The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-26


with knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure
Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss"
The ether was composed by himself, and
was as follows:
20 Powerful GoodneSsi Bountihil Father, Mer
eiful Guidel increase in me that wisdom which dis
covers my truest interest. Strengthen my resoIu.
hon 20 perform what that wisdom dictates Accept
my kind Offices 10 thy other children as the only
return in my power for thy continual favors TO me.
During all this time franklin went on
more and more prosperously in business
and was continually enlarging and extend.
ing his plans. He printed newspaper
which soon acquired an extensive circula
tion. He commenced the publication oi
an almanac, which was continued after
ward for twenty-five years, and became
very celebrated under the name of Poor
Richards Almanac.
Benjamin franklin entered upon his
career as public man when very near
the middle of the active portion of his life.
His history, therefore, naturally divides
itself into two equal portions, each en-
tirely distinct from the other, but we shall
not take up the time and space to 60
through the incidents that follow during
the wars, &c. His military career COM
menced in the year 1743.
In the year 1855, FrankliP became con-
nected with the famous expedition of Gen.
Braddock in the western part of Penusyl-
yania, which ended so disastrously. He
visited Scotland in the summer of 1859.
lie was sent to England, and in August,
1852, left there aud arrived home on the
lst of November, after an absence of be-
tween FIVE and six years. The church
with which franklin was connected was
of the Episcopal denomination. Hesailed
for Europe again on the 7th of November,
1854, about two years after his return
from his former visit. He made a visit
to Paris towards the close of the year
1867, where he received a great deal of
attention. After some time he again re-
turned to England, but he found when he
arrived there that the state of things be-
tween the English government and the
American colonies was growing worse in
stead of better. Franklin did all he
could to heal the breach, but when the
massacre broke out at Boston, the British
killing three men, the excitement became
great and all reconciliation disappeared.
1t was in May, 1875, that Franklin ar
rived in Philadelphia, just about the time
that open hostilities were commenced be-
tween the colonies and the mother coun-
try. franklin was then about 40 years
old A final separation was agreed upon
in the spring of 1776. Hostile operations
went on during the summer. Franklin
was sent to Paris in the middle of the
winter in 1776, to ask for aid in the i'm
pending struggle, which was granted in such
an indirect way as could be secretly render
ed Franklin remained in France for sew
eral years as minister plenipotentiary The
French government deemed that it would
be safe for them to enter into treaties of
commerce and friendship with the new
state This was accordingly done in Feb
ruary, 177S, though it necessarily involved
the consequence of war with England.
Soon after the peace was made, Frank
lin prepared to take leave of France, in
order to return to his native land. The
voyage occupied period of 48 days, at
the end of which time the ship anchored
Just below Philadelphia.
Benjamin Franklin organized the first
fire company in this country, in Philadel-
phia, in 1858. He improved the printing
press, invented stereotyping and manifest
letter writer's. He cured smokey chimneys
of bad habits. He amended the shape and
the rig of ships. He showed the sailors
how they might take advantage of the Gulf
Stream, to shorten their eastward transit
of the Atlantic, and how to steer so as to
avoid it on the westward passage. He
told them how few men might haul q
heavy boat, and how they might keep
fresh provisions at sea. He suggested i'm
provements in the soup dishes of sailors,
and in the water troughs of horses. He
introduced new kinds of seeds, grass, tur-
nips, broom-corn, curious beans from Eng
land, vines from France, and many other
vegetables and plants. He drained lands
skillfully, and gathered good crops from
them. He reformed fre-places, and in
vented the Franklin stove. First of all
men he warmed public buildings He had
fan in his chair, moved by treadle, to
drive away the flies. he made spectacles,
with two sets of glasses, for far and near
sight. He invented musical instrument
and improved the electrical machine. He
discovered that lightning and electricity
are the same, proving it in the simplest,
deepest and most satisfactory manner, by
catching the actual lightning. He first
discovered the difference between positive
and negative electricity, &c.
The London Society of Arts has had
tablet inserted in the front of the house
on Craven street, where Franklin lodged
during his visit to London in 1856, with
this inscription:
Lived Here
Benjamin Franklin,
Printer
Philosopher and Statesman
Died 1870.
Much more might be said in this brief
notice of this distinguished man and pro-
found philosopher, but we conclude by
subjoining the following epitaph, which
was written by himself many years previ-
ously to his death:
The body of
Benjamin Franklin. Printer,
Like the cover of an old book.
Its contents torn out,
And Stript Of its lettering and gliding
Lies here food for worms:
Yet the work itself shall not be lost
For II viii (as he believedl appear once more
In a new,
And more beautiful edition,
Corrected and amended
By the Author.
NEwsPAPERs.-The newspaper of to-
day is the marvel of the century, says a
New York clergyman. 1t is a miracle of
system. 1t is a monument of human in
dustry. 1t is a wonder of foresight and
insight. 1t not only stirs our gratitude
it eompels our respect. We may well take
off our hats in the presence of the news
paper, it represents SO many praiseworthy
qualities. BY its instrumentality every
body is next door neighbor to everybody.
1t makes the whole world akin. The
daily report of the doings of the globe in