Synthesized answer
In the title, "Poor Richard" is stated to be "improved" because Dr. Franklin wished to collect all his sayings on certain subjects into one piece. To achieve this, he introduced Father Abraham to present these collected sayings [2]. This act of gathering and presenting his wisdom in a consolidated form is why "Poor Richard" is said to be improved in the title [2, 1].
The passages indicate that "Poor Richard" is frequently quoted and that in the current title, he is mentioned as improved [1]. This improvement stems from Dr. Franklin's intention to compile his scattered sayings from the "Poor Richard" almanacs into a single work, using Father Abraham as the narrator for this purpose [2].
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From the book
purpose. Hence it is, that Poor Richard is so often quoted, and that, in the present title, he is said to be improved. Notwithstanding the stroke of humour in the concluding paragraph of this address, Poor Richard (Saunders) and Father Abraham have proved, in America, that they are no common preachers. And shall we, brother Englishmen, refuse good sense and saving knowledge, because it comes from the other side of the water?_ _The following may be had of the Proprietors, W. & T. DARTON_, And of most Booksellers in the United Kingdom. Virtue and Innocence, a Poem …
of some of the Fables of the Ancients, on a theory entirely new. By R. ATKINS. Illustrated by twenty-two Cuts on Wood. "This little work is intended as an easy Introduction to the Mythology of ancient Greece and Rome, and is particularly adapted to the use of Schools, being divested of the obscene allegories introduced by the ancients in their usual figurative style. It is certainly better calculated to convey a general idea of the subject, than any attempt of the kind which has yet fallen under our observation. The Poetical Illustrations are simple, and well calculated to the…
ckles," as Poor Richard says.' * * * * * Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and approved the doctrine, and immediately practised the contrary, just as if it had been a common sermon; for the auction opened, and they began to buy extravagantly.--I found the good man had thoroughly studied my Almanacks, and digested all I had dropt on those topics during the course of twenty-five years. The frequent mention he made of me must have tired any one else; but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it, though I was conscious…
en the well is dry, they know the worth of water." But this they might have known before, if they had taken his advice. "If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some; for he that goes a borrowing, goes a sorrowing," as Poor Richard says; and, indeed, so does he that lends to such people, when he goes to get it in again. Poor Dick farther advises, and says, "Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse, Ere fancy you consult, consult your purse." [Illustration: Published by W. Darton, Junr. Octr. 1, 1805.] 'And again, "Pride is as loud a beggar as Want,…
times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and something may be done for us; "God helps them that help themselves," as Poor Richard says. I. 'It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one-tenth part of their time to be employed in its service: but idleness taxes many of us much more; sloth, by bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens life. [Illustration: Published by W. Darton, Junr. Octr. 1, 1805.] "Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labour…