Nations lately become Literary. 353 



lar talents, and taste in polite literature, contri- 

 buted greatly to raise the character of the College. 

 He was principally assisted by the Rev. Dr. Fran- 

 cis Allison, who had been called from his Aca- 

 demy, before mentioned, to the office of Vice- 

 Provost in this seminary; and who, perhaps, still 

 more eminently contributed to its reputation for 

 solid learning and useful knowledge. 



The effects of this establishment in awakening 

 the attention of the public to the interests of learn- 

 ing, and in exciting a taste for literature in Penn- 

 sylvania, were soon visible. The first Commence- 

 ment took place in a short time after the second 

 Charter was obtained, when the honours of the 

 institution were conferred on six young gentle- 

 men," the most of whom became afterwards both 

 conspicuous and useful literary characters, and 

 were honourable pledges of the benign effects 

 which this College was destined to produce on the 

 literature and science, not only of Pennsylvania, 

 but also of the neighbouring States. 



It has already been mentioned, that Dr. Frank- 

 lin's exertions were eminently useful in promot- 

 ing the cause of liberal knowledge in Pennsylva- 

 nia. His experiments on Electricity were pecu- 

 liarly fitted to awaken and stimulate the public 

 mind, and were actually found to produce this ef- 

 fect, in a very remarkable degree, both in Europe 



the month of Mav, 17o4, was placed at the head of this infant Seminary. 

 The talents of this gentleman, and his history, from the time of his in- 

 duction into the office cf Provost, until his death, in the month of May, 

 1803, are generally known. He gave important aid in the formation and 

 establishment of another College in the State of Maryland ; and certainly 

 rendered important service to the literary interests of America. It is ex- 

 pected that his Works, in several volumes, will soon be laid before the 

 public. 



r These were, Jacob Duche, Samuel Mag aw, James Latta, 



Hugh Williamson, Francis Hopkinson, and Hall. The 



first three became eminent Clergymen ; and two of the others have been 

 long celebrated, in America, for their literary distinction, and their use- 

 ful services in civil life. 



VOL. II. =Z 



