plutôt, je me serois empressé à proposer au Roi de destiner une frégate pour vous transporter dans votre patrie, d'une manière à lui faire connoître la considération que les services distingués que vous avez rendus, vous ont acquis en France, et les bontés particulières de Sa Majesté pour vous.

Je vous prie, Monsieur, d'agréer mes regrets, et une nouvelle assurance de la plus parfaite considération avec laquelle j'ai l'honneur d'être, Monsieur, votre trèshumble et très-obéissant serviteur, LE MARL. De Castries.

The infirmity under which Dr. Franklin labored, was such, that he could not support the motion of a carriage. In consequence, the queen's litter borne by Spanish mules was kindly offered and gratefully accepted, to convey him from Passy to Havre-de-Grace, where he proposed embarking. In this easy vehicle he made that journey, followed by his family and some friends in carriages. On the road, he experienced every mark of respect, attention, and kindness, from several of the nobility and gentry whose chateaux lay adjoining, and particularly from the Cardinal de la Rochefoucault at Gaillon, where he passed a night with his accompanying friends and attendants. He arrived safe at Havre, without having experienced any material inconvenience from the journey, and there embarked in a small packet, crossed the British channel, and landed at Southampton. Here he remained a few days, and had the satisfaction of seeing his son, the former governor of New Jersey; and receiving the visits of several of his English friends. Among these were the Bishop of St. Asaph (Dr. Shipley), Mr. Benjamin Vaughan, &c. &c. He embarked on board a Philadelphia ship called the London Packet, Capt. Thomas Truxton, on the 27th July, and after a prosperous voyage arrived at Philadelphia on the 14th Sept. But his own account of his journey from Passy to Havre, and his subsequent voyage to Southampton and thence to America, as taken from his pocket journal, may not perhaps be entirely void of interest. It is as follows.

PRIVATE JOURNAL.

Having staid in France about 8 years, I took leave of the court and my friends, and set out on my return home, July 12, 1785, leaving Passy with my two grandsons, at 4 P. M.; arrived about 8 at St. Germains. M. de Chaumont, with his daughter Sophia, accompanied us to Nanterre. M. Le Veillard will continue with us to Havre. We met at St. Germains the Miss Alexanders with Mrs. Williams our cousin, who had provided a lodging for me at M. Benoit's. I found

that the motion of the litter, lent me by the Duke de Coigny, did not much incommode me. It was one of the queen's, carried by two very large mules, the muleteer riding another; M. le V. and my children in a carriage. We drank tea at M. Benoit's, and went early to bed.

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Wednesday, July 13. Breakfast with our friends, take leave and continue our journey, dine at a good inn at Meulan, and get to Mantes in the evening. A messenger from the Cardinal de Rochefoucault meets us there, with an invitation to us to stop at his house at Gaillon the next day, acquainting us at the same time, that he would take no excuse, for being all-powerful in his archbishopric, he would stop us nolens volens at his habitation, and not permit us to lodge any where else. We consented. Lodged at Mantes. Found myself very little fatigued with the day's journey, the mules going only foot pace.

Thursday, July 14. Proceed early, and breakfast at Vernon. Received a visit there from Vicomte de Tilly and his Comtesse. Arrive at the cardinal's without dining, about six in the afternoon. It is a superb ancient chateau, built about 350 years since, but in fine preservation, on an elevated situation, with an extensive and beautiful view over a well-cultivated country. The cardinal is archbishop of Rouen. A long gallery contains the pictures of all his predecessors. The chapel is elegant in the old style, with well-painted glass windows. The terrace magnificent. We supped early. The entertainment was kind and cheerful. We were allowed to go early to bed, on account of our intention to depart early in the morning. The cardinal pressed us to pass another day with him, offering to amuse us with hunting in his park but the necessity we are under of being in time at Havre, would not perinit. So we took leave and retired to rest. The cardinal is much respected and beloved by the people of this country, bearing in all respects an excellent character.

Friday, July 15. Set out about five in the morning, travelled till ten, then stopped to breakfast, and remained in the inn during the heat of the day. We had heard at the cardinal's, that our friend Mr. Holker of Rouen had been out that day as far as Port St. Antoine to meet us; expecting us there from a letter of M. de Chaumont's. Here came to us one of his servants, who was sent to inquire if any accident had happened to us on the road, and was ordered to proceed till he got intelligence. He went directly back, and we proceeded. We passed a chain of chalk mountains very high, with strata of flints. The quantity that appears to have been washed away on one side of these mountains, leaving precipices of 300 feet high, gives an idea of extreme antiquity. It seems as if done by the beating of the sea. We got to Rouen about five, were most affectionately received by Mr. and Mrs.

Holker. A great company of genteel people at supper, which was our dinner. The chief president of the parliament and his lady invite us to dine the next day; but being pre-engaged with Mr. Holker, we compounded for drinking tea. We lodge all at Mr. Holker's.

Saturday, July 16. A deputation from the academy of Rouen came with their compliments, which were delivered in form, and a present for me be by one of the directors, being a magical square, which I think he said expressed my name. I have perused it since, but do not comprehend it. The Duke de Chabot's son, lately married to a Montmorency, and colonel of a regiment now at Rouen, was present at the ceremony, being just come in to visit me. I forgot to mention that I saw with pleasure in the cardinal's cabinet, a portrait of this young man's grandmother, Madame la Duchesse d'Enville, who had always been our friend, and treated us with great civilities at Paris; a lady of uncommon intelligence and merit.

I received here also a present of books, 3 vols. 4to., from Dr. a very polite letter, which I answered.

with

We had a great company at dinner; and at six went in a chair to the president's, where were assembled some gentlemen of the robe. We drank tea there, awkwardly made, for want of practice, very little being drunk in France. I went to bed early; but my company supped with a large invited party, and were entertained with excellent singing.

Sunday, July 17. Set out early. Mr. Holker accompanied us some miles, when we took an affectionate leave of each other. Dine at Ivetot, a large town, and arrive at Bolbec, being the longest day's journey we have yet made. It is a market-town of considerable bigness, and seems thriving; the people well clad, and appear better fed than those of the wine countries. A linen printer here offered to remove to America, but I did not encourage him.

Monday, July 18. Left Bolbec about ten o'clock, and arrive at Havre at five P. M., having stopt on the road at a miserable inn to bait. We were very kindly received by M. and Mde. Ruellan. The governor makes us a visit, and some other gentlemen.

Tuesday, July 19. We receive visits in form from the intendant, the governor or commandant, the officers of the regiment of Poitou and Picardy, the corps of Engineers, and M. Limozin.

M. Limozin proposes several vessels; all very dear. We wait for the packet from Southampton. Dine at M. Ruellan's, where we lodge. Receive the affiliation M, of the lodge at Rouen,

Wednesday, July 20. Return the visits. Receive one from the corps de marine; and one from the corps d'artillerie. M. Houdon arrives and brings me letters. Dine at M. Limosin's. Present M. and Mde. Le Mesurier and their sister, agreeable people of Alderney (Auvigny). Kindly entertained by M. L. and his daughter. Return the last visits.

The packet-boat arrives, and the captain (Jennings) calling at our lodging, we agree with him to carry us and the baggage we have here for ten guineas, to land us at Cowes. We are to depart to-morrow evening.

Thursday, July 21. We had another visit from M. de Villeneuve, the commandant, inviting us to dine with him to-morrow; but intending to go off this evening, we could not accept that honor.

Dine with our friendly host and hostess. Mde. Feinés, Mde. de Clerval, and two other ladies, visit M. le Veillard, with several gentlemen.

In the evening when we thought we were on the point of departing, the captain of the packet comes and acquaints us that the wind is right against us, and blows so hard, that it is impossible to get out, and we give up the project till to-morrow.

Friday, July 22. Breakfast and take leave of some friends, and go on board the packet at half after ten. Wind not very fair.

Saturday, July 23. Buffet all night against the North-West wind, which was full in our teeth. This continued till two o'clock to-day, then came fair, and we stand our course. At seven p. m. we discover land, the Isle of Wight.

Sunday, July 24. We had a fair wind all night, and this morning at seven o'clock, being off Cowes, the captain represented to me the difficulty of getting in there against the flood; and proposing that we should rather run up to Southampton, which we did, and landed there between eight and nine. Met my son, who had arrived from London the evening before, with Mr. Williams and Mr. J. Alexander. Wrote a letter to the bishop of St. Asaph, acquainting him with my arrival, and he came with his lady and daughter, Miss Kitty, after dinner to see us; they talk of staying here as long as we do. Our meeting was very affectionate. I write letters to London, viz. to Messrs. W. J. M. and Co., to acquaint them with our arrival, and desire to know when the ship will sail, and to Mr. Williams. These letters went by post, before we knew of his being here. Wrote also to Mr. B. Vaughan.

Monday, July 25. The bishop and family lodging in the same inn, the Star, we all breakfast and dine together. I went at noon to bathe in Martin's salt water hotbath, and floating on my back fell asleep, and slept near an hour by my watch without sinking or turning; a thing I never did before, and should hardly have thought

possible. Water is the easiest bed that can be. Read over the writings of conveyance, &c. of my son's lands in New Jersey and New York to my grandson. Write to M. Ruellan, M. Limosin, M. Holder, and M. Grand. Southampton a very neat pretty place. The two French gentlemen, our friends, much pleased with it. The bishop gives me a book in 4to. written by Dean Paley, and the family dine with us. Sundry friends came to see me from London, by one I receive a present of my friend Dr. Fothergill's works, from Dr. Lettsom; and a book on finance from Mr. Gale. Mr. Williams tells me the ship had fallen down to Gravesend the 22d, so that she might be in the Downs the 24th, and possibly here to-morrow, that is, on the Mother Bank, which we can see hence. Mr. Williams brought a letter from Mr. Nepean, secretary to Lord Townsend, addressed to Mr. Vaughan, expressing, that orders would be sent to the custom-house at Cowes not to trouble our baggage, &c. It is still here on board the packet that brought it over. Mr. Alexander takes leave for London; write by him to Mr. Jackson, Dr. Jeffries, Dr. Lettsom, and my son-in-law Bache, the latter to be sent by the packet.

July 26. Deeds signed between W. Franklin and W. T. Franklin.

Mr. Williams having brought sundry necessaries for me, goes down with them to Cowes, to be ready for embarking. Capt. Jennings carries down our baggage that he brought from Havre. My dear friend, M. Le Veillard, takes leave to go with him. Mr. Vaughan arrives from London, to see me.

Wednesday, July 27. Give a power to my son to recover what may be due to me from the British government. Hear from J. Williams that the ship is come. We all dine once more with the bishop and family, who kindly accept our invitation to go on board with us. We go down in a shallop to the ship. The captain entertains us at supper. The company stay all night. Thursday, July 28. and the ship under sail."

When I waked in the morning found the company gone,

Nothing material occurred during the passage: Dr. Franklin occupied himself, as in former voyages, in ascertaining daily the temperature of the sea water by the thermometer; and he wrote a very interesting and useful paper on Improvements in Navigation," which he addressed to Mons. Alphonse Le Roy, at Paris. It was afterwards read in the American Philosophical Society, Dec. 3, 1785, and will be found in his philosophical writings.