of the American Philosophical Society because it had chosen Franklin for its President, and that Richard Penn had been Lieutenant Governor (as Deputy for that uncle and his brother) from 1771 to 1773, it must have been difficult for Franklin not to feel that such a letter from such a man was indeed a tribute to his position, achieved solely by his own efforts. It is From this mass of correspondence, I have selected some letters showing the state of public opinion in New England in 1774, and from London in 1775, including a characteristic letter from Priestley and from Charles Lee and Wayne in the field. Much more might be printed to show how well Franklin kept in touch with all that was of interest during his long and busy career. well that this venerable Society, so largely the result of his labors, should be made the custodian of the papers that follow almost his daily thoughts, and it is to be hoped that the preparation and publication of a Calendar showing their contents may be completed at no distant day, certainly by the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of our founder, and thus perpetuate his memory. Franklin's legacy to the Philosophical Society was ninety-one volumes of the History of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, thus helping that collection of publications of scientific societies that make so valuable a portion of its Library. |