Burlington Free Press

DR. FRANKLIN'S VISIT TO HIS MOTHER.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin, after the decease of his father, returned to Boston in order to pay his respects to his mother, who resided in that city. He had been absent some years, and at that period when the greatest and most rapid alteration is made in the human appearance; at a time when the querulous voice of the stripling assumes the commanding tone of the adult, and the smiling features of the youth are succeeded by the strong lines of manhood. The Doctor was sensible such was the alteration of his person, that his mother could not know him, except by that instinct which it is believed can cause a mother's heart beat violently in the presence of a child, and point the maternal eye, with quick and sudden glance, to a beloved son.

To discover the existence of this instinct, by actual experience, Franklin resolved to introduce himself, as a stranger, to his mother, and to watch narrowly for the moment in which he should discover her son, and then to determine with the cool precision of the philosopher. whether that discovery was the effect of that instinct of affection—that intuitive love—that innate attachment—which is conjectured to cement relatives of the same blood: and which, by according the passions of parent and child, like a well tuned viol, would, at the first touch, cause them to vibrate in unison, and at once evince that they were but different chords of the same instrument.

On a sullen, chilly day, in the month of January, in the afternoon, he knocked at his mother's door and asked to speak with Mrs Franklin, He found the old lady knitting before the parlor fire—introduced himself. by observing that he had been informed she entertained travellers, and requested a night's lodging. She eyed him with that cold look of disapprobation which most people assume when they imagine themselves insulted by being supposed to exercise an employment but one degree below their real occupation in life; assured him that he had been misinformed—that she did not keep tavern; but that it was true, to oblige some members of the Legislature, she took a number of them into her family, during the session ; that she then had four members of the council and six of the House of Representatives, who boarded with her—that all her beds were full; and then betook herself to her knitting with that intense application which expressed as forcibly as actions could do, if you have concluded your business, the sooner you leave the house the better. But upon the Doctor's wrapping his cloak around him, affecting to shiver with cold, and observing it was very chilly weather, she pointed to a chair, and gave him leave to warm himself.

The entrance of her boarders precluded further conversation—coffee was soon served, and the Doctor partook with the family. To the coffee, according to the good old custom of the times. succeeded a plate of pippins, and a paper of McEntire's best. when the whole family formed a cheerful smoking semicircle before the fire. Perhaps no man possessed the colloquial powers to a more fascinating degree, than Dr. Franklin ;—and never was there an occasion when he displayed those powers to greater advantage, than at this time. He drew the attention of the company, by solidity of modest remark—instructed them by the varied. and new and striking lights, in which he placed his subject, and delighted them with apt and amusing anecdotes.—Thus employed, the hours passed merrily along, until eight o'clock, when, punctual to a moment, Mrs. Franklin announced supper. Busied with her household affairs, she fancied the intruding stranger had quitted the house, immediately after coffee, and it was with difficulty she could restrain her resentment when she saw him, without molestation, seat himself at the table with the freedom of a member of the family.

Immediately after supper, she called an elderly gentleman, a member of the council. in whom she was accustomed to confide, to another room —complained bitterly of the rudeness of the stranger—told the manner of his introduction to the house—observed that he appeared like an outlandish man. and, she thought, had something very suspicious in his appearance, concluding by soliciting her friend's advice with respect to the way in which she could most easily rid herself of his presence. The old gentleman assured her that the stranger was certainly a young man of education, and to all appearance a gentleman; that, perhaps, being in agreeable company, he had paid no attention to the lateness of the hour ; and advised her to call him aside, and repeat to him her inability to lodge him. She accordingly sent her maid to him, and then with as much temper as she could command, recapitulated the situation of her family, observed that it grew late, and mildly intimated that he would do well to seek himself a lodging.

The doctor replied, that he would, by no means, incommode the family; but that, with her leave, he would smoke one pipe more with her boarders, and then retire. He returned to the company, and with the first whiff his powers of converse returned with double force. He recounted the hardships—he extolled the piety and policy of their ancestors. A gentleman present mentioned the subject of the day's debate in the House of Representatives. A bill had been introduced, to extend the prerogatives of the Royal Governor. The Doctor immediately entered upon the subject—supported the colonial rights with new and forcible arguments—was familiar with the names of the influential men in the House when Dudley was Governor—recited their speeches, and applauded the noble defence of chamber of rights.

During a discourse so appropriately interesting to the company, no wonder the clock struck eleven unperceived by the delighted circle: nor was it wonderful that the patience of Mrs. Franklin grew quite exhausted. She now entered the room, and before the whole company, with much warmth, addressed the Doctor; told him plainly, that she thought herself imposed on: observed that it was true she was a lone woman, but that she had friends who would protect her, and concluded by insisting on his leaving the house.—The Doctor made a slight apology, deliberately put on his great coat and hat, took a polite leave of the company, and approached the street door, lighted by the maid and attended by the mistress.

While the Doctor and his companions had been enjoying themselves within, a most tremendous snow storm, had, without, filled the streets knee deep—and no sooner had the maid lifted the latch than a roaring north-easter forced open the door and extinguished the light and filled the entry with drifted snow and hail. As soon as the candle was relighted. the Doctor cast a woful look at the street, and thus addressed his mother,—' My dear madam, can you turn me out of your house in this dreadful storm ; I am a stranger in this town, and shall certainly perish in the streets. You look like a charitable lady ; I shouldn't think you would turn a dog out of doors on this tempestuous night '

'Don't tell me of charity,' said the offended matron—'charity begins at home. It is your own fault that you tarried so long To be plain with you, Sir, I don't like your looks, nor your conduct—and I fear you have some bad design in thus introducing yourself into my family.'

The warmth of this parley had drawn the party from the parlor, and by their united interference, the stranger was permitted to lodge in the house; and as no bed was to be had, he consented to repose on an easy chair before the parlor fire. Although her boarders appeared to confide, perfectly, in the stranger's honesty, it was not so with Mrs. Franklin ; with suspicious caution she collected all her silver spoons, pepperbox and porringer, from her closet; and after securing the parlor door by sticking a fork over the latch—carried the plate to the chamber—charged the negro man to sleep with his clothes on—to take the great cleaver to bed with him, and to awaken and seize the vagrant the first noise he made in attempting to plunder the house. Having thus taken every precaution, she retired to bed with her maid, whom she compelled to sleep in her room.

Mrs. Franklin rose before the sun, roused her domestics, unfastened the parlor door with timid caution, and was agreeably surprised to find her guest quietly sleeping in the chair ;—a sudden transition from extreme mistrust to perfect confidence, was natural. She awakened him with a cheerful good morning—inquired how he had rested—and invited him to partake of her breakfast!, which was always served previous to that of the boarders. And pray, sir. said the old lady, as she sipped her chocolate, as you appear to be stranger here, to what distant country do you belong ? I. madam—I belong to the city of Philadelphia! At the mention of Philadelphia. the Doctor declared he for the first time perceived any emotion in her. Philadelphia?' said she, and all the mother suffused her eye. 'If you live in Philadelphia, perhaps you know our Ben. Who, madam?" Why. Ben Franklin; my Ben : ohn! he's the dearest child that ever blest a mother!' What.' said the Doctor, 'is Ben Franklin, the printer. your son? why. he is my most intimate friend : he and I lodge in the same room.' 'Oh! God forgive me !' exclaimed the old lady, and I have permitted a friend of Ben to sleep on this hard chair, while I myself rested on a bed !'

How the Doctor discovered himself to his mother he has not informed us, but he was often afterwards heard to declare that natural affection does not exist.—Am. Anecdotes.