The Life of Benjamin Franklin; with Selections from His Miscellaneous WorksSimpkin, Marshall, and Company, 1849 - 162 pages |
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Page 9
... observe my inclination , and endeavour to fix it on some trade or profession that would keep me on land . It has ever since been a pleasure to me to see good workmen handle their tools . And it has been often useful to me , to have ...
... observe my inclination , and endeavour to fix it on some trade or profession that would keep me on land . It has ever since been a pleasure to me to see good workmen handle their tools . And it has been often useful to me , to have ...
Page 10
... observations which render it a most precious example to young persons of whatever degree . James Franklin set up a newspaper , and Benjamin ventured anony- mously to send some pieces for insertion , and had the proud satisfaction of ...
... observations which render it a most precious example to young persons of whatever degree . James Franklin set up a newspaper , and Benjamin ventured anony- mously to send some pieces for insertion , and had the proud satisfaction of ...
Page 38
... observed there once in seven days they shut up their shops , and assemble all in the great house , tell me what it is for . What do they do there ? " " They meet there , " said Conrad , " to hear and learn good things . " I do not doubt ...
... observed there once in seven days they shut up their shops , and assemble all in the great house , tell me what it is for . What do they do there ? " " They meet there , " said Conrad , " to hear and learn good things . " I do not doubt ...
Page 42
... observed the loose fibres of his string to move towards an erect position . He now presented his knuckle to the key , and received a strong spark . How exquisite must his sensations have been at this moment ! On this experiment depended ...
... observed the loose fibres of his string to move towards an erect position . He now presented his knuckle to the key , and received a strong spark . How exquisite must his sensations have been at this moment ! On this experiment depended ...
Page 43
... Observations on Electricity , at Philadelphia , in America . " They were read with avidity , and met with the cordial approbation of many learned men in Great Britain , particularly of Dr. Priestley . But while Franklin's experi- ments ...
... Observations on Electricity , at Philadelphia , in America . " They were read with avidity , and met with the cordial approbation of many learned men in Great Britain , particularly of Dr. Priestley . But while Franklin's experi- ments ...
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acquaintance affairs afford afterwards America amusement APOLOGUE appeared appointed Assembly attended Benjamin Franklin Boston Britain British colonies commissioners conduct Congress continued council court death declared dispute electricity endeavour enemies England Europe favour France Franklin French friends give governor happy Helvetius honour interest justice Keimer kind king letters lived London Lord Lord Chatham Lord Kames Madeira wine mankind ment mind ministers mother country Mussulmen nation neighbour never obliged observed occasion officers opinion Paris parliament parliament of England peace Pensylvania person Philadelphia philosopher pleasure pounds pounds sterling present principles Privy Council proposed punishment received remarkable rendered respect says sent sentiments shillings ship Sir William Wyndham slavery slaves society soon Stamp Act thing thought tion trade treaty United virtue voyage whistle whole William Temple Franklin writing wrote young
Popular passages
Page 21 - We kept no idle servants, our table was plain and simple, our furniture of the cheapest. For instance, my breakfast was a long time bread and milk (no tea), and I ate it out of a twopenny earthen porringer, with a pewter spoon. But mark how luxury will enter families, and make a progress, in spite of principle...
Page 145 - Thus I consent, sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best.
Page 142 - I firmly believe this ; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in- this political building no better than the builders of Babel. We shall be divided by our little partial local interests ; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a by-word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom, and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
Page 142 - Here is my creed. I believe in one God, the creator of the universe. That He governs it by His providence. That He ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable service we render to Him is doing good to His other children. That the soul of man is immortal and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this.
Page 144 - For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information or fuller consideration to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.
Page 142 - I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that " except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.
Page 84 - When I was a journeyman printer, one of my companions, an apprentice hatter, having served out his time, was about to open shop for himself. His first concern was to have a handsome signboard, with a proper inscription. He composed it in these words, ' John Thompson, Hatter, makes and sells hats for ready money...
Page 91 - Remember that credit is money. If a man lets his money lie in my hands after it is due, he gives me the interest, or so much as I can make of it during that time. This amounts to a considerable sum where a man has good and large credit, and makes good use of it. Remember that money is of a prolific generating nature. Money can beget money, and its offspring can beget more, and so on.
Page 77 - I voluntarily offered and gave all my money for one. I then came home, and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my whistle, but disturbing all the family. My brothers and sisters and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as it was worth...
Page 78 - I might have bought with the rest of the money; and laughed at me so much for my folly, that I cried with vexation; and the reflection gave me more chagrin than the whistle gave me pleasure.