^, ^%^... IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) £./ 1.0 1.1 ■to ^^~ mB £ 1^ 12.0 lit L8 11.25 1 1.4 1.6 ^= nil .... =^ < 6" ► 4v>^'. v> '»• '^ y . tiic Sdoices CorporatiGn 23 WIST MAIN STRiiT WiBSTflt.N.Y. 145S0 (71«; •73-4503 . signifie "A SUIVRE". le symbols y signifie "FIN". Maps, plataa, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely Include in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left td comer, left to right and top to bottom, aa i. jny framea aa required. The following diagrama illustrate the method: Lee cartea, planches, tabieeux, etc., peuvent Atre fiimia A dee taux de rMuction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film* & partir de Tangle sup4rieur gauche, de gauche A droita, at de haut en baa, an pranant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammee suivants iilustrent la m*thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 EDUCATIONAL DEPOSITORY. OPINIONS OF EXPERIENCED EDUCATIONISTS IN THK UNITED STATES, ONTARIO AND ELSEWHERE, AS TO THE POLICY OF MAINTAININO THE EDUCATIONAL DEPOSITORY OF ONTARIO, FOR THE SUPPLY OF THE PUBLIC AND HIGH SCHOOLS WITH MAPS, CHARTS, APPARATUS, PRIZE AND LIBRARY BOOKS. (Reprinted from the Chief Superintendent's Annual Report for 1S72.) TORONTO: PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE k CO., 86 & 88 KINO STREET WEST. 1873. %n rff^ 1^, i OP] T] FOI i !i T^n EDUCATIONAL DEPOSITORY. OPINIONS or EXPERIENCED EDUCATIONISTS IN THK UNITED STATES, ONTAEIO AND ELSEWHERE, AS TO THE POLICY OF MAINTAINING THE EDUCATIONAL DEPOSITORY OF ONTARIO, FOR THE SUPPLY OF THE PUBLIC AND HIGH SCHOOLS WITH MAPS, CHARTS, APPARATUS, PRIZE AND LIBRARY BOOKS. (Reprinted from the Chief Superintendent's Annual Report for 1S72,) TORONTO: PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO., 86 & 88 KING STREET WEST. 1873. <' ^KEFATORY NOTE. For tho information of parties who have taken an interest in the question of the supply of the Public and High Schools with Maps, Cliaits, Apparatus, Prize and Liljrary Books, etc., from the Depository, it has been thought advisable to strike off a few extra Copies of that part of the Chief Superintendent's Pieport, which relates to the subject. The information thus presented has been arranged in three parts, as follows : — I. Explanatory Statement of the number and value of Mnpa, Charts, Apparatus, Prize and Library Books sent out from the Depository in 1872, with remarks on the general question, and quotations from various authorities on the subject. II. Copy of Circular sent to various Educationists with a view to elicit their views on the Depository question, with an explanation of the case. III. Replies received from Educationists in the United States, Ontario and elsewhere ia reference to tho Circular. CONTENTS. PAKT I. rim Explanatory Statement of the number and value of Maps, Charts, Apparatua, Prizes and Library Books sent out from the Educational Depository during 1872, with remarks on the general question of the Depository, and quotations from various authorities on the subject Free Public Libraries ".'. " Summary of the Maps, Apparatus, and Prize Books supplied to the Counties, Cities, Towns and Villai^es during the Year (1) Table showing the value of articles sent out from the Education Depository during the years, 1851 to 1872, inclusive (2) Books Imports into Ontario and Quebec (3) Explanatory Remarks on the working of the Depository (4) The general question practically discussed "" (5) Practice and Opinions of American Educationists in regard to a Depository (6) Cautions and Warnings of American Educationists ••"• (7) Steps taken by the Education Department for Ontario to supply our Schools with cheap and useful Books, Maps and Apparatus, &o 9 9 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 PART II. Copy OF Circular sent to various Educationists, with a view to elicit their views on the Depository question, with an explanatory statement of the case General Regulations for the supply of Library and Prize Books, Maps and Apparatus, to ^^ the Public High Schools of Ontario • Four kinds of Free Libraries may be established under the Regulations 16 Professional Books supplied to School Inspectors, Teachers and Institutions Lord Elgin's explanation of the regulations of the Department for selecting Library and ^^ Prize Books for the Schools Summary of Objections to the Educational Depository Reply to these Objections PART III. (1) Ambrtcan Replies to th^ foreooino Cirottlab :— The Honourable John G. Baird, Assistant-Secretary, Board of Education, State of Connecticut , 19 The Hor Mirable H. A. M, Hondomon, Superintendent of Pnblic rn«tntctlon, State of Kentucky The Honourable H. B. Wilson, Superintendent of PubUc rn.tructiou," State" of Minnesota The Honourable Abram B. Weaver, Superintendent of PubHi)"rn8truotion! State of New York 20 20 20 Rev. Samuel C. Jackson, Secretary, State Board of Education, Massachusetts ... 21 The Honourable Alonzo Abernethy, Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of Iowa The Honourable Jno. M. Fleming, Superintendent of Public Initniotiiin, State of Tennessee .. The Honourable J. W, Simonds, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Now Ha,„p! "Jiire _ 21 The Honourable Newton Bateman, Suporintondunt of Public Instruction, State of Illinois 23 The Honourable H. D. MoCarty, Suporintcndont of Public Instruction," State of Kansas The Honourable W. M. Bryant. City .Superiutendout"of""publ"ic"'sc"hools, Bur- lington 2^ The Honourable Wm. R. Creery, City Superintendent" "of "pviblio" Instruct ion' Baltimore, Maryland „- The Honourable J. N. Larned, City Superintendent of Education^ iJuffaKsN.'Y""' 26 The Honourable E. B. Hale. City Superintendent of Public Schools, Cambridge ^I^* 23 The Honourable Henry Kiddle, City .Supurintendo.t of Public Instruction. New Y"''^ 25 The Honourable S. A. Ellis, City «nporinton.lont .,f Public Instruction, Rocheater 26 The Honourable A. P. Marble, City Inspoct.r of Schools, Worcester, Mass 26 The Honourable J..lm Hancock, City Superintendent of Schools, Cincinnati 26 The Honourable A. J. Rickoff, City SnpurintunJcnt of Instruction, Cleveland... ' 26 Isaac M. WeUington, Esquire, Principal, Hi-h School, Detroit 26 0. R. Burchard, Esq., A.M., Editor an J Publisher -New York State Educational Journal," Buli'alo, N.Y og D. M. Knickerbocker, Esq., Editor •'American Educational Monthly,"'"' New York""" 26 Henry A. Ford, Esq., Editor and Publisher " Michi-.m Teacher" * 27 Thos. B. Stock well, Esq., "Rhode Island Schoolmaster" '.i"]"i 27 John A. Banfield, Esq., Editor " Kansas Educational Journal," Leavenworth, Kas 27 Superintendent School Committee, Brunswick, Me '. ' 27 (2) Replies from New Buu.v.swiok ano South Au.straiia :— Theodore H. Rand, Esq., Chief Superintendent of Education, Province of New Brunswick 28 Robert; Kay, Esq. , Secretary, South Australian Institute !.!.!"!., 29 James Bath, Esq., Secretary, Board of Education, Adelaide, South AustraUa......... 29 (3) REPL1E.S FROM INSPECTORS IN ONTARIO :— A. W. Ross, Esq., Inspector, Co. Glengarry 29 Alexander McNaughton, Esq., Inspector, Co. Stormont, "!!"".!!!!!!!!*" 29 T. 0. Steele, Esq., Inspector, Co. Prescott 3q vii Rev. Thoman Ourr it, Inspector, Co. RiissoU 30 Rev. Juhn Miy, «.,.!., Inspector, Co. Curlutun 31 Ruv. Ouorgo Blair, M.A., Inspector, Co. Grenvillu 33 Robert Kinney, Ei((., M.D., Innpoutor, No. 2, Leeds 34 Wm. R. Bigg, Eii«i., Inspector, N<>. 1, Leeds 34 Henry Lloyd Slack, Ewj., M.A., Inspector, Co, Lanark '. 34 Rev. E. H. Jonkyns, M.A,, Inspector, Co. Renfrew 34 John Agnew, E8(|.,M.U, Inspector, Co. Frontenac 38 Frederick BniTows, Es(|., Inspector, United Counties Lennox and Addington 36 Thomas S. Agar, Esq., Inspector, Nj, 1, Hastings 36 John Johnston, E»(i., Inspector, No. 2, Hastings 38 Gilbert D. Piatt, Esq., Inspector, Co. Prince Edward 38 J. J. Tilley, E8 be found of much interest in connection with Jias part of our School System. 1851. 1852.. ia53.. 1854,. 1855.. 1866.. 1857.. 18.-.8.. 1859.. I860.. 1861.. 1862.. 1863.. 1864.. 1865. 1866.. 1867.. 1868,. 1869.. 1870., 1871.. 1872., 11 ks. None of 3ol Inspectors, one work on je yearly new nerican Press. of the books raries without TO THE books for the •ovided volun- . fifty per cent, er of Maps of [ ; of America, land, 242 ; of lid maps, 827 ; 2046 ; of His- hooks, 63,721. branch of the of 1872, the ic Libraries), ■om which all led is 3,036 ; British North 3 Heraispheres, Globes, 2,340 ; cal and other ment : — Department, led from local orted articles manufactured ravellers, and meral frames, titive private th copies and at stipulated these articles them only to e introduced, ids to School in particular )le to private y. It is also t is self-sup- )ks procured, 'ond what is n or sums for 5. I know of a Public De- jut adding to on with vhis (1) Table Shewing the Value or TORY DURING TH ICLES SENT OUT FROM THE EDUCATION DePOSI- VRS 1851 TO 1872, INCLUSIVE. YEAE. 1851. 1852.. ia53.. 1854,. 1855.. 1866.. 1857.. 18.58.. 1859.. I860.. 1861.. 1862.. 1863.. 1864.. 1865. 1866.. 1867.. 1868.. 1869.. 1870.. 1871.. 1872., Articles on which tin 100 per cent, has been apport.ioned from the Legislative Grant. Public School Ijibrary Books. Dollars. Maps, Apparatus and Prize Books. Dollars. Articles sold at Catalogue prices without any ap- portionment from the Legislative Grant. 51,376 9,947 7,205 16,200 3,982 6,805 5,289 4,084 3,273 4,022 1,931 2,40U 4,376 3,404 4,420 4,665 3,396 3,300 4,421 4,655 9,320 18,118 11,810 11,905 16,832 16,251 16,194 15,887 17,260 20,224 27,114 28,270 25,923 24,475 28.810 30,076 42,265 Dollars. 1,414 2,981 4,233 5,514 4,389 5,726 6,452 6,972 6,679 .5,416 4,894 4,844 3,461 4,454 3,818 4,172 7,419 4,793 5,678 6,175 8,138 10,481 Total value of Library, Prize & School Books, Maps and Appa- ratus despatched. Dollars. 1,414 2,981 4,233 56,890 18,991 22,2.51 40,770 22,764 24,389 27,.537 25,229 24,311 23,370 23,645 26,442 35,661 39,093 35,136 34,808 38,381 41,.514 57,167 (2) Books Imports into Ontario and Quebec. The folic ing Statistical Table has been compiled from the "Trade and Navigation Returns" for the years specified, showing the gross value of books (not maps or School apparatus) imported into Ontario and Quebec. YEAR. 1 Value of Books en- tered at Ports in the Province of Quebec. Value of Books en- tered at Ports in the Province of Ontario. Total value of Books imported into the two Provinces. Proportion imported for the Education De- partment of Ontario. 1850 Dollars. 101,880 120,700 141,170 1.58,700 171,4,52 194,-3.56 208,636 224,400 171,2.55 139,0.57 156,604 185,612 183,987 184,6.52 93,308 189,386 222,559 233,8,37 224,.582 278.911 220,371 146.435 212,644 Dollars. 141,700 171,732 159,268 2.54,280 307.808 .338,792 427,992 309,172 191,942 184,304 252,504 ;M4,621 249,2:i4 276,673 127,233 200,304 247,749 273,615 2.54,048 373.7.58 3.51,171 411,518 477,581 Dollars. 243,580 2!)2,432 300.444 412,980 479,260 533,148 6.36.628 6.33,572 .363.197 323,,361 408,108 530,233 433,221 461,325 220..541 389, COO 470,308 607,4.52 478,630 662,672 571,542 657,9.53 690,225 Dollars. 84 3,296 1.288 ia5i ■•3,52 l{i53 22,704 44,060 25,624 10,208 16,028 18.54 18,55 18,56 1857 18,58 18.59 18(i0 10.692 5.:-08 8,846 7,782 7.800 4.085 1861 1S62 18<)3 i of 1864 1864-5 4 668 £,522 14.749 20,743 12,374 11,874 13,019 13,078 20,315 imn-a 1866-7 1867-8 1.K{«-.9 , 1869-1870 ... 1870-1871 ... 1871-1872 ... n 12 (3) Explanatory Remarks on the Working on the Depository. As certain parties have objected to the Depositories for the supply of High and Public Schools with maps, charts, apparatus, prize and library books, as an interference with private trade, I caused a circular to be addressed to each of the leading educationists in the United States and in the other Provinces, &c. ; also to the county, city and town Inspectors of Public Schools in this Province. The circular of enquiry, with the replies vhich I have received, will be found on pages 15 and 19. (4) The General Question Practically Discussed. In every country the interests of education, at least in its elementary organization, are committed to the care and oversight of some department of Government. Experience proves the necessity of doing so. But, it may be asked : " What is expected of such a department in its administration of the system ?" " Is it the merely perfunctory duty of keeping a certain statutory machinery in motion, receiving formal reports, and making the same in return, which is expected 1 Or is it the dealing with the great interest of popular education as if it were the nation's life blood, every pulsation of which indicated a healthy, vigorous growth of intellectual and moral life, or the torpidity of bare existence, maintained at large cost, but producing little fruit and no satisfactory returns f The prevention of this latter, and the promotion of the former are, we think, the true objects for which popular education is especially entrusted to the care and oversight of a respon- sible public department. If it be so, the question then is, " How can this be best accom- plished, and in what light should the Schools be regarded and treated, so as to bring about the best possible results 1" whether as the joint property of the State and people, their interests should be paramount to private interests, or should they be treated merely as institutions that should be made to subseive the interests of the trades and professions, whether it be of book-sellers or of private schools, or institutions for the training of School-masters. (5) Practice and Opinions of American Educationists in regard to a Depository. The Commissioner of Public Schools in the State of Rhode Island, in discussin;, the question of School libraries in his report, thus remarks : ■' The plan of providing such district School libraries, adopted by the ParUainenl of Canada West, is undoubtedly the wisest that has yet been acted upon. It is in short this : — The Par- liament by vote appropriated a specific sum to purcliase a suitable number of books, charts and articles of apparatus for Schools and ScIkjoI libraries. This sum was expended under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Education, and a large Depository of excel- lent and select books for the reading of youth and older persons was made at the Office ot liducation. Whenever any School district or municipality wishes to form a library, it may send to the office of the General Superintendent a sum not less than five dollars, and the Superintendent adds one Imndred per cent, to the sum, and returns, at cost price', such books to the district as may, by a committee or otherwise, have been selected from the printed catalogue of the Deixisitory. Thus the l)ooks that go into libraries are books that have been well examined, and contain nothing that is frivolous, or that could poison the morals of those who read them ; tlte librarit-s purchast' them at the wholesale price, and, of course, can obtain a much larger amount of reading matter for their money than as though they had each made the purchase direct fron; the booksellers for themselves, and at the .same time they are .slimuhiteil to do sometlung for themselves, as well as to ask that sometlung may be done for tlu^m. It is believed that some sucli plan might be carried into eflect in our own State greatly to the profit of the Avlioie coummnity." In my Special Kepoii to the Legislature in 18.")8, in regard to the State of New York. I said : — " The unsatisfactoiy working and tleclining state of the Public School library sy.s tem in the State of New Voik, as detailed in a preceding page, is a sufficient illustration of the fruits of what is demanded liy the bookselling assailants of our ])ublic library tini,in a country wlu-re the pri\ati; liouk trade is miicli luuie eAleiided ii])erations than in Upper Canada. ''Whetlier, tlieiei'ore, our system of ni'ovi ni it s su pplie sys- saiid iliiig ])ublic liljraries, as well as majjs. globes, and other School apparatus, be considt'K'd in rei>,ai(l to the hidier or 1 ower ground.- 13 rORY. of High and 1 interference educationists lity and town th the replies organization, Experience ted of such a ictory duty of , and making at interest of lich indicated are existence, burns V Tlie e true objects J of a respoii- e best acconi- io as to bring and people, •eated merely 1 professions, 3 training of Depository. iscussinjj the 'Ml of Canada i :— The Par- books, charts •ended under tory of excel- I the Office of a library, it five dollars, at cost price, elected from ies are books could poison olesale price, ' money than themselves, :s W(^ll as to an might be iiity." )f New York, I library sj.s t illustration library s}s- suppliesaiid 'ell as maj)s, jwei' grounds above stated, the conclusion is that which was expressed by the President of the American Association for the Advancement of PJducation, at a late anniversary of that noble society, as quoted by the Earl of Elgin in a speech at Glasgow, after his return from Canada. The report says : ' The President made some remarks on the difficulty in the United States of procuring proper libraries for Schools, keeping out bad books and procuring good ones at reasonable rates, and he strongly recommended the system adopted by the Educatii . De- partment at Toronto, Canada West.' " Examples of the practice in other States, and in Nova Scotia, Australia, &c. (which are in the main similar to that in our own Province), will be found on pages 40 and 43 of the Special Report just quoted, and pages 100 and 101 of the Journal of Education for June, 1867. (6) Cautions and Warnings of American Educationists. We have already cited the opinion of two prominent American authorities in favour of the Depository system adopted in this Province. In the Journal of Education for June, 1867, will be found regulations similar in effect to those in this Province, which have been adopted in Michigan, Maryland, Nova Scotia and Australia. We will now quote the following extracts from the Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Michigan on this subject. He says (after speaking of some other difficulties in carrying out their library system) : •' But a worse evil grew up in the systematic plans of pedlers to palm upon the lib- raries a mass of cheap, trashy and often pernicious literature. One or two wealthy book- sellers kept their pedling agents traversing the State, and many are the tricks by which they boasted that they cajoled the Inspectors. A few libraries were well selected and well kept ; but so valueless for the public good, and especially for the education of the young, had the great majority become, that all intelligent friends of education desired a change." See an illustration of the existence of this pernicious system of peddling in our Province, given in the Globe's Book Trade Review for 1862.* These " wealthy" and other " booksellers" here mentioned were determined, how- ever, not to permit their " trade" to be interfered with by State authority, and their next course of action in the interect of the " trade" may be best gathered from the following notice, which the State Superintendent found it necessary to issue to the Schools :— " Caution.— School Officers are especially cautioned against travelling book pedlers, who pretending to be agents of the State contractors, or asserting that they will sell cheaper than the contract prices, j.alm on to the libraries inferior and cheap editions of the works selected, or of worthless books in their places, and in common and frail bindings. " Every book on this list is contracted for at considerably less than the publisher's re- tail price for the same in common binding, while the binding provided for by the contract is much more expensive, as well as durable binding, than ordinary cloth or even sheep binding. i i- ■ j ■ i " No book pedler can furnish these books in equally good editions, and in equal binding, for the prices given in this circular. # # • * * ••' It is hoped that this simple and easv method of supplying the libraries with books will commend itself to the good sense of the people, and will induce a more liberal support of these valuable agencies of popular education. It would be difficult to devise a more simple plan. It is like bringing a large bookstore home to each district. A large list of good books— more tha.i twice as large as any book st<)re in the State can show— has been selected, with the aid of some of the best men in the State. * * ,,; # * * * " All orders for books ana ationery must be sent to the State Superintendent through the Secretary of the Board of School Commissioners, the Secretary keeping an account of the same," &c. ,,.,,• ,onn C. S. Stcbbins, Esq., in his Edumtimial Need-^ of Mrrhuuin, pubhshed in 1869, says : " The ifounders of our School system thought libraries indispensable to furn ish reading to •1n"th^o7o67New8papeT "^rade Review'' for 1862, the writer states that "for years the country has been flooded with the lowest and most trashy class of literature from the Amencan press. Books whose only merit was their bulk and binding, have lieen hawked mto every nook of the Province by a w^BXtorj tribe of itinerant pedlers.'" 14 1! the young. IFe do not need them now so twh to furnish reading as to secure the proper kind of reading. This, our present law, would do but for one fatal defect — a defect as fatal as would be the omission of the connecting rod in a locomotive. * * . * And what kind of books were they ? Some good ones, doubtless ; but generally it were better to sow oats in the dust that covered them than to give them to the young to read. Every year, soon aft er the taxes were collected, the State swarmed with pedlers with all the unsaleable bookd of Eastern houses — the sensational novels of all ages, tales of piracies, murders and love intrigues — the yellow-covered literature of the world." In the State of New York the library system has, under the pernicious efforts of itin- erant vendors, as just pointed out, greatly declined. The New York Teacher thus gives some of the reasons for this decline : " The Trustees refuse to be troubled with the care of the library, thus consigning it to an unfavourable location in the Section, and often hide it in some dark corner of the garret, or stow it into some cut-buildings where its only visitors are rats, mice and spiders, They exercise a low and pernicious taste in the selection of books. Dark and bloody tales of war and bloodshed, tlie silly catch-penny publicatiom of unprincipled publishers, and the dry, xininstructive matter of some cheap old book, usurp the place of the instructive, the elevating, the refining, the progressive issues of reputable publishing houses. They seem to regard it as a great evil that they cannot divert this sacred fund from its appropriate channel. Almost daily applications are made to the State Superintendent for permission to apply the library money to the payment of Teachers' wages, and that, too, when the Section is destitute of many useful items of apparatus ; sometimes even of a globe and black board." (7) Steps Taken by the Education Department for Ontario to Supply our Schools with Cheap and Useful Books, Maps and Apparatus, &c. It now remains for us to state what are the steps which have been taken by the On- tario Department to supply the Schools with prize and library books, maps and appara- tus. In 18.50 and 1851, 1 went to England and the United States, and made special and advantageous arrangements with publishers there to furnish the Department with such books, &c., as might be requii-ed, at the lowest rates. These arrangements have been re- vised from time to time. The last revision was made in 1867, when the Deputy Super- intendent was authorized to proceed to England to confer Avith the leading publishers personally on the subject, which he did, and made arrangements with about fifty publishers. From his Report to me on the result of his mission, I make the following extracts. He says : " Upon enquiry I found that none of our old publishers were disposed to offer bet- ter terms than I had been enabled to make with them some years ago. The new pub- lishers, too, were as little disposed as the old ones to offer more than the usual trade terms to exporters. AVith several of thepublisliers I had some little difficulty, when I first called, to induce them to modify their terms. They alleged that they had already given us their best export terms for cash. After sundry conferences and explanations, they were at length induced, with two or three exceptions, to agree to an additional discount for cash of 2 J, 5, 7|, or 10 per cent, (as the case might be) over and above their former rates of discount to the Department. Five per cent, was the average additional discount which I was thus enabled to secure for the Department, together with tho advantage, in most cases, as heretofore, of the odd books, viz. :— 7 as 6A, 13 as 12, 25 as 24. This additional discount v/ill be quite sufficient to pay the customs duty which has recently been imposed upon books coming into the Province, and thus enable the Department to supply the Schools with a very greatly increased variety of books as the old , m, viz. ; on an average currency for sterling prices (i. e. 20 cents for the shilling sterliiiL'' )' These arrangements for the purchase of books, &c., h" i! been explained to the Committee of the House of Assembly, appointed to enquire co matter, together with the terms on wliich the books are supplied to the Schools, ' .c C .imittee reported to the House upon th»^ facts as iPnllows ; "Your Committee have also made a thorough invesi' „ion of the Depository de- partment, and find that the existing arrangements for purchasing stock are satisfactory and well fitted for securimj tlie same on the most favourable terms. The mode of disposing of the hooks is equally satisfarMy." 16 ) the proper ect as fatal # * lly it were iig to read. •s with all of piracies, orts of itin- thua gives nsigning it :ner of the ind spiders, I bloody tales •,rs, and the ructive, the They seem appropriate permission a, when the glohe and UPPLY OUR &c. by the On- ind appara- special and t with such ive been re- puty Super- publishers r publishers. tracts. He to offer bet- le new pub- trade terms [ first called, ren us their ley were at unt for cash ler rates of unt which I ge, in most s additional ien imposed ) supply the 1 an average lined to the )gether v.ith orted to the ipository de- " satisjactorij sposing of the PART II. COPY OF CIRCULAR Sknt to various Educationists, with a view to elicit their views on the Depository question, witA an explanatory statement of the case. Sib -I have the honour to submit the following matter to y^.^" ^^^^^^ <;*?"«i'^^^*S"of ^bl will thank you to aid this Department with the best advice which (m the interest of the 'tt^Z^^:.^1^^X^^^y^^ the 5,000 Public and Higb Sch^ conneS wHh [bis Department U Librdry and ^^^^ ^-H ^^^^^^^^^ tKfi r>Pnositorv of the Department, having been questioned, the Ohiel ^"P^""^',""*'"'' „ Slt» of your o«n experience on this matter, ».tl. a view to .ubmit them to the Liecn "I'JrZrif Se :j:cL^O"g.i.«t t^e D,.po,i.ory, and of t„c replies to th,., '^l^.t^'Slr^^rS/K: RerrXerson, CMef Snperinten.len. of Edneation for Ontario, Toronto. I have the honour to be. Sir, Your very obedient servant, (Signed) J- George Hodgins, „, . ^„ Deputy Superintendent. Education Office, ^"^ -' ' Toronto, 15th April, 1873. General Regulations for the supply of Library and Prize Books, Maps and Apparatus, to the Public High Schools of Ontario. " The Public School Libraries are becoming the crown and glory of the institutions o^the Pn.vince. "-Zioni •' Hadfthe power, I would scatter Libraries over the whole land, as the sower sows his seed."-^ora« Mann, 1 The Chief Superintendent of Education will add one hundred per cent (out of t^ie Leg Blative grant) lo any sum or sun.s, not less than five del ars, ^-^^ Jl^.k partment b^y the Municipal and School Corporations on ^^'^^^^^^f J^"^^^^ Schools, and forward Public Librniy Books, Prize Books, ^I^P«^J^Pf^latuB^;;^r^;^^^^^ Diagrams, to the value of the amount thus augmented, upon veceiving jj^^* 5^ * J*^ J^^5\^^^! reqidred. Li all cases, it will be necessary for any pei-son «^ l"f «;\^;^f';„"\tSfied ciill or Ti-ustee Corporation, to enclose or present a written ^^^^hor ty to do so v^^^^^^^ the corporate seal of the Corporation. A selection of Maps, ^M'^^va^s Library Books;&c., to be sent, can always be made by ^^^ J'^Y^^'^'''' ^^'^ TuSies on their 2. Catalogues and forms of Application nil be furnished to School authorities '^t^lL^ary and Prize Books be ordered, in adcUtion to ^^J^ -i^^??,^!^^^^ he necessary for the Trustees to send not less than five do lars additional for each class books, &c., with the proper forms of application for each class. I 16 4. The one hundred per cent, will be allowed on any Rum over ten dollars, and a mixed selection frcm each of the three classes of articles, viz. : (1) maps and apparatus, (2) li- brary, and (3) prize books will be sent ; but for |5 received only one class of articles can be sent. 6. In cases where the Books ordered are not in stock, the Department selects and sends others of a like character, subject, however, to the approval of the Trustees, etc. If any erroi-8 be discovered, they should be notified at once, and the invoice returned, in order that the errors may be rectified. Should additional Books be required, directions should be given as to the mode of their transmission. 6. In order to j)revent the introduction of improper books into the Libraries, it is re- quired that no book shall be admitted into any Free Hchool Library established under these regulations which is not included in the authorized list of Public School Library Books. -^ Four kinds ok Free Libraries may be established under the Regulations. Under the regulations of the Department, each Municipal Council can establish four elassesof libraries in the Municipality, as follows : City, Town. Village, and Township Councils can establish the first three classes, and School Trustees either of the first or third classes. XL ^" J^^. «'"^i"'^»y ^ree Puhlk (or High) Sclwol LUrrary in each School-house for the use of the children and ratepayers, 2. A General Free Public Lcndmg Lihrny, available to ail the ratepayers of the Munici- pality. 3. A Professional Library of books on teaching, school organization, laneuace and kin- dred subjects, available to teachers alone. 4. A Library in any Public Institution, under control of the Municipality, for the use of the inmates, or m the County Jail for the use of the prisoners. We cannot too strongly urge upon School Trustees the importance and even ne- cessity of providing (especially during the autumn and winter months), suitable readinz books for the pupils in their schools, either as prizes or in Libraries. Having aiven the pupils a taste for reading and general knowledge, they should provide some agreeable and practical means of gratifying it. I Professional Books supplied to School Inspectors, Teachers and Institutions. 1. In the catalogue are given the net prices at which books and school requisites may be obtained by the Public Educational Institutions of Ontario, from the Depository in connection with the Department. 2. Insiiectois and teachers will also be supplied, on the same terms, with such educa- tional works as relate to the duties of their profession. Lord ElcxIn's explanation of the Regulations of the Department for seleotin*! Library and Prize Books for the Schools. To the foregoing regulations of the Department we desire to add the following explana- tion of the regulations on this subject, in the words of the late lamented Earl of Elgin who was Cxovernor-General of Canada, during the whole period of the establishment and maturing of the Normal and Library branches of the School system, who familiarized himself with the working of that system, and aided an every possible npf-psJon in it^i de velopment. On his resigning the Government of Canada, Lord Elgin prepared and pre- sented to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, an elaborate report of his Canadian administration. il the moR( 17 ■8, and a mixed laratuB, (2) li- of articles can lects and sends ^s, etc. If any 1, in order that ions should be •raries, it is re- ibliwhed under School Library JULATIONS. establish jmr and Township e first or third > for the use of of the Munici- 2;nage and kin" for the use of and even ne- itable reading nng given the agreeable and Institutions. requisites may Depository in h siich educa- )R SELEOTINri iving explana- Earl of Elgin, ^lishment and 3 familiarized sioii in it"? de ired and pre- iborate report In that report, he devotes several pages to a comprehensive view of our School syitem, including a minute account of the system of jjublic libiaries, and the general machinrry and administration of the t.chool law uiul its results. * * * After advci ing to the comparative state of education in Upper Canada in the years from 1847 to 1853 in- clusive, Irfird Elgin proceeds as follows : — " In the former of these years, the Normal School, which may be considered as the foundation of the system, was instituted, and at the close of the latter, the first volume issued from the Education Department to the public school libraries, which are its crown aiid completion. If it may be affirmed of reciprocity with the United States, that it in- troduces an era in the commercial history of the Province ; so may it, I think, be said of the latter measure, that it introduces a new era in its educational and intellectual history. The subject is so important that I beg leave to say a few words upon it. The term school libraries does not imply that the libraries in question are s[)ecially designed for the benefit of the school pupils. They are, in point of fact, free public librarie;) intended for the use of the general population ; and they are entitled school libraries, because their establish- ment has been provided for in the School Acts, and their management confided to the school authorities. " Public school libraries then, similar to those which are now being introduced into Canada, have been in operation for several years in some States of the neighbouring Union, and many of the most valuable features of the Canadian system have been borrowed from them. In most of the States, however, which have appropriated funds for library pur- poses, the selection of books has been left to the trustees appointed by the different dis- tricts, many of whom are ill qualified for the task, and the consequence has been that the travelling peddlers, who offer the most showy books at the lowest prices, have had the princi[)al share in furnishing the libraries. In introducing the system into Canada, pre- cautions have been taken, which, I trust, will have the eftect of obviating this great evil. " In the School Act of 1850, which first set apart a sum of money for tiie establish- ment and support of school libraries, it is declared to be the duty of the Chief Superinten dent of Education to appoi'tion the sum granted for this [)urpose by the Legislature under the following condition : — ' That no aid shall bo given towards the establishment and sup- port of any school library, unless an equal amount be contributed or expended from local sources for the same object ;' and the Council of Public Instruction is required to examine, and at its discretion to recommend or disapprove of text books for the use of schools, or books for school libraries. ' Provided that no portion of the legislative school grant shall be applied in aid of any school in which any book is used which has been disapproved of by the Council, and public notice given of such disapproval.' " The Council of Public Instruction, in the discbarge of the responsibility thus im- posed upon it, has adopted, among the general regulations for the establishment and management of public school libraries in Upper Canada, the following rule:- ' In order to ()revent the introduction of improper books into libi'aries, it is required that no book shall be admitted into any public school library, established under tliese regulations, which is not inchided in the catalogue of jmblic school library books |repared according to law;' and the principles by which it has been guided in performing the task of selecting books for these libraries, are stated in the following extract from the minutes of its pro- ceedings :- — " ' The Coimcil regards it as imperative that no work of a licentious, vicious, or im- moral tendency, and no works hostile to the Christian religion, should be admitted into the libraries.* " ' 2. Nor is it, in the opinion of the Council, compatible with the objects of the public school libraries, to introduce into them controversial works on theology, or works of denominational controversy ; although it would not bo desirable to exchule all historical and other works in which such topics are referred to and discussed, and it is desirable to include a selection of suitable works on the evidences of natural and revealed religion. " ' 3. In regard to works on ecclesiastical history, the Coinicil agrees on a selection of the most opproved works on o^^ch side. • The first and part of the second of •■ Law and Regulations of New Brunswick i ■ paragraphs have been adopted verbatim in the new School g to public libraries. IM! 18 " ' 4. With the.3o excoptionH, ami >vithin these limitations, it is the oj)inion of the Council that us wide a selection as possible shoiild be made of useful and entertaining books of permanent value, adapted to popular reading in the various departments of human knowledge ; leaving each munieij)ality to consult its own taste, and exercise its own dis- cretion in selecting such books from the general catalogue. " ' 5. The including of any books in the general catalogue is not to be understood as the expression of any oj)inion by the Council in regard to any sentiments inculcated or combated in such books ; but merely as an acquiescence on the part of the Council in the purchase of such by any municipality, should it think proper to do so. " ' 6. The general catalogue of books for i)ublic school libi-aries may be modified and enlarged from year to year as circumstances may suggest, and as suitable new works of vahie may appear.' " The catalogue above referred to affords ample proof of the intelligence and liberal spirit in which the principles above stated have been carried out by the Council of Public Instruction. The Chief Superintendent observes, that in the case of libraries established up to the present time, the local authorities have, in a large number of instances, assigned the task of selecting books to the Chief Superintendent ; that in some they have, by a committee of one or moi-e of themselves, chosen all the books desired by them ; and that in others they have selected them to the amount of their own appropriation, requesting the Chief Supeiintendent to choose the remainder to the amount of the apportionment of the library grant." Summary of Objections to the Educational Depository. The princi])al objections urged by Booksellers against the Depository are — 1st. That it is an unjust interference with " the trade." » 2nd. That it creates a "monopoly" injurious to them. 3rd. That if the Legislature s>ipplie8 its schools with books and maps, it ought, on the same principle, to supply other articles. 4th. That, even if the arrangement was a wise c ne in the infancy of the school system, •when Booksellers were few, and facilities of supply did not exist, it is indefensible now, when these reasons for its establishment no longer exist. 5th. That if "the trade" can (as it does) supply text books '•; can also equally well supply library and prize books. 6th. That the Depositorj^is an expensive burthen to the Province. Eeply to these Objections. Although it is difficult to condense replies to general objections like the foregoing, yet we endeavour to do so, as follows : — 1st. That the alleged interference of the Depository with the book trade is the reverse of truth, as the " Trade Returns" will sliow. It has, on the contrary, largely developed this trade, by sending books into every corner of the laud. The value of books (not maps and apparatus) imported into tlie Province of Ontario in 1850, was .1141,700, and now about $410,000, while the average import of books by the Department his not been ten per cent, of this latter sum. 2n(l. Tlidt the Educational Depository exists solely for, and in the interests of the schools alone, and that it has never suj)[)lied })rivate parties with books, or interfered with private trade in anyway; and that to abandon the principle of the Educational Depository would be either to confer a " monopoly" of high prices upon a few individiuvl Booksellers, or to throw wide open the door to the introduction of all kinds of literKture, the bad and pernicious as well as the good, as can be demonstrated by incontrovertible testimony and examples.* * Note. — Four Rea.so.vh whv "the Trade' TORY IN Supplying ouu Schools. IS INCOMPETENT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF THE DePO.SI- 19 oj)iiuon of the il entertaining lenta of human ise its own dia- understood as inculcated or Council in the } modified and new works of ice and liberal incil of Public •ies eHtablished incea, assigned ley have, by a lem ; and that on, requesting >ortionment of , it ought, on school system, efensible now, o equally well the foregoing, is the reverse ^ely developed oks (not maps 700, and now wt been ten per terests of the nterferod with lal De[)ository il Booksellers, , the bad and testimony and 1 OF THE DePOSI- 3rd That the principle of the Depository is recognized and acted upon without quea- tion by the Imperial, Dominion and Provincial Governments, in their Stationery Offices, Queen's Printers, Post-Offices, Army and Navy Hupi.ly, etc. 4th That if the Government, under the authority of the Legislature, has a right to itivo money and provide trained teachers for the schools, it has also a right to give books and maps to them, and there is not a shadow of difference in the principle of the one gift 5tli" That the entire text-lwok tra^e is in the hands of the Booksellers, as the books are all named and known, and no departure from the list can take place ; but that with the large and constant influx of now books, no such supervision could take place over the supply by Booksellers of prizes and library books. , -n • 6th. That the Depository has fully paid its own way, and has not cost the Province one cent for its management for twenty years. I PART III. 1. American Replies to the foregoing Circular. The Hmmrnblo John 0. Baird, Asdstant-Secreiari/, Board of Education State of Connec- ticut.— A law was passed by the Legislature of Connecticut in 1856, by which any Schoo district in the State, by raising $10 for the purchase of " Library and Apparatus, coucl receive from the State Treasury $10 more for the same purpose : also, by raising «j any subsequent year, could receive $5 from the State. This law has since been modiheJ so that districts having more than 100 pupils in actual attendance can draw ffP\\^^l^% priations, The present law on this point is given in Section 96 of the School Law ot Connecticut, as revised and re-enacted in 1872. Under the " School Library Law a large number of districts every year receive the State appropriation, ^ho amount drawn from the State Treasury in this way during the year ending March 31st;, 18'^. ^as $2,960. The Annual Reports of this Department from 1857 to the present time (except the Report for 1867) have contained a statement of what has been done each year. Ibe money thus obtained is usually expended in procuring maps globes, dictionaries. Gazet- teers, and other works of reference. Occasionally a library of books for reading and cir- culation is established and maintained by annually drawing tlie State appropriation. There has been no complaint among booksellers, so far as I am aware on the ground that this action of the State interferes with their business. TJie amount expended i«y A; " braries and Apparatus" has never yet equalled $10,000 in any one year. No large part ot this amount can be considered a^ so much taken from the trade of any one hookseller n fact, the loss of trade to that class of people is practically nd,iov those who Pr«c»f '3; etc., would have bought nothing, (usually,) except for the offer ot State aid. 1" ^o™; cases the trade of booksellers is positively increami. The second objection named in y« ^r circular can have very little weight. The monopoly is too small in its proportions to trouble any bookseller, or to profit e-,entially those who hold it. The ject in view than «"miTiercial train. ., ^„„„u their asents and 2nd. That the experience of educationists on this subject is that l'"'*,«^"'^r«'^^,'^°"*^° *^i^ travellers throughout the rural parts, have, with some good books, disposed of immense quantities p cious and worthless books. , , ,, . ,. . • i.„i„ i.v.^v.0,1 na well as the 8rd. That if the right of supply is thrown open to bookseers indiscnmm^^^^^^ gr,od will take advantage of the facilities thus afforded for Hoo.ling the country '^lUitheiynvnnDnc^ without check or restraint. To restrict the right of supply to .me or more publishers would be to , erpe. the bo-called " monopoly " in its most oppressive and offensive form If a '='^'f"S'V^^ ™,'^^ ,":f .^"^o crrculate in the direction of throvVing open the right of supply, and giving all vendors alike full peimission to tircu »uch books as they please— bad as well as good. -^i ^ u • n.^ "„r,.,„n,.lv" of suoplv 4th. No private publishing house, even in the cities, could, without having * \« """X^. ", Zul secured to it, be able to keep more than one-half of the variety o books, maps, ^'•^^ft.^^f^f^'iWY-e " t which would be necessary for circulation in our .5.000 schools. Nor could it supply them at the low pn.es at wnicn they are now furnished to the trustees. 20 cut show that tho8.f who mruv tho bounty raise fnr thmflvf..H iflveral times m much, Ihey arfl encouragml t.. hflp thenwb,-,. Tho fourth objoption lias no application in this tstftte As for tlw) tifth, tho bookHoIlcrs do supply a .•on,si,l..ral)lo part of the books Tho ^>.Tth .Iocs not apply h.-ro ; tho Statr pays a U^sv hundrod dollars oach yoar, but so small a sum It would bo absurd to call a " burden." The plan in force horo wwkx well, and no one finds any hunt with it. The llomnmhle II. A. M. Hendmmi, Superintendent of Public httmrtim, Stale of Ken- tacky:— \ bavo not time to elaborate my views. Kentucky lias only made one experiment 111 the direction you nxlicate, namely, in the purchase of one copy of Collins^ History *lJ nnn"'''*-^ **^'' "'*"•' ^'^':""'' '''''^'■'''^' '"^^ *■* "''*^'- '•"^'i'' "^'l' '^•'st tl>" «tate School Fund f-.^OOO, and, in my opinion, be barr.-n of all profitable results to Common Schools I opposHl this scheme. It might have been well for the State to pay this sum out of the general revenue, to encourage the publication of so full and entertaining a history of the Commonwoalth, but the School Fund slioulrl not have borne this burdeir It would have been much better to have expended this amount in suj.plying Schools with maps, charts, and other instructional aids, lor my own State, with my observations of ho., the School funds ol the Southern States have been squandered by venal contracts,and in need of all the money we can command to pay teachers, I should oppose any proposition to expend public moneys belonging to the School on.lowmcnts, or derived from taxation in ai.l of Com.un Schoo H in the purchase of Maps, Charts, etc. My observation of College and School libraries 18 that they are well nigh profitless appendages, so far as the pupils are concerne.1. Refer- ence books are ot course valuable to teachers and professors. A child currently engaged in the study of text books has but little time to devote to general reading. Its mmd is not well enough disciplined for solid reading, and books of mere entertainment are well nigh worthless. Much reading, without corre.sponding thought, superinduces a morbid habit, and affords a shallow apology for the intellect to remain as inert as a honeycomb, while an authors reflections are poured into its empty cells. Of tho two, I would purchase maps, char s, cubes, etc., before, books. My opinion is not in favour of the Merit Card sys- tem. Studying for any other prize than tho inherent worth of learning depraves the am hition of a child. The pupil should study for self-conrpiest, and not for triumph over its companiono and fellow-students. Give each pupil grade according to att-nments, but not m the way of rewards. Religion and EducaHon are both suffering from the prize system, llie motive offered to aspiration is low and demoralizing, and the results are selt-conceit, jealousy and heartburnings. The teacher should strive to inspire his pupils with love of learning, and not desire for public commendation and prizes. Ihe Honmrahle H. B. Hlhon, Superintendent of Publi, InstrudioH, State of Minnesota :— I nave carefully examined your " circulars " in respect to the scheme of distributing Library books. Maps, Charts, Apparatus," etc.,; and think it a most admirable one *or economy convenience and general utility, I cannot see how a better plan could r>e (levised. Our State is young in years, our system not yet fully matured, and as yet our aw has made no provision for public district libraries ; but .ve are looking forward to ttie time tor their establishment in every district throughout the State. There is nothing, in my judgment, that will conduce more to the prospn tv and general intelligence ot any people, than the placing within the reach of all classes of ;i cc-nmunity a we'I- seJected library. Vour plan for accomplishing this end seem.. .i loost e; : ellent one. Ihe Hmonrable Abram. B. Weaver, Svperintenderd of ruhUc Imtructim, State of i\ew rm-k .—1 have the honour to acknowledge the r^^ceipt of your circular solicit- ing my opinion in regard to the policy of -supplying the Public Schools with appa- ratus and library books from a Government depository. The testimony of School Commissioners and of others interested in the cause of education is, that one of the greatest. af>ie-.t;; cf the district li})rary system of this State is the manner in which cue boo.-s yf; <.<.;,icted They are purchased by. the School district trustees, and gene- rally ai u.^ h u ,. :!^t '-ovket price;. In many cases the trustees are men who are unfamiliar with book.., at-a .vli,. ,lo not know what to select. The consequence is that books find tneir way inlcj the libraries which ought not to be there, and which, if not positively bad arc nut useuii and instrudive. The library funds are also wasted, to a certain extent, by paying tor the books the highest retail price. These defects would certainly be remedied under a .system such as that which obtains in the Province of Ontario. In my judgment so or 11 timoH (w much, licatioii in thin e hooks. Tht! hut 80 small a ■Ls well, and no t, Slate of Ken- no oxporimont ollins History School Fund )n Schools. I m out of the hi.story of the It would have maps, charts, lovv the School need of all the pxpend puVi'ic 1 of Coiniiion ichool lihraries jerned. Rofer- ently engaged Its mmd is ment are well ces a morhid I honeycomb, )uM purchase erit Card sys- >raves the am imph over its f'nments, but rom the prize he results are ire his pupils Minnesota : — F distributing Imirable one. ^r plan could , and as yet king forward be. There is d intelligence lunity ii we}]. ent one. ion, State of cular solicit- 3 with appa- y of School b one of the or in which s, and gene- re unfamiliar at books find )sitively bad, in extent, by be remedied xy judgment, I Huch a Hystom, honeutly administered, is better than any other which has fallen under my notice. Jiev. Samuel (.'. Jarkmm, Secretarij, Sfntf Hunrd of Kdnfafum, Mii-imi/ni.HM^ ■ —YoKiv School system and that of Massachust'tlH, in relation to the matter above mentioned, are .1) different that we really can give no advice of any vulue, We have no " observation " i»r " experic^nce on this matter." We have no public or higli school libraries, oicejit such as are proviiled l)y locn' individual and voluntary contribution. Our law authorizes the school conunittees of the neveral municif)alitie8 to expend 25 per cent, of their share 1)1 the income of the; State school fund. This they do on their own judgment, and in Uieir own way, responsible only to their constituents. Willi this exce{)tion, there is no " legislative aid " given for procuring Library and Prize Mooks, Maps, C 'harts, Tablets, Sic, Sic. These are furniahtul by local taxation or voluntary donation, independent of Hl'ite aid, except as I have said, 2.') per cent, of what is received from the sciiool fund, may be used for purchasing " Apparatus, Hooks of reference, Charts, Maps, &c.," at the dihcu tion of the School Committee of each town or city. The lldiioiirahlr Alonzn Ahnnethy, Suiiennkiidml of J'uhtic Instruction, Stutr of Iowa:— 1 have the honour to reply to your very courteous recjuest for a statement of the results (it my observation and experience, and of my views upon the scheme submitted to pro- cure Books, Maps and Ai)paratus for the use of the Public Schools of your Province that in the absence of laws making provisions for these very useful and necessary aids I.) instruction in my own State, our Schools are, as yet, without any adequate supply of Libraries, Maps and Apparatus. In my judgment, if your system of furnishing the supplies is judiciously carried out, it will produce the following results : 1. Tiie Schools will be better than they otherwise would be ; 2. The .sujiplies furnished will, as a general rule, be of better quality ; X The expense will be greatly reduced, in pioportion to the amount purchased. Since the scheme is for the public welfUre, the olijection that it interferes with the trade in not valid. Th Hommrabh Jno. M. Fkminif, Snpmntende.nl of Public Instruction, State of Tennessee.— The circular letter issued from your office and requesting my views touching the advantages or disadvantages of your " Depository " Scheme, as set forth in the accom- panying document, has just reached the office. It would afford me much pleasure to ofler liny suggestions or opinions that could be of value to you, or the interests you represent ; but inasmuch as any opinions 1 might express will lack the sanction of " observation and experience," tlit^ can hardly be deemed worthy of notice. In Tennessee we have as yet no School system organized. Only since last March have we had a law authorizing State organization. Under the new law, we are now endeavouring to set an elementary .system in°operation, with very fair prospects of ultimate success. I regret that I can render you no service, and offer you my best wishes for the continued advancement of the educa- tional interests of your Province. Tin- Honourable ,1. U\ Simomh, Sitpciintcnilcnt of Public Instruction, New Hampshire. — I heartily approve of the plan, and have commended u siuiiltir plan for our State to aid the Free schools. My views were given in my last report, as follows :— Inql'hiy 1.- Are the public schools of your town supplied with a large dictionary? Are your schools furnished with outline or wall maps ? Globt s ? Are they well supplied with blackboards ? If schools arc; not thus furnished, what means do you recommend to sup- ply them ? A cnref'ul estimate shows that scarcely two per cent, of the Public Schools in the state are supplied with an appropriate dictionary of the language for use of the teacher and scholars. Not one per cent, of the Schools have globes for illuf^trating the_ important study of geograpliy. About one and on«!-half per cent, of the schools possess outline or wall map.s. It appears that eighty schools in every on(! hundred are not properly furnished with a suffi- cient amount of blackboard surface. This estimate has been based upon the number of Schools la.st year, twenty-five hundred ill eveu fiirures Such facts may appear startling in this time of improvement, when even the more ordinary labours of life are relieved of tedious toil by the aid of improved implements. The same good sense should u'i.iaiu in the Schoolroom as in the worksiiuj). Paieuls arc ttut indiftercnt to the wants of their children. They are interested in their growth and education. They toil hard to supply their wants. They alone can rejoice when the child leurns and ad- 22 vances I believe they would only be too f^-kd to cover a circuit of the walls of he entire Schoolroom with blackboards, whenever an intelligent Teacher or School Committee would ask it and at the same time explain the utility and necessity of the blackboard. Every Sehoo -room shoiild contain that amount of blackboard, so placed that the primer class can reach t, and then the Teacher and scholars should daiy u.e the board. Good Teachers rnay be res r cted in supply of text-books, but allow a liberal share of blackboard, then the ferti e tenSl'Vrir'^ minds will readily n.ake up f.n- the scarcity of books^ Stint them in the supply of blackboard and the resources and wealth of mmd are obstructed _ Every parent has observed, in watching the earliest manifestations of intelligence^ m the 8on or daughter, that the larger amount of the child's knowledge ac(iuired during the first welve years was obtained through the channels of the five senses. Later the child compares, re-isons reflects Our system ot education has been somewhat abnormal. Abstract ideas uave been offered the young mind ; abstract sciences have been pressed upon his attention; n fact, abstraction has confused and disgusted. An illiterate labourer would usually adopt the true normal method of communicating intellegence by either marking upon the ground crossing' his fingers, or adopting some other natural means of illustration. _ Nature s method of teaching would be a safe guide. The Teacher should illustrate the various ideas and prin- cinles tau-utby lines and figures upon the board. The pupils should work out upon he boVd the" problems of each^raneh. Thus when the pupil shall leave the School for the work of life, he will not be pained to feel vividly that his schooling has been mechanical, and realize that he must unlearn many habits of thought inconsistent with the practice of life, but will rejoice that he has learned those facts that he will use in life. There can be no question with reference to the need of globes and outline maps tor use in the common Schools. A skilful Teacher can represent the maps by drawings upon the board and substiti;*,e some spherical body for a globe. The sight of the genuine articles would awaken mor- interest and enthusiasm with the pupils. The expense of a globe^and maps is moderate at the present time with the improved means of manufacturing them With the dictionary it is different. That, like the blackboard, is an indispensable article, and cannot be represented with crayon. Our language is furnished with two large illustrated dictionaries of unsurpassed excellence. The inconsistency of placing a young man or young lady in a primary School without a dictionary of the language is too apparent. Every School-room should be furnished with Maps, Globe and a Dictionary, all answer. The problem for solution is, " how supply them V Various answers have been received. One Teacher of a long and successful experience says, " awaken a more general and deeper interest in the importance of our Schools and the necessity of providing Teachers with tools to work with. This can be done through the earnest effort of our Teachers and other friends of education." Another says the " districts should be obliged to furnish such articles. Another, "raise the money by exhibitions, lectures and levies." Mr. L. Clark ot Lancaster recommends the appropriation of a limited per cent, of School money for the purchase ot ap- paratus under the direction of the Superintending School Committee, in the same manner as a certain per cent, can be applied by the Prudential Committee for repairs. _ The fact is this illustrated apparatus is wanted to-day. Seventy thousand boys and girls in our Schools ask for it. The times demand it. The supply should be forthcoming from some source, in this, the State, town and district have a common interest. All illustrated dictionary, a set of outline maps and a globe, appropriate for a Pri- mary School, can be purchased for twenty-five dollars. A good Grammar School set of map.s, ^lobe and aictionary would cost double that sum. No doubt the parents m many Sciiool dis- mcts would contribute the means to furnish a supply, if the matter should be presented to their generosity. In other localities, and where the wants of the School are more deserving, the means is limited. ,,,,11 i. u n ci t . /'/,„i.-_It is here proposed that a positive assurance shall be held out by the btate to encoura.i'e parents and districts to provide their Schools with a certain amount of necessary illustrated apparatus. Let a Law be enacted, that, whenever an individual or district will furnish to proper State officials, a sum of money, within limited speciHoati ns. for the pur chase of apparatus for the I'ublic Schools, stating the .uiicles already possussfd, if any, and those desired, the State by its officer will add an equal sum, purchase and forward the articles. [n this way many distiicts will be aided, and others stimulated to action. IJy^adopting this system of purchase, good articles can be supplied at a moderate expense. This is not an 23 lis of the entire )mmittce would {board. Every )rimer class can 1 Teachers may then the fertile Stint them in telligence in the durini;; the first child compares, Abstract ideas in his attention ; Id usually adopt pon the ground, S^aturc's method s ideas and prin- k out upon the e School for the mechanical, and ictice of life, but ine maps for use awings upon the genuine articles e of a globe and ifacturing them, sable article, and large illustrated ig man or young t.' lary, nil answer, ve been received, neral and deeper ichers with tools and other friends 1 such articles." lark of Lancaster 3 purchase of ap- ) same manner as The fact is, this » our Schools ask some source. In ipriato for a Pri- ;liool set of map.s, many School dis- 1 be presented to e more deserving, by the State to lunt of necessary al or district will i ns. for the pur .'ssi'd, if any, and •ward the articles. By adoptinf.' this This is not an untried project Tiie Parliament of Canada West adopted a similar plan m 1851 for supply- in- the Schools with School books, maps and apparatus, also Public School Libraries with bo'^oks. The following table shows the value of articles sent out from the Educational Deposi- tory in Ontario during the years 1851 to 1S71 , inLJusivc :-- Articles on which the 100 per cent, has been ai'portioned from the Lesrislative Grant. YEAR. 3 o o 4 o PO Si •c V X '^ c »— * .^ ca >■- r*^ ^ = a O i 3 "3 .jit; a t C.P.M ri o 35 c8 i-^ -p TO en H 1851.. 1852.. 1853.. 1854.. 1855.. 18.56., 18.57.. 1858.. 1851*.. 18(i0.. 1801.. 1862.. 186;i. 1864.. 1865., 1866.. 1807, 1868,, .181)9. 1870., 1871. $51,376 9,947 7,205 16,200 3,982 5,805 5,289 4,084 3,273 4,022 1,931 2,400 4,375 3,404 4,420 4,655 3,390 3,300 $4,655 9,320 18,118 11,810 11,905 16,S.!2 16,251 16,194 15,887 17,260 20,224 27,114 28.270 25,923 24,475 28,810 30,076 $1,414 2,981 4,233 5.514 4,389 5,726 6,4!>2 6.972 0,679 5.416 4,894 4,844 .3,461 4,4,54 3,818 4,172 7,419 4,793 5,678 6,175 8,138 $1,414 2.981 4,233 56,890 18,991 22,2.51 40,770 22,764 24,389 27,537 25,229 24,311 23,370 23,645 26,442 35,661 39,093 35,136 34,808 ,38,381 41.514 Turin.' 1871 there were sent out Maps of the Wor d, 184 ; of Europe 276 ; of Asia 9^9 of \"rca 207- of America, 2:V2 ; of British North America and Canada, 323 ,_ of pl\ RriMin.nd Ireland 181' of siu" e hemispheres, 210; of Scriptural and Classical, ^^'^::^Ji^^^:^^^ o? globes, ^23-. f -ts of ap,a.itus, 43 of o^r piec s of School apparatus, 446; of historical and other lessons in sheets, .^pLince con of volumes of prize books, 60,420. The entire cost ot same was «30,076, the i rovmce con D lu fs ," rintem^^ pveli.ied to ono of said documonts, I have the pleasure to ren.ark : r /co u It e disse ninatiou of good books among the peoule, as a practical «- F'^v^r- fi^l mea of romoting the public intelligence and vutue. 2. I consider it as within he ^ ™Ue^ t ^0 province of tl.e General Assembly, in devi.ing a «y«*-" «* JT^g^ llilation. to n.ogni.e'and provide ibr the establislunent -' --^;;--^ .^J^^ 'f^ Hes, as an in.poitant and useful -Ij;^-;; --J^^iJ^S j^us'^'l^^^ 7:^:\::^i::Z:T:S!^Z:X^ l^i suci: l,bran..s, ;ud to that end, I UUnk ; ;;t;;:;;te ditriiarv author^ty shomd be v.sted in the i-i--;^»;;-;™^;- *".-;; that no vile or impure l.ouk is ulluwed to have, ur return . p ace in any «ueh hbnny , n.) S^wat^f^dkerciseof such authority should be -^)--^ ^ '^ f :;;;^;S"u-ies t 4 It seems well for assistance in the e.stablislnnent and mamlmanee ot such li .i.u.es to t i'lnurcrnom Uie gem-ral revenues of the State. In vc^y many cases the limited "% m 24 means of the districts prevent the entering u))ou such an undertaking ; and the general adoption of the plan would be ^'eatly facilitated by and from the government. The money thus expended, would be the most serviceable of any of its disbui-sements. 5. As the state becomes more largely interested than any town or district, it is eminently proper that state supervision should be exercised over the lists of books for which its money is expended; and the supervision may well be extended so as to ensure an economical expenditure of the funds, as well as to secure books that are worth reading. 6. To the objections from the " trade," I assign but little weight ; and unless the expense of carrying on the deposi- tory is greater tiia' uii8 difference of prices at which books are furnished to the depository by the publishers, and the average prices at which the Districts could buy, the maintenance of the depository is of advantage to the i)eo])le of the Province. The state undertaking to secure the education of th(^ people, it is |)roper to adopt such courses as will lead to the maximum results with the means employed. The state does not undertake to prop up the different trades. But as far as the book trade is concerned, I should consider the scheme a helj) to it rather than a hindrance. The general pre\alence of a taste for reading that must result from the fostering cai'c oi the lil)raries, as given by the state, cannot be but increased. The liability to abuse i)resents itself to my mind as the greatest objection to the plan. The above indicates my views of the i)rincii)les involved. The details of the Plan sub- mitted are not familiar enough to me, to warrant my passing an opinion upon its merits. In Illinois State, aid has net been directly given to the formation of district libi-aries. A tax may be levied by the directors, and surplus funds of the districts may be used for the jiurchasu of books for libraries. The results have not been altogether satisfiictoiy, but it is l)elieved that the idea of the libraries is correct, and that the failure in securing desirable results must be attributed to son;, leficiency in the adjustment of the plan. Whether the precise scheme adopted in the Province of Ontario, would be suitable in this state, or in any one of the United States, I am not prepared to -ay, but it may be doubted. It strikes me that there are some reasons for thinking that it would encounter obstacles here, that it does not in your case. The llonourabk JI. 1). McCartij, S,ipermtcndent of Public Instruction, State of Kansas. Please accept my reply to your request for my (experience and opinion in regard to an Educational Dejjository, which is britsfly as follows : — 1. Having had no experience as to the working of an Educational Depository connected with the Department of Public Instruction, in this or any other state, I consider my judgment in this connection v.ilueless. 2. As a matter of policy, and incentive to individual exertion on the part of Schools to secure apparatus and library books, I heai'tiiy commend the system. 3. I heartily endorse the plan of furnishing under the regulations named, all the articles mentioned in the list, except prize books, and merit cards used as gifts, as I am satisfied from observation a»d experience that i)rizes given as an incentive in Schools, work not onlv a negative good but a ))ositive injury. Thr Honnuml)k IT. M. Brijanl, City Superintendent of Public Schools, Burlington .•— I have 10 say that I have no experience in the management of libiaries on any such- plan as the one adopted by you ; but the consideration 1 have been able to give the subject has left me a very deep impression of the excellence and practicability of the pl.tn you have (ieterniincd upon. The reasons assigned in justification of its adoption ajjpear to me thoroughly convincing ; and even the single one of securing the distribution of the best, and only the best, literature would of itself, and though wholly unsup])orted by the other reasons adduced, be quite unansweiable. We have in our State (Iowa) a law authorizing the people of each School district to vote a tax i'or the ,su])port of a Public Schu(d Library. I hope to see it made operative in this city during the aoming year, and have only to regret that, for the sake of genei-al security throughout the State? against the inevilabh; legions of impudent vendors of literaiy trash, we have not in our law such a wi^e provision as that which you have secured in the in- terests of truth and i)uiity in your Province of Ontario. As "a rule, I am extremely scef)- tical n;specting the good to be derived from tlui exercise of Legislative gnardianshi)) over the peoi)l(! ; but tin; jnovisions you have secured are so libei'aj as to disarm any such ol) jection. It is ji guardianship wiiich eiiccMii'ages and guides while it does not circumscrilie enquiry, which fosters and stinuilates and in no proper sense discourages intellectual act i 25 and the general it. The money 5. As the state iroper that state ey is expended; expenditure of objections from g on the deposi- 3 the depository he maintenance ; undertaking to will lead to the 3 to prop up the tider the scheme for reading that e, cannot be but objection to the of the Plan sub- ipon its merits, ct libiaries. A ■ be used for tlie faetoiy, but it is curing desirable . Whether the this state, or in )ted. It strikes cles here, that it lie of Kansas. in regard to an sitory connected i, I consider my art of Schools to I, all the articles IS 1 am satisfied s, work not only , Burltngtmi : — es on any suclr sn able to givti id practicability titication of its one of securing 'If, and though bli'. We have ; to vote a tax icrative in this gciu'ral security »f literaiy trash, uired in the in- extreniely sce[)- i.'irdianshi)) over Ml any such ol> lot circumscril)!' intellectual ad i vity. Your plan, once firmly established, can hardly fail of proving a happy precedent to be at length generally followed. The Honourable Wm. R. Creery, City Superintendent of Public Instruction, Balti- more, Maryland. — Much business and absence from the city will account for my inattention to the request made by circular to this Department. My opinion of the sub- jects presented will be briefly stated. 1st. The Depository is one of the best education agencies that could be operated, and being conducted exclusively in the interests of the Schools, commends itself to my hearty approbation. 2nd. Our State Legislature and City governments frequently aid public '> istitutions in the procurement of books, maps, charts, &c., and thus they increase facilities for public instruction. A large and improved map of the State of Maryland was furnished to the Public Schools of the whole State directly by the State Legislature. Baltimore City, of which I am Superintendent of Schools, received 120 copies of this map, worth $10 per copy. 3rd. I think your plan of distribution an excellent one. I wish we had the same arrangement for our Schools. The Honourable J. N. Lamed, City Superintendent of Education, Buffalo, N.Y. — In reply to the circular note from yorr office I would say that I have no know- ' ledge of the working of the policy tnat you have adopted, in supplying library books, etc., from a Department Depository ; but I have little doubt that it is more judi- cious and more satisfactory in result than the policy which we pursue in this State, of dividing by apportionment the money of the School Library Fund, and leaving it to be expended at will by local School authorities. I know that our School Library money is very far from being expended wisely always ; that too much of it is wasted upon trashy and ephemeral books, which would, undoubtedly, be excluded from the catalogue of such a Depository as you maintain. No doubt, too, in the divided expenditure of the money, less is purchased with it than might be under your plan. There may be practical objec- tions to a Depository policy of which I know nothing ; but, judging only from an acquaintance with the working of the alternative policy, I should favour your system. The Honourable E. B. Hale, City Supmntcndent of Public Schools, Cambridge, Mass. — The circulai- requesting my opinion of the policy of supplying schools with books and apparatus from the Depository of the Department is before me, and I have the honour to reply biiefiy : In the first place, I am obliged to confess that I have had no experience in this direction that would avail me in forming a judgment. In our own city, and, indeed, throughout this commonwealth, the principle of /ncal taxation is the prevailing one, ana the municipality depends but little upon the State for aid. To be sure there is a State St:hool Fund divided between the various cities and towns, but the moiety which each received is very small. Cambridge, for instance, with an annual expenditure for school purposes of $250,000 draws from the State but $2,000, while the balance is raised by local taxation, and yet it seems to me that the system which you have adopted is a most excel- lent one. You properly lay a proportionate share of the burden directly upon the munici- pality, and, at the same time, furnish to School officers the means of furnishing their Schools with necessary appliances, and at the lowest possible prices. It seems to me that the "objections, as stated in your circular, are not well taken, and that the replies are unanswerable. I should be glad if we had as good a system of which we could avail ourselves. The Honourable Henry Kiddle, City Superintendent of Public Instruction, JVew York. — In rijply to a communication from the Deputy-Superintendent, asking mj' views in relation to the mode at present in use, of supplying the Schools of Ontario with " Library and i^rize Books, &c.," I would state, after a perusal of the documents sent, explaining the matter in detail, as well as the objections which have been urged against it, that I see no force in such objections, and consider the plan adopted a most judicious one, and well cal culated to promote the object of providing the Schools with l)ooks and apparatus, as well as to foster a proper local interest antl public spirit in relation to education. The plan of i'urnisliing the Schools from a central office or depository has prevailed in tliis city fur niort- than twenty years, ami I have never known, during that entire period, that any ubjectiori has lieen brought against it. Our liook list is ct)inpreliensive, containing some of the publications of all tiie principal pul)lishers, and, therefore, the idea of its establish- ing a monopoly could not be entertained. C 20 The Honmrable S A. Ellis, City Superintendent of Public Instruction, Bochester.—I hawe examined carefully the objections urged against your plan °f/«",?f "f, <^«J^™"«.°^^^^^^^ "I the suDPlv of " L^rary and Prize Books, Maps, Apparatus, &c.," for the Public Schools of Ontario: and your reply thereto, and confess that your arguments seem to^me unanswerable. Asthe objectl.ns seem to come from the "trade," allow me to say that, although for several years in the " trade " myself, I am unable to understand how any one, who pre- fers the welfare of society to his own personal ends, can raise a serious objection to a plan which must form so valuable an adjunct of the Public School system. The Honourable A. P. Marble, City Inspector of Schools, Worcester, Mass.-Yonr system of distributing books and maps seems to me a most excellent one. In this city we have had no experience in precisely what you are doing; but we find in our own practice what confirms ™ par^s of your plans'. The School-office furnishes supplies for the city Schools at from 15 to 25 per cent, less than the coEt of the same at the book-stores The same can be done for a whole State or Province with still greater economy I should suppose. As vou are aware the books for our Free Public Libraries are bought by the trustees. In vour plan I see an encouragement for the small towns, and an aid in the selection ot books which can but be beneficial. The subject of furnishing all children in our Public Schools text-books at the public charge has been agitated of late in Mass. Each town or ci^v has now the privilege of so doing. I expect good results from this custom.- The same principle is involved as in the furnishing of the books and maps for libraries. No money can be better expended for educational purposes than what you expend tor * ^ Vj^^Hmmrablc John Hancock, City Superintendent of Schools, Cincinnati— I think your plan a most excellent one for the encouragement of culture among the people of your Pro- Tince I think also a similar plan would work great good for our rural School districts. The Hmmrahle A. J. Eickoff, City Superintendent of Instmdion, Cleveland. -)t.\gh\x&a years ago I visited your Normal School at Toronto, and then became acquainted with the workin? of your Depository for the supply of maps, apparatus, kc, and I have to say that tb' impression then made upon my mind, and ray thoughts since have been entirely favourable to the plan I should very much like to see it adopted in this State, so far as pertains to the supply of maps and apparatus, were it not that the frequent changes of School oflBcers would interfere with its judicious and efficient management. We have no public libraries, except in the larger Cities. The objections urged by book dealers are only such as might be ex- pected from that quarter. Thoush the Depository seems to take the sale of books from the trade • yet greatly facilitating as'it does the diffusion of good leadmg matter, it cultivates a habit n' readme on the part of great masses of people, and in this way really promotes the interests with which at first sight it seems to interfere. That the Depository can supply books cheaper than the trade would do, cannot be questioned ; and that the selections made by its managers with a view simply to the interests of the Schools and of the people, is cer- tainly a great advantage. I beg that you will send me a copy of your list of supplies and catalogue of book.'!. , ^ . ,, , ^- ^ Isaac M Wellington, Esq., Principal Hiqh School, Detroit. My observation and experience are entirely in favour of the plan of the Ontario Department in aid of Public Instri.crion. T know of no valid objection against said plan, can see no force in those urged against it —and can name no radicalimi.rovemenfc in it. ,r rr , o. . t. 7 r / r / - K Bmchard, Esq.. A.M., Editor and Publisher, " Neiv Yo)-k State Edncaiwnal Journal, Buffalo N K— In reply to ilie subject matter of your circular I would say, that in my opi'nion the plan of funii-'^hiiig necessary School apparatus oi all kinds by the State (}oveinment,at the lowest possible price, is a good one, because oHhe money saved, oi the umforniitv of books which will be used, of the control over worthless and injurious hooks wiiich is thus given, and of the more gentral use which will be made of all kinds of School-room apparatus under this system. In this State the inliiience ut book-publishers over local use of books has many times been very injurious, and some ot uur Suies are now discussing State supervision of text-books for Schr.ols. From the cir- cular sent me I should say the " Educational Depository" is a good thing and tnight be continued. ^, , .. , ,^ ., , ,. ^r v i i I) M Knirkerlmker, FJ.^q., Edit'W " American Educational Mouthly, J\eir rork:~ln reply to your favour I can only speak on general princii.les. The question seems to be. 27 hester. — I have rnment aid, in blic Schools of unanswerable. , although for one, who pre- ction to a plan —Your system by we have had practice what he city Schools The same can suppose. As 3 trustees. In le selection of in our Public Each town or n this custom.- s for libraries. ou expend for — I think your le of your Pro- il districts. and. —Eighteen ainted with the lave to say that drely favourable 3 pertains to the ol oflBcers would libraries, except as might be ex- books from the sr, it cultivates a lly promotes the tory can supply s selections made le people, is ccr- of supplies and n and experience blic Instruction, urged again.st it -AiUonalJournal," iild say, that in ds by the State mey saved, of tiie s and injurious will be made the influence of us, and some of From the cir- ig and might be How can books, maps, &c., best be supplied to the Schools t In what way can the best books be obtained at the cheapest rates ? I see no surer way to get good books than to submit their selection to the care of i board of gentlemen fitted to judge and faithful to their duty. Such a board, I am assured, now passes judgment on your school-books. Nor can I see a cheaper way of procuring books than to buy in quantities, as you do, and sell to the schools at the lowest possible rates. Since these two advantages are obtained by the Board of Ontario, and since there are no apparent drawbacks in the matter of expense, the Depository paying its own way, I can see no reason for a change. The complaints of the trade should, it strikes me, not be regarded, since the question is ifurely "i^ of utility for the Schools. If the trade can supply better and cheaper books tlian til Depository there may be some reasons for a change. I make these remarks «'ith great diffidence since I am entirely ignorant of all the facts of the case. Henry A. Ford, Esq., Editor and Publisher, "Michigan Teacher," — I have your late circular, and reply at early convenience. After some examination of the " Objections to the Educational Depository," and the " Reply," I am compelled to think the former quite flimsy, and the latter thoroughly effective, in fact quite unanswerable. You are working an inestimable benefit to the Schools and educational officers of your Province, iiy removing their supjilies, to some extent, from the tricks and extortions of '• the trade," and their outcry is simply the old one, " Great is Diana of the Ephesians." Years ago, while acting as Superintendent of Education for one of our Counties, and before learning of your practice, I was accustomed to supply teachers and School-districts with professional books and apparatus at cost price ; and there is no part of my work to which I recur with more satisfaction than to that. I commend your scheme without reservation, and would add the hope : Esto jjerpetua. Thomas B. Stockmll, Esq., " lilwde Island Schoolmaster." — When your.'first circular, relative to libraries, i^c, was received, our editor, Mr. Brickwell, had just sailed for Europe on a short trip. I, therefore, deemei^ it best to leave the matter for him to attend to on his return, as he has a much fuller knowledge of the facts bearing on the case than I possess. Judging from your second circular, howev«r, that you are desir- ous of getting at some data as soon as possible, I have ventured to state one or two facts in connection Avith the question that may be of some value. When Hon. Henry Barnard was School Commissiou'^r of our State, he organized, or caused to be organized, freepublie libraries in nearly every town in the State. In some of the towns they have been pre- served, in others abandoned. In hardly any case have they been fostered and increased as they ought, or as one wouh^ have expected. A movement has been inaugurated by Mr. Brickwell, our present Commissioner, to provide for the establishment ot these libraries. It has not yet, I believe, been fully organized, but will doubtless be so another winter. Of the general advantage and value of such a course as your circular explains, I think there can be no question, as it observes the golden mean between over-aiding on the one hand and utterly withh/lding on the other. John A. Banjidd, Esq., Editor " Kansas EdueationalJournal," Leavenworth, Kas. — In res- ponse to your inquiries, 1 cannot speak from experience. It seems to me, however, that you have fully answered th objections of " the trade," and I should think there could come no objections from other sources which would be worth responding to. By all means preserve the only guarantee you have of securing tlio introduction of "only wholesome " books into Sch(Jol libraries. Sujierintendeut, School Committee, Brun.- honour hy direction of the Board of Governors of the S. A. Institute, to acknowledge receipt of a circular from your Department, asking for opinions relative to the supplying of .schools with books, apparatus, &c., by the Department. I am directed to say in reply, that the Boa-'d referred your communication to one of their members who is Thief Inspector (Gov.) of Education for this Province, and that his reply was that he could not offer any opinion on the subject, as the system hitherto in use here is very different fiom yours. The Board of Education here supplies school books only, and apparently the booksellers do not care for the business, at any rate they raise no objection. The Board of Governors are therefore unable to offer any opinion which could be of any value to you. James Bath, Esq., Secretary, Board of Education, Adelaide, South Australia.— i have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your circular, directing attention to the question of supply of class, prize and library books to Public Schools by the Education Department. As requested, I beg in reply to state, that, during the twenty-one years the present education law has been in operation in this colony, it has been found requisite, by the Education Board, to keep a depot for the supply of books and apparatus for the service f the Public Schools. A new law is about to supersede the present one, but that will also contain a provision for the establishment and maintenance of a school book dep6t. In my opinion, such an establishment is absolutely required in connexion with any Public School system, in order (1) that a full and suitable supply of books and apparatus shall always be obtainable, and (2) that such books and apparatus shall be sold to the teachers at the lowest possible charge. 3. Replies from Inspectors in Ontario. A. W. //'»«, Esq., Inspector; Co. Glengarry.— In reply to your circular, I beg leave to state, that, for various reasons, I consider the Educational Depository very useful, and almost necessary for the Schools in this County. Prizes encourage and stimu- late pupils, and are thus of great benefit to our Schools. The good effects thus derived from them would be lost were it not for the favourable terms on which they may be o1)- tained from the Depository. Even if trustees would purchase them elsewhere, the selec- tion would necessarily be poor in comparison with the selections sent at present. So that people would become dissatisfied with them, and eventually give up distributing them. It would bH difficult to get trustees to obtain the maps and apparatus really necessary for their Schools sliould the Depository be abolished. The apparatus sent out at present gives satisfaction ; but if trustees were obliged to purchase and select for themselves, wherever they could obtain such articles as were required, then our Schools would be filled with trash. For they are not proper judges of these things, and would buy any- thing that might be peddled through the country, as long as it was cheap. Not only would the articles be poorer, but there wouhl not be that uniformity now existing, and which is very desirabh; for the efficiency of our Schools. Alcmnder McNaughton, Esq., Inspector Co. Storinont.—l consider the Depository to be one of the most valuable parts of the Educational machinery of the Province. I consider it necessary, because, although wealthy sections may be able and willing to tax themselves for the purpose of procuring these articles from the Booksellers at their ordinary prices, yet the great majority of school sections will not voluntary do so, unless stimulated by the induce- ment of obtaining superior articles at less than half their usual prices. My own opinion in regard to the effect of public libraries is, that, by their means, a taste for reading and a desire for information are diffused among the people, who are consequently led to purchase books for supplying themselves and their families with reading matter. The stimulus af- forded by prizes in schools is well known, and has been the means of arousing the dormant faculties of many young persons, who afterwards arose to eminence and distinction ; but in nrfJor that thc^o incit.!'ment«? should be extended t/o all, some such arrangements as that of the Educational Depository is required. Differences of opinion, with regard to some of the pro- visions of the School Law and Regulations, are frequently expressed, but I have not met with any person concerned in the management of schools who offered in my hearing an opinion unfavourable to the Educational Depository ; and when I have hinted to some trus- 80 tees the possibility of its being discontinued, they expressed the utmost surprise that it could be considered good policy to abolish so useful an establishment. If trustees are to be com - pelled by law to furnish their schools with Maps, Apparatus and Libraries, it appears to be almost a necessity that the government should provide facilities for enabling thm to comply with the requirements of the Law and Regulations. • , • r T. 0. Steele, Esq., hspecUn-, Co. Pnscott.—ln TeiAy to your circular in reference to supplying Libraries and Prize Books, Maps, Apparatus, &c., to the High and Public Schools, I beg to say that 1 have carefully considered the objections raised to the present , system, and also your answer to said objections ; and consider that you have fully shown that the objections made are not only illogical as to their conclusions, but false as to thr^ir premises. I believe that the Department of Public Instruction is the proper source from which such supplies should flow to our Schools, and I am fnlly convinced, that the addition of the one hundred per cent, has had the effect of causing many times the amount ot books &c., to be purchased, than would have been had such advantageous terms not been offered It is difficult to get a proper supply for the Schools m most counties, even ot the ordinary text books, from the country nieichants ; but how much more difficult would it be to obtain a supply of such requisites as Maps, Globes, and other apparatus, which are far too costly and the sale too limited to warrant their bejng kept in stock except m towns or cities. The Library and Prize Book system has introduced books into thousands of families into which they would never have otherwise found their way, and has aroused a demand for literature which has very largely increased the trade of the very booksellers who complain so loudlv. Further, the character of the books introduced by the Depart- ment of Public Instruction, has been such as to create a taste for a mu-.h higher and purer literature than wouM have been created by books selected by incompetent or care- less judges • and who can foretell the great and beneficial influence of such literature upon the future destinies of our country. In conclusion, I think the present system, with any modifications which may be found beneficial, should be continued, because it is the duty of any government to ehgender and carry out such measures as shall conduce to the hap- piness of the people by promoting their intellectual, moral, and material interests ; and the present system of furnishing maps, books, &c., to the Schools of Ontario^ does this— 1st— By diff"using knowledge, and stimulating intellectual activity. 2nd— By cultivating a taste for a full and elevating literature. 3rd~By increasing the book trade by the stimulus given to a desire for book knowledge, by encouraging native talent and industry m the manufacture of books, maps, &c., and finally by that material prosperity which tnvaruibly follows a general diffusion of intellectual enlightenment. # Rev. Thomu.^ Garrett, In»pectm; Co. Rmsell.—l am happy to be able to state in reply to your letter, that my experience in the working of the Depository of the Department is becoming more extensive. There is more interest manifested at present than heretofore in the distribution of prizes in the Schools. The prizes are generally obtained from the Depository, and invariably give general satisfaction. In a few instances prizes were procured from other sources than the Department. I have been present at the distribution of both kinds ; those from Department and those not, and I observed in two Schools as to numbers- -(1) The selection from Depository elicited more interest, was more diversified, better suited to the capacity of the School, and being distributed on the merit card system, aroused no suspicion of unfairness as in the other case. I observed— (2) The prizes from the Department cost less money, time and labour. (3) I have no hesitation whatever in stating, that the reading matter was more reliable, besides the great advantage of having a number of useful articles, and others calculated to arouse a spirit of scientific enquiry. Surely no one possessed of the mosf >rdinary intelligince, Avill question the utility of properly furnished School-houses, anfl earef iilly selected libraries in every community. My experience in Canada has led me to observe that not only the growth of intelligence, but also of material prosperity is tracea- ble to, and to a very considerable extent, commensurate with the interest manifested in the Public Schoolaiid library. A.s far .as my experience extends T believe : (1) The Depository is an interference with " the trade " for good, for I think many a ma:i would go down to his grave without having even read a book, but for the tact that through the Depository, a book has been placed in his hand which suited him, and led him to take an interest, read more, and purchase of " the trade," perhaps for his rising genera- 31 that it oould e to be com - appears to be em to comply reference to I and Public ) the present , 3 fully shown seas to thr^ir r source from t the addition le amount of irms not been 3, even of the icult would it us, which are ick except in nto thousands i has aroused ry booksellers y the Depart- ii higher and itent or care terature upon em, with any ;t is the duty 36 to the hap- nterests ; and I, does this — By cultivating y the stimulus dustry in the lich invariably ible to state, Depository of st manifested i. The prizes il satisfaction, ment. I have and those not, jsitory elicited ool, and being as in the other ley, time and g matter was les, and others ed of the mosf Dol-housee, anfl \, has led me to lerity is tracea- ; manifested in ivft : (1) The many a ma:i : the fact that m, and led him i lisiiig genera- tion ('2) I consider the advantage of procuring requisites suitable for our 5,000 Schools, would be found to be attende.1 wUh more labour than could be performed to the sat.stac Sn of the purchasers, when we take into account that trustee corporations general y Prefer the selections to be made for them, and if it could not be made in one estabhsh- S how cSut be made at all ! I cannot devise a plan so satisfactory o the public rrh; prrs^mt who can 1 In conclusion, Rev. Sir, allow me to say, that I did not thmk U was neceiy for me to say anything in defence of the Depository, when we could be uppl ed wZo much facilit/ and satisfaction, so far as the Department is concerned I am convinced that any effort made for the suppression of the Depository, until a better mXod rsupplying the countn. is devised, and that any aspirations calculated to weaken tTe public oSn^tvin, and patronage of the Depository before a better scheme for pro. vision is promulgated aAd established? will result in serious conflict with the best inter- fists of education in this Province. it rT John May, M.A., Inspector,; Co. Carleton .-In reply to your circular I have the honour 7c^ say that I willingly avail myself of the opportum y thus afforded to me to bear testimony to the soundness of that policy winch would place ?i?eSture &r of a pure and wholesome character within reach of all classes of hrcomr^iunit;. I am convinced that the Education Department, in supplying the Sib~dmgh Schools of the country with books, maps and apparatus, is conferring Substantial boon, not only on the children but on the people themselves, and deserves, not the censure but the warmest commendation of every intelligent unprejudiced minA A somewlmt extended experience as pupil, teacher, and Inspector affording me, as it has, a cCe Miarirwith the literary wants of the masses, warrants me m the unqualified ex- SssioTo ■ th W Any person who believes in the dissemination of useful and enter- SrgUtera^^^^^^^^ time aware of the famine of books which prevails aZ^f everywhere in the rural regions of this country, mus , I thmk, be convinced, that something more than the mere shop of the bookseller is needed as a means of removing a defect so'de^orable. The bookselL has taken fright at a bug-bear. In h- opPOB^tion to this " monopoly " he is (ypposing his oum interests as a vendor of books, ihe butcbers aU at eSsI refreshS^ speLcle ; but it would prove a lo-| -^ib^^^^ J^ butcher if nobody could be found with an Easter appetite for beef and mutton ihus the StesaiSas between the trade and the people ; there is l^"!*^ - " ^PP^^f^^^^^^^^ and the trade by its crusade against the Depository says in eftect. There sMlhe no ap- pie for books " Can humanlngenuity conceive a course "^-^-^^ J.^^l^f l^^^'hS The Depository then, is no enemy to the trade ; and it is not pretended that it is hostile to Lv other Ser^^^^^ whatsoever On the contrary, this department of our educational svster f brouSto full play, would prove most highly conducive to the best mtorests offialses 3Va7/Lkr/? to those of the booksellers. It seems to me, especially in a new lly siX^^^^ ^ settled for the most part by a class not distinguished for the rarietv and extent veneSB of its private libraries, that an Educational Depositoiy maiajed a is yours^s precisely what the country wants. Without it, the educational "na'would be' Lie bLer than a valley of dry bones. I suppose the ordinary book^ uerchant has been plying his excellent vocation among us from ^^^ f'^f^^' Jf .^i^^'e're r' the books ? Go into the farmers' houses, and a very hollow echo will answer wl^ere It is only too painfully manifest that he has not succeeded in mtroducing his intellectual wares wlUetC^^^ most needed. The cute-peddler has had the start of him. Not un ij- queTtl^you Snd a few volume, of trash, purchased at t--e their origiiial cost and ten times their intrinsic value, from one of these enterprising strolling f^^iopo^^^^ sound, substantial literature of the respectable bookseller is only conspicuou^^ sence I contend Sir, that, if there be, among the agricultural population of thia coun' ry a v^tie hideously conspicuous than another, it is the lack of books ; unless, X7l should say a keen relish for the nutritious mental pabulum which a wholesome book both saJes and stimulates. These must be supplied by such a ™- X7i'\urroundeJ consideration, or they will never bo siii.plied at all. The ^^7''^g*;/;X,/ce he could with the ne;:essaries aud comforts pt;n the luxunes) of aj%s.mZ exist^^^^^ afford to stock his shelves with books; but does he generally do so f «■ "%*2nc wish to do so. He sends his chihlren to school at great expense | they ^^ J^^f^^g; writing, and arithmetic ; and on these their souls must live and thrive. Indeed il is » 32 great loss of time, and waste of money, to try to educate our youth without free access to books of miscellaneous information, by which their minds would be simultaneously fed, expanded, stored and stimulated. Tlie education of the School-room is, after all, but a fleshless skeleton ; although it costs this country hundreds of thousands per annum, against which cost no outcry m raised, and yet, when it is proposed, at a very trifling ex- pense to clothe the bare bones with flesh and sinew, and fair skin, and the golden locks of a ripened culture lo ! from Dan to B, comes forth a piteous howl of distress, dismay, and anguish. I 'not only approve of the existence and management of the Education Depository, but I also give my ex ammo assent to that part of the law which makes the establishment of a library in every section obligatory on trustees. I sincerely hope that this will be carried out. But how can it be done better than with the aid of the Depart- ment as at present ? Suppose th(( Education Dep tory was annihilated to-morrow ; a rural section must establish a library : how is this to bo done ? In the first place the amount to be raised deters : next the difficulty of selecting the proper books : lastly, the still greater difficulty of finding a place in which to select them. Trustees, in genei,>l, would shrink from such a task ; the teacher might attempt it, or might not ; the Inspector is already overworked ; I fear there would be few libraries established in this way. Take away the Depository, and you may as well rescind that part of the law which obliges trustees to establish libraries in their sections. Under the present system a very trifling sum of money procures quite a respectable lot of books ; and there is little or no trouble in making a selection or having it made. I agree with Horace Mann in that manly sentiment : " Had I the power, I would scatter libraries over the whole land, as the sower sows his seed." There is, however, little use in sowing seed in unprepared fields ; and I feel that the people are not as yet in a state to appreciate a library to the full. Of course the existence of a libraiy in a locality will itself tend more or less to cultivate a taste for reading ; but oi' this I am certain ; could you plant a good library to-morrow in every School Section in Ontario ; and could you visit every section on that day twelve-month, you would be utterly confounded at the little use that had been made of the books. (I speak from ex perieiice.) Does this prove the uselessness of libraries ? By no means. But it does prove something. It suggests the idea of going back a step. People must be trained for a library. How is this training to be accomplished ? This is a question more easily asked than answered. I have observed that Prize books are read when library books are neglected. Children will, at first, read prize books simply because they are prize books ; and parents, just because they are their children's prizes. After a while both parents and children will take to reading library books from a growing desire to read, begotten of the prize book. This desire, once created, will seek its proper gratification ; will gather strength as it grows, will grow as it is gratified. I would say then, let these libraries be established everywhere ; but, for the present at least, let the chief store he laid on the dissemination of Prizes. Indeed there is little genuine life in a School in which prizes are not awarded ; and to be hedthfully awarded they must be distributed on the merit card system. I have also another suggestion to offer, which if capable of practical application, would, I feel convinced, do more than anything else to engender a taste for reading. I am not aware that it has ever been tried ; and, therefore, I merely throw it out as a hint. It ie this ; a daily or weekly paper for Schools. Every merchant looks for his morning paper before going to business ; every farmer looks eagerly for his weekly news. Can nothing be done for the children in this line ? My own son read the newspapers regularly at ten years of age, and often puzzled me with astute questions on the great political problems of the day. Is it within the range of possibility to put a secular " child's paper " into the hands ot every child (able to read) in our Schools ? If so, would it be lost time to spend half an hour in the morning in " glancing " over it, before proceeding to the " business of the day." If this could be done (and I cannot see why it should not) it would expand the youthful intellirience and, I think every School Inspector will bear me out if I say, that in country Schools nothing strikes one more forcibly than the lack, not of natural, but of cultivated intelligence. Show me a child that habitually reads the papers, and I will show you one that will read vnderstandiiighi the ordinary lessons of his reader or his history. It would be a magnificent spectacle, that of hundreds of thousands of copies of an unsec- tarian, non political paper flying over the land, daily or weekly, to the hands of the children of the land, whose School days are oniy too generally overshadowed by the wings '!? 88 b free access to tancoualy fed, aftt-r u]\, but ii 8 per annum, ory trifling ex- f) golden locks trt'Bs, dismay, the Education tich makes the irely hope that of the Depart- lorrow ; a rural the amount to he still greater , would shrink tor is already Take away the ges trustees to 5 sum of money e in making a liment : "Had ows his seed." I feel that the B the existence ' reading ; but School bectioQ you would be speak from ex But it does be trained for •n more easily irary books are re prize books ; ie both parents read, begotten an ; will gather these libraries 5 h laid on the hich prizes are the merit card cal application, r reading. I am 18 a hint. It ie ig paper before ing be done for en years of age, of the day. Is the hands ol spend half an jusiness of the uld expand the f I say, that in natural, but of and I will show or his history, ies of an unsec- i hands of the ed by the wings of a wearisome monotony, whose hard lot it seems to be, to languish under the burden of a very tedium ntw. If we could give a paper to itvery child, and a prize book, given to every deserving cliild, we should have begun at the right place, and paved the way towards certain mw-om in making our " PuWic Hchool libraries indeed the very crown and glory of the Institutions of the IVovince." And now. Sir, in conchision, aa one ol the Public School Inspectors of this country ; as a native Canadian, proud of the old Flag, proud of Canada's free yet firm institutions, and especially of her grand educational system -proud, I say, of all these things, but ashamed ot the illiteracy which even yet too exten- sively prevails, 1 beg leave to enter my solemn protest against a proposition which would wound her in a vital part, and go far to render nugatory and null her world-famed sys tem of education. I regard the Education Depository as this country's chief-store house of the corn and wine of Education, and its enemies as the enemies unwittingly of the rising generation. . . , , u Eev. Oeo. Blah; M.A., Inspedirr, Co. Oremille.—As an educationist I should very much regret the abolition or the curtailment of the Book and Apparatus Depository in Toronto, which I consider to be not only a distinguishing feature of our School system, but even an essential part of it. The Schools supply instruction through text books and certificated teachers, who are partly paid by the Government ; the Depository supplies, on precisely the same principle, the aids and appliances required in accomplishing this work, and also a vast mass of exc(!lleiit reading material, in the shape of cheap, well-se- lected libraries and prizes, without which the instruction communicated at School could not be turned to any good account, or would actually be put to a bad use in devouring the trashy and corrupt literature which floods tli(« neighbouring States. To show that in expressing a decided and earnest opinion on this subject, I am not a person likely to be prepossessed in favour of Government monopoly or Departmental interference, I may state that I was long connected with the liberal newspaper press of England anci Scotland, 'and was for some time engaged on the literary staff of the Anti-Corn-Law League organ published in London under the superintendence of Messrs. Cobden and Bright. My sympathies are therefore, as might be supposed, strongly in favour of free trade, and ot the non-interference of Government (in ordinary cases) with the law of supply and de- mand. At the same time I hold that there are necessary exceptions to this rule, as well as to other rules, and that the Book Depository is one of them. Our entu-e School sys- tem, in fact—like all other national systems of education— is a standing exception to the rule. It assumes by the very fact of its existence, that the natural demand for educatujii is not sufficient of itself to ensure an adequate supply, and that it is for the interest of the Province to subsidize voluntary effort, not only by compulsory taxation but also by a liberal grant of money. The tendency of this is clearly to discourage private schools, or iiin other words it stands directly opposed to free trade in teaching ; yet few will be found bold enough to affirm that our national system of education should be abolished because it into' ^eres with the business or with the profits of cerUin private teachers. And if the Government chooses to go further than this, and say that the teaching in Schools, by teachers under Government supervision, shall be supplemented by the teaching of libra- ries and prize-books provided under similar guarantees, and fenced round with similar safeguards, I must say that I cannot see any objection to the action of the Government in the one case which would not apply equally in the other. As a thorough free-trader, I repeat that the book trade has no more right to demand the abolition of the Depository than private teachers to demand the destruction of the Public School system itself. The result of this crusade, if accomplished, would be simply to hand over the supply of libra- ries and prize-books to a ring of wealthy monopolists, who would soon make them costly as well as dangerous luxuries ; and no Canadian Avho is alive to the best interests of this country will join in a cry which has originated with the book trade alone. The interests o^" the country are more important than those of a few large bookselling houses, even if the two interests stood opposed to each other, which really is not the case ; for the taste for reading is an appetite which "grows with what it feeds on," and I believe that to a great extent the Depository h,a.s .v.tu.ally created our hook trade, and even still largely supports it. I very much doubt, therefore, whether even the book trade itself would benefit by abolishing the Depository ; but I have no doubt whatever that every other class, and especially the educational interests of the Province, would suffer most mate 84 i if riiilly by tho (^haiigo. Of lat« thoro ha« been a cry for a fre« library in Toronto, although that city m alroatly provided with a Hplondid Univpirsity library, the ahelvos of which an- coiirteouHly open to all comerH. la the country, and country towns, we have no such val uable privilege. Our only chance of obtaining anything like library accommodation in tho country is through the Book Depository in Toronto, which has already been the means of establishing numerous free libraries throughout the Province ; and I for one sin cerely hope to see the value of that institution still more generally recognized, and its usefulness largely extended by additional means placed at its disposal. hohert Kinney, Esq., M. 11, Inspednr, No. 2, Leeds.—ln reply to circular, 1 have the honour to say that I delayed reply in order to ascertain the public opinion on the subject, as well as the private opinion of persons more or less interested in education : and as a result of my enquiry, I find that School Corporations are almost unanimous in favour of the Depository. On the other hand the booksellers are altogether unanim»»UH in its condemnation. Thus you see that the opinion of the few who are interested is diametrically opposed to that of the many who are designed to bo benefited. My own opinion is that to do away with the Depository at present would bo to do a grievouH wrong to our Public Schools, as well as to impede the flow of that stream of intelligence, small though it be, which fin. worth of book, pur- SlI? in K niton I could obtain $12. worth from the Depository, showing clearly to my mind, thS^^ and prices li the Department as published were genuine. Fur- 36 themore, the aforesaid teacher was lately sent by trustees to the Depository to procure prize books and apparatus for their School, the trustees paying his expenses to and from Toronto, and he iniormed me that after his expenses were paid, the books &c., purchased from the Depository were considerably cheaper than could have been obtained frnm the booksellers in Kingston. From observations of my own, while travelling through this country. I have found that agents and travellers throiighout the rural districts, have, with a few good books, disposed of a great number of pernicious and worthless books ' in a few sections they have disposed of maps which were entirely worth" less and ill-adapted for School purposes. It is to be hoped that the Executive Go" vernment and the Legislature wdl not abolish the Depository, until every School in this Province has been supplied with maps, apparatus and libraiy books. Should they do so at the next session of the Legislature, as intended, and before the Schools are supplied, education would receive a serious check, and the Schools, in my opinion, would either be retarded or be at a stand still for years to come, as i^cnorant trustees would never obtain suitable prize books, apparatus, &c., from booksellers or their agents. Frederick Burrows, Esq., Insjiedor, U. Cos. Lennox and Addingtm.—ln reply to your circular, I beg to state that the present system by which the Schools are supplied with library books, maps, (fee, by the Education Department meets my entire approval ; and I am more than ever impressed with the great benefits which it has conferretl upon tlie youth of the Province. I am of opinion that many of our Schools would still be without the apparatus necessaiy to make them efficient if it were not for the facilities afforded under the present system. The departmental regulations are so simple and so generally known and understood that our trustees experience but little trouble in getting what their Schools need in the shape of prize-books, maps, &c. During last year prizes were given in forty-eight of the Schools of this County, and in no instance have I heard the slightest dissatisfaction expressed with the cost or style of the books, but in many cases the prizes and mode of obtaining them have been spoken of in terms of the highest approval. The same remark holds in regard to the maps, globes, &c., which have been furnished to our Schools. With reference to libraries, I can scarcely conceive how any one not directly interested in the trade can find fault with a system which so readily puts within the reach of our youth the facilities for cultivating a taste for useful reading. The inclination to read will generally accompany the ability to do so, and if our young people be not supplied with good wholesome mental food, they will most likely find access to those trifling, silly and often pernicious works of the imagina- tion with which our land is fairly deluged, and m consequence have their tastes vitiated, their morals corrupted, and their minds filled with thoughts which will in many cases lead to lives of crime and folly. I trust in a short time to see a Public School library from the Department in every School section under my jurisdiction. I would regret exceedingly the abolition of the present system, as I consider it highly beneficial. 1 may add, that the Scliool authorities here fully appreciate the great facilities afforded by the Department for getting maps, apitaratus, prizes, &c. for their Schools. Yesterday f had the pleasure of presenting one hundred and sixty dollars worth of prizes obtained Ircm the Depository of the De])artment to the pupils of the High and Public Schools of Napanee. In regard to the character of the books, the prom})tness with which they were sent, and the great care taken by the Depository officials in selecting and transmit- ting them, the highest satisfaction has been expressed by all connected with the Schools. It is my mature conviction that ajiart from the one hundred per cent, allowed, the benefits arising from the present system are such that its abolition would entail serious injury to the cause of education in this Province. In many cases trustees would not know where to get School requisites v/hich are - .v so readily obtained from the De})ository and with many others the extra troulle and expense would, I fear, prevent the Schools from being properly supplied. In view of the great advantages conf'ened upon our Schools by the present system 1 sincerely hope that all attempts to abolish it wiii prove abortive. You will shortly receive a copy of a resolution carried unanimously at a meeting of the Lennox and Addington Teachers' Association earnestly deprecating the abolition of tlie Depository. Thomas S. Achool library would regret dy beneficial, lities afforded s. Yesterday nzes obtain I'd )lic Schools of li which they and transmit- h the Schools. (1, the benefits ions injury to t know where tory and with ds from being chools by the jorlive. \oii )f the Lennox le Depository. L'lose herewith your circular, and at the same time, to express my regret that I have not been able sooner to communicato it to vou After a careful perusal of the statements furnished by the Department, relative to the general regulations for the supply of library and prize books, maps and apparatus to Hie Public Schools of Ontario, and as the result of some years' experience as Local Superin- tendent and Inspector of Public Schools in North Hastings I cannot come to any other conclusion than that it would be injurious to the Public Schools to interfere with the intticouise, s ::h tn^^^^^^ means of annual competitive township exarunations, works t^r hrt mirDose obtained from the Depositorv, as priz.s, mto the homes ot the .ucce.stul colJS? ai d aSe the evicltnc* tnej le^ on tb^ir eav " of honoured thumb-marks. Individiuxl eiiorts are now more effee- Sv re a ed W School Section libraries, in addition to the township libraries a d ai e 1 ■ ii ■ 1 f;..i, til,, inininilcs and mnral tone ol tne comuminiy muoi, authority, as upc.n the r ^^^^ .'^^l^ 'ou.S nor Soliuol section trustees could tii.nr .election. The .|Uc the Dei-.i Mn. i.t, r.. ..ii, uijuiy trad IS (pit futed by the Chief Suiu'iinttMK lent in his tu'st reply to tlu' ohjcctioiis in ;ii,'ainst the Depository, aiu therein stated; and though, upon prmcq I as shown l)y the value ti if importl'd books tor the periods .k'. 1 .di(jukl coiisiilcr any monopoly by the Go 38 vernment which tended to curtail or injure the book-trade as bad policy, yet, bearing in mind the great importance of the selection of books, the fostering care with which the taste for reading is promoted and encouraged by the Department, that it is a work of time to raise up and educate from our people a reading public, and that in the meantime the book-trade now is, and will be, annually reaping the benefits resulting from the in- creased intelligence and love of reading among the people, I cannot, I say, bearing this in mind, think that the monopoly complained of is adverse to the book-trade. The inha- bitants of the School Sections have, since the School Law Amendment Act of 1871, been called upon to tax themselves very heavily to comply with the requirements of that Act, exclusive of the demands made upon them for maps, apparatus, and School Section lib- raries ; and taking into consideration the value of assessed property in the several School Sections in North Hastings, and the importance with which we must regard the successful establishment of School Section libraries, and the furnishing every School with maps and apparatus, I should look upon the withdrawal of the 100 per cent, advance upon the amount furnished by the trustees for that purpose as a great injury to the Public Schools, and also as calculated seriously to retard and impede the education of the youth «f thia country, and the subsequent development of the vast resources we possess and which require but an educated people to reap the benefit of. I beg to add, in conclusion that the selection of books by the Department for prizes, and also for School Section libraries, has in all cases coming under my notice given entire satisfaction. John Johnston, Esq., Inspector, No. 2, Hmtimjs.—hx reply to your circular I beg leave to say that it would be impossible to supply our Schools with maps apparatus, tablets and object lessons, library and prize books, &c., were it not for the en- couragement given by the Department in granting the lOi per cent. My own experience since my appointment as Inspector is that more than half of the Schools of South Has- tings could not have been supplier! with the above articles had it not l)een for the induce- ment, that if five or more dollars were sent, maps, tablets and object lessons, &c. would be sent in value equal to twice the amount of money sent. Tlie prize and libraiy books sent from tlu,' Department have always given the best satisfaction to teachers parents trustees antl scholars. My own experience as teacher for over fourteen years, and as In- spected', enables me to say that the prize and libraiy books have been of great benefit to the scholars of our Schools, and also to parents, for I have known in many cases where there were no books m the family till those given to the children were brou-ht home but afterwards when those books had been read by all the members of the family, it created a taste for reading and induced the parents to purchase more books, thereby benefitino- the bo(.ksellers rather than injuring them, as 1 believe they s.;ll more liooks afterwank 1 he books sent out by the Dei.artnicnt have been of the right kind to create a taste for reading, and to mstil into the minds of both young and old good moral principles and general information. The Department, in granting the 100 per cent., and in supplying the Schools wi h maps, apparatus, tablet and object lessons, (tc, confers a great benefit on the Schools and people of South Hasting.^ and, in my opinion and experience, it does not in any way interfere mtli private enterprise, but rather helps in that direction. LrUlMirt J) Flutt, Esq., Inspector, Co. Prinrc Edward.- In reply to your circular le- r,uesting'he benefit of ray observation of the Depository connected with vour Depart- ment, 1 have the honour to make th.. following statements --That, a'ltliou-rh the principle involved appears to some extent ol,jecti.,nai.le, vet in view of the very s^itisfac tory character of the work performed by the Educational Depository of Ontario I think it woukl im.ve a great misfortune to the interests of e.iueation to abandon it at h-ast so long as It ,s earned on as .satisfactorilv- as m the j^ast. j-spc'cially does this ai.ply to the maps and appari;tu.s branch, the closing of which would, 1 believe, result in very .-reut injury to our .schools, by destroying altogether the nnitoiniity at pnvseut exi.stiii.r ^and placing trustees at the mercy of .....scrupulous dealers, who would often supply inferior articles. A few examples of this hav. already occmiv.l in our oounty. Aliother con- sideration ow,-.,uht exists ,n the in,,,oitaiit sLiniuhis afforded to trustees by the encour- agement of Ll,e lUO per cent, addition to lemittanees, the loss of whi,..h wu,,Mb,- .eriousiy felt. In ^onclusu" — ' " " ■■ ■ '• <>ot.i on, my <>xperience of the working and results of tlu^ Dei.osii vourable to its eoi.tii take to thi'o.v the very difliciilt ami y are fa- ''r'«' '^'i, "'\ '.''''''"''•^^'' w'l'vi-'tion is that it would be a grave mis ■■■■P"'tiii't diitieis it discharges open to public com]. 39 xi.stiii'', ami tition. Some few individual booksellers and agents might gain by such a change, but the general interests and welfare of the youth of Ontario would be seriously compromised. I believe education needs all the fostering care and encouragement that it is possible for our enlightened Government to provide for it. /. J. Tilley, Esq., Inspector, Co. Durham. — Before replying to your circular, 1 consulted the teachers of several Schools in which prizes are regularly given, and of those for which libraries have been provided. In every instance entire satisfac- tion was expressed with the kind of books furnished by the Depository, and with the price, and the desire was also expressed that Government aid might be continued. That the present system of supplying Schools with books, maps, and other school requi- sites has been found satisfactory and profitable, is clearly shown by the increase of pur- chases. In 1868 the value of maps, books, &c., purchased from the Depository for the Schools in this County was $355 84, and the number of prize books, 833. In 1871 tlie amount of purchase was $721 48, and the number of books, 1701, an increase of over 100 percent, in three years. The maps furnished by the Depository are distinct, durable and cheap. Four years ago a travelling agent for maps, succeeded in supplying about twenty of our Schools with a map of Europe and America, at a price higher than that charged by the Depository for a superior article. There is now scarcely a School in which the map is not entirely worn out. If the present system of supplying Schools be done away with, it will open the door for unscrupulous agents to vend their wares, charging liigh prices and furnishing inferior articles. If the present wise supervision over the kind of libraiy and prize books to be placed in the hands of our children be removed, it must not be ex- pected that trustees will examine all the books which they may purchase for their Schools, and it will undoubtedly happen that books of a questionable if not a pernicious character, will be given as prizes to children, and will find their way into the libraries of our Public Schools. James C. Brown, Esq., Inspector, Co. Peteriiorongk—Yov some considerable time past a noisy class has been assailing the Eiku^ationid Depository at Toronto, and clamouring for its abolition. After making extensive inciuiries respecting it, and having repeatedly tliought over the whole matter, I have come to the following conclusions : 1. In no other way could the Schools of the country be so well supplied with maps, apparatus, (fee, of the most approved description, as by the Depository. Even in many of the most remote Schools are to be found maps and charts as good as those in the best Schools of cities and towns. The case would have been very diflferent hatain those verj' IS, teacheis and ble to induce sion in the se- of proper map- son to fear that ', and that our k.merican picto- to notice that ing a properly emselves in the tioral language, lead me to pre- lose very essen to suggest any , or if possible led theDepart- and apparattis ar, I have the my reform in are judicious r make ample id shield every II to all creeds, xpressed their different reli- ! is, that highe)- iiave embraci-(i ir ciicular w- the 81 School there are 3(i nber of indivi ,d 3183. The the proportion rie.s in my dis- e little use of. ;;.x:ist. A very isting libraries 41 are supplied, do not meet the tastes of those for whom they are designed. It occurs to me that 1 Inspectors and others were re.juire.l p..riodically to baud in a list of works whSh would supply this deficiency, selections could be made therefrom with advantage, and the l)epartme.it could still exercise the essential function of protecting Schools from he intro- (luction ot improper works. ° LkmM J McKmnon, R^., Inspector, Co. Pcd.-In reply to your circular, I have the honour tool er thefolomng observations :-(l.) That I believe the ' practice wh.cli has hitherto obtained in this Province, of encouraging tlie establishm.,nt of public libraries and the Provision of a proper supply of maps,"apparatus, prize-books, Ac by a Government grant ot 100% to be highly conducive to the best interests of our Schools and of education generally. The knowledge that they can do so at half- price is doub less a great induceraent to many trustees to procure e'lucational " imple- ments, which, because th(i.v (lid without them in th(,ir young days, (as they ,lid without •eaping and threshing machines) some people are only half persuaded their chihlren can really need now. Prizes, too would be much more seldom distributed, had thev to be pud for in ull out ot the section funds. (2.) That if the Government grant were allowed on all School requi.sttes purchased by the proper authorities, irrespec- tive ot where procunnl, or at what price, the trustees, who are generally men not accustomed to judge ot the quality and value of such things, would be often im- posed on, and worthless articles, such as lloyd's " Map of the U. S. Continent" (which by the way has already found its way into too many of our Schools) would ho palmed oft upon them by " free-tiwle" booksellers and agents. It seems to me there- tore, that It would l)e impossible to continue the Government aid without some adequate supervision over tlu" kind and value of the i.uichase on which the grant is allow(Hl and tliat It remains only to consider what kind of supervision would lie a't the sam«^ time most ettieieiit and le.ast expensive. It might, perhaps, be possible for the Department to iiub- hsh a catalogue of maps, apparatus, and e\en library books, showing the price at which «"ach article might be bought from any liookseller, and the Govermnent pet'centa-e al- lowed thereon, the invoice havuig been certified to by some conijietnit p.-rson Inil this would entail an amount of labour and expenditure in all probability far beyond tiiat s])ent oil the Depository, and would, in my opinion, be much less satisfactory." In conclusion 1 would give It as my not quite dvcuM opinion, that the abolition of the Depository in' connection with the Education Dei)artment would have a serious iiiHueiice for evil upon our Schools geiK-rally. It is true that tliere are sometimes conqjlaints, perhaps quite witliout foundation, tliat maps, book.,, &c. on the catalogues are often not in stock when called for, and are, sometimes, not procured so (juickly as might be done by a private firm iimler the pressure of competition ; and that when trustees'^ and teachers \'isit the Dejiository to select books I'tc, they have not (piite the same facilities for examiniiio- and choosing from the whole stock that would gladly be granted them elsewhere. But'lhese lobjections point rather to the propriety of enlarging the stock and«accommodation of the ]>resent Depository than to the advisability of eutii'ely doing away with it. Indeed the truth seems to be that while many tlioroughly appreciate the advantages afforded by the Dtipository, and many more are tpiite indiffcj'eiit, there are almost none in this part of the country who are in any sense opposed to it. Before closing, 1 shall venture to offer a sin-de suggestion, with much hesitation, however, as to its feasibility. It will be seen from my t^pecial Report for 1872, that very few— say one in ten —of our teachers have even read any work bearing directly upon their professional duties. This is certainly much to be regretted ; can it_ be remedied 1 Tin; Depository supplies Normal School students with liooks &c. athalf price, and the Government pays two-thirds the cost of books for ^le- chanics' Institutes; might not teachers, as individuals and as associations, be afforded the same advantages in the j)urcha.se of strictly professional works, and would not the country at large be quite as much benefited as in the other cases mentioned ? But even as thiuo's are at present, teachers are certainly afforded advantages at the Depository which the\' can obtain no where else. James C. Morijan, Esq., M.A., Tnsjirclor, North Simcoe.—l have the honour to state, with respect to your communication concerning the Book, Map, iVc. Department, that very ^'iMieral satisfaction is felt with its working, throughout this Biding, and that I know no D 42 improvement that could be made in its management, except F';^J1>« jfl^^^^ ^^^^^^^ '^''' reader. Wlien the number exceeds one hunt -e volume tor • v«iy t »jj be sufficient. In too many n.stances wlu-n tru,s..es l^ave prucnu- d ^^^^ jiry '< veve^^^i^^^^ oeoDle Evidence of this is so ck'ar that even its opponents admt it. I \'"^7^*^ J^^J' for every do lav's -.vorth of iK.oks imported by the Department tor the ^«»'«^>1«' .^J^^ '^«?^^- irs 'mpo rt ten doUars worth for the public Why restrict ^'^^/"-"f,;;^;^^^^^^^^^.^ such a bountiful liarvest ? Excellent books might "JV^^^'^V^^X keeu out u'a hv an I ether agencies, but I know of no system that could so effectually keep out tiaslw ana worthless .^es ^ ^,^ jr,,Urorth.-l have postponed sending in jy ob™ tions on the subject referred to in your circular, until such time as I had completed my first S to tu>schSsot%his county and made careful inquiries concerning these mat ers so mt I 1 H^^^^^^^^^ givey/u, uut only my own views but also a correct and rehab e atement • the opinion of trustees and teachers in regard to the Depository system. The rosur" he enquiries are, that trustees and teachers have expressed themselves as being well satisfied with the pres;nt system, and consider it a great boon to our public schools. Sr" onfa^J^nedby'^^^^^ they are enabled, by the P--t^stem to s^^^^^^^^^ their schools with uniforu. sets of maps and apparatus ,^ that hey «'^" ^^^t''"^^ carefuH^^^ sorted packages of prize books, and that libraries, suitable lor their «*^*=t'TvXv would ex irom the Depository for a moderate sum. Many trustees stated to me, that they would ex cTdin dy r gr t to^see the Depository system abolished, for, as thev say, ;' it the law comp s ust IWnish our schools with'maps,'ap;.ratu. ,brary and prize bo°ks ;t jn^it also o t^^^^ ,.ish places where they may be obtained." I therefore feel convinced that ^^'epolicyo those who Tre actively engn^d in carrying out the details of our present system and of the friends f eiucatiou .i.erally in this county, is decidedly in favour of the ^'f^'^'^'y .^''^^^JJ'' Depository is now entering upon a new era in its most important work Under the former School Act, the necessity of giving prizes, furnishing libraries or the school ««f ions and sup^ plyin, suitable maps and apparatus, was brought under the notice of trustees, Y'],S° , "^^^'^^ upon to the same extent, as it is under the present Act. tt is with no small d'^^^lty jh.U Inspectors are now able, with the present facilities to secure ^"^^'^'^q^^^^*^^ ^..'j^^.^fS^^^^^ nccLary for the management of our schools ; and if these were done away with he difficuK ties would be certainly^ greater. The Depository system. >^ P>-of "-iy "^^""-J- , f"^,,,^ ,uanaueme,>t is under goverumout control) provides faed.ties for ^he diffusion o the lecent improvements and corrections in maps and apparatus, and hkew.se acts as a ?^; '^ «a to pro^ tect the younsi from the evils of a trashy literature, by supplying them with library and vrize books .,f' undoubted value. I am U the opinion that the abo lit on .1 he Depo.-,itoiv system would bo a serious drawbiiek to the advancement of our Public Schools. • M. J. AV//.. /•;>-/.. M. /'., /"sy-/-^ (•<'. nranf.-\n reply to your areolar touchm,. •■ the principlesupon which Bo, ks. Maps, Apparatus," .Vc uive l^^^herto been supph^^^^^^ bv the Department to the Schuuls receiving Legislative aid. 1 be- to s.ibmit the follow '.Ui oh t^pil ■rvations ilu cstablishnieni i 1 1 .letiu it almost supeiHm.us now to utter^argununts in favou .f I'ul.Uc, Hiuh S.hool ami Teachers' Libraries. Their importance been long since conceded by the bi'st am st men. an I the necessity for such aid in thf 43 diffusion of useful knowledge is becoming more evident to experienced educationiats. In common with the great body of teachers of the time, I hailed with satisfaction the estab- lishment of a Depository at Toronto, controlled by the Government, and under the imme- diate supervision of the Chief Superintendent of Education, for the supply, at greatly reduced rates, of such books, maps, and apparatus. The books and a])paratU8 previously supplied for Township Libraries, School Libraries, and Schools, mostly by agents of large book establishments in New York, Rochester, and BuHalo, had been of a very inferior description, both as to bind ing and topography, as well as to general literary an d scientific excell- ence. If any one is in doubt as to the accuracy of this fact let him examine the School Libraries throughout New York Stata and judge for himself Besidt^s, as their itinerant book- vendors were solely intent on making money for themselves and tlieir employers, no regulations, for the proper management and preservation of the libraries were, as a rule, furnished, and the result was, that the books were speedily destroyed or lost. The books. Sic, supplied by the Department have been of a very different character, generally ob- tained from British and Canadian publishing houses, an' our schools with prize and library boi.ks upon a wide range of subjects, it is of the utmost importance diat these books be such as to influence in a right direction, the youth of our coi:ntry. The supervision necessary to .secure this end can be most eifectually exercised by the Educational Department, only such books being selected as are suitable to the object in view. _ By this means, moreover, school autht)rities have a guarantee, that in sending to the Depository, they will receive only such works as are of approved character. It is also im- portant that maps and apparatus for our schools be of the best description. The same supervision, therefore, is necessary in regard to them, and the same means, in order that it may be equally eflfeetual. 2. My experience as to the nature of the books supplied from the Depository of the Department, an experience extending over a period of about twenty years, leads me to estimate highly the advantages of maintaining such a Depository. The books that have come under my notice in connection with our Public and High .schools, have in- variably been of choice character, well adapted to their object, and have always given great satisfaction. The maps and apparatus also bespeak a pains taking supervision, and an aim that the execution of the work in this branch shall be the highest order. 3. The advan- tiigeous terms offered by the Department as an inducement to school authorities, to supply their schools with prize and library books, maps and apparatus Abolishing the Depository, therefore, and making it more expensive to .supply them, could not but have a prejudicial effect upon our schools. Abolishing the Depository of the Dejiartment, moreover, I should regard as impolitic in regard to the development of trade, inasmuch as cultivating a taste for reading by means of prize and library books has an important bearing upon that question. And inasmuch as the Depository is maintained without entailing any expense whatever upon the Province, school authorities might justly regard it as a hardship to be compelled to pur- chase upon terms less advantageous than those offered at the Depository. Rkhanl Haramrt, Esq., M.J, Inspector, Co. Hahlimand.—ln reply 'to your circular • f ^° ^^^^^> that, for different reasons, particularly for those contained in your circular (Reply to objections, Srd and 4th paragraphs), I deem the Book Deposi- tory to be an " essential " in our School system. I know from experience that, did we not get the 100 per cent, grant, I would have a great deal of difficulty in inducing truRtei's to purchase the requisite maps, &c. For a long lime, I doubted tlie neeil of such a Depository, since it is just a question of indirect taxation ; but the same point, as you observe, it carried out, would jugue against the semi-annual Government grants. 45 eoting Boards r good aohool ing a regular it fair prices, ned in many 1 with names rtisement for blc the price From this, the mercy of of the neigh - 3t to be icept es and senti- ;erature, and rs, I think it feasible plan IS adopted to at, while the 3m at all, i.e. out check or applying our Prom the De- iily judicious Among the [n Mupj)lying F the utmost fouth of our exercised by the object in nding to the [t is also im- The same order that it ied from the iventy years, The books lols, have in- i given great and an aim The advan- :s, to supply Depository, 1 prejudicial er, I should 5 a taste for at question, atever upon jlled to pur- )ur circular ed in your ok Deposi- hat, did we in inducing leed of sucli oint, as you Its. J. J. Wadsvmih, Esq., M.A., M.H., Imtpedor, Co. Norfolk. — In reply to ciicular asking my opit on regarding the Depository, 1 beg to say T am strongly in favour of n;aintaining the present system. From wli.it 1 have observed during the past twelve years, a.^ teacher and inspector, I am convinced that the Depository has supplied the Public Schools with maps, apparatus and prize-books much movp rlmi phi, mnc\i more conveniently and much more judiciously than " the trade " would havi; supplied them As to rhrujiiic^s it is clear that tholjDepository can sell at lower figures than even the wholesale dealers of Toronto,for while the lattei- carry on business with a view to amassing a fortune, the Depository aims only at paying running expeu-ses. It is plain, too, that by ordering direct from the Dc;- pository instead of through a local dealer, as it woul. l)e necessary to do were the Deposi- tory closed, the local dealers profits are also saved to the School Sections. As to conveni- ence, the present system is unrivalled. It would, I imagine, be much more troublesome for trustees to visit, say, the county town, and there select from a limited stock, than it is to leave the whole labour of selection to the agents of the Depository. In the one case it would perhaps be a journey of forty miles— a day spent in an unpleasant and thankless task ; in the other the mere mailing of a printed form. And why not send such a form to the local dealer 1 says one. This leads to the third point. The Depository can make a much more judicious selection than the local dealer. For the stock on hand is always larger than any private dealer could command. But could he not order from Toronto 1 He could, by referring to a catalogue — a poor guide. Besides, would a dealer, as a rule, order from Toronto while any books that would " do " were on' his shelves 1 I believe that the local dealer, as a rule, would not send so good a selection of books as are sent by the Depository. Again,could'we trust every local dealer to select books for our libraries, &c.'i Would they be books of the right stamp i The aim of every merchant is not to sell the best article but the most profitable one. I need not enter into this question fully. It has been amply discussed by the press. There is little doubt that " the trade" Avould fail in making wi.se selections. While giving tliem credit for as much conscientiousness as any other class of men, I should be sorry to see the character of our pul)lic libraries and of our prize-books left entirely to their discretion. There is another strong reason why the Depository should be sustained, viz., that if closed there would be a large falling off in the amount purchased. From what I know of the manner in which trustees are in- duced in many cases to send an order for books, &c., I am siu'e that if there be any addi- tional difficulty thrown in the way of procuring them the purchases would be seriously diminished. In rural sections trustees will fill up a form with alacrity, whereas a.s I hare said above, the necessity of dealing with some bookseller would appear to be a serious obstacle. Besides, the Depository, by diligence and good management, has liuilt up a business reputation. It has established a sort of business connection from one end of the Province to the other. Every trustee knows precisely where and how books, maps, &c. may be obtained. But if the claims of various rival local dealers have to be considered, the '' pros." and "cons " will have to be discussed, then will be deliberation. The simple cnrte hlanrhe to tlie Depository is by far the best means. Again, I hold it is absolutely necessary for tlu! Government to continue for some years to come the plan of granting 100 percent, on all remittances for bof)ks. itc. This lias been done to encourage trustees to supply their Schools with wiiat a modern Schfiol requires, so that a trained teacher may not find himsidf without the machinery wherewith to work in the way taught him at the Normal School. The time for discoiitinuiiig tliis encouragement has not yet come. The Inspectors state that in several counties liardly a ma]t is to be found, In this county, old as it is, apparatus is very rare, and lil)niries are to be found in but 17 of the 103 sections. If a love of knowledge, a love of reading, is to be fostered among the people, it will be neces- sary for some time yet to extend the helping hand to all sections willing to meet it half-w^ay. As'for the cry that the rights of the book trade are l)eing interfered witli, I must say I never heard a more audacious misstatement. The (government hasas much right to supply the needs of its Schools as a private teacher has to .supply his pupils with stationery or bookc. The Schools belong to the people collectively, and the people collectively have a riyht to the cheapest and best sunplios they Oi>ii nbtjiin. If they elioose to imi)ort or manufacture for the Schools it is their undoubted right so to do. And that they are wise in so doing it is clear, from a consideration of what would follow if the Deiiository were closed. One or two Toronto firms would monopolize the whole business. The local 41 Healers would be subject to whatever arrangements of prices these hrma might «|»'terniinr unon kT, bus ness were so extensive as to in.luce keen competition f™""^ ^'"P«'-^«" and wholesale dea ers this objection would be less forcible But it would "<>t ^« «0- JJf business 9 a specialty. If any firm wont into the line it would be necessary to keep a large S An.l one or at most two, tir-s would do so, i-nd engross the whole business. For all fhese retls Tit til tlr so^ years to come, at all events, the Government will sus- ^''" %!^:^k E.n., Ins,ector, C. 0.^^.-1. reply to your c^cidar ^^^^/t Donartment furnishing Schools with library books, ai.paratus, &c I have the honour to r-T't M < wn experience enables me to state that the articles supplied are satisfac irv both as to cist and quality ; 'ind. That the only parties agitating for a suspension Sis t2::rtli:De .artm^nt are such as are directly or indirect y interested hnan- riallv in the chan-'e. 3rd. Trustees do not ask for a change In this county a booK sel er leJ pS ions among trustees for signatures, asking the Legislature to give the matter oUr i, the trade, and to make the usual Government allowances to theJ,chool Boards lu many cases the trustees came to me with them. I did not hear of one being signed 4 h In case the selection is left to trustees and the trade, such articles wdl be li^gedupoii the attention of trustees as yield the best profit, to the sacrihce of uniformity '"^ 'S.:^PeZ:^"%.'etor Co. ?ntnloo.-ln reply to your circular I beg to say. that for Zrteen years previous t. my appointment, in July, 1871, to the office of County Inspector I was Actively engaged in teaching in the Berlin Pubic Schods. Durmg that imrfwa/ eye witness of the distribution of several hundred dollars worth f P"^« 'J°«l- and scientific articles : I also had the opportunity of seeing a large -^^^^^J^^^l'^fr ,.Pnded for mans and apparatus. These articles were invariably procured from the DepoBi- Cv of the DSartoent and I must say, 1 never heard a word of dissatisfaction expressed, Spt by hose'cn"^^^^^^^^ fn the trade, oV their friends. While a teacher, I looked npon the iSitory asone of the greatest boons that our Educational system conferred "PO" «« I and Se became Inspector and had an opportunity of becoming better ^"^^f J'^^^ ^« working generally throughout the County, this opinion has been greatly strengthened. As far a^ I c^n asce/tain, the question is agitated by interested parties only, and I do sincerely bJpTthat our Legislature, in its wisdom, will calmly consider what the probable consequence would be if the Depository were abolished. . . . • AD. Ford>ic^Esq: Inspector, No. 1. Weningtm.-I would beg leave to state in reply to the circular issued by Dr. Hodgins in reference to the Ed"«ation Depart- ment supplying Library and Prize Books, Maps and Apparatus to the Pubhc and Hkh Schools, that I have ever considered and do yet consider the Depository a valuable section of the School Department. With me it is not a subject of doubt but of stront: conviction, that School libraries have come into existence in the majority ot in- Ss eh; through the means of the Educational Depository It is true that the book trade in this Province has attained to such dimensions, now, that there is no difficulty in procuring any work that may be required. Hut School libraries cannoo be got up as cheap from the booksellers as from the Departn.c.it. I have had frequent opportuni les of tS this fact from collections of prize books distributed in Public Schools, obtained from the local booksellers, where the prices were made as low as possible In the tech- nical language of the merchants, the profits were cut very fine, yet these books were not as cheap as the same kind procured from the Department, where they had the advantage of the 1007. Besides, in such collections of prize books I have often observed a number ',f works that were worthless trashy things, where the only object in view by the seller iB lisposing of such was commercial gain. I cannot concei^^e how it would be possible foi he trade to supply the Schools as they have been or should be, with maps and apparatus, i cannot express mv mind upon this division of the subject better, than by heartily and earnestly endorsing the note on page four of the circular cortaining the four reasons why the trade is inconmetent to take the place of the Depository m supplying our SchooU. ine iraue is. luom P , ., / , • „f ^.^^ Publ <• Schno k. T am decidedly m favour of the Depository Department still being continued, at least so far as maps and School apparatus are concerned, and also works on education. , , , Rf/ James KU.gu, Es,,, Inspector, South Gre,,-A have the honour to acknow; ledge the receipt of your circular referring to the " Educational Depository, and in reply beg leave to remark: I have been intimately aoquainte.! with nir School system for twenty years, viz., since my appointment as Local Superintendent in 1853 I have observed with very great interest the establishment ot he Depository for the supply of maps, books, apparatus, .fee, >fec. and noted with great satis- Son the benefits which it Ls continued to confer by the facilities it affords to the IS authorities. In the course of tliese years I have had mr.uy opportunities of conver sation with intelligent parties of different shades of p..l.tical and religious belief, inter- ested in the educationa questions of the .lay, a very large majority of whom appear to Regard the Depository anil its management with great satisfaction. Indeed except during Thf first yeaifof its establishment.^lmost every reference te it indicates great sati«- ^''^'''miliam Alexander, E.q., I>mdor Co. P.rth.-l have to state in reply to vour circular referrScertaii objections' that have been urged against the pel cy of supplying schools wSmanr apparatus, prize books and library hooks, from the Depository of the 1 epartment, Thit myTiperience convinces me that the policy of the Government in encouraging the fur- nuiil^of Khooli with suitable maps, apparatus, libraries, &o., has been a wise one ; and in • ^IJlrtri^hirm^icv I believe no better plan could well be devised than the present dto?v plan N? £d to cd^^^^^^ pmgr'ess, I think, could suggest that this generous Depository pan.minena discontinued, but some difference of opmion might exist government aid to schools should be msconi , ^^^ Government in ^ZX^^^^^ lib'rlTeltr dlitory plaj, and L plan adopted in aidmg the esiaDiisi J experience of both these plans decide me in the regard ^^ jV^^^-^f^^J"^;^^^^^^^^^^ satisfactory, all the government grant being de- Tt^rto Ytst eS oWct andTi^ th^c latter has been extremely uns^vtisfactory in its :^z^^^ f ^^^^ of sx;=^Sh;r^s;s"ter ij:^ law. It 18 not my intention to urge ?» f^ P^^^^^^^^^ /,^ fi.^iy of the conviction, policy, but to g-^,-y.75)«PXV as prop by some would very ^seriously affect the that to do J7;yj>*f ♦J^^^^^/JX^^^^ and supervision of schools have been very desirable end; that those Who nave ine^ r ^ ^.^^ ^^^ requisite aiming at for the past few years viz^. ^f .f.^yg^^'p^^ository would give great disaatis- ,„.a«.s.of instruction. ^ ^-';*';^^^ t £5^ Fople. '^They would fact on t^ «''»^«i:;ffi^t'-«: . ;J/;f"iVw bookSs to^become rich out of the sale of maps, be Blow to ^e that the < "'y^« "^ ^^ ^^r of grave importance or national concernment, apparatus &c to «'.h?«l«' f °" J^^^^^^^^ policy should be shaped so as to serve They would be unwilling o b^l^^f;^^^^^ j Seve it is admitted, by the objector, the interest of a few rather than the pumic ^o Depository was needed, to the present «y«^- , ^^Vthe neceSy' f^r th s esrallSment no lon'ger exists. I would but they now contend tjat the necessay tor necessary or not 1 Those who are ask, who are te judge ^ht^l^^Ltt ICiSld ^ te our schools, or those who have to anxious to pront dv ^'^'^'"-„ ^'P.^' jf P^] fuelieve should be the judges, and from obserTa- ffL*L7;'°. ar.Tuld'^ttMKe^ i^'Zi . p,o.o„.» 1 vLdi.. in favou, of . 48 4 rii toining tho Doponitory on its present footing. The objootorfl assort that the Depository is an expensive burden on tho Province, but I can asHuro them that tlio people fail to seo how, malcing them pay two and one-half times uh much for school recjui>«itos aH they do now, would in any way li^htuii tho burdou. Tho cHlublitthment uf thu OopoHitory was a neees»ity, the good it has done can scarcely be estimated ; to-day it is as necessary and as useful as it evor was, and it would be a matter of much rej.'ret to me, if the government would yield to the importunities of an over anxious few, and in t*^'0 least, lessen its powers, or impure its use- fulness. /, It. Miller, Esq., Innpertor, Sauth Huron. — In reply to your favour requesting the result of my experience antl observations with reference to the Departmental Depository, I beg to state, 1st : That, during the ten years of my experience as teacher in the Public Schools, prizes, received from thi- Department, were distributed annu- ally. When not in a position to select for myself, I requested that tho selection be made by the Department, merely stating in my application that I required certain numb(*rs at stated prices. The trustt^es and myself have invariably been well satisfied with the se- lections. In 1872, William Young, Esq., Reeve of Colborno, gave me $25 for the purpose of giving prizes at a competitive examination of the Schools in the Township. Applica- tion was made to Uie Department, $f)0 worth of books were sent, and all interested were highly pleased with the selection made. (2.) The libraries throughout my district are generally well read and highly appreciated, but on account of increased expenditure in providing increased accommodation, enlarged sites and apparatus, the libraries have not been augmented, but when these are secured, as they will be during the present year, then the libraries will be attended to. There can be no doubt in the mind of any reasonable person as to the gieat benefits derived from the literature disseminated throughimt the country by means of the School library and the prizes distributed annually in our Schools. The people are being imperceptibly educated by tlies*; means, and if they are taken away, the taste fur home reading must necessaiily die out in many families, tvs the only sources of supply will be cut oH". In a new country like this many people cannot afford to buy books, many more do not care lo buy, but when they are forced upon them through their children, they will and do read them, and thus a taste for reading is created and cultivat- ed, and of course results in great benefits to society at large. (3.) The check given by the Department in excluding questionable literature, is most salutary, and if a similar over- sight coidd be secured in tlie selection of our Mechanics' Institutes and other libraries, our young people would enjoy scientific, historical and other works calculated to prepare ])ody and mind for the duties of life, and wo siiould not have to deplore the present age of dime novels and yellow-backed trash, which liave such a powerful influence for evil. The taste for such reading is daily increasing anil the result in many places is that the very best books in the library are scarcely or never touched, while worthless nonsense is swallowed down with avidity. (4.) Booksellers, in many cases, assure us that the 100% granted by the Department is all a sham, that they can sell books as cheaply as the Department. My experience goes to prove the contrary. I have applied the test of asking the price in the book stores of books similarly bound, the same subject and similarly bound, with a result in favour of the Department of from 10% to 30%. They cry out against a monopoly, while they are striving to create a form of monopoly that will entirely exclude thousands from the benefits of useful and wholesome literature. I think to do away with either the Library or Prize Book Depository woidd strike a heavy blow at our excellent Schools, and, at the same c.imc, 1 think it will not secure an increase of revenue to those who so anxiuu.slj' desire its overthrow. (5). To close the Map and Apparatus Department of the Depository will at once very seriously injure the working of our Schools. We gain in uniformity by having the supervision of one head ; if we have many we will go back to the days of 20 years ago, when every teacher had a particular preference for the work of certain publishers. Uniformity of text-books has been secured after long years of hard struggling, and it would be a thousand pities to destroy that uniformity by taking away the very means that Inoughtit into existence. Uniformity of work, uniformity in text- books and uniformity in maps and apparatus of all kinds aie essentially necessary to suc- ces.s in the S<'hn<.l-r<"-rn. If we can gain these, then, the frequent ehangi; of teacher will not so much influence our Schools under the present mode of inspection as in the pas,t, and as a consequence, our pupils will leave the School-room thoroughly fitted to perform 49 the duties of life. Tn coiicliisioii, T timy Htate that I liave been fmnu'titly conipflled to explain that the Dcpartmctit lian nothing to (h» with the tcxtliooliM in our Schools, fur- ther than to see that ttacii puhlinher brings his work to a re(|uire(l atanclard of excellence. Many believe that all the books einanali) from the Department, and that it has a "rotit on such. I think a few words of .xplanation in the "Journal of Education " would do nuich to H'move this fals*) impression. 1 may also state that, after consultation with a large n\nnber of teachers, while [ find very i'vw who think that a scheme could be de- vised and who would bo in favour of handing ov('r to the " Booksellers" the Library and Prize Hooks, all maintain that to abolish the Map and Apparatus Department would be a serious calamity. Archibald Dewar, hJsq., Inxpectm, North Huron. — In reply to your circular respectr ing the Educational Depository, I have the honour to state that I have always considered it a great boon to the youth of our Province and that, from what has come under my notice during the past two years, I am now more deeply impressed with its importance and usefulness than ever. Our Public School libraries are few in number and small in bulk, compared with what they really should l)o, and were the Educational Depository abolished, they woidd bt* fewer and smaller still ; and all guarantee that nothing but a pure, wholesome and suitable literature would lind its way into our Public School libr.i- ries be at an end. The various objections urged against the Depository, were I able to see their pertinence, would weigh very little with me as compared with the only way in which, as far as I can see, any efficient control (;an be exercised over the character of the literature to be circulated among our youtli, in the shape of School libraries and School prizes, especially when it is taken into consideration that so many of the trustees leave the selection to bo made when the books are procured. It is not necessary that I should refer, in detail, to the various objections urged against the Depository, as wliat I have already stated is quite autticient to settle the matter, so far as my opinion is conc»!rned, at least ; until I liave good evidence that every man engaged in "the trade" will be likely to ex- ercise the same care in the distribution of literature free from anything of a doubtful char- acter, that the Council of Public Instruction has hitherto done. To grant a monopoly to one or two reliable booksellers would be deprecated all over the Province. The Educa- tional Depository has done the country good service in the past, is doing so now, and will, I trust, be allowed to continue doing so in the future, all grumbling to the contrary, notwithstanding. Jiichard V. Langdon, Enq., Inspector, East Bruce. — I have th(( honour to acknowledge the receipt of a circular from the Department of Education, relating to the objections of scmie to the Depository. 1 am of the opinion that if this very important feature of our educational system be given up it will prove a serious blow to its prosperity. At different times I have had occasion to deal with the " Department " in the matter of prize books, maps, \'c., and found the utmost satisfaction expressed by the trustees, for whom the articles were obtained. In every instance the books were carefully selected, so much so that it would be very dithcult to make a better selection. There are but few School Libraries •within my jurisdiction, and some of these are in a low state ] but on encpiiry I find this to be the lesult of cai'elessness on the part of ihe librarian, iu not keeping a proper re- cord of the names of parties receiving books. Several books are outstanding, and no one knows to whom they were lent. The interest that people would take in a properly managed library is thus destroyed, and the good eft'ects lost. Objections are sometimes urged by trustees and and others, against public libraries, on the ground that the interest once felt soon dies out, and books are either lost or lying on the shelves unread. This could be avoided by a more judicious management, and a careful record kept of every book. I recommend the continuance of the Depository for the following reasons; (1) The articles required for schools must necessarily be of a better class when selecti'd by parties whose sole business is to supply them, than those supplied by persons who look only to profits. (2) 1 look upon the Department as the only safeguard against a corrupt literature. Agents would soon flood the country witli cheap, but, to a great extent, de-- moralizing literature. (3) 1 see no force in any of the objections urged against the De pobitory which, in my opinion, is a proof that we require no change. (4) The circulars' issued by the Chief Superintendent, and containing information relating to the Depository '■?A C-;^'-'""- » ■. 50 are so full, that any one giving them a careful perusal must acknowledge the wisdom of introducing so important an element into our School system. , , , J. C Glashan, Esq., Inspector, West Middlesex.— I have delayed answering your circular that I might make during my School inspecting visits a thorough exami- nation of the effects of the Depository trade. Thus I am able to speak not from vague opinions based perhaps on prejudice, but from opinions based on facts, or on the evidence of witnesses speciaHy examined on the subject. Maps, Charts and Apparatus.-- Of the maps and charts a sufficient supply fit for School use cannot be obtained from book- sellers, and even such as can be obtained are suited rather for private offices than tor Schools, witness Tremaine's map of Ontario, of which there are several in the Schools of the division hanging useless besides the Depository map obtained at a later perioti. A-^ain if left to purchase anywhere trustees will be troubled and many of them gulled by°unprincipled agents for maps made to sell. Just before my appointmimt one of these so called agents went round with a highly coloured double map of Europe and America. The specimen he carried with him was well finished, I am informed, and mounted on strong canvas On the strength of this specimen, he was backed up with any amouut of orders, which were filled with an almost worthless map wretchedly mounted on paper, and witlim a year not one was fit for what little use could at first be made of it. If the Depository be abolished far fewer maps, few enough now, will be bought on account of the enhanced price that will have to be paid. Trustees rightly reason that if they pay the 100 per cent, in taxes, those taxes will not be lightened because of their ceasing to receive back an extremely small fraction in the shape of a premium on their maps and book purchases. Another means of expenditure will immediately arise and thecommumty will simply lose the 100 per cent. Of apparatus it is sufficient to say that not even a numeral frame can be purchased in Strathroy. Where sales are few and distant in time (and they would be divided up among the smaller booksellers), high rates of profit must be charged. Appa- ratus would cost double or treble the present price. , , ,; X, ., J ;».... Compare the prices of scientific toys, for prizes, charged by the Depository, arui those charged in our shops, the arguments in favour of the Depository sale of maps appTy with almost stronger force to the sale of prize books The mass of rural School trustees are not readers, especially readers of books for children the con- sequence is, if the teacher cannot make the purchase, books are bought for their bind- ings or for their illustrations, or because they yield a large profit. True Sunday School libraries are sometimes bought and distributed in prizes, but these should be^ given from the Sunday School ; the Public School should take a wider scope, religious books being only one kind. Man was made to work as well as worship. _ But why should not the teaJher always select] Certainly the hurried choice of a girl of sixteen or a bojr of eighteen, with but little reading beyond that of school books, will be imperfect. Were the Depository done away with, an.l were the demand to lead booksellers to keep supplies it will not in a year or two make our trustees and teacher, competent to select to the best advantage. And this applies to the very sections most in need of this cultivation of reading tastes. Where trustees are quite capable of selecting prize books to the best advantage, in towns for example there is gerierally east need of them so far as reading is concerned. In respect of hbraries, the wi - neVses I examined were more divided in their evidence. On examining the testi- mony the general opinion wa. decidedly in favour of the system as almost the only one Tat will generally establish free School Section libraries, but there was an almost univer- sal complaint about the kind of books. One half is made up of excellent works jhch »re highly appreciated, the other half consists of treatises written by men who had leoA tS«r works^^and att;mpted to re-write them from memory. Many of them are works on Agriculture written in a dry repulsive style, describing operations and machinery out of date or wholly unsuited to our climate or to the capibvl of our farmers. S must be r membered that there were libraries fifteen years ago Without the Depository I doubt whether professional libraries can bo commenced or sustained ; certainly the hope of'^sistance from^he Depository had great influence in aid of he ™ovemenat presen on foot here to establish such libraries. There have been no sales of professional books '" ^^'"n^ySdeJlitho speak from knowledge are ex-students of the Provincial Normal School. Ob it is, howev( purchased a have had nc is on some \ thing humai Trustees ha importunitii were the D< ions formed from the tra A. F. county as 1 testimony o and map D learning, no and since, f more than : once commc books, have cutting off duty in the votes and : since obsen tioned is i brought th( views here E. B. Departmer trustees, w thought to against the not judicic the part oi bookseller. County on enquire in about fif'tj British w( price was allowed. but if he { ments, he would tak trustees a maps. O a trial of School pu recommei invariabh CatAlogiu Lessons c together $1 20 an was inau] that I cai which mi ratUB can 61 School. Objections may be taken to the evidence of tliese as interested parties ; such as it is, however, it is wholly in favour of the Depository. Many most valuable books were purchased and read that would not have been so but for the Depository. These must have had no small influence on the teaching of these students. To mm up, while there is on some points dissatisfaction with the Depository, as there will always be with every- thing human, there is much stronger feeling in its favour, and that, too, with reason. Trustees have enough to attend to without suffering from the frequent and persistent importunities of drummers and agents, too often sharpers, that would flood the country were the Depository abolished. The above contains the evidence collected, and the opin- ions formed thereon by one noways biassed in favour of the Depository, but who purchases from the trade all the professional as well as other works he needs. J. F. Butler, Esq., Inspector Cn. Elgin.— 'From an experience of twelve years in this county as Teacher, Local Superintendent and County Inspector, as well as from the united testimony of trustees and teachers, I am firmly of the opinion that the abolition of the book and map Depository would be nothing less than a f/rmt public calamity. The niaterial of learning, now annually distributed among the people, would be at once greatly diminished ; and since, from the nature and variety of the articles used in the schools, it is not likely that more than a very few booksellers would keep all these in stock, a real monoply would at once commence. The present aid and facilities for obtaining maps, apparatus and prize books, have been to the schools here the right arm of strength ; and should the question of cutting off the source of supply in its present form come before Parliament, I shall feel it my duty in their best interest to circulate petitions, and thus secure, if possible, against it, the votes and influence of our own local representatives. I may be allowed also to state, that since observing last winter, from a remark by the Premier of Ontario, that the step men- tioned is in possible contemplation, I have, on many occasions during public lectures, brought the subject before the rate-payers, and that their verdict has always confirmed the V16WS riGrc GXDr6ss6(i E. B. Ilarrimi, Esq., Inspector, (X Kent- -In reply to a circular received from the Department, I have the honour to state, that with the exception of some two or three trustees, who, some years ago, were not satisfies I believe it has the desired effect, so long will I rest satisfied with the existence of the Depository. John Brehner, E.'iq., Inspector, No. 2, Lambton.—ln reply to your circular m reference to the Depository for the supply of books, maps and apparatus for the use of School", m Ontario, I would" say : until those who propose to do away with the means now so fudy, cheaply and uniformly providing for the requirements of our Schools, can propose some plan less open to abuse and more likely to prove efficient than any I have yet heard of " Let well enough alone." Many appear to forget that the Depository was not estab- lished either to benefit or injure "the book trade," but for the good of the public at whose expense it is maintained ; and that so long as it furnishes fit and proper books, maps and apparatus as cheaply as the booksellers, every means should be used to strengthen the hands of the Department, for only by having the School requisite pass through the Depository, can it exercise effectual control over the class of books furnished for prizes and libraries. From what may be seen in many sections of the countrjs any one can satisfy himself if lie will, that he would have strange, not to say bad, books cir- culated at the public expense, and maps, e.g., " Lloyd's American Continent m 1900, utterly unfit for use in our Schools except as a means of rooting out everything like pa- triotism. Thcoduk. Girm-iJot, Esq., Impfchr No. 1, Essex.— 1 have the honour to state in reply to your circular that I am convinced that the books, maps and other apparatus, as now furnished by the Department of Education, are of great benefit to school sections ; for the following reasons ; (i) The Department acting under the direction of the Council of Public Instruction knows better what suits the schools than any body else. (2) Many School trustees would hardly agree to proviile the necessary appnratns for their school, if they were not receiving the 100% from the (iovernmeiit, and I am really afraid that if this state of tliinys should cease to exist, that I would have great trouble to compel tVie School Sections to 'provide for their Sdnjols the objects in question. I fully approve the reply of the Department to tin.' objections mentioned in your circular. .fas. liiU, Esq., Inspector. No. 2, AW.r.— Allow me to make a few general remarks on the subject of the assistance afforded by the Department to the Public Schools in pro- viding library books, maps and piize books. The objections stated appear to be satis- factorily answered by the replies printed in the circular. It may also be said thiit the assistance above mentioned is almost ncicessitated by the consideration that unless the necessary means of following u}) the primary instruction received in the Pul)lic Schools are provided, the ])ublic numey already expended will in some measure be thrown away. The art of reading, for example, would' be abarr.'ii acciuisition if not followed by practical application in after life. >«'o doubt, books might be purchased by trustees fi'om jirivate traders ; bu would be v( hands of ch selection fn of an objec of young p assume a pi attention, s only ajudi( tlier the in with a tast considered taste is seh have unpl( also well i cannot rea peculiar st school libr of that nat sought aft their brotl pupils of a book. It received, some one times, ha^ same ; till Chester. been mad for the gri vail on th 1 have als my circuit within th Departme late Mr. I very liber classes to will be ec ment assi use of the large amc by f'armei out Provi Iter. signed b of suppl; books, n a statem ment to subject ; 1 imiy 1 inform ati ever I hii which se- conducte tion of tl cannot b 58 ulcus pub- trust that ie of either ,^ed School - ' favour re- )artment, I objections, effect upon have been of books at pinion that :ist, were it jciations of irnished us Depository, rves a good ting a good, 3d with. I ers to avail I so long IS ;nce of the in reference f Schools in ow so fully^ ropose some re.% heard of s not estab- he public at oper books, be used to squisite pass cs furnished ountrjf, any I, books cir- iit in 1900," ling like pa- 3 in reply to tus, as now ;ections ; for le Council of (2) Many their school, y afraid that 3 compel tVie approve the 1 remarks on lools in prii- f to be satis- aid that the it unless the iblic Schools hrown away. 1 by ])ractical fiom private traders ; but no one can doubt, that in that case, the number of Public School libraries would be very limited indeed. It is also of great importance that the books put into the hands of children should be judiciously chos.ui. That essential object is best attained by selection from a collection into which no bad books are allowed to enter. Reading books of an objectional nature has probably the same evil influence on the minds and character of young persons, as falling into bad company. The Government and the Legislature assume a parental attitude towards the youth of the Province, and the effort to direct the attention, and guide the taste of the young in the selection of suitable reading matter, is onlv a judicious carrying out of the same principle. And indeed, nothing can better fur- ther the interests of those trading in br)oks, than thus imbuing the youth of the country with a taste for reading. Sir Humphrey Davy says, " A taste for reading may be jnstly considered one of the most valuable possessions any one can acquire," but I think that taste is seldom acquired from school books alone. Some persons of sensitive temperament have unpleasant associations connected with school books. An eminent physician, one also well acquainted with the literature of more than one language, has told me that he cannot read a book which has the outward aspect of a school book, especially of that peculiar style which prevailed at the time of his scholastic experience. The reading of school library books is a voluntary act, and not followed by any unpleasant consequences of that nature. On the contrary, as far as my experience extends, the books are eagerly sought after by the more advanced scholars, both on their own account and on that of thefr brothers and sisters at home. No more pleasant scene can be witnessed than the pupils of a Public School applying to the teacher, 011 the prescribed day, for the librai;}- book. It is gratifying to see the eagerness and pleasure with which the desired book is received, and the look of disappointment, when the coveted one has been taken out by some one else. In one township within my (.'ircuit, the township authorities at various times have granted twenty dollars for maps, &c., to any School which applied for the same • till now, fourteen of the Schools have Ijeen thus supplied. The township is Col- ciiester. 1 feel (piite certain that but for the Government aid no such grant would have been made— and the majority of the Schools would have been without maps and globes, for the greater number of the School sections are poor, and 1 find it very difficulty to pre- \ail on the trustees in many cases to provide comfortable accommodation tor the Schools, I have also been successful 'in prevailing on the several councils of all the townships within mv circuit, to furnish the necessary funds to provide the tablet cards for all tht^ Schools within their respective townships. This also was done on account of the aid from the Department I have once heard avery judicious remark made on tlie general subject l)y the late Mr Brown father of the Hon. George Brown. He said, " The Legislature should be very liberal in fostering the Common Schools. There is less need of assisting the upper classes to educate their children. They can afl'ord to pay for education, and tfieir children will be educated at any rate—but Common Schools cannot be supported without Govern ment assistance." It surely is unreasonable to object to the amount appropriateu tor the use of the Public Schools, even including the sum vot.d for hooks, maps, &c., while such large amounts are paid to the High Schools, the benefits of which are not generally enjoyed by farmers, but by the rich inhabitants of the towns and cities, who can better do witli- out Provincial aid, than the inhabitants of the thinly inhalnted townships. Her James Fortcr, Inifpedor, City of Toronto.— I received a copy of a circular, si'med by Dr Hodgins, Deputy Superintendent of Education, respecting the policy of^ suDplving the Public and High Schools of the Province with library and prize books maps, apparatus from the Depository of that Department accompanied with a statement of the principles t.n which those articles are supplied by the Depart- ment to the Schools i-eceiving Legislative aid, and with other information on the subject; and inviting such advice regarding it as, in the interest of the Schools, 1 nuiv be able to offer. 1 have carefully read the statement of prmciples aud the information referred to, and have been in the habit for many years of reading what- ever I have met with that has related to the questions they involve. Ihe principles which seem to me appropriate to that question, and the conclusion to which they liave conducted me, are the following :-The proper province of civil government is the protec- tion of the persons and property of those for whose beneht it exists. Such protection cannot be adequately aflbrded, unless children and youth be rightly educated and re- 54 strained. 2. The education and restraint of youth devolve, in the first instance, on their parents or guardians ; but when these private persons neglect to discharge their duty, the public welfare, which is the highest social law, requires that the State shall protec* itself by means of public education and discipline. By common consent, through representa tive institutions, a Public School system involving instruction, training, and in some cases restraint, industrial teaching, and even penal and reformatory treatment, may come into existence and be permanently maintained. All that is necessary to the attainment of these objects will, of course, be con 'ded ; but, as human nature is constituted, there will always be presented to those whose duty it is to organize and administer such a system, a temptation to undertake more than it really demands. What may be, under certain cir- cumstances, temporarily useful may thus come to be considered as generally and for ever expedient, even if not regarded as absolutely ind'-spensable. Another important prmciple is thus suggested, namely : That the power of civil government should not be exerted beyond the boundaries of its proper province. One tendency of governments is to over govern. The good of the people is so admirable and amiable an object that its pursuit may often be engaged in to the oblivion of the people's rights. Every thing ap- parently desirable and important in this world at least may become the subject of legisla- tive provision, on the ground that it is for the good of the people ; and food and clothing, education and medical treatment, as well as trade, commerce, and transit, and all the ordinary accidents of human life, may be dealt with according to law. It may be well to legislate for uniformity of text-books in Schools partly supported and therefore inspected by the State, and it may have been well to make provision as was done first in the State of New York in 1835, and in Massachusetts in 1837, for Common School libraries, but the best method of procuring such libraries may be and still remains a question. Intelligent prac- tical educators may be glad to inspect any description of books and plans and models which relate to their business, but may at the same time desire to be free to purchase such materials as they require, in an open market unaffected by either bounties or restrictions*, it is well known that Dr. Fraser (now Bishop of Manchester) when he visited this Province a few years ago. both privately and publicly argued against the perpetuation in Canada of a provincial book and apparatus Depository, which he uniformly represented as unsound in principle and injurious in practice.* Dr. Fraser candidly admitted that a Hvitish precedent for such institutions had been set by the Committee of Privy Council ■m Education, which, however he affirmed had seen and acknowledged its error, and had freed itself from the incumbrance and opprobrium which that error involved. My own conclusions from the principles above stated are that as the earlier portion of the British precedent has been adopted in this Province on the not dishonourable ground of tem- porary expediency and assumed popular advantage ; so the latter portion of this precedent should now be followed, on the grounds of siini)licity, broad and permanent expediency, and even on those of commercial freedom and equity. The imputation of unworthy motives to those who take either view of this subject may be very earnestly deprecated. Human motives, at least, are min-^ded, and men can scarcely be expected to fairly judge tlieir own. Pecuniary greed is a very powerful motive, but not the only powerful motive 10 human action. A consciousness of social power and special influence, involving dignity and patronage, is not unpleasant to either an ambitious or a generous mind. But they who dfcsijc the abatement of what seems to them an injurious monopoly need not be * iVo«cfcy/,V"»en;/r many years hecn^- taryof the I'rivy Council Couiinittee of Kducation, was convinced of the defects of the l^nglish system, and warned m> against it. 1 was, therefore, careful to avoi.l them in devising a system for L pper Canada. of which hr. l'"raser was not aware. 55 e, on their • duty, the otec* itself •epresenta- some cases come into inment of there will 1 a system, certain cir- kI for ever t principle lould not )vernment8 ect that its y thing ap- t of legisla- id clothing, ,nd all the be well to e inspected a the State ies, but the ligent prao- ind models rchase such restrictions, dsited this etuation in )resented as tted that a •ivy Council or, and had 1. My own ' the British und of tern- is precedent expediency, f unworthy deprecated, fairly judge erful motive ving dignity 1. But they need not be the Canadian .tion ; whereas 1 the hamls of lized enormous t-book for ni'e ; of it open to and cheapness s, but through irize books are (1 furnished to y years Secri^ Inglish system, Jpper Caniulit. charged with the former, and they who desire the maintenance of, in their view, a public benefit, need not be charged with the latter, , Prof. N. J. Dupuis. Inspect,»; City of Kingstan.-ln rep y to your circular, I would beg to state that I have a high opinion of the utility of the Depository, i con- ceive that it would be scarcely practicable to keep the Schools of the Province properly suppUed with apparatus witliout the Depository ; and I look upon the most ot the argu- ments urged against its continuance as trivial and unwarrantable. . , . , ^ J B Bmde, Esq., Inspector, City of London.— In reply to your circular in regard to the furnishing of the Public and High Schools of the Province with library and prize books, maps and apparatus, I have the honour to state my views as follows :— I have had some experience in the management ot Public Schools, and lor the last sixteen years we have had in connection with the London City Schools a large ana carefully selected library of some 2,000 volumes, on nearly all subjects. Every succeed- ing year furnishes additional proof, that the school library is a most vah- .le adjunct to our present system. In fact I can scarcely look upon a series of City S. .ools proper y graded, as complete without a public library in connection with the Central or High School or both I know of no part of a young person's education that requires a more constant and judicious supervision, than that which ought to be kept .^P "^'^ ^^^ usua course of reading. Our School system is designed and admirably adapted to develop the thinking powers, create habits of critical examination, and strengthen the power ot continual thought. But experience abundantly proves, that, li left to themselves our students in a majority of cases will indulge in a course ot reading whose tendency is to counteract the effects of the training they receive in School They will pj^^^^"?^ ^^^oo^r, books that keep the mind in a state of excitement, beget the pernicious habit ot reading without thinking, and in a short time the desire of improvement will give Plf «/» ^f^^ of amusement. It can hardly be necessary, therefore, to pomt out how important is the exercise of sound judgment and nice discrimination in selectmg the reading "'""er tor our Canadian youth, during the perio.l in which they attend school. We aie at great pains in teaching them how to read, not as relates to the principles of elocution only, i.ut so as to premre their minds to elicit truth and detect error ; and yet if proper care he not taken in the choice of their reading, they will very soon arrive at that stage, when -verything is pronounced dry that does not furnish a sensation, or some stimulus ot an tmotional character. This results too frenuently in impairmg the mental vigour, and eventually in destroying all rehsh for serious thought and intellectual pursuits __ ihen the aims of the Legislature have not been confined altogether to the •-^™", f .'^i"^; The cultivation of public morality, patriotism, and literary aste has received that degree of prominence, which the importance of these elements m the formation ot national char- acter, would seem to demand. But the kind of reading to be iound ^^/«^"J «f °^;. newspapers, magazines, and cheap novels, is but poorly adapted to impart Fi"ciples "^^ morality, b^get and foster a love of country, and give us just conceptions of the beautifu in art or nature. Here again there .s great need ot the intervention ot the wi.e and -rood in guiding the young to a choice of such works as will meet the views of the Legis- ktur'eon^hese points! and lay the foundation of a Canadian nationality whose citize.^ shall be distinguished by high principles and correct taste. It is iny sincere conviction, growing 0^ ot' the experience I have had in these matters, that a Public School library tell stocked with books selected with care and judgment is the best aid ^ ^eacliei cau receive in his efforts for the attainments of these ends. Books may ^'^ J^ad m the Dep^^^ tory of all kinds froifi grave to gay, and in every case, I believe, exert a happy intluenoe .ipon the formation of character, in some one or more ot the elements to which 1 hajc alluded They may be chosen of a kiiul sufficiently interesting and amusing, and at the Ze time wriLn I a style so superior, as to afford excellent examples ^^^^ the literary taste of the reader. Then, while instructing the young with sprigh , « ; V^ ^e, or by adventures real or fictitious, carefully kept witlun the !'-«"''%"** J i^^;^;*;: a due regard may always be had to the cultivation ot the moral sentiments and correct principles of J\.n. If books of a suitable kind be not provided f o v the pupils attemling our -l-ols, thej; wih^^iuuh^^^^ llie careful, observant teachei' will select if no care be taken to guai d their c ihoice. But if °we judge of the future from the 56 past, if we try to estimate what will likely be done without the aid and encouragement furnished by Government from what has been done under the 100 per cent, grant, I much fear that all the Public School libraries provided for the youth of the country will be so few as to produce no beneficial effects on the people generally. Of maps and apparatus it is surely needless to speak. Most teachers and inspectors are aware of the difficulty they experience in providing a proper supply for the Schools, even with the assistance and facilities which the Depository offers. How very few of the 5000 Schools in this Province are furnished as they ought to be with both ; and in cases where a pretty tiod supply of maps has been provided, how very seldom do we find the apparatus neces- ry to explain and illustrate the various branches of mechanical and physical science. Every experienced educationist knows how essential such apparatus is to the successful teaching of several of the subjects lately introduced into the High and Public Schools of the Province, and the difficulty that is experienced in rendering many scientific principles plain in the minds of the students without illustrative experiments. Now I have no hesitation in saying, that though the boards of trustees are slow in recognizing the neces- sity of providing their Schools with these requisites, yet without the aid lent by Govern- ment in this direction there is much reason to fear that a still worse state of things would prevail. A good supply of maps and apparatus, therefore, ought to be kept on hand at the expense of the State, and every encouragement given to their general introduction into the High and Public Schools of the country. I have never seen any objections worthy of notice to the State's Tendering assistance in supplying the Schools with books and other requisites. Were it left to each board of trustees to buy maps, &c., where *Jiey please, and pay the full market price for tliem, a limited supply and inferior article would be the result. For the benefit of the country this business mij,lit still, -\vith great advantage, be left under the control of the Department as at present. In regard to the usual objections urged against the " Government book-shop," as the opponents of the scheme are pleased to call it, I never could discover much weight. Booksellers pre- tend that it interferes with private enterprise ; but these gentlemen seem to forget that the Government, in training teachers at the public expense, and in paying a part of their salary out of the public purse, is guilty of a more fatal interference with private en- terprise in the case of the teachers' profession. In fact it has already interfered with private enterprise in this branch of Inisiness, to such a degree that the teacher of a private school may be looked upon as a defunct species, and his occupation as one of the lost arts. But it is not long since the teachers of private schools out-numbered the booksellers ten to one ; yet those had to give place to the trained teacher in accordance with the ideas of a progressive age, and therefore if " the Government book-shop " be formed to meet any of the necessities of the times, the private trader Avill just have to submit. Still there is a question as to the extent to which the private trader supplies through the mono- poly of the Government in furnishing public libraries. Does the old dogma of the economists, that demand and supply mutually beget and control each other, apply here its usual simplicity t Is mental food subject to precisely the same laws as those ni that govern the supply of corn 1 In Britain for instance, given the number of mouths, and the amount of home produce in any season, and the complement in quarters that will require to be imported can be calculated to a nice degree of approximation. Can this be done with the supply of books 1 The very reverse is the case. Granted the material wealth of a people to "purchase, then the extent of the trade will depend almost entirely on the intelligence and education of the people. But we have already seen that Public School libraries, when judiciously managed, are themselves educators, or aids to education ; and, therefore, the greater the number of these libraries, other things being equal, the greater will be the general demand for books, and the greater the patronage an enlightened public will bestow on this branch of business. It seems to me then that the bookseller stands in his own light in opposing Government aid to Public School libraries. From as careful an examination of the whole subject as I am capable of bestowing upon it. I am led to the conclusion that the interests of education and the general progress of the covmtry require a Depoaitorj^ of books, maps, &c., under the immediate control of a Government Department such as we have at present. It costs the country but a trifle, and this trifle is well bestowed in furnishing to our children at School a good class of books, in encouraging a taste for judicious reading, in preparing a good quality of maps, fi7 and in seeing that these are used to the exclusion of all others, and in introducing into tliih country a style of School apparatus of various kinds, superior to that to which we were formerly accustomed. Bev. H. J. Borthwick, M. A., Inspector, City of Ottawa. — I am in receipt of your letter referring to " Public School Libraries." I am pleased that I have now an opportunity of giving my opinion on the subject referred to. For many years back, in fact ever since the begir.ning of my connection with our Public and High Schools, in 1847, I have noticed with satisfaction and thankfulness the gradual development of our School system. For a few years after the above date, and until the " Library " sys.em was put in operation, I know full well what a dearth of good books there was in various branches of literature, especially in the country districts, and I know also full well that after the " Library " system had been in operation for a period of years, a visible change in the same country districts was apparent (1 refer to special locali- ties within my own knowledge) in the increase of intelligence and a thirst for knowledge. I remember some years ago a discussion taking place in the " Press " in Toronto on this subject, and if I mistake not some, if not all, of the objections you refer to werb brought forward by Mr. Campbell and ably refuted. The same thing occurred in this city, at least the objections were answered if not " ably refuted." In all my connection with the High and Public School Boards of this city, I have invariably urged upon them the necessity of using the immense advantage s opened up by the " Library and Prize Book scheme," and I think that the gentlemen comprising our " Boards " are fully alive to their advantages, and avail themselves of them on every possible occasion. It would be a very easy matter to take up your quoted objections and show their ab«urdity, but this is done so well on the fourth page of the circular that little remains to be added. I can only add that my firm conviction is that if we had not this " Library and Prize Book " branch of our Education Department, that the progress of Ontario in educational matters would have been very slow indeed, and had all municipalities availed themselves as fully as they ought to have done of its advantages, our country's progress would have been - uch greater than it has been. There is no part of our " Public and High School t,^ ' which deserves greater support and encouragement, and whoever initiated it deserves the thLiiks of the whole community, especially of our School population. Re>\ J. C. Smith, M.A. Inspector, Town of Belleville. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your communication anent the Depository. Absence from home has prevented an earlier reply. I have now, however, to say, that having somewhat narrowly observed the working of the book Department for a series of years, and having had ample opportunity of judging as to the practical results of the enlightened policy pursued, I regard the benefits accruing therefrom to the citizens of Ontario as really invaluable. I cannot conceive objections to such an admirable national privilege arising from any quarter save from self-seeking and dyspeptic cavillers. A. McColl, Esq., Inspector, Town of Chathxim. — In compliance with your request, I beg leave to state, that having carefully considered the subject in all its aspects, I hava come to the conclusion, that the principle acted on in the Educational Department, is a truly wise one ; that we have received much benefit from it, and that the abandonment of the policy of sup- plying Public and High Schools with library and prize books, maps and apparatus from the Depository of the Department, would operate to the great detriment of the educational in- terests of the Province. I may also state, that the Board of Public School Trustees were unanimous at their last meeting, in coming to a similar conclusion. Bev. Gem-ge Bell, Inspects; Town of Cliftmi. — I have the honour to state, in reply to your circular on the subject of libi-ary and prize books, &c., &c., that I consider the maintenance of the general principles on which the Depository is founded to be essential to the success of our public system of Education. Whatever alterations or improvements may be devised in the administration of the matter, I cannot well conceive how the pro- per uniformity of the material aids to teaching can be secured in any other way than by keepinff the control in thp hands of the Department of Public Instruction. In the supply of librarv books, a catalu'- ae could !)e nreriared by the Department; limiting all purchases to the books named therein as at present, and the books might be obtained from book- sellers, but I do not see that this arrangement would be any improvement on the present cue ; and I can never consent to have trustees and booksellers at liberty to supply any- thine they please to the School libraries, to be paid for partly with public money, without any power of supervision on the part of the Department. Such a hberty, in my opinion, wmld be most disastrous, if not utlerlii ruinous to the library system. I think the existing system well adapted to attain the end in view, and I believe it to be generally acceptable ° E^v Jaines Herald, Dundas.— In regard to the policy of the " Department of Public In- struction " supplying the Public and High Schools with library, i)ri/,e-book8, maim and ap Daratus to which you refer in another circular, I have always had but one opinion : and that is the policy ia a wise one. If there is a Department of Public Instruction tor tlie Province the business of which is conducted by educated men who have a practical know- ledge of educational matters, it appears to me altogether unnecessary to say that the seleo tion of books for School libraries, and prizes, maps and School apparatus must be more efficiently made by them than by other classes of men. The policy is one winch recom- mends itself, I feel convinced, to unprejudiced and uninterested minds. I have looked up- on any prize books that we have got for our Schools here from the department, r.s the most suitable that could be got, and such as one feels a pleasure iii puUuig mto ti;c Uix^2 ?. hs voune student. I sincerely trust that no interference on the part of interested parties will ever be permitted to prevent the Department of Public Instruction for Ontario from carry- ing out a policy that. I am satisfied is doing valuable work in forming the litei-ary tastes ot the youth of our province. i i j Rev J. B Muir, M.A., Inspector, Town of Gait.— I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your circular, making enquiries about the advantages afforded by the J.ducation Department in procuring books, &c., for the Public Schools. Last December the Public School trustees here got about $80 worth of books from the Department to be distributed as prizes amongst the scholars, and all concerned were pleased with the books. 1 believe they will expend as much more in the same way in July. So far as my experience and information go, I have nothing to say against, but everything to say in favour ot the books and their prices, &c., obtained from the Department. Rev. Robert Twrance, Inspector, Town of Gnelph.—l have the honour to acknow- ledee the receipt of your circular, containing a statement of the principles upon which books, maps and apparatus are supplied by the Department of Public Instruction for Ontario to the S-'-ols connected with it, and requesting the benefit ot my observation and experience in the matter. In reply I have the honour to state as my deep and long-cherished conviction, confirmed by reflection and experience, that the Department, in undertaking to supply the educational institutions ot the Jr-ro- vince with School registers, has provided for a want which could not have been so well met in any other way ; and that were they to be interfered with in the prosecution ot their course in this respect, it would be a calamity to the interests of eduation throughout Ontario. Schools have the opportunity of being furnished at the Department with any articles requisite for teaching, and these of the most recent and trustworthy preparation, while the pecuniaiy inducements held out are such as to incite School corporations to furnish their School-houses with them, and give the teacher all facilities in imparting, and the pupils all the facilities in acquiring, instruction. I need not speak of the great benefit, not to say absolute necessity, of having every School-house supplied with proper apparatus. And there can be no doubt that if the Department were prevented trom fur- nishing such, and the supply left to be procured from the private bookseller, many ot our Public Schools would be altogether without them, or supplied with only an interior sort. As the Board of School Trustees, Guelph, have not instituted any library in connection with either the Public or High Schools, I have no experience in the matter ot library books : but as regards prize-books, I may state that I have the best reason to know that the selection kept at the Department is, on the whole, good, and that the terms on which the books are furnished are such as are fitted to stimulate education, secure the circulation of a healthy literature, and promote intelligence. E. M.Deroche, Esq., M.F.P., Injector, Tcrwn of Napanee.—l have the iiono"r^*o transmit to you the fuilowing resolution which was adopted unanimor.sly .at the .a* ■ meeting of our Teachers' Association for the County of Lennox and Addington. Movea by William Tilley, seconded by W. W. Madge, and resolved, " That this association considers the Depository Branch of the Department of PubUc Instruction a very gr«a tages 59 ('/ benefit to the cause of education in this Province by securing as it does, a uniformity in those school requisites furnished to the different Schools, and thus oontributin" largely towards the harmonious working of our School system, and by enabling trusteesln every School section throughout the Province to obtain with certainty and despatch the School requisites, which, in very many cases, they would not know where to seek for elsewhere that this association bears testimony, so far as the experience of its members enables it' to the evident pains taken on the part of the officials connctcted with the Depository department m order to give the utmost satisfaction in filling the orders submitted to them, and that, on account of these and other advantages, the abolition of the branch of the Department of Public Instruction is most earnestly to be deprecated." Eev. Thomas Henderson, Inspector, Town of Paris.— I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter. So far as my experience goes, and I am able to judge, T mink it is for the interests of Education to have a Depository in connection with the Depai-tment for books, maps and School apparatus. The trustees of Schools throughout the Pro- vince have thus great facilities for the obtainment. of all that may be required for educa- tional purposes. It certainly is of the very utmost importanc that prize and library books be well selected, and that all care be taken to prevent worthless and pernicious books getting into the hands of young people. In regard to our Schools, I know of no means better calculated to bar the evil and secure the good than a well-ordered Educa- tional Depository. The reply to objections on page 4 of circular is, in my opinion, very satisfactory and ought to be well considered by all who are interested in the educational progress of our Province. Dr. J. M. Piatt, Inspector, Town of Picton. — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your circular, requesting the result of my experience relative to the Educational Depository ; In compliance with your request I have the honour to state that the result of my experience of former years, as a teacher, would incline me to look upon the "Depository" as an essential adjunct to our system of Education : and, during the four years that I have filled the position of Inspector, I have discovered no reason for changing that opinion. The extent to which any School is supplied with books, maps, charts, etc., depends upon the success which attends the teacher's representations' to the board of trustees. Iii urging the necessity for a fresh supply of these useful auxiliaries! his strong arguments are as follows : First, the certainty of procuring those generally recognized as iae best ; Second, the simplicity of the procedure and the explicit instruc- tions, always at hand, as how to proceed ; Third, the extreme liberality of the terms upon \yhich they are provided. Without the " Depository, " competition and consequent confusion would bewilder both teacher and trustee, and neglect of duty would result. The " objections" quoted by you, as urged against the "Depository " are, in my opinion, ex- tremely weak. It is the dnty of the Government to provide for the education of' the youth of the land ; and it is likewise their duty to adopt the best method they can devise without extravagant expenditure. If then, the Depository works well and is, as you say it is, self-sustaining, I can see no reason for recommending a change sought for by those who advocate it in the interests of their pockets rather than for the welfare of the nation. The principle of the Depository is sound — its results are beneficial — of the detail ot its management I know nothing. Bev. Ephraim Patterson, Inspector, Town of Stratford.— I have the honour to ac- knowledge^the receipt of your circular, requesting me to state my views in regard to the policy of supplying the Public and High Schools of Ontario with library and prize books, maps and apparatus through the Depository in connection with the Department of Pub- lic Instruction. After having given careful consideration to the subject from every point of view, I feel no hesitation in expressing my conviction that the policy is a sound one Its adoption has, in my opinion, been the means of conferring a great boon upon the peo- ple at large, both parents and children, and therefore, 'n the interests of popular educa- tion and intelligence, I should much regret to see it inierfered with by the Legislature. The objections urged against the system when placed side by side with the solid advan- tages accruing from it, appear to me to be iinim])ortant. It is needies.s to say that, in every system of popular education, you must include all the agencies necessary to its suc- cess. And if the objections usually advanced against the principles upon which the De- pository is established for the supply of library and prize books, maps, etc., through m the Education Department be well founded, they must bo equally valid again.t the prin^ tne '^7*""" V;;V , interests of odiiration ii general to the care and oversight of gS™ rXrgI 1, otoflt. department.. Wly '»'- *• »«-™-' ^J vjroyernraem, u»u » p„Hic Schools of this town in the present year, (187.}) the WdTlul et S?'^^^^^^^^^^ sum o? $70 for the purcl Jof prizes for the g.pds^ SvnrornDtlv received from the Depository of the Department an excellent selection of K Y ?. S« v^ln^of 8140 • and 1 may state that they were much better satisfied w-M, JhtrV^rfhUt'thl^^^^^^^^ the books wLh, for a similar purpose, they had procured in prejdous^ears^^^^^^^ have the honour to acknowledge theciL^SoTf^omVtTotcere;^^^^ the policy of retaining the Depositoiy in conSrw th the Dep^ment of Education, and would state m rep y that it is a sub- ject on which I am hardly qualified to give a practically useful opi«»«"' ^"^^J^ " ilve you such crude ideas 'as have occurred to me on the subject^ Wah regad * TkI i=f anrl Ond obiections I am unable to see the force of them. 1 am heartuy Z favoir of ha; ng h T^^^^^^^ t^raries and prize books under the Bupervision o SeEducatl Department, and think that to abolish the l^^P^^i^^jy; ^"'l^PSJ mizes and School libraries to be furnished by " the trade," would be hkcly to result Fn coLiceShr to those referred to by Lord Elgin ^ his report, and we would in <50°8®^"7.;;^ J*". ., „ tpavpllinff Deddler" nuisance. As to the " monopoly charge, it LTrt^rCuwtldr^SrrLthev^prietorof.fri^^^^^^^^ nrimtl brinir it aeainst the free School system as mjanous to his interests, as it u lor the ?S' to Siltab««"«e the Chiefs of the Education Depigment, with the appr"«« SS^^ctsrtS:fnf„;?x[h^^ 1st rKnoonefirmortwotasco»ldaffo.dtokeep,uch..t.cko m^^^^^ Zrest children in onr Province, «h ?a eK""* «",'ffl.r.r' ."S tfZeS E^"S\te'L":^srnS^a;"¥^m^t» coitToversj- abont the Depository is not creditable to our public "'« fe Ir theirown ra^:=f^x»tron-rtL»^rr^:'^^^^^^ would heartily regret the closing of the Deposltoly, or the »» Jailing of ittpoweK, which hi my humble opinion, have been wisely exercised and have benehted the rising genera tionlf Oanadi^s to an -^V^wtXl* ^SS'-The cii^ular i..»ed by SliLnd the «hole insti^tion U an^admirabl^ jne a^^^^^^^^^^ e.^;^'„^o^^.t. STo' be L'^SeTot: S rcin7ee.nr,ing- wrong in any department of state mjjiing special provision for its own institutiono. II 61 ihe prin [•sight of imer Ex- 873) the ,e pupils, lection of Sed wiM) they had :nowledge ository in is a sub- but will th regard oa heartily rvision of id permit ' to result we would ' charge, it onal enter- is for " the e approval the benefit ponsibility instruction the matter , apparatus, vould have n seems to cannot be 8 as require md nothing 8 which is )ook8 would id efifective. litory is an inestimable reach of the apparatus, ' to depend ,ly recurring It is so pal- r their own irience, who c good, the li of all. I wers, which, sing genera- ar issued by able to enter nion that to sxtent of its is founded, I Lent of state II /. //. Comfort, Esq., M. /)., Inspector, Town of St. Catharines. — In reply to th^ circular froM the Kducation Oftico, asking my views on tlic! pcilicy of the Departincnt .Hiqiplying library Ijooks, prize books, maps and apparatus to tlio Public and High Schools, i hog to say that in myopiniou the inapH and ai»paratnf, rotpiirod for the Public Hchoola should bt: supplied by the Department exclusively, ns in that way only ran uniformity in kind, whicli is absolutely required, bf maintaincil. Tiibrary and [nizo books could, I tliink, be as well and cheaply supplied to truHteos Ijy booksoUcrH as by the Dcpitrtment. I have had consi- derable experience in procuring books for the Mechanics' Institute of (uir town, as well as for difl'erent boards of school trustees, and have a decided preference to obtaining books in the way we do for the Institute — that is, leave the order with a bookseller of the town, and no didiculty or inconveniimce is fX[ierien(;nl in getting it completed and in good time. There need be no a[iprehensiou that ptirriicious and worthless bi»oks wouM be dispo.sed of to trustees, as a regulation could Iv made rcfjnirinLj trustees to stibmit a list of the books they require to the County Inspector, or some other (pialifitMl person' or persons, for ap- ]>roval. I showed the price list of books sent with the eircnlar to the itp'prietors of the large-iL book and stationery establishment in the town, and he tells me that lie will supply to trustees the same books at the price they are sold fur by the Dejiartment. Note hj the Eihicntiim Dcpaifinnf. To this lettin- from Dr. Comfort thi- following re|)ly was seot, dated 'Jiid July, \f<7'-\ : " The practical experience of all the .\incriciiii (Mliuatois who have communicated with the Department on the subject is entirely at variance with yours ; besides, to compi^I each of the ."),000 School Corporations which obtuin i)rize or library books, to submit tlieii' lists to the personal supervision of Local Inspectors, would occasion great delay and cause endless inconvenience. That power is now objt'cted to in its present sim]»le and least offensive form (in the hands of the Council of Pnljlic Instruction anil the Chief Educa- tional officer of the Province, responsible to the lje,L,'isIature). It would therefcre never be concurred in, without endless disputation, wen- that power ])laced in a way that could not be practically controlled without constant collision with School Trustees. 1 am aware that some booksellers, when applied to, have made the same offer wli'ch you repeat on behalf of a St. <'atharines one, wh(in they have had an object in view. 'L'he list was not sent to you for that purpose, but simply as a comparison of the actual prices of leading booksellers with those of the Deposi- tory. It is the normal condition of things, and not special cases of exceptions, which must guide the Department in matters of this sort. The question of the supply of prize and library books to Komau Catholic Seiiarate Seluxjls (aiicl they obtain large quantities from the Department) has not been submitted for consideratiou, but it also is involved in the question, and must be practically dealt with. It would be difficult to get them to consent to the supervision of local school officers, who have by law no control wiiatever over their srhot)! operations."