2-982-258 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Melbourne University, 1858. '...an illustration of the ambition of the young colony. It was projected during the days of superabundant revenues that characterised the early times of the gold discoveries, and will doubtless aid materially m developing that mental wealth at present only latent in that wonderful part of the world...Some idea of the style and dimensions of the finished structure maybe formed from the fact that it was estimated to cost over £100,000...[It is] from the design of Mr. F. M. White, who is the architect...The University is built upon a remarkably fine site, situated to the north of the city, and has forty acres of land attached, forming part of the fine and extensive recreation-ground in that place. The object of the institution...is "to promote sound learning in the colony of Victoria" and it is therefore "open to all classes of her Majesty's subjects," without any obstacle whatever as to religious tests...Four professorships were appointed-viz., for classics, mathematics, modern history, and natural science…The most beneficial results to the colony are to be anticipated from such an institution as the University of Melbourne'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.