Lot 508
508
FRANKLIN, Benjamin (1706-1790). AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ('B. FRANKLIN') TO LORD KAMES ('My dear Lord'), Portsmouth, 17 August 1762, as he is about to sail 'waiting only for a Wind to waft me to America'. He explains his regret at leaving and yet looks forward to his return home, "I am going from the old World to the new; and I fancy I feel like those who are leaving this World for the next; Grief at the Parting; Fear of the Passage; Hope of the Future'. He tries to find excuses for not writing 'the bad Habit of postponing from Day to Day what one every Day resolves to do to-morrow'. He intends to read Elements of Criticism during the Passage and write a letter discussing it soon after his arrival. Subscribed 'Adieu, my dear Friend, and believe me ever Most affectionately yours', 2½ pages, 4to (222 x 181mm), (blank margins reinforced in both sheets and folds strengthened in second sheet, not affecting the text); with autograph wrapper and seal (laid down on paper).
FRANKLIN, Benjamin (1706-1790). AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ('B. FRANKLIN') TO LORD KAMES ('My dear Lord'), Portsmouth, 17 August 1762, as he is about to sail 'waiting only for a Wind to waft me to America'. He explains his regret at leaving and yet looks forward to his return home, "I am going from the old World to the new; and I fancy I feel like those who are leaving this World for the next; Grief at the Parting; Fear of the Passage; Hope of the Future'. He tries to find excuses for not writing 'the bad Habit of postponing from Day to Day what one every Day resolves to do to-morrow'. He intends to read Elements of Criticism during the Passage and write a letter discussing it soon after his arrival. Subscribed 'Adieu, my dear Friend, and believe me ever Most affectionately yours', 2½ pages, 4to (222 x 181mm), (blank margins reinforced in both sheets and folds strengthened in second sheet, not affecting the text); with autograph wrapper and seal (laid down on paper).

Details
FRANKLIN, Benjamin (1706-1790). AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ('B. FRANKLIN') TO LORD KAMES ('My dear Lord'), Portsmouth, 17 August 1762, as he is about to sail 'waiting only for a Wind to waft me to America'. He explains his regret at leaving and yet looks forward to his return home, "I am going from the old World to the new; and I fancy I feel like those who are leaving this World for the next; Grief at the Parting; Fear of the Passage; Hope of the Future'. He tries to find excuses for not writing 'the bad Habit of postponing from Day to Day what one every Day resolves to do to-morrow'. He intends to read Elements of Criticism during the Passage and write a letter discussing it soon after his arrival. Subscribed 'Adieu, my dear Friend, and believe me ever Most affectionately yours', 2½ pages, 4to (222 x 181mm), (blank margins reinforced in both sheets and folds strengthened in second sheet, not affecting the text); with autograph wrapper and seal (laid down on paper).

A very touching letter anticipating his return to America, 'I cannot leave this happy Island and my Friends in it, without extream Regret. tho' I am going to a Country and a People that I love ... It is usual for the Dying to beg Forgiveness of their surviving Friends, if they have offended them. Can you my Lord, forgive my long Silence ...'

Franklin actually did read the Elements of Criticism during his passage to America, although he did not send his letter discussing the book until 2 June 1765 (see below).

Published in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, ed. L.W.Labaree, vol.10 pp.147-8. (2)

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