Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 1.djvu/199

1840

This evil the worthy governor had set his heart upon remedying, and had made great exertions to obtain from the home government a charter for a college to be formed on a liberal scale; the legislative council of the colony also went so far as to vote a sum of 2500l. for the purpose. At the recommendation of the late Dr. Arnold, of Rugby, the Rev. J.P. Gell was sent from England to organise such an institution as should meet the wants of the people. After much deliberation, a site for the building was chosen on part of the government land at New Norfolk; and on the 7th November, 1840, the foundation-stone was laid with great ceremony by Sir John Franklin, in the presence of the members of the executive and legislative councils, and a large assemblage of the inhabitants of the district; but thus it remains, I believe, to this day, through the opposition and intrigues of the defeated but influential parties, whose interests required that it should be built in Hobart-town, whilst the claims of the different religious denominations of all classes of Christians to have a voice in its councils, occasioned such violent disputes that the colonial office at home abandoned the measure; and thus the benevolent intentions of the governor have been, for the present, frustrated.

But just at this time the Bishop of Tasmania has resumed the endeavour with great earnestness, and is making strenuous efforts to have formed a "collegiate body possessing property (by royal charter, when it can be obtained, till then a trust), to be the source