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FO-From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Bache, 3 June 1779.md

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FO-From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Bache, 3 June 1779

74 reprints from 1779-06-03 to 1899-01-27

by Franklin, Benjamin

From unknown source

1779-06-03

and tell them I wish them all sorts of happiness.
The clay medallion of me you say you gave to Mr. Hopkinson was the first of the kind made in France. A variety of others have been made since of different sizes; some to be set in lids of snuff boxes, and some so small as to be worn in rings; and the numbers sold are incredible. These, with the pictures, busts, and prints, (of which copies upon copies are spread every where) have made your father’s face as well known as that of the moon, so that he durst not do any thing that would oblige him to run away, as his phiz would discover him wherever he should venture to show it. It is said by learned etymologists that the name Doll, for the images children play with, is derived from the word Idol; from the number of dolls now made of him, he may be truly said, in that sense, to be i-doll-ized in this country.
I think you did right to stay out of town till the summer was over for the sake of your child’s health. I hope you will get out again this summer during the hot months; for I begin to love the dear little creature from your description of her.
I was charmed with the account you give me of your industry, the table-cloths of your own spinning, &c. but the latter part of the paragraph, that you had sent for linen from France because weaving and flax were grown dear; alas, that dissolved the charm; and your sending for long black pins, and lace, and feathers! disgusted me as much as if you had put salt into my strawberries. The spinning, I see, is laid aside, and you are to be dressed for the ball! you seem not to know, my dear daughter, that of all the dear things in this world, idleness is the dearest, except mischief.

The project you mention


by Franklin, Benjamin

From unknown source

1779-06-03

, if I should live long enough to want it, is like to be another comfort to me: as I intend him for a Presbyterian as well as a Republican, I have sent him to


by Franklin, Benjamin

From unknown source

1779-06-03

is now quite out of fashion.
The present you mention as sent by me, was rather that of a merchant at Bourdeaux, for he would never give me any account of it, and neither Temple nor I know any thing of the particulars.
When I began to read your account of the high prices of goods, “a pair of gloves seven dollars, a yard of common gause twenty-four dollars, and that it now required a fortune to maintain a family in a very plain way,” I expected you would conclude with telling me, that every body as well as yourself was grown frugal and industrious; and I could scarce believe my eyes in reading forward, that “there never was so much dressing and pleasure going on;” and that you yourself wanted black pins and feathers from France, to appear, I suppose, in the mode! This leads me to imagine that perhaps, it is not so much that the goods are grown dear, as that the money is grown cheap, as every thing else will do when excessively plenty; and that people are still as easy nearly in their circumstances as when a pair of gloves might be had for half a crown. The war indeed may in some degree raise the prices of goods, and the high taxes which are necessary to support the war may make our frugality necessary; and as I am always preaching that doctrine, I cannot in conscience or in decency encourage the contrary, by my example, in furnishing my children with foolish modes and luxuries. I therefore send all the articles you desire that are useful and necessary, and omit the rest; for as you say you should “have great pride in wearing any thing I send, and showing it as your father’s taste;” I must avoid giving you an opportunity of doing that with either lace or feathers. If you wear your cambric ruffles as I do, and take care not to mend the holes, they will come in time to be lace; and feathers, my dear girl, may be had in America from every cock’s tail.
If you happen again to see General Washington, assure him of my very great and sincere respect, and tell him that all the old Generals here amuse themselves in studying the accounts of his operations, a


1817-08-01 · Edinburgh, Scotland

self, the parent of many others, and the preventive of number-
less vices.

‘I was charmed with the account you gave me of your industry, the
table-cloths of your own spinning, &c.: But the latter part of the para-
graph, that you had sent for linen from France, because weaving and
flax were grown dear ; alas, that dissolved the charm: And your sending
for long black pins, and lace, and feathers! disgusted me as much as if
you had put salt into my strawberries. The spinning, I see, is laid aside,
and you are to be dressed for the ball! You seem not to know, my dear
daughter, that of all the dear things in this world, idleness is the dearest,
except mischief.

‘When I began to read your account of the high prices of goods,
a pair of loves seven dollars, a yard of common gause twenty-four
dollars, that it now required a fortune to maintain a family in a
very plain way,’ I expected you would conclude with telling me,
that every body as well as yourself was grown frugal and industrious ;

Page image

1817-08-01 · Edinburgh, Scotland

andI could scarce believe my eyes in reading forward, that “ there
never was so much dressing and pleasure going on;” and that you
wanted black pins and feathers from France, to appear, I suppose,
in the modé! This leads me to imagine, that perbaps it is not so
much that the goods are grown dear, as that the money is grown
cheap, as every thing else will Jo when excessively plenty ; and that
people are still as easy nearly in their circumstances as when a pair
of gloves might be had for half a crown. The war indeed may in
some degree raise the prices of goods, and the high taxes which are ne-
cessary to support the war, may make our frugality necessary ; and
as I am always preaching that doctrine, | cannot in conscience or in
decency encourage the contrary, by my example, in furnishing my
children with foolish modes and luxuries. I therefore send all the
articles you desire that are useful and necessary, and omit the rest;
for as you say you should “have great pride in wearing any thing I
send, and showing it as your father’s taste,” | must avoid giving you an
opportunity of doing that with either lace or feathers. If you wear your
cambric ruffles as I do, and take care not to mend the holes, they will
come in time to be lace; and feathers, my dear girl, may be had in
America from every cock’s tail.’ I. 43—45.

Page image

FOR THE VISITOR.

From The Weekly visitor and ladies' museum.

1818-01-31 · New York

[This text is not available under an open license.]


Miscellaneous

From The Supporter.

1818-04-08 · Chillicothe, Ohio

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1820-09-02 · London, England

of thi (says he) charmed with the account you gave me
ke. rg wyih the table-cloths of your own spinning,
oa “ the latter part of the paragraph, that you had
grown _ from I rance, because weaving and flax were
sends ra alas! that dissolved the charm; and your
rusted” or long black pins and lace, and feathers! dis-

me as much as if you had put salt into my straw-
spinning, I see, is laid aside, and you are

to be dressed for the ball! You seem not to know, my
dear daughter, that of all the dear things in this world,
idleness is the dearest, except mischief.

‘When I began to read your account of the high prices
of goods, ‘‘a pair of gloves seven dollars, a yard of com-
mon gauze twenty-four dollars, and that it now required
a fortune to maintain a family in a very plain way,” I ex-
pected you would conclude with telling me, that every
body as well as yourself was grown frugal and industri-
ous; and I could scarce believe my eyes in reading for-
ward, that ‘‘there never was so much dressing and plea-
sure going on;” and that you wanted ** black pins and
feathers from France,”’ to appear, I suppose, in the mode !
This leads me to imagine, that perhaps it is not so much
that the goods are grown dear, as that the money has
grown cheap, as every thing else will do upon ex-
cessively plenty ; and that people are still as easy nearly
in their circumstances as when a pair of gloves might be
had fora crown. The war indeed may in some degree
raise the prices of goods, and the high taxes which are
necessary to support the war, may make our frugality
necessary ; and, as I am always preaching that doctrine,
I cannot in conscience or in decency encourage the con-
trary, by my example in furnishing my children with
foolish modes and luxuries. [ therefore send all the arti-
cles you desire that are useful and necessary, and omit the
rest; for as you say you should ‘have great pride in wear-
ing any thing I send, and showing it as your father’s taste,’
I must avoid giving you an opportunity of doing that with
either lace or feathers. If you wear your cambric ruffles
as I do, and take care not to mend the holes, they will
come in time to be lace; and feathers, my dear girl, may
be had in America from every cock’s tail.’

Page image

1839-09-01 · Columbus

black pins, and lace, and feathers, dissolved
the charm, and disgusted me as much as if
‘yy

The
and you are
You seem not

you had put salt into my strawberries.
spinning, I see, is laid aside,
to be dressed a the ball.

| to know, my dear daughter, that, of all dear

idleness is the dearest in the world,
mischief. When | began to read
account of the high prices of goods,
pair of gloves seven dollars, a yard of
gauze twenty-four dollars, and that it re-
quired a fortune to maintain a family ina

  • Lexpected you w ould con-
    te ling me that every woman, as
    yourself, had grown frugal and in-
    and I could searee believe my
    eyes in reading on, ‘that there was never so
    much dressing and pleasure going forward ;”’
    and that you yourself wanted feathers and

things,
Iw eoryy
exc pt
your

aa

S lude Dv
well
dustrious:

iblack pins from France—to appear, as I

suppose, in the mode. ‘This leads me to
imagine that perhaps it is not so much the
goods that are grown dear, as that the mo-
ley is grown cheap, a as everything else will
do when excessively plenty ; and that peo-
ple are still nearly as easy in their circum-
stanees, as when a pair of gloves might be
had for half a crown.’

And now Franklin’s elevated patriotism
»mes into action. The war in which
America was engaged, he thought a just
and necessary war. He say, * to support
the war may make our frug ality necessary ;
and as I am alw: iys preac ching this doctrine,
{ cannot in conscience or in decency, en-
courage the contrary by my example, in
furnishing my children with foolish modes
and luxuries. I therefore send all the arti-
cles you desire that are useful, and omit the
rest; for, as you say you should have great
pleasure in wearing everything I send you,
and showing it as your father’s, I must
avoid giving you an opportunity ‘of doing
that with either lace or feathers. If you wear
cambric rufiles, and take care not to mend
the holes, will they come in time to be lace;
and feathers, my dear daughter, may be had
in America from every cock’s tail. If you
happen to sec General W ashington, assure
him of my great and sincere respect, an

Page image

Multiple News Items

From Milwaukie daily sentinel.

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1846-01-15 · Stroudsburg, Pa.

it in the following characteristic note. " If
you wear your cambric ruffles as I do, and take
care not lo mend the holes, they will come in
time to be lace; and1 feathers, my dear girl, may
be had1 in America from every cock's Jail."

Page image

From Sunbury American and Shamokin journal.

teristic note. "If you wear your cambric ruf­
fles as I do and take care not to mend the holes,
they will come in time to be lace; and feathers,
my dear girl may be had in America from
ry cock's tail.


1846-01-21 · Cadiz, Ohio

for a supply of feathors and thread lace. The
Doctor declined it in the following characteristic
note : "If you wear cambric ruffles asl do, and
take care not to mend the holes, they will come
in time to be lace; and feather,my dear girl,may
be had in America from every cock'f tail."

I)c abtj BcutmcL

From tlie Otte Slaleiman.
DEMOCItATEC
STATE CONVENTION.
In pursuance wilh the usage of the party, nnd
in conformity with the call of the State Central
Committee, the delegates of the democracy of
the State, met in convention, in the city of Co­
lumbus, on this, the morning of the 8th of Janu

Page image

Miscellaneous

From The Floridian.

1846-02-14 · Tallahassee [Fla.]

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1846-09-10 · Washington, D.C.

"If yon wear your cambric ruffles as I do,
and take care not to mend the holes, they will
come in lime to be lace; and feathers, my dear
girl, may be had in America from every chicken
tail,"
Why don't people stay on this side of th

Page image

Variety

From Boston investigator.

1851-02-19 · Boston, Mass.

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1854-12-21 · London, England

daughter, Mrs. Bache, he writes: “I was charmed
with the account you give me of your industry,
the table-cloths of your own spinning, etc.; but
the latter part of the paragraph, that you had sent
for linen from France because weaving and flax
were grown dear, alas! that dissolved the charm;
and your sending for long black pins, and lace, and
JSeathers ! disgusted me as much as if you had put
salt into my strawberries. The spinning, I see, is
laid aside, and you are to be dressed for the ball!
You seem not to know, my dear daughter, that of
all the dear things in this world, idleness is the
dearest, except mischief.” : . . . “ When I began
to read your account of the high price of goods,
‘a pair of gloves seven dollars, a yard of common
gauze twenty-four dollars, and that it now required
a fortune to maintain a family in a very plain way,’
I expected you would conclude with telling me
that everybody as well as yourself was grown
frugal and industrious; and I could scarce believe
my eyes in reading forward, that ‘ there never was
so much dressing and pleasure going on,’ and that
you yourself wanted black pins amd feathers from
France, to appear, I suppose, in the mode! This
leads me to imagine that perhaps it is not so
much that the goods are grown dear, as that the
money is grown cheap, as everything else will do
when excessively plenty, and that people are still
as easy nearly in their circumstances as when a
pair of gloves might be had for half-a-crown. The
war, indeed, may in some degree raise the prices
of goods, and the high taxes which are necessary
to support the war may make our frugality neces-
sary ; and as I am always preaching that doctrine,
I cannot in conscience or in decency encourage
the contrary by my example in furnishing my
children with foolish modes and luxuries. I there-
fore send all the articles you desire that are useful
and necessary, and omit the rest ; for, as you say,
you should ‘ have great pride in wearing anythin
I send, and showing it as your father’s taste.’
must avoid giving you an opportunity of doing
that with either lace or feathers. If you wear
your cambric ruffles as I do, and take care not to
mend the holes, they will come in time to be lace,
and feathers, my dear girl, may be had in America
from every cock’s tail.”

Page image

1855-04-01 · New York

“The clay medallion of me you say you gave to
Mr. Hopkinson was the first of the kind made in
France. A variety of others have been made since
of different sizes; some to be set in the lids of
snuff-boxes, and some so small as to be worn in
rings; and the numbers sold are incredible. These,
with the pictures, busts, and prints (of which copies
upon copies are spread every where), have made
your father’s face as well known as that of the
moon ; so that he durst not do any thing that would
oblige him to run away, as his phiz would discover
him wherever he should venture to show it. It is
said by learned etymologists that the name doll,
for the images children play with, is derived from
the word rpoL. From the number of dolls now
made of him, he may be truly said, in that sense, to
be i-po..-ized in this country.”

The old philosopher had a vein of sarcasm as
well as humor about him; witness the following
question and answer:

** Question. I am about courting a girl I have
had but little acquaintance with—how shall I come
to a knowledge of her faults, and whether she has
the virtues I imagine she has?

“* Answer, Commend her among her female ac-
quaintance.”

His daughter had written to him to send her
from Paris some lace and feathers, which extrav-
agance, on her part, he says “disgusted me as
much as if you had put salt into my strawberries.”

Page image

1855-04-01 · New York

And he adds: “ As you say you should ‘ have great
pride in wearing any thing I send, and showing it
as your father’s taste,’ I must avoid giving you an
opportunity of doing that with either lace or feath-
ers. If you wear your cambric ruffles as I do, and
take care not to mend the holes, they will come in
time to be lace; and feathers, my dear girl, may
be had in America from every cock’s tail.”

Page image

From Sunbury American.

1855-07-21 · Sunbury, Pa.

"I was charmed with the account you gave
me of your industry, the table cloths of your
own spinning, &c., but the latter part of your
paragraph, that you had sent for linen from
France, because weaving and flax were grow­
ing dear, alas! that dissolved the charm; and
you sending for long black pins, and lace and
feathers, disgusted me, as if you had put salt
into my strawberries. The spinning I see is
to be laid aside, and you are to be dressed for
the ball. You seem not to know, my dear
daughter, that of all the dear things in the
world, idleness is the dearest except mischief.
hen I began to read your account of the
high prices of goods, a pair of gloves seven
dollars! a yard of common gauze twenty-four
dollars! and that it now required a fortune
to maintain a family in a very plain way.
I expected you would conclude with telling
me that everybody as well as yourself, was
growing frugal and industrious; and I could
scarce believe my eyes in reading forward,
that there never was so much dressing and
pleasure going on! and that you wanted black
pins and feathers from France to appear I
suppose in the mode. This leads me to ima­
gine that, perhaps, it is not so much that the
goods are grown dear, as money is grown
cheap; as everything else will do when exces­
sively plenty, and that people are still as
nearly in their circumstances as when a pair
of gloves might be had for half a crown. The
war, indeed, may in some degree raise the
price of goods--and the high taxes which are
necessary to support a war, may make our
frugality necessary; and as I am always
preaching that doctrine, I cannot inconscience
or in decency, encourage the contrary, by my
example, in furnishing my children with fool­
ish modes and luxuries. I therefore send all
the articles you desire that are useful or nec­
essary, and omit the rest, for as you say you
should have great pride in wearing anything
I send, and showing it as your father's taste,"
I must avoid giving you an opportunity of
doing that with lace or feathers. If you wear
your cambric ruflles as I do, and take care
not to mend the holes, they will come in time
to be lace; and feathers! my dear girl, may
be had in America from every cock's tail."


1857-01-01 · Boston

‘Tf you wear your cambrie ruffles as I do, and take care not to mend
the holes, they will come in time to lace ; and feathers, my dear girl, may
be had in America from every turkey’s tail.’’

Page image

Multiple News Items

From Fayetteville observer.

1857-04-30 · Fayetteville, N.C.

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1857-05-13 · Raleigh, N.C.

it would destroy the earth, and that the day of judg­
ment was at hand ; to avert which awful doom, Pope
Calixtus added to the Ave Maria the prayer : " Lord
save us from the devil, the Turk, and the comet"
Cheap Ornaments. When Dr. Franklin was in
Paris, his daughter, Mrs. Bache, wrote to him for a
supply of feathers and thread lace. The doctor de­
clined in the following characteristic note : ' If you
wear your cambric ruffles as I do, and take care not
to mend the holes, they will come in time to lace ;
and feathers, my dear girl, may be had in America
from every turkey's tail.

Page image

1857-05-13 · Raleigh, N.C.

it would destroy the earth, and that the day of judg­
ment was at hand; to avert which awful doom, Pope
Calixtus added to the Ave Maria the prayer : " Lord
save us from the devil, the Turk, and the comet"
Cbeap Okxamexts. When Dr. Franklin was in
Paris, his daughter, Mrs. Bache, wrote to him for a
supply of feathers and thread lace. The doctor de­
clined in the following characteristic note : " If you
wear your cambric ruffles as I do, and take care not
to mend the holes, they will come in time to lace ;
and feathers, my dear girl, may be had in America
from every turkey's tail.

Page image

wrote to hitn for a supply of feathers and
thread lace. The doctor declined in the
following characteristic note:—'If you
wear your cambric ruffles as I do, and
take care not to mend the holes, they
will come in time to lace; and feathers,
my dear girl, may be had in America
from every turkey's tail.

Page image

1857-05-27 · Boston

a supply of feathers and thread lace. The doctor
declined in the following characteristic note :—“If
you wear your cambric ruffles as I do, and take care
not to mend the holes, they will come in time to
lace; and feathers, my dear girl, may be had in
America from every turkey’s tail.”

Page image

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

From Liverpool Mercury

1857-06-22 · Liverpool, England

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1857-06-25 · Clearfield, Pa.

in the following characteristic note : "If you
wear your cambric ruffles as I do and take
care not to mend t he holes, they will come in
time to lace : and feathers, my dear girl, may
be had in America from every turkey's tail."

Page image

VARIETIES.

From Jackson's Oxford Journal

1857-10-03 · Oxford, England

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1857-10-31 · Boston

“ If you wear your cambric ruflfies as I do, and take care not to
mend the holes, they will come in time to be lace; and feathers,
my dear girl, may be had in America horn every turkey’s tail.

Page image

From The Council Bluffs nonpareil.

1857-11-14 · Council Bluffs [Iowa]

-I know that he is ugly, but I feel that he

holes, they will come in time to be lace; and

eathers, my dear girl, may be had in Amer-

ica from every turkey's tail."


From The Council Bluffs nonpareil.

1857-11-14 · Council Bluffs [Iowa]

istic note--"If you wear your cambric ruf-­
fles as I do, and take care not to mend the


Article 2 -- No Title

From Forrester's Boys' and Girls' Magazine, and Fireside Companion (1851-1857)

1857-12-01 · Boston

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1858-09-04 · Philadelphia

| come in time to be lace; and feathers, my dear

: irl, may be had in America from every tur

Page image

1858-09-04 · Philadelphia

‘If you wear your caypbric ruffles as I do,
and take care not to mend the holes, they will

Page image

1859-07-23 · London, England

‘TJ was charmed with the account you give me
of _— indu , the table-cloths of your spinning,
&e. &e., but ‘hel if att r part of the paragraph, because
weaving and flax were grown dear, alas! that dis-
solved the charm, and your sending for long black
pins, and lace, and feathers! disgusted me as much
as if you had put salt into my strawberries. The
spinning, I see, is laid aside, and you are to be
dressed for the ball! * * As you say you should

‘have great pride in wearing anything I send, and |

sho ring it as your father’s taste,’ I must avoid giving
you an opportunity of doing that with either lace
or feathers. If you wear your cambric ruffles as
I do, and take care not to mend the holes, they
will come in time to be lace; and feathers, my
dear girl, may be had in America from every cock’s
tail.”

Salley duly repented in a September Peccavt

Page image

1859-08-23 · Baltimore, Md.

and goes on—
"I was charmed with the account you give me of
your industry, the table-cloths of your spinning,
Ac., Ac., but the latter part of the paragraph, be­
cause weaving and flax were grown dear, alas ! that
dissolved the charm, and your sending for long
black pins, and lace, and feathers! disgusted me as
much as if you had put salt into my strawberries.
The spinning, I see, is laid aside, and vou are to be
dressed for the ball 1 * * As you say you should
'have great pride in wearing anything Ivend, and
ehowing it an your father's taste,' I must avoid giving
you an opportunity of doing that with either lace
or feathers. If you wear your cambric ruffles as I
do, arid take care not to mend the holes, they will
conrcin time to be lace; and feathers, my dear girl,
may be had in America from every cock's tail."
Sal Icy duly repented in a September Peccavi

Page image

From Memphis daily appeal.

1859-09-06 · Memphis, Tenn.

"I was charmed with the account you give
of your industry, the table-cloths of your spin­
ning, etc., but the latter part of the paragraph,
because weaving and flax were grown dear,
alas! that dissolved the charm, and your send­
ing for long black pins and tace, and feathers!
disgusted me as much as if you had put salf
into my strawberries. The spinning, I see, is
laid aside, and you are to be dressed for the
ball! As you say you should "hars
great pride in wearing anything I send, and
siow ing it as your father's taste,' I m st
avoid giving you an opportunity of doing that
with either lace or feathers. If you wear your
cambric ruffies as I do, and take care not to
mend the holes, they will come in time to be
ace; and feathers, my dear girl, may be had
in America from every cock's tail.
Sally duly repented in a September peceamr


1864-08-04 · New York

as they are received from Washington.
8. C. THOMPSON,
President First National Bank,
No. 4 Wall st., New York.
JAMES CURPHEY, Cashier.

LETTER ON EXTRAVAGANCE.

A LETTER of Franklin to his daughter, written
in 1781, rebuking her expressed desire for “ French
finery,” might furnish a good text for our preseat
importation leagues :

“When I began to read your account of the high
prices of goods, ‘a pair of gloves seven dollars, a

ard of common gauze twenty-four dollars, and that

it now required a fortune to maintain a family in a
very plain way,’ Lexpected you would conclude by
telling me that everybody, as well as yourself, was
= frugal and industrious ; and I ‘could scarce

lieve my eyes, im reading forward, that ‘there
never was so much pleasure and dressing goi'
on ;’ and that you yourself wanted black pins dm
feathers from nce, to appear, I suppose, in the
mode! This leads me to imagine that, perhaps, it
is not 80 much that the goods are grown dear as
that the money has grown cheap, as everything
else will do when rma S| plenty; and that
people are still as easy, nearly, in their circum-
stances as when a pair of gloves might be had for
half a crown. The war, indeed, may in some de-
gree raise the prices of goods, and the high taxes
which are necessary to support the war may make
our frugality necessary; and, as I am always preach-
ing that doctrine, I cannot in conscience or in de-
cency encourage the contrary, by my example, in
furn ~ my children with foolish modes and
luxuries. I therefore send all the articles you desire
as Jou bay you should “have great petiole wesrias
as you say you sho ‘ have great weari
anything I send, and showing it = your father’s
taste,’ 1 must avoid giving you an opportunity of
doing that with either lace or feathers. If you
wear your cambric ruffles as I do, and take care
not to mend the holes, they will come in time to be
lace; and feathers, my dear girl, may be had in
America from every cock’s tail.”

Page image

1864-08-18 · Boston

suppose, in the mode! This leads me to imagine
that, perhaps, it is not so much that the goods are

wn dear as that the money has grown cheap,
as every thing else will do when excessively plenty ;
and that people are still as easy, nearly, in their
circumstances as when a pair of gloves might be
had for half a crown. The war, indeed, may in
some degree raise the prices of goods, and the
high taxes which are necessary to support the war
may make our frugality necessary; and, as I am
always preaching that doctrine, 1 cannot in con-
science or in decency encourage the contrary, by
my example, in furnishing my children with fool-
ish modes and luxuries. I therefore send all the
articles you desire that are useful and song e
and omit the rest; for, as you say you should
‘have great pride in wearing any thing I send,
and showing it as your father’s taste,” I must avoid
giving you an opportunity of doing that with
either lace or feathers. If you wear your cambric
ruffles as I do, and take care not td mend the
holes, they will‘ come in time to be lace; and
feathers, my dear girl, may be had in America
from every cock’s tail.

Page image

1864-08-18 · Boston

anti-importation leagues :

When I began to read your account of the high
Prices of goods, ‘‘a pair of gloves seven dollars, a
yard of common gauze twenty-four dollars, and
that it now required a fortune to maintain a family

ry plain way,” I expected you would con-
by telling me that everybody, as well as
pareelt, was grown frugal and industrious; and

Mm a ve
wclude

could scarcé believe
Ward, that

Tessin
Kk a

my eyes, in reading for

sition by the violent motions of

The lights and shadows
were managed with wonderful effect, and the curls
upon the brow were of the miost beautiful golden
hue. © Cornelia Ames! All this because you

“there never was so much pleasure and
going on;” and that you yourself wanted | honest blacksmith, but you must always wash your
ins and feathers from France, to appear, I! face and hands before you come to my office.

Page image

From The Caledonian.

1864-08-19 · St. Johnsbury, Vt.

thing I send, and showing it as your father's

taste," I must avoid giving you an opportunity

et ample to meet those of the present and tatin care of ho

Aoo o e o a ee ae i e e o a ai

If you wear your cambric ruflles as I do, and

take care not to mend the holes, they will


1864-08-30 · Xenia [Ohio]

leagues :
"When I began to read your account of
the high prices of goods, a pair of jrloves
seven dollars, a yard of common gauze
twenty-four dollars, and that it now re­
quired a fortune ' tomaintain a family in
a very plain way," Iexpected you would
conclude by telling me that everybody,
as well as yourself, was grown frugal and
industrious ; and I could scarce believe
my eyes, in reading forward, that 'there
never was so much pleasure and dressing
going on J and that you yourself wanted
black pins and feathers from France, to
appear, I-suppose, in the mode! : This
leads me to imagine that, perhaps, it is
not so much that the goods are grown
dear as that the money has grown
cheap, as everything else will do when
'"'eessively plenty ; and that people are
still as easy, nearly, in their circumstan­
ces as when a pair of gloves might be
had for half a crown. The war, indeed,
may in some degree raite the prices of
goods, and the high taxes which are
necessary to support tho war may make
our frugality necessary ; and, as I am
always preaching that doctrine, I cannot
in conscience or in decency encourage
the country, by my example, in furnish­
ing my children with foolish modes and
luxuries. I thcrofore send all the articles
you desire that ara useful and necessary,
and omit the rest; for, as you should
have great pride in "wearing anything I
send, and showing it as your father's
taste, I must avoid giving you an oppor­
tunity of doing that with either lace or
feathers. If yon wear your cambrio
ruffles as I do, and take care not to mend
the holes, they will come in time to be
lace; and feathers, my' dear girl, may be
bad in America from every Cock's tail."

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1864-09-14 · East Saginaw, Mich.

ent importation leagues:
"When I beiran to read your ac

counts of tho high prices of goods,

iir of gloves seven dodars, u yard ot
comaion gauze twenty-flur dollar,

and that it now required a fortune, to
maintain a family in a very plain way,

I expected vou would conclude by teu-
' L .1 " . 1 ...1 i.11 na

in" mo tnai uverm-uj, no i. .
yourself, was grown frugal and indus

trious; and 1 couiu pcarce uuuwvw mj

eyes, iu resding lorwurd, mat turo
never was so much pleasure and dron­
ing going on;' and that you yeurself
wanted black pins and feathers from
France, lo appear, I suppose, in 'tho
Uiodo! This lead's mo to imagiuo that,
porhap, it is not so much that tho
goods are, grown dear as that tbr
monov has grown cheap, as everything
else will do when exousairely plenty?

mid that people are still as easy, near­
ly, iu their circumstances as when a
pair of gloves might be had for half
n crown. The wor, indeod, may in
spuio' degree raise the prieo of goodsr
au 1 tho high taxes which aro necess­
ary to support the war may make our
frugality nececsary; and, as I am al

ways preaching mat inmiKe, nun
not in timHcictire or in decency ' cn­
counigo the contrary, by my example,
iu furnishing my children with foobah

modi-s und luxuries. I therefore send­
nil tho articles you dceiro that are use

ful and nccossary, and omit tno rest;

ffir, ns you say you should 'have great
prido in wearing anything I send, and
chawing it n your father's taste. 1

f you wear your cambric ruhles ns I
lo, and take care not to mend tho
iole, they will come in time to be

Page image

1864-10-06 · Portland, Me.

author of “Poor Richard’’ wrote as iollows:
“The war, indeed, may in some degree raise
the price of goods, and the high taxes which
are neoessary to support the war may make
our frugality necessary; and, as I am always
preaching that doctrine, f c qjnqt it) conscience
or in decency encourage the contrary by my
example in furnishing my children with fool­
ish modes and luxuries. I therefore send all
the articles you desire that are useful and ne­
cessary, and omit the rest; for, as you say
you should ‘have great pride In wearing any­
thing I send, and showing it as your father’s
taste,’ I must avoid giving you an opportuni
ty of doing that with either lace m feathers.
If you wear your cambric ruffles as I do, and :
take pm not to mend the holes, they will
come in time to be lace; and feathers, my
dear girl, may be had In America from every
cock’s tail.”

Page image

leagues:

When I began to read your account of
the high prices of goods—“a pair of
gloves seven dollars, a yard of common
gauze twenty-four dollars, and that it is
now required a fortune to maintain a
family in a very plain way, ” I ex­
pected you would conclude by telling
me that everybody, as well as yourself,
was grown frugal and industrious;
and I could scarcely believe my eyes,
in reading forward, that “there never
was so much pleasure and dressing going
on,” and that you yourself wanted back
pins and feathers from France, to appear,
I suppose in the mode! This leads me
to imagine that, perhaps, it is not so much
that the goods are grown dear as that the
money has grown cheap, as everything else
will do when excessively plenty, and that
people are still as easy, nearly, in their cir­
o imstances as when a pair of gloves might
be had for hal f a crown. The war, indeed,
may in some degree raise the prices of
goods, and the high taxes which are nec­
essary to support the war may make our
frugality necessary; and, as I am always
preaching that doctrine, I cannot in con­
science or in decenoy encourage the con­
trary, by my example, in furnishing my
children with foolish modes and luxuries.
I therefore send all the articles you desire
that are useful and necessary, and omit the
rest; for, as you say you should “ have
great pride in wearing anything I send, and
showing it as your father’s taste,” I must
avoid giving you an opportunity of doing
that with either lace or feathers. If you
wear your cambric ruffles as I do, and take
care not to mend the holes, they will oome
in time to be laoe; and feathers, my dear
girl, may be had in America from every
cock's tail.

Page image

leagues:
When I began to read yonr account of
the high prices of goods—“a pair of
gloves seven dollars, a yard of common
gauze twenty-four dollars, and that it is
now required a fortune to maintain a
family in a very plain way, ” I ex­
pected you would conclude by telling
me that everybody, as well as yourself,
was grown frugal and industrious;
and I could scarcely believe my eyes,
in reading forward, that “there never
was so much pleasure and dressing going
on,” and that you yourself wanted back
pins and feathers from France, to appear,
I suppose in the mode! This leads me
to imagine that, perhaps, it is not so much
that the goods are grown dear as that the
money has grown cheap, as everything else
will do when excessively plenty, and that
people are still as easy, nearly, in their cir­
o mistances as when a pair of gloves might
be had for hal f a crown. The war, indeed,
may in some degree raise the prices of
goods, and the high taxes which are nec­
essary to support the war may make our
frugality necessary; and, as I am always
preaching that doctrine, I cannot in con­
science or in decency encourage the con­
trary, by my example, in furnishing my
children with foolish inodes and luxuries.
I therefore 6eud all the articles you desire
that are useful and necessary, and omit the
rest; for, as you s&y you should “ have
great pride in wearing anything I send, and
showing it as your father’s taste,” I must
avoid giving you an opportunity of doing
that with either lace or feathers. If you
wear your cambric rufiles as I do, and take
care not to mend the holes, they will come
in time to be lace ; and feathers, my dear
girl, may be had in America from every
cock’s tail.

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Letter on Extravagance

From Lowell daily citizen and news.

1864-10-15 · Lowell, Mass.

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1864-10-20 · Rutland, Vt.

ard" wroto as follows :
"The war, Indeed, may in some de­
gree raise the price of goods, aud the
high taxes which are necessary to sup­
por the war may make our frugality
necessary j aud, as I am always preach­
ing that doctrine, I canuot in conscience
er In decency encourage the contrary,
by my example In furnishing my chil­
dren with foolish modes and luxuries.
I therefore send all the articles you de­
sire that are useful and necessary, and
omit the rest; for, as you say you should
'have great pride in wearing anything I
send, and showing it as your father's
taste,' I roast avoid giving you an op­
portunity of doing that with either lace
or feathers. If you wear your cambric
ruffles as I do, and take care not to mend
the holes, they will come in time to bo
lace; and feathers, my dear girl, may
be had in America from every cock's
tall.

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Letter on Extravagance

From Milwaukee daily sentinel.

1864-12-16 · [Milwaukee, Wis.]

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1868-03-11 · Mineral Point, Wis.

T\ hen I began to read your account
of the high prices uf goods—-“a pair of
gloves, seven dollars, a vard of com­
mon gauze, twenty-four dollars”—and
that it now required a fortune to main­
tain a family in a very plain wav, 1
expected you would conclude bv tell­
ing me that evervbodv, as well as
yourself, were grown frugal and indus­
trious ; and 1 could scarcely believe
my eyes, in reading forward, that
‘•there never was so much pleasure and
dressing going on and that you,
yourself, wanted black pins and feath­
ers iron. France, to appear. I suppose,
in the inode !
This leads me to imagine that, per­
haps, it is not so much that the goods
have grown dear as that the money
has grown cheap, as evervthr g else
will do when excessively plenty ; and
that people are still as easy, near­
y, in the r circumstances as when a
pair of gloves might be had for half a
crown. The war. indeed, may, in
some degree, raise the price of goods ;
and the high prices, whi h are neces­
sary to support the war, may make
our frugality necessary ; and, as I am
always preaching that doctrine, I can­
not, in conscience or in docencv, en­
courage the contrary by my example,
in furnishing my children with foolish
modes and luxuries. 1 therefore send
all the articles you desire that are use­
ful and necessary, and omit the rest ;
ior. as yon say you should “have great
pride hi wearing anything I send, and
showing it as your father's taste,” 1
must avoid giving vou an opportunity
of doing that with either lace or feath­
ers. If you wear your cambric ruffles
as 1 do, and take care not to mend the
holes, they will come in time to be
lace : and feathers, my dear girl, may
he had in America from anv cock's
tail.
Don’t Dance.
A plain unlettered man from th

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his daughter, Mrs. Bache. He there says that “ the clay medallion of me you
say you gave to Mr. Hopkinson, was the first of the kind made in France. A
variety of others have been made since of different sizes; some to be set in
the lids of snuff boxes, and some so small as to be worn in rings; and the
number sold are incredible.” Sparks’s Frankiin, viii, 373. The coat of arms,
so called and mentioned in the paragraph, is undoubtedly the private mark of
Nini, the artist who made it. A fur collar and linings were the habitual
badge of the master printers of the olden times, and a fur cap would naturally
go with them. An engraving of this medallion in a reduced size, is to b

Page image

MISCELLANEOUS.

From Bristol Mercury

1874-10-31 · Bristol, England

[This text is not available under an open license.]


Our Luxurious Forefathers

From The Raleigh register.

1877-07-31 · Raleigh, N.C.

[This text is not available under an open license.]


1879-01-01 · Philadelphia

daughter wrote, mild as they were in comparison with those
in which other of our citizens indulged, and replied: “I was
charmed with the account you gave me of your industry, the
table-cloths of your own spinning, etc.; but the latter part of
the paragraph, that you had sent for linen from France be-
cause weaving and flax were grown dear, alas! that dissolved
the charm; and your sending for long black pins, and lace
and feathers! disgusted me as much as if you had put salt into
my strawberries. The spinning, I see, is laid aside, and you
are to be dressed for the ball! You seem not to know, my
dear daughter, that of all the dear things in this world idleness
is the dearest, except mischief. . . . When I began to
read your account of the high prices of goods . . . . I
expected you would conclude with telling me, that everybody
as well as yourself was grown frugal and industrious ; and I
could scarce believe my eyes, in reading forward, ‘that there

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1879-01-01 · Philadelphia

never was so much pleasure and dressing going on ; and that
you yourself wanted black pins and feathers from France to
appear, I suppose, in the mode! This leads me to imagine,
that perhaps it is not so much that the goods are grown dear
as that the money is grown cheap, as everything else will do
when excessively plenty; and that people are still as easy
nearly in their circumstances as when gloves might be had
for half a crown. The war, indeed, may in some degree raise
the price of goods, and the high taxes which are necessary to
support the war may make our frugality necessary ; and, as I
am always preaching that doctrine, I cannot in conscience or
in decency encourage the contrary by my example, in furnish-
ing my children with foolish modes and luxuries. I, there-
fore, send all the articles you desire that are useful and neces-
sary, and omit the rest; for, as you say, you should ‘have
great pride in wearing anything I send, and showing it as your
father’s taste,’ I must avoid giving you an opportunity of
doing that with either lace or feathers. If you wear your
cambric ruffles as I do, and take care not to mend the holes,
they will come in time to be lace ; and feathers, my dear girl,
they may be had in America from every cock’s tail.”

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1879-07-01 · Philadelphia

sent and showing it as her father’s taste,
with, “If you wear your cambric ruffles
as | do, and take care not to mend the
holes, they will come in time to be lace;
and feathers, my dear girl, may be had in
America from every cock’s tail.” “You

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1879-08-02 · Boston

anything he sent,” showing it as her father’s
taste, with “If you wear your cambric
ruffles as I do, and take care not to mend
the holes, they will come in time to be
lace; and feathers, my dear girl, may be
had in America from every cock’s tail.”

Page image

1879-09-01 · New York

any thing he sent,” showing it as her
father’s taste, with “ If you wear your
cambric ruffles as I do, and take care
not to mend the holes, they will come in
time to be lace ; and feathers, my dear
girl, may be had in America from every
cock’s tail.”

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1880-04-01 · Edinburgh, Scotland

daughter that incredible numbers had been sold of clay medal¬
lions of him, ‘ some to be set in the lids of snuff-boxes, and
‘ some so small as to be worn in rings.’ ‘ Pictures, busts, and
‘ prints have made your father’s face as Avell known as that of
‘ the moon.’ A great Parisian lady Avrote fifty years later to th

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1880-04-01 · Edinburgh, Scotland

daughter that incredible numbers had been sold of clay medal-
lions of him, ‘some to be set in the lids of snuff-boxes, and
‘some so small as to be worn in rings.’ ‘ Pictures, busts, and
‘ prints have made your father’s face as well known as that of
‘the moon.’ A great Parisian lady wrote fifty years later to th

Page image

1885-10-09 · St. Louis, Missouri

my, closing with the following: ‘‘If
you wear your cambric ruffles as I do,
and take care not to mend the holes,
they will come, in time, to be lace!
and feathers, my dear girl, may be had
in America from every cock’s tail!

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1887-03-01 · Edinburgh, Scotland

and embroidered suits, came like a
revelation of free nature to the slaves

The Old Saloon:

  • Indian descent.

[March

of fashion. He became, to his own
amusement, the idol of Paris. ...,
He tells his daughter that incredible
numbers had been sold of clay medal-
lions of him, ‘some to be set in the
lids of snuff-boxes, and some so smal}
as to be worn in rings.’ ‘Pictures,
busts, and prints have made your
father’s face as well known as that of
the moon.’ A great Parisian lady
wrote fifty years later to the respect-
able Ticknor in language which im.
plied that she thought Bostonians and
Patagonians kindred peoples. After
the same fashion Versailles was never,
perhaps, quite certain that the New
England philosopher was not of Red
But love does not
reason. Paris had fallen in love with
Franklin, and in homage to him grew
enamoured of simplicity.”

Perhaps this early example set
the fashion of that sentiment to

Page image

1888-03-01 · New York

The clay medallion of me you say you gave to Mr.
Hopkinson was the first of the kind made in France.
A variety of others of different sizes have been made
since; some to be set in the lids of snuff-boxes and
some so small as to be worn in rings, and the numbers
sold are incredible, These, with the pictures, busts,
and prints (of which copies upon copies are spread
everywhere), have made your father’s face as well
known as that of the moon, so that he durst not do

Page image

1888-03-01 · New York

anything that would oblige him to run away, as his
phiz would discover him wherever he should venture
to show it. Itis said by learned etymologists that the
name of doll for the image children play with is de-
rived from the word idol. From the number of dolls
now made of him he may be truly said, in that sense,
to be idolized in this country.*

Page image

1888-03-25 · New-York [N.Y.]

solves the eharm by sending for linen from
France, while “ your sending for long black
pins and lace and Jeathers! disgusted me,”
he says, ‘‘as much as if you had put salt
into imy strawberries.” And he proceed

Page image

1888-03-25 · New-York [N.Y.]

“When I began toread your account of the
high price of goods—‘a pair of gloves, $7; a
yard of common gauze, $24,’ and thatit ‘now
required a toriune to maintain a family ip a
very plain way’—I expected you would conclude
with telling me that everybody, as well as your-
self, was grown frugal and iudustrious; andl
could scarce believe my eres in reading forward
that there ‘never was so much pleasure and dress-
ing going on,’ and that you yourself wanted black
pins and feathers from France, to appear, [ sup-
pose,in the mode. ‘This leads me to imagine
that perhaps it is not so much that the gooda
are grown dear as that the mouey is grown
cheap, as everything else will when
plenty, and that people are. still
as easy nhearly' in their circumstances
as when a pair of gloves might ne had for balfa
crown. Lhe war, indeed, may in some degree
raise the price of goods, and the high taxes
which are necessary to support the war may
make our frugaliiy necessary; and as [I am
always preaching that doctrine, I cannot in con-
scieuce or 1n decency cncourage the contrary by
my example in furnishing my children with
toolish modes aud Inxuries. Z therefore send
all the articles you desire that are useful and
necessary, and omit the rest, fur as you say you
should ‘have great pride in wearing anything [
send and showing it as your father’s taste,’ [
wust avoid giving you an opportunity of doing
that with either lace or feathers. If you wear
your cambric ruffies as I do, and take care not
to mend the holes, they will come in time to
belace; and feathers, my dear girl, may be Lad
in America from every cuck’s tail”

Page image

1888-04-14 · Minneapolis, Minn. ;

the charm by sending for linen from
France, while "your sending for long
black pins and laces and feathers dis­
trusted me," he says, "as much as if
you had put salt into my strawberries.

Page image

1888-04-14 · Minneapolis, Minn. ;

for her extravagance: "When I began
to read your account of the high price
of goods—'a pair of gloves, $7, a yard of
common gauze, $24,' and that it 'now
required a fortune to maintain a family
in a very plain way'—I expected you
would conclude with telling me that
everybody, as well as yourself, was
grown ^frugal and industrious and I
could scarce believe my eyes in reading
forward that there 'never was so much
pleasure and dressing going on,'and
that you yourself wanted black pins
and feathers from France, to appear, I
suppose, in the mode. This leads me to
imagine that perhaps it is not so much
the goods that the goods are grown dear

«»ap^«riMM|

$1.50 PER YEAR

as That the ?.i?$ is grown cheap, as
everj'thing else will when grown plenty,
and that people are still as easy nearly
in their circumstances as when a pair
of gloves D:ight be had for half a crown.
The war, indeed, may in some degree
raise the price of goods, and the. high
taxes which are necessary to support
the war may make our frugality neces­
sary and as I am always preaching
that doctrine, I cannot iu conscience or
in decency encourage the contrary by
my example in furnishing my children
with foolish modes and luxuries. I
therefore send all the articles, you desire
that are useful and necessary, and omit
the rest, for as you say you should
'have great pride iu wearing anything
I send and showing it us your father's
taste,' I must avoid giving you an op-

dumg tha« with eithex laces

or feathers. If yon wear your cambric
rnilhs as I do. and take care, not to
I mend the holes, they wi-l come in time
to be lace and feathers, my 'dear girl,
may be had in America from every
cock's tail." Franklin was excessivel

Page image

1890-12-01 · New York

A variety of others have been made since of dif-
ferent sizes ; some to be set in the lids of snuff-boxes
and some so small as to be worn in rings; and the
numbers sold are incredible. These, with the pic-
tures, busts, and prints (of which copies upon copies
arespread everywhere), have made your father’s face
as well known as that of the moon, so that he durst
not do anything that would oblige him to run away,
as his phiz would discover him wherever he would
venture to show it. It is said by learned etymolo-
gists that the name do// for the images children play
with is derived from the word ido/. From the num-
ber of dolls now made of him he may be truly said
in that sense to be t-doll-ized in this country.

These are the playful words of the man o

Page image

1896-12-01 · New York

certain medallion and says:

' «A variety of others have
been made since of different.
sizes ; some to be set in the
lids of snuff-boxes and some
so small as to be worn in
rings, and the numbers sold
are incredible. These, with
the pictures, busts, and
prints (of which copies upon
copies are spread every-

where) have made your father’s face as
well known as that of the moon, so that
he durst not do anything that would
oblige him to run away, as his phiz
would discover him wherever he should
venture to show it. It is said by learned
etymologists that the name of doll, for
the images children play with, is de-
rived from the word idol. From the
number of dolls now made of him, he
may be truly said, in that sense, to be
idollized in this country.”

At the close of the third period of
the American Revolution—from the
Declaration of Independence to the
surrender of Burgoyne—according to
the division of John Fiske, the British
were defeated in the second blow at the
centre of the States, the strategic line
of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, and
Burgoyne was forced to surrender at
Saratoga on October 17, 1777.

Page image

1897-01-01 · New York

Say you gave t Mr
Hopkinson was the
first of the kind mads
in France. A variety
of others of different
; word vir to portraits sizes have been made
of Franklin, in honor since, some to be set in
of his elevated genius
But Renaud had to em-

phasize his admiration

the lids of snuff boxes
and some so small as
to be worn in rings,
by a contraction of vis and the number sol
SPECTABILIS. From the are incredible. These
with the pictures, busts
!

Page image

his medallion. ‘These,’ he wrote to his daughter, ‘have made
your father’s face as well known as that of the moon, so that he
durst not do anything that would oblige him to run away, as his
phiz would discover him wherever he should venture to show it.’”

Page image

1899-01-27 · Santa Fe, N.M.

With still other ends In view, bo soon as
he wus settled In Paris he "sent htm to

finish his eduoatlon at Geneva," as "I in

tend him for a Presbyterian as well as a
republican." Here the boy remained four

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