The Autobiography and Essays of Dr. Benjamin Franklin

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 edition. Excerpt: ...through a narrow passage, which was crossed by a beam over head. We were still talking as I withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I turning partly towards him, when he said hastily, 'Stoop! stoop! I did not understand him till I felt my head hit against the beam, v He was a man who never missed any occasion of giving instruction; and upon this he said to me: ' You are young, and have the world before you: stoop as you go through it, and you will miss many hard thumps.' This advice, thus beat into my head, has frequently been of use to me; and I often think of it, when I see pride mortified, and misfortunes brought upon people by their carrying their heads too high. I long much to see again my native place; and once hoped to lay my bones there. I left it in 1723. I visited it in 1733, 1743, 1753,1703; and in 1773 I was in England. In 1774. I had a sight of it, but could not enter, it being in possession of the enemy. I did hope to have been there in 1783, but could not obtain my dismission from this employment here; and now I fear I shall never have that happiness. My best wishes however attend my dear country, ' esto perpetual It is now blessed with an excellent constitution: may it last fbi ever! This powerful monarchy continues its friendship for the United States. It is a friendship of tfce utmost importance to our security, and should be carefully cultivated. Britain has not y el well digested the loss of its dominion over us; and has Still at times some flattering hopes of recovering it. Accidents may increase those hopes, and encourage dangerous attempts. A breach between us and France would infallibly bring the English again upon our backs; and yet we have some wild beasts among our countrymen, who are endeavoring to weaken nat..