Thank you Ben Franklin. (I think) Just for laughs.

[eliza61]

Lately I've developed a passion for American history so I'm reading Benjamin Franklins memoirs.

In them, ole Ben suggest that if a man decides to not marry, he should take an older women as a mistress. Ben's reasons....

1) Because as they have more Knowledge of the World and their Minds are better stor'd with Observations, their Conversation is more improving and more lastingly agreable. Ok, with age comes wisdom, I'll buy that!

2) Because there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly produc'd may be attended with much Inconvenience. Ok, not sure about that one

3) Because thro' more Experience, they are more prudent and discreet in conducting an Intrigue to prevent Suspicion. The Commerce with them is therefore safer with regard to your Reputation So what are you saying Ben, we'll keep our mouths shut?

4) Because the Sin is less. The debauching a Virgin may be her Ruin, and make her for Life unhappy Ok Ben, you're starting to lose me

5) 8thly and Lastly They are so grateful!! Some body got a kite string I could use for a minute.

Have a magical day, older gals (and my young sisters too!!)

here's a link to the entire list http://www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/bdorsey1/41docs/51-fra.html

 

[lisajl]

Wow! That must be an interesting read!!
Thanks for posting this!

 

[NotUrsula]

Franklin was a well-known horndog in his time, and very successful at it, too. I've read contemporary letters, and he was said to make up for his lack of looks and figure in other ways, so the "grateful" think might have been something peculiar to him, if court gossip of the time is anything to go on. It sure wasn't his looks that were getting him all those women.

 

[Golf4food]

Franklin was a well-known horndog in his time, and very successful at it, too. I've read contemporary letters, and he was said to make up for his lack of looks and figure in other ways, so the "grateful" think might have been something peculiar to him, if court gossip of the time is anything to go on. It sure wasn't his looks that were getting him all those women.

Gold-diggers and fame-ho's in every age...

 

[NotUrsula]

Maybe. The thing about most of Franklin's conquests was that they were almost all already wealthy and already influential when he met them. Most of them were the wives or widows of wealthy men -- as the OP noted, he wasn't all that into sweet young things. The gossip at the time was that Franklin was the one who had a thing for sleeping with wealth and power.

 

[Tinkermommy]

So were those women Colonial Cougars?!