lips of your Bishop will sink into the hearts of you all. Most of you here to-day are, I think, of Portuguese or Chinese orikin. I need hardly remind you that I have opened the minor posts in the public service to competitive examination; and that there is an extensive field of honourable employment before the native youth of this Colony. I find indeed that among 89 members of the clerical staff in the public offices, there are now only 12 Englishmen, that is, less than one-seventh of the whole number; aud that the rest are mainly of Portuguese or Chinese origin. Moreover, I intend to propose to the Colo. nial Legislature that, in this, as in other Colonies, a certain number of the most promising students i from the principal colleges, shall be sent to England, at the public expense, there to complete their education, as members of the legal or medical professions, or as engineers or BO- countanta, (Cheers.) A noble career will thus be brought within the rosch of every youth in this Colony-whatever bis race may be. It has always been the wise and generous policy of England to admit to the privileges of her own citizenship the alien races within the wide bounds of her Empire. To the British Empire of the present day may be applied, with greater truth the fine lines applied by Claudian to the Roman Empire of old :----
"Hac est in gremio vietos quæ sola ream ib,
Hamarunque genus communi nomine fovit, Matris, non domino ritu; civesque vocavit Quos domnit
This is the policy of England, which in Brit- ish India and throughout ber eastern colonies has established a free press, together with civil and religious liberty; which has promo ed educa tion among every class of the population; which has admitted natives more and more largely to the public service in its various branches and which has everywhere promoted the extension of local and municipal institutions. I will now proceed to distribute the prizes. (Applause.)
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