Title: Notes on the Association, 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Between November 1747 and September 1748 the Pennsylvania Gazette printed many items about enemy privateering in the Delaware Bay and River, about defense, and about the Association. These notes are helpful in understanding many of the documents printed above. Because of their importance, not only as reference materials but as illustrations of many of Franklin’s activities during these hectic months, a generous selection is included here.

Friday last Nine Companies of the Associators of this City, and one of Moyamensing, having chosen their Officers for the ensuing Year, marched up, and met at the State-House; where the President and Council were sitting, who immediately granted the Commissions. The Officers then withdrawing into a Room by themselves, elected Abraham Taylor, Esq; Colonel; Thomas Lawrence, Esq; Lieutenant Colonel; and Samuel M’Call, Esq; Major of the Regiment; which soon after began to March through the Town to the Court-House, in Market-Street, where it was drawn up in three Divisions, and after three general Discharges from each Division, separated, each Captain leading off his own Company. The whole was performed with the greatest Order and Regularity, and without occasioning the least Disturbance. Some of the Companies exceed 100 Men each, and most of them fall but little short of that Number. On the same Day the Kingsess Company met at Jenkins’s Ferry, and chose their Officers. Several other Companies of Associators in the neighbouring Towns met also; but the Accounts of their Elections are not yet come to hand.
Order of the several Companies, determined by Lot, with the Names of the Officers, viz.
Number I.
Charles Willing, Captain; Atwood Shute, Lieutenant; James Claypole, Ensign.
Number II.
Thomas Bond, Captain; Richard Farmer, Lieutenant; Plunket Fleeson, Ensign.
Number III.
John Inglis, Captain; Lyn-Ford Lardner, Lieutenant; Thomas Lawrence, jun. Ensign.
Number IV.
James Polegreen, Captain; William Bradford, Lieutenant; William Bingham, Ensign.
Number V.
Peacock Bigger, Captain; Joseph Redman, Lieutenant; Joseph Ward, Ensign.
Number VI.
Thomas Bourne, Captain; Robert Owen, Lieutenant; Peter Etter, Ensign.
Number VII.
William Cuzzins, Captain; George Spafford, Lieutenant; Abraham Mason, Ensign.
Number VIII.
Septimus Robinson, Captain; William Clemm, Lieutenant; William Rush, Ensign.
Number IX.
James Coultas, Captain; George Gray, jun. Lieutenant; Abraham Jones, Ensign.
Number X.
John Ross, Captain; Richard Swan, Lieutenant; Philip Benezet, Ensign.

Number XI.
Richard Nixon, Captain; Richard Renshaw, Lieutenant; Francis Garrigues, Ensign.
[January 5]

   Yesterday the Mayor and Common-Council of this City met, and agreed, for the Encouragement of the Lottery, and promoting the Publick Benefit design’d by it, to take 2000 of the remaining Tickets; so that there are now but a few left. ’Tis observable, that the late Lotteries in New-England and New-York, have taken more Months to fill than this has Weeks; it being but 7 Weeks since the first Tickets were ready to sell, tho’ the Season has been so severe, as almost to cut off the Communication with the Country and neighbouring Provinces; and were it not that no Return is yet made of some Tickets sent for Sale to distant Places, the Drawing might immediately proceed. [January 19]

Plank for the Platforms, and all other Materials, are preparing with all Diligence, for erecting strong Batteries on the River below this Town; and such is the Zeal and Industry of all concern’d, that ’tis not doubted they will be in good Condition very early in the Spring.
[January 19]

We learn from different Parts of the Country, that the Association goes on with great Success, notwithstanding the Season. If there are any Quantities of Small Arms to spare in the neighbouring Governments, they would meet here with a ready Market. [January 19]

Preparations are making to begin the Drawing of the Lottery on Monday next. The Managers having no Tickets left, and the Demand still continuing, the Corporation continue to spare of the Number they bought, which may be had at the Post-Office till Saturday next.
[February 2]

The greatest Part of the Prize Money in the late Lottery being now paid, the Managers have agreed to give Attendance for Payment of the Remainder on Wednesdays and Saturdays only, from Ten to Twelve in the Morning, and from Three to Five in the Afternoon, at the House of William Allen, Esq; where also all concerned may see and inspect the Books. [March 1]

It being proposed to erect at least two good Batteries on the River for the Defence of this City, the Managers of the Lottery, with their Assistants, intend to meet on Monday next, to determine the Places where to fix them, and to consider and conclude on several other Matters relating to the immediate beginning and carrying on the Work, &c. in all which they would be glad to receive the Advice of those that have Judgment or Experience in such Affairs, who are therefore desired to reduce their Sentiments to Writing, with their Reasons, and communicate them to the Managers for their Consideration at the said Meeting. [March 1]

[Advertisement] A Parcel of good Muskets, all well fitted with Bayonets, Belts and Cartouch-Boxes, and Buff Slings to cast over the Shoulder, very useful to such as have Occasion to ride with their Arms; To be sold by B. Franklin. [March 8]

The Field Officers of the Associated Regiment of this City, hereby give Notice, That said Regiment is to meet on Easter-Tuesday, the 12th of April next, at 10 o’Clock in the Forenoon: On Tuesday, the 24th of May: In August, on the Day agreed upon in the Articles of Association: And on Tuesday, the 4th of October next. And that if the Weather proves bad or rainy on any of these Days, then they are to meet on the very next fair Day following. [March 29]

Tuesday last near 1000 Associators of this City were under Arms, and review’d by their Honours the President and Council in the Field; from whence they march’d into Town, drew up in Market-street, fired three general Vollies, and then separated, each Captain leading off his own Company to its respective Ward. The Appearance they made, the Regularity with which they perform’d their Exercise, and the good Order observ’d throughout the whole, gave great Satisfaction to the Spectators, who were very numerous, and to the City in general. While they were in the Field, Col. Taylor represented to them in a short Speech, that several of the Country Regiments had generously express’d their Readiness to come to the Defence of this City on Occasion; but as no Provision was made by the Publick for their Subsistence in such Cases, and it would not be reasonable to expect they should be among us at their own Expence, therefore it was propos’d that every Hous-holder of the City-Associators, would freely entertain three or four, or as many as his House would accommodate of his Country Brethren, till the threaten’d Danger should be over, and that their Horses should be well provided for gratis. The Proposal was universally approv’d of and agreed to, and the general Assent of the whole declar’d by three hearty and unanimous Huzza’s. [April 16]

      The Cannon which have been so kindly lent us by the Government of N. York, are all deliver’d at Trenton on this River, and expected in Town in a few Days. [April 16]

On a Review made last Week of the Cannon lying on the several Wharves of this City, there were found to be near 70 of different Sizes, fit for Service on Occasion. And Committees being appointed by the Managers of the Lottery to erect Fascine Batteries on the Wharves that are best situated for that Purpose, a Number of the Guns were immediately removed and distributed in the most proper Places, and such Provision made for erecting those Batteries, that they may be compleated at an Hour’s Warning.
The Grand Battery at Wicacoa below this Town is also near finished, and ’tis thought will be ready the Beginning of next Week to receive the heavy Cannon borrowed from N. York.
Last Monday Morning was begun, and on Tuesday Evening compleatly finished, a Battery of 13 fine Guns, under Society Hill, on the Wharff of William Atwood, Esq; our present Mayor; the Breastwork is 8 or 10 Foot thick, compos’d of Timber and Plank fill’d in with Earth rammed down. The Building of the Breastwork and Merlons, laying the Platform, &c. was done by a Number of the House-Carpenters of this City, who voluntarily and generously offered their Labour gratis, and perform’d the Work with the greatest Alacrity and surprizing Dispatch.
[April 28]

The Field Officers of the Associated Regiment of this City, hereby give Notice, that Tuesday next is the Day appointed for the general Review of said Regiment; that therefore the respective Companies are desired to meet at their Captain’s Quarters precisely at 3 o’Clock in the Afternoon, so as to march from thence, and be in the Field (the same they were review’d in last general Muster) exactly at Four: And whereas last Review-day, several of the Companies were a long Time in the Field before the others came, which was very fatiguing to them; ’tis therefore desir’d and expected, that all the Companies will be punctual, as to the Time of being on the Ground, so that they may not wait for one another. [May 19]

Sunday last arrived here the Otter man of war, Capt. Ballet, in 7 weeks from Portsmouth, who is stationed here for the protection of our trade; so that we have reason to hope (particularly from the character of the Commander) that our coast will soon be clear’d of the privateers now infesting it. Captain Ballet came out with the Virginia fleet, under convoy of the Hector man of war, but parted with them about six hundred leagues off. In his passage, about 300 leagues off, he met, and had a smart engagement with, a very large ship for 4 hours, and would have carried her had not the Night come on. He had one of his hands killed, and seven or eight wounded.
[May 26]

Tuesday last Col. Taylor’s regiment of associators in this city, consisting of eleven companies, was under arms, and review’d by their honours the President and Council, in the field. Strangers who were present agree, that the progress this regiment has made in military discipline in so short a time, was truly extraordinary. [May 26]

Last night there was a report in town that the enemy’s privateers were as high up as Bomba-Hook, and had taken two shallops there. [May 26]

Philadelphia, May 30. 1748.
Notice is hereby given, that it has been thought necessary, for His Majesty’s Service, and the Safety of this City, that no Ship, Vessel or Boat, be permitted to pass the Lower Battery, from the Hour of Eight in the Evening, to Four in the Morning, until the Master of such Vessel have sent his Boat on Shore, or have otherwise made himself known to the Garrison; for which Purpose Orders have been issued to the commanding Officer of the Batteries.
By Order of the Honourable the President and Council,
Richard Peters, Secretary.
[June 2]

On Thursday last an express arrived from Elsingborough, in Salem county, to acquaint this government, that one George Proctor had swam ashore there the night before, from a brigt. then lying off in the river, and deposed before the magistrates, that she was a Spanish privateer from the Havanna, mounting 14 carriage guns, 6 and 4 pounders, with 160 men.
[June 2]

Soon after it was known that the enemies privateers were in our River, a subscription was proposed to raise a sum of money, either by way of gift, or of advance to the government, in expectation of being repay’d by the assembly when they should next meet, in order to fit out immediately one or more armed vessels, to clear the bay and coast, and protect our trade: But it seems to be at a stand at present; the little thanks and great censure those met with, who generously equipp’d the Warren for the same purpose last year, together with the consideration of the last message from the assembly, having very much discouraged it. All foreign trade is now at a stand, and the port as much shut up, as if the river was frozen. ’Tis tho’t the damage already done by the enemy is many times greater than the expence that might have been sufficient, with God’s blessing, to prevent it. But that which would have been easy for All to bear, is really too hard for a Few. [June 2]

The Associators mount guard every night in their turns, at the Great Battery, near this city. In case of any alarm in the night, all well disposed persons are desired to place candles in their lower windows and doors, for the more convenient marching of the militia and other well-affected persons who may join them. [June 2]

On Friday last five Companies of Col. Jones’s Regiment of Associators were reviewed at Germantown. They made a very handsome Appearance, went thro’ their Exercise and performed their Firings exceedingly well, and had great Applause from the most judicious Spectators. We hear that four other Companies of the same Regiment were review’d on Monday following at Norrinton, and performed likewise to general Satisfaction. A very commendable Sobriety and good Order has hitherto been observed at those Meetings of the Associators, which it is hoped will always continue. [June 9]

Philadelphia, June 9. 1748.
Now fitting out for a cruizing voyage against his majesty’s enemies, and will sail in 14 days, The Privateer Brigt. Trembleur, Abraham Matthews, Commander, To carry 16 carriage guns, 6 pounders, and 16 swivels, with 120 men.
All gentlemen sailors, and others, inclined to enter on board said privateer, may repair to the commander aforesaid, or to the sign of the Trembleur, in Water-street, where the articles are to be seen and signed by those who are willing to go the Cruize. [June 9]

Yesterday His Majesty’s Ship Otter, Captain Ballet, fell down on a Cruize. [June 23]

      We hear that Captain Ballet, Commander of his Majesty’s Ship Otter, has taken a French Flag of Truce at our Capes, bound in here; but had before been taken, and carried into Providence, where most of her Cargoe was condemned, and taken out of her: And also Capt. Hogg, belonging to this Place, supposed to have been trading with the Spaniards; and has carried them both into Virginia, in order to be tried. [July 14]

      In Pursuance of his Majesty’s Command, signified to the Honourable the President and Council of this Province, by his grace the Duke of Bedford, his Majesty’s Proclamation for a Cessation of Arms was published here Wednesday last. [August 18]

Notice is hereby given, that Monday the 29th of this Inst. August, is appointed for a General Review of the City Regiment, which is to be at the usual Place of Parade, at 9 o’Clock in the Forenoon; at which Time the Artillery Company are to be at their respective Posts, at the Grand Battery. [August 18]

The new large Cannon that lately arrived from England, purchased by the Managers of the Lottery, being mounted on the Great Battery; on Monday last the Associators of this City met under Arms, and march’d thither; where they were saluted with One and Twenty Guns, and nam’d the Battery, The Association. [September 1]


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 29 September 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Colden, Cadwallader

Sir
Philada. Sept. 29. 1748
I received your Favour of the 12th Inst. which gave me the greater Pleasure, as ’twas so long since I had heard from you. I congratulate you on your Return to your beloved Retirement: I too am taking the proper Measures for obtaining Leisure to enjoy Life and my Friends more than heretofore, having put my Printing house under the Care of my Partner David Hall, absolutely left off Bookselling, and remov’d to a more quiet Part of the Town, where I am settling my old Accounts and hope soon to be quite a Master of my own Time, and no longer (as the Song has it) at every one’s Call but my own. If Health continues, I hope to be able in another Year to visit the most distant Friend I have, without Inconvenience. With the same Views I have refus’d engaging further in publick Affairs; The Share I had in the late Association, &c. having given me a little present Run of Popularity, there was a pretty general Intention of chusing me a Representative for the City at the next Election of Assemblymen; but I have desired all my Friends who spoke to me about it, to discourage it, declaring that I should not serve if chosen. Thus you see I am in a fair Way of having no other Tasks than such as I shall like to give my self, and of enjoying what I look upon as a great Happiness, Leisure to read, study, make Experiments, and converse at large with such ingenious and worthy Men as are pleas’d to honour me with their Friendship or Acquaintance, on such Points as may produce something for the common Benefit of Mankind, uninterrupted by the little Cares and Fatigues of Business. Among other Pleasures I promise my self, that of Corresponding more frequently and fully with Dr. Colden is none of the least; I shall only wish that what must be so agreable to me, may not prove troublesome to you.
I thank you for your kind recommending of me to Mr. Osborne. Mr. Read would readily have put the Books into my Hands, but it being now out of my Way to dispose of them, I propos’d to Mr. Hall the Taking them into his Shop; but he having look’d over the Invoice, says they are charg’d so extravagantly high, that he cannot sell them for any Profit to himself, without hurting the Character of his Shop: He will however, at my Request, take the Indian Histories and put them on Sale; but the rest of the Cargo must lie I believe for Mr. Osborne’s further Orders: I shall write to him by our next Vessels.
I am glad you have had an Opportunity of gaining the Friendship of Govr. Shirley, with whom tho’ I have not the honour of being particularly acquainted, I take him to be a wise, good and worthy Man. He is now a Fellow-Sufferer with you, in being made the Subject of some public virulent and senseless Libels: I hope they give him as little Pain.
Mr. Bartram continues well. Here is a Swedish Gentleman, a Professor of Botany, lately arriv’d, and I suppose will soon be your Way, as he intends for Canada. Mr. Collinson and Dr. Mitchel recommend him to me as a very ingenious Man: Perhaps the enclos’d (left at the Post Office for you) may be from him. I have not seen him since the first Day he came. I deliver’d yours to Mr. Evans; and when I next see Mr. Bartram, shall acquaint him with what you say. I am, with great Esteem and Respect, Dear Sir Your most obliged humble Servant
B Franklin
 Addressed: To  The honble Cadwalader Colden Esqr  Coldengham  Free B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 19 October 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Strahan, William

Dear Sir
Philada. Oct. 19. 1748
I receiv’d your Favour of April 25, with the Maps, &c. I am glad the Polybius did not come, and hope you will not have sent it when this reaches your Hands; it was intended for my Son, who was then in the Army, and seemed bent on a military Life; but as Peace cuts off his Prospect of Advancement in that Way, he will apply himself to other Business. Enclos’d I send you his Certificate from the Governor of New York, by which he is entitled to £98 16s. 4d. Sterling, being his Pay; with a Letter of Attorney impowering you to receive it; I know not what the Deductions will be at the Pay Office; but desire you will give my Account Credit for the net Proceeds. I am in daily Expectation of a Bill from Virginia of £50 which I shall remit you towards the Ballance, and Mr. Hall will account with you for those Things you have sent me, that are put in his Invoice. Our Accounts agree, except that I have charg’d you £1 9s. 7d. for the Ainsworth d[elivere]d James Read, the 6s. 7d. being the Proportion of Charges on that Book, and the Bill on Geo. Rigge my Account calls £15 7s. 11d., yours £15 7s. 1d.; which is but a small Variation; and I know not but yours may be right.
I have lately sent a Printing-house to Antigua, by a very sober, honest and diligent young Man, who has already (as I am inform’d by divers Hands) gain’d the Friendship of the principal People, and is like to get into good Business. This will open another Market for your Books if you think fit to use it; for I am persuaded, that if you shall send him a Parcel with any Quantity of Stationary he may write to you for, he will make you good and punctual Returns. His Name is Thomas Smith; he is the only Printer on that Island: had work’d with me here, and at my Printing-house in N York, 3 or 4 Years, and always behav’d extreamly well.
Mr. Thos Osborne, Bookseller of London, is endeavouring to open a Correspondence in the Plantations for the Sale of his Books: He has accordingly sent several Parcels, I to Mr. Parker of N York, I to Mr. Read here, and one to Mr. Parks in Virginia. I have seen the Invoices to Parker and Read; and observe the Books to be very high charg’d, so that I believe they will not sell. I recommended Parker to you for Books, but he tells me he has wrote you several Letters, and in two of them sent a Guinea to purchase some small Things, but never receiv’d any Answer. Perhaps the Guineas made the Letters miscarry. He is a very honest punctual Man, and will be in the Way of selling a great many Books; I think you might find your Account in Writing to him. Mr. Read having left off Bookselling Osborne has wrote to me and desired me to take those Books into my Hands, proposing a Correspondence, &c. but I have declin’d it in a Letter per this Ship.
My Spouse will write to Mrs. Strahan, to whom my best Respects. By this time twelvemonth, if nothing extraordinary happens to prevent it, I hope to have the Pleasure of seeing you both in London; being, with great Esteem and Affection, Dear Sir, Your obliged Friend and Servant
B Franklin
P.S. You will find Mr. Geo. Smith, one of the Witnesses to the Power of Attorney at the Pensilvania Coffee House. He goes over in this Ship.

   Mr. Strahan


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 7 November 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Logan, James

[November 7, 1748]
I send you herewith the late Voyage for the Discovery of the Northwest Passage, which I hope may afford you some entertainment. If you have the Journal of the French Academicians to Lapland, I should be glad to see it.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 9 November 1748
From: Logan, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My friend B F.
9br [November] 9th [1748]
I here return thee Hen: Ellis’s Tract of his Voyage to Hudson’s Bay, which I have perused and I thank thee for the Loan of it. But I’m Sorry for the Loss of Sandin the Swedish Minister for they generally use to be a good Sort of People, their Ministers I mean. I know not what to think of Kalm. I had a Letter from Linnaeus 10 or 11 years Since when he was in Holland, and another recommendation from the Same Linnaeus, in Gustav Wahlbom’s Inauguration [dissertation] which as I have Said before, is called Sponsalia Plantarum and in this he mentions my little piece that I Sent thee in my last 4 times, and yet carries not the matter as far as I have done which I admire at, And thereto I would willingly Speak with Kalm tho’ I’m very Sensible Age and the Palsey have weakned me much, and the hesitation in my Speech has greatly disabled me. But he Surprizes me if he comes on no other design than he told to P. Collinson. I would gladly See thee when thou canst make it Suit thy own time and if thou keeps not a horse my Son will furnish thee with one. I am with Sincere respect Thy real friend
J L
To Benj. Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 23 November 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Strahan, William

Dear Sir
Philada. Nov. 23. 1748
I have just Time to acquaint you that yours per Cowie is this moment come to hand, with Mr. Read’s Account &c. I shall use my best Endeavours to get your Money, and am not without Hopes of Succeeding. I wrote you the 19th past, and sent a Power with the first of the enclos’d Certificates, which I hope will get safe to hand. You may depend on having the Ballance of my Account in a few Months. I am, Sir, Your obliged humble Servant
B Franklin

I have desired Dr. Mitchel to pay you 3 Guineas, being the Price of a Fireplace sent him for the D. of Argyle.

Mr. Strahan


Title: Philadelphia Common Council to James Hamilton and Reply, 25 November 1748
From: Philadelphia Common Council
To: Hamilton, James

Franklin was chosen a member of the Philadelphia Common Council, Oct. 4, 1748. Mayor Charles Willing proposed, Nov. 24, a congratulatory address to James Hamilton, newly appointed governor, upon his arrival in Pennsylvania; the Council agreed, and named Willing, William Allen, Benjamin Shoemaker, Thomas Hopkinson, and Franklin to draft the address. The committee laid the draft before the Council the next day; after some amendments, it was ordered engrossed and was presented to Hamilton.

[November 25, 1748]
To the Honourable James Hamilton, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware;

The humble Address of the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of Philadelphia, in Common Council assembled.
May it please Your Honour,
We, the Mayor and Commonalty, beg Leave to congratulate You, in the sincerest Manner, on Your happy return to Your Country, and Accession to the Government; Events that fill the Hearts of the People of all Ranks and Denominations with unfeigned Joy.
We cannot but esteem it a peculiar Happiness to have a Gentleman appointed our Governor, who is so perfectly acquainted with our publick Affairs, and whose real Regard for the Welfare of this Province, and Affection for its Inhabitants, are so well known to us.
From the long Acquaintance we have had with Your amiable private Character, and the Benevolence of Your Disposition; and from our Experience of Your Integrity and Ability in the Discharge of the several publick Offices You have heretofore sustained among us; we assure ourselves that this City and Province will be happy under Your Administration; and that we shall always have the highest reason to be thankful to our Proprietors for an Appointment so favourable to the People.
Signed by Order of the Board,
Charles Willing, Mayor

Gentlemen,
To which the Governor was pleased to make the following Answer.
I am extremely obliged to you for this early Mark of Respect; but more particularly so, for the favourable Opinion you are pleased to entertain of my private Character: And altho’, on the one Hand, I am conscious to myself how far short I fall of what your Partiality in Favour of a Countryman may have induced you to ascribe to me; yet, on the other, I am proud to say, that with regard to the sincere Affection I have for the Inhabitants of this City and Province, you have done me no more than Justice.
As I have lately had the Honour to be admitted to some Share of Confidence with your Proprietors, I can, with the greater Certainty, declare to you their real Regard for the People, and the great Satisfaction they take in the Welfare and Prosperity of this Province; and I am persuaded I cannot so effectually recommend myself to their future Favour, as by making use of the Powers they have been pleased to intrust me with, for the Benefit and Advantage of all those under my Government; which I beg you to assure yourselves it is my hearty Inclination to do.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 29 November 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Logan, James

Sir
Philada. Nov. 29. 1748
I received your Favour of the 9th Inst. with the Voyage in Search of the N.W. Passage; I have been several Times since at Kalm’s Lodgings, but never happen’d to meet with him, he being almost always in the Country. I have got the 2d Vol. of Dialogues on Education, which your Son Jemmey told me you once had a Desire to see. If you have not since seen it, I will send it to you. I am, with great Respect, Sir Your most obliged humble Servant
B Franklin
 Endorsed: Benj: Franklin 9br. 29th 1748. Has received the voyage to Hudsons Bay of Kalm.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Read, 5 December 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Read, James

Sir
[December 5, 1748]
’Tis some Time since I receiv’d a considerable Account against you from England. An Unwillingness to give you Concern has hitherto prevented my mentioning it to you. By comparing the Moderation and long Forbearance towards you of Mr. Strahan, to whom you owe so much, with your Treatment of an old Friend in Distress, bred up with you under the same Roof, and who owes you so little, you may perceive how much you have misunderstood yourself. ’Tis with Regret I now acquaint you, that (even while you were talking to me in that lofty Strain yesterday concerning Mr. Grace,) I had in my Pocket a Power of Attorney to recover of you £131 16s. 4d. Sterling, a Ballance long due. It will be your own Fault if it comes to be known, for I have mention’d it to nobody. And I now ask you how you would in your own Case like those pretty Pieces of Practice you so highly contended for, of Summoning a Day only before the Court, lest the Cause should be made up and Fees thereby prevented; and of carrying on a Suit privately against a Man in another County than that in which he lives and may every Day be found, getting a judgment by Default, and taking him by Surprize with an Execution when he happens to come where you have su’d him, &c. &c. I should be glad to have the Account against my Friend Grace, with all the little Charges you have so cunningly accumulated on it, that I may communicate it to him; and doubt not but he will immediately order you Payment. It appears not unlikely to me, that he may soon get thro’ all his Difficulties, and as I know him good-natur’d and benevolent to a high Degree, so I believe he will be above resenting the Ill-Treatment he has receiv’d from some that are now so fond of insulting him, and from whom he might have expected better Things: But I think you would do well not to treat others in the same Manner, for Fortune’s Wheel is often turning, and all are not alike forgiving. I request, as soon as it suits your Convenience, that you will take the proper Measures with Regard to Mr. Strahan’s Account and am Your humble Servant B F.
 Endorsed: Letter to J Read Dec. 5. 1748


Title: Poor Richard Improved, 1749
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Kind Reader,
By way of preface (for custom says there must be a preface to every almanack) I present thee with an essay wrote by a celebrated naturalist of our country, which, if duly attended to, may be of more service to the publick, than 375 prefaces of my own writing: Take it as follows, viz. An Essay for the improvement of estates, by raising a durable timber for fencing, and other uses.
By a diligent observation in our province, and several adjacent, I apprehend that timber will soon be very much destroyed, occasioned in part by the necessity that our farmers have to clear the greatest part of their land for tillage and pasture, and partly for fuel and fencing. The greatest quantity of our timber for fencing is oak, which is long in growing to maturity, and at best is but of short duration; therefore I believe it would be to our advantage to endeavour to raise some other kind of timber, that will grow faster, or come sooner to maturity, and continue longer before it decays.
The red cedar (a species of juniper) I take to be the most profitable tree for fencing, and several other uses, that we can raise in our country, considering how easily it may be raised from seed; its readiness to grow on most kinds of soil; its quick growth; the profits it will afford while it is arriving to maturity; and the long duration of the wood when grown to a proper size for the materials we want for our several occasions in husbandry or building. The way I propose at first to raise a nursery of them, is to dig a piece of ground, suppose two square rod, clear away the weeds and grass-roots, as you would prepare a bed for parsnips or onions; then sow half a gallon of good berries evenly upon it, and rake them well in; this may be done in the latter end of October, as soon as the berries are ripe; they generally come up the Spring after sowing. Take care to pull up the grass or weeds the first or second year. If the ground be poor, very little attendance will serve, and the cedars will grow well enough. The Seeds may be easily gathered in great quantities on the beaches by the seashore; but when you have got a few bearing trees, the birds will carry the berries all over your plantation, which will come up, and grow finely; so that you may dig up as many as you please to plant, or leave as many as you think proper to grow where they came up, which will soonest come to maturity, if the soil is suitable: But the most danger is their being broke or molested with horn cattle, nothing else is more hurtful to them. I know no other tree that will grow so well on such different soils as this will; for upon our sandy beaches, which are nothing but beds of sand, they grow as thick as possible; from whence many thousand posts for fencing are brought into Pennsylvania and York governments; and I have seen, in a great miry swamp, upon a branch of Sasquehannah, great trees growing, near 18 inches diameter, 70 foot high, and very streight. And the inhabitants near the mountains, up Hudson’s river, make great use of them for making large hovels or barracks to put their corn in before it is threshed. They will grow well in high gravelly or clay soil, in rich or poor, or even upon a rock, if there be but half a foot of sand or earth upon it. It is much to be valued for its quick growth from seed, the little sap, and its much durable heart, which it acquireth sooner than any tree that we can raise on common land. Indeed the mulberry and locust are of quick growth in very rich land, but not upon poor. A cedar tree, from the berry, will in eight years be fit for hoops, in ten for bean-poles, in twelve for hop-poles, in sixteen or eighteen for ladders, and in twenty will be big enough to make three posts, besides a good stake at top; with this care, that they are not removed, bruised or broken, which very much retards their growth, makes them deformed, and spoils their streight pyramidal growth; which form this tree naturally inclines to grow in more than most trees, and in which we must enjoy the greatest profit from it. And we may in this assist nature by art, in carefully trimming them every three or four years, cutting the branches close and smooth off to the bole; so that these wounds may soon be closed, which will make the tree smooth on the surface, and the grain strait, which will be of great service, if we make boards or rails of them, which will be much the better for being clear of knots: But if we let this tree grow without trimming, as it naturally shoots out branches on all sides in all the degrees of its growth, the lower ones die, but do not rot off near the bole, as in other trees; so that the sap can’t close over them, but grows round, which makes the grain crooked, and instead of being streight and even, it appears as if drove full of spikes, as we may observe by the posts (especially the second cut) that are brought from the sea-coast, where they grow naturally, tho’ not so large or tall as these beyond our northern mountains. It is now generally used for posts, which, as I am informed, will last fifty years, or longer: so that one sett of these posts about a plantation, would last a mature age, which would be of great advantage to farmers, and at the first cost, with white cedar or chestnut rails, would be no dearer than a quick-set hedge and ditch, which must be often repaired; this wood would be of extraordinary service in building, for sills for barns, stables and out-houses, and for door and window cases, and boards for floors, I suppose one of the best of woods, as not being subject to swell with moisture, or shrink with dryness; whether or not would it be very good to make large cisterns for the maltsters to steep their barley in, and for the brewers for coolers? I have seen sloops abuilding at Albany of this wood; indeed the bottom, as I remember, was made of oak; for as the river there is shallow, and the vessels often strike upon sand or gravel, which oak, as being a stronger wood, is better able to bear such a shock than cedar, which is more tender; yet notwithstanding the Bermudians build fine durable vessels thereof; and I have seen cedar-trees growing in Pennsylvania large enough to make wider planks than any I have seen in a Bermuda built vessel. I believe it would make curious lasting boats, which would swim light, row well, and want but little repair for many years. I don’t doubt but my countrymen will think, if not say, What signifies telling us of such great advantages which we can’t obtain? We don’t know how to get either hoop or bean-poles of cedar, much less trees for house or ship-building: But I am of opinion, that with care, ingenuity and industry, we may make the very raising of them to a proper magnitude (exclusive of the value of them when cut down) to be easy, ornamental and profitable.
And first, I think it is easy to raise great numbers of them after this manner: Dig them out of the nursery when three or four years old, or about the plantation, as I mentioned before; and if you have an old worn-out field, which many of our country farmers either already have, or I am apt to think soon will have, a field of ten acres, which contains 1600 square perches, will hold as many trees; for a square perch is sufficient room for each tree to stand in, while they are of a middle growth; these trees thus planted in rows, when grown eight or ten foot high, which they will in five years after planting, will put forth their fragrant male blossoms; and the females will begin to produce their aromatick berries, which to behold in upright and regular rows, will be very ornamental. And now some or other of them will yearly want trimming, as I mentioned before, to make a smooth strait-grained bole; the branches thus cut, will make withes, poles, stakes, and furnish brush for dry hedges, and at last fuel for the fire. And if they stand too close, you may cut every other one down for the several occasions mentioned before. When they have been thus order’d for twenty years, I believe one tree will make seven posts, and a rail or pole at top; and in forty or fifty years will make good boards for floors, or planks for naval uses. I have a tree in an old field, which hath stood about eighteen years, that would now make seven good posts.
Note, A field thus planted, will yield good pasture while the trees are growing; for either grass or corn will grow very well near the cedars (but oaks and hickories are very destructive to both, as the walnut is to most fruit-trees) and when cut down will be fresh land for tillage. But the horn-cattle must be kept out until the trees are as thick as one’s wrist, else they will break them to pieces with their horns; but horses and sheep may go in when you please.
There is another method I would propose, which I believe may be altogether as profitable; that is, To plant them close to all the fences belonging to our plantations; whereby we may not only preserve all our fields for tillage, but while they grow, they may support our fences from blowing down. They must be planted close to the fence, if planted young, and trimmed near the top every year, until they are out of the reach of the cattle, else they will break them with their horns. They may be planted one to every pannel, or three to two rod. Then supposing a field of ten acres will take 160 rod of fence to inclose it, you may plant it round with 240 trees, at one to a pannel of fence. Supposing a farmer hath 150 acres within fence, divided into fields of ten acres; but very likely he may have some fields above ten, and some under, and allowing for several partition fences; I will suppose he may plant by all the fences about his plantation 2400 trees; so that if he plants every year 100 trees, he may after 24 years cut down every year 100 successively; which, allowing every tree to yield eight posts, every post to fetch one shilling, which they will now readily do (and hereafter may be more) which amounts to forty pounds; a fine yearly profit, considering we lose so little ground from tillage, and the trouble and expence of raising them is but little, and the profits so great, that I believe we can’t generally fall into a method that will afford the farmer more profit with less expence, and more sure to hit. If we should fall into this method, it will be necessary, that two or three years before we cut a parcel down, we plant a young one between every one that we intend to fall; so that we may always have the same number of growing trees. One inconveniency attending planting them too close to the fence is, that the wind forcibly blowing the young tree to and fro, is apt to rub the bark off next the fence; but when they are grown pretty large, they stand too stiff to be moved by any common blast of wind, and will support the fence. Vale et fruere.
January. XI Month.

   Advice to Youth.
First, Let the Fear of Him who form’d thy Frame,
Whose Hand sustain’d thee e’er thou hadst a Name,
Who brought thee into Birth, with Pow’r of Thought
Receptive of immortal Good, be wrought
Deep in thy Soul. His, not thy own, thou art;
To him resign the Empire of thy Heart.
His Will, thy Law; His Service, thy Employ;
His Frown, thy Dread, his Smile be all thy Joy.

   Wealth and Content are not always Bed-fellows.
   Wise Men learn by others harms; Fools by their own.
   On the 7th of this month 1692 died Robert Boyle, Esq; one of the greatest philosophers the last age produced. He first brought the machine called an Airpump, into use; by which many of the surprizing properties of that wonderful element were discovered and demonstrated. His knowledge of natural history, and skill in chymistry, were very great and extensive; and his piety inferior to neither.

——Boyle, whose pious search
Amid the dark recesses of his works
The great Creator sought:—— Thomson.

   is therefore an instance, that tho’ Ignorance may in some be the Mother of Devotion, yet true learning and exalted piety are by no means inconsistent.
   When we read in antient history of the speeches made by generals to very numerous armies, we sometimes wonder how they could be well heard; but supposing the men got together so close, that each took up no more ground than two foot in breadth, and one in depth, 45000 might stand in a space that was but 100 yards square, and 21780 on a single acre of ground. There are many voices that may be heard at 100 yards distance.
February. XII Month.

Wak’d by the Call of Morn, on early Knee,
Ere the World thrust between thy God and thee,
Let thy pure Oraisons, ascending, gain
His Ear, and Succour of his Grace obtain,
In Wants, in Toils, in Perils of the Day,
And strong Temptations that beset thy Way.
Thy best Resolves then in his Strength renew
To walk in Virtue’s Paths, and Vice eschew.

   The end of Passion is the beginning of Repentance.
   Words may shew a man’s Wit, but Actions his Meaning.
   On the 18th of this month, anno 1546 died that famous reformer, Luther: who struck the great blow to papal tyranny in Europe. He was remarkably temperate in meat and drink, sometimes fasting four days together; and at other times, for many days eating only a little bread and a herring. Cicero says, There was never any great man who was not an industrious man; to which may, perhaps, be added, There was never any industrious man who was not a temperate man: For intemperance in diet, abates the vigour and dulls the action both of mind and body.
Of Sound.
Mr. Flamstead, Dr. Halley and Mr. Derham, agree that sound moves 1142 feet in a second, which is one English mile in 4 seconds and 5 8ths; that it moves in the same time in every different state of the atmosphere; that winds hardly make any difference in its velocity; that a languid or loud sound moves with the same velocity; and that different kinds of sounds, as of bells, guns, &c. have the same velocity, and are equally swift in the beginning as end of their motion.
March. I Month.

To Him intrust thy Slumbers, and prepare
The fragrant Incense of thy Ev’ning Prayer.
But first tread back the Day, with Search severe,
And Conscience, chiding or applauding, hear.
Review each Step; Where, acting, did I err?
Omitting, where? Guilt either Way infer.
Labour this Point, and while thy Frailties last,
Still let each following Day correct the last.

   ’Tis a well spent penny that saves a groat.
   Many Foxes grow grey, but few grow good.
   Presumption first blinds a Man, then sets him a running.

On the 13th of this month, 1741, the river Delaware became navigable again, having been fast froze up to that day, from the 19th of December in the preceding year. The longest and hardest winter remembred here.
   The earth according to Mr.Whiston, is 7970 miles in diameter, which will make nigh 4000 miles in circumference. It revolves about its axis in 23 hours and 56 minutes: It moves in the space of one hour 56,000 miles; and is 365 days 6 hours and 9 minutes revolving about the sun.
   The nose of a lady here, is not delighted with perfumes that she understands are in Arabia. Fine musick in China gives no pleasure to the nicest ear in Pennsilvania. Nor does the most exquisite dish serv’d up in Japan, regale a luxurious palate in any other country. But the benevolent mind of a virtuous man, is pleas’d, when it is inform’d of good and generous actions, in what part of the world soever they are done.
   April. II Month.

Life is a shelvy Sea, the Passage fear,
And not without a skilful Pilot steer.
Distrust thy Youth, experienc’d Age implore,
And borrow all the Wisdom of Threescore.
But chief a Father’s, Mother’s Voice revere;
’Tis Love that chides, ’tis Love that counsels here.
Thrice happy is the Youth, whose pliant Mind
To all a Parent’s Culture is resign’d.

A cold April,
The Barn will fill.

   Content makes poor men rich; Discontent makes rich Men poor.

   Too much plenty makes Mouth dainty.
   On the 7th of this month, 1626, died that great little man, Sir Francis Bacon; great in his prodigious genius, parts and learning; and little, in his servile compliances with a little court, and submissive flattery of a little prince. Pope characterises him thus, in one strong line;

If Parts allure thee, think how Bacon shin’d,
The wisest, brightest, meanest of mankind.

   He is justly esteem’d the father of the modern experimental philosophy. And another poet treats him more favourably, ascribing his blemishes to a wrong unfortunate choice of his way of Life;

———— Bacon, hapless in his choice,
Unfit to stand the civil storm of state,
And thro’ the smooth barbarity of courts,
With firm, but pliant virtue, forward still
To urge his course. Him for the studious shade
Kind nature form’d, deep, comprehensive, clear,
Exact, and elegant; in one rich soul,
Plato, the Stagyrite, and Tully join’d.
The great deliverer he! who from the gloom
Of cloister’d monks, and jargon-teaching schools,
Led forth the true Philosophy, there long
Held in the magic chain of words and forms,
And definitions void: He led her forth,
Daughter of Heav’n! that slow ascending still,
Investigating sure the chain of things,
With radiant finger points to Heav’n again.

May. III Month.
    O, well begun, Virtue’s great Work pursue,
Passions at first we may with Ease subdue;
But if neglected, unrestrain’d too long,
Prevailing in their Growth, by Habit strong,
They’ve wrapp’d the Mind, have fix’d the stubborn Bent,
And Force of Custom to wild Nature lent;

Who then would set the crooked Tree aright,
As soon may wash the tawny Indian white.

   If Passion drives, let Reason hold the Reins.

Neither trust, nor contend, nor lay wagers, nor lend;
And you’ll have peace to your Lives end.

   Drink does not drown Care, but waters it, and makes it grow faster.
   Who dainties love, shall Beggars prove.
   On the 18th of this Month, 1684, the superbe city of Genoa, was barbarously bombarded by the French, and a great part of its beautiful buildings reduced to rubbish; in chastisement of a small affront taken by the Gallic King. The English, tho’ lately in open war with that republic, have generously and humanely abstain’d from so cruel a proceeding.
   On the 27th, anno 1564, died at Geneva that famous reformer, Mr. John Calvin, A man of equal temperance and sobriety with Luther, and perhaps yet greater industry. His lectures were yearly 186, his sermons yearly 286; he published besides every year some great volume in folio; to which add his constant employments, in governing the church, answering letters from all parts of the reformed world, from pastors, concerning doubts, or asking counsel, &c. &c. He ate little meat, and slept but very little; and as his whole time was filled up with useful action, he may be said to have lived long, tho’ he died at 55 years of age; since sleep and sloth can hardly be called living.
June. IV Month.

Industry’s bounteous Hand may Plenty bring,
But wanting frugal Care, ’twill soon take wing.

Small thy Supplies, and scanty in their Source,
’Twixt Av’rice and Profusion steer thy Course.
Av’rice is deaf to Want’s Heart-bursting Groan,
Profusion makes the Beggar’s Rags thy own:
Close Fraud and Wrong from griping Av’rice grow,
From rash Profusion desp’rate Acts and Woe.

   A Man has no more Goods than he gets Good by.
   Welcome, Mischief, if thou comest alone.
   Different Sects like different clocks, may be all near the matter, tho’ they don’t quite agree.
   On the 15th of this month, anno 1215, was Magna Charta sign’d by King John, for declaring and establishing English Liberty.
   It was wise counsel given to a young man, Pitch upon that course of life which is most excellent, and Custom will make it the most delightful. But many pitch on no course of life at all, nor form any scheme of living, by which to attain any valuable end; but wander perpetually from one thing to another.

Hast thou not yet propos’d some certain end,
To which thy life, thy every act may tend?
Hast thou no mark at which to bend thy bow?
Or like a boy pursu’st the carrion crow
With pellets and with stones, from tree to tree,
A fruitless toil, and liv’st extempore?
Watch the disease in time: For when, within
The dropsy rages, and extends the skin,
In vain for helebore the patient cries,
And sees the doctor, but too late is wise:
Too late for cure, he proffers half his wealth;
Ten thousand doctors cannot give him health.
Learn, wretches, learn the motions of the mind,
Why you were mad, for what you were design’d,
And the great moral end of human kind.

Study thy self; what rank or what degree,
The wise creator has ordain’d for thee:
And all the offices of that estate,
Perform, and with thy prudence guide thy fate.

July. V Month.

Honour the softer Sex; with courteous Style,
And Gentleness of Manners, win their Smile;
Nor shun their virtuous Converse; but when Age
And Circumstance consent, thy Faith engage
To some discreet, well-natur’d chearful Fair,
One not too stately for the Houshold Care,
One form’d in Person and in Mind to please,
To season Life, and all its Labours ease.

   If your head is wax, don’t walk in the Sun.

Pretty and Witty,
Will wound if they hit ye.

   Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.
   On the 12th of this month, anno 1712, died Richard the son of Oliver Cromwell, aged 90 years. And on the 13th, anno 1713, was the treaty of Utrecht signed, ending a glorious war by an inglorious peace. The Preliminaries of the new Peace, are copied from those of the old one; ’tis to be hoped the Peace itself will be better.

’Tis raging Noon, and, vertical, the Sun
Darts on the Head direct his forceful rays.
All-conqu’ring Heat, oh intermit thy wrath!
And on my throbbing temples potent thus
Beam not so fierce! Incessant still you flow,
And still another fervent flood succeeds,
Pour’d on the head profuse. In vain I sigh,
And restless turn, and look around for night;
Night is far off; and hotter hours approach.

Thrice happy he! that on the sunless side
Of a romantick mountain, forest-crown’d,
Beneath the whole collected shade reclines:
Or in the gelid caverns, woodbine-wrought,
And fresh bedew’d with ever-spouting streams,
Sits coolly calm; while all the world without
Unsatisfy’d and sick, tosses in noon,
Emblem instructive of the virtuous man,
Who keeps his temper’d mind serene and pure,
And every Passion aptly harmoniz’d,
Amid a jarring world, with vice enflam’d.

August. VI Month.

Gaming, the Vice of Knaves and Fools, detest,
Miner of Time, of Substance and of Rest;
Which, in the Winning or the Losing Part,
Undoing or undone, will wring the Heart:
Undone, self-curs’d, thy Madness thou wilt rue;
Undoing, Curse of others will pursue
Thy hated Head. A Parent’s, Houshold’s Tear,
A Neighbour’s Groan, and Heav’n’s Displeasure fear.

   ’Tis a laudable Ambition, that aims at being better than his Neighbours.
   The wise Man draws more Advantage from his Enemies, than the Fool from his Friends.
   On the 17th of this month, anno 1657, died the famous Admiral Blake, who was a soldier as well as seaman, and by several examples taught Great-Britain, that her wooden castles, properly managed, were an over-match for the stone-walls of her enemies.
   Pride is said to be the last vice the good man gets clear of. ’Tis a meer Proteus, and disguises itself under all manner of appearances, putting on sometimes even the mask of humility. If some are proud of neatness and propriety of dress; others are equally so of despising it, and acting the perpetual sloven.

Morose is sunk with shame, whene’er surpriz’d
In linnen clean, or peruke undisguis’d.
No sublunary chance his vestments fear,
Valu’d, like leopards, as their spots appear.
A fam’d surtout he wears, which once was blue,
And his foot swims in a capacious shoe.
One day his wife (for who can wives reclaim)
Level’d her barbarous needle at his fame;
But open force was vain; by night she went,
And while he slept, surpriz’d the darling rent;
Where yawn’d the frize, is now become a doubt,
And glory at one entrance quite shut out.

   Numbers that are equal to the sum of all their aliquot parts, are called perfect numbers; such are 6, 28, 120, &c. Of these numbers Mr. Stone, in his Mathematical Dictionary, says, there are but ten, between 1 and 1,000000,000000. I shall leave my curious reader to find the rest.
September. VII Month.

Wouldst thou extract the purest Sweet of Life,
Be nor Ally nor Principal in Strife.
A Mediator there, thy Balsam bring,
And lenify the Wound, and draw the Sting;

On Hate let Kindness her warm Embers throw,
And mould into a Friend the melting Foe.
The weakest Foe boasts some revenging Pow’r;
The weakest Friend some serviceable Hour.

   All would live long, but none would be old.
   Declaiming against Pride, is not always a Sign of Humility.
   Neglect kills Injuries, Revenge increases them.
   On the 12th of this month, anno 1604, the town of Ostend was surrender’d to the Spaniards, after a siege of three years, in which they lost 70,000 men. In the two last sieges, it was taken in fewer weeks.
   It is the opinion of all the modern philosophers and mathematicians, that the planets are habitable worlds. If so, what sort of constitutions must those people have who live in the planet Mercury? where, says Sir Isaac Newton, the heat of the sun is seven times as great as it is with us; and would make our Water boil away. For the same person found by experiments, that an heat seven times as great as the heat of the sun in summer, is sufficient to set water a boiling.
   In the machine at Derby in England for winding Italian silk, there are 26,586 wheels, 97,746 movements; 73,728 yards of silk wound every time the water-wheel goes round, which is three times every minute; 318,504,960 yards of silk in one day and night; and consequently 99,373,547,550 yards of silk in a year. One water-wheel communicates motion to all the rest of the wheels and movements, of which any one may be stopped separately, and independent of the rest. One fire-engine conveys air to every individual part of the machine, and one regulator governs the whole work.

October. VIII Month.

In Converse be reserv’d, yet not morose,
In Season grave, in Season, too, jocose.
Shun Party-Wranglings, mix not in Debate
With Bigots in Religion or the State.
No Arms to Scandal or Detraction lend,
Abhor to wound, be fervent to defend.
Aspiring still to know, a Babbler scorn,
But watch where Wisdom opes her golden Horn.

   9 Men in 10 are suicides.
   Doing an Injury puts you below your Enemy; Revenging one makes you but even with him; Forgiving it sets you above him.
   On the 14th of this month, 1722, was the present King of France crowned.
   That famous specific for the cure of intermitting fevers, agues, &c. called the Jesuits Bark, after it had been introduced into Europe with great applause, fell into a general disrepute (from some accidents attending the injudicious use of it) and was a long time neglected. At length one Talbot, an illiterate Englishman, grew remarkable for curing those disorders speedily and effectually, by a medicine which no one knew; and his fame reaching France, Lewis XIV. sent for him to the Dauphin, who had long labour’d under an obstinate ague, that resisted all the medicines then used by the best physicians. When he arriv’d at Paris, and had seen the Dauphin, he boldly undertook his cure; but being first, for form-sake, examined by the King’s physicians, they asked among other things, What he judg’d the Dauphin’s distemper to be? ’Tis an ague, says he. What is an ague? said they, give us a definition of it. Pray, says he, what is a definition? A definition, says one, is a clear, short, and proper description of a thing in words. Why then, gentlemen, says he, I will give you a definition of an ague; ’Tis a distemper—that I can cure, and you can’t. They were affronted, told the King that Talbot was an ignorant quack, and not fit to be trusted with the Dauphin’s health. The King however was resolv’d to try him and the Dauphin was cured. That munificent prince, besides rewarding Talbot, bought his secret at a great price for the publick good, and it prov’d no other thing than the Bark disguis’d, and some rules for giving it, now well known to physicians. Thenceforward the bark grew into repute again, and is now in high esteem, daily gaining ground, and overcoming by the success attending it the prejudices that were once so universal against the use of it. ’Tis not unlikely, that some other valuable old medicines have been disused, from like causes, and may in time be advantageously revived again, to the benefit of mankind.
November. IX Month.

In quest of Gain be just: A Conscience clear
Is Lucre, more than Thousands in a Year;
Treasure no Moth can touch, no Rust consume;
Safe from the Knave, the Robber, and the Tomb.
Unrighteous Gain is the curs’d Seed of Woe,
Predestin’d to be reap’d by them who sow;
A dreadful Harvest! when th’avenging Day
Shall like a Tempest, sweep the Unjust away.

   Most of the Learning in use, is of no great Use.
   Great Good-nature, without Prudence, is a great Misfortune.

Keep Conscience clear,
Then never fear.

   The 5th of this month, November, seems to be a lucky day to the English church and British liberty; for on that day 1604, the popish gunpowder treason was detected; and on the same day in 1688, our glorious deliverer from popery and slavery, King William, landed at Torbay. Eighty-eight seems likewise a lucky year; for in 1588 was the Spanish Armada defeated.
   Numbers that are mutually equal to the Sum of each others aliquot Parts, are called Amicable Numbers; of these the first pair is 220 and 284; the second pair is 17296 and 18416. I shall be obliged to any of my Readers that will tell me the third pair.
   December. X Month.

But not from Wrong alone thy Hand restrain,
The Appetite of Gold demands the Rein.
What Nature asks, what Decency requires,
Be this the Bound that limits thy Desires:
This, and the gen’rous godlike Pow’r to feed
The Hungry, and to warm the Loins of Need:
To dry Misfortune’s Tear, and scatter wide
Thy Blessings, like the Nile’s o’erflowing Tide.

   A Man in a Passion rides a mad Horse.

Reader farewel, all Happiness attend thee;
May each New-Year, better and richer find thee.

   On the 25th of this month, anno 1642, was born the great Sir Isaac Newton, prince of the modern astronomers and philosophers. But what is all our little boasted knowledge, compar’d with that of the angels? If they see our actions, and are acquainted with our affairs, our whole body of science must appear to them as little better than ignorance; and the common herd of our learned men, scarce worth their notice. Now and then one of our very great philosophers, an Aristotle, or a Newton, may, perhaps, by his most refined speculations, afford them a little entertainment, as it seems a mimicking of their own sublime amusements. Hence Pope says of the latter,

Superior beings, when of late they saw
A mortal man unfold all nature’s law,
Admir’d such wisdom in a human shape,
And shew’d a Newton, as we shew an ape.

   On Winter.

’Tis done! dread Winter spreads his latest glooms,
And reigns tremendous o’er the conquer’d year!
How dead the vegetable kingdon lies!
How dumb the tuneful! Horror wide extends
His melancholy empire. Here fond man!
Behold thy pictur’d life! pass some few years,
Thy flowering Spring, thy Summer’s ardent strength,
Thy sober Autumn fading into age,
And pale concluding Winter comes at last,
And shuts the scene. Ah! whither now are fled
Those dreams of greatness? Those unsolid hopes
Of happiness? Those longings after fame?
Those restless cares? those busy bustling days?
Those gay-spent festive nights? those veering thoughts,
Lost between good and ill, that shar’d thy life?
All now are vanish’d! Virtue sole survives,
Immortal, never-failing friend of man,
His guide to happiness on high. Thompson.

   How to get Riches.
   The Art of getting Riches consists very much in Thrift. All Men are not equally qualified for getting Money, but it is in the Power of every one alike to practise this Virtue.
He that would be beforehand in the World, must be beforehand with his Business: It is not only ill Management, but discovers a slothful Disposition, to do that in the Afternoon, which should have been done in the Morning.
Useful Attainments in your Minority will procure Riches in Maturity, of which Writing and Accounts are not the meanest.
Learning, whether Speculative or Practical, is, in Popular or Mixt Governments, the Natural Source of Wealth and Honour.
Precept I.

In Things of moment, on thy self depend,
Nor trust too far thy Servant or thy Friend:

With private Views, thy Friend may promise fair,
And Servants very seldom prove sincere.

Precept II.

What can be done, with Care perform to Day,
Dangers unthought-of will attend Delay;
Your distant Prospects all precarious are,
And Fortune is as fickle as she’s fair.

Precept III.

Nor trivial Loss, nor trivial Gain despise;
Molehills, if often heap’d, to Mountains rise:
Weigh every small Expence, and nothing waste,
Farthings long sav’d, amount to Pounds at last.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 9 January 1749
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Strahan, William

Dear Sir
Philada. Jan. 9. 1748,9
This just serves to cover a Bill of Exchange for £8 8s. od. Sterling, and to let you know we are all well. It goes via New York, our River being full of Ice. I shall write you largely per our next Vessel, particularly about Mr. Read’s Affair. I wrote to you per our two last Vessels. The Post just going, cannot add but that I am Dear Sir, Your obliged Friend and Servant
B Franklin
 Addressed: To  Mr Wm Strahan  Printer  London


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 29 April 1749
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Collinson, Peter

Sir
Philada. Apl. 29. 1749
I now send you some Further Experiments and Observations in Electricity made in Philadelphia 1748. viz.
§1. There will be the same Explosion and Shock if the electrified, Phial is held in one Hand by the Hook, and the Coating touched by the other; as when held by the Coating and touched at the Hook.
§2. To take the charged Phial safely by the Hook, and not at the same Time diminish it’s Force, it must first be set down on an Electric per se.

§3. The Phial will be electrified as strongly, if held by the Hook, and the Coating apply’d to the Globe, or Tube, as when held by the Coating and the Hook apply’d.
§4. But the Direction of the Electrical Fire being different in Charging, will also be different in the Explosion. The Bottle charged thro’ the Hook will be discharged thro’ the Hook. The Bottle charged thro’ the Coating, will be discharged thro’ the Coating and not otherwise: For the Fire must come out the same Way it went in.
§5. To prove this; Take two Bottles that were equally charg’d thro’ the Hooks, one in each Hand; bring their Hooks near each other, and no Spark or Shock will follow; because each Hook is disposed to give Fire, and neither to receive it. Set one of the Bottles down on Glass, take it up by the Hook, and apply it’s Coating to the Hook of the other; then there will be an Explosion and Shock, and both Bottles will be discharged.
§6. Vary the Experiment, by Charging two Vials equally, one thro’ Hook, the other thro’ the Coating: Hold that by the Coating which was charged thro’ the Hook; and that by the Hook which was charged thro’ the Coating. Apply the Hook of the first to the Coating of the other and there will be no Shock or Spark. Set that down on Glass, which you held by the Hook, take it up by the Coating, and bring the two Hooks together; a Spark and Shock will follow, and both Phials be discharged.
   In this Experiment the Bottles are totally discharged, or the Equilibrium within them restored. The Abounding of Fire in one of the Hooks (or rather in the internal Surface of one Bottle) being exactly equal to the Wanting of the other: and therefore, as each Bottle has in itself the Abounding as well as the Wanting, the Wanting and Abounding must be equal in each Bottle. See §§8, 9, 10, 11. But if a Man holds in his Hands two Bottles, one fully electrified, the other not at all; and brings their Hooks together; he has but half a Shock, and the Bottles will both remain half electrified; the one being half discharged and the other half charged.

7. Farther, Place two Vials equally charged on a Table at 5 or 6 Inches Distance; Let a Cork Ball, suspended by a Silk Thread, hang between them. If the Vials were both charg’d thro’ their Hooks, the Cork, when it has been attracted and repell’d by the one, will not be attracted but equally repell’d by the other. But if the Vials were charged, the one thro the Hook and the other thro’ the Coating,

   *To charge a Bottle commodiously thro’ the Coating, place it on a Glass Stand; form a Communication from the prime Conductor to the Coating, and another from the Hook to the Wall or Floor. When ’tis charg’d remove the latter Communication before you take hold of the Bottle; otherwise great Part of the Fire will escape by it.

 the Ball when it is repell’d from one Hook will be as strongly attracted by the other, and play vigorously between them, till both Vials are nearly discharg’d.
8. When we use the Terms of Charging and Discharging the Phial, ’tis in Compliance with Custom, and for want of others more suitable: since We are of Opinion, that there is really no more electrical Fire in the Phial, after what is called it’s Charging than before; nor less after it’s Discharging; (excepting only the small Spark that might be given to and taken from the Non-electric Matter, if separated from the Bottle, which Spark may not be equal to a 500th. Part of what is called the Explosion) For, if on the Explosion, the Electrical Fire came out of the Bottle by one Part, and did not enter in again by another; then, if a Man standing on Wax and holding the Bottle in one Hand, takes the Spark by touching the Wire Hook with the other, the Bottle being thereby discharg’d, the Man would be charg’d; or, whatever Fire was lost by one, would be found in the other; since there is no Way for it’s Escape. But the Contrary is true.
9. Besides, the Vial will not suffer what is called a Charging, unless as much Fire can go out of it one Way as is thrown in by another. A Phial can not be charged, standing on Wax, or Glass, or hanging on the prime Conductor, unless a Communication be form’d between it’s Coating and the Floor.

10. But suspend two or more Phials on the prime Conductor, one hanging to the Tail of the other, and a Wire from the last to the Floor: an equal Number of Turns of the Wheel shall charge them all equally; and every one as much as one alone would have been. What is driven out at the Tail of the first, serving to charge the second; what is driven out of the second charging the third, and so on. By this Means, a great Number of Bottles might be charged with the same Labour, and equally high with one alone, were it not that every Bottle receives new Fire and loses it’s old with some Reluctance, or rather gives some small Resistance to the Charging, which in a Number of Bottles becomes more equal to the Charging Power, and so repels the Fire back again on the Globe, sooner than a single Bottle would do.
11. When a Bottle is charg’d in the common Way, it’s inside and outside Surfaces stand ready, the one to give Fire by the Hook, the other to receive it by the Coating: The one is full and ready to throw out, the other empty and extreamly hungry: yet as the first will not give out, unless the other can at the same Instant receive in; so neither will the latter receive in, unless the first can at the same Instant give out. When both can be done at once, ’tis done with inconceivable Quickness and Violence.
12. So a strait Spring (tho’ the Comparison does not agree in every Particular) when forcibly bent, must, to restore itself contract that Side, which in the bending was extended, and extend that which was contracted; if either of these two Operations be hindered, the other can not be done. But the Spring is not said to be charged with Elasticity when bent, and discharg’d when unbent; it’s Quantity of Elasticity is always the same.
13. Glass, in like Manner, has, within it’s Substance always the same Quantity of Electrical Fire; and that, a very great Quantity in Proportion to the Mass of Glass, as shall be shewn hereafter. §26.
14. This Quantity, proportioned to the Glass, it strongly and obstinately retains, and will neither have more nor less; tho it will suffer a Change to be made in it’s Parts and Situation; that is, We may take away Part of it from one of the Sides, provided we throw an equal Quantity into the other.
15. Yet when the Situation of the Electrical Fire is thus altered in the Glass, when some has been taken from one Side, and some added to the other; it will not be at Rest or in its natural State, till ’tis restored to it’s original Equality. And this Restitution can not be made thro the Substance of the Glass, but must be done by a Non-electric Communication formed without, from Surface to Surface.
16. Thus the whole Force of the Bottle and Power of giving a Shock, is in the Glass itself; the Non-electrics in Contact with the two Surfaces serving only to give and receive to and from the several Parts of the Glass; that is, to give on one Side, and take away from the other.
17. This was discovered here in the following Manner. Purposing to analize the electrified Bottle, in Order to find where it’s Strength lay; we placed it on Glass, and drew out the Cork and Wire, which, for that Purpose, had been loosly put in. Then taking the Bottle in one Hand, and bringing a Finger of the other near its Mouth, a strong Spark came from the Water, and the Shock was as violent as if the Wire had remained in it; which shew’d that the Force did not lie in the Wire. Then to find if it resided in the Water, being crowded into and condensed in it, as confined by the Glass; which had been our former Opinion; we electrified the Bottle again, and placing it on Glass, drew out the Wire and Cork as before, then taking up the Bottle, we decanted all its Water into an empty Bottle, which likewise stood on Glass; and taking up that other Bottle, we expected, if the Force resided in the Water, to find a Shock from it; but there was none. We judged then, that it must either be lost in Decanting, or remain in the first Bottle. The latter we found to be true: For that Bottle on Trial gave the Shock, tho’ filled up as it stood with fresh unelectrify’d Water from a Tea Pot. To find then whether Glass had this Property merely as Glass, or whether the Form contributed any Thing to it; we took a Pane of Sash Glass, and laying it on the Hand, placed a Plate of thin Lead on it’s upper Surface; then electrified that Plate, and bringing a Finger to it, there was a Spark and Shock. We then took two Plates of Lead of equal Dimensions, but less than the Glass by two Inches every Way, and electrified the Glass between them, by electrifying the uppermost Lead; then separated the Glass from the Lead; in doing which, what little Fire might be in the Lead was taken out; and the Glass being touched in the electrified Part with a Finger, afforded only very small pricking Sparks, but a great Number of them might be taken from different Places. Then dextrously placing it again between the Plates of Lead, and completing the Circle between the two Surfaces, a violent Shock ensu’d. Which demonstrated the Power to reside in the Glass as Glass; and that the Non-electrics in Contact served only like the Armature of the Loadstone, to unite the Forces of the several Parts, and bring them at once to any Point desired. It being a Property of a Nonelectric, that the whole Body instantly receives or gives what Electrical Fire is given to or taken from any one of its Parts.
   18. Upon this We made what we call’d an Electrical Battery, consisting of eleven Panes of large Sash Glass, arm’d with thin leaden Plates, pasted on each Side, placed vertically, and supported at two Inches Distance on Silk Cords; with Hooks of thick Leaden Wire one from each Side standing upright, distant from each other; and convenient Communications of Wire and Chain from the giving Side of one Pane to the receiving Side of the other; that so the whole might be charg’d together, and with the same Labour as one single Pane; and another Contrivance to bring the giving Sides, after charging in Contact with one long Wire, and the Receivers with another; which two long Wires would give the Force of all the Plates of Glass at once thro’ the Body of any Animal forming the Circle with them. The Plates may also be discharg’d separately, or any Number together that is required. But this Machine is not much used, as not perfectly answering our Intention with Regard to the Ease of Charging, for the Reasons given §10. We made also, of large Glass Panes, Magical Pictures, and self moving animated Wheels, presently to be described.

19. I perceive by the ingenious Mr. Watson’s last Book, lately received, that Dr. Bevis had used Panes of Glass to give a Shock before us; tho’ till that Book came to Hand, I thought to have communicated it to you as a Novelty. The Excuse for mentioning it here, is, that we try’d the Experiment differently, drew different Consequences from it (for Mr. Watson still seems to think the Fire accumulated on the Non-electric that is in Contact with the Glass pag. 72) and, as far as we hitherto know, have carry’d it further.
20. The Magical Picture is made thus. Having a large Mezzotinto with a Frame and Glass (Suppose of the King, God preserve him) Take out the Print, and cut a Pannel out of it, near two Inches all round distant from the Frame; if the Cut is thro’ the Picture, tis not the Worse. With thin Paste or Gum Water, fix the Border, that is cut off, on the inside of the Glass, pressing it smoothe and close; then fill up the Vacancy by Gilding the Glass well with Leaf Gold or Brass; gild likewise the inner Edge of the Back of the Frame all round except the Top Part, and form a Communication between that Gilding and the Gilding behind the Glass: then put in the Board, and that side is finished. Turn up the Glass, and gild the foreside exactly over the Back Gilding; and when this is dry, cover it by pasting on the Pannel of the Picture that had been cut out, observing to bring the corresponding Parts of the Border and Picture together; by which the Picture will appear of a Piece as at first, only Part is behind the Glass and Part before. Hold the Picture horizontally by the Top, and place a little moveable gilt Crown on the Kings Head. If now the Picture be moderately electrified, and another Person take hold of the Frame with one Hand, so that his Fingers touch it’s inside Gilding, and with the other Hand endeavour to take off the Crown, he will receive a terrible Blow and fail in the Attempt. If the Picture were highly charg’d, the Consequence might perhaps be as fatal as that of High Treason: For when the Spark is taken thro’ a Quire of Paper laid on the Picture, by Means of a Wire Communication, it makes a fair Hole thro’ every Sheet; that is thro’ 48 Leaves (tho’ a Quire of Paper is thought good Armour against the Push of a Sword, or even against a Pistol Bullet) and the Crack is exceeding loud. The Operator, who, to prevent its falling, holds the Picture by the upper End, where the inside of the Frame is not gilt, feels Nothing of the Shock, and may touch the Crown without Danger, which he pretends is a Test of his Loyalty. If a Ring of Persons take a Shock among them the Experiment is called the Conspiracy.
   21. On the Principle in §7. That the Hooks of Bottles, differently charged, will attract and repel differently, is made an electrical Wheel, that turns with considerable Strength. A small upright Shaft of Wood passes at right Angles thro’ a thin round Board of about a Foot Diameter, and turns on a sharp Point of Iron, fixt in the lower End, while a strong Wire in the upper End, passing thro’ a small Hole in a thin Brass Plate, keeps the Shaft truly vertical. About 30 Radii of equal Length made of Sash Glass, cut in narrow Strips, issue Horizontally from the Circumference of the Board; the Ends most distant from the Center being about 4 Inches apart. On the End of every one, a Brass Thimble is fixt. If now the Wire of a Bottle, electrified in the Common Way, be brought near the Circumference of this Wheel, it will attract the nearest Thimble, and so put the Wheel in Motion: That Thimble, in passing by, receives a Spark, and thereby being electrified is repell’d and so driven forwards, while a second, being attracted, approaches the Wire, receives a Spark and is driven after the first; and so on till the Wheel has gone once round, when the Thimbles, before Electrified, approaching the Wire, instead of being attracted, as they were at first, are repell’d; and the Motion presently ceases. But if another Bottle, which had been charg’d thro’ the Coating be placed near the same Wheel, it’s Wire will attract the Thimbles repell’d by the first, and thereby doubles the Force that carries the Wheel round; and not only, taking out the Fire that had been communicated to the Thimbles by the first Bottle, but even robbing them of their natural Quantity, instead of being repell’d when they come again towards the first Bottle, they are more strongly attracted: so that the Wheel mends its Pace till it goes with great Rapidity, 12 or 15 Rounds in a Minute; and with such Strength, as that the Weight of 100 Spanish Dollars, with which we once loaded it, did not seem in the least to retard it’s Motion. This is called an Electrical Jack; and if a large Fowl were spitted on the upright Shaft, it would be carried round before a Fire with a Motion fit for Roasting.
22. But this Wheel, like those driven by Wind, Water or Weights, moves by a foreign Force, viz. that of the Bottles. The Selfmoving Wheel, tho constructed on the same Principles, appears more surprizing. ’Tis made of a thin round Plate of Window Glass, 17 Inches Diameter, well gilt on both Sides, all but two Inches next the Edge. Two small Hemispheres of Wood are then fixt with Cement to the Middle of the upper and under Sides, centrally opposite, and in each of them a thick strong Wire 8 or 10 Inches long, which together make the Axis of the Wheel. It turns horizontally on a Point at the lower End of it’s Axis which rests on a Bit of Brass, cemented within a Glass Salt-Seller. The upper End of it’s Axis passes thro’ a Hole in a thin Brass Plate, cemented to a long strong Piece of Glass, which keeps it 6 or 8 Inches Distant from any Non-electric, and has a small Ball of Wax or Metal on its Top to keep in the Fire. In a Circle on the Table, which supports the Wheel, are fixt 12 small Pillars of Glass, at about 4 Inches Distance, with a Thimble on the Top of each. On the Edge of the Wheel is a small leaden Bullet, communicating by a Wire with the Gilding of the upper Surface of the Wheel: and about 6 Inches from it, is another Bullet, communicating in like Manner with the under Surface. When the Wheel is to be charg’d by the upper Surface, a Communication must be made from the under Surface to the Table. When it is well chargd it begins to move; the Bullet nearest to a Pillar, moving towards the Thimble on that Pillar; and passing by, electrifies it, and then pushes itself from it: The succeeding Bullet, which communicates with the other Surface of the Glass, more strongly attracting that Thimble, on Account of it’s being before electrified by the other Bullet: and thus the Wheel increases it’s Motion, till it comes to such a Height, as that the Resistance of the Air regulates it. It will go half an Hour, and make, one Minute with another, 20 Turns in a Minute; which is 600 Turns in the whole: The Bullet of the upper Surface giving in each Turn 12 Sparks to the Thimbles, which makes 7200 Sparks, and the Bullet of the under Surface receiving as many from the Thimbles: these Bullets moving in the Time, near 2500 Feet. The Thimbles are well fixt, and in so exact a Circle, that the Bullets may pass within a very small Distance of each of them. If instead of 2 Bullets, you put 8, 4 communicating with the upper Surface, and four with the under Surface, placed alternately; which 8, at about 6 Inches Distance completes the Circumference; the Force and Swiftness will be greatly increased; the Wheel making 50 Turns in a Minute; but then it will not go so long. These Wheels may perhaps be apply’d to the Ringing of Chimes and Moving Orreries.
23. A small Wire bent circularly, with a loop at each End; Let one End rest against the under Surface of the Wheel, and bring the other End near the upper Surface, it will give a terrible Crack; The Force will be discharg’d, and the Wheel will stop.
24. Every Spark drawn in that Manner from the Surface of the Wheel, makes a round Hole in the Gilding, tearing off a Part of it in coming out; which shews that the Fire is not accumulated on the Gilding, but is in the Glass itself.
25. The Gilding being varnished over with Turpentine Varnish; the Varnish, tho’ dry and hard, is burnt by the Spark drawn thro’ it, gives a strong Smell and visible Smoke. And when the Spark is drawn thro’ Paper, all round the Hole made by it, the Paper will be blackt by the Smoke, which Sometimes penetrates several of the Leaves. Parts of the Gilding, torn off, are also found forcibly driven into the Hole made in the paper by the Stroke.
26. ’Tis amazing to observe in how small a Portion of Glass a great Electrical Force may lie. A thin Glass Bubble about an Inch Diameter, weighing only six Grains, being half filled with Water, partly gilt on the outside, and furnished with a Wire Hook, gives when electrified, as great a Shock as a Man is willing to bear. As the Glass is thickest near the Orifice, I suppose the lower half, which being gilt, was electrified, and gave the Shock, did not exceed two Grains; for it appeared, when broke, much thinner than the upper half. If one of these thin Bottles be electrified by the Coating, and the Spark taken out thro the Gilding, it will break the Glass inwards, at the same Time that it breaks the Gilding outwards.
   27. And allowing, for the Reasons before given §§8, 9, 10, that there is no more Electrical Fire in a Bottle after Charging than before, how great must the Quantity be in this small Portion of Glass! It seems as if it were of its very Substance and Essence. Perhaps if that due Quantity of Electrical Fire, so obstinately retain’d by Glass, could be separated from it, it would no longer be Glass, it might loose it’s Transparency, or its Fragility, or Elasticity. Experiments may possibly be invented hereafter to discover this.
28. We are surprized at the Account given in Mr. Watson’s Book, of a Shock communicated thro’ a great Space of dry Ground, and suspect some metalline Quality in the Gravel of that Ground: having found, that simple dry Earth ramm’d in a Glass Tube open at both Ends, and a Wire Hook inserted in the Earth at each End; the Earth and Wires making Part of a Circle, would not conduct the least perceptible Shock. And indeed when one Wire was electrified, the other hardly shew’d any Signs of it’s being in Connexion with it. Even a thoroughly wet Packthread sometimes fails of conducting a Shock, tho’ it otherwise conducts Electricity very well. A dry Cake of Ice, or an Iceicle, held between two Persons in a Circle, likewise prevents the Shock, which one would not expect, as Water conducts it so perfectly well. Gilding on a new Book, tho’ at first it conducts the Shock extreamly well; yet fails after 10 or a Dozen Experiments; tho’ it appears otherwise in all Respects the same; which we can not account for.
29. There is one Experiment more, which surprizes us, and is hitherto not satisfactorily accounted for. It is this. Place an Iron Shot on a Glass Stand, and let a damp Cork Ball, suspended by a Silk Thread hang in Contact with the Shot. Take a Bottle in each Hand, one that is electrified thro’ the Hook, the other thro’ the Coating. Apply the giving Wire to the Shot, which will electrify it positively, and the Cork shall be repell’d. Then apply the requiring Wire, which will take out the Spark given by the other, when the Cork will return to the Shot. Apply the same again, and take out another Spark, so will the Shot be electrified negatively, and the Cork in that Case shall be repell’d equally as before. Then apply the giving Wire, and give to the Shot the Spark it wanted, so will the Cork return: Give it another, which will be an Addition to it’s natural Quantity, so will the Cork be repell’d again; And so may the Experiment be repeated, as long as there is any Charge remaining in the Bottles; Which shews that Bodies, having less than the common Quantity of Electricity, repel each other, as well as those that have more.
Chagrin’d a little that We have hitherto been able to discover Nothing in this Way of Use to Mankind, and the hot Weather coming on, when Electrical Experiments are not so agreable; ’tis proposed to put an End to them for this Season somewhat humorously in a Party of Pleasure on the Banks of SchuylKill, (where Spirits are at the same Time to be fired by a Spark sent from Side to Side thro’ the River).

   †This was since done.

 A Turky is to be killed for our Dinners by the Electrical Shock; and roasted by the electrical Jack, before a Fire kindled by the Electrified Bottle; when the Healths of all the famous Electricians in England, France and Germany, are to be drank in Electrified Bumpers,

   *An electrified Bumper is a small thin Glass Tumbler, near filled with Wine and electrified. This when brought to the Lips, gives a Shock; if the Party be close shaved, and does not breathe on the Liquor.

 under the Discharge of Guns from the Electrical Battery.
To Peter Collinson Esqr. F.R.S. London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 19 May 1749
From: Logan, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

To B Franklin
3 mo. [May] 19th [1749]
Sent him Capt. Smiths voyages or Travels to Virginia. Greg. Leti’s Sisto 5 to. 2 Voll and Marchetti’s Lucrezzio in Italian and desired him to Send me what Classics he has published by M. Mattaire.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 11 June 1749
From: Logan, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

4 [mo. June] 11 [1749]
Wrote to B. Franklin to come up and See my Books.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 4 July 1749
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Logan, James

Sir
July 4. 49
I sent word today to N. Holland, that you desired to see him, and offer’d him my Horse. He sent me word, he could get a Horse in the Neighbourhood, and would wait on you.
I return you Smith’s Travels with Thanks. I send you also Wr. Pope’s Life of Ward Bishop of Salisbury. I am, Sir, with great Respect Your most humble Servant
B Franklin
 Endorsed: Benj: Franklin July 4 1749


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 6 July 1749
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Whitefield, George

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia, July 6, 1749
Since your being in England, I have received two of your favours, and a box of books to be disposed of. It gives me great pleasure to hear of your welfare, and that you purpose soon to return to America.

We have no kind of news here worth writing to you. The affair of the building remains in statu quo, there having been no new application to the Assembly about it, nor any thing done in conesquence of the former.
I have received no money on your account from Mr. Thanklin, or from Boston. Mrs. Read, and your other friends here in general are well, and will rejoice to see you again.
I am glad to hear that you have frequent opportunities of preaching among the great. If you can gain them to a good and exemplary life, wonderful changes will follow in the manners of the lower ranks; for, Ad Exemplum Regis, &c. On this principle Confucius, the famous eastern reformer, proceeded. When he saw his country sunk in vice, and wickedness of all kinds triumphant, he applied himself first to the grandees; and having by his doctrine won them to the cause of virtue, the commons followed in multitudes. The mode has a wonderful influence on mankind; and there are numbers that perhaps fear less the being in Hell, than out of the fashion. Our more western reformations began with the ignorant mob; and when numbers of them were gained, interest and party-views drew in the wise and great. Where both methods can be used, reformations are like to be more speedy. O that some method could be found to make them lasting! He that shall discover that, will, in my opinion, deserve more, ten thousand times, than the inventor of the longtitude.
My wife and family join in the most cordial salutations to you and good Mrs. Whitefield. I am, dear Sir, your very affectionate friend, and most obliged humble servant,
B. Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 12 September 1749
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Logan, James

Philada. Sept. 12. 49
[First part missing] [Ad]vertisement, by which you will see the Language of the Picts is now under Consideration at home. If I had a Copy of what you have wrote on that Subject, I would take Care it should not be lost.
Please to favour me with the short Account of your Library, contain’d in the Paper I read the other Day at your House, that I may insert it in a Note to the Proposals for an Academy. I am, with great Respect, Sir, Your most obliged humble Servant
B Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 13 September 1749
From: Logan, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Friend B F
7br. [September] 13. 49
I received thine of Yesterdays date this day about II but do not believe that discourse of Doctor Frees explains the Discourse of the Picts or as he calls them the Pyhtas as I have done for he mentions the duration of their Language. I shall cause my younger Son next Month when he is out of his time [to] copy out that discourse: Thou may mention my Library as thou pleases but it [truly?] contains the Polyglot Bible and Castels Lexicon on it in 3 large Voll. Aldus’s Septuagint and divers other Editions of the Bible with most of the Fathers, almost all the Greek Authors from Homer himself of whom there are Several Editions and one of them with Eustathius’s Comm[entaries] of the Roman Edit. in 4 Voll. with Politi’s Translation of him in Greek and Latin attempted in 3 large Voll. to near the end of the 4th Cent[ury] in more than 100 Voll. in folio comprising all the old Mathem[aticia]ns as Archimedes, Apollonius, Euclid, Ptolemy’s Geography and his Syntaxis or Almagest and divers of the valuable Photius, Suidas, Several of the Byzantine much later with all the Roman Classicks without exception and many of them in Several Editions as all Cicero’s Works in 4 [several Editions] all Graevius, Gronovius, Salengre, and Poleni’s Collections of the Roman and Greek Antiq. in some 33 Tomes bound in 31 Voll. with some hundreds of other Writers as Vossius, Lipsius, Grotius &c. a large Collection of later, as well as the before mentioned Ancient Mathema[tician]s in divers languages Some oriental French and Italian and a great many more English &c.
This is a Summary of my Library, the whole of which I can not well expect thou wilt insert in that discourse but leaving thee perfectly at thy Liberty thou shuld not displease me provided thou mentions it at all to which I shall add no more but that I am with Sincere respect Thy Affectionate friend
J L


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 14 September 1749
From: Collinson, Peter
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Respected friend
Lond Septr 14t 1749
I was unwilling to loose the Opertunity per Cap. Rice—So in 5 or 6 Days time I ordred all the Books to your Order that Could be gott together. I was so much engaged I could not go to see them before they was packed—but Hope the Bookseller has been carefull to send such as will Meet with your aprobation.
What can be gott to the remainder of your Order may be sent in the Spring with the things for the Air pump.
Your Bill is in its way to Scotland for Acceptance.
I am concern’d Capt. Clark was oblig’d to putt into Rhoad Island.
I have lately receivd a Book on Electricity from Paris, which I send for thy perusal. Return it by any private hand. I am perswaded it will afford thee some Entertainment.
I am with much Esteem thy sincere friend
P Collinson

Pray Remember Mee to J: Bartram. If I have leisure I will answer his Entertaining Letter of 28th July on the Locasts and Dragon flies &c. I Desire he would make Mee a Collection of them. I Long for the arrival of Budden to see what He has sent Mee.
I wonder he takes no Notice of what of my Orders are come to hand—for I have sent by several Ships for 13 boxes and now I have an order for another. I wish the year may prove plentyfull in Seeds for John Sake besides on order From Powell the Seedsman in Holbourn sent per J Pemberton for a Tenn or Twenty Guinea Cargo.
I hope J. Pemberton is safe arrived by whome have sent I Vol. Lives of Popes &c. Pray give my Love to him.

I Desire my friend John will send Mee in the next Ships ½ doz. young plants of the small Magnolia for my own Garden and of the flowering Ivy or next year which he thinks best.

      {
      By Mesnard
      £1:
      1:
      3

Pamphletssentper
By the Macclesfield

   2:
   6

By the beula

   12:
   8

By Legross

   2:
   –

By J. Pemberton
   1:
   17:
   –

I just now receivd a Present of a New Mapp of your Province and who I am to thank I [dont] know except Lewis Evans.

 [Addressed:] For  Mr Benn Franklin  In  Philadelphia  per Capt Rice


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 18 September 1749
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Logan, James

[September 18, 1749]
For the reason you mention, I am of the same opinion, that Dr. Free has not considered the Picts’ language as you have done, but imagines with other writers that the Pict nation was totally destroyed and its language with it.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 6 October 1749
From: Logan, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My friend B Fr
8br [October] 6th [1749]
I absolutely forgot to mention what I principally intended yesterday. Thy telling me what were the most likely paper Mills to Supply me with 6 or 7 sheets or more of Pastboard of about 19 or 20 inches in length and 15 in breadth and what rolling presses were [in] town to smooth them, an exact account of which to be prepared to day and Sent in the Morning with thy proposal for the Academy will very much [oblige] thine Affectionately
J L

Be pleas’d also to inform me what the Translators name of the fr[ench] Polybius is. Tis M. Folard in 6 Voll. 4to with many Cuts.