Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-01-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Broug hams Historical! Sketches.
FRAN KILN.


FRANKLIN
One Of the most remarkable men. GER
tainly, of our times, as politician, or Of
any age, as a philosopher, was Franklin /;
who also stands alone in combining togeth-
er these two characters, the greatest that
man can sustain, and in this, that having
borne the first part in enlarging science,
by one of the greatest discoveries ever
made, he bore the second part in founding
one Of the greatest empires in the world.
InthstruIy great man every thing seems
to concur that goes towards the constitution
of exalted merit. First he was the archi-
tcct Of his own fortune. Born in the hum
best station, he raised himself by his talents
and his industry, first to the place in soci-
ETY. which may be attained with the help Of
only ordinary abilities, great application
and good luck; but next to the lo(ticr heights
which daring and happy genius alone
can scale /; and the poor Printers bow,
who, at one period Of his life, had no CO.
vering to shelter his head from the dews
Of the night, rent in twain the proud domi-
mon Of England, and lived to be the am
bassador OF Commonwealth which he had
archs of France who had been his allies
Then, he had been tried by posterity as
we'll as adverse fortune, and had passed
unhurt through the peril5 Of both. No or
binary apprentice, no commonplace Jour
newman, ever laid the foundation Of his
independence in habits Of industry and
temperance more deep than he did, whose
genius was afterwards 10 rank him with
the UaulCUS ana VeWIOnS OF the Ola WOrIG
No patrician born TO shine in Courts, or as
sst at the Councils Of Monarchs, ever bore
his honors in a lofty station more easily,
or was less spoilt by the enjoyment Of them
than this common workman did when ne
gotiating with Royal representatives, or
carrcssed by all the beauty and fashion Of
the most brilliant Court in Europe.
Again, he was self taught in all he knew
His hours Of study were stolon from those
Of sleep and meals, or gained by some in
gcnious contrivance for reading while the
work Of his daily calling went or. Asss-
ted by none Of the helps which allluencc
tenders to the studies of the rich, he had
TO supply the place as tutors, by redouLled
diligence, and of commentaries, by repeat
ed perusal. Nay, the possession Of books
was to be obtained by copying what the
art which he himself exercised, furnished
easily TO others.
Next, the circumstances under which
others succumb he made to Weld, and bent
to his own purposes-a successful leader
OF Il revolt that ended in complete triumph
after appearing desperate for years a
great discoverer in philosophy without the
ordinary helps to knowledge writer ia
med for his chaste style without classical
education n skilfuI negotiator, though ne
YER bred TO politics; ending MS fayorite,
nay, a pattern Of fashion, when the great
est guest Of frivolous Courts, the life which
he had begun in garrets and in workshops.
Lastly, combination Of faculties in others
deemed impossible, appeared easy and ma
tural 10 him. The philosopher, delighted
in speculation, was also eminently man
Of action Ingenious reasoning, refined
and subtle consultation, were in him com
bined with prompt resolution, and inhcX;-
bic hrmncss purpose. To lively fancy,
lie Joined q learned and deep reflection; his
original and inventive genius stopped TO the
convenient alliance Of the most ordinary
prudence Ill every -GdN oLitlAS ; tuc ihiHu
that scared above the clouds, and was con
versant with the Hottest of human contem-
platious, dsdoined not 10 make proverbs
and feign parallels for the guidance Of APP
prcnticed youths and serviIe maidens and
the hands that sketchcd free constitution
for a whole continent, or drew down the
lightning from heaven, easily and cheerful
ly lent themselves 10 simplify the appara-
,us bv which truths were to be illustrated, or
discoveries pursued.
His whole course both in acting and in
speculation was simple and plain, ever pre-
ferrng the easiest and shortest road, nor
having recourse TO any but the simplest
means to compass his ends. His policy
rejected all refnements, and aimed at ac-
complishing its purposes by the most ra-
honaI and obvious experiments. His Ian
gaage was unadorned, and used as the me-
dunn Of communicating his thoughts, not