Concerning the foregoing plan, it is to be remarked that life itself being too short to attain a perfect acquaintance with the whole circle of the sciences, nothing can be proposed by any scheme of collegiate education, but to lay such a general foundation in all the branches of literature as may enable the youth to perfect themselves in those particular parts to which their business or genius may afterwards lead them; and scarce anything has more obstructed the advancement of sound learning than a vain imagination, that a few years spent at college can render youth such absolute masters of science as to absolve them from all future study.

Those concerned in the management of this seminary, as far as their influence extends, would wish to propagate a contrary doctrine; and though they flatter themselves that by a due execution of the foregoing plan they shall enrich their country with many minds that are liberally accomplished, and send out none that may justly be denominated barren or unimproved, yet they hope that the youth committed to their care will, neither at college nor afterwards, rest satisfied with such a general knowledge as is to be acquired from the public lectures and exercises. They rather trust that those whose taste is once formed for the acquisition of solid wisdom, will think it their duty, and most rational satisfaction, to accomplish themselves still farther by manly perseverance in private study and meditation.

To direct them in this respect, the last column contains a choice of approved writers in the various branches of literature, which will be easily understood when once a foundation is laid in the books to be used as classics, under the several lectures. For these books will not be found in this last column, which is only meant as a private library to be consulted occasionally in the lectures, for the illustration of any particular part, and to be read afterwards for completing the whole.

In the disposition of the parts of this scheme a principal regard has been paid to the connection and subserviency of the sciences, as well as to the gradual opening of young minds. Those parts are placed first which are suited to strengthen the inventive faculties, and are instrumental to what follows. Those are placed last which require riper judgment, and are more immediately connected with the main business of life.

In the meantime it is proposed that they shall never drop their acquaintance with the classic sages. They are every day called to converse with some one of the ancients, who, at the same time that he charms with all the beauties of language, is generally illustrating that particular branch of philosophy or science to which the other hours of the day are devoted. Thus, by continually drawing something from the most admired masters of sentiment and expression, the taste of youth will be gradually formed to just criticism and masterly composition.

For this reason composition, in the strict meaning of the term, cannot

well be begun at an earlier period than is proposed in the plan. The knowledge of mathematics is not more necessary, as an introduction to natural philosophy, than an acquaintance with the best ancient and modern writers, especially the critics, is to just composition; and, besides this, the topics or materials are to be supplied, in a good measure, from moral and natural philosophy.

Thus it is hoped that the student may be led through a scale of easy ascent, till finally rendered capable of thinking, writing, and acting well, which are the grand objects of a liberal education. At the end of every term some time is allowed for recreation, or bringing up slower geniuses. No doubt those who compare this plan with what is laid down in the preceding essay will think the term of three years too scanty a period for the execution of everything here proposed. And it must be acknowledged that a longer period would be necessary. But circumstances must always be regarded in the execution of every plan, and the reason of confining the execution of this to the term of three years hath been mentioned in the postscript to the former number.

William Smith, D. D., Provost of the Seminary and Professor of Natural Philosophy; Francis Alison, D. D., Vice-Provost and Professor of Moral Philosophy; Ebenezer Kinnersley, M.A., Professor of Oratory; John Beveridge, M. A., Professor of Languages; Hugh Williamson, M. A., Professor of Mathematics.

THE PRESENT TRUSTEES ARE

Richard Peters, Esq., President of the Board, by annual election; the Honorable James Hamilton, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province; the Honorable William Allen, Esq., Chief Justice; William

Coleman, Esq., Third Judge of the Supreme Court; Alexander Stedman, Esq., First Judge of the Common Pleas; Edward Shippen, Esq., Judge of the Admiralty; Benjamin Chew, Esq., Attorney-General; Benjamin Franklin, Esq., LL.D.; Joseph Turner, William Plumsted, Abram Taylor, William Coxe, Thomas Willing, Esqrs., Aldermen of the city of Philadelphia; Drs. Thomas Cadwalader, Thomas Bond, Phineas Bond, William Shippen, Physicians; Messrs. John Inglis, Thomas Leech, Thomas White, Samuel McCall, Philip Syng, Gentlemen; The Reverend Jacob Duché, one of the ministers of Christ Church. One seat vacant. Thus we see that this institution is placed on a most enlarged bottom, being one great collection of schools, under a general government; in which all the branches and species of education are carried on that can be conceived necessary for any community, whether in the learned professions, in merchandise, in the mechanic arts, or inferior callings. It may, therefore, be proper now to give a short sketch of the methods by which discipline and good order are preserved, among such a variety of schools, students, and scholars.

The chief power is, by charter, lodged in twenty-four trustees, who must all be resident not only within the province, but within five miles of the city. All matters of higher import are to be decided by their counsel and direction; and all laws are either to be made by them, or receive a final sanction from them. No student can receive the honors and ordinary degrees of the College without a previous examination in their presence, and a mandate under their privy seal and the hands of a majority of them. Nor can even an honorary degree be conferred without a like mandate, under the said privy seal and the hands of at least two-thirds of the whole body; which regulations must always be a means of preventing a prostitution of those degrees and honors to the illiterate and undeserving, which should be the reward of real learning and worth.

In order to do their duty as trustees more effectually, they set apart the second Tuesday of every month for visiting and examining the schools, conversing and advising with the masters, encouraging the students according to their several degrees of merit, and making such regulations as may be thought necessary. All the schools have their turns of these visitations, which are truly calculated to keep up the spirit of the institution, and promote diligence, emulation, and good behavior among the scholars.

Besides these stated meetings, their president, who is chosen annually, has a power of calling other meetings on any particular occasion.

Under these trustees the principal masters are constituted into a faculty or common body, with all the powers necessary for the ordinary government of the schools and good education of the youth. They are to meet, in faculty, at least once in every two weeks, and at such other times as the provost or senior member present shall think fit to call

them, or any two members desire him so to do. At these meetings they are to inquire into the state of the schools, and see that the several parts of education be regularly carried on, and the laws of the institution duly executed and observed. They have also power to enact temporary rules and ordinances, to be in force as laws, till the first ensuing meeting of the trustees; before whom they are then to be laid, in order to be altered, amended, or confirmed, or left probationary for a longer period, or wholly laid aside, as they shall think fit.

By this method all laws either do or may take their rise from masters, who being daily present in the institution know best what regulations and orders may be wanted. At the same time, as these regulations are to receive their last sanction from the trustees and visitors, who are men of experience, influence, and probity, and have children of their own to educate, we may be certain that nothing can obtain the force of a standing law but what is found salutary and good upon trial.

By the present rules the faculty of masters meets every Thursday noon, and all the schools are assembled before them, that they may examine the weekly roll, and call delinquents to account. As many of the youth are too big for corporeal punishment, there are small fines by the laws agreeable to the nature of the offence and the custom of other colleges. Whatever money is thus raised from the slothful and refractory in fines, is appropriated in rewards to the diligent and obedient; so that any youth, who has once been a delinquent, may have an opportunity of getting back, by future care, what he forfeited by former neglect.

These rewards and punishment are both administered in the most public manner; and, in short, the whole discipline is so reasonable and just, that any youth who might desire to break through the rules of this institution in his younger years can hardly be expected to submit to the rules of civil society itself when grown up.

As to the plan of education, great care has been taken to comprehend every useful branch in it, without being burdensome or launching into those that are unnecessary.

The principal masters are men who have severally given specimens of their skill in those particular parts of literature which they profess. Nor is it any objection, but rather an advantage, particularly to the youth intended for business and public life, that the building is within the city. By good rules and good example, the morals of youth may be as easily preserved in a great and well-policed city as in a small village, if we can suppose any place to continue small where such a seminary is once founded. When I speak so I would be understood to mean when the youth all lodge in the houses of their parents, or in lodgings within the walls of the College; a proper number of which are now erecting at a very considerable expense.

In this institution there is a good apparatus for experiments in natural philosophy, done in England by the best hands, and brought over from

thence in different parcels. There is also in the experiment-room an electrical apparatus, chiefly the invention of one of the professors,* and perhaps the completest of the kind now in the world.

This is a faithful though brief account of the whole Seminary, and what a blessing must it prove to the continent of America in general, as well as to the province in which it is founded? What advantages may not the youth reap amid so many opportunities of improvement and so many incitements to industry, where the masters transact everything by joint advice, where all possible regard to religion and morality is kept up, and the whole open to the visitation and frequent inspection of a number of gentlemen of rank and character?

May there never be wanting a succession of such gentlemen to take the trust and care of it; and may it continue, to the latest times, a shining light to the world around it and an honor to the province, as long as any memorial of virtue and letters shall remain among mankind!

CHAPTER V.

MEETING OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE GerMANS-DR. MUHLENBERG TO DR. FRANKLIN-VARIOUS SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED -DIFFICULTIES WITH SAUER, ETC.

Ox the 10th of August, 1754, the Governor, having called a meeting of the trustees of the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge among the Germans settled in Pennsylvania, the trustees met at the house of William Allen, Esq., in Mount Airy, to take into their consideration the business so warmly recommended in the letter from the secretary, dated London, March 15th. There were present James Hamilton, Richard Peters, Benjamin Franklin, and William Smith.

The following resolutions were passed:

That an English school be erected and opened with all possible expedition at each of the following places, viz.: at Reading, York, Easton, Lancaster, Hanover, and Skippack.

That, for the better government of these schools, a certain number of the most reputable persons residing near every particular school be ap

* Mr. Kinnersley.