Today, once again, my mind wandered to the concept of being a “fly on the wall” and so I thought I would add another post to my ongoing series. Truth be told, the event that most stirs this desire in me is when I think of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien sitting and having a pint together in some slightly smoky pub but, such a moment is not to be found in a newspaper. However, as I thought of these 2 great thinkers and fast friends, I was reminded of another exceptional mind who also expressed a great appreciation for beer and so, it was I am sure, no coincidence that I noticed the following in a copy of THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER from Sept. 9, 1779 [1]…
“Address To the Inhabitants of Ireland”, signed in type at its conclusion: B. Franklin. Versailles, October 4, 1778.
It begins: “The misery & distress which your ill-fated country has been so frequently exposed to & has so often experienced…has most sincerely affected your friends in America and has engaged the most serious attention of Congress…”
While I am sure Ben Franklin & C.S. Lewis did not hold all things in common, they both certainly pressed boundaries and inspired those they brushed elbows with and those who could only admire them from afar. Perhaps we can all raise a glass to these gems of the past.