Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada in the year 1903, by George N. Morang and Company, Limited, in the Department of Agriculture PREFACE THIS book does not profess to be either a minute biography or a detailed history. It is the presentation to our countrymen of the various aspects of the work of a great man who has left his impress upon several of the important institutions of our province, and in each case for good. In these sketches we have made no attempt, except in the first brief chapter, to trace the record, either of his personal or public life, or the development of his character, or the lessons which might be gathered from the example of his life. We have rather considered his work as one of the makers of Canada, and necessarily with that, something of the great movements of the days in which he lived. The subject is a noble one, and we must acknowledge that we have done it but scant justice. The volume is the product of joint labour with my life-long friend and colleague, Dr. A. H. Reynar. He has specially prepared the first chapter dealing with the early life and ministry of Dr. Ryerson, and the eleventh, dealing with the literary work of Dr. Ryerson. We must both acknowledge our constant indebtedness to the indefatigable labours of Dr. J. George Hodgins, LL.D. The rich storehouse of historic material which he is accumulating in his many works will place all future labourers in this field under lasting obligations. With the hope that our work may prove useful to the thousands who in our schools are now reaping the advantages of Dr. Ryerson's labours, we commit it to our fellow-citizens of Ontario. N. BURWASH. VICTORIA COLLEGE, Feb. 28th, 1901. |