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Submitted with an application for the Chair of English at Queen's College, Kingston. ikiMii H^'ill'i;i''i;''-' '.i^'tir III V'law 'till, ^- j«^:^ - /\iS T, •' /oVi, ,'**: ■ S'-'-S. ■■^■■. ■■«v. <.^-: »v,^' i;. i.; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., May 24, 1888. To the Board of Trustees^ QueerCs College^ Kingston. Gentlemen: — In the London Academy of April 14th I noticed your advertisement for a professor of English, and I have already forwarded my application to your secretary. I herewith furnish my testimonials and some information respecting my training and aims in English. I was born in 1862, and received my entire educa- tion in Ontario. I was prepared for college at the Hamilton Collegiate Institute, under Mr. George Dick- son, the present principal of Upper Canada College, and was graduated from the University of Toronto in 1884, with first-class honors in English, French and German, and second-class in Italian and Ethnology. The two following years were spent in teaching, first at Brockville High School, and then at the Gait Col- legiate Institute. The latter position I resigned in the summer of 1886, in order to attend Johns Hopkins University. My object was to obtain a scientific basis for uture study of English and German, and make myself thoroughly acquainted with the best modern methods of study, thereby qualifying myself for some such position as the one for which I am at present an applicant. I chose this university in preference to any --, / "^■■'^.. liiif ^ in England or Germany, because I believed it to com- bine the advantages of German method and English- speaking teachers, and m this I have not been disap- pointed. My major course has been in German, on account of its important relations with English and the difficulty of studying this subject without special uni- versity instruction. At the same time, as may be seen from the class-lists, I have taken the full amount of work necessary for a major course in English. My second minor is Old Norse, on account of its intrinsic interest and close relations with English. I call attention to the special scientific and phil- loogical side of my training because I regard it as the necessary step to a thorough understanding of the lit- erature, such as must be looked for in one who is to represent the department of English in a university. I sympathize very strongly with the desire expressed in your circular to make the study of English mascu- line enough to furnish as thorough a mental discipline as any department of your curriculum. I believe that the time has come for an historical and comparative study of English literature which shall lift it out of the field of mere aestheticism into the dignity of a real science. The aesthetic study must be continued, the study of particular authors must be dwelt on with em- phasis and with devotion for truly great names, but, from the first, the student must be taught to compare, to examine, to weigh, and to emancipate himself from the shackles of any one period and that part of its lit- erary canons of thought and expression which is fash- ionable simply or ephemeral. The student must learn to look at every period and every poetic monument as V i l-'^ .-r" <^' far as possible from within, /. ^,, from the vantage- ground of the period producing it. He must then learn to compare periods. To instruct worthily from this point of view, accurate scientific training is indis- pensable, and for this reason I lay special stress on my Johns Hopkins course. At the same time I regard philology not as an end in itself, but as a means towards the wider comprehen- sion of literature. And I believe, moreover, that scien- tific study pursued in this spirit, instead of weakening appreciation, only results in increased power. Every- thing seems to point towards this as the method of the future. It would be unbecoming in me to say anything about my practical acquaintance with English lit- erature, my predilection for it, and whatever I may have done in the way of original production : that I must leave to friends to whom I would respectfully refer you, and who will be named further on. I would add in this place that I am very much in favor of your plan of optional studies as set forth in your circular, and the free principle of suiting the advanced work to the bent and capacity of the different students. It is wise, and has worked well elsewhere. As regards the small number of testimonials which I furnish, I would say that I consider those who have known me most intimately in my later years of special training are best entitled to an opinion on my fitness for the position. There are many things on which you require information, as to character and attainments, which cannot be given either by my personal statement or by testimonial, but only by those who know me well. rt^! "•- M, \ •* m^m W'i^ *;%^ Among those who can inform you I would name Dr. Daniel Wilson, Professor Hutton, Mr. Vander- smissen, Mr. Fairclough and Mr. Squair, of Univer- sity College, Toronto ; Mr. George Dickson and Mr. Charles Whetham, of Upper Canada College ; the Rev. C. L. Worrell, of Morrisburg, Ont.; and Mr. Thos. Carscadden, of Gait, Ont., under whom I taught ; Dr. F. G. Hubbard, of Smith College, Northampton, Mass.; and Dr. Egge, of Northfield, Minn.; ls well as those who have written my testimonials. In conclusion I would ask that, along with my application, the following facts be taken into consid- eration : my Canadian education, my experience in teaching, and my special training in the department of English. Yours respectfully, Archibald MacMechan. %' 'mfA-^ *?% iv\ V^f^^ ^M'!l 'A Xl^ iJ, ^ ^1r mw* M **i V ■'X'^ ,^'^t TESTIMONIALS h '■^ D. C. OILMAN, LL. D., President^ yo/nis Hopkins University. Johns Hopkins University, Office of the President, Baltimore, Md., May 3, 1888. I have read the testimonials given to Mr. A. MacMechan by the three principal teachers of this institution in the departments of study to which he is devoted, and so far as the facts stated come under my knowledge, I endorse all that is said. Mr. MacMechan won a fellowship here last year. The competition for this honor is very strong, and it is only bestowed upon young men regarded by the Academic Council as unusually good scholars. I have known something of Mr. MacMechan's liter- ary work, and believe that he is sure to win distinction as a writer, as well as in the more strictly scientific career of a professor. D. C. Oilman, President, Johns Hopkins University. HENRY WOOD, Ph. D., Associate Professor of German, and head of the English- German group of studies. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., April 23, 1888. Mr. Archibald MacMechan has during the past two years pursued advanced courses in Teutonic N "■->. :''''fi'l;fck/^;'^;b/ ^i^^^^^'im^ 8 languages (particularly English and German) in this University. He has studied Gothic, Old High Ger- man, Middle High German, Comparative German Grammar, Modern German, Anglo-Saxon, and Early English. His success in these studies has been marked. In the year 1886-7 he held a graduate scholarship in German, and in 1887-8 a fellowship in the same branch. Mr. MacMechan has given evidence of much ability, not only in acquiring knowledge, but also in applying it. In the Teutonic and English Semina- ries he has shown quick perception, an unusually mature judgment, and a rapid advance in sound methods of work. He is fully able to organize and conduct college courses in Exiglish. I feel certain that even in the study of the earlier periods of Eng- lish he will inspire his students with a genuine love of the subject, and that he will be able to direct to good issues the interest which his teach- ing awakens. In all his work here, Mr. MacMechan has shown a decided bent towards literature, as distinct from purely linguistic research. His studies here have from the first had some regard for this prefer- ence, and he has been encouraged in his desire to apply the results of exact philological training to the treatment of literary questions. He has given evidence of unusual ability in this phase of the work. In my opinion he cannot fail to make col- lege courses in literature (particularly in English literature) suggestive and fruitful. All my relations with Mr. MacMechan have T I X i J mm* ,'A ■■f\ 'ijf * \<:^ '"-Id I %' %.^\^'f «-vf > .^*^v^,f '\v^ ■SP«' %'.r--.d 4 i ..^. J .■^H been very satisfactory and gratifying, and I take pleasure in testifying to my sincere regard for him. Henry Wood, Associate Professor of Gerviau, and head of the English-German group of studies. JAMES W. BRIGHT, Ph.D., O/ the Department of English^ filhns Hopkins University- Johns Hopkins Untvi.: . tty, Baltimore, Md., May 2, 1888. To the Board pf Tritstees, Qiieai's College, Kingston, Gentleryien . — I beg to add a wor.i .n testimony of the nmiifications of Mr. A. MacMechan for the post of Professor of English in your institution. Since I have become aware of his candidacy, I have carefully ex- amined the printed statements relating to the courses of study which your plan provides,, and am therefore doubly confident in what I shall say of Mr. Mac- Mechan's fitness to meet the requirements of the position. Mr. M. has pursued advanced courses in philology and literature in this place long enough to give evidence of superior ability and of strong manly industry. He is a young man, and has therefore no printed works to lay before you; but he has given sufficient evidence of freshness and originality of mind to warrant every reasonable hope for the pro- duction of mature work when the proper time may come, and he has that abundant store of wholesome enthusiasm and devotion to his work which is better than a rigid repose on past achievement. Maturity too often trains the eye to look back; the young ^'/ / V •^« 'limmm -.1 k 10 man's eyes flash towards the future. Mr. M. has by his studies here broadened his conceptions of aca- demic work, and may be held to represent a very just view of the complex problems associated with the doctrine of modern language courses. He is particularly fitted by special study to undertake the more or less unusual subjects announced in your schedule, and to give ;^he entire department of Eng- lish studies the impress of modern methods in jcience. His special strength lies in the domain of literary subjects, and these he has learned to pursue in a manner that has contributed to independence of judgment and facility of presentation. I believe him to embody a live, sound and progressive theory as to the significance and purpose of his department of studies, and hope he may find a place that may foster the rare elements of growth which he possesses. Ii- addition to his fitness as a scholar, Mr. Mac- Mechan has the graces of a sympathetic manhood which mark him as one rightly entrusted with the control of the youthful mind, and as one that must ever influence men. Yours truly, etc., James W. Bright, Of the Departmetit of English, Johns Hopkins University. WM. HAND BROWNE, M. D., Associate in English,. I have the pleasure of intimate acquaintance with Mr. Archibald MacMechan, a Fellow of this University, and gladly testify to the excellence of his scholarship. Mr. MacMechan has distinguished himself here by intelligence, zeal and thoroughness \{ k .^ ■;^, Mi , \. ^: in his studies; and with soun^ scnolarship he com- bines the graces of literary Jiaste and culture. I consider him in all I'espects well qualified for the position of an instructor or professor of languages and literature. Wm. Han'^ Browne, Johns Hopkins University, Associate -n English. April II, 1888. M. D. LEARNED, Ph.D., Instructor in German^ 'Johns Hopkins University. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, April 10, 1888. Mr. MacMechan, Fellow in Germanics in Johns Hopkins University, is a man ^ of liberal academic scholarship, and evinces decided proficiency in the philology and literature of England and Germany. His fine literary taste and promising pen augnr for him exceptional success in the domain of higher education and letters. Mr. MacMechan combines with his literary attainments the excellencies of a Christian character. I take great pleasure in thus expressing my confidence in his ability. M. p. Learned, Instructor in German^ Johns Hopkins University. W. H. VANDERSMISSEN, M. A., Lecturer in German. University College, Toronto, April 5, 1887. I have much pleasure in certttying that Mr. Archi- bald MacMechan, B. A., has always occupied a good ■ >■■■■'• ^tt^ I ' n n:^v^ M J' :■ ^^». ■ .i^f. h --ri- c "If Trt^i rpc ^^ 12 ; position in the Ho',^<^ Lists of this College and oi ^ the University of Ttr^^o, throughout his career as an undergraduate in the Modern Language Course. In • my own department, German, the careful accuracy ol his work and his refined literary taste ga'"e me great satisfaction, and it i' within my knowledge that he has, since graduation, c<^£^ued to pursue his studies with great assiduity and ./rnusiasm. I W. H. Vandersmissen, M. A., | ; Lecturer in German. \ THOS. CARSTADDEN, M.A., Secretary to Board, Collegiate Institute. \ Galt^ollegiate Institute, ^- March 26, 1887. This is to certify taat Archibald MacMechan, B. A. was a master in the Gait Collegiate Institute for s period of one and n '^alf years. During that time he had charge of the French and German of the Institute, and did the work assig^ned to him in a very satisfactory manner. Mr. MacMechan took special pains in the preparation of his work, and while in the class-room was painstaking and conscientious in the work of teaching and the work done by his pupils gave satisfaction t< the principal of the sc;T;(t)ol and all concerned. I have hac occasion to listen to Mr. MacMechan in the class-room and am satisfied he has the elements of an excellen teacher. (Signed) '1 Thos. Carscadden, . I -•:- .':.. '.". /, .« - ,^;--' V : iS^cretary to Board, Collegiate Institutt '.' '." "..V -v-iJt ;!*?-V't-'^- ■# ;.:''-■ ,.:H .i.-- i.'r't'' ■ M-\- ( • , \- K.\:^i-- r ■ m ',«> \- ' >' A ::'■-; iv"^*;. f ■. A. :': :■'■(' < ?■■ i % hJ «"> \ >'•'. ' /' ' /■ f :"■'... ' J ^ T*>' .-:>X ■ %::, \' 1. ^^^ A .,' fc,S/.S ■■•■■ ' '■ ,. .^^fS'v' •■'*>;, 'J ;,; i ,A i ■ ,iV' ' NS MacMechan, Archibald McKellar 921 M168 Testimonials of Archibald MacMechan , B.A. .^^::.-H^ I NS MacMechan, Archibald McKellar 921 M168 Testimonials of Archibald MacMechan , B,A. '4 '<'f'i . ■ . «<• -.. . '■ V '»^,i;:-- •*., ^.-r ' ■, ^ •■■