Page:Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin (1793).djvu/175

165 in the beginning of 1724, when I viſited him after my firſt trip to Pennsylvania. He received me in his library; and on my taking leave, ſhewed me a ſhorter way out of the houſe, through a narrow paſſage, which was croſſed by a beam overhead. We were ſtill talking as I withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I turning partly towards him, when he ſaid haſtily, "Stoop, Stoop!" I did not underſtand him till I felt my head hit againſt the beam. He was a man who never miſſed any occaſion of giving inſtruction; and upon this he ſaid to me: "You are young, and have the world before you: ſtoop as you go through it, and you will miſs many hard thumps." This advice, thus beat into my heart, has frequently been of uſe to me; and I often think of it, when I ſee pride mortified, and misfortunes brought upon people by their carrying their heads too high.

I long much to ſee again my native place; and once hoped to lay my bones there, I left it in 1723. I viſited it in 1733, 1743, 1753, and 1763; and in 1773 was in England. In 1775 I had a ſight of it, but could not enter, it being in poſſeſſion of the enemy, I did hope to have been there in 1783, but could not obtain my diſmiſſion from this employment here; and now I fear I ſhall never have that happineſs. My beſt wiſhes however attend my dear country, "eſto perpetua." It is now bleſſed with an excellent conſtitution: may it laſt for ever! This powerful monarchy continues its friendſhip for the United States. It is a friendſhip of the utmoſt importance to our ſecurity, and ſhould be carefully cultivated. Britain has not yet, well digeſted the loſs of its dominion over us; and has ſtill at times ſome flattering hopes