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among the inhabitants of the town. It is easy to see what 

 advantage would be gained on the score of endowment, by re- 

 serving for necessary and more profitable uses, that flowing 

 bounty which is now accustomed to become absorbed and fixed 

 and useless, in the walls of a luxurious and extravagant col- 

 lege architecture.* 



I am clear that the State ought to include within the num- 

 ber of its public schools, both colleges and academies; not 

 merely for inspection by a Board of Regents, but as objects of 

 a direct and substantial endowment.! There ought to be col- 

 leges for at least three thousand scholars, instead of the six or 

 eight hundred now thus provided for. And as for the acade- 

 mies, a much smaller number than those which are now re- 

 ceiving State patronage might be prepared to accommodate 

 twelve thousand scholars of both sexes with a high grade of 

 instruction, instead of the fifty-five hundred, of all ages and 

 conditions, who are found in them at present. 



In relation to both kinds of institutions, it should be the first 

 great duty of the State, to see that every one, which is re- 

 cognized as belonging to the public foundation of schools, either 

 by the aid of public funds or without them, should be suita- 

 bly and liberally provided with buildings, library, apparatus, 

 museum, and all the appointments of a well ordered and well 

 endowed seminary of the grade to which it may belong. Un- 

 til this is done, it is useless to expend money on teachers, for 

 the mere promise of instruction which they can never afford. 

 When the way is thus prepared, the next thing to be cared 

 for is a provision for the wages of instruction, and, if necessa- 

 ry, the State should contribute to this object, as it now does. 

 I have little doubt, however, that as soon as the public mind 



