Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Benjamin Franklin
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Title: Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Benjamin Franklin

Author: Benjamin Franklin

Editor: David Widger

Release date: January 12, 2019 [eBook #58676]
Most recently updated: April 5, 2023

Language: English

Credits: Produced by David Widger

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INDEX OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG WORKS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ***

INDEX OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG

WORKS OF

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Compiled by David Widger

CONTENTS

Click on the ## before many of the titles to view a linked
table of contents for that volume.

Click on the title itself to open the original online file.

##  THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 1

##  THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 2

##  THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 3

##  MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Vol. 1

##  MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Vol. 2

##  AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

##  BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SELECTIONS

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: FIRST BALLOONS

EXPERIMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON ELECTRICITY

FRANKLIN'S WAY TO WEALTH

TABLES OF CONTENTS OF VOLUMES

THE COMPLETE WORKS,
OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life,
Written By Himself. In Three Volumes.

Vol. I. (of III)

1806

CONTENTS

| Page.
LIFE of Dr. FRANKLIN | 1
LETTERS AND PAPERS ON ELECTRICITY.
Introductory Letter. | 169

Wonderful effect of points.—Positive and negative electricity.—Electrical kiss.—Counterfeit spider.—Simple and commodious electrical machine.

170

Observations on the Leyden bottle, with experiments proving the different electrical state of its different surfaces. | 179

Further experiments confirming the preceding observations.—Leyden bottle analysed.—Electrical battery.—Magical Picture.—Electrical wheel or jack.—Electrical feast.

187

Observations and suppositions, towards forming a new hypothesis, for explaining the several phenomena of thunder-gusts. | 203
Introductory letter to some additional papers. | 216

Opinions and conjectures, concerning the properties and effects of the electrical matter, and the means of preserving buildings, ships, &c. from lightning, arising from experiments and observations made at Philadelphia, 1749.—Golden fish.—Extraction of effluvial virtues by electricity impracticable.

217

Additional experiments: proving that the Leyden bottle has no more electrical fire in it when charged, than before: nor less when discharged: that in discharging, the fire does not issue from the wire and the coating at the same time, as some have thought, but that the coating always receives what is discharged by the wire, or an equal quantity: the outer surface being always in a negative state of electricity, when the inner surface is in a positive state.

245

Accumulation of the electrical fire proved to be in the electrified glass.—Effect of lightning on the needle of compasses, explained.—Gunpowder fired by the electric flame.

247

Unlimited nature of the electric force. | 250

The terms, electric per se, and non-electric, improper.—New relation between metals and water.—Effects of air in electrical experiments.—Experiment for discovering more of the qualities of the electric fluid.

252

Mistake, that only metals and water were conductors, rectified.—Supposition of a region of electric fire above our atmosphere.—Theorem concerning light.—Poke-weed a cure for cancers.

256

New experiments.—Paradoxes inferred from them.—Difference in the electricity of a globe of glass charged, and a globe of sulphur.—Difficulty of ascertaining which is positive and which negative.

261

Probable cause of the different attractions and repulsions of the two electrified globes mentioned in the two preceding letters.

264

Reasons for supposing, that the glass globe charges positively, and the sulphur negatively.—Hint respecting a leather globe for experiments when travelling.

ibid.

Electrical kite. | 267

Hypothesis, of the sea being the grand source of lightning, retracted.—Positive, and sometimes negative, electricity of the clouds discovered.—New experiments and conjectures in support of this discovery.—Observations recommended for ascertaining the direction of the electric fluid.—Size of rods for conductors to buildings.—Appearance of a thunder-cloud described.

269

Additional proofs of the positive and negative state of electricity in the clouds.—New method of ascertaining it. | 284
Electrical experiments, with an attempt to account for their several phenomena, &c. | 286

Experiments made in pursuance of those made by Mr. Canton, dated December 6, 1753; with explanations, by Mr. Benjamin Franklin.

294

Turkey killed by electricity.—Effect of a shock on the operator in making the experiment. | 299

Differences in the qualities of glass.—Account of Domien, an electrician and traveller.—Conjectures respecting the pores of glass.—Origin of the author's idea of drawing down lightning.—No satisfactory hypothesis respecting the manner in which clouds become electrified.—Six men knocked down at once by an electrical shock.—Reflections on the spirit of invention.

301

Beccaria's work on electricity.—Sentiments of Franklin on pointed rods, not fully understood in Europe.—Effect of lightning on the church of Newbury, in New England.—Remarks on the subject.

309

Notice of another packet of letters. | 313

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Boston, to Benjamin Franklin, Esq. concerning the crooked direction, and the source of lightning, and the swiftness of the electric fire.

314

Observations on the subjects of the preceding letter.—Reasons for supposing the sea to be the grand source of lightning.—Reasons for doubting this hypothesis.—Improvement in a globe for raising the electric fire.

320

Effect of lightning on captain Waddel's compass, and the Dutch church at New York. | 324
Proposal of an experiment to measure the time taken up by an Electric spark, in moving through any given space. | 327

Experiments on boiling water, and glass heated by boiling water.—Doctrine of repulsion in electrised bodies doubted.—Electricity of the atmosphere at different heights.—Electrical horse-race.—Electrical thermometer.—In what cases the electrical fire produces heat.—Wire lengthened by electricity.—Good effect of a rod on the house of Mr. West, of Philadelphia.

331

Answer to some of the foregoing subjects.—How long the Leyden bottle may be kept charged.—Heated glass rendered permeable by the electric fluid.—Electrical attraction and repulsion.—Reply to other subjects in the preceding paper.—Numerous ways of kindling fire.—Explosion of water.—Knobs and points.

343

Accounts from Carolina (mentioned in the foregoing letter) of the effects of lightning on two of the rods commonly affixed to houses there, for securing them against lightning.

361

Mr. William Maine's account of the effects of the lightning on his rod, dated at Indian Land, in South Carolina, Aug. 28, 1760.

362

On the electricity of the tourmalin. | 369
New observation relating to electricity in the atmosphere. | 373
Flash of lightning that struck St. Bride's steeple. | 374
Best method of securing a powder magazine from lightning. | 375
Of lightning, and the methods (now used in America) of securing buildings and persons from its mischievous effects. | 377
St. Bride's steeple.—Utility of electrical conductors to Steeples.—Singular kind of glass tube. | 382

Experiments, observations, and facts, tending to support the opinion of the utility of long pointed rods, for securing buildings from damage by strokes of lightning.

383

On the utility of electrical conductors. | 400
On the effects of electricity in paralytic cases. | 401
Electrical experiments on amber. | 403
On the electricity of the fogs in Ireland. | 405

Mode of ascertaining, whether the power, giving a shock to those who touch either the Surinam eel, or the torpedo, be electrical.

408

On the analogy between magnetism and electricity. | 410
Concerning the mode of rendering meat tender by electricity. | 413
Answer to some queries concerning the choice of glass for the Leyden experiment. | 416
Concerning the Leyden bottle. | 418
APPENDIX.
No. 1. Account of experiments made in electricity at Marly. | 420
A more particular account of the same, &c. | 422

Letter of Mr. W. Watson, F. R. S. to the Royal Society, concerning the electrical experiments in England upon thunder-clouds.

427

No. 2. Remarks on the Abbé Nollet's Letters to Benjamin Franklin, Esq. of Philadelphia, on electricity. | 430

LIST OF THE PLATES

PLATE I. | Electrical Experiments | facing page 182
PLATE II. | Electrical Air Thermometer | 336
PLATE III. | Cavendish Experiment | 348
PLATE IV. | Lightning Rod Experiments | 388

THE COMPLETE WORKS,
OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself. In Three Volumes.

VOL. II. (of III)

CONTENTS

LETTERS AND PAPERS ON PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS.
Physical and meteorological observations, conjectures and suppositions | 1
On water-spouts | 11
The same subject continued | 13
Water-spouts and whirlwinds compared | 19
Description of a water-spout at Antigua | 34
Shooting stars | 36
Water-spouts and whirlwinds | 37
Observations on the meteorological paper; by a gentleman in Connecticut | 45
Observations in answer to the foregoing, by B. Franklin | 49
Observations on the meteorological paper; sent by a gentleman in New York to B. Franklin | 51
Answer to the foregoing observations, by B. Franklin | 55
Gentleman of New York in reply | 58
Account of a whirlwind at Maryland | 61
On the north east storms in North America | 63
Meteorological imaginations and conjectures | 66
Suppositions and conjectures towards forming an hypothesis, for the explanation of the aurora borealis | 69
On cold produced by evaporation | 75
On the same subject | 83
Concerning the light in sea-water | 88
On the saltness of sea-water | 91
On the effect of air on the barometer, and the benefits derived from the study of insects | 92
On the Bristol waters, and the tide in rivers | 95
On the same subject | 102
Salt-water rendered fresh by distillation.—Method of relieving thirst by sea-water | 103
Tendency of rivers to the sea.—Effect of the sun's rays on cloth of different colours | 105
On the vis inertiÃ¦ of matter | 110
On the different strata of the earth | 116
On the theory of the earth | 117
New and curious theory of light and heat | 122
Queries and conjectures relating to magnetism and the theory of the earth | 125
On the nature of sea coal | 125
Effect of vegetation on noxious air | 129
On the inflammability of the surface of certain rivers in America | 130
On the different quantities of rain which fall at different heights over the same ground | 133
Slowly sensible hygrometer proposed, for certain purposes | 135
Curious instance of the effect of oil on water | 142
Letters on the stilling of waves by means of oil | 144
Extract of a letter from Mr. Tengnagel to Count Bentinck, dated at Batavia, the 5th of January, 1770 | 154
On the difference of navigation in shoal and deep water | 158
Sundry maritime observations | 162

Remarks upon the navigation from Newfoundland to New-York, in order to avoid the Gulph Stream on one hand, and on the other the shoals that lie to the southward of Nantucket and of St. George's Banks

197

Observations of the warmth of the sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's Thermometer, in crossing the Gulph Stream; with other remarks made on board the Pensylvania packet, Capt. Osborne, bound from London to Philadelphia, in April and May, 1775

199

Observations of the warmth of the sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's thermometer; with other remarks made on board the Reprisal, Capt. Wycks, bound from Philadelphia to France, in October and November, 1776

200

A journal of a voyage from the Channel between France and England towards America | 202
On the art of swimming | 206
On the same subject, in answer to some enquiries of M. Dubourg | 210
On the free use of air | 213
On the causes of colds | 214
Dr. Stark, and Dr. Letsom | 215
Number of deaths in Philadelphia by inoculation | ibid
Answer to the preceding | 217
On the effects of lead upon the human constitution | 219
Observations on the prevailing doctrines of life and death | 222
An account of the new-invented Pensylvanian fire-places | 225
On the causes and cure of smoky chimneys | 256
Description of a new stove for burning of pitcoal, and consuming all its smoke | 296
Method of contracting chimneys.—Modesty in disputation | 317
Covering houses with copper | 318
On the same subject | 320
Paper referred to in the preceding letter | 322
Magical square of squares | 324
Magical circle | 328
New musical instrument composed of glasses | 330
Best mediums for conveying sound | 335
On the harmony and melody of the old Scotch tunes | 338
On the defects of modern music | 343
Description of the process to be observed in making large sheets of paper in the Chinese manner, with one smooth surface | 349
On modern innovations in the English language and in printing | 351

A scheme for a new alphabet and reformed mode of spelling; with remarks and examples concerning the same; and an enquiry into its uses, in a correspondence between Miss S—— and Dr. Franklin, written in the characters of the alphabet

357

Rules for a club formerly established in Philadelphia | 366
Questions discussed by the Junto forming the preceding club | 369
Sketch of an English school; for the consideration of the trustees of the Philadelphia Academy | 370
Advice to youth in reading | 378

PAPERS ON SUBJECTS OF GENERAL POLITICS.

Observations concerning the increase of mankind, peopling of countries, &c | 383
Remarks on some of the foregoing observations, showing particularly the effect which manners have on population | 392
Plan by Messieurs Franklin and Dalrymple, for benefiting distant unprovided countries | 403
Concerning the provision made in China against famine | 407
Positions to be examined, concerning national wealth | 408
Political fragments, supposed either to be written by Dr. Franklin, or to contain sentiments nearly allied to his own | 411
On the price of corn, and management of the poor | 418
On luxury, idleness, and industry | 424
On smuggling, and its various species | 430
Observations on war | 435

Notes copied from Dr. Franklin's writing in pencil in the margin of Judge Foster's celebrated argument in favour of the impressing of seamen

437

On the criminal laws, and the practice of privateering | 441
A parable against persecution, in imitation of scripture language | 450

A letter concerning persecution in former ages, the maintenance of the clergy, American bishops, and the state of toleration in Old England and New England compared

452

On the slave trade | 459
Account of the highest court of judicature in Pensylvania, viz. The court of the press | 463

LIST OF THE PLATES

PLATE V. | Water-Spouts | facing page 16
PLATE VI. | Maritime Observations | 163
PLATE VII. | A Chart of the Gulph Stream | 197
PLATE VIII. | Pensylvania Fire-Place | 235
PLATE VIII*. | Profile of the Pensylvania Chimnie | 238
PLATE IX. | Remedies for Smoky Chimnies | 269
PLATE X. | Stove for Burning Pit-Coal | 297
PLATE XI. | A Magic Square of Squares | 327
PLATE XII. | A Magic Circle of Circles | 328

THE COMPLETE WORKS
OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,

Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself.

IN THREE VOLUMES

VOL. III. (of III)

CONTENTS

PAPERS ON AMERICAN SUBJECTS BEFORE THE REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES.
| Page.

Albany papers; containing, I. reasons and motives on which the plan of union for the colonies was formed;—II. reasons against partial unions;—III. and the plan of union drawn by B. F. and unanimously agreed to by the commissioners from New Hampshire, Massachusett's Bay, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pensylvania, met in congress at Albany, in July 1754, to consider of the best means of defending the king's dominions in America, &c. a war being then apprehended; with the reasons or motives for each article of the plan

3

Albany papers continued. I. letter to Governor Shirley, concerning the imposition of direct taxes upon the colonies, without their consent

30

II. Letter to the same; concerning direct taxes in the colonies imposed without consent, indirect taxes, and the Albany plan of union

31

III. Letter to the same, on the subject of uniting the colonies more intimately with Great Britain, by allowing them representatives in parliament

37

Plan for settling two Western colonies in North America, with reasons for the plan, 1754 | 41
Report of the committee of aggrievances of the assembly of Pensylvania, dated Feb. 22, 1757 | 50

An historical review of the constitution and government of Pensylvania, from its origin; so far as regards the several points of controversy which have, from time to time, arisen between the several governors of that province, and their several assemblies. Founded on authentic documents

59

The interest of Great Britain considered, with regard to her colonies, and the acquisitions of Canada and Guadaloupe | 89
Remarks and facts relative to the American paper-money | 144

To the freemen of Pensylvania, on the subject of a particular militia-bill, rejected by the proprietor's deputy or governor

157

Preface by a member of the Pensylvanian assembly (Dr. Franklin) to the speech of Joseph Galloway, Esq. one of the members for Philadelphia county; in answer to the speech of John Dickinson, Esq. delivered in the house of the assembly of the province of Pensylvania, May 24, 1764, on occasion of a petition drawn up by order, and then under the consideration of the house, praying his majesty for a royal, in lieu of a proprietary government

163

Remarks on a late protest against the appointment of Mr. Franklin as agent for this province (of Pensylvania) | 203
Remarks on a plan for the future management of Indian affairs | 216
PAPERS ON AMERICAN SUBJECTS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES.
Causes of the American discontents before 1768 | 225

Letter concerning the gratitude of America, and the probability and effects of an union with Great Britain; and concerning the repeal or suspension of the stamp act

239

Letter from Governor Pownall to Dr. Franklin, concerning an equal communication of rights, privileges, &c. to America by Great Britain

243

Minutes to the foregoing, by Dr. Franklin | 244

The examination of Dr. Franklin before the English house of commons, in February, 1766, relative to the repeal of the American stamp act

245

Attempts of Dr. Franklin for conciliation of Great Britain with the colonies | 286
Queries from Mr. Strahan | 287
Answer to the preceding queries | 290
State of the constitution of the colonies, by Governor Pownall; with remarks by Dr. Franklin | 299
Concerning the dissentions between England and America | 310
A Prussian edict, assuming claims over Britain | 311

Preface by the British editor (Dr. Franklin) to "The votes and proceedings of the freeholders, and other inhabitants of the town of Boston, in town-meeting assembled according to law (published by order of the town), &c."

317

Account of governor Hutchinson's letters | 322
Rules for reducing a great empire to a small one, presented to a late minister, when he entered upon his administration | 334
State of America on Dr. Franklin's arrival there | 346
Proposed vindication and offer from congress to parliament, in 1775 | 347
Reprobation of Mr. Strahan's parliamentary conduct | 354
Conciliation hopeless from the conduct of Great Britain to America | 355
Account of the first campaign made by the British forces in America | 357
Probability of a separation | 358

Letter to Monsieur Dumas, urging him to sound the several courts of Europe, by means of their ambassadors at the Hague, as to any assistance they may be disposed to afford America in her struggle for independence

360

Letter from Lord Howe to Dr. Franklin | 365
Dr. Franklin's answer to Lord Howe | 367
Comparison of Great Britain and America as to credit, in 1777 | 372
PAPERS, DESCRIPTIVE OF AMERICA, OR RELATING TO THAT COUNTRY, WRITTEN SUBSEQUENT TO THE REVOLUTION.
Remarks concerning the savages of North America | 383
The internal state of America; being a true description of the interest and policy of that vast continent | 391
Information to those who would remove to America | 398
Concerning new settlements in America | 409
A comparison of the conduct of the ancient Jews, and of the Antifederalists in the United States of America | 410
Final speech of Dr. Franklin in the late federal convention | 416
PAPERS ON MORAL SUBJECTS AND THE ECONOMY OF LIFE.
The busy-body | 421
The way to wealth, as clearly shown in the preface of an old Pensylvania almanack, intitled, Poor Richard Improved | 453
Advice to a young tradesman | 463
Necessary hints to those that would be rich | 466
The way to make money plenty in every man's pocket | 467
New mode of lending money | 468
An economical project | 469
On early marriages | 475
Effect of early impressions on the mind | 478
The whistle | 480
A petition to those who have the superintendency of education | 483
The handsome and deformed leg | 485
Morals of chess | 488
The art of procuring pleasant dreams | 493
Dialogue between Franklin and the gout | 499
On the death of relatives | 507
The ephemera an emblem of human life | 508
APPENDIX, NO. I.—CONTAINING PAPERS PROPER FOR INSERTION, BUT OMITTED IN THE PRECEDING VOLUMES.
Letter to Sir Hans Sloane | 513
Letter to Michael Collinson, Esq. | 514
Letter respecting captain Cook | 515

An address to the public, from the Pensylvania society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondage

517

Plan for improving the condition of the free blacks | 519
Paper: a poem | 523
Plain truth; or, serious considerations on the present state of the city of Philadelphia, and province of Pensylvania | 524
Four letters to Mr. Whetley | 543*
APPENDIX, NO. II.—CONTAINING LETTERS BY SEVERAL EMINENT PERSONS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF DR. FRANKLIN'S MANNERS AND CHARACTER.
Letter from the late Dr. Price to a gentleman in America | 543
Letter from Mr. Thomas Jefferson to the late Dr. William Smith, of Philadelphia | 545
Letter from the late Dr. Joseph Priestly | 547

MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; WRITTEN BY HIMSELF

With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, And Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, And Philosophical.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I. (of II)

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME

PART I.
| Page
Life of Dr. Franklin, written by himself | 13
PART II.
Letter from Mr. Abel James | 91
Letter from Mr. Benjamin Vaughan | 92
Continuation of Life, begun at Passy, near Paris, 1784 | 98
Memorandum | 115
PART III.
Life of Franklin, continued by Dr. Stuber | 191
Extracts from Franklin's Will | 227
WRITINGS OF FRANKLIN.
The Examination of Dr. Franklin before the British House of Commons, relative to the Repeal of the American Stamp-act | 237
Narrative of the Massacre of Friendly Indians in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1764 | 264
Introduction to Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania | 282

Dr. Franklin's Motion for Prayers in the Convention at Philadelphia, 1787, to revise the then existing Articles of Confederation

286

MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, And Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, And Philosophical.

IN TWO VOLUMES

VOL. II. (of II)

CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME

ESSAYS

| Page
The Way to Wealth; as clearly shown in the practice of an old Pennsylvania Almanac, entitled, "Poor Richard Improved" | 5
On True Happiness | 14
Public Men | 16
The Waste of Life | 22
Self-denial not the Essence of Virtue | 25
On the Usefulness of the Mathematics | 27
The Art of procuring Pleasant Dreams | 31
Advice to a young Tradesman | 37
Rules of Health | 39
The Ephemera; an Emblem of Human Life. To Madame Brillon, of Passy | 40
The Whistle. To Madame Brillon | 42
On Luxury, Idleness, and Industry | 45
On Truth and Falsehood | 50
Necessary Hints to those that would be Rich | 53
The Way to make Money plenty in every Man's Pocket | 54
The Handsome and Deformed Leg | 55
On Human Vanity | 58
On Smuggling, and its various Species | 62
Remarks concerning the Savages of North America | 66
On Freedom of Speech and the Press | 71
On the Price of Corn and the Management of the Poor | 82
Singular Custom among the Americans, entitled Whitewashing | 86
On the Criminal Laws and the Practice of Privateering | 94
Letter from Anthony Afterwit | 102

LETTERS

To Mrs. Abiah Franklin | 107
To Miss Jane Franklin | 108
To the same | 109
To Mr. George Whitefield | 110
To Mrs. D. Franklin | 112
To the same | 113
To Mrs. Jane Mecom | 114
To the same | 115
To the same | 116
To Miss Stevenson | 119
To Lord Kames | 120
To the same | 121
To the same | 128
To John Alleyne | 130
To Governor Franklin | 132
To Dr. Priestley | 134
To the same | 136
To Mr. Mather | 137
To Mr. Strahan | 138
To Dr. Priestley | 138
To Mrs. Thompson | 139
To Mr. Lith | 142
Answer to a Letter from Brussels | 144
To Dr. Price | 151
To Dr. Priestley | 152
To General Washington | 154
To M. Court de Gebelin | 156
To Francis Hopkinson | 158
To Francis Hopkinson | 159
To Samuel Huntingdon, President of Congress | 160
To the Bishop of St. Asaph | 162
To Miss Alexander | 163
To Benjamin Vaughan | 164
To Mrs. Hewson | 166
To David Hartley | 167
To Dr. Percival | 168
To Sir Joseph Banks | 169
To Robert Morris, Esq. | 171
To Dr. Mather | 172
To William Strahan, M.P. | 174
To George Wheatley | 178
To David Hartley | 181
To the Bishop of St. Asaph | 181
To Mrs. Hewson | 184
To M. Veillard | 185
To Mr. Jordain | 187
To Miss Hubbard | 189
To George Wheatley | 190
To B. Vaughan | 192
To the President of Congress | 193
To Mrs. Green | 196
To Dr. Price | 197
To B. Vaughan | 198
To Dr. Rush | 199
To Miss Catharine Louisa Shipley | 199
To * * * | 200
Copy of the last Letter written by Dr. Franklin | 201

PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS

To the Abbé Soulavie.—Theory of the Earth | 203
To Dr. John Pringle.—On the different Strata of the Earth | 207
To Mr. Bowdoin.—Queries and Conjectures relating to Magnetism and the Theory of the Earth | 208
To M. Dubourg.—On the Nature of Seacoal | 211
Causes of Earthquakes | 212
To David Rittenhouse.—New and Curious Theory of Light and Heat | 224
Of Lightning; and the Methods now used in America for the securing Buildings and Persons from its mischievous Effects | 227
To Peter Collinson.—Electrical Kite | 231
Physical and Meteorological Observations, Conjectures, and Suppositions | 232
To Dr. Perkins.—Water-spouts and Whirlwinds compared | 240
To Alexander Small.—On the Northeast Storms in North America | 254
To Dr. Lining.—On Cold produced by Evaporation | 256
To Peter Franklin.—On the Saltness of Seawater | 263
To Miss Stephenson.—Salt Water rendered fresh by Distillation.—Method of relieving Thirst by Seawater | 264
To the same.—Tendency of Rivers to the Sea.—Effects of the Sun's Rays on Cloths of different Colours | 266
To the same.—On the Effect of Air on the Barometer, and the Benefits derived from the Study of Insects | 270
To Dr. Joseph Priestley.—Effect of Vegetation on Noxious Air | 273
To Dr. John Pringle.—On the Difference of Navigation in Shoal and Deep Water | 274
To Oliver Neale.—On the Art of Swimming | 277
To Miss Stephenson.—Method of contracting Chimneys.—Modesty in Disputation | 281
To M. Dubourg.—Observations on the prevailing Doctrines of Life and Death | 282
Lord Brougham's Portrait of Dr. Franklin | 285

A U T O B I O G R A P H Y      OF     B E N J A M I N     F R A N K L I N

With Illustrations By E. Boyd Smith

CONTENTS

Introduction

vii

The Autobiography

1

I.

Ancestry and Early Life in Boston

3

II.

Beginning Life as a Printer

21

III.

Arrival in Philadelphia

41

IV.

First Visit to Boston

55

V.

Early Friends in Philadelphia

69

VI.

First Visit to London

77

VII.

Beginning Business in Philadelphia

99

VIII.

Business Success and First Public Service

126

IX.

Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection

146

X.

Poor Richard's Almanac and Other Activities

169

XI.

Interest in Public Affairs

188

XII.

Defense of the Province

201

XIII.

Public Services and Duties

217

XIV.

Albany Plan of Union

241

XV.

Quarrels with the Proprietary Governors

246

XVI.

Braddock's Expedition

253

XVII.

Franklin's Defense of the Frontier

274

XVIII.

Scientific Experiments

289

XIX.

Agent of Pennsylvania in London

296

Appendix |

Electrical Kite

327

The Way to Wealth

331

The Whistle

336

A Letter to Samuel Mather

340

Bibliography

343

ILLUSTRATIONS

Franklin at the Court of Louis XVI

Frontispiece

Page

Portrait of Franklin

vii

Pages 1 and 4 of The Pennsylvania Gazette, Number XL, the first number after Franklin took control

xxi

First page of The New England Courant of December 4-11, 1721

33

"I was employed to carry the papers thro' the streets to the customers"

36

"She, standing at the door, saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance"

48

"I took to working at press"

88

"I see him still at work when I go home from club"

120

Two pages from Poor Richard's Almanac for 1736

171

"I regularly took my turn of duty there as a common soldier"

204

"In the evening, hearing a great noise among them, the commissioners walk'd out to see what was the matter"

224

"Our axes ... were immediately set to work to cut down trees"

278

"We now appeared very wide, and so far from each other in our opinions as to discourage all hope of agreement"

318

"You will find it stream out plentifully from the key on the approach of your knuckle"

328

Father Abraham in his study

330

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Representative Selections, With Introduction, Bibliography, And Notes

By Frank Luther Mott

CONTENTS

I. | Franklin's Milieu: The Age of Enlightenment, xiii
II. | Franklin's Theories of Education, xxxii
III. | Franklin's Literary Theory and Practice, xlvi
IV. | Franklin as Printer and Journalist, lvii
V. | Franklin's Economic Views, lxiv
VI. | Franklin's Political Theories, lxxxii
VII. | Franklin as Scientist and Deist, cx

Chronological Table, cxlii
Selected Bibliography

I. | Works, cli
II. | Collections and Reprints, cliii
III. | Biographies, clv
IV. | Biographical and Critical Studies, clviii
V. | The Age of Franklin, clxxiv
VI. | Bibliographies and Check Lists, clxxxvi

From the Autobiography, 3
Dogood Papers, No. I (1722), 96
Dogood Papers, No. IV (1722), 98
Dogood Papers, No. V (1722), 102
Dogood Papers, No. VII (1722), 105
Dogood Papers, No. XII (1722), 109
Editorial Preface to the New England Courant (1723), 111
A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain (1725), 114
Rules for a Club Established for Mutual Improvement (1728), 128
Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion (1728), 130
The Busy-Body, No. 1 (1728/9), 137
The Busy-Body, No. 2 (1728/9), 139
The Busy-Body, No. 3 (1728/9), 141
The Busy-Body, No. 4 (1728/9), 145
Preface to the Pennsylvania Gazette (1729), 150
A Dialogue between Philocles and Horatio (1730), 152
A Second Dialogue between Philocles and Horatio (1730), 156
A Witch Trial at Mount Holly (1730), 161
An Apology for Printers (1731), 163
Preface to Poor Richard (1733), 169
A Meditation on a Quart Mugg (1733), 170
Preface to Poor Richard (1734), 172
Preface to Poor Richard (1735), 174
Hints for Those That Would Be Rich (1736), 176
To Josiah Franklin (April 13, 1738), 177
Preface to Poor Richard (1739), 179
A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge among the British Plantations in America (1743), 180
Shavers and Trimmers (1743), 183
To the Publick (1743), 186
Preface to Logan's Translation of "Cato Major" (1743/4), 187
To John Franklin, at Boston (March 10, 1745), 188
Preface to Poor Richard (1746), 189
The Speech of Polly Baker (1747), 190
Preface to Poor Richard (1747), 193
To Peter Collinson (August 14, 1747), 194
Preface to Poor Richard Improved (1748), 195
Advice to a Young Tradesman (1748), 196
To George Whitefield (July 6, 1749), 198
Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania (1749), 199
Idea of the English School (1751), 206
To Cadwallader Colden Esq., at New York (1751), 213
Exporting of Felons to the Colonies (1751), 214
Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, Etc. (1751), 216
To Peter Collinson (October 19, 1752), 223
Poor Richard Improved (1753)—facsimile reproduction, 225
To Joseph Huey (June 6, 1753), 261
Three Letters to Governor Shirley (1754), 263
To Miss Catherine Ray, at Block Island (March 4, 1755), 270
To Peter Collinson (August 25, 1755), 272
To Miss Catherine Ray (September 11, 1755), 274
To Miss Catherine Ray (October 16, 1755), 277
To Mrs. Jane Mecom (February 12, 1756), 278
To Miss E. Hubbard (February 23, 1756), 278
To Rev. George Whitefield (July 2, 1756), 279
The Way to Wealth (1758), 280
To Hugh Roberts (September 16, 1758), 289
To Mrs. Jane Mecom (September 16, 1758), 291
To Lord Kames (May 3, 1760), 293
To Miss Mary Stevenson (June 11, 1760), 295
To Mrs. Deborah Franklin (June 27, 1760), 298
To Jared Ingersoll (December 11, 1762), 300
To Miss Mary Stevenson (March 25, 1763), 301
To John Fothergill, M.D. (March 14, 1764), 304
To Sarah Franklin (November 8, 1764), 307
From A Narrative of the Late Massacres in Lancaster County (1764), 308
To the Editor of a Newspaper (May 20, 1765), 315
To Lord Kames (June 2, 1765), 318
Letter Concerning the Gratitude of America (January 6, 1766), 321
To Lord Kames (April 11, 1767), 325
To Miss Mary Stevenson (September 14, 1767), 330
On the Labouring Poor (1768), 336
To Dupont de Nemours (July 28, 1768), 340
To John Alleyne (August 9, 1768), 341
To the Printer of the London Chronicle (August 18, 1768), 343
Positions to be Examined, Concerning National Wealth (1769), 345
To Miss Mary Stevenson (September 2, 1769), 347
To Joseph Priestley (September 19, 1772), 348
To Miss Georgiana Shipley (September 26, 1772), 349
To Peter Franklin (undated), 351
On the Price of Corn, and Management of the Poor (undated), 355
An Edict by the King of Prussia (1773), 358
Rules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One (1773), 363
To William Franklin (October 6, 1773), 371
Preface to "An Abridgment of the Book of Common Prayer" (1773), 374
A Parable against Persecution, 379
A Parable on Brotherly Love, 380
To William Strahan (July 5, 1775), 381
To Joseph Priestley (July 7, 1775), 382
To a Friend in England (October 3, 1775), 383
To Lord Howe (July 30, 1776), 384
The Sale of the Hessians (1777), 387
Model of a Letter of Recommendation (April 2, 1777), 389
To —— (October 4, 1777), 390
To David Hartley (October 14, 1777), 390
A Dialogue between Britain, France, Spain, Holland, Saxony and America, 394
To Charles de Weissenstein (July 1, 1778), 397
The Ephemera (1778), 402
To Richard Bache (June 2, 1779), 404
Morals of Chess (1779), 406
To Benjamin Vaughan (November 9, 1779), 410
The Whistle (1779), 412
The Lord's Prayer (1779?), 414
The LevÃ©e (1779?), 417
Proposed New Version of the Bible (1779?), 419
To Joseph Priestley (February 8, 1780), 420
To George Washington (March 5, 1780), 421
To Miss Georgiana Shipley (October 8, 1780), 422
To Richard Price (October 9, 1780), 423
Dialogue between Franklin and the Gout (1780), 424
The Handsome and Deformed Leg (1780?), 430
To Miss Georgiana Shipley (undated), 432
To David Hartley (December 15, 1781), 434
Supplement to the Boston Independent Chronicle (1782), 434
To John Thornton (May 8, 1782), 443
To Joseph Priestley (June 7, 1782), 443
To Jonathan Shipley (June 10, 1782), 445
To James Hutton (July 7, 1782), 447
To Sir Joseph Banks (September 9, 1782), 448
Information to Those Who Would Remove to America (1782?), 449
Apologue (1783?), 458
To Sir Joseph Banks (July 27, 1783), 459
To Mrs. Sarah Bache (January 26, 1784), 460
An Economical Project (1784?), 466
To Samuel Mather (May 12, 1784), 471
To Benjamin Vaughan (July 26, 1784), 472
To George Whately (May 23, 1785), 479
To John Bard and Mrs. Bard (November 14, 1785), 481
To Jonathan Shipley (February 24, 1786), 481
To —— (July 3, 1786?), 484
Speech in the Convention; On the Subject of Salaries (1787), 486
Motion for Prayers in the Convention (1787), 489
Speech in the Convention at the Conclusion of Its Deliberations (1787), 491
To the Editors of the Pennsylvania Gazette (1788), 493
To Rev. John Lathrop (May 31, 1788), 496
To the Editor of the Federal Gazette (1788?), 496
To Charles Carroll (May 25, 1789), 500
An Account of the Supremest Court of Judicature in Pennsylvania, viz. the Court of the Press (1789), 501
An Address to the Public (1789), 505
To David Hartley (December 4, 1789), 506
To Ezra Stiles (March 9, 1790), 507
On the Slave-Trade (1790), 510
Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America, 513
An Arabian Tale, 519
A Petition of the Left Hand (date unknown), 520
Some Good Whig Principles (date unknown), 521
The Art of Procuring Pleasant Dreams, 523
Notes, 529

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Table of Contents

- INDEX OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG WORKS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

- Compiled by David Widger

- CONTENTS

- Click on the ## before many of the titles to view a linked table of contents for that volume. Click on the title itself to open the original online file.

- TABLES OF CONTENTS OF VOLUMES

- THE COMPLETE WORKS, OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

- Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself. In Three Volumes.

- Vol. I. (of III)

- 1806

- CONTENTS

- LIST OF THE PLATES

- THE COMPLETE WORKS, OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

- Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself. In Three Volumes.

- VOL. II. (of III)

- CONTENTS

- LIST OF THE PLATES

- THE COMPLETE WORKS OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,

- Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself. IN THREE VOLUMES

- VOL. III. (of III)

- CONTENTS

- MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; WRITTEN BY HIMSELF

- With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, And Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, And Philosophical.

- IN TWO VOLUMES.

- VOL. I. (of II)

- CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME

- MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

- With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, And Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, And Philosophical.

- IN TWO VOLUMES

- VOL. II. (of II)

- CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME ESSAYS
- LETTERS
- PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS

- A U T O B I O G R A P H Y OF B E N J A M I N F R A N K L I N

- With Illustrations By E. Boyd Smith

- CONTENTS

- ILLUSTRATIONS

- BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

- Representative Selections, With Introduction, Bibliography, And Notes

- THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE