Page:The History of the University of Pennsylvania, Wood.djvu/79

Rh which he had hitherto received should be continued to him during the remainder of his life. The Rev. Frederick Beasley, the present learned and respected provost, was chosen to succeed him in July, 1813.

Having spoken of the successive principals of the university, it remains that I should briefly notice their several co-adjutors. It will be remembered that Robert Patterson was one of those who were selected from the faculty of the late university, with which he had been connected from its origin, first in a subordinate capacity as a teacher in the mathematical school, and afterwards with the title and privileges of professor. Few teachers in this city have passed through a career at once so long, so uniformly correct, honourable, and prosperous, as that which prudence and fortune combined to mark out for this gentleman. Though an Irishman by birth, he came to this country before the revolution, and possessing therefore all the rights and feelings of a citizen, exhibited, throughout the course of his life, a warm attachment to our republican institutions, and a passionate interest in our national honour and greatness. Some previous experience in the art of teaching, and a skill in the mathematics which was the natural result of diligent application, great mental accuracy, and clearness of intellect, fitted him well for the chair, which, without the extraneous influence of friends and relatives, they enabled him to attain. To the professorship of mathematics, after the death of Dr. Dowell, he united that of natural philosophy; and in the year 1810 was made vice-provost, in the place of Dr. Andrews. Independently of his emoluments from the university, he for many years enjoyed a considerable salary as president of the mint. Thus comfortable in his circumstances, he was enabled, in the decline of life, to withdraw from the fatigues of his professorship, and to seek that repose which was now 10