Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/340

LI.

In following the steps of the Provost from the Commence- ment of 1757, we have done so continuously for the space of two years, in order that the narrative of this period of his life should be unbroken. It is not only the doings of the man that have been noted, but of the Provost, for it seems almost impossible to separate the man from the incumbent, as the influences which he carried with him were felt more or less by the College ; his individuality and force impressed themselves upon every undertaking in which he took an interest, and what work was there in which he had a share in which he did not fully interest himself? The subject of a Library had forced itself upon the atten- tion of the Trustees. At the meeting at which the Provost's arrest was reported, 4 February, 1758, a Minute records : It being represented to the Trustees that many of the Students in the Philosophy School had been very deficient in their Exercises and other- ways much retarded in their Studies for Want of a Library furnished with suitable Books in the different Branches of Science, the Clerk was there- fore directed to acquaint the Trustees by the next written Notices that a Proposal was under consideration for granting a sum of money to be laid out in purchasing an assortment of approved Authors for the Use of the College, a list of which was laid before the Trustees at this Meeting. No further reference to this present effort appears, but it was successful. On 9 February, 1762, Mr William Dunlap having been so good as to make a present of some books to the College, the Catalogue was read over and the Books examined therewith having been first placed in their proper order upon Shelves. And two years later we find the subject a matter of action ; on 10 April, 1764, Mr Peters and Mr Duch6 are appointed a Committee to inspect the College Library, taking Professor Ewing to their Assistance, and to com- pare it with the Catalogue which after their examination is to be inserted in the Minutes. And further that they examine the Apparatus for Experi- mental Philosophy and compare it with the Catalogue, which is likewise to be inserted in the Minutes ;