Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/391

Rh the Provost made his final arrangements for departure on a Mission which while it had some promise in it was at the same time the cause of anxiety to those interests which he was now so notably to serve; we can read between the lines as it were of these proceedings of the Trustees and recognise the grave concern which prompted this serious movement to resuscitate the finances of the College and secure a further lease of life for its usefulness; and Dr. Smith's cheerful alacrity in responding to the summons testified to his sense of the necessity of the case, and without hesitation he ventured on his winter voyage. On 10 January, 1762, he preached in Christ Church the funeral sermon over the Rev. Dr. Jenney, its Rector, and on the 25th he took his departure from Philadelphia for New York, where he remained until 13 February for a suitable opportunity and on which day he sailed for England. He could not have contemplated, when he left, that an interval of more than two years and a half would o'ccur before his home would welcome his return. His time in New York afforded him a renewal of his intercourse with Dr. Johnson, who was now made acquainted with the objects of his visit to England, and as King's College had like needs with its fellow College in Pennsylvania for present support, the thoughts of Dr. Johnson and his co-laborers had already turned to the Mother Country hoping for aid, and it is not unlikely that Dr. Smith talked over his plans with them, and we shall not be surprised to see the two Colleges soliciting collections side by side, by their respective emissaries, for their treasuries, although Dr. Smith soon after his arrival in England found to his regret that instead of proceeding individually it was the better plan to proceed in partnership.

On reaching London early in March he prepared

an Humble Representation by William Smith D. D, Provost of the College, Academy, and Charitable School of Philadelphia, in behalf of said Seminary, and by appointment of the Trustees thereof, To all Charitable Persons and Patrons of Useful Knowledge, 1

which is a recapitulation and extension of the petition prepared by the Trustees already noticed, and which he employed in 1 Smith, i. 295.