viii Introduction 
our first American Philosopher, American citizens 
and English-speaking peoples throughout the world 
should honor his memory. I contend (speaking, of 
course, with the prejudice of a publisher) that there 
is no better way of honoring the character and service 
of a great thinker than by preserving in dignified 
print the record of his thought and of his teachings. 
This is the purpose which has caused the republica- 
tion, in convenient form for popular distribution, of 
the series of Franklin's Essays. 
GG. HP. 
NEW YORK, 
April 2, 1927.