er,
which he had formerly so efficiently denounced in that same place.

Soon he took lodgings with a very agreeable landlady, Mrs. Stevenson,
No. 7, Craven street, Strand. He adopted, not an ostentatious, but a
very genteel style of living. Both he and his son had brought with
them each a body servant from America. He set up a modest carriage,
that he might worthily present himself at the doors of cabinet
ministers and members of parliament.

The Proprietaries received him very coldly, almost insolently. They
were haughty, reserved and totally uninfluenced by his arguments. He
presented to them a brief memorandum, which very lucidly explained the
views of the Assembly. It was as follows,

1. "The Royal Charter gives the Assembly the power to make
laws; the proprietary instructions deprive it of that power.
2. The Royal Charter confers on the Assembly the right to
grant or withhold supplies; the instructions neutralize that
right. 3. The exemption of the proprietary estate from
taxation is unjust. 4. The proprietaries are besought to
consider these grievances seriously and redress them, that
harmony may be restored."

The Penn brothers denounced this brief document, as vague, and
disrespectful. It was evident that Franklin had nothing to hope from
them. He therefore directed all his energies to win to his side the
Lords of Trade, and the members of the King's Council, to whom the
final decision must be referred. Twelve months elapsed, during which
nothing was accomplished. But we hear not a murmur from his lips. He
was not only contented but jovial. For two whole years he remained in
England, apparently accomplishing nothing. These hours of leisure he
devoted to the enjoyment of fashionable, intellectual and scientific
society. No man could be a more welcome guest, in such elevated
circles, for no man could enjoy more richly the charms of such
society, or could contribute more liberally to its fascination.
Electricity was still a very popular branch of natural science. The
brilliant experiments Franklin performed, lured many to his
apartments. His machine was the largest which had been made, and would
emit a spark nine inches in length. He had invented, or greatly
improved, a new musical machine of glass goblets, called the Armonica.

It was listened to with much admiration, as it gave forth the sweetest
tones. He played upon this instrument with great effect.

The theatre