The native American., 1839-07-27
LORD BRoUGHAM's PORTRAIT OF FRANKLIN

JOSIAH HoLBkooh'
LORD BRoUGHAM's PORTRAIT OF FRANKLIN [.
The following sketch of the American philo-
sopher, is from Lord Brougham's new work.
Statesmen in the time of George ILL.,
"One Of the most remarkable men certainly
of our times as politician, or Of any age, as
philosopher was Franklin, who stands alone in
combining together these two characters, the
greatest that man can sustain, and in this, that
having borne the first part in charging science
by one of the greatest discoveries ever made, he
bore the second part IN founding one OF the
greatest empires in the world.
In this truly great man, every thing seems TO
concur that goes towards the constitution OF ex-
allied merit. First, he was the architect OF his
own fortune Born to the humblest station, he
raised himself by his talents and his IN
dustry, first to the place in society which may
be attained with the help only OF ordinary abili-
ties, great application, and good luck, but next
to the loitiest heights which daring and hap
Ply genius alone can scale; and the poor ptin-
ters boy, who at one period of his lie had no
covering to shelter his head from the dews OF the
night, rent in twain the proud dominion oil
England, and lived To be the Ambassador OF the
Commonwealth which he had formed at the
had been his allies.
Then be had been tried by prosperity aswel
as adverse fortune and had past unhurt through
the peris Of both. No ordinary apprentice, no
common place journeyman, ever laid the founda-
ton o. his independence in habits Of industry
and temperance more deeply than he did, whose
genius was afterwards TO rank him with the GA
lileos and Newons Of the old world. No pa
trcian bora to shine, in courts, or assist at the
councils of monarchs, ever bore his honors in a
lofty station more easily, was less spoilt by the
enjoyment Of them, than this common workman
did when negotiating with royal representatives,
or caressed by all the beauty and fashion OF the
most brilliant court in Europe.
Again, he was self laugh in all he knew. His
hours of study were stolen from those Of sleep
and Of meals, or gained by some ingenious con
trvance for reading, Will the works Of his dali,
calling went on. Assisted BY none Of the hopes
which affiuence tenders to the study Of the rich,
he had to supply the place Of tutors by Iedoubed
diligence, and OF commentaries BY repeated pc.
rusal. Nay, the possession of books was to be
obtained by copying what the art he himself ex
ercised furnished easily to others.
Next, the circumstances under which others
snccumb he made to yield. and bent to his own
successful leader Of the revolt that
ended in complete triumph after appearing
desperate for years; a great discoverer IN philu-
'ophy, without the ordinary helps to knowledge.
writer famed for his chaste style, without a
lassical education; skilful negociator though
never bred 10 politics, ending as a favorte, nay
pattern Of fashion, when the guest of frivolous
courts, the life which he had begun in garrets
md workshops.
Lastly, combinations Of faculties in others
deemed impossible, appeared easy and natural III
him. The philosopher, delighting in specula
ton, was also emincntly a man Of action Inge-
NOUS reasoning, refined and subtle consultation
were in him combined with prompt resolution,
and intlexlble firmness Of purpose. TO a lively
fancy, he joined learned and deep reflection; his
original aud inventive genius stopped to the con-
venient alliance Of the most ordinary prudence OF
every day affairs; the mind that scared above the
clouds, and was conversant with the lottiest OF
human contemplations disdained not TO make
proverbs, and feign parallels for the guidance OF
apprentlced youths and servile maidens; and the
hands that sketched free constitution for whole
continent or drew down the lightning from hea-
ven, easily and cheerfuIly lent themselves to
simplify the apparatus by which truths were to
be illustrated, or discoveries pursued.
His discoveries were made with hardly any APP
paratus at oil; and if at any time he had been led
TO employ instruments of somewhat less ordi.
nary description, he never seemed satisfied until
ne had as it were, afterwards translated the pro-
less by resolving the problem by such simple
machinery that you might say he did it wholly
lnaided by apparatus. The experiments by
which the identity of lightning and electricity
was demonstrated, was made with a sheet OF
brown paper, a bit of Irvine, silk thread aud an
iron key.
Upon the integrity of this man. whether in
public or in private life. there rests no stain.
Strictly honest, and scrupulously punctual in all
his dealings, he preserved in the highest for
tune that regularity which he had practiscd as
well as inculcated in the lowest.
In domestic life he was faultless, and in the
intercourse Of society delightful. There was
constant good humor and playful wit. easy and
Of high relish, without any ambition to shine
the natural fruit of his lively fancy his solid ma
tura good sense, and his cheerful temper, that
gave his conversation an unspeakable charm,
and alike suited every circle from the hunbes,
to the most elevated. With all his strong opin-
ions, 50 often solemny declared, 50 imperishabIy
recorded in his deeds, he retained tolerance
for those who differed with him. which could
not be surpassed in men whose principles hang
so loosely about them as to be taken up for
convenien cloak, and laid down when found to