which is too hard for the teeth of some people, may be softened by steeping it; but bread double baked is the best: for being made of good loaf-bread cut into slices and baked a second time, it readily imbibes water, becomes soft, and is easily digested: it consequently forms excellent nourishment, much superior to that of biscuit which has not been fermented.

"I must here observe that this doubled-baked bread was originally the real biscuit prepared to keep at sea; for the word biscuit in French signifies twice baked. Peas often boil badly and do not become soft, in such a case, by putting a two-pound shot into the kettle, the rolling of the vessel, by means of the bullet, will convert the peas into a porridge like mustard.

"Having often seen soup, when put upon the table at sea in broad flat dishes, thrown out on every side by the rolling of the vessel, I have wished that our tinmen would make our soup-basins with divisions or compartments, forming small plates, proper for containing soup for one person only. By this disposition the soup, in an extraordinary roll, would not be thrown out of the plate, and would not fall into the breasts of those who are at table, and scald them."

SECOND VISIT TO ENGLAND, IN 1757.

On his arrival in England, Franklin lost no time in laying before the Privy Council the question in dispute between the colonists of Pensylvania generally and the landholders or proprietaries. This party who claimed exemption from taxation on no rational principle, were either the descendants of Penn, the original founder of the colony, or their successors in their estates, and it was against the united force of these persons and their friends that Franklin had to make head. Indeed he had to encounter in England many disheartening circumstances. The prejudices of the public mind were strong against the colonies, in consequence of the misrepresentations of interested individuals, who filled the public papers with "intelligence from Philadelphia," manufactured in London, which always described the Assembly as turbulent, illiberal, and unprincipled. The ministry were also too deeply occupied at the time with European politics, and the fluctuating warfare on the continent, to afford much attention to the discussion of complex provincial affairs, and were very reluctant to interfere between the colonial governments and the proprietaries. However, the agent for Philadelphia did

not pause long over his difficulties. By means of that very press which ne found so remarkably busy with Pensylvanian affairs, he was determined to make that appeal to the public which he had never hitherto attempted in vain.

A paper which appeared about this time in the General Advertiser, which Franklin immediately saw through as being a fabrication, in fact a cunning scheme of the proprietary to destroy the effect of his mission to the imperial government, drew from him a reply. However, as the object of that mission was to bring affairs to an amicable issue, he thought it would be premature to enter too formally into a refutation of the calumnies; and therefore his answer, which bore his son's name, was very cautiously framed. This paper being skilfully constructed and with such fairness, and so clear a statement of facts as could not fail to awaken the attention of thinking men, became popular; nor was any attempt made to refute it. Still, the delays attending all affairs of the kind as that in which the Pensylvanian agent was engaged, left no room to hope for a speedy termination. In a letter to his wife, dated January 21st, 1758, he thus writes:-"I begin to think I shall hardly be able to return before this time twelvemonths. I am for doing effectually what I came about, and I find it requires both time and patience. You may think, perhaps, that I can find many amusements here to pass the time agreeably. It is true the regard and friendship I meet with from persons of worth, and the conversation of ingenious men, give me no small pleasure; but, at this time of life, domestic comforts afford the most solid satisfaction, and my uneasiness at being absent from my family, and longing desire to be with them, make me often sigh in the midst of cheerful company."

In order to expedite the important business upon which he was engaged, Franklin at length drew up an "Historical Review of Pensylvania, from its Origin; so far as regards the Several Points of Controversy, which have from time to time arisen between the Several Governors of Pensylvania and their several Assemblies,-founded on Authentic Documents." The motto prefixed to it was, "Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." This work though anonymous, was immediately ascribed to the pen of Franklin by the partisans of the proprietaries, both in England and America; and no doubt, he was essentially the author of it.

The "Historical Review" began silently to operate on public opinion,

at the same time preparing the minds of men in office to act with a better understanding of the subject, than they had heretofore possessed. At length the cause was amply discussed before the privy council; and after some time spent, a proposal was made, that Franklin should solemnly engage that the proposed assessment should be so regulated, as that the proprietary estates should pay no more than a due proportion. This he agreed to perform; the opposition was withdrawn, and tranquillity was thus once more restored to the province.

The manner in which this dispute was terminated, furnishes a striking evidence of the high opinion entertained of Franklin's integrity and honour, even by those who considered him inimical to their views. Nor was their confidence misplaced. The assessment was made upon the strictest principle of equity, and the proprietary estates bore only a proportionable share of the expenses of supporting government.

After the completion of this perplexed and important business, Franklin remained at the British Court, as agent for Pensylvania. The extensive and accurate knowledge which he possessed of the condition and affairs of the American colonies, and the regard he manifested for their interests, led to his appointment to the same office by the colonies of Massachusetts, Maryland, and Georgia. His conduct in this situation, was such as rendered him still more dear to his countrymen as well as to circulate his merits throughout Europe.

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While he resided in England, during the present visit, Franklin never allowed himself to be idle, nor ceased to diversify his labours in the service of mankind. He was a man born to unite the great and the minute, to shine in his sober solid way in courts, without disdaining to lend his aid to the most humble methods of being useful. In short, and without going into particulars, he was, at the period mentioned, acting often according to a principle which he has thus illustrated in answer to such as might think he troubled himself with trifling matters, not worth minding, or relating,-" Human felicity," says he, is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur any day. Thus if you teach a poor man to shave himself, and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness of his life, than in giving him one thousand guineas. This same may be soon spent, the regret only remaining of having foolishly consumed it; but in the other case, he escapes the frequent vexation of waiting for barbers, and of their sometimes dirty fingers, offensive breaths, and dull razors; he shaves when most con

venient to him, and enjoys daily the pleasure of its being done with a good instrument. With these sentiments I have hazarded the few preceding pages, hoping they may afford hints which some time or other, may be useful to a city I love (having lived many years in it very happily) and perhaps to some of our towns in America." He refers to a clause in a bill for lighting and paving the streets of Philadelphia.

Franklin remained in Great Britain from July 1757, till August 1762, a period of five years. He visited many parts of England, and was everywhere received with fitting consideration. He repaired to the town where his father was born, and sought out with a lively interest such traditions concerning his ancestors as could be gathered from the memory of ancient persons, from parish registers, and inscriptions on their tombstones. His manner of speaking on this subject shows that he took much delight in rendering kindness to the members of his family, even when the relationship was remote, although they were all in humble life, and many of them poor; and there are evidences of his substantial and continued bounty to such as were in a needy condition. An anecdote characteristic of the man, may here be added. He went to the Printing Office near Lincoln's-inn-fields, and entering the press-room, went up to a particular press, thus addressing the two men who were there working: "Come, my friends," said he, "we will drink together; it is now many years since I worked like you at this press as a journeyman printer." On this he sent for a gallon of porter, and he drank 66 success to printing."

Franklin during his second visit to England, considered himself bona fide member of the great British commonwealth, and entered warmly into the state of the general politics of this country. Conceiving that by prosecuting the war with France upon the European continent, we were expending our resources on objects of no permanent British interest; he warmly recommended in all companies an attack upon French North America. The subsequent disputes between the mother country and her colonies were calculated to throw his exertions upon this point into the shade; but in a cool review of the facts, there can be little doubt that Great Britain was, and is, indebted to him in a great measure, for the possession of Canada. With the first William Pitt he could not at this time obtain any personal interview. "I considered him as inaccessible,” he says; "I admired him at a distance, and, after some failures, made no more attempts for a nearer acquaintance." But through the great British statesman's secretaries, Messrs. Potter and Wood, who

cultivated Franklin's society, the illustrious minister was very happy to receive his suggestions, and frequently mentioned his high opinion of him.

Franklin pressed upon government the relative situation of the Indians with regard to the British and French possessions, and urged that so long as the arms and arts of France were aided by the local knowledge, and were perpetually fostering the ill-will of the native tribes, our Western frontiers would always be exposed to predatory warfare, and that the French had been encroaching upon our colonies from their first settlement in the country.

Mr. Pitt is said to have been "determined by the simple accuracy of Franklin's statement," to undertake the expedition, which it is unnecessary to say was so ably conducted by the lamented Wolfe. It is singular that the American agent should thus have been connected first with events that more completely humbled the French power abroad, than any other occurrence of the last century; and that he should subsequently live to wield the power of France for the still more decided humiliation of Great Britain.

During Franklin's five years' residence in Great Britain, he had an opportunity of indulging in the society of those friends whom his merits had procured him while at a distance. The regard which they entertained for him, was rather increased by a personal acquaintance. The Royal Society of London, now thought it an honour to rank him amongst its fellows; and other societies of Europe were equally ambitious of enrolling him as a member.

VISIT TO SCOTLAND.

Towards the end of August 1750, Franklin and his son visited Scotland. His reputation as a philospher was well established there. The university of St. Andrews had honoured him with the degree of Doctor of Laws; and its example was followed by the universities of Edinburgh and Oxford. He was also received with distinction by the Scottish luminaries of the period, particularly Lord Kames, Dr. Robertson and Mr. Hume, with whom he kept up long afterwards a friendly correspondence. The pleasure which he derived from his visit is forcibly expressed in a letter to Lord Kames.

"On the whole, I must say, I think the time we spent there, was six weeks of the densest happiness, I have met with in any part of my