receive the congratulations of his friends, and the public thanks of his own state, which immediately chose him for its president. He was also elected one of the delegates from Pennsylvania to the convention which met for the purpose of framing the federal constitution. In 1788, after diligently discharging the duties of both these offices, he retired from public life, his last official act being his signature as president of Pennsylvania to a memorial in favour of the abolition of slavery. His health had for some time past been failing; and for two years he had suffered excruciating pain from the stone. No very serious change took place, however, till April, 1790, when he was attacked with fever and pain in his breast, arising from an imposthume on his lungs, which finally carried him off on the 17th of the same month, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. To attempt to sum up any man's character in a few words is impossible; but thus much may be said, that if Franklin was not precisely the man indicated by his proud epitaph—"Eripuit cœlo fulmen, sceptrumque tyrannis"—he possessed virtues, which in the world in which he moved are so rare, that they almost amount to genius. He made it a practice to give away all the money he received for his official duties, and was kindhearted and generous to all in whom he took an interest. He was incorruptible as a statesman, and always illustrated by his own example the doctrine he was so fond of preaching, that his country should be served for honour, and not for profit. Wherever he went, he was loved and respected even by men of larger calibre than himself; and when he died, Mirabeau, who was altogether unlike him, proposed in the national assembly that the members should wear mourning for three days. His biography has been written, and his works carefully edited by Jared Sparks, in 10 vols., 8vo.—W. H. W.
FRANKLIN, Eleanor Ann, better known as Miss Porden, was the daughter of the architect of Eaton hall. She early manifested literary ability, and wrote—in a kind of album, called the "Salt-box," containing the contributions of literary friends who met at her father's house—several poems, of which one entitled the "Veils, or the Triumphs of Constancy," was published in 1815. Three years afterwards appeared "The Arctic Expedition," suggested by a visit to the Isabella and Alexander discovery ships, which eventually led to her marriage with the gallant Captain (afterwards Sir John) Franklin in 1823. She had published the year before an epic poem entitled "Cœur de Lion." She died of consumption, February 22nd, 1825.—T. J.
FRANKLIN, Sir John, the arctic discoverer, was born on the 16th April, 1786, at Spilsby in Lincolnshire. His ancestors were landed freeholders, or Franklins, and his father inherited an estate in Lincolnshire which had been for many years in the family. Unfortunately, when it came into his possession, it was so heavily mortgaged that he was under the necessity of selling it. At the same time he abandoned agricultural pursuits and embarked in commerce. In this he succeeded so well that he was enabled not only to educate, but also to give some of his sons professions. Of his numerous family, consisting of four sons and eight daughters, two sons, besides the subject of this memoir, attained considerable reputation. One, Sir Willingham Franklin, became judge at Madras; another, James Franklin, of the Bengal civil service, rose to high military rank, and obtained by his scientific acquirements a lucrative appointment. John, the youngest son, was educated at the Louth grammar school. His father was extremely anxious that he should enter the church, and he purchased an advowson for him, intending that he should complete his education at a university. His inclination, however, lay in a very different direction. There is a story told of him, on apparently good authority, that he availed himself of a half holiday at school to walk twelve miles to see the ocean, on which he gazed with rapture. From this moment his great desire was to go to sea. Hoping, though hardly expecting, to make a sea-life repugnant to his son, his father sent him in a small trading ship to Lisbon; but though the discomforts of the voyage were great, the boy's love for a nautical life overcame every consideration. Accordingly his father gave way, and, greatly to his son's delight, he was entered as midshipman on board the Polyphemus, at the age of fourteen. This ship was ordered to the Baltic, and young Franklin had the good fortune to pass through the battle of Copenhagen unscathed, while a brother midshipman and other officers were killed at his side. On the return of the Polyphemus to England he was appointed to the Investigator, commanded by his cousin, Captain Flinders, and commissioned for a voyage of discovery to Australia. To this circumstance, and to the kind and judicious training of Captain Flinders, Franklin was indebted for that love of science which characterized him throughout life. Few exploratory voyages, indeed, have afforded greater opportunities for scientific research than this. Robert Brown, the celebrated botanist, accompanied the expedition, and a friendship was contracted between him and Franklin that endured through life. After cruising for two years the Investigator became unfit for further service. Captain Flinders and his officers were transferred to the Porpoise, and left Australia with the intention of returning to England. The Porpoise and her consort, the Cato, were wrecked on the 18th August, 1803, on a coral reef on the Australian coast, sixty-three leagues from Sandy Cape; and while Captain Flinders went in an open boat to Port-Jackson, two hundred and fifty leagues distant, to procure relief, Franklin and ninety-four persons spent fifty days on the reef. By proceeding to Canton with Lieutenant Fowler, who had the command of the Porpoise, Franklin escaped sharing the bad fortune of his chief.—(See Flinders, Matthew.) On arriving at Canton Franklin obtained a passage to Europe in the Earl Camden, commanded by Sir Nathaniel Dance, commodore of the Chinese fleet of sixteen sail. On the voyage home the ships were attacked by a powerful French squadron, commanded by Admiral Linois, but Sir Nathaniel gallantly defeated his antagonist. During the engagement young Franklin had the important charge of making the signals.
On arriving in England he was immediately appointed to the Bellerophon, Captain Laing, and was signal midshipman during the memorable battle of Trafalgar; again escaping without a wound, though many of the officers around him were killed and wounded. Indeed, it is recorded, that on this trying occasion his coolness and intrepidity were the admiration of all who saw him. He was now promoted, and, as lieutenant, served for six years in the Bedford; was present at the blockade of Flushing, on the Portuguese and Brazilian stations, and at the disastrous attack on New Orleans. On this occasion he commanded the Bedford gun-boats, and received a slight wound. Peace being now restored, Franklin returned home, and seeing no prospect of active employment in the more immediate duties of his profession, turned his attention to arctic exploration. Fortunately for Franklin, Sir Joseph Banks, who knew his family, and had a high opinion of the young officer, was consulted, as president of the Royal Society, by the admiralty, in the organization of the arctic expeditions, and through him Franklin obtained an appointment in that commanded by Captain Buchan, the object of which was to penetrate and explore the supposed Polar Sea. The expedition, consisting of the Dorothea and Trent, sailed in 1818. During a violent storm in lat. 80° 30´, the Dorothea became disabled, but Franklin gallantly requested to be permitted to proceed alone in the Trent. Captain Buchan's instructions forbade this, and the ships returned to England. Though unsuccessful, Franklin's noble disregard of danger, and his great aptitude for active service, soon led to his being again employed. In June, 1819, he was placed in command of his first overland expedition, in which his dear friend, Sir John Richardson, served as surgeon. Franklin was instructed to proceed through Rupert's Land and trace the coast line of the North American continent In the prosecution of this service he, and his companions, walked five thousand five hundred and sixty miles, and encountered difficulties and privations of an appalling nature, the story of which, as told in Franklin's own manly words, will ever remain one of the most thrilling narratives of adventure in our language. During his absence he had been made commander, and on his return to England obtained post-rank. The Royal Society elected him into their body, and he was chosen to serve on the council. In 1823 he married Eleanor, youngest daughter of William Porden, Esq.—(See Franklin, Eleanor Ann.)
A less adventurous spirit would now, in all probability, have reposed on his laurels, but when the admiralty determined to organize new arctic expeditions, Franklin volunteered his services. These were accepted, and in 1825 he started on his second land expedition. Descending the Mackenzie River to the sea, he traced the North American coast from the Coppermino River to nearly the 150th meridian, and approached to within one hundred and sixty miles of the most easterly point attained by Captain Beechey, who had passed into the Arctic Sea from Behring's Straits. On his return to England he had the satisfaction of finding that his labours were fully appreciated at home
