the trustees, after the expiration of a few years, found themselves involved in an increasing debt, which the subsidence of the original enthusiasm left them without the means of discharging. Things were in this condition, when the project of an academy was announced. It was thought that the objects of both establishments might be attained by a combination of their resources; and as Franklin was a member of each body of trustees, an agreement was effected, by his agency, satisfactory to both parties. A conveyance of the new building was made to the trustees of the Academy, on the conditions, that the debt, now amounting to nearly eight hundred pounds, should be discharged; that a free school should be maintained on the premises; and that in the house already built, or in one to be built for the purpose, a place of worship should be set apart for the occasional use of such ministers of the gospel as the trustees might judge qualified to "teach the word of God;" and especially, that its free and uninterrupted use should be permitted to the Rev. Mr. George

Whitefield, "whenever he should happen to be in the city, and desire to preach therein." * These conditions have been complied with; and to this day a charity school has been maintained, and a room kept open in the building, for the convenience of itinerant preachers. This transaction took place in December, 1749; but, as many alterations were to be made in the edifice to fit it for the new purposes to which it was to be applied, and the trustees were desirous of carrying their design into immediate effect, it became necessary to procure temporary accommodations; and

* Mr. Thompson Westcott, in his "Historic Mansions of Philadelphia," says that all the original buildings occupied by the Academy have been removed, and that "a hall was built on the rear portion of the ground, in which a room was dedicated for the use of ministers of the gospel of religious sects, stipulated for when the new building was erected to accommodate Whitefield in 1741. Apartments for the Charity School were also prepared, and those institutions were until lately (1877) held upon the old site, so that after one hundred and thirty-six years a portion of the ground upon which the Academy was built was still devoted to its original purposes,-to free education and to free

the schools were first opened in a private house.* It was not till the commencement of the year 1751, that they were introduced into the new hall; on which occasion, the usual solemnities were observed, and a sermon was preached by the Rev. Richard Peters.†

The views of the trustees were at first wisely directed to the communication of that elementary knowledge, which is most essential to the citizens of a rising community, and the acquisition of which is a necessary step towards the attainment of

speech or religious topics." Since Mr. Westcott wrote, the Charity Schools have been closed, and a number of free scholarships in the University established in their stead. While no portion of the original building remains, the University still holds a small interest in the site of the old Academy.-Note to the present edition. * In the house of Mr. Allen in Second Street. Westcott's "Historic Mansions of Philadelphia."—Note to the present edition.

†This gentleman, though a clergyman, was employed in the secular office of provincial secretary. He was a man of high standing and very considerable influence; and was the successor of Franklin in the presidency of the Board of Trustees.