that at present seem to want it, but comfort and
help them. Remember Job suffered and was afterward prosperous.

And now, to conclude, "experience keeps a dear school, but fools will
learn in no other, and scarce in that;" for it is true, "we may give
advice, but we cannot give conduct," as Poor Richard says. However,
remember this: "they that won't be counseled can't be helped," as Poor
Richard says; and further, that "if you will not hear reason she'll
surely rap your knuckles."

Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it and
approved the doctrine, and immediately practiced the contrary, just as
if it had been a common sermon. For the vendue opened and they began to
buy extravagantly, notwithstanding all his cautions and their own fear
of taxes. I found the good man had thoroughly studied my almanacs and
digested all I had dropped on those topics during the course of
twenty-five years. The frequent mention he made of me must have tired
any one else; but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it, though I
was conscious that not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own which he
ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings that I had made of the sense of
all ages and nations. However, I resolved to be the better for the echo
of it, and though I had at first determined to buy stuff for a new coat,
I went away resolved to wear my old one a little longer. Reader, if thou
wilt do the same, thy profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever,
thine to serve thee.

RICHARD SAUNDERS.

_July 7th, 1757._

FOOTNOTES:

[409-1] A vendue is an auction.

[409-2] Very few of the proverbs which Franklin made use of in his
almanacs were original with him. As he said in his comment, they
represented "the wisdom of many ages and nations."

[409-3] This is similar to that other proverbial expression--"Fine words
butter no parsnips."

[415-4] Tea at this time was expensive and regarded as a luxury.

[416-5] He's a lucky fellow who is made prudent by other men's perils.

[420-6] The philosopher's stone, so called; a mineral having the power
of turning base metals into gold.

GEORGE ROGERS CLARK

One of the most remarkable men of Revolutionary times was George Rogers
Clark, and his exploits read more like those of the hero of some novel
than like the deeds of a simple soldier and patriot.

In early boyhood and youth he acquired the rather scanty education which
was then considered necessary for a c