and physicists to be untenable. Some even go so far as to say, that it would be equally valid to show that the formula of Newton gives too large a result, as to show that the result is too small. Mr. Potter states that he was an early disciple of the late Dr. Dalton in chemistry, and that he has always remained forcibly impressed by his great master insisting, in their lessons, on the necessity of considering the change in the distances of the centres of the atoms of gases during their condensation and rarefaction, when the elastic force and the heat and cold developed were the subjects of study. He has accordingly investigated the question according to the atomic view of the constitution of the air, and finds by exact mathematical reasoning that according to this law three times the number of feet descended by a falling body should be substituted for double the number, as given by Newton's formula. The Newtonian rule thus modified brings out the velocity of sound for a certain temperature of the air, 1122 feet and one-fifth of a loot per second. Sir. John Herschel's data give the velocity at the same temperature, 1122 feet and three-fifths! This numerical accordance is, it must be allowed, most extraordinary, whatever may ultimately be judged of the validity of the reasoning by which it is obtained. The subject cannot fail to excite the attention of all the cultivators of physical science at home and abroad; and if the final verdict of competent judges should be in his favour, Mr. Potter will have reason to congratulate himself on the accession of reputation which will reward this brilliant and unlooked-for discovery.

The Great Exhibition.-Among the various things at the World's Fair, is a model of a hat manufactory, in all its departments, with moving automata, to illustrate all the operations of the workmen. It shows the progress of making a hat, from the raw material to its completion. The busy little workmen are represented by what artists term "lay figures" about six inches in height, and being jointed, the attitudes in which they are placed are faithful to life. In the model, every implement, as rules, blocks, brushes, iron, scissors, &c., are given to a scale, and specimens of the actual materials deposited, forming a perfect and highly interesting piece of workmanship. Another object of curiosity, which is likely to attract more than ordinary attention, particularly among the fairer portion of the visiters, is a bal costume, made by a Miss Solomons, of Lambeth, a self-taught body, not yet 20 years of age.

The London Morning Chronicle describes the opening of the Crystal Palace in three languages, in English, French and German. Those who cannot afford either the time or expense to visit the World's Fair, are to have an opportunity of seeing what the Crystal Palace is really like, by inspecting a beautifully executed model. This model, which has been made by Mr. Cogan, of London, contains 10,000 joints, &c. It has been carefully constructed by permission, from the drawings of the Royal Commissioners, and by actual and careful survey of the building during the progress of its erection, on the scale of one inch to twenty feet. So far we can judge the model is a perfectly correct representation of the Crystal Palace; and gives the spectator a better idea of the beanty and extent of that wonderful structure than any drawing or description possibly can do.

The Crystal Palace Beaten.-Dr. Duff, in his speech at the anniversary meetnig of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society in London, thus described one of the heathen temples of India :-" In Seringham you have the hugest heathen temple that can probably be found from the north to the south pole. It is a square, each side being a mile in length, so that it is four miles round. Talk of your Crystal Palace! Why, as a man would put a penny into his pocket you might put your Crystal Palace into the pocket of this huge pagoda. The walls are 25 feet high, and 4 or 5 feet thick, and in the centre of each wall rises a lofty tower. Entering the first square, you come to another with a wall as high, and with four more towers. Within that square there is another, and within that again another--and you find 7 squares, one within another, crowded by thousands of Brahmins. The hall for pilgrims is supported by a thousand pillars, and cut out of a single block of stone."

British and Foreign Bible Society.-At the usual monthly meeting of the committee of the above society, it was stated that, by dint of unwearied exertion, 3,217 district associations had been formed in Great Britain alone has circulated during the last 45 years more than twentythree million copies of the Scriptures, promoted the translation and printing of the sacred volume into 140 different languages or dialects, and expended nearly £3,500,000. Lord Bexley, the President of the British and Foreign Bible Society, has sent a donation of £1,000 to that important Institution, as the commencement of an "appeal" to enable them to extend their operations at this juncture.

The Bible contains 3,566,489 letters, 31,170 verses, 1,189 chapters, 66 books. The word "and" occurs 46,227 times, "Lord" 1,855, "Rev'd" only once. The 21st verse of the 7th chapter of Ezra contains the alphabet. The 19th chapter of 2nd Kings and the 37th of Isaiah are alike. The first man recorded as buried in a coffin was Joseph (5th Gen

26 v.) No where but in the 1st chapter of 2nd Timothy is the word "grandmother" mentioned.

The Total Eclipse of the Sun, on the 28th of July, 1851.— On this occasion à total or partial obscuration of the Suu may be seen throughout the greater part of North America, (Mexico and the southern extremity of Florida being excepted,) throughout Europe, in the western, northern, and northeastern parts of Asia, in the northern and northwestern parts of Africa, in Greenland, &c., whilst the line of the central and total eclipse will pass over 191 degrees of longitude, or from the vicinity of Sitka, the capital of the Russian settlements on our northwest coast, to the southeastern extremity of the Caspian sea. But in no part of the United States will the eclipse be total; the greatest obscuration taking place at Cape Flattery, in Oregon, at the entrance of the Straits of Fuca, where the sun at 4h 56m, A.M., or twenty-four minutes after it rises, will be about five sixths (10 deg. 3 min.) obscured on the north side. At San Francisco the greatest obscuration will take place before the sun rises, but as the end of the eclipse may be seen, it is hoped it will be carefully observed not only there, but at every place in California and Oregon, where are suitable instruments, as a long time will elapse before another as favourable an opportunity offers for the determination of the longitude. Indeed, a totus eclipse of the sun at any particular place so seldom occurs, that but a small part of those inhabitants of the earth, who remain stationary, ever have an opportunity of beholding this, the most sublime of all phenomena. In April, 1715, the sun was entirely hidden by the moon at London, and again in May, 1724, at Paris, but in the course of the long interval between those years, and 1901, and perhaps much longer, the shadow of the moon has not again passed, and will not, over either of those cities. The only total eclipse that has happened in Boston, since its settlement in 1630, as is believed, was that which took place under such very favourable circumstances, on June 16th, 1806, and by the list of eclipses from 1824 to 1901, originally published in the Columbian Sentinel, and afterwards in an abridged form in the American Almanac for 1831, it appears that there will not be any other, certainly within the present century; moreover, it is very probable that there are many places in this country, at which there has not been, since their settlement by Europeans, even one. It also appears, by the list above referred to, that in the course of the seventy-five years between 1826 and 1901, the shadow of the moon passes but three times over any part of our widely extended Atlantic coast, viz.: on November 30th, 1834, över a small part of Georgia and South Carolina; on August 7th, 1869, of North Carolina and Virginia, and on May 28th, 1900, over part of Virginia. Annular eclipses, it is true, occur more frequently, as those of April, 1791, and February, 1831, were, and those of May, 26th, 1854, and September 29th, 1875, will be, visible in Massachusetts, or four in about a century and a quarter; but these eclipses, although beautiful, have little of the sublimity that attends a total obscuration. Rare therefore as is in general the occurrence of a central eclipse at any particular place it occasionally happens, that some places are, in this respect, especially favoured. Thus, the eclipse of July 8th, 1842 was, and that of the present year will be, central in Poland, in lat. 50 deg. 36 min. 7 North, long. 27 deg. 5 min. 5 East, so that the inhabitants of that spot will have an opportunity of beholding two total eclipses of the sun in the course of nine years. In this country the central path of February 12th, 1831, was crossed in Alabama by that of November 30th, 1834, and in Virginia by that of September 18th, 1838, and in 1853 the two eclipses of June 6th and November 30th, will both be central in the Pacific Ocean, in long. about 125 deg. West, lat. 2 deg. South; these are, however, but exceptions to the general rule, and the places thus favoured, nearly points on the surface of the earth. The width of the shadow of the moon on the 29th of July next, will vary as usual, whilst passing over the earth, but in Greenland, Norway, Sweden, and Prussia, it will be about 140 geographical miles. If, therefore, the central path given below, be carefully marked on a good map, and a line be drawn parallel thereto to the North, and another to the South, at the distance of seventy miles or a little less, therefrom, the places at which the eclipse will be total will be easily seen; there being of course some doubt as to those situated like Elsineur. just within the edge of the shadow, as a small error in the moon's tabular latitude is not uncommon. Within the lines thus drawn are included in America several of the Russian settlements South-east of Sitka, part of British Oregon, two of the forts of the Hudson's Bay Company on the Great Slave Lake, the winter harbour of Captain Ross in 1830, and of Capt. Parry in 1822, the Northern part of the Island of Disco, in Baffin's Bay, and several of the Danish villages on the Western coast of Greenland; and in Europe the Northern part of Iceland, the astronomical observatories at Christiana, Koeningsburg, Warsaw, and Nicolaef, also the cities of Bergen, Gottenburg, Carlscrona, Calmar, Frederickshall, Jorkoping, Dantzic, Elbing, Pillau, Jitomer and Cheroon; and in Asia, Tiflis and Bakou, between the Black and Caspian, besides many others of less note; but Sitka and Stockholm, Copenhagen and Odessa are not included within these limits, the two former being situated a little too far to the north, and the two latter to the south.

Editorial and Official Notices, &c.

LEAGUE OF THE HO-DE-NO-SAU-NEE :

Or Iroquois. By LEWIS H. MORGAN. 8vo. pp. 477. Rochester, N. Y., Sage & Brothers. Toronto, Wesleyan Book Room. Price, 12s. 6d.

Since the appearance of Schoolcraft's Notes on the Iroquois, we have met with no work devoted to the investigation of the history of the aborigines of this country characterized by so much intelligent research and sympathy with the noble races who once occupied these "forest lands," as this contribution of Mr. Morgan to Indian history and antiquities. The work itself is profusely illustrated with maps, engravings, and lithographs. Those of them which accompany "the Third Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State of New York, on the condition of the State Cabinet of Natural History and the Antiquarian Collection connected therewith," are beautifully coloured, and appear exquisitely natural and life-like. The large map which accompanies this work exhibits the immense tract of country from the Hudson to the Ottawa, and from the St. Lawrence to Lake Erie, once the undisputed territory of the famous Six Nation Indians: the People of the Long House; together with the aboriginal names of their villages, lakes rivers, streams, and ancient encampments, and the courses of their principal trails.

The history of the Six Nations Indians must ever prove one of great interest to Canadian readers, connected as it is with the name of the celebrated Thayendaneca, or Brant, and of the early settlement of numerous parts of this country by a portion of the once powerful league of the Iroquois. This work abounds in interesting and valuable references to early Canadian history. Its perusal cannot fail to excite the sympathy of all who love to contemplate the history of the early Indian tribes of this continent, before the "pale faces" debased and corrupted them. They were truly a dignified and noble race in their primeval state of uncontrolled and fearless independence; and deeply affecting and sad indeed is the story of the decline and fall of their once powerful empire on this continent. As a matter of interest to many lovers of ancient Canadian typography, we select from the appendix to the work the following table, exhibiting the Indian names of the principal cities and places in Canada, with their signification in English, so far as it is known to the Iroquois historians:

Quebec-Ke-a-done-dä-a ́-ga, i.e., Two forts contiguous.
Montreal-Do-te-ä ́-ga, i.e., Almost broken.

Kingston-Gä-dai-o'-que, i.e., Fort in the water.
Toronto-De'-on-do, i.e., Log floating in the water.

Hamilton-De-o-na-sä-de ́-o, i.e., Where the sand forms a bar.
Queenstown-Do-che ́-hä-o', i.e., Where the mountain dies in the

River.

Brock's Monument-Gus-tă ́-ote. [Not given.]
Chippewa-Jo-no'-däk. [Signification lost.]
Welland River-Jo-no'-dok. [Signification lost.]
Grand River-Swa'-geh, i.e., Flowing out.

Burlington Bay-De-o-na ́-sä-de-o, i.e., Where the sand forms a bar.
We are indebted to our American Book Agent, Mr. D. M.
Dewey, of Rochester, for a copy of this interesting work.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of the following official Reports, Documents, Books and Pamphlets, at the Education Office : I. Report of the Superintendent of Public Education of Louisiana, January 21st, 1830. 8vo. pp. 17. Hon. Alexander Dimitry.

II. Fourth Annual Report, for 1850, of the Regents of the University on the condition
of the N. Y. State Cabinet of Natural History, and the Historical and Anti-
quarian Collection annexed thereto, 14th January, 1851. 8vo. pp. 146.
Hon. T. Romeyn Beck.

III. Report of the Commissioner of Public Schools, Rhode Island, January 25th, 1851.
Svo. pp. S.
Hon. E. R. Potter.

IV. Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the General Assembly of
Kentucky, for the year 1850, 31st January, 1851. 8vo. pp. 166.
Hon. R. J. Breckinridge.

V. Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge: containing an Ephemeris of the Planet
Neptune for the year, 1852. By Sears C. Walker, Esq. Appendix 1 to vol. iii.
Hon. G. B. Andrews, M. C.

VI. Book of Oratory: containing selections from distinguished American and English Orators, Divines and Poets, &c. By E. C. Marshall, Esq., A.M. New York. 12mo, pp. 500. D. Appleton & Co. VII. Popular Education for the use of Parents and Teachers. 18mo., pp. 467, by the late Superintendent of Public Instruction. State of Michigan,

Hon. Ira Mayhew, A.M.

VIII. 1. Nouvelle Methode pour apprende a bien lire par Jean Palairet. 8vo. pp. 94. 2. Dissertation sur les ruethodes d'enseignerment primaire: from M. F. E. Ju Neau. 1846. 12mo., pp. 11.

3. Dissertation sur l'instruction primaire: par M. F. E. Juneau, 1847. 12o.,
pp. 22.

4. Reglement de l'association des Instituteurs du District de Quebec. 1846.
16o., pp. 11.
M. Feliz E. Juneau.

YORK COUNTY BOARD OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.

THE

HE next Examination of Teachers, as ordered by the Board, will take place at the times and places following, viz:

AT THE CITY OF TORONTO on Tuesday, the 22nd of July, at 9 A.M., in the Court House.-Examining Committee:-The Rev'd Messrs. John Jennings, John Barclay, John Roaf, H. J. Grasett, T. J. Hodgkin; and G. A. Barber, Robert Cathcart, J. McMurrich, Esquires, and Dr. Hayes.

AT BRAMPTON, on the same day and hour.-Committee-The Rev. Messrs. J. Pringle, J. Wheeler, J. Campbell, J. McGeorge; A. Simpson, T. Studdart, Esquires; and Dr. Crumbie.

AT DUFFIN'S CREEK, on the same day and hour.-Committee-Rev'd Messrs. R. II. Thornton, T. Wightman, A. W. Waddell; Dr. Foote, Ezra Annes, and W. Warren, Esquires.

AT RICHMOND HILL, on Monday, the 21st July, at 9, A. M.-Committee:-Rev'd Messrs. J. Boyd, T. J. Hodgkin, R. H. Smith; and Joseph Hartman and Thomas Nixon, Esquires.

The County Board will meet on Thursday, 24th July, in the Court House, CITY OF TORONTO, at 2 P. M., for the purpose of receiving Reports, granting Certificates to Teachers, &c. JOHN JENNINGS, Chairman,

Office of the County Board, 2nd July, 1851. The following Resolution was adopted by the Board, on the 25th March 1851: Whereas by the 2nd section of the 29th clause of the School Act (13th & 14th Victoria, chapter 48) it is provided that no Certificate of qualification shall be given to any person as a Teacher, who shall not furnish satisfactory proof of good moral character. And whereas this Board (under date of Nov. 14, 1850) has resolved that such proof of moral character shall be the Certificate of some Clergyman recognized by law, bearing date not more than six months. And whereas this Board attaches every importance to strictly temperate habits, and good moral character. And whereas the Certificates of character by Clergymen have been in several cases granted to individuals, without sufficient enquiry into facts, and have besides often been expressed in too vague and general terms. And whereas it is highly desirable that a Certificate of Character granted by a Clergyman, should always carry proper weight and influence, and be received and acted upon without question.

Be it Resolved,-That it be therefore recommended to all Clergymen recognized by law, to exercise the utmost caution in granting Certificates of Character to Teachers. JOHN JENNINGS, Chairman.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, OTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, by the Capul, that the follow

NPROFESSORSHIPS are at present vacant, viz:

1. History and English Literature.

2. Modern Languages.

3. Natural Philosophy.

4. Natural History.

5. Geology and Mineralogy.

6. Civil Engineering.

The incumbents of the first five Chairs will be required to devote their whole time and attention to the interests of the Institution, and to lecture, teach, and examine their several Classes at such hours, and for such periods as may be appointed by the constituted authorities of the University."

The Salary of each of these Professors is fixed by Visitorial Statute at £350. Halifax currency, per annum. It is probable, that in addition to the fixed Salary, there will be other emoluments arising from fees.

Candidates are required, in accordance with the 24th section of the Provincial Statute, 12th Victoria, cap. 82, to transmit to and deposit in the Bursar's Office of the said University their names, residence, additions, and testimonials," on or before November 19, 1851.

JOHN MCCAUL, President. City papers will please give two insertions. COMMON SCHOOLS-CITY OF TORONTO.

University of Toronto, June 17th, 1851.

ག་ག་

TORONTO: Printed and Published by THOMAS HUGH BENTLEY, TERMS: For a single copy, 5s. per annum; not less than 8 copies, 4s. 1d. each, or $7 for the 8; not less than 12 copies, 4s. 2d. each, or $10 for the 12; 20 copies and upwards, 38, 9d. each. Back Vois, neatly stitched supplied on the same terins. All subscriptions to commence with the January number, and payment in advance must in all cases accompany the order. Single numbers, 74d. each.

All communications to be addressed to Mr. J. GEORGE Hongins,
Education Office, Toronto.

CEREMONY OF LAYING THE CHIEF CORNER STONE OF THE NEW NORMAL AND MODEL SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION OFFICES FOR UPPER CANADA.

The ceremony of laying the Chief Corner Stone of the New Normal and Model Schools for Upper Canada, took place on Wednesday, July 2nd, in the presence of a very large body of spectators. A capacious enclosure had been constructed, having at its west end a covered platform, decorated with flags, for the reception of His Excellency the Governor General. At the opposite end, seats were provided for the accommodation of ladies, of whom there was a large gathering; on the south side, were members of the Provincial Legislature and of the Corporation of Toronto, with the Clergy and other professional gentlemen; while the mass of spectators occupied the vacant space on the north side. A guard of

honour of the 71st Highland Light Infantry was on the ground with the Band of that Regiment.

At half-past 12 o'clock, His Excellency the Governor General arrived, accompanied by the Countess of Elgin, Lady Elma Bruce, and Col. and Mrs. Bruce. Their Excellencies and suite were received by the Council of Public Instruction for Upper Canada, and conducted to the platform; the Band meanwhile playing the National Anthem. Around their Excellencies on the platform, besides the Members of the Council of Public Instruction, were the Hon. J. Bourret, President of the Executive Council; Hon. R. Baldwin, Attorney General, U. C.; Hon. F. Hincks, Inspector General; Hon. J. Leslie, Provincial Secretary; Hon. J. H. Price, Commissioner of Crown Lands; Hon. J. Morris, Post Master General; Hon. R. E. Caron, Speaker of the Legislative Council; Hon. A. N. Morin, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly; Hon. Chief Justice Robinson, Hon. Judge Burns, Hon. Vice-Chancellor Spragge, Hon. P. B. deBlacquiere, Chancellor of the University of Toronto; Sir Allan N. MacNab, Hon. W. Badgley, Hon. H. J. Boulton, Hon. H. Sherwood, Hon. W. Robinson, J. S. MacDonald, Esq., Solicitor General, U. C.; L. T. Drummond, Esq., Solicitor General L. C.; Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart, and other members of His Excellency's staff.

The members of the Council of Public Instruction were severally introduced to the Governor General by the Rev. Dr. Ryerson, as follows, viz.:

The Right Reverend A. F. M. de Charbonnel, D.D., the Reverend H. J. Grasett, A. M., Joseph C. Morrison, Esq., M. P. P., Hugh Scobie, Esq., James S. Howard, Esq., and the Reverend John Jennings.

Also the Architects, Frederic W. Cumberland, Esq., and Thos. G. Ridout, jr., Esq.; and Mr. J. Metcalfe, of the firm of Metcalfe, Wilson and Forbes, the Contractors.

The following appropriate prayer was offered up by the Rev. H. J. Grasett, A. M., a member of the Council:

O Lord God, infinitely wise and good, who teachest man knowledge and givest both the skill and power to accomplish our purposes, look down, we beseech Thee in Thy infinite goodness, upon the work which we are about to commence.

We beg Thy blessing upon our undertaking. Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with Thy most gracious favour, and further us with Thy continual help; that in this, and in all our works begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy holy name, and finally by Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life.

Grant, O most merciful Father, that the School we are about to erect may ever acknowledge Thee as its great Builder, our blessed Saviour himself being the chief corner stone. On Thy holy word we lay the foundation, in full trust that so long as it is established upon this rock, it shall stand forever the monument of Thy goodness and loving kindness.

Mercifully vouchsafe to it a bountiful measure of Thy richest grace, and grant, O Lord, grant that it ever may prove a blessing to the land, training up Teachers who shall have not only the qualifications necessary to their important calling, but a due sense of the motives from which they should act, and the ends which they ought to scek, in the whole course of their life. Grant also, that the children who shall here be taught, may not only be instructed in sound and useful learning, but also be trained up in the way in which they should go, and when they are old not depart from it, so that they may live in the true faith and fear of God, in dutiful allegiance to the Queen, and in brotherly love and Christian charity.

We pray that Thy blessed Word may ever be the standard and the guide in all our plans for this end, and the sure foundation of all our instruction; that we may seek first the Kingdom of God, and Thy righteousness, and then expect every other good.

May the children of many generations, within the walls about to rise, be taught that knowledge which alone can make them wise unto salvation-the knowledge of Thee, whom to know is life eternal.

Look down upon us, O God, we beseech thee, and establish thou the work of our hands; yea the work of our hands establish thou it, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Rev. Dr. RYERSON, Chief Superintendent of Schools for Upper Canada, then delivered the following Address to His Excellency the Governor General :

MAY IT PLEASE Your Excellency,

The Normal and Model Schools for Upper Canada have been established for the instruction and training of school teachers. The special education of teachers is an essential element in the systems of public instruction of all countries in which the general education of the people is regarded as a matter of national importance. Experience has shown the necessity and advantage. of a preparatory course of instruction and practice for the profession of teaching, as well as for the other professions and trades which are demanded by the necessities of every civilized community. Acting under a conviction so strongly and generally established, our Legislature provided, in 1846, for the establishment of a Normal and Model School for Upper Canada. This was done, not by making a new or special grant out of the public revenue, but by appropriating for that purpose a small part of the Upper Canadian portion of the legislative grant for the support of common schools. The success of the experiment has rendered indispensable the erection of the structure, the corner stone of which is about to be laid by your Excellency.

This Institution is designed to accommodate 200 teachers-intraining, and 600 pupils in the Model School;- a school intended not merely as a pattern, according to which common schools generally should be conducted, but a school in which the teachers-in-training will practice in teaching the subjects of the instructions and lectures given in the Normal School. In addition to this, accommodation has been provided for the offices of the Department of Public Instruction; a depository for maps, apparatus, text and library books for schools throughout Upper Canada; a library and museum; rooms for a school of art and design, in which it is proposed, by the aid of a legislative grant of about £500 per annum, to give a special course of instruction adapted to the interests and progress of the mechanical arts and manufactures.

The land on which these buildings are in the course of erection, is an entire square, consisting of nearly eight acres, two of which are to be devoted to a botanical garden, three to agricultural experiments, and the remainder to the buildings of the Institution and grounds for the gymnastic exercises of students and pupils. It is thus intended, that the valuable course of lectures given in the Normal School in vegetable physiology and agricultural chemistry, shall be practically illustrated on the adjoining grounds, in the culture of which the students will take a part during a portion of their hours of recreation.

The system of instruction and discipline adopted in this Institution, is founded upon Christian principles, and, I hope, pervaded to a great extent by a Christian spirit; and though free from the slightest tinge of sectarianism in its management, the provision made for watching over the moral interests of the students and their religious instruction, has been found, during the last three years, to be more effective than that of any other public educational institutions with which I am acquainted.

The principles on which the Normal School is established and conducted, form the basis of our whole system of public elementary instruction for Upper Canada,—a system which recognizes Christianity as an essential part of education, and unites the clergy with their people in providing for it, and in imparting it,-a system in support of the teachers of which alone, the people of Upper Canada have, during the last year, (according to returns which are prepared, and which will shortly be laid before Parliament,) paid, by selfimposed taxation, the sum of £88,526, besides £14,189 for the erection of school-houses, and which includes in its 3,059 schools, 151,891 children.

The Institution, the corner stone of which Your Excellency has graciously consented this day to lay, is crected by a public grant of £15,000-an enlightened liberality for this object on the part of our Legislature, in advance of that of any other Legislature on the American continent-a liberality which, I trust, will be more than justified by the practical and simple, but comprehensive operations of the system of which it is the mainspring and the exponent.

In furtherance of the same great object, arrangements have recently been made, and will be carried into effect in the course of a few months, by which maps, school-books, and every description of school apparatus, will be provided for and rendered accessible upon the same terms to all the public schools of Upper Canada ;—also, books for libraries, including a large selection of the books best adapted for popular reading, that issue from both the British and American press. By the arrangements which have been entered into, and which have been effected in England by the aid of the Imperial Government, through the cordial and active exertions of Earl Grey, these facilities for school improvement and general knowledge, will be rendered accessible to the municipal and school authorities throughout Upper Canada at an average expense of more than twenty-five per cent. less than they could have otherwise been procured, if procured at all;-facilities which obstacles hitherto insuperable, have prevented any Educational Department in the neighbouring States from providing for the advancement of popular education and the diffusion of useful knowledge.

It is my gratifying duty to add, that this Normal School has been established, that these buildings are in the course of erection, that general regulations for schools are adopted, and books selected, by the aid and under the direction of a Council of Public Instruction, whose proceedings have been harmoniously conducted from the commencement, and the members of which, with one execption receive no other remuneration than the gratitude of their country and the pleasing consciousness of promoting its educational interests in every way in their power.

Among the influences which have contributed to the gratifying spectacle of this day, not the least is the deep interest which your Excellency has always manifested in the education of the Canadian people; and I doubt not, that in all time to come, the recollection of the educational progress of Canada under the fostering auspices of your government, will be a source of real pleasure to Your Excellency. There are four circumstances which encourage the most sanguine anticipations in every patriotic heart in regard to our educational future: The first is, the avowed and entire absence of all party spirit in the school affairs of our country, from the provincial Legislature down to the smallest municipality. The second is, the precedence which our Legislature has taken of all others on the

western side of the Atlantic, in providing for Normal School instruction, and in aiding teachers to avail themselves of its advantages. The third is, that the people of Upper Canada have, during the last year, voluntarily taxed themselves for the salaries of Teachers in a larger sum, in proportion to their numbers, and have kept open their schools, on an average, more months, than the neighbouring citizens of the old and great State of New York. The fourth is, that the essential requisite of a series of suitable and excellent text-books has been introduced into our schools, and adopted almost by general acclamation, and that the facilities of furnishing all our schools with the necessary books, maps and apparatus, will soon be in advance of those of any other country. I confidently hope, therefore, by the Divine blessing, that many assembled on the present important occasion, will live to see Canada compare as advantageously with other portions of America in the Christian education and general intelligence of her people as she now does in the specimens of hor latent resources and productive industry and enterprise at the World's Exhibition in London.

Dr. RYERSON'S Address having been handed to the Governor General, HIS EXCELLENCY replied as follows :

Rev. Dr. Ryerson, I thank you, sir, for the very courteous reference to my attendance upon this occasion, which you have introduced into the address which you have just now read. I come hero, sir, to-day, in the discharge of what is to me a most agreeable duty, and I beg, sir, to say that the gratification which I experience in the discharge of that duty is greatly enhanced by the very gratifying and interesting account of the progress and prospects of Common School Education in Upper Canada which you have had it in your power to furnish.

I certainly think that no government, which is conscious of its own responsibilities, can possibly feel indifferent to an Institution such as that of which we are now about to lay the foundation stone; an Institution which promises, under God's blessing, to exercise so material an influence in the formation of the mind and character of the rising generation of the Province, and, through that powerful instrumentality, upon its destinies and its future; an Institution, too, allow me to remark, which we must not regard as a novelty or an experiment, but one which has already-and on this point I may speak in some measure from my own experience, for I have had opportunities of observing the skill of the masters and the proficiency of the pupils in the Normal School-established its claims to the confidence of the people of the Province. Although, therefore, sir, I am of opinion that there are limits-and pretty narrow limits, too -beyond which the interference of government in matters of education cannot be carried without hazard to those great interests which it is its desire to foster and to protect; I think that an Institution such as this has special claims upon its countenance and support, and that I am, therefore, not transcending those limits, but on the contrary, that I am confining myself strictly within them, when I consent to take the prominent part in the ceremonial of this day which has been assigned to me.

Sir, I observe that in the early part of this address you remark that, "the special education of teachers is an essential element in the systems of public instruction of all countries in which the general education of the people is regarded as a matter of national importance; and that experience has shown the necessity and advantage of a preparatory course of instruction and practice for the profession of teaching, as well as for the other professions and trades which are demanded by the necessities of every civilized community." Sir, nothing can be more unquestionably true than theso sentiments. But perhaps I may be permitted to observe that their truth has not been at all times recognized. It has often appeared to me that within the whole range of human experience, it would be difficult to point out a more flagrant-a more instructive-instance of the error of putting the effect before the cause, than was exhibited in the course pursued by the friends of education in England and other countries, who, for a series of years, busied themselves in building schools, and endeavouring to induce children to attend those schools, without ever inquiring whether competent persons to conduct them could be procured, and without taking any efficient and vigourous steps to supply the admitted want of competent teachers. Sir, it appears to me that in this instance, as in many others this young country has had the advantage of profiting by the experience of older countries-by their failures and disappoint

ments, as well as by their successes; and that experience, improved by your diligent exertions and excellent judgment, [for I should neither satisfy my own feelings nor the claims of justice, if I were not on this occasion to express my high sense of the ability and the zeal with which you have conducted the important department which has been committed to your care.] I say, that experience, so improved and fortified by the support of the Council of Education, the Government and the Parliament of the Province, has enabled Upper Canada to place itself [as you justly observed in your address,] in the van among the nations in the great and important work of providing an officient system of general education for the whole community. And now let me ask this intelligent audience, who have so kindly listened to me up to this moment-let me ask them to consider in all seriousness and earnestness what that great work really is. I do not think that I shall be chargeable with exaggeration when I affirm that it is the work of our day and generationthat it is the problem in our modern society which is most difficult of solution-that it is the ground upon which earnest and zealous men unhappily too often, and in many countries meet, not to cooperate but to wrangle; while the poor and the ignorant multitudes around them are starving and perishing for lack of knowledge. [Hear.] Well, then, how has Upper Canada addressed herself to the execution of this great work? How has she sought to solve this problem to overcome this difficulty? Sir, I understand from your statements and I come to the same conclusion from my own investigation and observation—that it is the principle of our Common School Educational system, that its foundation is laid deep in the firm rock of our common Christianity. I understand, sir, that while the varying views and opinions of a mixed religious society are scrupulously respected-while every semblance of dictation is carefully avoided-it is desired, it is earnestly recommended, it is confidently expected and hoped, that every child who attends our Common Schools, shall learn there that he is a being who has an interest in eternity as well as in time-[applause ;]-that he has a Father, towards whom he stands in a closer and more affecting, and more endearing relationship than to any earthly father, and that Father is in heaven [applause]; that he has a hope, far transcending every earthly hope-a hope full of immortality-the hope, namely, that that Father's kingdom may come; that he has a duty which, like the sun in our celestial system, stands in the centre of his moral obligations, shedding upon them a hallowing light which they in their turn reflect and absorb,-the duty of striving to prove by his life and conversation the sincerity of his prayer, that that Father's will may be done upon earth as it is done in heaven. [Applause]. I understand, sir, that upon the broad and solid platform which is raised upon that good foundation, we invite the ministers of religion, of all denominations-the de facto spiritual guides of the people of the country-to take their stand along with us. That, so far from hampering or impeding them in the exercise of their sacred functions, we ask and we beg them to take the children-the lambs of the flock which are committed to their care-aside, and to lead them to those pastures and streams where they will find, as they believe it, the food of life and the waters of consolation. [Applause].

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is not the fitting or proper time to enter into details. Indeed, I have not voice or strength to enter now at any length into the details of tho excellent system of secular education which is provided in our Common Schools. When, however, you tell us, sir, that an increasing supply is going forth, from year to year, from this Normal School, of well qualified Teachersthat you have procured in abundance, excellent, well selected, and cheap text books-that libraries in connection with the Common Schools, are being multiplied all over the country-and, above all, that the zeal of the people themselves in the cause or education, is evinced by the augmented taxation, self-imposed for the promotion of that great object; when you tell us all this, I feel that little is wanting to fulfil the desires of the most ardent philanthropist and lover of education; I feel that if these influences are left to operate freely-if no untoward causes arise to disturb them-they must eventually leaven the whole mass of our society. [Applause.] Permit me, then, without detaining you any further from what is the special business of the day-permit me in conclusion, to say, both as an humble Christian man, and as the head of the Civil Government of the Province, that it gives me unfeigned pleasure to perceive that the youth of this country, of all denominations, who are destined in their maturer years to meet in the discharge of the