Astonishing as are the present and prospective results of the discovery in California, however, we are not to suppose that there is any possibility of a decline in the value of the precious metals. In absolute material civilization, the world in the last three-quarters of a century has advanced more than it had in any previous three full centuries; and the supply of gold, for currency and the thousand other objects for which it was demanded, was becoming alarmingly insufficient, so that the addition of more than thirty per cent. to the total annual product of the world, which we are led by the officially-stated results thus far to expect from California, will merely preserve the historical and necessary proportion and standard value. INEDITED LETTER OF DR. FRANKLIN. The following characteristic and interesting letter by Dr. Franklin is first printed in the _International_. Captain Falconer, to whom it is addressed, took Dr. Franklin to France when he was appointed commissioner, and proceeded thence with his ship to London. The letter is directed _To Captain Nathaniel Falconer, at the Pennsylvania Coffee-house, Birchin Lane, London_, and the autograph is in the collection of Mr. George W. Childs, of Philadelphia: PASSY, July 28, 1783. DEAR FRIEND:--I received your favor of the 18th. Captain Barney brought us the dispatches we so long expected. Mr. Deane as you observe is lost. Dr. Bancroft is I believe steady to the interest of his country, and will make an agreeable passenger if you can take him. You desire to know something of the state of affairs here. Every thing goes well with respect to this court and the other friendly powers; what England is doing or means to do, or why the definitive treaty is so long delayed, I know perhaps less than you do; as, being in that country, you may have opportunities of hearing more than I can. For myself, I am at present as hearty and well as I have been these many years; and as happy as a man can be where every body strives to make him so. The French are an amiable people to live with; they love me, and I love them. Yet I do not feel myself at home, and I wish to die in my own country. Barney will sail this week with our dispatches. A good voyage to you, my friend, and may God ever bless you. B. FRANKLIN. CAPTAIN FALCONER. A BALLAD OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. FROM A FORTHCOMING VOLUME OF POEMS BY GEORGE H. BOKER. "The ice was here, the ice was there, The ice was all around."--COLERIDGE. O, whither sail you, Sir John Franklin? Cried a whaler in Baffin's Bay. To know if between the land and the pole I may find a broad sea-way.