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privateers, who often cruised near the entrance of the Channel. Accordingly all the sail was set that we could possibly carry, and the wind being very fresh and fair, we stood right before it, and made great way. The captain, after his observation, shaped his course, as he thought, so as to pass wide of the Scilly Rocks; but it seems there is sometimes a strong current setting up St. George's Channel, which formerly caused. the loss of Sir Cloudesley Shovel's squadron, in 1707. This was probably also the cause of what happened

to us.

We had a watchman placed in the bow, to whom they often called, "Look well out before there ;" and he as often answered, "Ay, ay;" but perhaps had his eyes shut, and was half asleep, at the time; they sometimes answering, as is said, mechanically; for he did not see a light just before us, which had been hid by the studding-sails from the man at the helm, and from the rest of the watch, but by an accidental yaw of the ship was discovered, and occasioned a great alarm, we being very near it; the light appearing to me as large as a cart-wheel. It was midnight, and our captain fast asleep; but Captain Kennedy, jumping upon deck, and seeing the danger, ordered the ship to wear round, all sails standing; an operation dangerous to the masts, but it carried us clear, and we avoided shipwreck, for we were running fast on the rocks on which the light was erected. This deliverance impressed me strongly with the utility of lighthouses, and made me resolve to encourage the building some of them in America, if I should live to return thither.

In the morning it was found by the soundings, that we were near our port, but a thick fog hid the land. from our sight. About nine o'clock the fog began to rise, and seemed to be lifted up from the water like

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the curtain of a theatre, discovering underneath the town of Falmouth, the vessels in the harbour, and the fields that surround it. This was a pleasing spectacle to those, who had been long without any other prospect than the uniform view of a vacant ocean, and it gave us the more pleasure, as we were now free from the anxieties which had arisen.*

I set out immediately, with my son, for London, and we only stopped a little by the way to view Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, and Lord Pembroke's house and gardens, with the very curious antiquities at WilWe arrived in London, the 27th of July, 1757.†

ton.

* In a letter from Dr. Franklin to his wife, dated at Falmouth, the 17th of July, 1757, after giving her a similar account of his voyage, escape, and landing, he adds; "The bell ringing for church, we went thither immediately, and, with hearts full of gratitude, returned sincere thanks to God for the mercies we had received. Were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint; but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a lighthouse.". W. T. F.

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Here close Dr. Franklin's Memoirs, as written by himself. From several passages in his letters it would seem, that it was his intention to continue them further, and perhaps to the end of his life; but public business for some time, and afterwards his declining health, prevented him from executing his purpose. - EDITOR.

LIFE

OF

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

PART SECOND;

CONTINUATION,

BY JARED SPARKS.

LIFE

OF

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

CONTINUATION.

CHAPTER I.

State of Affairs in Pennsylvania. - Defects of the Government. - Legislation. - Conduct of the Proprietaries. Object of Franklin's Agency in England. - Collinson, Miss Stevenson, Strahan, Governor Shirley, Beccaria, Musschenbroek. - Franklin's Interview with the Proprietaries. He causes a Letter to be published respecting Pennsylvania. — Delays in his public Business. He travels in various Parts of England. Visits the Place in which his Ancestors were born. Forms an Acquaintance with Baskerville.- Publishes the "Historical Review of Pennsylvania."- Authorship of that Work.

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THE dissensions, which had long existed and continually increased, between the governors and assemblies of Pennsylvania, had their origin in the peculiar structure of the government, and the manner of its administration. The system, possessing in itself many excellent principles, became vicious, and almost impracticable, in its operation. William Penn, the founder and first Proprietor, while he was careful of his own interest, made to the original settlers some valuable concessions. The royal charter obtained by him was such, as to secure political rights on the broad basis. of English freedom; and the charter of privileges, which he granted to the people, established unlimited toleration in religion, and gave them so large a share

VOL. I

T

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