1791] R^V. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 34 1 



He made experiments to show, that boats are drawn with more diffi- 

 culty in small canals, than in greater bodies of water. 



He made and published experiments for improving the art of swim- 

 ming, and for allaying thirst by bathing in sea-water. 



He published observations on the gradual progress of northeast 

 storms along the American coasts, contrary to the direction of the 

 wind ; and likewise to ascertain the course, velocity, and temperature 

 of the Gulf-stream, for the benefit of navigation. 



He contrived experiments, and recommended them to the late Dr. 

 Ingenhauz, for determining the relative powers of different metals for 

 conducting heat, which were accordingly made. 



He revived and improved the harmonica, or glassichord, and extended 

 his speculations to the finer arts ; showing that he could taste and 

 criticise even the compositions of a Handel ! 



He left behind him some very curious thoughts and conjectures con- 

 cerning "an universal fluid ; the original formation of the earth; and 

 how far, from attentive observations made during the summer, it may 

 be possible to foretell the mildness or severity of the following winter." 

 These were the fruits of some of his leisure hours at Passy, during his 

 ministry at the court of France, where his time in general was devoted, 

 with the greatest dignity, and the most splendid success, to the political 

 objects of his mission. 



That success was much promoted by the high reputation which j-'e 

 sustained, as a patriot and philosopher, among the patriots and philoso- 

 phers of a generous and enlightened nation. Of this the fullest testi- 

 mony is to be found in the letters of condolence on his death,* from 

 the national assembly of that country, to the President and Congress of 

 the United States ; and the public mourning decreed on that occasion — 

 an honor, perhaps the first of the kind which has ever been paid by a 

 public body of one nation to a citizen of another. But all nations 

 considered themselves as being interested in him, and the homage was 

 therefore more justly due to his manes and his name ! . 



Dr. Franklin, having taken leave of the court of France, left Passy 

 on the 1 2th of July, and arrived at Philadelphia, the 13th of Septem- 

 ber, 1785, where he Wcis welcomed with joy by his fellow-citizens of all 

 classes; and, in testimony of their heartfelt sense of his eminent vir- 

 tues and past services, he was unanimously elected bv them to the gov- 

 ernment of the commonwealth, for the three succeeding years; being 

 the longest term which the constitution of Pennsylvania then allowed. 

 During that term, he was also appointed a member of the general con- 

 vention, for forming and establishing a constitution for the United States 



* The Duke de la Rochefoucault made him acquainted with the celebrated Turgot, 

 who wrote the memorable motto under his portrait : 

 " Fnpuit Coelo fulnien, mox sceptra Tyrannis." 



