1746. _Reflections on Courtship and Marriage_, first of his writings reprinted in Europe. Peter Collinson sends a Leyden vial as gift to Library Company of Philadelphia. Having witnessed Dr. Spence's experiments, Franklin now begins his study of electricity. 1747. _Plain Truth: or, Serious Considerations on the Present State of the City of Philadelphia, and Province of Pennsylvania._ 1748. Withdraws from active service in his printing and bookselling house (Franklin and Hall). _Advice to a Young Tradesman._ Chosen member of the Council of Philadelphia. 1749. Appointed provincial grand master of colonial Masons (through 1750). _Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania._ Founds academy which later develops into University of Pennsylvania. Reprints Bolingbroke's _On the Spirit of Patriotism_. 1750. Appointed as one of the commissioners to make treaty with the Indians at Carlisle. 1751. _Experiments and Observations on Electricity, made at Philadelphia in America, By Mr. Benjamin Franklin, and Communicated in several Letters to Mr. P. Collinson, of London, F. R. S._ (London.) _Idea of the English School, Sketch'd out for the Consideration of the Trustees of the Philadelphia Academy._ Member of Assembly from Philadelphia (incumbent until 1764). _Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, Etc._ Aids Dr. Bond to establish Pennsylvania hospital. 1752. Collinson edition of Franklin's works translated into French. Alleged kite experiment proves identity of lightning and electricity. Invents lightning rod; in September raises one over his own house. Mother dies. Aids in establishing the first fire insurance company in the colonies. 1753. Appointed (jointly with William Hunter) deputy postmaster general of North America Post, a position he held until 1774. Makes ten-weeks' survey of roads and post offices in northern colonies. Abbé Nollet attacks Franklin in _Lettres sur l'électricité_ (Paris). Beccaria defends Franklin's electrical theories against Abbé Nollet. Receives M. A. from Harvard and from Yale. Receives Sir Godfrey Copley medal from the Royal Society. 1754. Proposes Albany Plan of Union. Second edition of _Experiments and Observations on Electricity_. 1755. _An Act for the Better Ordering and Regulating such as are Willing and Desirous to be United for Military Purposes within the Province of Pennsylvania._ _A Dialogue Between X, Y, & Z, concerning the Present State of Affairs in Pennsylvania._ Aids General Braddock in getting supplies and transportation.