Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/194

190 all the remaining people of the country. Such a division is absolutely necessary; for, if the shortest way of forming youth to act in their proper spheres, as good men and good citizens, ought always to be the object of education, these two classes should be educated on a very different plan.
 * * * These considerations gave rise to what is called the Mechanics' School in this Seminary. It might, however, as well have been called a distinct college; for it is no way connected with what is called the College (by way of Distinction) than by being under the Inspection of the same Trustees, and the Government of the same Head, whom they call Provost or Principal. Most of the Branches of Science, taught in the College, are taught in this School; but then they are taught without languages, and in a more compendious manner, as the circumstances and Business of the Mechanic require. This school is so much like the English School in Philadelphia first sketched out by the very ingenious and worthy Mr. Franklin, that a particular Account of it here is needless . 7 This reference to the Philadelphia Academy implies the author's familiarity with that scheme; and some of the phrases of Evander's narrative echo the ideas more tersely expressed by Franklin in his Proposals and other early papers on the Academy. Evander proceeds to describe the schools, and their classes in detail, and speaks of " the principal whose name is Aratus," who instructed the fifth or highest class in the study of agriculture and history.
 * * * Forgive me, my friend [proceeded Evander], if in this part of my narrative, I should be tedious, or discover any unbecoming raptures. The time spent in these studies was the happiest period of my life, and which I have often wished I could begin again, a period I can never reflect upon, without feeling my bosom burn, and thinking I hear the good Aratus, with hands outstretched, and eyes glowing affection and devotion, pouring important Truths from his fervent Tongue, and leading us unperceptibly from the visible to the unvisible things of God. 8 It was but natural that Mr. Smith should send copies of his piece to some of those interested in a work in Philadelphia, akin to the efforts now making in New York, and on April 1 1 he wrote to Franklin enclosing a copy of his 7 Mirania, pp. 9, IO, 14, 15. 8 Mirania, p. 45. Dr. .Smith prepared a second edition of this very entertaining and instructive Essay for his Discourses of 1762, "corrected" by him, but the corrections and abbreviations detract somewhat from the interest and style and the freshness of the edition of 1753.