haste and eager readiness to gratify clamorous and importunate a careful education. He was glad that the Bible could be admitted though unwise solicitation. into any school in the land. It was the best of books, and the best "We trust, sir, you will experience, during your incumbency in specimen of our Anglo-Saxon tongue. The objection was sometimes office, a congenial sphere for the exercise of your distinguished at- made that our teaching was not religious, but he considered it was. tainments, and that in the discharge of duties to be exceedingly We had in 1874, 3,500 Sunday-schools, with 20,000 teachers and onerous, you will enjoy that exalted satisfaction that arises from a 80,000 scholars; so it is evident that Canadian youths are predispublic recognition of great abilities worthily employed for the pub-posed to be Christian. The physical education of the children was lic good. While engaged as a Minister of Education, we beg to assure too much overlooked. A few schools were all that was to be deyou that you may rely implicitly on the teachers of Oxford for the sired in this respect, but most had very inadequate ventilation, and most hearty co-operation in devotion to your schemes for the fur- many had made no provision for the admission of fresh air. He ther development and perfection of one of the noblest systems of next spoke of the qualification of teachers. At the present time education possessed by the civilized world. there were only 215 first-class teachers engaged in the whole Province, and 910 second-class. Third-class teachers should be considered as only on probation, and should be under the direction of a first or at least second-class teacher. The third-class teachers must, to some extent, be considered an inferior article, and as a system of promotion by merit was open, any one might look forward to a second, a first, a County Inspectorship, or even the position which he himself held, which would, no doubt, in time be filled by some teacher from the ranks.

"Signed on behalf of the Oxford Teachers' Association,

66
"GEO. J. FRASER, President."

Mr. Crooks made a suitable reply, thanking the teachers heartily for their cordial reception.

By the unanimous vote of the Association, the following resolution was passed, and the Secretary was instructed to transmit a copy of the same to Dr. Ryerson, viz. :

"Resolved,―That this Association avails itself of the first oppor- thanks to the Minister for his able and instructive speech; and in Mr. Carlyle moved, and Mr. McMullen seconded, a vote of tunity afforded it by a general meeting of its members, since the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Ryerson from the office of Chief Super-seconding the motion, Mr. McMullen expressed the hope that the intendent of Education, to give expression to the high sense it has responsibility of excluding the Bible should be placed upon the trustees rather than that of admitting it. He wished to see it (in common, it believes, with the Canadian public at large) of the very eminent services which have been rendered by that venerable placed on the same basis as the third or fourth books. He also exand reverend gentleman to the cause of education in his native pressed the hope that High School expenses would be better equalProvince, of the wisdom and ability in devising, and the indomita- Woodstock $2,000, while the number of pupils was about equal ized. Last year the County of Oxford paid $300 and the Town of ble perseverance and steady devotion with which he has met op- from each. position, allayed animosities and overcome difficulties, and by which he has succeeded in one short life-time in laying broad and deep the foundation of a national system of education excellent in itself, the envy of many, and the admiration of all; and that the respect, the gratitude and the affection of this Association shall follow him to his honourable retirement; and we implore upon him in his last days the choicest blessings of Heaven."

A number of other important resolutions were passed by the Convention; but on account of Mr. Huntsman, the official reporter, having lost his manuscript, we are unable to publish them. Altogether, the Convention was the most interesting and successful yet held in the county.

HON. MR. CROOK'S ADDRESS.

seemed to be pleased at having had the opportunity of hearing Mr. Crooks was repeatedly cheered during his speech, and all

him.-Woodstock Sentinel.

2. MIDDLESEX TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

Under the auspices of the East Middlesex Teachers' Association, there was held in the City Hall last evening a meeting which was attended by about three hundred persons, mainly teachers, although there were several representatives of both City and County Councils and other citizens. The chair was assumed by Mayor Macdonald, while upon the platform were Hon. Adam Crooks, Bishop Hellmuth, Rev. Father Northgraves, Chairman Separate School Board, and others.

On Friday evening, Mr. Crooks delivered an address upon education, in the Town Hall. The hon. gentleman began by defining Mayor Macdonald, in opening the meeting, spoke for a few minutes his own position, and stating that while responsible to the whole on the subject of education, and briefly referred to the great advancountry for his official acts, he was more directly and peculiarly re-tage it will be to the western section when it shall have a Normal sponsible to Oxford County, one of whose ridings he had the honour School. He then introduced to represent. The change was a great one, from having the adminis- The Hon. Adam Crooks, Minister of Education, who, after a tration of affairs entrusted to a bureau, not responsible to the peo- few introductory remarks, referred to the experiments of the past ple, to the appointment of a Minister directly responsible for every few years, and the lessons in education we had derived from the act. He hoped there would be no cause to regret the change, Continent of Europe and the United States. But of late years we although Dr. Ryerson's success and his peculiar faculties for the had a good deal of experience, and the system of making the head work left his successor a difficult task. The tendency of our gov- of the Education Department amenable to the people has been folernmental system was to local self-government, and this held good lowed. The speaker then proceeded to treat of the educational in intellectual as well as in political affairs. While men would no system of Ontario, which, while entirely undenominational, is fully doubt differ on and discuss educational affairs, as they did other capable of being carried out, while still inculcating the broad views subjects within the arena of politics, these discussions were not to of our national Christianity. The three great essential characterbe deprecated, as it is only by discussion that we can arrive at the istics of our present education are its universality, its efficiency, truth. He hoped, however, that political necessities would never and its economy. The advantage of education as a means of make education a mere football of party politics. We had already raising a better feeling was next spoken of, the speaker believing settled the difficulty which was causing so much excitement in that the country school-house offers a greater antidote to crime than England. Our controversy regarding the denominational differences all our gaols and houses of refuge. The birthright of our children was settled, and by the British North America Act made a part should be free entry into our school-houses. The general advantages of the constitution of the country. By our system of local taxa- of schools were next referred to, and the objects of schooling in tion, imposed by trustee boards, township and county councils, and general alluded to. At this point Mr. Crooks read a number of the Ontario Legislature successively, a thoroughly scientific system figures, showing the increase of money paid to support the schools was attained, with a division of authority probably more nearly per- to have been nearly doubled in ten years. An increase had also fect than any other plan at present in practice. The central authority been observable in every line, and it is probable that expenditures was not a dictatorship. It only prevented the abuse of local power, in every department have been well spent, and the system is quite as in engaging unqualified teachers. For fifty years a system had in accordance with progress. Understanding the principles upon been on the statute book, by which there need be no stop to the which this progress was based, it is probable the expenditure will mental growth, but the High School boy of ability was to be en- never be reduced. The question of compulsory attendance was abled, by means of bursaries, established by the counties, to go on next referred to, and this Mr. Crooks believed should not be through the University. He regretted that this feature of the law adopted till all other means have failed. In this connection he had not been more generally taken advantage of, and that few or no quoted figures which went to show the attendance at school in counties had established bursaries. In our educational system the England and Scotland under the different systems which prevail poor had the same chance to improve as the rich. The teachers there, and remarked that the school attendance of Ontario is not so give the principal bias to the people, and the object of training is satisfactory as he could wish, and he thought well of the plan of makto bring out all the qualities of the mind and body in the best ing attendance for a specified number of days compulsory, as proway to train the moral, intellectual and physical faculties, in order vided for in Viscount Sandon's Bill, introduced into the British to produce a sound mind in a sound body, which is, after all, the House of Parliament last month. But it is not alone in the pri

great end of education. It was evident that educators required mary branches we need education, and provision should be made

Mr. B. Boyle moved a vote of thanks to the speakers, in the doing of which he spoke of the low remuneration given to teachers. Seconded by Rev. Father Northgraves, and unanimously carried. Messrs. Crooks and Ross briefly replied, when, on motion of Mr. Dearness, seconded by Mr. Watterworth, a vote of thanks was given to the Mayor for his conduct of the meeting. This closed the very interesting meeting.—London Advertiser.

for the higher education of those who desire it, and one to be the Schools, there being now a number of persons from West Middlesex instruction of the youth of the country. The foundation of this who are attending the school at Ottawa. The speaker here read the was begun by our predecessors in the old country, who set apart speech of the Hon. Alexander Mackenzie as to a Normal School, large tracts of land for the support of the schools. He saw no he having said he was betraying no State secret in saying schools better means of furthering the best interests of the people than the were to be erected at Ottawa, Kingston and London. (Loud apacquisition of higher education. The Scottish he took as a high plause.) The speaker would say nothing as to the location, bestandard of education, but even in this there is a possibility of lieving the Government would do justice, merely laying before the great improvement, and in such large counties as Middlesex he Cabinet that London is a railway centre, fully believing they would questioned if Township Boards would not be an improvement upon carry out the views of Hon. Mr. Mackenzie, the present Premier. the present system of School Sections. This is being tried in the (Applause.) County of Huron, and the results have so far been most satisfactory. Mr. Black, the seconder of the resolution, instanced the fact that This is, however, one of those propositions that require to be dis- there are few Normal School graduates in this vicinity, and the cussed, and the trial of it has not yet been complete. The speaker next majority of these have come from the neighbourhood of Toronto. touched upon the qualifications of teachers, which he hoped would This, he thought, demonstrated that other Normal Schools are increase year by year, although the great bulk of this is sure to be necessary, and he thought we deserved one in the western part of thrown on the general Government. But higher education will in- the Province as well as the eastern or central part. He believed volve the payment of higher salaries, but only nominally so. If men the Government is disposed to give us our just dues. He was not are worth money, they will obtain it in any business. Upon the advocating any particular locality, but speaking in a general sense head of raising the standard of teachers much remains to be done, as to the necessity of the school, although he did not think that in which connection the speaker read a number of statistics to show with a search warrant a better location than London could be prothat there has been no appreciable progress made in the granting of cured. (Laughter and applause,) He gave a number of statistics first-class certificates, while in the second-class there has been a to show how far behind Ontario is in the matter of Normal Schools, large decrease, this being made up by an increase in the third-class. it being shown that this Province has less Normal Schools than any This he thought should be remedied, and the third-class made a other country. He believed the western part of Ontario will comperiod of probation, whereas now we find a great many of them be- pare very favourably, either in wealth or intelligence, with either ing removed from town to town. Trustees should not be satisfied the central or eastern part, and he did not see that anything better with this. There are now rewards for the teachers, and it only could be done for the cause of education than the establishment of requires perseverance and ability in order to reach them. In con-a Normal School in the city of London. (Loud applause.) clusion, he thanked the audience for the kind attention given him, After a few remarks from the Hon. Mr. Crooks, as to why he was and said we should endeavour to make our educational system as present, the resolution was carried unanimously. universal as possible, for no system can be complete if the people do not comprehend the benefits to be derived from it. (Applause.) Mr. G. W. Ross, M.P. for West Middlesex, was the next speaker. After referring complimentarily to the speech of the previous orator, he spoke of the large percentage who attend school in Canada-larger than anywhere else-there being one in about every three who are under instruction. In regard to the drawbacks to education, he said the greatest was the irregularity of attendance. The next was the unsuitability of teachers, and if we could construct" one-half of them we would have more efficient schools. He spoke this in no spirit of disparagement to the teachers, but The Association of Public School Teachers for East Middlesex, they do not always realize the importance of their position. Scho- held on Friday and Saturday last, in this city, a meeting which was lars sometimes form habits which are injurious, and they would be an unusually interesting one. The presence of the Minister of Educa more benefited if school did not keep at all. If we want our schools tion, the Hon. Adam Crooks, gave an eclat to the affair, and brought to be a benefit, we must put teachers in them whose authority will together a larger and more varied assemblage than what we are be felt. The teacher is put there to rule the scholars, and if he accustomed to witness on such occasions. The fact, too, that he will cultivate the habit of unremitting attention among his pupils was to address the meeting upon subjects connected with the when they bear his control, the foundation will be laid, and Canada teachers' profession, and with the general question of education in will produce such men in her public schools as she need never be the Province, was another powerful source of attraction. These ashamed of. He next criticised the habit some teachers have of Associations, whether fully developed institutes, or still in an emdoing problems instead of allowing pupils to do them. This is not bryotic state, are becoming very common throughout the Province. right-scholars should be left to their own resources. Cultivate Few counties have not made such an attempt, and in a great many the natural abilities of pupils, and they will soon be able to take a very satisfactory measure of success has been achieved. care of themselves. Cultivate independence of thought, for the small amount of subscription payable by the teachers is never felt, progress of the world is more due to this than any other cause. Sir and when judiciously managed serves to form the nucleus of a Isaac Newton and all the past astronomers have been men of inde- teachers' library, which goes on increasing in extent and usefulpendent thought, and this is necessary to greatness. Mr. Ross next ness year by year. The books selected are, as a general thing, such referred to the pleasing lack of immorality in the class of teachers, as treat upon the professson of teaching, handle professional subpaying a high compliment to the profession generally. He alluded jects, or discuss subjects closely allied with the duties and pursuits to the necessity for more training, and advocated the building of of the teachers. another Normal School in Ontario. In this connection he cited some of the United States, where there are a great many more Normal Schools than in Ontario; and why should we not spend $100,000 in a Normal School? (Loud applause.) The speaker said he did not lay all stress upon the fact of a man holding a certain certificate he should have his mind stored with the information to be gathered in all well-ordered libraries. Let every teacher feel that the great aim is the development of perfect man and womanhood, and if a teacher fully realizes his position he will labour with this object in view. In conclusion, he eloquently referred to the high mission of the teacher, and hoped all would so conduct themselves as to raise Canada in the eyes of the nations. (Applause.) Mr. B. Cronyn then read and moved the following resolution, seconded by Mr. A Black:

re

"Resolved-That in the opinion of this large and influential meeting (representing as it does a large number of those most deeply interested in the subject of education, both from the city and surrounding country) there is immediate necessity for increased Normal School accommodation to meet the urgent demand by securing trained teachers for our schools."

The mover spoke of the deep need of the Normal School, and was glad the Minister of Education had shown from his own remarks that increased accommodation is necessary in the Normal

3. SCHOOL TEACHERS' CONVENTIONS.

The

That these periodic meetings of teachers are deemed important, and calculated to advance, directly or indirectly, the cause of education among us, is quite evident from the encouragement given to such efforts both here and in the United States. In the latter they have had a more lengthened existence, a wider experience, a more thorough organization, and, consequently, are able to effect and have effected more important results than could reasonably be looked for in Ontario up to the present time. Among the enterprising people on our southern border these institutes have taken deep root, and may now be looked upon as a part, and no inconsiderable part, of the machinery which keeps the system of national education in a state of uniformly accelerated motion. These meetings stop not with a town, a city or a county, but at stated times delegates from the County Associations throughout the whole State will meet and discuss such questions as may have appeared of the greatest importance and interest to some or all of the County Conventions. But to give a wider range still, and to concentrate and turn to account a more varied experience, these meetings assume occasionally a national character, and on such occasions courteous invitations have been extended to, and in a few instances accepted by, some of the leading educationalists of Ontario. There can be no rational doubt, that these meetings, composed principally of those engaged in the practical work of instruction in

III. Education Department at the Centennial.

NIAL EXHIBITION.

the United States, have done much to improve the tone of education' to bring the system established in each State nearer and nearer to perfection both in theory and practice, elevate socially the dignity 1. ONTARIO EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AT THE CENTENof the profession of teaching, secure a more complete recognition of the value of their services to the country, obtain a more liberal remuneration for their services, and render themselves, as the members of this profession-one of the highest in point of responsibility in the world-more and more worthy of the favour of a discerning and not ungrateful people.

A

Meritorious as the Pennsylvania educational display is, it falls far short of our own in some respects, while in general effect it has only the advantages derivable from greater extent and a better opportunity for arranging articles in an artistic fashion. The exIn Ontario, too, the Government have in the past shown that exhibit from any other country, and will almost equal the whole of hibition of apparatus of every kind from Ontario is far ahead of any they look upon Teachers' Institutes as capable of being made the in- them together. Of specimens of pupils' work, on the other hand, struments of much good to the country, and of advancing this cause, we make a comparatively poor show, the exhibiting institutions which the people of Ontario have so much at heart. The very fact that the Minister of Education-who candidly admits that he has Canadian Department is made by Ontario, the other Provinces doing being comparatively few. The principal part of the display in the had to devote much time and study to mastering the complicated duties of an office to which he has been so recently appointed, and very little. The chief feature of the Quebec portion is a collection of models of educational institutions on a very small scale, each which were almost entirely new to him, and who cannot yet have being surrounded by grounds ornamented with trees like the oribecome familiar with the affairs of so extensive a Department has ginals. As works of art they are not bad, but are so diminutive as already, on several occasions, left his departmental duties, attend- to appear out of place in an exhibition of our school systems, ed these meetings, delivered addresses to the assembled teachers, unless intended to be shown as specimens of pupils' work. and showed a deep interest in all their proceedings. The Legisla- characteristic feature in all the exhibits is the multitude of models ture, too, have shown that they appreciate the value of such insti- intended to illustrate the various kinds of school-house architecture tutions to the cause of education in the Province, and have taken and furniture now in vogue. Some of these models are large, wellthe only course in their power, without rendering their establish- proportioned and very expensive; others are trashy enough. One ment obligatory and the attendance of the teachers compulsory, to of the best is to be found in the Ontario collection; it is a model encourage the formation and support of such associations. In the of a typical Collegiate Institute, and must have cost several hun130th clause of the Act of 1874, provision is made for the substantial dreds of dollars. There are a few good ones to be found in the exhibits encouragement of these organizations. This clause provides in the of the various States, but hardly any on so large and elaborate a scale. words following for this purpose :— By special permission of the Director-General of the Exhibition, a wall has been erected for the purpose of giving a better opportunity This is a decided imto display the Ontario Educational Exhibit. provement to the whole Canadian Department, as it helps to relieve the dead sea of uniformity caused by the monotonous rows of rectangular cases prescribed by the Commissioners. The educational wall runs parallel with the principal nave, and cuts off the geological

"Out of certain grants authorized from time to time in aid of schools, and not otherwise expressly appropriated by law, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may authorize the expenditure annually of such sums as may from time to time be voted by the Legislature for the purposes following."

Then we find under the sixth head of these "purposes," or par- display from the rest of the Canadian show. It is 110ft. long and ticulars for which this expenditure is authorized

"For the encouragement of Teachers' Institutes." It is there fore plain, that the Legislature in their wisdom deemed it prudent, patriotic, and no doubt economic, too, that a part of the public funds should be devoted to encourage and help sustain such institutions as those we have been discussing.

30ft. high in the centre, where there is a large archway, through which the petroleum exhibit is visible in the background. The wall is surmounted by the Royal arms, the largest to be found in the whole Exhibition, while immediately over the archway are placed a scroll label with the Dominion and Ontario arms on shields and the arms of the Department in relief. The heavy cornice and all the ornaments of the wall, together with the great majority of the articles on exhibition, including maps and apparatus, were made in ToEnough has been said already to show that great improvement in the theory and practice of teaching may be expected to flow from ronto. Two smaller archways occur at some distance on either side The wall is hung on the right with raised maps well-organized Teachers' Institutes judiciously handled and enthusi- of the main one. astically supported by the teachers themselves. There is no one school-room maps. On one side of the main archway a space has illustrative of physical geography, and on the left with ordinary hat ever covered all the wisdom in the world, and no one individual, been set apart for specimens of pupils' work, for a collection of the even in pursuits much less diversified and complicated than that of the profession of teaching, has ever possessed all the knowledge, Victoria, and for philosophical apparatus; and on the other side seals of the English sovereigns from William the Conqueror to mastered all the details, made all possible improvements, and ex- for articles exhibited in connection with the Institute for the Blind, hausted the entire field relating to any one branch of business or

any single profession; and, therefore, in this special profession and additional apparatus. Near the archway is a revolving stand every member may be a worker, may examine with the greatest containing the photographs of school-houses throughout the Procare, analyze with precision, reconstruct with skill, and contribute vince, and another with pictures of colleges, universities, and other public buildings devoted to educational purposes. In front his discoveries and improvements to the general stock, and never exhaust the subject. By coming together face to face, new ideas of the wall there are a number of glass cases filled with articles for upon important parts of the general question may be propagated, exhibition, including a selection of library and prize books; apparatus illustrative of electricity, thermo-electricity, galvanism, light, and these ideas may be used in further progress. Crude notions may be presented, and these, submitted to the refining process of heat, steam, pneumatics, hydrostatics and hydraulics; astronomicalm philosophical criticism by the assembled teachers, may be cal instruments; a series of models for object lessons in Botany, turned out polished stones, fit for an honourable place in the struc- Zoology, Mineralogy, Crystalography, &c.; educational reports, ture they are engaged in building. Different methods of doing the drawing models, geometrical instruments, and chemical apparatus. The work of arrangement has been performed in a skilful manner same work or of accomplishing the same object will be confronted; by Dr. May, of the Educational Depository, and the Ontario Edutheir strong and weak points will be, by this means, subjected to a more intense light, and, as a necessary result, the best parts of each cation Court as a whole, as well as in its details, may fairly be rewill be retained and the less useful and efficient rejected. A closer garded as one of the most interesting displays in the whole building. The amount of attention it receives from the general conapproach to uniformity of method and similarity of views will certainly follow from these encounters and this comparing of notes, course of people who are travelling up and down the aisles, as well and as perfection is one and indivisible, we may safely assume that as from those interested in education on this side, is the best proof progress in this direction is being made. The better informed of its merits.-Globe. minds and the more skilful teachers will exercise a powerful influence for good over the less highly gifted, and while without effort, and even without immediate design, they help to elevate their co-labourers, they are insensibly but surely improving themselves at the same time. L'esprit de corps of the body will be improved by this intercourse, and a most healthy and wholesome emulation will be excited and sustained; and thus, while the individual and the profession are gradually but surely raised, the country which has so generously devoted a portion of its wealth to support and encourage these Teachers' Institutes, will, as is only right, eventually reap all or nearly all the benefit.-London Free Press.

I have been longing all this time to come to the Education contrasts. In the Pennsylvania education building there is a representation of a school of the olden time. What a contrast this rickety old school to the schools of to-day! Pennsylvania takes great pride in its schools, and the exhibition of models, maps, etc., is most creditable, as are those from the other States. I am happy to say, however, that the Canadian exhibit in the educational way takes the shine out of them all.

In walking down the centre transept, when you come to a certain point, the attention is attracted by nothing so much as by the top