whole discipline is so reasonable and just, that any youth who might desire to break through the rules of this institution in his younger years, can hardly be expected to submit to the rules of civil society itself when grown up.

As to the plan of education, great care has been taken to comprehend every useful branch in it, without being burdensome, or launching into those that

are unnecessary.

The principal masters are men who have severally given specimens of their skill, in those particular parts of literature which they profess. Nor is it any objection, but rather an advantage, particularly to the youth intended for business and public life, that the building is within the city. By good rules and good example, the morals of youth may be as easily preserved, in a great and well-policed city, as in a small village; if we can suppose any place to continue small where such a seminary is once founded. When I speak so, I would be understood to mean, when the youth all lodge in the houses of their parents, or in lodgings within the walls of the college; a proper number of which are now erecting, at a very considerable expense.

In this institution, there is a good apparatus for experiments in natural philosophy, done in England by the best hands, and brought over from thence, in different parcels. There is also, in the experiment room, an electrical apparatus, chiefly the invention of one of the professors, and perhaps the completest of the kind, now in the world.

* Mr. Kinnersley.

This is a faithful, though brief, account of the whole seminary; and what a blessing must it prove to the continent of America in general, as well as to the province in which it is founded? What advantages may not the youth reap, amid so many opportunities of improvement, and so many incitements to industry; where the masters transact every thing by joint advice; where all possible regard to religion and morality is kept up, and the whole open to the visitation and frequent inspection of a number of gentlemen of rank and character?

May there never be wanting a succession of such gentlemen to take the trust and care of it; and may it continue, to the latest times, a shining light to the world around it and an honour to the province, as long as any memorial of virtue and letters shall remain among mankind!

NUMBER III.

A CHARGE DELIVERED TO THE GRADUATES AT THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY COMMENCEMENT IN THE COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA.

GENTLEMEN,

YOU now appear as candidates for the first honours of this institution. The free spirit that it breathes permits us not to bind you to us by the ordinary ties of oaths and promises. Instead thereof, we would rely on those principles of virtue and goodness which we have endeavoured to cultivate. Suffer me, therefore, ere you go, to sum up all our former labours for you, in this place, by one last and parting charge.

Surely-to live is a serious thing! And you are now about to step into life, and embark in all its busy scenes. It is fit, then, that you should make a pause a solemn pause-at its portal, and consider well what is expected from you, and how you are prepared to perform it.

On the one hand, you will have all the dangers, · and indiscretions of youth to grapple with, at your first setting out in the world. Raw and unexperienced in its ways, you will be apt to consider your

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5 1

selves as set loose from the reins of discipline, and
to look abroad in it with conscious rapture, and the
most buoyant hopes. The fulness of blood, the
strength of passion, the constant call of pleasure, and
the harlot-form of vice, will be apt to bear down that
sober wisdom and cool reflection, which are your best
guard. At every glance, elysian scenes and fairy
prospects will open
open before
you; seemingly so varie-
gated with beauty, and stored with pleasure, that the
choice will perplex you. But, alas! these lead not all
to the bowers of joy! many will only seduce you from
the path of virtue, by false appearances of happiness,
and draw you on, through meades of unreal bliss, to
the fool's paradise; a deceitful region, which proves
at last to be but the valley of the shadow of death,
where snakes lurk under the grass-

And, mid the roses, fierce repentance rears
Her horrid crest*-

On the other hand, you will find the world inclined to make but small allowances for the slips of youth. Much-very much-will be expected from you. Your superior opportunities of knowledge, the many specimens of genius you have already exhibited, will give your friends and country a right to expect every thing from you that is excellent or praise-worthy.

Oh! then, let no part of your future conduct disgrace the lessons you have received, or disappoint hopes you have so justly raised! Consider yourselves, from this day, as distinguished above the vul

*Thomson.

gar, and called upon to act a more important part in life! Strive to shine forth in every species of moral excellence, and to support the character and dignity of beings formed for endless duration! The christian world stands much in need of inflexible patterns of integrity and public virtue; and no part of it more so than the land you inhabit.

Remember that superior talents demand a superior exercise of every good quality; and that, where they produce not this salutary effect, it were far better for the world to be forever without them. Unless your education is seen conspicuous in your lives, alas! what will be its significancy to you, or to us? Will it not be deemed rather to have been a vain art of furnishing the head, than a true discipline of the heart and manners?

If, then, you regard the credit of this institution, which will travail in concern for you, till you are formed into useful men; if you regard your own credit, and the credit of the many succeeding sets of youth, who may be fired to glory by your example; let your conduct in the world be such, at least, as to deserve the applause of the wiser and better part of it. Remember you are the first who have received the honours of this seminary. You have been judged doubly deserving of them. Q! think, then, what pain it would give us, should we be disappointed in you, our first and most hopeful sons! What a reproach would it be to have it said that, under us, you had obtained all sorts of learning, and yet had not obtained wisdom-especially that wisdom, which has