While in England, in reply to a retrospective letter from me at the close of that eventful year, Dr. Ryerson wrote as follows:-- "LONDON, December 12th, 1876. "DEAR HODGINS,-- . . . . . . . . . . "Had we been enabled to work together, as in former years, we would have done great things for our country, and I could have died in the harness with you. But it was not to be so.... I have no doubt it will be seen that the hand of God is in this, as it has been in all our work together for more than thirty years. "Your ever Affectionate Friend, "E. RYERSON. "J. GEORGE HODGINS, Esq., LL.D." Under these circumstances how can I, therefore, regard without emotion the events of to-day? They bring vividly to my recollection many memorable incidents and interesting events of our educational past known only to myself. They also deeply impress me with the fleeting and transitory nature of all things human. The Chief and sixteen counsellors, appointed and elected to assist him, (besides more than twenty persons connected with various branches of the Department) have all passed away since my first connection with the Department in 1844.[62] His great work remains, however, and his invaluable services to the country we all gratefully recall to-day, while his native land lovingly acknowledges these services in erecting this noble monument to his memory. Truly indeed and faithfully did Egerton Ryerson make good his promise to the people of this Province, when he solemnly pledged himself, on accepting office in 1844-- "To provide for my native country a system of education, and facilities for intellectual improvement not second to those of any country in the world." God grant that the seed sown and the foundations thus laid with such anxious toil and care--and yet in faith--may prove to be one of our richest heritages, so that in the future, wisdom and knowledge, in the highest and truest sense, may be the stability of our times! J. G. H. Toronto, 24th May, 1889. [62] These sixteen were:-- 1. The Right Reverend Michael Power, D.D. 2. Hugh Scobie, Esquire. 3. Hon. Samuel Bealey Harrison, Q.C. 4. The Reverend Adam Lillie, D.D. 5. James Scott Howard, Esquire. 6. The Reverend John Jennings, D.D. 7. The Very Reverend Henry James Grasett, D.D. 8. The Hon. Mr. Justice Morrison. 9. The Reverend John Ambery, M.A. 10. The Right Reverend Thomas Brock Fuller, D.D. 11. The Reverend J. Tabarat, D.D. 12. The Reverend John McCaul, LL.D. 13. The Reverend John Barclay, D.D. 14. The Honorable William McMaster. 15. The Reverend Samuel S. Nelles, D.D., LL.D. 16. The Most Reverend John Joseph Lynch, D.D. * * * * * Transcriber's note: Minor typographical and punctuation errors have been corrected without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as printed.