Page:Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin (1793).djvu/129

119 remain in ſtatu quo. The truſtees would be glad to ſee a rector eſtabliſhed there, but they dread entering into new engagements till they are got out of debt and I have not yet got them wholly over to my opinion, that a good profeſſor, or teacher of the higher branches of learning, would draw ſo many ſcholars as to pay great part, if not the whole of his ſalary. Thus, unleſs the proprietors (of the province) ſhall think fit to put the finiſhing hand to our inſtitution, it muſt, I fear, wait ſome few years longer before it can arrive at that ſtate of perfection, which to me it ſeems now capable of; and all the pleaſure I promiſed myſelf in ſeeing you ſettled among us, vaniſhes into ſmoke. But good Mr. Collinſon writes me word, that no endeavours of his ſhall be wanting; and he hopes, with the archbiſhop's aſſiſtance, to be able to prevail with our proprietors. I pray God grant them ſucceſs.

My ſon preſents his affectionate regards, with, dear Sir, Yours, &c. B. FRANKLIN. P. S. I have not been favoured with a line from you ſince your arrival in England.

Philad. April 18th, 1754.

I have had but one letter from you ſince your arrival in England, which was a ſhort one, via