Ryerson Memorial Volume

J. George Hodgins

Ryerson Memorial Volume

Sharp Ink Publishing

2024

Contact: [email protected]

ISBN 978-80-282-3612-0

Table of Contents

PRELIMINARY.

Appeal for Funds for Erection of the Statue.

The Financial Results of the Appeals Made—Particulars of the Statue.

Programme of Arrangements for Unveiling the Statue.

CHAPTER II.

CEREMONY OF UNVEILING THE STATUE, 24 TH MAY, 1889.

The Hon. G. W. Ross' Address.

The Statue Unveiled by Sir Alexander Campbell.

Comments of the Press on the Unveiling of the Statue.

CHAPTER III.

THE ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE UNVEILING.

CHAPTER IV.

EDUCATION IN ONTARIO—PAST AND PRESENT.

Significance of the Event of To-day.

The Ontario System of Education—Its Influence Abroad.

Comprehensive Character of the Ontario Educational System.

Character Of Systems Of Education Abroad, And Lessons Therefrom.

Educational Lessons To Be Learned Outside Of Ontario.

Three Educational Periods in the History of Ontario.

Colonial Chapter in the History of American Education.

The United Empire Loyalist Period in Upper Canada.

Governor Simcoe's Educational Views in 1795.

Early Beginnings of Education in Upper Canada, 1785-1805.

State of Education in Upper Canada, 1795-1799.

First Official Educational Movements in Upper Canada, 1797, 1798.

Educational Pioneers in Upper Canada.

Early Efforts to Establish Common Schools 1816-1820.

State of Education in Upper Canada, 1784-1819.

Fitful Educational Progress from 1822 to 1829.

State of Education in Upper Canada, 1827-1829, from the Official Reports, Etc.

Course of Study Suggested by Rev. Dr. Strachan as suitable for the District Grammar Schools throughout the Province, 1829.

Rev. Dr. Strachan's System of School Management.

Rev. Dr. Strachan's Career as a Teacher.

Mr. Joseph Hume's Essay on Education Edited as a Catechism by Mr. Wm. Lyon Mackenzie in 1830.

Vicissitudes of Education in Upper Canada, 1830-1839.

Educational Efforts of Mr. Mahlon Burwell in the House of Assembly, 1831-1836.

Efforts at Educational Legislation by Dr. Charles Duncombe, 1831-1836.

Continued Educational Efforts by Mr. Burwell in the House of Assembly.

Early Opinions on the Necessity for Manual, or Industrial, Education.

Later Opinions on the Necessity for Manual Training in Our Schools.

Further Educational Efforts in the House of Assembly, 1835, 1836.

Analysis of Dr. Duncombe's Report on Education, 1836.

Summary of, and Reflections on, these Educational Efforts, from 1830 to 1839.

Extracts from Official Reports on Education in Upper Canada in 1838.

Influences by American Teachers and School Books Deprecated.

Extracts from the Report of a Commission Appointed to Enquire into the Subject of Education in Upper Canada in 1839.

Educational Opinions of Prominent Public Men in 1839.

Separate Educational Forces Shaping Themselves in Upper Canada.

The Educational Efforts of the U. E. Loyalists and the Ruling Party.

An Educational Glance Backwards.

Provision for Higher Education in U. C. by the Imperial Government.

The Reverend Doctor Strachan as an Educator.

Lack of Comprehensiveness in the Educational Policy of the Times.

Rev. Dr. Strachan's Reasons for Establishing a University in Upper Canada.

Rev. Dr. Strachan, the Founder of Two Universities in Toronto.

The University of Toronto.

The University of Victoria College, Cobourg.

The Queen's College University, Kingston.

The University of Trinity College, Toronto.

The R. C. University College at Ottawa.

The Western University, London.

The McMaster University.

Upper Canada College.

Albert College, Belleville.

Woodstock College.

The School of Practical Science, Toronto.

Various other Colleges and Schools, etc.

Rev. Dr. Ryerson's Advocacy of Popular Rights, 1827-1841.

Educational Legislation in the United Parliament of 1841 and 1843.

Origin of the Annual Grant of $200,000 for the Common Schools in 1841.

Educational Efforts of Dr. Ryerson up to this Time.

First Appointment of a Superintendent of Education for Upper Canada.

Appointment of Rev. Dr. Ryerson as Superintendent of Education.

Dr. Ryerson's Report on a System of Public Instruction for Upper Canada.

Chief Features of Dr. Ryerson's First Report and School Bill of 1846.

Objections to Dr. Ryerson's School Bill of 1846 Answered.

First and Second Councils of Public Instruction, 1846 and 1850.

Religious Instruction in the Common Schools, 1846.

State of Common School Education in Upper Canada, 1845.

School Houses and School Teachers in 1845-1850.

Dr. Ryerson's Practical Agencies to give Information and Remove Prejudice.

Combined Opposition to the Projected System of Education.

Educational Proceedings of District Councils in 1847, 1848.

Estimate of Lord Elgin's Character by the Hon. W. H. Draper.

Invaluable Assistance given to Dr. Ryerson by Lord Elgin.

Proceedings of the First Council of Public Instruction—The Normal School.

Laying the Corner Stone of the Normal School Building, 1851.

The County Model Schools of 1843-1850.

Fundamental Principles of Dr. Ryerson's Scheme of Education.

Can Upper Canada Emulate the State of New York in Educational Matters?

Establishment of the Educational Depository, and its Results.

Abstract of Depository Schedule Presented to the Legislature in 1877.

Dr. Ryerson a Commissioner on King's College, etc., New Brunswick in 1854.

Partial Chronological Sketch of Dr. Ryerson's Educational Work, 1855, etc.

Bishop Fraser's Estimate of the U. C. System of Education in 1863.

Character of the Important School Legislation of 1871.

Review of the School Legislation of 1871.

Objections to Improve our School System Answered.

Necessity for the Changes in the School Law of Ontario in 1871.

Hon. Adam Crooks on the School Inspection Legislation of 1871.

Effect of the School Act of 1871 in the County of Haldimand.

Effect of the School Law of 1871 in the County of Simcoe (South.)

CHAPTER V.

A SPECIAL CHAPTER ON THE STATE EDUCATION IN THE OLDEN TIME IN UPPER CANADA.

Hon. J. Sandfield Macdonald's school days—His Reminiscences of them.

Education in the County of Wellington under Dr. Ryerson's Administration.

Early School Legislation in 1841, 1843 and 1846.

Inferior Qualifications of Teachers and Varied Methods of Teaching.

Dr. Ryerson's Test of the Intelligence of a School Section.

The Character of the School-house also a Test.

School Condition of the County of Wellington in 1847.

Great Educational Advance made by the Province of Ontario since 1847.

Great Advance also in the Standard of Teaching Ability.

State of Education in Upper Canada in 1847-1849.

The Old Log School House and Its Belongings.

The Pioneer Teachers, and the Trials of Boarding Round.

The Old School House.

A School Teacher's Personal Experience in 1865.

Reminiscences of Education in the City of Hamilton in 1852.

Education in the County of Simcoe, 1852-1872.

CHAPTER VI.

PERSONAL CHAPTER RELATING TO THE REV. DR. RYERSON.

The Rev. Dr. Ryerson as a Teacher.

The Rev. Dr. Ryerson and His Native County of Norfolk.

Closing Official Acts and Utterances of Dr. Ryerson.

Reasons for Dr. Ryerson's Retirement as Chief Superintendent of Education.

Dr. Ryerson's Letter of Resignation in 1868 and Reply To it.

Dr. Ryerson's Letter of Resignation in 1872 and Reply To it.

A FEW WORDS, PERSONAL TO THE WRITER OF THIS RETROSPECT.

PRELIMINARY.

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The Rev. Dr. Ryerson's death occurred on the 19th of February, 1882. Early in the next month the following circular was issued:—

A preliminary meeting of trustees, inspectors and teachers connected with Public, Separate and High Schools—past and present—will be held in the theatre, or public hall, of the Education Department, on Tuesday afternoon, the 14th instant, at 4.30, to consider the proposal to erect a monument or other tribute of love and esteem to the memory of the late revered founder of the educational system of Ontario.

J. George Hodgins

,

Convener.

Toronto, March, 1882.

The following account of the meeting appeared in The Mail newspaper of the 15th March:—

A meeting of those connected with educational matters was held in the theatre of the Normal School yesterday afternoon, to consider the proposal to erect a monument or other token of esteem to the memory of the late Dr. Ryerson.

There were present, Drs. Hodgins, Davies, Carlyle, Tassie; Inspectors Hughes, McKinnon, McBrien, Little, Fotheringham; Messrs. James Bain, G. McMurrich, and Crombie, Public School trustees, Toronto; Thomas Kirkland, M.A., Normal School; Mrs. Riches, Misses E. A. Scarlett, M. L. Williams, Boulton and Tomlinson; Messrs. McAllister, Doan, Lewis, Spence, McCausland, Martin, Clarke, Coyne, Parker, Cassidy, Campbell, teachers of Toronto city schools. Dr. Hodgins was appointed chairman, and Mr. James L. Hughes secretary.

Letters expressing regret at inability to attend were read from Mr. G. W. Ross, M.P., Inspectors Scarlett, Bigg and Platt, and Mr. W. J. Gage. Also a letter from the Minister of Education, to the effect that every inspector and teacher was at full liberty to take such action as he might think proper in connection with so laudable an object as the erection of a memorial to the late superintendent.

Dr. Hodgins related the circumstances which had led to the calling of a meeting, and said that the object was to unite all persons in any way connected with schools in a tribute of affection to the late chief, even the children might contribute a mite. There was some difference of opinion as to whether the tribute should take the form of a monument in the cemetery, or a statue in the Normal School grounds. He mentioned Dr. Ormiston as having taken a very strong interest in the matter.

On motion of Mr. McAllister, seconded by Mr. McMurchy, a resolution expressing the approval, by the meeting, of the proposal to erect a memorial was unanimously adopted.

Mr. Hughes suggested that a central committee of organization be appointed, and that local associations be formed in every county.

Messrs. Fotheringham, McMurchy, George McMurrich, McAllister and Brother Odo, were appointed to nominate the central committee. Their report was presented to the meeting, and adopted with some amendments.

In the discussion which took place, the general opinion was that the memorial should take the form of a statue of the late Chief Superintendent, to be erected in the Normal School grounds, Mr. Bain being one of those who strongly urged this view.

Mr. Inspector Fotheringham thought that the amount of the contribution should be limited so as to make it general, and suggested one dollar for each teacher and trustee, and ten cents for each child, corporate bodies being left to their own discretion.

The chairman having called for suggestions as to the formation of local committees, Mr. Little, Inspector for Halton, thought that the inspector for each county should appoint the teachers and trustees of each school to open a subscription list.

Mr. McBrien, Inspector for Ontario County, suggested that the inspectors should send a postcard to every teacher in the county, requesting him to convene a meeting in his section.

Mr. McKinnon, Inspector for Peel, was in favor of Mr. Little's plan.

There was also considerable discussion as to whether others besides those directly connected with the schools should be asked to contribute. It was urged on the one hand that the tribute would come more fittingly from those more peculiarly interested in education, and on the other that it should be made national in its character, especially as a large majority of the people had been educated, and their characters formed under the school system of which Dr. Ryerson was the founder.

These questions were left for future consideration, and, after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting adjourned.

As the result of that meeting the following circular was issued by the secretary on the 15th March:—

At a preliminary meeting of trustees, inspectors and teachers connected with Public, Separate and High Schools, held in the public hall of the Education Department on the 14th instant, the following gentlemen were appointed members of a central committee to carry out the resolution unanimously agreed to by the meeting, viz.: to collect funds with which to erect a monument or other tribute of love and esteem to the memory of the late revered founder of the educational system of Ontario, viz.:—

Dr. Hodgins, chairman; Rev. Principal Davies; Principal McCabe; Rev. Dr. Ormiston, of New York; President Wilson and Prof. G. P. Young, Toronto University; Archbishop Lynch; Rev. Provost Body, Trinity College; Rev. Principal Caven, Knox College; Rev. President Castle, Toronto Baptist College; Rev. Father Vincent, Superior, St. Michael's College; Rev. President Nelles, Victoria University; Very Rev. Principal Grant, Queen's University; A. McMurchy, M.A., President of Ontario Teachers' Association; Very Rev. Dean Grassett, Chairman of Collegiate Institute Board; Edward Galley, Esq., Chairman, Public School Board; Vicar-General Rooney, Chairman, Separate School Board; Dr. McLellan, Inspector, High Schools; Mr. White, Inspector, Separate Schools for Ontario; Rev. Brother Tobias, city Inspector of Separate Schools; J. S. Carson, Esq., Chairman of inspectors' section Ontario Teachers' Association; R. Lewis, Esq., chairman of Public School section; D. C. McHenry, M.A., chairman of High School section; also the Public School Inspectors throughout the Province as ex officio members, (Messrs. D. Fotheringham and J. R. Miller). Mr. James L. Hughes was appointed secretary of the committee, and Mr. Walter S. Lee, treasurer.[2]

Appeal for Funds for Erection of the Statue.

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At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Rev. Dr. Ormiston and Dr. Hodgins were requested to draw up an appeal soliciting aid for the proposed memorial. Dr. Ormiston did so as follows:—

Appeal to Trustees, Inspectors, Teachers and Pupils—past and present—connected with Public, Separate[3] and High Schools, and to the other friends of Education in the Province of Ontario; from the General Committee appointed at Toronto on the 14th March, 1882, for the collection of funds with which to erect a Monument, or other Tribute of Esteem and Admiration to the memory of the late Rev. Dr. Ryerson, founder of the Educational System of Ontario:

"Although still young our Province has already been called to mourn the removal of not a few of her gifted sons, who have severally adorned the different walks of public life. In weight of character, wealth of manhood, and width of human sympathy, the late Chief Superintendent of Education, stood amongst the foremost and mightiest of them all.

Egerton Ryerson was a man of rare diversity of gifts, of remarkable energy, and of abundant mental resources. It would have been easy for him to have excelled in any one sphere of human greatness, but it was his to stand high in several. He was a many-sided man; richly endowed in various ways. He was a laborious farmer—a zealous student—a successful teacher—an eminent preacher—a prominent ecclesiastic—an influential editor—a forcible writer—a sagacious counsellor—a most efficient principal and professor—but he was chiefly noted as a great public educationist.

For a third of a century he was the head and inspiring genius of our school system, establishing, moulding, adapting, controlling it; and this, the main work of his life, will endure and command in the future, as it has in the past, the admiration of all, both at home and abroad. During all these years he was the teacher's true friend, and the ardent well-wisher of the young. His sympathies—tender and true—as helpful as they were healthy, went out to every earnest worker, whether in acquiring or imparting knowledge. The enquiring left his presence directed; the downcast, cheered; the doubtful, confirmed.

Unselfish, generous, disinterested, he devoted himself wholly to his work. How often did his lip quiver and his eye fill when he addressed the gatherings of teachers and pupils, upon whom he looked not only with the eye of a patriot, but of a parent,—Ye are my children all.

We can never forget him; we profoundly mourn our loss; we fondly cherish his memory. Affection, gratitude, a sense of what is due to so eminent a man, impel us to perpetuate that memory in some suitable way, which will render such a noble life an inspiring example to young men now and in the coming days.

In obedience then, to one of the purest and loftiest instincts of our nature, let us unite in paying a common tribute of admiration and regard to the memory of him to whom we all sustained a common relationship, and to whom we also, without distinction as to nationality, political preferences, or religious belief, can pay sincere homage, as the founder of our present excellent and comprehensive system of education.

In honoring him we do honor to our common country, and recognize our obligation to pay fitting homage to the great men of our Dominion, whose names, with his, are inscribed high upon the roll of Canada's famous sons."

At intervals, during the years 1882-1886, circulars were issued by the committee to inspectors, trustees and masters of High, Public and Separate Schools, urging the collection of the necessary funds to erect the proposed memorial. In order to aid in this work, 7,500 copies of a biographical sketch of Dr. Ryerson and his educational work, prepared by the chairman, was sent to the inspectors for distribution. The chairman also made the following suggestions to inspectors (with a view to facilitate the collections from pupils), which was generally acted upon, viz.:—

"Permit me to suggest a simple way of securing a response from each school: You might request the teacher to give notice that, on the following week, he would devote five minutes at noon of each day to taking down a list of contributions (from a cent upwards) to the fund.

In this way the pupils—and everyone in the locality, through the children—would have an opportunity of contributing his or her mite to the erection of a statue to one of Canada's most honored sons.

The final circular issued by the committee was as follows:—

The appeal on behalf of the Ryerson Memorial Fund has been responded to by about two-thirds of the public, and less than one-third of the High-Schools in Ontario. The sum thus received amounts to $4,425.00, including accrued interest on the moneys received and invested.

The 7,520 masters and teachers now employed in the Public and High Schools of Ontario, have not yet been appealed to, as a body, to contribute to this most desirable and patriotic object, although many of them have sent in their subscriptions. The General Committee have, therefore, decided to make this appeal to them through the various teachers' associations. The committee trust, therefore, that the individual masters and teachers concerned (if they have not already done so) will heartily and promptly respond to this appeal.

The words with which Dr. Ormiston closes his appeal on behalf of this fund we would heartily commend to your sympathy and kind consideration. We do so with the earnest hope that you will give them a substantial and practical application. Dr. Ormiston says:—

"In obedience then, to one of the purest and loftiest instincts of our nature, let us unite in paying a common tribute of admiration and regard to the memory of him to whom we all sustained a common relationship, and to whom we also, without distinction as to nationality, political preferences, or religious belief, can pay sincere homage, as the founder of our present excellent and comprehensive system of education.

In honouring him we do honour our common country, and recognize our obligation to pay fitting homage to the great men of our Dominion, whose names, with his, are inscribed high upon the roll of Canada's famous sons.

The Rev. T. Bowman Stephenson, L.L.D., delegate from the British to the General Conference of the Methodist Church in Canada, in his recent address to that Conference, said, referring to the late Rev. Dr. Ryerson:—

That gentleman visited us in England twice. Old man as he then was, he seemed younger than most of us. I take him to have been one of those rare men who are never young and never old—old in wisdom whilst young in years—young in heart and feeling when already the snow is on the head. Eloquent, logical, far sighted, generous, independent, courageous, with an unhesitating faith in duty, and a boundless love of freedom and justice, he 'served his generation.'—O how well the inspired words describe him—by the will of God, 'he fell on sleep.'

The Financial Results of the Appeals Made—Particulars of the Statue.

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The following is the financial result of the labours of the committee up to the date of its final meeting on the 1st of June, 1889, viz.:—

The granite of the pedestal is from a quarry at St. George, in New Brunswick—a Province which was the first early home of Dr. Ryerson's father and mother, after the close of the American Revolutionary War. Dr. Ryerson's mother was a native of New Brunswick as were his elder brothers and sisters.

Programme of Arrangements for Unveiling the Statue.

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The following was the programme of arrangements agreed to by the Committee to be observed on the Queen's Birthday, 1889, at the ceremony of unveiling of the statue of the Rev. Egerton Ryerson, D.D., LL.D., founder of the school system of Ontario, 1844-1876, ceremony to commence at two o'clock p.m.:—

Chairman for the Day.—The Hon. George W. Ross, LL.D., Minister of Education for Ontario. Dedicatory Hymn.—(All People that on Earth do Dwell, Old Hundred) to be announced by the Rev. John Burton, B.D. Selection of Scripture.—To be read by the Rev. John Potts, D.D., Secretary of Education of the Methodist General Conference. Dedicatory Prayer.—By the Rev. G. M. Milligan, B.A., Minister of Old St. Andrew's Church, Toronto. Opening Address.—By the Hon. George W. Ross, LL.D., Chairman of the Day. Unveiling of the Statue.—By the Hon. Sir Alexander Campbell, K.C.M.G., Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. Patriotic School Song by the City School Children.—Hurrah, Hurrah, for Canada! to be led by Mr. Perrin, Music Teacher, City Schools. Historical Paper on Education in Ontario.—The abstract only was read by J. George Hodgins, M.A., LL.D., Deputy Minister of Education for Ontario. Address on behalf of the Ontario Teachers' Association.—By Mr. McQueen, President of the Association, 1889. Address on behalf of the Citizens of Toronto.—By His Worship the Mayor, E. F. Clarke, Esq., M.P.P. (Mr. Clarke having gone to England, the address was read by Alderman McMillan, President of the City Council, and Acting Mayor pro tem). Patriotic Song by the City School Children.—The Maple Leaf for Ever! Address on behalf of the University of Toronto.—By the Hon. John Macdonald, Senator. Address on behalf of Victoria University.—By the Rev. N. Burwash, S.T.D., Chancellor of Victoria University. Address on behalf of Queen's University.—By Sandford Fleming, Esq., LL.D., C.M.G., Chancellor of Queen's University. Address on behalf of Trinity University.—By the Rev. Professor William Clark, M.A. Address on behalf of McMaster University.—By T. H. Rand, Esq., D.C.L. The National Anthem. Benediction.—Pronounced by the Right Rev. Arthur Sweatman, D.D., D.C.L., Bishop of Toronto.

Representatives present.—The Mayor and Corporation of the City of Toronto, Chairman and members of the High School and Collegiate Institute Board of Toronto, Chairman and members of the Public School Board of Toronto. Upper Canada College, Hon. John Beverley Robinson; Knox College, Rev. William McLaren, D.D.; Wycliffe College, Colonel Gzowski, A.D.C.; McMaster Divinity Hall, Rev. Chancellor McVicar, D.D. LL. D.; Brantford Ladies' College, T. M. Macintyre, Esq., Ph. D.; Alma Ladies' College, Colin Macdougall, Esq., Q.C.[4]; Oshawa Ladies' College, Rev. A. B. Demill.

The following replies from other Colleges were received by the Secretaries, viz.:—

"

Assumption College, Sandwich

, March 12, 1889.

"

Dear Sir

,—I beg to return thanks for your invitation to the unveiling of the Statue to the late Doctor Ryerson.

"I do not think it will be possible for any representative of this College to be present on that occasion.

"I remain, dear Sir, yours respectfully,

"(Sgd) DENNIS O'CONNOR.

"

J. Carlyle

, Esq., Secretary."

"

St. Michael's College, Toronto

, 15th March, 1889.

"

Dear Sir

,—I received in due time your letter inviting me to the unveiling of the Statue to the late Dr. Ryerson on the 24th of May next. Your invitation I must respectfully decline, and thanking you for it.

"I remain yours very sincerely,

"(Sgd) P. VINCENT.

"

James Carlyle

, Esq., Secretary."

"

College of Ottawa

, March 21, 1889.

"

Dear Sir

,—I am in receipt at your circular, dated March 12th, with which you kindly favored me. Please accept my best thanks for your cordial invitation to send a representative of our College to the unveiling of the Statue of the late Dr. Ryerson. I am greatly sorry to state that it will be hardly possible to anybody of us to go on the 24th of May. Please excuse us and believe me.

"Yours sincerely,

"(Sgd.) J. M. FEAYARD, O.M.J.

"Mr.

J. Carlyle

, Secretary."

No replies were received from the other Colleges in Ontario to which invitations had been sent by the Secretaries. The following representatives were also present:

Ontario Teachers' Association, Public School Section, Mr. Robert Alexander; Inspectors' Section, Mr. David Fotheringham; High School Section, Mr. Archibald McMurchy, M.A.

Inscription on the pedestal of the bronze statue of Rev. Dr. Ryerson, as approved by the General Committee, November, 1887, to be placed on the front of the pedestal, facing Bond Street:—

EGERTON RYERSON,

FOUNDER

of the

SCHOOL SYSTEM OF ONTARIO.

To be placed on the rear of the pedestal:—

BORN

IN CHARLOTTEVILLE, COUNTY OF NORFOLK, ONTARIO,

March 24, 1803

.

DIED

AT TORONTO, FEBRUARY 19, 1882.

Record of Rev. Dr. Ryerson's services, as approved by the General Committee, November, 1887, and intended to have been engraved on the Pedestal. It was afterwards decided not to do so, but to insert the name only, as founder of the Ontario School System.[5]

THIS STATUE

IS

ERECTED

AS A MEMORIAL

OF THE GREAT PUBLIC SERVICES OF THE

REV. EGERTON RYERSON, D.D., LL.D,

SON OF COLONEL JOSEPH RYERSON,

A BRITISH OFFICER WHO SERVED DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION,

AND WHO WAS ONE OF

THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS

WHO SETTLED IN THIS PROVINCE.

A DISTINGUISHED MINISTER OF THE METHODIST CHURCH,

1825-1852.

HE OBTAINED FOR THAT CHURCH A ROYAL CHARTER IN ENGLAND

FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF

UPPER CANADA ACADEMY AT COBOURG,

1828-1841.

AFTERWARDS

THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA COLLEGE,

OF WHICH HE WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT.

IN FOUNDING

THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OF HIS NATIVE PROVINCE,

AND IN PROMOTING THE

ESTABLISHMENT OF FREE SCHOOLS,

HE DISPLAYED THE RARE GIFTS OF A

FAR-SEEING AND ENLIGHTENED STATESMAN,

AND FOR THIRTY-TWO YEARS WAS

THE ABLE ADMINISTRATOR OF THAT SYSTEM,

1844-1876.

ERECTED BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM SCHOOL TRUSTEES INSPECTORS, TEACHERS,

PUPILS AND OTHERS;

AIDED BY A GRANT FROM THE CITY OF TORONTO AND

THE LEGISLATURE OF ONTARIO.

CHAPTER II.

Table of Contents

CEREMONY OF UNVEILING THE STATUE, 24TH MAY, 1889.

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The ceremony of unveiling of the Statue is thus described by The Globe of May the 25th (abridged):—

The number of truly great men is not large in any country.

Ontario is not old yet in its physical and intellectual development, and yet it is with pride her people recall the memory of a few great men who are now with the overwhelming majority. Among the greatest of Canadian public men was Rev. Dr. Egerton Ryerson, the founder of the Ontario Public School system of education. Posterity recognizes this, and posterity seeks to perpetuate his memory in that loving manner which bespeaks gratitude, thankfulness and patriotism. The generation that now is speaks affectionately and reverently of him, who, by sheer force of character, founded a system of education which places the child of the poor man on an equal equality with that of the rich, and who so admirably developed his system that every office in the State is open through a complete system of elementary and secondary education to all classes in the Province. But this generation has done more. It erected a monument to the great man, so that generations yet unborn may not be unmindful of the heritage which shall be theirs, as the result of the untiring zeal and ability displayed by the Chief Superintendent of Education in Ontario for the moral and intellectual advancement of his country.

The unveiling of this monument, fittingly erected in a commanding position of the Normal School grounds, which were the scene of the labors of the grand teacher, took place yesterday afternoon before a large concourse of people. There were there statesmen and politicians, presidents of universities and eminent divines, men learned in the law and merchant princes, manufacturers and agriculturists, teachers and pupils—all being assembled to do honor to the name of him whose monument was unveiled and whose virtues were extolled. The gathering was truly historical and unique in its character—there being seen representatives of the old class of teachers who presided over the school, houses of the country when there was no system of education in Ontario, and who, therefore,