Benjamin Franklin

Lord Jeffrey wrote of the American inventor and philosopher: "He never lost sight of common sense." Philip G. Hubert, Jr., in a sketch of Franklin in his recent book "Inventors," saya: "Nothing in nature falled to interest him," and a catalogue of his achieveruents, showing his actlvity and resource, is conclusive prooi of the truth of both statements. Franklin lnspired and established the Junto, the pleasantest and most useful American club of which wc have knowledge, says an exchange. He founded the Philadelphia library, parent of 1,000 librarles, which martod the beginning of an intellectual movement of endless good to the whole country. He first turned to great account the engine of advertising, indispensable in all modern business. He published "Poor Richard," a record of h.rmely wisdom, in such shape that hundreds of thousands of readers were made better and stronger by it. He created the postoffice system of America and was the flrst champion of a reformed spelling. He invented the Franklin stove, which economized fuel, and he suggested valuable improvements in ventilation and the building of ■chimneys. He robbed thunder of its terrors and lightning of some of the power to destroy. He founded the American Philosophical society, the flrst organization In America of the friends of science. He suggested the use of mineral manures, introduced the basket willow, promoted the early culture of silk and pointed out the advantages of whito clothing in summer. He measured the temperature of th? gulf stream and discovered that northea&t storms may begin in the southwe;t. He pointed out the advantage of building ships in water-tight compartments, taking the hint from the Chinese, and flrst urged the use of oil as a means oi quieting dangerous seas. Besides these great achievements, accomplished largely as recreation from his life work as economist and statesman, Benjamin Franklin helped the whole race of inventors by a remark that has been of incalculable valué and comfort to theorists and dreameis the world over. When some one spoke contemptuously of Montgolfler's balloon experimenta and asked of what use they were the great American replied in -.vords now historie: "Of what use is a new-born babe?"