CHAPTER XV.
On the resignation of Dr. Ilsley the government of the House devolved upon Dr. Peter Baines| the Vice-President, pending the definite appointment of a President. For the first time, in accordance with the Rescript of Pius IX, already mentioned, the selection of a name to be recommended to Rome for the position rested with the English Bishops. There seemed to exist a wide spread feeling that one who by practical experience was better acquainted with the requirements of the Mission, than any who had passed their lives in the College could possibly be, ought to be chosen for the Presidentship, and after a protracted delay, the choice of the Bishops fell upon the Rev. Thomas Barge, Rector of St. Patrick s, Soho Square, London, who himself was an alumnus of the College. After much hesitation he yielded to the strong and unanimous opposition to his departure from amongst them made by his parishioners, and begged that he* might be permitted to decline the proffered appointment. His request was acceded to, and after further considerable delay, Dr. Peter Baines, in 1865, was installed as President.
The departure to England at this time of two of the Superiors, which had been preceded by that of a third in the previous year, necessitated the reorganization of the staff and on the invitation of the President, Dr. Laurence Richmond after an absence of seven years returned to the College as Vice-President, and the other vacancies were filled up. For several years from this date, nothing of interest deserving record took place, but in 1872, the College sustained a serious loss by the death of Dr. Richmond the Vice-President. For a considerable time his health had been failing, so much so that in the
