Section XXXV. Education. The southern colonies continued to treat the subject of education differently from the northern colonies, in this respect; in the north, one of the first objects of legislation was to provide for the education of all classes; in the south, the education of the higher classes only was an object of publick attention.

The first publick institution for the purposes of education, which succeeded in the south, was that of William and Mary College in Virginia, established in 1692, by the sovereigns whose

names it bears.

Yale College, in Connecticut, was commenced in 1700eleven of the principal ministers of the neighbouring towns, who had been appointed to adopt such measures as they should deem expedient, on the subject of a college-agreeing to found one ir the colony. The next year, the legislature granted them a charter. The college was begun at Saybrook, where was held the first commencement, in 1702. In 1717, it was removed to New-Haven, where it became permanently established. It was named after the Hon. Elihu Yale, governour of the East India Company, who was its principal benefactor.

The College, at Princeton, New-Jersey, called "Nassau Hall," was first founded by charter from John Hamilton, Esq. president of the council, about the year 1738, and was enlarged by Gov. Belcher, in 1747.

Reflections.

XXXVI. The history of this period presents the North American Colonies to our view, at the same time that they were visited with cruel and desolating wars, still advancing in popula

tion, extending their commerce, forming new settlements, enlarging the boundaries of their territory, and laying wider and deeper the foundations of a future nation. And, while we look back, with admiration, upon the hardy spirit which carried our ances tors through scenes so trying, and enabled them to reap prosperity from the crimsoned fields of battle and bloodshed, let us be thankful that our lot is cast in a happier day; and that in stead of sharing in the perils of feeble colonies, we enjoy the pro tection and privileges of a free and powerful nation.

In addition to the reflections subjoined to the account which we have given of the "Salen witchcraft," we may add another, respecting the danger of popular delusion. In that portion of our history, we see a kind of madness rising up, and soon stretching its influence over a whole community. And such too is the pervading power of the spell, that the wise and ignorant, the good and bad, are alike subject to its control, and for the time, alike incapable of judging, or reasoning aright. Now, whenever we see a community divided into parties, and agitated by some general excitement-when we feel ourselves borne along on one side or the other, by the popular tide, let us inquire whether we are not acting under the influence of a delusion, which a few years, perhaps a few months, or days, may dispel and expose.-Nor, at such a time, let us regard our sincerity, or our consciousness of integrity, or the seeming clearness and certainty of our reasonings, as furnishing an absolute assurance that, after all, we do not mistake, and that our opponents are not right.

Another reflection of some importance, and one that may serve to guard us against censuring, too severely, the wise and good, is suggested by this account of the "Salem witchcraft." It is, that the best men are liable to err. We should not, therefore, condemn, nor should we withhold our charity from those who fall into occasional errour, provided their characters are in other respects, such as lay claim to our good opinion.

UNITED STATES.

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Period XV.

DISTINGUISHED FOR THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

Extending from the Declaration of War by England against France, 1756, to the Commencement of Hostilities by Great Britain against the American Colonies, in the Battle of Lexington, 1775.

Section I. The war, which ended in the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748, had been highly injurious to the general prosperity of his Majesty's Colonies in America; and the return of peace found them in a state of impoverishment and distress. Great losses had been sustained in their commerce, and many of their vessels had been seized on the coast by privateers. Bills of credit to the amount of several millions, had been issued to carry on the war, which they were now unable to redeem, and the losses of men in various expeditions against the enemy, had seriously retarded the increase of population.

The expenses of the northern colonies, including New-England and New-York, during the war, were estimated at not less than one million pounds sterling. Massachusetts alone is said to have paid half this sum, and to have expended nearly four hundred thousand pounds, in the expedition against Cape Breton. The expenses of Carolina, for the war in that quarter, were not less in proportion.

To supply the deficiency of money, bills of credit were issued to the amount of several millions. The bills issued by Massachusetts, during two or three years of the war, amounted to beween two and three millions currency; while at the time of