of affluence and
independence. Most, if not all of them, are perfectly
reconciled to the British government, as they can now with
security enjoy any little property they have; whereas
formerly, Governor Vaudreuil made no ceremony of seizing the
produce of their lands, their merchandize and manufactures
of every kind, and after conveying them to the King's store
houses, paid to the proprietors any price he pleased. If the
owners thereafter had occasion for any of their own
commodities, they could not procure them under twenty times
the price they had received.

"Montreal in general is a well built town, but incapable of
any defence. The churches are elegant, and the houses of
some of their principal men are really magnificent; though
few in number. The Hotel Dieu is by far the finest hospital
I ever saw, every thing in it is extremely neat and
convenient.

"The people here are extravagantly fond of dress; a stranger
would take Montreal to be a city inhabited by none but the
rich and idle: they are all finely powdered, walk with their
hats under their arms, and wear long coats, adorned with
tinsel lace, and buttoned down to the extremity. Since I
came here, I have not seen one man dressed like a tradesman.
The ladies in general are handsome, extremely gay, and well
bred."

* * * * *

In 1767 the best soap and "dipt" and "mould" candles were sold at the
post-office in Boston, according to an advertisement in the "Gazette" of
October 26. The candles were made of tallow, and gave but little light,
requiring almost constant snuffing. Other kinds of candles were not in
general use in New England in the last century. Sperm oil and sperm or
wax candles could be used only by the wealthy. Many families, for
economy, made their own candles. This practice was common in New England
down to within fifty years.

It will be recollected that Dr. Franklin's father was a tallow-chandler
in Boston, and that the Doctor himself worked at the business when a
boy. Elizabeth Franklin, whose name appears in the following
advertisement, was probably a relative of the family.

* * * * *

SOLD BY
_Elizabeth Franklin,_
At the Post-Office,

THE best true Crown Soap, Alicant best hard Soap, by the
Doz. or