F302 Life of Dr. Franklin, as written by himself Continuation of bis Life, by Dr. Stuber On the Death of his brother, Mr. John Franklin 155 To the late Dr. Mather of Boston The Whistle, a true Story; written to his Nephew 158 Conversation of a Company of Ephemeræ, with the So- liloquy of one advanced in age The Art of procuring pleasant dreams Necessary Hints to those who would be rich The way to make Money plenty in every Man's pocket 179 On modern Innovations in the English Language and An Account of the highest Court of Judicature in Penn- sylvania, viz. The Court of the Press Observations on the generally prevailing Doctrines of Precautions to be taken by those who are about to un- On Luxury, Idleness, and Industry On the Criminal Laws, and the practice of Privateering 223 . To Mr. Dubourg, concerning the dissentions between A Comparison of the conduct of the ancient Jews, and of the Antifederalists of the United States The internal State of America: being a true Descrip- tion of the Interest and Policy of that vast Con- Information to those who would remove to America Final Speech of Dr. Franklin in the late Federal 272 On Self Praise . PREFACE. a a THE volume that is here presented to the Pub. lic, consists of two parts: the Life of Dr. Franklin ; and a Collection of Miscellaneous Essays, the work of that author. It is already known to many, that Dr. Franklin amused himself, towards the close of his life, with writing memoirs of his own history. These memoirs were brought down to the year 1757. Together with some other manuscripts they were left behind him at his death, and were considered as constituting a part of his posthumous property. It is a little extraordinary that, under these circumstances, interesting as they are, from the celebrity of the character of which they treat, and from the critical situation of the present times, they should so long have been withheld from the public. A translation of them appeared in France near two years ago, coming down to the year 1731. There can be no sufficient reason, that what has been submitted to the perusal of Europe, should not be made accessible to those to whom Dr. Franklin's language is native. The first part of the history of his life is translated from that publication. The style of these memoirs is uncommonly pleasing. The story is told with the most unreserved sincerity, and without any false coloring or ornament. We see, in every page, that the author examined his subject with the eye of a master, and related noincidents, the springs and origin of which he did not perfectly underatand. It is this that gives such exquisite and uncom |