Before leaving Ireland I must mention, that, being desirous of seeing the principal Patriots there, I staid till the Opening of their Parliament. I found them dispos'd to be friends of America, in which I endeavoured to confirm them, with the Expectation that our growing Weight might in time be thrown into their Scale, and, by joining our Interest with theirs might be obtained for them as well as for us, a more equitable Treatment from this Nation. There are many brave Spirits among them. The Gentry are a very sensible, polite, friendly and handsome People. Their Parliament makes a most respectable Figure, with a number of very good Speakers in both Parties, and able Men of Business. And I must not omit acquainting you, that, it being a standing Rule to admit Members of the English Parliament to sit (tho' they do not vote) in the House among the Members, while others are only admitted into the Gallery, my Fellow Traveller, being an English Member, was accordingly admitted as such. But I supposed I must go to the Gallery, when the Speaker stood up, and acquainted the House, that he understood there was in Town an American Gentleman of (as he was pleas'd to say) distinguish'd Character and Merit, a Member or Delegate of some of the Parliaments of that Country, who was desirous of being present at the Debates of this House; that there was a Rule of the House for admitting Members of English Parliaments, and that he did suppose the House would consider the American Assemblies as English Parliaments; but, as this was the first Instance, he had chosen not to give any Order in it without receiving their Directions. On the Question, the whole House gave a loud, unanimous Aye; when two Members came to me without the Bar where I was standing, led me in, and placed me very honourably. This

I am the more particular in to you, as I esteemed it a mark of respect for our Country, and a piece of politeness in which I hope our Parliament will not fall behind theirs, whenever an occasion shall offer. Ireland is itself a poor Country, and Dublin a magnificent City; but the appearances of general extreme poverty among the lower people are amazing. They live in wretched hovels of mud and straw, are clothed in rags, and subsist chiefly on potatoes. Our New England farmers, of the poorest sort, in regard to the Enjoyment of all the comforts of life, are princes when compared to them. Such is the effect of the discouragements of industry, the nonresidence not only of pensioners, but of many original landlords, who lease their lands in gross to undertakers that rack the tenants and fleece them skin and all to make estates to themselves, while the first rents, as well as most of the pensions, are spent out of the country. An English gentleman there said to me, that by what he had heard of the good grazing in North America, and by what he saw of the plenty of flaxseed imported in Ireland from thence, he could not understand why we did not rival Ireland in the beef and butter trade to the West Indies, and share with it in its linen trade. But he was satisfied when I told him that I supposed the reason might be, our people eat beef and butter every day, and wear shirts themselves.

In short, the chief exports of Ireland seem to be pinched off the backs and out of the bellies of the miserable inhabitants. But schemes are now under consideration among the humane gentry to provide some means of mending if possible their present wretched condition.

I am much obliged by the very particular account you have favoured me with of the general sentiments of people in our

province on the present state of Affairs between the two countries. They are for the most part the same with my

own.

I think the Revenue Act should be repealed, as not constitutionally founded; that the commission of the customs should be dissolved; that the troops (foreigners to us as much as Hanoverians would be in England, since they are not introduced with the consent of our Legislature) ought to be withdrawn, and the Castle restored to its rightful owners, the government of the province that built it; and that the General Court should be returned to its ancient seat, and the Governor's salary put upon its ancient footing. But it is also my opinion that, while the present American Minister continues, there is very little likelihood that any change will be made in any of those particulars, that of returning the Court perhaps excepted. And yet I am also of opinion that no farther duties are intended, and that although the American Minister might wish to increase that fund for corruption, the other Ministers are not disposed to humour him in it, and would not consent to it. I may be deceived in this opinion, but I have grounds for it. However, I think we should be as much on our guard, and use the same defensive measures and endeavours as if we saw new duties intended in the ensuing session. And nothing can more effectually discourage new duties than the diminution of the revenue produced by duties; a resolute steady refusal to consume the dutiable commodities.

In compliance with your respected recommendation I introduced Mr. Story to a Secretary of the Treasury, who forwarded his memorial; and he tells me he has obtained his request relating to the affair of Mr. Wheelwright's debt. He

VOL. V-2 B

now seems to wish for some appointment in consideration of his sufferings from the mob. But I doubt whether it may be worth his while to attend here the solicitation and expectation of such a reward, those attendances being often drawn out to an inconceivable length, and the expense, of

course, enormous.

With the greatest esteem, I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

574. TO SAMUEL FRANKLIN

DEAR COUSIN,

(A. P. S.)

London, Jan. 13, 1772

I received your kind Letter of Nov 8. and rejoice to hear of the continued Welfare of you & your good Wife & four Daughters: I hope they will all get good Husbands. I dare say they will be educated so as to deserve them.

I knew a wise old Man, who us'd to advise his young Friends to chuse Wives out of a Bunch; for where there were many Daughters, he said they improv'd each other, and from Emulation acquir'd more Accomplishments, knew more, could do more, & were not spoil'd by parental Fondness like single Children. Yours have my best Wishes, and Blessing, if that can be of any Value.

I receiv'd a very polite Letter from Mr. Bowen relating to the Print. Please to present him my respectful Compliments. I am just return'd from as long a Journey as a Man can well make in these Islands, thro' Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the Northern Parts of England; and I find my Health much improv'd by it. I shall soon take some good Opportunity

of letting you see one of the Books that were collected by your good Grandfather. Sally Franklin presents her Duty to you & Mrs. Franklin, and Love to her Kinswomen. I am, Dear Kinsman,

There is lately published in Paris a Work intitled ZendAvesta, Ouvrage de Zoroastre, contenant les Idées Théologiques, Physiques, et Morales, de ce Legislateur; les Cérémonies du Culte Religieux qu'il a établi, et plusieurs Traits importans relatifs à l'Ancienne Histoire des Perses. Traduit en François sur l'Original Zend, avec des Remarques; et accompagné de plusieurs Traités propres à éclaircir les Matières qui en sont l'Objet. Par M. Anquetil du Perron, de l'Académie Royale des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, et Interprète du Roy pour les Langues Orientales. It is in two Volumes 4to. Near half the Work is an Account of the author's Travels in India, and his Residence among the Parses during several Years to learn their Languages.

I have cast my Eye over the Religious Part; it seems to contain a nice Morality, mix'd with abundance of Prayers, Ceremonies, & Observances. If you desire to have it, I will procure it for you. There is no doubt of its being a genuine Translation of the Books at present deem'd sacred as the 1 President of Yale College, 1778-1795. — ED.