The

sentry box, from which should rise a pointed iron rod, insulated by being fixed in a cake of rosin. Electrified clouds passing over this, would, he conceived, impart to it a portion of their electricity, which would be rendered evident to the senses by sparks being emitted, when a key, the knuckle, or other conductor, was presented to it. Philadelphia at this time afforded no opportunity of trying an experiment of this kind. Whilst Franklin was waiting for the erection of a spire, it occurred to him, that he might have more ready access to the region of the clouds by means of a common kite. He prepared one by attaching two cross sticks to a silk handkerchief, which would not suffer so much from the rain as paper. To the upright stick was affixed an iron point. string was, as usual, of hemp, except the lower end, which was silk. Where the hempen string was terminated, a key was fastened. With this apparatus, on the appearance of a thunder gust approaching, he went out on the commons, accompanied by his son, to whom alone he communicated his intentions, well knowing the ridicule which, too generally for the interest of science, awaits unsuccessful experiments in philosophy. He placed himself under a shed to avoid the rain. His kite was raised. A thunder cloud passed over it. No sign of electricity appeared. He almost despaired of success; when suddenly he observed the loose fibres of the string to move towards an erect position. He now presented his knuckle to the key, and received a strong spark. On this experiment depended the fate of his theory. If he succeeded, his name would rank high amongst those who have improved science; if he failed, he must inevitably be subjected to the derision of mankind, or, what is worse, their pity, as a well meaning man, but a weak, silly projector. The anxiety with which he looked for the result of this experiment, may easily be conceived. Doubts and despair had begun to prevail, when the fact was ascertained in so clear a manner, that even the most incredulous could no longer withhold their assent. Repeated sparks were drawn from the key, a vial was charged, a shock given, and all the experi

ments made, which are usually performed with elec tricity."

By this and other experiments, Franklin's theory was established in the most convincing manner. When it was known that an American, an inhabitant of the obscure city of Philadelphia, was able to make discoveries and to frame theories, which had escaped the notice of the enlightened philosophers of Europe, it was quite mortifying to the pride of their scientific societies,

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49. Whitefield, the celebrated Preacher.

The Rev. George Whitefield, a clergyman of the Church of England, first arrived in this country in the year 1738. He landed in Savannah, Geo., and laid the foundation of an orphan house a few miles from Savannah, and afterwards finished it at great expense. He returned to England the same year. On the following year he returned back to America, landed at Philadelphia, and began to preach in different churches. In this, and in his subsequent visits to America, he visited most of the principal places in the colonies. Immense numbers of people flocked to hear him, wherever he preached.

"The effects produced in Philadelphia and other places, were truly astonishing. Numbers of almost all religious denominations, and many who had no connexion with any denomination, were brought to inquire with the utmost eagerness, what they should do to be saved. Such was the eagerness of the multitude in Philadelphia, to listen to spiritual instruction, that there was public worship regularly twice a day for a year: and on the Lord's day it was celebrated thrice or four times.

"During his visit to Philadelphia, he preached frequently after night, from the gallery of the court-house, in Market-street. So loud was his voice at that time, that it was distinctly heard on the Jersey shore, and so distinct was his speech, that every word he said was understood on board a shallop, at Market-street wharf, a

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distance of upwards of 400 feet from the court-house, All the intermediate space was crowded with his hear ers." He was truly remarkable for his uncommon eloquence, and fervent zeal. His eloquence was indeed very great, and of the truest kind. He was utterly devoid of all affectation; the importance of his subject, and the regard due to his hearers, engrossed all his concern. Every accent of his voice spoke to the ear, every feature of his face, every motion of his hands, and every gesture, spoke to the eye; so that the most dissipated and thoughtless found their attention arrested, and the dullest and most ignorant could not but understand. He appeared to be devoid of the spirit of sectarianism; his only object seemed to be to "preach Christ and him crucified."*

Mr. Whitefield died in Newburyport, Mass., on the 30th of September, 1770, in the fifty-sixth year of his age, on his seventh visit to America-having been in the ministry thirty-four years.

50. Col. Boon's Settlement of Kentucky.

The country now called Kentucky was well known to the Indian traders, many years before its settlement. It, however, remained unexplored by the Virginians, till the year 1769, when Col. Daniel Boon and a few others, who conceived it to be an interesting object, undertook a journey for that purpose. After a long, fatiguing march, over a mountainous wilderness, in a

The following anecdote respecting his manner of preaching, will serve to illustrate this part of his character. One day, while preaching from the balcony of the court-house, in Philadelphia, he cried out, "Father Abraham, who have you got in heaven; any Episcopali

ans ?" No!" Any Presbyterians?" "No!" Any Baptists?" "No!" "Have you any Methodists there?" "No!" "Have you any Independents or Seceders?" "No! No!" "Why, who have you then?" "We don't know those names here; all that are here are Christians-believers in Christ-men who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of his testimony!" "O, is this the case? then God help me God help us all to forget party names and to become Christians in deed and in truth."

westerly direction, they at length arrived upon its borders, and, from the top of an eminence, "saw with pleasure the beautiful level of Kentucke. For some time," says Col. Boon, "we had experienced the most uncomfortable weather. We now encamped, made a shelter to defend us from the inclement season, and began to hunt and reconnoitre the country. We found abundance of wild beasts in this vast forest. The buffaloes were more numerous than cattle on other settlements, browsing on the leaves of the cane, or cropping the herbage on those extensive plains. We saw hundreds in a drove, and the numbers about the salt springs were amazing. In this forest, the habitation of beasts of every American kind, we hunted with great success till December.

"On the 22d of December, John Stuart and I had a pleasing ramble; but fortune changed the day at the close of it. We had passed through a great forest, in which stood myriads of trees, some gay with blossoms, others rich with fruit. Nature was here a series of wonders, and a fund of delight. Here she displayed her ingenuity and industry in a variety of flowers and fruit, beautifully coloured, elegantly shaped, and charmingly fla voured; and we were diverted with numberless animals, presenting themselves perpetually to our view. In the decline of the day, near Kentucke river, as we ascended the brow of a small hill, a number of Indians rushed out of a thick cane-brake, and made us prisoners. The Indians plundered us, and kept us in confinement seven days. During this, we discovered no uneasiness or desire to escape, which made them less suspicious; but in the dead of night, as we lay by a large fire, in a thick cane-brake, when sleep had locked up their senses, my situation not disposing me to rest, I gently awoke my compan ion. We seized this favourable opportunity, and departed, directing our course towards our old camp; but found it plundered, and our company dispersed or gone home.

"About this time my brother, Squire Boon, with ano ther adventurer, who came to explore the country shortly after us, was wandering through the forest, and acci dentally found our camp. Notwithstanding our un

fortunate circumstances, and our dangerous situation, surrounded with hostile savages, our meeting fortunately in the wilderness, gave us the most sensible satisfaction.

"Soon after this, my companion in captivity, John Stuart, was killed by the savages; and the man that came with my brother returned home by himself. We were then in a dangerous, helpless situation; exposed daily to perils and death, amongst savages and wild beasts, not a white man in the country but ourselves.

"Thus, many hundred miles from our families, in the howling wilderness, we did not continue in a state of indolence; but hunted every day, and prepared a little cottage to defend us from the winter storms. We met with no disturbance during the winter.

"On the first of May, 1770, my brother returned home by himself, for a new recruit of horses and ammunition, leaving me alone, without bread, salt, or sugar, or even a horse or dog. I passed a few days uncomfortably. The idea of a beloved wife and family, and their anxiety on my account, would have disposed me to melancholy, if I farther indulged the thought.

"One day I undertook a tour through the country, when the diversity and beauties of nature I met with, in this charming season, expelled every gloomy thought. Just at the close of the day, the gentle gales ceased; not a breath shook the tremulous leaf. I had gained the summit of a commanding ridge, and looking round with astonishing delight, beheld the ample plains and beauteous tracts below. On the one hand I surveyed the famous Ohio, rolling in silent dignity, and marking the western boundary of Kentucke with inconceivable grandeur. At a vast distance, I beheld the mountains lift their venerable brows, and penetrate the clouds. All things were still. I kindled a fire near a fountain o. sweet water, and feasted on the loin of a buck, which a few hours before I had killed. The shades of night soon overspread the hemisphere, and the earth seemed to gasp after the hovering moisture. My excursion had fatigued my body and amused my mind. I laid me down to sleep, and awoke not till the sun had chased away tha