employment but one degree below their real occupation in life-assured him that he had been misinformed, that she did not keep tavern; but that it was true, to oblige some members of the legislature, she took a number of them into her family during the session; that she had four members of the council, and six of the house of representatives, who then boarded with her; that all her beds were full; and then betook herself to her knitting, with that intense application, which expressed, as forcibly as action could do, if you have concluded your business, the sooner you leave the house the better. But upon the Doctor's wrapping his coat around him, affecting to shiver with cold, and observing that it was very chilly weather, she pointed to a chair, and gave him leave to warm himself.

"The entrance of her boarders precluded all further conversation; coffee was soon served, and the Doctor partook with the family. To the coffee, according to the good old custom of the times, succeeded a plate of pippins, pipes, and a paper of M'Intire's best, when the whole family formed a cheerful smoking semi-circle before the fire. Perhaps no man ever possessed colloquial powers to a more fascinating degree, than Dr. Franklin, and never was there an occasion when he displayed those powers to greater advantage, than at this time. He drew the attention of the company, by the solidity of his modest remarks, instructing them by the varied, new, and striking lights in which he placed his subjects, and delighted them with apt and amusing anecdotes. Thus employed, the hours passed merrily along, until eight o'clock, when, punctual to a moment, Mrs. Franklin announced supper. Busied with her household affairs, she fancied the intruding stranger had quitted the house, immediately after coffee, and it was with difficulty she could restrain her resentment, when she saw him, without molestation, seat himself at the table with the freedom of a member of the family.

"Immediately after supper, she called an elderly gentleman, a member of the council, in whom she was accustomed to confide, to another room; complained bitterly of the rude ness of the stranger; told the manner of his introduction to

her house; observed that he appeared like an outlandish man; and, she thought, had something very suspicious in his appearance; concluding by soliciting her friend's advice with respect to the way in which she could most easily rid herself of his presence. The old gentleman assured her, that the stranger was certainly a young man of education, and to all appearance a gentleman; that, perhaps, being in agreeable company, he had paid no attention to the lateness of the hour; and advised her to call him aside, and repeat her inability to lodge him. She accordingly sent her maid to him, and then, with as much temper as she could command, recapitulated the situation of her family, observed that it grew late, and mildly intimated that he would do well to seek himself a lodging. The Doctor replied, that he would by no means incommode her family; but that, with her leave, he would smoke one pipe more with her boarders, and then retire.

"He returned to the company, filled his pipe, and with the first whiff his powers returned with double force. He recounted the hardships, he extolled the piety and policy of their ancestors. A gentleman present mentioned the subject of the day's debate in the house of representatives. A bill had been introduced to extend the prerogatives of the royal governor. The Doctor immediately entered upon the subject; supported the colonial rights with new and forcible ar guments; was familiar with the names of the influential men in the house, when Dudley was governor; recited their speeches, and applauded the noble defence of the charter of rights.

"During a discourse so appropriately interesting to the company, no wonder the clock struck eleven, unperceived by the delighted circle; and was it wonderful that the patience of Mrs. Franklin grew quite exhausted? She now entered the room, and, before the whole company, with much warmth, addressed the Doctor; told him plainly, she thought herself imposed on; observed, it was true she was a lone woman, but that she had friends who would protect her, and concluded by insisting on his leaving the house. The Doc

tor made a slight apology, deliberately put on his great coat and hat, took polite leave of the company, and approached the street door, lighted by the maid, and attended by the mistress. While the Doctor and his companions had been enjoying themselves within, a most tremendous snow storm had, without, filled the streets knee deep; and no sooner had the maid lifted the latch, than a roaring northeaster forced open the door, extinguished the light, and almost filled the entry with drifted snow and hail. As soon as it was re-lighted, the Doctor cast a woful look towards the door, and thus addressed his mother: My dear madam, can you turn me out in this dreadful storm? I am a stranger in this town, and shall certainly perish in the streets. You look like a charitable lady; I shouldn't think you could turn a dog from your door, in this tempestuous night.' Don't tell me of charity,' said the offended matron; charity begins at home. It is your own fault you tarried so long. To be plain with you, sir, I do not like your looks, or your conduct; and I fear you have some bad designs in thus introducing yourself to my family.'

6

"The warmth of this parley had drawn the company from the parlour, and by their united interference the stranger was permitted to lodge in the house; and as no bed could be had, he consented to rest on an easy chair before the parlour fire. Although the boarders appeared to confide, perfectly, in the stranger's honesty, it was not so with Mrs. Franklin. With suspicious caution, she collected her silver spoons, pepper-box, and porringer, from her closet; and, after securing her parlour door, by sticking a fork over the latch, carried the plate to her chamber; charged the negro man to sleep with his clothes on, to take the great lever to bed with him, and to waken and seize the vagrant at the first noise he made, in attempting to plunder the house. Having thus taken every precaution, she retired to her bed with her maid, whom she compelled to sleep in her room.

"Mrs. Franklin rose before the sun, roused her domestics, unfastened the parlour door with timid caution, and was agreeably surprised to find her guest sleeping on his own

chair. A sudden transition from extreme distrust to perfect confidence, was natural. She awakened him with a cheerful good morning; inquired how he rested; invited him to partake of her breakfast, which was always served previous to that of her boarders. And pray, sir,' said the lady, as she sipped her chocolate, as you appear to be a stranger here, to what distant country do you belong? I, madam, belong to the city of Philadelphia.' At the mention of Philadelphia, the Doctor declared he, for the first time, perceived some emotion in her. Philadelphia! said she, and all the mother suffused her eye: if you live in Philadelphia, perhaps you know our Ben.' Who, madam? Why Ben Franklin-my that ever blest a mother!'

6

6

Ben.-Oh! he is the dearest child What,' said the Doctor, is Ben Franklin, the printer, your son; why he is my most intimate friend: he and I lodge in the same room.' 'Oh! God forgive me,' exclaimed the old lady, raising her watery eyes to heaven- and have I suffered a friend of my Benny to sleep in this hard chair, while I myself rested on a good bed?'

"How the Doctor discovered himself to his mother, he has not informed us; but from the above experiment, he was firmly convinced, and was often afterwards heard to declare, that natural affection did not exist."

Few men have exhibited a more worthy conduct than did Dr. Franklin, through his long life. Through every vicissitude of fortune, he seems to have been distinguished for his sobriety and temperance, for his extraordinary perseverance and resolution. He was not less distinguished for his veracity, for the constancy of his friendship, for his candour, and his fidelity to his moral and civil obligations. In the early part of his life, he acknowledged himself to have been sceptical in religion, but he became in maturer years, according to the testimony of his intimate friend, Dr. William Smith, a believer in divine revelation. The following extract from his memoirs, written by himself, deserves to be recorded: " 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 has 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 duration of my happiness to the close of life, or by giving me fortitude to support any melancholy reverse which may happen to me as well as to many others. My future fortune is unknown but to Him, in whose hand is our destiny, and who can make our very afflictions subservient to our benefit."

We conclude our notice of this distinguished man and profound philosopher, by subjoining the following epitaph, which was written by himself, many years previously to his death:

The body of

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Printer,
Like the cover of an old book,

its contents torn out,

and stript of its lettering and gilding,
lies here food for worms;

Yet the work itself shall not be lost,
For it will (as he believed) appear once more
in a new

and more beautiful edition,

Corrected and amended
by the Author.

a

JOHN MORTON.

JOHN MORTON was a native of Ridley, in the county of

Chester, now Delaware. His ancestors were of Swedish ex着 traction, and among the first Swedish emigrants, who located themselves on the banks of the Delaware. His father, after whom he was called, died a few months previously to his birth. His mother was some time after married to an Englishman, who possessed a more than ordinary education, and who, with great kindness, on young Morton's becoming of