zled me a little, but he did not satisfy me; and the subsequent observations I made, as above mentioned, confirmed me in my first opinion.

This event has given rise, in my mind, to several serious and important reflections. I considered, that, if I had not been awakened so early in the morning, I should have slept six hours longer by the light of the sun, and, in exchange, have lived six hours the following night by candlelight; and, the latter being a much more expensive light than the former, my love of economy induced me to muster up what little arithmetic I was master of, and to make some calculation, which I shall give you after observing, that utility is, in my opinion, the test of value in matters of invention; and that a discovery, which can be applied to no use, or is not good for something, is good for nothing.

I took for the basis of my calculation the supposition, that there are 100000 families in Paris, and that these families consume in the night half a pound of bougies, or candles, per hour. I think this is a moderate allowance, taking one family with another: for though I believe some consume less, I know that many consume a great deal more. Then, estimating seven hours per day, as the medium quantity between the time of the sun's rising and ours, he rising during the six following months from six to eight hours before noon, and there being seven hours of course per night in which we burn candles, the account will stand thus:—

In the six months between the 20th of March and the 20th of September, there are

These 1281 hours multiplied by 100000,
the number of inhabitants, give
One hundred twenty-eight millions and one
hundred thousand hours, spent at Paris
by candle-light; which, at half a pound
of wax and tallow per hour, gives the
weight of.
Sixty-four millions and fifty thousands of
pounds; which, estimating the whole at
the medium price of thirty sols the pound,
makes the sum of ninety-six millions and
seventy-five thousands of livres tournois

128100000

..64050000.

96075000

An immense sum! that the city of Paris might save every year, by the economy of using sunshine instead of candles.

If it should be said, that people are apt to be obstinately attached to old customs, and that it will be difficult to induce them to rise before noon, consequently my discovery can be of little use: I answer, Nil desperandum. I believe

all, who have common sense, as soon as they have learnt from this paper, that it is daylight when the sun rises, will contrive to rise with him; and to compel the rest I would propose the following regulations:

First. Let a tax be laid of a louis per window, on every window that is provided with shutters, to keep out the light of the sun.

Second. Let the same salutary operation of police be made use of to prevent our burning candles, that inclined us last winter to be more economical in burning wood; that is, let guards be placed in the shops of the wax and tallow chandlers, and no family be permitted to be supplied with more than one pound of candles per week.

Third. Let guards also be posted to stop all the

coaches, &c., that would pass the streets after sunset, except those of physicians, surgeons, and midwives.

Fourth. Every morning, as soon as the sun rises, let all the bells in every church be set ringing; and, if that is not sufficient, let cannon be fired in every street, to wake the sluggards effectually, and make them open their eyes to see their true interest.

All the difficulty will be in the first two or three days after which, the reformation will be as natural and easy as the present irregularity: for, ce n'est que le premier pas qui coute. Oblige' a man to rise at four in the morning, and it is more than probable he shall go willingly to bed at eight in the evening; and, having had eight hours sleep, he will rise more willingly at four the morning following. But this sum of ninety-six millions and seventy-five thousand livres is not the whole of what may be saved by my economical project. You may observe, that I have calculated upon only one half of the year, and much may be saved in the other, though the days are shorter. Besides, the immense stock of wax and tallow left unconsumed, during the summer, will prò bably make candles much cheaper for the ensuing winter, and continue them cheaper as long as the proposed refor mation shall be supported.

For the great benefit of this discovery, thus freely communicated and bestowed by me on the public, I demand neither place, pension, exclusive privilege, nor any other reward whatever. I expect only to have the honour of it. And yet I know there are little envious minds, who will, as usual, deny me this, and say, that my invention was known to the ancients, and perhaps they may bring passages out of the old books in proof of it. I will not dispute with these people, that the ancients knew not the sun would rise at certain hours: they possibly had, as we have, almanacks that predicted it: but it does not follow

thence, that they knew he gave light as soon as he rose. This is what I claim as my discovery. If the ancients knew it, it might have been long since forgotten, for it certainly was unknown to the moderns, at least to the Parisi ans, which to prove, I need use but one plain, simple argument. They are as well instructed, judicious, and prudent a people, as exist any where in the world, all professing, like myself, to be lovers of economy; and, from the many heavy taxes required from them by the necessities of the state, have surely an abundant reason to be economical. I say it is impossible, that so sensible a people, under such circumstances, should have lived so long by the smoky, unwholesome, and enormously expensive light of candles, if they had really known, that they might have had as much pure light of the sun for nothing. I am, &c.

An Abonné.

DR. FRANKLIN.

A WEEK IN THE COUNTRY.

HAVING been frequently pressed by sir John Jolly fan old friend of mine, possessed of a fine estate, a large park, and a plentiful fortune) to pass a few weeks with him in the country, I determined last autumn to accept his invitation, proposing to myself the highest pleasure from changing the noise and hurry of this bustling metropolis, for the agreeable silence and soothing indolence of a rural retirement. I accordingly set out one morning, and pretty early the next arrived at the habitation of my friend, situate in a most delicious and romantic spot, which (the owner having fortunately no taste) is not yet defaced with improvements. On my approach, I abated a little of my travelling pace,. to look round. me, and admire the towering hills, and fertile vales, the winding streams, the stately

woods, and spacious lawns, which, gilded by the sunshine of a beautiful morning, on every side afforded a most enchanting prospect; and I pleased myself with the thoughts of the happy hours I should spend amidst these pastoral scenes, in reading, in meditation, or in soft repose, inspired by the lowing of distant herds, the fall of waters, and the melody of birds.

I was received with a hearty welcome, and many shakes of the hand, by my old friend, whom I had not seen for many years, except once, when he was called to town by a prosecution in the King's Bench, for misunderstanding the sense of an act of parliament, which, on examination, was found to be nonsense. a middle age, a hale constitution, good natural parts, and abundant spirits, a keen sportsman, an active magistrate, and a tolerable farmer, not without some ambition of acquiring a seat in parliament, by his interest in a neighbouring borough: so that between his pursuits of game, of justice, and popularity, beside the management of a large quantity of land, which he keeps in his own hands, as he terms it, for amusement, every moment is sufficiently employed. His wife is an agreeable woman, of about the same age,, and has been handsome; but though years have somewhat impaired her charms, they have not in the least her relish for company, cards, balls, and all other manner of public diversions.

He is an honest gentleman, of

On my arrival, I was first conducted into the breakfast room, which, with some surprise, I saw quite filled with genteel persons of both sexes, in dishabille, with their hair in papers; the cause of which I was quickly informed of, by the many apologies of my lady for the meanness of the apartment she was obliged to allot me, By reason the house was so crowded with company during the time of their races, which," she said, " began that very day for the whole week, and for which they were immediately pre