Volume II Part 14 (1/2)
”DEAR SIR,
”I received but very lately your kind favour of October 14 Dr
Ingenhausz, who brought it, having stayed long in Holland I sent the enclosed directly to Mr L It gave reat pleasure to understand that you continue well Your writings, after all the abuse you and they have in to make serious iave; and they will acquire neeight every day, and be in high esteeotten Please to present my affectionate respects to that honest, sensible, and intelligent society, who didme to share in their instructive conversations I never think of the hours I so happily spent in that co that they are never to be repeated; for I see no prospect of an end to this unhappy war in my time Dr Priestley, you tell reat improvements in _natural_--there is one I wish to see in _moral_ philosophy; the discovery of a plan that would induce and oblige nations to settle their disputes without first cutting one another's throats When will hue of this? When will th become misfortunes to those who unjustly commenced the all its consequences Your great comfort and mine in this war is, that we honestly and faithfully did everything in our power to prevent it Adieu, and believe me ever, my dear friend, yours, &c,
”B FRANKLIN”
”_Dr Priestley_
”Passy, February 8, 1780
”DEAR SIR,
”Your kind letter of Septe stayed long in Holland
”I always rejoice to hear of your being still employed in experimental researches into nature, and of the success you ress _true_ science nowsoine the height to which may be carried, in a thousand years, the power of e ive thericulture may diminish its labour and double its produce; all diseaseseven that of old age), and our lives lengthened at pleasure even beyond the antediluvian standard
Oh! that moral science were in as fair a way of improvement; that men would cease to be wolves to one another; and that huth learn what they now ilad that my little paper on the Aurora Borealis pleased If it should occasion farther inquiry, and so produce a better hypothesis, it will not be wholly useless
”B FRANKLIN”
[Enclosed in the foregoing letter; being an answer to a separate paper received from Dr Priestley]
”I have considered the situation of that person very attentively; I think that, with a little help froment than any other person can forive it for continuing to the end of the terreeable circumstances: the connexion will then die a natural death No reason will be expected to be given for the separation, and, of course, no offence taken at reasons given; the friendshi+p may still subsist, and, in some other way, be useful The time diminishes daily, and is usefully employed All human situations have their inconveniences; we _feel_ those that we find in the present, and we neither _feel_ nor _see_ those that exist in another Hence we es without amender in a little sloop descending the river Delaware There being no wind, ere obliged, when the ebb was spent, to cast anchor and wait for the next The heat of the sun on the vessel was excessive, the coreeable Near the river-side I sahat I took to be a pleasant green e shady tree, where it strucka book in reeably till the tide turned; I therefore prevailed with the captain to put reatest part ofwhich, to come at my tree, I was up to my knees in mire: and I had not placed myself under its shade five minutes before the s, hands, and face, andand my rest impossible; so that I returned to the beach, and called for the boat to coed to bear the heat I had strove to quit, and also the laugh of the company Similar cases in the affairs of life have since frequently fallen under e for hiht be more useful to the public in the institution of youth But there are possible unpleasantnesses in that situation: it cannot be obtained but by a too hazardous voyage at this time for a faaged
”B FRANKLIN”
”_To General Washi+ngton_
”Passy, March 5, 1780
”SIR,
”I received but lately the letter your excellency didto me in recommendation of the Marquis de Lafayette Hisin his own hands We became acquainted, however, from the time of his arrival at Paris; and his zeal for the honour of our country, his activity in our affairs here, and his firm attachard and esteem for him that your excellency's letter would have done had it been immediately delivered to n or two, and afford us a little leisure, I should be happy to see your excellency in Europe, and to acco sodoreat reputation you have acquired, pure and free from those little shades that the jealousy and envy of ato cast over living merit Here you would know and enjoy what posterity will say of Washi+ngton For a thousand leagues have nearly the sarovelling passions cannot extend so far either in time or distance At present I enjoy that pleasure for you, as I frequently hear the old generals of this martial country (who study the maps of America, and mark upon thereat applause of your conduct, and join in giving you the character of one of the greatest captains of the age
”I must soon quit the scene, but you ly and rapidly after the war is over Like a field of young Indian corn, which long fair weather and sunshi+ne had enfeebled and discoloured, and which in that weak state, by a thunder-gust of violent wind, hail, and rain, seemed to be threatened with absolute destruction; yet the stor past, it recovers fresh verdure, shoots up with double vigour, and delights the eye not of its owner only, but of every observing traveller
”The best wishes that can be formed for your health, honour, and happiness, ever attend you, from yours, &c,