CoLLMCTANTA..

.Anecdote Of Or. Franklin.
{"newspaper_name": "The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": ""}



A gentlemen who had visited Mr.. Jchrer-
son many years since, wrote thus to his cor
respondent Il wish | had time to detail to
youal the topics Of conversation, but must
not omit an anecdotc lie told me Of DR.
Franklin Mr.. jefferson and the Doctor were
sometime together i'll Paris-They dincd
one day, with a large party consisting OF
distinguished characters of France and scv-
cral Americans. The Able Reynal and DR.
Franklin, the two celebrated philosophers,
had much conversation; among other things
the Able observed that in America all ami
mails degenerated; and he made many learn,
ed and profound observations, especially tc
show this effect of the climate OH the people,
although 50 recently from All European
stock. The Doctor listened with his usual
patience and attention, and after the Able
had flushed, pleasantly remarked, that
when difference of opinion existed 1t was
the custom in deliberate assemblies to di-
vide the house he therefore proposed that
the Europeans should go TO one side of the
room, and the Americans to the other, that
the question might be fairly taken. II. was
accordingly done. 1t happened that all the
Americans present were stout men, full OF
life, health, and vigor, while the Europeans
were small, meagre, and dwarfish. The
Doctor cast his eyes along the lines, and
with smile pronounced his victory TO the
mortified Able, whose theory was so COM
pletely overthrown by the demonstration
before him, which he had the candor to ac-
knowledge on the spot.