464 MERTON COLLEGE AND CANADA. 



of the virgin province, Governor Simcoe imparted to Sir Joseph Banks, 

 President of the Royal Society, his hope that he should be able to 

 establish therein, among other means of civilization, a University. 

 "A college of a higher class," he says to Sir Joseph, "would be 

 eminently useful, and would give a tone of principles and of man- 

 ners, and would be of eminent support to Government." 



The whole letter to Sir Joseph Banks will repay pei-usal. We 

 accordingly give it. The sanguine writer, it will be seen, held the 

 opinion that British institutions might, by their evident superiority, 

 when honestly and honourably worked, have their effect even on the 

 United States; might ultimately even win the recently revolted 

 colonies back to the rule of the old mother country. Every year, 

 however, that slipped away without beginning the experiment, made 

 the chance of such a consummation less. The letter is dated January 

 8th, 1791. It begins: 



" Sir, — I was much disappointed that the variety of business in 

 which my good friend Sir George Yonge was engaged, and my own 

 avocations, prevented me from having the honour of being introduced 

 to you, as soon as it was generally made known that I was to be 

 appointed to the government in Upper Canada. But, sir, as it is 

 possible that I may be hurried off, without having much time to 

 spare, in endeavouring to procure in person, such advantages for the 

 community I am to superintend, as must necessarily result from the 

 great encouragement this nation under His Majesty's auspices affords 

 to those arts and sciences which at once support and embellish our 

 country, I am emboldened by letter to solicit that assistance from 

 you, and on those subjects, which I venture to point out, preparatory 

 to my return to London, when I shall hope to have the honour of 

 frequent communication with you, and to avail myself of your ideas 

 and patronage. 



" The liberality of your character, the high station you fill, and the 

 public principles which I apprehend that you entertain, leave upon 

 my mind no hesitation of communicating to you, confidentially, my 

 views, and the object which irresistibly impels me to undertake this 

 species of banishment, in hopes that you will see its magnitude, and, 

 in consequence, afford your utmost support to the undertaking. 



" I am one of those who know all the consequence of oiir late 

 American dominions, and do not attempt to hide from myself the 

 impending calamity, in case of future war, because neither in council 

 nor iix the field did I contribute to their dismemberment. 



