Governor Thomas was so well pleased, that he offered him a patent for
the sole vending of them for a series of years; but Franklin refused
it, on the ground, "_that, as we enjoy great advantages from the
invention of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve_
_others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and
generously_." This was another instance of his remarkable generosity,
and it reminds us of that incident of his life in France, when an
English clergyman asked him for pecuniary assistance. He gave him
liberally, remarking, "Some time or other you may have an opportunity
of assisting with an equal sum a stranger who has equal need of it. Do
so. By that means you may discharge any obligation you may suppose
yourself under to me. _Enjoin him to do the same on occasion._ By
pursuing such a practice, much good may be done with little money. Let
kind offices go round. Mankind are all of a family."

At another time he is engaged in improving the lamps that light the
city, and devising ways of cleaning the streets. Then, again, he is
originating a system of volunteer militia for the defence of his
country. Extinguishing fires, also, is a subject that commands his
thoughts, and he organized the first fire company in the land. Again,
the education of youth demands his time, and he labours to introduce a
system of schools, and finally founds a University. Thus the humblest
acts of a good citizen were performed in connection with the nobler
deeds of the philosopher and statesman.

The following is a brief synopsis of the offices he filled, and the
honours he won:--

HE WAS LEGISLATOR FOR PENNSYLVANIA IN 1732, WHEN ONLY TWENTY-SIX
YEARS OF AGE.

HE FOUNDED THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DEPUTY POSTMASTER-GENERAL IN 1752.

INVENTOR OF LIGHTNING-RODS.

WAS ELECTED A FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY.

ORIGINATOR OF THE VOLUNTEER MILITIA.

COLONEL OF MILITIA.

MINISTER TO THE COURT OF ENGLAND IN 1764.

MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS IN 1775.

MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY TO FRANCE IN 1776.

CONCLUDED FIRST TREATY FOR AMERICA IN 1778.

RECEIVED THE DEGREE OF LL.D. FROM OXFORD UNIVERSITY.

MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY TO FRANCE IN 1778.

ONE OF FIVE TO DRAFT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

HELPED TO FRAME THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

A LEADER IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

CALLED THE "NESTOR OF AMERICA" BY