THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 



After three and a half years of steady work, he left the University 

 with every distinction that a student could desire and returned to 

 England in the autumn of 1841. 



In the spring of the following year the University of King's 

 College, Toronto, was being organized, the selection of a staff 

 i)eing placed in the hands of the Governor-General, Sir Charles 

 Bagot. A number of eminent scientific men in England, including 

 Professor Faraday, were consulted, and they one and all recom- 

 mended in the highest terms young Croft for the chair of Chemistry 

 and Experimental Philosophy. He was then but two and twenty 

 years of age. 



In January, 1843, Professor Croft arrived in Toronto and at 

 once entered upon his new duties, which he discharged for thirty- 

 six years with ihe utmost devotion and unqualified success. 



It would be out of place to refer to the bitter controversies 

 over University matters that raged for many years in Toronto, 

 and in which Professor Croft took an active and influential part. 

 The abolition of King's College and the establishment of the 

 University of Toronto and University College are matters of 

 Canadian history. In the former Professor Croft became Vice- 

 Chancellor in 1849 and ex-officio a menfiber of the University 

 Senate; he was also a member of the College Council, and in both 

 these governing bodies he was zealously interested and exercised 

 important influence. 



"In the lecture room" — to quote from the volume referred to 

 above — "he was an admirable expositor and a happy and dexterous 

 demonstrator. Like all good teachers of a rapidly-advancing 

 science, he made his pupils eager for more than he gave them. 

 In a far wider sphere than his lecture-room he, more than any 

 other teacher in Canada, simplified and legitimately popularized 

 chemistry, and he may be said to have laid the foundation of our 

 educational system of practical chemistry and the admirable 

 methods of illustration in chemical research and analysis." 



He did not. however, confine his energies to the laboratory 

 and lecture-room, but took an active interest in many organizations 

 of public importance. He was a leading member of the local 

 agricultural and horticultural societies, and repeatedly drew 

 attention to the intimate relation which chemistry bears to the 

 practical work of both departments. 



