6-533 (Knowledge) and 536 (History)
A pair of Ben Franklin readings that're pretty short, even when combined.
Summary: Ben Franklin makes plans to form an academic Justice League and an academy of learning.
Bonus: Surprisingly, I can't find a video of "Liberal Arts Majors, Assemble!" or "By Your Powers Combined, I'm The Sciences!" or anything like that. So have some Big O (the dub's better.)
Commentary: My favorite part of the first selection (Ben Franklin creates a league of scientists in the colonies) is that he spends half of it arranging to use things that he's in charge of. "By permission of the Postmaster General." That's you, Ben Franklin. Likewise, putting the society in Philly in part because of the good library. Also you, Ben Franklin.
From the second selection, about starting an academy, I learned that "countenance" can mean "support", as well as "face". Please make use of this in your hoighty-toighty fantasy contracts. "The Spirits of Skullkeep shall countenance the Magus when summoned."
He wants the academy to help students find marriages after graduation. Better get some personals sections going in those alumni mags.
Beyond that, it's a reasonable if somewhat standard classical curriculum. He traces through the triv and quad, adds a few new things (gotta have that French), but there's little that hasn't been in any of the other readings on education I've featured. Total review: 2/5
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