Toronto, issued in February, 1850, a Pastoral appeal to Members of the Church of England for funds to enable him to establish a Church University and College. In response to this Pastoral, the Bishop succeeded in raising a large Endowment from voluntary subscriptions in Canada, England, and the United States, so that on April 30th, 1851, the Foundation Stone of the College building was laid, and on January 15th, 1852, the work of instruction was begun, the staff consisting of four Professors in Arts besides those in the Faculties of Law and Medicine. The Endowment has since been largely increased by liberal contributions made from time to time.

II. LETTER FROM PROVINCIAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION ON TEACHERS VISITING EACH OTHER'S SCHOOLS.

I send you herewith the following Resolution passed unanimously at the Provincial Association of Teachers held in this City in August last. The Teachers present were unanimous in the opinion that as you, Reverend Sir, had already done so much for them and for our Country, you would, they doubted not, arrange this matter for them, thereby adding to the many favours already conferred on Teachers as a Class, and, through them, benefitting the Community at large.

"Resolved:-That our Secretary be instructed to invite the attention of the Chief Superintendent of Education to the necessity of providing greater facilities for School visiting on the part of the Teachers, requesting that not less than four days in the year may be placed at their disposal for the purpose, the particular days to be determined by the Teachers and their employers."

The difficulty at present seems to be that any day lost by a Teacher in visiting cannot be made up, as teaching on any holiday is not allowed. HAMILTON, April 4th, 1863.

A. MACALLUM, Principal of the Central School

III. REPLY TO THE FOREGOING LETTER.

I have the honour to send herewith, in reply to your Letter of the 4th instant, a copy of the Circular lately addressed by the Chief Superintendent to Members of the Legislature in regard to a Bill relating to Grammar Schools. From one of the last paragraphs of the Circular, you will see that effect will be given in the 19th Section of the Bill to the wishes of the Association, as expressed in the Resolution which you have enclosed.* I think a copy of this Resolution was lately transmitted to the Department by the Secretary of the Association.

I was not able to see you, when here the other day, as I was particularly engaged, and longer than I expected, with a Member of the Legislature, in regard to one of the School Bills now before the House.

TORONTO, April 8th, 1863.

J. GEORGE HODGINS, Deputy Superintendent.

IV. TRUANCY OF PUPILS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. PLEASANT SCHOOL ROOM A REMEDY.

At the same Meeting of the Teachers' Provincial Association, the subject of Truancy in the Schools was discussed, and the following Resolution on the subject was adopted:

Resolved, "That Truancy in its influence is most pernicious to the individual and baneful to the morale of a school, and as its influence clings to the individual in after life, any means that will neutralize, or lessen, the evil is desirable; that among the means best calculated to lessen the evil of Truancy this Association recommend the construction of comfortable, commodious and well furnished School Rooms, thereby rendering the attendance of the pupils as pleasant as possible in the external surroundings; and that this Association entertain the opinion that a large amount of Truancy A copy of this Circular will be found on page 294 of the preceding Volume of this Documentary History See especially pages 297 and 301

is traceable to defective parental authority, the remedy for which will be found in a more largely extended diffusion of education; and that Teachers by care, tact and co-operation with parents can lessen this evil." Unanimously adopted

CHAPTER XII.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND ITS CAPABILITIES BY THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE WILSON AND THE RIGHT REVEREND BISHOP CRONYN.

The notable fact that in the early sixties the City of London had for its Local Superintendents the Honourable Mr. Justice John Wilson and the Right Reverend Bishop Cronyn. The Reports on the Public School System, and its capabilities b these two distinguished men, (which I insert herewith) will be read with special interest, as they are comprehensive in their character, and thoroughly practical in their purpose and objects.

I. REPORT ON THE LONDON CITY SCHOOLS BY THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE JOHN WILSON.

On severing the tie which has connected me for so many years with the work of Education in this City, it may not be out of place to review the past, compare it with the present, and calmly rest our hopes of the future upon these considerations.

I can refer with much satisfaction to the part I took in securing from spoliation the valuable block of land upon which the Central School now stands, and to the support and encouragement I was enabled to give the School Trustees in their struggles for the erection of the Buildings and the extension of the City Public School System. I have watched with deep interest every effort of the Board to establish, upon a firm basis, a System which might confer the benefits of a sound liberal education upon the whole youth of the Municipality, open to all, adapted to the talents and wants of all. How far a design so comprehensive and so noble in its aim has succeeded, I purpose now to show. In the year 1850, the Teachers employed were five-three Males and two Females; the number of Children entered in the School during the year was 598; the average attendance was only 337. In 1855, when, according to the public records, the population of the City was over 16,000, the Teachers have been increased to twelve, and the number of Children entered in the Schools to 1,823,-and the average attendance to 726. Although, on enquiry, I learn that the population is now practically no greater than in 1855, yet the Pupils entered during the past year have increased to 2,825, the daily average attendance to 1,373, and the number of Teachers employed to 22. But, if the Roman Catholic Pupils were united now, as they were then, with the General School System, we would have both the number of Pupils and Teachers increased upwards of 100 per cent. in eight years, while the gross population of the City remains about as it was. This seems more than the most sanguine friends of the cause could have hoped.

It may be asked from what source have the Public Schools derived such accessions to their numbers. Were the Children not attending the Public Schools in 1855 uneducated? The reports furnished annually to the Chief Superintendent of Education answer both questions, and adduce conclusive proof of the efficiency of the present School System. At the period alluded to, there were large flourishing Schools in many parts of the City, established and conducted by private parties, on their own account. It may not be assuming too much to say that over 500 Scholars were attending these Schools about that time. Now there is scarcely a Private School of any consequence to be found, all having been absorbed in the General School System. Nearly all have availed

themselves of the provision made for them by the Board of Trustees. If we add to these numbers the Children attending the Separate Schools, we find a larger proportion of the juvenile classes enjoying the blessings of a good education in this City than in any other Town, or City, in the Province, and, as a consequence, no beggar Children have been found in the Streets. In point of attendance, therefore, the Citizens of Londan have good reason to be pleased with what has already been done, since now the education of almost all the youth of the City is under the care of a Board elected by themselves, and, by the efforts of this Board, the expansion of the means of teaching has nearly kept pace with the influx of Pupils requiring to be taught. An improvement as striking has taken place in the manner of teaching, and in the character of the instruction imparted, as that which I have noticed in the attendance. At the period I first mentioned, there was nothing attempted beyond the limited essentials of an English education. The Public School Board was unwilling to be connected with the County Grammar School. At the date secondly mentioned, which I look upon as the turning point in our educational affairs in this place, something was added to the English Course, with a few Boys in the elements of the Latin Language, forming merely a classical nucleus. This step was not favourably looked upon, because it was said to be unnecessary, and the Head-Master's time would be taken from the supervision of the School. The trial, however, went quietly on. Now the English Course is at once extensive and thorough, embracing every subject of importance to the Mechanic, the Merchant, or the Professional man. The Classical Department has been extended so as to embrace Latin, Greek, and French, and made comprehensive enough to qualify Students for entering upon the study of any of the learned professions, or to matriculate in any College, or University, in the Province. That this branch of the Institution has been highly prized by the Citizens, is evident from the number of Students found in the various Classes. That it has been successfully conducted must be evident to every one who has watched its progress as I have done. A few facts are its best panegyric.

The Students of the Central School have for years past competed with those trained In the best Schools in the Province. Young men educated here have been subjected to every test, stood every examination, yet none of them have been rejected, or "plucked;" they have entered Classes for the Church, Law, or Medicine. Within the last few years eight young men of promise, (two partly, six entirely, trained in the Central School.) have passed their preliminary examination with the highest credit, and entered upon the study of the Legal Profession; in addition to these, many have been educated it is said, above the business to which they have devoted themselves; but this I deny, for neither the mental powers, nor moral sentiment, can be too highly cultivated for individual, or public, good; and we require more in this Province of intelligent, educated, moral people, than those of a highly educated upper class. In a community like ours, where no advantage of birth, or exclusive privileges, obtains, and where the way is open to the talented and aspiring, however humble their position, it becomes the duty of the Patriot and the Statesman to throw wide the portals of learning to all, and to give all the means of making their talents available in the competition of life. It cannot be fairly objected that a liberal education to a young man is in advance of his position, or prospects, for he need be confined to no position inferior to the scope of his capacity, enlarged by his education, and no position can long obscure true worth and great talents well cultivated.

The Board of School Trustees of London have taken the initiative in a noble work, which I hope will sooner, or later, be emulated by other Boards of the same kind throughout the Province. They have led the way in bestowing that early and careful training upon the young who have the natural capacity to profit by it, which will enable them, on reaching manhood, to make their talents available to themselves and their Country in any useful and honourable career. The expense of this System has been set at rest by the able Report of the Committee of last year, in which it was shown

that the cost per pupil was less here, with all its advantages, than in any other Town, or City, in the Province.

By any ill

With the future I have no concern, but it may be permitted that I should allude to it. This School System, which works so well here, was not brought about without deep thought in planning, and great skill and energy in working out. judged step, much of this labour and care may become useless. To detract from the well-earned status of the School would be most injurious. To lower your standard, where such endeavour has been made to advance it, would be a loss, no less to the Province, than to you, for it would be a virtual acknowledgment that you had tried a higher education for the poor man's son, and found it either unsuited, or unappreciated; yet neither conclusion would be correct. The System, in its working, and the good resulting from it, has more than realized every hope.

May I express a wish that you may advance? Year by year you can improve by the experience of the preceding. It is a false economy which aims at anything less than perfect efficiency. The best talent for your Schools is cheap at any price. If you underpay your Teachers, you drive them from you and the profession into other modes of life, where their services cannot avail you. No greater good can be effected than by improving the educational Institutions of the Country; and, in my judgment, this can be best and most easily accomplished by securing the services of the best men. To me this has been a question fraught with deep interest. My most ardent wish is that the London Schools may not only keep their present relative rank, but advance in usefulness from time to time, and enjoy the unlimited confidence of every class of the Community.

In conclusion, I must be permitted to say that Mr. Boyle, your Head Master, and to the staff of Teachers he superintends, you owe it that your Schools are such as I describe. He has steadily and anxiously persevered in elevating the character of the Ward and Central Schools, and brought them to a state of efficiency I hoped for, but scarcely expected to see, and, on every occasion, has cordially carried out any suggestions which were offered to him; and my whole official connexion with him has been more than satisfactory.

REPORT ON THE LONDON SCHOOLS BY BISHOP CRONYN.

The Right Reverend Bishop Cronyn, who succeeded Mr. Justice Wilson, in his brief Report on the condition of the Schools, speaks of them in high terms of praise, and quite concurs in the admirable practice of specifically reporting to the Parents on the progress of their children at School. He speaks of it as having an excellent practical effect on parents and children.

He says:

Since my appointment as Local Superintendent of the Public Schools in the City of London, I have visited and examined the Central and Ward Schools, in company with the Head Master, and I beg to report, for the information of the Board of Trustees, the result of my visit:

I heard several classes in each of the Schools examined by the respective Teachers in various branches, and I was much pleased with the order which prevailed, and the proficiency which the Pupils evinced. In some of the Schools it was evident that the Teachers possessed, in a high degree, the rare talent of successfully engaging the attention of the Pupils and of imparting information to them. The plan lately adopted of reporting periodically to the Parents the progress of the Scholars, is well calculated to interest the Parents in the progress made by their Children, and to remind them that it is their duty to aid the Teacher by requiring their Children at home to prepare the lessons appointed for them at School.

I was much pleased to find that the business of each day was commenced with the reading of God's Word, and with Prayer for the Divine Blessing. I was present at

the School on Talbot Street when the Prizes were bestowed upon the Children, and a more bright and intelligent group of little beings I never witnessed. Some Ladies who accompanied me were much struck with the orderly and happy appearance presented by the Children on that occasion. My Predecessor in the office of Local Superintendent of the Schools, the Honourable Mr. Justice Wilson, who was always, during his long residence in London, most zealous to promote and improve the education of the People, was in the habit of devoting the Salary of the office for the purchase of Prizes to be bestowed upon the Children at the Annual Examination. It will afford me much pleasure to do the same; and I would request the Board of Trustees to expend the amount for that purpose.

CHAPTER XIII.

SPECIAL REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE CITY OF TORONTO, 1863.

I am the more gratified to be able to insert this Report in this Chapter, from the fact, that it presents a more satisfactory solution of the problem, (discussed on pages 77, 78 of the Fourteenth, and pages 1-5 of the Fifteenth, Volumes of this Documentary History,) of the non-attendance of children at School.

In a Memorandum of the Chief Superintendent, dated March, 1862, on the subject of Vagrant Children, printed on page 177 of the next preceding Volume of this History, he estimates the number of children not attending any School in Toronto as 3,077, or allowing for those attending Private Schools, as, at least, 2,500. In the Statistical Table of the accompanying Report, the numbers of children not attending any School is reported as only 1,632,-a reduction of nearly five hundred in one year. The Report is as follows:

The Special Committee, to which was referred the taking of a School Census, begs to report that the same has been completed, and your Committee herewith submit a full abstract of Enumerators' returns for the several Districts into which the respective Wards of the City were divided. From this summary it will be seen that the whole number of Children of School age, videlicet, from five to sixteen, both inclusive, is returned as 9,508, namely 7,053 Protestants and 2,455 Roman Catholics; that the whole School attendance up to June 30th, 1863, is returned as 7,876, namely, 5,877 Protestants, and 1,999 Roman Catholics; and that the whole number, who neither attended School nor were taught at home during the period of six months ending June 30th, 1863, was 1,632, namely 1,165 Protestants, and 467 Roman Catholics; the cause of non-attendance being in almost all cases (a) employment, (b) want of clothes, (c) considered too young, or (d) too far from School.

TORONTO, September 16th, 1863.

T. HENNING, Chairman of Committee.

The following summary, furnished by the Secretary of the Board, accounts for the non-attendance at School of 1,632 inhabitants of the City, who are of School age, namely, from five to sixteen years, inclusive: