Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/591

 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 565 Dr. William George Torr, M.A., B.C.L. (Oxon.), LL.D. (Dublin), Barrister-at-hnv (London), etc. THE great arenas of academic life, o which many a doughty scholarly knight has crossed mental swords, are hallowed to the sons of Alma Mater by fond memories of intellectual chivalry within the walls and rich associations of distinguished scholastic heroes. Many of Australia's cleverest youths have won their first Luirels in the examination halls of universities, and Oxford and Cambridge, the great twin-sisters of learning, have had Australian names on their prize-lists. It was a wise; divinity that urged Dr. Torr to go home; and test his valor in the British halls of learning. The results of that decision could never have been an- ticipated even in the most sancjuine hours of youth. He fought, and fought well ; and his victories in the field of learning were sufficiently decisive. Dr. William (ieorge Torr was born in Tavistock, Devonshire. With his father he came out to Australia early in the "fifties," and proceeded to the Burra, where mining discoveries and developments were attracting notice. While sojourning in that " copper settlement " he took a great interest in religious matters in connection with the Bible Christian Church at Kooringa. He was placed for a time under the tutorial super- vision of Mr. N. D. Bennett and Mr. F. R. White, whence he passed to the Lavitence, Photo Stanley Grammar School at Watcrvalc, conducted by Mr. J. .S. Cole. His studious habits, which almost resolved themselves at this early age into an omnivorous desire for reading and extending his information, began to tell on his physical constitution. Had he continued much longer at his studies it is highly probable an injurious collajise would have prostratt^d him. As it was, recuperation was imperative, and he was sent for relaxation to Messrs. Bowman Brothers' station in Tasmania. Open-air exercise soon restored young Torr to a state of robust health, and he returned fit and fresh for the work on which his heart and mind were set. An appointment as master of a small country school at Ulooloo was assigned