網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

weeks subscribed for carrying the plan into exon; and in the beginning of January following 1750] three of the schools were opened, namee Latin and Greek school, the Mathematical he English schools. In pursuance of an arti the original plan, a school for educating sixty and thirty girls (in the charter since called the itable School) was opened, and amidst all the ulties with which the trustees have struggled respect to their funds, has still been continued For the space of forty years; so that allowing years education for each boy and girl admit nto it, which is the general rule, at least twelve red children have received in it the chief part ir education, who might otherwise, in a great uie, have been left without the means of intion. And many of those who have been thus ated, are now to be found among the most use nd resputable citizens of this state.

he institution, thus successfully begun, contin laily to flourish, to the great satisfaction of Dr. klin; who, notwithstanding the multiplicity of ther engagements and pursuits, at that busy of his life, was a constant attendant at the hly visitations and examinations of the schools, nade it his particular study, by means of his sive correspondence abroad, to advance the ation of the seminary, and to draw students cholars to it from different parts of America he West Indies. Through the interposition s benevolent and learned friend, Peter Collinof London, upon the application of the trus a charter of incorporation, dated July 13, 1753,

five hundred
now began in
the hopes of
nal design, v
stitution, up
and universi
tended as a
this fact, is
respect to t
lin, as a ph
of learning
is expressly
constitutio
"teaching
the useful
to the sta
dation fo
more ext
stances;"
Dr. Fran

or the de
scheme
ing or f
nary, u
tion or
reverse

has bee
put the
by him
lished
stances
a copy
for his

now began in good earnest to please himself wit the hopes of a speedy accomplishment of his origi nal design, viz. the establishment of a perfect in stitution, upon the plan of the European college and universities; for which his academy was in tended as a nursery or foundation. To elucidat this fact, is a matter of considerable importance i respect to the memory and character of Dr. Frank lin, as a philosopher, and as the friend and patron of learning and science; for, notwithstanding wha is expressly declared by him in the preamble to th constitutions, viz. that the academy was begun fo "teaching the Latin and Greek languages, with al the useful branches of the arts and sciences, suitabl to the state of our infant country, and laying a foun dation for posterity to erect a seminary of learning more extensive and suitable to their future circum stances;" yet it has been suggested of late, as upo Dr. Franklin's authority, that the Latin and Greek or the dead languages, are an incumbrance upon scheme of liberal education, and that the engraft ing or founding a college, or more extensive semi nary, upon his academy, was without his approba tion or agency, and gave him discontent. If the reverse of this does not already appear, from wha has been quoted above, the following letters wil put the matter beyond dispute. They were writter by him to a gentleman, who had at that time pub lished the idea of a college, suited to the circum stances of a young country, (meaning New-York, a copy of which having been sent to Dr. Franklin for his opinion, gave rise to that correspondence

which terminated about a year afterwards, in erect ing the college upon the foundation of the academy, and establishing that gentleman at the head of both, where he still continues, after a period of thirty-six years, to preside with distinguished reputation.

From these letters also, the state of the academy, at that time, will be seen.

[ocr errors][merged small]

I received your favor of the 11th instant, with your new* piece on Education, which 1 shall care fully peruse, and give you my sentiments of it, as you desire, by the next post.

I believe the young gentlemen, your pupils, may be entertained and instructed here, in mathematics and philosophy, to satisfaction. Mr. Alisont (whờ was educated at Glasgow) has been long accustomed to teach the latter, and Mr. Grew the former; and I think their pupils make great progress. Mr. Ali son has the care of the Latin and Greek school, but as he has now three good assistants, he can very well afford some hours every day for the instruction of those who are engaged in higher studies. The mathematical school is pretty well furnished with instruments. The English library is a good one;

* A general idea of the college of Marania.

The Rev. and learned Mr. Francis Alison, afterwards D. D. and vice-provost of the college.

Mr. Theophilus Grew, afterwards professor of mathematics in the college.

Those assistants were at that time Mr. Charles. Thomson, late secretary of congress, Mr. Paul Jackson and Mr. Jacob Duche.

and we have belonging to it a middling apparatus for experimental philosophy, and purpose speedily to complete it. The Loganian library, one of the best collections in America, will shortly be opened so that neither books nor instruments shall be wanting; and as we are determined always to give good salaries, we have reason to believe we may have always an opportunity of choosing good masters; upon which, indeed, the success of the whole depends. We are obliged to you for your kind offers in this respect, and when you are settled in England, we may occasionally make use of your friend. ship and judgment.

If it suits your conveniency to visit Philadelphia before you return to Europe, I shall be extremely glad to see and converse with you here, as well as to correspond with you after your settlement in England; for an acquaintance and communication with men of learning, virtue, and public spirit, is one of my greatest enjoyments.

I do not know whether you ever happened to see the first proposals I made for erecting this academy. I send them inclosed. They had (however imperfect) the desired success, being followed by a subscription of four thousand pounds, towards carrying them into execution. And as we are fond of receiving advice, and are daily improving by experience, I am in hopes we shall, in a few years, see a perfect institution.

I am very respectfully, &c.

Mr. W. Smith, Long-Island.

SIR,

B. FRANKLIN.

PHILADELPHIA, May 3d, 1753.

Mr. Peters has just now been with me, and we have compared notes on your new piece. We find

nothing in the scheme of education, however excel. lent, but what is, in our opinion, very practicable. The great difficulty will be to find the Aratus*, and other suitable persons, to carry it into execution; but such may be had if proper encouragement be given. We have both received great pleasure in the perusal of it. For my part, I know not when I have read a piece that has more affected me-so noble and just are the sentiments, so warm and animated the language; yet as censure from your friends may be of more use, as well as more agreeable to you than praise, I ought to mention, that I wish you had omitted not only the quotation from the Review,† which you are now justly dissatisfied with, but those expressions of resentment against your adversaries, in pages 65 and 79. In such cases, the noblest victory is obtained by neglect, and by shining on.

;

Mr. Allen has been out of town these ten days. but before he went he directed me to procure him six copies of your piece. Mr. Peters has taken ten. He purposed to have written to you; but omits it, as he expects so soon to have the pleasure of seeing you here. He desires me to present his affectionate compliments to you, and to assure you that you will be very welcome to him. I shall only say, that

* The name given to the principal or head of the ideal college, the system of education in which hath nevertheless been nearly realized, or followed as a model, in the college and academy of Philadelphia, and some other American seminaries, for many years past.

†The quotation alluded to (from the London Monthly Review for 1749,) was judged to reflect too severely on the discipline and government of the English universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and was expunged from the following editions of this work,

« 上一頁繼續 »