To Sir Joseph Banks (unpublished)
Passy, April 17. 1785.
Dear Sir,

Mr. Anisson, junr. Son of the Directeur de l’Imprimerie Royale, is a Gentleman much esteemed among the Members of the Academy of Sciences, on Account of his great Zeal and Abilities for the Improvement of the Arts, of which he has given several Specimens, and may probably be chosen into that Body the first convenient Vacancy. He is also ambitious of being a Member of our Royal Society. I do not know enough of the present Circumstances respecting the Admission of Foreigners, to venture giving him any Encouragement to expect it, but advis’d him to obtain your Opinion as to the Probability of Success before he offer’d himself. I beg leave however to recommend him, as a very ingenious and worthy Character, to those Civilities which you have a Pleasure in showing to Strangers of Merit.

He has Thoughts of laying before the Society a Discovery he has made of a new Method of treating Books that are to be bound, so as to lay the Printing and Paper flat, even, and close, without hammering, or occasioning the Print to set off. He will show you the Effect it has in reducing considerably the Thickness of Books beyond what is usual. You will be so good as to advise him, whether this is not a more proper Communication for the Society of Arts. With great and sincere Esteem and Respect, I have the honour to be, Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servant

B Franklin

Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. P. R. S.
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