A the original manner proposed by Doctor Frank lin. The letters which he sent to Mr. Collinson, it is said, were refused a place amongst the papers of the Royal Society of London. However this may be, Collinson published them in a separate volume, under the title of New Experiments and Observations on Electricity, made at Philadel phia in America. They were read with avidity, and soon translated into different languages. very incorrect French translation fell into the hands of the celebrated Buffon, who, notwithstanding the disadvantages under which the work labored, was much pleased with it, and repeated the experiments with success. He prevailed upon his friend, M. D'Alibard, to give his countrymen a more correct translation of the American electrician. This contributed much towards spreading a knowledge of Franklin's principles in France. The King, Louis XV. hearing of these experiments, expressed a wish to be a spectator of them. A course of experiments was given at the seat of the Duc D'Ayen, at St. Germain, by M. D: Lor. The applauses which the King bestowed upon Franklin, excited in Buffon, D'Alibard, and De Lor, an earnest desire of ascertaining the truth of his theory of thunder gusts. Buffon erected his apparatus on the tower of Montbar, M. D'Alibard at Mary-la-ville, and De Lor at his house in the Extrapade at Paris, some of the highest ground in that capital. D'Alibard's machine first shewed signs of electricity. On the 10th of May, 1752, a thunder-cloud passed over it, in the absence of M. D'Alibard; and a number of sparks were drawn from it by Coissier, a joiner, with whom D'Alibard had left directions how to proceed, and by Mr. Raulet, the prior of Mary-laville. An account of this experiment was given to the Royal Academy of Sciences, in a memoir by M. D'Alibard, dated May 13th, 1752. On the 18th of May, M. De Lor proved equally successful with the apparatus erected at his own house. These discoveries soon excited the philosophers of other parts of Europe to repeat the experiment. Amongst these, none signalized themselves more than Father Beccaria of Turin, to whose observations science is much indebted. Even the cold regions of Russia were penetrated by the ardor for discovery. Pro-fessor Richman bade fair to add much to the stock of knowledge on this subject, when an unfortunate flash from his rod put a period to his existence.The friends of science will long remember with regret the amiable martyr to electricity. By these experiments Franklin's theory was esta blished in the most firm manner. When the truth of it could no longer be doubted, the vanity of men endeavored to detract from its merit. That an American, an inhabitant of the obscure city of Philadelphia, the name of which was hardly known, should be able to make discoveries, and frame theories, which had escaped the notice of the enlightened philosophers of Europe was too, mortifying to be admitted. He must certainly have taken the idea from somebody else. An American, a being of an inferior order, make discoveries! Impossible. It was said, that the Abbe Nollet, in 1748, had suggested the idea of the similarity of lightning and electricity, in his Lecons de Physique. It is true, that the Abbe mentions the idea, but he throws it out as a bare conjecture, and proposes no mode of ascertaining the truth of it. He himself acknowledges, that Franklin first entertained the bold thought of bringing lightning from the heavens, by means of pointed rods fixed in the air. The similarity of electricity and lightning is so strong, that K d forty shillings each, and agreed to pay ten ags annually. The number increased; and in the company was incorporated by the name of e Library Company of Philadelphia." Several companies were formed in this city in im n of it. These were all at length united with brary company of Philadelphia, which thus reda considerable accession of books and pro. It now contains eight thousand volumes on bjects, a philosophical apparatus, and a good ning towards a collection of natural and artifi uriosities, besides landed property of consider value. The company have lately built an elehouse in Fifth-street, on the front of which will ected a marble satute of their founder BenjaFranklin. his institution was greatly encouraged by the ds of literature in America and, in Great Bri The Penn family distinguished themselves h he pursued it, and the advances he made, gave -iends reason to form the most flattering prospects future eminence and usefulness in the profession, r. Stuber's circumstances were very moderate, he ot think this pursuit well calculated to answer He therefore relinquished it, after he had obda degree in the profession, and qualified himself actise with credit and success; and immediately d on the study of Law. In pursuit of the last ioned object, he was prematurely arrested, before d an opportunity of reaping the fruit of those talents which he was endowed, and of a youth spent in rdent and successful, pursuits of useful and elegant ture. He not only m of any com soon evid accessible confined dle and 1 of them. tended a unusual followed places, in the ery wh inform a y mue cuisstuciavit prescas muisti, am obtained others from his friends, but voluntarily un dertook to manage the business of the company i London, recommending books, purchasing and ship ping them. His extensive knowledge, and zeal fo the promotion of science, enabled him to execut this important trust with the greatest advantage He continued to perform these services for mor than thirty years, and uniformly refused to accep of any compensation. During this time, he com municated to the directors every information rela tive to improvements and discoveries in the arts agriculture, and philosophy. The beneficial influence of this institution wa soon evident. The cheapness of terms rende ed accessible to every one. Its advantages were no confined to the opulent. The citizens in the mi dle and lower walks of life were equally partaker of them. Hence a degree of information was ex tended among all classes of people, which is ver unusual in other places. The example was soo followed. Libraries were established in variou places, and they are now become very numerou in the United States, and particularly in Pennsylva nia. It is to be hoped that they will be still mor widely extended, and that information will be e ery where increased. This will be the best sec rity for maintaining our liberties. A nation of we informed men, who have been taught to know an prize the rights which God has given them, cann be enslaved. It is in the regions of ignorance th tyranny reigns. It flies before the light of s ino Let the citizens of America, then, encourage ins 1732, Franklin began to publish Poor RichAlmanack. This was remarkable for the nu›us and valuable concise maxims which it cond, all tending to exhort to industry and frugaliIt was continued for many years. In the Alack for the last year, all the maxims were col. d in an address to the reader, entitled, The Way ealth. This has been translated in various uages, and inserted in different publications. as also been printed on a large sheet, and may een framed in many houses in this city. This ess contains, perhaps, the best practical system conomy that ever has appeared. It is written manner intelligible to every one, and which ot fail of convincing every reader of the justice propriety of the remarks and advice which it ains. The demand for this almanack was so t, that ten thousand have been sold in one year; ch must be considered as a very large number, cially when we reflect, that this country was, at time, but thinly peopled. It cannot be doubthat the salutary maxims contained in these al acks must have made a favorable impression n many of the readers of them. was not long before Franklin entered upon his ical career. In the year 1736 he was appoint. erk to the general assembly of P nnsylvania; was re-elected by succeeding assemblies for ral years, until he was chosen a representative he city of Philadelphia. radford was possessed of some advantages over klin, by being post master, thereby having an tunity of circulating his paper more extensive ladelphia in 1 one of the m any set of and a refo There cities tha almost in der abor there sh prevent the nec formed example are now fibertie degree the citi the inc wined |