PART I
Philad^a, NOV. 20: 1728
FIRST PRINCIPLES
I believe there is one supreme, most perfect Being, Author and Father of the Gods themselves. For I believe that Man is not the most perfect Being but one, rather that as there are many Degrees of Beings his Inferiors, so there are many Degrees of Beings superior to him.
Also, when I stretch my Imagination thro' and beyond our System of Planets, beyond the visible fix'd Stars themselves, into that Space that is every Way infinite, and conceive it fill'd with Suns like ours, each with a Chorus of Worlds forever moving round him, then this little Ball on which we move, seems, even in my narrow Imagination, to be almost Nothing, and myself less than nothing, and of no sort of Consequence.
When I think thus, I imagine it great Vanity in me to suppose, that the _Supremely Perfect_ does in the least regard such an inconsiderable Nothing as Man. More especially, since it is impossible for me to have any positive clear idea of that which is infinite and incomprehensible, I cannot conceive otherwise than that he _the Infinite Father_ expects or requires no Worship or Praise from us, but that he is even infinitely above it.
But, since there is in all Men something like a natural principle, which inclines them to DEVOTION, or the Worship of some unseen Power;
And since Men are endued with Reason superior to all other Animals, that we are in our World acquainted with;
Therefore I think it seems required of me, and my Duty as a Man, to pay Divine Regards to SOMETHING.
I conceive then, that the INFINITE has created many beings or Gods, vastly superior to Man, who can better conceive his Perfections than we, and return him a more rational and glorious Praise.
As, among Men, the Praise of the Ignorant or of Children is not regarded by the ingenious Painter or Architect, who is rather honour'd and pleas'd with the approbation of Wise Men & Artists.
It may be that these created Gods are immortal; or it may be that after many Ages, they are changed, and others Supply their Places.
Howbeit, I conceive that each of these is exceeding wise and good, and very powerful; and that Each has made for himself one glorious Sun, attended with a beautiful and admirable System of Planets.
It is that particular Wise and good God, who is the author and owner of our System, that I propose for the object of my praise and adoration.
For I conceive that he has in himself some of those Passions he has planted in us, and that, since he has given us Reason whereby we are capable of observing his Wisdom in the Creation, he is not above caring for us, being pleas'd with our Praise, and offended when we slight Him, or neglect his Glory.
I conceive for many Reasons, that he is a _good Being_; and as I should be happy to have so wise, good, and powerful a Being my Friend, let me consider in what manner I shall make myself most acceptable to him.
Next to the Praise resulting from and due to his Wisdom, I believe he is pleas'd and delights in the Happiness of those he has created; and since without Virtue Man can have no Happiness in this World, I firmly believe he delights to see me Virtuous, because he is pleased when he sees Me Happy.
And since he has created many Things, which seem purely design'd for the Delight of Man, I believe he is not offended, when he sees his Children solace themselves in any manner of pleasant exercises and Innocent Delights; and I think no Pleasure innocent, that is to Man hurtful.
I _love_ him therefore for his Goodness, and I _adore_ him for his Wisdom.
Let me then not fail to praise my God continually, for it is his Due, and it is all I can return for his many Favours and great Goodness to me; and let me resolve to be virtuous, that I may be happy, that I may please Him, who is delighted to see me happy. Amen!
ADORATION
PREL. Being mindful that before I address the Deity, my soul ought to be calm and serene, free from Passion and Perturbation, or otherwise elevated with Rational Joy and Pleasure, I ought to use a Countenance that expresses a filial Respect, mixed w^th a kind of Smiling, that Signifies inward Joy, and Satisfaction, and Admiration.
O wise God, my good Father!
Thou beholdest the sincerity of my Heart and of my Devotion; Grant me a Continuance of thy Favour!
1. O Creator, O Father! I believe that thou art Good, and that thou art _pleas'd with the pleasure_ of thy children.--Praised be thy name for Ever!
2. By thy Power hast thou made the glorious Sun, with his attending Worlds; from the energy of thy mighty Will, they first received [their prodigious] motion, and by thy Wisdom hast thou prescribed the wondrous Laws, by which they move.--Praised be thy name for Ever!
3. By thy Wisdom hast thou formed all Things. Thou hast created Man, bestowing Life and Reason, and placed him in Dignity superior to thy other earthly Creatures.--Praised be thy name for Ever!
4. Thy Wisdom, thy Power, and thy Goodness are everywhere clearly seen; in the air and in the water, in the Heaven and on the Earth; Thou providest for the various winged Fowl, and the innumerable Inhabitants of the Water; thou givest Cold and Heat, Rain and Sunshine, in their Season, & to the Fruits of the Earth Increase.--Praised be thy name for Ever!
5. Thou abhorrest in thy Creatures Treachery and Deceit, Malice, Revenge, [_Intemperance_,] and every other hurtful Vice; but Thou art a Lover of Justice and Sincerity, of Friendship and Benevolence, and every Virtue. Thou art my Friend, my Father, and my Benefactor.--Praised be thy name, O God, for Ever! Amen!
[After this, it will not be improper to read part of some such Book as Ray's _Wisdom of God in the Creation_, or _Blackmore on the Creation_, or the Archbishop of Cambray's _Demonstration of the Being of a God_, &c., or else spend some Minutes in a serious Silence, contemplating on those Subjects.]
Then sing
MILTON'S HYMN TO THE CREATOR
"These are thy Glorious Works, Parent of Good! Almighty, Thine this Universal Frame, Thus wondrous fair! Thyself how wondrous then! Speak ye who best can tell, Ye Sons of Light, Angels, for ye behold him, and with Songs And Choral Symphonies, Day without Night, Circle his Throne rejoicing you in Heav'n, On Earth join all ye creatures to extol Him first, him last, him midst, and without End. "Fairest of Stars, last in the Train of Night, If rather Thou belongst not to the Dawn, Sure Pledge of Day! thou crown'st the smiling Morn With thy bright Circlet, Praise him in thy Sphere While Day arises, that sweet Hour of Prime. Thou Sun, of this great World, both Eye and Soul, Acknowledge him thy greater; Sound his Praise In thy eternal Course; both when thou climb'st, And when high Noon hast gain'd, and when thou fall'st. Moon! that now meet'st the orient sun, now fly'st, With the fixed Stars, fixed in their orb that flies, And ye five other wandering Fires, that move In mystic Dance not without Song; resound His Praise, that out of Darkness called up Light. Air! and ye Elements! the eldest Birth Of Nature's womb, that in Quaternion run Perpetual Circle, multiform, and mix And nourish all things, let your ceaseless Change Vary to our great Maker still new Praise. Ye mists and Exhalations, that now rise From Hill or steaming lake, dusky or grey, Till the Sun paint your fleecy skirts with Gold, In honour to the World's Great Author rise; Whether to deck with Clouds the uncolor'd sky, Or wet the thirsty Earth w^th falling show'rs, Rising or falling still advance his Praise. His Praise, ye Winds! that from 4 quarters blow, Breathe soft or Loud; and wave your Tops, ye Pines! With every Plant, in sign of worship wave. Fountains! and ye that warble, as ye flow Melodious Murmurs, warbling tune his Praise. Join voices all ye living souls, ye Birds! That singing, up to Heaven's high gate ascend, Bear on your wings, & in your Note his Praise; Ye that in Waters glide! and ye that walk The Earth! and stately tread or lowly creep; Witness _if I be silent_, Ev'n or Morn, To Hill, or Valley, Fountain, or Fresh Shade, Made Vocal by my Song, and taught his Praise."
[Here follows the Reading of some Book, or part of a Book, Discoursing on and exciting to Moral Virtue.]
PETITION
Inasmuch as by Reason of our Ignorance We cannot be certain that many Things, which we often hear mentioned in the Petitions of Men to the Deity, would prove real Goods, if they were in our Possession, and as I have reason to hope and believe that the Goodness of my Heavenly Father will not withold from me a suitable share of Temporal Blessings, if by a Virtuous and holy Life I conciliate his Favour and Kindness, Therefore I presume not to ask such things, but rather humbly and with a Sincere Heart, express my earnest desires that he would graciously assist my Continual Endeavours and Resolutions of eschewing Vice and embracing Virtue; which Kind of Supplications will _at least be thus far beneficial, as they remind me_ in a solemn manner of my Extensive duty.
That I may be preserved from Atheism & Infidelity, Impiety, and Profaneness, and, in my Addresses to Thee, carefully avoid Irreverence and ostentation, Formality and odious Hypocrisy,--Help me, O Father!
That I may be loyal to my Prince, and faithful to my country, careful for its good, valiant in its defence, and obedient to its Laws, abhorring Treason as much as Tyranny,--Help me, O Father!
That I may to those above me be dutiful, humble, and submissive; avoiding Pride, Disrespect, and Contumacy,--Help me, O Father!
That I may to those below me be gracious, Condescending, and Forgiving, using Clemency, protecting _innocent Distress_, avoiding Cruelty, Harshness, and Oppression, Insolence, and unreasonable Severity,--Help me, O Father!
That I may refrain from Censure, Calumny and Detraction; that I may avoid and abhor Deceit and Envy, Fraud, Flattery, and Hatred, Malice, Lying, and Ingratitude,--Help me, O Father!
That I may be sincere in Friendship, faithful in trust, and Impartial in Judgment, watchful against Pride, and against Anger (that momentary Madness),--Help me, O Father!
That I may be just in all my Dealings, temperate in my Pleasures, full of Candour and Ingenuity, Humanity and Benevolence,--Help me, O Father!
That I may be grateful to my Benefactors, and generous to my Friends, exercising Charity and Liberality to the Poor, and Pity to the Miserable,--Help me, O Father!
That I may avoid Avarice and Ambition, Jealousie, and Intemperance, Falsehood, Luxury, and Lasciviousness,--Help me, O Father!
That I may possess Integrity and Evenness of Mind, Resolution in Difficulties, and Fortitude under Affliction; that I may be punctual in performing my promises, Peaceable and prudent in my Behaviour,--Help me, O Father!
That I may have Tenderness for the Weak, and reverent Respect for the Ancient; that I may be Kind to my Neighbours, good-natured to my Companions, and hospitable to Strangers,--Help me, O Father!
That I may be averse to Talebearing, Backbiting, Detraction, Slander, & Craft, and overreaching, abhor Extortion, Perjury, and every Kind of wickedness,--Help me, O Father!
That I may be honest and open-hearted, gentle, merciful, and good, cheerful in spirit, rejoicing in the Good of others,--Help me, O Father!
That I may have a constant Regard to Honour and Probity, that I may possess a perfect innocence and a good Conscience, and at length become truly Virtuous and Magnanimous,--Help me, good God; help me, O Father![G]
And, forasmuch as ingratitude is one of the most odious of vices, let me not be unmindful gratefully to acknowledge the favours I receive from Heaven.
[G] At this point the original MS ends. The subsequent paragraph, including the "Thanks," is found only in William Temple Franklin's transcript, now in the Library of Congress. [_Smyth's note._]
THANKS
For peace and liberty, for food and raiment, for corn, and wine, and milk, and every kind of healthful nourishment,--Good God, I thank thee!
For the common benefits of air and light; for useful fire and delicious water,--Good God, I thank thee!
For knowledge, and literature, and every useful art, for my friends and their prosperity, and for the fewness of my enemies,--Good God, I thank thee!
For all thy innumerable benefits; for life, and reason, and the use of speech; for health, and joy, and every pleasant hour,--My good God, I thank thee!
THE BUSY-BODY, NO. 1[22]
Tuesday, February 4th, 1728/9
MR. ANDREW BRADFORD,
I design this to acquaint you, that I, who have long been one of your Courteous Readers, have lately entertain'd some Thoughts of setting up for an Author mySelf; not out of the least Vanity, I assure you, or Desire of showing my Parts, but purely for the Good of my Country.
I have often observ'd with Concern that your Mercury is not always equally entertaining. The Delay of Ships expected in, and want of fresh Advices from Europe, make it frequently very Dull; and I find the Freezing of our River has the same Effect on News as on Trade. With more Concern have I continually observ'd the growing Vices and Follies of my Country-folk; and, tho' Reformation is properly the concern of every Man; that is, Every one ought to mend One; yet 'tis too true in this Case, that what is every Body's Business is nobody's Business; and the Business is done accordingly. I therefore, upon mature Deliberation, think fit to take Nobody's Business wholly into my own Hands; and, out of Zeal for the Publick Good, design to erect mySelf into a Kind of _Censor Morum_; proposing, with your Allowance, to make Use of the _Weekly Mercury_ as a Vehicle in which my Remonstrances shall be convey'd to the World.
I am sensible I have in this Particular undertaken a very unthankful Office, and expect little besides my Labour for my Pains. Nay, 'tis probable I may displease a great Number of your Readers, who will not very well like to pay 10s. a Year for being told of their Faults. But, as most People delight in Censure when they themselves are not the Objects of it, if any are offended at my publickly exposing their private Vices, I promise they shall have the Satisfaction, in a very little Time, of seeing their good Friends and Neighbours in the same Circumstances.
However, let the Fair Sex be assur'd that I shall always treat them and their Affairs with the utmost Decency and Respect. I intend now and then to dedicate a Chapter wholly to their Service; and if my Lectures any Way contribute to the Embellishment of their Minds and brightning of their Understandings, without offending their Modesty, I doubt not of having their Favour and Encouragement.
'Tis certain, that no Country in the World produces naturally finer Spirits than ours; Men of Genius for every kind of Science, and capable of acquiring to Perfection every Qualification that is in Esteem among Mankind. But as few here have the Advantage of good Books, for want of which, good Conversation is still more scarce, it would doubtless have been very acceptable to your Readers, if, instead of an old out-of-date Article from Muscovy or Hungary, you had entertained them with some well-chosen Extract from a good Author. This I shall sometimes do, when I happen to have nothing of my own to say that I think of more Consequence. Sometimes I propose to deliver Lectures of Morality or Philosophy, and (because I am naturally enclin'd to be meddling with Things that don't concern me) perhaps I may sometimes talk Politicks. And if I can by any means furnish out a Weekly Entertainment for the Publick that will give a rational Diversion, and at the same Time be instructive to the Readers, I shall think my Leisure Hours well employ'd: And if you publish this, I hereby invite all ingenious Gentlemen and others (that approve of such an Undertaking) to my Assistance and Correspondence.
'Tis like by this Time, you have a Curiosity to be acquainted with my Name and Character. As I do not aim at publick Praise, I design to remain concealed; and there are such Numbers of our Family and Relations at this Time in the Country, that tho' I've sign'd my Name at full Length, I am not under the least Apprehension of being distinguish'd and discover'd by it. My Character, indeed, I would favour you with, but that I am cautious of praising mySelf, lest I should be told my Trumpeter's dead: And I cannot find in my Heart at present, to say any Thing to my own Disadvantage.
It is very common with Authors, in their first Performances, to talk to their Readers thus; "If this meets with a SUITABLE Reception; Or, If this should meet with DUE Encouragement, I shall hereafter publish, &c." This only manifests the Value they put on their own Writings, since they think to frighten the Publick into their Applause, by threatning, that unless you approve what they have already wrote, they intend never to write again; when perhaps it mayn't be a Pin Matter whether they ever do or no. As I have not observ'd the Criticks to be more favourable on this Account, I shall always avoid saying any Thing of the Kind; and conclude with telling you, that, if you send me a Bottle of Ink and a Quire of Paper by the Bearer, you may depend on hearing further from, Sir, your most humble Servant,
THE BUSY-BODY.
THE BUSY-BODY, NO. 2
Tuesday, February 11, 1728/9
All fools have still an itching to deride, And fain would be upon the laughing side. --POPE.
Monsieur de la Rochefoucault tells us somewhere in his Memoirs, that the Prince of Condé delighted much in ridicule, and used frequently to shut himself up for half a day together in his chamber, with a gentleman that was his favorite, purposely to divert himself with examining what was the foible or ridiculous side of every noted person in the court. That gentleman said afterwards in some company, that he thought nothing was more ridiculous in anybody, than this same humour in the Prince; and I am somewhat inclined to be of this opinion. The general tendency there is among us to this embellishment, which I fear has too often grossly imposed upon my loving countrymen instead of wit, and the applause it meets with from a rising generation, fill me with fearful apprehensions for the future reputation of my country. A young man of modesty (which is the most certain indication of large capacities) is hereby discouraged from attempting to make any figure in life; his apprehensions of being out-laughed will force him to continue in a restless obscurity, without having an opportunity of knowing his own merit himself or discovering it to the world, rather than venture to oppose himself in a place where a pun or a sneer shall pass for wit, noise for reason, and the strength of the argument be judged by that of the lungs.
Among these witty gentlemen let us take a view of Ridentius. What a contemptible figure does he make with his train of paltry admirers! This wight shall give himself an hour's diversion with the cock of a man's hat, the heels of his shoes, an unguarded expression in his discourse, or even some personal defect; and the height of his low ambition is to put some one of the company to the blush, who perhaps must pay an equal share of the reckoning with himself. If such a fellow makes laughing the sole end and purpose of his life; if it is necessary to his constitution, or if he has a great desire of growing suddenly fat, let him eat; let him give public notice where any dull stupid rogue may get a quart of four-penny for being laughed at; but it is barbarously unhandsome, when friends meet for the benefit of conversation and a proper relaxation from business, that one should be the butt of the company, and four men made merry at the cost of the fifth.
How different from this character is that of the good-natured, gay Eugenius, who never spoke yet but with a design to divert and please, and who was never yet baulked in his intention. Eugenius takes more delight in applying the wit of his friends, than in being admired himself; and if any one of the company is so unfortunate as to be touched a little too nearly, he will make use of some ingenious artifice to turn the edge of ridicule another way, choosing rather to make himself a public jest, than be at the pain of seeing his friend in confusion.
Among the tribe of laughers, I reckon the petty gentlemen that write satires, and carry them about in their pockets, reading them themselves in all company they happen into; taking an advantage of the ill taste of the town to make themselves famous for a pack of paltry, low nonsense, for which they deserve to be kicked rather than admired, by all who have the least tincture of politeness. These I take to be the most incorrigible of all my readers; nay, I expect they will be squibbing at the Busy-Body himself. However, the only favour he begs of them is this, that if they cannot control their overbearing itch of scribbling, let him be attacked in downright biting lyrics; for there is no satire he dreads half so much as an attempt towards a panegyric.
THE BUSY-BODY, NO. 3
Tuesday, February 18th, 1728/9
Non vultus instantis Tyranni Mente quatit solidâ,--neque Auster, Dux inquieti turbidus Adriæ, Nec fulminantis magna Jovis manus. --HOR.
It is said that the Persians, in their ancient Constitution, had publick Schools in which Virtue was taught as a Liberal Art or Science; and it is certainly of more Consequence to a Man, that he has learnt to govern his Passions; in spite of Temptation to be just in his Dealings, to be Temperate in his Pleasures, to support himself with Fortitude under his Misfortunes, to behave with Prudence in all Affairs, and in every Circumstance of Life; I say, it is of much more real Advantage to him to be thus qualified, than to be a Master of all the Arts and Sciences in the World beside.
Virtue alone is sufficient to make a Man Great, Glorious, and Happy. He that is acquainted with Cato, as I am, cannot help thinking as I do now, and will acknowledge he deserves the Name, without being honour'd by it. Cato is a Man whom Fortune has plac'd in the most obscure Part of the Country. His Circumstances are such, as only put him above Necessity, without affording him many Superfluities; Yet who is greater than Cato? I happened but the other Day to be at a House in Town, where, among others, were met Men of the most Note in this Place. Cato had Business with some of them, and knock'd at the Door. The most trifling Actions of a Man, in my Opinion, as well as the smallest Features and Lineaments of the Face, give a nice Observer some Notion of his Mind. Methought he rapp'd in such a peculiar Manner, as seem'd of itself to express there was One, who deserv'd as well as desir'd Admission. He appear'd in the plainest Country Garb; his Great Coat was coarse, and looked old and threadbare; his Linnen was home-spun; his Beard perhaps of Seven Days' Growth; his Shoes thick and heavy; and every Part of his Dress corresponding. Why was this Man receiv'd with such concurring Respect from every Person in the Room, even from those who had never known him or seen him before? It was not an exquisite Form of Person, or Grandeur of Dress, that struck us with Admiration.
I believe long Habits of Virtue have a sensible Effect on the Countenance. There was something in the Air of his Face, that manifested the true Greatness of his Mind, which likewise appear'd in all he said, and in every Part of his Behaviour, obliging us to regard him with a Kind of Veneration. His Aspect is sweetened with Humanity and Benevolence, and at the same Time enboldned with Resolution, equally free from a diffident Bashfulness and an unbecoming Assurance. The Consciousness of his own innate Worth and unshaken Integrity renders him calm and undaunted in the Presence of the most Great and Powerful, and upon the most extraordinary Occasions. His strict Justice and known Impartiality make him the Arbitrator and Decider of all Differences, that arise for many Miles around him, without putting his Neighbours to the Charge, Perplexity, and Uncertainty of Law-Suits. He always speaks the Thing he means, which he is never afraid or asham'd to do, because he knows he always means well, and therefore is never oblig'd to blush, and feel the Confusion of finding himself detected in the Meanness of a Falsehood. He never contrives Ill against his Neighbour, and therefore is never seen with a lowring, suspicious Aspect. A mixture of Innocence and Wisdom makes him ever seriously chearful. His generous Hospitality to Strangers, according to his Ability; his Goodness, his Charity, his Courage in the Cause of the Oppressed, his Fidelity in Friendship, his Humility, his Honesty and Sincerity, his Moderation, and his Loyalty to the Government; his Piety, his Temperance, his Love to Mankind, his Magnanimity, his Publick-Spiritedness, and in fine, his consummate Virtue, make him justly deserve to be esteem'd the Glory of his Country.
"The Brave do never shun the Light; Just are their Thoughts, and open are their Tempers; Freely without Disguise they love and hate; Still are they found in the fair Face of Day, And Heaven and Men are Judges of their Actions." --ROWE.
Who would not rather chuse, if it were in his Choice, to merit the above Character, than be the richest, the most learned, or the most powerful Man in the Province without it?
Almost every Man has a strong natural Desire of being valu'd and esteem'd by the rest of his Species, but I am concern'd and griev'd to see how few fall into the Right and only infallible Method of becoming so. That laudable Ambition is too commonly misapply'd, and often ill employ'd. Some to make themselves considerable pursue Learning, others grasp at Wealth; some aim at being thought witty; and others are only careful to make the most of an handsome Person; But what is Wit, or Wealth, or Form, or Learning, when compar'd with Virtue? 'Tis true, we love the handsome, we applaud the Learned, and we fear the Rich and Powerful; but we even Worship and adore the Virtuous. Nor is it strange; since Men of Virtue are so rare, so very rare to be found. If we were as industrious to become Good as to make ourselves Great, we should become really Great by being Good, and the Number of valuable Men would be much increased; but it is a Grand Mistake to think of being Great without Goodness; and I pronounce it as certain, that there was never yet a truly Great Man, that was not at the same Time truly Virtuous.
O Cretico! thou sowre Philosopher! Thou cunning Statesman! Thou art crafty, but far from being Wise. When wilt thou be esteem'd, regarded, and belov'd like Cato? When wilt thou, among thy Creatures, meet with that unfeign'd respect and warm Good-will, that all Men have for him? Wilt thou never understand, that the cringing, mean, submissive Deportment of thy Dependents, is (like the worship paid by Indians to the Devil) rather thro' Fear of the Harm thou may'st do to them, than out of Gratitude for the Favours they have receiv'd of thee? Thou art not wholly void of Virtue; there are many good Things in thee, and many good Actions reported of thee. Be advised by thy Friend. Neglect those musty Authors; let them be cover'd with Dust, and moulder on their proper Shelves; and do thou apply thyself to a Study much more profitable, The knowledge of Mankind and of thySelf.
# # # # #
This is to give Notice, that the Busy-Body strictly forbids all Persons, from this Time forward, of what Age, Sex, Rank, Quality, Degree, or Denomination soever, on any Pretence, to enquire who is the Author of this Paper, on Pain of his Displeasure, (his own near and Dear Relations only excepted).
'Tis to be observ'd, that if any bad Characters happen to be drawn in the Course of these Papers, they mean no particular Person, if they are not particularly apply'd.
Likewise, that the Author is no Party-man, but a general Meddler.
N. B. Cretico lives in a neighbouring Province.
THE BUSY-BODY, NO. 4
Tuesday, February 25, 1728/9.
Ne quid nimis.
In my first Paper I invited the Learned and the Ingenious to join with me in this Undertaking, and I now repeat that Invitation. I would have such Gentlemen take this Opportunity (by trying their Talent in Writing) of diverting themselves and their Friends, and improving the Taste of the Town. And because I would encourage all Wit of our own Growth and Produce, I hereby promise, that whoever shall send me a little Essay on some moral or other Subject, that is fit for publick View in this Manner, (and not basely borrow'd from any other Author,) I shall receive it with Candour, and take care to place it to the best Advantage. It will be hard if we cannot muster up in the whole Country a sufficient Stock of Sense to supply the _Busy-Body_ at least for a Twelvemonth.
For my own Part, I have already profess'd, that I have the Good of my Country wholly at Heart in this Design, without the least sinister View; my chief Purpose being to inculcate the noble Principles of Virtue, and depreciate Vice of every kind. But, as I know the Mob hate Instruction, and the Generality would never read beyond the first Line of my Lectures, if they were actually fill'd with nothing but wholesome Precepts and Advice, I must therefore sometimes humor them in their own Way. There are a Set of Great Names in the Province, who are the common Objects of Popular Dislike. If I can now and then overcome my Reluctance, and prevail with myself to satyrize a little one of these Gentlemen, the Expectation of meeting with such a Gratification will induce many to read me through, who would otherwise proceed immediately to the Foreign News. As I am very well assured the greatest Men among us have a sincere Love for their Country, notwithstanding its Ingratitude, and the Insinuations of the Envious and Malicious to the contrary, so I doubt not but they will chearfully tolerate me in the Liberty I design to take for the End above mentioned.
As yet I have but few Correspondents, tho' they begin now to increase. The following Letter, left for me at the Printer's, is one of the first I have receiv'd, which I regard the more for that it comes from one of the Fair Sex, and because I have myself oftentimes suffer'd under the Grievance therein complain'd of.
"TO THE BUSY-BODY
"_Sir_,
"You having set yourself up for a _Censuror Morum_, (as I think you call it), which is said to mean a Reformer of _Manners_, I know no Person more proper to be apply'd to for Redress in all the Grievances we suffer from Want of _Manners_, in some People. You must know I am a single Woman, and keep a Shop in this Town for a Livelyhood. There is a certain Neighbour of mine, who is really agreeable Company enough, and with whom I have had an Intimacy of some Time standing; but of late she makes her visits so excessively often, and stays so very long every Visit, that I am tir'd out of all Patience. I have no Manner of Time at all to myself; and you, who seem to be a wise Man, must needs be sensible that every Person has little Secrets and Privacies, that are not proper to be expos'd even to the nearest Friend. Now I cannot do the least Thing in the World, but she must know all about it; and it is a Wonder I have found an Opportunity to write you this Letter. My Misfortune is, that I respect her very well, and know not how to disoblige her so much as to tell her I should be glad to have less other Company; for if I should once hint such a Thing, I am afraid she would resent it so as never to darken my Door again.
"But alas, Sir, I have not yet told you half my Affliction. She has two Children, that are just big enough to run about and do pretty Mischief; these are continually along with Mamma, either in my Room or Shop, if I have ever so many Customers or People with me about Business. Sometimes they pull the Goods off my low Shelves down to the Ground, and perhaps where one of them has just been making Water. My Friend takes up the Stuff, and cries, 'Eh! thou little wicked mischievous Rogue! But, however, it has done no great Damage; 'tis only wet a little;' and so puts it up upon the Shelf again. Sometimes they get to my Cask of Nails behind the Counter, and divert themselves, to my great Vexation, with mixing my Ten-penny, and Eight-penny, and Four-penny, together. I endeavour to conceal my Uneasiness as much as possible, and with a grave Look go to Sorting them out. She cries, 'Don't thee trouble thyself, Neighbour: Let them play a little; I'll put all to rights myself before I go.' But Things are never so put to rights, but that I find a great deal of Work to do after they are gone. Thus, Sir, I have all the Trouble and Pesterment of Children, without the Pleasure of--calling them my own; and they are now so us'd to being here, that they will be content nowhere else. If she would have been so kind as to have moderated her Visits to ten times a Day, and stay'd but half an hour at a Time, I should have been contented, and I believe never have given you this Trouble. But this very Morning they have so tormented me, that I could bear no longer; for, while the Mother was asking me twenty impertinent Questions, the youngest got to my Nails, and with great Delight rattled them by handfuls all over the Floor; and the other, at the same Time, made such a terrible Din upon my Counter with a Hammer, that I grew half distracted. I was just then about to make myself a new Suit of Pinners; but in the Fret and Confusion I cut it quite out of all Manner of Shape, and utterly spoil'd a Piece of the first Muslin.
"Pray, Sir, tell me what I shall do; and talk a little against such unreasonable Visiting in your next Paper; tho' I would not have her affronted with me for a great Deal, for sincerely I love her and her Children, as well, I think, as a Neighbour can, and she buys a great many Things in a Year at my Shop. But I would beg her to consider, that she uses me unmercifully, Tho' I believe it is only for want of Thought. But I have twenty Things more to tell you besides all this: There is a handsome Gentleman, that has a Mind (I don't question) to make love to me, but he can't get the least Opportunity to--O dear! here she comes again; I must conclude, yours, &c.
"PATIENCE."
Indeed, 'tis well enough, as it happens, that she is come to shorten this Complaint, which I think is full long enough already, and probably would otherwise have been as long again. However, I must confess, I cannot help pitying my Correspondent's Case; and, in her Behalf, exhort the Visitor to remember and consider the Words of the Wise Man, "Withdraw thy Foot from the House of thy Neighbour, lest he grow weary of thee, and so hate thee." It is, I believe, a nice thing, and very difficult, to regulate our Visits in such a Manner, as never to give Offence by coming too seldom, or too often, or departing too abruptly, or staying too long. However, in my Opinion, it is safest for most People in a general way, who are unwilling to disoblige, to visit seldom, and tarry but a little while in a Place, notwithstanding pressing invitations, which are many times insincere. And tho' more of your Company should be really desir'd, yet in this Case, too much Reservedness is a Fault more easily excus'd than the Contrary.
Men are subjected to various Inconveniences meerly through lack of a small Share of Courage, which is a Quality very necessary in the common Occurrences of Life, as well as in a Battle. How many Impertinences do we daily suffer with great Uneasiness, because we have not Courage enough to discover our Dislike? And why may not a Man use the Boldness and Freedom of telling his Friends, that their long Visits sometimes incommode him? On this Occasion, it may be entertaining to some of my Readers, if I acquaint them with the _Turkish_ Manner of entertaining Visitors, which I have from an Author of unquestionable Veracity; who assures us, that even the Turks are not so ignorant of Civility and the Arts of Endearment, but that they can practise them with as much Exactness as any other Nation, whenever they have a Mind to shew themselves obliging.
"When you visit a Person of Quality," (says he) "and have talk'd over your Business, or the Complements, or whatever Concern brought you thither, he makes a Sign to have Things serv'd in for the Entertainment, which is generally, a little Sweetmeat, a Dish of Sherbet, and another of Coffee; all which are immediately brought in by the Servants, and tender'd to all the Guests in Order, with the greatest Care and Awfulness imaginable. At last comes the finishing Part of your Entertainment, which is, Perfuming the Beards of the Company; a Ceremony which is perform'd in this Manner. They have for the Purpose a small Silver Chaffing-Dish, cover'd with a Lid full of Holes, and fixed upon a handsome Plate. In this they put some fresh Coals, and upon them a piece of _Lignum Aloes_, and shutting it up, the smoak immediately ascends with a grateful Odour thro' the Holes of the Cover. This smoak is held under every one's Chin, and offer'd as it were a Sacrifice to his Beard. The bristly Idol soon receives the Reverence done to it, and so greedily takes in and incorporates the gummy Steam, that it retains the Savour of it, and may serve for a Nosegay a good while after.
"This Ceremony may perhaps seem ridiculous at first hearing, but it passes among the _Turks_ for a high Gratification. And I will say this in its Vindication, that its Design is very wise and useful. For it is understood to give a civil Dismission to the Visitants, intimating to them, that the Master of the House has Business to do, or some other Avocation, that permits them to go away as soon as they please, and the sooner after this Ceremony the better. By this Means you may, at any Time, without Offence, deliver yourself from being detain'd from your Affairs by tedious and unseasonable Visits; and from being constrain'd to use that Piece of Hypocrisy, so common in the World, of pressing those to stay longer with you, whom perhaps in your Heart you wish a great Way off for having troubled you so long already."
Thus far my Author. For my own Part, I have taken such a Fancy to this Turkish Custom, that for the future I shall put something like it in Practice. I have provided a Bottle of right French Brandy for the Men, and Citron-Water for the Ladies. After I have treated with a Dram, and presented a Pinch of my best Snuff, I expect all Company will retire, and leave me to pursue my Studies for the Good of the Publick.
# # # # #
ADVERTISEMENT
I give Notice, that I am now actually compiling, and design to publish in a short Time, the true History of the Rise, Growth, and Progress of the renowned Tiff-Club. All Persons who are acquainted with any Facts, Circumstances, Characters, Transactions, &c. which will be requisite to the Perfecting and Embellishment of the said Work, are desired to communicate the same to the Author, and direct their Letters to be left with the Printer hereof.
The Letter, sign'd "_Would-be-Something_," is come to hand.
PREFACE TO THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE
October 2, 1729
The Pennsylvania Gazette being now to be carry'd on by other Hands, the Reader may expect some Account of the Method we design to proceed in.[23]
Upon a view of Chambers's great Dictionaries, from whence were taken the Materials of the _Universal Instructor in all Arts and Sciences_, which usually made the First Part of this Paper, we find that besides their containing many Things abstruse or insignificant to us, it will probably be fifty Years before the Whole can be gone thro' in this Manner of Publication. There are likewise in those Books continual References from Things under one Letter of the Alphabet to those under another, which relate to the same Subject, and are necessary to explain and compleat it; these taken in their Turn may perhaps be Ten Years distant; and since it is likely that they who desire to acquaint themselves with any particular Art or Science, would gladly have the whole before them in much less time, we believe our Readers will not think such a Method of communicating Knowledge to be a proper One.
However, tho' we do not intend to continue the Publication of those Dictionaries in a regular Alphabetical Method, as has hitherto been done; yet as several Things exhibited from them in the Course of these Papers, have been entertaining to such of the Curious, who never had and cannot have the Advantage of good Libraries; and as there are many Things still behind, which being in this Manner made generally known, may perhaps become of considerable Use, by giving such Hints to the excellent natural Genius's of our Country, as may contribute either to the Improvement of our present Manufactures, or towards the Invention of new Ones; we propose from Time to Time to communicate such particular Parts as appear to be of the most general Consequence.
As to the "Religious Courtship," Part of which has been retal'd to the Publick in these Papers, the Reader may be inform'd, that the whole Book will probably in a little Time be printed and bound up by itself; and those who approve of it, will doubtless be better pleas'd to have it entire, than in this broken interrupted Manner.
There are many who have long desired to see a good News-Paper in Pennsylvania; and we hope those Gentlemen who are able, will contribute towards the making This such. We ask Assistance, because we are fully sensible, that to publish a good News-Paper is not so easy an Undertaking as many People imagine it to be. The Author of a Gazette (in the Opinion of the Learned) ought to be qualified with an extensive Acquaintance with Languages, a great Easiness and Command of Writing and Relating Things clearly and intelligibly, and in few Words; he should be able to speak of War both by Land and Sea; be well acquainted with Geography, with the History of the Time, with the several Interests of Princes and States, the Secrets of Courts, and the Manners and Customs of all Nations. Men thus accomplish'd are very rare in this remote Part of the World; and it would be well if the Writer of these Papers could make up among his Friends what is wanting in himself.
Upon the Whole, we may assure the Publick, that as far as the Encouragement we meet with will enable us, no Care and Pains shall be omitted, that may make the Pennsylvania Gazette as agreeable and useful an Entertainment as the Nature of the Thing will allow.
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN PHILOCLES AND HORATIO, MEETING ACCIDENTALLY IN THE FIELDS, CONCERNING VIRTUE AND PLEASURE
[From the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 23, 1730.][24]
_Philocles._ My friend _Horatio_! I am very glad to see you; prithee, how came such a Man as you alone? and musing too? What Misfortune in your Pleasures has sent you to Philosophy for Relief?
_Horatio._ You guess very right, my dear _Philocles_! We Pleasure-hunters are never without 'em; and yet, so enchanting is the Game! we can't quit the Chace. How calm and undisturbed is your Life! How free from present Embarrassments and future Cares! I know you love me, and look with Compassion upon my Conduct; Shew me then the Path which leads up to that constant and invariable Good, which I have heard you so beautifully describe, and which you seem so fully to possess.
_Phil._ There are few Men in the World I value more than you, _Horatio_! for amidst all your Foibles and painful Pursuits of Pleasure, I have oft observed in you an honest Heart, and a Mind strongly bent towards Virtue. I wish, from my Soul, I could assist you in acting steadily the Part of a reasonable Creature; for, if you would not think it a Paradox, I should tell you I love you better than you do yourself.
_Hor._ A Paradox indeed! Better than I do myself! When I love my dear self so well, that I love every Thing else for my own sake.
_Phil._ He only loves himself well, who rightly and judiciously loves himself.
_Hor._ What do you mean by that, _Philocles_! You Men of Reason and Virtue are always dealing in Mysteries, tho' you laugh at 'em when the Church makes 'em. I think he loves himself very well and very judiciously too, as you call it, who allows himself to do whatever he pleases.
_Phil._ What, though it be to the Ruin and Destruction of that very Self which he loves so well! That Man alone loves himself rightly, who procures the greatest possible Good to himself thro' the whole of his Existence; and so pursues Pleasure as not to give for it more than 'tis worth.
_Hor._ That depends all upon Opinion. Who shall judge what the Pleasure is worth? Supposing a pleasing Form of the fair Kind strikes me so much, that I can enjoy nothing without the Enjoyment of that one Object. Or, that Pleasure in general is so favorite a Mistress, that I will take her as Men do their Wives, for better, for worse; mind no Consequences, nor regarding what's to come. Why should I not do it?
_Phil._ Suppose, _Horatio_, that a Friend of yours entred into the World about Two-and-Twenty, with a healthful vigorous Body, and a fair plentiful Estate of about Five Hundred Pounds a Year; and yet, before he had reached Thirty, should, by following his Pleasures, and not, as you say, duly regarding Consequences, have run out of his Estate, and disabled his Body to that Degree, that he had neither the Means nor Capacity of Enjoyment left, nor any Thing else to do but wisely shoot himself through the Head to be at rest; what would you say to this unfortunate Man's Conduct? Is it wrong by Opinion or Fancy only? Or is there really a Right and Wrong in the Case? Is not one Opinion of Life and Action juster than another? Or, one Sort of Conduct preferable to another? Or, does that miserable Son of Pleasure appear as reasonable and lovely a Being in your Eyes, as a Man who, by prudently and rightly gratifying his natural Passions, had preserved his Body in full Health, and his Estate entire, and enjoy'd both to a good old Age, and then died with a thankful Heart for the good Things he had received, and with an entire Submission to the Will of Him who first called him into Being? Say, _Horatio_! are these Men equally wise and happy? And is every Thing to be measured by mere Fancy and Opinion, without considering whether that Fancy or Opinion be right?
_Hor._ Hardly so neither, I think; yet sure the wise and good Author of Nature could never make us to plague us. He could never give us Passions, on purpose to subdue and conquer 'em; nor produce this Self of mine, or any other self, only that it may be denied; for that is denying the Works of the great Creator himself. Self-denial, then, which is what I suppose you mean by Prudence, seems to me not only absurd, but very dishonourable to that Supreme Wisdom and Goodness, which is supposed to make so ridiculous and Contradictious a Creature, that must be always fighting with himself in order to be at rest, and undergo voluntary Hardships in order to be happy: Are we created sick, only to be commanded to be Sound? Are we born under one Law, our Passions, and yet bound to another, that of Reason? Answer me, _Philocles_, for I am warmly concerned for the Honour of Nature, the Mother of us all.
_Phil._ I find, Horatio, my two Characters have affrighted you; so that you decline the Trial of what is Good, by reason: And had rather make a bold Attack upon Providence; the usual Way of you Gentlemen of Fashion, who, when by living in Defiance of the eternal Rules of Reason, you have plunged yourselves into a thousand Difficulties, endeavour to make yourselves easy by throwing the Burden upon Nature. You are, _Horatio_, in a very miserable Condition indeed; for you say you can't be happy if you controul your Passions; and you feel yourself miserable by an unrestrained Gratification of 'em; so that here's Evil, irremediable Evil, either way.
_Hor._ That is very true, at least it appears so to me: Pray, what have you to say, _Philocles_! in Honour of Nature or Providence; methinks I'm in Pain for her: How do you rescue her? poor Lady!
_Phil._ This, my dear _Horatio_, I have to say; that what you find Fault with and clamour against, as the most terrible Evil in the World, Self-denial; is really the greatest Good, and the highest Self-gratification: If indeed, you use the Word in the Sense of some weak sour Moralists, and much weaker Divines, you'll have just Reason to laugh at it; but if you take it, as understood by Philosophers and Men of Sense, you will presently see her Charms, and fly to her Embraces, notwithstanding her demure Looks, as absolutely necessary to produce even your own darling sole Good, Pleasure: For, Self-denial is never a Duty, or a reasonable Action, but as 'tis a natural Means of procuring more Pleasure than you can taste without it so that this grave, Saint-like Guide to Happiness, as rough and dreadful as she has been made to appear, is in truth the kindest and most beautiful Mistress in the World.
_Hor._ Prithee, _Philocles_! do not wrap yourself in Allegory and Metaphor. Why do you teaze me thus? I long to be satisfied, what this Philosophical Self-denial is, the Necessity and Reason of it; I'm impatient, and all on Fire; explain, therefore, in your beautiful, natural easy Way of Reasoning, what I'm to understand by this grave Lady of yours, with so forbidding, downcast Looks, and yet so absolutely necessary to my Pleasures. I stand ready to embrace her; for you know, Pleasure I court under all Shapes and Forms.
_Phil._ Attend then, and you'll see the Reason of this Philosophical Self-denial. There can be no absolute Perfection in any Creature; because every Creature is derived, and dependent: No created Being can be All-wise, All-good, and All-powerful, because his Powers and Capacities are finite and limited; consequently whatever is created must, in its own Nature, be subject to Error, Irregularity, Excess, and Disorder. All intelligent, rational Agents find in themselves a Power of judging what kind of Beings they are; what Actions are proper to preserve 'em, and what Consequences will generally attend them, what Pleasures they are form'd for, and to what Degree their Natures are capable of receiving them. All we have to do then, _Horatio_, is to consider, when we are surpriz'd with a new Object, and passionately desire to enjoy it, whether the gratifying that Passion be consistent with the gratifying other Passions and Appetites, equal if not more necessary to us. And whether it consists with our Happiness To-morrow, next Week, or next Year; for, as we all wish to live, we are obliged by Reason to take as much Care for our future, as our present Happiness, and not build one upon the Ruins of t'other. But, if thro' the Strength and Power of a present Passion, and thro' want of attending to Consequences, we have err'd and exceeded the Bounds which Nature or Reason have set us; we are then, for our own Sakes, to refrain, or deny ourselves a present momentary Pleasure for a future, constant and durable one: So that this Philosophical Self-denial is only refusing to do an Action which you strongly desire; because 'tis inconsistent with your Health, Fortunes, or Circumstances in the World; or, in other Words, because 'twould cost you more than 'twas worth. You would lose by it, as a Man of Pleasure. Thus you see, _Horatio_! that Self-denial is not only the most reasonable, but the most pleasant Thing in the World.
_Hor._ We are just coming into Town, so that we can't pursue this Argument any farther at present; you have said a great deal for Nature, Providence, and Reason: Happy are they who can follow such divine Guides.
_Phil._ _Horatio!_ good Night; I wish you wise in your Pleasures.
_Hor._ I wish, _Philocles_! I could be as wise in my Pleasures as you are pleasantly Wise; your Wisdom is agreeable, your Virtue is amiable, and your Philosophy the highest Luxury. Adieu! thou enchanting Reasoner!
A SECOND DIALOGUE BETWEEN PHILOCLES AND HORATIO, CONCERNING VIRTUE AND PLEASURE
[From the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, July 9, 1730.]
_Philocles._ Dear _Horatio_! where hast thou been these three or four Months? What new Adventures have you fallen upon since I met you in these delightful, all-inspiring Fields, and wondred how such a Pleasure-hunter as you could bear being alone?
_Horatio._ O _Philocles_, thou best of Friends, because a Friend to Reason and Virtue, I am very glad to see you. Don't you remember, I told you then, that some Misfortunes in my Pleasures had sent me to Philosophy for Relief? But now I do assure you, I can, without a Sigh, leave other Pleasures for those of Philosophy; I can hear the Word _Reason_ mentioned, and Virtue praised, without Laughing. Don't I bid fair for Conversion, think you?
_Phil._ Very fair, _Horatio_! for I remember the Time when Reason, Virtue, and Pleasure, were the same Thing with you: When you counted nothing Good but what pleas'd, nor any thing Reasonable but what you got by; When you made a Jest of a Mind, and the Pleasures of Reflection, and elegantly plac'd your sole Happiness, like the rest of the Animal Creation, in the Gratifications of Sense.
_Hor._ I did so: But in our last Conversation, when walking upon the Brow of this Hill, and looking down on that broad, rapid River, and yon widely-extended beautifully-varied Plain, you taught me another Doctrine: You shewed me, that Self-denial, which above all Things I abhorred, was really the greatest Good, and the highest Self-gratification, and absolutely necessary to produce even my own darling sole Good, Pleasure.
_Phil._ True: I told you that Self-denial was never a Duty but when it was a natural Means of procuring more Pleasure than we could taste without it: That as we all strongly desire to live, and to live only to enjoy, we should take as much Care about our future as our present Happiness; and not build one upon the Ruins of 'tother: That we should look to the End, and regard Consequences: and if, thro' want of Attention we had err'd, and exceeded the Bounds which Nature had set us, we were then obliged, for our own Sakes, to refrain or deny ourselves a present momentary Pleasure for a future, constant, and durable Good.
_Hor._ You have shewn, _Philocles_, that Self-denial, which weak or interested Men have rendred the most forbidding, is really the most delightful and amiable, the most reasonable and pleasant Thing in the World. In a Word, if I understand you aright, Self-denial is, in Truth, Self-recognising, Self-acknowledging, or Self-owning. But now, my Friend! you are to perform another Promise; and shew me the Path which leads up to that constant, durable, and invariable Good, which I have heard you so beautifully describe, and which you seem so fully to possess: Is not this Good of yours a mere Chimera? Can any Thing be constant in a World which is eternally changing! and which appears to exist by an everlasting Revolution of one Thing into another, and where every Thing without us, and every Thing within us, is in perpetual Motion? What is this constant, durable Good, then, of yours? Prithee, satisfy my Soul, for I'm all on Fire, and impatient to enjoy her. Produce this eternal blooming Goddess with never-fading Charms, and see, whether I won't embrace her with as much Eagerness and Rapture as you.
_Phil._ You seem enthusiastically warm, _Horatio_; I will wait till you are cool enough to attend to the sober, dispassionate Voice of Reason.
_Hor._ You mistake me, my dear _Philocles_! my Warmth is not so great as to run away with my Reason: it is only just raised enough to open my Faculties, and fit them to receive those eternal Truths, and that durable Good, which you so triumphantly boasted of. Begin, then; I'm prepared.
_Phil._ I will. I believe, _Horatio_! with all your Skepticism about you, you will allow that Good to be constant which is never absent from you, and that to be durable, which never Ends but with your Being.
_Hor._ Yes, go on.
_Phil._ That can never be the Good of a Creature, which when present, the Creature may be miserable, and when absent, is certainly so.
_Hor._ I think not; but pray explain what you mean; for I am not much used to this abstract Way of Reasoning.
_Phil._ I mean all the Pleasures of Sense. The Good of Man cannot consist in the mere Pleasures of Sense; because, when any one of those Objects which you love is absent, or can't be come at, you are certainly miserable: and if the Faculty be impair'd, though the Object be present, you can't enjoy it. So that this sensual Good depends upon a thousand Things without and within you, and all out of your Power. Can this then be the Good of Man? Say, _Horatio_! what think you, Is not this a chequer'd, fleeting, fantastical Good? Can that, in any propriety of Speech, be called the Good of Man which even, while he is tasting, he may be miserable; and which when he cannot taste, he is necessarily so? Can that be our Good, which costs us a great deal of Pains to obtain; which cloys in possessing; for which we must wait the Return of Appetite before we can enjoy again? Or, is that our Good, which we can come at without Difficulty; which is heightened by Possession, which never ends in Weariness and Disappointment; and which, the more we enjoy, the better qualified we are to enjoy on?
_Hor._ The latter, I think; but why do you torment me thus? _Philocles_! shew me this Good immediately.
_Phil._ I have shewed you what 'tis not; it is not sensual, but 'tis rational and moral Good. It is doing all the Good we can to others, by Acts of Humanity, Friendship, Generosity, and Benevolence: This is that constant and durable Good, which will afford Contentment and Satisfaction always alike, without Variation or Diminution. I speak to your Experience now, _Horatio_! Did you ever find yourself weary of relieving the Miserable? or of raising the Distressed into Life or Happiness? Or rather, don't you find the Pleasure grow upon you by Repetition, and that 'tis greater in the Reflection than in the Act itself? Is there a Pleasure upon Earth to be compared with that which arises from the Sense of making others happy? Can this Pleasure ever be absent, or ever end but with your Being? Does it not always accompany you? Doth not it lie down and rise with you? live as long as you live? give you Consolation in the Article of Death, and remain with you in that gloomy Hour, when all other Things are going to forsake you, or you them?
_Hor._ How glowingly you paint, _Philocles_! Methinks _Horatio_ is amongst the Enthusiasts. I feel the Passion: I am enchantingly convinced; but I don't know why: Overborn by something stronger than Reason. Sure some Divinity speaks within me; but prithee, _Philocles_, give me cooly the Cause, why this rational and moral Good so infinitely excels the meer natural or sensual.
_Phil._ I think, _Horatio_! that I have clearly shewn you the Difference between merely natural or sensual Good, and rational or moral Good. Natural or sensual Pleasure continues no longer than the Action itself; but this divine or moral Pleasure continues when the Action is over, and swells and grows upon your Hand by Reflection: The one is inconstant, unsatisfying, of short Duration, and attended with numberless Ills; the other is constant, yields full Satisfaction, is durable, and no Evils preceding, accompanying, or following it. But, if you enquire farther into the Cause of this Difference, and would know why the moral Pleasures are greater than the sensual; perhaps the Reason is the same as in all other Creatures, That their Happiness or chief Good consists in acting up to their chief Faculty, or that Faculty which distinguishes them from all Creatures of a different Species. The chief Faculty in a Man is his Reason; and consequently his chief Good; or that which may be justly called his Good, consists not merely in Action, but in reasonable Action. By reasonable Actions, we understand those Actions which are preservative of the human Kind, and naturally tend to produce real and unmixed Happiness; and these Actions, by way of Distinction, we call Actions morally Good.
_Hor._ You speak very clearly, _Philocles_! but, that no Difficulty may remain upon my Mind, pray tell me what is the real Difference between natural Good and Ill, and moral Good and Ill? for I know several People who use the Terms without Ideas.
_Phil._ That may be: The Difference lies only in this; that natural Good and Ill is Pleasure and Pain: Moral Good and Ill is Pleasure or Pain produced with Intention and Design; for 'tis the Intention only that makes the Agent morally Good or Bad.
_Hor._ But may not a Man, with a very good Intention, do an ill Action?
_Phil._ Yes, but, then he errs in his Judgment, tho' his Design be good. If his Error is inevitable, or such as, all Things considered, he could not help, he is inculpable: But if it arose through want of Diligence in forming his Judgment about the Nature of human Actions, he is immoral and culpable.
_Hor._ I find, then, that in order to please ourselves rightly, or to do good to others morally, we should take great Care of our Opinions.
_Phil._ Nothing concerns you more; for, as the Happiness or real Good of Men consists in right Action, and right Action cannot be produced without right Opinion, it behoves us, above all Things in this World, to take Care that our Opinions of Things be according to the Nature of Things. The Foundation of all Virtue and Happiness is Thinking rightly. He who sees an Action is right, that is, naturally tending to Good, and does it because of that Tendency, he only is a moral Man; and he alone is capable of that constant, durable, and invariable Good, which has been the Subject of this Conversation.
_Hor._ How, my dear philosophical Guide, shall I be able to know, and determine certainly, what is Right and Wrong in Life?
_Phil._ As easily as you distinguish a Circle from a Square, or Light from Darkness. Look, _Horatio_, into the sacred Book of Nature; read your own Nature, and view the Relation which other Men stand in to you, and you to them; and you'll immediately see what constitutes human Happiness, and consequently what is Right.
_Hor._ We are just coming into Town, and can say no more at present. You are my good Genius, _Philocles_. You have shewed me what is good. You have redeemed me from the Slavery and Misery of Folly and Vice, and made me a free and happy Being.
_Phil._ Then I am the happiest Man in the World. Be steady, _Horatio_! Never depart from Reason and Virtue.
_Hor._ Sooner will I lose my Existence. Good Night, _Philocles_.
_Phil._ Adieu! dear _Horatio_!
A WITCH TRIAL AT MOUNT HOLLY
[From the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, Oct. 22, 1730.]
"Saturday last, at Mount-Holly, about 8 Miles from this Place [Burlington, N. J.] near 300 People were gathered together to see an Experiment or two tried on some Persons accused of Witchcraft. It seems the Accused had been charged with making their Neighbours' Sheep dance in an uncommon Manner, and with causing Hogs to speak and sing Psalms, etc., to the great Terror and Amazement of the king's good and peaceable Subjects in this Province; and the Accusers, being very positive that if the Accused were weighed in Scales against a Bible, the Bible would prove too heavy for them; or that, if they were bound and put into the River they would swim; the said Accused, desirous to make Innocence appear, voluntarily offered to undergo the said Trials if 2 of the most violent of their Accusers would be tried with them. Accordingly the Time and Place was agreed on and advertised about the Country; The Accusers were 1 Man and 1 Woman: and the Accused the same. The Parties being met and the People got together, a grand Consultation was held, before they proceeded to Trial; in which it was agreed to use the Scales first; and a Committee of Men were appointed to search the Men, and a Committee of Women to search the Women, to see if they had any Thing of Weight about them, particularly Pins. After the Scrutiny was over a huge great Bible belonging to the Justice of the Place was provided, and a Lane through the Populace was made from the Justice's House to the Scales, which were fixed on a Gallows erected for that Purpose opposite to the House, that the Justice's Wife and the rest of the Ladies might see the Trial without coming amongst the Mob, and after the Manner of Moorfields a large Ring was also made. Then came out of the House a grave, tall Man carrying the Holy Writ before the supposed Wizard etc., (as solemnly as the Sword-bearer of London before the Lord Mayor) the Wizard was first put in the Scale, and over him was read a Chapter out of the Books of Moses, and then the Bible was put in the other Scale, (which, being kept down before) was immediately let go; but, to the great Surprize of the Spectators, Flesh and Bones came down plump, and outweighed that great good Book by abundance.[25] After the same Manner the others were served, and their Lumps of Mortality severally were too heavy for Moses and all the Prophets and Apostles. This being over, the Accusers and the rest of the Mob, not satisfied with this Experiment, would have the Trial by Water. Accordingly a most solemn Procession was made to the Millpond, where both Accused and Accusers being stripped (saving only to the Women their Shifts) were bound Hand and Foot and severally placed in the Water, lengthways, from the Side of a Barge or Flat, having for Security only a Rope about the Middle of each, which was held by some in the Flat. The accused man being thin and spare with some Difficulty began to sink at last; but the rest, every one of them, swam very light upon the Water. A Sailor in the Flat jump'd out upon the Back of the Man accused thinking to drive him down to the Bottom; but the Person bound, without any Help, came up some time before the other. The Woman Accuser being told that she did not sink, would be duck'd a second Time; when she swam again as light as before. Upon which she declared, That she believed the Accused had bewitched her to make her so light, and that she would be duck'd again a Hundred Times but she would duck the Devil out of her. The Accused Man, being surpriz'd at his own Swimming, was not so confident of his Innocence as before, but said, 'If I am a Witch, it is more than I know.' The more thinking Part of the Spectators were of Opinion that any Person so bound and placed in the Water (unless they were mere Skin and Bones) would swim, till their Breath was gone, and their Lungs fill'd with Water. But it being the general Belief of the Populace that the Women's shifts and the Garters with which they were bound help'd to support them, it is said they are to be tried again the next warm Weather, naked."
AN APOLOGY FOR PRINTERS
[From the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 10, 1731.]
Being frequently censur'd and condemn'd by different Persons for printing Things which they say ought not to be printed, I have sometimes thought it might be necessary to make a standing Apology for my self, and publish it once a Year, to be read upon all Occasions of that Nature. Much Business has hitherto hindered the execution of this Design; but having very lately given extraordinary Offence by printing an Advertisement with a certain N. B. at the End of it, I find an Apology more particularly requisite at this Juncture, tho' it happens when I have not yet Leisure to write such a Thing in the proper Form, and can only in a loose manner throw those Considerations together which should have been the Substance of it.
I request all who are angry with me on the Account of printing things they don't like, calmly to consider these following Particulars.
1. That the Opinions of Men are almost as various as their Faces; an Observation general enough to become a common Proverb, _So many Men so many Minds._
2. That the Business of Printing has chiefly to do with Mens Opinions; most things that are printed tending to promote some, or oppose others.
3. That hence arises the peculiar Unhappiness of that Business, which other Callings are no way liable to; they who follow Printing being scarce able to do any thing in their way of getting a Living, which shall not probably give Offence to some, and perhaps to many; whereas the Smith, the Shoemaker, the Carpenter, or the Man of any other Trade, may work indifferently for People of all Persuasions, without offending any of them: and the Merchant may buy and sell with Jews, Turks, Hereticks and Infidels of all sorts, and get Money by every one of them, without giving Offence to the most orthodox, of any sort; or suffering the least Censure or Ill will on the Account from any Man whatever.
4. That it is as unreasonable in any one Man or Set of Men to expect to be pleas'd with every thing that is printed, as to think that nobody ought to be pleas'd but themselves.
5. Printers are educated in the Belief, that when Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick; and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter: Hence they chearfully serve all contending Writers that pay them well, without regarding on which side they are of the Question in Dispute.
6. Being thus continually employ'd in serving both Parties, Printers naturally acquire a vast Unconcernedness as to the right or wrong Opinions contain'd in what they print; regarding it only as the Matter of their daily labour: They print things full of Spleen and Animosity, with the utmost Calmness and Indifference, and without the least Ill-will to the Persons reflected on; who nevertheless unjustly think the Printer as much their Enemy as the Author, and join both together in their Resentment.
7. That it is unreasonable to imagine Printers approve of every thing they print, and to censure them on any particular thing accordingly; since in the way of their Business they print such great variety of things opposite and contradictory. It is likewise as unreasonable what some assert, "That Printers ought not to print any Thing but what they approve;" since if all of that Business should make such a Resolution, and abide by it, an End would thereby be put to Free Writing, and the World would afterwards have nothing to read but what happen'd to be the Opinions of Printers.
8. That if all Printers were determin'd not to print any thing till they were sure it would offend no body, there would be very little printed.
9. That if they sometimes print vicious or silly things not worth reading, it may not be because they approve such things themselves, but because the People are so viciously and corruptly educated that good things are not encouraged. I have known a very numerous Impression of Robin Hood's Songs go off in this Province at 2s. per Book, in less than a Twelvemonth; when a small Quantity of David's Psalms (an excellent Version) have lain upon my Hands above twice the Time.
10. That notwithstanding what might be urg'd in behalf of a Man's being allow'd to do in the Way of his Business whatever he is paid for, yet Printers do continually discourage the Printing of great Numbers of bad things, and stifle them in the Birth. I my self have constantly refused to print anything that might countenance Vice, or promote Immorality; tho' by complying in such Cases with the corrupt Taste of the Majority I might have got much Money. I have also always refus'd to print such things as might do real Injury to any Person, how much soever I have been solicited, and tempted with Offers of Great Pay; and how much soever I have by refusing got the Ill-will of those who would have employ'd me. I have hitherto fallen under the Resentment of large Bodies of Men, for refusing absolutely to print any of their Party or Personal Reflections. In this Manner I have made my self many Enemies, and the constant Fatigue of denying is almost insupportable. But the Publick being unacquainted with all this, whenever the poor Printer happens either through Ignorance or much Persuasion, to do any thing that is generally thought worthy of Blame, he meets with no more Friendship or Favour on the above Account, than if there were no Merit in't at all. Thus, as Waller says,
Poets lose half the Praise they would have got Were it but known what they discreetly blot;
Yet are censur'd for every bad Line found in their Works with the utmost Severity.
I come now to the Particular Case of the N. B. above mention'd, about which there has been more Clamour against me, than ever before on any other Account.--In the Hurry of other Business an Advertisement was brought to me to be printed; it signified that such a Ship lying at such a Wharff, would sail for Barbadoes in such a Time, and that Freighters and Passengers might agree with the Captain at such a Place; so far is what's common: But at the Bottom this odd Thing was added, "N. B. No Sea Hens nor Black Gowns will be admitted on any Terms." I printed it, and receiv'd my Money; and the Advertisement was stuck up round the Town as usual. I had not so much Curiosity at that time as to enquire the Meaning of it, nor did I in the least imagine it would give so much Offence. Several good Men are very angry with me on this Occasion; they are pleas'd to say I have too much Sense to do such things ignorantly; that if they were Printers they would not have done such a thing on any Consideration; that it could proceed from nothing but my abundant Malice against Religion and the Clergy. They therefore declare they will not take any more of my Papers, nor have any farther Dealings with me; but will hinder me of all the Custom they can. All this is very hard!
I believe it had been better if I had refused to print the said Advertisement. However, 'tis done, and cannot be revok'd. I have only the following few Particulars to offer, some of them in my behalf, by way of Mitigation, and some not much to the Purpose; but I desire none of them may be read when the Reader is not in a very good Humour.
1. That I really did it without the least Malice, and imagin'd the N. B. was plac'd there only to make the Advertisement star'd at, and more generally read.
2. That I never saw the Word Sea-Hens before in my Life; nor have I yet ask'd the meaning of it; and tho' I had certainly known that Black Gowns in that place signified the Clergy of the Church of England, yet I have that confidence in the generous good Temper of such of them as I know, as to be well satisfied such a trifling mention of their Habit gives them no Disturbance.
3. That most of the Clergy in this and the neighbouring Provinces, are my Customers, and some of them my very good Friends; and I must be very malicious indeed, or very stupid, to print this thing for a small Profit, if I had thought it would have given them just Cause of Offence.
4. That if I had much Malice against the Clergy, and withal much Sense; 'tis strange I never write or talk against the Clergy myself. Some have observed that 'tis a fruitful Topic, and the easiest to be witty upon of all others; yet I appeal to the Publick that I am never guilty this way, and to all my Acquaintances as to my Conversation.
5. That if a Man of Sense had Malice enough to desire to injure the Clergy, this is the foolishest Thing he could possibly contrive for that Purpose.
6. That I got Five Shillings by it.
7. That none who are angry with me would have given me so much to let it alone.
8. That if all the People of different Opinions in this Province would engage to give me as much for not printing things they don't like, as I can get by printing them, I should probably live a very easy Life; and if all Printers were everywhere so dealt by, there would be very little printed.
9. That I am oblig'd to all who take my Paper, and am willing to think they do it out of meer Friendship. I only desire they would think the same when I deal with them. I thank those who leave off, that they have taken it so long. But I beg they would not endeavour to dissuade others, for that will look like Malice.
10. That 'tis impossible any Man should know what he would do if he was a Printer.
11. That notwithstanding the Rashness and Inexperience of Youth, which is most likely to be prevail'd with to do things that ought not to be done; yet I have avoided printing such Things as usually give Offence either to Church or State, more than any Printer that has followed the Business in this Province before.
12. And lastly, That I have printed above a Thousand Advertisements which made not the least mention of _Sea-Hens_ or _Black Gowns_, and this being the first Offence, I have the more Reason to expect Forgiveness.
I take leave to conclude with an old Fable, which some of my Readers have heard before, and some have not.
"A certain well-meaning Man and his Son, were travelling towards a Market Town, with an Ass which they had to sell. The Road was bad; and the old Man therefore rid, but the Son went a-foot. The first Passenger they met, asked the Father if he was not ashamed to ride by himself, and suffer the poor Lad to wade along thro' the Mire; this induced him to take up his Son behind him: He had not travelled far, when he met others, who said, they are two unmerciful Lubbers to get both on the Back of that poor Ass, in such a deep Road. Upon this the old Man gets off, and let his Son ride alone. The next they met called the Lad a graceless, rascally young Jackanapes, to ride in that Manner thro' the Dirt, while his aged Father trudged along on Foot; and they said the old Man was a Fool, for suffering it. He then bid his Son come down, and walk with him, and they travell'd on leading the Ass by the Halter; 'till they met another Company, who called them a Couple of senseless Blockheads, for going both on Foot in such a dirty Way, when they had an empty Ass with them, which they might ride upon. The old Man could bear no longer; My Son, said he, it grieves me much that we cannot please all these People. Let me throw the Ass over the next Bridge, and be no further troubled with him."
Had the old Man been seen acting this last Resolution, he would probably have been called a Fool for troubling himself about the different Opinions of all that were pleas'd to find Fault with him: Therefore, tho' I have a Temper almost as complying as his, I intend not to imitate him in this last Particular. I consider the Variety of Humors among Men, and despair of pleasing every Body; yet I shall not therefore leave off Printing. I shall continue my Business. I shall not burn my Press and melt my Letters.
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD, 1733
COURTEOUS READER,
I might in this place attempt to gain thy Favour, by declaring that I write Almanacks with no other View than that of the publick Good; but in this I should not be sincere; and Men are now adays too wise to be deceiv'd by Pretences how specious soever. The plain Truth of the Matter is, I am excessive poor, and my Wife, good Woman, is, I tell her, excessive proud; she cannot bear, she says, to sit spinning in her Shift of Tow, while I do nothing but gaze at the Stars; and has threatned more than once to burn all my Books and Rattling-Traps (as she calls my Instruments) if I do not make some profitable Use of them for the Good of my Family. The Printer has offer'd me some considerable share of the Profits, and I have thus begun to comply with my Dame's Desire.
Indeed this Motive would have had Force enough to have made me publish an Almanack many Years since, had it not been overpowered by my Regard for my good Friend and Fellow Student Mr. _Titan Leeds_, whose Interest I was extreamly unwilling to hurt: But this Obstacle (I am far from speaking it with Pleasure) is soon to be removed, since inexorable Death, who was never known to respect Merit, has already prepared the mortal Dart, the fatal Sister has already extended her destroying Shears, and that ingenious Man must soon be taken from us. He dies, by my Calculation made at his Request, on Oct. 17. 1733. 3 h. 29 m. P. M. at the very instant of the [Conjunction] of [Sun] and [Mercury]: By his own Calculation he will survive till the 26th of the same Month.[26] This small Difference between us we have disputed whenever we have met these 9 Years past; but at length he is inclinable to agree with my Judgment: Which of us is most exact, a little Time will now determine. As therefore these Provinces may not longer expect to see any of his Performances after this Year, I think my self free to take up the Task, and request a share of the publick Encouragement; which I am the more apt to hope for on this Account, that the Buyer of my Almanack may consider himself, not only as purchasing an useful Utensil, but as performing an Act of Charity, to his poor _Friend and Servant_
R. SAUNDERS.
A MEDITATION ON A QUART MUGG[27]
[From the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, July 19, 1733.]
Wretched, miserable, and unhappy Mug! I pity thy luckless Lot, I commiserate thy Misfortunes, thy Griefs fill me with Compassion, and because of thee are Tears made frequently to burst from my Eyes.
How often have I seen him compell'd to hold up his Handle at the Bar, for no other Crime than that of being empty; then snatch'd away by a surly Officer, and plung'd suddenly into a Tub of cold Water: Sad Spectacle, and Emblem of human Penury, oppress'd by arbitrary Power! How often is he hurry'd down into a dismal Vault, sent up fully laden in a cold Sweat, and by a rude Hand thrust into the Fire! How often have I seen it obliged to undergo the Indignities of a dirty Wench; to have melting Candles dropt on its naked Sides, and sometimes in its Mouth, to risque being broken into a thousand Pieces, for Actions which itself was not guilty of! How often is he forced into the Company of boisterous Sots, who lay all their nonsence, Noise, profane Swearing, Cursing, and Quarreling, on the harmless Mug, which speaks not a Word! They overset him, maim him, and sometimes turn him to Arms offensive or defensive, as they please; when of himself he would not be of either Party, but would as willingly stand still. Alas! what Power, or Place, is provided, where this poor Mug, this unpitied Slave, can have Redress of his Wrongs and Sufferings? Or where shall he have a Word of Praise bestow'd on him for his Well doings, and faithful Services? If he prove of a large size, his Owner curses him, and says he will devour more than he'll earn: If his Size be small, those whom his Master appoints him to serve will curse him as much, and perhaps threaten him with the Inquisition of the Standard. Poor Mug, unfortunate is thy Condition! Of thy self thou wouldst do no Harm, but much Harm is done with thee! Thou art accused of many Mischiefs; thou art said to administer Drunkenness, Poison, and broken Heads: But none praise thee for the good Things thou yieldest! Shouldest thou produce double Beer, nappy Ale, stallcop Cyder, or Cyder mull'd, fine Punch, or cordial Tiff; yet for all these shouldst thou not be prais'd, but the rich Liquors themselves, which tho' within thee, will be said to be foreign to thee! And yet, so unhappy is thy Destiny, thou must bear all their Faults and Abominations! Hast thou been industriously serving thy Employers with Tiff or Punch, and instantly they dispatch thee for Cyder, then must thou be abused for smelling of Rum. Hast thou been steaming their Noses gratefully, with mull'd Cyder or butter'd Ale, and then offerest to refresh their Palates with the best of Beer, they will curse thee for thy Greasiness. And how, alas! can thy Service be rendered more tolerable to thee? If thou submittest thyself to a Scouring in the Kitchen, what must thou undergo from sharp Sand, hot Ashes, and a coarse Dishclout; besides the Danger of having thy Lips rudely torn, thy Countenance disfigured, thy Arms dismantled, and thy whole Frame shatter'd, with violent Concussions in an Iron Pot or Brass Kettle! And yet, O Mug! if these Dangers thou escapest, with little Injury, thou must at last untimely fall, be broken to Pieces, and cast away, never more to be recollected and form'd into a Quart Mug. Whether by the Fire, or in a Battle, or choak'd with a Dishclout, or by a Stroke against a Stone, thy Dissolution happens; 'tis all alike to thy avaritious Owner; he grieves not for thee, but for the Shilling with which he purchased thee! If thy Bottom Part should chance to survive, it may be preserv'd to hold bits of Candles, or Blacking for Shoes, or Salve for kibed Heels; but all thy other Members will be for ever buried in some miry Hole; or less carefully disposed of, so that little Children, who have not yet arrived to Acts of Cruelty, may gather them up to furnish out their Baby Houses: Or, being cast upon the Dunghill, they will therewith be carted into Meadow Grounds; where, being spread abroad and discovered, they must be thrown to the Heap of Stones, Bones and Rubbish; or being left until the Mower finds them with his Scythe, they will with bitter Curses be tossed over the Hedge; and so serve for unlucky Boys to throw at Birds and Dogs; until by Length of Time and numerous Casualties, they shall be press'd into their Mother Earth, and be converted to their original Principles.
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD, 1734
COURTEOUS READERS,
Your kind and charitable Assistance last Year, in purchasing so large an Impression of my Almanacks, has made my Circumstances much more easy in the World, and requires my grateful Acknowledgment. My Wife has been enabled to get a Pot of her own, and is no longer oblig'd to borrow one from a Neighbour; nor have we ever since been without something of our own to put in it. She has also got a pair of Shoes, two new Shifts, and a new warm Petticoat; and for my part, I have bought a second-hand Coat, so good, that I am now not asham'd to go to Town or be seen there. These Things have render'd her Temper so much more pacifick than it us'd to be, that I may say, I have slept more, and more quietly within this last Year, than in the three foregoing Years put together. Accept my hearty Thanks therefor, and my sincere Wishes for your Health and Prosperity.
In the Preface to my last Almanack, I foretold the Death of my dear old Friend and Fellow-Student, the learned and ingenious Mr. _Titan Leeds_, which was to be on the 17th of _October_, 1733, 3 h. 29 m. P. M. at the very Instant of the [Conjunction] of [Sun] and [Mercury]. By his own Calculation he was to survive till the 26th of the same Month, and expire in the Time of the Eclipse, near 11 o'clock A. M. At which of these Times he died, or whether he be really yet dead, I cannot at this present Writing positively assure my Readers; forasmuch as a Disorder in my own Family demanded my Presence, and would not permit me as I had intended, to be with him in his last Moments, to receive his last Embrace, to close his Eyes, and do the Duty of a Friend in performing the last Offices to the Departed. Therefore it is that I cannot positively affirm whether he be dead or not; for the Stars only show to the Skilful, what will happen in the natural and universal Chain of Causes and Effects; but 'tis well known, that the Events which would otherwise certainly happen at certain Times in the Course of Nature are sometimes set aside or postpon'd for wise and good Reasons by the immediate particular Dispositions of Providence; which particular Dispositions the Stars can by no Means discover or foreshow. There is however (and I cannot speak it without Sorrow) there is the strongest Probability that my dear Friend is _no more_; for there appears in his Name, as I am assured, an Almanack for the Year 1734, in which I am treated in a very gross and unhandsome Manner; in which I am called _a false Predicter_, _an Ignorant_, _a conceited Scribler_, _a Fool_, _and a Lyar_. Mr. _Leeds_ was too well bred to use any Man so indecently and so scurrilously, and moreover his Esteem and Affection for me was extraordinary: So that it is to be feared that Pamphlet may be only a Contrivance of somebody or other, who hopes perhaps to sell two or three Year's Almanacks still, by the sole Force and Virtue of Mr. _Leeds's_ Name; but certainly, to put Words into the Mouth of a Gentleman and a Man of Letters, against his Friend, which the meanest and most scandalous of the People might be asham'd to utter even in a drunken Quarrel, is an unpardonable Injury to his Memory, and an Imposition upon the Publick.
Mr. _Leeds_ was not only profoundly skilful in the useful Science he profess'd, but he was a Man of _exemplary Sobriety_, a most _sincere Friend_, and an _exact Performer of his Word_. These valuable Qualifications, with many others so much endear'd him to me, that although it should be so, that, contrary to all Probability, contrary to my Prediction and his own, he might possibly be yet alive, yet my Loss of Honour as a Prognosticator, cannot afford me so much Mortification, as his Life, Health and Safety would give me Joy and Satisfaction.
I am, _Courteous and Kind Reader
Your poor Friend and Servant,_ Octob. 30. 1733. R. SAUNDERS.
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD, 1735
COURTEOUS READER,
This is the third Time of my appearing in print, hitherto very much to my own Satisfaction, and, I have reason to hope, to the Satisfaction of the Publick also; for the Publick is generous, and has been very charitable and good to me. I should be ungrateful then, if I did not take every Opportunity of expressing my Gratitude; for _ingratum si dixeris, omnia dixeris_: I therefore return the Publick my most humble and hearty Thanks.
Whatever may be the Musick of the Spheres, how great soever the Harmony of the Stars, 'tis certain there is no Harmony among the Stargazers; but they are perpetually growling and snarling at one another like strange Curs, or like some Men at their Wives: I had resolved to keep the Peace on my own part, and affront none of them; and I shall persist in that Resolution: But having receiv'd much Abuse from _Titan Leeds_ deceas'd (_Titan Leeds_ when living would not have us'd me so!) I say, having receiv'd much Abuse from the Ghost of _Titan Leeds_, who pretends to be still living, and to write Almanacks in Spight of me and my Predictions, I cannot help saying, that tho' I take it patiently, I take it very unkindly. And whatever he may pretend, 'tis undoubtedly true that he is really defunct and dead. First because the Stars are seldom disappointed, never but in the Case of wise Men, _sapiens dominabitur astris_, and they foreshow'd his Death at the Time I predicted it. Secondly, 'Twas requisite and necessary he should die punctually at that Time, for the Honour of Astrology, the Art professed both by him and his Father before him. Thirdly, 'Tis plain to every one that reads his last two Almanacks (for 1734 and 35) that they are not written with that _Life_ his Performances use to be written with; the Wit is low and flat, the little Hints dull and spiritless, nothing smart in them but _Hudibras's_ Verses against Astrology at the Heads of the Months in the last, which no Astrologer but a _dead one_ would have inserted, and no Man _living_ would or could write such Stuff as the rest. But lastly I convince him in his own Words, that he is dead (_ex ore suo condemnatus est_) for in his Preface to his Almanack for 1734, he says "_Saunders adds another_ GROSS FALSHOOD _in his Almanack, viz. that by my own Calculation I shall survive until the 26th of the said Month October 1733, which is as untrue as the former_." Now if it be, as Leeds says, _untrue_ and a _gross Falshood_ that he surviv'd till the 26th of October 1733, then it is certainly _true_ that he died _before_ that Time: And if he died before that Time, he is dead now, to all Intents and Purposes, any thing he may say to the contrary notwithstanding. And at what Time before the 26th is it so likely he should die, as at the Time by me predicted, _viz._ the 17th of October aforesaid? But if some People will walk and be troublesome after Death, it may perhaps be born with a little, because it cannot well be avoided unless one would be at the Pains and Expence of laying them in the _Red Sea_; however, they should not presume too much upon the Liberty allow'd them; I know Confinement must needs be mighty irksome to the free Spirit of an Astronomer, and I am too compassionate to proceed suddenly to Extremities with it; nevertheless, tho' I resolve with Reluctance, I shall not long defer, if it does not speedily learn to treat its living Friends with better Manners,
I am, _Courteous Reader, your obliged Friend and Servant_
Octob. 30. 1734 R. SAUNDERS.
HINTS FOR THOSE THAT WOULD BE RICH
[October, 1736--From _Poor Richard_, 1737]
The Use of Money is all the Advantage there is in having Money.
For £6 a Year you may have the Use of £100 if you are a Man of known Prudence and Honesty.
He that spends a Groat a day idly, spends idly above £6 a year, which is the Price of using £100.
He that wastes idly a Groat's worth of his Time per Day, one Day with another, wastes the Privilege of using £100 each Day.
He that idly loses 5s. worth of time, loses 5s. and might as prudently throw 5s. in the River.
He that loses 5s. not only loses that Sum, but all the Advantage that might be made by turning it in Dealing, which, by the time that a young Man becomes old, amounts to a comfortable Bag of Money.
_Again_, He that sells upon Credit, asks a Price for what he sells equivalent to the Principal and Interest of his Money for the Time he is like to be kept out of it: therefore He that buys upon Credit, pays Interest for what he buys. And he that pays ready Money, might let that Money out to Use; so that He that possesses any Thing he has bought, pays Interest for the Use of it.
_Consider then_ when you are tempted to buy any unnecessary Householdstuff, or any superfluous thing, whether you will be willing to pay _Interest, and Interest upon Interest_ for it as long as you live; and more if it grows worse by using.
_Yet, in buying goods, 'tis best to pay Ready Money, because_, He that sells upon Credit, expects to lose _5 per Cent_ by bad Debts; therefore he charges, on all he sells upon Credit, an Advance that shall make up for that Deficiency.
Those who pay for what they buy upon Credit, pay their Share of this Advance.
He that pays ready Money, escapes or may escape that Charge.
A Penny sav'd is Twopence clear, A Pin a Day is a Groat a Year.
TO JOSIAH FRANKLIN[28]
Philadelphia, April 13, 1738.
HONOURED FATHER,
I have your favours of the 21st of March, in which you both seem concerned lest I have imbibed some erroneous opinions. Doubtless I have my share; and when the natural weakness and imperfection of human understanding is considered, the unavoidable influence of education, custom, books, and company upon our ways of thinking, I imagine a man must have a good deal of vanity who believes, and a good deal of boldness who affirms, that all the doctrines he holds are true, and all he rejects are false. And perhaps the same may be justly said of every sect, church, and society of men, when they assume to themselves that infallibility, which they deny to the Pope and councils.
I think opinions should be judged of by their influences and effects; and, if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded he holds none that are dangerous; which I hope is the case with me.
I am sorry you should have any uneasiness on my account; and if it were a thing possible for one to alter his opinions in order to please another, I know none whom I ought more willingly to oblige in that respect than yourselves. But, since it is no more in a man's power to _think_ than to _look_ like another, methinks all that should be expected from me is to keep my mind open to conviction, to hear patiently and examine attentively, whatever is offered me for that end; and, if after all I continue in the same errors, I believe your usual charity will induce you to rather pity and excuse, than blame me. In the mean time your care and concern for me is what I am very thankful for.
My mother grieves, that one of her sons is an Arian, another an Arminian. What an Arminian or an Arian is, I cannot say that I very well know. The truth is, I make such distinctions very little my study. I think vital religion has always suffered, when orthodoxy is more regarded than virtue; and the Scriptures assure me, that at the last day we shall not be examined what we _thought_, but what we _did_; and our recommendation will not be, that we said, _Lord! Lord!_ but that we did good to our fellow creatures. See Matt. xxv.
As to the freemasons, I know no way of giving my mother a better account of them than she seems to have at present, since it is not allowed that women should be admitted into that secret society. She has, I must confess, on that account some reason to be displeased with it; but for any thing else, I must entreat her to suspend her judgment till she is better informed, unless she will believe me, when I assure her that they are in general a very harmless sort of people, and have no principles or practices that are inconsistent with religion and good manners.
We have had great rains here lately, which, with the thawing of snow on the mountains back of our country, have made vast floods in our rivers, and, by carrying away bridges, boats, &c., made travelling almost impracticable for a week past; so that our post has entirely missed making one trip.
I hear nothing of Dr. Crook, nor can I learn any such person has ever been here.
I hope my sister Jenny's child is by this time recovered. I am your dutiful son.
B. FRANKLIN.
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD, 1739
KIND READER,
Encouraged by thy former Generosity, I once more present thee with an Almanack, which is the 7th of my Publication. While thou art putting Pence in my Pocket, and furnishing my Cottage with necessaries, _Poor Dick_ is not unmindful to do something for thy Benefit. The Stars are watch'd as narrowly as old _Bess_ watch'd her Daughter, that thou mayst be acquainted with their Motions, and told a Tale of their Influences and Effects, which may do thee more good than a Dream of last Year's Snow.
Ignorant Men wonder how we Astrologers foretell the Weather so exactly, unless we deal with the old black Devil. Alas! 'tis as easy as ****** For Instance; The Stargazer peeps at the Heavens thro' a long Glass: He sees perhaps TAURUS, or the great Bull, in a mighty Chafe, stamping on the Floor of his House, swinging his Tail about, stretching out his Neck, and opening wide his Mouth. 'Tis natural from these Appearances to judge that this furious Bull is puffing, blowing and roaring. Distance being consider'd and Time allow'd for all this to come down, there you have Wind and Thunder. He spies perhaps VIRGO (or the Virgin;) she turns her Head round as it were to see if any body observ'd her; then crouching down gently, with her Hands on her Knees, she looks wistfully for a while right forward. He judges rightly what she's about: And having calculated the Distance and allow'd Time for its Falling, finds that next Spring we shall have a fine _April_ shower. What can be more natural and easy than this? I might instance the like in many other particulars; but this may be sufficient to prevent our being taken for Conjurors. O the wonderful Knowledge to be found in the Stars! Even the smallest Things are written there, if you had but Skill to read: When my Brother J-m-n erected a Scheme to know which was best for his sick Horse, to sup a new-laid Egg, or a little Broth, he found that the Stars plainly gave their Verdict for Broth, and the Horse having sup'd his Broth;--Now, what do you think became of that Horse? You shall know in my next.
Besides the usual Things expected in an Almanack, I hope the profess'd Teachers of Mankind will excuse my scattering here and there some instructive Hints in Matters of Morality and Religion. And be not thou disturbed, O grave and sober Reader, if among the many serious Sentences in my Book, thou findest me trifling now and then, and talking idly. In all the Dishes I have hitherto cook'd for thee, there is solid Meat enough for thy Money. There are Scraps from the Table of Wisdom, that will if well digested, yield strong Nourishment to thy Mind. But squeamish Stomachs cannot eat without Pickles; which, 'tis true are good for nothing else, but they provoke an Appetite. The Vain Youth that reads my Almanack for the sake of an idle Joke, will perhaps meet with a serious Reflection, that he may ever after be the better for.
Some People observing the great Yearly Demand for my Almanack, imagine I must by this Time have become rich, and consequently ought to call myself _Poor Dick_ no longer. But, the Case is this,
When I first begun to publish, the Printer made a fair Agreement with me for my Copies, by Virtue of which he runs away with the greatest Part of the Profit.--However, much good may't do him; I do not grudge it him; he is a Man I have a great Regard for, and I wish his Profit ten times greater than it is. For I am, dear Reader, his, as well as thy
_Affectionate Friend_ R. SAUNDERS.
A PROPOSAL
FOR PROMOTING USEFUL KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE BRITISH PLANTATIONS IN AMERICA
Philadelphia, May 14, 1743.
The English are possessed of a long tract of continent, from Nova Scotia to Georgia, extending north and south through different climates, having different soils, producing different plants, mines, and minerals, and capable of different improvements, manufactures, &c.
The first drudgery of settling new colonies, which confines the attention of people to mere necessaries, is now pretty well over; and there are many in every province in circumstances that set them at ease, and afford leisure to cultivate the finer arts and improve the common stock of knowledge. To such of these who are men of speculation, many hints must from time to time arise, many observations occur, which if well examined, pursued, and improved, might produce discoveries to the advantage of some or all of the British plantations, or to the benefit of mankind in general.
But as from the extent of the country such persons are widely separated, and seldom can see and converse or be acquainted with each other, so that many useful particulars remain uncommunicated, die with the discoverers, and are lost to mankind; it is, to remedy this inconvenience for the future, proposed,
That one society be formed of _virtuosi_ or ingenious men, residing in the several colonies, to be called _The American Philosophical Society_, who are to maintain a constant correspondence.
That Philadelphia, being the city nearest the centre of the continent colonies, communicating with all of them northward and southward by post, and with all the islands by sea, and having the advantage of a good growing library, be the centre of the Society.
That at Philadelphia there be always at least seven members, viz. a physician, a botanist, a mathematician, a chemist, a mechanician, a geographer, and a general natural philosopher, besides a president, treasurer, and secretary.
That these members meet once a month, or oftener, at their own expense, to communicate to each other their observations and experiments, to receive, read, and consider such letters, communications, or queries as shall be sent from distant members; to direct the dispersing of copies of such communications as are valuable, to other distant members, in order to procure their sentiments thereupon.
That the subjects of the correspondence be: all new-discovered plants, herbs, trees, roots, their virtues, uses, &c.; methods of propagating them, and making such as are useful, but particular to some plantations, more general; improvements of vegetable juices, as ciders, wines, &c.; new methods of curing or preventing diseases; all new-discovered fossils in different countries, as mines, minerals, and quarries; new and useful improvements in any branch of mathematics; new discoveries in chemistry, such as improvements in distillation, brewing, and assaying of ores; new mechanical inventions for saving labour, as mills and carriages, and for raising and conveying of water, draining of meadows, &c.; all new arts, trades, and manufactures, that may be proposed or thought of; surveys, maps, and charts of particular parts of the sea-coasts or inland countries; course and junction of rivers and great roads, situation of lakes and mountains, nature of the soil and productions; new methods of improving the breed of useful animals; introducing other sorts from foreign countries; new improvements in planting, gardening, and clearing land; and all philosophical experiments that let light into the nature of things, tend to increase the power of man over matter, and multiply the conveniences or pleasures of life.
That a correspondence, already begun by some intended members, shall be kept up by this Society with the ROYAL SOCIETY of London, and with the DUBLIN SOCIETY.
That every member shall have abstracts sent him quarterly, of every thing valuable communicated to the Society's Secretary at Philadelphia; free of all charge except the yearly payment hereafter mentioned.
That, by permission of the postmaster-general, such communications pass between the Secretary of the Society and the members, postage-free.
That, for defraying the expense of such experiments as the Society shall judge proper to cause to be made, and other contingent charges for the common good, every member send a piece of eight per annum to the treasurer, at Philadelphia, to form a common stock, to be disbursed by order of the President with the consent of the majority of the members that can conveniently be consulted thereupon, to such persons and places where and by whom the experiments are to be made, and otherwise as there shall be occasion; of which disbursements an exact account shall be kept, and communicated yearly to every member.
That, at the first meetings of the members at Philadelphia, such rules be formed for regulating their meetings and transactions for the general benefit, as shall be convenient and necessary; to be afterwards changed and improved as there shall be occasion, wherein due regard is to be had to the advice of distant members.
That, at the end of every year, collections be made and printed, of such experiments, discoveries, and improvements, as may be thought of public advantage; and that every member have a copy sent him.
That the business and duty of the Secretary be to receive all letters intended for the Society, and lay them before the President and members at their meetings; to abstract, correct, and methodize such papers as require it, and as he shall be directed to do by the President, after they have been considered, debated, and digested in the Society; to enter copies thereof in the Society's books, and make out copies for distant members; to answer their letters by direction of the President, and keep records of all material transactions of the Society.
Benjamin Franklin, the writer of this Proposal, offers himself to serve the Society as their secretary, till they shall be provided with one more capable.
SHAVERS AND TRIMMERS
[From the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 23, 1743.]
Alexander Miller, Peruke-maker, in _Second-street, Philadelphia_, takes Opportunity to acquaint his Customers, that he intends to leave off the Shaving Business after the 22d of _August_ next.
TO MR. FRANKLIN
_Sir_,
It is a common Observation among the People of _Great Britain_ and _Ireland_, that the Barbers are reverenced by the lower Classes of the Inhabitants of those Kingdoms, and in the more remote Parts of those Dominions, as the sole Oracles of Wisdom and Politicks. This at first View seems to be owing to the odd Bent of Mind and peculiar Humour of the People of those Nations: But if we carry this Observation into other Parts, we shall find the same Passion equally prevalent throughout the whole civilized World; and discover in every little Market-Town and Village the 'Squire, the Exciseman, and even the Parson himself, listening with as much Attention to a Barber's News, as they would to the profound Revelations of a Chancellor of the Exchequer, or principal Secretary of State.
Antiquity likewise will furnish us with many Confirmations of the Truth of what I have here asserted. Among the old _Romans_ the Barbers were understood to be exactly of the same Complection I have here described. I shall not trouble your Readers with a Multitude of Examples taken from Antiquity. I shall only quote one Passage in _Horace_, which may serve to illustrate the Whole, and is as follows.
Strenuus et fortis, causisq; Philippus agendis Clarus, ab officiis octavam circiter horam Dum redit: atq; foro nimium distare carinas Jam grandis natu queritur, conspexit, ut aiunt, Adrasum quendam vacuâ tonsoris in umbrâ. Cultello proprios purgantem leniter ungues. Hor. Epist. Lib. I. 7.
By which we may understand, that the _Tonsoris Umbra, or_ Barber's Shop, was the common Rendezvous of every idle Fellow, who had no more to do than to pair his Nails, talk Politicks, and see, and to be seen.
But to return to the Point in Question. If we would know why the Barbers are so eminent for their Skill in Politicks, it will be necessary to lay aside the Appellation of Barber, and confine ourselves to that of Shaver and Trimmer, which will naturally lead us to consider the near Relation which subsists between Shaving, Trimming and Politicks, from whence we shall discover that Shaving and Trimming is not the Province of the Mechanic alone, but that there are their several Shavers and Trimmers at Court, the Bar, in Church and State.
And first, Shaving or Trimming, in a strict mechanical Sense of the Word, signifies a cutting, sheering, lopping off, and fleecing us of those Excrescencies of Hair, Nails, Flesh, &c., which burthen and disguise our natural Endowments. And is not the same practised over the whole World, by Men of every Rank and Station? Does not the corrupt Minister lop off our Privileges and fleece us of our Money? Do not the Gentlemen of the long Robe find means to cut off those Excrescencies of the Nation, Highwaymen, Thieves and Robbers? And to look into the Church, who has been more notorious for shaving and fleecing, than that Apostle of Apostles, that Preacher of Preachers, the Rev. Mr. G. W.?[29] But I forbear making farther mention of this spiritual Shaver and Trimmer, lest I should affect the Minds of my Readers as deeply as his Preaching has affected their Pockets.
The second Species of Shavers and Trimmers are those who, according to the _English_ Phrase, _make the best of a bad Market_: Such as cover (what is called by an eminent Preacher) _their poor Dust_ in tinsel Cloaths and gaudy Plumes of Feathers. A Star, and Garter, for Instance, adds Grace, Dignity and Lustre to a gross corpulent Body; and a competent Share of religious Horror thrown into the Countenance, with proper Distortions of the Face, and the Addition of a lank Head of Hair, or a long Wig and Band, commands a most profound Respect to Insolence and Ignorance. The Pageantry of the Church of _Rome_ is too well known for me to instance: It will not however be amiss to observe, that his Holiness the Pope, when he has a Mind to fleece his Flock of a good round Sum, sets off the Matter with Briefs, Pardons, Indulgencies, &c. &c. &c.
The Third and last Kind of Shavers and Trimmers are those who (in Scripture Language) are carried away with every Wind of Doctrine. The Vicars of Bray, and those who exchange their Principles with the Times, may justly 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.
[From the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 30, 1743.]
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 Second-street, they may see Me, or the Original hereof under my own Hand, and be convinced that this is genuine.
PREFACE TO LOGAN'S TRANSLATION OF "CATO MAJOR"[30]
The Printer to the Reader
This Version of Cicero's Tract _de Senectute_, was made Ten Years since, by the Honourable and Learned Mr. Logan, of this City; undertaken partly for his own Amusement, (being then in his 60th Year, which is said to be nearly the Age of the Author when he wrote it) but principally for the Entertainment of a Neighbour then in his grand Climacteric; and the Notes were drawn up solely on that Neighbour's Account, who was not so well acquainted as himself with the Roman History and Language: Some other Friends, however, (among whom I had the Honour to be ranked) obtained Copies of it in MS. And, as I believed it to be in itself equal at least, if not far preferable to any other Translation of the same Piece extant in our Language, besides the Advantage it has of so many valuable Notes, which at the same time they clear up the Text, are highly instructive and entertaining; I resolved to give it an Impression, being confident that the Publick would not unfavourably receive it.
A certain Freed-man of _Cicero's_ is reported to have said of a medicinal Well, discovered in his Time, wonderful for the Virtue of its Waters in restoring Sight to the Aged, That it was a Gift of the bountiful Gods to Men, to the end that all might now have the Pleasure of reading his Master's Works. As that Well, if still in being, is at too great a Distance for our Use, I have, _Gentle Reader_, as thou seest, printed this Piece of _Cicero's_ in a large and fair Character, that those who begin to think on the Subject of Old Age, (which seldom happens till their Sight is somewhat impair'd by its Approaches) may not, in Reading, by the _Pain_ small Letters give the Eyes, feel the _Pleasure_ of the Mind in the least allayed.
I shall add to these few Lines my hearty Wish, that this first Translation of a _Classic_ in this _Western World_, may be followed with many others, performed with equal Judgment and Success; and be a happy Omen, that _Philadelphia_ shall become the Seat of the _American_ Muses.
Philadelphia, Febr. 29. 1743/4.
TO JOHN FRANKLIN, AT BOSTON[31]
Philadelphia [March 10], 1745.
--Our people are extremely impatient to hear of your success at Cape Breton. My shop is filled with thirty inquirers at the coming in of every post. Some wonder the place is not yet taken. I tell them I shall be glad to hear that news three months hence. Fortified towns are hard nuts to crack; and your teeth have not been accustomed to it. Taking strong places is a particular trade, which you have taken up without serving an apprenticeship to it. Armies and veterans need skilful engineers to direct them in their attack. Have you any? But some seem to think forts are as easy taken as snuff. Father Moody's prayers look tolerably modest. You have a fast and prayer day for that purpose; in which I compute five hundred thousand petitions were offered up to the same effect in New England, which added to the petitions of every family morning and evening, multiplied by the number of days since January 25th, make forty-five millions of prayers; which, set against the prayers of a few priests in the garrison, to the Virgin Mary, give a vast balance in your favour.
If you do not succeed, I fear I shall have but an indifferent opinion of Presbyterian prayers in such cases, as long as I live. Indeed, in attacking strong towns I should have more dependence on _works_, than on _faith_; for, like the kingdom of heaven, they are to be taken by force and violence; and in a French garrison I suppose there are devils of that kind, that they are not to be cast out by prayers and fasting, unless it be by their own fasting for want of provisions. I believe there is Scripture in what I have wrote, but I cannot adorn the margin with quotations, having a bad memory, and no Concordance at hand; besides no more time than to subscribe myself, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD, 1746
Who is _Poor Richard_? People oft enquire, Where lives? What is he? never yet the nigher. Somewhat to ease your Curiositee, Take these slight Sketches of my Dame and me. Thanks to kind Readers and a careful Wife, With plenty bless'd, I lead an easy Life; My business Writing; less to drain the Mead, Or crown the barren Hill with useful Shade; In the smooth Glebe to see the Plowshare worn, And fill the Granary with needful Corn. Press nectareous Cyder from my loaded Trees, Print the sweet Butter, turn the Drying Cheese. Some Books we read, tho' few there are that hit The happy Point where Wisdom joins with Wit; That set fair Virtue naked to our View, And teach us what is _decent_, what is _true_. The Friend sincere, and honest Man, with Joy Treating or treated oft our Time employ. Our Table next, Meals temperate; and our Door Op'ning spontaneous to the bashful Poor. Free from the bitter Rage of Party Zeal, All those we love who seek the publick Weal. Nor blindly follow Superstitious Love, Which cheats deluded Mankind o'er and o'er, Not over righteous, quite beyond the Rule, Conscience perplext by every canting Tool. Nor yet when Folly hides the dubious Line, When Good and Bad the blended Colours join: Rush indiscreetly down the dangerous Steep, And plunge uncertain in the darksome Deep. Cautious, if right; if wrong resolv'd to part The Inmate Snake that folds about the Heart. Observe the _Mean_, the _Motive_, and the _End_, Mending ourselves, or striving still to mend. Our Souls sincere, our Purpose fair and free, Without Vain Glory or Hypocrisy: Thankful if well; if ill, we kiss the Rod; Resign with Hope, and put our Trust in God.
THE SPEECH OF POLLY BAKER[32]
[Printed in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, April, 1747.]
The Speech of Miss Polly Baker before a Court of Judicature, at Connecticut near Boston in New England; where she was prosecuted the fifth time, for having a Bastard Child: Which influenced the Court to dispense with her Punishment, and which induced one of her Judges to marry her the next Day--by whom she had fifteen Children.
"May it please the honourable bench to indulge me in a few words: I am a poor, unhappy woman, who have no money to fee lawyers to plead for me, being hard put to it to get a living. I shall not trouble your honours with long speeches; for I have not the presumption to expect that you may, by any means, be prevailed on to deviate in your Sentence from the law, in my favour. All I humbly hope is, that your honours would charitably move the governor's goodness on my behalf, that my fine may be remitted. This is the fifth time, gentlemen, that I have been dragg'd before your court on the same account; twice I have paid heavy fines, and twice have been brought to publick punishment, for want of money to pay those fines. This may have been agreeable to the laws, and I don't dispute it; but since laws are sometimes unreasonable in themselves, and therefore repealed; and others bear too hard on the subject in particular circumstances, and therefore there is left a power somewhere to dispense with the execution of them; I take the liberty to say, that I think this law, by which I am punished, both unreasonable in itself, and particularly severe with regard to me, who have always lived an inoffensive life in the neighbourhood where I was born, and defy my enemies (if I have any) to say I ever wrong'd any man, woman, or child. Abstracted from the law, I cannot conceive (may it please your honours) what the nature of my offense is. I have brought five fine children into the world, at the risque of my life; I have maintain'd them well by my own industry, without burthening the township, and would have done it better, if it had not been for the heavy charges and fines I have paid. Can it be a crime (in the nature of things, I mean) to add to the king's subjects, in a new country, that really wants people? I own it, I should think it rather a praiseworthy than a punishable action. I have debauched no other woman's husband, nor enticed any other youth; these things I never was charg'd with; nor has any one the least cause of complaint against me, unless, perhaps, the ministers of justice, because I have had children without being married, by which they have missed a wedding fee. But can this be a fault of mine? I appeal to your honours. You are pleased to allow I don't want sense; but I must be stupified to the last degree, not to prefer the honourable state of wedlock to the condition I have lived in. I always was, and still am willing to enter into it; and doubt not my behaving well in it, having all the industry, frugality, fertility, and skill in economy appertaining to a good wife's character. I defy any one to say I ever refused an offer of that sort: on the contrary, I readily consented to the only proposal of marriage that ever was made me, which was when I was a virgin, but too easily confiding in the person's sincerity that made it, I unhappily lost my honour by trusting to his; for he got me with child, and then forsook me.
"That very person, you all know, he is now become a magistrate of this country; and I had hopes he would have appeared this day on the bench, and have endeavoured to moderate the Court in my favour; then I should have scorn'd to have mentioned it; but I must now complain of it, as unjust and unequal, that my betrayer and undoer, the first cause of all my faults and miscarriages (if they must be deemed such), should be advanced to honour and power in this government that punishes my misfortunes with stripes and infamy. I should be told, 'tis like, that were there no act of Assembly in the case, the precepts of religion are violated by my transgressions. If mine is a religious offense, leave it to religious punishments. You have already excluded me from the comforts of your church communion. Is not that sufficient? You believe I have offended heaven, and must suffer eternal fire: Will not that be sufficient? What need is there then of your additional fines and whipping? I own I do not think as you do, for, if I thought what you call a sin was really such, I could not presumptuously commit it. But, how can it be believed that heaven is angry at my having children, when to the little done by me towards it, God has been pleased to add his divine skill and admirable workmanship in the formation of their bodies, and crowned the whole by furnishing them with rational and immortal souls?
"Forgive me, gentlemen, if I talk a little extravagantly on these matters; I am no divine, but if you, gentlemen, must be making laws, do not turn natural and useful actions into crimes by your prohibitions. But take into your wise consideration the great and growing number of batchelors in the country, many of whom, from the mean fear of the expences of a family, have never sincerely and honourably courted a woman in their lives; and by their manner of living leave unproduced (which is little better than murder) hundreds of their posterity to the thousandth generation. Is not this a greater offense against the publick good than mine? Compel them, then, by law, either to marriage, or to pay double the fine of fornication every year. What must poor young women do, whom customs and nature forbid to solicit the men, and who cannot force themselves upon husbands, when the laws take no care to provide them any, and yet severely punish them if they do their duty without them; the duty of the first and great command of nature and nature's God, _encrease and multiply_; a duty, from the steady performance of which nothing has been able to deter me, but for its sake I have hazarded the loss of the publick esteem, and have frequently endured publick disgrace and punishment; and therefore ought, in my humble opinion, instead of a whipping, to have a statue erected to my memory."
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD, 1747
COURTEOUS READER,
This is the 15th Time I have entertain'd thee with my annual Productions; I hope to thy Profit as well as mine. For besides the astronomical Calculations, and other Things usually contain'd in Almanacks, which have their daily Use indeed while the Year continues, but then become of no Value, I have constantly interspers'd _moral_ Sentences, _prudent_ Maxims, and _wise_ Sayings, many of them containing _much good Sense_ in _very few_ Words, and therefore apt to leave _strong_ and _lasting_ Impressions on the Memory of young Persons, whereby they may receive Benefit as long as they live, when both Almanack and Almanack-maker have been long thrown by and forgotten. If I now and then insert a Joke or two, that seem to have little in them, my Apology _is_ that such may have their Use, since perhaps for their Sake light airy Minds peruse the rest, and so are struck by somewhat of more Weight and Moment. The Verses on the Heads of the Months are also generally design'd to have the same Tendency. I need not tell thee that not many of them are of my own Making. If thou hast any Judgment in Poetry, thou wilt easily discern the Workman from the Bungler. I know as well as thee, that I am no _Poet born_; and it is a Trade I never learnt, nor indeed could learn. _If I make Verses, 'tis in Spight--of Nature and my Stars, I write._ Why then should I give my Readers _bad Lines_ of my own, when _good Ones_ of other People's are so plenty? 'Tis methinks a poor Excuse for the bad Entertainment of Guests, that the Food we set before them, tho' coarse and ordinary, _is of one's own Raising, off one's own Plantation_, &c. when there is Plenty of what is ten times better, to be had in the Market.--On the contrary, I assure ye, my Friends, that I have procur'd the best I could for ye, and _much Good may't do ye...._
_I am thy poor Friend, to serve thee,_ R. SAUNDERS.
TO PETER COLLINSON
Philad^a Aug^t 14, 1747.
SIR
I have lately written two long Letters to you on the Subject of Electricity, one by the Governor's Vessel, the other per Mesnard. On some further Experiments since I have observ'd a Phenomenon or two, that I cannot at present account for on the Principle laid down in those Letters, and am therefore become a little diffident of my Hypothesis, and asham'd that I have express'd myself in so positive a manner. In going on with these Experiments how many pretty Systems do we build which we soon find ourselves oblig'd to destroy! If there is no other Use discover'd of Electricity this however is something considerable, that it may _help to make a vain man humble_.
I must now request that you would not Expose those Letters; or if you communicate them to any Friends you would at least conceal my Name. I have not Time to add but that I am, Sir,
Your obliged and most hum^e Serv^t B. FRANKLIN.
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD IMPROVED, 1748
KIND READER
The favourable Reception my annual Labours have met with from the Publick these 15 Years past, has engaged me in Gratitude to endeavour some Improvements of my Almanack. And since my Friend _Taylor_ is no more, whose _Ephemerides_ so long and so agreeably serv'd and entertain'd these Provinces, I have taken the Liberty to imitate his well-known Method, and give two Pages for each Month; which affords me Room for several valuable Additions, as will best appear on Inspection and Comparison with former Almanacks. Yet I have not so far follow'd his Method, as not to continue my own when I thought it preferable; and thus my Book is increas'd to a Size beyond his, and contains much more Matter.
Hail Night serene! thro' Thee where'er we turn Our wond'ring Eyes, Heav'n's Lamps profusely burn; And Stars unnumber'd all the Sky adorn. But lo!--what's that I see appear? It seems far off a pointed flame; From Earthwards too the shining Meteor came: How swift it climbs th' etherial Space! And now it traverses each Sphere, And seems some knowing Mind, familiar to the Place, Dame, hand my Glass, the longest, strait prepare; 'Tis He--'tis TAYLOR'S Soul, that travels there. O stay! thou happy Spirit, stay, And lead me on thro' all th' unbeaten Wilds of Day; Where Planets in pure Streams of Ether driven, Swim thro' the blue Expanse of Heav'n. There let me, thy Companion, stray From Orb to Orb, and now behold Unnumber'd Suns, all Seas of molten Gold, And trace each Comet's wandring Way.--
Souse down into Prose again, my Muse; for Poetry's no more thy Element, than Air is that of the Flying-Fish; whose Flights, like thine, are therefore always short and heavy.--
ADVICE TO A YOUNG TRADESMAN
[1748]
TO MY FRIEND, A. B.:
As you have desired it of me, I write the following hints, which have been of service to me, and may, if observed, be so to you.
Remember, that _time_ is money. He that can earn ten shillings a day by his labour, and goes abroad, or sits idle, one half of that day, though he spends but sixpence during his diversion or idleness, ought not to reckon _that_ the only expense; he has really spent, or rather thrown away, five shillings besides.
Remember, that _credit_ is money. If a man lets his money lie in my hands after it is due, he gives me the interest, or so much as I can make of it during that time. This amounts to a considerable sum where a man has good and large credit, and makes good use of it.
Remember, that money is of the prolific, generating nature. Money can beget money, and its offspring can beget more, and so on. Five shillings turned is six, turned again it is seven and three-pence, and so on till it becomes an hundred pounds. The more there is of it, the more it produces every turning, so that the profits rise quicker and quicker. He that kills a breeding sow, destroys all her offspring to the thousandth generation. He that murders a crown, destroys all that it might have produced, even scores of pounds.
Remember, that six pounds a year is but a groat a day. For this little sum (which may be daily wasted either in time or expense unperceived) a man of credit may, on his own security, have the constant possession and use of an hundred pounds. So much in stock, briskly turned by an industrious man, produces great advantage.
Remember this saying, _The good paymaster is lord of another man's purse_. He that is known to pay punctually and exactly to the time he promises, may at any time, and on any occasion, raise all the money his friends can spare. This is sometimes of great use. After industry and frugality, nothing contributes more to the raising of a young man in the world than punctuality and justice in all his dealings; therefore never keep borrowed money an hour beyond the time you promised, lest a disappointment shut up your friend's purse for ever.
The most trifling actions that affect a man's credit are to be regarded. The sound of your hammer at five in the morning, or nine at night, heard by a creditor, makes him easy six months longer; but, if he sees you at a billiard-table, or hears your voice at a tavern, when you should be at work, he sends for his money the next day; demands it, before he can receive it, in a lump.
It shows, besides, that you are mindful of what you owe; it makes you appear a careful as well as an honest man, and that still increases your credit.
Beware of thinking all your own that you possess, and of living accordingly. It is a mistake that many people who have credit fall into. To prevent this, keep an exact account for some time, both of your expenses and your income. If you take the pains at first to mention particulars, it will have this good effect: you will discover how wonderfully small, trifling expenses mount up to large sums, and will discern what might have been, and may for the future be saved, without occasioning any great inconvenience.
In short, the way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, _industry_ and _frugality_; that is, waste neither _time_ nor _money_, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them every thing. He that gets all he can honestly, and saves all he gets (necessary expenses excepted), will certainly become _rich_, if that Being who governs the world, to whom all should look for a blessing on their honest endeavours, doth not, in his wise providence, otherwise determine.
AN OLD TRADESMAN.
TO GEORGE WHITEFIELD
Philadelphia, July 6, 1749.
DEAR SIR
Since your being in England, I have received two of your favours and a box of books to be disposed of. It gives me great pleasure to hear of your welfare and that you purpose soon to return to America.
We have no news here worth writing to you. The affair of the building remains in _statu quo_, there having been no new application to the Assembly about it, or anything done in consequence of the former.
I have received no money on your account from Mr. Thanklin, or from Boston. Mrs. Read and your other friends here, in general, are well, and will rejoice to see you again.
I am glad to hear that you have frequent opportunities of preaching among the great. If you can gain them to a good and exemplary life, wonderful changes will follow in the manners of the lower ranks; for _ad exemplum regis_, etc. On this principle, Confucius, the famous Eastern reformer, proceeded. When he saw his country sunk in vice, and wickedness of all kinds triumphant, he applied himself first to the grandees; and having, by his doctrine, won _them_ to the cause of virtue, the commons followed in multitudes. The mode has a wonderful influence on mankind; and there are numbers who, perhaps, fear less the being in hell, than out of the fashion. Our most western reformations began with the ignorant mob; and when numbers of them were gained, interest and party views drew in the wise and great. Where both methods can be used, reformations are likely to be more speedy. O that some method could be found to make them lasting! He who discovers that will, in my opinion, deserve more, ten thousand times, than the inventor of the longitude.
My wife and family join in the most cordial salutations to you and good Mrs. Whitefield.
I am, dear Sir, your very affectionate friend, and most obliged humble Servant
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH IN PENSILVANIA
PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED IN THE YEAR, MDCCXLIX[33]
"Advertisement to the Reader.
"It has long been regretted as a Misfortune to the Youth of this Province, that we have no ACADEMY, in which they might receive the Accomplishments of a regular Education. The following Paper of Hints towards forming a Plan for that Purpose, is so far approv'd by some publick-spirited Gentlemen, to whom it has been privately communicated, that they have directed a Number of Copies to be made by the Press, and properly distributed, in order to obtain the Sentiments and Advice of Men of Learning, Understanding, and Experience in these Matters; and have determined to use their Interest and best Endeavours, to have the Scheme, when compleated, carried gradually into Execution; in which they have Reason to believe they shall have the hearty Concurrence and Assistance of many who are Wellwishers to their Country. Those who incline to favour the Design with their Advice, either as to the Parts of Learning to be taught, the Order of Study, the Method of Teaching, the OEconomy of the School, or any other Matter of Importance to the Success of the Undertaking, are desired to communicate their Sentiments as soon as may be, by Letter directed to B. FRANKLIN, _Printer_, in PHILADELPHIA."
PROPOSALS
The good Education of Youth has been esteemed by wise Men in all Ages, as the surest Foundation of the Happiness both of private Families and of Commonwealths. Almost all Governments have therefore made it a principal Object of their Attention, to establish and endow with proper Revenues, such Seminaries of Learning, as might supply the succeeding Age with Men qualified to serve the Publick with Honour to themselves, and to their Country.
Many of the first Settlers of these Provinces were Men who had received a good Education in _Europe_, and to their Wisdom and good Management we owe much of our present Prosperity. But their Hands were full, and they could not do all Things. The present Race are not thought to be generally of equal Ability: For though the _American_ Youth are allow'd not to want Capacity; yet the best Capacities require Cultivation, it being truly with them, as with the best Ground, which unless well tilled and sowed with profitable Seed, produces only ranker Weeds.
That we may obtain the Advantages arising from an Increase of Knowledge, and prevent as much as may be the mischievous Consequences that would attend a general Ignorance among us, the following _Hints_ are offered towards forming a Plan for the Education of the Youth of _Pennsylvania_, viz.
It is propos'd,
That some Persons of Leisure and publick Spirit apply for a CHARTER, by which they may be incorporated, with Power to erect an ACADEMY for the Education of Youth, to govern the same, provide Masters, make Rules, receive Donations, purchase Lands, etc., and to add to their Number, from Time to Time such other Persons as they shall judge suitable.
That the Members of the Corporation make it their Pleasure, and in some Degree their Business, to visit the Academy often, encourage and countenance the Youth, countenance and assist the Masters, and by all Means in their Power advance the Usefulness and Reputation of the Design; that they look on the Students as in some Sort their Children, treat them with Familiarity and Affection, and, when they have behav'd well, and gone through their Studies, and are to enter the World, zealously unite, and make all the Interest that can be made to establish them, whether in Business, Offices, Marriages, or any other Thing for their Advantage, preferably to all other Persons whatsoever even of equal Merit.
And if Men may, and frequently do, catch such a Taste for cultivating Flowers, for Planting, Grafting, Inoculating, and the like, as to despise all other Amusements for their Sake, why may not we expect they should acquire a Relish for that _more useful_ Culture of young Minds. _Thompson_ says,
"'Tis Joy to see the human Blossoms blow, When infant Reason grows apace, and calls For the kind Hand of an assiduous Care. Delightful Task! to rear the tender Thought, To teach the young Idea how to shoot; To pour the fresh Instruction o'er the Mind, To breathe th' enliv'ning Spirit, and to fix The generous Purpose in the glowing Breast."
That a House be provided for the ACADEMY, if not in the Town, not many Miles from it; the Situation high and dry, and if it may be, not far from a River, having a Garden, Orchard, Meadow, and a Field or two.
That the House be furnished with a Library (if in the Country, if in the Town, the Town Libraries may serve) with Maps of all Countries, Globes, some mathematical Instruments, an Apparatus for Experiments in Natural Philosophy, and for Mechanics; Prints, of all Kinds, Prospects, Buildings, Machines, &c.
That the Rector be a Man of good Understanding, good Morals, diligent and patient, learn'd in the Languages and Sciences, and a correct pure Speaker and Writer of the _English_ Tongue; to have such Tutors under him as shall be necessary.
That the boarding Scholars diet together, plainly, temperately, and frugally.
That, to keep them in Health, and to strengthen and render active their Bodies, they be frequently exercis'd in Running, Leaping, Wrestling, and Swimming, &c.
That they have peculiar Habits to distinguish them from other Youth, if the Academy be in or near the Town; for this, among other Reasons, that their Behaviour may be the better observed.
As to their STUDIES, it would be well if they could be taught _every Thing_ that is useful, and _every Thing_ that is ornamental: But Art is long, and their Time is short. It is therefore propos'd that they learn those Things that are likely to be _most useful_ and _most ornamental_. Regard being had to the several Professions for which they are intended.
All should be taught to write a _fair Hand_, and swift, as that is useful to All. And with it may be learnt something of _Drawing_, by Imitation of Prints, and some of the first Principles of Perspective.
_Arithmetick_, _Accounts_, and some of the first Principles of _Geometry_ and _Astronomy_.
The _English_ Language might be taught by Grammar; in which some of our best Writers, as _Tillotson_, _Addison_, _Pope_, _Algernoon Sidney_, _Cato's Letters_, &c; should be Classicks: the _Stiles_ principally to be cultivated, being the _clear_ and the _concise_. Reading should also be taught, and pronouncing, properly, distinctly, emphatically; not with an even Tone, which _under-does_, nor a theatrical, which _over-does_ Nature.
To form their Stile they should be put on Writing Letters to each other, making Abstracts of what they read; or writing the same Things in their own Words; telling or writing Stories lately read, in their own Expressions. All to be revis'd and corrected by the Tutor, who should give his Reasons, and explain the Force and Import of Words, &c.
To form their Pronunciation, they may be put on making Declamations, repeating Speeches, delivering Orations, &c.; The Tutor assisting at the Rehearsals, teaching, advising, correcting their Accent, &c.
But if History be made a constant Part of their Reading, such as the Translations of the _Greek_ and _Roman_ Historians, and the modern Histories of ancient _Greece_ and _Rome_, &c. may not almost all Kinds of useful Knowledge be that Way introduc'd to Advantage, and with Pleasure to the Student? As
GEOGRAPHY, by reading with Maps, and being required to point out the Places _where_ the greatest Actions were done, to give their old and new Names, with the Bounds, Situation, Extent of the Countries concern'd, &c.
CHRONOLOGY, by the Help of _Helvicus_ or some other Writer of the Kind, who will enable them to tell _when_ those Events happened; what Princes were Cotemporaries, what States or famous Men flourish'd about that Time, &c. The several principal Epochas to be first well fix'd in their Memories.
ANTIENT CUSTOMS, religious and civil, being frequently mentioned in History, will give Occasion for explaining them; in which the Prints of Medals, Basso-Relievos, and antient Monuments will greatly assist.
MORALITY, by descanting and making continual Observations on the Causes of the Rise or Fall of any Man's Character, Fortune, Power &c. mention'd in History; the Advantages of Temperance, Order, Frugality, Industry, Perseverance &c., &c. Indeed the general natural Tendency of Reading good History must be, to fix in the Minds of Youth deep Impressions of the Beauty and Usefulness of Virtue of all Kinds, Publick Spirit, Fortitude, &c.
_History_ will show the wonderful Effects of ORATORY, in governing, turning and leading great Bodies of Mankind, Armies, Cities, Nations. When the Minds of Youth are struck with Admiration at this, then is the Time to give them the Principles of that Art, which they will study with Taste and Application. Then they may be made acquainted with the best Models among the antients, their Beauties being particularly pointed out to them. Modern Political Oratory being chiefly performed by the Pen and Press, its Advantages over the Antient in some Respects are to be shown; as that its Effects are more extensive, more lasting, &c.
_History_ will also afford frequent Opportunities of showing the Necessity of a _Publick Religion_, from its Usefulness to the Publick; the Advantage of a Religious Character among private Persons; the Mischiefs of Superstition, &c. and the Excellency of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION above all others antient or modern.
_History_ will also give Occasion to expatiate on the Advantage of Civil Orders and Constitutions; how Men and their Properties are protected by joining in Societies and establishing Government; their Industry encouraged and rewarded, Arts invented, and Life made more comfortable: The Advantages of _Liberty_, Mischiefs of _Licentiousness_, Benefits arising from good Laws and a due Execution of Justice, &c. Thus may the first Principles of sound _Politicks_ be fix'd in the Minds of Youth.
On _Historical_ Occasions, Questions of Right and Wrong, Justice and Injustice, will naturally arise, and may be put to Youth, which they may debate in Conversation and in Writing. When they ardently desire Victory, for the Sake of the Praise attending it, they will begin to feel the Want, and be sensible of the Use of _Logic_, or the Art of Reasoning to _discover_ Truth, and of Arguing to _defend_ it, and _convince_ Adversaries. This would be the Time to acquaint them with the Principles of that Art. Grotius, Puffendorff, and some other Writers of the same Kind, may be used on these Occasions to decide their Disputes. Publick Disputes warm the Imagination, whet the Industry, and strengthen the natural Abilities.
When Youth are told, that the Great Men whose Lives and Actions they read in History, spoke two of the best Languages that ever were, the most expressive, copious, beautiful; and that the finest Writings, the most correct Compositions, the most perfect Productions of human Wit and Wisdom, are in those Languages, which have endured Ages, and will endure while there are Men; that no Translation can do them Justice, or give the Pleasure found in Reading the Originals; that those Languages contain all Science; that one of them is become almost universal, being the Language of Learned Men in all Countries; that to understand them is a distinguishing Ornament, &c. they may be thereby made desirous of learning those Languages, and their Industry sharpen'd in the Acquisition of them. All intended for Divinity, should be taught the _Latin_ and _Greek_; for Physick, the _Latin_, _Greek_, and _French_; for Law, the _Latin_ and _French_; Merchants, the _French_, _German_, and _Spanish_: And though all should not be compell'd to learn _Latin_, _Greek_, or the modern foreign Languages; yet none that have an ardent Desire to learn them should be refused; their _English_, Arithmetick and other Studies absolutely necessary, being at the same Time not neglected.
If the new _Universal History_ were also read, it would give a _connected_ Idea of human Affairs, so far as it goes, which should be follow'd by the best modern Histories, particularly of our Mother Country; then of these Colonies; which should be accompanied with Observations on their Rise, Encrease, Use to _Great Britain_, Encouragements, Discouragements, etc. the Means to make them flourish, secure their Liberties, &c.
With the History of Men, Times, and Nations, should be read at proper Hours or Days, some of the best _Histories of Nature_, which would not only be delightful to Youth, and furnish them with Matter for their Letters, &c. as well as other History; but afterwards of great Use to them, whether they are Merchants, Handicrafts, or Divines; enabling the first the better to understand many Commodities, Drugs, &c; the second to improve his Trade or Handicraft by new Mixtures, Materials, &c., and the last to adorn his Discourses by beautiful Comparisons, and strengthen them by new Proofs of Divine Providence. The Conversation of all will be improved by it, as Occasions frequently occur of making Natural Observations, which are instructive, agreeable, and entertaining in almost all Companies. _Natural History_ will also afford Opportunities of introducing many Observations, relating to the Preservation of Health, which may be afterwards of great Use. _Arbuthnot_ on Air and _Aliment_, _Sanctorius_ on Perspiration, _Lemery_ on Foods, and some others, may now be read, and a very little Explanation will make them sufficiently intelligible to Youth.
While they are reading Natural History, might not a little _Gardening_, _Planting_, _Grafting_, _Inoculating_, etc., be taught and practised; and now and then Excursions made to the neighbouring Plantations of the best Farmers, their Methods observ'd and reason'd upon for the Information of Youth? The Improvement of Agriculture being useful to all, and Skill in it no Disparagement to any.
The History of _Commerce_, of the Invention of Arts, Rise of Manufactures, Progress of Trade, Change of its Seats, with the Reasons, Causes, &c., may also be made entertaining to Youth, and will be useful to all. And this, with the Accounts in other History of the prodigious Force and Effect of Engines and Machines used in War, will naturally introduce a Desire to be instructed in _Mechanicks_, and to be inform'd of the Principles of that Art by which weak Men perform such Wonders, Labour is sav'd, Manufactures expedited, &c. This will be the Time to show them Prints of antient and modern Machines, to explain them, to let them be copied, and to give Lectures in Mechanical Philosophy.
With the whole should be constantly inculcated and cultivated, that _Benignity of Mind_, which shows itself in _searching for_ and _seizing_ every Opportunity _to serve_ and _to oblige_; and is the Foundation of what is called GOOD BREEDING; highly useful to the Possessor, and most agreeable to all.
The Idea of what is _true Merit_ should also be often presented to Youth, explain'd and impress'd on their _Minds_, as consisting in an _Inclination_ join'd with an _Ability_ to serve Mankind, one's Country, Friends and Family; which _Ability_ is (with the Blessing of God) to be acquir'd or greatly encreas'd by _true Learning_; and should indeed be the great _Aim_ and _End_ of all Learning.
IDEA OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOL
Sketch'd out for the Consideration of the Trustees of the Philadelphia Academy [1751][34]
It is expected that every Scholar to be admitted into this School, be at least able to pronounce and divide the Syllables in Reading, and to write a legible Hand. None to be receiv'd that are under ---- Years of Age.
FIRST OR LOWEST CLASS
Let the first Class learn the _English Grammar_ Rules, and at the same time let particular Care be taken to improve them in _Orthography_. Perhaps the latter is best done by _Pairing_ the Scholars, two of those nearest equal in their Spelling to be put together; let these strive for Victory, each propounding Ten Words every Day to the other to be spelt. He that spells truly most of the other's Words, is Victor for that Day; he that is Victor most Days in a Month, to obtain a Prize, a pretty neat Book of some Kind useful in their future Studies. This Method fixes the Attention of Children extreamly to the Orthography of Words, and makes them good Spellers very early. 'Tis a Shame for a Man to be so ignorant of this little Art, in his own Language, as to be perpetually confounding Words of like Sound and different Significations; the Consciousness of which Defect, makes some Men, otherwise of good Learning and Understanding, averse to Writing even a common Letter.
Let the Pieces read by the Scholars in this Class be short, such as _Croxall's_ Fables,[35] and little Stories. In giving the Lesson, let it be read to them; let the Meaning of the difficult Words in it be explained to them, and let them con it over by themselves before they are called to read to the Master, or Usher; who is to take particular Care that they do not read too fast, and that they duly observe the Stops and Pauses. A Vocabulary of the most usual difficult Words might be formed for their Use, with Explanations; and they might daily get a few of those Words and Explanations by Heart, which would a little exercise their Memories; or at least they might write a Number of them in a small Book for the Purpose, which would help to fix the Meaning of those Words in their Minds, and at the same Time furnish every one with a little Dictionary for his future Use.
THE SECOND CLASS
to be taught Reading with Attention, and with proper Modulations of the Voice, according to the Sentiments and Subject.
Some short Pieces, not exceeding the Length of a _Spectator_, to be given this Class as Lessons (and some of the easier _Spectators_ would be very suitable for the Purpose.) These Lessons might be given over Night as Tasks, the Scholars to study them against the Morning. Let it then be required of them to give an Account, first of the Parts of Speech, and Construction of one or two Sentences; this will oblige them to recur frequently to their Grammar, and fix its principal Rules in their Memory. Next of the _Intention_ of the Writer, or the _Scope_ of the Piece; the Meaning of each Sentence, and of every uncommon Word. This would early acquaint them with the Meaning and Force of Words, and give them that most necessary Habit, of Reading with Attention.
The Master then to read the Piece with the proper Modulations of Voice, due Emphasis, and suitable Action, where Action is required; and put the Youth on imitating his Manner.
Where the Author has us'd an Expression not the best, let it be pointed out; and let his Beauties be particularly remarked to the Youth.
Let the Lessons for Reading be varied, that the Youth may be made acquainted with good Stiles of all Kinds in Prose and Verse, and the proper Manner of reading each Kind. Sometimes a well-told Story, a Piece of a Sermon, a General's Speech to his Soldiers, a Speech in a Tragedy, some Part of a Comedy, an Ode, a Satyr, a Letter, Blank Verse, Hudibrastick, Heroic, etc. But let such Lessons for Reading be chosen, as contain some useful Instruction, whereby the Understandings or Morals of the Youth, may at the same Time be improv'd.
It is requir'd that they should first study and understand the Lessons, before they are put upon reading them properly, to which End each Boy should have an _English_ Dictionary, to help him over Difficulties. When our Boys read _English_ to us, we are apt to imagine _they_ understand what _they_ read, because _we_ do, and because 'tis their Mother Tongue. But they often read as Parrots speak, knowing little or nothing of the Meaning. And it is impossible a Reader should give the due Modulation to his Voice, and pronounce properly, unless his Understanding goes before his Tongue, and makes him Master of the Sentiment. Accustoming Boys to read aloud what they do not first understand, is the Cause of those even set Tones so common among Readers, which when they have once got a Habit of using, they find so difficult to correct: By which Means, among Fifty Readers, we scarcely find a good One. For want of good Reading, Pieces publish'd with a View to influence the Minds of Men for their own or the publick Benefit, lose Half their Force. Were there but one good Reader in a Neighbourhood, a publick Orator might be heard throughout a Nation with the same Advantages, and have the same Effect on his Audience, as if they stood within the Reach of his Voice.
THE THIRD CLASS
to be taught Speaking properly and gracefully, which is near of Kin to good Reading, and naturally follows it in the Studies of Youth. Let the Scholars of this Class begin with learning the Elements of Rhetoric from some short System, so as to be able to give an Account of the most usual Tropes and Figures. Let all their bad Habits of Speaking, all Offences against good Grammar, all corrupt or foreign Accents, and all improper Phrases, be pointed out to them. Short Speeches from the _Roman_, or other History, or from our _Parliamentary Debates_, might be got by heart, and deliver'd with the proper Action, &c. Speeches and Scenes in our best Tragedies and Comedies (avoiding every Thing that could injure the Morals of Youth) might likewise be got by Rote, and the Boys exercis'd in delivering or acting them; great Care being taken to form their Manner after the truest Models.
For their farther Improvement, and a little to vary their Studies, let them now begin to read _History_, after having got by Heart a short Table of the principal Epochas in Chronology. They may begin with _Rollin's Antient and Roman Histories_, and proceed at proper Hours as they go thro' the subsequent Classes, with the best Histories of our own Nation and Colonies. Let Emulation be excited among the Boys by giving, Weekly, little Prizes, or other small Encouragements to those who are able to give the best Account of what they have read, as to Times, Places, Names of Persons, &c. This will make them read with Attention, and imprint the History well in their Memories. In remarking on the History, the Master will have fine Opportunities of instilling Instruction of various Kinds, and improving the Morals as well as the Understandings of Youth.
The Natural and Mechanic History contain'd in the _Spectacle de la Nature_, might also be begun in this Class, and continued thro' the subsequent Classes by other Books of the same Kind: For next to the Knowledge of _Duty_, this Kind of Knowledge is certainly the most useful, as well as the most entertaining. The Merchant may thereby be enabled better to understand many Commodities in Trade; the Handicraftsman to improve his Business by new Instruments, Mixtures and Materials; and frequently Hints are given of new Manufactures, or new Methods of improving Land, that may be set on foot greatly to the Advantage of a Country.
THE FOURTH CLASS
to be taught Composition. Writing one's own Language well, is the next necessary Accomplishment after good Speaking. 'Tis the Writing-Master's Business to take Care that the Boys make fair Characters, and place them straight and even in the Lines: But to _form their Stile_, and even to take Care that the Stops and Capitals are properly disposed, is the Part of the _English_ Master. The Boys should be put on Writing Letters to each other on any common Occurrences, and on various Subjects, imaginary Business, &c., containing little Stories, Accounts of their late Reading, what Parts of Authors please them, and why; Letters of Congratulation, of Compliment, of Request, of Thanks, of Recommendation, of Admonition, of Consolation, of Expostulation, Excuse, &c. In these they should be taught to express themselves clearly, concisely, and naturally, without affected Words or high-flown Phrases. All their Letters to pass through the Master's Hand, who is to point out the Faults, advise the Corrections, and commend what he finds right. Some of the best Letters published in our own Language, as _Sir William Temple's_, those of _Pope_, and his Friends, and some others, might be set before the Youth as Models, their Beauties pointed out and explained by the Master, the Letters themselves transcrib'd by the Scholar.
Dr. Johnson's _Ethices Elementa_,[36] or First Principles of Morality, may now be read by the Scholars, and explain'd by the Master, to lay a solid Foundation of Virtue and Piety in their Minds. And as this Class continues the Reading of History, let them now at proper Hours receive some farther Instruction in Chronology, and in that Part of Geography (from the Mathematical Master), which is necessary to understand the Maps and Globes. They should also be acquainted with the modern Names of the Places they find mention'd in antient Writers. The Exercises of good Reading, and proper Speaking, still continued at suitable Times.
FIFTH CLASS
To improve the Youth in _Composition_, they may now, besides continuing to write Letters, begin to write little Essays in Prose, and sometimes in Verse, not to make them Poets, but for this Reason, that nothing acquaints a Lad so speedily with Variety of Expression, as the Necessity of finding such Words and Phrases as will suit with the Measure, Sound, and Rhime of Verse, and at the same time well express the Sentiment. These Essays should all pass under the Master's Eye, who will point out their Faults, and put the Writer on correcting them. Where the Judgment is not ripe enough for forming new Essays, let the Sentiments of a _Spectator_ be given, and requir'd to be cloath'd in a Scholar's own Words; or the Circumstances of some good Story, the Scholar to find Expression. Let them be put sometimes on abridging a Paragraph of a diffuse Author, sometimes on dilating or amplifying what is wrote more closely. And now let Dr. Johnson's _Noetica_, or First Principles of Human Knowledge, containing a Logic, or Art of Reasoning, &c. be read by the Youth, and the Difficulties that may occur to them be explained by the Master. The Reading of History, and the Exercises of good Reading and just Speaking, still continued.
SIXTH CLASS
In this Class, besides continuing the Studies of the preceding, in History, Rhetoric, Logic, Moral and Natural Philosophy, the best _English_ Authors may be read and explain'd; as _Tillotson_, _Milton_, _Locke_, _Addison_, _Pope_, _Swift_, the higher Papers in the _Spectator_ and _Guardian_, the best Translations of _Homer_, _Virgil_, and _Horace_, of _Telemachus_, _Travels of Cyrus_, &c.[37]
Once a Year let there be publick Exercises in the Hall, the Trustees and Citizens present. Then let fine gilt Books be given as Prizes to such Boys as distinguish themselves and excel the others in any Branch of Learning, making three Degrees of Comparison; giving the best Prize to him that performs best; a less valuable One to him that comes up next to the best; and another to the third. Commendations, Encouragement and Advice to the rest; keeping up their Hopes, that by Industry they may excel another Time. The Names of those that obtain the Prizes to be yearly printed in a List.
The Hours of each Day are to be divided and dispos'd in such a Manner, as that some Classes may be with the Writing-Master, improving their Hands, others with the Mathematical Master, learning Arithmetick, Accompts, Geography, Use of the Globes, Drawing, Mechanicks, &c.; while the rest are in the _English_ School, under the _English_ Master's Care.
Thus instructed, Youth will come out of this School fitted for learning any Business, Calling or Profession, except such wherein Languages are required; and tho' unacquainted with any antient or foreign Tongue, they will be Masters of their own, which is of more immediate and general Use; and withal will have attain'd many other valuable Accomplishments; the Time usually spent in acquiring those Languages, often without Success, being here employ'd in laying such a Foundation of Knowledge and Ability, as, properly improv'd, may qualify them to pass thro' and execute the several Offices of civil Life, with Advantage and Reputation to themselves and Country.
B.F.
TO C[ADWALLADER] C[OLDEN] ESQ. AT NEW YORK
Communicated to Mr. Collinson
[Philadelphia] 1751.
SIR,
I inclose you answers, such as my present hurry of business will permit me to make, to the principal queries contained in yours of the 28th instant, and beg leave to refer you to the latter piece in the printed collection of my papers, for farther explanation of the difference between what are called _electrics per se_, and _non-electrics_. When you have had time to read and consider these papers, I will endeavour to make any new experiments you shall propose, that you think may afford farther light or satisfaction to either of us; and shall be much obliged to you for such remarks, objections, &c., as may occur to you.
I forget whether I wrote you that I have melted brass pins and steel needles, inverted the poles of the magnetic needle, given a magnetism and polarity to needles that had none, and fired dry gunpowder by the electric spark. I have five bottles that contain 8 or 9 gallons each, two of which charg'd, are sufficient for those purposes: but I can charge and discharge them altogether. There are no bounds (but what expence and labour give) to the force man may raise and use in the electrical way: for bottle may be added to bottle _in infinitum_, and all united and discharged together as one, the force and effect proportioned to their number and size. The greatest known effects of common lightning may, I think, without much difficulty, be exceeded in this way, which a few years since could not have been believed, and even now may seem to many a little extravagant to suppose. So we are got beyond the skill of _Rabelais's_ devils of two years old, who, he humorously says, had only learnt to thunder and lighten a little round the head of a cabbage.[38]
I am, with sincere respect, Your most obliged humble servant, B. FRANKLIN.
EXPORTING OF FELONS TO THE COLONIES
[From the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, May 9, 1751.]
TO THE PRINTERS OF THE GAZETTE
By a Passage in one of your late Papers, I understand that the Government at home will not suffer our mistaken Assemblies to make any Law for preventing or discouraging the Importation of Convicts from Great Britain, for this kind Reason, '_That such Laws are against the Publick Utility, as they tend to prevent the_ IMPROVEMENT _and_ WELL PEOPLING _of the Colonies_.'
Such a tender _parental_ Concern in our _Mother Country_ for the _Welfare_ of her _Children_, calls aloud for the highest _Returns_ of Gratitude and Duty. This every one must be sensible of: But 'tis said, that in our present Circumstances it is absolutely impossible for us to make _such_ as are adequate to the Favour. I own it; but nevertheless let us do our Endeavour. 'Tis something to show a grateful Disposition.
In some of the uninhabited Parts of these Provinces, there are Numbers of these venomous Reptiles we call RATTLE-SNAKES; Felons-convict from the Beginning of the World: These, whenever we meet with them, we put to Death, by Virtue of an old Law, _Thou shalt bruise his Head_. But as this is a sanguinary Law, and may seem too cruel; and as however mischievous those Creatures are with us, they may possibly change their Natures, if they were to change the Climate; I would humbly propose, that this general Sentence of _Death_ be changed for _Transportation_.
In the Spring of the Year, when they first creep out of their Holes, they are feeble, heavy, slow, and easily taken; and if a small Bounty were allow'd _per_ Head, some Thousands might be collected annually, and _transported_ to _Britain_. There I would propose to have them carefully distributed in _St. James's Park_, in the _Spring-Gardens_ and other Places of Pleasure about _London_; in the Gardens of all the Nobility and Gentry throughout the Nation; but particularly in the Gardens of the _Prime Ministers_, the _Lords of Trade_ and _Members of Parliament_; for to them we are _most particularly_ obliged.
There is no human Scheme so perfect, but some Inconveniencies may be objected to it: Yet when the Conveniencies far exceed, the Scheme is judg'd rational, and fit to be executed. Thus Inconveniencies have been objected to that _good_ and _wise_ Act of Parliament, by virtue of which all the _Newgates_ and _Dungeons_ in _Britain_ are emptied into the Colonies. It has been said, that these Thieves and Villains introduc'd among us, spoil the Morals of Youth in the Neighbourhoods that entertain them, and perpetrate many horrid Crimes: But let not _private Interests_ obstruct _publick_ Utility. Our _Mother_ knows what is best for us. What is a little _Housebreaking_, _Shoplifting_, or _Highway Robbing_; what is a _Son_ now and then _corrupted_ and _hang'd_, a Daughter _debauch'd_ and _pox'd_, a Wife _stabb'd_, a Husband's _Throat cut_, or a Child's _Brains beat out_ with an Axe, compar'd with this 'IMPROVEMENT and WELL PEOPLING of the Colonies!'
Thus it may perhaps be objected to my Scheme, that the _Rattle-Snake_ is a mischievous Creature, and that his changing his Nature with the Clime is a mere Supposition, not yet confirm'd by sufficient Facts. What then? Is not Example more prevalent than Precept? And may not the honest rough British Gentry, by a Familiarity with these Reptiles, learn to _creep_, and to _insinuate_, and to _slaver_, and to _wriggle_ into Place (and perhaps to _poison_ such as stand in their Way) Qualities of no small Advantage to Courtiers! In comparison of which 'IMPROVEMENT and PUBLICK UTILITY,' what is a _Child_ now and then kill'd by their venomous Bite, ... or even a favourite _Lap Dog_?
I would only add, that this exporting of Felons to the Colonies, may be consider'd as a _Trade_, as well as in the Light of a _Favour_. Now all Commerce implies Returns: Justice requires them: There can be no Trade without them. And _Rattle-Snakes_ seem the most _suitable Returns_ for the _Human Serpents_ sent us by our _Mother_ Country. In this, however, as in every other Branch of Trade, she will have the Advantage of us. She will reap _equal_ Benefits without equal Risque of the Inconveniencies and Dangers. For the _Rattle-Snake_ gives Warning before he attempts his Mischief; which the Convict does not. I am
_Yours_, &c. AMERICANUS.
OBSERVATIONS
CONCERNING THE INCREASE OF MANKIND, PEOPLING OF COUNTRIES, ETC.
Written in Pensilvania, 1751[39]
1. Tables of the Proportion of Marriages to Births, of Deaths to Births, of Marriages to the Numbers of Inhabitants, &c., form'd on Observaions [_sic_] made upon the Bills of Mortality, Christnings, &c., of populous Cities, will not suit Countries; nor will Tables form'd on Observations made on full-settled old Countries, as _Europe_, suit new Countries, as _America_.
2. For People increase in Proportion to the Number of Marriages, and that is greater in Proportion to the Ease and Convenience of supporting a Family. When families can be easily supported, more Persons marry, and earlier in Life.
3. In Cities, where all Trades, Occupations, and Offices are full, many delay marrying till they can see how to bear the Charges of a Family; which Charges are greater in Cities, as Luxury is more common: many live single during Life, and continue Servants to Families, Journeymen to Trades; &c. hence Cities do not by natural Generation supply themselves with Inhabitants; the Deaths are more than the Births.
4. In Countries full settled, the Case must be nearly the same; all Lands being occupied and improved to the Heighth; those who cannot get Land, must Labour for others that have it; when Labourers are plenty, their Wages will be low; by low Wages a family is supported with Difficulty; this Difficulty deters many from Marriage, who therefore long continue Servants and single. Only as the Cities take Supplies of People from the Country, and thereby make a little more Room in the Country; Marriage is a little more encourag'd there, and the Births exceed the Deaths.
5. _Europe_ is generally full settled with Husbandmen, Manufacturers, &c., and therefore cannot now much increase in People: _America_ is chiefly occupied by Indians, who subsist mostly by Hunting. But as the Hunter, of all Men, requires the greatest Quantity of Land from whence to draw his Subsistence, (the Husbandman subsisting on much less, the Gardner on still less, and the Manufacturer requiring least of all), the _Europeans_ found _America_ as fully settled as it well could be by Hunters; yet these, having large Tracks, were easily prevail'd on to part with Portions of Territory to the new Comers, who did not much interfere with the Natives in Hunting, and furnish'd them with many Things they wanted.
6. Land being thus plenty in _America_, and so cheap as that a labouring man, that understands Husbandry, can in a short Time save Money enough to purchase a Piece of new Land sufficient for a Plantation, whereon he may subsist a Family, such are not afraid to marry; for, if they even look far enough forward to consider how their Children, when grown up, are to be provided for, they see that more Land is to be had at rates equally easy, all Circumstances considered.
7. Hence Marriages in _America_ are more general, and more generally early, than in _Europe_. And if it is reckoned there, that there is but one Marriage per Annum among 100 persons, perhaps we may here reckon two; and if in _Europe_ they have but 4 Births to a Marriage (many of their Marriages being late), we may here reckon 8, of which if one half grow up, and our Marriages are made, reckoning one with another at 20 Years of Age, our People must at least be doubled every 20 Years.
8. But notwithstanding this Increase, so vast is the Territory of _North America_, that it will require many Ages to settle it fully; and, till it is fully settled, Labour will never be cheap here, where no Man continues long a Labourer for others, but gets a Plantation of his own, no Man continues long a Journeyman to a Trade, but goes among those new Settlers, and sets up for himself, &c. Hence Labour is no cheaper now in _Pennsylvania_, than it was 30 Years ago, tho' so many Thousand labouring People have been imported.
9. The Danger therefore of these Colonies interfering with their Mother Country in Trades that depend on Labour, Manufactures, &c., is too remote to require the attention of _Great Britain_.
10. But in Proportion to the Increase of the Colonies, a vast Demand is growing for British Manufactures, a glorious Market wholly in the Power of _Britain_, in which Foreigners cannot interfere, which will increase in a short Time even beyond her Power of supplying, tho' her whole Trade should be to her Colonies: Therefore _Britain_ should not too much restrain Manufactures in her Colonies. A wise and good Mother will not do it. To distress, is to weaken, and weakening the Children weakens the whole Family.
11. Besides if the Manufactures of _Britain_ (by reason of the _American_ Demands) should rise too high in Price, Foreigners who can sell cheaper will drive her Merchants out of Foreign Markets; Foreign Manufactures will thereby be encouraged and increased, and consequently foreign Nations, perhaps her Rivals in Power, grow more populous and more powerful; while her own Colonies, kept too low, are unable to assist her, or add to her Strength.
12. 'Tis an ill-grounded Opinion that by the Labour of slaves, _America_ may possibly vie in Cheapness of Manufactures with _Britain_. The Labour of Slaves can never be so cheap here as the Labour of working Men is in _Britain_. Any one may compute it. Interest of Money is in the Colonies from 6 to 10 per Cent. Slaves one with another cost 30£ Sterling per Head. Reckon then the Interest of the first Purchase of a Slave, the Insurance or Risque on his Life, his Cloathing and Diet, Expences in his Sickness and Loss of Time, Loss by his Neglect of Business (Neglect is natural to the Man who is not to be benefited by his own Care or Diligence), Expence of a Driver to keep him at Work, and his Pilfering from Time to Time, almost every Slave being _by Nature_ a Thief, and compare the whole Amount with the Wages of a Manufacturer of Iron or Wood in _England_, you will see that Labour is much cheaper there than it ever can be by Negroes here. Why then will _Americans_ purchase Slaves? Because Slaves may be kept as long as a _Man_ pleases, or has Occasion for their Labour; while hired Men are continually leaving their masters (often in the midst of his Business,) and setting up for themselves.--Sec. 8.
13. As the Increase of People depends on the Encouragement of Marriages, the following Things must diminish a Nation, viz. 1. _The being conquered_; for the Conquerors will engross as many Offices, and exact as much Tribute or Profit on the Labour of the conquered, as will maintain them in their new Establishment, and this diminishing the Subsistence of the Natives, discourages their Marriages, and so gradually diminishes them, while the foreigners increase. 2. _Loss of Territory._ Thus, the _Britons_ being driven into _Wales_, and crowded together in a barren Country insufficient to support such great Numbers, diminished 'till the People bore a Proportion to the Produce, while the _Saxons_ increas'd on their abandoned lands; till the Island became full of _English_. And, were the _English_ now driven into _Wales_ by some foreign Nation, there would in a few Years, be no more Englishmen in _Britain_, than there are now people in _Wales_. 3. _Loss of Trade._ Manufactures exported, draw Subsistence from Foreign Countries for Numbers; who are thereby enabled to marry and raise Families. If the Nation be deprived of any Branch of Trade, and no new Employment is found for the People occupy'd in that Branch, it will also be soon deprived of so many People. 4. _Loss of Food._ Suppose a Nation has a Fishery, which not only employs great Numbers, but makes the Food and Subsistence of the People cheaper. If another Nation becomes Master of the Seas, and prevents the Fishery, the People will diminish in Proportion as the Loss of Employ and Dearness of Provision, makes it more difficult to subsist a Family. 5. _Bad Government and insecure Property._ People not only leave such a Country, and settling Abroad incorporate with other Nations, lose their native Language, and become Foreigners, but, the Industry of those that remain being discourag'd, the Quantity of Subsistence in the Country is lessen'd, and the Support of a Family becomes more difficult. So heavy Taxes tend to diminish a People. 6. _The Introduction of Slaves._ The Negroes brought into the _English_ Sugar _Islands_ have greatly diminish'd the Whites there; the Poor are by this Means deprived of Employment, while a few Families acquire vast Estates; which they spend on Foreign Luxuries, and educating their Children in the Habit of those Luxuries; the same Income is needed for the Support of one that might have maintain'd 100. The Whites who have Slaves, not labouring, are enfeebled, and therefore not so generally prolific; the Slaves being work'd too hard, and ill fed, their Constitutions are broken, and the Deaths among them are more than the Births; so that a continual Supply is needed from _Africa_. The Northern Colonies, having few Slaves, increase in Whites. Slaves also pejorate[40] the Families that use them; the white Children become proud, disgusted with Labour, and being educated in Idleness, are rendered unfit to get a Living by Industry.
14. Hence the Prince that acquires new Territory, if he finds it vacant, or removes the Natives to give his own People Room; the Legislator that makes effectual Laws for promoting of Trade, increasing Employment, improving Land by more or better Tillage, providing more Food by Fisheries; securing Property, &c. and the Man that invents new Trades, Arts, or Manufactures, or new Improvements in Husbandry, may be properly called _Fathers_ of their Nation, as they are the Cause of the Generation of Multitudes, by the Encouragement they afford to Marriage.
15. As to Privileges granted to the married, (such as the _Jus trium Liberorum_ among the _Romans_,) they may hasten the filling of a Country that has been thinned by War or Pestilence, or that has otherwise vacant Territory; but cannot increase a People beyond the Means provided for their Subsistence.
16. Foreign Luxuries and needless Manufactures, imported and used in a Nation, do, by the same Reasoning, increase the People of the Nation that furnishes them, and diminish the People of the Nation that uses them. Laws, therefore, that prevent such Importations, and on the contrary promote the Exportation of Manufactures to be consumed in Foreign Countries, may be called (with Respect to the People that make them) _generative Laws_, as, by increasing Subsistence they encourage Marriage. Such Laws likewise strengthen a Country, doubly, by increasing its own People and diminishing its Neighbours.
17. Some _European_ Nations prudently refuse to consume the Manufactures of _East-India_:--They should likewise forbid them to their Colonies; for the Gain to the Merchant is not to be compar'd with the Loss, by this Means, of People to the Nation.
18. Home Luxury in the Great increases the Nation's Manufacturers employ'd by it, who are many, and only tends to diminish the Families that indulge in it, who are few. The greater the common fashionable Expence of any Rank of People, the more cautious they are of Marriage. Therefore Luxury should never be suffer'd to become common.
19. The great Increase of Offspring in particular Families is not always owing to greater Fecundity of Nature, but sometimes to Examples of Industry in the Heads, and industrious Education; by which the Children are enabled to provide better for themselves, and their marrying early is encouraged from the Prospect of good Subsistence.
20. If there be a Sect, therefore, in our Nation, that regard Frugality and Industry as religious Duties, and educate their Children therein, more than others commonly do; such Sect must consequently increase more by natural Generation, than any other sect in _Britain_.
21. The Importation of Foreigners into a Country, that has as many Inhabitants as the present Employments and Provisions for Subsistence will bear, will be in the End no Increase of People; unless the New Comers have more Industry and Frugality than the Natives, and then they will provide more Subsistence, and increase in the Country; but they will gradually eat the Natives out. Nor is it necessary to bring in Foreigners to fill up any occasional Vacancy in a Country; for such Vacancy (if the Laws are good, sec. 14, 16,) will soon be filled by natural Generation. Who can now find the Vacancy made in _Sweden_, _France_, or other Warlike Nations, by the Plague of Heroism, 40 years ago; in _France_, by the Expulsion of the Protestants, in _England_, by the Settlement of her Colonies; or in _Guinea_, by 100 Years Exportation of Slaves, that has blacken'd half _America_? The thinness of Inhabitants in _Spain_ is owing to National Pride and Idleness, and other Causes, rather than to the Expulsion of the Moors, or to the making of new Settlements.
22. There is, in short, no Bound to the prolific Nature of Plants or Animals, but what is made by their crowding and interfering with each other's means of Subsistence. Was the Face of the Earth vacant of other Plants, it might be gradually sowed and overspread with one Kind only; as, for Instance, with Fennel; and were it empty of other Inhabitants, it might in a few Ages be replenish'd from one Nation only; as, for Instance, with _Englishmen_. Thus there are suppos'd to be now upwards of One Million _English_ Souls in _North-America_, (tho' 'tis thought scarce 80,000 have been brought over Sea,) and yet perhaps there is not one the fewer in _Britain_, but rather many more, on Account of the Employment the Colonies afford to Manufacturers at Home. This Million doubling, suppose but once in 25 Years, will, in another Century, be more than the People of _England_, and the greatest Number of _Englishmen_ will be on this Side the Water. What an Accession of Power to the _British_ Empire by Sea as well as Land! What Increase of Trade and Navigation! What Numbers of Ships and Seamen! We have been here but little more than 100 years, and yet the Force of our Privateers in the late War, united, was greater, both in Men and Guns, than that of the whole _British_ Navy in Queen _Elizabeth's_ Time. How important an Affair then to _Britain_ is the present Treaty for settling the Bounds between her Colonies and the _French_, and how careful should she be to secure Room enough, since on the Room depends so much the Increase of her People.
23. In fine, a Nation well regulated is like a Polypus; take away a Limb, its Place is soon supply'd; cut it in two, and each deficient Part shall speedily grow out of the Part remaining. Thus if you have Room and Subsistence enough, as you may by dividing, make ten Polypes out of one, you may of one make ten Nations, equally populous and powerful; or rather increase a Nation ten fold in Numbers and Strength.[41]
And since Detachments of _English_ from _Britain_, sent to _America_, will have their Places at Home so soon supply'd and increase so largely here; why should the _Palatine Boors_ be suffered to swarm into our Settlements and, by herding together, establish their Language and Manners, to the Exclusion of ours? Why should _Pennsylvania_, founded by the _English_, become a Colony of _Aliens_, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of our Anglifying them, and will never adopt our Language or Customs any more than they can acquire our Complexion?
24. Which leads me to add one Remark, that the Number of purely white People in the World is proportionably very small. All _Africa_ is black or tawny; _Asia_ chiefly tawny; _America_ (exclusive of the new Comers) wholly so. And in _Europe_, the _Spaniards_, _Italians_, _French_, _Russians_, and _Swedes_, are generally of what we call a swarthy Complexion; as are the _Germans_ also, the _Saxons_ only excepted, who, with the _English_, make the principal Body of White People on the Face of the Earth. I could wish their Numbers were increased. And while we are, as I may call it, _Scouring_ our Planet, by _clearing America_ of Woods, and so making this Side of our Globe reflect a brighter Light to the Eyes of Inhabitants in _Mars_ or _Venus_, why should we, in the Sight of Superior Beings, darken its People? Why increase the Sons of _Africa_, by planting them in _America_, where we have so fair an Opportunity, by excluding all Blacks and Tawneys, of increasing the lovely White and Red? But perhaps I am partial to the Complexion of my Country, for such Kind of Partiality is natural to Mankind.
TO PETER COLLINSON[42]
Electrical Kite
[Philadelphia] Oct. 19, 1752.
SIR,
As frequent mention is made in public papers from _Europe_ of the success of the _Philadelphia_ experiment for drawing the electric fire from clouds by means of pointed rods of iron erected on high buildings, &c., it may be agreeable to the curious to be informed, that the same experiment has succeeded in _Philadelphia_, though made in a different and more easy manner, which is as follows:
Make a small cross of two light strips of cedar, the arms so long as to reach to the four corners of a large thin silk handkerchief when extended; tie the corners of the handkerchief to the extremities of the cross, so you have the body of a kite; which being properly accommodated with a tail, loop, and string, will rise in the air, like those made of paper; but this being of silk, is fitter to bear the wet and wind of a thunder-gust without tearing. To the top of the upright stick of the cross is to be fixed a very sharp-pointed wire, rising a foot or more above the wood. To the end of the twine, next the hand, is to be tied a silk ribbon, and where the silk and twine join, a key may be fastened. This kite is to be raised when a thunder-gust appears to be coming on, and the person who holds the string must stand within a door or window, or under some cover, so that the silk ribbon may not be wet; and care must be taken that the twine does not touch the frame of the door or window. As soon as any of the thunder-clouds come over the kite, the pointed wire will draw the electric fire from them, and the kite, with all the twine, will be electrified, and the loose filaments of the twine will stand out every way, and be attracted by an approaching finger. And when the rain has wet the kite and twine, so that it can conduct the electric fire freely, you will find it stream out plentifully from the key on the approach of your knuckle. At this key the phial may be charged; and from electric fire thus obtained, spirits may be kindled, and all the other electric experiments be performed, which are usually done by the help of a rubbed glass globe or tube, and thereby the sameness of the electric matter with that of lightning completely demonstrated.
B. FRANKLIN.
[NOTE.--The _Almanack_ for 1753 which follows is an exact facsimile of the copy in the W. S. Mason Collection, here reproduced through the kindness of Mr. Mason. See note [43].]
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes: (For "Poor Richard Improved" only)
As this section is intended to be a facsimile representation of the original Poor Richards Almanack of 1753;
1. Inconsistencies in capitalization, column header names, punctuation, typography and incomplete words have all been retained.
2. Black line page borders have been omitted, page breaks are indicated for the reader as *(page break)*. A long ellipses line "--" indicates a horizontal line across a single page dividing it into sections.
3. Where the "Hymn" and "Article" texts "skip" pages, the first word of the continued text has been retained for reference and placed in [square brackets], excepting that words originally split between pages have been joined and the next word selected as the marker word.
4. The original text used planet and aspect symbols not available in the Latin-1 character set, these have been replaced with the name of the planet or aspect enclosed in [square brackets] and spacing adjusted accordingly.
5. Where Sun and Moon data tables were too wide to fit in this e-text format, the table has been divided into "pieces". An arrow --> indicates that the table or text immediately BELOW originally appeared to the right.
* * * * *
Poor =RICHARD= improved: ---------------------- =BEING AN= =ALMANACK= =AND= =_EPHEMERIS_= =OF THE= MOTIONS of the =SUN= and =MOON=; =THE TRUE= PLACES and ASPECTS of the PLANETS; =THE= =_RISING_= and =_SETTING_= of the =_SUN_=; =AND THE= Rising, Setting _and_ Southing _of the_ Moon, =FOR THE= YEAR of our =LORD= 1753: Being the First after LEAP-YEAR. Containing also, The Lunations, Conjunctions, Eclipses, Judgment of the Weather, Rising and Setting of the Planets, Length of Days and Nights, Fairs, Courts, Roads, &c. Together with useful Tables, chronological Observations, and entertaining Remarks. ---------------------- Fitted to the Latitude of Forty Degrees, and a Meridian of near fire Hours West from _London_; but may, without sensible Error, serve all the NORTHERN COLONIES. ---------------------- By =_RICHARD SAUNDERS_=, Philom. ---------------------- ---------------------- =_PHILADELPHIA_=: Printed and Sold by =B. FRANKLIN=, and =D. HALL=.
*(page break)*
The Anatomy of Man's Body as govern'd by the Twelve Constellations. ----------------------
[Aries] The Head and Face. [Gemini] [Taurus] Arms Neck
[Leo] [Cancer] Heart Breast [Illustration] [Libra] [Virgo] Reins Bowels
[Sagittarius] [Scorpio] Thighs Secrets
[Aquarius] [Capricorn] Legs Knees [Pisces] The Feet.
_To know where the Sign is._
First Find the Day of the Month, and against the Day you have the Sign or Place of the Moon in the 5th Column. Then finding the Sign here, it shews the Part of the Body it governs. ----------------------
_The Names and Characters of the Seven Planets._
[Sun] Sol, [Saturn] Saturn, [Jupiter] Jupiter, [Mars] Mars, [Venus] Venus, [Mercury] Mercury, [Moon] Luna, [Head] Dragons Head and [Tail] Tail. ----------------------
_The Five Aspects._
[Conjunction] Conjunction, [Opposition] Opposition, [Sextile] Sextile, [Trine] Trine, [Quartile] Quartile. ----------------------
_Common Notes for the Year 1753. N. S._
Golden Number 6 } { Dominical Letter G Epact 25 } { Cycle of the Sun 26
*(page break)*
COURTEOUS READER,
=This= is the twentieth Time of my addressing thee in this Manner, and I have reason to flatter myself my Labours have not been unacceptable to the Publick. I am particularly pleas'd to understand that my _Predictions of the Weather_ give such general Satisfaction; and indeed, such Care is taken in the Calculations, on which those Predictions are founded, that I could almost venture to say, there's not a single One of them, promising _Snow_, _Rain_, _Hail_, _Heat_, _Frost_, _Fogs_, _Wind_, or _Thunder_, but what comes to pass _punctually_ and _precisely_ on the very Day, in some Place or other on this little _diminutive_ Globe of ours; (and when you consider the vast Distance of the Stars from whence we take our Aim, you must allow it no small Degree of Exactness to hit any Part of it) I say on this Globe; for tho' in other Matters I confine the Usefulness of my _Ephemeris_ to the _Northern Colonies_, yet in that important Matter of the Weather, which is of such _general Concern_, I would have it more extensively useful, and therefore take in both Hemispheres, and all Latitudes from _Hudson's Bay_ to _Cape Horn_.
You will find this Almanack in my former Method, only conformable to the _New-Stile_ established by the Act of Parliament, which I gave you in my last at length; the new Act since made for Amendment of that first Act, not affecting us in the least, being intended only to regulate some Corporation Matters in _England_, before unprovided for. I have only added a Column in the second Page of each Month, containing the Days of the _Old Stile_ opposite to their corresponding Days in the _New_, which may, in many Cases, be of Use; and so conclude (believing you will excuse a short Preface, when it is to make Room for something better)
_Thy Friend and Servant_, =R. SAUNDERS.= ----------------------
=HYMN= _to the_ CREATOR, _from_ Psalm CIV.
=Awake=, my Soul! with Joy thy God adore; Declare his Greatness; celebrate his Pow'r; Who, cloath'd with Honour, and with Glory crown'd, Shines forth, and cheers his Universe around. Who with a radiant Veil of heavenly Light Himself conceals from all created Sight. Who rais'd the spacious Firmament on high, And spread the azure Curtain of the Sky. Whose awful Throne Heav'n's starry Arch sustains, Whose Presence not Heav'n's vast Expanse restrains. Whose Ways unsearchable no Eye can find, The Clouds his Chariot, and his Wings the Wind Whom Hosts of mighty Angels own their Lord, And flaming Seraphim fulfil his Word. Whose Pow'r of old the solid Earth did found, Self-pois'd, self-center'd, and with Strength girt round;
*(page break)*
From her appointed Sphere forbid to fly, Or rush unbalanc'd thro' the trackless Sky. To reas'ning Man the sov'reign Rule assign'd, His Delegate o'er each inferior Kind; Too soon to fall from that distinguish'd Place, His Honours stain'd with Guilt and foul Disgrace. He saw the Pride of Earth's aspiring Lord, And in his Fury gave the dreadful Word: Straight o'er her peopled Plains his Floods were pour'd, And o'er the Mountains the proud Billows roar'd. Athwart the Face of Earth the Deluge sweeps, And whelms the impious Nations in the Deeps: Again God spake----and at his pow'rful Call The raging Floods asswage, the Waters fall, The Tempests hear his Voice, and straight obey, And at his Thunder's Roar they haste away: From off the lofty Mountains they subside, And gently thro' the winding Vallies glide, Till in the spacious Caverns of the Deep They sink together, and in Silence sleep. There he hath stretch'd abroad their liquid Plains, And there Omnipotence their Rage restrains, That Earth no more her Ruins may deplore, And guilty Mortals dread their Wrath no more. He bids the living Fountains burst the Ground, And bounteous spread their Silver Streams around: Down from the Hills they draw their shining Train, Diffusing Health and Beauty o'er the Plain. There the fair Flocks allay the Summer's Rage, And panting Savages their Flame asswage. On their sweet winding Banks th' aerial Race In artless Numbers warble forth his Praise, Or chant the harmless Raptures of their Loves, And cheer the Plains, and wake the vocal Groves. Forth from his Treasures in the Skies he pours His precious Blessings in refreshing Show'rs. Each dying Plant with Joy new Life receives, And thankful Nature smiles, and Earth revives. The fruitful Fields with Verdure he bespreads, The Table of the Race that haunts the Meads, And bids each Forest, and each flow'ry Plain Send forth their native Physic for the Swain.
*(page break)*
Thus doth the various Bounty of the Earth Support each Species crowding into Birth. In purple Streams she bids her Vintage flow, And Olives on her Hills luxuriant grow, One with its generous Juice to cheer the Heart, And one illustrious Beauty to impart; And Bread of all Heav'n's precious Gifts the chief From desolating Want the sure Relief. Which with new Life the feeble Limbs inspires, And all the Man with Health and Courage fires. The Cloud-topt Hills with waving Woods are crown'd, Which wide extend their sacred Shades around, There _Lebanon_'s proud Cedars nod their Heads; There _Bashan_'s lofty Oaks extend their Shades: The pointed Firs rise tow'ring to the Clouds, And Life and warbling Numbers fill the Woods. Nor gentle Shades alone, nor verdant Plains, Nor fair enamell'd Meads, nor flow'ry Lawns, But e'en rude Rocks and dreary Desarts yield Retreats for the wild Wand'rers of the Field. Thy Pow'r with Life and Sense all Nature fills, Each Element with varied Being swells, Race after Race arising view the Light, Then silent pass away, and sink in Night. The Gift of Life thus boundlesly bestow'd, Proclaims th' exhaustless Hand, the Hand of God. Nor less thy Glory in the etherial Spheres, Nor less thy ruling Providence appears. There from on high the gentle Moon by Night In solemn Silence sheds her Silver Light, And thence the glorious Sun pours forth his Beams, Thence copious spreads around his quick'ning Streams. Each various Orb enjoys the golden Day, And Worlds of Life hang on his chearful Ray. Thus Light and Darkness their fix'd Course maintain, And still the kind Vicissitudes remain: For when pale Night her sable Curtain spreads, And wraps all Nature in her awful Shades, Soft Slumbers gently seal each mortal Eye, Stretch'd at their Ease the weary Lab'rers lie. The restless Soul 'midst Life's vain Tumults tost, Forgets her Woes, and ev'ry Care is lost.
*(page break)*
=JANUARY.= _I Month._
Then from their Dens the rav'nous Monsters creep, Whilst in their Folds the harmless Bestial sleep. The furious Lion roams in quest of Prey, To gorge his Hunger till the Dawn of Day; His hideous Roar with Terror shakes the Wood, As from his Maker's Hand he asks his Food. Again the Sun his Morning Beams displays, And fires the eastern Mountain with his Rays. [Before] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ri.|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | 2 |CIRCUMCISION. | 7 24 | 4 36 | | 2 | 3 | _Clouds and_ | 7 24 | 4 36 | | 3 | 4 | _cold, with_ | 7 23 | 4 37 | | 4 | 5 | _snow;_ | 7 23 | 4 37 | | 5 | 6 |Days inc. 4 m. | 7 23 | 4 37 | | 6 | 7 |=EPIPHANY.= | 7 22 | 4 38 | | 7 | G |1 p. Epiph. | 7 22 | 4 38 | | 8 | 2 | _wind and_ | 7 21 | 4 39 | | 9 | 3 | _falling_ | 7 21 | 4 39 | | 10 | 4 |Days inc. 10 m. | 7 20 | 4 40 | | 11 | 5 | _weather,_ | 7 19 | 4 41 | | 12 | 6 | _then_ | 7 18 | 4 42 | | 13 | 7 | _very cold,_ | 7 17 | 4 43 | | 14 | G |2 p. Epiph. | 7 16 | 4 44 | | 15 | 2 |Day incr. 18 m. | 7 16 | 4 44 | | 16 | 3 | _wintry_ | 7 15 | 4 45 | | 17 | 4 | _weather;_ | 7 14 | 4 46 | | 18 | 5 | _but grows more_| 7 13 | 4 47 | | 19 | 6 |Day 9 36 long. | 7 12 | 4 48 | | 20 | 7 | _moderate,_ | 7 12 | 4 48 | | 21 | G |3 p. Epiph. | 7 11 | 4 49 | | 22 | 2 | _followed by_ | 7 10 | 4 50 | | 23 | 3 | _clouds, wind_ | 7 9 | 4 51 | | 24 | 4 | _and_ | 7 8 | 4 52 | | 25 | 5 |Conv. St. =PAUL.= | 7 7 | 4 53 | | 26 | 6 |Day incr. 38 m. | 7 6 | 4 54 | | 27 | 7 | _cold, with_ | 7 5 | 4 55 | | 28 | G |4 p. Epiph. | 7 4 | 4 56 | | 29 | 2 | _snow or_ | 7 3 | 4 57 | | 30 | 3 |K. Char. behead. | 7 2 | 4 58 | | 31 | 4 | _rain._ | 7 1 | 4 59 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Sagittarius] 11 | [Moon] with [Mars] | | 2 | 23 | [Moon] with [Saturn] | | 3 |[Capricorn] 5 | [Jupiter] rise 4 23 | | 4 | 17 | _Tis against_ | | 5 | 29 | [Moon] with [Mercury] _some_ | | 6 |[Aquarius] 10 | [Mars] rise 4 44 | | 7 | 22 | [Moon] w. [Venus] _Mens_ | | 8 |[Pisces] 4 | _Principle to pay_ | | 9 | 16 | _Interest, and_ | | 10 | 28 | _seems against_ | | 11 |[Aries] 10 | [Jupiter] s. 11 6 _others_ | | 12 | 23 | [Saturn] rise 5 42 | | 13 |[Taurus] 6 | Sirius so. 10 52 | | 14 | 19 | [Sextile] [Saturn] [Venus] _Interest_ | | 15 |[Gemini] 2 | 7 *s so. 7 42 | | 16 | 16 | [Jupiter] so. 10 39 | | 17 |[Cancer] 0 | [Mars] rise 4 36 | | 18 | 15 | [Moon] with [Jupiter] _to_ | | 19 |[Leo] 1 | [Sun] in [Aquarius] _pay_ | | 20 | 17 | [Trine] [Jupiter] [Venus] _the_ | | 21 |[Virgo] 3 | _Principal._ | | 22 | 18 | [Venus] sets 8 2 | | 23 |[Libra] 2 | _Philosophy as_ | | 24 | 15 | _well as Foppery_ | | 25 | 28 | [Sextile] [Mars] [Mercury] _often_ | | 26 |[Scorpio] 11 | _changes Fashion._| | 27 | 24 | [Saturn] rise 4 48 | | 28 |[Sagittarius] 7 | 7 *s sou. 6 47 | | 29 | 19 | Sirius sou. 9 44 | | 30 |[Capricorn] 1 | [Moon] with [Saturn] & [Mars] | | 31 | 13 | [Moon] with [Mercury] | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=JANUARY= hath XXXI Days.
D. H. --> New [Moon] 4 8 mor. First Q. 12 at noon. Full [Fullmoon] 19 10 mor. Last Q. 26 4 mor.
{12 [Scorpio] 12 Deg. [Head] {22 11 {31 10 +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars]|[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+-------+--------+---------+------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Cap.]| [Sag.] | [Can.] |[Sag.]| [Aqu.]| [Cap.] | | | 1 | 12 | 29 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 26 | N. 2 | | 6 | 17 | 30 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 24 | 5 | | 12 | 23 |[Cap.] 0| 9 | 15 | 29 | 19 | 2 | | 17 | 28 | 1 | 8 | 19 |[Pis.]5| 14 | S. 4 | | 22 |[Aqu.]3| 1 | 8 | 22 | 11 | 13 | 4 | | 27 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 26 | 17 | 15 | N. 1 | +----+-------+--------+---------+------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D. |[Moon]rise|[Moon]sou:| T. | O S | --> +----+----------+----------+----+ l t | | 1 | 4 39 | 9 M 41 | 12 | d i | | 2 | 5 33 | 10 30 | 1 | l | | 3 | Moon | 11 19 | 2 | e.| | 4 | sets. | 12 6 | 3 | 24 | | 5 | A. | A. 53 | 3 | 25 | | 6 | 7 0 | 1 36 | 4 | 26 | | 7 | 8 0 | 2 18 | 5 | 27 | | 8 | 8 54 | 3 0 | 6 | 28 | | 9 | 9 50 | 3 43 | 6 | 29 | | 10 | 10 47 | 4 27 | 7 | 30 | | 11 | 11 46 | 5 10 | 8 | 31 | | 12 | 12 50 | 5 55 | 8 | Jan. | | 13 | M. 50 | 6 44 | 9 | | | 14 | 1 51 | 7 34 | 10 | 3 | | 15 | 2 52 | 8 28 | 11 | 4 | | 16 | 3 56 | 9 23 | 12 | 5 | | 17 | 4 57 | 10 22 | 1 | 6 | | 18 | Moon | 11 21 | 2 | 7 | | 19 | rises | 12 25 | 3 | 8 | | 20 | A. | Morn. | 3 | 9 | | 21 | 7 56 | 1 30 | 4 | 10 | | 22 | 9 11 | 2 26 | 5 | 11 | | 23 | 10 18 | 3 16 | 6 | 12 | | 24 | 11 19 | 4 5 | 7 | 13 | | 25 | 12 22 | 4 54 | 7 | 14 | | 26 | M 22 | 5 43 | 8 | 15 | | 27 | 1 17 | 6 34 | 9 | 16 | | 28 | 2 21 | 7 26 | 10 | 17 | | 29 | 3 16 | 8 14 | 11 | 18 | | 30 | 4 3 | 9 3 | 12 | 19 | | 31 | 4 44 | 9 51 | 12 | 20 | +----+----------+----------+----+------+
=The= Greatness of that Power, which has been exerted in the Creation, though every Object in Nature shews it, will best appear by considering a little the =GREAT= Works, properly so called, of Nature; the Sun, and Planets, and the fixed Stars. The Sun and Moon, the most conspicuous to us of all the celestial Bodies, are the only ones mentioned in the sacred Text: But the Invention of that noblest of Instruments the Telescope, and the Sagacity of the Astronomers of later Ages, whose Observations have improved and corrected those of the foregoing, afford us a very different Idea of the Solar System, from what the single Consideration of those two most conspicuous Bodies gives us. As this may probably fall into the Hands of some, who have not Leisure or Opportunities of reading Books of Astronomy, the following brief View of our System, and of the Immensity of the Creation, according to the Theory of the Moderns, may not be unacceptable.
It is proper, in the first Place, just to mention, That the real Magnitudes, Distances, Orbits, and other Affections of the Bodies of our System are determined by what Astronomers call their Parallaxes, and by their Elongations from the Sun, and their apparent Magnitudes, and other analogical Methods, which would take up by far too much Time to explain here; by which it is possible to determine [their]
*(page break)*
=FEBRUARY.= _II Month._
Before him fly the Horrors of the Night; He looks upon the World--and all is Light. Then the lone Wand'rers of the dreary Waste Affrighted to their Holds return in Haste, To Man give up the World, his native Reign, Who then resumes his Pow'r, and rules the Plain. How various are thy Works, Creator wise! How to the Sight Beauties on Beauties rise! [Where] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | 5 |Days 10 h. long. | 7 0 | 5 0 | | 2 | 6 |Purification _V. M._ | 6 59 | 5 1 | | 3 | 7 | _Clouds_ | 6 58 | 5 2 | | 4 | G |5 p. Epiph. | 6 56 | 5 4 | | 5 | 2 | _and wind,_ | 6 55 | 5 5 | | 6 | 3 | _with_ | 6 54 | 5 6 | | 7 | 4 | _falling_ | 6 53 | 5 7 | | 8 | 5 |Days incr. 1 6 | 6 52 | 5 8 | | 9 | 6 | _weather,_ | 6 51 | 5 9 | | 10 | 7 | _then fair_ | 6 50 | 5 10 | | 11 | G |6 p. Epiph. | 6 48 | 5 12 | | 12 | 2 | _and cold;_ | 6 47 | 5 13 | | 13 | 3 | _changeable_ | 6 46 | 5 14 | | 14 | 4 |=VALENTINE.= | 6 45 | 5 15 | | 15 | 5 |Days inc. 1 22 | 6 43 | 5 17 | | 16 | 6 | _and like for_ | 6 42 | 5 18 | | 17 | 7 | _rain, or snow,_| 6 41 | 5 19 | | 18 | G |Septuagesima. | 6 40 | 5 20 | | 19 | 2 | _then follows_ | 6 38 | 5 22 | | 20 | 3 |Day 10 46 long. | 6 37 | 5 23 | | 21 | 4 | _clear and cold_| 6 36 | 5 24 | | 22 | 5 | _weather; but_ | 6 35 | 5 25 | | 23 | 6 | _soon changes to_ | 6 33 | 5 27 | | 24 | 7 |St. Matthias. | 6 32 | 5 28 | | 25 | G |Sexagesima. | 6 31 | 5 29 | | 26 | 2 | _snow_ | 6 30 | 5 30 | | 27 | 3 | _or cold rain._| 6 28 | 5 32 | | 28 | 4 |Day inc. 1 56 m. | 6 27 | 5 33 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+----------------+----------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+----------------+----------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Capricorn] 25 | [Jupiter] sou. 9 28 | | 2 |[Aquarius] 7 | [Mars] rise 4 20 | | 3 | 19 | _Setting too good_ | | 4 |[Pisces] 1 | _an Example_ | | 5 | 13 | [Mercury] rise 5 34 | | 6 | 25 | [Conjunction] [Moon] [Venus] [Conjunction] | | | | [Saturn] [Mars] | | 7 |[Aries] 7 | [Venus] sets 8 2 _is a_ | | 8 | 20 | _Kind of Slander_ | | 9 |[Taurus] 3 | _seldom forgiven;_ | | 10 | 16 | _'tis_ Scandalum | | 11 | 29 | Magnatum. | | 12 |[Gemini] 13 | [Quartile] [Jupiter] [Venus] _A great_ | | 13 | 27 | [Saturn] rise 3 49 | | 14 |[Cancer] 12 | [Moon] W. [Jupiter] _Talker_ | | 15 | 27 | [Quartile] [Mars] [Venus] _may be_ | | 16 |[Leo] 12 | 7 *s sets 1 0 | | 17 | 27 | [Jupiter] sou. 8 21 | | 18 |[Virgo] 12 | [Sun] in [Pisces] _no Fool,_ | | 19 | 26 | Sirius sou. 8 21 | | 20 |[Libra] 10 | [Mars] rise 4 5 | | 21 | 24 | [Venus] sets 9 0 | | 22 |[Scorpio] 8 | [Sextile] [Sun] [Saturn] _but he_ | | 23 | 21 | _is one that_ | | 24 |[Sagittarius] 3 | [Trine] [Sun] [Jupiter] _relies_ | | 25 | 15 | _on him._ | | 26 | 27 | [Saturn] rises 3 0 | | 27 |[Capricorn] 9 | [Moon] with [Saturn] | | 28 | 21 | [Moon] with [Mars] | +---+----------------+-----------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=FEBRUARY= hath XXVIII Days.
D. H. --> New [Moon] 3 3 mor. First Q. 10 12 aft. Full [Fullmoon] 17 3 aft. Last Q. 24 7 aft.
{12 [Scorpio] 9 Deg. [Head] {22 8 {28 7
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars]|[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+-------+--------+---------+------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Aqu.]| [Cap.] | [Can.] |[Cap.]| [Pis.]| [Cap.] | | | 1 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 23 | 19 | N. 5 | | 6 | 18 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 29 | 24 | 4 | | 12 | 24 | 3 | 6 | 7 |[Ari.]6|[Aqu.] 0 | S. 3 | | 17 | 29 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 5 | | 22 |[Pis.]4| 4 | 6 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 0 | | 27 | 19 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 23 | 22 | N. 4 | +----+-------+--------+---------+------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D. |[Moon]rise|[Moon]sou:| T. | | --> +----+----------+----------+----+ | | 1 | 5 29 | 10 39 | 1 | 21 | | 2 | Moon | 12 24 | 2 | 22 | | 3 | sets | A. 9 | 3 | 23 | | 4 | A. | 12 52 | 3 | 24 | | 5 | 7 45 | 1 35 | 4 | 25 | | 6 | 8 39 | 2 18 | 5 | 26 | | 7 | 9 39 | 3 1 | 6 | 27 | | 8 | 10 41 | 3 50 | 6 | 28 | | 9 | 11 44 | 4 38 | 7 | 29 | | 10 | 12 47 | 5 29 | 8 | 30 | | 11 | M. 47 | 6 19 | 9 | 31 | | 12 | 1 43 | 7 18 | 10 | Feb. | | 13 | 2 46 | 8 17 | 11 | | | 14 | 3 41 | 9 16 | 12 | 3 | | 15 | 4 34 | 10 15 | 1 | 4 | | 16 | Moon | 11 14 | 2 | 5 | | 17 | rises | 12 10 | 3 | 6 | | 18 | A. | Morn | 3 | 7 | | 19 | 7 53 | 1 6 | 4 | 8 | | 20 | 9 2 | 1 57 | 4 | 9 | | 21 | 10 9 | 2 48 | 5 | 10 | | 22 | 11 19 | 3 40 | 6 | 11 | | 23 | 12 17 | 4 32 | 7 | 12 | | 24 | M. 17 | 5 20 | 8 | 13 | | 25 | 1 8 | 6 8 | 9 | 14 | | 26 | 2 0 | 6 58 | 9 | 15 | | 27 | 2 48 | 7 47 | 10 | 16 | | 28 | 3 27 | 8 34 | 11 | 17 | +----+----------+----------+----+------+
their Magnitudes and Distances, when those Distances are not too great to yield a Parallax. Astronomers, for Example, know certainly the Distance of the Moon from the Earth, _viz._ 240 thousand Miles, because the Moon yields a very sensible Parallax; and they know, that the Sun's Distance from the Earth is very probably, at least, ten thousand Times the Diameter or Thickness of the Earth, which is about eight thousand Miles, and brings the whole Distance to about eighty Millions of Miles. It is, I say, hardly to be doubted, that the Distance from the Sun to the Earth is, at least, eighty Millions of Miles; but it is not certainly known, whether it is not a great deal more. In the Year 1761, the Distance of all the Planets from the Sun will be determined to a great Degree of Exactness by Observations on a Transit of the Planet _Venus_ over the Face of the Sun, which is to happen the 6th of _May_, O.S. in that Year. But, according to the present Theory, the Sun, to appear of the Magnitude he does to our Eyes at the Distance of eighty Millions of Miles, must be a Body a great many hundred thousand Times larger than the Earth, so that if his Centre were placed where that of the Earth is, his outward Surface would extend one hundred and forty thousand Miles higher than the Orbit of the Moon, his Diameter or Thickness being seven hundred and sixty thousand Miles, whereas that of the Earth is but about eight thousand. This amazing World [of]
*(page break)*
=MARCH.= _III Month._
Where Goodness worthy of a God bestows His Gifts on all, and without Bounds o'erflows; Where Wisdom bright appears, and Pow'r divine, And where Infinitude itself doth shine; Where Excellence invisible's exprest, And in his glorious Works the God appears confest. With Life thy Hand hath stock'd this earthly Plain, Nor less the spacious Empire of the Main. [There] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | 5 |St. =DAVID.= | 6 26 | 5 34 | | 2 | 6 | _Cool and_ | 6 24 | 5 36 | | 3 | 7 | _windy,_ | 6 23 | 5 37 | | 4 | G |Shrove Sunday. | 6 22 | 5 38 | | 5 | 2 | _then snow_ | 6 20 | 5 40 | | 6 | 3 |Shrove Tuesday. | 6 19 | 5 41 | | 7 | 4 |Ash Wednesday. | 6 18 | 5 42 | | 8 | 5 |Days 11 28 long | 6 16 | 5 44 | | 9 | 6 | _follow'd by sharp_| 6 15 | 5 45 | | 10 | 7 | _nipping weather;_| 6 14 | 5 46 | | 11 | G |1st in Lent. | 6 12 | 5 48 | | 12 | 2 |Day inc. 2 28 m. | 6 11 | 5 49 | | 13 | 3 | _now fine and_ | 6 10 | 5 50 | | 14 | 4 |Ember Week. | 6 8 | 5 52 | | 15 | 5 | _pleasant for_ | 6 7 | 5 53 | | 16 | 6 | _the season;_ | 6 6 | 5 54 | | 17 | 7 |St. =PATRICK.= | 6 4 | 5 56 | | 18 | G |2d in Lent. | 6 3 | 5 57 | | 19 | 2 | _then_ | 6 2 | 5 58 | | 20 | 3 |Days 12 long. | 6 0 | 6 0 | | 21 | 4 | _clouds_ | 5 59 | 6 1 | | 22 | 5 | _and_ | 5 58 | 6 2 | | 23 | 6 | _high winds_ | 5 56 | 6 4 | | 24 | 7 |Days inc. 3 h. | 5 55 | 6 5 | | 25 | G |Annunciation. | 5 54 | 6 6 | | 26 | 2 | _with rain and_| 5 52 | 6 8 | | 27 | 3 | _cold, but_ | 5 51 | 6 9 | | 28 | 4 | _grows_ | 5 50 | 6 10 | | 29 | 5 | _more_ | 5 48 | 6 12 | | 30 | 6 | _moderate._ | 5 47 | 6 13 | | 31 | 7 |Day 12 30 long. | 5 45 | 6 15 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Aquarius] 3 | [Sextile] [Venus] [Mercury] _When_ | | 2 | 15 | 7 *s set 12 0 | | 3 | 27 | [Moon] w. [Mercury] _Reason_ | | 4 |[Pisces] 9 | [Jupiter] sou. 7 25 | | 5 | 21 | [Venus] sets 9 28 | | 6 |[Aries] 4 | _preaches, if you_ | | 7 | 17 | [Sextile] [Saturn] [Mercury] _won't_ | | 8 |[Taurus] 0 | [Moon] w. [Venus] _hear her_ | | 9 | 13 | [Mars] ri. 3 50 _she'll_ | | 10 | 26 | [Trine] [Saturn] [Venus] _box your_ | | 11 |[Gemini] 9 | Sirius so. 7 6. | | 12 | 23 | [Opposition] [Saturn] [Jupiter] _Ears._ | | 13 |[Cancer] 7 | [Moon] with [Jupiter] | | 14 | 21 | [Saturn] rise 2 4 | | 15 |[Leo] 6 | [Jupiter] set 2 9 | | 16 | 21 | Sirius set 11 51 | | 17 |[Virgo] 6 | [Mars] rise 3 43 | | 18 | 21 | 7 *s set 11 4 | | 19 |[Libra] 5 | [Conjunction] [Sun] [Mercury] Equal | | 20 | 19 | [Sun] in [Aries] Day and | | 21 |[Scorpio] 3 | [Quartile] [Saturn] [Mercury] Night. | | 22 | 17 | [Sextile] [Mars] [Mercury] _It is not_ | | 23 |[Sagittarius] 0 | [Quartile][Jupiter][Mercury] _Leisure_ | | 24 | 12 | [Venus] sets 9 57 | | 25 | 24 | [Quartile] [Sun] [Saturn] _that is_ | | 26 |[Capricorn] 6 | [Moon] with [Saturn] _not_ | | 27 | 18 | [Quartile] [Sun] [Jupiter] _used._ | | 28 |[Aquarius] 0 | [Saturn] rise 1 17 | | 29 | 12 | [Moon] with [Mars] | | 30 | 24 | Sirius set 11 0 | | 31 |[Pisces] 6 | [Jupiter] sets 1 15 | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=MARCH= hath XXXI Days.
D. H. --> New [Moon] 4 11 aft. First Q. 12 10 mor. Full [Fullmoon] 19 1 mor. Last Q. 26 at noon.
{12 [Scorpio] 7 Deg. [Head] {22 6 {31 6
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars] |[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Pis.]| [Cap.] | [Can.] | [Cap.]| [Ari.]| [Pis.] | | | 4 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 22 | 29 | 0 | N. 4 | | 9 | 19 | 5 | 6 | 26 |[Tau.]4| 9 | S. 1 | | 12 | 22 | 5 | 6 | 28 | 7 | 15 | 4 | | 17 | 27 | 5 | 6 |[Aqu.]2| 12 | 25 | 4 | | 22 |[Ari.]2| 5 | 7 | 6 | 17 | [Ari.] 6| N. 1 | | 27 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 19 | 23 | 16 | 5 | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D. |[Moon]rise|[Moon]sou:| T. | | --> +----+----------+----------+----+ | | 1 | 4 4 | 9 M 21 | 12 | 18 | | 2 | 4 44 | 10 6 | 1 | 19 | | 3 | Moon | 10 50 | 1 | 20 | | 4 | sets. | 11 34 | 2 | 21 | | 5 | A. | A. 17 | 3 | 22 | | 6 | 7 35 | 1 4 | 4 | 23 | | 7 | 8 35 | 1 51 | 4 | 24 | | 8 | 9 40 | 2 41 | 5 | 25 | | 9 | 10 39 | 3 30 | 6 | 26 | | 10 | 11 44 | 4 22 | 7 | 27 | | 11 | 12 43 | 5 15 | 8 | 28 | | 12 | M. 43 | 6 13 | 9 | Mar. | | 13 | 1 36 | 7 10 | 10 | | | 14 | 2 27 | 8 7 | 11 | 3 | | 15 | 3 19 | 9 4 | 12 | 4 | | 16 | 4 2 | 10 1 | 1 | 5 | | 17 | 4 42 | 10 58 | 1 | 6 | | 18 | Moon | 11 54 | 2 | 7 | | 19 | rises | 12 44 | 3 | 8 | | 20 | A. | M. 44 | 3 | 9 | | 21 | 9 3 | 1 37 | 4 | 10 | | 22 | 10 12 | 2 30 | 5 | 11 | | 23 | 11 15 | 3 24 | 6 | 12 | | 24 | 12 4 | 4 12 | 7 | 13 | | 25 | M. 4 | 5 0 | 8 | 14 | | 26 | 0 43 | 5 49 | 8 | 15 | | 27 | 1 29 | 6 38 | 9 | 16 | | 28 | 2 12 | 7 24 | 10 | 17 | | 29 | 2 47 | 8 10 | 11 | 18 | | 30 | 3 21 | 8 54 | 11 | 19 | | 31 | 3 50 | 9 38 | 12 | 20 | +----+----------+----------+----+------+
of Fire turns once round in about twenty-five Days. This is known by a Number of dusky Spots, which appear upon the Sun's Face, so as to be seen sometimes with the naked Eye, when he shines through a thin Cloud or Mist; but are always observable with the Help of a Telescope, with a dark Glass for the Security of the Eye. These Spots could not be visible at the Distance of the Sun, if they were not as large as the whole Earth; but such of them as appear of a considerable Breadth, as they often do, must be still vastly larger. They never continue long to make the same Appearance; but are always rising and vanishing again. They are probably Exhalations floating in the Sun's Atmosphere at some Distance from his Body, or Masses of Cynder fallen from that Atmosphere upon his Surface.
This glorious Luminary, the Centre of our System, has six opaque Globes, commonly called the Planets, going round him at different Distances, and in different Periods, but all from West to East, as follows.
1. _Mercury_, a Body considerably inferior in Size to the Earth, performs his Course in about three Months, which is his Year, at the Distance of thirty Millions of Miles from the Sun. The Heat of the Sun in _Mercury_ (if there be no Provision made for mitigating it) must be such, as, if it were the same on the Earth, would keep all the Waters upon it constantly boiling; And the Brightness of the [Sun's]
*(page break)*
=APRIL.= _IV Month._
There the tall Ships the rolling Billows sweep, And bound triumphant o'er th' unfathom'd Deep. There great Leviathan in regal Pride, The scaly Nations crouding by his Side, Far in the dark Recesses of the Main O'er Nature's Wastes extends his boundless Reign. Round the dark Bottoms of the Mountains roves, The hoary Deep swells dreadful as he moves. [Now] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | G |4th in Lent. | 5 44 | 6 16 | | 2 | 2 | _Rain, and_ | 5 43 | 6 17 | | 3 | 3 | _mild_ | 5 42 | 6 18 | | 4 | 4 | _weather,_ | 5 40 | 6 20 | | 5 | 5 |Days inc. 3 32 m. | 5 39 | 6 21 | | 6 | 6 | _grows windy_ | 5 38 | 6 22 | | 7 | 7 | _and cool, then_| 5 37 | 6 23 | | 8 | G |5th in Lent. | 5 35 | 6 25 | | 9 | 2 | _warm and_ | 5 34 | 6 26 | | 10 | 3 | _springing,_ | 5 33 | 6 27 | | 11 | 4 |Days 12 56 long. | 5 32 | 6 28 | | 12 | 5 | _follow'd_ | 5 30 | 6 30 | | 13 | 6 | _by clouds_ | 5 29 | 6 31 | | 14 | 7 | _and rain,_ | 5 28 | 6 32 | | 15 | G |Palm Sunday. | 5 26 | 6 34 | | 16 | 2 | _then fair and_ | 5 25 | 6 35 | | 17 | 3 | _pleasant again;_| 5 24 | 6 36 | | 18 | 4 |Days 13 16 long. | 5 23 | 6 37 | | 19 | 5 |Maund. Thursday | 5 22 | 6 38 | | 20 | 6 |Good Friday. | 5 20 | 6 40 | | 21 | 7 | _now rain_ | 5 19 | 6 41 | | 22 | G |Easter-day. | 5 18 | 6 42 | | 23 | 2 |St. George. | 5 17 | 6 43 | | 24 | 3 | _and cool,_ | 5 16 | 6 44 | | 25 | 4 |St. Mark. | 5 15 | 6 45 | | 26 | 5 |Pr. Will. b. 1721 | 5 13 | 6 47 | | 27 | 6 | _then clouds_ | 5 12 | 6 48 | | 28 | 7 |Day 13 38 long. | 5 11 | 6 49 | | 29 | G |1 past Easter. | 5 10 | 6 50 | | 30 | 2 | _and wind._ | 5 8 | 6 52 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Pisces] 18 | [Mars] rise 3 22 | | 2 |[Aires] 0 | _The Good-will_ | | 3 | 13 | _of the Governed_ | | 4 | 26 | [Moon] w. [Mercury] _will be_ | | 5 |[Taurus] 19 | [Sextile] [Sun] [Mars] _starv'd,_ | | 6 | 22 | [Venus] sets 10 26 _if_ | | 7 |[Gemini] 6 | [Moon] w. [Venus] _not fed_ | | 8 | 20 | 7 *s sets 9 50 _by_ | | 9 |[Cancer] 4 | [Moon] with [Jupiter] _the_ | | 10 | 18 | _good Deeds of_ | | 11 |[Leo] 2 | _the Governors._ | | 12 | 16 | [Saturn] rise 12 21 | | 13 |[Virgo] 1 | 7 *s sets 9 30 | | 14 | 15 | [Jupiter] set 12 26 | | 15 | 29 | Sirius set 10 2 | | 16 |[Libra] 13 | [Mars] rise 2 55 | | 17 | 27 | [Venus] sets 10 37 | | 18 |[Scorpio] 10 | _Paintings and_ | | 19 | 23 | [Sun] in [Taurus] _Fightings_ | | 20 |[Sagittarius] 6 | _are best_ | | 21 | 19 | 7 *s set 9 0 | | 22 |[Capricorn] 2 | [Moon] with [Saturn] | | 23 | 14 | Sirius sets 9 33 | | 24 | 26 | _seen at a_ | | 25 |[Aquarius] 8 | [Trine] [Sun] [Saturn] | | 26 | 20 | _distance._ | | 27 |[Pisces] 2 | [Moon] with [Mars] | | 28 | 14 | [Saturn] rise 11 20 | | 29 | 26 | [Sextile] [Sun] [Jupiter] | | 30 |[Aires] 9 | [Jupiter] sets 11 37 | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=APRIL= hath XXX Days.
D. H. --> New [Moon] 3 2 aft. First Q. 10 5 aft. Full [Fullmoon] 17 2 aft. Last Q. 25 8 mor.
{12 [Scorpio] 6 Deg. [Head] {22 6 {30 6
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars] |[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Ari.]| [Cap.] | [Can.] | [Aqu.]| [Tau.]| [Ari.] | | | 1 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 28 | 26 | N. 4 | | 6 | 17 | 6 | 8 | 16 |[Gem.]3|[Tau.] 4 | S. 1 | | 12 | 23 | 6 | 8 | 21 | 8 | 12 | 5 | | 17 | 28 | 6 | 9 | 24 | 12 | 17 | 1 | | 22 |[Tau.]3| 6 | 9 | 28 | 15 | 19 | N. 4 | | 27 | 8 | 6 | 10 |[Pis.]1| 18 | 19 | 4 | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D. |[Moon]rise|[Moon]sou:| T. | | --> +----+----------+----------+----+ | | 1 | 4 19 | 10 21 | 1 | 21 | | 2 | Moon | 11 4 | 2 | 22 | | 3 | sets. | 11 53 | 2 | 23 | | 4 | A. | A. 41 | 3 | 24 | | 5 | 8 38 | 1 32 | 4 | 25 | | 6 | 9 41 | 2 22 | 5 | 26 | | 7 | 10 48 | 3 19 | 6 | 27 | | 8 | 11 51 | 4 16 | 7 | 28 | | 9 | 12 40 | 5 14 | 8 | 29 | | 10 | M. 40 | 6 11 | 9 | 30 | | 11 | 1 25 | 7 6 | 10 | 31 | | 12 | 2 6 | 8 0 | 11 | Apr. | | 13 | 2 46 | 8 53 | 11 | | | 14 | 3 25 | 9 46 | 12 | 3 | | 15 | 4 0 | 10 38 | 1 | 4 | | 16 | Moon | 11 29 | 2 | 5 | | 17 | rises | 12 21 | 3 | 6 | | 18 | A. | M. 21 | 3 | 7 | | 19 | 8 52 | 1 12 | 4 | 8 | | 20 | 9 56 | 2 6 | 5 | 9 | | 21 | 10 53 | 3 0 | 6 | 10 | | 22 | 11 39 | 3 49 | 6 | 11 | | 23 | 12 17 | 4 37 | 7 | 12 | | 24 | M. 17 | 5 28 | 8 | 13 | | 25 | 0 49 | 6 20 | 9 | 14 | | 26 | 1 23 | 7 0 | 10 | 15 | | 27 | 1 58 | 7 40 | 10 | 16 | | 28 | 2 30 | 8 23 | 11 | 17 | | 29 | 3 1 | 9 6 | 12 | 18 | | 30 | 3 28 | 9 55 | 12 | 19 | +----+----------+----------+----+------+
Sun's Light must be such as would be quite intolerable to Eyes like ours. But it does not follow, that _Mercury_ is therefore uninhabitable; since it can be no Difficulty for the Divine Power and Wisdom to accommodate the Inhabitants to the Place they are to inhabit; as the Cold we see Frogs and Fishes bear very well, would soon deprive any of our Species of Life. To an Eye such as ours, the Sun, seen from this Planet, would appear seven times as large as he does to us. He is always so near the Sun, that we have no Opportunity of discovering whether he turns round upon his own Axis, or not, and consequently cannot determine what Length the Days and Nights in _Mercury_ are. He is seen sometimes with Telescopes horned like the Moon, and sometimes like a Half moon, but never fully illuminated, because that Side of the Planet, on which the Sun shines, is never turned full towards us, except when he is so near the Sun, as to be lost in the Brightness of his Beams. His enlightned Side is always towards the Sun, which shews, that he only shines with the borrowed Light of the Sun. That this Planet revolves round the Sun in an Orbit nearer to him, than that of the Earth, is plain, because he is never seen opposite to the Sun, but always in the West, when he is seen at Sun-setting, and in the East, when he is seen at Sun-rising; and that never beyond the Distance of twenty-eight degrees from the Sun (a Degree is about [twice]
*(page break)*
=MAY.= _V Month._
Now views the awful Throne of antient Night, Then mounts exulting to the Realms of Light; Now launches to the Deep, now stems the Shore, An Ocean scarce contains the wild Uproar. Whate'er of Life replenishes the Flood, Or walks the Earth, or warbles thro' the Wood, In Nature's various Wants to thee complains, The Hand, which gave the Life, the Life sustains. [To] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | 3 |=PHILIP & JACOB= | 5 7 | 6 53 | | 2 | 4 | _Rain and_ | 5 6 | 6 54 | | 3 | 5 |Day inc. 4 40 | 5 5 | 6 55 | | 4 | 6 | _gusts_ | 5 3 | 6 57 | | 5 | 7 | _in some_ | 5 2 | 6 58 | | 6 | G |2 past Easter. | 5 1 | 6 59 | | 7 | 2 | _places, with_| 5 0 | 7 0 | | 8 | 3 | _thunder,_ | 4 59 | 7 1 | | 9 | 4 |Day 14 4 long. | 4 58 | 7 2 | | 10 | 5 | _then fine_ | 4 57 | 7 3 | | 11 | 6 | _growing_ | 4 56 | 7 4 | | 12 | 7 | _weather,_ | 4 56 | 7 4 | | 13 | G |3 past Easter. | 4 55 | 7 5 | | 14 | 2 | _pleasant,_ | 4 54 | 7 6 | | 15 | 3 | _with_ | 4 53 | 7 7 | | 16 | 4 |Day inc. 5 6 | 4 52 | 7 8 | | 17 | 5 | _wind and_ | 4 51 | 7 9 | | 18 | 6 | _flying_ | 4 50 | 7 10 | | 19 | 7 | _clouds,_ | 4 49 | 7 11 | | 20 | G |4 past Easter. | 4 48 | 7 12 | | 21 | 2 | _follow'd_ | 4 47 | 7 13 | | 22 | 3 |Days 14 28 long. | 4 46 | 7 14 | | 23 | 4 | _by heat,_ | 4 45 | 7 15 | | 24 | 5 | _then_ | 4 44 | 7 16 | | 25 | 6 | _rain and_ | 4 44 | 7 16 | | 26 | 7 | _thunder,_ | 4 43 | 7 17 | | 27 | G |Rogation Sunday | 4 42 | 7 18 | | 28 | 2 |Day inc. 5 26 | 4 42 | 7 18 | | 29 | 3 |K. Cha. resto. | 4 41 | 7 19 | | 30 | 4 | _pleasant._ | 4 41 | 7 19 | | 31 | 5 |Ascension Day. | 4 40 | 7 20 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+----------------+----------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+----------------+----------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Aries] 22 | [Mars] rise 2 30 | | 2 |[Taurus] 5 | [Venus] set 10 28 | | 3 | 18 | [Moon] w [Mercury] [Sextile] [Saturn] [Mars] | | 4 |[Gemini] 2 | _If you would_ | | 5 | 16 | [Moon] with [Venus] _reap_ | | 6 |[Cancer] 0 | [Conjunction] [Sun] [Mercury] _Praise_ | | 7 | 14 | [Moon] with [Jupiter] _you_ | | 8 | 28 | 7 *s set 7 56 | | 9 |[Leo] 13 | _must sow the_ | | 10 | 27 | Sirius set 8 27 | | 11 |[Virgo] 11 | [Sextile] [Mars] [Mercury] _Seeds,_ | | 12 | 25 | [Saturn] rise 10 28 | | 13 |[Libra] 9 | [Sextile] [Jupiter] [Mercury] _Gentle_ | | 14 | 23 | [Jupiter] set 10 49 | | 15 |[Scorpio] 6 | [Mars] rise 2 3 | | 16 | 19 | _Words and_ | | 17 |[Sagittarius] 2 | [Venus] set 9 46 | | 18 | 15 | _useful Deeds._ | | 19 | 28 | _Ignorance leads_| | 20 |[Capricorn] 10 | [Sun] in [Gemini] [Conjunction] [Moon] | | | | [Saturn] | | 21 | 22 | _Men into a_ | | 22 |[Aquarius] 4 | _Party, and_ | | 23 | 16 | _Shame keeps_ | | 24 | 28 | _them from getting_| | 25 |[Pisces] 10 | _out again._ | | 26 | 22 | [Moon] with [Mars] | | 27 |[Aries] 4 | [Saturn] rise 9 26 | | 28 | 17 | [Jupiter] set 10 6 | | 29 |[Taurus] 0 | [Mars] rise 1 32 | | 30 | 13 | [Moon] with [Mercury] _Haste_ | | 31 | 27 | _makes Waste._| +----+----------------+----------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=MAY= hath XXXI Days.
D. H. --> New [Moon] 3 2 mor. First Q. 9 10 aft. Full [Fullmoon] 17 2 mor. Last Q. 24 12 aft.
{12 [Scorpio] 6 Deg. [Head] {22 6 {31 5
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars] |[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Tau.]| [Cap.] | [Can.] | [Pis.]| [Gem.]| [Tau.] | | | 2 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 21 | 17 | N. 0 | | 7 | 17 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 23 | 14 | S. 5 | | 12 | 22 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 25 | 12 | 3 | | 17 | 27 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 27 | 11 | N. 2 | | 22 |[Gem.]2| 5 | 14 | 20 | 26 | 11 | 5 | | 27 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 24 | 25 | 14 | 3 | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D. |[Moon]rise|[Moon]sou:| T. | | --> +----+----------+----------+----+ | | 1 | 4 0 | 10 44 | 1 | 20 | | 2 | Moon | 11 31 | 2 | 21 | | 3 | sets. | A. 21 | 3 | 22 | | 4 | A. | 1 17 | 4 | 23 | | 5 | 9 43 | 2 14 | 5 | 24 | | 6 | 10 40 | 3 12 | 6 | 25 | | 7 | 11 29 | 4 10 | 7 | 26 | | 8 | 12 3 | 5 6 | 8 | 27 | | 9 | M. 3 | 6 2 | 9 | 28 | | 10 | 0 48 | 6 54 | 9 | 29 | | 11 | 1 23 | 7 45 | 10 | 30 | | 12 | 2 2 | 8 37 | 11 | May | | 13 | 2 36 | 9 29 | 12 | | | 14 | 3 12 | 10 20 | 1 | 3 | | 15 | 3 45 | 11 8 | 2 | 4 | | 16 | Moon | 11 56 | 2 | 5 | | 17 | rises | 12 48 | 3 | 6 | | 18 | A. | M. 48 | 3 | 7 | | 19 | 9 31 | 1 42 | 4 | 8 | | 20 | 10 14 | 2 30 | 5 | 9 | | 21 | 10 51 | 3 19 | 6 | 10 | | 22 | 11 29 | 4 6 | 7 | 11 | | 23 | 12 0 | 4 53 | 7 | 12 | | 24 | Morn | 5 36 | 8 | 13 | | 25 | 0 27 | 6 19 | 9 | 14 | | 26 | 0 56 | 7 2 | 10 | 15 | | 27 | 1 27 | 7 45 | 10 | 16 | | 28 | 1 58 | 8 32 | 11 | 17 | | 29 | 2 30 | 9 20 | 12 | 18 | | 30 | 3 8 | 10 13 | 1 | 19 | | 31 | Moon | 11 6 | 2 | 20 | +----+----------+----------+-----------+
twice the apparent Breadth of the Moon.) The same Considerations prove, that the next Planet, _viz._
2. _Venus_ revolves round the Sun in an Orbit including that of _Mercury_ within it: For she is always seen in the Neighbourhood of the Sun, and never appears in the West when the Sun is in the East, nor contrariwise; nor ever removes above forty-eight Degrees from him. When she is on one Side of her Orbit, she it our Morning- and on the other, our Evening Star. This Planet turns round upon its own Axis in twenty-three Hours, as the Earth does in twenty-four. _Venus_ performs her annual Revolution round the Sun in two hundred twenty-four Days, at the Distance of about fifty-nine Millions of Miles from the Sun. She is nearly of the Size of the Earth. She appears through a Telescope exactly as the Moon does to the naked Eye, partly enlightened, and partly dark, and with the same Inequalities on her Face as on that of the Moon. Some Astronomers fancy they have seen a Satellite or Moon near _Venus_, like that belonging to the Earth: But it is not yet certain whether they have deceived themselves or not.
3. The Earth, which we inhabit, possesses the next Place in the Solar System, and, at the Distance of about eighty Millions of Miles, as above, performs her yearly Revolution round the Sun in about three hundred sixty-five Days, and at the same time, as a Bowl upon a [Bowling-]
*(page break)*
=JUNE= _VI Month._
To each th' appointed Sustenance bestows, To each the noxious and the healthful shows. Thou spread'st thy Bounty--meagre Famine flies: Thou hid'st thy Face--their vital Vigour dies. Thy pow'ful Word again restores their Breath; Renew'd Creation triumphs over Death. Th' Almighty o'er his Works casts down his Eye, And views their various Excellence with joy; [His] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | 6 | _Clouds and_ | 4 40 | 7 20 | | 2 | 7 | _like for_ | 4 39 | 7 21 | | 3 | G |6 past Easter. | 4 39 | 7 21 | | 4 | 2 | _rain, with_ | 4 39 | 7 21 | | 5 | 3 |Day 14 44 long. | 4 38 | 7 22 | | 6 | 4 | _wind and_ | 4 38 | 7 22 | | 7 | 5 | _thunder;_ | 4 38 | 7 22 | | 8 | 6 |Days inc 5 36 | 4 37 | 7 23 | | 9 | 7 | _flying_ | 4 37 | 7 23 | | 10 | G |Whitsunday. | 4 37 | 7 23 | | 11 | 2 |St. =BARNABAS.= | 4 36 | 7 24 | | 12 | 6 | _clouds, warm_| 4 36 | 7 24 | | 13 | 4 |Ember Week. | 4 36 | 7 24 | | 14 | 5 |Days 14 50 | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 15 | 6 | _and inclin'd_| 4 35 | 7 25 | | 16 | 7 | _to rain,_ | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 17 | G |Trinity Sunday | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 18 | 2 |Days inc. 5 40 | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 19 | 3 | _with wind_ | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 20 | 4 | _and_ | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 21 | 5 |Corp Christ. | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 22 | 6 |K. Geo. Acces. | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 23 | 7 | _thunder,_ | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 24 | G |St. =JOHN= Baptist. | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 25 | 2 | _then_ | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 26 | 3 | _cooler,_ | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 27 | 4 | _but soon_ | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 28 | 5 |Days 14 50 | 4 35 | 7 25 | | 29 | 6 | _grows hot again._| 4 36 | 7 24 | | 30 | 7 |St. =PETER.= | 4 36 | 7 24 | | King =GEORGE='s 27th Year begins the 22d Day | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Gemini] 11 | [Venus] set 8 17 | | 2 | 25 | [Moon] with [Venus] _Many_ | | 3 |[Cancer] 9 | [Moon ]with [Jupiter] _have_ | | 4 | 24 | _quarrel'd about_ | | 5 |[Leo] 9 | _Religion, that_ | | 6 | 23 | [Mercury] rise 3 28 | | 7 |[Virgo] 7 | _never practis'd_ | | 8 | 21 | [Conjunction] [Sun] [Venus] _it._ | | 9 |[Libra] 5 | Sudden Power | | 10 | 19 | [Quartile] [Saturn] [Mars] _is apt to_ | | 11 |[Scorpio] 2 | _be insolent, Sudden_| | 12 | 15 | [Saturn] ri. 8 13 | | 13 | 28 | [Jupiter] set 9 8 | | 14 |[Sagittarius] 11 | [Mars] rise 12 52 | | 15 | 24 | _Liberty saucy;_ | | 16 |[Capricorn] 6 | [Conjunction] [Moon] [Saturn] [Sextile] | | | | [Mars] [Mercury] | | 17 | 18 | _that behaves best_| | 18 |[Aquarius] 0 | [Conjunction] [Venus] [Mercury] _which_ | | 19 | 12 | _has grown gradually._| | 20 | 24 | [Sextile] [Mars] [Venus] | | 21 |[Pisces] 6 | [Sun] in [Cancer] | | 22 | 18 | _He that best understands_| | 23 |[Aries] 0 | _the_ | | 24 | 12 | [Conjunction] [Moon] [Mars] [Opposition] | | | | [Sun] [Saturn] | | 25 | 25 | _World, least_ | | 26 |[Taurus] 8 | [Jupiter] set 8 32 _likes_ | | 27 | 21 | [Saturn] rise 7 8 _it._ | | 28 |[Gemini] 5 | [Conjunction] [Moon] [Venus] [Opposition] | | | | [Saturn] [Mercury] | | 29 | 19 | [Mars] rise 12 14 | | 30 |[Cancer] 4 | [Moon] with [Mercury] | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=JUNE= hath XXX Days.
D. H. --> New [Moon] 1 at noon. First Q. 8 6 mor. Full [Fullmoon] 15 at noon. Last Q. 23 4 aft. New [Moon] 30 9 aft.
{12 [Scorpio] 5 Deg. [Head] {22 4 {30 3
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars] |[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Gem.]| [Cap.] | [Can.] | [Pis.]| [Gem.]| [Tau.] | | | 1 | 11 | 5 | 16 | 27 | 23 | 18 | S. 3 | | 6 | 16 | 4 | 18 |[Ari.]1| 20 | 23 | 5 | | 12 | 22 | 4 | 19 | 5 | 15 | [Gem.] 1| N. 1 | | 17 | 26 | 4 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 5 | | 22 |[Can.]1| 3 | 21 | 13 | 11 | 20 | 4 | | 27 | 6 | 3 | 22 | 16 | 10 | [Can.] 1| S. 1 | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D. |[Moon]Set.|[Moon]sou:| T. | | --> +----+----------+----------+----+ | | 1 | sets. | A. 3 | 3 | 21 | | 2 | A. | 1 0 | 4 | 22 | | 3 | 9 15 | 1 58 | 4 | 23 | | 4 | 10 7 | 2 56 | 5 | 24 | | 5 | 10 49 | 3 52 | 6 | 25 | | 6 | 11 25 | 4 47 | 7 | 26 | | 7 | 12 0 | 5 38 | 8 | 27 | | 8 | Morn | 6 28 | 9 | 28 | | 9 | 0 34 | 7 20 | 10 | 29 | | 10 | 1 8 | 8 11 | 11 | 30 | | 11 | 1 42 | 8 58 | 11 | 31 | | 12 | 2 16 | 9 46 | 12 | June | | 13 | 2 57 | 10 38 | 1 | | | 14 | Moon | 11 29 | 2 | 3 | | 15 | rises | 12 23 | 3 | 4 | | 16 | A. | M. 23 | 3 | 5 | | 17 | 8 51 | 1 9 | 4 | 6 | | 18 | 9 26 | 1 55 | 4 | 7 | | 19 | 10 0 | 2 40 | 5 | 8 | | 20 | 10 27 | 3 24 | 6 | 9 | | 21 | 10 53 | 4 8 | 7 | 10 | | 22 | 11 23 | 4 50 | 7 | 11 | | 23 | 11 51 | 5 32 | 8 | 12 | | 24 | 12 22 | 6 18 | 9 | 13 | | 25 | M 22 | 7 4 | 10 | 14 | | 26 | 0 55 | 7 53 | 10 | 15 | | 27 | 1 32 | 8 42 | 11 | 16 | | 28 | 2 14 | 9 39 | 12 | 17 | | 29 | Moon | 10 36 | 1 | 18 | | 30 | sets | 11 37 | 2 | 19 | +----+----------+----------+-----------+
Bowling-green not only proceeds forward, but likewise turns round upon its own Axis, so does the Earth turn once round upon its Axis as it goes along, every twenty-four Hours. It is astonishing, and even frightful to think, that this vast and cumbrous Globe of Earth and Sea, which is almost twenty-five thousand Miles in Circumference, has received such an Impulse from the Almighty Arm, as has carried it constantly for above these five thousand Years, that we know of, round the Sun at the Rate of at least fifty thousand Miles every Hour, which it must absolutely do, to go round the Sun in a Year at the Distance of eighty Millions of Miles from him. So that, if an Angel were to come from some other World, and to place himself near the Earth's Way, he would see it pass by him with a Swiftness, to which that of a Cannon Ball is but as one to one hundred, and would be left behind by it no less than the above Number of Miles in the Space of one Hour. There is no more Reason to doubt, that the Earth goes in this Manner round the Sun, than there would be for a Passenger in a Ship on smooth Water, who saw the Objects upon Land continually passing by, to doubt whether the Vessel he was in, or the Shore, was in Motion. We see the Sun continually changes his Place with respect to the fixed Stars, and must own it to be highly improbable that this Change of Place is owing to any Change in the whole Heavens, [which,]
*(page break)*
=JULY.= _VII Month._
His Works with Rev'rence own his pow'rful Hand, And humble Nature waits his dread Command, He looks upon the Earth--her Pillars shake, And from her Centre her Foundations quake. The Hills he touches--Clouds of Smoke arise, And sulph'rous Streams mount heavy to the Skies. Whilst Life informs this Frame, that Life shall be (O First and Greatest!) sacred all to Thee. [Thy] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | G |2 past Trin. | 4 30 | 7 24 | | 2 | 2 |Days dec. 2 m. | 4 36 | 7 24 | | 3 | 3 | _Clouds_ | 4 37 | 7 23 | | 4 | 4 | _and_ | 4 37 | 7 23 | | 5 | 5 | _wind,_ | 4 37 | 7 23 | | 6 | 6 | _then hot,_ | 4 38 | 7 22 | | 7 | 7 |Days dec. 6 m. | 4 38 | 7 22 | | 8 | G |3 past Trin. | 4 39 | 7 21 | | 9 | 2 | _follow'd by_ | 4 39 | 7 21 | | 10 | 3 | _rain and_ | 4 40 | 7 20 | | 11 | 4 | _thunder-gusts_ | 4 40 | 7 20 | | 12 | 5 | | 4 41 | 7 19 | | 13 | 6 | _in many_ | 4 41 | 7 19 | | 14 | 7 |Days dec. 14 m. | 4 42 | 7 18 | | 15 | G |4 past Trin. | 4 43 | 7 17 | | 16 | 2 | _places, then_ | 4 43 | 7 17 | | 17 | 3 | _more_ | 4 44 | 7 16 | | 18 | 4 | _settled and_ | 4 45 | 7 15 | | 19 | 5 |Days dec 20 m. | 4 45 | 7 15 | | 20 | 6 | _somewhat_ | 4 46 | 7 14 | | 21 | 7 | _cooler; but_ | 4 47 | 7 13 | | 22 | G |5 past Trin. | 4 48 | 7 12 | | 23 | 2 | _grows hot_ | 4 49 | 7 11 | | 24 | 3 |Dog Days begin | 4 50 | 7 10 | | 25 | 4 |St. =JAMES.= | 4 50 | 7 10 | | 26 | 5 | _again, and_ | 4 51 | 7 9 | | 27 | 6 |Day 14 16 long. | 4 52 | 7 8 | | 28 | 7 | _thunder_ | 4 53 | 7 7 | | 29 | G |6 past Trin. | 4 54 | 7 6 | | 30 | 2 | _follows with_ | 4 55 | 7 5 | | 31 | 3 | _rain._ | 4 56 | 7 4 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Cancer] 19 | [Moon] with [Jupiter] | | 2 |[Leo] 4 | [Conjunction] [Sun] [Mercury] Anger | | 3 | 19 | _is never without_| | 4 |[Virgo] 4 | _a Reason, but_ | | 5 | 19 | _seldom with a_ | | 6 |[Libra] 2 | _good One._ | | 7 | 16 | [Venus] rise 2 27 | | 8 | 29 | _He that is of_ | | 9 |[Scorpio] 12 | [Quartile] [Jupiter] [Mars] [Conjunction] | | | | [Jupiter][Mercury] | | 10 | 25 | _Opinion Money_ | | 11 |[Sagittarius] 8 | _will do every_ | | 12 | 20 | [Saturn] sou. 10 42 | | 13 |[Capricorn] 2 | [Moon] w. [Saturn] _Thing,_ | | 14 | 14 | [Mars] rise 11 38 | | 15 | 26 | _may well be_ | | 16 |[Aquarius] 8 | _suspected of_ | | 17 | 20 | [Venus] rise 2 3 | | 18 |[Pisces] 2 | [Conjunction] [Sun] [Jupiter] _doing_ | | 19 | 14 | [Sextile] [Venus] [Mercury] _every_ | | 20 | 26 | 7 *s rise 12 6 | | 21 |[Aries] 8 | [Trine] [Saturn] [Mars] _Thing_ | | 22 | 21 | [Sun] in [Leo] _for_ | | 23 |[Taurus] 4 | [Moon] w. [Mars] _Money._ | | 24 | 17 | _An ill Wound,_| | 25 |[Gemini] 0 | _but not an ill_| | 26 | 14 | [Moon] w. [Venus] _Name,_ | | 27 | 28 | [Quartile] [Sun] [Mars] _may be_ | | 28 |[Cancer] 13 | [Saturn] sou. 9 30 | | 29 | 28 | [Moon] w. [Jupiter] _healed._ | | 30 |[Leo] 13 | [Mars] rise 10 58 | | 31 | 28 | [Moon] with [Mercury] | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=JULY= hath XXXI Days.
D. H. --> First Q. 7 at noon. Full [Fullmoon] 15 6 mor. Last Q. 23 6 mor. New [Moon] 30 1 mor.
{12 [Scorpio] 2 Deg. [Head] {22 1 {31 0
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars] |[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Can.]| [Cap.] | [Can.] | [Ari.]|[Gem.] | [Can.] | | | 2 | 11 | 3 | 23 | 20 | 10 | 11 | S. 5 | | 7 | 16 | 2 | 24 | 23 | 11 | 21 | 1 | | 12 | 20 | 2 | 25 | 26 | 12 | [Leo] 1 | N. 4 | | 17 | 25 | 2 | 26 | 29 | 14 | 11 | 5 | | 22 |[Leo] 0| 1 | 27 |[Tau.]2| 17 | 20 | 1 | | 27 | 5 | 1 | 29 | 5 | 20 | 28 | S. 4 | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D.|[Moon]sets|[Moon]sou.| T. | | --> +----+----------+----------+----+------+ | 1 | A. | A. 38 | 3 | 20 | | 2 | 8 38 | 1 35 | 4 | 21 | | 3 | 9 19 | 2 32 | 5 | 22 | | 4 | 9 57 | 3 27 | 6 | 23 | | 5 | 10 30 | 4 19 | 7 | 24 | | 6 | 11 5 | 5 9 | 8 | 25 | | 7 | 11 37 | 5 59 | 8 | 26 | | 8 | 12 13 | 6 48 | 9 | 27 | | 9 | M. 13 | 7 37 | 10 | 28 | | 10 | 0 53 | 8 29 | 11 | 29 | | 11 | 1 33 | 9 19 | 12 | 30 | | 12 | 2 24 | 10 12 | 1 | July | | 13 | 3 15 | 10 59 | 1 | | | 14 | Moon | 11 45 | 2 | 3 | | 15 | rise | 12 34 | 3 | 4 | | 16 | A. | M. 34 | 3 | 5 | | 17 | 8 21 | 1 12 | 4 | 6 | | 18 | 8 50 | 1 55 | 4 | 7 | | 19 | 9 20 | 2 38 | 5 | 8 | | 20 | 9 49 | 3 22 | 6 | 9 | | 21 | 10 18 | 4 6 | 7 | 10 | | 22 | 10 50 | 4 54 | 7 | 11 | | 23 | 11 26 | 5 42 | 8 | 12 | | 24 | 12 7 | 6 30 | 9 | 13 | | 25 | M. 7 | 7 23 | 10 | 14 | | 26 | 0 50 | 8 20 | 11 | 15 | | 27 | 1 45 | 9 18 | 12 | 16 | | 28 | 2 47 | 10 18 | 1 | 17 | | 29 | 4 0 | 11 18 | 2 | 18 | | 30 | Moon | A. 16 | 3 | 19 | | 31 | sets | 1 15 | 4 | 20 | +----+----------+----------+----+------+
which, considering the Distance of the starry Heavens, would require a Motion infinitely more rapid than that above ascribed to the Earth. As for the common Objection against the Earth's Motion, that we are not sensible of it, and that a Stone thrown up from the Earth ought not to fall down upon the same Place again; it is answered at once by the above Comparison of a Ship, from which (as has been often found by Experiment) a Ball fired directly up in the Air, does not fall behind the Ship, let her Motion be ever so swift, but, partaking of the Ship's Motion, is carried forward in the Air, and falls down again upon the Deck. And as to the Objections taken from some Scripture Expressions, which seem to contradict the Theory of the Earth's Motion, it is plain, from innumerable Instances, that Revelation was not given to Mankind to make them Philosophers or deep Reasoners, but to improve them in Virtue and Piety; and that it was therefore proper it should be expressed in a Manner accommodated to common Capacities and popular Opinions in all Points merely speculative, and which were not to have any direct Influence upon the Hearts and Lives of Men. The Truth of the Matter is, that the Demonstrations given by the incomparable Sir _Isaac Newton_, have established the Doctrine of the Motion of the Earth and other Planets, and the Comets round the Sun, and of the [secondary]
*(page break)*
=AUGUST.= _VIII Month._
Thy Praise my Morning Song, my daily Theme, My Ev'ning Subject, and my Midnight Dream, When Grief oppresses, and when Pain assails; When all the Man, and all the Stoic fails; When fierce Tentation's stormy Billows roll; When Guilt and Horror overwhelm my Soul; With outward Ills contending Passions join'd, To shake frail Virtue, and unhinge the Mind; [When] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | 4 |Lammas Day. | 4 57 | 7 3 | | 2 | 5 | _More temperate_| 4 58 | 7 2 | | 3 | 6 |Days dec. 46 m. | 4 58 | 7 2 | | 4 | 7 | _then_ | 4 59 | 7 1 | | 5 | G |7 past Trin. | 5 0 | 7 0 | | 6 | 2 | _clouds, with_ | 5 1 | 6 59 | | 7 | 3 | _rain_ | 5 2 | 6 58 | | 8 | 4 |Day 13 54 long. | 5 3 | 6 57 | | 9 | 5 | _and_ | 5 4 | 6 56 | | 10 | 6 |St. Lawrence. | 5 5 | 6 55 | | 11 | 7 | _thunder;_ | 5 6 | 6 54 | | 12 | G |8 past Trin. | 5 8 | 6 52 | | 13 | 2 | _sultry weather,_| 5 9 | 6 51 | | 14 | 3 | _clouds, and_ | 5 10 | 6 50 | | 15 | 4 |Assum. V. =MARY.= | 5 11 | 6 49 | | 16 | 5 | _rain;_ | 5 13 | 6 47 | | 17 | 6 |Days dec. 1 18 | 5 14 | 6 46 | | 18 | 7 | _then more_ | 5 15 | 6 45 | | 19 | G |9 past Trin. | 5 16 | 6 44 | | 20 | 2 |Day 13 26 long. | 5 17 | 6 43 | | 21 | 3 | _temperate,_ | 5 18 | 6 42 | | 22 | 4 | _clear_ | 5 20 | 6 40 | | 23 | 5 | _and fair;_ | 5 21 | 6 39 | | 24 | 6 |St. =BARTHOL.= | 5 22 | 6 38 | | 25 | 7 | _flying_ | 5 24 | 6 36 | | 26 | G |10 past Trin. | 5 25 | 6 35 | | 27 | 2 |Days dec. 1 42 | 5 26 | 6 34 | | 28 | 3 | _clouds and_ | 5 27 | 6 33 | | 29 | 4 | _perhaps_ | 5 28 | 6 32 | | 30 | 5 |Day 13 h. long | 5 30 | 6 30 | | 31 | 6 | _rain._ | 5 31 | 6 29 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Virgo] 13 | [Venus] rise 1 40 | | 2 | 27 | _When out of Favour,_ | | 3 |[Libra] 11 | _none know_ | | 4 | 25 | _thee; when in,_ | | 5 |[Scorpio] 9 | _thou dost not_ | | 6 | 22 | [Trine] [Mars] [Mercury] _know_ | | 7 |[Sagittarius] 5 | 7 *s rise 10 55 | | 8 | 17 | _thyself._ | | 9 | 29 | [Moon] with [Saturn] | | 10 |[Capricorn] 11 | _A lean Award_ | | 11 | 23 | [Mercury] sets 7 54 | | 12 |[Aquarius] 5 | [Saturn] sou. 8 30 | | 13 | 17 | [Jupiter] rises 3 32 | | 14 | 29 | [Mars] rise 10 25 | | 15 |[Pisces] 11 | 7 *s rise 10 25 | | 16 | 23 | _is better than a_ | | 17 |[Aries] 5 | [Venus] rise 1 37 | | 18 | 17 | _fat Judgment._ | | 19 | 29 | _God, Parents,_ | | 20 |[Taurus] 12 | _and Instructors,_| | 21 | 25 | [Moon] with [Mars] _can_ | | 22 |[Gemini] 8 | [Sun] in [Virgo] [Trine] [Sun] [Saturn] | | 23 | 22 | _never be_ | | 24 |[Cancer] 6 | 7 *s rise 9 52 | | 25 | 21 | [Moon] with [Venus] _requited._ | | 26 |[Leo] 6 | [Moon] w. [Jupiter] | | 27 | 21 | [Saturn] sou. 7 36 | | 28 |[Virgo] 6 | [Jupiter] rise 2 54 | | 29 | 21 | [Moon] with [Mercury] | | 30 |[Libra] 6 | [Trine] [Mars] [Mercury] | | 31 | 21 | [Mars] rise 9 54 | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=AUGUST= hath XXXI Days.
D. H. --> First Q. 5 8 aft. Full [Fullmoon] 13 9 aft. Last Q. 21 9 aft. New [Moon] 28 10 mor.
{12 [Libra] 29 Deg. [Head] {22 29 {31 28
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars] |[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+- -----+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Leo] | [Cap.] | [Leo] | [Tau.]| [Gem.]| [Vir.] | | | 1 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 24 | 5 | S. 4 | | 6 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 28 | 11 | N. 2 | | 12 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 15 |[Can.]4| 17 | 5 | | 17 | 25 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 9 | 22 | 2 | | 22 |[Vir.]0| 0 | 4 | 20 | 14 | 24 | S. 3 | | 27 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 23 | 19 | 25 | 5 | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D. |[Moon]sets|[Moon]sou.| T. | | --> +----+----------+----------+----+------+ | 1 | 8 A. 25 | 2 A. 9 | 5 | 21 | | 2 | 9 3 | 3 1 | 6 | 22 | | 3 | 9 37 | 3 53 | 6 | 23 | | 4 | 10 12 | 4 44 | 7 | 24 | | 5 | 10 56 | 5 36 | 8 | 25 | | 6 | 11 37 | 6 28 | 9 | 26 | | 7 | 12 22 | 7 18 | 10 | 27 | | 8 | M. 22 | 8 18 | 11 | 28 | | 9 | 1 12 | 8 57 | 11 | 29 | | 10 | 2 2 | 9 45 | 12 | 30 | | 11 | 2 52 | 10 33 | 1 | 31 | | 12 | Moon | 11 18 | 2 | Aug. | | 13 | rises | 12 3 | 2 | | | 14 | A. | M. 3 | 3 | 3 | | 15 | 7 25 | 0 36 | 3 | 4 | | 16 | 7 43 | 1 20 | 4 | 5 | | 17 | 8 22 | 2 4 | 5 | 6 | | 18 | 8 51 | 2 49 | 5 | 7 | | 19 | 9 25 | 3 33 | 6 | 8 | | 20 | 10 3 | 4 23 | 7 | 9 | | 21 | 10 47 | 5 13 | 8 | 10 | | 22 | 11 42 | 6 10 | 9 | 11 | | 23 | 12 37 | 7 6 | 10 | 12 | | 24 | M. 37 | 8 6 | 11 | 13 | | 25 | 1 39 | 9 6 | 12 | 14 | | 26 | 2 51 | 10 4 | 1 | 15 | | 27 | 4 5 | 11 1 | 2 | 16 | | 28 | Moon | 11 58 | 2 | 17 | | 29 | sets. | A. 55 | 3 | 18 | | 30 | 7 A. 46 | 1 50 | 4 | 19 | | 31 | 8 23 | 2 45 | 5 | 20 | +----+----------+----------+----+------+
secondary Planets or Satellites round their Primaries, in such a Manner, as leaves no Room for any, but such as do not understand them, to hesitate about it. The Sun's apparent Rising and Setting is therefore owing to the Earth's turning round upon its own Axis; and his apparent Change of Place among the fixed Stars, to our real Change of Situation round the Sun. The different Seasons of the Year, with all their delightful Varieties, are owing to the most simple Contrivance that can be imagined, _viz._ The Inclination of the Earth's Axis to the Plane of the Ecliptic. Any Person who has not an Opportunity of seeing an Orrery, may easily represent this by an Apple or any other round Body with a Wire thrust through the Middle of it, and carried round a Table having a Candle placed on the Middle; if the lower End of the Wire be made to touch the Table all the Way round, and to lean a little, the upper End still pointing towards the same Side of the Room, by turning the Skewer round, as it is carried along, it will be easy to understand how the Earth's Turning once round upon her own Axis, makes a Day and a Night; and by carrying the Apple round the Table, it will be easy to shew how the Sun (represented by the Candle) must seem to change Place with regard to the fixed Stars; and by observing how differently the Light of the Candle enlightens the different Parts of the Apple as the Wire points toward [it]
*(page break)*
=SEPTEMBER.= _IX Month._
When Nature sinks; when Death's dark Shades arise, And this World's Glories vanish from these Eyes; Then may the Thought of Thee be ever near, To calm the Tumult, and compose the Fear. In all my Woes thy Favour my Defence; Safe in thy Mercy, not my Innocence, And through what future Scenes thy Hand may guide My wond'ring Soul, and thro' what States untry'd, [What] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | 7 |Dog Days end | 5 32 | 6 28 | | 2 | G |11 past Trin. | 5 33 | 6 27 | | 3 | 2 | _Clouds_ | 5 34 | 6 26 | | 4 | 3 | _and_ | 5 35 | 6 25 | | 5 | 4 |Days dec. 22 | 5 36 | 6 24 | | 6 | 5 | _like for_ | 5 38 | 6 22 | | 7 | 6 | _rain; then_ | 5 39 | 6 21 | | 8 | 7 |Nativ. V. =MARY.= | 5 40 | 6 20 | | 9 | G |12 past Trin | 5 41 | 6 19 | | 10 | 2 | _wind,_ | 5 43 | 6 17 | | 11 | 3 |Days 12 32 long. | 5 44 | 6 16 | | 12 | 4 |Days dec. 2 22 | 5 46 | 6 14 | | 13 | 5 | _fair and_ | 5 47 | 6 13 | | 14 | 6 |Holy Rood. | 5 49 | 6 11 | | 15 | 7 | _pleasant_ | 5 50 | 6 10 | | 16 | G |13 past Trin. | 5 51 | 6 9 | | 17 | 2 |Days 12 16 long. | 5 53 | 6 7 | | 18 | 3 | _for some_ | 5 54 | 6 6 | | 19 | 4 |Ember Week. | 5 56 | 6 4 | | 20 | 5 | _days;_ | 5 57 | 6 3 | | 21 | 6 |St. =MATTHEW.= | 5 58 | 6 2 | | 22 | 7 | _then clouds_ | 6 0 | 6 0 | | 23 | G |14 past Trin. | 6 1 | 5 59 | | 24 | 2 | _with wind_ | 6 3 | 5 57 | | 25 | 3 | _and_ | 6 4 | 5 56 | | 26 | 4 | _rain_ | 6 5 | 5 55 | | 27 | 5 |Days decr. 3 h. | 6 7 | 5 53 | | 28 | 6 | _towards the end._| 6 9 | 5 51 | | 29 | 7 |St. =MICHAEL.= | 6 9 | 5 51 | | 30 | G |Day 13 h. long | 5 30 | 6 30 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Scorpio] 5 | [Sextile] [Venus] [Mercury] _He that_ | | 2 | 18 | [Sextile] [Mars] [Venus] _builds_ | | 3 |[Sagittarius] 1 | [Venus] rises 1 51 | | 4 | 14 | _before he counts_ | | 5 | 27 | [Moon] with [Saturn] _the_ | | 6 |[Capricorn] 9 | _Cost, acts foolishly;_| | 7 | 21 | 7 *s rise 9 0 | | 8 |[Aquarius] 3 | _and he_ | | 9 | 15 | _that counts before_| | 10 | 27 | _he builds,_ | | 11 |[Pisces] 8 | _finds he did not_ | | 12 | 20 | [Saturn] set 11 16 | | 13 |[Aries] 2 | 7 *s rise 8 40 | | 14 | 14 | [Jupiter] ri. 2 11 _count_ | | 15 | 26 | [Conjunction] [Jupiter] [Venus] _wisely_. | | 16 |[Taurus] 9 | [Mars] rise 9 11 | | 17 | 22 | [Venus] rise 2 14 | | 18 |[Gemini] 5 | [Moon] with [Mars] | | 19 | 18 | Patience _in_| | 20 |[Cancer] 2 | _Market, is_ | | 21 | 16 | _worth Pounds_| | 22 |[Leo] 0 | [Sun] in [Libra] [Quartile] [Sun] [Saturn] | | 23 | 14 | [Moon] w. [Jupiter] & [Venus] _in a_ | | 24 | 29 | [Trine] [Sun] _Year._ | | 25 |[Virgo] 14 | [Moon] w. [Mercury] _Danger_ | | 26 | 29 | 7 *s rise 7 52 _is_ | | 27 |[Libra] 14 | [Saturn] set 10 21 | | 28 | 28 | [Jupiter] rise 1 30 | | 29 |[Scorpio] 12 | [Mars] r. 8 32 _Sauce_ | | 30 | 26 | _for Prayers._| +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=SEPTEMBER= hath XXX Days.
D. H. --> First Q. 4 8 mor. Full [Fullmoon] 12 at noon. Last Q. 20 4 mor. New [Moon] 26 9 aft.
{12 [Libra] 28 Deg. [Head] {22 28 {30 28
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars] |[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Vir.]| [Cap.] | [Leo] | [Tau.]| [Can.]| [Vir.] | | | 1 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 25 | 24 | 24 | N. 1 | | 6 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 27 | 29 | 20 | 5 | | 12 | 20 | 0 | 9 | 29 |[Leo] 6| 14 | 3 | | 17 | 25 | 0 | 9 |[Gem.]0| 11 | 12 | S. 2 | | 22 |[Lib.]0| 0 | 10 | 2 | 17 | 13 | 5 | | 27 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 23 | 17 | 1 | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D.|[Moon]sets|[Moon]sou.| T. | | --> +----+----------+----------+----+------+ | 1 | 9 1 | 3 36 | 6 | 21 | | 2 | 9 41 | 4 27 | 7 | 22 | | 3 | 10 23 | 5 17 | 8 | 23 | | 4 | 11 16 | 6 6 | 9 | 24 | | 5 | 12 10 | 7 1 | 10 | 25 | | 6 | M. 10 | 7 56 | 10 | 26 | | 7 | 0 54 | 8 41 | 8 | 26 | | 8 | 1 50 | 9 26 | 12 | 28 | | 9 | 2 48 | 10 11 | 1 | 29 | | 10 | 3 48 | 10 57 | 1 | 30 | | 11 | 4 37 | 11 37 | 2 | 31 | | 12 | Moon | 12 22 | 3 |Sept. | | 13 | rises. | M. 22 | 3 | | | 14 | 7 A. 7 | 0 57 | 4 | 3 | | 15 | 7 39 | 1 43 | 4 | 4 | | 16 | 8 14 | 2 30 | 5 | 5 | | 17 | 8 57 | 3 22 | 6 | 6 | | 18 | 9 43 | 4 14 | 7 | 7 | | 19 | 10 37 | 5 8 | 8 | 8 | | 20 | 11 39 | 6 2 | 9 | 9 | | 21 | 12 41 | 6 59 | 9 | 10 | | 22 | M. 41 | 7 55 | 10 | 11 | | 23 | 1 44 | 8 52 | 11 | 12 | | 24 | 2 53 | 9 48 | 12 | 13 | | 25 | Moon | 10 43 | 1 | 14 | | 26 | sets | 11 37 | 2 | 15 | | 27 | A. | A. 31 | 3 | 16 | | 28 | 7 0 | 1 25 | 4 | 17 | | 29 | 7 39 | 2 19 | 5 | 18 | | 30 | 8 23 | 3 13 | 6 | 19 | +----+----------+----------+----+------+
it, or from it, the Cause of the Difference of the Seasons, of the Length of the Days and Nights, of the Sun's shining more directly or more obliquely upon different Parts of the Earth, and of the Heat of Summer, and Cold of Winter, may be made plain to any Capacity. That the Earth is of a round, or nearly round Figure, is plain from the Shadow it casts upon the Face of the Moon in a partial Eclipse of the Moon, which is always round, and never of any other Figure. It is also manifest from what it always observed at Sea, _viz._ That a Ship, as it approaches, first shews its Masts and Sails, and by Degrees its lower Parts, till it becomes all visible; and, as it goes off, its Hulk is first lost, and then its Sails and upper Parts, till it be quite hid by the Convexity or Roundness of the Surface of the Ocean.
As the Earth is carried round the Sun once in a Year, so is the Moon carried round the Earth once in about twenty-seven Days, accompanying her in her whole Revolution, at the above-mentioned Distance of two hundred and forty thousand Miles, and keeping always the same Face towards the Earth. That the Moon goes round the Earth, as her Centre, is evident to the Eye. For, when she is between the Sun and the Earth, she is invisible to us, her dark Side being turned toward us. When she goes a little Way forward in her Revolution, so as to come from between [us]
*(page break)*
=OCTOBER.= _X Month._
What distant Seats soe'er I may explore, When frail Mortality shall be no more; If aught of meek or contrite in thy Sight Shall fit me for the Realms of Bliss and Light, Be this the Bliss of all my future Days, To view thy Glories, and to sing thy Praise. When the dread Hour, ordain'd of old, shall come, Which brings on stubborn Guilt its righteous Doom, [When] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | 2 | _Moderate_ | 6 12 | 5 48 | | 2 | 3 | _and pleasant,_| 6 13 | 5 47 | | 3 | 4 |Days 11 32 long. | 6 14 | 5 46 | | 4 | 5 | _but_ | 6 15 | 5 45 | | 5 | 6 | _soon turns_ | 6 16 | 5 44 | | 6 | 7 |Days dec. 3 26 | 6 18 | 5 42 | | 7 | G |16 past Trin. | 6 19 | 5 41 | | 8 | 2 | _to rain,_ | 6 20 | 5 40 | | 9 | 3 | _with high_ | 6 21 | 5 39 | | 10 | 4 | _wind, and_ | 6 22 | 5 38 | | 11 | 5 | _cool,_ | 6 23 | 5 37 | | 12 | 6 |Days dec. 3 40 | 6 25 | 5 35 | | 13 | 7 | _then more_ | 6 26 | 5 34 | | 14 | G |17 past Trin. | 6 27 | 5 33 | | 15 | 2 | _settled_ | 6 29 | 5 31 | | 16 | 3 |Day 11 h. long. | 6 30 | 5 30 | | 17 | 4 | _and fair,_ | 6 31 | 5 29 | | 18 | 5 |=ST. LUKE.= | 6 32 | 5 28 | | 19 | 6 | _warm,_ | 6 34 | 5 26 | | 20 | 7 |Day dec. 4 h. | 6 35 | 5 25 | | 21 | G |18 past Trin. | 6 37 | 5 23 | | 22 | 2 |K Geo. II. cro. | 6 38 | 5 22 | | 23 | 3 | _and flying_ | 6 39 | 5 21 | | 24 | 4 | _clouds,_ | 6 40 | 5 20 | | 25 | 5 |Crispin. | 6 41 | 5 19 | | 26 | 6 | _then_ | 6 43 | 5 17 | | 27 | 7 |Days 10 32 long. | 6 44 | 5 16 | | 28 | G |=SIMON= and =JUDE.= | 6 45 | 5 15 | | 29 | 2 | _cold rain,_ | 6 46 | 5 14 | | 30 | 3 | _and wind._ | 6 48 | 5 12 | | 31 | 4 | _rain._ | 6 49 | 5 11 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Sagittarius] 10 | _If you have_ | | 2 | 23 | [Venus] rise 3 45 | | 3 |[Capricorn] 5 | [Moon] with [Saturn] _no_ | | 4 | 17 | _Honey in your_ | | 5 | 29 | 7 *s rise 7 20 | | 6 |[Aquarius] 11 | [Sextile] [Sun] [Jupiter] [Quartile] [Mars] | | | | [Venus] | | 7 | 23 | [Quartile] [Saturn] [Mercury] _Pot,_ | | 8 |[Pisces] 5 | [Trine] [Mars] [Mercury] _have_ | | 9 | 17 | _some in your_ | | 10 | 29 | _Mouth._ | | 11 |[Aries] 11 | _A Pair of_ | | 12 | 23 | [Saturn] sets 9 33 | | 13 |[Taurus] 6 | [Sextile] [Jupiter] [Mercury] _good_ | | 14 | 19 | 7 *s rise 6 46 | | 15 |[Gemini] 2 | [Moon] with [Mars] _Ears_ | | 16 | 15 | [Jupiter] rises 12 42 | | 17 | 29 | Sirius ri. 12 0 | | 18 |[Cancer] 13 | [Mars] rises 7 20 | | 19 | 27 | [Venus] rises 3 23 | | 20 |[Leo] 11 | [Moon] with [Jupiter] _will_ | | 21 | 25 | _drain dry an_ | | 22 |[Virgo] 9 | [Conjunction] [Sun] [Mercury] _hundred_ | | 23 | 24 | [Sun] in [Scorpio] [Conjunction] [Moon] | | | | [Venus] | | 24 |[Libra] 9 | [Sextile] [Saturn] [Mercury] | | 25 | 23 | [Sextile] [Sun] [Saturn] _Tongues._ | | 26 |[Scorpio] 7 | [Moon] with [Mercury] | | 27 | 21 | [Saturn] set 8 40 | | 28 |[Sagittarius] 4 | Sirius ri. 11 20 | | 29 | 17 | [Trine] [Mars] [Venus] | | 30 |[Capricorn] 0 | [Conjunction] [Moon] [Saturn] [Quartile] | | | | [Saturn] [Venus] | | 31 | 13 | [Jupiter] rise 11 55 | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=OCTOBER= hath XXXI Days.
D. H. --> First Q. 3 11 aft. Full [Fullmoon] 12 4 mor. Last Q. 19 10 mor. New [Moon] 26 5 mor.
{12 [Libra] 28 Deg. [Head] {22 28 {31 28
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars] |[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Lib.]| [Cap.] | [Leo] | [Gem.]| [Leo] | [Vir.] | | | 2 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 28 | 24 | N. 4 | | 7 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 3 |[Vir.]4|[Lib.] 2 | 5 | | 12 | 19 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 0 | | 17 | 24 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 16 | 20 | S. 4 | | 22 | 29 | 2 | 15 | 2 | 22 | 29 | 4 | | 27 |[Sco.]4| 2 | 15 | 1 | 28 |[Sco.] 7 | N. 2 | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+-----------+----+------+ | D. |[Moon]sets|[Moon] sou.| T. | | --> +----+----------+-----------+----+------+ | 1 | 9 18 | 4 A. 10 | 7 | 20 | | 2 | 10 9 | 5 7 | 8 | 21 | | 3 | 11 2 | 5 56 | 8 | 22 | | 4 | 11 58 | 6 44 | 9 | 23 | | 5 | 12 54 | 7 31 | 10 | 24 | | 6 | M. 54 | 8 17 | 11 | 25 | | 7 | 1 46 | 9 1 | 12 | 26 | | 8 | 2 42 | 9 45 | 12 | 27 | | 9 | 3 42 | 10 30 | 1 | 28 | | 10 | 4 36 | 11 14 | 2 | 29 | | 11 | Moon | 11 57 | 2 | 30 | | 12 | rises | 12 41 | 3 | Oct. | | 13 | 6 A. 24 | M. 41 | 3 | | | 14 | 7 5 | 1 25 | 4 | 3 | | 15 | 7 48 | 2 19 | 5 | 4 | | 16 | 8 37 | 3 13 | 6 | 5 | | 17 | 9 38 | 4 11 | 7 | 6 | | 18 | 10 46 | 5 9 | 8 | 7 | | 19 | 11 55 | 6 5 | 9 | 8 | | 20 | Morn. | 7 0 | 10 | 9 | | 21 | 1 0 | 7 50 | 10 | 10 | | 22 | 2 4 | 8 40 | 11 | 11 | | 23 | 3 14 | 9 36 | 12 | 12 | | 24 | 4 27 | 10 31 | 1 | 13 | | 25 | Moon | 11 24 | 2 | 14 | | 26 | sets | A. 17 | 3 | 15 | | 27 | A. | 1 10 | 4 | 16 | | 28 | 7 9 | 2 3 | 5 | 17 | | 29 | 8 0 | 2 56 | 5 | 18 | | 30 | 8 56 | 3 48 | 6 | 19 | | 31 | 9 42 | 4 39 | 7 | 20 | +----+----------+-----------+----+------+
us and the Sun, we see a small Part of her Body enlightned, and so on still more and more, till she comes to be in Opposition to the Sun, and then we see all that Side of her which the Sun shines upon, when we say she is full; though the Sun does not, in Reality, enlighten any more of her Body at Full than at new Moon; only her enlightened Side is turned towards us in the one Case, and from us in the other. This whole Matter may be made very plain to any Capacity in the same Manner as is above directed with regard to the Earth's Revolution round the Sun, by carrying a smaller Apple or Ball to represent the Moon round the first, which represents the Earth, and observing how the Light of the Candle shining upon the little Ball must appear to a Fly or other Insect placed upon the large one. Whenever the Moon happens to come exactly between the Earth and the Sun, she stops the Light of the Sun, and then we say, the Sun is eclipsed; and according as the Moon happens to cover a Part or the Whole of the Sun's Face, we call the Eclipse partial or total. Sometimes a total Eclipse of the Sun happens when the Moon is at her greatest Distance from the Earth (for she does not go round the Earth in an exact Circle, as neither do any of the rest of the primary or secondary Planets round their Centers) and then, as all Objects appear smaller according to their Distance, she does not cover the whole Face of the Sun, but a part [of]
*(page break)*
=NOVEMBER.= _XI Month._
When Storms of Fire on Sinners shall be pour'd, And all th' Obdurate in thy Wrath devour'd; May I then hope to find a lowly Place To stand the meanest or th' etherial Race; Swift at thy Word to wing the liquid Sky, And on thy humblest Messages to fly. Howe'er thy blissful Sight may raise my Soul, While vast Eternity's long Ages roll, [Perfection] +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | 5 |All Saints. | 6 50 | 5 10 | | 2 | 6 |Days dec. 4 32 | 6 51 | 5 9 | | 3 | 7 | _Clouds_ | 6 52 | 5 8 | | 4 | G |20 past Trin. | 6 53 | 5 7 | | 5 | 2 |Powder Plot. | 6 54 | 5 6 | | 6 | 3 |Day 10 10 long. | 6 55 | 5 5 | | 7 | 4 | _and threatens_| 6 56 | 5 4 | | 8 | 5 | _cold_ | 6 58 | 5 2 | | 9 | 6 | _rain or snow._| 6 59 | 5 1 | | 10 | 7 |K.Geo.II. b.1683 | 7 0 | 5 0 | | 11 | G |21 past Trin. | 7 1 | 4 59 | | 12 | 2 | _then_ | 7 3 | 4 57 | | 13 | 3 | _pleasant_ | 7 4 | 4 56 | | 14 | 4 |Days dec. 5 h. | 7 5 | 4 55 | | 15 | 5 | _and suita-_ | 7 6 | 4 54 | | 16 | 6 | _to the_ | 7 7 | 4 53 | | 17 | 7 | _season,_ | 7 8 | 4 52 | | 18 | G |22 past Trin. | 7 9 | 4 51 | | 19 | 2 | _but follow'd_| 7 10 | 4 50 | | 20 | 3 |Day 9 38 long. | 7 11 | 4 49 | | 21 | 4 | _by cold_ | 7 12 | 4 48 | | 22 | 5 | _cloudy,_ | 7 12 | 4 48 | | 23 | 6 |Days dec. 5 16 | 7 13 | 4 47 | | 24 | 7 | _weather,_ | 7 14 | 4 46 | | 25 | G |23 past Trin. | 7 15 | 4 45 | | 26 | 2 | _with snow_ | 7 16 | 4 44 | | 27 | 3 | _or rain_ | 7 16 | 4 44 | | 28 | 4 |Days dec. 5 24 | 7 17 | 4 43 | | 29 | 5 | _and wind._ | 7 18 | 4 42 | | 30 | 6 |St. =ANDREW.= | 7 18 | 4 42 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Capricorn] 25 | [Mars] rise 6 13 | | 2 |[Aquarius] 7 | _Serving God is_ | | 3 | 19 | _Doing Good to_ | | 4 |[Pisces] 1 | _Man, but Praying_ | | 5 | 13 | _is thought_ | | 6 | 25 | [Venus] rise 4 2 _an_ | | 7 |[Aries] 7 | _easier Service,_ | | 8 | 19 | [Quartile] [Sun] [Jupiter] _and_ | | 9 |[Taurus] 2 | _therefore more_ | | 10 | 15 | Sirius ri. 10 27 | | 11 | 28 | [Moon] with [Mars] _generally_ | | 12 |[Gemini] 11 | [Sextile] [Jupiter] [Venus] | | 13 | 25 | [Saturn] sets 7 35 _chosen._ | | 14 |[Cancer] 9 | [Jupiter] ri. 11 4 | | 15 | 23 | 7 *s sou. 12 4 | | 16 |[Leo] 7 | [Opposition] [Sun] [Mars] _Nothing_ | | 17 | 21 | [Moon] w [Jupiter] _humbler_ | | 18 |[Virgo] 5 | [Mars] sou. 11 51 | | 19 | 19 | Sirius rises 9 51 | | 20 |[Libra] 3 | [Venus] rise 4 29 | | 21 | 17 | [Sun] in [Sagittarius] _than_ | | 22 |[Scorpio] 1 | [Conjunction] [Moon] [Venus] [Trine] | | | | [Jupiter] [Mercury] | | 23 | 15 | Ambition, _when_ | | 24 | 29 | _it is about to_ | | 25 |[Sagittarius] 12 | 7 *s sou. 11 26 | | 26 | 25 | [Conjunction] [Moon] [Mercury] [Sextile] | | | | [Saturn] [Venus] | | 27 |[Capricorn] 8 | [Moon] with [Saturn] | | 28 | 21 | [Saturn] sets 6 37 | | 29 |[Aquarius] 3 | [Jupiter] rises 9 57 | | 30 | 15 | _climb._ | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=NOVEMBER= hath XXX Days.
D. H. --> First Q. 2 6 aft. Full [Fullmoon] 10 8 aft. Last Q. 17 7 aft. New [Moon] 24 8 aft.
{12 [Libra] 27 Deg [Head] {22 27 {30 26
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places. | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars] |[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL| +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+ | | [Sco.]| [Cap.] | [Leo] | [Tau.]| [Lib.]| [Sco.] | | | 1 | 9 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 5 | N. 5 | | 6 | 14 | 3 | 16 | 28 | 10 | 23 | 3 | | 12 | 20 | 3 | 17 | 26 | 17 | [Sag.] 2| S. 3 | | 17 | 25 | 4 | 17 | 24 | 23 | 10 | 5 | | 22 |[Sag.]1| 4 | 17 | 22 | 0 | 17 | 0 | | 27 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 21 |[Sco.]6| 24 | N. 5 | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+---------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D. |[Moon]sets|[Moon]sou.| T. | | --> +----+----------+----------+----+------+ | 1 | 10 45 | 5 29 | 8 | 21 | | 2 | 11 44 | 6 15 | 9 | 22 | | 3 | 12 40 | 7 0 | 10 | 23 | | 4 | M. 40 | 7 44 | 10 | 24 | | 5 | 1 35 | 8 27 | 11 | 25 | | 6 | 2 30 | 9 10 | 12 | 26 | | 7 | 3 21 | 9 53 | 12 | 27 | | 8 | 4 23 | 10 39 | 1 | 28 | | 9 | Moon | 11 25 | 2 | 29 | | 10 | rises | 12 14 | 3 | 30 | | 11 | A. | M. 14 | 3 | 31 | | 12 | 6 37 | 1 6 | 4 | Nov. | | 13 | 7 32 | 2 4 | 5 | | | 14 | 8 33 | 3 1 | 6 | 3 | | 15 | 9 39 | 3 56 | 6 | 4 | | 16 | 10 48 | 4 51 | 7 | 5 | | 17 | 11 58 | 5 43 | 8 | 6 | | 18 | Morn. | 6 35 | 9 | 7 | | 19 | 1 4 | 7 26 | 10 | 8 | | 20 | 2 6 | 8 16 | 11 | 9 | | 21 | 3 15 | 9 8 | 12 | 10 | | 22 | 4 25 | 10 0 | 1 | 11 | | 23 | Moon | 10 55 | 1 | 12 | | 24 | sets | 11 50 | 2 | 13 | | 25 | A | A. 42 | 3 | 14 | | 26 | 6 34 | 1 34 | 4 | 15 | | 27 | 7 31 | 2 27 | 5 | 16 | | 28 | 8 23 | 3 19 | 6 | 17 | | 29 | 9 25 | 4 4 | 7 | 18 | | 30 | 10 20 | 4 49 | 7 | 19 | +----+----------+----------+----+------+
of his Body is seen round the Moon like a shining Ring. But, if the Moon happens to come between the Earth and Sun, when she is at her least Distance from the Earth, she appears then so large as to cover the whole Face of the Sun, and makes, for some Minutes, a Darkness equal to that of Twilight. When the Earth comes exactly between the Sun and the Moon, she darkens a Part of the Whole of the Moon's Face, and makes an Eclipse of the Moon. The Earth being a Body about thirty or forty Times larger than the Moon, casts a Shadow large enough to eclipse the Moon, if her Diameter were three Times greater than it is, whereas the Shadow of the Moon can never eclipse the whole Face of the Earth together. If the Moon revolved round the Earth in the same Plane as the Earth goes round the Sun, there would be constantly an Eclipse of the Sun every New, and of the Moon every full Moon. But to prevent this Inconvenience, the Author of Nature has ordered Matters so, that the Course of the Moon round the Earth is sometimes above and sometimes below that of the Earth round the Sun, so that their Shadows generally miss one another. These Motions are so exactly regulated, that Astronomers can foretel Eclipses to Minutes at an hundred Years Distance, than which there is not a more remarkable Instance either of human Sagacity, or of the Truth of that Expression of [Scripture]
*(page break)*
=DECEMBER.= _XII Month._
Perfection on Perfection tow'ring high, Glory on Glory rais'd, and Joy on Joy, Each Pow'r improving in the bright'ning Mind, To humble Virtues, lofty Knowledge join'd; Be this my highest Aim, howe'er I soar, Before thy Footstool prostrate to adore, My brightest Crown before thy Feet to lay, My Pride to serve, my Glory to obey. =_END_=
+----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | | | Remark. days, &c. |[Sun]ris|[Sun]set| --> +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+ | 1 | 7 |Day 9 24 long. | 7 19 | 4 41 | | 2 | G |Advent Sunday. | 7 19 | 4 41 | | 3 | 2 | _Cold and_ | 7 20 | 4 40 | | 4 | 3 |Days dec. 5 30. | 7 20 | 4 40 | | 5 | 4 | _raw, then_ | 7 21 | 4 39 | | 6 | 5 |Days 9 18 long. | 7 22 | 4 38 | | 7 | 6 | _more pleasant,_| 7 22 | 4 38 | | 8 | 7 |Concep. V. M. | 7 23 | 4 37 | | 9 | G |2d in Advent. | 7 23 | 4 37 | | 10 | 2 | | 7 24 | 4 36 | | 11 | 3 |Days 9 12 long. | 7 24 | 4 36 | | 12 | 4 | _frost and_ | 7 24 | 4 36 | | 13 | 5 |St. Lucy. | 7 24 | 4 36 | | 14 | 6 |Days decr. 5 40 | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 15 | 7 | _flying clouds,_| 7 25 | 4 35 | | 16 | G |3d in Advent. | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 17 | 2 | _then more_ | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 18 | 3 | _moderate_ | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 19 | 4 |Ember Week. | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 20 | 5 | _and clear,_ | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 21 | 6 |St. =THOMAS.= | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 22 | 7 |Days 9 10 long. | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 23 | G |4th in Advent. | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 24 | 2 | _but windy,_ | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 25 | 3 |=CHRIST= born. | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 26 | 4 |St. =STEPHEN.= | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 27 | 5 |St. =JOHN.= | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 28 | 6 |=INNOCENTS.= | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 29 | 7 |Days 9 10 long. | 7 25 | 4 35 | | 30 | G | _cold and cloudy._ | 7 24 | 4 36 | | 31 | 2 |Silvester. | 7 24 | 4 36 | +----+---+----------------------------+--------+--------+
+----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | | [Moon] pl. | Aspects, &c. | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+ | 1 |[Aquarius] 27 | _The discontented_ | | 2 |[Pisces] 9 | [Mars] sou. 10 32 | | 3 | 21 | _Man finds no_ | | 4 |[Aries] 3 | _easy Chair._ | | 5 | 15 | Sirius rise 8 41 | | 6 | 27 | [Conjunction] [Saturn] [Mercury] [Quartile] | | | | [Jupiter] [Venus] | | 7 |[Taurus] 10 | [Venus] rises 5 0 | | 8 | 23 | [Conjunction] [Moon] [Mars] [Trine] [Sun] | | | | [Jupiter] | | 9 |[Gemini] 7 | 7 *s sou. 10 28 | | 10 | 21 | _Virtue and a_ | | 11 |[Cancer] 5 | _Trade, are_ | | 12 | 19 | [Jupiter] rise 9 1 | | 13 |[Leo] 3 | Sirius rise 8 7 | | 14 | 17 | [Moon] with [Jupiter] _a_ | | 15 |[Virgo] 2 | [Quartile] [Jupiter] [Mars] _Child's_ | | 16 | 16 | 7 *s sou. 9 56 | | 17 |[Libra] 0 | [Mars] sou. 9 14 | | 18 | 14 | [Venus] rises 5 23 | | 19 | 28 | _best Portion._ | | 20 |[Scorpio] 12 | _Gifts much_ | | 21 | 25 | [Sun] in [Capricorn] Shor. D | | 22 |[Sagittarius] 8 | [Conjunction] [Moon] [Venus] [Conjunction] | | | | [Saturn] [Mercury] | | 23 | 21 | Sirius rises 7 23 | | 24 |[Capricorn] 4 | [Moon] with [Saturn] & [Mercury] | | 25 | 17 | [Conjunction] [Sun] [Mercury] _expected,_ | | 26 | 29 | _are paid,_ | | 27 |[Aquarius] 11 | [Jupiter] rise 7 51 | | 28 | 23 | 7 *s sou. 9 0 | | 29 |[Pisces] 5 | [Conjunction] [Sun] [Saturn] _not_ | | 30 | 17 | [Trine] [Jupiter] [Venus] _given._ | | 31 | 29 | Sirius rise 6 48 | +----+-----------------+---------------------------------------------+
*(page break)*
=DECEMBER= hath XXXI Days.
D. H. --> First Q. 2 4 aft. Full [Fullmoon] 10 8 mor. Last Q. 17 5 mor. New [Moon] 24 10 mor.
{12 [Libra] 25 Deg [Head] {22 24 {31 23
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Planets Places | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | D. | [Sun] |[Saturn]|[Jupiter]|[Mars] |[Venus]|[Mercury]|[Moon]^sL.| +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+ | | [Sag.]| [Cap.] | [Leo] | [Tau.]| [Sco.]| | | | 2 | 11 | 5 | 17 | 20 | 12 | 1 | N. 4 | | 7 | 16 | 6 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 7 | S. 1 | | 12 | 21 | 6 | 17 | 18 | 25 | 11 | 5 | | 17 | 26 | 7 | 17 | 17 |[Sag.]1| 12 | 2 | | 22 |[Cap.]1| 8 | 16 | 18 | 7 | 8 | N. 3 | | 27 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 5 | +----+-------+--------+---------+-------+-------+---------+----------+
+----+----------+----------+----+------+ | D. |[Moon]sets|[Moon]sou.| T. | | --> +----+----------+----------+----+------+ | 1 | 11 20 | 5 30 | 8 | 20 | | 2 | 12 14 | 6 10 | 9 | 21 | | 3 | M. 14 | 6 54 | 9 | 22 | | 4 | 1 7 | 7 38 | 10 | 23 | | 5 | 2 6 | 8 21 | 11 | 24 | | 6 | 3 0 | 9 4 | 12 | 25 | | 7 | 4 0 | 9 54 | 12 | 26 | | 8 | 5 0 | 10 43 | 1 | 27 | | 9 | Moon | 11 40 | 2 | 28 | | 10 | rises | 12 36 | 3 | 29 | | 11 | A. | M. 36 | 3 | 30 | | 12 | 7 17 | 1 36 | 4 | Dec.| | 13 | 8 20 | 2 30 | 5 | | | 14 | 9 30 | 3 24 | 6 | 3 | | 15 | 10 50 | 4 18 | 7 | 4 | | 16 | 11 53 | 5 11 | 8 | 5 | | 17 | 12 55 | 6 2 | 9 | 6 | | 18 | M. 55 | 6 53 | 9 | 7 | | 19 | 1 59 | 7 44 | 10 | 8 | | 20 | 3 8 | 8 36 | 11 | 9 | | 21 | 4 12 | 9 28 | 12 | 10 | | 22 | 5 10 | 10 20 | 1 | 11 | | 23 | Moon | 11 12 | 2 | 12 | | 24 | sets | A. 4 | 3 | 13 | | 25 | A. | 12 53 | 3 | 14 | | 26 | 6 59 | 1 42 | 4 | 15 | | 27 | 7 58 | 2 27 | 5 | 16 | | 28 | 8 53 | 3 11 | 6 | 17 | | 29 | 9 52 | 3 55 | 6 | 18 | | 30 | 10 49 | 4 39 | 7 | 19 | | 31 | 11 45 | 5 21 | 8 | 20 | +----+----------+----------+----+------+
Scripture, "That the Works of God are all made in Number, Weight and Measure." It is certain, by Observations made with good Telescopes, that, though the Face of the Moon is covered with innumerable Inequalities like the Mountains upon the Earth, there is no great Collection of Waters upon it, like our Oceans; nor is there any Reason, from her Appearance through those Instruments, to suppose she has any such Appendage belonging to her as our Atmosphere of Air. If the Moon is inhabited (as she may for any Thing we know) those who live on one Side or Hemisphere never can see our World, and those who live on the other can never lose Sight of it, except when the Earth comes between them and the Sun, as she keeps always one Side turned towards us. Those who live about the middle Parts of the Hemisphere that looks towards the Earth, must see it always directly over their Heads with much the same Appearances as the Moon makes to us, sometimes horned, sometimes half, and sometimes wholly illuminated, but of a vastly greater Bulk than the Moon appears to us. It seems highly probable, that the Attraction of the Moon acting more strongly upon the Fluid than the solid Parts of our Terraqueous Globe is the Cause of our Tides, as they answer so exactly to her Motions and Distances from us, and other Circumstances. To enter upon that Theory, however, would be beside my present Purpose. [_Remainder in our next._]
*(page break)*
=ECLIPSES=, 1753.
This Year there will be four Eclipses, two of the _Sun_, and two of the _Moon_.
The First Eclipse will be of the _Moon_, on _Tuesday_, the 17th Day of _April_, about Two a Clock in the Afternoon, and therefore it cannot be seen here; but in _London_ the Moon will rise five Digits eclipsed.
The Second will be of the _Sun_, on _Thursday_, the 3d of _May_, about Two a Clock in the Morning, therefore invisible.
The Third Eclipse will be of the _Moon_, on _Friday_, the 12th Day of _October_, in the Morning, when, if the Air be clear, the Moon will be seen eclipsed almost six Digits; it begins at 26 min. after Two, and ends at 56 min. past Four, so that the whole Duration is two Hours and thirty Minutes.
The =TYPE=.
North.
East. [Illustration] West.
South.
The Fourth is a _Solar_ Eclipse on _Friday_, the 26th of _October_, about Five a Clock in the Morning, invisible here.
*(page break)*
On _Sunday_, the 6th Day of _May_, in the Morning, the Planet _Mercury_ may be seen to make a black Spot in the _Sun_'s Body, according to the following Calculation.
D. h. m. Middle Time of the true [Conjunction] 1753, _May_ 5 15 43 P. M. Equation of Time, add 4 Apparent Time of the true [Conjunction] 5 15 47 Mean Anomaly of the _Sun_, 10 6 21 Mean Anomaly of _Mercury_, 10 19 47 Dist. of the [Sun] from the [Earth] Log. 5,004518 [Mercury] from the [Sun] 4,656557 [Mercury] from the [Earth] 4,745839 Geocentrick Longitude [Sun] and [Mercury] [Taurus] 15° 53' 0" Geocentrick Latitude, 3 19 Anomaly of Commutation, 6 0 0 Inclination, or Heliocentrick Lat. of [Mercury] S.A. 4 3 Elongation to fix Hours before the true [Conjunction] 23 24 Difference of Latitude in fix Hours, 4 18 Angle of the visible Way, 10 25 Nearest Approach of their Centers, 3 15 Motion from the Middle to the true [Conjunction] 35 Latitude of [Mercury] at the Middle, 3 4 Motion of Half the visible Way, 15 24 Motion of Half Duration, 15 9 Diff. of Lat. between the Mid. Begin. & End, 2 47 Geocentrick Latitude at the Beginning, S. A. 0 17 Geocentrick Latitude at the End, S. A. 5 51 Time from the true [Conjunction] to the Middle, 9 4 Time of Half Duration, 3 53 The Arch of the [Sun]'s Perimeter at the Begin. 1 2 The Arch of the [Sun]'s Perimeter at the End, 21 48 Apparent Semidiameter of the _Sun_, 15 45 Apparent Semidiameter of [Mercury] 0 6 _Mercury_ enters the Sun's Disk, _May_ 5, 11 44 P. M. Middle or nearest Approach of the Centers, 15 37 True Conjunction, 15 46 _Mercury_ emerges out of the Disk, 19 31 Total Duration of this Eclipse, 7 47
The astronomical Time when _Mercury_ goes off the _Sun_'s Disk, being reduced to common Time, is _May_ the 6th, at 31 min. after Seven in the Morning. The _Sun_ rises at 1 min. past Five, and if you get up betimes, and put on your Spectacles, you will see _Mercury_ rise in the _Sun_, and will appear like a small black Patch in a Lady's Face.
*(page break)*
The =TYPE= of this Eclipse at Sun-rising.
North.
East. [Illustration: SUN, West. Ecliptick, [Mercury] Orb of _Mercury_.]
South.
Dr. _Halley_ puts this Conjunction an Hour forwarder than by this Calculation.
----------------------
This is to give Notice to all Persons that shall have Occasion of transporting themselves, Goods, Wares, or Merchandize from Philadelphia to New-York, or from the latter to the former, That by =JOSEPH BORDEN=, junior, there is a Stage-boat, well fitted and kept for that Purpose, Nicholas George, Master, and, if Wind and Weather permit, will attend at the Crooked Billet Wharff, in Philadelphia, every Monday and Tuesday in every Week, and proceed up to Borden-Town (not Burlington) on Wednesday, and on Thursday Morning a Stage-waggon, with a choice good Awning, kept by Joseph Richards, will be ready to receive them, and proceed directly to John Cluck's, opposite the City of Perth-Amboy, who keeps a House of good Entertainment; and on Friday a Stage-boat, with a large commodious Cabbin, kept by Daniel Obryant, will be ready to receive them, and proceed directly to New-York, and give her Attendance at the Whitehall Slip, near the Half Moon Battery. If People be ready at the Stage Days and Places, 'tis believed they may pass quicker by Twenty-four Hours than any other Way as our Land Carriage is ten Miles shorter than by Way of Burlington, and our Waggon does not fail to go thro' in a Day. We expect to give better Satisfaction this Year than last, by reason we are more acquainted with the Nature of the Business, and have more convenient Boats, Waggons and Stages, and will endeavour to use People in the best Manner we are capable of; and hope all good People will give it the Encouragement it deserves, and us, as the Promoters of such a publick Good. =JOSEPH BORDEN=, junior, =JOSEPH RICHARDS=, and =DANIEL OBRYANT=.
N. B. Joseph Borden's Shallop, Charles Vandyke, Master, will also be at Philadelphia every Friday and Saturday in every Week; enquire for him at the Queen's Head; he proceeds to Borden-Town (not Burlington) on Sunday, and the Stage-waggon also proceeds to Amboy every Monday in every Week.
*(page break)*
_Mayor's Courts for the City_
Are held quarterly at _Annapolis_, viz. The last tuesday in _January_, _April_, _July_ and _October_.
----------------------
_How to secure Houses_, &c. _from_ =LIGHTNING=.
It has pleased God in his Goodness to Mankind, at length to discover to them the Means of securing their Habitations and other Buildings from Mischief by Thunder and Lightning. The Method is this: Provide a small Iron Rod (it may be made of the Rod-iron used by the Nailers) but of such a Length, that one End being three or four Feet in the moist Ground, the other may be six or eight Feet above the highest Part of the Building. To the upper End of the Rod fasten about a Foot of Brass Wire, the Size of a common Knitting-needle, sharpened to a fine Point; the Rod may be secured to the House by a few small Staples. If the House or Barn be long, there may be a Rod and Point at each End, and a middling Wire along the Ridge from one to the other. A House thus furnished will not be damaged by Lightning, it being attracted by the Points, and passing thro the Metal into the Ground without hurting any Thing. Vessels also, having a sharp pointed Rod fix'd on the Top of their Masts, with a Wire from the Foot of the Rod reaching down, round one of the Shrouds, to the Water, will not be hurt by Lightning.
----------------------
=QUAKERS= _General Meetings are kept_,
At Philadelphia, the 3d Sunday in March. At Chester-River, the 2d Sunday in April. At Duck-Creek, the 3d Sunday in April. At Salem, the 4th Sunday in April. At West River on Whitsunday. At Little Egg-Harbour, the 3d Sunday in May. At Flushing, the last Sunday in May, and last in Nov. At Setacket, the 1st Sunday in June. At New-town, (Long-Island) the last Sunday in June. At Newport, the 2d Friday in June. At Westbury, the last Sunday in August, and last in February. At Philadelphia, the 3d Sunday in September. At Nottingham, the last Monday in September. At Cecil, the 1st Saturday in October. At Choptank the 2d Saturday in October. At Little-Creek, the 3d Sunday in October. At Shrewsbury the 4th Sunday in October. At Matinicok the last Sunday in October.
----------------------
=_FAIRS= are kept_,
At Noxonton April 29, and October 21. Cohansie May 5, and October 27. Wilmington May 9, and November 4. Salem May 12, and October 31. Newcastle May 14, and Nov. 14. Chester May 16, and Oct. 16. Bristol May 19, and Nov. 9. Burlington May 21, and Nov. 12. Philadelphia May 27, and November 27. Lancaster June 12, and Nov. 12. Marcus-Hook Oct. 10. Annapolis May 12, and Oct. 10. Charlestown May 3, and Oct. 29.
*(page break)*
_Supreme_ COURTS _in_ Pennsylvania, _are held_,
At _Philadelphia_, the tenth Day of _April_, and the twenty-fourth Day of _September_.
_Courts of Quarter Sessions, are held_,
At _Philadelphia_, the 1st Monday in _March_, _June_, _September_ and _December_. At _Newtown_, for _Bucks_ County, on the 11th Day following (inclusive) in every of the Months aforesaid. At _Chester_, the last Tuesday in _May_, _August_, _November_ and _February_. At _Lancaster_, the 1st Tuesday in each. At York, the last Tuesday in April, July, October and January. At Cumberland, the Tuesdays preceding York Courts. At _Reading_, for _Berks_ County, the Tuesd. next after _Lancaster_ Co. At _Easton_, for _Northampton_ County, the Tuesd. next aft. _Bucks_ Co.
_Courts of Common Pleas, are held_,
At _Philadelphia_, the 1st Wednesday after the Quarter-Sessions in _March_, _June_, _Sept._ and _Decem._ At _Newtown_, the 9th Day following (inclusive) in every of the Months aforesaid. At _Chester_, the last Tuesday in _May_ _August_, _Novem._ and _Febr._ At _Lancaster_, the 1st Tuesd. in the Months aforesaid. At _Sussex_, the 1st, at _Kent_, the 2d, and at _Newcastle_, the 3d Tuesday in the same Months.
_Mayor's Courts in_ Philadelphia, _are held_,
The first Tuesday in _January_, _April_, _July_, and the last Tuesday in _October_.
_Supreme Courts in_ New-Jersey, _are held_,
At _Amboy_, the 3d tuesday in _March_, and the 2d tuesday in _August_. At _Burlington_, the 2d tuesday in _May_, and the 1st tuesday in _November_.
_Courts for Trial of Causes brought to issue in the Supreme Court, are held_,
For _Salem_ and _Cape May_ Counties the 3d, for _Gloucester_ the 4th tuesday in _April_. For _Hunterdon_, the 1st tuesday in _May_. For _Somerset_ the 2d, For _Bergen_ the 4th tuesday in _October_. For _Essex_, the next tuesd. following. For _Monmouth_, the next tuesday after that.
*(page break)*
_General Sessions and County Courts, are held_,
In _Bergen_ County, the 1st tuesday in _January_ and _October_, and the 2d tuesday in _June_. In _Essex_ the 2d tuesday in _January_ and _May_, the 3d tuesday in _June_, and 4th in _September_. In _Middlesex_ the 3d tuesdays in _January_, _April_ and _July_, and the 2d tuesday in _October_. In _Somerset_, the first tuesdays in _January_, _April_ and _October_, and the 2d tuesdays in _June_. In _Monmouth_, the 4th tuesdays in _January_, _April_ and _July_, and 3d in _October_. In _Hunterdon_, the first tuesdays in _February_ and _August_, the 3d in _May_, and 4th in _October_. In _Burlington_, the 1st tuesdays in _May_ and _November_, and the 2d in _February_ and _August_. In _Gloucester_, the 2d tuesday in _June_, 3d in _September_, and 4th in _December_ and _March_. In _Salem_, the 1st tuesday in _June_, 3d in _February_ and _August_, and 4th in _November_. In _Cape-May_, the 1st tuesday in _February_ and _August_, the 3d in _May_, and the 4th tuesday in _October_. For the Borough-town of _Trenton_, the 1st tuesday in _March_, 1st in _June_, 1st in _September_, and the 1st in _December_.
_Supreme Courts in_ New-York, _are held_,
At _New-York_, the 3d tuesday in _April_, last in _July_, and 3d in _October_ and _January_. At _Richmond_, the 2d tuesday in _April_. At _Orange_, 1st tuesday in _June_. At _Dutchess_, the 2d tuesday in _June_. At _Ulster_, the thursday following. At _Albany_, the 4th tuesday in _June_. At _Queen's_ County the 1st, at _Suffolk_ the 2d, at _King's_ County the 3d, and at _West Chester_ the 4th tuesday in _September_.
_Courts of Sessions and Common Pleas_,
At _New-York_, the 1st tuesday in _May_, _August_, _November_ and _February_. At _Albany_ the 1st tuesday in _June_ and _October_, and 3d tuesday in _January_. At _West Chester_, the 4th tuesday in _May_ and _October_. In _Ulster_, the 1st tuesdays in _May_, and 3d in _Sept._ In _Richmond_, the 3d tuesday in _March_, and 4th in _September_. In _King's_, the 3d tuesday in _April_ and _October_. In _Queen's_, the 3d tuesday in _May_ and _September_. In _Suffolk_, the last tuesday in _March_, and first in _October_. In _Orange_, the last tuesday in _April_ and _October_. In _Dutchess_ County, the 3d tuesday in _May_ and _October_.
_Provincial Courts in_ Maryland,
Two in a Year held at _Annapolis_, viz. The 2d tuesday in _April_ and _September_.
County Courts. At _Talbot_, _Baltimore_, _Worcester_, and _St. Mary's_, the 1st tuesday in _March_, _June_, _August_ and _November_. At _Dorchester_, _Cæcil_, _Ann-Arundel_, and _Charles_ Counties, the 2d tuesday in the same Months; at _Kent_, _Calvert_, _Frederick_, and _Somerset_, the 3d tuesday in the same Months; at _Queen Anne_'s and _Prince George_'s the 4th tuesday in the same Months.
*(page break)*
=ROADS= Northeastward.
From _Philadelphia_ to _Bristol_ 20, to _Trenton_ 10, to _Prince-Town_ 12, to _Kingston_ 3, to _Brunswick_ 12, to _Amboy_ 12, to the _Narrows_ 18, to _Flat-Bush_ 5, to _New-York_ 5, to _Kingsbridge_ 18, to _East-Chester_ 6, to _Newrochell_ 4, to _Rye_ 4, to _Horseneck_ 7, to _Stanford_ 7, to _Norwalk_ 10, to _Fairfield_ 12, to _Stratford_ 8, to _Milford_ 4, to _Newhaven_ 10, to _Branford_ 10, to _Gilford_ 12, to _Killingsworth_ 10, to _Seabrook_ 10, to _New-London_ 18, to _Stonington_ 15, to _Pemberton_ 10, to _Darby_ 3, to _Frenchtown_ 24, to _Providence_ 20, to _Woodcock's_ 15, to _Billend's_ 10, to _White's_ 7, to _Dedham_ 6, to _Boston_ 10, to _Lyn_ 9, to _Salem_ 8, to _Ipswich_ 14, to _Newberry_ 11, to _Hampton_ 9, to _Portsmouth_ 13, to _York_ 9, to _Wells_ 14, to _Kennebunk_ 6, to _Biddeford_ 14, to _Scarborough_ 7, to _Falmouth_ 13, to _Yarmouth_ 10, to _Brunswick_ 15, to _Richmond_ 16, to _Taconick_ _Falls_ 33, to _Norridgewock_ 31. In all 600 Miles.
=ROADS= Southwestward.
From _Philadelphia_ to _Darby_ 7, to _Chester_ 9, to _Brandewyne_ 14, to _Newcastle_ 6, to _Elk River_ 17, to _N. East_ 7, to _Sasquehanna_ 9, to _Gunpowder Ferry_ 25, to _Petapsco Ferry_ 20, to _Annapolis_ 30, to _Queen Ann's Ferry_ 13, to _Upper Marlborough_ 9, to _Port Tobacco_ 30, to _Hoe's Ferry_ 10, to _Southern's Ferry_ 30, to _Arnold's Ferry_ 36, to _Clayborn's Ferry_ 22, to _Freneaux_ 12, to _Williamsburg_ 16, to _Hog-Island_ 7, to _Isle of Wight Court-House_ 18, to _Nansemond Court-House_ 20, to _Bennet's Creek-Bridge_ 30, to _Edenton_ 30, over the _Sound to Bell's Ferry_ 8, to _Bath-Town_, on _Pamlico-River_ 45, to _Grave's Ferry_, on _Neu's River_ 32, to _Whitlock River_ 20, to _New-River Ferry_ 30, to _Newtown_, on _Cape-Fear River_, 45, to _Lockwood's Folly_ 15, to _Shallot River_ 8, to the Eastern End of _Long-Bay_ 22, to the Western End of _Long-Bay_ 25, to _George-Town_, _Wynyaw_, 30, to _Santee Ferry_ 12, to _Jonah Collins's_ 18, to _Hobcaw Ferry_, against _Charles Town_, 30. In all 767 Miles.
----------------------
Bibles, Common-Prayers, Testaments, Spelling-books, Psalters, Primmers, Copy-books for Children, and all Sorts of Stationary, to be sold by =DAVID HALL=, at the _New-Printing-Office_, in _Market-street, Philadelphia_.
*(page break)*
TO JOSEPH HUEY
Philadelphia, June 6, 1753.
SIR,
I received your kind Letter of the 2d inst., and am glad to hear that you increase in Strength; I hope you will continue mending, 'till you recover your former Health and firmness. Let me know whether you still use the Cold Bath, and what Effect it has.
As to the Kindness you mention, I wish it could have been of more Service to you. But if it had, the only Thanks I should desire is, that you would always be equally ready to serve any other Person that may need your Assistance, and so let good Offices go round, for Mankind are all of a Family.
For my own Part, when I am employed in serving others, I do not look upon myself as conferring Favours, but as paying Debts. In my Travels, and since my Settlement, I have received much Kindness from Men, to whom I shall never have any Opportunity of making the least direct Return. And numberless Mercies from God, who is infinitely above being benefited by our Services. Those Kindnesses from Men, I can therefore only Return on their Fellow Men; and I can only shew my Gratitude for these mercies from God, by a readiness to help his other Children and my Brethren. For I do not think that Thanks and Compliments, tho' repeated weekly, can discharge our real Obligations to each other, and much less those to our Creator. You will see in this my Notion of good Works, that I am far from expecting [(as you suppose) that I shall ever][44] to merit Heaven by them. By Heaven we understand a State of Happiness, infinite in Degree, and eternal in Duration: I can do nothing to deserve such rewards: He that for giving a Draught of Water to a thirsty Person, should expect to be paid with a good Plantation, would be modest in his Demands, compar'd with those who think they deserve Heaven for the little good they do on Earth. Even the mix'd imperfect Pleasures we enjoy in this World, are rather from God's Goodness than our Merit; how much more such Happiness of Heaven. For my own part I have not the Vanity to think I deserve it, the Folly to expect it, nor the Ambition to desire it; but content myself in submitting to the Will and Disposal of that God who made me, who has hitherto preserv'd and bless'd me, and in whose Fatherly Goodness I may well confide, that he will never make me miserable, and that even the Afflictions I may at any time suffer shall tend to my Benefit.
The Faith you mention has doubtless its use in the World. I do not desire to see it diminished, nor would I endeavour to lessen it in any Man. But I wish it were more productive of good Works, than I have generally seen it: I mean real good Works, Works of Kindness, Charity, Mercy, and Publick Spirit; not Holiday-keeping, Sermon-Reading or Hearing; performing Church Ceremonies, or making long Prayers, filled with Flatteries and Compliments, despis'd even by wise Men, and much less capable of pleasing the Deity. The worship of God is a Duty; the hearing and reading of Sermons may be useful; but, if Men rest in Hearing and Praying, as too many do, it is as if a Tree should Value itself on being water'd and putting forth Leaves, tho' it never produc'd any Fruit.
Your great Master tho't much less of these outward Appearances and Professions than many of his modern Disciples. He prefer'd the _Doers_ of the Word, to the meer _Hearers_; the Son that seemingly refus'd to obey his Father, and yet perform'd his Commands; to him that profess'd his Readiness, but neglected the Work; the heretical but charitable Samaritan, to the uncharitable tho' orthodox Priest and sanctified Levite; & those who gave Food to the hungry, Drink to the Thirsty, Raiment to the Naked, Entertainment to the Stranger, and Relief to the Sick, tho' they never heard of his Name, he declares shall in the last Day be accepted, when those who cry Lord! Lord! who value themselves on their Faith, tho' great enough to perform Miracles, but have neglected good Works, shall be rejected. He profess'd, that he came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to repentance; which imply'd his modest Opinion, that there were some in his Time so good, that they need not hear even him for Improvement; but now-a-days we have scarce a little Parson, that does not think it the Duty of every Man within his Reach to sit under his petty Ministrations; and that whoever omits them [offends God. I wish to such more humility, and to you health and happiness, being your friend and servant,]
B. FRANKLIN.
THREE LETTERS TO GOVERNOR SHIRLEY[45]