Title: Poor Richard Improved, 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

For fifteen years Franklin had published his almanac in essentially the same format: twenty-four pages in all, six of introductory and general information at the front, six more of general information at the back, and twelve in the middle section, one for each month. The front and back sections varied a little in subject matter and arrangement from year to year, but the form and character of the monthly pages did not.
With the almanac for 1748 Franklin introduced an important change which he continued in the years that followed: he expanded his pamphlet to thirty-six pages and gave two facing pages to each month. With some minor differences the left-hand one was like the single monthly page of the earlier issues. Part of each right-hand page was given to additional tabular matter and the rest was filled with “literary” material. By using very small type in this space when necessary and sometimes by borrowing parts of the front or back sections, Franklin added substantially to the reading matter in the almanac. The new material changed considerably in character during the eleven years he personally prepared Poor Richard improved, as he called the new version. In the first few almanacs he dwelt mostly on historical events which had occurred during corresponding months of previous years, and the lessons to be derived from them; later he introduced literary or scientific essays, some of which may have been original with him; most were obviously taken, at least in part, from other writers. Some of these essays occupy only a single page; others run through several months or even a whole year. Related verses often accompany the prose passages. Poor Richard improved, therefore, became more than an almanac and compendium of useful information; it was a sort of miniature general magazine, issued annually to delight and educate its readers.
The varied nature and length of the pieces and their mixed authorship present problems of selection for the present edition. While Franklin’s function was more often that of editor than of author, his choices and combinations of borrowed materials reflect his own tastes and attitudes. To omit here everything that cannot be established as original would destroy much of the flavor of the publication as a whole and would do less than justice to Franklin’s editorial ingenuity or his views. Selections from these almanacs will include nearly all the shorter items, regardless of authorship; though a few, standing alone and clearly identified as extracts from other writers, will be omitted. Long articles obviously written by others will be merely cited in the annotation.

Kind Reader,
The favourable Reception my annual Labours have met with from the Publick these 15 Years past, has engaged me in Gratitude to endeavour some Improvement of my Almanack. And since my Friend Taylor is no more, whose Ephemerides so long and so agreeably serv’d and entertain’d these Provinces, I have taken the Liberty to imitate his well-known Method, and give two Pages for each Month; which affords me Room for several valuable Additions, as will best appear on Inspection and Comparison with former Almanacks. Yet I have not so far follow’d his Method, as not to continue my own where I thought it preferable; and thus my Book is increas’d to a Size beyond his, and contains much more Matter.

Hail Night serene! thro’ Thee where’er we turn
Our wond’ring Eyes, Heav’n’s Lamps profusely burn;
And Stars unnumber’d all the Sky adorn.
But lo!—what’s that I see appear?
It seems far off a pointed flame;
From Earthwards too the shining Meteor came:
How swift it climbs th’ etherial Space!
And now it traverses each Sphere,
And seems some knowing Mind, familiar to the Place.
Dame, hand my Glass, the longest, strait prepare;—
’Tis He—’tis Taylor’s Soul, that travels there.
O stay! thou happy Spirit, stay,
And lead me on thro’ all th’ unbeaten Wilds of Day;
Where Planets in pure Streams of Ether driven,
Swim thro’ the blue Expanse of Heav’n.
There let me, thy Companion, stray
From Orb to Orb, and now behold
Unnumber’d Suns, all Seas of molten Gold,
And trace each Comet’s wandring Way.—

Souse down into Prose again, my Muse; for Poetry’s no more thy Element, than Air is that of the Flying-Fish; whose Flights, like thine, are therefore always short and heavy.
We complain sometimes of hard Winters in this Country; but our Winters will appear as Summers, when compar’d with those that some of our Countrymen undergo in the most Northern British Colony on this Continent, which is that upon Churchill River, in Hudson’s Bay, Lat. 58d. 56m. Long. from London 94d. 50m. West. Captain Middleton, a Member of the Royal Society, who had made many Voyages thither, and winter’d there 1741–2, when he was in Search of the North-West Passage to the South-Sea, gives an Account of it to that Society, from which I have extracted these Particulars, viz.

The Hares, Rabbits, Foxes, and Partridges, in September and the Beginning of October, change their Colour to a snowy White, and continue white till the following Spring.
The Lakes and standing Waters, which are not above 10 or 12 Feet deep, are frozen to the Ground in Winter, and the Fishes therein all perish. Yet in Rivers near the Sea, and Lakes of a greater Depth than 10 or 12 Feet, Fishes are caught all the Winter, by cutting Holes thro’ the Ice, and therein putting Lines and Hooks. As soon as the Fish are brought into the open Air, they instantly freeze stiff.
Beef, Pork, Mutton, and Venison, kill’d in the Beginning of the Winter, are preserved by the Frost for 6 or 7 Months, entirely free from Putrefaction. Likewise Geese, Partridges, and other Fowls, kill’d at the same Time, and kept with their Feathers on and Guts in, are preserv’d by the Frost, and prove good Eating. All Kinds of Fish are preserv’d in the same Manner.
In large Lakes and Rivers, the Ice is sometimes broken by imprison’d Vapours; and the Rocks, Trees, Joists, and Rafters of our Buildings, are burst with a Noise not less terrible than the firing of many Guns together. The Rocks which are split by the Frost, are heaved up in great Heaps, leaving large Cavities behind. If Beer or Water be left even in Copper Pots by the Bed-side, the Pots will be split before Morning. Bottles of strong Beer, Brandy, strong Brine, Spirits of Wine, set out in the open Air for 3 or 4 Hours, freeze to solid Ice. The Frost is never out of the Ground, how deep is not certain; but on digging 10 or 12 Feet down in the two Summer Months, it has been found hard frozen.
All the Water they use for Cooking, Brewing, &c. is melted Snow and Ice; no Spring is yet found free from freezing, tho’ dug ever so deep down. All Waters inland, are frozen fast by the Beginning of October, and continue so to the Middle of May.

The Walls of the Houses are of Stone, two Feet thick; the Windows very small, with thick wooden Shutters, which are close shut 18 Hours every Day in Winter. In the Cellars they put their Wines, Brandies, &c. Four large Fires are made every Day, in great Stoves to warm the Rooms: As soon as the Wood is burnt down to a Coal, the Tops of the Chimnies are close stopped, with an Iron Cover; this keeps the Heat in, but almost stifles the People. And notwithstanding this, in 4 or 5 Hours after the Fire is out, the Inside of the Walls and Bed-places will be 2 or 3 Inches thick with Ice, which is every Morning cut away with a Hatchet. Three or four Times a Day, Iron Shot, of 24 Pounds Weight, are made red hot, and hung up in the Windows of their Apartments, to moderate the Air that comes in at Crevices; yet this, with a Fire kept burning the greatest Part of 24 Hours, will not prevent Beer, Wine, Ink, &c. from Freezing.
For their Winter Dress, a Man makes use of three Pair of Socks, of coarse Blanketting, or Duffeld, for the Feet, with a Pair of Deerskin Shoes over them; two Pair of thick English Stockings, and a Pair of Cloth Stockings upon them; Breeches lined with Flannel; two or three English Jackets, and a Fur, or Leather Gown over them; a large Beaver Cap, double, to come over the Face and Shoulders, and a Cloth of Blanketting under the Chin; with Yarn Gloves, and a large Pair of Beaver Mittins, hanging down from the Shoulders before, to put the Hands in, reaching up as high as the Elbows. Yet notwithstanding this warm Clothing, those that stir Abroad when any Wind blows from the Northward, are sometimes dreadfully frozen; some have their Hands, Arms, and Face blistered and froze in a terrible Manner, the Skin coming off soon after they enter a warm House, and some lose their Toes. And keeping House, or lying-in for the Cure of these Disorders, brings on the Scurvy, which many die of, and few are free from; nothing preventing it but Exercise and stirring Abroad.
The Fogs and Mists, brought by northerly Winds in Winter, appear visible to the naked Eye to be Icicles innumerable, as small as fine Hairs, and pointed as sharp as Needles. These Icicles lodge in their Clothes, and if their Faces and Hands are uncover’d, presently raise Blisters as white as a Linnen Cloth, and as hard as Horn. Yet if they immediately turn their Back to the Weather, and can bear a Hand out of the Mitten, and with it rub the blister’d Part for a small Time, they sometimes bring the Skin to its former State; if not, they make the best of their Way to a Fire, bathe the Part in hot Water, and thereby dissipate the Humours raised by the frozen Air; otherwise the Skin wou’d be off in a short Time, with much hot, serous, watry Matter, coming from under along with the Skin; and this happens to some almost every Time they go Abroad, for 5 or 6 Months in the Winter, so extreme cold is the Air, when the Wind blows any Thing strong.— Thus far Captain Middleton. And now, my tender Reader, thou that shudderest when the Wind blows a little at N-West, and criest, ’Tis extrrrrrream cohohold! ’Tis terrrrrrible cohold! what dost thou think of removing to that delightful Country? Or dost thou not rather chuse to stay in Pennsylvania, thanking God that He has caused thy Lines to fall in pleasant Places. I am, Thy Friend to serve thee,
R. Saunders

January. XI Month.

Luke, on his dying Bed, embrac’d his Wife,
And begg’d one Favour: Swear, my dearest Life,
Swear, if you love me, never more to wed,
Nor take a second Husband to your Bed.
Anne dropt a Tear. You know, my dear, says she,
Your least Desires have still been Laws to me;
But from this Oath, I beg you’d me excuse;
For I’m already promis’d to J—n H—s.

Robbers must exalted be,
Small ones on the Gallow-Tree,
While greater ones ascend to Thrones,
But what is that to thee or me?
   Lost Time is never found again.

   On the 16th Day of this Month, Anno 1707, the Union Act pass’d in Scotland.
On the 19th of this Month, Anno 1493, was born the famous Astronomer Copernicus, to whom we owe the Invention, or rather the Revival (it being taught by Pythagoras near 2000 Years before) of that now generally receiv’d System of the World which bears his Name, and supposes the Sun in the Center, this Earth a Planet revolving round it in 365 Days, 6 Hours, &c. and that Day and Night are caused by the Turning of the Earth on its own Axis once round in 24 h. &c. The Ptolomean System, which prevail’d before Copernicus, suppos’d the Earth to be fix’d, and that the Sun went round it daily. Mr. Whiston, a modern Astronomer, says, the Sun is 230,000 times bigger than the Earth, and 81 Millions of Miles distant from it: That vast Body must then have mov’d more than 480 Millions of Miles in 24 h. A prodigious Journey round this little Spot! How much more natural is Copernicus’s Scheme! Ptolomy is compar’d to a whimsical Cook, who, instead of Turning his Meat in Roasting, should fix That, and contrive to have his whole Fire, Kitchen and all, whirling continually round it.
February. XII Month.

Don’t after foreign Food and Cloathing roam,
But learn to eat and wear what’s rais’d at Home.
Kind Nature suits each Clime with what it wants,
Sufficient to subsist th’ Inhabitants.
Observing this, we less impair our Health,
And by this Rule we more increase our Wealth:
Our Minds a great Advantage also gain,
And more sedate and uncorrupt remain.

      To lead a virtuous Life, my Friends, and get to Heaven in Season,
      You’ve just so much more Need of Faith, as you have less of Reason.
To avoid Pleurisies, &c. in cool Weather; Fevers, Fluxes, &c. in hot; beware of Over-Eating and Over-Heating.
   On the 4th day of this month, Anno 1710, was born Lewis the 15th, present king of France, called his most christian majesty. He bids fair to be as great a mischief-maker as his grandfather; or, in the language of poets and orators, a Hero. There are three great destroyers of mankind, Plague, Famine, and Hero. Plague and Famine destroy your persons only, and leave your goods to your Heirs; but Hero, when he comes, takes life and goods together; his business and glory it is, to destroy man and the works of man.

In horrid grandeur haughty Hero reigns,
And thrives on mankind’s miseries and pains.
What slaughter’d hosts! What cities in a blaze!
What wasted countries! and what crimson seas!
With orphans tears his impious bowl o’erflows;
And cries of kingdoms lull him to repose.

   Hero, therefore, is the worst of the three; and thence David, who understood well the effects of heroism, when he had his choice, wisely pitch’d on Plague as the milder mischief.
March. I Month.

The Sun, whose unexhausted Light
Does Life and Heat to Earth convey;
The Moon, who, Regent of the Night,
Shines with delegated Ray;
The Stars, which constant seem to Sight,
And Stars that regularly stray:
All these God’s plastick Will from Nothing brought,
Assign’d their Stations, and their Courses taught.

   The Heathens when they dy’d, went to Bed without a Candle.

Knaves and Nettles are akin;
Stroak ’em kindly, yet they’ll sting.

   On the 20th of this month, 1727, died the prince of astronomers and philosophers, sir Isaac Newton, aged 85 years: Who, as Thomson expresses it, Trac’d the boundless works of God, from laws sublimely simple.

What were his raptures then! how pure! how strong!
And what the triumphs of old Greece and Rome,
By his diminish’d, but the pride of boys
In some small fray victorious! when instead
Of shatter’d parcels of this earth usurp’d
By violence unmanly, and sore deeds
Of cruelty and blood; Nature herself
Stood all-subdu’d by him, and open laid
Her every latent glory to his view.

   Mr. Pope’s epitaph on sir Isaac Newton, is justly admired for its conciseness, strength, boldness, and sublimity:

Nature and nature’s laws lay hid in night;
God said, Let Newton be, and all was light.

April. II Month.

On Education all our Lives depend;
And few to that, too few, with Care attend:
Soon as Mamma permits her darling Joy
To quit her Knee, and trusts at School her Boy,
O, touch him not, whate’er he does is right,
His Spirit’s tender, tho’ his Parts are bright.
Thus all the Bad he can, he learns at School,
Does what he will, and grows a lusty Fool.

Life with Fools consists in Drinking;
With the wise Man Living’s Thinking.

   Eilen thut selten gut.
   On the 25th of this month, Anno 1599, was Oliver Cromwell born, the son of a private gentleman, but became the conqueror and protector (some say the tyrant) of three great kingdoms. His son Richard succeeded him, but being of an easy peaceable disposition, he soon descended from that lofty station, and became a private man, living, unmolested, to a good old age; for he died not till about the latter end of queen Anne’s reign, at his lodgings in Lombard-street, where he had lived many years unknown, and seen great changes in government, and violent struggles for that, which, by experience, he knew could afford no solid happiness.
Oliver was once about to remove to New-England, his goods being on shipboard; but somewhat alter’d his mind. There he would doubtless have risen to be a Select Man, perhaps a Governor; and then might have had 100 bushels of Indian corn per Annum, the salary of a governor of that then small colony in those days.

Great Julius on the mountains bred,
A flock, perhaps, or herd had led;
He that the world subdu’d had been
But the best wrestler on the green. Waller.

May. III Month.

Read much; the Mind, which never can be still,
If not intent on Good, is prone to Ill.
And where bright Thoughts, or Reas’nings just you find,
Repose them careful in your inmost Mind.
To deck his Chloe’s Bosom thus the Swain
With pleasing Toil surveys th’ enamel’d Plain,
With Care selects each fragrant flow’r he meets,
And forms one Garland of their mingled sweets.

   Sell-cheap kept Shop on Goodwin Sands, and yet had Store of Custom.
   Liberality is not giving much but giving wisely.

Finikin Dick, curs’d with nice Taste,
Ne’er meets with good dinner, half starv’d at a feast.

   On the 21st of this month, Anno 1692, the brave admiral Russel beat the French fleet near La Hogue, and burnt, sunk, and destroy’d, near 20 sail of their men of war, in sight of Lewis XIV and K. James II, who were encamped on the shore with a considerable army that was to be transported under convoy of that fleet to Ireland, in order to replace the latter on the throne of the 3 kingdoms. That design was defeated, and this glorious victory obtained with very little loss on our side. But

O when shall (long-lost) Honour guide the war,
See Britain blushes for each dastard tar;
Lost to all sense of shame, the fight who flies,
And leaves the convoy to secure the prize.
Not so, when Britain to each distant shore,
O’er subject seas her conquering thunders bore;
Fame then upon the tow’ring top-mast show’d
Her waving pinions whereso’er they flow’d;
And Victory, thro’ all the yielding deep,
With eagle wings, hung o’er each valiant ship.
Then honour struck the stroke, true love of fame
In each brave breast glow’d with a gen’rous flame,
Not yet extinct in All; the same we view
Boscawen, Warren, Anson, still in you.

   For (to mention a late instance only) on the 3d of this same month, in the year preceding, these gallant and successful seamen, defeated at once two grand designs of the enemy (the retaking of Louisburgh, and total destruction of our East-India settlements) by attacking their joint fleets, just after they came out of port, taking 6 men of war of the line, and 6 Indiamen, with some others of lesser note, and dispersing the rest.
June. IV Month.

Of all the Charms the Female Sex desire,
That Lovers doat on, and that Friends admire,
Those most deserve your Wish that longest last,

Not like the Bloom of Beauty, quickly past;
Virtue the Chief: This Men and Angels prize,
Above the finest Shape and brightest Eyes.
By this alone, untainted Joys we find,
As large and as immortal as the Mind.

Alas! that Heroes ever were made!
The Plague, and the Hero, are both of a Trade!
Yet the Plague spares our Goods which the Heroe does not;
So a Plague take such Heroes and let their Fames rot. Q.P.D.

   On the 20th of this month, 1743, commodore Anson took the Spanish Acapulco ship, valued at a million Sterling.
On the 27th, Anno 1709, Charles XII. of Sweden, was defeated in the battle of Pultawa, by the Muscovites. This man had a great mind to be a Hero, too; and, besides doing much mischief to his neighbours, he brought his own country to the brink of ruin.
   A philosophic Thought.

I pluck’d this morn these beauteous flow’rs,
Emblem of my fleeting hours;
’Tis thus, said I, my life-time flies,
So it blooms, and so it dies.
And, lo! how soon they steal away,
Wither’d e’er the noon of day.
Adieu! well-pleas’d my end I see,
Gently taught philosophy:
Fragrance and ornament alive,
Physic after death they give.
Let me, throughout my little stay,
Be as useful and as gay;
My close as early let me meet,
So my odour be as sweet.

   The 19th of this month, 1719, died the celebrated Joseph Addison, Esq; aged 47, whose writings have contributed more to the improvement of the minds of the British nation, and polishing their manners, than those of any other English pen whatever.

July. V Month.

When great Augustus rul’d the World and Rome,
The Cloth he wore was spun and wove at Home,
His Empress ply’d the Distaff and the Loom.
Old England’s Laws the proudest beauty name,
When single, Spinster, and when married, Dame,
For Housewifery is Woman’s noblest Fame.
The Wisest houshold Cares to Women yield,
A large, an useful, and a grateful Field.
   To Friend, Lawyer, Doctor, tell plain your whole Case;
Nor think on bad Matters to put a good Face:
How can they advise, if they see but a Part?
’Tis very ill driving black Hogs in the dark.

   On the 1st of this month Anno 1690, was fought the memorable battle of the Boyne, in Ireland; when God crown’d our great deliverer, King William, with success and victory. He was one of the right sort of Heroes. Your true hero fights to preserve, and not to destroy, the lives, liberties, and estates, of his people. His neighbours also, and all that are oppress’d, share his cares and his protection. But this sort is thin sown, and comes up thinner. Hercules was one, among the ancients; and our glorious Billy, of Cumberland, another among the moderns; God bless him! I might have mention’d, in the month of April, his happy victory over the rebels; who, with the united assistance of the kings of France and Spain, the Pope and the Devil, threatened destruction to our religion and liberties; but had all their schemes defeated by this battle. The sacred names of justice and religion were made use of as the cloaks of that invasion, wicked as it was. A pretended prince was to be restor’d to his rights, forsooth; and we were all to be converted to the Catholick faith! Strada says, that when the duke of Parma heard of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, in 1588 (which by the way happen’d the 21st of this same month) he said very piously, That it was an enterprize so well concerted, as nothing could have disappointed but the sins of the people of England. It seems they were unworthy so great a blessing. And he makes this further reflection on queen Elizabeth’s proclaiming a thanksgiving: Mistaken woman! Blind nation! says he, to return thanks for the greatest misfortune that could have befallen them! For had that enterprize succeeded, they would all have been converted to the true Catholick Faith. The most christian king, and his catholick majesty, and his Holiness, and the sham defender of the faith, (Fine titles all!) have now an opportunity of making the same pious reflections.
August. VI Month.

To make the cleanly Kitchen send up Food,
Not costly vain, but plentifully Good.
To bid the Cellar’s Fountain never fail,
Of sparkling Cyder, or of well-brew’d Ale;
To buy, to pay, to blame, or to approve,
Within, without, below-stairs, and above;
To shine in every Corner, like the Sun,
Still working every where, or looking on.

   Suspicion may be no Fault, but shewing it may be a great one.
   He that’s secure is not safe.
   The second Vice is Lying; the first is Running in Debt.
   The Muses love the Morning.
   On the 2d of this month, Anno 1704, was fought the famous battle of Hochstet, in which the joint armies of the French and Bavarians were totally defeated, by the duke of Marlborough and prince Eugene, 20,000 killed, and 13,000 taken prisoners, with the French general, marshal Tallard. There was never any victory, the news of which gave greater joy in England; the nation being under the greatest apprehensions for their army, when it was known that the French and Bavarians were joined, and were much more numerous than the English and Dutch: For it was generally thought, that if the English were beaten, at so great a distance from home, very few would ever be able to reach their native country again; Hochstet being on the banks of the Danube, very far in Germany.

Muschitoes, or Musketoes, a little venomous fly, so light, that perhaps 50 of them, before they’ve fill’d their bellies, scarce weigh a grain, yet each has all the parts necessary to life, motion, digestion, generation, &c. as veins, arteries, muscles, &c. each has in his little body room for the five senses of seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting: How inconceivably small must their organs be! How inexpressibly fine the workmanship! And yet there are little animals discovered by the microscope, to whom a Musketo is an Elephant! In a scarce summer any citizen may provide Musketoes sufficient for his own family, by leaving tubs of rain-water uncover’d in his yard; for in such water they lay their eggs, which when hatch’d, become first little fish, afterwards put forth legs and wings, leave the water, and fly into your windows. Probatum est.
September. VII Month.

One glorious Scene of Action still behind,
The Fair that likes it is secure to find;
Cordials and Med’cines gratis to dispense,
A beauteous Instrument of Providence;
Plaisters, and Salves, and Sores, to understand,
The Surgeon’s Art befits a tender Hand,
To friendless Pain unhop’d-for Ease to give,
And bid the Hungry eat, and Sickly live.
      Two Faults of one a Fool will make;
He half repairs, that owns and does forsake.
      Harry Smatter,
Has a Mouth for every Matter.

   When you’re good to others, you are best to yourself.
   On the first of this month, Anno, 1733, Stanislaus, originally a private gentleman of Poland, was chosen the second time king of that nation. The power of Charles XII. of Sweden, caused his first election, that of Louis XV. of France, his second. But neither of them could keep him on the throne; for Providence, often opposite to the wills of princes, reduc’d him to the condition of a private gentleman again.
   On the 2d of this month, Anno 1666, began the fire of London, which reduc’d to ashes 13,200 houses and 89 churches: Near ten times as much building as Philadelphia!
   The great Art of succeeding in Conversation (saith Mons. St. Evremond) is, To admire little, to hear much, always to distrust our own reason, and sometimes that of our friends; never to pretend to wit; but to make that of others appear as much as possibly we can; to hearken to what is said, and to answer to the purpose.
   Ut jam nunc dicat jam nunc debentia dici.
   Observe, the precept is hear much, not speak much. Herbert, the poet, says,

——a well bred guest,
Will no more talk all than eat all the feast.

   And, When you do speak, says another, speak to the purpose; Or else to what purpose do you speak? Observe the present disposition of the company; and

Let what you say the converse suit,
Not say things merely ’cause they’re good.
For if you thus intrude your sense,
It then becomes impertinence:
Your salt is good, we may agree,
But pray don’t salt our Punch and Tea.

October. VIII Month.

And thus, if we may credit Fame’s Report,
The best and fairest in the Gallic Court,
An Hour sometimes in Hospitals employ,
To give the dying Wretch a Glimpse of Joy;
T’ attend the Crouds that hopeless Pangs endure,
And soothe the Anguish which they cannot cure;

To clothe the Bare, and give the Empty Food;
As bright as Guardian Angels, and as good.

Half Wits talk much but say little.
   If Jack’s in love, he’s no judge of Jill’s Beauty.
   Most Fools think they are only ignorant.
   On the 12th of this month, Anno 1702, admiral Rooke and the duke of Ormond attack’d the French and Spanish fleet, and the town of Vigo. Nine galeons and 6 of their men of war were taken; 14 men of war and 4 galeons, were sunk and burnt.
On the 14th of this month, Anno 1644, was born William Penn, the great founder of this Province; who prudently and benevolently sought success to himself by no other means, than securing the liberty, and endeavouring the happiness of his people. Let no envious mind grudge his posterity those advantages which arise to them from the wisdom and goodness of their ancestor; and to which their own merit, as well as the laws, give them an additional title.
On the 28th, Anno 1704, died the famous John Locke, Esq; the Newton of the Microcosm: For, as Thomson says,
He made the whole internal world his own.
   His book on the Human Understanding, shows it. Microcosm, honest reader, is a hard word, and, they say, signifies the little world, man being so called, as containing within himself the four elements of the greater, &c. &c. I here explain Greek to thee by English, which, I think, is rather a more intelligible way, than explaining English by Greek, as a certain writer does, who gravely tells us, Man is rightly called a little world, because he is a Microcosm.
On the 29th, Anno 1618, was the famous sir Walter Rawleigh beheaded; to the eternal shame of the attorney-general, who first prosecuted him, and of the king, who ratify’d the sentence.
How happy is he who can satisfy his hunger with any food, quench his thirst with any drink, please his ear with any musick, delight his eye with any painting, any sculpture, any architecture, and divert his mind with any book or any company! How many mortifications must he suffer, that cannot bear any thing but beauty, order, elegance and perfection! Your man of taste, is nothing but a man of distaste.
November. IX Month.

Nor be the Husband idle, tho’ his Land
Yields plenteous Crops without his lab’ring Hand:
Tho’ his collected Rent his Bags supply,
Or honest, careful Slaves scarce need his Eye.
Let him whom Choice allures, or Fortune yields,
To live amidst his own extended Fields,
Diffuse those Blessings which from Heav’n he found,
In copious Streams to bless the World around;

   Pardoning the Bad, is injuring the Good.
   He is not well-bred, that cannot bear Ill-Breeding in others.
   On the 2d of this month, Anno 1641, the Long Parliament met, who began the great rebellion, as some call it, or the glorious opposition to arbitrary power, as others term it; for to this day party divides us on this head, and we are not (perhaps never shall be) agreed about it. Party, says one, is the madness of many, for the gain of a few: To which may be added, There are honest men in all parties, wise men in none: Unless those may be call’d wise, for whose profit the rest are mad.

To thy lov’d haunt return, my happy muse,
For now behold the joyous winter-days
Frosty, succeed; and thro’ the blue serene
For sight too fine, th’ etherial nitre flies,
Killing infectious damps, and the spent air
Storing afresh with elemental life.
Close crouds the shining atmosphere; and binds
Our strengthen’d bodies in its cold embrace,
Constringent; feeds and animates our blood;
Refines our spirits, thro’ the new-strung nerves
In swifter sallies darting to the brain;
Where sits the soul, intense, collected, cool,

Bright as the skies, and as the season keen.
All nature feels the renovating force
Of Winter, only to the thoughtless eye
Is Ruin seen——.

   Muse, Shoes; Days, Stays; Serene, between; Air, Fair; Life, Wife, Strife, &c. &c. Rhimes, you see, are plenty enow; he that does not like blank verse, may add them at his leisure, as the poets do at Manhatan.
December. X Month.

Open to all his hospitable Door,
His Tennent’s Patron, Parent to the Poor:
In Friendships dear, discording Neighbours bind,
Aid the distress’d, and humanise Mankind:
Wipe off the sorrowing Tear from Virtue’s Eyes,
Bid Honesty oppress’d, again arise:
Protect the Widow, give the Aged Rest,
And blessing live, and die for ever blest.

In Christmas feasting pray take care;
Let not your table be a Snare;
But with the Poor God’s Bounty share.

   Adieu my Friends! till the next Year.
   On the 13th of this month, 1545, the famous council of Trent began.
On the 23d, 1688, K. James abdicated his kingdoms, and embarked for France.
The fall of Niagara, which Popple’s map lays down in the N-West corner of this province, is, according to Henepin, compounded of two great cross streams of water, and two falls, with an isle sloping along between. The waters fall from a horrible precipice above 600 foot, and foam and boil in an hideous manner, making an outrageous noise, more terrible than thunder; for when the wind blows out of the South, their dismal roaring may be heard more than 15 Leagues off.
Conrad, the 3d emperor of Germany, besieged Guelph, duke of Bavaria, in the city of Wansburg. The women perceiving the town could not hold out, petitioned the emperor that they might depart only with so much as they could carry on their backs; which the emperor condescended to, expecting they would have laden themselves with silver and gold; but they all came forth with every one her husband on her back; whereat the emperor was so moved that he wept, received the duke into his favour, gave all the men their lives, and extolled the women with deserved praises. Quere, Is this story more to the honour of the wives or of the husbands? My dame Bridget says the first, I think the latter: But we submit our dispute to the decision of the candid reader.

A wit’s a feather, and a chief a rod;
An honest man’s the noblest work of God. Pope.

   Leap-Year, or Bissextile, is every fourth year: It is so called, by reason it leaps a day more that year than in a common year; for in a common year any fix’d day of the month does change the day of the week to the day following; but in Bissextile, it skips or leaps over a day. This Leap-Year is occasioned by the odd 6 hours in a year, over and above 365 days, which odd hours make a day in 4 years; and because the month of February is the shortest month in the year, this day is added thereto; so that every 4th year February has 29 days, and makes the year to consist of 366 days; that is, two days above 52 weeks; and this is the sole reason why, in Leap-Year, any fix’d feast (as Christmas Day for example) is found two days in the week further on than it was the Year before. To know when it is Leap-Year, divide the year of our Lord by 4, and if nothing remains, it is Leap-Year; but if 1, 2, or 3 remains, then it is accordingly the 1st, 2d, or 3d year after Leap-Year.


Title: Colors of the Associator Companies, 12 January 1748 and 16 April 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

The companies of Associators, numbering about 800 men, with “Drums beating and Colours flying,” appeared under arms at the State House on January 1 to elect company officers, according to the terms of the Association. After the election they presented their choices to the President and Council, who, having ordered commissions prepared in blank, directed them to be filled in and delivered. The company officers then withdrew to choose regimental officers. They wanted to make Franklin their colonel, “but conceiving myself unfit, I declin’d that Station.” Abraham Taylor, a member of the Council, was chosen colonel, Thomas Lawrence lieutenant colonel, and Samuel McCall major. On January 8 they took the oath of allegiance to the government.
When the companies were formed, Franklin wrote, “the Women, by Subscriptions among themselves, provided Silk Colours, which they presented to the Companies, painted with different Devices and Mottos which I supplied.” The first ten company colors, certainly of Franklin’s design, were described in the Gazette of January 12; the remaining ten, which were for other city and some country units, in that of April 16. None of the standards is known to have survived.

[January 12, 1748]
Devices and Mottoes painted on some of the Silk Colours of the Regiments of Associators, in and near Philadelphia.
I. A Lion erect, a naked Scymeter in one Paw, the other holding the Pennsylvania Scutcheon. Motto, Pro Patria.
II. Three Arms, wearing different Linnen, ruffled, plain and chequed; the Hands joined by grasping each the other’s Wrist, denoting the Union of all Ranks. Motto, Unita Virtus Valet.
III. An Eagle, the Emblem of Victory, descending from the Skies. Motto, A Deo Victoria.
IV. The Figure of Liberty, sitting on a Cube, holding a Spear with the Cap of Freedom on its Point. Motto, Inestimabilis.
V. An armed Arm, with a naked Faulchion in its Hand. Motto, Deus adjuvat Fortes.

VI. An Elephant, being the Emblem of a Warrior always on his Guard, as that Creature is said never to lie down, and hath his Arms ever in Readiness. Motto, Semper Paratus.
VII. A City walled around. Motto, Salus Patriae, Summa Lex.
VIII. A Soldier, with his Piece recover’d, ready to present. Motto, Sic Pacem Querimus.
IX. A Coronet and Plume of Feathers. Motto, In God we Trust.
X. A Man with a Sword drawn. Motto, Pro Aris et Focis. &c. &c.
Most of the above Colours, together with the Officers Half-Pikes and Spontons, and even the Halberts, Drums, &c. have been given by the good Ladies of this City, who raised Money by Subscription among themselves for that Purpose.

[April 16, 1748]
Continuation of Devices and Mottoes painted on some of the Silk Colours of the Regiments of Associators in this City and Country adjacent.
XI. Three of the Associators marching with their Muskets shoulder’d, and dressed in different Clothes, intimating the Unanimity of the different Sorts of People in the Association; Motto, Vis Unita Fortior.
XII. A Musket and Sword crossing each other; Motto, Pro Rege & Grege.
XIII. Representation of a Glory, in the Middle of which is wrote Jehovah Nissi, in English, The Lord our Banner.
XIV. A Castle, at the Gate of which a Soldier stands Centinel; Motto, Cavendo Tutus.
XV. David, as he advanced against Goliath, and slung the Stone; Motto, In Nomine Domini.
XVI. A Lion rampant, one Paw holding up a Scymiter, another on a Sheaf of Wheat; Motto, Domine Protege Alimentum.
XVII. A sleeping Lion; Motto, Rouze me if you dare.
XVIII. Hope, represented by a Woman standing cloathed in blue, holding one Hand on an Anchor; Motto, Spero per Deum vincere.
XIX. The Duke of Cumberland as a General; Motto, Pro Deo & Georgio Rege.
XX. A Soldier on Horseback; Motto, Pro Libertate Patriae.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 27 January 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Colden, Cadwallader

Dear Sir
Philada. Jany. 27. 1747[/48]
I received your Favour relating to the Cannon. We have petitioned our Proprietors for some, and have besides wrote absolutely to London for a Quantity, in case the Application to the Proprietors should not succeed; so that, Accidents excepted, we are sure of being supply’d some time next Summer. But as we are extreamly desirous of having some mounted early in the Spring, and perhaps [if] your Engineer should propose to use all you have, the Works [he] may intend will not very soon be ready to receive them, we should think ourselves exceedingly oblig’d to your Government, if you could lend us a few for one Year only: When you return to New York, I hope a great Deal from your Interest and Influence.
Mr. Read, to whom Osborne consign’d your Books, did not open or offer them to Sale till within these two Weeks, being about to remove when he receiv’d them, and having till now no Conveniency of Shelves, &c. In our two last Papers he has advertis’d generally that he has a parcel of Books to sell, Greek, Latin, French and English, but makes no particular Mention of the Indian History; it is therefore no Wonder that he has sold none of them, as he told me [a] few days since. I had but one of them from London, which [I] sent you before any of my Friends saw it: So, as no one here has read it but myself, I can only tell you my own Opinion that ’tis a well wrote, entertaining and instructive Piece, and [must] be exceedingly useful to all those Colonies who have anything to [do] with Indian Affairs.
You have reason to be pleas’d with the Mathematicians [envious] Expression about your Tract on Gravitation. I long to see from Europe [some] of the deliberate and mature Thoughts of their Philosophers upon it.
To obtain some Leisure, I have taken a Partner into the Printing House, but tho’ I am thereby a good deal disengag’d from private Business, I [find] myself still fully occupy’d. The Association, Lottery, Batteries, [&c. take] up at present great Part of my Time. I thank you for com[municating the] Sheet on the first Principles of Morality, the Continuation [of which I shall be] glad to [see]. If this reaches you at Coldengham, pray [send me the paper on Vis Inert]iae, which I much want.
[I since]rely wish, for the sake of all these [several words missing] the Governor in better Temper [remainder missing].
 Addressed: To  The honble. Cadwalader Colden Esqr  Coldengham  Free  B Franklin
Endorsed: Benj. Frankelin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 27 January 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Logan, James

Sir,
Philadelphia, 27 January, 1748
I have not yet found the book, but suppose I shall to-morrow. The post goes out to-day, which allows me no time to look for it. We have a particular account from Boston of the guns there. They are in all thirty-nine, Spanish make and new; fifteen of them are twenty-eight pounders, and twenty-four are fourteen pounders. We offer by this post £1500, this currency, for them all, and suppose we shall get them.
The insurers, in consideration of the premium of twenty per cent, engage thus; that, if the prizes arising against the tickets insured do not, one with another, make in the whole a sum equal to the first cost of the tickets, they will make up the deficiency. They now think it a disadvantageous agreement, and have left off insuring; for though they would gain, as you observe, £1000, if they insured the whole at that rate, in one lot, yet it will not be so when they insure a number of separate lots, as ten, twenty, or one hundred tickets in a lot; because the prizes, falling in one lot, do not help to make up the deficiencies in another. The person, that insured your one hundred and twenty-five, did the next day give the whole premium to another with six and a quarter per cent more, to be reinsured two thirds of them. I have not insured for anybody; so I shall neither lose nor gain that way. I will send the policy, that you may see it, with the book. I am, Sir, &c.
B. Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 30 January 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Logan, James

Sir,
Philadelphia, 30 January, 1748
I send you herewith the book, and enclosed is the policy. Here is no news but what is bad, namely, the taking of Mesnard, an account of which we have by way of Lisbon. He was carried into St. Malo. And just now we have advice from New York, that an express was arrived there from New England to inform the government that two prisoners, who had escaped from different parts of Canada and arrived in New England, agreed in declaring, that three thousand men were getting ready to march against Albany, which they intended to besiege and take; and that they were to be joined by a great body of Indians. They write from New York, that the advice is credited there. I wish it may not prove too true, the wretched divisions and misunderstandings among the principal men in that government giving the enemy too much encouragement and advantage.
I hope you and your good family continue well, being with sincere respect and affection, &c.
B. Franklin


Title: Account of Money Received from David Hall, 1748–1757
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Hall, David
To:

This little book contains in eight pages headed “Acct. of Money receiv’d at different Times from Mr. David Hall” Franklin’s record of his income from the partnership with Hall from Feb. 7, 1748, to March 28, 1757. It shows that Hall paid Franklin £45 a year in semi-annual installments as his share of the £55 rent due from Franklin to Robert Grace by the terms of his lease for the property on Market Street in which Hall now lived and in which the partners’ printing office was located (see above, p. 51). Hall’s other payments were frequent but irregular; and Franklin sometimes took books instead of cash. The total amount Franklin received from Hall in this period was £6056 5s. 3¾d. Deducting the rent payments, his net income from the partnership averaged about £620 a year.
On three other pages of the book are partial accounts and memoranda, 1747–67, in which appear the names of only Theophilus Grew, Hugh Roberts, and William Parks of Williamsburg, Va.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 19 February 1748
From: Logan, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Feb. 19th [1748]
My Friend B.F. I wrote to him about the Title page of Euclid and the Lottery now fully drawn and desired his direction concluding his Affectionate friend.


Title: Report on the Swamp, [24 February 1748]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

By 1740 the banks of Dock Creek and the low, swampy ground lying between it and Society Hill to the west had become a public nuisance. Six tanyards threw their refuse into the creek, fouling the water and filling the bed so that the tide water moved only sluggishly, exposing mud and filth and creating offensive pools of stagnant, mosquito-breeding water. After members of several prominent families had been carried off in the yellow fever epidemic of 1747, public indignation was aroused, and the Provincial Council directed its secretary Richard Peters to ask the Proprietor to have the Dock cleaned out. The City Council, informed on October 19 “that the Swamp between Budd’s Buildings and Society Hill, in the Condition it now lies, is a very great nusance, and injurious to the Health of the Inhabitants of the City living near it,” appointed Samuel Powel, John Stamper, Samuel Rhoads, Edward Warner, Franklin, and William Logan a committee “to view the said Swamp, and consider of the best Means of removing the Nusance complain’d of, and what will be the best Method of improving the said Swamp for the general Use and Benefit of the City.” The Council’s response to the committee’s report was that the recommendations were too costly, and that they would consult with the City Assessors before taking action. Not until after the Revolution was Dock Creek covered.

[February 24, 1748]
In pursuance of the above Order we have viewed the Swamp between Budd’s Buildings and Society Hill, and are of Opinion, and find it also to be the Opinion of many of our Fellow Citizens with whom we have conferr’d,
That a convenient Dock of Sixty Feet wide as far as the said Swamp extends Westward, a Branch of thirty Feet wide on the South West, and forty Feet wide on the North West, be left open for the Reception of Flats, Boats and other small Craft which may be used on the said Dock. That the Remainder ought to be fill’d up above the Tide, and walled in with a good sufficient Stone Wall, and made Landing Places for Wood or other Things, which may hereafter be brought by Water for the Use of the Inhabitants of this City; That the said Dock be dug out and cleansed so deep that the Bottom may be always cover’d with Water; That the Channel under the Bridge in Front Street be continued the Width of the said Bridge to the East Side of Water Street, there to widen gradually by sloap Lines on each Side, so as to be sixty or eighty Feet wide, and to continue that Width to the River Channel, and to be dug out and walled as aforesaid agreeable to a Plan now laid before the Board; That the Common Sewer on the South West Branch be continued to the Dock. But as this will be attended with a considerable Expence, and the dangerous Nusance complain’d of not effectually removed unless the whole Dock so far as to the Third Street be in like manner dug out, cleansed and walled up, We have, (least it should appear too great a Burden to be borne by the City) applied to several of the Inhabitants Owners of Ground adjoining the said Dock, who taking the Premises into serious Consideration, have (for Removal of so publick and dangerous a Nusance as far as in them lies, and also for procuring a sufficient Quantity of Water in Case of Fire in that part of the City) agreed each for himself, his Heirs, Executors and Administrators, to dig out, cleanse and wall, their several and respective Shares of the said Dock which are opposite to their respective Lots, and to keep them forever clean and in good Repair; On Condition That the Profits arising from the landing of Wood and other Things on the Bank of the said Dock opposite to their Lots, may belong to them, their Heirs and Assigns respectively; And that the City shall make Flood-Gates at the several Bridges, and do all their Part in the Premises.
And this Method we hope will be approved of by the Board notwithstanding the Conditions proposed by the said Undertakers, when it is consider’d that the whole Dock from Budd’s Buildings to Third Street, has generally been made at a Private Expence, and landing Places in those narrow Streets will not answer the Charge of making to any but to such whose Estates will in other Respects be benefitted thereby.
Upon the whole, as the Nusance is of such a Nature, and should it continue may be of fatal Consequence, in preventing the Growth and Increase of this City by discouraging Strangers (to whom every Mortality at a Distance is greatly magnified) from coming among us, or filling our own Inhabitants with Fears and perpetual Apprehensions, while it is suspected to propagate infectious Distempers, We humbly propose that a Tax be laid on the City and Money raised for doing all those parts which appertain to the Publick, and the whole Nusance be removed. It is nevertheless submitted to the Judgment of the Board by,

Samuel Powell
B. Franklin

John Stamper
Willm. Logan

Samuel Rhoads


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

Philadelphia, March 7, 1747/8
Abstract: Pass’s opinion as to cost of casting cannon; favors purchasing from New England.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 3 April 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Logan, James

Sir
Ap. 3. 48.
I have a Letter from Mr. Samuel Lawrence of New York, (who undertook to ship the Guns for us) informing, that two small Vessels had been agreed with to bring them round; but a Sloop arriving there on Sunday last that had been chas’d in Lat. 35. by a Ship and Brigt. [brigantine] that were suppos’d to be Don Pedro with a Consort coming on this Coast, the Governor and Council thought it more advisable to send them to Brunswick, which we since hear is done: Capt. Wallace, a discreet old Sea-Commander of this Place, goes today or tomorrow to receive them there, and provide Carriages &c. to bring them to Philadelphia. The Postmaster at New York, and another Correspondent there, write me, that the Ship seen was certainly that of Dom Pedro; the Capt. of the Vessel chas’d knowing her well, having often seen her at the Havana where he has been several Voyages with a Flag of Truce. He was very near being taken, but escaped by Favour of the Night. We are glad to hear the Don is come out with one Consort only, as, by some Accounts, we apprehended he intended to bring a small Fleet with him. It now looks as if his Design was more against our Trade than our City.
With this I send you a Pacquet from London, and a Pamphlet from Sweden, both left with me for you by the new Swedish Missionary, Mr. Sandin.
You must have heard that Mr. James Hamilton is appointed our Governor; an Event that gives us the more Pleasure, as we esteem him a benevolent and upright as well as a sensible Man. I hope he will arrive here early in the Summer, and bring with him some Cannon from the Proprietor. I am, Sir, Your most obliged humble Servant
B Franklin
 Addressed: To James Logan Esqr
Endorsed: Ben Franklin Apr 3d 1748


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 9 April 1748
From: Belcher, Jonathan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Burlington (NJ) April 9: 1748
I received yours of 2d Instant last night and am obliged for your care of my Letters as I shall for any others [that] may come to you. I desire you to Send me your weekly news Paper at the price others give you. Sir with my Compliments to Mrs. Franklin, Your Ready Friend and humble Servant.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 12 April 1748
From: Collinson, Peter
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Respected Friend
Lond Aprill 12 1747/8
I was very fortunate to receive both thy Curious Experiments on Electricity. I have Imparted them to the Royal Society to whome they are very acceptable and they are now in the hands of our Ingenious Friend Mr. Watson Who has promissed as soone as his accounts are printed to send them to Thee with a Letter and hopes for thy further Favours.

My Letters and Books for the Lib: Com: by Mesnard Last fall was luckkyly saved and are in the hands of E: Bland to Come by this ship, which I Wish Safe to hand, and am thy Sincere friend
P Collinson

Great Numbers of Ingenious Men are very Earnestly Engaged in Electrical Experiment in applying them to various purposes. I have lately seen a Letter from a Doctor of Physick att Turin, who gives 3 Instances of the Electrical power on Human Bodies By filling the Electrical Phyal with a purgative Portion [sic] and Transferring it into a Patient and it had all the Effects as if taken into the Stomach. The like account has been communicated from another Hand.
I am much Obliged to thee for thine of Novr: 28: 1747 with the pamphlets Inclosed of which in my Next.
Doctor Mitchell has been out of Order himself this Winter for His Wife was so very Ill he had near Lost Her. He desires his Kind Respects and Intends to Write by this Ship.
I am much Concern’d for the State of the Colonies Northward of you and for our friend Colden. As Mesnard was taken I conclude thine to Doctor Mitchell and Fothergill never came to hand [line missing].
Aprill 25 Wee have a Strong Report of a Peace. I wish it may prove True. Our Stocks are advanced 3 per Cent on it.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 16 April 1748
From: Logan, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Friend BF
Apr. 16th [1748]
I was well pleased with thine of the 13th Inst. on both Accounts, that of the Guns and that also of the Militia with which Conr. Weiser was So well Satisfied that he declared at his Return hither, that he would not for Some pounds out of his own Pocket, but that Shekallemy one of the 6 Nations and his Son had Seen it, and these Indians declare they never Saw Such a Sight before.
My Son who was here last night will deliver thee Jared Elliots discourse of husbandry and inclosed is his Letter, for the Sight of both which I thank thee and am Thy assured Loving friend
J L


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Carter, 18 April 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Carter, Charles

Philadelphia, April 18, 1748
To Charles Carter, Esq., Virginia.
Please to pay Mr. Robert Dade or Order Thirty-one Pennyweight of Gold, and charge it to Account of, Sir Your humble Servant
B. Franklin


Title: James Logan to Franklin and Hall, 7 May 1748
From: Logan, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin,Hall, David

Friends B. Franklin and David Hall
May the 7th [1748]
As I intirely condemn your Publication in your last Gazette of J.F.’s Paper in relation to me, without my approbation which I should never have granted and impute it more as the forward Act of D. Hall than of you both together, I desire that you would publish this in your next Gazette that you may make me all the Amends that now lies in your Power to your friend
J Logan
P.S. As you put the Latin one first So put this.


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

My good Friend
May 9th [1748]
I have wrote a few lines to thee and D.H. as Authors of the Gazette of what you have inserted in your last in relation to me which thou may put into what Language thou pleases provided it answers my End. I impute it to D.H. and not to thy Self.
But this comes to inquire particularly into the [incomplete].
To B. Franklin Postmaster


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 10 May 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Logan, James

Philadelphia, May 10, 1748
As to the Battery, it goes on very well, a great Number of Hands being employ’d upon it, who work with the utmost Diligence. I suppose that in a few Days the Platform will be ready to receive the cannon and the carriages are all made, a particular committee is employ’d in providing cartridges, &c., and Jno. Pass has already cast a great number of large shot.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from George Whitefield, 27 May 1748
From: Whitefield, George
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Mr. F[ranklin],
Bermudas, May 27, 1748
Inclosed you have a letter which you may print in your weekly paper. It brings good news from this little pleasant spot. If you could print it on half a sheet of paper, to distribute among the Bermudas captains, it might perhaps be serviceable. The inhabitants here have received me so well, that I think publishing their kindness is a debt justly due to them. I am now waiting for a fair wind, and then we shall sail for England. The Governor’s lady goes with me. His Excellency is very civil to me, and I believe many souls have been benefited by this visit to Bermudas. I desire to give the Lord Jesus all the glory. You will remember me to Mrs. F[ranklin], and all my dear Philadelphia friends. I do not forget them, and hope they will always remember, dear Sir, Their and your most affectionate, obliged friend and servant,
G.W.


Title: Scheme of the Second Philadelphia Lottery, 2 June 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

The drawing of the First Philadelphia Lottery was followed immediately with a proposal to open a second, in which the tickets should be of four classes and prices instead of one, and prizes would be pieces of eight. To meet the demand for coin the Lottery Managers bought dollars in New York, Rhode Island, and Boston. Franklin printed 500 copies of the scheme, and published it in the Gazette on June 2 and several ensuing weeks. The first class was drawn on September 10, the fourth and last on March 27, 1749. With the proceeds the Association battery at Wicaco was further equipped and strengthened.

Scheme of the Philadelphia Lottery, to raise 9375 Pieces of Eight for the Publick Use of the City of Philadelphia, and Province of Pennsylvania.
This Lottery consists of 7500 Tickets, and is divided into four Classes, to be drawn at four different times. Each Ticket is divided into four Billets, one for each Class. The Price of each Billet is, for the first Class one Piece of Eight, for the second two Pieces of Eight, for the third three Pieces of Eight, and for the fourth four Pieces of Eight.
The First Class, at One Piece of Eight, each Billet.

         Prizes.
         Value in Pieces of Eight.
         Sum in Do.

         1
         of

         500
         is
         500

         2
         of

         250
         are
         500

         3
         of

         100
         are
         300

         3
         of

         80
         are
         240

         4
         of

         40
         are
         160

         10
         of

         20
         are
         200

         10
         of

         10
         are
         100

         125
         of

         4
         are
         500

         750
         of

         2
         are
         1500

         2
         The first and last drawn each
         }
         10
         are
         20

         2
         The Tickets drawn next before and after the prize of 500, each
         }
         10
         are
         20

         912
         Prizes

         4040

         Cash Dr. received on

         7500 Tickets,

         7500 Pieces,

         Cr. paid in Prizes,

         4040

         Remains
         3460

         To be carried to the Fourth Class.

The Second Class, at 2 Pieces of Eight each Billet.

         Prizes.
         Value in Pieces of Eight.
         Sum in Do.

         1
         of

         750
         is
         750

         1
         of

         500
         is
         500

         2
         of

         250
         are
         500

         3
         of

         150
         are
         450

         4
         of

         100
         are
         400

         6
         of

         80
         are
         480

         10
         of

         50
         are
         500

         12
         of

         40
         are
         480

         26
         of

         20
         are
         520

         10
         of

         15
         are
         150

         45
         of

         10
         are
         450

         50
         of

         6
         are
         300

         250
         of

         4
         are
         1000

         750
         of

         3
         are
         2250

         2
         The first and last drawn each
         }
         15
         are
         30

         2
         The Tickets drawn next before and after the 750, each
         }
         15
         are
         30

         2
         The Tickets drawn next before and after the 500, each
         }
         10
         are
         20

         1176 Prizes

         8810

           Cash Dr. received on

         7500 Tickets

         15000 Pieces

           Cr. paid in Prizes

          8810

        Remains
          6190

         To be carried to the Fourth Class.

The Third Class, at 3 Pieces of Eight each Billet.

         Prizes.
         Value in Pieces of Eight.
         Sum in Do.

         1
         of

         1000
         is
         1000

         1
         of

         750
         is
         750

         1
         of

         500
         is
         500

         2
         of

         400
         are
         800

         3
         of

         250
         are
         750

         5
         of

         150
         are
         750

         8
         of

         100
         are
         800

         10
         of

         60
         are
         600

         15
         of

         40
         are
         600

         20
         of

         30
         are
         600

         30
         of

         20
         are
         600

         50
         of

         15
         are
         750

         100
         of

         10
         are
         1000

         250
         of

         6
         are
         1500

         750
         of

         4
         are
         3000

         2
         The first and last drawn each
         }
         20
         are
         40

         2
         The Tickets drawn next before and after the 1000, each
         }
         20
         are
         40

         2
         The Tickets drawn next before and after the 750, each
         }
         15
         are
         30

         2
         The Tickets drawn next before and after the 500, each
         }
         10
         are
         20

         1254 Prizes

         14130

           Cash Dr. received on

         7500 Tickets

         22500 Pieces

           Cr. paid in Prizes,

         14130

         Remains
          8370

         To be carried to the Fourth Class.

The Fourth and Last Class, at 4 Pieces of Eight each Billet.

         Prizes.
         Value in Pieces of Eight.
         Sum in Do.

         1
         of

         1500
         is
         1500

         2
         of

         1000
         are
         2000

         3
         of

         750
         are
         2250

         4
         of

         500
         are
         2000

         6
         of

         400
         are
         2400

         10
         of

         250
         are
         2500

         10
         of

         150
         are
         1500

         15
         of

         100
         are
         1500

         20
         of

         80
         are
         1600

         30
         of

         60
         are
         1800

         24
         of

         50
         are
         1200

         60
         of

         40
         are
         2400

         1248
         of

         20
         are
         24960

         2
         The first and last drawn each
         }
         50
         are
         100

         2
         The Tickets drawn next before and after the 1500, each
         }
         30
         are
         60

         4
         The Tickets drawn next before and after the two of 1000, each
         }
         20
         are
         80

         6
         The Tickets drawn next before and after the three of 750, each
         }
         15
         are
         90

         8
         The Tickets next drawn before and after the four of 500, each
         }
         10
         are
         80

         1455 Prizes.

         48020

           Cash Dr. received on 7500 Tickets
         30000

           Paid more than received in this Class
         18020

Being what was brought forward from the preceding Classes.

State of the Account of the Four Classes, viz.

Received.
Pieces of Eight.
Pieces.

For 7500 Billets in first Class, at 1 each,
7500

For Ditto, in second Class, at 2 each,
15000

For Ditto, in third Class, at 3 each,
22500

For Ditto, in fourth Class, at 4 each,
30000

75000

Prizes paid.
Amounting to

In first Class,
912
4040

In second Class,
1176
8810

In third Class,
1254
14130

In fourth Class
1455
48020

75000

Twelve and a Half per Cent. deducted from 75000 Pieces of Eight, is 9375 Pieces, to be applied to the Publick Use.

Explanation.
A Lottery, in the common Form, is subject to these Inconveniencies. If the Price of each Ticket be high, many who would have been Purchasers are discouraged and excluded. If low, the Number of Tickets must be great, and that occasions the Drawing to take up more Time, which increases the Expence, and is an Injury to many, who neglect other Business to attend it. If the Capital of the Lottery is large, ’tis an Inconveniency that so much Money as is necessary to fill it, should be damm’d up, and restrained from being current in Trade, till the whole is compleated, and all the Lottery drawn.
The present Scheme is calculated to remedy these Inconveniencies. It divides the Lottery into four distinct Classes, to be drawn at four different Times, and is so contrived, as that all the four Drawings will take but little more Time than one Drawing would do in the common Way. The Price of a Ticket is also divided into four gradual Payments, to be made, if the Buyer pleases, at four different and distant Times. The first Entry is low and easy, and if the Adventurer is successful in the first Class, he is enabled as well as encouraged to go on. And a very great Part of the Money is to return several times into the Hands of the People before the Conclusion.
The four Billets into which each Ticket is divided, are all of the same Number, but of different Prices, according to the several Classes to which they belong.

Every Adventurer in the first Class receives a Billet for each Piece of Eight he pays, entitling the Bearer to such Prize in that Class as may be drawn against its Number, subject to no Deduction, unless the Prize be Twenty Pieces of Eight, or upwards. For a like Billet in the second Class he pays two Pieces of Eight. For a Billet in the third Class three Pieces of Eight; and four for a Billet in the fourth Class: So that the Price of a whole Ticket to go through the Lottery is Ten Pieces of Eight.

Adventurers in the first Class have a Right to go thro’ the subsequent Classes, but are not obliged to do it. If any neglect or decline taking out, or paying the Price of their Billets for a subsequent Class, till within three Days of the Drawing of such Class, the common Stock is to have the Benefit of it to the End; unless such Adventurers have left equivalent Prizes for that Purpose in the Hands of the Managers, which is the same Thing as paying: And the greatest Number of Prizes in the first, second, and third Classes, are made just the Price of a Billet in the Class next succeeding, that such Prizes may defray the Charge of new Billets, without the Trouble of paying Money.
A Sum equal to Twelve and a Half per Cent. on the whole, is to be deducted from the fortunate Tickets for the publick Use: But as it would occasion Trouble in making Change, and be otherwise inconvenient, if such Deduction were to be made from the smaller Prizes (which indeed cannot so well afford it) therefore nothing is deducted from any Prize that is under Twenty Pieces of Eight. And the Prizes are so calculated and order’d, that 15 per Cent. which is to be deducted from such as are Twenty Pieces of Eight and upwards, is equal to Twelve and a Half per Cent. on the Whole, and no more. Thus this Lottery is Two and a Half per Cent. more advantageous to Adventurers, than any that have hitherto been made on this Continent. And there are yet several other Advantages, for, in the first Place, the Adventurer’s whole Ticket cannot be struck dead at a Blow, as in common Lotteries. If he has a Blank in the first Class, ’tis a Blank only of One Tenth of his Ticket, and he has still three good Chances left for the remaining nine Tenths, every Chance better than the preceding One, and the last best of all. Then he is under no Necessity of paying the whole Ten Pieces of Eight for each Ticket at once; and, if fortunate in the first Class, may have Occasion to advance no more than the first. In our former Lottery, the Price of a Ticket was Forty Shillings, the whole to be paid at once, and yet its best Chance was to be doubled but 250 times: In this Lottery one Piece of Eight may possibly gain several Thousands. And lastly, the Number of Prizes is more than Half the Number of Tickets.
Publick Notice is to be given before each Drawing, of the Time and Place when and where the Numbers and Prizes are to be put into the Wheels, that such Adventurers as think fit may be present if they please.
The Manner of Drawing is this: All the 7500 Numbers are to be put into one Wheel, and well mixed, the Wheel to be frequently turn’d during the Drawing. In the other Wheel are put the Prizes of the first Class, without any Blanks among them. Then a Number is drawn out of one Wheel, and a Prize against it out of the other, till the Prizes are all drawn; so ends the Drawing of the first Class, which may be finished in one Day.
The rest of the Numbers remain in their Wheel, seal’d up, till the Drawing of the second Class.
The Prizes drawn in each Class may be demanded within three Days after the Drawing of that Class is finished.
Six Weeks Time to be allowed between the Drawings, to take out Billets for the succeeding Class, prepare for drawing it, &c.
Before drawing the second Class, all the Numbers drawn out in the first Class are again to be roll’d up and tied, put into the Wheel to the rest, and well mixed among them.
Then the Prizes of the second Class being put into the other Wheel, without Blanks, the drawing proceeds as in the first Class.
In the same Manner is the third Class managed.
In drawing the fourth and last Class, Blanks are to be mixed with the Prizes, so many as to draw out all the Numbers in the Number Wheel, and complete the whole.

The drawing of the first Class is to begin on the first Monday in September next, without postponing or Delay, or sooner if sooner full; if any Tickets should then remain unsold, they are to be drawn on Account of the Stock.
The following Persons are appointed Managers of this Lottery, viz. Joseph Turner, Abraham Taylor, Tench Francis, John Inglis, Samuel Hazard, John Sober, William Plumsted, Patrick Baird, Philip Syng, Evan Morgan, jun., Jacob Duche, Austin Hicks, Samuel M’Call, jun., Joseph Sims, and Richard Nixon; who are to give Bond, and be on Oath for the faithful Performance of their Trust, and to lay out the Money arising, for such Uses, as to them, in Conjunction with William Allen, Joshua Maddox, William Masters, Samuel M’Call, senior, Edward Shippen, Thomas Leech, Charles Willing, John Kearsley, William Clymer, senior, Thomas Lawrence, junior, William Coleman, Thomas Hopkinson, William Wallace, John Stamper, John Mifflin, James Coultas, William Branson, Rees Meredith, Thomas Lloyd, and Benjamin Franklin, Managers and Assistants of the former Lottery, or to the Majority of the whole, shall seem most for the publick Benefit.
Prizes not demanded within six Months after the last Drawing, to be deem’d as generously given to the common Stock, for the same Use as the Twelve and a Half per Ct. and not to be demanded afterwards, but applied accordingly.
The Managers are to adjust their Accounts, and publish them within twelve Months after the Drawing is finished.
The Tickets will begin to be sold by the Managers at their respective Houses, on Thursday, the 16th Instant.


Title: Miscellaneous Lottery Papers, 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

The Philadelphia Lottery Papers in the Yale University Library contain many orders by the Managers to their treasurer William Allen to pay for gun carriages and repairs or for personal services and expenses. Franklin was not one of the managers of either lottery; he was, however, a member of a committee which joined them in spending the money (see above, p. 222). Documents illustrating this participation are grouped together here rather than in their respective chronological places.

         [1]
         March 21. 1748,9

      Pay to John Pass or Order the Sum of Seventy Pounds, out of the Lottery-Money in your Hands, on his Account for making the Field Carriages.

            }
            Wm: Clymer

            To William Allen, Esqr

            Samuel M’call senr

            Treasurer of the Philadelphia Lottery.
            B Franklin

      Recd. March 22d. 1748/9 of William Allen Seventy pounds being in full of the within Order

            his

            per John
            X
            Pass

            Mark

      Memd. he gave three Receipts which were for parts of the seventy pound above mentioned to be cancelled now.
      Endorsed: John Pass’s Receipt £70.

      [2]
         March 21. 1748/9
      Pay to Mr. Samuel M’call or Order Nine Pounds, being for Powder he furnish’d to try the Guns brought from N York.

            To William Allen Esqr
            }
            Wm: Clymer

            Treasurer of the first Philadelphia Lottery
            B Franklin

Recd the 21st. March 1748/9 of Willm. Allen Esqr. payment of the above Order.
      per Samuel M’call SENR
Endorsed: Managers Order pd. S. M’call senr. £9.

         [3]
         June 6. 1749.
         We whose Names are hereunto subscribed are of Opinion, that Jno Pass should be paid the Ballance of his Account for making the Field Carriages.
         Wm: ClymerB Franklin

         Sir
         In Consequence of the within opinion of two of the Managers for the Lottery, you will please to pay the Ballance of Mr. Pass’s Account.
         Samuel M’call senr.

         To Wm. Allen Esqr
         Recd. Philadelphia June 7th. 1749 of William Allen Seventeen pounds Seventeen Shillings and eleven pence being the full Ballance of my Account of Field Pieces against the Lottery Managers.

               his

               Test. Alexr. Stuart
               per John X Pass

               Mark

         [4]
         Sir
         Nov. 23. 1749
      Mr. Kent serv’d at the last Lottery as one of the Clerks, for which he has not yet receiv’d any thing. He is just going to N. England. It is scarce worth while to call the Managers together on this Occasion. We suppose they will not disapprove of his being allow’d the same Pay as he had for his Service in the first Lottery, especially as the latter requir’d more Days Attendance.

            To Wm. Allen Esqr
            B Franklin

              Treasurer of the Lottery
            Phil Syng

      Recd. Philadelphia Novr. 23d. 1749 of William Allen the sum of Ten pounds in pursuance of the within Order being in full for my Service as Clerk to the second Philadelphia Lottery.
      Joseph Kent
      Endorsed: Lotty Order

         [5]
         To The menagers of The Lottery Dr.

      To painting four Field cariages £4. 0. 0
      Gustavus Hesselius

      Sir
         Jan. 10. 1749,50
      The above has been long due, and I think it should be paid. Your humble Servant
      B Franklin
         To Majr. M’Call

        Recd. Jany 11th. 1749/50 of William Allen four pounds in full of the above Account
John Hesselius

      [6]
      Recd. Apl. 25th. 1750 of William Allen Three hundred and fourteen pounds ten Shillings being to pay for the Guns brought from Boston per me
      B Franklin
      Endorsed: Mr. Franklin’s Receipt £314.10


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 14 June 1748
From: Collinson, Peter
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Friend Franklin
Londn June 14th 1748
The Bearer Mr. Kalm Is an Ingenious Man and comes over on purpose to Improve himself in all Natural Inquiries. He is a Sweed per Nation and is as I am informed Imployed by the Academy of Upsal to make Observations on your Parts of the World. I recommend Him to thy Favour and Notice—by Him I send the first Vol. of the Voyage to Discover NorWest passage. I hope the pacquett &c. sent under the Care of Hunt & Greenlease is come safe to Hand. I am thy sincere friend
P Collinson
 Addressed: To  Ben: Franklin  Philadelphia


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [Nathaniel Sparhawk], 15 June 1748
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Sparhawk, Nathaniel

Philada. June 15. 1748
I receiv’d yours per Mr. Baynton with the Money as therein specified; and have since deliver’d it to Mr. Warren (who is now here) with Mr. Pepperill’s Letter; of which please advise Mr. Pepperill. I am Sir, Your most humble Servant
B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, [June 1748?]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Mecom, Jane

Dear Sister,
Philadelphia, [June? 1748]
I received your letter, with one for Benny, and one for Mr. Parker, and also two of Benny’s letters of complaint, which, as you observe, do not amount to much. I should have had a very bad opinion of him, if he had written to you those accusations of his master, which you mention; because, from long acquaintance with his master, who lived some years in my house, I know him to be a sober, pious, and conscientious man; so that Newport, to whom you seem to have given too much credit, must have wronged Mr. Parker very much in his accounts, and have wronged Benny too, if he says Benny told him such things, for I am confident he never did.

As to the bad attendance afforded him in the smallpox, I believe, if the negro woman did not do her duty, her master or mistress would, if they had known it, have had that matter mended. But Mrs. Parker was herself, if I am not mistaken, sick at that time, and her child also. And though he gives the woman a bad character in general, all he charges her with in particular, is, that she never brought him what he called for directly, and sometimes not at all. He had the distemper favorably, and yet I suppose was bad enough to be, like other sick people, a little impatient, and perhaps might think a short time long, and sometimes call for things not proper for one in his condition.
As to clothes, I am frequently at New York, and I never saw him unprovided with what was good, decent, and sufficient. I was there no longer ago than March last, and he was then well clothed, and made no complaint to me of any kind. I heard both his master and mistress call upon him on Sunday morning to get ready to go to meeting, and tell him of his frequently delaying and shuffling till it was too late, and he made not the least objection about clothes. I did not think it any thing extraordinary, that he should be sometimes willing to evade going to meeting, for I believe it is the case with all boys, or almost all. I have brought up four or five myself, and have frequently observed, that if their shoes were bad, they would say nothing of a new pair till Sunday morning, just as the bell rung, when, if you asked them why they did not get ready, the answer was prepared, “I have no shoes,” and so of other things, hats and the like; or if they knew of any thing that wanted mending, it was a secret till Sunday morning, and sometimes I believe they would rather tear a little, than be without the excuse.
As to going on petty errands, no boys love it, but all must do it. As soon as they become fit for better business, they naturally get rid of that, for the master’s interest comes in to their relief. I make no doubt but Mr. Parker will take another apprentice, as soon as he can meet with a likely one. In the mean time I should be glad if Benny would exercise a little patience. There is a negro woman that does a great many of those errands.
I do not think his going on board the privateer arose from any difference between him and his master, or any ill usage he had received. When boys see prizes brought in, and quantities of money shared among the men, and their gay living, it fills their heads with notions, that half distract them, and put them quite out of conceit with trades, and the dull ways of getting money by working. This I suppose was Ben’s case, the Catherine being just before arrived with three rich prizes; and that the glory of having taken a privateer of the enemy, for which both officers and men were highly extolled, treated, presented, &c. worked strongly upon his imagination, you will see, by his answer to my letter, is not unlikely. I send it to you enclosed. I wrote him largely on the occasion; and though he might possibly, to excuse that slip to others, complain of his place, you may see he says not a syllable of any such thing to me. My only son, before I permitted him to go to Albany, left my house unknown to us all, and got on board a privateer, from whence I fetched him. No one imagined it was hard usage at home, that made him do this. Every one, that knows me, thinks I am too indulgent a parent, as well as master.
I shall tire you, perhaps, with the length of this letter; but I am the more particular, in order, if possible, to satisfy your mind about your son’s situation. His master has, by a letter this post, desired me to write to him about his staying out of nights, sometimes all night, and refusing to give an account where he spends his time, or in what company. This I had not heard of before, though I perceive you have. I do not wonder at his correcting him for that. If he was my own son, I should think his master did not do his duty by him, if he omitted it, for to be sure it is the high road to destructtion. And I think the correction very light, and not likely to be very effectual, if the strokes left no marks.
His master says farther, as follows; “I think I can’t charge my conscience with being much short of my duty to him. I shall now desire you, if you have not done it already, to invite him to lay his complaints before you, that I may know how to remedy them.” Thus far the words of his letter, which giving me a fair opening to inquire into the affair, I shall accordingly do it, and I hope settle every thing to all your satisfactions. In the mean time, I have laid by your letters both to Mr. Parker and Benny, and shall not send them till I hear again from you, because I think your appearing to give ear to such groundless stories may give offence, and create a greater misunderstanding, and because I think what you write to Benny, about getting him discharged, may tend to unsettle his mind, and therefore improper at this time.
I have a very good opinion of Benny in the main, and have great hopes of his becoming a worthy man, his faults being only such as are commonly incident to boys of his years, and he has many good qualities, for which I love him. I never knew an apprentice contented with the clothes allowed him by his master, let them be what they would. Jemmy Franklin, when with me, was always dissatisfied and grumbling. When I was last in Boston, his aunt bid him go to a shop and please himself, which the gentleman did, and bought a suit of clothes on my account dearer by one half, than any I ever afforded myself, one suit excepted; which I don’t mention by way of complaint of Jemmy, for he and I are good friends, but only to show you the nature of boys.
The letters to Mr. Vanhorne were sent by Mr. Whitfield, under my cover.
I am, with love to brother and all yours, and duty to mother, to whom I have not time now to write, your affectionate brother,
B. Franklin


Title: Advice to a Young Tradesman, [21 July 1748]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

George Fisher’s The Instructor: or Young Man’s Best Companion was a popular manual of English grammar, penmanship, composition, arithmetic, bookkeeping, and other useful matters for young men entering business. A competitor of William Mather’s The Young Man’s Companion, on which it was based and from which it copied many particulars, it was first published in London in 1730 or earlier; a sixth edition appeared in 1742, and an eighth presumably before 1748. Franklin imported two dozen copies in 1745; in 1747 he began to get an American edition ready. This was the “Ninth Edition” and was announced in the Gazette of July 21, 1748, as “just published.”
It was essentially but not entirely a reprinting of the English original. Franklin changed the name to The American Instructor, he omitted some parts of Fisher’s book and added new material for American readers. Instead of the English Instructor’s brief medical prescriptions, for example, The American Instructor reprinted John Tennent’s Every Man his own Doctor. There were accounts of the history and government of the several colonies; of Pennsylvania, however, Franklin wrote simply: “One of the happiest Countries at this Time in the World. God grant it may long so continue.” To promote the teaching of penmanship Franklin, like William Mather, included four plates of examples of good handwriting, as well as a description of the Twelve Ciphers which his late friend Joseph Breintnall had designed. And finally he offered this advice to young tradesmen.

 [July 21, 1748]
Advice to a young Tradesman, written by an old One.
To my Friend A. B.
As you have desired it of me, I write the following Hints, which have been of Service to me, and may, if observed, be so to you.
Remember that Time is Money. He that can earn Ten Shillings a Day by his Labour, and goes abroad, or sits idle one half of that Day, tho’ he spends but Sixpence during his Diversion or Idleness, ought not to reckon That the only Expence; he has really spent or rather thrown away Five Shillings besides.
Remember that Credit is Money. If a Man lets his Money lie in my Hands after it is due, he gives me the Interest, or so much as I can make of it during that Time. This amounts to a considerable Sum where a Man has good and large Credit, and makes good Use of it.
Remember that Money is of a prolific generating Nature. Money can beget Money, and its Offspring can beget more, and so on. Five Shillings turn’d, is Six: Turn’d again, ’tis Seven and Three Pence; and so on ’til it becomes an Hundred Pound. The more there is of it, the more it produces every Turning, so that the Profits rise quicker and quicker. He that kills a breeding Sow, destroys all her Offspring to the thousandth Generation. He that murders a Crown, destroys all it might have produc’d, even Scores of Pounds.
Remember that Six Pounds a Year is but a Groat a Day. For this little Sum (which may be daily wasted either in Time or Expence unperceiv’d) a Man of Credit may on his own Security have the constant Possession and Use of an Hundred Pounds. So much in Stock briskly turn’d by an industrious Man, produces great Advantage.
Remember this Saying, That the good Paymaster is Lord of another Man’s Purse. He that is known to pay punctually and exactly to the Time he promises, may at any Time, and on any Occasion, raise all the Money his Friends can spare. This is sometimes of great Use: Therefore never keep borrow’d Money an Hour beyond the Time you promis’d, lest a Disappointment shuts up your Friends Purse forever.
The most trifling Actions that affect a Man’s Credit, are to be regarded. The Sound of your Hammer at Five in the Morning or Nine at Night, heard by a Creditor, makes him easy Six Months longer. But if he sees you at a Billiard Table, or hears your Voice in a Tavern, when you should be at Work, he sends for his Money the next Day. Finer Cloaths than he or his Wife wears, or greater Expence in any particular than he affords himself, shocks his Pride, and he duns you to humble you. Creditors are a kind of People, that have the sharpest Eyes and Ears, as well as the best Memories of any in the World.
Good-natur’d Creditors (and such one would always chuse to deal with if one could) feel Pain when they are oblig’d to ask for Money. Spare ’em that Pain, and they will love you. When you receive a Sum of Money, divide it among ’em in Proportion to your Debts. Don’t be asham’d of paying a small Sum because you owe a greater. Money, more or less, is always welcome; and your Creditor had rather be at the Trouble of receiving Ten Pounds voluntarily brought him, tho’ at ten different Times or Payments, than be oblig’d to go ten Times to demand it before he can receive it in a Lump. It shews, besides, that you are mindful of what you owe; it makes you appear a careful as well as an honest Man; and that still encreases your Credit.
Beware of thinking all your own that you possess, and of living accordingly. ’Tis a Mistake that many People who have Credit fall into. To prevent this, keep an exact Account for some Time of both your Expences and your Incomes. If you take the Pains at first to mention Particulars, it will have this good Effect; you will discover how wonderfully small trifling Expences mount up to large Sums, and will discern what might have been, and may for the future be saved, without occasioning any great Inconvenience.
In short, the Way to Wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the Way to Market. It depends chiefly on two Words, Industry and Frugality; i.e. Waste neither Time nor Money, but make the best Use of both. He that gets all he can honestly, and saves all he gets (necessary Expences excepted) will certainly become Rich; If that Being who governs the World, to whom all should look for a Blessing on their honest Endeavours, doth not in his wise Providence otherwise determine.