New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-13


Passing over the vile space which separates
Roger Williams from DR.. Franklin, we must give
word of commentator to the curious propriety
of phrase and the ju1iciOus choice of details which
characterize the biography of our great American
SAGE. We must find room for a few of it's excel
lent paragraphs.
FranklI's yoluminous correspondence would alone
have given bin high lite are reputation as letter
writer His essential philanthropy, 9ood-humor wit,
and sd, resources erywhere apparent in this.
Ii ia the beet part of his conversation vital TO- poserl
IT, and we may readily imsgite from 1t how Franklin
talked as with his fine tact be always offers something
ina orpp useful ano entertaining 10 his friends. Blu.
II il 10 the perspicuty ethod aud ease OF Franklins
philosophical writings thai his solid reputation will re-
main greatly indebted These qualities cannot be bet
ter 6escribed than in The woros OF Sir liumlhrey
Dayy the generous encomisst of sis scientific breth
rep who Himself Prsc,iced every grace which he a.
ributed TO oners: "a singular felicity OF Induction
puic ed ali bis searches and BY very small meacs he
established very grand truths Inc style ana manner
of bis publication electricity, are almost as worthy
of adnra ion as the doctrine 1t contans lie has en-
deavored to all my steIy aud obscuty from the
subject He has written equally Tor the un'oltised
sno for the philosopher; ana he has rendered his de-
tails an usipg and perspcuous, elegant as well as
simple Science appears in his language, 10 dress
wonc erfuy decorous, best adapted to display her
native loneliness. He has i'll DO instance exhioed
tba, false dignity by which philosophy IS kept aoot
from common applications; and he has sought rather
10 make her useful inmate and servant 10 the CON-
mon habitatoDs OF man thsn TO preserve her merely
as en- object of admiration in temples and palaces.
The uniform industry OF Franklin was immense; and
though wrltiI was but an incidental pursuit 10 ole
who was OF author by profession, aud derived no
reyeI ne from bis pen, the sggregse of his distinct lit
erary compositions outostauces the labors of May
who have worked directly for reputation and the book
sellers. As enumerated by MIR. Sparks the list OF his
writings separate books, articles distinct papers,
indept ndeLty Of bis huge correspondence, amounts
10 lam ly snW -
he was always busy-from 1926 TO 1890. Thew ex.
baust every me'hol of doing good practically which
fell within the range Of his powers VI expersnce They
ave upon topics of il dvidua and social improvement
OF the useful arts which sdorn and ameors ate oaily
life of the science which enarges the powers OF the
mind and Increases tee comfort OF the body OF pou-
cal wisdom, extending from the onec ion OF village
10 the control and prosperity of the State. In every
form Of purely human eavor the genius OF Franklin
is paramount There were principles In philosophy
and religion hey bis ke0 FIELDS Of speculation whica
his Telescope never Iavesed, metaphysic spaces OF
the soul to the eectrc powers Of which his lightning
RODS were conductors. In the parcel allotment OF
duties in this world biz path sy in the region OF the
prsctcsl In the words OF our sreat Sire to the arch
angel. he might have protested that
To know that which before lies ia del life
Il the prime WELDON.
There be was seldom at fault-cool, wary political,
be inc himself never betrsyng the State: III
the language OF his American historian, writer him
self Skilled in affairs: "Franslin was the greatest
dplometist of the eighteenth century de never
spoke word too soon; he never spoke a word too
late be never spoke word too much; he never
iS,td to speak the right word a. the right season "
"ehsVe alluded to Frankiin's philosophy as iodics-
I'VE 0, The religious powers Here it nav be said that
ne 70 her hVeo by tn than in them. He appreciated
the ue'out and rapsceDe ent labors of sucn men as
JtI a'nan yards In lsyiDg The foundations, aud
could empty his poke at The heart. stirring aopea
of Whreneld His friendships in Eoelaud and ner.
ies we've Nth bishops ana divioes The ,ishop of ST.
Asspb, OF Sod0r sDd Ma1, less than the Meth oi.t
White field mis- friends and be couId ss. an eve
backward with affection ana teverer ce from the I'll.
ripg sslcns Of Paris to the dark shades OF Par an
ancestors. There vas sound vein of piesy IN his
con position which bore lie fruits nor Esd French