Page:The History of the University of Pennsylvania, Wood.djvu/111

Rh obligations which bind the trustees to their continued support, have been already detailed. From the foundation of the academy to the present time, two schools, one for boys, the other for girls, have been constantly maintained out of the general funds of the institution; and the average number of scholars receiving instruction in them has been about one hundred. In the year 1823, a third school was established under the following circumstances. A citizen of Philadelphia, by the name of John Keble, upon his death in 1807, left the residue of a considerable estate to be applied to such charitable objects as might be appointed by the Right Rev. Bishop White, and other persons designated in the will. Conceiving that the promotion of education among the poor was the most effectual charity, and having full confidence in the stability of the university, and the uprightness of those who had the direction of its affairs; these gentlemen were convinced that they should best acquit themselves of their charge, by appropriating the property to this institution, in trust that it should be kept a distinct fund for the extension of the boys' charity school. The appropriation was made in March, 1809, at which time the estimated value of the property was nearly ten thousand dollars. Most of it, however, being real estate, and not very productive, the income was deemed too small for immediate and advantageous application. The fund was therefore allowed to accumulate for several years, till, in 1823, it had become sufficiently ample to authorize the establishment of a new school, to be maintained exclusively out of its annual proceeds. Thus originated the Keble Charity School, which is now in a flourishing condition, containing about fifty scholars. The income of the whole Keble fund is at present estimated at one thousand dollars. That portion of it which is not applied to the support of the school, is added to the principal, and thus made productive.

All the charity schools are "subject to the inspection, 14