Turgot had already done it into French; so had D'Alembert. M. Nogaret wrote to Franklin, inclosing an attempted translation, and says in his letter: "The French have done their best to translate this Latin verse, where justice is done you in so few words. They have appeared as jealous of transporting this eulogy into their language as they are of possessing you. But nobody has succeeded, and I think nobody will succeed." He then quotes. a translation which he thinks defective, although it appeared in the “Almanach des Muses" as the best:— "Cet homme que tu vois, sublime en tous les tems, To this communication Dr. Franklin made the following reply. "PASSY, 8 March, 1781. "SIR,-I received the letter you have done me the honor of writing to me the 2d instant, wherein, after overwhelming me with a flood of compliments, which I can never hope to merit, you request my opinion of your translation of a Latin verse that has been applied to me. If I were, which I really am not, sufficiently skilled in your excellent language to be a proper judge of its poesy, the supposition of my being the subject must restrain me from giving any opinion on that line, except that it ascribes too much to me, especially in what relates to the tyrant, the Revolution having been the work of many able and brave men, wherein it is sufficient honor for me, if I am allowed a small share. I am much obliged by the favorable sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me. “With regard, I have the honor to be, Sir, &c., "B. FRANKLIN." 2 1 Works of Franklin, ed. Sparks, Vol. VIII. p. 538, note. 2 Ibid., p. 537. In acknowledgment, M. Nogaret says: "Paris is pleased with the translation of your Eripuit,' and your portrait, as I had foreseen, makes the fortune. of the engraver." 1 But it does not appear to which translation he refers. Here is an attempt preserved in the Works of Turgot: "Il a, par ses travaux toujours plus étonnans, Ravi la foudre aux Dieux et le sceptre aux Tyrans.' "2 Mr. Sparks found among Franklin's papers the following paraphrastic version: "Franklin sut arrêter la foudre dans les airs, Où dominait la tyrannie, Il fit régner les arts, les mœurs, et le génie; Nor should I omit a translation into English by Mr. Elphinston: "He snatched the bolt from Heaven's avenging hand, Disarmed and drove the tyrant from the land." 4 A song, by the Abbé Morellet, written for one of the dinners of Madame Helvétius, adopts, in some of its verses, the idea of Turgot. "Comme un aigle audacieux, Il a volé jusqu'aux cieux, De l'habile Benjamin. "L'Américain indompté 1 Works of Franklin, ed. Sparks, Vol. VIII. p. 539, note. 2 Œuvres de Turgot, Tom. IX. p. 140. 8 Works of Franklin, ed. Sparks, Vol. VIII. p 539, note. 4 Ibid. Et ce généreux ouvrage, Autre exploit de notre sage, Est mis à fin Par Louis et Benjamin." These verses are characteristic of that intimate circle. L'habile Benjamin ! Nothing with regard to Franklin is more curious than the Memoirs of the long-lived Abbé, including especially the humorous engraving illustrating the benevolence of Nature in the construction of the elbow, from a design by the lightning-and-sceptre-seizer. In some copies this engraving is wanting. Franklin is represented as fond especially of Scottish airs and chansons à boire, which he accompanied sometimes on the harmonica, "an instrument, as is known, of his invention." The scandalous whispers with regard to him, strangely adopted by a German traveller in our country,2 had no better authority, probably, than these hilarities and the well-known "infatuation" of the court ladies. But the good Abbé, who saw him so freely with the friends he loved, dwells on his exquisite social qualities, his perfect good-nature, his simplicity of manners, his uprightness of soul, which made itself felt in the smallest things, his extreme tolerance, and, above all, his sweet serenity, changing easily into gayety; and he describes the great void made in that circle when he left for America. In concluding this sketch, I wish to say that the lit 1 Mémoires de l'Abbé Morellet, Ch. XV. Tom. I. pp. 286 seqq. This chapter was translated some years ago for a Philadelphia periodical, “The Bizarre," by William Duane, great-grandson of Franklin, and is preserved by Parton, in his "Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin," Vol. II. pp. 422 429. 2 Julius, Nordamerikas Sittliche Zustände, Band I. p. 98. erary associations of the subject did not tempt me; but I could not resist the inducement to present in proper light an interesting incident, which is truly comprehended only when seen in its political relations. Its history, even in details, becomes important, so that the verse which occupied so much attention should be recognized not only in its scholarly fascination, but in its wide-spread influence among the learned and even the fashionable in Paris and throughout France, binding this great nation by an unchangeable vow to the support of American Liberty. Words are sometimes deeds; but never were words so completely deeds as those with which Turgot welcomed Franklin. The memory of that welcome cannot be forgotten in America. Can it ever be forgotten in France? AND now the country is amazed by the report that the original welcome of France to America, and the inspired welcome of Turgot to Franklin, are forgotten by the France of this day, or, rather let me say, forgotten by the Emperor, whose memory for the time is the memory of France. It is said that Louis Napoleon is concerting alliance with the Rebel Slavemongers of our country, founded on the recognition of their independence, so that they may take their place as a new power in the Family of Nations. Indeed, we have been told, through the columns of the official organ, the "Moniteur," that he wishes to do this thing. Can he imagine that he follows the great example of the last century? What madness! The two cases are in conspicuous contrast, as opposite as the poles, as unlike as Liberty and Slavery. The struggle for American independence was for Lib erty, and was elevated throughout by this holy cause. But the struggle for Slavemonger independence is necessarily and plainly for Slavery, and is degraded throughout by the unutterable vileness of its undisguised pre tensions. The earlier struggle, adopted by the enlightened genius of France, was solemnly placed under the benediction of "God and Liberty." The present struggle, happily thus far discarded by that same enlightened genius, can have no other benediction than "Satan and Slavery." The earlier struggle was to snatch the sceptre from a kingly tyrant. The present struggle is to put whips in the hands of Rebel Slavemongers with which to compel work without wages, thus giving wicked power to vulgar tyrants without number. The earlier struggle was fitly pictured by the welcome of Turgot to Franklin. But another feeling must be found, and other words invented, to portray the struggle now seeking the protection of France. The earlier struggle was grandly represented by Benjamin Franklin, who was already known by a sublime discovery in science. The present struggle is characteristically represented by John Slidell, whose great fame is from electioneering frauds to control a Presidential 1 Mr. Slidell never returned to the United States. On his death, in Europe, July, 1871, the London "Daily Telegraph" of August 2d recognized the parallel with Franklin. After remarking that "during the whole of 1862, and the first six months of 1863, it was the general belief of the most farseeing statesmen in Europe - among them Lord Palmerston and the exEmperor of the French-that the Confederate States would succeed in establishing their independence," this journal proceeds to say: "Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell were therefore invested, during these brief and halcyon days of Secession's prosperity, with something of the diplomatic influence which between 1776 and 1783 attached to Benjamin Franklin, when accredited by our insurgent North American Colonies to the French Court." |