Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/370

366 After considering the Letter which Mr. Peters and Mr. Franklin were desired to think of a proper Classical Subject and to inquire of Dr. Alison and Mr. Ewing if both or either of these subjects might be pro- posed to the present Candidates for Degrees, and if proper Orations could be prepared by them against the next Commencement The Medals were very kindly accepted and the same gentlemen were desired to return the Thanks of the Trustees to Mr Sargent for his Gift At the meeting of 8 March they acquainted the Trustees that they had conferred with Dr Alison and Mr Ewing and finding it to be their Opinion that the Subject proposed by Mr Sargent was too high for the Present Candidates for Degrees, but that they might perhaps find time to undertake the classical Subject; they had there- fore proposed to them, if the Trustees approved of it, to prepare Orations on the Subject of a Roman Education, for as in this the Foundation was laid of all those great characters which were so much admired in the Roman History, the Students would have an ample opportunity in this subject to show their Abilities and Improvements in Literature. But as to the other Medal, it was said with perhaps some significance, " As to the other Subject they would recommend it to the Trustees to let it lye a little longer for consideration." Dr. Peters wrote an acknowledgment of thanks on 6 April, and his letter is entered on the minutes, giving Mr. Sargent their hearty Thanks for the Regard you have been pleased to shew to the Institution in the Disposal of the two gold Medals committed to the care of our worthy Member Dr Franklin, He has been so kind as to present these two curious Medals to the Trustees as your Gift, and to communicate to them your Letter, whereby we observe you have yourself made Choice of one of the Subjects for the Students to try their Abilities upon, and we are obliged to you for your Attention to the Welfare of these Colonies in desiring that it may be on the reciprocal Advantages arising from a perpetual Union between Great Britain and them ; * * * indeed this came too late to be proposed to our Students as they had all the Subjects of their Exercises given them against the approaching Commencement, and were ingenuous enough to acknowledge they did not think themselves furnished with a competent Stock of that sort of Knowledge and Reading which is required to write well on that Subject; and then he acquainted him with the present decision of the Trustees. But the medals were not brought into service for the space