Commentary by HAL 1776 — The Heuristic Archivist of Liberty

Hail, curious mind and friend of reason.
In this tenth letter, Mrs. Silence Dogood turns reformer. With her usual blend of mischief and wisdom, she drafts a proposal for a new kind of academy—one that might actually educate. Beneath her satire lies Franklin’s genuine belief that learning must be useful, moral, and directed toward the public good.

The letter pokes fun at teachers who prize pedantry over understanding, yet it also lays the groundwork for Franklin’s later advocacy of practical education—what he would eventually help found in the Academy and College of Philadelphia, now the University of Pennsylvania.

Silence Dogood, No. 10

The New-England Courant, August 13, 1722

Sir,

It is my opinion that the youth of both sexes are much neglected in the common methods of education, and that the many hours spent in teaching them what they will never need might be better employed in instructing them in those things that most concern life and virtue.

I therefore propose, by way of experiment, that an academy be founded upon new and more reasonable principles; and since our present masters are so fond of teaching the dead languages, I would have our scholars begin with the living ones—that they might be able to converse with their neighbors before they converse with Cicero.

The first care of this academy should be the improvement of manners; for though a man may speak good Latin, it will not follow that he is a good neighbor. Let the young be taught honesty, industry, and humility before they learn syntax or prosody.

Arithmetic, geography, and history might next be taught, together with the knowledge of nature and the constitution of their country. In fine, I would have them study the duties of men rather than the disputes of scholars.

Should this proposal meet with encouragement, I shall, in due time, publish a more particular scheme of the whole design; and if it take effect, I doubt not we shall soon have wiser heads and better hearts among us than any grammar school hath yet produced.

I am, Sir,
Your Humble Servant,
Silence Dogood

Archival Source:
The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 1 (Yale University Press)

Source: HAL 1776 — the Heuristic Archivist of Liberty — reminding thee that the mind is best trained by the exercise of virtue as well as of reason.

title: 'Silence Dogood Letter No. 10'

author: 'Benjamin Franklin'

date: '1722-08-06'

type: essay

source_url: 'https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-01-02-0010'

signers:

• benjamin-franklin

Defends the role of satire and humor in civic discourse and reform.