My dear M^r. Norton

I have thought that you might possibly like to hear the following details about Franklin, whom all Americans justly reference.—¹ My father while very young studied medicine in Paris, & he often saw Franklin who was very kind to him, either on account of his father (Zoonomia Darwin) or on his own account.² My father always spoke of Franklin with the greatest reverence & even affection. In looking over some few memoranda, in my father’s hand-writing I found one, of which I enclose a copy. It is, however, of more interest with respect to Louis XVI than to Franklin himself.—³

I remember my father saying, that one or two young men, nephews I think, were with Franklin at this time, & they were what would now be called rather flashy young men & they seemed to be ashamed of Franklin for the simplicity of his appearances & manners.⁴ They often treated him with gross disrespect, which never seemed to ruffle Franklin in the least. On one occasions my father was quite shocked at their behaviour; but when they left the room, Franklin said to my father with a smile “poor young men they do not know what they are saying or how they are acting”.—or words to this effect— Pray forgive me if you do not care at all for these trifling anecdotes.—

Sara was here lately & was as delightful as usual. Nursing a husband tenderly seems good for her health, for she looked somewhat better & stronger. If my unfortunate son were to have a third concussion on the brain, I think that he would cure his wife.—⁵

Believe me my dear M^r. Norton, Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

Poor old Carlyles Remembrances has caused more talk here than any book which has been published for many years—⁶