The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Consisting of Essays, Humourous, Moral, and Literary : with His Life |
From inside the book
Page 19
... to have acquired thereby sufficient knowledge to be able to make little things for myself , when I have had no mechanic at hand , and to construct small machines for my experiments , while the idea I have conceived has been fresh ...
... to have acquired thereby sufficient knowledge to be able to make little things for myself , when I have had no mechanic at hand , and to construct small machines for my experiments , while the idea I have conceived has been fresh ...
Page 90
He engaged in a course of electrical experiments , with al the ardour and thirst for discovery which character ized the philosophers of that day . Of all the branches of experimental philosophy , electricity had been least explored .
He engaged in a course of electrical experiments , with al the ardour and thirst for discovery which character ized the philosophers of that day . Of all the branches of experimental philosophy , electricity had been least explored .
Page 91
Their experiments excited the curiosity of other philosophers . Collinson , about the year 1745 , sent to the Library Company of Philadel phia , an account of these experiments , together with a tube , and directions how to use it .
Their experiments excited the curiosity of other philosophers . Collinson , about the year 1745 , sent to the Library Company of Philadel phia , an account of these experiments , together with a tube , and directions how to use it .
Page 92
He afterwards demonstrated , by experiments , that the electricity did not reside in the coating , as had been supposed , but in the pores of the glass itself . After a phial was charged , he removed the coating , and found that upon ...
He afterwards demonstrated , by experiments , that the electricity did not reside in the coating , as had been supposed , but in the pores of the glass itself . After a phial was charged , he removed the coating , and found that upon ...
Page 93
Philadelphia at this time afforded no opportunity of trying an experiment of this kind . ... well knowing the rid icule which , too generally for the interest of science , awaits unsuccessful experiments in philosophy .
Philadelphia at this time afforded no opportunity of trying an experiment of this kind . ... well knowing the rid icule which , too generally for the interest of science , awaits unsuccessful experiments in philosophy .
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
able advantage America appeared Assembly become body called carried common consequence considerable considered continued desire effect employed engaged England entered equal established Europe expense experiments father Franklin frequently friends gave give given hands hope hundred important improvement industry inhabitants interest kind known labour land late learned less letters liberty live manner master means mind nature necessary never obliged observed obtained occasion offered opinion pass perhaps persons Philadelphia pleasure poor pounds present printing produce proposed quaker reason received remain respect says shillings soon suffered taken thing thought tion took town trade turn whole wish writing young
Popular passages
Page 239 - Methinks I hear some of you say, Must a man afford himself no leisure? I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says: Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure ; and since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour.
Page 280 - Thus I consent, sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better and because I am not sure that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born and here they shall die.
Page 280 - It therefore astonishes me, sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does ; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded, like those of the builders of Babel ; and that our states are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another's throats. Thus I consent, sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.
Page 237 - Key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. But dost thou love Life, then do not squander Time, for that's the stuff Life is made of, as Poor Richard says. How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep, forgetting that The sleeping Fox catches no Poultry...
Page 242 - If you would know the Value of Money, go and try to borrow some; for, he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing; and indeed so does he that lends to such People, when he goes to get it in again.
Page 238 - He that hath a trade hath an estate; and he that hath a calling, hath an office of profit and honor; but then the trade must be worked at and the calling well followed, or neither the estate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are industrious, we shall never starve; for, as Poor Richard says, At the workingman's house hunger looks in, but dares not enter.
Page 143 - When I was a child of seven years old my friends on a holiday filled my pocket with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they sold toys for children, and being charmed with the sound of a whistle that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered and gave all my money for one.
Page 279 - I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them, for having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.
Page 280 - I think a general government necessary for us, and there is no form of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered ; and I believe, further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.
Page 240 - ... for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost...
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Consisting of Essays, Humourous, Moral, and Literary : with His Life |
| Author | Benjamin Franklin |
| Illustrated by | David G. Johnson (Engraver) |
| Contributor | Mahlon Day & Co |
| Publisher | Mahlon Day, 1834 |
| Original from | the New York Public Library |
| Digitized | 6 Dec 2006 |
| Length | 290 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |