AS Printer and Philosopher 69 



an enthusiastic idealism. He was the very embodiment 

 of common sense, moderation, and sober honesty. His 

 standard of human society is perfectly expressed in the 

 description of New England which he wrote in 1772. 

 " I thought often of the happiness in New England, 

 where every man is a freeholder, has a vote in public 

 affairs, lives in a tidy, warm house, has plenty of good 

 food and fuel, and whole clothes from head to foot, the 

 manufacture perhaps of his own family. Long may 

 they continue in this situation!" Such was Franklin's 

 conception of a free and happy people. Such was his 

 political philosophy. 



The moral philosophy of Franklin consisted almost 

 exclusively in the inculcation of certain very practical 

 and unimaginative virtues, such as temperance, frugal- 

 ity, industry, moderation, cleanliness, and tranquility. 

 Sincerity and justice, and resolution — that indispensable 

 fly-wheel of virtuous habit — are found in his table of 

 virtues; but all his moral precepts seem to be based on 

 observation and experience of life, and to express his 

 convictions concerning what is profitable, prudent, and 

 on the whole satisfactory in the life that now is. His 

 philosophy is a guide of life, because it searches out 

 virtues and so provides the means of expelling vices. 

 It may reasonably determine conduct. It did determine 

 Franklin's conduct to a remarkable degree, and has had 

 a prodigious influence for good on his countrymen and 



