{"collection":"philosophy-ethics","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_58676/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_58676","id":"gutenberg_58676","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58676","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Biographies","Category: Encyclopedias/Dictionaries/Reference","Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches","Category: History - American","Category: Philosophy & Ethics","Category: Science - Physics","Indexes"],"text":"Produced by David Widger\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nINDEX OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG\n\nWORKS OF\n\nBENJAMIN FRANKLIN\n\n\n\nCompiled by David Widger\n\n\n\n\n\nCONTENTS\n\n\n##  THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 1\n\n##  THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 2\n\n##  THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 3\n\n##  MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Vol. 1\n\n##  MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Vol. 2\n\n##  AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN\n\n##  BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SELECTIONS\n\n##  AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN\n\nFRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY\n\nBENJAMIN FRANKLIN: FIRST BALLOONS\n\nEXPERIMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON ELECTRICITY\n\nFRANKLIN'S WAY TO WEALTH\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTABLES OF CONTENTS OF VOLUMES\n\n\n\n\n\nTHE COMPLETE WORKS,\nOF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN\nNow First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life,\nWritten By Himself. In Three Volumes.\nVol. I. (of III)\n1806\nCONTENTS\n\tPage.\nLIFE of Dr. FRANKLIN \t1\n\nLETTERS AND PAPERS ON ELECTRICITY.\nIntroductory Letter. \t169\nWonderful effect of points.\ufffdPositive and negative electricity.\ufffdElectrical kiss.\ufffdCounterfeit spider.\ufffdSimple and commodious electrical machine. \t170\nObservations on the Leyden bottle, with experiments proving the different electrical state of its different surfaces. \t179\nFurther experiments confirming the preceding observations.\ufffdLeyden bottle analysed.\ufffdElectrical battery.\ufffdMagical Picture.\ufffdElectrical wheel or jack.\ufffdElectrical feast. \t187\nObservations and suppositions, towards forming a new hypothesis, for explaining the several phenomena of thunder-gusts. \t203\nIntroductory letter to some additional papers. \t216\nOpinions and conjectures, concerning the properties and effects of the electrical matter, and the means of preserving buildings, ships, &c. from lightning, arising from experiments and observations made at Philadelphia, 1749.\ufffdGolden fish.\ufffdExtraction of effluvial virtues by electricity impracticable. \t217\nAdditional experiments: proving that the Leyden bottle has no more electrical fire in it when charged, than before: nor less when discharged: that in discharging, the fire does not issue from the wire and the coating at the same time, as some have thought, but that the coating always receives what is discharged by the wire, or an equal quantity: the outer surface being always in a negative state of electricity, when the inner surface is in a positive state. \t245\n[xii] Accumulation of the electrical fire proved to be in the electrified glass.\ufffdEffect of lightning on the needle of compasses, explained.\ufffdGunpowder fired by the electric flame. \t247\nUnlimited nature of the electric force. \t250\nThe terms, electric per se, and non-electric, improper.\ufffdNew relation between metals and water.\ufffdEffects of air in electrical experiments.\ufffdExperiment for discovering more of the qualities of the electric fluid. \t252\nMistake, that only metals and water were conductors, rectified.\ufffdSupposition of a region of electric fire above our atmosphere.\ufffdTheorem concerning light.\ufffdPoke-weed a cure for cancers. \t256\nNew experiments.\ufffdParadoxes inferred from them.\ufffdDifference in the electricity of a globe of glass charged, and a globe of sulphur.\ufffdDifficulty of ascertaining which is positive and which negative. \t261\nProbable cause of the different attractions and repulsions of the two electrified globes mentioned in the two preceding letters. \t264\nReasons for supposing, that the glass globe charges positively, and the sulphur negatively.\ufffdHint respecting a leather globe for experiments when travelling. \tibid.\nElectrical kite. \t267\nHypothesis, of the sea being the grand source of lightning, retracted.\ufffdPositive, and sometimes negative, electricity of the clouds discovered.\ufffdNew experiments and conjectures in support of this discovery.\ufffdObservations recommended for ascertaining the direction of the electric fluid.\ufffdSize of rods for conductors to buildings.\ufffdAppearance of a thunder-cloud described. \t269\nAdditional proofs of the positive and negative state of electricity in the clouds.\ufffdNew method of ascertaining it. \t284\nElectrical experiments, with an attempt to account for their several phenomena, &c. \t286\nExperiments made in pursuance of those made by Mr. Canton, dated December 6, 1753; with explanations, by Mr. Benjamin Franklin. \t294\nTurkey killed by electricity.\ufffdEffect of a shock on the operator in making the experiment. \t299\nDifferences in the qualities of glass.\ufffdAccount of Domien, an electrician and traveller.\ufffdConjectures respecting the pores of glass.\ufffdOrigin of the author's idea of drawing down lightning.\ufffdNo satisfactory hypothesis respecting the manner in which clouds become electrified.\ufffdSix men knocked down at once by an electrical shock.\ufffdReflections on the spirit of invention. \t301\n[xiii] Beccaria's work on electricity.\ufffdSentiments of Franklin on pointed rods, not fully understood in Europe.\ufffdEffect of lightning on the church of Newbury, in New England.\ufffdRemarks on the subject. \t309\nNotice of another packet of letters. \t313\nExtract of a letter from a gentleman in Boston, to Benjamin Franklin, Esq. concerning the crooked direction, and the source of lightning, and the swiftness of the electric fire. \t314\nObservations on the subjects of the preceding letter.\ufffdReasons for supposing the sea to be the grand source of lightning.\ufffdReasons for doubting this hypothesis.\ufffdImprovement in a globe for raising the electric fire. \t320\nEffect of lightning on captain Waddel's compass, and the Dutch church at New York. \t324\nProposal of an experiment to measure the time taken up by an Electric spark, in moving through any given space. \t327\nExperiments on boiling water, and glass heated by boiling water.\ufffdDoctrine of repulsion in electrised bodies doubted.\ufffdElectricity of the atmosphere at different heights.\ufffdElectrical horse-race.\ufffdElectrical thermometer.\ufffdIn what cases the electrical fire produces heat.\ufffdWire lengthened by electricity.\ufffdGood effect of a rod on the house of Mr. West, of Philadelphia. \t331\nAnswer to some of the foregoing subjects.\ufffdHow long the Leyden bottle may be kept charged.\ufffdHeated glass rendered permeable by the electric fluid.\ufffdElectrical attraction and repulsion.\ufffdReply to other subjects in the preceding paper.\ufffdNumerous ways of kindling fire.\ufffdExplosion of water.\ufffdKnobs and points. \t343\nAccounts from Carolina (mentioned in the foregoing letter) of the effects of lightning on two of the rods commonly affixed to houses there, for securing them against lightning. \t361\nMr. William Maine's account of the effects of the lightning on his rod, dated at Indian Land, in South Carolina, Aug. 28, 1760. \t362\nOn the electricity of the tourmalin. \t369\nNew observation relating to electricity in the atmosphere. \t373\nFlash of lightning that struck St. Bride's steeple. \t374\nBest method of securing a powder magazine from lightning. \t375\nOf lightning, and the methods (now used in America) of securing buildings and persons from its mischievous effects. \t377\nSt. Bride's steeple.\ufffdUtility of electrical conductors to Steeples.\ufffdSingular kind of glass tube. \t382\nExperiments, observations, and facts, tending to support the opinion [xiv] of the utility of long pointed rods, for securing buildings from damage by strokes of lightning. \t383\nOn the utility of electrical conductors. \t400\nOn the effects of electricity in paralytic cases. \t401\nElectrical experiments on amber. \t403\nOn the electricity of the fogs in Ireland. \t405\nMode of ascertaining, whether the power, giving a shock to those who touch either the Surinam eel, or the torpedo, be electrical. \t408\nOn the analogy between magnetism and electricity. \t410\nConcerning the mode of rendering meat tender by electricity. \t413\nAnswer to some queries concerning the choice of glass for the Leyden experiment. \t416\nConcerning the Leyden bottle. \t418\nAPPENDIX.\nNo. 1. Account of experiments made in electricity at Marly. \t420\nA more particular account of the same, &c. \t422\nLetter of Mr. W. Watson, F. R. S. to the Royal Society, concerning the electrical experiments in England upon thunder-clouds. \t427\nNo. 2. Remarks on the Abb\ufffd Nollet's Letters to Benjamin Franklin, Esq. of Philadelphia, on electricity. \t430\nLIST OF THE PLATES\nPLATE I. \tElectrical Experiments \tfacing page 182\nPLATE II. \tElectrical Air Thermometer \t336\nPLATE III. \tCavendish Experiment \t348\nPLATE IV. \tLightning Rod Experiments \t388\n\n\n\n\n\nTHE COMPLETE WORKS,\nOF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN\nNow First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself. In Three Volumes.\nVOL. II. (of III)\n\n\n\nCONTENTS\nLETTERS AND PAPERS ON PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS.\nPhysical and meteorological observations, conjectures and suppositions \t1\nOn water-spouts \t11\nThe same subject continued \t13\nWater-spouts and whirlwinds compared \t19\nDescription of a water-spout at Antigua \t34\nShooting stars \t36\nWater-spouts and whirlwinds \t37\nObservations on the meteorological paper; by a gentleman in Connecticut \t45\nObservations in answer to the foregoing, by B. Franklin \t49\nObservations on the meteorological paper; sent by a gentleman in New York to B. Franklin \t51\nAnswer to the foregoing observations, by B. Franklin \t55\nGentleman of New York in reply \t58\nAccount of a whirlwind at Maryland \t61\nOn the north east storms in North America \t63\nMeteorological imaginations and conjectures \t66\nSuppositions and conjectures towards forming an hypothesis, for the explanation of the aurora borealis \t69\nOn cold produced by evaporation \t75\nOn the same subject \t83\nConcerning the light in sea-water \t88\nOn the saltness of sea-water \t91\nOn the effect of air on the barometer, and the benefits derived from the study of insects \t92\n[iv] On the Bristol waters, and the tide in rivers \t95\nOn the same subject \t102\nSalt-water rendered fresh by distillation.\ufffdMethod of relieving thirst by sea-water \t103\nTendency of rivers to the sea.\ufffdEffect of the sun's rays on cloth of different colours \t105\nOn the vis inerti\u00e6 of matter \t110\nOn the different strata of the earth \t116\nOn the theory of the earth \t117\nNew and curious theory of light and heat \t122\nQueries and conjectures relating to magnetism and the theory of the earth \t125\nOn the nature of sea coal \t125\nEffect of vegetation on noxious air \t129\nOn the inflammability of the surface of certain rivers in America \t130\nOn the different quantities of rain which fall at different heights over the same ground \t133\nSlowly sensible hygrometer proposed, for certain purposes \t135\nCurious instance of the effect of oil on water \t142\nLetters on the stilling of waves by means of oil \t144\nExtract of a letter from Mr. Tengnagel to Count Bentinck, dated at Batavia, the 5th of January, 1770 \t154\nOn the difference of navigation in shoal and deep water \t158\nSundry maritime observations \t162\nRemarks upon the navigation from Newfoundland to New-York, in order to avoid the Gulph Stream on one hand, and on the other the shoals that lie to the southward of Nantucket and of St. George's Banks \t197\nObservations of the warmth of the sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's Thermometer, in crossing the Gulph Stream; with other remarks made on board the Pensylvania packet, Capt. Osborne, bound from London to Philadelphia, in April and May, 1775 \t199\nObservations of the warmth of the sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's thermometer; with other remarks made on board the Reprisal, Capt. Wycks, bound from Philadelphia to France, in October and November, 1776 \t200\nA journal of a voyage from the Channel between France and England towards America \t202\nOn the art of swimming \t206\nOn the same subject, in answer to some enquiries of M. Dubourg \t210\n[v] On the free use of air \t213\nOn the causes of colds \t214\nDr. Stark, and Dr. Letsom \t215\nNumber of deaths in Philadelphia by inoculation \tibid\nAnswer to the preceding \t217\nOn the effects of lead upon the human constitution \t219\nObservations on the prevailing doctrines of life and death \t222\nAn account of the new-invented Pensylvanian fire-places \t225\nOn the causes and cure of smoky chimneys \t256\nDescription of a new stove for burning of pitcoal, and consuming all its smoke \t296\nMethod of contracting chimneys.\ufffdModesty in disputation \t317\nCovering houses with copper \t318\nOn the same subject \t320\nPaper referred to in the preceding letter \t322\nMagical square of squares \t324\nMagical circle \t328\nNew musical instrument composed of glasses \t330\nBest mediums for conveying sound \t335\nOn the harmony and melody of the old Scotch tunes \t338\nOn the defects of modern music \t343\nDescription of the process to be observed in making large sheets of paper in the Chinese manner, with one smooth surface \t349\nOn modern innovations in the English language and in printing \t351\nA scheme for a new alphabet and reformed mode of spelling; with remarks and examples concerning the same; and an enquiry into its uses, in a correspondence between Miss S\ufffd\ufffd and Dr. Franklin, written in the characters of the alphabet \t357\nRules for a club formerly established in Philadelphia \t366\nQuestions discussed by the Junto forming the preceding club \t369\nSketch of an English school; for the consideration of the trustees of the Philadelphia Academy \t370\nAdvice to youth in reading \t378\n\nPAPERS ON SUBJECTS OF GENERAL POLITICS.\nObservations concerning the increase of mankind, peopling of countries, &c \t383\nRemarks on some of the foregoing observations, showing particularly the effect which manners have on population \t392\nPlan by Messieurs Franklin and Dalrymple, for benefiting distant unprovided countries \t403\n[vi] Concerning the provision made in China against famine \t407\nPositions to be examined, concerning national wealth \t408\nPolitical fragments, supposed either to be written by Dr. Franklin, or to contain sentiments nearly allied to his own \t411\nOn the price of corn, and management of the poor \t418\nOn luxury, idleness, and industry \t424\nOn smuggling, and its various species \t430\nObservations on war \t435\nNotes copied from Dr. Franklin's writing in pencil in the margin of Judge Foster's celebrated argument in favour of the impressing of seamen \t437\nOn the criminal laws, and the practice of privateering \t441\nA parable against persecution, in imitation of scripture language \t450\nA letter concerning persecution in former ages, the maintenance of the clergy, American bishops, and the state of toleration in Old England and New England compared \t452\nOn the slave trade \t459\nAccount of the highest court of judicature in Pensylvania, viz. The court of the press \t463\n\n\nLIST OF THE PLATES\nPLATE V. \tWater-Spouts \tfacing page 16\nPLATE VI. \tMaritime Observations \t163\nPLATE VII. \tA Chart of the Gulph Stream \t197\nPLATE VIII. \tPensylvania Fire-Place \t235\nPLATE VIII*. \tProfile of the Pensylvania Chimnie \t238\nPLATE IX. \tRemedies for Smoky Chimnies \t269\nPLATE X. \tStove for Burning Pit-Coal \t297\nPLATE XI. \tA Magic Square of Squares \t327\nPLATE XII. \tA Magic Circle of Circles \t328\n\n\n\n\n\nTHE COMPLETE WORKS\nOF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,\nNow First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself.\nIN THREE VOLUMES\nVOL. III. (of III)\n\n\n\nCONTENTS\nPAPERS ON AMERICAN SUBJECTS BEFORE THE REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES.\n\tPage.\nAlbany papers; containing, I. reasons and motives on which the plan of union for the colonies was formed;\ufffdII. reasons against partial unions;\ufffdIII. and the plan of union drawn by B. F. and unanimously agreed to by the commissioners from New Hampshire, Massachusett's Bay, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pensylvania, met in congress at Albany, in July 1754, to consider of the best means of defending the king's dominions in America, &c. a war being then apprehended; with the reasons or motives for each article of the plan \t3\nAlbany papers continued. I. letter to Governor Shirley, concerning the imposition of direct taxes upon the colonies, without their consent \t30\nII. Letter to the same; concerning direct taxes in the colonies imposed without consent, indirect taxes, and the Albany plan of union \t31\nIII. Letter to the same, on the subject of uniting the colonies more intimately with Great Britain, by allowing them representatives in parliament \t37\nPlan for settling two Western colonies in North America, with reasons for the plan, 1754 \t41\nReport of the committee of aggrievances of the assembly of Pensylvania, dated Feb. 22, 1757 \t50\nAn historical review of the constitution and government of Pensylvania, from its origin; so far as regards the several points of controversy [iv]which have, from time to time, arisen between the several governors of that province, and their several assemblies. Founded on authentic documents \t59\nThe interest of Great Britain considered, with regard to her colonies, and the acquisitions of Canada and Guadaloupe \t89\nRemarks and facts relative to the American paper-money \t144\nTo the freemen of Pensylvania, on the subject of a particular militia-bill, rejected by the proprietor's deputy or governor \t157\nPreface by a member of the Pensylvanian assembly (Dr. Franklin) to the speech of Joseph Galloway, Esq. one of the members for Philadelphia county; in answer to the speech of John Dickinson, Esq. delivered in the house of the assembly of the province of Pensylvania, May 24, 1764, on occasion of a petition drawn up by order, and then under the consideration of the house, praying his majesty for a royal, in lieu of a proprietary government \t163\nRemarks on a late protest against the appointment of Mr. Franklin as agent for this province (of Pensylvania) \t203\nRemarks on a plan for the future management of Indian affairs \t216\nPAPERS ON AMERICAN SUBJECTS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES.\nCauses of the American discontents before 1768 \t225\nLetter concerning the gratitude of America, and the probability and effects of an union with Great Britain; and concerning the repeal or suspension of the stamp act \t239\nLetter from Governor Pownall to Dr. Franklin, concerning an equal communication of rights, privileges, &c. to America by Great Britain \t243\nMinutes to the foregoing, by Dr. Franklin \t244\nThe examination of Dr. Franklin before the English house of commons, in February, 1766, relative to the repeal of the American stamp act \t245\nAttempts of Dr. Franklin for conciliation of Great Britain with the colonies \t286\nQueries from Mr. Strahan \t287\nAnswer to the preceding queries \t290\nState of the constitution of the colonies, by Governor Pownall; with remarks by Dr. Franklin \t299\nConcerning the dissentions between England and America \t310\nA Prussian edict, assuming claims over Britain \t311\n[v]Preface by the British editor (Dr. Franklin) to \"The votes and proceedings of the freeholders, and other inhabitants of the town of Boston, in town-meeting assembled according to law (published by order of the town), &c.\" \t317\nAccount of governor Hutchinson's letters \t322\nRules for reducing a great empire to a small one, presented to a late minister, when he entered upon his administration \t334\nState of America on Dr. Franklin's arrival there \t346\nProposed vindication and offer from congress to parliament, in 1775 \t347\nReprobation of Mr. Strahan's parliamentary conduct \t354\nConciliation hopeless from the conduct of Great Britain to America \t355\nAccount of the first campaign made by the British forces in America \t357\nProbability of a separation \t358\nLetter to Monsieur Dumas, urging him to sound the several courts of Europe, by means of their ambassadors at the Hague, as to any assistance they may be disposed to afford America in her struggle for independence \t360\nLetter from Lord Howe to Dr. Franklin \t365\nDr. Franklin's answer to Lord Howe \t367\nComparison of Great Britain and America as to credit, in 1777 \t372\nPAPERS, DESCRIPTIVE OF AMERICA, OR RELATING TO THAT COUNTRY, WRITTEN SUBSEQUENT TO THE REVOLUTION.\nRemarks concerning the savages of North America \t383\nThe internal state of America; being a true description of the interest and policy of that vast continent \t391\nInformation to those who would remove to America \t398\nConcerning new settlements in America \t409\nA comparison of the conduct of the ancient Jews, and of the Antifederalists in the United States of America \t410\nFinal speech of Dr. Franklin in the late federal convention \t416\nPAPERS ON MORAL SUBJECTS AND THE ECONOMY OF LIFE.\nThe busy-body \t421\nThe way to wealth, as clearly shown in the preface of an old Pensylvania almanack, intitled, Poor Richard Improved \t453\nAdvice to a young tradesman \t463\nNecessary hints to those that would be rich \t466\nThe way to make money plenty in every man's pocket \t467\nNew mode of lending money \t468\n[vi]An economical project \t469\nOn early marriages \t475\nEffect of early impressions on the mind \t478\nThe whistle \t480\nA petition to those who have the superintendency of education \t483\nThe handsome and deformed leg \t485\nMorals of chess \t488\nThe art of procuring pleasant dreams \t493\nDialogue between Franklin and the gout \t499\nOn the death of relatives \t507\nThe ephemera an emblem of human life \t508\nAPPENDIX, NO. I.\ufffdCONTAINING PAPERS PROPER FOR INSERTION, BUT OMITTED IN THE PRECEDING VOLUMES.\nLetter to Sir Hans Sloane \t513\nLetter to Michael Collinson, Esq. \t514\nLetter respecting captain Cook \t515\nAn address to the public, from the Pensylvania society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondage \t517\nPlan for improving the condition of the free blacks \t519\nPaper: a poem \t523\nPlain truth; or, serious considerations on the present state of the city of Philadelphia, and province of Pensylvania \t524\nFour letters to Mr. Whetley \t543*\nAPPENDIX, NO. II.\ufffdCONTAINING LETTERS BY SEVERAL EMINENT PERSONS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF DR. FRANKLIN'S MANNERS AND CHARACTER.\nLetter from the late Dr. Price to a gentleman in America \t543\nLetter from Mr. Thomas Jefferson to the late Dr. William Smith, of Philadelphia \t545\nLetter from the late Dr. Joseph Priestly \t547\n\n\n\n\n\nMEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; WRITTEN BY HIMSELF\nWith His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, And Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, And Philosophical.\nIN TWO VOLUMES.\nVOL. I. (of II)\nCONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME\nPART I.\n  \tPage\nLife of Dr. Franklin, written by himself \t13\n\nPART II.\n\nLetter from Mr. Abel James \t91\nLetter from Mr. Benjamin Vaughan \t92\nContinuation of Life, begun at Passy, near Paris, 1784 \t98\nMemorandum \t115\n\nPART III.\n\nLife of Franklin, continued by Dr. Stuber \t191\nExtracts from Franklin's Will \t227\n\nWRITINGS OF FRANKLIN.\n\nThe Examination of Dr. Franklin before the British House of Commons, relative to the Repeal of the American Stamp-act \t237\nNarrative of the Massacre of Friendly Indians in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1764 \t264\nIntroduction to Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania \t282\nDr. Franklin's Motion for Prayers in the Convention at Philadelphia, 1787, to revise the then existing Articles of Confederation \t286\n\n\n\n\n\nMEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.\nWith His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, And Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, And Philosophical.\nIN TWO VOLUMES\nVOL. II. (of II)\n\n\n\nCONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME\nESSAYS\n  \tPage\nThe Way to Wealth; as clearly shown in the practice of an old Pennsylvania Almanac, entitled, \"Poor Richard Improved\" \t5\nOn True Happiness \t14\nPublic Men \t16\nThe Waste of Life \t22\nSelf-denial not the Essence of Virtue \t25\nOn the Usefulness of the Mathematics \t27\nThe Art of procuring Pleasant Dreams \t31\nAdvice to a young Tradesman \t37\nRules of Health \t39\nThe Ephemera; an Emblem of Human Life. To Madame Brillon, of Passy \t40\nThe Whistle. To Madame Brillon \t42\nOn Luxury, Idleness, and Industry \t45\nOn Truth and Falsehood \t50\nNecessary Hints to those that would be Rich \t53\nThe Way to make Money plenty in every Man's Pocket \t54\nThe Handsome and Deformed Leg \t55\nOn Human Vanity \t58\nOn Smuggling, and its various Species \t62\nRemarks concerning the Savages of North America \t66\nOn Freedom of Speech and the Press \t71\nOn the Price of Corn and the Management of the Poor \t82\nSingular Custom among the Americans, entitled Whitewashing \t86\nOn the Criminal Laws and the Practice of Privateering \t94\nLetter from Anthony Afterwit \t102\nLETTERS\nTo Mrs. Abiah Franklin \t107\nTo Miss Jane Franklin \t108\nTo the same \t109\nTo Mr. George Whitefield \t110\nTo Mrs. D. Franklin \t112\nTo the same \t113\nTo Mrs. Jane Mecom \t114\nTo the same \t115\nTo the same \t116\nTo Miss Stevenson \t119\nTo Lord Kames \t120\nTo the same \t121\nTo the same \t128\nTo John Alleyne \t130\nTo Governor Franklin \t132\nTo Dr. Priestley \t134\nTo the same \t136\nTo Mr. Mather \t137\nTo Mr. Strahan \t138\nTo Dr. Priestley \t138\nTo Mrs. Thompson \t139\nTo Mr. Lith \t142\nAnswer to a Letter from Brussels \t144\nTo Dr. Price \t151\nTo Dr. Priestley \t152\nTo General Washington \t154\nTo M. Court de Gebelin \t156\nTo Francis Hopkinson \t158\nTo Francis Hopkinson \t159\nTo Samuel Huntingdon, President of Congress \t160\nTo the Bishop of St. Asaph \t162\nTo Miss Alexander \t163\nTo Benjamin Vaughan \t164\nTo Mrs. Hewson \t166\nTo David Hartley \t167\nTo Dr. Percival \t168\nTo Sir Joseph Banks \t169\nTo Robert Morris, Esq. \t171\nTo Dr. Mather \t172\nTo William Strahan, M.P. \t174\nTo George Wheatley \t178\nTo David Hartley \t181\nTo the Bishop of St. Asaph \t181\nTo Mrs. Hewson \t184\nTo M. Veillard \t185\nTo Mr. Jordain \t187\nTo Miss Hubbard \t189\nTo George Wheatley \t190\nTo B. Vaughan \t192\nTo the President of Congress \t193\nTo Mrs. Green \t196\nTo Dr. Price \t197\nTo B. Vaughan \t198\nTo Dr. Rush \t199\nTo Miss Catharine Louisa Shipley \t199\nTo * * * \t200\nCopy of the last Letter written by Dr. Franklin \t201\nPHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS\nTo the Abb\ufffd Soulavie.\ufffdTheory of the Earth \t203\nTo Dr. John Pringle.\ufffdOn the different Strata of the Earth \t207\nTo Mr. Bowdoin.\ufffdQueries and Conjectures relating to Magnetism and the Theory of the Earth \t208\nTo M. Dubourg.\ufffdOn the Nature of Seacoal \t211\nCauses of Earthquakes \t212\nTo David Rittenhouse.\ufffdNew and Curious Theory of Light and Heat \t224\nOf Lightning; and the Methods now used in America for the securing Buildings and Persons from its mischievous Effects \t227\nTo Peter Collinson.\ufffdElectrical Kite \t231\nPhysical and Meteorological Observations, Conjectures, and Suppositions \t232\nTo Dr. Perkins.\ufffdWater-spouts and Whirlwinds compared \t240\nTo Alexander Small.\ufffdOn the Northeast Storms in North America \t254\nTo Dr. Lining.\ufffdOn Cold produced by Evaporation \t256\nTo Peter Franklin.\ufffdOn the Saltness of Seawater \t263\nTo Miss Stephenson.\ufffdSalt Water rendered fresh by Distillation.\ufffdMethod of relieving Thirst by Seawater \t264\nTo the same.\ufffdTendency of Rivers to the Sea.\ufffdEffects of the Sun's Rays on Cloths of different Colours \t266\nTo the same.\ufffdOn the Effect of Air on the Barometer, and the Benefits derived from the Study of Insects \t270\nTo Dr. Joseph Priestley.\ufffdEffect of Vegetation on Noxious Air \t273\nTo Dr. John Pringle.\ufffdOn the Difference of Navigation in Shoal and Deep Water \t274\nTo Oliver Neale.\ufffdOn the Art of Swimming \t277\nTo Miss Stephenson.\ufffdMethod of contracting Chimneys.\ufffdModesty in Disputation \t281\nTo M. Dubourg.\ufffdObservations on the prevailing Doctrines of Life and Death \t282\nLord Brougham's Portrait of Dr. Franklin \t285\n\n\n\n\n\nA U T O B I O G R A P H Y      OF     B E N J A M I N     F R A N K L I N\nWith Illustrations By E. Boyd Smith\nCONTENTS\nIntroduction\n\nvii\nThe Autobiography\n\n1\nI.\n\nAncestry and Early Life in Boston\n\n\n3\nII.\n\nBeginning Life as a Printer\n\n\n21\nIII.\n\nArrival in Philadelphia\n\n\n41\nIV.\n\nFirst Visit to Boston\n\n\n55\nV.\n\nEarly Friends in Philadelphia\n\n\n69\nVI.\n\nFirst Visit to London\n\n\n77\nVII.\n\nBeginning Business in Philadelphia\n\n\n99\nVIII.\n\nBusiness Success and First Public Service\n\n\n126\nIX.\n\nPlan for Attaining Moral Perfection\n\n\n146\nX.\n\nPoor Richard's Almanac and Other Activities\n\n\n169\nXI.\n\nInterest in Public Affairs\n\n\n188\nXII.\n\nDefense of the Province\n\n\n201\nXIII.\n\nPublic Services and Duties\n\n\n217\nXIV.\n\nAlbany Plan of Union\n\n\n241\nXV.\n\nQuarrels with the Proprietary Governors\n\n\n246\nXVI.\n\nBraddock's Expedition\n\n\n253\nXVII.\n\nFranklin's Defense of the Frontier\n\n\n274\nXVIII.\n\nScientific Experiments\n\n\n289\nXIX.\n\nAgent of Pennsylvania in London\n\n\n296\nAppendix\n\n\nElectrical Kite\n\n\n327\n\n\nThe Way to Wealth\n\n\n331\n\n\nThe Whistle\n\n\n336\n\n\nA Letter to Samuel Mather\n\n\n340\nBibliography\n\n343\nILLUSTRATIONS\n\nFranklin at the Court of Louis XVI\n\n\nFrontispiece\n\n\n\n\nPage\n\nPortrait of Franklin\n\n\nvii\n\nPages 1 and 4 of The Pennsylvania Gazette, Number XL, the first number after Franklin took control\n\n\nxxi\n\nFirst page of The New England Courant of December 4-11, 1721\n\n\n33\n\n\"I was employed to carry the papers thro' the streets to the customers\"\n\n\n36\n\n\"She, standing at the door, saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance\"\n\n\n48\n\n\"I took to working at press\"\n\n\n88\n\n\"I see him still at work when I go home from club\"\n\n\n120\n\nTwo pages from Poor Richard's Almanac for 1736\n\n\n171\n\n\"I regularly took my turn of duty there as a common soldier\"\n\n\n204\n\n\"In the evening, hearing a great noise among them, the commissioners walk'd out to see what was the matter\"\n\n\n224\n\n\"Our axes ... were immediately set to work to cut down trees\"\n\n\n278\n\n\"We now appeared very wide, and so far from each other in our opinions as to discourage all hope of agreement\"\n\n\n318\n\n\"You will find it stream out plentifully from the key on the approach of your knuckle\"\n\n\n328\n\nFather Abraham in his study\n\n\n330\n\n\n\n\n\nBENJAMIN FRANKLIN\nRepresentative Selections, With Introduction, Bibliography, And Notes\nBy Frank Luther Mott\nCONTENTS\nI. \tFranklin's Milieu: The Age of Enlightenment, xiii\nII. \tFranklin's Theories of Education, xxxii\nIII. \tFranklin's Literary Theory and Practice, xlvi\nIV. \tFranklin as Printer and Journalist, lvii\nV. \tFranklin's Economic Views, lxiv\nVI. \tFranklin's Political Theories, lxxxii\nVII. \tFranklin as Scientist and Deist, cx\nChronological Table, cxlii\nSelected Bibliography\nI. \tWorks, cli\nII. \tCollections and Reprints, cliii\nIII. \tBiographies, clv\nIV. \tBiographical and Critical Studies, clviii\nV. \tThe Age of Franklin, clxxiv\nVI. \tBibliographies and Check Lists, clxxxvi\nFrom the Autobiography, 3\nDogood Papers, No. I (1722), 96\nDogood Papers, No. IV (1722), 98\nDogood Papers, No. V (1722), 102\nDogood Papers, No. VII (1722), 105\nDogood Papers, No. XII (1722), 109\nEditorial Preface to the New England Courant (1723), 111\nA Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain (1725), 114\nRules for a Club Established for Mutual Improvement (1728), 128\nArticles of Belief and Acts of Religion (1728), 130\nThe Busy-Body, No. 1 (1728/9), 137\nThe Busy-Body, No. 2 (1728/9), 139\nThe Busy-Body, No. 3 (1728/9), 141\nThe Busy-Body, No. 4 (1728/9), 145\nPreface to the Pennsylvania Gazette (1729), 150\nA Dialogue between Philocles and Horatio (1730), 152\nA Second Dialogue between Philocles and Horatio (1730), 156\nA Witch Trial at Mount Holly (1730), 161\nAn Apology for Printers (1731), 163\nPreface to Poor Richard (1733), 169\nA Meditation on a Quart Mugg (1733), 170\nPreface to Poor Richard (1734), 172[x]\nPreface to Poor Richard (1735), 174\nHints for Those That Would Be Rich (1736), 176\nTo Josiah Franklin (April 13, 1738), 177\nPreface to Poor Richard (1739), 179\nA Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge among the British Plantations in America (1743), 180\nShavers and Trimmers (1743), 183\nTo the Publick (1743), 186\nPreface to Logan's Translation of \"Cato Major\" (1743/4), 187\nTo John Franklin, at Boston (March 10, 1745), 188\nPreface to Poor Richard (1746), 189\nThe Speech of Polly Baker (1747), 190\nPreface to Poor Richard (1747), 193\nTo Peter Collinson (August 14, 1747), 194\nPreface to Poor Richard Improved (1748), 195\nAdvice to a Young Tradesman (1748), 196\nTo George Whitefield (July 6, 1749), 198\nProposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania (1749), 199\nIdea of the English School (1751), 206\nTo Cadwallader Colden Esq., at New York (1751), 213\nExporting of Felons to the Colonies (1751), 214\nObservations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, Etc. (1751), 216\nTo Peter Collinson (October 19, 1752), 223\nPoor Richard Improved (1753)\ufffdfacsimile reproduction, 225\nTo Joseph Huey (June 6, 1753), 261\nThree Letters to Governor Shirley (1754), 263\nTo Miss Catherine Ray, at Block Island (March 4, 1755), 270\nTo Peter Collinson (August 25, 1755), 272\nTo Miss Catherine Ray (September 11, 1755), 274\nTo Miss Catherine Ray (October 16, 1755), 277\nTo Mrs. Jane Mecom (February 12, 1756), 278\nTo Miss E. Hubbard (February 23, 1756), 278\nTo Rev. George Whitefield (July 2, 1756), 279\nThe Way to Wealth (1758), 280\nTo Hugh Roberts (September 16, 1758), 289\nTo Mrs. Jane Mecom (September 16, 1758), 291\nTo Lord Kames (May 3, 1760), 293\nTo Miss Mary Stevenson (June 11, 1760), 295\nTo Mrs. Deborah Franklin (June 27, 1760), 298\nTo Jared Ingersoll (December 11, 1762), 300\nTo Miss Mary Stevenson (March 25, 1763), 301\nTo John Fothergill, M.D. (March 14, 1764), 304\nTo Sarah Franklin (November 8, 1764), 307\nFrom A Narrative of the Late Massacres in Lancaster County (1764), 308[xi]\nTo the Editor of a Newspaper (May 20, 1765), 315\nTo Lord Kames (June 2, 1765), 318\nLetter Concerning the Gratitude of America (January 6, 1766), 321\nTo Lord Kames (April 11, 1767), 325\nTo Miss Mary Stevenson (September 14, 1767), 330\nOn the Labouring Poor (1768), 336\nTo Dupont de Nemours (July 28, 1768), 340\nTo John Alleyne (August 9, 1768), 341\nTo the Printer of the London Chronicle (August 18, 1768), 343\nPositions to be Examined, Concerning National Wealth (1769), 345\nTo Miss Mary Stevenson (September 2, 1769), 347\nTo Joseph Priestley (September 19, 1772), 348\nTo Miss Georgiana Shipley (September 26, 1772), 349\nTo Peter Franklin (undated), 351\nOn the Price of Corn, and Management of the Poor (undated), 355\nAn Edict by the King of Prussia (1773), 358\nRules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One (1773), 363\nTo William Franklin (October 6, 1773), 371\nPreface to \"An Abridgment of the Book of Common Prayer\" (1773), 374\nA Parable against Persecution, 379\nA Parable on Brotherly Love, 380\nTo William Strahan (July 5, 1775), 381\nTo Joseph Priestley (July 7, 1775), 382\nTo a Friend in England (October 3, 1775), 383\nTo Lord Howe (July 30, 1776), 384\nThe Sale of the Hessians (1777), 387\nModel of a Letter of Recommendation (April 2, 1777), 389\nTo \ufffd\ufffd (October 4, 1777), 390\nTo David Hartley (October 14, 1777), 390\nA Dialogue between Britain, France, Spain, Holland, Saxony and America, 394\nTo Charles de Weissenstein (July 1, 1778), 397\nThe Ephemera (1778), 402\nTo Richard Bache (June 2, 1779), 404\nMorals of Chess (1779), 406\nTo Benjamin Vaughan (November 9, 1779), 410\nThe Whistle (1779), 412\nThe Lord's Prayer (1779?), 414\nThe Lev\u00e9e (1779?), 417\nProposed New Version of the Bible (1779?), 419\nTo Joseph Priestley (February 8, 1780), 420\nTo George Washington (March 5, 1780), 421\nTo Miss Georgiana Shipley (October 8, 1780), 422[xii]\nTo Richard Price (October 9, 1780), 423\nDialogue between Franklin and the Gout (1780), 424\nThe Handsome and Deformed Leg (1780?), 430\nTo Miss Georgiana Shipley (undated), 432\nTo David Hartley (December 15, 1781), 434\nSupplement to the Boston Independent Chronicle (1782), 434\nTo John Thornton (May 8, 1782), 443\nTo Joseph Priestley (June 7, 1782), 443\nTo Jonathan Shipley (June 10, 1782), 445\nTo James Hutton (July 7, 1782), 447\nTo Sir Joseph Banks (September 9, 1782), 448\nInformation to Those Who Would Remove to America (1782?), 449\nApologue (1783?), 458\nTo Sir Joseph Banks (July 27, 1783), 459\nTo Mrs. Sarah Bache (January 26, 1784), 460\nAn Economical Project (1784?), 466\nTo Samuel Mather (May 12, 1784), 471\nTo Benjamin Vaughan (July 26, 1784), 472\nTo George Whately (May 23, 1785), 479\nTo John Bard and Mrs. Bard (November 14, 1785), 481\nTo Jonathan Shipley (February 24, 1786), 481\nTo \ufffd\ufffd (July 3, 1786?), 484\nSpeech in the Convention; On the Subject of Salaries (1787), 486\nMotion for Prayers in the Convention (1787), 489\nSpeech in the Convention at the Conclusion of Its Deliberations (1787), 491\nTo the Editors of the Pennsylvania Gazette (1788), 493\nTo Rev. John Lathrop (May 31, 1788), 496\nTo the Editor of the Federal Gazette (1788?), 496\nTo Charles Carroll (May 25, 1789), 500\nAn Account of the Supremest Court of Judicature in Pennsylvania, viz. the Court of the Press (1789), 501\nAn Address to the Public (1789), 505\nTo David Hartley (December 4, 1789), 506\nTo Ezra Stiles (March 9, 1790), 507\nOn the Slave-Trade (1790), 510\nRemarks Concerning the Savages of North America, 513\nAn Arabian Tale, 519\nA Petition of the Left Hand (date unknown), 520\nSome Good Whig Principles (date unknown), 521\nThe Art of Procuring Pleasant Dreams, 523\nNotes, 529","title":"Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Benjamin Franklin","tradition":"philosophy-ethics","translated_text":null,"word_count":5854}