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Editorial
July 25, 1777
The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract from Beccaria's letter to Priestley, quoted in Priestley's preface on air, laments Franklin's death and defends his vast scientific reputation against attacks by misguided politicians seeking to undermine it for their own schemes.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Extract of a letter from that excellent, not too enthusiastic philosophical father Beccaria, of Turin, to Dr. Priestley.
"I am sorry that the political world, which is so very transitory, should take the great Franklin from the world of nature, which can never change or fail!" I own it is with peculiar pleasure that I quote this passage respecting this truly great man, at a time when some of the infatuated politicians of this country are vainly thinking to build their wretched and destructive projects on the ruins of his established reputation; a reputation as extensive as the spread of science itself, and of which it is saying very little indeed to pronounce that it will last and flourish when the names of all his enemies shall be forgotten. Extract from the preface of the first volume of Priestley on Air.
"I am sorry that the political world, which is so very transitory, should take the great Franklin from the world of nature, which can never change or fail!" I own it is with peculiar pleasure that I quote this passage respecting this truly great man, at a time when some of the infatuated politicians of this country are vainly thinking to build their wretched and destructive projects on the ruins of his established reputation; a reputation as extensive as the spread of science itself, and of which it is saying very little indeed to pronounce that it will last and flourish when the names of all his enemies shall be forgotten. Extract from the preface of the first volume of Priestley on Air.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Science Or Medicine
What keywords are associated?
Franklin Reputation
Beccaria Letter
Priestley Preface
Political Attacks
Scientific Legacy
What entities or persons were involved?
Beccaria
Dr. Priestley
Franklin
Infatuated Politicians
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Franklin's Reputation Against Political Attacks
Stance / Tone
Strongly Supportive Of Franklin And Critical Of Politicians
Key Figures
Beccaria
Dr. Priestley
Franklin
Infatuated Politicians
Key Arguments
Political World Is Transitory And Took Franklin From Unchanging Nature
Franklin's Reputation As Extensive As Science Will Outlast Enemies
Politicians Vainly Build Destructive Projects On Ruins Of His Reputation