(* 1)
Many of the first Settlers of these Provinces, were Men who had
received a good Education in _Europe_, and to their Wisdom and good
Management we owe much of our present Prosperity. But their Hands
were full, and they could not do all Things. The present Race are
not thought to be generally of equal Ability: For though the
_American_ Youth are allow'd not to want Capacity; yet the best
Capacities require Cultivation, it being truly with them, as with the
best Ground, which unless well tilled and sowed with profitable Seed,
produces only ranker Weeds.
That we may obtain the Advantages arising from an Increase of
Knowledge, and prevent as much as may be the mischievous Consequences
that would attend a general Ignorance among us, the following _Hints_
are offered towards forming a Plan for the Education of the Youth of
_Pennsylvania_, viz.
It is propos'd,
THAT some Persons of Leisure and publick Spirit, apply for a
CHARTER, by which they may be incorporated, with Power to erect an
ACADEMY for the Education of Youth, to govern the same, provide
Masters, make Rules, receive Donations, purchase Lands, _&c._ and to
add to their Number, from Time to Time such other Persons as they
shall judge suitable.
That the Members of the Corporation make it their Pleasure, and
in some Degree their Business, to visit the Academy often, encourage
and (* 2) countenance the Youth, countenance and assist the Masters,
and by all Means in their Power advance the Usefulness and Reputation
of the Design; that they look on the Students as in some Sort their
Children, treat them with Familiarity and Affection, and when they
have behav'd well, and gone through their Studies, and are to enter
the World, zealously unite, and make all the Interest that can be
made to establish them (* 3), whether in Business, Offices,
Marriages, or any other Thing for their Advantage, preferably to all
other Persons whatsoever even of equal Merit.
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