Benjamin Franklin [1760 
can gentleman stays in his own country, and lives 
there in that degree of luxury and expense, with 
regard to the use of British manufactures, that his 
fortune enables him to do, may not his example, 
from the imitation of superiors so natural to man- 
kind spread the use of those manufactures among 
hundreds of families around him, and occasion a 
much greater demand for them than it would do if 
he should remove and live in London? 
However this may be, if, in our views of immedi- 
ate advantage, it seems preferable that the gentle- 
men of large fortunes in North America should reside 
much in England, it is what may surely be expected 
as fast as such fortunes are acquired there. Their 
having “colleges of their own for the education of 
their youth,” will not prevent it. A little knowledge 
and learning acquired increases the appetite for 
more, and will make the conversation of the learned 
on this side the water more strongly desired. Ire- 
land has its university likewise; yet this does not 
prevent the immense pecuniary benefit we receive 
from that kingdom. And there will always be, in the 
conveniences of life, the politeness, the pleasures, the 
magnificence of the reigning country, many other at- 
tractions besides those of learning, to draw men of 
substance there, where they can, apparently at least, 
have the best bargain of happiness for their money. 
Our trade to the West India Islands is undoubt- 
edly a valuable one; but whatever is the amount of 
it, it has long been at a stand. Limited as our sugar 
planters are by the scantiness of territory, they can- 
not increase much beyond their present number; 
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