THE WHISTLE
To Madame Brillon
Passy, November 10, 1779.
I am charmed with your description of Paradise, and with your plan of living there; and I approve much of your conclusion, that, in the meantime, we should draw all the good we can from this world. In my opinion, we might all draw more good from it than we do, and suffer less evil, if we would take care not to give too much for whistles. For to me it seems, that most of the unhappy people we meet with, are become so by neglect of that caution.
You ask what I mean? You love stories, and will excuse my telling one of myself.
When I was a child of seven year old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pocket with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they sold toys for children; and being charmed with the sound of a _whistle_, that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered and gave all my money for one. I then came home, and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my _whistle_, but disturbing all the family. My brothers, and sisters, and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as it was worth; put me in mind what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money; and laughed at me so much for my folly, that I cried with vexation; and the reflection gave me more chagrin than the _whistle_ gave me pleasure.
This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, I said to myself, _Don't give too much for the whistle_; and I saved my money.
As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, who _gave too much for the whistle_.
When I saw one too ambitious of court favor, sacrificing his time in attendance on levees, his repose, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends, to attain it, I have said to myself, _This man gives too much for his whistle_.
When I saw another fond of popularity, constantly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by neglect, _He pays, indeed_, said I, _too much for his whistle_.
If I knew a miser who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of accumulating wealth, _Poor man_, said I, _you pay too much for your whistle_.
When I met with a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laudable improvement of the mind, or of his fortune, to mere corporeal sensations, and ruining his health in their pursuit, _Mistaken man_, said I, _you are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you give too much for your whistle_.
If I see one fond of appearance, or fine clothes, fine houses, fine furniture, fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which he contracts debts, and ends his career in a prison, _Alas_! say I, _he has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle_.
When I see a beautiful, sweet-tempered girl married to an ill-natured brute of a husband, _What a pity_, say I, _that she should pay so much for a whistle_!
In short, I conceive that great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by the false estimates they have made of the value of things, and by their _giving too much for their whistles_.
Yet I ought to have charity for these unhappy people, when I consider, that, with all this wisdom of which I am boasting, there are certain things in the world so tempting, for example, the apples of King John, which happily are not to be bought; for if they were put to sale by auction, I might very easily be led to ruin myself in the purchase, and find that I had once more given too much for the _whistle_.
Adieu, my dear friend, and believe me ever yours very sincerely and with unalterable affection,
B. Franklin.
A LETTER TO SAMUEL MATHER
Passy, May 12, 1784.
Revd Sir,
It is now more than 60 years since I left Boston, but I remember well both your father and grandfather, having heard them both in the pulpit, and seen them in their houses. The last time I saw your father was in the beginning of 1724, when I visited him after my first trip to Pennsylvania. He received me in his library, and on my taking leave showed me a shorter way out of the house through a narrow passage, which was crossed by a beam overhead. We were still talking as I withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I turning partly towards him, when he said hastily, "_Stoop, stoop!_" I did not understand him, till I felt my head hit against the beam. He was a man that never missed any occasion of giving instruction, and upon this he said to me, "_You are young, and have the world before you; stoop as you go through it, and you will miss many hard thumps_." This advice, thus beat into my head, has frequently been of use to me; and I often think of it, when I see pride mortified, and misfortunes brought upon people by their carrying their heads too high.
B. Franklin.
THE END
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The last and most complete edition of Franklin's works is that by the late Professor Albert H. Smyth, published in ten volumes by the Macmillan Company, New York, under the title, _The Writings of Benjamin Franklin_. The other standard edition is the _Works of Benjamin Franklin_ by John Bigelow (New York, 1887). Mr. Bigelow's first edition of the _Autobiography_ in one volume was published by the J. B. Lippincott Company of Philadelphia in 1868. The life of Franklin as a writer is well treated by J. B. McMaster in a volume of _The American Men of Letters Series_; his life as a statesman and diplomat, by J. T. Morse, _American Statesmen Series_, one volume; Houghton, Mifflin Company publish both books. A more exhaustive account of the life and times of Franklin may be found in James Parton's _Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin_ (2 vols., New York, 1864). Paul Leicester Ford's _The Many-Sided Franklin_ is a most chatty and readable book, replete with anecdotes and excellently and fully illustrated. An excellent criticism by Woodrow Wilson introduces an edition of the _Autobiography_ in _The Century Classics_ (Century Co., New York, 1901). Interesting magazine articles are those of E. E. Hale, _Christian Examiner_, lxxi, 447; W. P. Trent, _McClure's Magazine_, viii, 273; John Hay, _The Century Magazine_, lxxi, 447.
See also the histories of American literature by C. F. Richardson, Moses Coit Tyler, Brander Matthews, John Nichol, and Barrett Wendell, as well as the various encyclopedias. An excellent bibliography of Franklin is that of Paul Leicester Ford, entitled _A List of Books Written by, or Relating to Benjamin Franklin_ (New York, 1889).
The following list of Franklin's works contains the more interesting publications, together with the dates of first issue.
_1722. Dogood Papers._
Letters in the style of Addison's _Spectator_, contributed to James Franklin's newspaper and signed "Silence Dogood."
_1729. The Busybody._
A series of essays published in Bradford's Philadelphia _Weekly Mercury_, six of which only are ascribed to Franklin. They are essays on morality, philosophy and politics, similar to the _Dogood Papers_.
_1729. A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency._
_1732. to 1757. Prefaces to Poor Richard's Almanac._
Among these are _Hints for those that would be Rich_, 1737; and _Plan for saving one hundred thousand pounds to New Jersey, 1756_.
1_743. A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge Among the British Plantations in America._
"This paper appears to contain the first suggestion, in any public form, for an _American Philosophical Society_." Sparks.
_1744. An Account of the New Invented Pennsylvania Fire-Places._
_1749. Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania._
Contains the plan for the school which later became the University of Pennsylvania.
_1752. Electrical Kite._
A description of the famous kite experiment, first written in a letter to Peter Collinson, dated Oct. 19, 1752, which was published later in the same year in _The Gentleman's Magazine_.
_1754. Plan of Union._
A plan for the union of the colonies presented to the colonial convention at Albany.
_1755. A Dialogue Between X, Y and Z._
An appeal to enlist in the provincial army for the defense of Pennsylvania.
_1758. Father Abraham's Speech._
Published as a preface to Poor Richard's Almanac and gathering into one writing the maxims of Poor Richard, which had already appeared in previous numbers of the Almanac. _The Speech_ was afterwards published in pamphlet form as the _Way to Wealth_.
_1760. Of the Means of disposing the Enemy to Peace._
A satirical plea for the prosecution of the war against France.
_1760. The Interest of Great Britain Considered, with regard to her Colonies, and the Acquisitions of Canada and Guadaloupe._
_1764. Cool Thoughts on the Present Situation of our Public Affairs._
A pamphlet favoring a Royal Government for Pennsylvania in exchange for that of the Proprietors.
_1766. The Examination of Doctor Benjamin Franklin, etc., in The British House of Commons, Relative to The Repeal of The American Stamp Act._
_1773. Rules by which A Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One._
Some twenty satirical rules embodying the line of conduct England was pursuing with America.
_1773. An Edict of The King of Prussia._
A satire in which the King of Prussia was made to treat England as England was treating America because England was originally settled by Germans.
_1777. Comparison of Great Britain and the United States in Regard to the Basis of Credit in The Two Countries._
One of several similar pamphlets written to effect loans for the American cause.
_1782. On the Theory of the Earth._
The best of Franklin's papers on geology.
_1782. Letter purporting to emanate from a petty German Prince and to be addressed to his officer in Command in America._
_1785. On the Causes and Cure of Smoky Chimneys._
_1786. Retort Courteous._
_Sending Felons to America._
Answers to the British clamor for the payment of American debts.
1789. _Address to the Public from the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting Abolition of Slavery._
1789. _An Account of the Supremest Court of Judicature in Pennsylvania, viz. The Court of the Press._
1790. _Martin's Account of his Consulship._
A parody of a pro-slavery speech in Congress.
1791. _Autobiography._
The first edition.
1818. _Bagatelles._
The Bagatelles were first published in 1818 in William Temple Franklin's edition of his grandfather's works. The following are the most famous of these essays and the dates when they were written:
1774? _A Parable Against Persecution._
Franklin called this the LI Chapter of Genesis.
1774? _A Parable on Brotherly Love._
1778. _The Ephemera, an Emblem of Human Life._
A new rendition of an earlier essay on Human Vanity.
1779. _The Story of the Whistle._
1779? _The Levee._
1779? _Proposed New Version of the Bible._
Part of the first chapter of _Job_ modernized.
(1779. Published) _The Morals of Chess._
1780? _The Handsome and Deformed Leg._
1780. _Dialogue between Franklin and the Gout._
(Published in 1802.)
1802. _A Petition of the Left Hand._
1806. _The Art of Procuring Pleasant Dreams._
[Illustration: MEDAL GIVEN BY THE BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM THE FRANKLIN FUND]
[Transcriptions of newspaper pages]
[Page 1 of _The Pennsylvania Gazette_,].
Numb. XL.
THE
Pennsylvania _GAZETTE_. Containing the freshest Advices Foreign and Domestick.
From Thursday, September 25. to Thursday, October 2. 1729.
_The_ Pennsylvania Gazette _being now to be carry'd on by other Hands, the Reader may expect some Account of the Method we design to proceed in._
_Upon a View of Chambers's great Dictionaries, from whence were taken the Materials of the_ Universal Instructor in all Arts and Sciences, _which usually made the First Part of this Paper, we find that besides their containing many Things abstruse or insignificant to us, it will probably be fifty Years before the Whole can be gone thro' in this Manner of Publication. There are likewise in those Books continual References from Things under one Letter of the Alphabet to those under another, which relate to the same Subject, and are necessary to explain and compleat it; those are taken in their Turn may perhaps be Ten Years distant; and since it is likely that they who desire to acquaint themselves with any particular Art or Science, would gladly have the whole before them in a much less Time, we believe our Readers will not think such a Method of communicating Knowledge to be a proper One._
_However, tho' we do not intend to continue the Publication of those Dictionaries in a regular Alphabetical Method, as has hitherto been done; yet as several Things exhibited from them in the Course of these Papers, have been entertaining to such of the Curious, who never had and cannot have the Advantage of good Libraries; and as there are many Things still behind, which being in this Manner made generally known, may perhaps become of considerable Use, by giving such Hints to the excellent natural Genius's of our Country, as may contribute either to the Improvement of our present Manufactures, or towards the Invention of new Ones; we propose from Time to Time to communicate such particular Parts as appear to be of the most general Consequence._
_As to the_ Religious Courtship, _Part of which has been retal'd to the Publick in these Papers, the Reader may be inform'd, that the whole Book will probably in a little Time be printed and bound up by it-self; and those who approve of it, will doubtless be better pleas'd to have it entire, than in this broken interrupted Manner._
_There are many who have long desired to see a good News-Paper in_ Pennsylvania; _and we hope those Gentlemen who are able, will contribute towards the making This such. We ask Assistance, because we are fully sensible, that to publish a good New-Paper is not so easy an Undertaking as many People imagine it to be. The Author of a Gazette (in the Opinion of the Learned) ought to be qualified with an extensive Acquaintance with Languages, a great Easiness and Command of Writing and Relating Things cleanly and intelligibly, and in few Words; he should be able to speak of War both by Land and Sea; be well acquainted with Geography, with the History of the Time, with the several Interests of Princes and States, the Secrets of Courts, and the Manners and Customs of all Nations. Men thus accomplish'd are very rare in this remote Part of the World; and it would be well if the Writer of these Papers could make up among his Friends what is wanting in himself._
_Upon the Whole, we may assure the Publick, that as far as the Encouragement we meet with will enable us, no Care and Pains shall be omitted, that may make the_ Pennsylvania Gazette _as agreeable and useful an Entertainment as the Nature of the Thing will allow._
The Following is the last Message sent by his Excellency Governor _Burnet_, to the House of Representatives in _Boston_.
_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,_
It is not with so vain a Hope as to convince you, that I take the Trouble to answer your Messages, but, if possible, to open the Eyes of the deluded People whom you represent, and whom you are at so much Pains to keep in Ignorance of the true State of their Affairs. I need not go further for an undeniable Proof of this Endeavour to blind them, than your ordering the Letter of Messieurs _Wilks_ and _Belcher_ of the 7th of _June_ last to your Speaker to be published. This Letter is said (in _Page_ 1. of your Votes) _to inclose a Copy of the Report of the Lords of the Committee of His Majesty's Privy Council, with his Majesty's Approbation and Orders thereon in Council_; Yet these Gentlemen had at the same time the unparallell'd Presumption to write to the Speaker in this Manner; _You'll observe by the Conclusion, what is proposed to be the Consequence of your not complying with his Majesty's Instruction (the whole Matter to be laid_
[Page 4 of _The Pennsylvania Gazette_.]
*terfeited but those of 13 _d_. And it is remarkable that all Attempts of this Kind upon the Paper Money of this and the neighbouring Provinces, have been detected and met with ill Success.
_Custom-House, Philadelphia_, Entred Inwards.
Sloop Hope, Elias Naudain, from Boston. Sloop Dove, John Howel, from Antigua. Brigt, Pennswood, Thomas Braly, from Madera.
_Entred Outwards._
Scooner John, Thomas Wright, to Boston. Brigt. Richard and William, W. Mayle, for Lisbon. Ship Diligence, James Bayley, for Maryland
_Cleared for Departure._
Ship London Hope, Thomas Annis, for London. Ship John and Anna, James Sherley, for Plymouth.
Advertisements.
To be Sold by _Edward Shippen_, choice Hard Soap, very Reasonable.
Run away on the 25th of _September_ past, from _Rice Prichard_ of _Whiteland_ in _Chester_ County, a Servant Man named _John Cresswel_, of a middle Stature and ruddy Countenance, his Hair inclining to Red: He had on when he went away, a little white short Wig, an old Hat, Drugget Wastcoat, the Body lined with Linnen; coarse Linnen Breeches, grey woollen Stockings, and round toe'd Shoes.
Whoever shall secure the said Servant so that his Master may have him again, shall have _Three Pounds_ Reward, and reasonable Charges paid, by
_Rice Prichard._
Run away on the 10th of _September_ past, from _William Dewees_ of _Germantown_ Township, in _Philadelphia_ County, a Servant Man named _Mekbizedarh Arnold_, of a middle Stature and reddish curled Hair: He had on when he went away, a good Felt Hat, a dark Cinnamon-colour'd Coat, black Drugget Jacket, mouse-colour'd drugget Breeches, grey Stockings, and new Shoes.
Whoever secures the said Runaway, so that his Master may have him again, shall have _Twenty Shillings_ Reward, and reasonable Charges paid, by me
_William Dewees._
_Lately Re-printed and Sold at the New Printing-Office near the Market._
The _PSALMS_ of _David_, Imitated in the Language of the _New Testament_, and apply'd to the Christian State and Worship By _I. Watts_, V D M The Seventh Edition.
N. B. _This Work has met with such a general good Reception and Esteem among the Protestant Dissenters in_ Great Britain, &c. _whether_ Presbyterians, Independents, _or_ Baptists, _that Six large Impressions before This have been sold off in a very short Time._
_The chief Design of this excellent Performance (as the Author acquaints us in his Advertisement to the Reader) is "to improve_ Psalmody _or_ Religious Singing," _and so encourage and assist the frequent Practice of it in publick Assemblies and private Families with more Honour and Delight; yet the Reading of it may also entertain the Parlour and the Closet with devout Pleasure and holy Meditations. Therefore he would request his Readers, at proper Seasons, to peruse it thro', and among 340 sacred Hymns they may find out several that suit their own Case and Temper, or the Circumstances of their Families or Friends, they may teach their Children such as are proper for their Age and by treasuring them in their Memory they may be furnish'd for pious Retirement, or may entertain their Friends with holy Melody._
Lately Imported from _London_, by _Johu Le_, and are to be sold by him at the lowest Prices, either by Wholesale or Retale, at his Shop in _Market Street_, over against the _Presbyterian_ Meeting-House, these Goods following, _viz._
Callicoes, divers Sorts. Hollands, and several sorts of Sheeting Linnen. Several sorts of Diapers and Table-Cloths. Several sorts of Cambricks. Mantua Silks, and Grassets. Beryllan, and plain Callimanco. Tamie yard-wide. Men's dyed shammie Gloves. Women's _Ditto_, Lamb. Stitching Silk, Thread and Silk. Twist for Women. Silk and Ribbands. Double Thread Stockings. Men's white shammie Gloves. Silk Handkerchiefs, & other sorts of Handkerchiefs. Men's glaz'd Gloves, Topp'd. Men's Shoe-Buckles, Bath-metal. Masks for Women. Several sorts of Penknives. Plain metal Buttons for Men's Coats and Jackets. Ivory Case-Knives, and several sorts of Pocket-Knives. Dowlasses several sorts. Huckabags, and Russia Linnen. Oznaburghs. Several sorts of Looking Glasses. Garlicks and brown Holland. Bag-Holland _Ditto_. Several sorts of Druggets. Fine Kerseys. Superfine double-mill'd Drab. Broad-Cloths. London Shalloons. Fine and coarse Hats. Men and Women's _English_ Shoes. Stockings, several sorts, for Men, Women and Children. Several sorts of Caps. Women's Bonnets. Several sorts of Horn and Ivory Combs. Gun-powder, Shot, and Flints. Bibles of several sorts. Testaments, Psalters and Primers. Large Paper Books, and small ones, with Pocket-Books, and other Stationary Ware. Several sorts of Checquer'd Linnen. Flannels and Duroys. Scots-Snuff.
_To be LET by the above Person. One Half of the House he now possesseth._ Enquire of him and know further.
Bibles, Testaments, Psalters, Psalm-Books, Accompt-Books, Bills of Lading bound and unbound, Common Blank Bonds for Money, Bonds with Judgment, Counterbonds, Arbitration Bonds, Arbitration Bonds with Umpirage, Bail Bonds, Counterbonds to save Bail harmless, Bills of Sale, Powers of Attorney, Writs, Summons, Apprentices Indentures, Servants Indentures, Penal Bills, Promisory Notes, &c. all the Blanks in the most authentick Forms, and correctly printed; may be had At the Publishers of this Paper, who perform all above sorts of Printing at reasonable Rates.
Very good Live-Geese Feathers to be sold at _Evan Powel's_ in Chesnut-street, next Door but one to _Andrew Hamilton_, Esq;
_Just Published:_
Titan Leeds's Almanack, for the Year, 1730 in his usual plain Method; being far preferable to any yet published in _America_ To be Sold by _David Harry_ at the late Printing Office of _Samuel Keimer_, at Three Shillings and nine-pence per Dozen.
N. B. _As this Almanack for its Worth has met with universal Reception, it has raised the Price of the Copy to 25l. a year, for which Reason the Printer cannot afford them under the above-mentioned Price: But gives this Friendly Caution to the Publick, That when they buy Almanacks for 3s. a Dozen they must not expect Titan Leeds's, or any so valuable._
_Speedily will be Published:_
Godfrey's Almanack, for the Year 1730. Containing the Lunations, Eclipses, Judgment of the Weather, the Spring Tides, _Moon's Rising and Setting_, Sun's Rising and Setting, Length of Days, Seven Stars Rising, Southing and Setting, Time of High-Water, Fairs, Courts, and observable Days. Fitted to the Latitude of 40 Degrees, and a Meridian of Five Hours West from London. _Beautifully Printed in Red and Black, on One Side of a large Demi Sheet of Paper, after the London Mariner_. To be Sold by the Printers hereof, at the New Printing-Office near the Market, for 3 _s._ per Dozen.
_Philadelphia_: Printed by _B. Franklin_ and _H. Meredith_, at the New Printing-Office near the Market, where Advertisements are taken in, and all Persons may be supplied with this Paper, at _Ten Shillings_ a Year.
[First page of _The New England Courant_.]
[N^{o} 19
THE
New-England Courant.
From MONDAY December 4. to MONDAY December 11. 1721.
_On_ SYLVIA _the Fair_. A Jingle.
A Swarm of Sparks, young, gay, and bold, Lov'd _Sylvia_ long, but she was cold; In'trest and Pride the Nymph control'd, So they in vain their Passion told. At last came Dalman, he was old; Nay, he was ugly, but had Gold. He came, and saw, and took the Hold, While t'other Beaux their Loss Condol'd. Some say, she's Wed; I say, she's sold.
_The Letter against Inoculating the Small Pox, (Sign'd Absinthium) giving an Account of the Number of Persons who have dy'd under that Operation, will be Inserted in our next._
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
_Ispahan, March 6._ The Conspiracy form'd by the Grand Vizir last January was Twelvemonth, with design to make himself King of Persia, was seasonably discover'd, and himself and Accomplices secured; since which the State hath enjoy'd its former Tranquility, and a new Vizir is appointed in his room, The old one's Eyes being both put out, he is kept alive (but in Prison) to make him discover all his Riches; which must be immensely great, since they found in one of his Chests four hundred thousand Persian Ducats, beside Foreign Coin, and in another Place abundance of Jewels, Gold and Silver; and so in proportion among several of his Accomplices; by the help of which Treasure they hoped to compass their Ends.
_Tripoli, July 12._ As soon as our Squadron fitted out against the Famous Baffaw Gianur, Cogia, appear'd off Dasna and Bengan, with two thousand five hundred Moorish Horse, and a thousand Foot, and skirmish'd a little with his Squadron, he abandon'd both those Places, and fled to the Island of Serby in the Territories of Tunis; But the Bey of that Place having deny'd him Shelter, he sail'd farther away, in a French Barque, we know not whether; and his own Galleys and Barques, are gone after him, so that we are now entirely rid of that troublesome Guest. Our Rovers keep all in Port, for Fear of the Malteze.
_Cadiz, Aug. 12._ The Flota is expected Home from the West-Indies before the End of this Month. Thirteen Pieces of Cannon and two Mortars were lately sent from hence to Ceuta. The three Spanish Men of War of 50 to 60 Guns each, which carried the Spanish Cardinals to Italy, are now at Alicant: It is said they are to join the Dutch Vice-Admiral, who is now in this Bay with four Ships of his Squadron of 50 Guns each, and cruize against the Algerines. Wheat and Barley being very cheap in these Parts, great Quantities have been sent lately to the Canaries, where for some Time past the Inhabitants have been in great Want of Corn. On the 9th Instant died Mr. Charles, His Britannick Majesty's Consul at St. Lucas.
_Berne, Aug. 20._ The Deputies of this Canton who went to the Diet at Frawenfeldt, are now assembled at Baden with those of Zurich and Glaris, to regulate certain Affairs relating to the Town and County of Baden, which formerly belonged to the Eight Eldest Cantons, but in the last Swiss War was given up to Zurich and Berne in Propriety, with a Reservation to the Canton of Glaris (which is mostly Protestant) of the Share it had before in the Sovereignty of that District. The three Deputies of Zurich, Lucern &c Ury, who were commissioned by the late General Dyet to go to Wilchingen, to try to compose the Differences which have been long standing between the Inhabitants of that Place and the Canton of Schafhuysen whose Subjects they are, have offered those Inhabitonts a full Pardon for all past Misbehavior, and the Maintenance of their Privileges for the future, provided they forthwith return to their Duty; but it is advised that those of Wilchingen persist hitherto in this Disobedience.
_Schaffhausen Sept. 1._ They write from Italy, that the Plague is no longer observ'd at Marseilles, Aix, & several other Places; and that at Toulon it is very much decreas'd: But alas! how should it be otherwise, when the Distemper hath hardly any Objects left to work upon? At Arles it is likewise abated, we fear for the same Reason. Mean while, it spreads in the Gevaudan; and two large Villages in the Neighbourhood of Frejus were attack'd the beginning of this Month. The French Court hath prohibited all communication with the Gevaudan upon severe Penalties. The Plague is certainly got into the small Town of Marvegue in that District, which Town is shut in by eight hundred Men. Letters from Geneva say, the two Battalions employ'd in surrounding La Canourgue, are infected; and that Maages is very much suspected. The Marquis de Quelus had retired to a Castle near Avignon; but the Sickness being got among his Domesticks, he was fled farther away.
_Paris, Sept. 5._ The District over which the Duke of Berwick is to have the Command, extends to the Borders of the Bourbonnois; and the Court puts a great Confidence in the Care of that General to hinder the Infection from spreading. The Marquis de Verceil is actually drawing Lines to shut in the Gevaudan; and twelve Regiments of Foot, and as many of Dragoons, are marching to reinforce the Troops already posted on that side. The Plague seems to have almost spent itself in Provence. Tho' it is yet a great way off of us, Men talk nevertheless of laying up Magazines of all sort of Provisions here, and of making twenty thousand Beds, to be set up in the Hospitals and Tennis-Courts.
_Hague, Sept. 9._ The Deputies of our Admiralties had, last Saturday, an extraordinary Conference with those of the States General, upon the spreading of a Report, that ten or twelve Persons died daily at a certain Place in Normandy, which was therefore suspected to have received the Contagion; But upon the matter, it doth not appear there was the least Foundation for such a Report; tho' it is too plain the Distemper gains ground space in the Southern Parts of France.
We can by no means penetrate into the Designs of the Czar; who, notwithstanding 'tis confidently written that the Peace between him and Sweden is as good as concluded, hath a Fleet of thirty Men of War and two hundred Galleys at Sea near Aland. However, an Express gone by from Stockholm, doth not confirm.
[End of trancriptions.]