77 
that of Philadelphia. 
In 
the latter city the insti- 
tutions 
of 
the 
college 
and 
library, 
and the strict 
moral 
and 
political 
respectability 
of 
the 
first 
settlers, 
had 
contributed 
to 
form 
community, 
though 
which, 
the elegancies of living, 
inferior in 
and the etiquettes of intercourse, 
to What is com- 
monly found 
in 
the European capitals, 
was little 
behind 
them 
in 
point 
of 
practical 
and historical 
information. 
Smith, 
the Provost of the col- 
I ege, 
had 
largely contributed to elevate 
the 
taste, 
the 
sentiment 
and 
the 
topics 
of 
conversation 
in 
Philadelphia. 
He was 
full 
of 
the 
best 
spirit 
of 
antiquity, 
and 
there 
W38 
classical 
PU Pity 
of 
mind 
and 
splendour 
of 
imagination 
sometimes 
met 
with 
in 
the 
families 
which 
he 
frequented, 
that would 
have 
done 
best periods 
honour to the 
of polished society. 
III. lt would be difficult to assign any reason why 
it 
has 
so happened that no literary author of 
aI1Y 
general celebrity, with the exception of Franklin, 
has yet arisen in America. That men of learn- 
ing 
and extensive reading, 
capable of 
vying with 
in Europe, 
the same description of persons 
are toM