Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/373

Rh occurred to the other gentlemen, or were likely to serve as hints for able pens to set so important a subject in a proper light, he readily consented to its publication ; but requested, for particular reasons that his name might not be annexed to it. A fourth Dissertation was also published, written by the favorite son of the College, Francis Hopkinson ; 3 or to employ the too partial words of his Provost : The fourth little piece is the production of an ingenious son of the College in his own unpremeditated way. He has by many compositions done honor to the place of his education ; and by this, which was only the sudden work of a few hours of that day, in which the other pieces were under examination, he meant not to come in competition for the prize, but only to throw his mite into the general stock. An evening session afforded the Trustees an opportunity "to proceed to the examination of the Latin Pieces, but were obliged to adjourn them till next Day." An all day session of these worthy men, earnest in interest for their College and dili- gent in attendance on their duties, testifies to the spirit of its management at this time. At the next day's session Dr. Peters attended ; was his absence on the first day due to a desire to avoid decision on a composition in which a consideration of the Propietaries' interests might be discussed ? This last day's session was fruitless as it was found that the candidates for the other Medal had imprudently and for want of experience, discovered their Mottoes and consequently their Names to each other, so that the Authors of the several Pieces were generally known both within and without Doors * * * it was determined that the Medal could not consistent with Mr. Sargent' s Trust be disposed to any of them but there was not time to write anew * * * and the Candidates requested that it might be left for another year, and then be open for all Bachelors of Art, and this was acquiesced in. 8 Four Dissertations on the Reciprocal Advantages of a Perpetual Union Between Great Britain and her American Colonies written for Mr. Sargent's Prize Medal. To which (by Desire] is prefixed An Eulogium Spoken on the Delivery of the Medal at the Public Commencement in the College of Philadelphia, May 2Oth, 1766, Printed by William 6 Thomas Bradford, at the London Coffee House, MDCCLXIl, p. 112. This is title No. 2213 in Mr. Hildeburn's Issues of the Press, ii. 51. Though there were more than three hundred and fifty copies of this publica- tion subscribed for by the leading citizens and other friends of the College, yet the book is now very rare. See also Life and Correspondence of President Keed, i. 40.
 * * * it was therefore proposed to give them a new subject * * *