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Franklin, Benjamin

"Philadelphia 1726-1757"


And if Men may, and frequently do, catch such a Taste for
cultivating Flowers,ng, Grafting, Inoculating, and the like, as to
despise all other Amusements for their Sake, why may not we expect
they should acquire a Relish for that _more useful_ Culture of young
Minds. _Thompson_ says,
_'Tis Joy to see the human Blossoms blow,
When infant Reason grows apace, and calls
For the kind Hand of an assiduous Care;
Delightful Task! to rear the tender Thought,
To teach the young Idea how to shoot,
To pour the fresh Instruction o'er the Mind,
To breathe th' enliv'ning Spirit, and to fix
The generous Purpose in the glowing Breast._

That a House be provided for the ACADEMY, if not in the Town,
not many Miles from it; the Situation high and dry, and if it may be,
not far from a River, having a Garden, Orchard, Meadow, and a Field
or two.
That the House be furnished with a Library (if in the Country,
if in the Town, the Town (* 4) Libraries may serve) with Maps of all
Countries, Globes, some mathematical Instruments, and Apparatus for
Experiments in Natural Philosophy, and for Mechanics; Prints, of all
Kinds, Prospects, Buildings, Machines, _&c_. (* 5)
That the RECTOR be a Man of good Understanding, good Morals,
diligent and patient, learn'd in the Languages and Sciences, and a
correct pure Speaker and Writer of the _English_ Tongue; to have such
Tutors under him as shall be necessary.


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