185 



Richard," as this composition was variously called, touched by 

 its simple wisdom, responsive chords in the hearts of all 

 simple-minded people. 



Its influence was amazingly great. No one was better able 

 than Franklin to judge of its extent, no one less likely to 

 exaggerate it. 



Writing about it, in 1788, he said : 



" The piece, being universally approved, was copied in all 

 the newspapers of the continent ; reprinted in Britain on 

 broadsides, to be stuck up in houses ; two translations were 

 made of it in French, and great numbers bought by the clergy 

 and gentry to distribute gratis among their poor parishioners 

 and tenants. In Pennsylvania, as it discouraged useless 

 expense in foreign superfluities, some thought it had its share 

 in producing that growing plenty of money which was observ- 

 able for several years after its publication." * 



Ford's bibliography shows that since it was written, one 

 hundred and twenty-three years ago, "Father Abraham's 

 Speech " has been reprinted about three times for each year. 

 Seventy or more separate editions in English have appeared, 

 fifty-six in French, eleven in German, and some in Italian. It 

 was printed in Danish at Copenhagen (1801, 1820) ; in Catalan 

 at Montroulez (1820) and Morlais (1882); in Greek in Paris 

 (1823) ; in Dutch at The Hague (1828) ; in Portuguese in Paris 

 (1828) ; in Bohemian at Teshen (1838) ; in Welsh in London 

 (1839) ; in Spanish at Caracas in Venezuela (1858) ; in Rus- 

 sian at St. Petersburg (1809), and in Chinese at Peking (in 

 1884), as well as in Polish and the phonetic characters. 



Ford is quite justified in saying that it has been oftener printed 

 and translated than any other book from an American pen. 



* Autobiography, Bigelow edition, i, 250. 



PROC. AMEK. PHILOS. SOC. XXVIII. 133. X. PRINTED JUNE 2, 1890. 



