rapidly in importance. The extent and liberality of its plan, conjoined with the excellence of its management, secured it the patronage of the neighbouring population; and it soon acquired a celebrity which attracted numerous students from the distant colonies. From Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas, it received much support; and even in the West Indies, many planters preferred it, for the education of their children, to the schools of England. Among the individuals who at various times received its honours, were many who afterwards attained great distinction in their professional, literary, or political career, and thus contributed to spread and exalt its reputation. Both in the advantages which it offered, and the actual support which it received, it was, perhaps, unrivalled, certainly not surpassed by any other seminary at that time existing in the Provinces. Only two years after the charter was granted, the number of pupils in the institution amounted to about three hundred, one-third of whom were members of the collegiate depart

ment.* * In the year 1763, according to a statement made by the provost, nearly four hundred individuals were receiving their education in the various branches of the seminary. To appreciate fully the prosperity to be implied from this extensive support, we must take into consideration the limited population and wealth. of the country at that period, and must recollect that the colonies had just emerged from a long and cruel war, which had ravaged their borders, exhausted their resources, and even threatened the subversion of their liberties.

The students who came from a distance were, at first, on the same footing with those who resided permanently in the city. Boarding separately, wherever their own. inclination, or that of their friends might prompt, they attended the schools during

* In a list of the pupils in the English school, made in the commencement of the year 1757, I observed the name of Lindley Murray; in all probability the same with that Lindley Murray who has acquired so much fame as the author of the best English Grammar, and who recently died in England.

the regular hours, but, in the intervals, had the complete control of their own time and conduct. Inconveniences were thought to arise from this arrangement, which led to the proposition, that a house should be built in the vicinity of the college, sufficiently large for the accommodation of the students from other provinces and the West Indies, where they might be more immediately beneath the eye of the professors, more convenient to the schools, and, at the same time, boarded at less expense than in private families. The trustees, to enable themselves to effect this purpose, without encroaching upon their capital, which was then very small, issued proposals for a lottery; by which, as the contemplated measure was generally approved, they succeeded, in a short time, in raising a sum exceeding two thousand pounds. This was immediately applied to the proposed object; and, in the year 1762, a suitable building was erected on a lot of ground belonging to the trustees, on the north side of the college, where it still stands. The lower story was appropriated

to the charity schools, the remainder of the house to the reception of students, who were placed under the care of a steward,* and were subjected to such rules as were deemed necessary to maintain order, and promote their health, comfort, and morals. This plan, though not attended with all those advantages which had been anticipated, had been carried into effect at too great an expense of money and trouble to be hastily abandoned; and it appears to have been continued, till the operations of the College were suspended during the war of the revolution.

* Mr. Kinnersley, one of the professors, performed for many years the duties of steward.

CHAPTER III.

PROVOST AND PROFESSORS OF THE COLLEGE.

As the success of the institution was attributable more to the diligence and abilities of the professors, than, perhaps, to any other cause, we should be doing injustice to their deserts, as well as presenting a very incomplete view of the school itself, were we to pass over, without particular notice, the most prominent among the gentlemen who filled the collegiate chairs.

The first provost, the Rev. Dr. William Smith, was eminent for his various learning and general ability. Many yet living can bear witness to his eloquence as a preacher; and his published works exhibit, in a very favourable light, his powers of composition. Born and educated in Great Britain, he emigrated to this coun