Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/209

Rh wish your Congress with the Indians may turn out to the advantage of the British cause, which has received a fatal blow by the entire defeat of Washington, whom I cannot but accuse of Foolhardiness to have ventured so near a vigilant enemy without being certain of their numbers, or waiting for junction of some hundreds of our best Forces, who were within a few Days' March of him. But perhaps what is (in this case) is right; as it may open the eyes of our Assembly. As I hope soon to see you I shall say nothing about the Academy. A Resolution which my worthy Friend, Col. Martin, is like to take, affects me much, as it must be attended with an irreparable Loss to his children, for which Reason and none other you may endeavour, as I have already done, to divert him from it; and I doubt not his good sense will take it in this Light both from you and me. I know his children. They know and I hope love me. Now in about a twelvemonth their Education will be finished on the plan I have proposed. What is most useful in Logic they have already acquired. Moral Philosophy we have begun, and against the vacation in October shall have completed what we intend. Greek and Latin they continue to read at proper Hours, together with two Hours every Day at Mathematics. From October till February or March we shall be employ' d in reading some ancient Compositions critically, in applying the Rules of Rhetoric and in attempting some Imitations of these most finished Models in our own Language. This I take to be the true way of Learning Rhetoric, which I should choose to put off until after the study of natural Philosophy had we any apparatus ready, because in order to write well we should have at least a general notion of all the sciences and their relations one to another. This not only furnishes us with sentiments but perspicuity in writing, as one science frequently has Light thrown upon it by another. In the Spring we shall spend 5 or 6 weeks in such experiments in natural Philosophy as we shall be able to exhibit The rest of the Summer may be usefully spent in the Elements of civil Law, the reading of History and the study of the Ends and Uses of Society, the different Forms of Government, &c &c. All this I hope we shall be able to give our higher Class a sketch of, several of whom, particularly Mr. Martin's sons, have capacity enough for such a course of Reading. Now, sir, I appeal to you whether, for the sake of one year, it would be prudent in Mr. Martin to change his son's Masters and Method? Would he consult their Interest if, for that short time, he should interrupt the manyacquaintances they are forming at our academy, which may be of use to them while they live, and which they cannot expect at New York, where there will not be for some time above 8 or 10 Boys (unless they depart from the odd plan they have proposed), and not one Boy can be classed with Mr. Martin's sons. All this I say upon the supposition their Education could be com-