Bache, after my departure for France, lay dormant among his papers during all my absence, and has just now broke out upon me, like words, that had been, as somebody says, congealed in northern air. Therein I find all the pleasing little family history of your children; how William had begun to spell, overcoming, by strength of memory, all the difficulty occasioned by the common wretched alphabet, while you were convinced of the utility of our new one; how Tom, geniuslike, struck out new paths, and, relinquishing the old names of the letters, called U bell, and P bottle; how Eliza began to grow jolly, that is, fat and handsome, resembling aunt Rooke, whom I used to call my lovely. Together with all the then news of lady Blount's having produced at length a boy; of Dolly's being well, and of poor good Catherine's decease; your affairs with Muir and Atkinson, and of their contract for feeding the fish in the channel; of the Vinys and their jaunt to Cambridge in the long carriage; of Dolly's journey to Wales with Mrs. Scott; of the Wilkeses, the Pearces, Elphinstones, &c.;- concluding with a kind of promise, that, as soon as the ministry and Congress agreed to make peace, I should have you with me in America. That peace has been some time made; but, alas! the promise is not yet fulfilled.

of

I have found my family here in health, good circumstances, and well respected by their fellow citizens. The companions of my youth are indeed almost all departed, but I find an agreeable society among their children and grandchildren. I have public business enough to preserve me from ennui, and private amusement besides in conversation, books, my garden, and cribbage. Considering our well-furnished, plentiful market as the best of gardens, I am turning mine, in the midst of which my house stands, into grass plots and gravel

walks, with trees and flowering shrubs. Cards we sometimes play here, in long winter evenings; but it is as they play at chess, not for money, but for honour, or the pleasure of beating one another. This will not be quite a novelty to you, as you may remember we played together in that manner during the winter at Passy. I have indeed now and then a little compunction in reflecting that I spend time so idly; but another reflection comes to relieve me, whispering, "You know that the soul is immortal; why then should you be such a niggard of a little time, when you have a whole eternity before you?" So, being easily convinced, and, like other reasonable creatures, satisfied with a small reason, when it is in favour of doing what I have a mind to, I shuffle the cards again, and begin another game.

As to public amusements, we have neither plays nor operas, but we had yesterday a kind of oratorio, as you will see by the enclosed paper; and we have assemblies, balls, and concerts, besides little parties at one another's houses, in which there is sometimes dancing, and frequently good music; so that we jog on in life as pleasantly as you do in England; anywhere but in London, for there you have plays performed by good actors. That, however, is, I think, the only advantage London has over Philadelphia.

Temple has turned his thoughts to agriculture, which he pursues ardently, being in possession of a fine farm, that his father lately conveyed to him. Ben is finishing his studies at college, and continues to behave as well as when you knew him, so that I think he will make you a good son. His younger brothers and sisters are also promising, appearing to have good tempers and dispositions, as well as good constitutions. As to myself, I think my general health and spirits rather better

than when you saw me. The particular malady I then complained of continues tolerable. With sincere and very great esteem, I am ever, my dear friend, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. My children and grandchildren join with me in best wishes for you and yours. My love to my godson, to Eliza, and to honest Tom. They will all find agreeable companions here. Love to Dolly, and tell her she will do well to come with you.

1

1636. TO MRS. MARY HEWSON1 (P. C.) Philada May 30, 1786.

DEAR POLLY,

I have just received your kind Letter of April 2, which made me some Amends for your long Silence. By the last Ship from hence I wrote to you acknowledging the Receipt of some very old Letters, when I was sorry I could mention none of later date. I have, however, no right to complain, being so bad a Correspondent myself. But my last was a long one, and I hope you have receiv'd it.

You seem now inclin'd to come over, if you could meet with a Captain, that you know and like. We mention'd it to Captain Falkener. He goes no more to sea, but strongly recommends Capt. Willet, who carries this Letter, as a good Man and excellent Seaman. His Ship is the Harmony, which lately brought over Mr. and Mrs. Bingham. Mr. Williams will hardly, I doubt, be with you in time this Year to assist in your Embarkation; but, if you apply to Messrs. Johnson and Company, American Merchants, to whom I 1 From the original in the possession of T. Hewson Bradford, M.D. -- ED.

VOL. IX-2L

write, I am persuaded they will make the Bargain for you, and assist you with their Advice in every Circumstance.

Temple, who presents his Respects, has, however, no Hopes of your Coming. He says you were so long irresolute and wavering about the Journey to Paris, that he thinks it unlikely you will decide firmly to make the Voyage of America.

I enclose a truer State of Affairs in our Country, than your public Prints will afford you, and I pray "God guide you." This Family are all well, and join in Love to you and yours with your affectionate

B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. Capt. Willet is to leave London on his Return about the 1st of August. Your son Ben, and all this family, join in the hope of your resolving to come over.1

1637. TO MRS. JANE MECOM

DEAR SISTER,

(L. C.)

Philada June 3. 1786.

I have just receiv'd a kind Letter from you without Date; but it is that in which you mention your learning the new Alphabet &c.

Your Grandson behaves very well, and is constantly employ'd in writing for me, and will be so some time longer. As to my Reproving and Advising him, which you desire, he has not hitherto appeared to need it, which is lucky, as I am not fond of giving Advice, having seldom seen it taken. An Italian Poet in his Account of a Voyage to the Moon, tells us that

1 Mrs. Hewson soon afterwards came over with her family to America, and established herself at Philadelphia. ED.

1786] TO J. FRANKLIN, SMITH, JENKINS, IN COUNCIL 515

All things lost on Earth are treasur'd there.

On which somebody observ'd, There must then be in the Moon a great deal of Good Advice.

Ben, concerning whom you enquire, is at the University, and very diligent in his Studies. Will is at the Episcopal Academy, & learns well, the rest are all promising, your Niece particularly, and the whole Family, Thank God, enjoy at present very good Health. - We join in Love to you & yours, I am ever,

Your affectionate Brother

Love to Cousin Williams & Family

B. FRANKLIN.

1638. TO JOHN FRANKLIN, WILLIAM HOOKER SMITH AND JOHN JENKINS. IN COUNCIL.

GENTLEMEN,

(L. L.) Philada June 11. 1786

I received in its time your Letter of the 25th of February last, written in behalf of the People settled at Wyoming, and requesting a Protection of Government for an Agent who might be sent hither, to explain your Grievances &c. The Request appear'd to us to be reasonable; and such a Protection would have been immediately sent, but that we were told the Gentleman who brought your Letter, Captain Schot being in Town, and well acquainted with your Affairs, the giving him a Hearing might possibly answer your purpose as well, and spare you the Expence & Trouble of sending a special Agent. He was accordingly heard before the Council, and had an Opportunity of conversing separately with several of the Members