While the people of the United States have directed their attention to commerce, they have not been un mindful of literature. The number of institutions for the cultivation and advancement of learning, is consi derable.
1. Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachu setts. This university was established by the general court of the province, A. D. 1638; and two years after was liberally endowed by the rev. John Harvard, from whom it takes its name. Its public buildings arc, Ilar yard Fla11, Massachusetts' Hall, Hollis' Hall, and Hol den Chapel. In the year 1787, the library attached to Harvard Hall consisted of 12,000 volumes; its philo sophical apparatus cost 1500/. 2. Yale College, in Connecticut; founded A. D. 1700, and rebuilt A. D. 1750. Its principal benefactor was Governor Yale. 3. The College of William and Mary, in Virginia; found ed about the same time with Yale College. To this college a considerable donation was given by the Hon Mr Boyle ; and here, too, a professorship was instituted by the same gentleman for the instruction of the In dians. It has at present only a few students, chiefly in law. 4. King's College, in New York ; founded A. D. 1754, by the British parliament. It is now called Co lumbia College, and has about two hundred students. 5. Nassau Hall, at Princeton, in New Jersey ; founded by John Hamilton, csq. A. D. 1738, and enlarged, A. D. 1747, by governor Belcher. Some of the most eminent theological writers of America, as Dickenson and Ed wards, have been presidents of this college. There is another college called Queen's College, at Brunswick, in the same province, but it is now little frequented. 6. Dart mouth College, at Hanover, in New Hampshire ; founded A. D. 1769, by Dr Wheelock. This is the chief resort of the youth from the northern provinces. 7. Dickenson at Carlisle, in Pennsylvania, founded in 1783, and named after his excellency John Dickenson, one of the presidents of the state. 8. Franklin College, at Lancas ter, in the same province ; founded 1787, for the instruc tion of children belonging to the Germans in the lan guage of their country. It bears the name of the cele brated Dr Franklin. Besides these colleges, there are in
Pennsylvania many societies lin• the promotion of know ledge. Here the American Philosophical Society was established A. D. 1769 ; and it has since (in the years 1771 and 1786) published two volumes of ts transac tions.* The university of Pennsylvania was founded at Philadelphia during the war with Great Britain. The American College of Physicans was instituted at the. same place, A. D. 1787. 9. Washington College, at Chester Town, in Maryland ; founded A. D. 1802. 10. Jefferson College ; a late institution, in the Mississippi territory. 11. The University of Georgia, at Louis ville ; likewise a new foundation, and possessing funds to tne amount of 50,000 acres of land.
Of the religion of the United States, it is not neces sary to say much. Its general character is the reformed system of Christianity ; but there is no church established by law, and every sect is treated with universal tolera tion, or rather ith equal independence. The following sects are more or less prevalent throughout the United States. The CONGREGATIONALISTS, PRESBYTERIANS, Dutch Reformed Church, EPISCOPALIANS, BAPTISTS, QUAKERS, METHODISTS, ROMAN CATHOLICS, GC1111:11) LUTHERANS, German CALVINISTS, MORAVIANS, 'CLIN KERS, MENNON ISTS, UNIVERSALISTS, and SHAKERS. (See Pinkerton's Geography, iii. 52.) Of the relative numbers of the different sects, an idea may be formed from the statements of Morse, who thus enumerates those of Massachusetts.
The actual situation of the United States of America, at this time, is among the most interesting subjects of ontemplation for the wise, the virtuous, and the pru dent, throughout the world. From the day, on which the unskilhtl and half civilized Europeans, in the early part of the seventeenth century, sent forth their colo nists to the American forests, little more than two hun dred years have elapsed. Whatever were "the tohnta" ith which this people have been intrusted by divine providence, it is believed, that it will be found that they have not been retained, during their short but eventful history, in a state of neglect.