Trafalgar Castle School - Yearbook (Whitby, Ontario Canada)

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principles as well as what are considered the higher branches and accomplishments. Judge Burnham went on to outline the history of Trafalgar Castle, referring particularly to the visits of Prince Arthur and Baron Lisgar. The Governor-General congratulated the Board on its acquisition of Trafalgar (iastle and expressed his interest in education and the youth of Canada. He took special pleasure at seeing a bust of Sir Walter Scott, one of the princes of European literature in the room where he delivered his address. The Governor-General proceeded to issue a warn- ing about a new class of literature and school of writers whose chief object seems to be to extract amusement and to awake laughter by turning everything that is noble, elevated and reverenced by the rest of the world into ridi- cule. These writers, he said, substituted parody for invention, and coarse vulgarity for the tender humor of a better day, or if this error is avoided, a sickly morbid sentimen- talism is substituted, more corrupting than absolute vice, or a historical sensationalism which is as bad as either. I cannot but think that it is a great matter that in our schools that we should take the greatest pains to main- tain a standard of healthy robust and refined taste. A considerable number of presentations followed, after which the Governor-General and his party left Whitby by train. The actual opening followed the official ceremonies by 12 days. On Sept. 15, 1874, 25 pupils enrolled and a large gathering was held in the evening to acquaint the townspeople of Whitby with the new college. One of the first items to which the new Board of Directors turned its attention after the opening was provision of sidewalks to the college. The matter was brought before the town council with a request for special funds, which resulted in an appropriation of $400 to construct a plank sidewalk six feet wide from the College to Dundas Street. Funds were also supplied to repair the walk to Brock Street. One councillor wanted to limit the expense of the work by constructing a four-foot sidewalk but his amendment was defeated. Late in 1874 the Ontario Ladies ' College secured its first principal. Rev. John James Hare, a man of remarkable ability who was to serve in that capacity for 41 years. A native of the Township of Nepean, near Ottawa, he was 27 years old when he assumed the posi- tion. He was regarded from his earliest years as a child prodigy, having obtained a second class teacher ' s certificate at the age of 12, and matriculated into Victoria University three years later. At 17 he began a teaching career and at 19 entered the Methodist ministry. Mr. Hare served in churches at Chatham, and Smiths Falls before returning to Victoria University in Cobourg to graduate in 1873, winning four first prizes. After leaving college he was ordained and made assistant pastor at the largest church in London, Ont. In 1874, the year he became principal of the Ontario Ladies ' College, he married Miss K. McDowell, daughter of Rev. D. C. McDowell, one of the college ' s founders. By November 1874, the Ontario Ladies ' College had 28 boarders and 14 day students, with applications coming in almost every week. Ten teachers were now employed and enrolment would reach 115 by the end of the first year. On Dec. 23, Mr. Torrington, the musical director staged his first musical and literary entertainment for the public at an admission price of 25 cents. Rev. Dr. Nelles of Cobourg was on hand to give an earnest and practical lecture on popular errors and possible success in the education of girls. Following short readings by the pupils, the president and vice-president of the Board and Mayor Greenwood each delivered addresses. Thus closed the first months at the Ontario Ladies ' College, everyone being certain that a promising future lay ahead. Rev. and Mrs. J.J. Hare ' s wedding photo, 18 '

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A view of the college in 1874 at the time of the official opening. Chapter Five The Gala Opening Even before its official opening the Ontario Ladies ' College was attracting attention across the province. For beauty, and healthfulness of location, for comfort and pleasure of pupils these premises are without rival in the Domin- ion, and we predict for them an honored and durable fame, said the Mail, a Toronto daily newspaper. The Christian Guardian also paid glowing tributes to the college and those who had worked so hard to secure it. Sept. 3, 1874 was set as the date of the official opening by the Governor-General of Canada, Lord Dufferin. The day dawned dark and gloomy, but the town was gayly decorated with flags and bunting for the auspicious occa- sion. About 11:30 a.m. the train bearing the Vice-Regal party arrived at the Grand Trunk station and was switched north to the Port Whitby and Port Perry line. His Excellency was met at the uptown station on Dundas Street by Mayor Greenwood, Malcolm Cameron M. P. and a host of other local dignitaries, as the rain came pouring down. Four soldiers from the 34th Battalion of local militia came to their rescue with a tarpaulin stretched over the bayonets of their rifles, thus allowing the cere- mony to proceed. Following introduction of the town council, members of parliament and prominent citizens, the Mayor read an address of welcome to the Governor-General, referring to the advan- tages of Whitby and Ontario County and express- ing the town ' s loyalty to the Mother Country and Queen Victoria. Lord Dufferin replied briefly and inspected the guard of honor. A parade of carriages then proceeded through the main streets of Whitby to the new college. The lead carriage stopped briefly at an arch erected at the gates of the college grounds on which stood 12 little girls in red, white and blue dresses, each of whom waved small Union Jacks and bowed their welcome. On arrival at the Ontario Ladies ' College, Lord Dufferin and the Countess of Dufferin were presented with an address by Judge Burnham on behalf of the Board of Directors. He explained that the Ontario Ladies ' College had been chartered under the General Act of the Ontario Legislature and was under the supervision and patronage of the Wesley an Methodist Conference. The college, he said, would offer a thoroughly sound practical edu- cation which would provide instruction in re- fined manners, domestic habits and religiou s

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Chapter Six 1875 - 1877, The Early Years The tradition of lectures by noted speakers at the Ontario Ladies ' College began early in 1875 with the visit of the famous professor Goldwin Smith, whose political opinions favor- ing annexation with the United States 15 years later would cause a stir across the country. At the Easter closing, March 24, 1875, his topic was less controversial, --a tour in England. Music was supplied under the direction of Mr. Torrington. The previous month the Board of Directors had reported an enrolment of 80 pupils and a stock list which had surpassed $40,000. Fees for the college were: Primary dept. $3. 00 per term. Preparatory dept. $4. 00 per term. Collegiate dept. $6. 00 per term. Drawing French each $4. 00 per term. Instrumental and painting each. $8. 00 per term. Board with furnished room $2. 75 per week. Fuel, light and washing. 50 per week. College life during the first year of OLC is aptly described in a letter from Miss M. E. Bowman to her sister, dated April 18, 1875: Dear Sister: I have no doubt you will be surprised to hear that on the 8th I started to College. I am in the Collegiate apartment (which is the high- est to be obtained. ) There are three apart- ments. Primary, Preparatory Collegiate. I have to study very hard for we have long lessons a very great many of them. But I have received a card of high value and only been here 10 days which is considered to be a great honor to any pupil. But you will ask if it is very expensive; it costs about $50 a quarter i.e. (ten weeks). I like it well so far. We board and sleep in the College never leave the playground without one of the teachers with us. It is lonely sometimes for I have not seen any person that I was acquainted with since I have been here. No Gentlemen are al- lowed to converse with any of the ladies with- out a note from the Parents if they suspect any correspondence with Gentlemen they will not send the letters or allow them to be sent to the P.O. I do not expect that I will be here more than 12 wks. (that is a term 1 ). On the 30th of June there will be a concert. I sup- ose there will be a great number of Ladies ad Gentlemen attend at which the pupils all ess in white. (I am taking up English ranches with Music. ). But you are tired of lis now. I will conclude by stating that we ! lave six Teachers, 3 Ladies 3 Gentlemen, I one of which is Mo A. another B. A. another a lusic teacher from Toronto. The Ladies all ave First Class Certificates. It is the leriff ' s house converted into a College. Dear iSter I was very much pleased to hear from ou that you are well permanently settled, j Aat Sarah Jane was getting big and making uch rapid progress with her studies. Give my best respects to Albert, Kiss Sarah for me. I would (like) to see you all very much but you will surely make us a visit before long. So good bye this time for the girls are come from church and you know where there is so much talk there is no writing. Write soon tell me all the news, every thing you can talk of. I still remain your true affectionate sister. M. E. Bowman (Please excuse this scribble for it is lamp- light and I am in a hurry for I wish to be in bed by | past 9 o ' clock. ) Early in May, Rev. E. H. Dewart, Editor of the Christian Guardian and Dr. Nelles, the official visitors to the college from the Toronto Conference made their first report. They found there were now 60 boarders and 47 day pupils, with receipts from tuition more than meeting expenses. As far as a cursory examination enables us to speak, the teaching is conducted with ability and efficiency, they stated. The method of teaching is adapted to suggest and stimulate thought; and the answers of the pupils in the different classes indicated an in- tellectual grasp of the subjects taught. High words of praise were offered for the teaching staff. Miss Dunlop, Mr. Torrington, Mr. Hock the drawing master, and Mrs. Hare who was described as a gifted musician. The pupils, from many different Protestant churches, were conducted each Sunday to the churches their parents wished them to attend, and all exercises at the college were conduc- ted in a liberal and unsectarian spirit. A full report of each pupil ' s standing was sent to parents at the end of each term to enable them to see the progress of their daughters. The first closing exercises of the College were held June 28 and 29, 1875 along with public examinations, a practice which has long since been discontinuted. The written exami- nations were conducted privately, but the oral examinations were open to the public, although comparatively few attended. The Revs. Dr. Wood, Dr. Jeffers and E. H. Dewart were to deliver addresses at the musical and literary entertainment but due to the pressure of mis- sionary work, and in one case a train going off the track, only Dr. Jeffers made an appearance. He praised the Ontario Ladies ' College highly for its work, stressing the necessity of religious as well as intellectual culture. The next speaker, a frequent visitor to the closing exercises at OLC, was Mackenzie Bowell, M.P., of Belleville, a future prime minister of Canada. He reflected the same views as Dr. Jeffers on the subject of religion. Jun e 29, the exercises came to a close with a grand concert, the proceeds of which were to aid the college library. Many of the pupils performed on the piano and violin and sang ioeautiful songs such as Lo Hear the Gentle Lark, and The Message, accompanied by Mr. Torrington on the violin and Mrs. Hare