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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78663 ***
+
+
+
+
+  Transcriber’s Note
+  Italic text displayed as: _italic_
+
+
+
+
+  _Copyright, 1921,
+  Brad Stephens & Co., Boston_
+
+
+
+
+  THE WHISTLE
+
+  By
+  BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
+
+  _Extract from a Letter Written by
+  Franklin to Madame Brillon
+  November, 1779_
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+  _Published by_
+  BRAD STEPHENS & COMPANY
+  _142 BERKELEY STREET_,
+  BOSTON
+
+[Illustration: _From the Portrait by Duplessis in the Boston Museum of
+Fine Arts_
+
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN]
+
+
+
+
+THE WHISTLE
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+When I was a child of seven years old, my friends, on a holiday, filled
+my pocket with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they sold toys
+for children; and, being charmed with the sound of a _whistle_, that
+I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered
+and gave all my money for one. I then came home, and went whistling
+all over the house, much pleased with my _whistle_, but disturbing all
+the family. My brothers, and sisters, and cousins, understanding the
+bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as
+it was worth; put me in mind what good things I might have bought with
+the rest of the money; and laughed at me so much for my folly, that I
+cried with vexation, and the reflection gave me more chagrin than the
+_whistle_ gave me pleasure.
+
+This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing
+on my mind; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary
+thing, I said to myself, _Don’t give too much for the whistle_; and I
+saved my money.
+
+As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men,
+I thought I met with many, very many, who _gave too much for the
+whistle_.
+
+When I saw one too ambitious of court favor, sacrificing his time in
+attendance on levees, his repose, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps
+his friends, to attain it, I have said to myself, _This man gives too
+much for his whistle_.
+
+When I saw another fond of popularity, constantly employing himself in
+political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by that
+neglect, _He pays, indeed_, said I, _too much for his whistle_.
+
+If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living,
+all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his
+fellow-citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake
+of accumulating wealth, _Poor man_, said I, _you pay too much for your
+whistle_.
+
+When I met with a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laudable
+improvement of the mind, or of his fortune, to mere corporeal
+sensations, and ruining his health in their pursuit, _Mistaken man_,
+said I, _you are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you
+give too much for your whistle_.
+
+[Illustration: My brothers, sisters and cousins laughed at me so much
+for my folly that I cried with vexation.]
+
+If I see one fond of appearance, or fine clothes, fine houses, fine
+furniture, fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which he
+contracts debts, and ends his career in a prison, _Alas!_ say I, _he
+has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle_.
+
+When I see a beautiful, sweet-tempered girl married to an ill-natured
+brute of a husband, _What a pity_, say I, _that she should pay so much
+for a whistle!_
+
+In short, I conceive that great part of the miseries of mankind are
+brought upon them by the false estimates they have made of the value of
+things, and by their _giving too much for their whistles_.
+
+
+_This Franklin Handicraft Book is number one in a series of ten now in
+preparation. You can purchase either a finished book, or the materials
+only and bind and hand color your own Franklin Book. A special label to
+go on the inside front cover is supplied with each printed signature,
+so that those who make their own books can attach their name to each
+copy._
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78663 ***