Category Archives: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin—Wise Friend

Posted on by September 21, 2016

After the Declaration of Independence had been written, argued, agreed upon and signed, Benjamin Franklin was sent by Congress to seek to negotiate a loan from the King of France. This was needed to keep the Revolutionary Army of George Washington in service.

At the same time, Franklin’s friend, John Paul Jones was in Le Havre asking the French King for some warships. Jones’ written letters were to no avail.

Benjamin Franklin prepared to sail back to Pennsylvania after his loan was granted and a treaty with France were finally signed. read more

Benjamin Franklin–Musician

Posted on by September 20, 2016

Benjamin_Franklin's_glass_harmonica_(LoC)_editedNearly everyone knows of Benjamin Franklin’s success as a printer and businessman, as well as his many diplomatic successes. However, not many people know of his invention as a musician.

You’ve probably done the exercise at one time or another during your life of dipping your finger into a crystal glass containing some water or other liquid. When you move your finger around the top of the glass you hear a tiny, high pitched sound coming from the movement. Everyone has tried it. Don’t spill the liquid. read more

Did You Know This About the Constitution?

Posted on by September 10, 2016

Who was Gouverneur Morris?

Was he a Governor of some State or Colony? What did he do that I should even know who he was?

No, that’s not a misspelling. That’s how he spelled his name—Gouverneur. And he pronounced it “Goo-ver-newer”.

constitutionNo, he was not a Governor at the time. He was one of the important men attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787. He was one of the important men, at that Convention, such as James Madison, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin. read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Wit and Wisdom

Posted on by September 7, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureBen Franklin is known not only as a Founding Father and Inventor, but also for his abundant Wit and Wisdom.

We still repeat many of his original sayings today.

For example: “The way to wealth . . . depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality: that is waste neither time nor money.”

And a more famous one: “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

So, having quoted those two, I’m not going to waste any time, I’m going right to bed!

Old Constitution or New Constitution

Posted on by September 2, 2016

constitutionMany new students of our form of government seem to think they have a better idea. We should try more direct democracy, or perhaps a modern socialism, or even communism would work better.

I’ve got a consideration for everyone who wonders about this. Our Founding Fathers were so concerned about their new government they made world governments a serious study. They studied Greece, Rome, and even Israel. They knew about Monarchies and dictatorships. James Madison in particular made it a serious study. How do governments operate and how do they eventually work. read more

Founding Fathers and Words

Posted on by August 28, 2016

ThomasJeffersonThomas Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin had several things in common. Not the least of which was how they faced an argument or a political debate.

Thomas Jefferson explained how he thought about his friends and fellow Founding Fathers this way: “I never heard either of them (George Washington and Benjamin Franklin) speak ten minutes at a time, nor to any but the main point . . .They laid their shoulders to the great points, knowing that the little ones would follow of themselves.” read more

Benjamin Franklin and John Adams

Posted on by August 6, 2016

Franklin_in_his_fur_capWhen Ben and John were sent by Congress to try to talk reason with the British generals at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, travel wasn’t like it is today. No interstate highways, no automobiles, no large hotels to spend the night in. John and Ben had to spend the night at an inn with only one room and with one bed available.

So Ben taught John about air circulation and leaving the windows open. And a little about his penchant for “air baths”. That’s one reason Thomas Jefferson gave for not wanting to even travel with Benjamin Franklin. read more

Peanuts and Ben Franklin

Posted on by July 29, 2016

Today I happened upon an old Peanuts cartoon which just caught my fancy. I’d like to share it with you.

Ben Franklin thumb pictureSnoopy is lying in the grass and says to himself: ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have given up on my writing.’

Then he sits up and says: ‘I might have written another ‘Heart of Darkness’ or ‘Daisy Miller’ . . . . Who knows?’

Another panel: ‘Of course, there’s always the danger of trying to do to much . . . of getting involved in too many activities.’

Final cartoon panel: Now Snoopy is eating out of his dog dish. And thinks to himself: ‘It’s important that I concentrate on my eating!’ read more

Benjamin Franklin Sayings

Posted on by July 27, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureOne of the sayings that Benjamin Franklin printed, but you have likely never heard, is:

“He who buys has need of one hundred eyes, but one’s enough for him that sells the stuff.” I guess you have to think about it. Do you get it? Well, here’s an example.

Giovanni Martinelli was an acclaimed opera singer in his day. In a print advertisement Martinelli claimed that a particular brand of cigarettes never caused any throat irritation or problem for his singing voice.

Sometime later, Giovanni was interviewed by a reporter who questioned his statement about the cigarettes he had endorsed. How could that be? No irritation to his incredible singing voice by the use of cigarettes. The reporter reminded him of that particular cigarette advertisement. Martinelli’s response was that his statement was entirely accurate. read more