Dot. No. n IT 



meet the exigencies of modern society. Though richly endouedj and 

 supplied with teachers of great powers and attainments, they serve for 

 little else than to show the strength of the current that is setting by them. 

 We, at this day, and especially in this country, need men who are ac- 

 quainted with something better than the learning of the ancient schools, 

 men who have studied profoundly the relation of scientific principles to 

 practical purposes, and who can teach their iellow-men how to apply thern 

 in advancing the public welfare. 



The general superintendence of the institution maybe committed tea 

 board of commissioners, appointed by Government, to hold their offices 

 during good behaviour, and with power to perpetuate their existence. In 

 (his way, the institution would not only be free from the evils of frequent 

 changes and political agitations, but would secure to itself, in the highest 

 degree, the benefits of personal obligation. These commissioners would 

 feel a deep sense of their responsibility, and that their powers and per- 

 manency in place were given to them that they might have the best op- 

 portunity to make the institution what it ought to be — a distinguished honor 

 to their country, and a blessing to the world. 



Let this board of commissioners procure tlic best men that can be 

 found to fill the several professorships that may be instituted ; and, in or- 

 der to secure the services of men of the first powers and attainments, to 

 lecture and conduct investigations in their appropriate deoartments, let 

 their several means to facilitate their studies be ample, and their stated 

 salaries liberal ; and then its public course of lecturing will be most fully 

 .'ittended, numbers being allured both by the fame of the professors and 

 the lightness of the fees. It was in consequence of high salaries that the 

 fhe University of Gottingen, in the 18th century, rose to the first emi- 

 nence in Germany. 



As the funds aie not now, nor are they likely to be for some time to 

 come, suflicient to support professorships in the whole circle of science, 

 it will be necessary to make a selection. The temptation will be to un- 

 dertake too much. A few chairs, well fdled and well sustained, would 

 ■effect more than a number far greater than there are adequate means to 

 support. In deciding upon the branches of knowledge to be taught, I 

 would select those that would make the institution as much Americams 

 a regard for general science will allow. In addition to the ordinary 

 professorships of law, of medicine, of ihe exact sciences, and physics, 

 of classical literature, and of modern languages, &c., I would have 

 one of the English literature, one of American history, one of Ameri- 

 can constitutional law and jurisprudence, one of American institutions, 

 one of civil engineering and architecture, one of the practical appli* 

 cation of the exact sciences to the mechanic arts. 



You will perceive that I have said nothing about professorships in the 

 tlepartment of metaphysics. I would rather leave the whole business of 

 ethical and moral philosophy to be taught elsewhere, than to introduce it 

 as a distinct course in a national institution of learning. 



Some of the above professorships are of a local and novel character ; 

 but this, I trust, will not be urged as an objection against them. The 

 achievement of our independence formed an epoch in the political 

 world. Let, then, the institution of this, our first national university, 

 fo"m an epoch in the republic of science. Much might be said in rec- 

 'ommending the branches appropriate to our country. They are such 

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