Benjamin Franklin to William Deane, April 11, 1773

London, April 11. 1773

Dear Sir,

Miss Martin that was, now Mrs. Blacker, being about to return to Dublin, 7 I cannot omit the Opportunity it gives me of chatting a [little] with one, whose Conversation afforded me so much pleasure and Instruction while I was there.

I know of nothing new here, worth communicating to you, unless perhaps the new Art of making Ca[rriage] W[heels,] the Fellies of one Piece bent into a Circle and sur[rounded] by a Hoop of Iron, the whole very light and strong, there being no cross’d Grain in the Wood, which [is also?] a great Saving of Timber. The Wood is first [steam]’d in the Vapour from boiling Water, and then bent by a forcible Machine, I have seen Pieces so bent of 6 Inches wide, and 3½ thick into a Circle of 4 feet diameter. 8 These for Duration can only be exceeded by your Iron Wheels. Pray, have you compleated that ingenious Invention?

W[hat is] become of honest Mr. Kettilby? 9 Does he go on with his Printing Schemes, or has he got into some better Employment?

Th[ey tell] us here that some Person with you has discovered a new moving Power, that may be of Use in mechanical Operations; that it consists in the Explosion of Iron Tears chill’d suddenly from the melting State in Cold Water. That Explosion I have often seen in Drops of Glass with Wonder, understanding it no more than they did in the Time of Hudibras, who makes a Simile of it, which I repeat because tis probably long since you read it,

Honour , is like that glassy Bubble,

That gives Philosophers such Trouble

Whose least part crack’d, the whole does fly,

And Wits are crack’d to find out why.

May I ask you if you know any thing of the Application of this Power, of which I have not at present the smallest Conception? 1

I have compleated my Stove, in which the Smoke of the Coal is all turn’d into Flame and operates as Fuel in heating the Room. I have us’d it all this Winter; and find it answer even beyond my Expectation. I purpose to print a little Description of its Use and Construction and shall send you a Copy. 2

I hope Billy and Jenny continue and will always continue as happy as when I knew them. My best Wishes attend them, being ever, with sincere Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble servant

B F

Wm Deane Esqr