honor. That great man seems to have no wish of returning into public employment, but amuses himself with planting, and is desirous of obtaining all those trees of North America that have not yet been introduced into France. Your sending him a box of the seeds, would, I am persuaded, much oblige him. They may be obtained of my young friend Bartram, living near Philadelphia. to You will have heard that Spain has lately met with a little misfortune at sea, but the bravery with which her ships fought a vastly superior force, have gained her great honor, We are anxious here for farther news from that coast, which is daily expected. Great preparations are making here for the ensuing campaign, and we flatter ourselves that it will be more active and successful in Europe than the last.

One of the advantages of great states, is, that the calamity occasioned by a foreign war falls only on a very small part of the community, who happen from their situation and particular circumstances to be exposed to it. Thus as it is always fair weather in our parlours, it is at Paris always peace. The people pursue their respective occupations, the playhouses, the opera, and other public diversions, are as regularly and fully attended, as in times of profoundest tranquillity, and the same small concerns divide us into parties. Within these few weeks we are for or against Jeannot, a new actor. This man's performance, and the marriage of the Duke de Richelieu, fills up much more of our present conversation, than anything that relates to the war. A demonstration this of the public felicity.

My grandson joins with me in best wishes for your health and prosperity. He is niuch flattered by your kind

remembrance of him. We desire also that Mr. De Marbois' would accept our assurances of esteem. EDT I have the honor to be with the greatest respect, Sir, B. FRANKLIN,

Yours,&c..

F. HOPKINSON, Esq. Philadelphia.

Political Squibs.-Dr. Ingenhausz's Experiments on the leaves of trees.—A new telescope for ascertaining dis

tances.

DEAR SIR,

Passy, March 16, 1780. I thank you for your political Squibs, they are well made. I am glad to find you have such plenty of good powder.

You propose that Kill-pig, the butcher, should operate upon himself. You will find some thoughts on that subject in a little piece called " A merry Song about Murder," in a London newspaper I send herewith.

2

The greatest discovery made in Europe for some time past is that of Dr. Ingenhausz's relating to the great use of the leaves of trees in producing wholesome air; I would send you his book if I had it. A new instrument is lately invented here, a kind of telescope, which by means of Iceland chrystal occasions the double appearance of an object, and the two appearances being farther distant from each other in proportion to the distance of the object from the eye, by moving an index on a graduated line till the two appearances coincide, you find on the line the

J

Secretary of the French Legation in the United States.

2 By the Abbé Rochon, of the French Academy of Sciences.

real distance of the object. I am not enough master of this instrument to describe it accurately, having seen it but once; but it is very ingeniously contrived.

Remember mé respectfully to your mother and sisters, and believe me ever, my dear friend, Yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

To DR. BOND, Philadelphia.

DEAR SIR,

Letter of Friendship.

Passy, March 16, 1780. I received your kind letter of September the 22d, and I thank you for the pleasing account you give me of the health and welfare of my old friends, Hugh Roberts, Luke Morris, Philip Syng, Samuel Rhoades, &c. with the same of yourself and family. Shake the old ones by the hand for me, and give the young ones my blessing. For my own part, I do not find that I grow any older. Being arrived at 70, and considering that by travelling further in the same road I should probably be led to the grave, I stopped short, turned about and walked back again; which having done these four years, you may now call me 66. Advise those old friends of ours to follow my example, keep up your spirits and that will keep up your bodies, you will no more stoop under the weight of age than if you had swallowed a handspike. But it is right to abate a little in the article of labour; and therefore as your demonstrations of midwifery " are useful, and it is a pity you should give them up, for want of subjects in the lying-in wards," I advise you to get some of your young pupils to help you.

I am glad the Philosophical Society made that compliment

60

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE

PART I

Lushoz.W songilla sit,gsufousta or ALIHOV to Mr. Gerard.1 I wish they would do the same to Mr. om da nisido de

Feutry, a worthy gentleman here; and to Dr. Ingenhausz, 101 Dumlupo ficut ebre770) who has made some great discoveries lately respecting the leaves of trees in improving air for the use of animals: bione w he will send you his book. He is physician to the EmDis gavlean6 191 12200 26 15121 25 ob oma satse 911,36 press Queen. I have not yet seen your piece on inoculadush of serodant &{{29% RB) SPIT fon tion. parede lepog mo moda juje gorod gaignton asesinarrÀ Remember me respectfully and affectionately to Mrs.

Bond, your children, and all friends. I am ever, visar og bedil good 3071

Yours,

stoqu sd B. FRANKLIN.

P.S. I have bought some valuable books which I intend to present to the society; but shall not send them till safer times.

TO DR. COOPER, Boston..

Relative to his Grandson-the alliance with Francé, &c,

DEAR SIR,

Passy, March 16, 1780. received your kind favor by Captain Chavagnes, which I communicated to the Minister of Marine, who was much pleased with the character you give of the captain. I have also yours of Nov. 12, by your grandson, who appears a very promising lad, in whom I think you will have much satisfaction. He is in a boarding school just by me, and was well last Sunday, when I had the pleasure of his company to dinner with Mr. Adam's sons and some other young Americans. He will soon acquire the language; and if God spares his life may make a very serviceable man to his country, C

It gives me infinite satisfaction to find that with you the wisest and best among our people, are so hearty in endea

1 Formerly Minister from France to the United States,

1

12701218100 1762*

vouring to strengthen the alliance.

3018?

We certainly owe much to this nation; and we shall obtain much more, if of Bue 9750 usmelinge vitez.6 the same prudent conduct towards them continues, for they really and strongly wish our prosperity, and will pro

Duvelqmi 991 to ROVES,

1390

mote it by means in their power. But we should dood zid poy bangs like at the same time do as much as possible for ourselves, and not ride (as we say) a free horse to death. There are some Americans returning hence, with whom our people should Verome brewaring with them a spirit of their guard; as

be upon

enmity to this country. Not being liked here themselves, they dislike the people; for the same reason, indeed, they ought to dislike all that know them!quod vnd I

With the sincerest respect and esteem, I am ever my

dear friend,

Yours most affectionately,

SIR,

werd bald mor Passy, March 16, 1780. I bave just received the letter you have done me the honor to write to me, and shall immediately deliver the packet it recommends to my care. I will take the first opportunity of mentioning to Mr. Gerard what you hint, relative to our not entertaining strangers so frequently and liberally, as is the custom in, France. But he has travelled in Europe, and knows that modes of nations differ. The French are convivial, live much at one another's tables, and are glad to feast travellers. In Italy and Spain a stranger, however recommended, rarely dines at the house of any gentleman, but lives at his inn. The Americans hold a medium. oe ons afgong wo grems ind bas legt. I have the honor to be, &c. B. FRANKLIN.