The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-10-26


nowned, like him, for relieving disconsplate
widows.
DR.. FRAHxLiN AND ms WIG. AS ey-
cry one knows, when the American philoso-
pher arrived at Paris as Plenipotentary from
the 'Old Thirteen his Appearance at the
gay and brilliant metropolis Of France excl
ted great deal of curiosity. 4 plain repub-
lican among the MOBILES of the most refined
and polite people in the world. The repre-
sentative of the nation that had braycd the
power OF Eagland--the ancient enemy of
France. \ philosopher, who had enrolled
his name among the greatest and best of
France or England. The Doctor was, OF
course, the observed of all observers.
While he was exciting 50 much curiosity
and interest among the Parley-vous Mon
sicurs of the luxurious French Capital, he
was dressed according To lhl most auihen-
tic accounts, in fashion that in these de
generate days would be denomlnated The an
hque-tha; Is to say--he wore short breech-
es and galters-a long pepper and salt coat,
and vest, with pockets about the size of n
scloolboy's satchel, aud buttons of the di-
mensions oi warming pans--to speak, as
report makers say, IN round numbers
His wrists were surrounded with enormous
rutlles, aud on his hend was perched ven
erable three e-cornered-cOck ed-hat, benenth
which was that which kings, with their
crown and jewellcd robes, did not possess.
When the Doctor took off his hat, something
was visible that covered more than all the
crowns in hrIstendpm-yide-licit n ,cig-
aud thereby hangs tale.
No man, not even the republican phlos-
opher, could appear gt the French Court,
without the express permission of those for
merly useful bipeds- wigmikers. 4 splen-
didly dressed, capering, dancing aud skip
ping barber, who in tins capacity served his
rnost excellent majesty, made his poIiiest
bow to the Doctor. This nppendape of
royalty was also king to his own servant,
who wore his livery aud ruilles on his wrist
AS gorgeous as his master, and each of whom
was fastened to huge and ponderous swords
(according to all accounts the swords were
lnrser than their owners.) They bro't with
them a load o! sweet accented band-boyes
full of de rig, - de superb rig for de great
Doctor Fraakiia.' The band-boyes we're
opened and the hairy appendagrs displayed
sending forth odors as powerful as II score
ofmuskras-as sweet scented as the streets
Of Cologne--as delightful as the spices of
Araby the blessed One wig was tried on
after ano,her-the hoyrs were emptied-
the contents were on the floor, bnt, after
various trials, it was found To the asionish-
meul of the wig maker, dat ell de rigs
mere too small Vat dc .diable shall be
dime = The wig maker began to think that
Frenchmen's heads were made on an ex-
ceedinoy diminutive scale, and wondered
why the Doctor did not pitch over like n
piece of cork with bit of lead in il, from
being too top heavy.--,Ie fell into the mos,
violent rage, to the great amusement. of
Franklin, who looked npon the pcrplexcd
dumbfoundcd and volatile Frcnchmnn, with
the greatest good humor. While the Doc
tor was being amused at the rage of the wig
maker-who was calling all the saints Ia
witness that de rigs were good cigs-most
excellent rigS--the man of silks and per-
fumes clappcd his haids together. and ex-
claimed that he had made one grant dis
cocerie. Franklin, with all his philosophy,
could not penetrate the secret. DE fault
does not lay cried the overoyed French
man, IN de vig-oh no by gar de rig
Dds just de size, de rig was not to small.
bnt de D0ctor's heat cds too big-rer great
deal too big This was the grand dscoy-
cry. Franklin replied with a smile, that
the fanlt could not be in his head, as it was
the work the Almighty himself, who could
not err.
Up this the wig maker pulled in his horns
little, but still maintained that something
was de matter cid de Doctors keda. His
head was not n fashionable head, it was not
Frenchman's head, but the head of Doc
tor Franklin I,imself He begged the Doc
tor to remember that his head had not the
honor to be made in Paris, the centre ofre-
tinement aud gaantry, which alone con-
tanned the true standard of heads and wigs.
q No by gar if his head been made in Par
is--Paree--H no bin more ian kaif such a
head. The Doctors head was anigne-
and none Of the French mobiles had any such
head as this Not de grand duke de Or
leans, not de grand monarch himself had
half such head as Doctor Franklin and
he did not see vat business any body had
wild a head-more big dan de head of de
grand monarch!' While the tongue of the
poor. vexed and nonplushcd wig maker run
ou IL this fashion, havinr evidently rccoy-
esod his g,pd hum ", the D,ctor listened
with that good nature. which is known an
pssali4sIy to have distinguished iiim. He