Page:Australia and the Empire.djvu/314

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282
APPENDIX

learned books, intended for scholars and students, were written and published in the colony of Victoria; but despite the disadvantage of remote "provincial" publication, they were at once recognised by competent critics in England as entitling the author to a place beside the late Sir Henry Maine. Dr. Hearn was a keen local politician, ranking himself with what is known as the "Constitutional" or Conservative party in Victoria. He was an apt and brilliant contributor to the local press. He was a member of the Anglican Church, and, after Sir William Foster Stawell, one of the most efficient among the prominent laymen who assist in the working of the vast diocese under the Bishop of Melbourne. Dr. Hearn in private life was a singularly genial man, with a rare fund of that quality, native Irish wit, of which we read so much in books, but see so little in actual life. His death will be felt as an irreparable loss both in the University and in the Legislature of Victoria, for it will be recognised on all hands that there is not the remotest possibility of adequately filling the place thus left vacant.