the risk of snapping every mast,
saved the vessel and the crew from otherwise immediate and certain
destruction.

There was not, at that time, a single light-house on the North
American coast. The event impressed the mind of Franklin deeply, and
he resolved that upon his return, light-houses should be constructed.

About nine o'clock the next morning the fog was slowly dispersed, and
Falmouth, with its extended tower, its battlemented castles, and the
forests of masts, was opened before the weary voyagers. It was Sunday
morning and the bells were ringing for church. The vessel glided into
the harbor, and joyfully the passengers landed. Franklin writes,

"The bell ringing for church, we went thither immediately,
and with hearts full of gratitude returned sincere thanks to
God far the mercies we had received."

We know not whether this devout act was suggested by Franklin, or
whether he courteously fell in with the arrangement proposed, perhaps,
by some religious companion. It is, however, certain that the sentence
which next followed, in his letter, came gushing from his own mind.

"Were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should, on this
occasion, vow to build a chapel to some saint. But as I am
not, if I were to vow at all it should be to build a
_light-house_."

It required a journey of two hundred and fifty miles to reach London.
Franklin and his son _posted_ to London, which was the most rapid mode
of traveling in those days. They seem to have enjoyed the journey in
the highest degree, through blooming, beautiful, highly cultivated
England. Almost every thing in the charming landscape, appeared
different from the rude settlements which were springing up amid the
primeval forests of the New World.

They visited the Cathedral at Salisbury, Stonehenge, Wilton Hall, the
palatial mansion of the Earl of Pembroke. England was in her loveliest
attire. Perhaps there could not then be found, upon this globe, a more
lovely drive, than that through luxuriant Devonshire, and over the
Hampshire Downs.

Peter Collinson, a gentleman of great wealth, first received the
travelers to his own hospitable mansion. Here Franklin was the object
of marked attentions from the most distinguished scientists of
England. Other gentlemen of high distinction honored themselves by
honoring him. Franklin visited the old printing house, where he had
worked forty years before, and treated the workmen with that be