I Con e more important discoveries, nor has enriched -sophy with more, or more ingenius solutions of henomena of nature. We have supposed Mr. nhouse second to no astronomer living; that in as he must be the first, because he is self7t," &c. philosophy, England can bonst of a Bacon the eminent professor in this science the world has produced. The Essays of this great writer is f the best proofs we can adduce of his tranFant abilities; and America claims thc enlight. EstFRANKLIN, a man who has not left his equal d him, and whose Life and Writings are the ct of the following sheets. say more in this place of our Authcr, would be pating, wliat is hereafter mentioned: it will tore only be necessary to add, that due attention een paid to the selection of such of his prodục: Conra as may be adapted to general perusa). 001 Advic The V Pu An Ec acc in Observa tou ulus 1 On the Duserva Mathie more important discoveries, nor has enriched more in this place of our Authcr, would be only be necessary to add, that due attention Life of Dr. Franklin, as written by Himself Continuation of his Life by Dr. Stuber 138 On the Death of his Brother, Mr. John Franklin 140 CANKLIN, a man who has not left his equal On early Marriages To the late Dr. Mather, of Boston The Whistle, a true Story, written to his Nephew 143 The Handsonie and Deformed Leg the Soliloquy of one advanced in Age 148 paid to the selection of such of his produc Conversation of a Company of Ephemeræ, with The art of procuring Pleasant Dreams Necessary Hints to those that would be Rich The Way to make Money plenty in every Man's On modern Innovations in the English Language An acconnt of the highest Court of Judicature in Pennsylvania, viz, the Court of the Press 180 Observations on the generally prevailing Doc- Precautions to be used by those who are about 236 he Criminal Laws, and the Practise of Pri arks concerning the Savages of North Mr. Dubourg, concerning the Dissentions arison of the Conduct of the Ancient Jews, nd of tbe Antifederalists in the United minary Addres to the Pennsylvania Al. nanack, entitled “Poor Richard's Alma- Internal State of America ; being a true Description of the Interest and Policy of mation to those who would romove to A- 252 Speech of Dr. Franklin in the late Federal rence of Bows and Arrows in War to Fire screeable rms esure, best breat attended sirous of They mu milar sit rative. When There er Criminal Laws, and the Practise of Pri Ceering 39 concerning the Savages of North berica 21 - Dubourg, concerning the Dissentions LIFE 22 veen England and America Lison of the Conduct of the Ancient Jews, of tbe Antifederalists in the United or Ces of America Affairs DR. FRANKLIN. s to be examined ary Address to the Pennsylvania Alack, entitled "Poor Richard's Alma-, for the year 1758" ernal State of America; being a true Fription of the Interest and Policy of I Have amused myself with collecting some little Past Continent anecdotes of my family. You may remember the on to those who would romove to A inquiries I made, when you were with me in Enga on Commercial Subjects land, among such of my relations as were then liv ing; and the journey I undertook for that purpose. White-washing To be acquainted with the particulars of my parent, the Above age and lífe, many of which are unknown to you, ch of Dr. Franklin in the late Federal flatter myself' will afford the same pleasure to you as ntion to me. I shall relate them upon paper: it will be an of Bows and Arrows in War to Fire agreeable employment of a week's uninterrupted eory of the Earth leisure, which I promise myself during my present retirement in the country. There are also other moauglits on an Universal Fluid tives which induce me to the undertaking. From the bosom of poverty and obscurity, in which I drew my first breath, and spent my earliest years, I have reised myself to a state of opulence, and to some degree of celebrity in the world. A constant good fortuns has attended me through every period of life to my present advanced age; and my descendants may be der sirous of learning what were the means of which I. made use, and which, thanks to the assisting band of Providence, have proved so eminently successful.. They may also, should they ever be placed in a similar situation, derive some advantage from my nar When I reflect, as I frequently do, upon the felicity I have enjoyed. I sometimes say to myself, that were the offer made true, I would engage to run again, beginning to end, the same career of life. All I would ask, should be the privilege of an author, to correct, in a second edition, certain errors of the first. I could wish, likewise, if it were in my power, to change some trivial incidents and events for others more favourable. Were this, however, denied me, still would I not decline the offer. But since a repetition of life cannot take place, there is nothing which, in my opinion, so nearly resembles it, as to call tó mind all iis circumstances, and, to render their resemblance more durable, commit them to writing.. By thus employing myself, I shall yield to the inclination, so natural in old men, to talk of themselves and their exploits, and may freely follow my hent, without being tiresome to those who, from respect to my age, might think themselves obliged to listen to me : as they will be at liberty to rend me or not as they please. In fine, and I may as well avow it, since nobody would bolieve me were I to deny itI shall, perhaps, by this employment, gratify my vanity. Scarcely, indeed, have I ever heard or read the introductory phrase, “ I may say without vanity,” but some striking and characteristic instance of vanity has immediately followed. The generality of men hate vanity in oilers, however strongly they may be tinctured with it themselves : for myself, I pay obeisance to it wherever I meet with it. persuaded that it is advantageous, as well to the individual whom it governs, as to those who are within the sphere of its influence. Of consequence, it would, in many cases, not be wholly absurd, that a man should count his vanity among the other sweets of life and give thanks to Providence for the blessing. And here let me with all humility acknowledge that to Divine Providence I am indebted for the felicity I have hitherto enjoyed. It is that power alone which bas furnished me with the means I have employed, and that has crowned them with success. My faith, in this respect, leads me to hope, though I cannot count upon it, that the Divine goodness will still be exercised towards me, either by prolonging the dura. iion of my happiness to the close of life, or by gir. ng me fortitude to support any melancholy reverse |
Get this book in print
0 Reviews Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified Write review |