Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/285

Rh whose assumed power for evil was deemed subversive of all that was English in Government or religion; overlooking the force of a natural sympathy binding the quiet German, intent only in his home life and freedom from state ambition, to the peace loving Quaker who might be the better legislator for his interests. It is difficult for us of to-day, who are reaping the fruits of the inherent strength of our own mother tongue, to realize the apprehension of our colonists at the predominating influence of German language and politics.

The life of the young College and Academy would not receive full illustration without a proper understanding at this period of the activities of its young Provost; for it could not be otherwise than that his instant zeal ecclesiastically/politically, and philanthropically should reflect some publicity upon, and secure some influence for, the noble school which he was now with equal zeal extending and strengthening. One thing is quite assurred, that the College was kept well before the eyes of the community, and if publicity would bring success it was bound to attain it. But however this may be, these influences were not all salutary, for seeds were now sown which brought forth such malevolent fruit in 1 779, and it is difficult to conceive his giving in the exitements of the day that constant and complete attention to the furtherance of his curriculum, which it and the institution it served might seem to require. The first commencement was hoped for in the Spring of 1756. In the Gazette of 29 April, 1756, it is noticed: "On Friday se'ennight at Ten o'clock in the Morning, the public Examinations of Candidates for Degrees in the College of Philadelphia will be begun in the Public Hall, and continued that