What but the ingenuity of love, eager to swell the _widow's_ mite of charity into the _rich_ man's talent could have suggested the following curious method of making a little do a great deal of good? "Received of Benjamin Franklin, ten guineas, which I hereby promise, soon as I get out of my present embarrassments, to lend to some other honest and industrious man, as near as I can guess, he giving his obligation to act in the same way by the next needy honest man; so that by thus going around it may in time, though a small sum, do much good, unless stopped by a thief. "JAMES HOPEWELL. "_Passy, Aug. 10, 1773._" What but the noble spirit of that religion whose sole aim is to "_overcome evil with good_" could have dictated the following instructions to Paul Jones, and his squadron, who after scouring the British channel, was about to make a descent on their coasts. "As many of your officers and people have lately escaped from English prisons, you are to be _particularly attentive_ to their conduct towards the prisoners you take, lest resentment of the _more than barbarous_ usage which they have received from the English, should occasion a retaliation, and an imitation of what ought rather to be _detested and avoided for the sake of humanity and the honour of our country_. "B. FRANKLIN. "_To Commodore P. Jones._ "April 28, 1779." What but the spirit of that benevolent religion which is the firm patroness of all discoveries for human benefit, could have dictated the ensuing letter "to the commanders of American ships of war," in favour of captain Cook. "GENTLEMEN, "A ship having been fitted out from England, before the commencement of this war, to make discoveries of new countries in unknown seas, under the conduct of that celebrated navigator, captain Cook--an undertaking truly laudable in itself, as the increase of geographical knowledge facilitates the communication between distant nations, and the exchange of useful products and manufactures, and the extension of arts, whereby the common enjoyments of human life are multiplied and augmented, and science of other kinds increased, to the benefit of mankind in general. "This is, therefore, most earnestly to recommend to every one of you, that in case the said ship, which is now expected to be soon in the European seas, on her return, should happen to fall into your hands, you would not consider her as an enemy, but that you treat the said captain Cook and his people with all civility and kindness, affording them, as common friends to mankind, all the assistance in your power, which they may happen to stand in need of. "I have the honour to be, &c. "B. FRANKLIN, "Minister plenipotentiary from the United States to the court of France. "_Passy. near Paris, March 10, 1779._"