poffeffor, that feveral leaves of it were torn out; but the remainder gave me fuch a turn of thinking, as to have an influence on my conduct through life: for I have always fet a greater value on the character of a doer of good, than any other kind of reputation; and if I have been, as you seem to think, a useful citizen, the public owes the advantage of it to that book. You mention your being in your feventy-eighth year. I am in my fe venty-ninth. We are grown old toge ther. It is now more than fixty years fince I left Bofton; but I remember well both your father and grandfather, having heard them both in the pulpit, and feen them in their houses. The laft time I faw your father was in the beginning of 1724, when I'vifited him after my first trip to Pennsylvania. He received me in his library; and on my taking leave, fhewed me a thorter way out out of the house, through a narrow paffage, which was croffed by a beam overhead. We were ftill talking as I withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I turning partly towards him, when he faid haftily," Stoop, Stoop!" I did not understand him till I felt my head hit against the beam. He was a man who never miffed any occafion of giving instruction; and upon this he said to me: "You are young, and have the "world before you: ftoop as you go "through it, and you will mifs many "hard thumps." This advice, thus beat into my heart, has frequently been of use to me; and I often think of it, when I fee pride mortified, and misfortunes brought upon people by their carrying their heads too high. I long much to fee again my native. place; and once hoped to lay my bones there. I left it in 1723. I visited it in 1733, 1743, 1753, and 1763; and in 1773 6 1773 I was in England. In 1775 I had a fight of it, but could not enter, it being in poffeffion of the enemy. I did hope to have been there in 1783, but could not obtain my difmiffion from this employment here; and now I fear I shall never have that happiness. My best withes however attend my dear country, efto perpetua." It is now bleffed with an excellent conftitution: may it laft for ever! This powerful monarchy continues its friendship for the United States. It is a friendship of the utmost importance to our fecurity, and fhould be carefully cultivated. Britain has not yet well digefted the lofs of its dominion over us; and has still at times fome flattering hopes of recovering it. Accidents may increase those hopes, and encourage dangerous attempts. A breach between us and France would infallibly bring the English again upon our backs: and yet we we have fome wild beafts among our countrymen, who are endeavouring to weaken that connection. Let us preferve our reputation, by performing our engagements; our credit, by fulfilling our contracts; and our friends, by gratitude and kindness: for we know not how foon we may again have occafion for all of them. With great and fincere esteem, Your most obedient and PASSY, May 12, 1784. 12, } "} B. FRANKLIN. THE THE WHISTLE: A TRUE STORY. WRITTEN TO HIS NEPHEW. WHEN I was a child, at seven years old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pocket with coppers. I went directly to a fhop where they fold toys for children; and being charmed with the found of a whistle, that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered him all my money for one. I then came home, and went whistling all over the houfe, much pleased with my whistle, but disturbing all the family. My brothers, and fifters, and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as it was worth. This put me in mind what good things I might have bought |