Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/528

524 "N. B. The utmost care will be taken for a faithful execution of this plan in all its parts. The time for admitting Freshmen in the youngest philosophy class is May 15, according to the plan. But those who necessarily apply later in the first year will obtain Admission, provided it appear upon examination that they are sufficiently grounded in the parts laid down in the plan, previous to the date of such their admission; which Parts may always be known from inspection, together with the proficiency made by the class which they are to join. The Sentiments of Men of Learning will be thankfully received for perfecting the whole, and upon a CANDID application to any of the professors, they will endeavour to explain and remove any difficulties that may occur to any persons concerning it."

So far the Professors themselves proceed in their account of the College-part, two years after its first erection. I go on to the next branch of this institution, which is properly an English Academy, and consists of two parts; an English and Writing School, and a School for the Practical branches of the Mathematics. In the Former, besides Writing, the children are taugh the Mother-tongue Grammatically, together with a correct and just pronunciation. And for attaining this, a small rostrum or oratory is erected in one end of the School, and the children are frequently exercised in reading aloud from it, or delivering short orations; while the Professor of English and Oratory stands by to correct whatever may be amiss, either in their Speech or Gesture. This part of the institution is of singular benefit. It corrects unbecoming bashfulness, &c. gives the youth presence of mind, habituates them to appearing in public, and has been the means of producing many excellent young Orators, that have occasionally charmed vast audiences and it is hoped will soon become an honour and ornament to their country, in the various stations to which they may be called. This attention to public speaking, which is begun here, is continued to the end, and especially in the philosophy schools, where the youth frequently deliver exercises of their own composition, at commencements, examinations and other public occasions.

The Last branch of this institution consists of two charity schools; in one of which 40 Girls are taught Reading Writing, and Sewing, and in the other 60 Boys are taught Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.

This is a very noble and generous part of the design, and the benefit done by it to a vast number of poor children, who received the rudiments of education here to fit them for various sorts of business and mechanic arts, is unspeakable. For tho' the number of Boys was only intended to be 60, yet it is generally near 80, and wou'd be much greater if they could be received.

Thus, besides 5 Professors that constitute the Faculty, and have the immediate inspection of the whole, 6 other persons are continually