Title: Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Benjamin Franklin
Author: Benjamin Franklin
Editor: David Widger
Release date: January 12, 2019 [eBook #58676]
Most recently updated: April 5, 2023
Language: English
Credits: Produced by David Widger
Page. | |
LIFE of Dr. FRANKLIN | 1 |
LETTERS AND PAPERS ON ELECTRICITY. | |
Introductory Letter. | 169 |
Wonderful effect of points.—Positive and negative electricity.—Electrical kiss.—Counterfeit spider.—Simple and commodious electrical machine. | 170 |
Observations on the Leyden bottle, with experiments proving the different electrical state of its different surfaces. | 179 |
Further experiments confirming the preceding observations.—Leyden bottle analysed.—Electrical battery.—Magical Picture.—Electrical wheel or jack.—Electrical feast. | 187 |
Observations and suppositions, towards forming a new hypothesis, for explaining the several phenomena of thunder-gusts. | 203 |
Introductory letter to some additional papers. | 216 |
Opinions and conjectures, concerning the properties and effects of the electrical matter, and the means of preserving buildings, ships, &c. from lightning, arising from experiments and observations made at Philadelphia, 1749.—Golden fish.—Extraction of effluvial virtues by electricity impracticable. | 217 |
Additional experiments: proving that the Leyden bottle has no more electrical fire in it when charged, than before: nor less when discharged: that in discharging, the fire does not issue from the wire and the coating at the same time, as some have thought, but that the coating always receives what is discharged by the wire, or an equal quantity: the outer surface being always in a negative state of electricity, when the inner surface is in a positive state. | 245 |
[xii] Accumulation of the electrical fire proved to be in the electrified glass.—Effect of lightning on the needle of compasses, explained.—Gunpowder fired by the electric flame. | 247 |
Unlimited nature of the electric force. | 250 |
The terms, electric per se, and non-electric, improper.—New relation between metals and water.—Effects of air in electrical experiments.—Experiment for discovering more of the qualities of the electric fluid. | 252 |
Mistake, that only metals and water were conductors, rectified.—Supposition of a region of electric fire above our atmosphere.—Theorem concerning light.—Poke-weed a cure for cancers. | 256 |
New experiments.—Paradoxes inferred from them.—Difference in the electricity of a globe of glass charged, and a globe of sulphur.—Difficulty of ascertaining which is positive and which negative. | 261 |
Probable cause of the different attractions and repulsions of the two electrified globes mentioned in the two preceding letters. | 264 |
Reasons for supposing, that the glass globe charges positively, and the sulphur negatively.—Hint respecting a leather globe for experiments when travelling. | ibid. |
Electrical kite. | 267 |
Hypothesis, of the sea being the grand source of lightning, retracted.—Positive, and sometimes negative, electricity of the clouds discovered.—New experiments and conjectures in support of this discovery.—Observations recommended for ascertaining the direction of the electric fluid.—Size of rods for conductors to buildings.—Appearance of a thunder-cloud described. | 269 |
Additional proofs of the positive and negative state of electricity in the clouds.—New method of ascertaining it. | 284 |
Electrical experiments, with an attempt to account for their several phenomena, &c. | 286 |
Experiments made in pursuance of those made by Mr. Canton, dated December 6, 1753; with explanations, by Mr. Benjamin Franklin. | 294 |
Turkey killed by electricity.—Effect of a shock on the operator in making the experiment. | 299 |
Differences in the qualities of glass.—Account of Domien, an electrician and traveller.—Conjectures respecting the pores of glass.—Origin of the author's idea of drawing down lightning.—No satisfactory hypothesis respecting the manner in which clouds become electrified.—Six men knocked down at once by an electrical shock.—Reflections on the spirit of invention. | 301 |
[xiii] Beccaria's work on electricity.—Sentiments of Franklin on pointed rods, not fully understood in Europe.—Effect of lightning on the church of Newbury, in New England.—Remarks on the subject. | 309 |
Notice of another packet of letters. | 313 |
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Boston, to Benjamin Franklin, Esq. concerning the crooked direction, and the source of lightning, and the swiftness of the electric fire. | 314 |
Observations on the subjects of the preceding letter.—Reasons for supposing the sea to be the grand source of lightning.—Reasons for doubting this hypothesis.—Improvement in a globe for raising the electric fire. | 320 |
Effect of lightning on captain Waddel's compass, and the Dutch church at New York. | 324 |
Proposal of an experiment to measure the time taken up by an Electric spark, in moving through any given space. | 327 |
Experiments on boiling water, and glass heated by boiling water.—Doctrine of repulsion in electrised bodies doubted.—Electricity of the atmosphere at different heights.—Electrical horse-race.—Electrical thermometer.—In what cases the electrical fire produces heat.—Wire lengthened by electricity.—Good effect of a rod on the house of Mr. West, of Philadelphia. | 331 |
Answer to some of the foregoing subjects.—How long the Leyden bottle may be kept charged.—Heated glass rendered permeable by the electric fluid.—Electrical attraction and repulsion.—Reply to other subjects in the preceding paper.—Numerous ways of kindling fire.—Explosion of water.—Knobs and points. | 343 |
Accounts from Carolina (mentioned in the foregoing letter) of the effects of lightning on two of the rods commonly affixed to houses there, for securing them against lightning. | 361 |
Mr. William Maine's account of the effects of the lightning on his rod, dated at Indian Land, in South Carolina, Aug. 28, 1760. | 362 |
On the electricity of the tourmalin. | 369 |
New observation relating to electricity in the atmosphere. | 373 |
Flash of lightning that struck St. Bride's steeple. | 374 |
Best method of securing a powder magazine from lightning. | 375 |
Of lightning, and the methods (now used in America) of securing buildings and persons from its mischievous effects. | 377 |
St. Bride's steeple.—Utility of electrical conductors to Steeples.—Singular kind of glass tube. | 382 |
Experiments, observations, and facts, tending to support the opinion [xiv] of the utility of long pointed rods, for securing buildings from damage by strokes of lightning. | 383 |
On the utility of electrical conductors. | 400 |
On the effects of electricity in paralytic cases. | 401 |
Electrical experiments on amber. | 403 |
On the electricity of the fogs in Ireland. | 405 |
Mode of ascertaining, whether the power, giving a shock to those who touch either the Surinam eel, or the torpedo, be electrical. | 408 |
On the analogy between magnetism and electricity. | 410 |
Concerning the mode of rendering meat tender by electricity. | 413 |
Answer to some queries concerning the choice of glass for the Leyden experiment. | 416 |
Concerning the Leyden bottle. | 418 |
APPENDIX. | |
No. 1. Account of experiments made in electricity at Marly. | 420 |
A more particular account of the same, &c. | 422 |
Letter of Mr. W. Watson, F. R. S. to the Royal Society, concerning the electrical experiments in England upon thunder-clouds. | 427 |
No. 2. Remarks on the Abbé Nollet's Letters to Benjamin Franklin, Esq. of Philadelphia, on electricity. | 430 |
PLATE I. | Electrical Experiments | facing page 182 |
PLATE II. | Electrical Air Thermometer | 336 |
PLATE III. | Cavendish Experiment | 348 |
PLATE IV. | Lightning Rod Experiments | 388 |
LETTERS AND PAPERS ON PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS. | |
Physical and meteorological observations, conjectures and suppositions | 1 |
On water-spouts | 11 |
The same subject continued | 13 |
Water-spouts and whirlwinds compared | 19 |
Description of a water-spout at Antigua | 34 |
Shooting stars | 36 |
Water-spouts and whirlwinds | 37 |
Observations on the meteorological paper; by a gentleman in Connecticut | 45 |
Observations in answer to the foregoing, by B. Franklin | 49 |
Observations on the meteorological paper; sent by a gentleman in New York to B. Franklin | 51 |
Answer to the foregoing observations, by B. Franklin | 55 |
Gentleman of New York in reply | 58 |
Account of a whirlwind at Maryland | 61 |
On the north east storms in North America | 63 |
Meteorological imaginations and conjectures | 66 |
Suppositions and conjectures towards forming an hypothesis, for the explanation of the aurora borealis | 69 |
On cold produced by evaporation | 75 |
On the same subject | 83 |
Concerning the light in sea-water | 88 |
On the saltness of sea-water | 91 |
On the effect of air on the barometer, and the benefits derived from the study of insects | 92 |
[iv] On the Bristol waters, and the tide in rivers | 95 |
On the same subject | 102 |
Salt-water rendered fresh by distillation.—Method of relieving thirst by sea-water | 103 |
Tendency of rivers to the sea.—Effect of the sun's rays on cloth of different colours | 105 |
On the vis inertiæ of matter | 110 |
On the different strata of the earth | 116 |
On the theory of the earth | 117 |
New and curious theory of light and heat | 122 |
Queries and conjectures relating to magnetism and the theory of the earth | 125 |
On the nature of sea coal | 125 |
Effect of vegetation on noxious air | 129 |
On the inflammability of the surface of certain rivers in America | 130 |
On the different quantities of rain which fall at different heights over the same ground | 133 |
Slowly sensible hygrometer proposed, for certain purposes | 135 |
Curious instance of the effect of oil on water | 142 |
Letters on the stilling of waves by means of oil | 144 |
Extract of a letter from Mr. Tengnagel to Count Bentinck, dated at Batavia, the 5th of January, 1770 | 154 |
On the difference of navigation in shoal and deep water | 158 |
Sundry maritime observations | 162 |
Remarks upon the navigation from Newfoundland to New-York, in order to avoid the Gulph Stream on one hand, and on the other the shoals that lie to the southward of Nantucket and of St. George's Banks | 197 |
Observations of the warmth of the sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's Thermometer, in crossing the Gulph Stream; with other remarks made on board the Pensylvania packet, Capt. Osborne, bound from London to Philadelphia, in April and May, 1775 | 199 |
Observations of the warmth of the sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's thermometer; with other remarks made on board the Reprisal, Capt. Wycks, bound from Philadelphia to France, in October and November, 1776 | 200 |
A journal of a voyage from the Channel between France and England towards America | 202 |
On the art of swimming | 206 |
On the same subject, in answer to some enquiries of M. Dubourg | 210 |
[v] On the free use of air | 213 |
On the causes of colds | 214 |
Dr. Stark, and Dr. Letsom | 215 |
Number of deaths in Philadelphia by inoculation | ibid |
Answer to the preceding | 217 |
On the effects of lead upon the human constitution | 219 |
Observations on the prevailing doctrines of life and death | 222 |
An account of the new-invented Pensylvanian fire-places | 225 |
On the causes and cure of smoky chimneys | 256 |
Description of a new stove for burning of pitcoal, and consuming all its smoke | 296 |
Method of contracting chimneys.—Modesty in disputation | 317 |
Covering houses with copper | 318 |
On the same subject | 320 |
Paper referred to in the preceding letter | 322 |
Magical square of squares | 324 |
Magical circle | 328 |
New musical instrument composed of glasses | 330 |
Best mediums for conveying sound | 335 |
On the harmony and melody of the old Scotch tunes | 338 |
On the defects of modern music | 343 |
Description of the process to be observed in making large sheets of paper in the Chinese manner, with one smooth surface | 349 |
On modern innovations in the English language and in printing | 351 |
A scheme for a new alphabet and reformed mode of spelling; with remarks and examples concerning the same; and an enquiry into its uses, in a correspondence between Miss S—— and Dr. Franklin, written in the characters of the alphabet | 357 |
Rules for a club formerly established in Philadelphia | 366 |
Questions discussed by the Junto forming the preceding club | 369 |
Sketch of an English school; for the consideration of the trustees of the Philadelphia Academy | 370 |
Advice to youth in reading | 378 |
PAPERS ON SUBJECTS OF GENERAL POLITICS. |
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Observations concerning the increase of mankind, peopling of countries, &c | 383 |
Remarks on some of the foregoing observations, showing particularly the effect which manners have on population | 392 |
Plan by Messieurs Franklin and Dalrymple, for benefiting distant unprovided countries | 403 |
[vi] Concerning the provision made in China against famine | 407 |
Positions to be examined, concerning national wealth | 408 |
Political fragments, supposed either to be written by Dr. Franklin, or to contain sentiments nearly allied to his own | 411 |
On the price of corn, and management of the poor | 418 |
On luxury, idleness, and industry | 424 |
On smuggling, and its various species | 430 |
Observations on war | 435 |
Notes copied from Dr. Franklin's writing in pencil in the margin of Judge Foster's celebrated argument in favour of the impressing of seamen | 437 |
On the criminal laws, and the practice of privateering | 441 |
A parable against persecution, in imitation of scripture language | 450 |
A letter concerning persecution in former ages, the maintenance of the clergy, American bishops, and the state of toleration in Old England and New England compared | 452 |
On the slave trade | 459 |
Account of the highest court of judicature in Pensylvania, viz. The court of the press | 463 |
PLATE V. | Water-Spouts | facing page 16 |
PLATE VI. | Maritime Observations | 163 |
PLATE VII. | A Chart of the Gulph Stream | 197 |
PLATE VIII. | Pensylvania Fire-Place | 235 |
PLATE VIII*. | Profile of the Pensylvania Chimnie | 238 |
PLATE IX. | Remedies for Smoky Chimnies | 269 |
PLATE X. | Stove for Burning Pit-Coal | 297 |
PLATE XI. | A Magic Square of Squares | 327 |
PLATE XII. | A Magic Circle of Circles | 328 |
PAPERS ON AMERICAN SUBJECTS BEFORE THE REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES. | |
Page. | |
Albany papers; containing, I. reasons and motives on which the plan of union for the colonies was formed;—II. reasons against partial unions;—III. and the plan of union drawn by B. F. and unanimously agreed to by the commissioners from New Hampshire, Massachusett's Bay, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pensylvania, met in congress at Albany, in July 1754, to consider of the best means of defending the king's dominions in America, &c. a war being then apprehended; with the reasons or motives for each article of the plan | 3 |
Albany papers continued. I. letter to Governor Shirley, concerning the imposition of direct taxes upon the colonies, without their consent | 30 |
II. Letter to the same; concerning direct taxes in the colonies imposed without consent, indirect taxes, and the Albany plan of union | 31 |
III. Letter to the same, on the subject of uniting the colonies more intimately with Great Britain, by allowing them representatives in parliament | 37 |
Plan for settling two Western colonies in North America, with reasons for the plan, 1754 | 41 |
Report of the committee of aggrievances of the assembly of Pensylvania, dated Feb. 22, 1757 | 50 |
An historical review of the constitution and government of Pensylvania, from its origin; so far as regards the several points of controversy [iv]which have, from time to time, arisen between the several governors of that province, and their several assemblies. Founded on authentic documents | 59 |
The interest of Great Britain considered, with regard to her colonies, and the acquisitions of Canada and Guadaloupe | 89 |
Remarks and facts relative to the American paper-money | 144 |
To the freemen of Pensylvania, on the subject of a particular militia-bill, rejected by the proprietor's deputy or governor | 157 |
Preface by a member of the Pensylvanian assembly (Dr. Franklin) to the speech of Joseph Galloway, Esq. one of the members for Philadelphia county; in answer to the speech of John Dickinson, Esq. delivered in the house of the assembly of the province of Pensylvania, May 24, 1764, on occasion of a petition drawn up by order, and then under the consideration of the house, praying his majesty for a royal, in lieu of a proprietary government | 163 |
Remarks on a late protest against the appointment of Mr. Franklin as agent for this province (of Pensylvania) | 203 |
Remarks on a plan for the future management of Indian affairs | 216 |
PAPERS ON AMERICAN SUBJECTS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES. | |
Causes of the American discontents before 1768 | 225 |
Letter concerning the gratitude of America, and the probability and effects of an union with Great Britain; and concerning the repeal or suspension of the stamp act | 239 |
Letter from Governor Pownall to Dr. Franklin, concerning an equal communication of rights, privileges, &c. to America by Great Britain | 243 |
Minutes to the foregoing, by Dr. Franklin | 244 |
The examination of Dr. Franklin before the English house of commons, in February, 1766, relative to the repeal of the American stamp act | 245 |
Attempts of Dr. Franklin for conciliation of Great Britain with the colonies | 286 |
Queries from Mr. Strahan | 287 |
Answer to the preceding queries | 290 |
State of the constitution of the colonies, by Governor Pownall; with remarks by Dr. Franklin | 299 |
Concerning the dissentions between England and America | 310 |
A Prussian edict, assuming claims over Britain | 311 |
[v]Preface by the British editor (Dr. Franklin) to "The votes and proceedings of the freeholders, and other inhabitants of the town of Boston, in town-meeting assembled according to law (published by order of the town), &c." | 317 |
Account of governor Hutchinson's letters | 322 |
Rules for reducing a great empire to a small one, presented to a late minister, when he entered upon his administration | 334 |
State of America on Dr. Franklin's arrival there | 346 |
Proposed vindication and offer from congress to parliament, in 1775 | 347 |
Reprobation of Mr. Strahan's parliamentary conduct | 354 |
Conciliation hopeless from the conduct of Great Britain to America | 355 |
Account of the first campaign made by the British forces in America | 357 |
Probability of a separation | 358 |
Letter to Monsieur Dumas, urging him to sound the several courts of Europe, by means of their ambassadors at the Hague, as to any assistance they may be disposed to afford America in her struggle for independence | 360 |
Letter from Lord Howe to Dr. Franklin | 365 |
Dr. Franklin's answer to Lord Howe | 367 |
Comparison of Great Britain and America as to credit, in 1777 | 372 |
PAPERS, DESCRIPTIVE OF AMERICA, OR RELATING TO THAT COUNTRY, WRITTEN SUBSEQUENT TO THE REVOLUTION. | |
Remarks concerning the savages of North America | 383 |
The internal state of America; being a true description of the interest and policy of that vast continent | 391 |
Information to those who would remove to America | 398 |
Concerning new settlements in America | 409 |
A comparison of the conduct of the ancient Jews, and of the Antifederalists in the United States of America | 410 |
Final speech of Dr. Franklin in the late federal convention | 416 |
PAPERS ON MORAL SUBJECTS AND THE ECONOMY OF LIFE. | |
The busy-body | 421 |
The way to wealth, as clearly shown in the preface of an old Pensylvania almanack, intitled, Poor Richard Improved | 453 |
Advice to a young tradesman | 463 |
Necessary hints to those that would be rich | 466 |
The way to make money plenty in every man's pocket | 467 |
New mode of lending money | 468 |
[vi]An economical project | 469 |
On early marriages | 475 |
Effect of early impressions on the mind | 478 |
The whistle | 480 |
A petition to those who have the superintendency of education | 483 |
The handsome and deformed leg | 485 |
Morals of chess | 488 |
The art of procuring pleasant dreams | 493 |
Dialogue between Franklin and the gout | 499 |
On the death of relatives | 507 |
The ephemera an emblem of human life | 508 |
APPENDIX, NO. I.—CONTAINING PAPERS PROPER FOR INSERTION, BUT OMITTED IN THE PRECEDING VOLUMES. | |
Letter to Sir Hans Sloane | 513 |
Letter to Michael Collinson, Esq. | 514 |
Letter respecting captain Cook | 515 |
An address to the public, from the Pensylvania society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondage | 517 |
Plan for improving the condition of the free blacks | 519 |
Paper: a poem | 523 |
Plain truth; or, serious considerations on the present state of the city of Philadelphia, and province of Pensylvania | 524 |
Four letters to Mr. Whetley | 543* |
APPENDIX, NO. II.—CONTAINING LETTERS BY SEVERAL EMINENT PERSONS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF DR. FRANKLIN'S MANNERS AND CHARACTER. | |
Letter from the late Dr. Price to a gentleman in America | 543 |
Letter from Mr. Thomas Jefferson to the late Dr. William Smith, of Philadelphia | 545 |
Letter from the late Dr. Joseph Priestly | 547 |
PART I. | |
Page | |
Life of Dr. Franklin, written by himself | 13 |
PART II. | |
Letter from Mr. Abel James | 91 |
Letter from Mr. Benjamin Vaughan | 92 |
Continuation of Life, begun at Passy, near Paris, 1784 | 98 |
Memorandum | 115 |
PART III. | |
Life of Franklin, continued by Dr. Stuber | 191 |
Extracts from Franklin's Will | 227 |
WRITINGS OF FRANKLIN. | |
The Examination of Dr. Franklin before the British House of Commons, relative to the Repeal of the American Stamp-act | 237 |
Narrative of the Massacre of Friendly Indians in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1764 | 264 |
Introduction to Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania | 282 |
Dr. Franklin's Motion for Prayers in the Convention at Philadelphia, 1787, to revise the then existing Articles of Confederation | 286 |
Introduction | ||
The Autobiography |
I. |
Ancestry and Early Life in Boston |
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II. |
Beginning Life as a Printer |
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III. |
Arrival in Philadelphia |
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IV. |
First Visit to Boston |
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V. |
Early Friends in Philadelphia |
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VI. |
First Visit to London |
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VII. |
Beginning Business in Philadelphia |
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VIII. |
Business Success and First Public Service |
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IX. |
Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection |
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X. |
Poor Richard's Almanac and Other Activities |
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XI. |
Interest in Public Affairs |
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XII. |
Defense of the Province |
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XIII. |
Public Services and Duties |
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XIV. |
Albany Plan of Union |
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XV. |
Quarrels with the Proprietary Governors |
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XVI. |
Braddock's Expedition |
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XVII. |
Franklin's Defense of the Frontier |
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XVIII. |
Scientific Experiments |
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XIX. |
Agent of Pennsylvania in London |
Appendix |
Electrical Kite |
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The Way to Wealth |
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The Whistle |
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A Letter to Samuel Mather |
Bibliography |
Franklin at the Court of Louis XVI |
Page |
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Portrait of Franklin |
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Pages 1 and 4 of The Pennsylvania Gazette, Number XL, the first number after Franklin took control |
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First page of The New England Courant of December 4-11, 1721 |
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"I was employed to carry the papers thro' the streets to the customers" |
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"She, standing at the door, saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance" |
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"I took to working at press" |
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"I see him still at work when I go home from club" |
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Two pages from Poor Richard's Almanac for 1736 |
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"I regularly took my turn of duty there as a common soldier" |
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"In the evening, hearing a great noise among them, the commissioners walk'd out to see what was the matter" |
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"Our axes ... were immediately set to work to cut down trees" |
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"We now appeared very wide, and so far from each other in our opinions as to discourage all hope of agreement" |
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"You will find it stream out plentifully from the key on the approach of your knuckle" |
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Father Abraham in his study |
Chronological Table, cxlii |
Selected Bibliography |
I. | Works, cli |
II. | Collections and Reprints, cliii |
III. | Biographies, clv |
IV. | Biographical and Critical Studies, clviii |
V. | The Age of Franklin, clxxiv |
VI. | Bibliographies and Check Lists, clxxxvi |