CHAPTER XII.

How are we to sum up the work of this man who moulded the schools of Ontario during a period as long as the life of a single generation? Would the schools of 1876 have been what they were had there been no Ryerson? We think not.

No doubt the people of Upper Canada would, without Ryerson, have worked out a good school system, because a school system must in the end reflect the average intelligence and the fixed ideals of a people. But in Ryerson, Upper Canada had a man who, by his dogged determination and his hold upon the affections of the people, was able to secure legislation somewhat in advance of a fixed public opinion. To a considerable extent he created the public sentiment which made his work possible. He knew what the people needed and persuaded them to accept it. This we conceive to be the work of a statesman.

Ryerson was neither a demagogue nor a constitutionalist. He had none of the arts of one who wins the populace by flattering its vanity. He was too sincere and too deeplyreligious to appeal to the lower springs of human action. On the other hand he had no real sympathy with popular government. He would let people do as they wished, only so long as they wished to do what he believed to be right. He never could believe that he himself might be wrong. Even had he wished to do so, he never could have divested himself wholly of the character of priest and pedagogue. He was always either shouting from the pulpit or thumping the desk of the schoolmaster.

His environment after 1844 strengthened and developed his natural tendency to be autocratic. He worked like a giant. He created the Education Department, appointed his subordinates, was his own finance minister, established a Normal School and appointed its instructors, nominated members of a Council of Public Instruction who often did little more than formally register his decrees, organized a book and map depository and an educational museum, edited an educational journal in which he published his decrees, and prepared legislation for successive Legislatures having comparatively few members competent to criticize school administration. He administered one of the largest spending Departments of Government, and ruled somewhat rigorously a score of subordinates, and yet, for many years, was not subject to any check except the nominal oneof the Governor-General, and later of the Governor-General-in-Council.

When he visited District or County Conventions he came as a lawgiver, either to explain existing regulations, promulgate new ones, or obtain assent to those for which he wished to secure legislation. Only after the Grammar Schools had become efficient did Ryerson meet at Teachers' Conventions men who were intellectually his equals and who were ready to criticize his policy, and, when necessary, give him wholesome advice. Had Ryerson been a responsible Minister with a seat in the Legislature, either his nature would have been modified or he would have failed, probably the latter.

This would seem to lead to the conclusion that Ryerson after all was not a statesman, since a statesman must, in our age, carry out his measures and at the same time retain the confidence of his colleagues and the electors. But this is just what Ryerson did, although he did not do it directly through the Legislature. He appealed to a Court beyond the Legislature—the whole body of intelligent men and women of Upper Canada—and this Court sustained him in his work for thirty-two years, during which time it is doubtful if any single constituency in the country would have elected him to two successive Parliaments. If this be true we may safely assume that it was a happychance which gave us a non-political Education Department during our formative period.

Ryerson's greatest admirers can scarcely claim that he was a scholar. This was his misfortune and not his fault. He never failed to embrace whatever opportunities for intellectual improvement came in his way. His reading of history was broad and discriminating. He had little interest in anything that did not bear somewhat directly upon the problem of human virtue. Consequently his interests centred largely in civil government and theology.

Nor can we claim for Ryerson that he introduced original legislation. Hardly anything in our system of education was of his invention. New England, New York, Germany, and Ireland gave him his models, and his genius was shown in the skill with which he adapted these to suit the needs of Upper Canada. Even in the details of his school legislation, especially that relating to High Schools, Ryerson adopted suggestions of men more competent than himself to form a judgment. To say this in no way detracts from the man's greatness. Little after all in modern legislation is actually new, and to say of a man that he is successful in using other men's ideas is often to give him the highest praise.

In one department of work Ryerson stood in a class by himself. He was without a peer as an administrator. His intensely practicalmind was quick to discover the shortest route between end and means. His energy, his system and attention to details, his broad personal knowledge of actual conditions, his capacity for long periods of effort, his thrift, his courteous treatment of subordinates, and even his sensitiveness to criticism were factors which enabled him to administer the most difficult Department of the Government with ease and smoothness.

The history of Upper Canada during a period of nearly sixty years is as much bound up with the labours of Egerton Ryerson as with the work of any other public man. He gave us lofty ideals of the meaning and purpose of life, and he had an abiding faith in the power of popular education to aid in a realization of these ideals; he fought for free schools in Upper Canada when they needed a valiant champion. Let the present generation of men and women honour the memory of the man who wrought so faithfully for their fathers and grandfathers.

Documentary History of Education in Upper Canada. 28 vols. Dr. J. Geo. Hodgins.Story of My Life. Egerton Ryerson. Edited by Dr. J. Geo. Hodgins.Egerton Ryerson. Chancellor Burwash.Loyalists of America. 2 vols. Egerton Ryerson.Ryerson Memorial Volume. Edited by Dr. J. Geo. Hodgins.History of Upper Canada College. Principal Dickson.Journals of Assembly of Upper Canada, Legislative Library, Toronto.Journal of Education, 1848-1876. 29 vols. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.Ryerson's Special Reports on European Schools. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.Ryerson's Annual School Reports, 1845-1876. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.Gourlay's Statistical Account of Upper Canada. 3 vols. Published by Simpkins and Marshall, London, Eng., 1822.Sketches of Canada and the United States. William Lyon Mackenzie. Published by Effingham & Wilson, London, Eng., 1833.Reminiscences of His Public Life. Sir Francis Hincks.Ryerson's Controversy with Rev. J. M. Bruyère on Free Schools. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 50. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.Ryerson's Letters to Doctor Strachan, on Education. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 83.Ryerson's New Canadian Dominion. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 418.Ryerson's Defence Against Attacks of Hon. George Brown. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 418.Ryerson on the Separate School Law of Upper Canada. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 416.Ryerson on a Liberal Education in Upper Canada. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 416.Ryerson on the School Book Question. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 416.Ryerson, a Review and a Study. J. A. Allen. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 667.Bishop Strachan, a Review and a Study. Rev. Doctor Scadding. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 169.Report on Grievances in Upper Canada. William Lyon Mackenzie. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.Bound Volumes of TorontoGlobe, 1844-1876, in Legislative Library, Toronto.British Colonist.Published by H. Scobie, 1838-1854. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.Kingston Chronicle and Gazette, 1840-1842. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.Courier of Upper Canada, 1836-1837. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.Weekly Colonist, 1852-1855. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.Ryerson's Correspondence with Provincial Secretaries, 1844-1876. Canadian Archives, Ottawa.

Documentary History of Education in Upper Canada. 28 vols. Dr. J. Geo. Hodgins.

Story of My Life. Egerton Ryerson. Edited by Dr. J. Geo. Hodgins.

Egerton Ryerson. Chancellor Burwash.

Loyalists of America. 2 vols. Egerton Ryerson.

Ryerson Memorial Volume. Edited by Dr. J. Geo. Hodgins.

History of Upper Canada College. Principal Dickson.

Journals of Assembly of Upper Canada, Legislative Library, Toronto.

Journal of Education, 1848-1876. 29 vols. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

Ryerson's Special Reports on European Schools. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

Ryerson's Annual School Reports, 1845-1876. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

Gourlay's Statistical Account of Upper Canada. 3 vols. Published by Simpkins and Marshall, London, Eng., 1822.

Sketches of Canada and the United States. William Lyon Mackenzie. Published by Effingham & Wilson, London, Eng., 1833.

Reminiscences of His Public Life. Sir Francis Hincks.

Ryerson's Controversy with Rev. J. M. Bruyère on Free Schools. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 50. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

Ryerson's Letters to Doctor Strachan, on Education. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 83.

Ryerson's New Canadian Dominion. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 418.

Ryerson's Defence Against Attacks of Hon. George Brown. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 418.

Ryerson on the Separate School Law of Upper Canada. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 416.

Ryerson on a Liberal Education in Upper Canada. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 416.

Ryerson on the School Book Question. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 416.

Ryerson, a Review and a Study. J. A. Allen. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 667.

Bishop Strachan, a Review and a Study. Rev. Doctor Scadding. Canadian Pamphlets, vol. 169.

Report on Grievances in Upper Canada. William Lyon Mackenzie. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

Bound Volumes of TorontoGlobe, 1844-1876, in Legislative Library, Toronto.

British Colonist.Published by H. Scobie, 1838-1854. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

Kingston Chronicle and Gazette, 1840-1842. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

Courier of Upper Canada, 1836-1837. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

Weekly Colonist, 1852-1855. Library of Parliament, Ottawa.

Ryerson's Correspondence with Provincial Secretaries, 1844-1876. Canadian Archives, Ottawa.

FOOTNOTES:[1]See "Story of My Life," by Ryerson, edited by Hodgins, page 42.[2]See "Story of My Life," by Egerton Ryerson, edited by Hodgins, page 60.[3]See "Story of My Life," page 69.[4]Died in 1832. In 1833, Ryerson married Mary Armstrong, of Toronto.[5]Rev. Jas. Evans, of Niagara District. See part of letter in "Story of My Life," page 131.[6]Later, in 1837, Ryerson secured this money only after a petition to the Legislature.[7]See copy of letter in "Story of My Life," page 200.[8]See Chapter V.[9]See bound volumes ofGlobein Legislative Library, Toronto.[10]See D. H. E. ("Documentary History of Education," by Dr. Hodgins), Vol. I., p. 11.[11]See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 21.[12]See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 33.[13]This £400 worth of apparatus was promptly handed over to Mr. Strachan by the Lieutenant-Governor. Mr. Strachan at this time had a private school at Cornwall. It seems quite evident that the apparatus was purchased purposely for his school and at his suggestion. See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 155.[14]See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 61.[15]See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 20.[16]In 1830, when the United Presbytery of Upper Canada petitioned the Legislature against appointing so many Anglicans as trustees of grammar schools, the only reply was that Anglicans had not always been appointed.[17]See Journals of Legislature of Upper Canada for 1812.[18]See Gourlay's "Statistical Account of Upper Canada." Pages 433-434 of Vol. I. Published by Simpkin & Marshall, London, Eng., 1822.[19]See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 176.[20]See copy of despatch in D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 179.[21]See copy of despatch in D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 179.[22]See copy in D. H. E., Vol. I., pp. 211-213.[23]See "An Appeal to the Friends of Religion and Literature in behalf of the University of Upper Canada." By John Strachan, Archdeacon of York, Upper Canada, 1826.[24]See Journals of House of Assembly for Upper Canada, 1828.[25]See Report made 22nd July, 1828, by Select Committee of House of Commons, appointed to inquire into the State of Civil Government in Canada.[26]See copy of Sir George Murray's letter in D. H. E., Vol. I., pp. 257 and 258.[27]The vote stood 21 for and 9 against.[28]In 1827 there were 329 pupils, of whom 8 in the Cornwall School were girls.[29]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. I., pp. 266 and 267.[30]The Report for 1828 showed 25 girls in the eleven District Schools.[31]See original Report in Appendix to Journals of Assembly, U. C., pp. 16 and 17 of Appendix on Education.[32]See Journals of Assembly for U. C. for 1829, p. 5.[33]See Report in Appendix to Journals of Assembly for 1829, p. 42.[34]The General Board of Education had been organized by Sir Peregrine Maitland wholly on his own authority and that of the Home Government. The Assembly naturally refused to acknowledge any obligation to support it with public funds.[35]See Appendix to Journals of Assembly of U.C. for 1829, pp. 72 and 73.[36]See copy of letter in D. H. E., Vol. II., pp. 120 and 121.[37]See volume in Library of Parliament, Ottawa, pp. 190 and 191.[38]See D. H. E., Vol. III., p. 123.[39]See D. H. E., Vol. III., pp. 170 and 171.[40]For the later history of Upper Canada College see "History of Upper Canada College," by Principal George Dickson.[41]See copy of letter in D. H. E., Vol. II., pp. 7 and 8.[42]See copy of despatch in D. H. E., Vol. II., p. 55.[43]This the College Council positively refused to do.[44]See Journals of Assembly, U. C., 1831, p. 40.[45]The previous session, William Lyon Mackenzie had been expelled from the Assembly because of his criticism of the Governor, in his newspaper, theColonial Advocate. It is interesting to note that Mackenzie's criticisms of the Governor were largely based on His Excellency's actions in regard to education.[46]See letter of Lord Goderich of Nov. 2nd, 1831, to Sir John Colborne.[47]See D. H. E., Vol. II., p. 214.[48]See copy of letter in D. H. E., Vol. II., pp. 213 and 214.[49]See Appendix to Journals of Assembly of U.C., 1836. See also Assembly Journals for 1836, pp. 213 and 214.[50]See Chapter I.[51]See Journals of Assembly of Upper Canada for 1837, Legislative Library, Toronto.[52]See D. H. E., Vol. III., pp. 93-98.[53]See D. H. E., Vol. III., pp. 131, 132.[54]See Journals of Legislature of Upper Canada for 1839. Legislative Library, Toronto. See also copy of bill in D. H. E., Vol. III., pp. 170, 171.[55]Reprinted in D. H. E. See Vol. III., pp. 173-183.[56]See proceedings of King's College Council, 1837-1840.[57]See Report of T. C. Patrick, Vol. II., manuscript Minutes King's College Council, pp. 68-73.[58]See D. H. E., Vol. III., Chap. XVI., pp. 284-299.[59]The members were: Rev. John McCaul, Rev. Henry Grasett and Secretary Harrison.[60]See D. H. E., Vol. III., pp. 243-283. Also Appendix to Journals of Assembly for 1840.[61]See D. H. E., Vol. III., p. 266.[62]See Lord Durham's Report, p. 66.[63]See "Reminiscences of His Public Life," by Sir Francis Hincks, pp. 175-177. Library of Parliament, Canada.[64]See D. H. E., Vol. V., p. 137.[65]Regiopolis, a Roman Catholic college incorporated by the Legislature in 1837, had not, at this time, degree-conferring powers.[66]See his petition presented to House of Assembly, 1843, against Bill.[67]See D. H. E., Vol. V., pp. 49-59.[68]See "Report on a System of Public Elementary Instruction for Upper Canada," by Egerton Ryerson, published 1847, consisting of 191 pages.Note.—Unless otherwise specified, all quotations in this Chapter are from the above report.[69]A Report made to the Education Office, for 1846, shows that there were in use in Upper Canada schools 13 Spelling, 107 Reading, 35 Arithmetic, 20 Geography, 21 History, and 16 Grammar texts, besides 53 different texts in various other subjects.[70]The one in existence from 1823 to 1833 was not established by Parliament but by the Lieutenant-Governor by the authority of the Imperial Government.[71]Five Districts had, in 1846, more than 200 schools each, the average for the Province being 155 schools for each District.[72]Ryerson also gives as a reason his desire to make a gradual transition from the old system of license by Township Boards to the new plan of granting licenses only by the District Superintendent. See D. H. E., Vol. VII., P. 155.[73]See Report in D. H. E., Vol. VI., p. 208.[74]See D. H. E., Vol. VI., p. 76.[75]See bound volume ofGlobein Legislative Library, Toronto.[76]See copy of petition in D. H. E., Vol. VII., pp. 114-116.[77]See copy of memorial in D. H. E., Vol. VII., p. 117.[78]See editorial, TorontoGlobeof May 8th, 1848.[79]See copy in D. H. E., Vol. VIII., p. 85.[80]The report of the Bathurst District Superintendent for 1848 showed 82 teachers certificated by School Visitors and 42 by the District Superintendent. See Report of Chief Superintendent for 1848.[81]See issue of TorontoGlobe, July 11th, 1850, p. 331.[82]See report inGlobeof January 10th, 1852.[83]See report inGlobeof January 13th, 1852.[84]See copy in D. H. E., Vol. IV., p. 20.[85]See copy in D. H. E., Vol. VII., p. 178.[86]See circular, issued by Ryerson, of April 12th, 1850, to Municipal Councils on Act of 1850.[87]See D. H. E., Vol. IX., p. 25.[88]It is not meant to suggest that even a majority of the Anglicans would have done anything to wreck the Common School System. As a matter of fact, only a few of the Anglican laity sympathized with the extreme views of Bishop Strachan, either in Common School or University affairs.[89]See D. H. E., Vol. IX., p. 208.[90]It was long a favourite argument of those opposed to Separate Schools that inasmuch as the bulk of the property was owned by Protestants, the Roman Catholics were not entitled to a share of the school fund reckoned on the basis of the pupils' attendance.[91]See Journals of Canadian Assembly for 1851.[92]See D. H. E., Vol. X., pp. 172 and 173.[93]See bound volumes ofGlobein Legislative Library, Toronto.[94]See appendices to Journals of House of Assembly, 1852-1853.[95]See copy of letter in D. H. E., Vol. XII., p. 40.[96]See D. H. E., Vol. XVII., pp. 192 and 193.[97]The Scott Bill, as originally introduced, made any Roman Catholic priest an ex-officio trustee of a Separate School in his parish; made all the property of a Separate School supporter exempt from taxation for Public School purposes, even though some of the property was outside a Separate School district; gave Separate School trustees unlimited power to form union sections; created a separate County Board of Examiners to license Separate School teachers, and gave the Superintendent of Education little or no power to control textbooks, holidays or inspection of Separate Schools.[98]The Report of the Chief Superintendent for 1871 shows 70 teachers in Separate Schools belonging to religious orders out of a total of 249.[99]See Journals of Canadian Assembly for 1863.[100]See D. H. E., Vol. XVII., p. 219.[101]See copy of Memorandum, D. H. E., Vol. XVIII., pp. 304-316.[102]See extract from Report of 1849, published in D.H.E., Vol. VIII., p. 291.[103]This Act did not give trustees power to levy assessments, but they might ask municipal councils to do so. The distribution of the Legislative grant did not, as in the Bill of 1850, depend upon the raising of any fixed amount by the local Board.[104]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XII., p. 81.[105]See D. H. E., Vol. XVI., pp. 148, 149.[106]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XVIII., pp. 199-205.[107]This senior Grammar School, being the one first established in each county, had drawn a larger Legislative grant than the others.[108]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XIX., pp. 96, 97.[109]It should be remembered that while a Public School pupil drew less than one dollar per year Legislative grant, the moment this pupil was enrolled in a Grammar School he drew from $20 to $35 yearly. In 1872, the average Legislative grant to a Public School pupil was 40 cents, and to a Grammar School pupil $20. See D. H. E., Vol. XXIV., p. 302.[110]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XX., pp. 98-128.[111]The minimum grant per school was $400. The High Schools of the Province had, in 1872, from Legislative grant and County Councils, $105,000. This was more than $1,000 per school and about $30 per pupil. Many of the High Schools charged no fees.[112]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XXV., pp. 244-245.[113]About fifteen in all.[114]Out of 106 schools in operation in 1875, no less than 81 were absolutely free. Fees in the others varied from 75 cents to $6.00 per quarter, the average being $2.70.[115]See extract from his speech, Chap. IV., pp. 101, 102.[116]See Report of Superintendent of Education for 1848.[117]Women were not admitted until the opening of the second term in 1848.[118]See D. H. E., Vol. X., pp. 5-14.[119]See D. H. E., Vol. X., p. 6.[120]These included what is now the main Departmental building and the Model School to the north. The present Normal School building was erected later.[121]See D. H. E., Vol. X., pp. 278-283.[122]See D. H. E., Vol. X., pp. 282-284.[123]See Superintendent's Report for 1853.[124]See copy of letter in D. H. E., Vol. XII., p. 321.[125]See copy of Circular in D. H. E., Vol. XIV., p. 65.[126]See Report of Superintendent for 1859.[127]See Ryerson's letter in D. H. E., Vol. XVIII, p. 69.[128]See Report of Chief Superintendent for 1856. See copy in D. H. E., Vol. XIII., p. 51.[129]The Toronto schools were at this time very expensively managed as compared with schools in other cities of Upper Canada. This could not be attributed to the expense of Normal-trained teachers. In 1858, ten years after the Normal School was established, no Common School in Toronto was in charge of a Normal-trained teacher, and only two or three such teachers had ever been employed there. See D. H. E., Vol. XIII., p. 299.[130]See D. H. E., Vol. XX., p. 127.[131]See D. H. E., Vol. XX., p. 139.[132]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XIII., p. 131.[133]See D. H. E., Vol. XXIV., p. 22.[134]See copy of Act reprinted in D. H. E., Vol. X., p. 133.[135]See copy of Act reprinted in D. H. E., Vol. XV., pp. 45-49.[136]See copy of Act reprinted in D. H. E., Vol. XXII., pp. 213-222.[137]The Act of 1874, in as far as it contained new principles, was forced upon Ryerson by the Government of Sir Oliver Mowat.[138]For changes made in Grammar Schools by Act of 1871, see Chapter IX.[139]Only some 400 schools out of 4,000 were levying rate bills in 1870. These 400 were chiefly in towns and cities. The total rate bill levy for 1870 was about $24,000. See Superintendent's Report for 1870.[140]See D. H. E., Vol. XX., p. 143.[141]No doubt this seems a ridiculously small contribution, but we must remember that teachers received very small salaries. The Pension Fund clause was repealed in 1885 on request of the teachers of Ontario, and since that date no names have been added to the list. The payments by teachers provided only a small proportion of the annual charge upon the Pension Fund. The present annual charge (1910) upon the Fund is $55,926.[142]See D. H. E., Vol. XXIII., pp. 253-256.[143]See Pamphlet in Parliamentary Library, Ottawa, addressed by Edward Blake to the electors of South Bruce.

[1]See "Story of My Life," by Ryerson, edited by Hodgins, page 42.

[2]See "Story of My Life," by Egerton Ryerson, edited by Hodgins, page 60.

[3]See "Story of My Life," page 69.

[4]Died in 1832. In 1833, Ryerson married Mary Armstrong, of Toronto.

[5]Rev. Jas. Evans, of Niagara District. See part of letter in "Story of My Life," page 131.

[6]Later, in 1837, Ryerson secured this money only after a petition to the Legislature.

[7]See copy of letter in "Story of My Life," page 200.

[8]See Chapter V.

[9]See bound volumes ofGlobein Legislative Library, Toronto.

[10]See D. H. E. ("Documentary History of Education," by Dr. Hodgins), Vol. I., p. 11.

[11]See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 21.

[12]See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 33.

[13]This £400 worth of apparatus was promptly handed over to Mr. Strachan by the Lieutenant-Governor. Mr. Strachan at this time had a private school at Cornwall. It seems quite evident that the apparatus was purchased purposely for his school and at his suggestion. See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 155.

[14]See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 61.

[15]See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 20.

[16]In 1830, when the United Presbytery of Upper Canada petitioned the Legislature against appointing so many Anglicans as trustees of grammar schools, the only reply was that Anglicans had not always been appointed.

[17]See Journals of Legislature of Upper Canada for 1812.

[18]See Gourlay's "Statistical Account of Upper Canada." Pages 433-434 of Vol. I. Published by Simpkin & Marshall, London, Eng., 1822.

[19]See D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 176.

[20]See copy of despatch in D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 179.

[21]See copy of despatch in D. H. E., Vol. I., p. 179.

[22]See copy in D. H. E., Vol. I., pp. 211-213.

[23]See "An Appeal to the Friends of Religion and Literature in behalf of the University of Upper Canada." By John Strachan, Archdeacon of York, Upper Canada, 1826.

[24]See Journals of House of Assembly for Upper Canada, 1828.

[25]See Report made 22nd July, 1828, by Select Committee of House of Commons, appointed to inquire into the State of Civil Government in Canada.

[26]See copy of Sir George Murray's letter in D. H. E., Vol. I., pp. 257 and 258.

[27]The vote stood 21 for and 9 against.

[28]In 1827 there were 329 pupils, of whom 8 in the Cornwall School were girls.

[29]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. I., pp. 266 and 267.

[30]The Report for 1828 showed 25 girls in the eleven District Schools.

[31]See original Report in Appendix to Journals of Assembly, U. C., pp. 16 and 17 of Appendix on Education.

[32]See Journals of Assembly for U. C. for 1829, p. 5.

[33]See Report in Appendix to Journals of Assembly for 1829, p. 42.

[34]The General Board of Education had been organized by Sir Peregrine Maitland wholly on his own authority and that of the Home Government. The Assembly naturally refused to acknowledge any obligation to support it with public funds.

[35]See Appendix to Journals of Assembly of U.C. for 1829, pp. 72 and 73.

[36]See copy of letter in D. H. E., Vol. II., pp. 120 and 121.

[37]See volume in Library of Parliament, Ottawa, pp. 190 and 191.

[38]See D. H. E., Vol. III., p. 123.

[39]See D. H. E., Vol. III., pp. 170 and 171.

[40]For the later history of Upper Canada College see "History of Upper Canada College," by Principal George Dickson.

[41]See copy of letter in D. H. E., Vol. II., pp. 7 and 8.

[42]See copy of despatch in D. H. E., Vol. II., p. 55.

[43]This the College Council positively refused to do.

[44]See Journals of Assembly, U. C., 1831, p. 40.

[45]The previous session, William Lyon Mackenzie had been expelled from the Assembly because of his criticism of the Governor, in his newspaper, theColonial Advocate. It is interesting to note that Mackenzie's criticisms of the Governor were largely based on His Excellency's actions in regard to education.

[46]See letter of Lord Goderich of Nov. 2nd, 1831, to Sir John Colborne.

[47]See D. H. E., Vol. II., p. 214.

[48]See copy of letter in D. H. E., Vol. II., pp. 213 and 214.

[49]See Appendix to Journals of Assembly of U.C., 1836. See also Assembly Journals for 1836, pp. 213 and 214.

[50]See Chapter I.

[51]See Journals of Assembly of Upper Canada for 1837, Legislative Library, Toronto.

[52]See D. H. E., Vol. III., pp. 93-98.

[53]See D. H. E., Vol. III., pp. 131, 132.

[54]See Journals of Legislature of Upper Canada for 1839. Legislative Library, Toronto. See also copy of bill in D. H. E., Vol. III., pp. 170, 171.

[55]Reprinted in D. H. E. See Vol. III., pp. 173-183.

[56]See proceedings of King's College Council, 1837-1840.

[57]See Report of T. C. Patrick, Vol. II., manuscript Minutes King's College Council, pp. 68-73.

[58]See D. H. E., Vol. III., Chap. XVI., pp. 284-299.

[59]The members were: Rev. John McCaul, Rev. Henry Grasett and Secretary Harrison.

[60]See D. H. E., Vol. III., pp. 243-283. Also Appendix to Journals of Assembly for 1840.

[61]See D. H. E., Vol. III., p. 266.

[62]See Lord Durham's Report, p. 66.

[63]See "Reminiscences of His Public Life," by Sir Francis Hincks, pp. 175-177. Library of Parliament, Canada.

[64]See D. H. E., Vol. V., p. 137.

[65]Regiopolis, a Roman Catholic college incorporated by the Legislature in 1837, had not, at this time, degree-conferring powers.

[66]See his petition presented to House of Assembly, 1843, against Bill.

[67]See D. H. E., Vol. V., pp. 49-59.

[68]See "Report on a System of Public Elementary Instruction for Upper Canada," by Egerton Ryerson, published 1847, consisting of 191 pages.Note.—Unless otherwise specified, all quotations in this Chapter are from the above report.

[68]See "Report on a System of Public Elementary Instruction for Upper Canada," by Egerton Ryerson, published 1847, consisting of 191 pages.

Note.—Unless otherwise specified, all quotations in this Chapter are from the above report.

[69]A Report made to the Education Office, for 1846, shows that there were in use in Upper Canada schools 13 Spelling, 107 Reading, 35 Arithmetic, 20 Geography, 21 History, and 16 Grammar texts, besides 53 different texts in various other subjects.

[70]The one in existence from 1823 to 1833 was not established by Parliament but by the Lieutenant-Governor by the authority of the Imperial Government.

[71]Five Districts had, in 1846, more than 200 schools each, the average for the Province being 155 schools for each District.

[72]Ryerson also gives as a reason his desire to make a gradual transition from the old system of license by Township Boards to the new plan of granting licenses only by the District Superintendent. See D. H. E., Vol. VII., P. 155.

[73]See Report in D. H. E., Vol. VI., p. 208.

[74]See D. H. E., Vol. VI., p. 76.

[75]See bound volume ofGlobein Legislative Library, Toronto.

[76]See copy of petition in D. H. E., Vol. VII., pp. 114-116.

[77]See copy of memorial in D. H. E., Vol. VII., p. 117.

[78]See editorial, TorontoGlobeof May 8th, 1848.

[79]See copy in D. H. E., Vol. VIII., p. 85.

[80]The report of the Bathurst District Superintendent for 1848 showed 82 teachers certificated by School Visitors and 42 by the District Superintendent. See Report of Chief Superintendent for 1848.

[81]See issue of TorontoGlobe, July 11th, 1850, p. 331.

[82]See report inGlobeof January 10th, 1852.

[83]See report inGlobeof January 13th, 1852.

[84]See copy in D. H. E., Vol. IV., p. 20.

[85]See copy in D. H. E., Vol. VII., p. 178.

[86]See circular, issued by Ryerson, of April 12th, 1850, to Municipal Councils on Act of 1850.

[87]See D. H. E., Vol. IX., p. 25.

[88]It is not meant to suggest that even a majority of the Anglicans would have done anything to wreck the Common School System. As a matter of fact, only a few of the Anglican laity sympathized with the extreme views of Bishop Strachan, either in Common School or University affairs.

[89]See D. H. E., Vol. IX., p. 208.

[90]It was long a favourite argument of those opposed to Separate Schools that inasmuch as the bulk of the property was owned by Protestants, the Roman Catholics were not entitled to a share of the school fund reckoned on the basis of the pupils' attendance.

[91]See Journals of Canadian Assembly for 1851.

[92]See D. H. E., Vol. X., pp. 172 and 173.

[93]See bound volumes ofGlobein Legislative Library, Toronto.

[94]See appendices to Journals of House of Assembly, 1852-1853.

[95]See copy of letter in D. H. E., Vol. XII., p. 40.

[96]See D. H. E., Vol. XVII., pp. 192 and 193.

[97]The Scott Bill, as originally introduced, made any Roman Catholic priest an ex-officio trustee of a Separate School in his parish; made all the property of a Separate School supporter exempt from taxation for Public School purposes, even though some of the property was outside a Separate School district; gave Separate School trustees unlimited power to form union sections; created a separate County Board of Examiners to license Separate School teachers, and gave the Superintendent of Education little or no power to control textbooks, holidays or inspection of Separate Schools.

[98]The Report of the Chief Superintendent for 1871 shows 70 teachers in Separate Schools belonging to religious orders out of a total of 249.

[99]See Journals of Canadian Assembly for 1863.

[100]See D. H. E., Vol. XVII., p. 219.

[101]See copy of Memorandum, D. H. E., Vol. XVIII., pp. 304-316.

[102]See extract from Report of 1849, published in D.H.E., Vol. VIII., p. 291.

[103]This Act did not give trustees power to levy assessments, but they might ask municipal councils to do so. The distribution of the Legislative grant did not, as in the Bill of 1850, depend upon the raising of any fixed amount by the local Board.

[104]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XII., p. 81.

[105]See D. H. E., Vol. XVI., pp. 148, 149.

[106]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XVIII., pp. 199-205.

[107]This senior Grammar School, being the one first established in each county, had drawn a larger Legislative grant than the others.

[108]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XIX., pp. 96, 97.

[109]It should be remembered that while a Public School pupil drew less than one dollar per year Legislative grant, the moment this pupil was enrolled in a Grammar School he drew from $20 to $35 yearly. In 1872, the average Legislative grant to a Public School pupil was 40 cents, and to a Grammar School pupil $20. See D. H. E., Vol. XXIV., p. 302.

[110]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XX., pp. 98-128.

[111]The minimum grant per school was $400. The High Schools of the Province had, in 1872, from Legislative grant and County Councils, $105,000. This was more than $1,000 per school and about $30 per pupil. Many of the High Schools charged no fees.

[112]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XXV., pp. 244-245.

[113]About fifteen in all.

[114]Out of 106 schools in operation in 1875, no less than 81 were absolutely free. Fees in the others varied from 75 cents to $6.00 per quarter, the average being $2.70.

[115]See extract from his speech, Chap. IV., pp. 101, 102.

[116]See Report of Superintendent of Education for 1848.

[117]Women were not admitted until the opening of the second term in 1848.

[118]See D. H. E., Vol. X., pp. 5-14.

[119]See D. H. E., Vol. X., p. 6.

[120]These included what is now the main Departmental building and the Model School to the north. The present Normal School building was erected later.

[121]See D. H. E., Vol. X., pp. 278-283.

[122]See D. H. E., Vol. X., pp. 282-284.

[123]See Superintendent's Report for 1853.

[124]See copy of letter in D. H. E., Vol. XII., p. 321.

[125]See copy of Circular in D. H. E., Vol. XIV., p. 65.

[126]See Report of Superintendent for 1859.

[127]See Ryerson's letter in D. H. E., Vol. XVIII, p. 69.

[128]See Report of Chief Superintendent for 1856. See copy in D. H. E., Vol. XIII., p. 51.

[129]The Toronto schools were at this time very expensively managed as compared with schools in other cities of Upper Canada. This could not be attributed to the expense of Normal-trained teachers. In 1858, ten years after the Normal School was established, no Common School in Toronto was in charge of a Normal-trained teacher, and only two or three such teachers had ever been employed there. See D. H. E., Vol. XIII., p. 299.

[130]See D. H. E., Vol. XX., p. 127.

[131]See D. H. E., Vol. XX., p. 139.

[132]See copy of Report in D. H. E., Vol. XIII., p. 131.

[133]See D. H. E., Vol. XXIV., p. 22.

[134]See copy of Act reprinted in D. H. E., Vol. X., p. 133.

[135]See copy of Act reprinted in D. H. E., Vol. XV., pp. 45-49.

[136]See copy of Act reprinted in D. H. E., Vol. XXII., pp. 213-222.

[137]The Act of 1874, in as far as it contained new principles, was forced upon Ryerson by the Government of Sir Oliver Mowat.

[138]For changes made in Grammar Schools by Act of 1871, see Chapter IX.

[139]Only some 400 schools out of 4,000 were levying rate bills in 1870. These 400 were chiefly in towns and cities. The total rate bill levy for 1870 was about $24,000. See Superintendent's Report for 1870.

[140]See D. H. E., Vol. XX., p. 143.

[141]No doubt this seems a ridiculously small contribution, but we must remember that teachers received very small salaries. The Pension Fund clause was repealed in 1885 on request of the teachers of Ontario, and since that date no names have been added to the list. The payments by teachers provided only a small proportion of the annual charge upon the Pension Fund. The present annual charge (1910) upon the Fund is $55,926.

[142]See D. H. E., Vol. XXIII., pp. 253-256.

[143]See Pamphlet in Parliamentary Library, Ottawa, addressed by Edward Blake to the electors of South Bruce.

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