Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/62

58  Academy, but as the New Building was in all respects better suited to their present circumstances and future views, they could only return him their sincere thanks for his kind and generous offer. In his late years he suffered from ill health, and on 31 October, 1751 he died at Stenton. The new Trustee selected in his place was Isaac Norris, his son-in-law.

Franklin's obituary to him which appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette of 7 November fittingly records his estimation of the man who was first in the list of the Trustees of the Academy:

Thursday last, after a long Indisposition, died the honourable, Esq.: in the 77th Year of his Age, and on Saturday his Remains were decently interr'd in the Friends Burying ground in this city, the Funeral being respectfully attended by the principal Gentlemen and Inhabitants of Philadelphia and the neighbouring Country. His Life was for the most Part a Life of Business, tho' he had always been passionately fond of study. He had borne the Several Offices of Provincial Secretary, Commissioner of Property, Chief Judge of the Supreme Court, and for near two Years govern'd the Province as President of the Council, in all which publick Stations, as well as in private Life, he behav'd with unblemish'd Integrity: But some Years before his Death he retired from publick Affairs to Stenton his Country Seat, where he enjoy'd among his Books that Leisure which Men of Letters so earnestly desire. He was thoroughly versed both in ancient and modern Learning, acquainted with the oriental Tongues, a Master of the Greek and Latin, French and Italian Languages, deeply skilled in the Mathematical Sciences, and in Natural and Moral Philosophy, as several Pieces of his writing witness, which have been repeatedly printed in Divers Parts of Europe, and are highly esteemed by the Learned. But the most noble Monument of his Wisdom, Publick Spirit, Benevolence and affectionate Regard to the People of Pennsylvania is his ; which he has been collecting these 50 Years past, with the greatest Care and Judgment, intending it a Benefaction to the Publick for the Increase of Knowledge, and for the common Use and Benefit of all Lovers of Learning. It contains the best Editions of the best Books in various Languages, Arts and Sciences, and is without Doubt the largest, and by far the most valuable Collection of the Kind in this Part of the World, and will convey the name of thro' ages with Honour, to the latest posterity.