than blafphemous and profane as a pretended act of national devotion, when the people are called upon, in the most folemn and awful manner, to repair to church, to partake of a facrament, and at the foot of the altar to commit facrilege, to perjure themselves publicly, by charging their American brethren with the horrid crime of rebellion, with propagating" fpecious falfehoods," when either the charge must be notorioufly fafe, or those who make it, not knowing it to be true, call Almighty God to witnefs to, not a fpecious, but a most audacious and blafphemous falfehood.[xxxviii. 559-1 Mr Rous, the new member for Shaftefbury, infifted, that there was one point, as a grand preliminary, which must be the balis of every conciliatory ftep on either fide; that was, a clear inequivocal acknowledgement of the legislative fupremacy of the British parliament. If that was not to be obtained but by the force of arms, he confeffed, that he would be better pleased to fee Britain dying of the wounds fhe might receive in this unnatural conflict given by her rebellious ungrateful children, than confent to one condescending ftep that might tend to tarnish her former glories. Mr Byng obferved, that adminiftration had all along acted upon fyftem, and however mistaken they might be as to fome of the effects of their measures, they never loft fight of the great object they had in contemplation from the beginning; that was, to compel America to confent to unconditional submission; which was, in other words, to confent to be flaves; or, in the event of their refufal, and confequent refiflance, to endeavour to fubdue or to extirpate them.This he contended was the great pervading principle which governed the American fyftem, and fuch was the intention of thefe to whom carrying it into execution was committed. The declaration imports one thing, the obvious contents another; fo that whatever the declaration promifes, can be of no avail, but to mislead America by falfe lights. Our aim is unconditional submission; every conceffion beyond that minifters can explain away or difavow.—He should not have fo very particularly adverted to thofe circumstances, he faid, if it had not called to his recollection the fate of a near relation, who fell a facrifice to the fame treacherous motives of felf-acquittal. {xix. 202.]. Lord George Germaine rose to give his reasons for not publishing the declaration in the London gazette. He said, the declaration did not arrive with the other dispatches, but was left at Plymouth with other matters; that when it did arrive, he did not think it of importance enough to make a part of the London gazette; as it was already pafted against the walls of New York, and many copies of it fent all over America : That as it was only a preliminary, he conceived it altogether unusual, as he remembered the conversations between Lord Chatham (when Mr Pitt) and Monf. de Buffy [xxiii. 544.], previousto the finishing the treaty of peace with France, were never published. He declared himself averfe to the prefent motion, as it would deprive General and Lord Howe of the honour of making peace with America, an honour which he flattered himself the gentlemen on the oppofite fide of the Houfe wifhed them to have. And as to the proclamation for a fast, he bid the gentlemen recollec the American declaration for independeney [xxxviii. 433.], and then afk, if the rebels had not publifhed fpecious falfehoods?" He bid them read their feveral other publications, and he doubted not they would all agree with him, that the affertion was moft true. But he obferved, he could eafily account for his not feeing the matter in the fame light as the Hon. Gentleman oppofite him; he was neither fo accomplished an orator, nor fo excellent a divine! Mr Dunning opened with obferving, that he was not at the opera on Tuefday evening; and as he did not imagine any news-paper contained any matter likely to entertain him, he had not read one that day; that he came down to Weftminfter-hall in the way of his profeffion, and had come from thence into the Houfe, without any previous knowledge of the debate; but as the decla ration read from the news-paper [produced by the Noble Lord his friend] had been declared to be authentic by the Noble Lord in the blue ribbon, and the other Noble Lord who fat next, [North and G. Germaine], it was evident that news-paper information was to be trusted as much as that given in any other manner. He declared his amazement, that the motion which had been made fhould be deemed fudden and ill-timed ; he said, he knew of no time more proper for appointing a committee for the revifion revifion of fuch acts as were deemed grievances by the Americans than the prefent; that the queftion was not now, what fhould be altered, and what should remain in force? that those were confiderations to be agitated when they came into a committee; that he thought it was high time the legislature of G. Britain gave America reason to suppose they would not always turn a deaf ear to her complaints; that it appeared by the declaration of Lord Howe, that he had promised, in the King's name, that fuch acts as they thought grievances fhould be revised; that the promise went to an affertion, that parliament as a branch of the legislature, would enable the King to keep his word; and that therefore parliament fhould fecond the King's endeavours to reftore peace, by beginning the good work with a revifal of the acts which oppreffed America, and a removal of every obftacle to a reconcili ation. He faid, the remark of a learned gentleman (who had taken the other fide of the queftion) relative to the futulity of the Houfe's taking into their confideration what they thought the grievances of America, because it might afterwards appears they were not confidered by the Americans as grievances, was notoriously ill-founded: That the gentleman did himself and the House much wrong, if, because parliament had collectively been blind to the feveral petitions and publications of America, he supposed that the members, as individuals, had been equally blind, and neglected to peep into the petitions which had been prefented: That all the members had made themselves mafters of the fubject; and that the House knew the grievances America had to complain of, was well aware what the felt as grievances, and might with great certainty proceed to redrefs them. He faid, the learned gentleman had given fome new ideas of liberty; he had declared, that America must be subdued, America must be conquered, in order to her deliverance. This fort of deliverance was to him a new confequence of conqueft; from all that he had read or heard, he never knew that a conquered people were a free people; and he believed the Houfe would join with him in fuppofing, that from time immemorial the very reverfe of freedom had been the fate of the Conquered. As to the observation, that Lord Howe's first proclamation was ne ceffary to inform the public, that Lord Howe was arrived in America, he said, it might alfo have been proper to have published the prefent proclamation to fhew that he was ftill there. The Noble Lord [G. Germaine], he said, had accommodated himself to all parties, in his reafons for not publishing the declaration in the gazette. To those who thought it ought to have been made public, he had declared, any man might read it in the news-papers; and to thofe who wished and thought it ought to be kept private, he had faid, none could read it but thofe who chose to take a voyage to New York, where they would find it pafted on the walls of the halfburnt houses; and that he had not printed it in the gazette, because Lord Chatham's private negotiations with Monf. de Buffy were not printed there. He should give his vote for the motion, (although, he said, he knew it would not be carried); and ended with declaring, in reply to Lord G. Germaine's obfervation about the faft-proclamation, that he thought a church an improper place to promulgate a court-creed in, and that fo to act was to profane the place of worship. The Houfe divided: For the motion, 47; against it, 109. Preliminary Address to the PENNSYLVANIA ALMANACK, intitled, Poor Richard's Almanack, for the year 1758. Printed at Philadelphia. [Said to be written by Dr Franklin.] COURTEOUS READER, Have heard, that nothing gives an author fo great pleasure as to find his works refpectfully quoted by other learn ed authors. This pleasure I have fel dom enjoyed; for though I have been, if I may fay it without vanity, an eminent author (of Almanacks) annually now a full quarter of a century, my brother-authors in the fame way (for what reason I know not) have ever been very fparing in their applaufes; and no other author has taken the leaft notice of me; fo that, did not my writings produce me fome folid Pudding, the great deficiency of Praife would have quite difcouraged me. I concluded, at length, that the people were the best judges of my merit, for they buy my works; and befides, in my rambles, where I am not perfonally known, I have frequently heard one or other other of my adages repeated, with "As ways bright," as poor Richard fays. poor Richard fays" at the end on't." But doft thou love life? then do not This gave me fome fatisfaction; as it fquander time, for that's the ftuff life is fhewed, not only that my inftructions made of," as poor Richard fays. How were regarded, but difcovered likewife much more than is neceffary do we spend fome respect for my authority: and I in fleep! forgetting that "the fleeping own, that, to encourage the practice of fox catches no poultry, and that there remembering and repeating thofe wife will be fleeping enough in the grave," as sentences, I have fometimes quoted my poor Richard fays. "If time be of all felf with great gravity. things the most precious, wasting time must be (as poor Richard fays) the greatest prodigality;" fince, as he elfewhere tells," Loft time is never found again; and what we call time enough, always proves little enough." Let us then up, and be doing, and doing to the purpose; fo by diligence hall we do more with lefs perplexity. "Sloth makes all things difficult, but Industry all eafy,” as poor Richard fays; and, "He that riseth late, muft trot all day, and fhall fcarce overtake his bufinefs at night; while Lazinefs travels fo flowly, that Poverty foon overtakes him," as we read in poor Richard; who adds, "Drive thy business, let not that drive thee;" and, " Early to bed, and early to rife, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wife," Judge then how much I have been gratified by an incident I am going to relate to you. I ftopped my horfe lately where a great number of people were collected at an auction of merchants goods. The hour of fale not being come, they were converfing on the badnefs of the times, and one of the company call ed to a plain, clean, old man, with white locks, "Pray, Father Abraham, what think you of the times? Won't these heavy taxes quite ruin the country? How fhall we be ever able to pay them? What would you advise us to?" Father Abraham stood up, and replied," If you'd have my advice, I'll give it you in fhort: "For a word to the wife is enough; and many words won't fill a bushel,” as poor Richard fays." They joined in defiring him to fpeak his mind; and gathering round him, he proceeded as follows. "Friends, (fays he), and neighbours, the taxes are, indeed, very heavy; and if thofe laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to fome of us. We are taxed twice as much by our Idlenefs, three times as much by our Pride, and four times as much by our Folly; and from these taxes the commiflioners cannot eafe or deliver us, by allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and fomething may be done for us; "God helps them that help themselves," as poor Richard fays, in his Almanack. It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one tenth part of their time, to be employed in its ervice; but Idlenefs taxes many of us much more, if we reckon all that is fpent in abfolute sloth, or doing of nothing, with that which is fpent in idle employments, or amufements that a mount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on diseases, abfolutely fhortens fe. "Sloth, like ruit, confumes fafter than Labour wears, while the key ufed is al So what fignifies wishing and hoping for better times? We make thefe times better if we beftir ourselves. Induftry need need not wifh," as poor Richard fays; and, "He that lives upon Hope, will die falting." "There are no gains without pains; then help hands, for E have no lands; or, if I have, they are smartly taxed;" and, (as poor Richard likewife obferves), "He that hath a trade hath an estate; and he that hath a calling hath an office of profit and honour:" but then the trade must be worked at, and the calling well followed, or neither the eftate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are induftrious, we shall never starve; for, as poor Richard fays, "At the working-man's houfe Hunger looks in, but dares not enter." Nor will the bailiff or the constable enter; for “Industry pays debts, while Defpair increaseth them," fays poor Richard. What though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich relation left you a legacy? Diligence is the mother of Good-luck," as poor Richard fays; and, "God gives all things to Industry; then plough deep while fluggards fleep, and you thall have corn to fell and to keep," fays poor Dick. Work while it is called to-day; for you know not how much you may be hindered to-morrow; which makes makes poor Richard fay, "One to-day a fire;" and again," Keep thy fhop, and is worth two to-morrows;" and farther, thy fhop will keep thee;" and again, "If "Have you fomewhat to do to-morrow, you would have your bufinefs done, go; do it to-day." If you were a fervant, if not, fend." And again, would you not be ashamed that a good mafter should catch you idle? Are you then your own mafter?" Be ashamed to catch yourself idle," as poor Dick fays. When there is fo much to be done for yourself, your family, your country, and your gracious King, be up by peep of day; "Let not the fun look down, and fay, Inglorious here he lies!" Handle your tools without mittens; remember, that "The cat in gloves catches no mice," as poor Richard fays. It is true, there is much to be done, and perhaps you are weak-handed; but ftick to it feadily, and you will fee great effects; for, "Conftant dropping wears away flones, and, By diligence and patience the moufe ate into the cable; and, Little ftrokes fell great oaks," as poor Richard fays in his Almanack, the year I cannot jut now remember. Methinks I hear fome of you fay, “Muft a man afford himself no leifure?" —I will tell thee, my friend, what poor Richard fays: Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leifure; and fince thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour." Leifure is time for doing fomething useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never; fo that, as poor Richard fays, "A life of leifure, and a life of lazinefs, are two things." Do you imagine that Both will afford you more comfort than labour? No: for, as poor Richard fays, "Troubles fpring from idleness, and grievous toil from needlefs eafe. Many without labour would live by their wits only, but they break for want of ftock." Whereas Industry gives comfort, and plenty, and respect. "Fly pleafure, and they'll follow you; The diligent Spinner has a large fhift; and, Now I have a fheep and a cow, every body bids me good morrow;" all which is well faid by poor Richard. But with our induftry, we muft like wife be fteady, fettled, and careful, and oversee our own affairs with our own eyes, and not truft too much to others; for, as poor Richard fays, "I neveriaw an oft-removed tree, Nor yet an oft-removed family, That throve fo well as thofe that fettied be." And again, "Three removes is as bad as 66 In "He that by the plough would thrive, Himself muft either hold or drive." And again, "The eye of a master will do more work than both his hands ;" and again, "Want of care does us more damage than want of knowledge;" and again," Not to overfee workmen, is to leave them your purfe open." Trufting too much to others care is the ruin of many for, as the Almanack fays, the affairs of the world, men are faved, not by faith, but by the want of it:" but a man's own care is profitable; for, faith poor Dick, “Learning is to the studious, and riches to the careful, as well as power to the bold, and heaven to the virtuous." And farther, "If you would have a faithful fervant, and one that you like, serve yourself." And again, he adviseth to circumfpection and care, even in the little neglect may breed great mischief;" fmallest matters, because fometimes “A adding, "For want of a nail the fhoe was loft; for want of a fhoe the horse rider was loft;" being overtaken and was loft; and for want of a horse the flain by the enemy, all for want of care about a horse-shoe nail, attention to one's own bufineis; but to So much for Industry, my friends, and thefe we muft add Frugality, if we would cefsful. A man may, if he knows not make our Induftry more certainly fuchow to fave as he gets, "keep his nofe all his life to the grindstone, and die not worth a groat at laft." "A fat kitchen makes a lean will," as poor Richard fays; and, Many eftates are spent in the getting, Since women for tea forfook fpinning and knitting, And men for punch forfook hewing and splitting." in another Almanack), think of faving as "If you would be wealthy, (fays he, made Spain rich, because her out-goes well as of getting: The Indies have not are greater than her in-comes." Away then with your expenfive follies, and you will not have much cause to complain of hard times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families; for, as poor Dick fays, "Women and wine, game and deceit, Make the wealth small, and the want great." And And farther, " What maintains one vice, would bring up two children." You may think, perhaps, that a little tea, or a little punch now and then, diet a little more coftly, cloaths a little finer, and a little entertainment now and then, can be no great matter; but remember what Poor Richard fays, "Many a little makes a mickle;" and farther," Beware of little expences; a fmall leak will fink a great ship;" and again, "Who dainties loves, fhall beggars prove; and more. over, "Fools make feafts, and wife men eat them." Here you are all got together at this fale of fineries and nicknacks. You call them goods, but if you do not take care, they will prove evils to fome of you. You expect they will be fold cheap, and perhaps they may for less than they coft; but if you have no occafion for them, they must be dear to you. Remember what poor Richard fays, " Buy what thou haft no need of, and ere long thou halt fell thy necessaries.” And again, "At a great pennyworth pause a while:" He means, that perhaps the cheapnefs is apparent only, and not real; or the bargain, by ftraitening thee in thy bufinefs, may do thee more harm than good. For in another place he says, "Many have been ruined by buying good pennyworths,' Again, poor Richard fays, "It is foolish to lay out money in a purchase of repentance;" and yet this folly is practifed every day at auctions, for want of minding the Almanack: "Wife men (as poor Dick fays) learn by others harms, fools fcarcely by their own; but, Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum. Many a one, for the fake of finery on the back, have gone with a hungry belly, and half-ftarved their families: "Silk and fattins, fcarlet and velvets, (as poor Richard says), put out the kitchen-fire." These are not the neceffaries of life; they can scarcely be called the conveniencies; and yet, only because they look pretty, how many want to have them? The artificial wants of mankind thus become more numerous than the natural; and, as poor Dick fays, "For one poor person, there ́are an hundred indigent." By thefe, and other extravagancies, the genteel are reduced to poverty, and forced to borrow of those whom they formerly defpifed, but who through induftry and frugality have maintained their standing; in which cafe it appears plainly, "A Ploughman on his legs is higher than a Gentleman on his knees," as poor Richard fays. Perhaps they have had a small eftate left them, which they knew not the getting of; they think " It is day, and will never be night;" that a little to be spent out of fo much is not worth minding : “A child and a fool (as poor Richard says) imagine twenty fhillings and twenty years can never be spent, but always be taking out of the meal-tub, and never putting in, foon comes to the bottom;" then, as poor Dick fays, "When the well is dry, they know the worth of water." But this they might have known before, if they had taken his advice: "If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow fome; for he that knows a borrowing goes a forrowing; and, indeed, fo does he that lends to fuch people when he goes to get it in again." Poor Dick farther advifes, and fays, "Fond pride of drefs, is fure a very curfe; Ere fancy you confult, confult your purfe." And again, "Pride is as loud a beggar as Want, and a great deal more faucy." When you have bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more, that your appearance may be all of a piece; but poor Dick fays, "It is eafier to fupprefs the firft defire, than to fatisfy all that follow it." And it is as truly folly for the poor to ape the rich, as the frog to swell, in order to equal the ox. "Veffels large may venture more, 'Tis however a folly foon punished; for "Pride that dines on Vanity, fups on Contempt," as poor Richard fays. And in another place, "Pride breakfafted with Plenty, dined with Poverty, and fapped with Infamy." And after all, of what use is this pride of appearance for which fo much is rifked, fa much is suffered? It cannot promote health, nor cafe pain; it makes no increafe of merit in the perfon, it creates Envy, it hastens Misfortune. "What is a butterfly? At best He's but a caterpillar dreft, The gaudy fop's his picture juft." as poor Richard fays. But what madness must it be to run in debt for these superfluities! We are offered, by the terms of this fale, fix months credit; and that perhaps has induced fome of us to attend it, because we |