A Scheme for a Public Academy, some Reasons for its Institution, the Common Objections answered, with the Easy Method of its Support; designed by a Private Person, and humbly submitted to both the Honourable Houses of Parliament; whereby always forty Scholars, Sons of Gentlemen, are for Three Years to have their Lodging and Commons Gratis, and a Free Education in Languages, Arts and Exercises. Also Annual Pensions for Three Years after they have left the said Academy.  
SInce in most Eminent Cities abroad there is an Academy, or Schola Illustris, supported and distinguished by Authority, it has been often wished and desired, that such a Constitution were improved, and established amongst us, in our famous City of London, where in one Place, beyond the nature of Foreign Education, or the narrow Compass of Grammatical Schools, our English Youth, with better safety of Religion, Life, and Manners, might be bred at home in Languages, Arts and Exercises; and praepar'd with more Expedition and Certainty for their last Accomplishment in our Universitys, and the different services of the Public.  
This Noble Design was considered some years ago, but then War was the Impediment; it being advised to expect success, when our Great Monarch had secured out Peace; wherefore in this Auspicious time it is attempted; and for its Performance these Circumstances are thought necessary.  
1. That a large House be provided, with Ground convenient for this Purpose.  
2. That two skilful Masters be appointed for the distinct Parts of Education, who being rewarded by a good stipend, are to teach a separate equal number, yet with affection, and mutual regard to the whole; by which New Method, a Constant and Friendly Emulation arises between Masters and Scholars, to the greater Glory, and Improvement of the Charge.  
3. For the infallible Obligation of this honest Ambition, and Progress in their Studies, there is to be every first Monday of the Month a Public Challenge, or Disputation between both Parties before their Masters, in a Larg Auditorium, where any Person may be admitted to make his Observation, and adjudge the Praemium allotted for the Victors.  
4. That there be Two Chief Masters for Graec, and Latin, and under their Inspection and Direction Two Masters for French, Two for Mathematics, Two for Writing and Accounts: Who are to teach Graec, Latin, French, History, Chronology, Geography, Astronomy, Geometry, Navigation, Arithmetic, Merchant's Accounts; and after two years' Industry in these Studies, the Student may, by the Orders of the Place, have liberty for Dancing, Fencing, and Riding the Great Horse; from which Latitude of Instruction, according to his Genius, he may be qualified to serve himself and Country in any of its best Capacitys.  
5. That a Prudent, and Learned Rector praeside over this Academy, who is to choose and govern these Masters, to observe their diligence, and punish the Society, by Statutes drawn up for the Regulation of the same.  
This Academy cannot in reason raise any Scruple in our Universitys, since it is not to meddle with Logic, or other Parts of Philosophy peculiar to a College. Besides, to consult their Interest, Exhibitions are to be allowed from Hence to some of its Scholars, whose Learning being superior to their Fortune, shall merit for their Exemplary Virtu and Ingenuity such Reward to assist them in our Universitys.  
Nor can any Public School be praejudiced by this Institution, which admits only those into the Foundation who are advanced in the Latin and Graec Tongue, about 14 years of Age, or Commoners who have so lost their time, as not to be Polished by the Practice of our Grammar Scholes.  
The Author of these Proposals, having had long Experience, and no small Credit in this Scholastic Life, with the opinion of his Learned Friends, believes this Full, and Comprehensive Education praeferable to any yet Extant, and being desirous to do what Good he can, by promoting the benefit of Mankind, and the honour of his Country, does proffer to lay the first Corner Stone of this Academy, out of his own Moderate Fortune, to incite Persons of greater Quality, and Estates, for the mighty advantages of their Families, to assist him in carrying on this Useful Undertaking.  
He therefore will give for the Accommodation of this Academy a very valuable large Brick-House, with spacious Ground, and Outhouses, well walled about, situate in an open Healthful Air, in the Parish of St. James Westminster, which cost him above 2000 l. building, where the Rector, Masters, 40 Scholars, and Servants, have their Lodgings already fitted for such a Foundation.  
He will erect a Capacious Auditorium, 60 feet long, 20 high, and 30 broad, for the Reputation of this Academy, where the monthly Exercises are to be performed before a Public Audience, also Masters, and Scholars may eat their Commons together in a Collegiate manner.  
He will undertake to be the First Rector of this Academy, and is inclined to settle a considerable Estate upon the same, if he finds a suitable Encouragement.  
The Scholars, in reference to his thoughts, are not to exceed the Number of 60, 40 of the Foundation, with 20 Commoners; and their weekly Management is already digested into a Rational and Easy Course, though for brevity omitted in this Paper; whereby 'tis proved, that Languages, Arts, and Exercises, may very well be acquired by such a select Number, under one Tuition, in one Place.  
After such Generous Zeal from One of an Inferior Station, 'tis presumed that some Great, and Public-spirited Persons, to whom He has the Honour to be well known, and has made his Application, may procure his Majesty, with the two Honourable Houses of Parliament, to extend their Patronage, and Favour to this Undertaker, that he might prosecute his good Intentions, by conferring upon him as Rector, and his Successors, an Employment, which for several years by a late Law was thought necessary; and since its Expiration is again very much wanted, and required, which upon no account can be so well applied, as by Information may plainly appear.  
Upon which Grant, confirmed by Law, He does not doubt a Fund may be fixed to support and maintain a Rector, 14 Masters, 13 Servants and 40 Scholars, Sons of Gentlemen, who are to have their Education, and Commons for Three years Gratis; and Annual Pensions for Three years after their Removal from this Academy. Moreover, the Undertaker is ready to declare other ways, and means, to produce a surplus for Greenwich Hospital, or what may seem most proper to the Wisdom of the Parliament.  

An Easy Method of supporting and maintaining a Public Academy: also of producing a Surplus for other great services to the Nation; humbly proposed to the consideration of both Honourable Houses of Parliament.  
THat they please, for this general Benefit, and other good Reasons thereunto moving, to establish a Register for the Entry of all single Papers, Pamphlets and Books whatsoever, before they are Printed; Except Gazettes, Proclamations, and Papers published by the King's Authority.  
That now One only Register be ordered for entering all sorts of Papers, Pamphlets and Books, in all Faculties whatsoever, who is not to read the Paper or Book, whereby he may hinder the Liberty of the Press, but to enter the Title of the Book, with the Booksellers or Printers Name; one of which shall be obliged to bring the same to be entered. And that no Paper, Pamphlet or Book be printed without this Registers Entry and Imprimatur, under a Penalty.  
That the Bookseller or Printer bring and give one Paper, Pamphlet or Book to the said Register, for the advantage of a Library to this Academy, as soon as it is printed, and for a Certificate of a true Payment.  
That the Rector of this Public Academy be by Act of Parliament appointed Register of the Press, according to such an Establishment, and that his Authority extend to all Presses in England, with the sole Privilege of Printing and Publishing all Advertisements whatsoever; the Power of the Gazette only excepted.  
That no other Person praesume to Print any Notification, or Advertisement whatsoever, as of Houses, Estates, Goods of all sorts, Carrier's or Coach bills, Auctious, all Bills of Games, Prizes, Plays, Shows, etc. All Papers or Forms with Blancs to be used in any Branch of his Majesties Revenue, or in any matter relating to his Majesties service.  
That every other small Paper, half or whole Sheet, pay at this Office for its Entry one shilling as often as it is printed. But each Pamphlet or Book to pay from 1 Sheet to 5 inclusive five shillings, from 5 to 10 ten shillings, and so forward to 100 Sheets, or more, as often as the Book is printed or reprinted.  
The small charge of which Entry, without considering its Excellent Service to the Public, cannot in truth be supposed an Imposition by any Author or Bookseller, who paid more for Civility and Expedition to former Licencers; nor ought each Individual Book affect either Buyer or Seller, to raise the Price of any Book, as by this Scheme does demonstratively appear.  
An Author, or Bookseller, often prints 1500 Books at one Impression, commonly 1000, for the most part in octavo, which makes 16 pages to one sheet; in quarto 8 pages; and these two Volumes being most in use, shall therefore be here proposed.  
A Manuscript of 20 sheets is brought to this Office, and pays 20 s. if printed in quarto makes 160 pages, in octavo 320. The Impression consisting of 1000 Books, each Book upon Division does not pay for itself one whole Farthing; for 1000 Farthings make 1 l. 0 10 d. and the Manuscript pays but 20 s. and containing 320 pages is a large Volume.  
According to which Insensible Rate, We are not to aestimat each Book of 5 Sheets at the 4th Part, of 10 Sheets at 2 Parts, of 15 Sheets at 3 Parts of a Farthing: thus by Progression each Book of 80 sheets, which complets 640 pages in quarto, and 1280 in octavo, and never to be bound up in the last Volume, pays not a full Penny for the Impression of 1000, and if 1500 be printed, a third part of the said Rate is to be deducted.  
Which sufficiently proves, that this Beneficial Act can by no ways or means be thought praejudicial, yet may perform the support of this Public Academy, and produce other Advantages to the Nation.