214 Nations lately become Literarx). [Ch, XXVX 



institution, and forming it into a college *. The 

 first provost was the rev. Dr. William Smith f , 

 whose popular talents, and taste in polite litera- 

 ture, contributed greatly to raise the character of 

 the college. He was principally assisted by the 

 rev. Dr. Francis Allison, who had been called from 



* In the establishment of this seminary on its original plan, 

 and in finally erecting it into a college. Dr. Franklin is said to 

 have been chiefl}^ aided by the councils and exertions of chief 

 justice Allen, wfio Avas much distinguished as a friend to litera- 

 ture ; by Thomas Hopkinson, esq., one of the governor's council ; 

 by the rev. Richard Peters, secretary of the province ; by Tench 

 Francis, esq., attorney-general; and by Dr. Phineas Bond, an 

 eminenf physician ; all residing in Philadelphia. 



f The rev. Dr. William Smith was a native of Scotland, and 

 received his education at the university of Aberdeen, where he 

 graduated in March 1747. The three following years he spent 

 in teaching in one of the parochial schools of that country ; and 

 in 1750 was sent up to London, in pursuance of some plan for the 

 better endowment of the said schools. In London he was induced 

 to relinquish the employment in which he wa5 engaged, and to 

 embark for America, where he soon afterward arrived. Here 

 he was employed upwards of two years as a private tutor in the 

 family of governor Martin, on Long Island, in the province of 

 New York. In this situation he was invited to take charge of 

 the college in Philadelphia, to which he consented; and after 

 revisiting England, and receiving regular ordination in the epis- 

 copal church (which took place in December 1753), he returned 

 to America; and in the month of May, 1754-, was placed at the 

 head of this infant seminary. The talents of this gentleir,an, and 

 his histoiy, from the time of his induction into the office of pro- 

 vostjfuntil his death, in the montTi of May ] 803, are generally 

 known. He gave important aid in the formation and establish-, 

 ment of another college in the state of Maryland ; and certainly 

 rendered important services to the literary interests of America. 

 It is expected that his loorks, in several volumes, will soon be 

 laid before the public. 



