N xt. Terr,e.Flhs.' 5 The origin. al defign of eMowing college?, wa? undoubtedly this, to fupport fuch perforts ?s could not bear the charges of a learned education them- ?t?es, till they were able to fl?ift in the world, and ?ecome ferviceable to their county ? for this realbn ali?hdar$ and fe?a?s (of mo? colleges at lea?) are obliged to take an oath, that th? are not worth fo much ?er antram de ?roprio? in mine colleges more, and in rome Iris; but in all col!e?e? the m?anin g the oath is the fame, ?Ixat no perfort fl?a]l have the benefit of the foundation, who can live without but this oath, hke other oaths, is commented away, and interpreted fo loofely, that, at prefent, it does- not exclude perfons of]0ur or five hundred. pounds- If therefore colleges wer? ?ounded (as beyond contradition they were) For the maintenance and education of indigent perfon?, till they were in a ca- ?city of mai?taininz themfelve?, and no loneer ? think it would have ?een prudent in the Found%r? of ?hefe focietie? to have tuffer'd no perforts to be tows of their colleges above Fucl? a term of years; at the end of which it might be prefum'd that they would be able to provide for themfc.'.ves in three. pro- ?on or.other? fuppol? the term were limited to te.? or t?elw years i a man of tolerable parts and o? a common apprehendon, might in that time, qualify himfall for almo? any buffhers in the world. The advantages which wouI? flow, from fuch a ?mitation, to learning and the commonwealth are b palpable, that at the bare mention o5 it, no body can be at a 1ofs to perceive them i it woul? inevi- tably quicken the fucce?on of fellows, encourage their indufiry, and fupply the nation with, at leai?? twice the number of perfons, fit to ferve in all emplo?m?ts, which the univerfitics do at prolent.
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