Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2005.1.59 |
Object Name |
Book, Activity |
Title |
Public School Drawing Course |
Date |
c. 1892 |
Description |
A "Public School Drawing Course" book belonging to Ethel Irene Hamilton (1885-1962). The soft cover book is cream coloured and has black print on the front. The book was published by Canada Publishing Co. Limited in Toronto, Ontario. |
History |
Ethel Irene Hamilton was born on April 27, 1885, in Streetsville, Ontario. She was the daughter of John Hamilton and his first wife, Rebecca Ann Cordingley. The Hamilton family lived in the village of Diamond (nicknamed the "Catholic Swamp" by newspapers at the time), Trafalgar Township (later amalgamated into the City of Mississauga in 1974 as part of Lisgar), just south of Osprey Marsh (Lot 4, Con. 10 NS). As a child Ethel attended S.S. No. 17 School, also known as Eden School, in Toronto Township, historic Mississauga. This drawing book was first written and published in 1892 by J. H. McFaul. It was authorized by the Minister of Education to teach the fundamentals and techniques of drawing to No. 5 Junior Fourth (junior grades 4-5) children. Ethel Irene Hamilton probably used this book in S.S. No. 17 School around 1895 when she was about 10 years old. The Industrial Revolution created a manufacturing boom and a level of prosperity never seen before. A burgeoning middle class was formed and people had more disposable income and time than in previous eras. People began to travel and take up hobbies to fill their free time, but these activities also served another important purpose. Hobbies allow people to learn and foster new skills, improve their mental and physical well-being and promote mindfulness. Improving oneself in these ways was a key feature of Victorian morality. Drawing and the arts were particularly revered as a form of cultural literacy and heritage, which any respectable Victorian, young or old, would strive to foster and strengthen in themselves. |
References |
Battersby, A. (2021, June 4). A Victorian Commonplace Book, part 4. Special Collections Museum, Manchester Metropolitan University. Retrieved from: https://mmuspecialcollections.wordpress.com/2021/06/04/a-victorian-commonplace-book-part-4/ McFaul, J. H. (1892). "Public school drawing course : (no. 5, junior fourth)". Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/publicschool92west00mcfa/mode/2up |
People |
Hamilton, Ethel Irene |
Site |
S.S. #17 Eden School |
Search Terms |
Diamond/Catholic Swamp Lisgar Streetsville |
Relation |
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