484 Letters from Benjamin Franklin 



To Mrs. [Deborah] Franklin, Philadelphia. 1772. August 22. London. 



Had a severe attack of the gout but is somewhat better. Mrs. 

 [Benjamin] West has another son to whom he is godfather. His 

 other godson, Billy Hewson, is a fine boy. Mr. [Alexander] Small 

 returned home full of the praises of America. Rejoices that she had so 

 much pleasure with her kingbird [Benjamin Franklin Bache]. A. 

 L. S. 2 p. XLVI(ii), 83. 



Observations on Pointed Lightning Rods. 



[1772. August 27. London.] 



Relative to the size of conductors necessary to protect houses from 

 lightning. (Incomplete.) A. Dr. of Diss. 2 p. (Fragment.) 



L(ii), 32. 

 Printed in Works (Sparks, V, 435; Bigelow, IV, 508; Smyth, V, 420). 



To [Due de la Valliere]. 1772. September 4. 



With the greatest pleasure he received the information of his nomina- 

 tion by the King to fill a vacancy in the Academy of Sciences as 

 Associe etranger; begs him to present to His Majesty his grateful 

 acknowledgments. A. Dr. of L. S. i p. (With a French translation.) 



XLV, 59. 



To [John] Huske. 1772. September 6. London. 



America is obliged to him for his continued good wishes and schemes ; 

 the obtaining money from the poor treasury to forward such schemes, 

 although beneficial to America, is out of all expectation. A new colony 

 is forming where good land may be had cheap. A. Dr. of L. S. i p. 



XLV, 60a. 



Printed in Works (Smyth, V, 435). 



To [John] Walsh. 1772. September 6. London. 



Glad that he intends publishing an account of his experiments. Dr. 

 [Joseph] Priestley found that growing vegetables restore air that has 

 been spoilt by putrefaction. A. Dr. of L. S. i p. XLV, 6ob. 



Printed in Works (Smyth, V, 436). 



To Dr. Cadwalader Evans, Philadelphia. 

 [Franked " B., Free, Franklin"]. 1772. December 2. London. 



Is much concerned to hear of his illness. Has received his favor of 

 October 21st, with bill drawn by order of the Managers for Promoting 



