51Poor Richard, 1741 (Franklin Papers)
...This Year there will be but two Eclipses, and those will be of the Sun, the first will happen June the Second Day: The other, November the 27th: Neither of which will be seen in these Parts of the World: But to the present Inhabitants of Cuba, and other Spanish Settlements in the West-Indies, these are like to appear very great Eclipses....be thy Secrets; if the world knows them,...
52Accounts with William Bradford, Jr., 1741–55 (Franklin Papers)
Voyage round the World;
53Poor Richard, 1742 (Franklin Papers)
...Heat of Lust; it brings a Man to a Consideration of his latter End; it makes the Body a fit Tabernacle for the Lord to dwell in; which makes us happy in this World, and eternally happy in the World to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
54Poor Richard, 1743 (Franklin Papers)
The World is full of fools and faint hearts; and yet every one has courage enough to bear the misfortunes, and wisdom enough to manage the Affairs of his neighbour.Though all the world’s at war, there’s peace with England.
55A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge, 14 May 1743 (Franklin Papers)
...throughout the West and South, and the botanical garden he established at Kingsessing, near Philadelphia, where he carried on pioneer experiments in hybridization, helped to earn for him Linnaeus’ praise as the greatest contemporary “natural botanist” in the world. George III appointed him Botanist to the King in 1765 with an annual stipend of £50.
56From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 10 July 1743 (Franklin Papers)
...1784, that he remembered “your observing once to me, as we sat together in the House of Commons, that no two Journeymen Printers within your Knowledge had met with such Success in the World as our selves.” What began as a business correspondence continued more than forty years, deepening in confidence and friendship, hardly interrupted by differences over American affairs. Strahan proposed...
57From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 28 July 1743 (Franklin Papers)
And I imagine there are few, if any, in the World, so weake as to imagine, that the little Good we can do here, can
58To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, [October 1743] (Franklin Papers)
...Colden’s new acquaintance. “From the Character you give of him,” he replied, May 9, 1744, “I am sure it must be Mr. Franklin you mean, whose Fame has long ago reached this Part of the World, for a most
59Poor Richard, 1744 (Franklin Papers)
Steal from the World, and not a StoneAll things would prosper, all the World grow wise.
60Verses from A Pocket Almanack, 1744 (Franklin Papers)
The World goes round.
61From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 4 July 1744 (Franklin Papers)
’s terms were “very fair,” advised him “to trust to his Generosity... and he will deal honourably by you,” and predicted that Hall would “have all the Reason in the World” to like
62From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 25 October 1744 (Franklin Papers)
high regard for you, as the ablest Thinker (so he express’d it) in this part of the World. I purpose to write to you from N York next Week, and till then must defer saying any further on the last mention’d Piece. Enclos’d I send you a Piece of Dr. Mitchel’s (of...
63An Account of the New Invented Pennsylvanian Fire-Places, [15 November 1744] (Franklin Papers)
“That invention hath found a great applause in this part of the world,” Gronovius replied, “which is the reason that I could not hinder to let it be translated into Dutch, and no doubt soon into French.”
64To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, December 1744 (Franklin Papers)
...go on in the pursuit of a study which requires much time and leizure more than I can hope for in my life. I know none besides Mr. Logan, Mr. Alexander and your self in this part of the world to whos judgement I can refer any thing of this kind.
65Poor Richard, 1745 (Franklin Papers)
Whence its rich Streams supply’d the World before.
66Extracts from the Gazette, 1745 (Franklin Papers)
...News, we have, by the late Ships, received English Papers to the 12th of November. The War, tho’ it creates a more general Appetite for News, does, we find, in this distant Part of the World, very much disconcert us News Writers. During the Peace, Ships were constantly dropping in at some Port or other of this Continent, and we had fresh Advices almost every Week from Europe; but now, by...
67Notes on Assembly Debates, 26–28 February 1745 (Franklin Papers)
...Manner they do; by pretending among other Things, that they are offended at not being consulted in such an Affair, &c. In short the Governor and Assembly have been only acting a Farce and playing Tricks to amuse the World.
68Old Mistresses Apologue, 25 June 1745 (Franklin Papers)
Treasury of the World’s Great Letters...make the compleat human Being. Separate, she wants his Force of Body and Strength of Reason; he, her Softness, Sensibility and acute Discernment. Together they are more likely to succeed in the World. A single Man has not nearly the Value he would have in that State of Union. He is an incomplete Animal. He resembles the odd Half of a Pair of Scissars. If...
69From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 15 August 1745 (Franklin Papers)
...it for that End has prevented my Showing it to any other Gentlemen as you desired; and hitherto prevented my Writing to you upon it as I intended. But lest you should conclude me the very worst Correspondent in the World, I shall delay no longer giving you some Thoughts that occur’d to me in Reading of it; chusing rather to be blam’d for not writing to the Purpose, than for not Writing at all.
70To Benjamin Franklin from John Mitchell, 12 September 1745 (Franklin Papers)
...Information to be necessary, and am as willing and ready to give them the best accounts of things I can, in return. But you must excuse my not publishing any thing yet a while. I think the world is pestered with this Itch of many to appear in print, which makes many so little regarded that do. Authors ought to be Masters not only of the particular subject, but of the whole art, they...the world
71From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 28 November 1745 (Franklin Papers)
If I can be a Means of Communicating anything valuable to the World, I do not always think of Gaining, nor even of Saving by my Business; But a Piece of that kind, as it must excite the Curiosity of all the Learned, can hardly fail of bearing its own...
72Poor Richard, 1746 (Franklin Papers)
It’s the easiest Thing in the World for a Man to deceive himself.
73From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 16 October 1746 (Franklin Papers)
...a Letter he has just receiv’d from Gronovius. I congratulate you on the Immortality conferr’d on you by the learned Naturalists of Europe. No Species or Genus of Plants was ever lost, or ever will be while the World continues; and therefore your Name, now annext to one of them, will last forever....found a great applause in this part of the world. …” In the Dutch edition a slight alteration...
74Extracts from the Gazette, 1747 (Franklin Papers)
...this Province. The Man of Taste. On Sir Walter Raleigh. English explained by Greek. Locke, the famous John, Esq; Of Parties. Benefits of Winter. The good Husband. Account of Niagara Falls, the greatest Cataract in the World. Story of the Emperor’s Daughter, &c. &c. &c. With many other Matters (useful and entertaining) too many to mention here.
75The Speech of Miss Polly Baker, 15 April 1747 (Franklin Papers)
...) to say I ever wrong’d Man, Woman, or Child. Abstracted from the Law, I cannot conceive (may it please your Honours) what the Nature of my Offence is. I have brought Five fine Children into the World, at the Risque of my Life; I have maintain’d them well by my own Industry, without burthening the Township, and would have done it better, if it had not been for the heavy Charges and Fines...
76Plain Truth, 17 November 1747 (Franklin Papers)
...tho’ the fierce fighting Animals of those happy Islands, are said to abate their native Fire and Intrepidity, when removed to a Foreign Clime, yet with the People ’tis not so; Our Neighbours of New-England afford the World a convincing Proof, that
77Form of Association, 24 November 1747 (Franklin Papers)
...to protect the People under its Care, such a Proceeding might have been thought both unnecessary and unjustifiable: But here it is quite the Reverse. For in our State (and perhaps if you search the World through, you will find it in ours only) the Government, that Part of it at least that holds the Purse, has always, from religious Considerations, refused to use the common Means for the...
78Poor Richard Improved, 1748 (Franklin Papers)
of that now generally receiv’d System of the World which bears his Name, and supposes the Sun in the Center, this Earth a Planet revolving round it in 365 Days, 6 Hours, &c. and that Day and Night are caused by the Turning of the Earth...
79To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 14 June 1748 (Franklin Papers)
...an Ingenious Man and comes over on purpose to Improve himself in all Natural Inquiries. He is a Sweed per Nation and is as I am informed Imployed by the Academy of Upsal to make Observations on your Parts of the World. I recommend Him to thy Favour and Notice—by Him I send the first Vol. of the Voyage to Discover NorWest passage.
80Advice to a Young Tradesman, [21 July 1748] (Franklin Papers)
There were accounts of the history and government of the several colonies; of Pennsylvania, however, Franklin wrote simply: “One of the happiest Countries at this Time in the World. God grant it may long so continue.” To promote the teaching of penmanship Franklin, like William Mather, included four plates of examples of good handwriting,..., as well as the best Memories of any in the World...
81Poor Richard Improved, 1749 (Franklin Papers)
...serv’d up in Japan, regale a luxurious palate in any other country. But the benevolent mind of a virtuous man, is pleas’d, when it is inform’d of good and generous actions, in what part of the world soever they are done....in the World, must be beforehand with his Business: It is not only ill Management, but discovers a slothful Disposition, to do that in the Afternoon, which should have...
82Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania, [October 1749] (Franklin Papers)
...Reputation of the Design; that they look on the Students as in some Sort their Children, treat them with Familiarity and Affection, and when they have behav’d well, and gone through their Studies, and are to enter the World, zealously unite, and make all the Interest that can be made to establish them,...Epochas in Use in this Part of the World, and can reduce them to the Julian Period...
83Constitutions of the Academy of Philadelphia, [13 November 1749] (Franklin Papers)
...will look on the Students as, in some Measure, their own Children, treat them with Familiarity and Affection; and when they have behaved well, gone thro’ their Studies, and are to enter the World, they shall zealously unite, and make all the Interest that can be made, to promote and establish them, whether in Business, Offices, Marriages, or any other Thing for their Advantage, preferable...
84Poor Richard Improved, 1750 (Franklin Papers)
The Queen, the Beauty, sets the World in Arms;’Tis the World’s Debt to Deeds of high Degree;
85To Benjamin Franklin from George Whitefield, 26 February 1750 (Franklin Papers)
...both in respect to knowledge of books and men, that any thing I could offer, I fear, would be of very little service. I think the main thing will be, to get proper masters that are acquainted with the world, with themselves, and with
86From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 2 June 1750 (Franklin Papers)
probably have an agreable Person. That with the best Natural Disposition in the World, she discovers daily the Seeds and Tokens of Industry, Oeconomy, and in short, of every Female Virtue, which her Parents will endeavour to cultivate for him; and if the Success answers their fond Wishes and Expectations,...
87To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Kalm, 2 September 1750 (Franklin Papers)
you remember, Sir, that when I took leave of you, I told you, that if my time would permit, I would this summer take a view of Niagara fall, one of the greatest curieusities in the world. When I the last year came back from Canada, you did ask me several things about this fall; I told you all what I have heard of it in Canada of French Gentlemen, that had been there but... ...the world....
88Poor Richard Improved, 1751 (Franklin Papers)
...last Century. In the Melt of a single Cod-fish ten Times more living Creatures are contained, than the Inhabitants of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, taking it for granted, that all Parts of the World are as well peopled as Holland, which is very far from being the Case. Of a certain Species some are discovered so extremely minute, that it has been computed, three Millions of them, or...
89Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, 1751 (Franklin Papers)
24. Which leads me to add one Remark: That the Number of purely white People in the World is proportionably very small. All Africa is black or tawny. Asia chiefly tawny. America (exclusive of the new Comers) wholly so. And in Europe, the Spaniards, Italians, French, Russians and Swedes, are generally of...
90Felons and Rattlesnakes, 9 May 1751 (Franklin Papers)
; Felons-convict from the Beginning of the World: These, whenever we meet with them, we put to Death, by Virtue of an old Law,
91Abiah Franklin to Benjamin and Deborah Franklin, 14 October 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Mother says she an’t able and so I must tell you my self that I rejoyce with you and bles god for you in all your prosperity and doubt not but you will be grater blessings to the world as he bestows upon you grater honers.
92Obituary of James Logan, 7 November 1751 (Franklin Papers)
...Lovers of Learning. It contains the best Editions of the best Books in various Languages, Arts and Sciences, and is without Doubt the largest, and by far the most valuable Collection of the Kind in this Part of the World,
93Obituary of Thomas Hopkinson, 14 November 1751 (Franklin Papers)
...of his Life. Not conscious of any Guilt or Neglect of any Social Duty, he beheld the slow Approaches of Death with an amazing Chearfulness, without any Mixture of Anxiety or Fear; and at last bid adieu to the World with all the Serenity of Mind that could flow from the Wisdom of a Philosopher joined to the Innocence of a Child.
94Poor Richard Improved, 1752 (Franklin Papers)
“Then range the world, Discov’ry !—Straight he goes
95To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Johnson, [January 1752?] (Franklin Papers)
...Land. But I am now plainly in the decline of Life, both as to agility of Body and vigour of Mind, and must therefore consider my self as being an emeritus, and unfit for any new Situation in the World or to enter on any New Business especially at such a Distance from my hitherto Sphere of Action
96To Benjamin Franklin from John Perkins, 17 February 1752 (Franklin Papers)
I can by no means understand it any more than Magnetism. I imagin it has very important Uses in the World possibly not in our Power to discover. I cant help thinking Sensation and Muscular Motion are at least in part performed by it. Your Rationale on Clouds and Rain appears extreamly probable to me and so that of the...
97To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 3 June 1752 (Franklin Papers)
...no way to get home. Collinson would not let him ship as a sailor to the West Indies, London sailors being a profligate crew, but clothed him and paid his passage to Philadelphia. Bartram tumbled and tossed about the world for several years (Collinson’s phrase), then became an apothecary and practitioner of medicine in Philadelphia. Ernest Earnest,
98From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 14 September 1752 (Franklin Papers)
...Room. He came handsomely provided with Apparel, and I believe Mr. Parker has in every respect done his Duty by him; and in this Affair has really acted a generous Part; therefore I hope if Benny succeeds in the World he will make Mr. Parker a Return beyond what he has promis’d. I suppose you will not think it amiss to write Mr. and Mrs. Parker a Line
99Poor Richard Improved, 1753 (Franklin Papers)
He that best understands the World, least likes it.An Hymn to the Creator of the World. The Thoughts taken chiefly from Psal. civ. To which is added in Prose, An Idea of the Creator from his Works
100William Dampier: Accounts of Water Spouts, 1753 (Franklin Papers)
A New Voyage round the WorldVoyage round the World