Letters to Benjamin Franklin 557 



From Mme. Brillon. [1778?] Tuesday morning. 



Jesting reply to a letter of Franklin's. Promises to be his wife in 

 heaven. Willing to spend eternity with her friends and in the manner 

 described by Franklin. Would, however, exclude one woman from 

 amongst those named by Franklin. A. L. i p. (In French.) 



XLIII, 64. 



From Mme. Brillon. [Circa 1778.] 19th. Passy. 



Reflections on the shortness of human life and the vanity and useless- 

 ness of our desires and wishes which make life seem still shorter. We 

 can neither stop time nor hasten its course. We should make the best 

 use of it by acquiring wisdom and loving our friends. A. L. i p. 

 (In French.) XLIII, 56. 



From [Mme. Brillon. Circa 1778.] 



Fragment of a humorous article in Mme. Brillon's handwriting which 

 seems to refer to Franklin and his relations with her. Incomplete. 

 A. L. I p. (In French.) XLIII, 85. 



From Mme. Brillon. [Circa 1778.] Saturday morning. 



Cannot entertain him at tea that evening. Tells him to give that 

 evening to her amiable rival, Mme. Helvetius. Will dine at his house 

 on Sunday as usual. A. L. i p. (In French.) XLIII, 109. 



From Mme. Brillon. [Circa 1778.] 



Asking Franklin to take tea with her and her family in the afternoon. 

 A. L. I p. (In French.) XLIII, no. 



From Mme. Brillon. [Circa 1778.] Sunday morning. 



About a letter of Franklin's to her which had got into the hands of 

 other persons. Very much annoyed at the occurrence. A. L. i p. 

 (In French.) XLIII, 72. 



From Mme. Brillon. [1778?] 



Letter in anonymous form giving the views of a certain lady on love 

 as opposed to those of a certain gentleman (Franklin). She asserts that 

 she is a follower of Plato, while he is an Epicurean and a disciple of 

 Anacreon. Platonic love is a convenient safeguard for the fair sex 



