Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/193

Rh thought I perceived all that seems excellent in the ancient and modern Institutions reduced to the greatest Method and Simplicity. This I have presumed to propose to your consideration; which as it may be further improved by you, and other learned Men among us, seems extremely well adapted to the circumstances of this Province of New York, as we are now entirely such as the Miranians were when they founded their College, with Regard to Riches, Trade, and the Number of People. 6 * * * Evander tells him about twelve years ago, the Miranians saw themselves a mighty and nourishing people, in possession af an extensive country, capable of producing all the necessaries and many of the superfluities of life. They reflected that the only method of making these natural advantages of lasting use to themselves and posterity, the only infallible source of tranquillity, happiness and glory, was to contrive and execute a proper scheme for forming a succession of sober, virtuous, industrious citizens, and checking the course of growing luxury. They were sensible, that tho* a Combination of lucky circumstances, almost wholly independent on them, had raised them so high, they should be wanting to themselves if they depended longer on blind chance for any Thing which was now in their Power to command. They were convinced that, without a previous good Education, the best Laws are little better than Verba minantia, and considered as such, will be duped and broke thro* with Impunity by illustrious Villains; that the Magistrate can at best but fight vice into a corner, and that 'tis Education alone can mend and rectify the Heart; that no Government can subsist long on Violence and brute Force, and that Nature follows easily when treated rationally, but will not bear to be led, or driven. They saw also, that among the foreigners, who were as numerous as the English, many distinctions were forming upon their different customs, languages, and extractions, which, by creating separate interests, might, in the issue, prove fatal to the government. They wisely judged, therefore, that nothing could so much contribute to make such a mixture of people coalesce and unite in one common interest, as the common education of all the youth at the same public schools under the eye of the civil authority * * * With these views the Miranians applied themselves to project a plan of education; every person of genius, learning, and experience, offering his impartial thoughts on this subject, whether they were in a private or public capacity; as being sensible that an understanding of such lasting consequences demanded the united councils, the heads and hearts, of a whole country * * * With regard to learning, the Miranians divide the whole body of people into two grand classes. The first consists of those designed for the learned professions; by which they understand divinity, law, physic, agriculture, and the chief officers of the State. The second class of those designed for mechanic professions, and 6 Mirania, p. 8.