of taking a leading part in such investigations as could never terminate in any degree of certainty. To come forward in questions which, in their nature, are indefinite, and in their issue problematical, does not comport with the caution of a man who has taught himself to look for demonstration, He réserved his observations for those cases which science could enlighten, and common sense approve. The simplicity of his style was well adapted to the clearness of his understanding. His conceptions were so bright and perfect, that he did not choose to involve them in a cloud of expressions. If he used metaphors, it was to illustrate, and not to embellish the truth. A man, possessing such a lively imagery of ideas, should never affect the arts of a vain rhetorician, whose excellence consists only in a beautiful arrangement of words.

"But whatever claims to eminence Dr. Franklin may have as a politician, or a scholar, there is no point of light, in which his character shines with more lustre, than when we view him as a man or a citizen. He was eminently great in common things. Perhaps no man ever existed, whose life can, with more justice, be denominated useful.Nothing ever passed through his hands without receiving improvement: and no person ever went into his company without gaining wisdom. sagacity was so sharp, and his science so various, that, whatever might be the profession or occupa

His

tion of those with whom he conversed, he could meet every one upon his own ground. He could enliven every conversation with an anecdote, and conclude it with a moral.

"The whole tenor of his life was a perpetual lecture against the idle, the extravagant, and the proud. It was his principal aim to inspire mankind with a love of industry, temperance, and frugality; and to inculcate such duties as promote the important interests of humanity. He never wasted a moment of time, or lavished a farthing of money, in folly or dissipation. Such expenses as the dignity of his station required, he readily sustained, limiting them by the strictest rules of propriety. Many public institutions experienced his well-timed liberality; and he manifested a sensibility of heart by numerous acts of private charity.

"By a judicious division of time, Dr. Franklin acquired the art of doing every thing to advantage; and his amusements were of such a nature, as could never militate with the main objects of his pursuit. In whatever situation he was placed by chance or design, he extracted something useful for himself or others. His life was remarkably full of incident. Every circumstance of it turned to some valuable account. The maxims which his discerning mind has formed, apply to innumerable cases and characters. Those who move in the lowest, equally with those who move in the most elevated rank in society, may be guided by his instructions. In the

VOL. II.

Q

private deportment of his life, he, in many respects, has furnished a most excellent model. His manners were easy and accommodating, and his address winning and respectful. All who knew him speak of him as a most agreeable man; and all who have heard of him applaud him as a very useful one. A man so wise, and so amiable, could not but have many admirers, and many friends."

Dr. Franklin's sentiments respecting death, may be gathered from the following letter written by him to his niece, Miss Hubbard, in condolence on the death of his brother, Mr. John Franklin, her father-in-law.

Philadelphia, Feb. 23, 1756.

"We have lost a most dear and valuable relation (and friend). But, it is the will of God that these mortal bodies be laid aside when the soul is to enter into real life. Existing here is scarce to be called life; it is rather an embryo-state, a preparative to living; and man is not completely born till he is dead. Why, then, should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their happy society?

"We are spirits! That bodies should be lent while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or doing good to our fellowcreatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes, and

afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of an aid become an incumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided, by which we may get rid of them.-Death is that way: we ourselves prudently choose a partial death in some cases. A mangled painful limb, which cannot be restored, we willingly cut off. He who plucks out a tooth, parts with it freely, since the pain goes with it; and he that quits the whole body, parts at once with all the pains, and possibilities of pains and pleasures it was liable to, or capable of making him suffer.

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Our friend and we are invited abroad on a party of pleasure, that is to last for ever. His chaise was first ready, and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together; and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and we know where to find him?"

Dr. Franklin's general sentiments of religion, are well depicted in the following extract of a letter, written shortly after his death; addressed to the Editor of these Memoirs.

*

"As I often had the satisfaction of conversing with that immortal sage, your grandsire, in his last illness, the following anecdotes may be of some use, as an additional testimony of facts interesting to mankind. The Doctor had sublime and affecting sentiments of religion. He believed that,

by the invariable laws of God in the moral world, all crimes are punished either here or hereafter; and that consequently an evil deed can never be profitable in any case whatever: he was equally persuaded that every good act has its reward. Under a painful disease he expressed a firm confidence, that all the sufferings of this life are but as the momentary pricking of a pin, in comparison to the total happiness of our existence: he rejoiced in a speedy approach to the regions of bliss and life eternal. He dwelt with rapture on the felicity of beholding the glorious Father of Spirits, whose essence is incomprehensible to the wisest mortals; of contemplating his works in the higher worlds; and of conversing there with good fellow-creatures from every part of the universe.

"I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

NICHOLAS COLLIN.

"P. S. The literal expressions are marked by italics."

With regard to Dr. Franklin's particular opinions on some religious points, they may be ascertained in the 1st part of these memoirs, as well as from several of his letters on the subject, in his "PRIVATE CorrespondencE:" particularly in his Answer to the Reverend Dr. Stiles;' which contains, in a few lines, his Religious Creed: and this written during his last illness and only a short time previous to his death. Other papers expressive of his religious sentiments, will be found in the selection of his Political, Miscellaneous and Philosophical Writings, forming the continuation and completion of these Memoirs.

' March 1, 1790. PART I.