Existing comment:
That Admirable Instrument, the Microscope:
Franklin purchased his first microscope from Joseph Breintnall, a friend and fellow Junto member. The microscope brought into focus a new world otherwise invisible to the human eye. As Franklin enthusiastically wrote in his 1751 Poor Richard's Almanack, "That admirable instrument the Microscope has opened to us of these latter Ages, a World utterly unknown to the Ancients. There are very few Substances, in which it does not shew something curious and unexpected." Franklin observed blood cells, peacock feathers, and bones, all of which he claimed were "the most remarkably entertaining Objects." |