care, as what remains in our hands will be barely sufficient for our support, and not enough for them when it comes to be divided at our decease."

Soon after came intelligence that Mr. Bache had been unfortunate in business. This misfortune, wrote Dr. Franklin, “though it may not lessen his character as an honest or a prudent man, will probably induce him to forbear entering hastily into a state, that must require a great addition to his expense, when he will be less able to supply it. If you think that, in the mean time, it will be some amusement to Sally to visit her friends here, and return with me, I should have no objection to her coming over with Captain Falconer, provided Mrs. Falconer comes at the same time, as is talked of. I think, too, it might be some improvement to her."

But she came not. October 29th, 1767, Mr. Richard Bache and Miss Sarah Franklin were married at Philadelphia. The lady was then twenty-three years of age, and, as her portrait testifies, a woman superbly beautiful.

Dr. Franklin did not see his son-in-law until 1771, when he came to England in the hope of procuring through Franklin's influence, a government appointment. Dr. Franklin could not then ask a favor of the ministry, and advised Mr. Bache to embark his capital in a stock of merchandise, return to Philadelphia, and open a store. This advice was taken, and Franklin gave his son-in-law two hundred pounds with which to augment his supply. "I am of opinion," wrote Franklin to his daughter on this occasion, "that almost any profession a man has been educated in is preferable to an office held at pleasure, as rendering him more independent, more a free man, and less subject to the caprices of superiors; and I think that, in keeping a store, if it be where you dwell, you can be serviceable to him, as your mother was to me; for you are not deficient in capacity, and I hope you are not too proud. You might easily learn accounts, and you can copy letters, or write them very well upon occasion. By industry and frugality you may get forward in the world, being both of you yet young; and then what we may leave you at our death, will be a pretty addition, though of itself far from sufficient to maintain and bring up a family."

The young couple lived with Mrs. Franklin during the first eight years of their union. Their son, Benjamin Franklin Bache, after