"As Neddy is yet a young man, I hope he may get over the disorder he complains of, and in time wear it out. My love to him and his wife and the rest of your children. It gives me pleasure to hear that Eben is likely to get into business at his trade. If he will be industrious and frugal, 'tis ten to one but he gets rich, for he seems to have spirit and activity. 66 original maker, but put his own mark or device on the papers, or any thing he may be advised to as proper; only on the soap, as it is called by the name of crown soap, it seems necessary to use a stamp of that sort, and perhaps no soap boiler in the king's dominions has a better right to the crown than himself. Nobody has wrote a syllable to me concerning his making use of the hammer, or made the least complaint of him or you. I am sorry however that he took it without leave. It was irregular, and if you had not approved of his doing it, I should have thought it indiscreet. Leave they say is light, and it seems to me a piece of respect that was due to his aunt to ask it, and I can scarce think she would have refused him the favour. "I am glad to hear Jamey is so good and diligent a workman; if he ever sets up at the goldsmith's business, he must remember that there is one accomplishment without which he cannot possibly thrive in that trade, (i. e. to be perfectly honest.) It is a business that though ever so uprightly managed, is always liable to suspicion; and if a man is once detected in the smallest fraud it soon becomes public, and every one is put upon their guard against him; no one will venture to try his hands, or trust him to make up their plate; so at once he is ruined. I hope my nephew will therefore establish a character as an honest and faithful, as well as skilful workman, and then he need not fear employment. "And now as to what you propose for Benny I believe he may be, as you say, well enough qualified for it, and when he appears to be settled, if a vacancy should happen, it is very probable he may be thought of to supply it; but it is a rule with me, not to remove "I am glad that Peter is acquainted with any officer that behaves well, keeps regular the crown soap business, so as to make what accounts, and pays duly; and I think the rule is good of the kind. I hope he will always is founded on reason and justice. I have not take care to make it faithfully, never slight shown any backwardness to assist Benny, manufacture, or attempt to deceive by ap- where it could be done without injuring anpearances. Then he may boldly put his name other. But if my friends require of me to and mark, and in a little time it will acquire gratify not only their inclinations, but their as good a character as that made by his late resentments, they expect too much of me. uncle, or any other person whatever. I be- Above all things I dislike family quarrels, and lieve his aunt at Philadelphia, can help him when they happen among my relations, noto sell a good deal of it; and I doubt not of thing gives me more pain. If I were to set her doing every thing in her power to pro- myself up as a judge of those subsisting bemote his interest in that way. Let a box between you and brother's widow and children, sent to her (but not unless it be right good) | how unqualified must I be, at this distance, to and she will immediately return the ready determine rightly, especially having heard money for it. It was beginning once to be in vogue in Philadelphia, but brother John sent me one box, an ordinary sort, which checked its progress. I would not have him put the Franklin arms on it; but the soap boilers arms he has a right to use, if he thinks fit. The other would look too much like an attempt to counterfeit. In his advertisements, he may value himself on serving his time with the but one side. They always treated me with "Mrs. D. Franklin. LONDON, Nov. 22, 1757. "MY DEAR CHILD,-During my illness, which continued near eight weeks, I wrote you several little letters, as I was able; the last was by the packet which sailed from Falmouth above a week since: in that I informed you that my intermitting fever which had continued to harass me, by frequent relapses, was gone off, and I have ever since been gathering strength and flesh. My doctor, Fothergill, who had forbid me the use of pen and ink, now permits me to write as much as I can without over fatiguing myself, and therefore I sit down to write more fully than I have hitherto been able to do. Mrs. Garrigues's letter. He is removed from Turnham Green; when I return I'll tell you every thing relating to him, in the mean time I must advise Mrs. Garrigues not to write to him again, till I send her word how to direct her letters, he being unwilling, for some good reasons, that his present wife should know any thing of his having any connexions in America. He expresses great affection for his daughter and grandchildren. He has but one child here. "I have found David Edwards, and send you some of his letters, with one for his father. I am glad to hear that our friends at Newark got well through the small pox. "The above particulars are in answer to things mentioned in your letters, and so are what follow. "Governor Shirley's affairs are still in an uncertain state; he is endeavouring to obtain an inquiry into his conduct, but the confusion of public affairs occasions it to be postponed. He and I visit frequently. "I make no doubt but reports will be spread by my enemies to my disadvantage, but let none of them trouble you. If I find I can do my country no good, I will take care at least not to do it any harm; I will neither seek nor expect any thing for myself; and though I may perhaps not be able to obtain for the people what they wish and expect, no interest shall induce me to betray the trust they have reposed in me; so make yourself quite easy with regard to such reports. "Mr. Hunter is better than he has been for a long time, he and his sister desire to be re "The 2d of September I wrote to you that I had had a violent cold and something of a fever, but that it was almost gone. However, it was not long before I had another severe cold, which continued longer than the first, attended by great pain in my head, the top of which was very hot, and when the pain went off, very sore and tender. These fits of pain continued sometimes longer than at others; seldom less than 12 hours, and once 36 hours. I was now and then a little delirious they cupped me on the back of the head, whch seemed to ease me for the present; I took a great deal of bark, both in substance and infusion, and too soon thinking myself well, I ventured out twice, to do a little business and forward the service I am engaged in, and both times got fresh cold and fell down again; my good doctor grew very angry with me, for acting contrary to his cautions and di-membered to you. rections, and obliged me to promise more observance for the future. He attended me very carefully and affectionately; and the good lady of the house nursed me kindly; Billy was also of great service to me, in going from place to place, where I could not go myself, and Peter was very diligent and attentive. I took so much bark in various ways that I began to abhor it; I durst not take a vomit, for fear of my head; but at last I was seized one "I thank you for sending me brother Johnmorning with a vomiting and purging, the lat-ny's journal; I hope he is well, and sister ter of which continued the greater part of the Read and the children. day, and I believe was a kind of crisis to the distemper, carrying it clear off; for ever since I feel quite lightsome, and am every day gathering strength; so I hope my seasoning is over, and that I shall enjoy better health during the rest of my stay in England. "I believe I left the seal with Mr. Parker. "I am glad to hear that Mr. Boudinot has so seasonable a supply; and hope he will not go to mining again. "I am obliged to all my friends that visit you in my absence. My love to them. "Mr. Ralph delivered me your letters very obligingly; he is well respected by people of value here. "I am sorry to hear of Mr. Burt's death. He came to me at New York, with a proposal that I did not approve of, but it showed his good will and respect for me; when I return I'll tell you what it was. "I shall entertain Mr. Collinson and Dr. Fothergill with your account of Tidyuskin's visit. "I have now before me, your letters of July 17, July 31, August 11, August 21, September 4, September 19, October 1, and October 9. "I should have read Sally's French letter I thank you for writing to me so frequently and with more pleasure, but that I thought the fully; I believe I have missed none of your French rather too good to be all her own comletters yet, but those by Lyon, who was taken. posing; I suppose her master must have corYou mention Mr. Scott's being robbed, but rected it. But I am glad she is improving do not say to what value; was it considerable? in that and her music; I send her a French I have seen Mr. Ralph, and delivered him | Pamela. 66 VOL. I....2 H 21 I "You were very lucky in not insuring the | the black silk for Sally; but Billy sends her a rum. We are obliged to Mr. Booth for his scarlet feather, muff, and tippet, and a box of care in that remittance. I suppose you have fashionable linen for her dress; in the box is wrote to acknowledge the receipt of it. a thermometer for Mr. Taylor and one for Mr. have not yet seen Mr. Burkett. Schlatter, which you will carefully deliver; as also, a watch for Mr. Schlatter. I shall write to them; the black silk was sent to Mr. Neates, who undertook to forward it in some package of his. "I am not much surprised at Green's behaviour; he has not an honest principle, I fear. I have not yet seen Mr. Walsteinholme, but he is arrived. "I am glad you sent to Elizabeth-town, and that Ben has got that good girl. I hope they will do well, when you write remember my love to her. "December 3. I write by little and little as I can find time; I have now gone through all your agreeable letters, which give me fresh pleasure every time I read them. Last night I received another, dated October 16, which brings me the good news that you and Sally were got safe home; your last of the 9th, being from Elizabeth-town. Budden's ship is not yet come up to London, but is daily expected, having been some time at Cowes. Mr. Hall has sent me a bill, as you mention. Mr. Walsteinholme is come to town and I expect to see him to-day. When I have inquired how things are with Green, I shall write some directions to you what to do in the affair. "I am glad to hear that Miss Ray is well, and that you correspond. It is not convenient to be forward in giving advice in such cases. She has prudence enough to judge for herself, and I hope she will judge and act for the best. "It is now twelve days since I began to write this letter, and I still continue well, but have not yet quite recovered my strength, flesh, or spirits. I every day drink a glass of infusion of bark in wine, by way of prevention, and hope my fever will no more return; on fair days, which are but few, I venture out about noon. "The agreeable conversation I meet with among men of learning, and the notice taken of me by persons of distinction, are the principal things that soothe me for the present, under this painful absence from my family and friends. Yet those would not keep me here another week, if I had not other inducements; duty to my country, and hopes of being able to do it service. "LONDON, December 13, 1757. "DEAR MADAM,-I will not write to you, for the future, as a stranger whom I never had "I hear there is a miniature painter gone the happiness of seeing, but as to one with over to Philadelphia, a relation to John Rey- whom I have been for some time acquainted, nolds. If Sally's picture is not done to your for having had the pleasure for several months mind, by the young man, and the other gen-past, to be personally known to what you will tleman is a good hand and follows the business, suppose you get Sally's done by him, and send it me with your small picture, that I may here get all our little family drawn in one conversation piece. "I am sorry to hear of the general sickness; I hope it is over before this time, and that little Franky is recovered. "I was as much disappointed in my intention of writing by that packet as you were in not receiving letters by her, and it has since given me a great deal of vexation. I wrote to you by way of New York, the day after my arrival in London, which I do not find you have received. "I do not use to be a backward correspondent though my sickness has brought me behind hand with my friends in that respect. "Had I been well, I intended to have gone round among the shops, and bought some pretty things for you and my dear good Sally, (whose little hands you say eased your headache) to send by this ship, but I must now defer it to the next, having only got a crimson satin cloak for you, the newest fashion, and readily allow, to be your better half, you'll permit me to fancy, I am by no means ignorant of the essential qualities of the other. "I had for many years conceived a very high, and now find, a very just opinion of Mr. Franklin; this I was naturally led to by the concurring testimony of every body who knew him, (for the voice of his enemies, if he had any, never reached me) and by the opportunities I have had of judging for myself, during my correspondence with him for a dozen years. But though the notion I had formed of him, in my own mind, before I had the pleasure of seeing him, was really as far as it went, just enough; I must confess it was very unequal to what I now know his singular merit deserves. "I own it is somewhat odd, to entertain a lady with the character of her husband, who must herself, of all others, be the least ignorant in that particular. But as all who know me, know that I cannot help speaking my sentiments freely, on any subject that strikes me in a great degree, so I choose to write my mind in regard to Mr. Franklin, before all others to you, because you are the most unexceptionable judge of the truth and propriety of what I say, and because I am persuaded you will listen to me, not only with patience but with pleasure; and indeed, whatever your own personal qualities may be, however amiable and engaging in my mind, your being the choice of such a man, must add greatly to your honour, to be the wife of one who has so much ability, inclination, and success, if you view him in a public capacity, in being eminently useful to his country, must necessarily confer on you great reputation, and to be the bosom friend of one who is equally fitted to promote any kind of domestic happiness, must as necessarily be the constant spring of the most substantial comfort to you. "For my own part, I never saw a man who was, in every respect, so perfectly agreeable to me. Some are amiable in one view, some in another, he in all. Now madam, as I know the ladies here consider him in exactly the same light I do, upon my word I think you should come over, with all convenient speed to look after your interest; not but that I think him as faithful to his Joan, as any man breathing; but who knows what repeated and strong temptation, may in time, and while he is at so great a distance from you, accomplish. Besides, what a delightful expedition would this be to Miss Franklin, and how much must it amuse and improve her, to see and live a while in this great city. I know you will object to the length of the voyage and the danger of the seas, but truly this is more terrible in apprehension than in reality; of all the ways of travelling it is the easiest and most expeditious; and as for the danger, there has not a soul been lost between Philadelphia and this, in my memory; and I believe, not one ship taken by the enemy. Is the trouble and risk then of such a voyage, to be compared in any degree, with the pleasure it will afford you and your best friends. By no means. Instead of being afraid of the sea, we ought to have a particular regard for it, as it is so far from being a bar to the communication and intercourse of different and far distant countries, that it facilitates their correspondence in a very high degree. Nay more, it conveys in the floating castles of your mother country, that protection and assistance which I trust will soon give peace to your borders. I might urge as an additional inducement for you to come over in the spring, that the important business with which Mr. Franklin is charged, in the service of his country, (which I dare say you would wish above all things may be brought to a happy conclusion) may very probably detain him more than one season, which will exhaust your patience to such a degree, that you may repent, when too late, you did not listen to my advice. "Your son I really think one of the pret tiest young gentlemen I ever knew from America. He seems to me to have a solidity of judgment, not very often to be met with in one of his years. This with the daily opportunities he has of improving himself in the company of his father, who is at the same time his friend, his brother, his intimate, and easy companion, affords an agreeable prospect, that your husband's virtues and usefulness to his country, may be prolonged beyond the date of his own life. "Your daughter (I wish I could call her mine,) I find by the reports of all who know her, is a very amiable girl in all respects; but of her I shall say nothing, till I have the pleasure of seeing her. Only 1 must observe to you, that being the mistress of such a family, is a degree of happiness perhaps the greatest that falls to the lot of humanity. I sincerely wish you, very long, the unabated enjoyment of them. I leave it to your friend, to write you every thing from this place, you would desire to know. But I cannot take my leave of you without informing you that Mr. F. has the good fortune to lodge with a very discreet good gentlewoman, who is particularly careful of him, who attended him during a very severe cold he was some time ago seized with, with an assiduity, concern, and tenderness, which perhaps, only yourself could equal: so that I don't think you could have a better substitute till you come over, to take him under your own protection. He is now perfectly recovered. "My own family are, I thank God, just now in perfect health. My wife joins me in kindest compliments to you and dear Miss, not forgetting her honest son David and his fire-side. I wish you a speedy and happy meeting with your friends on this side of the water, which will give great pleasure to, "WILLIAM STRAHAN.” To the same. LONDON, January 14, 1758. "DEAR DEBBY,-I wrote a very long letter to you lately, two whole sheets full, containing answers to all yours received during my sickness. I have since received your kind favours of November 13th and November 16th. It has given me great concern that you should be so disappointed in having no letters by captain Luthwycke; you know by this time how it happened; but I wonder you should expect letters from me, by the way of Ireland; it being quite out of my knowledge, when vessels are to sail from thence. "I am thankful to God for sparing my little family in that time of general sickness, and hope to find them all well, at my return. The New York paper you sent me was the latest that came, and of use to our friend, Strahan. He has offered to lay me a considerable wager, that a letter he has wrote to you will bring you immediately over hither; but I tell him I will not pick his pocket; for I am sure there is no inducement strong enough to prevail with you to cross the seas. I would be glad if I could tell you when I expected to be at home, but that is still in the dark; it is possible I may not be able to get away this summer; but I hope, if I stay another winter, it will be more agreeable than the greatest part of the time I have hitherto spent in England. But however I must bring my business to some conclusion. "I received Sally's letter of November 12th, but cannot now write to her. I wrote to my friends generally by last packet, and shall write to them again by a ship of Mr. Ralph's, to sail from here in about a fortnight. I am not yet quite so hearty as before my illness; but I think I am daily stronger and better, so I hope I have had my seasoning; but much writing still disorders me. To the same. "LONDON, January 21, 1758. "MY DEAR CHILD,-Mr. Lorimer, a friend who is going over to general Abercromby, to assist him as a secretary, called on me just now, to acquaint me that he is on the point of setting out. I seize a minute or two just to let you know we are well, that is, I am well, compared to what I have been during a great part of the time since my arrival, and I hope with the spring to recover my full strength. Billy is quite hearty, and presents his duty, love, &c. "I have wrote to you by several opportunities, lately, and particularly one long letter of two sheets, which I hope will come to hand, as it contained a full answer to a number of yours received during my illness, and I have no copy of it. "I begin to think I shall hardly be able to return before this time twelve months. I am for doing effectually what I came about; and I find it requires both time and patience. You may think perhaps, that I can find many amusements here to pass the time agreeably. 'Tis true, the regard and friendship I meet with from persons of worth, and the conversation of ingenious men, give me no small pleasure; but at this time of life, domestic comforts afford the most solid satisfaction, and my uneasiness at being absent from my family, and longing desire to be with them, make me often sigh in the midst of cheerful company. "My love to my dear Sally. I confide in you the care of her and her education; I promise myself the pleasure of finding her much improved at my return. "While I am writing, three letters came in, one from Mr. Hall, one from Rhoads, another from Dr. Bond, but none from you: they are by way of Bristol. I must send this away immediately, lest Mr. Lorimer should be gone. My respects to those gentlemen, to whom I shall write, and to my other friends, by Mr. Ralph's vessel, which sails next week. 66 · B. FRANKLIN. "P. S. When you write to Boston, give my love to sister Jenney-as I have not often time to write to her. If you please you may send her the inclosed little picture. To the same. 66 B. F." “PHILADELPHIA, May 1, 1758. "MADAM,-By favour of Miss D. Williams, I had the pleasure of viewing on Wednesday the effigies in miniature, of your truly worthy spouse; and as the sight of that valuable little piece revived some thoughts of a desire which I have been meditating for some years past, I took the liberty to request Miss Williams to beg in my name, the favour of you, madam, not to suffer it to go entirely out of your hands so suddenly as seemed at first to be proposed, that so, I might have an opportunity of explaining what that design was, and of submitting it to your consideration, which I choose to do in writing; as in this way, I can more fully make it known, together with my real motive, which I trust will be understood, as I am myself persuaded, that they are with the utmost sincerity of a much nobler kind than more sordid interested expectations. Ever since I have been resident in Philadelphia, I have entertained thoughts of performing a piece of mezzotinto, which I have several times practised in Boston, and which, so far as I know, has never yet been done in this city, nor have I ever heard of any person residing here beside myself, that was acquainted with that business. As therefore such an attempt of mine would be the first of the kind in this place, I supposed that that consideration alone would add some value to the performance; and even make amends for any small defects of workmanship (I hoped there would be no very great ones) observable in it; and on that account I was desirous of conse crating it, as an offering of first fruits, to the memory of real and eminent worth. "And when I considered which way I should direct my choice for such a subject, my grateful sense of the many instances of Mr. Franklin's goodness to myself, his benevolent endeavours in private life, to promote the interest of any person, though no way connected |