Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1905 — Franklin and Kings. [ARTICLE]

Franklin and Kings.

In the writings of Thomas Jefferson are some Interesting anecdotes of Benjamin Franklin. He says: “When Dr. Franklin went to France on his Revolutionary mission his eminence as a philosopher, his venerable appearance and the cause on which he was sent rendered him extremely popular. All ranks and conditions of men entered warmly, Into the American Interest. lie was, therefore, feasted and Invited to all court parties. At these he sometimes met the old Duchess of Bourbon, who, being a chess player of about his force, very generally played with him. Happening once to put her king into prize, the doctor took It. “Ah,” said she, “we do not tuke kings so.” “We do in America,” said the doctor.