BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S TOAST

            First published in 1797

At the conclusion of the war, Dr. Franklin, the English Ambassador, and the French Minister, Vergennes, dining together at Versailles, a toast from each was called for and agreed to.

The British Minister began with: "George the Third, who, like the sun in its meridian,  spreads a luster throughout and enlightens the world."

 The French Minister followed with:  "The illustrious Louis XVI, who, like the moon, sheds his mild and benignant rays on and influences the globe."

 Our American Franklin then gave: "George Washington, Commander of the American armies, who, like Joshua of old, commanded the sun and  the moon to stand still, and they obeyed him.”