but moral renovation could save England from greater disasters.
Like an earlier Rousseau, however, he believed that the corruption of Europe was hopelessly advanced, that the disease had gone too far to be eradicated by preachments or pamphlets. It would be better, he thought, to turn to America, where the English had already founded colonies and cities; where one might perhaps inaugurate a new civilization, purer and more Christian than that of the Old World. With a little good will, and plenty of money, one might convert and educate the aborigines, who might then be employed in the furtherance of the cause. Thus there sprang up in Berkeley's head the evangelistic, Rousseauistic, and somewhat Utopian idea of founding in Bermuda a sort of university to train young Indian pastors. Berkeley's enthusiasm and tranquil assurance were contagious. Many noblemen promised money. A number of people prepared to go with him. Public opinion was favorable. Parliament approved the project. The king granted a charter to the future university; and the prime minister, Horace Walpole, though at first opposed to the plan, was compelled by the pressure of the Court, of Parliament, of public opinion, and of the friends of Berkeley, to promise a subsidy of twenty thousand pounds. Without waiting for the delivery
