52 FuRNESS: Franklin 



I have long been, my dear friend, Yours most sincerely, 

 B. Franklin." 



Now listen to the conclusion of the reply: " If to 

 be venerated for benevolence," writes Washington, " if 

 to be admired for talents, if to be esteemed for patriot- 

 ism, if to be beloved for philanthropy, can gratify the 

 human mind, you must have the pleasing consolation 

 to know, that you have not lived in vain. And I flat- 

 ter myself that it will not be ranked among the least 

 grateful occurrences of your life to be assured, that, 

 so long as I retain my memory, you will be recollected 

 with respect, veneration, and affection by your sincere 

 friend, George Washington." 



Ah, throughout the inflowing tide of time and cir- 

 cumstance, will history ever, ever see again the like 

 of him, the greatest of all our citizens? But let our 

 gratitude, like incense, mount the skies that one such 

 has been vouchsafed to us. 



" There's not a breathing of the common wind 

 That will forget him." 



The demi-god of war, who brought into millions of 

 homes, bitter sobs and blinding tears, sleeps beneath a 

 lofty dome, with marble angels gazing sadly on his 

 porphyry tomb. 



The demi-god of peace, who scattered plenty o'er 

 a smiling land, and brought into millions of homes. 



