Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/338

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
334
History of the University of Pennsylvania.

The Editor in his preface says : We think we have every advantage for carrying it on, which this new world can afford. We are placed in the centre of the British Colonies, in a city that has extensive commerce, and immediate communication with all our other settlements. We have also the opportunity of decorating our work with engravings of every sort, for demonstrations in mathematics, and other necessary cuts and figures, by means of an able workman residing among us. Ebenezer Kinnersley and Thomas Godfrey were contrib- utors to its pages. Some of the early poems of Frances Hop- kinson adorned them. William Smith contributed the Hermit, the Antigallican, the Planter, the Watchman, and the Prattler, each continued through various numbers ; and the Monthly Chronicle furnished the latest news from abroad and political intelligence at home. It was a Magazine well ahead of the times ; but its life was brief, the last number being that of Octo- ber, 1758, which contains a Postscript dated 14 November, reciting that as the design was at first set on foot by a number of gentlemen, merely with a view to promote a taste for Letters and useful knowledge in this American World, and as several of the principal hands who first engaged in it, are now obliged to give their constant attention to other matters, the carrying on the work falls too heavy on the remainder, so that it has been determined to discontinue it, at least for some time. The Editor, upon whose skill and management its life depended, was now contemplating his visit to England in prose- cution of his appeal, and Bradford discontinued its publication, " which if reputation or profit had been their motive, the work would have been long continued." The account of the College and Academy prepared by the Provost for the last number of this Magazine was inserted in substance in the edition of his Discourses which were published Assistance, so far as comes within your knowledge. * * * As this history is to be a full one & will probably be long preserved, I flatter myself that your Regard for your Country and Desire to have its interests understood will excuse this trouble, & induce you to send me as soon as possible what I have requested. If we delay long, the Thing may fall to other hands, less inclined to a disinterested execution of it.

  • * * Send the subscribers' Names for the Magazine to me but do not mention

my name to any Body. * * * Wm. Smith." Letters to Washington edited by S. M. Hamilton, 1899, 2 33-