Of REV.  GEORGE BERKELEY, D.D., the celebrated Dean of Derry, and afterwards Bishop of Cloyne, I give the following particulars.

His learning and virtues, his lively and agreeable conversation, introduced him to the acquaintance, and procured him the esteem and friendship of many great and learned men, and among others the Earl of Peterborough, who made him his Chaplain, and took him as a companion on a tour of Europe in 1714-15.  Soon after his return, the Dean published a proposal for the better supplying of the churches in the American Plantations with Clergymen, and for instructing and converting the savages to Christianity, by erecting a College in Bermuda.  The first branch of this design appeared to him in the light of importance; but his principal view was to train up a competent number of young Indians, in succession, to be employed as missionaries among the various tribes of Indians.  It appeared to be a matter of very material consequence, that persons should be employed in this service who were acquainted with the language necessary to be used; and he had also a strong persuasion that such missionaries as he proposed would be much better received by the savages than those of European extraction.  These Indian lads were to be obtained from the different tribes in the fairest manner, and to be fed, clothed and instructed at the expense of the Institution.

The scheme, for some time, met with all the encouragement that was due to so benevolent a proposal.  The King granted a charter; and the Parliament voted a very considerable sum to be obtained from the sale of lands in St. Christophers.  Such a prospect of success in the favorite object of his heart, drew from Berkeley some beautiful verses, “in which,” a writer of the day remarks, “another age, perhaps, will acknowledge the old conjunction of the prophetic character with that of the poetic, to have again taken place.”

In consequence of this encouragement, he resigned his rich Deanry; and in execution of his noble design, embarked in the latter part of Autumn, 1728; his lady and her sister accompanying him; and arrived at Newport, in Rhode Island, in February following.  This situation he pitched upon with a view of settling a correspondence there for supplying his College.  He purchased a country-seat and farm in the neighborhood, where he resided about two years and a half.  His residence in this country had some influence on the progress of literature, particularly in Rhode Island and Connecticut.  The presence and conversation of a man so illustrious for talents, learning, virtue, and social attractions, could not fail of giving a spring to the literary diligence and ambition of many who enjoyed his acquaintance.

Finding, at length, that the promised aid of the ministry towards his College would fail him, he embarked at Boston in September 1731, on his return to England.  At his departure he distributed the books which he had brought with him, among the Clergy of Rhode Island.  He sent, as a gift to Yale College, a deed of his farm; and afterwards made a present to its Library of about a thousand volumes.