25 Benjamin Franklin [734 
Herschel’s telescope; so vast are the regions still 
in wood. 
It is however, some comfort to reflect that upon 
the whole the quantity of industry and prudence 
among mankind exceeds the quantity of idleness and 
folly. Hence the increase of good buildings, farms 
cultivated, and populous cities filled with wealth, all 
over Europe, which a few ages since were only to be 
found on the coast of the Mediterranean; and this, 
notwithstanding the mad wars continually raging, by 
which are often destroyed in one year the works of 
many years’ peace. So that we may hope the luxury 
of a few merchants on the coast will not be the ruin 
of America. 
One reflection more and I will end this long, 
rambling letter. Almost all the parts of our bodies 
require some expense. The feet demand shoes; the 
legs, stockings; the rest of the body, clothing; and 
the belly, a good deal of victuals. Our eyes, though 
exceedingly useful, ask, when reasonable, only the 
cheap assistance of spectacles, which could not much 
impair our finances. But THE EYES OF OTHER PEO- 
PLE are the eyes that ruin us. If all but myself were 
blind, I should want neither fine clothes, fine houses, 
nor fine furniture. 
By the by, here is just issued an arrét of Council 
taking off all the duties upon the exportation of 
brandies, which, it is said, will render them cheaper 
in America than your rum; in which case there is no 
doubt but they will be preferred, and we shall be 
better able to bear our restrictions on our commerce. 
There are views here, by augmenting their settle- 
oo airs 
A a Ge