be referred to this Class. But the most odious Shavers and Trimmers of this Kind, are a certain set of Females, called (by the polite World) JILTS. I cannot give my Readers a more perfect Idea of these than by quoting the following Lines of the Poet:

Fatally fair they are, and in their Smiles

The Graces, little Loves, and young Desires inhabit:

But they are false luxurious in their Appetites,

And all the Heav'n they hope for, is Variety.
One Lover to another still succeeds,
Another and another after that,

And the last Fool is welcome as the former;
'Till having lov'd his Hour out, he gives his Place,
And mingles with the Herd that went before him.
Rowe's Fair Penitent.

Lastly, I cannot but congratulate my Neighbours on the little Favour which is shown to Shavers and Trimmers by the People of this Province. The Business is at so low an Ebb, that the worthy Gentleman whose Advertisement I have chosen for the Motto of my Paper, acquaints us he will leave it off after the 22d of August next. I am of Opinion that all possible Encouragement ought to be given to Examples of this Kind, since it is owing to this that so perfect an Understanding is cultivated among ourselves, and the Chain of Friendship is brightened and perpetuated with our good Allies, the Indians. The Antipathy which these sage Naturalists bear to Shaving and Trimming, is well known.

I am, Yours, &c.

TO THE PUBLICK

Causis Philippus agendis

Clarus,

S. P. D.

My Paper on Shavers and Trimmers, in the last Gazette, being generally condemn'd, I at first imputed it to the Want of Taste and Relish for Pieces of that Force and Beauty, which none but University-bred Gentlemen can produce: But upon Advice of Friends, whose Judgment I could depend on, I examined myself and to my Shame must confess, that I found myself to be an uncircumcised Jew, whose Excrescencies of Hair, Nails, Flesh, &c. did burthen and disguise my Natural Endowments; but having my Hair and Nails since lopp'd off and shorn, and my fleshly Excrescencies circumcised, I now appear in my wonted Lustre, and expect a speedy Admission among the Levites, which I have already the Honour of among the Poets and Natural Philosophers. I have one Thing more to add, which is, That I had no real Animosity against the Person whose Advertisement I made the Motto of my Paper; but (as may appear to all who have been Big with Pieces of this Kind) what I had long on my Mind, I at last unburden'd myself of. O! these JILTS still run in my Mind.

N.B. The Publick perhaps may suppose this Confession forced upon me; but if they repair to the P- Pe in Secondstreet, they may see Me, or the Original hereof under my own Hand, and be convinced that this is genuine.

1 From The Pennsylvania Gazette, June 30, 1743.

37. TO WILLIAM STRAHAN 1

(P. C.) PHILADELPHIA, July 10, 1743.

SIR: Mr. Read has communicated to me part of a letter from you, recommending a young man whom you would be glad to see in better business than that of a journeyman printer. I have already three printing-houses in different colonies, and purpose to set up a fourth if I can meet with a proper person to manage it, having all materials ready for that purpose. If the young man will venture over hither, that I may see and be acquainted with him, we can treat about the affair, and I make no doubt but he will think my proposals reasonable; if we should not agree, I promise him, however, a twelve-month's good work, and to defray his passage back if he inclines to return to England. I am, sir, your humble servant unknown,

B. FRANKLIN.

38. TO MRS. JANE MECOM'

DEAREST SISTER JENNY,

PHILADELPHIA, July 28, 1743.

I took your admonition very kindly, and was far from being offended at you for it. If I say any thing about it to you, it

1 Printed by Bigelow, Vol. X, p. 233. Strahan's papers are now widely dispersed in private collections. William Strahan (1715-1785), a printer and publisher, was a junior partner of Andrew Millar, and, after 1768, a partner of Thomas Cadell, the elder. He published Gibbon's "Decline and Fall," and the histories of Robertson and Hume. He was Hume's literary executor. He became King's Printer in 1769. — Ed.

2 David Hall.

From "The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin," Philadelphia. Published by William Duane, 1817, Vol. VI, p. 5.

is only to rectify some wrong opinions you seem to have entertained of me; and this I do only because they give you some uneasiness, which I am unwilling to be the occasion of. You express yourself, as if you thought I was against the worshipping of God, and doubt that good works would merit heaven; which are both fancies of your own, I think, without foundation. I am so far from thinking that God is not to be worshipped, that I have composed and wrote a whole book of devotions for my own use; and I imagine there are few if any in the world so weak as to imagine that the little good we can do here can merit so vast a reward hereafter.

There are some things in your New England doctrine and worship, which I do not agree with; but I do not therefore condemn them, or desire to shake your belief or practice of them. We may dislike things that are nevertheless right in themselves. I would only have you make me the same allowance, and have a better opinion both of morality and your brother. Read the pages of Mr. Edwards's late book, entitled "Some Thoughts concerning the present Revival of Religion in New England," from 367 to 375, and when you judge of others, if you can perceive the fruit to be good, don't terrify yourself that the tree may be evil; but be assured it is not so, for you know who has said, "Men do not gather grapes of thorns and figs of thistles." I have no time to add, but that I shall always be your affectionate brother,

B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. It was not kind in you, when your sister commended good works, to suppose she intended it a reproach to you. It was very far from her thoughts.

39. PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD, 1744 (P. H. S.)

Courteous Reader,

This is the Twelfth Year that I have in this Way laboured for the Benefit-of Whom?of the Publick, if you'll be so good-natured as to believe it; if not, e'en take the naked Truth, 't was for the Benefit of my own dear self; not forgetting in the mean time, our gracious Consort and Dutchess the peaceful, quiet, silent Lady Bridget. But whether my Labours have been of any Service to the Publick or not, the Publick I must acknowledge has been of Service to me; I have lived Comfortably by its Benevolent Encouragement; and I hope I shall always bear a grateful Sense of its continued Favour.

My Adversary J.. n J n has indeed made an Attempt to out-shine me by pretending to penetrate a Year deeper into Futurity; and giving his Readers gratis in his Almanack for 1743 an Eclipse of the Year 1744, to be beforehand with me: His Words are, "The first Day of April next "Year 1744, there will be a GREAT ECLIPSE of the Sun; "it begins about an Hour before Sunset. It being in the "Sign Aries, the House of Mars, and in the 7th, shows Heat, "Difference and Animosities between Persons of the highest "Rank and Quality," &c. I am very glad, for the Sake of *** se Persons of Rank and Quality, that there is ** manner of Truth in this Prediction: They may, ***** please, live in Love and Peace. And I ***** his Readers (they are but few, indeed, and so the Matter's the less) not to give themselves any Trouble about observing this imaginary Great Eclipse; for they may stare till they're blind without