The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-03-30
W A r. r + N.

The following account of DR.. Frank
Inns visis to his mother has before, we
believe, been published in thus paper
We re-publish it at this time, at the re-
Quest OF subscriber. The story is a
good one, and is well worthy " second
reading" "The following experiment,
which he made some years after his faith
er's death, and after an absence OF sever
al years, to ascertain whether his mother
would know him, will be thought at least
curious and interesting. 1t was his con-
lecture, if not well settled option, that
aimother might, by a kind Of instinct or
natural affection, recognise her children,
even although she had lost the recolect-
ion of'their particular features. 1t was
on visit TO his native town Of Boston, af-
r.an.abscnce Of many years, that this
curious incident occurred"
" To'discover the existence of this in
stinci by actual experiment, the Doctor
resolved to introduce himself asa strang-
or to his mother, and to watch narrowly
tor the lnoment in which she should dis
cover her son, AMI then to determine, /,
with the cool precision Of the philosopher,
whether that discovery was the effect Ut
that Instinct of affection. that 'ihtuitive
love. that innate attachment, which IL con-
iectured TO cement relatives OF the same
blood; aud which, by according the pass
ions of parent and child, like q we'l-tuned
viol. would, at the first touch, cause tn EN-
IA v;hrsto in unison, and at once esince
that 4hey we're different chords OF the
same instrument. -.
"On suIlen, chilly day, in the month
of January, in the afternoon, the 'Doctoi
knocked at his mothers door, and asked
20 sneak with Mrs. Fran kiln. He found
the old lady knitting before the parlor fire
He introduced himself, and observing,
that he understood she entertained travel
Iers, requested nights lodging. she
eyed him with that cold look OF disapPro-
baton which most people assume, when
thew imagine themselves insulted, by be-
;.p supposed to exercise an employment
but one degree below their real occupa-
t;on in life-assured him that he had
been misinformed, that she did not keep
tavern but that it was true, to oblige
some members of the legislature, she took
a number OF them into her family during
the session; that she had four members Of
the council, and six OF the house OF rep
resenta, ives, who then bearded with her !;
tha, all her beds were full; and then be-
took herselfto her knitting, with that in
tense application, which expressed, as
forcibly as action could do, if you have
concluded your business, the sooner you
Ieave the house the better. But upon the
Docto, g wrapping his coat around him,
affecting to shivcr with cold. ind observ-
ing that i was ivery chilly weather, she
pointed to chair, and gave him leave to
warm himself.
"The entrance of her boarders preclu-
ded all further conversation coffee was
soon served, and the Doctor partook with
the family. To the coffee, according TO
the good old custom ofthe times. succeed
ed a plate of pippins, pipes, and paper
of M'Intire's best, when the whole family
formed a cheerful smoking seni-circle
before the fire. Perhaps no man ever
possessed colloquial powers to more
fascinating degree, than Dr. Franklin,
and never was there an occasion when he
displayed those powers to greater advan-
taae, than at this time. He drew tho at
tention of the company, by the solidiiy oil
his modest remarks, instructing them by
tho varied, new, and striking lights in
which he placed his subjects, and delight
ed them with apt and amusing anecdotes
Thus employed, the hours passed merriy
along, until eight o'clock, when, punctu-
al to a moment, Mrs. Franklin announce
ed supper. Busted with her household
affairs, she fancied the intruding stranger
had Quilted the house, Immediately alter
coffee, and il was with difficulty she could
restrain her resentment, when she saw
him, without molestation, seat himself at
the table with the freedom Of member Of
tho family.
Immediately after supper, sho called
nm elderly gentleman, a member OF the
council, in whom she WIS accustomed to
con.de, 10 another room; complained bit
0erly Of the rudepess OF tho stranger told
the .msuper Of his introduction 70 her
Aopss observed that be appeared hlo ~