238 Naiioits lately become Literary. [Ch. XXVI. 



the year 1792, when it was established on a new 

 , and better foundation (as was stated in another 

 place), and now holds the second rank among the 

 medical schools of the United States. 



The institution of the Philosophical Society in 

 Philadelpliia also deserves to be noticed among 

 the events favourable to the progress of know- 

 ledge in America which took place about this 

 time. Dr. Benjamin Franklin was the father of 

 this institution; but he was ably assisted and 

 supported in his exertions for its establishment 

 by the rev. Drs. Ewing and Smith, by the medi- 

 cal and other professors of the college of Phila- 

 delphia, and by a number of the friends to lite- 

 rature and science then residing in that city. 

 The association was organised in 1769; and 

 none, who are acquahited with the progress of 

 science in America, need to be informed that it 

 has been signally useful in exciting a thirst for 

 knowledge in that country; in calling into view 

 scientific acquirements which were before hidden; 

 and in producing a laudable emulation, not only 

 among its members, but also among other friends 

 of learning in the remotest parts of the United 

 States *. 



The Transit of VeniiSy as it happened in the 



* This institution in 1771 consisted of about two hundred andi 

 fifty-five members. Of these, one hundred and fifty-seven were 

 inhabitants of Pennsylvania; ten of Massachusetts; twoofRhodq 

 Island; four of Connecticut; eleven of NeAv York; eleven of 

 New Jersey; three of Delaware; five of Maryland ; fourofVir^ 

 giaia; five of South Carolina; one of Georgia ;^ ten of the West- 

 I^dia Islands ; and tweuty-five of Europe. 



