Mr. Franklin: A Selection from His Personal Letters

accept them from me as the Beginning of a little Stock, which if sold to Advantage after being made up by your good Girls, may by Degrees become greater--for on your remitting the Produce to Mrs. Stevenson, she will always readily buy more for you, till by the repeated and accumulated Profits, the Girls grow rich. They may think it a very small beginning. But let them know 'tis more than I had to begin the World with; and that Industry and Frugality early practis'd and long persisted in, will do Wonders. My love to them, and to all enquiring Friends, and believe me ever

My dear Sister

Your affectionate Brother

B. Franklin

LONDON agent of several American colonies, Fellow of the Royal Society, center of an admiring circle of friends, Franklin was nonetheless head of a Philadelphia family. English politics and the new science were never so engrossing that he could not discuss household matters with Deborah, his wife and "dear child" in far-away America. At her order he purchased London finery; with her he exchanged views on painting the house and arranging the furniture; he soberly considered the terms of his daughter Sally's prospective marriage to the young merchant Richard Bache and advised how it should be conducted; and, though he moved in a great world, he listened to Deborah's news and gossip and planned for the time he would return to Market Street to pass a pleasant evening at her side.

London, June 22, 1767

My dear Child,

Capt. Falkener is arriv'd, and came yesterday to see me, and bring my Letters. I was extreamly glad of yours, because I had none by the Packet.

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