Home > Back to Search Results > Poem to Ben Franklin with lightning rod reference...
Click image to enlarge 644394
Show image list »

Poem to Ben Franklin with lightning rod reference...



Item # 644394

Currently Unavailable. Contact us if you would like to be placed on a want list or to be notified if a similar item is available.

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1754  Near the back of the issue is a half page poem titled: "To Benjamin Franklin, Esq., of Philadelphia, on his Experiments and Discoveries in Electricity"which is dated from "Cooper River, S. Carolina, Sept. 20, 1753" (see). At the bottom of the poem are two footnotes, one reading: "By the application of a rod of iron, or a wire, the effect of thunder and lightening is prevented." and the other reading: "The steeple and organ of St. Philip's church at Charles Town [Charleston] have been twice damaged by lightning." Near the back is the "Historical Chronicle" which has the latest news reports of the day including an item under "Plantations" being a report from Virginia (see).

The first article in the issue is: "An Account of the Life of the late Mr. Edward Cave" (with illustration), the publisher of this magazine who recently died. There is a half page illustration of "Pan and His Symbols", and an illustration of the "Rush Light Larum" with a related article: "An Expeditious Way of Raising Mushrooms".

Also in this issue are: "Seeds of Forest Trees & Shrubs in Pennsylvania" "Instructions to the Governor of New York" "Description of a New Invented Tackle" which includes a half page illustration; "Islington Church" which includes a nice full page plate (see images); and so much more.

Complete in 48 pages, 5 by 8 inches, includes plates and illustrations described above, one being a foldout (see photos), full title/contents page featuring an engraving of St. John's Gate. 

A very nice magazine from the early years of the French & Indian War with a wide range of varied content including news of the day, political reports, literary items, and other unusual tidbits. This was the first periodical to use the word "magazine" in its title, having begun in 1731 and lasting until 1907.

Category: The 1600's and 1700's