[362] 



THE LATE REV. CHARLES DADE. 



The late Rev. Charles Dade, of Georgetown, Esquesing, was a man of unusual 

 attainments in science and general learning. At the University of Cambridge 

 he obtained a high wrangler's degree in the Mathematical Trif os, distinguishing 

 himself also, at the same time, in a marked manner, in the examination for Clas- 

 sical Honours. This was in 1825, " Challis's Year; " the year when Challis, the 

 still surviving Plumian Professor of Astronomy in the University of Cambridge, 

 was senior wrangler. Immediately after obtaining his degree, Mr. Dade was 

 elected a fellow of Gonville and Caius College, where, as the lists show, several of 

 Ms own name had preceded him in that honourable position. In 1826 he gained 

 the " Members' Prize," a distinction greatly desired at Cambridge, and attained 

 only by first-rate scholars. It is one of four annual prizes, given by the Repre- 

 sentatives in Parliament of the University, for Dissertations in Latin Prose, which 

 are read publicly by the prizemen in the Senate-house on a day appointed near 

 to the Commencement. In the catalogue of Members' Prizemen are, in recent 

 years, the names of Hugh James Rose, Scholefield, George Long, Howson, A.J. B. 

 Hope, EUicott, <fec. Mr. Dade's Essay was afterwards printed in full, in the 

 Classical Journal for March and June, 18"^7, published by A. J. Valpy, London. 

 Prior to his appointment in 1829, as Mathematical Master in Upper Canada 

 College, Mr. Dade had been connected with Elizabeth College, Guernsey, where 

 he attracted the notice of Sir John Colborne, who was, at the time. Lieutenant 

 Governor of Guernsey. 



The early alumni of Upper Canada College will have observed, not without 

 emotion, the decease of their old instructor. His memory will continue to be to 

 them in the future, what in every review of the past it has already been, one of 

 their valued recollections. Again and again have they discovered by experience 

 that the foundations of science laid in their minds by their first master in mathe- 

 matics, were solid and trustworthy. Again and again, in their intercourse with 

 men, have they felt the abiding effect for good on themselves, of the sterling 

 honesty and blunt straightforwardness which so conspicuously characterized 

 their former guide and friend. Perhaps, in the severe temperature of the 

 "Mathematical Master's room," in the olden time, kept in winter, as will be 

 remembered, as little above freezing as possible, some of our eminent engineers 

 and explorers of new districts had tested for the first time that power of endur- 

 ance, and that capacity for solving problems under difficulties, which have contri- 

 buted to their success ; a power and a capacity brought prominently out, perhaps 

 also for the first time, in some one or other of the memorable tramps laboriously 

 undertaken on the ice of Toronto bay, or elsewhere, in company with their iron- 

 sinewed teacher, whilst being shown by him practically how to run base-lines 

 and take angles, and measure the altitude of the sun and other objects. Besides 

 being a vigorous and accurate thinker, Mr. Dade was, to the close of his career, 

 an indefatigable and very literal manual worker. On his farm near Oakville, to 

 "which he withdrew when he resigned his mastership in Upper Canada College 



