32

NEW EXPERIMENTS

TRACT 34 .

interesting experiments, with the application of the theoryof them, which they have before studied under my care.For, though it be not my academy duty, I am desirousof doing this for their benefit, and as much as possible toassist the eager and diligent studies of so learned and amia-ble a class of young gentlemen ; who, as well as the wholebody of students now in the upper academy, form the bestset of young men I ever knew ill my life; nay, I didnot think it even possible, in our state of society in thiscountry, for such a number of gentlemen to exist togetherin the constant daily habits of so much regularity and goodmanners; their behaviour being indeed perfectly exemplary,and the pure effect of true philosophical principles, arisingfrom a rational conviction of the propriety of a regular goodconduct, which is such as would do honour to the purestand most perfect state of society that ever existed in theworld : and I have no hesitation in predicting the great ho-nour and future services, which will doubtless be rendered tothe state by such eminent instances of virtue and abilities.*

89 . Thursday, September 1 , 1785 .

Went out with the same class of eight young men, to com-plete the survey of the river side. The weather changed torain after we were out, wdiich continued the whole time, andto such a degree as to wet us entirely through allourclothes.Yet every one went through the business, not only willingly,but even chearfully.

* At this distance of time, anno 1812, and king before, the world has hadthe satisfaction to find, that this prediction has been most amply and accu-rately fulfilled, in every instance.