i06 Natiojis lately become Literary. [Ch. XXVI. 



agreed upon as its permanent situation *. The 

 circumstances attending the establishment of this 

 college; the zeal for the promotion of literature^ 

 which was indicated by its erection, and which it 

 served afterwards greatly to increase; and the 

 many distinguished characters which it has con- 

 tributed to form, render it, beyond all doubt, one 

 of the most conspicuous institutions in America, 

 and one of those the history and influence of which 

 are most worthy of being traced. 



While these measures for the advancement of 

 literature were proceeding thus favourably, Ben- 

 jamin Franklin f appeared in Pennsylvania, and 

 began to distinguish himself by his exertions for 

 promoting useful knov»dedge. The original genius 

 of this celebrated man ; his sound practical under- 

 standing ; his scientific discoveries; and his zeal 

 and unwearied assiduity in forwarding every pur- 



* It ought not to pass unnoticed, that the middle colonies were 

 much indebted for their progress in literature, at this time, to 

 New England. The first three presidents of New Jersey college 

 were born and educated in that country, as were also a consi- 

 derable number of the other active and enlightened promoters 

 of learning then residing in New York, New Jersey, and Penn- 

 sylvania. 



f Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in the year 1706. 

 He first came to Philadelphia in the autumn of 1723, in the cha- 

 racter of a journe\aiian printer; established himself tliere in this 

 business on his own account in 1729, and soon began to print a 

 newspaper. In 1732 he commenced the publication of Toor 

 Richard's Almanac ; and from this time till about the year 1752, 

 when he made his grand discoveries in electricity, was gradually 

 rising in reputation and usefulness. His political character and 

 activity, beside being irrelative to the present subject, are too well 

 known to render any attempt to detail them in this place either 

 necessary or projjer. 



