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Hiotographic

Sdences

Corporation

23 WIST MAIN STREET

WEBSTBK N.Y. MS80

(716) 87^-4503

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CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiquos

Tachnieal and Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa tachniquas at bibliographiquaa

Tha Instituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat
original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia
copy which may b« bibliographiealiy uniqua,
which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha
raproduction, or which may significantly changa
tha usual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow.

□ Coiourad covara/
Couvartura da coulaur

[~~| Covara damagad/

Couvartura andommagAa

□ Covars 'aatorad and/or laminatad/
Couvartura raataurAa at/ou pallicuMa

nCovar titia miaaing/
La titra da couvartura manqua

□ Coiourad mapa/
Cartaa gAographiquaa an coulaur

Coiourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/
Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira)

r~1 Coiourad plataa and/or iliuatrationa/

D
D

Planchaa at/ou iliuatrationa un coulaur

Bound with othar matarial/
Rali4 avac d'autraa documants

Tight binding may eauaa shadovva or distortion
along intarior margin/

Laraliura sarria paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la
diatorakMi la kNig da la marga intiriaura

Blank laavas addad during rastoration may
appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar possibia. thaaa
hava baan omittad from filming/
II sa paut qua eartainaa pagaa bianchas ajoutias
lors d'una rastauratlon apparaiaaant dana la taxta.
maia, lorsqua cala 4tait poasibla. caa pagaa n'ont
paa «t« filmias.

Additional commanta:/
Commantairas supplAmantairaa;

L'Inatitut a microfilm* la maillaur axamplaira
qu'il lui a it* possibia da sa procurer. Las details
da cat axamplaira qui sont paut-Atra uniquas du
point da vua bibliographiqua, qui pauvant modifier
una imaga raproduita. ou qui pauvant axigar una
modification dana la mithoda nor mala da fiimaga
sont indiquAs ci-dassous.

□ Coiourad pagaa/
Pagaa da coulaur

□ Pagaa damaged/
Pagaa andommag^as

p~| Pagaa restored and/or laminated/

Thia item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est film* au taux da rMuction indiqu* ci-daasous.

Pagaa rastauriaa at/ou pallicuiies

Pagaa discoloured, stained or foxe«
Pagan dAcoiorias, tacheties ou piquies

Pagaa detached/
Pagaa ditachtas

Showthroughy
Tranaparence

Quality of prin

Qualit* inigala de I'impreasion

Includaa supplementary materii
Comprend du matirinl supplAmantaira

Only edition available/
Seule Mition disponibie

r*y| Pagaa discoloured, stained or foxed/

r~~| Pagaa detached/

rri Showthrough/

F~| Quality of print varies/

nn Includes supplementary material/

rn Only edition available/

P
o
fi

b«

thi

fir

Pagaa wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissues, etc.. hava been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Lea pages totaiement ou partieilement
obacurcias par un fauiilet d'errata, una pelure,
etc.. ont it* film*es * nouveau da faqon A
obtenir la meilleure imaga possible.

Th
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10X

14X

18X

22X

26X

12X

16X

20X

a4x

32X

Th« copy film«d h«r« has b««n r«produe«d thanks
tc ths ganarosity of:

Douglas Library
Quaan's Univarsity

L'axamplaira film4 fut raproduit grAoa k la
gAnAroaltA da:

Douglas Library
Quaan's Univarsity

Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality
poaalbia considaring tha condition and laglbillty
of tha original copy and In kaaping with tha
filming contract spacificationa.

Original copiaa in printad papar covara ara filmad
baglnning with tha front covar and anding on
tha last paga with a printad or illuatratad Impraa-
sion, or tha back covar whan approprlata. All
othar original copiaa ara filmad baglnning on tha
first paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa-
sion, and anding on tha last paga with a printad
or illuatratad impraaaion.

Tha last racordad frama on aach microflcha
shall contain tha symbol ^»> (moaning "CON-
TINUED"), or tha symbol V (moaning "END"),
whichavar appllas.

Las Imagaa suh^antas ont 4t* raproduitas avac la
plus grand soln, compta tanu da la condition at
da la nattat* da I'axampiaira filmA, at an
conformM avac las conditions du contrat da
filmaga.

Laa axamplairaa orlginaux dont la couvarture an
papiar aat ImprimAa sont filmto an commandant
par la pramlar plat at an tarminant soit par la
darnlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta
d'impraaalon ou d'iilustration. soit par la sacond
plat, salon la caa. Tous laa autras axamplalras
orlginaux sont filmte an commandant par la
pramlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta
d'impraaalon ou d'iilustration at an tarminant par
la darnlAra paga qui comporta una taila
amprainta.

Un das symbolaa suivants apparaftra sur la
darnldra imaga da chaqua microflcha, salon la
cas: la symbols — ► signifia "A SUiVRE", la
aymbola ▼ signifia "FIN".

Maps, platas, charts, ate, may ba filmad at
diffarant raduction ratios. Thoaa too larga to ba
antiraiy includad in ona axposura ara filmad
baglnning in tha uppar laft hand cornar, iaft to
right and top to bottom, as many framaa as
raquirad. Tha following diagrams iliuatrata tha
mathod:

Las cartas, planchas, tablaaux, ate, pauvant itra
filmis A das taux da reduction diff6rants.
Lorsqua la documant aat trop grand pour Atra
raproduit an un aaul cllchA, 11 ast fllm6 A partir
da I'angia supAriaur gaucha, da gaucha k droita,
at da haut an baa, an pranant la nombra
d'imagaa nAcassalra. Laa diagrammas suivants
lllustrant la mAthoda.

Statement, supplementary and explanatory, in connection with the Petition of
trade of the Superintendent of Education through his mode of working the
that Establishment and of the Department, the details of the stock kept in it,
it until the rise of the present agitation.

I. Sales in the Map, Chart, Globe Apparatus, School, Text

(

School books and text books.

J • A III ftpcS •■••••••••••••••••

1. Oeugraphies and History...
S. Common school text books..

4. Grammar school text books. .

Classical text books of refer-
ence, mathematics, Ao

Works of Reference for teach
ers, and text books authorized
by the University of Toronto.

Drawing books, materials and
models

8. Writing books and requisites,

9. Vocal music

10. Maps

Globes

11. Scripture illustrations, his-
torical and chronological

charts..

Maps of physical geograjihy,
object lessons of ditto, i&c.,
&c., (head xv.)

Geological maps, charts, and

diagrams

Astronomical ditto, (bo

Chemisftry charts and appara

tUB.

Natural philosophy do do. . .

School apparatus

Tables and reading lessons. . .
Text books on natural philu-

Bophy

Prue booksk

12.

13,

22,23.24,25.
25 and 26.
40.

41 to 44.

44 to 53.

64 to 56.
102 to 106.

14.

16.

100 and 101.

99.

9 to 16.

16 to 21.

20 to 2S.

29 to 81.

31 to S3.
33 to 40.

67 to 10.
71 to 88.
90 to 92.
96 to 99.

Separate cata
[logue

Parties supplied.

Teachers
and Local Su-
perintendents.

a
o

•5

■3

a
«

a
B

■5

3
DC

Common
schools.

■3

A.
X

Parties supplied.

Grammar
scliools.

Universities.

•**

■3
.a

Toronto, 7th June, 1858.

fifty-one Booksellers of Canada West against the alleged interference with their
Educational Depository, shewing in detail from the catalogues and documents of
and the parties who are supplied by it at this time, or who have been supplied by

Book, itcc., Department.

Public Library Scheme.

'*! fe>

£t3 aj

.2-3 §

.§

y Educat
itutions
public m

Colleges
vale Sch

Public Library scheme— Parties supplied.

^1^

•-^ aj J! «j .*{

1. Common schools

With 100 per cent., gn&t

catalogu
aned in I
lection wi
nued for
iray ia op«
time that

2. Grammar schools..

free.

3. Municipal libraries— Report 1862, 193.. .

-3 a a !« &•

4. Mechanics' Institutes— Special Ueport, 70

At catalogue price*.

& a a .a ^ -e

a «. "* "3 'rt «*

6. Any public institution aided by public

money — Special Report, 73

,2 (i> S*T3 i^^S

6. Sabbath schools— Report 1865, tabic U.,

•

3
5-

Dace 184...

e
-a
1

n in force
•with any
ave also be
s also is DO
eis, howe
r by the S

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2 as =1 ft

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a " 'T'Tf ^ M

.2
■5.

60=3.3 E^-3 -

f* s

a to s _ »— « w

*>srme^

ly the foil
ate school
ces stated,
stitution
at it has b
enced if i

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A bonus of 100 per cent has been given to all purchasersof maps and apparatus for grammar ami
cemmon schools since 1855. They are supplied to others at the catalogue prices.

JOHN C. GEIKIE,

Secretary Booksellers' Association of Canada*

I ^'i298

Statement of the objections of the Petilioning Booksellers to the Educational De-
positort/f as now carried on by the Superintendent of Education.

Toronto, 5th June, 1858,
It is admitted on both sides that the Depository lias a certain extent of direct
legal authority for its operations, and no less so that it dues not confine itself to the
letter of the statute. In vindication of departures from the Acts under which it
exists at all, the Superintendent urges that the general permission of the Act of
1855, to provide " Maps, apparatus and Lil)rarics for the Common and Grammar
Schools"* involves the principle that he is at liberty to supply Text and School i'ooks
not only to Grammar Schools, but even to Universities and all f "Institutions
aided by the public money," though they are not even mentioned in the Act,
and though the law of 1850, (which is his only other authority,) allows him to
provide only for the Schools then in existence — nanaely. Common Scliools. He
urges further that it involves the principle that he is at liberty to supply Me-
chanics' Institutes and other " bodies aided by public money " with Liljraries.

In 1850 they authorized the establishment of " Kchool lihniries," which in 1835, in a snpplenionfary
act, they defined as meaning " libraries iu conm.-ction with tlie CTrammtir anil Common Sehoola of Upper
Canada." Yet lie supplies any and every library tluit wisln^s to buy from him — from those of Sabbath
Schools to those of Mechanics' Institutes. As to •' maps aid appa;atus" hu is allowed by law to supp'y
them, in the same way, to Grammar and Common Siihools, and no others, sind £2,500 are granted to get
and keep up a stock.

Report 1855, Table M.

Law of 1855, quoted and referred to above.

To this we answer that the words of the Act are express, and we claim from
Government protection from the arbitrary encroachments of any one using the pub-
lic purse where he has no authority for them. If one step he allowed there is no
limit short of the proscription of our trade, if it })lea3e the Superintendent to go so
far. That there is reason to fear such an aggravation of the evils of which we com-
plain, is shewn by the flict that Dr. Ryerson has stated th:U he intended getting a
bonus for Mechanics' Institutions, &c.,on all purchases made from him, as is now the
case withSchool Libraries, which get a free gift of 100 per cent, on the amount they
buy. This would give the last blow to onr supplying any such libraries.

It is urged that these practices have been allowed to grow up unchecked,
though made known through the official lleports, and that this is tantamount to
their sanction.

Precisely the same ground is taken by the Hudson's Bay Company : with
what amount of general acceptance is well known.

Proof that Text Books arc not designed by the Act to bo supplied by the De-
pository is seen in the fact that there is no grant made for their purchase. They
are bought with money deducted from tether Special Funds.

Further proof that School and Text Books generally arc not provided for by
law, is shewn in the fact that they are never accounted for in the yearly balances
unless under the head of " Public Libraries, Maps and Apparatus.''

The sale of Libraries to general Public Bodies has not even such a quasi
claim to legality, the fact that they arc supplied being noticed only obscurely in
the end of Tables of the general Reports, so fur as I have seen.

But, waiving this point of legality, which, yet, we think of vital importance
to be regarded in all Depariments, if abuses of all kinds are to be avoided, 1 would
notice the further statement by Dr. Ryeisjn of the principle on which he thinks

* Act lR.i5, 18th Vic, cap. 182, Hrd and 1th special grant.
\ Mr. H>> loins' statement.

himself justified in soi"g beyond the letter of the law. It is thus expressed hy
himself (Report, 1854, page 10,) — "If it be the duty of the Legislature to pro-
mote the education of the people by the establishment of public Schools, it is
equally its duty to provide all possible facilities and means for supplying these
schools with the maps, apparatus and libraries, which render ihcm must instrumen-
tal in educating and instructing the people."

It is to be specially remarked that School and Text Books are not mentioned.
No shadow of reason could have been shewn for supplying them, and yet they are
supplied. It caiuiot for a moment be said that the Trade could not meet all the
demand for this branch of the sales of the Depository.

There are two errors in the argument —

1st. There is taken for granted what is the very thing to be proved, that a
Government Depository is the best means of supplying the public with the things
mentioned. This \vc sliall hereafter examine.

2nd. It is a f illacy to draw a general conclusion from a limited premise. Gov-
ernment interferes with private enterprise in any case only so far as it cannot be
avoided. It builds highways, but the people provide their own vehicles: it manages
the Post Office, but the ordinary public conveyances arc employed so far as they are
available. Government interferes with Education to meet claimant public wants
which private enterf)rise is inadequate to satisfy. Necessity is the sole ground of
such interference with any branch of private industry, or use of private capital : —
the whole people in such a case combining (through Government, which is their
acting committee,) to do what isolated effort fails to effect. The necessity which
creates Government interference, limits it. The details of the School system are,
therefore, only so far within the si)here of Government action as is necessary. It
is not necessary that School Houses be built here by Government, though they are
essential to Education — therefore they are not built. It is not necessary that School
furniture be bought by Government — therefore Government does not meddle with
it, though it is essential to education. And so on. In England the class provided
with Education by the Privy Council Committee are such as need the State to
provide both, and therefore they arc provided.

The fact that it is not necessary here to provide such costly elements of edu-
cation, or accessories to it, is, a furtkri^ a mighty |)roof that Government provision
of School and Text Books, whicli arc a mucii less costly item, is unnecessary.

We assume it as certain that if we can supply them as well as the Depository —
that is so as to meet the demand, we have no right to be interfered with.

That the saving on them effected by the Dejiository, does not bring them
within the limits of things necessary to be ftirnishcd by the inability of the people to
pay for them needs no proof.

In any case ot' poverty, we think there ought to be a gift of books, &c., if
necessary, not a sale of them at a trifling retUiction.

That the State docs not need to provide School Houses or Furniture for the
Schools we take as a proof that necessity cannot be urged on the ground of inability
of the people to procure for themselves the maps, apparatus, and the other articles
sold by the Depository, as enumerated in the table prefixed to this statement, for
themselves.

We believe that necessity can no more be urged on the ground of the inability
of the Trade to supply the country with them.

We are perfectly ready to acknowledge that the sale of such things has done
good, but we m'ge that the Trade can, now, at least, if not in earlier days, supply
all wants of the Schools without the intervention of the Depository.

The details on which we rest our claims

Lssummp,
in the meanwhile that it is a mere verbal fallacv, which I believe it is, to say, that if

beg

igth

Guvcrnment ought to provide a system of Education because it is necessary it should,
it therefore oucht to provide accessories to Education for which such provision is
unnecessary, the general assent that monopolies arc wrong, toils with full force
against the depository. As no one attempts to justify them, except on the ground
of necessity, I hhall only quote a single authority in defence of the freedom of the
Book trade especially, it may he seen by it how carefully even the officers of the
Education Committee guard against any unnecessary encroachment on private trade
in Britain. "It is essential," saysSir James Kay Shuttle worth, " that tht Govern-
ment should avoid every form of interference which could discourage individual
enterprise, the freedom of opinion, and the natural action of literature on the popu-
lar intelligence and taste, or of the trade in books in their j)roduction and diffusion.
The Government is not an author, a holder of copyrights, a publisher of books, nor
a patron of methods ; much less is it to interfere in the formation of opinion by
making Schools the organ of its own doctrines.''

** I concur with the great publishing houses of London in their objections to
any sales of the books of the Irish Commissioners in Great Britain, except through
the ordinary channels of trade.*"

I refer the Committee further to the spirit in which the communications of
Messrs. Longman and Murray arc met by Lord John Russell, and others connected
with the matter, as shewn in the minutes of the Irish National School Commissioners
for 1861. There could be no more jealous care of private interests desired than they
exhibit. The rights of citizenship and commerce arc frankly acknowledged to be
inviolable, except where imperative public necessity demand their infringement.

Dividing the general subject of the Depository into parts, the first to be con-
sidered is the supply by it of School and Text Books.

1st. SCHOOL AND TEXT BOOKS.

In vindication of the immense stock of School and Text Books in the Deposi-
tory, all the authority that can be pleaded is hidden in a clause of the Act of 1850,
which reads thus; — "That it shall be the duty of the Chief Superintendent to take
the general superintendence of the Normal School, and to use his best endeavors to
provide for and recommend the use of uniform and approved Text Books in the
Schools generally."! ^^"^ authority extends, of course, only over the Schools then in
being, which were simply the Common Schools mentioned in the Act, the present
Grammar Schools not being then established. In the Act of 1853, by which the
Grammar Schools were established, there is no hint of such an authority. Tho
necessity for even this provision for Common School Books is now confessedly re-
moved by their supply being left to the Trade, which publishes and sells them so
cheap that the sale of them by the Depository has, to a large extent, been abandoned.
May not this fact be accepted as an earnest of what would follow were the whole
trade free ?

2nd. The kinds kept are very numerous, the mere list of their titles filling in all
nearly 25 pages. There are no less than eight editions of Virgil, seven of Horace,
seven of Homer, and a like profusion of the other classics, with French, Mathema-
tical, and general Text Books in profusion. The trade keeps all that are in use of the
same books, with others on which the Depository has not as yet seized. They are
essentially the books for a liberal education, and such as, in every country, it is the
province of the trade to supply. Here, however, it is sought to supersede its
agency and to supply even the highest seminaries through the public purse. The
Depository claims the right of selling the books they use to all institutions
aided by the public money, which means to Grammar Schools, to the LJni-

• Publio Ec!iicnii"n iu Knglanri, iv, '29S, 282, 20o.
+ Act ISfin. ix, 7,

versity, to Colleges, and 1 know not to what estahlishmcnls besides Hitherto, even
individual students, and others not in connection with any seminary whatever,
have been allowed to buy from it, but this has at List, we are told, been discontinued.
Even Private Schools arc invited in the preface of the catalogue to buy from the
Depository, but, as it is now declared that this practice also is discontinued, we
need only ask that a prohibition bo made against its re commencement at any future
time, coupling with it that of selling to individual students or others.

In passing, we would notice the exceptions still made. If is said, that if par-
tics from Private Schools, and other seminaries, say that any particular thing is not
in town, the Depository will continue to supply it to them.

To guard against continual liability to abuse, we would ask that Booksellers
be permitted to buy for cash from the Depository when they for a time run out,
and that no such exceptional sales by it be allowed. I have, even in my own case,
met with proof that parties get books from the Depository on the supposition that
they are not in town, when they arc. It is to be remembered, moreover, that the
Depository itself not unfrequcntly runs short in its supplies.

4th. The supply of Grammar Schools with Text Books on the ground that it
keeps up a uniformity of books, is not necessary, because we are quite willing to
supply the kinds prescribed.

5th. It is not necessary, on account of the quantity of the books to be supplied,
as if it were very great. The display of titles in the Depository Catalogue may be
curious, but the aggregate sales are by no means so wonderful. The fact that only
257 boys in all Canada, at the writing of the last Report, were as far on even as
the Greek rudiments, settles the point. No one can maintain that the Booksellers
of Canada could not or would not keep 257 boys in Greek rudiments. Altogether,
only 3,400 boys attended all the Grammar Schools of the Province in 1856, in-
cluding even the lowest branches taught in them. Will any one say we could not
keep the satchels of such a limited squad of urchins replenished ? Only try us ! *

6. The benefits of the Depository sales are not received, at least in many cases,
by the pupils, but by the Teacher, who charges full price for his purchases. I have
myself offered a Teacher some Text Books at Depository prices if he would sell
them at what they cost him, but he declined. On the 29lh March last I had a con-
versation with another Teacher who op.;:!y condemned the whole scheme and
readily acknowledged that he would never think of selling the books he bought
from Dr. Ryerson for less than the Bookseller's price. The people were well enough
able, he thought, to pay the trifle to which their full price amounted.

7th. Will any one say that those who use such Text Books can really require
the trifling saving effected by buying from the Depository, supposing it reach them?
If poor, the books are still much too high ; if well-to-do it is only right that they
pay the fair market value for their children's books.

8th. The supply of such books by the De[)03itory is a great hindrance to the
spread of the Book trade in the seats of the Grammar Schools, or other Seminaries,
if in rural districts. As the nucleus of a trade the sales to such schools would be
the beginning of a general business, or would strengthen it greatly if already be-
gun. Any country Bookseller could testify how much it has hurt him. But there
can be no need of proof, the fact stands self-evident as a necessary result.

9th. Even if the question of price be an element in the question the reduc-
tion is only apparent, and it is a question whether the general cost of the Depository

• Report, 1866.

tr.-.-Ijr- •-

do not mure than make up fur it. 1 submit the fulluwing sample from my uwa

bouks.

Mr. McCabe, Whitby Grammar School.

To John Geikie, Dr.
1858.

Mav 4, To 3 Anthon's Caesar $-3 00 Depository price. $2 64

2 •' Latin Diclionnry 4 00 " " 3 80

1 Johnston's Classical Atlas 8 00 " " 2 60

Less 10 per cent.

$10 00
1 00

Cash,
Difference,

$8 44
66

$9 00

Three months' credit, possibly 6 months.' $9 00
66c. off $10 is only a fraction over five per cent.

If security be wanted that Booksellers will keep the books required, they will
one and all give their testimony for it, and self-interest will add itself as a guarantee.
As it is, they keep even now all that are sold to any extent. Is it worth whil eto
maintain a costly establishment for five per cent, against retailers .'

10th. But we claim that price has nothing to do with the question, unless it be
maintained that the people are so poor that it is necessary to give them the one
article of books out of ail their purchases at a reduced price. We claim the right
to free trade except where necessity comes in. To raise the wretched we are ready
to give books as cheap as the Depository, and cheaper if needs be, but we maintain
that. Dr. Ryerson has no right to undersell us to purchasers who are able to pay the
trifling profit by which among other items we live.

11th. One case may serve as an example of the injustice of the whole. Ac-
cording to the present rule, the Model Grammar School here will be supplied by the
Depository. It cannot be pretended that we could not supply it as steadily and
well as the Depository could, and surely the taxes we pay for it, in common with
other citizens, are contribution enough, without forcing us to give in addition our
profits on the books required. Let the poor children have their books free, if
necessary, but why take a few pence on the purchase of each pupil attending, from
our pockets when there is no necessity for it ?

The case of Toronto in this instance is identical with that of all other towns
where grammar scho:)l3 are established. Except in a rare and likely partial
case, nearly all seem supplied from the Normal School.

It is, in our view, a fatal objection to what has at best a quasi legality, — (we
say it has not even thai), — that there is not the like in any other country in the
world That it exists here can have risen only from the fact that though there
is no grant made to him for them, Dr. Ryerson, of his own authority, bought
these school and text books, and now keeps them.

Britain knows no such system. In answer to an application from a school,
not express'y for the poor, the Secretary of the Privy Council Committee on
Education writes as follows: — (Minutes of Council, 1850, page 78.) — "Their
lordsh'ps' administration of the Parliamentary grant (in whatever form of assist-
ance it may be applied) is confined to those schools only in which the principal
object of the promoters is to educate the children of the laboring and other
poorer classes. The minute of the 18th of December, 1847, (instituting the
system,) is therefore inapplicable to midJle or superior schools." To have
quoted this would have saved Dr. Ryerson whob pages, shall I say, of mystifica-
tion. It 8ettl«»8 the merit of the comparison of the two schemes. Britain aids
poverty, and is right in doing so ; aids poverty, such as, thank God, is only, with
U9, a terrible memory of our fath-^rlan-l and hi?? no (v/unterpart h^re. Dr. Ryer«

son aids compclencc and even wealth : takes from a sfrnggling tradesman to
give to a rieli proprietor. Let there be grants for the poor and no one will object :
but let there be no attempt at a parallel between supplying schools oi" every
graJe, public and private alike, as Dr. Ryerson has hitherto done, and th<5
charitable bounty of England to the humble children of labor and sorrow.*

In tlie face of these words of the Secretary himself, Dr. Ryerson tells us that
the grants are made " without reference to the rank or condition of the pupils !'' f

As overwhelming proof of the total difference between the system in
England and thai of the Depository, I further refer to the Schedule of the Privy
Council Committee, containing a list of all their books, maps, &c. &c.

A sample copy of all the books on their lordships' lists amounts to £101 4s.
sterling ($506), and they have no money sunk in Depositories : a sample of all
the items in Dr. llyerson's Library Catalogue alone, on the average of 35 pages,
from its two parts, amounts to ^5,807 ; and he is presumed to keep stock of the
whole, not to speak of slock of the contents of a School Book, Map, and Appa-
ratus Catalogue, of 98 pages, which he keeps in addition.

In England books are supplied by Government only for "the elementary in-
struction of children at school." What "the elementary instruction" of the
children of the " laboring classes " of Britain is, and what the books it requires,
we all know. None are to be found on their lordships' lists beyond this scope
and character. Here, the Depository professes to keep no " elementary books "
at all ; but it does keep those for all other branches except the elementary. It
begins where England ends. There, an obscure corner is taken from the trade :
here, the corner is left, and the whole of the field is taken instead.

In England so thoroughly is the system an aid to the extreme poor only,
that it is deemed necessary formally to recommend that " the scholars be
encouraged to purchase the school books used in their school for themselves, and
be allowed to take to their houses, under proper regulations, the books which
belong to the school.

In England, books, maps, and diagrams can be applied for only once a
year. From Dr. Ryerson they can be had at any time. There, books are for the
school : here, for the scholar. There, the scholar cannot afford them even at the
reduced price, so that he has, as a rule, in the schools helped, only the use of a
book. Here, there is no pretence to reduce the Common School books to any-
thing like the English prices. The parent who can give his child only an
elementary education Imys his books from the shops, while he who can give his
son a Greek and Lntin education, and is therefore in almost every case compara-
tively well to do, finds a great Depository provided to save him a few pence on
Aristotle or Tacitus, if the pence in any case ever get beyond the teacher to ilie
youth.

In England even the reduced prices are not low enough, so that a free
grant of 50 per cent, is given once ia three years on purchases whether of books
or other things ; it being required that in such cases the reduced prices shall be
still further reduced in the same proportion as the grant bears to the total cost.

In Canada no grant for school books is ever made.

Of Ireland, the same facts hold good. The idea there is the same, — to raise
the poor and him that hath no helper. There needs no other proof be cited th;m

* Sec also Sir .I.inica K. Slmttleworth's book, everywhere.
\ Colonist, 22ud March, 1858.

■R

t he prices of a few books in their liNt. I shall quote some samples. National
Educational Report, 1851, page 42 : —

To National School. To Poor Scholar.

Price of Book,

((

tt
It

£0

would

£0

6
1
1
1

6
10

Publishers'
£0 12

3
2
3
5

Price,

make only a leaf or two of Dr. Ryerson's

The whole list, I may say,
Catalogues.*

Of the practice in reference to School and Text Books in the United Slates,
Dr. Ryerson says {Globcy March 26, 1858): "In nearly every city and town in
the neighboring States, (and some in Cauadii,) each board of education has its
own school apparatus and book depository (furnished from abroad and at home
at its pleasure,) from which it not only furnisshes its schools, but the individual
pupils, who are not left to go to individual booksellers to purchase the books
recommended by the public school authorities, but can procure them at reduced
prices ut the Trustee Board's public depository. The same principle is acted
upon in regard to the public school libraries."

On seeing this I wrote to various cities and towns asking if this were really
correct, as I saw no truces of it or of anything like it in the reports of the various
superintendents. In reply I received the following communications.

From Messrs. Phinney & Co., BuH'alo, the largest firm in that cily : " Parents
])urchase books for their children of regular booksellers or of their teachers, who
sometimes keep them for sale (as here). The city pays for books used by
indigent scholars, but the amount is small. We are not aware that school com-
mittees keep books for sale at reduced prices. If they do, parents nmst pay with
private means." The firm who write, sold, last year, 200,000 of one school
book, and this is their testimony from a point from which th^ overlook the great
State of New York.

From Messrs. Gould & Lincoln, Boston, Massachusetts : " There is no pro-
vision made by the authorities to furnish books to the schools, the people generally
obtaining them at the stores as they may require. In some cases books are
furnished by teachers, but not at a reduced rate. In our city (Boston) there is
a provision made whereby books are furnished gratis to such as are unable to
purchase. There is no Depository in the State, of the nature you mention."

II. E. Sawyer, Esq., Education Office, Concord, New Hampshire : " There
are no arrangements for the supply of books at the public expense. Text books
are furnished by parents or guardians, save in cases of indigence."

John Kingsburn, Esquire, Providence, R. I. : " In most, if not all, of the
towns the sale is through regular booksellers, from whom parents buy as they
have need. In case of indigence, in some of the towns, and more especially the
cities, children are supplied gratuitously. There is no Depository, neither
is there any public or private fund by which books can be provided for
scholars."

Messrs. D B. Cooke & Co., Chicago, Illinois : " Books are not furnished to
scholars in our public schools by the State at all. It is sometimes customary for
the Board of Education to give to such as cannot pay, their books for nothing."

Connecticut, in like manner, disclaimed having any depository like our.s ;
as also did Maine and others.

In Brooklyn, alone, was the one solitary example found of what Dr. Ryer-

town (

3arly every cily

ighboring

* I 1)0;; lo refer thu CoinniitU!*', for the fullest further information, to the Twcnty-So(!ond Report of
the Coumli^Biouc)r of Nalionul Kducatiou iu IrcIaiiJ, I'arly. Tiipers, 1800. Vol. 27. I'art I. Page 18.

Thns llio srliomo finds no snpi)ort from England, Ireland, or America., and
exists in no country save Canada.

Wlj.it is thus everyvvlicre prohibited, or felt unnecessary, or abstained from
as unjust, cnnnot surely find a justification in our rich Province.

The objections to iho sale of Grammar School Text-Books apply with equal
nnd even greater force, in every particular, to the sale of University Text-Books,
Classical Texts, and such like.

There can be no necessity alleged for supplyinj^ them ; and yet, since they
are kept, they must be so to supply those connected with such institutions, or
following their studies. But is a public officer, confessedly without a word of
a statute authorizing him to do so, to encroach on whatever department of our
trade he likes, as if wc had not a sacred claim for protection in our capital and
cnterprizc where imperative public necessities do not require interference ? I
leave it to the justice of the Committee.

That many lM)oks, &c., have been sold in ihc past to some of the Professors and
students of difi'urent colleges in the Province, and even to others who are not con-
nected with any such institutions admits of no doubt. Is the practice to be con-
tinued i[i any measure ? If the books be kept they must be kept to sell, and if sold,
they must be so to individuals, as collcp;es do not often purchase Text Bmiks in their
corporate canacity. The only security against abuse is the prohibition of such
stock being Kept ut all.

The objections to Grammar School Books being sold by the Depository must
be felt to weigh equally heavy on the supply of tne materials for drawing and
writing, and the countless et ceteras of the catalogue. What amount of saving can
be cfTeeted on such trifles ? In the gross they come to an item in our sales, but
how much can be the saving of each well-to-do yeoman's son who uses them ? Let
them be free to the poor, but let the rich pay the proper value for them.

The list of them kept at the Depository fills seven pages, and includes copy
books, steel pens, slates, drawing books and paper, pencils, methematical instru-
ments, &c., &c. Why in a country like this should Government set up a business
in steel pens ?

PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

We are free to admit, as free as Dr. Rycrson would have us, that good has
been done by the sales of libraries by the Depository. There is no question of it —
many thousand volumes could not nave been scattered without public benefit re-
sulting.

At the same time it is a legitimate enquiry whether the same good could not,
at least now, be done without invading the province of private trade, and to the
avoidance of various evils connected with the present system.

England has no such .system of libraries.

The meagre list supplied by the Privy Council Committee, made up of ele-
mentary English school books, and some books of reference for " Masters and
pupil Teachers " of the humble schools, which are there the objects of Government
aid, is ample proof of the fact. It is all they furnish, and though a copy of some
of the strictly educational volumes it contains is sometimes spoken of as a library,
it is as a " specimen library," the use of which " is intended to be that of seeing
what any particular work is, and not that of employing it in private study."
(Minutes, 1852 ; page 64.)

To turn to the States gives no ground for the plan that has been adopted
among us. Let there be libraries in every school ; but why should there be an
expensive depository permanently maintained to supply them when there is not such
a thing in England or America besides. Where is there a Catalogue of [library
Books like ours? Each state difl'ers from the oUicr, and in only tun, ?o far as I

have been alilo to discover, is there even an approximation to our plan. In the
one of these the prices charcfrd for the books is said to be high<x even than
those charged by Dr. Ryerson, which is condemnation enough, and m thj other, the
people in 1856 required the tax by which the system \Tas maintained to be su»-
pended. (Ohio Report, 1856, page 36.)

But why need we copy two out of the thirty-two States which more or less
differ from tiiem .•'

One objection amons; others to the present system in Canada is the hugeness
of the list of books of which stock is kept, locking up as it does a large sum of the
public money for a country like this and involving the presence of very many
works either superfluous or trifMng, or of indifferent worth, or too dull and pro-
fessional for " Common and Grammar School Libraries," even though they be
designed for "general reading."

I submit examples from different pages of the books, which the huge size of
the present catalogue — 231 pages — lands on the shelves of a school section library.

Page.

Movfii^s Perfumery » 231

Kenien on Sonps...... ^ - 231

Morfit's Soap and Candles 231

Mortimer's Pyrotechnist's Companion 230

Reid's Watcirand Clock Making, $i 226

Overman's Manufacture of Iron, $4

Neville's Hydrawlic Formula;, $1.95 221

The Coin Collector's Manual, $2 220

Condie on the Diseases of Children, (a Scientific Treatise for Medical

Men), $2.35 209

Barllett on the treatment of Fevers, do. do 209

The New York Civil a»d Criminal justice. A complete treatise on the civil,
criminal, and special powers and duties of Justices of the Peace in

the State of New York, ^4 203

Bouvier's Institutes of American Law, $.12 203

Wooirych on Waters and Water Courses, (Legal) $2 60 202

Smith's Mercantile Law, $3. GO 202

Domat's Civil Law, $1) .00

Whcaton's International Law, !|^3.G0 201

Gardner's Music of Nature, or an attempt to prove that what is passionate
and pleasing in the art of singing, speaking and performing upon
musical instruments is derived from the sounds of the animated

world, $2,40 125

Theso an; only a very few out of multitudes as questionable in their fitness
for the purpose in view.

1 submit whether it be requisite to the provision of excellent readable libra-
ries for the readers, old or young, of "Common and Grammar School Libraries,''
that the catalogue should be swelled at the public cost, with a large number aiid
value of sueli works, and with whole multitudes of others as little attractive.

if necessary J could nan!>e witnesses who would testify that the libraries sup-
plied by the tkpositoi-y are not so aliiiictive as they might be, as I have no doubt
Dr. Ryerson could in their favour. But if libraries as good and as full as could
be desired can be supplied by the trade, why keep up a depository to provide them ?
The value sold by Dr. Ryerson in 1856 was £1819. Could the trade not sell
this iuuount or ten limes as much ? But Dr. Ryerson claims advantages for his
library system, — 1st, in keeping out bad books, — 2n(l, in preventing imposition, —
3id, in putting; all parts of Canada on an equal footing except in freij^ht ; and 4th,
ui getting a large variety of reading for all. The ^rd advantage is shared with

less

ize of
rary.
Page.
331
231
231
230
226

203
203
202
202

201

»»

him by iho bookselleis, as the Express or other conveyances carry booksellers par-
cels as cheap as they do his. Moreover, were the trade free, book? would be
bought at all the chief towns, not as now, only in Toronto from Dr. Ryerson.
The names of the booksellers of all parts of the Province appended to the peti-
tions against the Depository, shows their expectation of a part of the business to
be done. They all agree in stating that they could or do sell as cheap as Dr.
Ryerson, and It would be the fault of any locality if it did not buy at the cheapest
market. Let a good catalogue be drawn up, not by Dr. Ryerson alone, or, if
possible, at all, but by a number of our best men — of books selected on the
plan of the Grammar School text-books as being most " easily obtained," and let
this be recommended as a guide for the choice of libraries. liCteach Municipality
appoint a library committee from among the professional or educated men in the
township, and let them choose what books they think best suited to their neighbour-
hood, from this official list, or from others that may be furnished them by the trade.
Let them buy where they like as cheaply as they can, and let the signature of
their chairman entitle the seller to the bonus now kept by Dr. Ryerson in his own
hands. Look at the admirable selection of Grammar School Trustees and County
Boards of Instruction, and see if there be any difficulty in working this scheme
wisely and well ; or look at the Library Committees or sub-committees chosen by
Mechanics' Institutes to purchase books for them. This would prevent the intro-
duction of any of the evils Dr. Ryerson deprecries — would let each district have
free action and make it possible to <add continually the best new books. Does Dr.
Ryerson suppose or wish it to be supposed that in any Township there are not mtn
c'ibundantly able to choose excellent libraries, or that he is better able than any or
all other men in Canada to choose them ? Where then are all our lawyers, clergy,
doctors, and private men of education and intelligence ?

If a selected catalogue were thought unadvisable, let the present catalogue be
retained, and if it be thought better to give the proposed Library Committees no
discretion, let selections from its contents be the condition of the grant. When
was there ever a demand that did not create a supply ?

MAPS, APPARATUS, &c.

Of maps and apparatus, the whole value sold by the Depository in 1856 (the
last year reported) was £2,330 worth. Can it be supposed that the trade could
not supply this, or far more than this ? But would booksellers and others keep the
kinds wanted. Look at Dr. Ryerson's tables of the articles sold, or go to any
school house and see its furnishings, and the question will answer itself. There is
nothing extraordinary wanted, nothing that any tradesman could or would not
easily keep. One house in Britain could supply more than the Depository many
times over, and why should not Canada equal it at least ?

Once and again, Dr. Ryerson speaks of the collection of maps, apparatus, and
so forth, as " the most extensive in America, if not in Europe,"* and " the most
extensive and complete he has ever seen."f He has been over Europe, Britain, and
America, empires, kingdoms, and mighty States, glittering with weslth and teeming
with population, and yet none of them have seen the necessity, however perfect
their School System, of keeping together such an array of expensive et ceteras for
their sehools, as Dr. Ryerson has accumulated for this poor young clearing in the
woods, our Canada West. Globes and maps, from all possible makers and pub-
lishers, assuredly not all best, page after page of philosophical, chemical and
geological instruments, specimens, tests, furnaces, bottles, laboratories, re-agents,
retorts, &c., &c., from #100 a set, down, are provided for our Grammar and Com-

• Report 1856, T.
t Report 1854, '203.

mon Schools, which alone Dr. Ryerson has the right to supply, the whole number
of boys in all Canada, in the Public Schools, advanced even so far as the Greek
rudiments, being only 257, by the last returns. Alas for the public money in these
times 1 Costly apparatus can be very seldom wanted in so poor a country as Canada,
and it is a question which is submitted, whether it be worth while keeping public
funds locked up in it for an occasional order. At the least, all the ordinary appa-
ratus, and the whole of the maps, &c., could be provided as well by the trade.

In maps, indeed, the fact has already been shewn, by the publication of large
maps by Mr. Scoibie, many years ago, at prices, which, retail, were very little
higher than those of the Depository eVen now.

The testimony of Dr. Ryerson himself, that " the splendid National School
maps are being printed in Toronto, and on Canadian paper, and in a style in every
respect equal to the English originals, and at even lower prices,''* is a sample of
what trade could do were it free, and if private enterprise could hope for im-
partial encouragement.

There is no room for doubt that were the bounty of Government given through
the trade instead oi passing into the hands of the Superintendent, a very short time
would see all the usual school apparatus, &c., made in Canada, as the school fur«
niture is now. The fact that both in maps and in school furniture Canadian
manufacturers can defy foreign competition, is I submit, an earnest of what they
would do were enterprise quickened by an open market, and the stimulus of the
public grants.

The small money value of the apparatus commonly sold is security enough
that its supply would soon grow into a trade in every considerable place in the
Province.

Apparatus is provided in Britain only to the same classes as obtain other help,
and the Normal and Training Schools, where teachers for the schools of the humble
are taught. There is no thought of supplying it to the whole country, or to any
at all but those whose position imperatively calls for aid. The grants of it are
girt in by the same conditions of poverty. It is only another development of the
fundamental aim to raise the helpless. One provision of such grants, net quoted
by Dr. Ryerson, it would be well he should see himself enforced in Canada. To
get apparatus the teacher must pass a searching examination on the science it
illustrates, and a Training School for such teachers can only get it if a lecturer be
provided who has made " Experimental Science his special study."f

Returning from :«ales confessedly permitted by law, I would beg the attention
of the Committee particularly to the claim set up by Dr. Ryerson to sell libraries
to any institution receiving any portion of the Government money, such as Me-
chanics' Institutes^ and the like. Neither in England nor America is the book
trade or any other trade so interfered with. If free commerce as a whole be
necessary to the prosperity of a people, as we all admit, it must be equally neces-
sary for any part of the people if that part is to share in the prosperity. Is any
one who may be invested for the time with a public office to turn round on a class
of fellow-citizens and make free as he likes with their livelihood, because he thinks
it an advantage to another part of the public that he should do so ? We claim the
rights of British citizenship, that Government shall not intrude on trade except
when an imperative public necessity demands.

* Letter in the Colonist, March 22, 1858.
f Miniitca of the Council, 1805.

J jix a circular, illustrative of the freedom of the book trade in England. It
is onr . sample of many similar :

'i'o Book Clubs, Mechanics' Institutes, Book-Hawking Societies, Literary InBtitutions, &c

Messbs. Fabtridox, and Co.,

Booksellers «b Publishers, 34, Paternoster-Row, London,

Beg to inform the Secretaries, Committees, and Promoters of Book Clubs, Mechanics' Institutes, Book-

Hawking Societies, Literary Institutions, &c., that they supply Books and Periodicals on the uiost

liberal terms.

TEBlfg ON AFPUOAnON.

Among the numerous Institutes, &&, supplied by Messrs. Partridge & Co., ore the foUowin :

Society of Arts, Adelphi.

Westminster Free Library.

Islington Young Men's Christian Society Union.

Deptford Institute. ' ' '

Brighton and South Coast Railway Library. , . . ,

Alton Mechanics' Institute,

Bamsley Mechanic's Institute and Literary Society.

Bilston Institute.

Brigg Reading Society. ,

Bristol Athenaeum. ^

Bromsgrove Literary and Scientific Institute.

Bury St. Edmunds' Athenseutn. ' '

Gaistor Mechanics' Institute. ,

Cambridge Mechanics' Institute.

Bridport Literary Institute.

Carmarthen Literary and Scientific Institute.

Glasgow Mechanics Institute.
_ Halifax Mechanics' Institute.

Hastings Mechanics' Institute.

Herefora Permanent Library.

Hitchin Mechanics' Institute.
',~~ Homoastle Mechanics' Institute. ■ '•■ t

Huddersfield Mechanics' Institute.

Longton Athenseum. ' '

Masnam Mechanics' Institute. ■ ■ . ■ ' , r

Newport Athenseum.

Odiham Mechauica' Institutp.
'' Pembroke Dock Mechanics' Institute.

Peterborough Mechanics' Institute.

Radway Mechanics' Institute.

Red Hill Institute
,, Sevenoaks Literary and Scientific Institute.

Sheffield Free Public Library. ■ .

Stafford Mechanics' Institute.

Stamford Institute.

Wakefield Mechanics' Institute.

Welshpoo'. Reading Society. '

; Whitehaven Mechanics' iDstitutc.

Wirksworth Mechanics' Institute.

Wisbech Mechanics' Institute.

Weymouth Literary Institute. i

Barnardcastle Mechanics* Institute.

York Institute of Science and Lituralurc.

East Retford Literary and Scientific IiiHli tut e.

Buckingham Literary and Scientific Institute.

Aberdeen Mechanics Institute.

Cowes Athenajum.

Lowestoffe Institute.

Stnitford-on-Avon Institute.

Louth Mechanics' Institute.

Durham Mechanics' Institute.

Folkestone Harvcian Literary Institute.
'*: Isle of Sheppy Mechanics' Institute.

Clii))penhain Literary and Scientific Institute.
Woburn Literary and Scientific Institute.

Leicester Mechanics' Institute.

Fcntoti Literary and Scientific Institute.

Slui'kton Mechanics' Institute.

Windsor Mechanics' Institute.

Bromley Literary Institute.

Guildford Mechanics' Institute.

Painswick Meefaaoics' Institute.

Black Dike Mills Scientific and Literary Institute.

Halifax Riponden Hall School.

Lovestoffe St. John's Parochial Institute.

Royston Mechanics' Institute.

Melbourne (Derby) Mechanics' Institute.

Morpeth Mechanics' Institute.

High Green (Sheffield) Institute.

Whitchurch Mechanics' Institute.

Annan Mechanics* Institute.

Burton Literary Society.

Workshop Mechanics' Institute.

*«* Single volumes sent post free, by return, on receipt of the published price in stamps, or otherwis>e.

The sum of the controversy is briefly this. We claim the Superintendent's
entire and formal withdrawal from what we believe to be his unauthorized sales
to Grammar and Private schools, and colleges, and the university, and from his
equally unauthorised sales to individuals, whether connected with any such
institutions or not. We claim this as a right even on the unbending ground of
law, and no less so on every consideration alike of justice and expediency. On
the same double grounds, and with equal force, we claim that he leave untouched
the supply of the libraries of institutes and other general public societies. With
the school book trade he has no right to interfere, as there is no need that he
should. With any but the schools specified in the acts under whose authority be
is, he has nothing whatever to do, and even with them the letter of the statute
marks the legitimate bounds of his transactions. On the custom of the associa-
tions I have mentioned his intrusion is equally unwarranted and unnecessary. We
dispute his right to consider prices in either the one case or the other ; although
*it is certain that we sell in quantities as cheaply as he, our charges have nothing
to do with the matter. It is not for him, set as he is over public schools only,
and even over them in a limited relation, to lay the details of the literary trade
of the country on a bed of Procrustes of his own contriving, and force them to
fit it. The profits of the retail trade are the livelihood of the Province. The
rates of a larger traffic regulate themselves by competition. Over freedom to both
it is the very province of the Government to watch, and it discharges the design
of its institution then only aright when it shields the humblest of its citizens in
the use and the fruit of his enterprize and industry. A pretty pass things would
come to if every Head of a Department were to stretch his facilities to the utmost
to attract to himself what he could of the commerce of the country! Buying
and selling are sacred rights, and no St. Simonism, or dreams of Louis Blanc,
which would make Government the general producer and trader, can make the
world think otherwise.

In the supply of maps, apparatus, and libraries for the Common and Gram-
mar schools, the Depository has the law at its back. Fortified thus, we waive
the question of right, and offer only that of expediency. If Dr. Ryerson's tables
be correct, the value of these items supplied to such schools from his Establish-
ment is hardly worth the cost of its maintenance, especially when we know that
as good libraries could he furnished as cheaply, and the simple maps and iippa-
ratus that are used, no less so, by the growth and competition of free trade, with-
out its intervention. Were the Depository prices like those of the Privy Council
in England, it would be different. But is it credible that a large demand could
not secure an average deduction of twenty per cent., which is the outside of Dr.
Ryerson's discount.-' In 1856 the expenses of the year, so lUr as given in the
Library account, which allows £266 as salaries for the Dcponiiory — though
$6,630 are charged in 1857 for those of the various assistants in the office — were

\i\'

£1,258*, tlie total value of sales and grants being apparently £5,82 Jf. The ex-
penses were thus twenty-two p^r cent, at the least on the gross receipt?. Conld
there bo any dilKculty in serving the Public Schools as cheaply by private enter-
prise, when the deductions allowed would be so much clear gain.' Suppo-ing
even only one half the per ccntage to be added to Dr. Ryerson's prices, it would
make them only ten per cent, less than retail, which is exactly the discount allowed
by Booksellers, even now, on the smallest purchase by Teachers. I have no disposi-
tion to impute any thing dark or disgraceful, but 1 feel sure that we know only a part
of the real cost of the Depository. Were it dispensed with, it is not unreasonable to
believe that a large sum could be saved in salaries alone. Even on the lower ground
of expediency, is it worth while to support an establishment which is an uaal loss
to the country, while it is a great encroachment on trade ?

But, even supposing, wliat I do not know to be the case, that these figures
admit of some more favorable interpretation, other points rise to make the expe-
diency of the system questionable. Dr. Ryerson repeatedly speaks of the saving
effected by his Depository, and urges it as one of the great grounds on which he
claims support for his plans. But, compared with the English prices (of the Privy
Council Committee) his charges are very high. He tells us| that he buys at the
same prices as they, and yet on forty-one maps there is an average difference of
fifty per cent, against his catalogue, and on eleven school books (all I could find
in the two lists) there is a difference agamst him of thirty-three per cent.

Further, many of the school books are >°ry slightly reduced, and it is hard
to understand how they can be said to be sold ' at cost," as is repeatedly stated
by Dr. Ryerson. II In addition to the invoice quoted before I copy the following
particulars from his catalogues :

Page 53

((

Colenso's Arithmetic 4s. 6d. =

Elements of Algebra for

use of Schools Is. 6d.

Key 2s. 6d.

Euclid 6s. 6d.

Geometrical Problems .... 3s. 6d.
Page 41 — Arnold's Latin Prose Composition. ..

42 CoUot's, 5 different books, each

Nor does the Library Catalogue seem any more
Thus on Messrs. Carter's Books (172, 173, 177, and

apparently only 20 per cent., which is always allowed wholesale by the Trade
who deal in the books of that house.

Routledge's Books (167-170, and passim) are in many cases sold much
higher than the trade retails them, and generally at a merely nominal reduction.

?rice.
$1.12^

Dep'y Price.
.. $1.05.

0.37^

0.62^

1.62|

0.87i

1.00

0.56

0.35.

0.60. .

1.50.

0.85.

0.87.

0.60.

intelligible
passim) the

as to prices,
reduction is

♦ Report, 1866, p rf 2, Table T.

f Text Books £1546 6 6

Libraries 1840 10 8

Maps, &c 2880 4 4

Sales to Normal School 106 6 9

£5823 1 3 —Report, 1856.

t " Her Majesty's Government bad made arrangements to procure for the Schools, aided Ijr Parlia-
mentary Grants in England, school maps and books at an average of forty-three per cent, below the ordi-
nary Belling prices, and * « » 1 was enabled to render that arrangement available to Schools in
Upper Cm&dii,"— -Report, 1852, 205.

I " Every book in <he list has been rendered accessible * * at the lowest coat prices, fiom a
Department the buildings and all the contingent expenses of which are otherwise provided for. - R/'port,
) 852, 206.

I submit illustrations of some more of the Depository prices :

Johnslon^s large maps (page 10) are 38 cents each above cost, after paying freight.
« Small " " do « do

*' Small Atlases (24) can be supplied at Depository prices, and give an
excellent wholesale profit.

Baker's Tabular View (page 26) is offered wholesale for 50 cents ; Depository
price, $2 50.

Smith's Astronomy (35) sells, retail, at 80 cents ; Depository price, 88 cents.

Morse's Geography (40) sells to teachers at 46c., " 60 **

Varty's Graphic Illustrations of Animals (61) is offered wholesale for $3 88 ; De-
pository price, $7.

Russell's Crimea — retail price, $2 ; Depository price, $2 00.

Seven Wonders of the World — retail price, 75 cents ; Depository price, 70 cents.

Lares and Penates is offered wholesale, for 60 cents ; Depository price, $1 25.

Robson's Great Sieges — retail price, $1 ; Depository price, $1 00.

Battles of British Army, « i t* i qo.

Forrest's Every Boy's Book, " 1 60 " 1 70.

Louis' School Days, 75 " 1 00.

It is thus with many more. In quoting them, let me deprecate any suspicion

of an intention to criminate. Buying badly is an easy solution of the dif&culty.

Comparison of the Prices of the Privy Council Committee and those of the De-
pository ; the cost being the same to both :
11 Irish National Maps are charged by the

Education Committee each

10 Johnston's Maps

10 "

9 «

1 Christian Knowledge Society's Map 2 12

1 " 2 12

IVarty'sMap 2 18

Colenso's Arithmetic 2s. 8^d., stg.

" Algebra 2

Pott's Euclid 2

Colenso's Trigonometry (p. 1) ••... 2

» " (p. 2) 1

Mulhauser's Manual 1

Wilhelm's Method 3

HuUah's Grammar 2

Johnston's Atlases 8

An illustration of his prices may be given from my own books.
I sold the depository on December 4, 1856, the following books at the prices
stated. They are charged as quoted, in the catalogue.

00
60

87*
50^

By the Depository...^

3
6
9
6

((

((
<(
I(
<(
((

i(
((

4(
t(

38
38
38
50
00
00

4s.
3
3
3
3
2
4
3
10

2
,.. 1

2
'.'. 3
.. 3
.. 3
3d. stg
6

5
6

Library Catalogue. Cost.

Page 164. Sunbeams in College, 3s. Id.

« Ethics of Sabbath, 3s. 6d.

Millie Howard, 3s. 6d.

The Cotton Tree, Is. 6d.

The Red Brick House, 3s. 6d.

Ballantyne's Poems, 5s. 3d.

Earnest Students, 4s. 4^d,

Miles McKenzie, 5s. 3d.

Mary of Kilmany, Is. 9d.

86.

64.

((

Sold by Depository at
3s. 9d.
4s.
4s.
2s.
4s.

68.
58.

6s. 3d.

;ht.
o
an

tory

De-

ems.

icion

eDe-

^3 00
2 38

1 38

2 38

3 50
3 00
3 00

d. stg.

prices

ry at

" Voice in the Desert, 3s. 9d. 4s. 4Jd.

49. Eight books, each at 3s. Id. 72 cents each.

ri"\.' . * 88. Burton's Meccah, 5s. 3d. Gs. 3d.

195. Perthe's Life, 16s. 6d. ISs.

There can be no dispute respecting these figures, and yet they tell only a
small part of the story of the whole catalogue, as they refer to only a few items.
The rest can only be known by the production of all the invoices of the Depository
and the discovery thence of the actual cost price, after the deduction of any dis-
counts, bonuses and other abatements. It seems a great reason why the Trade
should have an opportunity of trying what it can do to supply the place of the
Depository, that although that institution has the public purse at its control, and
buys so largely, it buys so ill and sells so high. How much dead loss must it
be to the country when multitudes of the things it has can be sold with a profit
by the trade at the same prices, and it is remembered that to its apparent prices
has to be added the cost of management, value of dead stock, &c., &c.

We would ask if stock has ever been taken by the Depository ? There rausi
now be on hand in it what has cost the country, first and last, a very large sum.

But the whole of the Booksellers' grievances do not end here. Changes are
imperatively demanded in Dr. Ryerson's other relations to literature, if it is to
thrive in our midst. Booksellers are the employers of authors, and both suffer as
things are. With trade free and prosperous, surplus capital would soon create a
literature. It cannot at present. Dr. llyorson's monopoly of school patronage,
moreover, makes him the arbiter of the fate of all educational publications. Mr.
Hodgins can get his books sanctioned though they are so severely reviewed, but
what bookseller not in Dr. Ryerson's favour, would venture on any enterprise
where a similar sanction was required ? We can have no educational literature,
as things are, except such as grows under Dr. Ryerson's smile. Is it right that
any single man should have such power .' Let any one remember Milton's
splendid pleadings for a free press and his statement of the evils of a censorship,
and he will know the effects on the literature of Canada of Dr. Ryerson's self-
assumed position. Government could never have designed him to be the autocrat
of the literary trade of this country. It is of no use for him to run behind the
name of the Council of Instruction ; with his opposition it would seem disre-
spectful to favor any book. The prestige of office, the limited leisure of the
Council for educational details, the aversion to debate natural to gentlemen in
such a position, leave the fortune of a book or of anything else substantially in
Dr. Ryerson's hands. Of course we are favored with assurances from his own
pen ol his patronage of everything Canadian, but it must be patronage, and
patronage implies a suppleness of the knee on the part of the receiver that is rather
degrading, and hints at a cold shade for offenders, in a manner altogether incom-
patible with a free community and the limited authority of a servant of the general
public. If Dr. Ryerson wish instances of his standing in the way of Canadian
enterprise, I shall quote them.

I submitted Morell's Grammar, through Dr. Jennings, months ago, for the
sanction of the Council of Public Instruction, wishing no more than that a favour-
able opinion might be passed upon it. B*it to this day I have had no reply, and
Ido'not expect I shall ever have any. Mr. Hodain's Geography,' with all its
mistakes, can get through — but the production of one of Her Majesty's most
famed Inspectors, of one of the first philosophic writers and acutest grammarians,
has to stand in the outer court, though bearing the eulogies of the most distin-
guished educationists of Britain.

Mr. McMullen, of Brockville, has written a History of Canada, which is at
once a most readable and instructive book, and brings down our story to recent

timos. Bui in the last page ihero is a criticism on the Depository pysti-m wliicli
has sealetl its lalo with Dr. Ryerson, in wlioso catalogue it Unds no place, tiiougli
he (»rters no substitute lor it. No other History yet complelcd brings down our
aniiMJs at all so far, excepting perhaps the little school-book ol' iVIiss Roy.

Dr. Ryerson has recently imported large numbers of very indifferenl picture-
Irames from abroad, which could have been miide in this country, and saved at
Jeasi something from leaving it.

The late Mr. Ramsay of Montreal made an arrangement some time since
witi Messrs. Simnis & Mclntyre of Belfast to buy from ihem as many of Thomp-
son's Arithmetic as the Province might need, at the rate of l8s. a dozen. Shortly
after. Dr. Ryerson went home and Mr. Ramsay speedily received a letter from the
Belfast house, informing him that Dr. Ryerson had bargained with them to pay
24s. a dozen, for the same books, and that injustice to that gentleman they could
not fulfil their engagements with Mr. Ramsay.

I beg to submit the following statement from Mr. Maclear, of ll.is City.
, "Mr. Maclear. of this City, imported in 1848 a stock of Chambers' School
Maps and Educational Bodis, which he was never able to sell in the legitimate
way, owing to the fact that Dr. Ryerson's Depository oiFered them at prices which
would not remunerate a retail dealer. Indeed, by this time it was impossible to
sell them or such goods by retail fit all, as all persons inter* sted in educational
matters were then in the habit of purchasing at Dr. Ryerson's shop, so that rather
t lan l(*se the goods entirely, Mr. Alaclecr was obliged to beg of Mr. Hodgins to
buy iliem at any price, which that gentleman consented to do, but notwithsland-
mg having bought them at his own price, when payment was requested the seller
was recjuiitd to submit to a further discount in order to oblain it.

Mr. M. also offered, time after time, to publish and supply the Depository
with any and every Map, Chait, &c., required, cheaper than it was possible for
such articles to be imported, and having a large stock of School Maps on hand,
hti frequently requested Mr. Hodgins to purchase them, but that gentleman, if he
ever bought any, seemed to make it a point 1o take that Map of which Mr. M.,
the publisher, had the smallest quantity, thus rendering the remainder less sale-
able than ever.

Mr. M. also ofTered to get up and publish a general School Geography, to
supersede Morse's very anti-British book, now used here, submitting it, sheet by
sheet, before publication, for the approval of Dr. Ryerson, or his D.'puty. Yet
even here Dr. R. hardly extended his accustomed and provcrbal civility to the
maker of the proposal.

This treatment of an individual in a position to carry ont his undertaking,
contrasted strongly with the fact that, so far as the writer knows, the only Book,
Map, Chart, &c., of Canadian production, now in use in the Public Schools, are
got up by persons employed about the Educational establishinen'.

And if one individual, boasting no superiority in such matters over his fel-
low tradesmen, was and is in a position to do so much, are there nut scores of
others equally ready and competent to the task.

Yet the booksellers of Canada are insultingly told that they cannot sup-
ply the requirements of the country in these respects, and that the uni-
versally recognised principles of commerce must be violated in their case,
that the taxes of the country of which they pay their full share are to
be squandered in an unnatural crusade against them. Is not the present
unparalleled commercial distress caused by the overtrading polity ol our busi-
ness men, and to this rule the booksellers unfortunately present no exception.
Who then will dare repeat the foul slander on the booksellers of Canada, that they
are less able or less willing than other tradesmen to introduce to the country, even

\^ /

V /

to its remotest village, a supply in their line as ample as other merchants do in
theirs.

One more significnnt fact connected with this extraordinary business is, that
Dr. Kycrson, in justification of his having pocketed the people's money — not the
Inspect r, Attorney, or Receiver General's money— pleads tnat his duties are far
beyond what the law requires, while those duties, or rather evils, are altogether self-
imposed ; and alas for Religion and Morality, leading to consequences which have
drawn tears to many eyes !"

The impossibility of any bookseller v/ho differs from him entertaining a
hope of countenance for any projected enterprise, receives a vivid illustration from
the subjoined specimen of coarseness and overbearing language, disgraceful to
any one, but doubly so to a public officer.

Contrast with the style of this allusion to a gentleman who differs fJ-om
him the fact that Mr. Hodgins' Geography is advertised on the cover of the
Library Catalogue, which goes every where through the Province, and on the
cover of at least another publication of the Education office, and that only a
])art of the ' Notice ' of it by the Council of Public Instruction, is quoted in
cither case, the favorable part being retained and the rest suppressed, and it will be
seen by contrast what it means to stand in Dr. Ryerson's favor.

One more effect of tlip Depository system, and I have done. At this moment.
Dr. Rycrson has so monopolized the map trade of the country that the public can-
not get such a thing at all. Large maps are forced out of the market by his
monopoly. Only this day, moreover, a gentleman from the country informed me
that in his village, not a copy of a book lie specified could be had, from the same
reason ; the Depository competition shut it out from general sale.

But there is no use attempting to state the whole case. That no other country,
however anxious for education, has let any one build up such an establishment or
exercise such a partial censorship is its sufficient condemnation.

To correct a number of cognate evils the only reasonable hope of success lies
in our reaching their source. The Depository does not stand alone as the speckled
bird of the Educational Department. Some other )f its branches, if as thoroughly
sifted, would be found equally faulty. Could it be otherwise with such a centraliz-
ing scheme as Dr. Ryerson has constructed. Every clause of the school acts is only
a step by which he rises to his solitary " throne of burning state." Every trace of
power and patronage that was worth the taking haj been gleaned, to dignify his
office and disparage that of all others by comparison. The Governor General is not
more irresponsible, and enjoys a far less glorious reign. In 1856, Dr. Ryerson's
revenue amounted to £56,000, of which he had the sole and unquestioned expendi-
ture. In 1857 it amounted to £G5,392, with the use of an official palace and other
additions. To spend £10,000 of our taxes on whatever he pleases for his Deposi-
tory was only one of his high prerogatives. Another £10,182 have been spent in
the last two years on his " Provincial Library and Museum." This vast sum has

* Tlie objoelidiis Ddtioiiil in tlio foll(iwingpanigra])li9 of this Report have been put forth by a re'
spectiible cooper, who lias of late years become a wooden ware and toy merchant of this city — a gentle^
man wlio is very religious when writing against our public schools, and who has had an expensive mania
for writing and publishing against them during several years; wlio, according to his own account pub-
lisheil, on the eve of the Session of Parliament one year, a series of letters against tiie public school
system under the signature of a " Latiman •" another year he published one or two numlwrs of a ponder-
ous Educational Keview, of which I believe some thirty copies were sold : a third year he published
another series of letters, under tho signature of a Protestant" appearing in the first instance in the anti-
public school " Catholic CitUen" newspaper, iiiul .;iie wards in a pamphlet ; a fourth year he published,
in the same newpaper and aftei'wjuils in pamphlet, another series of letters under tlie signature of " A ngna
JJallan." In these letters, whiili. ii.s on previous occasions, he has scattered abroad with a liberal hand, he
complains that his previous labors have been unnoticed. He will now experience the graMtication of liav-
ing them recorded and noticed. — [Dr. Ryerson's Special Report, 52.

been expended by him on copies of pictures and on picture frames, and stucco
casts, &c. What could he possibly know critically of the fine arts ? As an elderly
Canadian, brought up in our then unpeopled wilderness, he could hardly have seen
such a thing as a really fine painting till his official visit to Europe. In England, a
commission, comprising a number of such men as Sir Edwui Landseer, Lord
Macaulay and Mr. Grote, was recently appointed to do what Dr. Rycrson has been
permitted to attempt alone. Yet who can restrain him if his confidence carry him
thus far ? Our " National Gallery" is a mere bagatelle which he selects at our cost
in his moments of leisure ! Is there any other officer in the Province who has
clothed himself with like power, for Dr. Ryerson is himself the author of the acts
which place us thus at his feet ?

If anything be wanting to shew that a defence by the Superintendent is but
questionable proof, it is only to be remembered over what he has thrown his Ma\a
as defiantly as he now throws it before his Depository. Not to call up his Leonidas
letters in which he stood forth as the champion of the ruler against the people, we
have in the very Special Report before us as fierce a demonstration in favor of a
plan of Separate Schools which pleases no single party in the Province, and still
later, we have seen him attempt no less unshrinkingly a vindication of personal
acts which the moral sense of the community seems to condemn.

JOHN C. GEIKIE.

*- V

> ■