prestdf^:nt s address. 5 



The standard of all the various branches of Natural Science 

 was considerably varied. They comprised at first : — 



1. Cheinistry : Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry. 

 Agricultural Chemistry and Chemical Analysis. 



2. Physics: Light, Heat, Sound, Electricity and Magnetism. 



3. Geology: Petrography, Mineralogy and Crystallography. 



A candidate for the B.A. Degree had to study one of these 

 three su'bjects, and, in addition, the various subjects mentioned 

 under the heading of Mathematics. 



The syllabus for the B.A. Science Examinations subsequently 

 underwent further changes, all in the direction of extending 

 the study of the Science subjects and of requiring every student 

 to have undergone a thorough practical training in the labora- 

 tories, the latter forming a prominent part in the final exainina- 

 tions. It is impossible to give you to-day a full account of the 

 syllabus of the Science subjects for the B.xA.. Examination as 

 they are at present. They occupy twenty-five pages of close 

 print in this year's Calendar. It may suffice to say that the 

 standards for the Pass and Honours Examinations in all the 

 Science subjects for the B.A. in the University of the Cape 

 of (iood Hope are not below the standard of these subjects in 

 the . corresponding University examinations in England, the 

 States, and the Continent. The colleges in South Africa, where 

 our students are devoting themselves to the study of one or more 

 branches of Science, are doing — or are attempting to do — real 

 Higher Education in Science. The requirements in these sub- 

 jects for our Honours B.A. Degree are fully equal to those for 

 the Prussian examination pro facilitate docendi, which qualifies 

 for the teaching in the German Gymnasium. The candidates 

 enter this examination after a three or four years' course of 

 study in a German University. 



It is frankly admiitted that the L'niversity of the Cape of 

 Good Hope, which is only an examining and degree-conferring 

 body, has done much to encourage and promote the study of 

 the various branches of Science amongst the rising generation 

 in South Africa, and has thus considerably advanced the cause 

 of Science in South Africa. The last sixteen years have wit- 

 nessed in South Africa the establishment of institutions, which 

 prepare and train our young men for the practical and technical 

 professions. I refer to the School of Mines, the Engineering 

 Department of the South African College, and the Agricultural 

 .Schools in dififerent parts of South Africa. 



In 1894 the Council and Senate of the South Afirican 

 College, Cape Town, took the initial steps for the estabHshment 

 of a South African School of Mines. With the co-operation 

 of De Beers at Kimberley, and of the Chamber of Mines at 

 Johannesburg, the Council of the South African College started 



