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ESSAYS AND LETTERS,

BY

DR. B. FRANKLIN.

PART I.

MORAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL.

VOL. I.

MDCCCXX.

B

HARVARD

COLLEGE

(Sept. 10, 1920

LIBRARY

From the Liv any of Role t M. Johnston

Printed by T. DAVISON,
Whitefriars.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Essays and Letters of Dr. Franklin are introduced here by the editor who first collected and presented them in a regular form to the world. From their instructive nature, it was impossible that, in a series of English classics, they should not constitute a link. Few authors have written in a more pleasing or more impressive style. It is by playing round the head that he reaches the heart. Of a great poet it has been said, that " he lisp'd in numbers;" and with equal truth may it be affirmed of our philosopher, that, in the first efforts of his mind, he thought in proverbs, which have been denominated the wisdom of nations. His earliest productions, particularly his Poor Richard, abundantly luxuriant in this respect, may be adduced in proof; and the same quality will be found sparkling here and there through the whole of these little volumes. Like his writings,

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