Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Board of Regents fonds
- CA ON00357 2000
- Fonds
- 1843-2018
Fonds consists of the records of the Board of Regents and its committees
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Board of Regents
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Board of Regents fonds
Fonds consists of the records of the Board of Regents and its committees
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Board of Regents
Records of committees concerned with Finances, Investments, Budgets, and Audits
Part of Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Board of Regents fonds
Series consists of the records of several committees related to finance and financial oversight. This includes Finance, Audit, Budget, Investment, and related committees.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Board of Regents Finance and Audit Committee
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Bursar's Office fonds
Fonds consists of the records from the Upper Canada Academy and the period when Victoria University (formerly College) was situated in Cobourg. It includes records of the Academy Treasurer, John Beatty and of the Bursars/Treasurers, John Potts and George Cox.
Subsequent records are from the Bursars of Victoria University:
W.J. Little (1932-1951)
W.C. James (1951-1963)
F.C. Stokes (1963-1985)
Larry Kurtz (1985-2003)
David Keeling (2004-2009)
Ray deSouza (2009-2023)
Kenneth Chan (2023-Present)
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Bursar's Office
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Students' Administrative Council fonds
Fonds includes photographs and consists of eleven series: Constitution, 1970–1998; Minutes and reports, 1970–2011; Directories, 1981–1993; Financial records, 1970–1987; Correspondence of the President, 1971–1995; Records relating to member organizations, commissions and committees, 1970–2009; Records relating to orientation, 1977–2004; Records relating to elections, 1976–1998; Records relating to land and property issues, 1973–1989; Subject files, 1969–2007; and Photographs
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Students' Administrative Council
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Bob Revue fonds
Fonds consists of corporate records (minutes, a subpoena, correspondence, constitution, petition, reports, questionnaires - 1894-1981); Articles and reviews (1895-1981); Music, scripts, programs, posters, and other ephemera (ca. 1894-1997); Audio tapes and records (1954-1963).
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Bob Revue
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Union Council fonds
Fonds consists of various versions of the constitution, 1930-1968; minutes, which may include annual reports and correspondence, 1959-1970; financial accounts, 1948-1970; reports, 1962-1968; records re orientation, 1960-1969; membership lists, calendars and other records, 1958-1960; minutes of the Union Activities Committee, 1952-1955 and Wymilwood House Committee, 1955-1970.
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Union Council
Victoria College (Cobourg, Ont.). Literary Association fonds
Fonds consists of constitution, 1857; minutes, 1857-1893; correspondence (letterbooks), 1870-1882; treasurer's books, 1857-1892; and library record book, 1885-1891.
Victoria College (Cobourg, Ont.). Literary Association
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Union Literary Society fonds
Fonds consists of constitution, 1893; minutes, 1893-1911, (including rough, 1893-1900), 1896, 1911-1919, 1919-1922; correspondence, 1907, 1922; song books; and correspondence file concerning repayment of a loan made by the Board of Regents to the Union Literary Society for the purchase of Indian relics, 1903-1913.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Union Literary Society
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Students' Parliament fonds
Fonds consists of constitution, 1924; minutes, 1924–1929; and cashbooks (including records of Union Literary Society), 1893–1930.
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Students' Parliament
Emmanuel College (Toronto, Ont.). Student Society fonds
Fonds consists of the following series: Constitution, 1939-1994; Minutes, 1927-1999; Records of the President, 1954-1981; Financial records, 1932-1955; Various records, 1963-1999; Records of the Association of United Church Theological Student Communities, 1975-1977; Records of the Athletic Society, 1947-1965; Records of the Clerical Collar, 1968-1971; Records of the Cousland Lectures Committee, 1961-1978; Records of the Missionary Society, 1947-1965; Records of the Theological Society, 1955-1963; and Records of the Worship Committee, 1955-1963, 1983-1997.
Emmanuel College (Toronto, Ont.). Student Society
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Music Club fonds
Fonds consists of constitution, 1963-[1972?]; minutes, 1962-1972; correspondence and other records, 1931-1977; journal record of "The Pajama Game", 1962-1963; scripts, 1962, 1975; song sheets, financial record books, 1930-1963; clippings, 1934-1975; and scrapbook, 1936-1942.
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Music Club
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Acta Victoriana fonds
Fonds consists of administrative records and correspondence.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Acta Victoriana
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Athletic Union fonds
Fonds consists of financial record and list of users of the Rink Committee; constitutions and minutes, 1931-1938, 1965; minutes of the Field Day Committee, 1909-1918; petition re playing field, [ca.1902]; and financial records, 1895-1916, 1951-1972.
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Athletic Union
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Student Organization Records Collection
Consists of the records of various student clubs and organizations including the Y.W.C.A., the Women's Athletic Association, the Cricket Club, the Varsity Christian Fellowship, Liberal Arts Club, Le Club Française, Literacy and Mutual Improvement Society, the Football Club, Bible Study Committee, the Social Caput, Orchestra, Classic Club, Chaplain's Council, Victoria Church Students Union, Contemporary Club and the Barefoot Club.
Records include constitutions, meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, membership lists, newsletters, etc.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Students' Council fonds
Fonds consists of minutes of the Students' Council, 1913-1914; minutes of the Men's Council, 1913-1916; minutes of the Women's Students Council, 1914-1920; and agreement between the Faculty of Victoria College and Men Students of the College (as represented by the Students' Council) re student government, 1914.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Students' Council
Fonds consists of manuscripts, notes, outlines, bibliographies, research material and other records for Emmanuel College course regarding missions, 1932-1941 (Box 1); and manuscript of "The expansion of Christianity: a history of missions," [193-?] (Box 2).
Wallace, Edward Wilson
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). President's Office fonds
Fonds includes records from the terms of:
Nathanael Burwash (1887-1913), Richard P. Bowles (1913-1930), Edward Wilson Wallace (1930-1941), Walter Theodore Brown (1941–1949), Harold Bennett (1949-1950), A. B. B. Moore (1950-1970), John Edwin Hodgetts (1970-1973), Goldwin S. French (1973-1987), Eva Kushner (1987-1994), Roseann Runte (1994-2001), and Paul Gooch (2001-2015).
It consists of the following series:
General correspondence, 1907-2005; General subject files, 1897-1970; Records relating to the Board of Regents, 1912-2008; Records relating to the Senate, 1954-2008; Records relating to the Victoria College Council, 1928-2008; Records relating to the academic administration, 1915-2013; Records relating to the financial administration, 1905-2000; Records relating to awards, 1918-2005; Records relating to student assistance, 1916-1976; Records relating to students, 1915-2007; Records relating to alumni, 1928-2008; Records relating to functions, 1913-2010; Records relating to the University of Toronto, 1929-2011; Records relating to the United Church of Canada, 1928-2001; Records relating to gifts, 1897-1973; Records relating to the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, 1981-2006; Records relating to fund raising, 1974-2008; Records relating to Emmanuel College, 1968-2008; Records relating to Victoria College, 1975-2012; Records relating to Victoria University, 1968-2008; Records related to the Chancellor and Chancellor's Council of Victoria University; and Records relating to Senior Administrative Meetings (SAM), 2001-2007.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). President's Office
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Faculty of Theology Fonds
Fonds consists of three series: Minutes and other records, 1868–1928; Records of the Dean of Theology, 1910–1928; and Records of students, 1871–1928.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Faculty of Theology
Minutes and other records, 1868-1928
Part of Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Faculty of Theology Fonds
Series consists of minutes of Belleville Division of the Board for the Examination of Candidates and Probationers for the Ministry, 1868-1869; minutes and other records re probationers of the Conference Board of Examiners, 1875-1902; minutes of District meetings, 1903-1923, 1925; minutes of Faculty of Theology,1873-1881, 1912-1928; minutes of joint meetings of Faculty of Theology with the faculty of Knox College (United Church) and later Union Theological College, 1925-1928; and reports, 1872- 1875, curricula and degree requirements, n.d., 1874, and survey, 1899 ; book containing signatures of honorary Doctors of Divinity, 1912-1927.
Records of the Dean of Theology
Part of Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Faculty of Theology Fonds
Series consists of two sub series: records of Francis Huston Wallace, [190 ?]-1920; and correspondence of John Fletcher McLaughlin, 1910-1911, 1920-1928.
Part of Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Faculty of Theology Fonds
Series consists of register of students and courses taken (marks for 1871-1873); register of student marks, 1872-1918, 1912- 1921; register of students and tuition fees, 1893-1902; registers of students, 1893-1915, 1915-1921; record of extra mural students, 1914-1921; and student registration cards, 1920 (summer), 1920-1921, 1923-1927, and 1927-1928 (including Union Theological College students, occasional and missionaries, and Arts)
Fonds consists of correspondence (including records as Principal of Emmanuel College, 1932–1943; notebooks; notebooks, quotations and background material; sermons; prayers and essays; essays and essay notes; essays and addresses; orders of service, worship; Book of Praise material; Book of Common Order material; and lecture notes. Also included is a series of his son's personal letters (John Craig Davidson).
Davidson, Richard
Fonds consists of correspondence (including correspondence of the Principal of Emmanuel College), 1893–1932; manuscripts of addresses and articles, 1908–1932; sermons, reports and notes, 1881–1931; diaries, 1881, 1882, 1927; published sermons, articles and pamphlets, n.d., 1905; clippings; memorial booklet, 1934; notebooks on theological subjects, n.d.; and papers from Mrs. Jean Gandier including correspondence from Alfred and biographical notes about him, 1900–[ca. 1950].
Gandier, Alfred
Emmanuel College (Toronto, Ont.). Director of Graduate Studies fonds
Consists of examination questions and correspondence, 1954-1959; records of the Council on Graduate Studies in Religion, 1950-1964; general correspondence, 1952-1981; inquiries, requests for calendars, 1958-1967; and subject correspondence files, 1964-1979.
Emmanuel College (Toronto, Ont.). Director of Graduate Studies
Emmanuel College (Toronto, Ont.). Alumni/ae Association fonds
Fonds consists of the following series: minutes of the Union Theological Alumni Association, 1927–1933; minutes and reports, 1928–1935, 1968–1992, 1995-2014; records of the Secretary/Treasurer, 1928–1973; correspondence, 1930–1934, and Records of events, 1978-2011
Emmanuel College (Toronto, Ont.). Alumni/ae Association
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Missionary Society fonds
Fonds consists of minutes 1888-1902, 1903-1919; constitution, 1900; and minutes of the Board of Management, 1894-1903.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Missionary Society
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Theological Students Society fonds
Series consists of meeting minutes of the Society.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Theological Students Society
Emmanuel College (Toronto, Ont.). Registrar's Office fonds
Fonds consists of the following series: Subject files, 1932-2003; Records relating to students, 1913-2003; Correspondence of the Registrar, 1928-1975; Records related to courses and programmes, 1893-2003; and Emmanuel College Chapel records, 1945-1960; Records related to orientation and convocations; and Records related to recruitment.
Series 4 - Records related to courses and programmes - contains records of Union Theological College, the antecedent of Emmanuel College.
Emmanuel College (Toronto, Ont.). Registrar’s Office
Kenneth Harrington Cousland fonds
Fonds consists of early papers, 1909-1929; sermons, 1925-1966; prayers, [n.d.]; lecture notes [n.d.]; papers relating to choirs and music, 1947-1963; papers relating continuing education and the training of ministers, 1923-1963; papers relating to events at Emmanuel College, 1941-1965; papers relating to United Church history and archives, 1932-1965; papers relating to Cousland's book on the founding of Emmanuel College; resume; a book of hymns by R.B.Y. Scott, [ca. 1987]; and correspondence relating to students taught by Cousland, and essays examined by him.
Cousland, Kenneth Harrington
During his thirty-seven years as a teacher and administrator at Victoria College, Samuel Nelles made an indelible imprint on both the ministry of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and the system of higher education in Ontario. Consequently, his papers possess significant research value for religious, intellectual, and educational historians. The collection held by the Archives is a fairly representative sampling of Nelles' correspondence, essays, articles, sermons, speeches, addresses, lectures, and notes. The earliest material dates from his student days in the early 1840's, and the last records were written only days before his death in 1887.
Fonds consists of the following series: Correspondence, 1856–1962; Diaries and journals, 1846–1887; Essays and articles, 1842–1896; Sermons, 1848–1888; Speeches and addresses, 1842–1887; Lectures, 1854–1887; Notebooks of sermons, addresses, lectures, essays and notes, 1847–1887; Writing and memorabilia, 1846–1902; and Material relating to Victoria College, 1851–1884.
Nelles, Samuel Sobieski
Emmanuel College (Toronto, Ont.). Council fonds
Fonds consists of four series: Minutes, 1928–2011; Minutes of the Curriculum Committee, 1976–1989; Minutes of the Planning Advisory Committee, 1989–1990; and Self-study, 1967, 1990.
Emmanuel College (Toronto, Ont.). Council
Fonds consists of papers which are primarily undated: sermons, papers, journal articles, papers, commentaries, and notes and rough drafts.
Michael, John Hugh
Fonds consists of manuscripts, notes and other material relating to Sissons' biography of Egerton Ryerson [193-], as well as articles [1931-1949], notes regarding Victoria University history [ca. 1950], and reminiscences [ca. 1961].
Sissons, Charles Bruce
In his capacities as a minister, teacher and administrator, Nathanael Burwash exerted tremendous influence on both the course of the Methodist Church in Canada and the development of the educational system in Ontario for over half a century. In view of this dual role, Burwash's papers are of cardinal interest to religious and educational historians; nevertheless, they also contain valuable insights into the political, social and economic conditions in Canada between 1860 and the end of the First World War. The collection held by the Archives includes a large selection of Burwash's correspondence, diaries, sermons, addresses, essays, lectures, manuscripts, and biographical material.
Burwash's correspondence has been organized chronologically and thematically. The bulk of the material has been classified as general correspondence, but, where the volume or importance of correspondence on a particular subject warranted, a separate file was created. When ever possible, Burwash's replies were placed with the letters in response to which they were written. The major portion of the correspondence relates to the administration of Victoria College: included are letters from students seeking advice, requests for academic recommendations and honourary degrees, applications for staff openings and salary increases, questions concerning curriculum and examinations and debates over the relationship between the university and the government. The close ties between Victoria and other Methodist institutions such as Albert College, Columbian Methodist College and Wesley College in Winnipeg are clearly illustrated. Information concerning the university's financial arrangements and endowments has largely been segregated, but the researcher should also scan the general correspondence and the Massey family correspondence for a more complete picture. The family correspondence provides insights into Burwash's private opinions and reflects many values of Canadian family life. Although there are occasional questions regarding spiritual matters, the problems of training young men for the ministry or mission work, there are not as many as might be expected from the nature of Burwash's involvements. The bulk of the religious correspondence deals with the issue of Higher Criticism (particularly the Workman and Jackson controversies). Because Burwash was generally perceived to be a moderate liberal in theological matters, he received solicitations for support from both conservatives and radicals within the Methodist Church.
Although a number of the diaries are little more than listings of appointments and meetings, others are detailed accounts of Burwash's daily activities as a young preacher and professor and outline the nature of his spiritual concerns. The division of the remainder of the material into sermons, addresses, lectures, articles, essays, and manuscripts was often difficult and, of necessity, occasionally arbitrary. Within each category, the material was arranged chronologically. Generally, any piece containing a text (unless a title indicated otherwise) was classified as a sermon; pieces addressed to an audience (usually without a text) were labelled as addresses or lectures. The lecture notes contain examples of Burwash's work both as a student and as a teacher. Compositions which seem to have been written strictly for publication rather than for an audience were considered to be essays, articles, or manuscripts. The collection includes the complete manuscript for A Manual of Christian Theology in the Inductive Method and the manuscript and several drafts of The History of Victoria College.
Burwash's writings reflect an emphasis on the inner spiritual life of the individual and the importance of such Wesleyan traditions as Christian perfection. His work was an interesting example of a nineteenth century struggle to reconcile spiritual and scientific truths, although like most Methodists he was confident that all modes of truth were ultimately harmonious. Burwash's articulation of Wesleyan doctrine was designed to separate superficial and fundamental concepts in order to prepare a doctrinal basis for church union. The biographical and autobiographical material,initially prepared by Burwash and subsequently by his eldest son Edward,is incomplete in that it deals only with the period of Burwash's life prior to the 1890's. However, it contains interesting information on the nature of the educational system in Ontario, the lifestyle of a young preacher in both rural and urban stations, and the problems facing Victoria College immediately prior to federation.
The fonds is arranged in five series: Correspondence, 1965-1925; Diaries and journal, 1859-1914; Writing, 1860-1917; Notes and manuscripts, 1862-1923; and Records, 1863-1927.
Burwash, Nathanael
John Fletcher McLaughlin fonds
Fonds consists of personal correspondence, 1878-1933; correspondence re death, 1933-1934; correspondence re biography; diaries, 1876-1892; addresses, prayers, sermons, notes, and articles; clippings; and drafts of biography by Roberta Irwin.
McLaughlin, John Fletcher
Fonds consists of notes, drafts and final version of biography of John Fletcher McLaughlin, [ca. 1972]; record of McLaughlin family; correspondence re McLaughlin scholarship, 1969-1970; family correspondence, 1913-1976; and photographs.
Irwin, Roberta
Fonds consists of correspondence, primarily incoming and family (includes some correspondence to Nathanael Burwash), 1867–1922; and correspondence, minutes and reports regarding Annesley Hall, 1900–1913.
Burwash, Margaret
Fonds consists of lecture notes (typed copies, 1976); addresses, 1931, 1955; and published articles.
Line, John
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). First House fonds
Fonds consists of general files containing minutes, correspondence, memoranda, lists of residents and other records, 1959–1961, 1966–1967, 1970–1981; minutes, 1981–1987; minutes, 1990–1991, and minutes and other records, 1991–1992; and photographs.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). First House
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Registrar's Office fonds
Fonds consists of the records of the Registrar and Associate Registrar, primarily relating to Victoria College students and student records as well as awards, prizes and scholarships, convocations, registration procedures, baccalaureate services, receptions, counselling, etc. Fonds also consists of material related to the Registrar's work with the Senate. Records include correspondence, annual reports, as well as ephemera and photographs.
Fonds consists of three series: Correspondence/subject files, 1893–2013; Student records, 1837–2008; Photographs.
Victoria College (Toronto. Ont.). Registrar's Office
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Council fonds
Fonds consists of minutes of Council, 1928-2013; and minutes and reports of various Council Committees, including the Staff Student Liaison Committee, 1966-1967; minutes of the Priorities Committee, 1990; minutes, correspondence and other records of the Committee on Recruitment, Counselling and Student Affairs, 1982-1988; minutes of the Academic Advisory Committee, 1986-2013 (incomplete); minutes of the Striking Committee, 1991-2003; and the Property Advisory Committee, 1989-2002.
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Council
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Alumnae Association fonds
Fonds consists of the following series: Constitution and minutes, 1905-1969; President’s records, 1955-1971; Program Convener's records, 1959-1964; General correspondence, 1901-1946; Records of committees and subject/correspondence files, 1931-1968; and two scrapbooks, 1924-1937 and 1937-1946.
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Alumnae Association
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Alumni Association fonds
Fonds consists of the following series: constitutions, 1963-1964; Minutes, 1865-1970; Records concerning revival of the Alumni Association, 1921-1922; Records of the Secretary Treasurer, 1925-1963; Records concerning the Victoria Emmanuel College Building Fund, 1929-1930; Records concerning World War II students, 1939- [ca. 1946]; Records concerning class reunions, [ca. 1920]-1968; Minutes of the Library Improvement Committee, 1893; Directories of alumni, 1884-1964; Correspondence of World War I alumni, 1915-1918; and Photographs.
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Alumni Association
Alumni of Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). fonds
Fonds consists of constitution, 1971-1977; minutes 1971-1996; Executive minutes, 1988-1989, 1992-2003; President's book, 1973-1974; General files, 1973-1975; file re reunions for the classes of 1918, 1923, 1930, 1935; Continuing Education Committee minutes, 1976; Programme Committee minutes, 1976; and photographs.
Alumni of Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.)
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Alma Mater Society fonds
Fonds consists of minutes, 1903-1915.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Alma Mater Society
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Women's Literary Society fonds
Fonds consists of the records of the Women's Literary Society (Ladies' Literary Society) including constitutions, minutes of meetings, financial records, and song books.
Victoria College (Toronto, Ont.). Women's Literary Society
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Committee of Management Fonds
Fonds consists of three series: Committee Records, which includes minutes of the Committee, reports of the Dean of Residences/Dean of Women to the Committee, correspondence, by-laws and constitutions, financial reports and other documents related to the management of residences. This fonds also contains the Records of the Women’s Student Union Advisory Committee / Wymilwood Committee series, as well as the Records of the Women's Council series.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Committee of Management
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Dean of Men fonds
Fonds consists of the following series: General/correspondence files, 1948-1990; Subject files, 1957-1989; Residence Council records, 1937-1990; Students correspondence, 1955-1983; Records concerning orientation, 1962-1988; Personal papers, 1953-1969, 1982-1983; and Records concerning 50th Anniversary of Burwash Hall, 1963.
Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Dean of Men
Fonds consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence re family, friends, Victoria University, charities and social and other activities and interests, [n.d.], 1913–1929; addresses for special Victoria University occasions, and on various subjects including theology and the relationship of students to the university, [n.d.], 1919–1928; baccalaureate addresses, 1915, 1916, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928; address by Bowles and addresses by others at his installation as President, 1913; lecture notes, [n.d.]; manuscripts of theological articles/books, 1946–1947; and a historical account of Dr. Bowles ancestors.
Bowles, Richard Pinch
Fonds contains letters sent by Harold Morrey Smith to his family from military training camps in Ottawa, England and France during the period 29 June 1916 to 22 May 1919. There are some additional items such as a procedure manual for Signal Training (1918), dispersal certificate (1919 May 24), a small encased picture of Jesus Christ, and a student essay written for a Modern History course.
The letters provide an exceptionally clear and vivid picture of both the external and internal worlds of Harold Morrey Smith during the period of his military service. The world outside him is described in great detail: living conditions and social life in the military training camps; training methods and signalling techniques; excursions to towns and cities, and the social life he found outside the camps; religious services attended as well as movies, plays and musicals taken in.
The internal world of Harold Morrey Smith is pictured in as much detail. It is a world shaped both by the moral and religious outlook of Canadian Methodism, and by a broad education in the liberal arts. The mind of a future lawyer is suggested in descriptive passages that are precise and analytical in approach. Other passages, in which the writer's emotions are more visible, express moral and aesthetic opinions. In some instances it appears that the writer seeks to reassure his parents that their distant son is not falling prey to the common vices of military life. Nevertheless, the letters do explore in a frank and insightful way some of his feelings about his routinized existence and the moral complexity of the war he is training to fight. Other subjects discussed in the letters are his attitudes toward his promotion to higher rank, his desire to see "action", his unwillingness to commit himself to a romantic relationship during this period, as well his thoughts about religion, art, writing, and other more abstract topics. Throughout, his closeness to his family and his fondness for the Victoria College community as remembered in Toronto and experienced abroad are evident.
The letters are written in an unusually lucid and vigorous style, which makes their reading generally quite effortless in spite of all the descriptive detail. It is evident that Smith had definite ideas about composition and style, and that he invested a good deal of time in keeping up his correspondence and diaries (the existence of other letters and the diaries are not presently known). Researchers interested in the subjects addressed in the letters to his family are the ultimate beneficiaries of this substantial investment.
Smith, Harold Morrey