1835.] PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISON. 159 to, or receive from any of the convicts or other person confined, any letter or message whatever, or to supply them with any articles, excepting such letters or messages to or from persons confined for trial as may be first submitted or communicated to the superintendent or one of the inspectors, and approved by them or either of them, under the penalty of one hundred dollars fine, to be recovered as hereinbefore provided, for other fines imposed by the act. spectors, for the government of the prison. All orders to the male keepers must be given through or by the superintendent, and to the female keepers through or by the superintendent or matron, and no keeper shall absent himself from the prison during the hours of duty without permission from the superintendent and if dis charged for any offence whatever shall never again be employed in or about said institution. No keeper shall receive, from any one confined in the prison, or from any one in his behalf, any emolument or gift, preSECTION 9. On the reception of a person sentenced sent or reward whatever, or the promise of any, either to separate or solitary confinement with labor in said for services, favors or supplies, or as a gratuity, under prison the physician, if present, or if not at his next the penalty of one hundred dollars, and imprisonment visit, shall examine the state of his or her health; he or for sixty days in said prison, and when any violation of she shall be stripped off their clothes, bathed, cleaned, this provision shall come to the knowledge of the su- and then clothed in the uniform of the institution as is perintendent or inspectors, the keeper or keepers so hereinafter provided. The prisoner shall then be exoffending shall be immediately discharged from his of amined by the clerk and superintendent, in the prefice, a majority of the inspectors consenting thereto, sence of as many of the keepers as can conveniently and prosecuted for the said offence according to law. attend. The name, height, apparel and alleged place SECTION 7. It shall be the duty of the physician to of nativity, trade, complexion, color of hair and eyes, visit the prison daily, visit and prescribe for all who are and length of feet, (to be accurately measured) shall sick, and at least once a month visit every convict con- be entered in a book provided for that purpose, togeth fined in said prison, and report monthly in writing to er with such other natural and accidental marks, or pe-the inspectors as to the health of the convicts in the in- culiarity of feature or appearance, as may serve to stitution. He shall attend immediately, on notice from identify the person, and if the convict can write, his or the superintendent that any person is sick, and he shall her signature shall be written under the description of examine every person that shall be brought into the in- the person. All the effects on the person of the constitution as a convict, as to the state of his or her health, vict as well as the clothing, shall be taken from him or and shall keep a journal, in which he shall record the her, and recorded in a book to be kept for that espename of all convicts as they come in, and the state of cial purpose, and preserved under the care of the their health; also of all persons confined who may come superintendent, to be restored to him or her on his or under his care for medical treatment, together with her discharge. If the convict is not in such ill health as such remarks as he may deem important, which journal to require to be sent to the cells or infirmary for the sick, shall be open to the inspectors and superintendent he or she shall then be conducted to the cell assigned whenever they may require it. The persons confined, to him or her, numerically designated, by which he or when under the care of the physician, shali be allowed she shall thereafter be known, during his or her consuch diet as he shall direct. The inspectors shall ap-finement. The uniform of the male convicts shall be a propriate as many cells, together with the infirmary, as jacket and trowsers of cloth or other warm stuff for the they may deem necessary, for the special occupation of winter, and lighter materials for the summer; the form the sick, and have the same so fitted up as will best and color to be determined by the inspectors, who shall promote the health, convenience and comfort of the also fix the kind of dress to be worn by the female coninmates. Whenever, in the opinion of the physician, victs in summer and winter. Two changes of linen shall any prisoner is so ill as to require removal from the orbe furnished to each convict every week in summer, and dinary cells to those thus appropriated, the superinten one in winter. No convict is to receive any thing but dent shall direct such removal and the prisoner shall the prison allowance.. be there kept until the physician shall certify that he may be returned to his former cell without injury to his health; should the physicians have reason to believe that any persons confined in said institution is materially affected by the discipline, treatment or diet, he shall, if he thinks proper, order an alteration therein, which order shall be entered on his journal, and a copy thereof furnished to the superintendent, who shall carry the same into effect until the next visit of the visiting inspectors, who shall inquire into the case, and confirm or annul said order, or refer the same to the board of inspectors. SECTION 10. When a convict shall be discharged by the expiration of the term for which he or she was sentenced, or by pardon, the clothes belonging to the institution shall be taken off, and the clothing belonging to the convict restored, together with such property, if any, that was taken from him or her at the time of reception into the prison, which has not been otherwise legally disposed of; if he or she shall not possess suitable clothing, the inspectors shall provide them with what may in their judgment be necessary. The inspectors and superintendent may furnish the discharged convict with a sum of money or clothing not exceeding five dollars in amount. SECTION 8. No person shall be permitted to visit the said prison excepting the official visiters hereinafter specified, or who has not a permission in writing from SECTION. 11. All persons confined in said prison other one of the inspectors. Provided always, nevertheless, than convicts, shall be confined in the cells separate and That the attornies at law may be permitted to visit their apart from each other; the females to be kept in a difclients confined for trial as is now provided for by law.ferent apartment or story of the building from the males, The official visiters are the Governor, the Members of and apprentices and servants in separate cells, and apart the Legislature, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, from the wing or story in which sentenced prisoners the Attorney General, the Deputies for the city and are kept, so that no possible intercourse or conversaCounty of Philadelphia, the President and Associate tion may take place among the several classes of perJudges of the District Court of the city and county of sons so confined, and it shall be the duty of the inspec Philadelphia, the court of Common pleas and Quarter tors to provide for said prisoners suitable provisions and Sessions, and the Grand Juries of the Court of Oyer bedding, and when necessary for their comfort suitable and Terminer of the county of Philadelphia, Commis- coarse clothing, to be worn while in the cells in consioners of the county of Philadelphia, and the acting finement, and to adopt such rules and regulations for Committee of the Philadelphia society for alleviating the preservation and cleanliness, decorum and order, the miseries of public Prisons, the Mayor and Recorder in the cells, among the persons so confined, as may be of the city of Philadelphia. None but the official visit-necessary, and to punish any who offend the rules and ers shall have any communication with the convicts, regulations by closer confinement and deprivation of nor shall any visiter whatever be permitted to deliver food until obedience is enforced. Provided always, That the said rules and regulations be not inconsistent or contrary to the constitution of this commonwealth and the provisions of this act. No person confined in said prison, whether for trial or otherwise, shall be allowed the use of any ardent spirits, except by direction of the physician. And any one who shall supply them with it, or with wine or any spirituous or intoxicating fermented liquor, unless by order of the physician, shall be fined fifty dollars, to be recovered as other fines are by this law made recoverable, and if an officer, be dismissed. No person confined for trial, as a disorderly apprentice or servant or vagrant, shall receive any thing but the prison allowance, unless by permission of the visiting inspectors, or in cases where the health of the person so confined, in the opinion of the physician require it. SECTION 12. For any deficiency in keeping, furnishing and maintaining said prison in conformity with the provisions of this act, the inspectors are authorized to apply to the commissioners of the county of Philadel. phia for such sum or sums as may be necessary or required, if it shall appear reasonable, and that the accounts of said inspectors are properly kept and adjusted, the commissioners of the said county shall draw an order on the treasurer of the county of Philadelphia for such sum or sums as may be necessary to satisfy such demands. SECTION 13. Every person who shall, after the completion of said prison, be convicted in any court of criminal jurisdiction in the city or county of Philadelphia, of any crime, the punishment of which would be im prisonment in the gaol and penitentiary house of Philadelphia for a period of time under two years, shall be sentenced by the proper court to suffer punishment in the Philadelphia County Prison, by separate or solitary confinement at hard labor, for and during the term of their sentence, and shall be fed, clothed and treated as is hereinbefore provided for in this act. shall be the duty of the said inspectors to remove, or cause to be removed from the prison in Walnut street in said city, all criminals who may have been convicted in any court of criminal jurisdiction in the city or county of Philadelphia, for a term under two years, and may remove them to the aforesaid Philadelphia County Pris. on, there to be kept in separate or solitary confinement at labor, fed, clothed and treated as is herein provided for by the act in relation to convicts, for the remaining period of their sentence, and until duly discharged. SECTION 17. The commissioners for the erection of the prison and debtors apartment of the county of Philadelphia are hereby authorized to borrow any sum not exceeding seventy thousand dollars, in addition to the amount already authorized as they may think necessary to defray the expenses of erecting and furnishing said prison and preparing it for the reception of prisoners, agreeably to the provisions of the act entitled, "an act to authorize a loan for the completion of the new prison and debtors apartment in the county of Philadelphia,' passed the sixth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. SECTION 18. So soon as the prisoners now in the Walnut street and the Arch street Prisons are removed to the Philadelphia County Prison, and the Eastern State Penitentiary, as provided in the act of the 28th of March, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, and by this act, that all the rights, powers and privileges at this time vested in and exercised by the board of inspectors of the jail and penitentiary house of the county of Philadelphia, shall be transferred to and vested in the board of inspectors of the Philadelphia County Prison, and the board of inspectors of the jail and penitentiary house of the County of Philadelphia, are hereby authorized and directed immediately on the removal of the said prisoners, to deliver over to the inspectors of the Philadelphia County Prison, all monies, notes, bonds, books, papers, stock and all other property then in their possession, which shall be received and properly disposed of, by the said board of inspectors of the Philadelphia County Prison, and the duties, rights and privileges of the said board of inspec tors of the jal and penitentiary house, shall forthwith cease and determine. SECTION 14. All persons who may be convicted according to the existing laws of this commonwealth, before the Mayor, Recorder, or any Alderman, of the city of Philadelphia, or before any Alderman or Justice of the Peace of the county of Philadelphia as a vagrant or disorderly person, shall be sentenced to suffer separate or solitary confinement at hard labor in the Philadelphia County Prison for the term of one month, and be fed, clothed and treated as convicts in said prison are directed to be fed, clothed and treated. Provided, That the inspectors may discharge persons committed as vagrants and disorderly, or send them to the House of Employment of the Alms House, there to be dealt with according to the provisions of the fourteenth section of the act passed the fifth March, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, entitled, "an act for the relief and employment of the poor of the city of Philadel- ini, eighteen hundred and thirty-five. phia, the district of Southwark, and the Township of the Northern Liberties." bly of this commonwealth as is altered or supplied by SECTION 19. So much of any act or acts of Assem this act, be, and the same is hereby repealed. JAMES THOMPSON, Speaker of House of Representatives. THOMAS S. CUNNINGHAM, Speaker of the Senate. APPROVED, the fourteenth day of April, Anno Dom } GEO. WOLF. SECTION 15. So soon as said prison shall be completed and prepared for the reception of prisoners, it shall be the duty of the inspectors appointed under this act to cause to be removed to said prison all persons copy of the original law on file in said office. who may be confined in the prison in Arch street in said city, excepting debtors and witnesses, and the said inspectors are hereby authorized to call upon the sheriff of the city and county of Philadelphia for such aid as they may think requisite to remove said prisoners, and thenceforth all persons, who by the existing laws of this commonwealth are liable to be confined in the Arch street Prison, shall be respectively sent to the Philadelphia County Prison, there to be kept in separate or solitary confinement, and fed, clothed and treated, according to the provisions of this act, and the rules and regulations to be made by the inspectors in confor mity therewith. SECTION 16. So soon as the said prison shall be completed and prepared for the reception of convicts, it I DO HEREBY WITNESS my hand and seal of offce, the Printed every Saturday morning by WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 9 Library street. The publication office of the Register has been removed from Franklin Place, to No, 61, in the Arcade, West Avenue, up stairs. HAZARD'S REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. VOL. XVI.--NO. 10. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 12, 1835. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. Organization and Government of the College-First No. 340. the academy. The professors, five in number, were ed of no authority in the government of the institution. assisted, when necessary, by ushers, who were possessThe duties of the faculty, were to meet, occasionally, and inquire into the condition of the schools, and conduct of the scholars; to see that the laws were observed, and the plans of education carried into effect; and, when any deficiency in the arrangements of the institution was observable, to propose such regulation for the sanction of the trustees, as they might deem likely to be conducive to its prosperity. It may not be amiss to describe more particularly the organization and mode of government of the institution, at this period. It consisted of three departments, those of the college, academy, and charity schools, the last of which, however, was connected with the two former in no other way than as it was under the authority of the same board of trustees. The college and academy were much less distinct. They were not only con- On the charitable foundation, there were two schools, nected through the medium of the trustees, but were one for boys, and another for girls, which were taught managed by the same faculty of professors; and the respectively by a master and mistress, with occasional students belonging to the two departments were often assistants. The boys were instructed in reading, writ mingled together in the same classes. The distinctioning, and arithmetic; the girls in reading, writing, and seems to have been simply this, that those pupils whose sewing. The schools were under the immediate care object was to go through a regular course of instruc- of the trustees, to whom applications for admittance tion, and ultimately receive the honor of graduation, were to be made. The number of charity scholars was were considered as members of the college; those who seldom much short of one hundred. attended merely the English and Mathematical schools, without pursuing classical or philosophical studies, as members of the Academy; and they were associated under the same teachers only when engaged in those subjects which were common to all. By this arrange ment, while young men desirous of a liberal education, either as a preparation for entering upon one of the learned professions, or simply as an accomplishment, were provided with the means of attaining it, others, of humbler views, and with more limited resources, were enabled to acquire a degree of knowledge suitable to their future prospects. The plan was well adapted to the condition of the country at a time, when schools, even of the inferior kind, were scarce, and it was desirable to effect much at as little expense as possible. At a subsequent period, however, this complexity of arrangement operated to the disadvantage of the higher branch of the seminary, both by taking away that unity of object, which in this, as well as all other pursuits, is essential to the greatest success, and by producing on the public mind an impression, that the whole institution was calculated rather for primary instruction than for completing the education of youth. In the collegiate department was a grammar school, in which boys were taught the rudiments of the learned languages, previously to their entrance into the regular classes of the college. Of these classess there were only three, the freshman, junior and senior; and the term of study was confined to the same number of years. Experience has shown that this period is too short for the attainment of the requisite knowledge by youth of ordinary abilities and industry; and, in the competition which afterward arose among the numerous colleges of this country, the arrangement was injurious to the interests of the school of Philadelphia. But at first, no disadvantage was experienced, and, perhaps, the prospect of a speedy completion of the preparatory studies, tended to favour its success at a time, when it was necessary for young men to commence the business of life at as early a period as possible. The college and academy were under the immediate direction of a faculty, composed of the professors, of whom the principal had the title of provost, and the second in authority, that of vice-provost and rector of VOL. XVI. 21 The whole property and government of the institution were, by the charter, vested in the board of trustees, which retained its original constitution. In conferring the powers before mentioned upon the faculty of the college and academy, the trustees reserved to themselves the exclusive privileges of making laws; of appointing all the officers of the seminary; of inflicting on the students the severer punishments of degradation, suspension, and expulsion; of conferring the ordinary and honorary degrees; and finally, of deciding in all matters of high importance to the institution. But in every thing winch related to the students, though, for fear of abuse, they thus reserved the power in their own hands, they generally decided according to the recom. mendation of the faculty, whose better opportunities of forming an accurate judgment entitled them to this deference.* • The names of the first trustees have been mentioned in a previous note. The following is a list of those who were subsequently elected members of the board, up to the period of its dissolution. They are given in the order of their election. It will be observed that the highest station, influence, and talent in the province, were secured in the government of the college. Isaac Norris, Thomas Cadwalader, James Hamilton, Alexander Stedman, John Mifflin, Benjamin Chew, Edward Shippen, jr. William Coxe, Thomas Willing, Jacob Duche, jr. Lynford Lardner, Amos Strettell, Andrew Elliott, John Redman, John Penn, John Lawrence, John Allen, Isaac Jones, Richard Penn, Samuel Powell, Thomas Mifflin, William White, James Tilghman, Robert Morris, Francis Hopkinson, George Clymer, Alexander Wilcox, John Cadwalader, and James Wilson. It has been mentioned that Dr. Franklin was the first president of the board. He was succeeded in that office by the Rev. Richard Peters, who was first elected in the year 1756, and was annually re-elected until the year 1764, when the state of his health rendering his absence from the country requisite, his place was supplied by the Hon. James Hamilton, then governor of the province. Mr. Hamilton having gone to England during the same year, the Hon. John Penn, who suc The first commencement of the college took place on the 17th of May, 1757, when its honours were conferred on seven young men who had completed their education within its walls. The names of these earliest graduates were Paul Jackson, Jacob Duche, Francis Hopkinson, Samuel Magaw, Hugh Williamson, James Latta, and John Morgan. 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, From this period, the institution rose rapidly in im- in the year 1762, a suitable building was erected on a portance. The extent and liberality of its plan, con- lot of ground belonging to the trustees, on the north joined with the excellence of its management, secured side of the college, where it still stands. The lower it the patronage of the neighboring population; and it story was appropriated to the charity schools, the resoon acquired a celebrity which attracted numerous mainder of the house to the reception of students, who students from the distant colonies. From Maryland, were placed under the care of a steward, and were Virginia, and the Carolinas, it received much support; subjected to such rules as were deemed necessary to and even in the West Indies, many planters preferred maintain order, and promote their health, comfort, and it, for the education of their children, to the schools of morals. This plan, though not attended with all those England. Among the individuals who at various times advantages which had been anticipated, had been car received its honours, were many who afterwards attain-ried into effect at too great an expense of money and ed great distinction in their professional, literary, or trouble to be hastily abandoned; and it appears to have political career, and thus contributed to spread and ex- been continued, till the operations of the college were alt its reputation. Both in the advantages which it of suspended during the war of the revolution fered, 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 department. In the year 1763, according to a statement made by the provost, nearly four hundred individua's 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 eruel war, which had ravaged their borders, exhausted their resources, and even threatened the subversion of their liberties. 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 country about the commencement of the year 1754, and soon after his arrival, was employed in the academy to teach those higher branches, which were at that time intro The students who came from a distance were, at first, on the same footing with those who resided permanent-duced into its course of studies. In the performance ly in the city. Boarding separately, wherever their own of this duty, he acquitted himself so well, and, in other inclination, or that of their friends might prompt, they respects, gave so much satisfaction to the trustees, that attended the schools during the regular hours, but, in when the institution assumed the form of a college, he the intervals, had the complete control of their own was unanimously chosen to fill the office of provost. time and conduct. Inconveniences were thought to Thus placed at the head of the seminary, he not only arise from this arrangement, which led to the proposi-employed in its support the talents for teaching, with tion, that a house should be built in the vicinity of the which he was eminently endowed; but also exerted college, sufficiently large for the accommodation of the himself, with much zeal and success, in enlarging its students from other provinces and the West Indies, pecuniary resources. Though, for a time, rendered where they might be more immediately beneath the unpopular with the 'predominant party, by interfering eye of the professors, more convenient to the schools, in those contentions between the legislature and the and, at the same time, boarded at less expense than in governors which formed the principal feature in the local politics of the province, he was yet enabled by ceeded him as governor, was appointed to the presiden- his talents to command the respect of the public; and cy of the board. In the year 1771, Mr. Penn left the in Great Britain, such was the esteem in which he was province, and Mr. Hamilton, having returned, was re- held, that on a visit he was induced to make to that elected. At the time of the dissolution of the board, country, in the year 1759, to escape the resentment of the Hon. Richard Penn, who followed Mr. Hamilton as the Pennsylvania Legislature, he was received into the governor, filled the office of its president, highest society, and, at the recommendation of the With regard to Mr. Hopkinson, the following is an archbishop of Canterbury and several of the principal extract from the minutes of the board of trustees, of bishops, was honored by the University of Oxford, May 20th, 1766. "It was resolved, that as Francis Hop- with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. The circumkinson, Esq., who was the first scholar in this seminary stance which exposed him to the ill-will of a numerous at its opening, and likewise one of the first who receiv-party at home, secured him the favour of the proprieed a degree, was about to embark for England, and has tors and their friends; and by the influence which he done honour to the place of his education by his abili-possessed in England, he was enabled, at a subsequent ties and good morals, as well as rendered it many sub-period, very materially to promote the interests of the stantial services on all public occasions, the thanks of college. His exertions in its favour were indeed such this institution ought to be delivered to him, in the most as frequently called forth the decided approbation of affectionate and respectful manner." the trustees; and though absent on several occasions, and at one time put under arrest by the legislature, his 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 Lindlay Murray who has acquired so much fame as the author of the best English Grammar, and who recently died in England. for many years the duties of steward. At a subsequent period the same honor was confer. red on him by the universities of Aberdeen and Dublin. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. talents and influence were thought so essential to the prosperity of the school, that he was always maintained in his station, and teachers, when necessary, were temporarily employed to supply his place. On the Occasion of his arrest, the classes under his care were directed to attend him at his place of confinement. As the events of Dr. Smith's life are intimately connected with the history of the institution over which he presided, we shall have more than one opportunity of again alluding to them, in the details which follow. The office of vice-provost and rector of the academy, was occupied by the Rev. Dr. Francis Allison. This gentleman had long been engaged in the business of instruction, and was among the first who established regular schools in the province. That he must have acquired considerable eminence as a teacher, is evinced by the fact, that at a time when honorary degrees were in much higher esteem than at present, that of Doctor of Divinity was spontaneously conferred upon him by the University of Glasgow. Before his election to the vice-provostship, he had for several years been attached to the academy as rector, and master of the Latin school. As in the case of Dr. Smith, his election was unanimous; and the names of both these gentlemen, with their respective titles, were, by direction of the trustees, inserted in the charter of the college. Their duties, as professors, were to preside over the philoso phical studies of the different classes, and Dr. Allison assisted also in teaching the languages. For more than twenty years they were the main supports of the institution, with which they remained connected up to the period of that change in its affairs which was brought about during the troubles of the revolution. coveries which he made and announced; but merely The Professorship of the languages was originally filled by Paul Jackson, who, in the year 1758, left the institution on account of ill health, and was succeeded by John Beveridge. This gentleman had, when young, taught a grammar school in Edinburgh, under the patronage of the celebrated Ruddiman, from whom, as well as from other men of note, he brought with him to this country strong testimonials both of his ability and good conduct. When invited to connect himself with the Philadelphia College, he was residing at Hartford, in Connecticut, where he had for some time been conducting a private Latin school with great success. As a classical scholar he was thought to be inferior to none in the colonies. Some of his compositions in Latin are still extant in our older Magazines, and evince a familiarity with that language, which, with his long station in the college. Upon his death in 1767, James habit of teaching, must have well qualified him for his Of the other members of the faculty, the Rev. Ebe-Davidson, who had previously kept a school in Newark, Of the earliest mathematical professor, very little His name was Theophilus Grew, nezer Kinnersley, professor of English and oratory, was was appointed to the professorship. perhaps the most conspicuous. Having been associated with Franklin in the prosecution of his investigations seems to be known. into the subject of electricity, he acquired a taste for and it would appear, from a slight notice contained in that science, which induced him to procure a set of ap- an article of the American Magazine before alluded to, paratus, calculated to exhibit an exemplification of its that he had long been an approved teacher of mathenewly discovered principles, by varied and pleasing matics and astronomy" in Philadelphia. He was attachHugh Williamson, a graduate of the experiments. Thus provided, and at the time engaged ed to the institution at its origin, and continued so till in no other employment, he was prevailed on by Frank- his death in 1759. This brief account of the early professors, will not lin to exhibit these experiments publicly, and to ac- school, succeeded to his station. company them with explanatory lectures; the first, probably, which were delivered on a scientific subject be thought misplaced by those who feel an interest in in Philadelphia. The plan succeeded so much to his the spread of learning, science, and the arts of civilisatisfaction, that he made a journey through most of zation in a young country, and are willing to do justice the colonies, delivering his lectures in the capital towns, to those who made the promotion of this object the bu and even visited the West Indies on the same errand. siness of their lives. In an article of the American Magazine for October, 1758, written, there is every reason to believe, by Dr. Smith, it is stated, that Mr. Kinnersley, was "the chief inventor of the electrical apparatus, as well as author of a considerable part of those discoveries in electricity published by Mr. Franklin, to whom he communicated them. Indeed," the author of the paper goes on to say, "Mr. Franklin himself mentions his name with honour, though he has not been careful enough to distinguish between their particular discoveries. This, perhaps, he may have thought needless, as they were known to act in concert. But though that circumstance was known here, it was not so in the remote parts of the world to which the fame of these discoveries has extended." Coming, as this account probably does, from one so closely associated with the subject of it as the provost of the college must have been with one of the professors, it may be received as the statement of Mr. Kinnersley himself. It must, however, be confess ed, that Franklin, in his memoirs, has admitted no claim of this or any other person to a participation in the dis MR. INGERSOLL'S ADDRESS. up Meeting, held in Philadelphia, on the 24th August, Remarks of the Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll, at the Town 1835. This meeting appears to have come together, under the influence of the purest love of country. Deeply impressed with the conviction that such is unquestionably the case, I have not hesitated to comply with the request with which I have been honoured to bear a part (although it will be a brief and unimportant one,) in its proceedings. The answer which the meeting itself so promptly and cheerfully gives to the unassuming invitation in which it originated, is the best practical proof how cordial is the attachment of this portion at least of the republic to the rest, and how much it is calumniated in the charge that it would assist or even countenance tended sisterhood. It were indeed devoutly to be efforts of hostility or harm towards any part of its exwished that the occasion did not exist for so large and The first rector of the academy was a Mr. Martin, who died very suddenly, soon after his appointment, "It is proper to state that this estimate was made durand was succeeded by Dr. Allison, who then resided in Chester County, and was invited by the trustees to filling the revolution, at a period when the legal currency had very much depreciated.or the vacant place. |