population; and though private schools were not wanting, still the means even of elementary education were very deficient.[1] In the higher branches of knowledge, instruction was accessible only to the sons of the wealthy, who were able to support the expense of a residence abroad, either in the mother country, or in one of the older colonies of New England. There was, therefore, an urgent demand for a seminary, founded upon liberal principles, and embracing within its plan all those subjects of study, which are necessary to qualify the youth of a growing and prosperous community for the performance of the various duties of public and private life.
A want so obvious could not escape the penetration of our great Franklin; and, with his active and patriotic spirit, to be convinced of any public deficiency, was at once to use every exertion for its supply. His attention was accordingly directed, at a very early period, to the means of extending the benefits of education in the city and province; and in the year 1743, he drew up the plan of an academy, which he communicated to the Reverend Richard Peters, with the hope, that, as this gentleman was then out of employ, he might be induced to take upon himself the superintendence of such an establishment Failing, however, in obtaining the desired co-operation, and occupied with other public affairs, which appeared to be of more pressing importance, he dropped the scheme for the time; and the war which soon afterwards broke out between Great Britain and France, the effects of which were extended to the colonies, prevented its renewal for several years. Upon the conclusion of the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, and the consequent restoration of tranquillity in
- ↑ It appears from an extract from the Journal of the Council, given by Proud, in his History of Pennsylvania, that a school was opened in Philadelphia, so early as the year 1683, by Enoch Flower, a native of Wiltshire, who taught reading, writing, and casting accounts for eight shillings a quarter.
