the year 1731. There can be no fufficient reafon, that what has thus been fubmitted to the perufal of Europe, fhould not be made acceffible to thofe to whom Dr. Franklin's language is native. The hiftory of his life, as far as page 190 of the present volume, is tranflated from that publication. The style of these memoirs is uncommonly pleasing. The story is told with the most unreferved fincerity, and without any falfe colouring or ornament. We fee, in every page, that the author examined his fubject with the eye of a mafter, and related no incidents, the fprings and origin of which he did not perfectly understand. It is this that gives fuch exquifite and uncommon perfpicuity to the detail and delight in the review. The translator has endeavoured, as he went along, to conceive the probable manner in which Dr. Franklin expressed his ideas in his English manuscript, and he hopes to be forgiven if this enquiry shall occafionally have subjected him to the charge of a style in any respect bald or low: to imitate the admirable fimplicity of the author, is no easy task. |