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In the same year, animal magnetism attracting much attention in the world, particularly at Paris, the king of France appointed commissioners to examine into the foundation of this pretended science, amongst whom he requested Dr Franklin would act. The leader in the profitable exhibitions of this science to the public, one Mesmer, had already made an immense fortune. After a fair and diligent examination, in the course of which he and his pupils repeated a number of experiments, some of which were tried upon themselves, they determined that the whole was a mere trick, and reported accordingly, to the entire destruction of the fame and hopes of this adventurer.

Human undertakings are not often accomplished so successfully as were all the ends of Dr Franklin's mission in Europe. His country had obtained the alliances and every important aid she sought in the war; she had conquered a glorious and satisfactory peace; and if her commercial relations with Europe were as yet unsettled, it was attributable in a great degree to the magnitude and novelty of her claims. She rose before the rest of the civilized world, as the great progenitor of men rose upon earth-at once mature! Well might the situation she was to occupy puzzle those who were only learned in books and precedents!

Mr Jefferson having been appointed his successor, Dr Franklin took leave of the French court by a respectful letter, and, being accommodated with the king's mules and litter, proceeded by easy stages from Passy, July 12, 1785.

At Nantes he was met by a messenger from cardinal de Rochefoucault, who invited him to stop at the palace of that prelate, at Gaillon, the next day.

At Rouen he was complimented by a deputation from the Academy; and arrived at Havre on the 18th.

From this port our philosopher, accompanied by his grandsons, crossed in the packet to Southampton, and at 7 p. m. of Saturday the 23rd, saw the land of the British Isles once more-the Isle of Wight.

He landed at Southampton next day, and found

there his son, who had arrived from London, and his friends Messrs Williams and Alexander. Dr Franklin immediately wrote a letter to acquaint his friend the bishop of St Asaph, who was in the neighbourhood, of his arrival. After dinner he had the great pleasure of embracing him and his family.

Monday the 25th, he domesticated himself with bishop Shipley at the Star inn, where, during their stay, the whole party breakfasted and dined together.

Here a variety of family and friendly business engaged Dr Franklin's attention until the 26th. His son, William Franklin, conveyed certain lands in New Jersey and New York to his grandson, Mr T. Franklin. English books poured in upon him from friends in London, among the rest Paley's Moral Philosophy, which was now first published.

While taking a bath here, our philosopher states that he fell asleep upon the water on his back, and remained without sinking or turning until he awoke, nearly an hour afterwards! Always fond of the

water as he was, and learned in the details of swimming, this was a quiet triumph over that element which he declares he never before enjoyed, and could scarcely have thought possible.

On the 27th, he gave a power to his son to recover what was due to him from the British government, and after dinner went on board the London Packet, a Philadelphia vessel, with all his English friends. The captain entertained them hospitably in the evening, the company remaining on board all night; when he woke in the morning, the ship was under sail, and his friends gone!

It was during this voyage across the Atlantic, that he wrote a valuable paper, called "Improvements in Navigation," addressed to his friend M. Le Roy of Paris, from which we have already given an

extract.

Wednesday, September 14th, he landed at Marketstreet wharf, Philadelphia:-received, says an historian, amidst the acclamations of an immense num

ber of the inhabitants, who flocked from all parts in order to see him, and conducted him in triumph to his own house. In the mean time, the cannon and bells of the city announced the glad tidings to the neighbouring country; and he was waited upon by the congress, the university, and all the principle citizens, who were eager to testify their esteem and veneration for his character.

"His entry into Philadelphia," says another writer, "resembled a triumph; and he traversed the streets of that capital amidst the benedictions of a free and grateful people, who had not forgotten his services.

"The warriors who had shed their blood for an independence, ensured by means of his sagacity, were eager to exhibit to him their glorious wounds. He was surrounded by old men, who had petitioned heaven to live long enough to behold his return; and by a new generation eager to survey the features of a great man, whose talents, whose services, and whose virtues, had excited in their hearts the first raptures of enthusiasm. Having advanced from a port, henceforth open to all nations, to a city, the model of all future capitals, he beheld the public school which he had founded, in a state of splendour; and saw the hospital, the establishment of which had been one of his first services, and the increase of which was owing to his foresight, now fully commensurate to all his wishes: the latter by solacing suffering humanity; the former by aiding the progress of reason. He then turned his eyes towards the neighbouring country, embellished by liberty, in which, in the midst of public prosperity, were still to be seen some vestiges of the ravages of the English; but these only served by their contrast to endear still more the pleasures arising from peace and victory!"

Congratulatory addresses now poured in upon Dr Franklin from the Pennsylvanian assembly, the American Philosophical Society, of which he had been

annually chosen the president while abroad; the university of Pennsylvania, &c. but from no one came a more consistent or appropriate letter of welcome than compatriot general Washington, who addressed him in the following unpretending strain.

"Mount Vernon, Sept. 25th, 1785.

"DEAR SIR,-Amid the public gratulations on your safe return to America, after a long absence, and the many eminent services you have rendered it, for which, as a benefited person, I feel the obligation, permit an individual to join the public voice in expressing his sense of them, and to assure you, that as no one entertains more respect for your character, so none can salute you with more sincerity, or with greater pleasure, than I do on the occasion.

"I am, dear sir,

"Your most obedient and most humble servant, "G. WASHINGTON.

"The Hon. Dr Franklin."

Dr Franklin had previously applied to generalWashington on the subject of his bust being taken. He told him he had just arrived from a country where the reputation of general Washington ran very high, and where everybody wished to see him in person, but as they understood he was not likely to favour them with a visit, they had sent with him their principal statuary, Mr Houdon, for the purpose of taking his bust, that he was now at Philadelphia, aud would wait upon the general at his convenience.

Washington replied, by enclosing the above letter, already written, and a few phrases of acknowledgment for the compliment intended.

There is a remarkable insipidity in all this great man's private compositions, although we are aware that his public papers are admired. His presence is

said to have been dignified, and he made impressions of the most important kind, both in the council and in the field, but it was never by the weight of his words.*

*The scene of his public departure from the army is described as equally tender and dignified. But this was also the eloquence of actions associated with kind remembrances rather than that of the lips. "The manly demea nour of the chief softened by sensibility. He grasped the hand of each in silence, then proceeded slowly to the place of embarkation, followed by the officers in mute procession, with dejected countenances. On entering the barge, he turned to his companions in arms, and waved his hat as a last adieu. Many answered with their tears, and all kept their eyes upon him till he was no longer distinguishable."

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