views of acting in the political line, and applies himself ardently to the study and practice of agriculture. This is much more agreeable to me, who esteem it the most useful, the most independ ent, and, therefore, the noblest of employments. His lands are on navigable water, communicating with the Delaware, and but about sixteen miles from this city. He has associated to himself a very skilful English farmer, lately arrived here, who is to instruct him in the business, and partakes for a term of the profits; so that there is a You great apparent probability of their success. will kindly expect a word or two concerning my. self. My health and spirits continue, thanks to God, as when you saw me. The only complaint I then had, does not grow worse, and is tolerable. I still have enjoyment in the company of my friends; and, being easy in my circumstances, have many reasons to like living. But the course of nature must soon put a period to my present mode of existence. This I shall submit to with less regret, as, having seen, during a long life, a good deal of this world, I feel a growing curiosity to be acquainted with some other; and can cheerfully, with filial confidence, resign my spirit to the conduct of that great and good Parent of mankind who created it, and who has so graciously protected and prospered me from my birth to the present hour. Wherever I am, I hope always to retain the pleasing remembrance of your friendship; being with sincere and great esteem, my dear friend, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN. We all join in respects to Mrs. Shipley, and best wishes for the whole amiable family Dr. Franklin to M. la Marquis de la Fayette. DEAR FRIEND, Philadelphia, April 17, 1787. I RECEIVED the kind letter you did me the honour of writing in February, 1786. The indolence of old age, and the perpetual teasing of too much business, have made me so bad a correspondent, that I have hardly written a letter to any friend in Europe during the last twelve-month: but, as I have always a pleasure in hearing from them, which I can not expect will be continued if I do not write to them, I again take up my pen and begin with those whose correspondence is of the greatest value; among which I reckon that of the Marquis de la Fayette. I was glad to hear of your safe return to Paris, after so long and fatiguing a journey. That is the place where your enlightened zeal for the welfare of our country can employ itself most to our advantage; and I know it is always at work, and indefatigable. Our enemies are, as you observe, very industrious in depreciating our national character. Their abuse sometimes provokes me, and I am almost ready to retaliate; but I have held my hand, though there is abundant room for recrimination; because I would do nothing that might hasten another quarrel, by exasperating those who are still sore from their late disgraces. Perhaps it may be best that they should please themselves with fancying us weak, and poor, and divided, and friendless; they may then not be jealous of our growing strength (which, since the peace, does really make rapid progress,) and may be less intent on interrupting it. I do not wonder that the Germans, who know little of free constitutions, should be ready to sup pose that such can not support themselves. We think they may, and we hope to prove it. That there should be faults in our first sketches or plans of government is not surprising; rather, consider ing the times and the circumstances under which they were formed, it is surprising that the faults are so few. Those in the general confederating articles are about to be considered in a convention called for that express purpose; these will indeed be the most difficult to rectify. Those of particular states will undoubtedly be rectified, as their in. conveniences shall by experience be made mani. fest. And, whatever difference of sentiment there may be among us respecting particular regulations, the enthusiastic rejoicings, with which the day of declared independence is annually celebrated, demonstrate the universal satisfaction of the people with the revolution and its grand principles. I inclose the vocabulary you sent me, with the words of the Shawancse and Delaware language, which Colonel Harmar has procured for me. He is promised one more complete, which I shall send you as soon as it comes to my hands. My grandson, whom you so kindly inquire after, is at his estate in the Jerseys, and amuses himself with cultivating his lands. I wish he would se. riously make a business of it, and renounce all thoughts of public employment; for I think agri. culture the most honourable, because the most independent of all professions. But I believe he hankers a little after Paris, or some other of the polished cities of Europe, thinking the society there preferable to what he meets with in the woods of Ancocas; as it certainly is. If he was now here, he would undoubtedly join with me and the rest of my family (who are much flattered by your remembrance of them) in best wishes for your health and prosperity, and that of your whole amiable fireside. You will allow an old friend of fourscore to say he loves your wife, when he adds, and -children, and prays God to bless them all. Adieu! and believe me, ever, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN. Dr. Franklin to Count de Buffon, Paris. DEAR SIR, Philadelphia, Nov. 19, 1787. I AM honoured by your letter desiring to know by what means I am relieved in a disorder with which you are also unfortunately afflicted. I have tried all the noted prescriptions for diminishing the stone, without perceiving any good effect. But observing temperance in eating, avoiding wine and cider, and using daily the dumb-bell, which exercises the upper part of the body, without much moving the parts in contact with the stone, I think I have prevented its increase. As the roughness of the stone lacerates a little the neck of the bladder, I find that, when the urine happens to be sharp, I have much pain in making water, and frequent urgencies. For relief under this circumstance, I take (going to bed) the bigness of a pigeon's egg of jelly of blackberries: the receipt for making it is inclosed. While I continue to do this every night, I am generally easy the day following, making water pretty freely, and with long intervals. I wish most sincerely that this simple remedy may have the same happy effect with you. Perhaps currant jelly, or the jelly of apples or of raspberries, may be equally serviceable; for I suspect the virtue of the jelly may lie principally in the boiled sugar, which is in some degree candied by the boiling of the jelly. Wishing you, for your own sake, much more ease, and, for the sake of mankind, many more years, I remain, with the greatest esteem and respect, dear sir, your most obedient and affectionate servant, B. FRANKLIN. Dr. Franklin to Dr. Rush. MY DEAR FRIEND, Philadelphia, [without date, but supposed to be in 1789.] DURING our long acquaintance, you have shown many instances of your regard for me; yet I must now desire you to add one more to the number, which is, that, if you publish your ingenious discourse on the moral sense, you will totally omit and suppress that most extravagant encomium on your friend Franklin, which hurt me exceedingly in the unexpected hearing, and will mortify me beyond conception if it should appear from the press. Confiding in your compliance with this earnest. request, I am ever, my dear friend, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN. Dr. Franklin to David Hartley, Esq. MY VERY DEAR FRIEND, Philadelphia, Dec. 4, 1789. I RECEIVED your favour of August last. Your kind condolences on the painful state of my health are very obliging. I am thankful to God, however that, among the numerous ills human life is subject to, one only of any importance is fallen to my lot |