The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. 25: Volume 25: October 1, 1777, through February 28, 1778

In the summer of 1762 Franklin wound up his business in England as agent for the Pennsylvania Assembly and returned to Philadelphia. William Franklin was married in London and soon followed his father to take office as royal governor of New Jersey. Before sailing, Franklin wrote a long letter to Giambatista Beccaria in Turin describing his invention of a new musical instrument, the glass harmonica, which for a generation or so enjoyed great popularity in Europe. Both Mozart and Beethoven wrote compositions for it. In America once more, Franklin devoted much of his to his duties as join deputy postmaster general, going on long inspection trips to all the offices from Virginia to New Hampshire. His correspondence with friends made in England shows some nostalgia for his life there, but letters from them at least brought the political news and gossip of London, where he had spent five busy and interesting years.

Mr. Labaree is Farnam Professor Emeritus of History at Yale University.