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am sure I can say, no one is more opposite than I am. These poems, therefore, will never see the light, as, from a teacher of that word which gives all strength to the feeble, more fortitude and Christian philosophy may with justice be expected than they display. The remainder of my verses would not possess any very great interest: mere description is often mere nonsense; and I have acquired a strange habit, whenever I do point out a train of moral sentiment from the contemplation of a picture, to give it a gloomy and querulous cast, when there is nothing in the occasion but what ought to inspire joy and gratitude. I have one poem, however, of some length, which I shall preserve; and I have another of considerable magnitude in design, but of which only a part is written, which I am fairly at a loss whether to commit to the flames, or, at some future opportunity, to finish. The subject is the death of Christ. I have no friend whose opinion is at all to be relied on to whom I could submit it; and perhaps, after all, it may be absolutely worthless.

With regard to that part of my provision which is derived from my unknown friend, it is of course conditional; and as it is not a provision for a poet, but for a candidate for orders, I believe it is expected, and, indeed, it has been hinted as a thing advisable, that I should barter the muses for mathematics, and abstain from writing verses, at least until I take my degree. If I find that all my time will be requisite, in order to prepare for the important office I am destined to fill, I shall certainly do my duty, however severely it may cost me; but if I find I may lawfully and conscientiously relax myself at intervals with those delightful reveries

which have hitherto formed the chief leisure of my life, I shall, without scruple, indulge myself in them.

I know the pursuit of truth is a much more im. portant business than the exercise of the imagination; and amid all the quaintness and stiff method of the mathematicians, I can even discover a source of chaste and exalted pleasure. To their severe, but salutary discipline, I must now "subdue the vivid shapings of my youth;" and though I shall cast many a fond, lingering look to Fancy's more alluring paths, yet I shall be repaid by the anticipation of days when I may enjoy the sweet satisfaction of being useful, in no ordinary degree, to my fellow-inortals.

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HENRY KIRKE WHITE.

Dr. Franklin to Mrs. Thomas, at Lisle.

Paris, February 8, 1777.

You are too early, hussy, as well as too saucy, in calling me rebel; you should wait for the event, which will determine whether it is a rebellion or only a revolution. Here the ladies are more civil: they call us les insurgens; a character that usually pleases them and methinks all other women who smart, or have smarted, under the tyranny of a bad husband, ought to be fixed in revolution principles, and act accordingly.

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In my way to Canada, last spring, I saw dear Mrs. Barrow at New-York. Mr. Barrow had been from her two or three months, to keep Governor Tryon and other tories company on board the Asia, one of the king's ships, which lay in the harbour; and in all that time, that naughty man had not

ventured once on shore to see her. Our troops were then pouring into the town, and she was packing up to leave it, fearing, as she had a large house, they would incommode her by quartering officers in it. As she appeared in great perplexity, scarce knowing where to go, I persuaded her to stay; and I went to the general officers then commanding there, and recommended her to their protection, which they promised and performed. On my return from Canada, where I was a piece of a governor (and I think a very good one) for a fortnight, and might have been so till this time, if your wicked army, enemies to all good government, had not come and driven me out, I found her still in quiet possession of her house. I inquired how our people had behaved to her: she spoke in high terms of the respectful attention they had paid her, and the quiet and security they had procured her. I said I was glad of it; and that, if they had used her ill, I would have turned tory. Then, said she, (with that pleasing gaiety so natural to her,) I wish they had. For you must know she is a torgess, as well as you, and can as flippantly call rebel. I drank tea with her; we talked affectionately of you and our other friends the Wilkes's, of whom she had received no intelligence. What became of her since, I have not heard. The street she lived in was some months after chiefly burnt down; but as the town was then, and ever since has been, in the possession of the king's troops, I have had no opportunity of knowing whether she suffered any loss in the conflagration. I hope she did not, as, if she did, I should wish I had not persuaded her to stay there. I am glad to learn from you that that unhappy, though deserving family, the W.'s, are getting into

some business that may afford them subsistence. I pray that God will bless them, and that they may see happier days. Mr. Cheap's and Dr. H.'s good fortunes please me. Pray learn, if you have not already learnt, like me, to be pleased with other people's pleasures, and happy with their happiness, when none occur of your own; then, perhaps, you will not so soon be weary of the place you chance to be in, and so fond of rambling to get rid of your ennui. I fancy you have hit upon the right reason of your being weary of St. Omer's, viz. that you are out of temper, which is the effect of full living and idleness. A month in bridewell, beating hemp, upon bread and water, would give you health and spirits, and subsequent cheerfulness and contentment with every other situation. I prescribe that regimen for you, my dear, in pure good will, without a fee. And let me tell you, if you do not get into temper, neither Brussels nor Lisle will suit you. I know nothing of the price of living in either of those places; but I am sure a single woman (as you are) might, with economy, upon two hundred pounds a year, maintain herself comfortably anywhere; and me into the bargain. Do not invite me in earnest, however, to come and live with you; for, being posted here, I ought not to comply, and I am not sure I should be able to refuse. Present my respects to Mrs. Payne and to Mrs. Heathcot; for, though I have not the honour of knowing them, yet, as you say they are friends to the American cause, I am sure they must be women of good understanding. I know you wish you could see me; but as you can't, I will describe myself to you. Figure me in your mind as jolly as formerly, and as strong and hearty, only a few years older; very plainly dressed, wearing my thin, gray, straight

hair, that peeps out under my only coiffure, a fine fur cap, which comes down my forehead almost to my spectacles. Think how this must appear among the powdered heads of Paris! I wish every lady and gentleman in France would only be so obliging as to follow my fashion, comb their own heads as I do mine, dismiss their friseurs, and pay me one half the money they pay to them. You see the gentry might well afford this, and I could then enlist these friseurs, who are at least one hundred thousand; and with the money, I would maintain them, make a visit with them to England, and dress the heads of your ministers and privy counsellors, which I conceive at present to be un pue dérangées.

Adieu, madcap! and believe me ever your affectionate friend and humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

P. S.-Don't be proud of this long letter. A fit of the gout, which has confined me five days, and made me refuse to see company, has given me a little time to trifle; otherwise it would have been very short: visiters and business would have interrupted: and, perhaps, with Mrs. Barrow, you wish they had.

Dr. Franklin to Dr. Cooper, Boston.

Paris, May 1, 1777. I THANK you for your kind congratulations on my safe arrival here, and for your good wishes. I am, as you supposed, treated with great civility and respect by all orders of people; but it gives me still greater satisfaction to find that our being

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