All Accounts of the Discontent so general in our Colonies, have of late Years been industriously smothered, and concealed here; it seeming to suit the Views of the American Minister to have it understood, that by his great Abilities all Faction was subdued, all Opposition suppressed, and the whole Country quieted. — That the true…
All posts in The Writings of Benjamin Franklin, Vol I: Boston & London
A Plan of Conduct
Those who write of the art of poetry teach us that if we would write what may be worth the reading, we ought always, before we begin, to form a regular plan and design of our piece: otherwise, we shall be in danger of incongruity. I am apt to think it is the same as…
A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain
Whatever is, is in its Causes just Since all Things are by Fate; but purblind Man Sees but a part o’ th’ Chain, the nearest Link, His Eyes not carrying to the equal Beam That poises all above. Dryd. To Mr. J. R. SIR, I have here, according to your Request, given you my present Thoughts of the general…
Abigail Twitterfield to Honest Doctor JANUS
To assert, That because Posterity is a Blessing, therefore those who want it are cursed, is a meer Platonick Dream. Honest Doctor JANUS, Seeing you have ever manifested a Readiness to assist the fair Sex as there has been Occasion, we flatter our selves that what we have now to offer, will by your next Paper be convey’d…
Timothy Wagstaff to Old Master JANUS
Quo semel est imbuta recens, servabit odorem Testa diu. To old Master JANUS. Sir, The extravagant Notions which some Men entertain from the Influence of Education and Custom, may be thought worth Notice in your Paper, if we consider only, that the Sufferings of its late Publisher were owing in a great measure to his carrying…