IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) W ^ ^ // {•/ &>/■ :/ ■^v^ A 1.0 I.I 1.25 >- !■■ 12 2 ;- *- lilM 14 il.6 "/a VI ^; y^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY )4S80 (716) 872-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques 1987 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, vwhich may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'tnstitut a microfilme le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a ate possible de se procurer Les d>:jils de cet dxemplaire qui sont peut-^tre uniques du point de vue bibliographique. qui peuvent modifier une image re roduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification ir. 1788. Received Royal Charter A. X). ISOS. BY THE PBESIDEHT OF KUffB COLLEGE. wit'h a commemoration ballad. FBIOB 16 OSITTS. • r PROCEEDS IF ANY WILL BE GIVEN TO THE SCHOOL BUILDING FUND. WINDSOR. N. S. : C. W. KNOWLES, Printer and Pcbushbb. 1876. A 1^ 2 S ^m£,^ ■^.--■f.T-- ^-..Mtt. ~f ■"■«■■ ^, ADDRESS. In accordance with our statutes, I have to address you to-day on some topic connected witii the work of education. The sulyuct I liave selected is " Liheral Education with especial reference to Nova Scotia," though I am fully aware that there is nothing original to be said about it, and that I run the risk of becoming tedious to those ■who have followed the recent discussions in the press. But, as a General statement of views on such an important matter may reasonably ]je expected from one holding the position I have the honour to fill, I avail myself of this opportunity to make it, and the more reailily, as i-t appears to me that some aspects of the question have been over- looked or insufficiently considered. I understand by the U»rm Liberal Education, the continaance at college of the education received at school with a view rather to the general cultivation of the man that to his training for any particular profession. I suppose the main object of a University such as this, is the promotion of mental culture, that is the cultivation of the whole man as distinct from the developement of technical or professional faculties. In opposition to this view it has been vehemently asserted that Universities and iUl other places of education exist only for one purpose i. e., to train men for their several professions or business occupations. Only in so far as they do this are they useful to the state. This utilitarian theory of education found a clever, though paradoxical advocate in Mr. Lowe, and is widely supposed to be the correct one ; but in spite of all that has been advanced in support of it, we still cling to the old belief that mental culture is an excellent thing ia itself apart from professional training, and that one great object of Universities is to advance mental culture, or in other words to give a Liberal Education. In saying this we do not forget that each man has his special '\ \ C Q vocation his snoclHl work to .lo in the w„rUl, that he ne.ls al ... "th'to do it well. The cU.sof n>cn who can hvo on ...unuU. Zm. is v..rv li.nit.a in Nov. S.otia. Most n,on .ndeM .ro Ipn I or as a necc.sary part ot their n>oral .h.^M-huo. And, f r nuny "clsions, the lit accurate technical tnunu., n.us bo sought. AH ^. .-e re.:iilv acknowledge, and yet contend that there . ^n.e^ ng I'lides profes'sional trainin, to U' attended to .t we would r.e to the full dignity cf our humanity. •;.•*. k„, , Jc «ith the r,,,MK.„u.„l, of Mo.t be .o in,n,er>iej iu his =Fm»l sfulies a. ;. he t: It* o, ,n,i..te„.te., in the ^...>.sof ^.*-h i.. ""-l-*""; m"e"le« nn the other h»..,l, sbouM a superlietal ncline. What are the subjects which should fonn the .staple of .;^eg,a . education 'i To this -piestion varj-ing answer, are returned. Oi ho six cXL-^^ -^-^ -^ -" ''"^'''' '^'^ 1-nivor.rty courses, though r ditf'nt deg«>es, Clas-sics, Mathematics, Modern I.ng«ages, Phv!ill Sciencl Mental Science, Engli-sh Literature, each ha T. demanding for it paramount attention. Amongst the : ::: ^rt^nL stily of tl. cissies, was .. late John thrlls Certainly not insensible to the practical value of other ^" L^comparing ancient with modern language as instruments of edu io be sa;s:-The only language and the only litoniture t.> IT would allow a place in the ortlinary curriculum arc those ot .vhich I ^\ouM al o^^ I ^^^^^ ^^^.^^^^_^ the Greeks and Konuins, and to tuose i wo am v a in it which thry at present occupy. That position is juslirK-.l by th.c great viihu" in .'.luciitiun of knowing well some other cuitivat.'d kn-nwe an.l liter.it ire than one's ovrn, an.l hy the peculiar value of those f«rtici'lar lan-na-e. and literatun-s. I do not a-ree with those Kefor.n.Ts who would give a regular or prominent place m the school or Universitv course to modern languages. This is not because I attach sm;.ll importance to the knowledge of Lhem. Xo one can m our age he esteemed a well instructed person who is not familiar witli at k^rst tlu- French Language so a.s to read French books with e.u-,e, and tliere is great use in cultivating lamiliarity with (German. Hut liviu" luigUMged are so much more easily acciuired by intercourse with^thos,. who use them in daily life, that it is really a waste of time fvr Hum to irhuin that easier mode /*• attniuaUc to labour at tl.em with no other help but that of books and masters." I read this p>is- sa-e over to my learned colleague, the Professor of Modern Languages, who entirely agrees with the view it enunciates. Uf course, it must be borne in mind, that the wisier mode Uv. Mill .-peaks of is not open, as a rule, to our students, and that school and college alone alford them opportunities of obtaining any acquaintance with Modem Languages. If it be asked what especial benefit is derived from the study of a dead language, it may be answer^Hl that all forms and varieties of language are so much crystallised thought, and the process of tracing back tire shades of expression to the e.pially fine shades of thought to which they correspond, affords monUd training of the highest order, liesides this, it may be added that even a rough acquaintance with the lan<'ua<'es of the past opens to us the door of the greatest and noble.st^litc-rature of the world. Through it we may enter at onee into the society of some of the best and wisest men the world has seen. Propyriy used, such a privilege cannot narrow the mind or weaken the sympathies. It is nut mere prettiuess of composition as some people seem to suppose, that we learn from the grand old writers. The glory of classical literature consists in the simplicity and gran- deur of its thought:, its unity of purpose, its severe subordination of ornament to the moral effect of the whole. Again, if a man wishes to be indepemhnit of the passing theories of his" own day, to be tolerant of difl-erences of opinion, to recognize the merits of systems from which he dillcrs, there is no surer road to tlic att.iiiimeiit of these ol.jects tli.in the sttuly of CoiAi Pliilosopliy .i!i(l (Jn-ck Histun-. No one who is soiisil)h! of tlie iliaii^.^n an.! pro-i-fs-s of th.! worM i.ivt.-n.ls that tliu I'ast should bo o\ir sole gui>lo iV.iUio Future, but, on the other hand, for eonipr.;lifnaing our own a'.;p, and raisin^,' ourselves above its prcjudireH, thriv is notliin- like .studying it by tlu; li-!it ..f bye gon.' days. IJurke modelled liiins.df upon Cicero, Ikoughain upon Demosthenes. Withnut discussing the pioblem how far youn- men who.>e tastes lie in a dilferent direc- tion, shovdd bo forced into such a line of study, it is .sutBciontly obvious tluit it atTords excellent training for tie- judgment and the intellect. >'o doubt it ought to be, supplemented by modern studies, and it mav be jtursued in conjunction with them. Amongst those studies that of Physical Scinice has strong claims up.m our attention. These claims cannot and ought nut to b" ignored, yet they should not make us lose sight of the relation of the study to others. The wish of s.Mue men of sci.mce that it should form the staple of a liberal education, if gratilied, wouM probably lead to a dang-rous one-si.ledness which may be distinctly seen in many cases. Exclusive attention to Mathematics is apt to. produce a similar effect. A story is told of a Cambridge mathenmtician who askinl Avhat Tara- ,U.se Lost proretl In such cases the constant study of one kind of evidence creates a ivluctance, an.l perhaps an inability to accept evidence of a different kind, and induces the student opeidy or tacitly to depreciate or distrust it. He is cnistantly tempted to consider the finer mental and religious sensibilities as useless, as if they proved nothing. His mental vision seems to be dazzled by the study of the g!aring°truths of external nature, and to be for the time incapable of di.scer^ing the dimmer but nobler truths of the soul and its relations. This does°not of course tend to prove that Physical Bcienc; should be .'xcluded, but only that it should not form the staple of our education. The worth of p:nglish Literature as an instrumcut of education was, until recently strangely overlooked, it appears to me, in the ancient universities, and even now it has only obtained its due recog- nition in London University. It would be absurd to deny the name of educated men to leading writers and statesmen in England and the (.\.lonies. whose minds have been nourished exclusively by the litera- ture in Ihcir mother tongue. I refer to such men as :\rr. liright, in En.dand. and the late Hon, Joseph Howe, in Nova »Scotia 3 though, in tlicir modesty and Itoux their greatness, tliey often lament their 'li*iilvanta;^c.s in early youth, and their ignorance of ancient literature. The stuilieM of English Literature and Mental Science may well he pursued tngcther with the Classics. With young or ^jackward jjuiuls it is a better way of teaching English Composition to require • Hjcojionally written translations from t\u; Classics read, than to jiroposo sulijects for so called original Essays. "When tho Classics are not rea.l, but Mathematical and Physical Science is necessarily the main stidy, as is sometimes the case, then tho study of English Literature Iweomes ptxuliarly valuable as a substitute for the Classics, and as tciding to counteract the one-sidedness I have referred to. A very important element, as I believe, in a Liberal Education is the common life, the social intercourse indoors and out of doors wlich a young man has with his tutors and fellow students. The counion table, the debating society, the cricket club, each has its par to do in polishing language and manners, or stimulating thought, ')! caching the necessary lesson how to bear reverses and defeats witi equanimity. ^nd it must not be fo^tten that King's College owes a debt of grat'ude to Dr. Cogswell, founder of the Cogswell Cricket Prize, for keepig up our interest in that manly and social game. 1 is well that young men destined for difTereut pursuits should be tns thrown together to make the College so im as possible a micocosm of the world. And it is perhaps especially beneficial to Diviity Students to be thus brought into contact with other minds. Whauer ad\ antiiges may be derived from the course in a Theological Collef as supiilementary to the Liberal Education supplied by a Univcsity, the former is no substitute for the latter. A more exten- sive a^uaintance with Theology would be purchased too dearly at the exense of the power of understanding other classes of men, and sympa\izing with their pursuits which can only be derived by j)ersoni intercourse with them in youth. The cause of the great inlluen! which the clergy of the Church of England exercise upon their caitrymen is to be found in the training the majority of them have redved in the free life of the great universities, and on tho ■jther \m\, we are told by observers not hostile to the Church of Rome, tat one reason for the general alienation of the upper and mi'ldle 4sses in Franco from their Church, is to be fouud in the Seminary system by which the prie.Uioo.l are chie d.^l ap:ut frr^m I wuuM s;iv, further, that some acquiiiiitance with the CLusks ami the ether suhjeets of . ^'o-.-l ^'hool e.lueation, is an uwUsp-ns-ihle prcliminarv to the due training of Divimty Stu.knt. Ot eour.e tlere are exeeption., but I am speaking- of what is, or ou^ht to he the r> Great exceptional gifts nm- makean.end. for defects in e,lueat>o„, .at it is not seemly that the (^leen of flei.ne.s .shouM he consulered to acmand less preparation than any other. If it he saul that we ;re. obli.'ed to admit men of inl^.rior powers and attun'-..M.ts, beeaune n.n ofa^iglier .tan.p are nduetant t) enter a profession m wh.ch t!- v can see n.. prospect of a decent n.aiutenanee, then it Incomes on. 4 the first duties of the members of the church to roll otl that repr .:.h from her. As the priest is, so is the people. As he rise.s, s., do t..y Ashe becomes degraded, -so do th.,v also. If he lacks leamn.ga.d independence, the loss is chiefly thdr^ to whom he numsters. I. it understood, however, that I am speaking with regard to the Inuire rather than to the Past, for hitherto Divinity btu.lents have Ven amongst the flower of our youtli. It is Impossible now to do , .-ro than allude to this difficulty, but I felt that, in vu.v of one o th great purposes of the college and my own special work, I ought not to leave it altogether unnoticed in this address. In attempting to adjust the relative claims of tlie subjecs of University education, I anx aware that it is not an abstract que:... and that it cannot be .settled without reference to the charade and needs of the country. Those in charge of Higher Education, hao as I said, a double aim before them. Hearing the needs of the con.ry in mind, it become obvious that net only is it necessary to mnt.in the present chairs of Practical Science in King's Co lege, In it is advisable, if possible, to establish a chair of Agricu Itur d Chem.ry m addition to them. Nearly 70 acres of land won M be Hn.ueia.el> available for experimental puri>.ses, and concurrently wihth'. ur:.nt of Agricultural Chemistry, the problem would be solved howK'^t to keci °in order and utilize our college grounds. In the recent discussions upon higher education the ^solul.. necessity of providing good secondary schools throughout the lovince h.vs been almost entirely ignored. The only exception, so ir as I know is to be found in a letter signed Acudemicus m the lornnuj \) 1 CJtrnn'tch of Murcli 3nl, lP7r». It softn.s to liavo Ihtii Ronomlly assumi'd liy tlie inlvocitcH of (•li.inj.'o, tluil a l;ir;^'o ^rriint from Covcrii- iiifiit is a"l tl.at is n'nuirctl to cn'iito a riiij^'lity ruiv.r>iiy. I'.iit if oilier ohstai'Its liad Ixcn (lisri-ganUd, it oxv'.ht to liavc .struck those L'a"('r theorists that oiie seriuUrt (iLstacK", in this thiiilv iH'oithil Province, woul.l he the hick of .stiichnts (lualiiii'd I'V ]i|vvion.s educa- tion to enter on a hi^'hly advanced crefore welcome the recent legislation simply because it promises t ) put the necessary work of ex-imination on a more satisfictory footing. AVhether it will effect that o1»jeet remains of coarse to be seen. "Whatever King's College can do tov.-ards it, will, I believe be done. Perhaps the new scheme will be of greatest service '.o Education if it becomes the means, first, of improving the secondary schools, and then, of fixing and maintaining a higher Standard of ^Matriculation than at present prevails. This might be done und<;r Section 3G of the Act by issuing after Examination, such "Certificates of Proficiency" as to ex( nipt tlieir holders from the >'atriculation Exuniinations ut the various Colleges. 11 C02£^EM0ZIATX0IT BaL L AP. Reeited b>j n SUnUiit cf Kim/s College, June 29th. 1S7C. Again wc greet old friends and tried, on our great gathering day, Again in welcome, lieartfelt, deep, we sing a simple lay. From tar and near, from rural nooks, from busy haunts of men, From cares of state, from merchant's desk, from work witli voice and pe:i, Ye sons and lovers of old King's, cheering each other's hearts Stand here once more and listen whilst your sons perform their parts. And not alone around us are the sons of Windsor found They dwell in England, India, the whole wide world around. Were some, now distant, in these halls, how gladly we would raise, Dur voice to do them honour in remembrance of old dajs. Jlindtul of them, are we, and they, where e'r their lot be cast, Oft visit us in reverie, in memories of the past. Need, duty, pleasure, each may call mankind abroad to roam, But where there's Virtue in the breast, there dwells the love of Home. The Switzer and the Tyrolese languish, on foreign strands. For the mountains, lakes, ravines of *heir glorious native lands. And Scotia's sons in distant climes with no less fervent zest Yearn for the woodlands, lakes, and plains of the Britain of the West. ■ When noble Inglis sheathed his sword after the fight was won, Wlien worn with famine, toil and care, his sands were almcst run. Not in the ancient home of Gods, in the sun-lit Isles of Greece Though girt by loving grateful hearts could his ardent soul find peace, lie thirsted for the forest glades, across the trackless sea. The scenes of earth and manhood's prime, of happy days and free ; Where bears and cunning moose yet roam under the forest trees A.nd incense from the spruce and pine is wafted on the breeze. Where placid lakes rellect clear heavens, and winding streamlets flow, Where Sjirlng reveals the Mayllower sweet, blooming amidst the snow, Where Suuuner's glory leaps to life, as by magician's wand. And Ocean's Self with loving force, pours wealth upon the land. Not ours the sights of magnates proud and serfs in hopeless toil. Here stand erect in conscious worth the tillers of the soil. With ample means for wholesome lives all peoi)le here are blest. Through greed and wanton luxury no Poor are here depresacd. Here Ts iullilled the Poet's dream of Ireland's happier day When wealth did not accumulate, and men did uut decay. 12 "What wonder that the simple folk, exiled to other climes, Could ne'er for;;ct, in fairest scenes, their Home in early times. Rf<;rct and pity flood our hearths, as wc remember tliose Who vainly each the other sought, till death destroyed their woes, That anj^uish \)orne by lovinj; souls, stains not our tatlier's fame. On rash intriguers, bent on chanf^e, calm Justice lays the blame, Tn self defence the swift decree, if Fllstory speaks arif,'ht Bv war's dvead laws, not despot's whim, or persecuting might. Wiiere danger lowers, where duty calls, are sons of Scotia found, 'vVhere e'er the flag of Britain waves, it waves o'er Scotia's ground ! Ikr sons have held that flag aloft in Britain's direst need. In desperate fight 'gainst fearful odds they've proved their British breed. And whilst true men, to heroes true, their hearts in reverence 1)0W, ■\Vllliauis of Kars will reverenced be, andlnglls of Lucknow. Graven in honour's roll, those names will sline forever bright. Ranked with the noblest wlio have fought defending Britain's right. And other sons, can Scotia boast, if less renowned tlan those Not less heroic, undismayed confronting sternest foes. ' Of gallant Welsford, good as brave, these walls for age shall tell, How through the deadly breach he rushed, how valiantly he fell! But not alone on battle field, or in beleagured town Can dauntless valour be displayed, and virtue win the crown ! The judge upright, the statesman pure, the priest of spotless life. These in their ranks are faitliful found, waging a noble strife. Ko matter where their uiinds were formed, whei-e bred in early days. Let them forever honoured be, their country's strength and praise. Such were the men our fathers knew, to us by record known, Furemost in arts, foremost in arms, faithful to Church and Throne, Still may our native land give birth to loyal sons like these, Still may she with Britannia sliarc the empire of the seas. Blest by the treasures in her soil, by health creating clime. And fir more blest by manhood true until the close of time. 1 " Many a time he expresstJ an intense Ungnv^ to lie ..ucc mora amou,-ct the socr.ts ■.{ his y(.u;ri."--";S/V('fL-At8 o/Svca Scutians, by Rev. G. W. IIUL" 2 See CaiiipbeU's Hist(iry of Nova Seotiii. s ■• A;i iiitimate aesodat* of the Baiiitly Vicars,"— /Icii. C. H', IIM.