him to England. But these gentlemen, seeming to care little for the interests of the people of the province, insisted that the grievances were on their side. The Assembly had encroached on their prerogatives. The proprietaries also prejudiced the officers of the crown against his cause, by representing the Pennsylvanians as disposed to enlarge their own liberties even at the expense of the crown, and as backward in measures of military defense. While the savages were ravaging the country, the Assembly wasted its time in quarrelling with the governor and in thwarting his plans. Franklin prepared a careful refutation of these charges, which was published in his son's name, but it was not allowed a place in the very paper which had circulated them, without pay. The letter was not answered; discussion was not what the proprietaries wanted.

The affair dragged along for more than a year, during which time Franklin visited various places of interest - Cambridge, among others, where he was "very kindly entertained in the colleges."

After his return from this trip, he wrote to his wife, that he had sent to Philadelphia, as a present to a friend, Mrs. Moore, "some of the best writing paper for letters, and best quills and wax," and also, "for my dear girl a newest fashioned white hat and cloak, and sundry little things;" and he informed her that by a later packet would come for her little ladyship

"a pair of buckles, made of French paste stones, which are next in lustre to diamonds. They cost three guineas, and are said to be cheap at that price." He adds:

"I fancy I see more likeness in her picture than I did at first, and I look at it often with pleasure, as at least it reminds me of her. Yours is at the painter's, who is to copy it and do me of the same size; but as to family pieces, it is said they never look well, and are quite out of fashion, and I find the limner very unwilling to undertake anything of the kind. However, when Franky's comes, and that of Sally by young Hesselius, I shall see what can be done."

He then tells her that she was "very prudent not to engage in party disputes."

"Women never should meddle with them, except in endeavors to reconcile their husbands, brothers, and friends, who happen to be of contrary sides. If your sex keep cool, you may be the means of cooling ours the sooner."

He adds:

"I have no prospect of returning till next spring. But pray remember to make me as happy as you can, by sending some pippins for myself and friends, some of your small hams, and some cranberries.

"Billy is of the Middle Temple, and will be called to the bar either this term or the next. I have ordered two large print Common Prayer Books to be bound, on purpose for you and Goody Smith; and, that the largeness of the print may not make them too bulky, the christenings, matrimonies, and everything else that you and she have not immediate and constant occasion for, are to be omitted...

"I could not find the bit of thread you mention to have sent me, of your own spinning. Perhaps it was too fine to

be seen.

I think of going into the country soon, and shall be pretty much out this summer, in different parts of England. I depend chiefly on these journeys for the establishment of my health."

Soon after, we find him again at Cambridge, at the Commencement. Writing to his wife, he says, "We were present at all the ceremonies, dined every day in their halls, and my vanity was not a little gratified by the particular regard shown me by the chancellor and vice-chancellor of the University, and the heads of colleges."

After the Commencement, he visited the home of his ancestors, and gleaned what information he could about them, from old people, the parish registers, and the tombstones. At Wellingborough he found still living Mary Fisher, the only child of his father's eldest brother. She and her husband were both aged, but in easy circumstances.

At Ecton, three or four miles from Wellingborough, he visited the old house and grounds where had lived several generations of Franklins. The place had been sold, but the house, "a decayed old stone building," was standing, being used for a school-house, and still known as the Franklin House.

The rector, on whom he called, showed him the parish memorials of his ancestors reaching back two hundred years. His wife, "a chatty old lady," took him into the graveyard, and pointed out several of the family grave-stones, now covered with moss. The names were

brought to light by means of a hard brush and a basin of water provided by the old lady, and used by Peter and Billy. She told them entertaining stories of Thomas Franklin, the father of Mrs. Fisher, and they had the pleasure of hearing the chimes in the steeple, placed there by a subscription which he had set on foot. He was a man whose advice was sought for "on all occasions, by all sorts of people." "He found out an easy method of saving their village meadows from being drowned" (by the river). When his plan was first proposed, nobody could "see how it could be;" "but, however," they said, "if Franklin says he knows how to do it, it will be done." How very like what was afterwards said in Philadelphia of our Franklin, "Have you consulted Franklin on this business? And what does he think of it?"

At Birmingham he discovered other relative, and some of his wife's; among others, "a daughter of his father's only sister, very old, and never married; a good, clever woman, but poor, though vastly contented with her situation, and very cheerful."

CHAPTER XXV.

The Study of Electricity.-Experiments.—Music.

The Armonica.

-Excursion to Scotland.· University of Aberdeen. Men of Note.Lord Kames.- Parable on Persecution.- Letter to Lord Kames.- History of Pennsylvania. A Settlement. Canada. Letter to Lord Kames. The Future of America.- Letter to David Hume.- New Words.- American "Audience" for English Authors.- The Poet Daniel.-His Prophecy of America. — Charles Sumner.-John Adams.- Visits the North of England and Wales.- Scientific Correspondence with Miss Stevenson.- Letter to his Wife. Visits the Continent. - Letter from Hume. Franklin's Reply.- Returns to America.

WE are now brought to the year 1759. Much of Franklin's time was now devoted to his favorite pursuit, the study of electricity. He had electrical instruments at his boarding-house, and in the forenoon generally had company to witness his experiments, any one that knew him being allowed to bring his friends. He also maintained a large correspondence with scientific friends in England and on the continent. If he must be hindered in his mission, he could find