On New year’s day of this year was opened the College at Fredericton.  The Charter had been procured by Sir Howard after having withstood a storm of violent opposition, under which an ordinary spirit would have sunk in hopeless despondency; but the iron will and calm judgment of the wise statesman and ruler had outlived the fury of the opposing element, who now reaped the reward of his indefatigable labors by the accomplishment of the great work.

The king showed his sanction by conferring upon this Institution the name of “King’s College, New Brunswick,” while to Sir Howard he assigned the honor of being its first chancellor, in acknowledgment of the great service thus rendered to the cause.

In this office His Excellency was duly installed on the present occasion.  Divine service was performed as the first ceremony.  The professors and students were in their places.  Members of the legislature and the royal council occupied seats, while the public thronged the building to the utmost capacity.

Great and heartfelt was the burst of applause that greeted Sir Howard as he took his place:  greater still, when he announced the intention of the king in conferring his name upon the College.  The expressive features, high, broad intellectual forehead, earnest eye, benign countenance and honest smile perhaps were never more significant of the earnestness that pervaded every thought and action of the gentleman, scholar, and soldier, as when he uttered sentiments which shall be cherished through after ages, so long as King’s College shall remain a monument to the memory of the best and greatest man that ever trod the soil of New Brunswick.

Let us make use of his own words:  “I shall leave with the College,” he said, “I trust, for ever a token of my regard and best wishes.  It shall be prepared in a form and devoted to an object which I hope may prove a useful incitement to virtue and learning; and at periodical commemorations of the commencement it may serve to remind you of the share which I have had in the institutions and proceedings of a day which I shall never forget.”

Nor did this friend of education ever forget his promise.  The Douglas Gold Medal is still competed for though many years have rolled between the time when the first and last were presented.  The distinguished donor has passed away, but his pledge remains.  Memory fondly clings around the deeds of Sir Howard and throws over them a halo of light that will shine with increasing splendor as time lengthens the distance between.

The boundary question still assumed a troubled and unsettled state.  Many complaints were laid before his Excellency, but he calmly resolved to grant no concessions.  He treated every messenger with polite firmness.  Congratulations poured in from the Governor General from Canada and the British Minister at Washington, regarding the cleverness and ability displayed on the occasion.  At last it became evident