Lives of Benefactors (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1844 Excerpt: ... Being, who had raised him from small and low beginnings to such high rank and consideration among men; and made no doubt but his present afflictions were kindly intended to wean him from a world in which he was no longer fit to act the part assigned him. He afterwards sank into a calm lethargic state; and, on the 17th of April, 1790, about eleven o'clock at night, he expired, in his eighty-fifth year. He left two children--a son and daughter. In looking back on Franklin's career, of which we have given a very imperfect sketch, it is evident that the principal feature in his character was worldly prudence--not in a narrow and selfish acceptation of the term, but that prudence, founded on true wisdom, which dictates the practice of honesty, industry, frugality, temperance--in short, all those qualities which may be classed under the name of "moral virtues," as being the only certain means of obtaining distinction, respect, independence, and mental cheerfulness. There is no other writer who inculcates lessons of practical wisdom in a more agreeable and popular manner, and we much regret that our limits will not permit us to give extracts illustrative of this quality. His whole conduct and writings, indeed, present the somewhat singular union of considerable genius with practical good sense, and of great shrewdness with the strictest integrity of principle. The greatest worldly honors--and few have attained higher--could not for a moment make him forget or deviate from the principles with which he started in life. We must not deny that a careful examination of Franklin's history will display some unworthy acts, and certain defects of character; yet his life, on the whole, has proved to be one of the most useful and effective among the annals of our r...