132 REMINISCENCES OF 



devoted to the establishment of a college in Man- 

 chester, the money " to be applied for the purposes 

 "of affording to youths of the age of fourteen years 

 " and upwards, instruction in the branches of educa- 

 tion taught in the English universities, free from 

 "the religious tests which limit the extension of 

 "university education. The trustees for this pur- 

 " pose include the Mayor, Dean, and Parliamentary 

 " representatives of Manchester, with other gentle- 

 "men of local reputation and influence."* This 

 announcement suggested to my mind the possibility 

 of my becoming associated with the college. The 

 time at which this bequest was made was one 

 unfavourable to the realisation of all kinds of pro- 

 perty ; hence, owing to the various difficulties referred 

 to and encountered by the executors and trustees 

 appointed by the will, a long time elapsed before 

 any observable steps were taken to carry out Owens' 

 intentions. From time to time the local news- 

 papers gave broad hints to the gentlemen in whose 

 hands the estate was, that the outside world expected 

 them to move on a little more vigorously. The first 

 meeting of executors and trustees for educational 



" and owing to accumulated interest, return of duties, and 

 " profitable investments in stocks, the total sum received 

 " by the trustees amounted to 96,942 is. id. Of this sum 

 " upwards of 2000 was expended on college premises, law 

 " charges, and preliminary expenses." 



* Thompson's " Owens College, its Foundation and 

 "Growth." 



