JE
HISTORY OF NOVA SCOTIA,
to Nova Scotia by the British Government. The
Earl applied the greater part of this money to the
founding of Dalhousie College, the corner-stone of
which he laid in the year ı82o. Pictou Academy
was established about the same time.
During the Earl of Dalhousie’s time were published the
celebrated letters of *“ Agricola ” on agrieulture. They awakened
new interest in the farmer’s enlling, and led to the formation of a
Provincial Agricultural Society, with the governor as its presi-
dent. The author of the lotters was John Young, father of Chief-
Justice Sir William Young. He was afterwards elected a member
of the House of Assembly.
In 1820, at its second session in the new building, the
Assembly voted $.4000 to purchase a star and. sword for Governor
Dalhousie, The Earl refused to accept the presents, because the
Assembly did not provide for a survey of the province and for the
inspection of the militia—measures which he had urged as of the
highest importance.
CHATPTER XIYVY
MEN OF NOTE,
Cape Breton.— In the year 1820 Cape Breton
was annexed to Nova Scotia, with the privilege of
sending two members to the Assembly. The islanders
were not at all pleased at losing their independence,
as they considered it, and tried to break up the
union.
One of the first members sent from Cape
Breton was Lawrence Kavanagh, a Roman Catholic.
The oath of admission to the House at that time con-
tained a clause abjuring Popery; Kavanagh could
not, therefore, take his seat. The governor applied
to the king for instructions in the matter, and in the