GRESHAM COLLEGE. • THE decision of the Gresham Trustees as
to the future site and character of Gresham College has at length been made ; and those who take any interest in its concerns, and, in what is more important, the extension of the means of education, will learn with pleasure that this venerable and valuable institution is destined once more to have "a local habitation" befitting its honoured "name."
Unlike most similar institutions of bygone times, Gresham College was founded in the true spirit of philanthropy. It is unshackled by any injunctions that may impede its usefulness or render it inapplicable to the present or future wants of society. Its doors are open to all, and its Trustees are free to choose the Professors where they please : there is no invidious preference given to any uni- versity, church, or creed; they are simply enjoined to choose men who are "mete and competent to the discharge of their several duties." These duties are rather enjoined in general than precise terms; and it is clear that the acute mind of GRESHAM, looking forward to a state of society of different habits and requirements to that in which he lived, purposely left his Trustees and his Professors as much as possible unshackled in their future course. Of this licence the latter (when BARROW' PETTY, BRIGGS, WREN, and HOORE were ef the number) availed themselves by forming the Royal Society within the walls of their College, and giving it an abode there for half a century. T he prescribed duties of the Professors are the delivery of public lectures at certain times in the year ; but it can hardly be conceived that, in the spacious building and princely em- dowment which GRESHAM bequeathed to his fellow-citizens, he con- templated no more than this. How his intentions might be most efficiently carried into effect, and his general design be moat suc- cessfully worked out, he left for others to decide ; contenting himself with a general declaration of his object, which was uniform and unchangeable, rather than descending to details which time and circumstances might render inexpedient, if not impracticable. Eighty years since, it is well known, the Trustees and the Government of the time arranged a most scandalous transfer of the College into the hands of the latter after which time the lectures were given in a small room in the Royal Exchange, and all hope of the restoration of the original institution seemed to be lost. Ita very name had perished. There stood the Exchange ; but the College, endowed with "the rents and profits" of this noble struc- ture, had ceased to be. Driven from their hole, the Gresham Professors fortunately took shelter in a larger room ; and the utility of the institution was thereby tested and established. The best evidence of this fact is the recent decision of the Trustees. Their first intention was to apportion a sufficient part of the new Exchange to the purposes and uses of the College. But it was soon found that this was on every account an unwise arrangement. The great mart of the City, situated in the very centre of its noise and turmoil, was not the most appropriate residence for learning and science, and it was besides the most expensive one. Such is found to be the demand for room in the new Exchange, that 1,000/. a year was offered for the space originally designed for Gresham College. The plan which we advocated, some time since, of planting it in Crosby Hall, found some powerful supporters ; but, in consequence, principally, of this beautiful and venerable building not being a freehold tenure, it was abandoned; and the Committee have finally decided on erecting the College on a part of the now vacant ground in Basinghall Street.
The plan not only contemplates accommodation for the delivery of public lectures, but provides for the future extension of the College by affording the usual facilities for academical instruction. This is setting about the affair in a proper spirit ; and it shows that the present Trustees wisely regard themselves as not acting for their contemporaries only but for posterity. In truth, they have had to fix the future fate of Gresham College, and to shape its future destiny. The complete restoration of its usefulness may be gradual, but it is certain. The return to a narrow upper chamber in the new Exchange would have sealed its doom ; the erection of an ample and appropriate building secures its renovation. The two bodies who have the conjoint management of this institution, have also the separate patronage of two of the most flourishing and well-governed schools in the City ; at one of which Mivron and Maamsottonem were educated. The benefit of collegiate educa- tion is thus immediately connected with both these schools, and placed within the reach of every citizen of London ; while the ad- vantages attendant on the possession of a Gresham Professorship will secure, if the Trustees are so minded, the services of men of high talent. The enjoyment of a fixed stipend, instead of what in the other London Colleges is sometimes a mere name, and the opportunity which the public lectures afford to any man who has the ability to turn it to account, will insure a supply of able and efficient labourers. Something is secured to every one at starting, while the motives and the means for extended exertion and increased emolument are supplied.
Thus Gresham College will rise into new life under the most fa- vourable circumstances. Its resources are available to the end for whia-Mey were bequeathed in whatever way they can be made most extensively useful; and the liberality with which the Corporation and the Mercer's Company have agreed to supply the funds ne- cessary-on .1.. build ing. while it demands the highest praise, affords also the surest guarantee for the eincient awanostra- tion of the trust.
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