. Benjamin Franklin: his autobiography : with a narrative of his public life and services. his in-timate knowledge of the subject, and his influencewith his countrymen, and virtually condemned theinjustice which had been done him in the insult atthe council-board. It may be cited, among the ro-mance of modern history, that an individual wasthus tacitly reputed to hold the destinies of the worldIn his hands; and it is in the highest degree credit-able to FrankUns patriotism and good sense thathe did not make shipwreck of his character for pru-dence and patriotism in a position which would haveo
. Benjamin Franklin: his autobiography : with a narrative of his public life and services. his in-timate knowledge of the subject, and his influencewith his countrymen, and virtually condemned theinjustice which had been done him in the insult atthe council-board. It may be cited, among the ro-mance of modern history, that an individual wasthus tacitly reputed to hold the destinies of the worldIn his hands; and it is in the highest degree credit-able to FrankUns patriotism and good sense thathe did not make shipwreck of his character for pru-dence and patriotism in a position which would haveoverthrown a common man. The first move in these negotiations was on thechess-board. The well-known skill of the doctor inthe game was made the pretext for introducing himto a certain lady who had a desire of playing with LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 457 him at chess, fancying she could beat him. Thelady proved to be a sister of Lord Howe, and , finding her of very sensible conversationand pleasing behavior, agreed readily to renewedappointments to try her skill at chess, though at this. time, he says, he had not the least apprehensionthat any political business could have any connec-tion with this new acquaintance. At the secondmeeting with the lady, which occurred in Decem-ber, 1774, she found a new avenue to the philos-ophers good opinion by conversing with him on amathematical problem. Then the conversation turn-ed from Mathematics to the Parhament just assem-bled. What, said Mrs. Howe, is to be done withthis dispute between Great Britain and the colonies II hope we are not to have civil war. They oughtto kiss and be friends, said the doctor; what can 458 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. they do better? Quarreling can be of service toneither, but is ruin to both. I have said, repUedshe, that I wished government would employ youto settle the dispute for them ; I am sure nobodycould do it so well. Do not you think the thing ispracticable 1 Undoubtedly, madam, if the partiesare disposed to rec
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