ADDITIONAL DATA. 141 



things as they really are, with the uses they are capa- 

 ble of being applied to for general benefit, but that 

 such real facts or truths could not possibly pass thro' 

 such tainted conduits without contracting a tange that 

 would so disguise them as to deceive the world and 

 eventually do discredit to every member of the 

 Society. " . . .Franklin Papers in A.P.S., II., Folio 

 201. 



WILLIAM SMITH IN EULOGIUM ON BENJAMIN FKANKLIN. 

 "For the purpose of aiding his and increasing the 

 materials of information, one of the first societies 

 formed by Dr. Franklin, was in the year 1728, about 

 the 22d of his age, and was called the JUNTO. It con- 

 sisted of a select number of his younger friends, who 

 met weekly for the "Discussion of Questions in 

 Morality, Politics and Natural Philosophy. " The 

 Number was limited to twelve members, who were 

 bound together in all the ties of friendship, not only 

 In mutual communication of knowledge, but in all their 

 worldly undertakings. This Society, after having sub- 

 sisted forty years, and having contributed to the for- 

 mation of some very great men, besides Dr. Franklin 

 himself, became at last the foundation of the American 

 Philosophical Society, now assembled to pay the debt 

 of gratitude to his memory. A book containing many 

 of the questions discussed by the Junto was, on the 

 formation of the American Philosophical Society, de- 

 livered into my hands, for the purpose of being 



