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Title: Index of The Project Gutenberg Works of Benjamin Franklin Author: Benjamin Franklin Editor: David Widger Release Date: January 12, 2019 [EBook #58676] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INDEX OF THE PG WORKS OF FRANKLIN *** Produced by David Widger INDEX OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG WORKS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Compiled by David Widger FRANKLIN CONTENTS Click on the ## before many of the titles to view a linked table of contents for that volume. Click on the title itself to open the original online file. ## THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 1 ## THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 2 ## THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 3 ## MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Vol. 1 ## MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Vol. 2 ## AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ## BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SELECTIONS AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: FIRST BALLOONS EXPERIMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON ELECTRICITY FRANKLIN'S WAY TO WEALTH TABLES OF CONTENTS OF VOLUMES THE COMPLETE WORKS, OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself. In Three Volumes. Vol. I. (of III) 1806 CONTENTS Page. LIFE of Dr. FRANKLIN 1 LETTERS AND PAPERS ON ELECTRICITY. Introductory Letter. 169 Wonderful effect of points.—Positive and negative electricity.—Electrical kiss.—Counterfeit spider.—Simple and commodious electrical machine. 170 Observations on the Leyden bottle, with experiments proving the different electrical state of its different surfaces. 179 Further experiments confirming the preceding observations.—Leyden bottle analysed.— Electrical battery.—Magical Picture.—Electrical wheel or jack.—Electrical feast. 187 Observations and suppositions, towards forming a new hypothesis, for explaining the several phenomena of thunder-gusts. 203 Introductory letter to some additional papers. 216 Opinions and conjectures, concerning the properties and effects of the electrical matter, and the means of preserving buildings, ships, &c. from lightning, arising from experiments and observations made at Philadelphia, 1749.—Golden fish.—Extraction of effluvial virtues by electricity impracticable. 217 Additional experiments: proving that the Leyden bottle has no more electrical fire in it when charged, than before: nor less when discharged: that in discharging, the fire does not issue from the wire and the coating at the same time, as some have thought, but that the coating always receives what is discharged by the wire, or an equal quantity: the outer surface being always in a negative state of electricity, when the inner surface is in a positive state. 245 Accumulation of the electrical fire proved to be in the electrified glass.—Effect of lightning on the needle of compasses, explained.—Gunpowder fired by the electric flame. 247 Unlimited nature of the electric force. 250 The terms, electric per se, and non-electric, improper.—New relation between metals and water.—Effects of air in electrical experiments.—Experiment for discovering more of the qualities of the electric fluid. 252 Mistake, that only metals and water were conductors, rectified.—Supposition of a region of electric fire above our atmosphere.—Theorem concerning light.—Poke-weed a cure for cancers. 256 New experiments.—Paradoxes inferred from them.—Difference in the electricity of a globe of glass charged, and a globe of sulphur.—Difficulty of ascertaining which is positive and which negative. 261 Probable cause of the different attractions and repulsions of the two electrified globes mentioned in the two preceding letters. 264 Reasons for supposing, that the glass globe charges positively, and the sulphur negatively.— Hint respecting a leather globe for experiments when travelling. ibid. Electrical kite. 267 Hypothesis, of the sea being the grand source of lightning, retracted.—Positive, and sometimes negative, electricity of the clouds discovered.—New experiments and conjectures in support of this discovery.—Observations recommended for ascertaining the direction of the electric fluid.—Size of rods for conductors to buildings.—Appearance of a thunder-cloud described. 269 Additional proofs of the positive and negative state of electricity in the clouds.—New method of ascertaining it. 284 Electrical experiments, with an attempt to account for their several phenomena, &c. 286 Experiments made in pursuance of those made by Mr. Canton, dated December 6, 1753; with explanations, by Mr. Benjamin Franklin. 294 [xii] Turkey killed by electricity.—Effect of a shock on the operator in making the experiment. 299 Differences in the qualities of glass.—Account of Domien, an electrician and traveller.— Conjectures respecting the pores of glass.—Origin of the author's idea of drawing down lightning.—No satisfactory hypothesis respecting the manner in which clouds become electrified.—Six men knocked down at once by an electrical shock.—Reflections on the spirit of invention. 301 Beccaria's work on electricity.—Sentiments of Franklin on pointed rods, not fully understood in Europe.—Effect of lightning on the church of Newbury, in New England.—Remarks on the subject. 309 Notice of another packet of letters. 313 Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Boston, to Benjamin Franklin, Esq. concerning the crooked direction, and the source of lightning, and the swiftness of the electric fire. 314 Observations on the subjects of the preceding letter.—Reasons for supposing the sea to be the grand source of lightning.—Reasons for doubting this hypothesis.—Improvement in a globe for raising the electric fire. 320 Effect of lightning on captain Waddel's compass, and the Dutch church at New York. 324 Proposal of an experiment to measure the time taken up by an Electric spark, in moving through any given space. 327 Experiments on boiling water, and glass heated by boiling water.—Doctrine of repulsion in electrised bodies doubted.—Electricity of the atmosphere at different heights.—Electrical horse-race.—Electrical thermometer.—In what cases the electrical fire produces heat.— Wire lengthened by electricity.—Good effect of a rod on the house of Mr. West, of Philadelphia. 331 Answer to some of the foregoing subjects.—How long the Leyden bottle may be kept charged.—Heated glass rendered permeable by the electric fluid.—Electrical attraction and repulsion.—Reply to other subjects in the preceding paper.—Numerous ways of kindling fire.—Explosion of water.—Knobs and points. 343 Accounts from Carolina (mentioned in the foregoing letter) of the effects of lightning on two of the rods commonly affixed to houses there, for securing them against lightning. 361 Mr. William Maine's account of the effects of the lightning on his rod, dated at Indian Land, in South Carolina, Aug. 28, 1760. 362 On the electricity of the tourmalin. 369 New observation relating to electricity in the atmosphere. 373 Flash of lightning that struck St. Bride's steeple. 374 Best method of securing a powder magazine from lightning. 375 Of lightning, and the methods (now used in America) of securing buildings and persons from its mischievous effects. 377 St. Bride's steeple.—Utility of electrical conductors to Steeples.—Singular kind of glass tube. 382 Experiments, observations, and facts, tending to support the opinion of the utility of long pointed rods, for securing buildings from damage by strokes of lightning. 383 On the utility of electrical conductors. 400 On the effects of electricity in paralytic cases. 401 Electrical experiments on amber. 403 On the electricity of the fogs in Ireland. 405 Mode of ascertaining, whether the power, giving a shock to those who touch either the Surinam eel, or the torpedo, be electrical. 408 On the analogy between magnetism and electricity. 410 Concerning the mode of rendering meat tender by electricity. 413 [xiii] [xiv] Answer to some queries concerning the choice of glass for the Leyden experiment. 416 Concerning the Leyden bottle. 418 APPENDIX. No. 1. Account of experiments made in electricity at Marly. 420 A more particular account of the same, &c. 422 Letter of Mr. W. Watson, F. R. S. to the Royal Society, concerning the electrical experiments in England upon thunder-clouds. 427 No. 2. Remarks on the Abbé Nollet's Letters to Benjamin Franklin, Esq. of Philadelphia, on electricity. 430 LIST OF THE PLATES PLATE I. Electrical Experiments facing page 182 PLATE II. Electrical Air Thermometer 336 PLATE III. Cavendish Experiment 348 PLATE IV. Lightning Rod Experiments 388 THE COMPLETE WORKS, OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself. In Three Volumes. VOL. II. (of III) CONTENTS LETTERS AND PAPERS ON PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS. Physical and meteorological observations, conjectures and suppositions 1 On water-spouts 11 The same subject continued 13 Water-spouts and whirlwinds compared 19 Description of a water-spout at Antigua 34 Shooting stars 36 Water-spouts and whirlwinds 37 Observations on the meteorological paper; by a gentleman in Connecticut 45 Observations in answer to the foregoing, by B. Franklin 49 Observations on the meteorological paper; sent by a gentleman in New York to B. Franklin 51 Answer to the foregoing observations, by B. Franklin 55 Gentleman of New York in reply 58 Account of a whirlwind at Maryland 61 On the north east storms in North America 63 Meteorological imaginations and conjectures 66 Suppositions and conjectures towards forming an hypothesis, for the explanation of the aurora borealis 69 On cold produced by evaporation 75 On the same subject 83 Concerning the light in sea-water 88 On the saltness of sea-water 91 On the effect of air on the barometer, and the benefits derived from the study of insects 92 On the Bristol waters, and the tide in rivers 95 On the same subject 102 Salt-water rendered fresh by distillation.—Method of relieving thirst by sea-water 103 Tendency of rivers to the sea.—Effect of the sun's rays on cloth of different colours 105 On the vis inertiæ of matter 110 On the different strata of the earth 116 On the theory of the earth 117 New and curious theory of light and heat 122 Queries and conjectures relating to magnetism and the theory of the earth 125 On the nature of sea coal 125 Effect of vegetation on noxious air 129 On the inflammability of the surface of certain rivers in America 130 On the different quantities of rain which fall at different heights over the same ground 133 Slowly sensible hygrometer proposed, for certain purposes 135 Curious instance of the effect of oil on water 142 Letters on the stilling of waves by means of oil 144 Extract of a letter from Mr. Tengnagel to Count Bentinck, dated at Batavia, the 5th of January, 1770 154 On the difference of navigation in shoal and deep water 158 Sundry maritime observations 162 Remarks upon the navigation from Newfoundland to New-York, in order to avoid the Gulph Stream on one hand, and on the other the shoals that lie to the southward of Nantucket and of St. George's Banks 197 Observations of the warmth of the sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's Thermometer, in crossing the Gulph Stream; with other remarks made on board the Pensylvania packet, Capt. Osborne, bound from London to Philadelphia, in April and May, 1775 199 Observations of the warmth of the sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's thermometer; with other remarks made on board the Reprisal, Capt. Wycks, bound from Philadelphia to France, in October and November, 1776 200 A journal of a voyage from the Channel between France and England towards America 202 On the art of swimming 206 [iv] On the same subject, in answer to some enquiries of M. Dubourg 210 On the free use of air 213 On the causes of colds 214 Dr. Stark, and Dr. Letsom 215 Number of deaths in Philadelphia by inoculation ibid Answer to the preceding 217 On the effects of lead upon the human constitution 219 Observations on the prevailing doctrines of life and death 222 An account of the new-invented Pensylvanian fire-places 225 On the causes and cure of smoky chimneys 256 Description of a new stove for burning of pitcoal, and consuming all its smoke 296 Method of contracting chimneys.—Modesty in disputation 317 Covering houses with copper 318 On the same subject 320 Paper referred to in the preceding letter 322 Magical square of squares 324 Magical circle 328 New musical instrument composed of glasses 330 Best mediums for conveying sound 335 On the harmony and melody of the old Scotch tunes 338 On the defects of modern music 343 Description of the process to be observed in making large sheets of paper in the Chinese manner, with one smooth surface 349 On modern innovations in the English language and in printing 351 A scheme for a new alphabet and reformed mode of spelling; with remarks and examples concerning the same; and an enquiry into its uses, in a correspondence between Miss S—— and Dr. Franklin, written in the characters of the alphabet 357 Rules for a club formerly established in Philadelphia 366 Questions discussed by the Junto forming the preceding club 369 Sketch of an English school; for the consideration of the trustees of the Philadelphia Academy 370 Advice to youth in reading 378 PAPERS ON SUBJECTS OF GENERAL POLITICS. Observations concerning the increase of mankind, peopling of countries, &c 383 Remarks on some of the foregoing observations, showing particularly the effect which manners have on population 392 Plan by Messieurs Franklin and Dalrymple, for benefiting distant unprovided countries 403 Concerning the provision made in China against famine 407 Positions to be examined, concerning national wealth 408 Political fragments, supposed either to be written by Dr. Franklin, or to contain sentiments nearly allied to his own 411 On the price of corn, and management of the poor 418 [v] [vi] On luxury, idleness, and industry 424 On smuggling, and its various species 430 Observations on war 435 Notes copied from Dr. Franklin's writing in pencil in the margin of Judge Foster's celebrated argument in favour of the impressing of seamen 437 On the criminal laws, and the practice of privateering 441 A parable against persecution, in imitation of scripture language 450 A letter concerning persecution in former ages, the maintenance of the clergy, American bishops, and the state of toleration in Old England and New England compared 452 On the slave trade 459 Account of the highest court of judicature in Pensylvania, viz. The court of the press 463 LIST OF THE PLATES PLATE V. Water-Spouts facing page 16 PLATE VI. Maritime Observations 163 PLATE VII. A Chart of the Gulph Stream 197 PLATE VIII. Pensylvania Fire-Place 235 PLATE VIII*. Profile of the Pensylvania Chimnie 238 PLATE IX. Remedies for Smoky Chimnies 269 PLATE X. Stove for Burning Pit-Coal 297 PLATE XI. A Magic Square of Squares 327 PLATE XII. A Magic Circle of Circles 328 THE COMPLETE WORKS OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself. IN THREE VOLUMES VOL. III. (of III) CONTENTS PAPERS ON AMERICAN SUBJECTS BEFORE THE REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES. Page. Albany papers; containing, I. reasons and motives on which the plan of union for the colonies was formed;—II. reasons against partial unions;—III. and the plan of union drawn by B. F. and unanimously agreed to by the commissioners from New Hampshire, Massachusett's Bay, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pensylvania, met in congress at Albany, in July 1754, to consider of the best means of defending the king's dominions in America, &c. a war being then apprehended; with the reasons or motives for each article of the plan 3 Albany papers continued. I. letter to Governor Shirley, concerning the imposition of direct taxes upon the colonies, without their consent 30 II. Letter to the same; concerning direct taxes in the colonies imposed without consent, indirect taxes, and the Albany plan of union 31 III. Letter to the same, on the subject of uniting the colonies more intimately with Great Britain, by allowing them representatives in parliament 37 Plan for settling two Western colonies in North America, with reasons for the plan, 1754 41 Report of the committee of aggrievances of the assembly of Pensylvania, dated Feb. 22, 1757 50 An historical review of the constitution and government of Pensylvania, from its origin; so far as regards the several points of controversy which have, from time to time, arisen between the several governors of that province, and their several assemblies. Founded on authentic documents 59 The interest of Great Britain considered, with regard to her colonies, and the acquisitions of Canada and Guadaloupe 89 Remarks and facts relative to the American paper-money 144 To the freemen of Pensylvania, on the subject of a particular militia-bill, rejected by the proprietor's deputy or governor 157 Preface by a member of the Pensylvanian assembly (Dr. Franklin) to the speech of Joseph Galloway, Esq. one of the members for Philadelphia county; in answer to the speech of John Dickinson, Esq. delivered in the house of the assembly of the province of Pensylvania, May 24, 1764, on occasion of a petition drawn up by order, and then under the consideration of the house, praying his majesty for a royal, in lieu of a proprietary government 163 Remarks on a late protest against the appointment of Mr. Franklin as agent for this province (of Pensylvania) 203 Remarks on a plan for the future management of Indian affairs 216 PAPERS ON AMERICAN SUBJECTS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES. Causes of the American discontents before 1768 225 Letter concerning the gratitude of America, and the probability and effects of an union with Great Britain; and concerning the repeal or suspension of the stamp act 239 Letter from Governor Pownall to Dr. Franklin, concerning an equal communication of rights, privileges, &c. to America by Great Britain 243 Minutes to the foregoing, by Dr. Franklin 244 The examination of Dr. Franklin before the English house of commons, in February, 1766, relative to the repeal of the American stamp act 245 Attempts of Dr. Franklin for conciliation of Great Britain with the colonies 286 Queries from Mr. Strahan 287 Answer to the preceding queries 290 State of the constitution of the colonies, by Governor Pownall; with remarks by Dr. Franklin 299 Concerning the dissentions between England and America 310 A Prussian edict, assuming claims over Britain 311 [iv] Preface by the British editor (Dr. Franklin) to "The votes and proceedings of the freeholders, and other inhabitants of the town of Boston, in town-meeting assembled according to law (published by order of the town), &c." 317 Account of governor Hutchinson's letters 322 Rules for reducing a great empire to a small one, presented to a late minister, when he entered upon his administration 334 State of America on Dr. Franklin's arrival there 346 Proposed vindication and offer from congress to parliament, in 1775 347 Reprobation of Mr. Strahan's parliamentary conduct 354 Conciliation hopeless from the conduct of Great Britain to America 355 Account of the first campaign made by the British forces in America 357 Probability of a separation 358 Letter to Monsieur Dumas, urging him to sound the several courts of Europe, by means of their ambassadors at the Hague, as to any assistance they may be disposed to afford America in her struggle for independence 360 Letter from Lord Howe to Dr. Franklin 365 Dr. Franklin's answer to Lord Howe 367 Comparison of Great Britain and America as to credit, in 1777 372 PAPERS, DESCRIPTIVE OF AMERICA, OR RELATING TO THAT COUNTRY, WRITTEN SUBSEQUENT TO THE REVOLUTION. Remarks concerning the savages of North America 383 The internal state of America; being a true description of the interest and policy of that vast continent 391 Information to those who would remove to America 398 Concerning new settlements in America 409 A comparison of the conduct of the ancient Jews, and of the Antifederalists in the United States of America 410 Final speech of Dr. Franklin in the late federal convention 416 PAPERS ON MORAL SUBJECTS AND THE ECONOMY OF LIFE. The busy-body 421 The way to wealth, as clearly shown in the preface of an old Pensylvania almanack, intitled, Poor Richard Improved 453 Advice to a young tradesman 463 Necessary hints to those that would be rich 466 The way to make money plenty in every man's pocket 467 New mode of lending money 468 An economical project 469 On early marriages 475 Effect of early impressions on the mind 478 The whistle 480 A petition to those who have the superintendency of education 483 The handsome and deformed leg 485 Morals of chess 488 [v] [vi] The art of procuring pleasant dreams 493 Dialogue between Franklin and the gout 499 On the death of relatives 507 The ephemera an emblem of human life 508 APPENDIX, NO. I.—CONTAINING PAPERS PROPER FOR INSERTION, BUT OMITTED IN THE PRECEDING VOLUMES. Letter to Sir Hans Sloane 513 Letter to Michael Collinson, Esq. 514 Letter respecting captain Cook 515 An address to the public, from the Pensylvania society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondage 517 Plan for improving the condition of the free blacks 519 Paper: a poem 523 Plain truth; or, serious considerations on the present state of the city of Philadelphia, and province of Pensylvania 524 Four letters to Mr. Whetley 543* APPENDIX, NO. II.—CONTAINING LETTERS BY SEVERAL EMINENT PERSONS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF DR. FRANKLIN'S MANNERS AND CHARACTER. Letter from the late Dr. Price to a gentleman in America 543 Letter from Mr. Thomas Jefferson to the late Dr. William Smith, of Philadelphia 545 Letter from the late Dr. Joseph Priestly 547 MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; WRITTEN BY HIMSELF With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, And Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, And Philosophical. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. (of II) CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME PART I. Page Life of Dr. Franklin, written by himself 13 PART II. Letter from Mr. Abel James 91 Letter from Mr. Benjamin Vaughan 92 Continuation of Life, begun at Passy, near Paris, 1784 98 Memorandum 115 PART III. Life of Franklin, continued by Dr. Stuber 191 Extracts from Franklin's Will 227 WRITINGS OF FRANKLIN. The Examination of Dr. Franklin before the British House of Commons, relative to the Repeal of the American Stamp-act 237 Narrative of the Massacre of Friendly Indians in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1764 264 Introduction to Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania 282 Dr. Franklin's Motion for Prayers in the Convention at Philadelphia, 1787, to revise the then existing Articles of Confederation 286 MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, And Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, And Philosophical. IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. II. (of II) CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME ESSAYS Page The Way to Wealth; as clearly shown in the practice of an old Pennsylvania Almanac, entitled, "Poor Richard Improved" 5 On True Happiness 14 Public Men 16 The Waste of Life 22 Self-denial not the Essence of Virtue 25 On the Usefulness of the Mathematics 27 The Art of procuring Pleasant Dreams 31 Advice to a young Tradesman 37 Rules of Health 39 The Ephemera; an Emblem of Human Life. To Madame Brillon, of Passy 40 The Whistle. To Madame Brillon 42 On Luxury, Idleness, and Industry 45 On Truth and Falsehood 50 Necessary Hints to those that would be Rich 53 The Way to make Money plenty in every Man's Pocket 54 The Handsome and Deformed Leg 55 On Human Vanity 58 On Smuggling, and its various Species 62 Remarks concerning the Savages of North America 66 On Freedom of Speech and the Press 71 On the Price of Corn and the Management of the Poor 82 Singular Custom among the Americans, entitled Whitewashing 86 On the Criminal Laws and the Practice of Privateering 94 Letter from Anthony Afterwit 102 LETTERS To Mrs. Abiah Franklin 107 To Miss Jane Franklin 108 To the same 109 To Mr. George Whitefield 110 To Mrs. D. Franklin 112 To the same 113 To Mrs. Jane Mecom 114 To the same 115 To the same 116 To Miss Stevenson 119 To Lord Kames 120 To the same 121 To the same 128 To John Alleyne 130 To Governor Franklin 132 To Dr. Priestley 134 To the same 136 To Mr. Mather 137 To Mr. Strahan 138 To Dr. Priestley 138 To Mrs. Thompson 139 To Mr. Lith 142 Answer to a Letter from Brussels 144 To Dr. Price 151 To Dr. Priestley 152 To General Washington 154 To M. Court de Gebelin 156 To Francis Hopkinson 158 To Francis Hopkinson 159 To Samuel Huntingdon, President of Congress 160 To the Bishop of St. Asaph 162 To Miss Alexander 163 To Benjamin Vaughan 164 To Mrs. Hewson 166 To David Hartley 167 To Dr. Percival 168 To Sir Joseph Banks 169 To Robert Morris, Esq. 171 To Dr. Mather 172 To William Strahan, M.P. 174 To George Wheatley 178 To David Hartley 181 To the Bishop of St. Asaph 181 To Mrs. Hewson 184 To M. Veillard 185 To Mr. Jordain 187 To Miss Hubbard 189 To George Wheatley 190 To B. Vaughan 192 To the President of Congress 193 To Mrs. Green 196 To Dr. Price 197 To B. Vaughan 198 To Dr. Rush 199 To Miss Catharine Louisa Shipley 199 To * * * 200 Copy of the last Letter written by Dr. Franklin 201 PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS To the Abbé Soulavie.—Theory of the Earth 203 To Dr. John Pringle.—On the different Strata of the Earth 207 To Mr. Bowdoin.—Queries and Conjectures relating to Magnetism and the Theory of the Earth 208 To M. Dubourg.—On the Nature of Seacoal 211 Causes of Earthquakes 212 To David Rittenhouse.—New and Curious Theory of Light and Heat 224 Of Lightning; and the Methods now used in America for the securing Buildings and Persons from its mischievous Effects 227 To Peter Collinson.—Electrical Kite 231 Physical and Meteorological Observations, Conjectures, and Suppositions 232 To Dr. Perkins.—Water-spouts and Whirlwinds compared 240 To Alexander Small.—On the Northeast Storms in North America 254 To Dr. Lining.—On Cold produced by Evaporation 256 To Peter Franklin.—On the Saltness of Seawater 263 To Miss Stephenson.—Salt Water rendered fresh by Distillation.—Method of relieving Thirst by Seawater 264 To the same.—Tendency of Rivers to the Sea.—Effects of the Sun's Rays on Cloths of different Colours 266 To the same.—On the Effect of Air on the Barometer, and the Benefits derived from the Study of Insects 270 To Dr. Joseph Priestley.—Effect of Vegetation on Noxious Air 273 To Dr. John Pringle.—On the Difference of Navigation in Shoal and Deep Water 274 To Oliver Neale.—On the Art of Swimming 277 To Miss Stephenson.—Method of contracting Chimneys.—Modesty in Disputation 281 To M. Dubourg.—Observations on the prevailing Doctrines of Life and Death 282 Lord Brougham's Portrait of Dr. Franklin 285 A U T O B I O G R A P H Y OF B E N J A M I N F R A N K L I N With Illustrations By E. Boyd Smith CONTENTS Introduction vii The Autobiography 1 I. Ancestry and Early Life in Boston 3
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