IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. ^j % V Q'., Va v. 1.0 I.I 1.25 m 111^ J 5 ™== ^^ lllitt .'If IM 11^ 12.2 20 !.6 6" Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 A^ ^ elure. J 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^^ ■ Y M) r wmm TESTIMONIALS "^r IN FAVOUR OF WILLIAM JOHN ALEXA NDER, B.A. (Lond.), Ph.D. (J. H. U.), MUNRO PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE IN DALHOUSIE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY, HALIFAX, N. S. 'i AKD FORMEKLY * FELLOW OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY. CANDIDATE fOB gtrje 'gxtfftssoxsMp of "gn^XisU IN THE Httitoerattg of 'SToronta. Nov,'^ Scotia Printing Company, Halifax, N. S. 1 883. . V lafl m g ''*?*^' '^'"^ ' ^ ' ^ ^ ^ ' " '* ^^"'^^ "^"^ ;ONTENTS. Letter of Application 5 Testiatonials : I. From George Dickson, M. A., Principal of Upper Canada College, Toronto 9 II. From Alexander Anderson, LL. D. (McGill), Prin- cipal of Prince of IVales College^ Charlottetoivn, P.E.I. 10 III. Fro}ii Basil L. Gildersleeve, Ph.D. (Gottingcn), LL. D. (Harvard), D. C. L. (Utiivcrsity of the South), Hon. Member of the Cambridge Philological Society., and of the Philological Syllogos of Constafttinople, Editor of the American Journal of Philology ; Pro- fessor of Greek in the Johns Hopkins University., Baltimore 12 IV. From Daniel C. Gilman, M. A. (Yale), LL. D. (Har- vard), President of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore „ 13 V. From J. G. Schurman, M. A. (Loftdon), D. Sc. (Edin- burgh), Fof mcrly Examiner in Philosophy and Poli- tical Economy in the University of Toronto, and Professor of Metaphysics and English in Dalhousie College and University, Halifax; Sage Professor of Philosophy in Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 14 VI. From the Rev. John Currie, D. D., Professor of Hebrew in the Presbyterian College, Halifax, N, S 17 VI I. From the Rev. Alexander McKnight, D. D., Ex-Mode- rator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Chm ch in Canada, Principal of the Presbyteriaft ■ College, Halifax. N. S. 18 J*. IV. CONTENTS. VIII. Frotn James Seth, M. A. (Edinbiireh), Formerly Assist- ant Professor of Logic and Metaphysics in the Univer- sity of Edinburgh^ Munro Professor of Ethics and Metaphysics in Dalhoiisie College and University^ Halifax 19 IX. Fron the Rev. John Forrest, D. D., President of Dal- hoiisie College and University^ Halifax. 20 X. From the Hon. Sir Adams G. Archibald, K. C. M. G., D. C. L., Q. C, ]Vi. P., Chairman of the Board of Governors of Dalhoiisie College and University^ Halifax. 22 !0 TO THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION FOB ^ntc gvoulncc of (Oiitavio. Sir :— I BEG respectfully to offer inyselt' as a candidate for the Professorship of Eno-lish in the University of Toronto. I am a native of Hamilton, Ontario, where I was born in 1855. I received n^y school education at the Hamilton Collegiate Institute during the principalships of the late late J. M. Buchan, M. A., and of George Dickson, M. A. In 1873 I matriculated in the University of Toronto, ranking First in the department of English, French and History, and Second in General Proficiency— thus winning a Double Scholarship. In the following summer I won the Canadian Gilchrist Scholarship, standing fourth in order of merit among six hundred auvl tifty-two candidates from Great Britain and the Colonies, at the Matriculation Examina- tion of the University of London, in June of that year. The three following years (1874-7) I was a student at University College, London, and passed the Examina- tions for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in the University of London, in the highest Division, and with First Class Honours in English. , In 1877 I returned to Canada, and during two years acted as First Master under Principal Anderson, in Piince of Wales College, Charlottetown. P. E. L The study of English Literature had always been my favourite and chief pursuit, and I now determined to make that subject the business of my life, v/ith the aim of obtaining a I ;.t a.»Jit|i^-j?igtg 9 tkSf >lSi9Ue»t9ua4UM^ I ^&s M aaM B &^a e t i:.a tt i«aiaag.'tti e i^tf^tesa^^ 6 professorship in English. As no advanced instruction in English Literature projier was to be obtained in any University, either in America or Europe, I determined to continue in private my more direct study of the subject, and to avail myself of university assistance in gaining a wider knowledge of other literatures, especially of those of the classical languages, — which I deemed the best preparation for the study of any literature, — and also in gaining a better acquaintance with scientific Philology. In accordance with this plan, I entered the Johns Hopkins Univei-sity, Baltimore, where I remained as a graduate student during four years. Besides availing myself of what assistance that University ottered in English (which was, as far as I was concerned, Anglo- Saxon), I followed courses in Comparative Philology, Latin, and Greek. I was so successful in my studies as to win a graduate Scholarship in the year after my entering, and to be appointed to a Fellowship in Greek in the follow- ing year (18S1). This Fellowship I held during two years, and then graduated as Doctor of Philosophy, in June, 18S3. My graduating thesis is published in the American Journal of Philology for October of the same year. Immediately after graduating, I went to Germany, where I spent a year, engaged mainly in acquiring familiarity, with the German language, — which I had found most important for the prosecution of my philological and literary studies, — and in becon.ing acquainted with German literature. During this period 1 was a student at the University of Berlin. While still in Europe, I was appointed to the Chair of English Language and Literature in Dalhousie College and University, Halifax. In the autumn of 1884, 1 entered upon my duties here, and have since that date devoted my zvhole time to the teaching and study of my subject, this University being, up to the present year, I believe, the only one in the Dominion which has a Chair for the teach- ing of English Language and Litera to the exclusion 1 of all other work. My work here has inclufled courses on Eighteenth Century Literature ; on Elizabethan Litera- ture; on Shakespeare and Milton; on the Poetry of the Nineteenth Century; on the Poetry of Robert Browning; on Anglo-Saxon; on the Development of the English Language to Chaucer; on the General Principles of Language Development; on Composition and Style. The course of lectures on Browning is in course of publication in Boston, and I hope to place a copy in your hands before your decision on the present appointment is made. The following testimonials will give further information as to my success as a student, teacher and lecturer. I have only to add, in conclusion, that, should I be elected to fill this Chair, I will use my utmost endeavours to justify your choice, and to treat the subject of English Literature and Language in a manner worthy of so important a factor in liberal education. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, W. J. ALEXANDER Dalhousie College and Universffv, Halifax, N. .S. | November 13th 18S8. ■' ~ASJi. L. Gilderslekve, Ph, D. (Gottingen), LL. D. (Harvard), D C. L. (Univerdtij of the South); Hon. Member of the Cambridge Philological ISocietg, and of the Philological SyUogos of Constantinople ; Editor of the American Journal of Fhilologg ; Professor of Greek in the Johns Hopkins Ihiivcrsitg, Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University, iiALTiMORE, Md., Oct. 19th, 18S8. I understand that Professor W. J. Alexander, now of Dalhousie Coileive, Halifax, is a candidate for the Chair of English Literature in the University of Toronto; and holding nim, as I do, in special esteem, I desire to bear my testimony in his behalf. Professor Alexander came to the Johns Hopkins Univer- sity as a student of English Literature, and never ceased to be a student of English Literature, although he gradually dropped into the special study of Greek, in which he won a high position, becoming Scholar, then Fellow, and finally taking his Doctor's Degree with a dissertation, which I published in the A7n.erican Journal of Ph'dulogy, and which has often been cited by Greek scholars. While Professor Alexander did not neglect the technical side of Greek, so to speak, his chief desire was to penetrate into the secrets of Greek literary art, and in my long career as a teacher I have never had a more sympathetic pupil in all that pertains to the {Bsthetic part of my work : and since he returned to his favorite province of study, as he did shortly after leaving the Johns Hopkins, he has shown in his chosen field the same insight, the same enthusiasm that raade me hope so much for his future as a classical scholar. 1 am confident that Professor Alexander is doinsf and will do his work admirably, and I have great pleasure in commending his claims to the careful consideration of the appointing power. ; : : i , B. L. GILDERSLEEVE, 5 I Professor of Greek in the Johm Hopkins Univemitp, Baltimore. a •mn 13 D. Ion. the the ' the of of IV. From Daniel C. Gilman, M. A. (Yak), LL. D. (Harvard) Prmdent of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Johns Hoi'KINs University, Baltimore, Md., Oct. ;i2, 1888. Professor W. J. Alexander, of Dalhousie College, held a Fellowship in this University from 1881 to 1883, and in June of the latter year received the depjree of Doctor of Philosophy, his principal subject being Greek, the subor- dinate Latin. T knew him well during his residence here, and formed a highly favorable opinion of his ability, J.aracter, and acquirements. Professor Giklersleeve, who knew Mr. Alexander as a student, has informed me of the testimonial that he has written, and I can only express my concurrence in his estimate. DANIEL C. GILMAN, Premlent. ;>; ,•!• 14 V. From J. G. Schurman, M. A., {London), D. Sc, {Edinhurijlb). Formerly Examiner in Pliilotiophy and Political Economy in Toronto University, and Professor of English and Metapliysics in Dalhousie Gollefje, Halifax ; Sar/e Professor of Philosophy in Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. I i i ! I I ! To THE Minister of Education for Ontario : Sill, — In support of Professor W. J. Alexander's candidacy for the Chair of English Language and Literature in Toronto University, I desire to make the following statement : I first became acquainted with Mr. Alexander in 1875, when, as Canadian Gilchrist Scholars, we met at University College, London, and I have known him intimately ever since. From 1875 to 1877, we were fellow-students in London, and from 1884 to 188G, fellow-professors in Halifax ; while our intercourse during the remaining years has been close and uninterrupted. Few men, therefore, could be better known to me ; and I venture to assert that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find a man, at least of his years, who could make any pretension to the richness, variety, and extent of Mr. Alexander's culture, especially on the literary side. In the years we spent together as students, Mr. Alexander was always surprising me by his knowledge and attainments — scientific, philoso- phical, and literary — in which, so far as my experience went, he had no equal among the undergraduates of London University. His reading in literature and history was already extensive, and far beyond his years ; and, while '. he naturally took University Honours in English Language f^'^'^"'''-''^^^'''^^^ 15 •.'//')• in and Literature, he did advanced work in Cbemistr}' and Physiology, read the Greek Dramatists, and joined the class in Kant's Prolegomena. He had great capacity for study, and his delight in it was not less. In the years that have followed, Mr. Alexander has devoted himself more exclusively to literature, but the many-sidedness of his intellectual interests appears to have suffered little, if any, diminution. Still Dr. Alexander is essentially a literary man. A nature like his", however, could not be content with any narrow survey of literature. Accordingly, though his preference has always been for English Literature, (as I know from delightful memories), he has, in th j course of four or five years, spent in France, German}'-, and Italy, and as Fellow in Greek in Johns Hopkins University, made a wide study of various litera- tures. As a preparation for a professorship of English Language and Literature, his scholarship is perfectly ideal. To this add his fine literary taste and feeling, his literary appreciation and insight, as delicate as subtle, along with his love of literature, his devotion to its diffusion, his belief in its potency to refine and enoble mankind, and you have a scholar who would adorn any chair of literature in America. That he is a successful teacher, his record in Dalhousie College attests ; and I can also witness to the impression his courses in literature make upon students, one of whom once said to me : " Dr. Alexander's lectures on Wordsworth ha^e been a complete revelation to me, though I thought I knew something of the subject." As a writer, Dr. Alexander cannot fail make a good reputation. His work on Browning, which I read in manuscript over a 3'ear ago, I found more helpful than any other of the works yet pub- lished on the same subject. His public addresses and lectures have uniformly possessed high literary merits, which always make a demand for them. As a man. Dr. Alexander has all the virtues and qualities of a gentlemen, in the best sense of that word. With good mrntsmmmmmmw^mmmmm- 16 common sense, he co-operates wisely and agreeably in the 'reneral work of the University. On the whole it seems to me that as a teacher, a scholar, and a writer,— alike by character, native bent, talents, scholarship, training, and experience,— Professor Alexander is pre-eminently qualified to fill the Chair of English Language and Literature in the University of Toronto— his own university and the university of his native Province. J. G. SCHURMAN. Cornell University, Nov. 10th, 1S88. Hi \ \ S5fifPiPiSiflwfwi?Pl?7''5^tr^^ 17 VI. From the Rev. John Currie, D. D., Professor of Hebrew in the Presbyterian Coller/e, Halifax, N. S. I have much pleasure in testifying that I have enjoyed the privilege of hearing two lectures delivered by Dr. Alexander, of Dalhousie College, — one being his Inaugural Address, and the other a popular lecture on " A Study of Browning." Both papers were of a high order of merit, showing an intimate acquaintance with the topics discussed, and displaying a fine literary taste. The Inaugural, which was strictly academic, received unqualified praise from all competent judges ; while the lecture on Browning, though on a subject confessedly difficult, and addressed to a promiscuous audience, was heard with profound attention. So far as I know. Dr. Alexander fjives entire satisfaction in the class-room, and is quite popular with his students. I may add that during his brief residence in Halifax he has won for himself a host of friends. JOHN CURRIE, D. D., Proftssor of Hebrew in the Presbyterian Colletje, Halifax, H^VLiFAX, N. S., i^nd Nov., ISSS. ' --TV.-W.rviWPiSPSSM^ i i^t3ssGrit^-L=^-:»tt^-'.rjr-.': : ljil:- „ i I 18 !l VII. From the Rev! Alexander McKnight, D. D., Ex-Moderator uj the General Assemhlij of the Preshi/terian Chitreh in Canada, Principal of the Presbijterian College, Halifax:. Dartmouth, November 3rd 18S8, I have a high opiniDn of the competency, in his depart- ment, and of the scholarly attainments of Dr. Alexander, Professor of English Literature in Dalhousie College, Halifax. I had the pleasure of listening to a public lec- ture on Bro\ ling given by him some time ago, and was interested in the gracefulness and literary finish of the lecturer's own style, as well as in the attractions which he threw around a somewhat arduous study. He fills well the post he at present occupies, and would be equally qualified for any similar position elsewhere. ALEX. Mcknight, d. d., Principal of Presbytbrkm College, Halifax. • , , -_ V , ■. . . ^ , . ■, . ,^ 19 VIII. From James Setii, M. A. ( Edinhurrih ), Former?!/ Assistant Professor of Logic and Metaphysics in the University of Ediiihurgh : Mnnro Professor of Ethics and Metaphyicss in Dalhonsie College and, University. Daliiousik College and University, Halifax, N. S. October, 39lh, ISSS. I have much pleasure in testifying to Dr. Alexander's eminent success and popularity as a Professor of English Literature ; of which, as his colleague here, J have had exceptional opportunities of judging. I know that he has won the respectful regard of his students, and, by the care and enthusiasm which he has brought to bear upon his teach- ing, has inspired them with a genuine and intelligent interest in his subject. As an indication of this, I may mention that the Faculty recently authorized him, in answer to a strong desire on the part of the students, to give an extra course of lectures — for Third and Fourth Year students, — in addition to his present Ordinary and Honour courses. I may further say that I attended the greater part of a special course of lectures, delivered by Dr. Alexander last sessions; and that I was impressed throughout by his power of lucid exposition, by the breadth and accuracy of his scholarship, and by the delicacy of his literary apprecia- tion. The course was largely attended by outsiders, and was, I know, the means of awakening much interest in the difficult subject of which it treated. While we should part with Dr. Alexander with deep regret, I feel sure that the same qualities of sterling character, of broad culture, and of peculiar aptitude to teach, which he has shown here, would ensure him a like success elsewhere ; and on these grounds I beg to recommend his claims to the favourable consideration of the Govern- ment of Ontario in making the present appointment in Toronto University. JAMES SETH, M. A., Munro Profe!isor of Metaphysics and Ethics. mmmmmmm .1 20* 'T* IX. From the Kev. John Forrest, I). D., President of Ddlimme GoUeije and Univcrsifi/. Daliiocsik Colleoe axi) Univeksitv, Halifax, N. S. November 12th, ISSS. Dr. W. J. Alexander, Professor of English Language and Literature in this University, informs me that he is applying for a similiar position in Toronto, and asks me for a certificate of the manner in which he has conducted his work while with us, I regret very much that I am called upon to discharge a duty which, while pleasant in itself, is yet ominous of evil to our institution. Still I owe a duty to Dr. Alexander, and must do him justice, even if it should turn to our loss. Dr. Alexander came to us in 1884, and his work since that time has fully justified all the good reports we had previously heard of him. He has conducted with great success, during several winters, popular classes that have attracted a large number of general students wdio were seeking instruction in English Literature. His best work, however, has been with the regular undergraduate classes. I have noted with pleasure the fact that the better the student, the more highly has he appreciated Dr. Alexander's work. Not only have the young men just entering college profited largely by his instructions, but the Honour students, who have devoted their time specially to the subjects of his department, have found in him a thoroughlj'- competent instructor, and have always been loud in his praises. I consider him a thoroughly competent, faithful, and successful teacher. WtW!^ •nm'^mmm'-mmms^*''' ■ — '•■ »»!w.i«K'?«www»rM...*',.!f:!i-!ii,' oy 21 His departnro from Dalhousio would be a matter of sincera regret to myself and to every member of the Senate. We would all feel that we were parting vith a sincere personal friend, as well as an honoured fellow- labourer. Justice to Dr. Alexander compels me to give this certificate ; but I hope that Toronto University may find a suitable professor of English in some other quarter. JOHN FORREST, Pi'emknt of Dalhomk Colhue ami Univernty. ■^^^ll^p^ 22 X. From the Hon. Sir Adams G. Archibald, K. C. M. G., P. C, D. C. L., Q. C, M. P., Chairman of the Board of Governors )f Dalhousic Colletje and Univorsity, Halifax. Hampax, Nova Scotia, November 20th, 188S. I understand that Dr. W. J. Alexander, now Professor of English Literature in Dalhousie College, is an applicant for a similar position in the University of Toronto. Dr. Alexander has during his connection with Dalhousie shewn eminent fitness for the position he holds. Tlie Governors have the highest opinion of his qualifications for the position, and would regret very much the loss of his valuable services ; but they feel that, however reluctantly they contemplate a severance of his connection with the University, his eminent services to the Institution entitle him to an expression of their high sense of his merits as a professor, and their esteem and respect for him as a man. ADAMS G. ARCHIBALD, Chairman of the Boaul of Governors of Dalhomie College and University. 5^5]^0(> At., , a, p. c, ^ Gnvcniors \, 1S8S. Professor applicant •nto. Dr. 9ie shewn governors for the 5S of his luctantly with the )n entitle 3rits as a a man. nom of University. ^^^ii^*iaei'mM^^^iM>$^ii,MMAt^)-.-i>t±iii^.^^.-, rts-if^-;. .A* ;_-.-.- ^r ;i.i.**^i ^iiff.'ui^^^i^.y^^iu.k^^^'M