The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-02-21
DOCTOR FRANKLIN EPEs sARGANr, ESQ


Royal Society, of which Franklin was mem.
ber, visited under the direction Of the govern
ment, tho powder magazines at Purlcet, foi
the purpose OF considering the most cffectua
means for protecting them from lightning
Franklin drew up report which was accept
ed, in which tho erection of pointed rods was
advised. A controversy of some notoriety in
its day, grew out Of descent of one member
Of this committee, a MIR. Wilson, who, contcn-
ded that the conductors ought to be blunt
inasmuch as il pointed they would attract
lightning. To this Franklin replied that the
attraction was the very thing desired, for the
charge is thereby silently and gradually drawn
from the building, and conveyed without dan
ger TO the earth. Mr. Wilson still clung to
his theory in regard to blunt conductors, and
puisuaded the king to change his pointed ones
for blunt at Buckingham House. Ono ol
Franklin's friends (Dr. lngenhouse, member
of the Royal society wrote of Williams char
latanry in so heated manner, that Franklin
wittily remarked, "I'e ceems rs much heated
about this one point as the Jansenists and Mol
inists were about tho five." The following
clever epigram, upon the subject of the Kings
yielding to Wilson's arguments in opposition
to Franklin's appeared about the time:
'WhiIe you, great George for salty hunt,
| Aud sharp conductors change for blunt,
The Empires out of Joint;
Franklin q wiser pursucs.
And al yodf thunder fearless views,
by keeping TO the point"
FRANKLIN AT VERSAILLES.
He appeared at this royal audience very
simply attired, with straight uEpowdered hair
a brown cloth coat, and round hat. A crowd
had collected to see him. His age, his venera-
able aspect. his simple dress contrastcd with
the inery around him, the recollection Of his
services to science and humanity, all combin-
ed to awaken the utmost enthusiasm of tho
spectators. The king received him with much
cordially. charging him to assure the United
States OF his ffiondship.and expressing his sot-
isfaction the conduct of their commissioner du-
ring bis residonce in Franco On his withdraw
from this audience, the crowd in tho passage
ways received Franklin with renewed manifest
rtons OF welcome and followed him for some
distance.
HIS INTERVIEWS WITH yOITAIRE.
The enthusiasm of which no had been tho
object at Versailles was renewed at Paris
Voltair bad recently arrived there, after an abb
scnco Of thirty years He was in his S5th
year. Franklin called upon him, and was re-
coiyod with evident pleasure. Voltair at first
acoosted him in English; but having lost the
habit of speaking it, he resumed, tho converse
tion in French adroitly remarking, II could
not resist the temptation ofspeaking for mo-
E.ent tho language Of franklin The Phila-
doiphia sage then presented his grandson to
tho patriarch of Ferney, and nsked his blessing
upon him. "God and Liberty said Voltair,
raising hi5 hands over tho young mans head:
"that il tho only bcnedict:on appropriate to
the grandson of Franklin"
Il few days aftor this interview tho same
parties met at tho Ac deny of Scionce, and
woTo placed side Dy side. The sight Of those
distinguished men elcited another outbreak
of Partisan enthusiasm. Tho cry arose that
they should embrace. They stood up, bowed
took each other by the hand, and spoke. But
this was not enough. The clamor continued.
I'll faults embrasser la Feancaise,' was the
cry; whereupon they kissed each other on the
check, and not till then did the tumult sub
side. The scene was classically compared by |
tho literateurs of the day, to "Solon embra- |
cling Sophooles." Voltair lived only month
after this second encounter with his American |
contemporary.
His features were an index of tho good
temper, amenity, .cheerfulness and affabilty |
which we're his characteristics. John Adams |
represents him as tacturn on committees and
in Congrcss. Ia society he was far from be- |
ing loauacous; but no one possessed q moro |
fund Of oonyorsation, or used it
more happily on fitting occasions. Childhood, |
that "bcst dotectvr of e gentle heart" was
over welcome to his kneo For the young, |
his manner and his words Of sago advice, and
ploasantry had an ndiscribable charm Sir
Francis Romily, when young man. called on |
him at Passy tl7S2) with a friend. DIR. |
Franklin, he writes, was indulgont enough to |
converse good doal with us, whom he OBJ
served to be young mon very desirous of i'm
proving by his conversation. OF all the col /
ebrated characters, in my life, have chanced |
to see, DR.. F., both from his appearance and |
his conversation. seemed to me the most ro-
His venerable, patriarchal appear
ance the simplicity of his manners and Ian |
guage, and the novelty of his observations
at least The novelty OF them at that time to |
me with an opinion of as one
of the most extraordinary men that ever oxist-
cd"
FRANKLIN IN LOVE IN HIS OLD ACE.
He had an especially affectionate regard
for Madame Hevetius, whom ho called "Our
Lady of Auteoil," and who came every week |
to dine ut least once with him and his little
colony at Passy He had lost his wifo in 1870,
and notwithstanding his 76 years, he made
of marriage to Madame Helvotius,
shortly before the close Of the war; But she
had refused the hand Of Turgot and did not
accept his. Franklin thcreupon wrote her q
letter which Is a model Of wit and grace.
CLOSING YEARS OF HIS LIFE
Very beautiful is the spectacle of tho closing
years Of Frankin's long and laborious lifc.-
Though not without his share of physical mfr
matios, he retained his lively interest in pub
lie affairs, his warul social and domestic gym
pathies, his amenity and serenity of temper,
his active and vigorous intellect, his abiding
faith in another and better life. He seems
to have realized the wish Expressed in anoth-
ers bohalf by Woodwork:
''The thoughts and feelings shall not die.
Nor leave thee, whom gray hairs are nigh,
A melancholy slave:
But an old age, serene and bright,
And lovely as the Lapland night,
Shall lead thee to thy grave"
His correspondence at this timo, in the Vi
cnity, humor justice of thought and happy re-
lance on providence which it exhibits, is
model Of style and mood.