Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/475

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History of the University of Pennsylvania.
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in the English School," and he was then also appointed Clerk to the Trustees. It was not until January following that a head for this important school was found in Mr. Hugh Williamson who had been an Usher in the Latin School up to June, 1757; indeed Mr. Pratt, in temporary charge, had left in May, 1760, and Mr. Campbell had in fact been the only incumbent. Mr. Williamson resumed his connection with the College and became the Professor of Mathematics. Here he faithfully continued until, in June, 1763, he expressed a desire to be relieved, which was allayed by the Trustees acceding at their next meeting to some proposed regulations he presented which arose from " some sentiments he offered concerning the present state of the school." But as his views were not endorsed fully he in November following renewed his request, and the school was again put under the care of Mr Pratt the writing Master. * * * the rather as some of the Trustees were told by Mr Pratt that he had improved himself in the several parts of Learning taught there, and would be willing to undertake it till they could be supplied with a Master to their Minds. This continued for two years; in November, 1765, "the Trustees for several weighty considerations have agreed to pro- vide an able Mathematical Master (for the school in which Mr. Pratt is now employed) as soon as possible ;" and in January following Thomas Dungan " who had his education in this Col- lege and was well qualified in these Respects," and who had been tutor in the English and Latin Schools respectively, was appointed Professor of Mathematics. As the writing lessons came under this department, we learn the idea of the Trustees of a proper standard recorded in their Minutes of 17 October, 1767, that strict orders be given to the Masters of the Latin School to receive no exercises from the Boys that are blotted, interlined, or not written in as fair and good a Hand, as the Boy can be supposed capable to write. 5 5 Inthe Minutes of 21 August, 1764, we find Tutor Johnston's salary aug- mented to the sum often pounds " in consideration of doing the whole duty of Writing Master in both schools and making Pens between 6 and 8 in the Morning in Sum- mer, and between the School Hours in Winter."