AN ACADEMY OR COLLEGE: WHEREIN Young Ladies AND GENTLEWOMEN  
May at a very moderate Expense be duly instructed in the true Protestant Religion, and in all Virtuous Qualities that may adorn that Sex: also be carefully preserved, and secured, till the day of their Marriage, under the Tuition of a Lady Governess, and grave Society of Widows and Virgins, who have resolved to lead the rest of their lives in a single retired Religious way, according to the Pattern of some Protestant Colleges in Germany.  
In the SAVOY, Printed by Tho. Newcomb. 1671.   

An ACADEMY or COLLEGE; Wherein Young Ladies and Gentlewomen, may at a very moderate expense be duly instructed in the true Protestant Religion, etc.  
BEfore the late unhappy Troubles in England, it was the usual Observation of Foreigners, who had been acquainted with this and other Nations, that the English Lady was the most modest, chaste, and pious Woman in Europe; that she was eminent for Reverence, Obedience, Faithfulness, and Affectionateness to her Husband, for discreet, frugal management of her House and Family, for Sobriety, Retiredness, Taciturnity, Humility, Patience, and all other Graces and Virtues, wherewith the holy Women of old were endowed: Since which, by a general licentiousness, during our late unnatural War, not only all kind of Sects, and with them Irreligion, Atheism, and Debauchery, were introduced amongst the Men of this Nation; but also most of those forementioned excellent Qualifications are now at length (to the great grief of all sober persons) become more rare amongst Women, than perhaps in any of our Neighbouring Countries: which having been seriously and sadly considered, it is by many Godly prudent men judged very expedient, that most earnest endeavours should speedily be used by some extraordinary way of Education to reduce (if possible) the Female Sex of England to their Pristine Virtues; that so by their Godly Conversation, and good Examples, their Husbands, Children, and Servants may in time be won, and at length a general Reformation wrought in this Kingdom.  
Some have thought best to set their Daughters to be educated in the Maiden Schools in and about London, where either through the Unskilfulness, or Negligence; through the Unfaithfulness, or Covetousness of the Mistresses, too much minding their private profit, the Success oft times hath not answered the Expectation of their Parents and Friends; whereof there are divers lamentable Examples, and grievous Complain.  
Others therefore (though of the Protestant Religion) have chosen rather to be at the great Charges, and hazard of sending their Daughters to be bred up (till the time of their Marriage) in some Popish Monasteries of our next Neighbouring Countries: whence they have returned otherwise very virtuous, but generally tainted with, and inclined to Romish Superstitions, and Errors.  
Some have assayed to educate their Daughters always at home, but thereby have found them apt to be corrupted, or betrayed by Servants, (of whose unfaithfulness and viciousness there is now a more general complaint than ever;) or else in continual danger to be stolen away by some debauched indigent Neighbours; or if they are rich Orphans, to be sold by the trusties; whereof there are also divers Examples; or to be wholly ignorant and unacquainted with the World; or at least to want that handsome becoming Deportment, which usually sets off, and recommends young Ladies to good Husbands, and is to be acquired only abroad in a virtuous converse with others.  
Lastly, Divers Gentlemen of this Kingdom have, of late for the Education of their Daughters, had recourse to the Families of some Non-Conformists, where perhaps a stricter Education may sometimes be found, but than if any advantage be there had, it is usually attended with this great mischief, that thereby schismatical and rebellious principles are insensibly instilled into them, which may one day occasion (if not timely prevented) the final overthrow of the present established Church and State.  
Now the Premises considered, and also, that for the Education of Sons in all Virtue and Piety, no way hath been found to succeed better generally, then to let them pass their youth in a Collegiate life, under the eye and care of a discreet, learned, pious Tutor, and under the regular Government of the Head and Fellows of a College: It is not to be doubted but that some such Collegiate life (if rightly instituted) may prove as successful, and perhaps much more, for the Education of Daughters; and that thereby may be founded not only excellent Seminaries and Nurseries, out of which, Persons of Honour and Worth may at all times make choice of Virtuous Wives; but also Provision (whereof there is great want in England) may be made for sober, pious, elder Virgins and Widows, who desire to separate themselves from the vanities of the World, and yet employ their Talents to the benefit of the Public.  
These are therefore to give notice, to all whom it may any way concern, that near London, in a pleasant healthy Soil and Air, there is for both the purposes abovementioned, proposed a large House, with a Chapel, fair Hall, many commodious Lodgings, and Rooms for all sorts of necessary Offices; together with pleasant Gardens, Orchards, and Courts, all encompassed and well secured with strong high Walls: Also there is a Reverend, Learned, and Pious Divine in the same Parish, ready to officiate daily Morning and Evening as Chaplain; a grave discreet Lady to be Governess, with divers other Matrons, who having taken up a resolution to live a retired, single, and religious life, are to assist in the Government of the College, without expecting any gain, profit, or emolument for themselves; but to bestow gratis all their care and pains in governing the College and the young Ladies in their Education. Moreover, there will come at due times the best and ablest Teachers in London for Singing, Dancing, Musical Instruments, Writing, French Tongue, Fashionable Dresses, all sorts of Needle Works; for Confectionary, Cookery, Pastery; for Distilling of Waters, making Perfumes, making of some sort of Physical and Chyrurgical Medecins and Salves for the Poor, etc.  
There are also prepared a Body of Statutes and Rules, whereunto all upon their Admission are to submit themselves; until the whole Society, with the consent of the Visitor, who is a Person of great Eminency and Worth, shall think fit to alter, or repeal any of them, for the better promoting this Pious Design.  
If therefore any Honourable and Worthy Persons desire that their Daughters, or any trusties, that their Orphans, should be admitted Commoners or Pensioners of this College; or any Devout Widows or Elder Virgins, who intent not to marry, desire to be admitted Fellows and Assistants in this Government, and to lead the rest of their days without cares and troubles of the World, to live with honour and reputation, to devote themselves to the service of God and the good of their Country, by contributing their advice and assistance in the training up of young Ladies and Gentlewomen, and securing their Persons and Fortunes, till the time of their Marriage: let them repair either to Mr. Horn a Stationer at the Southside of the Royal Exchange, to Mr. Martin a Stationer at the Bell in St. Paul's Churchyard, to Mr. Thomas Collins Stationer, at the Middle Temple Gate, to Mr. Herringman Stationer in the New Exchange, to Mr. Mortlack Stationer in Westminster-Hall, or to Mr. Tayler a Stationer on London-Bridge, and they shall be farther informed.  

THe Reader may also take notice, That near London in a good Air, there is a like Design for a College for OldMen, either Bachelors or Widowers, who may for a reasonable sum of money be accommodated during life with Diet, Lodging, and all other Necessaries; where they may pass the rest of their days without trouble or care in a comfortable society and converse with men of the like age and condition, according to the pattern of a College in Holland.  
For the perfecting of these Designs there are divers Persons of Eminency and Worth, who have expressed not only their approbation, but also their readiness to contribute thereunto; and it is to be hoped that many others who are Lovers and Encouragers of Virtue and Piety, will upon right information afford their assistance to a work so much tending to a General Reformation of Manners. Therefore for the better securing all Persons that their Moneys shall be employed to those ends and uses for which they lay it down, these following Proposals are offered, which by God's assistance will be faithfully and carefully performed.  
First, Whatsoever Money shall be subscribed, shall be paid in to the Mercer's Company in London, which is of unspotted reputation and clear Credit, and will be accountable for the Moneys received, and give Receipts or Acquittances to every one that shall pay in any Money.  
Secondly, That the same Money may be employed no otherwise than for the use intended, it is proposed that it may not be issued out but by Warrant from such Persons as shall be nominated trusties, whereof there are divers Persons of Worth ready to take upon them that Trust.  
Thirdly, It is proposed and desired, That all who are resolved to promote this Design, would send in their Subscriptions and take effectual Order for paying in their Money so soon as conveniently they can, and at farthest before the end of next Trinity Term.  
Fourthly, It is desired, That every Subscriber would set down the place of his usual abode, with his Name, Quality, and Title, and the Name of every Subscriber which he shall procure, to the end that they may be all registered and recorded in a fair Velome Book, to be carefully preserved in the College to all posterity, and if occasion require, that thereby notice may be given to him of any concernment of this Undertaking.  
Fifthly, That in case of want of necessary provision and contribution, this laudable Design should not go on (which God forbid) then the several sums of Money to be repaid to each Contributor respectively with Interest at 5 per Cent. if it be demanded within two years.   

The Form of the Subscription to be as followeth:  
WE whose Names are subscribed, do hereby solemnly promise to pay the several Sums by us under-written, into the hands of the Company of Mercers, or in the Chamber of London, to be disbursed in due time for the purchasing of a Fair House near London, to be made a College, according to the Proposal abovementioned, and to give Order from time to time to the trusties to take thence such Sum or Sums as they shall judge expedient for the purpose aforesaid.   
FINIS.