: Essays
Q. What used to be the pride of the Americans?
A. To indulge in the fashions and manufactures
of Great Britain.
Q. What is now their pride?
A. To wear their old clothes over again, till they
can make new ones.
[Withdrew.]
This examination was published in 1767, without the
name of printer or of publisher, and the following remarks
upon it are contained in the Gentleman's Magazine for
July of that year:
“From this examination of Dr. Franklin, the reader
may form a clearer and more comprehensive idea of the
state and disposition in America, of the expediency or
inexpediency of the measure in question, and of the character
 and conduct of the minister who proposed it, than
from all that has been written upon the subject in newspapers
 and pamphlets, under the titles of essays, letters,
speeches, and considerations, from the first moment of
its becoming the subject of public attention till now.
The questions in general are put with great subtlety
and judgment, and they are answered with such deep
and familiar knowledge of the subject, such precision and
perspicuity, such temper and yet such spirit, as do the
greatest honor to Dr. Franklin, and justify the general
opinion of his character and abilities.”
Mr. Sparks very justly says that there was no event in
Franklins life more creditable to his talents and character,
 or which gave him so much celebrity, as this examination
 before the House of Commons. His further
statement, however, that Franklin's answers were given
without premeditation and without knowing beforehand

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