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 mankind
 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 immediate
 advantage, it seems preferable that the gentlemen
 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. Ireland
 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 attractions
 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 undoubtedly
 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 cannot
 increase much beyond their present number;

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