ral population; and
they are entitled school libraries because their establishment has
been provided for in the School Acts, and their management confided to
the school authorities.

[Sidenote: Public School Libraries.]

Public School Libraries then, similar to those which are now being
introduced into Canada, have been in operation for several years in
some states of the neighbouring Union, and many of the most valuable
features of the Canadian system have been borrowed from them. In most
of the States, however, which have appropriated funds for library
purposes, the selection of the books has been left to the trustees
appointed by the different districts, many of whom are ill-qualified
for the task; and the consequence has been, that the travelling
pedlars, who offer the most showy books at the lowest prices, have had
the principal share in furnishing the libraries. In introducing the
system into Canada, precautions have been taken which will, I trust,
have the effect of obviating this great evil.

In the School Act of 1850, which first set apart a sum of money for
the establishment and support of school libraries, it is declared to
be the duty of the chief superintendent of education to apportion the
sum granted for this purpose by the legislature under the following
condition: 'That no aid should be given towards the establishment and
support of any school library unless an equal amount be contributed or
expended from local sources for the same;' and the Council of
Instruction is required to examine, and at its discretion recommend or
disapprove of text books for the use of schools, or books for school
libraries; 'provided that no portion of the legislative school grant
shall be applied in aid of any school in which any book is used that
has been disapproved of by the Council, and public notice given of
such disapproval.'

[Sidenote: Common schools.]

The system of public instruction in Upper Canada is engrafted upon the
municipal institutions of the Province, to which an organisation very
complete in its details, and admirably adapted to develop the
resources, confirm the credit, and promote the moral and social
interests of a young country, was imparted by an Act passed in 1849.
The law by which the common schools are regulated was enacted in 1850,
and it embraces all the