SITE OF THE UPPER CANADA ACADEMY; ITS ASTRONOMICAL ADVANTAGES, ETC. On the selection of Cobourg, for the intended Seminary, Mr. R. Milburn, a writer in the Cobourg Star, under date of the 24th of February, 1831, remarked: Seminaries that are seated upon the shores of seas, or of lakes, whence the opposite shores cannot be seen, afford great facilities for instructing youths in making celestial observations.

1st. As the sun comes to the meridian at Cobourg upon the lake, any person who is acquainted with rectifying the quadrant can find the latitude of this place with the greatest precision in three minutes, and can teach youths of common capacities the same in a few days. It is indispensably necessary that the meridian altitude of the sun, if visible at noon, be taken on board of every ship that is out of sight of land, every day, to ascertain the latitudes; consequently, youths intended for the sea should be familiarly acquainted with the proceedings before they leave school.

2nd. As the sun is over the lake before nine o'clock, and after three, by taking the altitude at either of these times, apparent time may be found, and this corrected by the equation of the day, will give true time, as shewn by clocks and chronometers. The difference between this true time and the time of a chronometer set by Greenwich time, corrected for loss or gain, is longitude in time. The Board of Longitude, considering the great advantages to be derived from the above method, gave Mr. Harrison £20,000 for the invention, and the application of his celebrated chronometer. British ships of war, and those trading to the East Indies, are all furnished with chronometers for finding the longitude.

On the 5th of April, 1831, under the heading of the Cobourg Seminary, the Editor of the Star remarked:

As an Editor, it is one of our chief duties, and certainly our greatest pleasure, to commend and to encourage all those instances of enterprise and improvement which fall under our observation. Our humble efforts may not be very beneficial, for neither have we very extensive patronage, nor can we hope that we have much influence; yet with the more widely circulated, longer established, and more regarded periodicals, we also are under an obligation to offer such assistance as our means will allow, to promote what is useful and what is good.

Several weeks ago we informed our readers that Cobourg had been decided on as the site of an extensive Seminary, to be erected and conducted under the patronage of the Methodist Conference. Since this was announced, the inhabitants of this place, of all sects, with a liberality that does them honour, have entered into a large subscription for the assistance of this useful Institution. Already we understand more than £900 have been here given, and the sum is every day increasing. We respectfully urge it upon the people to promote this object still further. They understand well the benefit of an extended education, and that the superiority of a nation in strength, in the liberal arts, in virtue and in wealth, can be obtained only by a wide diffusion of intelligence. We do not advocate the cause of education in behalf of any particular sect; no sectarian principles are to be taught in the Cobourg Seminary; it is to be open equally to all denominations. It is necessary that such should be the character of this Institution; and we really do not know that the management could be entrusted to any class of persons more likely to ensure it, than the Methodists, who, jealous as they are of any approach to intolerance in others, will be the less likely, we trust, to permit any just ground for such an accusation against themselves.

The spot which has been selected for the building, and most liberally bestowed by its owner, Mr. George B. Spencer, is an extremely beaut ful one, and, if the building be in good style, it will be exceedingly ornamental to this village. We understand the sum of £6,500 is to be appropriated to the building alone; it is, certainly, sufficient to erect a very handsome edifice, and we doubt not good taste will be evinced in its elevation. Afterwards, the Editor said :

We continue to receive the most gratifying accounts of the liberality evinced on behalf of this excellent Institution. Subscriptions pour in beyond all expectation. In the Township of Hallowell they already amount to near £600. The building, therefore, we are informed by the Committee, will be now very soon commenced.

On the 8th of March, 1831, the Reverend William Ryerson, "Presiding Elder of the Bay of Quinty District," issued the following notice, after the Committee appointed by the Conference had fixed the site of the proposed Seminary:

The Committee appointed by the last Annual Conference, to fix on a place for locating a Seminary, after they had decided on the place of location, passed the following resolution: (See the preceding page).

"Resolved, That the Presiding Elders be authorized to employ Agents in their respective Districts, to aid in procuring subscriptions for the Seminary." Accordingly, after consulting the Presiding Elder of the Niagara District, I have appointed the Reverend John Beatty for that purpose, who is duly authorized to procure subscriptions throughout the Niagara, and Bay of Quinte Districts.

I would embrace the opportunity of recommending Mr. Beatty to the kind attentions of the friends of a liberal system of education, and of soliciting their most liberal assistance in the establishment of an Institution so much wanted, and which, I trust, will be an extensive and lasting benefit to the country.

I would also respectfully remind our friends and a liberal public, that, as such an undertaking cannot be accomplished without very considerable expense, it is on their liberality we are depending for the necessary funds; and we sincerely hope and believe we shall not appeal to them in vain, but that the means will be readily and speedily afforded of commencing and completing the necessary buildings, and getting the Seminary into successful operation.

THE UPPER CANADA ACADEMY AS A NON-SECTARIAN LITERARY INSTITUTION.

In April 1831, the Reverend Egerton Ryerson, then Editor of the Christian. Guardian, thus explained the purpose of the proposed Upper Canada Academy. His Exposition of the value of Education to a people was prophetic of what he sought to make a reality in the School System which he afterwards founded:

This Academy is designed to be purely a Literary Institution. The establishment of it is not contemplated to educate young men for the ministry, but it is designed for the education of youth generally, for any pursuit, or profession, which their inclinations or circumstances may dictate. The first article of the Constitution of the Academy is :

"This shall be purely a Literary Institution. No system of Divinity shall be taught therein but all students shall be free to embrace and pursue any religious creed and attend any place of religious worship as their parents or guardians may direct."

It is, therefore, intended for the general education of youth in Upper Canada; and, whilst the principles on which it is founded will secure a perfect freedom to students in the choice and exercise of their religious faith and worship, the regulations which will doubtless be instituted and observed under the direction of the Board of Visitors and Trustees will afford to parents and guardians an example and satisfactory assurance that the morals of the pupils will be preserved and promoted." We doubt not but the utmost pains will be taken to procure teachers whose qualifications and abilities will do honour to the institution, and meet the expectations of its patrons and friends.

There are, however, other circumstances which give this undertaking a strong claim to the encouragement and liberal support of the Canadian public.

I. The site is central, and one of the most healthy and delightful in the Province.

II. It is located in a district of moral and intelligent people, who highly prize the advantages of education, and manifest, without distinction of party, a praiseworthy zeal and liberality towards the erection of the necessary buildings, and the speedy and successful operations of the Institution.

III. Its being established under the special and active patronage of a numerous religious Body, will be likely to combine a more general interest for its support and a much larger attendance of pupils, and, consequently, render it more extensively useful to the rising generation in Upper Canada, than any similar institution established by a few private individuals. And, in proportion to the probable public usefulness of the Institution, should be the liberality of the friends of education towards its establishment.

IV. It is the first literary Institution which has been commenced by any body of Ministers in accordance with the frequently expressed wishes of the people of Upper Canada. The Methodist Conference have not sought endowments of public lands for the establishment of an Institution, contrary to the voice of the people, as expressed by their representatives; much less have they sought to acquire such endowments to erect "essentially a Missionary College "* for the purpose of carrying on an extensive proselyting warfare upon the territories of their religious neighbours. But the Methodist Conference, in the manner in which they have commenced and

* Documentary History of Education in Upper Canada, Volume I., page 218.

are proceeding in the establishment of this Institution, say, in effect, to the people of Upper Canada: 'We have not laboured among you for the promotion of selfish and party purposes, but for the diffusion of pure and undefiled religion; nor have we sought, or received, any other subsistence than the voluntary offerings of your liberality. Desirous of promoting more extensively the interests of the rising generation and of the country generally, we have resolved upon the establishment of a Seminary of Learning—we have done so upon liberal principles-we have not reserved any peculiar privileges to ourselves for the education of our own children; we have published the Constitution for your examination; and now we appeal to your liberality for assistance-we feel confident you will not withhold it-we believe your good wishes are with us in this undertaking, and we submit to your decision for the success or failure of it.'

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SYSTEM OF INSTRUCTION TO BE PURSUED.

1. On the characteristics of the system of education which it is contemplated to pursue in the proposed Seminary, we may observe, that it will be such as to produce habits of intellectual labour and activity: a diligent and profitable improvement of time: bodily health and vigour ; a fitness and relish for agricultural and mechanical, as well as for other pursuits; virtuous principles and Christian morals. On the importance of education generally, we may remark, it is as necessary as the light-it should be as common as water, and as free as air. A young man commencing life without education is like a mariner going to sea without any knowledge of navigation. There is a possibility of his getting into some desired port, but it is only a possibility. Education to the mind is like hands to the body-they are essential to most of the pursuits of ordinary life, tho' they may be sometimes abused to the worst of purposes. Education among the people is the best security of a good government and constitutional liberty; it yields a a steady unbending support to the former, and effectually protects the latter. An educated people, are always a loyal people to good government; and the first object of a wise government should be the education of the people. An educated people are always enterprising in all kinds of general and local improvements. An ignorant population are equally fit for, and are liable to be, the slaves of despots, and the dupes of demagogues; sometimes, like the unsettled ocean, they can be thrown into incontrollable agitation by every wind that blows; at other times, like the uncomplaining ass, they tamely submit to the most unreasonable burdens.

2. Education, like seeing, is one of the most fruitful sources of public, social and individual happiness. We may see many things that are hurtful and painful, yet the pleasures of observation are inexhaustible; so it is with the pleasures of knowledge. Education is the handmaid of religion. It is the will of God, (says Dr. Adam Clarke,) that Christians should be well instructed; that they should become wise and intelligent; and have their understandings well cultivated and improved. Sound learning is of great worth even in religion; the wisest and best instructed Christians are the most steady and may be the most useful. If a man be a child in knowledge, he is likely to be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine; and often lies at the mercy of interested designing men; the more knowledge he has, the more safe is his state. If our circumstances be such that we have few means of improvement, we should turn them to the best accounts. Partial knowledge is better than total ignorance; he who can not get all he may wish, must take heed to acquire all that he can. If total ignorance be a bad and dangerous thing, every degree of knowledge lessens both the evil and the danger."

NOTICES BY THE TREASURER AND SECRETARY OF THE UPPER CANADA ACADEMY.

In notifying the appointment of Treasurer of the Academy on the 4th of April, 1831, (by the Reverend John Ryerson, then of Grimsby, Chairman of the Building Committee of the Upper Canada Academy,) the Reverend Egerton Ryerson, Editor of the Christian Guardian, said:

The remarks on the Upper Canada Academy in a preceding column are encouraging. We learn by a letter from a friend in Grimsby that upwards of $2,000 has already been subscribed in the Niagara District-and it is expected this sum will be increased to nearly, if not quite, $3,000. We hope that every District will do likewise.

NOTICE.-The Committee appointed to erect the building for the Upper Canada Academy have appointed Ebenezer Perry, Esq., of Cobourg, for their Treasurer. Mr. Perry is, therefore, authorized to receive all moneys collected for that purpose; and Agents are respectfully requested to make as early remittances to Mr. Perry as possible.

Brother of Mr. Peter Perry. He was a Member of the Legislative Council after the union of the Provinces in 1840.

The Secretary of the Building Committee, Wilson S. Conger, Esquire, also issued the following Notice, on the 16th May, 1831, calling for Tenders for the erection of the proposed Academy:

Public notice is hereby given, that sealed Tenders will be received by the Building Committee of the Upper Canada Academy until Wednesday noon, the 1st day of June next, from such person or persons as may be desirous of contracting for the delivery of the whole, or any part, of the following material, viz. one hundred cords of good building stone; twenty-five cords to be delivered on or before the 1st July next, and the remainder to be delivered as fast as required for the work. 300,000 brick; 50,000 to be delivered on or before the 1st day of September next, and the rest as required for the work. Also a sufficient quantity of lime for use in the Building, and to be delivered when required. Each tender must bear the signature of two respectable persons as sureties. The price of stone per cord, brick per thousand and lime per bushel inust be stated.

In November, 1831, the Reverend Egerton Ryerson, Editor of the Christian Guardian, thus describes the proposed Academy and its purpose:

This Institution, as stated in the Constitution which we published a few months since, is to be purely a Literary Institution. No peculiar system of theological opinions is to be taught in it; every pupil is to be left at liberty to attend such places of religious worship as may be directed

by his parents or guardians. At the same time, those principles and precepts of morality will be carefully inculcated and enforced which will guard the pupil from the contagion of vicious practice and example and will lead him to the love and practice of virtue.

At our last Annual Conference, held the early part of September in this town, the Reverend John Beatty was appointed General Agent, to obtain subscriptions for the erection of the buildings, etc. At that time it appeared that subscriptions to the amount of £3,954 had been obtained by the Reverend John Beatty, £2,422; by Mr. John McCarty, £1,000; by the Reverend Ephraim Evans, £532; total, £3,954. In this amount is included 900 acres of land, valued at £125. Encouraged by the amount of subscriptions already obtained, and the flattering prospects of being able to increase them to the amount necessary to bring the Institution into operation at an early period, the Conference recommends the Building Committee at Cobourg to proceed with the building, pledging themselves to use their best exertions to obtain the sum necessary to complete the work.

DESCRIPTION OF THE UPPER CANADA ACADEMY BUILDING.

The ground floor of the Upper Canada Academy Building, which has been approved by the Committee in charge, embraces an area of eleven thousand seven hundred feet, of which the following is the contemplated arrangement, viz. :- The main building in front is one hundred and thirty feet long and forty feet deep, with two wings, extending from either extremity to the rear, each fifty feet by twenty-four, leaving a court yard of eighty-two feet by fifty.

The front building is intended to be three storeys high, and the wings two storeys. We were particularly pleased with the attention paid to the convenience and comfort of the students as shown in the interior arrangements, which appropriates for their use a variety of small studys, so constructed as to place them under the immediate inspection of the different Professors. The right, or west wing, constitutes the female department. The left, or east wing, (in which is an extensive dining-hall), that of the males. There is a Chapel, Professors' Room, etc., in the

centre.

What now remains to be done, in order to accomplish the noble object of the Conference, to establish a Literary Institution upon the principles and plan above stated? It remains for the friends of education in Canada, the Ministers, members and friends of the Methodist Church in particular, to make a general, spirited and united exertion and the work is done-is easily and speedily done. This exertion is called for, and loudly called for, by their own interests-the interests of the country-the interests of posterity, and it is expected, and reasonably expected, at their hands.

CONFERENCE ADDRESS TO SIR JOHN COLBORNE, AND HIS REPROACHFUL REPLY.

In 1831, the Methodist Conference presented an Address to Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Colborne, requesting him to transmit a memorial and accompanying documents, relating to King's College and other matters, to the King. It concluded as follows:

Permit us to avail ourselves of this opportunity to express our best wishes for Your Excellency's spiritual and temporal prosperity, and to assure Your Excellency of our sincere desire and firm determination to second Your Excellency's exertions for the public good by doing all in our power to promote the interests of morality and pure religion, the essential precepts of which are "Fear God and honour the King."

By order of the Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Canada.

JAMES RICHARDSON,

Secretary.

WILLIAM CASE,

President.

YORK, September 8th, 1831.

The reply of the Lieutenant-Governor to this Address was of so extraordinary a character that I insert it entire, together with the Reverend Egerton Ryerson's rejoinder, The reply shows that Sir John Colborne resented the efforts of the Methodist Conference to establish an Institution which might possibly prove a rival to Upper Canada College, which he had just founded.