Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-08-07
General Intelligence.
CHARACTER OF FRANKLIN.
By LORD BRoUGHAM.


One of the most remarkable men GER
'aihiy OF our time as politician, or of
any age as philosopher, was Franklin
who also stands alone in combining these
two characters, the greatest that men can
sustain, and in this, that having borne the
first part in enlarging science by one of
the greatest discoveries ever made. be
bore the second part In founding, one of
the greatest empires IN the world.
In this truly great man everythino
seems to concur that goes towards the con-
stltutlon of exalted merit First he was
the architect of his own fortune. Born
in the humblest station, he raised himself
by his talents and his industry, first to the
place In society which may be attained
with the help onl y of ordinary abilities.
great application and good luck; bat next
to the lofier heights which daring and
happy genius only can scale; and the
poor printers boy, who at one ueriod of
his life had no covering to shelter his
head from the dews of night rent IN
twain the proud dominion of England.
and lived to be the ambassador of a Com,
monwealth which he had formed. at tbe
Court OF the naughty Monarchs of France
who had been his allies.
Then, he had been tried bv nrosner;tv
as well as adverse fortune, and had nassed
unhurt through the periIs of both. No
ordinary apprentice, no commounlace
lourneyman, ever laid the foundation of
his independence and habits of industry
and temperance more deep than he did
whose genius was afterwards to rank him
with the Galileos and the Newtons of the
ole world No patrician born to shine IN
Courts or assist at the councils ne mon
archs. ever bore his honors in a lofv 81.
ton more easily. or was less spoilt bv the
enjoyment OF them, than this common
workman did S'hen negotiating with row
al representatives; or caressed by all the
beauty and fashion OF the most brilliant
Court in Europe.
Again. ne was self taught II, all he
knew. His hours of study were sto,.,
rom those of sleep and of meals, or cain.
Cd by some ingenious contrivance for
reading while the work of his daily call.
ing went on. Assisted by none of n.
neips which affluence tenders to the sind
les OF the rich, he had to supply the nisce
OF tutors by redoubled diligence and cfI
commentaries by repeated perusal. Nav
the possession of books was to be oh
tanned by copying what the art which he
ers. " o'i-
Next, the circumstances under which
others succumb he made to Weld ana |
oent to his own purposes successful |
leader OF revolt that ended in complete
after appearing desperate for
years a great discoverer in philosophy
without the ordinary helps to knowledge.
writer famed for his chaste style with,
out classical education skilful nepo-
tlator, though never bred to politics 3
ending as a favorite, nay, a pattern of
fashion, when the guest of frivolous
Courts, the life which he had begun IN
garrets and in workshops.
Lastly, combinations of faculties in
others deemed impossible. appeared easy
and natural in him. The philosopher.
1ellghting in speculation, was also emin-
emily man of action. Ingenious rea-
soning, refined and subtle consolation
were in him combined with prompt reso.