Glass. Book. « t r o i^ ii Kl 01 a. L> Kl LIFE >?-^ DOCTOR FRANKLIN. BY JOHN N. NORTON, x\. M., RECTOR OF ASCENSION CUUKOII, FUANKFOPa', KENTUCKY ; AUTHOR OP '• FULL PROOF OP MINISTRY," " SHORT SERMONS,"' " LIPK OF WASHINGTON," '• LIVES OF BISHOPS," KTC. " Kvery penny stamp is a monument to Franklin, earned, if not establisUed by himself, as the fruit of his early labors and his signal success in the organization of an infant post-ofiBce. " Robert C. Winthuop. " He pmfesses himself to be a Protestant of the Church of England, and holds in the highest veneration the doctrines of Jesus Christ." Franklin's Preface to Abridgment of Prayer-Bool^. NEW YOEK: H. B. PRICE, 884 BROADWAY. 1861. ,6 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S61, By JOHN N. NOETON, In the Clerk's Oflice of the District Court of the United States for tht Southern District of New Yorli. lS^.(,o KENNIE, SHEA & LINDSAY, ■KKKOTVPKRS AND ElKCTROTYKKI HI, 83 4 85 C-iitro-sti-fet. Nkvv Vork. TO ALEXANDER DALLAS BACHE, LL.D., SUPEEINTENDENT OF THE UNITED STATES COAST SURVEY. It is youi- happy lot to be a lineal descendant of tlie illus- trious Franklin. I dedicate this his brief portraiture to you, because it is even your happier lot to reproduce his lineaments in characteristic services to our country and race. Franklin was ever the fittest man in the fittest place ; secun- dis duhiisque rectus. The calm philosopher of a colony whose chief maxim was Peace, he was captain, colonel, and generalissimo, when peace had to be fought for. Agent of the colonies to preserve exist- ing relations with the mother-land, he became ambassador, with more than "Plenipotentiary" powers, to secure Indepen- dence, when those relations were no longer tolerable. The greatest philosopher and the greatest statesman of his age, having filled the world with his fame, he yet gave even his octogenarian years to the Presidency of Pennsylvania, and at the same time to the convention which framed the Constitution of the United States. And as one of the founders of their empire, he labored first and last in the cause of education, morals, and religion, as the foundation of its durability. You, too, have borne arras ; you, too, have laid broad foun- dations in education, morals, and religion ; you, too, beyond any other than your great ancestor, have illustrated American science. That the work of both ancestor and descendant may con- tribute largely to the welfare of this people, and that all things may be so ordered and settled upon the best and sures?t foun- dations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety may be established among us for all generations, is the humble, earnest prayer of THE AUTHOR. "Franklin appreciated the devout and transcendent labors of such men as Jonathan Edwards, In laying the foundations, and could empty his pockets at the heart-stirring appeals of Whitefield. His friendships, in England and America, were with bishops and divines. The Bishop of St. Asaph, of Sodor and Man, no less than the Methodist "Whitefield, were his friends; and he could cast an eye backward with affection and reverence from the glittering salons of Paris to the dark shades of Puritan ancestors. There was a sound vein of piety in his composition, which bore its fruits; nor had French levity, or companionship with the encyclopedists, blunted his religious education. His warning hand, raised to Paine on the eve of his infidel publication, deserves to be remembered."— 2)j '5 turn. Although so actively engaged in business, Franklin found time, after his twenty-seventh yeai*, to make himself a pretty good French and Italian scholar; and he followed this up with S|)anish, and a review of the Latin, of which he had learned the rudiments in his boyhood. After an absence of ten years he returned to Boston once more, to visit his relations, and, on his way back to Philadelphia, called at ]S"ewport to see his brother James. All former differences were forgotten, and their meeting was cordial and affectionate. James was in feeble health, and he request- ed his brother, in case of his death, which Beemed near at hand, that he would take home his son, a lad of ten years, and bring him up as a printer. This was accordingly done, and when the young man had learned the trade, his uncle set him up in business, thus making ample amends to James for having run off from him before the end of his apprenticeship. In 17'3f), Franklin was chosen clerk of the 74 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. General Assembly, which secured for him the printing of the votes, laws, paper-money, and other profitable jobs for the public. The fol- lowing year Colonel Spotswood, late governor of Virginia, and then postmaster-general, being dissatisfied with the conduct of his deputy at Philadelphia, offered the position to the thriving printer. Franklin accepted it, and although the salary was small, it afforded other advan- tages which well repaid him for the additional labor. The following advertisement indicates nearly the time w^hen he assumed the duties of postmaster : " October ^'Ith, 1737. — l^otice is hereby given, that the post-office of Philadelphia is now kept at B. Franklin's, in Market-street; and that Henry Pratt is appointed Kiding- master for all the stages between Philadelphia and JSTewport in Yirginia, who sets out about the beginning of each month, and returns in twenty-four days ; by whom gentlemen, mer- chants, and others, may have their letters care- fully conveyed, and business faithfully trans- acted, he having given good security for the same to the Honorable Colonel Spotswood, Postmaster-general of all his Majesty's domin- ions in America." TiiK p:ighth commandment. To Six years afterwards some improvement had taken place in the transmission of the mail. In an advertisement dated April 14th, 1743, he says, " After this week, the northern post will set out for New York on Thursdays at three o'clock in the afternoon till Christmas. The southern post sets out next Monday at eight o'clock for Annapolis, and continues go- ing every fortnight during the summer season." In winter, the post between Philadelphia" and 'New York, went once a fortnight. The following characteristic advertisement is contained in the Pennsylvania Gazette for June 23, 1737. " Taken out of a pew in the Church, some months since, a Common Prayer Book, bound in red gilt, and lettered D. F. (Deborah Franklin) on each cover. The per- son who took it is desired to open it and read the eighth Commandment, and afterwards re- turn it into the same pew again ; upon which no further notice will be taken." CHAPTER SEYENTH. Whitefield visits Philadelphia — The short-sighted policy of that age of spiritual lethargy — Effects of Whitefield's eloquence — His orphan house — Franklin's intercourse with him — " Thee seems to be out of thy right senses" — Preaching to vast mul- titudes — Testing the powers of Whitefield's voice — Advan- tage enjoyed by itinerant preachers — Franklin publishes Whitefield's works — Their last meeting — Intex'esting lettei- — Motives with which benefits should be conferred — Faith and good works — Example of our blessed Lord. IX 1739, the Rev. George Whiteiield, that eccentric Episcopal clergyman whose name is so familiar to every one, arrived in Phihv delphia from Ireland. Had he lived in our time, the Chnrcli would gladly have availed herself of his burning eloquence and untiring zeal, to carry the standard of the Cross through the length and breadth of the land ; but, un- fortunately, it was a season of inactivity and spiritual lethargy, and the devoted man was treated with neglect by those who should have welcomed and encouraged him in his work. Whitefield was shut out from the churches, and obliged to preach under the open canopy of heaven. This very opposition, however, GEORGE WHITEFIELD. 77 only increased his popularit}^, and thousands flocked to hear the words of salvation from his lips. Franklin became one of his warm- est admirers, and often entertained him as a guest. The effect of Whitefield's preaching was w^onderful, and religion seemed to become the one absorbing subject w^ith the people. Dur- ing his sojourn in Philadelphia, a person could hardlj walk along the streets, in an evening, without hearing the sound of sacred melody bursting forth from houses at every step. The establishment of an Orphan House in Georgia, was at this time the preacher's favor- ite project. Franklin differed with him as to the best mode of erecting the necessary build- ings, and, in consequence of his advice being neglected, he declined contributing towards the object. The honest printer thus describes the way in which his determination w^as changed : " I happened soon after, to attend one of his sermons, in the course of which I perceived he intended to finish with a collection, and 1 silently resolved he should get nothing from me. I had in my pocket a handful of copper money, three of four silver dollars, and five 78 LIKE OF FKANKI.IX. pistoles in gold. As lie proceeded, I began to soften, and concluded to give the copper. An- other stroke of his oratory made me ashamed of that, and determined me to give the silver ; and he finished so admirably, that I emptied my pocket wholly into the collector's dish, gold and all. At this sermon there was also one of onr club, who, being of my sentiments respecting the building in Georgia, and sus- pecting a collection might be intended, had by precaution emptied his pockets before he came from home. Towards the conclusion of the discourse, however, he felt a strong inclination to give, and applied to a neighbor who stood near him, to lend him some money for the purpose. The request w^as fortunately made to perhaps the only man in the company who had the firmness not to be afifected by the preacher. His answer was, ' At any other time, friend Hopkinson, I would lend to thee freely ; but not now, for thee seems to be out of thy right senses.' " We must give one more passage from Frank- lin's autobiography, in regard to Whitefi eld's eloquence : " He had a loud and clear voice, and articu- lated his words so perfectly, that he might be POAVKi: OF WHITEFIELDS VOICK. ( 1' heard and understood at a great distance ; es- pecially as his auditors observed the most per- fect silence. He preached one evening from the top of the court-house steps, which are in the middle of Market- street, and on the west side of Second-street, which crosses it at right angles. Both streets were filled with his hear- ers to a considerable distance. Being among the hindmost in Market- street, I had the curi- osity to learn how far he could be heard, by retiring backwards down the street towards the river, and I found his voice distinct till I came near Front- street, when some noise in that street obscured it. Imagining then a sem- icircle, of which my distance should be the radius, and that it was filled with auditors, to each of whom 1 allowed two square feet, I computed that he might well be heard by more than thirty thousand. This reconciled me to the newspaper accounts of his having preached to twenty-five thousand people in the fields, and to the history of generals lia- ranguing w^hole armies, of which I had some- times doubted. " By hearing him often, I came to distin- guish easily between sermons newly composed, and those which he had often preached in the 80 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. course of his travels. His delivery of the lat- ter was so improved by frequent repetition, that every accent, every emphasis, every mod- ulation of voice, was so perfectly well turned and well placed, that, without being interested in the subject, one could not help being pleased with the discourse; a pleasure of much the same kind w^ith that received from an excellent piece of music. This is an advantage itinerant preachers have over those who are stationary, as the latter cannot well improve their delivery of a sermon by so many rehearsals." Franklin was the first publisher of White- field's writings, which were issued in May, ITiO. They always remained devoted friends. The last time they met was in London, in 1766. Whitefield died at ]^ewburyport, Massachu- setts, four years afterwards. His friend out- lived him twenty years. We shall be par- doned for inserting an interesting letter from the philosopher to the eloquent divine: Philadelphia, June 6, 1753. Sir : — I received your kind letter of the 2d instant, and am glad to hear that you increase in strength ; I hope you will continue mending, till vou recover vour former health and firm- LETTER TO WHITEFIELD. 81 iiess. Let me know whether you still use the cold bath, and what effect it has. As to the kindness you mention, I wish it could have been of more service to you. But if it had, the only thanks I should desire is, that you would always be equally ready to serve any other person that may need your assistance, and so let good offices go round ; for mankind are .all of a family. For my own part, when I am employed in serving others, I do not look upon myself as conferring favors, but as paying debts. In my travels, and since my settlement, I have re- ceived much kindness from men, to whom 1 shall never have any opportunity of making the least direct return ; and numberless mer- cies from God, who is infinitely above being benefited by our services. Those kindnesses from men, I can therefore only return on their fellow-men ; and I can only show my gratitude for these mercies from God, by a readiness to help his other children and my brethren. For I do not think that thanks and compliments, though repeated weekly, can discharge our real obligations to each other, and much less those to our Creator. Yon will see in this my notion of good works, that I am far from expecting to 82 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. merit heaven by them. By heaven we under- stand a state of happiness, infinite in degree, and eternal in duration. I can do nothing to deserve such rewards. He that, for giving a draught of water to a thirsty person, should expect to be paid with a good plantation, would be modest in his demands, compared with those who think they deserve heaven for the little good they do on earth. Even the mixed, imperfect pleasures we enjoy in this world, are rather from God's goodness than our merit : how much more such happiness of heaven ! For my part, I have not the vanity to think I deserve it, the folly to expect it, nor the ambition to desire it ; but content myself in submitting to the will and disposal of that God who made me, Avho has hitherto preserved and blessed me, and in whose fatherly good- ness I may well confide, that he will never make me miserable ;*• and that even the afflic- tions I may at any time suffer shall tend to my benefit. The faith you mention has certainly its use in the world. I do not desire to see it dimin- ished, nor would I endeavor to lessen it in any man. But I w4sh it were more productive of good works than I have generally seen it ; I rOKKS OF THE WUKD. 83 mean real good works ; works of kindness, cliaritj, mercy, and public spirit, not holiday- keeping, sermon-reading or hearing ; perform- ing church ceremonies, or making long praj' ers, filled with flatteries and compliments, despised even by wise men, and much less capable of pleasing the Deity. The worship of God is a duty ; the hearing and reading of sermons may be useful ; but if men rest in hearing and pray- ing, as too many do, it is as if a tree should value itself on being watered and putting forth leaves, though it never produced any fruit. Your great Master thought much less of these outward appearances and professions than many of his modern disciples. He pre- ferred the doers of the word to the mere hearers ; the son that seemingly refused to obey his father, and yet performed his commands ; to him that professed his readiness, but neglected the work ; the heretical but charitable Sa- maritan, to the uncharitable though orthodox priest and sanctified Levite ; and those who gave food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, raiment to the naked, entertainment to the stranger, and relief to the sick, though they never heard of his name, he declares shall in the last day be accepted ; when those who cry 84 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. Loj-d ! Lord ! who value themselves in)on their faith, tlioiigh great enough to perform miracles, but have neglected good works, shall be re- jected. He professed that be came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance ; which implied his modest opinion, that there were some in his time so good, that they need not hear even him for improvement ; but now-a- days we have scarce a little parson, that does not think it the duty of every man within his reach, to sit under his petty ministrations ; and that whoever omits them offends God. I wish to such more humility, and to you health and happiness, being your friend and servant, B. Franklin. CHAPTER EIGHTH. Prosperity— Franklin's efforts for the public good— Militia sys- tem— Education— Public fast-day — The Franklin stove — Pliilosophical studies begun- Dragged into the public service again — Establishment of the Pennsylvania Hospital — Improv- ing the streets of Philadelphia— Changes in the general post- office department— Honors conferred— Curious experiments in electricity — Phenomena of thunder-gusts — Franklin's dis- coveries carry his name to other lands. WE have now followed Franklin's fortunes to his fortieth year. Business had gone on prosperously with him, and he had experi- enced the truth of the observation, that after getting the first hundred pounds, it is more easy to obtain the second. Money itself being of a prolific nature. Upon the whole, he was well satisfied that he had established himself in Pennsylvania, but there were some things i^the province which he regretted, and sought to remedy. These were the neglect of education, and the want of any militia system, — or other ade- quate means of defence. There must always be a leading spirit to in- 86 LIFE OF FRANKLTN. angnrate reformations and improvements, — and such was the position which Franklin occupied. As Great Britain and Spain were then at war, and the latter had secured the aid of France, the EngHsh colonies in North America were in an exposed condition. Governor Thomas had done his best to per- suade the Quaker Assembly to pass a militia law for the better protection of Pennsylvania, but no steps were taken in the matter. Frank- lin now wrote a pamphlet, entitled " Plain Truth," setting forth the importance of the measures, and" promising in a few days to propose an instrument of association, for the sicrnatures of those who were willinoj to unite for the common defence. A large public meet- ing was held, which Franklin addressed* with so much ability and earnestness, that twelve hundred names were obtained before its ad- journment ; and other copies of the document being scattered through the country, the num- * Mr. Jefferson said, that he had been in deliberative bodies with General Washington and Dr. Franklin, and that he had never heard either of them make a speech more than fifteen minntes long, and then always directly to the point. lie adds, that there were no members who possessed more influence, or who were listened to w'ith more profound attention. ELECTED COLONEL. 87 ber soon amounted to more than ten thousand. All these furnislied themselves with arms, or- ganized companies, elected officers, and met every week to be instructed in military disci- pline. The women presented the regiments with handsome silk colors, the devices and mottoes for which onr indefatigable printer supplied. The Philadelphia companies chose him for their colonel, but he modestly declined, and recommended Mr. Lawrence for tlie sta- tion, who was appointed accordingly. Franklin next proposed that a battery should be erected below the town, which w^as speedily done. His activity in these opera- tions so gratified the governor and council, that they consulted "with him on all important occasions. He recommended that a public fast-day should be appointed, and the blessiug of Heaven devoutly invc)ked. This was some- thing unheard of before in Pennsylvania, and the proposal was immediatel}^ adopted, Frank- lin drawing up the proclamaticm, which was published in English and German, and circu- lated throughout the province. It was supposed by some that his activity in these affairs would give such offence to the peace-loving Quakers, that they might defeat 88 LIFE OF FRANKIJN. his election to the clerkship of the General Assembly, in which body they formed a large majority. But these apprehensions proved to be ill-founded, and it appeared that while the Friends were opposed from principle to offen- sive war, they were decidedly in favor of the defensive. To show the versatility of Franklin's mind, Ave should mention that in 1741 he est-ablish- ed the General Magazine and Historical Chronicle^ and in the following year invented the stove which still bears his name."^ For the latter he refused a patent, on the principle that such discoveries ought to be made subser- vient to the common good of mankind. Peace having been concluded, his thoughts were turned again to the cause of education, and by patient effort he linally succeeded in the es- tablishment of an academy, which grew, in course of time, into the University of Pennsyl- vania. In ITttS, he threw oif many of the cares and vexations of business, by taking into partner- ship Mr. David Hall, an industrious and hon- * A description of tliis wood-saving invention is given in the Encyclopaedia Aincriouiia, vol. v., p. 126. THE PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. 89 est man, who had been working for him sever- al years, thus securing time, as he fundly lioped, for the prosecution of philosophical studies. With this view he had purchased quite an extensive apparatus, and began a series of interesting experiments. He had, however, shown himself too useful to the public to be allowed to continue long in retirement, and he was soon appointed jus- tice of the peace, and then alderman, and next a member of the General Assembly. His election to the last post of honor was con- tinued every year for ten years, without his ever soliciting a vote, or expressing any desire for the office. On taking his seat in the House^ he was soon appointed clerk. In 1750, when a treaty was to be held with the Indians at Carlisle, Franklin and Mr. Norris were appointed commissioners to go and attend to the business. Indeed, it is cu- rious to observe what a wonderful influence the successful printer had secured, and how all parties looked to him for assistance or advice. The following year, when Dr. Thomas Bond, a benevolent and excellent man, conceived the i«!(a of establishing a hospital in Philadelphia 8* 90 LIFIO OF FRANKLIN. for the benefit of poor sick persons, the propo- sal was so much of a novelty in America, that at first he met with little enconragement. On all sides, he was asked by those wliom lie solicited to snbscribe, " Have yon consnlted Franklin on this bnsiness? And what does he think of it?" He accordingly laid his plans before Frank- lin, who warmly approved of them ; snbscribed liberally himself; wrote several newspaper ar- ticles on the snbject; indnced the Assembly to aid the nnder taking by an appropriation of numey ; and did not cease to exert himself nntil the institution was firmly establisbed. Years afterwards, while sojourning in Europe, if he gleaned any useful hints, he was sure to communicate them to the managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital. Dr. Fi-anklin thus describes his successful efiforts to improve the condition of the sti-eets of Philadelphia : " Our city, though laid out w^ith a beautiful regularity, the streets large, straight, and crossing each other at right angles, had the disgrace of sufi'ering those streets to remain long nnpaved, and in wet weather the wheels of heavy carriages ploughed them into a quagmire, so that it was ditl^cult to cross EFFORTS FOR CLKAN STRKETS. 91 them ; and in dry weather the dust was offen- sive. I had lived near what was called the Jersev ^Market, and saw with pain the inhabit- ants wading in mud, while purchasing their provisions. A strip of ground down the mid- dle of that market was at length paved with brick, so that, being once in the market, they had firm footing ; but were often over shoes in dirt to get there. By talking and writing on the subject, 1 was at length instrumental in getting the street paved with stone betw^een the marlvct and the brick foot-pavement, that was on the side next to the houses. This, for some time, gave an easy access to the market dry-shod ; but, the rest of the street not being paved, whenever a carriage came out of the mud upon this pavement, it shook off and left its dirt upon it, and it was soon covered with mire, which w^as not removed, the city as yet having no scavengers. "After some inquiry, I found a poor, indus- trious man, who was willing to undertake keep- ing the pavement clean, by sw^eeping it twice a week, carrying off the dirt from before all the neighbors' doors, for the sum of sixpence per month, to be paid by each house. T then wrote and printed a paper, setting forth the ad van- 92 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. tages to the neighborliood that might be ob- tained from this small expense ; the greater ease in keeping our houses clean, so much dirt not being brought in by people's feet ; the ben- efit to the shops by more custom, as buyers could more easily get at them ; and by not having in windy weather the dust blown in upon their goods, e%c., &c. I sent one of these papers to each house, and in a day or two went round to see who would subscribe an agreement to pay these sixpences ; it was unanimously signed, and for a time well executed. All the inhabitants of the city were delighted with the cleanliness of the pavement that surrounded the market, it being a convenience to all, and this raised a general desire to have all the streets paved ; and made the people more will- ing to submit to a tax for that purpose." After this, Franklin drew up a bill for paving the eity, and brought it into the General As- sembly. This was passed, with some modifi- cation, during his absence from the countrv, in 1757. Upon the death of the postmaster-general of America, in 1753, Benjamin Franklin and Wil- liam Hunter were appointed by the British gov- ernment to succeed him in the important duties MADE POSTMA&TEK-GKNERAL. 93 of this office. Hitherto, the American post-office had never paid any thing to that of the mother country. The new agents were to have bix hundred pounds a year between them, if that sum could be made out of the office. In order to do this, some changes were needed, and great skill in the management of its affairs was in- dispensable to insure its success ; but like every thing else which Franklin undertook, the postal arrangenjent proved to be quite satisfactory. The business of the office obliged him to make a journey to i^ew England, during the year 1753, when Cambridge and Yale colleges, both of their own accord, conferred upon him tlie honorary degree of Master of Arts. This was done in consideration of his improvements and discoveries in the electric branch of natural philosophy. These disco veiies are entitled to a more particular notice. Being at Boston in 1746, he met wdth Dr. Spence, then lately arrived from Scotland, whom he saw perform some curious experi- ments. This stimulated him to attempt others for himself, and he communicated the result of his observations to Mr. Collinson, of London, a member of the Eoyal Society. ''In the year 1749, he iirst suggested his idea of explaining 94 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. the phenomena of tliunder-gusts, and of the aurora horealis^ upon electrical principles. Pie points out many particulars in which lightning and electricity agree; and he adduces many facts, and reas(mings from facts, in support of his positions. " In the same year he conceived the astonish- ingly bold and grand idea of ascertaining the truth of his doctrine by actually drawing do.wn the lightning, by means of sharp-pointed iron rods, raised into the region of the clouds. Even in this uncertain state, his passion to be useful to mankind displayed itself in a powerful man- ner. Admitting the identity of electricity and lightning, and knowing the power of points in repelling bodies cliarged with electricity, and in conducting their tire silently and impercept- ibly, he suggested the idea of securing houses, ships, &c., from being damaged by lightning, by erecting pointed rods, that should rise some feet above the most elevated part, and descend some feet into the ground or the water. The effect of these, he concluded, would be eitlier to prevent a stroke by i-epelling the cloud be- yond the striking distance, or by drawing off the electrical tire which it contained : or if they could not effect this, they would at least con- KLKC'IUICAL kxi'p:kimknts. 95 duct the t4ectric matter to the earth, without any iujurj to the building. It was not until the summer of 1752, that he was enabled to complete his grand and unparalleled discoveiy by experiment. The plan which he had origi- nally proposed, was to erect, on some high tower or other elevated place, a sentry-box, from which should rise a pointed iron rod, insulated by being fixed in a cake of resin. Electrified clouds passing over this, would, he conceived, impart to it a portion of their electricity, which would be rendered evident to the senses by sparks being emitted, when a key, the knuckle, or other conductor was pre- sented to it. '' Philadelphia at this time afforded no op- portunity of trying an experiment of this kind. While Franklin was waiting for the erection of a spire, it occurred to him that he might have more ready access to the region of clouds by means of a common kite. He prepared one by fastening two cross sticks to a silk handker- chief, which would not suffer so much from the rain as paper. To the upright stick was affixed an iron point. The string was, as usual, of hemp, except the lower end, wdiicli was silk. Where the hempen string terminated, a key 96 IJFK OF FKANKLIX. was fastened. With tliis apparatus, on the ap- pearance of a thnncler-gust approaching, he went out into the commons, accompanied by his son, to whom alone he communicated his intentions, well knowing the ridicule which, too generally for the interest of science, awaits unsuccessful experiments in philosophy. He placed himself under a shed, to avoid the rain ; his kite was raised, a thunder-cloud passed over it, no sign of electricity appeared. He almost despaired of success, when suddenly he observed the loose fibres of his string to move towards an erect position. He now presented his knuckle to the key, and received a strong spark. How exquisite must his sensations have been at tliis moment ! On this experiment depended the fate of his theory. If he succeeded, his name would rank higli among those who had improved science ; if he failed, he must inev- itably be subjected to the derision of mankind, or, what is worse, their pity, as a well-mean- ing man, but a weak, silly projector. "The anxiety, with which he looked for the result of his experiment, may be easily con- ceived. Doubts and despair had begun to prevail, when the fact was ascertained, in so clear a manner, that even the most incredulous THE CELEBRATED BUFFON. 97 could no longer withhold their assent. Re- peated sparks were drawn from the key, a v\i\\ was charged, a shock given, and all the experiments made which are usually perform- ed witli electricity. About a month before this period, some ingenious Frenchman had completed the discovery in the manner origi- nally proposed by Dr. Franklin. " The letters which he sent to Mr. Collinson, it is said, were refused a place in the Transac- tions of the Koyal Society of London. How- ever this may be, Collinson published them in a separate volume, under the title of ' New Experiments and Observations on Electricity, made at Philadelphia, in America.' They were read with avidity, and soon translated into diiFerent languages. A very incorrect French translation fell into the hands of the celebrated Buffon, who, notwithstanding the disadvantages under which the work labored, was much pleased with it, and repeated the experiments with success. He prevailed on his friend, M. Dalibard, to give his country- men a more correct translation of the works of the American electrician. This contributed much towards spreading a knowledge of Franklin's principles in France. 98 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. "The king, Louis tlie Fifteenth, hearing of these experiments, expressed a wish to be a spectator of them. A course of experiments was given at the seat of the Due d'Ayen, at St. Germain, by M. de Lor. The applauses which the king bestowed upon Franklin, ex- cited in Buifon, Dalibard, and De Lor, an earnest desire of ascertaining the trutli of his theory of thunder-gusts. BufFon erected his apparatus on the tower of Montbur, M. Dali- bard at Marly-la- ville, and De Lor at his house in the Estrapade at Paris, some of the highest ground in that capitaL Dalibard's machine iirst showed signs of electricity. On the 10th of May, 1752, a thunder-cloud passed over it in the absence of M. Dalibard, and a number of sparks were draAvn from it by Coiffier, a joiner, with whom Dalibard had left directions how to proceed, and by M. Ranlet, the prior of Marly-la-ville. An account of this experi- ment was given to the Royal Academy of Sciences, by M. Dalibard, in a memoir dated May 13, 1752. ''On the 18th of May, M. de Lor proved equally successful with the apparatus erected at his own honse. These philosophers soon ex- cited those of other parts of Europe to repeat .IKALOUSY AND DKTRACTION. 99 the experiment; among whom, none signal- ized tliera selves more than Father Beccaria of Turin, to whose observations, science is much indebted. Even the cold regions of Eussia were penetrated bj the ardor for discovery. Professor Kichmann bade fair to add much to the stock of knowledge on this subject, when an unfortunate flash from his conductor put a period to his existence. The friends of science will long remember with regret, the amiable martyr to electricity. " By these experiments, Franklin's theory was established in the most convincing man- ner. When the truth of it could no longer l)e doubted, envy and vanity endeavored to de- tract from its merit. That an American, an inhabitant of the obscure city of Philadelphia, the name of which was hardly known, should be able to make discoveries and to frame theories which had escaped the notice of the enlightened philosophers of Europe, was too mortifying to be admitted. He must certain- ly have taken the idea from some cme else. An American, a being of an inferior order, make discoveries ? Impossible ! It w^as said that the Abbe Nollet, 1748, had suggested the idea of the similarity of lightning and electrici- 100 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. ty in his 'Legons de Physique.' It is true that the abbe mentions the idea; but he throws it out as a bare conjecture, and pro- poses no mode of ascertaining the truth of it. He himself acknowledges that Franklin first entertained the bold thought of bringing light- ning from the heavens by means of pointed rods fixed in the air. " The similarity of lightning and electricity is so strong, that we need not be surprised at notice being taken of it, as soon as electrical phenomena became familiar. We find it men- tioned by Dr. Wull and Mr. Grey, while the science was in its infancy. But the honor of forming a regular theory of thunder-gusts, of suggesting a mode of determining the truth of it by experiments, and of putting these exper- iments in practice, and thus establishing the theory upon a firm and solid basis, is incon- testably due to Franklin. Dalibard, who made the first experiments in France, says that he only followed the track which Frank- lin had pointed out." * * Franklin's Works, vol. v., p. 174, etc., from an account drawn up by Dr. Stube. CHAPTER NINTH. A general Congress at Albafiy— Franklin's plan for union— The British government disapprove of it— General Braddock sent over— His embarrassments relieved by Franklin's energy— The unsuccessful expedition— Braddock's poor opinion of the American troops— Franklin's militia bill— Proceeds to the frontier to. erect fortifications— The way to seciire a prompt attendance at prayers-Chosen colonel-Difficulties with the Proprietaries— Franklin sent to England as the agent of the Province— His reception there— Made doctor of laws— Two anonymous publications, which produced their intended ef- fect—Visit to Holland and Flanders— The armonica— Return to America. IN 1754, war with France being again appre- hended, it was determined to call a general Congress at Albany, to arrange a common plan of defence; Franklin being appointed one of the deputies. A conference was there to be held with the chiefs of the Six Nations, concerning the best means of protecting their country and the white settlements from the assaults of the enemy. On his route, Franklin drew up a plan for the union of all the Colo- nies under one government, so far as might be necessary for defence, and other important pur- poses. It proposed that the general government 102 LIFJC OF FRANKLIN. should be administered by a president appointed bj tlie crown, and a grand council, chosen by the provincial assemblies, the council being autho- rized to levy taxes for all common exigencies. This plan, though unanijuously sanctioned by the Congress, was rejected by the Board of Trade, as being too democratic in its tenden- cies, and by the Assemblies, as having too much of prerogative in it. Franklin w^as always of the opinion that England and her Colonies would both have been the gainers, had this scheme been adopted. The British government deeming it inexpe- dient to permit the union which had been discussed at Albany, lest the Americans might become too military and independent, sent over General Braddock with two regiments of soldiers, to aid them in the war with the French, This proud, headstrong officer, landed at Alexandria, in Yirginia ; and thence proceed- ed to Fredericktown, Maryland, where he halted for carriages. " Our Assembly appre- hending," says Franklin, "from some informa- tion that he had received, violent preju 'ices against them, as averse to the service, wished INTKRVIKW WJTil B'iADD )CK. 103 me to wait upon him, not as from tliem, but as postmaster-general, under the guise of pro- posing {o settle with him the mode of conduct- ing with most celerity and certainty the de- spatches between him and the governors of the several provinces, with whom he must necessarily have continual correspondence; and of which they proposed to pay the ex- pense. My son accompanied me on this jour- ney. "We found the general at Frederick town, waiting impatiently for the return of those he had sent through the back parts of Maryland and Virginia to collect wagons. I stayed with him several days, dined with him daily, and had full opportunities of removing his prejudices, by the information of what tlie Assembly had before his arrival actually done, and were still willing to do, to facilitate his operations. When I was about to depart, the returns of wagons to be obtained were brought in, by which it appeared that they amounted only to twenty-five, and not all of those were in serviceable condition. The general and all the officers were surprised, declared the expe- dition was then at an end, being impossible ; and exclaimed against the ministers for igno- 104 LIFE OF FRANKLIN, rantly sending tbeni into a country destitute of tlie means of conveying their stores, bag- gage, tlcc, not less than one hundred and fifty waofons beino^ necessary. *' I happened to say, I thought it was a pity tliey had not been hinded in Pennsylvania, as in that country almost every farmer had his wagon. The general eagerly laid hold of my words, and said, 'Then you, sir, who are a man of interest there, can probably procure them for us ; and I beg you will undertake it.' I asked what terms were to be oifered the owners of the wagons; and I was desired to put on paper the terms that appeared to me necessary. This I did, and they were agreed to, and a commission and instructions accord- ingly prepared immediately." Franklin immediately advertised for a sup- ply of wagons and horses, and in the course of two weeks one hundred and lifty wagons, with two hundred and fifty-nine carrying- horses were on their way to the camp. The owners demanded security, in case any wagons or horses should be lost, and w^hen General Braddock's word was pledged foi*' this pur- pose, they refused to receive it, not knowing what dependence to place in it. They, how- CASTLKS IN tut: AIR. 105 ever, took Franklin's bond without the least hesitation. The general was highly gratified with his conduct, and thanked him repeatedly for his promjjt assistance, wdiich was put in requisition still further, in the ^vay of furnish- ing supplies of money and provisijons. Some idea of the character of the unfortu- nate English officer may be gathered from a little incident "which Franklin has recorded^- " In conversation with him, one day, he was giving me some account of his intended progress. 'After taking Fort Duquesne,' said he, ' I am to proceed to Niagara ; and, having taken that, to Frontenac, if the season will allow time, and I suppose it will ; for Du- quesne can hardly detain me above three or four days ; and then I see nothing that can obstruct my march to Niagara.' Having be- fore revolved in my mind the long line his army must make in their march by a very narrow road, to be cut for them through the w^oods and bushes, and also what I had read of a former defeat of fifteen hundred French, who invaded the Illinois country, I had con- ceived some doubts and some fears for the event of the campaign. But I ventured only to say, 'To be sure, sir, if you arrive well 106 LIFi: OF FRANKLIN. before Duquesne, with these fine troops, so well provided with artillery, the fort, though completely fortified, and assisted with a very strong garrison, can probably make but a short resistance. The only danger I appre- hend of obstruction to your march is from the ambuscades of the Indians, who, by constant practice, are dexterous in laying and execut- ing them ; and the slender line, near four miles long, which your army must make, may expose it to be attacked by surprise in its flanks, and to be cut like a thread into several pieces, which, from their distance, cannot come up in time to support each other.' " He smiled at my ignorance, and replied-^— 'These savages may indeed be a formidable enemy to your raw American militia; but upon the king's regular and disciplined troops, sir, it is impossible they should make any im- pression.' I wa^ conscious of an impropriety in my disputing with a military man in mat- ters of his profession, and said no more." It will be needless here to dw^ell upon the particulars of Braddock's unfortunate expedi- tion and inglorious defeat. Irving's " Life of Washington" furnishes a full and authentic description of it (vol. ii., p. 468). DKSTKUCTION OF GNADKNHL r 1 KV. 107 After Braddock's defeat, Franklin intro- duced a bill into the Assembly of Pennsyl- vania for establishing a volunteer militia, and having received a commission as commander, he soon raised a corps of five hundred and sixty men. His son, who had seen some ser- vice in the previous war, was now of great assistance in helping to bring this little army into something like order. The northwestern frontier, which had been sorely infested by the enemy, was the quarter whence danger was most apprehended, and the governor prevailed upon Franklin to pro- ceed thither, and build a line of forts for the protection of the inhabitants. The Indians had recently burned Gnaden- hutten, a village of the Moravians, and mur- dered the people. Franklin assembled the companies at Beth- lehem, the chief Moravian settlement, and was agreeably surprised to find it in so good a posture of defence. It was in January, 1755, that the important business of fort-building began. The soldiers encamped upon the ground where Gnadenhutten had stood, and a Ibrtification of pine-trees was soon raised, — a poor protection, indeed, against the assaults of 108 LIFE OF FEANKLIN. regular troops, but quite sufficient to keep the Indians at bay. Mr. Beatty, the zealous Presbyterian chap- lain, complained to the commander that the men were very reluctant to attend his prayers and exhortations. As a part of their daily rations, they were entitled to a gill of rum — half in the morning, and the other half at night. Franklin smiled, and said to the mor- tified chaplain — " It is perhaps below the dignity of your profession to act as steward of the rum, but if you were only to distribute it out after prayers, you would have them all about you." The idea pleased him, and with the assist- ance of a few Ivinds, he measured out the liquor to the satisfaction of all parties, and never were prayers more generally and punc- tually attended. The fort had hardly been finished and stored with provisions, when Franklin received a let- ter from the governor, informing him that he had called the Assembly, and requesting his attendance, if he could possibly be spared from the camp. Upon reaching Philadelphia, he was gratified to find that his militia system was working admirably, — twelve hundred franklin's autobiography. 109 men having enlisted, and these, with six brass cannon, made quite a formidable appearance. The officers met and chose Franklin for their colonel. Tlie first time that he reviewed his regiment, the soldiers escorted him back to his house, and insisted on firing some rounds before his door, which shook down and broke several glasses of his electrical apj)aratus. " My new honors proved not much less brittle," he pleasantly remarks; "for all our commissions were soon after broken by a re- peal of the law in England."* * Autobiography, Spark's edition, p. 205. This most inter esting fragment was written in several portions. " It was first commenced at Twyford, the country residence of the good Bishop of St. Asaph, in 1771, and addressed to his son, the governor of New Jersey, and continued at intervals, till the Revolutionary War occupied the Avriter's time exclusively. It was again, at the solicitation of his friends, James and Vaug- han, resumed at Fassy, in 17S4, and afterwards continued in America. The history of the several editions of this work is curious. It was first, as was the case with Jefterson's " Notes on Virginia," published in French, translated from the author's manuscript. This version was re-translated into English, and published for the first time in that language in London, in 1793. Oddly enough, in another French edition, which ap- peared in Paris in 179S, the autobiography was again translated into French from the English version of the foreign language. The work as Franklin wrote it, in his native tongue, was first given to the world in the collection of his writings, by his grandson, William Temple Franklin, in 1817. The translation 10 110 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. It should be borne in mind that Pennsyl- vania was still a Proprietary government, and the Proprietors claimed to be exonerated from taxes. In consequence of the disputes to which this claim gave rise, Franklin was sent to England by the Assembly, as the agent of the province. He took his son^ with him, and they landed at Falmouth, after a perilous voyage, in July, 1Y57. - In a letter to his wife, describing the dangers which they had escaped, he observes : " The bell ringing for church, we went thither immediately, and, with hearts full of grati- tude, returned sincere thanks to God for the mercies we had received." Franklin's fame as a philosopher and a polit- ical writer had preceded him, and he did not find himself a stranger or without friends in England. His arrival Avas soon noised abroad on the Continent, and he received congratula- tory letters from some of the most distin- guished men of the time, expressing admira- froiu the French is still in circulation in this country, uotwitii- standing the publication of Franklin's original, though the authoritative edition of Sparks has of late set an example which will drive all other copies than the genuine one from the market." — Duyckiuck''s Oyclopcedia^ vol. i., p. 106. * William Franklin, afterwards governor of New Jersey. THK HISTORICAL REVIEW. Ill tion of his scientific achievements, and respect for his character. But the business which had been intrusted to his Rands required his closest attention. His instructions embraced several objects tending to restore Pennsylvania to its former peace and prosperity. The principal one was to complain to the king that the Pro- prietaries refused to bear their due share of the expenses incurred in providing for the de- fence of the province. The Proprietaries at this time, were Thomas and Richard Penn, sons of William Penn, the founder of the colony. Franklin found them in no humor to yield to the complaints of the people, and he felt sure that he should finally be obliged to appeal to the higher tribunals. The business went on very slowly, and there were many provoking hindrances. To aid the cause of his constituents, he published, in 1759, an able work entitled the "Historical Peview," in which he traced the political history of Pennsylvania, touching now and then, with considerable severity, upon the acts of William Penn and of his descendants. Although this performance was issued without the author's name, few had any doubts as to the source from which it came. It accom-- 112 I.TIK OF FKANKLTN. plished, quietly and successfully, its important purpose of enlightening the public mind, and of preparing those in office to act with a bet- ter understanding of the subject, when the proper time should come. Franklin while devoting himself mainly to the affairs of his agency, visited various parts of England and Scotland, and made manv friends among the most distinguished men of the day. It was by his advice that the expe- dition against Canada was projected, which ended in the victory of Wolfe at Quebec, and the conquest of that country. He was made a Doctor of Lams by the universities of Edin- burgh and Oxford. After a delay of almost three years, Frank- lin succeeded in bringing his public business to a close, the case being decided in June, 1760. He had the satisfaction of knowing that his services met with the entire approba- tion of his constituents. As the war with France was about to termi- nate, the question began to be discussed among politicians, as to which of the possessions taken from the enemy, it would be most important for England to retain. The American phi- losopher Seized his ready pen, and prepared TRAVEL THROUGH HOLLAND. 113 an anonymous tract, "The Interest of Great Britain considered," in which he gave various reasons for keeping Canada. These were so clear and convincing, that thej' weiglied down all opposition. It is a curious fact that Frank- lin was thus instrumental, in some degree, in adding Canada to the British dominions, which proved to be the first step towards the inde- pendence of the Colonies, a result wliich the same master-mind contributed so mucih to ac- comph'sh. Crossing the Atlantic was at that day too formidable an undertaking to be thought of very often, and now that he was in England, lie determined to make the best use of his time. Accordingly, in 1761, he travelled through Holland and Flanders, returning in season to be present at the coronation of George the Third. His philosophical studies were continued, whenever the opportunity was aflforded him. Wliile staying in London, he saw for the iirst time, an instrument, consisting of musical ghisses, upon which tunes were played by passing a wet finger round their brims. Al- thougli charmed with the sweetness of its tones, the instrument appeared to him to be 10* 114 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. less perfect than it might be, and after various trials he succeeded in constructing one of a different form, and more commodious. He called it the Armonica, in honor of the musi- cal language of the Italians. At the beginning of 1762, Dr. Franklin began to prepare for his departure to America, although his friends were warmly urging him to send for his family, and to make his home in London. He sailed from Portsmouth to- Avards the close of August, and arrived at Philadelphia on the first of November, after an absence of more than five years. His friends, both political and private, flocked around him to offer their congratulations on the success of his mission, and his safe return. CHAPTER TEjSTTH. No time for domestic enjoyment — The duties of postmaster- general — Extensive tour of duty — Sarah Franklin — New diffi- culties — Sensible letter — Value which Franklin attached to the Prayer-book — Once more in England — The Stamp Act, and the troubles which grew out of it — Franklin's eiforts to set matters right — Examination before the House of Commons — Becomes more bold and decided — The English ministry once more in mischief — Franklin becomes weary of ineffec- tual efforts for better things — Hasty departure for America — Death of his wife — Some particulars concerning her. AFTEE. so long an absence, it would have been grateful to Franklin's feelings to be allowed, for a time at least, to enjoy the quiet and repose of home ; but public duties were still pressing upon him, and he was not dis- posed to neglect them. At each election, while he was in Europe, he had been chosen a member of the Assembly, and he again took his seat in that body, displaying, on every occasion of difficulty or danger, his wonderful resources, and his uncompromising fidelity to the real interests of his country. Holding the position of postmaster-general in America, five months of the year 1763 116 LIFE OF FK AN KLIN. were spent in travelling throngh the northern colonies for the purpose of inspecting the post- offices. The whole extent of his tour was about sixteen hundred miles. He was accom- panied by his daughter,"^ who rode nearly all * Sarah Franklin was born at Philadelphia, September, 1744. Pier father was such an advocate of liberal education, that we may feel sure that her early advantages were very respectable. She married in 1767 ; her husband, Eichard Bache, a Piiiludel- phia merchant, being a native of Yorkshire, England. The only daughter of Dr. Franklin had been ton thoroughly trained in the school of patriotism, to act any bat a noble part in the struggle for independence. We find her very busy in pro- viding clothes for the American soldiers during the severe win- ter of 1780. The Marquis de Chastellux, thus notices a visit he made to her about this time. After detailing the preliminaries of the visit, he goes on: "Mrs. Bache merited all the anxiety we had to see her, for she is the daughter of Mr. Franklin. Simple in her manners like her respected father, she possesses his benevolence. She conducted us into a room filled with work, lately finished by the ladies of Philadelphia. This work consisted neither of embroidered tambour waistcoats, nor of net-work edging, nor of gold and silver brocade. It was a quantity of shirts for the soldiers of Pennsylvania. The ladies bought the linen from their own private purses, and took a pleasure in cutting them out and sewing themselves. On each shirt was the name of the lady who made it, and they amount- ed to twenty-two hundred." A letter from M. de Marbois to Dr. Franklin, the succeeding year, thus speaks of his daughter: "If there are in Europe any women who need a model of attachment to domestic duties and love for their country, Mrs. Bache may be pointed out to them as such. She passed a part of the last year in exertions to rouso APPOINTED AGENT. 117 the way from Khode Island to Philadelphia on horseback, Avhile he drove himself in a lio'ht carriasre. Kew difficulties continuing to arise between the province and the Proprietaries, the Assem- bly at last determined to petition for the estab- lishment of a regal government, and Franklin was again appointed agent, in 1764. Twelve days after receiving this fresh evidence of pub- lic confidence, he left Philadelphia (]N"ovem- ber 7), accompanied by a cavalcade of three hundred citizens, who attended him as far as Chester, where he took ship. '* The affectionate leave taken of me by so many dear friends at Chester," said he, " was the zeal of the Pennsylvania ladies, and she made on this occa- sion such a happy use of the eloquence which you know she possesses, that a large part of the American army was provided with shirts, bought with their money, or made by their hands. In her applications for this purpose, she showed the most inde- fatigable zeal, the most unwearied perseverance, and a courage in asking, which surpassed even the.obstinate reluctance of the Quakers in refusing." Such were the women o ' America during the long and fear- ful struggle which preceded the independence of the United States. Few, indeed, had the talents and opportunities to per- form so many benevolent deeds as Mrs. Bache ; her patriotism has made her an example, for her countrywomen. She died in 1808, aged sixty-four years. 118 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. very endearing. God bless them and all Penn- sylvania." He sailed the next day, but the vessel was detained over night at Reedy Island, in the Delaware. At that place he Avrote a letter to his daughter, from which the f()Uowing is an extract : " My dear child, the natural prudence and goodness of heart God lias blessed you with, make it less necessary for me to be particular in giving you advice. I shall therefore only say, that the more attentively dutiful and ten- der you are towards your good mamma, the more you will recommend yourself to me. But why should I mention me, when you have so much higher a promise in the command- ments, that such conduct will recommend you to the favor of God. You know I have many enemies, all indeed on the public account (for I cannot recollect that I have in a private ca- pacity given just cause of offence to any one whatever), yet they are enemies, and very bitter ones ; and you must expect their enmity will extend in some degree to you, so that your slightest indiscretions will be magnified into crimes, in order th^ more sensibly to wound and afflict me. It is, therefore, the more necessary for you to be extremely cir- LETTKR TO HIS DAUGHTER. 119 cumspect in all your behavior, that no advan- tage may be given to their malevolence. "Go constantly to church, whoever preaches. The act of devotion in the Common Prayer Book is your principal business there, and if properly attended to, will do more towards amending the heart than sermons generally can do ; for they were composed by men of much greater piety and wisdom than our com- mon composers of sermons can pretend to be ; and therefore I wish you would never miss the prayer days ; yet I do not mean you should despise sermons, even of the preachers you dislike ; for the discourse is often much better than the man, as sweet and clear waters come through very dirty earth. I am the more particular on this head as you seemed to express, a little before I came away, some in- clination to leave our church, which I would not have you do." Sarah Franklin was now in her twentieth year, an age when the advice of a father was especially needed ; and the judicious hints con- tained in this letter are worthy the attention of many in our own day. That the philoso- pher did not undervalue good preaching is clear from the interest which he alwaj^s felt in 120 LIFE OF FKANKLIN. Whitetield's discourses, but at the same time he believed that the Church Service was of more importance tlian the most able sermon.* * Dr. Fraiikliirs interest in the Pruyer-book appears every now and tlien, in little incidental references scattered through- out his extensive; correspondence. Thus, in writing to his wife from London, June 10, 1766, he says: "I have ordered two large print Prayer-books to be boinid on purpose for you and Goody tSniith. So yon will both of you be reprieved from the use of spectacles in church a little lougev.^^ —Sparks, vol. vii., p. 170. Again, under date June IG, 1703: *• You spent your Sunday very well, but I think you should go oftencr to church." — Sparks^ vol. vii., p. 254. It is a curious fact that Dr. Franklin was, to some extent, the father of what wo call the Memorial Movement— at least, so far as the curtailment of the Church Service is concerned, and its adaptation to circumstances. While we trust that no church- wan woidd be willing to see the book changed to the extent which he proposed, the preface to his work exhibits his views in regard to public worship more fully than they are anywhere else to be found, and so far it is a curiosity. It must also be remembered that it was the English Prayer-book which he had in view, and that many judicious alterations have since been made in our own. Franklin's book is entitled, " Abridgment of the Book of Common Prayer," &c., and was printed in Lon- don in 1778. We quote a part of the preface, which is still ex- tant in his own handwriting: "PREFACE. '•The editor of the following abridgment of the Liturgy of the Church of England thinks it but decent and respectful to all, more particularly to the reverend body of clergy who adorn the Protestant religion by their good works, preaching, and ABRIDGING THE PRAYER-BOOK. 121 After a stormy passage of thirty days, Dr. Franklin found himself once more in England. When the news came back to Philadelphia, example, that he should humbly offer some reason* for such an undertaking. He addresses himself to the serious and dis- cerning, lie professes himself to be a Protestant of the Church of England, and holds in the higljest veneration the doctrines of Jesus Christ. He is a sincere lover of social worship, deeply .sensible of its usefulness to society ; and he aims at doing some service to religion by proposing such abbrevhitions and omis- sions in the forms of our Liturgy (retaining every thing he thinks essential) as might, if adopted, procure a more general attendance. For, besides the differing sentiments of many pious and well-disposed persons in some speculative points, who in general have a good opinion of our Church, it has often been observed and complained of that the Morning and Even- ing Service, as practised in England and elsewhere, are so long, and filled with so many repetitions, that the continued atten- tion suitable to so serious a duty becomes impracticable, the mind wanders, and the fervency of devotion is slackened. Also, the propriety of saying the same prayer more than once in the same service is doubted, as the service is thereby length- ened witiiout apparent necessity— our Lord having given us a short prayer as an example, and censured the heathen for thinking to be heard because of much speaking. Moreover, many pious and devout persons, whose age or infirmities will not suffer them to remain for hours in a cold church, especially in the winter season, are obliged to forego the comfort and edi- fication they would receive by their attendance on divine ser- vice. These, by shortening the time, would be relieved ; and the vounger sort, who have had some principles of religion in- stilled into them, and who have been educated in a belief of the necessity of adoring their Maker, would probably more frequently, as well as cheerfully, attend divine service, if they wtie not detained so lo)ig at any one time. Also, many wcll- 11 122 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. his friends celebrated the event by the ringing of bells, and other demonstrations of joy. Although Franklin had been sent to Eng- disposed tradesmen, shopkeepers, artificers, and others, whose habitations are not remote from churches, could and would, more frequently at least, find time to attend divine service on other than Sundays, if the prayers were reduced into a much narrower compass. Formerly there were three services per- formed, at different times of the day, which three services are now usually joined in one. This may suit the conveniency of the person who officiates, but is too often inconvenient and tiresome to the congregation. If this abridgment, therefore, should ever meef with acceptance, the well-disposed clergy, who are laudably desirous to encourage \X\q frequency of divine service, may promote so great and good a purpose by repeating it three times on a Sunday, without so much, fatigue to them- selves as at present. Suppose at nine o'clock, at eleven, and at one in the evening; and by preaching no more sermons than usual, of a moderate length, and thereby accommodate a greater number of people with convenient hours. " These were general reasons for wishing and proposing an abridgment. In attempting it, we do not presume to dictate even to a single Christian. We are sensible there is a proper authority in the rulers of the Church for ordering such matters; and whenever the time shall come when it may be thought not unreasonable to revise our Liturgy, there is no doubt but every suitable improvement will be made, under the care and direc- tion of so much learning, wisdom, and piety in one body of men collected. Such a work as this must then be much better executed. In the mean time, this humble performance may serve to show the practicability of shortening the service near one-half, without the omission of what is essentially necessary ; and we hope, moreover, that the book may be occasionally of Bome use to families or private assemblies of Christians." — Sparks, vol. X., p. 207. BEFORK THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. 123 land as the special agent for Pennsylvania, circumstances soon led him to take an active part in the affairs of the other colonies. The unjust and unpopular project for taxing the American people had already been announced, and he carried with him a remonstrance of the Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania against it, which he presented to Mr. Grenville before the passage of the Stamp Act. He resisted the adoption of that measure, and from its passage (1765) to its repeal (1766), spared no pains to prove how unconstitutional and impolitic such an act would be. When the repeal was about to be attempted, it was arranged by his friends that he should be examined on the whole question before the House of Commons. This memorable examination took place on the 3d of February, 1766. Franklin's dignified bearing, his self-posses- sion, the promptness and propriety with which he replied to every question, the familiar ac- quaintance which he displayed with political affairs, and the fearlessness with which he de- fended the course which his countrymen had pursued, all combined to arrest the attention, and call forth the astonishment of those who heard him. 1-24 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. When lie was asked, whether the Americans would pay the stamp duty if it were moder- ated, he ariswei-ed, " No ! never, unless com- pelled by force of arms." Again, when it was inquired how the Americans would receive another tax, imposed upon the same principles, he said, " Just as they do this ; they will never pay." And again, he was asked whether the Americans would rescind their resolutions, if the Stamp Act were repealed. To this he re- plied, " 1^0, never ; they will never do it, unless compelled by force of arms." He was also questioned as to the non-importation agree- ments, and asked whether the Americans would not soon become tired of them, and fall back to purchasing British manufactures as be- fore. He said he did not believe they would; that he knew his countr3'men ; that they had materials, and industry to work them up ; that they could make their own clothes, and would make them ; that they loved liberty, and would maintain their rights. The examination was closed with the two following questions and answers : — " What used to be the pride of the Americans ?" He answered, " To indulge in the fashions and manufactures of Great Britain." " What is now their pride ?" " To REPEAL OF THE STAMP ACT. 125 wear their old clothes over again till they can make new ones." After a long and exciting debate in Parlia- ment, the Stamp Act was repealed. Still the infatuated ministry must devise some fresh cause of mischief. On the passage of the rev- enue acts of 1767, Dr. Franklin became still more bold and earnest in his expostulations, and openly predicted in England, that the in- evitable result of those and the other similar measures of the ministry would be a general resistance by the colonies, and a separation from the mother country. But he never de- viated from his original plan, to make every effort to enlighten the public opinion in Eng- land, to arrest the ministry in their infatua- tion, and to inculcate moderation and patience, as well as constancy and unanimity in Amer- ica. He endeavored, at the same time, to stand well with the British Government, aware that this was necessary to enable him to serve his country effectually ; while he never ceased to proclaim the rights, justify the proceedings, and animate the courage of his countrymen. He was not ignorant, to use his own Avords, " that this course would render him suspected in England of being foo much an American, 11* 126 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. and in America of being too much of an Eng- lishman." His transmission of the celebrated letters of Hutchinson and Oliver (1772), which had been placed in his hands, is not the least memorable of his acts at this opening period of the revolution. He immediately avowed his own share in the transaction, although he never divulged the names of the persons from whom he had received them. The indignant petition of the Assembly of Massachusetts, in consequence of these letters, was presented by him to the ministry, and he was immediately made the object of the most virulent abuse, and held up to the hatred and ridicule of the Brit- ish nation. He met the conflict with no less spirit than wit, as is particularly exemplified in his two satirical pieces, the Prussian Edict, and the Rules for reducing a great Empire to a small one. At the discussion of the petition before the privy council, Franklin was present. Wedderburn (afterwards Lord Loughborough), the solicitor-general, assailed him with the most coarse invective, styling the venerable philoso- pher, and the official representative of four of the American provinces, a " thief and a mur- derer," who had " forfeited all the respect of society and of men." The ministry now dis- Chatham's eulogy on franklin. 127 missed him from liis place of deputy postmas- ter-general, and a chancery suit was instituted in relation to the letters, for the purpose of preventing him from attempting his own vin- dication. At,tempts were made, as the difficulties in- creased, to corrupt the man whom it had been found impossible to intimidate ; " any reward, unlimited recompense, honors, and recompense beyond his expectations," were promised him ; but he was as inaccessible to corruption as to threats. It was at this period that he presented the petition of the first American Congress ; and he attended behind the bar (Feb. 1, 1775), in the House of Lords, Avhen Chatham pro- posed his plan of a reconciliation. In the course of the debate, that great man character- ized him as "one whom all Europe held in high estimation for his knowledge and wisdom ; who was an honor, not to the English nation only, but to human nature." Franklin was growing extremely weary of his fruitless efforts to arrange the unhappy dif- ficulties which prevailed, and wrote to his son in January, 1772, "I have of late great de- bates with myself, whether or not I shall con- 128 LiFK OF fi:aj;kltn. tinne here any longer. I grow home-sick, and, being now in mv sixty-seventh year, I begin to apprehend some iniirmity of age may attack me, and make my return impracticable. I liave also some important affairs to settle be- fore my death, a period I ought now to think cannot be far distant. I see here no disposition in Parliament to meddle further in Colony af- fairs for the present, either to lay more duties or to repeal any ; and I think, though 1 were to return again, I may be absent from here a year without any prejudice to the business T am engaged in ; tliough it is not probable that, being once at home, I should ever again see England. I liave, indeed, so many good, kind friends here, that I could spend the remainder of my life among them with great pleasure, if it were not for my American connections, and the indelible affection I retain for that country from which I have been so long in a state of exile." His friends, however, urged him so strongly to delay his departure, lioping that something might yet be accomplished, that he sacrificed his own convenience and comfort, and tarried until he received an intimation that he was about to be arrested as guilty of fomenting re- DEATH OF MKS. FRANKLIN. 129 bellion in the Colonies. He then quitted Eng- land in haste on the 21st of March, 1775, and reached his home on the 5th of May. It was now left nnto him desolate, his wife having died in the spring of 1774, Avhen he was dili- gently making his preparations to return to those whom he loved most dearly upon earth. Mrs. Franklin was attacked with a paralytic stroke whicli she survived only five days. Her remains were interred in the cemetery of Christ Church, on the side next to Arch-street. They had been married forty-four years, and lived together in iiiiint<^-]Mi|>ttMi liai-mony and hap- piness. Their correspondence during his long ab- sence, a great part of which has been preserved. is affectionate on both sides, exhibiting proofs of an unlimited confidence and devoted attach- ment. He omitted no opportunity to send her whatever he thought would contribute to her convenience and comfort, accompanied by nu- merous little tokens of remembrance and affec- tion. So much did he rely on her prudence and capacity, that, when abroad, he intrusted to her the management of his private affairs. Many years after her death, in writhig to a vouno: ladv, he said, "Fruo:alitv is an enrich- 130 MFK OF FRANKLIN. ing virtue ; a virtue I never could acquire my- self, but I was once lucky enough to find it in my wife, who therefore became a fortune to me." The little song which he wrote in her praise, is marked with a playful tenderness, and contains sentiments creditable to his feel- ings as a man and a husband. In his autobi- ography and letters he often mentions his wife, and always with a kindness and respect whicli could proceed only from genuine sensibility, and a higli estimate of her character and virtues. In a collection of " Letters to Benjamin Franklin from his family and friends" (New York : C. Benjamin Richardson), seven of Mrs. Franklin's epistles to her husband are pre- served. Every line breathes less the wife of the statesman than tlie domestic, good wife. Judging from her portrait, she was a fine, handsome, cheerful-looking woman ; and she addresses the doctor as her " dear child," en- tertaining him with the gossip of the day, and the various little incidents in her domestic affairs. CHAPTEE ELEVENTH. The reader is introduced to tbe Bisliop of St. Asaph— Franklin enjoys his generous liospitality — Keeping a grandson's birth- day—Chitchat which is not to be repeated— Frankhn begins his autobiography — Dr. Sliipley's noble stand in regard to American affairs— Humorous letter on the death of Miss Ship- ley's squirrel — A touching reminiscence — The death of the good bishop— Dr. Franklin's letter of condolence — Earthly friendships brouglit to a close. AS a pleasing episode after all the stormy scenes through which we have lately passed, we shall introduce our readers to Dr. Shipley, the bishop of St. Asaph, a man dis- tinguished for his virtues, his abilities, and the steady support which he gave to the principles of civil liberty. He was a devoted friend of Dr. Franklin, who, on various occasions, en- joyed the generous hospitalities of his house at Twyford, in Hampshire, the bishop's summer residence. The following letter to Mrs. Franlc- lin, from her devoted husband, w411 be read with interest. "London, August 14, 1771. " My dear child : " I am glad to hear of all your welfares, and that the pictures were safe arrived. You 132 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. (]() not tell mc who mountcid the great one, nor where you have hnng it up. Let me know whether T)r. T^ond likes tlio new one better than the old one ; if so, the old one is to be returned hither to Mr. Wilson, the painter. You may keep the frame, as it may be want- ed for some other picture there. I wrote to you a letter the beginning of last month, which was to go by C'ai)tain Falconer, and have since been in the country. I am just returned to town, and find liim still here, and the letters not gone. lie goes, however, next Saturday. '' T had written to many of my friends by him. L spent three weeks in Hampshire, at my friend, the Bishop of St. Asaph's. The bisho])'s lady knows what children and grand- children I have and their ages; so, when I was to come away on Monday the 12th, in the morning, she insisted on my staying that one day longer, thnt we might tog(!tlu^r ke(^p my grandson's birthday. At dinner, among other nic(; thinn at Bunker's Hill, in which they were tw4ce repulsed, and the third time gained a dear victory. Enough has hap- pened, one W(,)nld think, to convince your min- H4 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. isters that the Americans will fight, and that this is a harder nut to crack than thej im- agined. " ^Ye have not yet applied to any foreign power for assistance, nor offered our commerce for their friendship. Perhaps we never may; yet it is natural to think of it, if we are pressed. We have now an army on the establishment, which still holds yours besieged. My time was never more fully employed. In the morn- ing, at six, I am at the Committee of Safety, appointed by the Assembly to put the prov- ince in a state of defence, which committee holds till near nine, when I am at the Con- gress, and that sits till after four in the after- noon. Both these bodies proceed with the greatest unanimity, and their meetings are well attended. It will scarce be credited in Britain that men can be as diligent with us from zeal for the public good, as.with you for thousands ]3er annum. Such is the difference between uii corrupted new states and corrupted old ones. "Great frugality and great industry are no^v become fashionable here. Gentlemen who used to entertain with two or three courses, pride themselves now in treating 145 ■with simple beef and pudding. By these means, and the stoppage of our consumptive trade with Britain, we shall be better able to pay our voluntary taxes for the support of our troops. Our savings in the article of trade amount to near live millions sterling per annum.'' The blood of xlmerican freemen had been shed by a wanton exercise of military power, and those who had hitherto been hoping that the difficulties with the mother country might yet be amicably settled, were now convinced that political independence was the only cure for the evils under which the colonies so lono: had suffered. We observe with satisfaction that the fathers of the Republic were men who feared God, and who sought for His help and blessing. In " Passages from the Diary of Christopher Marshall," edited by Mr. A7illiam Dr.ane, we find many incidental references which bring this fact conspicuously before us. Thus, under dare of May 11, 1775, he notes : " This after- noon the delegates opened the Congress at tlio State House; began with prayer, in which officiated Jacob" Duche." It will be remembered that this clergyman 146 LIFE OF FKANKLIN. had offered the first prayer in Congress, on the 7th of September, 1774, when the appointed services in the Prajer-book proved to be so wonderfully appropriate for the occasion. ^"^ Again: Mr. Marshall writes in his private journal on the 20th of July: "This being the memorable day in which our unjust and cruel ministry took away all our sea-trade, as far hs their inveterate malice could reach, the sho].o shut, most families attended divine worship. I went to Christ Church, where an excellent sermon was preached on the occasic)n to a crowded auditory, among whom were, I pre- sume, all the delegates. It was an awful meet- ing, as numbers of wet eyes demonstrated their attention." On the 22d of October, Peyton Kandolph, the president of Congress, died of apoplexy ; |ind two days afterwards, the same hand makes note that the delegates went to Christ Church, where Mr. Duche preached, and then all fol- lowed the remains of the deceased patriot to the ojrave in the church burial-oTound. Dr. Franklin w^as one of the rulino: minds in * See Lossing's "Field Book of the Revolution," vol. ii., p. 267 ; ftnd the "Life of Washington," in this series. APPOINTED Postmaster. 147 Congress, and as early as July, 1775, he had prepared and presented a plan of confedera- tion, which was little else, in fact, than a dec- laration of independence. This plan was pub lished both in this country and in England, and although it w^as not acted upon imme- diately, it served a good purpose afterwards, when the members of Congress were ready to consider the subject. As the post-office establishment had been eifectually broken up by the disorders of tiie times, a new one was erected, and Dr. Frank- lin appointed postmaster, with a salary of a thousand dollars per annum. ''In the general post-office at Washington city, I saw, several years ago," w^rites Mr. Los- sing, "Field-Book," vol. i., p. 568, "the book in which Franklin kept his post-office accounts. It is a connnon, half-bound folio, of three quires of coarse paper, and contained all the Entries for nearly two years. The first entry was November 17, 1776. 'Now more than fifteen hundred of the largest-sized ledgers are re- quired annually for the same purpose; the number of contractors and other persons hav- ing accounts wath the office being over thirty thousand." 148 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. During several months tlie attention of Congress was principally directed to military affairs, and in the measures proposed for rais- ing and equipping an army. Franklin, now in his sixty-ninth year, manifested all the ardor and activity of youth. He was the chairman of several important committees, and his good sense seemed to be ready for use in every emergency. After Georoje Washino-ton had received the honorable and responsible appointment of commander-in-chief, Dr. Franklin, Thomas Lynch, and Benjamin Harrison were deputed by Congress to proceed to the camp at Cam- bridge, and confer with him on the best mode of recruiting and supporting the army. They met at head-quarters, on the 18th of October, where they were joined by delegates from each of the ]N"ew England governments. The conference lasted several days, and such a system was matured as was satisfactory to General Washington, and as proved effectual in attaining the object. Some time before, Dr. Franklin had re- ceived the sum of one hundred jDounds ster- ling, sent to him by benevolent ^^ersons in England, as a donation for the relief of those DEVICE OF A NATIONAL SEAT.. 149 who had been wounded in the encounters with the British troops, on the day of their march to Lexington and Concord, and of the widows and children of such as had been slain. While he was in the camp at Cambridge, he paid this money over to a committee of the Massachusetts Assembly. During his absence, the Assembly of Penn- sylvania met, and by the returns of the elec- tion it appeared that he had been chosen a representative for the city of Philadelphia. He was now a member of three public bodies, which convened daily for business, that is : Congress, the Assembly, and the Committee of Safety ; but he usually attended in Congress, whenever the times of meeting interfered with each other. '' Ways and • means were to be provided. Franklin was consulted. The marine service was to be resjulated. Franklin asjain was in request. Even upon the device of a national seal he was engaged. While thus employed, how must the old patriot's thoughts have car- ried him back to the time when, fifty years before, he was contriving ornaments for the New Jersey paper money, and to the devices and mottoes which he furnished for the Phila- 150 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. delphia Yohinteers, thirty years before this period ! His early publications on paper money nnist also have recurred to him while he was engaged in the details of the Continen- tal paper money issue. It is to be noted that, in the emission of the money which after- wards so sadly depreciated, the advice of Franklin was not followed. He proposed that the bills should bear interest ; but other couu- sel ruled, and this proposal was not adopted. He also recommended, after the iirst emission, the borrowing of the bills already issued, in- stead of the emission of a further sum. He advised, further, the payment of the interest in silver. Neither of these suggestions was adopted until too late to check the evil which they were intended to obviate."^ When Congress had brought the affairs of the army into tolerable order, they began to think of foreign alliances, — and a Committee of Secret Correspondence was appointed to keep up an intercourse with the friends of the American cause in various parts of Europe. Dr. Franklin had so long resided abroad that there was no hesitation in makinsj him the ♦ "Life of Franklin," by the Eev. H. H. Weld. A COMMISSIONER TO CANADA. 151 leading agent in these important negotiations, wliich were the means of accomplishing much good. Hopes had been generally entertained that the Canadians might be persuaded to join the other Colonies in the struggle for freedom, and during the first year of the war, while the Americans had an army in Canada, tliere seemed some prospect that these hopes would be realized. With the death of the lamented Montgomery, however, adverse fortune began, and in the spring of 1776, the case appeared almost desj^erate. Congress then determined to send commissioners to Canada, who should have full powers to regulate the operations of the army, and to aid the people in forming a civil government. Dr. Franklin, Samuel Chase, and Charles Carroll, were selected for the purpose. They left Philadelphia on the 20th of March, 1776, accompanied by Mr. John Carroll, a Koman Catholic clergyman (afterwards Archbishop of Baltimore), whose French education and religious profession it was hoped, frould give him influence with the priests in Canada, and thus, indirectly, gain the good will of the people. ]r>2 I>IFE OF FRANKIJX. The dreadful condition of the roads detained the commissioners so long on the way, that the American army was in full reti-eat from Quebec, followed by an enemy superior in numbers, before they reached Montreal. The truth is, the Canadians were not ready to enter upon the hazardous experiment which the other Colonies had engaged in ; and the commissioners foimd it useless to attempt to inspire them with the love of freedom, and a spirit of enterprise, which were foreign to the dispositions of most of them. Dr. Franklin reached home early in June, with health much impaired by fatigue and ex- posure. Before his departure for Canada, he liad withdrawn from the Assembly and Com- mittee of Safety, not knowing how long he should be absent, and deeming it improper to hold pnblic stations the duties of which he could not discharo^e. In his letter of resis-na- tion, he said ; " T am extremely sensible of the honor done me by my fellow-citizens, in choosing me their representative in Assembly, and of that lately conferred on me by the House, in appointing me one of the Commit- tee of Safety for this province, and a delegate in Congress. It would be a happiness to me. TOO OLD TO SE«IVI-. 153 if I could serve the public duly in all those stations ; but, aged as I now am, I feel myself unequal to so much business, and on that ac- count think it my duty to decline a part of it. 1 hope, therefore, that the House will be so good as to accept my excuse for not attending as a member of the present Assembly, and, if they think tit, give orders for the election of anotlier in my place, that the city may be more completely represented. I request, also, that the House would be pleased to dispense with my farther attendance as one of the Committee of Safety." On his return, there- fore, he was at liberty to give his undivided attention to the national counsels in Congress. He was chosen a member of one of the com- mittees, which assembled in June from the several counties of Pennsylvania, for the pur- pose of deliberating on the mode of summon- ing a convention to form a new constitution ; but the conference was short, and, if he attended at all, he took little part in the pro- ceedings. CHAPTEE THIRTEENTII. Ready for independence — A'irginia takes the first decided step — John Dickinson has his doubts — Arguments answered — The Declaration drawn up and signed — Anecdote told by Mr. Jefferson — " We must all luing together !" — King George pro- poses to pardon his rebel subjects — The two Ilowes come over as commissioners — Correspondence with Dr. Franklin — The game of chess — " They ought to kiss and be friends" — General Sullivan carries a message to Congress — One more attempt at negotiations, and then the game ends. MATTERS had now gone so far tliat a large majority of the American people were ready to declare themselves independent of tlie mother country, and the subject was brouo'ht before Cono-ress in due form. The Leo'islature of Yiro-inia havino^ instructed their delegates to propose it, Richard Henry Lee had the honor of doing it, and an animated debate followed, in which the views of the more prominent members were freely express- ed. "Wliile the larger number were found prepared tcttake a decided step without delay, some, who were equally patriotic, believed that the time had not yet come. Among the latter class was Joim Dickinson, a Marvlander DECLARATION OK INDi:Pi;XDKNCK. 155 by birth, but at this time a delegate from Pennsylvania. He had written and done so ninch to help forward the great struggle, that even his friends were astonished when he op- posed the declaration of independence, on the ground that compromise was still practicable, and that the people were not ripe for a final separation from Great Britain. Tliis rendered him so unpopnlar for a while, that he witli- drew from the public councils, and did not recover his seat in Congress until two years afterwards. He then returned, earnest and decided in the cause of independence. The arguments of the doubting members were so ably met by such men as John Adams, and Lee, and Franklin, that the Declaration was drawn up, and after three days' debate, passed on the fourth of July, 1776 ; from which time the United States became, in fact, an independ- ent nation. Mr. Jefferson (who is generally regarded as the authoi* of this famons document), relates a characteristic anecdote of Franklin connected with this subject. Being annoyed at tlie al- terations made in his draft, while it was under discussion, and at the censnres freely be'stowed upon parts of it, he began to fear it would be 156 LIFE OF FPANKLIN. dissected and mangled till a skeleton only wonld remain. '' I was sitting,'' lie observes, " bj Dr. Franklin, who perceived that 1 was not insensible to these mutilations. ' I have made it a rule,' said he, ' whenever in mj power, to avoid becoming the draftsman of papers to be reviewed b}' a pnblic body. I took my lesson from an incident which I will relate to yon. When I was a jonrneyman printer, one of my companions, an apprentice- hatter, having served ont his .time, was abont to open shop for liimself His iirst concern was to have a handsome sign-board, with a proper inscription. He composed it in these words, John Thompson^ Hatter^ mahes and sells Hats for rearhj money^ with a figure of a hat subjoined. But he thought he wonld sub- mit it to his friends for their amendments. The first he showed it to, thought the word hatter tautologous, because followed by the words makes hats^ which sliowed he was a hatter. It was struck out. The next observed, that the word makes might as Avell be omit- ted, because his customers would not care who made the hats; if good and to their mind, they would buy, by w^homsoever made. He struck it out. A third said he thought the ANECDOTE OF FKANKLIN. 157 ^Yordsfor ready money were useless, as it was not the eiistom of tlie place to sell on credit. Every one who purchased, expected to pay. They were parted witli ; and the inscription now stood, John Thompson sells hats. '* -6^^^/^ hats?" says his next friend; "why, nohody w^ill expect you to give them away. What then is the use of that word ?" It ^vas stricken out, and hats foHowed, the rather, as there was one painted on the hoard. So ]iis inscrip- tion was reduced ultimately to John Thoinp- son^ -with the figure of a hat suhjoined.' " There is also another anecdote related of Franklin, respecting an incident which took place wdien the members w^ere about to sign the declaration. " We must bo unanimous," said Hancock ; " there must be no pulling different ways ; \yq must all hang together." " Yes," replied Franklin, " we must, indeed, all liang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately." About two months before the declaration of independence, Congress had recommended that some changes should be made in the sys- tems of government of several of the Colonies, and delegates from the counties of Pennsylva- nia met together to form a new constitution, u 158 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. Dr. Franklin was chosen president, and al- thoiigli occasional!}^ absent, in order to attend to important business in the great national assembly, he continued to preside during the two months that the convention remained in session. It is not known what part he took in framing the constitution of Pennsylvania, but he certainly was not unobservant or inactive. King George had made a speech at the opening of Parliament, in which he spoke of sending out commissioners to America, with power to grant pardons, and to receive the submission of his repentant subjects. Poor, foolish man ! little did he imagine how thor- oughly the affections of the Colonies had been alienated from the mother country. This ap- pearance of mildness and a desire for peace, on tlie part of his majesty, was entirely con- cealed by Lord North's Prohibitory Bill^ for- bidding all trade and intercourse with the Colonies. While the main bod}^ of the American army under Washington was stationed at ]N"ew York, in the spring of 1776, General Howe arrived there with a large number of British troops from Halifax, and was soon afterwards joined by his brother, Lord Howe, the com- OPINION OF THE BRITISH MINISTRY. 159 inander of a powerful armament fresh from Europe. The two brothers were tlie commis- sioners appointed by the king. They forth- with caused the will of his gracious majesty to be made known throughout the Colonies, and Lord Howe wrote a private and friendly letter to Franklin, expressing great respect for his character, and an earnest desire that the un- happy differences between the two countries might be put to rest. It was answered by the doctor in a spirit not less friendly and respect- ful ; but, in regard to the public communica- tions, he said, he was sorry to find them of, such a nature, since "it must give his lordship pain to be sent so far on so hopeless a busi- ness." Aftei' some other remarks, touching the conduct and designs of the ministry, he added : " Long did I endeavor, with unfeigned and unwearied zeal, to preserve from breaking, that fine and noble china vase, the British empire ; for I knew, that being once broken, the separate parts could not retain even their share of the strength or value that existed in the whole, and that a perfect reunion of those parts could scarce ever be hoped for. Your lordship may possibly remember the tears of IGO LIFK OF FKANKLIN. joy tliat wet iny cheek, when at your good sister's in London, yon once gave me expecta- tions that a reconciliation miglit soon take place. I had the misfortune to find those ex- pectations disappointed, and to be treated as tlie cause oC tlie mischief I was laboring to prev^ent. My consolation, under that ground- less and malevolent treatment, was that I re- tained the friendship of many wise and good men in that country, and, among the rest, some share in the regard of Lord Howe." The reference in Dr. Franklin's letter to his ac- quaintance with Lord Howe's sister, calls for a few words of explanation. The American statesman and philosopher was a great admirer of chess, and among his writings, is a paper on '' The Morals of Chess," in which certain wise rules are laid down, v^'hich will answer as well for the game of life as for the game of chess. While Franklin remained in England, he was approached by various influential persons, with a view of drawing from him some feasi- ble plan by which the political disturbances of the times might be settled. His Avell- known skill in the game was made the excuse for introducinoj him to a certain lad v. The KISS AND BE FRIENDS. 161 lady proved to be a sister of Lord Howe, and Dr. Franklin, finding her of " very sensible conversation and pleasing behavior," agreed readily to renewed appointments to try her skill at chess, though at this time, he says, he " had not the least apprehension that any po- litical business could have any connection with this new acquaintance." At the second meeting with the lady, which occurred in December, 1774, she found a new avenue to the philosopher's good opinion, by conversing with him on a mathematical prob- lem. Then the conversation turned from mathematics to the Parliament just assembled. "What," said Mrs. Howe, "is to be done with this dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies ? I hope we are not to have civil war." "They ought to kiss and be friends," said the doctor ; " what can they do better ? Quar- relling can be of service to neither, but is ruin to both." " I have said," replied she, " that I wished government would employ you to settle the dispute for them — I am sure nobody could do it so well. Do not you think the thing is practicable ?" 14* 162 LIFE OP FKANKLIN. "Undoubtedly, madam, if the parties are disposed to reconciliation ; for the two coun- tries have really no clashing interests to differ about. It is rather a matter of punctilio, which two or three reasonable people might settle in half an hour. I thank you for the good opinion you are pleased to express of me, but the ministry will never think of employ- ing me in that good work ; they rather choose to abuse me." " Ay," said she, " they have behaved shame- fully to you — and, indeed, some of them are now ashamed of it themselves." Still, so much was Dr. Franklin in the habit of conversing, with different persons, about America and its affairs, he thought this but an incidental conversation. At the next interview, which was on Christ- mas evening, Mrs. Howe desired permission of him to send for her brother. Lord Howe, who, she stated, desired his acquaintance, adding that " he was just by." The doctor's eyes must, by this time, have been opened to these designed accidents, par- ticularly when, after a long conversation on American affairs. Lord Howe desired him to draw up some propositions, embodying the 163 terms on which he conceived a good under- standing between the countries might be ob- tained and established. These propositions, Lord Howe said, they might meet to consider either at his house, or at Franklin's, or where the doctor pleased. But as Franklin's visiting Lord Howe, or Lord Howe's visiting Franklin might, Lord Howe thought, occasion some speculation, it was concluded to be best to meet at his sister's, w^here there was a good pretence, with her family and friends, for his being often seen, as it was known they played together at chess. She " readily offered her house for that pur- pose." It is evident, from the circumstances, that such was the intention from the begin- ning. Ladies have often lent their houses for political purposes. None appear to have done it with better motives than the Hon. Mrs. Howe. Franklin has left this record of her, that he would have no secrets in a busi- ness of the nature of that in which he was engaged, which he would not confide in her prudence; for he "had never conceived a higher opinion of the discretion and excellent understanding of any woman on so short an acquaintance." And her residence was ac- 164: LIFE OF FRANKLIN. cordingly used as the place of conference while the consultations with Lord Howe con- tinued. The messages of Franklin and of Lord Howe, when written, passed through her hands, and when simply oral, were communi- cated by her. All these various interviews and arrange- ments proved fruitless in the end, and we have only said thus much concerning them, that our readers might understand why Lord Howe was disposed to be on such friendly terms with Dr. Franklin. General Sullivan having been taken pris- oner in the battle of Long Island, was carried on board Lord Howe's ship, and then set at liberty, on parole, bearing from his lordship an oral message to Congress, in which the de- sire was expressed that some of the members of that body might be appointed to hold a private interview with him. Dr. Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge were se- lected for the purpose. The interview took place accordingly, but nothing was accom- plished by it, and thus ended the labors of the commissioners, so far as his majesty's plan for receiving the acknowledgments of the rebels was concerned. CHAPTEK FOUKTEENTH. Proposing an alliance with France — Three commissioners ap- pointed — Dr. Franklin and his grandsons — Keception by the French — Takes lodgings at Passy — The venerable man — Honors paid to him — First interview of the commissioners with the French minister — Kindness in secret — Bolder meas- ures follow — England indignant — The old enemies at war — America neither to be dragooned nor bamboozled — Sharp points and blunt ones — Keception at court — Anecdotes — De- scription of Franklin by a German historian — " One Benny Franklin worth two kings !" THE American States being now an inde- pendent power, it was very proper that they should assume this character in relation to other governments. Moreover, as they greatly needed means for carrying on the war with Britain, and were able to offer a profita- ble commerce to those who would aid them with loans of money, they could hardly be con- sidered as begging for help, when an arrange- ment, thus mutually advantageous, was pro- posed. The subject was discussed in Congress, and three commissioners were appointed to proceed to France, and make an application of the kind we have mentioned. Dr. Frank- 166 LTFE OF FRA.NKLIN. lin, Silas Dean, and Arthur Lee were selected for this important mission. Franklin left Philadelphia on the 26th of October, 1YT6, accompanied by his two grand- sons, William Temple Franklin, and Benja- min Franklin Bache. Although the ship in which they sailed was sometimes chased by British cruisers, they reached ISTantes on the 7th of December, and having tarried a few days to recruit, they arrived at Paris on the 21st. Dr. Franklin's visit to France was quite unexpected, but it was generally supposed that he had come on. important public busi- ness, and the friends of American liberty greeted him with lively expressions of joy. The report of his arrival was soon circulated throughout Europe ; and there were few who did not know the name of the distinguished philosopher, or who had not read some pro- ductions of his pen. He soon removed from Paris to Passy, a pleasant village about three miles oif, and took lodo:inojs in a house ^ belono^ino^ to M. * A modern traveller remarks that " the hotel wliicli Dr. Franklin occupied during his mission at the court of Louis XVI., remains still in existence, although it has undergone FIRST LIGHTNING- ROD. 167 Leroy de Chaumont, a zealous friend to the American cause, and here he continued to reside until his linal departure from France. A French historian speaks of the distin- guished stranger in these glowing words : " By the effect which Franklin produced in France, one might say that he fulfilled his mission, not with a court, but with a free people. Diplomatic etiquette did not permit him often to hold interviews with the minis- ters, but he associated with the distinguished personages who directed public opinion. Men imagined they saw in him a sage of anticjuity, come back to give austere lessons and gener- ous examples to the moderns. They personi- many changes and alterations, since the day when, within its walls, our Minister to France pondered over the critical position of American affairs, and matured those wise plans which re- sulted in securing to America the alliance of the French, and in insuring and hastening her ultimate independence. The building is situated in Passy. " The first lightning-rod which was ever erected in France, and which was placed upon this house by Franklin himself, is still shown to visitors, and is very similar in appearance to those now in use. In a rear apartment of the building is preserved all the wood-work of Franklin's grand saloon. Doors, panels, and window frames in considerable numbers show that the sa- loon must have been of large dimensions, and the elaborate wood-carvings and the profusion of gilding indicate that it was sumptuously adorned." 168 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. iied in him the republic, of which he was the representative and the legislator. "They regarded his virtues as those of his countrymen, and even judged of their physi- ognomy by the imposing and serene traits of his own. Happy was he who could gain ad- mittance to see him in the house which he oc- cupied at Passy. This venerable old man, it was said, joined to the demeanor of Phocion the spirit of Socrates. Courtiers were struck with his native dignity, and discovered in him the profound statesman. Young officers, im- patient to signalize themselves in another hem- isphere, came to interrogate him respecting the military condition of the Americans ; and when he spoke to them with deep concern and a manly frankness of the recent defeats which ^ had put his country in jeopardy, this only ex- cited in them a more ardent desire to join and assist the republican soldiers. "After this picture, it would be useless to trace the history of Franklin's negotiations with the court of France. His virtues and his renown negotiated for him ; and before the second year of his mission had expired, no one conceived it possible to refuse fleets and an army to the compatriots of Franklin." COUNT DE VERGENNES. 169 Portraits of the American philosopher were everywhere to be seen, and vast numbers of medallions were sold, on which his head had been represented, as an ornament for snuff- boxes, or to be set in rings and bracelets. Congress had furnished the commissioners with the plan for a treaty of commerce, which they were to propose to the French govern- ment; and besides this they were to obtain from that court, at the expense of the United States, eight ships of war, ready for service, and to procure and forward military stores. On the 2Sth of December they were ad- mitted to an audience with the Count de Yer- gennes, the minister of foreign affairs ; and although the friendly relations then existing between France and England made it improp- er for him to say, in so many words, that the application of the rebellious Colonies should be granted, the reception was very gracious, and the assurances given most encouraging. We have not space to record all the steps which were taken before the French govern- ment came out decidedly as the ally of the United States. It is enough to say that France had resolved to help the Americans, and at fir§t large sums were secretly advanced 15 170 LIFE OF FK AN KLIN. for this purpose ; but after the capture of Bur- goyne's army, afiairs began to brighten, and on the 6th of February, 1778, a treaty of alli- ance was made with the new republic. We need not relate how much joy tidings of this event brought to those brave men who were fighting the battles of their country. Wash- ington appointed a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing amid all the discomforts of the army at Valley Forge. On the 20th of March, the American com- missioners were introduced to the king at Yersailles, and a French writer thus describes the -ceremony : " Dr. Franklin," he says, " was accompanied and followed by a great number of Americans, and individuals from various countries, whom curiosity had drawn together. His age, his venerable aspect, the simplicity of his dress, every thing fortunate and remarkable in the life of this American, contributed to excite public attention. The clapping of hands and other expressions of joy indicated that warmth of enthusiasm of which the French are more susceptible than any other people, and the charm of which is enhanced to the object of it by their politeness and agreeable manners. in After this audience, lie crossed the court on his way to the office of the minister of foreign affairs. The multitude waited for him in the l^assage, and greeted him with their acclama- tions. He met with a similar reception wher- ever he appeared in Paris." From tliat time both Franklin and the other American commissioners attended the court at Yersailles, on the same footing as the ambas- sadors of the European powers. Madame Campan says that, on these occasions, Frank- lin appeared in the dress of an American far- mer. " His straight, unpowdered hair, his round hat, his brown cloth coat, formed a sin- gular contrast with the laced and embroidered coats, and powdered and perfumed heads, of the courtiers of Yersailles." The rules of diplomatic etiquette did not permit the ambassadors of those sovereigns who had not recognized the independence of the United States to extend any official civili- ties to the ministers of the new republic. In private, however, they sought the acquaint- ance and society of Franklin, and among them were some of his most esteemed and intimate friends. An amusing incident, illus- trative of the reserve of the ambassadors in 172 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. their official character occurred to Dr. Frank- lin some time after he became minister pleni- potentiary. The son of the empress of Russia, under the title of Count du Nord, arrived in Paris. He sent round his cards to the several foreign ambassadors, with his name and that of the Prince Bariatinski, the Russian ambas- sador, written upon them. By some accident the messenger left one of these cards at Dr. Franklin's house. As this was the first in- stance of the kind, he knew not precisely in what manner the civility was to be returned. He inquired of an old minister at court, well versed in the rules of etiquette, who told him that all he had to do was to stop his carriage at the ambassador's door, and order his name to be written in the porter's book. This cere- mony he performed accordingly. "I thought no more of the matter," said he, " till the ser- vant who brought the card came in great affliction, saying he was like to be ruined, and wishing to obtain from me a paper of I know not what kind, for I did not see him. In the afternoon came my friend M. Le Roy, who is also a friend of the prince's, telling me how much he (the prince) was concerned at the accident ; that both himself and the count had THE TWO OLD ENEMIES AT WAR. 173 great personal regard for me and my charac- ter, but that our independence not yet being acknowledged by the court of Russia, it was impossible for him to permit himself to make me a visit as minister. I told M. Le Roy it was not my custom to seek such honors, though I was very sensible of them when con- ferred upon me ; that I should not have vol- untarily intruded a visit, and that, in this case, I had only done what I was informed the etiquette required of me ; but if it would be attended with any inconvenience to Prince Bariatinski, whom I much esteemed and re- spected, I thought the remedy was easy ; he had only to erase my name out of his book of visits received, and I would burn their card." Of course England was highly indignant that France should espouse the cause of the Colonies, and the result was that the two old enemies were soon at war again. Meanwhile, the British ministry being now seriously alarmed about the result of the American war, employed secret emissaries to sound Dr. Franklin as to the terms on which a reconciliation of the Colonies could be ef- fected. He, however, ridiculed the idea of any treaty with the mother country except on 15* 174 I,irE OF FRANKLIN. the basis of independence ; and exclaimed with warmth. "The Americans are neither to be dragoo7ied nor 'bamboozled out of their liberty !" The tone of his letters shows that he had got pretty much out of patience with King George and his cabinet. Thus, in writing to a friend, who had informed him that \hQ jpointed conductors which had been erected to protect the royal powder magazines, from lightning, had been exchanged by some Stubborn English philosopher, for blunt ones — out of a spirit of jealous opposition to him. he quietly remarks : " I have never entered into any controversy in defence of my philosophical opinions : I leave them to take their chance in the world. If they are rights truth and experience will sup- port them ; if wrong, they ought to be refuted and rejected. Disj)utes are apt to sour one's temjDer, and disturb one's quiet. I have no private interest in the reception of my inven- tions by the world, having never made, nor proposed to make, the least profit by any of them. The king's changing his pointed con- ductors for blunt ones is, therefore, a matter of small importance to me. If I had a wish about it, it would be that he had rejected AT THE FRENCH COURT. 175 them altogether as ineffectual. For it is only since he thought himself and family safe from the thunder of heaven, that he dared to use his own thuilder in destroying his innocent subjects."^ We close the chapter with a description of Dr. Franyin at the. French court, by a. Ger- man historian, Schlosser of Heidelberg. " Franklin's appearance in the Paris salons, even before he was presented at court or be- gan to negotiate, otherwise than through third parties, with the minister, was an event of great importance to the whole of Europe. Paris, at that time, set the fashion for the en- tire civilized world in Europe, and the admi- ration of Franklin, carried to a degree ap- proaching folly, produced a remarkable effect on the fashionable circles of Paris. His dress, the simplicity of his external appearance, the * An English epigram was published on Franklin, alluding to Sir Joseph Banks and the trick by which he made himself, with the influence of George III., president of the Eoyal Society. " While you, great George, for safety hunt. And sharp conductors change for blunt, The empire's out of joint: Franklin a wiser course pursues. And all your thunder fearless views, By keeping to the point." 170 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. friendly meekness of the old man, and the ap- parent humility of the Quaker, procured for Freedom a mass of votaries among the court circles who used to be alarmed at its coarse- ness and unsophisticated truths. ^' Franklin neither mistook himself nor the people with whom he had to deal. He knew mankind thoroughly, and was well aware how to use the Paris admiration of himself, and how to deal with the salons. In his private correspondence he describes the life in Paris and the intense worship which he received on all hands, in a comical, though masterly style. But as an American merchant, he took every advantage that a skilful dealer would derive from the fascination of his customers. If we compare the descriptions given by Lacratelle, Lafayette, Segur, and others, of the noise made by Franklin, with the private letters which he wrote himself from Passy to America, we shall see what miserable bunglers in diplomacy the most adroit of the Parisians were, when com- pared with the old printer. They were led by long practice in it as an art or science ; he fol- lowed nature and his own instincts, which were never wrong and were never exagger- ated. DR. FKANKLIn's autograph. 177 " Nevertheless, so long as the war in Amer- ica was not successful, he found that his nego- tiations made but slow and halting progress."* * Dr. Sprague, of Albany, who has collected a great number of autographs, made application, some time since, to a certain gentleman for that of Dr. Franklin. " Oh you have one al- ready," said the person referred to. " No matter," replied the determined collector. " I want it for exchange. One Benny Franklin in Europe is worth two kings ,'"' This is one of the happiest compliments ever paid to the Boston printer's boy. CHAPTEK FIFTEENTH. Philadelphia taken by the British — Franklin's honse robbed — Another source of troiible— William Franklin, the tory — Sketch of liis career — Obtuseness of feeling— Matter-of-fact letter on his mother's death — Dr. Franklin's distress at the course pursued by his son — Mention made of him in his will — Lessons in French — Applauding in the wrong place — " The spectators do not pay I" — Elkanah Watson's recollections of Franklin — French dinner-party — Franklin's portrait in high company — Playing on the armonica — Weighing the chances of war — Ecstasy of joy — Paris illuminated. OTHILE Dr. Franklin and his colleagues I f are attending to public business at Paris, some things are taking place in Amer- ica, in which he will feel some interest when he hears of them. Congress had continued to sit in Philadel- phia until the autumn of 1776, wlien the ap- proach of the enemy obliged them to retire to Baltimore. The British troops took possession of the city on the 26th of September, 1777, and tliey remained there until the 18th of June, in the following year.^ * Those ijitcrested in such things will find some curious in- formation about the occupation of Philadelphia by the British, in Watson's Annals, vol. ii., p. 287. LETTER FROM MRS. BA.CHE. 179 • Mrs. Bache, daughter of Dr. Franklin, oc- cupied his house when the enemy approached Phihidelphia. She left the city, and took refuge witli a friend in the country. After her return in July, she thus wrote to lier fa- ther. The reference to Andre, who afterwards played so conspicuous a part in the treasona- ble plots of Arnold, adds to the interest of the letter. '' I found your house and furniture upon my return tdtown, in much better order than I had any reason to expect from the hands of such a rapacious crew ; they stole and carried off with them some of your musi- cal instruments ; viz., a Welsh harp, ball harp, the set of tuned bells which were in a box, viol-de-gambs, all the spare armoiuca glasses, and one or two spare cases ; your armonica is safe. They took, likewise, the few books that were left behind, the chief of which were Temple's school-books, and the history of the arts and sciences in French, which is a great loss to the public ; some of your electric ap- paratus is missing also. A Captain Andre also took with him the picture of you which hung in the dining-room. The rest of the pictures are safe, and met with no damage, except the frame of Alfred, which is broke to 180 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. pieces ; in sliort, considering the hurry in whicli we were obh'ged to leave the town, Sul- ly's then situation, and the number of things we consequentl}^ left behind, we are much better off than I had any reason to expect." But Dr. Franklin had another source of trouble which weighed upon him much more heavily, than the mere loss of property. I refer to the course pursued by his son with reference to the quarrel between the Colonies and the mother country. It is hard to realize that any member of Dr. Franklin's family could have been a tory. William, his only son, was born in 1731. He was postmaster of Philadelphia for a short time, and served as clerk of the House of Rep- resentatives of Pennsylvania. He was also a captain in the French and Indian war, and fought bravely under Abercrombie, at Ticon- deroga. Towards the close of that war, he visited England with his father, and through the influence of the Earl of Bute and Lord Fairfax, he received the appointment of gov- ernor of New Jersey. William Franklin is the "Billy" so often spoken of in Mrs. Franklin's letters to her husband. He seems to have been a plain, LETTER FROM HIS SON. 181 honest, business-like sort of young man, but apparently somewhat obtuse in matters of feel- ing. The following account of his mother's funeral says little for his heart or his fancy. The hint that his father's non-arrival may have hastened her death, is evidently nothing but a piece of clumsy blundering. ''Hon'd Father: — I came here on Thurs- day last to attend the funeral of my poor old mother, who died the Monday noon preceding. Mr. Bache sent his clerk express to me on the occasion, who reached Amboy on Tuesday evening, and I set out early the next morning, ^ but the weather being very severe and snow- ing hard, I was not able to reach here till about four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, about half an hour before the corpse was to be moved for interment. Mr. Bache and I followed as chief mourners ; your old friend H. Roberts and several other of your friends were carriers, and a very respectable number of the inhabitants were at the funeral. I don't mention the particulars of her illness, as you will have a much fuller account from Mr. Bache than I am able to give. Her death was no more than might be reasonably expect- ed after the paralytic stroke she received some 16 182 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. time ago, whicli greatly affected her memory and understanding. She told me when I took leave of her on my removal to Amboy, that she never expected to see you unless you re- turned this winter, for that she was sure she should not live till next summer. I heartily wish you had happened to have come over in the fall, as I think her disappointment in that respect preyed a good deal on her spirits." When the difficulties between England and the Colonies were coming to a crisis, William Franklin threw his whole influence in favor of loyalty, and endeavored to prevent the legisla- tive assembly of 'New Jersey from sanctioning the proceedings of the General Congress at Philadelphia. The efforts, however, did but little to stay the tide of popular sentiment in favor of resistance to tyranny, and soon in- volved him in difficulty. He was deposed from oflice by tke whigs to give place to Wil- liam Livingston, and sent a prisoner to Con- necticut, where he remained about two years in East Windsor, in the house of Captain Ebenezer Grant, near where the Theological Seminary now stands. In 1778 he was ex- changed, and soon after went to England. There he spent the remainder of his life, re- FEELINGS TOWARDS HIS SON. 183 ceiving a pension from tlie British government for the losses he had sustained by his fidelity. He died in 1812, at the age of 82. *As might be expected, his opposition to the cause of liberty, so dear to the heart of his father, produced an estrangement between them. For years they had no intercourse. When, in 1784, the son wrote to his father, in his reply. Dr. Franklin says, "Nothing has ever hurt me so much, and affected me with such keen sensations, as to find myself desert- ed in my old age by my only son ; and not only deserted, but to find him taking up arms against me in a cause wherein my good fame, fortune, and all were at stake." In his will also, he alludes to the part his son acted. After making him some bequests, he adds : " The part he acted against me in the last war, which is of public notoriety, will account for my leaving him no more of an estate he en- deavored to deprive me of." The patriotism of the father stands forth all the brighter when contrasted with the desertion of the son. But to return from this digression. Franklin spoke French but indifferently, and his pronunciation was defective, although he couhl read it very welh He told John 184 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. Adams that he was wholly inattentive to the grammar. Madame Geoffrin, to whom, in his visit to France, in 1767 or 1769, he brought a letter from David Hume, reported that ^le could not initiate him into the language. Notwithstanding his advanced age when he established himself at Passy, he lived to make a great improvement in speaking French, and to enjoy it perfectly in the hearing. In the year 1779, he read a paper on the Aurora Borealis to the Koyal Academy of Sciences at Paris, in which he traced the phenomenon to electrical agencies. At times he would be led into amusing mis- apprehensions, through his difficulty in under- standing the language when uttered with rapidity. On one occasion, being present at a sitting of the Lyceum or the Academy during the delivery of a lecture, and not distinctly understanding the French that was spoken, he thought, in order not to be wanting in polite- ness, that every time he saw Madame de Bou- flers give signs of approbation, he w^ould ap- plaud ; but he afterwards found that without knowing it, he had applauded most vigorously those passages which had been complimentary to himself. ANECDOTE OF FRANKMN'. 185 We quote the following anecdote from the '• Literary Correspondence of Grim and Dide- rot," which we believe has never appeared out of its French dress before. It is dated, July, 1778. " Dr. Franklin speaks little, and at the beginning of his sojourn in Paris, when France still refused to declare herself openly in favor of the Colonies, he spoke still less. At a din- ner of literary men, one of the company in order to start the conversation, began by say- ing to him, ' It must be acknowledged, sir, that it is a great and superb spectacle that America offers to us to-day.' ' Yes,' modestly replied the Philadelphia doctor, ' hut the spec- tators do not pay. "^ " As we have devoted this chapter, thus far, to a variety of topics, serving as the smaller rivulets which meet together and help to form the main current of history, it will be best to conclude it in the same way. Some of the most interesting notices of Dr. Franklin's residence in France are found in the memoirs of Elkanah Watson, and we shall select a passage here and there. In 1779, we find him dining, by invitation, with M. Le Roy de Chaumont, in company with the 16* 186 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. American philosopher. "We entered a spa- cious room," says Mr. Watson, "I following the doctor, where several well-dressed persons (to my unsophisticated American eyes, gentle- men) bowed to us profoundly. These were servants. A folding-door opened at our ap- proach, and presented to my view a brilliant assembly, who all greeted the wise old man in the most cordial and affectionate manner. He introduced me as a young American, just ar- rived. One of the young ladies approached him with the familiarity of a daughter, tapped him kindly on the cheek, and called him ' Papa Franklin.' I w^as enraptured with the ease and freedom exhibited in the table intercourse in France. Instead of the cold ceremony and formal compliments to which I had been ac- customed on such occasions, here all appeared at ease, and well sustained. Some were amus- ing themselves with music ; others with sing- ing. Some were waltzing; and others gath- ered in little groups in conversation. At the table, the ladies and gentlemen were mino-led together, and joined in cheerful conversation, each selecting the delicacies of various courses, and drinking of delicious light wines, but with neither toasts nor lieulths. The lady of the EXTRACTS FROM WATSON's MEMOIRS. l87 house, instead of bearing the burden and in- convenience of superintending the duties of the table, here participates alike with others in its enjoyment. Ko gentlemen, I was told, would be tolerated in France in monopolizing the conversation of the table with discussions of politics or religion, as is frequently the case in America. A cup of coffee ordinarily ter- minates the dinner." Mr. Watson continues on another page : "In a gallery of paintings in the Louvre, I was much gratified in perceiving the portrait of Franklin, near those of the king and queen, placed there as a mark of distinguished respect, and, as was understood, in conformity with royal directions. Few foreigners have been presented to the court of St. Cloud who have acquired so much popularity as Dr. Franklin. I have seen the populace attend his carriage, in the manner they followed the king's. His venerable figure, the ease of his manners, formed in an intercourse of fifty years with the world, his benevolent countenance, and his fame as a philosopher, all tended to excite love, and to command influence and respect. He had attained, by the exercise of these qualities, a powerful interest in the feelings of the beau- 188 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. tiful queen of France. She held at that time a powerful political influence. The exercise of that influence, adroitly directed by Frank- lin, tended to produce the acknowledgment of our independence, and the subsequent efficient measures pursued by France in its support." The next extract, although somewhat longer, is too interesting to be omitted : " Soon after my return to Paris" (he is writ- ing in 1781), " I dined and spent the evening with the immortal Franklin. Arriving at an early hour, I discovered the philosopher in a distant room reading, in the exact posture in which he is represented by an admirable en- graving from his portrait ; his left arm resting upon the table, and his chin supported by the thumb of his right hand. His mingling in the most reflned and exalted society of both hemispheres had communicated to his manners a blandness and urbanity well sustained by his native grace and elegance of deportment. His venerable locks waving over his shoulders, and the dignity of his personal appearance, com- manded reverence and respect, and yet his manners were so pleasant and fascinating, that one felt at ease and unrestrained in his pres- ence. He inquired whether I knew he was a PERFORMING ON THE ARMONICA. 189 musician ; and he conducted me across the room to an instrument of his own invention, which he called the armonica. The music was produced by a peculiar combination of hemi- spherical glasses. At my solicitation, he played upon it, and performed some Scotch pastorales with great effect. The exhibition was truly striking and interesting : to contemplate an eminent statesman, in his seventy-sixth year, and the most distinguished philosopher of the age, performing a simple pastorale, on an in- strument of his own construction. The inter- est was not diminished by the fact that this philosopher, who was guiding the intellects of thousands ; that this statesman, an object of veneration in the metropolis of Europe, and who was influencing the destiny of nations, had been an untutored printer's boy in America. '' Our conversation during the evening was turned to the all-absorbing subject of the great combination of the French and American forces against Cornwallis. Our last informa- tion left the affairs in Virginia in a precarious and doubtful posture. De Grasse had entered the Chesapeake ; Washington and Kocham- beau had united their forces ; De Barras, with seven sail of the line, had left Khode Island to 190 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. join De Grasse. The Britisli fleet had sailed from 'New York with ten thousand troops to relieve Cornwallis, and it was reported that a reinforcement had departed from England for New York. Thus stood the general aspect of our intelligence, at a crisis which seemed to involve the existence of a young empire. We weighed probabilities, balanced possible vicis- situdes, dissected maps. We feared that the British fleet might intercept De Barras at the Capes of Virginia, and thus retrieve its supe- riority over De Grasse, attack, and overwhelm him, and, landing their army, defeat and break up the combinations of Washington. The phi- losophy and self-possession even of Franklin seemed almost to abandon him. The vibra- tions of hope and fear occupied his mind, and still I could perceive in him a deep conviction of a successful issue to the operations of Wash- ington. I left him at night in the company of Dr. Bancroft, an American, residing in Lon- don, but an ardent whig, and I returned to Paris, in deep despondency, sighing over the miseries of our bleeding country. " At dawn the next morning I was aroused by a thundering rap at my door. It brought me a circular from Dr. Franklin, struck oflf by NOTE FROM COUNT DE VERGENNES. 191 • a machine somewhat similar to the copying machines of the present day, and with what unspeakable thankfulness and thrilling inter- est I read its contents ! It was as follows : " ' Copy of a note from Count de Yergennes to Dr. Franklin, dated Yersailles, 19th IsTov., 1781—11 o'clock at night: " ' Sir : I cannot better express my grati- tude to you, for the news you often communi- cate to me, than by informing you that the Due de Lausan arrived this evening, with the agreeable news that the combined armies of France and America have forced Cornwallis to capitulate. The English garrison came out of Yorktown the 19th of October, with honors of war, and laid down their arms as prisoners. About six thousand troops, eighteen hundred sailors, twenty-two stand of colors, and one hundred and seventy pieces of cannon — seventy-five of which are brass — are the tro- phies which signalize this victory ; besides, a ship of fifty guns was burnt, also a frigate, and a great number of transports. " ' I have the honor, &c., '^ ' De Yergennes. " ' To his Excellency Dr. FpwAnklin.' 192 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. • " The next day I waited on Dr. Franklin, together with many American and French gentlemen, to offer our united congratulations. He appeared in an ecstasy of joy, observing, ' There is no parallel in history of two entire armies being captured from the same enemy in any one war.' " The delight and the rejoicings of all classes of the people were excessive. Paris was illu- minated for three successive nights. On my return to Nantes, along the banks of the Loire, I found all thcj cities in a blaze of illumina tion, and Nantes in the midst of it on my ar- rival." CHAPTER SIXTEE:N'TH. Thoughtful arrangement to prevent Captain Cook's vessel from being disturbed— Less about Lafayette than his goodness merits — Correspondence upon the presentation of a sword — Another character, and quite a different one — "The Age of Keason" — Franlilin's noble letter to Paine— Publication of the miserable work — Paine becomes an object of abhorrence to all good men — His death, as described by an eye-witness — An additional antidote for the poison — '* I would give worlds, had the 'Age ofEeason' never been published!" — Twofold warnings. ALTHOUGH Dr. Franklin had been so busy with public affairs, his interest in scientific pursuits had not abated, and he was always ready to promote whatever could be useful to mankind. When Captain Cook's vessel was about to return from a voyage of discovery, he ad- dressed a circular letter to the commanders of American cruisers, in his character of minister plenipotentiary, requesting them to allow the famous English seaman to pass unmolested, and to treat him and his crew with civility and kindness. The British government did not forget this 17 194 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. act of magnanimity, but when Cook's voyage was published, a handsome copy was sent to Dr. Franklin, by the Board of Admiralty, with the approbation of the king. In all that we have said, thus far, in regard to the relations between France and the United States, the name of the good and the gallant Lafayette has scarcely been mentioned. This silence has not been owing to any want of appreciation of his merits, and of his claim to the gratitude of those whose liberties he helped to gain, but because our narrative is necessarily a brief one, and circumstances which would call us aside from its chief design are seldom introduced. Lafayette joined our Revolutionary army in 1Y7T, and with his purse, sword, and political influence with the French court, he rendered most important services. In the autumn of the following year, when he obtained leaTe of absence, and returned to his native land, Con- gress, in connection with the resolution for granting him a furlough, also resolved : " That the minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the court of Yersailles be directed to cause an elegant sword, with proper devices, to be made, and presented, in LAFAYETTE'S SWOED. 195 the name of the United States to Lafayette.*" In accordance with this resolution, Dr. Frank- lin procured the sword, and sent it to the marquis, with the following complimentary letter. Passy, 24th August, 1779. Stk : The Congress, sensible of your merit towards the United States, but unable ade- quately to reward it, determined to present you with a sword as a small mark of their grateful acknowledgment. They directed it to be ornamented with suitable devices. Some of the principal actions of the war, in which you distinguished yourself by your bravery and conduct, are, therefore, represented upon it. These, with a few emblematic figures, all admirably well executed, make its principal value. By the help of the exquisite artists France affords, I find it easy to express every thing but the sense we have of your worth, and our obligations to you. For this, figures, and even words, are found insufficient. I therefore only add, that, with the most per- fect esteem, I have the honor to be, &c., B. Franklin. P. S. My grandson goes to Havre with the 196 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. sword, and will have the honor of presenting it to you. The marquis in reply, after acknowledging the presentation of the sword, said : " In some of the devices I cannot help find- ing too honorable a reward for those slight services which, in concert with my fellow-sol- diers, and under the god-like American hero's orders, I had the good luck to render. The sio:ht of these actions, where I was a Avitness of American bravery and patriotic spirit, I shall ever enjoy with that pleasure which be- comes a heart glowing with love for the na- tion, and the most ardent zeal for their glory and happiness. Assurances of gratitude, which I beg leave to present to your excel- lency, are much too inadequate to express my feelings, and nothing but those sentiments may properly acknowledge your kindness towards me. The polite manner in which Mr. Franklin was pleased to deliver that estimable sword, lays me under great obligations to him, and demands my particular thanks. With the most perfect respect, I have the honor to be, &c., " La Fayette." LETTER TO THOMAS PAINE. 197 We have now another character to intro- duce, and we are disposed to beg pardon of the good marquis, for placing l^s name in the same chapter even, with a person so odious as Thomas Paine. 'This miserable man, it must be acknowl- edged, deserves some credit for those stirring pamphlets which he wrote, rousing the minds of the outraged Colonists to assert their rights ; but the United States afterwards paid him well for all that he had done. When tlie war was over, and he needed some other excitement to occupy his restless spirit, his vanity prompted him to publish a work against the Christian religion. Before committing it to the press, he submitted the manuscript to Franklin for his insjDcction and opinion, and received the following reply. It was written about the year 1788, while the doctor was yet in Paris. Dear Sir : I have read your manuscript with some at- tention. By the argument it contains against a particular Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike at the foundations of all religion. For without the 17* 198 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. belief of a Providence, that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favor particu- lar persons, tljere is no motive to worship a Deity, to fear His displeasure, or to pray for His protection. I will not enter into any dis- cussion of your principles, though you seem*to desire it. At j)resent I shall only give you my opinion, that, though your reasonings are subtile, and may prevail with some readers, you will not succeed so as to change the gen- eral sentiments of mankind on that subject, and the consequence of printing this piece will be a great deal of odium drawn upon your- self, mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits against the wind, spits in hig own face. But were you to succeed, do you im- agine any good would be done by it? You yourself may find it easy to live a virtuous life, without the assistance afforded by reli- gion ; you having a clear perception of the advantages of virtue, and the disadvantages ot vice, and possessing, a strength of resolution sufficient to enable you to resist common temptations. But think how great a portion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women, and of inexperienced, inconsider- ate youth of both sexes, who have need of the 199 motives of religion to restrain them from vice, to support their virtue, and retain them in the practice of it till it becomes habitual^ which is the great point for its security. And per- haps yon are indebted to her originally, that is, to your religious education, for the habits of virtne upon which you now justly value yourself. You might easily display your ex- cellent talents of reasoning upon a less hazard- ous subject, and thereby obtain a rank with our most distinguished authors. For among us it is not necessary, as among the Hotten- tots, that a youth, to be raised into the com- pany of men, should prove his manhood by beating his mother. I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person ; whereby you will save yourself a great deal of mortification by the enemies it may raise against you, and perhaps a good deal of regret and repentance. If men are so wicked with religion^ what would they be if without it. I intend this letter itself as a proof of my friendship, and, therefore, add no professions to it ; but subscribe simply yours, B. Fkankltn. 200 LIFE OF FEANKLIN. Happy would it have been for Paine had he heeded this kindly warning. But he preferred to follow his own inclinations, and the wretch- ed publication was given to the world. This mad assault upon Christianity was followed by a letter to General Washington, heaping abuse on his spotless name. After this, Paine was despised and avoided by all, and soon abandoned himself to hard drink, and became too disgusting an object to look upon. He died on the 8tli of June, 1809, but not until he had experienced the fearful horrors of remorse. "During my residence in the city of New York," says Bishop Eastburn, of Massachu- setts, " one of my parishioners was the phy- sician who attended, in his last illness, the famous Thomas Paine. And I had it from the lips of that person, that this noted blas- phemer, not many hours before his departure, and while in the full possession of liis mental faculties, was overheard by him calling repeat- edly for help on tliat very Lord Jesus Christ, whom it had. been the object of all his pre- vious life to hold up to scorn and execration. His end was the veiy consummation of fear and foreboding." The following impressive statement is taken DEA.TH-BED OF PAINE. 201 from the Presbyterian. It gives the testimo- ny of another eye-witness. "There is now in Philadelphia a lady who saw Paine on his dying bed. Her intelligence and high char- acter entitle her statement to the most implicit credence. She informs us that Paine's physi- cian also attended Ifer father's family in the city of IS^ew York, where in her youth she resided, and that on one occasion while at their house, he proposed to her to accompany him to the infidel's dwelling, which, she did. It was a miserable hovel, in what was then Paisin-street. She had often seen Paine be- fore, a drunken profligate, wandering about the streets, from whom the children fled in terror. On entering the room where he lay, she found him stretched on his miserable bed, clad in a flannel shirt, with a red cap drawn over his head. His visage was lean and hag- gard, and wore the expression of great agony. He expressed himself without reserve as to his fears of death, and repeatedly called on the name of Jesus, begging for mercy. The scene was impressive and appalling, and was en- graven so deeply on her mind that nothing could obliterate it. The statement of the physician, which afterwards appeared in print, 202 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. entirely corresj)onds with what she saw and heard. We have, therefore, the testimony of two credible witnesses, that the wretched man who had spent his life in reviling the Christian religion, and poisoning the minds of his fellow- creatures with his infidel sentiments, renounced them in his dying hour,«and called upon that Saviour whom he had despised, to save him from the terrible retribution which he felt was about to follow his infamous life. Conscience had already begun the work, which he had but too good reason to fear would be continued after death by the worm that never dies. However much Paine's followers may applaud his writings, his dying hours refute them all." As so much mischief has been done by Paine's " Age of Reason," it can hardly be considered time wasted, to furnish an antidote for the poison. We therefore add another piece of information, derived from a trustwor- thy source. " A few weeks since," writes the correspondent of a leading journal, " a fact in the- life of Thomas Paine reminded me, most forcibly, of the importance of having all our actions good and useful. It occurred just after the publication of his ' Age of Reason.' " My uncle, J. B., then a youth of nineteen THE "age of reason." 203 years, was predisposed to skepticism, and had for a long time desired to read Paine's works. Having been to Sing Sing, 'N. Y., on business, the innkeeper, as he was about to return, observed to him that there was a gentleman who wished to get a ride; and if he would carry him, he would speak to him. Mr. K. inquired "who he was. The innkeeper replied, ' It is Mr. Tliomas Paine, recently returned from England.' This highly pleased Mr. K., for he had long desired an interview with him. Mr. Paine took his seat by his side, and they rode away. Their conversation immediately turned upon his recently published theological works. Mr. K. having cherished a hope that the claims of the Bible might be proved null and void, began to congratulate him on the anticipated success of the ' Age of Reason.' Paine inquired after its popularity, wishing to know how it was received, w^hat his neighbors thought of it, &c., and drew out of him all he felt disposed to say. After satisfying himself with these inquiries, he took a long breath, and made, subsequently, the following reply : ' Well, sir, I am sorry that that work ever went to press. I wrote it more for my own amusement and to see what I could do than 204 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. any design of benefiting the world. / would give worlds^ said lie, with great emphasis, ' had I. them at my command^ had the "Age of Reason" never heen published! No, sir, I regret the publication of that work exceeding- ly. It can never do the world any good, and its sarcastic style will, doubtless, lead thou- sands to esteem lightly the only boolrof correct morals that has ever blessed the world. I would advise you,' continued Paine, turning his eye to meet Mr. K.'s, 'not to read that work.' At this, Mr. K. said he ' was perfectly surprised.' He knew not what to say. ' What !' thouglit he, ' tlie author of a book so notorious, repudiating all faith in his own work ! What confidence can he expect others to have in it, if he has none himself? If Paine himself can- not rely on his writings, how shall other men dare to trust themselves in the belief of them ? If the " As^e of Peason" will not answer for its author, it will not answer for me, or for any other person in the world.' Mr. K. took up with Paine's advice, ' not to read that work,' for he felt no concern to pore over three or four hundred pages, simply to fill his mind with an acknowledged lie, and from that time his tendencies to skepticism left him." TWO FEARFUL WARNINGS. 206 I have seen boys get together in the evening after a clay's labor, and sit and tell stories. One relates a wonderful exploit, and another is reminded of an achievement, and another has a heroic deed to tell of, and so they go round, each one vieing with the other in at- tempts to tell the biggest story. This must have been the real heart of Paine when he sat down and took his pen to traduce and belie the sacred volume. He felt like making out a good story, which he in his heart did not believe. Notice, then, two fearful warnings : 1. All those who read and believe Tom Paine's " Age of Reason," are more credulous* than the noted author himself, for he had no confidence in his own story. 2. An iniidel may begin his suffering in this world for the publication of his wicked docs trines. What a regret fills the poor man's mind! " I would give worlds, had I them at my command, if the ' Age of Reason' had never been published!" Oh! you who are tempted to reject. the record God gave of his Son, beware ! 18 CHAPTER SEYEjSTTEENTH. Some leading events briefly noted — Dr. Franklin requests to be recalled home — After waiting three years longer, the peti- tion is granted— Bidding farewell to France— Meets with friends at Southampton — Landing at Philadelphia amidst the ringing of bells, and other demonstrations of joy — Action of the General Assembly— Chosen President of Pennsylvania — "I am got into my niclie, after being kept out of it twenty- four years" — A delegate to a most important convention — Franklin's speech in defence of daily prayers — " God governs in the atfairs of men" — Signing the Constitution— The sua behind the president's chair. W E must briefly note tlie leading events connected with Dr. Franklin's negotia- tions abroad, and then follow him once more to Philadelphia. The British ministry having failed in tlieir efforts to bring about a reconciliation with the Colonies, afterwards attempted to separate America from France, and to excite a jealousy between tlie two countries ; but all these plans were defeated by the firmness and prudence of the American commmissioners. When the treaty was made w^th France, of which we have spoken before, Dr. Franklin DEPARTURE FOR AMERICA. 207 was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of that country ; and towards the end of the war, he w^as named one of the commis- sioners for negotiating the peace with England. At the close of this important business (No- vember, 1782), he requested to be recalled, after fifty years spent in the service of his country. This petition was not granted until 1785. Daring the interval, he negotiated two treaties, one with Sweden, and another with Prussia. When Franklin seriously entered upon his pre'parations for returning to America, many who revered and loved him, began to express their sincere regrets. One after another they took their leave of him, while the principal personages of the court testified their respect and ojood wishes. " I have learned with much concern," said Count de Yergennes, " of your retiring, and x)f your approaching departm-e for America. You cannot doubt that the regrets which you will leave \vill be propor- tionate to the consideration you so justly en- joy. I can assure you, sir, that the esteem the king entertains for you does not leave you any thing to wish, and that his majesty will learn with real satisfaction, that your fellow- 208 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. citizens have rewarded, in a manner worthy of you, the important services that yon have ren- dered them. I beg, sir, that you will pre- serve for me a share in your remembrance, and never doubt the sincerity of the interest I take in your happiness." The Marquis de Castris, minister of marine, wrote to him : '' I was not apprised, until within a few hours, of the arrangements you have made for your de- parture. Had I been informed of it sooner, I should have proposed to the king to order a frigate to convey you to your own country, in such a manner as would mark the considera- tion whicli you have acquired by your distin- guished services in France, and the particular esteem whicli his majesty entertains for you." His bodily infirmities were such that he could not bear the motion of a carriage. He left Passy on the 12th of July, in the queen's lit^ter, which had been kindly offered to him for his journey to Havre de Grace. This vehicle was borne by Spanish mules, and he was able to travel in it without pain or fa- tigue. He slept the first night at St. Germain. Some of his friends accompanied him. On the journey he passed one night at the chateau of the Cardinal de la Rochefoucauld, and an- ARRIVES AT PHILADELPHIA. 209 other in the house of Mr. Holker, at Rouen ; and he received civilities and complimentary visits from many of the inhabitants at differ- ent places. The sixth day after leaving Passy he arrived at Havre de Grace. From that port he passed over in a packet- boat to Southampton. Here he was met by Bishop Shipley and his family, as we related in chapter eleventh. Here also he found his son William, whom he had not seen for more than nine years, and whose course in regard to politics, meanwhile, had occasioned his father much distress. Dr. Franklin sailed from Southampton on the 2Tth of July, and landed at Pliiladelphia on the 14th of September, having suffered less inconvenience during the voyage than he anticipated. He was greeted by a large con- course of his fellow-citizens, at Market-street wharf, who followed him with acclamations to his own door, while the ringing of bells and tiring of cannon testified to the general joy that was felt at his safe return. As soon as his arrival was known, letters of congratulation came from all quarters ; Gen- eral Washino;ton beino; amono^ the first to wel- come him. The Assembly of Pennsylvania 18* 210 LIFE OF FKANKLIN. was then in session, and the day after he landed, an address was presented to him by that body, in which they congratulate him, in the most cordial manner, on his safe return. '' We are confident," they observe, " that we speak the sentiments of this whole country, when we say, that your services, in the public councils and negotiations, have not only mer- ited the thanks of the present generation, but will be recorded in the pages of history to your immortal honor ; and it is particularly pleasing to us, that while we are sitting as members of the Assembly of Pennsylvania, we have the happiness of welcoming into the State a person who was so greatly instrumental in forming its. "free constitution." This was followed by a similar address from the Amer- ican Philosophical Society, and the Faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. To all of them he returned brief and appropriate an- swers. Having reached the advanced age of eighty- one, Dr. Franklin might reasonably have sup- posed that his public life was at an end ; but he had only been at home, a few days, when he was elected a member of the Supreme Ex- ecutive Council of Pennsylvania, and, when IN THE MIDST OF HIS FAMILY. 211 the Assembly met in October, lie was chosen president of the State, an office answering that of governor in the other States. He was re- elected to the same office for three successive 3^ears, and so completely did he discharge its duties, that he wonld undoubtedly have been continued in the same honorable position, had not the terms of the existing constitution pre- vented. He was apparently at ease in his private circumstances, and happy in his domestic re- lations. He occupied himself for some time in finishino^ a house which had been beo:un many years before, and in which he fitted up a spacious apartment fo/ hi? library. In writ- ing to a friend, he said : "I am surrounded by my offspring, ?« dutiful and affectionate daugh- ter in my house, with six grandchildren, the eldest of whom you have geen, who is now at college in the next street, finishing the learned part of hiii education ; the others promising, both for parts and good dispositions. What their conduct may be, when they grow up and enter the important scenes of life, T shall not live to see^ and I cannot foresee. I therefore enjoy among them the present hour, and leave the future to Providence." \ 212 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. Again, to another correspondent he wrote : " I am got into my niche^ after being kept out of it twenty-four years by foreign employ- ments. It is a very good house, that I built so long ago to retire into, without being able till now to enjoy it. I am again surrounded by my friends, with a fine family of grand- children about my knees, and an affectionate, good daughter and son-in-law to take care of me. And after fifty years' public service, I have the pleasure to find the esteem of my country with regard to me undiminished." Much of his time w^as devoted to the society of those around him, and of the numerous visitors whom curiosity and respect prompted to seek his acquaintance. His attachments to the many intimate friends he had left in Eu- rope were likewise preserved by a regular and affectionate correspondence, in which are manifested the same steadiness of feeling and enlarged benevolence, the same playfulness and charm of style that are conspicuous in the compositions of his earlier years. Dr. Franklin was elected one of the dele- gates from Pennsylvania to the convention for forming the Constitution of the United States, which met at Philadelphia in May, 1787. DAILY PRAYERS. • 213 The session lasted four months; but he at- tended most faithfully to the important busi- ness before that body, besides discharging his duties as president of the State. One of his speeches is worthy of being printed in letters of gold. The convention had been in session four or five weeks, and very little progress had been made in their w^ork, on account of differences and disagreements, w^hen Franklin rose in his place, and introduced a motion for daily prayer. "]^o one," remarks Bishop Potter of Pennsylvania, ''will accuse him of superstition or of an undue regard for the supernatural. All will admit that few men ever surpassed him as a shrewd observer of life and of human affairs, or as a profound inquirer after the causes and principles that lie at the bottom of great events."* Listen to his language : " In the beginning of the contest with Brit- ain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the divine pro- tection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. 'AH of us * Philadelphia Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity, p. 143. ^ 214 • LIFE OF FRANKLIN. who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintend- ing Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establish- ing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend, or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an em- pire can rise without His aid ? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that, ' ex- cept the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel ;. we shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests ; our projects will be confounded, and we our- selves shall become a reproach and a by-word down to ftiture ages; and, what is worse, man- kind may hereafter, from this unfortunate in- stance, despair of establishing government by human ^isdom, and leave it to chance, war, A RISING SUN. 215 and conquest. I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers, imploring the assist- ance of Heaven and its blessing on our delib- erations, be held in this Assembly every morn- ing before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be re- quested to officiate in that service." At the close of this most important conven- tion, as the members on the last day of the session were signing the Constitution, Dr. Franklin, looking towards the president's chair, at the back of which a sun was painted, observed to those persons next to him : "I have often and often, in the course of the ses- sion, and the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that sun be- hind the president, without being able to tell whether it was^rising or setting. At length I have the happiness to know it is a rising and not a setting sun."* May the God of our fathers grant that no angry and portentous clouds may darken our political horizon, and that the sun of this re- public may never more go down. * " The Madison Papers," vol. iii., p. 1624. CHAPTER EIGHTEE:N"TH. Franklin's -writings easily identified — The germs of ideas now triumphant — " Words spoken in season" — Copper coinage — A good suggestion — The Franklin copper — The Order of the Cincinnati, and its hereditary honors — "Washington quiets a storm — Ascending and descending honors — Ribbons and medals — The bald eagle which looked like a turkey — A bird of courage — The dead fly restored to life — Franklin's wish — Wonders he might have seen. rpHERE is sucli pith and point in all of Dr. X Franklin's writings, that his name need hardly be appended to them in order that they may be identified. It is fortunate that this ie the case, as he took very little pains to secure credit to himself in this way. He seems to have valued the pen — as he did time, money, and experience — for its direct tendency to ex- tend knowledge, comfort, and utility. "If we glance at the subjects and occasions of his tracts, letters, reports, pamphlets, and essays," remarks Mr. Tuckerman, " we shall find they embrace the whole circle of questions import- ant to his country and his age, — morals, the economy of life, commerce, finance, history, and politics. We find in them the germs of 217 ideas now triiimpliant ; of principles, throngh his advocacy, in* no small degree, since em- bodied in action, and bronglit to grand prac- tical results. A parable wins men to tolera- tion ; a maxim guides them to frugality ; a comprehensive argument initiates the plan of that federal union which has proved the key- stone of our national prosperity ; the farmer or the mariner, consulting ' Poor Richard's Almanac' to learn the fluctuation of weather or tide, finds, beside these chronicles of Na- ture's mysteries, advice which puts him un- consciously on the track of provident habits, temperance, and contentment; the patriot in the field is cheered by the wisdom of the judge in council ; the shipwright, the liorti- culturist, the printer, the lowly aspirant for self-improvement, as well as the statesman and the philosopher, find wisdom and encour- agement from his ' words spoken in season ;' in the prudent household his name is asso- ciated with the invaluable heating apparatus that saves their fuel and increases the genial warmth of the evening fireside ; in the discon- solate crisis of war his foreign diplomacy and judicious hints warm the heart of valor with the prescience of success ; in the land of his 19 218 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. country's enemies, his clear statement of griev- ances, and his intrepid rcpl'oof of injustice, conciliate the nobler spirits there, and vindi- cate the leaders at home ; the encroachments of savage tribes are checl^^d, the policy of colonial rule softened, the comforts of domes- tic life enhanced, the resources of the mind elicited, and, in a word, the basis of national prosperity laid on the eternal foundation of popular enlightenment, self-reliance, and fore- siglit, by the oracles of the American philoso- pher thus casually uttered and incidentally proclaimed." The matter-of-fact and useful turn of Dr. Franklin's mind is shown in a letter addressed to Edward Bridgen, with reference to a cop- per coinage for the United States : Passy, 2d October, 1779. Dear Sir : I received your favor of the 17th past, and the two samples of copper are since come to hand. The metal seems to be very good, and the price reasonable ; but I have not yet received the orders necessary to justify my making the purchase proposed. There has indeed been an intenliuii to strike copper coin, COPPER COINAGE. 219 that maj not only be useful as small change, but serve other purposes. Instead of repeat- ing continually ujDon every halfpenny the dull story that everybody knows — and v^hat it would have been no loss to mankind if no- body had ever known — that George the Third is king of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, &c., &c., to put on one side some important proverb of Solomon, some pious moral, pru- dential, or economical precept, the frequent inculcation of ^vhich, by seeing it every time one receives a piece of money, might make an impression upon the mind, especially of young persons, and tend to regulate the conduct ; such as, on some. The fear of the Lord is the heginning of wisdom ; on others, Honesty is the hest policy )' on others, lie that hy the plough would thrive^ himself iinust either hold or drive I on others, Keejj thy shop^ and thy shop will keep thee / on others, A penny saved is a penny got ; on others, He that huys what he has no need of will soon he forced to sell his necessaries ; on others, Early to led, and early to rise, will make a m.an healthy^ wealthy, and wise; and so on, to a great variety. The other side it was proposed to fill with 220 LIFE OF FEANKLm. good designs, drawn and engraved by the best artists in France, of all the different species of barbarity with wdiich the English have car- ried on the war in America, expressing every abominable circumstance of their cruelty and inhumanity that figures can express, to make an impression on the minds of posterity as strong and durable as that on the copper. This resolution has been a long time forborne ; but the late burning of defenceless towns in Connecticut, on the flimsy pretence that the people fired from behind their houses, when it is known to have been premeditated and or- dered from England, give the finishing provo- cation, and may occasion a vast demand for your metal. I thank you for your kind wishes respecting my health. I return them most cordially fourfold into your own bosom. Adieu. B. Franklin. A coin was issued from the United States mint in 1787, called the " Fugio, or Franklin copper," because of the pithy advice in the legend, " Mind your business," which sounds like the philosoj^her, and which tradition has generally ascribed to him. We give a draw- ing of this copper here. ORDER OF THE CINCINNATI. 221 Dr. Franklin's republican simplicity was manifested in his opposition to the Order of the Cincinnati, established by the officers of the Revolutionary army, in 1783, to perpetuate their friendship, and to raise a fund for reliev- ing the widows and orphans of those who had fallen durin^c the war. The honors of the society were designed to be hereditary in the eldest male line of the original members, and it was to this feature 'of its constitution that most objection was made. By the advice of Gen. Washington, the first president of the order, the hereditary principle was abandoned, and th'us a menacing storm was silenced.^ Before giving Franklin's Avitty and sarcastic communication on the subject, it should be mentioned that the badge of the society is a * Soino inlcresting details in regard to tlie Order of the Cin- cinnati, are contained in Kapp's '• Life of Baron Steuben," p. 55S, etc. 19* 222 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. bald eagle, suspended by a blue ribbon edged witli white, emblematic of the union of France and America. In a letter from France, to his daughter, Mrs. Bache, written in 1784:, Franklin thus speaks of the Order of the Cincinnati : " My opinion of the institution cannot be of much importance ; I only wonder that, wdien the united wisdom of our nation, had, in the articles of confederation, manifested their dis- like of establishing ranks of nobility, by au- thority either of Congress, or of any particu- lar State, a number of private persons should think proper to distinguish themselves and their posterity, from their fellow-citizens, and form an order of hereditary knights^ in direct opposition to the solenmly declared sense of their country ! I iniagine it must be likewise contrary to the good sense of most of those drawn into it by the persuasion of its project- ors, wdio have been too much struck with the ribbons and crosses they have seen hanging to the button-holes of foreign officers. And I suppose those who disapprove of it have not hitherto given it much opposition, from a principle somewhat like that of your good mother, relating to punctilious persons, who HONOR AMONG THE CHINESE. 223 are always exacting little observances of re- spect; that, if jpeojple can he pleased with small matters^ it is a pity that they should not have thim. In this view, perhaps, I should not myself, if my advice had been asked, have objected to their wearing their ribbon and badge themselves according to their fancy, though I certainly should to the" entailing it as an honor on their posterity. For honor, wor- thily obtained (as that, for example, of our officers), is in its nature a personal thing, and incommunicable to any but those who had some share in obtaining it. Thus, among the Chinese, the most ancient, and from long ex- perience the wisest of nations, honor does not descend^ but ascends. If a man from his learn- ing, his wisdom, or his valor, is promoted by the emperor to the rank of mandarin, his parents are immediately entitled to all the ceremonies of respect from the people, that are established as due to the mandarin him- self; on the supposition that it must have been owing to the educa^tion, instruction, and good example afforded him by his parents, that he was rendered capable' of sowing the public. "The ascending honor is therefore useful to 224 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. the State, as it encoin-ages parents to give their children a good and virtuous education. But tlie descending hono7\ to a posterity who could have no share in obtaining it, is not only groundless and absurd, but often hurtful to that posterity, since it is apt to make them proud, disdaining to be employed in useful arts, and thence falling into poverty, and all the meannesses, servility, and wretchedness attend- ing it ; which is the present case of much of what is called the noblesse in Europe. Or if, to keep np the dignity of the family, estates were entailed entire on the eldest male heir, another pest to industry and improvement of the coun- try is introduced, wdiich will be followed by all the odious mixture of pride and beggary and idleness, that have half depopulated and decultivated Spain ; occasioning continual ex- tinction of families by the discourao-ements of marriage, and neglect in the improvement of estates. I wish, therefore, that the Cincinnati, if they must go on with their project, would direct the badges of their order to be worn by their fathers and mothers, instead of handing them do^tn to their children. It would be a good precedent, and might have good effects. It would also be a kind of obedience to the THE BALD EAGLE. 225 fourth commandment, in wliicli God enjoins us to honor our father and mother, but has no- where directed us to honor our children. And certainly no mode of honoring those immediate authors of our being can be more effectual, than that of doing praiseworthy actions, which reflect honor on those who gave us our educa- tion ; or more becoming, than that of manifest- ing, by some public expression or token, that it is to their instruction and example we ascribe the merit of those actions The gentleman who made the voyage to France to' provide the ribbons and medals, has executed his commission. To me they seem tolerably done ; but all such things are criticised. Some find fault with the Latin, as wjinting classical elegance and correctness ; and, since our nine universities were not able to furnish better Latin, it was a pity, they say, that the mottoes had not been in English. Oth- ers object to the title, as not properly assuma- ble by any but General Washington, and a few others, who served without pay. Others ob- ject to the hold eagle^ as looking too much like 2^dindon or turkey. For my own part, I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the rep- resentative of our country; he is a bird of bad 226 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. moral character; lie does not get his living honestly ; you may have seen him perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the fishing- hawk, and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to his nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him, and takes it from him. With all this injustice he is never in good case ; but, like thosQ, among men who live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor, and often very lousy. Besides, ho is a rank coward ; the little Mnghird^ not bigger than a sparrow, attacks him boldly, and drives him out of the district. He is, therefore, by no means, a j)roper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America, who have driven all the Ytnghirds from our country ; though exactly fit for that order of knights, which the French call, chevaliers cPindustrie. I am, on this account, not displeased that the figure is not knowm as a bald eagle, but looks more likQ a turkey. For in truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal, a true original native of America. Eagles have been found in all countries, but the turkey was peculiar to ours. He is, be- PKOGKESS OF SCIENCK. 227 sides (thongli a little vain and silly, it is true, but not the worst emblem for that), a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, who should presume to invade his farmyard with a red coat on." It happened once at a dinner-party, at which Franklin was present, that upon the opening of a bottle of wine which had long been sealed up, a dead fly was poured out. The host laid it in the sunshine, where it soon became dry and warm, and, after a while, revived so much as to be able to move its w4ngs. The doctor observed on seeing it, that he should be glad to awake after sleeping in his grave for a hundred years or more, that he might witness the progress which science had made since his departure from the earth. And what wonders he would behold, could his desire have been granted. "Had he lived a little more than another fifty years, he would have seen the mode of popular education ini- tiated by the Spectator, expanded into the elaborate Review, the brilliant Magazine, the Household Words, and Scientific Journals of the present day ; the rude hand-press, upon which he arranged the miniature 'copy' of 228 LIFE OF FKAiNKLIN. the New England Couvant^ transformed into electrotjped cylinders worked by steam, and throwing off thirty thousand printed sheets an hour ; the thin ahnanac, with its proverbs and calendar grown to a plethoric volume, rich in astronomical lore and the statistics of a conti- nent ; the vessel dependent on the caprice of the winds and an imperfect science qf naviga- tion, self-impelled with a pre-calculated rate of speed, and by the most authentic charts ; and the subtle fluid, that his prescience caught up and directed safely by a metal rod, sent along leagues of wire, the silent and instant messenger of the world ! With what keen interest would he have followed Davy with his safety-lamp, into the treacherous mine ; accompanied Fulton in his first steam-voyage up the Hudson ; watched Daguerre as he made his sun-pictures ; seen the vineyards along the Ohio attest his prophetic advocacy of the Rhenish grape-<^ulture ; heard Miller discourse of the ' Old Red Sandstone ;' Morse explain the telegraph, or Maury the tidal laws ! Chem- istry, almost born since his day, would open a ncAV and wonderful realm to his consciousness; the ' Cosmos' of Humboldt would draw his en- tranced gaze down every vista of natural INTRODUCES BHOOM-CORN. 229 science, as if to reveal at a glance a programme of all the great and beautiful secrets of the universe; and the reckless enterprise and mad extravagance of his prosperous country, would elicit more emphatic warnings than Poor Richard breathed of old." * * Tuckerman's "Biographical Essays," p. 473. "It is said that Dr. Franklin first introduced broom-corn into our country ; he chanced to see a corn whisk in the possession of a lady, and while examining it as a novelty, he spied a grain of it still at- tached to the stalk. This he took and planted." — Dr. Wm. Darlington, the eminent botanist of Westchester, Pa., in his " Agricultural Botany." 20 CHAPTER NINETEENTH. Protest against duelling^— Franklin's services for his country and mankind — Plis respect for true religion — False charges refuted— Letter to Dr. Johnson — Recognition of God's provi- dence — Consolations in affliction — "These are Thy doings, Lord !" — The swarm of bees — A test subscription — Not blink- ing a troublesome question — Dr. Priestley's influence discov- ered — President Stiles' catechism — Doubts on a most impor- tant point — More light promised. IN the " Life of General Washington," in this series, his opinion in regard to duelling is given, as a protest against those who now countenance this bloodthirsty and barbarous practice. Dr. Franklin's language is scarcely less strong and decided. " It is astonishing," he says, " that the mur- derous practice of duelling should continue so long in vogue. Formerly, when duels were used to determine lawsuits, from an opinion that Providence would in every instance favor truth and right with victory, they were excu- sable. At present, they decide nothing. How can such miserable sinners as we are entertain so much pride, as to conceit that every offence CHRIST CllUIiCII, PHILADELPHIA. Front Chap. 19. FRANKLIN AND WASHINGTON. 231. • against our imagined honor, merits death! These petty princes, •in their own. opinion, w^oold call that sovereign a tyrant, who should put one of them to death for a little uncivil language, though pointed at his sacred person ; yet every one of them makes himself judge in ttis own cause, condemns the offender witliout a jury, and undertakes himself to be the executioner."* Franklin was not only the great moralist of ^nte-revolutionary society, but he w^as the re- claimer ofthat society to the spirit of religious forbearance which might have been expected to grow out of the circumstances of its plant- ing here, but which, rather, was smothered in the birth. He was the projector of the union of these States. He and Washington worked out the problem of independence and confed- eration. Without morals, religion, Christiani- ty, — the grand climax of the social bond, — this Republic could not have risen. Notwith- standing the many evidences which Dr. Frank- lin gave through life of his respect for true religion, efforts have often been made to drag him down into the mire of infidelity, and to * Dr. Franklin's writings, vol. x., p. 107. 232 LIFE OF FKANKLIN. throw his influence on the side of evil. In Parton>"Life of Aarf>n Burr," for example, he alludes euphemistically to the latter, " com- ing in contact with the skepticism that was then the rage in Europe, and which had cap- tivated the Jeffersons an^ Franklins of Amer- ica" [p. 64]. Now, this charge, so far as Franklin is concerned, is simply false. Of all the leaders among men, no two can be found, out of the ranks of the clergy, whose lives and writings show such constant dependence oji Divine Providence, such warmth of gratitude for God's mercies and blessings, and such un- affected inculcation of religious principle as the basis of society, as the lives and writings of Franklin and Washington. These men were " giants," and they did not fall into the skepticism of their times, and this is significant both of the greatness of their characters, and of the depth of their religious principles. The writer had marked many passages in Franklin's works, which prove the truth of this position, but he is sorry to be obliged to omit the larger portion of them for want of space. In writing to Dr. Johnson, the first president of Columbia College, in 1750, he remarks : " I think that talents for the educa- LETTER TO HTS SISTER. 233 tion of yoiitli are the gift of God ; and that he on whom they are bestowed, whenever a way is opened for the nse of them, is as strongly called as if he heard a voice from Heaven ; nothing more siirely pointing ont duty in pub- lic service, than ability and opportunity of performing it." • Two years later, he thus writes to his sister, Mrs. Jane Mecom, who was mourning over the loss of a child : "I am pleased to "find that, in your troubles, you do not overlook the mercies of God, and that you consider as such the children that are still spared to you. This is a right temper of mind, and must be ac- ceptable to tftat beneficent Being, who is in various ways continually 'showering down His blessings upon many that receiv^e them as things of course, and feel no grateful senti- ments arising in their hearts on the enjoyment of them." In 1755, he remarks in another letter: "Thanks to God, I never was in better health. I still relish all the pleasures of life that a temperate man can in reason desire, and through favor I have them all in niy j)ower. This happy condition shall continue as long as God pleases, who know^s what is best for His 20* 234 LITE OF FRANKLIN. creatures, and I hope will enable me to bear with patience and dutiful submission any change He may think fit to make, that is less agreeable." The next year, on the death of his brother John, he thus condoles with a member of the afflicted family. " We hsrv^e lost a most dear and valuable relation. But it is the will of God and nature, that those mortal bodies be laid aside, when the soul is to enter into real life. This is rather an embryo state, a prepa- ration for living. A man is not completely born until he is dead. Why, then, should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their hap- py society." The influences of the fashionable skepticism, which would have proved so dangerous to a person of weaker judgment, made no change in Dr. Franklin's religious opinions, and he was ready to ascribe the glory to God for the happy settlement of the affairs of his beloved country. In a letter to Josiah Quincy, dated Passy, Sept. 11th, 1783, he observes : " Considerikg all our mistakes and mismanagements, it is wonderful we have finished our affairs so well, ANECDOTE OF THE BEES. 235 and so soon. Indeed, I am wrong in using that expression, ' we have finished our affairs so well.' Our blunders have been many, and they serve to manifest the hand of Providence more clearly in our favor; so that we nfay muc^ more properly say, * These are Thy do- ings, O Lord, and they are marvellous in our eyes.' " In early life, Franklin had composed a little book of prayers, which he was in the habit of using in his devotions, and we mentioned in a former chapter, the good example he set in still attending public worship, at a very ad- vanced age. He was, for a while, one of the vestry of Christ Church, Philadelphia,* and at all times ready to contribute his full share towards the erection of churches, and for other * An anecdote is related, which is in perfect keeping with Dr. Franklin's character for sagacity. The project of the erec- tion of another church edifice in the city of Philadelphia, was- under discussion, and there were some members of the vestry who conscientiously opposed it, in the fear that the division of the congregation would too much weaken the old church. But Franklin defended the new enterprise, and to show that no per- manent diminution, but rather a solid increase was to be ex- pected from'the measure, quoted the habit of the bees, of swarming, " by which," he said, " the comfort and prosperity of the old hive was increased, and a new and flourishing colony established, to keep the parent stock in countenance." 236 LIFE OF FRANKLTK. religious objects. Among his dearest friends lie numbered Whitefield and Bishop Shipley. Strange society, indeed, for an irreligious man, atS some would persuade us that he was. t)n the 21st of June, 1776, a test subscrip- tion was prepared, to be signed by members of the Pennsylvania Convention who had as- sembled to frame a constitution, and which read as follows : "I, , do profess faith in God the Fa- ther, and in Jesus Christ His Eternal Son, the true God, and in the Holy Spirit, one God, blessed for evermore ; aid do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and J^ew Testament to be given by Divine Inspira- tion." This was not only signed by Franklin, but drawn up for the signature of members at a preliminary conference, of which he was one, and, indeed, the first on the list. It encoun- tered much opposition, outside, and some ob- loquy: yet it does not appear that he or others faltered, but rather the contrary. As it is by no means our object to make out a case, but to record nothing but 'the truth, we must say in all frankness, that it is much to be regretted that the great philosopher did franklin's religious opinions. 237 not bestow more attention on the evidences of Cliristiaiiity, as he would thns have been saved from some perplexities and doubts. We are not disposed to blink the question at all, that such perplexities and doubts did sometimes disturb his mind. His intimacy with Dr. Priestley,^ the eminent champion of Unitarianism, will account for this, in no small degree. In 1790, when Dr. Franklin was eighty-four years of age, President Stiles,f of Yale Col- * Joseph Priestley was born near Leeds, in England, in 1733, his parents being rigid Calvinists. lie was a young man of promise, whose judgment revolted at the system of religion which had been taught him, and he adopted Unitarian views, soon afterwards coming out as a preacher. He became ac- quainted with Franklin, in London, about 1766, and their sym- pathy in scientific studies made them warm friends. It will be needless to give Dr. Priestley's history in detail. Of his abili- ties there can be no question. Franklin would, however, have been saved from some perplexing doubts, had he heard less of the unsound doctrine of the Unitarian divine. + Soon after Franklin had made his first experiments in elec- tricity, he sent an electrical apparatus to Yale College, where Mr. Stiles was then a tutor. The young man entered at once with great zeal npon the new field of philosophical investiga- tion, and performed the earliest electrical experiments ever made in N ew England. In 1778, Dr. Stiles was chosen pres- ident of the college. Many years before this (1755), he had pronounced a Latin oration in honor of Dr. Franklin, on oc- casion of his visiting New Haven, and tlieir friendship was 238 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. lege, wrote to him, making particular inquiries about his religious opinions. It is true, they had long been acquainted with each other, but there never could have been much con- geniality between the good-humored philoso- pher and the stern, unbending Puritan. Dr. Franklin returned a polite answer to the president's catechism, but there appears to be a little dry sarcasm under the garb of very simple language when he remarks, that it was the first time in his life that he had ever been questioned about his religious opinions before. He then goes on to declare his belief in the unity and moral government of God, and the paramount " system of morals and religion" of " Jesus of Nazareth," as the " best the world ever saw, or is likely to see," and concludes by saying that he had entertained some doubts of the Saviour's Divinity. "This is a ques- tion," remarks the doctor, " I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an oppoi'tunity of knowing the truth with less trouble." This was only five weeks before the sum- uninterrupted only by death. (See " Sprague's Annals," vol. i., p. 471.) franklin's religious opinions. 239 mons came, for which lie had so long and so anxiously waited. In the account which will in due time be given of his last hours, we think it will be seen that Dr. Franklin looked to the Saviour of sinners for help, and to Him only. CHAPTEE TWENTIETH. No offices of profit — Dr. Franklin carries out his principles — Eetirement from public life — A scene in the domestic circle — Painful sickness — Farewell letter to President Washington — Patience in suffering— Eepeats Dr. Watts' hymns— Prepar- ing to depart — Picture of the crucifixion — Looking unto Jesus — Falls asleep— Account of the funeral — Plain tombstone — Act of kindness for poor mechanics — Honors paid to Frank- lin after death— Items from the parish register of Christ Church, Philadelphia — Conclusion. DR. FUAKELIN had long entertained the opinion that in a democratic form of gov- ernment there ought to be no offices of profit. It gave him such pleasure to serve his coun- try, that he could hardly imagine a true-born son of the republic less unselfish than himself. As a proof of his zeal in the cause of indepen- dence, it should be mentioned that before leav- ing home in 1776, on his uncertain embassy to France, such confidence did he feel as to the result of the contest with England, that he placed almost four thousand pounds, which was all the money he could command, as a loan at the disposal of Congress. The salary which he received as president of Pennsyl- 241 vania, he appropriated to some object of gen- eral utility ; and, taking the fifty years of his public life together, the amount of compensa- tion was not enough to cover his actual ex- penses. His third and last year's service as presi- dent of Pennsylvania expired in October, 1788, after which he held no ofiice, although he* was often consulted about public measures. We have a pleasant picture of him as he appeared in domestic life, by a distinguished scholar, who spent an evening at his house in 1787: " Dr. Franklin lives in Market-street. His house stands up a court, at some distance from the street. We found him in his garden, sit- ting upon a grass-plot, under a very large mulberry- tree, with several other gentlemen, and two or three ladies. When Mr. Gerry in- troduced me, he rose from his chair, took me by the hand, expressed his joy at seeing me, welcomed me to the city, and begged me to seat myself close to him. His voice was low, but his countenance open, frank, and pleasing. I delivered to him my letters. After he had read them, he took me again by the hand, and, with the usual compliments, introduced me to 21 242 LIFE OF FKANKLIN. the other gentlemen, who are most of them members of the convention. '' Here we entered tnto a free conversation, and spent our time most agreeably, nntil it was quite dark. The tea-table was spread under the tree, and Mrs. Bache, who is the only daughter of the doctor, and lives with him, served it out to the company. She had three of her children about her. They seemed to be excessively fond of their grandpapa. The doctor showed me a curiosity he had just received, and with which he was much pleased. It was a snake with two heads, preserved in a large vial. It was taken near the confluence of the Schuylkill with the Delaware, about four miles from this city. It was about ten inches long, well proportioned, the heads per- fect, and united to the body about one-fourth of an inch below the extremities of the jaws. The snake was of a dark brown, approaching to black, and the back beautifully speckled with white. The belly was rather checkered with a reddish color and white. The doctor supposed it to be full grown, which I think is probable; and he thinks it must be a sui generis of that class of animals. He grounds his opinion of its not being an extraordinary SECEECT IN THE CONVENTION. 243 production, but a distinct genus, on the per- fect form of the snake, tlie probability of its being of some age, and there having been found a snake entirely similar — of which the doctor has a drawing, which he showed us — near Lake Champlain, in the time of the late war. He mentioned the situation of this snake, if it was travelling among bushes, and one head should choose to go on one side of the stem of a bush, and the other head should prefer the other side, and neither of the heads would consent to come back, or give way to the other. He was then going to mention a humorous matter that had that day occurred in the convention, in consequence of his com- paring the snake to America ; for he seemed to forget that every thing in the convention was to be kept a profound secret. But the secrecy of convention matters w^as suggested to him, which stopped him, and .deprived me of the story he was going to tell. After it was dark, we went into the house, and he in- vited me into his library, which is likewise his study. It is a very large chamber, and high studded. The walls are covered with book- shelves, filled with books ; besides, there are four large alcoves, extending two-thirds the 244 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. length of the chamber, filled in the same man- ner. I presunTe this is the largest and by far the best private library in America. He showed us a glass machine for exhibiting the circulation of the blood in the arteries and veins of the human body. The circulation is exhibited by the passing of a red fluid from a reservoir into numerous capillary tubes of glass, ramified in every direction, and then returning in similar tubes to the reservoir, which was done with great velocity, without any power to act visibly upon the fluid, and had the appearance of perpetual motion. "Another great curiosit}^ was a rolling-press for taking the copies of letters or any other writing. A sheet of paper is completely copied in less than two minutes — the copy as fair as the original, and without defacing it in the smallest degree. It is an invention of his own, extremely useful in many situations of life. He also showed us his long, artificial arm and hand for taking down and putting up books on high shelves which are out of reach ; and his great arm-chair, with rockers, and a large fan placed over it, with which he fans himself, keeps off the flies, &c., while he sits reading, with only a small motion of the 245 foot; and many other curiosities and inven- tions, all his own, but of less note. Over his mantel he has a prodigious number of medals, busts, and casts in wax or plaster of Paris, which are the effigies of the most noted char- acters in Europe. " But what the doctor wished principally to show me was a huge volume on botany, which indeed afforded me the greatest pleasure of any thing in his library. It was a single volume, but. so iarge that it was with great difficulty that he was able to raise it from a low shelf and lift it on the table. But" w^th that senile ambition which is common to old people, he insisted on doing it himself, and would permit no person to assist him, merely to sliow us how much strength he had remain-, ing. It contained the whole of Linnseus's* " Systema* Yegetabilium," wdth large cuts of every plant, colored from nature. It was a feast to me, and the doctor seemed to enjoy it as well as myself. We spent a couple of hours in examining this volume, while the other gentlemen amused themselves with other matters. The doctor is not a botanist, but lamented he did not in early life attend to this science. He delights in Natural History, and 21* 246 LIFE OF FRANK r.IN. expressed an earnest wisli tliat I sliould pnrsne the plan that I had begun, and hoped this sci- ence, so much neglected in America, would be pursued with as much ardor here as it is now in every part of Europe. I wanted for three months at least to have devoted myself en- tirely to this one volume ; but fearing lest I should be tedious to him, I shut up the vol- ume, though he urged me to examine it longer. He seemed extremely fond, through the course of the visit, of dwelling on philosophical sub- jects, and particularly that of Natural History, while the other gentlemen were swallowed up with politics. This was a 'favorable circum- stance for me ; for almost the whole of his con- versation w^as addressed to me, and I was highly delighted with the extensive knowl- ' edge he appeared to have of every subject, the brightness of his memory,' and clearness and vivacity of all his mental faculties, not- withstanding his age. His manners are per- fectly easy, and every thing about him seems to diffuse an unrestrained freedom and happi- ness. He has an incessant vein of humor, ac- companied with an uncommon vivacity, which seems as natural and involuntary as his breath- ing. He urged me to call on him again, but LETTER TO PRESIDEJJX WASHINGTON. 247 my short stay would not admit. We took our leave at ten, and I retired to my lodgings." Dr. Franklin had now been an invalid for several years, and often suffered acute bodily pain. He refers to his health in a letter to President Washington,* written on the 16th of September, 1789 : " My malady renders my sitting up to write rather painful to me; but I cannot let my son-in-law, Mr. Bache, depart for 'New York without congraAlating you by him on the recovery of your health, so precious to us all, and on the growing strength of our new gov- ernment under your administration. " For my own personal ease, I should have died two years ago ; but, though those years have been spent in excruciating pain, I am pleased that I have lived them, since they have brought me to see our present situation. I am now finishing my eighty-fourth year, and probably with it my career in this life; but, in whatever state of existence I am placed * "My fine crab-tree walking-stick, with a gold head curi- ously wrought in the form of the cap of liberty, I give to my friend, and the friend of mankind, General Washington. If it were a sceptre, he has merited it, and would become it." — D?'. Franklin's Will, 24S LTFK OF FKANKLTN. hereafter, if I retain^ any memory of what has passed here, I shall with 'it retain the esteem, respect, and affection, with which I have long been, my dear friend, yonrs most sincerely." Although Dr. Franklin continued to suffer extremely from disease, there was no decided change in his condition until early in April, 1790, when he was attacked with a fever, and a pain in the breast. Sick and feeble as he was, the intervals of quiet T)etween the vio- lent paroxysms of pain were spent in read- ing, and in cheerful conversation with his friends. , Occasionally, when a groan escaped him, he would meekly observe that he w^as afraid he did not bear his sufferings as he ought, fre- quently expressing his grateful sense of obliga- tion to God for His unnumbered mercies. A friend came in one day, and found him in great agony ; when this had abated somewhat, he desired her to read to him. The first book she saw was Johnson's " Lives of the Poets," and turning to the sketch of Dr. Watts, who was a favorite witli the sick man, she read it aloud, supposing that it would lull him to sleep. Instead of this, it roused him to a dis- ANECDOTE OF FRANKLIN. 249 play of the powers of memory and reason, and lie repeated several of Watts' hymns with great feeling.* Dr. Franklin continued to speak of his ap- proaching departure, not only with composure, but with cheerfulness, and when his daughter expressed the wish that he might yet recover, and live many^ years longer, he calmly replied, " I hope not." The following interesting particulars were obtained from Dr. Helmuth of the German Church, Pliiladelphia. Hearing that this learned and pious divine possessed a valuable •anecdote of Dr. Franklin, I immediately wait- ed on him. ''Yes, sir," said he, " I have indeed a valuable anecdote of Dr. Franklin, which I would tell you with great pleasure ; but as I do not speak English very well, I wish you would call on David Ritter, at the sign of the * It is worth recording here, that in 1782, a friend sent Dr. Franklin a copy of Cowper's Poems, a book, in some respects, quite in harmony with the "Lyric Poems" of Watts. The present was highly appreciated, and he replied, " The relish for reading poetry had long since left me ; but there is something so new in the manner, so easy, and yet so correct in the lan- guage, so clear in the expression, yet concise, and so just in the sentiments, that I have read the whole with great pleasure, and some of the pieces more than once." — Sparks, vol, ix., p. 221. 250 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. ' Golden Lamb,' in Front-street, lie will tell it to yon better." I hastened to Mr. Hitter, and told him my errand. He seemed mightily pleased at it, and said, " Yes, I will tell you all I know of it. You must understand then, sir, first of all, that I always had a prodigious opinion of Dr. Franklin, as the usefulest man we ever had among ns, by a long way ; and so, hearing that he was sick, I thought I would go and see him. As I rapped at the door, who should come and open it but old Sarah Hum- phries. I was right glad to see her, for I had known her for a long time. She was of the people called Friends ; and a good sort of a body she w^as too. The great people set a heap of store by her, for she was famous throughout the town for nursing and tending on the sick. Indeed, many of them, I believe, thought they could not sicken and die right, if they had not old Sarah Humphries with them. Soon as she saw me, she said, ' Well, David, how dost V " ' Oh, much after the old sort, Sarah,' said I; 'but that's neither here nor there; I am come to see Dr. Franklin.' " ' Well, then,' said she, ' thou art too late, for he \sjust dead P DEATH OF FKANKLIN. 251 " ^ A-lack-a-day,' said I, ' then a great man is gone.' " 'Yes, indeed,' said she, 'and a good one too ; for it seemed as though he never thought the day went away if he had not done some- body a service. However, David,' said she, ' he is ngt the worse off for all that now, where he has gone to ; but come, as thee came to see Benjamin Franklin, thee shall see him yet.' And so she took me into his room. As we entered she pointed to him, where he lay on his bed, and said, '-There^ did thee ever see any thing look so natural ?' "And he did look natural, indeed. His eyes were closed. But that you saw he did not breathe, you would have thought he was in a sweet sleep, he looked so calm and happy. Observing that his face was fixed right towards the chimney, I cast my eyes that way, and be- hold ! just above the mantel -piece was a noble picture. Oh, it was a nolle jpicture^ sure enough ! it was the picture of our Saviour on the cross. " I could not help calling out, ' Bless us all, Sarah !' said I ; ' what's all this V i ' What dost mean, David ?' said she, quite crusty. 252 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. " 'Why, how came this picture hero, Sarah?' said I ; ' you know that many people think he was not after this sort.' " 'Yes,' said she, 'I know that too. But thee knows that many who make a great fuss about religion have very little, while some who say but little about it have a good deal.' " ' That's sometimes the case, I fear, Sarah,' said I. " ' Well, and that was the case,' said she, 'with Benjamin Franklin. But, be that as it may, David, since thee asks me about this great picture', I'll tell thee how it came here. Many weekg ago, as he lay, he beckoned me to him, and told me of this picture up-stairs, and besrsred I would brino^ it to him. I brous^ht it to him. His face brightened up as he look- ed at it, and he said, " Ay, Sarah, there's a picture worth looking at ! that's the picture of Plim w^ho came into the w^orld to teach men to love one another !" Then after looking at it wistfully for some time, he said, " Sarah, set this picture up over the mantel-piece, right before me as I lie, for I like to look at it ;" and when I fixed it up, he looked at it, and looked at it very much ; and indeed, as thou seest, he died with his eyes fixed on it !' " 253 On Saturdq^, the 17th of xipril, 1790, about eleven o'clock at night, Dr. Franklin quietly breathed his last, closing a long and useful life of eiglity-four years and three months. The funeral took place on the afternoon of the fol- lowing Wednesday ; an account of which we copy from the Federal Gazette^ published the next day : " The following was the order of procession, yesterday, at the funeral of our late learned and illustrious citizen. Dr. Franklin. "All the clergy of the city, including the ministers of the Hebrew congregations, before the corpse. " The corpse, carried by citizens ; the pall supported by the president of ,the State, the chief-justice, president of the bank, Samuel Powell, William Bingham, and David Ritten- house, Esqrs. "Mourners, consisting of the family of the deceased, with a number of particular friends. " The secretary and members of the Supreme Executive Councils* "The speaker and members of the General Assembly. " Judges of the Supreme Court and other officers of government. 22 254: LIFI-: OF FllASllL]^. "The gentlemen of the bar. "■ The mayor and corporation of the city of Philadelphia. "The printers of the city, with their jour- neymen and apprentices. "The Philosophical Society. " The College of Physicians. " The Cincinnati. " The College of Philadelphia. " And sundry other societies, together with a numerous and respectable body of citizens. "The concourse of spectators was greater than ever was known on a like occasion. It is computed that not less than 20,000 persons attended and witnessed the funeral. The order and silence which prevailed, during the procession, deeply evinced the'*heartfelt sense entertained by all classes of citizens, of the un- paralleled virtues, talents, and services of the deceased." On the day of the funeral the flags of the shipping in port were at half-mast, and the public demonstrations of respect for the mem- ory of the deceased were general. A long panegyric on the virtues of Franklin was pub- lished in the Federal Gazette on the day of the fiinerab The conclusion of it was as follows ; BENEVOLENCE OF FRANKLIN. 255 " Then Pennsylvania ! every tribute^pay ; Erect the sculptured marble o'er his clay : Thus youth at equal praise may boldly aim, And catch at Franklin's tomb Worth's hallow'd flame." Franklin had directed, in his will, that a plain stone, six feet by four, should be placed over his and his wife's grave, with the follow- ing inscription, which is yet to be seen mark- ing the spot. BENJAMIN AND ).FKANKLIN. DEBOKAH 1790. (•■ Instead of spending his money foolishly in a costly monument, he left a handsome sum the interest of which was to be loaned to poor young men just starting in business as me- chanics, in Boston and Philadelphia. This evid^ce of his kindness yet remains. As Dr. Franklin's name has been frequently mentioned in this memoir in connection with Christ Church, Philadelphia, the reader will be glad to peruse these items, collected from the Parish Register, by the venerable Dr. Dorr, the present rector. ,. " It would appear from the records that he was a pew-holder there, from about the time of his marriage, in 1730, to the period of his decease, in 1790 ; that isf for sixty years. "250 LIFE OF FKANKLIN. The records sliow the baptism of two of his children, Francis Folger, Sept. 16th, 1T33, and Sarah, Oct. 2Tth, 1713 ; also the marriage of his daughter Sarah to Richard Bache, Oct. 29th, 1T6T. "His son Francis was buried in Christ Church ground, l^ov., 1736 ; his wife, Dec. 22d, 1771; himself, April 21st, 1790 ; his daughter, Mrs. Bache, Oct. 7th, 1808 ; and her husband, Richard Bache, July 30th, 1811. These all lie by the side of each other. • " In 1739, a subscription paper was drawn up, for raising funds to finish the new church and Dr. Franklin's name appears on the sub scription list. He also subscribed, in 1751. towards building a steeple and purchasing a chime of bells. • " In 1752, and again in 1753, he was ap- pointed by vestry one of thirteen managers of a lottery, to raise twelve hundred pounds, for finishing the steeple and paying for the bells. " The pew in Christ Church, which he held at the time of his death, he had rented for thirty years, at least, and probably much longer. It was afterwards held by his children, Mr. and Mrs. Bache. It is now pew No. 25, on the north side of the 'fniddle aisle." EULOGY BY MIRABEAU. 257 £/ongress was in session in 'New York at the time of Franklin's death. On receipt of the intelligence, a resolution was passed that the members should wear the customary badge of mourning one month, as a mark of the venera- tion due to the memory of a citizen " whose native genius was not more an ornament to human nature than his various exertions of it have been to science, to freedom, and to his country." When the decease of the philosopher and statesman was known in France, it was an- nounced in the National Assembly by M. Mi- rabeau, the elder, who proposed, after a burst of eulogy full of the spirit of the age and the enthusiasm of a Frenchman, that the Assembly should wear mourning for three days, to " par- ticipate in the homage rendered in the face of the universe to the rights of man, and to the philosopher who had so eminently propagated the conquest of them throughout the world." The proposition was seconded by Kochefou- cauld and Lafayette, and adopted by acclama- tion. It was also resolved that the address of Mirabeau should be printed, and that a letter of condolence should be addressed to the Congress of the United States. This duty 22* 258 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. was performed by the President of the Assem- bly : and upon the receipt of the letter, Con- gress, by resolution, desired President Wash- ington to " communicate to the IN'ational As- sembly of France the peculiar sensibility of Congress to the tribute paid to the memory of Benjamin Franklin by the enlightened and free representatives of a great nation;" and Washington, in his answer, happily acknowl- edged this peculiar proof of national courtesy. We need pronounce no eulogium upon Dr. Franklin. May the young men of this, and of succeeding generations, strive to emulate his virtues. THE END. LIFE OF WASHINGTON. LIFE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON. BY THE EEV. J. N. NORTON. !>(rotices of t!)e ^Pcess. In our boyish days, Weems' Life of Washington was the delight of all the juniors, and the warm, glowing pages of the eccentric parson have fired the patriotism of many a boy, and of many a girl, too. That work has nearly or quite disappeared. For a long time there has been no good Life of Washington in the market short enough for the use of those who have neither money to purchase nor time to read the great works of Marshall, Sparks, and Irving. The Church Book Society of New York has con- ferred a benefit upon the whole people of the United States by employing the ever ready pen of our friend and neighbor, the Eev. J. N. Norton, of Frankfort, Ky., to supply this desideratum. The result is an exceedingly pleasant and instructive duodecimo volume of four hun- dred pages, which young and old of all classes can read with delight. — Louisville Journal. All who are familiar with the other able and interesting works of the author, will be glad to see that he has em- ployed his pen in preparing for the young a Life of the ** father of his country." We take pleasure in commend- ing it to their attention. — Christian Witness. 50 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. The author of this work — the Kev. Mr. Norton, of Frankfort, Ky . , to whom we are indebted for many excel- lent volumes— while so shaping the narrative that Wash- ington, as a man and a Christian, should not be over- shadowed by the military hero, has also, within a brief space, recorded the principal events of his life, in a man- ner which can not fail to interest all classes of readers. — Chicago Record. In this volume, better than in any other brief biography of Washington, are brought out the depth and strength of his religious convictions, and the steadiness with which his .profession asa Churchman was maintained throughout life. Moreover, it shows in how great a degree the strong leading outlines of his character were influenced, if not moulded, by the system of the Church— imperfectly as it was then understood and carried out in many important particulars. These peculiarities give a very desirable and proper tone to Mr. Norton's work, though they do not usurp an undue share of attention. The narrative of the two great wars in which Washington was engaged, and of the other leading incidents in his career, is marked by all the author's well-known ease, clearness, and spirit. — Church Journal. Of all the Lives of Washington which have been given to the public, none has pleased us more than the one now before us, as being specially adapted for thg perusal of the young. The noble character of Washington, the pure motives which influenced his conduct from the commence- ment of his career till the day of his death, his indomita- ble perseverance under the most discouraging circum- stances, and last, but far from least, his religious character, render him a fit model to be placed before the rising generation for their admiration and imitation. — Churchman. 51 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. The religious character, the Churchmanship of Washing- ton is brought out in this volume. This iif done in a just and admirable manner, and it is in this light that this great man should be viewed and contemplated by the youth of our country* It is a life. It makes us know Washington, from first to last, with sufficient detail and incident. The style is excellent, and the narrative sus- tains a full interest to the end. It is a remarkably good book, and should be the delight of all the youth in our Church. Mr. Norton's books are all good, but this one has a special interest, and evinces great industry and in- quiry in the preparation of it. No Sunday School Library, no family should be without it. — Banner of the Cross. This is a new volume of four hundred pages, and will no doubt interest the class of readers for whose benefit it has been written. Its main design, while recording the prom- inent events in the life of " the father of his country," is to show that Washington the man and the Christian should not be overshadowed by Washington the military hero. — Western Episcopalian. We have here the latest of the series of biographies which Mr. Norton has been issuing for the past few years. Mr. Norton's very pleasant style is exhibited in this as in his previous works, and we think that in his attempt '* to present a biography which shall at once be interesting and improving to readers of every class," he has succeeded remarkably well. — Episcopal Recorder. For young persons, this is the best Life of Washington we have seen. The important and interesting incidents in the history of that great and good man are grouped to- gether \vith skill, while the attention of the reader is always pointed to the moral lessons they convey. Wash- ington's Churchmanship is indicated in language not to be rms.tok.QXi. — Gospel Messenger. 52 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. The Churclj has been, and continues to be, much in- debted to Mr. Norton for furnishing, and to the Church Book Society for publishing, much of deep interest to the evangelical and catholic cause. The records of the life of George Washington should be kept fresh, and in abundant supply, for successive generations, and extensive circula- tion. The work nove before us, doing full justice to every other department of that great and good man's claims to veneration, confidence, and love, very properly gives prominence to those connected with his character as a Christian. We know of no biography of Washington that, within so limited a compass, gives a fuller and fairer view of the Father of his Country, and the great events and circumstances with which he was connected through life. It is well adapted to mingle into the studies of the young, and the reading of those who have not much time to spare. — Churchman' s 3Ionthly Magazine. Mr. Norton has done, and done well, the noblest work to which, as yet, he has devoted his pen, in preparing for the youth of our country a "Life of General Washing- ton." It is full and satisfactory in just that respect in which Everett' s graceful biography is defective. Through- out the narrative, which is very well written, Mr. Norton constantly bears testimony to that one element in Wash- ington's character which emphatically made him what he was— his personal piety. To Mr. Norton, and to the "Church Book Society," the whole Church is greatly indebted for this beautiful vol- ume, which can not fail to do great good. — Church Review. 63 CRITICAL NOTICES. RECENT PUBLICATIONS CHURCH BOOK SOCIETY. Arthur and Marion's Sundays are pretty little volumes, published by the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union, and written by the sisters Mrs. Bradley and Miss Neely, already known as the authors of "Bread upon the Waters" and "Ellie Randolph," with other kindred stories for children and young people. ' ' Arthur, by Mrs. Bradley, is a collection of tales and ballads that approach Mary Howitt by their grace and naturalness, while a pure religion as well as morality distinguishes them from the elder favorite of the children. " Marion's Sun- days," by Miss Neely, is a series of illustrations of the Ten Commandments, woven together in a single story. Its teachings are simple, clear, and withal attractive. Only mothers and teachers know the great worth of such aids to Sunday instruction. — Godey's Lady's Book. Ash Wednesday in the Nursery and Miss Laura's Weddinff Day are by the author of a nice Christmas book, "Philip and Arthur." This writer's style is ex- tremely natural and sparkling. We know of no books that have more vividness of narrative, combined with the best teachings. — Godey's Lady's Book. The Toll-Gate is a good little story, illustrating God's guidance in every event of our lives. — Godey's Lady's Book. 54 CRITICAL NOTICES. Thoughts on the Services. Designed as an Introduc- tion to the Liturgy, and an Aid to its Devout Use. By A. Cleveland Coxe, Eector of Grace Church, Baltimore. Tliis is the third edition of a work which we have al- ready favorably noticed. Encouraged hy the reception given to the other editions, the author tells us that he has labored to make this edition more worthy of general adop- tion as an auxiliary to Christian education. It gives an interesting view of the Scriptures for the different Sun- days, Festivals, and Fasts of the Christian year.— Christian Witness. The Sunday School Liturgy : comprising an Office of Devotion hy Bishop Hobart, a short Office of Devotion, and Hymns for Sunday Schools, selected from the Prayer Book and other sources. With the first part of this work our Sunday Schools are generally familiar. The ' ' Short Office' ' is adopted and approved in some places. The hymns differ mostly from those in the old Liturgy, many of them being adapted to various seasons of the ecclesiastical year. — Gosj)d Messenger. The Rectory of Valehead ; or. The Edifice of a Holy Home. By the Eev. Eobert Wilson Evans, B.D., Vicar of Heversham. We thank the publisher for a reprint of this very at- tractive book. It presents a series of fragmentary but delightful pictures for pleasant and profitable contempla- tion. — Christian Witness. Lilias and her Cousins. By the author of "Thomas Jackson" and "Walter Seyton." This is a tale of Phinter Life in the Old Dominion, well calculated to interest and instruct the young. — Christian 57 . CRITICAL NOTICES. Moravian Life; or, An English Girl's Account of a Mo- ravian Settlement in the Black Forest. Edited by the author of " Mary Powell." An English girl, having been sent to a Moravian school, keeps a daily journal, which is in this book laid before the public. It is deeply interesting, not from any account of startling and thrilling incidents, but from the view which it enables one to obtain of the character of the Moravians, and the influence of their peculiar system upon the daily conduct. Their doctrines are said to be the same as ours. Their ministry is declared by an able divine, who has thoroughly examined the subject, to be in tlie regular line of the Apostolic succession. Their mode of \vorship is, for the most part, by a liturgy. Music, however, is a much more prominent feature with them than with us. Festi- vals are abundant. But what most charms the reader is the " simplicity and godly sincerity" which seems to per- vade the whole of Moravian life. None can fail to admire and love the Moravians. — Gospd Messenger. • The Children's Chant Book : A Collection of Chants and Carols for Sunday Schools and Classes. — Part I. New York : Church Book Society. This pamphlet of 32 pages contains music particularly for Sunday Schools, besides pieces proper for the Church Service, and various carols and songs which a child would delight to sing, especially during Christmas-tide. Its price is 3 cents only. — Calendar. The Church Primer. Much larger than the "Union Primer, ' ' and a decided improvement upon it. Every page has from one to three beautiful wood-cuts. The picture alphabet is the best we have seen. The exercises in spell- ing and reading are progressive, and adapted to the capacities of infant minds. — Gospel Messenger. 58 CKITICAL NOTICES. ADDRESSES CANDIDATES FOR ORDINATION, ON THE auESTiojfs m the ordi^sution service. BY THE BISHOP OF OXFORD. Every Priest, when not prevented by the urgent calls of parochial duty, ought to review the Ordination Service on every anniversary of his admission to holy orders. Here is a book well worthy his attention in connection with this subjecl:. It has an Address based on each inquiry put to the candidate for Ordination— twelve Addresses in all. It is needless to say that they are highly suggestive, in- fitructive, and encouraging, while abounding with solemn warnings, since they were delivered by such a man as the Bishop of Oxford, and delivered by him at successive Ordinations in his diocese. But we recommend this vol- ume specially to students in Divinity, who have yet in prospect their reception of the commission of a Minister of Jesus Christ. They will find in this book much ex- planative of the meaning of the Ordinal, and much nobly calculated to stir their holiest affections, and to induce many serious reflections on the responsibilities of the sacred office. This would, indeed, constitute a good text- book in Pastoral Theology -—Calendar. 65 CRITICAL NOTICES. BLIND LILIAS; OB, FELl^OWSHIP WITH QOD A TALE FOR THE YOUG. BY A LADY. The triumphs of evangelical principle are graphically delineated in this simple and beautiful narrative. It tells of discipline in affliction, and of its gradual work in re- fining and rectifying corrupt nature. By degrees the perverse will is overcome, and the heart renewed in righteousness, till the kingdom of God is established in the soul. With an intimate knowledge of human nature, and a charming naturalness, the lady author has brought before us the life-like portraiture of a young and ingenu- ous girl, affectionate, impressible, and impulsive, but wayward and self-willed ; full of warm and generous feelings, but perverse, proud, and passionate ; with a mind of superior power and great intelligence, but headstrong and impatient of control — a character needing the severe chastening with which, in the providence of God, she is visited, to prepare her heart to receive the heavenly leaven. Finally, the child of nature becomes the child of grace, and walks in fellowship with God. This story abounds with interesting incidents. The volume is beau- tifully gotten up, and adorned with plates. -Calendar. 66 I H