FRANKLIN IN NEW YORK

the   INVEKTIOX   of   STEHEOTYPIXG   originates   IK   KEW   YORK

Everyhody knows tliat tlie great pliilosopher made his
first appearance on this habitable globe in Boston; no one
is ignorant that much of his long life is associated with
Philadeli)hia. The house in which he first drew breath
still stands, I believe, in its original place; his mortal
remains still consecrate the city of his adoption. I never
visit Philadelphia that I do not visit his venerated toml).
But Franklin is also closely connected with New York,
by his repeated sojourns here, by his philosophical dis¬
coveries made here, and by his delectable companion¬
ship with prominent individuals among us. Here, with
Lieutenant-Governor Colden; with John Stevens, so early
engaged in railway experiments ; with Bard, the physician ;
with James Alexander; with Smith, the historian, he passed
pleasing hours, and held occasional interviews of a social
and scientific nature. But wherever he was, in whatever
society, an intellectual atmosphere was imparted by him:
he might discourse concerning the electrical eel with Wil¬
liamson, the sturdy disputant on Colonial affairs; converse
with John Bartram, on the sublimity of American forest
scenery; blow soap bubbles with Ingenhouz, on the banks
of the river Thames ; grace the soirees of Sir John Pringle,
in London, with Cook and Banks, on the eve of voyages
round the world; expatiate on ethical philosophy with the
minstrel poet, Beattie; discuss the nature of the vital prin¬
ciple with Hewson, the anatomist; inspire with new hopes
the destitute traveller, Capt. Jonathan Carver, in some
secret  lodging-place  in  London;  on  whatever  topics  he

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