3-011-539 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Dr. Ainger, Principal of St. Bees College, Cumberland - from a testimonial portrait recently presented to him by the students, 1862. Engraving from a photograph taken by Mr. John Reay, bookseller to the college. 'The little seaside village of St, Bees, in Cumberland, will be known to most of our readers chiefly as the site of the oldest and largest theological college in connection with the Church of England...On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the portrait of Dr. Ainger...was presented to him by the students and hung up in the hall...The portrait, a full-length one, which was subscribed for by the students, at a cost of 100 guineas, was painted by Mr. Sidley, of Kensington, and is a very excellent likeness...The subscribers to the portrait were represented in the ceremony of the presentation by Mr. Rowe, senior student; and a number of clergymen from the neighbourhood, and others (formerly students) from a distance, were present...After the presentation the performances of a military band in front of the priory entertained the company until five o'clock, when a public dinner given by the students to the heads of the college...took place at the Royal Hotel...There are now seventy young men preparing for the office of the ministry under the charge of- himself and his colleagues'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.