IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I |L25 ItilM |25 ■^ Ui2 12.2 :S |i£ 12.0 Ml •a u 1.4 I ii4 6" <^ ^ /i '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 33WeSTMAk. (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaltra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, seion le cas: la symboia — ► signifie "A SUIVRE". le symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure ara filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right end top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmto A des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, 11 est fiimi d partir de t'engia sup6rieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'imagas n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrant la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 l««jS«ff^»' ■T— •rfWR-w s& }t;f'^ cs- fTS ft ■^: THE ^L-A.YIT^a OK t mmmt OF THK NEW MORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING, TRURO, N. S. TRUIIO, N. S.. PRINTED BY W. B. ALLEY, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER, 1877. « k <.. .' i„ view of the great in>port«.«e of the ProVtaa J Nc-md Scho,l in it. jr: r»* ^-^r.^Mrim^Trt^i^TuM- lllS^^^^g, connected with the laying oUhe Con,er Sto-e. Truro, July, 1877. i 1- JOHN B. DICKIE, J F. BLANCttARD. WILLIAM FAULKNER, JAMES D. ROSS, W. E. McROBERT. Commis- sioners. THE LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OK THE NEW NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING, TRURO, N. S. din miB- * lild- iting us- ers. FOUNDING OK THE INSTITUTION. >■ The Act to establish a Provincial Normal School iu Nova Scotia was passed by the Legislature in 1854. Rev. Alexander Forrester, l>. D. was apix>inted Princi[)al and the Institution was oi)ened on the 14th November, 1835. Among those present at the inaugural services were the following distinguished gentlemen : — Hon. William Young, Attorney General (now Chief Justice Sir William Young) ; Hon. Lewis Morris Wilkins, Provincial Secre- tAiy, (now Judge Wilkins); Hon. Samuel Creelinan, Financial Seci-e- ftiry J Hon. Hugh Bell, Chairman of the Board of Works ; and. Hon. Adams G. Archibald (now Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia). There were also present several members of the Legislature, several Olergymen, the Directors and Teachers of the Institution, and the leading citizens of Truro. — [The Building ei-ected at that tiuie was of woorooee(ling with the CHreinoiiy Govonior Archibald called ou Kev. William McCiilloch, I). D. to lead in laaynr. The coiner ntKine was then laid at the north-east corner with the usual forms ot" the Masonic order. Within a tin case in a cavity beneath the jjtone was deposited a glass bottle containing the articles enumer- ated below, and over the case was placed a brass |)late with the fol- lowing inscription : — " This Coi'uer Stone of the Provincial Nor- mal School was laid on the 7th day of July, A. !>., 1H77, A. L. 5H77, luider the auspices of His Honor the Lieutenant (lovernor Adams Li. Archibald, C M. (4., and with Masonic cerenionies by il. W. Hro. Johu Wimburn Laurie, Grand blaster of the (fraud l^xlue of A. F. i (ungr ecvf- )rks : 4 ty of tion ; Nevr jhooL Hali ellai- auvie, A. C. W.i A. O. M.A. James eaver ; ,Esq.r Taylor, LIST t)K AKIIflJCS KKI'OsrrEh IN TMK (Jl.ASS BOTfLE. I'ai'olimcut Scroll, Masoiiiu Suroll, Pamphlet giviiiy aooount of iuaugiu'ivl rkii'vioes ill ISd.'), I'aiiiphlet by Dr. Forrester, Pliotograpli of Dr. Forrester, tjieiieral Kej^ulatioiiH of Normal Seliool, Belcher's Alinaiiae for 1877, Prize Ijat of Provincial Exhibition for 1877, Prize List of Colchester County Kxhibition for 1877. Bye- Laws of ('oiietpiid botlge. Current Coins of the J><»niinion, silver and copper, Colchester Sun, Truro Times, Halifax Chronicle, Halifax HcraM, (-liurch Clironicle, l'resl)yterian Witness, (Christian Messengei', The Weslcyan, and The .Journal of Agriculture, a List of the Town Otiicers of 'J'ruro, a Blank Form of Normal Scliool Debentures, antl ;i sheet signed by several workm.in on tlic New Jiuilding. 'J'lie proceedings were muoli enlivened by nuisic by the Band of the (i.'ird Battalion ; and tluring the lowering of tlio stone joy bells weie ringing at the Model Sciuuil and tlic chnrciies in the Town. niK I'AKCH^ilKN'i S('K<»I.I.. •• 'I'he act to establish a Normal School in this Province was passed in iHoi, and the sum of Jfi.OOO was grantetl for tiie erection and equipment of a building, the construction of which was entrusted to a committee, oousistiug of the Hon. Samuel ( 'reelman, Hon. A. (i. Archibald, A. McN. 4'ochran, M. P. P., and John B.uss, Esij., wlio were appointed permanent «iirectors of the institution. The Rev. Dr. Forrester was appointed Principal, and the institution was formally opened on the second Wednesday of November, 18.i"». Dr. Forrester continued to be Principal until his deatli in 18(iy, when lie was succeeded Ity J. B. Cnlkin, A. M. From the founding of the institution till the present time, W. It. Mulholland had charge of the mathematical deiiartnlent. The Englisii department has been presided over by the following gentleman in succession : Charles D. Itandall, M. A.; Theodore H. Hand, M. A., D. C. L.; .T. B. Calkin ; M. A.; .John A. McCabe, M. A.; and Charles .J. Major. The number of students during the first session was .'»3 ;— the average attendance during tlie time that Dr. Forrester was Principal was (i;J, and during the past eight years 8(). The number of students now in attendance is 1((-1, 'I'he signatures of tlie otiicers anf and the Lesislatnre having appropriated the sum of 930,000 for this purpose, the old buildinu has been removee erected, and a ("ommission of five, whose names are here HuUscribed. liA!<^ been appointed to carry out the work :-- .r. B. Dickie, M. I'. P., , l>r. McKoliert. i ,r. K. Blancbard. } Wm. Faulkner. i Jas. n. Uosv, J Conimissioaers. On tiie 7th day of .fuly, in the year of^our Lord,* 1877, the corner stoue oi' this building was laid, with due fiiirm antl ceremony, under the auspicen of His Honor Adams G. Archibald, C. M. (i., Lkjutenant-C^rovemor of Nova Scotia, by Colonel J. Wimburu Laurie, l^rand Master of A. I', k A. Masonx of Nov».Scf»tia.*' This scroll was signed by many of those present who wttnesseii the laying of the stone. TJIK IWAIHONU' M'ROIJ.. In the name of the . rJKK.Vr AKCHITRIT OF THK UMVKKSK, On the seventh day of July, A. JX 1877, A. L. ."877, Aud in the fort-first year of the Reign of our Most Gracious Sovereign VICTOPJA. By the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of , < ireat 'Britian and Ireland, and of the Colonies, and Dependencies thereof in Kurope, Asia, Africa, America and Australasia, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Kmpress ' • of India. L;hcK»t pOSto. bo bf 1. htv» Tlie liiyltt Hoiioruhle Sir b'retlerick Teiiiplv, Karl of Dufferin, K. P., K. C. H., Ac, Ac. Oovemor-Uencral of the Uominion of Cunod*. The Honorable Atlanis (jeorge Archibald, CM. ii., lAeut. Ctovomor of the Province of Nova Scotia. The Honorable Alexander Mackenzie, Premier of the Dominion of I'anada, and Minister of Public Works. Charles H. Archibald, Vm[., Mayor of the Town of Truro. The Commissioners for erecting the Build inu at* fitllows : J. B. Dickie, V.^,, M. P. P., Custos of the County, C'hairmap : J. Flerominfi Blanchard. VsVlMBIJRX liAURIK. M. \V. (trand Master of the Grand Lodge, of A. I'', ft A. Masons of Nova Scotia, Assisted by the Officers of Grand liodge and tlie Ollicers and Members of Subordinate liodges, and in the presence of His Honor the Tiient. Governor, and a large and influential concourse of citizens. Architect. Henry F. Ruscli Contractor. Andrew .Johnstone. God Save the t^ueea. tout i>»_ ices of Novrt etl the 'JHK SPKKCrtKS. N^ The cei'einonies elosetl uliout two o'clock, when all raurehed to the grounds in front, where a plutfurm hud been ei-ected for the convenience of the .8|)eakers. Mr. J. B. Dickie, M. P. P., having taken the chair, called u[ion Lieut. €rovernor Ardiibald to addi-ess the hundreds who were either seated npon the settees or lolling u|K>n the beautiful greens waixl that covera the school grounds. Lifnteuant O'overno/n ISpeecFi ; . . . , His Honor said : Every now and then in the history of a country ov an institu- tion, 8onie Htrikiiig event uunirN, whicli iiH'oi'tiH a couvtMiitiiit opiior- tunity -for I'cviewing tlie ]>aHt and tbiecuHting the future. (Joiiu- trifH aiul iuNtitutionM liave huiiiu ({ualitieH in couimun with uur phyKieal frauieH. We \Mm from childliood to youth, from youth to manhood, from umnhood to old age, by mo iuseuHible a gradation, that it is only by contraHting the preHent with a remote ]uiHt that we become consciouH of the great changes whioii have overtaken US insensibly. We cannot tell tiie ditierence in oui-selves between this week and last week, between this month and last nuMitii, be- tween this year and htst year ; but when we look back to a more distiuit period, the changes >'ve marked and cons[iicuous. It is useful, therefore, to take stock, on occasions of this kind, and see what has be«Mi the result of a considerable lapse of time. For half a century after the establishment of the General As- sembly in this Province, education was entirely neglected, so far :is tlu^ Legislature was concerned. In 1802, howevei", tiie College at Windsor having been founded by a Lloyal charter, an a|>peal to the Legislature resulted in a grant ot #1,600 a year from the public treasury towards an en«lowment of the college. l»ut nothing was done for common schools. Tiiey were left to languish in absolute neghict. My-and-by, in 1811, the Legislutuic stepped in, aiid otiered to any school which was sustaiiuul by a sul)sciipti(»u of ."f^OO, assistance from th(^ Treasury, to the extent of oiui-half w much more. In the then state of the country, the ofler was little (ilse than a mockery. 'J'he poverty of the jieople scattered along our shores, and on the river beds, insensible of the value of educa- tion, made this show of libei'idity very safe for the Treasury. It was not till 1S2«], after an experience of fifteen years, an experi- ence which showed the utter uselessness of the proferred aid, that the Jjegislature decided to appropriate a fixed sum for each county ; but as the aggregate only amounted to >Sl 3,000 for the whole Pro- vince, it is easy to see that no very decided improvements could owe their origin to such iin enactment. It will afford some measure of the adecpiacy of such a provision for a whole Province, when I mention that the people ot this one county alone, in the year 187o, expended of their own money, I'aised by their own vote, !'j<3y,000 in common school education and in the construction of school-hou.ses : that it to say, three times as much as the entire sum which the Province, W years ago, thought it could ^itlbrd to give for this service. I have carried you back half a tentujy. This we may divide into e[>ochs of twenty-five years ea»rli. During the first of these no matei'ial chan^'je was made as regards connuon .school education, fiirtlier tliaii Nonie {iioiftiM! in t1ic> grant. At the cluHe of tlitit H|KK!li, or out! »iiuutt!r of a (•♦iiitiiry ago, j>roviMiou wuk iiuuIo )»y an act for tlio a)i|K)iritment of a Sii|MM'i.iteiulent of Ktlut'ation. The Goveriunoat iiiiide a hiv|i)»y «»?lection. Mr. Duwhoii (now Dr. DuwHon, Principal of MeiJill College) was appointed to the ottice. For Hcveral years he devoted hiniHolf earnestly to his work. Ho travelled over the province, calhfd the people together in every consiileruble settlement, and urged, with great force and entlni- siasui, the views he entertained on the snhj(!ct. Eventually he succeeded in creating some interest in the mutter. One of the main objects he aimwd at was a Normal School for the training of teacluirs. What was the use of [troviding for schools if there were no schoolmasters ( The jirofession hail fallen into the hands of the waifs and the strays of society — the thriftless and degraded — men who having shown their incap.ncity to succeeassed away, full of years and honor, and carrying with him to the grave the respect and esteem of the community. The Rev. Dr. Forrester, so long the head of the institution, who spent his energies in the work to which he had devoted his life, to whose vigor and enfhusiasm tht^ institution owes most of the progress it has made, he too, has j>assed away, leaving a memory dear to every friend of Common School Education : a memory embalmed in tne hearts of several hundred pupils whom he trained in the art of teaching, and im- bued with his own feelings and ideas. This institution is a monu raent to his life of devotion and toil. The inscription which sur mounts one of the doors of St. Paul's Cathedral in memory of Sir Christopher Wren, might well be adapted to Dr. Fori-ester, and referring, if not to the building, to the Institution itself, one might say " St uwnumentum qitaerin, circnmgpice." The school so in- augurated, began with 60 pupils or thereabouts, young men and women, encouraged and induced by the {tersuasions of Dr. Daw 11 Kon and Dr. Forrester, to prepjii-e themselves for the occupation of teactiers. One great objection urged when this InHtitution was projected, was, that there was no field for teachers when trained. The Pro- vincial allowance was too small, the {people too poor, and scattered, too ignorant, and consequently unappreciative. We were there- fore prepaiing goods for which there was no demand. We were ottering for sale what there was nobody to buy. But the friends of education knew better. They felt there was no surer way to create a desire fot* improvement, than to send into the outlying counties of the province year by year, some fifty or sixty mission- aries, trained in a knowledge of the best system of supporting, as well as of im|>arting, education. The i-esult justitiee county authorities should do their share. The School District its share. But the School itself should be free. Every child in the district should have a right be be educated, a right to have education brought to its doors. The i)arent8 should escape no bui-den by neglect to avail themselves of the school. If they had {uoperty and kept their children at home, they should |)ay all the .same. If they had none, their poverty should be no excuse for keeping the children away. Before a decade had passeil over after the Normal School was established, this had come t« be the conviction of a large body of the thoughtful people of the province. At that juncture, fortunately for the country, the leading men in politics on both sides determined that education should be no question of {iarty, and when Dr. Tupper introduced his bill in 18G5, for tlie estab^ lishment of a system bosed on these princi{Ues, he was unlMsi- tatin§^y sustainerting a bill, they had the power to defeat, and with it to defeat the Gov- ernment of the day : showed that there are times when country rises sui)erior to jiarty — when the question of measures, dwarfs 12 ) the i^iietstioii of int'n. Of oouixe it was to be ex|3ecteil tliat the bill would excite great jiiejiiclices Ht Hrst. The liberty to tux our- selves is one, which as i. rule, is not very highly )»rized. I>ut when the liberty is given to a class that has no love for the object which the tax is to effect, it is still less ])alatable. In point of fact, a storm did arise, and for a year or two it was so severe, that it seemed doubtful whether the legislative craft would not i>erish in the tempest. 1'he Act itself, being experimental, it became necessary to mould it somewhat to suit the circumstanes of the Province. Meanwhile Dr. Rand had succeeded Br. Foi-rester, as th« head of the Education Dejnirtmeiit, and with his valuable aid, some important improvements were introduced into the Act, wliich made the working of the IjJIw more easy and practicable. When two years had passed over — when the evils had all been endured and the good came to be seen, there came a change in public opinion ; and now, travel where you will ovei the length and breadth of the Province, tine school houses, rearing their heads in e\ery village and hamlet, providing com- modious places for the education of children — apartments neat, well furnished, well ventilated, and cleanly, under charge of teach- ers trained to their duty, and proud of it and tilled with enthusiasm for their profession — attest the force of jtublic opinion, and are monuments of the wisdom and patriotism which the 1 legislature, (iJoverninent and ()pj)ositi<.»n alike, displayed in not dragging this great ijuestion down to the level of l>arty politics. Now, no man would vent'ire to hold out his hand to touch the sacred ark. Yearly, the attachment of the peoi)le to the system has grown, and at this moment there is no sacrifice they undergo so cheerfully, as that to- whith they submit year by year, in taxing themselves lor the sup- l)ort of education. In the various school districts large sums are annually i-aised by the inhabitants by voluntary vote. The muni- cipal authorities are ready with their quota. The sum allotted by the Legislature is very considerable ; so that iji these various way.s the people tax tliemselves year by year over half a million of dol- lars (really .1594,037. -VJ) to sustain a system constantly rising in their affections. Thanks to the enlightened judgnient of an eminent prelate, whose loss the Province has i-ecently had occasion to deplore, no question of tlenoniinatiou has been allowed to creep into our school system. Under these benign inHuences, our people, Catholic and Protestant, receive an education that would be quite beyond their reach if our common school fund were divided into as many rivu- lets, as is unfortunately that art- ing education to 80,000 (realij' 77,021t) of the youth of the country. So that of the population of the Province, a number equal to something over a fourth of the whole, is at one time or other during the year to be found within the walls of the various school houses, receiving the education required to fit them for their sphere in life. This is an exhibit with which, I think, we have good reason to be satisfied. Ten yeai-s of ojHiration have nearly doubled the number of our schools, and swollen a contribu- tion of $163,000 — the amount paid Vjy the people in 1864 — to a sum more than three times as large.' Within the same jwriod 892 new sciiool houses have been built, costing some $650,000, imposed upon the districts by the voluntary vote of the in- habitants. this ilt to- Hup- is ai'e uiuni- ;ed V)y ways dol- rising elate, ore, no school (lie and I their rivu- At thiH I have entered into these particulars, becouse I think they form the best test of the interest felt by the people in a matter that concerns them more, .perhaps, than any other. And if the state of our common school education is such that we have reason to be proud of it, I trace it largely to the intiuence of the Normal School ; first, in tiaining teachers qualified to discharge their duties efficiently ; and secondly, in creating, through the pupils of the institution, the feeling that rendered the assessment legisla- tion possible. These things have followed like cause and effect ; and this occasion, while we are putting uj) a new ind more exten- sive building, seems a proper one to place on record some state- ments of the progress made anfl of the causes to which it may be traced. The present Principal of the Institution (uiK)n whom I shall call presently for some observations) and his assistants, have the heavy resyxjnsibility devolving upon them of sustaining the reputation already achievea. They have an easier task than their predecessors. The improved education imparted in the common schools furnishes pupils better qualified to enter upon the sjiecial training they seek here as teachers. The increased facilities which the new building will give is another advantage, and the Principal und assistants will do well to bear in mind, as I am sure they will, that their resjwnsibilities are increased with the advantages they enjoy. I will only say in conclusion that I trust tin's institution will long i)ro8j)er. I know none that has done its work so quietly and effectively, and I believe the position which as a people, we shall occupy among the neighbouring provinces and States, will largely depend ujwn the influences which directly or indirectly will have their source in the teachinas at this institution. The Pphbcipfd of thti Nor>iud Schvul haohuj hetn Cdjkd on by the Chtiirttuiu, ttahl : Mr. Chairman, — It has occuri'ed to uie that some |)ei'8on8 may be disposed to i-egard tl)e ini|M)sing ceremony which we have just witnessed as a piece of empty t'onn, and to think that this Build- ing could havti been ei-ected quite as well, and that it would serve its pui'iiose as well without so much ado over one corner. But, Sir, I believe it is such events as this that arouse and strengthen otu- sympathies ior a great cause and entwine around it our best affections. We are largely inihienced by what is tangible, and by those things which api^eal to our senses ; and we are thus moved to greater effort and aided to more brilliant achievement. How the weary, dispirited, — even the cowardly ^hlier is stimulatetl to deeds of daring and borne on to victory by a bit of colored cloth, tattered and torn, it may be, — his country's flag, with which ))e associates freedom and honor and all that he holds dear ! To em- phasize events like this is e8{)^cially im]M)rtaut in a new country like ours, where we have compaiiitively few great names to vener- ate and little that is historic to stir our patriotism. I am glad that we have here to-day to witness these ceremonies and to take part in them such i*epre8entative men, — gentlemen who would be a bulwark to any cause which they Dtight e8|)ouse, but who, by reason of their high official character, invest the pro- ceedings of this day with a brilliancy seldom equalled in Nova Scotia. The noble men of church and state are here to-day to do honor to a noble cause, — a cause which is indeed above all praise, and can derive no lustre from the adventitious circumstance of place and pageantry. When J see on this platform gentlemen of the highest rank in every department of public affairs, civil, naval, military, judicial, and executive, I feel that such a recognition of the importance of the education of the people is both an evidence of high attainment and a guarantee of future progress. His Honor, Governor Archibald, has taken us back to times when education had fewer (iatrons and when, under less favoring auspices, it struggled for i-ecognition and place. He has told us how great was the task, twenty-five years ago, to found our Nor- mal 8chool, and of the brilliant assemblage that gathered at the inaugui-al services in that building wliich was the outcome of such effort. Several of those present on that occasion, men whom their country has delighted to honor, are herewith us to-day, and surely they liave no cause to lament that the glory of the former bouse was greater than that whose corner-stone we have now laid. Accord- mng )d us iNor- the jsuch Itheir Jirely lOuse Icord- ing to the CominisHioncvs' i'e]K>rt, the old building cost £800, not une-tenth of wliat the present building will cost. But modest views characterized those dill's. Dr. f^orrester in his address said they had a building of which no Nova Scotian needs to be ashamed. For a period of nearly fourteen years, Dr. Forrester presided over the Normal School. During this time, the average attea4- ance was sixty-thi-ee. -There were then two terms of about four and a half months in the year. Between terr s the Doctor travelled over the Province, lecturing to the people on education and gathering in students. These were his holiday excursions. At the opening of the Normal School, and for some time after, there was no Model School in connection with the Institution. Dr. Forrester maintained that in the efficient training of teachers there were thi-ee distinct elements involved. "We must tell our students how to teach," said he ; " we must show them how them how to teach ; and we must make them teach." TJtert h no train- iiuj without (to! ng, Avas his theory. Hence, he insisted on a Model School. This Institution was opened in June 1857. It consisted of three depa\-tments or grades, including about one hundi'ed and tifty children. Our new Model School Building with its nine grades and four hundred children kIiows how we have grown in that direction. There was much opposition to the Normal School. Its gradu- ates had newfangled notions not at all in accoi'd with the way in which the fathera and mothers throughout the country had been taught. Dr. Forrester made the Institution a success largely by force of enthusiasm and will. He was able because he believed he was able. In whatever work he engaged, did it with all his heart, and prospered. All«w me now, Sit, to i-efer briefly to the growth of the Insti- tution. I have already spoken of the development of the Model School from three to nine grades. In the Normal School, in place of an average of sixtythi-ee students, as during the fourteen yeai-s that Dr. Forrester presided, we have had for the past eight years an average of eighty students. Our attendance just now is one hundred and four ; whilst the number present during some i)ortion of the present session lias been one hundred and forty-two. I should remark, tO' , that this attendance is secured without any special encouragement to trained teachers. But I am happy to be able to say that our Institution is recognized by those in want of teachers and that we have a reputation beyond the bounds of our Province. 16 We are encouraged to look forward to brighter days, — days of greater usefulness and honor. Our Legislature has generously and appreciatively made a muniticent approin'iation for this new Build- ing, and I feel, Mr. Chairman, that your own efforts have had much to do with this onward movenient. But, Sir, I take it, that what is now being done is only an earnest of what is yet to come. This line Building will need to be equipped Avith suitable furni- ture and apparatus. Then our increajied accommodations will bring us more students ; and this larger attendance together with a higher grade of work will demand an addition to the teaching staff. Biit, Mr. Chairman, I will not trespass longei- on your patience. Sir \Vm. Young in his speech at the Inaugural in \fiort said : " It gave him i)eculiar pleasure to observe that the majority of the students were females." He thought it a matter to rejoice over, " when forty maidens of our land were about to dedicate their fresh energies and the very bloom of their youth to the training of the infant mind." I regret. Sir, that there had not been some arrangements made here to-day by which our students could have been seated together in front of this platform. Imagine, Sir, how Sir William's heart would have rejoiced at the prospect not of forty, bu,t of more than twice that number of young ladies ready to go forth to the noble work to which they have devoted them- selves, and how, under such circumstances, he would have caught an afflatus which would have inspired him to even a more bi'il liant address than he gave on that former occasion. Speech of Jlltt Excellency the Aihniral >S>'r Cooper A.' // : Who said he had been requested by the Lieut. Covernor and the Chairman to make a few remarks. After the interesting ceremony they had witnessed and the admirable and comprehensive address of the Lieut. Governor there was little to add which was pertinent to the object for which they were assembletl. He had however been so much gratified by what he 1i;k1 seen and heard that he could not remain altogether silent. He had visited many coun- tries in various parts of the world and if he wished to ascertain what progress the people were making and what real interest the Government took in their welfare — be invariably said-r^" Shew me the Schools" by their condition he could judge of the intelli- gence of the peojile — they were the purest indication of future prosperity. 17 hem- ight bvil id tlie jmony ddress •tinent wevev hat be coun- levtain est the Shew intelU- fiiture tTvttlged by thib .stunJard }»(^ did not lifcHitutc- to iilaci- tliia Mairi time l*l•o^inoo of Nova Scotia at a Ingli level. He luul seldom, seen any country where the oau80 of Education was move thoroughly supported both by the (Government and the ])eoplf, and in this free land the (jrovcjument represented the people who thus taxed themselves heavily for the education of the children of that portion of the ]iopulati«)n who (^onld not aftbnl t*i i>rovide it fi>r thorn. Of all hranches of Kdncation, that for which this Xorinal ►School is being built —the teach iiij^ and training of teucljors in thi- most important — all other efforts will be unavailinj^ unless good tejichera are provided. He would gladly see the timo when all teachers in the Province should lio compelled to pass through the course of training at this Normal School or that the\- should at all events receive certificates from it — that all should be judged by one standard. Looking then at the importance of this School, he considered that the pomp and ceremony displayed at the laying of the Coruei- Stone was worthy of the occasion. A Training institution would however be of little value with out a large school attached to it, in which the i)upila of the Normal )School could practise and be trained in the art «>f teaching. To the honour of the jioople of this town of Truro be it said that they had themselves provided such a school in that admirable building now before them which he had just inspected and had found to be a thoroughl}' well-established Model School in whidi about 700 pupils were instructed duriug^he year. He would be glad to hear that a large number of young men and women would adopt the art of teaching as a profession to which they might be induced to devote their whole lives, but he lielieved that the only inducement the Country could hold out to them with that object Ma.s a progressive? increase in theii- salaries. He ventured to foretell that in a few year.s when the greal Dominion of Canada had taken its place among the principal nations of the earth — a position to which it was fast approaching - the people of the Dominion would look back to these efforts in the cause of Education as the foundation of their prosperity and one of the chief elements of their power. 18 Speech vf >*>!r hobrrt Lcffan, Governor of licrmvda. In a few well chos«u wonlH he nxpreHsed hb grutificatiuu a< being present on ho important nn occaHion, and fuii of n do/.ou mon. tCh«ftrs and hiughtor.) Of lato yciirs tho value of pojruhir eilupation, folk'ge.-i, normal and freo schools, had i;ome to bo univovsally aokuusv lodged. Moti. t' such a trio. (Loxid nnd I'tiutiunod chrcvH.) . , .. . I qtiite concur in th j i^'mtiiTK-'iits f^xpressed by the Principal of i}io Norm;d School in tlio opening portion of IiIh addrcRS ; It is on itiany accounts i\ {m'.ctiuu worthy of adoption, that we Hhonld mark ♦ vents of luoro iihan ordinary im})ortanc<' hy cvhich prevailed that I, a stranger and foreigner, imbibed u portion of it, and was carried on with the stream of public senti- Tuent — and all this was done to give expression to tlio conviction in the minds of the community that the occasion was one of deep interest, clo.sely bound up with public questions of great import- ance. And so, Sir, on this occasion, you have iu my judgment done woll to mark so important an event in the history of Educa- i-ion in this Provinoo um the laying of the comer-stone of a new 2t Norniul Scliuol ou a graiiJer noalu Lhau itn prMileoessor, bv tbo iatcrcsting urtd iinproHsIvu oereiuoiiion of whu-h ^vo have betu :4j>ectators to-iluy ; tou linvo thus Htampod it irrevocably us an «VHnt of more than ortlinury Higxiitied man, both in his individual and public capuc'ity, 4a.s luomury mu.st ^-^er be liad in grateful r*!olloction by tho pcopb* of Nova f^cotia. With tho incentivH urising from liis zeal, and A\ith the valuable aid afforded by your •earnest suj)port, Sir, as one of th») roprnsentative.s of this County. f have liad great jdeasurn in aiding this movement ; and it will lilwaya give nv pleasure lu reflect that as leader of the f fovern aieut I was enalded to assist in placing the great ("ause of Kduca iAnn by thia moans on a wider and firmer basis ; and I am con vinced that the people of Nova Scotia cheerfully respond to tho action of the < Jovvrnment in the expenditure of tbo money neces- sary for completing the work so auspiciously commenced. f>f tho nef.'essity for the erection of this building there ye desire to walk in the samo steps, to have our country advance, at however great an interval, in fclic same career of prosperity, we must imitate their policy in refer *?nco to this all important subjeco of education. Jiut this onwanl march does not dei>end entirely or even chiefly on the assistance of ■arn»!,itly to urgft upon thoui rho iniporlant'o ol" this (»rt'linjinary toil. It \h in this dry and uppurenlh m-.odWs ehjmentary (h'udg»ny time thu linislwd acholur Is pruy tin' e.xjiorieni'o of tliat «mi m>nt prt'c,o])t#r. it is not Miitfieient to attf^nil a few laotuwis, intei- ♦jsting no tjoubt tliongh rhc U; brief, unci I vill only hu} in conolusiou that it bus utPonUJ me lancli ploasiu'o to be jircsent liOtliiy to ^v•itnoHH tbe coiumonoemuut t»f n ^>uiKling whicli I hov\,)>\n uiblitioa u> utl«)iaeu . Vliinjugli i; tnmld Ik* •(\iitn out of plnc)3 for iitu i.o attempt to a'ldicss IhiN nudiouce ur any longtb, uftov l\u) nitiny iible and elo'iuont «[)» oi'lufl fioni t])« i^eutieraeu wbo huM* jiMcotUHi ino,yii I f«e], as one of H)^ •lomiuisslouers fi}»pf)iutpd to erect Lbfl llrst Mi>rniul Sfhooj building' it is, pevJiaps, incuTubeul upon uio to make ii fow r^auurlcH in tlifl proS2»^fis of ibut day in an oduuatituiul ]»oinf of vif>\^ Avitb rb< [treaout. Thoact loesiiiblifili thu Jirst Noruml Siiliooi passed (b«' Lc^iHlfi M' •«, umidst luucb opposition, by u bare majority, in IS.'il. Dui- iij^ tbft sumnior of lliat. yeur « «'onitiii5sion w us uppointod to i-arry out the il«si]c;ns of th«^ litj^jislaturo, of wlii<;li our taUmtod and Idgblv popular «TOVPrnt)r yvnn Sei;rotary, an th« (irst Normnl S«.'booJ in Nova Scotia was opened^ in pren encc of the pi'csent JaeutDnant (ioverjior. Sir William Young. Judge AVilkins, th« lion. Huj^di Bell, AndiTw McKinluy, Ksq.. and many other w.irm fricndn of free and liberal education. My late lumeutod fri»'nd, Dr. Forrester, \Tas appoiutid iirst Principal, and under bis energetic nmnagemcnt the Institution riouri8be(P with such beneficial results, that even those who wcro most opposetj to its e.stabliahmeut were ere long forced to acknowledge its uBf fulness, and the ANJa^lom of its founders. Vh'. Forreatei* w»s uk •■nthusiastic, laboiious and faithfid educator of the people, and. spent a hirgo jKirtion of bis active life in tluH service, atid when i consider the injuHticc which was done him by his claims l:>eing overlooked in tlio appoiutmeiit of his subordiuat.e to the office ot" .Superintendent of e»lucation, I blush for my country which failed 10 recognize Lis merits, and unhesitatingly assert that a groai iujustici! was done to the man who had done morts than any othei; for the cau.se of education in Nova Scotia."'^ He still continued h^^ * NoTii.- Th«i aHove remarks nre not ititen(i«Ml as nny rolloi'tion on tl«. ^^•■atlfmun who Huci^cpdcil I>r, ) 'orrcster. :24 laboui'H III the ru.stitutioxi witli (,'reat zeal iiud ability until tbe •Uoseofliis lifr, (wbloli thore i» wa.son to fear was husteried by dis ikppointmcnt,) the present geucnitioii uro reiinirig the fruits of his labours. Tho vcuorable Ohiof Justice bus referred to his first Tisiv to Tnivo of r>0 years since; I also M;ell remrmber my tirat ^-isit to this town in 1831, thou but ft Bt'iittercd ?ifiinlei, Bibl^ Hill, so milled, beinj^ thn most ImjHirtaiit point. When 1 »'oii< rase its edutMtiouu) lustittulons, jjublic buildings, priviito r.'sidences sind its j^cnenil appeararico with what it m as on. tbat day, tlio ]»rogrf?s it has made luuiit be acknowl edited to Iw indeed wondorfiil, luid while eoiijijratulating its people ujkih tlie flourishing <'ondition of their town, I would add my assur-ance that no ntau call tckc a greater iutorejjc in its prosjjority than myself. Whpu I look biu'k (o our 0[)eiiing oereniouies of 1855 and eon- , trast theni with the procRe-tlings of tu-lt on «v<>rv hill-sidf and vallev of this our own. our native Jnnd. fS/}ee<'/i of' ffu' Jier. A. S. Hunt. tSu/)t. o/ Kdii/^attou, He said that at such a late hour he would not tletaiu the meet- ing by any extended observations, lie, however, <30uldnot tail to regard tbe exercises of the day l»ut with the most profrmnd interest, in as much as the.se interesting c(>romoiiies were as the inaugura- tion of a new pha.'-o in the history of our Public Evlucation. 'Yhf> time was, .'ml Bomo {)er3ons «.'ould w»'ll remember it, when not a few, even of the most subscanHul friends of popular educiition ♦■ntortained .serious doubts as to tJie necessity of an institution, «uch as the one now claiming our altention, and honestly dis trusted the wisdom of spending public money in 1^hat they consid- ered an enterprise of doubtful value. T;ong since such doul^ts icot- lil to vest, |<;\ira- Tbo \ot It Ltlon [tiou, did HisIaU liuve bk»eu ilispcllcJ, and ilio iiooc?.sriitv of u -Normul School, Qs au essential part of an elUcieut pttblio •s^'stem of education, is naw among the things that evidently demand no proof ; for all educa* tiomsts admit the necessity of providing for our public schools traindd teachcra, that in, instructors trained and skilled in tho art of teaching. Tie would have this thought kept distinctly in view, that this Institution is for tearhiim the art of t'lnchimi. In tho j)ast it was found necessary to dovtito .'t part of the work of the school to ordinary instructions, and training in the art of teaching lias as yet been but a part of the course of instruction ju'ovideil tor. But now, as we have many excellent schools for ordinary literary instruction, and such being lai'gely 'sustained by the Gov- i^rntnont, the Normal School should, and it is hoped will, gradually .issunio its proper position in our educational system, and aim to 1)0, as originally designed, in reality a training institution. In England, in the United States, and in the best educated nations of Eur<:)pe, such institutions are regarded as indispensalole to sue- (^essful public education, and no ellbrts are spared wliieh can inako them efficient. Fine, capacious buildings are erected, well traineuliio, and destined at a tinw^ not remote, to be a most prominent element in sectiring for Canada a distinguished place Mmoujyr tfio gn-iiL, eutorjirising, and truly free UHtions of the ^vorl^l. Spnci'k v/ thn ChitidxUor oj the f'iticf-/'.i!ff/ •»! Ilnlifn.i'. Mr. Chairman, Sir: Tn t* wonderfully eloquent and instructi\t' speech, delivered by His Honor, tho Lieutenant < Jovornor, sonio two y(javs ago, in tlu; city of I^ondon, to an assembly of men dia linguishcd by their talents and position, he drown gmphic picture of the Province of Xova Scotia as it then was, l)oth as regarded its natural resources and the progress which it had made in secur- ing advantages for the comfort and advancement of its people. .Vraong otiier signs of growth, he referrcil. in eloquent language, n^ that which had been accomidished for the safety, the conven- ience and tho mental culture of the inhabitants of this young "ountry. Uts showed by a statement of fanls, what cave had been <;aken and what expense ijieurrod in erecting iiirht houses along our rock-bound coast, not only for the guidance and Raf^ty of our own bia^'e iishermen, who, in their small barks, i.hivfi the wide and fuasterful seas, but for men of every nation, who, in their preeai- ious calling, seek access to foreign shores. ILo spoke of th«) .sur prising fact that, in a yoinig and rongli country like this, there WQTO lines of telegraphic wire rnnning to almost every village in the Province, so that news of every kind, mercantile, social or religious, (iould be conveyed iiot only as rapidly, but as cheaply as in i'ountrio.s that could count their years by cenruries. He also s{>oke, .ven in this young colony, school houses studded tlip shores along whiith «tood ih<^ njugh lions''>i <>l jur li-u'dy li-;}ior dcd to Vol due in 01 f^hoi mall youf prat Bl iurtf to rJ i.ts 01 i'7 ti y o I. IP r laen, or aJonicd llie fertile di.stii<;ts of iln- interior, wlieve skilllul agricultui'jilists tilled the soil, or stood lib' lundmarks in tlie dis tricts of the eouraseons Laokvvoodsinan. This he said ten years ago. But comjiare it with wliat iie hus^ told us to-day. Is not our pioijross in this one matter of the edu- cation of the i>eoplo of this country cnougli to cliecr us. anrl luak*' ris feci that wt.> have ^it least at'conipHslKitl something of which we may, as a people, be [>i'Oud ] It has been well said, today, by thc^ .Vdmiral. that school houses arc indications of the prosperity of u country. He ia right. Churches and school Iiouses go hand ir^ hand. Those are signs of the true growth of a country. Material and sjjiritual prosperity ar(> sure to be followed by material advancement. To ensure progress thes<; must lead the way. AVhen the Puritan Fathers disembarked from the Mayflower, not attention to the culture of the soil, nor to arvangemeuts for the conduct of commerce, was their first care ; but the building of an edifice in which to worship Clod, and close beside it, the schoo! hou.se, in which their children might be taught that which would enable them to comprehend the deef> truths of R(.'velation. Means for mental and iipiritual culture were the first objects which they liad in view, and the fii-st objects which tliey accomplished. And at this point we have happily an ived in this Province, for we have now, at great expense, establishcil through the length and breadth of the land— -in cities, towns, villages and rural districts — an oducatioual system which may be enjoyed a.s much by the poorest as by the I'ichest family in the countiy. There is a feature in the day's ceremonies to wlilch I would desire to turn yoiu' attention, if only for a moment. We are here to lay the corner stone of a ixew building in which to conduct thf iN'ormal School. That School completes our broad and well con ducted Educational System. We have our common schools, our high schools, our colleges ; but here we have a school in which to teach teachers how to teach. I need not dwell on the importancf* of this element in our general system. It is a matter of the last moment that those who go out to instruct the youth of the land .•should know liow to discharge their important duties. This Nor mal School not only teaches the theory of teaching, but gives the young men and women the o[)portunity of putting the theory into practice. But, sir, as 1 M'ould not detain the assembly, at this hour, wit)* further obsiorvations on the general subject, I may be peruiitted to say a word or two with regard to the irapo.sing ceremonial and Itii object."^ of to-day, as oomj^ai-ed with 11)0 grand Hgrlcultural eshi- / bitiou lu'Ul in this town on tbc autumn of luai veur. When •we met oft thnt occasion for the purpose of viewing the products of tho soil, there was not one of the large body of spectators who did not feel pleased, and oven surprised, ut tin; results of the skilled labor of tlio agrieulturaliat and the mcclmnic. There was not only all that was needful for a country, but there was nearly all that could affoi'd luxury to a people whoso means would enable them to enjoy it. The men of Oolchestor may tie proud of their two exhibitions, held in their own cunty, within a year ; one, the exhibition of material progress- -tlie other, tlie exhibition of intellectual growth. The first was confessedly a grand exhibition, and yet, I hold that the second is grandcv ; for moral, intellectual, spiritual progress is the precursor and pledge of material. Cultivate the mental facul- ties, and material progress is sure to follow in its train, for ' ' " It is not from hia form in which we trace ■ " Streneth joined with beaut]r, dignity witli graw ; " That Man, the master of this globe, derives ;„ , " His right of empire over all that lives. " That mrm asserts precedence, and bespeaks control, ' " But borrows all its grandeur from the Soul." CLOSING. 'Ihe proceedings of the day being over, on the request of the Chairman, Kev. J. E. Gouclter pronounced tho benediction, the baud then played "God Save tlie Queen," and the day was ended by cheers for the Queen, the Governor, the Admiral and the Grand Master. / •■ '. ' i ■ L6 199? Ne L^ Ffesrrvc