Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-10-19
Franklin and Madam Helvetus.

Franklin and Madam Helvetus.
In the year I7s6, Benjamin Franklin
was in Paris. He lived at Passey, not far
from Auteuil, and at Auteuil lived the
widow Of Helvetus, who was such an ex-
cellent, aimable and delightful woman,
that her friends, and among those might
be reckoned the proudest thinkers ofthe
time, were accustomed to speak Of her
in no other manner than as "our good
lady of Auteuil." She was no longer
Young, although in the highest degree
fascinating and amiable, and besides this,
the pentleness, intellectually and decl-
sion of character which had been pecu-
liar to her through the whole of her much
tried, but always blameless life, made a
union with her, avery desirable thing to
the American philosopher, although at
first it might appear somewhat startling
The dear lady herself had not the most
remote idea Of such scheme; she re-
ceived Franklin as a friend, who enter-
tanned no other feelings than what he ex-
pressed, and whose acquaintance she
would have esteemed herself happy IN
possessing to the end Of her days. PhIla-
delphis, in the meantime, desired the
p. ,r11 of her celebrated citizen, and.
Franklin 'h,lnself Ionged for his native
land. He could never free hlmseIi from
the fear Of being kept in France by III
health, and probably dying there whilst
the earnest wish Of his SOU was that It
might be permitted to him to end his
days in the midst Of his fellow citizens,
surrounded by his grand children.
A deal Of intercourse was always Ia
king place between Passy and Anteuil ;
Madame Hevetus dincd once week in
company with the Able de Laroche and
the physician Cabanis who resided with
her. together with Marellet, dear friend
but not frequent guest, at the house OF
Franklin; and Franklin on the other
hand, very often dined with Madame Hell
yetus by which means he spent whole
evenings with her without ever paving
her morning visit. This intercourse
with Franklin was OF the most charming
kind, and Marellet, who has so excellently
told us of the great philosophers remark
able good humor, simplicity of manners ,
sense of propriety and duty which exhlb-
tied itself in the mercst trines aifablllty
purity of soul, cheeriulness, and various
other gifts cannot say enough in its
praise. Such was, at that time, the So
ciety frequentcd by the man who had
raised his native land to freedom, and to
whom the world is indebted for some oi
q. .s.on, ;,nnort,nt Iiscnvnrips
One morning Franklin left his room
much earlier than was his custom, and
calling to Richard, his American servant
ordered him to attend him to Autcuil
This Richard, or Dick, as his master
called him had fought in the war Of lnde'
pendence under Washington, and had
thereby distinguished himself, and when
he was compelled to lay down his arms
and leave his general, he attached h'msel
to Franklin, from whom he never after
wards would separate himself Richard
was no servant Of the ordinary kind he
was faithful, devoted, and as good ar
American rs Christian, and read indus
triousy in the Bible, or made the neces
sary preparations for Frankhn's expert
ments M natural philosophy.
Full Of enthusiasm as youth is accus
toned to be, or rather as man who i
sincerely convicted of the rectltude OF hi
intentions, he allows no opportunity L
escape OF praising to the very skies eIthe
franklin or his native country. In hi
leisure hours he occupied himself in ma
king known TO the other domestics, tn
operations of electricity, or in explalnn!
10 the peasants Of Auteuil, the advantage
of Franklin's new tightening conduc
tors.
None but aperson like Franklin, VIII
. was in the highest degree apprehensiv
in matters Of sentiment would iall to hav
observed what delight the idea of vlsi
TO Madame Heyetus occasloned to Dick
He was always ready Immediately whel
they had to 90 from Passy to Auteull
and was often extremely fertile in dis
covering reasons why they should 90.
As soon therefore as Franklin gave hi
orders on this particular morning Die
was ready as if by magic the stick, ha
and gloves Of the philosopher were III
s,antly at hand, and without one moment
delay they set out
The June sun almost scorched up th
fields, and the two therefore took mai
row foot path shaded by trees. Frankll
walked on with a slow step. and nothIn
in his appearance betrayed any desire
reach the end Of his Journey, more RAJ
idly than usual, whilst his servant benin
was quite in an agitation orimpatience.-
p Madame Helvetus was sitting in the ROOF
where she received visitors when the
arrived the window Of this room locke