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longest period for which it could be held by the same individual. He had then nearly attained the advanced age of eighty-three: but his letters, at this period, exhibit no indications of senility; none of the feeble querulousness or the pertinacious garrulity of age. Though he was occasionally harassed by the gout, and was not even free from attacks of the stone, yet his philosophic composure was not suffered to be disturbed, and he maintained a cheerful equanimity to his dying hour. We will extract the letter which he wrote to Mrs. Partridge on Nov. 25. 1788, not because it is one of the best of his compositions at that epoch, but because it is one of the shortest, and helps to pourtray the characteristic serenity and comprehensive charity of his mind:

You tell me our poor friend Ben Kent is gone, I hope to the regions of the blessed; or at least to some place where souls are prepared for those regions! I found my hope on this, that, though not so orthodox as you and I, he was an honest man, and had his virtues. If he had any hypocrisy, it was of that inverted kind Iwith which a man is not so bad as he seems to be. And with regard to future bliss, I cannot help imagining that multitudes of the zealously orthodox of different sects, who at the last day may flock together, in hopes of seeing each other damned, will be disappointed, and obliged to rest contented with their own salvation,'

A beautiful letter, written at the age of 82, to his friend Mr. Small, introduces the learned and ingenious associates whom he had known in England, but who had since taken their departure to the world of spirits; and the amiable writer says, every one of them now knows more than all of us they have left behind. It is to me a comfortable reflection, that, since we must live for ever in a future state, there is a sufficient stock of amusement in reserve for us, to be found in constantly learning something new, to eternity, the present quantity of human ignorance infinitely exceeding that of human knowledge.'

In the year 1787, we find the author writing to the Duke de la Rochefoucauld, at Paris, a letter in which he recommended the celebrated Thomas Paine to the civilities of that nobleman. Franklin speaks of Paine as an ingenious honest man,' the author of a famous piece intitled Common Sense, published here, (Philadelphia,) with great effect on the minds of the people at the beginning of the Revolution.'

At the age of 84, when the few who arrive at that degree of longevity are apt to be insensate to the stimuli of freedom or philanthropy, we find Dr. Franklin animated by the propect of a new and better state of political society, which then

seemed

seemed to be announced in the dawn of the French Revolution. These hopes have since been found only delusive visions: but they were then generally entertained; and we do not envy the cold selfishness of that man who in such circumstances could not kindle at the prospect of millions of his fellow-creatures bursting the chains of slavery, and claiming that freedom which is the birth-right of man. I hope,' says Franklin, the fire of liberty which you mention as spreading itself over Europe will act upon the inestimable rights of man, as common fire does upon gold; purify without destroying them; so that a lover of liberty may find a country in any part of. Christendom.'

We have sometimes heard evil-surmises thrown out respecting Dr. Franklin's religious belief: but, if the expressions of devotional sentiment and of faith in a world to come after death are not deemed sufficiently explicit to remove this prejudice, we trust that it will not be retained by those who peruse the following candid answer, in March 1790, to the Reverend President Styles of Philadelphia, who appears to have requested Franklin to favour him with the particulars of his creed.

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It is the first time I have been questioned upon it. But I cannot take your curiosity amiss, and shall endeavour in a few words to gratify it. Here is my creed: - I believe in one God, the creator of the universe. That he governs it by his providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable service we render to him is doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion, and I regard them as you do, in whatever sect I meet with them. As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is like to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes, and I have with most of the present Dissenters in England some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatise upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble.'

From a letter which we find at p. 132., without date or inscription, it appears that Dr. Franklin, though a philosopher, was a believer in a particular providence, without which he thought that the basis of all religion would be taken away. For without the belief of a Providence that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favour particular persons, there is no motive to worship a deity, to fear its displeasure, or to pray for its protection." Dr. Franklin

Dr. Franklin was in London during the violent ferment which was occasioned by Wilkes's election for Middlesex in 1768, and he thus speaks of the political agitations of that remarkable period:

'Tis really an extraordinary event, to see an outlaw and exile, of bad personal character, not worth a farthing, come over from France, set himself up as candidate for the capital of the kingdom, miss his election only by being too late in his application, and immediately carrying it for the principal county. The mob, spirited up by numbers of different ballads, sung or roared in every street, requiring gentlemen and ladies of all ranks as they passed in their carriages to shout for Wilkes and liberty, marking the same words on all their coaches with chalk, and No. 45. on every door; which extends a vast way along the roads into the country. I went last week to Winchester, and observed that for fifteen miles out of town, there was scarce a door or window-shutter next the road unmarked; and this continued here and there quite to Winchester, which is 64 miles.' (P. 162.)

At the time when he wrote the above, Dr. F. appears to have entertained a very different opinion of the constitution and the sovereign of this country from that which he afterward expressed for in the next letter, written about the same period, to Mr. Ross of Philadelphia, he says, speaking of the tempestuous phænomena which then agitated the political horizon of this country, some punishment seems preparing for a people who are ungratefully abusing the best constitution and the best king any nation was ever blessed with.'

While Dr. F. was attending to the interests of the American colonies in various discussions with the English ministers in the year 1768, he, of course, had occasion often to transact business with the Board of Trade. When Lord Clare, who

was then at the head of the Board, was about to retire from that situation, the Doctor exhibits a curious anecdote of the conduct of this nobleman, which illustrates the manner of a courtier of that period.

We have lost Lord Clare from the Board of Trade. He took me home from court the Sunday before his removal, that I might dine with him, as he said, alone, and talk over American affairs. He seemed as attentive to them as if he was to continue ever so long. He gave me a great deal of flummery; saying that, though at my examination I answered some of his questions a little pertly, yet he liked me from that day, for the spirit I shewed in defence of my country; and at parting, after we had drank a bottle and half of claret each, he hugged and kissed me, protesting he never in his life met with a man he was so much in love with.' (P. 167.)

Lord

Lord Clare was succeeded by Lord Hillsborough at the Board of Trade, while he retained the title and powers of Secretary of State for the Colonies. Of the latter nobleman, Dr. Franklin says, p. 172., I know him to be as double and deceitful as any man I ever met with.' The dislike between Lord Hillsborough and Dr. F. was mutual; for they were composed of very different materials, and no antipathies could well be less formed for amicable union. They met at the installation at Oxford in 1773, when the philosopher shewed that he was not to be vanquished in courtesy by the noble Earl.

I went down to Oxford,' says Dr. F., with, and at the instance of Lord le Despenser, who is on all occasions very good to me, and seems of late very desirous of my company.. - Lord Hillsborough called on Lord le D., whose chamber and mine were together in Queen's College. I was in the inner room shifting, and heard his voice, but did not see him, as he went down stairs immediately with Lord le D., who mentioning that I was above, he returned directly and came to me in the pleasantest manner imaginable, "Dr. F.," says he, "I did not know till this minute that you were here, and I am come back to make you my bow. I am glad to see you at Oxford, and that you look so well," &c. In return for this extravagance, I complimented him on his son's (Lord Fairford's) performance in the theatre, though indeed it was but indifferent; so that account was settled. For as people say, when they are angry, if he strikes me, I'll strike him again, I think sometimes it may be right to say, if he flatters me, I'll flatter him again. This is lex talionis, returning offences in kind.' (P. 196.)

In 1773, Dr. Franklin wrote a small piece under the title of "Prussian Edict," &c. in order to expose in a lively and striking manner the absurd pretensions of the English government with respect to her American colonies. In this edict, which is dated Dantzic, September 5. 1773, the King of Prussia is made to impose a duty of four and a half per cent. ad valorem on all goods imported into Great Britain, in virtue of the rights which had descended to him from his ducal ancestors, whose subjects had made the first German settlements in our island. This jeu d'esprit, which was composed with no small share of ability, was inserted in the Public Advertiser; and the artifice was not immediately detected by all who perused it. Dr. Franklin was passing some time at Lord le Despencer's seat at West Wycombe, when the fictitious edict made its first appearance in the news-papers. • Mr. Whitehead,' says he, was there too, who runs early through all the papers, and tells the company what he finds remarkable. He had them in another room, and we were chatting in the

breakfast

breakfast-parlour, when he came running into us, out of breath, with the paper in his hand. Here, says he, here's news for you. Here's the King of Prussia claiming a right to this kingdom! All stared, and I as much as any body; and he went on to read it. When he had read two or three paragraphs, a gentleman present said, Damn his impudence, I dare say we shall hear by next post that he is on his march with 100,000 men to back this. Whitehead, who is very shrewd, soon after began to smoke it, and looking in my face said, I'll be hanged if this is not some of your American jokes upon us. The reading went on, and ended with abundance of laughing, and a general verdict that it was a fair hit.'

[To be continued.]

ART. III. Travels of Ali Bey in Morocco, Tripoli, Cyprus, Ægypt, &c.

[Art. concluded from our last Number, p. 357.]

THE first part of our report of Ali Bey's travels comprized his residence in Morocco, his voyage to Cyprus and Alexandria, and eventually his progress up the Nile to Cairo. We are now to accompany him to Arabia; and, after having related the rites observed by the pilgrims at the birth-place of Mohammed, we shall notice his return through Syria and the central part of Asia Minor to Constantinople. This second volume is not without several of the blemishes already pointed out in our examination of its predecessor: but it possesses a very considerable share of attraction, in consequence of the unreserved opportunity of observation granted to the supposed Mohammedan, and of his admission to two remarkable spots, the interior of the Caaba at Mecca, and the great mosque or temple at Jerusalem; from both of which every Christian, or unbeliever, of whatever description, is most peremptorily excluded.

Ali Bey set out from Cairo in Dec. 1806, travelled with a caravan across the desert to Suez, embarked at that paltry and insignificant sea-port, and, after a passage of great length and some hazard, landed at Djedda, a harbour in the Red Sea, from which a land-journey of two days brought him to the sacred city. A stranger, on arriving at Mecca, is assailed by repeated offers of lodgings, and of supplies of water from the sacred well of Zemzem. To make a fortunate beginning, he should enter the Temple by the "gate of health," which is near the north corner of that stupendous building; after which the pilgrim must go through a variety of ceremonies,

the

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