Be in general virtuous, and you will The two latter exercises may be had be happy. At least you will be such within doors when the wonthen die them both out. If I find a reason the king's ships which lay in the harpro equal to some two reasons con, I bour; and in all that time that strike out the three. If I judge some naughty man had not ventured once two reasons con equal to some three on shore to see her. Our troops reasons pro, I strike out the five; were then pouring into the town, and thus proceeding, I find at length and she was packing up to leave it, where the balance lies; and if, after fearing, as she had a large house, a day or two of farther considera- they would incommode her, by quartion, nothing new that is of impor- tering officers in it. As she appeared tance occurs on either side, I come in great perplexity, scarce knowing to a determination accordingly. And, where to go, I persuaded her to stay; though the weight of reasons cannot and I went to the general officers be taken with the precision of alge- then commanding there, and recombraic quantities, yet, when each is mended her to their protection; thus considered separately and com- which they promised and performed. paratively, and the whole lies before On my return from Canada, where I me, I think I can judge better, and was a piece of a governor (and I think am less liable to make a rash step; a very good one) for a fortnight, and and, in fact, I have found great ad- might have been so till this time, if vantage from this kind of equation, your wicked army, enemies to all in what may be called moral or pru- good government, had not come and dential algebra. driven me out, I found her still in Wishing sincerely that you may quiet possession of her house. I indetermine for the best, I am ever, my quired how our people had behaved dear friend, yours most affection- to her; she spoke in high terms of ately. LETTER VI. the respectful attention they had paid her, and the quiet and security they had procured her. I said I was glad of it; and that, if they had used her ill, I would have turned tory. Then, Dr. Franklin to Mrs. Thomas, at said she (with that pleasing gaiety Lisle. so natural to her), I wish they had. For you must know she is a toryess, Paris, Feb. 8, 1777. as well as you, and can as flippantly You are too early, hussy, as well call rebel. I drank tea with her; as too saucy, in calling me rebel; we talked affectionately of you and you should wait for the event, which our other friends the Wilkes's, of will determine whether it is a rebel-whom she had received no late intellion or only a revolution. Here the ligence: what became of her since, ladies are more civil; they call us I have not heard. The street she les Insurgens; a character that usu- lived in was some months after chiefally pleases them : and, methinks, all ly burnt down; but as the town was other women who smart, or have then, and ever since has been, in smarted, under the tyranny of a bad possession of the king's troops, I husband, ought to be fixed in revolu- have had no opportunity of knowing tion principles, and act accordingly. whether she suffered any loss in the In my way to Canada last spring, conflagration. I hope she did not, I saw dear Mrs. Barrow, at New as, if she did, I should wish I had York. Mr. Barrow had been from not persuaded her to stay there. I her two or three months to keep am glad to learn from you, that that Governor Tryon, and other tories, unhappy, though deserving family, company on board the Asia, one of the W.'s, are getting into some busiVOL. IV. Nos. 65 & 66. Z ness that may afford them subsistence. my forehead almost to my spectacles. I pray that God will bless them, and Think how this must appear, among that they may see happier days. Mr. the powdered heads of Paris! I Cheap's and Dr. H.'s good fortunes wish every lady and gentleman in please me. Pray learn, if you have France would only be so obliging as not already learnt, like me, to be to follow my fashion, comb their own pleased with other people's pleasures, heads as I do mine, dismiss their and happy with their happiness, friseurs, and pay me half the money when none occur of your own; then, they pay to them. You see the genperhaps, you will not so soon be wea- try might well afford this, and I could ry of the place you chance to be in, then enlist these friseurs (who are and so fond of rambling to get rid at least 100,000), and with the moof your ennui. I fancy you have hit ney I would maintain them, make a upon the right reason of your being visit with them to England, and dress weary of St. Omers, viz. that you are the heads of your ministers and priout of temper, which is the effect of vy counsellors; which I conceive full living and idleness. A month in at present to be un peu dérangées. Bridewell, beating hemp, upon bread Adieu! madcap; and believe me and water, would give you health and ever your affectionate friend and spirits, and subsequent cheerfulness humble servant. and contentment with every other situation. I prescribe that regimen P. S. Don't be proud of this long for you, my dear, in pure good-will, letter. A fit of the gout, which has without a fee. And let me tell you, confined me five days, and made me if you do not get into temper, neither refuse to see company, has given me Brussels nor Lisle will suit you. Ia little time to trifle; otherwise it know nothing of the price of living would have been very short; visitors in either of those places; but I am and business would have interrupted: sure a single woman, as you are, and, perhaps, with Mrs. Barrow, you might, with economy, upon two hun- wish they had. dred pounds a-year maintain herself comfortably any where; and me into the bargain. Do not invite me in earnest, however, to come and live LETTER VII. with you; for, being posted here, I Dr. Franklin to Dr. Cooper, Boston. ought not to comply, and I am not sure I should be able to refuse. PreParis, May 1, 1777. sent my respects to Mrs. Payne, I THANK YOU for your kind congraand Mrs. Heathcot; for, though I tulations on my safe arrival here, and have not the honour of knowing for your good wishes. I am, as you them, yet, as you say they are friends supposed, treated with great civility to the American cause, I am sure and respect by all orders of people; they must be women of good under- but it gives me still greater satisfacstanding. I know you wish you tion to find that our being here is could see me, but, as you can't, I will of some use to our country. On that describe myself to you. Figure me head I cannot be more explicit at in your mind as jolly as formerly, present. and as strong and hearty, only a few I rejoice with you in the happy years older; very plainly dressed, change of affairs in America last wearing my thin, grey, straight hair, winter: I hope the same train of that peeps out under my only coiffure, success will continue through the a fine fur cap; which comes down summer. Our enemies are disap |