V. CULTIVATION OF THE MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES, THE TRUE SOURCE OF NATIONAL GREATNESS. (Extract from the Speech of the Hon. W. H. Blake, Chancellor of the University of Toronto, at the convocation--December, 1854.) We have a fertile soil and a salubrious climate, and we live by the favour of Providence under free institutions, which secure to us that most inestimable of all privileges, civil and religious liberty; and we enjoy all under the fostering care of that mighty empire, of which it must ever remain our greatest glory that we form a part. But what will any or all of these advantages avail us if our moral and intellectual faculties are suffered to lie dormant. True national greatness is not the necessary growth either of fertility of soil or salubrity of climate. Look around the globe and you will find everywhere fertile regions once the abode of civilization and art, now sunk to the lowest point of poverty and degradation, while the barren island and pestilent marsh have become the seats of empire and wealth. Look at Holland or at Scotland-consider what these countries have been, and what they now are; and then look at the past history and present condition of Spain, or of Italy, and you will find the contrast a melancholy proof of the truth of the statement. Melancholy in truth it is, but full of instruction and full of hope, for it demonstrates with unmistakeable clearness that it is to the cultivation of his moral and intellectual faculties that man owes all his godlike pre-eminence. And when these faculties are suffered to lie dormant; when the human mind becomes stunted, the nations, like individuals, sink by the inevitable law of our nature to the level of the beasts that perish. If it be an object then to lay the foundation of true national greatness-if we desire to achieve for ourselves a position among the nations of the earth, like that of the glorious empire to which we belong-if we hope to stand out even as she now stands out, pre-eminent, not only in power, but in the grandeur of her intellectual being, we must imitate the example and walk in the footsteps of our forefathers. We must elevate the national mind by the careful cultivation of our moral and intellectual faculties. We must cherish the art by which habits are reformed and manners embellished. We must implant the love of truth, of beauty and renown in the hearts of our people. And having accomplished this, we can indulge the confident hope that we may one day point to our long line of heroes and statesmen, of philosophers and poets, only less glorious than that which adorns the annals of our native land. VI. THE DIFFUSION OF EDUCATION IN CANADA. (Extract from the Speech of the Rev. Dr. M'Caul, President of University College, Toronto, at the opening of the Normal School, December, 1852.) I have said that the diffusion of the blessings of education throughout the land is the ultimate end of the work which is to be pursued within these walls,-a work second in importance to none in the province, for it is destined to perpetuate its benign influences throughout successive generations. Yes, the stamp which education impresses, however faint at first, or difficult of recognition, remains permanent and enduring, and continues indelible from age to age, so that whatever be the national characteristics of the population of Canada, the influence of that system of instruction now established will be perceptible in its distinctive features. What mind can justly estimate-what tongue can adequately express-the benefits which must flow from such a diffusion? What influence will it have instrengthening the intellect, elevating the taste, and curbing the passions? And oh! how many are there who if they had but had the avenues of enjoyment thrown open to them which education presents, would never have fallen into the grovelling habits which have ruined both themselves and their families. But in another respect too, the diffusion of education must exercise a most important influence throughout the country. We live in times when the tendency is to a diffusion throughout the masses of a greater amount of political privilege than has hitherto been conceded to them. The times exist when the majority of the people must exercise political privileges, and if so, of what immense importance is it that the masses should be educated-that they should know their rights and understand their obligations-that they should possess that power, which education gives, of protecting themselves against religious or political impostors that they should discharge those duties, which onr free constitution assigns to them, with that independence and discrimination which knowledge bestows and fosters. Of what consequence is it that our people should understand and be prepared to show, that they maintain their allegiance to the British Crown and their adherence to the limited monarchy under which they live, not through any antiquated prejudices, nor yet through any traditionary veneration, but because they prefer that which they have, entertaining the well grounded conviction that under a government such as that of England, they and their children can enjoy all real liberty, and under it have happiness here, and the means and opportunity of preparing themselves for happiness hereafter. VII. SUCCESS IN ITS HIGHEST SENSE-A PROOF OF TRUE GREATNESS. (Extract from the speech of the Revd. Dr. M'Caul, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Toronto, at the Convocation, December, 1854.) When I speak of success [in presenting these certificates of honor] I do not merely mean the success in competition-the success of one candidate over another, although I believe that beneficial results arise from this honorable competition; and am persuaded the Almighty has implanted in our nature a desire for distinction with wise and good objects, in order that it may be the means of producing benefit both to man, himself and to his fellow-beings. But it is in a far higher sense that I speak of success. I speak of that success which I doubt not some of you have had-of that triumph which you have achieved over the temptations of indolence and the blandishments of vice; of that success over straitened circumstances which may have impeded some of you in your course; of that success which has attended some of you in the hard struggle to overcome those difficulties which poverty may have thrown in your way. Such success I deem to be the development of that spirit of resolute determination, of that patient self-denial and steady perseverance, which produced the mascula proles of the olden time, and which has supplied the parent state with so many illustrious men, whose names add lustre to the bright pages of British glory. Such a spirit realizes the conception of the Satirist, for it would prefer the labors of a Hercules to the sumptuous banquets and voluptuous ease of a Sardanapalus. This success is not generally regarded with that high honour which I wish to attach to it, and yet sure am I that such triumphs over difficulties and impediments are the genuine proofs of true greatness of character. They are as far superior to physical triumphs as the spiritual nature of man is superior to his corporeal. They have not, it must be owned, the concomitants which excite the attention and the admiration of the crowd-they have not the pomp and circumstance of glorious war-they are unaccompanied by the pealing trumpet, the booming gun or the flashing banner, and yet I hesitate not to say that such triumphs over moral difficulties and impediments -such successes over the enemies of our spiritual welfare the foes to our mental improvement, are equal, if not superior to anything that has ever been eulogized in the noblest strains of poesy, or celebrated in the most glowing language of historic prose. VIII. CANADIAN PROSPERITY, A CAUSE OF THANKFULNESS—A RALLYING POINT. (Extract from the speech of the Rev. Dr. M'Caul at the anniversary dinner of the St. George's. Society, Toronto, 1853.) "When I consider the advance of the country in education and in other important elements of greatness and of prosperity, I must say that I feel but little sympathy with those who indulge in mournful recollections of what they have left, or querulous complaints of their present position, instead of acknowledging the advantages which they enjoy, or looking forward to the bright future which is before them. Let us consider for a moment what are the leading characteristics of this fair land of our adoption. A fertile soil, amply rewarding labor in the abundance and diversity of its produce; a salubrious climate, calculated to rear a hardy and vigorous race; water communication by noble rivers and vast lakes (or rather Mediterranean Seas), unequalled in the world; and millions of acres of unoccupied land, able to support millions of additional immigrants. Let us add to these natural blessings, the results of the energy and enterprise of an active and intelligent population; our cities with all the convenience and comforts of European towns of twice their population, and twenty times their age; our villages springing up where lately there were but dense forests or uncultivated wastes; the remotest points of this extensive country soon to be connected by railroads, now either drawing to completion, or in progress, or guaranteed; the facilities afforded for the education of our children by our common schools, our grammar schools, our private seminaries, our colleges, and our universities; the progress of knowledge, advanced by the scientific and literary societies and institutes established in our cities and towns; the solemn duties of religion inculcated by fixed ministrations or by the occasional visits of the missionary; the voice of prayer and praise rising each Sabbath alike from the stately piles in our towns, which rear their spires towards heaven, and the lowly shanty, which scarce lifts its humble head under the leafy arches of our backwoods; and all this with the full enjoyment of the blessings of civil and religious liberty, conferred by our own free constitution, and secured by our connection with that glorious empire of which we form a part. In my opinion, the language of dissatisfaction or complaint but little becomes those who enjoy such advantages. Thanksgiving is rather our duty-thanksgiving to Him from whom all blessings flow, for what in His abundant mercy He has given to us, and prayer to the same Almighty Being for contentment with what we have-for peace, wherein we may use and enjoy what His bountiful hand has provided for us. By peace, I mean not freedom from war-not tranquillity undisturbed by aggression from without—of that I have no fears; but I do mean freedom from internal strife, from civil commotion, from the injurious influences of bickerings and contentions with each other. I do mean that peace which is produced by mutual forbearance-by laying aside national feuds and party differences, and by the union of all,-casting aside their distinctions, whilst they still hold fast to their principles-for the advancement of the welfare of their common country, the land of the Maple Leaf! Nor do I know any more appropriate words in which this supplication can be offered, than those, which must be familiar to many whom I address, and in which I doubt not all will cordially join-that we may live in the fear of God, in dutiful allegiance to the Queen, and in brotherly love and Christian charity each towards the other." ་ IX. CANADIAN PATRIOTISM THE LEVER OF CANADIAN (From an Editorial by the Rev. Dr. Ryerson, in the Journal of Education for March, 1850.) It cannot be too strongly impressed upon every mind, that it is on Canadian energy, Canadian ambition, Canadian self-reliance, skill and enterprise,—in a word, on Canadian patriotism--that depend Canadian prosperity, elevation and happiness. The fact that some men, by honest and intelligent industry, as tradesmen, mechanics, farmers, merchants, and professional men, have risen from poverty to comfort, and even affluence, shows what others might have done by equal honesty, intelligence and industry. In agricultural productiveness, Canada is superior to New York; in water-power and hydraulic privileges it is equal to any of the New England States; in lumber it is a contributor to both the American and English markets; its mineral resources are ample to supply its own implements of industry, as its cattle and flocks are equal to its wants for labour, food and clothing. Its sky is as clear as that of Italy, and its climate as healthy as that of Germany; its institutions are even freer than those of England, and its administration of justice confessedly more independent and impartial than that of the United States. The social and material advancement of Canada in former years was confessedly slow; but compare its progress for the last ten years in any and every respect with that of any of the neighbouring States from Maine to Michigan, apart from the advantages which some of them possess as being the sea-ports and thoroughfares for other States, and the results will be honourable to Canada. Compare everything progressive in those States which is not adventitious but which depends upon home industry and enterprise, and Canada, with all its faults and short-comings, has much more reason to be proud than to be ashamed. It is true Canadian Hippiases have done much to disturb and retard its interests; but this spirit of conspiring against one's country instead of consulting and maintaining its honour and interests, like an Aristides and a Conon, even in exile, is as alien to the general feeling as it is hostile to the best interests of Canada. But in as far as this spirit exists-this spirit of crying to Hercules instead of helping oneselfCanadian enterprise will be damped, the value of Canadian securities and property will be depreciated, and Canadian progress impeded. In the days of Grecian selfreliance, unity and patriotism, that little peninsula of half the territorial extent of Canada, repelled the most numerous armies recorded in history, and defied a power whose domains extended from the Indus to the Egean, and from the Euxine to the cataracts of the Nile. Let each Canadian love his country and seek its glory as did the ancient Greeks, during the era when private patriotism and public virtue was inscribed upon their national escutcheon. We have no strife of foreign war-no hostile rivalship of nations ;-our warfare is a domestic, bloodless one-a warfare of virtue against vice, of knowledge against ignorance, of self-dependence against foreign dependence, of public spirit against personal littleness, of the love of Canada as ourselves, instead of the love of self against Canada; of the dignified and generous industry of a Cincinnatus, instead of the selfish and protean adventures of an Alcibiades. Surely if "The shuddering tenant of the Frigid Zone Boasts of his golden sands and palmy wine;" ali true Canadians can say to the genial land of their birth or adoption, "Our bosoms with rapture beat high at thy name, Thy health is our transport-our triumph thy fame." X. THE TRUE ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT IN CANADA. (Extract from an Address on the Social Advancement of Canada, by the Rev. Dr. RyersonOctober, 1849.) It is my earnest prayer, that the "internal guard "of a truly Christian education may be planted in the heart-citadel of every youth of our land. It is the union of moral and intellectual qualities which adorn and elevate the individual man; and it is their united development which constitutes the life and strength, the happiness and progress of society. If then we wish to see our country accomplish its high destiny — our unbroken forests converted into waving wheat fields-single manufactories growing into prosperous towns, and towns swelling into cities-canals and railroads intersecting the various districts, and commerce covering the rivers and lakes; if we wish to see our institutions settled and perfected, and our Government fulfilling its noblest functions— our schools and colleges radiating centres of intellectual light and moral warmth to the youthful population-the poor as well as the rich properly educated, and a rich and varied home literature created-the experience of past ages giving lessons in all our domestic dwellings, by means of books and libraries;—in a word, if we wish to see the people of Canada united, intelligent, prosperous and happy-great in all that constitutes the real grandeur of a people-let us feel that the eventful issues of that anticipated futurity are in our hands, and that it is for each individual of our grown-up generation to say how far these hopes of patriotism and philantrophy shall be realized or disappointed. Above all, let us never forget that there is a moral as well as physical universe, and as it is in the harmony of the two that the perfections of the divine character and government are fully displayed, so it is in the harmonious development of the moral with the intellectual man that the perfection of his nature consists. What God has joined together we must never put asunder in any of our plans and efforts for the social advancement of Canada. Our motto should be the words of the inspired Isaiah" Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times-the possession of continued salvation; the fear of Jehovah, this shall be thy treasure."—[Bishop Louth's Translation.] XI. THE GREAT VALUE OF INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES. (Extract from an Address, by the Rev. Dr. Ryerson, on Canadian Mechanics and Manufactures -January, 1849.) Very few of those who have distinguished themselves as the authors of discoveries, inventions and improvements in mechanical science, have enjoyed greater advantages of leisure and resources, than can be commanded by the majority of mechanics in Upper Canada; and yet what unspeakable benefits have those humble men conferred upon the human race! To select only a few illustrations. Who can conceive the political and social revolutions which have already resulted from the European discoverer of the magnetic needle,-that sleepless, unerring, faithful little pilot, unblinded by the starless midnight and unmoved by the raging tempest, which at once relieved the mariner from his timid creeping from headland to headland, and among its first feats opened the commerce of India, and guided Columbus to the discovery of a new world-the most important event in the history of modern nations and modern civilization. What mind can imagine the results to mankind, in every department of science and knowledge, in every aspect of civilization, and in every interest of civil freedom and social advancement, which emanated from the humble inventor of the Art of Printing,—an art which seems to be but in the mid career of its improvements, and whose magic power appears destined at no remote period to penetrate yet unexplored regions of humanity, and to transform |