He was an earnest and fearless patriot, always on the side of the people and their rights.  His strong will, his cool manner, and his bold spirit made him an enemy not to be scorned by England.  “What used to be the pride of the Americans?” asked a member of the English Parliament in 1776.  And Franklin, then pleading the cause of the colonies before the House of Commons, replied, “To indulge in the fashions and wear the manufactures of Great Britain.”

The Englishman, sure that Franklin would be less ready to answer, continued:  “What is now their pride?” And in a flash the old philosopher of threescore and ten said, “To wear their old clothes over again till they can make new ones.”  Years had not broken the strong will or dulled the sharp wit.

His efforts to secure for the Americans the aid of France can never be forgotten by the American people.  Burgoyne’s surrender made the French believe that the patriots’ cause was worthy of assistance, but it is quite certain that the eloquence of Dr. Franklin, as the French people called the Great American, had opened the way for all that followed.

Whatever favor he met with in society, whatever honor he received, whatever fame he acquired at home or abroad, he turned all to account for the good of his country.

SELECTION XXII

  GIVE ME THE PEOPLE

  Some love the glow of outward show,
    The shine of wealth, and try to win it: 
  The house to me may lowly be,
    If I but like the people in it.

  What’s all the gold that glitters cold,
    When linked to hard and haughty feeling? 
  Whate’er we’re told, the noblest gold
    Is truth of heart and honest dealing.

  A humble roof may give us proof
    That simple flowers are often fairest;
  And trees whose bark is hard and dark
    May yield us fruit, and bloom the rarest.

  There’s worth as sure among the poor
    As e’er adorned the highest station;
  And minds as just as theirs, we trust,
    Whose claim is but of rank’s creation.

  Then let them seek, whose minds are weak,
    Mere fashion’s smile, and try to win it: 
  The house to me may lowly be,
    If I but like the people in it.

  Charles Swain.

LESSON LXVII

NOBILITY REWARDED

A rich man, feeling himself growing old, called his three sons around him and said:  “I am resolved to divide my goods equally among you.  You shall each have your full share, but there is one thing which I have not included in the share of any one of you.  It is this costly diamond which you see in my hand.  I will give it to that one of you who shall earn it by the noblest deed.  Go, therefore, and travel for three months; at the end of that time we will meet here again, and you shall tell me what you have done.”