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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 ***
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