Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/530

526 Under these trustees, the principal masters are constituted into a Faculty, or learned body, with all the powers necessary for the ordinary government of the schools and good education of the youth. They are to meet, in Faculty, at least once in every two weeks, and at such other times as the Provost, or senior member present, shall think fit to call them, or any two members desire him to do. At these meetings they are to enquire into the state of the schools and see that the several plans of education be regularly carried on, and the laws of the institution duly executed and observed. They have also power to enact temporary Rules and Ordinances, to be in force as Laws, till the first ensuing meeting of the trustees; before whom they are then to be laid, in order to be altered, amended or confirm' d, or left probationary for a longer period, or wholly laid aside, as they shall think fit.

By this method, all Laws either do or may take their rise from masters, who being daily present in the institution know best what regulations and orders may be wanted. At the same time, as these regulations are to receive their last sanction from the Trustees, who are men of experience, weight and probity, and have children of their own to educate, we may be certain that nothing can obtain the force of a Standing Law but what is found salutary and good upon trial. By the present rules, the faculty meets every Thursday noon, and all the schools are assembled in order to examine the weekly roll, and call delinquents to account. As several youth are too big for corporal punishment, there are small Fines by the laws agreeable to the nature of the offence, and the custom of other Colleges, yet no one need pay any such fine unless he chuses it, but may undergo the same punishment as if no such fines had ever been appointed. Whatever money is thus raised from the slothful and refractory in Fines, is appropriated in rewards to the diligent and obedient; so that any youth who has once been a delinquent may have an opportunity of getting back, by future care, what he forfeited by former neglect.

These Rewards and Punishments are both administered in the most public manner; and in short the whole discipline is so reasonable and just, that any youth who might desire to break thro' the rules of this institution in his younger years, can hardly be expected to submit to the rules of any institution when grown up.

As to the plan of education, it is already laid down,;and has been the fruit of much thought. Great care has been taken to comprehend every useful branch in it, without being burdensome, or launching into those that are unnecessary. The greatest regard possible is also paid to Religion, pure Evangelical Religion, untainted by the Dogmas of particular sects or persuasions. Prayers and reading the Holy Scriptures are regular every day, before the whole youth assembled. Nor is it any objection, but rather an advantage particularly for the youth intended for business and public life, that the building is within the city. By good rules and good