| Citation |
BEP(P.782.060
20 Jul 1782:31 (1/40)
A London artist, who was well acquainted with the nature and
extent of the revengeful temper of the present King of
Britain towards the American, and particular towards Dr.
Franklin, pretended that he had discovered that iron with
round heads were better conductors of lightning than those
that were constructed agreeable to the Doctor's plan with
sharp points. The King was delighted with the discovery,
and immediately took down all the pointed rods from his
palaces and put up round headed ones in their stead. After
a while it was perceived to be a hum; and the King gladly
fled a second time for protection against lightning, to the
invention of his enemy Dr. Franklin. The affair soon
afterwards gave rise to the following lines, which were
published in a London paper:
While you great George for knowledge hunt;
And sharp conductors change for blunt,
The nation's out of joint.
Franklin the wiser plan pursues,
And all your thunder harmless views.
By sticking to the point.
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