Calendar: 1857-1858 Page 36

β annual report april 1857 lopment of the College the Council of which he was during so many years the ornament and the mainspring cannot but regard both officially and personally as serious loss to themselves and to the Corporation As Bishop of Chester Dr Blomfield took an active part in the foundation of an Institution of which with his usual sagacity he perceived the importance and on his translation to London he at once adopted it as his Diocesan College For upwards of quarter of century he watched over it with parental care Endowed with more than common capacities for the despatch of business regular in his attendance at the meetings both ordinary and extraordinary of the Council and of the Committee of Education as well as on all public occa- sions at the College-perfectly familiar with the past history of the Institution-aware of its actual wants and prescient of its future capabilities-accessible at all times to every member of the executive body-ever ready to listen to any suggestion for improvement and to give his countenance and support in every emergency-Bishop Blomfield was singularly well qua- lified for the office of First Chairman of the Council and he held it long enough to see the wise and comprehensive plans of himself and his co-founders recognised and executed the principles of the foundation firmly fixed and extended and goodly edifice of piety and learning and of sound reli- gious and comprehensive education gradually and securely rising and the Council indulge the hope that in his present retirement he may be spared many years not only to witness but to co-operate in the more complete development and con- solidation of the original scheme It was the wish of his Grace the Visitor to restore Bishop Blomfield to the Council by nominating him to Life Cover- norship on the first vacancy but as the terms of the charter limit the tenure of that office to laymen the Governors have endeavoured in another way to give effect to his Grace's intention and to their own wishes by proposing his name for election as member of the Council this day in full confidence that even if unable to attend the Council personally he will