Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/195

Rh publication upon the ideal College of Mirania, and made inquiry about placing his pupils, the young Martins, in the Philadelphia Academy, pending a proposed visit home which he appeared to be contemplating for the purpose among others of applying for Orders in the Church of England. We are not told aught of Mr. Smith's change of ecclesiastical views, for that he was brought up in the Presbyterian Kirk a faithful adherent to,the Westminster Confession we cannot doubt. It may be that a two years residence on Long Island, where Yale's influence predominated, led him to a knowledge of the painful separation Johnson and Cutler and Brown had made from Presbyterianism thirty years before, and with designs of the ministry early in mind, he now acquiesced in the claims of Episcopacy and turned his face to England to seek Orders, though many months elapsed before this consummation. His letter we have not; but Franklin's letter is preserved, both the original draft and the letter, the latter omitting a paragraph of the former which bore more immediately upon the entertainment and instruction the Martins would find in Philadelphia. Mr. Smith's letter had evidently conveyed the impression that he proposed settling in England on his return. Franklin's letter is inserted here as originally drafted, the paragraph withheld being marked in brackets. Mr. Sparks gives the letter as drafted; Mr. Smith's Biographer with the original letter in hand calls attention to the omission 9 Philadelphia 19 April 1753 10 Sir. I received your favor of the nth instant, with your new piece on Education which I shall carefully peruse and give you my sentiments of it, as you desire, by next post. [I believe the young gentlemen, your pupils, may be entertained and instructed here, in mathematics and philosophy to satisfaction. Mr. Alison, who was educated at Glasgow, has been long accustomed to teach the latter, and Mr. Grew the former, and I think their pupils make great progress. Mr. Alison has the care of the Latin and Greek School; but, as he has now three good assistants, he can very well afford some hours very day for the instruction of those, who are engaged in higher studies. The mathematical school is pretty well furnished with instruments. The 9 Smith, i. 23. 10 Bigelow, ii. 288. Sparks, vii. 63.