Comments for Ben Franklin Live http://benfranklinlive.org Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:40:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Comment on Blog #3B – Benjamin Franklin on the Origin of the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” Part 2 by Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell http://benfranklinlive.org/blog-3b-benjamin-franklin-on-the-origin-of-the-poor-richards-almanac-part-2/#comment-52 Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:40:25 +0000 http://benfranklinlive.org/?p=590#comment-52 Citizen Eberhart, I thank you for the courtesy of your query and find no reason to delay in responding to such an informed and interested a reader. In 1748, having arrived at the age of 42, I sold my quite profitable printing business to my partner, the Scotsman David Hall, whom I had originally brought over to be my foreman. He took over the management of both the "Pennsylvania Gazette" and my "Poor Richard's Almanac," whose signature delight to many readers were the little witticisms I had first included back in 1732. From that point, I continued to write aphorisms for each year's edition until my departure for England, as a representative of the colony of Pennsylvania, in 1757. I retained a financial interest in the printing business for some years thereafter, but, as you so presciently surmised, there were, indeed, other matters drawing on my attention and on Mr. Hall's interests as well. In promoting David Hall, I apparently espoused a key principle of modern business practice: hire well and promote well from within. I shall have much more to say at a later date about my business ideas. I thank you, good Sir, for your question and look forward to more of the same. Until such time, I am, yr, obedient and faithful servant, Benj. Franklin Citizen Eberhart,
I thank you for the courtesy of your query and find no reason to delay in responding to such an informed and interested a reader. In 1748, having arrived at the age of 42, I sold my quite profitable printing business to my partner, the Scotsman David Hall, whom I had originally brought over to be my foreman. He took over the management of both the “Pennsylvania Gazette” and my “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” whose signature delight to many readers were the little witticisms I had first included back in 1732. From that point, I continued to write aphorisms for each year’s edition until my departure for England, as a representative of the colony of Pennsylvania, in 1757. I retained a financial interest in the printing business for some years thereafter, but, as you so presciently surmised, there were, indeed, other matters drawing on my attention and on Mr. Hall’s interests as well. In promoting David Hall, I apparently espoused a key principle of modern business practice: hire well and promote well from within.
I shall have much more to say at a later date about my business ideas. I thank you, good Sir, for your question and look forward to more of the same. Until such time, I am,
yr, obedient and faithful servant,
Benj. Franklin

]]> Comment on Blog #3B – Benjamin Franklin on the Origin of the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” Part 2 by D. P. Eberhart http://benfranklinlive.org/blog-3b-benjamin-franklin-on-the-origin-of-the-poor-richards-almanac-part-2/#comment-50 D. P. Eberhart Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:03:05 +0000 http://benfranklinlive.org/?p=590#comment-50 Not wanting to interrupt the tale, I will wait patiently until there is a convenient time for you to address two questions. First, I understand that the Almanack was published continuously from 1732 to 1758, an amazing run of 26 or 27 years. Did you personally prepare it the whole time, or did you delegate some or all of that responsibility to someone else after a time? Second, why did publication cease in 1758 - was the profitability declining or were there more important endeavors needing attention? Not wanting to interrupt the tale, I will wait patiently until there is a convenient time for you to address two questions. First, I understand that the Almanack was published continuously from 1732 to 1758, an amazing run of 26 or 27 years. Did you personally prepare it the whole time, or did you delegate some or all of that responsibility to someone else after a time? Second, why did publication cease in 1758 – was the profitability declining or were there more important endeavors needing attention?

]]> Comment on Blog #3B – Benjamin Franklin on the Origin of the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” Part 2 by Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell http://benfranklinlive.org/blog-3b-benjamin-franklin-on-the-origin-of-the-poor-richards-almanac-part-2/#comment-48 Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:42:16 +0000 http://benfranklinlive.org/?p=590#comment-48 And I trust, dear madam, that I shall not disappoint you in these expectations. And I trust, dear madam, that I shall not disappoint you in these expectations.

]]> Comment on Blog #3B – Benjamin Franklin on the Origin of the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” Part 2 by Laura Haas http://benfranklinlive.org/blog-3b-benjamin-franklin-on-the-origin-of-the-poor-richards-almanac-part-2/#comment-47 Laura Haas Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:50:28 +0000 http://benfranklinlive.org/?p=590#comment-47 I'm on the edge of my seat, sir. I’m on the edge of my seat, sir.

]]> Comment on Blog #3A – Benjamin Franklin on the Origin of the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” Part 1 by Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell http://benfranklinlive.org/blog-3a-benjamin-franklin-on-the-origin-of-the-poor-richards-almanac-part-1/#comment-42 Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:49:43 +0000 http://benfranklinlive.org/?p=560#comment-42 As, dear madam, your humble servant will await your next comments. As, dear madam, your humble servant will await your next comments.

]]> Comment on Blog #3A – Benjamin Franklin on the Origin of the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” Part 1 by Laura http://benfranklinlive.org/blog-3a-benjamin-franklin-on-the-origin-of-the-poor-richards-almanac-part-1/#comment-41 Laura Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:47:15 +0000 http://benfranklinlive.org/?p=560#comment-41 Thanks! I will await your next installment with great anticipation! Thanks! I will await your next installment with great anticipation!

]]> Comment on Blog #3A – Benjamin Franklin on the Origin of the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” Part 1 by Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell http://benfranklinlive.org/blog-3a-benjamin-franklin-on-the-origin-of-the-poor-richards-almanac-part-1/#comment-40 Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:55:09 +0000 http://benfranklinlive.org/?p=560#comment-40 I misspoke, madam. I should have more accurately said that upon this Friday, I shall"begin" to address the question you posed. I shall be finishing that discussion a week from Friday, on the 24th, viz, of this month. yr faithful servant with great deference to you madam, thanks you for your patience. I misspoke, madam. I should have more accurately said that upon this Friday, I shall”begin” to address the question you posed. I shall be finishing that discussion a week from Friday, on the 24th, viz, of this month.

yr faithful servant with great deference to you madam, thanks you for your patience.

]]> Comment on Blog #3A – Benjamin Franklin on the Origin of the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” Part 1 by Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell http://benfranklinlive.org/blog-3a-benjamin-franklin-on-the-origin-of-the-poor-richards-almanac-part-1/#comment-39 Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:47:22 +0000 http://benfranklinlive.org/?p=560#comment-39 Thank you, madam, for your query regarding Mr. Leeds. He was not a little bit put out of sorts. I shall address his reaction on Friday of this week in the detail I believe you are seeking. If, on that occasion, you find my responses lacking in sufficient detail, do tell me so and I shall bend myself in four ways to be more responsive to your inquiry. Until then, know that you have the respect and appreciation of.... yr humble and faithful servant, Benj. Franklin Thank you, madam, for your query regarding Mr. Leeds. He was not a little bit put out of sorts. I shall address his reaction on Friday of this week in the detail I believe you are seeking. If, on that occasion, you find my responses lacking in sufficient detail, do tell me so and I shall bend myself in four ways to be more responsive to your inquiry. Until then, know that you have the respect and appreciation of….

yr humble and faithful servant,

Benj. Franklin

]]> Comment on Blog #3A – Benjamin Franklin on the Origin of the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” Part 1 by Laura Haas http://benfranklinlive.org/blog-3a-benjamin-franklin-on-the-origin-of-the-poor-richards-almanac-part-1/#comment-38 Laura Haas Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:36:44 +0000 http://benfranklinlive.org/?p=560#comment-38 What was the competition's reaction to your Almanac? Did Mr. Leeds attempt to discredit yours or advertise the virtues of his? Did it inspire any changes in his? What was the competition’s reaction to your Almanac? Did Mr. Leeds attempt to discredit yours or advertise the virtues of his? Did it inspire any changes in his?

]]> Comment on Blog #2B – Benjamin Franklin on Elections and Caucuses, Part II by Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell http://benfranklinlive.org/556/#comment-36 Benjamin Franklin Speaker, Christopher Lowell Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:02:58 +0000 http://benfranklinlive.org/?p=556#comment-36 My good Mr. Bradford, General Washington was not elected by the people as you do today, but rather according to the articles of the new Constitution (whose Convention he had presided over with great effectiveness.) The "Electoral College" that had thus been created did indeed submit, as per the charter, two votes per delegate. The General came in first, with overwhelming support to lead the new nation, and Mr. Adams came in second and was,thus, automatically our Vice President. General Washington was reluctant to take the position, but was prevailed upon and took the oath of office in April of 1789, as my own health was beginning to decline. I am saddened to hear that money and, as you so elegantly put it, "visceral histrionics" have replaced debate, but I must admit to you, as one who was in his seat daily at 11:00 of the morning each day of the five months of our own debates, that there were occasions when discussion was not as "thoughtful or intelligent" as I and others might have wished. " Visceral histrionics" is a term that might well have been applied on more than one occasion, to the semi-incoherent ramblings of Mr. Sherman of Connecticut, for example, who would have done far better to take a page from the book of conduct of Mr. Blount of North Carolina, whose voice I do not even recall hearing across that hot and humid summer. As for the money that seems to dominate your present political arena, I must admit that when my own proposal to the delegates of the aforementioned convention that public servants should forgo remuneration for their service was quickly denied, I was not surprised. I cannot but conclude my reply to you, good Sir, without musing whether or not you are a descendant of an Andrew Bradford, late of the city of Philadelphia, with whom I had a cordial rivalry in the printing trade in the 1730's. With all good wishes to you and thank you for your query, I remain, most sincerely, yr humble and obedient servant, Benj. Franklin My good Mr. Bradford,

General Washington was not elected by the people as you do today, but rather according to the articles of the new Constitution (whose Convention he had presided over with great effectiveness.) The “Electoral College” that had thus been created did indeed submit, as per the charter, two votes per delegate. The General came in first, with overwhelming support to lead the new nation, and Mr. Adams came in second and was,thus, automatically our Vice President. General Washington was reluctant to take the position, but was prevailed upon and took the oath of office in April of 1789, as my own health was beginning to decline. I am saddened to hear that money and, as you so elegantly put it, “visceral histrionics” have replaced debate, but I must admit to you, as one who was in his seat daily at 11:00 of the morning each day of the five months of our own debates, that there were occasions when discussion was not as “thoughtful or intelligent” as I and others might have wished. ” Visceral histrionics” is a term that might well have been applied on more than one occasion, to the semi-incoherent ramblings of Mr. Sherman of Connecticut, for example, who would have done far better to take a page from the book of conduct of Mr. Blount of North Carolina, whose voice I do not even recall hearing across that hot and humid summer. As for the money that seems to dominate your present political arena, I must admit that when my own proposal to the delegates of the aforementioned convention that public servants should forgo remuneration for their service was quickly denied, I was not surprised. I cannot but conclude my reply to you, good Sir, without musing whether or not you are a descendant of an Andrew Bradford, late of the city of Philadelphia, with whom I had a cordial rivalry in the printing trade in the 1730′s. With all good wishes to you and thank you for your query, I remain, most sincerely, yr humble and obedient servant, Benj. Franklin

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