prospect of any other than [King's College] a sectarian University College, instead of a truly provincial one, being endowed at Toronto, the Upper Canada Academy was incorporated as an University College in 1841, still, however, retaining the English and elementary Classical Departments in the Institution.

4. But before arrangements had been completed for the proper organization and effecient operations of the Institution, upon the more comprehensive basis of an University, as well as a preparatory College, the question of the endowed College at Toronto was taken up by the Government and brought before the Legislature, with a view to establish one University upon broad Christian principles for the whole Province. The authorities of Victoria College made no opposition to such a policy,- raised no party cry,-erected no sectarian standard against a Provincial University; but evinced, by resolutions adoped in 1843, * and 1845 + 1847, a disposition to co-operate in any just and practical arrangement, by whatever party proposed, which would secure to the Country an efficient Christian System of University, as well as Common School, Education.

5. The "University Question" continuing to be agitated, and without the passing of a single Bill by the Legislature with a view to its adjustment, from 1843 to 1849, our Conference has been kept in a state of suspense from year to year, as to the course which duty might dictate in regard to the relations and interests of Victoria College. To secure proper Professors and Masters, and sustain the Institution as an University College, as well as a Classical Academy and Scientific English School, required a very considerable endowment, in addition to the pittance of Five Hundred pounds, (£500,) per annum granted by the Legislature.

6. In the neighboring States, no University College can be sustained for a single year without an income of several thousand dollars, by collections, subscriptions, or grants, or all united, in addition to the fees of students. But the unsettledness and doubt connected with the Provincial University Question, prevented our Church from adopting any decisive and final course of proceeding in regard to Victoria College. The necessary steps could not be taken to provide for the full support of all the professorships and masterships required in the Institution, in its comprehensive character, without assuming a position, and making avowals incompatible with acquiesence in any Provincial University system. Yet duty and honour required, for the time being, that instruction should be provided in the several branches of a Collegiate course, as well as in the preparatory departments. To do this, required expenditures beyond the current receipts of the Institution.

7. The expectations of the final settlement of the University Question were year after year disappointed. At length, a Bill, designed to settle the Question passed of the Legislature and became a law in 1849. Some of the provisions and features of this Act were such as to leave our Church no alternative other than adopting efforts for ths permanent establishment of Victoria College as an University College. But early in the present year. circumstances occurred which appeared to revive the hope of so modifying the University Act of 1849 as to place the Toronto University upon a foundation that would render it worthy of the confidence and support of all Religious Persuasions.

8. The question again presented itself, whether it would not be our duty, in such an event, to unite in a Provincial University; for, if it be the duty of a State to establish Public Educational Institutions, it is the duty of all classes in the State to support them. To do so would require two things, (1) the removal of the site of Victoria College from Cobourg to Toronto, and (2), the surrender of the power of conferring degree in Arts and Science, except in Theology. In such a relation. the Literary Department of the Institution would be the same as that of the former Upper Canada Academy, imparting a thorough Scientific English Education,—educating youth in the elementary Classics and Mathematics, either for the University, or for practical life, taking a due oversight of the Religious and Moral interests of those young men of our own Church who might be pursuing their course of higher education in the University, and also providing for the more thorough Theological training of Candidates who might be recommended by local Quarterly and District Meetings of the Church for the work of the Ministry. Thus would the original objects in procuring the subscriptions and erecting the Buildings for the Upper Canada Academy be accomplished,--the educational wants of our Church would be provided for, and the interests of the Country would be promoted.

9. The removal of the Site of Victoria College from Cobourg to Toronto, would involve the disposal of the present Premises and Buildings, and the procuring of new ones. It was suggested by a disinterested party, that the present Site of the College might be suitable for a Provincial Juvenile House of Correction, similar to one which has been erected on the South side of Lake Ontario, at Rochester, for Western New York, and that they might be disposed of for that purpose, at a valuation by competent and disinterested judges, selected by each of the parties con

* Pages 19-25 of the Fifth Volume of this Documentary History.

+ Pages 103-106 of the same Fifth Volume.

Pages 42-54 of the Seventh Volume of this History.

cerned, thus promoting the public interests, and not subjecting those of our own Church to an unreasonable sacrifice. This matter, honourable, as it was, to all parties concerned, has been made the subject of low and mean insinuation by persons of low and mean affinities.

10. Such being the state of things in June last, when our Annual Conference was held in Brockville, it appeared doubtful whether the present position of the College should be continued, or not, or whether it would be most advisable to resume its exercises the ensuing Sessions at Toronto, or Cobourg. It has only been within the last two months, that it has been finally determined by the Board of Victoria College to continue the operation of the Institution another year at Cobourg.*

11. Under these circumstances, it has not been thought advisable at the present juncture to set on foot any general plan for raising a Fund to provide for the future operations of our College in a manner commensurate with the standing and wants of one of the largest Religious Persuasions in Upper Canada. Some embarrasment has been experienced, on account of the absence of the Principal, (the Reverend Doctor Mathew Richey,) whose state of health required a year's retirement from active duties, as well as from the circumstances above referred to.

12. We are persuaded that nothing more is required than this simple statement of facts, to satisfy the Members of our Church, and all the friends of Victoria College, that nothing has been wanting on the part of those, on whom has devolved the arduous and difficult task of managing its affairs, in doing the best in their power for the interests of the College, of the Church, and of our common Country, in the delicate and unusual circumstances in which they have been placed.

13. Whether the operations of the Institution shall hereafter be permanently continued at Cobourg, or transferred to Toronto, all parties concerned may be assured, that the original objects of the Institution will be kept in view, and that the best interests of the youth entrusted to its instruction will be consulted by every future arrangement. The immediate oversight of the College has been committed during the present year, (in the absence of the Principal,) to Brethren of acknowledged ability and tried integrity-to the Reverend Lachlin Taylor, as the Pastoral Governor and Professor of Moral Philosophy; the Reverend Samuel S. Nelles, A. M., as Classical Professor, in addition to the former Professors of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, and a Teacher in the elementary English Department.

14. Though the first term of the new Collegiate year commences in the present week, students will be admitted until the first week in November. We hope, therefore, that all those whom we address, who are desirous and able to provide for their sons an education, at once solid, practical and Christian, will send them without delay, to an Institution endeared to every Member and friend of our Church by so many weighty considerations.

TORONTO, September, 1850.

JOHN RYERSON
ENOCH WOOD

}

Visitors.

REVEREND DOCTOR RYERSON ON THE REMOVAL OF THE SITE OF VICTORIA COLLEGE FROM COBOURG.-HISTORICAL REFERENCES.

In replying to a statement, in a local Newspaper, that Doctor Ryerson had advocated the passage of "one or more Resolutions to dispose of Victoria College at Cobourg, and to establish a Divinity School at Toronto," he said :—

"That there was not a single particle of truth in that statement as I never made, or thought of making, such a proposition, at any time or place, in any shape or form.

"At the annual Board and College Meeting in Hamilton, in June last, (1850,) some conversation took place in connection with the subject of the Baldwin University Bill of 1849, as to the nature of its provisions, the duty of the Conference respecting it, and the effect it might have upon the position and prospects of Victoria College. No one had any authoritative, or precise, information as to the provisions of the Bill, as it finally passed the Legislature; and it was suggested that no action should be taken by which the Conference, or the Authorities of the College would be committed for, or against, the Bill, but to remain free to act, as might seem best at any future period;-that, if the Christian and practical features of the Bill were such as accorded with the principles and interests of the Wesleyan Church, it would be the duty of the Conference to acquiesce in the decisions of the Legislature. The conversation was general; I have no recollection of any definite Resolution, or proposition, having been made by any one. I insisted that in my present position, I should be excused from taking any part in the Victoria College matters referred to. As to what has been stated in regard to the removal of Victoria College to Toronto the subject was introduced by the Reverend Doctor Wood. Superintendent of *Victoria College was affiliated with Toronto University in 1890; but its Site was not removed to Toronto until the year

1892.

Missions, and conversed on at a Meeting of the Victoria College Board held in Cobourg in October last; but I was not there; and the question turned chiefly, if not entirely, upon the comparative facilities afforded at Toronto and Cobourg for the interests and efficiency of the Institution. The only "disposal" of the College buildings spoken of, in the possible event of the removal of the College to Toronto, was to appropriate them to the establishment of a Wesleyan Female Academy. I have never heard or read one word as to the sale of the College buildings, except what I have seen in the columns of the Newspapers.

Then, in respect to the College being converted into a Divinity School, to the exclusion of the literary departments, this also is intelligence which I have derived from the newspapers, and from that source alone. I and other Members of the College Board have thought, and still think, that more efficient provision should be made for the Theological and Literary training of young men whom Circuits and District Meetings have recommended, and whom the Conference has approved, as having been converted and called of God, to preach the Gospel; but I have yet to learn that any one of them ever thought of abolishing, or abandoning, the department of the College which gives a sound English and Classical Education to the youth of our Church. Nay, even in the possible event of the Conference being induced to agree to act under the University Bill, the provision for sound English and elementary Classical Education would be provided for in Victoria College as effectually as it has ever been, and with all the facilities that Toronto could afford, in respect to special Teachers in Vocal Music, Drawing, Modern Languages, etcetera.

Brown University, in the United States, was first established at Warren, but was afterwards removed to Providence, Rhode Island, yet I am not aware of any quid nuncs, even in a Country so fruitful in curious novelties, having invented the story, that the College was to be abolished, in consequence of a change in its place of location.

The elected Board of Victoria College is composed of persons who have done, perhaps, more than any other fourteen individuals towards the establishment and continuance of the College, and who, therefore, have the deepest interest in doing that which will contribute most to the objects of the Institution, and to the interests of the Church with which it is connected. And, as to myself, I wrote to the Treasurer of the College, not many months since, adverting to the absurdity of the statements, as to the extinction of the College as an Educational Institution, when both its Academical and University Charter required the teaching of Science and Literature on Christian principles, and expressing my readiness to contribute to the utmost of my ability to place the Institution on a proper foundation in financial matters.

It is remarkable, indeed, to see professed Methodist advocates of the University Bill of 1849 the very first to assail the Authorities of Victoria College for barely conversing on the possibility of becoming parties to the provisions of that Bill, although I am confident not one of them has even yet formed and decisive and settled opinion on the subject.

In regard to the Principalship of the College, it is true that at the Conference in Toronto in June, 1847, the Reverend Doctor Mathew Richey was solicited to accept the appointment of Principal of Victoria College, but declined doing so, until it should be seen what position the College would be placed by the then pending University and Clergy Reserve questions; it is also true that the Reverend Alexander Macnab was appointed Principal for the time being, but with the express understanding on all sides, and the explicit declaration on his part, that he would resign at any moment that Doctor Richey would accept the position; and I believe it is likewise equally true, that no Member of the Board, (I know it to be the case in respect to several of them,) looked upon Mr. Macnab as a permanent Principal of the College, but only as a locum tenens, until the settlement of the pending legislative questions would enable the Conference to decide as to the measures necessary to place the College on a foundation worthy of the Wesleyan Church and worthy of the Country.

TORONTO, September, 1850.

EGERTON RYERSON.

At the Conference held at Brockville in June, 1850, the Members agreed to the following paragraph for insertion in the Pastoral address :--

We cordially concur in the request made by the Board of Management of Victoria College, that they may have the valuable assistance of the Reverend Doctor Richey at the head of that Institution, so important in its bearings upon the Wesleyan youth of the Province and the prosperity of our Church, especially so, as we contemplate a more enlarged and systematic design for the Theological training of candidates for our ministry, in connection with its operations.

III. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CANADA, 1850.

At a Meeting of the Synod in 1850, the Reverend Alexander Gale gave in a Report from the Committee appointed in 1849 on King's College, and the Reverend Doctor Willis, gave in

the Report of the Knox College Committee which were read. After deliberation it was agreed:

That these Reports be received and sustained, and that the thanks of the Synod be given to these Committees, for the attention which they have given to the matters entrusted to them. That the College Committee be Messieurs McKenzie, Robb, Roger, Gregg, R. Boyd, Wardrope, Gordon, Stark, Gale, Bayne and Rintoul, Ministers; the Honourables Malcolm Cameron, and G. McDonald, Doctor Dickson, John Fraser, G. Davidson, J. Burns, W. Notman, J. Gibb, J. Redpath, John McMurrich, Samuel Spreull and James Shaw, Esquires, Laymen, together with the Professors. That the Committee endeavour to get such arrangements in the University of King's College made as will answer the purpose of Knox College. And that it be entrusted to the Committee to make such arrangements in the internal economy of Knox College as they deem best, for the purposes of promoting its objects, and the advancement of the students in the prosecution of their studies.

The Synod took up the consideration of the Draft of a Bill for the incorporation of Knox's College, when, after deliberation, it was agreed, to refer the same to the Presbytery of Toronto, that they may still further correspond with the Church, regarding its details, and especially with the Pesbyteries; with authority to said Presbytery by and with the concurrence of a majority of the other Presbyteries in the draft, or in alterations and amendments of the same, to take steps to have it passed into law.

The Synod had read to it the Draft of a Bill of Incorporation for Knox College. It was agreed that the said draft should lie on the Table, to be taken up in connection with the Report of the College Committee at a future Session of Synod.

THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF YORK AND THE UNIVERSITY,

The Standing Committee of the Council of the County of York on Education, beg leave to report in regard to matters relating to educacion placed by the Municipal Act under the control of County Councils, that one of these matters, is the power to make provision for defraying the expenses of Candidates attendants upon their competition for Scholarships and Exhibition at the University of Toronto and Upper Canada College, and to endow Fellowships, Scholarships, Exhibitions and others Prizes at those Seminaries of learning, to be open to competition amongst the pupils of the public Grammar Schools of this County.

Among the Scholarships at the University are three reserved for each District, tenable for three years, and giving one vacancy every year; these Scholarships entitle the successful candidate to exemption from all the dues, and fees, during three years from the date of their election.

Your Committee would recommend to the Council to make these scholarships as valuable as the six University Scholarships, by the appropriation of a sufficient sum from the County funds, to obtain the privilege of Rooms and Commons, without charge to the successful competitors. Your Committee have ascertained that £40 per annum for each Scholarship would be adequated for that purpose.

The Committee have also made enquiry as to the expense of placing these Exhibitions, with one annual vacancy at Upper Canada College upon that same footing, and have ascertained the amount required for that purpose to be £25 annually for each Exhibition, provided exemption from fees of tuition should be accorded by the proper authority, which they have reason to believe, would be granted upon the application of this Council.

Your Committee would, therefore, recommend the endowment of three Exhibitions also. The earliest period at which Candidates could be elected at the University would be in October next; supposing two then elected, one for the University, and one for the Upper Canada College, the first payment amounting to £21.13.4 would be due in January following, and a like sum at the termination of each term of the first year-£65 in all. For the second year, £130, for the third year, £195,—after which time that sum would be the annual charge.

In recommending this appropriation from the County funds for the encouragement of learning among the youth of this County, your Committee are of opinion, that the superior education obtained by the successful competitors will be the least of the advantages derived from these endowments-they will prove a strong stimulant to exertion among all the scholars of the several Grammar Schools of the County, and the standard which the competitors must reach to entitle them to election, cannot fail to give a high character to the Institutions where they may have received their previous instruction.

In conclusion, your Committee deem it more advisable to make these endowments tenable but, for one year, the continuance of the advantages to depend on an annual examination,it having been stated to your Committee, that the holders of the three years, Scholarships, having once obtained them, are apt to relax their efforts in their after course.

CHAPTER XII.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE PROVINCIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION, 1850.

February 12th, 1850, The following Communications were laid before the Board at this, its first Meeting in 1850.

(1), From the Masters of the Upper Canada Normal School, reporting their weekly official visits to the Boarding Houses of the students attending the Normal School. (2), From the Secretaries of National Education in Ireland, transmitting eight copies of the "Fifteenth Annual Report of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland," for the use of the Members of the Board of Education for Upper Canada. (3), From the Secretary of the Province dated the 23rd of January, 1850, in reply to an application from the Chief Superintendent of Education, dated 9th instant, stating that His Excellency in Council had been pleased to order the issue of a Warrant for Two Hundred and Fifty pounds (£250,) the first quarterly instalment of the additional annual grant of One Thousand pounds, (£1,000,) to facilitate the attendance of Students at the Normal School. (4), From Mr. John George Hodgins, Recording Clerk to the Board of Education for Upper Canada, applying for remuneration for extra services rendered to the Board for a period of Two years and eight months.

Ordered, That the thanks of this Board be conveyed by the Recording Clerk to the Secretaries of National Education in Dublin, for their courtesy in transmitting copies of the Commissioners Report for the use of the Members of this Board.

In reference to the application of Mr. John George Hodgins, for an allowance for two years and eight months extra services from the period of his nomination, as Recording Clerk to the Board of Education for Upper Canada up to the time of the appointment of an assistant Clerk in the Education Office for Upper Canada, it was,

Ordered, That he be allowed the sum of Twenty-five pounds (£25,) per annum for the extra services, and during the period in question.

March 19th, 1850, Ordered, That, in addition to the Masters of the Normal School, the following Gentlemen be requested to act as Examiners for the Governor-General's Prize in Agricutural Chemistry in the Normal School, under the General Regulations adopted by the Board on the 20th day of February, 1849, * videlicet:

Messieurs Henry Holmes Croft, Professor of Chemistry in the University of Toronto, E. W. Thompson, President of the County of York Agricultural Associaton, Francis Neale, A.M., late vice-President of the County of York Agricultural Association, and George Buckland, Secretary of the Provincial Agricultural Society.

Ordered, That the Chief Superintendent of Education request that His Excellency Lord Elgin, the Governor-General, be pleased to attend at the Normal School Examination and distribute to the successful competitors the Prizes which His Excellency has been pleased to establish in that Institution.

April 12th, 1850. The Board is deeply impressed with the absolute necessity, under existing circumstances, of erecting Normal School Buildings, in order to accomplish, to an adequate extent, the important objects of the Institution. It is,

Ordered, therefore, That application be made to the Governor General-in-Council to recommend the Legislature, at its ensuing Session, to grant a sum of at least Five Thousand pounds, (£5,000,) for the erection and furnishing of such Buildings, on some convenient Site, which may be appropriated for that purpose. That sum, though less than has been expended in other places for such purpose, while the Board trusts by economical management, be sufficient for the accomplishment of the objects specified.

Ordered, That the Chief Superintendent of Education be requested to transmit a copy of the foregoing Resolution to the Provincial Secretary, to be laid before the Governor General-inCouncil, and that the Chief Superintendent press upon the consideration of the Government the great importance of complying with the application of the Board, and point out the great inconvenience at present existing.

The Board having taken into consideration the unsuitableness and inconvenience of the Temperance Hall premises (on Temperance Street) for conducting the Lectures and Exercises of the Normal School, and the many disadvantages attending the continuance of the Institution, in

* These Regulations are printed on pages 252, 253 of the Eighth Volume of this Documentary History.