Franklin, Benjamin. Writings of Benjamin Franklin; collected and ed., with a life and introd. by Albert H. Smyth. **$3. Macmillan.
When complete, this ten-volume work will be “almost certain to be the final edition of Franklin’s work and correspondence.” (Outlook.) It is authoritative, and is compiled from original sources, with material arranged in chronological order. The author “has utilized the Franklin papers, obtained in 1903 by the University of Pennsylvania, as well as the famous Stevens collection in the Library of Congress, and the thirteen thousand documents that are the property of the American Philosophical society. He has also ransacked the archives of Great Britain and of four continental nations, and has made many interesting ‘finds.’ Furthermore, he has taken pains to secure accurate transcripts and has corrected more than two thousand errors that had crept into former editions.” (Forum.) Two volumes have thus far appeared.
“What promises to be the most complete edition of Franklin and one of the most valuable contributions to American historical and literary scholarship. His own labors to add to the materials amassed by his immediate predecessor have evidently been very great and successful.” W. P. Trent.
+ + Forum. 37: 404. Ja. ’06. 2630w. (Review of v. 1.)
“Admirable new edition.” Paul Elmer More.
+ + Ind. 60: 98. Ja. 11, ’06. 280w. (Review of v. 1–3.)
“It would be easy to quarrel with Mr. Smyth for the scantiness and rather vague purpose of his notes. But in other and more essential respects this edition deserves the highest praise. It is far more complete than any hitherto published.”
+ + – Ind. 60: 1108. My. 10, ’06. 120w. (Review of v. 4–6.) Ind. 61: 1235. N. 22, ’06. 160w. (Review of v. 8 and 9.)
“As the third general compilation of Franklin’s writings, it must stand against the works of Sparks and Bigelow; and if the promises made are performed, it will surpass in scope and in utility these earlier issues.”