Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-02-07

the kndOms of the earth and the glory
thereof, and told him that if he would fall
down and worship him, these would all be
his; and the rascal" added he, "did'nt
ocn a toot Of Mem"
His interview with the King at Windsor
is mentioned as highly interesting. His
Majesty asked the stout-hcartcd noun
tainecr, if they had any newspapers in
America. But very few, and these are
but little read" was the answer. ''llow
them" asked the King, edo the common
people know of these grievances of which
they complain, and of which we have
just been speaking! GAS to that" said
he, I" can tell your Majesty, that amongst
people who have felt the spirit of liberty,
the news of oppression is carried by the
birds ofthc air and the brcezes of heaven"
"That is too igurativc an answer from a
matter of fact man, to plain question:"
reoincd the King. "Well, to be plain"
answered the rebelious subject, "among
our people the tale of wrong is carried
from man to man, and from neighborhood
to ncighborhood, with the speed of cleo
tricity my countrymcn feel nothing else:
'out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaketh.' l will add, with great
respect to your Majesty, that such a peo-
pie cannot be put down with the sword.'
The King made a long pause, as if
strongly impressed with the truth of his
remarks. At length, changing the sub
iect, he asked Col. Allen if he knew DR..
Franklin; and being answered in the
affirmative, inquired concerning his expcr-
iments with electricity, and expressed a
curiosity to experience and electric shock.
The British sovereign seemed to take
pleasure in the conversation, which he
kept up for more than an hour, and at
length made Col. Allen promise to visit
him with his countryman, DR.. Franklin,
at his palace in London. Some weeks
after this, he was reminded of his promise
by the nobleman above mentioned, and
an hour was fixed for the homebrcd phi
losophcr of America to explain the mystic
ries of a new discovery in science to the
royalfamly. They attended accordingly
and with an apparatus chiefly of his own
invention, DR.. Franklin exhibited many
of those simple and amusing experiments,
for which he was SO noted, and at which
the royal children, even those of larcar
growth were much delighted.
In this playful way, DR.. Franklin took
occasion to convey instructions as to the
properties of this astonishing fluid.-
While the royal habitation was thus in a
most unkingly uproar, the Premier was
announced as in waiting. The King
seemed for moment disturbed 81 for
got my appointment with the Ministers"
said he, "but no matter, l will eschcw
business for once, and let North see how
we arc employed" Accordingly the
minister was ushcrcd in with little cere-
mony, and it was soon concluded that he
should have shock. Allen whispered
to the DR.. to remember how he had
shocked us across the waters, and to give
him double charge; whether it was
designed on the hint of his friend or not,
was not ascertaned, but the charge was
so powerful on the nerves of his lordship,
as to make him give way in the knees, at
which all, especially the Princesscs, were
almost convuscd with mirth.
Some of Col. Aliens happy retorts at
the clubs and fashionable parties are still
remembered and oftcnrepeatcd. On one
occasion he was challenged to glass of
wine, by the beautiful Duchess of Rut-
land, who seems to have been particularly
pleased with his Independent manner,
"and you must qualify your glass with a
toast" observed the lady. The VAR
monter' very unaflcctedy observed that
he was not used to that sort Of ceremony,
and was afraid he might give offence. If,
f however, the lady would be 50 good as to
suggest subject, he would endcavor to
give sentiment. 49," said she, ''ncyer
mind the subjcct-any thing will do, SO
that it has no treason in it, "Wcll,'
SAYS he, ''this may do for truth itnot for
, a toast" and, fixing his eyes adoringly
f on the far-lamcd court beauty, he pro-
, cecded:
; elf any thing could make double
traitor out of good patriot, it would be
, the wtchcrait of such eyes as your lady
t ships"
, The blunt sincerity with which this was
, spoken, together with its exact fitness tc
, the occasion and the person, caused it tc
) be long hailed in the beau monde, as an
excellent good thing; and although it had
, the effect of heightening for moment thai
, beauty to which it was offered as tribute
f it is said the fair Duchess often atterward,
, boosted of the compliment as far before al
$ the empty homage she had received from
, the glittering coxcombry of the city.
, A lady once snceringl y asked Col
! Allen, in large assembly, at what time
fashionable ladies in America preferred