Page:The History of the University of Pennsylvania, Wood.djvu/25

Rh Inconveniences were thought to arise from this arrangement, which led to the proposition, that a house should be built in the vicinity of the college, sufficiently large for the accommodation of the students from other provinces and the West Indies, where they might be more immediately beneath the eye of the professors, more convenient to the schools, and, at the same time, boarded at less expense than in private families. The trustees, to enable themselves to effect this purpose, without encroaching upon their capital, which was then very small, issued proposals for a lottery; by which, as the contemplated measure was generally approved, they succeeded, in a short time, in raising a sum exceeding two thousand pounds. This was immediately applied to the proposed object; and, in the year 1762, a suitable building was erected on a lot of ground belonging to the trustees, on the north side of the college, where it still stands. The lower story was appropriated to the charity schools, the remainder of the house to the reception of students, who were placed under the care of a steward, and were subjected to such rules as were deemed necessary to maintain order, and promote their health, comfort, and morals. This plan, though not attended with all those advantages which had been anticipated, had been carried into effect at too great an expense of money and trouble to be hastily abandoned; and it appears to have been continued, till the operations of the college were suspended during the war of the revolution.