JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 



OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. 



AN HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

 Read before the Hamilton Association, May 7th, 1896. 

 BY INSPECTOR J. H. SMITH. 



I have taken advantage of the kind invitation of your corres- 

 ponding secretary to lay before you a brief outline of the evolution 

 of our educational system. We all look with feelings of pride upon 

 its achievements, and although the high altitude of our individual 

 ideals may not be reached, yet taken all in all there can be no rea- 

 sonable doubt that it has few, if any, rivals for the foremost posi- 

 tion. Perhaps I may venture further, and say that it surpasses all 

 in many respects, and seldom falls below their level at any point. 

 This is notably true if we make our comparisons with those on this 

 continent, and measurably so, if made with those of the old world. 

 The circumstances and environment of the people, as well as the 

 forms of government, render it somewhat difificult to make a fair and 

 just comparison, yet the results show that we have a system which 

 when placed side by side with those of other countries (as at the ex- 

 hibitions in Philadelphia, New Orleans, Paris, London and Chicago), 

 nobly sustained its high reputation, won for itself a permanent posi- 

 tion in the van of progressive educational systems, and brought dis- 

 tinguished honors to Canada. A careful study of its development 

 will show that its rise has been wonderful, its progress phenomenal, 

 and its future bright with the signs of a greatly enlarged usefulness. 

 To this phase of the question I therefore purpose directing your at- 

 tention. 



In order to trace this system through the various stages of its 

 growth and development, and to assist us in forming a fairly accu- 

 rate idea of the sources whence it has sprung, it will be neces- 

 sary to refer to the early colonial history of this continent. In these 



