The Domesday Book of Queen's University

College Senate. The Principal Primarius Professor of Divinity. Rev. John B. Mowat, M.A. Professor of Oriental Languages, Biblical Criticism, and Church History. The Vice-Principal. Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy Rev. John H. Mackerras, M.A. Professor of Classical Literature Nathan F. Dupuis, M.A., F.R.S. Edin., Professor of Chemistry and Natural Science. Rev. George D. Ferguson, B.A., Professor of History and English Literature, and Lecturer on Modern Languages. John Watson, M.A. Professor of Logic, Metaphysic, and Ethics. Alexr Mellville Bell, F.E.I.S. Brantford Watkins Lecturer on Elocution Rev. A.B. Nicholson, B.A. Assistant to Professor of Classics. Professor Mowat-Registrar Examiner for Matriculation in Medicine - A.P. Knight, M.A. Convocation. Members - Trustees, Professors, Lecturers, Graduates, and Students being under-graduates. Secretary Prof. Mowat.

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1879-1880 Session 39 The number of students attending the classes in Arts and Theology during this year was one hundred and fifteen. The steady increase of previous years was thus maintained. The numbers in the several departments were as follows Arts 101 Theology 14 Medicine 74 189

Early in the session of 1878-1879 the authorities of Queen's had announced that the advantages of the University course would henceforth be thrown open to women. In making this announcement they did not inaugurate a new policy, but called attention to the fact that the doors of Queen's had never been closed to any student on the

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ground of sex. As a matter of fact women had attended classes previously, without matriculating, but not till a subsequent session did matriculants present themselves. Another step in the same direction was taken during the summer by the Faculty of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. Many applications had been received from women desiring to study medicine, and the Faculty though unable to agree to co-education of the sexes in medicine, decided at length to establish a Womans Medical College, the first of the kind in Canada.

It was decided that the examinations should be the usual Spring examinations of the University, and that in lectures only it should be a separate college. Many prominent Kingston citizens aided liberally in this scheme, which with the step taken by the Faculty of Queen's in the previous session had a special importance as being the first systematic attempt in Canada to offer a University education to women, and to throw open the medical profession to them.

The Women's Medical College was opened on April 16th 1880.

The University sustained a great

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loss during this winter in the death of Professor Mackerras, the professor of classics. In spite of rapidly fading health and increasing weakness, he continued to lecture till the end of the autumn session of 1879, but was unable to return after the Christmas vacation, and died on January 9th 1880. His unwearying interest in the good of the college and his unfailing support and effort during the times of her greatest depression, had endeared him to every member of the University, and the grief felt was universal. Shortly after his death steps were taken to establish a Mackerras Memorial, by several of his friends and a circular was sent out asking for contributions for this purpose. It was decided that the Memorial should take the form of a Scholarship, a Fellowship, or a Chair, as the funds collected would admit. Sufficient money was collected during the winter to admit of the establishment of a $100 scholarship in the Classical Department. It was also decided at a meeting of the subscribers on the 28th of April 1880 that the fund should be held open during the ensuring year, when definite action should be taken as to the permanent form of the Memorial. The portrait of Professor Mackerras was at this time presented to the University by the Ladies of Kingston. At the annual

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meeting of the Board of Trustees the following minute regarding him was adopted. The Board hereby record their deep sense of the loss sustained by this University in the death of the Reverend John Hugh Macherras, M.A. for fifteen years Professor of Classics. Professor Macherras had very closely endeared himself to all the Members of the Board. By his transparent candour, his sterling integrity, and his unassuming kindness, he drew forth the esteem and affection of all his acquaintence, and in his relations to others whether private or official, he seemed ever to be without fear and without reproach. A distinguished graduate of the University, he brought to the discharge of his professional duties a passionate attachment to his Alma Mater. His work as a teacher was marked by the scholarship, by thoroughness and by enthusiams, as well as by keen and constant interest in the welfare of his students. When the efficiency of the University was crippled, and its existence threatened by the withdrawal of a large part of its income, he entered with ardent energy upon the work of raising an endowment. Quickening others into zeal and hopefulness, he elicited a widespread sympathy and support for the cause which he so earnestly advocated

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and was a main instrument in crowning it with success. To that cause he gave himself in sacrifice, for in his untiring labours to secure the proper equipment of the University, he first contracted the sickness that finally proved fatal to him. Words cannot express the regret of the Board at the removal of one so beloved and so esteemed. They mourn the loss not only of an accomplished scholar and of a most successful teacher, but of a dear and valued friend. His memory must ever be cherished by us with affection and gratitude, while the influence of his life and work must remain as a source of lasting benefit to the University that he loved so well. The Board deeply sympathize with his bereaved wife and children and they humbly and prayerfully commend them to the fatherhood of God." (See Queens Coll. Journal Vol. VII [?]p.61-65). The classes in Classics were taken after the death of Professor Mackerras for the remainder of the session by Mr. Samual Woods. M.A. for many years Rector of the Collegiate Institute in Kingston, and by Mr. A.B. Nicholson M.A. On January 17th at a meeting of the Senate, Professor Mowat and Professor

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Watson was appointed curators of the Library. At the annual Trustee Meeting it was further decided to take steps to secure a classical professor in the place of the late Professor Mackerras, and the Principal was authorized to advertise for applicants, but it was decided that the appointment to the Chair should not be made till the next meeting of the Board. The question of the salary of the classical professor was also taken up, and was fixed at $1,500 per annum. At a subsequent meeting of the Board, however, this was reconsidered and it was then settled that the salary should be at the rate of $2000 per annum. A rearrangement of some of the Chairs at this time resulted in the appointment of Professor Dupuis as professor of Mathematics and Chemistry, thus relieving Professor Williamson of one of the subjects on which he had hitherto lectured. Professor Williamson was re-appointed as professor of Natural Philosophy, and it was agreed that a Lecturer should be appointed in Natural Science, who should also act as Librarian. A committee of local trustees was appointed to examine applications and temporarily apooint a Lecturer in this subject. The question

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was also taken up of a new arrangement of the classes in modern languages, and it was finally resolved that in view of the necessity of making further provision in these subjects, Professor Ferguson should be retired from the duty of teaching French and German, and that in the meantime a lecturer should be appointed to teach them. It was also decided that in consideration of the additional expenditure, and on the Board's consenting to allow Professor Ferguson to continue as Professor of German at the Royal Military College, his salary should be reduced to $1500. The appointment of Lecturer in Moderns was also committed to the local Trustees pro. tem. The advisibility of the establishment of a Law Faculty in connection with Queen's University had been much under discussion during the past winter, and it was felt that, in view of the strong desire expressed by many for an opportunity for the study of Law in Kingston, such a faculty should be at once established. It was therefore resolved that the Law Faculty should be revived, and that the following gentlemen

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should be appointed Dean of the Faculty and Lecturers ---"--- The Principal Interim Dean Roman Law & Constitutional Law and History J.A. Allen Esq. M.A. J.M. Machar Esq. M.A. Real Property Law G.M. Macdonnell Esq. B.A. Equity R.T. Walkem Esq. LL.B. Commercial Law C.V. Price Esq LL.B. Criminal Law B.M. Britton Esq. M.A. Q.C. Common Law R.V. Rogers Esq. B.A. Medical Jurisprudence John McIntyre Esq. B.A.

The erection of the new College buildings progressed steadily during this year, and it was confidently expected that they would be ready to be formally opened at the Autumn Convocation 1880. In view of the fact that the old College Buildings would be no longer required by the classes in Arts, it was agreed to lease them to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons for ten years, at a nominal rental of

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$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.

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