for that by now and then losing air to prevent rising too high and bursting, and now and then discharging ballast to avoid descending too low, these means of regulation are exhausted. Besides this, all the circumstances of danger by disappointment, in the operation of Soupapes,' &c. &c. seem not to be yet well known, and therefore not easily provided against. For on Wednesday last M. Pilâtre de Rosier, who had studied the subject as much as any man, lost his support in the air, by the bursting of his balloon, or by some other means we are yet unacquainted with, and fell with his companion from the height of one thousand toises, on the rocky coast, and were both found dashed to pieces. You, having lived a good life, do not fear death. But pardon the anxious freedom of a friend, if he tells you that the continuance of your life being of importance to your family and your country, though you might laudably hazard it for their good, you have no right to risk it for a fancy. I pray God this may reach you in time, and have some effect towards changing your design being ever, my dear friend, yours affectionately, B. FRANKLIN.

2

す

TO GRANVILLE SHARPE, ESQ.

Law of gavel-kind-Election of bishops-Abridgment of the

DEAR SIR,

Liturgy.

Passy, July 5, 1785.

I received the books you were so kind as to send me by Mr. Drown. Please to accept my hearty thanks. Your writings, which always have some public good for their object, I always read with pleasure. I am perfectly of your opinion with respect to the salutary law of gavel-kind, and hope it may in time be established throughout America. In

1 Valves.

2 The Marquis d'Arlandes.

six of the states already the lands of intestates are divided equally among the children if all girls; but there is a double share given to the eldest son, for which I see no more reason than in giving such sbare to the eldest daughter; and think there should be no distinction. Since my being last in France, I have seen several of our eldest sons spending idly their for tunes by residing in Europe, and neglecting their own coun try; these are from the southern states. The northern young men stay at home, and are industrious useful citizens; the more equal division of their fathers' fortunes not enabling them to ramble and spend their shares abroad, which is so much the better for their country.

I like your piece on the election of bishops. There is a fact in Hollingshed's Chronicle, the latter part relating to Scotland, which shows, if my memory does not deceive me, that the first bishop in that country was elected by the clergy; I mentioned it some time past in a letter to two young men, who asked my advice about obtaining ordination, which had been denied them by the bishops in England, unless they would take the oath of allegiance to the king; and I said, I imagine that unless a bishop is soon sent over, with a power to consecrate others, so that we may have no future occasion of applying to England for ordination, we may think it right, after reading your piece, to elect also.

The liturgy you mention was an abridgment of that made by a noble lord of my acquaintance, who requested me to assist him by taking the rest of the book, viz. the catechism and the reading and singing psalms. These I abridged by retaining of the catechism only the two questions, What is your duty to · God? What is your duty to your neighbor? with answers. The psalms were much contracted by leaving out the repeti

* See Letter to Messrs. Weems and Gant, July 18, 1784.

VOL. I.

N

tions (of which I found more than I could have imagined) and the imprecations, which appeared not to suit well the Christian doctrine of forgiveness of injuries, and doing good to enemies. The book was printed for Wilkie in St. Paul's Church-yard, but never much noticed. Some were given away, very few sold, and I suppose the bulk became waste paper. In the prayers so much was retrenched, that approbation could hardly be expected; but I think with you a moderate abridgment might not only be useful, but generally acceptable.

I am now on the point of departing for America, where 1 shall be glad occasionally to hear from you, and of your welfare; being with sincere and great esteem, dear sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, B. FRANKLIN. !

A

TO DAVID HARTLEY, ESQ. M.P.

To take leave on quitting Europe.

Passy, July 5, 1785.

I cannot quit the coasts of Europe without taking leave of my ever dear friend Mr. Hartley. We were long fellow-laborers in the best of all works, the work of peace. I leave you still in the field; but having finished my day's task, I am going home to go to bed! Wish me a good night's rest, as I do you a pleasant evening. Adieu! and believe me ever yours most affectionately, , B. FRANKLIN, in his 80th year.

To HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON;
On his intended bust, by Houdon.

DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, Sept. 20, 1785.

I am just arrived from a country where the reputation of General Washington runs very high, and where every body wishes to see him in person; but being told that it is not likely he ever will favor them with a visit, they hope

larly the good Bishop of St. Asaph and family, who staid with me to the last, In short I am now so well as to think it possible that I may once more have the pleasure of seeing you both perhaps at New York, with my dear young friends (who I hope may not have quite forgotten me); for I imagine, that on the sandy road between Burlington and Amboy I could bear an easy coach, and the rest is water. I rejoice to hear that you continue well; being with true and great esteem and affection, your most obedient servant,

DEAR SIR,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO DAVID HARTLEY, ESQ.,

State of America.

·Philadelphia, Oct. 27, 1785. I received at Havre de Grace 6 copies of your print, which I brought with me hither. I shall frame and keep one of them in my best room, I shall send one to Mr. Jay, and give the others among some friends who esteem and respect you as we do.

Your newspapers are filled with accounts of distresses and miseries that these states are plunged into since their separation from Britain. You may believe me when I tell you that there is no truth in those accounts, I find all property in lands and houses augmented vastly in value; that of houses and towns at least four-fold. The crops have been plentiful, and yet the produce sells high, to the great profit of the farmer. At the same time all imported goods sell at low rates, some cheaper than the first cost. Working people have plenty of

employ and high pay for their labor.

These appear to me

Some traders indeed

as certain signs of public prosperity. >complain that trade is dead; but this pretended evil is not an effect of inability in the people to buy, pay for, and consume the usual articles of commerce, as far as they have

It would give me infinite pleasure to see you. At this place I dare not look for it, although to entertain you under my own roof would be doubly gratifying. When, or whether ever, I shall have the satisfaction of seeing you at Philadelphia is uncertain, as retirement from the walks of public life has not been so productive of that leisure and ease, as might Kave been expected. With very great esteem and respect, I ain, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant,

G. WASHINGTON,"

To MR. AND MRS. JAY.

Answer to their congratulations on his arrival in America.

DEAR FRIENDS,

Philadelphia, Sept. 21, 1785. I received your very kind letter of the 16th, congratulating me on my safe arrival with my grandsons; an event that indeed makes me very happy, being what I have long ardently wished, and considering the growing infirmities of age, began almost to despair of. I am now in the bosom of my family, and find four new little prattlers, who cling about the knees of their grandpapa, and afford me great plea ́sure. The affectionate welcome I met with from my fellowcitizens was far beyond my expectation: I bore my voyage very well, and find myself rather better for it; so that I have every possible reason to be satisfied with my having under+ taken and performed it. When I was at Passy I could not bear a wheel carriage; and being discouraged in my project of descending the Seine in a boat, by the difficulties and tediousness of its navigation in so dry a season, I accepted the offer of one of the king's litters, carried by large mules, which brought me well, though in walking slowly, to Havre, Thence I went over in a packet boat to Southampton, where I staid four days, till the ship came for me to Spithead. Several of my London friends came there to see me, particu