Arminian. What an Arminian or an Arian is, I cannot say that I very well
know. The truth is, I make such distinctions very little my study. I
think vital religion has always suffered, when orthodoxy is more
regarded than virtue; and the Scriptures assure me, that at the last day
we shall not be examined what we _thought_, but what we _did_; and our
recommendation will not be, that we said, _Lord! Lord!_ but that we did
good to our fellow creatures. See Matt. xxv.
As to the freemasons, I know no way of giving my mother a better account
of them than she seems to have at present, since it is not allowed that
women should be admitted into that secret society. She has, I must
confess, on that account some reason to be displeased with it; but for
any thing else, I must entreat her to suspend her judgment till she is
better informed, unless she will believe me, when I assure her that they
are in general a very harmless sort of people, and have no principles or
practices that are inconsistent with religion and good manners.
We have had great rains here lately, which, with the thawing of snow on
the mountains back of our country, have made vast floods in our rivers,
and, by carrying away bridges, boats, &c., made travelling almost
impracticable for a week past; so that our post has entirely missed
making one trip.
I hear nothing of Dr. Crook, nor can I learn any such person has ever
been here.
I hope my sister Jenny's child is by this time recovered. I am your
dutiful son.
B. FRANKLIN.
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD, 1739
KIND READER,
Encouraged by thy former Generosity, I once more present thee with an
Almanack, which is the 7th of my Publication. While thou art putting
Pence in my Pocket, and furnishing my Cottage with necessaries, _Poor
Dick_ is not unmindful to do something for thy Benefit. The Stars are
watch'd as narrowly as old _Bess_ watch'd her Daughter, that thou mayst
be acquainted with their Motions, and told a Tale of their Influences
and Effects, which may do thee more good than a Dream of last Year's
Snow.
Ignorant Men wonder how we Astrologers foretell the Weather so exactly,
unless we deal with the old black Devil. Alas! 'tis as easy as ******
For Instance; The Stargazer peeps at the Heavens thro' a long Glass: He
sees perhaps TAURUS, or the great Bull, in a mighty Chafe, stamping on
the Floor of his House, swinging his Tail about, stretching out his
Neck, and opening wide his Mouth. 'Tis natural from these Appearances to
judge that this furious Bull is puffing, blowing and roaring. Distance
being consider'd and Time allow'd for all this to come down, there you
have Wind and Thunder. He spies perhaps VIRGO (or the Virgin;) she turns
her Head round as it were to see if any body observ'd her; then
crouching down gently, with her Hands on her Knees, she looks wistfully
for a while right forward. He judges rightly what she's about: And
having calculated the Distance and allow'd Time for its Falling, finds
that next Spring we shall have a fine _April_ shower. What can be more
natural and easy than this? I might instance the like in many other
particulars; but this may be sufficient to prevent our being taken for
Conjurors. O the wonderful Knowledge to be found in the Stars! Even the
smallest Things are written there, if you had but Skill to read: When my
Brother J-m-n erected a Scheme to know which was best for his sick
Horse, to sup a new-laid Egg, or a little Broth, he found that the Stars
plainly gave their Verdict for Broth, and the Horse having sup'd his
Broth;--Now, what do you think became of that Horse? You shall know in
my next.
Besides the usual Things expected in an Almanack, I hope the profess'd
Teachers of Mankind will excuse my scattering here and there some
instructive Hints in Matters of Morality and Religion. And be not thou
disturbed, O grave and sober Reader, if among the many serious Sentences
in my Book, thou findest me trifling now and then, and talking idly. In
all the Dishes I have hitherto cook'd for thee, there is solid Meat
enough for thy Money. There are Scraps from the Table of Wisdom, that
will if well digested, yield strong Nourishment to thy Mind. But
squeamish Stomachs cannot eat without Pickles; which, 'tis true are good
for nothing else, but they provoke an Appetite. The Vain Youth that
reads my Almanack for the sake of an idle Joke, will perhaps meet with a
serious Reflection, that he may ever after be the better for.
Some People observing the great Yearly Demand for my Almanack, imagine I
must by this Time have become rich, and consequently ought to call
myself _Poor Dick_ no longer. But, the Case is this,
When I first begun to publish, the Printer made a fair Agreement with me
for my Copies, by Virtue of which he runs away with the greatest Part of
the Profit.--However, much good may't do him; I do not grudge it him; he
is a Man I have a great Regard for, and I wish his Profit ten times
greater than it is. For I am, dear Reader, his, as well as thy
_Affectionate Friend_
R. SAUNDERS.
A PROPOSAL
FOR PROMOTING USEFUL KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE BRITISH PLANTATIONS IN AMERICA
Philadelphia, May 14, 1743.
The English are possessed of a long tract of continent, from Nova Scotia
to Georgia, extending north and south through different climates, having
different soils, producing different plants, mines, and minerals, and
capable of different improvements, manufactures, &c.
The first drudgery of settling new colonies, which confines the
attention of people to mere necessaries, is now pretty well over; and
there are many in every province in circumstances that set them at ease,
and afford leisure to cultivate the finer arts and improve the common
stock of knowledge. To such of these who are men of speculation, many
hints must from time to time arise, many observations occur, which if
well examined, pursued, and improved, might produce discoveries to the
advantage of some or all of the British plantations, or to the benefit
of mankind in general.
But as from the extent of the country such persons are widely separated,
and seldom can see and converse or be acquainted with each other, so
that many useful particulars remain uncommunicated, die with the
discoverers, and are lost to mankind; it is, to remedy this
inconvenience for the future, proposed,
That one society be formed of _virtuosi_ or ingenious men,
residing in the several colonies, to be called _The American
Philosophical Society_, who are to maintain a constant
correspondence.
That Philadelphia, being the city nearest the centre of the
continent colonies, communicating with all of them northward
and southward by post, and with all the islands by sea, and
having the advantage of a good growing library, be the centre
of the Society.
That at Philadelphia there be always at least seven members,
viz. a physician, a botanist, a mathematician, a chemist, a
mechanician, a geographer, and a general natural philosopher,
besides a president, treasurer, and secretary.
That these members meet once a month, or oftener, at their
own expense, to communicate to each other their observations
and experiments, to receive, read, and consider such letters,
communications, or queries as shall be sent from distant
members; to direct the dispersing of copies of such
communications as are valuable, to other distant members, in
order to procure their sentiments thereupon.
That the subjects of the correspondence be: all
new-discovered plants, herbs, trees, roots, their virtues,
uses, &c.; methods of propagating them, and making such as
are useful, but particular to some plantations, more general;
improvements of vegetable juices, as ciders, wines, &c.; new
methods of curing or preventing diseases; all new-discovered
fossils in different countries, as mines, minerals, and
quarries; new and useful improvements in any branch of
mathematics; new discoveries in chemistry, such as
improvements in distillation, brewing, and assaying of ores;
new mechanical inventions for saving labour, as mills and
carriages, and for raising and conveying of water, draining
of meadows, &c.; all new arts, trades, and manufactures, that
may be proposed or thought of; surveys, maps, and charts of
particular parts of the sea-coasts or inland countries;
course and junction of rivers and great roads, situation of
lakes and mountains, nature of the soil and productions; new
methods of improving the breed of useful animals; introducing
other sorts from foreign countries; new improvements in
planting, gardening, and clearing land; and all philosophical
experiments that let light into the nature of things, tend to
increase the power of man over matter, and multiply the
conveniences or pleasures of life.
That a correspondence, already begun by some intended
members, shall be kept up by this Society with the ROYAL
SOCIETY of London, and with the DUBLIN SOCIETY.
That every member shall have abstracts sent him quarterly, of
every thing valuable communicated to the Society's Secretary
at Philadelphia; free of all charge except the yearly payment
hereafter mentioned.
That, by permission of the postmaster-general, such
communications pass between the Secretary of the Society and
the members, postage-free.
That, for defraying the expense of such experiments as the
Society shall judge proper to cause to be made, and other
contingent charges for the common good, every member send a
piece of eight per annum to the treasurer, at Philadelphia,
to form a common stock, to be disbursed by order of the
President with the consent of the majority of the members
that can conveniently be consulted thereupon, to such persons
and places where and by whom the experiments are to be made,
and otherwise as there shall be occasion; of which
disbursements an exact account shall be kept, and
communicated yearly to every member.
That, at the first meetings of the members at Philadelphia,
such rules be formed for regulating their meetings and
transactions for the general benefit, as shall be convenient
and necessary; to be afterwards changed and improved as there
shall be occasion, wherein due regard is to be had to the
advice of distant members.
That, at the end of every year, collections be made and
printed, of such experiments, discoveries, and improvements,
as may be thought of public advantage; and that every member
have a copy sent him.
That the business and duty of the Secretary be to receive all
letters intended for the Society, and lay them before the
President and members at their meetings; to abstract,
correct, and methodize such papers as require it, and as he
shall be directed to do by the President, after they have
been considered, debated, and digested in the Society; to
enter copies thereof in the Society's books, and make out
copies for distant members; to answer their letters by
direction of the President, and keep records of all material
transactions of the Society.
Benjamin Franklin, the writer of this Proposal, offers himself to serve
the Society as their secretary, till they shall be provided with one
more capable.
SHAVERS AND TRIMMERS
[From the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 23, 1743.]
Alexander Miller, Peruke-maker, in _Second-street, Philadelphia_, takes
Opportunity to acquaint his Customers, that he intends to leave off the
Shaving Business after the 22d of _August_ next.
TO MR. FRANKLIN
_Sir_,
It is a common Observation among the People of _Great Britain_ and
_Ireland_, that the Barbers are reverenced by the lower Classes of the
Inhabitants of those Kingdoms, and in the more remote Parts of those
Dominions, as the sole Oracles of Wisdom and Politicks. This at first
View seems to be owing to the odd Bent of Mind and peculiar Humour of
the People of those Nations: But if we carry this Observation into other
Parts, we shall find the same Passion equally prevalent throughout the
whole civilized World; and discover in every little Market-Town and
Village the 'Squire, the Exciseman, and even the Parson himself,
listening with as much Attention to a Barber's News, as they would to
the profound Revelations of a Chancellor of the Exchequer, or principal
Secretary of State.
Antiquity likewise will furnish us with many Confirmations of the Truth
of what I have here asserted. Among the old _Romans_ the Barbers were
understood to be exactly of the same Complection I have here described.
I shall not trouble your Readers with a Multitude of Examples taken from
Antiquity. I shall only quote one Passage in _Horace_, which may serve
to illustrate the Whole, and is as follows.
Strenuus et fortis, causisq; Philippus agendis
Clarus, ab officiis octavam circiter horam
Dum redit: atq; foro nimium distare carinas
Jam grandis natu queritur, conspexit, ut aiunt,
Adrasum quendam vacuâ tonsoris in umbrâ.
Cultello proprios purgantem leniter ungues.
Hor. Epist. Lib. I. 7.
By which we may understand, that the _Tonsoris Umbra, or_ Barber's Shop,
was the common Rendezvous of every idle Fellow, who had no more to do
than to pair his Nails, talk Politicks, and see, and to be seen.
But to return to the Point in Question. If we would know why the Barbers
are so eminent for their Skill in Politicks, it will be necessary to lay
aside the Appellation of Barber, and confine ourselves to that of Shaver
and Trimmer, which will naturally lead us to consider the near Relation
which subsists between Shaving, Trimming and Politicks, from whence we
shall discover that Shaving and Trimming is not the Province of the
Mechanic alone, but that there are their several Shavers and Trimmers at
Court, the Bar, in Church and State.
And first, Shaving or Trimming, in a strict mechanical Sense of the
Word, signifies a cutting, sheering, lopping off, and fleecing us of
those Excrescencies of Hair, Nails, Flesh, &c., which burthen and
disguise our natural Endowments. And is not the same practised over the
whole World, by Men of every Rank and Station? Does not the corrupt
Minister lop off our Privileges and fleece us of our Money? Do not the
Gentlemen of the long Robe find means to cut off those Excrescencies of
the Nation, Highwaymen, Thieves and Robbers? And to look into the
Church, who has been more notorious for shaving and fleecing, than that
Apostle of Apostles, that Preacher of Preachers, the Rev. Mr. G. W.?[29]
But I forbear making farther mention of this spiritual Shaver and
Trimmer, lest I should affect the Minds of my Readers as deeply as his
Preaching has affected their Pockets.
The second Species of Shavers and Trimmers are those who, according to
the _English_ Phrase, _make the best of a bad Market_: Such as cover
(what is called by an eminent Preacher) _their poor Dust_ in tinsel
Cloaths and gaudy Plumes of Feathers. A Star, and Garter, for Instance,
adds Grace, Dignity and Lustre to a gross corpulent Body; and a
competent Share of religious Horror thrown into the Countenance, with
proper Distortions of the Face, and the Addition of a lank Head of Hair,
or a long Wig and Band, commands a most profound Respect to Insolence
and Ignorance. The Pageantry of the Church of _Rome_ is too well known
for me to instance: It will not however be amiss to observe, that his
Holiness the Pope, when he has a Mind to fleece his Flock of a good
round Sum, sets off the Matter with Briefs, Pardons, Indulgencies, &c.
&c. &c.
The Third and last Kind of Shavers and Trimmers are those who (in
Scripture Language) are carried away with every Wind of Doctrine. The
Vicars of Bray, and those who exchange their Principles with the Times,
may justly be referred to this Class. But the most odious Shavers and
Trimmers of this Kind, are a certain set of Females, called (by the
polite World) JILTS. I cannot give my Readers a more perfect Idea of
these than by quoting the following Lines of the Poet:
Fatally fair they are, and in their Smiles
The Graces, little Loves, and young Desires inhabit:
But they are false luxurious in their Appetites,
And all the Heav'n they hope for, is Variety.
One Lover to another still succeeds,
Another and another after that,
And the last Fool is welcome as the former;
'Till having lov'd his Hour out, he gives his Place,
And mingles with the Herd that went before him.
_Rowe's Fair Penitent._
Lastly, I cannot but congratulate my Neighbours on the little Favour
which is shown to Shavers and Trimmers by the People of this Province.
The Business is at so low an Ebb, that the worthy Gentleman whose
Advertisement I have chosen for the Motto of my Paper, acquaints us he
will leave it off after the 22d of _August_ next. I am of Opinion that
all possible Encouragement ought to be given to Examples of this Kind,
since it is owing to this that so perfect an Understanding is cultivated
among ourselves, and the Chain of Friendship is brightened and
perpetuated with our good Allies, the _Indians_. The Antipathy which
these sage Naturalists bear to Shaving and Trimming, is well known.
_I am, Yours, &c._
TO THE PUBLICK
* * * Causis Philippus agendis
Clarus, * * *
S. P. D.
[From the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 30, 1743.]
My Paper on Shavers and Trimmers, in the last _Gazette_, being generally
condemn'd, I at first imputed it to the Want of Taste and Relish for
Pieces of that Force and Beauty, which none but University-bred
Gentlemen can _produce_: But upon Advice of Friends, whose Judgment I
could depend on, I examined _myself_ and to my Shame must confess, that
I found myself to be an uncircumcised Jew, whose Excrescencies of Hair,
Nails, Flesh, &c. did burthen and disguise my Natural Endowments; but
having my Hair and Nails since lopp'd off and shorn, and my fleshly
Excrescencies circumcised, I now appear in my wonted Lustre, and expect
a speedy Admission among the _Levites_, which I have already the Honour
of among the Poets and Natural Philosophers. I have one Thing more to
add, which is, That I had no real Animosity against the Person whose
Advertisement I made the Motto of my Paper; but (as may appear to all
who have been Big with Pieces of this Kind) what I had long on my Mind,
I at last unburden'd myself of. O! these JILTS still run in my Mind.
N. B. The Publick perhaps may suppose this Confession forced upon me;
but if they _repair_ to the P---- Pe in Second-street, they may see Me,
or the Original hereof under my own Hand, and be convinced that this is
genuine.
PREFACE TO LOGAN'S TRANSLATION OF "CATO MAJOR"[30]
The Printer to the Reader
This Version of Cicero's Tract _de Senectute_, was made Ten Years since,
by the Honourable and Learned Mr. Logan, of this City; undertaken partly
for his own Amusement, (being then in his 60th Year, which is said to be
nearly the Age of the Author when he wrote it) but principally for the
Entertainment of a Neighbour then in his grand Climacteric; and the
Notes were drawn up solely on that Neighbour's Account, who was not so
well acquainted as himself with the Roman History and Language: Some
other Friends, however, (among whom I had the Honour to be ranked)
obtained Copies of it in MS. And, as I believed it to be in itself equal
at least, if not far preferable to any other Translation of the same
Piece extant in our Language, besides the Advantage it has of so many
valuable Notes, which at the same time they clear up the Text, are
highly instructive and entertaining; I resolved to give it an
Impression, being confident that the Publick would not unfavourably
receive it.
A certain Freed-man of _Cicero's_ is reported to have said of a
medicinal Well, discovered in his Time, wonderful for the Virtue of its
Waters in restoring Sight to the Aged, That it was a Gift of the
bountiful Gods to Men, to the end that all might now have the Pleasure
of reading his Master's Works. As that Well, if still in being, is at
too great a Distance for our Use, I have, _Gentle Reader_, as thou
seest, printed this Piece of _Cicero's_ in a large and fair Character,
that those who begin to think on the Subject of Old Age, (which seldom
happens till their Sight is somewhat impair'd by its Approaches) may
not, in Reading, by the _Pain_ small Letters give the Eyes, feel the
_Pleasure_ of the Mind in the least allayed.
I shall add to these few Lines my hearty Wish, that this first
Translation of a _Classic_ in this _Western World_, may be followed with
many others, performed with equal Judgment and Success; and be a happy
Omen, that _Philadelphia_ shall become the Seat of the _American_ Muses.
Philadelphia, Febr. 29. 1743/4.
TO JOHN FRANKLIN, AT BOSTON[31]
Philadelphia [March 10], 1745.
--Our people are extremely impatient to hear of your success at Cape
Breton. My shop is filled with thirty inquirers at the coming in of
every post. Some wonder the place is not yet taken. I tell them I shall
be glad to hear that news three months hence. Fortified towns are hard
nuts to crack; and your teeth have not been accustomed to it. Taking
strong places is a particular trade, which you have taken up without
serving an apprenticeship to it. Armies and veterans need skilful
engineers to direct them in their attack. Have you any? But some seem
to think forts are as easy taken as snuff. Father Moody's prayers look
tolerably modest. You have a fast and prayer day for that purpose; in
which I compute five hundred thousand petitions were offered up to the
same effect in New England, which added to the petitions of every family
morning and evening, multiplied by the number of days since January
25th, make forty-five millions of prayers; which, set against the
prayers of a few priests in the garrison, to the Virgin Mary, give a
vast balance in your favour.
If you do not succeed, I fear I shall have but an indifferent opinion of
Presbyterian prayers in such cases, as long as I live. Indeed, in
attacking strong towns I should have more dependence on _works_, than on
_faith_; for, like the kingdom of heaven, they are to be taken by force
and violence; and in a French garrison I suppose there are devils of
that kind, that they are not to be cast out by prayers and fasting,
unless it be by their own fasting for want of provisions. I believe
there is Scripture in what I have wrote, but I cannot adorn the margin
with quotations, having a bad memory, and no Concordance at hand;
besides no more time than to subscribe myself, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD, 1746
Who is _Poor Richard_? People oft enquire,
Where lives? What is he? never yet the nigher.
Somewhat to ease your Curiositee,
Take these slight Sketches of my Dame and me.
Thanks to kind Readers and a careful Wife,
With plenty bless'd, I lead an easy Life;
My business Writing; less to drain the Mead,
Or crown the barren Hill with useful Shade;
In the smooth Glebe to see the Plowshare worn,
And fill the Granary with needful Corn.
Press nectareous Cyder from my loaded Trees,
Print the sweet Butter, turn the Drying Cheese.
Some Books we read, tho' few there are that hit
The happy Point where Wisdom joins with Wit;
That set fair Virtue naked to our View,
And teach us what is _decent_, what is _true_.
The Friend sincere, and honest Man, with Joy
Treating or treated oft our Time employ.
Our Table next, Meals temperate; and our Door
Op'ning spontaneous to the bashful Poor.
Free from the bitter Rage of Party Zeal,
All those we love who seek the publick Weal.
Nor blindly follow Superstitious Love,
Which cheats deluded Mankind o'er and o'er,
Not over righteous, quite beyond the Rule,
Conscience perplext by every canting Tool.
Nor yet when Folly hides the dubious Line,
When Good and Bad the blended Colours join:
Rush indiscreetly down the dangerous Steep,
And plunge uncertain in the darksome Deep.
Cautious, if right; if wrong resolv'd to part
The Inmate Snake that folds about the Heart.
Observe the _Mean_, the _Motive_, and the _End_,
Mending ourselves, or striving still to mend.
Our Souls sincere, our Purpose fair and free,
Without Vain Glory or Hypocrisy:
Thankful if well; if ill, we kiss the Rod;
Resign with Hope, and put our Trust in God.
THE SPEECH OF POLLY BAKER[32]
[Printed in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, April, 1747.]
The Speech of Miss Polly Baker before a Court of Judicature, at
Connecticut near Boston in New England; where she was prosecuted the
fifth time, for having a Bastard Child: Which influenced the Court to
dispense with her Punishment, and which induced one of her Judges to
marry her the next Day--by whom she had fifteen Children.