FRANKLIN, Benjamin (1706-1790). AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ('B. FRANKLIN') TO LORD KAMES ('My dear Lord'), London, 27 January 1762 , saying he is impatient for Kames' Elements of Criticism , about to be published, otherwise he is engaged in preparations for his return to America. He requests very detailed information from Lord Kames about his smoky chimney, 'I am griev'd that you should live in a smoaky Room at Edinburgh, and that it is so difficult at this Distance to employ any Skill I may have in these Matters for your Relief'. Finally he congratulates Kames on the engagement of his daughter. Subscribed 'With the truest Esteem & Respect'. 2½ pages, folio (322 x 201mm) , (margins and tears in folds reinforced, without any loss of text or letters); with autograph wrapper and seal (laid down on paper). A letter particularly interesting because it reflects Franklin's practical skills. He asks many questions, to be able to analyze the causes of Kames' problem with his chimneys, 'Does the Chimney refuse constantly to carry Smoke, or is it only at particular Times? Is it in a calm Season, or only when Winds blow? that is, What Point of the Compass does the Opening of the Chimney within your Room face towards, & what Winds chiefly affect it? ... What is the Situation of your high Street in Edinburgh, with respect to the Compass? ...' and many more similar questions. He ends 'There are I think 5 or 6 different Cases of smoaky Chimnies; all (except one) to be cured by different Means; & that one seems to me at present absolutely incurable. Chimneys in this Case, from what I remember of the Situation of Buildings in Edinburgh, I should fear you have more in proportion than any other Town in Britain. But Workmen, ignorant of Causes, are like Quacks, always tampering; applying the Remedy proper in one Case to another in which it is improper, as well as attempting the Cure of what from the Nature of Things is not to be cured'. In this letter Franklin also writes, that after his return to America, he will have 'reason to expect a good deal of Leisure, and purpose seizing the first Opportunity of compleating a Work which I flatter myself will be useful to many, and afford some Reputation to its Author'. This clearly refers to the long-planned Art of Virtue , see letter of 3 May 1760 above. Published in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin , ed. L.W.Labaree, vol.10 pp.27-29. (2)
FRANKLIN, Benjamin (1706-1790). AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ('B. FRANKLIN') TO LORD KAMES ('My dear Lord'), London, 27 January 1762 , saying he is impatient for Kames' Elements of Criticism , about to be published, otherwise he is engaged in preparations for his return to America. He requests very detailed information from Lord Kames about his smoky chimney, 'I am griev'd that you should live in a smoaky Room at Edinburgh, and that it is so difficult at this Distance to employ any Skill I may have in these Matters for your Relief'. Finally he congratulates Kames on the engagement of his daughter. Subscribed 'With the truest Esteem & Respect'. 2½ pages, folio (322 x 201mm) , (margins and tears in folds reinforced, without any loss of text or letters); with autograph wrapper and seal (laid down on paper). A letter particularly interesting because it reflects Franklin's practical skills. He asks many questions, to be able to analyze the causes of Kames' problem with his chimneys, 'Does the Chimney refuse constantly to carry Smoke, or is it only at particular Times? Is it in a calm Season, or only when Winds blow? that is, What Point of the Compass does the Opening of the Chimney within your Room face towards, & what Winds chiefly affect it? ... What is the Situation of your high Street in Edinburgh, with respect to the Compass? ...' and many more similar questions. He ends 'There are I think 5 or 6 different Cases of smoaky Chimnies; all (except one) to be cured by different Means; & that one seems to me at present absolutely incurable. Chimneys in this Case, from what I remember of the Situation of Buildings in Edinburgh, I should fear you have more in proportion than any other Town in Britain. But Workmen, ignorant of Causes, are like Quacks, always tampering; applying the Remedy proper in one Case to another in which it is improper, as well as attempting the Cure of what from the Nature of Things is not to be cured'. In this letter Franklin also writes, that after his return to America, he will have 'reason to expect a good deal of Leisure, and purpose seizing the first Opportunity of compleating a Work which I flatter myself will be useful to many, and afford some Reputation to its Author'. This clearly refers to the long-planned Art of Virtue , see letter of 3 May 1760 above. Published in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin , ed. L.W.Labaree, vol.10 pp.27-29. (2)
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
