Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-01-11

| were likewise augmented by the newspaper
articles which he continued to publish. For
the benefit. chiefly ofsyourg men of the mid
die and lower ranks. he established a lending
library. containing a number of valuable
works. which were rendered accessible to the
public on very low terms. In 1882 he COM
menced the publication of Poor Richard's :
Almanac. In which wise counsels aud im2or-
tant truths were presented. with an originali-
ty of thought aud pointed quaintness of ex-
preston which rendered them easy to receive,
and difficult to forget.
In 1876 Franklia was appointed deputy
to the General Assembly of Pennsylvania :;
aud the following year he obtained the Office
of Director of the Post at Philadelphia To
him the town owes the first introduction of a
Fire Insurance Company. with 6re-engines
attached About this time scientific socie-
ty, in Philadelphia. reviewed from :inglsnd
an account Of various new and important dis
coveries which had been made in electricity,
accompanied by glass tubes. and other essen
tial instruments. This society requested
Franklin to repeat the experiments already
made. which not only did, but made a num-
Der of new discoveries. He aseertained the
property of elevated points to determine the
course of the electric fluid, aud then she idea
electricity in the clouds, it might be drawn
innocuously to the ealth. This problem be
solved by the aid of chid's pla jthing-a
paper kight During storm he sent it fly
lug, aid having attached an iron key to the
lower end of the string. he tried to draw
sparks from it. At first his attempts were
vain, but little rain having fallen, the cord
became moist. and thus slightly acquired the
power Of conducting. Frsnkliu was delight
ed at the success of his experiment; yet, had
the string been more wet, or the electric fu-
id stronger, he would Inevitably have been
killed.
His phiosophic mind soon perceived the
practical use to be made of this discovery in
preserving ships and buildings from the eff
fects of lIghtling and ere long he perfected
the conductor which was speedily adopte
throughout England and America.
In, 1853 Franklin, perceiviDg tha the
schools in Philadelphia were few a1d i'll con
ducreL. raised subscriptions for establishing
public instructions on liberal aud enligbi-
ened plan. This was the commencement OF
the College of Phiiaielphia. Nearly at the
same time he Was the principal means OF
building an hospital for the sick. aud an asyl-
sum fur The old and feeble; thus confering true
and lasting beurfts on the place of his a.
abode
When the American war broke out in 1776
after the revolution in Boston, Franklin
pleaded boldly the cause of liberty in Con-
gress. He took 4 prominent part in the me-
moraSle declaration of the fourth of July,
and proclaimed the national independence OF
the thirteen United States. Having been
elected President of the Convention of Penn
sylvana. franklin was unanimously chosen
to go aud seek aid from France.
He was then sevelt lone years old, and
took up his abode at Passy. Here be re-
mained during eight years as minister pieni-
poteutiary TO the American Federation and
while discharging faithfully his public duties.
he ceased not TO cultivate the arts and scien
ces. As mark of gratitude for the favor
shown him 10y Marie AntioDette. he con-
structed for her the first narmonica which
was heard in Frauce. This precious ipstru-
meut. given by the queen to Madame de
Vcuee, is still to be seen in Paris; it forms
part of the valuable museum of Professor
Le5reton. who prizes it most highly
At the age of seventy-rine. franklin feel
ing the iufirmites of advanced years, wished !
to retarn to his native land. Accordingly |
he travelled to Havre in an easy litter given
him by the queen of France, who thus tes-
tined her fespecs ioF tue iePuoheeu anpas-
sador.
The arrival of franklin at Philadelphia
celebrated as national triumph. He em-
ployed the last years of his life in exhorting
his fellow -countrymen TO peace and concord
His la,es, publication was a protest against
the slave trade.
lie expired on the Eth of April. 1900
The Congress ordered general mourning of !
two months throughout the United States
nor is it to much to say that the loss of Bel
iamif Franklin was felt aud depiored through
ou, the civilized world.