A Scheme for a Public Academy, some Reasons for its Institution, the Common Objections answer'd, with the Easie Method of its Support; design'd by a Privat Person, and humbly submitted to both the Honorable Houses of Parliament; whereby always forty Scholars, Sons of Gentlemen, are for Three Years to have their Lodging and Commons Gratis, and a Free Education in Languages, Arts and Exercises. Also Annual Pensions for Three Years after they have left the said Academy.
SInce in most Eminent Citys abroad there is an Academy, or Schola Illustris, supported and distinguish'd by Authority, it has bin often wish'd and desir'd, that such a Constitution were improv'd, and establish'd amongst us, in our famous City of London, where in one Place, beyond the nature of Foreign Education, or the narrow Compass of Grammatical Scholes, our English Youth, with better safety of Religion, Life, and Manners, might be bred at home in Languages, Arts and Exercises; and praepar'd with more Expedition and Certainty for their last Accomplishment in our Universitys, and the different services of the Public.
This Noble Design was consider'd some years ago, but then War was the Impediment; it being advis'd to expect success, when our Great Monarch had secur'd out Peace; wherefore in this Auspicious time it is attempted; and for its Performance these Circumstances are thought necessary.
1. That a larg House be provided, with Ground convenient for this Purpose.
2. That two skilful Masters be appointed for the distinct Parts of Education, who being rewarded by a good stipend, are to teach a separat aequal number, yet with affection, and mutual regard to the whole; by which New Method, a Constant and Friendly Aemulation arises between Masters and Scholars, to the greater Glory, and Improvement of the Charg.
3. For the infallible Obligation of this honest Ambition, and Progress in their Studies, there is to be every first Monday of the Month a Public Challeng, or Disputation between both Parties before their Masters, in a Larg Auditorium, where any Person may be admitted to make his Observation, and adjudg the Praemium allotted for the Victors.
4. That there be Two Chief Masters for Graec, and Latin, and under their Inspection and Direction Two Masters for French, Two for Mathematics, Two for Writing and Accounts: Who are to teach Graec, Latin, French, History, Chronology, Geography, Astronomy, Geometry, Navigation, Arithmetic, Merchants Accounts; and after two years Industry in these Studyes, the Student may, by the Orders of the Place, have liberty for Dancing, Fencing, and Riding the Great Horse; from which Latitude of Instruction, according to his Genius, he may be qualify'd to serve himself and Country in any of its best Capacitys.
5. That a Prudent, and Learned Rector praeside over this Academy, who is to chuse and govern these Masters, to observe their diligence, and punish the Society, by Statutes drawn up for the Regulation of the same.
This Academy cannot in reason raise any Scruple in our Universitys, since it is not to meddle with Logic, or other Parts of Philosophy peculiar to a College. Besides, to consult their Interest, Exhibitions are to be allow'd from Hence to some of its Scholars, whose Learning being superior to their Fortune, shal merit for their Exemplary Virtu and Ingenuity such Reward to assist them in our Universitys.
Nor can any Public Schole be praejudic'd by this Institution, which admits only those into the Foundation who are advanc'd in the Latin and Graec Tongue, about 14 years of Age, or Commoners who have so lost their time, as not to be Polish'd by the Practice of our Grammar Scholes.
The Author of these Proposals, having had long Experience, and no smal Credit in this Scholastic Life, with the opinion of his Learned Friends, believes this Ful, and Comprehensive Education praeferable to any yet Extant, and being desirous to do what Good he can, by promoting the benefit of Mankind, and the honor of his Country, does profer to lay the first Corner Stone of this Academy, out of his own Moderat Fortune, to incite Persons of greater Quality, and Estates, for the mighty advantages of their Familys, to assist him in carrying on this Useful Undertaking.
He therefore wil give for the Accommodation of this Academy a very valuable larg Brick-House, with spatious Ground, and Out-Houses, wel wal'd about, situat in an open Healthful Air, in the Parish of St. James Westminster, which cost him above 2000 l. building, where the Rector, Masters, 40 Scholars, and Servants, have their Lodgings already fitted for such a Foundation.
He wil erect a Capacious Auditorium, 60 feet long, 20 high, and 30 broad, for the Reputation of this Academy, where the monthly Exercises are to be perform'd before a Public Audience, also Masters, and Scholars may eat their Commons together in a Collegiat manner.
He wil undertake to be the First Rector of this Academy, and is inclin'd to settle a considerable Estate upon the same, if he finds a suitable Encouragement.
The Scholars, in reference to his thoughts, are not to excede the Number of 60, 40 of the Foundation, with 20 Commoners; and their weekly Management is already digested into a Rational and Easie Course, tho for brevity omitted in this Paper; whereby 'tis prov'd, that Languages, Arts, and Exercises, may very wel be acquir'd by such a select Number, under one Tuition, in one Place.
After such Generous Zeal from One of an Inferior Station, 'tis praesum'd that some Great, and Public-spirited Persons, to whom He has the Honor to be wel known, and has made his Application, may procure his Majesty, with the two Honorable Houses of Parliament, to extend their Patronage, and Favor to this Undertaker, that he might prosecute his good Intentions, by conferring upon him as Rector, and his Successors, an Employment, which for several years by a late Law was thought necessary; and since its Expiration is again very much wanted, and requir'd, which upon no account can be so wel apply'd, as by Information may plainly appear.
Upon which Grant, confirm'd by Law, He does not doubt a Fund may be fix'd to support and maintain a Rector, 14 Masters, 13 Servants and 40 Scholars, Sons of Gentlemen, who are to have their Education, and Commons for Three years Gratis; and Annual Pensions for Three years after their Removal from this Academy. Moreover, the Undertaker is ready to declare other ways, and means, to produce a surplus for Greenwich Hospital, or what may seem most proper to the Wisdom of the Parliament.
An Easy Method of supporting and maintaining a Public Academy: also of producing a Surplus for other great services to the Nation; humbly propos'd to the consideration of both Honorable Houses of Parliament.
THat they please, for this general Benefit, and other good Reasons thereunto moving, to establish a Register for the Entry of al single Papers, Pamphlets and Books whatsoever, before they are Printed; Except Gazettes, Proclamations, and Papers publish'd by the Kings Authority.
That now One only Register be orderd for entring al sorts of Papers, Pamphlets and Books, in all Facultys whatsoever, who is not to read the Paper or Book, whereby he may hinder the Liberty of the Press, but to enter the Title of the Book, with the Booksellers or Printers Name; one of which shal be oblig'd to bring the same to be enterd. And that no Paper, Pamphlet or Book be printed without this Registers Entry and Imprimatur, under a Penalty.
That the Bookseller or Printer bring and give one Paper, Pamphlet or Book to the said Register, for the advantage of a Library to this Academy, as soon as it is printed, and for a Certificate of a true Payment.
That the Rector of this Public Academy be by Act of Parliament appointed Register of the Press, according to such an Establishment, and that his Authority extend to al Presses in England, with the sole Privilege of Printing and Publishing al Advertisements whatsoever; the Power of the Gazette only excepted.
That no other Person praesume to Print any Notification, or Advertisement whatsoever, as of Houses, Estats, Goods of all sorts, Carryers or Coach bils, Auctious, al Bils of Games, Prizes, Plays, Shews, &c. Al Papers or Forms with Blancs to be used in any Branch of his Majestys Revenue, or in any matter relating to his Majestys service.
That every other smal Paper, half or whole Sheet, pay at this Office for its Entry one shilling as often as it is printed. But each Pamphlet or Book to pay from 1 Sheet to 5 inclusive five shillings, from 5 to 10 ten shillings, and so forward to 100 Sheets, or more, as often as the Book is printed or reprinted.
The smal charg of which Entry, without considering its Excellent Service to the Public, cannot in truth be suppos'd an Imposition by any Author or Bookseller, who paid more for Civility and Expedition to former Licencers; nor ought each Individual Book affect either Buyer or Seller, to raise the Price of any Book, as by this Scheme does demonstratively appear.
An Author, or Bookseller, often prints 1500 Books at one Impression, commonly 1000, for the most part in octavo, which makes 16 pages to one sheet; in quarto 8 pages; and these two Volumes being most in use, shal therefore be here propos'd.
A Manuscript of 20 sheets is brought to this Office, and pays 20 s. if printed in quarto makes 160 pages, in octavo 320. The Impression consisting of 1000 Books, each Book upon Division does not pay for itself one whole Farthing; for 1000 Farthings make 1 l. 0 10 d. and the Manuscript pays but 20 s. and containing 320 pages is a large Volum.
According to which Insensible Rate, We are not to aestimat each Book of 5 Sheets at the 4th Part, of 10 Sheets at 2 Parts, of 15 Sheets at 3 Parts of a Farthing: thus by Progression each Book of 80 sheets, which complets 640 pages in quarto, and 1280 in octavo, and never to be bound up in the last Volum, pays not a ful Peny for the Impression of 1000, and if 1500 be printed, a third part of the said Rate is to be deducted.
Which sufficiently proves, that this Beneficial Act can by no ways or means be thought praejudicial, yet may perform the support of this Public Academy, and produce other Advantages to the Nation.