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divided between the inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia and the government of Pennfylvania, in the fame manner as herein directed with refpect to that of the inhabitants of Boston and the government of Maffachusetts. It is my defire that this inftitution fhould take place, and begin to operate within one year after my decease; for which purpose due notice should be publicly given, previous to the expiration of that year, that those for whofe benefit this eftablishment is intended, may make their respective applications and I hereby direct my executors, the furvivors and furvivor of them, within fix months after my decease, to pay over the faid fum of two thousand pounds fterling to fuch perfons as shall be duly appointed by the felect men of Boston, and the corporation of Philadelphia, to receive and take charge of their refpective fums of one thousand pounds each for the purposes aforefaid. Confidering the accidents to which all human affairs and projects are fubject in fuch a length of time, I have perhaps too much flattered myself with a vain fancy, that thefe difpofitions, if carried into execution, will be continued without interruption, and have the effects propofed; I hope, however, that, if the inhabitants of the two cities fhould not think fit to undertake the execution, they will at leaft accept the offer of thefe donations, as marks of my good will, token of my gratitude, and teftimony of my defire to be useful to them even after my departure. I wifh, indeed, that they may both undertake to endeavour the execution of my project, because I think, that, though un

forefeen difficulties may arife, expedients will be found to remove them, and the fcheme be found practicable. If one of them accepts the money with the conditions, and the other refufes, my will then is, that both fums be given to the inhabitants of the city accepting; the whole to be applied to the fame purpofes, and under the fame regulations directed for the feparate parts; and if both refufe, the money remains of course in the mass of my eftate, and it is to be difpofed of therewith, according to my will made the feventeenth day of July, 1788.

My fine crab-tree walking-ftick, with a gold head curiously wrought in the form of the cap of Liberty, I give to my friend, and the friend 1 of mankind, General Wafhington. If it were a fceptre, he has merited it, and would become it.

END OF VOL. I.

ESSAY S,

HUMOUROUS, MORAL, AND
LITERARY, &c.

ON EARLY MARRIAGES.

TO JOHN ALLEYNE, ESQ.

DEAR JACKA

You defire, you fay, my impartial thoughts

on the fubject of an early marriage, by way of anfwer to the numberlefs objections that have been made by numerous perfons to your own. You may remember, when you confulted me on the occafion, that I thought youth on both fides to be no objection. Indeed, from the marriages that have fallen under my observation, I am rather inclined to think, that early ones ftand the beft chance of happiness. The temper and habits of the young are not yet become so stiff and uncomplying as when more advanced in life; they form more easily to each other, and hence many occafions of difguft are removed. And if youth has lefs of that prudence which is neceffary to manage a family, yet the parents and elder friends of young married persons are generally at hand to offer their advice, which amply fupplics that defect; and, by early marriage, youth is fooner formed to regular and useful life; and poffibly fome of thofe accidents or

connections, that might have injured the conftitution, or reputation, or both, are thereby happily prevented. Particular circumftances of particular perfons, may poffibly fometimes make it prudent to delay entering into that ftate; but in general, when nature has rendered our bodies fit for it, the presumption is in nature's favour, that fhe has not judged amifs in making us defire it, Late marriages are often attended, too, with this further inconvenience, that there is not the fame chance that the parents fhall live to fee their offspring educated. "Late children," says the Spanish proverb, "are early orphans." A melancholy reflection to thofe whose case it may be! With us in America marriages are generally in the morning of life; our children are therefore educated and fettled in the world by noon; and thus, our business being done, we have an afternoon and evening of cheerful leifure to ourfelves, fuch as our friend at prefent enjoys. By thefe early marriages we are bleffed with more children; and from the mode among us, founded by nature, of every mother fuckling and nurfing her own child, more of them are raifed. Thence the fwift progrefs of population among us, unparalleled in Europe. Infine, I am glad you are mrraied and congratulate you moft cordially upon it. You are now in the way of becoming a useful citizen; and you have escaped the unnatural fate of celibacy for life-the fate of many here, who never intended it, but who having too long poftponed the change of their condition, find, at length, that it is too late to think of it, and to live all their lives in a fituation,

that greatly leffens a man's value. An odd volume of a fet of books bears not the value of its proportion to the fet; what think you of the odd half of a pair of fciffars? it can't well cut any thing; itmay poffibly ferve to scrape a trencher.

Pray make my compliments and beft wishes. acceptable to your bride. I am old and heavy, or Ifhould ere this have presented them in perfon. I fhall make but small ufe of the old man's privilege, that of giving advice to younger friends. Treat your wife always with refpect; it will procure respect to you, not only from her, but from all that obferve it. Never use a flighting expreffion to her, even in jeft; for flights in jest, after frequent bandyings, are apt to end in anger earneft. Be ftudious in your profeffion, and you will be learned. Be induftrious and frugal, and will be rich. Be fober and temperate, and Be in general virtuous, and At leaft, you will, by fuch best chance for fuch confe

you
you will be healthy.
you will be happy.

conduct, stand the

quences. I pray God to blefs you both! being ever your affectionate friend,

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ON THE DEATH OF HIS BROTHER, MR. JOHN FRANKLIN.

TO MISS HUBBARD.

I

CONDOLE with you.

dear and valuable relation.

God and nature, that these mortal bodies be laid

We have lost a most
But it is the will of

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