Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/606

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COLONEL ARTHUR'S DEPARTURE.

system was introduced in 1821. In 1834 Colonel Arthur, with the concurrence of Dr. Broughton (then Archdeacon in New South Wales), endeavoured to found a grammar school, the managing body of which was to be composed of important officials. He went so far as to offer the post of head-master to a clergyman^[1] emigrating to New South Wales in a vessel which touched at Hobart Town. But the offer was not accepted, and eventually the scheme gave way to other plans under Sir John Franklin's guidance. The higher education on which Colonel Arthur had set his heart was not provided in Australia until William Wentworth led the way to it by the establishment of the Sydney University.

When the time arrived for Colonel Arthur to depart, old feelings of opposition were softened, and some of those who had been most acrimonious against him joined in testifying admiration of his character.

An address signed by every member of the Council was formally presented to him, and was acknowledged with emotion.

"To carry into the most complete effect the great object of transportation which has rendered the introduction of some unpopular laws absolutely necessary to suppress the depredations of convicts illegally at large, to form a secure and efficient penal settlement, to conciliate the aboriginal inhabitants and to protect the settlers from their fatal attacks, to encourage pastoral and mercantile pursuits, to foster religion and morals and to provide for the education of the poor, to maintain the laws of the country and firmly to carry into effect the regulations of the Government, have all been measures which have required the most laborious supervision. Yet all these have been far less embarrassing than the anxious duty which devolved upon me for so many years of apportioning the lands of the

↑ In his usually accurate "History of Tasmania," the Rev. Mr. West has fallen into error on this subject. He says: "The Rev. Mr. Rusden was nominated first master, but the question of religion was fatal to its success. The school sunk into a private establishment." Colonel Arthur entreated the author's father (Rev. G. K. Rusden, Pembroke College, Cambridge) to accept the post. But he had already made arrangements to settle in New South Wales. He continued his voyage to Sydney in the vessel in which he had sailed from England. He became a chaplain in New South Wales, and officiated for a quarter of a century in the Hunter River district. He had a high opinion of Colonel Arthur, and it was not without compunction that he felt constrained to decline the offer. In a minute laid by Colonel Arthur before his Council, 5th Aug. 1836, he said "the office of head master was offered to the Rev. Mr. Rusden, who declined it."

[1] In his usually accurate "History of Tasmania," the Rev. Mr. West has fallen into error on this subject. He says: "The Rev. Mr. Rusden was nominated first master, but the question of religion was fatal to its success. The school sunk into a private establishment." Colonel Arthur entreated the author's father (Rev. G. K. Rusden, Pembroke College, Cambridge) to accept the post. But he had already made arrangements to settle in New South Wales. He continued his voyage to Sydney in the vessel in which he had sailed from England. He became a chaplain in New South Wales, and officiated for a quarter of a century in the Hunter River district. He had a high opinion of Colonel Arthur, and it was not without compunction that he felt constrained to decline the offer. In a minute laid by Colonel Arthur before his Council, 5th Aug. 1836, he said "the office of head master was offered to the Rev. Mr. Rusden, who declined it."

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