Nations lately become Literary. 339 



In 1714, the foundation of a Library was laid in 

 this college. Jeremiah Dummer, Esq. of Boston, 

 then an agent in London, presented to it more than 

 eight hundred volumes of very valuable books, 

 part of which were purchased by himself, and the 

 rest obtained from his friends in London. Among 

 the donors, on this occasion, appear the names of 

 some of the most conspicuous literary and philoso- 

 phical characters then living in Great-Britain/ 

 These books, together with large additions soon 

 afterwards made by Governor Yale, 7 and others, 

 produced immediate and visible effects on the state 

 of learning in the colony. Before their arrival 

 there were scarcely any books in use, but such 

 as had been imported with the first settlers, and, 

 of course, little was known concerning the most 

 important publications, discoveries, and improve- 

 ments, which had been laid before the public 

 in the course of the preceding century. From 

 these books, the instructors and students of Yale 

 College first learned the philosophy of Locke and 

 of Newton, as well as the important improvements, 

 which had recently taken place in various depart- 

 ments of literature. 



It was some years after the establishment of 

 Yale College before the interests of literature be- 

 gan to assume a promising aspect in Pennsylvania. 

 William Penn, being himself a learned man, was 

 a friend to the progress of knowledge. We there- 

 fore find, that, under his auspices, there was esta- 



p Among the names of the contributors to this collection of books for 

 Yale College, we find those of Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Richard 

 Blackmore, Sir Richard Steele, Dr. Burnet, Dr. Woodward, 

 Dr. Halley, Dr. Bentley, Dr. Kennet, Dr. Calamy, Dr. Ed- 

 wards, the Rev. Mr. Henry, and Mr. Whiston, who severally pre- 

 sented copies of their own works. Seethe account of Tale College in the 

 Appendix fc the Rev. Mr. Holmes's Life of President Stiles. 



q Thomas Yale, Esq. who had been Governor of Fort St. George, in 

 India: For his repeated acts of generosity to the college the Trustees 

 gave it his name. 



