dent, Rev. E. B. Ryckman, M.A., Vice-President, Dr. W. Geo. Wright, | L. C. Smith, T. McNaughton, M.A., first in elocution-T. Manning, W. and R. W. Wilson, M.A., Secretary, H. Hough, M. A., Treasurer, J. W. W. Dean, M.A., presented the second in elocutiou-L. W. Crews. Brief Kerr, M.A. addresses commencing the University for its past work, and expressing confidence in its future success, were deliverod by Rev. E. H. Dewart and Rev. A Sutherland. THE CONVOCATION for the laureation of graduates and presentation of prizes was held on Wednesday. On the platform were seated, the Rev. President Nelles, the Senate, and others identified with the College. The Conversazione of the Literary Association was held in Victoria After prayer by the Rev. E. H. Dewart, Mr. B. Longley, a gentleman | Hall in the evening, Mr. W. Beaty, M.A., LL.B., presiding. Frescoed of superior elocutionary powers, delivered the valedictory oration, the roof, panelled walls, and lofty pillars, tastefully festooned and draped subject being "Christopher Columbus." Rapidly sketching his career, he with flag and color, and studded with many a brilliant gas jet, formed pronounced a glowing eulogism on his character, closing with a homily on a fitting frame-work for the scene, a company which only a University the lessons of his life. The following degrees in Arts were then con- town could assemble, alternately promenading to the enlivening strains ferred :-of Professor Chaleupka's Orchestra, and seated in rapt attention to the B.A.-Marceau, W. F., Longley, Benj., Hewitt, Geo. W., Le Barre, S singing of M'mlle Lauri and the Tandy Brothers. With this scene of F., Manning, T., Patterson, C. W., Riddell, Wm., Switzer, V. M.A.--Bowerman, A., B.A., Chapman, J. A., B.A., Holmes, A. Lee, B.A., Laing, Rev. J., B.A., Russell, A. L., B.A., Sparling, J. W., B.A., Wilson, R. W., B.A. The Rev. John Laing, formerly pastor (of the Cobourg Presbyterian Church, then read his "Thesis on the harmony between science and religion,” a production characterized by elegance of diction, earnestness of purpose, and profundity and originality of thought. The following degrees, were then conferred : M.D., TORONTO Branch.-McLean, B., Prett, R. J. Burkhart, J. L. Caldwell, W., Douglass, A., Kirkpatrick, J., McDonald, D, F. M.D, MONTREAL Branch.-Havel, V., Ferron, E., Berthelot, J. E., Scallon, J. E., Brossoit, A., Majeau, A., Mousseau, F. X., Trudel, M. T. E., Etthier, M., Jeannotte, P,, Laberge, L., Lamoureux, S., Phoenix, Theodore, Desorcy, C., Demers, C., Brunet, M. L., Ouimet, E., Moquin, V., Roy, A., Brouillet, V. E, Wilson, T. O. G., Demers, A., Laurendau, J., Hebert, L. D., Lachapelle, St. Munro, E., Roy, J., Duval, A., Provost, L. C., Germain, A., Charbonneau, J., Dorval, A., Lemarche, A., Ledue, J. G. joyous and unaffected gaiety the session of 1873-74 was brought to a close. Another class has been added to the lengthening roll of Victoria's sons; another year to a long and honorable past, leaving a present rich and full and bright with the prospect of a still more prosperous future.--Guardian and Globe. VIII. Departmental Notices. SCHOOL REQUISITE SPECIALTIES. Myers' Zones of the Earth. A set of 10 Coloured Tablets, shewing the productions of the Zones. In Portfolio, with Descriptive Handbooks, price Pictures for Elementary Instruction-Useful Plants-in two parts. Book form, with Handbooks Oliver & Boyd's Object Lesson Cards on the Vegetable Kingdom. A set of 20 cards, with Mounted Natural Specimens. Price in box.. CHARTS AND DIAGRAMS. B.D.-Johnston, Hugh, M.A., Ross, J. R., M.A., Russell, A. L., Balfour's Botany. Set of 4 Charts M.A. Johnson's Indestructible Charts. .......... $5.00 4.00 5 50 10 00 195 10 00 12.50 14.00 Prang's Natural History Series for Schools. A set of 206 Pictures of Animals and Plants, represented in their Natural LL.B.-Moore, John, M A., McNaughton, Thos., M. A. Colours, and arranged for instruction with Object Lessons. 10 50 LL. D.-Cocker, Rev. Benj. F., D.D., Mich. University, D.Allison, Hawkins' Comparative View of the Animal and Human Frame. President Sackville University. In book form. Price..... The prizemen are as follows, the gentlemen through whom they were Cutter's Anatomical Plates. Set of 8 Coloured Charts.... conveyed in each case delivering short and appropriate addresses. Do. Do. Do 10 Do. Do. MEDALS AND PRIZES.-FACULTY OF ARTS.-Rev. R. Jones presented Human and Comparative Anatomy. A set of Charts. the Prince of Wales gold medal- W. F. Marceau; Mayor Hargraft prePrice..... sented the Prince of Wales silver medal --Benj. Longley, W. Kerr, M.P., presented the scholarship of 1871, first in general proficiency at Matriculation-L. W. Crews; J. H. Dumble, M.A., presented Dr. Mark's Bursary, second in general proficiency at Matriculation-Lyman C. Smith, Redfield's Chart, General View of the Animal Kingdom C. Gifford, M.P.P., presented the scholarship of 1872, first in modern (on rollers, mounted and varnished).... languages-W. F. Marceau ; Rev. Mr. Griffin presented the Biggar scholar- View of Nature in all Climates (atlas form). ship, first in general proficiency in Freshman and Sophomore years-View of Nature in Ascending Regions (chart, mounted George Beavers; Dr. G. Wright, M.A., presented the Ryerson prize, first in and varnished ................ Scripture history---L. W. Crews; W. W. Dean, M.A., presented the Webster prize, first English essay-Benj. J. Longley; B. M. Britton, M.A., presented the Wallbridge prize, Greek Testament Freshman, class-L. W. Crews; Rev. J. Laing, M.A., presented the special prize, to second in Greek Testament, Lyman C. Smith; Rev. E. B. Ryckman, M.A., presented the senior Greek Testament prize T. Manning; H. Hough, M.A., presented Mill's prize, first in Freshman Classics-L. W. Crews, Rev. J. Koy, M.A., presented the Punshon prize, first in com Set of 10 Philosophical Charts, with Illustrated Key....... 20 00 2 75 1 50 Diagram of Manufacture of Gas (mounted and varnished) position and elocution-B. Longley; Rev. Prof. Hannaford presented the Diagram of Electric Telegraph (mounted and varnished) 1 50 Nelles prize, essay on Harmony of Science and Religion--Rev. John Laing, Rev. J. H. Johnson, M. A., presented the McNaughton prize, first in elocution G. C. Workman, Dr. Beatty presented the Wilson memorial, first in Astronomy--Wm. Riddell. CHRONOLOGICAL & GENEALOGICAL CHARTS. Mounted on rollers and varnished. FACULTY OF MEDICINE.--Dr. Canniff presented the gold medal-P. Mc- Forbes' Ancient History, with hand-book.... Lean, Dr. Hallary presented the silver medal-A. Douglas. Reynolds' Universal History, or Stream of Time THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.-Rev. E. B. Ryckman, M.A., presented Smith's Stream of Time the Cooley prize, first in Ethics and Evidences- B. Longley, Rev. E. H. Robertson's Contemporaneous Dates... Dewart presented the McDonald rize, first in elocution-J. Edmonds. Nasmith's Chronometrical History of England....... LITERARY ASSOCIATION PRIZES.-Rev. A. Sutherland presented the Smith's Kings and Queen's of England... Hebrew prize G. Beavers; Rev. E. H. Dewart presented the first prize Reynolds' Chart of the Sovereigns of England.. poem, B. Longley, W. Beaty, L.L.B., presented the second prize poem-Union Jack and Royal Standard explained TABLET READING SHEET LESSONS. Being the First Book of Lessons in Tablet form, in Mounted on 17 sheets of thin cardboard 2.00 4 00 6 00 The hundred per cent. is allowed on those and the Geography sheets, provided a sum of not less than five dollars be remitted. 11. Do do do do THE PUBLIC SCHOOL LAW FULLY EXPLAINED. 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 School Deeds, Forms of Agreements with Teachers, School Rate, Rolls, &c. Lists with prices may be obtained. Printed for the Education Department by HUNTER, ROSE & Co., Toronto. If not called for within one month, the Postmaster will please send to the School Inspector. I. PAPERS ON PRACTICAL SCHOOL QUESTIONS.-(1) Houses and Lands for Teachers. (2) Colonial Geography and the National Schools...... PAGE. No. 7. subject to individual scholars. Pupils are pushed forward in some favourite subject, often an advanced one, while in the elementary branches they cannot pass any kind of a satisfactory 99 examination, much less a creditable one. 97 98 100 102 II. PAPERS ON PRACTICAL EDUCATION.-(1) Not in Vain. (2) Hints for the School 104 V. MONTHLY REPORT ON METEOROLOGY OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO.............. 108 ......... The inspectors have frequently, therefore, to spend most of their time in some schools (though not so frequently as formerly) in putting back pupils from the fourth and fifth classes, to the second and third. The excuse given is, that the parents-either disappointed at the slow progress of their children, or objecting to one or other study or exercisehave unduly urged the teacher to prematurely promote these children to higher classes. In a judicious system of competitive examination these evils are most effectively exposed, and the result, generally, is that 112 efforts are made to remedy them. Few inspectors would think of holding an examination in the higher branches of instruction until they were assured by actual experiment that the elementary branches were thoroughly mastered. A competitive examination affords an admirable opportunity of testing this proficiency in elementary subjects. The only question which remains is as to how this test can be most effectively applied. COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS IN TOWNSHIPS. Several inspectors have called attention to the beneficial effects of a judicious system of competitive examinations among the public schools of a township. We quite agree with them in believing that such examinations, conducted with judgment and care, cannot fail to afford Two plans have been followed. The first is to hold a pria healthy stimulus to the schools. The general effect of these mary examination in the elementary branch in each school, and, examinations is to attract public attention to the actual condi- allow those only who have been successful in this primary tion of the schools; and, when defects in teaching and train- examination to take part in the general township examination. ing are discovered by means of these tests, to suggest a remedy. The second plan is to hold a general examination of all the Another important effect produced by these tests is the demon- pupils of a township, and award prizes to the successful comstration, practically, of the inefficiency of antiquated systems petitors irrespective of the particular school from which they of instruction, to which a few teachers here and there in a may have come. We have no hesitation in saying that the first township are wedded, and the economy of time, and the plan is by far the best and most effectual. In the first place manifest advantage of the newer and more effective modes of it is thorough; it saves time; it affords a good test of the effiteaching which the inspector may have sought to introduce ciency of each particular school, and properly excludes from the examination a number of pupils who are unfitted to take There are two kinds of difficulties which any one who is part in it, and who would reflect no credit on the school from practically acquainted with the every-day working of our schools which they might come. Besides, it serves a double purpose: cannot fail to have experienced, the one is frequently met it first excites public interest in each particular school, and with by the inspector, and the other is a chronic evil (frequently then it introduces a system of healthy competition between all the cause of the first) of which teachers constantly complain. of the schools in the Township. Teachers, too, are stimulated The first is the want of a proper system of classification in to adopt the best methods of instruction, so that when put to many of the schools, and the other is caused by an objection a practical test, these methods will be found to be both econoon the part of parents to the teaching of this or that particular mical and effective in their results. into the schools. We direct attention to the following admirable regulations for holding Competitive Examinations, prepared by Henry L. Slack, Esq., Inspector of Public Schools in the County of Lanark : REGULATIONS FOR HOLDING COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS. 1. In each municipality where a grant of money has been made for the purpose, an Examination will be held in some central place, to which will be admitted delegates from all the Schools of said municipality. 2. All pupils of Union Sections shall attend the Examination in the municipality in which their school-house is situated-provided said municipality has made a grant: provided, nevertheless, that if one portion of said Union Section lies within a municipality which has not made a grant, the childern of that portion will not be allowed to compete. 3. Every Teacher shall be limited to TWELVE pupils-three only to be taken out of each of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Classes; and said pupils must have been in attendance at school for at least Forty Days of the present year. 4. No pupil examined at any Competitive Examinations last year will be allowed to compete again in the same class. 5. Every Teacher will be required to furnish to the County Inspector, on the First July, a certified list of intending competitors, specifying their names, ages, attendance at school for the present year, and the classes in which they are respectively to compete. 6. There shall be THREE Examiners at each examination, one of whom shall be the County Inspector, and the other two, persons selected by him for the purpose. 7. The Examination will be conducted in accordance with the 'Programme of Studies" authorized by the Council of Public Instruction, and now in use in the Public Schools of this Province. 8. The Examination, as far as practicable, shall be conducted in writing. 2. The following questions (7960) were put by Mr. Maclennan, and were replied to by the Chief Superintendent, as below stated :—— (1.) Whether at any time since the month of July, 1871, Dr. Sangster has been engaged or employed, in any manner, or in any capa city, in connection with education or schools in this Province, with the sanction of the Council, or of the Chief Superintendent, or of the Education Department, or of any officer thereof and if so, what are the particulars? Answer.-None whatever. (3.) Whether the meetings of teachers, called Institutes, held in different parts of the country, and presided over by Dr. Sangster, or conducted by him, or any such, have been with any sanction of, ent, or the Education Department, or any officer thereof, and or by any arrangement with, the Council or the Chief Superintendwhether any expenses in connection with such institutes, or any of them, or of any person attending them, have been paid, or are intended to be paid, out of public funds, or funds over which the Department has any control and if so, what are the particulars i Answer.-None whatever. 9. It shall be considered as contrary to the spirit of these regula(4.) Whether any correspondence between Dr. Sangster and the tions, and to just and fair competition, that any Teacher should Council, or between Dr. Sangster and the Chief Superintendent, or devote extra time in school to the preparation of candidates for ex-between him and the Department of Education, or any officer thereof on the subject of the meetings of Teachers or Institutes, above referred to, exists among the records, or on the files of the Department and if so what is the purport of such correspondence? Answer.-None whatever. amination. 10. The examinations will be held in the early part of July, at such time as shall be decided upon by the Inspector. 11. Each Teacher shall contribute the sum of Fifty Cents, to be collected from the competitors or otherwise, to pay expenses incurred; such sums to be forwarded to the Inspector on the First of July, together with the return of the pupils. Education Office, 12th June, 1874. (5). Whether there is any such correspondence with any person or persons other than Dr. Sangster and if so to what effect? Answer. The only correspondence having reference to Teachers' Meetings or Institutes, has had relation to Teachers taking Friday to attend such meetings or institutes, as one of the five teaching days per annum allowed them according to law, to visit other schools, and confer with other teachers on the subjects of school organization, discipline, and teaching. Most of the Inspectors have never corresponded with me on anything connected with holding teachers' meetings or institutes, but have with the teachers exercised their own discretion; but in some instances the County Inspectors being doubtful of their own authority on the subject, have con The Council met pursuant to notice, at three o'clock p.m., the sulted me, and I have in every instance stated my assent to any The Chief Superintendent of Education, 1. The following communications were laid before the Council:8041. From Wm. McCabe, Esquire, respecting the minutes of last meeting. arrangement they might think proper to make, in order to meet the wishes of the teachers by allowing them to close their schools on a Friday of their proposed teachers' meeting or institute, as one of the five days allowed them for mutual improvement. The correspondence which I lay before the Council, shows that the teachers' meetings or institutes, held during the year 1873, presided over by Dr. Sangster, are voluntary meetings of teachers, similar to those which have been held in various counties during many years past, and with the appointment or management, or proceedings of which such meetings, though, in some instances, in past years, their pro7664. From the Principal of the Normal School, reporting tem-ceedings have been anything but friendly to myself. To these porary arrangements for teaching in the Model School. meetings held during the year 1873, and presided over by Dr. Sangster, by local invitation, I have referred in my last Annual Report, page 79, laid before, and printed by order of the Legislative Assembly. E. RYERSON. 7928. From the same, giving notice of motion that it is expedient that the catalogue of library books now in course of publica-I have not interfered-recognizing the rights of teachers to hold tion be revised. 7743, 7768, 7853. From Candidates applying for the appointment in the Model School. 8040. From the Principal of the Normal School, on the same subject. 8071. From the same, on the same subject. 8039. From the same, with a report of the standing of the students. 8669. From the same, with a supplementary list. 7780. From the Committee on Library and Prize Books, being their first report. 10010. From the Inspector of the County of Perth, respecting teachers' institutes, and reply. 9956. From the Inspector of the County of Waterloo, on the same subject, and reply. 12164. From the Inspector of South Grey, on the same subject, and reply. June 12th, 1874. (Signed) 3. Ordered, That Mr. Morris J. Fletcher be appointed as Third Assistant Master in the Boys' Model School. 4. On motion of Mr. Maclennan, soconded by the Chief Superintendent, the first report of the Committee on Library and Prize books was adopted, and Ordered, That Mr. Campbell be informed of the approval of the books recommended. 5. On motion of Mr. Maclennan, seconded by the Chief Superintendent, Ordered, That the names and prices of the books thus sanctioned, be published in the next number of the Journal of Education, in EDUCATION OFFICE, JUNE 27TH, 1874. The Council met, pursuant to notice, at three o'clock, P.M., the Very Reverend H. J. Grasett, B.D., in the Chair. Present-The Chairman. The Chief Superintendent of Education. The Honourable William McMaster. 1. The following communications were laid before the Council:7240. From the Deputy-Superintendent to Messrs. Thos. Nelson & Sons, respecting the prices of books. Clerk of the Council. No. 373. COUNCIL ROOM, EDUCATION OFFICE, July 3rd, 1874. The Council met pursuant to notice, at two o'clock p.m., The Present The Chief Superintendent of Education, 1. The following communications were laid before the Council. 8806. From the Registrar of Albert College, reporting the election of the Rev. A. Carman, M.A., D.D., as the Representative of that institution in the Council of Public Instruction. 8454. From the Chairman of the Central Committee of Examinexamination of the Normal School students. ers, reporting to the Chief Superintendent the result of the recent 2. The Chairman presented the Report of the Committee appointed 8377. From Messrs. T. Nelson & Sons, in reply to the forego-at the last meeting in reference to the principles on which the prices ing. Extracts from two letters from Mr. E. J. Potter, of London, on the same subject. 2. The following notices of motions were given by the Chief Superintendent: The Chief Superintendent gives notice, that, as the members of the Council of Public Instruction, as now existing, include only a minority of the members, as contemplated by the School Acts, 37 Victoria, chapters 27 and 28, and as it would not be wise or just, and would be contrary to the obvious intentions of the Legislature, for so small a number of members to decide on matters affecting the future character and operations of our system of Public Instruction, he will at the first meeting or meetings of the Council of Public Instruction, after its complete constitution, as contemplated by law, bring under the consideration of the Council the following subjects: of books are fixed. The Report was to the effect that the Committee felt that there were certain preliminary difficulties in the consideration of the question submitted to them, and agreed that it would be unwise to proceed further in the enquiry until the Chief Superintendent had obtained an authoritative decision as to the meaning of the terms 66 cost," "prices" and " grant," which occur in the sections of the act which refer to supply to the schools of the books sanctioned by the Council of Public Instruction. Whereupon it was 3. Moved by the Reverend Dr. Jennings, seconded by the Chief Superintendent, and Resolved, That the Report of the Committee is concurred in by the Council, and that the Chief Superintendent be requested to obtain the opinion of one of the Judges, or of one of the Superior Courts, on the meaning of the terms above quoted, as they occur in (1.) The propriety of adopting the Rules of Order of the Legisla- the Act, as authorized by section thirty-two of the Consolidated tive Assembly as to modes of proceeding, as the rules of the proceed-Act, thirty-seven Victoria, chapter twenty-seven. ings of this Council, so far as they may apply. 4. Moved by the Reverend Dr. Jennings, seconded by the Chief (2.) The advisableness of making the proceedings of this Council Superintendent, and accessible to the public, the same as those of the Legislative As- Resolved, That Messrs. A. Marling, F. J. Taylor, Walter S. Lee and sembly, and, therefore, the expediency of holding the meetings of Joseph Sheard be appointed Scrutineers of the votes given for memthe Council in the theatre of the Normal School, with proper ac-bers of the Council. commodation for newspaper reporters, and allowing the galleries to 5. The Chief Superintendent was requested to inform Mr. Camidge be occupied by the public. that the Council had no power to deal with the subject of his com(3.) The holding of daily meetings of the Council, until the communication. pletion of the business which may be brought before it. (4.) The revision of all the regulations and programmes of studies, for the government and discipline of the Collegiate Institutes and High Schools, and the Public Schools, including the duties of High and Public School Inspectors, Trustees, Teachers, Parents, Pupils, &c., &c. (5.) The revision of the Text-books for use in the Public Schools, High Schools, and Collegiate Institutes. for the High and Public Schools. (6.) The revision of the catalogue of books for libraries and prizes 3. On motion of the Chief Superintendent, seconded by Mr. McCabe, it was Adjourned, (Signed) ALEX. MARLING, NORMAL SCHOOL. H. J. GRASETT, attainments, and of the Principal as to ability and aptitude to teach, the Chief Superintendent has granted the undermentioned Certificates to Students of the Normal School, under the Act 37 Vic., cap. 27, sec. 31 (12) :— On the report of the Central Committee of Examiners as to CLASS I. GRADE C. Ordered-That, in consequence of the Government having decided, upon the grounds of safety and economy, to erect a SteamBoiler House, in the place now occupied by the privies of the Model Schools, for the heating of the Normal and Model School and Education Department Buildings, and to erect the needful conveniences Mr. Birchard, Isaac Mr. Barnes, Charles Mr. Davidson, Sand |