D. Hartley, esq. to Dr. Franklin, June 1, 1784 Dr. Franklin to D. Hartley, esq. June 2, 1784 D. Hartley, esq. to Dr. Franklin, Dec. 1, 1784 Dr. Franklin to D. Hartley, esq. Jan. 3, 1785 MEMOIRE DE SIR JOHN DALRYMPLE, ou Projet du Lord 382 The DIARY and CORRESPONDENCE of RALPH THORESBY, Author of "The History of Leeds." Edited by the Rev. JOSEPH HUNTER, F.S.A. Including numerous Letters by the celebrated John Evelyn, Sir Hans Sloane, Sir Godfrey Copley, Archbishop Sharp, Bishop Burnet, Dr. Calamy, Rev. Matthew Henry, Strype, Hearne, &c. &c. In DODDRIDGE'S CORRESPONDENCE and DIARY; including many Particulars in his life hitherto unknown, with Notices of many of his Contemporaries, and a Sketch of the Times in which he lived. Pub-4 vol. 8vo. 30s. lished from the original MSS. by his Grandson, J. DODDRIDGE HUMPHREYS, Esq. In 5 large vols. 8vo. with fine Portrait. Price 31. 15s. N.B. Either of the Volumes may be had to complete sets. We know not when, if ever, we have perused volumes of the description of those now before us, with more intense curiosity, amusement, and instruction.'- Literary Gazette. and one which affords a great deal of interestA curious, a very curious publication, ing information, and sets before us pictures of society and manners drawn in the liveliest tone, and bearing the stamp of perfect truth upon every lineament. Here we get into the genuine company of our great-grandfathers; we gossip with them-hear their opinionsknow their minds--observe their customsnote their fashions-laugh at their weaknesses and wonder that so great a change could have been operated within the century that has passed between their fretting their hour upon the stage and our occupying the scene.' These volumes must tank with our first English classics, and must go down to posterity as specimens of the English language-Literary Gazette. rarely surpassed.'-Evangelical Magazine. III. CONVERSATIONS OF LITERARY MEN AND STATESMEN. Edited by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR. The Second Edition, revised, with considerable Additions, in 3 vols. 8vo. 1l. 11s. 6d. V. MEMOIRS of the GREAT LORD BURGHLEY, Secretary of State in the Reign of King Edward VI. and Lord High Treasurer of England in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; containing a Historical View of the Times in which he lived, and of many of the eminent and illustrious Persons with whom he was connected; with Extracts from his Private Correspondence and Journals, now first published from the Originals. By the Rev. Dr. NARES, Regius Professor of Modern History in the University of Oxford. Vol. IIl. separately, to complete sets. Contents: Richard I. and the Abbot of Boxley-The Lord Brooke and Sir Philip Sydney-King Henry IV. and Sir Arnold Savage-Southey and Porson-Oliver Cromwell and Walter Noble Queen Elizabeth and Cecil King James I. and Isaac CasaubonBishop Burnet and Humphrey Hardcastle-Peter Leopold and the President Du Paty-Buonaparte and the President of the Senate The Emperor Alexander and Capo d'Istria-Kosciusko and Poniatowski - Middleton and Magliabecchi-Milton and An-rary Gazette. Complete in 3 vols. with Portraits, &c. This elaborate work is of the highest national interest; it embraces and discusses a multitude of great historical, biographical, religious and political questions, and throws national and universal importance.' - Lite- . much light upon an era of almost unparalleled PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. PART II-CONTINUED. LETTERS ON POLITICAL SUBJECTS. TO THE HON. JOSIAH QUINCY, ESQ. DEAR SIR, Passy, April 22, 1779. letter by Mr. Brad I received your very kind ford, who appears a very sensible and amiable young gentleman, to whom I should with pleasure render any service here, upon your much respected recommendation; but I understand he returns immediately. It is with great sincerity I join you in acknowledging and admiring the dispensations of Providence in our favor. America has only to be thankful and persevere. God will finish his work, and establish their freedom; and the lovers of liberty will flock from all parts of Europe with their fortunes to participate with us of that freedom-as soon as peace is restored. I am exceedingly pleased with your account of the French politeness and civility, as it appeared among the officers and people of their fleet. They VOL. II. A have certainly advanced in those respects many degrees beyond the English. I find them here a most amiable nation to live with. The Spaniards are, by common opinion, supposed to be cruel, the English proud, the Scotch insolent, the Dutch avaricious, &c.; but I think the French have no national vice ascribed to them. They have some frivolities, but they are harmless. To dress their heads so that a hat cannot be put on them, and then wear their hats under their arms, and to fill their noses with tobacco, may be called follies perhaps, but they are not vices; they are only the effects of the tyranny of custom. In short, there is nothing wanting in the character of a Frenchman that belongs to that of an agreeable and worthy man. They have only some trifles, a surplus of which might be spared. Will you permit me, while I do them justice, to hint a little censure on our own country people? which I do in good-will, wishing the cause removed. You know the necessity we are under of supplies from Europe, and the difficulty we have at present in making returns. The interest bills would do a good deal towards purchasing arms, ammunition, clothing, sailcloth, and other necessaries for defence. Upon inquiry of those who present those bills to me for acceptance, what the money is to be laid out in, I find that most of it is for superfluities, and more than half of it for tea! How unhappily in this instance the folly of our people, and the avidity of our merchants, concur to weaken and impoverish our country! I formerly computed that we consumed before the war, in that single article, the value of 500,000l. sterling annually. Much of this was saved by stopping the use of it. I honored the vir tuous resolution of our women in foregoing that little gratification, and I lament that such virtue should be of so short duration! Five hundred thousand pounds sterling annually laid out in defending ourselves, or annoying our enemies, would have great effects. With what face can we ask aids and subsidies from our friends while we are wasting our own wealth in such prodigality? With great and sincere esteem, I am, &c. B. FRANKLIN. DAVID HARTLEY, ESQ. TO DR. FRANKLIN. MY DEAR FRIEND, London, April 22, 1779. The sentiments I have opened to you in my late letters for some months past, and which I have reduced in an enclosed paper, into a more specific shape, seem to me, upon very repeated reflection, to promise the fairest ground of good expectation. These propositions originate from myself, as a mediator: I have communications with both sides, but no authority to make proposals from either; and perhaps neither side, if I were to put the propositions separately to each (being myself unauthorised) might give me positive consent. Each side separately might say No, from what is called political prudence; and yet each side might secretly wish that the offer could be made, with a done first from the other party. I think the proposition of a truce for five or seven years, leaving all things in the present dispute in statu quo, must be advantageous to all parties, if it were only in consideration that a general satisfactory peace to all parties may come among the excellent effects of time given for cooling. We can but fight it out at last. War never comes too late; wis |