he lords, who asserted that we were all knaves, and
wanted only, by this dispute, to avoid paying our debts."

Franklin returned to his home, with feelings of indignation, which
his calm spirit had rarely before experienced. He resolved no longer
to have any thing to do with the hostile governing powers of England.
He had loved the British empire. He felt proud of its renown, and that
America was but part and parcel of its greatness. But there was no
longer hope, that there could be any escape from the awful appeal to
arms. Though that measure would be fraught with inconceivable woes for
his countrymen, he was assured that they would never submit. They
would now march to independence though the path led through scenes of
conflagration, blood and unutterable woe. His experience placed him in
advance of all his countrymen.

Franklin immediately commenced packing his trunks. Astonishing, almost
incredible as it may appear, the evidence seems conclusive that
through all these trying scenes, Franklin was a cheerful, it is hardly
too strong a word to use, a _jovial_ man. It has been well said, that
to be angry is to punish one's self for the sins of another. Our
philosopher had no idea of making himself unhappy, because British
lords behaved like knaves. He continued to be one of the most
entertaining of companions. A cloudless sun seemed to shine wherever
he moved. He made witty speeches. He wrote the most amusing articles
for the journals, and the invariable gayety of his mind caused his
society to be eagerly sought for.

One evening he attended quite a brilliant party at a nobleman's house,
who was a friend to America. The conversation chanced to turn upon
Esop's fables. It was said that that mine of illustration was
exhausted. Franklin, after a moment's thought, remarked, that many new
fables could be invented, as instructive as any of those of Esop, Gay,
or La Fontaine. Can you think of one now, asked a lord. "I think so,"
said Franklin, "if you will furnish me with pencil and paper." He
immediately sat down, surrounded by the gay assembly, and wrote, as
rapidly as his pencil could move,

"THE EAGLE AND THE CAT."

"Once upon a time an eagle, scaling round a farmer's barn,
and espying a hare, darted down upon him like a sunbeam,
seized him in his claws, and remounted with him into the
air. He soon found that he had a creature of more courage
and strength than the hare; fo