The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-08-03
NEWPORT WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 3, 1886.

prefermeut at home for E40 sterling per
annum in the Atlantic Ocean. He prose-
cuted his scheme with so much ardor that
he obtained charter for the erection of the
College in Bermuda and obtained from Sir
Robert Walpole, promise of 92O, 900 to
carry it into effect. Upon this assurance
he embarked with his wife, and three fel-
lows Of Trinity College and several literary
and scientific gentlemen. On the Odd of
Jan'ry 1929, a vessel was observed on the
Narragansett waters, on the western side
of Rhode Island. The vessel bore the roy
al ensign of England, and had in some un-
accountable manner, either from stress of
weather or some other cause missed the
entrance to the Harbor. This vessel
contained Dean Berkley and his literary
corps"
The arrival of this distinguished man is
thus announced in the New England Week
ly Courier of Feb. Sd. 1929.
"Newpolt, Jan'y Oath 1929. Yesterday
" arrived here Dean Berkley of Londonder-
"ry, in pretty large ship. He is a gen.
" tIeman of middle stature, of an agreeable,
/" pleasant and erect aspect. He was ush-
"ered into town with a great number of
a" gentlemen to whom he behaved after a
very complaisant manner. 'Tis said he
proposes to tarry here with his family a
bout three months"
While waiting for the supplies which had
been promised him for the erection of the
College, he preached constantly at various
places but at length the money was ap-
piled by the British Minister to another
purpose, and the scientific and literary corps
was dispersed. Dean Berkeley, however
was so delighted with the climate of Rhttle
Island, that he purchased an Estate about
three miles from Newport, and built on it
an elegant mansion which he called White
Hall after the name of the residence of the
Archbishops of England until the reign o
Henry VIII. He resided on this estate a
bout To years. frequently visiting 'i'e sea
shore near Paradise for the purpose OF med
itation. Here he wrote the " Minute PHI
losopher" In the Introduction to this
work, he with the spirit and resignation of
a christian philosopher, alludes to the mis-
carriage Of his benevolent plan of founding
a College for instructing the American
youth. He says, al hattered myself,
Theages, that before this time ] might have
been able to have sent you an agreeable
account of the success of the affair that
brought me into this remote corner of the
country. But instead Of this, | should now
give the detail of the miscarriage, it | did
not rather choose to entertain you with
some incidents which have helped to make
me easy under the circumstance which
| could neither obyiate nor forsee. Events
are not always in our power, but 1t always
is to make good use Of the very worst.
And / must needs own, the course and
event of this affair gave me opportunity for
reflections that make me some amends for
great loss of time, pains and expense.
For several months past, l enjoyed much
liberty and leisure in this distant retreat"
The Gentleman with whom he resided
when he first arrived he describes as a cler-
gyman's nephew, who had been brought up
by his uncle, and possessed convenient
house with hundred acres of land adjoin-
ing. He names his host Euphianor, and
characterizcs him with the digniied appella-
tions of philosopher and farmer, and
says he had a good collection of chiefly old
Books, which had been left him by his uncle.
The
The manner in which the vessel approached the
Island is stated varousy. Oneaccount saying that
went up the East River and round the North end oi
the Island another account says approached by the
I Western passage around Canonicut.