| Citation |
CC-H.782.033
16 Jul 1782:21 (912)
Philadelphia, June 29. 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 point. 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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