That a House be provided for the Academy, if not in the Town, not many miles from it; the Situation high and dry, and if it may be, not far from a River, having a Garden, Orchard, Meadow, and a Field or two.
That the House be furnished with a Library (if in the Country, if in the Town, the Town Libraries may serve) with Maps of all Countries, Globes, some mathematical Instruments, an Apparatus for Experiments in Natural Philosophy, and for Mechanics; Prints, of all Kinds, Prospects, Buildings, Machines, &c.
That the Rector be a Man of good Understanding, good Morals, diligent and patient, learn' d in the Languages and Sciences, and a correct pure Speaker and writer of the English Tongue; to have such Tutors under him as shall be necessary.
That the boarding Scholars diet together, plainly, temperately, and frugally.
That to keep them in Health, and to strengthen and render active their Bodies, they be frequently exercis'd in Running, Leaping, Wrestling, and Swimming, &c.
That they have peculiar Habits to distinguish them from other Youth, if the Academy be in or near the Town; for this, among other Reasons, that their Behaviour may be the better observed.
As to their Studies, it would be well if they could be taught every Thing that is useful, and every Thing that is ornamental: But Art is long, and their Time is short. It is therefore proposed that they learn those Things that are likely to be most useful and most ornamental, Regard being had to the several Professions for which they are intended.
All should be taught to write a fair Hand, and swift, as that is useful to All. And with it may be learnt something of Drawing, by Imitation of Prints, and some of the first Principles of Perspective.
Arithmetick, Accounts, and some of the first Principles of Geometry and Astronomy.
The English Language might be taught by Grammar, in which some of our best Writers, as Tillotson, Addison, Pope, Algernon Sidney, Cato's Letters, &c should be classicks: The Stiles principally to be cultivated, being the clear and the concise. Reading should also be taught, and pronouncing, properly, distinctly, emphatically; not with an even Tone, which under-does, nor a theatrical, which over-does Nature.
To form their Stile, they should be put on Writing Letters to each other, making Abstracts of what they read; or writing the same Things in their own Words; telling or writing Stories lately read, in their own Expressions. All to be revised and corrected by the Tutor, who should give his Reasons, explain the Tone and Import of Words, &c.
To form their Pronunciation, they may be put on making Declamations, repeating Speeches, delivering Orations, &c. The Tutors assisting at the Rehearsals, teaching, advising, correcting their Accent, &c.
