Letters from Benjamin Franklin 485 



the Culture of Silk, and is glad the purchase he made was satisfactory. 

 As the sum exceeds his disbursement the overplus will wait his orders. 

 The truss was sent, is vexed that it did not come to hand, and must 

 inquire what became of it. A. L. S. i p. LXIX, 8. 



To [Barbeu] Dubourg. 1772. December 26. London. 



Spelling. Will enquire of Messrs. Dilly for the American [Philo- 

 sophical Society's] Transactions, A. Dr. of L S. 2 p. XLV, 61. 

 Printed in Works (Smyth, V, 463). 



To Madame [A . Circa 1772.] 



Informs her that there is no grant of land as yet to be obtained 

 from those concerned in the new colony, their grant from the Crown 

 not having yet passed the Seals. Thinks with so many children she 

 will be better in Pennsylvania than in London ; the children can be got 

 into sober, industrious families and taught a trade on much easier 

 terms than in London. Mr. A — 's dexterity in business may induce 

 his being engaged in some store. Thinks Mrs. A — could open a 

 boarding school for girls. Refers her to Mr. and Mrs. [Richard] 

 Bache. A. Dr. of L. S. i p. XLV, 71. 



To [Barbeu] Dubourg. [^Circa 1772.] 



Acknowledges receipt of package containing two parcels of the 

 Ephemerides. Sends salutations to Madame Dubourg, Mile. Biheron 

 and other friends. Promises himself the happiness of seeing them and 

 him once more, for he thinks of returning home (when he does return) 

 through France and Italy, taking his passage at Leghorn in some of the 

 ships that go thither with corn or fish. A. L. S. i p. (First part 

 missing.) XLVI(i), 63. 



Directions for Discovering Whether the Power that gives the Shock 

 in Touching the Torpedo or the Gymnotus of Surinam is 

 Electrical or not. [Circa 1772.] 

 A. Dr. of Mem. i p. L(i), 49. 



Printed in Works (Sparks, V, 412; Bigelow, III, 466; Smyth, V, 539). 



To . i772(?). 



Relative to the use of pointed conductors in Philadelphia and London 

 to secure buildings from lightning. Pointed conductors for the maga- 



