of that sort; but the Tones were with Difficulty produc'd by the Touch from the Keys, and the Machinery in Playing made so much Noise and Rattle, as to diminish greatly the Pleasure given by the Sound of the Glasses; so that I think the Instrument was never compleated. The Duchess of at Paris about the same time endeavour'd to obtain the same End, and has not yet laid aside the Project, tho' it has not hitherto perfectly succeeded. Baron Feriet of Versailles, began to work on the same Idea about the Time I receiv'd your Letter; and as he is a very ingenious Man, & has a hand to execute as well as a head to contrive the necessary Machinery, I hoped soon to have given you an Account of his Success: but I begin to doubt it, as I have nothing from him lately. In my Manner of Playing on my Instrument the Fingers are capable of Touching with great Delicacy; and the Glasses hum so smoothly, that one hears no other Sound but that given by the touch. If the Instrument of Abbé Perno has the same Advantages, its being play'd with Keys gives it an undoubted Preference, and I should be glad to know the Construction. I should be happy if I had any thing to send to the Academy worthy its Acceptance. My Occupations have for some Years past, prevented my Attention to philosophical Subjects. I can only wish Success to its laudable Pursuits; and beg you to believe me, with sincere Esteem Sir, B. FRANKLIN. 1585. TO JOHN PAUL JONES (B. M.) Passy, July 9, '85. MR. Franklin presents his Compliments to Commodore Jones, and sends him what Papers can now be found respecting his Affairs. The Correspondence with the Ministers of Denmark being pack'd up and gone; but that is not very material. Mr. F's best Wishes attend you. 1586. TO CHARLES-JOSEPH MATHON DE LA (A. P. S.) COUR1 Passy, July 9, 1785. SIR, I have received the letter, which you did me the honour to write in the name of the Academy of the city of Lyons. I accept with gratitude the title, with which this learned Society is kind enough to honour me. I have long been acquainted with its useful labours. I should be most happy to live near it, and reap the benefit of its instruction. But, being on the eve of my departure for America, I must add this also to the many sources of regret, which the kindness of the French calls forth in my heart. I shall never forget what I owe to them, still less what I owe to your Academy, to the members of which I beg you to present my respectful acknowledgments. I thank you, Sir, for your Dissertation on the Laws of Ly1 From a French copy in A. P. S. — ED. curgus, and your Testament de fortuné Ricard. With the latter work I was already acquainted. I had read it with pleasure, and conceived a high opinion of its author. I have just read your Dissertation. If my own approbation could add any thing to that of the celebrated Academy, which has awarded to you the prize, I should tell you, that I have been highly gratified, and that I only regret I can give you no other prize, than the sentiments of regard and respect, with which I am, Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN. 1587. TO MRS. JANE MECOM2 DEAR SISTER (P. C.) St. Germain, 12 Miles from Paris, July 13, '85. I left Passy, yesterday afternoon, and am here in my Way to Havre de Grace a Seaport, in order to embark for America. I make use of one of the King's Litters carried by Mules, who walk steadily and easily, so that I bear the Motion very well. I am to be taken on board a Philadelphia Ship on the Coast of England, (Capt. Truxton) the beginning of next Month. Not having written to you since that which contain'd a Bill for you on M1 Vernon, and as I may not have another Opportunity before my Arrival in Philadelphia, (if it pleases God I do arrive) I write these Particulars to go by way of England, that you may be less uneasy about me. I did my last public Act in this Country just before I set out, which was signing a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Prussia. 1 A translation of this curious piece was published by Dr. Price in London, as an Appendix to his Observations on the Importance of the American Revo lution. - ED. 2 From the original in the possession of Mr. E. B. Holden. - ED. I have continu'd to work till late in the Day: tis time I should go home, and go to Bed. My Love to your Daughter and to Cousin Williams, & believe me ever, my dear Sister, Your Affectionate Brother B. FRANKLIN. Tho' going to my own Country, I leave this with Regret having receiv'd so much Kindness in it, from all Ranks of People. Temple and Benjamin are with me, and send their dutiful Respects. 1588. TO MADAME HELVÉTIUS1 (B. N.) Au Havre, ce 19 Juillet, '85. Nous arrivar[m]ons ici, ma trés chere amie, hier au soir bien heureusement. Je n'etois pas fatigué du tout. Je me trouvois mieux même qu'avant mon Depart. Nous resterons ici quelque jour pour nos Baggages & pour notre Compagnon de Voyage M. Houdon. A leur Arrivée, nous quitterons la France, la Païs du monde que j'aime le plus; & j'y laisserois ma chere Helvetia. Elle y peut être heureux. Je ne suis sur d'etre heureux in Amerique; mais il faut que je m'y rende. Il me semble que les choses sont mal arrangés dans ce bas monde, quand je vais que les êtres si faites pour etre heureux ensemble sont obligés à se separer. J'ai trouvé tant de Difficultes dans ma Projet de passer de Rouen ici par Eau, que j'etois fort aise de l'avoir obtenû du 1 It should perhaps be noted that the letters to Madame Helvétius were written by Franklin without correction, and they show what his "having" in French really was. — - ED. bon Duc de Coigny la permission de continuer en Litiere. Dites a les Abbés, les bons Abbés, les choses pour moi, pleins d'Amitié. Je ne vous dis pas que je vous aime. On me diroit qu'il n'y a rien d'extraordinaire ni point de merite en ça, parceque tous le monde vous aime, J'espere seulement que vous m'aimerez toujours un peu. Je suis interromper par des Visites. Avant de partir je vous dirai mes dernieres Adieux. B. FRANKLIN. 1589. TO BENJAMIN VAUGHAN 1 Southampton, 8 o'clock, A. M., July 24, 1785 MY VERY DEAR FRIEND, I am this minute arrived here with my family from Havre de Grace; and shall stay here till Captain Truxtun arrives at Cowes to take us in. I write this line, just to inform you, that 1 First printed by Sparks, Vol. X, p. 217. — Ed. 2 Thomas Truxtun, distinguished in the naval annals of the United States, was born on Long Island, February 17th, 1755. He manifested an early predilection for the sea, and made his first voyage when he was twelve years old. During a part of the Revolution he commanded several private armed vessels, in which he was successful in annoying the enemy's commerce, particularly on the coast of England. He signalized himself for courage and skill in two or three engagements. When the navy was revived, on the prospect of a war with France, in 1794, Truxtun was one of the six captains first nominated by Washington to the Senate. He superintended the building of the frigate Constellation, with which, and a small squadron under his command, he was employed in protecting the American commerce in the West Indies. It was here that he fought his celebrated action with the French frigate Insurgente, on the 9th of February, 1799. After an engagement of an hour and a quarter the Insurgente struck her colors. This vessel carried forty guns, and four hundred and seventeen men; of whom twenty-nine were killed and forty-four wounded. The Constellation carried thirty-six guns, and had but one man killed and two wounded. The gallantry displayed by Commodore Truxtun on this occasion was highly applauded. — S. |