Page:Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin (1793).djvu/128

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LIFE of Dr. FRANKLIN.
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into execution; but ſuch may be had if proper encouragement be given. We have both received great pleaſure in the peruſal of it. For my part, I know not when I have read a piece that has more affected me ſo noble and juſt are the ſentiments, ſo warm and animated the language; yet as cenſure from your friends may be of more life, as well as more agreeable to you than praiſe, I ought to mention, that I wiſh you had omitted not only the quotation from the Review[1], which you are now juſtly diſſatisfied with, but thoſe expreſſions of reſentment againſt your adverſaries, in pages 65 and 79. In ſuch caſes, the nobleſt victory is obtained by neglect, and by ſhining on. Mr. Allen has been out of town theſe ten days; but before he went he directed me to procure him ſix copies of your piece. Mr. Peters has taken ten. He purpoſed to have written to you; but omits it, as he expects ſo ſoon to have the pleaſure of ſeeing you here. He deſires me to preſent his affectionate compliments to you, and to aſſure you that you will be very welcome to him. I ſhall only ſay, that you may depend on my doing all in my power to make your viſit to Philadelphia agreeable to you.

I am, &c,

B. FRANKLIN

Mr. Smith.

Philad. Nov. 27th, 1753.

dear sir,

Having written you fully, via Briſtol, I have now little to add. Matters relating to the acade-

  1. The quotation alluded to (from the London Monthly Review for 1749), was judged to reflect too ſeverely on the