Washington, DC, 1999.
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College of George-Town, (Potomack) in the State of Maryland, United States of America.
I.
THIS College was first opened for literary instruction, not quite six years ago; and though many difficulties have opposed its progress, ever since the day of its establishment, yet the public mind begins to be satisfied, that it is not far distant from that point of perfection to which its exertions have been invariably directed.
II.
It is no inconsiderable recommendation to public favour, that the College is an extensive and most convenient edifice, situated on one of the healthiest spots and commanding one of the most delightful prospects in the United States; and that it is so near to the City of Washington, which being the centre of the Federal Government, will offer the best examples of, and incentives to attain literary eminence. These are only accessary circumstances towards the obtaining of general encouragement, which must be gained and preserved by establishing suitable pro
Physical, Moral, and
Literary education.
III.
A constant and scrupulous attention to cleanliness, wholesome and regular diet, moderate exercise, and a due proportion of application and relaxation are the means adopted and unwearily pursued, in order to preserve the health of youths, especially those of a tender age.
IV.
With regard to
Morality, the system hitherto pursued will be continued, and if necessary, farther means used, to preserve to the College the reputation, of which it is in full possession, for this important part of education. Persuaded that liveligion and immorality in a youth, portend the most fatal evils to subsequent periods of life, and threaten even to disturb the peace, and corrupt the manners of society at large; the directors of this Institution openly profess that they have nothing so much at heart as to implant virtue and destroy in their pupils the seeds of vice—Happy in the attainment of this sublime object, they would consider their success in this alone, as an ample reward for their incessant endeavours.
V. To answer so desirable a purpose, and to promote more effectually the grand interests of society, no trouble is spared in the cultivation of susceptible and tender minds, and enriching them with every thing useful or ornamental in the several branches of literature. The sphere of education, in this College, was, for a time, unavoidably contracted; it has expanded itself gradually, and the College now offers the promising prospect of being a complete nursery of learning, equal to those in the United States whose institution was earlier, and which have taught this to emulate their same.
VI.
The study of the dead languages, that foundation of universal knowledge, which, in every Academy calculated for the purposes of extensive utility, ought to engage a large proportion of the attention of the professors, must have been indeed cultivated in
this with uncommon application, of which the extraordinary proficiency of many of its pupils, in so short a period, is an
VII.
The English and French languages come next, and are encouraged both in theory and daily practice, no pains being spared in training up the
foreigners to a correct and familiar use of the former, and the
natives to that of the latter, (without either neglecting the study of the grammatical rules or peculiar beauties of their own) in which the mixture of American and French pupils affords a considerable assistance.—Writing, arithmetic in all its branches, mathematics, geography, the use of the globes, and the art of an elegant elocution close the course of instructions hitherto embraced in the College—Seven professors of most reputable characters and the ablest in their respective lines that could be procured, share among themselves, under the president's directions, the several branches above-mentioned.
VIII.
When the students are advanced in their scholastic career, and qualify themselves for the study of higher sciences, as history, moral and natural philosophy, the College will furnish able teachers in these several branches. There is already a provision made for the teaching of the
Spanish
Spanish language, which, next to the English and French, is considered as the most valuable in a country, naturally connected by the double tie of neighbourhood and trade with the Spanish territories.
IX.
The religion uniformly practised by the students living in the College is the
Roman-Catholic. But as instructions in the sciences and morality are equally offered to youths of every denomination, in order to obviate the inconveniences, either of breaking in upon the necessary uniformity of discipline, or of obliging any to be present at a different worship from that of their first education; a house has been provided for boarders professing other tenets. In this separate house, under the inspection of the president and a supervisor appointed by him, the students are subjected to the same rules, (
religion excepted)and enjoy the same advantages for their improvement in science with the boarders in the College.
X. To check the natural propensity of youths to extravagance, and stop at once the just complaints of some parents on this subject, all boarders shall wear an uniform dress, to be furnished them by the College on the cheapest terms, unless their parents should chuse to take that trouble themselves, in which case they must scrupulously conform to the due quality, colour and form.
XI. No student shall be allowed to sleep out of the College, or to go abroad during the vacations: The many inconveniences attending that indulgence having induced the directors, after mature consideration, finally to adopt this measure, which, although it may affect the feelings of some fond parents, cannot fail of meeting with the applause of every one who will reflect on its happy tendency, and of proving unequivocally the disinterestedness of the administration of the College, when it is considered that it puts itself thereby to a considerable addition of expence and trouble, merely for the sake of the greater improvement of its pupils.
XII.
The age for admittance of boarders is from eight to fourteen, though they may, when once admitted, continue in the College after that period, till they have completed their education. They must likewise be previously taught to read and write.
XIII. The terms of payment, which is always to be made half-yearly in advance, are here annexed:—
XIV.
For boarders in the separate house, the board will be 132 dollars. The other articles, viz. tuition, &c. the same as above.—This difference in the prices of the two boards will be easily accounted for by the necessity of renting a house for this express purpose and furnishing it with servants and necessary articles.
XV.
Every boarder upon his entrance into the College is to bring with him
all quite new.
Six shirts,
Six pair of stockings,
Six pocket-handkerchiefs,
Four cravats,
Four towels,
One hat,
Three pair of shoes,
The uniform for the season in which he comes, consisting in a complete suit for Sundays and another for week days,
A silver tumbler and spoon,
Two knives and forks,
A matrass and a pillow,
Two pair of sheets and two pillow-cases,
Three blankets and a counterpane or rug.
These articles will be furnished by the College, on demand, and paying immediately their amount in advance.
XVI.
The same will be required for necessary advances made to the students during the course of the year, which the College will furnish, if requested by parents, they depositing beforehand a sum of 40 dollars towards those expenditures, for which they will receive credit on the removal of their children from the College.
XVII. A REGULAR account of board, &c. and articles furnished will be exhibited once in six months; and it is earnestly requested, that immediate remittances be made to the full amount, as the circumstances or this institution, which for its support, depends altogether on the punctuality of payment, cannot allow any considerable delay. If, after two months notice, payment be not received, the president is directed to send the pupils home to their parents or friends.
(
Should any parent wish to agree for the whole expence of board, tuition and other articles specified in No. 13, together with the cloathing, books, &c. &c. under a general price, so as to get rid of every minute account or uneasiness of mind, he will pay 250 dollars per annum, every half-year in advance.—The youths in this case must be furnished, upon entrance, in the same manner, as others, with all the articles detailed in No. 15. And the College engages to return to them when they leave it, the half of their original provision of linen in perfect order, the uniform of the season in which they quit it, with all the other articles which they brought with them at their
XVIII.
Music, One guinea a month, Drawing, Nine dollars for three months, Dancing, Eight ditto ditto.Vocal and instrumental music, drawing and dancing are taught in the College by well-qualified masters, but form a separate article—to be paid as follows:
Instruments or books belonging to these accomplishments will, of course, form also a separate charge.
XIX.
Parents are desired to six the weekly allowance which they wish to be given to their children, for their private use.
XX.
Parents living at a distance, will appoint a safe correspondent in Baltimore, Georgetown or one of the principal towns in the state of Maryland, who will engage not only to discharge the accounts presented for payment, but also to receive the students, if, for any cause, they should be obliged to quit the College.
XXI.
Day scholars are received, and equal attention bestowed on their literary improvement, many of whom have eminently distinguished themselves in their respective classes.
The
terms for simple tuition, including the two dollars for fire in schools, are 28 dollars, 67 cents, paid half-yearly in advance—an account will be furnished twice a year for paper, books, &c. used by them.
N. B.
Whenever
a student is withdrawn from the College, after entering on a new quarter, no deduction will be made for the remaining part of it.
George-Town,
January
1
(
Signed
)
Wm. De Bourg,
President of the College.
Directors.
Robert Plunkett,
Francis Beeston,
Francis Neale,
John Ashton,
Charles Sewall,