^^ aziiiBiiwM n 5^ WooDBRiDGE, in New-Jerfey : Printed by James Parker, 1764. E 5 ] AN A C C d U N T, &c. M^e^SMHE Importance of the liberal education ^ T ^ of youth, both to church and Hate, and K^^M the neceffity of public fchools and Colleges for that end, is now (o univerfally acknow- ledged, as to render an enlargement upon ic iinneceflary, by way of introduflion to the following account. The main dcfign of this publication, is to acquaint the world, with the rife, progrefs, and prefent flate of the College of New-Jersey^' which for fome Years paft, hath been an Object of public Attention. The great difadvantages, this, and the conti- guous provinces lay under, Ibme years ago, for tvant of luch an inftitution, are well known. The diftance of the britilh univerfities, and the expences attending t 6 ] attending an education abroad, were, to the american colonifts, infupcrable obftacles. The two colleges of ISlew- England, and that of Virginia^ then the only feats of learning, in the wide- extended britifh empire in America, were too remote from each other;, to extend their influence through thele intermediate colonies. Hence, in point of litera- ture, a large traft of a well-peopled country^ neceflarily lay rude and uncultivated. As the colonies encrealed, the exigencies of affairs, both of an ecclefiaftical and political nature^ became more and more urgent. Religious Ibcieties were annually formed, in various places ; and had they long continued vacant, or been fupplicd with an ignorant illiterate clergy, chriftianity itfelf, in a courfe of years, might have become extinffc among them. Affairs of ftatc alfo became more embarraffed for want of proper diredion, and a competent number of men of letters, to fill the various political offices. The bench, the bar, and feats of legiflation, required fuch accomplifhments, as are feldom the fpontancous growth of nature, 'unihiproved by education. Yet, [ 7 ] Yet, even in this dark period, tliere were not wanting leveral gentlemen, both of the civil and facred chara<5ter, who, forming a juft eflimate of the importance of learning, exerted their utmoft efforts, to plant and cherilh it in the province of New-Jerfey. After fome difappointments and fruidefs attempts, application was at length made to his excellency Jonathan Belcher^ Efqj at that time governor of the province, a^nd, in the year 1748, he was pleafed, with the approbation of his majefty's council, to grant a Charter, incorporating fundry gentlemen of the clergy and laity, to the number of twenty-three, astrullees; inverting them with fuch powers, as were requifite to carry the defign into execution, and conftituting his majcfty's governor for the time being, ex officio, their prefident. That the conftitution of this college, is^founded- upon a free and catholic bottom, and calculated^ for the equal and general advantage, of every religious denomination of proteftants, will clearly appear, by the following extrad; from this charter^ * And whereas by the fundamental Conceflions 5 made at the firft Settlement of New-Jerjey, b^ •the I 8 3 * the Lord Berkely and Sir George Carteret then * Proprietors it was among other things conceded •^ and granted that no Freemen within the /aid: * Province Jhould at any time he molejied punijhed * difquieted or called in ^ejiion for any Difference * of Ofinion or Practice in Matters of religious Con^ * cernmsnt who do not a^ually dijiurb the Peace of * the faid Province they behaving themfelves peace- * ably and quietly and not ufing this Liberty t9 * Licencioufnefs nor to the civil Injury or outward * Bijiurbance of others Wherefore and for * that the faid Petitioners have alfo exprefled their ^ earneft Defire that thofe of every rehgious Deno- * mination may have free and equal Liberty and * Advantage of Education in the faid College any < different Sentiments in Religion notwithftanding < &c. &c.", The world hath here the ftrongeft atteflation, of the liberal principles, not only of ^he government in granting, but alfo of the petiti- oners themfelves in their application for a charter. The views of the latter, extended to the common benefit, of all their proteftant brethren. Indeed, had they been othcrwife difpofed, the conftitution happily difables them, from ever, perverting the inftitution, to any narrow or fmifter purpofes : Fop the [ 9 ] the charter further contains the following claufc, ^ And we do further will give and grant unto the * Truftees of the faid College that they and their ' Succeflbrs or the major part of any thirteen of * them which fhall convene for that Purpofe may * make and they are hereby fully empowered to ' make and eflablifli fuch Ordinances Orders and ' Laws as may tend to the good and wholfome * Government of the faid College and all the Stu- ' dents and leveral Officers and Minifters thereof * and to the public Benefit of the fame not repug- ' nant to the Laws and Statutes of our Realm, of ' Great-Britain or of this our Province of New- ' J^^fiy. ^nd not excluding any Perfon of any * religious Denomination whatlbever from free and ' equal Liberty and Advantage of Education or * from any of the Liberties Im.munities orPrivi- « ledges of the faid College on Account of his or ' their being of a religious Profeffion different frona < the faid Truitees of the faid Colleo;e &c.* O" If any unfavourable reprefentations, have bee^, any where made of this inflitution, as an illiberal fchcme, contrived to fubferve the contracted intc- lelts of a religious party, ir manifeftly appears, from [ 10 ] from the above view of its fundamental confliitu- tion, that they are untrue and groundlefs. And, from its management hitherto, which is no fecret, it may be affirmed in the face of the world, that the execution has been as fair, impartial, and generous, as the plan upon which it was originally founded. Thus were the truftees pofTefTed of a naked charter, without any fund at all to accomplifh the undertaking. This, in the eyes of fome, gave it the appearance of an idle chimerical projeft. Their only relburce, indeed, under the fmiles of Heaven, was in the beneficence of the advocates and friends of learning. After various folicitations in America^ the contributions, tho' often generous and worthy of grateful acknowledgment, were found by no means adequate to the execution of fo cxtenfive a defign. Therefore, in the year 1753, two gentlemen were fent as agents to Great-Britain, and Ireland, to folicit additional benefadlions. There the inflitution was honoured, beyond the moft fanguine expectations, with the approbation and liberality of fevcral political and ecclefiaftical bodies ; and of many private perfons^ of of the nobility and gentry, among the laity and clergy of various denominations. The ftudents, in the mean time, who, in the beginning, were few in number, lived difperfed in private lodgings, in the town of Newark j at which place, the college was firft opened ; the public academical exercifes being generally performed in the county court-houfe. The difficulties and danger of thefe circumftances, both with regard to the morals and literary improvement of the youth, could Icarcely have been encountered fo long, had in not been for the indefatigable induftry and vigilance of Mr. President Burr, the firft who officiated in that ftation. And it was much owing to his unremitted zeal and activity, that this college 9i fuddenly role to fuch a flourifhing condition. The truftees, thus generoufly affifted, imme- diately fet about ereding a building, in which the ftudents might be boarded as well as taught, and live always under the infpeclion of the college officers, more fequeftred from the various tempta- tions, attending a promifcuous converfe with the ^^orld, that theatre of folly and diffipation. The little [ 12 ] little village of Princeton was fixed upon, as the moft convenient fituation ; being near the center pf the colony, on the public road between New- Tork. and Philadelphia, and not inferior in the falubrity of its air, to any village upon the conti- The edifice being nearly finifhcd, and con- fidercd as facred to liberty and revolution -princi- ples, was denominated Nassau-Hall, from that great deliverer of Britain, and aflertor of proteftant liberty, K. William the Illd, prince of Orange and Najfau. It will accommodate about 147 fi-u- dcnts, computing three to a chamber. Thefe are 20 feet fquare, having two large clofets, with a window in each, for retirement. It has alio an elegant hall, of genteel workmanfliip, being a fquare of hear 40 feet, with a neatly finilhed front gallery. Here is a fmall, tho' exceeding good organ, which was obtained by a voluntary fubfcription : Oppofite to which, and of the fame height, is erefted a ftage, for the ufe of the ftudents, in their public exhibitions. It is alio ornamented, on one fide, with a portrait of his kte majefty, at full length j and, on the other, with [ u 1 with a like pidure, (and above it the family-arms neatly carved and gilt,) of his excellency governor Belcher. Thele were bequeathed by the latter to this college. The library, which is on the lecond flopr, is a fpacious room, furniflied at prefent with about 1 200 volumes, all which have been the gifts of the patrons and friends of the inflitution^ both in Europe and America-. There is, on the lower flory, a commodious dining hall, large enough to accommodate as many as the houfe will contain, together with a large kitchen, Reward's apartments, &c. The whole llrudure, which is of durable Hone, having a neat cupola on its top, makes a- hafifome appearance ; and is efteemed to be the moft conveniently plan'd for the purpofes ofv a college, of any in North- America ; being defigned^ and executed by that approved architecfl My.' Robert Smithy of Philadelphia. In the year 1757, the ftudents, to about the number of 70, removed from Newark^ the houie being then fo far completed, as to be ready for their reception. Experience foon taught the fociety, the iliperior convenience of their new circumflances. The numbers encreafed very fail. The country G became [ 14 ] became more and more conviHced of the impor- tance of learning, in general, and the utility of flich a feat of education in particular ; both from the regularity of its adminiftration, and the figure which feveral of its fons already made, in the various literary profeflions. But it was not long before it luffercd, what was then looked upon, as an almoft irretrievable lofs. For this fame year died, univerfally deplored, Mr. President Burr.* Few men were poflelfed, in an equal degre^^ * The following epitaph, which juHly delineates his charafter, is infcribed on a marble tomb, ercdled by the college, to his memory. M. S. Reverendi admodum VIri, Aaronis Burr, A. M. Collegii Neo-Cafarienjis Proefidis, Natus apud Fairfield, ConneHicutenJtum IV Januariiy A. D. MDCCXVI. S. V. Honefla in cadem Colonia Familia oriundus Collegio Yalenjl innutritus, Novarcce Sacris initiatus MDCCXXXVIH. Annos circiter viginti paftora!i Munere Fideliter fundlus. Collegii N. C. Proefidium MDCCXLVIII accepit, In Najfo^ia Aulam fub Finem MDCCLVI tranflatuf. I>cfundus in hoc Vico XXIV Stptembris A, D. [ 15 ] degree, of fuch an aflemblage of fuperlor talent^. He feemed to be peculiarly formed, for that im- portant fphere of adtion, which was afligned him in the latter part of his life. But the reader may fee the lineaments of his charader drawn, in ftriking colours, by a mafterly hand, in a funeral culogium, A. D. MDCCLVII, S. N. iEtatis XLII. Eheu quambrcvis! Huic Marmori fubjicitur,, quod mpri potuit i Quod immortale, vendicarunt CceU. Quceri* Viator quails quantufquc fuit? Perpaucis acciper. Vir Corpore parvo ac tenui Studiis Vigiliis afliduifquc laboribqs Macro. \ Sagacitate, Perfpicultate, Agilitatc, Ac Solertia, (fi fas dicere) Plufquam humana, peue Angelica. Anima fcrme totus. Omnigena Literatura inftru£lui>. Theologia prceftantior : Concionator volubilis, fuavis et fuadus :. Orator facundus. Moribus facilis, Candidas et jucundus. Vita cgregie liberalis ac bencficus: Supra vero omnia emicuenmt fiettt [ i6 3 culogium, publifhed foon after his deceale. J The fame year died alfo his excellency governor Belcher, who continued, to the laft, a zealous patron of religion and learning. His library, 'confiftingof 474 volumes, together with feveral ■ other ufefiil and ornamental articles, he left to this college, of which he was himfelf the founder. The , . ,Pietas ac Benevolentia, Sed ah ! quanta et quota Ingenii, Induftrias, Prudentias, Patientiae, C^terarumque oninium Virtutum Exemplaria, Marmoris fepulchralis Anguftia Reticebit. Multum defideratus, multum Diledlus, Humani Generis Delicis, \ Q ! Infajndum fui Defiderium, ^ Gemit Ecclefia, plorat Academia, At Coelum plaudit, dum illg Ingreditur. In Gaudium Domini Dulce loqucntis, Euge. bone et fidelis Serve ! Abi Viator tuam refpice Fine?n. I By William Livingston, Efc[; ■[ ^7 ] The Rev. Mr. Jonathan Edwards fuc- eeeded to the prefidentlliip- Great were the ex- pedations of the public, from ths adminiftration of a clergyman of his very diftinguifhed rank in the Uterary world. But in a few days after his arrival at Najfdti-Hall, he was feized with a mortal diftemper : And it pleafed the fovereign of the univcrfe to call him from this Itage of aftion, before he could apply his fKilful hand to the work, which his prcdeceflbr had fo dcxteroufly forwarded. Thus a vacancy again cnfued, which continued near eighteen months •, when the Rev. Mr. Samuel Davies, of Virginia, was cholen to the Office : A gentleman, well known on both fides the atlantic ; but who was, perhaps, no where more eftecmed and beloved than at Najfau-Hall \ His fine talents, added not a Httle, to the dignity and reputation of the fociety, which received many improvements, from his ingenuity and polite tafle. The repeated ftrokes it had lately fuff^ered, in the lofs of two fuch excellent heads, extremely affected the well-wilhers to the interefts of virtue and literature. But the cloud now feemed to be diiperfed, and all things to revive within. For, tho', I ^8 3 tho', in the vacancy of the chair, there always had been one of the board of trullees, appointed to adt, pro tempore^ yet, it is reafonable to fuppofe, that as to any new improvements in the education of the youth, matters were, in a great meafure, at a. fland. But how uncertain arc human things ! . How precarious the moft elevated hopes ! In the month of February ^ 1761, this brilliant genius, inthemidfl of his rifing reputation and growing ufefulneis, fuddenly refigned his breath, to the inconfolable grief of the v/hole fociety, and univerfal lamentation of all good men. Soon after his death, the Rev. Dr. Samuel FiNLEY, was eledled to the prefident's chair : a gentleman, who for many years, had diftin- guifhed himfelf in the management of a private academy at Nottingham in Pcnfyhania j and in the month of July following, he arrived at Nassau- HaLL; and entered upon his office. As to the hap- pinefs of this fucceiTion, the prefent ilourifhing ftate of the college, the general diligence of the youth in their literary purluits, and the internal harmony and good order fo obfervable in the fociety, are fufHcient atteftadons. We [ X9 ] We Ihall now give the world fom e account of the modes of government and inftr^iftion, together with the whole plan of education, the manner and expences of boarding, the circumftances of the fund, and whatever elle may be requifitc to ex- hibit a view of the prefent ilate of the inftitution. It would be unneceflary and tedious, to trouble the reader, with a minute decail of all the private laws and ftatutes, which have been made, from time to time, for the better regulation of its members. They are intended, in general, to fettle the terms of admiffion, to prefcribe the duties, and adjuft the powers of the officers, who are univerfally accountable to the truftees : and elpecially to direct the conduft and lludies of the youth; and to ref- train them from fuch liberties and indulgencies, as would tend to corrupt their morals, or alienate their minds from a fteady application. In thele re- gulations, it hath been the defign to fix upon a me- dium, between too great a Hcentioufnefs on the one hand, or an excefllve precifion on the other. The penalties are generally of the more humane kind i fuch as are at once expreffive of compaflion tp the offender, and indignation at the offence j fuch as [ 20 ] as are adapted to work upon the nobler principles of humanity, and to move the more honourable Iprings of good order and fubmiffion to govern- ment. The laws indeed authorife the infiidiion of pecuniary mul6ls, according to the practice of other colleges ; but they are feldom executed, as it would feem to be punilhing the parents for the offences of the children. It cannot be recolledled, that there have been above three or four fines impofed, for upwards of three years laft pafl ; nor even one, fince Dr. Finley hath prefided. And in thofe few fingular cafes, it was done, rather for the fake of variety, as another particular method, of fixing a brand of odium upon a bad a6lion, than as a pe- cuniary punifhraent. A fmall fine will anfwer that end, as well as a larger. In the exercife of difcipline, the more ufual procefs is this.— The. prefident or tutors, feparately or in conjunflion, privately reafon with the offender, in order to make him fenfible of his ill conduft ; and endeavour, by their manner of addrefs, to convince him, that in their proceedings againft him, they are a6tuated from motives of fincere regard to his own welfare, and that their feverity is noc [ 21 ] not the efFefl of morofenels, ill-nature, or perfonal relentment. If the offence charged, be denied, evidences are adduced in proof of it. But if the youth difcovers an ingenuous temper, by an open frank acknowledgment, fuch a dilpofition is encouraged, by a mitigation of the punifhment. On the other hand, all low and difhoneft artifices, particularly lying and wilful equivocation, are refented as the higheft aggravations. In the refult, if found guilty, according to the nature of the offence, he is difmifled either with a private reprimand, or required to fubmit to a public formal admonition ;— or, to make a pen.tenc confeffion in the hall, before the whole houfe; — or, deprived of Ibme of the peculiar privileges of his clafs-, — or, for Ibme Hmited time, pro- hibited a free converfation with his fellow ftudents, and admilTion into their chambers, as unworthy of their fociety •,— or, fufpended from refidence, and all the privileges of tiie. college, until the matter be laid before a committee of fix of the truftees. In theie fever al kinds and degrees of punifhment, an impartial regard is had, not only to the nature of the offence, but alfb to the dif^ poiition, age, rank in college, habitual condud, D and and other clrcumftances of the offender. Sufpenfion is the higheft cenfure the prefident and tutors can infli(5t. The power of expulfion is vefted in any fix of the truftees convened -, who, having had no connexions with the otFender, cannot be fuf- pc6led of prepofTefllon or partiality. It may not be amifs, in this place to remark, that among one hundred and twenty pupils, who, for this year paft, have been under the care of the immediate governors of the college, there have been but very few, whofc conduft hath rendered them obnoxious even to the milder methods of punifhment. This is mentioned, particularly, in due reipeft to the gentleman who now prefidcs ; government being tlie moft difficult and delicate part of the prefiden- t^l office. To teach a ciaffic author, or fyftem of pbilofophy is a much ealier tafk, than to govern a fociety of youth, in the gay and volatile period of life, when the paffions are predominant, and reafon but in a forming ftate ; a fociety, collected from almoft all the leveral colonies on this continent, educated in different manners, with different views, and an endlefs variety of tempers and circum- ftances. To govern fuch a fociety, fo as at once to command their veneration, and conciliate their love: love : To grant every innocent liberty, and,, at the fame time, to reftrain from every enfnaring indulgence : To habituate them to fubjeftion, and yet maintain their refpedive ranks without inib- lence or lervility : To cherilh a fenfe of honour, without felf-fufficiency and arrogance : In a word, to inlpire them with fuch principles, and form them to fuch a conduft, as will prepare for fuftain- ing more extenfive connections, with the grand community of mankind ; and introduce them on the theatre of the world, as uleful Icrvants of their country.— This is the talk, the arduous talk, of a governor of the college : To which, how few arc equal ! As to the branches of literature taught here, they are the fame with thofe which are made parts of education in the European colleges, fave only iiich, as may be occafioned by the infancy of this inftitution. The ftudents are divided into four dif- tinfb claffes, which arc called the Frejhman^ the Sophomore, the Junior, and the Senior. In each of thefe, they continue one year-, giving and receiving, in their turns, thole tokens of relped and fubjedion, which belong to their Handings ; in order to [ 24 ] pre/erve a due fubordination. The Frejhman year is ipent in the latin and greek languages, particularly in reading H$race, Cicero's Orations^ the Greek Tejla- ment, Ludan\ dialogues^ and Xenophon's, Cyrcp^dia. In the Sophomore year, they ftill profecute the ftudy of the languages, particularly Homer, Longinus, &c; and enter upon the fciences, geography, rhetoric, logic, and the mathematics. They continue their mathematical ftudies throughout the Junior year ; and alfo pafs through a courie of natural and moral philofophy, metaphyfics, chronology, &c. and the greater number, elpecially fuch as are educating for the fervice of the church, are initiated into the hebrew. As to this fo unhappily unpopular lan- guage, no conftraint is laid upon the youth to the itudy of it. But it is to be wifhed, it may foon be more univerfally efteemed, a ufeful and important acquifition, as we are told it already is, among the politeft literati in Europe. It opens an inexhauftible fund of cridcifm, both to the divine, and the poet. But the reader is referred to Mr, Addtfon, Spec. vol. 6. N. 405, where are difplayed the fupcrior beauties of the facred poefy.— To return, the Senior year is ennrely employed in reviews and compofition. They now revife the moll improv- ing [ 25 ] ing parts of the latin and greek clafllcs, part of the hebrev/ bible, and all the arts and faiences. The weekly courfe of deputation is continued, which which was alio carried on through the preceeding year. They difcufs two or three theles in a week ; fome in the fyllogiftic, and others in the forenfic manner, alternately ; the forenfic being always per- formed in the englifh tongue. A feries of queftions is alfo prepared, on the principal fubjeds of na- tural and revealed religion. Thefe are delivered publicly, on fundays, before a promifcuous con- gregation, as well as the college, in order to habi- tuate them early to face an affembly, as alio for other important and religious ends, to which they are found conducive. There is likewife a monthly oration-day, when harrangues, or orations of their own compofition, are pronounced before a mixt auditory. All thefe compofitions before mentioned, are critically examined with relped to the language, orthography, pointing, capitalizing, with the other minutiae, as well as more material properties of accurate writing. Beside thefe exerciles in writing and ipeaking, mofl of which are proper to the Senior clafs, on every [ 26 ] every monday three, and on the other evenings of the week, excepting faturdays and fundays, two out of each of the three inferior clafles, in rotation,, pronounce declamations of thsir own compofmg, on the ftage. Thefe too arc previoufly examined and corrected, and occafion taken from them, early to form a talle for good writing. The fame clafles alfo, in rotation, three on tuefday evenings, and two on the other evenings, with the exceptions jufl mentioned, pronounce, in Hke manner, fuch feleft pieces from Cicero, Demojihenes, Livy, and other ancient authors; and from Shake/pear, Milton^ Addtfon, and fuch illuftrious moderns, as are bell adapted to difplay the various pafTions, and exem- plify the graces of utterance and gefture. A good addrefs, and agreeable elocution, are accomplifli-^ ments fo ingratiating, and fo necefiary to render a public fpeakcr, efpecially, popular ; and confe- quently ufeful, that they are efteemed here, as confiderable parts of education, in the cultivation of which no little pains are employed. The clalTics are taught,* for the three firft years, in nearer the ufual method of grammar fchools, than in the laft. The ftudents thea revile [ 27 ] -revile them, principally as examples of fine compofition. They firft give a more literal tranf- lation of a paragraph, afterwards the lenlc in a paraphrafe of their own, and then criticife upon the beauties of the author : In which work they are aflifted by the prcfident. No authors are read more particularly with this view, than Horner^ Horace^ and efpecially Longinus— " Whofe own example ftrengthens all his laws, *' And is himfclf the great fublime he draws. Each elals recites twice a day •, and have always free accefs to their teachers, to {oWq any difficulties that may occur. The bell rings for morning prayer at fix o'clock, when the Icnior clals read off a chapter from the original into cnglifh. The prefident then propoles a few critical queftions upon it, which, after their concile anfwers, he illuftrates more at large. The times of relaxation from (tudy, are about one hour in the morning, two at noon, and three in the evening: And in thcfe ae included the public meals. Evening prayer is always introduced with pfalmody ; and care i taken to improve the youth in the art of facred mufic. The [ 28 ] The ufual method of inftrndion In the fclences is this. —The pupils frequently and deliberately- read over fuch a portion of the author, they are ftudying, on a particular fcience, as it is judged, they can be able thoroughly to imprefs upon their memories. "When they attend their recitations, the tutor propoles queflions on every particular they have been reading. After they have given, in their turns, fuch anfvvers, as fhew their general acquaintance with the fubjed, he explains it more at large ; allows them to propofe any difficulties ; and takes pains to difcovcr whether his explications be fully comprehended. Advantages, which are feldom attainable, in the ufual method of teaching by le(5lure. \, ' ^In the inftru(5lion of the youth, care is taken to cher|fh a fpirit of liberty, and free enquiry ; and not only to permit, but even encourage their right of private judgment, without prefuming to dic- tate with an air of infallability, or demanding an implicit aflent to the decifions of the preceptor. The Senior^ Junior, and (towjtrds the con- dufion of their year) the Sophomore clafles, are allowed [ 29 ] allowed the free ufe of the college library, that they may make excurfions beyond the limits of their flated flu.dies, into the unbounded and va- riegated fields of knowledge ; and, cfpecially, to alTift them in preparing their difputations, and other compofitions. But the comparatively fmall alTort- ment of modern authors, in the library, is one of thofe remedilefs difadvantages, this inftitution muft lie under, until its funds will aiford an enlargement. The prefent colledion entirely confifls of the donations of the charitable, both in Europe and America. However, Ihould the trultees themfelves remain incapable of making additions; it is yet encouraging, that valuable bene) udlions of this fort are rtill, no.v and then re cived. Gentlemen who are liberally difpofed, bur know not what books the library is already poflcifed of^ may perule the catalogue, lately pubiilLed, for the information of the public m this matter. — But to proceed — On the third Wednefday in Auguft annually, the Senior clafs are exanuied by the truftees, the college officers, and other gentle- men of learning then prefent, throughout all die branches of literature, the y have been iiere targfit. E And t 30 ] And if approved, as worthy of academical honours, the prcfident afiigns them the parts, they are rclpedively to perform at the anniverfary commencement ; the general proceedings of which, are fo publicly known, as to fuperceed all neceflity of defcription. They are then graduated Bachelors of Arts, After an interval of three years, they are ufually admitted to the Mafter\ degree. But to this latter, the terms of admiflion, for theie few years paft, have not been fo lax and indetermi- nate as formerly. In the year 1760, the truftees made a refolve upon this head, which it may not be improper to infert here, as it ftands recorded in in the minutes of their proceedings, and is as follows. — *' The conferring academical Honours, was in- " tended as an Incentive to a laudable Ambition in " Study, and as a Reward of literary Merit. And ** the different Degrees of thefe honorary Diftinc- " tions, conferred fucceffively, at different periods, *' fuppofe a proportioned Increafc of literary " Merit \ and confequently a fufficient Time of " Refidence in College, for the further Profecution *^ of Study J and a proper previous Examination to " difcover [ 31 ] " dilcovcr the Improvement of the Candidates. " But when promifcuoufly diftributed, as curfory " Formalities after the ufual Time, without any " previous Evidence of fuitable Qualifications, " they fink into Contempt, as infignificant Cere- " monies; and no longer anfwer their original *' Defign. Therefore the Trufl:ees determine to " admit none tathe Degree of Majier of Arts y but " upon the following Terms. " All Candidates for a Majier''s Degree, fhall *« refide in or near the College, at lead one Week " immediately preceeding that Commencement, at *' which they expe(5tto receive their Degrees : during " which Time, they fliall fubmit to the Laws and " Orders of the College : and on the Tuefday Morn- " ing, immediately preceeding the lafi Wednejday of ** September, (on which Day the Anniverfary Com- " mencement is held,) they fliall attend in the Col- " lege, in order to pafs fuch an Examination, as " the Truftees, then prefent, fliall think neceflTary ; " efpecially in llich Branches of Literature, as have " a more direct Connexion with that Profefllon of " Lifej which they have enterc d upon, or have in ^yiew; whether Divinity, Law, or Phyfic. "And [ 3- ] " And Iliall make fuch Preparations for the Com- <* mencement, as the Officers of the College fliall " judge proper. " As fo fhort a Refidence can be an intolerable «' Inconvenience to but very ft w, and will render <' a fecond Degree a real Honour, the Truftees " will not difpenfe with it in ordinary Cafes. Yet " as the Circumftances of fomc Perfons, of fuffi- " cient Accomplifhments, may render them inca- «' pable of Refidence, they are to inform the Pre- *' fident by Letter, fome convenient Time before *' the Commencement, at which they intend to offer *' themfclves Candidates, of the Reafons of their "Incapacity, that the Truftees may judge, whe- " ther they are fufficient for a Difpenfation for the *' whole, or any Part of the Time required." This law, as is declared in another place, extends alfo to the bachelors from other colleges, who ijtand candidates for a higher degree, than they have yet been admitted to. Graduates from other colleges, upon producing their diplomas, or other fufficient tcftimonials, are admitted Ad Bund EM, without any previous examination : But then. [ 33 ] then, it is inferted in their diplomas, and publicly declared by the prefident, to be conferred Honoris Causa, according to the pradice of fome uni- veriities abroad. And with regard to all.— None are admitted without teftimonials of their good moral condudl, while abfent, figned by two or more gentlemen of note and veracity, in the place where they have refided ; or, unlcfs recom- mended by one of the truftecs, or college officers, from perfonal knowledge. As to admiffion into the feveral clafles, thcfc are the regulations.— Candidates for admiffion into the loweft or frefhman-clafs, muft be capable of compoiing grammatical latin, tranllating Virgil, Cicero's Orations, and the four evangelifts in greek, and, by a late order, mufl underftand the prin- cipal rules of vulgar arithmetic. Candidates for any of the higher claffes, are not only previoufly examined, but recite a fortnight upon tryal, in that particular clafs for which they offer themfelves ; and are then fixed in that, or a lower, as they happen to be judged qualified : But, unlefs in very fingular and extraordinary cafes, none are received after the junior year. Beside [ 3+ ] Beside thele examinations for admiflion into the refpefbive clafles, and the laft examination of the fcnior clafs, previous to their obtaining the firfl collegiate honours; the three inferior clafles, at the end of every year, are examined in fuchof theclaflics, arts and fciences, as they have ftudied, in order for admiflion into the next : And iuch as are found un- quahfied, are not allowed to rile in the ufual coutie. Thefe, in like manner as the laft examination of the fenior-clafs, are attended upon by the prefi- dent and tutors, in conjundlion with any other gentlemen of liberal education, who chufe to be prefent. Dr. Finley hath alfo inftituted quarterly examinations of the three clafles, before mentioned : But thefe are not fo univerfal as the former, being reftrided only to what they have ftudied, during the quarter. They have been found to anfwer excellent purpofcs \ for thereby, the inftrudlors can eafily obferve the gradual progrels each one makes; and arc thence enabled, either to encourage or warn them, as their feveral cales require. Hence alio, as it may be imagined, it hath not a little conduced, to the afllduity and carefulnefs of the ftudents, in their daily preparations. There. [ 35 ] There is a gram mar- fchool annexed to the college, as a nurlery for it, under the general in- fpedtion of the prefident, though not a part of the original conftitution. This was firft let up by prefident Burr, and has been handed down to his fucceffors, the truftees taking it under their patronage, during the feveral vacancies in that office. Befides the latin and greek languages, into which the youth are here initiated, they have been alfo early taught the graces of a good delivery, and fpent a fmall portion of every day in improv- ing their hand-writing ; for which purpole, a pro- per attendant hath been hitherto provided. But this expedient being found by experience not fully to anfwer thofe purpofes, it was lately judged proper^ that an englilh fchool fhould be alfo ella- bliflied, for the fole intention of teaching young lads to write well, to cypher, and to pronounce and read the englifh tongue with accuracy and precilion. The truftees, in confequence, have engaged in their fervice, a young gentleman, pecu- liarly well accomplifhed as a teacher j who hath now opened this fchool; which, in like manner with the grammar-fchcol, is put under the general fuperintcndency of the prefident of the College. Into [ 36 ] Into thefe fchools, there are no other terms of admifllon, than the payment of twenty (hillings, entrance money, according to the cuftom of moft academies. Standing inftitutions of this nature muft have mailers to fupport and manage them, whether there be few or many fcholars, hence the propriety and neceffity of requiring fomerhing ad- ditional at their entrance. The cafe is fomewhat fimilar alfo in the college ; the officers of which are, in a great meafure, fupported from the tuition moneys the fund being quite inadequate to that purpofe. But what is here previoufly paid, is not fo properly entrance money, as a fmall acknow- ledgment for the difpenfation, in regard to the proper charges of the foregoing year or years, which, according to the cuftom of other colleges, ought to have been fpent here. This.is required of thofe only, who at their firfl: coming, enter into the Sophomore ox Junior clalTes: For later, none arc received, unlefs in very fingular cafes, as hath been already mentioned. At enterinr^ into the former, twenty ihillingsis paid, being the fourth part of the tuition money for the preceeding year : And on admilTion into the latter, forty (liillings, the fourth part of fiime, for the two foregoing years. We [ 37 ] We come now to give feme account of thd manner, together with the expences of boarding. It is true, Co minute a detail of the little affairs of a college, affords but a dry and unentertaining ftory : And a relation of the cKconomy of a kitchen and dining room, would be ftill more low and vulgar. But as the judicious reader mud be fenfible, that a proper regulation of thefe matters, is of more confequence £o fuch a community, than a thoufand things that would make a more fhining figure in delcription ; it is prefumed, th^it (ome account of them may be expedled ; and that he will excufe the dulncfs of the narrative, for the fake of the importance of the information, to thofc efpecially^ who may encHne to educate their fons at this college. It is the bufinefs of the fteward to provide all neceffaries for the ufe of the Ibciety, to ea,pioy cooks and oiher fervants to cleanfe the chawibers, make the beds, &c. The rurors, and all the ftudents, and fometimes the prch^ent, eat cogtrher in the dining -hail, always f^aced acrordinri; to rank and feniority. No private m?als ire allowed in their chambers, except with exprels liccnfe on F fpecial [ 38 ] jpecid occafions. Tea and coffee are ferved up for breakfaft. At dinner, they have, in turn, almoft all the variety of fifh and flefh the country here affords, and fometimes pyes j every difh of the f^ms fort, and ahke dreffed, on one day ; but with as great difference, as to the kinds of provifion^ and manner of cookery, on different days, as. the market, and other circumflances will admit. Indeed, no luxurious dainties, or coftly delicacies can be looked for among the viands of a college, where health and oeconomy are alone confulted in the furniture of the tables. Thefe, however, arc plentifully fiipplied, without weight or meafure allowance : And the meals are conduced with regularity and decorum V waiters being conflantly in attendance. ^ The general table-drink is fmall- beer or cyder. For fupper, milk only is the {landing allowance J chocolate is fometimes ferved as a change. Some of the young gentlemen chule, at times, and are indulged, to make a difh of tea in their apartments, provided it be done after evening prayer ; that the time fpent therein, may not inter- fere with the hours of ftudy •, except in cafes of indifpofition, or other circumftances, which are previoufly laid before one of the officers, in order to [ 39 ] a permit. But this is an article wholly of private cxpence. The annual charge of education, including tuition money, chamber rent, lleward's falary, iervants wages, wafhing, fire-wood, and candles, with contingencies, may amcjunt, communihus annis, to about twenty live pounds fix Ihillings lawful money of New-Jerfey\ for the market rifes and falls; and on fome of thofe articles, the expences are arbitrary. Hence frugality in the ftudent, may Ibmetimes, without mcaanefs, reduce the accompt. Thovparticulars, as they fland, for the moft part, in the ftewara's books, are here fpecified, and charged upon an average. Tuition-money ------ _^. 4 o Q Boarding, fleward'^ falary, and fervants 7 wages inclufive - - - 3 Chamber rent -----r- 100 Wafhing -------r-^op Wood and candles - - - -- -2 0^0 Contingent charges -------o 6 o Tho* [ 40 ] Tho' this infUtution has fucceeded, beyond the expedtation of its warmeft friends, n9twithilanding the fevere fhocks it received, by the death of three prefidents, in fo quick fuccgfTion ; and its iinfettled ftate, till the chair was filled ; yet it ftill labours under feveral deficiencies, which nothing but the beneficent hand of charity can relieve. With mathematical inftruments, and an apparatus for experiments in natural philofophy, it is but very indifferently furnifhed. The hbrary wants many of the moft approved modern writers, as hath been already hinted. It would be alfo of eminent fervice, had it revenues ample er^ugh, to fupport profelfors in fome of the diflind branches of ■ literature ; who might each make a figure in his owii province, could his ftudies and inftrucftions be confined to his peculiar department. A profefTor of divinity, efpecially, ior the benefit of the tli€ological fludents, would be of fingular utility. At prcfent, there are three tutors, befides the prefident. To thefe, the college fund, can as yet, afi'ord but fcanty livings ; the tutors particularly, unlefs they afTume a vow of celibacy, are unable to ^ continue in their oilices for life. Hence it happens,' that when a young gentleman has, by fludy and experience [ 41 J experience, thoroughly quahfied himfelf for the einploymenti he often refigns it j and the truftees are then obliged to clefl another, perhaps out equally fit for it. Affluent revenues are, indeed, too often fatal fnares to political bodies, as well as individuals. And fliould a profeiTorfhip be con- verted into a money-jobb, or lucrative poft, and the falaries be fo confiderable as to become objedls of avarice and ambition to unworthy men, it might be a much greater misfortune to the Ibciety, than its prelcnt indigent ftate. Hence an income, jull fufficient to fupply the abovementioned defeds, and to afford lijch liv'ings to a proper number of tutors or profeiTors, as would enable them, decently to maintain their families, ieems only to be defirable and requifite. The fund, until within about^a year pafl, hath not much exceeded 1300I. but from a lottery, which was generoufly fet on foot by a number of gentlemen in Philadelphia^ in favour of the inftitu- tion, it was increafed to nearly 2S00I. the neat produce of the fame, after neceiTary charges, and lofTes which ufually happen, befides v/hat was difburfed to pay urgent debts, being about 1500 1. Exclufive [ 42 ] Exclufive of the annual fupport of of^cers, the cxpences from other quarters are not inconfiderable -, nay, do yearly increafe, as the number of ftudents increafe. The truftees have been obliged to com- plete the chambers of one whole flory of the building, which were at firft left unfinifhed, not being then wanted ; and to build a large kitchen, with Servants apartments, both to anfvver its peculiar intention, and, at the ilime time, to leave more room for lodgings in the college itfelf. This too ftill remains without a proper inclofure of its court- yard and back grounds ; which would greatly add to the beauty, as well as real convenience of the hall.* Thefe, together with feveral other mediums of expencc, will unavoidably exhauft all the cafh, that can pofTibly be fpared from its (lender fund. Hence, is eafily feen, the impoflibility under prefent circumftances, of making new additions or improvements, either in regard to books, an ap- paratus, or eftabliHiment of profefTorfhips. Indeed, from the countenance of the general aflembly of this * In the plate hereunto annexed, the court-yard is reprcr fented as inclofed by a pale-fence, in like manner with that of the prefident's houfe : But this is done only from the fancy of the engraver. [ 43 ] this province, in palTing an ad: for a lottery of three thoufand pounds, for the benefit of this college, fome good addition will probably be made to its revenues. But the returns of this lottery, which was lately drawn, are not yet made -, the accompts being ftill unfet'tlcd. However, much greater lofies have accrued therein, than might have been reafonably expefled, efpecially from the very unfortunate ifTue of the tickets left, on the rifque of the college, at the time of drav/ing. So that the managers have reafon to think, that, on the clofc of their books, the clear profits will not much exceed 1. 2.200. Such an acceffion can only enable the truilees, to make fome addition, perhaps, to the annual allov/ances of the college officers ; tho' not fuch as will be fufficient to retain them for life, in the charader of profeiTors, much lefs to main- tain a greater number. Befides, it is not Impro- bable, that by the time they reap the. intercft of it, another building may become necelfary : For an addition of 25 or 30 ftudents more would fill the prelent houfe, in fuch a manner, as that by no pofTibk contrivance, it could be made to contain a greater number, with any tolerable convenience 01*cornfort. And Ihould the numbers increafe, in [, 44 ] in the fame proportion they have done, for thefe three years paft, (which is v(s 50 to 70) the necef- fityof fuch additional building, will be no diftant event. This, however, would be a work im- polTible to be carried -into execution, upon the flrength of the prefent funds.. But bcfide the occafions of public encourage- ment abovementioned, and the many private bcnefa6lions received, fince the foundation of this feminary ; it is matter of- pleafure to acquaint its friends, that, not long fince, a very generous legacy was ordered in the will of the late col. j^lford, of Chaf-Ies-Town, in the Majfachtifetts-Bay : The fum defigned for this college, is not yet prccifely afcertained, that being left to the difcre- tion of his executors : It is prefumed however, from good intelligence, that the appropriation here 'will not be le Is in value than 1. 500 iterling, Benefadions of this fort are peculiarly honourable,— an indubitable indication of a warm regard for the intereils of learning, and of the teftator's high fenfe of the utility of this feat of education in particular. No actions of a man's life are more memorable, than his deeds of liberality, before the^ [ 45 ] the hour of death ; when chiefly he confiders, what diftribution of the gifts of Heaven, may be mofl: agreeable to the will of his divine bene- fadlor. May providence excite an emulation in the breads of others, among the virtuous and opulent, to follow an example of fuch laudable and chriftian benevolence : A benevolence, which will extend its influence to remote pofterity, and advance the genuine felicity of their country, when they are received into everlajling hahitationSy and are triumphing in the enjoyment of a glorious Recompense of Reward. Thus is exhibited a faithful account of the origin and prelent ftate of the college of New^ Jerfey : — A college, originally deligned for the promotion of the general intcrefl:s of chriftianity,, as well as the cultivation of human fcience. This end therefore is kept in view, in all the inftrudions and modes of difcipline : To inculcate or even recommend the difcriminating opinions of any one protefliant denomination in preference to another*, is carefully avoided. In thofe matters, the Itudents are left without any byals ofifercd to their private judgments i and arc always allowed, without G refl:rainjK; [ 46 ] reftraint, to attend the religious worlhip of any proteftant fociety, whenever they have oppor- tunity. Upon the whole, it )s prefumed it niuft appear manifcft upon rcfledion, to every ferious obfcrver, that providence hath, in a pecuhar manner, fuper^ intended the affairs of this nurfery, from its foun- dation to the prefent time. And indeed, it is «ftecmed by its directors their higheft honour and happinefs, that- the almighty hath vouchfafed fo remarkably to countenance and fucceed their undertaking, and thereby to encourage their humble expcdbationsof his continued benediflion. To the fmgular favour of Heaven, on the means of inftruftion here ufed, it muft be gratefully afcribed, that many youth who have come to I'^Jajjau-Hall for education, without any juft fenfe of the obligations either of natural or revealed re- ligion, have been here cffe6lually reformed, become men of fblid and rational piety, and now appear upon the flagc of public aftion, employing their talents to the honour of the fupreme Beftower, and 3n promoting the good of mankind. Hence the managers of this feminary are emboldened to hope, that C 47 ] that while the original dcfign of its eftabllfliment ] is fleadily purfued, the fame indulgent providence which hath hitherto iupported it, amidft the re- proaches of envy, and the oppofitions of malice, will ftill railc up bcnefadlors to fupply its defici- encies ; and fucceed their difinterefled endeavours to train up our youth in the paths of piety and erudition, for the future fervice of their country, in any civil or ecclefiaftical employments. FINIS. Proper Forms of Donation to the College by Will. Of Chattels perfonaL liewy I J. B. do hereby give and bequeath the Sum of unto the Trufiees of the College of New -J erf ey, commonly called Naffau-Hall, the fame to be paid within months next after my Dcceafe; and to be applied to the Uies and Purpofes of the faid College. Of real Edate. I A. B. do give and devife unto the Trujiees of the College of New-Jerfey, commonly called Naffau- Hall^ and to their Succejors forever^ all that certain Meffuage and Trad of Land, &c. id^ \