Papier machée musical Figures be tack'd to the middle of the Cieling; when this is done, I think it will look very well. Who is the Mrs. Morris you mention, as Mother to Dr. Rush? I am glad my Recommendations were of any Service to him. I am glad to hear that Sally keeps up and increases the Number of her Friends. The best Wishes of a fond Father for her Happiness always attend her. I am, my dear Debby, your affectionate Husband, B. FRANKLIN. count. 433. TO PETER COLLINSON1 London, July 13. 1767. DEAR FRIEND:-I have heard of an account you lately received from Russia of some discovery of an ancient sepulchre in the frontiers of that country. I wish I could see that acIn the meantime I send you a passage I have met with in Herodotus, that most ancient historian, concerning the sepulchres of the Scythian kings, which may possibly throw some light on this discovery. The Boristhenes, you know, is a river that takes its rise in the north, and empties itself into the Euxine Sea. I am, as ever yours affectionately, B. FRANKLIN. The Sepulchres of the Scythian kings are in the country of the Gerrhians, where the Borysthenes is first known to be navigable. When their king dies, they dig a great hole in the ground, of a quadrangular form, and having received the body covered with wax, they open and cleanse the belly, 1 From John Bigelow, "The Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin," Vol. X, p. 308.- ED. filling the space with bruised cypress, incense, seeds of parsley, and aries. And after they have sewed up the belly again, they carry the body in a chariot to another province; where, those who receive it imitate the royal Scythians in the following custom: They cut off part of one ear: shave their heads: wound themselves on the arms, forehead, and nose; and pierce the left hand with an arrow. Having done thus, they accompany the chariot to another district; and this manner is observed in every province; till having carried the dead body of the king through all his dominions, they bury him in the country of the Gerrhians, who inhabit the remotest parts of the kingdom. Here they lay him in the sepulchre, upon a bed encompassed on all sides with spears, which they cover with timber, and spread a canopy over the whole monument. In the spaces that remain vacant, they place one of the king's concubines strangled; with a cup-bearer, a cook, a groom, a waiter, a messenger, certain horses, and some of all things necessary. To these they add cups of gold, because silver and brass are not used amongst them. This done, they throw up the earth with great diligence, and endeavor to raise the mount as high as possibly they can. - Herodotus, Book IV. 434. TO SAMUEL FRANKLIN1 DEAR COUSIN, London, July 17, 1767. I should sooner have answered your kind letter of last year, but postponed it from time to time, having mislaid the print 1 Samuel Franklin lived in Boston. He was the grandson of Benjamin Franklin, who was Dr. Franklin's uncle, and after whom he was named. This letter was first published by Sparks. — ED. I intended to send you, which I have now found and send herewith. I am glad to hear of the welfare of yourself and your family, which I hope will long continue. My love to them all. It gives me pleasure whenever I find that my endeavours to serve America are acceptable to my friends there. Your kind notices of them are very obliging. I find here but two of our relations remaining, that bear the name of Franklin, viz. Thomas Franklin of Lutterworth in Leicestershire, a dyer, and his daughter Sally Franklin, about fourteen years of age, who has been with me in London about a year, and sends her duty to you. Thomas Franklin is the grandson of John Franklin, your grandfather's brother. There are besides still living, Eleanor Morris, an old maiden lady, daughter of your grandfather's sister Hannah; and also Hannah Walker, granddaughter of his brother John. Mrs. Walker has three sons. She lives at Westbury, in Buckinghamshire, and Mrs. Morris with her. And these are the whole. It is thought best by my friends that I should continue here another winter. My best wishes attend you, being your affectionate kinsman, B. FRANKLIN. 435. TO RICHARD PRICE1 (P. C.) Craven Street, Saturday, Aug 1.-1767. REVD AND DEAR SIR, -Last night I received a letter from Dr Robertson, acquainting me that the University of 1 The original is in the possession of Walter Ashburner, Esq., of London, a descendant of Dr. Price's sister. A copy of this letter, together with eighty others addressed to Price, was presented to the M. H. S. by Mr. Norton.-ED. Edinburgh have on my recommendation conferr'd the degree of D1 in Divinity upon the Revd Mr Cooper of Boston; an event, that when I last had the pleasure of seeing you, you may remember I was desirous of waiting for, before I should be concern'd in any new application of the same kind. And indeed as I have made three already, I begin to feel a little unwilling to apply again immediately to the same University in favour of another, lest they should think me troublesome, tho' they have hitherto been very obliging. And recollecting that you mentioned your having a correspondence with the Principal of the College at Glasgow, I now purpose applying to that University for Mr Elliot's1 degree, if you approve of it, and will with Mr Radcliffe address your recommendation to the same place, to accompany mine. Please to present my respectful compliments to Mrs Price and Mrs Barker; and believe me, with sincere esteem, dear Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, 436. TO MRS. DEBORAH FRANKLIN (A. P. S.) MY DEAR CHILD, London, Augt 5, 1767 I have now before me all your late Letters, and shall answer them Article by Article. Captain Ourry din'd here a few Days since, and thanks you for remembring him, desiring his Respects to you and Sally. Mr. Strahan & Family, the same. I received the Bill sent by Mr. Potts, and suppose it will be duly paid. You will 1 Andrew Eliot (1718-1778), pastor of the New North Church in Boston. The University of Edinburgh gave him the degree of D.D. in 1767. — Ed. return him the Overplus. I wish I could take my Passage this time with Capt. Falkener. I was on board the other day with Mr. and Mrs. West, Mrs. Stevenson and Mr. Hopkinson, to drink Tea. 'Tis a fine Ship, and I think it not unlikely that I may go with him next time, as he is a very kind, good Friend whom I much respect. The Nocake proves very good, and I thank you for it. I am glad you go sometimes to Burlington. The Harmony you mention in our Family and among our Children gives me great Pleasure. I am sorry to hear of the Death of our old Friend Debbey Norris. She was a worthy good Woman, and will be miss'd. If I can in any shape be of Service to Mr. Francis, you may depend I shall do it, being much concern'd for his Misfortune. I am told the Affair is like to turn out better for him than was expected. I will have the Shades done as you desire. Sally Franklin is now in the Country with her Father. She is an only Child, and a very good Girl. I think you would like her, and her Father wishes I would take her over with me; but I object to it, as the Care of educating other People's Children is a Trust too weighty for us as we grow old. He is still a Widower, & is between 40 & 50. His Name is Thomas Franklin; how came you to call him Billy Franklin? I receiv'd the Watch-Chain, which you say you send to be put to rights. I do not see what it wants. Mrs. Stevenson says it is too old-fashion'd for Sally, and advises sending the Watch also, to be chang'd away for a new Watch & Chain. In your last Letters you say nothing concerning Mr. Bache. The Misfortune that has lately happened to his Affairs, tho' it may not lessen his Character as an honest or a Prudent man, will probably induce him to forbear entering hastily into |
