LETTER II.

Academies in New-England-Colleges-State of these institutions in 1812-Law and Theological Seminaries-Medical, Historical, and Philosophical SocietiesSocial Libraries.

Dear Sir,

You may perhaps remember, that in the account which I gave you concerning the establishment of schools in Connecticut, provision is made in the law, which creates the system, for the institution of scools, of a higher class than those which are parochial; or of such, as in this country are generally styled Academies. The knowledge taught in these schools, is undefined by any general system; and comprehends as much, and as little, of languages, Arts, and Sciences, as the Trustees of each think it proper from time to time to prescribe. In this respect many of them are undoubtedly imperfect; and do not, so well as they easily might, direct the education, which they profess to communicate. A wise and well constructed scheme of education, is certainly a desideratum in these seminaries; and might contribute not a little to spread knowledge in a more perfect form, and to a greater extent. There is not, indeed, a very great difference in the objects aimed at, or in the modes pursued. The law commits the inspection of these schools in Connecticut to a number of Visiters, annually chosen by those, for whom they act; but attempts not to controul any other schools, besides, those, which are constituted by itself. The provision of the law is insufficient; but whether a substitute will be provided within any moderate period, which will remedy its defects is uncertain.

You are not, however, to suppose, that these schools are not very useful seminaries. They are generally filled with students; and are directed by instructors, respectably qualified for their business. Under this direction a great number of youths are continually employed in obtaining an education in branches of knowledge, not communicated in the parochial schools. Here they are qualified for their entrance into Colleges. At the same time they

are furnished with the necessary means of qualifying themselves for other business, which demands an education considerably enlarged. Thus the country possesses itself of talents, which would otherwise sleep in obscurity; and is enabled to see its affairs prosperously managed in several departments, which, if not of the highest consequence, are yet, perhaps, more interesting to its welfare, than most of those which are. Here they become intelligent surveyors, navigators, happily prepared for commercial apprenticeships, and fitted for the whole routine of human business, which demands a middle education between that of the parochial school and that of the college.

Of these schools there are more than twenty in the state of Connecticut. The exact number I do not know. About ten or twelve of them may be incorporated. Seven or eight are sustained by funds. Some have sprung from the combined exertions of numbers; and some, from the efforts of individuals. Of those, which have funds, the principal are Bacon Academy, at Colchester, amply endowed by a Mr. Bacon, one of its inhabitants; the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire; the Hopkins Grammar School at Hartford; and the Staples Academy at Weston.

In Massachusetts there are forty eight of these schools; all incorporated, and most, if not all of them, endowed to some extent by the State. The principal of these is Phillips' Academy at Andover. Two of those in Connecticut, and three in Massachusetts, are exclusively female seminaries. Some others admit children of both sexes.

Of the Academies in Massachusetts the District of Maine has its full proportional share.

In New-Hampshire, the number of schools, which may with propriety be placed on this list, is thirteen. The principal of these is Phillips' Academy at Exeter, formerly described in these letters.

The number of these schools in Vermont is twelve, all of which are incorporated.

I have heretofore observed, that there are eight Colleges in New-England.

Harvard College, now styled the University in Cambridge.
Yale College, at New-Haven in Connecticut.
Dartmouth College, at Hanover in New-Hampshire.
Brown University, at Providence, Rhode-Island.
Williams College, at Williamstown, Massachusetts.
The University of Vermont, at Burlington in that State.
Middlebury College, at Middlebury in the same State, and
Bowdoin College, at Brunswick in the District of Maine.

You observe, that some of these seminaries are styled Universities, and some of them Colleges. You will not from this suppose, that the name University, indicates any superiour impor tance, or any more extensive scheme of education. The Uni versity at Cambridge is, in some respects, the most considerable; and in every respect the University of Vermont is the least of all these literary establishments.

The state of these Institutions, in the year 1812, was the following:

The University of Cambridge.

A President; seven Professors Academical; seven Professors Medical; three Tutors; a Librarian ; a Regent; a Proctor; an instructor in the French language.

The Academical Professors are,

Of Theology; of Logic, Metaphysics, and Ethics; of Rhetoric and Oratory; of the Hebrew, other Oriental, and English languages; of Latin; of Mathematics, and Natural Philosophy; of Greek; and of Natural History.

The three Tutors teach,

The senior Tutor, Geography, Geometry, Natural Philosophy, and Astronomy; the second, Greek; and the third, Latin. Of the Medical Professorships,

The first is of Anatomy, and Surgery; the second, of the Theory and Practice of Medicine; the third, of Chemistry, and the Materia Medica; and the fourth, of Clinical Medicine.

The two remaining ones are Assistants, or Adjuncts, to that of Anatomy and Surgery, and that of Chemistry, and the Materia Medica.

The number of students the same year, was 281.

Yale College.

A President; five Professorships Academical; and three Med

ical.

The Academical Professorships are,

Of Theology; of Law, Natural and Political; of Mathematics, and Natural Philosophy; of Chemistry, and Mineralogy; and of Languages, and Ecclesiastical History.

The Medical, are

Of Anatomy, and Surgery; of the Theory and Practice of Physic; and of the Materia Medica and Botany. • Here also is one Professorship adjunct.

Six Tutors.

The particular provinces of these Instructors have been sufficiently explained in the account, given of this Seminary. The number of students was 313.

Dartmouth College.

A President; five Professorships Academical; one Medical; and two Tutors.

The Academical Professorships, are

Of Theology; of Civil and Ecclesiastical History; of Mathe matics, and Natural Philosophy; of Languages; and of Chemistry.

Of Medicine.

The Medical Professorship, is

The number of students was about 150.

The number of Medical students, exceeded 50.*

Brown University in 1811.

A Chancellor; a President; three Professorships Academical; and two Medical.

By the Catalogue of 1821, the number of students in Dartmouth College, was

The Academical Professorships, are

Of Law; of Moral Philosophy, and Metaphysics; and of Chemistry.

The Medical Professorships, are

Of Anatomy, and Surgery; and of the Materia Medica, and Botany.

Two Tutors; and a Preceptor of a Grammar school, conected with the University.

The number of students was 128.

Williams' College.

A President; a Vice President; a Professor of Mathematics, and Natural Philosophy; two Tutors.

The number of students was 95.

Middlebury College, 1812.

A President; three Academical Professors.

One of Law; one of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy;

one of Languages; two Tutors.

The number of students was 113.

University of Vermont.

A President; a Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy; a Professor of the Learned Languages; a Medical Profes

sor.

There are also four other Professorships on paper.

The number of students supposed to be from 30 to 40.

The means of Medical instruction in New-England will be seen sufficiently in this account of its Seminaries.

The Law School, heretofore mentioned in the description of Litchfield, as being under the instruction of Judge Reeve, and James Gould, Esquire, would not, it is believed, do discredit to any country. Law is here taught as a science; and not merely, nor principally, as a mechanical business; not as a collection of loose, independent fragments, but as a regular, well-compacted system. At the same time the students are taught the practice by being actually employed in it. A court is constituted; actions are brought, and conducted through a regular process; questions are raised; and the students become advocates in form.