The Domesday Book of Queen's University

1878-1879 Session Thirty-Eighth

The number of Students attending the Classes in Arts and Theology this Session was greater than that registered in any previous year since the Commencement of the College. The numbers in the several departments were as follows, In Arts 92 " Theology 18 " Medicine 60 170.

The Classes in Elocution were conducted this year by A. Melville Bell Esq., the Watkins Lecturer. Special Lectures also were delivered in Theology by the Revds. Dr. Bell, and Dr. Jardine, the Revd John Thompson of Sarnia, and the Revd. Dr. Kemp. The great work of this year was the prosecution by the Principal of the Building and Endowment Scheme referred to in the Annals of the previous Session. It was soon found that the estimates for the building were too low and that fifty or sixty thousand dollars would be needed instead of

1878-79 826

conferred on him by the Senate. The very Revd. John Jenkins, D. D., the Moderator of the General Assembly, offered the dedicatory prayer. The Mayor of the City, in the name of the people of Kingston, asked the illustrious visitors to lay the foundation stones of the building, a memorial of the enlightened liberality of the Citizens. At the close of the proceedings His Excellency and H.R.H., assisted by Professor Williamson, planted memorial trees in the Campus. On 29th April, a series of By Laws for the election of Chancellor prepared by a Committee appointed for the purpose consisting of Messrs James Maclennan, G.M. Macdonnell, and the Registrar R.V. Rogers, were submitted and adopted at the Statutory meeting of Convocation. It was also resolved, that at the annual Convocation for the Laureation of Graduates the minutes of the previous Convocation should be held as read, that the Sponsio Academica be administered by the Registrar of the Senate, and that graduates simply signify their assent thereto by the word "Spondes." A committee was at the same time appointed to consider the advisability and feasibility of establishing a Faculty of Law in connection with Queen's University and to report. The Board of Trustees were this year called upon

1878-79 830

to record with deep regret the death of Wm. Ireland Esq., who for many years had occupied the position of Secretary Treasurer of the University, and in their Resolution on the subject thus spoke of him: "Faithful in the discharge of his duty, zealous for the interests of the University, and courteous in his relations towards all with whom he came in contact, he enjoyed throughout his long term of office the esteem and confidence of the Trustees." Several bequests were reported this year. Robert Sutherland B.A., Barrister at Law, Walkerton, Ont., a Graduate of Queen's University, not having any family, left all his property to his Alma Mater, in token of the benefits he had received from her and because he had never suffered prejudice in his student days on account of his negro blood, but to use his own words "had always been treated as a gentleman." The bequest included an excellent collection of books on Law, valued at $2000; cash to the amount of $8190, and some property in Walkerton which was subsequently sold for two or three thousand dollars more. A second bequest was of £200 Stg. from the estate of the late Alexr Rankin of Leamington, England, to establish a Bursary. A third consisted of $3800 towards the endowment of the University, and $1000 additional to found a Scholar-

1878-79 831

ship in Theology by the late Alexr. Spence, D.D. of St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa. On Convocation day a letter was received from J. S. Macdonald Esq., Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, proposing to found a Scholarship to yield at least one hundred dollars per annum, and to be called the Marion Stewart Macdonald Scholarship as a tribute to his mother, whose name it will bear. This Scholarship is to be awarded to the most deserving Student from the County of Glengarry, should he require its aid. Preference is to be given to Orphans, and the Senate may divide it any year between two deserving Students. Besides the large library bequeathed to it by the late Robert Sutherland B.A., and other additions referred to in the Calendar, a gift from her Majesty's Government of the publications of the Scottish Record Office, consisting of fifteen large folios and several octavos, was received. These comprise the Chronicles of the Picts and Scots, the Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, the Registers of the Privy Council, of the Lord High Treasurer, the Exchequer Rolls, and all the Documents that bear on the History of Scotland from the earliest times. These publications form an addition to the Library that could

1878-79 832

1880-1881 Session Fortieth This Session opened with a larger number of students than had ever before registered. The numbers in the respective departments were as follows,

In Arts and Law 160 " Theology 12 " Medicine 68 240

This year was in many respects an eventful one for Queen's, the most important change being the opening of the new College Buildings and the subsequent transfer of the classes from their old quarters. The new building was formally opened on the 14th of October 1880. A Dedicatory service was held in the evening, when after the religious ceremony, the building was presented to the authorities of Queen's on behalf of citizens of Kingston to whom its erection was due, and was accepted by Principal Grant in the name of the University. A large number of the Trustees and old friends of Queen's who had co-operated most heartily and zealously with the Principal's efforts

1880-81 860

for the obtaining of the new building were present and a general feeling of thankfulness and satisfaction was felt by those who had stood by the university in her darkest days at this visible token of her advancing prosperity. The new Chancellor Sandford Fleming Esq C.M.G. was installed, and honorary degrees were conferred on the Moderator of the General Assembly of Canada the Rev. Donald MacRae M.A. of St. John, N.B. and on the Clerk of the General Assembly of Victoria, Australia, the Rev. James Nish, of Sandhurst, Victoria, the Senate having suspended in their favour, the rules prohibiting the conferring of degrees, except at the close of the session. Among the guests and speakers on this occasion were Hon. Edward Blake, Chancellor of Toronto University, and Dr. Goldwin Smith of Toronto. For further particulars of the opening ceremonies, addresses and the Installation of the Chancellor, see Queen's College Journal Vol. viii p.p.2-9. An interesting feature of the evening was the speech of Dr. Williamson whose long connection with the University, and intimate association with her early

1880-81 861

Painting and Glazing Wm Irving & Son $1078.00 Steam fitting Do 2350.00 Plumbing Do 166.00 Castings and Blacksmiths' work Do 1485.00 Tinsmiths work Do 737.00 Plumbago Roofing Do 276.00 Slater's work G. Duthie 920.00 Total 47,203.00

The Contracts thus entered into, provisionally, by the Local Trustees with the Contractors for the erection of the new Buildings were confirmed at the annual meeting of the Board on the 30th. of April, and the Chairman and Secretary were authorized to formally execute the same, and the Finance and Estate Committee were authorized, and instructed, to do all things necessary to carry out the said Contracts, on the part of the College. Operations were commenced by the Contractors as early as possible in the Spring, and on 30th May, in the presence of an enthusiastic assemblage of spectators, the foundation stones of the new College building were laid by the Governor General, the Marquis of Lorne, and H.R.H., the Princess Louise. The Chancellor constituted His Excellency a Member of Convocation by laureating him with the Degree of LL.D.

1878-79 829

The Rev. George Bellis, of Belfast, Ireland, the Rev. George L. McKay of Formosa, and the Rev. John F. Stevenson of Montreal received the honorary degree of D.D. Already from time to time the question of University Federation which a few years later was to assume such importance, was ventilated in the newspapers and College Journal. At this time, however, it was but the shadow of coming events. From the first, Queen's sounded no uncertain note, and the issue of events was never really doubtful. (See Queen's College Journal Vol. VII p. 101.) But little was done towards increasing the Endowment Fund during this year, and it was announced that at least $50,000 in additional subscriptions would be required. The Principal on Convocation Day, announced that three new Scholarships had been promised, though only one was endowed:- (1) One from Alexander Gunn, Esq. M.P. for the city of Kingston, to be awarded for General Proficiency at the Matriculation Examination. Value $100.

1879-80 749[?]

$1 per annum. The Convocation Hall was however reserved to be fitted up as a gymnasium for the students in Arts, Medicine, Science, Law, and Divinity. In the meantime Steps were being taken for acquiring the remainder of the block on which the College Building stands and which was at this time under the control of the Militia Department. The matter was remitted to a committee for further action. On the retirement of Dr. Cook of Quebec, the second election of a Chancellor for Queen's took place on the 15th of March, and resulted in the election of Sandford Fleming Esq. C.M.G. of Ottawa for the ensuing three years. The other candidate at this election was Vice Chancellor Blake of Toronto. The election was close, and much excitement was felt but the election of Mr. Fleming a known and tried friend of Queens, gave universal satisfaction (Q.C.J. vol VII p.114). It was unanimously agreed at a meeting of Senate to confer the honorary degree of L.L.D. upon the retiring Chancellor. John Thorburn Esq of Ottawa also received the degree of L.L.D.

1879-80 [??]

(2) The Mackerras Memorial Scholarship of $100 for the best Matriculation Examination in Classics. This scholarship was to be given to the sons of Professor Mackerras, without Examination, should they wish to take a University course at Queen's. (3) One from M.C. Cameron Esq. M.P. of $60 a year, to be awarded to the best Gaelic scholar, speaker, or reader. The McNab and Horton Scholarship was also revived and raised to the amount of $75 by the congregation of the Rev. R. Campbell of Renfrew. Special lectures were given during this winter, by Rev. R. Jardine, D.Sc., on Apologetics with reference to modern investigations and phases of thought, and by Rev. R. Ure, D.D. who lectured for five weeks on Homiletics and Pastoral Theology. No classes in Eloctuion were held during this session, it having been agreed by the Board of Trustees that these classes should be held only during alternate Sessions. University Officers Board of Trustees

1879-80 850[?]