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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film4s en commencant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte dimpression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles sulvants apparaitra sur la demidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symboie V signifis "FIN". Lea cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmte A des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtra reproduit en un seul ciichi, il est film^ k partir de Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche h droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diag<-ammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. ' t 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 JO ORATION 4- . aiVF.REO .AT THE U^M\k IN KING'S COLLEGE, FBECERICTON, JUKli 27, 1S50, Tl\ W. B. JACK, A. M, Professor of Matliematirs aiul \fitiiral Philosophy. Romm nutriri ml'u conti^'it, itniip cinrpn Iratus G-aiis iiiuiniuni iiucu'isFot Aciil;es. Adjocere bona; pauUi) plus r.rlif Aiheiiae; Scilicet lit po'iiciu cui-vo il'iL'riosi.-iTO rec'tuni Atijue inter silvas AcaJtini (juaevM-e veruin.— Horaca. tt- — l^ufiliSbf^ &1> rtfjup^t of tijf CoUcge eTounrfl. i I," FREDEI^ICTON: J, MMPsoy, ppiK-tEh ro run .((.r.r-.'s most exccm.f.nt majesty. )S ;^5 — ^=t.«^-« CO. ORATION REMVERED AT THi MCINIA IN KING'S COLLEGE, FREDERIOTON, JUNE 27, 1850, BY W. B. JACK, A. M., f pofesscr of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. RoniBB nntriri mihi contigit, atque doceri Iratus Graiis quantum iiocuiaset Achilles. Adjecere bonte paullo plus artis Athenae ; Scilicet ut possem curvo dignoscere rectum Atque inter silvas Academi quaerere Verum. — Horace, ^lAIfoJbeS 6jj request of tj&e tfoHege Counrfl. FREDERICTON: 3. SIMPSON, PRINTER TO THE QOEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 1851. %. to THE HONORABLE AND RIGHT REVEREND THE LORD BISHOP OF FREDERICTON, President of King's College, &C.&C.&C, THB FOLLOWING • ORATION IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED: r In teatimony of the Author's grateful sense of His Lordship's ^eal and exertions m the cause of Education throughout the Pro-nnce. ORATION. May it please Your lordship, and Gentlemen, ^ The duty, which is this day assigned to me, has so often been entrusted to abler hands, that it is with some degree of diffidence I set about its performance. Once a year, for neaxiy a quarter of a century, the praises of the Founders of King's College, Fredericton, have been made the theme of discourse from this place. The subject, therefore, has lost the charm of novelty, and I cannot pretend to make it attractive by the graces of style. Nevertheless, it has been well ordered that we should hold an annual commemoration of the kind which now calls us together. Such ceremonies are not only in pleasing harmony with our natural feelings, but are well calculated to produce upon the reflective mind the most beneficial results. When Anaxagoras of Clazomene was asked by the Senate of Lamp- sacus, how they should commemorate his services, he replied, " By ordering that the day of my death be annually kept as a holiday in all the Schools of Lampsacus." Such was the wish of this distinguished Philosopher, who, according to Cicero, relinquished his ample possessions to his friends, and devoted himself wholly to learning and the investigation of truth, and first taught that the arrangement and order of all things were contrived and accomplished by the understanding and power of an infinite mind. Wo may suppose tiiat the statute which appoints this commemoration originated in feelings akin to those which prompted the request of Anaxagoras^ To the Founders of this University we owe a debt of grati- tude which, year after year, we ought cheerfully to acknowledge, to the end that our hearts may not only he more and more fully impressed with a reverential regard for their memory, but also that we may the more vividly feel our responsibility to promote, by all the means in our power, the good work which they began. , Those whose names are Worthily associated with great Semi- naries of learning — and I trust that King's College is one day destined to take an honorable place among the number— are of all men the least likely to be forgotten. Generation after generation of talented youths come up to the Institutions which have thus been founded, and go forth again into tlic world to spread the fame of their inestinmble advantages. It cannot be necessary, on the present occasion, to repeat the names of those who zealously promoted and effected the establishment of King's College, as in several former Orations they have beci'i eloquently commended, and shown to be justly entitled to our grateful remembrance. But if this Institution has had many to praise and appreciate the enlightened views of its Founders, it has not been suf- ficiently fortunate to escape the abuse of numerous enemies and detractors. These have raised against it a hue and cry, by which it is impossible to say how far its present usefulness has been marred, and its ultimate prosperity endangered. It is, moreover, somewhat discouraging to find, that no sooner is one source of clamor exhausted, than another is eagerly sought for to supply its place. The exclusiveness of the College was long the favourite theme for popular declamation, but when this was removed by making its advantages equally accessible to all, the so-called great expense at which it is supported and the comparatively small number of Students 5 became the most prominent points for animadversion. The noble exertions of its Founders have certainly secured for it what, considering^ the circumstances of the country, must un- doubtedly be considered a very handsome endowment. To show however that they have not been so singular in their liberality as many would have it believed, and that, even in quarters where the most rigid economy is generally supposed to prevail, the Collegiate system is deemed worthy of being supported at very great cost to the jjublic, I l»cg to draw your attention to the following statement respecting Harvard Uni- versity, near Boston — an Institution which is perhaps the most flourishing on the Continent of America, and which can nund)er among its Alumni men of the greatest learning and eminence. According to the Report of the Treasurer, the amount of Ftmds appropriated to the education of undergraduates is $407,162.17. The interest of this sum, together with the fees arising from tuition, furnishes the means of supporting the Institution. This interest at six per cent, is $28,029.72; that is, the College pays out for education this amount more than it receives for tuition. If we divide this sum by the average number of graduates for the last ten years, 57, it will give $491.01, which is the pro- portion received by every graduate. In other words, the public or private munificence of this noble Establishment grants a bonus of $491 to every Student who takes his regular degree. But the above is only a fraction of the money here invested for the purpose of education. The lands, buildings, library, apparatus, museums, and other means of instruction for the benefit of the Student, would probably amount to fully as large a sum as the fund already mentioned. If we add these together, we shall see that every graduate of this Institution, even after leaving out of the account all that he pays for hif own education, costs the public at least $1000. Yet the Treasurer complains of the straitened condition of the University, and docs not hesitate to ask for increased liberality on the part of the people. And after all, it may well be asked, whether the cultivation of literature and science in a community, is not worth all this and vastly more ? Can money be more wisely expended than in scatforin-? tlie seeds of u superior ediiration over the land; in ruisiny tlie inrdlertual and scientific character of our puldic men, and in diffiisin-r abroad amongst us the humanising- influences of polite learning? It may be safely asserted that in all countries, and more especially in new ones, a ]H-eminm must be paid on the higher brc.nclies of education ; and who, let me ask, that has the slightest regard for the intellectual standing and honor of our Province would not rather consent to this, than suffer them to fail from the midst of us ? The divine inspiration of Solomon tells us that "Wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto her. I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out the know- ledge of witty inventions. Counsel is mine and sound wisdom ; I am understanding, and I have strength. By me kings reign and princes decree justice. I love them that. love me, and they that seek me early shall find me." Nevertheless, the liill of knowledge is not attractive to the generality of men, and it, therefore, rerpiires some inducements to lure them to attempt the ascent. The a])petites and passions of our physical nature make themselves keenly felt, and need no stimulus to uVge us to their gratification. He that is cold and hungry naturally seeks to be warmed and fed. He that is poor and naked longs to be rich and sumptuously adorned. But he that is ignorant does not as a matter of course desire instruction. Indeed the more ignorant he is the less does he relish it, and the less fully is he impressed with its paramount importance both in regard to his own good, and that of the aggregate of society. The very ample means, which our Provincial authorities granted for the establishment of King's College, showed that they were duly sensible of the value of such an Institution, and of the necessity of fostering and encouraging the spread of sound learning and useful knowledge throughout the country. Had the same conviotion guided tlic conduct of those who think it pmisovvorthy to attack the CoHege upon every possible opportunity, and thus damage its popidarity, and diminish its usefulness, it would in all probability have now been dispensing more extensively the benefits whicl' their ignorance or malice tends to confine within the narrow limits they are the first to point out and aninuidvert u|)on. I am, however, happy to be able to announce that during the academical year, which closes with this day's celebration, the Students in attendance have been considerably more numerous than in the preceding, and that for the next we have the cheering prospect of their being still further augmented. It has often been argued, and not without some show of reason, that the condition of our Province, which compels her sons to enter early on the theatre of life, and does not admit of a class of merely learned men, warns us to be moderate in our expectations. It is true, that however we may facilitate the acquisition of knowledge, we cannot make men improve themselves and develope their intelligence, unless they devote their time to the purpose. The years of boyhood, almost of early manhood, set apart for the progress and comple- tion of a course of Collegiate studies in England, are generally considered of too much value to the youth of this country to be willingly devoted to such an object. Time is their capital, and they begin as soon as it is possible to turn it to a worldly account, and seldom find leisure to spare either for study or the encouragement of any purely literary pursuit. Let us trust, however, that we will soon sec a better state of things, and a more enlightened spirit abroad amongst us, — that as the number of the Alumni of King's College increase, and carry with them to their respective stations throughout the Province that reverence and regard for their Alma Mater, which the happy period spent under her bcnificcnt guardianship seldom fails to inspire, they will cause a liberal education to be more generally appreciated and a desire to procure it more widely fejt. 8 As yet both ignorance and apathy prevail among us to an unusual extent. From the Statistics turnished in the American Almanac for 1850, it a])pears that Massachusetts, with a population not five times as great as wo have, has upwards of 700 Students attending her four Colleges : — ^Con- necticut with a population only one half greate:* than ours has upwards of 500: — ^thc small State of Rhode Island, whose population does not exceed 120,000, can beast of 152 Students receiving instruction at her single University; and to come nearer home, to a State, wherein great disparity of condition cannot be so well urged as an objectio to the coipparison, Maine which contains about 550,000 inhabitants, can number upwards of 200 Students at the Colleges of Bowdoin and Waterville. The celebrity of several of these seats of learning, and the sectarian character of others, may doubtless attract many Students from quarters beyond the States in which they are respectively placed ; but still there will be enough left to convince us that we have great room for improvement in the important matter of education, and that we ought to be ashamed of giving heed to the too prevalent but unfounded and delusive notion tlmt the College is in advance of the country. With the above data to refer to, it would certainly appear that from some cause or other, we have hitherto held learning in small repute; but how much shame and obloquy would attach to us to have it said, that the inhabitaiits of New Brunswick, after obtaining a College, established on the most liberal basis and at a great expenditure of public money, were found, on trial, to be too unenlightened to appreciate its advantages, and maintain it in satisfactory operation. It is the duty of all, who have the honor and intellectual advancement of the Pro- vince at heart, to exert themselves to the utmost to obviate this reproach. Those who are in authority and high in station ought earnestly to strive to diffuse a more general taste for learning, and ought to show both by word and deed that they value its ac({uisition and wish to increase tlie number of educated men in the community. The members of the difiVnent pro- fessions might, with advantage to their own reputation, very 9 properly require of those desirous of entering their ranks, ta make previous preparation, by going through the regular course of education taught in this University; as it may not unreasonably be expected that thus the standard of professional learning would be raised, and its intellectual power increased. Those who have hitherto decried the advantages that a Col- legiate education is calculated to confer, and sought everv means of bringing it into disrepute, would do well to lay aside their prejudices ; and if unhappily they cannot be induced to look upon the College with^vor, they might at least treat it with forbearance, in order to give it a fair chance of success. Were it only possible to unite all in a hearty and honest endeavour to promote the usefulness and prosperity of tho Institution, ive might indulge the hope that ti.e people would soon bo brought to regard it with pride a id satisfaction, as one of the greatest boons that had been conferred upon them. The University is now open to all who choose to partake of its benefits, and the greater the number that resort to it for that purpose the better. Nothing would rejoice the Professors more than to have their sphere of usefulness extended. It would cheer them in their labours, and inspire them with renewed zeal and energy. Expense* cannot now, with any show of *Tlic wliole amount paid for Instruclioii is the annual Fee of' 41 to each Professor. A llooni in College is allowed to each Student free of charge ; and the Board is 12s. 6d. for each week of residence. Tho fdlowing Tabic, taken ffom the American Alm.inac for I8r>0. will show that in this University a smaller siiui is charged for tuition than in any of tho Colleges in New Kngland ; and these, as will readily bo belioved^ are uuich less expen.sive than tlie Universities in Great Uritain: — ANNUAL COLLEGE EXPENSES. Instruc- Boom rem and other Total College charges. Wood, Naju:. tion- College Board. Light, and Washiiiff. expenses. o IJowdoin, .... $a4.oo $22.00 840.00 3!) week.' , *.->8.50 $35.00 Dartmouth, - - . . 27.00 13.24 40,24 38 it ,57.00 9.00 Harvard, . . , . 75.00 15.00 ilO.OO 40 (( 70-90.00 Williams, . . . , 30.00 9.00 30.00 3!) (< 05.00 Amherst, .... 3;!. 00 15.00 48.00 40 i( GO.OO 17.00 Brown, 40.00 23.00 (i3.00 3U (1 CO.OO Yale, ■ - 33.00 21.00 54.00 40 tt 60-90.00 80.00 Wesleyan, .... 3(i.00 11.2.") 47.25 39 II 58.. 50 20.00 Hamilton, - - . . 26.00 14.00 40.00 38 (1 58.00 N(!w Jersey.- • - - .^)(),()0 28.14 78.14 40 •' 80.00 28.00 Dickinson, .... 33.00 14.00 47.00 43 gr of hioh value, which it is your duty to turn to the best account. You laay have been wearied with reiterated cxlior- tations to industry, but although numerous examples may be adduced to attest its importance, it is by no means easy to be convinced of the real extent of its power. Nothing, valuable can be acquired without effort. " Nil sine inn^no Vita laliore dedit mortalibui=." " Ply, therefore, your labors, and distrust every other means of success. Above all beware of a treacherous confidence in the advantage of a supposed superiority of talents. These, unsu])ported by Industry, will drop you midway; or perhaps you will not have started when the diligent traveller will have won the race. Be assured that in study, application is the first, the second, and the third virtue, — application, not per salfim, not in capricious fits, with ebbs and flows of indolence and exertion. Ardent, indeed, it must be, but uniform and unabat- ing. Those among the Grecian youth who aspired to Olympic crowns, would by no means trust their hopes to the flattering gifts of nature, however lavishly bestowed; but sought to fix their fortune and secure their laurels by long and vigorous preparations for the contest." Remember that you arc the objects of public attention, and that on you are centered the hopes and fears, the wishes and expectations of anxious and flflxjctionate parents. It is in your power to do much honor to this rising Institution, — it is in your power to disgrace it. Look forward to your own destiny in future years, and then resolve to take your stand on the high vantage ground of virtue and unflinching efibrt, and maintain it manfully. I would beg to remind you that the cultivation of the intellectual facidties, without the sanctifying and controlling influence of religion, has, as is abundantly proved by sad experience, little or no direct tendency to improve the cliaracter and purify the heart. Under all circumstances, therefore, strive so to conduct your- selves, as to make it evident that you have not repaired hither to gain knowdedge at the expense of correct principles and sober and religious habits. Never forget that there is a higher ^ 15 ^ and a holier world than the world of ideas or the heautit'iil world of material forms. This world quickly passcth away, but that is your ahiding place. God, in his goodness, has Vouchsafed to his intelligent creatures an inexhaustible fund of enjoyment in the contemplation of his wonderful works, but the devout perusal of His word and obedience to its precepts, can alone secure everlasting felicity. The aspects and operations of nature are indeed sublime and magnificent, and well worthy your diligent attention; but to enjoy them aright they must be studied as the cxponentsof Him who stretched forth the Heavens and laid the foundations of the Earth. An acquaintance with the laws in obedience to which the tides of the ocean rise and fall, and the mighty orbs of the boundless firmament are restrained with unswerving exactitude in their appointed courses ; with those by which the winds blow, and the rains and dews of Heaven descend to refresh and fertihze the Earth; with those which determine the movements and composition of Light, and regulate the astonishing powers developed by the application of Heat ; with those that control the subtile com- binations of Chemistry and the amazing velocities and forces of Electricity; with those whereby the Sun vivifies and paints, and according to which germination and production in the vegetable and animal worlds are so wonderfully maintained: — a knowledge of all these, radiant with beauty as they arc, and far exalted above all the objects of sense, can, at the most, afford but a temporary triumph and satisfaction to him who has not taken religion and virtue for his guide. Scientific truth is marvellous, and embellishes the universe with majestic grandeur ; but moral and religious truth is divine, and invests it with that celestial light, by which he that directs his steps will regain the lost Paradise. For him a new Heaven and a new Earth have already been created. His home is the Sanctuary of God, the Holy of Holies.