Na (ions lately become Literary. 383 



there were seventeen Colleges founded in the United 

 States, viz. two in Massachusetts, one in Vermont, 

 one in New- York, two in Pennsylvania, four in 

 Maryland, one in North- Carolina, three in South- 

 Carolina, one in Georgia, one in Kentucky, and 

 one in Tennessee. Besides these, Academies, dur- 

 ing this period, were multiplied almost without 

 number. Indeed, it may be questioned whether 

 seminaries of the higher order have not been made 

 so numerous in many parts of our country, as to 

 produce effects directly the reverse of what were 

 intended. It is as possible to have too many col- 

 leges, as it is to have too many lazvs, or too many 

 books. 



The institution of these academies was soon 

 followed by the organization of a new Medical 

 School attached to the University of Cambridge, 

 in Massachusetts. This event took place in 1783, 

 when the first Professors were appointed, and the 

 first system of medical lectures delivered in that 

 Commonwealth. The Governors of the University 

 were enabled to effect this establishment by means 

 of several generous donations, made for this par- 

 ticular purpose, by Dr. Ezekiel Hersey, an en- 

 lightened and opulent physician of Hingham; by 

 his widow, a few years afterwards ; by his brother, 

 Dr. Abner Hersey, of Barnstable; by Dr, John 

 Citmming, of Concord; and by William Erving, 

 Esq. of Boston/ The several Professorships bear 

 the names of their respective founders; and while 

 they exhibit monuments of laudable beneficence, 



x Dr. Ezekiak Hersey gave£. 1000 Massachusetts currency, to ba 

 applied to the support of a Professor of Anatomy and Surgery; his widow 

 a like sum, for the same purpose ; his brother, Dr. A. Hersey, £.500, 

 for the encouragement and support of medical instruction ; Dr. Cimmixg, 

 a like sum to be applied to the same object; and William Ervixg, 

 Esq. £. 1000, to be devoted to the support of a Professorship of CkeviLtry 

 and Materia Medica. These several sums, amounting to between 13000 

 and 14000 dollars, are funded, and their annual proceeds devoted to ths 

 objects directed by the donors. 



