The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Messieurs Fowles,

Please to publish the following Reflections upon LEARNING.

With all possible Diligence more appear in the for That which is the Basis of every Thing that adorns, enobles. and exalts a Nation---That which rears the human Mind, dispels the Shades and pours in the Beams of Day---Plants celestial Joys where nothing grew, and Pleasures bloom where Pain was only known : That which gives Worth to Life, raises Men above the brutal Herd, ranks them with the Sons of Light, fits them for important Spheres in Life, opens the Way to brighter Realms beyond Life's narrow Bounds, to Scenes too sublime for human Tongue or Thought to name--for LEARNING. Among all the Absurdities which stigmatize Mankind, the neglect of Learning stands in the Front, and is a Monument of Shame to every Nation where it is found---publishes in Capitals, the Ignorance of the People, and proclaims in the most striking Language to every Passenger, "This is Folly's Empire."

I feel emotions of Pleasure in reflecting that this heavy Censure does not fall on this Country in general ; but I forbear to congratulate my native Land, or improve so fair an Opportunity to pronounce an Eulogium upon the shining Example and Wisdom of many of the Provinces in New-England, in cultivating Learning. I would rather felicitate this Province in the pleasing Prospects that now rise to our View !--- Our new Settlements with a rapid Progress are spreading far and wide---the Wilderness begins to blossom with the Delights of Life---Where wild Beasts lately howl'd and human Face never shone, cultivated Fields and Gardens please the Eye, and Feast the Husbandman. New Sources of Wealth cheer our Minds and promise great Things to come to enrich the Country, and build the City---- But what Crowns all other Prospects, is the COLLEGE which is planted in this Province..... This, like the rising Sun, will cast a Lustre upon every Thing else : --- If this flourishes, our Settlements, our Trade, and our Knowledge, with all their bright Attendants will increase, and through these Channels every Blessing that adds Worth, or Pleasure to human Life,will flow.----DARTMOUTH's SONS, will take us by the Hand and lead us in the Paths of Virtue, Honor, Peace, and Pleasure ! Shew us the Springs of Wealth, the Sources of Felicity, and unlock Nature's exhaustless Stores !---From Age to Age grace the Desk, the Senate, the Bench. the Bar, and the less important Seats of Honour, until Time shall cease to roll !---How blessed the Man who shall assist to found this Source of Happiness, and pour the radiant Beams of Knowledge on human Minds ;'on Millions now unborn ? Whose Breast does not burn to contribute something to this glorious Design !---It has been surmised by some who are not very friendly to this Institution, that one Part of the Legislature would not grant it any Assistance, but far be it from me to entertain so dishonourable a Thought, as I think the Supposition would be a great Reflection upon their Understanding and Wisdom. Surely they will not so widely depart from the noble Example set before them by HIM who is in the chief Chair of Government----who, " to give to Merit Merit's due," is intitled to the highest Esteem of this People for the numerous important Services he has done the Province. But nothing gives him a more noble Distinction, or marks his public Conduct with greater Honour, than his Attention to the Advancement of Learning and cultivating the Minds of the People, without which they never can be Prosperous and Happy.... But I leave it to future Generations, as they successively tread the Stage of Time and reap the Fruits of his Beneficence, to pay the Tribute due to his Merit.----Who does not wish with Him to Shine in the historic Page, and have his Deeds read in the Book of Fame until the Hand of TIME puts out the Sun !.

Portsmouth, March 4, 1771.