193 



to have been but little in that character of the element of sub- 

 limity. We do not meet with many bright elevations of 

 thought, or powerful, enchanting impulses of sentiment, or 

 brilliant, transient glimpses of ideal worlds. Strong, indepen- 

 dent, comprehensive, never remitting intelligence, proceeding 

 on the plain ground of things, and acting in a manner always 

 equal to, and never appearing at moments to surpass itself, 

 constituted his mental power. In its operation it has no ris- 

 ings and fallings, no disturbance into eloquence or poetry, no 

 cloudiness of smoke indeed, but no darting flames. A conse- 

 quence of this perfect uniformity is, that all subjects treated 

 appear to be on a level, the loftiest and most insignificant 

 being commented on in the same unalterable strain of calm, 

 plain sense, which brings all things to its own standard, inso- 

 much that a great subject shall sometimes seem to become less 

 while it is elucidated and less commanding while it is 

 enforced. In discoursing of serious subjects, Franklin imposes 

 gravity on the reader, but does not excite solemnity, and 

 on grand ones he never displays or inspires enthusiasm." 



Although his works fill ten stately volumes, Franklin never 

 wrote a book for publication. 



The "Autobiography " was intended solely for the pleasure 

 of his intimate friends. The sayings of Poor Kichard were 

 prepared for his yearly Almanac, with purely utilitarian ends 

 in view. His scientific discoveries were announced, with few 

 exceptions, in letters to his friends, who printed them without 

 his knowledge or consent. 



His political papers appeared in the newspapers and reviews, 

 iu letters, or prefaces, and in occasional pamphlets. Some of 

 his brightest and most finished essays were set up and printed 

 by his own hand, as broadsides, on a little printing-press which 

 he had in his apartments while Minister to France. 



PROC, AMER. PHILOS. SOC, XXVIII. 133. Y. PRINTED JUNE 2, 1890. 



