But, before the end of this period, the school had become entirely inadequate to the demand of a rapidly increasing population; and, though private schools were not wanting, still the means even of elementary education were very deficient.* In the higher branches of knowledge, instruction was accessible only to the sons of the wealthy, who were able to support the expense of a residence abroad, either in the mother country, or in one of the older colonies of New England. There was, therefore, an urgent demand for a seminary, founded upon liberal principles and embracing within its plan all those subjects of study, which are necessary to qualify the youth of a growing and prosperous community for the performance of the various duties of public and private life. *It appears from an extract from the Journal of the Council, given by Proud, in his " History of Pennsylvania," that a school was opened in Philadelphia, so early as the year 1683, by Enoch Flower, a native of Wiltshire, who taught reading, writing, and casting accounts for eight shillings a quarter. A want so obvious could not escape the penetration of our great Franklin; and, with his active and patriotic spirit, to be convinced of any public deficiency, was at once to use every exertion for its supply. His attention was accordingly directed, at a very early period, to the means of extending the benefits of education in the city and Province; and, in the year 1743, he drew up the plan of an academy, which he communicated to the Rev. Richard Peters, with the hope, that, as this gentleman was then out of employ, he might be induced to take upon himself the superintendence of such an establishment. ing, however, in obtaining the desired cooperation, and occupied with other public affairs, which appeared to be of more pressing importance, he dropped the scheme for the time; and the war which soon afterwards broke out between Great Britain and France, the effects of which were extended to the colonies, prevented its renewal for several years. Upon the conclusion of the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, and the consequent restoration of tran Fail quillity in the provinces, his thoughts reverted to the subject; and, in the year 1749, he entered with zeal upon such measures as he supposed would most promote the success of the project. As the first step, he endeavoured to interest in his favour several friends; of whom Thomas Hopkinson, Tench Francis, and the Rev. Richard Peters seem to have been the most active and efficient. Having secured their approbation and assistance, he next proceeded to write and publish a pamphlet, entitled "Proposals relative to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania," which he took care to circulate extensively among the most respectable inhabitants of the city. The proposals attracted much attention, and several of the most influential citizens, to the number of twenty-four, having met together, determined to associate themselves into a Board of Trustees, for the purpose of carrying the design into effect.* Their first object was to establish * Among the names of those gentlemen are many which are still well known and highly esteemed in PHILADELPHIA: [FAC-SIMILE OF THE TITLE-PAGE OF FRANKLIN'S PROPOSALS FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH.] |