William Penn on the Choice of Books

A LETTER OF SARAH (ELLIS) WOOLMAN33 A letter from John Smith's great uncle, Richard Wells to his sister, Margaret Morris, dated " Philadelphia, Jan. 25th. 1775 " contains the following apropos the same subject— " I think the study of Physick will suit Johnny very well, if it don't lead him to acts of Surgery, especially Toothdrawing— but upon second thoughts, there's a good deal of difference between drawing out another Man's and having out one of one's own ; O Shonny, Shonny ! If ever he gets hold of a Leg or an Arm or a Head of mine by way of Amputation, how he'll make me pay for this ! The large family amongst us—the Morris's, the Wells, the Hills—may keep a Chariott constantly running. And pray, what is honest Dick to do ? Is he to be a lawyer or a parson ? Sure if one Son goes to the liberal Profession, the other must not disgrace him by riding on his Meal Cart, unless you might think that the family ought to play into each other's hands, and that the little Doctor's great wig will take a great deal of Powder, and so poor Dick must be the Doctor's powder monkey, to verify the old Proverb and make Jack the Gentleman! Never mind, honest namesake ! Thou mayest get into good Bread, whilst the Doctor's gilded Chariott may make his teeth chatter for want of it. Amongst Friends, I hope the honest Lad will have more Custom than His Brother ! And so farewell. R. W." [Richard Wells.] WILLIAM PENN ON THE CHOICE OF BOOKS. This interesting letter is reprinted from the " Quaker PostBag ," noticed elsewhere in this number of The Bulletin. It reveals the breadth of Penn's mind and his freedom from sectarianism . It also shows his appreciation of the value of past and contemporary biography, history, politics, theology, and kindred subjects. It will be noticed, however, that he almost wholly neglects the field of literature, and even such works as Bacon's that He would give me wisdom to proceed therein agreeably to his will, and He was pleased to give me a well-inclined damsel, Sarah Ellis, to whom I was married the 18th of eighth month, 1749." "Journal," New Century edition, London, 1900, p. 66.—Editor. 34 BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY " Henry VII," and More's " Utopia," he values for other reasons than literary. His advice is generally sound, and not a few of the works he recommends are still standard. His maxim, " Allways write thy name in the Title Pages," would not be accepted by most persons now, for such a practice defaces the book, and besides the fly leaves are a much better place for indicating ownership. Believing that it would add much to the interest of readers, the dates and titles of the works, and the full names of the authors , with the dates of birth and death, have been supplied, so far as it has been practicable to do so. Occasionally other information has been added. From William Penn to Sir John Rodes For Sr John Rodes att Joseph Storrs Wollen-Draper In Chesterfield.the ™ 1693. Dear Friend,—I hope I shall allways be ready to show thee how much I desire thy prosperity every way. It is long I have travelled in my spirit for thee and knowing the temptations that would grow upon thee and the evil days by means thereof that must attend thee, I have prayed that thy faith fail not, and that thou faintest not by the way; for thou hast been called to a glorious mark, even that of an Heirship with the Beloved of God in Eternal Habitations. The Lord preserve thee to the end. Now as to w* I meant at C. Mars [Christmas], it is this: a Course or Method of life as far as we can be our own, I would divide my days of the week, and then the times of the day, and when I had Considered and divided my business, I would proportion it to my time. Suppose, for example, thus : ^ to Religion, in Waiting, Reading, Meditating &c. . . . % to some generali...