clxxii Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XIII, 



that I have decided to break away from this precedent. I do so for the 

 following reasons. Science — the Cinderella of Education — appears at 

 last to be coming into her own, and it behoves us as chemists in India to 

 show that we are prepared worthily to uphold the dignity of our Science. 

 I do not think that we can say that all is well with chemistry in 

 India, rather would I say that very much is bad. It is only a short 

 seven years since I came to India and I feel some diffldenoe in criticising 

 the present conditions in the presence of such veterans as my friend Dr. 

 Ray, but perhaps being fresher to the country I may more clearly see 

 the needs and failings if I may net quite so well appreciate the difficul- 

 ties. 



When I first came out. the University of Madras was still slumbering 

 under the old regime, although new courses of study had been arranged 

 and were shortly to be introduced. For the old degree all that was 

 required of a chemistry student was that he should be able to analyse a 

 mixture, the use of the balance was apparently considered to be too 

 difficult and yet his theoretical knowledge, according to the syllabus, 

 would not have disgraced an Honours student. Even for the higher 

 degree, the M.A. in chemistry, practical, physical, or organic chemistry 

 were unheard of. Although unfortunately we still suffer from the after 

 effects all this is altered now and in our Honours courses, I may say, I 

 think without undue exaggeration, that the training given to the student 

 in chemistry does not fall below the standard of that given in the major- 

 ity of Western Universities. The Pass degree, too, if it is improved in 

 the manner now proposed, will be quite satisfactory. We see then that 

 there has been progress, and rapid progress too ; but yet I say that chem- 

 istry, not only in this Presidency but in India in general, is not in a satis- 

 factory state. When we consider the number of first and second grade 

 colleges, the number of men engaged in teaching the subject, we cannot 

 but be amazed at the very small amount of original work which is being 

 done. Let it be understood that I am referring solely to educational in- 

 stitutions and not to special research laboratories such as we have at 

 Pusa, Coimbatore and Bangalore. 



As Secretary of this Congress since its commencement I have had a 

 unique opportunity of judging of the number of those who are doing 

 research m chemistry in India, and I am astonished at their fewness. 

 Only in Bengal does there appear to be more than one college in the 

 University in which research is done. It might perhaps be desirable for 

 us to examine into the cause of this and see how it can be altered, 

 because I feel that until there is a healthy research atmosphere in all the 

 Universities and University colleges, we shall see no real advance in the 

 position of chemistry in India. 



I would submit, for your consideration, what I consider to be the four 

 main causes of this paucity of research: (i) that in many colleges the 

 staff are insufficiently trained. I do not intend to throw any aspersions 

 on a hardworking worthy body of men ; it was not their fault that 

 when at college they received a training which did not fit them for 

 higher teaching or research, and for the reasons which I shall mention in 



k«™TT -7.1 ^ had n ° subs <*Hient opportunity to improve their 

 knowledge ; (n) that the majority of colleges are very much understaffed. 



nr^n?J? y f ° P T°S P " the m ° St 8erioU3 defect « nd ^e main causa of the 

 thHrl^ °i a ? a 7 ; (iil) the low rate °i P^ >n academic posts ; (tv) 

 the present method of promotion by seniority and not by merit. 



tim* hPPn t«n th K V a T uses to w *^h the lack of research has from time to 



Stts and w' f' } ^ Perha P S menti ™ fcw °' narael y ™t of NffZ 

 KHh^h? a ^ ntific at ™*Phere. I cannot bring myself to 



believe that these are really serious factors. 



fcim £J*„£Z*F a u somew,lat delicate matter to discuss the question of 

 however th^ S th * various collegiate appointments. It appears to me 

 m to at/rSf ^ m K 9S . the 8 ? ale of P av i3 improved it will be impossible for 

 us to attract the best intellects. It is not that I consider the rate of pay 



