$600, $400. All plans are to be sent in before the first of May. B. Ward. Ordinary-Class 1. Charles J. Harvey. Class II, Alfred Two hundred architects have been furnished with the specifications. Harvey, Samuel Greenshields. Class III. John S. Hall, James R. Black, It has been found advisable in the English Educational Code to John Empson, James Craig, Samuel C. Stevenson. Passed in the Interno longer recommend that the children in the two highest stand-mediate Examination,-Class I. Hugh Pedley, Archibald McGoun, and ards of examination should be acquainted with the metric system, and be familiar with the method and advantages of forming multi-Henry H. Lyman, equal; Alindus J. Watson. Class II. Robert J. ples and sub-multiples of the unit of computation. Crothers, Jacob W. Cox, and Alfred C. Morton, equal. Class III. Thomas In 1838, nurseries under the name of Salles d'asile were establish- Duffy, John Graham, Guy C. Phinney, John L. McOuat, Wm. H. Gray, ed in Paris, wherein mothers who were compelled to work away John Matheson. Bachelors of Arts proceeding to the degree of M.A. from home during the day, could leave their children. After a-James Cameron, B. A.; John D. Clowe, B.A.; Wm. J. Dart, B.A. ; time the plan was introduced of giving to the little ones taken in, such instruction as would fit them for the elementary schools. Royal and imperial decrees fixed their organization, and there are now 104 of these infant schools in the city, and their inmates number 25,133. Duncan McGregor, B.A.; Gustavus Munro, B. A.; Edward F. Torrance, Passed for the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science-Course of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (In order of relative standing,—Charles The London Telegraph, speaking of competitive examinations in England, notes the fact that the arts of the " Crammer " are beginJ. Harvey, Alexander J. McLean, St. George J. Boswell, George S. ning to grow stale : "Examiners," it says, "have found him out, Robertson. Course of Mining and Assaying-(in order of relative and are on their watch against him. When the Indian writerships standing,)--Joseph William Spencer, Henry K. Wicksteed. were first thrown open to competition a very wide curriculum of The degree of B. A. having been conferred on those mentioned above subjects was offered to the competitors-mathematics, classics, English, French, German, Italian, Sanskrit, Arabic, Hindoo, logic, psychoas having passed, and the medals having been presented to the successlogy, chemistry, physiology, physics, metaphysics, and so forth. Here, ful candidates, a valedictory address was read by Mr. John S. McLen of course, the coach was at once in his element, and the accomplished nan B.A,, on behalf of the graduates in Arts. crammer who could force into the memory of his pupils a smatter of Applied Science was then conferred on the gentlemen above named, The degree of Bachelor ing of a dozen languages, and a dozen "ologies,' and supplement it by a certain amount of readiness in the fence of question and an- and a valedictory on behalf of that department was delivered by Mr. swer, carried everything before him. But for the last five or six Charles J. Harvey. years the current has begun to set the other way. What examiners now look for is thorough grounding,' and without all that this Rev. Professor Murray then addressed the graduates upon the subcomprehensive phrase implies, little or no credit is given to those ject of education and mental culture, The rev. gentleman discussed at showy graces and tricks that are acquired from the professed coach." some length the respective merits of the classical and science systems A correspondent of the Boston Globe, who has been visiting the of mental training, and offered some valuable suggestions to the gradu kindergarten in that city, thus sums up the results of the system : ating classes. Children come out of the kindergarten, if it is conducted by those who understand the science, with a good knowledge of the relations and properties of small numbers, gained by continual counting of lines and squares and sticks, with an understanding of the geometrical forms-squares, oblongs, cubes, and triangles of all sorts; stick and slate-laying, the making of transparent forms with Arts, and pointed sticks, with knowledge of drawing sufficient to enable them to invent symmetrical patterns on the squared slates or paper; with much facility in little arts of manipulation that make the lit tle fingers dexterous; with a great many pretty songs, both devotional and picturesque; with symbolical plays taught musically; with simple, easy gymnastic exerises, and, above all, with the power and habit of expressing themselves clearly and correctly. Can all this be said of the first two years or even three of primary instruction? Yet it is all accomplished without books, or any knowledge of reading, but simply by doing. peas The degree of M. A. in course was then conferred by the Vice-Chancellor upon Messrs. James Cameron, John D. Clowe, William J. Dart, Duncan McGregor, Gustavus Munro, E. F. Torrance, Bachelors of The degree of LL.D. in course was conferred upon Mr. James Kirby, M.A., D.C.L. The degree of B.C.L., ad eundem, was conferred upon Mr. Lareau, LL.B., Victoria College. The Chairman then addressed the assembly. At the late convocation of the Law and Medical Faculties, he had called attention to the duty of private individuals to act liberally towards this University, and he would now speak of the need of more students. The number of students in Arts graduating this year was sixteen, the largest they had yet had, but still a number far below what might be looked for from a The Atlantic points out that by the revised and improved pro- city like Montreal and a country like Canada, where young men of every gramme of studies prescribed by the Prussian Government, the following studies are made obligatory for all children: Religion, the class had an opportunity to attain to the highest positions. It was the mother tongue, including, writing and grammar, arithmetic, practi- duty of parents to give their sons the advantage of the training to be cal elementary geometry, ralien (comprising geography, history, the had at this University, to enable them to fight their way successfully elements of natural history, and the rudiments of physics,) draw in the battle of life. There ing, singing, gymnastics and for girls, needlework. To each of the was too much preference given to last four branches, the pupils of the upper classes are required to the learned professions as they were called-by parents, who had begive two hours weekly. In giving the gymnastic exercises, the come wealthy by industry and toil, in choosing a calling for their sons. teachers must follow the course laid down in the official manual In his opinion every honest calling desired to rank as a profession. prepared for the purpose. The Prussian teacher finds plenty of time to teach all these branches effectively, since he uses the textbook only for reference, and as an aid to the pupils in preparing reWe are glad to welcome the Atlantic in this connection, to our position of opposition to the senseless system of teaching exclusively or chiefly by means of book recitations. views. VII. Educational Intelligence. That of agriculture was of special importance, it was the aggregate of the harvest of the seas, lands, through trade, mines and forest, which constituted the earnings of our citizens. It was a great mistake to suppose that neither capital nor brains were necessary for the profession of a farmer. Until this foolish idea was dispelled, the resources of our country would never be developed. How was it, said the learned judge, that the sons of wealthy parents so often sank in the social MCGILL UNIVERSITY.-The annual meeting of convocation for con- scale? The secret was, that the parents themselves were often to be ferring degrees in Arts and Applied Sciences was held on the 1st inst., blamed. They too often forced their sons into the learned professions, in Molson Hall. Mr. Justice Dunkin presided. The Ven. Archdeacon which were now so crowded that, to use a homely expression, there Leach, Vice-Principal and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, having opened were more cats than there were mice to catch. The sons should be the proceedings with prayer, made the following announcement of de- made to pass through a training similar to that which their fathers had grees in Arts, and award of prizes and honours to students. Passed for done. Then they might be able to contend with the sons of the farmer the degree of B.A.,—In Honours-(Alphabetically Arranged)-John or mechanic. In this country a man may be a mechanic to-day and a Allan, Wm. B. Dawson, Finlay McN. Dewey, Kutusoff N. McFee, Premier to-morrow. It was vain to suppose that the wealth of a father John S. McLennan, Archibald D. Taylor, Henry W. Thomas, George would supply the want of industry and training in maintaining a posi tion in society. In conclusion he reminded the graduates of the Univer-sessed of a good general education, unable it may be of themselves to sity of the duty they owed their Alma Mater. prosecute their studies in Scotland, willing at the same time, perhaps The Vice-Chancellor said he did not intend to make a speech, but he preferring, to make the colonial field the sphere of their future labours, had some statements and announcements to make. The first gold medal the Committee offer inducements to come to this country, and receive a ever offered in this University was that founded by Henry Chapman in collegiate education here with a view of becoming qualified in due course 1856, and copies of which he has had annually struck from the beauti- to take full rank as ministers. While it is thought that this measure ful dies executed for him by Leonard Wyon, of London. Mr. Chapman will not fail for want of applicants desirous to take advantage of it, it is now proposes to render this gift permanent, by placing the dies and a believed that their training amid the very scenes of their future labours sum of money for the endowment of the medal in the hands of the will be of special utility in fitting them for the service which is awaiting Board of Governors, so that this, the first gold medal of McGill College, them. There is obviously very much in favour of such a measure, and will be placed in point of perpetuity on a par with the others, and will the instalment of progress already made in the endeavour to give effect continue to be offered as a stimulus to the higher culture of the classical to it, is a good assurance of ultimate success. Last summer, five applilanguages and literature. He had to announce with much gratification, cants, selected with great care and after much enquiry, were sent to Kinganother and most valuable gift to the College from His Excel- ston. Two of them entered the College, and three went to the Collegiate lency the Governor-General, who proposes to give annually during his Institute to prepare for entering next session. Of the whole of them, the residence in Canada, a gold and a silver medal for competition in the Principal reports in the most encouraging terms. From the character Faculty of Arts. The Corporation has decided to suggest to they have established for themselves, and the progress they have made His Excellency as the special subject for these medals, a course of study in their studies, it appears that this new and interesting progress has in in History, and that the competition should be open not only to under- its initiation been singularly favoured. The trustees solicit the Synod's graduates but to graduates, within seven years of their matriculation. favourable consideration of a scheme which is so certain to increase the Should this suggestion be adopted, the subjects appointed for study usefulness of the College, and the strength and stability of the Church. will be announced in the calendar now forthcoming, and the first exami- Two extra courses of lectures were given to the students in attendance nation for the Earl of Dufferin's medals will be held in December next. at the Divinity Hall ; one on Science and Revelation, by the Rev. Geo. In the past session the students of the University have numbered over Bell, LL.D., the other on Pastoral Theology by the Rev. John Jenkins, 300, of whom the large proportion of 118 are in the Faculty o Arts. D.D. Whether as regards the practical importance of the subjects, or the The degrees in course conferred at this meeting of convocation and that able manner in which they were discussed, these lectures cannot fail to held in March are 77. There is reason to hope that we shall have still be of the greatest use. They were highly appreciated by the students. larger classes next year. In connection with this I would direct atten- The necessary expense was defrayed by private subscription without tion to some changes in the calendar for next sesssion, the earliest sheets charge to the College funds, and the Board tenders its thanks to the subof which are now on the table for distribution. One of these relates to scribers for the interest they have taken in the matter, A permanent the scholarships offered in the third year and to the Scott exhibitions, endowment of some lectureships is much to be desired, and perhaps the the conditions of which have been so modified as to make them accessi-success which has attended the arrangement for the past session may ble to a larger number of competitors. Another relates to exemptions bring about the attainment of so laudable an object. In the meantime offered in the third year in favour of honour studies.' Another is the the Trustees will be glad to have it in their power to provide one or two appointment of an assistant to the Professor of Engineering, and the courses of lectures for next session. Several graduates have renewed institution of arrangements for field-work at an earlier period of the their good offices in furnishing class prizes. A number of gentlemen session than heretofore. All of these and some other changes introduced have become responsible for valuable Uuiversity prizes, to be awarded will, it is hoped, be found conducive to the advatage of our students. chiefly for the best essays on prescribed subjects, as announced in their The most Rev. the Metropolitan having pronounced the benediction, calendar. The essays are to be given in sufficiently early to prevent the the proceedings came to a close.--Witness. writing of them from interfering with the ordinary work of the classes. The donors of these prizes are much to be commended for their liberality, QUEEN'S COLLEGE.-Principal Snodgrass presented the report of the and the interest in the prosperity of the College which is thereby indiTrustees of Queen's College, and the College Calendar for 1874-75. The cated. It is hoped that their efforts will produce all the advantage of following are the leading paragraphs of the report. Last year the Trus-satisfactory competition. The Alma Mater Society has added to its tees had the satisfaction of reporting an increase from 39 to 50 in the many important services the foundation of a University prize for annual number of registered students. It is exceedingly gratifying to them to competition, open to members of the graduating class, and to be awarded have to intimate a further increase this year. In the season just closed for the best essay on some subject connected with oratory. The addi there were no fewer than 22 entrants, and the total number enrolled on tions to the Library during the year consists of 219 volumes, the greatest the faculties of Art and Theology is 60, 51 in the former and 9 in the part of which are valuable modern works, and a large number of pamlatter, Just once in the history of the College has this number been ex-phlets, chiefly on scientific subjects. The donations to the Museum have ceeded, namely, in the session of 1858-9, when the number of entrants not been numerous. Among the miscellaneous contributions are speciwas 27, and the total number of students 64. Of those enrolled, 22, in- mens of wearing apparel, and sundry other articles used by the Hare cluding 2 who belong to the Canada Presbyterian Church, have declared Indians of the Upper Mackenzie River. These were presented by the their intention of studying for the ministry. According to present pros-Hon. R. Hamilton, of the Hudson Bay Co. The Treasurer's financial pects there will be a still larger attendance next session. The winter's statements for the year ending 10th instant, duly audited, are submitted. work has been productive of very satisfactory results. The marking The Auditors report in the most satisfactory terms as to the manner in attained by leading students in the several years of the curriculum at which the Treasurer's duties are performed, and his books kept. The the University examination recently held, was unusually high. The sum of the charges is $12,722.74. The expense of management, in adColonial Committee of the Church of Scotland, ever solicitous for the dition to salaries, being only $942.74. Among the receipts for revenue prosperity of the College, and ever persevering in their efforts to promote is $140 from Mr. John Watkins, Kingston, who for many years has been the welfare of the church, finding themselves unable to obtain a sufficient a liberal friend to the College ; also a supplementary grant of £200 sterlnumber of missionaries being licentiates, or ordained men, to supply the ing ($973.33) from the Colonial Committee of the Church of Scotland. demand made upon them, have adopted a new measure, with an earnest These contributions with one or two other amounts not belonging in perhope and a fair prospect of being successful in the better attainment of manent income, have produced an apparent surplus of $909.89 over extheir object. To promising youths desirous of entering the ministry, pos- penditure. As to the Endowment Fund, the statement shows $2, 164.90 to have been received during the year, and the total amount collected to printed with envelopes attached, so that when folded and endefray current expenses, and $839.65 disbursed on account of working closed in the envelopes unsealed, as directed, they could pass the scheme. The whole sum realized for capital is therefore $94,924.87, through the Post Office prepaid for one cent each. The direcwhich is subject, as noticed in last year's report, to a debt of $7,807.90, tion printed on the back of the envelope was issued simply to incurred in meeting deficits in the revenue for the years 1869-71. The meet the requirements of the Post Office Department in regard detailed list of investments, &c., given in the statement of accounts for to such matters; but as some misapprehension exists on the the whole capital includes, it will be seen, a loan of $1,635.36 to the that Inspectors, Masters and Teachers using these Voting subject, the Honourable the Attorney-General is of opinion. general fund. Subscriptions amounting to upwards of $7,000 remain un- Papers are entitled to seal the envelopes, they prepaying the paid, although nearly all of them were due more than two years ago, and ordinary three cents letter postage on them. by their non-payment the College is subjected to an annual loss of $490. Subscribers in default had, and have, no doubt, good intentions with regard to them. They were voluntarily assumed obligations, but these do not satisfy the expectations which by the act of subscription were Any Voting Papers received by post or otherwise by the created. They are earnestly entreated to consider the urgent import- said Chief Superintendent, or other officer appointed by him ance of increasing the permanent revenue of the College, and the effect during the said third Tuesday of August, or during the pre-, of delaying payments upon the worth of their subscriptious. The state- ceding week, shall be deemed to be duly delivered to him.' As this rule may not have been in all cases observed, and ment of ordinary revenue and expenditures showed an increase from all with a view to enable Inspectors, Masters and Teachers to sources of $13,632, while the expenditure for salaries amounted to $11,- exercise their franchise according to law, a blank Voting 780, and for various other purposes to $942, leaving a balance of $909 Paper and envelope will be sent to every person whose name in the hands of the Treasurer. It was pointed out, however, that while has been returned to the Education Department as entitled to there was an apparent surplus of $909, the general fund was in debt $7,-vote under the Act. The Voting Papers should be received by the Chief Superintendent sometime between the 11th and 18th of August, both days inclusive. The law on the subject is as follows: 66 807. The statement of receipts and disbursements on account of the In putting up this Voting Paper and sending it to the College were stated to be $30,152 in the total, while the disbursements Chief Superintendent, every blank in the form should be filled left a balance of $2,256 invested and in cash. The receipts for scholar-up, and the name signed at the bottom of the paper on the line left for that purpose. It would be a great convenience if the name of the County, City or Town of the Voter were inserted in the blank for it, printed on the outside of the envelope. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, TORONTO, July, 1874. The Honourable the Attorney-General has also given his opinion on the following points : 1st. That none but legally qualified teachers in actual sertion. Teachers, therefore, who have left the profession have vice can vote for a member of the Council of Public Instruc no vote. 2nd. That a County Inspector holding the office of Town Inspector has.only one vote for a member of the Council. ships and prize essays were $3,118, while the disbursements amounted to $1,535, leaving a balance of $1,582 in the hands of the Treasurer. The statement of the Queen's College Endowment Fund showed a balance of $94,224. On the motion for the adoption of the report, Mr. Ferguson asked information regarding the young men who were brought from Scotland, and whether they were to be supported after they arrived in this country by grants from the Church of Scotland, or whether they should be supported at the expense of the church here. He complained that young men should be brought out from Scotland, while young men of this country were not given sufficient encouragement to go into the ministry. Principal Snodgrass said the Colonial Committee of the Church of Scotland had found great difficulty in obtaining missionaries for British North America, and although liberal inducements had been offered, a sufficient supply could not be had to meet the demand. The question then arose whether it was not possible to meet the difficulty in some way besides sending out ordained ministers; therefore, the plan was arranged of sending out young men to be ordained in Canada, the expense to be Teachers frequently write to the Department, remonstrating borne by the church here. These young men would in other respects against their being required to perform Statute Labour, or to take the same position in the College as other students, and would have pay any equivalent for it. As the obligation arises under the the opportunity of doing missionary work during the summer. Two of Assessment, and not under the School, Law, the Department them were doing so at present, and they would be able to make as much has no jurisdiction in the matter, and cannot therefore interas would go far towards paying their expenses during the session. The fere in it. Colonial Committee guaranteed to provide $250 per annum for each student. In answer to a question, Principal Snodgrass said he had called the attention of the Colonial Committee to the fact that there was likely to be a union between the two Presbyterian churches in this country at an early date, and he had enquired of them what would be the position of the grant they made for the education of these students in such a case. STATUTE LABOUR BY TEACHERS. NORMAL SCHOOL FOR ONTARIO. The next Session of the Normal School will commence, (D.V.,) on the 8th of August. Students must be in attendance on that day. The reply they made was, that the grant was given entirely independent of the question of union, and it was their duty alone to do THE PUBLIC SCHOOL LAW FULLY EXPLAINED. whatever was calculated to advance the interests of the Church, whether united or separate. The Synod met again at 3 p. m., and the motion for the adoption of the report of the trustees of Queen's College was concurred in.-News. VIII. Departmental Notices. COUNCIL OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. BLANK SCHOOL FORMS. The Publishers (Copp, Clark & Co., Front St., Toronto) beg to announce that they have just published an Exposition of the new School Law relating to Rural Schools of this Province, the Official Regulations and Decisions of the Superior Courts, by Dr. Hodgins, Deputy Superintendent of Education, sent free on receipt of 55 cents. The same publishers have also recently issued blanks of the official forms used under the Public School Laws, such as By arrangement with the Honourable the Postmaster-Gene-School Deeds, Forms of Agreements with Teachers, School ral, the Chief Superintendent of Education has had Voting Rate, Rolls, &c. Rate, Rolls, &c. Lists with prices may be obtained. Papers for Members of the Council of Public Instruction Printed for the Education Department by HUNTER, ROSE & Co., Toronto. oard of High School Trustee If not called for within one month, the Postmaster will please send to the School Inspector. III. PAPERS ON LITERATURE AND SCIENCE,(1) On Spare Hours and Reading. (2) PAGE. 113 ..120 120 121 IV. MONTHLY REPORT ON METEOROLOGY OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO.. 124 V. MATHEMATICAL DEPARTMENT. -Solutions of Normal School Examination Questions on Algebra and Natural Philosophy.... 125 VI. EDUCATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.-(1) Ottawa Collegiate Institute IX. ADVERTISEMENTS........ CONVENTION OF INSTRUCTORS OF THE DEAF 128 No. 8. vention. He could not, however, refuse to do anything he could in the good work, and therefore he accepted the position. In the course of a few further remarks, he claimed for the Instructors of the Deaf and Dumb in America, that they had done their duty well, and that their work was noble and honourable, and exhorted them to go on in it. The President himself has been fifty-three years engaged in the work of teaching deaf mutes. The proceedings of the Convention were formally opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Burke. Dr. Peet (New York) proceeded to read a paper on language 126 lesson, on the principle of object teaching which he explained, was a summary of a book he was about to publish. The method of instruction contained in this book was stated to consist, to a consider128 able extent, in giving the pupil a direction in writing, and then requiring him to perform it, and to state in writing what he did. In employing this system the teacher must have before him twelve objects, whose names are arranged with a view to embracing the whole alphabet, so that when the pupil has learned to write them he has also learned to write all the letters in use, the distinction to be observed between the definite and the indefinite article, the proper use of prepositions, the words and characters representing numerals up to one hundred, adjectives of colour, and a considerable number of verbs. The sentence forms were confined to the illustration of the government of the objective case. Time was exemplified by the other advantages, were claimed to be derived by the pupil from the present, imperative and the past indicative. The following, among use of this system :-He learns to read and write at the same time. He is made to comprehend perfectly what he reads and writes, and in that way early forms the habit of composition. He unconsciously acquires at the outset, and for all time, by a system which teaches by practice, without rules, the most important rules of grammar. The teacher was led to see the importance of bringing his pupil in all instruction into more direct relations with the subject taught. The foreigner, with this system, can be taught the English language. By it the pupil is taught to associate names of objects directly with the objects themselves. He can make no advances so long as the The system does ground he has gone over is only partially tilled. not depend for its results on the tact, ingenuity and skill of the teacher, and thus parents have a means of starting their children on the road to language before sending them to an institution especially designed for their benefit. The education of the deaf-mute can be commenced at an earlier age than has heretofore been considered advisable, because repetition rather than reasoning is in Under the authority of the Ontario Government, an invitation was extended to the Instructors of Deaf and Dumb on this continent, to hold their 8th annual convention at the Belleville Institution, on the 15th, 16th, and 17th, instant. Accordingly Delegates from the State of Alabama, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mississippi, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin, with Delegates from Nova Scotia and Ontario, met at Belleville on the 15th inst. About 200 persons were present. Dr. Landon, of the Asylum at London, Ontario, was named temporary Chairman, and Mr. Coleman, of the Belleville Institution, temporary Secretary. Finally the following list of officers were appointed :-President-Rev. W. Turner, Ph. D., Connecticut; for Vice-Presidents - Rev. Thomas McIntyre, M.A., Indiana; Isaac T. Peet, LL.D., New York; Edward M. Gallaudet, Ph.D., LL.D., Washington; Philip G. Gillett, LL.D., Illinois; Wm. D. Kerr, M. A., Missouri; J. Scott Hutton, M.A., Nova Scotia ; Joseph H. Johnson, M.D., Alabama. For Secretaries, Edward A. Fay, Washington; John Nichols, North Carolina; J. B. McGann, Ontario. The President, on taking the chair said, that he had thought when coming here, that a service of forty-two and a half years in the Institution of the Deaf and Dumb, might have excused him from taking an active part in the proceedings of this Con volved. Mr. Schelling (Wisconsin) read a paper entitled "In the Schoolsively employed in the school-room, except in cases in which it is room." He dwelt on the importance of sign language being excluonly possible in some other way to make plain to the mind of the pupil something which it is desired to convey to him. One of the first things the teacher should aim at was to enable his pupil to ask questions and to understand what was asked for. The teacher of of words, or at displaying their skill in writing long and complicated deaf-mutes should never aim at giving his pupils a great multitude sentences, or parade a great tact in the grammatical analysis of such sentences, or make pupils write sentences involving difficult idioms or grammatical constructions. The teacher should from first to last aim to make language expressive of correct ideas which are within At this stage the Board of Education of the town was introduced, and on their behalf, Prof. Bell, of Albert College, read an address of welcome to the Convention. the grasp of the child or with which he is perfectly familiar, and and not with mere vocabularies. He thought that when anything these ideas should be clothed in the simple and clear language of struck a teacher as a good idea in teaching it should be tried in one the child, that is, in very short and distinct sentences. The teacher class in one institution and then adopted in all the classes, or reshould stop to teach the entire alphabet before he began to teach jected, according as it was found to have good results or not. He the sentences. It was now generally known that a child learned considered it desirable that they should experiment with every the alphabet sooner by seeing the letters in words than by seeing single thing in the way of teaching. The majority of congenital them separately. It should be remembered also that thinking is mutes who now received instruction in their institutions could read done in sentences and not in words. The essay contained a great and understand an account of a railway accident for instance; but many hints of great value to teachers of deaf and dumb, but not of if they read a report of a speech they could not understand it. He very general interest. concluded by moving a resolution in favour of each institution trying with one class any new method of instruction which might suggest itself as feasible, and reporting fully on it at the next meeting. Mr. Wilkinson (California) said that his experience had taught The President in reply said: We are greatly obliged to the Com- him that it made little difference whether the instruction of a deafmittee on Education of this city, for their kind welcome of us to mute commenced with words or with sentences. He thought that this place, and desire to assure them that we have been greatly gra- by the use of objects and writing he could, in the course of an hour, tified at finding so beautiful a place as this, and particularly so eli- teach a Chinaman several things in our language, although pregible a location and such convenient and elegant buildings as we viously the man had not known a word of it. For instance, he find here prepared for this unfortunate class of our fellow-beings- would write down the sentence, "John touched the box," and not the deaf and dumb. We find here an institution which, consider- only would he soon be able to show the man what "John" and ing the time it has been in operation, is far in advance of those "box" meant, but he would after a few trials, get him to underwhich were established in the United States some fifty years ago stand that that particular form which we called "touched" repreor a little more, and we are gratified to find in it a school of over sented a particular action. No one who professed to have much in200 children who have been gathered together within four years, telligence now thought it necessary to teach any child the alphabet, and so competent a Principal and Board of Instructors, some of but taught him to read by means of words. He expressed himself whom we have known for many years, and in whom we have the as having great confidence in the sign language, and denied that fullest confidence. We are all labouring in the same benevolent their young women and young men could not read and understand field of literary and Christian work. You are gathering your the newspapers. In proof of this he mentioned a number of deafsheaves in the broad field covered with the ripe grain, having mutes whom he had instructed. The trouble with a deaf-mute was the full harvest; we are gathering up the scattered sheaves that he did not come into contact with words often enough. that lie around neglected in this large country—here one, there another. We find this class of persons generally gathered into well ordered and well regulated institutions, receiving the blessings of a common school education, and I may also say, a collegiate education. But what is better than all, these unfortunate children have been One of the large class-rooms of the Institution, Dr. May, of the taught that they have a soul within them destined to immortality, Education Department of Ontario, has, in the space of a few hours, that there is a God in Heaven above them, whose providential care transformed into an extensive museum, The articles therein are is over all, and to whom all are responsible, and to whose blessed from the museum of the Educational Department, Toronto, and abode the good are expecting to go. They knew nothing of all these embrace a great variety of philosophical apparatus, birds, models great themes, of these inspiring hopes, of these glorious realities, for instruction in anatomy, stuffed birds, etc. Mayor P. S. Tucker, but now, by the instrumentality of this institution, and other simi- President of the Board of Trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Institute lar institutions in this broad country, they do to a very great extent. of North Carolina, to-day gave an order for a full set of anatomical I wish I could say they were all gathered in, but to a very great ex-models similar to those on exhibition, which he intends to present tent they are, and these blessings of education and these blessings to the Institute in his State. of religion are shed upon them, and the light of truth shines into their minds, and they are inspired by the same hopes of a glorious immortality that we are; and if we are of the faithful in our respective fields we may expect to gather a harvest not only here but a more glorious harvest in the better land, where the ears of the deaf shall be opened, where the lips of the dumb shall sing, and speak forth the high praises of our common God. You will accept, therefore, our thanks for your kind greetings and especially for the invitation to assemble here in Convention at your beautiful place and in your beautiful institution. (Applause.) A discussion on the paper read in the morning by Dr. Peet, then took place. Mr. Greenberger (New York) did not see how Dr. Peet's methods of object teaching would be practicable in every case. If for instance, he wrote down the word Cow " and wished to explain to the pupils what he meant, would he bring a cow into the schoolroom? (Laughter.) With reference to some of the illustrations of his method which Dr. Peet gave, the speaker remarked that in the sentence John touched the saw," the collocation of the word did not correspond with the sequence of the idea in the pupil's mind. The ideas would follow each other in the pupil's mind in this order, "John the saw touched." 66 Dr. Peet said that his system did not preclude the use of pictures when it was impracticable to have the objects themselves in the school-room. With reference to the other observation of Mr. Greenberger he said that the pupil was supposed to have learned the names of the several objects before an attempt to teach him the verb was made, and to do the latter was all that then remained to be done. Mr. Hutton (Nova Scotia) remarked that Dr. Peet's system as explained by him in his paper was a novel one, but it had stood the test of experience. In teaching a pupil language he (Mr. Hutton) would begin by giving him a complete sentence on simple subjects, repeating it daily, and would contemporaneously teach him other subjects. He would seek to get rid of the mere trammels of grammar and allow the pupil to use his words in an order corresponding with the collocation of his ideas. Prof. Cook (New York) thought the system of Dr. Peet a good one, but he regretted that it did not begin with complete sentences Mr. McGann also held that being able to think in a language was of the highest importance. He thought the sign language should be but sparingly used, and that deaf-mutes should be principally taught by objects. In the evening a social entertainment in honour of the members of the Convention was given in the Town Hall, by the Mayor and Corporation of Belleville and County Council. Mayor Henderson took the chair, and, after a few words of welcome, called on the Hon. Billa Flint to address the assemblage. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Flint stated that the institution at this town was opened in October, 1870, and although it had thus only been open now three months less than four years, it stood seventh among the whole forty-five in America with regard to the number of pupils. He paid a high tribute to the abilities of Dr. Palmer, the Principal of the Ontario Institute, and concluded a neat address by extending to the delegates a hearty welcome to "the City of the Bay," and to the homes and hearts of its people. The President of the Convention responded in happy terms, giving, in the course of his reply, some interesting reminiscences of a holiday visit which he paid to Canada about 35 years ago, just after the Rebellion. A number of sentiments, which would have been called toasts if there had been wine to drink them in, were then proposed and responded to. They comprised the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, the President of the United States, the Legislatures of Canada and Ontario, the Educational Institutions of the United States and Canada, the Ladies of the Benevolent Institutions of Canada, the Warden and Council of Hastings, the Mayor and Council of Belleville, and one or two others. The several sentiments were accompanied by suitable airs performed by an orchestra, or by songs. Among other remarks, Dr. Hodgins, Deputy Superintendent of Education for the Province of Ontario, on being called upon, said :— Mr. Mayor and Mr. Warden-Ladies and Gentlemen,-At this late hour of the night (11 o'clock), I should not have ventured to occupy the attention of this large assemblage, were it not that I was most anxious to convey to the distinguished American Delegates to this Convention, the heartfelt greetings of the Education Department of the Province of Ontario, with which I have the honour to be connected. And I can truly say that the sentiments of cordiality and welcome, embodied in the beautiful address presented to the Convention this day by the Board of Education in this town, are also the sentiments and feelings to our American |