Note 239 — MEMOIR OF THE LIFE OF DAVID RITTENHOUSE; CONTINUED, FROM THE TIME OF HIS SETTLEMENT IN PHILADELPHIA.
Reading edition
Dr. Morse observes, that, before the American war, the College of New-Jersey was furnished with a philosophical apparatus, valued at more than thirteen hundred dollars; “which, except the elegant Orrery constructed by Mr. Rittenhouse,” says the Doctor, “was almost entirely destroyed by the British army, in the late war; as was also the library, which now” (this was in 1789) “consists of between two and three thousand volumes.”
With a view to the obtaining, with greater certainty, information respecting the condition &c. of the Orrery in Princeton College, the writer of these memoirs addressed a letter on the subject, to his worthy and much respected friend, the Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith, D. D. then president of that institution:[239a] To that letter the learned president promptly returned the following answer:
Princeton, May 3d, 1812.
“Dear Sir,
“I just redeem a moment, before the closing of the mail, to inform you, that Dr. Rittenhouse’s Orrery cost at first 300l. Pennsylvania currency. It was his own moderate price, and immediately paid him by Dr. Witherspoon,[239b] on behalf of the College.
“The Orrery was very much injured during the revolutionary war: but has been since partly repaired by a gentleman in your city,[239c] who formerly worked with Dr. Rittenhouse, and under his direction, in its fabrication. The injuries which it received were comparatively small, by the British soldiery. A guard was set to protect it: and the officers were said to be contemplating its removal to England; this, at least, was the general report and opinion. The principal injury was produced by our own militia, when the college was appropriated as a barrack for them. Many of the wheels were seen to be taken off, as handsome curiosities. This, however, was no more than was to be expected from a number of ignorant men, so imperfectly disciplined as, at that time, they were.”
“I am, dear Sir,
Your friend and very humble serv’t.
Samuel S. Smith.”