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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, by
+Benjamin Franklin
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
+
+Author: Benjamin Franklin
+
+Release Date: May 22, 2008 [EBook #148]
+[Last updated: March 31, 2014]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUTOBIOGRAPH OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ***
+
+
+
+
+
+THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
+
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
+
+WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES
+
+EDITED BY CHARLES W ELIOT LLD
+
+P F COLLIER & SON COMPANY, NEW YORK (1909)
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Milk Street, Boston, on January 6, 1706.
+His father, Josiah Franklin, was a tallow chandler who married twice,
+and of his seventeen children Benjamin was the youngest son.  His
+schooling ended at ten, and at twelve he was bound apprentice to his
+brother James, a printer, who published the "New England Courant." To
+this journal he became a contributor, and later was for a time its
+nominal editor. But the brothers quarreled, and Benjamin ran away,
+going first to New York, and thence to Philadelphia, where he arrived
+in October, 1723.  He soon obtained work as a printer, but after a few
+months he was induced by Governor Keith to go to London, where, finding
+Keith's promises empty, he again worked as a compositor till he was
+brought back to Philadelphia by a merchant named  Denman, who gave him
+a position in his business. On Denman's death he returned to his former
+trade, and shortly set up a printing house of his own from which he
+published "The Pennsylvania Gazette," to which he contributed many
+essays, and which he made a medium for agitating a variety of local
+reforms. In 1732 he began to issue his famous "Poor Richard's Almanac"
+for the enrichment of which he borrowed or composed those pithy
+utterances of worldly wisdom which are the basis of a large part of his
+popular reputation.  In 1758, the year in which he ceases writing for
+the Almanac, he printed in it "Father Abraham's Sermon," now regarded
+as the most famous piece of literature produced in Colonial America.
+
+Meantime Franklin was concerning himself more and more with public
+affairs.  He set forth a scheme for an Academy, which was taken up
+later and finally developed into the University of Pennsylvania; and he
+founded an "American Philosophical Society" for the purpose of enabling
+scientific  men to communicate their discoveries to one another.  He
+himself had already begun his electrical researches, which, with other
+scientific inquiries, he called on in the intervals of money-making and
+politics to the end of his life.  In 1748 he sold his business in order
+to get leisure for study, having now acquired comparative wealth; and
+in a few years he had made discoveries that gave him a reputation with
+the learned throughout Europe.  In politics he proved very able both as
+an administrator and as a controversialist; but his record as an
+office-holder is stained by the use he made of his position to advance
+his relatives.  His most notable service in home politics was his
+reform of the postal system; but his fame as a statesman rests chiefly
+on his services in connection with the relations of the Colonies with
+Great Britain, and later with France.  In 1757 he was sent to England
+to protest against the influence of the Penns in the government of the
+colony, and for five years he remained there, striving to enlighten the
+people and the ministry of England as to Colonial conditions.  On his
+return to America he played an honorable part in the Paxton affair,
+through which he lost his seat in the Assembly; but in 1764 he was
+again despatched to England as agent for the colony, this time to
+petition the King to resume the government from the hands of the
+proprietors.  In London he actively opposed the proposed Stamp Act, but
+lost the credit for this and much of his popularity through his
+securing for a friend the office of stamp agent in America.  Even his
+effective work in helping to obtain the repeal of the act left him
+still a suspect; but he continued his efforts to present the case for
+the Colonies as the troubles thickened toward the crisis of the
+Revolution.  In 1767 he crossed to France, where he was received with
+honor; but before his return home in 1775 he lost his position as
+postmaster through his share in divulging to Massachusetts the famous
+letter of Hutchinson and Oliver.  On his arrival in Philadelphia he was
+chosen a member of the Continental Congress and in 1777 he was
+despatched to France as commissioner for the United States.  Here he
+remained till 1785, the favorite of French society; and with such
+success did he conduct the affairs of his country that when he finally
+returned he received a place only second to that of Washington as the
+champion of American independence.  He died on April 17, 1790.
+
+The first five chapters of the Autobiography were composed in England
+in 1771, continued in 1784-5, and again in 1788, at which date he
+brought it down to 1757.  After a most extraordinary series of
+adventures, the original form of the manuscript was finally printed by
+Mr. John Bigelow, and is here reproduced in recognition of its value as
+a picture of one of the most notable personalities of Colonial times,
+and of its acknowledged rank as one of the great autobiographies of the
+world.
+
+
+
+
+
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
+
+HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY
+
+
+1706-1757
+
+
+
+TWYFORD, at the Bishop of St. Asaph's,[0]  1771.
+
+     [0] The country-seat of Bishop Shipley, the good bishop,
+         as Dr. Franklin used to style him.--B.
+
+DEAR SON:  I have ever had pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes
+of my ancestors.  You may remember the inquiries I made among the
+remains of my relations when you were with me in England, and the
+journey I undertook for that purpose.  Imagining it may be equally
+agreeable to[1] you to know the circumstances of my life, many of which
+you are yet unacquainted with, and expecting the enjoyment of a week's
+uninterrupted leisure in my present country retirement, I sit down to
+write them for you.  To which I have besides some other inducements.
+Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and
+bred, to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the
+world, and having gone so far through life with a considerable share of
+felicity, the conducing means I made use of, which with the blessing of
+God so well succeeded, my posterity may like to know, as they may find
+some of them suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit to be
+imitated.
+
+     [1] After the words "agreeable to" the words "some of" were
+         interlined and afterward effaced.--B.
+
+That felicity, when I reflected on it, has induced me sometimes to say,
+that were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection to a
+repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the
+advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults of
+the first.  So I might, besides correcting the faults, change some
+sinister accidents and events of it for others more favorable.  But
+though this were denied, I should still accept the offer.  Since such a
+repetition is not to be expected, the next thing most like living one's
+life over again seems to be a recollection of that life, and to make
+that recollection as durable as possible by putting it down in writing.
+
+Hereby, too, I shall indulge the inclination so natural in old men, to
+be talking of themselves and their own past actions; and I shall
+indulge it without being tiresome to others, who, through respect to
+age, might conceive themselves obliged to give me a hearing, since this
+may be read or not as any one pleases.  And, lastly (I may as well
+confess it, since my denial of it will be believed by nobody), perhaps
+I shall a good deal gratify my own vanity.  Indeed, I scarce ever heard
+or saw the introductory words, "Without vanity I may say," &c., but
+some vain thing immediately followed.  Most people dislike vanity in
+others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair
+quarter wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often
+productive of good to the possessor, and to others that are within his
+sphere of action; and therefore, in many cases, it would not be
+altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the
+other comforts of life.
+
+And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all humility to
+acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past life to His
+kind providence, which lead me to the means I used and gave them
+success.  My belief of this induces me to hope, though I must not
+presume, that the same goodness will still be exercised toward me, in
+continuing that happiness, or enabling me to bear a fatal reverse,
+which I may experience as others have done:  the complexion of my
+future fortune being known to Him only in whose power it is to bless to
+us even our afflictions.
+
+The notes one of my uncles (who had the same kind of curiosity in
+collecting family anecdotes) once put into my hands, furnished me with
+several particulars relating to our ancestors.  From these notes I
+learned that the family had lived in the same village, Ecton, in
+Northamptonshire, for three hundred years, and how much longer he knew
+not (perhaps from the time when the name of Franklin, that before was
+the name of an order of people, was assumed by them as a surname when
+others took surnames all over the kingdom), on a freehold of about
+thirty acres, aided by the smith's business, which had continued in the
+family till his time, the eldest son being always bred to that
+business; a custom which he and my father followed as to their eldest
+sons.  When I searched the registers at Ecton, I found an account of
+their births, marriages and burials from the year 1555 only, there
+being no registers kept in that parish at any time preceding.  By that
+register I perceived that I was the youngest son of the youngest son
+for five generations back.  My grandfather Thomas, who was born in
+1598, lived at Ecton till he grew too old to follow business longer,
+when he went to live with his son John, a dyer at Banbury, in
+Oxfordshire, with whom my father served an apprenticeship.  There my
+grandfather died and lies buried.  We saw his gravestone in 1758.  His
+eldest son Thomas lived in the house at Ecton, and left it with the
+land to his only child, a daughter, who, with her husband, one Fisher,
+of Wellingborough, sold it to Mr. Isted, now lord of the manor there.
+My grandfather had four sons that grew up, viz.: Thomas, John, Benjamin
+and Josiah.  I will give you what account I can of them, at this
+distance from my papers, and if these are not lost in my absence, you
+will among them find many more particulars.
+
+Thomas was bred a smith under his father; but, being ingenious, and
+encouraged in learning (as all my brothers were) by an Esquire Palmer,
+then the principal gentleman in that parish, he qualified himself for
+the business of scrivener; became a considerable man in the county; was
+a chief mover of all public-spirited undertakings for the county or
+town of Northampton, and his own village, of which many instances were
+related of him; and much taken notice of and patronized by the then
+Lord Halifax.  He died in 1702, January 6, old style, just four years
+to a day before I was born.  The account we received of his life and
+character from some old people at Ecton, I remember, struck you as
+something extraordinary, from its similarity to what you knew of mine.
+
+"Had he died on the same day," you said, "one might have supposed a
+transmigration."
+
+John was bred a dyer, I believe of woolens.  Benjamin was bred a silk
+dyer, serving an apprenticeship at London.  He was an ingenious man.  I
+remember him well, for when I was a boy he came over to my father in
+Boston, and lived in the house with us some years.  He lived to a great
+age.  His grandson, Samuel Franklin, now lives in Boston.  He left
+behind him two quarto volumes, MS., of his own poetry, consisting of
+little occasional pieces addressed to his friends and relations, of
+which the following, sent to me, is a specimen.[2] He had formed a
+short-hand of his own, which he taught me, but, never practising it, I
+have now forgot it.  I was named after this uncle, there being a
+particular affection between him and my father.  He was very pious, a
+great attender of sermons of the best preachers, which he took down in
+his short-hand, and had with him many volumes of them.  He was also
+much of a politician; too much, perhaps, for his station.  There fell
+lately into my hands, in London, a collection he had made of all the
+principal pamphlets, relating to public affairs, from 1641 to 1717;
+many of the volumes are wanting as appears by the numbering, but there
+still remain eight volumes in folio, and twenty-four in quarto and in
+octavo.  A dealer in old books met with them, and knowing me by my
+sometimes buying of him, he brought them to me.  It seems my uncle must
+have left them here, when he went to America, which was about fifty
+years since.  There are many of his notes in the margins.
+
+     [2] Here follow in the margin the words, in brackets, "here
+         insert it," but the poetry is not given.  Mr. Sparks
+         informs us (Life of Franklin, p. 6) that these volumes
+         had been preserved, and were in possession of Mrs. Emmons,
+         of Boston, great-granddaughter of their author.
+
+This obscure family of ours was early in the Reformation, and continued
+Protestants through the reign of Queen Mary, when they were sometimes
+in danger of trouble on account of their zeal against popery.  They had
+got an English Bible, and to conceal and secure it, it was fastened
+open with tapes under and within the cover of a joint-stool. When my
+great-great-grandfather read it to his family, he turned up the
+joint-stool upon his knees, turning over the leaves then under the
+tapes.  One of the children stood at the door to give notice if he saw
+the apparitor coming, who was an officer of the spiritual court.  In
+that case the stool was turned down again upon its feet, when the Bible
+remained concealed under it as before.  This anecdote I had from my
+uncle Benjamin.  The family continued all of the Church of England till
+about the end of Charles the Second's reign, when some of the ministers
+that had been outed for nonconformity holding conventicles in
+Northamptonshire, Benjamin and Josiah adhered to them, and so continued
+all their lives: the rest of the family remained with the Episcopal
+Church.
+
+Josiah, my father, married young, and carried his wife with three
+children into New England, about 1682.  The conventicles having been
+forbidden by law, and frequently disturbed, induced some considerable
+men of his acquaintance to remove to that country, and he was prevailed
+with to accompany them thither, where they expected to enjoy their mode
+of religion with freedom.  By the same wife he had four children more
+born there, and by a second wife ten more, in all seventeen; of which I
+remember thirteen sitting at one time at his table, who all grew up to
+be men and women, and married; I was the youngest son, and the youngest
+child but two, and was born in Boston, New England.  My mother, the
+second wife, was Abiah Folger, daughter of Peter Folger, one of the
+first settlers of New England, of whom honorable mention is made by
+Cotton Mather in his church history of that country, entitled Magnalia
+Christi Americana, as "a godly, learned Englishman," if I remember the
+words rightly.  I have heard that he wrote sundry small occasional
+pieces, but only one of them was printed, which I saw now many years
+since.  It was written in 1675, in the home-spun verse of that time and
+people, and addressed to those then concerned in the government there.
+It was in favor of liberty of conscience, and in behalf of the
+Baptists, Quakers, and other sectaries that had been under persecution,
+ascribing the Indian wars, and other distresses that had befallen the
+country, to that persecution, as so many judgments of God to punish so
+heinous an offense, and exhorting a repeal of those uncharitable laws.
+The whole appeared to me as written with a good deal of decent
+plainness and manly freedom.  The six concluding lines I remember,
+though I have forgotten the two first of the stanza; but the purport of
+them was, that his censures proceeded from good-will, and, therefore,
+he would be known to be the author.
+
+          "Because to be a libeller (says he)
+          I hate it with my heart;
+          From Sherburne town, where now I dwell
+          My name I do put here;
+          Without offense your real friend,
+          It is Peter Folgier."
+
+My elder brothers were all put apprentices to different trades.  I was
+put to the grammar-school at eight years of age, my father intending to
+devote me, as the tithe of his sons, to the service of the Church.  My
+early readiness in learning to read (which must have been very early,
+as I do not remember when I could not read), and the opinion of all his
+friends, that I should certainly make a good scholar, encouraged him in
+this purpose of his.  My uncle Benjamin, too, approved of it, and
+proposed to give me all his short-hand volumes of sermons, I suppose as
+a stock to set up with, if I would learn his character.  I continued,
+however, at the grammar-school not quite one year, though in that time
+I had risen gradually from the middle of the class of that year to be
+the head of it, and farther was removed into the next class above it,
+in order to go with that into the third at the end of the year.  But my
+father, in the meantime, from a view of the expense of a college
+education, which having so large a family he could not well afford, and
+the mean living many so educated were afterwards able to
+obtain--reasons that he gave to his friends in my hearing--altered his
+first intention, took me from the grammar-school, and sent me to a
+school for writing and arithmetic, kept by a then famous man, Mr.
+George Brownell, very successful in his profession generally, and that
+by mild, encouraging methods.  Under him I acquired fair writing pretty
+soon, but I failed in the arithmetic, and made no progress in it.  At
+ten years old I was taken home to assist my father in his business,
+which was that of a tallow-chandler and sope-boiler; a business he was
+not bred to, but had assumed on his arrival in New England, and on
+finding his dying trade would not maintain his family, being in little
+request.  Accordingly, I was employed in cutting wick for the candles,
+filling the dipping mold and the molds for cast candles, attending the
+shop, going of errands, etc.
+
+I disliked the trade, and had a strong inclination for the sea, but my
+father declared against it; however, living near the water, I was much
+in and about it, learnt early to swim well, and to manage boats; and
+when in a boat or canoe with other boys, I was commonly allowed to
+govern, especially in any case of difficulty; and upon other occasions
+I was generally a leader among the boys, and sometimes led them into
+scrapes, of which I will mention one instance, as it shows an early
+projecting public spirit, tho' not then justly conducted.
+
+There was a salt-marsh that bounded part of the mill-pond, on the edge
+of which, at high water, we used to stand to fish for minnows.  By much
+trampling, we had made it a mere quagmire.  My proposal was to build a
+wharff there fit for us to stand upon, and I showed my comrades a large
+heap of stones, which were intended for a new house near the marsh, and
+which would very well suit our purpose.  Accordingly, in the evening,
+when the workmen were gone, I assembled a number of my play-fellows,
+and working with them diligently like so many emmets, sometimes two or
+three to a stone, we brought them all away and built our little wharff.
+The next morning the workmen were surprised at missing the stones,
+which were found in our wharff.  Inquiry was made after the removers;
+we were discovered and complained of; several of us were corrected by
+our fathers; and though I pleaded the usefulness of the work, mine
+convinced me that nothing was useful which was not honest.
+
+I think you may like to know something of his person and character.  He
+had an excellent constitution of body, was of middle stature, but well
+set, and very strong; he was ingenious, could draw prettily, was
+skilled a little in music, and had a clear pleasing voice, so that when
+he played psalm tunes on his violin and sung withal, as he sometimes
+did in an evening after the business of the day was over, it was
+extremely agreeable to hear.  He had a mechanical genius too, and, on
+occasion, was very handy in the use of other tradesmen's tools; but his
+great excellence lay in a sound understanding and solid judgment in
+prudential matters, both in private and publick affairs.  In the
+latter, indeed, he was never employed, the numerous family he had to
+educate and the straitness of his circumstances keeping him close to
+his trade; but I remember well his being frequently visited by leading
+people, who consulted him for his opinion in affairs of the town or of
+the church he belonged to, and showed a good deal of respect for his
+judgment and advice: he was also much consulted by private persons
+about their affairs when any difficulty occurred, and frequently chosen
+an arbitrator between contending parties.
+
+At his table he liked to have, as often as he could, some sensible
+friend or neighbor to converse with, and always took care to start some
+ingenious or useful topic for discourse, which might tend to improve
+the minds of his children.  By this means he turned our attention to
+what was good, just, and prudent in the conduct of life; and little or
+no notice was ever taken of what related to the victuals on the table,
+whether it was well or ill dressed, in or out of season, of good or bad
+flavor, preferable or inferior to this or that other thing of the kind,
+so that I was bro't up in such a perfect inattention to those matters
+as to be quite indifferent what kind of food was set before me, and so
+unobservant of it, that to this day if I am asked I can scarce tell a
+few hours after dinner what I dined upon.  This has been a convenience
+to me in travelling, where my companions have been sometimes very
+unhappy for want of a suitable gratification of their more delicate,
+because better instructed, tastes and appetites.
+
+My mother had likewise an excellent constitution:  she suckled all her
+ten children.  I never knew either my father or mother to have any
+sickness but that of which they dy'd, he at 89, and she at 85 years of
+age.  They lie buried together at Boston, where I some years since
+placed a marble over their grave, with this inscription:
+
+                        JOSIAH FRANKLIN,
+                               and
+                         ABIAH his Wife,
+                       lie here interred.
+             They lived lovingly together in wedlock
+                        fifty-five years.
+          Without an estate, or any gainful employment,
+                 By constant labor and industry,
+                      with God's blessing,
+                 They maintained a large family
+                          comfortably,
+                and brought up thirteen children
+                     and seven grandchildren
+                           reputably.
+                   From this instance, reader,
+           Be encouraged to diligence in thy calling,
+                  And distrust not Providence.
+                 He was a pious and prudent man;
+               She, a discreet and virtuous woman.
+                       Their youngest son,
+                In filial regard to their memory,
+                       Places this stone.
+              J.F. born 1655, died 1744, AEtat 89.
+              A.F. born 1667, died 1752, ----- 95.
+
+
+By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be grown old.  I us'd
+to write more methodically.  But one does not dress for private company
+as for a publick ball.  'Tis perhaps only negligence.
+
+To return:  I continued thus employed in my father's business for two
+years, that is, till I was twelve years old; and my brother John, who
+was bred to that business, having left my father, married, and set up
+for himself at Rhode Island, there was all appearance that I was
+destined to supply his place, and become a tallow-chandler.  But my
+dislike to the trade continuing, my father was under apprehensions that
+if he did not find one for me more agreeable, I should break away and
+get to sea, as his son Josiah had done, to his great vexation.  He
+therefore sometimes took me to walk with him, and see joiners,
+bricklayers, turners, braziers, etc., at their work, that he might
+observe my inclination, and endeavor to fix it on some trade or other
+on land.  It has ever since been a pleasure to me to see good workmen
+handle their tools; and it has been useful to me, having learnt so much
+by it as to be able to do little jobs myself in my house when a workman
+could not readily be got, and to construct little machines for my
+experiments, while the intention of making the experiment was fresh and
+warm in my mind.  My father at last fixed upon the cutler's trade, and
+my uncle Benjamin's son Samuel, who was bred to that business in
+London, being about that time established in Boston, I was sent to be
+with him some time on liking.  But his expectations of a fee with me
+displeasing my father, I was taken home again.
+
+From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came
+into my hands was ever laid out in books.  Pleased with the Pilgrim's
+Progress, my first collection was of John Bunyan's works in separate
+little volumes.  I afterward sold them to enable me to buy R. Burton's
+Historical Collections; they were small chapmen's books, and cheap, 40
+or 50 in all.  My father's little library consisted chiefly of books in
+polemic divinity, most of which I read, and have since often regretted
+that, at a time when I had such a thirst for knowledge, more proper
+books had not fallen in my way since it was now resolved I should not
+be a clergyman.  Plutarch's Lives there was in which I read abundantly,
+and I still think that time spent to great advantage.  There was also a
+book of De Foe's, called an Essay on Projects, and another of Dr.
+Mather's, called Essays to do Good, which perhaps gave me a turn of
+thinking that had an influence on some of the principal future events
+of my life.
+
+This bookish inclination at length determined my father to make me a
+printer, though he had already one son (James) of that profession.  In
+1717 my brother James returned from England with a press and letters to
+set up his business in Boston.  I liked it much better than that of my
+father, but still had a hankering for the sea.  To prevent the
+apprehended effect of such an inclination, my father was impatient to
+have me bound to my brother.  I stood out some time, but at last was
+persuaded, and signed the indentures when I was yet but twelve years
+old.  I was to serve as an apprentice till I was twenty-one years of
+age, only I was to be allowed journeyman's wages during the last year.
+In a little time I made great proficiency in the business, and became a
+useful hand to my brother.  I now had access to better books.  An
+acquaintance with the apprentices of booksellers enabled me sometimes
+to borrow a small one, which I was careful to return soon and clean.
+Often I sat up in my room reading the greatest part of the night, when
+the book was borrowed in the evening and to be returned early in the
+morning, lest it should be missed or wanted.
+
+And after some time an ingenious tradesman, Mr. Matthew Adams, who had
+a pretty collection of books, and who frequented our printing-house,
+took notice of me, invited me to his library, and very kindly lent me
+such books as I chose to read.  I now took a fancy to poetry, and made
+some little pieces; my brother, thinking it might turn to account,
+encouraged me, and put me on composing occasional ballads.  One was
+called The Lighthouse Tragedy, and contained an account of the drowning
+of Captain Worthilake, with his two daughters: the other was a sailor's
+song, on the taking of Teach (or Blackbeard) the pirate.  They were
+wretched stuff, in the Grub-street-ballad style; and when they were
+printed he sent me about the town to sell them.  The first sold
+wonderfully, the event being recent, having made a great noise.  This
+flattered my vanity; but my father discouraged me by ridiculing my
+performances, and telling me verse-makers were generally beggars.  So I
+escaped being a poet, most probably a very bad one; but as prose
+writing had been of great use to me in the course of my life, and was a
+principal means of my advancement, I shall tell you how, in such a
+situation, I acquired what little ability I have in that way.
+
+There was another bookish lad in the town, John Collins by name, with
+whom I was intimately acquainted.  We sometimes disputed, and very fond
+we were of argument, and very desirous of confuting one another, which
+disputatious turn, by the way, is apt to become a very bad habit,
+making people often extremely disagreeable in company by the
+contradiction that is necessary to bring it into practice; and thence,
+besides souring and spoiling the conversation, is productive of
+disgusts and, perhaps enmities where you may have occasion for
+friendship.  I had caught it by reading my father's books of dispute
+about religion.  Persons of good sense, I have since observed, seldom
+fall into it, except lawyers, university men, and men of all sorts that
+have been bred at Edinborough.
+
+A question was once, somehow or other, started between Collins and me,
+of the propriety of educating the female sex in learning, and their
+abilities for study.  He was of opinion that it was improper, and that
+they were naturally unequal to it.  I took the contrary side, perhaps a
+little for dispute's sake.  He was naturally more eloquent, had a ready
+plenty of words; and sometimes, as I thought, bore me down more by his
+fluency than by the strength of his reasons.  As we parted without
+settling the point, and were not to see one another again for some
+time, I sat down to put my arguments in writing, which I copied fair
+and sent to him.  He answered, and I replied.  Three or four letters of
+a side had passed, when my father happened to find my papers and read
+them.  Without entering into the discussion, he took occasion to talk
+to me about the manner of my writing; observed that, though I had the
+advantage of my antagonist in correct spelling and pointing (which I
+ow'd to the printing-house), I fell far short in elegance of
+expression, in method and in perspicuity, of which he convinced me by
+several instances.  I saw the justice of his remark, and thence grew
+more attentive to the manner in writing, and determined to endeavor at
+improvement.
+
+About this time I met with an odd volume of the Spectator.  It was the
+third.  I had never before seen any of them.  I bought it, read it over
+and over, and was much delighted with it.  I thought the writing
+excellent, and wished, if possible, to imitate it.  With this view I
+took some of the papers, and, making short hints of the sentiment in
+each sentence, laid them by a few days, and then, without looking at
+the book, try'd to compleat the papers again, by expressing each hinted
+sentiment at length, and as fully as it had been expressed before, in
+any suitable words that should come to hand.  Then I compared my
+Spectator with the original, discovered some of my faults, and
+corrected them.  But I found I wanted a stock of words, or a readiness
+in recollecting and using them, which I thought I should have acquired
+before that time if I had gone on making verses; since the continual
+occasion for words of the same import, but of different length, to suit
+the measure, or of different sound for the rhyme, would have laid me
+under a constant necessity of searching for variety, and also have
+tended to fix that variety in my mind, and make me master of it.
+Therefore I took some of the tales and turned them into verse; and,
+after a time, when I had pretty well forgotten the prose, turned them
+back again.  I also sometimes jumbled my collections of hints into
+confusion, and after some weeks endeavored to reduce them into the best
+order, before I began to form the full sentences and compleat the
+paper.  This was to teach me method in the arrangement of thoughts.  By
+comparing my work afterwards with the original, I discovered many
+faults and amended them; but I sometimes had the pleasure of fancying
+that, in certain particulars of small import, I had been lucky enough
+to improve the method or the language, and this encouraged me to think
+I might possibly in time come to be a tolerable English writer, of
+which I was extremely ambitious.  My time for these exercises and for
+reading was at night, after work or before it began in the morning, or
+on Sundays, when I contrived to be in the printing-house alone, evading
+as much as I could the common attendance on public worship which my
+father used to exact on me when I was under his care, and which indeed
+I still thought a duty, though I could not, as it seemed to me, afford
+time to practise it.
+
+When about 16 years of age I happened to meet with a book, written by
+one Tryon, recommending a vegetable diet.  I determined to go into it.
+My brother, being yet unmarried, did not keep house, but boarded
+himself and his apprentices in another family.  My refusing to eat
+flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chid for my
+singularity.  I made myself acquainted with Tryon's manner of preparing
+some of his dishes, such as boiling potatoes or rice, making hasty
+pudding, and a few others, and then proposed to my brother, that if he
+would give me, weekly, half the money he paid for my board, I would
+board myself.  He instantly agreed to it, and I presently found that I
+could save half what he paid me.  This was an additional fund for
+buying books.  But I had another advantage in it.  My brother and the
+rest going from the printing-house to their meals, I remained there
+alone, and, despatching presently my light repast, which often was no
+more than a bisket or a slice of bread, a handful of raisins or a tart
+from the pastry-cook's, and a glass of water, had the rest of the time
+till their return for study, in which I made the greater progress, from
+that greater clearness of head and quicker apprehension which usually
+attend temperance in eating and drinking.
+
+And now it was that, being on some occasion made asham'd of my
+ignorance in figures, which I had twice failed in learning when at
+school, I took Cocker's book of Arithmetick, and went through the whole
+by myself with great ease.  I also read Seller's and Shermy's books of
+Navigation, and became acquainted with the little geometry they
+contain; but never proceeded far in that science.  And I read about
+this time Locke On Human Understanding, and the Art of Thinking, by
+Messrs. du Port Royal.
+
+While I was intent on improving my language, I met with an English
+grammar (I think it was Greenwood's), at the end of which there were
+two little sketches of the arts of rhetoric and logic, the latter
+finishing with a specimen of a dispute in the Socratic method; and soon
+after I procur'd Xenophon's Memorable Things of Socrates, wherein there
+are many instances of the same method.  I was charm'd with it, adopted
+it, dropt my abrupt contradiction and positive argumentation, and put
+on the humble inquirer and doubter.  And being then, from reading
+Shaftesbury and Collins, become a real doubter in many points of our
+religious doctrine, I found this method safest for myself and very
+embarrassing to those against whom I used it; therefore I took a
+delight in it, practis'd it continually, and grew very artful and
+expert in drawing people, even of superior knowledge, into concessions,
+the consequences of which they did not foresee, entangling them in
+difficulties out of which they could not extricate themselves, and so
+obtaining victories that neither myself nor my cause always deserved.
+I continu'd this method some few years, but gradually left it,
+retaining only the habit of expressing myself in terms of modest
+diffidence; never using, when I advanced any thing that may possibly be
+disputed, the words certainly, undoubtedly, or any others that give the
+air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather say, I conceive or
+apprehend a thing to be so and so; it appears to me, or I should think
+it so or so, for such and such reasons; or I imagine it to be so; or it
+is so, if I am not mistaken.  This habit, I believe, has been of great
+advantage to me when I have had occasion to inculcate my opinions, and
+persuade men into measures that I have been from time to time engag'd
+in promoting; and, as the chief ends of conversation are to inform or
+to be informed, to please or to persuade, I wish well-meaning, sensible
+men would not lessen their power of doing good by a positive, assuming
+manner, that seldom fails to disgust, tends to create opposition, and
+to defeat every one of those purposes for which speech was given to us,
+to wit, giving or receiving information or pleasure.  For, if you would
+inform, a positive and dogmatical manner in advancing your sentiments
+may provoke contradiction and prevent a candid attention.  If you wish
+information and improvement from the knowledge of others, and yet at
+the same time express yourself as firmly fix'd in your present
+opinions, modest, sensible men, who do not love disputation, will
+probably leave you undisturbed in the possession of your error.  And by
+such a manner, you can seldom hope to recommend yourself in pleasing
+your hearers, or to persuade those whose concurrence you desire.  Pope
+says, judiciously:
+
+          "Men should be taught as if you taught them not,
+          And things unknown propos'd as things forgot;"
+
+farther recommending to us
+
+          "To speak, tho' sure, with seeming diffidence."
+
+And he might have coupled with this line that which he has coupled with
+another, I think, less properly,
+
+          "For want of modesty is want of sense."
+
+If you ask, Why less properly? I must repeat the lines,
+
+          "Immodest words admit of no defense,
+          For want of modesty is want of sense."
+
+Now, is not want of sense (where a man is so unfortunate as to want it)
+some apology for his want of modesty? and would not the lines stand
+more justly thus?
+
+          "Immodest words admit but this defense,
+          That want of modesty is want of sense."
+
+This, however, I should submit to better judgments.
+
+My brother had, in 1720 or 1721, begun to print a newspaper.  It was
+the second that appeared in America, and was called the New England
+Courant.  The only one before it was the Boston News-Letter. I remember
+his being dissuaded by some of his friends from the undertaking, as not
+likely to succeed, one newspaper being, in their judgment, enough for
+America.  At this time (1771) there are not less than five-and-twenty.
+He went on, however, with the undertaking, and after having worked in
+composing the types and printing off the sheets, I was employed to
+carry the papers thro' the streets to the customers.
+
+He had some ingenious men among his friends, who amus'd themselves by
+writing little pieces for this paper, which gain'd it credit and made
+it more in demand, and these gentlemen often visited us.  Hearing their
+conversations, and their accounts of the approbation their papers were
+received with, I was excited to try my hand among them; but, being
+still a boy, and suspecting that my brother would object to printing
+anything of mine in his paper if he knew it to be mine, I contrived to
+disguise my hand, and, writing an anonymous paper, I put it in at night
+under the door of the printing-house. It was found in the morning, and
+communicated to his writing friends when they call'd in as usual.  They
+read it, commented on it in my hearing, and I had the exquisite
+pleasure of finding it met with their approbation, and that, in their
+different guesses at the author, none were named but men of some
+character among us for learning and ingenuity.  I suppose now that I
+was rather lucky in my judges, and that perhaps they were not really so
+very good ones as I then esteem'd them.
+
+Encourag'd, however, by this, I wrote and convey'd in the same way to
+the press several more papers which were equally approv'd; and I kept
+my secret till my small fund of sense for such performances was pretty
+well exhausted and then I discovered it, when I began to be considered
+a little more by my brother's acquaintance, and in a manner that did
+not quite please him, as he thought, probably with reason, that it
+tended to make me too vain.  And, perhaps, this might be one occasion
+of the differences that we began to have about this time.  Though a
+brother, he considered himself as my master, and me as his apprentice,
+and accordingly, expected the same services from me as he would from
+another, while I thought he demean'd me too much in some he requir'd of
+me, who from a brother expected more indulgence.  Our disputes were
+often brought before our father, and I fancy I was either generally in
+the right, or else a better pleader, because the judgment was generally
+in my favor.  But my brother was passionate, and had often beaten me,
+which I took extreamly amiss; and, thinking my apprenticeship very
+tedious, I was continually wishing for some opportunity of shortening
+it, which at length offered in a manner unexpected.[3]
+
+      [3] I fancy his harsh and tyrannical treatment of me
+          might be a means of impressing me with that aversion
+          to arbitrary power that has stuck to me through my
+          whole life.
+
+One of the pieces in our newspaper on some political point, which I
+have now forgotten, gave offense to the Assembly.  He was taken up,
+censur'd, and imprison'd for a month, by the speaker's warrant, I
+suppose, because he would not discover his author.  I too was taken up
+and examin'd before the council; but, tho' I did not give them any
+satisfaction, they content'd themselves with admonishing me, and
+dismissed me, considering me, perhaps, as an apprentice, who was bound
+to keep his master's secrets.
+
+During my brother's confinement, which I resented a good deal,
+notwithstanding our private differences, I had the management of the
+paper; and I made bold to give our rulers some rubs in it, which my
+brother took very kindly, while others began to consider me in an
+unfavorable light, as a young genius that had a turn for libelling and
+satyr.  My brother's discharge was accompany'd with an order of the
+House (a very odd one), that "James Franklin should no longer print the
+paper called the New England Courant."
+
+There was a consultation held in our printing-house among his friends,
+what he should do in this case.  Some proposed to evade the order by
+changing the name of the paper; but my brother, seeing inconveniences
+in that, it was finally concluded on as a better way, to let it be
+printed for the future under the name of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; and to
+avoid the censure of the Assembly, that might fall on him as still
+printing it by his apprentice, the contrivance was that my old
+indenture should be return'd to me, with a full discharge on the back
+of it, to be shown on occasion, but to secure to him the benefit of my
+service, I was to sign new indentures for the remainder of the term,
+which were to be kept private.  A very flimsy scheme it was; however,
+it was immediately executed, and the paper went on accordingly, under
+my name for several months.
+
+At length, a fresh difference arising between my brother and me, I took
+upon me to assert my freedom, presuming that he would not venture to
+produce the new indentures.  It was not fair in me to take this
+advantage, and this I therefore reckon one of the first errata of my
+life; but the unfairness of it weighed little with me, when under the
+impressions of resentment for the blows his passion too often urged him
+to bestow upon me, though he was otherwise not an ill-natur'd man:
+perhaps I was too saucy and provoking.
+
+When he found I would leave him, he took care to prevent my getting
+employment in any other printing-house of the town, by going round and
+speaking to every master, who accordingly refus'd to give me work.  I
+then thought of going to New York, as the nearest place where there was
+a printer; and I was rather inclin'd to leave Boston when I reflected
+that I had already made myself a little obnoxious to the governing
+party, and, from the arbitrary proceedings of the Assembly in my
+brother's case, it was likely I might, if I stay'd, soon bring myself
+into scrapes; and farther, that my indiscrete disputations about
+religion began to make me pointed at with horror by good people as an
+infidel or atheist.  I determin'd on the point, but my father now
+siding with my brother, I was sensible that, if I attempted to go
+openly, means would be used to prevent me.  My friend Collins,
+therefore, undertook to manage a little for me.  He agreed with the
+captain of a New York sloop for my passage, under the notion of my
+being a young acquaintance of his, that had got a naughty girl with
+child, whose friends would compel me to marry her, and therefore I
+could not appear or come away publicly.  So I sold some of my books to
+raise a little money, was taken on board privately, and as we had a
+fair wind, in three days I found myself in New York, near 300 miles
+from home, a boy of but 17, without the least recommendation to, or
+knowledge of any person in the place, and with very little money in my
+pocket.
+
+My inclinations for the sea were by this time worne out, or I might now
+have gratify'd them.  But, having a trade, and supposing myself a
+pretty good workman, I offer'd my service to the printer in the place,
+old Mr. William Bradford, who had been the first printer in
+Pennsylvania, but removed from thence upon the quarrel of George Keith.
+He could give me no employment, having little to do, and help enough
+already; but says he, "My son at Philadelphia has lately lost his
+principal hand, Aquila Rose, by death; if you go thither, I believe he
+may employ you."  Philadelphia was a hundred miles further; I set out,
+however, in a boat for Amboy, leaving my chest and things to follow me
+round by sea.
+
+In crossing the bay, we met with a squall that tore our rotten sails to
+pieces, prevented our getting into the Kill and drove us upon Long
+Island.  In our way, a drunken Dutchman, who was a passenger too, fell
+overboard; when he was sinking, I reached through the water to his
+shock pate, and drew him up, so that we got him in again.  His ducking
+sobered him a little, and he went to sleep, taking first out of his
+pocket a book, which he desir'd I would dry for him.  It proved to be
+my old favorite author, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, in Dutch, finely
+printed on good paper, with copper cuts, a dress better than I had ever
+seen it wear in its own language.  I have since found that it has been
+translated into most of the languages of Europe, and suppose it has
+been more generally read than any other book, except perhaps the Bible.
+Honest John was the first that I know of who mix'd narration and
+dialogue; a method of writing very engaging to the reader, who in the
+most interesting parts finds himself, as it were, brought into the
+company and present at the discourse.  De Foe in his Cruso, his Moll
+Flanders, Religious Courtship, Family Instructor, and other pieces, has
+imitated it with success; and Richardson has done the same, in his
+Pamela, etc.
+
+When we drew near the island, we found it was at a place where there
+could be no landing, there being a great surff on the stony beach.  So
+we dropt anchor, and swung round towards the shore.  Some people came
+down to the water edge and hallow'd to us, as we did to them; but the
+wind was so high, and the surff so loud, that we could not hear so as
+to understand each other.  There were canoes on the shore, and we made
+signs, and hallow'd that they should fetch us; but they either did not
+understand us, or thought it impracticable, so they went away, and
+night coming on, we had no remedy but to wait till the wind should
+abate; and, in the meantime, the boatman and I concluded to sleep, if
+we could; and so crowded into the scuttle, with the Dutchman, who was
+still wet, and the spray beating over the head of our boat, leak'd
+thro' to us, so that we were soon almost as wet as he.  In this manner
+we lay all night, with very little rest; but, the wind abating the next
+day, we made a shift to reach Amboy before night, having been thirty
+hours on the water, without victuals, or any drink but a bottle of
+filthy rum, and the water we sail'd on being salt.
+
+In the evening I found myself very feverish, and went in to bed; but,
+having read somewhere that cold water drank plentifully was good for a
+fever, I follow'd the prescription, sweat plentiful most of the night,
+my fever left me, and in the morning, crossing the ferry, I proceeded
+on my journey on foot, having fifty miles to Burlington, where I was
+told I should find boats that would carry me the rest of the way to
+Philadelphia.
+
+It rained very hard all the day; I was thoroughly soak'd, and by noon a
+good deal tired; so I stopt at a poor inn, where I staid all night,
+beginning now to wish that I had never left home.  I cut so miserable a
+figure, too, that I found, by the questions ask'd me, I was suspected
+to be some runaway servant, and in danger of being taken up on that
+suspicion.  However, I proceeded the next day, and got in the evening
+to an inn, within eight or ten miles of Burlington, kept by one Dr.
+Brown.  He entered into conversation with me while I took some
+refreshment, and, finding I had read a little, became very sociable and
+friendly.  Our acquaintance continu'd as long as he liv'd. He had been,
+I imagine, an itinerant doctor, for there was no town in England, or
+country in Europe, of which he could not give a very particular
+account.  He had some letters, and was ingenious, but much of an
+unbeliever, and wickedly undertook, some years after, to travestie the
+Bible in doggrel verse, as Cotton had done Virgil.  By this means he
+set many of the facts in a very ridiculous light, and might have hurt
+weak minds if his work had been published; but it never was.
+
+At his house I lay that night, and the next morning reach'd Burlington,
+but had the mortification to find that the regular boats were gone a
+little before my coming, and no other expected to go before Tuesday,
+this being Saturday; wherefore I returned to an old woman in the town,
+of whom I had bought gingerbread to eat on the water, and ask'd her
+advice.  She invited me to lodge at her house till a passage by water
+should offer; and being tired with my foot travelling, I accepted the
+invitation.  She understanding I was a printer, would have had me stay
+at that town and follow my business, being ignorant of the stock
+necessary to begin with.  She was very hospitable, gave me a dinner of
+ox-cheek with great good will, accepting only a pot of ale in return;
+and I thought myself fixed till Tuesday should come.  However, walking
+in the evening by the side of the river, a boat came by, which I found
+was going towards Philadelphia, with several people in her.  They took
+me in, and, as there was no wind, we row'd all the way; and about
+midnight, not having yet seen the city, some of the company were
+confident we must have passed it, and would row no farther; the others
+knew not where we were; so we put toward the shore, got into a creek,
+landed near an old fence, with the rails of which we made a fire, the
+night being cold, in October, and there we remained till daylight.
+Then one of the company knew the place to be Cooper's Creek, a little
+above Philadelphia, which we saw as soon as we got out of the creek,
+and arriv'd there about eight or nine o'clock on the Sunday morning,
+and landed at the Market-street wharf.
+
+I have been the more particular in this description of my journey, and
+shall be so of my first entry into that city, that you may in your mind
+compare such unlikely beginnings with the figure I have since made
+there.  I was in my working dress, my best cloaths being to come round
+by sea.  I was dirty from my journey; my pockets were stuff'd out with
+shirts and stockings, and I knew no soul nor where to look for lodging.
+I was fatigued with travelling, rowing, and want of rest, I was very
+hungry; and my whole stock of cash consisted of a Dutch dollar, and
+about a shilling in copper.  The latter I gave the people of the boat
+for my passage, who at first refus'd it, on account of my rowing; but I
+insisted on their taking it.  A man being sometimes more generous when
+he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps thro' fear
+of being thought to have but little.
+
+Then I walked up the street, gazing about till near the market-house I
+met a boy with bread.  I had made many a meal on bread, and, inquiring
+where he got it, I went immediately to the baker's he directed me to,
+in Secondstreet, and ask'd for bisket, intending such as we had in
+Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in Philadelphia.  Then I
+asked for a three-penny loaf, and was told they had none such.  So not
+considering or knowing the difference of money, and the greater
+cheapness nor the names of his bread, I made him give me three-penny
+worth of any sort.  He gave me, accordingly, three great puffy rolls.
+I was surpriz'd at the quantity, but took it, and, having no room in my
+pockets, walk'd off with a roll under each arm, and eating the other.
+Thus I went up Market-street as far as Fourth-street, passing by the
+door of Mr. Read, my future wife's father; when she, standing at the
+door, saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward,
+ridiculous appearance.  Then I turned and went down Chestnut-street and
+part of Walnut-street, eating my roll all the way, and, coming round,
+found myself again at Market-street wharf, near the boat I came in, to
+which I went for a draught of the river water; and, being filled with
+one of my rolls, gave the other two to a woman and her child that came
+down the river in the boat with us, and were waiting to go farther.
+
+Thus refreshed, I walked again up the street, which by this time had
+many clean-dressed people in it, who were all walking the same way.  I
+joined them, and thereby was led into the great meeting-house of the
+Quakers near the market.  I sat down among them, and, after looking
+round awhile and hearing nothing said, being very drowsy thro' labor
+and want of rest the preceding night, I fell fast asleep, and continued
+so till the meeting broke up, when one was kind enough to rouse me.
+This was, therefore, the first house I was in, or slept in, in
+Philadelphia.
+
+Walking down again toward the river, and, looking in the faces of
+people, I met a young Quaker man, whose countenance I lik'd, and,
+accosting him, requested he would tell me where a stranger could get
+lodging.  We were then near the sign of the Three Mariners.  "Here,"
+says he, "is one place that entertains strangers, but it is not a
+reputable house; if thee wilt walk with me, I'll show thee a better."
+He brought me to the Crooked Billet in Water-street. Here I got a
+dinner; and, while I was eating it, several sly questions were asked
+me, as it seemed to be suspected from my youth and appearance, that I
+might be some runaway.
+
+After dinner, my sleepiness return'd, and being shown to a bed, I lay
+down without undressing, and slept till six in the evening, was call'd
+to supper, went to bed again very early, and slept soundly till next
+morning.  Then I made myself as tidy as I could, and went to Andrew
+Bradford the printer's. I found in the shop the old man his father,
+whom I had seen at New York, and who, travelling on horseback, had got
+to Philadelphia before me.  He introduc'd me to his son, who receiv'd
+me civilly, gave me a breakfast, but told me he did not at present want
+a hand, being lately suppli'd with one; but there was another printer
+in town, lately set up, one Keimer, who, perhaps, might employ me; if
+not, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would give me a
+little work to do now and then till fuller business should offer.
+
+The old gentleman said he would go with me to the new printer; and when
+we found him, "Neighbor," says Bradford, "I have brought to see you a
+young man of your business; perhaps you may want such a one."  He ask'd
+me a few questions, put a composing stick in my hand to see how I
+work'd, and then said he would employ me soon, though he had just then
+nothing for me to do; and, taking old Bradford, whom he had never seen
+before, to be one of the town's people that had a good will for him,
+enter'd into a conversation on his present undertaking and projects;
+while Bradford, not discovering that he was the other printer's father,
+on Keimer's saying he expected soon to get the greatest part of the
+business into his own hands, drew him on by artful questions, and
+starting little doubts, to explain all his views, what interests he
+reli'd on, and in what manner he intended to proceed.  I, who stood by
+and heard all, saw immediately that one of them was a crafty old
+sophister, and the other a mere novice.  Bradford left me with Keimer,
+who was greatly surpris'd when I told him who the old man was.
+
+Keimer's printing-house, I found, consisted of an old shatter'd press,
+and one small, worn-out font of English which he was then using
+himself, composing an Elegy on Aquila Rose, before mentioned, an
+ingenious young man, of excellent character, much respected in the
+town, clerk of the Assembly, and a pretty poet.  Keimer made verses
+too, but very indifferently.  He could not be said to write them, for
+his manner was to compose them in the types directly out of his head.
+So there being no copy, but one pair of cases, and the Elegy likely to
+require all the letter, no one could help him.  I endeavor'd to put his
+press (which he had not yet us'd, and of which he understood nothing)
+into order fit to be work'd with; and, promising to come and print off
+his Elegy as soon as he should have got it ready, I return'd to
+Bradford's, who gave me a little job to do for the present, and there I
+lodged and dieted. A few days after, Keimer sent for me to print off
+the Elegy.  And now he had got another pair of cases, and a pamphlet to
+reprint, on which he set me to work.
+
+These two printers I found poorly qualified for their business.
+Bradford had not been bred to it, and was very illiterate; and Keimer,
+tho' something of a scholar, was a mere compositor, knowing nothing of
+presswork.  He had been one of the French prophets, and could act their
+enthusiastic agitations.  At this time he did not profess any
+particular religion, but something of all on occasion; was very
+ignorant of the world, and had, as I afterward found, a good deal of
+the knave in his composition.  He did not like my lodging at Bradford's
+while I work'd with him.  He had a house, indeed, but without
+furniture, so he could not lodge me; but he got me a lodging at Mr.
+Read's, before mentioned, who was the owner of his house; and, my chest
+and clothes being come by this time, I made rather a more respectable
+appearance in the eyes of Miss Read than I had done when she first
+happen'd to see me eating my roll in the street.
+
+I began now to have some acquaintance among the young people of the
+town, that were lovers of reading, with whom I spent my evenings very
+pleasantly; and gaining money by my industry and frugality, I lived
+very agreeably, forgetting Boston as much as I could, and not desiring
+that any there should know where I resided, except my friend Collins,
+who was in my secret, and kept it when I wrote to him.  At length, an
+incident happened that sent me back again much sooner than I had
+intended.  I had a brother-in-law, Robert Holmes, master of a sloop
+that traded between Boston and Delaware.  He being at Newcastle, forty
+miles below Philadelphia, heard there of me, and wrote me a letter
+mentioning the concern of my friends in Boston at my abrupt departure,
+assuring me of their good will to me, and that every thing would be
+accommodated to my mind if I would return, to which he exhorted me very
+earnestly.  I wrote an answer to his letter, thank'd him for his
+advice, but stated my reasons for quitting Boston fully and in such a
+light as to convince him I was not so wrong as he had apprehended.
+
+Sir William Keith, governor of the province, was then at Newcastle, and
+Captain Holmes, happening to be in company with him when my letter came
+to hand, spoke to him of me, and show'd him the letter.  The governor
+read it, and seem'd surpris'd when he was told my age.  He said I
+appear'd a young man of promising parts, and therefore should be
+encouraged; the printers at Philadelphia were wretched ones; and, if I
+would set up there, he made no doubt I should succeed; for his part, he
+would procure me the public business, and do me every other service in
+his power.  This my brother-in-law afterwards told me in Boston, but I
+knew as yet nothing of it; when, one day, Keimer and I being at work
+together near the window, we saw the governor and another gentleman
+(which proved to be Colonel French, of Newcastle), finely dress'd, come
+directly across the street to our house, and heard them at the door.
+
+Keimer ran down immediately, thinking it a visit to him; but the
+governor inquir'd for me, came up, and with a condescension of
+politeness I had been quite unus'd to, made me many compliments,
+desired to be acquainted with me, blam'd me kindly for not having made
+myself known to him when I first came to the place, and would have me
+away with him to the tavern, where he was going with Colonel French to
+taste, as he said, some excellent Madeira.  I was not a little
+surprised, and Keimer star'd like a pig poison'd.  I went, however,
+with the governor and Colonel French to a tavern, at the corner of
+Third-street, and over the Madeira he propos'd my setting up my
+business, laid before me the probabilities of success, and both he and
+Colonel French assur'd me I should have their interest and influence in
+procuring the public business of both governments.  On my doubting
+whether my father would assist me in it, Sir William said he would give
+me a letter to him, in which he would state the advantages, and he did
+not doubt of prevailing with him.  So it was concluded I should return
+to Boston in the first vessel, with the governor's letter recommending
+me to my father.  In the mean time the intention was to be kept a
+secret, and I went on working with Keimer as usual, the governor
+sending for me now and then to dine with him, a very great honor I
+thought it, and conversing with me in the most affable, familiar, and
+friendly manner imaginable.
+
+About the end of April, 1724, a little vessel offer'd for Boston.  I
+took leave of Keimer as going to see my friends.  The governor gave me
+an ample letter, saying many flattering things of me to my father, and
+strongly recommending the project of my setting up at Philadelphia as a
+thing that must make my fortune.  We struck on a shoal in going down
+the bay, and sprung a leak; we had a blustering time at sea, and were
+oblig'd to pump almost continually, at which I took my turn.  We
+arriv'd safe, however, at Boston in about a fortnight.  I had been
+absent seven months, and my friends had heard nothing of me; for my br.
+Holmes was not yet return'd, and had not written about me.  My
+unexpected appearance surpriz'd the family; all were, however, very
+glad to see me, and made me welcome, except my brother.  I went to see
+him at his printing-house. I was better dress'd than ever while in his
+service, having a genteel new suit from head to foot, a watch, and my
+pockets lin'd with near five pounds sterling in silver.  He receiv'd me
+not very frankly, look'd me all over, and turn'd to his work again.
+
+The journeymen were inquisitive where I had been, what sort of a
+country it was, and how I lik'd it.  I prais'd it much, the happy life
+I led in it, expressing strongly my intention of returning to it; and,
+one of them asking what kind of money we had there, I produc'd a
+handful of silver, and spread it before them, which was a kind of
+raree-show they had not been us'd to, paper being the money of Boston.
+Then I took an opportunity of letting them see my watch; and, lastly
+(my brother still grum and sullen), I gave them a piece of eight to
+drink, and took my leave.  This visit of mine offended him extreamly;
+for, when my mother some time after spoke to him of a reconciliation,
+and of her wishes to see us on good terms together, and that we might
+live for the future as brothers, he said I had insulted him in such a
+manner before his people that he could never forget or forgive it.  In
+this, however, he was mistaken.
+
+My father received the governor's letter with some apparent surprise,
+but said little of it to me for some days, when Capt. Holmes returning
+he showed it to him, ask'd him if he knew Keith, and what kind of man
+he was; adding his opinion that he must be of small discretion to think
+of setting a boy up in business who wanted yet three years of being at
+man's estate.  Holmes said what he could in favor of the project, but
+my father was clear in the impropriety of it, and at last gave a flat
+denial to it.  Then he wrote a civil letter to Sir William, thanking
+him for the patronage he had so kindly offered me, but declining to
+assist me as yet in setting up, I being, in his opinion, too young to
+be trusted with the management of a business so important, and for
+which the preparation must be so expensive.
+
+My friend and companion Collins, who was a clerk in the post-office,
+pleas'd with the account I gave him of my new country, determined to go
+thither also; and, while I waited for my father's determination, he set
+out before me by land to Rhode Island, leaving his books, which were a
+pretty collection of mathematicks and natural philosophy, to come with
+mine and me to New York, where he propos'd to wait for me.
+
+My father, tho' he did not approve Sir William's proposition, was yet
+pleas'd that I had been able to obtain so advantageous a character from
+a person of such note where I had resided, and that I had been so
+industrious and careful as to equip myself so handsomely in so short a
+time; therefore, seeing no prospect of an accommodation between my
+brother and me, he gave his consent to my returning again to
+Philadelphia, advis'd me to behave respectfully to the people there,
+endeavor to obtain the general esteem, and avoid lampooning and
+libeling, to which he thought I had too much inclination; telling me,
+that by steady industry and a prudent parsimony I might save enough by
+the time I was one-and-twenty to set me up; and that, if I came near
+the matter, he would help me out with the rest.  This was all I could
+obtain, except some small gifts as tokens of his and my mother's love,
+when I embark'd again for New York, now with their approbation and
+their blessing.
+
+The sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island, I visited my brother
+John, who had been married and settled there some years.  He received
+me very affectionately, for he always lov'd me.  A friend of his, one
+Vernon, having some money due to him in Pensilvania, about thirty-five
+pounds currency, desired I would receive it for him, and keep it till I
+had his directions what to remit it in.  Accordingly, he gave me an
+order.  This afterwards occasion'd me a good deal of uneasiness.
+
+At Newport we took in a number of passengers for New York, among which
+were two young women, companions, and a grave, sensible, matron-like
+Quaker woman, with her attendants.  I had shown an obliging readiness
+to do her some little services, which impress'd her I suppose with a
+degree of good will toward me; therefore, when she saw a daily growing
+familiarity between me and the two young women, which they appear'd to
+encourage, she took me aside, and said: "Young man, I am concern'd for
+thee, as thou has no friend with thee, and seems not to know much of
+the world, or of the snares youth is expos'd to; depend upon it, those
+are very bad women; I can see it in all their actions; and if thee art
+not upon thy guard, they will draw thee into some danger; they are
+strangers to thee, and I advise thee, in a friendly concern for thy
+welfare, to have no acquaintance with them."  As I seem'd at first not
+to think so ill of them as she did, she mentioned some things she had
+observ'd and heard that had escap'd my notice, but now convinc'd me she
+was right.  I thank'd her for her kind advice, and promis'd to follow
+it.  When we arriv'd at New York, they told me where they liv'd, and
+invited me to come and see them; but I avoided it, and it was well I
+did; for the next day the captain miss'd a silver spoon and some other
+things, that had been taken out of his cabbin, and, knowing that these
+were a couple of strumpets, he got a warrant to search their lodgings,
+found the stolen goods, and had the thieves punish'd. So, tho' we had
+escap'd a sunken rock, which we scrap'd upon in the passage, I thought
+this escape of rather more importance to me.
+
+At New York I found my friend Collins, who had arriv'd there some time
+before me.  We had been intimate from children, and had read the same
+books together; but he had the advantage of more time for reading and
+studying, and a wonderful genius for mathematical learning, in which he
+far outstript me.  While I liv'd in Boston most of my hours of leisure
+for conversation were spent with him, and he continu'd a sober as well
+as an industrious lad; was much respected for his learning by several
+of the clergy and other gentlemen, and seemed to promise making a good
+figure in life.  But, during my absence, he had acquir'd a habit of
+sotting with brandy; and I found by his own account, and what I heard
+from others, that he had been drunk every day since his arrival at New
+York, and behav'd very oddly.  He had gam'd, too, and lost his money,
+so that I was oblig'd to discharge his lodgings, and defray his
+expenses to and at Philadelphia, which prov'd extremely inconvenient to
+me.
+
+The then governor of New York, Burnet (son of Bishop Burnet), hearing
+from the captain that a young man, one of his passengers, had a great
+many books, desir'd he would bring me to see him.  I waited upon him
+accordingly, and should have taken Collins with me but that he was not
+sober.  The gov'r. treated me with great civility, show'd me his
+library, which was a very large one, and we had a good deal of
+conversation about books and authors.  This was the second governor who
+had done me the honor to take notice of me; which, to a poor boy like
+me, was very pleasing.
+
+We proceeded to Philadelphia.  I received on the way Vernon's money,
+without which we could hardly have finish'd our journey.  Collins
+wished to be employ'd in some counting-house, but, whether they
+discover'd his dramming by his breath, or by his behaviour, tho' he had
+some recommendations, he met with no success in any application, and
+continu'd lodging and boarding at the same house with me, and at my
+expense.  Knowing I had that money of Vernon's, he was continually
+borrowing of me, still promising repayment as soon as he should be in
+business.  At length he had got so much of it that I was distress'd to
+think what I should do in case of being call'd on to remit it.
+
+His drinking continu'd, about which we sometimes quarrell'd; for, when
+a little intoxicated, he was very fractious.  Once, in a boat on the
+Delaware with some other young men, he refused to row in his turn.  "I
+will be row'd home," says he.  "We will not row you," says I. "You
+must, or stay all night on the water," says he, "just as you please."
+The others said, "Let us row; what signifies it?"  But, my mind being
+soured with his other conduct, I continu'd to refuse.  So he swore he
+would make me row, or throw me overboard; and coming along, stepping on
+the thwarts, toward me, when he came up and struck at me, I clapped my
+hand under his crutch, and, rising, pitched him head-foremost into the
+river.  I knew he was a good swimmer, and so was under little concern
+about him; but before he could get round to lay hold of the boat, we
+had with a few strokes pull'd her out of his reach; and ever when he
+drew near the boat, we ask'd if he would row, striking a few strokes to
+slide her away from him.  He was ready to die with vexation, and
+obstinately would not promise to row.  However, seeing him at last
+beginning to tire, we lifted him in and brought him home dripping wet
+in the evening.  We hardly exchang'd a civil word afterwards, and a
+West India captain, who had a commission to procure a tutor for the
+sons of a gentleman at Barbadoes, happening to meet with him, agreed to
+carry him thither.  He left me then, promising to remit me the first
+money he should receive in order to discharge the debt; but I never
+heard of him after.
+
+The breaking into this money of Vernon's was one of the first great
+errata of my life; and this affair show'd that my father was not much
+out in his judgment when he suppos'd me too young to manage business of
+importance.  But Sir William, on reading his letter, said he was too
+prudent.  There was great difference in persons; and discretion did not
+always accompany years, nor was youth always without it.  "And since he
+will not set you up," says he, "I will do it myself.  Give me an
+inventory of the things necessary to be had from England, and I will
+send for them.  You shall repay me when you are able; I am resolv'd to
+have a good printer here, and I am sure you must succeed."  This was
+spoken with such an appearance of cordiality, that I had not the least
+doubt of his meaning what he said.  I had hitherto kept the proposition
+of my setting up, a secret in Philadelphia, and I still kept it.  Had
+it been known that I depended on the governor, probably some friend,
+that knew him better, would have advis'd me not to rely on him, as I
+afterwards heard it as his known character to be liberal of promises
+which he never meant to keep.  Yet, unsolicited as he was by me, how
+could I think his generous offers insincere?  I believ'd him one of the
+best men in the world.
+
+I presented him an inventory of a little print'g-house, amounting by my
+computation to about one hundred pounds sterling.  He lik'd it, but
+ask'd me if my being on the spot in England to chuse the types, and see
+that every thing was good of the kind, might not be of some advantage.
+"Then," says he, "when there, you may make acquaintances, and establish
+correspondences in the bookselling and stationery way." I agreed that
+this might be advantageous.  "Then," says he, "get yourself ready to go
+with Annis;" which was the annual ship, and the only one at that time
+usually passing between London and Philadelphia.  But it would be some
+months before Annis sail'd, so I continu'd working with Keimer,
+fretting about the money Collins had got from me, and in daily
+apprehensions of being call'd upon by Vernon, which, however, did not
+happen for some years after.
+
+I believe I have omitted mentioning that, in my first voyage from
+Boston, being becalm'd off Block Island, our people set about catching
+cod, and hauled up a great many.  Hitherto I had stuck to my resolution
+of not eating animal food, and on this occasion consider'd, with my
+master Tryon, the taking every fish as a kind of unprovoked murder,
+since none of them had, or ever could do us any injury that might
+justify the slaughter.  All this seemed very reasonable.  But I had
+formerly been a great lover of fish, and, when this came hot out of the
+frying-pan, it smelt admirably well.  I balanc'd some time between
+principle and inclination, till I recollected that, when the fish were
+opened, I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then thought I,
+"If you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you."  So I
+din'd upon cod very heartily, and continued to eat with other people,
+returning only now and then occasionally to a vegetable diet.  So
+convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables
+one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.
+
+Keimer and I liv'd on a pretty good familiar footing, and agreed
+tolerably well, for he suspected nothing of my setting up.  He retained
+a great deal of his old enthusiasms and lov'd argumentation.  We
+therefore had many disputations.  I used to work him so with my
+Socratic method, and had trepann'd him so often by questions apparently
+so distant from any point we had in hand, and yet by degrees lead to
+the point, and brought him into difficulties and contradictions, that
+at last he grew ridiculously cautious, and would hardly answer me the
+most common question, without asking first, "What do you intend to
+infer from that?"  However, it gave him so high an opinion of my
+abilities in the confuting way, that he seriously proposed my being his
+colleague in a project he had of setting up a new sect.  He was to
+preach the doctrines, and I was to confound all opponents.  When he
+came to explain with me upon the doctrines, I found several conundrums
+which I objected to, unless I might have my way a little too, and
+introduce some of mine.
+
+Keimer wore his beard at full length, because somewhere in the Mosaic
+law it is said, "Thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard." He
+likewise kept the Seventh day, Sabbath; and these two points were
+essentials with him.  I dislik'd both; but agreed to admit them upon
+condition of his adopting the doctrine of using no animal food.  "I
+doubt," said he, "my constitution will not bear that."  I assur'd him
+it would, and that he would be the better for it.  He was usually a
+great glutton, and I promised myself some diversion in half starving
+him.  He agreed to try the practice, if I would keep him company.  I
+did so, and we held it for three months.  We had our victuals dress'd,
+and brought to us regularly by a woman in the neighborhood, who had
+from me a list of forty dishes to be prepar'd for us at different
+times, in all which there was neither fish, flesh, nor fowl, and the
+whim suited me the better at this time from the cheapness of it, not
+costing us above eighteenpence sterling each per week.  I have since
+kept several Lents most strictly, leaving the common diet for that, and
+that for the common, abruptly, without the least inconvenience, so that
+I think there is little in the advice of making those changes by easy
+gradations.  I went on pleasantly, but poor Keimer suffered grievously,
+tired of the project, long'd for the flesh-pots of Egypt, and order'd a
+roast pig.  He invited me and two women friends to dine with him; but,
+it being brought too soon upon table, he could not resist the
+temptation, and ate the whole before we came.
+
+I had made some courtship during this time to Miss Read.  I had a great
+respect and affection for her, and had some reason to believe she had
+the same for me; but, as I was about to take a long voyage, and we were
+both very young, only a little above eighteen, it was thought most
+prudent by her mother to prevent our going too far at present, as a
+marriage, if it was to take place, would be more convenient after my
+return, when I should be, as I expected, set up in my business.
+Perhaps, too, she thought my expectations not so well founded as I
+imagined them to be.
+
+My chief acquaintances at this time were Charles Osborne, Joseph
+Watson, and James Ralph, all lovers of reading.  The two first were
+clerks to an eminent scrivener or conveyancer in the town, Charles
+Brogden; the other was clerk to a merchant.  Watson was a pious,
+sensible young man, of great integrity; the others rather more lax in
+their principles of religion, particularly Ralph, who, as well as
+Collins, had been unsettled by me, for which they both made me suffer.
+Osborne was sensible, candid, frank; sincere and affectionate to his
+friends; but, in literary matters, too fond of criticising.  Ralph was
+ingenious, genteel in his manners, and extremely eloquent; I think I
+never knew a prettier talker.  Both of them great admirers of poetry,
+and began to try their hands in little pieces.  Many pleasant walks we
+four had together on Sundays into the woods, near Schuylkill, where we
+read to one another, and conferr'd on what we read.
+
+Ralph was inclin'd to pursue the study of poetry, not doubting but he
+might become eminent in it, and make his fortune by it, alleging that
+the best poets must, when they first began to write, make as many
+faults as he did.  Osborne dissuaded him, assur'd him he had no genius
+for poetry, and advis'd him to think of nothing beyond the business he
+was bred to; that, in the mercantile way, tho' he had no stock, he
+might, by his diligence and punctuality, recommend himself to
+employment as a factor, and in time acquire wherewith to trade on his
+own account.  I approv'd the amusing one's self with poetry now and
+then, so far as to improve one's language, but no farther.
+
+On this it was propos'd that we should each of us, at our next meeting,
+produce a piece of our own composing, in order to improve by our mutual
+observations, criticisms, and corrections.  As language and expression
+were what we had in view, we excluded all considerations of invention
+by agreeing that the task should be a version of the eighteenth Psalm,
+which describes the descent of a Deity.  When the time of our meeting
+drew nigh, Ralph called on me first, and let me know his piece was
+ready.  I told him I had been busy, and, having little inclination, had
+done nothing.  He then show'd me his piece for my opinion, and I much
+approv'd it, as it appear'd to me to have great merit.  "Now," says he,
+"Osborne never will allow the least merit in any thing of mine, but
+makes 1000 criticisms out of mere envy.  He is not so jealous of you; I
+wish, therefore, you would take this piece, and produce it as yours; I
+will pretend not to have had time, and so produce nothing.  We shall
+then see what he will say to it." It was agreed, and I immediately
+transcrib'd it, that it might appear in my own hand.
+
+We met; Watson's performance was read; there were some beauties in it,
+but many defects.  Osborne's was read; it was much better; Ralph did it
+justice; remarked some faults, but applauded the beauties.  He himself
+had nothing to produce.  I was backward; seemed desirous of being
+excused; had not had sufficient time to correct, etc.; but no excuse
+could be admitted; produce I must.  It was read and repeated; Watson
+and Osborne gave up the contest, and join'd in applauding it.  Ralph
+only made some criticisms, and propos'd some amendments; but I defended
+my text.  Osborne was against Ralph, and told him he was no better a
+critic than poet, so he dropt the argument.  As they two went home
+together, Osborne expressed himself still more strongly in favor of
+what he thought my production; having restrain'd himself before, as he
+said, lest I should think it flattery.  "But who would have imagin'd,"
+said he, "that Franklin had been capable of such a performance; such
+painting, such force, such fire!  He has even improv'd the original.
+In his common conversation he seems to have no choice of words; he
+hesitates and blunders; and yet, good God! how he writes!" When we next
+met, Ralph discovered the trick we had plaid him, and Osborne was a
+little laught at.
+
+This transaction fixed Ralph in his resolution of becoming a poet.  I
+did all I could to dissuade him from it, but he continued scribbling
+verses till Pope cured him.  He became, however, a pretty good prose
+writer.  More of him hereafter.  But, as I may not have occasion again
+to mention the other two, I shall just remark here, that Watson died in
+my arms a few years after, much lamented, being the best of our set.
+Osborne went to the West Indies, where he became an eminent lawyer and
+made money, but died young.  He and I had made a serious agreement,
+that the one who happen'd first to die should, if possible, make a
+friendly visit to the other, and acquaint him how he found things in
+that separate state.  But he never fulfill'd his promise.
+
+The governor, seeming to like my company, had me frequently to his
+house, and his setting me up was always mention'd as a fixed thing.  I
+was to take with me letters recommendatory to a number of his friends,
+besides the letter of credit to furnish me with the necessary money for
+purchasing the press and types, paper, etc.  For these letters I was
+appointed to call at different times, when they were to be ready, but a
+future time was still named.  Thus he went on till the ship, whose
+departure too had been several times postponed, was on the point of
+sailing.  Then, when I call'd to take my leave and receive the letters,
+his secretary, Dr. Bard, came out to me and said the governor was
+extremely busy in writing, but would be down at Newcastle before the
+ship, and there the letters would be delivered to me.
+
+Ralph, though married, and having one child, had determined to
+accompany me in this voyage.  It was thought he intended to establish a
+correspondence, and obtain goods to sell on commission; but I found
+afterwards, that, thro' some discontent with his wife's relations, he
+purposed to leave her on their hands, and never return again.  Having
+taken leave of my friends, and interchang'd some promises with Miss
+Read, I left Philadelphia in the ship, which anchor'd at Newcastle.
+The governor was there; but when I went to his lodging, the secretary
+came to me from him with the civillest message in the world, that he
+could not then see me, being engaged in business of the utmost
+importance, but should send the letters to me on board, wish'd me
+heartily a good voyage and a speedy return, etc.  I returned on board a
+little puzzled, but still not doubting.
+
+Mr. Andrew Hamilton, a famous lawyer of Philadelphia, had taken passage
+in the same ship for himself and son, and with Mr. Denham, a Quaker
+merchant, and Messrs. Onion and Russel, masters of an iron work in
+Maryland, had engag'd the great cabin; so that Ralph and I were forced
+to take up with a berth in the steerage, and none on board knowing us,
+were considered as ordinary persons.  But Mr. Hamilton and his son (it
+was James, since governor) return'd from Newcastle to Philadelphia, the
+father being recall'd by a great fee to plead for a seized ship; and,
+just before we sail'd, Colonel French coming on board, and showing me
+great respect, I was more taken notice of, and, with my friend Ralph,
+invited by the other gentlemen to come into the cabin, there being now
+room.  Accordingly, we remov'd thither.
+
+Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board the governor's
+despatches, I ask'd the captain for those letters that were to be under
+my care.  He said all were put into the bag together and he could not
+then come at them; but, before we landed in England, I should have an
+opportunity of picking them out; so I was satisfied for the present,
+and we proceeded on our voyage.  We had a sociable company in the
+cabin, and lived uncommonly well, having the addition of all Mr.
+Hamilton's stores, who had laid in plentifully.  In this passage Mr.
+Denham contracted a friendship for me that continued during his life.
+The voyage was otherwise not a pleasant one, as we had a great deal of
+bad weather.
+
+When we came into the Channel, the captain kept his word with me, and
+gave me an opportunity of examining the bag for the governor's letters.
+I found none upon which my name was put as under my care.  I picked out
+six or seven, that, by the handwriting, I thought might be the promised
+letters, especially as one of them was directed to Basket, the king's
+printer, and another to some stationer.  We arriv'd in London the 24th
+of December, 1724.  I waited upon the stationer, who came first in my
+way, delivering the letter as from Governor Keith.  "I don't know such
+a person," says he; but, opening the letter, "O! this is from
+Riddlesden.  I have lately found him to be a compleat rascal, and I
+will have nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters from him."
+So, putting the letter into my hand, he turn'd on his heel and left me
+to serve some customer.  I was surprized to find these were not the
+governor's letters; and, after recollecting and comparing
+circumstances, I began to doubt his sincerity.  I found my friend
+Denham, and opened the whole affair to him.  He let me into Keith's
+character; told me there was not the least probability that he had
+written any letters for me; that no one, who knew him, had the smallest
+dependence on him; and he laught at the notion of the governor's giving
+me a letter of credit, having, as he said, no credit to give.  On my
+expressing some concern about what I should do, he advised me to
+endeavor getting some employment in the way of my business.  "Among the
+printers here," said he, "you will improve yourself, and when you
+return to America, you will set up to greater advantage."
+
+We both of us happen'd to know, as well as the stationer, that
+Riddlesden, the attorney, was a very knave.  He had half ruin'd Miss
+Read's father by persuading him to be bound for him.  By this letter it
+appear'd there was a secret scheme on foot to the prejudice of Hamilton
+(suppos'd to be then coming over with us); and that Keith was concerned
+in it with Riddlesden.  Denham, who was a friend of Hamilton's thought
+he ought to be acquainted with it; so, when he arriv'd in England,
+which was soon after, partly from resentment and ill-will to Keith and
+Riddlesden, and partly from good-will to him, I waited on him, and gave
+him the letter.  He thank'd me cordially, the information being of
+importance to him; and from that time he became my friend, greatly to
+my advantage afterwards on many occasions.
+
+But what shall we think of a governor's playing such pitiful tricks,
+and imposing so grossly on a poor ignorant boy!  It was a habit he had
+acquired.  He wish'd to please everybody; and, having little to give,
+he gave expectations.  He was otherwise an ingenious, sensible man, a
+pretty good writer, and a good governor for the people, tho' not for
+his constituents, the proprietaries, whose instructions he sometimes
+disregarded.  Several of our best laws were of his planning and passed
+during his administration.
+
+Ralph and I were inseparable companions.  We took lodgings together in
+Little Britain at three shillings and sixpence a week--as much as we
+could then afford.  He found some relations, but they were poor, and
+unable to assist him.  He now let me know his intentions of remaining
+in London, and that he never meant to return to Philadelphia.  He had
+brought no money with him, the whole he could muster having been
+expended in paying his passage.  I had fifteen pistoles; so he borrowed
+occasionally of me to subsist, while he was looking out for business.
+He first endeavored to get into the playhouse, believing himself
+qualify'd for an actor; but Wilkes, to whom he apply'd, advis'd him
+candidly not to think of that employment, as it was impossible he
+should succeed in it.  Then he propos'd to Roberts, a publisher in
+Paternoster Row, to write for him a weekly paper like the Spectator, on
+certain conditions, which Roberts did not approve.  Then he endeavored
+to get employment as a hackney writer, to copy for the stationers and
+lawyers about the Temple, but could find no vacancy.
+
+I immediately got into work at Palmer's, then a famous printing-house
+in Bartholomew Close, and here I continu'd near a year.  I was pretty
+diligent, but spent with Ralph a good deal of my earnings in going to
+plays and other places of amusement.  We had together consumed all my
+pistoles, and now just rubbed on from hand to mouth.  He seem'd quite
+to forget his wife and child, and I, by degrees, my engagements with
+Miss Read, to whom I never wrote more than one letter, and that was to
+let her know I was not likely soon to return.  This was another of the
+great errata of my life, which I should wish to correct if I were to
+live it over again.  In fact, by our expenses, I was constantly kept
+unable to pay my passage.
+
+At Palmer's I was employed in composing for the second edition of
+Wollaston's "Religion of Nature."  Some of his reasonings not appearing
+to me well founded, I wrote a little metaphysical piece in which I made
+remarks on them.  It was entitled "A Dissertation on Liberty and
+Necessity, Pleasure and Pain." I inscribed it to my friend Ralph; I
+printed a small number.  It occasion'd my being more consider'd by Mr.
+Palmer as a young man of some ingenuity, tho' he seriously expostulated
+with me upon the principles of my pamphlet, which to him appear'd
+abominable.  My printing this pamphlet was another erratum.  While I
+lodg'd in Little Britain, I made an acquaintance with one Wilcox, a
+bookseller, whose shop was at the next door.  He had an immense
+collection of second-hand books.  Circulating libraries were not then
+in use; but we agreed that, on certain reasonable terms, which I have
+now forgotten, I might take, read, and return any of his books.  This I
+esteem'd a great advantage, and I made as much use of it as I could.
+
+My pamphlet by some means falling into the hands of one Lyons, a
+surgeon, author of a book entitled "The Infallibility of Human
+Judgment," it occasioned an acquaintance between us.  He took great
+notice of me, called on me often to converse on those subjects, carried
+me to the Horns, a pale alehouse in ---- Lane, Cheapside, and
+introduced me to Dr. Mandeville, author of the "Fable of the Bees," who
+had a club there, of which he was the soul, being a most facetious,
+entertaining companion.  Lyons, too, introduced me to Dr. Pemberton, at
+Batson's Coffee-house, who promis'd to give me an opportunity, some
+time or other, of seeing Sir Isaac Newton, of which I was extreamely
+desirous; but this never happened.
+
+I had brought over a few curiosities, among which the principal was a
+purse made of the asbestos, which purifies by fire.  Sir Hans Sloane
+heard of it, came to see me, and invited me to his house in Bloomsbury
+Square, where he show'd me all his curiosities, and persuaded me to let
+him add that to the number, for which he paid me handsomely.
+
+In our house there lodg'd a young woman, a milliner, who, I think, had
+a shop in the Cloisters.  She had been genteelly bred, was sensible and
+lively, and of most pleasing conversation.  Ralph read plays to her in
+the evenings, they grew intimate, she took another lodging, and he
+followed her.  They liv'd together some time; but, he being still out
+of business, and her income not sufficient to maintain them with her
+child, he took a resolution of going from London, to try for a country
+school, which he thought himself well qualified to undertake, as he
+wrote an excellent hand, and was a master of arithmetic and accounts.
+This, however, he deemed a business below him, and confident of future
+better fortune, when he should be unwilling to have it known that he
+once was so meanly employed, he changed his name, and did me the honor
+to assume mine; for I soon after had a letter from him, acquainting me
+that he was settled in a small village (in Berkshire, I think it was,
+where he taught reading and writing to ten or a dozen boys, at sixpence
+each per week), recommending Mrs. T---- to my care, and desiring me to
+write to him, directing for Mr. Franklin, schoolmaster, at such a place.
+
+He continued to write frequently, sending me large specimens of an epic
+poem which he was then composing, and desiring my remarks and
+corrections.  These I gave him from time to time, but endeavor'd rather
+to discourage his proceeding.  One of Young's Satires was then just
+published.  I copy'd and sent him a great part of it, which set in a
+strong light the folly of pursuing the Muses with any hope of
+advancement by them.  All was in vain; sheets of the poem continued to
+come by every post.  In the mean time, Mrs. T----, having on his
+account lost her friends and business, was often in distresses, and
+us'd to send for me, and borrow what I could spare to help her out of
+them.  I grew fond of her company, and, being at that time under no
+religious restraint, and presuming upon my importance to her, I
+attempted familiarities (another erratum) which she repuls'd with a
+proper resentment, and acquainted him with my behaviour.  This made a
+breach between us; and, when he returned again to London, he let me
+know he thought I had cancell'd all the obligations he had been under
+to me.  So I found I was never to expect his repaying me what I lent to
+him, or advanc'd for him.  This, however, was not then of much
+consequence, as he was totally unable; and in the loss of his
+friendship I found myself relieved from a burthen.  I now began to
+think of getting a little money beforehand, and, expecting better work,
+I left Palmer's to work at Watts's, near Lincoln's Inn Fields, a still
+greater printing-house. Here I continued all the rest of my stay in
+London.
+
+At my first admission into this printing-house I took to working at
+press, imagining I felt a want of the bodily exercise I had been us'd
+to in America, where presswork is mix'd with composing.  I drank only
+water; the other workmen, near fifty in number, were great guzzlers of
+beer.  On occasion, I carried up and down stairs a large form of types
+in each hand, when others carried but one in both hands.  They wondered
+to see, from this and several instances, that the Water-American, as
+they called me, was stronger than themselves, who drank strong beer!
+We had an alehouse boy who attended always in the house to supply the
+workmen.  My companion at the press drank every day a pint before
+breakfast, a pint at breakfast with his bread and cheese, a pint
+between breakfast and dinner, a pint at dinner, a pint in the afternoon
+about six o'clock, and another when he had done his day's work.  I
+thought it a detestable custom; but it was necessary, he suppos'd, to
+drink strong beer, that he might be strong to labor.  I endeavored to
+convince him that the bodily strength afforded by beer could only be in
+proportion to the grain or flour of the barley dissolved in the water
+of which it was made; that there was more flour in a pennyworth of
+bread; and therefore, if he would eat that with a pint of water, it
+would give him more strength than a quart of beer.  He drank on,
+however, and had four or five shillings to pay out of his wages every
+Saturday night for that muddling liquor; an expense I was free from.
+And thus these poor devils keep themselves always under.
+
+Watts, after some weeks, desiring to have me in the composing-room, I
+left the pressmen; a new bien venu or sum for drink, being five
+shillings, was demanded of me by the compositors.  I thought it an
+imposition, as I had paid below; the master thought so too, and forbad
+my paying it.  I stood out two or three weeks, was accordingly
+considered as an excommunicate, and had so many little pieces of
+private mischief done me, by mixing my sorts, transposing my pages,
+breaking my matter, etc., etc., if I were ever so little out of the
+room, and all ascribed to the chappel ghost, which they said ever
+haunted those not regularly admitted, that, notwithstanding the
+master's protection, I found myself oblig'd to comply and pay the
+money, convinc'd of the folly of being on ill terms with those one is
+to live with continually.
+
+I was now on a fair footing with them, and soon acquir'd considerable
+influence.  I propos'd some reasonable alterations in their chappel[4]
+laws, and carried them against all opposition.  From my example, a
+great part of them left their muddling breakfast of beer, and bread,
+and cheese, finding they could with me be suppli'd from a neighboring
+house with a large porringer of hot water-gruel, sprinkled with pepper,
+crumbl'd with bread, and a bit of butter in it, for the price of a pint
+of beer, viz., three half-pence. This was a more comfortable as well as
+cheaper breakfast, and kept their heads clearer.  Those who continued
+sotting with beer all day, were often, by not paying, out of credit at
+the alehouse, and us'd to make interest with me to get beer; their
+light, as they phrased it, being out.  I watch'd the pay-table on
+Saturday night, and collected what I stood engag'd for them, having to
+pay sometimes near thirty shillings a week on their account.  This, and
+my being esteem'd a pretty good riggite, that is, a jocular verbal
+satirist, supported my consequence in the society.  My constant
+attendance (I never making a St. Monday) recommended me to the master;
+and my uncommon quickness at composing occasioned my being put upon all
+work of dispatch, which was generally better paid.  So I went on now
+very agreeably.
+
+     [4] "A printing-house is always called a chapel by the
+         workmen, the origin of which appears to have been that
+         printing was first carried on in England in an ancient
+         chapel converted into a printing-house, and the title
+         has been preserved by tradition.  The bien venu among
+         the printers answers to the terms entrance and footing
+         among mechanics; thus a journeyman, on entering a
+         printing-house, was accustomed to pay one or more gallons
+         of beer for the good of the chapel;  this custom was
+         falling into disuse thirty years ago; it is very properly
+         rejected entirely in the United States."--W. T. F.
+
+My lodging in Little Britain being too remote, I found another in
+Duke-street, opposite to the Romish Chapel.  It was two pair of stairs
+backwards, at an Italian warehouse.  A widow lady kept the house; she
+had a daughter, and a maid servant, and a journeyman who attended the
+warehouse, but lodg'd abroad.  After sending to inquire my character at
+the house where I last lodg'd she agreed to take me in at the same
+rate, 3s.  6d.  per week; cheaper, as she said, from the protection she
+expected in having a man lodge in the house.  She was a widow, an
+elderly woman; had been bred a Protestant, being a clergyman's
+daughter, but was converted to the Catholic religion by her husband,
+whose memory she much revered; had lived much among people of
+distinction, and knew a thousand anecdotes of them as far back as the
+times of Charles the Second.  She was lame in her knees with the gout,
+and, therefore, seldom stirred out of her room, so sometimes wanted
+company; and hers was so highly amusing to me, that I was sure to spend
+an evening with her whenever she desired it.  Our supper was only half
+an anchovy each, on a very little strip of bread and butter, and half a
+pint of ale between us; but the entertainment was in her conversation.
+My always keeping good hours, and giving little trouble in the family,
+made her unwilling to part with me; so that, when I talk'd of a lodging
+I had heard of, nearer my business, for two shillings a week, which,
+intent as I now was on saving money, made some difference, she bid me
+not think of it, for she would abate me two shillings a week for the
+future; so I remained with her at one shilling and sixpence as long as
+I staid in London.
+
+In a garret of her house there lived a maiden lady of seventy, in the
+most retired manner, of whom my landlady gave me this account: that she
+was a Roman Catholic, had been sent abroad when young, and lodg'd in a
+nunnery with an intent of becoming a nun; but, the country not agreeing
+with her, she returned to England, where, there being no nunnery, she
+had vow'd to lead the life of a nun, as near as might be done in those
+circumstances.  Accordingly, she had given all her estate to charitable
+uses, reserving only twelve pounds a year to live on, and out of this
+sum she still gave a great deal in charity, living herself on
+water-gruel only, and using no fire but to boil it.  She had lived many
+years in that garret, being permitted to remain there gratis by
+successive Catholic tenants of the house below, as they deemed it a
+blessing to have her there.  A priest visited her to confess her every
+day.  "I have ask'd her," says my landlady, "how she, as she liv'd,
+could possibly find so much employment for a confessor?"  "Oh," said
+she, "it is impossible to avoid vain thoughts."  I was permitted once
+to visit her, She was chearful and polite, and convers'd pleasantly.
+The room was clean, but had no other furniture than a matras, a table
+with a crucifix and book, a stool which she gave me to sit on, and a
+picture over the chimney of Saint Veronica displaying her handkerchief,
+with the miraculous figure of Christ's bleeding face on it, which she
+explained to me with great seriousness.  She look'd pale, but was never
+sick; and I give it as another instance on how small an income life and
+health may be supported.
+
+At Watts's printing-house I contracted an acquaintance with an
+ingenious young man, one Wygate, who, having wealthy relations, had
+been better educated than most printers; was a tolerable Latinist,
+spoke French, and lov'd reading.  I taught him and a friend of his to
+swim at twice going into the river, and they soon became good swimmers.
+They introduc'd me to some gentlemen from the country, who went to
+Chelsea by water to see the College and Don Saltero's curiosities.  In
+our return, at the request of the company, whose curiosity Wygate had
+excited, I stripped and leaped into the river, and swam from near
+Chelsea to Blackfryar's, performing on the way many feats of activity,
+both upon and under water, that surpris'd and pleas'd those to whom
+they were novelties.
+
+I had from a child been ever delighted with this exercise, had studied
+and practis'd all Thevenot's motions and positions, added some of my
+own, aiming at the graceful and easy as well as the useful.  All these
+I took this occasion of exhibiting to the company, and was much
+flatter'd by their admiration; and Wygate, who was desirous of becoming
+a master, grew more and more attach'd to me on that account, as well as
+from the similarity of our studies.  He at length proposed to me
+travelling all over Europe together, supporting ourselves everywhere by
+working at our business.  I was once inclined to it; but, mentioning it
+to my good friend Mr. Denham, with whom I often spent an hour when I
+had leisure, he dissuaded me from it, advising me to think only of
+returning to Pennsilvania, which he was now about to do.
+
+I must record one trait of this good man's character.  He had formerly
+been in business at Bristol, but failed in debt to a number of people,
+compounded and went to America.  There, by a close application to
+business as a merchant, he acquir'd a plentiful fortune in a few years.
+Returning to England in the ship with me, he invited his old creditors
+to an entertainment, at which he thank'd them for the easy composition
+they had favored him with, and, when they expected nothing but the
+treat, every man at the first remove found under his plate an order on
+a banker for the full amount of the unpaid remainder with interest.
+
+He now told me he was about to return to Philadelphia, and should carry
+over a great quantity of goods in order to open a store there.  He
+propos'd to take me over as his clerk, to keep his books, in which he
+would instruct me, copy his letters, and attend the store.  He added
+that, as soon as I should be acquainted with mercantile business, he
+would promote me by sending me with a cargo of flour and bread, etc.,
+to the West Indies, and procure me commissions from others which would
+be profitable; and, if I manag'd well, would establish me handsomely.
+The thing pleas'd me; for I was grown tired of London, remembered with
+pleasure the happy months I had spent in Pennsylvania, and wish'd again
+to see it; therefore I immediately agreed on the terms of fifty pounds
+a year, Pennsylvania money; less, indeed, than my present gettings as a
+compositor, but affording a better prospect.
+
+I now took leave of printing, as I thought, for ever, and was daily
+employed in my new business, going about with Mr. Denham among the
+tradesmen to purchase various articles, and seeing them pack'd up,
+doing errands, calling upon workmen to dispatch, etc.; and, when all
+was on board, I had a few days' leisure.  On one of these days, I was,
+to my surprise, sent for by a great man I knew only by name, a Sir
+William Wyndham, and I waited upon him.  He had heard by some means or
+other of my swimming from Chelsea to Blackfriar's, and of my teaching
+Wygate and another young man to swim in a few hours.  He had two sons,
+about to set out on their travels; he wish'd to have them first taught
+swimming, and proposed to gratify me handsomely if I would teach them.
+They were not yet come to town, and my stay was uncertain, so I could
+not undertake it; but, from this incident, I thought it likely that, if
+I were to remain in England and open a swimming-school, I might get a
+good deal of money; and it struck me so strongly, that, had the
+overture been sooner made me, probably I should not so soon have
+returned to America.  After many years, you and I had something of more
+importance to do with one of these sons of Sir William Wyndham, become
+Earl of Egremont, which I shall mention in its place.
+
+Thus I spent about eighteen months in London; most part of the time I
+work'd hard at my business, and spent but little upon myself except in
+seeing plays and in books.  My friend Ralph had kept me poor; he owed
+me about twenty-seven pounds, which I was now never likely to receive;
+a great sum out of my small earnings!  I lov'd him, notwithstanding,
+for he had many amiable qualities.  I had by no means improv'd my
+fortune; but I had picked up some very ingenious acquaintance, whose
+conversation was of great advantage to me; and I had read considerably.
+
+We sail'd from Gravesend on the 23d of July, 1726.  For the incidents
+of the voyage, I refer you to my journal, where you will find them all
+minutely related.  Perhaps the most important part of that journal is
+the plan[5] to be found in it, which I formed at sea, for regulating my
+future conduct in life.  It is the more remarkable, as being formed
+when I was so young, and yet being pretty faithfully adhered to quite
+thro' to old age.
+
+     [5] The "Journal" was printed by Sparks, from a copy made
+         at Reading in 1787.  But it does not contain the Plan.
+         --Ed.
+
+We landed in Philadelphia on the 11th of October, where I found sundry
+alterations.  Keith was no longer governor, being superseded by Major
+Gordon.  I met him walking the streets as a common citizen.  He seem'd
+a little asham'd at seeing me, but pass'd without saying anything.  I
+should have been as much asham'd at seeing Miss Read, had not her
+friends, despairing with reason of my return after the receipt of my
+letter, persuaded her to marry another, one Rogers, a potter, which was
+done in my absence.  With him, however, she was never happy, and soon
+parted from him, refusing to cohabit with him or bear his name, it
+being now said that he had another wife.  He was a worthless fellow,
+tho' an excellent workman, which was the temptation to her friends.  He
+got into debt, ran away in 1727 or 1728, went to the West Indies, and
+died there.  Keimer had got a better house, a shop well supply'd with
+stationery, plenty of new types, a number of hands, tho' none good, and
+seem'd to have a great deal of business.
+
+Mr. Denham took a store in Water-street, where we open'd our goods; I
+attended the business diligently, studied accounts, and grew, in a
+little time, expert at selling.  We lodg'd and, boarded together; he
+counsell'd me as a father, having a sincere regard for me.  I respected
+and lov'd him, and we might have gone on together very happy; but, in
+the beginning of February, 1726-7, when I had just pass'd my
+twenty-first year, we both were taken ill.  My distemper was a
+pleurisy, which very nearly carried me off.  I suffered a good deal,
+gave up the point in my own mind, and was rather disappointed when I
+found myself recovering, regretting, in some degree, that I must now,
+some time or other, have all that disagreeable work to do over again.
+I forget what his distemper was; it held him a long time, and at length
+carried him off.  He left me a small legacy in a nuncupative will, as a
+token of his kindness for me, and he left me once more to the wide
+world; for the store was taken into the care of his executors, and my
+employment under him ended.
+
+My brother-in-law, Holmes, being now at Philadelphia, advised my return
+to my business; and Keimer tempted me, with an offer of large wages by
+the year, to come and take the management of his printing-house, that
+he might better attend his stationer's shop.  I had heard a bad
+character of him in London from his wife and her friends, and was not
+fond of having any more to do with him.  I tri'd for farther employment
+as a merchant's clerk; but, not readily meeting with any, I clos'd
+again with Keimer.  I found in his house these hands: Hugh Meredith, a
+Welsh Pensilvanian, thirty years of age, bred to country work; honest,
+sensible, had a great deal of solid observation, was something of a
+reader, but given to drink.  Stephen Potts, a young countryman of full
+age, bred to the same, of uncommon natural parts, and great wit and
+humor, but a little idle.  These he had agreed with at extream low
+wages per week, to be rais'd a shilling every three months, as they
+would deserve by improving in their business; and the expectation of
+these high wages, to come on hereafter, was what he had drawn them in
+with.  Meredith was to work at press, Potts at book-binding, which he,
+by agreement, was to teach them, though he knew neither one nor
+t'other. John ----, a wild Irishman, brought up to no business, whose
+service, for four years, Keimer had purchased from the captain of a
+ship; he, too, was to be made a pressman.  George Webb, an Oxford
+scholar, whose time for four years he had likewise bought, intending
+him for a compositor, of whom more presently; and David Harry, a
+country boy, whom he had taken apprentice.
+
+I soon perceiv'd that the intention of engaging me at wages so much
+higher than he had been us'd to give, was, to have these raw, cheap
+hands form'd thro' me; and, as soon as I had instructed them, then they
+being all articled to him, he should be able to do without me.  I went
+on, however, very cheerfully, put his printing-house in order, which
+had been in great confusion, and brought his hands by degrees to mind
+their business and to do it better.
+
+It was an odd thing to find an Oxford scholar in the situation of a
+bought servant.  He was not more than eighteen years of age, and gave
+me this account of himself; that he was born in Gloucester, educated at
+a grammar-school there, had been distinguish'd among the scholars for
+some apparent superiority in performing his part, when they exhibited
+plays; belong'd to the Witty Club there, and had written some pieces in
+prose and verse, which were printed in the Gloucester newspapers;
+thence he was sent to Oxford; where he continued about a year, but not
+well satisfi'd, wishing of all things to see London, and become a
+player.  At length, receiving his quarterly allowance of fifteen
+guineas, instead of discharging his debts he walk'd out of town, hid
+his gown in a furze bush, and footed it to London, where, having no
+friend to advise him, he fell into bad company, soon spent his guineas,
+found no means of being introduc'd among the players, grew necessitous,
+pawn'd his cloaths, and wanted bread.  Walking the street very hungry,
+and not knowing what to do with himself, a crimp's bill was put into
+his hand, offering immediate entertainment and encouragement to such as
+would bind themselves to serve in America.
+
+He went directly, sign'd the indentures, was put into the ship, and
+came over, never writing a line to acquaint his friends what was become
+of him.  He was lively, witty, good-natur'd, and a pleasant companion,
+but idle, thoughtless, and imprudent to the last degree.
+
+John, the Irishman, soon ran away; with the rest I began to live very
+agreeably, for they all respected me the more, as they found Keimer
+incapable of instructing them, and that from me they learned something
+daily.  We never worked on Saturday, that being Keimer's Sabbath, so I
+had two days for reading.  My acquaintance with ingenious people in the
+town increased.  Keimer himself treated me with great civility and
+apparent regard, and nothing now made me uneasy but my debt to Vernon,
+which I was yet unable to pay, being hitherto but a poor oeconomist.
+He, however, kindly made no demand of it.
+
+Our printing-house often wanted sorts, and there was no letter-founder
+in America; I had seen types cast at James's in London, but without
+much attention to the manner; however, I now contrived a mould, made
+use of the letters we had as puncheons, struck the matrices in lead,
+And thus supply'd in a pretty tolerable way all deficiencies.  I also
+engrav'd several things on occasion; I made the ink; I was
+warehouseman, and everything, and, in short, quite a factotum.
+
+But, however serviceable I might be, I found that my services became
+every day of less importance, as the other hands improv'd in the
+business; and, when Keimer paid my second quarter's wages, he let me
+know that he felt them too heavy, and thought I should make an
+abatement.  He grew by degrees less civil, put on more of the master,
+frequently found fault, was captious, and seem'd ready for an
+outbreaking.  I went on, nevertheless, with a good deal of patience,
+thinking that his encumber'd circumstances were partly the cause.  At
+length a trifle snapt our connections; for, a great noise happening
+near the court-house, I put my head out of the window to see what was
+the matter.  Keimer, being in the street, look'd up and saw me, call'd
+out to me in a loud voice and angry tone to mind my business, adding
+some reproachful words, that nettled me the more for their publicity,
+all the neighbors who were looking out on the same occasion being
+witnesses how I was treated.  He came up immediately into the
+printing-house, continu'd the quarrel, high words pass'd on both sides,
+he gave me the quarter's warning we had stipulated, expressing a wish
+that he had not been oblig'd to so long a warning.  I told him his wish
+was unnecessary, for I would leave him that instant; and so, taking my
+hat, walk'd out of doors, desiring Meredith, whom I saw below, to take
+care of some things I left, and bring them to my lodgings.
+
+Meredith came accordingly in the evening, when we talked my affair
+over.  He had conceiv'd a great regard for me, and was very unwilling
+that I should leave the house while he remain'd in it.  He dissuaded me
+from returning to my native country, which I began to think of; he
+reminded me that Keimer was in debt for all he possess'd; that his
+creditors began to be uneasy; that he kept his shop miserably, sold
+often without profit for ready money, and often trusted without keeping
+accounts; that he must therefore fall, which would make a vacancy I
+might profit of.  I objected my want of money.  He then let me know
+that his father had a high opinion of me, and, from some discourse that
+had pass'd between them, he was sure would advance money to set us up,
+if I would enter into partnership with him.  "My time," says he, "will
+be out with Keimer in the spring; by that time we may have our press
+and types in from London.  I am sensible I am no workman; if you like
+it, your skill in the business shall be set against the stock I
+furnish, and we will share the profits equally."
+
+The proposal was agreeable, and I consented; his father was in town and
+approv'd of it; the more as he saw I had great influence with his son,
+had prevail'd on him to abstain long from dram-drinking, and he hop'd
+might break him off that wretched habit entirely, when we came to be so
+closely connected.  I gave an inventory to the father, who carry'd it
+to a merchant; the things were sent for, the secret was to be kept till
+they should arrive, and in the mean time I was to get work, if I could,
+at the other printing-house. But I found no vacancy there, and so
+remain'd idle a few days, when Keimer, on a prospect of being employ'd
+to print some paper money in New Jersey, which would require cuts and
+various types that I only could supply, and apprehending Bradford might
+engage me and get the jobb from him, sent me a very civil message, that
+old friends should not part for a few words, the effect of sudden
+passion, and wishing me to return.  Meredith persuaded me to comply, as
+it would give more opportunity for his improvement under my daily
+instructions; so I return'd, and we went on more smoothly than for some
+time before.  The New Jersey jobb was obtain'd, I contriv'd a
+copperplate press for it, the first that had been seen in the country;
+I cut several ornaments and checks for the bills.  We went together to
+Burlington, where I executed the whole to satisfaction; and he received
+so large a sum for the work as to be enabled thereby to keep his head
+much longer above water.
+
+At Burlington I made an acquaintance with many principal people of the
+province.  Several of them had been appointed by the Assembly a
+committee to attend the press, and take care that no more bills were
+printed than the law directed.  They were therefore, by turns,
+constantly with us, and generally he who attended, brought with him a
+friend or two for company.  My mind having been much more improv'd by
+reading than Keimer's, I suppose it was for that reason my conversation
+seem'd to be more valu'd. They had me to their houses, introduced me to
+their friends, and show'd me much civility; while he, tho' the master,
+was a little neglected.  In truth, he was an odd fish; ignorant of
+common life, fond of rudely opposing receiv'd opinions, slovenly to
+extream dirtiness, enthusiastic in some points of religion, and a
+little knavish withal.
+
+We continu'd there near three months; and by that time I could reckon
+among my acquired friends, Judge Allen, Samuel Bustill, the secretary
+of the Province, Isaac Pearson, Joseph Cooper, and several of the
+Smiths, members of Assembly, and Isaac Decow, the surveyor-general. The
+latter was a shrewd, sagacious old man, who told me that he began for
+himself, when young, by wheeling clay for the brick-makers, learned to
+write after he was of age, carri'd the chain for surveyors, who taught
+him surveying, and he had now by his industry, acquir'd a good estate;
+and says he, "I foresee that you will soon work this man out of
+business, and make a fortune in it at Philadelphia."  He had not then
+the least intimation of my intention to set up there or anywhere.
+These friends were afterwards of great use to me, as I occasionally was
+to some of them.  They all continued their regard for me as long as
+they lived.
+
+Before I enter upon my public appearance in business, it may be well to
+let you know the then state of my mind with regard to my principles and
+morals, that you may see how far those influenc'd the future events of
+my life.  My parents had early given me religious impressions, and
+brought me through my childhood piously in the Dissenting way.  But I
+was scarce fifteen, when, after doubting by turns of several points, as
+I found them disputed in the different books I read, I began to doubt
+of Revelation itself.  Some books against Deism fell into my hands;
+they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at Boyle's
+Lectures.  It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary
+to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which
+were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the
+refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist.  My arguments
+perverted some others, particularly Collins and Ralph; but, each of
+them having afterwards wrong'd me greatly without the least
+compunction, and recollecting Keith's conduct towards me (who was
+another freethinker), and my own towards Vernon and Miss Read, which at
+times gave me great trouble, I began to suspect that this doctrine,
+tho' it might be true, was not very useful.  My London pamphlet, which
+had for its motto these lines of Dryden:
+
+          "Whatever is, is right.  Though purblind man
+          Sees but a part o' the chain, the nearest link:
+          His eyes not carrying to the equal beam,
+          That poises all above;"
+
+and from the attributes of God, his infinite wisdom, goodness and
+power, concluded that nothing could possibly be wrong in the world, and
+that vice and virtue were empty distinctions, no such things existing,
+appear'd now not so clever a performance as I once thought it; and I
+doubted whether some error had not insinuated itself unperceiv'd into
+my argument, so as to infect all that follow'd, as is common in
+metaphysical reasonings.
+
+I grew convinc'd that truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings
+between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity of
+life; and I form'd written resolutions, which still remain in my
+journal book, to practice them ever while I lived.  Revelation had
+indeed no weight with me, as such; but I entertain'd an opinion that,
+though certain actions might not be bad because they were forbidden by
+it, or good because it commanded them, yet probably these actions might
+be forbidden because they were bad for us, or commanded because they
+were beneficial to us, in their own natures, all the circumstances of
+things considered.  And this persuasion, with the kind hand of
+Providence, or some guardian angel, or accidental favorable
+circumstances and situations, or all together, preserved me, thro' this
+dangerous time of youth, and the hazardous situations I was sometimes
+in among strangers, remote from the eye and advice of my father,
+without any willful gross immorality or injustice, that might have been
+expected from my want of religion.  I say willful, because the
+instances I have mentioned had something of necessity in them, from my
+youth, inexperience, and the knavery of others.  I had therefore a
+tolerable character to begin the world with; I valued it properly, and
+determin'd to preserve it.
+
+We had not been long return'd to Philadelphia before the new types
+arriv'd from London.  We settled with Keimer, and left him by his
+consent before he heard of it.  We found a house to hire near the
+market, and took it.  To lessen the rent, which was then but
+twenty-four pounds a year, tho' I have since known it to let for
+seventy, we took in Thomas Godfrey, a glazier, and his family, who were
+to pay a considerable part of it to us, and we to board with them.  We
+had scarce opened our letters and put our press in order, before George
+House, an acquaintance of mine, brought a countryman to us, whom he had
+met in the street inquiring for a printer.  All our cash was now
+expended in the variety of particulars we had been obliged to procure,
+and this countryman's five shillings, being our first-fruits, and
+coming so seasonably, gave me more pleasure than any crown I have since
+earned; and the gratitude I felt toward House has made me often more
+ready than perhaps I should otherwise have been to assist young
+beginners.
+
+There are croakers in every country, always boding its ruin.  Such a
+one then lived in Philadelphia; a person of note, an elderly man, with
+a wise look and a very grave manner of speaking; his name was Samuel
+Mickle.  This gentleman, a stranger to me, stopt one day at my door,
+and asked me if I was the young man who had lately opened a new
+printing-house. Being answered in the affirmative, he said he was sorry
+for me, because it was an expensive undertaking, and the expense would
+be lost; for Philadelphia was a sinking place, the people already
+half-bankrupts, or near being so; all appearances to the contrary, such
+as new buildings and the rise of rents, being to his certain knowledge
+fallacious; for they were, in fact, among the things that would soon
+ruin us.  And he gave me such a detail of misfortunes now existing, or
+that were soon to exist, that he left me half melancholy.  Had I known
+him before I engaged in this business, probably I never should have
+done it.  This man continued to live in this decaying place, and to
+declaim in the same strain, refusing for many years to buy a house
+there, because all was going to destruction; and at last I had the
+pleasure of seeing him give five times as much for one as he might have
+bought it for when he first began his croaking.
+
+I should have mentioned before, that, in the autumn of the preceding
+year, I had form'd most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of
+mutual improvement, which we called the JUNTO; we met on Friday
+evenings.  The rules that I drew up required that every member, in his
+turn, should produce one or more queries on any point of Morals,
+Politics, or Natural Philosophy, to be discuss'd by the company; and
+once in three months produce and read an essay of his own writing, on
+any subject he pleased.  Our debates were to be under the direction of
+a president, and to be conducted in the sincere spirit of inquiry after
+truth, without fondness for dispute, or desire of victory; and, to
+prevent warmth, all expressions of positiveness in opinions, or direct
+contradiction, were after some time made contraband, and prohibited
+under small pecuniary penalties.
+
+The first members were Joseph Breintnal, a copyer of deeds for the
+scriveners, a good-natur'd, friendly, middle-ag'd man, a great lover of
+poetry, reading all he could meet with, and writing some that was
+tolerable; very ingenious in many little Nicknackeries, and of sensible
+conversation.
+
+Thomas Godfrey, a self-taught mathematician, great in his way, and
+afterward inventor of what is now called Hadley's Quadrant.  But he
+knew little out of his way, and was not a pleasing companion; as, like
+most great mathematicians I have met with, he expected universal
+precision in everything said, or was for ever denying or distinguishing
+upon trifles, to the disturbance of all conversation.  He soon left us.
+
+Nicholas Scull, a surveyor, afterwards surveyor-general, who lov'd
+books, and sometimes made a few verses.
+
+William Parsons, bred a shoemaker, but loving reading, had acquir'd a
+considerable share of mathematics, which he first studied with a view
+to astrology, that he afterwards laught at it.  He also became
+surveyor-general.
+
+William Maugridge, a joiner, a most exquisite mechanic, and a solid,
+sensible man.
+
+Hugh Meredith, Stephen Potts, and George Webb I have characteriz'd
+before.
+
+Robert Grace, a young gentleman of some fortune, generous, lively, and
+witty; a lover of punning and of his friends.
+
+And William Coleman, then a merchant's clerk, about my age, who had the
+coolest, dearest head, the best heart, and the exactest morals of
+almost any man I ever met with.  He became afterwards a merchant of
+great note, and one of our provincial judges.  Our friendship continued
+without interruption to his death, upward of forty years; and the club
+continued almost as long, and was the best school of philosophy,
+morality, and politics that then existed in the province; for our
+queries, which were read the week preceding their discussion, put us
+upon reading with attention upon the several subjects, that we might
+speak more to the purpose; and here, too, we acquired better habits of
+conversation, every thing being studied in our rules which might
+prevent our disgusting each other.  From hence the long continuance of
+the club, which I shall have frequent occasion to speak further of
+hereafter.
+
+But my giving this account of it here is to show something of the
+interest I had, every one of these exerting themselves in recommending
+business to us.  Breintnal particularly procur'd us from the Quakers
+the printing forty sheets of their history, the rest being to be done
+by Keimer; and upon this we work'd exceedingly hard, for the price was
+low.  It was a folio, pro patria size, in pica, with long primer notes.
+I compos'd of it a sheet a day, and Meredith worked it off at press; it
+was often eleven at night, and sometimes later, before I had finished
+my distribution for the next day's work, for the little jobbs sent in
+by our other friends now and then put us back.  But so determin'd I was
+to continue doing a sheet a day of the folio, that one night, when,
+having impos'd my forms, I thought my day's work over, one of them by
+accident was broken, and two pages reduced to pi, I immediately
+distributed and compos'd it over again before I went to bed; and this
+industry, visible to our neighbors, began to give us character and
+credit; particularly, I was told, that mention being made of the new
+printing-office at the merchants' Every-night club, the general opinion
+was that it must fail, there being already two printers in the place,
+Keimer and Bradford; but Dr. Baird (whom you and I saw many years after
+at his native place, St. Andrew's in Scotland) gave a contrary opinion:
+"For the industry of that Franklin," says he, "is superior to any thing
+I ever saw of the kind; I see him still at work when I go home from
+club, and he is at work again before his neighbors are out of bed."
+This struck the rest, and we soon after had offers from one of them to
+supply us with stationery; but as yet we did not chuse to engage in
+shop business.
+
+I mention this industry the more particularly and the more freely, tho'
+it seems to be talking in my own praise, that those of my posterity,
+who shall read it, may know the use of that virtue, when they see its
+effects in my favour throughout this relation.
+
+George Webb, who had found a female friend that lent him wherewith to
+purchase his time of Keimer, now came to offer himself as a journeyman
+to us.  We could not then employ him; but I foolishly let him know as a
+secret that I soon intended to begin a newspaper, and might then have
+work for him.  My hopes of success, as I told him, were founded on
+this, that the then only newspaper, printed by Bradford, was a paltry
+thing, wretchedly manag'd, no way entertaining, and yet was profitable
+to him; I therefore thought a good paper would scarcely fail of good
+encouragement.  I requested Webb not to mention it; but he told it to
+Keimer, who immediately, to be beforehand with me, published proposals
+for printing one himself, on which Webb was to be employ'd. I resented
+this; and, to counteract them, as I could not yet begin our paper, I
+wrote several pieces of entertainment for Bradford's paper, under the
+title of the BUSY BODY, which Breintnal continu'd some months.  By this
+means the attention of the publick was fixed on that paper, and
+Keimer's proposals, which we burlesqu'd and ridicul'd, were
+disregarded.  He began his paper, however, and, after carrying it on
+three quarters of a year, with at most only ninety subscribers, he
+offered it to me for a trifle; and I, having been ready some time to go
+on with it, took it in hand directly; and it prov'd in a few years
+extremely profitable to me.
+
+I perceive that I am apt to speak in the singular number, though our
+partnership still continu'd; the reason may be that, in fact, the whole
+management of the business lay upon me.  Meredith was no compositor, a
+poor pressman, and seldom sober.  My friends lamented my connection
+with him, but I was to make the best of it.
+
+Our first papers made a quite different appearance from any before in
+the province; a better type, and better printed; but some spirited
+remarks of my writing, on the dispute then going on between Governor
+Burnet and the Massachusetts Assembly, struck the principal people,
+occasioned the paper and the manager of it to be much talk'd of, and in
+a few weeks brought them all to be our subscribers.
+
+Their example was follow'd by many, and our number went on growing
+continually.  This was one of the first good effects of my having
+learnt a little to scribble; another was, that the leading men, seeing
+a newspaper now in the hands of one who could also handle a pen,
+thought it convenient to oblige and encourage me.  Bradford still
+printed the votes, and laws, and other publick business.  He had
+printed an address of the House to the governor, in a coarse,
+blundering manner, we reprinted it elegantly and correctly, and sent
+one to every member.  They were sensible of the difference: it
+strengthened the hands of our friends in the House, and they voted us
+their printers for the year ensuing.
+
+Among my friends in the House I must not forget Mr. Hamilton, before
+mentioned, who was then returned from England, and had a seat in it.
+He interested himself for me strongly in that instance, as he did in
+many others afterward, continuing his patronage till his death.[6]
+
+     [6] I got his son once L500.--[Marg. note.]
+
+Mr. Vernon, about this time, put me in mind of the debt I ow'd him, but
+did not press me.  I wrote him an ingenuous letter of acknowledgment,
+crav'd his forbearance a little longer, which he allow'd me, and as
+soon as I was able, I paid the principal with interest, and many
+thanks; so that erratum was in some degree corrected.
+
+But now another difficulty came upon me which I had never the least
+reason to expect.  Mr. Meredith's father, who was to have paid for our
+printing-house, according to the expectations given me, was able to
+advance only one hundred pounds currency, which had been paid; and a
+hundred more was due to the merchant, who grew impatient, and su'd us
+all.  We gave bail, but saw that, if the money could not be rais'd in
+time, the suit must soon come to a judgment and execution, and our
+hopeful prospects must, with us, be ruined, as the press and letters
+must be sold for payment, perhaps at half price.
+
+In this distress two true friends, whose kindness I have never
+forgotten, nor ever shall forget while I can remember any thing, came
+to me separately, unknown to each other, and, without any application
+from me, offering each of them to advance me all the money that should
+be necessary to enable me to take the whole business upon myself, if
+that should be practicable; but they did not like my continuing the
+partnership with Meredith, who, as they said, was often seen drunk in
+the streets, and playing at low games in alehouses, much to our
+discredit.  These two friends were William Coleman and Robert Grace.  I
+told them I could not propose a separation while any prospect remain'd
+of the Merediths' fulfilling their part of our agreement, because I
+thought myself under great obligations to them for what they had done,
+and would do if they could; but, if they finally fail'd in their
+performance, and our partnership must be dissolv'd, I should then think
+myself at liberty to accept the assistance of my friends.
+
+Thus the matter rested for some time, when I said to my partner,
+"Perhaps your father is dissatisfied at the part you have undertaken in
+this affair of ours, and is unwilling to advance for you and me what he
+would for you alone.  If that is the case, tell me, and I will resign
+the whole to you, and go about my business." "No," said he, "my father
+has really been disappointed, and is really unable; and I am unwilling
+to distress him farther.  I see this is a business I am not fit for.  I
+was bred a farmer, and it was a folly in me to come to town, and put
+myself, at thirty years of age, an apprentice to learn a new trade.
+Many of our Welsh people are going to settle in North Carolina, where
+land is cheap.  I am inclin'd to go with them, and follow my old
+employment.  You may find friends to assist you.  If you will take the
+debts of the company upon you; return to my father the hundred pound he
+has advanced; pay my little personal debts, and give me thirty pounds
+and a new saddle, I will relinquish the partnership, and leave the
+whole in your hands."  I agreed to this proposal: it was drawn up in
+writing, sign'd, and seal'd immediately.  I gave him what he demanded,
+and he went soon after to Carolina, from whence he sent me next year
+two long letters, containing the best account that had been given of
+that country, the climate, the soil, husbandry, etc., for in those
+matters he was very judicious.  I printed them in the papers, and they
+gave great satisfaction to the publick.
+
+As soon as he was gone, I recurr'd to my two friends; and because I
+would not give an unkind preference to either, I took half of what each
+had offered and I wanted of one, and half of the other; paid off the
+company's debts, and went on with the business in my own name,
+advertising that the partnership was dissolved.  I think this was in or
+about the year 1729.
+
+About this time there was a cry among the people for more paper money,
+only fifteen thousand pounds being extant in the province, and that
+soon to be sunk.  The wealthy inhabitants oppos'd any addition, being
+against all paper currency, from an apprehension that it would
+depreciate, as it had done in New England, to the prejudice of all
+creditors.  We had discuss'd this point in our Junto, where I was on
+the side of an addition, being persuaded that the first small sum
+struck in 1723 had done much good by increasing the trade, employment,
+and number of inhabitants in the province, since I now saw all the old
+houses inhabited, and many new ones building; whereas I remembered
+well, that when I first walk'd about the streets of Philadelphia,
+eating my roll, I saw most of the houses in Walnut-street, between
+Second and Front streets, with bills on their doors, "To be let"; and
+many likewise in Chestnut-street and other streets, which made me then
+think the inhabitants of the city were deserting it one after another.
+
+Our debates possess'd me so fully of the subject, that I wrote and
+printed an anonymous pamphlet on it, entitled "The Nature and Necessity
+of a Paper Currency."  It was well receiv'd by the common people in
+general; but the rich men dislik'd it, for it increas'd and
+strengthen'd the clamor for more money, and they happening to have no
+writers among them that were able to answer it, their opposition
+slacken'd, and the point was carried by a majority in the House.  My
+friends there, who conceiv'd I had been of some service, thought fit to
+reward me by employing me in printing the money; a very profitable jobb
+and a great help to me.  This was another advantage gain'd by my being
+able to write.
+
+The utility of this currency became by time and experience so evident
+as never afterwards to be much disputed; so that it grew soon to
+fifty-five thousand pounds, and in 1739 to eighty thousand pounds,
+since which it arose during war to upwards of three hundred and fifty
+thousand pounds, trade, building, and inhabitants all the while
+increasing, till I now think there are limits beyond which the quantity
+may be hurtful.
+
+I soon after obtain'd, thro' my friend Hamilton, the printing of the
+Newcastle paper money, another profitable jobb as I then thought it;
+small things appearing great to those in small circumstances; and
+these, to me, were really great advantages, as they were great
+encouragements.  He procured for me, also, the printing of the laws and
+votes of that government, which continu'd in my hands as long as I
+follow'd the business.
+
+I now open'd a little stationer's shop.  I had in it blanks of all
+sorts, the correctest that ever appear'd among us, being assisted in
+that by my friend Breintnal.  I had also paper, parchment, chapmen's
+books, etc.  One Whitemash, a compositor I had known in London, an
+excellent workman, now came to me, and work'd with me constantly and
+diligently; and I took an apprentice, the son of Aquila Rose.
+
+I began now gradually to pay off the debt I was under for the
+printing-house. In order to secure my credit and character as a
+tradesman, I took care not only to be in reality industrious and
+frugal, but to avoid all appearances to the contrary.  I drest plainly;
+I was seen at no places of idle diversion.  I never went out a fishing
+or shooting; a book, indeed, sometimes debauch'd me from my work, but
+that was seldom, snug, and gave no scandal; and, to show that I was not
+above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper I purchas'd at
+the stores thro' the streets on a wheelbarrow.  Thus being esteem'd an
+industrious, thriving young man, and paying duly for what I bought, the
+merchants who imported stationery solicited my custom; others proposed
+supplying me with books, and I went on swimmingly.  In the mean time,
+Keimer's credit and business declining daily, he was at last forc'd to
+sell his printing house to satisfy his creditors.  He went to
+Barbadoes, and there lived some years in very poor circumstances.
+
+His apprentice, David Harry, whom I had instructed while I work'd with
+him, set up in his place at Philadelphia, having bought his materials.
+I was at first apprehensive of a powerful rival in Harry, as his
+friends were very able, and had a good deal of interest.  I therefore
+propos'd a partner-ship to him which he, fortunately for me, rejected
+with scorn.  He was very proud, dress'd like a gentleman, liv'd
+expensively, took much diversion and pleasure abroad, ran in debt, and
+neglected his business; upon which, all business left him; and, finding
+nothing to do, he followed Keimer to Barbadoes, taking the
+printing-house with him.  There this apprentice employ'd his former
+master as a journeyman; they quarrel'd often; Harry went continually
+behindhand, and at length was forc'd to sell his types and return to
+his country work in Pensilvania.  The person that bought them employ'd
+Keimer to use them, but in a few years he died.
+
+There remained now no competitor with me at Philadelphia but the old
+one, Bradford; who was rich and easy, did a little printing now and
+then by straggling hands, but was not very anxious about the business.
+However, as he kept the post-office, it was imagined he had better
+opportunities of obtaining news; his paper was thought a better
+distributer of advertisements than mine, and therefore had many, more,
+which was a profitable thing to him, and a disadvantage to me; for,
+tho' I did indeed receive and send papers by the post, yet the publick
+opinion was otherwise, for what I did send was by bribing the riders,
+who took them privately, Bradford being unkind enough to forbid it,
+which occasion'd some resentment on my part; and I thought so meanly of
+him for it, that, when I afterward came into his situation, I took care
+never to imitate it.
+
+I had hitherto continu'd to board with Godfrey, who lived in part of my
+house with his wife and children, and had one side of the shop for his
+glazier's business, tho' he worked little, being always absorbed in his
+mathematics.  Mrs. Godfrey projected a match for me with a relation's
+daughter, took opportunities of bringing us often together, till a
+serious courtship on my part ensu'd, the girl being in herself very
+deserving.  The old folks encourag'd me by continual invitations to
+supper, and by leaving us together, till at length it was time to
+explain.  Mrs. Godfrey manag'd our little treaty.  I let her know that
+I expected as much money with their daughter as would pay off my
+remaining debt for the printing-house, which I believe was not then
+above a hundred pounds.  She brought me word they had no such sum to
+spare; I said they might mortgage their house in the loan-office. The
+answer to this, after some days, was, that they did not approve the
+match; that, on inquiry of Bradford, they had been inform'd the
+printing business was not a profitable one; the types would soon be
+worn out, and more wanted; that S. Keimer and D. Harry had failed one
+after the other, and I should probably soon follow them; and,
+therefore, I was forbidden the house, and the daughter shut up.
+
+Whether this was a real change of sentiment or only artifice, on a
+supposition of our being too far engaged in affection to retract, and
+therefore that we should steal a marriage, which would leave them at
+liberty to give or withhold what they pleas'd, I know not; but I
+suspected the latter, resented it, and went no more.  Mrs. Godfrey
+brought me afterward some more favorable accounts of their disposition,
+and would have drawn me on again; but I declared absolutely my
+resolution to have nothing more to do with that family.  This was
+resented by the Godfreys; we differ'd, and they removed, leaving me the
+whole house, and I resolved to take no more inmates.
+
+But this affair having turned my thoughts to marriage, I look'd round
+me and made overtures of acquaintance in other places; but soon found
+that, the business of a printer being generally thought a poor one, I
+was not to expect money with a wife, unless with such a one as I should
+not otherwise think agreeable.  In the mean time, that
+hard-to-be-governed passion of youth hurried me frequently into
+intrigues with low women that fell in my way, which were attended with
+some expense and great inconvenience, besides a continual risque to my
+health by a distemper which of all things I dreaded, though by great
+good luck I escaped it.  A friendly correspondence as neighbors and old
+acquaintances had continued between me and Mrs. Read's family, who all
+had a regard for me from the time of my first lodging in their house.
+I was often invited there and consulted in their affairs, wherein I
+sometimes was of service.  I piti'd poor Miss Read's unfortunate
+situation, who was generally dejected, seldom cheerful, and avoided
+company.  I considered my giddiness and inconstancy when in London as
+in a great degree the cause of her unhappiness, tho' the mother was
+good enough to think the fault more her own than mine, as she had
+prevented our marrying before I went thither, and persuaded the other
+match in my absence.  Our mutual affection was revived, but there were
+now great objections to our union.  The match was indeed looked upon as
+invalid, a preceding wife being said to be living in England; but this
+could not easily be prov'd, because of the distance; and, tho' there
+was a report of his death, it was not certain.  Then, tho' it should be
+true, he had left many debts, which his successor might be call'd upon
+to pay.  We ventured, however, over all these difficulties, and I took
+her to wife, September 1st, 1730.  None of the inconveniences happened
+that we had apprehended, she proved a good and faithful helpmate,
+assisted me much by attending the shop; we throve together, and have
+ever mutually endeavored to make each other happy.  Thus I corrected
+that great erratum as well as I could.
+
+About this time, our club meeting, not at a tavern, but in a little
+room of Mr. Grace's, set apart for that purpose, a proposition was made
+by me, that, since our books were often referr'd to in our
+disquisitions upon the queries, it might be convenient to us to have
+them altogether where we met, that upon occasion they might be
+consulted; and by thus clubbing our books to a common library, we
+should, while we lik'd to keep them together, have each of us the
+advantage of using the books of all the other members, which would be
+nearly as beneficial as if each owned the whole.  It was lik'd and
+agreed to, and we fill'd one end of the room with such books as we
+could best spare.  The number was not so great as we expected; and tho'
+they had been of great use, yet some inconveniences occurring for want
+of due care of them, the collection, after about a year, was separated,
+and each took his books home again
+
+And now I set on foot my first project of a public nature, that for a
+subscription library.  I drew up the proposals, got them put into form
+by our great scrivener, Brockden, and, by the help of my friends in the
+Junto, procured fifty subscribers of forty shillings each to begin
+with, and ten shillings a year for fifty years, the term our company
+was to continue.  We afterwards obtain'd a charter, the company being
+increased to one hundred:  this was the mother of all the North
+American subscription libraries, now so numerous.  It is become a great
+thing itself, and continually increasing.  These libraries have
+improved the general conversation of the Americans, made the common
+tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other
+countries, and perhaps have contributed in some degree to the stand so
+generally made throughout the colonies in defense of their privileges.
+
+Memo.  Thus far was written with the intention express'd in the
+beginning and therefore contains several little family anecdotes of no
+importance to others.  What follows was written many years after in
+compliance with the advice contain'd in these letters, and accordingly
+intended for the public.  The affairs of the Revolution occasion'd the
+interruption.
+
+     Letter from Mr. Abel James, with Notes of my Life
+                    (received in Paris).
+
+"MY DEAR AND HONORED FRIEND:  I have often been desirous of writing to
+thee, but could not be reconciled to the thought that the letter might
+fall into the hands of the British, lest some printer or busy-body
+should publish some part of the contents, and give our friend pain, and
+myself censure.
+
+"Some time since there fell into my hands, to my great joy, about
+twenty-three sheets in thy own handwriting, containing an account of
+the parentage and life of thyself, directed to thy son, ending in the
+year 1730, with which there were notes, likewise in thy writing; a copy
+of which I inclose, in hopes it may be a means, if thou continued it up
+to a later period, that the first and latter part may be put together;
+and if it is not yet continued, I hope thee will not delay it.  Life is
+uncertain, as the preacher tells us; and what will the world say if
+kind, humane, and benevolent Ben.  Franklin should leave his friends
+and the world deprived of so pleasing and profitable a work; a work
+which would be useful and entertaining not only to a few, but to
+millions?  The influence writings under that class have on the minds of
+youth is very great, and has nowhere appeared to me so plain, as in our
+public friend's journals.  It almost insensibly leads the youth into
+the resolution of endeavoring to become as good and eminent as the
+journalist.  Should thine, for instance, when published (and I think it
+could not fail of it), lead the youth to equal the industry and
+temperance of thy early youth, what a blessing with that class would
+such a work be!  I know of no character living, nor many of them put
+together, who has so much in his power as thyself to promote a greater
+spirit of industry and early attention to business, frugality, and
+temperance with the American youth.  Not that I think the work would
+have no other merit and use in the world, far from it; but the first is
+of such vast importance that I know nothing that can equal it."
+
+
+The foregoing letter and the minutes accompanying it being shown to a
+friend, I received from him the following:
+
+     Letter from Mr. Benjamin Vaughan.
+                                 "PARIS, January 31, 1783.
+
+"My DEAREST SIR:  When I had read over your sheets of minutes of the
+principal incidents of your life, recovered for you by your Quaker
+acquaintance, I told you I would send you a letter expressing my
+reasons why I thought it would be useful to complete and publish it as
+he desired.  Various concerns have for some time past prevented this
+letter being written, and I do not know whether it was worth any
+expectation; happening to be at leisure, however, at present, I shall
+by writing, at least interest and instruct myself; but as the terms I
+am inclined to use may tend to offend a person of your manners, I shall
+only tell you how I would address any other person, who was as good and
+as great as yourself, but less diffident.  I would say to him, Sir, I
+solicit the history of your life from the following motives:  Your
+history is so remarkable, that if you do not give it, somebody else
+will certainly give it; and perhaps so as nearly to do as much harm, as
+your own management of the thing might do good.  It will moreover
+present a table of the internal circumstances of your country, which
+will very much tend to invite to it settlers of virtuous and manly
+minds.  And considering the eagerness with which such information is
+sought by them, and the extent of your reputation, I do not know of a
+more efficacious advertisement than your biography would give.  All
+that has happened to you is also connected with the detail of the
+manners and situation of a rising people; and in this respect I do not
+think that the writings of Caesar and Tacitus can be more interesting
+to a true judge of human nature and society.  But these, sir, are small
+reasons, in my opinion, compared with the chance which your life will
+give for the forming of future great men; and in conjunction with your
+Art of Virtue (which you design to publish) of improving the features
+of private character, and consequently of aiding all happiness, both
+public and domestic.  The two works I allude to, sir, will in
+particular give a noble rule and example of self-education. School and
+other education constantly proceed upon false principles, and show a
+clumsy apparatus pointed at a false mark; but your apparatus is simple,
+and the mark a true one; and while parents and young persons are left
+destitute of other just means of estimating and becoming prepared for a
+reasonable course in life, your discovery that the thing is in many a
+man's private power, will be invaluable!  Influence upon the private
+character, late in life, is not only an influence late in life, but a
+weak influence.  It is in youth that we plant our chief habits and
+prejudices; it is in youth that we take our party as to profession,
+pursuits and matrimony.  In youth, therefore, the turn is given; in
+youth the education even of the next generation is given; in youth the
+private and public character is determined; and the term of life
+extending but from youth to age, life ought to begin well from youth,
+and more especially before we take our party as to our principal
+objects.  But your biography will not merely teach self-education, but
+the education of a wise man; and the wisest man will receive lights and
+improve his progress, by seeing detailed the conduct of another wise
+man.  And why are weaker men to be deprived of such helps, when we see
+our race has been blundering on in the dark, almost without a guide in
+this particular, from the farthest trace of time?  Show then, sir, how
+much is to be done, both to sons and fathers; and invite all wise men
+to become like yourself, and other men to become wise.  When we see how
+cruel statesmen and warriors can be to the human race, and how absurd
+distinguished men can be to their acquaintance, it will be instructive
+to observe the instances multiply of pacific, acquiescing manners; and
+to find how compatible it is to be great and domestic, enviable and yet
+good-humored.
+
+"The little private incidents which you will also have to relate, will
+have considerable use, as we want, above all things, rules of prudence
+in ordinary affairs; and it will be curious to see how you have acted
+in these.  It will be so far a sort of key to life, and explain many
+things that all men ought to have once explained to them, to give, them
+a chance of becoming wise by foresight.  The nearest thing to having
+experience of one's own, is to have other people's affairs brought
+before us in a shape that is interesting; this is sure to happen from
+your pen; our affairs and management will have an air of simplicity or
+importance that will not fail to strike; and I am convinced you have
+conducted them with as much originality as if you had been conducting
+discussions in politics or philosophy; and what more worthy of
+experiments and system (its importance and its errors considered) than
+human life?
+
+"Some men have been virtuous blindly, others have speculated
+fantastically, and others have been shrewd to bad purposes; but you,
+sir, I am sure, will give under your hand, nothing but what is at the
+same moment, wise, practical and good, your account of yourself (for I
+suppose the parallel I am drawing for Dr. Franklin, will hold not only
+in point of character, but of private history) will show that you are
+ashamed of no origin; a thing the more important, as you prove how
+little necessary all origin is to happiness, virtue, or greatness.  As
+no end likewise happens without a means, so we shall find, sir, that
+even you yourself framed a plan by which you became considerable; but
+at the same time we may see that though the event is flattering, the
+means are as simple as wisdom could make them; that is, depending upon
+nature, virtue, thought and habit. Another thing demonstrated will be
+the propriety of everyman's waiting for his time for appearing upon the
+stage of the world.  Our sensations being very much fixed to the
+moment, we are apt to forget that more moments are to follow the first,
+and consequently that man should arrange his conduct so as to suit the
+whole of a life.  Your attribution appears to have been applied to your
+life, and the passing moments of it have been enlivened with content
+and enjoyment instead of being tormented with foolish impatience or
+regrets.  Such a conduct is easy for those who make virtue and
+themselves in countenance by examples of other truly great men, of whom
+patience is so often the characteristic.  Your Quaker correspondent,
+sir (for here again I will suppose the subject of my letter resembling
+Dr. Franklin), praised your frugality, diligence and temperance, which
+he considered as a pattern for all youth; but it is singular that he
+should have forgotten your modesty and your disinterestedness, without
+which you never could have waited for your advancement, or found your
+situation in the mean time comfortable; which is a strong lesson to
+show the poverty of glory and the importance of regulating our minds.
+If this correspondent had known the nature of your reputation as well
+as I do, he would have said, Your former writings and measures would
+secure attention to your Biography, and Art of Virtue; and your
+Biography and Art of Virtue, in return, would secure attention to them.
+This is an advantage attendant upon a various character, and which
+brings all that belongs to it into greater play; and it is the more
+useful, as perhaps more persons are at a loss for the means of
+improving their minds and characters, than they are for the time or the
+inclination to do it.  But there is one concluding reflection, sir,
+that will shew the use of your life as a mere piece of biography.  This
+style of writing seems a little gone out of vogue, and yet it is a very
+useful one; and your specimen of it may be particularly serviceable, as
+it will make a subject of comparison with the lives of various public
+cutthroats and intriguers, and with absurd monastic self-tormentors or
+vain literary triflers.  If it encourages more writings of the same
+kind with your own, and induces more men to spend lives fit to be
+written, it will be worth all Plutarch's Lives put together.  But being
+tired of figuring to myself a character of which every feature suits
+only one man in the world, without giving him the praise of it, I shall
+end my letter, my dear Dr. Franklin, with a personal application to
+your proper self.  I am earnestly desirous, then, my dear sir, that you
+should let the world into the traits of your genuine character, as
+civil broils may otherwise tend to disguise or traduce it.  Considering
+your great age, the caution of your character, and your peculiar style
+of thinking, it is not likely that any one besides yourself can be
+sufficiently master of the facts of your life, or the intentions of
+your mind.  Besides all this, the immense revolution of the present
+period, will necessarily turn our attention towards the author of it,
+and when virtuous principles have been pretended in it, it will be
+highly important to shew that such have really influenced; and, as your
+own character will be the principal one to receive a scrutiny, it is
+proper (even for its effects upon your vast and rising country, as well
+as upon England and upon Europe) that it should stand respectable and
+eternal.  For the furtherance of human happiness, I have always
+maintained that it is necessary to prove that man is not even at
+present a vicious and detestable animal; and still more to prove that
+good management may greatly amend him; and it is for much the same
+reason, that I am anxious to see the opinion established, that there
+are fair characters existing among the individuals of the race; for the
+moment that all men, without exception, shall be conceived abandoned,
+good people will cease efforts deemed to be hopeless, and perhaps think
+of taking their share in the scramble of life, or at least of making it
+comfortable principally for themselves.  Take then, my dear sir, this
+work most speedily into hand:  shew yourself good as you are good;
+temperate as you are temperate; and above all things, prove yourself as
+one, who from your infancy have loved justice, liberty and concord, in
+a way that has made it natural and consistent for you to have acted, as
+we have seen you act in the last seventeen years of your life.  Let
+Englishmen be made not only to respect, but even to love you.  When
+they think well of individuals in your native country, they will go
+nearer to thinking well of your country; and when your countrymen see
+themselves well thought of by Englishmen, they will go nearer to
+thinking well of England.  Extend your views even further; do not stop
+at those who speak the English tongue, but after having settled so many
+points in nature and politics, think of bettering the whole race of
+men.  As I have not read any part of the life in question, but know
+only the character that lived it, I write somewhat at hazard.  I am
+sure, however, that the life and the treatise I allude to (on the Art
+of Virtue) will necessarily fulfil the chief of my expectations; and
+still more so if you take up the measure of suiting these performances
+to the several views above stated.  Should they even prove unsuccessful
+in all that a sanguine admirer of yours hopes from them, you will at
+least have framed pieces to interest the human mind; and whoever gives
+a feeling of pleasure that is innocent to man, has added so much to the
+fair side of a life otherwise too much darkened by anxiety and too much
+injured by pain.  In the hope, therefore, that you will listen to the
+prayer addressed to you in this letter, I beg to subscribe myself, my
+dearest sir, etc., etc.,
+
+     "Signed, BENJ. VAUGHAN."
+
+
+
+Continuation of the Account of my Life, begun at Passy, near Paris,
+1784.
+
+It is some time since I receiv'd the above letters, but I have been too
+busy till now to think of complying with the request they contain.  It
+might, too, be much better done if I were at home among my papers,
+which would aid my memory, and help to ascertain dates; but my return
+being uncertain and having just now a little leisure, I will endeavor
+to recollect and write what I can; if I live to get home, it may there
+be corrected and improv'd.
+
+Not having any copy here of what is already written, I know not whether
+an account is given of the means I used to establish the Philadelphia
+public library, which, from a small beginning, is now become so
+considerable, though I remember to have come down to near the time of
+that transaction (1730). I will therefore begin here with an account of
+it, which may be struck out if found to have been already given.
+
+At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good
+bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.
+In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold
+only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books.
+Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from
+England; the members of the Junto had each a few.  We had left the
+alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.  I
+propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where
+they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become
+a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he
+wish'd to read at home.  This was accordingly done, and for some time
+contented us.
+
+Finding the advantage of this little collection, I propos'd to render
+the benefit from books more common, by commencing a public subscription
+library.  I drew a sketch of the plan and rules that would be
+necessary, and got a skilful conveyancer, Mr. Charles Brockden, to put
+the whole in form of articles of agreement to be subscribed, by which
+each subscriber engag'd to pay a certain sum down for the first
+purchase of books, and an annual contribution for increasing them.  So
+few were the readers at that time in Philadelphia, and the majority of
+us so poor, that I was not able, with great industry, to find more than
+fifty persons, mostly young tradesmen, willing to pay down for this
+purpose forty shillings each, and ten shillings per annum.  On this
+little fund we began.  The books were imported; the library was opened
+one day in the week for lending to the subscribers, on their promissory
+notes to pay double the value if not duly returned.  The institution
+soon manifested its utility, was imitated by other towns, and in other
+provinces.  The libraries were augmented by donations; reading became
+fashionable; and our people, having no publick amusements to divert
+their attention from study, became better acquainted with books, and in
+a few years were observ'd by strangers to be better instructed and more
+intelligent than people of the same rank generally are in other
+countries.
+
+When we were about to sign the above-mentioned articles, which were to
+be binding upon us, our heirs, etc., for fifty years, Mr. Brockden, the
+scrivener, said to us, "You are young men, but it is scarcely probable
+that any of you will live to see the expiration of the term fix'd in
+the instrument."  A number of us, however, are yet living; but the
+instrument was after a few years rendered null by a charter that
+incorporated and gave perpetuity to the company.
+
+The objections and reluctances I met with in soliciting the
+subscriptions, made me soon feel the impropriety of presenting one's
+self as the proposer of any useful project, that might be suppos'd to
+raise one's reputation in the smallest degree above that of one's
+neighbors, when one has need of their assistance to accomplish that
+project.  I therefore put myself as much as I could out of sight, and
+stated it as a scheme of a number of friends, who had requested me to
+go about and propose it to such as they thought lovers of reading.  In
+this way my affair went on more smoothly, and I ever after practis'd it
+on such occasions; and, from my frequent successes, can heartily
+recommend it.  The present little sacrifice of your vanity will
+afterwards be amply repaid.  If it remains a while uncertain to whom
+the merit belongs, some one more vain than yourself will be encouraged
+to claim it, and then even envy will be disposed to do you justice by
+plucking those assumed feathers, and restoring them to their right
+owner.
+
+This library afforded me the means of improvement by constant study,
+for which I set apart an hour or two each day, and thus repair'd in
+some degree the loss of the learned education my father once intended
+for me.  Reading was the only amusement I allow'd myself.  I spent no
+time in taverns, games, or frolicks of any kind; and my industry in my
+business continu'd as indefatigable as it was necessary.  I was
+indebted for my printing-house; I had a young family coming on to be
+educated, and I had to contend with for business two printers, who were
+established in the place before me.  My circumstances, however, grew
+daily easier.  My original habits of frugality continuing, and my
+father having, among his instructions to me when a boy, frequently
+repeated a proverb of Solomon, "Seest thou a man diligent in his
+calling, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean
+men," I from thence considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth
+and distinction, which encourag'd me, tho' I did not think that I
+should ever literally stand before kings, which, however, has since
+happened; for I have stood before five, and even had the honor of
+sitting down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner.
+
+We have an English proverb that says, "He that would thrive, must ask
+his wife."  It was lucky for me that I had one as much dispos'd to
+industry and frugality as myself.  She assisted me cheerfully in my
+business, folding and stitching pamphlets, tending shop, purchasing old
+linen rags for the papermakers, etc., etc.  We kept no idle servants,
+our table was plain and simple, our furniture of the cheapest.  For
+instance, my breakfast was a long time bread and milk (no tea), and I
+ate it out of a twopenny earthen porringer, with a pewter spoon.  But
+mark how luxury will enter families, and make a progress, in spite of
+principle:  being call'd one morning to breakfast, I found it in a
+China bowl, with a spoon of silver!  They had been bought for me
+without my knowledge by my wife, and had cost her the enormous sum of
+three-and-twenty shillings, for which she had no other excuse or
+apology to make, but that she thought her husband deserv'd a silver
+spoon and China bowl as well as any of his neighbors.  This was the
+first appearance of plate and China in our house, which afterward, in a
+course of years, as our wealth increas'd, augmented gradually to
+several hundred pounds in value.
+
+I had been religiously educated as a Presbyterian; and tho' some of the
+dogmas of that persuasion, such as the eternal decrees of God,
+election, reprobation, etc., appeared to me unintelligible, others
+doubtful, and I early absented myself from the public assemblies of the
+sect, Sunday being my studying day, I never was without some religious
+principles.  I never doubted, for instance, the existence of the Deity;
+that he made the world, and govern'd it by his Providence; that the
+most acceptable service of God was the doing good to man; that our
+souls are immortal; and that all crime will be punished, and virtue
+rewarded, either here or hereafter.  These I esteem'd the essentials of
+every religion; and, being to be found in all the religions we had in
+our country, I respected them all, tho' with different degrees of
+respect, as I found them more or less mix'd with other articles, which,
+without any tendency to inspire, promote, or confirm morality, serv'd
+principally to divide us, and make us unfriendly to one another.  This
+respect to all, with an opinion that the worst had some good effects,
+induc'd me to avoid all discourse that might tend to lessen the good
+opinion another might have of his own religion; and as our province
+increas'd in people, and new places of worship were continually wanted,
+and generally erected by voluntary contributions, my mite for such
+purpose, whatever might be the sect, was never refused.
+
+Tho' I seldom attended any public worship, I had still an opinion of
+its propriety, and of its utility when rightly conducted, and I
+regularly paid my annual subscription for the support of the only
+Presbyterian minister or meeting we had in Philadelphia.  He us'd to
+visit me sometimes as a friend, and admonish me to attend his
+administrations, and I was now and then prevail'd on to do so, once for
+five Sundays successively.  Had he been in my opinion a good preacher,
+perhaps I might have continued, notwithstanding the occasion I had for
+the Sunday's leisure in my course of study; but his discourses were
+chiefly either polemic arguments, or explications of the peculiar
+doctrines of our sect, and were all to me very dry, uninteresting, and
+unedifying, since not a single moral principle was inculcated or
+enforc'd, their aim seeming to be rather to make us Presbyterians than
+good citizens.
+
+At length he took for his text that verse of the fourth chapter of
+Philippians, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest,
+just, pure, lovely, or of good report, if there be any virtue, or any
+praise, think on these things."  And I imagin'd, in a sermon on such a
+text, we could not miss of having some morality.  But he confin'd
+himself to five points only, as meant by the apostle, viz.: 1.  Keeping
+holy the Sabbath day.  2.  Being diligent in reading the holy
+Scriptures.  3.  Attending duly the publick worship.  4.  Partaking of
+the Sacrament.  5.  Paying a due respect to God's ministers.  These
+might be all good things; but, as they were not the kind of good things
+that I expected from that text, I despaired of ever meeting with them
+from any other, was disgusted, and attended his preaching no more.  I
+had some years before compos'd a little Liturgy, or form of prayer, for
+my own private use (viz., in 1728), entitled, Articles of Belief and
+Acts of Religion.  I return'd to the use of this, and went no more to
+the public assemblies.  My conduct might be blameable, but I leave it,
+without attempting further to excuse it; my present purpose being to
+relate facts, and not to make apologies for them.
+
+It was about this time I conceiv'd the bold and arduous project of
+arriving at moral perfection.  I wish'd to live without committing any
+fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination,
+custom, or company might lead me into.  As I knew, or thought I knew,
+what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the
+one and avoid the other.  But I soon found I had undertaken a task of
+more difficulty than I had imagined.  While my care was employ'd in
+guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit
+took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong
+for reason.  I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative
+conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous, was not
+sufficient to prevent our slipping; and that the contrary habits must
+be broken, and good ones acquired and established, before we can have
+any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct.  For this
+purpose I therefore contrived the following method.
+
+In the various enumerations of the moral virtues I had met with in my
+reading, I found the catalogue more or less numerous, as different
+writers included more or fewer ideas under the same name.  Temperance,
+for example, was by some confined to eating and drinking, while by
+others it was extended to mean the moderating every other pleasure,
+appetite, inclination, or passion, bodily or mental, even to our
+avarice and ambition.  I propos'd to myself, for the sake of clearness,
+to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annex'd to each, than a few
+names with more ideas; and I included under thirteen names of virtues
+all that at that time occurr'd to me as necessary or desirable, and
+annexed to each a short precept, which fully express'd the extent I
+gave to its meaning.
+
+These names of virtues, with their precepts, were:
+
+1.  TEMPERANCE.  Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
+
+2.  SILENCE.  Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid
+trifling conversation.
+
+3.  ORDER.  Let all your things have their places; let each part of
+your business have its time.
+
+4.  RESOLUTION.  Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without
+fail what you resolve.
+
+5.  FRUGALITY.  Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself;
+i.e., waste nothing.
+
+6.  INDUSTRY.  Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful;
+cut off all unnecessary actions.
+
+7.  SINCERITY.  Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly,
+and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
+
+8.  JUSTICE.  Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits
+that are your duty.
+
+9.  MODERATION.  Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as
+you think they deserve.
+
+10.  CLEANLINESS.  Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or
+habitation.
+
+11.  TRANQUILLITY.  Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common
+or unavoidable.
+
+12.  CHASTITY.  Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to
+dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or
+reputation.
+
+13.  HUMILITY.  Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
+
+My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, I
+judg'd it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the
+whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time; and, when I
+should be master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on, till I
+should have gone thro' the thirteen; and, as the previous acquisition
+of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain others, I arrang'd
+them with that view, as they stand above.  Temperance first, as it
+tends to procure that coolness and clearness of head, which is so
+necessary where constant vigilance was to be kept up, and guard
+maintained against the unremitting attraction of ancient habits, and
+the force of perpetual temptations.  This being acquir'd and
+establish'd, Silence would be more easy; and my desire being to gain
+knowledge at the same time that I improv'd in virtue, and considering
+that in conversation it was obtain'd rather by the use of the ears than
+of the tongue, and therefore wishing to break a habit I was getting
+into of prattling, punning, and joking, which only made me acceptable
+to trifling company, I gave Silence the second place.  This and the
+next, Order, I expected would allow me more time for attending to my
+project and my studies.  Resolution, once become habitual, would keep
+me firm in my endeavors to obtain all the subsequent virtues; Frugality
+and Industry freeing me from my remaining debt, and producing affluence
+and independence, would make more easy the practice of Sincerity and
+Justice, etc., etc.  Conceiving then, that, agreeably to the advice of
+Pythagoras in his Golden Verses, daily examination would be necessary,
+I contrived the following method for conducting that examination.
+
+I made a little book, in which I allotted a page for each of the
+virtues.  I rul'd each page with red ink, so as to have seven columns,
+one for each day of the week, marking each column with a letter for the
+day.  I cross'd these columns with thirteen red lines, marking the
+beginning of each line with the first letter of one of the virtues, on
+which line, and in its proper column, I might mark, by a little black
+spot, every fault I found upon examination to have been committed
+respecting that virtue upon that day.
+
+Form of the pages.
+
+           +-------------------------------+
+
+           |              TEMPERANCE.      |
+
+           |       EAT NOT TO DULNESS;     |
+
+           |     DRINK NOT TO ELEVATION.   |
+
+           |   | S.| M.| T.| W.| T.| F.| S.|
+
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+
+           | T.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+
+           | S.| * | * |   | * |   | * |   |
+
+           | O.| **| * | * |   | * | * | * |
+
+           | R.|   |   | * |   |   | * |   |
+
+           | F.|   | * |   |   | * |   |   |
+
+           | I.|   |   | * |   |   |   |   |
+
+           | S.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+
+           | J.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+
+           | M.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+
+           | C.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+
+           | T.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+
+           | C.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+
+           | H.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+
+I determined to give a week's strict attention to each of the virtues
+successively.  Thus, in the first week, my great guard was to avoid
+every the least offence against Temperance, leaving the other virtues
+to their ordinary chance, only marking every evening the faults of the
+day.  Thus, if in the first week I could keep my first line, marked T,
+clear of spots, I suppos'd the habit of that virtue so much
+strengthen'd and its opposite weaken'd, that I might venture extending
+my attention to include the next, and for the following week keep both
+lines clear of spots.  Proceeding thus to the last, I could go thro' a
+course compleat in thirteen weeks, and four courses in a year.  And
+like him who, having a garden to weed, does not attempt to eradicate
+all the bad herbs at once, which would exceed his reach and his
+strength, but works on one of the beds at a time, and, having
+accomplish'd the first, proceeds to a second, so I should have, I
+hoped, the encouraging pleasure of seeing on my pages the progress I
+made in virtue, by clearing successively my lines of their spots, till
+in the end, by a number of courses, I should be happy in viewing a
+clean book, after a thirteen weeks' daily examination.
+
+This my little book had for its motto these lines from Addison's Cato:
+
+          "Here will I hold.  If there's a power above us
+          (And that there is all nature cries aloud
+          Thro' all her works), He must delight in virtue;
+          And that which he delights in must be happy."
+
+Another from Cicero,
+
+          "O vitae Philosophia dux! O virtutum indagatrix
+          expultrixque vitiorum! Unus dies, bene et ex praeceptis
+          tuis actus, peccanti immortalitati est anteponendus."
+
+Another from the Proverbs of Solomon, speaking of wisdom or virtue:
+
+          "Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand
+          riches and honour.  Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
+          and all her paths are peace." iii. 16, 17.
+
+And conceiving God to be the fountain of wisdom, I thought it right and
+necessary to solicit his assistance for obtaining it; to this end I
+formed the following little prayer, which was prefix'd to my tables of
+examination, for daily use.
+
+"O powerful Goodness! bountiful Father! merciful Guide! increase in me
+that wisdom which discovers my truest interest! strengthen my
+resolutions to perform what that wisdom dictates.  Accept my kind
+offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy
+continual favors to me."
+
+I used also sometimes a little prayer which I took from Thomson's
+Poems, viz.:
+
+          "Father of light and life, thou Good Supreme!
+          O teach me what is good; teach me Thyself!
+          Save me from folly, vanity, and vice,
+          From every low pursuit; and fill my soul
+          With knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure;
+          Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss!"
+
+The precept of Order requiring that every part of my business should
+have its allotted time, one page in my little book contain'd the
+following scheme of employment for the twenty-four hours of a natural
+day:
+
+       THE MORNING.            {  5 } Rise, wash, and address
+                               {    } Powerful Goodness!  Contrive
+  Question.  What good  shall  {  6 } day's business, and take the
+  I do this day?               {    } resolution of the day; prosecute
+                               {  7 } the present study, and
+                               {    } breakfast.
+                                  8 }
+                                  9 } Work.
+                                 10 }
+                                 11 }
+
+       NOON.                   { 12 } Read, or overlook my
+                               {  1 } accounts, and dine.
+                                  2 }
+                                  3 } Work.
+                                  4 }
+                                  5 }
+
+       EVENING.                {  6 } Put things in their places.
+                               {  7 } Supper.  Music or diversion,
+  Question.  What good have    {  8 } or conversation.  Examination
+  I done to-day?               {  9 } of the day.
+                               { 10 }
+                               { 11 }
+                               { 12 }
+
+       NIGHT.                  {  1 } Sleep.
+                               {  2 }
+                               {  3 }
+                               {  4 }
+
+I enter'd upon the execution of this plan for self-examination, and
+continu'd it with occasional intermissions for some time.  I was
+surpris'd to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined;
+but I had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish.  To avoid the
+trouble of renewing now and then my little book, which, by scraping out
+the marks on the paper of old faults to make room for new ones in a new
+course, became full of holes, I transferr'd my tables and precepts to
+the ivory leaves of a memorandum book, on which the lines were drawn
+with red ink, that made a durable stain, and on those lines I mark'd my
+faults with a black-lead pencil, which marks I could easily wipe out
+with a wet sponge.  After a while I went thro' one course only in a
+year, and afterward only one in several years, till at length I omitted
+them entirely, being employ'd in voyages and business abroad, with a
+multiplicity of affairs that interfered; but I always carried my little
+book with me.
+
+My scheme of ORDER gave me the most trouble; and I found that, tho' it
+might be practicable where a man's business was such as to leave him
+the disposition of his time, that of a journeyman printer, for
+instance, it was not possible to be exactly observed by a master, who
+must mix with the world, and often receive people of business at their
+own hours.  Order, too, with regard to places for things, papers, etc.,
+I found extreamly difficult to acquire.  I had not been early
+accustomed to it, and, having an exceeding good memory, I was not so
+sensible of the inconvenience attending want of method.  This article,
+therefore, cost me so much painful attention, and my faults in it vexed
+me so much, and I made so little progress in amendment, and had such
+frequent relapses, that I was almost ready to give up the attempt, and
+content myself with a faulty character in that respect, like the man
+who, in buying an ax of a smith, my neighbour, desired to have the
+whole of its surface as bright as the edge.  The smith consented to
+grind it bright for him if he would turn the wheel; he turn'd, while
+the smith press'd the broad face of the ax hard and heavily on the
+stone, which made the turning of it very fatiguing.  The man came every
+now and then from the wheel to see how the work went on, and at length
+would take his ax as it was, without farther grinding.  "No," said the
+smith, "turn on, turn on; we shall have it bright by-and-by; as yet, it
+is only speckled." "Yes," said the man, "but I think I like a speckled
+ax best." And I believe this may have been the case with many, who,
+having, for want of some such means as I employ'd, found the difficulty
+of obtaining good and breaking bad habits in other points of vice and
+virtue, have given up the struggle, and concluded that "a speckled ax
+was best"; for something, that pretended to be reason, was every now
+and then suggesting to me that such extream nicety as I exacted of
+myself might be a kind of foppery in morals, which, if it were known,
+would make me ridiculous; that a perfect character might be attended
+with the inconvenience of being envied and hated; and that a benevolent
+man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in
+countenance.
+
+In truth, I found myself incorrigible with respect to Order; and now I
+am grown old, and my memory bad, I feel very sensibly the want of it.
+But, on the whole, tho' I never arrived at the perfection I had been so
+ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the
+endeavour, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been
+if I had not attempted it; as those who aim at perfect writing by
+imitating the engraved copies, tho' they never reach the wish'd-for
+excellence of those copies, their hand is mended by the endeavor, and
+is tolerable while it continues fair and legible.
+
+It may be well my posterity should be informed that to this little
+artifice, with the blessing of God, their ancestor ow'd the constant
+felicity of his life, down to his 79th year, in which this is written.
+What reverses may attend the remainder is in the hand of Providence;
+but, if they arrive, the reflection on past happiness enjoy'd ought to
+help his bearing them with more resignation.  To Temperance he ascribes
+his long-continued health, and what is still left to him of a good
+constitution; to Industry and Frugality, the early easiness of his
+circumstances and acquisition of his fortune, with all that knowledge
+that enabled him to be a useful citizen, and obtained for him some
+degree of reputation among the learned; to Sincerity and Justice, the
+confidence of his country, and the honorable employs it conferred upon
+him; and to the joint influence of the whole mass of the virtues, even
+in the imperfect state he was able to acquire them, all that evenness
+of temper, and that cheerfulness in conversation, which makes his
+company still sought for, and agreeable even to his younger
+acquaintance.  I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may
+follow the example and reap the benefit.
+
+It will be remark'd that, tho' my scheme was not wholly without
+religion, there was in it no mark of any of the distinguishing tenets
+of any particular sect.  I had purposely avoided them; for, being fully
+persuaded of the utility and excellency of my method, and that it might
+be serviceable to people in all religions, and intending some time or
+other to publish it, I would not have any thing in it that should
+prejudice any one, of any sect, against it.  I purposed writing a
+little comment on each virtue, in which I would have shown the
+advantages of possessing it, and the mischiefs attending its opposite
+vice; and I should have called my book THE ART OF VIRTUE,[7] because it
+would have shown the means and manner of obtaining virtue, which would
+have distinguished it from the mere exhortation to be good, that does
+not instruct and indicate the means, but is like the apostle's man of
+verbal charity, who only without showing to the naked and hungry how or
+where they might get clothes or victuals, exhorted them to be fed and
+clothed.--James ii.  15, 16.
+
+     [7] Nothing so likely to make a man's fortune as virtue.
+         --[Marg. note.]
+
+But it so happened that my intention of writing and publishing this
+comment was never fulfilled.  I did, indeed, from time to time, put
+down short hints of the sentiments, reasonings, etc., to be made use of
+in it, some of which I have still by me; but the necessary close
+attention to private business in the earlier part of thy life, and
+public business since, have occasioned my postponing it; for, it being
+connected in my mind with a great and extensive project, that required
+the whole man to execute, and which an unforeseen succession of employs
+prevented my attending to, it has hitherto remain'd unfinish'd.
+
+In this piece it was my design to explain and enforce this doctrine,
+that vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but
+forbidden because they are hurtful, the nature of man alone considered;
+that it was, therefore, every one's interest to be virtuous who wish'd
+to be happy even in this world; and I should, from this circumstance
+(there being always in the world a number of rich merchants, nobility,
+states, and princes, who have need of honest instruments for the
+management of their affairs, and such being so rare), have endeavored
+to convince young persons that no qualities were so likely to make a
+poor man's fortune as those of probity and integrity.
+
+My list of virtues contain'd at first but twelve; but a Quaker friend
+having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud; that my
+pride show'd itself frequently in conversation; that I was not content
+with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing,
+and rather insolent, of which he convinc'd me by mentioning several
+instances; I determined endeavouring to cure myself, if I could, of
+this vice or folly among the rest, and I added Humility to my list,
+giving an extensive meaning to the word.
+
+I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue,
+but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it.  I made it a
+rule to forbear all direct contradiction to the sentiments of others,
+and all positive assertion of my own.  I even forbid myself, agreeably
+to the old laws of our Junto, the use of every word or expression in
+the language that imported a fix'd opinion, such as certainly,
+undoubtedly, etc., and I adopted, instead of them, I conceive, I
+apprehend, or I imagine a thing to be so or so; or it so appears to me
+at present.  When another asserted something that I thought an error, I
+deny'd myself the pleasure of contradicting him abruptly, and of
+showing immediately some absurdity in his proposition; and in answering
+I began by observing that in certain cases or circumstances his opinion
+would be right, but in the present case there appear'd or seem'd to me
+some difference, etc.  I soon found the advantage of this change in my
+manner; the conversations I engag'd in went on more pleasantly.  The
+modest way in which I propos'd my opinions procur'd them a readier
+reception and less contradiction; I had less mortification when I was
+found to be in the wrong, and I more easily prevail'd with others to
+give up their mistakes and join with me when I happened to be in the
+right.
+
+And this mode, which I at first put on with some violence to natural
+inclination, became at length so easy, and so habitual to me, that
+perhaps for these fifty years past no one has ever heard a dogmatical
+expression escape me.  And to this habit (after my character of
+integrity) I think it principally owing that I had early so much weight
+with my fellow-citizens when I proposed new institutions, or
+alterations in the old, and so much influence in public councils when I
+became a member; for I was but a bad speaker, never eloquent, subject
+to much hesitation in my choice of words, hardly correct in language,
+and yet I generally carried my points.
+
+In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard
+to subdue as pride.  Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down,
+stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and
+will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it,
+perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could conceive that I
+had compleatly overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.
+
+[Thus far written at Passy, 1784.]
+
+["I am now about to write at home, August, 1788, but can not have the
+help expected from my papers, many of them being lost in the war.  I
+have, however, found the following."][8]
+
+     [8]This is a marginal memorandum.--B.
+
+HAVING mentioned a great and extensive project which I had conceiv'd,
+it seems proper that some account should be here given of that project
+and its object.  Its first rise in my mind appears in the following
+little paper, accidentally preserv'd, viz.:
+
+Observations on my reading history, in Library, May 19th, 1731.
+
+"That the great affairs of the world, the wars, revolutions, etc., are
+carried on and affected by parties.
+
+"That the view of these parties is their present general interest, or
+what they take to be such.
+
+"That the different views of these different parties occasion all
+confusion.
+
+"That while a party is carrying on a general design, each man has his
+particular private interest in view.
+
+"That as soon as a party has gain'd its general point, each member
+becomes intent upon his particular interest; which, thwarting others,
+breaks that party into divisions, and occasions more confusion.
+
+"That few in public affairs act from a meer view of the good of their
+country, whatever they may pretend; and, tho' their actings bring real
+good to their country, yet men primarily considered that their own and
+their country's interest was united, and did not act from a principle
+of benevolence.
+
+"That fewer still, in public affairs, act with a view to the good of
+mankind.
+
+"There seems to me at present to be great occasion for raising a United
+Party for Virtue, by forming the virtuous and good men of all nations
+into a regular body, to be govern'd by suitable good and wise rules,
+which good and wise men may probably be more unanimous in their
+obedience to, than common people are to common laws.
+
+"I at present think that whoever attempts this aright, and is well
+qualified, can not fail of pleasing God, and of meeting with success.
+B. F."
+
+Revolving this project in my mind, as to be undertaken hereafter, when
+my circumstances should afford me the necessary leisure, I put down
+from time to time, on pieces of paper, such thoughts as occurr'd to me
+respecting it.  Most of these are lost; but I find one purporting to be
+the substance of an intended creed, containing, as I thought, the
+essentials of every known religion, and being free of every thing that
+might shock the professors of any religion.  It is express'd in these
+words, viz.:
+
+"That there is one God, who made all things.
+
+"That he governs the world by his providence.
+
+"That he ought to be worshiped by adoration, prayer, and thanksgiving.
+
+"But that the most acceptable service of God is doing good to man.
+
+"That the soul is immortal.
+
+"And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice either here
+or hereafter."[9]
+
+     [9] In the Middle Ages, Franklin, if such a phenomenon as
+         Franklin were possible in the Middle Ages, would
+         probably have been the founder of a monastic order.--B.
+
+My ideas at that time were, that the sect should be begun and spread at
+first among young and single men only; that each person to be initiated
+should not only declare his assent to such creed, but should have
+exercised himself with the thirteen weeks' examination and practice of
+the virtues, as in the before-mention'd model; that the existence of
+such a society should be kept a secret, till it was become
+considerable, to prevent solicitations for the admission of improper
+persons, but that the members should each of them search among his
+acquaintance for ingenuous, well-disposed youths, to whom, with prudent
+caution, the scheme should be gradually communicated; that the members
+should engage to afford their advice, assistance, and support to each
+other in promoting one another's interests, business, and advancement
+in life; that, for distinction, we should be call'd The Society of the
+Free and Easy:  free, as being, by the general practice and habit of
+the virtues, free from the dominion of vice; and particularly by the
+practice of industry and frugality, free from debt, which exposes a man
+to confinement, and a species of slavery to his creditors.
+
+This is as much as I can now recollect of the project, except that I
+communicated it in part to two young men, who adopted it with some
+enthusiasm; but my then narrow circumstances, and the necessity I was
+under of sticking close to my business, occasion'd my postponing the
+further prosecution of it at that time; and my multifarious
+occupations, public and private, induc'd me to continue postponing, so
+that it has been omitted till I have no longer strength or activity
+left sufficient for such an enterprise; tho' I am still of opinion that
+it was a practicable scheme, and might have been very useful, by
+forming a great number of good citizens; and I was not discourag'd by
+the seeming magnitude of the undertaking, as I have always thought that
+one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes, and accomplish
+great affairs among mankind, if he first forms a good plan, and,
+cutting off all amusements or other employments that would divert his
+attention, makes the execution of that same plan his sole study and
+business.
+
+In 1732 I first publish'd my Almanack, under the name of Richard
+Saunders; it was continu'd by me about twenty-five years, commonly
+call'd Poor Richard's Almanac.  I endeavor'd to make it both
+entertaining and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand,
+that I reap'd considerable profit from it, vending annually near ten
+thousand.  And observing that it was generally read, scarce any
+neighborhood in the province being without it, I consider'd it as a
+proper vehicle for conveying instruction among the common people, who
+bought scarcely any other books; I therefore filled all the little
+spaces that occurr'd between the remarkable days in the calendar with
+proverbial sentences, chiefly such as inculcated industry and
+frugality, as the means of procuring wealth, and thereby securing
+virtue; it being more difficult for a man in want, to act always
+honestly, as, to use here one of those proverbs, it is hard for an
+empty sack to stand up-right.
+
+These proverbs, which contained the wisdom of many ages and nations, I
+assembled and form'd into a connected discourse prefix'd to the
+Almanack of 1757, as the harangue of a wise old man to the people
+attending an auction.  The bringing all these scatter'd counsels thus
+into a focus enabled them to make greater impression.  The piece, being
+universally approved, was copied in all the newspapers of the
+Continent; reprinted in Britain on a broad side, to be stuck up in
+houses; two translations were made of it in French, and great numbers
+bought by the clergy and gentry, to distribute gratis among their poor
+parishioners and tenants.  In Pennsylvania, as it discouraged useless
+expense in foreign superfluities, some thought it had its share of
+influence in producing that growing plenty of money which was
+observable for several years after its publication.
+
+I considered my newspaper, also, as another means of communicating
+instruction, and in that view frequently reprinted in it extracts from
+the Spectator, and other moral writers; and sometimes publish'd little
+pieces of my own, which had been first compos'd for reading in our
+Junto.  Of these are a Socratic dialogue, tending to prove that,
+whatever might be his parts and abilities, a vicious man could not
+properly be called a man of sense; and a discourse on self-denial,
+showing that virtue was not secure till its practice became a habitude,
+and was free from the opposition of contrary inclinations.  These may
+be found in the papers about the beginning of 1735.
+
+In the conduct of my newspaper, I carefully excluded all libelling and
+personal abuse, which is of late years become so disgraceful to our
+country.  Whenever I was solicited to insert anything of that kind, and
+the writers pleaded, as they generally did, the liberty of the press,
+and that a newspaper was like a stagecoach, in which any one who would
+pay had a right to a place, my answer was, that I would print the piece
+separately if desired, and the author might have as many copies as he
+pleased to distribute himself, but that I would not take upon me to
+spread his detraction; and that, having contracted with my subscribers
+to furnish them with what might be either useful or entertaining, I
+could not fill their papers with private altercation, in which they had
+no concern, without doing them manifest injustice.  Now, many of our
+printers make no scruple of gratifying the malice of individuals by
+false accusations of the fairest characters among ourselves, augmenting
+animosity even to the producing of duels; and are, moreover, so
+indiscreet as to print scurrilous reflections on the government of
+neighboring states, and even on the conduct of our best national
+allies, which may be attended with the most pernicious consequences.
+These things I mention as a caution to young printers, and that they
+may be encouraged not to pollute their presses and disgrace their
+profession by such infamous practices, but refuse steadily, as they may
+see by my example that such a course of conduct will not, on the whole,
+be injurious to their interests.
+
+In 1733 I sent one of my journeymen to Charleston, South Carolina,
+where a printer was wanting.  I furnish'd him with a press and letters,
+on an agreement of partnership, by which I was to receive one-third of
+the profits of the business, paying one-third of the expense.  He was a
+man of learning, and honest but ignorant in matters of account; and,
+tho' he sometimes made me remittances, I could get no account from him,
+nor any satisfactory state of our partnership while he lived.  On his
+decease, the business was continued by his widow, who, being born and
+bred in Holland, where, as I have been inform'd, the knowledge of
+accounts makes a part of female education, she not only sent me as
+clear a state as she could find of the transactions past, but continued
+to account with the greatest regularity and exactness every quarter
+afterwards, and managed the business with such success, that she not
+only brought up reputably a family of children, but, at the expiration
+of the term, was able to purchase of me the printing-house, and
+establish her son in it.
+
+I mention this affair chiefly for the sake of recommending that branch
+of education for our young females, as likely to be of more use to them
+and their children, in case of widowhood, than either music or dancing,
+by preserving them from losses by imposition of crafty men, and
+enabling them to continue, perhaps, a profitable mercantile house, with
+establish'd correspondence, till a son is grown up fit to undertake and
+go on with it, to the lasting advantage and enriching of the family.
+
+About the year 1734 there arrived among us from Ireland a young
+Presbyterian preacher, named Hemphill, who delivered with a good voice,
+and apparently extempore, most excellent discourses, which drew
+together considerable numbers of different persuasion, who join'd in
+admiring them.  Among the rest, I became one of his constant hearers,
+his sermons pleasing me, as they had little of the dogmatical kind, but
+inculcated strongly the practice of virtue, or what in the religious
+stile are called good works.  Those, however, of our congregation, who
+considered themselves as orthodox Presbyterians, disapprov'd his
+doctrine, and were join'd by most of the old clergy, who arraign'd him
+of heterodoxy before the synod, in order to have him silenc'd. I became
+his zealous partisan, and contributed all I could to raise a party in
+his favour, and we combated for him a while with some hopes of success.
+There was much scribbling pro and con upon the occasion; and finding
+that, tho' an elegant preacher, he was but a poor writer, I lent him my
+pen and wrote for him two or three pamphlets, and one piece in the
+Gazette of April, 1735.  Those pamphlets, as is generally the case with
+controversial writings, tho' eagerly read at the time, were soon out of
+vogue, and I question whether a single copy of them now exists.
+
+During the contest an unlucky occurrence hurt his cause exceedingly.
+One of our adversaries having heard him preach a sermon that was much
+admired, thought he had somewhere read the sermon before, or at least a
+part of it.  On search he found that part quoted at length, in one of
+the British Reviews, from a discourse of Dr. Foster's. This detection
+gave many of our party disgust, who accordingly abandoned his cause,
+and occasion'd our more speedy discomfiture in the synod.  I stuck by
+him, however, as I rather approv'd his giving us good sermons compos'd
+by others, than bad ones of his own manufacture, tho' the latter was
+the practice of our common teachers.  He afterward acknowledg'd to me
+that none of those he preach'd were his own; adding, that his memory
+was such as enabled him to retain and repeat any sermon after one
+reading only.  On our defeat, he left us in search elsewhere of better
+fortune, and I quitted the congregation, never joining it after, tho' I
+continu'd many years my subscription for the support of its ministers.
+
+I had begun in 1733 to study languages; I soon made myself so much a
+master of the French as to be able to read the books with ease.  I then
+undertook the Italian.  An acquaintance, who was also learning it, us'd
+often to tempt me to play chess with him.  Finding this took up too
+much of the time I had to spare for study, I at length refus'd to play
+any more, unless on this condition, that the victor in every game
+should have a right to impose a task, either in parts of the grammar to
+be got by heart, or in translations, etc., which tasks the vanquish'd
+was to perform upon honour, before our next meeting.  As we play'd
+pretty equally, we thus beat one another into that language.  I
+afterwards with a little painstaking, acquir'd as much of the Spanish
+as to read their books also.
+
+I have already mention'd that I had only one year's instruction in a
+Latin school, and that when very young, after which I neglected that
+language entirely.  But, when I had attained an acquaintance with the
+French, Italian, and Spanish, I was surpriz'd to find, on looking over
+a Latin Testament, that I understood so much more of that language than
+I had imagined, which encouraged me to apply myself again to the study
+of it, and I met with more success, as those preceding languages had
+greatly smooth'd my way.
+
+From these circumstances, I have thought that there is some
+inconsistency in our common mode of teaching languages.  We are told
+that it is proper to begin first with the Latin, and, having acquir'd
+that, it will be more easy to attain those modern languages which are
+deriv'd from it; and yet we do not begin with the Greek, in order more
+easily to acquire the Latin.  It is true that, if you can clamber and
+get to the top of a staircase without using the steps, you will more
+easily gain them in descending; but certainly, if you begin with the
+lowest you will with more ease ascend to the top; and I would therefore
+offer it to the consideration of those who superintend the education of
+our youth, whether, since many of those who begin with the Latin quit
+the same after spending some years without having made any great
+proficiency, and what they have learnt becomes almost useless, so that
+their time has been lost, it would not have been better to have begun
+with the French, proceeding to the Italian, etc.; for, tho', after
+spending the same time, they should quit the study of languages and
+never arrive at the Latin, they would, however, have acquired another
+tongue or two, that, being in modern use, might be serviceable to them
+in common life.
+
+After ten years' absence from Boston, and having become easy in my
+circumstances, I made a journey thither to visit my relations, which I
+could not sooner well afford.  In returning, I call'd at Newport to see
+my brother, then settled there with his printing-house. Our former
+differences were forgotten, and our meeting was very cordial and
+affectionate.  He was fast declining in his health, and requested of me
+that, in case of his death, which he apprehended not far distant, I
+would take home his son, then but ten years of age, and bring him up to
+the printing business.  This I accordingly perform'd, sending him a few
+years to school before I took him into the office.  His mother carried
+on the business till he was grown up, when I assisted him with an
+assortment of new types, those of his father being in a manner worn
+out.  Thus it was that I made my brother ample amends for the service I
+had depriv'd him of by leaving him so early.
+
+In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the
+small-pox, taken in the common way.  I long regretted bitterly, and
+still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation.  This I
+mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation, on the
+supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a child died
+under it; my example showing that the regret may be the same either
+way, and that, therefore, the safer should be chosen.
+
+Our club, the Junto, was found so useful, and afforded such
+satisfaction to the members, that several were desirous of introducing
+their friends, which could not well be done without exceeding what we
+had settled as a convenient number, viz., twelve.  We had from the
+beginning made it a rule to keep our institution a secret, which was
+pretty well observ'd; the intention was to avoid applications of
+improper persons for admittance, some of whom, perhaps, we might find
+it difficult to refuse.  I was one of those who were against any
+addition to our number, but, instead of it, made in writing a proposal,
+that every member separately should endeavor to form a subordinate
+club, with the same rules respecting queries, etc., and without
+informing them of the connection with the Junto.  The advantages
+proposed were, the improvement of so many more young citizens by the
+use of our institutions; our better acquaintance with the general
+sentiments of the inhabitants on any occasion, as the Junto member
+might propose what queries we should desire, and was to report to the
+Junto what pass'd in his separate club; the promotion of our particular
+interests in business by more extensive recommendation, and the
+increase of our influence in public affairs, and our power of doing
+good by spreading thro' the several clubs the sentiments of the Junto.
+
+The project was approv'd, and every member undertook to form his club,
+but they did not all succeed.  Five or six only were compleated, which
+were called by different names, as the Vine, the Union, the Band, etc.
+They were useful to themselves, and afforded us a good deal of
+amusement, information, and instruction, besides answering, in some
+considerable degree, our views of influencing the public opinion on
+particular occasions, of which I shall give some instances in course of
+time as they happened.
+
+My first promotion was my being chosen, in 1736, clerk of the General
+Assembly.  The choice was made that year without opposition; but the
+year following, when I was again propos'd (the choice, like that of the
+members, being annual), a new member made a long speech against me, in
+order to favour some other candidate.  I was, however, chosen, which
+was the more agreeable to me, as, besides the pay for the immediate
+service as clerk, the place gave me a better opportunity of keeping up
+an interest among the members, which secur'd to me the business of
+printing the votes, laws, paper money, and other occasional jobbs for
+the public, that, on the whole, were very profitable.
+
+I therefore did not like the opposition of this new member, who was a
+gentleman of fortune and education, with talents that were likely to
+give him, in time, great influence in the House, which, indeed,
+afterwards happened.  I did not, however, aim at gaining his favour by
+paying any servile respect to him, but, after some time, took this
+other method.  Having heard that he had in his library a certain very
+scarce and curious book, I wrote a note to him, expressing my desire of
+perusing that book, and requesting he would do me the favour of lending
+it to me for a few days.  He sent it immediately, and I return'd it in
+about a week with another note, expressing strongly my sense of the
+favour.  When we next met in the House, he spoke to me (which he had
+never done before), and with great civility; and he ever after
+manifested a readiness to serve me on all occasions, so that we became
+great friends, and our friendship continued to his death.  This is
+another instance of the truth of an old maxim I had learned, which
+says, "He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do
+you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged." And it shows how
+much more profitable it is prudently to remove, than to resent, return,
+and continue inimical proceedings.
+
+In 1737, Colonel Spotswood, late governor of Virginia, and then
+postmaster-general, being dissatisfied with the conduct of his deputy
+at Philadelphia, respecting some negligence in rendering, and
+inexactitude of his accounts, took from him the commission and offered
+it to me.  I accepted it readily, and found it of great advantage; for,
+tho' the salary was small, it facilitated the correspondence that
+improv'd my newspaper, increas'd the number demanded, as well as the
+advertisements to be inserted, so that it came to afford me a
+considerable income.  My old competitor's newspaper declin'd
+proportionably, and I was satisfy'd without retaliating his refusal,
+while postmaster, to permit my papers being carried by the riders.
+Thus he suffer'd greatly from his neglect in due accounting; and I
+mention it as a lesson to those young men who may be employ'd in
+managing affairs for others, that they should always render accounts,
+and make remittances, with great clearness and punctuality.  The
+character of observing such a conduct is the most powerful of all
+recommendations to new employments and increase of business.
+
+I began now to turn my thoughts a little to public affairs, beginning,
+however, with small matters.  The city watch was one of the first
+things that I conceiv'd to want regulation.  It was managed by the
+constables of the respective wards in turn; the constable warned a
+number of housekeepers to attend him for the night.  Those who chose
+never to attend paid him six shillings a year to be excus'd, which was
+suppos'd to be for hiring substitutes, but was, in reality, much more
+than was necessary for that purpose, and made the constableship a place
+of profit; and the constable, for a little drink, often got such
+ragamuffins about him as a watch, that respectable housekeepers did not
+choose to mix with.  Walking the rounds, too, was often neglected, and
+most of the nights spent in tippling.  I thereupon wrote a paper, to be
+read in Junto, representing these irregularities, but insisting more
+particularly on the inequality of this six-shilling tax of the
+constables, respecting the circumstances of those who paid it, since a
+poor widow housekeeper, all whose property to be guarded by the watch
+did not perhaps exceed the value of fifty pounds, paid as much as the
+wealthiest merchant, who had thousands of pounds worth of goods in his
+stores.
+
+On the whole, I proposed as a more effectual watch, the hiring of
+proper men to serve constantly in that business; and as a more
+equitable way of supporting the charge the levying a tax that should be
+proportion'd to the property.  This idea, being approv'd by the Junto,
+was communicated to the other clubs, but as arising in each of them;
+and though the plan was not immediately carried into execution, yet, by
+preparing the minds of people for the change, it paved the way for the
+law obtained a few years after, when the members of our clubs were
+grown into more influence.
+
+About this time I wrote a paper (first to be read in Junto, but it was
+afterward publish'd) on the different accidents and carelessnesses by
+which houses were set on fire, with cautions against them, and means
+proposed of avoiding them.  This was much spoken of as a useful piece,
+and gave rise to a project, which soon followed it, of forming a
+company for the more ready extinguishing of fires, and mutual
+assistance in removing and securing the goods when in danger.
+Associates in this scheme were presently found, amounting to thirty.
+Our articles of agreement oblig'd every member to keep always in good
+order, and fit for use, a certain number of leather buckets, with
+strong bags and baskets (for packing and transporting of goods), which
+were to be brought to every fire; and we agreed to meet once a month
+and spend a social evening together, in discoursing and communicating
+such ideas as occurred to us upon the subject of fires, as might be
+useful in our conduct on such occasions.
+
+The utility of this institution soon appeared, and many more desiring
+to be admitted than we thought convenient for one company, they were
+advised to form another, which was accordingly done; and this went on,
+one new company being formed after another, till they became so
+numerous as to include most of the inhabitants who were men of
+property; and now, at the time of my writing this, tho' upward of fifty
+years since its establishment, that which I first formed, called the
+Union Fire Company, still subsists and flourishes, tho' the first
+members are all deceas'd but myself and one, who is older by a year
+than I am.  The small fines that have been paid by members for absence
+at the monthly meetings have been apply'd to the purchase of
+fire-engines, ladders, fire-hooks, and other useful implements for each
+company, so that I question whether there is a city in the world better
+provided with the means of putting a stop to beginning conflagrations;
+and, in fact, since these institutions, the city has never lost by fire
+more than one or two houses at a time, and the flames have often been
+extinguished before the house in which they began has been half
+consumed.
+
+In 1739 arrived among us from Ireland the Reverend Mr. Whitefield, who
+had made himself remarkable there as an itinerant preacher.  He was at
+first permitted to preach in some of our churches; but the clergy,
+taking a dislike to him, soon refus'd him their pulpits, and he was
+oblig'd to preach in the fields.  The multitudes of all sects and
+denominations that attended his sermons were enormous, and it was
+matter of speculation to me, who was one of the number, to observe the
+extraordinary influence of his oratory on his hearers, and how much
+they admir'd and respected him, notwithstanding his common abuse of
+them, by assuring them that they were naturally half beasts and half
+devils.  It was wonderful to see the change soon made in the manners of
+our inhabitants.  From being thoughtless or indifferent about religion,
+it seem'd as if all the world were growing religious, so that one could
+not walk thro' the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in
+different families of every street.
+
+And it being found inconvenient to assemble in the open air, subject to
+its inclemencies, the building of a house to meet in was no sooner
+propos'd, and persons appointed to receive contributions, but
+sufficient sums were soon receiv'd to procure the ground and erect the
+building, which was one hundred feet long and seventy broad, about the
+size of Westminster Hall; and the work was carried on with such spirit
+as to be finished in a much shorter time than could have been expected.
+Both house and ground were vested in trustees, expressly for the use of
+any preacher of any religious persuasion who might desire to say
+something to the people at Philadelphia; the design in building not
+being to accommodate any particular sect, but the inhabitants in
+general; so that even if the Mufti of Constantinople were to send a
+missionary to preach Mohammedanism to us, he would find a pulpit at his
+service.
+
+Mr. Whitefield, in leaving us, went preaching all the way thro' the
+colonies to Georgia.  The settlement of that province had lately been
+begun, but, instead of being made with hardy, industrious husbandmen,
+accustomed to labor, the only people fit for such an enterprise, it was
+with families of broken shop-keepers and other insolvent debtors, many
+of indolent and idle habits, taken out of the jails, who, being set
+down in the woods, unqualified for clearing land, and unable to endure
+the hardships of a new settlement, perished in numbers, leaving many
+helpless children unprovided for.  The sight of their miserable
+situation inspir'd the benevolent heart of Mr. Whitefield with the idea
+of building an Orphan House there, in which they might be supported and
+educated.  Returning northward, he preach'd up this charity, and made
+large collections, for his eloquence had a wonderful power over the
+hearts and purses of his hearers, of which I myself was an instance.
+
+I did not disapprove of the design, but, as Georgia was then destitute
+of materials and workmen, and it was proposed to send them from
+Philadelphia at a great expense, I thought it would have been better to
+have built the house here, and brought the children to it.  This I
+advis'd; but he was resolute in his first project, rejected my counsel,
+and I therefore refus'd to contribute.  I happened soon after to attend
+one of his sermons, in the course of which I perceived he intended to
+finish with a collection, and I silently resolved he should get nothing
+from me, I had in my pocket a handful of copper money, three or four
+silver dollars, and five pistoles in gold.  As he proceeded I began to
+soften, and concluded to give the coppers.  Another stroke of his
+oratory made me asham'd of that, and determin'd me to give the silver;
+and he finish'd so admirably, that I empty'd my pocket wholly into the
+collector's dish, gold and all.  At this sermon there was also one of
+our club, who, being of my sentiments respecting the building in
+Georgia, and suspecting a collection might be intended, had, by
+precaution, emptied his pockets before he came from home.  Towards the
+conclusion of the discourse, however, he felt a strong desire to give,
+and apply'd to a neighbour, who stood near him, to borrow some money
+for the purpose.  The application was unfortunately [made] to perhaps
+the only man in the company who had the firmness not to be affected by
+the preacher.  His answer was, "At any other time, Friend Hopkinson, I
+would lend to thee freely; but not now, for thee seems to be out of thy
+right senses."
+
+Some of Mr. Whitefield's enemies affected to suppose that he would
+apply these collections to his own private emolument; but I who was
+intimately acquainted with him (being employed in printing his Sermons
+and Journals, etc.), never had the least suspicion of his integrity,
+but am to this day decidedly of opinion that he was in all his conduct
+a perfectly honest man, and methinks my testimony in his favour ought
+to have the more weight, as we had no religious connection.  He us'd,
+indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never had the
+satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard.  Ours was a mere
+civil friendship, sincere on both sides, and lasted to his death.
+
+The following instance will show something of the terms on which we
+stood.  Upon one of his arrivals from England at Boston, he wrote to me
+that he should come soon to Philadelphia, but knew not where he could
+lodge when there, as he understood his old friend and host, Mr.
+Benezet, was removed to Germantown.  My answer was, "You know my house;
+if you can make shift with its scanty accommodations, you will be most
+heartily welcome." He reply'd, that if I made that kind offer for
+Christ's sake, I should not miss of a reward.  And I returned, "Don't
+let me be mistaken; it was not for Christ's sake, but for your sake."
+One of our common acquaintance jocosely remark'd, that, knowing it to
+be the custom of the saints, when they received any favour, to shift
+the burden of the obligation from off their own shoulders, and place it
+in heaven, I had contriv'd to fix it on earth.
+
+The last time I saw Mr. Whitefield was in London, when he consulted me
+about his Orphan House concern, and his purpose of appropriating it to
+the establishment of a college.
+
+He had a loud and clear voice, and articulated his words and sentences
+so perfectly, that he might be heard and understood at a great
+distance, especially as his auditories, however numerous, observ'd the
+most exact silence.  He preach'd one evening from the top of the
+Court-house steps, which are in the middle of Market-street, and on the
+west side of Second-street, which crosses it at right angles.  Both
+streets were fill'd with his hearers to a considerable distance.  Being
+among the hindmost in Market-street, I had the curiosity to learn how
+far he could be heard, by retiring backwards down the street towards
+the river; and I found his voice distinct till I came near
+Front-street, when some noise in that street obscur'd it.  Imagining
+then a semi-circle, of which my distance should be the radius, and that
+it were fill'd with auditors, to each of whom I allow'd two square
+feet, I computed that he might well be heard by more than thirty
+thousand.  This reconcil'd me to the newspaper accounts of his having
+preach'd to twenty-five thousand people in the fields, and to the
+antient histories of generals haranguing whole armies, of which I had
+sometimes doubted.
+
+By hearing him often, I came to distinguish easily between sermons
+newly compos'd, and those which he had often preach'd in the course of
+his travels.  His delivery of the latter was so improv'd by frequent
+repetitions that every accent, every emphasis, every modulation of
+voice, was so perfectly well turn'd and well plac'd, that, without
+being interested in the subject, one could not help being pleas'd with
+the discourse; a pleasure of much the same kind with that receiv'd from
+an excellent piece of musick.  This is an advantage itinerant preachers
+have over those who are stationary, as the latter can not well improve
+their delivery of a sermon by so many rehearsals.
+
+His writing and printing from time to time gave great advantage to his
+enemies; unguarded expressions, and even erroneous opinions, delivered
+in preaching, might have been afterwards explain'd or qualifi'd by
+supposing others that might have accompani'd them, or they might have
+been deny'd; but litera scripta monet.  Critics attack'd his writings
+violently, and with so much appearance of reason as to diminish the
+number of his votaries and prevent their encrease; so that I am of
+opinion if he had never written any thing, he would have left behind
+him a much more numerous and important sect, and his reputation might
+in that case have been still growing, even after his death, as there
+being nothing of his writing on which to found a censure and give him a
+lower character, his proselytes would be left at liberty to feign for
+him as great a variety of excellence as their enthusiastic admiration
+might wish him to have possessed.
+
+My business was now continually augmenting, and my circumstances
+growing daily easier, my newspaper having become very profitable, as
+being for a time almost the only one in this and the neighbouring
+provinces.  I experienced, too, the truth of the observation, "that
+after getting the first hundred pound, it is more easy to get the
+second," money itself being of a prolific nature.
+
+The partnership at Carolina having succeeded, I was encourag'd to
+engage in others, and to promote several of my workmen, who had behaved
+well, by establishing them with printing-houses in different colonies,
+on the same terms with that in Carolina.  Most of them did well, being
+enabled at the end of our term, six years, to purchase the types of me
+and go on working for themselves, by which means several families were
+raised.  Partnerships often finish in quarrels; but I was happy in
+this, that mine were all carried on and ended amicably, owing, I think,
+a good deal to the precaution of having very explicitly settled, in our
+articles, every thing to be done by or expected from each partner, so
+that there was nothing to dispute, which precaution I would therefore
+recommend to all who enter into partnerships; for, whatever esteem
+partners may have for, and confidence in each other at the time of the
+contract, little jealousies and disgusts may arise, with ideas of
+inequality in the care and burden of the business, etc., which are
+attended often with breach of friendship and of the connection, perhaps
+with lawsuits and other disagreeable consequences.
+
+I had, on the whole, abundant reason to be satisfied with my being
+established in Pennsylvania.  There were, however, two things that I
+regretted, there being no provision for defense, nor for a compleat
+education of youth; no militia, nor any college.  I therefore, in 1743,
+drew up a proposal for establishing an academy; and at that time,
+thinking the Reverend Mr. Peters, who was out of employ, a fit person
+to superintend such an institution, I communicated the project to him;
+but he, having more profitable views in the service of the
+proprietaries, which succeeded, declin'd the undertaking; and, not
+knowing another at that time suitable for such a trust, I let the
+scheme lie a while dormant.  I succeeded better the next year, 1744, in
+proposing and establishing a Philosophical Society.  The paper I wrote
+for that purpose will be found among my writings, when collected.
+
+With respect to defense, Spain having been several years at war against
+Great Britain, and being at length join'd by France, which brought us
+into great danger; and the laboured and long-continued endeavour of our
+governor, Thomas, to prevail with our Quaker Assembly to pass a militia
+law, and make other provisions for the security of the province, having
+proved abortive, I determined to try what might be done by a voluntary
+association of the people.  To promote this, I first wrote and
+published a pamphlet, entitled PLAIN TRUTH, in which I stated our
+defenceless situation in strong lights, with the necessity of union and
+discipline for our defense, and promis'd to propose in a few days an
+association, to be generally signed for that purpose.  The pamphlet had
+a sudden and surprising effect.  I was call'd upon for the instrument
+of association, and having settled the draft of it with a few friends,
+I appointed a meeting of the citizens in the large building before
+mentioned.  The house was pretty full; I had prepared a number of
+printed copies, and provided pens and ink dispers'd all over the room.
+I harangued them a little on the subject, read the paper, and explained
+it, and then distributed the copies, which were eagerly signed, not the
+least objection being made.
+
+When the company separated, and the papers were collected, we found
+above twelve hundred hands; and, other copies being dispersed in the
+country, the subscribers amounted at length to upward of ten thousand.
+These all furnished themselves as soon as they could with arms, formed
+themselves into companies and regiments, chose their own officers, and
+met every week to be instructed in the manual exercise, and other parts
+of military discipline.  The women, by subscriptions among themselves,
+provided silk colors, which they presented to the companies, painted
+with different devices and mottos, which I supplied.
+
+The officers of the companies composing the Philadelphia regiment,
+being met, chose me for their colonel; but, conceiving myself unfit, I
+declin'd that station, and recommended Mr. Lawrence, a fine person, and
+man of influence, who was accordingly appointed.  I then propos'd a
+lottery to defray the expense of building a battery below the town, and
+furnishing it with cannon.  It filled expeditiously, and the battery
+was soon erected, the merlons being fram'd of logs and fill'd with
+earth.  We bought some old cannon from Boston, but, these not being
+sufficient, we wrote to England for more, soliciting, at the same time,
+our proprietaries for some assistance, tho' without much expectation of
+obtaining it.
+
+Meanwhile, Colonel Lawrence, William Allen, Abram Taylor, Esqr., and
+myself were sent to New York by the associators, commission'd to borrow
+some cannon of Governor Clinton.  He at first refus'd us peremptorily;
+but at dinner with his council, where there was great drinking of
+Madeira wine, as the custom of that place then was, he softened by
+degrees, and said he would lend us six.  After a few more bumpers he
+advanc'd to ten; and at length he very good-naturedly conceded
+eighteen.  They were fine cannon, eighteen-pounders, with their
+carriages, which we soon transported and mounted on our battery, where
+the associators kept a nightly guard while the war lasted, and among
+the rest I regularly took my turn of duty there as a common soldier.
+
+My activity in these operations was agreeable to the governor and
+council; they took me into confidence, and I was consulted by them in
+every measure wherein their concurrence was thought useful to the
+association.  Calling in the aid of religion, I propos'd to them the
+proclaiming a fast, to promote reformation, and implore the blessing of
+Heaven on our undertaking.  They embrac'd the motion; but, as it was
+the first fast ever thought of in the province, the secretary had no
+precedent from which to draw the proclamation.  My education in New
+England, where a fast is proclaimed every year, was here of some
+advantage: I drew it in the accustomed stile, it was translated into
+German, printed in both languages, and divulg'd thro' the province.
+This gave the clergy of the different sects an opportunity of
+influencing their congregations to join in the association, and it
+would probably have been general among all but Quakers if the peace had
+not soon interven'd.
+
+It was thought by some of my friends that, by my activity in these
+affairs, I should offend that sect, and thereby lose my interest in the
+Assembly of the province, where they formed a great majority.  A young
+gentleman who had likewise some friends in the House, and wished to
+succeed me as their clerk, acquainted me that it was decided to
+displace me at the next election; and he, therefore, in good will,
+advis'd me to resign, as more consistent with my honour than being
+turn'd out.  My answer to him was, that I had read or heard of some
+public man who made it a rule never to ask for an office, and never to
+refuse one when offer'd to him.  "I approve," says I, "of his rule, and
+will practice it with a small addition; I shall never ask, never
+refuse, nor ever resign an office.  If they will have my office of
+clerk to dispose of to another, they shall take it from me.  I will
+not, by giving it up, lose my right of some time or other making
+reprisals on my adversaries." I heard, however, no more of this; I was
+chosen again unanimously as usual at the next election.  Possibly, as
+they dislik'd my late intimacy with the members of council, who had
+join'd the governors in all the disputes about military preparations,
+with which the House had long been harass'd, they might have been
+pleas'd if I would voluntarily have left them; but they did not care to
+displace me on account merely of my zeal for the association, and they
+could not well give another reason.
+
+Indeed I had some cause to believe that the defense of the country was
+not disagreeable to any of them, provided they were not requir'd to
+assist in it.  And I found that a much greater number of them than I
+could have imagined, tho' against offensive war, were clearly for the
+defensive.  Many pamphlets pro and con were publish'd on the subject,
+and some by good Quakers, in favour of defense, which I believe
+convinc'd most of their younger people.
+
+A transaction in our fire company gave me some insight into their
+prevailing sentiments.  It had been propos'd that we should encourage
+the scheme for building a battery by laying out the present stock, then
+about sixty pounds, in tickets of the lottery.  By our rules, no money
+could be dispos'd of till the next meeting after the proposal.  The
+company consisted of thirty members, of which twenty-two were Quakers,
+and eight only of other persuasions.  We eight punctually attended the
+meeting; but, tho' we thought that some of the Quakers would join us,
+we were by no means sure of a majority.  Only one Quaker, Mr. James
+Morris, appear'd to oppose the measure.  He expressed much sorrow that
+it had ever been propos'd, as he said Friends were all against it, and
+it would create such discord as might break up the company.  We told
+him that we saw no reason for that; we were the minority, and if
+Friends were against the measure, and outvoted us, we must and should,
+agreeably to the usage of all societies, submit.  When the hour for
+business arriv'd it was mov'd to put the vote; he allow'd we might then
+do it by the rules, but, as he could assure us that a number of members
+intended to be present for the purpose of opposing it, it would be but
+candid to allow a little time for their appearing.
+
+While we were disputing this, a waiter came to tell me two gentlemen
+below desir'd to speak with me.  I went down, and found they were two
+of our Quaker members.  They told me there were eight of them assembled
+at a tavern just by; that they were determin'd to come and vote with us
+if there should be occasion, which they hop'd would not be the case,
+and desir'd we would not call for their assistance if we could do
+without it, as their voting for such a measure might embroil them with
+their elders and friends.  Being thus secure of a majority, I went up,
+and after a little seeming hesitation, agreed to a delay of another
+hour.  This Mr. Morris allow'd to be extreamly fair.  Not one of his
+opposing friends appear'd, at which he express'd great surprize; and,
+at the expiration of the hour, we carry'd the resolution eight to one;
+and as, of the twenty-two Quakers, eight were ready to vote with us,
+and thirteen, by their absence, manifested that they were not inclin'd
+to oppose the measure, I afterward estimated the proportion of Quakers
+sincerely against defense as one to twenty-one only; for these were all
+regular members of that society, and in good reputation among them, and
+had due notice of what was propos'd at that meeting.
+
+The honorable and learned Mr. Logan, who had always been of that sect,
+was one who wrote an address to them, declaring his approbation of
+defensive war, and supporting his opinion by many strong arguments.  He
+put into my hands sixty pounds to be laid out in lottery tickets for
+the battery, with directions to apply what prizes might be drawn wholly
+to that service.  He told me the following anecdote of his old master,
+William Penn, respecting defense.  He came over from England, when a
+young man, with that proprietary, and as his secretary.  It was
+war-time, and their ship was chas'd by an armed vessel, suppos'd to be
+an enemy.  Their captain prepar'd for defense; but told William Penn
+and his company of Quakers, that he did not expect their assistance,
+and they might retire into the cabin, which they did, except James
+Logan, who chose to stay upon deck, and was quarter'd to a gun.  The
+suppos'd enemy prov'd a friend, so there was no fighting; but when the
+secretary went down to communicate the intelligence, William Penn
+rebuk'd him severely for staying upon deck, and undertaking to assist
+in defending the vessel, contrary to the principles of Friends,
+especially as it had not been required by the captain.  This reproof,
+being before all the company, piqu'd the secretary, who answer'd, "I
+being thy servant, why did thee not order me to come down?  But thee
+was willing enough that I should stay and help to fight the ship when
+thee thought there was danger."
+
+My being many years in the Assembly, the majority of which were
+constantly Quakers, gave me frequent opportunities of seeing the
+embarrassment given them by their principle against war, whenever
+application was made to them, by order of the crown, to grant aids for
+military purposes.  They were unwilling to offend government, on the
+one hand, by a direct refusal; and their friends, the body of the
+Quakers, on the other, by a compliance contrary to their principles;
+hence a variety of evasions to avoid complying, and modes of disguising
+the compliance when it became unavoidable.  The common mode at last
+was, to grant money under the phrase of its being "for the king's use,"
+and never to inquire how it was applied.
+
+But, if the demand was not directly from the crown, that phrase was
+found not so proper, and some other was to be invented.  As, when
+powder was wanting (I think it was for the garrison at Louisburg), and
+the government of New England solicited a grant of some from
+Pennsilvania, which was much urg'd on the House by Governor Thomas,
+they could not grant money to buy powder, because that was an
+ingredient of war; but they voted an aid to New England of three
+thousand pounds, to be put into the hands of the governor, and
+appropriated it for the purchasing of bread, flour, wheat, or other
+grain.  Some of the council, desirous of giving the House still further
+embarrassment, advis'd the governor not to accept provision, as not
+being the thing he had demanded; but be reply'd, "I shall take the
+money, for I understand very well their meaning; other grain is
+gunpowder," which he accordingly bought, and they never objected to
+it.[10]
+
+     [10] See the votes.--[Marg. note.]
+
+It was in allusion to this fact that, when in our fire company we
+feared the success of our proposal in favour of the lottery, and I had
+said to my friend Mr. Syng, one of our members, "If we fail, let us
+move the purchase of a fire-engine with the money; the Quakers can have
+no objection to that; and then, if you nominate me and I you as a
+committee for that purpose, we will buy a great gun, which is certainly
+a fire-engine." "I see," says he, "you have improv'd by being so long
+in the Assembly; your equivocal project would be just a match for their
+wheat or other grain."
+
+These embarrassments that the Quakers suffer'd from having establish'd
+and published it as one of their principles that no kind of war was
+lawful, and which, being once published, they could not afterwards,
+however they might change their minds, easily get rid of, reminds me of
+what I think a more prudent conduct in another sect among us, that of
+the Dunkers.  I was acquainted with one of its founders, Michael
+Welfare, soon after it appear'd. He complain'd to me that they were
+grievously calumniated by the zealots of other persuasions, and charg'd
+with abominable principles and practices, to which they were utter
+strangers.  I told him this had always been the case with new sects,
+and that, to put a stop to such abuse, I imagin'd it might be well to
+publish the articles of their belief, and the rules of their
+discipline.  He said that it had been propos'd among them, but not
+agreed to, for this reason:  "When we were first drawn together as a
+society," says he, "it had pleased God to enlighten our minds so far as
+to see that some doctrines, which we once esteemed truths, were errors;
+and that others, which we had esteemed errors, were real truths.  From
+time to time He has been pleased to afford us farther light, and our
+principles have been improving, and our errors diminishing.  Now we are
+not sure that we are arrived at the end of this progression, and at the
+perfection of spiritual or theological knowledge; and we fear that, if
+we should once print our confession of faith, we should feel ourselves
+as if bound and confin'd by it, and perhaps be unwilling to receive
+farther improvement, and our successors still more so, as conceiving
+what we their elders and founders had done, to be something sacred,
+never to be departed from."
+
+This modesty in a sect is perhaps a singular instance in the history of
+mankind, every other sect supposing itself in possession of all truth,
+and that those who differ are so far in the wrong; like a man traveling
+in foggy weather, those at some distance before him on the road he sees
+wrapped up in the fog, as well as those behind him, and also the people
+in the fields on each side, but near him all appears clear, tho' in
+truth he is as much in the fog as any of them.  To avoid this kind of
+embarrassment, the Quakers have of late years been gradually declining
+the public service in the Assembly and in the magistracy, choosing
+rather to quit their power than their principle.
+
+In order of time, I should have mentioned before, that having, in 1742,
+invented an open stove for the better warming of rooms, and at the same
+time saving fuel, as the fresh air admitted was warmed in entering, I
+made a present of the model to Mr. Robert Grace, one of my early
+friends, who, having an iron-furnace, found the casting of the plates
+for these stoves a profitable thing, as they were growing in demand.
+To promote that demand, I wrote and published a pamphlet, entitled "An
+Account of the new-invented Pennsylvania Fireplaces; wherein their
+Construction and Manner of Operation is particularly explained; their
+Advantages above every other Method of warming Rooms demonstrated; and
+all Objections that have been raised against the Use of them answered
+and obviated," etc.  This pamphlet had a good effect.  Gov'r. Thomas
+was so pleas'd with the construction of this stove, as described in it,
+that he offered to give me a patent for the sole vending of them for a
+term of years; but I declin'd it from a principle which has ever
+weighed with me on such occasions, viz., That, as we enjoy great
+advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an
+opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we
+should do freely and generously.
+
+An ironmonger in London however, assuming a good deal of my pamphlet,
+and working it up into his own, and making some small changes in the
+machine, which rather hurt its operation, got a patent for it there,
+and made, as I was told, a little fortune by it.  And this is not the
+only instance of patents taken out for my inventions by others, tho'
+not always with the same success, which I never contested, as having no
+desire of profiting by patents myself, and hating disputes.  The use of
+these fireplaces in very many houses, both of this and the neighbouring
+colonies, has been, and is, a great saving of wood to the inhabitants.
+
+Peace being concluded, and the association business therefore at an
+end, I turn'd my thoughts again to the affair of establishing an
+academy.  The first step I took was to associate in the design a number
+of active friends, of whom the Junto furnished a good part; the next
+was to write and publish a pamphlet, entitled Proposals Relating to the
+Education of Youth in Pennsylvania.  This I distributed among the
+principal inhabitants gratis; and as soon as I could suppose their
+minds a little prepared by the perusal of it, I set on foot a
+subscription for opening and supporting an academy; it was to be paid
+in quotas yearly for five years; by so dividing it, I judg'd the
+subscription might be larger, and I believe it was so, amounting to no
+less, if I remember right, than five thousand pounds.
+
+In the introduction to these proposals, I stated their publication, not
+as an act of mine, but of some publick-spirited gentlemen, avoiding as
+much as I could, according to my usual rule, the presenting myself to
+the publick as the author of any scheme for their benefit.
+
+The subscribers, to carry the project into immediate execution, chose
+out of their number twenty-four trustees, and appointed Mr. Francis,
+then attorney-general, and myself to draw up constitutions for the
+government of the academy; which being done and signed, a house was
+hired, masters engag'd, and the schools opened, I think, in the same
+year, 1749.
+
+The scholars increasing fast, the house was soon found too small, and
+we were looking out for a piece of ground, properly situated, with
+intention to build, when Providence threw into our way a large house
+ready built, which, with a few alterations, might well serve our
+purpose.  This was the building before mentioned, erected by the
+hearers of Mr. Whitefield, and was obtained for us in the following
+manner.
+
+It is to be noted that the contributions to this building being made by
+people of different sects, care was taken in the nomination of
+trustees, in whom the building and ground was to be vested, that a
+predominancy should not be given to any sect, lest in time that
+predominancy might be a means of appropriating the whole to the use of
+such sect, contrary to the original intention.  It was therefore that
+one of each sect was appointed, viz., one Church-of-England man, one
+Presbyterian, one Baptist, one Moravian, etc., those, in case of
+vacancy by death, were to fill it by election from among the
+contributors.  The Moravian happen'd not to please his colleagues, and
+on his death they resolved to have no other of that sect.  The
+difficulty then was, how to avoid having two of some other sect, by
+means of the new choice.
+
+Several persons were named, and for that reason not agreed to.  At
+length one mention'd me, with the observation that I was merely an
+honest man, and of no sect at all, which prevail'd with them to chuse
+me.  The enthusiasm which existed when the house was built had long
+since abated, and its trustees had not been able to procure fresh
+contributions for paying the ground-rent, and discharging some other
+debts the building had occasion'd, which embarrass'd them greatly.
+Being now a member of both sets of trustees, that for the building and
+that for the Academy, I had a good opportunity of negotiating with
+both, and brought them finally to an agreement, by which the trustees
+for the building were to cede it to those of the academy, the latter
+undertaking to discharge the debt, to keep for ever open in the
+building a large hall for occasional preachers, according to the
+original intention, and maintain a free school for the instruction of
+poor children.  Writings were accordingly drawn, and on paying the
+debts the trustees of the academy were put in possession of the
+premises; and by dividing the great and lofty hall into stories, and
+different rooms above and below for the several schools, and purchasing
+some additional ground, the whole was soon made fit for our purpose,
+and the scholars remov'd into the building.  The care and trouble of
+agreeing with the workmen, purchasing materials, and superintending the
+work, fell upon me; and I went thro' it the more cheerfully, as it did
+not then interfere with my private business, having the year before
+taken a very able, industrious, and honest partner, Mr. David Hall,
+with whose character I was well acquainted, as he had work'd for me
+four years.  He took off my hands all care of the printing-office,
+paying me punctually my share of the profits.  This partnership
+continued eighteen years, successfully for us both.
+
+The trustees of the academy, after a while, were incorporated by a
+charter from the governor; their funds were increas'd by contributions
+in Britain and grants of land from the proprietaries, to which the
+Assembly has since made considerable addition; and thus was established
+the present University of Philadelphia.  I have been continued one of
+its trustees from the beginning, now near forty years, and have had the
+very great pleasure of seeing a number of the youth who have receiv'd
+their education in it, distinguish'd by their improv'd abilities,
+serviceable in public stations and ornaments to their country.
+
+When I disengaged myself, as above mentioned, from private business, I
+flatter'd myself that, by the sufficient tho' moderate fortune I had
+acquir'd, I had secured leisure during the rest of my life for
+philosophical studies and amusements.  I purchased all Dr. Spence's
+apparatus, who had come from England to lecture here, and I proceeded
+in my electrical experiments with great alacrity; but the publick, now
+considering me as a man of leisure, laid hold of me for their purposes,
+every part of our civil government, and almost at the same time,
+imposing some duty upon me.  The governor put me into the commission of
+the peace; the corporation of the city chose me of the common council,
+and soon after an alderman; and the citizens at large chose me a
+burgess to represent them in Assembly.  This latter station was the
+more agreeable to me, as I was at length tired with sitting there to
+hear debates, in which, as clerk, I could take no part, and which were
+often so unentertaining that I was induc'd to amuse myself with making
+magic squares or circles, or any thing to avoid weariness; and I
+conceiv'd my becoming a member would enlarge my power of doing good.  I
+would not, however, insinuate that my ambition was not flatter'd by all
+these promotions; it certainly was; for, considering my low beginning,
+they were great things to me; and they were still more pleasing, as
+being so many spontaneous testimonies of the public good opinion, and
+by me entirely unsolicited.
+
+The office of justice of the peace I try'd a little, by attending a few
+courts, and sitting on the bench to hear causes; but finding that more
+knowledge of the common law than I possess'd was necessary to act in
+that station with credit, I gradually withdrew from it, excusing myself
+by my being oblig'd to attend the higher duties of a legislator in the
+Assembly.  My election to this trust was repeated every year for ten
+years, without my ever asking any elector for his vote, or signifying,
+either directly or indirectly, any desire of being chosen.  On taking
+my seat in the House, my son was appointed their clerk.
+
+The year following, a treaty being to be held with the Indians at
+Carlisle, the governor sent a message to the House, proposing that they
+should nominate some of their members, to be join'd with some members
+of council, as commissioners for that purpose.[11] The House named the
+speaker (Mr. Norris) and myself; and, being commission'd, we went to
+Carlisle, and met the Indians accordingly.
+
+     [11] See the votes to have this more correctly.
+          --[Marg. note.]
+
+As those people are extreamly apt to get drunk, and, when so, are very
+quarrelsome and disorderly, we strictly forbad the selling any liquor
+to them; and when they complain'd of this restriction, we told them
+that if they would continue sober during the treaty, we would give them
+plenty of rum when business was over.  They promis'd this, and they
+kept their promise, because they could get no liquor, and the treaty
+was conducted very orderly, and concluded to mutual satisfaction.  They
+then claim'd and receiv'd the rum; this was in the afternoon; they were
+near one hundred men, women, and children, and were lodg'd in temporary
+cabins, built in the form of a square, just without the town.  In the
+evening, hearing a great noise among them, the commissioners walk'd out
+to see what was the matter.  We found they had made a great bonfire in
+the middle of the square; they were all drunk, men and women,
+quarreling and fighting.  Their dark-colour'd bodies, half naked, seen
+only by the gloomy light of the bonfire, running after and beating one
+another with firebrands, accompanied by their horrid yellings, form'd a
+scene the most resembling our ideas of hell that could well be
+imagin'd; there was no appeasing the tumult, and we retired to our
+lodging.  At midnight a number of them came thundering at our door,
+demanding more rum, of which we took no notice.
+
+The next day, sensible they had misbehav'd in giving us that
+disturbance, they sent three of their old counselors to make their
+apology.  The orator acknowledg'd the fault, but laid it upon the rum;
+and then endeavored to excuse the rum by saying, "The Great Spirit, who
+made all things, made every thing for some use, and whatever use he
+design'd any thing for, that use it should always be put to.  Now, when
+he made rum, he said 'Let this be for the Indians to get drunk with,'
+and it must be so."  And, indeed, if it be the design of Providence to
+extirpate these savages in order to make room for cultivators of the
+earth, it seems not improbable that rum may be the appointed means.  It
+has already annihilated all the tribes who formerly inhabited the
+sea-coast.
+
+In 1751, Dr. Thomas Bond, a particular friend of mine, conceived the
+idea of establishing a hospital in Philadelphia (a very beneficent
+design, which has been ascrib'd to me, but was originally his), for the
+reception and cure of poor sick persons, whether inhabitants of the
+province or strangers.  He was zealous and active in endeavouring to
+procure subscriptions for it, but the proposal being a novelty in
+America, and at first not well understood, he met with but small
+success.
+
+At length he came to me with the compliment that he found there was no
+such thing as carrying a public-spirited project through without my
+being concern'd in it.  "For," says he, "I am often ask'd by those to
+whom I propose subscribing, Have you consulted Franklin upon this
+business?  And what does he think of it?  And when I tell them that I
+have not (supposing it rather out of your line), they do not subscribe,
+but say they will consider of it." I enquired into the nature and
+probable utility of his scheme, and receiving from him a very
+satisfactory explanation, I not only subscrib'd to it myself, but
+engag'd heartily in the design of procuring subscriptions from others.
+Previously, however, to the solicitation, I endeavoured to prepare the
+minds of the people by writing on the subject in the newspapers, which
+was my usual custom in such cases, but which he had omitted.
+
+The subscriptions afterwards were more free and generous; but,
+beginning to flag, I saw they would be insufficient without some
+assistance from the Assembly, and therefore propos'd to petition for
+it, which was done.  The country members did not at first relish the
+project; they objected that it could only be serviceable to the city,
+and therefore the citizens alone should be at the expense of it; and
+they doubted whether the citizens themselves generally approv'd of it.
+My allegation on the contrary, that it met with such approbation as to
+leave no doubt of our being able to raise two thousand pounds by
+voluntary donations, they considered as a most extravagant supposition,
+and utterly impossible.
+
+On this I form'd my plan; and asking leave to bring in a bill for
+incorporating the contributors according to the prayer of their
+petition, and granting them a blank sum of money, which leave was
+obtained chiefly on the consideration that the House could throw the
+bill out if they did not like it, I drew it so as to make the important
+clause a conditional one, viz., "And be it enacted, by the authority
+aforesaid, that when the said contributors shall have met and chosen
+their managers and treasurer, and shall have raised by their
+contributions a capital stock of ----- value (the yearly interest of
+which is to be applied to the accommodating of the sick poor in the
+said hospital, free of charge for diet, attendance, advice, and
+medicines), and shall make the same appear to the satisfaction of the
+speaker of the Assembly for the time being, that then it shall and may
+be lawful for the said speaker, and he is hereby required, to sign an
+order on the provincial treasurer for the payment of two thousand
+pounds, in two yearly payments, to the treasurer of the said hospital,
+to be applied to the founding, building, and finishing of the same."
+
+This condition carried the bill through; for the members, who had
+oppos'd the grant, and now conceiv'd they might have the credit of
+being charitable without the expence, agreed to its passage; and then,
+in soliciting subscriptions among the people, we urg'd the conditional
+promise of the law as an additional motive to give, since every man's
+donation would be doubled; thus the clause work'd both ways.  The
+subscriptions accordingly soon exceeded the requisite sum, and we
+claim'd and receiv'd the public gift, which enabled us to carry the
+design into execution.  A convenient and handsome building was soon
+erected; the institution has by constant experience been found useful,
+and flourishes to this day; and I do not remember any of my political
+manoeuvres, the success of which gave me at the time more pleasure, or
+wherein, after thinking of it, I more easily excus'd myself for having
+made some use of cunning.
+
+It was about this time that another projector, the Rev. Gilbert
+Tennent, came to me with a request that I would assist him in procuring
+a subscription for erecting a new meeting-house. It was to be for the
+use of a congregation he had gathered among the Presbyterians, who were
+originally disciples of Mr. Whitefield.  Unwilling to make myself
+disagreeable to my fellow-citizens by too frequently soliciting their
+contributions, I absolutely refus'd. He then desired I would furnish
+him with a list of the names of persons I knew by experience to be
+generous and public-spirited. I thought it would be unbecoming in me,
+after their kind compliance with my solicitations, to mark them out to
+be worried by other beggars, and therefore refus'd also to give such a
+list.  He then desir'd I would at least give him my advice.  "That I
+will readily do," said I; "and, in the first place, I advise you to
+apply to all those whom you know will give something; next, to those
+whom you are uncertain whether they will give any thing or not, and
+show them the list of those who have given; and, lastly, do not neglect
+those who you are sure will give nothing, for in some of them you may
+be mistaken." He laugh'd and thank'd me, and said he would take my
+advice.  He did so, for he ask'd of everybody, and he obtained a much
+larger sum than he expected, with which he erected the capacious and
+very elegant meeting-house that stands in Arch-street.
+
+Our city, tho' laid out with a beautiful regularity, the streets large,
+strait, and crossing each other at right angles, had the disgrace of
+suffering those streets to remain long unpav'd, and in wet weather the
+wheels of heavy carriages plough'd them into a quagmire, so that it was
+difficult to cross them; and in dry weather the dust was offensive.  I
+had liv'd near what was call'd the Jersey Market, and saw with pain the
+inhabitants wading in mud while purchasing their provisions.  A strip
+of ground down the middle of that market was at length pav'd with
+brick, so that, being once in the market, they had firm footing, but
+were often over shoes in dirt to get there.  By talking and writing on
+the subject, I was at length instrumental in getting the street pav'd
+with stone between the market and the brick'd foot-pavement, that was
+on each side next the houses.  This, for some time, gave an easy access
+to the market dry-shod; but, the rest of the street not being pav'd,
+whenever a carriage came out of the mud upon this pavement, it shook
+off and left its dirt upon it, and it was soon cover'd with mire, which
+was not remov'd, the city as yet having no scavengers.
+
+After some inquiry I found a poor industrious man, who was willing to
+undertake keeping the pavement clean, by sweeping it twice a week,
+carrying off the dirt from before all the neighbours' doors, for the
+sum of sixpence per month, to be paid by each house.  I then wrote and
+printed a paper setting forth the advantages to the neighbourhood that
+might be obtain'd by this small expense; the greater ease in keeping
+our houses clean, so much dirt not being brought in by people's feet;
+the benefit to the shops by more custom, etc., etc., as buyers could
+more easily get at them; and by not having, in windy weather, the dust
+blown in upon their goods, etc., etc.  I sent one of these papers to
+each house, and in a day or two went round to see who would subscribe
+an agreement to pay these sixpences; it was unanimously sign'd, and for
+a time well executed.  All the inhabitants of the city were delighted
+with the cleanliness of the pavement that surrounded the market, it
+being a convenience to all, and this rais'd a general desire to have
+all the streets paved, and made the people more willing to submit to a
+tax for that purpose.
+
+After some time I drew a bill for paving the city, and brought it into
+the Assembly.  It was just before I went to England, in 1757, and did
+not pass till I was gone.[12] and then with an alteration in the mode
+of assessment, which I thought not for the better, but with an
+additional provision for lighting as well as paving the streets, which
+was a great improvement.  It was by a private person, the late Mr. John
+Clifton, his giving a sample of the utility of lamps, by placing one at
+his door, that the people were first impress'd with the idea of
+enlighting all the city.  The honour of this public benefit has also
+been ascrib'd to me but it belongs truly to that gentleman.  I did but
+follow his example, and have only some merit to claim respecting the
+form of our lamps, as differing from the globe lamps we were at first
+supply'd with from London.  Those we found inconvenient in these
+respects:  they admitted no air below; the smoke, therefore, did not
+readily go out above, but circulated in the globe, lodg'd on its
+inside, and soon obstructed the light they were intended to afford;
+giving, besides, the daily trouble of wiping them clean; and an
+accidental stroke on one of them would demolish it, and render it
+totally useless.  I therefore suggested the composing them of four flat
+panes, with a long funnel above to draw up the smoke, and crevices
+admitting air below, to facilitate the ascent of the smoke; by this
+means they were kept clean, and did not grow dark in a few hours, as
+the London lamps do, but continu'd bright till morning, and an
+accidental stroke would generally break but a single pane, easily
+repair'd.
+
+     [12] See votes.
+
+I have sometimes wonder'd that the Londoners did not, from the effect
+holes in the bottom of the globe lamps us'd at Vauxhall have in keeping
+them clean, learn to have such holes in their street lamps.  But, these
+holes being made for another purpose, viz., to communicate flame more
+suddenly to the wick by a little flax hanging down thro' them, the
+other use, of letting in air, seems not to have been thought of; and
+therefore, after the lamps have been lit a few hours, the streets of
+London are very poorly illuminated.
+
+The mention of these improvements puts me in mind of one I propos'd,
+when in London, to Dr. Fothergill, who was among the best men I have
+known, and a great promoter of useful projects.  I had observ'd that
+the streets, when dry, were never swept, and the light dust carried
+away; but it was suffer'd to accumulate till wet weather reduc'd it to
+mud, and then, after lying some days so deep on the pavement that there
+was no crossing but in paths kept clean by poor people with brooms, it
+was with great labour rak'd together and thrown up into carts open
+above, the sides of which suffer'd some of the slush at every jolt on
+the pavement to shake out and fall, sometimes to the annoyance of
+foot-passengers. The reason given for not sweeping the dusty streets
+was, that the dust would fly into the windows of shops and houses.
+
+An accidental occurrence had instructed me how much sweeping might be
+done in a little time.  I found at my door in Craven-street, one
+morning, a poor woman sweeping my pavement with a birch broom; she
+appeared very pale and feeble, as just come out of a fit of sickness.
+I ask'd who employ'd her to sweep there; she said, "Nobody, but I am
+very poor and in distress, and I sweeps before gentlefolkses doors, and
+hopes they will give me something."  I bid her sweep the whole street
+clean, and I would give her a shilling; this was at nine o'clock; at 12
+she came for the shilling.  From the slowness I saw at first in her
+working, I could scarce believe that the work was done so soon, and
+sent my servant to examine it, who reported that the whole street was
+swept perfectly clean, and all the dust plac'd in the gutter, which was
+in the middle; and the next rain wash'd it quite away, so that the
+pavement and even the kennel were perfectly clean.
+
+I then judg'd that, if that feeble woman could sweep such a street in
+three hours, a strong, active man might have done it in half the time.
+And here let me remark the convenience of having but one gutter in such
+a narrow street, running down its middle, instead of two, one on each
+side, near the footway; for where all the rain that falls on a street
+runs from the sides and meets in the middle, it forms there a current
+strong enough to wash away all the mud it meets with; but when divided
+into two channels, it is often too weak to cleanse either, and only
+makes the mud it finds more fluid, so that the wheels of carriages and
+feet of horses throw and dash it upon the foot-pavement, which is
+thereby rendered foul and slippery, and sometimes splash it upon those
+who are walking.  My proposal, communicated to the good doctor, was as
+follows:
+
+"For the more effectual cleaning and keeping clean the streets of
+London and Westminster, it is proposed that the several watchmen be
+contracted with to have the dust swept up in dry seasons, and the mud
+rak'd up at other times, each in the several streets and lanes of his
+round; that they be furnish'd with brooms and other proper instruments
+for these purposes, to be kept at their respective stands, ready to
+furnish the poor people they may employ in the service.
+
+"That in the dry summer months the dust be all swept up into heaps at
+proper distances, before the shops and windows of houses are usually
+opened, when the scavengers, with close-covered carts, shall also carry
+it all away.
+
+"That the mud, when rak'd up, be not left in heaps to be spread abroad
+again by the wheels of carriages and trampling of horses, but that the
+scavengers be provided with bodies of carts, not plac'd high upon
+wheels, but low upon sliders, with lattice bottoms, which, being
+cover'd with straw, will retain the mud thrown into them, and permit
+the water to drain from it, whereby it will become much lighter, water
+making the greatest part of its weight; these bodies of carts to be
+plac'd at convenient distances, and the mud brought to them in
+wheel-barrows; they remaining where plac'd till the mud is drain'd, and
+then horses brought to draw them away."
+
+I have since had doubts of the practicability of the latter part of
+this proposal, on account of the narrowness of some streets, and the
+difficulty of placing the draining-sleds so as not to encumber too much
+the passage; but I am still of opinion that the former, requiring the
+dust to be swept up and carry'd away before the shops are open, is very
+practicable in the summer, when the days are long; for, in walking
+thro' the Strand and Fleet-street one morning at seven o'clock, I
+observ'd there was not one shop open, tho' it had been daylight and the
+sun up above three hours; the inhabitants of London chusing voluntarily
+to live much by candle-light, and sleep by sunshine, and yet often
+complain, a little absurdly, of the duty on candles and the high price
+of tallow.
+
+Some may think these trifling matters not worth minding or relating;
+but when they consider that tho' dust blown into the eyes of a single
+person, or into a single shop on a windy day, is but of small
+importance, yet the great number of the instances in a populous city,
+and its frequent repetitions give it weight and consequence, perhaps
+they will not censure very severely those who bestow some attention to
+affairs of this seemingly low nature.  Human felicity is produc'd not
+so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by
+little advantages that occur every day.  Thus, if you teach a poor
+young man to shave himself, and keep his razor in order, you may
+contribute more to the happiness of his life than in giving him a
+thousand guineas.  The money may be soon spent, the regret only
+remaining of having foolishly consumed it; but in the other case, he
+escapes the frequent vexation of waiting for barbers, and of their
+sometimes dirty fingers, offensive breaths, and dull razors; he shaves
+when most convenient to him, and enjoys daily the pleasure of its being
+done with a good instrument.  With these sentiments I have hazarded the
+few preceding pages, hoping they may afford hints which some time or
+other may be useful to a city I love, having lived many years in it
+very happily, and perhaps to some of our towns in America.
+
+Having been for some time employed by the postmaster-general of America
+as his comptroller in regulating several offices, and bringing the
+officers to account, I was, upon his death in 1753, appointed, jointly
+with Mr. William Hunter, to succeed him, by a commission from the
+postmaster-general in England.  The American office never had hitherto
+paid any thing to that of Britain.  We were to have six hundred pounds
+a year between us, if we could make that sum out of the profits of the
+office.  To do this, a variety of improvements were necessary; some of
+these were inevitably at first expensive, so that in the first four
+years the office became above nine hundred pounds in debt to us.  But
+it soon after began to repay us; and before I was displac'd by a freak
+of the ministers, of which I shall speak hereafter, we had brought it
+to yield three times as much clear revenue to the crown as the
+postoffice of Ireland.  Since that imprudent transaction, they have
+receiv'd from it--not one farthing!
+
+The business of the postoffice occasion'd my taking a journey this year
+to New England, where the College of Cambridge, of their own motion,
+presented me with the degree of Master of Arts.  Yale College, in
+Connecticut, had before made me a similar compliment.  Thus, without
+studying in any college, I came to partake of their honours.  They were
+conferr'd in consideration of my improvements and discoveries in the
+electric branch of natural philosophy.
+
+In 1754, war with France being again apprehended, a congress of
+commissioners from the different colonies was, by an order of the Lords
+of Trade, to be assembled at Albany, there to confer with the chiefs of
+the Six Nations concerning the means of defending both their country
+and ours.  Governor Hamilton, having receiv'd this order, acquainted
+the House with it, requesting they would furnish proper presents for
+the Indians, to be given on this occasion; and naming the speaker (Mr.
+Norris) and myself to join Mr. Thomas Penn and Mr. Secretary Peters as
+commissioners to act for Pennsylvania.  The House approv'd the
+nomination, and provided the goods for the present, and tho' they did
+not much like treating out of the provinces; and we met the other
+commissioners at Albany about the middle of June.
+
+In our way thither, I projected and drew a plan for the union of all
+the colonies under one government, so far as might be necessary for
+defense, and other important general purposes.  As we pass'd thro' New
+York, I had there shown my project to Mr. James Alexander and Mr.
+Kennedy, two gentlemen of great knowledge in public affairs, and, being
+fortified by their approbation, I ventur'd to lay it before the
+Congress.  It then appeared that several of the commissioners had
+form'd plans of the same kind.  A previous question was first taken,
+whether a union should be established, which pass'd in the affirmative
+unanimously.  A committee was then appointed, one member from each
+colony, to consider the several plans and report.  Mine happen'd to be
+preferr'd, and, with a few amendments, was accordingly reported.
+
+By this plan the general government was to be administered by a
+president-general, appointed and supported by the crown, and a grand
+council was to be chosen by the representatives of the people of the
+several colonies, met in their respective assemblies.  The debates upon
+it in Congress went on daily, hand in hand with the Indian business.
+Many objections and difficulties were started, but at length they were
+all overcome, and the plan was unanimously agreed to, and copies
+ordered to be transmitted to the Board of Trade and to the assemblies
+of the several provinces.  Its fate was singular:  the assemblies did
+not adopt it, as they all thought there was too much prerogative in it,
+and in England it was judg'd to have too much of the democratic.
+
+The Board of Trade therefore did not approve of it, nor recommend it
+for the approbation of his majesty; but another scheme was form'd,
+supposed to answer the same purpose better, whereby the governors of
+the provinces, with some members of their respective councils, were to
+meet and order the raising of troops, building of forts, etc., and to
+draw on the treasury of Great Britain for the expense, which was
+afterwards to be refunded by an act of Parliament laying a tax on
+America.  My plan, with my reasons in support of it, is to be found
+among my political papers that are printed.
+
+Being the winter following in Boston, I had much conversation with
+Governor Shirley upon both the plans.  Part of what passed between us
+on the occasion may also be seen among those papers.  The different and
+contrary reasons of dislike to my plan makes me suspect that it was
+really the true medium; and I am still of opinion it would have been
+happy for both sides the water if it had been adopted.  The colonies,
+so united, would have been sufficiently strong to have defended
+themselves; there would then have been no need of troops from England;
+of course, the subsequent pretence for taxing America, and the bloody
+contest it occasioned, would have been avoided.  But such mistakes are
+not new; history is full of the errors of states and princes.
+
+          Look round the habitable world, how few
+          Know their own good, or, knowing it, pursue!
+
+Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not generally
+like to take the trouble of considering and carrying into execution new
+projects.  The best public measures are therefore seldom adopted from
+previous wisdom, but forc'd by the occasion.
+
+The Governor of Pennsylvania, in sending it down to the Assembly,
+express'd his approbation of the plan, "as appearing to him to be drawn
+up with great clearness and strength of judgment, and therefore
+recommended it as well worthy of their closest and most serious
+attention."  The House, however, by the management of a certain member,
+took it up when I happen'd to be absent, which I thought not very fair,
+and reprobated it without paying any attention to it at all, to my no
+small mortification.
+
+In my journey to Boston this year, I met at New York with our new
+governor, Mr. Morris, just arriv'd there from England, with whom I had
+been before intimately acquainted.  He brought a commission to
+supersede Mr. Hamilton, who, tir'd with the disputes his proprietary
+instructions subjected him to, had resign'd. Mr. Morris ask'd me if I
+thought he must expect as uncomfortable an administration.  I said,
+"No; you may, on the contrary, have a very comfortable one, if you will
+only take care not to enter into any dispute with the Assembly."  "My
+dear friend," says he, pleasantly, "how can you advise my avoiding
+disputes?  You know I love disputing; it is one of my greatest
+pleasures; however, to show the regard I have for your counsel, I
+promise you I will, if possible, avoid them."  He had some reason for
+loving to dispute, being eloquent, an acute sophister, and, therefore,
+generally successful in argumentative conversation.  He had been
+brought up to it from a boy, his father, as I have heard, accustoming
+his children to dispute with one another for his diversion, while
+sitting at table after dinner; but I think the practice was not wise;
+for, in the course of my observation, these disputing, contradicting,
+and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs.  They
+get victory sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of
+more use to them.  We parted, he going to Philadelphia, and I to Boston.
+
+In returning, I met at New York with the votes of the Assembly, by
+which it appear'd that, notwithstanding his promise to me, he and the
+House were already in high contention; and it was a continual battle
+between them as long as he retain'd the government.  I had my share of
+it; for, as soon as I got back to my seat in the Assembly, I was put on
+every committee for answering his speeches and messages, and by the
+committees always desired to make the drafts.  Our answers, as well as
+his messages, were often tart, and sometimes indecently abusive; and,
+as he knew I wrote for the Assembly, one might have imagined that, when
+we met, we could hardly avoid cutting throats; but he was so
+good-natur'd a man that no personal difference between him and me was
+occasion'd by the contest, and we often din'd together.
+
+One afternoon, in the height of this public quarrel, we met in the
+street.  "Franklin," says he, "you must go home with me and spend the
+evening; I am to have some company that you will like;" and, taking me
+by the arm, he led me to his house.  In gay conversation over our wine,
+after supper, he told us, jokingly, that he much admir'd the idea of
+Sancho Panza, who, when it was proposed to give him a government,
+requested it might be a government of blacks, as then, if he could not
+agree with his people, he might sell them.  One of his friends, who sat
+next to me, says, "Franklin, why do you continue to side with these
+damn'd Quakers?  Had not you better sell them?  The proprietor would
+give you a good price." "The governor," says I, "has not yet blacked
+them enough." He, indeed, had labored hard to blacken the Assembly in
+all his messages, but they wip'd off his coloring as fast as he laid it
+on, and plac'd it, in return, thick upon his own face; so that, finding
+he was likely to be negrofied himself, he, as well as Mr. Hamilton,
+grew tir'd of the contest, and quitted the government.
+
+[13]These public quarrels were all at bottom owing to the
+proprietaries, our hereditary governors, who, when any expense was to
+be incurred for the defense of their province, with incredible meanness
+instructed their deputies to pass no act for levying the necessary
+taxes, unless their vast estates were in the same act expressly
+excused; and they had even taken bonds of these deputies to observe
+such instructions.  The Assemblies for three years held out against
+this injustice, tho' constrained to bend at last.  At length Captain
+Denny, who was Governor Morris's successor, ventured to disobey those
+instructions; how that was brought about I shall show hereafter.
+
+     [13] My acts in Morris's time, military, etc.--[Marg. note.]
+
+But I am got forward too fast with my story:  there are still some
+transactions to be mention'd that happened during the administration of
+Governor Morris.
+
+War being in a manner commenced with France, the government of
+Massachusetts Bay projected an attack upon Crown Point, and sent Mr.
+Quincy to Pennsylvania, and Mr. Pownall, afterward Governor Pownall, to
+New York, to solicit assistance.  As I was in the Assembly, knew its
+temper, and was Mr. Quincy's countryman, he appli'd to me for my
+influence and assistance.  I dictated his address to them, which was
+well receiv'd. They voted an aid of ten thousand pounds, to be laid out
+in provisions.  But the governor refusing his assent to their bill
+(which included this with other sums granted for the use of the crown),
+unless a clause were inserted exempting the proprietary estate from
+bearing any part of the tax that would be necessary, the Assembly, tho'
+very desirous of making their grant to New England effectual, were at a
+loss how to accomplish it.  Mr. Quincy labored hard with the governor
+to obtain his assent, but he was obstinate.
+
+I then suggested a method of doing the business without the governor,
+by orders on the trustees of the Loan Office, which, by law, the
+Assembly had the right of drawing.  There was, indeed, little or no
+money at that time in the office, and therefore I propos'd that the
+orders should be payable in a year, and to bear an interest of five per
+cent.  With these orders I suppos'd the provisions might easily be
+purchas'd. The Assembly, with very little hesitation, adopted the
+proposal.  The orders were immediately printed, and I was one of the
+committee directed to sign and dispose of them.  The fund for paying
+them was the interest of all the paper currency then extant in the
+province upon loan, together with the revenue arising from the excise,
+which being known to be more than sufficient, they obtain'd instant
+credit, and were not only receiv'd in payment for the provisions, but
+many money'd people, who had cash lying by them, vested it in those
+orders, which they found advantageous, as they bore interest while upon
+hand, and might on any occasion be used as money; so that they were
+eagerly all bought up, and in a few weeks none of them were to be seen.
+Thus this important affair was by my means compleated.  My Quincy
+return'd thanks to the Assembly in a handsome memorial, went home
+highly pleas'd with the success of his embassy, and ever after bore for
+me the most cordial and affectionate friendship.
+
+The British government, not chusing to permit the union of the colonies
+as propos'd at Albany, and to trust that union with their defense, lest
+they should thereby grow too military, and feel their own strength,
+suspicions and jealousies at this time being entertain'd of them, sent
+over General Braddock with two regiments of regular English troops for
+that purpose.  He landed at Alexandria, in Virginia, and thence march'd
+to Frederictown, in Maryland, where he halted for carriages.  Our
+Assembly apprehending, from some information, that he had conceived
+violent prejudices against them, as averse to the service, wish'd me to
+wait upon him, not as from them, but as postmaster-general, under the
+guise of proposing to settle with him the mode of conducting with most
+celerity and certainty the despatches between him and the governors of
+the several provinces, with whom he must necessarily have continual
+correspondence, and of which they propos'd to pay the expense.  My son
+accompanied me on this journey.
+
+We found the general at Frederictown, waiting impatiently for the
+return of those he had sent thro' the back parts of Maryland and
+Virginia to collect waggons.  I stayed with him several days, din'd
+with him daily, and had full opportunity of removing all his
+prejudices, by the information of what the Assembly had before his
+arrival actually done, and were still willing to do, to facilitate his
+operations.  When I was about to depart, the returns of waggons to be
+obtained were brought in, by which it appear'd that they amounted only
+to twenty-five, and not all of those were in serviceable condition.
+The general and all the officers were surpris'd, declar'd the
+expedition was then at an end, being impossible, and exclaim'd against
+the ministers for ignorantly landing them in a country destitute of the
+means of conveying their stores, baggage, etc., not less than one
+hundred and fifty waggons being necessary.
+
+I happened to say I thought it was a pity they had not been landed
+rather in Pennsylvania, as in that country almost every farmer had his
+waggon.  The general eagerly laid hold of my words, and said, "Then
+you, sir, who are a man of interest there, can probably procure them
+for us; and I beg you will undertake it."  I ask'd what terms were to
+be offer'd the owners of the waggons; and I was desir'd to put on paper
+the terms that appeared to me necessary.  This I did, and they were
+agreed to, and a commission and instructions accordingly prepar'd
+immediately.  What those terms were will appear in the advertisement I
+publish'd as soon as I arriv'd at Lancaster, which being, from the
+great and sudden effect it produc'd, a piece of some curiosity, I shall
+insert it at length, as follows:
+
+               "ADVERTISEMENT.
+                        "LANCASTER, April 26, 1755.
+
+"Whereas, one hundred and fifty waggons, with four horses to each
+waggon, and fifteen hundred saddle or pack horses, are wanted for the
+service of his majesty's forces now about to rendezvous at Will's
+Creek, and his excellency General Braddock having been pleased to
+empower me to contract for the hire of the same, I hereby give notice
+that I shall attend for that purpose at Lancaster from this day to next
+Wednesday evening, and at York from next Thursday morning till Friday
+evening, where I shall be ready to agree for waggons and teams, or
+single horses, on the following terms, viz.: I. That there shall be
+paid for each waggon, with four good horses and a driver, fifteen
+shillings per diem; and for each able horse with a pack-saddle, or
+other saddle and furniture, two shillings per diem; and for each able
+horse without a saddle, eighteen pence per diem.  2.  That the pay
+commence from the time of their joining the forces at Will's Creek,
+which must be on or before the 20th of May ensuing, and that a
+reasonable allowance be paid over and above for the time necessary for
+their travelling to Will's Creek and home again after their discharge.
+3.  Each waggon and team, and every saddle or pack horse, is to be
+valued by indifferent persons chosen between me and the owner; and in
+case of the loss of any waggon, team, or other horse in the service,
+the price according to such valuation is to be allowed and paid.  4.
+Seven days' pay is to be advanced and paid in hand by me to the owner
+of each waggon and team, or horse, at the time of contracting, if
+required, and the remainder to be paid by General Braddock, or by the
+paymaster of the army, at the time of their discharge, or from time to
+time, as it shall be demanded.  5.  No drivers of waggons, or persons
+taking care of the hired horses, are on any account to be called upon
+to do the duty of soldiers, or be otherwise employed than in conducting
+or taking care of their carriages or horses.  6.  All oats, Indian
+corn, or other forage that waggons or horses bring to the camp, more
+than is necessary for the subsistence of the horses, is to be taken for
+the use of the army, and a reasonable price paid for the same.
+
+"Note.--My son, William Franklin, is empowered to enter into like
+contracts with any person in Cumberland county.
+
+                                        "B. FRANKLIN."
+
+     "To the inhabitants of the Counties of Lancaster,
+                    York and Cumberland.
+
+"Friends and Countrymen,
+
+"Being occasionally at the camp at Frederic a few days since, I found
+the general and officers extremely exasperated on account of their not
+being supplied with horses and carriages, which had been expected from
+this province, as most able to furnish them; but, through the
+dissensions between our governor and Assembly, money had not been
+provided, nor any steps taken for that purpose.
+
+"It was proposed to send an armed force immediately into these
+counties, to seize as many of the best carriages and horses as should
+be wanted, and compel as many persons into the service as would be
+necessary to drive and take care of them.
+
+"I apprehended that the progress of British soldiers through these
+counties on such an occasion, especially considering the temper they
+are in, and their resentment against us, would be attended with many
+and great inconveniences to the inhabitants, and therefore more
+willingly took the trouble of trying first what might be done by fair
+and equitable means.  The people of these back counties have lately
+complained to the Assembly that a sufficient currency was wanting; you
+have an opportunity of receiving and dividing among you a very
+considerable sum; for, if the service of this expedition should
+continue, as it is more than probable it will, for one hundred and
+twenty days, the hire of these waggons and horses will amount to upward
+of thirty thousand pounds, which will be paid you in silver and gold of
+the king's money.
+
+"The service will be light and easy, for the army will scarce march
+above twelve miles per day, and the waggons and baggage-horses, as they
+carry those things that are absolutely necessary to the welfare of the
+army, must march with the army, and no faster; and are, for the army's
+sake, always placed where they can be most secure, whether in a march
+or in a camp.
+
+"If you are really, as I believe you are, good and loyal subjects to
+his majesty, you may now do a most acceptable service, and make it easy
+to yourselves; for three or four of such as can not separately spare
+from the business of their plantations a waggon and four horses and a
+driver, may do it together, one furnishing the waggon, another one or
+two horses, and another the driver, and divide the pay proportionately
+between you; but if you do not this service to your king and country
+voluntarily, when such good pay and reasonable terms are offered to
+you, your loyalty will be strongly suspected.  The king's business must
+be done; so many brave troops, come so far for your defense, must not
+stand idle through your backwardness to do what may be reasonably
+expected from you; waggons and horses must be had; violent measures
+will probably be used, and you will be left to seek for a recompense
+where you can find it, and your case, perhaps, be little pitied or
+regarded.
+
+"I have no particular interest in this affair, as, except the
+satisfaction of endeavoring to do good, I shall have only my labour for
+my pains.  If this method of obtaining the waggons and horses is not
+likely to succeed, I am obliged to send word to the general in fourteen
+days; and I suppose Sir John St. Clair, the hussar, with a body of
+soldiers, will immediately enter the province for the purpose, which I
+shall be sorry to hear, because I am very sincerely and truly your
+friend and well-wisher, B. FRANKLIN."
+
+
+I received of the general about eight hundred pounds, to be disbursed
+in advance-money to the waggon owners, etc.; but, that sum being
+insufficient, I advanc'd upward of two hundred pounds more, and in two
+weeks the one hundred and fifty waggons, with two hundred and
+fifty-nine carrying horses, were on their march for the camp.  The
+advertisement promised payment according to the valuation, in case any
+waggon or horse should be lost.  The owners, however, alleging they did
+not know General Braddock, or what dependence might be had on his
+promise, insisted on my bond for the performance, which I accordingly
+gave them.
+
+While I was at the camp, supping one evening with the officers of
+Colonel Dunbar's regiment, he represented to me his concern for the
+subalterns, who, he said, were generally not in affluence, and could
+ill afford, in this dear country, to lay in the stores that might be
+necessary in so long a march, thro' a wilderness, where nothing was to
+be purchas'd. I commiserated their case, and resolved to endeavor
+procuring them some relief.  I said nothing, however, to him of my
+intention, but wrote the next morning to the committee of the Assembly,
+who had the disposition of some public money, warmly recommending the
+case of these officers to their consideration, and proposing that a
+present should be sent them of necessaries and refreshments.  My son,
+who had some experience of a camp life, and of its wants, drew up a
+list for me, which I enclos'd in my letter.  The committee approv'd,
+and used such diligence that, conducted by my son, the stores arrived
+at the camp as soon as the waggons.  They consisted of twenty parcels,
+each containing
+
+  6 lbs. loaf sugar.                1 Gloucester cheese.
+  6 lbs. good Muscovado do.         1 kegg containing 20 lbs. good
+  1 lb. good green tea.             butter.
+  1 lb. good bohea do.              2 doz. old Madeira wine.
+  6 lbs. good ground coffee.        2 gallons Jamaica spirits.
+  6 lbs. chocolate.                 1 bottle flour of mustard.
+  1-2 cwt. best white biscuit.      2 well-cur'd hams.
+  1-2 lb. pepper.                   1-2 dozen dry'd tongues.
+  1 quart best white wine vinegar   6 lbs. rice.
+                                    6 lbs. raisins.
+
+These twenty parcels, well pack'd, were placed on as many horses, each
+parcel, with the horse, being intended as a present for one officer.
+They were very thankfully receiv'd, and the kindness acknowledg'd by
+letters to me from the colonels of both regiments, in the most grateful
+terms.  The general, too, was highly satisfied with my conduct in
+procuring him the waggons, etc., and readily paid my account of
+disbursements, thanking me repeatedly, and requesting my farther
+assistance in sending provisions after him.  I undertook this also, and
+was busily employ'd in it till we heard of his defeat, advancing for
+the service of my own money, upwards of one thousand pounds sterling,
+of which I sent him an account.  It came to his hands, luckily for me,
+a few days before the battle, and he return'd me immediately an order
+on the paymaster for the round sum of one thousand pounds, leaving the
+remainder to the next account.  I consider this payment as good luck,
+having never been able to obtain that remainder, of which more
+hereafter.
+
+This general was, I think, a brave man, and might probably have made a
+figure as a good officer in some European war.  But he had too much
+self-confidence, too high an opinion of the validity of regular troops,
+and too mean a one of both Americans and Indians.  George Croghan, our
+Indian interpreter, join'd him on his march with one hundred of those
+people, who might have been of great use to his army as guides, scouts,
+etc., if he had treated them kindly; but he slighted and neglected
+them, and they gradually left him.
+
+In conversation with him one day, he was giving me some account of his
+intended progress.  "After taking Fort Duquesne," says he, "I am to
+proceed to Niagara; and, having taken that, to Frontenac, if the season
+will allow time; and I suppose it will, for Duquesne can hardly detain
+me above three or four days; and then I see nothing that can obstruct
+my march to Niagara."  Having before revolv'd in my mind the long line
+his army must make in their march by a very narrow road, to be cut for
+them thro' the woods and bushes, and also what I had read of a former
+defeat of fifteen hundred French, who invaded the Iroquois country, I
+had conceiv'd some doubts and some fears for the event of the campaign.
+But I ventur'd only to say, "To be sure, sir, if you arrive well before
+Duquesne, with these fine troops, so well provided with artillery, that
+place not yet compleatly fortified, and as we hear with no very strong
+garrison, can probably make but a short resistance.  The only danger I
+apprehend of obstruction to your march is from ambuscades of Indians,
+who, by constant practice, are dexterous in laying and executing them;
+and the slender line, near four miles long, which your army must make,
+may expose it to be attack'd by surprise in its flanks, and to be cut
+like a thread into several pieces, which, from their distance, can not
+come up in time to support each other."
+
+He smil'd at my ignorance, and reply'd, "These savages may, indeed, be
+a formidable enemy to your raw American militia, but upon the king's
+regular and disciplin'd troops, sir, it is impossible they should make
+any impression."  I was conscious of an impropriety in my disputing
+with a military man in matters of his profession, and said no more.
+The enemy, however, did not take the advantage of his army which I
+apprehended its long line of march expos'd it to, but let it advance
+without interruption till within nine miles of the place; and then,
+when more in a body (for it had just passed a river, where the front
+had halted till all were come over), and in a more open part of the
+woods than any it had pass'd, attack'd its advanced guard by a heavy
+fire from behind trees and bushes, which was the first intelligence the
+general had of an enemy's being near him.  This guard being disordered,
+the general hurried the troops up to their assistance, which was done
+in great confusion, thro' waggons, baggage, and cattle; and presently
+the fire came upon their flank:  the officers, being on horseback, were
+more easily distinguish'd, pick'd out as marks, and fell very fast; and
+the soldiers were crowded together in a huddle, having or hearing no
+orders, and standing to be shot at till two-thirds of them were killed;
+and then, being seiz'd with a panick, the whole fled with precipitation.
+
+The waggoners took each a horse out of his team and scamper'd; their
+example was immediately followed by others; so that all the waggons,
+provisions, artillery, and stores were left to the enemy.  The general,
+being wounded, was brought off with difficulty; his secretary, Mr.
+Shirley, was killed by his side; and out of eighty-six officers,
+sixty-three were killed or wounded, and seven hundred and fourteen men
+killed out of eleven hundred.  These eleven hundred had been picked men
+from the whole army; the rest had been left behind with Colonel Dunbar,
+who was to follow with the heavier part of the stores, provisions, and
+baggage.  The flyers, not being pursu'd, arriv'd at Dunbar's camp, and
+the panick they brought with them instantly seiz'd him and all his
+people; and, tho' he had now above one thousand men, and the enemy who
+had beaten Braddock did not at most exceed four hundred Indians and
+French together, instead of proceeding, and endeavoring to recover some
+of the lost honour, he ordered all the stores, ammunition, etc., to be
+destroy'd, that he might have more horses to assist his flight towards
+the settlements, and less lumber to remove.  He was there met with
+requests from the governors of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania,
+that he would post his troops on the frontiers, so as to afford some
+protection to the inhabitants; but he continu'd his hasty march thro'
+all the country, not thinking himself safe till he arriv'd at
+Philadelphia, where the inhabitants could protect him.  This whole
+transaction gave us Americans the first suspicion that our exalted
+ideas of the prowess of British regulars had not been well founded.
+
+In their first march, too, from their landing till they got beyond the
+settlements, they had plundered and stripped the inhabitants, totally
+ruining some poor families, besides insulting, abusing, and confining
+the people if they remonstrated.  This was enough to put us out of
+conceit of such defenders, if we had really wanted any.  How different
+was the conduct of our French friends in 1781, who, during a march
+thro' the most inhabited part of our country from Rhode Island to
+Virginia, near seven hundred miles, occasioned not the smallest
+complaint for the loss of a pig, a chicken, or even an apple.
+
+Captain Orme, who was one of the general's aids-de-camp, and, being
+grievously wounded, was brought off with him, and continu'd with him to
+his death, which happen'd in a few days, told me that he was totally
+silent all the first day, and at night only said, "Who would have
+thought it?"  That he was silent again the following day, saying only
+at last, "We shall better know how to deal with them another time;" and
+dy'd in a few minutes after.
+
+The secretary's papers, with all the general's orders, instructions,
+and correspondence, falling into the enemy's hands, they selected and
+translated into French a number of the articles, which they printed, to
+prove the hostile intentions of the British court before the
+declaration of war.  Among these I saw some letters of the general to
+the ministry, speaking highly of the great service I had rendered the
+army, and recommending me to their notice.  David Hume, too, who was
+some years after secretary to Lord Hertford, when minister in France,
+and afterward to General Conway, when secretary of state, told me he
+had seen among the papers in that office, letters from Braddock highly
+recommending me.  But, the expedition having been unfortunate, my
+service, it seems, was not thought of much value, for those
+recommendations were never of any use to me.
+
+As to rewards from himself, I ask'd only one, which was, that he would
+give orders to his officers not to enlist any more of our bought
+servants, and that he would discharge such as had been already
+enlisted.  This he readily granted, and several were accordingly
+return'd to their masters, on my application.  Dunbar, when the command
+devolv'd on him, was not so generous.  He being at Philadelphia, on his
+retreat, or rather flight, I apply'd to him for the discharge of the
+servants of three poor farmers of Lancaster county that he had
+enlisted, reminding him of the late general's orders on that head.  He
+promised me that, if the masters would come to him at Trenton, where he
+should be in a few days on his march to New York, he would there
+deliver their men to them.  They accordingly were at the expense and
+trouble of going to Trenton, and there he refus'd to perform his
+promise, to their great loss and disappointment.
+
+As soon as the loss of the waggons and horses was generally known, all
+the owners came upon me for the valuation which I had given bond to
+pay.  Their demands gave me a great deal of trouble, my acquainting
+them that the money was ready in the paymaster's hands, but that orders
+for paying it must first be obtained from General Shirley, and my
+assuring them that I had apply'd to that general by letter; but, he
+being at a distance, an answer could not soon be receiv'd, and they
+must have patience, all this was not sufficient to satisfy, and some
+began to sue me.  General Shirley at length relieved me from this
+terrible situation by appointing commissioners to examine the claims,
+and ordering payment.  They amounted to near twenty thousand pound,
+which to pay would have ruined me.
+
+Before we had the news of this defeat, the two Doctors Bond came to me
+with a subscription paper for raising money to defray the expense of a
+grand firework, which it was intended to exhibit at a rejoicing on
+receipt of the news of our taking Fort Duquesne.  I looked grave, and
+said it would, I thought, be time enough to prepare for the rejoicing
+when we knew we should have occasion to rejoice.  They seem'd surpris'd
+that I did not immediately comply with their proposal.  "Why the d--l!"
+says one of them, "you surely don't suppose that the fort will not be
+taken?" "I don't know that it will not be taken, but I know that the
+events of war are subject to great uncertainty."  I gave them the
+reasons of my doubting; the subscription was dropt, and the projectors
+thereby missed the mortification they would have undergone if the
+firework had been prepared.  Dr. Bond, on some other occasion
+afterward, said that he did not like Franklin's forebodings.
+
+Governor Morris, who had continually worried the Assembly with message
+after message before the defeat of Braddock, to beat them into the
+making of acts to raise money for the defense of the province, without
+taxing, among others, the proprietary estates, and had rejected all
+their bills for not having such an exempting clause, now redoubled his
+attacks with more hope of success, the danger and necessity being
+greater.  The Assembly, however, continu'd firm, believing they had
+justice on their side, and that it would be giving up an essential
+right if they suffered the governor to amend their money-bills. In one
+of the last, indeed, which was for granting fifty thousand pounds, his
+propos'd amendment was only of a single word.  The bill expressed "that
+all estates, real and personal, were to be taxed, those of the
+proprietaries not excepted."  His amendment was, for not read only:  a
+small, but very material alteration.  However, when the news of this
+disaster reached England, our friends there, whom we had taken care to
+furnish with all the Assembly's answers to the governor's messages,
+rais'd a clamor against the proprietaries for their meanness and
+injustice in giving their governor such instructions; some going so far
+as to say that, by obstructing the defense of their province, they
+forfeited their right to it.  They were intimidated by this, and sent
+orders to their receiver-general to add five thousand pounds of their
+money to whatever sum might be given by the Assembly for such purpose.
+
+This, being notified to the House, was accepted in lieu of their share
+of a general tax, and a new bill was form'd, with an exempting clause,
+which passed accordingly.  By this act I was appointed one of the
+commissioners for disposing of the money, sixty thousand pounds.  I had
+been active in modelling the bill and procuring its passage, and had,
+at the same time, drawn a bill for establishing and disciplining of a
+voluntary militia, which I carried thro' the House without much
+difficulty, as care was taken in it to leave the Quakers at their
+liberty.  To promote the association necessary to form the militia, I
+wrote a dialogue,[14] stating and answering all the objections I could
+think of to such a militia, which was printed, and had, as I thought,
+great effect.
+
+     [14] This dialogue and the militia act are in the
+          "Gentleman's Magazine" for February and March, 1756.
+           --[Marg. note.]
+
+While the several companies in the city and country were forming and
+learning their exercise, the governor prevail'd with me to take charge
+of our North-western frontier, which was infested by the enemy, and
+provide for the defense of the inhabitants by raising troops and
+building a line of forts.  I undertook this military business, tho' I
+did not conceive myself well qualified for it.  He gave me a commission
+with full powers, and a parcel of blank commissions for officers, to be
+given to whom I thought fit.  I had but little difficulty in raising
+men, having soon five hundred and sixty under my command.  My son, who
+had in the preceding war been an officer in the army rais'd against
+Canada, was my aid-de-camp, and of great use to me.  The Indians had
+burned Gnadenhut, a village settled by the Moravians, and massacred the
+inhabitants; but the place was thought a good situation for one of the
+forts.
+
+In order to march thither, I assembled the companies at Bethlehem, the
+chief establishment of those people.  I was surprised to find it in so
+good a posture of defense; the destruction of Gnadenhut had made them
+apprehend danger.  The principal buildings were defended by a stockade;
+they had purchased a quantity of arms and ammunition from New York, and
+had even plac'd quantities of small paving stones between the windows
+of their high stone houses, for their women to throw down upon the
+heads of any Indians that should attempt to force into them.  The armed
+brethren, too, kept watch, and reliev'd as methodically as in any
+garrison town.  In conversation with the bishop, Spangenberg, I
+mention'd this my surprise; for, knowing they had obtained an act of
+Parliament exempting them from military duties in the colonies, I had
+suppos'd they were conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms.  He
+answer'd me that it was not one of their established principles, but
+that, at the time of their obtaining that act, it was thought to be a
+principle with many of their people.  On this occasion, however, they,
+to their surprise, found it adopted by but a few.  It seems they were
+either deceiv'd in themselves, or deceiv'd the Parliament; but common
+sense, aided by present danger, will sometimes be too strong for
+whimsical opinions.
+
+It was the beginning of January when we set out upon this business of
+building forts.  I sent one detachment toward the Minisink, with
+instructions to erect one for the security of that upper part of the
+country, and another to the lower part, with similar instructions; and
+I concluded to go myself with the rest of my force to Gnadenhut, where
+a fort was tho't more immediately necessary.  The Moravians procur'd me
+five waggons for our tools, stores, baggage, etc.
+
+Just before we left Bethlehem, eleven farmers, who had been driven from
+their plantations by the Indians, came to me requesting a supply of
+firearms, that they might go back and fetch off their cattle.  I gave
+them each a gun with suitable ammunition.  We had not march'd many
+miles before it began to rain, and it continued raining all day; there
+were no habitations on the road to shelter us, till we arriv'd near
+night at the house of a German, where, and in his barn, we were all
+huddled together, as wet as water could make us.  It was well we were
+not attack'd in our march, for our arms were of the most ordinary sort,
+and our men could not keep their gun locks dry.  The Indians are
+dextrous in contrivances for that purpose, which we had not.  They met
+that day the eleven poor farmers above mentioned, and killed ten of
+them.  The one who escap'd inform'd that his and his companions' guns
+would not go off, the priming being wet with the rain.
+
+The next day being fair, we continu'd our march, and arriv'd at the
+desolated Gnadenhut.  There was a saw-mill near, round which were left
+several piles of boards, with which we soon hutted ourselves; an
+operation the more necessary at that inclement season, as we had no
+tents.  Our first work was to bury more effectually the dead we found
+there, who had been half interr'd by the country people.
+
+The next morning our fort was plann'd and mark'd out, the circumference
+measuring four hundred and fifty-five feet, which would require as many
+palisades to be made of trees, one with another, of a foot diameter
+each.  Our axes, of which we had seventy, were immediately set to work
+to cut down trees, and, our men being dextrous in the use of them,
+great despatch was made.  Seeing the trees fall so fast, I had the
+curiosity to look at my watch when two men began to cut at a pine; in
+six minutes they had it upon the ground, and I found it of fourteen
+inches diameter.  Each pine made three palisades of eighteen feet long,
+pointed at one end.  While these were preparing, our other men dug a
+trench all round, of three feet deep, in which the palisades were to be
+planted; and, our waggons, the bodys being taken off, and the fore and
+hind wheels separated by taking out the pin which united the two parts
+of the perch, we had ten carriages, with two horses each, to bring the
+palisades from the woods to the spot.  When they were set up, our
+carpenters built a stage of boards all round within, about six feet
+high, for the men to stand on when to fire thro' the loopholes.  We had
+one swivel gun, which we mounted on one of the angles, and fir'd it as
+soon as fix'd, to let the Indians know, if any were within hearing,
+that we had such pieces; and thus our fort, if such a magnificent name
+may be given to so miserable a stockade, was finish'd in a week, though
+it rain'd so hard every other day that the men could not work.
+
+This gave me occasion to observe, that, when men are employ'd, they are
+best content'd; for on the days they worked they were good-natur'd and
+cheerful, and, with the consciousness of having done a good day's work,
+they spent the evening jollily; but on our idle days they were mutinous
+and quarrelsome, finding fault with their pork, the bread, etc., and in
+continual ill-humor, which put me in mind of a sea-captain, whose rule
+it was to keep his men constantly at work; and, when his mate once told
+him that they had done every thing, and there was nothing further to
+employ them about, "Oh," says he, "Make them scour the anchor."
+
+This kind of fort, however contemptible, is a sufficient defense
+against Indians, who have no cannon.  Finding ourselves now posted
+securely, and having a place to retreat to on occasion, we ventur'd out
+in parties to scour the adjacent country.  We met with no Indians, but
+we found the places on the neighboring hills where they had lain to
+watch our proceedings.  There was an art in their contrivance of those
+places, that seems worth mention.  It being winter, a fire was
+necessary for them; but a common fire on the surface of the ground
+would by its light have discovered their position at a distance.  They
+had therefore dug holes in the ground about three feet diameter, and
+somewhat deeper; we saw where they had with their hatchets cut off the
+charcoal from the sides of burnt logs lying in the woods.  With these
+coals they had made small fires in the bottom of the holes, and we
+observ'd among the weeds and grass the prints of their bodies, made by
+their laying all round, with their legs hanging down in the holes to
+keep their feet warm, which, with them, is an essential point.  This
+kind of fire, so manag'd, could not discover them, either by its light,
+flame, sparks, or even smoke: it appear'd that their number was not
+great, and it seems they saw we were too many to be attacked by them
+with prospect of advantage.
+
+We had for our chaplain a zealous Presbyterian minister, Mr. Beatty,
+who complained to me that the men did not generally attend his prayers
+and exhortations.  When they enlisted, they were promised, besides pay
+and provisions, a gill of rum a day, which was punctually serv'd out to
+them, half in the morning, and the other half in the evening; and I
+observ'd they were as punctual in attending to receive it; upon which I
+said to Mr. Beatty, "It is, perhaps, below the dignity of your
+profession to act as steward of the rum, but if you were to deal it out
+and only just after prayers, you would have them all about you." He
+liked the tho't, undertook the office, and, with the help of a few
+hands to measure out the liquor, executed it to satisfaction, and never
+were prayers more generally and more punctually attended; so that I
+thought this method preferable to the punishment inflicted by some
+military laws for non-attendance on divine service.
+
+I had hardly finish'd this business, and got my fort well stor'd with
+provisions, when I receiv'd a letter from the governor, acquainting me
+that he had call'd the Assembly, and wished my attendance there, if the
+posture of affairs on the frontiers was such that my remaining there
+was no longer necessary.  My friends, too, of the Assembly, pressing me
+by their letters to be, if possible, at the meeting, and my three
+intended forts being now compleated, and the inhabitants contented to
+remain on their farms under that protection, I resolved to return; the
+more willingly, as a New England officer, Colonel Clapham, experienced
+in Indian war, being on a visit to our establishment, consented to
+accept the command.  I gave him a commission, and, parading the
+garrison, had it read before them, and introduc'd him to them as an
+officer who, from his skill in military affairs, was much more fit to
+command them than myself; and, giving them a little exhortation, took
+my leave.  I was escorted as far as Bethlehem, where I rested a few
+days to recover from the fatigue I had undergone.  The first night,
+being in a good bed, I could hardly sleep, it was so different from my
+hard lodging on the floor of our hut at Gnaden wrapt only in a blanket
+or two.
+
+While at Bethlehem, I inquir'd a little into the practice of the
+Moravians:  some of them had accompanied me, and all were very kind to
+me.  I found they work'd for a common stock, eat at common tables, and
+slept in common dormitories, great numbers together.  In the
+dormitories I observed loopholes, at certain distances all along just
+under the ceiling, which I thought judiciously placed for change of
+air.  I was at their church, where I was entertain'd with good musick,
+the organ being accompanied with violins, hautboys, flutes, clarinets,
+etc.  I understood that their sermons were not usually preached to
+mixed congregations of men, women, and children, as is our common
+practice, but that they assembled sometimes the married men, at other
+times their wives, then the young men, the young women, and the little
+children, each division by itself.  The sermon I heard was to the
+latter, who came in and were plac'd in rows on benches; the boys under
+the conduct of a young man, their tutor, and the girls conducted by a
+young woman.  The discourse seem'd well adapted to their capacities,
+and was deliver'd in a pleasing, familiar manner, coaxing them, as it
+were, to be good.  They behav'd very orderly, but looked pale and
+unhealthy, which made me suspect they were kept too much within doors,
+or not allow'd sufficient exercise.
+
+I inquir'd concerning the Moravian marriages, whether the report was
+true that they were by lot.  I was told that lots were us'd only in
+particular cases; that generally, when a young man found himself
+dispos'd to marry, he inform'd the elders of his class, who consulted
+the elder ladies that govern'd the young women.  As these elders of the
+different sexes were well acquainted with the tempers and dispositions
+of their respective pupils, they could best judge what matches were
+suitable, and their judgments were generally acquiesc'd in; but if, for
+example, it should happen that two or three young women were found to
+be equally proper for the young man, the lot was then recurred to.  I
+objected, if the matches are not made by the mutual choice of the
+parties, some of them may chance to be very unhappy.  "And so they
+may," answer'd my informer, "if you let the parties chuse for
+themselves;" which, indeed, I could not deny.
+
+Being returned to Philadelphia, I found the association went on
+swimmingly, the inhabitants that were not Quakers having pretty
+generally come into it, formed themselves into companies, and chose
+their captains, lieutenants, and ensigns, according to the new law.
+Dr. B. visited me, and gave me an account of the pains he had taken to
+spread a general good liking to the law, and ascribed much to those
+endeavors.  I had had the vanity to ascribe all to my Dialogue;
+however, not knowing but that he might be in the right, I let him enjoy
+his opinion, which I take to be generally the best way in such cases.
+The officers, meeting, chose me to be colonel of the regiment, which I
+this time accepted.  I forget how many companies we had, but we paraded
+about twelve hundred well-looking men, with a company of artillery, who
+had been furnished with six brass field-pieces, which they had become
+so expert in the use of as to fire twelve times in a minute.  The first
+time I reviewed my regiment they accompanied me to my house, and would
+salute me with some rounds fired before my door, which shook down and
+broke several glasses of my electrical apparatus.  And my new honour
+proved not much less brittle; for all our commissions were soon after
+broken by a repeal of the law in England.
+
+During this short time of my colonelship, being about to set out on a
+journey to Virginia, the officers of my regiment took it into their
+heads that it would be proper for them to escort me out of town, as far
+as the Lower Ferry.  Just as I was getting on horseback they came to my
+door, between thirty and forty, mounted, and all in their uniforms.  I
+had not been previously acquainted with the project, or I should have
+prevented it, being naturally averse to the assuming of state on any
+occasion; and I was a good deal chagrin'd at their appearance, as I
+could not avoid their accompanying me.  What made it worse was, that,
+as soon as we began to move, they drew their swords and rode with them
+naked all the way.  Somebody wrote an account of this to the
+proprietor, and it gave him great offense.  No such honor had been paid
+him when in the province, nor to any of his governors; and he said it
+was only proper to princes of the blood royal, which may be true for
+aught I know, who was, and still am, ignorant of the etiquette in such
+cases.
+
+This silly affair, however, greatly increased his rancour against me,
+which was before not a little, on account of my conduct in the Assembly
+respecting the exemption of his estate from taxation, which I had
+always oppos'd very warmly, and not without severe reflections on his
+meanness and injustice of contending for it.  He accused me to the
+ministry as being the great obstacle to the king's service, preventing,
+by my influence in the House, the proper form of the bills for raising
+money, and he instanced this parade with my officers as a proof of my
+having an intention to take the government of the province out of his
+hands by force.  He also applied to Sir Everard Fawkener, the
+postmaster-general, to deprive me of my office; but it had no other
+effect than to procure from Sir Everard a gentle admonition.
+
+Notwithstanding the continual wrangle between the governor and the
+House, in which I, as a member, had so large a share, there still
+subsisted a civil intercourse between that gentleman and myself, and we
+never had any personal difference.  I have sometimes since thought that
+his little or no resentment against me, for the answers it was known I
+drew up to his messages, might be the effect of professional habit, and
+that, being bred a lawyer, he might consider us both as merely
+advocates for contending clients in a suit, he for the proprietaries
+and I for the Assembly.  He would, therefore, sometimes call in a
+friendly way to advise with me on difficult points, and sometimes, tho'
+not often, take my advice.
+
+We acted in concert to supply Braddock's army with provisions; and,
+when the shocking news arrived of his defeat, the governor sent in
+haste for me, to consult with him on measures for preventing the
+desertion of the back counties.  I forget now the advice I gave; but I
+think it was, that Dunbar should be written to, and prevail'd with, if
+possible, to post his troops on the frontiers for their protection,
+till, by re-enforcements from the colonies, he might be able to proceed
+on the expedition.  And, after my return from the frontier, he would
+have had me undertake the conduct of such an expedition with provincial
+troops, for the reduction of Fort Duquesne, Dunbar and his men being
+otherwise employed; and he proposed to commission me as general.  I had
+not so good an opinion of my military abilities as he profess'd to
+have, and I believe his professions must have exceeded his real
+sentiments; but probably he might think that my popularity would
+facilitate the raising of the men, and my influence in Assembly, the
+grant of money to pay them, and that, perhaps, without taxing the
+proprietary estate.  Finding me not so forward to engage as he
+expected, the project was dropt, and he soon after left the government,
+being superseded by Captain Denny.
+
+Before I proceed in relating the part I had in public affairs under
+this new governor's administration, it may not be amiss here to give
+some account of the rise and progress of my philosophical reputation.
+
+In 1746, being at Boston, I met there with a Dr. Spence, who was lately
+arrived from Scotland, and show'd me some electric experiments.  They
+were imperfectly perform'd, as he was not very expert; but, being on a
+subject quite new to me, they equally surpris'd and pleased me.  Soon
+after my return to Philadelphia, our library company receiv'd from Mr.
+P. Collinson, Fellow of the Royal Society of London, a present of a
+glass tube, with some account of the use of it in making such
+experiments.  I eagerly seized the opportunity of repeating what I had
+seen at Boston; and, by much practice, acquir'd great readiness in
+performing those, also, which we had an account of from England, adding
+a number of new ones.  I say much practice, for my house was
+continually full, for some time, with people who came to see these new
+wonders.
+
+To divide a little this incumbrance among my friends, I caused a number
+of similar tubes to be blown at our glass-house, with which they
+furnish'd themselves, so that we had at length several performers.
+Among these, the principal was Mr. Kinnersley, an ingenious neighbor,
+who, being out of business, I encouraged to undertake showing the
+experiments for money, and drew up for him two lectures, in which the
+experiments were rang'd in such order, and accompanied with such
+explanations in such method, as that the foregoing should assist in
+comprehending the following.  He procur'd an elegant apparatus for the
+purpose, in which all the little machines that I had roughly made for
+myself were nicely form'd by instrument-makers. His lectures were well
+attended, and gave great satisfaction; and after some time he went
+thro' the colonies, exhibiting them in every capital town, and pick'd
+up some money.  In the West India islands, indeed, it was with
+difficulty the experiments could be made, from the general moisture of
+the air.
+
+Oblig'd as we were to Mr. Collinson for his present of the tube, etc.,
+I thought it right he should be inform'd of our success in using it,
+and wrote him several letters containing accounts of our experiments.
+He got them read in the Royal Society, where they were not at first
+thought worth so much notice as to be printed in their Transactions.
+One paper, which I wrote for Mr. Kinnersley, on the sameness of
+lightning with electricity, I sent to Dr. Mitchel, an acquaintance of
+mine, and one of the members also of that society, who wrote me word
+that it had been read, but was laughed at by the connoisseurs.  The
+papers, however, being shown to Dr. Fothergill, he thought them of too
+much value to be stifled, and advis'd the printing of them.  Mr.
+Collinson then gave them to Cave for publication in his Gentleman's
+Magazine; but he chose to print them separately in a pamphlet, and Dr.
+Fothergill wrote the preface.  Cave, it seems, judged rightly for his
+profit, for by the additions that arrived afterward they swell'd to a
+quarto volume, which has had five editions, and cost him nothing for
+copy-money.
+
+It was, however, some time before those papers were much taken notice
+of in England.  A copy of them happening to fall into the hands of the
+Count de Buffon, a philosopher deservedly of great reputation in
+France, and, indeed, all over Europe, he prevailed with M. Dalibard to
+translate them into French, and they were printed at Paris.  The
+publication offended the Abbe Nollet, preceptor in Natural Philosophy
+to the royal family, and an able experimenter, who had form'd and
+publish'd a theory of electricity, which then had the general vogue.
+He could not at first believe that such a work came from America, and
+said it must have been fabricated by his enemies at Paris, to decry his
+system.  Afterwards, having been assur'd that there really existed such
+a person as Franklin at Philadelphia, which he had doubted, he wrote
+and published a volume of Letters, chiefly address'd to me, defending
+his theory, and denying the verity of my experiments, and of the
+positions deduc'd from them.
+
+I once purpos'd answering the abbe, and actually began the answer; but,
+on consideration that my writings contain'd a description of
+experiments which any one might repeat and verify, and if not to be
+verifi'd, could not be defended; or of observations offer'd as
+conjectures, and not delivered dogmatically, therefore not laying me
+under any obligation to defend them; and reflecting that a dispute
+between two persons, writing in different languages, might be
+lengthened greatly by mistranslations, and thence misconceptions of one
+another's meaning, much of one of the abbe's letters being founded on
+an error in the translation, I concluded to let my papers shift for
+themselves, believing it was better to spend what time I could spare
+from public business in making new experiments, than in disputing about
+those already made.  I therefore never answered M. Nollet, and the
+event gave me no cause to repent my silence; for my friend M. le Roy,
+of the Royal Academy of Sciences, took up my cause and refuted him; my
+book was translated into the Italian, German, and Latin languages; and
+the doctrine it contain'd was by degrees universally adopted by the
+philosophers of Europe, in preference to that of the abbe; so that he
+lived to see himself the last of his sect, except Monsieur B----, of
+Paris, his eleve and immediate disciple.
+
+What gave my book the more sudden and general celebrity, was the
+success of one of its proposed experiments, made by Messrs.  Dalibard
+and De Lor at Marly, for drawing lightning from the clouds.  This
+engag'd the public attention every where.  M. de Lor, who had an
+apparatus for experimental philosophy, and lectur'd in that branch of
+science, undertook to repeat what he called the Philadelphia
+Experiments; and, after they were performed before the king and court,
+all the curious of Paris flocked to see them.  I will not swell this
+narrative with an account of that capital experiment, nor of the
+infinite pleasure I receiv'd in the success of a similar one I made
+soon after with a kite at Philadelphia, as both are to be found in the
+histories of electricity.
+
+Dr. Wright, an English physician, when at Paris, wrote to a friend, who
+was of the Royal Society, an account of the high esteem my experiments
+were in among the learned abroad, and of their wonder that my writings
+had been so little noticed in England.  The society, on this, resum'd
+the consideration of the letters that had been read to them; and the
+celebrated Dr. Watson drew up a summary account of them, and of all I
+had afterwards sent to England on the subject, which he accompanied
+with some praise of the writer.  This summary was then printed in their
+Transactions; and some members of the society in London, particularly
+the very ingenious Mr. Canton, having verified the experiment of
+procuring lightning from the clouds by a pointed rod, and acquainting
+them with the success, they soon made me more than amends for the
+slight with which they had before treated me.  Without my having made
+any application for that honor, they chose me a member, and voted that
+I should be excus'd the customary payments, which would have amounted
+to twenty-five guineas; and ever since have given me their Transactions
+gratis.  They also presented me with the gold medal of Sir Godfrey
+Copley for the year 1753, the delivery of which was accompanied by a
+very handsome speech of the president, Lord Macclesfield, wherein I was
+highly honoured.
+
+Our new governor, Captain Denny, brought over for me the
+before-mentioned medal from the Royal Society, which he presented to me
+at an entertainment given him by the city.  He accompanied it with very
+polite expressions of his esteem for me, having, as he said, been long
+acquainted with my character.  After dinner, when the company, as was
+customary at that time, were engag'd in drinking, he took me aside into
+another room, and acquainted me that he had been advis'd by his friends
+in England to cultivate a friendship with me, as one who was capable of
+giving him the best advice, and of contributing most effectually to the
+making his administration easy; that he therefore desired of all things
+to have a good understanding with me, and he begg'd me to be assur'd of
+his readiness on all occasions to render me every service that might be
+in his power.  He said much to me, also, of the proprietor's good
+disposition towards the province, and of the advantage it might be to
+us all, and to me in particular, if the opposition that had been so
+long continu'd to his measures was dropt, and harmony restor'd between
+him and the people; in effecting which, it was thought no one could be
+more serviceable than myself; and I might depend on adequate
+acknowledgments and recompenses, etc., etc.  The drinkers, finding we
+did not return immediately to the table, sent us a decanter of Madeira,
+which the governor made liberal use of, and in proportion became more
+profuse of his solicitations and promises.
+
+My answers were to this purpose:  that my circumstances, thanks to God,
+were such as to make proprietary favours unnecessary to me; and that,
+being a member of the Assembly, I could not possibly accept of any;
+that, however, I had no personal enmity to the proprietary, and that,
+whenever the public measures he propos'd should appear to be for the
+good of the people, no one should espouse and forward them more
+zealously than myself; my past opposition having been founded on this,
+that the measures which had been urged were evidently intended to serve
+the proprietary interest, with great prejudice to that of the people;
+that I was much obliged to him (the governor) for his professions of
+regard to me, and that he might rely on every thing in my power to make
+his administration as easy as possible, hoping at the same time that he
+had not brought with him the same unfortunate instruction his
+predecessor had been hamper'd with.
+
+On this he did not then explain himself; but when he afterwards came to
+do business with the Assembly, they appear'd again, the disputes were
+renewed, and I was as active as ever in the opposition, being the
+penman, first, of the request to have a communication of the
+instructions, and then of the remarks upon them, which may be found in
+the votes of the time, and in the Historical Review I afterward
+publish'd. But between us personally no enmity arose; we were often
+together; he was a man of letters, had seen much of the world, and was
+very entertaining and pleasing in conversation.  He gave me the first
+information that my old friend Jas. Ralph was still alive; that he was
+esteem'd one of the best political writers in England; had been
+employ'd in the dispute between Prince Frederic and the king, and had
+obtain'd a pension of three hundred a year; that his reputation was
+indeed small as a poet, Pope having damned his poetry in the Dunciad;
+but his prose was thought as good as any man's.
+
+[15]The Assembly finally finding the proprietary obstinately persisted
+in manacling their deputies with instructions inconsistent not only
+with the privileges of the people, but with the service of the crown,
+resolv'd to petition the king against them, and appointed me their
+agent to go over to England, to present and support the petition.  The
+House had sent up a bill to the governor, granting a sum of sixty
+thousand pounds for the king's use (ten thousand pounds of which was
+subjected to the orders of the then general, Lord Loudoun), which the
+governor absolutely refus'd to pass, in compliance with his
+instructions.
+
+     [15] The many unanimous resolves of the Assembly--
+          what date?--[Marg. note.]
+
+I had agreed with Captain Morris, of the paquet at New York, for my
+passage, and my stores were put on board, when Lord Loudoun arriv'd at
+Philadelphia, expressly, as he told me, to endeavor an accommodation
+between the governor and Assembly, that his majesty's service might not
+be obstructed by their dissensions.  Accordingly, he desir'd the
+governor and myself to meet him, that he might hear what was to be said
+on both sides.  We met and discuss'd the business.  In behalf of the
+Assembly, I urg'd all the various arguments that may be found in the
+public papers of that time, which were of my writing, and are printed
+with the minutes of the Assembly; and the governor pleaded his
+instructions; the bond he had given to observe them, and his ruin if he
+disobey'd, yet seemed not unwilling to hazard himself if Lord Loudoun
+would advise it.  This his lordship did not chuse to do, though I once
+thought I had nearly prevail'd with him to do it; but finally he rather
+chose to urge the compliance of the Assembly; and he entreated me to
+use my endeavours with them for that purpose, declaring that he would
+spare none of the king's troops for the defense of our frontiers, and
+that, if we did not continue to provide for that defense ourselves,
+they must remain expos'd to the enemy.
+
+I acquainted the House with what had pass'd, and, presenting them with
+a set of resolutions I had drawn up, declaring our rights, and that we
+did not relinquish our claim to those rights, but only suspended the
+exercise of them on this occasion thro' force, against which we
+protested, they at length agreed to drop that bill, and frame another
+conformable to the proprietary instructions.  This of course the
+governor pass'd, and I was then at liberty to proceed on my voyage.
+But, in the meantime, the paquet had sailed with my sea-stores, which
+was some loss to me, and my only recompense was his lordship's thanks
+for my service, all the credit of obtaining the accommodation falling
+to his share.
+
+He set out for New York before me; and, as the time for dispatching the
+paquet-boats was at his disposition, and there were two then remaining
+there, one of which, he said, was to sail very soon, I requested to
+know the precise time, that I might not miss her by any delay of mine.
+His answer was, "I have given out that she is to sail on Saturday next;
+but I may let you know, entre nous, that if you are there by Monday
+morning, you will be in time, but do not delay longer."  By some
+accidental hinderance at a ferry, it was Monday noon before I arrived,
+and I was much afraid she might have sailed, as the wind was fair; but
+I was soon made easy by the information that she was still in the
+harbor, and would not move till the next day.  One would imagine that I
+was now on the very point of departing for Europe.  I thought so; but I
+was not then so well acquainted with his lordship's character, of which
+indecision was one of the strongest features.  I shall give some
+instances.  It was about the beginning of April that I came to New
+York, and I think it was near the end of June before we sail'd. There
+were then two of the paquet-boats, which had been long in port, but
+were detained for the general's letters, which were always to be ready
+to-morrow. Another paquet arriv'd; she too was detain'd; and, before we
+sail'd, a fourth was expected.  Ours was the first to be dispatch'd, as
+having been there longest.  Passengers were engag'd in all, and some
+extremely impatient to be gone, and the merchants uneasy about their
+letters, and the orders they had given for insurance (it being war
+time) for fall goods! but their anxiety avail'd nothing; his lordship's
+letters were not ready; and yet whoever waited on him found him always
+at his desk, pen in hand, and concluded he must needs write abundantly.
+
+Going myself one morning to pay my respects, I found in his antechamber
+one Innis, a messenger of Philadelphia, who had come from thence
+express with a paquet from Governor Denny for the General.  He
+delivered to me some letters from my friends there, which occasion'd my
+inquiring when he was to return, and where be lodg'd, that I might send
+some letters by him.  He told me he was order'd to call to-morrow at
+nine for the general's answer to the governor, and should set off
+immediately.  I put my letters into his hands the same day.  A
+fortnight after I met him again in the same place.  "So, you are soon
+return'd, Innis?"  "Returned! no, I am not gone yet." "How so?"  "I
+have called here by order every morning these two weeks past for his
+lordship's letter, and it is not yet ready." "Is it possible, when he
+is so great a writer? for I see him constantly at his escritoire."
+"Yes," says Innis, "but he is like St. George on the signs, always on
+horseback, and never rides on!" This observation of the messenger was,
+it seems, well founded; for, when in England, I understood that Mr.
+Pitt gave it as one reason for removing this general, and sending
+Generals Amherst and Wolfe, that the minister never heard from him, and
+could not know what he was doing.
+
+This daily expectation of sailing, and all the three paquets going down
+to Sandy Hook, to join the fleet there, the passengers thought it best
+to be on board, lest by a sudden order the ships should sail, and they
+be left behind.  There, if I remember right, we were about six weeks,
+consuming our sea-stores, and oblig'd to procure more.  At length the
+fleet sail'd, the General and all his army on board, bound to
+Louisburg, with intent to besiege and take that fortress; all the
+paquet-boats in company ordered to attend the General's ship, ready to
+receive his dispatches when they should be ready.  We were out five
+days before we got a letter with leave to part, and then our ship
+quitted the fleet and steered for England.  The other two paquets he
+still detained, carried them with him to Halifax, where he stayed some
+time to exercise the men in sham attacks upon sham forts, then alter'd
+his mind as to besieging Louisburg, and return'd to New York, with all
+his troops, together with the two paquets above mentioned, and all
+their passengers!  During his absence the French and savages had taken
+Fort George, on the frontier of that province, and the savages had
+massacred many of the garrison after capitulation.
+
+I saw afterwards in London Captain Bonnell, who commanded one of those
+paquets.  He told me that, when he had been detain'd a month, he
+acquainted his lordship that his ship was grown foul, to a degree that
+must necessarily hinder her fast sailing, a point of consequence for a
+paquet-boat, and requested an allowance of time to heave her down and
+clean her bottom.  He was asked how long time that would require.  He
+answer'd, three days.  The general replied, "If you can do it in one
+day, I give leave; otherwise not; for you must certainly sail the day
+after to-morrow." So he never obtain'd leave, though detained
+afterwards from day to day during full three months.
+
+I saw also in London one of Bonnell's passengers, who was so enrag'd
+against his lordship for deceiving and detaining him so long at New
+York, and then carrying him to Halifax and back again, that he swore he
+would sue for damages.  Whether he did or not, I never heard; but, as
+he represented the injury to his affairs, it was very considerable.
+
+On the whole, I wonder'd much how such a man came to be intrusted with
+so important a business as the conduct of a great army; but, having
+since seen more of the great world, and the means of obtaining, and
+motives for giving places, my wonder is diminished.  General Shirley,
+on whom the command of the army devolved upon the death of Braddock,
+would, in my opinion, if continued in place, have made a much better
+campaign than that of Loudoun in 1757, which was frivolous, expensive,
+and disgraceful to our nation beyond conception; for, tho' Shirley was
+not a bred soldier, he was sensible and sagacious in himself, and
+attentive to good advice from others, capable of forming judicious
+plans, and quick and active in carrying them into execution.  Loudoun,
+instead of defending the colonies with his great army, left them
+totally expos'd while he paraded idly at Halifax, by which means Fort
+George was lost, besides, he derang'd all our mercantile operations,
+and distress'd our trade, by a long embargo on the exportation of
+provisions, on pretence of keeping supplies from being obtain'd by the
+enemy, but in reality for beating down their price in favor of the
+contractors, in whose profits, it was said, perhaps from suspicion
+only, he had a share.  And, when at length the embargo was taken off,
+by neglecting to send notice of it to Charlestown, the Carolina fleet
+was detain'd near three months longer, whereby their bottoms were so
+much damaged by the worm that a great part of them foundered in their
+passage home.
+
+Shirley was, I believe, sincerely glad of being relieved from so
+burdensome a charge as the conduct of an army must be to a man
+unacquainted with military business.  I was at the entertainment given
+by the city of New York to Lord Loudoun, on his taking upon him the
+command.  Shirley, tho' thereby superseded, was present also.  There
+was a great company of officers, citizens, and strangers, and, some
+chairs having been borrowed in the neighborhood, there was one among
+them very low, which fell to the lot of Mr. Shirley.  Perceiving it as
+I sat by him, I said, "They have given you, sir, too low a seat." "No
+matter," says he, "Mr. Franklin, I find a low seat the easiest."
+
+While I was, as afore mention'd, detain'd at New York, I receiv'd all
+the accounts of the provisions, etc., that I had furnish'd to Braddock,
+some of which accounts could not sooner be obtain'd from the different
+persons I had employ'd to assist in the business.  I presented them to
+Lord Loudoun, desiring to be paid the ballance.  He caus'd them to be
+regularly examined by the proper officer, who, after comparing every
+article with its voucher, certified them to be right; and the balance
+due for which his lordship promis'd to give me an order on the
+paymaster.  This was, however, put off from time to time; and, tho' I
+call'd often for it by appointment, I did not get it.  At length, just
+before my departure, he told me he had, on better consideration,
+concluded not to mix his accounts with those of his predecessors.  "And
+you," says he, "when in England, have only to exhibit your accounts at
+the treasury, and you will be paid immediately."
+
+I mention'd, but without effect, the great and unexpected expense I had
+been put to by being detain'd so long at New York, as a reason for my
+desiring to be presently paid; and on my observing that it was not
+right I should be put to any further trouble or delay in obtaining the
+money I had advanc'd, as I charged no commission for my service, "O,
+sir," says he, "you must not think of persuading us that you are no
+gainer; we understand better those affairs, and know that every one
+concerned in supplying the army finds means, in the doing it, to fill
+his own pockets."  I assur'd him that was not my case, and that I had
+not pocketed a farthing; but he appear'd clearly not to believe me;
+and, indeed, I have since learnt that immense fortunes are often made
+in such employments.  As to my ballance, I am not paid it to this day,
+of which more hereafter.
+
+Our captain of the paquet had boasted much, before we sailed, of the
+swiftness of his ship; unfortunately, when we came to sea, she proved
+the dullest of ninety-six sail, to his no small mortification.  After
+many conjectures respecting the cause, when we were near another ship
+almost as dull as ours, which, however, gain'd upon us, the captain
+ordered all hands to come aft, and stand as near the ensign staff as
+possible.  We were, passengers included, about forty persons.  While we
+stood there, the ship mended her pace, and soon left her neighbour far
+behind, which prov'd clearly what our captain suspected, that she was
+loaded too much by the head.  The casks of water, it seems, had been
+all plac'd forward; these he therefore order'd to be mov'd further aft,
+on which the ship recover'd her character, and proved the sailer in the
+fleet.
+
+The captain said she had once gone at the rate of thirteen knots, which
+is accounted thirteen miles per hour.  We had on board, as a passenger,
+Captain Kennedy, of the Navy, who contended that it was impossible, and
+that no ship ever sailed so fast, and that there must have been some
+error in the division of the log-line, or some mistake in heaving the
+log.  A wager ensu'd between the two captains, to be decided when there
+should be sufficient wind.  Kennedy thereupon examin'd rigorously the
+log-line, and, being satisfi'd with that, he determin'd to throw the
+log himself.  Accordingly some days after, when the wind blew very fair
+and fresh, and the captain of the paquet, Lutwidge, said he believ'd
+she then went at the rate of thirteen knots, Kennedy made the
+experiment, and own'd his wager lost.
+
+The above fact I give for the sake of the following observation.  It
+has been remark'd, as an imperfection in the art of ship-building, that
+it can never be known, till she is tried, whether a new ship will or
+will not be a good sailer; for that the model of a good-sailing ship
+has been exactly follow'd in a new one, which has prov'd, on the
+contrary, remarkably dull.  I apprehend that this may partly be
+occasion'd by the different opinions of seamen respecting the modes of
+lading, rigging, and sailing of a ship; each has his system; and the
+same vessel, laden by the judgment and orders of one captain, shall
+sail better or worse than when by the orders of another.  Besides, it
+scarce ever happens that a ship is form'd, fitted for the sea, and
+sail'd by the same person.  One man builds the hull, another rigs her,
+a third lades and sails her.  No one of these has the advantage of
+knowing all the ideas and experience of the others, and, therefore, can
+not draw just conclusions from a combination of the whole.
+
+Even in the simple operation of sailing when at sea, I have often
+observ'd different judgments in the officers who commanded the
+successive watches, the wind being the same.  One would have the sails
+trimm'd sharper or flatter than another, so that they seem'd to have no
+certain rule to govern by.  Yet I think a set of experiments might be
+instituted, first, to determine the most proper form of the hull for
+swift sailing; next, the best dimensions and properest place for the
+masts:  then the form and quantity of sails, and their position, as the
+wind may be; and, lastly, the disposition of the lading.  This is an
+age of experiments, and I think a set accurately made and combin'd
+would be of great use.  I am persuaded, therefore, that ere long some
+ingenious philosopher will undertake it, to whom I wish success.
+
+We were several times chas'd in our passage, but outsail'd every thing,
+and in thirty days had soundings.  We had a good observation, and the
+captain judg'd himself so near our port, Falmouth, that, if we made a
+good run in the night, we might be off the mouth of that harbor in the
+morning, and by running in the night might escape the notice of the
+enemy's privateers, who often crus'd near the entrance of the channel.
+Accordingly, all the sail was set that we could possibly make, and the
+wind being very fresh and fair, we went right before it, and made great
+way.  The captain, after his observation, shap'd his course, as he
+thought, so as to pass wide of the Scilly Isles; but it seems there is
+sometimes a strong indraught setting up St. George's Channel, which
+deceives seamen and caused the loss of Sir Cloudesley Shovel's
+squadron.  This indraught was probably the cause of what happened to us.
+
+We had a watchman plac'd in the bow, to whom they often called, "Look
+well out before there," and he as often answered, "Ay ay;" but perhaps
+had his eyes shut, and was half asleep at the time, they sometimes
+answering, as is said, mechanically; for he did not see a light just
+before us, which had been hid by the studdingsails from the man at the
+helm, and from the rest of the watch, but by an accidental yaw of the
+ship was discover'd, and occasion'd a great alarm, we being very near
+it, the light appearing to me as big as a cart-wheel. It was midnight,
+and our captain fast asleep; but Captain Kennedy, jumping upon deck,
+and seeing the danger, ordered the ship to wear round, all sails
+standing; an operation dangerous to the masts, but it carried us clear,
+and we escaped shipwreck, for we were running right upon the rocks on
+which the light-house was erected.  This deliverance impressed me
+strongly with the utility of light-houses, and made me resolve to
+encourage the building more of them in America, if I should live to
+return there.
+
+In the morning it was found by the soundings, etc., that we were near
+our port, but a thick fog hid the land from our sight.  About nine
+o'clock the fog began to rise, and seem'd to be lifted up from the
+water like the curtain at a play-house, discovering underneath, the
+town of Falmouth, the vessels in its harbor, and the fields that
+surrounded it.  This was a most pleasing spectacle to those who had
+been so long without any other prospects than the uniform view of a
+vacant ocean, and it gave us the more pleasure as we were now free from
+the anxieties which the state of war occasion'd.
+
+I set out immediately, with my son, for London, and we only stopt a
+little by the way to view Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, and Lord
+Pembroke's house and gardens, with his very curious antiquities at
+Wilton.  We arrived in London the 27th of July, 1757.[16]
+
+     [16] Here terminates the Autobiography, as published by
+          Wm. Temple Franklin and his successors.  What follows
+          was written in the last year of Dr. Franklin's life,
+          and was first printed (in English) in Mr. Bigelow's
+          edition of 1868.--ED.
+
+AS SOON as I was settled in a lodging Mr. Charles had provided for me,
+I went to visit Dr. Fothergill, to whom I was strongly recommended, and
+whose counsel respecting my proceedings I was advis'd to obtain.  He
+was against an immediate complaint to government, and thought the
+proprietaries should first be personally appli'd to, who might possibly
+be induc'd by the interposition and persuasion of some private friends,
+to accommodate matters amicably.  I then waited on my old friend and
+correspondent, Mr. Peter Collinson, who told me that John Hanbury, the
+great Virginia merchant, had requested to be informed when I should
+arrive, that he might carry me to Lord Granville's, who was then
+President of the Council and wished to see me as soon as possible.  I
+agreed to go with him the next morning.  Accordingly Mr. Hanbury called
+for me and took me in his carriage to that nobleman's, who receiv'd me
+with great civility; and after some questions respecting the present
+state of affairs in America and discourse thereupon, he said to me:
+"You Americans have wrong ideas of the nature of your constitution; you
+contend that the king's instructions to his governors are not laws, and
+think yourselves at liberty to regard or disregard them at your own
+discretion.  But those instructions are not like the pocket
+instructions given to a minister going abroad, for regulating his
+conduct in some trifling point of ceremony.  They are first drawn up by
+judges learned in the laws; they are then considered, debated, and
+perhaps amended in Council, after which they are signed by the king.
+They are then, so far as they relate to you, the law of the land, for
+the king is the LEGISLATOR OF THE COLONIES."  I told his lordship this
+was new doctrine to me.  I had always understood from our charters that
+our laws were to be made by our Assemblies, to be presented indeed to
+the king for his royal assent, but that being once given the king could
+not repeal or alter them.  And as the Assemblies could not make
+permanent laws without his assent, so neither could he make a law for
+them without theirs.  He assur'd me I was totally mistaken.  I did not
+think so, however, and his lordship's conversation having a little
+alarm'd me as to what might be the sentiments of the court concerning
+us, I wrote it down as soon as I return'd to my lodgings.  I
+recollected that about 20 years before, a clause in a bill brought into
+Parliament by the ministry had propos'd to make the king's instructions
+laws in the colonies, but the clause was thrown out by the Commons, for
+which we adored them as our friends and friends of liberty, till by
+their conduct towards us in 1765 it seem'd that they had refus'd that
+point of sovereignty to the king only that they might reserve it for
+themselves.
+
+After some days, Dr. Fothergill having spoken to the proprietaries,
+they agreed to a meeting with me at Mr. T. Penn's house in Spring
+Garden.  The conversation at first consisted of mutual declarations of
+disposition to reasonable accommodations, but I suppose each party had
+its own ideas of what should be meant by reasonable.  We then went into
+consideration of our several points of complaint, which I enumerated.
+The proprietaries justify'd their conduct as well as they could, and I
+the Assembly's. We now appeared very wide, and so far from each other
+in our opinions as to discourage all hope of agreement.  However, it
+was concluded that I should give them the heads of our complaints in
+writing, and they promis'd then to consider them.  I did so soon after,
+but they put the paper into the hands of their solicitor, Ferdinand
+John Paris, who managed for them all their law business in their great
+suit with the neighbouring proprietary of Maryland, Lord Baltimore,
+which had subsisted 70 years, and wrote for them all their papers and
+messages in their dispute with the Assembly.  He was a proud, angry
+man, and as I had occasionally in the answers of the Assembly treated
+his papers with some severity, they being really weak in point of
+argument and haughty in expression, he had conceived a mortal enmity to
+me, which discovering itself whenever we met, I declin'd the
+proprietary's proposal that he and I should discuss the heads of
+complaint between our two selves, and refus'd treating with any one but
+them.  They then by his advice put the paper into the hands of the
+Attorney and Solicitor-General for their opinion and counsel upon it,
+where it lay unanswered a year wanting eight days, during which time I
+made frequent demands of an answer from the proprietaries, but without
+obtaining any other than that they had not yet received the opinion of
+the Attorney and Solicitor-General.  What it was when they did receive
+it I never learnt, for they did not communicate it to me, but sent a
+long message to the Assembly drawn and signed by Paris, reciting my
+paper, complaining of its want of formality, as a rudeness on my part,
+and giving a flimsy justification of their conduct, adding that they
+should be willing to accommodate matters if the Assembly would send out
+some person of candour to treat with them for that purpose, intimating
+thereby that I was not such.
+
+The want of formality or rudeness was, probably, my not having
+address'd the paper to them with their assum'd titles of True and
+Absolute Proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania, which I omitted
+as not thinking it necessary in a paper, the intention of which was
+only to reduce to a certainty by writing, what in conversation I had
+delivered viva voce.
+
+But during this delay, the Assembly having prevailed with Gov'r Denny
+to pass an act taxing the proprietary estate in common with the estates
+of the people, which was the grand point in dispute, they omitted
+answering the message.
+
+When this act however came over, the proprietaries, counselled by
+Paris, determined to oppose its receiving the royal assent.
+Accordingly they petition'd the king in Council, and a hearing was
+appointed in which two lawyers were employ'd by them against the act,
+and two by me in support of it.  They alledg'd that the act was
+intended to load the proprietary estate in order to spare those of the
+people, and that if it were suffer'd to continue in force, and the
+proprietaries who were in odium with the people, left to their mercy in
+proportioning the taxes, they would inevitably be ruined.  We reply'd
+that the act had no such intention, and would have no such effect.
+That the assessors were honest and discreet men under an oath to assess
+fairly and equitably, and that any advantage each of them might expect
+in lessening his own tax by augmenting that of the proprietaries was
+too trifling to induce them to perjure themselves.  This is the purport
+of what I remember as urged by both sides, except that we insisted
+strongly on the mischievous consequences that must attend a repeal, for
+that the money, L100,000, being printed and given to the king's use,
+expended in his service, and now spread among the people, the repeal
+would strike it dead in their hands to the ruin of many, and the total
+discouragement of future grants, and the selfishness of the proprietors
+in soliciting such a general catastrophe, merely from a groundless fear
+of their estate being taxed too highly, was insisted on in the
+strongest terms.  On this, Lord Mansfield, one of the counsel rose, and
+beckoning me took me into the clerk's chamber, while the lawyers were
+pleading, and asked me if I was really of opinion that no injury would
+be done the proprietary estate in the execution of the act.  I said
+certainly.  "Then," says he, "you can have little objection to enter
+into an engagement to assure that point."  I answer'd, "None at all."
+He then call'd in Paris, and after some discourse, his lordship's
+proposition was accepted on both sides; a paper to the purpose was
+drawn up by the Clerk of the Council, which I sign'd with Mr. Charles,
+who was also an Agent of the Province for their ordinary affairs, when
+Lord Mansfield returned to the Council Chamber, where finally the law
+was allowed to pass.  Some changes were however recommended and we also
+engaged they should be made by a subsequent law, but the Assembly did
+not think them necessary; for one year's tax having been levied by the
+act before the order of Council arrived, they appointed a committee to
+examine the proceedings of the assessors, and on this committee they
+put several particular friends of the proprietaries.  After a full
+enquiry, they unanimously sign'd a report that they found the tax had
+been assess'd with perfect equity.
+
+The Assembly looked into my entering into the first part of the
+engagement, as an essential service to the Province, since it secured
+the credit of the paper money then spread over all the country.  They
+gave me their thanks in form when I return'd. But the proprietaries
+were enraged at Governor Denny for having pass'd the act, and turn'd
+him out with threats of suing him for breach of instructions which he
+had given bond to observe.  He, however, having done it at the instance
+of the General, and for His Majesty's service, and having some powerful
+interest at court, despis'd the threats and they were never put in
+execution.  . . . [Unfinished].
+
+
+CHIEF EVENTS IN FRANKLIN'S LIFE
+
+Ending, as it does, with the year 1757, the autobiography leaves
+important facts un-recorded.  It has seemed advisable, therefore, to
+detail the chief events in Franklin's life, from the beginning, in the
+following list:
+
+1706    He is born, in Boston, and baptized in the Old South Church.
+
+1714    At the age of eight, enters the Grammar School.
+
+1716    Becomes his father's assistant in the tallow-chandlery business.
+
+1718    Apprenticed to his brother James, printer.
+
+1721    Writes ballads and peddles them, in printed form, in the
+        streets; contributes, anonymously, to the "New England
+        Courant," and temporarily edits that paper; becomes a
+        free-thinker, and a vegetarian.
+
+1723    Breaks his indenture and removes to Philadelphia; obtaining
+        employment in Keimer's printing-office; abandons vegetarianism.
+
+1724    Is persuaded by Governor Keith to establish himself
+        independently, and goes to London to buy type; works at his trade
+        there, and publishes "Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity,
+        Pleasure and Pain."
+
+1726    Returns to Philadelphia; after serving as clerk in a dry goods
+        store, becomes manager of Keimer's printing-house.
+
+1727    Founds the Junto, or "Leathern Apron" Club.
+
+1728    With Hugh Meredith, opens a printing-office.
+
+1729    Becomes proprietor and editor of the "Pennsylvania Gazette";
+        prints, anonymously, "Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency";
+        opens a stationer's shop.
+
+1730    Marries Rebecca Read.
+
+1731    Founds the Philadelphia Library.
+
+1732    Publishes the first number of "Poor Richard's Almanac" under
+        the pseudonym of "Richard Saunders." The Almanac, which
+        continued for twenty-five years to contain his witty,
+        worldly-wise sayings, played a very large part in bringing
+        together and molding the American character which was at
+        that time made up of so many diverse and scattered types.
+
+1733    Begins to study French, Italian, Spanish, and Latin.
+
+1736    Chosen clerk of the General Assembly; forms the Union Fire
+        Company of Philadelphia.
+
+1737    Elected to the Assembly; appointed Deputy Postmaster-General;
+        plans a city police.
+
+1742    Invents the open, or "Franklin," stove.
+
+1743    Proposes a plan for an Academy, which is adopted 1749 and
+        develops into the University of Pennsylvania.
+
+1744    Establishes the American Philosophical Society.
+
+1746    Publishes a pamphlet, "Plain Truth," on the necessity for
+        disciplined defense, and forms a military company; begins
+        electrical experiments.
+
+1748    Sells out his printing business; is appointed on the
+        Commission of the Peace, chosen to the Common Council,
+        and to the Assembly.
+
+1749    Appointed a Commissioner to trade with the Indians.
+
+1751    Aids in founding a hospital.
+
+1752    Experiments with a kite and discovers that lightning is an
+        electrical discharge.
+
+1753    Awarded the Copley medal for this discovery, and elected a
+        member of the Royal Society; receives the degree of M.A.
+        from Yale and Harvard.  Appointed joint Postmaster-General.
+
+1754    Appointed one of the Commissioners from Pennsylvania to the
+        Colonial Congress at Albany; proposes a plan for the union
+        of the colonies.
+
+1755    Pledges his personal property in order that supplies may be
+        raised for Braddock's army; obtains a grant from the Assembly
+        in aid of the Crown Point expedition; carries through a bill
+        establishing a voluntary militia; is appointed Colonel,
+        and takes the field.
+
+1757    Introduces a bill in the Assembly for paving the streets of
+        Philadelphia; publishes his famous "Way to Wealth"; goes to
+        England to plead the cause of the Assembly against the
+        Proprietaries; remains as agent for Pennsylvania; enjoys the
+        friendship of the scientific and literary men of the kingdom.
+
+  [HERE THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY BREAKS OFF]
+
+1760    Secures from the Privy Council, by a compromise, a decision
+        obliging the Proprietary estates to contribute to the public
+        revenue.
+
+1762    Receives the degree of LL.D. from Oxford and Edinburgh; returns
+        to America.
+
+1763    Makes a five months' tour of the northern colonies for the
+        Purpose of inspecting the post-offices.
+
+1764    Defeated by the Penn faction for reelection to the Assembly;
+        sent to England as agent for Pennsylvania.
+
+1765    Endeavors to prevent the passage of the Stamp Act.
+
+1766    Examined before the House of Commons relative to the
+        passage of the Stamp Act; appointed agent of Massachusetts,
+        New Jersey, and Georgia; visits Gottingen University.
+
+1767    Travels in France and is presented at court.
+
+1769    Procures a telescope for Harvard College.
+
+1772    Elected Associe Etranger of the French Academy.
+
+1774    Dismissed from the office of Postmaster-General; influences
+        Thomas Paine to emigrate to America.
+
+1775    Returns to America; chosen a delegate to the Second Continental
+        Congress; placed on the committee of secret correspondence;
+        appointed one of the commissioners to secure the cooperation
+        of Canada.
+
+1776    Placed on the committee to draft a Declaration of Independence;
+        chosen president of the Constitutional Committee of Pennsylvania;
+        sent to France as agent of the colonies.
+
+1778    Concludes treaties of defensive alliance, and of amity and
+        commerce; is received at court.
+
+1779    Appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France.
+
+1780    Appoints Paul Jones commander of the "Alliance."
+
+1782    Signs the preliminary articles of peace.
+
+1783    Signs the definite treaty of peace.
+
+1785    Returns to America; is chosen President of Pennsylvania;
+        reelected 1786.
+
+1787    Reelected President; sent as delegate to the convention for
+        framing a Federal Constitution.
+
+1788    Retires from public life.
+
+1790    April 17, dies.  His grave is in the churchyard at Fifth and
+        Arch streets, Philadelphia.  Editor.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, by
+Benjamin Franklin
+
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+
+
+
+
+
+THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
+
+WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES
+EDITED BY CHARLES W ELIOT LLD
+P F COLLIER & SON COMPANY, NEW YORK (1909)
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Milk Street, Boston, on January
+6, 1706.  His father, Josiah Franklin, was a tallow chandler who
+married twice, and of his seventeen children Benjamin was the youngest
+son.  His schooling ended at ten, and at twelve he was bound apprentice
+to his brother James, a printer, who published the "New England
+Courant." To this journal he became a contributor, and later was for
+a time its nominal editor. But the brothers quarreled, and Benjamin
+ran away, going first to New York, and thence to Philadelphia, where
+he arrived in October, 1723.  He soon obtained work as a printer,
+but after a few months he was induced by Governor Keith to go to
+London, where, finding Keith's promises empty, he again worked as a
+compositor till he was brought back to Philadelphia by a merchant
+named  Denman, who gave him a position in his business. On Denman's
+death he returned to his former trade, and shortly set up a printing
+house of his own from which he published "The Pennsylvania Gazette,"
+to which he contributed many essays, and which he made a medium for
+agitating a variety of local reforms. In 1732 he began to issue his
+famous "Poor Richard's Almanac" for the enrichment of which he borrowed
+or composed those pithy utterances of worldly wisdom which are the
+basis of a large part of his popular reputation.  In 1758, the year
+in which he ceases writing for the Almanac, he printed in it "Father
+Abraham's Sermon," now regarded as the most famous piece of literature
+produced in Colonial America.
+
+Meantime Franklin was concerning himself more and more with
+public affairs.  He set forth a scheme for an Academy, which was
+taken up later and finally developed into the University of Pennsylvania;
+and he founded an "American Philosophical Society" for the purpose
+of enabling scientific  men to communicate their discoveries to one
+another.  He himself had already begun his electrical researches,
+which, with other scientific inquiries, he called on in the intervals
+of money-making and politics to the end of his life.  In 1748 he
+sold his business in order to get leisure for study, having now
+acquired comparative wealth; and in a few years he had made discoveries
+that gave him a reputation with the learned throughout Europe.  In
+politics he proved very able both as an administrator and as a
+controversialist; but his record as an office-holder is stained by
+the use he made of his position to advance his relatives.  His most
+notable service in home politics was his reform of the postal system;
+but his fame as a statesman rests chiefly on his services in connection
+with the relations of the Colonies with Great Britain, and later with
+France.  In 1757 he was sent to England to protest against the
+influence of the Penns in the government of the colony, and for five
+years he remained there, striving to enlighten the people and the
+ministry of England as to Colonial conditions.  On his return to
+America he played an honorable part in the Paxton affair, through
+which he lost his seat in the Assembly; but in 1764 he was again
+despatched to England as agent for the colony, this time to petition
+the King to resume the government from the hands of the proprietors.
+In London he actively opposed the proposed Stamp Act, but lost the
+credit for this and much of his popularity through his securing for
+a friend the office of stamp agent in America.  Even his effective
+work in helping to obtain the repeal of the act left him still a
+suspect; but he continued his efforts to present the case for the
+Colonies as the troubles thickened toward the crisis of the Revolution.
+In 1767 he crossed to France, where he was received with honor; but
+before his return home in 1775 he lost his position as postmaster
+through his share in divulging to Massachusetts the famous letter of
+Hutchinson and Oliver.  On his arrival in Philadelphia he was chosen
+a member of the Continental Congress and in 1777 he was despatched
+to France as commissioner for the United States.  Here he remained
+till 1785, the favorite of French society; and with such success did
+he conduct the affairs of his country that when he finally returned
+he received a place only second to that of Washington as the champion
+of American independence.  He died on April 17, 1790.
+
+The first five chapters of the Autobiography were composed in
+England in 1771, continued in 1784-5, and again in 1788, at which
+date he brought it down to 1757.  After a most extraordinary series
+of adventures, the original form of the manuscript was finally printed
+by Mr. John Bigelow, and is here reproduced in recognition of its
+value as a picture of one of the most notable personalities of Colonial
+times, and of its acknowledged rank as one of the great autobiographies
+of the world.
+
+
+
+
+
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
+HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY
+1706-1757
+
+TWYFORD, at the Bishop of St. Asaph's,<0>  1771.
+
+     <0> The country-seat of Bishop Shipley, the good bishop,
+         as Dr. Franklin used to style him.--B.
+
+DEAR SON:  I have ever had pleasure in obtaining any little
+anecdotes of my ancestors.  You may remember the inquiries I made
+among the remains of my relations when you were with me in England,
+and the journey I undertook for that purpose.  Imagining it may be
+equally agreeable to<1> you to know the circumstances of my life,
+many of which you are yet unacquainted with, and expecting the enjoyment
+of a week's uninterrupted leisure in my present country retirement,
+I sit down to write them for you.  To which I have besides some
+other inducements.  Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity
+in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and some
+degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through
+life with a considerable share of felicity, the conducing means
+I made use of, which with the blessing of God so well succeeded,
+my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them
+suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit to be imitated.
+
+     <1> After the words "agreeable to" the words "some of" were
+         interlined and afterward effaced.--B.
+
+That felicity, when I reflected on it, has induced me sometimes
+to say, that were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection
+to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking
+the advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults
+of the first.  So I might, besides correcting the faults, change some
+sinister accidents and events of it for others more favorable. 
+But though this were denied, I should still accept the offer. 
+Since such a repetition is not to be expected, the next thing
+most like living one's life over again seems to be a recollection
+of that life, and to make that recollection as durable as possible
+by putting it down in writing.
+
+Hereby, too, I shall indulge the inclination so natural in old men,
+to be talking of themselves and their own past actions; and I shall
+indulge it without being tiresome to others, who, through respect
+to age, might conceive themselves obliged to give me a hearing,
+since this may be read or not as any one pleases.  And, lastly (I may
+as well confess it, since my denial of it will be believed by nobody),
+perhaps I shall a good deal gratify my own vanity.  Indeed, I scarce
+ever heard or saw the introductory words, "Without vanity I may say,"
+&c., but some vain thing immediately followed.  Most people dislike
+vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves;
+but I give it fair quarter wherever I meet with it, being persuaded
+that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to others
+that are within his sphere of action; and therefore, in many cases,
+it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his
+vanity among the other comforts of life.
+
+And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all humility
+to acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past
+life to His kind providence, which lead me to the means I used
+and gave them success.  My belief of this induces me to hope,
+though I must not presume, that the same goodness will still be
+exercised toward me, in continuing that happiness, or enabling
+me to bear a fatal reverse, which I may experience as others
+have done:  the complexion of my future fortune being known
+to Him only in whose power it is to bless to us even our afflictions.
+
+The notes one of my uncles (who had the same kind of curiosity
+in collecting family anecdotes) once put into my hands,
+furnished me with several particulars relating to our ancestors. 
+From these notes I learned that the family had lived in the
+same village, Ecton, in Northamptonshire, for three hundred years,
+and how much longer he knew not (perhaps from the time when the name
+of Franklin, that before was the name of an order of people,
+was assumed by them as a surname when others took surnames
+all over the kingdom), on a freehold of about thirty acres,
+aided by the smith's business, which had continued in the family
+till his time, the eldest son being always bred to that business;
+a custom which he and my father followed as to their eldest sons. 
+When I searched the registers at Ecton, I found an account
+of their births, marriages and burials from the year 1555 only,
+there being no registers kept in that parish at any time preceding. 
+By that register I perceived that I was the youngest son of the
+youngest son for five generations back.  My grandfather Thomas,
+who was born in 1598, lived at Ecton till he grew too old to
+follow business longer, when he went to live with his son John,
+a dyer at Banbury, in Oxfordshire, with whom my father served
+an apprenticeship.  There my grandfather died and lies buried. 
+We saw his gravestone in 1758.  His eldest son Thomas lived in
+the house at Ecton, and left it with the land to his only child,
+a daughter, who, with her husband, one Fisher, of Wellingborough,
+sold it to Mr. Isted, now lord of the manor there.  My grandfather
+had four sons that grew up, viz.: Thomas, John, Benjamin and Josiah. 
+I will give you what account I can of them, at this distance from
+my papers, and if these are not lost in my absence, you will among
+them find many more particulars.
+
+Thomas was bred a smith under his father; but, being ingenious,
+and encouraged in learning (as all my brothers were) by an Esquire
+Palmer, then the principal gentleman in that parish, he qualified
+himself for the business of scrivener; became a considerable man
+in the county; was a chief mover of all public-spirited undertakings
+for the county or town of Northampton, and his own village,
+of which many instances were related of him; and much taken notice
+of and patronized by the then Lord Halifax.  He died in 17O2,
+January 6, old style, just four years to a day before I was born. 
+The account we received of his life and character from some old
+people at Ecton, I remember, struck you as something extraordinary,
+from its similarity to what you knew of mine.
+
+"Had he died on the same day," you said, "one might have supposed
+a transmigration."
+
+John was bred a dyer, I believe of woolens.  Benjamin was bred a silk
+dyer, serving an apprenticeship at London.  He was an ingenious man. 
+I remember him well, for when I was a boy he came over to my father
+in Boston, and lived in the house with us some years.  He lived
+to a great age.  His grandson, Samuel Franklin, now lives in Boston. 
+He left behind him two quarto volumes, MS., of his own poetry, consisting
+of little occasional pieces addressed to his friends and relations,
+of which the following, sent to me, is a specimen.<2> He had formed
+a short-hand of his own, which he taught me, but, never practising it,
+I have now forgot it.  I was named after this uncle, there being
+a particular affection between him and my father.  He was very pious,
+a great attender of sermons of the best preachers, which he took
+down in his short-hand, and had with him many volumes of them. 
+He was also much of a politician; too much, perhaps, for his station. 
+There fell lately into my hands, in London, a collection he had
+made of all the principal pamphlets, relating to public affairs,
+from 1641 to 1717; many of the volumes are wanting as appears
+by the numbering, but there still remain eight volumes in folio,
+and twenty-four in quarto and in octavo.  A dealer in old books
+met with them, and knowing me by my sometimes buying of him,
+he brought them to me.  It seems my uncle must have left them here,
+when he went to America, which was about fifty years since. 
+There are many of his notes in the margins.
+
+     <2> Here follow in the margin the words, in brackets, "here
+         insert it," but the poetry is not given.  Mr. Sparks
+         informs us (Life of Franklin, p. 6) that these volumes
+         had been preserved, and were in possession of Mrs. Emmons,
+         of Boston, great-granddaughter of their author.
+
+This obscure family of ours was early in the Reformation,
+and continued Protestants through the reign of Queen Mary,
+when they were sometimes in danger of trouble on account of their
+zeal against popery.  They had got an English Bible, and to conceal
+and secure it, it was fastened open with tapes under and within
+the cover of a joint-stool. When my great-great-grandfather read
+it to his family, he turned up the joint-stool upon his knees,
+turning over the leaves then under the tapes.  One of the children
+stood at the door to give notice if he saw the apparitor coming,
+who was an officer of the spiritual court.  In that case the stool
+was turned down again upon its feet, when the Bible remained concealed
+under it as before.  This anecdote I had from my uncle Benjamin. 
+The family continued all of the Church of England till about the end
+of Charles the Second's reign, when some of the ministers that had been
+outed for nonconformity holding conventicles in Northamptonshire,
+Benjamin and Josiah adhered to them, and so continued all their lives: 
+the rest of the family remained with the Episcopal Church.
+
+Josiah, my father, married young, and carried his wife with three
+children into New England, about 1682.  The conventicles having
+been forbidden by law, and frequently disturbed, induced some
+considerable men of his acquaintance to remove to that country,
+and he was prevailed with to accompany them thither, where they expected
+to enjoy their mode of religion with freedom.  By the same wife he
+had four children more born there, and by a second wife ten more,
+in all seventeen; of which I remember thirteen sitting at one time
+at his table, who all grew up to be men and women, and married;
+I was the youngest son, and the youngest child but two, and was born
+in Boston, New England.  My mother, the second wife, was Abiah Folger,
+daughter of Peter Folger, one of the first settlers of New England,
+of whom honorable mention is made by Cotton Mather in his church
+history of that country, entitled Magnalia Christi Americana,
+as 'a godly, learned Englishman," if I remember the words rightly. 
+I have heard that he wrote sundry small occasional pieces,
+but only one of them was printed, which I saw now many years since. 
+It was written in 1675, in the home-spun verse of that time and people,
+and addressed to those then concerned in the government there. 
+It was in favor of liberty of conscience, and in behalf of the Baptists,
+Quakers, and other sectaries that had been under persecution,
+ascribing the Indian wars, and other distresses that had befallen
+the country, to that persecution, as so many judgments of God
+to punish so heinous an offense, and exhorting a repeal of those
+uncharitable laws.  The whole appeared to me as written with a good
+deal of decent plainness and manly freedom.  The six concluding lines
+I remember, though I have forgotten the two first of the stanza;
+but the purport of them was, that his censures proceeded from
+good-will, and, therefore, he would be known to be the author.
+
+          "Because to be a libeller (says he)
+          I hate it with my heart;
+          From Sherburne town, where now I dwell
+          My name I do put here;
+          Without offense your real friend,
+          It is Peter Folgier."
+
+My elder brothers were all put apprentices to different trades. 
+I was put to the grammar-school at eight years of age, my father
+intending to devote me, as the tithe of his sons, to the service
+of the Church.  My early readiness in learning to read (which must
+have been very early, as I do not remember when I could not read),
+and the opinion of all his friends, that I should certainly make a
+good scholar, encouraged him in this purpose of his.  My uncle Benjamin,
+too, approved of it, and proposed to give me all his short-hand
+volumes of sermons, I suppose as a stock to set up with, if I would
+learn his character.  I continued, however, at the grammar-school
+not quite one year, though in that time I had risen gradually
+from the middle of the class of that year to be the head of it,
+and farther was removed into the next class above it, in order to go
+with that into the third at the end of the year.  But my father,
+in the meantime, from a view of the expense of a college education,
+which having so large a family he could not well afford, and the mean
+living many so educated were afterwards able to obtain--reasons that
+be gave to his friends in my hearing--altered his first intention,
+took me from the grammar-school, and sent me to a school for writing
+and arithmetic, kept by a then famous man, Mr. George Brownell,
+very successful in his profession generally, and that by mild,
+encouraging methods.  Under him I acquired fair writing pretty soon,
+but I failed in the arithmetic, and made no progress in it. 
+At ten years old I was taken home to assist my father in his business,
+which was that of a tallow-chandler and sope-boiler; a business he
+was not bred to, but had assumed on his arrival in New England,
+and on finding his dying trade would not maintain his family,
+being in little request.  Accordingly, I was employed in cutting wick
+for the candles, filling the dipping mold and the molds for cast candles,
+attending the shop, going of errands, etc.
+
+I disliked the trade, and had a strong inclination for the sea,
+but my father declared against it; however, living near the water,
+I was much in and about it, learnt early to swim well, and to
+manage boats; and when in a boat or canoe with other boys, I was
+commonly allowed to govern, especially in any case of difficulty;
+and upon other occasions I was generally a leader among the boys,
+and sometimes led them into scrapes, of which I will mention
+one instance, as it shows an early projecting public spirit, tho'
+not then justly conducted.
+
+There was a salt-marsh that bounded part of the mill-pond,
+on the edge of which, at high water, we used to stand to fish
+for minnows.  By much trampling, we had made it a mere quagmire. 
+My proposal was to build a wharff there fit for us to stand upon,
+and I showed my comrades a large heap of stones, which were intended
+for a new house near the marsh, and which would very well suit
+our purpose.  Accordingly, in the evening, when the workmen
+were gone, I assembled a number of my play-fellows, and working
+with them diligently like so many emmets, sometimes two or three
+to a stone, we brought them all away and built our little wharff. 
+The next morning the workmen were surprised at missing the stones,
+which were found in our wharff.  Inquiry was made after the removers;
+we were discovered and complained of; several of us were corrected
+by our fathers; and though I pleaded the usefulness of the work,
+mine convinced me that nothing was useful which was not honest.
+
+I think you may like to know something of his person and character. 
+He had an excellent constitution of body, was of middle stature,
+but well set, and very strong; he was ingenious, could draw prettily,
+was skilled a little in music, and had a clear pleasing voice,
+so that when he played psalm tunes on his violin and sung withal,
+as he sometimesdid in an evening after the business of the day was over,
+it was extremely agreeable to hear.  He had a mechanical genius too,
+and, on occasion, was very handy in the use of other tradesmen's tools;
+but his great excellence lay in a sound understanding and solid
+judgment in prudential matters, both in private and publick affairs. 
+In the latter, indeed, he was never employed, the numerous
+family he had to educate and the straitness of his circumstances
+keeping him close to his trade; but I remember well his being
+frequently visited by leading people, who consulted him for his
+opinion in affairs of the town or of the church he belonged to,
+and showed a good deal of respect for his judgment and advice: 
+he was also much consulted by private persons about their affairs
+when any difficulty occurred, and frequently chosen an arbitrator
+between contending parties.
+
+At his table he liked to have, as often as he could, some sensible
+friend or neighbor to converse with, and always took care to start
+some ingenious or useful topic for discourse, which might tend
+to improve the minds of his children.  By this means he turned
+our attention to what was good, just, and prudent in the conduct
+of life; and little or no notice was ever taken of what related
+to the victuals on the table, whether it was well or ill dressed,
+in or out of season, of good or bad flavor, preferable or inferior
+to this or that other thing of the kind, so that I was bro't up
+in such a perfect inattention to those matters as to be quite
+indifferent what kind of food was set before me, and so unobservant
+of it, that to this day if I am asked I can scarce tell a few hours
+after dinner what I dined upon.  This has been a convenience to me
+in travelling, where my companions have been sometimes very unhappy
+for want of a suitable gratification of their more delicate,
+because better instructed, tastes and appetites.
+
+My mother had likewise an excellent constitution:  she suckled
+all her ten children.  I never knew either my father or mother
+to have any sickness but that of which they dy'd, he at 89,
+and she at 85 years of age.  They lie buried together at Boston,
+where I some years since placed a marble over their grave,
+with this inscription:
+
+                        JOSIAH FRANKLIN,
+                               and
+                         ABIAH his Wife,
+                       lie here interred.
+             They lived lovingly together in wedlock
+                        fifty-five years.
+          Without an estate, or any gainful employment,
+                 By constant labor and industry,
+                      with God's blessing,
+                 They maintained a large family
+                          comfortably,
+                and brought up thirteen children
+                     and seven grandchildren
+                           reputably.
+                   From this instance, reader,
+           Be encouraged to diligence in thy calling,
+                  And distrust not Providence.
+                 He was a pious and prudent man;
+               She, a discreet and virtuous woman.
+                       Their youngest son,
+                In filial regard to their memory,
+                       Places this stone.
+              J.F. born 1655, died 1744, AEtat 89.
+              A.F. born 1667, died 1752, ----- 95.
+
+
+By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be grown old. 
+I us'd to write more methodically.  But one does not dress for private
+company as for a publick ball.  'Tis perhaps only negligence.
+
+To return:  I continued thus employed in my father's business for
+two years, that is, till I was twelve years old; and my brother John,
+who was bred to that business, having left my father, married, and set
+up for himself at Rhode Island, there was all appearance that I
+was destined to supply his place, and become a tallow-chandler.
+But my dislike to the trade continuing, my father was under
+apprehensions that if he did not find one for me more agreeable,
+I should break away and get to sea, as his son Josiah had done,
+to his great vexation.  He therefore sometimes took me to walk with him,
+and see joiners, bricklayers, turners, braziers, etc., at their work,
+that he might observe my inclination, and endeavor to fix it on some
+trade or other on land.  It has ever since been a pleasure to me
+to see good workmen handle their tools; and it has been useful to me,
+having learnt so much by it as to be able to do little jobs myself
+in my house when a workman could not readily be got, and to construct
+little machines for my experiments, while the intention of making
+the experiment was fresh and warm in my mind.  My father at last
+fixed upon the cutler's trade, and my uncle Benjamin's son Samuel,
+who was bred to that business in London, being about that time
+established in Boston, I was sent to be with him some time on liking. 
+But his expectations of a fee with me displeasing my father,
+I was taken home again.
+
+From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money
+that came into my hands was ever laid out in books.  Pleased with
+the Pilgrim's Progress, my first collection was of John Bunyan's
+works in separate little volumes.  I afterward sold them to enable
+me to buy R. Burton's Historical Collections; they were small
+chapmen's books, and cheap, 40 or 50 in all.  My father's little
+library consisted chiefly of books in polemic divinity, most of
+which I read, and have since often regretted that, at a time when I
+had such a thirst for knowledge, more proper books had not fallen
+in my way since it was now resolved I should not be a clergyman. 
+Plutarch's Lives there was in which I read abundantly, and I still
+think that time spent to great advantage.  There was also a book of De
+Foe's, called an Essay on Projects, and another of Dr. Mather's,
+called Essays to do Good, which perhaps gave me a turn of thinking
+that had an influence on some of the principal future events of my life.
+
+This bookish inclination at length determined my father to make me
+a printer, though he had already one son (James) of that profession. 
+In 1717 my brother James returned from England with a press and
+letters to set up his business in Boston.  I liked it much better
+than that of my father, but still had a hankering for the sea. 
+To prevent the apprehended effect of such an inclination, my father
+was impatient to have me bound to my brother.  I stood out some time,
+but at last was persuaded, and signed the indentures when I was yet
+but twelve years old.  I was to serve as an apprentice till I was
+twenty-one years of age, only I was to be allowed journeyman's wages
+during the last year.  In a little time I made great proficiency
+in the business, and became a useful hand to my brother.  I now
+had access to better books.  An acquaintance with the apprentices
+of booksellers enabled me sometimes to borrow a small one, which I
+was careful to return soon and clean.  Often I sat up in my room
+reading the greatest part of the night, when the book was borrowed
+in the evening and to be returned early in the morning, lest it
+should be missed or wanted.
+
+And after some time an ingenious tradesman, Mr. Matthew Adams, who had
+a pretty collection of books, and who frequented our printing-house,
+took notice of me, invited me to his library, and very kindly lent
+me such books as I chose to read.  I now took a fancy to poetry,
+and made some little pieces; my brother, thinking it might turn
+to account, encouraged me, and put me on composing occasional ballads. 
+One was called The Lighthouse Tragedy, and contained an account
+of the drowning of Captain Worthilake, with his two daughters: 
+the other was a sailor's song, on the taking of Teach (or Blackbeard)
+the pirate.  They were wretched stuff, in the Grub-street-ballad style;
+and when they were printed he sent me about the town to sell them. 
+The first sold wonderfully, the event being recent, having made
+a great noise.  This flattered my vanity; but my father discouraged
+me by ridiculing my performances, and telling me verse-makers
+were generally beggars.  So I escaped being a poet, most probably
+a very bad one; but as prose writing bad been of great use to me
+in the course of my life, and was a principal means of my advancement,
+I shall tell you how, in such a situation, I acquired what little
+ability I have in that way.
+
+There was another bookish lad in the town, John Collins by name,
+with whom I was intimately acquainted.  We sometimes disputed,
+and very fond we were of argument, and very desirous of confuting
+one another, which disputatious turn, by the way, is apt to become
+a very bad habit, making people often extremely disagreeable in company
+by the contradiction that is necessary to bring it into practice;
+and thence, besides souring and spoiling the conversation,
+is productive of disgusts and, perhaps enmities where you may have
+occasion for friendship.  I had caught it by reading my father's
+books of dispute about religion.  Persons of good sense, I have
+since observed, seldom fall into it, except lawyers, university men,
+and men of all sorts that have been bred at Edinborough.
+
+A question was once, somehow or other, started between Collins
+and me, of the propriety of educating the female sex in learning,
+and their abilities for study.  He was of opinion that it was improper,
+and that they were naturally unequal to it.  I took the contrary side,
+perhaps a little for dispute's sake.  He was naturally more eloquent,
+had a ready plenty of words; and sometimes, as I thought, bore me
+down more by his fluency than by the strength of his reasons. 
+As we parted without settling the point, and were not to see one
+another again for some time, I sat down to put my arguments in writing,
+which I copied fair and sent to him.  He answered, and I replied. 
+Three or four letters of a side had passed, when my father happened
+to find my papers and read them.  Without entering into the discussion,
+he took occasion to talk to me about the manner of my writing;
+observed that, though I had the advantage of my antagonist in correct
+spelling and pointing (which I ow'd to the printing-house), I fell
+far short in elegance of expression, in method and in perspicuity,
+of which he convinced me by several instances.  I saw the justice
+of his remark, and thence grew more attentive to the manner in writing,
+and determined to endeavor at improvement.
+
+About this time I met with an odd volume of the Spectator. 
+It was the third.  I had never before seen any of them.  I bought it,
+read it over and over, and was much delighted with it.  I thought
+the writing excellent, and wished, if possible, to imitate it. 
+With this view I took some of the papers, and, making short hints
+of the sentiment in each sentence, laid them by a few days, and then,
+without looking at the book, try'd to compleat the papers again,
+by expressing each hinted sentiment at length, and as fully as it
+had been expressed before, in any suitable words that should
+come to hand.  Then I compared my Spectator with the original,
+discovered some of my faults, and corrected them.  But I found I wanted
+a stock of words, or a readiness in recollecting and using them,
+which I thought I should have acquired before that time if I
+had gone on making verses; since the continual occasion for words
+of the same import, but of different length, to suit the measure,
+or of different sound for the rhyme, would have laid me under a constant
+necessity of searching for variety, and also have tended to fix
+that variety in my mind, and make me master of it.  Therefore I took
+some of the tales and turned them into verse; and, after a time,
+when I had pretty well forgotten the prose, turned them back again. 
+I also sometimes jumbled my collections of hints into confusion,
+and after some weeks endeavored to reduce them into the best order,
+before I began to form the full sentences and compleat the paper. 
+This was to teach me method in the arrangement of thoughts. 
+By comparing my work afterwards with the original, I discovered
+many faults and amended them; but I sometimes had the pleasure
+of fancying that, in certain particulars of small import,
+I had been lucky enough to improve the method or the language,
+and this encouraged me to think I might possibly in time come to be
+a tolerable English writer, of which I was extremely ambitious. 
+My time for these exercises and for reading was at night,
+after work or before it began in the morning, or on Sundays,
+when I contrived to be in the printing-house alone, evading as much
+as I could the common attendance on public worship which my father
+used to exact on me when I was under his care, and which indeed
+I still thought a duty, though I could not, as it seemed to me,
+afford time to practise it.
+
+When about 16 years of age I happened to meet with a book,
+written by one Tryon, recommending a vegetable diet.  I determined
+to go into it.  My brother, being yet unmarried, did not keep house,
+but boarded himself and his apprentices in another family.  My refusing
+to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chid
+for my singularity.  I made myself acquainted with Tryon's manner
+of preparing some of his dishes, such as boiling potatoes or rice,
+making hasty pudding, and a few others, and then proposed to my brother,
+that if he would give me, weekly, half the money he paid for my board,
+I would board myself.  He instantly agreed to it, and I presently
+found that I could save half what he paid me.  This was an additional
+fund for buying books.  But I had another advantage in it. 
+My brother and the rest going from the printing-house to their meals,
+I remained there alone, and, despatching presently my light repast,
+which often was no more than a bisket or a slice of bread, a handful
+of raisins or a tart from the pastry-cook's, and a glass of water,
+had the rest of the time till their return for study, in which I
+made the greater progress, from that greater clearness of head
+and quicker apprehension which usually attend temperance in eating
+and drinking.
+
+And now it was that, being on some occasion made asham'd of my
+ignorance in figures, which I had twice failed in learning when
+at school, I took Cocker's book of Arithmetick, and went through
+the whole by myself with great ease.  I also read Seller's and
+Shermy's books of Navigation, and became acquainted with the little
+geometry they contain; but never proceeded far in that science. 
+And I read about this time Locke On Human Understanding,
+and the Art of Thinking, by Messrs.  du Port Royal.
+
+While I was intent on improving my language, I met with an English
+grammar (I think it was Greenwood's), at the end of which there were
+two little sketches of the arts of rhetoric and logic, the latter
+finishing with a specimen of a dispute in the Socratic method;
+and soon after I procur'd Xenophon's Memorable Things of Socrates,
+wherein there are many instances of the same method.  I was
+charm'd with it, adopted it, dropt my abrupt contradiction and
+positive argumentation, and put on the humble inquirer and doubter. 
+And being then, from reading Shaftesbury and Collins, become a real
+doubter in many points of our religious doctrine, I found this method
+safest for myself and very embarrassing to those against whom I used it;
+therefore I took a delight in it, practis'd it continually, and grew
+very artful and expert in drawing people, even of superior knowledge,
+into concessions, the consequences of which they did not foresee,
+entangling them in difficulties out of which they could not
+extricate themselves, and so obtaining victories that neither myself
+nor my cause always deserved.  I continu'd this method some few years,
+but gradually left it, retaining only the habit of expressing myself
+in terms of modest diffidence; never using, when I advanced any thing
+that may possibly be disputed, the words certainly, undoubtedly, or any
+others that give the air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather say,
+I conceive or apprehend a thing to be so and so; it appears to me,
+or I should think it so or so, for such and such reasons;
+or I imagine it to be so; or it is so, if I am not mistaken. 
+This habit, I believe, has been of great advantage to me when I
+have had occasion to inculcate my opinions, and persuade men into
+measures that I have been from time to time engag'd in promoting;
+and, as the chief ends of conversation are to inform or to be informed,
+to please or to persuade, I wish well-meaning, sensible men would
+not lessen their power of doing good by a positive, assuming manner,
+that seldom fails to disgust, tends to create opposition, and to
+defeat every one of those purposes for which speech was given to us,
+to wit, giving or receiving information or pleasure.  For, if you
+would inform, a positive and dogmatical manner in advancing your
+sentiments may provoke contradiction and prevent a candid attention. 
+If you wish information and improvement from the knowledge of others,
+and yet at the same time express yourself as firmly fix'd in your
+present opinions, modest, sensible men, who do not love disputation,
+will probably leave you undisturbed in the possession of your error. 
+And by such a manner, you can seldom hope to recommend yourself
+in pleasing your hearers, or to persuade those whose concurrence
+you desire.  Pope says, judiciously:
+
+          "Men should be taught as if you taught them not,  
+          And things unknown propos'd as things forgot;"  
+
+farther recommending to us  
+
+          "To speak, tho' sure, with seeming diffidence."  
+
+And he might have coupled with this line that which he has coupled
+with another, I think, less properly,
+
+          "For want of modesty is want of sense."  
+
+If you ask, Why less properly? I must repeat the lines,  
+
+          "Immodest words admit of no defense,  
+          For want of modesty is want of sense."  
+
+Now, is not want of sense (where a man is so unfortunate as to want it)
+some apology for his want of modesty? and would not the lines stand
+more justly thus?
+
+          "Immodest words admit but this defense,  
+          That want of modesty is want of sense."  
+
+This, however, I should submit to better judgments.
+
+My brother had, in 1720 or 1721, begun to print a newspaper. 
+It was the second that appeared in America, and was called the New
+England Courant.  The only one before it was the Boston News-Letter. I
+remember his being dissuaded by some of his friends from the undertaking,
+as not likely to succeed, one newspaper being, in their judgment,
+enough for America.  At this time (1771) there are not less
+than five-and-twenty. He went on, however, with the undertaking,
+and after having worked in composing the types and printing off
+the sheets, I was employed to carry the papers thro' the streets
+to the customers.
+
+He had some ingenious men among his friends, who amus'd themselves
+by writing little pieces for this paper, which gain'd it credit
+and made it more in demand, and these gentlemen often visited us. 
+Hearing their conversations, and their accounts of the approbation their
+papers were received with, I was excited to try my hand among them;
+but, being still a boy, and suspecting that my brother would object
+to printing anything of mine in his paper if he knew it to be mine,
+I contrived to disguise my hand, and, writing an anonymous paper,
+I put it in at night under the door of the printing-house. It was found
+in the morning, and communicated to his writing friends when they
+call'd in as usual.  They read it, commented on it in my hearing, and I
+had the exquisite pleasure of finding it met with their approbation,
+and that, in their different guesses at the author, none were named
+but men of some character among us for learning and ingenuity. 
+I suppose now that I was rather lucky in my judges, and that perhaps
+they were not really so very good ones as I then esteem'd them.
+
+Encourag'd, however, by this, I wrote and convey'd in the same way
+to the press several more papers which were equally approv'd; and I
+kept my secret till my small fund of sense for such performances was
+pretty well exhausted and then I discovered it, when I began to be
+considered a little more by my brother's acquaintance, and in a manner
+that did not quite please him, as he thought, probably with reason,
+that it tended to make me too vain.  And, perhaps, this might be one
+occasion of the differences that we began to have about this time. 
+Though a brother, he considered himself as my master, and me
+as his apprentice, and accordingly, expected the same services
+from me as he would from another, while I thought he demean'd me
+too much in some he requir'd of me, who from a brother expected
+more indulgence.  Our disputes were often brought before our father,
+and I fancy I was either generally in the right, or else a
+better pleader, because the judgment was generally in my favor. 
+But my brother was passionate, and had often beaten me, which I
+took extreamly amiss; and, thinking my apprenticeship very tedious,
+I was continually wishing for some opportunity of shortening it,
+which at length offered in a manner unexpected.<3>
+
+      <3> I fancy his harsh and tyrannical treatment of me
+          might be a means of impressing me with that aversion
+          to arbitrary power that has stuck to me through my
+          whole life.
+
+One of the pieces in our newspaper on some political point, which I
+have now forgotten, gave offense to the Assembly.  He was taken up,
+censur'd, and imprison'd for a month, by the speaker's warrant,
+I suppose, because he would not discover his author.  I too was taken
+up and examin'd before the council; but, tho' I did not give them
+any satisfaction, they content'd themselves with admonishing me,
+and dismissed me, considering me, perhaps, as an apprentice, who was
+bound to keep his master's secrets.
+
+During my brother's confinement, which I resented a good deal,
+notwithstanding our private differences, I had the management
+of the paper; and I made bold to give our rulers some rubs in it,
+which my brother took very kindly, while others began to consider
+me in an unfavorable light, as a young genius that had a turn
+for libelling and satyr.  My brother's discharge was accompany'd
+with an order of the House (a very odd one), that "James Franklin
+should no longer print the paper called the New England Courant."
+
+There was a consultation held in our printing-house among
+his friends, what he should do in this case.  Some proposed to
+evade the order by changing the name of the paper; but my brother,
+seeing inconveniences in that, it was finally concluded on as a
+better way, to let it be printed for the future under the name
+of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; and to avoid the censure of the Assembly,
+that might fall on him as still printing it by his apprentice,
+the contrivance was that my old indenture should be return'd to me,
+with a full discharge on the back of it, to be shown on occasion,
+but to secure to him the benefit of my service, I was to sign new
+indentures for the remainder of the term, which were to be kept private. 
+A very flimsy scheme it was; however, it was immediately executed,
+and the paper went on accordingly, under my name for several months.
+
+At length, a fresh difference arising between my brother and me,
+I took upon me to assert my freedom, presuming that he would not
+venture to produce the new indentures.  It was not fair in me to
+take this advantage, and this I therefore reckon one of the first
+errata of my life; but the unfairness of it weighed little with me,
+when under the impressions of resentment for the blows his passion
+too often urged him to bestow upon me, though he was otherwise
+not an ill-natur'd man:  perhaps I was too saucy and provoking.
+
+When he found I would leave him, he took care to prevent my getting
+employment in any other printing-house of the town, by going round
+and speaking to every master, who accordingly refus'd to give me work. 
+I then thought of going to New York, as the nearest place where
+there was a printer; and I was rather inclin'd to leave Boston
+when I reflected that I had already made myself a little obnoxious
+to the governing party, and, from the arbitrary proceedings of the
+Assembly in my brother's case, it was likely I might, if I stay'd,
+soon bring myself into scrapes; and farther, that my indiscrete
+disputations about religion began to make me pointed at with horror
+by good people as an infidel or atheist.  I determin'd on the point,
+but my father now siding with my brother, I was sensible that,
+if I attempted to go openly, means would be used to prevent me. 
+My friend Collins, therefore, undertook to manage a little for me. 
+He agreed with the captain of a New York sloop for my passage,
+under the notion of my being a young acquaintance of his, that had
+got a naughty girl with child, whose friends would compel me to
+marry her, and therefore I could not appear or come away publicly. 
+So I sold some of my books to raise a little money, was taken on
+board privately, and as we had a fair wind, in three days I found
+myself in New York, near 300 miles from home, a boy of but 17,
+without the least recommendation to, or knowledge of any person in
+the place, and with very little money in my pocket.
+
+My inclinations for the sea were by this time worne out, or I
+might now have gratify'd them.  But, having a trade, and supposing
+myself a pretty good workman, I offer'd my service to the printer
+in the place, old Mr. William Bradford, who had been the first
+printer in Pennsylvania, but removed from thence upon the quarrel
+of George Keith.  He could give me no employment, having little to do,
+and help enough already; but says he, "My son at Philadelphia
+has lately lost his principal hand, Aquila Rose, by death;
+if you go thither, I believe he may employ you."  Philadelphia was
+a hundred miles further; I set out, however, in a boat for Amboy,
+leaving my chest and things to follow me round by sea.
+
+In crossing the bay, we met with a squall that tore our rotten sails
+to pieces, prevented our getting into the Kill and drove us upon
+Long Island.  In our way, a drunken Dutchman, who was a passenger too,
+fell overboard; when he was sinking, I reached through the water
+to his shock pate, and drew him up, so that we got him in again. 
+His ducking sobered him a little, and he went to sleep, taking first
+out of his pocket a book, which he desir'd I would dry for him. 
+It proved to be my old favorite author, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress,
+in Dutch, finely printed on good paper, with copper cuts, a dress better
+than I had ever seen it wear in its own language.  I have since found
+that it has been translated into most of the languages of Europe,
+and suppose it has been more generally read than any other book,
+except perhaps the Bible.  Honest John was the first that I know
+of who mix'd narration and dialogue; a method of writing very engaging
+to the reader, who in the most interesting parts finds himself,
+as it were, brought into the company and present at the discourse. 
+De Foe in his Cruso, his Moll Flanders, Religious Courtship,
+Family Instructor, and other pieces, has imitated it with success;
+and Richardson has done the same, in his Pamela, etc.
+
+When we drew near the island, we found it was at a place where there
+could be no landing, there being a great surff on the stony beach. 
+So we dropt anchor, and swung round towards the shore.  Some people
+came down to the water edge and hallow'd to us, as we did to them;
+but the wind was so high, and the surff so loud, that we could
+not hear so as to understand each other.  There were canoes on
+the shore, and we made signs, and hallow'd that they should fetch us;
+but they either did not understand us, or thought it impracticable,
+so they went away, and night coming on, we had no remedy but to wait
+till the wind should abate; and, in the meantime, the boatman and I
+concluded to sleep, if we could; and so crowded into the scuttle,
+with the Dutchman, who was still wet, and the spray beating over
+the head of our boat, leak'd thro' to us, so that we were soon
+almost as wet as he.  In this manner we lay all night, with very
+little rest; but, the wind abating the next day, we made a shift
+to reach Amboy before night, having been thirty hours on the water,
+without victuals, or any drink but a bottle of filthy rum,
+and the water we sail'd on being salt.
+
+In the evening I found myself very feverish, and went in to bed;
+but, having read somewhere that cold water drank plentifully was good
+for a fever, I follow'd the prescription, sweat plentiful most of
+the night, my fever left me, and in the morning, crossing the ferry,
+I proceeded on my journey on foot, having fifty miles to Burlington,
+where I was told I should find boats that would carry me the rest
+of the way to Philadelphia.
+
+It rained very hard all the day; I was thoroughly soak'd, and by noon
+a good deal tired; so I stopt at a poor inn, where I staid all night,
+beginning now to wish that I had never left home.  I cut so miserable
+a figure, too, that I found, by the questions ask'd me, I was
+suspected to be some runaway servant, and in danger of being taken
+up on that suspicion.  However, I proceeded the next day, and got
+in the evening to an inn, within eight or ten miles of Burlington,
+kept by one Dr. Brown.  He entered into conversation with me while I
+took some refreshment, and, finding I had read a little, became very
+sociable and friendly.  Our acquaintance continu'd as long as he
+liv'd. He had been, I imagine, an itinerant doctor, for there was no
+town in England, or country in Europe, of which he could not give
+a very particular account.  He had some letters, and was ingenious,
+but much of an unbeliever, and wickedly undertook, some years after,
+to travestie the Bible in doggrel verse, as Cotton had done Virgil. 
+By this means he set many of the facts in a very ridiculous light,
+and might have hurt weak minds if his work had been published;
+but it never was.
+
+At his house I lay that night, and the next morning reach'd Burlington,
+but had the mortification to find that the regular boats were gone
+a little before my coming, and no other expected to go before Tuesday,
+this being Saturday; wherefore I returned to an old woman in the town,
+of whom I had bought gingerbread to eat on the water, and ask'd
+her advice.  She invited me to lodge at her house till a passage
+by water should offer; and being tired with my foot travelling,
+I accepted the invitation.  She understanding I was a printer,
+would have had me stay at that town and follow my business,
+being ignorant of the stock necessary to begin with.  She was
+very hospitable, gave me a dinner of ox-cheek with great good will,
+accepting only a pot of ale in return; and I thought myself
+fixed till Tuesday should come.  However, walking in the evening
+by the side of the river, a boat came by, which I found was going
+towards Philadelphia, with several people in her.  They took me in,
+and, as there was no wind, we row'd all the way; and about midnight,
+not having yet seen the city, some of the company were confident
+we must have passed it, and would row no farther; the others knew
+not where we were; so we put toward the shore, got into a creek,
+landed near an old fence, with the rails of which we made a fire,
+the night being cold, in October, and there we remained till daylight. 
+Then one of the company knew the place to be Cooper's Creek, a little
+above Philadelphia, which we saw as soon as we got out of the creek,
+and arriv'd there about eight or nine o'clock on the Sunday morning,
+and landed at the Market-street wharf.
+
+I have been the more particular in this description of my journey,
+and shall be so of my first entry into that city, that you may
+in your mind compare such unlikely beginnings with the figure
+I have since made there.  I was in my working dress, my best
+cloaths being to come round by sea.  I was dirty from my journey;
+my pockets were stuff'd out with shirts and stockings, and I
+knew no soul nor where to look for lodging.  I was fatigued
+with travelling, rowing, and want of rest, I was very hungry;
+and my whole stock of cash consisted of a Dutch dollar, and about
+a shilling in copper.  The latter I gave the people of the boat
+for my passage, who at first refus'd it, on account of my rowing;
+but I insisted on their taking it.  A man being sometimes more
+generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty,
+perhaps thro' fear of being thought to have but little.
+
+Then I walked up the street, gazing about till near the market-house
+I met a boy with bread.  I had made many a meal on bread, and,
+inquiring where he got it, I went immediately to the baker's
+he directed me to, in Secondstreet, and ask'd for bisket,
+intending such as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not
+made in Philadelphia.  Then I asked for a three-penny loaf,
+and was told they had none such.  So not considering or knowing
+the difference of money, and the greater cheapness nor the names
+of his bread, I made him give me three-penny worth of any sort. 
+He gave me, accordingly, three great puffy rolls.  I was surpriz'd
+at the quantity, but took it, and, having no room in my pockets,
+walk'd off with a roll under each arm, and eating the other.  Thus I
+went up Market-street as far as Fourth-street, passing by the door
+of Mr. Read, my future wife's father; when she, standing at the door,
+saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward,
+ridiculous appearance.  Then I turned and went down Chestnut-street and
+part of Walnut-street, eating my roll all the way, and, corning round,
+found myself again at Market-street wharf, near the boat I came in,
+to which I went for a draught of the river water; and, being filled
+with one of my rolls, gave the other two to a woman and her child that
+came down the river in the boat with us, and were waiting to go farther.
+
+Thus refreshed, I walked again up the street, which by this time had
+many clean-dressed people in it, who were all walking the same way. 
+I joined them, and thereby was led into the great meeting-house of
+the Quakers near the market.  I sat down among them, and, after looking
+round awhile and hearing nothing said, being very drowsy thro'
+labor and want of rest the preceding night, I fell fast asleep,
+and continued so till the meeting broke up, when one was kind
+enough to rouse me.  This was, therefore, the first house I was in,
+or slept in, in Philadelphia.
+
+Walking down again toward the river, and, looking in the faces
+of people, I met a young Quaker man, whose countenance I lik'd, and,
+accosting him, requested he would tell me where a stranger could
+get lodging.  We were then near the sign of the Three Mariners. 
+"Here," says he, "is one place that entertains strangers, but it
+is not a reputable house; if thee wilt walk with me, I'll show thee
+a better."  He brought me to the Crooked Billet in Water-street. Here
+I got a dinner; and, while I was eating it, several sly questions were
+asked me, as it seemed to be suspected from my youth and appearance,
+that I might be some runaway.
+
+After dinner, my sleepiness return'd, and being shown to a bed,
+I lay down without undressing, and slept till six in the evening,
+was call'd to supper, went to bed again very early, and slept
+soundly till next morning.  Then I made myself as tidy as I could,
+and went to Andrew Bradford the printer's. I found in the shop
+the old man his father, whom I had seen at New York, and who,
+travelling on horseback, had got to Philadelphia before me. 
+He introduc'd me to his son, who receiv'd me civilly, gave me
+a breakfast, but told me he did not at present want a hand,
+being lately suppli'd with one; but there was another printer
+in town, lately set up, one Keimer, who, perhaps, might employ me;
+if not, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would
+give me a little work to do now and then till fuller business
+should offer.
+
+The old gentleman said he would go with me to the new printer;
+and when we found him, "Neighbor," says Bradford, "I have brought
+to see you a young man of your business; perhaps you may want such
+a one."  He ask'd me a few questions, put a composing stick in my
+hand to see how I work'd, and then said he would employ me soon,
+though he had just then nothing for me to do; and, taking old Bradford,
+whom he had never seen before, to be one of the town's people that
+had a good will for him, enter'd into a conversation on his present
+undertaking and projects; while Bradford, not discovering that he
+was the other printer's father, on Keimer's saying he expected
+soon to get the greatest part of the business into his own hands,
+drew him on by artful questions, and starting little doubts,
+to explain all his views, what interests he reli'd on, and in what
+manner he intended to proceed.  I, who stood by and heard all,
+saw immediately that one of them was a crafty old sophister,
+and the other a mere novice.  Bradford left me with Keimer, who was
+greatly surpris'd when I told him who the old man was.
+
+Keimer's printing-house, I found, consisted of an old shatter'd press,
+and one small, worn-out font of English which he was then using himself,
+composing an Elegy on Aquila Rose, before mentioned, an ingenious
+young man, of excellent character, much respected in the town,
+clerk of the Assembly, and a pretty poet.  Keimer made verses too,
+but very indifferently.  He could not be said to write them, for his
+manner was to compose them in the types directly out of his head. 
+So there being no copy, but one pair of cases, and the Elegy
+likely to require all the letter, no one could help him. 
+I endeavor'd to put his press (which he had not yet us'd, and of
+which he understood nothing) into order fit to be work'd with;
+and, promising to come and print off his Elegy as soon as he
+should have got it ready, I return'd to Bradford's, who gave me
+a little job to do for the present, and there I lodged and dieted,
+A few days after, Keimer sent for me to print off the Elegy. 
+And now he had got another pair of cases, and a pamphlet to reprint,
+on which he set me to work.
+
+These two printers I found poorly qualified for their business. 
+Bradford had not been bred to it, and was very illiterate;
+and Keimer, tho' something of a scholar, was a mere compositor,
+knowing nothing of presswork.  He had been one of the French prophets,
+and could act their enthusiastic agitations.  At this time he did
+not profess any particular religion, but something of all on occasion;
+was very ignorant of the world, and had, as I afterward found,
+a good deal of the knave in his composition.  He did not like my
+lodging at Bradford's while I work'd with him.  He had a house,
+indeed, but without furniture, so he could not lodge me; but he got
+me a lodging at Mr. Read's, before mentioned, who was the owner
+of his house; and, my chest and clothes being come by this time,
+I made rather a more respectable appearance in the eyes of Miss Read
+than I had done when she first happen'd to see me eating my roll in
+the street.
+
+I began now to have some acquaintance among the young people of
+the town, that were lovers of reading, with whom I spent my evenings
+very pleasantly; and gaining money by my industry and frugality,
+I lived very agreeably, forgetting Boston as much as I could,
+and not desiring that any there should know where I resided,
+except my friend Collins, who was in my secret, and kept it when I
+wrote to him.  At length, an incident happened that sent me back
+again much sooner than I had intended.  I had a brother-in-law,
+Robert Holmes, master of a sloop that traded between Boston
+and Delaware.  He being at Newcastle, forty miles below Philadelphia,
+heard there of me, and wrote me a letter mentioning the concern
+of my friends in Boston at my abrupt departure, assuring me of their
+good will to me, and that every thing would be accommodated to my
+mind if I would return, to which he exhorted me very earnestly. 
+I wrote an answer to his letter, thank'd him for his advice,
+but stated my reasons for quitting Boston fully and in such a light
+as to convince him I was not so wrong as he had apprehended.
+
+Sir William Keith, governor of the province, was then at Newcastle,
+and Captain Holmes, happening to be in company with him when my
+letter came to hand, spoke to him of me, and show'd him the letter. 
+The governor read it, and seem'd surpris'd when he was told my age. 
+He said I appear'd a young man of promising parts, and therefore
+should be encouraged; the printers at Philadelphia were wretched ones;
+and, if I would set up there, he made no doubt I should succeed;
+for his part, he would procure me the public business, and do me
+every other service in his power.  This my brother-in-law afterwards
+told me in Boston, but I knew as yet nothing of it; when, one day,
+Keimer and I being at work together near the window, we saw the
+governor and another gentleman (which proved to be Colonel French,
+of Newcastle), finely dress'd, come directly across the street to
+our house, and heard them at the door.
+
+Keimer ran down immediately, thinking it a visit to him;
+but the governor inquir'd for me, came up, and with a condescension
+of politeness I had been quite unus'd to, made me many compliments,
+desired to be acquainted with me, blam'd me kindly for not
+having made myself known to him when I first came to the place,
+and would have me away with him to the tavern, where he was going
+with Colonel French to taste, as he said, some excellent Madeira. 
+I was not a little surprised, and Keimer star'd like a pig poison'd.
+I went, however, with the governor and Colonel French to a tavern,
+at the corner of Third-street, and over the Madeira he propos'd my
+setting up my business, laid before me the probabilities of success,
+and both he and Colonel French assur'd me I should have their interest
+and influence in procuring the public business of both governments. 
+On my doubting whether my father would assist me in it, Sir William
+said he would give me a letter to him, in which he would state
+the advantages, and he did not doubt of prevailing with him. 
+So it was concluded I should return to Boston in the first vessel,
+with the governor's letter recommending me to my father. 
+In the mean time the intention was to be kept a secret, and I
+went on working with Keimer as usual, the governor sending for me
+now and then to dine with him, a very great honor I thought it,
+and conversing with me in the most affable, familiar, and friendly
+manner imaginable.
+
+About the end of April, 1724, a little vessel offer'd for Boston. 
+I took leave of Keimer as going to see my friends.  The governor gave
+me an ample letter, saying many flattering things of me to my father,
+and strongly recommending the project of my setting up at Philadelphia
+as a thing that must make my fortune.  We struck on a shoal in going
+down the bay, and sprung a leak; we had a blustering time at sea,
+and were oblig'd to pump almost continually, at which I took my turn. 
+We arriv'd safe, however, at Boston in about a fortnight.  I had
+been absent seven months, and my friends had heard nothing of me;
+for my br.  Holmes was not yet return'd, and had not written about me. 
+My unexpected appearance surpriz'd the family; all were, however,
+very glad to see me, and made me welcome, except my brother. 
+I went to see him at his printing-house. I was better dress'd than ever
+while in his service, having a genteel new suit from head to foot,
+a watch, and my pockets lin'd with near five pounds sterling in silver. 
+He receiv'd me not very frankly, look'd me all over, and turn'd to his
+work again.
+
+The journeymen were inquisitive where I had been, what sort of a
+country it was, and how I lik'd it.  I prais'd it much, the happy
+life I led in it, expressing strongly my intention of returning
+to it; and, one of them asking what kind of money we had there,
+I produc'd a handful of silver, and spread it before them,
+which was a kind of raree-show they had not been us'd to, paper being
+the money of Boston.  Then I took an opportunity of letting them see
+my watch; and, lastly (my brother still grum and sullen), I gave them
+a piece of eight to drink, and took my leave.  This visit of mine
+offended him extreamly; for, when my mother some time after spoke
+to him of a reconciliation, and of her wishes to see us on good
+terms together, and that we might live for the future as brothers,
+he said I had insulted him in such a manner before his people that
+he could never forget or forgive it.  In this, however, he was mistaken.
+
+My father received the governor's letter with some apparent surprise,
+but said little of it to me for some days, when Capt. Holmes returning
+he showed it to him, ask'd him if he knew Keith, and what kind of
+man he was; adding his opinion that he must be of small discretion
+to think of setting a boy up in business who wanted yet three years
+of being at man's estate.  Holmes said what he could in favor
+of the project, but my father was clear in the impropriety of it,
+and at last gave a flat denial to it.  Then he wrote a civil letter
+to Sir William, thanking him for the patronage he had so kindly
+offered me, but declining to assist me as yet in setting up, I being,
+in his opinion, too young to be trusted with the management of a
+business so important, and for which the preparation must be so expensive.
+
+My friend and companion Collins, who was a clerk in the post-office,
+pleas'd with the account I gave him of my new country, determined to
+go thither also; and, while I waited for my father's determination,
+he set out before me by land to Rhode Island, leaving his books,
+which were a pretty collection of mathematicks and natural philosophy,
+to come with mine and me to New York, where he propos'd to wait
+for me.
+
+My father, tho' he did not approve Sir William's proposition,
+was yet pleas'd that I had been able to obtain so advantageous a
+character from a person of such note where I had resided, and that I
+had been so industrious and careful as to equip myself so handsomely
+in so short a time; therefore, seeing no prospect of an accommodation
+between my brother and me, he gave his consent to my returning again
+to Philadelphia, advis'd me to behave respectfully to the people there,
+endeavor to obtain the general esteem, and avoid lampooning
+and libeling, to which he thought I had too much inclination;
+telling me, that by steady industry and a prudent parsimony I might
+save enough by the time I was one-and-twenty to set me up; and that,
+if I came near the matter, he would help me out with the rest. 
+This was all I could obtain, except some small gifts as tokens
+of his and my mother's love, when I embark'd again for New York,
+now with their approbation and their blessing.
+
+The sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island, I visited my brother John,
+who had been married and settled there some years.  He received
+me very affectionately, for he always lov'd me.  A friend of his,
+one Vernon, having some money due to him in Pensilvania, about thirty-five
+pounds currency, desired I would receive it for him, and keep it
+till I had his directions what to remit it in.  Accordingly, he gave
+me an order.  This afterwards occasion'd me a good deal of uneasiness.
+
+At Newport we took in a number of passengers for New York,
+among which were two young women, companions, and a grave, sensible,
+matron-like Quaker woman, with her attendants.  I had shown an obliging
+readiness to do her some little services, which impress'd her I
+suppose with a degree of good will toward me; therefore, when she
+saw a daily growing familiarity between me and the two young women,
+which they appear'd to encourage, she took me aside, and said: 
+"Young man, I am concern'd for thee, as thou has no friend with thee,
+and seems not to know much of the world, or of the snares youth
+is expos'd to; depend upon it, those are very bad women; I can
+see it in all their actions; and if thee art not upon thy guard,
+they will draw thee into some danger; they are strangers to thee,
+and I advise thee, in a friendly concern for thy welfare, to have no
+acquaintance with them."  As I seem'd at first not to think so ill
+of them as she did, she mentioned some things she had observ'd and
+heard that had escap'd my notice, but now convinc'd me she was right. 
+I thank'd her for her kind advice, and promis'd to follow it. 
+When we arriv'd at New York, they told me where they liv'd, and invited
+me to come and see them; but I avoided it, and it was well I did;
+for the next day the captain miss'd a silver spoon and some other things,
+that had been taken out of his cabbin, and, knowing that these were
+a couple of strumpets, he got a warrant to search their lodgings,
+found the stolen goods, and had the thieves punish'd. So, tho'
+we had escap'd a sunken rock, which we scrap'd upon in the passage,
+I thought this escape of rather more importance to me.
+
+At New York I found my friend Collins, who had arriv'd there some time
+before me.  We had been intimate from children, and had read the same
+books together; but he had the advantage of more time for reading
+and studying, and a wonderful genius for mathematical learning,
+in which he far outstript me.  While I liv'd in Boston most of my hours
+of leisure for conversation were spent with him, and he continu'd
+a sober as well as an industrious lad; was much respected for his
+learning by several of the clergy and other gentlemen, and seemed
+to promise making a good figure in life.  But, during my absence,
+he had acquir'd a habit of sotting with brandy; and I found by his
+own account, and what I heard from others, that he had been drunk
+every day since his arrival at New York, and behav'd very oddly. 
+He had gam'd, too, and lost his money, so that I was oblig'd to
+discharge his lodgings, and defray his expenses to and at Philadelphia,
+which prov'd extremely inconvenient to me.
+
+The then governor of New York, Burnet (son of Bishop Burnet),
+hearing from the captain that a young man, one of his passengers,
+had a great many books, desir'd he would bring me to see him. 
+I waited upon him accordingly, and should have taken Collins
+with me but that he was not sober.  The gov'r. treated me with
+great civility, show'd me his library, which was a very large one,
+and we had a good deal of conversation about books and authors. 
+This was the second governor who had done me the honor to take notice
+of me; which, to a poor boy like me, was very pleasing.
+
+We proceeded to Philadelphia.  I received on the way Vernon's money,
+without which we could hardly have finish'd our journey.  Collins wished
+to be employ'd in some counting-house, but, whether they discover'd
+his dramming by his breath, or by his behaviour, tho' he had
+some recommendations, he met with no success in any application,
+and continu'd lodging and boarding at the same house with me,
+and at my expense.  Knowing I had that money of Vernon's, he was
+continually borrowing of me, still promising repayment as soon
+as he should be in business.  At length he had got so much of it
+that I was distress'd to think what I should do in case of being
+call'd on to remit it.
+
+His drinking continu'd, about which we sometimes quarrell'd;, for,
+when a little intoxicated, he was very fractious.  Once, in a boat
+on the Delaware with some other young men, he refused to row
+in his turn.  "I will be row'd home," says he.  "We will not
+row you," says I. "You must, or stay all night on the water,"
+says he, "just as you please."  The others said, "Let us row;
+what signifies it?"  But, my mind being soured with his other conduct,
+I continu'd to refuse.  So he swore he would make me row,
+or throw me overboard; and coming along, stepping on the thwarts,
+toward me, when he came up and struck at me, I clapped my hand under
+his crutch, and, rising, pitched him head-foremost into the river. 
+I knew he was a good swimmer, and so was under little concern
+about him; but before he could get round to lay hold of the boat,
+we had with a few strokes pull'd her out of his reach; and ever when he
+drew near the boat, we ask'd if he would row, striking a few strokes
+to slide her away from him.  He was ready to die with vexation,
+and obstinately would not promise to row.  However, seeing him at last
+beginning to tire, we lifted him in and brought him home dripping
+wet in the evening.  We hardly exchang'd a civil word afterwards,
+and a West India captain, who had a commission to procure a tutor
+for the sons of a gentleman at Barbadoes, happening to meet with him,
+agreed to carry him thither.  He left me then, promising to remit me
+the first money he should receive in order to discharge the debt;
+but I never heard of him after.
+
+The breaking into this money of Vernon's was one of the first great
+errata of my life; and this affair show'd that my father was not much
+out in his judgment when he suppos'd me too young to manage business
+of importance.  But Sir William, on reading his letter, said he was
+too prudent.  There was great difference in persons; and discretion
+did not always accompany years, nor was youth always without it. 
+"And since he will not set you up," says he, "I will do it myself. 
+Give me an inventory of the things necessary to be had from England,
+and I will send for them.  You shall repay me when you are able;
+I am resolv'd to have a good printer here, and I am sure you
+must succeed."  This was spoken with such an appearance of cordiality,
+that I had not the least doubt of his meaning what he said. 
+I had hitherto kept the proposition of my setting up, a secret
+in Philadelphia, and I still kept it.  Had lt been known that I
+depended on the governor, probably some friend, that knew him better,
+would have advis'd me not to rely on him, as I afterwards heard it
+as his known character to be liberal of promises which he never meant
+to keep.  Yet, unsolicited as he was by me, how could I think his
+generous offers insincere?  I believ'd him one of the best men in
+the world.
+
+I presented him an inventory of a little print'g-house, amounting
+by my computation to about one hundred pounds sterling.  He lik'd it,
+but ask'd me if my being on the spot in England to chuse the types,
+and see that every thing was good of the kind, might not be of
+some advantage.  "Then," says he, "when there, you may make acquaintances,
+and establish correspondences in the bookselling and stationery way." 
+I agreed that this might be advantageous.  "Then," says he,
+"get yourself ready to go with Annis;" which was the annual ship,
+and the only one at that time usually passing between London
+and Philadelphia.  But it would be some months before Annis sail'd,
+so I continu'd working with Keimer, fretting about the money Collins
+had got from me, and in daily apprehensions of being call'd upon
+by Vernon, which, however, did not happen for some years after.
+
+I believe I have omitted mentioning that, in my first voyage
+from Boston, being becalm'd off Block Island, our people set
+about catching cod, and hauled up a great many.  Hitherto I had
+stuck to my resolution of not eating animal food, and on this
+occasion consider'd, with my master Tryon, the taking every
+fish as a kind of unprovoked murder, since none of them had,
+or ever could do us any injury that might justify the slaughter. 
+All this seemed very reasonable.  But I had formerly been a great
+lover of fish, and, when this came hot out of the frying-pan, it
+smelt admirably well.  I balanc'd some time between principle
+and inclination, till I recollected that, when the fish were opened,
+I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then thought I,
+"If you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you."  So I
+din'd upon cod very heartily, and continued to eat with other people,
+returning only now and then occasionally to a vegetable diet. 
+So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it
+enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind
+to do.
+
+Keimer and I liv'd on a pretty good familiar footing, and agreed
+tolerably well, for he suspected nothing of my setting up. 
+He retained a great deal of his old enthusiasms and lov'd argumentation. 
+We therefore had many disputations.  I used to work him so with my
+Socratic method, and had trepann'd him so often by questions apparently
+so distant from any point we had in hand, and yet by degrees lead
+to the point, and brought him into difficulties and contradictions,
+that at last he grew ridiculously cautious, and would hardly answer
+me the most common question, without asking first, "What do you
+intend to infer from that?"  However, it gave him so high an opinion
+of my abilities in the confuting way, that he seriously proposed my
+being his colleague in a project he had of setting up a new sect. 
+He was to preach the doctrines, and I was to confound all opponents. 
+When he came to explain with me upon the doctrines, I found several
+conundrums which I objected to, unless I might have my way a little too,
+and introduce some of mine.
+
+Keimer wore his beard at full length, because somewhere in the Mosaic
+law it is said, "Thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard." 
+He likewise kept the Seventh day, Sabbath; and these two points were
+essentials with him.  I dislik'd both; but agreed to admit them upon
+condition of his adopting the doctrine of using no animal food. 
+"I doubt," said he, "my constitution will not bear that."  I assur'd
+him it would, and that he would be the better for it.  He was usually a
+great glutton, and I promised myself some diversion in half starving him. 
+He agreed to try the practice, if I would keep him company. 
+I did so, and we held it for three months.  We had our victuals
+dress'd, and brought to us regularly by a woman in the neighborhood,
+who had from me a list of forty dishes to be prepar'd for us at
+different times, in all which there was neither fish, flesh, nor fowl,
+and the whim suited me the better at this time from the cheapness
+of it, not costing us above eighteenpence sterling each per week. 
+I have since kept several Lents most strictly, leaving the common
+diet for that, and that for the common, abruptly, without the
+least inconvenience, so that I think there is little in the advice
+of making those changes by easy gradations.  I went on pleasantly,
+but poor Keimer suffered grievously, tired of the project,
+long'd for the flesh-pots of Egypt, and order'd a roast pig. 
+He invited me and two women friends to dine with him; but, it being
+brought too soon upon table, he could not resist the temptation,
+and ate the whole before we came.
+
+I had made some courtship during this time to Miss Read.  I had a
+great respect and affection for her, and had some reason to believe
+she had the same for me; but, as I was about to take a long voyage,
+and we were both very young, only a little above eighteen,
+it was thought most prudent by her mother to prevent our going too
+far at present, as a marriage, if it was to take place, would be
+more convenient after my return, when I should be, as I expected,
+set up in my business.  Perhaps, too, she thought my expectations
+not so well founded as I imagined them to be.
+
+My chief acquaintances at this time were Charles Osborne, Joseph Watson,
+and James Ralph, all lovers of reading.  The two first were clerks
+to an eminent scrivener or conveyancer in the town, Charles Brogden;
+the other was clerk to a merchant.  Watson was a pious, sensible
+young man, of great integrity; the others rather more lax in their
+principles of religion, particularly Ralph, who, as well as Collins,
+had been unsettled by me, for which they both made me suffer. 
+Osborne was sensible, candid, frank; sincere and affectionate
+to his friends; but, in literary matters, too fond of criticising. 
+Ralph was ingenious, genteel in his manners, and extremely eloquent;
+I think I never knew a prettier talker.  Both of them great
+admirers of poetry, and began to try their hands in little pieces. 
+Many pleasant walks we four had together on Sundays into the woods,
+near Schuylkill, where we read to one another, and conferr'd on what
+we read.
+
+Ralph was inclin'd to pursue the study of poetry, not doubting
+but he might become eminent in it, and make his fortune by it,
+alleging that the best poets must, when they first began to write,
+make as many faults as he did.  Osborne dissuaded him, assur'd him
+he had no genius for poetry, and advis'd him to think of nothing
+beyond the business he was bred to; that, in the mercantile way,
+tho' he had no stock, he might, by his diligence and punctuality,
+recommend himself to employment as a factor, and in time acquire
+wherewith to trade on his own account.  I approv'd the amusing one's
+self with poetry now and then, so far as to improve one's language,
+but no farther.
+
+On this it was propos'd that we should each of us, at our
+next meeting, produce a piece of our own composing, in order to
+improve by our mutual observations, criticisms, and corrections. 
+As language and expression were what we had in view, we excluded
+all considerations of invention by agreeing that the task
+should be a version of the eighteenth Psalm, which describes
+the descent of a Deity.  When the time of our meeting drew nigh,
+Ralph called on me first, and let me know his piece was ready. 
+I told him I had been busy, and, having little inclination,
+had done nothing.  He then show'd me his piece for my opinion,
+and I much approv'd it, as it appear'd to me to have great merit. 
+"Now," says he, "Osborne never will allow the least merit in any
+thing of mine, but makes 1000 criticisms out of mere envy.  He is
+not so jealous of you; I wish, therefore, you would take this piece,
+and produce it as yours; I will pretend not to have had time,
+and so produce nothing.  We shall then see what he will say to it." 
+It was agreed, and I immediately transcrib'd it, that it might appear
+in my own hand.
+
+We met; Watson's performance was read; there were some beauties
+in it, but many defects.  Osborne's was read; it was much better;
+Ralph did it justice; remarked some faults, but applauded
+the beauties.  He himself had nothing to produce.  I was backward;
+seemed desirous of being excused; had not had sufficient time
+to correct, etc.; but no excuse could be admitted; produce I must. 
+It was read and repeated; Watson and Osborne gave up the contest,
+and join'd in applauding it.  Ralph only made some criticisms,
+and propos'd some amendments; but I defended my text.  Osborne was
+against Ralph, and told him he was no better a critic than poet,
+so he dropt the argument.  As they two went home together,
+Osborne expressed himself still more strongly in favor of what he
+thought my production; having restrain'd himself before, as he said,
+lest I should think it flattery.  "But who would have imagin'd,"
+said he, "that Franklin had been capable of such a performance;
+such painting, such force, such fire!  He has even improv'd the original. 
+In his common conversation he seems to have no choice of words;
+he hesitates and blunders; and yet, good God! how he writes!" 
+When we next met, Ralph discovered the trick we had plaid him,
+and Osborne was a little laught at.
+
+This transaction fixed Ralph in his resolution of becoming a poet. 
+I did all I could to dissuade him from it, but he continued
+scribbling verses till Pope cured him.  He became, however, a pretty
+good prose writer.  More of him hereafter.  But, as I may not have
+occasion again to mention the other two, I shall just remark here,
+that Watson died in my arms a few years after, much lamented,
+being the best of our set.  Osborne went to the West Indies,
+where he became an eminent lawyer and made money, but died young. 
+He and I had made a serious agreement, that the one who happen'd
+first to die should, if possible, make a friendly visit to the other,
+and acquaint him how he found things in that separate state.  But he
+never fulfill'd his promise.
+
+The governor, seeming to like my company, had me frequently to his house,
+and his setting me up was always mention'd as a fixed thing. 
+I was to take with me letters recommendatory to a number of
+his friends, besides the letter of credit to furnish me with the
+necessary money for purchasing the press and types, paper, etc. 
+For these letters I was appointed to call at different times,
+when they were to be ready, but a future time was still named. 
+Thus he went on till the ship, whose departure too had been several
+times postponed, was on the point of sailing.  Then, when I call'd
+to take my leave and receive the letters, his secretary, Dr. Bard,
+came out to me and said the governor was extremely busy in writing,
+but would be down at Newcastle before the ship, and there the letters
+would be delivered to me.
+
+Ralph, though married, and having one child, had determined to
+accompany me in this voyage.  It was thought he intended to establish
+a correspondence, and obtain goods to sell on commission; but I
+found afterwards, that, thro' some discontent with his wife's relations,
+he purposed to leave her on their hands, and never return again. 
+Having taken leave of my friends, and interchang'd some promises
+with Miss Read, I left Philadelphia in the ship, which anchor'd
+at Newcastle.  The governor was there; but when I went to his lodging,
+the secretary came to me from him with the civillest message in
+the world, that he could not then see me, being engaged in business
+of the utmost importance, but should send the letters to me on board,
+wish'd me heartily a good voyage and a speedy return, etc. 
+I returned on board a little puzzled, but still not doubting.
+
+Mr. Andrew Hamilton, a famous lawyer of Philadelphia, had taken
+passage in the same ship for himself and son, and with Mr. Denham,
+a Quaker merchant, and Messrs.  Onion and Russel, masters of an
+iron work in Maryland, had engag'd the great cabin; so that Ralph
+and I were forced to take up with a berth in the steerage,
+and none on board knowing us, were considered as ordinary persons. 
+But Mr. Hamilton and his son (it was James, since governor)
+return'd from Newcastle to Philadelphia, the father being recall'd
+by a great fee to plead for a seized ship; and, just before we
+sail'd, Colonel French coming on board, and showing me great respect,
+I was more taken notice of, and, with my friend Ralph, invited by
+the other gentlemen to come into the cabin, there being now room. 
+Accordingly, we remov'd thither.
+
+Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board the
+governor's despatches, I ask'd the captain for those letters
+that were to be under my care.  He said all were put into the bag
+together and he could not then come at them; but, before we landed
+in England, I should have an opportunity of picking them out;
+so I was satisfied for the present, and we proceeded on our voyage. 
+We had a sociable company in the cabin, and lived uncommonly well,
+having the addition of all Mr. Hamilton's stores, who had laid
+in plentifully.  In this passage Mr. Denham contracted a friendship
+for me that continued during his life.  The voyage was otherwise
+not a pleasant one, as we had a great deal of bad weather.
+
+When we came into the Channel, the captain kept his word with me, and gave
+me an opportunity of examining the bag for the governor's letters. 
+I found none upon which my name was put as under my care.  I picked
+out six or seven, that, by the handwriting, I thought might be the
+promised letters, especially as one of them was directed to Basket,
+the king's printer, and another to some stationer.  We arriv'd
+in London the 24th of December, 1724.  I waited upon the stationer,
+who came first in my way, delivering the letter as from Governor Keith. 
+"I don't know such a person," says he; but, opening the letter, "O! this
+is from Riddlesden.  I have lately found him to be a compleat rascal,
+and I will have nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters
+from him."  So, putting the letter into my hand, he turn'd on his
+heel and left me to serve some customer.  I was surprized to find
+these were not the governor's letters; and, after recollecting
+and comparing circumstances, I began to doubt his sincerity. 
+I found my friend Denham, and opened the whole affair to him. 
+He let me into Keith's character; told me there was not the least
+probability that he had written any letters for me; that no one,
+who knew him, had the smallest dependence on him; and he laught at
+the notion of the governor's giving me a letter of credit, having,
+as he said, no credit to give.  On my expressing some concern
+about what I should do, he advised me to endeavor getting some
+employment in the way of my business.  "Among the printers here,"
+said he, "you will improve yourself, and when you return to America,
+you will set up to greater advantage."
+
+We both of us happen'd to know, as well as the stationer,
+that Riddlesden, the attorney, was a very knave.  He had half
+ruin'd Miss Read's father by persuading him to be bound for him. 
+By this letter it appear'd there was a secret scheme on foot to
+the prejudice of Hamilton (suppos'd to be then coming over with us);
+and that Keith was concerned in it with Riddlesden.  Denham, who was
+a friend of Hamilton's thought he ought to be acquainted with it;
+so, when he arriv'd in England, which was soon after, partly from
+resentment and ill-will to Keith and Riddlesden, and partly from
+good-will to him, I waited on him, and gave him the letter. 
+He thank'd me cordially, the information being of importance to him;
+and from that time he became my friend, greatly to my advantage
+afterwards on many occasions.
+
+But what shall we think of a governor's playing such pitiful tricks,
+and imposing so grossly on a poor ignorant boy!  It was a habit he
+had acquired.  He wish'd to please everybody; and, having little
+to give, he gave expectations.  He was otherwise an ingenious,
+sensible man, a pretty good writer, and a good governor for
+the people, tho' not for his constituents, the proprietaries,
+whose instructions he sometimes disregarded.  Several of our best
+laws were of his planning and passed during his administration.
+
+Ralph and I were inseparable companions.  We took lodgings
+together in Little Britain at three shillings and sixpence a week--
+as much as we could then afford.  He found some relations,
+but they were poor, and unable to assist him.  He now let me know
+his intentions of remaining in London, and that he never meant
+to return to Philadelphia.  He had brought no money with him,
+the whole he could muster having been expended in paying his passage. 
+I had fifteen pistoles; so he borrowed occasionally of me to subsist,
+while he was looking out for business.  He first endeavored to get
+into the playhouse, believing himself qualify'd for an actor;
+but Wilkes, to whom he apply'd, advis'd him candidly not to think
+of that employment, as it was impossible be should succeed in it. 
+Then he propos'd to Roberts, a publisher in Paternoster Row, to write
+for him a weekly paper like the Spectator, on certain conditions,
+which Roberts did not approve.  Then he endeavored to get employment
+as a hackney writer, to copy for the stationers and lawyers about
+the Temple, but could find no vacancy.
+
+I immediately got into work at Palmer's, then a famous printing-house
+in Bartholomew Close, and here I continu'd near a year.  I was
+pretty diligent, but spent with Ralph a good deal of my earnings
+in going to plays and other places of amusement.  We had together
+consumed all my pistoles, and now just rubbed on from hand to mouth. 
+He seem'd quite to forget his wife and child, and I, by degrees,
+my engagements with Miss Read, to whom I never wrote more than
+one letter, and that was to let her know I was not likely soon
+to return.  This was another of the great errata of my life,
+which I should wish to correct if I were to live it over again. 
+In fact, by our expenses, I was constantly kept unable to pay
+my passage.
+
+At Palmer's I was employed in composing for the second edition
+of Wollaston's "Religion of Nature."  Some of his reasonings
+not appearing to me well founded, I wrote a little metaphysical
+piece in which I made remarks on them.  It was entitled "A
+Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain." 
+I inscribed it to my friend Ralph; I printed a small number. 
+It occasion'd my being more consider'd by Mr. Palmer as a young
+man of some ingenuity, tho' he seriously expostulated with me upon
+the principles of my pamphlet, which to him appear'd abominable. 
+My printing this pamphlet was another erratum.  While I lodg'd in
+Little Britain, I made an acquaintance with one Wilcox, a bookseller,
+whose shop was at the next door.  He had an immense collection
+of second-hand books.  Circulating libraries were not then in use;
+but we agreed that, on certain reasonable terms, which I have
+now forgotten, I might take, read, and return any of his books. 
+This I esteem'd a great advantage, and I made as much use of it as
+I could.
+
+My pamphlet by some means falling into the hands of one Lyons, a surgeon,
+author of a book entitled "The Infallibility of Human Judgment,"
+it occasioned an acquaintance between us.  He took great notice
+of me, called on me often to converse on those subjects, carried me
+to the Horns, a pale alehouse in ---- Lane, Cheapside, and introduced
+me to Dr. Mandeville, author of the "Fable of the Bees," who had
+a club there, of which he was the soul, being a most facetious,
+entertaining companion.  Lyons, too, introduced me to Dr. Pemberton,
+at Batson's Coffee-house, who promis'd to give me an opportunity,
+some time or other, of seeing Sir Isaac Newton, of which I was
+extreamely desirous; but this never happened.
+
+I had brought over a few curiosities, among which the principal
+was a purse made of the asbestos, which purifies by fire. 
+Sir Hans Sloane heard of it, came to see me, and invited me to his
+house in Bloomsbury Square, where he show'd me all his curiosities,
+and persuaded me to let him add that to the number, for which he
+paid me handsomely.
+
+In our house there lodg'd a young woman, a milliner, who, I think,
+had a shop in the Cloisters.  She had been genteelly bred, was sensible
+and lively, and of most pleasing conversation.  Ralph read plays
+to her in the evenings, they grew intimate, she took another lodging,
+and he followed her.  They liv'd together some time; but, he being
+still out of business, and her income not sufficient to maintain
+them with her child, he took a resolution of going from London,
+to try for a country school, which he thought himself well qualified
+to undertake, as he wrote an excellent hand, and was a master
+of arithmetic and accounts.  This, however, he deemed a business
+below him, and confident of future better fortune, when he should
+be unwilling to have it known that he once was so meanly employed,
+he changed his name, and did me the honor to assume mine; for I soon
+after had a letter from him, acquainting me that he was settled
+in a small village (in Berkshire, I think it was, where he taught
+reading and writing to ten or a dozen boys, at sixpence each per
+week), recommending Mrs. T---- to my care, and desiring me to write
+to him, directing for Mr. Franklin, schoolmaster, at such a place.
+
+He continued to write frequently, sending me large specimens
+of an epic poem which he was then composing, and desiring my
+remarks and corrections.  These I gave him from time to time,
+but endeavor'd rather to discourage his proceeding.  One of Young's
+Satires was then just published.  I copy'd and sent him a great
+part of it, which set in a strong light the folly of pursuing
+the Muses with any hope of advancement by them.  All was in vain;
+sheets of the poem continued to come by every post.  In the mean time,
+Mrs. T----, having on his account lost her friends and business,
+was often in distresses, and us'd to send for me, and borrow
+what I could spare to help her out of them.  I grew fond of
+her company, and, being at that time under no religious restraint,
+and presuming upon my importance to her, I attempted familiarities
+(another erratum) which she repuls'd with a proper resentment,
+and acquainted him with my behaviour.  This made a breach between us;
+and, when he returned again to London, he let me know he thought
+I had cancell'd all the obligations he had been under to me. 
+So I found I was never to expect his repaying me what I lent to him,
+or advanc'd for him.  This, however, was not then of much consequence,
+as he was totally unable; and in the loss of his friendship I found
+myself relieved from a burthen.  I now began to think of getting
+a little money beforehand, and, expecting better work, I left Palmer's
+to work at Watts's, near Lincoln's Inn Fields, a still greater
+printing-house. Here I continued all the rest of my stay in London.
+
+At my first admission into this printing-house I took to working
+at press, imagining I felt a want of the bodily exercise I had been
+us'd to in America, where presswork is mix'd with composing. 
+I drank only water; the other workmen, near fifty in number,
+were great guzzlers of beer.  On occasion, I carried up and down
+stairs a large form of types in each hand, when others carried
+but one in both hands.  They wondered to see, from this and
+several instances, that the Water-American, as they called me,
+was stronger than themselves, who drank strong beer!  We had an
+alehouse boy who attended always in the house to supply the workmen. 
+My companion at the press drank every day a pint before breakfast,
+a pint at breakfast with his bread and cheese, a pint between
+breakfast and dinner, a pint at dinner, a pint in the afternoon
+about six o'clock, and another when he had done his day's work. 
+I thought it a detestable custom; but it was necessary, he suppos'd,
+to drink strong beer, that he might be strong to labor.  I endeavored
+to convince him that the bodily strength afforded by beer could
+only be in proportion to the grain or flour of the barley dissolved
+in the water of which it was made; that there was more flour in a
+pennyworth of bread; and therefore, if he would eat that with a pint
+of water, it would give him more strength than a quart of beer. 
+He drank on, however, and had four or five shillings to pay
+out of his wages every Saturday night for that muddling liquor;
+an expense I was free from.  And thus these poor devils keep
+themselves always under.
+
+Watts, after some weeks, desiring to have me in the composing-room, I left
+the pressmen; a new bien venu or sum for drink, being five shillings,
+was demanded of me by the compositors.  I thought it an imposition,
+as I had paid below; the master thought so too, and forbad my paying it. 
+I stood out two or three weeks, was accordingly considered as
+an excommunicate, and bad so many little pieces of private mischief
+done me, by mixing my sorts, transposing my pages, breaking my matter,
+etc., etc., if I were ever so little out of the room, and all
+ascribed to the chappel ghost, which they said ever haunted those not
+regularly admitted, that, notwithstanding the master's protection,
+I found myself oblig'd to comply and pay the money, convinc'd of the
+folly of being on ill terms with those one is to live with continually.
+
+I was now on a fair footing with them, and soon acquir'd
+considerable influence.  I propos'd some reasonable alterations
+in their chappel<4> laws, and carried them against all opposition. 
+From my example, a great part of them left their muddling breakfast
+of beer, and bread, and cheese, finding they could with me be
+suppli'd from a neighboring house with a large porringer of hot
+water-gruel, sprinkled with pepper, crumbl'd with bread, and a bit
+of butter in it, for the price of a pint of beer, viz., three
+half-pence. This was a more comfortable as well as cheaper breakfast,
+and kept their heads clearer.  Those who continued sotting with beer
+all day, were often, by not paying, out of credit at the alehouse,
+and us'd to make interest with me to get beer; their light, as they
+phrased it, being out.  I watch'd the pay-table on Saturday night,
+and collected what I stood engag'd for them, having to pay sometimes
+near thirty shillings a week on their account.  This, and my being
+esteem'd a pretty good riggite, that is, a jocular verbal satirist,
+supported my consequence in the society.  My constant attendance
+(I never making a St. Monday) recommended me to the master;
+and my uncommon quickness at composing occasioned my being put
+upon all work of dispatch, which was generally better paid. 
+So I went on now very agreeably.
+
+     <4> "A printing-house is always called a chapel by the
+         workmen, the origin of which appears to have been that
+         printing was first carried on in England in an ancient
+         chapel converted into a printing-house, and the title
+         has been preserved by tradition.  The bien venu among
+         the printers answers to the terms entrance and footing
+         among mechanics; thus a journeyman, on entering a
+         printing-house, was accustomed to pay one or more gallons
+         of beer for the good of the chapel;  this custom was
+         falling into disuse thirty years ago; it is very properly
+         rejected entirely in the United States."--W. T. F.
+
+My lodging in Little Britain being too remote, I found another
+in Duke-street, opposite to the Romish Chapel.  It was two pair
+of stairs backwards, at an Italian warehouse.  A widow lady kept
+the house; she had a daughter, and a maid servant, and a journeyman
+who attended the warehouse, but lodg'd abroad.  After sending to inquire
+my character at the house where I last lodg'd she agreed to take
+me in at the same rate, 3s.  6d.  per week; cheaper, as she said,
+from the protection she expected in having a man lodge in the house. 
+She was a widow, an elderly woman; had been bred a Protestant,
+being a clergyman's daughter, but was converted to the Catholic
+religion by her husband, whose memory she much revered; had lived much
+among people of distinction, and knew a thousand anecdotes of them
+as far back as the times of Charles the Second.  She was lame in her
+knees with the gout, and, therefore, seldom stirred out of her room,
+so sometimes wanted company; and hers was so highly amusing to me,
+that I was sure to spend an evening with her whenever she desired it. 
+Our supper was only half an anchovy each, on a very little strip
+of bread and butter, and half a pint of ale between us; but the
+entertainment was in her conversation.  My always keeping good hours,
+and giving little trouble in the family, made her unwilling to part
+with me; so that, when I talk'd of a lodging I had heard of,nearer
+my business, for two shillings a week, which, intent as I now was
+on saving money, made some difference, she bid me not think of it,
+for she would abate me two shillings a week for the future; so I
+remained with her at one shilling and sixpence as long as I staid
+in London.
+
+In a garret of her house there lived a maiden lady of seventy,
+in the most retired manner, of whom my landlady gave me this account: 
+that she was a Roman Catholic, had been sent abroad when young,
+and lodg'd in a nunnery with an intent of becoming a nun; but,
+the country not agreeing with her, she returned to England, where,
+there being no nunnery, she had vow'd to lead the life of a nun,
+as near as might be done in those circumstances.  Accordingly, she had
+given all her estate to charitable uses, reserving only twelve
+pounds a year to live on, and out of this sum she still gave a great
+deal in charity, living herself on water-gruel only, and using
+no fire but to boil it.  She had lived many years in that garret,
+being permitted to remain there gratis by successive Catholic tenants
+of the house below, as they deemed it a blessing to have her there. 
+A priest visited her to confess her every day.  "I have ask'd her,"
+says my landlady, "how she, as she liv'd, could possibly find so much
+employment for a confessor?"  "Oh," said she, "it is impossible
+to avoid vain thoughts."  I was permitted once to visit her, She was
+chearful and polite, and convers'd pleasantly.  The room was clean,
+but had no other furniture than a matras, a table with a crucifix
+and book, a stool which she gave me to sit on, and a picture
+over the chimney of Saint Veronica displaying her handkerchief,
+with the miraculous figure of Christ's bleeding face on it,
+which she explained to me with great seriousness.  She look'd pale,
+but was never sick; and I give it as another instance on how small
+an income life and health may be supported.
+
+At Watts's printing-house I contracted an acquaintance with an ingenious
+young man, one Wygate, who, having wealthy relations, had been better
+educated than most printers; was a tolerable Latinist, spoke French,
+and lov'd reading.  I taught him and a friend of his to swim at
+twice going into the river, and they soon became good swimmers. 
+They introduc'd me to some gentlemen from the country, who went to
+Chelsea by water to see the College and Don Saltero's curiosities. 
+In our return, at the request of the company, whose curiosity
+Wygate had excited, I stripped and leaped into the river, and swam
+from near Chelsea to Blackfryar's, performing on the way many feats
+of activity, both upon and under water, that surpris'd and pleas'd
+those to whom they were novelties.
+
+I had from a child been ever delighted with this exercise, had studied
+and practis'd all Thevenot's motions and positions, added some
+of my own, aiming at the graceful and easy as well as the useful. 
+All these I took this occasion of exhibiting to the company,
+and was much flatter'd by their admiration; and Wygate, who was
+desirous of becoming a master, grew more and more attach'd to me
+on that account, as well as from the similarity of our studies. 
+He at length proposed to me travelling all over Europe together,
+supporting ourselves everywhere by working at our business.  I was
+once inclined to it; but, mentioning it to my good friend Mr. Denham,
+with whom I often spent an hour when I had leisure, he dissuaded me
+from it, advising me to think only of returning to Pennsilvania,
+which he was now about to do.
+
+I must record one trait of this good man's character.  He had formerly
+been in business at Bristol, but failed in debt to a number of people,
+compounded and went to America.  There, by a close application to
+business as a merchant, he acquir'd a plentiful fortune in a few years. 
+Returning to England in the ship with me, he invited his old creditors
+to an entertainment, at which he thank'd them for the easy composition
+they had favored him with, and, when they expected nothing but the treat,
+every man at the first remove found under his plate an order
+on a banker for the full amount of the unpaid remainder with interest.
+
+He now told me he was about to return to Philadelphia, and should
+carry over a great quantity of goods in order to open a store there. 
+He propos'd to take me over as his clerk, to keep his books,
+in which he would instruct me, copy his letters, and attend
+the store.  He added that, as soon as I should be acquainted
+with mercantile business, he would promote me by sending me with
+a cargo of flour and bread, etc., to the West Indies, and procure
+me commissions from others which would be profitable; and, if I
+manag'd well, would establish me handsomely.  The thing pleas'd me;
+for I was grown tired of London, remembered with pleasure the happy
+months I had spent in Pennsylvania, and wish'd again to see it;
+therefore I immediately agreed on the terms of fifty pounds a year,
+Pennsylvania money; less, indeed, than my present gettings as
+a compositor, but affording a better prospect.
+
+I now took leave of printing, as I thought, for ever, and was daily
+employed in my new business, going about with Mr. Denham among
+the tradesmen to purchase various articles, and seeing them pack'd up,
+doing errands, calling upon workmen to dispatch, etc.; and, when all
+was on board, I had a few days' leisure.  On one of these days,
+I was, to my surprise, sent for by a great man I knew only by name,
+a Sir William Wyndham, and I waited upon him.  He had heard by some
+means or other of my swimming from Chelsea to Blackfriar's, and of
+my teaching Wygate and another young man to swim in a few hours. 
+He had two sons, about to set out on their travels; he wish'd to have
+them first taught swimming, and proposed to gratify me handsomely
+if I would teach them.  They were not yet come to town, and my stay
+was uncertain, so I could not undertake it; but, from this incident,
+I thought it likely that, if I were to remain in England and open
+a swimming-school, I might get a good deal of money; and it struck me
+so strongly, that, had the overture been sooner made me, probably I
+should not so soon have returned to America.  After many years,
+you and I had something of more importance to do with one of these
+sons of Sir William Wyndham, become Earl of Egremont, which I shall
+mention in its place.
+
+Thus I spent about eighteen months in London; most part of the time
+I work'd hard at my business, and spent but little upon myself
+except in seeing plays and in books.  My friend Ralph had kept
+me poor; he owed me about twenty-seven pounds, which I was now
+never likely to receive; a great sum out of my small earnings! 
+I lov'd him, notwithstanding, for he had many amiable qualities. 
+I had by no means improv'd my fortune; but I had picked up some very
+ingenious acquaintance, whose conversation was of great advantage to me;
+and I had read considerably.
+
+We sail'd from Gravesend on the 23d of July, 1726.  For the incidents
+of the voyage, I refer you to my journal, where you will find them
+all minutely related.  Perhaps the most important part of that
+journal is the plan<5> to be found in it, which I formed at sea,
+for regulating my future conduct in life.  It is the more remarkable,
+as being formed when I was so young, and yet being pretty faithfully
+adhered to quite thro' to old age.
+
+     <5> The "Journal" was printed by Sparks, from a copy made
+         at Reading in 1787.  But it does not contain the Plan.
+         --Ed.
+
+We landed in Philadelphia on the 11th of October, where I found
+sundry alterations.  Keith was no longer governor, being superseded
+by Major Gordon.  I met him walking the streets as a common citizen. 
+He seem'd a little asham'd at seeing me, but pass'd without
+saying anything.  I should have been as much asham'd at seeing
+Miss Read, had not her friends, despairing with reason of my return
+after the receipt of my letter, persuaded her to marry another,
+one Rogers, a potter, which was done in my absence.  With him,
+however, she was never happy, and soon parted from him, refusing to
+cohabit with him or bear his name, it being now said that he bad
+another wife.  He was a worthless fellow, tho' an excellent workman,
+which was the temptation to her friends.  He got into debt,
+ran away in 1727 or 1728, went to the West Indies, and died there. 
+Keimer had got a better house, a shop well supply'd with stationery,
+plenty of new types, a number of hands, tho' none good, and seem'd
+to have a great deal of business.
+
+Mr. Denham took a store in Water-street, where we open'd our goods;
+I attended the business diligently, studied accounts, and grew,
+in a little time, expert at selling.  We lodg'd and, boarded together;
+he counsell'd me as a father, having a sincere regard for me. 
+I respected and lov'd him, and we might have gone on together
+very happy; but, in the beginning of February, 1726-7, when I
+had just pass'd my twenty-first year, we both were taken ill. 
+My distemper was a pleurisy, which very nearly carried me off. 
+I suffered a good deal, gave up the point in my own mind, and was
+rather disappointed when I found myself recovering, regretting,
+in some degree, that I must now, some time or other, have all that
+disagreeable work to do over again.  I forget what his distemper was;
+it held him a long time, and at length carried him off.  He left me
+a small legacy in a nuncupative will, as a token of his kindness
+for me, and he left me once more to the wide world; for the store
+was taken into the care of his executors, and my employment under
+him ended.
+
+My brother-in-law, Holmes, being now at Philadelphia, advised my return
+to my business; and Keimer tempted me, with an offer of large wages
+by the year, to come and take the management of his printing-house,
+that he might better attend his stationer's shop.  I had heard a bad
+character of him in London from his wife and her friends, and was
+not fond of having any more to do with him.  I tri'd for farther
+employment as a merchant's clerk; but, not readily meeting with any,
+I clos'd again with Keimer.  I found in his house these hands: 
+Hugh Meredith, a Welsh Pensilvanian, thirty years of age, bred to
+country work; honest, sensible, had a great deal of solid observation,
+was something of a reader, but given to drink.  Stephen Potts, a young
+countryman of full age, bred to the same, of uncommon natural parts,
+and great wit and humor, but a little idle.  These he had agreed
+with at extream low wages per week, to be rais'd a shilling every
+three months, as they would deserve by improving in their business;
+and the expectation of these high wages, to come on hereafter,
+was what he had drawn them in with.  Meredith was to work at press,
+Potts at book-binding, which he, by agreement, was to teach them,
+though he knew neither one nor t'other. John ----, a wild Irishman,
+brought up to no business, whose service, for four years, Keimer had
+purchased from the captain of a ship; he, too, was to be made
+a pressman.  George Webb, an Oxford scholar, whose time for four
+years he had likewise bought, intending him for a compositor,
+of whom more presently; and David Harry, a country boy, whom he had
+taken apprentice.
+
+I soon perceiv'd that the intention of engaging me at wages so much
+higher than he had been us'd to give, was, to have these raw,
+cheap hands form'd thro' me; and, as soon as I had instructed them,
+then they being all articled to him, he should be able to do without me. 
+I went on, however, very cheerfully, put his printing-house in order,
+which had been in great confusion, and brought his hands by degrees
+to mind their business and to do it better.
+
+It was an odd thing to find an Oxford scholar in the situation
+of a bought servant.  He was not more than eighteen years of age,
+and gave me this account of himself; that he was born in Gloucester,
+educated at a grammar-school there, had been distinguish'd among
+the scholars for some apparent superiority in performing his part,
+when they exhibited plays; belong'd to the Witty Club there,
+and had written some pieces in prose and verse, which were printed
+in the Gloucester newspapers; thence he was sent to Oxford; where he
+continued about a year, but not well satisfi'd, wishing of all
+things to see London, and become a player.  At length, receiving his
+quarterly allowance of fifteen guineas, instead of discharging
+his debts he walk'd out of town, hid his gown in a furze bush,
+and footed it to London, where, having no friend to advise him, he fell
+into bad company, soon spent his guineas, found no means of being
+introduc'd among the players, grew necessitous, pawn'd his cloaths,
+and wanted bread.  Walking the street very hungry, and not knowing
+what to do with himself, a crimp's bill was put into his hand,
+offering immediate entertainment and encouragement to such as would
+bind themselves to serve in America.
+
+He went directly, sign'd the indentures, was put into the ship,
+and came over, never writing a line to acquaint his friends what was
+become of him.  He was lively, witty, good-natur'd, and a pleasant
+companion, but idle, thoughtless, and imprudent to the last degree.
+
+John, the Irishman, soon ran away; with the rest I began to live
+very agreeably, for they all respected me the more, as they
+found Keimer incapable of instructing them, and that from me
+they learned something daily.  We never worked on Saturday,
+that being Keimer's Sabbath, so I had two days for reading. 
+My acquaintance with ingenious people in the town increased. 
+Keimer himself treated me with great civility and apparent regard,
+and nothing now made me uneasy but my debt to Vernon, which I
+was yet unable to pay, being hitherto but a poor oeconomist. 
+He, however, kindly made no demand of it.
+
+Our printing-house often wanted sorts, and there was no letter-founder
+in America; I had seen types cast at James's in London, but without
+much attention to the manner; however, I now contrived a mould,
+made use of the letters we had as puncheons, struck the matrices
+in lead, And thus supply'd in a pretty tolerable way all deficiencies. 
+I also engrav'd several things on occasion; I made the ink;
+I was warehouseman, and everything, and, in short, quite a factotum.
+
+But, however serviceable I might be, I found that my services
+became every day of less importance, as the other hands improv'd
+in the business; and, when Keimer paid my second quarter's wages,
+he let me know that he felt them too heavy, and thought I should
+make an abatement.  He grew by degrees less civil, put on more of
+the master, frequently found fault, was captious, and seem'd ready for
+an outbreaking.  I went on, nevertheless, with a good deal of patience,
+thinking that his encumber'd circumstances were partly the cause. 
+At length a trifle snapt our connections; for, a great noise happening
+near the court-house, I put my head out of the window to see what
+was the matter.  Keimer, being in the street, look'd up and saw me,
+call'd out to me in a loud voice and angry tone to mind my business,
+adding some reproachful words, that nettled me the more for
+their publicity, all the neighbors who were looking out on the same
+occasion being witnesses how I was treated.  He came up immediately
+into the printing-house, continu'd the quarrel, high words pass'd
+on both sides, he gave me the quarter's warning we had stipulated,
+expressing a wish that he had not been oblig'd to so long a warning. 
+I told him his wish was unnecessary, for I would leave him that instant;
+and so, taking my hat, walk'd out of doors, desiring Meredith,
+whom I saw below, to take care of some things I left, and bring
+them to my lodgings.
+
+Meredith came accordingly in the evening, when we talked my affair over. 
+He had conceiv'd a great regard for me, and was very unwilling
+that I should leave the house while he remain'd in it.  He dissuaded
+me from returning to my native country, which I began to think of;
+he reminded me that Keimer was in debt for all he possess'd;
+that his creditors began to be uneasy; that he kept his shop miserably,
+sold often without profit for ready money, and often trusted without
+keeping accounts; that he must therefore fall, which would make
+a vacancy I might profit of.  I objected my want of money.  He then
+let me know that his father had a high opinion of me, and, from some
+discourse that had pass'd between them, he was sure would advance
+money to set us up, if I would enter into partnership with him. 
+"My time," says he, "will be out with Keimer in the spring;
+by that time we may have our press and types in from London. 
+I am sensible I am no workman; if you like it, your skill in the
+business shall be set against the stock I furnish, and we will share
+the profits equally."
+
+The proposal was agreeable, and I consented; his father was in town
+and approv'd of it; the more as he saw I had great influence with
+his son, had prevail'd on him to abstain long from dram-drinking,
+and he hop'd might break him off that wretched habit entirely,
+when we came to be so closely connected.  I gave an inventory to
+the father, who carry'd it to a merchant; the things were sent for,
+the secret was to be kept till they should arrive, and in the mean
+time I was to get work, if I could, at the other printing-house. But I
+found no vacancy there, and so remain'd idle a few days, when Keimer,
+on a prospect of being employ'd to print some paper money in New Jersey,
+which would require cuts and various types that I only could supply,
+and apprehending Bradford might engage me and get the jobb from him,
+sent me a very civil message, that old friends should not part for a
+few words, the effect of sudden passion, and wishing me to return. 
+Meredith persuaded me to comply, as it would give more opportunity
+for his improvement under my daily instructions; so I return'd,
+and we went on more smoothly than for some time before.  The New
+jersey jobb was obtain'd, I contriv'd a copperplate press for it,
+the first that had been seen in the country; I cut several ornaments
+and checks for the bills.  We went together to Burlington, where I
+executed the whole to satisfaction; and he received so large a sum
+for the work as to be enabled thereby to keep his head much longer
+above water.
+
+At Burlington I made an acquaintance with many principal people
+of the province.  Several of them had been appointed by the Assembly
+a committee to attend the press, and take care that no more bills
+were printed than the law directed.  They were therefore, by turns,
+constantly with us, and generally he who attended, brought with him
+a friend or two for company.  My mind having been much more improv'd
+by reading than Keimer's, I suppose it was for that reason my
+conversation seem'd to he more valu'd. They had me to their houses,
+introduced me to their friends, and show'd me much civility;
+while he, tho' the master, was a little neglected.  In truth,
+he was an odd fish; ignorant of common life, fond of rudely opposing
+receiv'd opinions, slovenly to extream dirtiness, enthusiastic in
+some points of religion, and a little knavish withal.
+
+We continu'd there near three months; and by that time I could
+reckon among my acquired friends, Judge Allen, Samuel Bustill,
+the secretary of the Province, Isaac Pearson, Joseph Cooper,
+and several of the Smiths, members of Assembly, and Isaac Decow,
+the surveyor-general. The latter was a shrewd, sagacious old man,
+who told me that he began for himself, when young, by wheeling
+clay for the brick-makers, learned to write after be was of age,
+carri'd the chain for surveyors, who taught him surveying, and he
+had now by his industry, acquir'd a good estate; and says he,
+"I foresee that you will soon work this man out of business,
+and make a fortune in it at Philadelphia."  He had not then
+the least intimation of my intention to set up there or anywhere. 
+These friends were afterwards of great use to me, as I occasionally
+was to some of them.  They all continued their regard for me as long as
+they lived.
+
+Before I enter upon my public appearance in business, it may be well
+to let you know the then state of my mind with regard to my principles
+and morals, that you may see how far those influenc'd the future events
+of my life.  My parents had early given me religious impressions,
+and brought me through my childhood piously in the Dissenting way. 
+But I was scarce fifteen, when, after doubting by turns of several
+points, as I found them disputed in the different books I read,
+I began to doubt of Revelation itself.  Some books against Deism
+fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons
+preached at Boyle's Lectures.  It happened that they wrought
+an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them;
+for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted,
+appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short,
+I soon became a thorough Deist.  My arguments perverted some others,
+particularly Collins and Ralph; but, each of them having afterwards
+wrong'd me greatly without the least compunction, and recollecting
+Keith's conduct towards me (who was another freethinker), and my own
+towards Vernon and Miss Read, which at times gave me great trouble,
+I began to suspect that this doctrine, tho' it might be true,
+was not very useful.  My London pamphlet, which had for its motto
+these lines of Dryden:
+
+          "Whatever is, is right.  Though purblind man
+          Sees but a part o' the chain, the nearest link:
+          His eyes not carrying to the equal beam,
+          That poises all above;"
+
+and from the attributes of God, his infinite wisdom, goodness and power,
+concluded that nothing could possibly be wrong in the world, and that
+vice and virtue were empty distinctions, no such things existing,
+appear'd now not so clever a performance as I once thought it;
+and I doubted whether some error had not insinuated itself unperceiv'd
+into my argument, so as to infect all that follow'd, as is common
+in metaphysical reasonings.
+
+I grew convinc'd that truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings
+between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity
+of life; and I form'd written resolutions, which still remain
+in my journal book, to practice them ever while I lived. 
+Revelation had indeed no weight with me, as such; but I entertain'd
+an opinion that, though certain actions might not be bad because they
+were forbidden by it, or good because it commanded them, yet probably
+these actions might be forbidden because they were bad for us,
+or commanded because they were beneficial to us, in their own natures,
+all the circumstances of things considered.  And this persuasion,
+with the kind hand of Providence, or some guardian angel, or accidental
+favorable circumstances and situations, or all together, preserved me,
+thro' this dangerous time of youth, and the hazardous situations I
+was sometimes in among strangers, remote from the eye and advice
+of my father, without any willful gross immorality or injustice,
+that might have been expected from my want of religion.  I say willful,
+because the instances I have mentioned had something of necessity
+in them, from my youth, inexperience, and the knavery of others. 
+I had therefore a tolerable character to begin the world with;
+I valued it properly, and determin'd to preserve it.
+
+We had not been long return'd to Philadelphia before the new types
+arriv'd from London.  We settled with Keimer, and left him by his consent
+before he heard of it.  We found a house to hire near the market,
+and took it.  To lessen the rent, which was then but twenty-four
+pounds a year, tho' I have since known it to let for seventy,
+we took in Thomas Godfrey, a glazier, and his family, who were to
+pay a considerable part of it to us, and we to board with them. 
+We had scarce opened our letters and put our press in order,
+before George House, an acquaintance of mine, brought a countryman
+to us, whom he had met in the street inquiring for a printer. 
+All our cash was now expended in the variety of particulars we
+had been obliged to procure, and this countryman's five shillings,
+being our first-fruits, and coming so seasonably, gave me more pleasure
+than any crown I have since earned; and the gratitude I felt toward
+House has made me often more ready than perhaps I should otherwise
+have been to assist young beginners.
+
+There are croakers in every country, always boding its ruin. 
+Such a one then lived in Philadelphia; a person of note, an elderly man,
+with a wise look and a very grave manner of speaking; his name
+was Samuel Mickle.  This gentleman, a stranger to me, stopt one day
+at my door, and asked me if I was the young man who had lately
+opened a new printing-house. Being answered in the affirmative,
+he said he was sorry for me, because it was an expensive undertaking,
+and the expense would be lost; for Philadelphia was a sinking place,
+the people already half-bankrupts, or near being so; all appearances
+to the contrary, such as new buildings and the rise of rents,
+being to his certain knowledge fallacious; for they were, in fact,
+among the things that would soon ruin us.  And he gave me such
+a detail of misfortunes now existing, or that were soon to exist,
+that he left me half melancholy.  Had I known him before I
+engaged in this business, probably I never should have done it. 
+This man continued to live in this decaying place, and to declaim
+in the same strain, refusing for many years to buy a house there,
+because all was going to destruction; and at last I had the pleasure
+of seeing him give five times as much for one as he might have bought
+it for when he first began his croaking.
+
+I should have mentioned before, that, in the autumn of the preceding year,
+I had form'd most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of mutual
+improvement, which we called the JUNTO; we met on Friday evenings. 
+The rules that I drew up required that every member, in his turn,
+should produce one or more queries on any point of Morals, Politics,
+or Natural Philosophy, to be discuss'd by the company; and once
+in three months produce and read an essay of his own writing,
+on any subject he pleased.  Our debates were to be under the direction
+of a president, and to be conducted in the sincere spirit of inquiry
+after truth, without fondness for dispute, or desire of victory;
+and, to prevent warmth, all expressions of positiveness in opinions,
+or direct contradiction, were after some time made contraband,
+and prohibited under small pecuniary penalties.
+
+The first members were Joseph Breintnal, a copyer of deeds for
+the scriveners, a good-natur'd, friendly, middle-ag'd man, a great
+lover of poetry, reading all he could meet with, and writing some
+that was tolerable; very ingenious in many little Nicknackeries,
+and of sensible conversation.
+
+Thomas Godfrey, a self-taught mathematician, great in his way,
+and afterward inventor of what is now called Hadley's Quadrant. 
+But he knew little out of his way, and was not a pleasing companion;
+as, like most great mathematicians I have met with, he expected
+universal precision in everything said, or was for ever denying or
+distinguishing upon trifles, to the disturbance of all conversation. 
+He soon left us.
+
+Nicholas Scull, a surveyor, afterwards surveyor-general,
+who lov'd books, and sometimes made a few verses.
+
+William Parsons, bred a shoemaker, but loving reading, had acquir'd
+a considerable share of mathematics, which he first studied
+with a view to astrology, that he afterwards laught at it. 
+He also became surveyor-general.
+
+William Maugridge, a joiner, a most exquisite mechanic, and a solid,
+sensible man.
+
+Hugh Meredith, Stephen Potts, and George Webb I have characteriz'd before.
+
+Robert Grace, a young gentleman of some fortune, generous, lively,
+and witty; a lover of punning and of his friends.
+
+And William Coleman, then a merchant's clerk, about my age, who had
+the coolest, dearest head, the best heart, and the exactest morals
+of almost any man I ever met with.  He became afterwards a merchant
+of great note, and one of our provincial judges.  Our friendship
+continued without interruption to his death, upward of forty years;
+and the club continued almost as long, and was the best school
+of philosophy, morality, and politics that then existed in the province;
+for our queries, which were read the week preceding their discussion,
+put us upon reading with attention upon the several subjects,
+that we might speak more to the purpose; and here, too, we acquired
+better habits of conversation, every thing being studied in our
+rules which might prevent our disgusting each other.  From hence
+the long continuance of the club, which I shall have frequent
+occasion to speak further of hereafter.
+
+But my giving this account of it here is to show something of the interest
+I had, every one of these exerting themselves in recommending business
+to us.  Breintnal particularly procur'd us from the Quakers the printing
+forty sheets of their history, the rest being to be done by Keimer;
+and upon this we work'd exceedingly hard, for the price was low. 
+It was a folio, pro patria size, in pica, with long primer notes. 
+I compos'd of it a sheet a day, and Meredith worked it off at press;
+it was often eleven at night, and sometimes later, before I had
+finished my distribution for the next day's work, for the little
+jobbs sent in by our other friends now and then put us back. 
+But so determin'd I was to continue doing a sheet a day of the folio,
+that one night, when, having impos'd my forms, I thought my day's
+work over, one of them by accident was broken, and two pages
+reduced to pi, I immediately distributed and compos'd it over again
+before I went to bed; and this industry, visible to our neighbors,
+began to give us character and credit; particularly, I was told,
+that mention being made of the new printing-office at the merchants'
+Every-night club, the general opinion was that it must fail,
+there being already two printers in the place, Keimer and Bradford;
+but Dr. Baird (whom you and I saw many years after at his native place,
+St. Andrew's in Scotland) gave a contrary opinion:  "For the industry
+of that Franklin," says he, "is superior to any thing I ever saw
+of the kind; I see him still at work when I go home from club,
+and he is at work again before his neighbors are out of bed." 
+This struck the rest, and we soon after had offers from one of them
+to supply us with stationery; but as yet we did not chuse to engage in
+shop business.
+
+I mention this industry the more particularly and the more freely,
+tho' it seems to be talking in my own praise, that those of
+my posterity, who shall read it, may know the use of that virtue,
+when they see its effects in my favour throughout this relation.
+
+George Webb, who had found a female friend that lent him wherewith
+to purchase his time of Keimer, now came to offer himself as a
+journeyman to us.  We could not then employ him; but I foolishly
+let him know as a secret that I soon intended to begin a newspaper,
+and might then have work for him.  My hopes of success, as I told him,
+were founded on this, that the then only newspaper, printed by Bradford,
+was a paltry thing, wretchedly manag'd, no way entertaining, and yet
+was profitable to him; I therefore thought a good paper would scarcely
+fail of good encouragement.  I requested Webb not to mention it;
+but he told it to Keimer, who immediately, to be beforehand with me,
+published proposals for printing one himself, on which Webb
+was to be employ'd. I resented this; and, to counteract them,
+as I could not yet begin our paper, I wrote several pieces of
+entertainment for Bradford's paper, under the title of the BUSY BODY,
+which Breintnal continu'd some months.  By this means the attention
+of the publick was fixed on that paper, and Keimer's proposals,
+which we burlesqu'd and ridicul'd, were disregarded.  He began
+his paper, however, and, after carrying it on three quarters of
+a year, with at most only ninety subscribers, he offered it to me
+for a trifle; and I, having been ready some time to go on with it,
+took it in hand directly; and it prov'd in a few years extremely
+profitable to me.
+
+I perceive that I am apt to speak in the singular number,
+though our partnership still continu'd; the reason may be that,
+in fact, the whole management of the business lay upon me. 
+Meredith was no compositor, a poor pressman, and seldom sober. 
+My friends lamented my connection with him, but I was to make the best
+of it.
+
+Our first papers made a quite different appearance from any before
+in the province; a better type, and better printed; but some spirited
+remarks of my writing, on the dispute then going on between Governor
+Burnet and the Massachusetts Assembly, struck the principal people,
+occasioned the paper and the manager of it to be much talk'd of,
+and in a few weeks brought them all to be our subscribers.
+
+Their example was follow'd by many, and our number went on
+growing continually.  This was one of the first good effects of my
+having learnt a little to scribble; another was, that the leading men,
+seeing a newspaper now in the hands of one who could also handle
+a pen, thought it convenient to oblige and encourage me. 
+Bradford still printed the votes, and laws, and other publick business. 
+He had printed an address of the House to the governor, in a coarse,
+blundering manner, we reprinted it elegantly and correctly,
+and sent one to every member.  They were sensible of the difference: 
+it strengthened the hands of our friends in the House, and they
+voted us their printers for the year ensuing.
+
+Among my friends in the House I must not forget Mr. Hamilton,
+before mentioned, who was then returned from England, and had a seat
+in it.  He interested himself for me strongly in that instance,
+as he did in many others afterward, continuing his patronage till
+his death.<6>
+
+     <6> I got his son once L500.--[Marg. note.]
+
+Mr. Vernon, about this time, put me in mind of the debt I ow'd him,
+but did not press me.  I wrote him an ingenuous letter of acknowledgment,
+crav'd his forbearance a little longer, which he allow'd me,
+and as soon as I was able, I paid the principal with interest,
+and many thanks; so that erratum was in some degree corrected.
+
+But now another difficulty came upon me which I had never the least
+reason to expect.  Mr. Meredith's father, who was to have paid for
+our printing-house, according to the expectations given me, was able
+to advance only one hundred pounds currency, which had been paid;
+and a hundred more was due to the merchant, who grew impatient,
+and su'd us all.  We gave bail, but saw that, if the money could
+not be rais'd in time, the suit must soon come to a judgment
+and execution, and our hopeful prospects must, with us, be ruined,
+as the press and letters must be sold for payment, perhaps at
+half price.
+
+In this distress two true friends, whose kindness I have never forgotten,
+nor ever shall forget while I can remember any thing, came to
+me separately, unknown to each other, and, without any application
+from me, offering each of them to advance me all the money that should
+be necessary to enable me to take the whole business upon myself,
+if that should be practicable; but they did not like my continuing
+the partnership with Meredith, who, as they said, was often seen
+drunk in the streets, and playing at low games in alehouses, much to
+our discredit.  These two friends were William Coleman and Robert Grace. 
+I told them I could not propose a separation while any prospect
+remain'd of the Merediths' fulfilling their part of our agreement,
+because I thought myself under great obligations to them for what they
+had done, and would do if they could; but, if they finally fail'd
+in their performance, and our partnership must be dissolv'd, I should
+then think myself at liberty to accept the assistance of my friends.
+
+Thus the matter rested for some time, when I said to my partner,
+"Perhaps your father is dissatisfied at the part you have undertaken
+in this affair of ours, and is unwilling to advance for you and
+me what he would for you alone.  If that is the case, tell me,
+and I will resign the whole to you, and go about my business." 
+"No," said he, "my father has really been disappointed, and is
+really unable; and I am unwilling to distress him farther. 
+I see this is a business I am not fit for.  I was bred a farmer,
+and it was a folly in me to come to town, and put myself, at thirty
+years of age, an apprentice to learn a new trade.  Many of our Welsh
+people are going to settle in North Carolina, where land is cheap. 
+I am inclin'd to go with them, and follow my old employment. 
+You may find friends to assist you.  If you will take the debts
+of the company upon you; return to my father the hundred pound he
+has advanced; pay my little personal debts, and give me thirty
+pounds and a new saddle, I will relinquish the partnership,
+and leave the whole in your hands."  I agreed to this proposal: 
+it was drawn up in writing, sign'd, and seal'd immediately. 
+I gave him what he demanded, and he went soon after to Carolina,
+from whence he sent me next year two long letters, containing the
+best account that had been given of that country, the climate,
+the soil, husbandry, etc., for in those matters he was very judicious. 
+I printed them in the papers, and they gave great satisfaction to
+the publick.
+
+As soon as he was gone, I recurr'd to my two friends; and because I
+would not give an unkind preference to either, I took half of
+what each had offered and I wanted of one, and half of the other;
+paid off the company's debts, and went on with the business
+in my own name, advertising that the partnership was dissolved. 
+I think this was in or about the year 1729.
+
+About this time there was a cry among the people for more paper money,
+only fifteen thousand pounds being extant in the province, and that soon
+to be sunk.  The wealthy inhabitants oppos'd any addition, being against
+all paper currency, from an apprehension that it would depreciate,
+as it had done in New England, to the prejudice of all creditors. 
+We had discuss'd this point in our Junto, where I was on the side
+of an addition, being persuaded that the first small sum struck in 1723
+had done much good by increasing the trade, employment, and number
+of inhabitants in the province, since I now saw all the old houses
+inhabited, and many new ones building; whereas I remembered well,
+that when I first walk'd about the streets of Philadelphia,
+eating my roll, I saw most of the houses in Walnut-street, between
+Second and Front streets, with bills on their doors, "To be let";
+and many likewise in Chestnut-street and other streets, which made me then
+think the inhabitants of the city were deserting it one after another.
+
+Our debates possess'd me so fully of the subject, that I wrote
+and printed an anonymous pamphlet on it, entitled "The Nature and
+Necessity of a Paper Currency."  It was well receiv'd by the common
+people in general; but the rich men dislik'd it, for it increas'd
+and strengthen'd the clamor for more money, and they happening to have
+no writers among them that were able to answer it, their opposition
+slacken'd, and the point was carried by a majority in the House. 
+My friends there, who conceiv'd I had been of some service,
+thought fit to reward me by employing me in printing the money;
+a very profitable jobb and a great help to me.  This was another
+advantage gain'd by my being able to write.
+
+The utility of this currency became by time and experience so evident as
+never afterwards to be much disputed; so that it grew soon to fifty-five
+thousand pounds, and in 1739 to eighty thousand pounds, since which it
+arose during war to upwards of three hundred and fifty thousand pounds,
+trade, building, and inhabitants all the while increasing, till
+I now think there are limits beyond which the quantity may be hurtful.
+
+I soon after obtain'd, thro' my friend Hamilton, the printing of the
+Newcastle paper money, another profitable jobb as I then thought it;
+small things appearing great to those in small circumstances;
+and these, to me, were really great advantages, as they were
+great encouragements.  He procured for me, also, the printing
+of the laws and votes of that government, which continu'd
+in my hands as long as I follow'd the business.
+
+I now open'd a little stationer's shop.  I had in it blanks of
+all sorts, the correctest that ever appear'd among us, being assisted
+in that by my friend Breintnal.  I had also paper, parchment,
+chapmen's books, etc.  One Whitemash, a compositor I had known in London,
+an excellent workman, now came to me, and work'd with me constantly
+and diligently; and I took an apprentice, the son of Aquila Rose.
+
+I began now gradually to pay off the debt I was under for the
+printing-house. In order to secure my credit and character as a tradesman,
+I took care not only to be in reality industrious and frugal,
+but to avoid all appearances to the contrary.  I drest plainly;
+I was seen at no places of idle diversion.  I never went out a fishing
+or shooting; a book, indeed, sometimes debauch'd me from my work,
+but that was seldom, snug, and gave no scandal; and, to show that I
+was not above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper
+I purchas'd at the stores thro' the streets on a wheelbarrow. 
+Thus being esteem'd an industrious, thriving young man, and paying
+duly for what I bought, the merchants who imported stationery
+solicited my custom; others proposed supplying me with books,
+and I went on swimmingly.  In the mean time, Keimer's credit
+and business declining daily, he was at last forc'd to sell his
+printing house to satisfy his creditors.  He went to Barbadoes,
+and there lived some years in very poor circumstances.
+
+His apprentice, David Harry, whom I had instructed while I work'd
+with him, set up in his place at Philadelphia, having bought
+his materials.  I was at first apprehensive of a powerful rival
+in Harry, as his friends were very able, and had a good deal
+of interest.  I therefore propos'd a partner-ship to him which he,
+fortunately for me, rejected with scorn.  He was very proud,
+dress'd like a gentleman, liv'd expensively, took much diversion
+and pleasure abroad, ran in debt, and neglected his business;
+upon which, all business left him; and, finding nothing to do,
+he followed Keimer to Barbadoes, taking the printing-house with him. 
+There this apprentice employ'd his former master as a journeyman;
+they quarrel'd often; Harry went continually behindhand, and at
+length was forc'd to sell his types and return to his country work
+in Pensilvania.  The person that bought them employ'd Keimer to use them,
+but in a few years he died.
+
+There remained now no competitor with me at Philadelphia but the
+old one, Bradford; who was rich and easy, did a little printing
+now and then by straggling hands, but was not very anxious
+about the business.  However, as he kept the post-office, it was
+imagined he had better opportunities of obtaining news; his paper
+was thought a better distributer of advertisements than mine,
+and therefore had many, more, which was a profitable thing to him,
+and a disadvantage to me; for, tho' I did indeed receive and send
+papers by the post, yet the publick opinion was otherwise, for what
+I did send was by bribing the riders, who took them privately,
+Bradford being unkind enough to forbid it, which occasion'd some
+resentment on my part; and I thought so meanly of him for it, that,
+when I afterward came into his situation, I took care never to imitate it.
+
+I had hitherto continu'd to board with Godfrey, who lived in part
+of my house with his wife and children, and had one side of the shop
+for his glazier's business, tho' he worked little, being always
+absorbed in his mathematics.  Mrs. Godfrey projected a match for me
+with a relation's daughter, took opportunities of bringing us often
+together, till a serious courtship on my part ensu'd, the girl being
+in herself very deserving.  The old folks encourag'd me by continual
+invitations to supper, and by leaving us together, till at length
+it was time to explain.  Mrs. Godfrey manag'd our little treaty. 
+I let her know that I expected as much money with their daughter
+as would pay off my remaining debt for the printing-house, which I
+believe was not then above a hundred pounds.  She brought me word
+they had no such sum to spare; I said they might mortgage their
+house in the loan-office. The answer to this, after some days, was,
+that they did not approve the match; that, on inquiry of Bradford,
+they had been inform'd the printing business was not a profitable one;
+the types would soon be worn out, and more wanted; that S. Keimer
+and D. Harry had failed one after the other, and I should probably
+soon follow them; and, therefore, I was forbidden the house,
+and the daughter shut up.
+
+Whether this was a real change of sentiment or only artifice,
+on a supposition of our being too far engaged in affection to retract,
+and therefore that we should steal a marriage, which would leave
+them at liberty to give or withhold what they pleas'd, I know not;
+but I suspected the latter, resented it, and went no more. 
+Mrs. Godfrey brought me afterward some more favorable accounts of
+their disposition, and would have drawn me on again; but I declared
+absolutely my resolution to have nothing more to do with that family. 
+This was resented by the Godfreys; we differ'd, and they removed,
+leaving me the whole house, and I resolved to take no more inmates.
+
+But this affair having turned my thoughts to marriage, I look'd
+round me and made overtures of acquaintance in other places;
+but soon found that, the business of a printer being generally
+thought a poor one, I was not to expect money with a wife,
+unless with such a one as I should not otherwise think agreeable. 
+In the mean time, that hard-to-be-governed passion of youth hurried
+me frequently into intrigues with low women that fell in my way,
+which were attended with some expense and great inconvenience,
+besides a continual risque to my health by a distemper which of
+all things I dreaded, though by great good luck I escaped it. 
+A friendly correspondence as neighbors and old acquaintances
+had continued between me and Mrs. Read's family, who all had a
+regard for me from the time of my first lodging in their house. 
+I was often invited there and consulted in their affairs,
+wherein I sometimes was of service.  I piti'd poor Miss Read's
+unfortunate situation, who was generally dejected, seldom cheerful,
+and avoided company.  I considered my giddiness and inconstancy
+when in London as in a great degree the cause of her unhappiness,
+tho' the mother was good enough to think the fault more her own
+than mine, as she had prevented our marrying before I went thither,
+and persuaded the other match in my absence.  Our mutual affection
+was revived, but there were now great objections to our union. 
+The match was indeed looked upon as invalid, a preceding wife being
+said to be living in England; but this could not easily be prov'd,
+because of the distance; and, tho' there was a report of his death,
+it was not certain.  Then, tho' it should be true, he had left
+many debts, which his successor might be call'd upon to pay. 
+We ventured, however, over all these difficulties, and I took her
+to wife, September 1st, 1730.  None of the inconveniences happened
+that we had apprehended, she proved a good and faithful helpmate,
+assisted me much by attending the shop; we throve together, and have
+ever mutually endeavored to make each other happy.  Thus I corrected
+that great erratum as well as I could.
+
+About this time, our club meeting, not at a tavern, but in a little
+room of Mr. Grace's, set apart for that purpose, a proposition
+was made by me, that, since our books were often referr'd to in our
+disquisitions upon the queries, it might be convenient to us to have them
+altogether where we met, that upon occasion they might be consulted;
+and by thus clubbing our books to a common library, we should,
+while we lik'd to keep them together, have each of us the advantage
+of using the books of all the other members, which would be nearly
+as beneficial as if each owned the whole.  It was lik'd and agreed to,
+and we fill'd one end of the room with such books as we could
+best spare.  The number was not so great as we expected; and tho'
+they had been of great use, yet some inconveniences occurring
+for want of due care of them, the collection, after about a year,
+was separated, and each took his books home again
+
+And now I set on foot my first project of a public nature, that for
+a subscription library.  I drew up the proposals, got them put into
+form by our great scrivener, Brockden, and, by the help of my friends
+in the Junto, procured fifty subscribers of forty shillings each
+to begin with, and ten shillings a year for fifty years, the term
+our company was to continue.  We afterwards obtain'd a charter,
+the company being increased to one hundred:  this was the mother
+of all the North American subscription libraries, now so numerous. 
+It is become a great thing itself, and continually increasing. 
+These libraries have improved the general conversation of the Americans,
+made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen
+from other countries, and perhaps have contributed in some degree
+to the stand so generally made throughout the colonies in defense
+of their privileges.
+
+Memo.  Thus far was written with the intention express'd in the beginning
+and therefore contains several little family anecdotes of no importance
+to others.  What follows was written many years after in compliance
+with the advice contain'd in these letters, and accordingly intended for
+the public.  The affairs of the Revolution occasion'd the interruption.
+
+     Letter from Mr. Abel James, with Notes of my Life
+                    (received in Paris).
+
+"MY DEAR AND HONORED FRIEND:  I have often been desirous of
+writing to thee, but could not be reconciled to the thought that
+the letter might fall into the hands of the British, lest some
+printer or busy-body should publish some part of the contents,
+and give our friend pain, and myself censure.
+
+"Some time since there fell into my hands, to my great joy,
+about twenty-three sheets in thy own handwriting, containing an
+account of the parentage and life of thyself, directed to thy son,
+ending in the year 1730, with which there were notes, likewise in
+thy writing; a copy of which I inclose, in hopes it may be a means,
+if thou continued it up to a later period, that the first and latter
+part may be put together; and if it is not yet continued, I hope thee
+will not delay it.  Life is uncertain, as the preacher tells us;
+and what will the world say if kind, humane, and benevolent Ben. 
+Franklin should leave his friends and the world deprived of so pleasing
+and profitable a work; a work which would be useful and entertaining
+not only to a few, but to millions?  The influence writings under
+that class have on the minds of youth is very great, and has nowhere
+appeared to me so plain, as in our public friend's journals. 
+It almost insensibly leads the youth into the resolution of endeavoring
+to become as good and eminent as the journalist.  Should thine,
+for instance, when published (and I think it could not fail of
+it), lead the youth to equal the industry and temperance of thy
+early youth, what a blessing with that class would such a work be! 
+I know of no character living, nor many of them put together,
+who has so much in his power as thyself to promote a greater spirit
+of industry and early attention to business, frugality, and temperance
+with the American youth.  Not that I think the work would have no
+other merit and use in the world, far from it; but the first is
+of such vast importance that I know nothing that can equal it."
+
+
+The foregoing letter and the minutes accompanying it being shown
+to a friend, I received from him the following:
+
+     Letter from Mr. Benjamin Vaughan.       
+                                 "PARIS, January 31, 1783.
+
+"My DEAREST SIR:  When I had read over your sheets of minutes
+of the principal incidents of your life, recovered for you by your
+Quaker acquaintance, I told you I would send you a letter expressing
+my reasons why I thought it would be useful to complete and publish
+it as he desired.  Various concerns have for some time past prevented
+this letter being written, and I do not know whether it was worth
+any expectation; happening to be at leisure, however, at present,
+I shall by writing, at least interest and instruct myself; but as the
+terms I am inclined to use may tend to offend a person of your manners,
+I shall only tell you how I would address any other person,
+who was as good and as great as yourself, but less diffident. 
+I would say to him, Sir, I solicit the history of your life
+from the following motives:  Your history is so remarkable,
+that if you do not give it, somebody else will certainly give it;
+and perhaps so as nearly to do as much harm, as your own management
+of the thing might do good.  It will moreover present a table
+of the internal circumstances of your country, which will very
+much tend to invite to it settlers of virtuous and manly minds. 
+And considering the eagerness with which such information is sought
+by them, and the extent of your reputation, I do not know of a
+more efficacious advertisement than your biography would give. 
+All that has happened to you is also connected with the detail
+of the manners and situation of a rising people; and in this
+respect I do not think that the writings of Caesar and Tacitus can
+be more interesting to a true judge of human nature and society. 
+But these, sir, are small reasons, in my opinion, compared with
+the chance which your life will give for the forming of future
+great men; and in conjunction with your Art of Virtue (which you
+design to publish) of improving the features of private character,
+and consequently of aiding all happiness, both public and domestic. 
+The two works I allude to, sir, will in particular give a noble
+rule and example of self-education. School and other education
+constantly proceed upon false principles, and show a clumsy
+apparatus pointed at a false mark; but your apparatus is simple,
+and the mark a true one; and while parents and young persons
+are left destitute of other just means of estimating and becoming
+prepared for a reasonable course in life, your discovery that
+the thing is in many a man's private power, will be invaluable! 
+Influence upon the private character, late in life, is not only
+an influence late in life, but a weak influence.  It is in youth
+that we plant our chief habits and prejudices; it is in youth
+that we take our party as to profession, pursuits and matrimony. 
+In youth, therefore, the turn is given; in youth the education even
+of the next generation is given; in youth the private and public
+character is determined; and the term of life extending but from youth
+to age, life ought to begin well from youth, and more especially
+before we take our party as to our principal objects.  But your
+biography will not merely teach self-education, but the education
+of a wise man; and the wisest man will receive lights and improve
+his progress, by seeing detailed the conduct of another wise man. 
+And why are weaker men to be deprived of such helps, when we see
+our race has been blundering on in the dark, almost without a guide
+in this particular, from the farthest trace of time?  Show then,
+sir, how much is to be done, both to sons and fathers; and invite
+all wise men to become like yourself, and other men to become wise. 
+When we see how cruel statesmen and warriors can be to the human race,
+and how absurd distinguished men can be to their acquaintance,
+it will be instructive to observe the instances multiply of pacific,
+acquiescing manners; and to find how compatible it is to be great
+and domestic, enviable and yet good-humored.
+
+"The little private incidents which you will also have to relate,
+will have considerable use, as we want, above all things, rules of
+prudence in ordinary affairs; and it will be curious to see how you
+have acted in these.  It will be so far a sort of key to life,
+and explain many things that all men ought to have once explained
+to them, to give, them a chance of becoming wise by foresight. 
+The nearest thing to having experience of one's own, is to have other
+people's affairs brought before us in a shape that is interesting;
+this is sure to happen from your pen; our affairs and management will
+have an air of simplicity or importance that will not fail to strike;
+and I am convinced you have conducted them with as much originality
+as if you had been conducting discussions in politics or philosophy;
+and what more worthy of experiments and system (its importance and its
+errors considered) than human life?
+
+"Some men have been virtuous blindly, others have speculated
+fantastically, and others have been shrewd to bad purposes;
+but you, sir, I am sure, will give under your hand, nothing but
+what is at the same moment, wise, practical and good, your account
+of yourself (for I suppose the parallel I am drawing for Dr. Franklin,
+will hold not only in point of character, but of private history)
+will show that you are ashamed of no origin; a thing the more important,
+as you prove how little necessary all origin is to happiness, virtue,
+or greatness.  As no end likewise happens without a means, so we
+shall find, sir, that even you yourself framed a plan by which you
+became considerable; but at the same time we may see that though
+the event is flattering,the means are as simple as wisdom could
+make them;that is, depending upon nature, virtue, thought and
+habit.Another thing demonstrated will be the propriety of everyman's
+waiting for his time for appearing upon the stage of the world. 
+Our sensations being very much fixed to the moment, we are apt to
+forget that more moments are to follow the first, and consequently
+that man should arrange his conduct so as to suit the whole of a life. 
+Your attribution appears to have been applied to your life, and the
+passing moments of it have been enlivened with content and enjoyment
+instead of being tormented with foolish impatience or regrets. 
+Such a conduct is easy for those who make virtue and themselves
+in countenance by examples of other truly great men, of whom
+patience is so often the characteristic.  Your Quaker correspondent,
+sir (for here again I will suppose the subject of my letter resembling
+Dr. Franklin), praised your frugality, diligence and temperance,
+which he considered as a pattern for all youth; but it is singular
+that he should have forgotten your modesty and your disinterestedness,
+without which you never could have waited for your advancement,
+or found your situation in the mean time comfortable; which is
+a strong lesson to show the poverty of glory and the importance
+of regulating our minds.  If this correspondent had known the nature
+of your reputation as well as I do, he would have said, Your former
+writings and measures would secure attention to your Biography,
+and Art of Virtue; and your Biography and Art of Virtue, in return,
+would secure attention to them.  This is an advantage attendant upon
+a various character, and which brings all that belongs to it into
+greater play; and it is the more useful, as perhaps more persons
+are at a loss for the means of improving their minds and characters,
+than they are for the time or the inclination to do it.  But there
+is one concluding reflection, sir, that will shew the use of your life
+as a mere piece of biography.  This style of writing seems a little
+gone out of vogue, and yet it is a very useful one; and your specimen
+of it may be particularly serviceable, as it will make a subject of
+comparison with the lives of various public cutthroats and intriguers,
+and with absurd monastic self-tormentors or vain literary triflers. 
+If it encourages more writings of the same kind with your own,
+and induces more men to spend lives fit to be written, it will be
+worth all Plutarch's Lives put together.  But being tired of figuring
+to myself a character of which every feature suits only one man in
+the world, without giving him the praise of it, I shall end my letter,
+my dear Dr. Franklin, with a personal application to your proper self. 
+I am earnestly desirous, then, my dear sir, that you should let the
+world into the traits of your genuine character, as civil broils nay
+otherwise tend to disguise or traduce it.  Considering your great age,
+the caution of your character, and your peculiar style of thinking,
+it is not likely that any one besides yourself can be sufficiently
+master of the facts of your life, or the intentions of your mind. 
+Besides all this, the immense revolution of the present period,
+will necessarily turn our attention towards the author of it,
+and when virtuous principles have been pretended in it, it will be
+highly important to shew that such have really influenced; and, as your
+own character will be the principal one to receive a scrutiny,
+it is proper (even for its effects upon your vast and rising country,
+as well as upon England and upon Europe) that it should stand
+respectable and eternal.  For the furtherance of human happiness,
+I have always maintained that it is necessary to prove that
+man is not even at present a vicious and detestable animal;
+and still more to prove that good management may greatly amend him;
+and it is for much the same reason, that I am anxious to see
+the opinion established, that there are fair characters existing
+among the individuals of the race; for the moment that all men,
+without exception, shall be conceived abandoned, good people will
+cease efforts deemed to be hopeless, and perhaps think of taking
+their share in the scramble of life, or at least of making it
+comfortable principally for themselves.  Take then, my dear sir,
+this work most speedily into hand:  shew yourself good as you are good;
+temperate as you are temperate; and above all things, prove yourself
+as one, who from your infancy have loved justice, liberty and concord,
+in a way that has made it natural and consistent for you to have acted,
+as we have seen you act in the last seventeen years of your life. 
+Let Englishmen be made not only to respect, but even to love you. 
+When they think well of individuals in your native country,
+they will go nearer to thinking well of your country; and when your
+countrymen see themselves well thought of by Englishmen, they will go
+nearer to thinking well of England.  Extend your views even further;
+do not stop at those who speak the English tongue, but after having
+settled so many points in nature and politics, think of bettering
+the whole race of men.  As I have not read any part of the life
+in question, but know only the character that lived it, I write
+somewhat at hazard.  I am sure, however, that the life and the treatise
+I allude to (on the Art of Virtue) will necessarily fulfil the chief
+of my expectations; and still more so if you take up the measure
+of suiting these performances to the several views above stated. 
+Should they even prove unsuccessful in all that a sanguine admirer
+of yours hopes from them, you will at least have framed pieces
+to interest the human mind; and whoever gives a feeling of pleasure
+that is innocent to man, has added so much to the fair side of a life
+otherwise too much darkened by anxiety and too much injured by pain. 
+In the hope, therefore, that you will listen to the prayer addressed
+to you in this letter, I beg to subscribe myself, my dearest sir,
+etc., etc.,
+
+     "Signed, BENJ.  VAUGHAN."
+
+
+Continuation of the Account of my Life, begun at Passy, near Paris, 1784.
+
+It is some time since I receiv'd the above letters, but I have been
+too busy till now to think of complying with the request they contain. 
+It might, too, be much better done if I were at home among my papers,
+which would aid my memory, and help to ascertain dates; but my
+return being uncertain and having just now a little leisure, I will
+endeavor to recollect and write what I can; if I live to get home,
+it may there be corrected and improv'd.
+
+Not having any copy here of what is already written, I know
+not whether an account is given of the means I used to establish
+the Philadelphia public library, which, from a small beginning,
+is now become so considerable, though I remember to have come
+down to near the time of that transaction (1730). I will therefore
+begin here with an account of it, which may be struck out if found
+to have been already given.
+
+At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good
+bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston. 
+In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold
+only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books. Those
+who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England;
+the members of the Junto had each a few.  We had left the alehouse,
+where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in. 
+I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room,
+where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences,
+but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow
+such as he wish'd to read at home.  This was accordingly done,
+and for some time contented us.
+
+Finding the advantage of this little collection, I propos'd to
+render the benefit from books more common, by commencing a public
+subscription library.  I drew a sketch of the plan and rules that would
+be necessary, and got a skilful conveyancer, Mr. Charles Brockden,
+to put the whole in form of articles of agreement to be subscribed,
+by which each subscriber engag'd to pay a certain sum down for the first
+purchase of books, and an annual contribution for increasing them. 
+So few were the readers at that time in Philadelphia, and the majority
+of us so poor, that I was not able, with great industry, to find
+more than fifty persons, mostly young tradesmen, willing to pay down
+for this purpose forty shillings each, and ten shillings per annum. 
+On this little fund we began.  The books were imported; the library
+wag opened one day in the week for lending to the subscribers,
+on their promissory notes to pay double the value if not duly returned. 
+The institution soon manifested its utility, was imitated by
+other towns, and in other provinces.  The libraries were augmented
+by donations; reading became fashionable; and our people,
+having no publick amusements to divert their attention from study,
+became better acquainted with books, and in a few years were
+observ'd by strangers to be better instructed and more intelligent
+than people of the same rank generally are in other countries.
+
+When we were about to sign the above-mentioned articles, which were
+to be binding upon us, our heirs, etc., for fifty years, Mr. Brockden,
+the scrivener, said to us, "You are young men, but it is scarcely
+probable that any of you will live to see the expiration of the term
+fix'd in the instrument."  A number of us, however, are yet living;
+but the instrument was after a few years rendered null by a charter
+that incorporated and gave perpetuity to the company.
+
+The objections and reluctances I met with in soliciting the subscriptions,
+made me soon feel the impropriety of presenting one's self as the
+proposer of any useful project, that might be suppos'd to raise one's
+reputation in the smallest degree above that of one's neighbors,
+when one has need of their assistance to accomplish that project. 
+I therefore put myself as much as I could out of sight, and stated
+it as a scheme of a number of friends, who had requested me to go
+about and propose it to such as they thought lovers of reading. 
+In this way my affair went on more smoothly, and I ever after
+practis'd it on such occasions; and, from my frequent successes,
+can heartily recommend it.  The present little sacrifice of your
+vanity will afterwards be amply repaid.  If it remains a while
+uncertain to whom the merit belongs, some one more vain than
+yourself will be encouraged to claim it, and then even envy will
+be disposed to do you justice by plucking those assumed feathers,
+and restoring them to their right owner.
+
+This library afforded me the means of improvement by constant study,
+for which I set apart an hour or two each day, and thus repair'd
+in some degree the loss of the learned education my father once
+intended for me.  Reading was the only amusement I allow'd myself. 
+I spent no time in taverns, games, or frolicks of any kind;
+and my industry in my business continu'd as indefatigable
+as it was necessary.  I was indebted for my printing-house;
+I had a young family coming on to be educated, and I had to contend
+with for business two printers, who were established in the place
+before me.  My circumstances, however, grew daily easier. 
+My original habits of frugality continuing, and my father having,
+among his instructions to me when a boy, frequently repeated a proverb
+of Solomon, "Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand
+before kings, he shall not stand before mean men," I from thence
+considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction,
+which encourag'd me, tho' I did not think that I should ever
+literally stand before kings, which, however, has since happened;
+for I have stood before five, and even had the honor of sitting
+down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner.
+
+We have an English proverb that says, "He that would thrive, must ask
+his wife."  It was lucky for me that I had one as much dispos'd
+to industry and frugality as myself.  She assisted me cheerfully
+in my business, folding and stitching pamphlets, tending shop,
+purchasing old linen rags for the papermakers, etc., etc.  We kept
+no idle servants, our table was plain and simple, our furniture
+of the cheapest.  For instance, my breakfast was a long time bread
+and milk (no tea), and I ate it out of a twopenny earthen porringer,
+with a pewter spoon.  But mark how luxury will enter families,
+and make a progress, in spite of principle:  being call'd one morning
+to breakfast, I found it in a China bowl, with a spoon of silver! 
+They had been bought for me without my knowledge by my wife,
+and had cost her the enormous sum of three-and-twenty shillings,
+for which she had no other excuse or apology to make, but that she
+thought her husband deserv'd a silver spoon and China bowl as well
+as any of his neighbors.  This was the first appearance of plate
+and China in our house, which afterward, in a course of years,
+as our wealth increas'd, augmented gradually to several hundred pounds
+in value.
+
+I had been religiously educated as a Presbyterian; and tho'
+some of the dogmas of that persuasion, such as the eternal decrees
+of God, election, reprobation, etc., appeared to me unintelligible,
+others doubtful, and I early absented myself from the public
+assemblies of the sect, Sunday being my studying day, I never was
+without some religious principles.  I never doubted, for instance,
+the existence of the Deity; that he made the world, and govern'd
+it by his Providence; that the most acceptable service of God was
+the doing good to man; that our souls are immortal; and that all crime
+will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter. 
+These I esteem'd the essentials of every religion; and, being to
+be found in all the religions we had in our country, I respected
+them all, tho' with different degrees of respect, as I found them
+more or less mix'd with other articles, which, without any tendency
+to inspire, promote, or confirm morality, serv'd principally
+to divide us, and make us unfriendly to one another.  This respect
+to all, with an opinion that the worst had some good effects,
+induc'd me to avoid all discourse that might tend to lessen
+the good opinion another might have of his own religion; and as
+our province increas'd in people, and new places of worship were
+continually wanted, and generally erected by voluntary contributions,
+my mite for such purpose, whatever might be the sect, was never refused.
+
+Tho' I seldom attended any public worship, I had still an opinion
+of its propriety, and of its utility when rightly conducted,
+and I regularly paid my annual subscription for the support of
+the only Presbyterian minister or meeting we had in Philadelphia. 
+He us'd to visit me sometimes as a friend, and admonish me
+to attend his administrations, and I was now and then prevail'd
+on to do so, once for five Sundays successively.  Had he been
+in my opinion a good preacher, perhaps I might have continued,
+notwithstanding the occasion I had for the Sunday's leisure in my
+course of study; but his discourses were chiefly either polemic
+arguments, or explications of the peculiar doctrines of our sect,
+and were all to me very dry, uninteresting, and unedifying,
+since not a single moral principle was inculcated or enforc'd, their
+aim seeming to be rather to make us Presbyterians than good citizens.
+
+At length he took for his text that verse of the fourth chapter
+of Philippians, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
+honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good report, if there be any virtue,
+or any praise, think on these things."  And I imagin'd, in a sermon
+on such a text, we could not miss of having some morality. 
+But he confin'd himself to five points only, as meant by the apostle,
+viz.: 1.  Keeping holy the Sabbath day.  2.  Being diligent in reading
+the holy Scriptures.  3.  Attending duly the publick worship. 
+4.  Partaking of the Sacrament.  5.  Paying a due respect to
+God's ministers.  These might be all good things; but, as they
+were not the kind of good things that I expected from that text,
+I despaired of ever meeting with them from any other, was disgusted,
+and attended his preaching no more.  I had some years before compos'd
+a little Liturgy, or form of prayer, for my own private use (viz.,
+in 1728), entitled, Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion. 
+I return'd to the use of this, and went no more to the public assemblies. 
+My conduct might be blameable, but I leave it, without attempting
+further to excuse it; my present purpose being to relate facts,
+and not to make apologies for them.
+
+It was about this time I conceiv'd the bold and arduous project
+of arriving at moral perfection.  I wish'd to live without
+committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either
+natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.  As I knew,
+or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I
+might not always do the one and avoid the other.  But I soon found
+I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I bad imagined. 
+While my care was employ'd in guarding against one fault, I was
+often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention;
+inclination was sometimes too strong for reason.  I concluded, at length,
+that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be
+completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our slipping;
+and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired
+and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady,
+uniform rectitude of conduct.  For this purpose I therefore contrived
+the following method.
+
+In the various enumerations of the moral virtues I had met
+with in my reading, I found the catalogue more or less numerous,
+as different writers included more or fewer ideas under the same name. 
+Temperance, for example, was by some confined to eating and drinking,
+while by others it was extended to mean the moderating every
+other pleasure, appetite, inclination, or passion, bodily or mental,
+even to our avarice and ambition.  I propos'd to myself, for the sake
+of clearness, to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annex'd
+to each, than a few names with more ideas; and I included under
+thirteen names of virtues all that at that time occurr'd to me
+as necessary or desirable, and annexed to each a short precept,
+which fully express'd the extent I gave to its meaning.
+
+These names of virtues, with their precepts, were:
+
+1.  TEMPERANCE.  Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
+
+2.  SILENCE.  Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself;
+avoid trifling conversation.
+
+3.  ORDER.  Let all your things have their places; let each part
+of your business have its time.
+
+4.  RESOLUTION.  Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without
+fail what you resolve.
+
+5.  FRUGALITY.  Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself;
+i.e., waste nothing.
+
+6.  INDUSTRY.  Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful;
+cut off all unnecessary actions.
+
+7.  SINCERITY.  Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly,
+and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
+
+8.  JUSTICE.  Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits
+that are your duty.
+
+9.  MODERATION.  Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much
+as you think they deserve.
+
+10.  CLEANLINESS.  Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths,
+or habitation.
+
+11.  TRANQUILLITY.  Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents
+common or unavoidable.
+
+12.  CHASTITY.  Rarely use venery but for health or offspring,
+never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's
+peace or reputation.
+
+13.  HUMILITY.  Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
+
+My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues,
+I judg'd it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting
+the whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time; and, when I
+should be master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on,
+till I should have gone thro' the thirteen; and, as the previous
+acquisition of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain others,
+I arrang'd them with that view, as they stand above.  Temperance first,
+as it tends to procure that coolness and clearness of head, which is
+so necessary where constant vigilance was to be kept up, and guard
+maintained against the unremitting attraction of ancient habits,
+and the force of perpetual temptations.  This being acquir'd
+and establish'd, Silence would be more easy; and my desire being
+to gain knowledge at the same time that I improv'd in virtue,
+and considering that in conversation it was obtain'd rather by the use
+of the ears than of the tongue, and therefore wishing to break
+a habit I was getting into of prattling, punning, and joking,
+which only made me acceptable to trifling company, I gave Silence
+the second place.  This and the next, Order, I expected would
+allow me more time for attending to my project and my studies. 
+Resolution, once become habitual, would keep me firm in my endeavors
+to obtain all the subsequent virtues; Frugality and Industry freeing
+me from my remaining debt, and producing affluence and independence,
+would make more easy the practice of Sincerity and Justice, etc., etc. 
+Conceiving then, that, agreeably to the advice of Pythagoras
+in his Golden Verses, daily examination would be necessary,
+I contrived the following method for conducting that examination.
+
+I made a little book, in which I allotted a page for each of the virtues. 
+I rul'd each page with red ink, so as to have seven columns,
+one for each day of the week, marking each column with a letter
+for the day.  I cross'd these columns with thirteen red lines,
+marking the beginning of each line with the first letter of one of
+the virtues, on which line, and in its proper column, I might mark,
+by a little black spot, every fault I found upon examination
+to have been committed respecting that virtue upon that day.
+
+Form of the pages.
+
+           +-------------------------------+
+           |              TEMPERANCE.      |
+           +-------------------------------+
+           |       EAT NOT TO DULNESS;     |
+           |     DRINK NOT TO ELEVATION.   |
+           +-------------------------------+
+           |   | S.| M.| T.| W.| T.| F.| S.|
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | T.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | S.| * | * |   | * |   | * |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | O.| **| * | * |   | * | * | * |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | R.|   |   | * |   |   | * |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | F.|   | * |   |   | * |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | I.|   |   | * |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | S.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | J.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | M.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | C.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | T.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | C.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | H.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+
+I determined to give a week's strict attention to each of
+the virtues successively.  Thus, in the first week, my great
+guard was to avoid every the least offence against Temperance,
+leaving the other virtues to their ordinary chance, only marking
+every evening the faults of the day.  Thus, if in the first week
+I could keep my first line, marked T, clear of spots, I suppos'd
+the habit of that virtue so much strengthen'd and its opposite
+weaken'd, that I might venture extending my attention to include
+the next, and for the following week keep both lines clear of spots. 
+Proceeding thus to the last, I could go thro' a course compleat
+in thirteen weeks, and four courses in a year.  And like him who,
+having a garden to weed, does not attempt to eradicate all the bad
+herbs at once, which would exceed his reach and his strength, but works
+on one of the beds at a time, and, having accomplish'd the first,
+proceeds to a second, so I should have, I hoped, the encouraging
+pleasure of seeing on my pages the progress I made in virtue,
+by clearing successively my lines of their spots, till in the end,
+by a number of courses, I should he happy in viewing a clean book,
+after a thirteen weeks' daily examination.
+
+This my little book had for its motto these lines from Addison's Cato:
+
+          "Here will I hold.  If there's a power above us
+          (And that there is all nature cries aloud
+          Thro' all her works), He must delight in virtue;
+          And that which he delights in must be happy."
+
+Another from Cicero,
+
+          "O vitae Philosophia dux! O virtutum indagatrix
+          expultrixque vitiorum! Unus dies, bene et ex praeceptis
+          tuis actus, peccanti immortalitati est anteponendus."
+
+Another from the Proverbs of Solomon, speaking of wisdom or virtue:
+
+          "Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand
+          riches and honour.  Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
+          and all her paths are peace." iii. 16, 17.
+
+And conceiving God to be the fountain of wisdom, I thought it
+right and necessary to solicit his assistance for obtaining it;
+to this end I formed the following little prayer, which was prefix'd
+to my tables of examination, for daily use.
+
+"O powerful Goodness! bountiful Father! merciful Guide!
+increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. 
+strengthen my resolutions to perform what that wisdom dictates. 
+Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return
+in my power for thy continual favors to me."
+
+I used also sometimes a little prayer which I took from Thomson's Poems,
+viz.:
+
+          "Father of light and life, thou Good Supreme!
+          O teach me what is good; teach me Thyself!
+          Save me from folly, vanity, and vice,
+          From every low pursuit; and fill my soul
+          With knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure;
+          Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss!"
+
+The precept of Order requiring that every part of my business should
+have its allotted time, one page in my little book contain'd the
+following scheme of employment for the twenty-four hours of a natural day:
+
+     THE MORNING.            {  5 } Rise, wash, and address
+                             {    } Powerful Goodness!  Contrive
+Question.  What good  shall  {  6 } day's business, and take the
+I do this day?               {    } resolution of the day; prose-
+                             {  7 } cute the present study, and
+                             {    } breakfast.
+                                8 }
+                                9 } Work.
+                               10 }
+                               11 }
+
+     NOON.                   { 12 } Read, or overlook my ac-
+                             {  1 } counts, and dine.
+                                2 }
+                                3 } Work.
+                                4 }
+                                5 }
+
+     EVENING.                {  6 } Put things in their places.
+                             {  7 } Supper.  Music or diversion,
+Question.  What good have    {  8 } or conversation.  Examination
+I done to-day?               {  9 } of the day.
+                             { 10 }
+                             { 11 }
+                             { 12 }
+
+     NIGHT.                  {  1 } Sleep.
+                             {  2 }
+                             {  3 }
+                             {  4 }
+
+I enter'd upon the execution of this plan for self-examination,
+and continu'd it with occasional intermissions for some time. 
+I was surpris'd to find myself so much fuller of faults than I
+had imagined; but I had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish. 
+To avoid the trouble of renewing now and then my little book, which,
+by scraping out the marks on the paper of old faults to make room
+for new ones in a new course, became full of holes, I transferr'd
+my tables and precepts to the ivory leaves of a memorandum book,
+on which the lines were drawn with red ink, that made a durable stain,
+and on those lines I mark'd my faults with a black-lead pencil,
+which marks I could easily wipe out with a wet sponge.  After a
+while I went thro' one course only in a year, and afterward only
+one in several years, till at length I omitted them entirely,
+being employ'd in voyages and business abroad, with a multiplicity
+of affairs that interfered; but I always carried my little book
+with me.
+
+My scheme of ORDER gave me the most trouble; and I found that, tho'
+it might be practicable where a man's business was such as to leave
+him the disposition of his time, that of a journeyman printer,
+for instance, it was not possible to be exactly observed by a master,
+who must mix with the world, and often receive people of business
+at their own hours.  Order, too, with regard to places for things,
+papers, etc., I found extreamly difficult to acquire.  I had not
+been early accustomed to it, and, having an exceeding good memory,
+I was not so sensible of the inconvenience attending want of method. 
+This article, therefore, cost me so much painful attention, and my faults
+in it vexed me so much, and I made so little progress in amendment,
+and had such frequent relapses, that I was almost ready to give up
+the attempt, and content myself with a faulty character in that respect,
+like the man who, in buying an ax of a smith, my neighbour,
+desired to have the whole of its surface as bright as the edge. 
+The smith consented to grind it bright for him if he would turn
+the wheel; he turn'd, while the smith press'd the broad face of
+the ax hard and heavily on the stone, which made the turning of it
+very fatiguing.  The man came every now and then from the wheel to see
+how the work went on, and at length would take his ax as it was,
+without farther grinding.  "No," said the smith, "turn on, turn on;
+we shall have it bright by-and-by; as yet, it is only speckled." 
+"Yes," said the man, "but I think I like a speckled ax best." 
+And I believe this may have been the case with many, who, having,
+for want of some such means as I employ'd, found the difficulty
+of obtaining good and breaking bad habits in other points of vice
+and virtue, have given up the struggle, and concluded that "a
+speckled ax was best"; for something, that pretended to be reason,
+was every now and then suggesting to me that such extream nicety as I
+exacted of myself might be a kind of foppery in morals, which, if it
+were known, would make me ridiculous; that a perfect character
+might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated;
+and that a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself,
+to keep his friends in countenance.
+
+In truth, I found myself incorrigible with respect to Order;
+and now I am grown old, and my memory bad, I feel very sensibly
+the want of it.  But, on the whole, tho' I never arrived at
+the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far
+short of it, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier
+man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it;
+as those who aim at perfect writing by imitating the engraved copies,
+tho' they never reach the wish'd-for excellence of those copies,
+their hand is mended by the endeavor, and is tolerable while it
+continues fair and legible.
+
+It may be well my posterity should be informed that to this
+little artifice, with the blessing of God, their ancestor ow'd the
+constant felicity of his life, down to his 79th year, in which this
+is written.  What reverses may attend the remainder is in the hand
+of Providence; but, if they arrive, the reflection on past happiness
+enjoy'd ought to help his bearing them with more resignation. 
+To Temperance he ascribes his long-continued health, and what is
+still left to him of a good constitution; to Industry and Frugality,
+the early easiness of his circumstances and acquisition of his fortune,
+with all that knowledge that enabled him to be a useful citizen,
+and obtained for him some degree of reputation among the learned;
+to Sincerity and Justice, the confidence of his country,
+and the honorable employs it conferred upon him; and to the joint
+influence of the whole mass of the virtues, even in the imperfect
+state he was able to acquire them, all that evenness of temper,
+and that cheerfulness in conversation, which makes his company
+still sought for, and agreeable even to his younger acquaintance. 
+I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example
+and reap the benefit.
+
+It will be remark'd that, tho' my scheme was not wholly without religion,
+there was in it no mark of any of the distingishing tenets of any
+particular sect.  I had purposely avoided them; for, being fully
+persuaded of the utility and excellency of my method, and that it
+might be serviceable to people in all religions, and intending
+some time or other to publish it, I would not have any thing
+in it that should prejudice any one, of any sect, against it. 
+I purposed writing a little comment on each virtue, in which I
+would have shown the advantages of possessing it, and the mischiefs
+attending its opposite vice; and I should have called my book THE
+ART OF VIRTUE,<7> because it would have shown the means and manner
+of obtaining virtue, which would have distinguished it from the mere
+exhortation to be good, that does not instruct and indicate the means,
+but is like the apostle's man of verbal charity, who only without
+showing to the naked and hungry how or where they might get clothes
+or victuals, exhorted them to be fed and clothed.--James ii.  15, 16.
+
+     <7> Nothing so likely to make a man's fortune as virtue.
+         --[Marg. note.]
+
+But it so happened that my intention of writing and publishing this
+comment was never fulfilled.  I did, indeed, from time to time,
+put down short hints of the sentiments, reasonings, etc., to be made
+use of in it, some of which I have still by me; but the necessary
+close attention to private business in the earlier part of thy life,
+and public business since, have occasioned my postponing it; for,
+it being connected in my mind with a great and extensive project,
+that required the whole man to execute, and which an unforeseen
+succession of employs prevented my attending to, it has hitherto
+remain'd unfinish'd.
+
+In this piece it was my design to explain and enforce this doctrine,
+that vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden,
+but forbidden because they are hurtful, the nature of man
+alone considered; that it was, therefore, every one's interest to be
+virtuous who wish'd to be happy even in this world; and I should,
+from this circumstance (there being always in the world a number
+of rich merchants, nobility, states, and princes, who have need
+of honest instruments for the management of their affairs,
+and such being so rare), have endeavored to convince young persons
+that no qualities were so likely to make a poor man's fortune
+as those of probity and integrity.
+
+My list of virtues contain'd at first but twelve; but a Quaker
+friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud;
+that my pride show'd itself frequently in conversation; that I
+was not content with being in the right when discussing any point,
+but was overbearing, and rather insolent, of which he convinc'd
+me by mentioning several instances; I determined endeavouring
+to cure myself, if I could, of this vice or folly among the rest,
+and I added Humility to my list) giving an extensive meaning to
+the word.
+
+I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue,
+but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it. 
+I made it a rule to forbear all direct contradiction to the
+sentiments of others, and all positive assertion of my own. 
+I even forbid myself, agreeably to the old laws of our Junto,
+the use of every word or expression in the language that imported
+a fix'd opinion, such as certainly, undoubtedly, etc., and I adopted,
+instead of them, I conceive, I apprehend, or I imagine a thing to be
+so or so; or it so appears to me at present.  When another asserted
+something that I thought an error, I deny'd myself the pleasure
+of contradicting him abruptly, and of showing immediately some
+absurdity in his proposition; and in answering I began by observing
+that in certain cases or circumstances his opinion would be right,
+but in the present case there appear'd or seem'd to me some difference,
+etc.  I soon found the advantage of this change in my manner;
+the conversations I engag'd in went on more pleasantly.  The modest
+way in which I propos'd my opinions procur'd them a readier recep tion
+and less contradiction; I had less mortification when I was found
+to be in the wrong, and I more easily prevail'd with others to give
+up their mistakes and join with me when I happened to be in the right.
+
+And this mode, which I at first put on with some violence to
+natural inclination, became at length so easy, and so habitual
+to me, that perhaps for these fifty years past no one has ever
+heard a dogmatical expression escape me.  And to this habit (after
+my character of integrity) I think it principally owing that I
+had early so much weight with my fellow-citizens when I proposed
+new institutions, or alterations in the old, and so much influence
+in public councils when I became a member; for I was but a bad speaker,
+never eloquent, subject to much hesitation in my choice of words,
+hardly correct in language, and yet I generally carried my points.
+
+In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions
+so hard to subdue as pride.  Disguise it, struggle with it,
+beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is
+still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself;
+you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I
+could conceive that I had compleatly overcome it, I should probably
+be proud of my humility.
+
+[Thus far written at Passy, 1741.]
+
+["I am now about to write at home, August, 1788, but can not have
+the help expected from my papers, many of them being lost in the war. 
+I have, however, found the following."]<8>
+
+     <8>This is a marginal memorandum.--B.
+
+HAVING mentioned a great and extensive project which I had
+conceiv'd, it seems proper that some account should be here
+given of that project and its object.  Its first rise in my
+mind appears in the following little paper, accidentally preserv'd, viz.:
+
+Observations on my reading history, in Library, May 19th, 1731.
+
+"That the great affairs of the world, the wars, revolutions,
+etc., are carried on and affected by parties.
+
+"That the view of these parties is their present general interest,
+or what they take to be such.
+
+"That the different views of these different parties occasion
+all confusion.
+
+"That while a party is carrying on a general design, each man has
+his particular private interest in view.
+
+"That as soon as a party has gain'd its general point, each member
+becomes intent upon his particular interest; which, thwarting others,
+breaks that party into divisions, and occasions more confusion.
+
+"That few in public affairs act from a meer view of the good of
+their country, whatever they may pretend; and, tho' their actings
+bring real good to their country, yet men primarily considered
+that their own and their country's interest was united, and did
+not act from a principle of benevolence.
+
+"That fewer still, in public affairs, act with a view to the good
+of mankind.
+
+"There seems to me at present to be great occasion for raising
+a United Party for Virtue, by forming the virtuous and good men
+of all nations into a regular body, to be govern'd by suitable
+good and wise rules, which good and wise men may probably be more
+unanimous in their obedience to, than common people are to common laws.
+
+"I at present think that whoever attempts this aright, and is
+well qualified, can not fail of pleasing God, and of meeting
+with success.  B. F."
+
+Revolving this project in my mind, as to be undertaken hereafter,
+when my circumstances should afford me the necessary leisure,
+I put down from time to time, on pieces of paper, such thoughts
+as occurr'd to me respecting it.  Most of these are lost; but I find
+one purporting to be the substance of an intended creed) containing,
+as I thought, the essentials of every known religion, and being free
+of every thing that might shock the professors of any religion. 
+It is express'd in these words, viz.:
+
+"That there is one God, who made all things.
+
+"That he governs the world by his providence.
+
+"That he ought to be worshiped by adoration, prayer, and thanksgiving.
+
+"But that the most acceptable service of God is doing good to man.
+
+"That the soul is immortal.
+
+"And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice either
+here or hereafter."<9>
+
+     <9> In the Middle Ages, Franklin, if such a phenomenon as
+         Franklin were possible in the Middle Ages, would
+         probably have been the founder of a monastic order.--B.
+
+My ideas at that time were, that the sect should be begun and
+spread at first among young and single men only; that each person
+to be initiated should not only declare his assent to such creed,
+but should have exercised himself with the thirteen weeks'
+examination and practice of the virtues) as in the before-mention'd model;
+that the existence of such a society should he kept a secret,
+till it was become considerable, to prevent solicitations
+for the admission of improper persons, but that the members
+should each of them search among his acquaintance for ingenuous,
+well-disposed youths, to whom, with prudent caution, the scheme
+should be grad ually communicated; that the members should engage
+to afford their advice, assistance, and support to each other
+in promoting one another's interests, business, and advancement
+in life; that, for distinction, we should be call'd The Society of
+the Free and Easy:  free, as being, by the general practice and habit
+of the virtues, free from the dominion of vice; and particularly
+by the practice of industry and frugality, free from debt, which
+exposes a man to confinement, and a species of slavery to his creditors.
+
+This is as much as I can now recollect of the project,
+except that I communicated it in part to two young men, who adopted
+it with some enthusiasm; but my then narrow circumstances,
+and the necessity I was under of sticking close to my business,
+occasion'd my postponing the further prosecution of it at that time;
+and my multifarious occupations, public and private, induc'd me
+to continue postponing, so that it has been omitted till I have no
+longer strength or activity left sufficient for such an enterprise;
+tho' I am still of opinion that it was a practicable scheme,
+and might have been very useful, by forming a great number of
+good citizens; and I was not discourag'd by the seeming magnitude
+of the undertaking, as I have always thought that one man of tolerable
+abilities may work great changes, and accomplish great affairs
+among mankind, if he first forms a good plan, and, cutting off all
+amusements or other employments that would divert his attention,
+makes the execution of that same plan his sole study and business.
+
+In 1732 I first publish'd my Almanack, under the name of Richard Saunders;
+it was continu'd by me about twenty-five years, commonly call'd
+Poor Richard's Almanac.  I endeavor'd to make it both entertaining
+and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand, that I reap'd
+considerable profit from it, vending annually near ten thousand. 
+And observing that it was generally read, scarce any neighborhood
+in the province being without it, I consider'd it as a proper vehicle
+for conveying instruction among the common people, who bought scarcely
+any other books; I therefore filled all the little spaces that occurr'd
+between the remarkable days in the calendar with proverbial sentences,
+chiefly such as inculcated industry and frugality, as the means
+of procuring wealth, and thereby securing virtue; it being more
+difficult for a man in want, to act always honestly, as, to use
+here one of those proverbs, it is hard for an empty sack to stand up-right.
+
+These proverbs, which contained the wisdom of many ages and nations,
+I assembled and form'd into a connected discourse prefix'd to the
+Almanack of 1757, as the harangue of a wise old man to the people
+attending an auction.  The bringing all these scatter'd counsels
+thus into a focus enabled them to make greater impression. 
+The piece, being universally approved, was copied in all the
+newspapers of the Continent; reprinted in Britain on a broad side,
+to be stuck up in houses; two translations were made of it in French,
+and great numbers bought by the clergy and gentry, to distribute
+gratis among their poor parishioners and tenants.  In Pennsylvania,
+as it discouraged useless expense in foreign superfluities, some thought
+it had its share of influence in producing that growing plenty
+of money which was observable for several years after its publication.
+
+I considered my newspaper, also, as another means of communicating
+instruction, and in that view frequently reprinted in it extracts
+from the Spectator, and other moral writers; and sometimes publish'd
+little pieces of my own, which had been first compos'd for reading
+in our Junto.  Of these are a Socratic dialogue, tending to prove that,
+whatever might be his parts and abilities, a vicious man could not
+properly be called a man of sense; and a discourse on self-denial,
+showing that virtue was not secure till its practice became a habitude,
+and was free from the opposition of contrary inclinations. 
+These may be found in the papers about the beginning Of 1735.
+
+In the conduct of my newspaper, I carefully excluded all libelling
+and personal abuse, which is of late years become so disgraceful
+to our country.  Whenever I was solicited to insert anything
+of that kind, and the writers pleaded, as they generally did,
+the liberty of the press, and that a newspaper was like a stagecoach,
+in which any one who would pay had a right to a place, my answer was,
+that I would print the piece separately if desired, and the author
+might have as many copies as he pleased to distribute himself,
+but that I would not take upon me to spread his detraction;
+and that, having contracted with my subscribers to furnish them
+with what might be either useful or entertaining, I could not fill
+their papers with private altercation, in which they had no concern,
+without doing them manifest injustice.  Now, many of our printers make
+no scruple of gratifying the malice of individuals by false accusations
+of the fairest characters among ourselves, augmenting animosity
+even to the producing of duels; and are, moreover, so indiscreet
+as to print scurrilous reflections on the government of neighboring
+states, and even on the conduct of our best national allies,
+which may be attended with the most pernicious consequences. 
+These things I mention as a caution to young printers, and that
+they may be encouraged not to pollute their presses and disgrace
+their profession by such infamous practices, but refuse steadily,
+as they may see by my example that such a course of conduct will not,
+on the whole, be injurious to their interests.
+
+In 1733 I sent one of my journeymen to Charleston, South Carolina,
+where a printer was wanting.  I furnish'd him with a press and letters,
+on an agreement of partnership, by which I was to receive one-third
+of the profits of the business, paying one-third of the expense. 
+He was a man of learning, and honest but ignorant in matters
+of account; and, tho' he sometimes made me remittances, I could get
+no account from him, nor any satisfactory state of our partnership
+while he lived.  On his decease, the business was continued by
+his widow, who, being born and bred in Holland, where, as I have been
+inform'd, the knowledge of accounts makes a part of female education,
+she not only sent me as clear a state as she could find of the
+transactions past, but continued to account with the greatest
+regularity and exactness every quarter afterwards, and managed
+the business with such success, that she not only brought up reputably
+a family of children, but, at the expiration of the term, was able
+to purchase of me the printing-house, and establish her son in it.
+
+I mention this affair chiefly for the sake of recommending that branch
+of education for our young females, as likely to be of more use
+to them and their children, in case of widowhood, than either music
+or dancing, by preserving them from losses by imposition of crafty men,
+and enabling them to continue, perhaps, a profitable mercantile house,
+with establish'd correspondence, till a son is grown up fit to undertake
+and go on with it, to the lasting advantage and enriching of the family.
+
+About the year 1734 there arrived among us from Ireland a young
+Presbyterian preacher, named Hemphill, who delivered with a
+good voice, and apparently extempore, most excellent discourses,
+which drew together considerable numbers of different persuasion,
+who join'd in admiring them.  Among the rest, I became one of his
+constant hearers, his sermons pleasing me, as they had little
+of the dogmatical kind, but inculcated strongly the practice
+of virtue, or what in the religious stile are called good works. 
+Those, however, of our congregation, who considered themselves
+as orthodox Presbyterians, disapprov'd his doctrine, and were join'd
+by most of the old clergy, who arraign'd him of heterodoxy before
+the synod, in order to have him silenc'd. I became his zealous partisan,
+and contributed all I could to raise a party in his favour, and we
+combated for him a while with some hopes of success.  There was much
+scribbling pro and con upon the occasion; and finding that, tho'
+an elegant preacher, he was but a poor writer, I lent him my pen
+and wrote for him two or three pamphlets, and one piece in the Gazette
+of April, 1735.  Those pamphlets, as is generally the case with
+controversial writings, tho' eagerly read at the time, were soon
+out of vogue, and I question whether a single copy of them now exists.
+
+During the contest an unlucky occurrence hurt his cause exceedingly. 
+One of our adversaries having heard him preach a sermon that was
+much admired, thought he had somewhere read the sermon before,
+or at least a part of it.  On search he found that part quoted
+at length, in one of the British Reviews, from a discourse
+of Dr. Foster's. This detection gave many of our party disgust,
+who accordingly abandoned his cause, and occasion'd our more speedy
+discomfiture in the synod.  I stuck by him, however, as I rather
+approv'd his giving us good sermons compos'd by others, than bad
+ones of his own manufacture, tho' the latter was the practice
+of our common teachers.  He afterward acknowledg'd to me that none
+of those he preach'd were his own; adding, that his memory was such
+as enabled him to retain and repeat any sermon after one reading only. 
+On our defeat, he left us in search elsewhere of better fortune,
+and I quitted the congregation, never joining it after, tho' I continu'd
+many years my subscription for the support of its ministers.
+
+I had begun in 1733 to study languages; I soon made myself so much
+a master of the French as to be able to read the books with ease. 
+I then undertook the Italian.  An acquaintance, who was also
+learning it, us'd often to tempt me to play chess with him. 
+Finding this took up too much of the time I had to spare for study,
+I at length refus'd to play any more, unless on this condition,
+that the victor in every game should have a right to impose a task,
+either in parts of the grammar to be got by heart, or in translations,
+etc., which tasks the vanquish'd was to perform upon honour,
+before our next meeting.  As we play'd pretty equally, we thus beat
+one another into that language.  I afterwards with a little painstaking,
+acquir'd as much of the Spanish as to read their books also.
+
+I have already mention'd that I had only one year's instruction
+in a Latin school, and that when very young, after which I neglected
+that language entirely.  But, when I had attained an acquaintance
+with the French, Italian, and Spanish, I was surpriz'd to find,
+on looking over a Latin Testament, that I understood so much more
+of that language than I had imagined, which encouraged me to apply
+myself again to the study of it, and I met with more success,
+as those preceding languages had greatly smooth'd my way.
+
+From these circumstances, I have thought that there is some inconsistency
+in our common mode of teaching languages.  We are told that it is
+proper to begin first with the Latin, and, having acquir'd that,
+it will be more easy to attain those modern languages which are
+deriv'd from it; and yet we do not begin with the Greek, in order
+more easily to acquire the Latin.  It is true that, if you can
+clamber and get to the top of a staircase without using the steps,
+you will more easily gain them in descending; but certainly, if you
+begin with the lowest you will with more ease ascend to the top;
+and I would therefore offer it to the consideration of those who
+superintend the education of our youth, whether, since many of
+those who begin with the Latin quit the same after spending some
+years without having made any great proficiency, and what they have
+learnt becomes almost useless, so that their time has been lost,
+it would not have been better to have begun with the French,
+proceeding to the Italian, etc.; for, tho', after spending the same time,
+they should quit the study of languages and never arrive at
+the Latin, they would, however, have acquired another tongue or two,
+that, being in modern use, might be serviceable to them in common life.
+
+After ten years' absence from Boston, and having become easy in
+my circumstances, I made a journey thither to visit my relations,
+which I could not sooner well afford.  In returning, I call'd at Newport
+to see my brother, then settled there with his printing-house. Our
+former differences were forgotten, and our meeting was very cordial
+and affectionate.  He was fast declining in his health, and requested
+of me that, in case of his death, which he apprehended not far distant,
+I would take home his son, then but ten years of age, and bring him
+up to the printing business.  This I accordingly perform'd, sending
+him a few years to school before I took him into the office. 
+His mother carried on the business till he was grown up, when I
+assisted him with an assortment of new types, those of his father
+being in a manner worn out.  Thus it was that I made my brother ample
+amends for the service I had depriv'd him of by leaving him so early.
+
+In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old,
+by the small-pox, taken in the common way.  I long regretted bitterly,
+and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. 
+This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation,
+on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves
+if a child died under it; my example showing that the regret
+may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should
+be chosen.
+
+Our club, the Junto, was found so useful, and afforded such satisfaction
+to the members, that several were desirous of introducing their friends,
+which could not well be done without exceeding what we had settled
+as a convenient number, viz., twelve.  We had from the beginning
+made it a rule to keep our institution a secret, which was pretty
+well observ'd; the intention was to avoid applications of improper
+persons for admittance, some of whom, perhaps, we might find
+it difficult to refuse.  I was one of those who were against
+any addition to our number, but, instead of it, made in writing
+a proposal, that every member separately should endeavor to form
+a subordinate club, with the same rules respecting queries,
+etc., and without informing them of the connection with the Junto. 
+The advantages proposed were, the improvement of so many more young
+citizens by the use of our institutions; our better acquaintance
+with the general sentiments of the inhabitants on any occasion,
+as the Junto member might propose what queries we should desire,
+and was to report to the Junto what pass'd in his separate club;
+the promotion of our particular interests in business by more
+extensive recommendation, and the increase of our influence
+in public affairs, and our power of doing good by spreading thro'
+the several clubs the sentiments of the Junto.
+
+The project was approv'd, and every member undertook to form his club,
+but they did not all succeed.  Five or six only were compleated,
+which were called by different names, as the Vine, the Union,
+the Band, etc.  They were useful to themselves, and afforded us a good
+deal of amusement, information, and instruction, besides answering,
+in some considerable degree, our views of influencing the public
+opinion on particular occasions, of which I shall give some instances
+in course of time as they happened.
+
+My first promotion was my being chosen, in 1736, clerk of the
+General Assembly.  The choice was made that year without opposition;
+but the year following, when I was again propos'd (the choice,
+like that of the members, being annual), a new member made a long
+speech against me, in order to favour some other candidate. 
+I was, however, chosen, which was the more agreeable to me, as,
+besides the pay for the immediate service as clerk, the place gave
+me a better opportunity of keeping up an interest among the members,
+which secur'd to me the business of printing the votes, laws, paper money,
+and other occasional jobbs for the public, that, on the whole,
+were very profitable.
+
+I therefore did not like the opposition of this new member, who was
+a gentleman of fortune and education, with talents that were likely
+to give him, in time, great influence in the House, which, indeed,
+afterwards happened.  I did not, however, aim at gaining his
+favour by paying any servile respect to him, but, after some time,
+took this other method.  Having heard that he had in his library
+a certain very scarce and curious book, I wrote a note to him,
+expressing my desire of perusing that book, and requesting he
+would do me the favour of lending it to me for a few days. 
+He sent it immediately, and I return'd it in about a week
+with another note, expressing strongly my sense of the favour. 
+When we next met in the House, he spoke to me (which he had
+never done before), and with great civility; and he ever after
+manifested a readiness to serve me on all occasions, so that we
+became great friends, and our friendship continued to his death. 
+This is another instance of the truth of an old maxim I had learned,
+which says, "He that has once done you a kindness will be more
+ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged." 
+And it shows how much more profitable it is prudently to remove,
+than to resent, return, and continue inimical proceedings.
+
+In 1737, Colonel Spotswood, late governor of Virginia, and then
+postmaster-general, being dissatisfied with the conduct of his
+deputy at Philadelphia, respecting some negligence in rendering,
+and inexactitude of his accounts, took from him the commission and offered
+it to me.  I accepted it readily, and found it of great advantage;
+for, tho' the salary was small, it facilitated the correspondence
+that improv'd my newspaper, increas'd the number demanded, as well
+as the advertisements to be inserted, so that it came to afford
+me a considerable income.  My old competitor's newspaper declin'd
+proportionably, and I was satisfy'd without retaliating his refusal,
+while postmaster, to permit my papers being carried by the riders. 
+Thus he suffer'd greatly from his neglect in due accounting; and I
+mention it as a lesson to those young men who may be employ'd in
+managing affairs for others, that they should always render accounts,
+and make remittances, with great clearness and punctuality. 
+The character of observing such a conduct is the most powerful
+of all recommendations to new employments and increase of business.
+
+I began now to turn my thoughts a little to public affairs,
+beginning, however, with small matters.  The city watch was
+one of the first things that I conceiv'd to want regulation. 
+It was managed by the constables of the respective wards in turn;
+the constable warned a number of housekeepers to attend him for
+the night.  Those who chose never to attend paid him six shillings
+a year to be excus'd, which was suppos'd to be for hiring substitutes,
+but was, in reality, much more than was necessary for that purpose,
+and made the constableship a place of profit; and the constable,
+for a little drink, often got such ragamuffins about him as a watch,
+that respectable housekeepers did not choose to mix with. 
+Walking the rounds, too, was often neglected, and most of the nights
+spent in tippling.  I thereupon wrote a paper, to be read in Junto,
+representing these irregularities, but insisting more particularly
+on the inequality of this six-shilling tax of the constables,
+respecting the circumstances of those who paid it, since a poor
+widow housekeeper, all whose property to be guarded by the watch
+did not perhaps exceed the value of fifty pounds, paid as much as
+the wealthiest merchant, who had thousands of pounds worth of goods
+in his stores.
+
+On the whole, I proposed as a more effectual watch, the hiring
+of proper men to serve constantly in that business; and as a more
+equitable way of supporting the charge the levying a tax that
+should be proportion'd to the property.  This idea, being approv'd
+by the Junto, was communicated to the other clubs, but as arising
+in each of them; and though the plan was not immediately carried
+into execution, yet, by preparing the minds of people for the change,
+it paved the way for the law obtained a few years after,
+when the members of our clubs were grown into more influence.
+
+About this time I wrote a paper (first to be read in Junto, but it
+was afterward publish'd) on the different accidents and carelessnesses
+by which houses were set on fire, with cautions against them,
+and means proposed of avoiding them.  This was much spoken of as a
+useful piece, and gave rise to a project, which soon followed it,
+of forming a company for the more ready extinguishing of fires,
+and mutual assistance in removing and securing the goods when in danger. 
+Associates in this scheme were presently found, amounting to thirty. 
+Our articles of agreement oblig'd every member to keep always in
+good order, and fit for use, a certain number of leather buckets,
+with strong bags and baskets (for packing and transporting of goods),
+which were to be brought to every fire; and we agreed to meet once
+a month and spend a social evening together, in discoursing and
+communicating such ideas as occurred to us upon the subject of fires,
+as might be useful in our conduct on such occasions.
+
+The utility of this institution soon appeared, and many more desiring
+to be admitted than we thought convenient for one company, they were
+advised to form another, which was accordingly done; and this went on,
+one new company being formed after another, till they became so numerous
+as to include most of the inhabitants who were men of property;
+and now, at the time of my writing this, tho' upward of fifty years
+since its establishment, that which I first formed, called the Union
+Fire Company, still subsists and flourishes, tho' the first members
+are all deceas'd but myself and one, who is older by a year than I am. 
+The small fines that have been paid by members for absence at the monthly
+meetings have been apply'd to the purchase of fire-engines, ladders,
+fire-hooks, and other useful implements for each company, so that I
+question whether there is a city in the world better provided with
+the means of putting a stop to beginning conflagrations; and, in fact,
+since these institutions, the city has never lost by fire more
+than one or two houses at a time, and the flames have often been
+extinguished before the house in which they began has been half consumed.
+
+In 1739 arrived among us from Ireland the Reverend Mr. Whitefield,
+who had made himself remarkable there as an itinerant preacher. 
+He was at first permitted to preach in some of our churches;
+but the clergy, taking a dislike to him, soon refus'd him their pulpits,
+and he was oblig'd to preach in the fields.  The multitudes of all
+sects and denominations that attended his sermons were enormous,
+and it was matter of speculation to me, who was one of the number,
+to observe the extraordinary influence of his oratory on his hearers,
+and bow much they admir'd and respected him, notwithstanding his
+common abuse of them, by assuring them that they were naturally half
+beasts and half devils.  It was wonderful to see the change soon
+made in the manners of our inhabitants.  From being thoughtless
+or indifferent about religion, it seem'd as if all the world
+were growing religious, so that one could not walk thro' the town
+in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of
+every street.
+
+And it being found inconvenient to assemble in the open air,
+subject to its inclemencies, the building of a house to meet in was
+no sooner propos'd, and persons appointed to receive contributions,
+but sufficient sums were soon receiv'd to procure the ground and erect
+the building, which was one hundred feet long and seventy broad,
+about the size of Westminster Hall; and the work was carried on
+with such spirit as to be finished in a much shorter time than could
+have been expected.  Both house and ground were vested in trustees,
+expressly for the use of any preacher of any religious persuasion
+who might desire to say something to the people at Philadelphia;
+the design in building not being to accommodate any particular sect,
+but the inhabitants in general; so that even if the Mufti of
+Constantinople were to send a missionary to preach Mohammedanism to us,
+he would find a pulpit at his service.
+
+Mr. Whitefield, in leaving us, went preaching all the way thro'
+the colonies to Georgia.  The settlement of that province
+had lately been begun, but, instead of being made with hardy,
+industrious husbandmen, accustomed to labor, the only people fit
+for such an enterprise, it was with families of broken shop-keepers
+and other insolvent debtors, many of indolent and idle habits,
+taken out of the jails, who, being set down in the woods, unqualified for
+clearing land, and unable to endure the hardships of a new settlement,
+perished in numbers, leaving many helpless children unprovided for. 
+The sight of their miserable situation inspir'd the benevolent heart
+of Mr. Whitefield with the idea of building an Orphan House there,
+in which they might be supported and educated.  Returning northward,
+he preach'd up this charity, and made large collections,
+for his eloquence had a wonderful power over the hearts and purses
+of his hearers, of which I myself was an instance.
+
+I did not disapprove of the design, but, as Georgia was then
+destitute of materials and workmen, and it was proposed to send
+them from Philadelphia at a great expense, I thought it would have
+been better to have built the house here, and brought the children
+to it.  This I advis'd; but he was resolute in his first project,
+rejected my counsel, and I therefore refus'd to contribute. 
+I happened soon after to attend one of his sermons, in the course
+of which I perceived he intended to finish with a collection,
+and I silently resolved he should get nothing from me, I had in my
+pocket a handful of copper money, three or four silver dollars,
+and five pistoles in gold.  As he proceeded I began to soften,
+and concluded to give the coppers.  Another stroke of his oratory
+made me asham'd of that, and determin'd me to give the silver;
+and he finish'd so admirably, that I empty'd my pocket wholly into
+the collector's dish, gold and all.  At this sermon there was also
+one of our club, who, being of my sentiments respecting the building
+in Georgia, and suspecting a collection might be intended, had,
+by precaution, emptied his pockets before he came from home. 
+Towards the conclusion of the discourse, however, he felt a strong
+desire to give, and apply'd to a neighbour, who stood near him,
+to borrow some money for the purpose.  The application was
+unfortunately [made] to perhaps the only man in the company who had
+the firmness not to be affected by the preacher.  His answer was,
+"At any other time, Friend Hopkinson, I would lend to thee freely;
+but not now, for thee seems to be out of thy right senses."
+
+Some of Mr. Whitefield's enemies affected to suppose that he would
+apply these collections to his own private emolument; but I who was
+intimately acquainted with him (being employed in printing his Sermons
+and Journals, etc.), never had the least suspicion of his integrity,
+but am to this day decidedly of opinion that he was in all his conduct
+a perfectly honest man, and methinks my testimony in his favour
+ought to have the more weight, as we had no religious connection. 
+He us'd, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never
+had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard. 
+Ours was a mere civil friendship, sincere on both sides, and lasted
+to his death.
+
+The following instance will show something of the terms on which
+we stood.  Upon one of his arrivals from England at Boston,
+he wrote to me that he should come soon to Philadelphia,
+but knew not where he could lodge when there, as he understood
+his old friend and host, Mr. Benezet, was removed to Germantown. 
+My answer was, "You know my house; if you can make shift with
+its scanty accommodations, you will be most heartily welcome." 
+He reply'd, that if I made that kind offer for Christ's sake,
+I should not miss of a reward.  And I returned, "Don't let me
+be mistaken; it was not for Christ's sake, but for your sake." 
+One of our common acquaintance jocosely remark'd, that, knowing it
+to be the custom of the saints, when they received any favour,
+to shift the burden of the obligation from off their own shoulders,
+and place it in heaven, I had contriv'd to fix it on earth.
+
+The last time I saw Mr. Whitefield was in London, when he consulted
+me about his Orphan House concern, and his purpose of appropriating
+it to the establishment of a college.
+
+He had a loud and clear voice, and articulated his words and
+sentences so perfectly, that he might be heard and understood at
+a great distance, especially as his auditories, however numerous,
+observ'd the most exact silence.  He preach'd one evening from the top
+of the Court-house steps, which are in the middle of Market-street,
+and on the west side of Second-street, which crosses it at right angles. 
+Both streets were fill'd with his hearers to a considerable distance. 
+Being among the hindmost in Market-street, I had the curiosity
+to learn how far he could be heard, by retiring backwards down
+the street towards the river; and I found his voice distinct till I
+came near Front-street, when some noise in that street obscur'd it. 
+Imagining then a semi-circle, of which my distance should be the radius,
+and that it were fill'd with auditors, to each of whom I allow'd
+two square feet, I computed that he might well be heard by more
+than thirty thousand.  This reconcil'd me to the newspaper accounts
+of his having preach'd to twenty-five thousand people in the fields,
+and to the antient histories of generals haranguing whole armies,
+of which I had sometimes doubted.
+
+By hearing him often, I came to distinguish easily between sermons
+newly compos'd, and those which he had often preach'd in the course
+of his travels.  His delivery of the latter was so improv'd by frequent
+repetitions that every accent, every emphasis, every modulation
+of voice, was so perfectly well turn'd and well plac'd, that,
+without being interested in the subject, one could not help being
+pleas'd with the discourse; a pleasure of much the same kind with that
+receiv'd from an excellent piece of musick.  This is an advantage
+itinerant preachers have over those who are stationary, as the latter
+can not well improve their delivery of a sermon by so many rehearsals.
+
+His writing and printing from time to time gave great advantage
+to his enemies; unguarded expressions, and even erroneous opinions,
+delivered in preaching, might have been afterwards explain'd
+or qualifi'd by supposing others that might have accompani'd them,
+or they might have been deny'd; but litera scripta monet. 
+Critics attack'd his writings violently, and with so much appearance
+of reason as to diminish the number of his votaries and prevent
+their encrease; so that I am of opinion if he had never written
+any thing, he would have left behind him a much more numerous
+and important sect, and his reputation might in that case have been
+still growing, even after his death, as there being nothing of his
+writing on which to found a censure and give him a lower character,
+his proselytes would be left at liberty to feign for him as great
+a variety of excellence as their enthusiastic admiration might wish
+him to have possessed.
+
+My business was now continually augmenting, and my circumstances growing
+daily easier, my newspaper having become very profitable, as being
+for a time almost the only one in this and the neighbouring provinces. 
+I experienced, too, the truth of the observation, "that after
+getting the first hundred pound, it is more easy to get the second,"
+money itself being of a prolific nature.
+
+The partnership at Carolina having succeeded, I was encourag'd
+to engage in others, and to promote several of my workmen,
+who had behaved well, by establishing them with printing-houses
+in different colonies, on the same terms with that in Carolina. 
+Most of them did well, being enabled at the end of our term, six years,
+to purchase the types of me and go on working for themselves,
+by which means several families were raised.  Partnerships often
+finish in quarrels; but I was happy in this, that mine were all
+carried on and ended amicably, owing, I think, a good deal to
+the precaution of having very explicitly settled, in our articles,
+every thing to be done by or expected from each partner, so that
+there was nothing to dispute, which precaution I would therefore
+recommend to all who enter into partnerships; for, whatever esteem
+partners may have for, and confidence in each other at the time
+of the contract, little jealousies and disgusts may arise, with ideas
+of inequality in the care and burden of the business, etc., which
+are attended often with breach of friendship and of the connection,
+perhaps with lawsuits and other disagreeable consequences.
+
+I had, on the whole, abundant reason to be satisfied with my being
+established in Pennsylvania.  There were, however, two things
+that I regretted, there being no provision for defense, nor for
+a compleat education of youth; no militia, nor any college. 
+I therefore, in 1743, drew up a proposal for establishing an academy;
+and at that time, thinking the Reverend Mr. Peters, who was out
+of employ, a fit person to superintend such an institution,
+I communicated the project to him; but he, having more profitable
+views in the service of the proprietaries, which succeeded,
+declin'd the undertaking; and, not knowing another at that time
+suitable for such a trust, I let the scheme lie a while dormant. 
+I succeeded better the next year, 1744, in proposing and establishing
+a Philosophical Society.  The paper I wrote for that purpose will
+be found among my writings, when collected.
+
+With respect to defense, Spain having been several years at war
+against Great Britain, and being at length join'd by France,
+which brought us into great danger; and the laboured and long-continued
+endeavour of our governor, Thomas, to prevail with our Quaker Assembly
+to pass a militia law, and make other provisions for the security
+of the province, having proved abortive, I determined to try what might
+be done by a voluntary association of the people.  To promote this,
+I first wrote and published a pamphlet, entitled PLAIN TRUTH, in which I
+stated our defenceless situation in strong lights, with the necessity
+of union and discipline for our defense, and promis'd to propose in
+a few days an association, to be generally signed for that purpose. 
+The pamphlet had a sudden and surprising effect.  I was call'd upon
+for the instrument of association, and having settled the draft
+of it with a few friends, I appointed a meeting of the citizens
+in the large building before mentioned.  The house was pretty full;
+I had prepared a number of printed copies, and provided pens and ink
+dispers'd all over the room.  I harangued them a little on the subject,
+read the paper, and explained it, and then distributed the copies,
+which were eagerly signed, not the least objection being made.
+
+When the company separated, and the papers were collected, we found
+above twelve hundred hands; and, other copies being dispersed
+in the country, the subscribers amounted at length to upward
+of ten thousand.  These all furnished themselves as soon as they
+could with arms, formed themselves into companies and regiments,
+chose their own officers, and met every week to be instructed
+in the manual exercise, and other parts of military discipline. 
+The women, by subscriptions among themselves, provided silk colors,
+which they presented to the companies, painted with different devices
+and mottos, which I supplied.
+
+The officers of the companies composing the Philadelphia regiment,
+being met, chose me for their colonel; but, conceiving myself unfit,
+I declin'd that station, and recommended Mr. Lawrence, a fine
+person, and man of influence, who was accordingly appointed. 
+I then propos'd a lottery to defray the expense of building
+a battery below the town, and furnishing it with cannon. 
+It filled expeditiously, and the battery was soon erected, the merlons
+being fram'd of logs and fill'd with earth.  We bought some old
+cannon from Boston, but, these not being sufficient, we wrote to
+England for more, soliciting, at the same time, our proprietaries
+for some assistance, tho' without much expectation of obtaining it.
+
+Meanwhile, Colonel Lawrence, William Allen, Abram Taylor,
+Esqr., and myself were sent to New York by the associators,
+commission'd to borrow some cannon of Governor Clinton.  He at first
+refus'd us peremptorily; but at dinner with his council, where there
+was great drinking of Madeira wine, as the custom of that place
+then was, he softened by degrees, and said he would lend us six. 
+After a few more bumpers he advanc'd to ten; and at length he
+very good-naturedly conceded eighteen.  They were fine cannon,
+eighteen-pounders, with their carriages, which we soon transported
+and mounted on our battery, where the associators kept a nightly
+guard while the war lasted, and among the rest I regularly took
+my turn of duty there as a common soldier.
+
+My activity in these operations was agreeable to the governor and council;
+they took me into confidence, and I was consulted by them in every
+measure wherein their concurrence was thought useful to the association. 
+Calling in the aid of religion, I propos'd to them the proclaiming
+a fast, to promote reformation, and implore the blessing of Heaven on
+our undertaking.  They embrac'd the motion; but, as it was the first
+fast ever thought of in the province, the secretary had no precedent
+from which to draw the proclamation.  My education in New England,
+where a fast is proclaimed every year, was here of some advantage: 
+I drew it in the accustomed stile, it was translated into German,
+printed in both languages, and divulg'd thro' the province.  This gave
+the clergy of the different sects an opportunity of influencing their
+congregations to join in the association, and it would probably have
+been general among all but Quakers if the peace had not soon interven'd.
+
+It was thought by some of my friends that, by my activity in
+these affairs, I should offend that sect, and thereby lose my interest
+in the Assembly of the province, where they formed a great majority. 
+A young gentleman who had likewise some friends in the House,
+and wished to succeed me as their clerk, acquainted me that it
+was decided to displace me at the next election; and he, therefore,
+in good will, advis'd me to resign, as more consistent with my honour
+than being turn'd out.  My answer to him was, that I had read or heard
+of some public man who made it a rule never to ask for an office,
+and never to refuse one when offer'd to him.  "I approve,"
+says I, "of his rule, and will practice it with a small addition;
+I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever resign an office. 
+If they will have my office of clerk to dispose of to another,
+they shall take it from me.  I will not, by giving it up, lose my
+right of some time or other making reprisals on my adversaries." 
+I heard, however, no more of this; I was chosen again unanimously
+as usual at the next election.  Possibly, as they dislik'd my late
+intimacy with the members of council, who had join'd the governors
+in all the disputes about military preparations, with which the House
+had long been harass'd, they might have been pleas'd if I would
+voluntarily have left them; but they did not care to displace me
+on account merely of my zeal for the association, and they could
+not well give another reason.
+
+Indeed I had some cause to believe that the defense of the country
+was not disagreeable to any of them, provided they were not requir'd
+to assist in it.  And I found that a much greater number of them
+than I could have imagined, tho' against offensive war, were clearly
+for the defensive.  Many pamphlets pro and con were publish'd
+on the subject, and some by good Quakers, in favour of defense,
+which I believe convinc'd most of their younger people.
+
+A transaction in our fire company gave me some insight into their
+prevailing sentiments.  It had been propos'd that we should encourage
+the scheme for building a battery by laying out the present stock,
+then about sixty pounds, in tickets of the lottery.  By our rules,
+no money could be dispos'd of till the next meeting after the proposal. 
+The company consisted of thirty members, of which twenty-two
+were Quakers, and eight only of other persuasions.  We eight
+punctually attended the meeting; but, tho' we thought that some of
+the Quakers would join us, we were by no means sure of a majority. 
+Only one Quaker, Mr. James Morris, appear'd to oppose the measure. 
+He expressed much sorrow that it had ever been propos'd, as he said
+Friends were all against it, and it would create such discord as might
+break up the company.  We told him that we saw no reason for that;
+we were the minority, and if Friends were against the measure,
+and outvoted us, we must and should, agreeably to the usage
+of all societies, submit.  When the hour for business arriv'd
+it was mov'd to put the vote; he allow'd we might then do it
+by the rules, but, as he could assure us that a number of members
+intended to be present for the purpose of opposing it, it would
+be but candid to allow a little time for their appearing.
+
+While we were disputing this, a waiter came to tell me two gentlemen
+below desir'd to speak with me.  I went down, and found they were two
+of our Quaker members.  They told me there were eight of them assembled
+at a tavern just by; that they were determin'd to come and vote with us
+if there should be occasion, which they hop'd would not be the case,
+and desir'd we would not call for their assistance if we could do
+without it, as their voting for such a measure might embroil them
+with their elders and friends.  Being thus secure of a majority,
+I went up, and after a little seeming hesitation, agreed to a delay
+of another hour.  This Mr. Morris allow'd to be extreamly fair. 
+Not one of his opposing friends appear'd, at which he express'd
+great surprize; and, at the expiration of the hour, we carry'd
+the resolution eight to one; and as, of the twenty-two Quakers,
+eight were ready to vote with us, and thirteen, by their absence,
+manifested that they were not inclin'd to oppose the measure,
+I afterward estimated the proportion of Quakers sincerely against
+defense as one to twenty-one only; for these were all regular members
+of that society, and in good reputation among them, and had due
+notice of what was propos'd at that meeting.
+
+The honorable and learned Mr. Logan, who had always been of that sect,
+was one who wrote an address to them, declaring his approbation of
+defensive war, and supporting his opinion by many strong arguments. 
+He put into my hands sixty pounds to be laid out in lottery tickets
+for the battery, with directions to apply what prizes might be drawn
+wholly to that service.  He told me the following anecdote of his
+old master, William Penn, respecting defense.  He came over from England,
+when a young man, with that proprietary, and as his secretary. 
+It was war-time, and their ship was chas'd by an armed vessel,
+suppos'd to be an enemy.  Their captain prepar'd for defense;
+but told William Penn and his company of Quakers, that he did
+not expect their assistance, and they might retire into the cabin,
+which they did, except James Logan, who chose to stay upon deck,
+and was quarter'd to a gun.  The suppos'd enemy prov'd a friend,
+so there was no fighting; but when the secretary went down to
+communicate the intelligence, William Penn rebuk'd him severely for
+staying upon deck, and undertaking to assist in defending the vessel,
+contrary to the principles of Friends, especially as it had not been
+required by the captain.  This reproof, being before all the company,
+piqu'd the secretary, who answer'd, "I being thy servant, why did
+thee not order me to come down?  But thee was willing enough that I
+should stay and help to fight the ship when thee thought there
+was danger."
+
+My being many years in the Assembly, the majority of which were
+constantly Quakers, gave me frequent opportunities of seeing
+the embarrassment given them by their principle against war,
+whenever application was made to them, by order of the crown,
+to grant aids for military purposes.  They were unwilling to offend
+government, on the one hand, by a direct refusal; and their friends,
+the body of the Quakers, on the other, by a compliance contrary
+to their principles; hence a variety of evasions to avoid complying,
+and modes of disguising the compliance when it became unavoidable. 
+The common mode at last was, to grant money under the phrase of its
+being "for the king's use," and never to inquire how it was applied.
+
+But, if the demand was not directly from the crown, that phrase was
+found not so proper, and some other was to be invented.  As, when powder
+was wanting (I think it was for the garrison at Louisburg), and the
+government of New England solicited a grant of some from Pennsilvania,
+which was much urg'd on the House by Governor Thomas, they could
+not grant money to buy powder, because that was an ingredient of war;
+but they voted an aid to New England of three thousand pounds,
+to he put into the hands of the governor, and appropriated it
+for the purchasing of bread, flour, wheat, or other grain.  Some of
+the council, desirous of giving the House still further embarrassment,
+advis'd the governor not to accept provision, as not being the thing
+he had demanded; but be reply'd, "I shall take the money, for I
+understand very well their meaning; other grain is gunpowder,"
+which he accordingly bought, and they never objected to it.<10>
+
+     <10> See the votes.--[Marg. note.]
+
+It was in allusion to this fact that, when in our fire company we
+feared the success of our proposal in favour of the lottery, and I
+had said to my friend Mr. Syng, one of our members, "If we fail,
+let us move the purchase of a fire-engine with the money; the Quakers
+can have no objection to that; and then, if you nominate me and I
+you as a committee for that purpose, we will buy a great gun,
+which is certainly a fire-engine." "I see," says he, "you have
+improv'd by being so long in the Assembly; your equivocal project
+would be just a match for their wheat or other grain."
+
+These embarrassments that the Quakers suffer'd from having
+establish'd and published it as one of their principles that
+no kind of war was lawful, and which, being once published,
+they could not afterwards, however they might change their minds,
+easily get rid of, reminds me of what I think a more prudent
+conduct in another sect among us, that of the Dunkers.  I was
+acquainted with one of its founders, Michael Welfare, soon after it
+appear'd. He complain'd to me that they were grievously calumniated
+by the zealots of other persuasions, and charg'd with abominable
+principles and practices, to which they were utter strangers. 
+I told him this had always been the case with new sects, and that,
+to put a stop to such abuse, I imagin'd it might be well to publish
+the articles of their belief, and the rules of their discipline. 
+He said that it had been propos'd among them, but not agreed to,
+for this reason:  "When we were first drawn together as a society,"
+says he, "it had pleased God to enlighten our minds so far as to see
+that some doctrines, which we once esteemed truths, were errors;
+and that others, which we had esteemed errors, were real truths. 
+From time to time He has been pleased to afford us farther light,
+and our principles have been improving, and our errors diminishing. 
+Now we are not sure that we are arrived at the end of this progression,
+and at the perfection of spiritual or theological knowledge;
+and we fear that, if we should once print our confession of faith,
+we should feel ourselves as if bound and confin'd by it, and perhaps
+be unwilling to receive farther improvement, and our successors still
+more so, as conceiving what we their elders and founders had done, to be
+something sacred, never to be departed from."
+
+This modesty in a sect is perhaps a singular instance in the history
+of mankind, every other sect supposing itself in possession
+of all truth, and that those who differ are so far in the wrong;
+like a man traveling in foggy weather, those at some distance
+before him on the road he sees wrapped up in the fog, as well as
+those behind him, and also the people in the fields on each side,
+but near him all appears clear, tho' in truth he is as much
+in the fog as any of them.  To avoid this kind of embarrassment,
+the Quakers have of late years been gradually declining the public
+service in the Assembly and in the magistracy, choosing rather
+to quit their power than their principle.
+
+In order of time, I should have mentioned before, that having, in 1742,
+invented an open stove for the better warming of rooms, and at the same
+time saving fuel, as the fresh air admitted was warmed in entering,
+I made a present of the model to Mr. Robert Grace, one of my early
+friends, who, having an iron-furnace, found the casting of the plates
+for these stoves a profitable thing, as they were growing in demand. 
+To promote that demand, I wrote and published a pamphlet, entitled "An
+Account of the new-invented Pennsylvania Fireplaces; wherein their
+Construction and Manner of Operation is particularly explained;
+their Advantages above every other Method of warming Rooms demonstrated;
+and all Objections that have been raised against the Use of them
+answered and obviated," etc.  This pamphlet had a good effect. 
+Gov'r. Thomas was so pleas'd with the construction of this stove,
+as described in it, that he offered to give me a patent for the sole
+vending of them for a term of years; but I declin'd it from a principle
+which has ever weighed with me on such occasions, viz., That, as we
+enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be
+glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours;
+and this we should do freely and generously.
+
+An ironmonger in London however, assuming a good deal of my pamphlet,
+and working it up into his own, and making some small changes
+in the machine, which rather hurt its operation, got a patent
+for it there, and made, as I was told, a little fortune by it. 
+And this is not the only instance of patents taken out for my
+inventions by others, tho' not always with the same success, which I
+never contested, as having no desire of profiting by patents myself,
+and hating disputes.  The use of these fireplaces in very many houses,
+both of this and the neighbouring colonies, has been, and is,
+a great saving of wood to the inhabitants.
+
+Peace being concluded, and the association business therefore at
+an end, I turn'd my thoughts again to the affair of establishing
+an academy.  The first step I took was to associate in the design
+a number of active friends, of whom the Junto furnished a good part;
+the next was to write and publish a pamphlet, entitled Proposals
+Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania.  This I
+distributed among the principal inhabitants gratis; and as soon
+as I could suppose their minds a little prepared by the perusal
+of it, I set on foot a subscription for opening and supporting
+an academy; it was to be paid in quotas yearly for five years;
+by so dividing it, I judg'd the subscription might be larger,
+and I believe it was so, amounting to no less, if I remember right,
+than five thousand pounds.
+
+In the introduction to these proposals, I stated their publication,
+not as an act of mine, but of some publick-spirited gentlemen,
+avoiding as much as I could, according to my usual rule, the presenting
+myself to the publick as the author of any scheme for their benefit.
+
+The subscribers, to carry the project into immediate execution,
+chose out of their number twenty-four trustees, and appointed
+Mr. Francis, then attorney-general, and myself to draw up constitutions
+for the government of the academy; which being done and signed,
+a house was hired, masters engag'd, and the schools opened, I think,
+in the same year, 1749.
+
+The scholars increasing fast, the house was soon found too small,
+and we were looking out for a piece of ground, properly situated,
+with intention to build, when Providence threw into our way a large
+house ready built, which, with a few alterations, might well
+serve our purpose.  This was the building before mentioned,
+erected by the hearers of Mr. Whitefield, and was obtained for us
+in the following manner.
+
+It is to be noted that the contributions to this building being
+made by people of different sects, care was taken in the nomination
+of trustees, in whom the building and ground was to be vested,
+that a predominancy should not be given to any sect, lest in time that
+predominancy might be a means of appropriating the whole to the use
+of such sect, contrary to the original intention.  It was therefore
+that one of each sect was appointed, viz., one Church-of-England man,
+one Presbyterian, one Baptist, one Moravian, etc., those, in case
+of vacancy by death, were to fill it by election from among
+the contributors.  The Moravian happen'd not to please his colleagues,
+and on his death they resolved to have no other of that sect. 
+The difficulty then was, how to avoid having two of some other sect,
+by means of the new choice.
+
+Several persons were named, and for that reason not agreed to. 
+At length one mention'd me, with the observation that I was merely
+an honest man, and of no sect at all, which prevail'd with them
+to chuse me.  The enthusiasm which existed when the house was built
+had long since abated, and its trustees had not been able to procure
+fresh contributions for paying the ground-rent, and discharging
+some other debts the building had occasion'd, which embarrass'd
+them greatly.  Being now a member of both setts of trustees,
+that for the building and that for the Academy, I had a good
+opportunity of negotiating with both, and brought them finally
+to an agreement, by which the trustees for the building were to cede
+it to those of the academy, the latter undertaking to discharge
+the debt, to keep for ever open in the building a large hall
+for occasional preachers, according to the original intention,
+and maintain a free- school for the instruction of poor children. 
+Writings were accordingly drawn, and on paying the debts the
+trustees of the academy were put in possession of the premises;
+and by dividing the great and lofty hall into stories, and different
+rooms above and below for the several schools, and purchasing some
+additional ground, the whole was soon made fit for our purpose,
+and the scholars remov'd into the building.  The care and trouble
+of agreeing with the workmen, purchasing materials, and superintending
+the work, fell upon me; and I went thro' it the more cheerfully,
+as it did not then interfere with my private business, having the
+year before taken a very able, industrious, and honest partner,
+Mr. David Hall, with whose character I was well acquainted, as he
+had work'd for me four years.  He took off my hands all care of
+the printing-office, paying me punctually my share of the profits. 
+This partnership continued eighteen years, successfully for us both.
+
+The trustees of the academy, after a while, were incorporated
+by a charter from the governor; their funds were increas'd by
+contributions in Britain and grants of land from the proprietaries,
+to which the Assembly has since made considerable addition;
+and thus was established the present University of Philadelphia. 
+I have been continued one of its trustees from the beginning,
+now near forty years, and have had the very great pleasure of seeing
+a number of the youth who have receiv'd their education in it,
+distinguish'd by their improv'd abilities, serviceable in public
+stations and ornaments to their country.
+
+When I disengaged myself, as above mentioned, from private business,
+I flatter'd myself that, by the sufficient tho' moderate fortune
+I had acquir'd, I had secured leisure during the rest of my life
+for philosophical studies and amusements.  I purchased all
+Dr. Spence's apparatus, who had come from England to lecture here,
+and I proceeded in my electrical experiments with great alacrity;
+but the publick, now considering me as a man of leisure, laid hold
+of me for their purposes, every part of our civil government,
+and almost at the same time, imposing some duty upon me. 
+The governor put me into the commission of the peace; the corporation
+of the city chose me of the common council, and soon after an alderman;
+and the citizens at large chose me a burgess to represent them
+in Assembly.  This latter station was the more agreeable to me,
+as I was at length tired with sitting there to hear debates,
+in which, as clerk, I could take no part, and which were often
+so unentertaining that I was induc'd to amuse myself with making
+magic squares or circles, or any thing to avoid weariness; and I
+conceiv'd my becoming a member would enlarge my power of doing good. 
+I would not, however, insinuate that my ambition was not flatter'd by all
+these promotions; it certainly was; for, considering my low beginning,
+they were great things to me; and they were still more pleasing,
+as being so many spontaneous testimonies of the public good opinion,
+and by me entirely unsolicited.
+
+The office of justice of the peace I try'd a little, by attending
+a few courts, and sitting on the bench to hear causes; but finding
+that more knowledge of the common law than I possess'd was necessary
+to act in that station with credit, I gradually withdrew from it,
+excusing myself by my being oblig'd to attend the higher duties
+of a legislator in the Assembly.  My election to this trust was
+repeated every year for ten years, without my ever asking any
+elector for his vote, or signifying, either directly or indirectly,
+any desire of being chosen.  On taking my seat in the House,
+my son was appointed their clerk.
+
+The year following, a treaty being to be held with the Indians
+at Carlisle, the governor sent a message to the House, proposing that
+they should nominate some of their members, to be join'd with some
+members of council, as commissioners for that purpose.<11> The House
+named the speaker (Mr. Norris) and myself; and, being commission'd,
+we went to Carlisle, and met the Indians accordingly.
+
+     <11> See the votes to have this more correctly.
+          --[Marg. note.]
+
+As those people are extreamly apt to get drunk, and, when so,
+are very quarrelsome and disorderly, we strictly forbad the selling
+any liquor to them; and when they complain'd of this restriction,
+we told them that if they would continue sober during the treaty,
+we would give them plenty of rum when business was over. 
+They promis'd this, and they kept their promise, because they could get
+no liquor, and the treaty was conducted very orderly, and concluded
+to mutual satisfaction.  They then claim'd and receiv'd the rum; this was
+in the afternoon; they were near one hundred men, women, and children,
+and were lodg'd in temporary cabins, built in the form of a square,
+just without the town.  In the evening, hearing a great noise
+among them, the commissioners walk'd out to see what was the matter. 
+We found they had made a great bonfire in the middle of the square;
+they were all drunk, men and women, quarreling and fighting. 
+Their dark-colour'd bodies, half naked, seen only by the gloomy light
+of the bonfire, running after and beating one another with firebrands,
+accompanied by their horrid yellings, form'd a scene the most
+resembling our ideas of hell that could well be imagin'd; there was
+no appeasing the tumult, and we retired to our lodging.  At midnight
+a number of them came thundering at our door, demanding more rum,
+of which we took no notice.
+
+The next day, sensible they had misbehav'd in giving us that disturbance,
+they sent three of their old counselors to make their apology. 
+The orator acknowledg'd the fault, but laid it upon the rum;
+and then endeavored to excuse the rum by saying, "The Great Spirit,
+who made all things, made every thing for some use, and whatever use
+he design'd any thing for, that use it should always be put to. 
+Now, when he made rum, he said 'Let this be for the Indians to get
+drunk with,' and it must be so."  And, indeed, if it be the design
+of Providence to extirpate these savages in order to make room
+for cultivators of the earth, it seems not improbable that rum may
+be the appointed means.  It has already annihilated all the tribes
+who formerly inhabited the sea-coast.
+
+In 1751, Dr. Thomas Bond, a particular friend of mine, conceived the idea
+of establishing a hospital in Philadelphia (a very beneficent design,
+which has been ascrib'd to me, but was originally his), for the reception
+and cure of poor sick persons, whether inhabitants of the province
+or strangers.  He was zealous and active in endeavouring to procure
+subscriptions for it, but the proposal being a novelty in America,
+and at first not well understood, he met with but small success.
+
+At length he came to me with the compliment that he found there
+was no such thing as carrying a public-spirited project through
+without my being concern'd in it.  "For," says he, "I am often
+ask'd by those to whom I propose subscribing, Have you consulted
+Franklin upon this business?  And what does he think of it? 
+And when I tell them that I have not (supposing it rather out of your
+line), they do not subscribe, but say they will consider of it." 
+I enquired into the nature and probable utility of his scheme,
+and receiving from him a very satisfactory explanation, I not only
+subscrib'd to it myself, but engag'd heartily in the design of procuring
+subscriptions from others.  Previously, however, to the solicitation,
+I endeavoured to prepare the minds of the people by writing on the
+subject in the newspapers, which was my usual custom in such cases,
+but which he had omitted.
+
+The subscriptions afterwards were more free and generous;
+but, beginning to flag, I saw they would be insufficient without
+some assistance from the Assembly, and therefore propos'd to
+petition for it, which was done.  The country members did not at
+first relish the project; they objected that it could only be
+serviceable to the city, and therefore the citizens alone should
+be at the expense of it; and they doubted whether the citizens
+themselves generally approv'd of it.  My allegation on the contrary,
+that it met with such approbation as to leave no doubt of our
+being able to raise two thousand pounds by voluntary donations,
+they considered as a most extravagant supposition, and utterly impossible.
+
+On this I form'd my plan; and asking leave to bring in a bill for
+incorporating the contributors according to the prayer of their petition,
+and granting them a blank sum of money, which leave was obtained
+chiefly on the consideration that the House could throw the bill out
+if they did not like it, I drew it so as to make the important clause
+a conditional one, viz., "And be it enacted, by the authority aforesaid,
+that when the said contributors shall have met and chosen their
+managers and treasurer, and shall have raised by their contributions
+a capital stock of ----- value (the yearly interest of which is to be
+applied to the accommodating of the sick poor in the said hospital,
+free of charge for diet, attendance, advice, and medicines), and
+shall make the same appear to the satisfaction of the speaker of
+the Assembly for the time being, that then it shall and may be lawful
+for the said speaker, and be is hereby required, to sign an order
+on the provincial treasurer for the payment of two thousand pounds,
+in two yearly payments, to the treasurer of the said hospital,
+to be applied to the founding, building, and finishing of the same."
+
+This condition carried the bill through; for the members, who had
+oppos'd the grant, and now conceiv'd they might have the credit
+of being charitable without the expence, agreed to its passage;
+and then, in soliciting subscriptions among the people, we urg'd
+the conditional promise of the law as an additional motive to give,
+since every man's donation would be doubled; thus the clause
+work'd both ways.  The subscriptions accordingly soon exceeded
+the requisite sum, and we claim'd and receiv'd the public gift,
+which enabled us to carry the design into execution.  A convenient
+and handsome building was soon erected; the institution has
+by constant experience been found useful, and flourishes to
+this day; and I do not remember any of my political manoeuvres,
+the success of which gave me at the time more pleasure, or wherein,
+after thinking of it, I more easily excus'd myself for having made
+some use of cunning.
+
+It was about this time that another projector, the Rev. Gilbert Tennent,
+came to me with a request that I would assist him in procuring
+a subscription for erecting a new meeting-house. It was to he for
+the use of a congregation he had gathered among the Presbyterians,
+who were originally disciples of Mr. Whitefield.  Unwilling to
+make myself disagreeable to my fellow-citizens by too frequently
+soliciting their contributions, I absolutely refus'd. He then
+desired I would furnish him with a list of the names of persons I
+knew by experience to be generous and public-spirited. I thought
+it would be unbecoming in me, after their kind compliance with
+my solicitations, to mark them out to be worried by other beggars,
+and therefore refus'd also to give such a list.  He then desir'd I
+would at least give him my advice.  "That I will readily do," said I;
+"and, in the first place, I advise you to apply to all those whom
+you know will give something; next, to those whom you are uncertain
+whether they will give any thing or not, and show them the list
+of those who have given; and, lastly, do not neglect those who you
+are sure will give nothing, for in some of them you may be mistaken." 
+He laugh'd and thank'd me, and said he would take my advice. 
+He did so, for he ask'd of everybody, and he obtained a much
+larger sum than he expected, with which he erected the capacious
+and very elegant meeting-house that stands in Arch-street.
+
+Our city, tho' laid out with a beautiful regularity, the streets large,
+strait, and crossing each other at right angles, had the disgrace
+of suffering those streets to remain long unpav'd, and in wet
+weather the wheels of heavy carriages plough'd them into a quagmire,
+so that it was difficult to cross them; and in dry weather the dust
+was offensive.  I had liv'd near what was call'd the Jersey Market,
+and saw with pain the inhabitants wading in mud while purchasing
+their provisions.  A strip of ground down the middle of that
+market was at length pav'd with brick, so that, being once
+in the market, they had firm footing, but were often over shoes
+in dirt to get there.  By talking and writing on the subject,
+I was at length instrumental in getting the street pav'd with stone
+between the market and the brick'd foot-pavement, that was on each
+side next the houses.  This, for some time, gave an easy access
+to the market dry-shod; but, the rest of the street not being
+pav'd, whenever a carriage came out of the mud upon this pavement,
+it shook off and left its dirt upon it, and it was soon cover'd
+with mire, which was not remov'd, the city as yet having no scavengers.
+
+After some inquiry I found a poor industrious man, who was willing
+to undertake keeping the pavement clean, by sweeping it twice
+a week, carrying off the dirt from before all the neighbours'
+doors, for the sum of sixpence per month, to be paid by each house. 
+I then wrote and printed a paper setting forth the advantages
+to the neighbourhood that might be obtain'd by this small expense;
+the greater ease in keeping our houses clean, so much dirt not being
+brought in by people's feet; the benefit to the shops by more custom,
+etc., etc., as buyers could more easily get at them; and by not having,
+in windy weather, the dust blown in upon their goods, etc., etc. 
+I sent one of these papers to each house, and in a day or two went
+round to see who would subscribe an agreement to pay these sixpences;
+it was unanimously sign'd, and for a time well executed. 
+All the inhabitants of the city were delighted with the cleanliness
+of the pavement that surrounded the market, it being a convenience
+to all, and this rais'd a general desire to have all the streets paved,
+and made the people more willing to submit to a tax for that purpose.
+
+After some time I drew a bill for paving the city, and brought it
+into the Assembly.  It was just before I went to England, in 1757,
+and did not pass till I was gone.<12> and then with an alteration
+in the mode of assessment, which I thought not for the better,
+but with an additional provision for lighting as well as paving
+the streets, which was a great improvement.  It was by a private person,
+the late Mr. John Clifton, his giving a sample of the utility of lamps,
+by placing one at his door, that the people were first impress'd
+with the idea of enlighting all the city.  The honour of this
+public benefit has also been ascrib'd to me but it belongs truly
+to that gentleman.  I did but follow his example, and have only
+some merit to claim respecting the form of our lamps, as differing
+from the globe lamps we were at first supply'd with from London. 
+Those we found inconvenient in these respects:  they admitted
+no air below; the smoke, therefore, did not readily go out above,
+but circulated in the globe, lodg'd on its inside, and soon
+obstructed the light they were intended to afford; giving, besides,
+the daily trouble of wiping them clean; and an accidental stroke
+on one of them would demolish it, and render it totally useless. 
+I therefore suggested the composing them of four flat panes,
+with a long funnel above to draw up the smoke, and crevices
+admitting air below, to facilitate the ascent of the smoke; by this
+means they were kept clean, and did not grow dark in a few hours,
+as the London lamps do, but continu'd bright till morning,
+and an accidental stroke would generally break but a single pane,
+easily repair'd.
+
+     <12> See votes.
+
+I have sometimes wonder'd that the Londoners did not, from the
+effect holes in the bottom of the globe lamps us'd at Vauxhall
+have in keeping them clean, learn to have such holes in their
+street lamps.  But, these holes being made for another purpose,
+viz., to communicate flame more suddenly to the wick by a little
+flax hanging down thro' them, the other use, of letting in air,
+seems not to have been thought of; and therefore, after the lamps have
+been lit a few hours, the streets of London are very poorly illuminated.
+
+The mention of these improvements puts me in mind of one I propos'd, when
+in London, to Dr. Fothergill, who was among the best men I have known,
+and a great promoter of useful projects.  I had observ'd that the streets,
+when dry, were never swept, and the light dust carried away;
+but it was suffer'd to accumulate till wet weather reduc'd it to mud,
+and then, after lying some days so deep on the pavement that there
+was no crossing but in paths kept clean by poor people with brooms,
+it was with great labour rak'd together and thrown up into carts
+open above, the sides of which suffer'd some of the slush at every
+jolt on the pavement to shake out and fall, sometimes to the annoyance
+of foot-passengers. The reason given for not sweeping the dusty
+streets was, that the dust would fly into the windows of shops and houses.
+
+An accidental occurrence had instructed me how much sweeping might
+be done in a little time.  I found at my door in Craven-street,
+one morning, a poor woman sweeping my pavement with a birch broom;
+she appeared very pale and feeble, as just come out of a fit
+of sickness.  I ask'd who employ'd her to sweep there; she said,
+"Nobody, but I am very poor and in distress, and I sweeps before
+gentlefolkses doors, and hopes they will give me something."  I bid
+her sweep the whole street clean, and I would give her a shilling;
+this was at nine o'clock; at 12 she came for the shilling. 
+From the slowness I saw at first in her working, I could scarce believe
+that the work was done so soon, and sent my servant to examine it,
+who reported that the whole street was swept perfectly clean,
+and all the dust plac'd in the gutter, which was in the middle;
+and the next rain wash'd it quite away, so that the pavement and even
+the kennel were perfectly clean.
+
+I then judg'd that, if that feeble woman could sweep such a street in
+three hours, a strong, active man might have done it in half the time. 
+And here let me remark the convenience of having but one gutter
+in such a narrow street, running down its middle, instead of two,
+one on each side, near the footway; for where all the rain that
+falls on a street runs from the sides and meets in the middle,
+it forms there a current strong enough to wash away all the mud it
+meets with; but when divided into two channels, it is often too weak
+to cleanse either, and only makes the mud it finds more fluid,
+so that the wheels of carriages and feet of horses throw and dash it
+upon the foot-pavement, which is thereby rendered foul and slippery,
+and sometimes splash it upon those who are walking.  My proposal,
+communicated to the good doctor, was as follows:
+
+"For the more effectual cleaning and keeping clean the streets of
+London and Westminster, it is proposed that the several watchmen be
+contracted with to have the dust swept up in dry seasons, and the mud
+rak'd up at other times, each in the several streets and lanes
+of his round; that they be furnish'd with brooms and other proper
+instruments for these purposes, to be kept at their respective stands,
+ready to furnish the poor people they may employ in the service.
+
+"That in the dry summer months the dust be all swept up into heaps
+at proper distances, before the shops and windows of houses are
+usually opened, when the scavengers, with close-covered carts,
+shall also carry it all away.
+
+"That the mud, when rak'd up, be not left in heaps to be spread
+abroad again by the wheels of carriages and trampling of horses,
+but that the scavengers be provided with bodies of carts, not plac'd
+high upon wheels, but low upon sliders, with lattice bottoms, which,
+being cover'd with straw, will retain the mud thrown into them,
+and permit the water to drain from it, whereby it will become
+much lighter, water making the greatest part of its weight;
+these bodies of carts to be plac'd at convenient distances, and the
+mud brought to them in wheel-barrows; they remaining where plac'd
+till the mud is drain'd, and then horses brought to draw them away."
+
+I have since had doubts of the practicability of the latter part
+of this proposal, on account of the narrowness of some streets,
+and the difficulty of placing the draining-sleds so as not to encumber
+too much the passage; but I am still of opinion that the former,
+requiring the dust to be swept up and carry'd away before the shops
+are open, is very practicable in the summer, when the days are long;
+for, in walking thro' the Strand and Fleet-street one morning at
+seven o'clock, I observ'd there was not one shop open, tho' it had
+been daylight and the sun up above three hours; the inhabitants
+of London chusing voluntarily to live much by candle-light,
+and sleep by sunshine, and yet often complain, a little absurdly,
+of the duty on candles and the high price of tallow.
+
+Some may think these trifling matters not worth minding or relating;
+but when they consider that tho' dust blown into the eyes
+of a single person, or into a single shop on a windy day,
+is but of small importance, yet the great number of the instances
+in a populous city, and its frequent repetitions give it weight
+and consequence, perhaps they will not censure very severely those
+who bestow some attention to affairs of this seemingly low nature. 
+Human felicity is produc'd not so much by great pieces of good
+fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur
+every day.  Thus, if you teach a poor young man to shave himself,
+and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness
+of his life than in giving him a thousand guineas.  The money may be
+soon spent, the regret only remaining of having foolishly consumed it;
+but in the other case, he escapes the frequent vexation of waiting
+for barbers, and of their sometimes dirty fingers, offensive breaths,
+and dull razors; he shaves when most convenient to him, and enjoys
+daily the pleasure of its being done with a good instrument. 
+With these sentiments I have hazarded the few preceding pages,
+hoping they may afford hints which some time or other may be useful
+to a city I love, having lived many years in it very happily,
+and perhaps to some of our towns in America.
+
+Having been for some time employed by the postmaster-general
+of America as his comptroller in regulating several offices,
+and bringing the officers to account, I was, upon his death
+in 1753, appointed, jointly with Mr. William Hunter, to succeed him,
+by a commission from the postmaster-general in England.  The American
+office never had hitherto paid any thing to that of Britain. 
+We were to have six hundred pounds a year between us, if we could make
+that sum out of the profits of the office.  To do this, a variety
+of improvements were necessary; some of these were inevitably at
+first expensive, so that in the first four years the office became
+above nine hundred pounds in debt to us.  But it soon after began
+to repay us; and before I was displac'd by a freak of the ministers,
+of which I shall speak hereafter, we had brought it to yield three times
+as much clear revenue to the crown as the postoffice of Ireland. 
+Since that imprudent transaction, they have receiv'd from it--
+not one farthing!
+
+The business of the postoffice occasion'd my taking a journey this
+year to New England, where the College of Cambridge, of their
+own motion, presented me with the degree of Master of Arts. 
+Yale College, in Connecticut, had before made me a similar compliment. 
+Thus, without studying in any college, I came to partake
+of their honours.  They were conferr'd in consideration of my
+improvements and discoveries in the electric branch of natural philosophy.
+
+In 1754, war with France being again apprehended, a congress
+of commissioners from the different colonies was, by an order
+of the Lords of Trade, to be assembled at Albany, there to confer
+with the chiefs of the Six Nations concerning the means of defending
+both their country and ours.  Governor Hamilton, having receiv'd
+this order, acquainted the House with it, requesting they would
+furnish proper presents for the Indians, to be given on this occasion;
+and naming the speaker (Mr. Norris) and myself to join Mr. Thomas Penn
+and Mr. Secretary Peters as commissioners to act for Pennsylvania. 
+The House approv'd the nomination, and provided the goods for the present,
+and tho' they did not much like treating out of the provinces;
+and we met the other commissioners at Albany about the middle of June.
+
+In our way thither, I projected and drew a plan for the union
+of all the colonies under one government, so far as might be
+necessary for defense, and other important general purposes. 
+As we pass'd thro' New York, I had there shown my project to Mr. James
+Alexander and Mr. Kennedy, two gentlemen of great knowledge
+in public affairs, and, being fortified by their approbation,
+I ventur'd to lay it before the Congress.  It then appeared that
+several of the commissioners had form'd plans of the same kind. 
+A previous question was first taken, whether a union should
+be established, which pass'd in the affirmative unanimously. 
+A committee was then appointed, one member from each colony,
+to consider the several plans and report.  Mine happen'd
+to be preferr'd, and, with a few amendments, was accordingly reported.
+
+By this plan the general government was to be administered by a
+president-general, appointed and supported by the crown, and a grand
+council was to be chosen by the representatives of the people
+of the several colonies, met in their respective assemblies. 
+The debates upon it in Congress went on daily, hand in hand with
+the Indian business.  Many objections and difficulties were started,
+but at length they were all overcome, and the plan was unanimously
+agreed to, and copies ordered to be transmitted to the Board
+of Trade and to the assemblies of the several provinces. 
+Its fate was singular:  the assemblies did not adopt it, as they
+all thought there was too much prerogative in it, and in England
+it was judg'd to have too much of the democratic.
+
+The Board of Trade therefore did not approve of it, nor recommend it
+for the approbation of his majesty; but another scheme was form'd,
+supposed to answer the same purpose better, whereby the governors
+of the provinces, with some members of their respective councils,
+were to meet and order the raising of troops, building of forts,
+etc., and to draw on the treasury of Great Britain for the expense,
+which was afterwards to be refunded by an act of Parliament laying
+a tax on America.  My plan, with my reasons in support of it,
+is to be found among my political papers that are printed.
+
+Being the winter following in Boston, I had much conversation with
+Governor Shirley upon both the plans.  Part of what passed between us
+on the occasion may also be seen among those papers.  The different
+and contrary reasons of dislike to my plan makes me suspect that it
+was really the true medium; and I am still of opinion it would
+have been happy for both sides the water if it had been adopted. 
+The colonies, so united, would have been sufficiently strong to have
+defended themselves; there would then have been no need of troops
+from England; of course, the subsequent pretence for taxing America,
+and the bloody contest it occasioned, would have been avoided. 
+But such mistakes are not new; history is full of the errors of states
+and princes.
+
+          Look round the habitable world, how few
+          Know their own good, or, knowing it, pursue!
+
+Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not
+generally like to take the trouble of considering and carrying into
+execution new projects.  The best public measures are therefore
+seldom adopted from previous wisdom, but forc'd by the occasion.
+
+The Governor of Pennsylvania, in sending it down to the Assembly,
+express'd his approbation of the plan, "as appearing to him
+to be drawn up with great clearness and strength of judgment,
+and therefore recommended it as well worthy of their closest and
+most serious attention."  The House, however, by the management
+of a certain member, took it up when I happen'd to be absent,
+which I thought not very fair, and reprobated it without paying
+any attention to it at all, to my no small mortification.
+
+In my journey to Boston this year, I met at New York with our
+new governor, Mr. Morris, just arriv'd there from England, with whom
+I had been before intimately acquainted.  He brought a commission
+to supersede Mr. Hamilton, who, tir'd with the disputes his proprietary
+instructions subjected him to, had resign'd. Mr. Morris ask'd me
+if I thought he must expect as uncomfortable an administration. 
+I said, "No; you may, on the contrary, have a very comfortable one,
+if you will only take care not to enter into any dispute with
+the Assembly."  "My dear friend," says he, pleasantly, "how can
+you advise my avoiding disputes?  You know I love disputing;
+it is one of my greatest pleasures; however, to show the regard
+I have for your counsel, I promise you I will, if possible,
+avoid them."  He had some reason for loving to dispute, being eloquent,
+an acute sophister, and, therefore, generally successful in
+argumentative conversation.  He had been brought up to it from a boy,
+his father, as I have heard, accustoming his children to dispute with
+one another for his diversion, while sitting at table after dinner;
+but I think the practice was not wise; for, in the course of
+my observation, these disputing, contradicting, and confuting people
+are generally unfortunate in their affairs.  They get victory sometimes,
+but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them. 
+We parted, he going to Philadelphia, and I to Boston.
+
+In returning, I met at New York with the votes of the Assembly,
+by which it appear'd that, notwithstanding his promise to me,
+he and the House were already in high contention; and it was a
+continual battle between them as long as he retain'd the government. 
+I had my share of it; for, as soon as I got back to my seat in
+the Assembly, I was put on every committee for answering his speeches
+and messages, and by the committees always desired to make the drafts. 
+Our answers, as well as his messages, were often tart, and sometimes
+indecently abusive; and, as he knew I wrote for the Assembly,
+one might have imagined that, when we met, we could hardly avoid
+cutting throats; but he was so good-natur'd a man that no personal
+difference between him and me was occasion'd by the contest, and we
+often din'd together.
+
+One afternoon, in the height of this public quarrel, we met in
+the street.  "Franklin," says he, "you must go home with me and spend
+the evening; I am to have some company that you will like;" and,
+taking me by the arm, he led me to his house.  In gay conversation
+over our wine, after supper, he told us, jokingly, that he much
+admir'd the idea of Sancho Panza, who, when it was proposed to give
+him a government, requested it might be a government of blacks,
+as then, if he could not agree with his people, he might sell them. 
+One of his friends, who sat next to me, says, "Franklin, why
+do you continue to side with these damn'd Quakers?  Had not you
+better sell them?  The proprietor would give you a good price." 
+"The governor," says I, "has not yet blacked them enough." 
+He, indeed, had labored hard to blacken the Assembly in all
+his messages, but they wip'd off his coloring as fast as he
+laid it on, and plac'd it, in return, thick upon his own face;
+so that, finding he was likely to be negrofied himself, he, as well
+as Mr. Hamilton, grew tir'd of the contest, and quitted the government.
+
+<13>These public quarrels were all at bottom owing to the proprietaries,
+our hereditary governors, who, when any expense was to be incurred
+for the defense of their province, with incredible meanness instructed
+their deputies to pass no act for levying the necessary taxes,
+unless their vast estates were in the same act expressly excused;
+and they had even taken bonds of these deputies to observe
+such instructions.  The Assemblies for three years held out against
+this injustice, tho' constrained to bend at last.  At length
+Captain Denny, who was Governor Morris's successor, ventured to disobey
+those instructions; how that was brought about I shall show hereafter.
+
+     <13> My acts in Morris's time, military, etc.--[Marg. note.]
+
+But I am got forward too fast with my story:  there are still some
+transactions to be mention'd that happened during the administration
+of Governor Morris.
+
+War being in a manner commenced with France, the government of
+Massachusetts Bay projected an attack upon Crown Point, and sent
+Mr. Quincy to Pennsylvania, and Mr. Pownall, afterward Governor Pownall,
+to New York, to solicit assistance.  As I was in the Assembly,
+knew its temper, and was Mr. Quincy's countryman, he appli'd to me
+for my influence and assistance.  I dictated his address to them,
+which was well receiv'd. They voted an aid of ten thousand pounds,
+to be laid out in provisions.  But the governor refusing his
+assent to their bill (which included this with other sums granted
+for the use of the crown), unless a clause were inserted exempting
+the proprietary estate from bearing any part of the tax that would
+be necessary, the Assembly, tho' very desirous of making their grant
+to New England effectual, were at a loss how to accomplish it. 
+Mr. Quincy labored hard with the governor to obtain his assent,
+but he was obstinate.
+
+I then suggested a method of doing the business without the governor,
+by orders on the trustees of the Loan Office, which, by law,
+the Assembly had the right of drawing.  There was, indeed, little or
+no money at that time in the office, and therefore I propos'd that
+the orders should be payable in a year, and to bear an interest
+of five per cent.  With these orders I suppos'd the provisions might
+easily be purchas'd. The Assembly, with very little hesitation,
+adopted the proposal.  The orders were immediately printed, and I
+was one of the committee directed to sign and dispose of them. 
+The fund for paying them was the interest of all the paper currency
+then extant in the province upon loan, together with the revenue
+arising from the excise, which being known to be more than sufficient,
+they obtain'd instant credit, and were not only receiv'd in payment
+for the provisions, but many money'd people, who had cash lying by them,
+vested it in those orders, which they found advantageous, as they bore
+interest while upon hand, and might on any occasion be used as money;
+so that they were eagerly all bought up, and in a few weeks none of them
+were to be seen.  Thus this important affair was by my means compleated. 
+My Quincy return'd thanks to the Assembly in a handsome memorial,
+went home highly pleas'd with the success of his embassy, and ever
+after bore for me the most cordial and affectionate friendship.
+
+The British government, not chusing to permit the union of the colonies
+as propos'd at Albany, and to trust that union with their defense,
+lest they should thereby grow too military, and feel their own strength,
+suspicions and jealousies at this time being entertain'd of them,
+sent over General Braddock with two regiments of regular English
+troops for that purpose.  He landed at Alexandria, in Virginia,
+and thence march'd to Frederictown, in Maryland, where he halted
+for carriages.  Our Assembly apprehending, from some information,
+that he had conceived violent prejudices against them, as averse
+to the service, wish'd me to wait upon him, not as from them,
+but as postmaster-general, under the guise of proposing to settle
+with him the mode of conducting with most celerity and certainty
+the despatches between him and the governors of the several provinces,
+with whom he must necessarily have continual correspondence, and of
+which they propos'd to pay the expense.  My son accompanied me on
+this journey.
+
+We found the general at Frederictown, waiting impatiently for
+the return of those he had sent thro' the back parts of Maryland
+and Virginia to collect waggons.  I stayed with him several days,
+din'd with him daily, and had full opportunity of removing
+all his prejudices, by the information of what the Assembly had
+before his arrival actually done, and were still willing to do,
+to facilitate his operations.  When I was about to depart, the returns
+of waggons to be obtained were brought in, by which it appear'd
+that they amounted only to twenty-five, and not all of those were
+in serviceable condition.  The general and all the officers were
+surpris'd, declar'd the expedition was then at an end, being impossible,
+and exclaim'd against the ministers for ignorantly landing them in a
+country destitute of the means of conveying their stores, baggage,
+etc., not less than one hundred and fifty waggons being necessary.
+
+I happened to say I thought it was a pity they had not been landed
+rather in Pennsylvania, as in that country almost every farmer had
+his waggon.  The general eagerly laid hold of my words, and said,
+"Then you, sir, who are a man of interest there, can probably
+procure them for us; and I beg you will undertake it."  I ask'd
+what terms were to be offer'd the owners of the waggons; and I was
+desir'd to put on paper the terms that appeared to me necessary. 
+This I did, and they were agreed to, and a commission and instructions
+accordingly prepar'd immediately.  What those terms were will appear
+in the advertisement I publish'd as soon as I arriv'd at Lancaster,
+which being, from the great and sudden effect it produc'd, a piece
+of some curiosity, I shall insert it at length, as follows:
+
+               "ADVERTISEMENT.
+                        "LANCASTER, April 26, 1755.
+
+"Whereas, one hundred and fifty waggons, with four horses to each waggon,
+and fifteen hundred saddle or pack horses, are wanted for the service
+of his majesty's forces now about to rendezvous at Will's Creek,
+and his excellency General Braddock having been pleased to empower
+me to contract for the hire of the same, I hereby give notice
+that I shall attend for that purpose at Lancaster from this day
+to next Wednesday evening, and at York from next Thursday morning
+till Friday evening, where I shall be ready to agree for waggons
+and teams, or single horses, on the following terms, viz.: I. That
+there shall be paid for each waggon, with four good horses and
+a driver, fifteen shillings per diem; and for each able horse
+with a pack-saddle, or other saddle and furniture, two shillings
+per diem; and for each able horse without a saddle, eighteen pence
+per diem.  2.  That the pay commence from the time of their joining
+the forces at Will's Creek, which must be on or before the 20th
+of May ensuing, and that a reasonable allowance be paid over and
+above for the time necessary for their travelling to Will's Creek
+and home again after their discharge.  3.  Each waggon and team,
+and every saddle or pack horse, is to be valued by indifferent
+persons chosen between me and the owner; and in case of the loss of
+any waggon, team, or other horse in the service, the price according
+to such valuation is to be allowed and paid.  4.  Seven days'
+pay is to be advanced and paid in hand by me to the owner of each
+waggon and team, or horse, at the time of contracting, if required,
+and the remainder to be paid by General Braddock, or by the paymaster
+of the army, at the time of their discharge, or from time to time,
+as it shall be demanded.  5.  No drivers of waggons, or persons
+taking care of the hired horses, are on any account to be called
+upon to do the duty of soldiers, or be otherwise employed than in
+conducting or taking care of their carriages or horses.  6.  All oats,
+Indian corn, or other forage that waggons or horses bring to the camp,
+more than is necessary for the subsistence of the horses, is to be
+taken for the use of the army, and a reasonable price paid for the same.
+
+"Note.--My son, William Franklin, is empowered to enter into like
+contracts with any person in Cumberland county.
+                                        "B. FRANKLIN."
+
+     "To the inhabitants of the Counties of Lancaster,
+                    York and Cumberland.
+
+"Friends and Countrymen,
+
+"Being occasionally at the camp at Frederic a few days since,
+I found the general and officers extremely exasperated on account
+of their not being supplied with horses and carriages, which had
+been expected from this province, as most able to furnish them;
+but, through the dissensions between our governor and Assembly,
+money had not been provided, nor any steps taken for that purpose.
+
+"It was proposed to send an armed force immediately into these counties,
+to seize as many of the best carriages and horses as should be wanted,
+and compel as many persons into the service as would be necessary
+to drive and take care of them.
+
+"I apprehended that the progress of British soldiers through these
+counties on such an occasion, especially considering the temper
+they are in, and their resentment against us, would be attended
+with many and great inconveniences to the inhabitants, and therefore
+more willingly took the trouble of trying first what might be done
+by fair and equitable means.  The people of these back counties
+have lately complained to the Assembly that a sufficient currency
+was wanting; you have an opportunity of receiving and dividing
+among you a very considerable sum; for, if the service of this
+expedition should continue, as it is more than probable it will,
+for one hundred and twenty days, the hire of these waggons
+and horses will amount to upward of thirty thousand pounds,
+which will be paid you in silver and gold of the king's money.
+
+"The service will be light and easy, for the army will scarce march
+above twelve miles per day, and the waggons and baggage-horses, as
+they carry those things that are absolutely necessary to the welfare
+of the army, must march with the army, and no faster; and are,
+for the army's sake, always placed where they can be most secure,
+whether in a march or in a camp.
+
+"If you are really, as I believe you are, good and loyal subjects
+to his majesty, you may now do a most acceptable service, and make it
+easy to yourselves; for three or four of such as can not separately
+spare from the business of their plantations a waggon and four
+horses and a driver, may do it together, one furnishing the waggon,
+another one or two horses, and another the driver, and divide the pay
+proportionately between you; but if you do not this service to your
+king and country voluntarily, when such good pay and reasonable
+terms are offered to you, your loyalty will be strongly suspected. 
+The king's business must be done; so many brave troops, come so far
+for your defense, must not stand idle through your backwardness
+to do what may be reasonably expected from you; waggons and horses
+must be had; violent measures will probably be used, and you
+will be left to seek for a recompense where you can find it,
+and your case, perhaps, be little pitied or regarded.
+
+"I have no particular interest in this affair, as, except the
+satisfaction of endeavoring to do good, I shall have only my labour
+for my pains.  If this method of obtaining the waggons and horses
+is not likely to succeed, I am obliged to send word to the general
+in fourteen days; and I suppose Sir John St. Clair, the hussar,
+with a body of soldiers, will immediately enter the province
+for the purpose, which I shall be sorry to hear, because I
+am very sincerely and truly your friend and well-wisher, B. FRANKLIN."
+
+
+I received of the general about eight hundred pounds, to be
+disbursed in advance-money to the waggon owners, etc.; but, that sum
+being insufficient, I advanc'd upward of two hundred pounds more,
+and in two weeks the one hundred and fifty waggons, with two hundred
+and fifty-nine carrying horses, were on their march for the camp. 
+The advertisement promised payment according to the valuation,
+in case any waggon or horse should be lost.  The owners, however,
+alleging they did not know General Braddock, or what dependence
+might be had on his promise, insisted on my bond for the performance,
+which I accordingly gave them.
+
+While I was at the camp, supping one evening with the officers
+of Colonel Dunbar's regiment, he represented to me his concern
+for the subalterns, who, he said, were generally not in affluence,
+and could ill afford, in this dear country, to lay in the stores
+that might be necessary in so long a march, thro' a wilderness,
+where nothing was to be purchas'd. I commiserated their case,
+and resolved to endeavor procuring them some relief.  I said nothing,
+however, to him of my intention, but wrote the next morning to the
+committee of the Assembly, who had the disposition of some public money,
+warmly recommending the case of these officers to their consideration,
+and proposing that a present should be sent them of necessaries
+and refreshments.  My son, who had some experience of a camp life,
+and of its wants, drew up a list for me, which I enclos'd in my letter. 
+The committee approv'd, and used such diligence that, conducted by
+my son, the stores arrived at the camp as soon as the waggons. 
+They consisted of twenty parcels, each containing
+
+6 lbs. loaf sugar.                1 Gloucester cheese.
+6 lbs. good Muscovado do.         1 kegg containing 20 lbs. good
+1 lb. good green tea.             butter.
+1 lb. good bohea do.              2 doz. old Madeira wine.
+6 lbs. good ground coffee.        2 gallons Jamaica spirits.
+6 lbs. chocolate.                 1 bottle flour of mustard.
+1-2 cwt. best white biscuit.      2 well-cur'd hams.
+1-2 lb. pepper.                   1-2 dozen dry'd tongues.
+1 quart best white wine vinegar   6 lbs. rice.
+                                  6 lbs. raisins.
+
+These twenty parcels, well pack'd, were placed on as many horses,
+each parcel, with the horse, being intended as a present for
+one officer.  They were very thankfully receiv'd, and the kindness
+acknowledg'd by letters to me from the colonels of both regiments,
+in the most grateful terms.  The general, too, was highly satisfied
+with my conduct in procuring him the waggons, etc., and readily
+paid my account of disbursements, thanking me repeatedly,
+and requesting my farther assistance in sending provisions after him. 
+I undertook this also, and was busily employ'd in it till we heard
+of his defeat, advancing for the service of my own money, upwards of
+one thousand pounds sterling, of which I sent him an account. 
+It came to his hands, luckily for me, a few days before the battle,
+and he return'd me immediately an order on the paymaster for the round
+sum of one thousand pounds, leaving the remainder to the next account. 
+I consider this payment as good luck, having never been able
+to obtain that remainder, of which more hereafter.
+
+This general was, I think, a brave man, and might probably have
+made a figure as a good officer in some European war.  But he had
+too much self-confidence, too high an opinion of the validity of
+regular troops, and too mean a one of both Americans and Indians. 
+George Croghan, our Indian interpreter, join'd him on his march
+with one hundred of those people, who might have been of great use
+to his army as guides, scouts, etc., if he had treated them kindly;
+but he slighted and neglected them, and they gradually left him.
+
+In conversation with him one day, he was giving me some account
+of his intended progress.  "After taking Fort Duquesne," says he,
+"I am to proceed to Niagara; and, having taken that, to Frontenac,
+if the season will allow time; and I suppose it will, for Duquesne
+can hardly detain me above three or four days; and then I see nothing
+that can obstruct my march to Niagara."  Having before revolv'd
+in my mind the long line his army must make in their march by a
+very narrow road, to be cut for them thro' the woods and bushes,
+and also what I had read of a former defeat of fifteen hundred French,
+who invaded the Iroquois country, I had conceiv'd some doubts and some
+fears for the event of the campaign.  But I ventur'd only to say,
+"To be sure, sir, if you arrive well before Duquesne, with these
+fine troops, so well provided with artillery, that place not yet
+compleatly fortified, and as we hear with no very strong garrison,
+can probably make but a short resistance.  The only danger I apprehend
+of obstruction to your march is from ambuscades of Indians, who,
+by constant practice, are dexterous in laying and executing them;
+and the slender line, near four miles long, which your army must make,
+may expose it to be attack'd by surprise in its flanks, and to be
+cut like a thread into several pieces, which, from their distance,
+can not come up in time to support each other."
+
+He smil'd at my ignorance, and reply'd, "These savages may, indeed,
+be a formidable enemy to your raw American militia, but upon
+the king's regular and disciplin'd troops, sir, it is impossible
+they should make any impression."  I was conscious of an impropriety
+in my disputing with a military man in matters of his profession,
+and said no more.  The enemy, however, did not take the advantage
+of his army which I apprehended its long line of march expos'd it to,
+but let it advance without interruption till within nine miles
+of the place; and then, when more in a body (for it had just passed
+a river, where the front had halted till all were come over), and
+in a more open part of the woods than any it had pass'd, attack'd
+its advanced guard by a heavy fire from behind trees and bushes,
+which was the first intelligence the general had of an enemy's
+being near him.  This guard being disordered, the general hurried
+the troops up to their assistance, which was done in great confusion,
+thro' waggons, baggage, and cattle; and presently the fire came upon
+their flank:  the officers, being on horseback, were more easily
+distinguish'd, pick'd out as marks, and fell very fast; and the soldiers
+were crowded together in a huddle, having or hearing no orders,
+and standing to be shot at till two-thirds of them were killed;
+and then, being seiz'd with a panick, the whole fled with precipitation.
+
+The waggoners took each a horse out of his team and scamper'd;
+their example was immediately followed by others; so that all
+the waggons, provisions, artillery, and stores were left to the enemy. 
+The general, being wounded, was brought off with difficulty;
+his secretary, Mr. Shirley, was killed by his side; and out
+of eighty-six officers, sixty-three were killed or wounded,
+and seven hundred and fourteen men killed out of eleven hundred. 
+These eleven hundred had been picked men from the whole army;
+the rest had been left behind with Colonel Dunbar, who was to follow
+with the heavier part of the stores, provisions, and baggage. 
+The flyers, not being pursu'd, arriv'd at Dunbar's camp,
+and the panick they brought with them instantly seiz'd him
+and all his people; and, tho' he had now above one thousand men,
+and the enemy who bad beaten Braddock did not at most exceed
+four hundred Indians and French together, instead of proceeding,
+and endeavoring to recover some of the lost honour, he ordered
+all the stores, ammunition, etc., to be destroy'd, that he might
+have more horses to assist his flight towards the settlements,
+and less lumber to remove.  He was there met with requests from
+the governors of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, that he would
+post his troops on the frontiers, so as to afford some protection
+to the inhabitants; but he continu'd his hasty march thro'
+all the country, not thinking himself safe till he arriv'd
+at Philadelphia, where the inhabitants could protect him.  This whole
+transaction gave us Americans the first suspicion that our exalted
+ideas of the prowess of British regulars had not been well founded.
+
+In their first march, too, from their landing till they got beyond
+the settlements, they had plundered and stripped the inhabitants,
+totally ruining some poor families, besides insulting, abusing,
+and confining the people if they remonstrated.  This was enough
+to put us out of conceit of such defenders, if we had really
+wanted any.  How different was the conduct of our French friends
+in 1781, who, during a march thro' the most inhabited part of our
+country from Rhode Island to Virginia, near seven hundred miles,
+occasioned not the smallest complaint for the loss of a pig,
+a chicken, or even an apple.
+
+Captain Orme, who was one of the general's aids-de-camp, and,
+being grievously wounded, was brought off with him, and continu'd
+with him to his death, which happen'd in a few days, told me that
+he was totally silent all the first day, and at night only said,
+"Who would have thought it?"  That he was silent again the following day,
+saying only at last, "We shall better know how to deal with them
+another time;" and dy'd in a few minutes after.
+
+The secretary's papers, with all the general's orders,
+instructions, and correspondence, falling into the enemy's hands,
+they selected and translated into French a number of the articles,
+which they printed, to prove the hostile intentions of the British
+court before the declaration of war.  Among these I saw some letters
+of the general to the ministry, speaking highly of the great service
+I had rendered the army, and recommending me to their notice. 
+David Hume, too, who was some years after secretary to Lord Hertford,
+when minister in France, and afterward to General Conway, when secretary
+of state, told me he had seen among the papers in that office,
+letters from Braddock highly recommending me.  But, the expedition
+having been unfortunate, my service, it seems, was not thought
+of much value, for those recommendations were never of any use to me.
+
+As to rewards from himself, I ask'd only one, which was, that he would
+give orders to his officers not to enlist any more of our bought servants,
+and that he would discharge such as had been already enlisted. 
+This he readily granted, and several were accordingly return'd
+to their masters, on my application.  Dunbar, when the command
+devolv'd on him, was not so generous.  He being at Philadelphia,
+on his retreat, or rather flight, I apply'd to him for the discharge
+of the servants of three poor farmers of Lancaster county that he
+had enlisted, reminding him of the late general's orders on that bead. 
+He promised me that, if the masters would come to him at Trenton,
+where he should be in a few days on his march to New York,
+he would there deliver their men to them.  They accordingly were at
+the expense and trouble of going to Trenton, and there he refus'd
+to perform his promise, to their great loss and disappointment.
+
+As soon as the loss of the waggons and horses was generally known,
+all the owners came upon me for the valuation which I had given bond
+to pay.  Their demands gave me a great deal of trouble, my acquainting
+them that the money was ready in the paymaster's hands, but that
+orders for paying it must first be obtained from General Shirley,
+and my assuring them that I had apply'd to that general by letter;
+but, he being at a distance, an answer could not soon be receiv'd,
+and they must have patience, all this was not sufficient to satisfy,
+and some began to sue me.  General Shirley at length relieved me
+from this terrible situation by appointing commissioners to examine
+the claims, and ordering payment.  They amounted to near twenty
+thousand pound, which to pay would have ruined me.
+
+Before we had the news of this defeat, the two Doctors Bond came
+to me with a subscription paper for raising money to defray
+the expense of a grand firework, which it was intended to exhibit
+at a rejoicing on receipt of the news of our taking Fort Duquesne. 
+I looked grave, and said it would, I thought, be time enough
+to prepare for the rejoicing when we knew we should have occasion
+to rejoice.  They seem'd surpris'd that I did not immediately
+comply with their proposal.  "Why the d--l!" says one of them,
+"you surely don't suppose that the fort will not be taken?" 
+"I don't know that it will not be taken, but I know that the events
+of war are subject to great uncertainty."  I gave them the reasons
+of my doubting; the subscription was dropt, and the projectors thereby
+missed the mortification they would have undergone if the firework
+had been prepared.  Dr. Bond, on some other occasion afterward,
+said that he did not like Franklin's forebodings.
+
+Governor Morris, who had continually worried the Assembly with message
+after message before the defeat of Braddock, to beat them into
+the making of acts to raise money for the defense of the province,
+without taxing, among others, the proprietary estates, and had
+rejected all their bills for not having such an exempting clause,
+now redoubled his attacks with more hope of success, the danger
+and necessity being greater.  The Assembly, however, continu'd firm,
+believing they had justice on their side, and that it would
+be giving up an essential right if they suffered the governor
+to amend their money-bills. In one of the last, indeed, which was
+for granting fifty thousand pounds, his propos'd amendment was
+only of a single word.  The bill expressed "that all estates,
+real and personal, were to be taxed, those of the proprietaries
+not excepted."  His amendment was, for not read only:  a small,
+but very material alteration.  However, when the news of this
+disaster reached England, our friends there, whom we had taken care
+to furnish with all the Assembly's answers to the governor's messages,
+rais'd a clamor against the proprietaries for their meanness and
+injustice in giving their governor such instructions; some going
+so far as to say that, by obstructing the defense of their province,
+they forfeited their right to it.  They were intimidated by this,
+and sent orders to their receiver-general to add five thousand
+pounds of their money to whatever sum might be given by the Assembly
+for such purpose.
+
+This, being notified to the House, was accepted in lieu of their share
+of a general tax, and a new bill was form'd, with an exempting clause,
+which passed accordingly.  By this act I was appointed one of the
+commissioners for disposing of the money, sixty thousand pounds. 
+I had been active in modelling the bill and procuring its passage,
+and had, at the same time, drawn a bill for establishing
+and disciplining of a voluntary militia, which I carried thro'
+the House without much difficulty, as care was taken in it to
+leave the Quakers at their liberty.  To promote the association
+necessary to form the militia, I wrote a dialogue,<14> stating
+and answering all the objections I could think of to such a militia,
+which was printed, and had, as I thought, great effect.
+
+     <14> This dialogue and the militia act are in the
+          "Gentleman's Magazine" for February and March, 1756.
+           --[Marg. note.]
+
+While the several companies in the city and country were forming
+and learning their exercise, the governor prevail'd with me to take
+charge of our North-western frontier, which was infested by the enemy,
+and provide for the defense of the inhabitants by raising troops and
+building a line of forts.  I undertook this military business, tho' I did
+not conceive myself well qualified for it.  He gave me a commission
+with full powers, and a parcel of blank commissions for officers,
+to be given to whom I thought fit.  I had but little difficulty
+in raising men, having soon five hundred and sixty under my command. 
+My son, who had in the preceding war been an officer in the army
+rais'd against Canada, was my aid-de-camp, and of great use to me. 
+The Indians had burned Gnadenhut, a village settled by the Moravians,
+and massacred the inhabitants; but the place was thought a good
+situation for one of the forts.
+
+In order to march thither, I assembled the companies at Bethlehem,
+the chief establishment of those people.  I was surprised to find
+it in so good a posture of defense; the destruction of Gnadenhut
+had made them apprehend danger.  The principal buildings were
+defended by a stockade; they had purchased a quantity of arms and
+ammunition from New York, and had even plac'd quantities of small
+paving stones between the windows of their high stone houses,
+for their women to throw down upon the heads of any Indians
+that should attempt to force into them.  The armed brethren, too,
+kept watch, and reliev'd as methodically as in any garrison town. 
+In conversation with the bishop, Spangenberg, I mention'd this
+my surprise; for, knowing they had obtained an act of Parliament
+exempting them from military duties in the colonies, I had
+suppos'd they were conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms. 
+He answer'd me that it was not one of their established principles,
+but that, at the time of their obtaining that act, it was thought
+to be a principle with many of their people.  On this occasion,
+however, they, to their surprise, found it adopted by but a few. 
+It seems they were either deceiv'd in themselves, or deceiv'd
+the Parliament; but common sense, aided by present danger,
+will sometimes be too strong for whimsical opinions.
+
+It was the beginning of January when we set out upon this business
+of building forts.  I sent one detachment toward the Minisink,
+with instructions to erect one for the security of that upper part of
+the country, and another to the lower part, with similar instructions;
+and I concluded to go myself with the rest of my force to Gnadenhut,
+where a fort was tho't more immediately necessary.  The Moravians
+procur'd me five waggons for our tools, stores, baggage, etc.
+
+Just before we left Bethlehem, eleven farmers, who had been driven
+from their plantations by the Indians, came to me requesting a supply
+of firearms, that they might go back and fetch off their cattle. 
+I gave them each a gun with suitable ammunition.  We had not march'd
+many miles before it began to rain, and it continued raining all day;
+there were no habitations on the road to shelter us, till we arriv'd
+near night at the house of a German, where, and in his barn,
+we were all huddled together, as wet as water could make us. 
+It was well we were not attack'd in our march, for our arms were of
+the most ordinary sort, and our men could not keep their gun locks dry. 
+The Indians are dextrous in contrivances for that purpose, which we
+had not.  They met that day the eleven poor farmers above mentioned,
+and killed ten of them.  The one who escap'd inform'd that his and
+his companions' guns would not go off, the priming being wet with
+the rain.
+
+The next day being fair, we continu'd our march, and arriv'd at
+the desolated Gnadenhut.  There was a saw-mill near, round which were
+left several piles of boards, with which we soon hutted ourselves;
+an operation the more necessary at that inclement season, as we
+had no tents.  Our first work was to bury more effectually the dead
+we found there, who had been half interr'd by the country people.
+
+The next morning our fort was plann'd and mark'd out, the circumference
+measuring four hundred and fifty-five feet, which would require
+as many palisades to be made of trees, one with another,
+of a foot diameter each.  Our axes, of which we had seventy,
+were immediately set to work to cut down trees, and, our men
+being dextrous in the use of them, great despatch was made. 
+Seeing the trees fall so fast, I had the curiosity to look at my watch
+when two men began to cut at a pine; in six minutes they had it upon
+the ground, and I found it of fourteen inches diameter.  Each pine
+made three palisades of eighteen feet long, pointed at one end. 
+While these were preparing, our other men dug a trench all round,
+of three feet deep, in which the palisades were to be planted;
+and, our waggons, the bodys being taken off, and the fore and hind
+wheels separated by taking out the pin which united the two parts
+of the perch, we had ten carriages, with two horses each, to bring
+the palisades from the woods to the spot.  When they were set up,
+our carpenters built a stage of boards all round within, about six
+feet high, for the men to stand on when to fire thro' the loopholes. 
+We had one swivel gun, which we mounted on one of the angles,
+and fir'd it as soon as fix'd, to let the Indians know, if any
+were within hearing, that we had such pieces; and thus our fort,
+if such a magnificent name may be given to so miserable a stockade,
+was finish'd in a week, though it rain'd so hard every other day
+that the men could not work.
+
+This gave me occasion to observe, that, when men are employ'd, they
+are best content'd; for on the days they worked they were good-natur'd
+and cheerful, and, with the consciousness of having done a good
+day's work, they spent the evening jollily; but on our idle days
+they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault with their pork,
+the bread, etc., and in continual ill-humor, which put me in mind
+of a sea-captain, whose rule it was to keep his men constantly
+at work; and, when his mate once told him that they had done
+every thing, and there was nothing further to employ them about,
+"Oh," says he, "Make them scour the anchor."
+
+This kind of fort, however contemptible, is a sufficient defense
+against Indians, who have no cannon.  Finding ourselves now posted
+securely, and having a place to retreat to on occasion, we ventur'd
+out in parties to scour the adjacent country.  We met with no Indians,
+but we found the places on the neighboring hills where they had lain
+to watch our proceedings.  There was an art in their contrivance
+of those places, that seems worth mention.  It being winter, a fire
+was necessary for them; but a common fire on the surface of the ground
+would by its light have discovered their position at a distance. 
+They had therefore dug holes in the ground about three feet diameter,
+and somewhat deeper; we saw where they had with their hatchets cut
+off the charcoal from the sides of burnt logs lying in the woods. 
+With these coals they had made small fires in the bottom of
+the holes, and we observ'd among the weeds and grass the prints
+of their bodies, made by their laying all round, with their legs
+hanging down in the holes to keep their feet warm, which, with them,
+is an essential point.  This kind of fire, so manag'd, could not
+discover them, either by its light, flame, sparks, or even smoke: 
+it appear'd that their number was not great, and it seems they saw
+we were too many to be attacked by them with prospect of advantage.
+
+We had for our chaplain a zealous Presbyterian minister, Mr. Beatty,
+who complained to me that the men did not generally attend his prayers
+and exhortations.  When they enlisted, they were promised, besides pay
+and provisions, a gill of rum a day, which was punctually serv'd
+out to them, half in the morning, and the other half in the evening;
+and I observ'd they were as punctual in attending to receive it;
+upon which I said to Mr. Beatty, "It is, perhaps, below the dignity
+of your profession to act as steward of the rum, but if you were to deal
+it out and only just after prayers, you would have them all about you." 
+He liked the tho't, undertook the office, and, with the help of a
+few hands to measure out the liquor, executed it to satisfaction,
+and never were prayers more generally and more punctually attended;
+so that I thought this method preferable to the punishment inflicted
+by some military laws for non-attendance on divine service.
+
+I had hardly finish'd this business, and got my fort well stor'd
+with provisions, when I receiv'd a letter from the governor,
+acquainting me that he had call'd the Assembly, and wished my
+attendance there, if the posture of affairs on the frontiers
+was such that my remaining there was no longer necessary. 
+My friends, too, of the Assembly, pressing me by their letters to be,
+if possible, at the meeting, and my three intended forts being
+now compleated, and the inhabitants contented to remain on their farms
+under that protection, I resolved to return; the more willingly,
+as a New England officer, Colonel Clapham, experienced in Indian war,
+being on a visit to our establishment, consented to accept the command. 
+I gave him a commission, and, parading the garrison, had it
+read before them, and introduc'd him to them as an officer who,
+from his skill in military affairs, was much more fit to command them
+than myself; and, giving them a little exhortation, took my leave. 
+I was escorted as far as Bethlehem, where I rested a few days to
+recover from the fatigue I had undergone.  The first night, being in
+a good bed, I could hardly sleep, it was so different from my hard
+lodging on the floor of our hut at Gnaden wrapt only in a blanket or two.
+
+While at Bethlehem, I inquir'd a little into the practice of
+the Moravians:  some of them had accompanied me, and all were very
+kind to me.  I found they work'd for a common stock, eat at common
+tables, and slept in common dormitories, great numbers together. 
+In the dormitories I observed loopholes, at certain distances all
+along just under the ceiling, which I thought judiciously placed
+for change of air.  I was at their church, where I was entertain'd
+with good musick, the organ being accompanied with violins, hautboys,
+flutes, clarinets, etc.  I understood that their sermons were not
+usually preached to mixed congregations of men, women, and children,
+as is our common practice, but that they assembled sometimes
+the married men, at other times their wives, then the young men,
+the young women, and the little children, each division by itself. 
+The sermon I heard was to the latter, who came in and were plac'd in rows
+on benches; the boys under the conduct of a young man, their tutor,
+and the girls conducted by a young woman.  The discourse seem'd
+well adapted to their capacities, and was deliver'd in a pleasing,
+familiar manner, coaxing them, as it were, to be good.  They behav'd
+very orderly, but looked pale and unhealthy, which made me suspect
+they were kept too much within doors, or not allow'd sufficient exercise.
+
+I inquir'd concerning the Moravian marriages, whether the report
+was true that they were by lot.  I was told that lots were us'd
+only in particular cases; that generally, when a young man found
+himself dispos'd to marry, he inform'd the elders of his class,
+who consulted the elder ladies that govern'd the young women. 
+As these elders of the different sexes were well acquainted
+with the tempers and dispositions of their respective pupils,
+they could best judge what matches were suitable, and their judgments
+were generally acquiesc'd in; but if, for example, it should happen
+that two or three young women were found to be equally proper
+for the young man, the lot was then recurred to.  I objected,
+if the matches are not made by the mutual choice of the parties,
+some of them may chance to be very unhappy.  "And so they may,"
+answer'd my informer, "if you let the parties chuse for themselves;"
+which, indeed, I could not deny.
+
+Being returned to Philadelphia, I found the association went
+on swimmingly, the inhabitants that were not Quakers having pretty
+generally come into it, formed themselves into companies, and chose
+their captains, lieutenants, and ensigns, according to the new law. 
+Dr. B. visited me, and gave me an account of the pains he had taken
+to spread a general good liking to the law, and ascribed much to
+those endeavors.  I had had the vanity to ascribe all to my Dialogue;
+however, not knowing but that he might be in the right, I let him enjoy
+his opinion, which I take to be generally the best way in such cases. 
+The officers, meeting, chose me to be colonel of the regiment,
+which I this time accepted.  I forget how many companies we had,
+but we paraded about twelve hundred well-looking men, with a company
+of artillery, who had been furnished with six brass field-pieces,
+which they had become so expert in the use of as to fire twelve times
+in a minute.  The first time I reviewed my regiment they accompanied me
+to my house, and would salute me with some rounds fired before my door,
+which shook down and broke several glasses of my electrical apparatus. 
+And my new honour proved not much less brittle; for all our
+commissions were soon after broken by a repeal of the law in England.
+
+During this short time of my colonelship, being about to set out on
+a journey to Virginia, the officers of my regiment took it into their
+heads that it would be proper for them to escort me out of town,
+as far as the Lower Ferry.  Just as I was getting on horseback they
+came to my door, between thirty and forty, mounted, and all in
+their uniforms.  I had not been previously acquainted with the project,
+or I should have prevented it, being naturally averse to the assuming
+of state on any occasion; and I was a good deal chagrin'd at
+their appearance, as I could not avoid their accompanying me. 
+What made it worse was, that, as soon as we began to move,
+they drew their swords and rode with them naked all the way. 
+Somebody wrote an account of this to the proprietor, and it gave him
+great offense.  No such honor had been paid him when in the province,
+nor to any of his governors; and he said it was only proper to
+princes of the blood royal, which may be true for aught I know,
+who was, and still am, ignorant of the etiquette in such cases.
+
+This silly affair, however, greatly increased his rancour against me,
+which was before not a little, on account of my conduct in the
+Assembly respecting the exemption of his estate from taxation,
+which I had always oppos'd very warmly, and not without severe
+reflections on his meanness and injustice of contending for it. 
+He accused me to the ministry as being the great obstacle to
+the king's service, preventing, by my influence in the House,
+the proper form of the bills for raising money, and he instanced
+this parade with my officers as a proof of my having an intention
+to take the government of the province out of his hands by force. 
+He also applied to Sir Everard Fawkener, the postmaster-general,
+to deprive me of my office; but it had no other effect than to procure
+from Sir Everard a gentle admonition.
+
+Notwithstanding the continual wrangle between the governor
+and the House, in which I, as a member, had so large a share,
+there still subsisted a civil intercourse between that gentleman
+and myself, and we never had any personal difference.  I have
+sometimes since thought that his little or no resentment against me,
+for the answers it was known I drew up to his messages, might be
+the effect of professional habit, and that, being bred a lawyer,
+he might consider us both as merely advocates for contending clients
+in a suit, he for the proprietaries and I for the Assembly. 
+He would, therefore, sometimes call in a friendly way to advise
+with me on difficult points, and sometimes, tho' not often,
+take my advice.
+
+We acted in concert to supply Braddock's army with provisions;
+and, when the shocking news arrived of his defeat, the governor sent
+in haste for me, to consult with him on measures for preventing
+the desertion of the back counties.  I forget now the advice
+I gave; but I think it was, that Dunbar should be written to,
+and prevail'd with, if possible, to post his troops on the frontiers
+for their protection, till, by re-enforcements from the colonies,
+he might be able to proceed on the expedition.  And, after my return
+from the frontier, he would have had me undertake the conduct
+of such an expedition with provincial troops, for the reduction
+of Fort Duquesne, Dunbar and his men being otherwise employed; and he
+proposed to commission me as general.  I had not so good an opinion
+of my military abilities as he profess'd to have, and I believe his
+professions must have exceeded his real sentiments; but probably he
+might think that my popularity would facilitate the raising of the men,
+and my influence in Assembly, the grant of money to pay them,
+and that, perhaps, without taxing the proprietary estate.  Finding me
+not so forward to engage as he expected, the project was dropt,
+and he soon after left the government, being superseded by Captain Denny.
+
+Before I proceed in relating the part I had in public affairs under
+this new governor's administration, it may not be amiss here to give
+some account of the rise and progress of my philosophical reputation.
+
+In 1746, being at Boston, I met there with a Dr. Spence, who was lately
+arrived from Scotland, and show'd me some electric experiments. 
+They were imperfectly perform'd, as he was not very expert; but, being on
+a subject quite new to me, they equally surpris'd and pleased me. 
+Soon after my return to Philadelphia, our library company receiv'd
+from Mr. P. Collinson, Fellow of the Royal Society of London,
+a present of a glass tube, with some account of the use of it
+in making such experiments.  I eagerly seized the opportunity
+of repeating what I had seen at Boston; and, by much practice,
+acquir'd great readiness in performing those, also, which we had
+an account of from England, adding a number of new ones.  I say
+much practice, for my house was continually full, for some time,
+with people who came to see these new wonders.
+
+To divide a little this incumbrance among my friends, I caused
+a number of similar tubes to be blown at our glass-house,
+with which they furnish'd themselves, so that we had at length
+several performers.  Among these, the principal was Mr. Kinnersley,
+an ingenious neighbor, who, being out of business, I encouraged
+to undertake showing the experiments for money, and drew up for him
+two lectures, in which the experiments were rang'd in such order,
+and accompanied with such explanations in such method, as that
+the foregoing should assist in comprehending the following. 
+He procur'd an elegant apparatus for the purpose, in which all
+the little machines that I had roughly made for myself were nicely
+form'd by instrument-makers. His lectures were well attended,
+and gave great satisfaction; and after some time he went thro'
+the colonies, exhibiting them in every capital town, and pick'd up
+some money.  In the West India islands, indeed, it was with difficulty
+the experiments could be made, from the general moisture of the air.
+
+Oblig'd as we were to Mr. Collinson for his present of the tube, etc., I
+thought it right he should be inform'd of our success in using it,
+and wrote him several letters containing accounts of our experiments. 
+He got them read in the Royal Society, where they were not at first
+thought worth so much notice as to be printed in their Transactions. 
+One paper, which I wrote for Mr. Kinnersley, on the sameness of
+lightning with electricity, I sent to Dr. Mitchel, an acquaintance
+of mine, and one of the members also of that society, who wrote me
+word that it had been read, but was laughed at by the connoisseurs. 
+The papers, however, being shown to Dr. Fothergill, he thought them
+of too much value to be stifled, and advis'd the printing of them. 
+Mr. Collinson then gave them to Cave for publication in his
+Gentleman's Magazine; but he chose to print them separately in
+a pamphlet, and Dr. Fothergill wrote the preface.  Cave, it seems,
+judged rightly for his profit, for by the additions that arrived
+afterward they swell'd to a quarto volume, which has had five editions,
+and cost him nothing for copy-money.
+
+It was, however, some time before those papers were much taken notice
+of in England.  A copy of them happening to fall into the hands
+of the Count de Buffon, a philosopher deservedly of great reputation
+in France, and, indeed, all over Europe, he prevailed with M. Dalibard
+to translate them into French, and they were printed at Paris. 
+The publication offended the Abbe Nollet, preceptor in Natural Philosophy
+to the royal family, and an able experimenter, who had form'd and
+publish'd a theory of electricity, which then had the general vogue. 
+He could not at first believe that such a work came from America,
+and said it must have been fabricated by his enemies at Paris, to decry
+his system.  Afterwards, having been assur'd that there really existed
+such a person as Franklin at Philadelphia, which he had doubted,
+he wrote and published a volume of Letters, chiefly address'd to me,
+defending his theory, and denying the verity of my experiments,
+and of the positions deduc'd from them.
+
+I once purpos'd answering the abbe, and actually began the answer;
+but, on consideration that my writings contain'd a description
+of experiments which any one might repeat and verify, and if not
+to be verifi'd, could not be defended; or of observations offer'd
+as conjectures, and not delivered dogmatically, therefore not
+laying me under any obligation to defend them; and reflecting
+that a dispute between two persons, writing in different languages,
+might be lengthened greatly by mistranslations, and thence
+misconceptions of one another's meaning, much of one of the abbe's
+letters being founded on an error in the translation, I concluded
+to let my papers shift for themselves, believing it was better
+to spend what time I could spare from public business in making
+new experiments, than in disputing about those already made. 
+I therefore never answered M. Nollet, and the event gave me no
+cause to repent my silence; for my friend M. le Roy, of the Royal
+Academy of Sciences, took up my cause and refuted him; my book
+was translated into the Italian, German, and Latin languages;
+and the doctrine it contain'd was by degrees universally adopted
+by the philosophers of Europe, in preference to that of the abbe;
+so that he lived to see himself the last of his sect, except Monsieur
+B----, of Paris, his eleve and immediate disciple.
+
+What gave my book the more sudden and general celebrity,
+was the success of one of its proposed experiments, made by Messrs. 
+Dalibard and De Lor at Marly, for drawing lightning from the clouds. 
+This engag'd the public attention every where.  M. de Lor,
+who had an apparatus for experimental philosophy, and lectur'd
+in that branch of science, undertook to repeat what he called
+the Philadelphia Experiments; and, after they were performed before
+the king and court, all the curious of Paris flocked to see them. 
+I will not swell this narrative with an account of that capital
+experiment, nor of the infinite pleasure I receiv'd in the success
+of a similar one I made soon after with a kite at Philadelphia,
+as both are to be found in the histories of electricity.
+
+Dr. Wright, an English physician, when at Paris, wrote to a friend,
+who was of the Royal Society, an account of the high esteem my
+experiments were in among the learned abroad, and of their wonder
+that my writings had been so little noticed in England.  The society,
+on this, resum'd the consideration of the letters that had been read
+to them; and the celebrated Dr. Watson drew up a summary account
+of them, and of all I had afterwards sent to England on the subject,
+which be accompanied with some praise of the writer.  This summary
+was then printed in their Transactions; and some members of the society
+in London, particularly the very ingenious Mr. Canton, having verified
+the experiment of procuring lightning from the clouds by a pointed rod,
+and acquainting them with the success, they soon made me more than
+amends for the slight with which they had before treated me. 
+Without my having made any application for that honor, they chose me
+a member, and voted that I should be excus'd the customary payments,
+which would have amounted to twenty-five guineas; and ever since
+have given me their Transactions gratis.  They also presented
+me with the gold medal of Sir Godfrey Copley for the year 1753,
+the delivery of which was accompanied by a very handsome speech
+of the president, Lord Macclesfield, wherein I was highly honoured.
+
+Our new governor, Captain Denny, brought over for me the before-mentioned
+medal from the Royal Society, which he presented to me at an
+entertainment given him by the city.  He accompanied it with very
+polite expressions of his esteem for me, having, as he said, been long
+acquainted with my character.  After dinner, when the company,
+as was customary at that time, were engag'd in drinking, he took
+me aside into another room, and acquainted me that he had been
+advis'd by his friends in England to cultivate a friendship with me,
+as one who was capable of giving him the best advice, and of
+contributing most effectually to the making his administration easy;
+that he therefore desired of all things to have a good understanding
+with me, and he begg'd me to be assur'd of his readiness on all
+occasions to render me every service that might be in his power. 
+He said much to me, also, of the proprietor's good disposition
+towards the province, and of the advantage it might be to us all,
+and to me in particular, if the opposition that had been so long
+continu'd to his measures was dropt, and harmony restor'd between
+him and the people; in effecting which, it was thought no one could
+be more serviceable than myself; and I might depend on adequate
+acknowledgments and recompenses, etc., etc.  The drinkers,
+finding we did not return immediately to the table, sent us
+a decanter of Madeira, which the governor made liberal use of,
+and in proportion became more profuse of his solicitations and promises.
+
+My answers were to this purpose:  that my circumstances, thanks to God,
+were such as to make proprietary favours unnecessary to me;
+and that, being a member of the Assembly, I could not possibly accept
+of any; that, however, I had no personal enmity to the proprietary,
+and that, whenever the public measures he propos'd should appear
+to be for the good of the people, no one should espouse and forward
+them more zealously than myself; my past opposition having been
+founded on this, that the measures which had been urged were evidently
+intended to serve the proprietary interest, with great prejudice
+to that of the people; that I was much obliged to him (the governor)
+for his professions of regard to me, and that he might rely on every
+thing in my power to make his administration as easy as possible,
+hoping at the same time that he had not brought with him the same
+unfortunate instruction his predecessor had been hamper'd with.
+
+On this he did not then explain himself; but when he afterwards came
+to do business with the Assembly, they appear'd again, the disputes
+were renewed, and I was as active as ever in the opposition,
+being the penman, first, of the request to have a communication
+of the instructions, and then of the remarks upon them, which may
+be found in the votes of the time, and in the Historical Review I
+afterward publish'd. But between us personally no enmity arose;
+we were often together; he was a man of letters, had seen much of
+the world, and was very entertaining and pleasing in conversation. 
+He gave me the first information that my old friend Jas.  Ralph was
+still alive; that he was esteem'd one of the best political writers
+in England; had been employ'd in the dispute between Prince Frederic
+and the king, and had obtain'd a pension of three hundred a year;
+that his reputation was indeed small as a poet, Pope having damned
+his poetry in the Dunciad; but his prose was thought as good as any
+man's.
+
+<15>The Assembly finally finding the proprietary obstinately persisted
+in manacling their deputies with instructions inconsistent not only
+with the privileges of the people, but with the service of the crown,
+resolv'd to petition the king against them, and appointed me their
+agent to go over to England, to present and support the petition. 
+The House had sent up a bill to the governor, granting a sum
+of sixty thousand pounds for the king's use (ten thousand pounds
+of which was subjected to the orders of the then general,
+Lord Loudoun), which the governor absolutely refus'd to pass,
+in compliance with his instructions.
+
+     <15> The many unanimous resolves of the Assembly--
+          what date?-- [Marg. note.]
+
+I had agreed with Captain Morris, of the paquet at New York,
+for my passage, and my stores were put on board, when Lord Loudoun
+arriv'd at Philadelphia, expressly, as he told me, to endeavor
+an accommodation between the governor and Assembly, that his
+majesty's service might not be obstructed by their dissensions. 
+Accordingly, he desir'd the governor and myself to meet him, that he
+might hear what was to be said on both sides.  We met and discuss'd
+the business.  In behalf of the Assembly, I urg'd all the various
+arguments that may be found in the public papers of that time,
+which were of my writing, and are printed with the minutes of
+the Assembly; and the governor pleaded his instructions; the bond he
+had given to observe them, and his ruin if he disobey'd, yet seemed
+not unwilling to hazard himself if Lord Loudoun would advise it. 
+This his lordship did not chuse to do, though I once thought I
+had nearly prevail'd with him to do it; but finally he rather chose
+to urge the compliance of the Assembly; and he entreated me to use
+my endeavours with them for that purpose, declaring that he would
+spare none of the king's troops for the defense of our frontiers,
+and that, if we did not continue to provide for that defense ourselves,
+they must remain expos'd to the enemy.
+
+I acquainted the House with what had pass'd, and, presenting them
+with a set of resolutions I had drawn up, declaring our rights,
+and that we did not relinquish our claim to those rights, but only
+suspended the exercise of them on this occasion thro' force,
+against which we protested, they at length agreed to drop that bill,
+and frame another conformable to the proprietary instructions. 
+This of course the governor pass'd, and I was then at liberty
+to proceed on my voyage.  But, in the meantime, the paquet
+had sailed with my sea-stores, which was some loss to me,
+and my only recompense was his lordship's thanks for my service,
+all the credit of obtaining the accommodation falling to his share.
+
+He set out for New York before me; and, as the time for dispatching
+the paquet-boats was at his disposition, and there were two then
+remaining there, one of which, he said, was to sail very soon,
+I requested to know the precise time, that I might not miss her
+by any delay of mine.  His answer was, "I have given out that she
+is to sail on Saturday next; but I may let you know, entre nous,
+that if you are there by Monday morning, you will be in time,
+but do not delay longer."  By some accidental hinderance at a ferry,
+it was Monday noon before I arrived, and I was much afraid
+she might have sailed, as the wind was fair; but I was soon
+made easy by the information that she was still in the harbor,
+and would not move till the next day.  One would imagine that I
+was now on the very point of departing for Europe.  I thought so;
+but I was not then so well acquainted with his lordship's character,
+of which indecision was one of the strongest features.  I shall
+give some instances.  It was about the beginning of April that I
+came to New York, and I think it was near the end of June before
+we sail'd. There were then two of the paquet-boats, which had
+been long in port, but were detained for the general's letters,
+which were always to be ready to-morrow. Another paquet arriv'd;
+she too was detain'd; and, before we sail'd, a fourth was expected. 
+Ours was the first to be dispatch'd, as having been there longest. 
+Passengers were engag'd in all, and some extremely impatient
+to be gone, and the merchants uneasy about their letters,
+and the orders they had given for insurance (it being war time)
+for fall goods! but their anxiety avail'd nothing; his lordship's
+letters were not ready; and yet whoever waited on him found him
+always at his desk, pen in hand, and concluded he must needs
+write abundantly.
+
+Going myself one morning to pay my respects, I found in his antechamber
+one Innis, a messenger of Philadelphia, who had come from thence
+express with a paquet from Governor Denny for the General. 
+He delivered to me some letters from my friends there, which occasion'd
+my inquiring when he was to return, and where be lodg'd, that I
+might send some letters by him.  He told me he was order'd to call
+to-morrow at nine for the general's answer to the governor, and should
+set off immediately.  I put my letters into his hands the same day. 
+A fortnight after I met him again in the same place.  "So, you
+are soon return'd, Innis?"  "Returned! no, I am not gone yet." 
+"How so?"  "I have called here by order every morning these two
+weeks past for his lordship's letter, and it is not yet ready." 
+"Is it possible, when he is so great a writer? for I see him
+constantly at his escritoire."  "Yes," says Innis, "but he is like
+St. George on the signs, always on horseback, and never rides on!" 
+This observation of the messenger was, it seems, well founded; for,
+when in England, I understood that Mr. Pitt gave it as one reason
+for removing this general, and sending Generals Amherst and Wolfe,
+that the minister never heard from him, and could not know what he
+was doing.
+
+This daily expectation of sailing, and all the three paquets going
+down to Sandy Hook, to join the fleet there, the passengers thought
+it best to be on board, lest by a sudden order the ships should sail,
+and they be left behind.  There, if I remember right, we were about
+six weeks, consuming our sea-stores, and oblig'd to procure more. 
+At length the fleet sail'd, the General and all his army on board,
+bound to Louisburg, with intent to besiege and take that fortress;
+all the paquet-boats in company ordered to attend the General's ship,
+ready to receive his dispatches when they should be ready. 
+We were out five days before we got a letter with leave to part,
+and then our ship quitted the fleet and steered for England.  The other
+two paquets he still detained, carried them with him to Halifax,
+where he stayed some time to exercise the men in sham attacks
+upon sham forts, then alter'd his mind as to besieging Louisburg,
+and return'd to New York, with all his troops, together with the two
+paquets above mentioned, and all their passengers!  During his
+absence the French and savages had taken Fort George, on the frontier
+of that province, and the savages had massacred many of the garrison
+after capitulation.
+
+I saw afterwards in London Captain Bonnell, who commanded one
+of those paquets.  He told me that, when he had been detain'd
+a month, he acquainted his lordship that his ship was grown foul,
+to a degree that must necessarily hinder her fast sailing, a point
+of consequence for a paquet-boat, and requested an allowance
+of time to heave her down and clean her bottom.  He was asked
+how long time that would require.  He answer'd, three days. 
+The general replied, "If you can do it in one day, I give leave;
+otherwise not; for you must certainly sail the day after to-morrow."
+So he never obtain'd leave, though detained afterwards from day
+to day during full three months.
+
+I saw also in London one of Bonnell's passengers, who was so enrag'd
+against his lordship for deceiving and detaining him so long
+at New York, and then carrying him to Halifax and back again,
+that he swore he would sue for damages.  Whether he did or not,
+I never heard; but, as he represented the injury to his affairs,
+it was very considerable.
+
+On the whole, I wonder'd much how such a man came to be intrusted
+with so important a business as the conduct of a great army;
+but, having since seen more of the great world, and the means
+of obtaining, and motives for giving places, my wonder is diminished. 
+General Shirley, on whom the command of the army devolved upon
+the death of Braddock, would, in my opinion, if continued in place,
+have made a much better campaign than that of Loudoun in 1757,
+which was frivolous, expensive, and disgraceful to our nation
+beyond conception; for, tho' Shirley was not a bred soldier, he was
+sensible and sagacious in himself, and attentive to good advice
+from others, capable of forming judicious plans, and quick and active
+in carrying them into execution.  Loudoun, instead of defending
+the colonies with his great army, left them totally expos'd while
+he paraded idly at Halifax, by which means Fort George was lost,
+besides, he derang'd all our mercantile operations, and distress'd
+our trade, by a long embargo on the exportation of provisions,
+on pretence of keeping supplies from being obtain'd by the enemy,
+but in reality for beating down their price in favor of the contractors,
+in whose profits, it was said, perhaps from suspicion only, he had
+a share.  And, when at length the embargo was taken off, by neglecting
+to send notice of it to Charlestown, the Carolina fleet was detain'd
+near three months longer, whereby their bottoms were so much damaged
+by the worm that a great part of them foundered in their passage home.
+
+Shirley was, I believe, sincerely glad of being relieved from
+so burdensome a charge as the conduct of an army must be to a man
+unacquainted with military business.  I was at the entertainment
+given by the city of New York to Lord Loudoun, on his taking upon him
+the command.  Shirley, tho' thereby superseded, was present also. 
+There was a great company of officers, citizens, and strangers, and,
+some chairs having been borrowed in the neighborhood, there was one among
+them very low, which fell to the lot of Mr. Shirley.  Perceiving it
+as I sat by him, I said, "They have given you, sir, too low a seat." 
+"No matter," says he, "Mr. Franklin, I find a low seat the easiest."
+
+While I was, as afore mention'd, detain'd at New York, I receiv'd
+all the accounts of the provisions, etc., that I had furnish'd
+to Braddock, some of which accounts could not sooner be obtain'd
+from the different persons I had employ'd to assist in the business. 
+I presented them to Lord Loudoun, desiring to be paid the ballance. 
+He caus'd them to be regularly examined by the proper officer, who,
+after comparing every article with its voucher, certified them
+to be right; and the balance due for which his lordship promis'd
+to give me an order on the paymaster.  This was, however, put off
+from time to time; and, tho' I call'd often for it by appointment,
+I did not get it.  At length, just before my departure, he told me
+he had, on better consideration, concluded not to mix his accounts
+with those of his predecessors.  "And you," says he, "when in England,
+have only to exhibit your accounts at the treasury, and you will be
+paid immediately."
+
+I mention'd, but without effect, the great and unexpected expense I
+had been put to by being detain'd so long at New York, as a reason
+for my desiring to be presently paid; and on my observing that it was
+not right I should be put to any further trouble or delay in obtaining
+the money I had advanc'd, as I charged no commission for my service,
+"0, sir," says he, "you must not think of persuading us that you are
+no gainer; we understand better those affairs, and know that every
+one concerned in supplying the army finds means, in the doing it,
+to fill his own pockets."  I assur'd him that was not my case,
+and that I had not pocketed a farthing; but he appear'd clearly
+not to believe me; and, indeed, I have since learnt that immense
+fortunes are often made in such employments.  As to my ballance,
+I am not paid it to this day, of which more hereafter.
+
+Our captain of the paquet had boasted much, before we sailed,
+of the swiftness of his ship; unfortunately, when we came to sea,
+she proved the dullest of ninety-six sail, to his no small mortification. 
+After many conjectures respecting the cause, when we were near
+another ship almost as dull as ours, which, however, gain'd upon us,
+the captain ordered all hands to come aft, and stand as near the ensign
+staff as possible.  We were, passengers included, about forty persons. 
+While we stood there, the ship mended her pace, and soon left her
+neighbour far behind, which prov'd clearly what our captain suspected,
+that she was loaded too much by the head.  The casks of water,
+it seems, had been all plac'd forward; these he therefore order'd
+to be mov'd further aft, on which the ship recover'd her character,
+and proved the sailer in the fleet.
+
+The captain said she had once gone at the rate of thirteen knots,
+which is accounted thirteen miles per hour.  We had on board,
+as a passenger, Captain Kennedy, of the Navy, who contended that it
+was impossible, and that no ship ever sailed so fast, and that
+there must have been some error in the division of the log-line,
+or some mistake in heaving the log.  A wager ensu'd between the
+two captains, to be decided when there should be sufficient wind. 
+Kennedy thereupon examin'd rigorously the log-line, and,
+being satisfi'd with that, he determin'd to throw the log himself. 
+Accordingly some days after, when the wind blew very fair and fresh,
+and the captain of the paquet, Lutwidge, said he believ'd she then
+went at the rate of thirteen knots, Kennedy made the experiment,
+and own'd his wager lost.
+
+The above fact I give for the sake of the following observation. 
+It has been remark'd, as an imperfection in the art of ship-building,
+that it can never be known, till she is tried, whether a new ship will
+or will not be a good sailer; for that the model of a good-sailing
+ship has been exactly follow'd in a new one, which has prov'd, on
+the contrary, remarkably dull.  I apprehend that this may partly be
+occasion'd by the different opinions of seamen respecting the modes
+of lading, rigging, and sailing of a ship; each has his system;
+and the same vessel, laden by the judgment and orders of one captain,
+shall sail better or worse than when by the orders of another. 
+Besides, it scarce ever happens that a ship is form'd, fitted for
+the sea, and sail'd by the same person.  One man builds the hull,
+another rigs her, a third lades and sails her.  No one of these has
+the advantage of knowing all the ideas and experience of the others,
+and, therefore, can not draw just conclusions from a combination
+of the whole.
+
+Even in the simple operation of sailing when at sea, I have
+often observ'd different judgments in the officers who commanded
+the successive watches, the wind being the same.  One would have
+the sails trimm'd sharper or flatter than another, so that they
+seem'd to have no certain rule to govern by.  Yet I think a set
+of experiments might be instituted, first, to determine the most
+proper form of the hull for swift sailing; next, the best dimensions
+and properest place for the masts:  then the form and quantity
+of sails, and their position, as the wind may be; and, lastly,
+the disposition of the lading.  This is an age of experiments,
+and I think a set accurately made and combin'd would be of great use. 
+I am persuaded, therefore, that ere long some ingenious philosopher
+will undertake it, to whom I wish success.
+
+We were several times chas'd in our passage, but outsail'd every thing,
+and in thirty days had soundings.  We had a good observation,
+and the captain judg'd himself so near our port, Falmouth, that,
+if we made a good run in the night, we might be off the mouth
+of that harbor in the morning, and by running in the night might
+escape the notice of the enemy's privateers, who often crus'd near
+the entrance of the channel.  Accordingly, all the sail was set
+that we could possibly make, and the wind being very fresh and fair,
+we went right before it, and made great way.  The captain,
+after his observation, shap'd his course, as he thought, so as to
+pass wide of the Scilly Isles; but it seems there is sometimes
+a strong indraught setting up St. George's Channel, which deceives
+seamen and caused the loss of Sir Cloudesley Shovel's squadron. 
+This indraught was probably the cause of what happened to us.
+
+We had a watchman plac'd in the bow, to whom they often called,
+"Look well out before there," and he as often answered, "Ay ay;
+" but perhaps had his eyes shut, and was half asleep at the time,
+they sometimes answering, as is said, mechanically; for he did not
+see a light just before us, which had been hid by the studdingsails
+from the man at the helm, and from the rest of the watch,
+but by an accidental yaw of the ship was discover'd, and occasion'd
+a great alarm, we being very near it, the light appearing
+to me as big as a cart-wheel. It was midnight, and our captain
+fast asleep; but Captain Kennedy, jumping upon deck, and seeing
+the danger, ordered the ship to wear round, all sails standing;
+an operation dangerous to the masts, but it carried us clear,
+and we escaped shipwreck, for we were running right upon the rocks
+on which the light-house was erected.  This deliverance impressed
+me strongly with the utility of light-houses, and made me resolve
+to encourage the building more of them in America, if I should live
+to return there.
+
+In the morning it was found by the soundings, etc., that we were near
+our port, but a thick fog hid the land from our sight.  About nine
+o'clock the fog began to rise, and seem'd to be lifted up from
+the water like the curtain at a play-house, discovering underneath,
+the town of Falmouth, the vessels in its harbor, and the fields
+that surrounded it.  This was a most pleasing spectacle to those
+who had been so long without any other prospects than the uniform
+view of a vacant ocean, and it gave us the more pleasure as we
+were now free from the anxieties which the state of war occasion'd.
+
+I set out immediately, with my son, for London, and we only stopt
+a little by the way to view Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, and Lord
+Pembroke's house and gardens, with his very curious antiquities
+at Wilton.  We arrived in London the 27th of July, 1757.<16>
+
+     <16> Here terminates the Autobiography, as published by
+          Wm. Temple Franklin and his successors.  What follows
+          was written in the last year of Dr. Franklin's life,
+          and was first printed (in English) in Mr. Bigelow's
+          edition of 1868.--ED.
+
+AS SOON as I was settled in a lodging Mr. Charles had provided for me,
+I went to visit Dr. Fothergill, to whom I was strongly recommended,
+and whose counsel respecting my proceedings I was advis'd to obtain. 
+He was against an immediate complaint to government, and thought
+the proprietaries should first be personally appli'd to, who might
+possibly be induc'd by the interposition and persuasion of some
+private friends, to accommodate matters amicably.  I then waited
+on my old friend and correspondent, Mr. Peter Collinson, who told
+me that John Hanbury, the great Virginia merchant, had requested
+to be informed when I should arrive, that he might carry me to Lord
+Granville's, who was then President of the Council and wished to see
+me as soon as possible.  I agreed to go with him the next morning. 
+Accordingly Mr. Hanbury called for me and took me in his carriage
+to that nobleman's, who receiv'd me with great civility; and after
+some questions respecting the present state of affairs in America
+and discourse thereupon, he said to me:  "You Americans have wrong
+ideas of the nature of your constitution; you contend that the king's
+instructions to his governors are not laws, and think yourselves
+at liberty to regard or disregard them at your own discretion. 
+But those instructions are not like the pocket instructions given
+to a minister going abroad, for regulating his conduct in some
+trifling point of ceremony.  They are first drawn up by judges
+learned in the laws; they are then considered, debated, and perhaps
+amended in Council, after which they are signed by the king. 
+They are then, so far as they relate to you, the law of the land,
+for the king is the LEGISLATOR OF THE COLONIES."  I told his
+lordship this was new doctrine to me.  I had always understood
+from our charters that our laws were to be made by our Assemblies,
+to be presented indeed to the king for his royal assent,
+but that being once given the king could not repeal or alter them. 
+And as the Assemblies could not make permanent laws without
+his assent, so neither could he make a law for them without theirs. 
+He assur'd me I was totally mistaken.  I did not think so, however,
+and his lordship's conversation having a little alarm'd me as to
+what might be the sentiments of the court concerning us, I wrote
+it down as soon as I return'd to my lodgings.  I recollected that
+about 20 years before, a clause in a bill brought into Parliament
+by the ministry had propos'd to make the king's instructions laws
+in the colonies, but the clause was thrown out by the Commons,
+for which we adored them as our friends and friends of liberty,
+till by their conduct towards us in 1765 it seem'd that they had
+refus'd that point of sovereignty to the king only that they might
+reserve it for themselves.
+
+After some days, Dr. Fothergill having spoken to the proprietaries,
+they agreed to a meeting with me at Mr. T. Penn's house in Spring Garden. 
+The conversation at first consisted of mutual declarations
+of disposition to reasonable accommodations, but I suppose each
+party had its own ideas of what should be meant by reasonable. 
+We then went into consideration of our several points of complaint,
+which I enumerated.  The proprietaries justify'd their conduct
+as well as they could, and I the Assembly's. We now appeared
+very wide, and so far from each other in our opinions as to
+discourage all hope of agreement.  However, it was concluded
+that I should give them the heads of our complaints in writing,
+and they promis'd then to consider them.  I did so soon after,
+but they put the paper into the hands of their solicitor,
+Ferdinand John Paris, who managed for them all their law business
+in their great suit with the neighbouring proprietary of Maryland,
+Lord Baltimore, which had subsisted 70 years, and wrote for them
+all their papers and messages in their dispute with the Assembly. 
+He was a proud, angry man, and as I had occasionally in the answers
+of the Assembly treated his papers with some severity, they being
+really weak in point of argument and haughty in expression,
+he had conceived a mortal enmity to me, which discovering itself
+whenever we met, I declin'd the proprietary's proposal that he
+and I should discuss the heads of complaint between our two selves,
+and refus'd treating with any one but them.  They then by his advice
+put the paper into the hands of the Attorney and Solicitor-General
+for their opinion and counsel upon it, where it lay unanswered
+a year wanting eight days, during which time I made frequent demands
+of an answer from the proprietaries, but without obtaining any other
+than that they had not yet received the opinion of the Attorney
+and Solicitor-General.  What it was when they did receive it I
+never learnt, for they did not communicate it to me, but sent a long
+message to the Assembly drawn and signed by Paris, reciting my paper,
+complaining of its want of formality, as a rudeness on my part,
+and giving a flimsy justification of their conduct, adding that they
+should be willing to accommodate matters if the Assembly would send
+out some person of candour to treat with them for that purpose,
+intimating thereby that I was not such.
+
+The want of formality or rudeness was, probably, my not having
+address'd the paper to them with their assum'd titles of True
+and Absolute Proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania,
+which I omitted as not thinking it necessary in a paper,
+the intention of which was only to reduce to a certainty by writing,
+what in conversation I had delivered viva voce.
+
+But during this delay, the Assembly having prevailed with Gov'r
+Denny to pass an act taxing the proprietary estate in common with
+the estates of the people, which was the grand point in dispute,
+they omitted answering the message.
+
+When this act however came over, the proprietaries, counselled
+by Paris, determined to oppose its receiving the royal assent. 
+Accordingly they petition'd the king in Council, and a hearing was
+appointed in which two lawyers were employ'd by them against the act,
+and two by me in support of it.  They alledg'd that the act was
+intended to load the proprietary estate in order to spare those
+of the people, and that if it were suffer'd to continue in force,
+and the proprietaries who were in odium with the people, left to their
+mercy in proportioning the taxes, they would inevitably be ruined. 
+We reply'd that the act had no such intention, and would have no
+such effect.  That the assessors were honest and discreet men under
+an oath to assess fairly and equitably, and that any advantage each
+of them might expect in lessening his own tax by augmenting that of
+the proprietaries was too trifling to induce them to perjure themselves. 
+This is the purport of what I remember as urged by both sides,
+except that we insisted strongly on the mischievous consequences
+that must attend a repeal, for that the money, L100,000, being printed
+and given to the king's use, expended in his service, and now spread
+among the people, the repeal would strike it dead in their hands
+to the ruin of many, and the total discouragement of future grants,
+and the selfishness of the proprietors in soliciting such a
+general catastrophe, merely from a groundless fear of their estate
+being taxed too highly, was insisted on in the strongest terms. 
+On this, Lord Mansfield, one of the counsel rose, and beckoning me
+took me into the clerk's chamber, while the lawyers were pleading,
+and asked me if I was really of opinion that no injury would be done
+the proprietary estate in the execution of the act.  I said certainly. 
+"Then," says he, "you can have little objection to enter into
+an engagement to assure that point."  I answer'd, "None at all." 
+He then call'd in Paris, and after some discourse, his lordship's
+proposition was accepted on both sides; a paper to the purpose was
+drawn up by the Clerk of the Council, which I sign'd with Mr. Charles,
+who was also an Agent of the Province for their ordinary affairs,
+when Lord Mansfield returned to the Council Chamber, where finally
+the law was allowed to pass.  Some changes were however recommended
+and we also engaged they should be made by a subsequent law,
+but the Assembly did not think them necessary; for one year's tax
+having been levied by the act before the order of Council arrived,
+they appointed a committee to examine the proceedings of the assessors,
+and on this committee they put several particular friends of
+the proprietaries.  After a full enquiry, they unanimously sign'd
+a report that they found the tax had been assess'd with perfect equity.
+
+The Assembly looked into my entering into the first part of
+the engagement, as an essential service to the Province, since it
+secured the credit of the paper money then spread over all the country. 
+They gave me their thanks in form when I return'd. But the proprietaries
+were enraged at Governor Denny for having pass'd the act, and turn'd
+him out with threats of suing him for breach of instructions
+which he had given bond to observe.  He, however, having done it
+at the instance of the General, and for His Majesty's service,
+and having some powerful interest at court, despis'd the threats
+and they were never put in execution.  . . . [Unfinished].
+
+
+CHIEF EVENTS IN FRANKLIN'S LIFE
+
+[Ending, as it does, with the year 1757, the autobiography leaves
+important facts un-recorded.  It has seemed advisable, therefore, to
+detail the chief events in Franklin's life, from the beginning, in
+the following list:
+
+1706    He is born, in Boston, and baptized in the Old South Church.
+
+1714    At the age of eight, enters the Grammar School.
+
+1716    Becomes his father's assistant in the tallow-chandlery business.
+
+1718    Apprenticed to his brother James, printer.
+
+1721    Writes ballads and peddles them, in printed form, in the
+        streets; contributes, anonymously, to the "New England
+        Courant," and temporarily edits that paper; becomes a
+        free-thinker, and a vegetarian.
+
+1723    Breaks his indenture and removes to Philadelphia; obtaining
+        employment in Keimer's printing-office; abandons vegetarianism.
+
+1724    Is persuaded by Governor Keith to establish himself independently,
+        and goes to London to buy type; works at his trade there, and
+        publishes "Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity,
+        Pleasure and Pain."
+
+1726    Returns to Philadelphia; after serving as clerk in a dry goods
+        store, becomes manager of Keimer's printing-house.
+
+1727    Founds the Junto, or "Leathern Apron" Club.
+
+1728    With Hugh Meredith, opens a printing-office.
+
+1729    Becomes proprietor and editor of the "Pennsylvania Gazette";
+        prints, anonymously, "Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency";
+        opens a stationer's shop.
+
+1730    Marries Rebecca Read.
+
+1731    Founds the Philadelphia Library.
+
+1732    Publishes the first number of "Poor Richard's Almanac" under
+        the pseudonym of "Richard Saunders." The Almanac, which
+        continued for twenty-five years to contain his witty,
+        worldly-wise sayings, played a very large part in bringing
+        together and molding the American character which was at
+        that time made up of so many diverse and scattered types.
+
+1738    Begins to study French, Italian, Spanish, and Latin.
+
+1736    Chosen clerk of the General Assembly; forms the Union Fire
+        Company of Philadelphia.
+
+1737    Elected to the Assembly; appointed Deputy Postmaster-General;
+        plans a city police.
+
+1742    Invents the open, or "Franklin," stove.
+
+1743    Proposes a plan for an Academy, which is adopted 1749 and
+        develops into the University of Pennsylvania.
+
+1744    Establishes the American Philosophical Society.
+
+1746    Publishes a pamphlet, "Plain Truth," on the necessity for
+        disciplined defense, and forms a military company; begins
+        electrical experiments.
+
+1748    Sells out his printing business; is appointed on the
+        Commission of the Peace, chosen to the Common Council,
+        and to the Assembly.
+
+1749    Appointed a Commissioner to trade with the Indians.
+
+1751    Aids in founding a hospital.
+
+1752    Experiments with a kite and discovers that lightning is an
+        electrical discharge.
+
+1753    Awarded the Copley medal for this discovery, and elected a
+        member of the Royal Society; receives the degree of M.A.
+        from Yale and Harvard.  Appointed joint Postmaster-General.
+
+1754    Appointed one of the Commissioners from Pennsylvania to the
+        Colonial Congress at Albany; proposes a plan for the union
+        of the colonies.
+
+1755    Pledges his personal property in order that supplies may be
+        raised for Braddock's army; obtains a grant from the Assembly
+        in aid of the Crown Point expedition; carries through a bill
+        establishing a voluntary militia; is appointed Colonel,
+        and takes the field.
+
+1757    Introduces a bill in the Assembly for paving the streets of
+        Philadelphia; publishes his famous "Way to Wealth"; goes to
+        England to plead the cause of the Assembly against the
+        Proprietaries; remains as agent for Pennsylvania; enjoys the
+        friendship of the scientific and literary men of the kingdom.
+
+  [HERE THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY BREAKS OFF]
+
+1760    Secures from the Privy Council, by a compromise, a decision
+        obliging the Proprietary estates to contribute to the public
+        revenue.
+
+1762    Receives the degree of LL.D. from Oxford and Edinburgh; returns
+        to America.
+
+1763    Makes a five months' tour of the northern colonies for the
+        Purpose of inspecting the post-offices.
+
+1764    Defeated by the Penn faction for reelection to the Assembly;
+        sent to England as agent for Pennsylvania.
+
+1765    Endeavors to prevent the passage of the Stamp Act.
+
+1766    Examined before the House of Commons relative to the
+        passage of the Stamp Act; appointed agent of Massachusetts,
+        New Jersey, and Georgia; visits Gottingen University.
+
+1767    Travels in France and is presented at court.
+
+1769    Procures a telescope for Harvard College.
+
+1772    Elected Associe Etranger of the French Academy.
+
+1774    Dismissed from the office of Postmaster-General; influences
+        Thomas Paine to emigrate to America.
+
+1775    Returns to America; chosen a delegate to the Second Continental
+        Congress; placed on the committee of secret correspondence;
+        appointed one of the commissioners to secure the cooperation
+        of Canada.
+
+1776    Placed on the committee to draft a Declaration of Independence;
+        chosen president of the Constitutional Committee of Pennsylvania;
+        sent to France as agent of the colonies.
+
+1778    Concludes treaties of defensive alliance, and of amity and
+        commerce; is received at court.
+
+1779    Appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France.
+
+1780    Appoints Paul Jones commander of the "Alliance."
+
+1782    Signs the preliminary articles of peace.
+
+1783    Signs the definite treaty of peace.
+
+1785    Returns to America; is chosen President of Pennsylvania;
+        reelected 1786.
+
+1787    Reelected President; sent as delegate to the convention for
+        framing a Federal Constitution.
+
+1788    Retires from public life.
+
+1790    April 17, dies.  His grave is in the churchyard at Fifth and
+        Arch streets, Philadelphia.  Editor.
+
+
+
+End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
+by Benjamin Franklin
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+Title: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
+
+Author: Benjamin Franklin
+
+Release Date: July, 1994 [EBook #148]
+[This file was last updated on January 19, 2005]
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+Edition: 11
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+Language: English
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+Character set encoding: ASCII
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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ***
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
+
+WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES
+EDITED BY CHARLES W ELIOT LLD
+P F COLLIER & SON COMPANY, NEW YORK (1909)
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Milk Street, Boston, on January
+6, 1706.  His father, Josiah Franklin, was a tallow chandler who
+married twice, and of his seventeen children Benjamin was the youngest
+son.  His schooling ended at ten, and at twelve he was bound apprentice
+to his brother James, a printer, who published the "New England
+Courant." To this journal he became a contributor, and later was for
+a time its nominal editor. But the brothers quarreled, and Benjamin
+ran away, going first to New York, and thence to Philadelphia, where
+he arrived in October, 1723.  He soon obtained work as a printer,
+but after a few months he was induced by Governor Keith to go to
+London, where, finding Keith's promises empty, he again worked as a
+compositor till he was brought back to Philadelphia by a merchant
+named  Denman, who gave him a position in his business. On Denman's
+death he returned to his former trade, and shortly set up a printing
+house of his own from which he published "The Pennsylvania Gazette,"
+to which he contributed many essays, and which he made a medium for
+agitating a variety of local reforms. In 1732 he began to issue his
+famous "Poor Richard's Almanac" for the enrichment of which he borrowed
+or composed those pithy utterances of worldly wisdom which are the
+basis of a large part of his popular reputation.  In 1758, the year
+in which he ceases writing for the Almanac, he printed in it "Father
+Abraham's Sermon," now regarded as the most famous piece of literature
+produced in Colonial America.
+
+Meantime Franklin was concerning himself more and more with
+public affairs.  He set forth a scheme for an Academy, which was
+taken up later and finally developed into the University of Pennsylvania;
+and he founded an "American Philosophical Society" for the purpose
+of enabling scientific  men to communicate their discoveries to one
+another.  He himself had already begun his electrical researches,
+which, with other scientific inquiries, he called on in the intervals
+of money-making and politics to the end of his life.  In 1748 he
+sold his business in order to get leisure for study, having now
+acquired comparative wealth; and in a few years he had made discoveries
+that gave him a reputation with the learned throughout Europe.  In
+politics he proved very able both as an administrator and as a
+controversialist; but his record as an office-holder is stained by
+the use he made of his position to advance his relatives.  His most
+notable service in home politics was his reform of the postal system;
+but his fame as a statesman rests chiefly on his services in connection
+with the relations of the Colonies with Great Britain, and later with
+France.  In 1757 he was sent to England to protest against the
+influence of the Penns in the government of the colony, and for five
+years he remained there, striving to enlighten the people and the
+ministry of England as to Colonial conditions.  On his return to
+America he played an honorable part in the Paxton affair, through
+which he lost his seat in the Assembly; but in 1764 he was again
+despatched to England as agent for the colony, this time to petition
+the King to resume the government from the hands of the proprietors.
+In London he actively opposed the proposed Stamp Act, but lost the
+credit for this and much of his popularity through his securing for
+a friend the office of stamp agent in America.  Even his effective
+work in helping to obtain the repeal of the act left him still a
+suspect; but he continued his efforts to present the case for the
+Colonies as the troubles thickened toward the crisis of the Revolution.
+In 1767 he crossed to France, where he was received with honor; but
+before his return home in 1775 he lost his position as postmaster
+through his share in divulging to Massachusetts the famous letter of
+Hutchinson and Oliver.  On his arrival in Philadelphia he was chosen
+a member of the Continental Congress and in 1777 he was despatched
+to France as commissioner for the United States.  Here he remained
+till 1785, the favorite of French society; and with such success did
+he conduct the affairs of his country that when he finally returned
+he received a place only second to that of Washington as the champion
+of American independence.  He died on April 17, 1790.
+
+The first five chapters of the Autobiography were composed in
+England in 1771, continued in 1784-5, and again in 1788, at which
+date he brought it down to 1757.  After a most extraordinary series
+of adventures, the original form of the manuscript was finally printed
+by Mr. John Bigelow, and is here reproduced in recognition of its
+value as a picture of one of the most notable personalities of Colonial
+times, and of its acknowledged rank as one of the great autobiographies
+of the world.
+
+
+
+
+
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
+HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY
+1706-1757
+
+TWYFORD, at the Bishop of St. Asaph's,<0>  1771.
+
+     <0> The country-seat of Bishop Shipley, the good bishop,
+         as Dr. Franklin used to style him.--B.
+
+DEAR SON:  I have ever had pleasure in obtaining any little
+anecdotes of my ancestors.  You may remember the inquiries I made
+among the remains of my relations when you were with me in England,
+and the journey I undertook for that purpose.  Imagining it may be
+equally agreeable to<1> you to know the circumstances of my life,
+many of which you are yet unacquainted with, and expecting the enjoyment
+of a week's uninterrupted leisure in my present country retirement,
+I sit down to write them for you.  To which I have besides some
+other inducements.  Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity
+in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and some
+degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through
+life with a considerable share of felicity, the conducing means
+I made use of, which with the blessing of God so well succeeded,
+my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them
+suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit to be imitated.
+
+     <1> After the words "agreeable to" the words "some of" were
+         interlined and afterward effaced.--B.
+
+That felicity, when I reflected on it, has induced me sometimes
+to say, that were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection
+to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking
+the advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults
+of the first.  So I might, besides correcting the faults, change some
+sinister accidents and events of it for others more favorable.
+But though this were denied, I should still accept the offer.
+Since such a repetition is not to be expected, the next thing
+most like living one's life over again seems to be a recollection
+of that life, and to make that recollection as durable as possible
+by putting it down in writing.
+
+Hereby, too, I shall indulge the inclination so natural in old men,
+to be talking of themselves and their own past actions; and I shall
+indulge it without being tiresome to others, who, through respect
+to age, might conceive themselves obliged to give me a hearing,
+since this may be read or not as any one pleases.  And, lastly (I may
+as well confess it, since my denial of it will be believed by nobody),
+perhaps I shall a good deal gratify my own vanity.  Indeed, I scarce
+ever heard or saw the introductory words, "Without vanity I may say,"
+&c., but some vain thing immediately followed.  Most people dislike
+vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves;
+but I give it fair quarter wherever I meet with it, being persuaded
+that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to others
+that are within his sphere of action; and therefore, in many cases,
+it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his
+vanity among the other comforts of life.
+
+And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all humility
+to acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past
+life to His kind providence, which lead me to the means I used
+and gave them success.  My belief of this induces me to hope,
+though I must not presume, that the same goodness will still be
+exercised toward me, in continuing that happiness, or enabling
+me to bear a fatal reverse, which I may experience as others
+have done:  the complexion of my future fortune being known
+to Him only in whose power it is to bless to us even our afflictions.
+
+The notes one of my uncles (who had the same kind of curiosity
+in collecting family anecdotes) once put into my hands,
+furnished me with several particulars relating to our ancestors.
+From these notes I learned that the family had lived in the
+same village, Ecton, in Northamptonshire, for three hundred years,
+and how much longer he knew not (perhaps from the time when the name
+of Franklin, that before was the name of an order of people,
+was assumed by them as a surname when others took surnames
+all over the kingdom), on a freehold of about thirty acres,
+aided by the smith's business, which had continued in the family
+till his time, the eldest son being always bred to that business;
+a custom which he and my father followed as to their eldest sons.
+When I searched the registers at Ecton, I found an account
+of their births, marriages and burials from the year 1555 only,
+there being no registers kept in that parish at any time preceding.
+By that register I perceived that I was the youngest son of the
+youngest son for five generations back.  My grandfather Thomas,
+who was born in 1598, lived at Ecton till he grew too old to
+follow business longer, when he went to live with his son John,
+a dyer at Banbury, in Oxfordshire, with whom my father served
+an apprenticeship.  There my grandfather died and lies buried.
+We saw his gravestone in 1758.  His eldest son Thomas lived in
+the house at Ecton, and left it with the land to his only child,
+a daughter, who, with her husband, one Fisher, of Wellingborough,
+sold it to Mr. Isted, now lord of the manor there.  My grandfather
+had four sons that grew up, viz.: Thomas, John, Benjamin and Josiah.
+I will give you what account I can of them, at this distance from
+my papers, and if these are not lost in my absence, you will among
+them find many more particulars.
+
+Thomas was bred a smith under his father; but, being ingenious,
+and encouraged in learning (as all my brothers were) by an Esquire
+Palmer, then the principal gentleman in that parish, he qualified
+himself for the business of scrivener; became a considerable man
+in the county; was a chief mover of all public-spirited undertakings
+for the county or town of Northampton, and his own village,
+of which many instances were related of him; and much taken notice
+of and patronized by the then Lord Halifax.  He died in 1702,
+January 6, old style, just four years to a day before I was born.
+The account we received of his life and character from some old
+people at Ecton, I remember, struck you as something extraordinary,
+from its similarity to what you knew of mine.
+
+"Had he died on the same day," you said, "one might have supposed
+a transmigration."
+
+John was bred a dyer, I believe of woolens.  Benjamin was bred a silk
+dyer, serving an apprenticeship at London.  He was an ingenious man.
+I remember him well, for when I was a boy he came over to my father
+in Boston, and lived in the house with us some years.  He lived
+to a great age.  His grandson, Samuel Franklin, now lives in Boston.
+He left behind him two quarto volumes, MS., of his own poetry, consisting
+of little occasional pieces addressed to his friends and relations,
+of which the following, sent to me, is a specimen.<2> He had formed
+a short-hand of his own, which he taught me, but, never practising it,
+I have now forgot it.  I was named after this uncle, there being
+a particular affection between him and my father.  He was very pious,
+a great attender of sermons of the best preachers, which he took
+down in his short-hand, and had with him many volumes of them.
+He was also much of a politician; too much, perhaps, for his station.
+There fell lately into my hands, in London, a collection he had
+made of all the principal pamphlets, relating to public affairs,
+from 1641 to 1717; many of the volumes are wanting as appears
+by the numbering, but there still remain eight volumes in folio,
+and twenty-four in quarto and in octavo.  A dealer in old books
+met with them, and knowing me by my sometimes buying of him,
+he brought them to me.  It seems my uncle must have left them here,
+when he went to America, which was about fifty years since.
+There are many of his notes in the margins.
+
+     <2> Here follow in the margin the words, in brackets, "here
+         insert it," but the poetry is not given.  Mr. Sparks
+         informs us (Life of Franklin, p. 6) that these volumes
+         had been preserved, and were in possession of Mrs. Emmons,
+         of Boston, great-granddaughter of their author.
+
+This obscure family of ours was early in the Reformation,
+and continued Protestants through the reign of Queen Mary,
+when they were sometimes in danger of trouble on account of their
+zeal against popery.  They had got an English Bible, and to conceal
+and secure it, it was fastened open with tapes under and within
+the cover of a joint-stool. When my great-great-grandfather read
+it to his family, he turned up the joint-stool upon his knees,
+turning over the leaves then under the tapes.  One of the children
+stood at the door to give notice if he saw the apparitor coming,
+who was an officer of the spiritual court.  In that case the stool
+was turned down again upon its feet, when the Bible remained concealed
+under it as before.  This anecdote I had from my uncle Benjamin.
+The family continued all of the Church of England till about the end
+of Charles the Second's reign, when some of the ministers that had been
+outed for nonconformity holding conventicles in Northamptonshire,
+Benjamin and Josiah adhered to them, and so continued all their lives:
+the rest of the family remained with the Episcopal Church.
+
+Josiah, my father, married young, and carried his wife with three
+children into New England, about 1682.  The conventicles having
+been forbidden by law, and frequently disturbed, induced some
+considerable men of his acquaintance to remove to that country,
+and he was prevailed with to accompany them thither, where they expected
+to enjoy their mode of religion with freedom.  By the same wife he
+had four children more born there, and by a second wife ten more,
+in all seventeen; of which I remember thirteen sitting at one time
+at his table, who all grew up to be men and women, and married;
+I was the youngest son, and the youngest child but two, and was born
+in Boston, New England.  My mother, the second wife, was Abiah Folger,
+daughter of Peter Folger, one of the first settlers of New England,
+of whom honorable mention is made by Cotton Mather in his church
+history of that country, entitled Magnalia Christi Americana,
+as 'a godly, learned Englishman," if I remember the words rightly.
+I have heard that he wrote sundry small occasional pieces,
+but only one of them was printed, which I saw now many years since.
+It was written in 1675, in the home-spun verse of that time and people,
+and addressed to those then concerned in the government there.
+It was in favor of liberty of conscience, and in behalf of the Baptists,
+Quakers, and other sectaries that had been under persecution,
+ascribing the Indian wars, and other distresses that had befallen
+the country, to that persecution, as so many judgments of God
+to punish so heinous an offense, and exhorting a repeal of those
+uncharitable laws.  The whole appeared to me as written with a good
+deal of decent plainness and manly freedom.  The six concluding lines
+I remember, though I have forgotten the two first of the stanza;
+but the purport of them was, that his censures proceeded from
+good-will, and, therefore, he would be known to be the author.
+
+          "Because to be a libeller (says he)
+          I hate it with my heart;
+          From Sherburne town, where now I dwell
+          My name I do put here;
+          Without offense your real friend,
+          It is Peter Folgier."
+
+My elder brothers were all put apprentices to different trades.
+I was put to the grammar-school at eight years of age, my father
+intending to devote me, as the tithe of his sons, to the service
+of the Church.  My early readiness in learning to read (which must
+have been very early, as I do not remember when I could not read),
+and the opinion of all his friends, that I should certainly make a
+good scholar, encouraged him in this purpose of his.  My uncle Benjamin,
+too, approved of it, and proposed to give me all his short-hand
+volumes of sermons, I suppose as a stock to set up with, if I would
+learn his character.  I continued, however, at the grammar-school
+not quite one year, though in that time I had risen gradually
+from the middle of the class of that year to be the head of it,
+and farther was removed into the next class above it, in order to go
+with that into the third at the end of the year.  But my father,
+in the meantime, from a view of the expense of a college education,
+which having so large a family he could not well afford, and the mean
+living many so educated were afterwards able to obtain--reasons that
+he gave to his friends in my hearing--altered his first intention,
+took me from the grammar-school, and sent me to a school for writing
+and arithmetic, kept by a then famous man, Mr. George Brownell,
+very successful in his profession generally, and that by mild,
+encouraging methods.  Under him I acquired fair writing pretty soon,
+but I failed in the arithmetic, and made no progress in it.
+At ten years old I was taken home to assist my father in his business,
+which was that of a tallow-chandler and sope-boiler; a business he
+was not bred to, but had assumed on his arrival in New England,
+and on finding his dying trade would not maintain his family,
+being in little request.  Accordingly, I was employed in cutting wick
+for the candles, filling the dipping mold and the molds for cast candles,
+attending the shop, going of errands, etc.
+
+I disliked the trade, and had a strong inclination for the sea,
+but my father declared against it; however, living near the water,
+I was much in and about it, learnt early to swim well, and to
+manage boats; and when in a boat or canoe with other boys, I was
+commonly allowed to govern, especially in any case of difficulty;
+and upon other occasions I was generally a leader among the boys,
+and sometimes led them into scrapes, of which I will mention
+one instance, as it shows an early projecting public spirit, tho'
+not then justly conducted.
+
+There was a salt-marsh that bounded part of the mill-pond,
+on the edge of which, at high water, we used to stand to fish
+for minnows.  By much trampling, we had made it a mere quagmire.
+My proposal was to build a wharff there fit for us to stand upon,
+and I showed my comrades a large heap of stones, which were intended
+for a new house near the marsh, and which would very well suit
+our purpose.  Accordingly, in the evening, when the workmen
+were gone, I assembled a number of my play-fellows, and working
+with them diligently like so many emmets, sometimes two or three
+to a stone, we brought them all away and built our little wharff.
+The next morning the workmen were surprised at missing the stones,
+which were found in our wharff.  Inquiry was made after the removers;
+we were discovered and complained of; several of us were corrected
+by our fathers; and though I pleaded the usefulness of the work,
+mine convinced me that nothing was useful which was not honest.
+
+I think you may like to know something of his person and character.
+He had an excellent constitution of body, was of middle stature,
+but well set, and very strong; he was ingenious, could draw prettily,
+was skilled a little in music, and had a clear pleasing voice,
+so that when he played psalm tunes on his violin and sung withal,
+as he sometimes did in an evening after the business of the day was over,
+it was extremely agreeable to hear.  He had a mechanical genius too,
+and, on occasion, was very handy in the use of other tradesmen's tools;
+but his great excellence lay in a sound understanding and solid
+judgment in prudential matters, both in private and publick affairs.
+In the latter, indeed, he was never employed, the numerous
+family he had to educate and the straitness of his circumstances
+keeping him close to his trade; but I remember well his being
+frequently visited by leading people, who consulted him for his
+opinion in affairs of the town or of the church he belonged to,
+and showed a good deal of respect for his judgment and advice:
+he was also much consulted by private persons about their affairs
+when any difficulty occurred, and frequently chosen an arbitrator
+between contending parties.
+
+At his table he liked to have, as often as he could, some sensible
+friend or neighbor to converse with, and always took care to start
+some ingenious or useful topic for discourse, which might tend
+to improve the minds of his children.  By this means he turned
+our attention to what was good, just, and prudent in the conduct
+of life; and little or no notice was ever taken of what related
+to the victuals on the table, whether it was well or ill dressed,
+in or out of season, of good or bad flavor, preferable or inferior
+to this or that other thing of the kind, so that I was bro't up
+in such a perfect inattention to those matters as to be quite
+indifferent what kind of food was set before me, and so unobservant
+of it, that to this day if I am asked I can scarce tell a few hours
+after dinner what I dined upon.  This has been a convenience to me
+in travelling, where my companions have been sometimes very unhappy
+for want of a suitable gratification of their more delicate,
+because better instructed, tastes and appetites.
+
+My mother had likewise an excellent constitution:  she suckled
+all her ten children.  I never knew either my father or mother
+to have any sickness but that of which they dy'd, he at 89,
+and she at 85 years of age.  They lie buried together at Boston,
+where I some years since placed a marble over their grave,
+with this inscription:
+
+                        JOSIAH FRANKLIN,
+                               and
+                         ABIAH his Wife,
+                       lie here interred.
+             They lived lovingly together in wedlock
+                        fifty-five years.
+          Without an estate, or any gainful employment,
+                 By constant labor and industry,
+                      with God's blessing,
+                 They maintained a large family
+                          comfortably,
+                and brought up thirteen children
+                     and seven grandchildren
+                           reputably.
+                   From this instance, reader,
+           Be encouraged to diligence in thy calling,
+                  And distrust not Providence.
+                 He was a pious and prudent man;
+               She, a discreet and virtuous woman.
+                       Their youngest son,
+                In filial regard to their memory,
+                       Places this stone.
+              J.F. born 1655, died 1744, AEtat 89.
+              A.F. born 1667, died 1752, ----- 95.
+
+
+By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be grown old.
+I us'd to write more methodically.  But one does not dress for private
+company as for a publick ball.  'Tis perhaps only negligence.
+
+To return:  I continued thus employed in my father's business for
+two years, that is, till I was twelve years old; and my brother John,
+who was bred to that business, having left my father, married, and set
+up for himself at Rhode Island, there was all appearance that I
+was destined to supply his place, and become a tallow-chandler.
+But my dislike to the trade continuing, my father was under
+apprehensions that if he did not find one for me more agreeable,
+I should break away and get to sea, as his son Josiah had done,
+to his great vexation.  He therefore sometimes took me to walk with him,
+and see joiners, bricklayers, turners, braziers, etc., at their work,
+that he might observe my inclination, and endeavor to fix it on some
+trade or other on land.  It has ever since been a pleasure to me
+to see good workmen handle their tools; and it has been useful to me,
+having learnt so much by it as to be able to do little jobs myself
+in my house when a workman could not readily be got, and to construct
+little machines for my experiments, while the intention of making
+the experiment was fresh and warm in my mind.  My father at last
+fixed upon the cutler's trade, and my uncle Benjamin's son Samuel,
+who was bred to that business in London, being about that time
+established in Boston, I was sent to be with him some time on liking.
+But his expectations of a fee with me displeasing my father,
+I was taken home again.
+
+From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money
+that came into my hands was ever laid out in books.  Pleased with
+the Pilgrim's Progress, my first collection was of John Bunyan's
+works in separate little volumes.  I afterward sold them to enable
+me to buy R. Burton's Historical Collections; they were small
+chapmen's books, and cheap, 40 or 50 in all.  My father's little
+library consisted chiefly of books in polemic divinity, most of
+which I read, and have since often regretted that, at a time when I
+had such a thirst for knowledge, more proper books had not fallen
+in my way since it was now resolved I should not be a clergyman.
+Plutarch's Lives there was in which I read abundantly, and I still
+think that time spent to great advantage.  There was also a book of De
+Foe's, called an Essay on Projects, and another of Dr. Mather's,
+called Essays to do Good, which perhaps gave me a turn of thinking
+that had an influence on some of the principal future events of my life.
+
+This bookish inclination at length determined my father to make me
+a printer, though he had already one son (James) of that profession.
+In 1717 my brother James returned from England with a press and
+letters to set up his business in Boston.  I liked it much better
+than that of my father, but still had a hankering for the sea.
+To prevent the apprehended effect of such an inclination, my father
+was impatient to have me bound to my brother.  I stood out some time,
+but at last was persuaded, and signed the indentures when I was yet
+but twelve years old.  I was to serve as an apprentice till I was
+twenty-one years of age, only I was to be allowed journeyman's wages
+during the last year.  In a little time I made great proficiency
+in the business, and became a useful hand to my brother.  I now
+had access to better books.  An acquaintance with the apprentices
+of booksellers enabled me sometimes to borrow a small one, which I
+was careful to return soon and clean.  Often I sat up in my room
+reading the greatest part of the night, when the book was borrowed
+in the evening and to be returned early in the morning, lest it
+should be missed or wanted.
+
+And after some time an ingenious tradesman, Mr. Matthew Adams, who had
+a pretty collection of books, and who frequented our printing-house,
+took notice of me, invited me to his library, and very kindly lent
+me such books as I chose to read.  I now took a fancy to poetry,
+and made some little pieces; my brother, thinking it might turn
+to account, encouraged me, and put me on composing occasional ballads.
+One was called The Lighthouse Tragedy, and contained an account
+of the drowning of Captain Worthilake, with his two daughters:
+the other was a sailor's song, on the taking of Teach (or Blackbeard)
+the pirate.  They were wretched stuff, in the Grub-street-ballad style;
+and when they were printed he sent me about the town to sell them.
+The first sold wonderfully, the event being recent, having made
+a great noise.  This flattered my vanity; but my father discouraged
+me by ridiculing my performances, and telling me verse-makers
+were generally beggars.  So I escaped being a poet, most probably
+a very bad one; but as prose writing bad been of great use to me
+in the course of my life, and was a principal means of my advancement,
+I shall tell you how, in such a situation, I acquired what little
+ability I have in that way.
+
+There was another bookish lad in the town, John Collins by name,
+with whom I was intimately acquainted.  We sometimes disputed,
+and very fond we were of argument, and very desirous of confuting
+one another, which disputatious turn, by the way, is apt to become
+a very bad habit, making people often extremely disagreeable in company
+by the contradiction that is necessary to bring it into practice;
+and thence, besides souring and spoiling the conversation,
+is productive of disgusts and, perhaps enmities where you may have
+occasion for friendship.  I had caught it by reading my father's
+books of dispute about religion.  Persons of good sense, I have
+since observed, seldom fall into it, except lawyers, university men,
+and men of all sorts that have been bred at Edinborough.
+
+A question was once, somehow or other, started between Collins
+and me, of the propriety of educating the female sex in learning,
+and their abilities for study.  He was of opinion that it was improper,
+and that they were naturally unequal to it.  I took the contrary side,
+perhaps a little for dispute's sake.  He was naturally more eloquent,
+had a ready plenty of words; and sometimes, as I thought, bore me
+down more by his fluency than by the strength of his reasons.
+As we parted without settling the point, and were not to see one
+another again for some time, I sat down to put my arguments in writing,
+which I copied fair and sent to him.  He answered, and I replied.
+Three or four letters of a side had passed, when my father happened
+to find my papers and read them.  Without entering into the discussion,
+he took occasion to talk to me about the manner of my writing;
+observed that, though I had the advantage of my antagonist in correct
+spelling and pointing (which I ow'd to the printing-house), I fell
+far short in elegance of expression, in method and in perspicuity,
+of which he convinced me by several instances.  I saw the justice
+of his remark, and thence grew more attentive to the manner in writing,
+and determined to endeavor at improvement.
+
+About this time I met with an odd volume of the Spectator.
+It was the third.  I had never before seen any of them.  I bought it,
+read it over and over, and was much delighted with it.  I thought
+the writing excellent, and wished, if possible, to imitate it.
+With this view I took some of the papers, and, making short hints
+of the sentiment in each sentence, laid them by a few days, and then,
+without looking at the book, try'd to compleat the papers again,
+by expressing each hinted sentiment at length, and as fully as it
+had been expressed before, in any suitable words that should
+come to hand.  Then I compared my Spectator with the original,
+discovered some of my faults, and corrected them.  But I found I wanted
+a stock of words, or a readiness in recollecting and using them,
+which I thought I should have acquired before that time if I
+had gone on making verses; since the continual occasion for words
+of the same import, but of different length, to suit the measure,
+or of different sound for the rhyme, would have laid me under a constant
+necessity of searching for variety, and also have tended to fix
+that variety in my mind, and make me master of it.  Therefore I took
+some of the tales and turned them into verse; and, after a time,
+when I had pretty well forgotten the prose, turned them back again.
+I also sometimes jumbled my collections of hints into confusion,
+and after some weeks endeavored to reduce them into the best order,
+before I began to form the full sentences and compleat the paper.
+This was to teach me method in the arrangement of thoughts.
+By comparing my work afterwards with the original, I discovered
+many faults and amended them; but I sometimes had the pleasure
+of fancying that, in certain particulars of small import,
+I had been lucky enough to improve the method or the language,
+and this encouraged me to think I might possibly in time come to be
+a tolerable English writer, of which I was extremely ambitious.
+My time for these exercises and for reading was at night,
+after work or before it began in the morning, or on Sundays,
+when I contrived to be in the printing-house alone, evading as much
+as I could the common attendance on public worship which my father
+used to exact on me when I was under his care, and which indeed
+I still thought a duty, though I could not, as it seemed to me,
+afford time to practise it.
+
+When about 16 years of age I happened to meet with a book,
+written by one Tryon, recommending a vegetable diet.  I determined
+to go into it.  My brother, being yet unmarried, did not keep house,
+but boarded himself and his apprentices in another family.  My refusing
+to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chid
+for my singularity.  I made myself acquainted with Tryon's manner
+of preparing some of his dishes, such as boiling potatoes or rice,
+making hasty pudding, and a few others, and then proposed to my brother,
+that if he would give me, weekly, half the money he paid for my board,
+I would board myself.  He instantly agreed to it, and I presently
+found that I could save half what he paid me.  This was an additional
+fund for buying books.  But I had another advantage in it.
+My brother and the rest going from the printing-house to their meals,
+I remained there alone, and, despatching presently my light repast,
+which often was no more than a bisket or a slice of bread, a handful
+of raisins or a tart from the pastry-cook's, and a glass of water,
+had the rest of the time till their return for study, in which I
+made the greater progress, from that greater clearness of head
+and quicker apprehension which usually attend temperance in eating
+and drinking.
+
+And now it was that, being on some occasion made asham'd of my
+ignorance in figures, which I had twice failed in learning when
+at school, I took Cocker's book of Arithmetick, and went through
+the whole by myself with great ease.  I also read Seller's and
+Shermy's books of Navigation, and became acquainted with the little
+geometry they contain; but never proceeded far in that science.
+And I read about this time Locke On Human Understanding,
+and the Art of Thinking, by Messrs.  du Port Royal.
+
+While I was intent on improving my language, I met with an English
+grammar (I think it was Greenwood's), at the end of which there were
+two little sketches of the arts of rhetoric and logic, the latter
+finishing with a specimen of a dispute in the Socratic method;
+and soon after I procur'd Xenophon's Memorable Things of Socrates,
+wherein there are many instances of the same method.  I was
+charm'd with it, adopted it, dropt my abrupt contradiction and
+positive argumentation, and put on the humble inquirer and doubter.
+And being then, from reading Shaftesbury and Collins, become a real
+doubter in many points of our religious doctrine, I found this method
+safest for myself and very embarrassing to those against whom I used it;
+therefore I took a delight in it, practis'd it continually, and grew
+very artful and expert in drawing people, even of superior knowledge,
+into concessions, the consequences of which they did not foresee,
+entangling them in difficulties out of which they could not
+extricate themselves, and so obtaining victories that neither myself
+nor my cause always deserved.  I continu'd this method some few years,
+but gradually left it, retaining only the habit of expressing myself
+in terms of modest diffidence; never using, when I advanced any thing
+that may possibly be disputed, the words certainly, undoubtedly, or any
+others that give the air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather say,
+I conceive or apprehend a thing to be so and so; it appears to me,
+or I should think it so or so, for such and such reasons;
+or I imagine it to be so; or it is so, if I am not mistaken.
+This habit, I believe, has been of great advantage to me when I
+have had occasion to inculcate my opinions, and persuade men into
+measures that I have been from time to time engag'd in promoting;
+and, as the chief ends of conversation are to inform or to be informed,
+to please or to persuade, I wish well-meaning, sensible men would
+not lessen their power of doing good by a positive, assuming manner,
+that seldom fails to disgust, tends to create opposition, and to
+defeat every one of those purposes for which speech was given to us,
+to wit, giving or receiving information or pleasure.  For, if you
+would inform, a positive and dogmatical manner in advancing your
+sentiments may provoke contradiction and prevent a candid attention.
+If you wish information and improvement from the knowledge of others,
+and yet at the same time express yourself as firmly fix'd in your
+present opinions, modest, sensible men, who do not love disputation,
+will probably leave you undisturbed in the possession of your error.
+And by such a manner, you can seldom hope to recommend yourself
+in pleasing your hearers, or to persuade those whose concurrence
+you desire.  Pope says, judiciously:
+
+          "Men should be taught as if you taught them not,
+          And things unknown propos'd as things forgot;"
+
+farther recommending to us
+
+          "To speak, tho' sure, with seeming diffidence."
+
+And he might have coupled with this line that which he has coupled
+with another, I think, less properly,
+
+          "For want of modesty is want of sense."
+
+If you ask, Why less properly? I must repeat the lines,
+
+          "Immodest words admit of no defense,
+          For want of modesty is want of sense."
+
+Now, is not want of sense (where a man is so unfortunate as to want it)
+some apology for his want of modesty? and would not the lines stand
+more justly thus?
+
+          "Immodest words admit but this defense,
+          That want of modesty is want of sense."
+
+This, however, I should submit to better judgments.
+
+My brother had, in 1720 or 1721, begun to print a newspaper.
+It was the second that appeared in America, and was called the New
+England Courant.  The only one before it was the Boston News-Letter. I
+remember his being dissuaded by some of his friends from the undertaking,
+as not likely to succeed, one newspaper being, in their judgment,
+enough for America.  At this time (1771) there are not less
+than five-and-twenty. He went on, however, with the undertaking,
+and after having worked in composing the types and printing off
+the sheets, I was employed to carry the papers thro' the streets
+to the customers.
+
+He had some ingenious men among his friends, who amus'd themselves
+by writing little pieces for this paper, which gain'd it credit
+and made it more in demand, and these gentlemen often visited us.
+Hearing their conversations, and their accounts of the approbation their
+papers were received with, I was excited to try my hand among them;
+but, being still a boy, and suspecting that my brother would object
+to printing anything of mine in his paper if he knew it to be mine,
+I contrived to disguise my hand, and, writing an anonymous paper,
+I put it in at night under the door of the printing-house. It was found
+in the morning, and communicated to his writing friends when they
+call'd in as usual.  They read it, commented on it in my hearing, and I
+had the exquisite pleasure of finding it met with their approbation,
+and that, in their different guesses at the author, none were named
+but men of some character among us for learning and ingenuity.
+I suppose now that I was rather lucky in my judges, and that perhaps
+they were not really so very good ones as I then esteem'd them.
+
+Encourag'd, however, by this, I wrote and convey'd in the same way
+to the press several more papers which were equally approv'd; and I
+kept my secret till my small fund of sense for such performances was
+pretty well exhausted and then I discovered it, when I began to be
+considered a little more by my brother's acquaintance, and in a manner
+that did not quite please him, as he thought, probably with reason,
+that it tended to make me too vain.  And, perhaps, this might be one
+occasion of the differences that we began to have about this time.
+Though a brother, he considered himself as my master, and me
+as his apprentice, and accordingly, expected the same services
+from me as he would from another, while I thought he demean'd me
+too much in some he requir'd of me, who from a brother expected
+more indulgence.  Our disputes were often brought before our father,
+and I fancy I was either generally in the right, or else a
+better pleader, because the judgment was generally in my favor.
+But my brother was passionate, and had often beaten me, which I
+took extreamly amiss; and, thinking my apprenticeship very tedious,
+I was continually wishing for some opportunity of shortening it,
+which at length offered in a manner unexpected.<3>
+
+      <3> I fancy his harsh and tyrannical treatment of me
+          might be a means of impressing me with that aversion
+          to arbitrary power that has stuck to me through my
+          whole life.
+
+One of the pieces in our newspaper on some political point, which I
+have now forgotten, gave offense to the Assembly.  He was taken up,
+censur'd, and imprison'd for a month, by the speaker's warrant,
+I suppose, because he would not discover his author.  I too was taken
+up and examin'd before the council; but, tho' I did not give them
+any satisfaction, they content'd themselves with admonishing me,
+and dismissed me, considering me, perhaps, as an apprentice, who was
+bound to keep his master's secrets.
+
+During my brother's confinement, which I resented a good deal,
+notwithstanding our private differences, I had the management
+of the paper; and I made bold to give our rulers some rubs in it,
+which my brother took very kindly, while others began to consider
+me in an unfavorable light, as a young genius that had a turn
+for libelling and satyr.  My brother's discharge was accompany'd
+with an order of the House (a very odd one), that "James Franklin
+should no longer print the paper called the New England Courant."
+
+There was a consultation held in our printing-house among
+his friends, what he should do in this case.  Some proposed to
+evade the order by changing the name of the paper; but my brother,
+seeing inconveniences in that, it was finally concluded on as a
+better way, to let it be printed for the future under the name
+of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; and to avoid the censure of the Assembly,
+that might fall on him as still printing it by his apprentice,
+the contrivance was that my old indenture should be return'd to me,
+with a full discharge on the back of it, to be shown on occasion,
+but to secure to him the benefit of my service, I was to sign new
+indentures for the remainder of the term, which were to be kept private.
+A very flimsy scheme it was; however, it was immediately executed,
+and the paper went on accordingly, under my name for several months.
+
+At length, a fresh difference arising between my brother and me,
+I took upon me to assert my freedom, presuming that he would not
+venture to produce the new indentures.  It was not fair in me to
+take this advantage, and this I therefore reckon one of the first
+errata of my life; but the unfairness of it weighed little with me,
+when under the impressions of resentment for the blows his passion
+too often urged him to bestow upon me, though he was otherwise
+not an ill-natur'd man:  perhaps I was too saucy and provoking.
+
+When he found I would leave him, he took care to prevent my getting
+employment in any other printing-house of the town, by going round
+and speaking to every master, who accordingly refus'd to give me work.
+I then thought of going to New York, as the nearest place where
+there was a printer; and I was rather inclin'd to leave Boston
+when I reflected that I had already made myself a little obnoxious
+to the governing party, and, from the arbitrary proceedings of the
+Assembly in my brother's case, it was likely I might, if I stay'd,
+soon bring myself into scrapes; and farther, that my indiscrete
+disputations about religion began to make me pointed at with horror
+by good people as an infidel or atheist.  I determin'd on the point,
+but my father now siding with my brother, I was sensible that,
+if I attempted to go openly, means would be used to prevent me.
+My friend Collins, therefore, undertook to manage a little for me.
+He agreed with the captain of a New York sloop for my passage,
+under the notion of my being a young acquaintance of his, that had
+got a naughty girl with child, whose friends would compel me to
+marry her, and therefore I could not appear or come away publicly.
+So I sold some of my books to raise a little money, was taken on
+board privately, and as we had a fair wind, in three days I found
+myself in New York, near 300 miles from home, a boy of but 17,
+without the least recommendation to, or knowledge of any person in
+the place, and with very little money in my pocket.
+
+My inclinations for the sea were by this time worne out, or I
+might now have gratify'd them.  But, having a trade, and supposing
+myself a pretty good workman, I offer'd my service to the printer
+in the place, old Mr. William Bradford, who had been the first
+printer in Pennsylvania, but removed from thence upon the quarrel
+of George Keith.  He could give me no employment, having little to do,
+and help enough already; but says he, "My son at Philadelphia
+has lately lost his principal hand, Aquila Rose, by death;
+if you go thither, I believe he may employ you."  Philadelphia was
+a hundred miles further; I set out, however, in a boat for Amboy,
+leaving my chest and things to follow me round by sea.
+
+In crossing the bay, we met with a squall that tore our rotten sails
+to pieces, prevented our getting into the Kill and drove us upon
+Long Island.  In our way, a drunken Dutchman, who was a passenger too,
+fell overboard; when he was sinking, I reached through the water
+to his shock pate, and drew him up, so that we got him in again.
+His ducking sobered him a little, and he went to sleep, taking first
+out of his pocket a book, which he desir'd I would dry for him.
+It proved to be my old favorite author, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress,
+in Dutch, finely printed on good paper, with copper cuts, a dress better
+than I had ever seen it wear in its own language.  I have since found
+that it has been translated into most of the languages of Europe,
+and suppose it has been more generally read than any other book,
+except perhaps the Bible.  Honest John was the first that I know
+of who mix'd narration and dialogue; a method of writing very engaging
+to the reader, who in the most interesting parts finds himself,
+as it were, brought into the company and present at the discourse.
+De Foe in his Cruso, his Moll Flanders, Religious Courtship,
+Family Instructor, and other pieces, has imitated it with success;
+and Richardson has done the same, in his Pamela, etc.
+
+When we drew near the island, we found it was at a place where there
+could be no landing, there being a great surff on the stony beach.
+So we dropt anchor, and swung round towards the shore.  Some people
+came down to the water edge and hallow'd to us, as we did to them;
+but the wind was so high, and the surff so loud, that we could
+not hear so as to understand each other.  There were canoes on
+the shore, and we made signs, and hallow'd that they should fetch us;
+but they either did not understand us, or thought it impracticable,
+so they went away, and night coming on, we had no remedy but to wait
+till the wind should abate; and, in the meantime, the boatman and I
+concluded to sleep, if we could; and so crowded into the scuttle,
+with the Dutchman, who was still wet, and the spray beating over
+the head of our boat, leak'd thro' to us, so that we were soon
+almost as wet as he.  In this manner we lay all night, with very
+little rest; but, the wind abating the next day, we made a shift
+to reach Amboy before night, having been thirty hours on the water,
+without victuals, or any drink but a bottle of filthy rum,
+and the water we sail'd on being salt.
+
+In the evening I found myself very feverish, and went in to bed;
+but, having read somewhere that cold water drank plentifully was good
+for a fever, I follow'd the prescription, sweat plentiful most of
+the night, my fever left me, and in the morning, crossing the ferry,
+I proceeded on my journey on foot, having fifty miles to Burlington,
+where I was told I should find boats that would carry me the rest
+of the way to Philadelphia.
+
+It rained very hard all the day; I was thoroughly soak'd, and by noon
+a good deal tired; so I stopt at a poor inn, where I staid all night,
+beginning now to wish that I had never left home.  I cut so miserable
+a figure, too, that I found, by the questions ask'd me, I was
+suspected to be some runaway servant, and in danger of being taken
+up on that suspicion.  However, I proceeded the next day, and got
+in the evening to an inn, within eight or ten miles of Burlington,
+kept by one Dr. Brown.  He entered into conversation with me while I
+took some refreshment, and, finding I had read a little, became very
+sociable and friendly.  Our acquaintance continu'd as long as he
+liv'd. He had been, I imagine, an itinerant doctor, for there was no
+town in England, or country in Europe, of which he could not give
+a very particular account.  He had some letters, and was ingenious,
+but much of an unbeliever, and wickedly undertook, some years after,
+to travestie the Bible in doggrel verse, as Cotton had done Virgil.
+By this means he set many of the facts in a very ridiculous light,
+and might have hurt weak minds if his work had been published;
+but it never was.
+
+At his house I lay that night, and the next morning reach'd Burlington,
+but had the mortification to find that the regular boats were gone
+a little before my coming, and no other expected to go before Tuesday,
+this being Saturday; wherefore I returned to an old woman in the town,
+of whom I had bought gingerbread to eat on the water, and ask'd
+her advice.  She invited me to lodge at her house till a passage
+by water should offer; and being tired with my foot travelling,
+I accepted the invitation.  She understanding I was a printer,
+would have had me stay at that town and follow my business,
+being ignorant of the stock necessary to begin with.  She was
+very hospitable, gave me a dinner of ox-cheek with great good will,
+accepting only a pot of ale in return; and I thought myself
+fixed till Tuesday should come.  However, walking in the evening
+by the side of the river, a boat came by, which I found was going
+towards Philadelphia, with several people in her.  They took me in,
+and, as there was no wind, we row'd all the way; and about midnight,
+not having yet seen the city, some of the company were confident
+we must have passed it, and would row no farther; the others knew
+not where we were; so we put toward the shore, got into a creek,
+landed near an old fence, with the rails of which we made a fire,
+the night being cold, in October, and there we remained till daylight.
+Then one of the company knew the place to be Cooper's Creek, a little
+above Philadelphia, which we saw as soon as we got out of the creek,
+and arriv'd there about eight or nine o'clock on the Sunday morning,
+and landed at the Market-street wharf.
+
+I have been the more particular in this description of my journey,
+and shall be so of my first entry into that city, that you may
+in your mind compare such unlikely beginnings with the figure
+I have since made there.  I was in my working dress, my best
+cloaths being to come round by sea.  I was dirty from my journey;
+my pockets were stuff'd out with shirts and stockings, and I
+knew no soul nor where to look for lodging.  I was fatigued
+with travelling, rowing, and want of rest, I was very hungry;
+and my whole stock of cash consisted of a Dutch dollar, and about
+a shilling in copper.  The latter I gave the people of the boat
+for my passage, who at first refus'd it, on account of my rowing;
+but I insisted on their taking it.  A man being sometimes more
+generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty,
+perhaps thro' fear of being thought to have but little.
+
+Then I walked up the street, gazing about till near the market-house
+I met a boy with bread.  I had made many a meal on bread, and,
+inquiring where he got it, I went immediately to the baker's
+he directed me to, in Secondstreet, and ask'd for bisket,
+intending such as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not
+made in Philadelphia.  Then I asked for a three-penny loaf,
+and was told they had none such.  So not considering or knowing
+the difference of money, and the greater cheapness nor the names
+of his bread, I made him give me three-penny worth of any sort.
+He gave me, accordingly, three great puffy rolls.  I was surpriz'd
+at the quantity, but took it, and, having no room in my pockets,
+walk'd off with a roll under each arm, and eating the other.  Thus I
+went up Market-street as far as Fourth-street, passing by the door
+of Mr. Read, my future wife's father; when she, standing at the door,
+saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward,
+ridiculous appearance.  Then I turned and went down Chestnut-street and
+part of Walnut-street, eating my roll all the way, and, corning round,
+found myself again at Market-street wharf, near the boat I came in,
+to which I went for a draught of the river water; and, being filled
+with one of my rolls, gave the other two to a woman and her child that
+came down the river in the boat with us, and were waiting to go farther.
+
+Thus refreshed, I walked again up the street, which by this time had
+many clean-dressed people in it, who were all walking the same way.
+I joined them, and thereby was led into the great meeting-house of
+the Quakers near the market.  I sat down among them, and, after looking
+round awhile and hearing nothing said, being very drowsy thro'
+labor and want of rest the preceding night, I fell fast asleep,
+and continued so till the meeting broke up, when one was kind
+enough to rouse me.  This was, therefore, the first house I was in,
+or slept in, in Philadelphia.
+
+Walking down again toward the river, and, looking in the faces
+of people, I met a young Quaker man, whose countenance I lik'd, and,
+accosting him, requested he would tell me where a stranger could
+get lodging.  We were then near the sign of the Three Mariners.
+"Here," says he, "is one place that entertains strangers, but it
+is not a reputable house; if thee wilt walk with me, I'll show thee
+a better."  He brought me to the Crooked Billet in Water-street. Here
+I got a dinner; and, while I was eating it, several sly questions were
+asked me, as it seemed to be suspected from my youth and appearance,
+that I might be some runaway.
+
+After dinner, my sleepiness return'd, and being shown to a bed,
+I lay down without undressing, and slept till six in the evening,
+was call'd to supper, went to bed again very early, and slept
+soundly till next morning.  Then I made myself as tidy as I could,
+and went to Andrew Bradford the printer's. I found in the shop
+the old man his father, whom I had seen at New York, and who,
+travelling on horseback, had got to Philadelphia before me.
+He introduc'd me to his son, who receiv'd me civilly, gave me
+a breakfast, but told me he did not at present want a hand,
+being lately suppli'd with one; but there was another printer
+in town, lately set up, one Keimer, who, perhaps, might employ me;
+if not, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would
+give me a little work to do now and then till fuller business
+should offer.
+
+The old gentleman said he would go with me to the new printer;
+and when we found him, "Neighbor," says Bradford, "I have brought
+to see you a young man of your business; perhaps you may want such
+a one."  He ask'd me a few questions, put a composing stick in my
+hand to see how I work'd, and then said he would employ me soon,
+though he had just then nothing for me to do; and, taking old Bradford,
+whom he had never seen before, to be one of the town's people that
+had a good will for him, enter'd into a conversation on his present
+undertaking and projects; while Bradford, not discovering that he
+was the other printer's father, on Keimer's saying he expected
+soon to get the greatest part of the business into his own hands,
+drew him on by artful questions, and starting little doubts,
+to explain all his views, what interests he reli'd on, and in what
+manner he intended to proceed.  I, who stood by and heard all,
+saw immediately that one of them was a crafty old sophister,
+and the other a mere novice.  Bradford left me with Keimer, who was
+greatly surpris'd when I told him who the old man was.
+
+Keimer's printing-house, I found, consisted of an old shatter'd press,
+and one small, worn-out font of English which he was then using himself,
+composing an Elegy on Aquila Rose, before mentioned, an ingenious
+young man, of excellent character, much respected in the town,
+clerk of the Assembly, and a pretty poet.  Keimer made verses too,
+but very indifferently.  He could not be said to write them, for his
+manner was to compose them in the types directly out of his head.
+So there being no copy, but one pair of cases, and the Elegy
+likely to require all the letter, no one could help him.
+I endeavor'd to put his press (which he had not yet us'd, and of
+which he understood nothing) into order fit to be work'd with;
+and, promising to come and print off his Elegy as soon as he
+should have got it ready, I return'd to Bradford's, who gave me
+a little job to do for the present, and there I lodged and dieted,
+A few days after, Keimer sent for me to print off the Elegy.
+And now he had got another pair of cases, and a pamphlet to reprint,
+on which he set me to work.
+
+These two printers I found poorly qualified for their business.
+Bradford had not been bred to it, and was very illiterate;
+and Keimer, tho' something of a scholar, was a mere compositor,
+knowing nothing of presswork.  He had been one of the French prophets,
+and could act their enthusiastic agitations.  At this time he did
+not profess any particular religion, but something of all on occasion;
+was very ignorant of the world, and had, as I afterward found,
+a good deal of the knave in his composition.  He did not like my
+lodging at Bradford's while I work'd with him.  He had a house,
+indeed, but without furniture, so he could not lodge me; but he got
+me a lodging at Mr. Read's, before mentioned, who was the owner
+of his house; and, my chest and clothes being come by this time,
+I made rather a more respectable appearance in the eyes of Miss Read
+than I had done when she first happen'd to see me eating my roll in
+the street.
+
+I began now to have some acquaintance among the young people of
+the town, that were lovers of reading, with whom I spent my evenings
+very pleasantly; and gaining money by my industry and frugality,
+I lived very agreeably, forgetting Boston as much as I could,
+and not desiring that any there should know where I resided,
+except my friend Collins, who was in my secret, and kept it when I
+wrote to him.  At length, an incident happened that sent me back
+again much sooner than I had intended.  I had a brother-in-law,
+Robert Holmes, master of a sloop that traded between Boston
+and Delaware.  He being at Newcastle, forty miles below Philadelphia,
+heard there of me, and wrote me a letter mentioning the concern
+of my friends in Boston at my abrupt departure, assuring me of their
+good will to me, and that every thing would be accommodated to my
+mind if I would return, to which he exhorted me very earnestly.
+I wrote an answer to his letter, thank'd him for his advice,
+but stated my reasons for quitting Boston fully and in such a light
+as to convince him I was not so wrong as he had apprehended.
+
+Sir William Keith, governor of the province, was then at Newcastle,
+and Captain Holmes, happening to be in company with him when my
+letter came to hand, spoke to him of me, and show'd him the letter.
+The governor read it, and seem'd surpris'd when he was told my age.
+He said I appear'd a young man of promising parts, and therefore
+should be encouraged; the printers at Philadelphia were wretched ones;
+and, if I would set up there, he made no doubt I should succeed;
+for his part, he would procure me the public business, and do me
+every other service in his power.  This my brother-in-law afterwards
+told me in Boston, but I knew as yet nothing of it; when, one day,
+Keimer and I being at work together near the window, we saw the
+governor and another gentleman (which proved to be Colonel French,
+of Newcastle), finely dress'd, come directly across the street to
+our house, and heard them at the door.
+
+Keimer ran down immediately, thinking it a visit to him;
+but the governor inquir'd for me, came up, and with a condescension
+of politeness I had been quite unus'd to, made me many compliments,
+desired to be acquainted with me, blam'd me kindly for not
+having made myself known to him when I first came to the place,
+and would have me away with him to the tavern, where he was going
+with Colonel French to taste, as he said, some excellent Madeira.
+I was not a little surprised, and Keimer star'd like a pig poison'd.
+I went, however, with the governor and Colonel French to a tavern,
+at the corner of Third-street, and over the Madeira he propos'd my
+setting up my business, laid before me the probabilities of success,
+and both he and Colonel French assur'd me I should have their interest
+and influence in procuring the public business of both governments.
+On my doubting whether my father would assist me in it, Sir William
+said he would give me a letter to him, in which he would state
+the advantages, and he did not doubt of prevailing with him.
+So it was concluded I should return to Boston in the first vessel,
+with the governor's letter recommending me to my father.
+In the mean time the intention was to be kept a secret, and I
+went on working with Keimer as usual, the governor sending for me
+now and then to dine with him, a very great honor I thought it,
+and conversing with me in the most affable, familiar, and friendly
+manner imaginable.
+
+About the end of April, 1724, a little vessel offer'd for Boston.
+I took leave of Keimer as going to see my friends.  The governor gave
+me an ample letter, saying many flattering things of me to my father,
+and strongly recommending the project of my setting up at Philadelphia
+as a thing that must make my fortune.  We struck on a shoal in going
+down the bay, and sprung a leak; we had a blustering time at sea,
+and were oblig'd to pump almost continually, at which I took my turn.
+We arriv'd safe, however, at Boston in about a fortnight.  I had
+been absent seven months, and my friends had heard nothing of me;
+for my br.  Holmes was not yet return'd, and had not written about me.
+My unexpected appearance surpriz'd the family; all were, however,
+very glad to see me, and made me welcome, except my brother.
+I went to see him at his printing-house. I was better dress'd than ever
+while in his service, having a genteel new suit from head to foot,
+a watch, and my pockets lin'd with near five pounds sterling in silver.
+He receiv'd me not very frankly, look'd me all over, and turn'd to his
+work again.
+
+The journeymen were inquisitive where I had been, what sort of a
+country it was, and how I lik'd it.  I prais'd it much, the happy
+life I led in it, expressing strongly my intention of returning
+to it; and, one of them asking what kind of money we had there,
+I produc'd a handful of silver, and spread it before them,
+which was a kind of raree-show they had not been us'd to, paper being
+the money of Boston.  Then I took an opportunity of letting them see
+my watch; and, lastly (my brother still grum and sullen), I gave them
+a piece of eight to drink, and took my leave.  This visit of mine
+offended him extreamly; for, when my mother some time after spoke
+to him of a reconciliation, and of her wishes to see us on good
+terms together, and that we might live for the future as brothers,
+he said I had insulted him in such a manner before his people that
+he could never forget or forgive it.  In this, however, he was mistaken.
+
+My father received the governor's letter with some apparent surprise,
+but said little of it to me for some days, when Capt. Holmes returning
+he showed it to him, ask'd him if he knew Keith, and what kind of
+man he was; adding his opinion that he must be of small discretion
+to think of setting a boy up in business who wanted yet three years
+of being at man's estate.  Holmes said what he could in favor
+of the project, but my father was clear in the impropriety of it,
+and at last gave a flat denial to it.  Then he wrote a civil letter
+to Sir William, thanking him for the patronage he had so kindly
+offered me, but declining to assist me as yet in setting up, I being,
+in his opinion, too young to be trusted with the management of a
+business so important, and for which the preparation must be so expensive.
+
+My friend and companion Collins, who was a clerk in the post-office,
+pleas'd with the account I gave him of my new country, determined to
+go thither also; and, while I waited for my father's determination,
+he set out before me by land to Rhode Island, leaving his books,
+which were a pretty collection of mathematicks and natural philosophy,
+to come with mine and me to New York, where he propos'd to wait
+for me.
+
+My father, tho' he did not approve Sir William's proposition,
+was yet pleas'd that I had been able to obtain so advantageous a
+character from a person of such note where I had resided, and that I
+had been so industrious and careful as to equip myself so handsomely
+in so short a time; therefore, seeing no prospect of an accommodation
+between my brother and me, he gave his consent to my returning again
+to Philadelphia, advis'd me to behave respectfully to the people there,
+endeavor to obtain the general esteem, and avoid lampooning
+and libeling, to which he thought I had too much inclination;
+telling me, that by steady industry and a prudent parsimony I might
+save enough by the time I was one-and-twenty to set me up; and that,
+if I came near the matter, he would help me out with the rest.
+This was all I could obtain, except some small gifts as tokens
+of his and my mother's love, when I embark'd again for New York,
+now with their approbation and their blessing.
+
+The sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island, I visited my brother John,
+who had been married and settled there some years.  He received
+me very affectionately, for he always lov'd me.  A friend of his,
+one Vernon, having some money due to him in Pensilvania, about thirty-five
+pounds currency, desired I would receive it for him, and keep it
+till I had his directions what to remit it in.  Accordingly, he gave
+me an order.  This afterwards occasion'd me a good deal of uneasiness.
+
+At Newport we took in a number of passengers for New York,
+among which were two young women, companions, and a grave, sensible,
+matron-like Quaker woman, with her attendants.  I had shown an obliging
+readiness to do her some little services, which impress'd her I
+suppose with a degree of good will toward me; therefore, when she
+saw a daily growing familiarity between me and the two young women,
+which they appear'd to encourage, she took me aside, and said:
+"Young man, I am concern'd for thee, as thou has no friend with thee,
+and seems not to know much of the world, or of the snares youth
+is expos'd to; depend upon it, those are very bad women; I can
+see it in all their actions; and if thee art not upon thy guard,
+they will draw thee into some danger; they are strangers to thee,
+and I advise thee, in a friendly concern for thy welfare, to have no
+acquaintance with them."  As I seem'd at first not to think so ill
+of them as she did, she mentioned some things she had observ'd and
+heard that had escap'd my notice, but now convinc'd me she was right.
+I thank'd her for her kind advice, and promis'd to follow it.
+When we arriv'd at New York, they told me where they liv'd, and invited
+me to come and see them; but I avoided it, and it was well I did;
+for the next day the captain miss'd a silver spoon and some other things,
+that had been taken out of his cabbin, and, knowing that these were
+a couple of strumpets, he got a warrant to search their lodgings,
+found the stolen goods, and had the thieves punish'd. So, tho'
+we had escap'd a sunken rock, which we scrap'd upon in the passage,
+I thought this escape of rather more importance to me.
+
+At New York I found my friend Collins, who had arriv'd there some time
+before me.  We had been intimate from children, and had read the same
+books together; but he had the advantage of more time for reading
+and studying, and a wonderful genius for mathematical learning,
+in which he far outstript me.  While I liv'd in Boston most of my hours
+of leisure for conversation were spent with him, and he continu'd
+a sober as well as an industrious lad; was much respected for his
+learning by several of the clergy and other gentlemen, and seemed
+to promise making a good figure in life.  But, during my absence,
+he had acquir'd a habit of sotting with brandy; and I found by his
+own account, and what I heard from others, that he had been drunk
+every day since his arrival at New York, and behav'd very oddly.
+He had gam'd, too, and lost his money, so that I was oblig'd to
+discharge his lodgings, and defray his expenses to and at Philadelphia,
+which prov'd extremely inconvenient to me.
+
+The then governor of New York, Burnet (son of Bishop Burnet),
+hearing from the captain that a young man, one of his passengers,
+had a great many books, desir'd he would bring me to see him.
+I waited upon him accordingly, and should have taken Collins
+with me but that he was not sober.  The gov'r. treated me with
+great civility, show'd me his library, which was a very large one,
+and we had a good deal of conversation about books and authors.
+This was the second governor who had done me the honor to take notice
+of me; which, to a poor boy like me, was very pleasing.
+
+We proceeded to Philadelphia.  I received on the way Vernon's money,
+without which we could hardly have finish'd our journey.  Collins wished
+to be employ'd in some counting-house, but, whether they discover'd
+his dramming by his breath, or by his behaviour, tho' he had
+some recommendations, he met with no success in any application,
+and continu'd lodging and boarding at the same house with me,
+and at my expense.  Knowing I had that money of Vernon's, he was
+continually borrowing of me, still promising repayment as soon
+as he should be in business.  At length he had got so much of it
+that I was distress'd to think what I should do in case of being
+call'd on to remit it.
+
+His drinking continu'd, about which we sometimes quarrell'd;, for,
+when a little intoxicated, he was very fractious.  Once, in a boat
+on the Delaware with some other young men, he refused to row
+in his turn.  "I will be row'd home," says he.  "We will not
+row you," says I. "You must, or stay all night on the water,"
+says he, "just as you please."  The others said, "Let us row;
+what signifies it?"  But, my mind being soured with his other conduct,
+I continu'd to refuse.  So he swore he would make me row,
+or throw me overboard; and coming along, stepping on the thwarts,
+toward me, when he came up and struck at me, I clapped my hand under
+his crutch, and, rising, pitched him head-foremost into the river.
+I knew he was a good swimmer, and so was under little concern
+about him; but before he could get round to lay hold of the boat,
+we had with a few strokes pull'd her out of his reach; and ever when he
+drew near the boat, we ask'd if he would row, striking a few strokes
+to slide her away from him.  He was ready to die with vexation,
+and obstinately would not promise to row.  However, seeing him at last
+beginning to tire, we lifted him in and brought him home dripping
+wet in the evening.  We hardly exchang'd a civil word afterwards,
+and a West India captain, who had a commission to procure a tutor
+for the sons of a gentleman at Barbadoes, happening to meet with him,
+agreed to carry him thither.  He left me then, promising to remit me
+the first money he should receive in order to discharge the debt;
+but I never heard of him after.
+
+The breaking into this money of Vernon's was one of the first great
+errata of my life; and this affair show'd that my father was not much
+out in his judgment when he suppos'd me too young to manage business
+of importance.  But Sir William, on reading his letter, said he was
+too prudent.  There was great difference in persons; and discretion
+did not always accompany years, nor was youth always without it.
+"And since he will not set you up," says he, "I will do it myself.
+Give me an inventory of the things necessary to be had from England,
+and I will send for them.  You shall repay me when you are able;
+I am resolv'd to have a good printer here, and I am sure you
+must succeed."  This was spoken with such an appearance of cordiality,
+that I had not the least doubt of his meaning what he said.
+I had hitherto kept the proposition of my setting up, a secret
+in Philadelphia, and I still kept it.  Had it been known that I
+depended on the governor, probably some friend, that knew him better,
+would have advis'd me not to rely on him, as I afterwards heard it
+as his known character to be liberal of promises which he never meant
+to keep.  Yet, unsolicited as he was by me, how could I think his
+generous offers insincere?  I believ'd him one of the best men in
+the world.
+
+I presented him an inventory of a little print'g-house, amounting
+by my computation to about one hundred pounds sterling.  He lik'd it,
+but ask'd me if my being on the spot in England to chuse the types,
+and see that every thing was good of the kind, might not be of
+some advantage.  "Then," says he, "when there, you may make acquaintances,
+and establish correspondences in the bookselling and stationery way."
+I agreed that this might be advantageous.  "Then," says he,
+"get yourself ready to go with Annis;" which was the annual ship,
+and the only one at that time usually passing between London
+and Philadelphia.  But it would be some months before Annis sail'd,
+so I continu'd working with Keimer, fretting about the money Collins
+had got from me, and in daily apprehensions of being call'd upon
+by Vernon, which, however, did not happen for some years after.
+
+I believe I have omitted mentioning that, in my first voyage
+from Boston, being becalm'd off Block Island, our people set
+about catching cod, and hauled up a great many.  Hitherto I had
+stuck to my resolution of not eating animal food, and on this
+occasion consider'd, with my master Tryon, the taking every
+fish as a kind of unprovoked murder, since none of them had,
+or ever could do us any injury that might justify the slaughter.
+All this seemed very reasonable.  But I had formerly been a great
+lover of fish, and, when this came hot out of the frying-pan, it
+smelt admirably well.  I balanc'd some time between principle
+and inclination, till I recollected that, when the fish were opened,
+I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then thought I,
+"If you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you."  So I
+din'd upon cod very heartily, and continued to eat with other people,
+returning only now and then occasionally to a vegetable diet.
+So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it
+enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind
+to do.
+
+Keimer and I liv'd on a pretty good familiar footing, and agreed
+tolerably well, for he suspected nothing of my setting up.
+He retained a great deal of his old enthusiasms and lov'd argumentation.
+We therefore had many disputations.  I used to work him so with my
+Socratic method, and had trepann'd him so often by questions apparently
+so distant from any point we had in hand, and yet by degrees lead
+to the point, and brought him into difficulties and contradictions,
+that at last he grew ridiculously cautious, and would hardly answer
+me the most common question, without asking first, "What do you
+intend to infer from that?"  However, it gave him so high an opinion
+of my abilities in the confuting way, that he seriously proposed my
+being his colleague in a project he had of setting up a new sect.
+He was to preach the doctrines, and I was to confound all opponents.
+When he came to explain with me upon the doctrines, I found several
+conundrums which I objected to, unless I might have my way a little too,
+and introduce some of mine.
+
+Keimer wore his beard at full length, because somewhere in the Mosaic
+law it is said, "Thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard."
+He likewise kept the Seventh day, Sabbath; and these two points were
+essentials with him.  I dislik'd both; but agreed to admit them upon
+condition of his adopting the doctrine of using no animal food.
+"I doubt," said he, "my constitution will not bear that."  I assur'd
+him it would, and that he would be the better for it.  He was usually a
+great glutton, and I promised myself some diversion in half starving him.
+He agreed to try the practice, if I would keep him company.
+I did so, and we held it for three months.  We had our victuals
+dress'd, and brought to us regularly by a woman in the neighborhood,
+who had from me a list of forty dishes to be prepar'd for us at
+different times, in all which there was neither fish, flesh, nor fowl,
+and the whim suited me the better at this time from the cheapness
+of it, not costing us above eighteenpence sterling each per week.
+I have since kept several Lents most strictly, leaving the common
+diet for that, and that for the common, abruptly, without the
+least inconvenience, so that I think there is little in the advice
+of making those changes by easy gradations.  I went on pleasantly,
+but poor Keimer suffered grievously, tired of the project,
+long'd for the flesh-pots of Egypt, and order'd a roast pig.
+He invited me and two women friends to dine with him; but, it being
+brought too soon upon table, he could not resist the temptation,
+and ate the whole before we came.
+
+I had made some courtship during this time to Miss Read.  I had a
+great respect and affection for her, and had some reason to believe
+she had the same for me; but, as I was about to take a long voyage,
+and we were both very young, only a little above eighteen,
+it was thought most prudent by her mother to prevent our going too
+far at present, as a marriage, if it was to take place, would be
+more convenient after my return, when I should be, as I expected,
+set up in my business.  Perhaps, too, she thought my expectations
+not so well founded as I imagined them to be.
+
+My chief acquaintances at this time were Charles Osborne, Joseph Watson,
+and James Ralph, all lovers of reading.  The two first were clerks
+to an eminent scrivener or conveyancer in the town, Charles Brogden;
+the other was clerk to a merchant.  Watson was a pious, sensible
+young man, of great integrity; the others rather more lax in their
+principles of religion, particularly Ralph, who, as well as Collins,
+had been unsettled by me, for which they both made me suffer.
+Osborne was sensible, candid, frank; sincere and affectionate
+to his friends; but, in literary matters, too fond of criticising.
+Ralph was ingenious, genteel in his manners, and extremely eloquent;
+I think I never knew a prettier talker.  Both of them great
+admirers of poetry, and began to try their hands in little pieces.
+Many pleasant walks we four had together on Sundays into the woods,
+near Schuylkill, where we read to one another, and conferr'd on what
+we read.
+
+Ralph was inclin'd to pursue the study of poetry, not doubting
+but he might become eminent in it, and make his fortune by it,
+alleging that the best poets must, when they first began to write,
+make as many faults as he did.  Osborne dissuaded him, assur'd him
+he had no genius for poetry, and advis'd him to think of nothing
+beyond the business he was bred to; that, in the mercantile way,
+tho' he had no stock, he might, by his diligence and punctuality,
+recommend himself to employment as a factor, and in time acquire
+wherewith to trade on his own account.  I approv'd the amusing one's
+self with poetry now and then, so far as to improve one's language,
+but no farther.
+
+On this it was propos'd that we should each of us, at our
+next meeting, produce a piece of our own composing, in order to
+improve by our mutual observations, criticisms, and corrections.
+As language and expression were what we had in view, we excluded
+all considerations of invention by agreeing that the task
+should be a version of the eighteenth Psalm, which describes
+the descent of a Deity.  When the time of our meeting drew nigh,
+Ralph called on me first, and let me know his piece was ready.
+I told him I had been busy, and, having little inclination,
+had done nothing.  He then show'd me his piece for my opinion,
+and I much approv'd it, as it appear'd to me to have great merit.
+"Now," says he, "Osborne never will allow the least merit in any
+thing of mine, but makes 1000 criticisms out of mere envy.  He is
+not so jealous of you; I wish, therefore, you would take this piece,
+and produce it as yours; I will pretend not to have had time,
+and so produce nothing.  We shall then see what he will say to it."
+It was agreed, and I immediately transcrib'd it, that it might appear
+in my own hand.
+
+We met; Watson's performance was read; there were some beauties
+in it, but many defects.  Osborne's was read; it was much better;
+Ralph did it justice; remarked some faults, but applauded
+the beauties.  He himself had nothing to produce.  I was backward;
+seemed desirous of being excused; had not had sufficient time
+to correct, etc.; but no excuse could be admitted; produce I must.
+It was read and repeated; Watson and Osborne gave up the contest,
+and join'd in applauding it.  Ralph only made some criticisms,
+and propos'd some amendments; but I defended my text.  Osborne was
+against Ralph, and told him he was no better a critic than poet,
+so he dropt the argument.  As they two went home together,
+Osborne expressed himself still more strongly in favor of what he
+thought my production; having restrain'd himself before, as he said,
+lest I should think it flattery.  "But who would have imagin'd,"
+said he, "that Franklin had been capable of such a performance;
+such painting, such force, such fire!  He has even improv'd the original.
+In his common conversation he seems to have no choice of words;
+he hesitates and blunders; and yet, good God! how he writes!"
+When we next met, Ralph discovered the trick we had plaid him,
+and Osborne was a little laught at.
+
+This transaction fixed Ralph in his resolution of becoming a poet.
+I did all I could to dissuade him from it, but he continued
+scribbling verses till Pope cured him.  He became, however, a pretty
+good prose writer.  More of him hereafter.  But, as I may not have
+occasion again to mention the other two, I shall just remark here,
+that Watson died in my arms a few years after, much lamented,
+being the best of our set.  Osborne went to the West Indies,
+where he became an eminent lawyer and made money, but died young.
+He and I had made a serious agreement, that the one who happen'd
+first to die should, if possible, make a friendly visit to the other,
+and acquaint him how he found things in that separate state.  But he
+never fulfill'd his promise.
+
+The governor, seeming to like my company, had me frequently to his house,
+and his setting me up was always mention'd as a fixed thing.
+I was to take with me letters recommendatory to a number of
+his friends, besides the letter of credit to furnish me with the
+necessary money for purchasing the press and types, paper, etc.
+For these letters I was appointed to call at different times,
+when they were to be ready, but a future time was still named.
+Thus he went on till the ship, whose departure too had been several
+times postponed, was on the point of sailing.  Then, when I call'd
+to take my leave and receive the letters, his secretary, Dr. Bard,
+came out to me and said the governor was extremely busy in writing,
+but would be down at Newcastle before the ship, and there the letters
+would be delivered to me.
+
+Ralph, though married, and having one child, had determined to
+accompany me in this voyage.  It was thought he intended to establish
+a correspondence, and obtain goods to sell on commission; but I
+found afterwards, that, thro' some discontent with his wife's relations,
+he purposed to leave her on their hands, and never return again.
+Having taken leave of my friends, and interchang'd some promises
+with Miss Read, I left Philadelphia in the ship, which anchor'd
+at Newcastle.  The governor was there; but when I went to his lodging,
+the secretary came to me from him with the civillest message in
+the world, that he could not then see me, being engaged in business
+of the utmost importance, but should send the letters to me on board,
+wish'd me heartily a good voyage and a speedy return, etc.
+I returned on board a little puzzled, but still not doubting.
+
+Mr. Andrew Hamilton, a famous lawyer of Philadelphia, had taken
+passage in the same ship for himself and son, and with Mr. Denham,
+a Quaker merchant, and Messrs.  Onion and Russel, masters of an
+iron work in Maryland, had engag'd the great cabin; so that Ralph
+and I were forced to take up with a berth in the steerage,
+and none on board knowing us, were considered as ordinary persons.
+But Mr. Hamilton and his son (it was James, since governor)
+return'd from Newcastle to Philadelphia, the father being recall'd
+by a great fee to plead for a seized ship; and, just before we
+sail'd, Colonel French coming on board, and showing me great respect,
+I was more taken notice of, and, with my friend Ralph, invited by
+the other gentlemen to come into the cabin, there being now room.
+Accordingly, we remov'd thither.
+
+Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board the
+governor's despatches, I ask'd the captain for those letters
+that were to be under my care.  He said all were put into the bag
+together and he could not then come at them; but, before we landed
+in England, I should have an opportunity of picking them out;
+so I was satisfied for the present, and we proceeded on our voyage.
+We had a sociable company in the cabin, and lived uncommonly well,
+having the addition of all Mr. Hamilton's stores, who had laid
+in plentifully.  In this passage Mr. Denham contracted a friendship
+for me that continued during his life.  The voyage was otherwise
+not a pleasant one, as we had a great deal of bad weather.
+
+When we came into the Channel, the captain kept his word with me, and gave
+me an opportunity of examining the bag for the governor's letters.
+I found none upon which my name was put as under my care.  I picked
+out six or seven, that, by the handwriting, I thought might be the
+promised letters, especially as one of them was directed to Basket,
+the king's printer, and another to some stationer.  We arriv'd
+in London the 24th of December, 1724.  I waited upon the stationer,
+who came first in my way, delivering the letter as from Governor Keith.
+"I don't know such a person," says he; but, opening the letter, "O! this
+is from Riddlesden.  I have lately found him to be a compleat rascal,
+and I will have nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters
+from him."  So, putting the letter into my hand, he turn'd on his
+heel and left me to serve some customer.  I was surprized to find
+these were not the governor's letters; and, after recollecting
+and comparing circumstances, I began to doubt his sincerity.
+I found my friend Denham, and opened the whole affair to him.
+He let me into Keith's character; told me there was not the least
+probability that he had written any letters for me; that no one,
+who knew him, had the smallest dependence on him; and he laught at
+the notion of the governor's giving me a letter of credit, having,
+as he said, no credit to give.  On my expressing some concern
+about what I should do, he advised me to endeavor getting some
+employment in the way of my business.  "Among the printers here,"
+said he, "you will improve yourself, and when you return to America,
+you will set up to greater advantage."
+
+We both of us happen'd to know, as well as the stationer,
+that Riddlesden, the attorney, was a very knave.  He had half
+ruin'd Miss Read's father by persuading him to be bound for him.
+By this letter it appear'd there was a secret scheme on foot to
+the prejudice of Hamilton (suppos'd to be then coming over with us);
+and that Keith was concerned in it with Riddlesden.  Denham, who was
+a friend of Hamilton's thought he ought to be acquainted with it;
+so, when he arriv'd in England, which was soon after, partly from
+resentment and ill-will to Keith and Riddlesden, and partly from
+good-will to him, I waited on him, and gave him the letter.
+He thank'd me cordially, the information being of importance to him;
+and from that time he became my friend, greatly to my advantage
+afterwards on many occasions.
+
+But what shall we think of a governor's playing such pitiful tricks,
+and imposing so grossly on a poor ignorant boy!  It was a habit he
+had acquired.  He wish'd to please everybody; and, having little
+to give, he gave expectations.  He was otherwise an ingenious,
+sensible man, a pretty good writer, and a good governor for
+the people, tho' not for his constituents, the proprietaries,
+whose instructions he sometimes disregarded.  Several of our best
+laws were of his planning and passed during his administration.
+
+Ralph and I were inseparable companions.  We took lodgings
+together in Little Britain at three shillings and sixpence a week--
+as much as we could then afford.  He found some relations,
+but they were poor, and unable to assist him.  He now let me know
+his intentions of remaining in London, and that he never meant
+to return to Philadelphia.  He had brought no money with him,
+the whole he could muster having been expended in paying his passage.
+I had fifteen pistoles; so he borrowed occasionally of me to subsist,
+while he was looking out for business.  He first endeavored to get
+into the playhouse, believing himself qualify'd for an actor;
+but Wilkes, to whom he apply'd, advis'd him candidly not to think
+of that employment, as it was impossible be should succeed in it.
+Then he propos'd to Roberts, a publisher in Paternoster Row, to write
+for him a weekly paper like the Spectator, on certain conditions,
+which Roberts did not approve.  Then he endeavored to get employment
+as a hackney writer, to copy for the stationers and lawyers about
+the Temple, but could find no vacancy.
+
+I immediately got into work at Palmer's, then a famous printing-house
+in Bartholomew Close, and here I continu'd near a year.  I was
+pretty diligent, but spent with Ralph a good deal of my earnings
+in going to plays and other places of amusement.  We had together
+consumed all my pistoles, and now just rubbed on from hand to mouth.
+He seem'd quite to forget his wife and child, and I, by degrees,
+my engagements with Miss Read, to whom I never wrote more than
+one letter, and that was to let her know I was not likely soon
+to return.  This was another of the great errata of my life,
+which I should wish to correct if I were to live it over again.
+In fact, by our expenses, I was constantly kept unable to pay
+my passage.
+
+At Palmer's I was employed in composing for the second edition
+of Wollaston's "Religion of Nature."  Some of his reasonings
+not appearing to me well founded, I wrote a little metaphysical
+piece in which I made remarks on them.  It was entitled "A
+Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain."
+I inscribed it to my friend Ralph; I printed a small number.
+It occasion'd my being more consider'd by Mr. Palmer as a young
+man of some ingenuity, tho' he seriously expostulated with me upon
+the principles of my pamphlet, which to him appear'd abominable.
+My printing this pamphlet was another erratum.  While I lodg'd in
+Little Britain, I made an acquaintance with one Wilcox, a bookseller,
+whose shop was at the next door.  He had an immense collection
+of second-hand books.  Circulating libraries were not then in use;
+but we agreed that, on certain reasonable terms, which I have
+now forgotten, I might take, read, and return any of his books.
+This I esteem'd a great advantage, and I made as much use of it as
+I could.
+
+My pamphlet by some means falling into the hands of one Lyons, a surgeon,
+author of a book entitled "The Infallibility of Human Judgment,"
+it occasioned an acquaintance between us.  He took great notice
+of me, called on me often to converse on those subjects, carried me
+to the Horns, a pale alehouse in ---- Lane, Cheapside, and introduced
+me to Dr. Mandeville, author of the "Fable of the Bees," who had
+a club there, of which he was the soul, being a most facetious,
+entertaining companion.  Lyons, too, introduced me to Dr. Pemberton,
+at Batson's Coffee-house, who promis'd to give me an opportunity,
+some time or other, of seeing Sir Isaac Newton, of which I was
+extreamely desirous; but this never happened.
+
+I had brought over a few curiosities, among which the principal
+was a purse made of the asbestos, which purifies by fire.
+Sir Hans Sloane heard of it, came to see me, and invited me to his
+house in Bloomsbury Square, where he show'd me all his curiosities,
+and persuaded me to let him add that to the number, for which he
+paid me handsomely.
+
+In our house there lodg'd a young woman, a milliner, who, I think,
+had a shop in the Cloisters.  She had been genteelly bred, was sensible
+and lively, and of most pleasing conversation.  Ralph read plays
+to her in the evenings, they grew intimate, she took another lodging,
+and he followed her.  They liv'd together some time; but, he being
+still out of business, and her income not sufficient to maintain
+them with her child, he took a resolution of going from London,
+to try for a country school, which he thought himself well qualified
+to undertake, as he wrote an excellent hand, and was a master
+of arithmetic and accounts.  This, however, he deemed a business
+below him, and confident of future better fortune, when he should
+be unwilling to have it known that he once was so meanly employed,
+he changed his name, and did me the honor to assume mine; for I soon
+after had a letter from him, acquainting me that he was settled
+in a small village (in Berkshire, I think it was, where he taught
+reading and writing to ten or a dozen boys, at sixpence each per
+week), recommending Mrs. T---- to my care, and desiring me to write
+to him, directing for Mr. Franklin, schoolmaster, at such a place.
+
+He continued to write frequently, sending me large specimens
+of an epic poem which he was then composing, and desiring my
+remarks and corrections.  These I gave him from time to time,
+but endeavor'd rather to discourage his proceeding.  One of Young's
+Satires was then just published.  I copy'd and sent him a great
+part of it, which set in a strong light the folly of pursuing
+the Muses with any hope of advancement by them.  All was in vain;
+sheets of the poem continued to come by every post.  In the mean time,
+Mrs. T----, having on his account lost her friends and business,
+was often in distresses, and us'd to send for me, and borrow
+what I could spare to help her out of them.  I grew fond of
+her company, and, being at that time under no religious restraint,
+and presuming upon my importance to her, I attempted familiarities
+(another erratum) which she repuls'd with a proper resentment,
+and acquainted him with my behaviour.  This made a breach between us;
+and, when he returned again to London, he let me know he thought
+I had cancell'd all the obligations he had been under to me.
+So I found I was never to expect his repaying me what I lent to him,
+or advanc'd for him.  This, however, was not then of much consequence,
+as he was totally unable; and in the loss of his friendship I found
+myself relieved from a burthen.  I now began to think of getting
+a little money beforehand, and, expecting better work, I left Palmer's
+to work at Watts's, near Lincoln's Inn Fields, a still greater
+printing-house. Here I continued all the rest of my stay in London.
+
+At my first admission into this printing-house I took to working
+at press, imagining I felt a want of the bodily exercise I had been
+us'd to in America, where presswork is mix'd with composing.
+I drank only water; the other workmen, near fifty in number,
+were great guzzlers of beer.  On occasion, I carried up and down
+stairs a large form of types in each hand, when others carried
+but one in both hands.  They wondered to see, from this and
+several instances, that the Water-American, as they called me,
+was stronger than themselves, who drank strong beer!  We had an
+alehouse boy who attended always in the house to supply the workmen.
+My companion at the press drank every day a pint before breakfast,
+a pint at breakfast with his bread and cheese, a pint between
+breakfast and dinner, a pint at dinner, a pint in the afternoon
+about six o'clock, and another when he had done his day's work.
+I thought it a detestable custom; but it was necessary, he suppos'd,
+to drink strong beer, that he might be strong to labor.  I endeavored
+to convince him that the bodily strength afforded by beer could
+only be in proportion to the grain or flour of the barley dissolved
+in the water of which it was made; that there was more flour in a
+pennyworth of bread; and therefore, if he would eat that with a pint
+of water, it would give him more strength than a quart of beer.
+He drank on, however, and had four or five shillings to pay
+out of his wages every Saturday night for that muddling liquor;
+an expense I was free from.  And thus these poor devils keep
+themselves always under.
+
+Watts, after some weeks, desiring to have me in the composing-room, I left
+the pressmen; a new bien venu or sum for drink, being five shillings,
+was demanded of me by the compositors.  I thought it an imposition,
+as I had paid below; the master thought so too, and forbad my paying it.
+I stood out two or three weeks, was accordingly considered as
+an excommunicate, and bad so many little pieces of private mischief
+done me, by mixing my sorts, transposing my pages, breaking my matter,
+etc., etc., if I were ever so little out of the room, and all
+ascribed to the chappel ghost, which they said ever haunted those not
+regularly admitted, that, notwithstanding the master's protection,
+I found myself oblig'd to comply and pay the money, convinc'd of the
+folly of being on ill terms with those one is to live with continually.
+
+I was now on a fair footing with them, and soon acquir'd
+considerable influence.  I propos'd some reasonable alterations
+in their chappel<4> laws, and carried them against all opposition.
+From my example, a great part of them left their muddling breakfast
+of beer, and bread, and cheese, finding they could with me be
+suppli'd from a neighboring house with a large porringer of hot
+water-gruel, sprinkled with pepper, crumbl'd with bread, and a bit
+of butter in it, for the price of a pint of beer, viz., three
+half-pence. This was a more comfortable as well as cheaper breakfast,
+and kept their heads clearer.  Those who continued sotting with beer
+all day, were often, by not paying, out of credit at the alehouse,
+and us'd to make interest with me to get beer; their light, as they
+phrased it, being out.  I watch'd the pay-table on Saturday night,
+and collected what I stood engag'd for them, having to pay sometimes
+near thirty shillings a week on their account.  This, and my being
+esteem'd a pretty good riggite, that is, a jocular verbal satirist,
+supported my consequence in the society.  My constant attendance
+(I never making a St. Monday) recommended me to the master;
+and my uncommon quickness at composing occasioned my being put
+upon all work of dispatch, which was generally better paid.
+So I went on now very agreeably.
+
+     <4> "A printing-house is always called a chapel by the
+         workmen, the origin of which appears to have been that
+         printing was first carried on in England in an ancient
+         chapel converted into a printing-house, and the title
+         has been preserved by tradition.  The bien venu among
+         the printers answers to the terms entrance and footing
+         among mechanics; thus a journeyman, on entering a
+         printing-house, was accustomed to pay one or more gallons
+         of beer for the good of the chapel;  this custom was
+         falling into disuse thirty years ago; it is very properly
+         rejected entirely in the United States."--W. T. F.
+
+My lodging in Little Britain being too remote, I found another
+in Duke-street, opposite to the Romish Chapel.  It was two pair
+of stairs backwards, at an Italian warehouse.  A widow lady kept
+the house; she had a daughter, and a maid servant, and a journeyman
+who attended the warehouse, but lodg'd abroad.  After sending to inquire
+my character at the house where I last lodg'd she agreed to take
+me in at the same rate, 3s.  6d.  per week; cheaper, as she said,
+from the protection she expected in having a man lodge in the house.
+She was a widow, an elderly woman; had been bred a Protestant,
+being a clergyman's daughter, but was converted to the Catholic
+religion by her husband, whose memory she much revered; had lived much
+among people of distinction, and knew a thousand anecdotes of them
+as far back as the times of Charles the Second.  She was lame in her
+knees with the gout, and, therefore, seldom stirred out of her room,
+so sometimes wanted company; and hers was so highly amusing to me,
+that I was sure to spend an evening with her whenever she desired it.
+Our supper was only half an anchovy each, on a very little strip
+of bread and butter, and half a pint of ale between us; but the
+entertainment was in her conversation.  My always keeping good hours,
+and giving little trouble in the family, made her unwilling to part
+with me; so that, when I talk'd of a lodging I had heard of, nearer
+my business, for two shillings a week, which, intent as I now was
+on saving money, made some difference, she bid me not think of it,
+for she would abate me two shillings a week for the future; so I
+remained with her at one shilling and sixpence as long as I staid
+in London.
+
+In a garret of her house there lived a maiden lady of seventy,
+in the most retired manner, of whom my landlady gave me this account:
+that she was a Roman Catholic, had been sent abroad when young,
+and lodg'd in a nunnery with an intent of becoming a nun; but,
+the country not agreeing with her, she returned to England, where,
+there being no nunnery, she had vow'd to lead the life of a nun,
+as near as might be done in those circumstances.  Accordingly, she had
+given all her estate to charitable uses, reserving only twelve
+pounds a year to live on, and out of this sum she still gave a great
+deal in charity, living herself on water-gruel only, and using
+no fire but to boil it.  She had lived many years in that garret,
+being permitted to remain there gratis by successive Catholic tenants
+of the house below, as they deemed it a blessing to have her there.
+A priest visited her to confess her every day.  "I have ask'd her,"
+says my landlady, "how she, as she liv'd, could possibly find so much
+employment for a confessor?"  "Oh," said she, "it is impossible
+to avoid vain thoughts."  I was permitted once to visit her, She was
+chearful and polite, and convers'd pleasantly.  The room was clean,
+but had no other furniture than a matras, a table with a crucifix
+and book, a stool which she gave me to sit on, and a picture
+over the chimney of Saint Veronica displaying her handkerchief,
+with the miraculous figure of Christ's bleeding face on it,
+which she explained to me with great seriousness.  She look'd pale,
+but was never sick; and I give it as another instance on how small
+an income life and health may be supported.
+
+At Watts's printing-house I contracted an acquaintance with an ingenious
+young man, one Wygate, who, having wealthy relations, had been better
+educated than most printers; was a tolerable Latinist, spoke French,
+and lov'd reading.  I taught him and a friend of his to swim at
+twice going into the river, and they soon became good swimmers.
+They introduc'd me to some gentlemen from the country, who went to
+Chelsea by water to see the College and Don Saltero's curiosities.
+In our return, at the request of the company, whose curiosity
+Wygate had excited, I stripped and leaped into the river, and swam
+from near Chelsea to Blackfryar's, performing on the way many feats
+of activity, both upon and under water, that surpris'd and pleas'd
+those to whom they were novelties.
+
+I had from a child been ever delighted with this exercise, had studied
+and practis'd all Thevenot's motions and positions, added some
+of my own, aiming at the graceful and easy as well as the useful.
+All these I took this occasion of exhibiting to the company,
+and was much flatter'd by their admiration; and Wygate, who was
+desirous of becoming a master, grew more and more attach'd to me
+on that account, as well as from the similarity of our studies.
+He at length proposed to me travelling all over Europe together,
+supporting ourselves everywhere by working at our business.  I was
+once inclined to it; but, mentioning it to my good friend Mr. Denham,
+with whom I often spent an hour when I had leisure, he dissuaded me
+from it, advising me to think only of returning to Pennsilvania,
+which he was now about to do.
+
+I must record one trait of this good man's character.  He had formerly
+been in business at Bristol, but failed in debt to a number of people,
+compounded and went to America.  There, by a close application to
+business as a merchant, he acquir'd a plentiful fortune in a few years.
+Returning to England in the ship with me, he invited his old creditors
+to an entertainment, at which he thank'd them for the easy composition
+they had favored him with, and, when they expected nothing but the treat,
+every man at the first remove found under his plate an order
+on a banker for the full amount of the unpaid remainder with interest.
+
+He now told me he was about to return to Philadelphia, and should
+carry over a great quantity of goods in order to open a store there.
+He propos'd to take me over as his clerk, to keep his books,
+in which he would instruct me, copy his letters, and attend
+the store.  He added that, as soon as I should be acquainted
+with mercantile business, he would promote me by sending me with
+a cargo of flour and bread, etc., to the West Indies, and procure
+me commissions from others which would be profitable; and, if I
+manag'd well, would establish me handsomely.  The thing pleas'd me;
+for I was grown tired of London, remembered with pleasure the happy
+months I had spent in Pennsylvania, and wish'd again to see it;
+therefore I immediately agreed on the terms of fifty pounds a year,
+Pennsylvania money; less, indeed, than my present gettings as
+a compositor, but affording a better prospect.
+
+I now took leave of printing, as I thought, for ever, and was daily
+employed in my new business, going about with Mr. Denham among
+the tradesmen to purchase various articles, and seeing them pack'd up,
+doing errands, calling upon workmen to dispatch, etc.; and, when all
+was on board, I had a few days' leisure.  On one of these days,
+I was, to my surprise, sent for by a great man I knew only by name,
+a Sir William Wyndham, and I waited upon him.  He had heard by some
+means or other of my swimming from Chelsea to Blackfriar's, and of
+my teaching Wygate and another young man to swim in a few hours.
+He had two sons, about to set out on their travels; he wish'd to have
+them first taught swimming, and proposed to gratify me handsomely
+if I would teach them.  They were not yet come to town, and my stay
+was uncertain, so I could not undertake it; but, from this incident,
+I thought it likely that, if I were to remain in England and open
+a swimming-school, I might get a good deal of money; and it struck me
+so strongly, that, had the overture been sooner made me, probably I
+should not so soon have returned to America.  After many years,
+you and I had something of more importance to do with one of these
+sons of Sir William Wyndham, become Earl of Egremont, which I shall
+mention in its place.
+
+Thus I spent about eighteen months in London; most part of the time
+I work'd hard at my business, and spent but little upon myself
+except in seeing plays and in books.  My friend Ralph had kept
+me poor; he owed me about twenty-seven pounds, which I was now
+never likely to receive; a great sum out of my small earnings!
+I lov'd him, notwithstanding, for he had many amiable qualities.
+I had by no means improv'd my fortune; but I had picked up some very
+ingenious acquaintance, whose conversation was of great advantage to me;
+and I had read considerably.
+
+We sail'd from Gravesend on the 23d of July, 1726.  For the incidents
+of the voyage, I refer you to my journal, where you will find them
+all minutely related.  Perhaps the most important part of that
+journal is the plan<5> to be found in it, which I formed at sea,
+for regulating my future conduct in life.  It is the more remarkable,
+as being formed when I was so young, and yet being pretty faithfully
+adhered to quite thro' to old age.
+
+     <5> The "Journal" was printed by Sparks, from a copy made
+         at Reading in 1787.  But it does not contain the Plan.
+         --Ed.
+
+We landed in Philadelphia on the 11th of October, where I found
+sundry alterations.  Keith was no longer governor, being superseded
+by Major Gordon.  I met him walking the streets as a common citizen.
+He seem'd a little asham'd at seeing me, but pass'd without
+saying anything.  I should have been as much asham'd at seeing
+Miss Read, had not her friends, despairing with reason of my return
+after the receipt of my letter, persuaded her to marry another,
+one Rogers, a potter, which was done in my absence.  With him,
+however, she was never happy, and soon parted from him, refusing to
+cohabit with him or bear his name, it being now said that he bad
+another wife.  He was a worthless fellow, tho' an excellent workman,
+which was the temptation to her friends.  He got into debt,
+ran away in 1727 or 1728, went to the West Indies, and died there.
+Keimer had got a better house, a shop well supply'd with stationery,
+plenty of new types, a number of hands, tho' none good, and seem'd
+to have a great deal of business.
+
+Mr. Denham took a store in Water-street, where we open'd our goods;
+I attended the business diligently, studied accounts, and grew,
+in a little time, expert at selling.  We lodg'd and, boarded together;
+he counsell'd me as a father, having a sincere regard for me.
+I respected and lov'd him, and we might have gone on together
+very happy; but, in the beginning of February, 1726-7, when I
+had just pass'd my twenty-first year, we both were taken ill.
+My distemper was a pleurisy, which very nearly carried me off.
+I suffered a good deal, gave up the point in my own mind, and was
+rather disappointed when I found myself recovering, regretting,
+in some degree, that I must now, some time or other, have all that
+disagreeable work to do over again.  I forget what his distemper was;
+it held him a long time, and at length carried him off.  He left me
+a small legacy in a nuncupative will, as a token of his kindness
+for me, and he left me once more to the wide world; for the store
+was taken into the care of his executors, and my employment under
+him ended.
+
+My brother-in-law, Holmes, being now at Philadelphia, advised my return
+to my business; and Keimer tempted me, with an offer of large wages
+by the year, to come and take the management of his printing-house,
+that he might better attend his stationer's shop.  I had heard a bad
+character of him in London from his wife and her friends, and was
+not fond of having any more to do with him.  I tri'd for farther
+employment as a merchant's clerk; but, not readily meeting with any,
+I clos'd again with Keimer.  I found in his house these hands:
+Hugh Meredith, a Welsh Pensilvanian, thirty years of age, bred to
+country work; honest, sensible, had a great deal of solid observation,
+was something of a reader, but given to drink.  Stephen Potts, a young
+countryman of full age, bred to the same, of uncommon natural parts,
+and great wit and humor, but a little idle.  These he had agreed
+with at extream low wages per week, to be rais'd a shilling every
+three months, as they would deserve by improving in their business;
+and the expectation of these high wages, to come on hereafter,
+was what he had drawn them in with.  Meredith was to work at press,
+Potts at book-binding, which he, by agreement, was to teach them,
+though he knew neither one nor t'other. John ----, a wild Irishman,
+brought up to no business, whose service, for four years, Keimer had
+purchased from the captain of a ship; he, too, was to be made
+a pressman.  George Webb, an Oxford scholar, whose time for four
+years he had likewise bought, intending him for a compositor,
+of whom more presently; and David Harry, a country boy, whom he had
+taken apprentice.
+
+I soon perceiv'd that the intention of engaging me at wages so much
+higher than he had been us'd to give, was, to have these raw,
+cheap hands form'd thro' me; and, as soon as I had instructed them,
+then they being all articled to him, he should be able to do without me.
+I went on, however, very cheerfully, put his printing-house in order,
+which had been in great confusion, and brought his hands by degrees
+to mind their business and to do it better.
+
+It was an odd thing to find an Oxford scholar in the situation
+of a bought servant.  He was not more than eighteen years of age,
+and gave me this account of himself; that he was born in Gloucester,
+educated at a grammar-school there, had been distinguish'd among
+the scholars for some apparent superiority in performing his part,
+when they exhibited plays; belong'd to the Witty Club there,
+and had written some pieces in prose and verse, which were printed
+in the Gloucester newspapers; thence he was sent to Oxford; where he
+continued about a year, but not well satisfi'd, wishing of all
+things to see London, and become a player.  At length, receiving his
+quarterly allowance of fifteen guineas, instead of discharging
+his debts he walk'd out of town, hid his gown in a furze bush,
+and footed it to London, where, having no friend to advise him, he fell
+into bad company, soon spent his guineas, found no means of being
+introduc'd among the players, grew necessitous, pawn'd his cloaths,
+and wanted bread.  Walking the street very hungry, and not knowing
+what to do with himself, a crimp's bill was put into his hand,
+offering immediate entertainment and encouragement to such as would
+bind themselves to serve in America.
+
+He went directly, sign'd the indentures, was put into the ship,
+and came over, never writing a line to acquaint his friends what was
+become of him.  He was lively, witty, good-natur'd, and a pleasant
+companion, but idle, thoughtless, and imprudent to the last degree.
+
+John, the Irishman, soon ran away; with the rest I began to live
+very agreeably, for they all respected me the more, as they
+found Keimer incapable of instructing them, and that from me
+they learned something daily.  We never worked on Saturday,
+that being Keimer's Sabbath, so I had two days for reading.
+My acquaintance with ingenious people in the town increased.
+Keimer himself treated me with great civility and apparent regard,
+and nothing now made me uneasy but my debt to Vernon, which I
+was yet unable to pay, being hitherto but a poor oeconomist.
+He, however, kindly made no demand of it.
+
+Our printing-house often wanted sorts, and there was no letter-founder
+in America; I had seen types cast at James's in London, but without
+much attention to the manner; however, I now contrived a mould,
+made use of the letters we had as puncheons, struck the matrices
+in lead, And thus supply'd in a pretty tolerable way all deficiencies.
+I also engrav'd several things on occasion; I made the ink;
+I was warehouseman, and everything, and, in short, quite a factotum.
+
+But, however serviceable I might be, I found that my services
+became every day of less importance, as the other hands improv'd
+in the business; and, when Keimer paid my second quarter's wages,
+he let me know that he felt them too heavy, and thought I should
+make an abatement.  He grew by degrees less civil, put on more of
+the master, frequently found fault, was captious, and seem'd ready for
+an outbreaking.  I went on, nevertheless, with a good deal of patience,
+thinking that his encumber'd circumstances were partly the cause.
+At length a trifle snapt our connections; for, a great noise happening
+near the court-house, I put my head out of the window to see what
+was the matter.  Keimer, being in the street, look'd up and saw me,
+call'd out to me in a loud voice and angry tone to mind my business,
+adding some reproachful words, that nettled me the more for
+their publicity, all the neighbors who were looking out on the same
+occasion being witnesses how I was treated.  He came up immediately
+into the printing-house, continu'd the quarrel, high words pass'd
+on both sides, he gave me the quarter's warning we had stipulated,
+expressing a wish that he had not been oblig'd to so long a warning.
+I told him his wish was unnecessary, for I would leave him that instant;
+and so, taking my hat, walk'd out of doors, desiring Meredith,
+whom I saw below, to take care of some things I left, and bring
+them to my lodgings.
+
+Meredith came accordingly in the evening, when we talked my affair over.
+He had conceiv'd a great regard for me, and was very unwilling
+that I should leave the house while he remain'd in it.  He dissuaded
+me from returning to my native country, which I began to think of;
+he reminded me that Keimer was in debt for all he possess'd;
+that his creditors began to be uneasy; that he kept his shop miserably,
+sold often without profit for ready money, and often trusted without
+keeping accounts; that he must therefore fall, which would make
+a vacancy I might profit of.  I objected my want of money.  He then
+let me know that his father had a high opinion of me, and, from some
+discourse that had pass'd between them, he was sure would advance
+money to set us up, if I would enter into partnership with him.
+"My time," says he, "will be out with Keimer in the spring;
+by that time we may have our press and types in from London.
+I am sensible I am no workman; if you like it, your skill in the
+business shall be set against the stock I furnish, and we will share
+the profits equally."
+
+The proposal was agreeable, and I consented; his father was in town
+and approv'd of it; the more as he saw I had great influence with
+his son, had prevail'd on him to abstain long from dram-drinking,
+and he hop'd might break him off that wretched habit entirely,
+when we came to be so closely connected.  I gave an inventory to
+the father, who carry'd it to a merchant; the things were sent for,
+the secret was to be kept till they should arrive, and in the mean
+time I was to get work, if I could, at the other printing-house. But I
+found no vacancy there, and so remain'd idle a few days, when Keimer,
+on a prospect of being employ'd to print some paper money in New Jersey,
+which would require cuts and various types that I only could supply,
+and apprehending Bradford might engage me and get the jobb from him,
+sent me a very civil message, that old friends should not part for a
+few words, the effect of sudden passion, and wishing me to return.
+Meredith persuaded me to comply, as it would give more opportunity
+for his improvement under my daily instructions; so I return'd,
+and we went on more smoothly than for some time before.  The New
+jersey jobb was obtain'd, I contriv'd a copperplate press for it,
+the first that had been seen in the country; I cut several ornaments
+and checks for the bills.  We went together to Burlington, where I
+executed the whole to satisfaction; and he received so large a sum
+for the work as to be enabled thereby to keep his head much longer
+above water.
+
+At Burlington I made an acquaintance with many principal people
+of the province.  Several of them had been appointed by the Assembly
+a committee to attend the press, and take care that no more bills
+were printed than the law directed.  They were therefore, by turns,
+constantly with us, and generally he who attended, brought with him
+a friend or two for company.  My mind having been much more improv'd
+by reading than Keimer's, I suppose it was for that reason my
+conversation seem'd to be more valu'd. They had me to their houses,
+introduced me to their friends, and show'd me much civility;
+while he, tho' the master, was a little neglected.  In truth,
+he was an odd fish; ignorant of common life, fond of rudely opposing
+receiv'd opinions, slovenly to extream dirtiness, enthusiastic in
+some points of religion, and a little knavish withal.
+
+We continu'd there near three months; and by that time I could
+reckon among my acquired friends, Judge Allen, Samuel Bustill,
+the secretary of the Province, Isaac Pearson, Joseph Cooper,
+and several of the Smiths, members of Assembly, and Isaac Decow,
+the surveyor-general. The latter was a shrewd, sagacious old man,
+who told me that he began for himself, when young, by wheeling
+clay for the brick-makers, learned to write after he was of age,
+carri'd the chain for surveyors, who taught him surveying, and he
+had now by his industry, acquir'd a good estate; and says he,
+"I foresee that you will soon work this man out of business,
+and make a fortune in it at Philadelphia."  He had not then
+the least intimation of my intention to set up there or anywhere.
+These friends were afterwards of great use to me, as I occasionally
+was to some of them.  They all continued their regard for me as long as
+they lived.
+
+Before I enter upon my public appearance in business, it may be well
+to let you know the then state of my mind with regard to my principles
+and morals, that you may see how far those influenc'd the future events
+of my life.  My parents had early given me religious impressions,
+and brought me through my childhood piously in the Dissenting way.
+But I was scarce fifteen, when, after doubting by turns of several
+points, as I found them disputed in the different books I read,
+I began to doubt of Revelation itself.  Some books against Deism
+fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons
+preached at Boyle's Lectures.  It happened that they wrought
+an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them;
+for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted,
+appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short,
+I soon became a thorough Deist.  My arguments perverted some others,
+particularly Collins and Ralph; but, each of them having afterwards
+wrong'd me greatly without the least compunction, and recollecting
+Keith's conduct towards me (who was another freethinker), and my own
+towards Vernon and Miss Read, which at times gave me great trouble,
+I began to suspect that this doctrine, tho' it might be true,
+was not very useful.  My London pamphlet, which had for its motto
+these lines of Dryden:
+
+          "Whatever is, is right.  Though purblind man
+          Sees but a part o' the chain, the nearest link:
+          His eyes not carrying to the equal beam,
+          That poises all above;"
+
+and from the attributes of God, his infinite wisdom, goodness and power,
+concluded that nothing could possibly be wrong in the world, and that
+vice and virtue were empty distinctions, no such things existing,
+appear'd now not so clever a performance as I once thought it;
+and I doubted whether some error had not insinuated itself unperceiv'd
+into my argument, so as to infect all that follow'd, as is common
+in metaphysical reasonings.
+
+I grew convinc'd that truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings
+between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity
+of life; and I form'd written resolutions, which still remain
+in my journal book, to practice them ever while I lived.
+Revelation had indeed no weight with me, as such; but I entertain'd
+an opinion that, though certain actions might not be bad because they
+were forbidden by it, or good because it commanded them, yet probably
+these actions might be forbidden because they were bad for us,
+or commanded because they were beneficial to us, in their own natures,
+all the circumstances of things considered.  And this persuasion,
+with the kind hand of Providence, or some guardian angel, or accidental
+favorable circumstances and situations, or all together, preserved me,
+thro' this dangerous time of youth, and the hazardous situations I
+was sometimes in among strangers, remote from the eye and advice
+of my father, without any willful gross immorality or injustice,
+that might have been expected from my want of religion.  I say willful,
+because the instances I have mentioned had something of necessity
+in them, from my youth, inexperience, and the knavery of others.
+I had therefore a tolerable character to begin the world with;
+I valued it properly, and determin'd to preserve it.
+
+We had not been long return'd to Philadelphia before the new types
+arriv'd from London.  We settled with Keimer, and left him by his consent
+before he heard of it.  We found a house to hire near the market,
+and took it.  To lessen the rent, which was then but twenty-four
+pounds a year, tho' I have since known it to let for seventy,
+we took in Thomas Godfrey, a glazier, and his family, who were to
+pay a considerable part of it to us, and we to board with them.
+We had scarce opened our letters and put our press in order,
+before George House, an acquaintance of mine, brought a countryman
+to us, whom he had met in the street inquiring for a printer.
+All our cash was now expended in the variety of particulars we
+had been obliged to procure, and this countryman's five shillings,
+being our first-fruits, and coming so seasonably, gave me more pleasure
+than any crown I have since earned; and the gratitude I felt toward
+House has made me often more ready than perhaps I should otherwise
+have been to assist young beginners.
+
+There are croakers in every country, always boding its ruin.
+Such a one then lived in Philadelphia; a person of note, an elderly man,
+with a wise look and a very grave manner of speaking; his name
+was Samuel Mickle.  This gentleman, a stranger to me, stopt one day
+at my door, and asked me if I was the young man who had lately
+opened a new printing-house. Being answered in the affirmative,
+he said he was sorry for me, because it was an expensive undertaking,
+and the expense would be lost; for Philadelphia was a sinking place,
+the people already half-bankrupts, or near being so; all appearances
+to the contrary, such as new buildings and the rise of rents,
+being to his certain knowledge fallacious; for they were, in fact,
+among the things that would soon ruin us.  And he gave me such
+a detail of misfortunes now existing, or that were soon to exist,
+that he left me half melancholy.  Had I known him before I
+engaged in this business, probably I never should have done it.
+This man continued to live in this decaying place, and to declaim
+in the same strain, refusing for many years to buy a house there,
+because all was going to destruction; and at last I had the pleasure
+of seeing him give five times as much for one as he might have bought
+it for when he first began his croaking.
+
+I should have mentioned before, that, in the autumn of the preceding year,
+I had form'd most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of mutual
+improvement, which we called the JUNTO; we met on Friday evenings.
+The rules that I drew up required that every member, in his turn,
+should produce one or more queries on any point of Morals, Politics,
+or Natural Philosophy, to be discuss'd by the company; and once
+in three months produce and read an essay of his own writing,
+on any subject he pleased.  Our debates were to be under the direction
+of a president, and to be conducted in the sincere spirit of inquiry
+after truth, without fondness for dispute, or desire of victory;
+and, to prevent warmth, all expressions of positiveness in opinions,
+or direct contradiction, were after some time made contraband,
+and prohibited under small pecuniary penalties.
+
+The first members were Joseph Breintnal, a copyer of deeds for
+the scriveners, a good-natur'd, friendly, middle-ag'd man, a great
+lover of poetry, reading all he could meet with, and writing some
+that was tolerable; very ingenious in many little Nicknackeries,
+and of sensible conversation.
+
+Thomas Godfrey, a self-taught mathematician, great in his way,
+and afterward inventor of what is now called Hadley's Quadrant.
+But he knew little out of his way, and was not a pleasing companion;
+as, like most great mathematicians I have met with, he expected
+universal precision in everything said, or was for ever denying or
+distinguishing upon trifles, to the disturbance of all conversation.
+He soon left us.
+
+Nicholas Scull, a surveyor, afterwards surveyor-general,
+who lov'd books, and sometimes made a few verses.
+
+William Parsons, bred a shoemaker, but loving reading, had acquir'd
+a considerable share of mathematics, which he first studied
+with a view to astrology, that he afterwards laught at it.
+He also became surveyor-general.
+
+William Maugridge, a joiner, a most exquisite mechanic, and a solid,
+sensible man.
+
+Hugh Meredith, Stephen Potts, and George Webb I have characteriz'd before.
+
+Robert Grace, a young gentleman of some fortune, generous, lively,
+and witty; a lover of punning and of his friends.
+
+And William Coleman, then a merchant's clerk, about my age, who had
+the coolest, dearest head, the best heart, and the exactest morals
+of almost any man I ever met with.  He became afterwards a merchant
+of great note, and one of our provincial judges.  Our friendship
+continued without interruption to his death, upward of forty years;
+and the club continued almost as long, and was the best school
+of philosophy, morality, and politics that then existed in the province;
+for our queries, which were read the week preceding their discussion,
+put us upon reading with attention upon the several subjects,
+that we might speak more to the purpose; and here, too, we acquired
+better habits of conversation, every thing being studied in our
+rules which might prevent our disgusting each other.  From hence
+the long continuance of the club, which I shall have frequent
+occasion to speak further of hereafter.
+
+But my giving this account of it here is to show something of the interest
+I had, every one of these exerting themselves in recommending business
+to us.  Breintnal particularly procur'd us from the Quakers the printing
+forty sheets of their history, the rest being to be done by Keimer;
+and upon this we work'd exceedingly hard, for the price was low.
+It was a folio, pro patria size, in pica, with long primer notes.
+I compos'd of it a sheet a day, and Meredith worked it off at press;
+it was often eleven at night, and sometimes later, before I had
+finished my distribution for the next day's work, for the little
+jobbs sent in by our other friends now and then put us back.
+But so determin'd I was to continue doing a sheet a day of the folio,
+that one night, when, having impos'd my forms, I thought my day's
+work over, one of them by accident was broken, and two pages
+reduced to pi, I immediately distributed and compos'd it over again
+before I went to bed; and this industry, visible to our neighbors,
+began to give us character and credit; particularly, I was told,
+that mention being made of the new printing-office at the merchants'
+Every-night club, the general opinion was that it must fail,
+there being already two printers in the place, Keimer and Bradford;
+but Dr. Baird (whom you and I saw many years after at his native place,
+St. Andrew's in Scotland) gave a contrary opinion:  "For the industry
+of that Franklin," says he, "is superior to any thing I ever saw
+of the kind; I see him still at work when I go home from club,
+and he is at work again before his neighbors are out of bed."
+This struck the rest, and we soon after had offers from one of them
+to supply us with stationery; but as yet we did not chuse to engage in
+shop business.
+
+I mention this industry the more particularly and the more freely,
+tho' it seems to be talking in my own praise, that those of
+my posterity, who shall read it, may know the use of that virtue,
+when they see its effects in my favour throughout this relation.
+
+George Webb, who had found a female friend that lent him wherewith
+to purchase his time of Keimer, now came to offer himself as a
+journeyman to us.  We could not then employ him; but I foolishly
+let him know as a secret that I soon intended to begin a newspaper,
+and might then have work for him.  My hopes of success, as I told him,
+were founded on this, that the then only newspaper, printed by Bradford,
+was a paltry thing, wretchedly manag'd, no way entertaining, and yet
+was profitable to him; I therefore thought a good paper would scarcely
+fail of good encouragement.  I requested Webb not to mention it;
+but he told it to Keimer, who immediately, to be beforehand with me,
+published proposals for printing one himself, on which Webb
+was to be employ'd. I resented this; and, to counteract them,
+as I could not yet begin our paper, I wrote several pieces of
+entertainment for Bradford's paper, under the title of the BUSY BODY,
+which Breintnal continu'd some months.  By this means the attention
+of the publick was fixed on that paper, and Keimer's proposals,
+which we burlesqu'd and ridicul'd, were disregarded.  He began
+his paper, however, and, after carrying it on three quarters of
+a year, with at most only ninety subscribers, he offered it to me
+for a trifle; and I, having been ready some time to go on with it,
+took it in hand directly; and it prov'd in a few years extremely
+profitable to me.
+
+I perceive that I am apt to speak in the singular number,
+though our partnership still continu'd; the reason may be that,
+in fact, the whole management of the business lay upon me.
+Meredith was no compositor, a poor pressman, and seldom sober.
+My friends lamented my connection with him, but I was to make the best
+of it.
+
+Our first papers made a quite different appearance from any before
+in the province; a better type, and better printed; but some spirited
+remarks of my writing, on the dispute then going on between Governor
+Burnet and the Massachusetts Assembly, struck the principal people,
+occasioned the paper and the manager of it to be much talk'd of,
+and in a few weeks brought them all to be our subscribers.
+
+Their example was follow'd by many, and our number went on
+growing continually.  This was one of the first good effects of my
+having learnt a little to scribble; another was, that the leading men,
+seeing a newspaper now in the hands of one who could also handle
+a pen, thought it convenient to oblige and encourage me.
+Bradford still printed the votes, and laws, and other publick business.
+He had printed an address of the House to the governor, in a coarse,
+blundering manner, we reprinted it elegantly and correctly,
+and sent one to every member.  They were sensible of the difference:
+it strengthened the hands of our friends in the House, and they
+voted us their printers for the year ensuing.
+
+Among my friends in the House I must not forget Mr. Hamilton,
+before mentioned, who was then returned from England, and had a seat
+in it.  He interested himself for me strongly in that instance,
+as he did in many others afterward, continuing his patronage till
+his death.<6>
+
+     <6> I got his son once L500.--[Marg. note.]
+
+Mr. Vernon, about this time, put me in mind of the debt I ow'd him,
+but did not press me.  I wrote him an ingenuous letter of acknowledgment,
+crav'd his forbearance a little longer, which he allow'd me,
+and as soon as I was able, I paid the principal with interest,
+and many thanks; so that erratum was in some degree corrected.
+
+But now another difficulty came upon me which I had never the least
+reason to expect.  Mr. Meredith's father, who was to have paid for
+our printing-house, according to the expectations given me, was able
+to advance only one hundred pounds currency, which had been paid;
+and a hundred more was due to the merchant, who grew impatient,
+and su'd us all.  We gave bail, but saw that, if the money could
+not be rais'd in time, the suit must soon come to a judgment
+and execution, and our hopeful prospects must, with us, be ruined,
+as the press and letters must be sold for payment, perhaps at
+half price.
+
+In this distress two true friends, whose kindness I have never forgotten,
+nor ever shall forget while I can remember any thing, came to
+me separately, unknown to each other, and, without any application
+from me, offering each of them to advance me all the money that should
+be necessary to enable me to take the whole business upon myself,
+if that should be practicable; but they did not like my continuing
+the partnership with Meredith, who, as they said, was often seen
+drunk in the streets, and playing at low games in alehouses, much to
+our discredit.  These two friends were William Coleman and Robert Grace.
+I told them I could not propose a separation while any prospect
+remain'd of the Merediths' fulfilling their part of our agreement,
+because I thought myself under great obligations to them for what they
+had done, and would do if they could; but, if they finally fail'd
+in their performance, and our partnership must be dissolv'd, I should
+then think myself at liberty to accept the assistance of my friends.
+
+Thus the matter rested for some time, when I said to my partner,
+"Perhaps your father is dissatisfied at the part you have undertaken
+in this affair of ours, and is unwilling to advance for you and
+me what he would for you alone.  If that is the case, tell me,
+and I will resign the whole to you, and go about my business."
+"No," said he, "my father has really been disappointed, and is
+really unable; and I am unwilling to distress him farther.
+I see this is a business I am not fit for.  I was bred a farmer,
+and it was a folly in me to come to town, and put myself, at thirty
+years of age, an apprentice to learn a new trade.  Many of our Welsh
+people are going to settle in North Carolina, where land is cheap.
+I am inclin'd to go with them, and follow my old employment.
+You may find friends to assist you.  If you will take the debts
+of the company upon you; return to my father the hundred pound he
+has advanced; pay my little personal debts, and give me thirty
+pounds and a new saddle, I will relinquish the partnership,
+and leave the whole in your hands."  I agreed to this proposal:
+it was drawn up in writing, sign'd, and seal'd immediately.
+I gave him what he demanded, and he went soon after to Carolina,
+from whence he sent me next year two long letters, containing the
+best account that had been given of that country, the climate,
+the soil, husbandry, etc., for in those matters he was very judicious.
+I printed them in the papers, and they gave great satisfaction to
+the publick.
+
+As soon as he was gone, I recurr'd to my two friends; and because I
+would not give an unkind preference to either, I took half of
+what each had offered and I wanted of one, and half of the other;
+paid off the company's debts, and went on with the business
+in my own name, advertising that the partnership was dissolved.
+I think this was in or about the year 1729.
+
+About this time there was a cry among the people for more paper money,
+only fifteen thousand pounds being extant in the province, and that soon
+to be sunk.  The wealthy inhabitants oppos'd any addition, being against
+all paper currency, from an apprehension that it would depreciate,
+as it had done in New England, to the prejudice of all creditors.
+We had discuss'd this point in our Junto, where I was on the side
+of an addition, being persuaded that the first small sum struck in 1723
+had done much good by increasing the trade, employment, and number
+of inhabitants in the province, since I now saw all the old houses
+inhabited, and many new ones building; whereas I remembered well,
+that when I first walk'd about the streets of Philadelphia,
+eating my roll, I saw most of the houses in Walnut-street, between
+Second and Front streets, with bills on their doors, "To be let";
+and many likewise in Chestnut-street and other streets, which made me then
+think the inhabitants of the city were deserting it one after another.
+
+Our debates possess'd me so fully of the subject, that I wrote
+and printed an anonymous pamphlet on it, entitled "The Nature and
+Necessity of a Paper Currency."  It was well receiv'd by the common
+people in general; but the rich men dislik'd it, for it increas'd
+and strengthen'd the clamor for more money, and they happening to have
+no writers among them that were able to answer it, their opposition
+slacken'd, and the point was carried by a majority in the House.
+My friends there, who conceiv'd I had been of some service,
+thought fit to reward me by employing me in printing the money;
+a very profitable jobb and a great help to me.  This was another
+advantage gain'd by my being able to write.
+
+The utility of this currency became by time and experience so evident as
+never afterwards to be much disputed; so that it grew soon to fifty-five
+thousand pounds, and in 1739 to eighty thousand pounds, since which it
+arose during war to upwards of three hundred and fifty thousand pounds,
+trade, building, and inhabitants all the while increasing, till
+I now think there are limits beyond which the quantity may be hurtful.
+
+I soon after obtain'd, thro' my friend Hamilton, the printing of the
+Newcastle paper money, another profitable jobb as I then thought it;
+small things appearing great to those in small circumstances;
+and these, to me, were really great advantages, as they were
+great encouragements.  He procured for me, also, the printing
+of the laws and votes of that government, which continu'd
+in my hands as long as I follow'd the business.
+
+I now open'd a little stationer's shop.  I had in it blanks of
+all sorts, the correctest that ever appear'd among us, being assisted
+in that by my friend Breintnal.  I had also paper, parchment,
+chapmen's books, etc.  One Whitemash, a compositor I had known in London,
+an excellent workman, now came to me, and work'd with me constantly
+and diligently; and I took an apprentice, the son of Aquila Rose.
+
+I began now gradually to pay off the debt I was under for the
+printing-house. In order to secure my credit and character as a tradesman,
+I took care not only to be in reality industrious and frugal,
+but to avoid all appearances to the contrary.  I drest plainly;
+I was seen at no places of idle diversion.  I never went out a fishing
+or shooting; a book, indeed, sometimes debauch'd me from my work,
+but that was seldom, snug, and gave no scandal; and, to show that I
+was not above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper
+I purchas'd at the stores thro' the streets on a wheelbarrow.
+Thus being esteem'd an industrious, thriving young man, and paying
+duly for what I bought, the merchants who imported stationery
+solicited my custom; others proposed supplying me with books,
+and I went on swimmingly.  In the mean time, Keimer's credit
+and business declining daily, he was at last forc'd to sell his
+printing house to satisfy his creditors.  He went to Barbadoes,
+and there lived some years in very poor circumstances.
+
+His apprentice, David Harry, whom I had instructed while I work'd
+with him, set up in his place at Philadelphia, having bought
+his materials.  I was at first apprehensive of a powerful rival
+in Harry, as his friends were very able, and had a good deal
+of interest.  I therefore propos'd a partner-ship to him which he,
+fortunately for me, rejected with scorn.  He was very proud,
+dress'd like a gentleman, liv'd expensively, took much diversion
+and pleasure abroad, ran in debt, and neglected his business;
+upon which, all business left him; and, finding nothing to do,
+he followed Keimer to Barbadoes, taking the printing-house with him.
+There this apprentice employ'd his former master as a journeyman;
+they quarrel'd often; Harry went continually behindhand, and at
+length was forc'd to sell his types and return to his country work
+in Pensilvania.  The person that bought them employ'd Keimer to use them,
+but in a few years he died.
+
+There remained now no competitor with me at Philadelphia but the
+old one, Bradford; who was rich and easy, did a little printing
+now and then by straggling hands, but was not very anxious
+about the business.  However, as he kept the post-office, it was
+imagined he had better opportunities of obtaining news; his paper
+was thought a better distributer of advertisements than mine,
+and therefore had many, more, which was a profitable thing to him,
+and a disadvantage to me; for, tho' I did indeed receive and send
+papers by the post, yet the publick opinion was otherwise, for what
+I did send was by bribing the riders, who took them privately,
+Bradford being unkind enough to forbid it, which occasion'd some
+resentment on my part; and I thought so meanly of him for it, that,
+when I afterward came into his situation, I took care never to imitate it.
+
+I had hitherto continu'd to board with Godfrey, who lived in part
+of my house with his wife and children, and had one side of the shop
+for his glazier's business, tho' he worked little, being always
+absorbed in his mathematics.  Mrs. Godfrey projected a match for me
+with a relation's daughter, took opportunities of bringing us often
+together, till a serious courtship on my part ensu'd, the girl being
+in herself very deserving.  The old folks encourag'd me by continual
+invitations to supper, and by leaving us together, till at length
+it was time to explain.  Mrs. Godfrey manag'd our little treaty.
+I let her know that I expected as much money with their daughter
+as would pay off my remaining debt for the printing-house, which I
+believe was not then above a hundred pounds.  She brought me word
+they had no such sum to spare; I said they might mortgage their
+house in the loan-office. The answer to this, after some days, was,
+that they did not approve the match; that, on inquiry of Bradford,
+they had been inform'd the printing business was not a profitable one;
+the types would soon be worn out, and more wanted; that S. Keimer
+and D. Harry had failed one after the other, and I should probably
+soon follow them; and, therefore, I was forbidden the house,
+and the daughter shut up.
+
+Whether this was a real change of sentiment or only artifice,
+on a supposition of our being too far engaged in affection to retract,
+and therefore that we should steal a marriage, which would leave
+them at liberty to give or withhold what they pleas'd, I know not;
+but I suspected the latter, resented it, and went no more.
+Mrs. Godfrey brought me afterward some more favorable accounts of
+their disposition, and would have drawn me on again; but I declared
+absolutely my resolution to have nothing more to do with that family.
+This was resented by the Godfreys; we differ'd, and they removed,
+leaving me the whole house, and I resolved to take no more inmates.
+
+But this affair having turned my thoughts to marriage, I look'd
+round me and made overtures of acquaintance in other places;
+but soon found that, the business of a printer being generally
+thought a poor one, I was not to expect money with a wife,
+unless with such a one as I should not otherwise think agreeable.
+In the mean time, that hard-to-be-governed passion of youth hurried
+me frequently into intrigues with low women that fell in my way,
+which were attended with some expense and great inconvenience,
+besides a continual risque to my health by a distemper which of
+all things I dreaded, though by great good luck I escaped it.
+A friendly correspondence as neighbors and old acquaintances
+had continued between me and Mrs. Read's family, who all had a
+regard for me from the time of my first lodging in their house.
+I was often invited there and consulted in their affairs,
+wherein I sometimes was of service.  I piti'd poor Miss Read's
+unfortunate situation, who was generally dejected, seldom cheerful,
+and avoided company.  I considered my giddiness and inconstancy
+when in London as in a great degree the cause of her unhappiness,
+tho' the mother was good enough to think the fault more her own
+than mine, as she had prevented our marrying before I went thither,
+and persuaded the other match in my absence.  Our mutual affection
+was revived, but there were now great objections to our union.
+The match was indeed looked upon as invalid, a preceding wife being
+said to be living in England; but this could not easily be prov'd,
+because of the distance; and, tho' there was a report of his death,
+it was not certain.  Then, tho' it should be true, he had left
+many debts, which his successor might be call'd upon to pay.
+We ventured, however, over all these difficulties, and I took her
+to wife, September 1st, 1730.  None of the inconveniences happened
+that we had apprehended, she proved a good and faithful helpmate,
+assisted me much by attending the shop; we throve together, and have
+ever mutually endeavored to make each other happy.  Thus I corrected
+that great erratum as well as I could.
+
+About this time, our club meeting, not at a tavern, but in a little
+room of Mr. Grace's, set apart for that purpose, a proposition
+was made by me, that, since our books were often referr'd to in our
+disquisitions upon the queries, it might be convenient to us to have them
+altogether where we met, that upon occasion they might be consulted;
+and by thus clubbing our books to a common library, we should,
+while we lik'd to keep them together, have each of us the advantage
+of using the books of all the other members, which would be nearly
+as beneficial as if each owned the whole.  It was lik'd and agreed to,
+and we fill'd one end of the room with such books as we could
+best spare.  The number was not so great as we expected; and tho'
+they had been of great use, yet some inconveniences occurring
+for want of due care of them, the collection, after about a year,
+was separated, and each took his books home again
+
+And now I set on foot my first project of a public nature, that for
+a subscription library.  I drew up the proposals, got them put into
+form by our great scrivener, Brockden, and, by the help of my friends
+in the Junto, procured fifty subscribers of forty shillings each
+to begin with, and ten shillings a year for fifty years, the term
+our company was to continue.  We afterwards obtain'd a charter,
+the company being increased to one hundred:  this was the mother
+of all the North American subscription libraries, now so numerous.
+It is become a great thing itself, and continually increasing.
+These libraries have improved the general conversation of the Americans,
+made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen
+from other countries, and perhaps have contributed in some degree
+to the stand so generally made throughout the colonies in defense
+of their privileges.
+
+Memo.  Thus far was written with the intention express'd in the beginning
+and therefore contains several little family anecdotes of no importance
+to others.  What follows was written many years after in compliance
+with the advice contain'd in these letters, and accordingly intended for
+the public.  The affairs of the Revolution occasion'd the interruption.
+
+     Letter from Mr. Abel James, with Notes of my Life
+                    (received in Paris).
+
+"MY DEAR AND HONORED FRIEND:  I have often been desirous of
+writing to thee, but could not be reconciled to the thought that
+the letter might fall into the hands of the British, lest some
+printer or busy-body should publish some part of the contents,
+and give our friend pain, and myself censure.
+
+"Some time since there fell into my hands, to my great joy,
+about twenty-three sheets in thy own handwriting, containing an
+account of the parentage and life of thyself, directed to thy son,
+ending in the year 1730, with which there were notes, likewise in
+thy writing; a copy of which I inclose, in hopes it may be a means,
+if thou continued it up to a later period, that the first and latter
+part may be put together; and if it is not yet continued, I hope thee
+will not delay it.  Life is uncertain, as the preacher tells us;
+and what will the world say if kind, humane, and benevolent Ben.
+Franklin should leave his friends and the world deprived of so pleasing
+and profitable a work; a work which would be useful and entertaining
+not only to a few, but to millions?  The influence writings under
+that class have on the minds of youth is very great, and has nowhere
+appeared to me so plain, as in our public friend's journals.
+It almost insensibly leads the youth into the resolution of endeavoring
+to become as good and eminent as the journalist.  Should thine,
+for instance, when published (and I think it could not fail of
+it), lead the youth to equal the industry and temperance of thy
+early youth, what a blessing with that class would such a work be!
+I know of no character living, nor many of them put together,
+who has so much in his power as thyself to promote a greater spirit
+of industry and early attention to business, frugality, and temperance
+with the American youth.  Not that I think the work would have no
+other merit and use in the world, far from it; but the first is
+of such vast importance that I know nothing that can equal it."
+
+
+The foregoing letter and the minutes accompanying it being shown
+to a friend, I received from him the following:
+
+     Letter from Mr. Benjamin Vaughan.
+                                 "PARIS, January 31, 1783.
+
+"My DEAREST SIR:  When I had read over your sheets of minutes
+of the principal incidents of your life, recovered for you by your
+Quaker acquaintance, I told you I would send you a letter expressing
+my reasons why I thought it would be useful to complete and publish
+it as he desired.  Various concerns have for some time past prevented
+this letter being written, and I do not know whether it was worth
+any expectation; happening to be at leisure, however, at present,
+I shall by writing, at least interest and instruct myself; but as the
+terms I am inclined to use may tend to offend a person of your manners,
+I shall only tell you how I would address any other person,
+who was as good and as great as yourself, but less diffident.
+I would say to him, Sir, I solicit the history of your life
+from the following motives:  Your history is so remarkable,
+that if you do not give it, somebody else will certainly give it;
+and perhaps so as nearly to do as much harm, as your own management
+of the thing might do good.  It will moreover present a table
+of the internal circumstances of your country, which will very
+much tend to invite to it settlers of virtuous and manly minds.
+And considering the eagerness with which such information is sought
+by them, and the extent of your reputation, I do not know of a
+more efficacious advertisement than your biography would give.
+All that has happened to you is also connected with the detail
+of the manners and situation of a rising people; and in this
+respect I do not think that the writings of Caesar and Tacitus can
+be more interesting to a true judge of human nature and society.
+But these, sir, are small reasons, in my opinion, compared with
+the chance which your life will give for the forming of future
+great men; and in conjunction with your Art of Virtue (which you
+design to publish) of improving the features of private character,
+and consequently of aiding all happiness, both public and domestic.
+The two works I allude to, sir, will in particular give a noble
+rule and example of self-education. School and other education
+constantly proceed upon false principles, and show a clumsy
+apparatus pointed at a false mark; but your apparatus is simple,
+and the mark a true one; and while parents and young persons
+are left destitute of other just means of estimating and becoming
+prepared for a reasonable course in life, your discovery that
+the thing is in many a man's private power, will be invaluable!
+Influence upon the private character, late in life, is not only
+an influence late in life, but a weak influence.  It is in youth
+that we plant our chief habits and prejudices; it is in youth
+that we take our party as to profession, pursuits and matrimony.
+In youth, therefore, the turn is given; in youth the education even
+of the next generation is given; in youth the private and public
+character is determined; and the term of life extending but from youth
+to age, life ought to begin well from youth, and more especially
+before we take our party as to our principal objects.  But your
+biography will not merely teach self-education, but the education
+of a wise man; and the wisest man will receive lights and improve
+his progress, by seeing detailed the conduct of another wise man.
+And why are weaker men to be deprived of such helps, when we see
+our race has been blundering on in the dark, almost without a guide
+in this particular, from the farthest trace of time?  Show then,
+sir, how much is to be done, both to sons and fathers; and invite
+all wise men to become like yourself, and other men to become wise.
+When we see how cruel statesmen and warriors can be to the human race,
+and how absurd distinguished men can be to their acquaintance,
+it will be instructive to observe the instances multiply of pacific,
+acquiescing manners; and to find how compatible it is to be great
+and domestic, enviable and yet good-humored.
+
+"The little private incidents which you will also have to relate,
+will have considerable use, as we want, above all things, rules of
+prudence in ordinary affairs; and it will be curious to see how you
+have acted in these.  It will be so far a sort of key to life,
+and explain many things that all men ought to have once explained
+to them, to give, them a chance of becoming wise by foresight.
+The nearest thing to having experience of one's own, is to have other
+people's affairs brought before us in a shape that is interesting;
+this is sure to happen from your pen; our affairs and management will
+have an air of simplicity or importance that will not fail to strike;
+and I am convinced you have conducted them with as much originality
+as if you had been conducting discussions in politics or philosophy;
+and what more worthy of experiments and system (its importance and its
+errors considered) than human life?
+
+"Some men have been virtuous blindly, others have speculated
+fantastically, and others have been shrewd to bad purposes;
+but you, sir, I am sure, will give under your hand, nothing but
+what is at the same moment, wise, practical and good, your account
+of yourself (for I suppose the parallel I am drawing for Dr. Franklin,
+will hold not only in point of character, but of private history)
+will show that you are ashamed of no origin; a thing the more important,
+as you prove how little necessary all origin is to happiness, virtue,
+or greatness.  As no end likewise happens without a means, so we
+shall find, sir, that even you yourself framed a plan by which you
+became considerable; but at the same time we may see that though
+the event is flattering, the means are as simple as wisdom could
+make them; that is, depending upon nature, virtue, thought and
+habit. Another thing demonstrated will be the propriety of everyman's
+waiting for his time for appearing upon the stage of the world.
+Our sensations being very much fixed to the moment, we are apt to
+forget that more moments are to follow the first, and consequently
+that man should arrange his conduct so as to suit the whole of a life.
+Your attribution appears to have been applied to your life, and the
+passing moments of it have been enlivened with content and enjoyment
+instead of being tormented with foolish impatience or regrets.
+Such a conduct is easy for those who make virtue and themselves
+in countenance by examples of other truly great men, of whom
+patience is so often the characteristic.  Your Quaker correspondent,
+sir (for here again I will suppose the subject of my letter resembling
+Dr. Franklin), praised your frugality, diligence and temperance,
+which he considered as a pattern for all youth; but it is singular
+that he should have forgotten your modesty and your disinterestedness,
+without which you never could have waited for your advancement,
+or found your situation in the mean time comfortable; which is
+a strong lesson to show the poverty of glory and the importance
+of regulating our minds.  If this correspondent had known the nature
+of your reputation as well as I do, he would have said, Your former
+writings and measures would secure attention to your Biography,
+and Art of Virtue; and your Biography and Art of Virtue, in return,
+would secure attention to them.  This is an advantage attendant upon
+a various character, and which brings all that belongs to it into
+greater play; and it is the more useful, as perhaps more persons
+are at a loss for the means of improving their minds and characters,
+than they are for the time or the inclination to do it.  But there
+is one concluding reflection, sir, that will shew the use of your life
+as a mere piece of biography.  This style of writing seems a little
+gone out of vogue, and yet it is a very useful one; and your specimen
+of it may be particularly serviceable, as it will make a subject of
+comparison with the lives of various public cutthroats and intriguers,
+and with absurd monastic self-tormentors or vain literary triflers.
+If it encourages more writings of the same kind with your own,
+and induces more men to spend lives fit to be written, it will be
+worth all Plutarch's Lives put together.  But being tired of figuring
+to myself a character of which every feature suits only one man in
+the world, without giving him the praise of it, I shall end my letter,
+my dear Dr. Franklin, with a personal application to your proper self.
+I am earnestly desirous, then, my dear sir, that you should let the
+world into the traits of your genuine character, as civil broils nay
+otherwise tend to disguise or traduce it.  Considering your great age,
+the caution of your character, and your peculiar style of thinking,
+it is not likely that any one besides yourself can be sufficiently
+master of the facts of your life, or the intentions of your mind.
+Besides all this, the immense revolution of the present period,
+will necessarily turn our attention towards the author of it,
+and when virtuous principles have been pretended in it, it will be
+highly important to shew that such have really influenced; and, as your
+own character will be the principal one to receive a scrutiny,
+it is proper (even for its effects upon your vast and rising country,
+as well as upon England and upon Europe) that it should stand
+respectable and eternal.  For the furtherance of human happiness,
+I have always maintained that it is necessary to prove that
+man is not even at present a vicious and detestable animal;
+and still more to prove that good management may greatly amend him;
+and it is for much the same reason, that I am anxious to see
+the opinion established, that there are fair characters existing
+among the individuals of the race; for the moment that all men,
+without exception, shall be conceived abandoned, good people will
+cease efforts deemed to be hopeless, and perhaps think of taking
+their share in the scramble of life, or at least of making it
+comfortable principally for themselves.  Take then, my dear sir,
+this work most speedily into hand:  shew yourself good as you are good;
+temperate as you are temperate; and above all things, prove yourself
+as one, who from your infancy have loved justice, liberty and concord,
+in a way that has made it natural and consistent for you to have acted,
+as we have seen you act in the last seventeen years of your life.
+Let Englishmen be made not only to respect, but even to love you.
+When they think well of individuals in your native country,
+they will go nearer to thinking well of your country; and when your
+countrymen see themselves well thought of by Englishmen, they will go
+nearer to thinking well of England.  Extend your views even further;
+do not stop at those who speak the English tongue, but after having
+settled so many points in nature and politics, think of bettering
+the whole race of men.  As I have not read any part of the life
+in question, but know only the character that lived it, I write
+somewhat at hazard.  I am sure, however, that the life and the treatise
+I allude to (on the Art of Virtue) will necessarily fulfil the chief
+of my expectations; and still more so if you take up the measure
+of suiting these performances to the several views above stated.
+Should they even prove unsuccessful in all that a sanguine admirer
+of yours hopes from them, you will at least have framed pieces
+to interest the human mind; and whoever gives a feeling of pleasure
+that is innocent to man, has added so much to the fair side of a life
+otherwise too much darkened by anxiety and too much injured by pain.
+In the hope, therefore, that you will listen to the prayer addressed
+to you in this letter, I beg to subscribe myself, my dearest sir,
+etc., etc.,
+
+     "Signed, BENJ.  VAUGHAN."
+
+
+Continuation of the Account of my Life, begun at Passy, near Paris, 1784.
+
+It is some time since I receiv'd the above letters, but I have been
+too busy till now to think of complying with the request they contain.
+It might, too, be much better done if I were at home among my papers,
+which would aid my memory, and help to ascertain dates; but my
+return being uncertain and having just now a little leisure, I will
+endeavor to recollect and write what I can; if I live to get home,
+it may there be corrected and improv'd.
+
+Not having any copy here of what is already written, I know
+not whether an account is given of the means I used to establish
+the Philadelphia public library, which, from a small beginning,
+is now become so considerable, though I remember to have come
+down to near the time of that transaction (1730). I will therefore
+begin here with an account of it, which may be struck out if found
+to have been already given.
+
+At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good
+bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston.
+In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold
+only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books. Those
+who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England;
+the members of the Junto had each a few.  We had left the alehouse,
+where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in.
+I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room,
+where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences,
+but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow
+such as he wish'd to read at home.  This was accordingly done,
+and for some time contented us.
+
+Finding the advantage of this little collection, I propos'd to
+render the benefit from books more common, by commencing a public
+subscription library.  I drew a sketch of the plan and rules that would
+be necessary, and got a skilful conveyancer, Mr. Charles Brockden,
+to put the whole in form of articles of agreement to be subscribed,
+by which each subscriber engag'd to pay a certain sum down for the first
+purchase of books, and an annual contribution for increasing them.
+So few were the readers at that time in Philadelphia, and the majority
+of us so poor, that I was not able, with great industry, to find
+more than fifty persons, mostly young tradesmen, willing to pay down
+for this purpose forty shillings each, and ten shillings per annum.
+On this little fund we began.  The books were imported; the library
+wag opened one day in the week for lending to the subscribers,
+on their promissory notes to pay double the value if not duly returned.
+The institution soon manifested its utility, was imitated by
+other towns, and in other provinces.  The libraries were augmented
+by donations; reading became fashionable; and our people,
+having no publick amusements to divert their attention from study,
+became better acquainted with books, and in a few years were
+observ'd by strangers to be better instructed and more intelligent
+than people of the same rank generally are in other countries.
+
+When we were about to sign the above-mentioned articles, which were
+to be binding upon us, our heirs, etc., for fifty years, Mr. Brockden,
+the scrivener, said to us, "You are young men, but it is scarcely
+probable that any of you will live to see the expiration of the term
+fix'd in the instrument."  A number of us, however, are yet living;
+but the instrument was after a few years rendered null by a charter
+that incorporated and gave perpetuity to the company.
+
+The objections and reluctances I met with in soliciting the subscriptions,
+made me soon feel the impropriety of presenting one's self as the
+proposer of any useful project, that might be suppos'd to raise one's
+reputation in the smallest degree above that of one's neighbors,
+when one has need of their assistance to accomplish that project.
+I therefore put myself as much as I could out of sight, and stated
+it as a scheme of a number of friends, who had requested me to go
+about and propose it to such as they thought lovers of reading.
+In this way my affair went on more smoothly, and I ever after
+practis'd it on such occasions; and, from my frequent successes,
+can heartily recommend it.  The present little sacrifice of your
+vanity will afterwards be amply repaid.  If it remains a while
+uncertain to whom the merit belongs, some one more vain than
+yourself will be encouraged to claim it, and then even envy will
+be disposed to do you justice by plucking those assumed feathers,
+and restoring them to their right owner.
+
+This library afforded me the means of improvement by constant study,
+for which I set apart an hour or two each day, and thus repair'd
+in some degree the loss of the learned education my father once
+intended for me.  Reading was the only amusement I allow'd myself.
+I spent no time in taverns, games, or frolicks of any kind;
+and my industry in my business continu'd as indefatigable
+as it was necessary.  I was indebted for my printing-house;
+I had a young family coming on to be educated, and I had to contend
+with for business two printers, who were established in the place
+before me.  My circumstances, however, grew daily easier.
+My original habits of frugality continuing, and my father having,
+among his instructions to me when a boy, frequently repeated a proverb
+of Solomon, "Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand
+before kings, he shall not stand before mean men," I from thence
+considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction,
+which encourag'd me, tho' I did not think that I should ever
+literally stand before kings, which, however, has since happened;
+for I have stood before five, and even had the honor of sitting
+down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner.
+
+We have an English proverb that says, "He that would thrive, must ask
+his wife."  It was lucky for me that I had one as much dispos'd
+to industry and frugality as myself.  She assisted me cheerfully
+in my business, folding and stitching pamphlets, tending shop,
+purchasing old linen rags for the papermakers, etc., etc.  We kept
+no idle servants, our table was plain and simple, our furniture
+of the cheapest.  For instance, my breakfast was a long time bread
+and milk (no tea), and I ate it out of a twopenny earthen porringer,
+with a pewter spoon.  But mark how luxury will enter families,
+and make a progress, in spite of principle:  being call'd one morning
+to breakfast, I found it in a China bowl, with a spoon of silver!
+They had been bought for me without my knowledge by my wife,
+and had cost her the enormous sum of three-and-twenty shillings,
+for which she had no other excuse or apology to make, but that she
+thought her husband deserv'd a silver spoon and China bowl as well
+as any of his neighbors.  This was the first appearance of plate
+and China in our house, which afterward, in a course of years,
+as our wealth increas'd, augmented gradually to several hundred pounds
+in value.
+
+I had been religiously educated as a Presbyterian; and tho'
+some of the dogmas of that persuasion, such as the eternal decrees
+of God, election, reprobation, etc., appeared to me unintelligible,
+others doubtful, and I early absented myself from the public
+assemblies of the sect, Sunday being my studying day, I never was
+without some religious principles.  I never doubted, for instance,
+the existence of the Deity; that he made the world, and govern'd
+it by his Providence; that the most acceptable service of God was
+the doing good to man; that our souls are immortal; and that all crime
+will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter.
+These I esteem'd the essentials of every religion; and, being to
+be found in all the religions we had in our country, I respected
+them all, tho' with different degrees of respect, as I found them
+more or less mix'd with other articles, which, without any tendency
+to inspire, promote, or confirm morality, serv'd principally
+to divide us, and make us unfriendly to one another.  This respect
+to all, with an opinion that the worst had some good effects,
+induc'd me to avoid all discourse that might tend to lessen
+the good opinion another might have of his own religion; and as
+our province increas'd in people, and new places of worship were
+continually wanted, and generally erected by voluntary contributions,
+my mite for such purpose, whatever might be the sect, was never refused.
+
+Tho' I seldom attended any public worship, I had still an opinion
+of its propriety, and of its utility when rightly conducted,
+and I regularly paid my annual subscription for the support of
+the only Presbyterian minister or meeting we had in Philadelphia.
+He us'd to visit me sometimes as a friend, and admonish me
+to attend his administrations, and I was now and then prevail'd
+on to do so, once for five Sundays successively.  Had he been
+in my opinion a good preacher, perhaps I might have continued,
+notwithstanding the occasion I had for the Sunday's leisure in my
+course of study; but his discourses were chiefly either polemic
+arguments, or explications of the peculiar doctrines of our sect,
+and were all to me very dry, uninteresting, and unedifying,
+since not a single moral principle was inculcated or enforc'd, their
+aim seeming to be rather to make us Presbyterians than good citizens.
+
+At length he took for his text that verse of the fourth chapter
+of Philippians, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
+honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good report, if there be any virtue,
+or any praise, think on these things."  And I imagin'd, in a sermon
+on such a text, we could not miss of having some morality.
+But he confin'd himself to five points only, as meant by the apostle,
+viz.: 1.  Keeping holy the Sabbath day.  2.  Being diligent in reading
+the holy Scriptures.  3.  Attending duly the publick worship.
+4.  Partaking of the Sacrament.  5.  Paying a due respect to
+God's ministers.  These might be all good things; but, as they
+were not the kind of good things that I expected from that text,
+I despaired of ever meeting with them from any other, was disgusted,
+and attended his preaching no more.  I had some years before compos'd
+a little Liturgy, or form of prayer, for my own private use (viz.,
+in 1728), entitled, Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion.
+I return'd to the use of this, and went no more to the public assemblies.
+My conduct might be blameable, but I leave it, without attempting
+further to excuse it; my present purpose being to relate facts,
+and not to make apologies for them.
+
+It was about this time I conceiv'd the bold and arduous project
+of arriving at moral perfection.  I wish'd to live without
+committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either
+natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.  As I knew,
+or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I
+might not always do the one and avoid the other.  But I soon found
+I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I bad imagined.
+While my care was employ'd in guarding against one fault, I was
+often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention;
+inclination was sometimes too strong for reason.  I concluded, at length,
+that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be
+completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our slipping;
+and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired
+and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady,
+uniform rectitude of conduct.  For this purpose I therefore contrived
+the following method.
+
+In the various enumerations of the moral virtues I had met
+with in my reading, I found the catalogue more or less numerous,
+as different writers included more or fewer ideas under the same name.
+Temperance, for example, was by some confined to eating and drinking,
+while by others it was extended to mean the moderating every
+other pleasure, appetite, inclination, or passion, bodily or mental,
+even to our avarice and ambition.  I propos'd to myself, for the sake
+of clearness, to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annex'd
+to each, than a few names with more ideas; and I included under
+thirteen names of virtues all that at that time occurr'd to me
+as necessary or desirable, and annexed to each a short precept,
+which fully express'd the extent I gave to its meaning.
+
+These names of virtues, with their precepts, were:
+
+1.  TEMPERANCE.  Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
+
+2.  SILENCE.  Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself;
+avoid trifling conversation.
+
+3.  ORDER.  Let all your things have their places; let each part
+of your business have its time.
+
+4.  RESOLUTION.  Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without
+fail what you resolve.
+
+5.  FRUGALITY.  Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself;
+i.e., waste nothing.
+
+6.  INDUSTRY.  Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful;
+cut off all unnecessary actions.
+
+7.  SINCERITY.  Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly,
+and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
+
+8.  JUSTICE.  Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits
+that are your duty.
+
+9.  MODERATION.  Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much
+as you think they deserve.
+
+10.  CLEANLINESS.  Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths,
+or habitation.
+
+11.  TRANQUILLITY.  Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents
+common or unavoidable.
+
+12.  CHASTITY.  Rarely use venery but for health or offspring,
+never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's
+peace or reputation.
+
+13.  HUMILITY.  Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
+
+My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues,
+I judg'd it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting
+the whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time; and, when I
+should be master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on,
+till I should have gone thro' the thirteen; and, as the previous
+acquisition of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain others,
+I arrang'd them with that view, as they stand above.  Temperance first,
+as it tends to procure that coolness and clearness of head, which is
+so necessary where constant vigilance was to be kept up, and guard
+maintained against the unremitting attraction of ancient habits,
+and the force of perpetual temptations.  This being acquir'd
+and establish'd, Silence would be more easy; and my desire being
+to gain knowledge at the same time that I improv'd in virtue,
+and considering that in conversation it was obtain'd rather by the use
+of the ears than of the tongue, and therefore wishing to break
+a habit I was getting into of prattling, punning, and joking,
+which only made me acceptable to trifling company, I gave Silence
+the second place.  This and the next, Order, I expected would
+allow me more time for attending to my project and my studies.
+Resolution, once become habitual, would keep me firm in my endeavors
+to obtain all the subsequent virtues; Frugality and Industry freeing
+me from my remaining debt, and producing affluence and independence,
+would make more easy the practice of Sincerity and Justice, etc., etc.
+Conceiving then, that, agreeably to the advice of Pythagoras
+in his Golden Verses, daily examination would be necessary,
+I contrived the following method for conducting that examination.
+
+I made a little book, in which I allotted a page for each of the virtues.
+I rul'd each page with red ink, so as to have seven columns,
+one for each day of the week, marking each column with a letter
+for the day.  I cross'd these columns with thirteen red lines,
+marking the beginning of each line with the first letter of one of
+the virtues, on which line, and in its proper column, I might mark,
+by a little black spot, every fault I found upon examination
+to have been committed respecting that virtue upon that day.
+
+Form of the pages.
+
+           +-------------------------------+
+           |              TEMPERANCE.      |
+           +-------------------------------+
+           |       EAT NOT TO DULNESS;     |
+           |     DRINK NOT TO ELEVATION.   |
+           +-------------------------------+
+           |   | S.| M.| T.| W.| T.| F.| S.|
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | T.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | S.| * | * |   | * |   | * |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | O.| **| * | * |   | * | * | * |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | R.|   |   | * |   |   | * |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | F.|   | * |   |   | * |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | I.|   |   | * |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | S.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | J.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | M.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | C.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | T.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | C.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+           | H.|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
+           +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
+
+I determined to give a week's strict attention to each of
+the virtues successively.  Thus, in the first week, my great
+guard was to avoid every the least offence against Temperance,
+leaving the other virtues to their ordinary chance, only marking
+every evening the faults of the day.  Thus, if in the first week
+I could keep my first line, marked T, clear of spots, I suppos'd
+the habit of that virtue so much strengthen'd and its opposite
+weaken'd, that I might venture extending my attention to include
+the next, and for the following week keep both lines clear of spots.
+Proceeding thus to the last, I could go thro' a course compleat
+in thirteen weeks, and four courses in a year.  And like him who,
+having a garden to weed, does not attempt to eradicate all the bad
+herbs at once, which would exceed his reach and his strength, but works
+on one of the beds at a time, and, having accomplish'd the first,
+proceeds to a second, so I should have, I hoped, the encouraging
+pleasure of seeing on my pages the progress I made in virtue,
+by clearing successively my lines of their spots, till in the end,
+by a number of courses, I should he happy in viewing a clean book,
+after a thirteen weeks' daily examination.
+
+This my little book had for its motto these lines from Addison's Cato:
+
+          "Here will I hold.  If there's a power above us
+          (And that there is all nature cries aloud
+          Thro' all her works), He must delight in virtue;
+          And that which he delights in must be happy."
+
+Another from Cicero,
+
+          "O vitae Philosophia dux! O virtutum indagatrix
+          expultrixque vitiorum! Unus dies, bene et ex praeceptis
+          tuis actus, peccanti immortalitati est anteponendus."
+
+Another from the Proverbs of Solomon, speaking of wisdom or virtue:
+
+          "Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand
+          riches and honour.  Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
+          and all her paths are peace." iii. 16, 17.
+
+And conceiving God to be the fountain of wisdom, I thought it
+right and necessary to solicit his assistance for obtaining it;
+to this end I formed the following little prayer, which was prefix'd
+to my tables of examination, for daily use.
+
+"O powerful Goodness! bountiful Father! merciful Guide!
+increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest.
+strengthen my resolutions to perform what that wisdom dictates.
+Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return
+in my power for thy continual favors to me."
+
+I used also sometimes a little prayer which I took from Thomson's Poems,
+viz.:
+
+          "Father of light and life, thou Good Supreme!
+          O teach me what is good; teach me Thyself!
+          Save me from folly, vanity, and vice,
+          From every low pursuit; and fill my soul
+          With knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure;
+          Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss!"
+
+The precept of Order requiring that every part of my business should
+have its allotted time, one page in my little book contain'd the
+following scheme of employment for the twenty-four hours of a natural day:
+
+     THE MORNING.            {  5 } Rise, wash, and address
+                             {    } Powerful Goodness!  Contrive
+Question.  What good  shall  {  6 } day's business, and take the
+I do this day?               {    } resolution of the day; prose-
+                             {  7 } cute the present study, and
+                             {    } breakfast.
+                                8 }
+                                9 } Work.
+                               10 }
+                               11 }
+
+     NOON.                   { 12 } Read, or overlook my ac-
+                             {  1 } counts, and dine.
+                                2 }
+                                3 } Work.
+                                4 }
+                                5 }
+
+     EVENING.                {  6 } Put things in their places.
+                             {  7 } Supper.  Music or diversion,
+Question.  What good have    {  8 } or conversation.  Examination
+I done to-day?               {  9 } of the day.
+                             { 10 }
+                             { 11 }
+                             { 12 }
+
+     NIGHT.                  {  1 } Sleep.
+                             {  2 }
+                             {  3 }
+                             {  4 }
+
+I enter'd upon the execution of this plan for self-examination,
+and continu'd it with occasional intermissions for some time.
+I was surpris'd to find myself so much fuller of faults than I
+had imagined; but I had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish.
+To avoid the trouble of renewing now and then my little book, which,
+by scraping out the marks on the paper of old faults to make room
+for new ones in a new course, became full of holes, I transferr'd
+my tables and precepts to the ivory leaves of a memorandum book,
+on which the lines were drawn with red ink, that made a durable stain,
+and on those lines I mark'd my faults with a black-lead pencil,
+which marks I could easily wipe out with a wet sponge.  After a
+while I went thro' one course only in a year, and afterward only
+one in several years, till at length I omitted them entirely,
+being employ'd in voyages and business abroad, with a multiplicity
+of affairs that interfered; but I always carried my little book
+with me.
+
+My scheme of ORDER gave me the most trouble; and I found that, tho'
+it might be practicable where a man's business was such as to leave
+him the disposition of his time, that of a journeyman printer,
+for instance, it was not possible to be exactly observed by a master,
+who must mix with the world, and often receive people of business
+at their own hours.  Order, too, with regard to places for things,
+papers, etc., I found extreamly difficult to acquire.  I had not
+been early accustomed to it, and, having an exceeding good memory,
+I was not so sensible of the inconvenience attending want of method.
+This article, therefore, cost me so much painful attention, and my faults
+in it vexed me so much, and I made so little progress in amendment,
+and had such frequent relapses, that I was almost ready to give up
+the attempt, and content myself with a faulty character in that respect,
+like the man who, in buying an ax of a smith, my neighbour,
+desired to have the whole of its surface as bright as the edge.
+The smith consented to grind it bright for him if he would turn
+the wheel; he turn'd, while the smith press'd the broad face of
+the ax hard and heavily on the stone, which made the turning of it
+very fatiguing.  The man came every now and then from the wheel to see
+how the work went on, and at length would take his ax as it was,
+without farther grinding.  "No," said the smith, "turn on, turn on;
+we shall have it bright by-and-by; as yet, it is only speckled."
+"Yes," said the man, "but I think I like a speckled ax best."
+And I believe this may have been the case with many, who, having,
+for want of some such means as I employ'd, found the difficulty
+of obtaining good and breaking bad habits in other points of vice
+and virtue, have given up the struggle, and concluded that "a
+speckled ax was best"; for something, that pretended to be reason,
+was every now and then suggesting to me that such extream nicety as I
+exacted of myself might be a kind of foppery in morals, which, if it
+were known, would make me ridiculous; that a perfect character
+might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated;
+and that a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself,
+to keep his friends in countenance.
+
+In truth, I found myself incorrigible with respect to Order;
+and now I am grown old, and my memory bad, I feel very sensibly
+the want of it.  But, on the whole, tho' I never arrived at
+the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far
+short of it, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier
+man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it;
+as those who aim at perfect writing by imitating the engraved copies,
+tho' they never reach the wish'd-for excellence of those copies,
+their hand is mended by the endeavor, and is tolerable while it
+continues fair and legible.
+
+It may be well my posterity should be informed that to this
+little artifice, with the blessing of God, their ancestor ow'd the
+constant felicity of his life, down to his 79th year, in which this
+is written.  What reverses may attend the remainder is in the hand
+of Providence; but, if they arrive, the reflection on past happiness
+enjoy'd ought to help his bearing them with more resignation.
+To Temperance he ascribes his long-continued health, and what is
+still left to him of a good constitution; to Industry and Frugality,
+the early easiness of his circumstances and acquisition of his fortune,
+with all that knowledge that enabled him to be a useful citizen,
+and obtained for him some degree of reputation among the learned;
+to Sincerity and Justice, the confidence of his country,
+and the honorable employs it conferred upon him; and to the joint
+influence of the whole mass of the virtues, even in the imperfect
+state he was able to acquire them, all that evenness of temper,
+and that cheerfulness in conversation, which makes his company
+still sought for, and agreeable even to his younger acquaintance.
+I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example
+and reap the benefit.
+
+It will be remark'd that, tho' my scheme was not wholly without religion,
+there was in it no mark of any of the distinguishing tenets of any
+particular sect.  I had purposely avoided them; for, being fully
+persuaded of the utility and excellency of my method, and that it
+might be serviceable to people in all religions, and intending
+some time or other to publish it, I would not have any thing
+in it that should prejudice any one, of any sect, against it.
+I purposed writing a little comment on each virtue, in which I
+would have shown the advantages of possessing it, and the mischiefs
+attending its opposite vice; and I should have called my book THE
+ART OF VIRTUE,<7> because it would have shown the means and manner
+of obtaining virtue, which would have distinguished it from the mere
+exhortation to be good, that does not instruct and indicate the means,
+but is like the apostle's man of verbal charity, who only without
+showing to the naked and hungry how or where they might get clothes
+or victuals, exhorted them to be fed and clothed.--James ii.  15, 16.
+
+     <7> Nothing so likely to make a man's fortune as virtue.
+         --[Marg. note.]
+
+But it so happened that my intention of writing and publishing this
+comment was never fulfilled.  I did, indeed, from time to time,
+put down short hints of the sentiments, reasonings, etc., to be made
+use of in it, some of which I have still by me; but the necessary
+close attention to private business in the earlier part of thy life,
+and public business since, have occasioned my postponing it; for,
+it being connected in my mind with a great and extensive project,
+that required the whole man to execute, and which an unforeseen
+succession of employs prevented my attending to, it has hitherto
+remain'd unfinish'd.
+
+In this piece it was my design to explain and enforce this doctrine,
+that vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden,
+but forbidden because they are hurtful, the nature of man
+alone considered; that it was, therefore, every one's interest to be
+virtuous who wish'd to be happy even in this world; and I should,
+from this circumstance (there being always in the world a number
+of rich merchants, nobility, states, and princes, who have need
+of honest instruments for the management of their affairs,
+and such being so rare), have endeavored to convince young persons
+that no qualities were so likely to make a poor man's fortune
+as those of probity and integrity.
+
+My list of virtues contain'd at first but twelve; but a Quaker
+friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud;
+that my pride show'd itself frequently in conversation; that I
+was not content with being in the right when discussing any point,
+but was overbearing, and rather insolent, of which he convinc'd
+me by mentioning several instances; I determined endeavouring
+to cure myself, if I could, of this vice or folly among the rest,
+and I added Humility to my list, giving an extensive meaning to
+the word.
+
+I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue,
+but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it.
+I made it a rule to forbear all direct contradiction to the
+sentiments of others, and all positive assertion of my own.
+I even forbid myself, agreeably to the old laws of our Junto,
+the use of every word or expression in the language that imported
+a fix'd opinion, such as certainly, undoubtedly, etc., and I adopted,
+instead of them, I conceive, I apprehend, or I imagine a thing to be
+so or so; or it so appears to me at present.  When another asserted
+something that I thought an error, I deny'd myself the pleasure
+of contradicting him abruptly, and of showing immediately some
+absurdity in his proposition; and in answering I began by observing
+that in certain cases or circumstances his opinion would be right,
+but in the present case there appear'd or seem'd to me some difference,
+etc.  I soon found the advantage of this change in my manner;
+the conversations I engag'd in went on more pleasantly.  The modest
+way in which I propos'd my opinions procur'd them a readier reception
+and less contradiction; I had less mortification when I was found
+to be in the wrong, and I more easily prevail'd with others to give
+up their mistakes and join with me when I happened to be in the right.
+
+And this mode, which I at first put on with some violence to
+natural inclination, became at length so easy, and so habitual
+to me, that perhaps for these fifty years past no one has ever
+heard a dogmatical expression escape me.  And to this habit (after
+my character of integrity) I think it principally owing that I
+had early so much weight with my fellow-citizens when I proposed
+new institutions, or alterations in the old, and so much influence
+in public councils when I became a member; for I was but a bad speaker,
+never eloquent, subject to much hesitation in my choice of words,
+hardly correct in language, and yet I generally carried my points.
+
+In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions
+so hard to subdue as pride.  Disguise it, struggle with it,
+beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is
+still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself;
+you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I
+could conceive that I had compleatly overcome it, I should probably
+be proud of my humility.
+
+[Thus far written at Passy, 1784.]
+
+["I am now about to write at home, August, 1788, but can not have
+the help expected from my papers, many of them being lost in the war.
+I have, however, found the following."]<8>
+
+     <8>This is a marginal memorandum.--B.
+
+HAVING mentioned a great and extensive project which I had
+conceiv'd, it seems proper that some account should be here
+given of that project and its object.  Its first rise in my
+mind appears in the following little paper, accidentally preserv'd, viz.:
+
+Observations on my reading history, in Library, May 19th, 1731.
+
+"That the great affairs of the world, the wars, revolutions,
+etc., are carried on and affected by parties.
+
+"That the view of these parties is their present general interest,
+or what they take to be such.
+
+"That the different views of these different parties occasion
+all confusion.
+
+"That while a party is carrying on a general design, each man has
+his particular private interest in view.
+
+"That as soon as a party has gain'd its general point, each member
+becomes intent upon his particular interest; which, thwarting others,
+breaks that party into divisions, and occasions more confusion.
+
+"That few in public affairs act from a meer view of the good of
+their country, whatever they may pretend; and, tho' their actings
+bring real good to their country, yet men primarily considered
+that their own and their country's interest was united, and did
+not act from a principle of benevolence.
+
+"That fewer still, in public affairs, act with a view to the good
+of mankind.
+
+"There seems to me at present to be great occasion for raising
+a United Party for Virtue, by forming the virtuous and good men
+of all nations into a regular body, to be govern'd by suitable
+good and wise rules, which good and wise men may probably be more
+unanimous in their obedience to, than common people are to common laws.
+
+"I at present think that whoever attempts this aright, and is
+well qualified, can not fail of pleasing God, and of meeting
+with success.  B. F."
+
+Revolving this project in my mind, as to be undertaken hereafter,
+when my circumstances should afford me the necessary leisure,
+I put down from time to time, on pieces of paper, such thoughts
+as occurr'd to me respecting it.  Most of these are lost; but I find
+one purporting to be the substance of an intended creed, containing,
+as I thought, the essentials of every known religion, and being free
+of every thing that might shock the professors of any religion.
+It is express'd in these words, viz.:
+
+"That there is one God, who made all things.
+
+"That he governs the world by his providence.
+
+"That he ought to be worshiped by adoration, prayer, and thanksgiving.
+
+"But that the most acceptable service of God is doing good to man.
+
+"That the soul is immortal.
+
+"And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice either
+here or hereafter."<9>
+
+     <9> In the Middle Ages, Franklin, if such a phenomenon as
+         Franklin were possible in the Middle Ages, would
+         probably have been the founder of a monastic order.--B.
+
+My ideas at that time were, that the sect should be begun and
+spread at first among young and single men only; that each person
+to be initiated should not only declare his assent to such creed,
+but should have exercised himself with the thirteen weeks'
+examination and practice of the virtues, as in the before-mention'd model;
+that the existence of such a society should he kept a secret,
+till it was become considerable, to prevent solicitations
+for the admission of improper persons, but that the members
+should each of them search among his acquaintance for ingenuous,
+well-disposed youths, to whom, with prudent caution, the scheme
+should be gradually communicated; that the members should engage
+to afford their advice, assistance, and support to each other
+in promoting one another's interests, business, and advancement
+in life; that, for distinction, we should be call'd The Society of
+the Free and Easy:  free, as being, by the general practice and habit
+of the virtues, free from the dominion of vice; and particularly
+by the practice of industry and frugality, free from debt, which
+exposes a man to confinement, and a species of slavery to his creditors.
+
+This is as much as I can now recollect of the project,
+except that I communicated it in part to two young men, who adopted
+it with some enthusiasm; but my then narrow circumstances,
+and the necessity I was under of sticking close to my business,
+occasion'd my postponing the further prosecution of it at that time;
+and my multifarious occupations, public and private, induc'd me
+to continue postponing, so that it has been omitted till I have no
+longer strength or activity left sufficient for such an enterprise;
+tho' I am still of opinion that it was a practicable scheme,
+and might have been very useful, by forming a great number of
+good citizens; and I was not discourag'd by the seeming magnitude
+of the undertaking, as I have always thought that one man of tolerable
+abilities may work great changes, and accomplish great affairs
+among mankind, if he first forms a good plan, and, cutting off all
+amusements or other employments that would divert his attention,
+makes the execution of that same plan his sole study and business.
+
+In 1732 I first publish'd my Almanack, under the name of Richard Saunders;
+it was continu'd by me about twenty-five years, commonly call'd
+Poor Richard's Almanac.  I endeavor'd to make it both entertaining
+and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand, that I reap'd
+considerable profit from it, vending annually near ten thousand.
+And observing that it was generally read, scarce any neighborhood
+in the province being without it, I consider'd it as a proper vehicle
+for conveying instruction among the common people, who bought scarcely
+any other books; I therefore filled all the little spaces that occurr'd
+between the remarkable days in the calendar with proverbial sentences,
+chiefly such as inculcated industry and frugality, as the means
+of procuring wealth, and thereby securing virtue; it being more
+difficult for a man in want, to act always honestly, as, to use
+here one of those proverbs, it is hard for an empty sack to stand up-right.
+
+These proverbs, which contained the wisdom of many ages and nations,
+I assembled and form'd into a connected discourse prefix'd to the
+Almanack of 1757, as the harangue of a wise old man to the people
+attending an auction.  The bringing all these scatter'd counsels
+thus into a focus enabled them to make greater impression.
+The piece, being universally approved, was copied in all the
+newspapers of the Continent; reprinted in Britain on a broad side,
+to be stuck up in houses; two translations were made of it in French,
+and great numbers bought by the clergy and gentry, to distribute
+gratis among their poor parishioners and tenants.  In Pennsylvania,
+as it discouraged useless expense in foreign superfluities, some thought
+it had its share of influence in producing that growing plenty
+of money which was observable for several years after its publication.
+
+I considered my newspaper, also, as another means of communicating
+instruction, and in that view frequently reprinted in it extracts
+from the Spectator, and other moral writers; and sometimes publish'd
+little pieces of my own, which had been first compos'd for reading
+in our Junto.  Of these are a Socratic dialogue, tending to prove that,
+whatever might be his parts and abilities, a vicious man could not
+properly be called a man of sense; and a discourse on self-denial,
+showing that virtue was not secure till its practice became a habitude,
+and was free from the opposition of contrary inclinations.
+These may be found in the papers about the beginning Of 1735.
+
+In the conduct of my newspaper, I carefully excluded all libelling
+and personal abuse, which is of late years become so disgraceful
+to our country.  Whenever I was solicited to insert anything
+of that kind, and the writers pleaded, as they generally did,
+the liberty of the press, and that a newspaper was like a stagecoach,
+in which any one who would pay had a right to a place, my answer was,
+that I would print the piece separately if desired, and the author
+might have as many copies as he pleased to distribute himself,
+but that I would not take upon me to spread his detraction;
+and that, having contracted with my subscribers to furnish them
+with what might be either useful or entertaining, I could not fill
+their papers with private altercation, in which they had no concern,
+without doing them manifest injustice.  Now, many of our printers make
+no scruple of gratifying the malice of individuals by false accusations
+of the fairest characters among ourselves, augmenting animosity
+even to the producing of duels; and are, moreover, so indiscreet
+as to print scurrilous reflections on the government of neighboring
+states, and even on the conduct of our best national allies,
+which may be attended with the most pernicious consequences.
+These things I mention as a caution to young printers, and that
+they may be encouraged not to pollute their presses and disgrace
+their profession by such infamous practices, but refuse steadily,
+as they may see by my example that such a course of conduct will not,
+on the whole, be injurious to their interests.
+
+In 1733 I sent one of my journeymen to Charleston, South Carolina,
+where a printer was wanting.  I furnish'd him with a press and letters,
+on an agreement of partnership, by which I was to receive one-third
+of the profits of the business, paying one-third of the expense.
+He was a man of learning, and honest but ignorant in matters
+of account; and, tho' he sometimes made me remittances, I could get
+no account from him, nor any satisfactory state of our partnership
+while he lived.  On his decease, the business was continued by
+his widow, who, being born and bred in Holland, where, as I have been
+inform'd, the knowledge of accounts makes a part of female education,
+she not only sent me as clear a state as she could find of the
+transactions past, but continued to account with the greatest
+regularity and exactness every quarter afterwards, and managed
+the business with such success, that she not only brought up reputably
+a family of children, but, at the expiration of the term, was able
+to purchase of me the printing-house, and establish her son in it.
+
+I mention this affair chiefly for the sake of recommending that branch
+of education for our young females, as likely to be of more use
+to them and their children, in case of widowhood, than either music
+or dancing, by preserving them from losses by imposition of crafty men,
+and enabling them to continue, perhaps, a profitable mercantile house,
+with establish'd correspondence, till a son is grown up fit to undertake
+and go on with it, to the lasting advantage and enriching of the family.
+
+About the year 1734 there arrived among us from Ireland a young
+Presbyterian preacher, named Hemphill, who delivered with a
+good voice, and apparently extempore, most excellent discourses,
+which drew together considerable numbers of different persuasion,
+who join'd in admiring them.  Among the rest, I became one of his
+constant hearers, his sermons pleasing me, as they had little
+of the dogmatical kind, but inculcated strongly the practice
+of virtue, or what in the religious stile are called good works.
+Those, however, of our congregation, who considered themselves
+as orthodox Presbyterians, disapprov'd his doctrine, and were join'd
+by most of the old clergy, who arraign'd him of heterodoxy before
+the synod, in order to have him silenc'd. I became his zealous partisan,
+and contributed all I could to raise a party in his favour, and we
+combated for him a while with some hopes of success.  There was much
+scribbling pro and con upon the occasion; and finding that, tho'
+an elegant preacher, he was but a poor writer, I lent him my pen
+and wrote for him two or three pamphlets, and one piece in the Gazette
+of April, 1735.  Those pamphlets, as is generally the case with
+controversial writings, tho' eagerly read at the time, were soon
+out of vogue, and I question whether a single copy of them now exists.
+
+During the contest an unlucky occurrence hurt his cause exceedingly.
+One of our adversaries having heard him preach a sermon that was
+much admired, thought he had somewhere read the sermon before,
+or at least a part of it.  On search he found that part quoted
+at length, in one of the British Reviews, from a discourse
+of Dr. Foster's. This detection gave many of our party disgust,
+who accordingly abandoned his cause, and occasion'd our more speedy
+discomfiture in the synod.  I stuck by him, however, as I rather
+approv'd his giving us good sermons compos'd by others, than bad
+ones of his own manufacture, tho' the latter was the practice
+of our common teachers.  He afterward acknowledg'd to me that none
+of those he preach'd were his own; adding, that his memory was such
+as enabled him to retain and repeat any sermon after one reading only.
+On our defeat, he left us in search elsewhere of better fortune,
+and I quitted the congregation, never joining it after, tho' I continu'd
+many years my subscription for the support of its ministers.
+
+I had begun in 1733 to study languages; I soon made myself so much
+a master of the French as to be able to read the books with ease.
+I then undertook the Italian.  An acquaintance, who was also
+learning it, us'd often to tempt me to play chess with him.
+Finding this took up too much of the time I had to spare for study,
+I at length refus'd to play any more, unless on this condition,
+that the victor in every game should have a right to impose a task,
+either in parts of the grammar to be got by heart, or in translations,
+etc., which tasks the vanquish'd was to perform upon honour,
+before our next meeting.  As we play'd pretty equally, we thus beat
+one another into that language.  I afterwards with a little painstaking,
+acquir'd as much of the Spanish as to read their books also.
+
+I have already mention'd that I had only one year's instruction
+in a Latin school, and that when very young, after which I neglected
+that language entirely.  But, when I had attained an acquaintance
+with the French, Italian, and Spanish, I was surpriz'd to find,
+on looking over a Latin Testament, that I understood so much more
+of that language than I had imagined, which encouraged me to apply
+myself again to the study of it, and I met with more success,
+as those preceding languages had greatly smooth'd my way.
+
+From these circumstances, I have thought that there is some inconsistency
+in our common mode of teaching languages.  We are told that it is
+proper to begin first with the Latin, and, having acquir'd that,
+it will be more easy to attain those modern languages which are
+deriv'd from it; and yet we do not begin with the Greek, in order
+more easily to acquire the Latin.  It is true that, if you can
+clamber and get to the top of a staircase without using the steps,
+you will more easily gain them in descending; but certainly, if you
+begin with the lowest you will with more ease ascend to the top;
+and I would therefore offer it to the consideration of those who
+superintend the education of our youth, whether, since many of
+those who begin with the Latin quit the same after spending some
+years without having made any great proficiency, and what they have
+learnt becomes almost useless, so that their time has been lost,
+it would not have been better to have begun with the French,
+proceeding to the Italian, etc.; for, tho', after spending the same time,
+they should quit the study of languages and never arrive at
+the Latin, they would, however, have acquired another tongue or two,
+that, being in modern use, might be serviceable to them in common life.
+
+After ten years' absence from Boston, and having become easy in
+my circumstances, I made a journey thither to visit my relations,
+which I could not sooner well afford.  In returning, I call'd at Newport
+to see my brother, then settled there with his printing-house. Our
+former differences were forgotten, and our meeting was very cordial
+and affectionate.  He was fast declining in his health, and requested
+of me that, in case of his death, which he apprehended not far distant,
+I would take home his son, then but ten years of age, and bring him
+up to the printing business.  This I accordingly perform'd, sending
+him a few years to school before I took him into the office.
+His mother carried on the business till he was grown up, when I
+assisted him with an assortment of new types, those of his father
+being in a manner worn out.  Thus it was that I made my brother ample
+amends for the service I had depriv'd him of by leaving him so early.
+
+In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old,
+by the small-pox, taken in the common way.  I long regretted bitterly,
+and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation.
+This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation,
+on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves
+if a child died under it; my example showing that the regret
+may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should
+be chosen.
+
+Our club, the Junto, was found so useful, and afforded such satisfaction
+to the members, that several were desirous of introducing their friends,
+which could not well be done without exceeding what we had settled
+as a convenient number, viz., twelve.  We had from the beginning
+made it a rule to keep our institution a secret, which was pretty
+well observ'd; the intention was to avoid applications of improper
+persons for admittance, some of whom, perhaps, we might find
+it difficult to refuse.  I was one of those who were against
+any addition to our number, but, instead of it, made in writing
+a proposal, that every member separately should endeavor to form
+a subordinate club, with the same rules respecting queries,
+etc., and without informing them of the connection with the Junto.
+The advantages proposed were, the improvement of so many more young
+citizens by the use of our institutions; our better acquaintance
+with the general sentiments of the inhabitants on any occasion,
+as the Junto member might propose what queries we should desire,
+and was to report to the Junto what pass'd in his separate club;
+the promotion of our particular interests in business by more
+extensive recommendation, and the increase of our influence
+in public affairs, and our power of doing good by spreading thro'
+the several clubs the sentiments of the Junto.
+
+The project was approv'd, and every member undertook to form his club,
+but they did not all succeed.  Five or six only were compleated,
+which were called by different names, as the Vine, the Union,
+the Band, etc.  They were useful to themselves, and afforded us a good
+deal of amusement, information, and instruction, besides answering,
+in some considerable degree, our views of influencing the public
+opinion on particular occasions, of which I shall give some instances
+in course of time as they happened.
+
+My first promotion was my being chosen, in 1736, clerk of the
+General Assembly.  The choice was made that year without opposition;
+but the year following, when I was again propos'd (the choice,
+like that of the members, being annual), a new member made a long
+speech against me, in order to favour some other candidate.
+I was, however, chosen, which was the more agreeable to me, as,
+besides the pay for the immediate service as clerk, the place gave
+me a better opportunity of keeping up an interest among the members,
+which secur'd to me the business of printing the votes, laws, paper money,
+and other occasional jobbs for the public, that, on the whole,
+were very profitable.
+
+I therefore did not like the opposition of this new member, who was
+a gentleman of fortune and education, with talents that were likely
+to give him, in time, great influence in the House, which, indeed,
+afterwards happened.  I did not, however, aim at gaining his
+favour by paying any servile respect to him, but, after some time,
+took this other method.  Having heard that he had in his library
+a certain very scarce and curious book, I wrote a note to him,
+expressing my desire of perusing that book, and requesting he
+would do me the favour of lending it to me for a few days.
+He sent it immediately, and I return'd it in about a week
+with another note, expressing strongly my sense of the favour.
+When we next met in the House, he spoke to me (which he had
+never done before), and with great civility; and he ever after
+manifested a readiness to serve me on all occasions, so that we
+became great friends, and our friendship continued to his death.
+This is another instance of the truth of an old maxim I had learned,
+which says, "He that has once done you a kindness will be more
+ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged."
+And it shows how much more profitable it is prudently to remove,
+than to resent, return, and continue inimical proceedings.
+
+In 1737, Colonel Spotswood, late governor of Virginia, and then
+postmaster-general, being dissatisfied with the conduct of his
+deputy at Philadelphia, respecting some negligence in rendering,
+and inexactitude of his accounts, took from him the commission and offered
+it to me.  I accepted it readily, and found it of great advantage;
+for, tho' the salary was small, it facilitated the correspondence
+that improv'd my newspaper, increas'd the number demanded, as well
+as the advertisements to be inserted, so that it came to afford
+me a considerable income.  My old competitor's newspaper declin'd
+proportionably, and I was satisfy'd without retaliating his refusal,
+while postmaster, to permit my papers being carried by the riders.
+Thus he suffer'd greatly from his neglect in due accounting; and I
+mention it as a lesson to those young men who may be employ'd in
+managing affairs for others, that they should always render accounts,
+and make remittances, with great clearness and punctuality.
+The character of observing such a conduct is the most powerful
+of all recommendations to new employments and increase of business.
+
+I began now to turn my thoughts a little to public affairs,
+beginning, however, with small matters.  The city watch was
+one of the first things that I conceiv'd to want regulation.
+It was managed by the constables of the respective wards in turn;
+the constable warned a number of housekeepers to attend him for
+the night.  Those who chose never to attend paid him six shillings
+a year to be excus'd, which was suppos'd to be for hiring substitutes,
+but was, in reality, much more than was necessary for that purpose,
+and made the constableship a place of profit; and the constable,
+for a little drink, often got such ragamuffins about him as a watch,
+that respectable housekeepers did not choose to mix with.
+Walking the rounds, too, was often neglected, and most of the nights
+spent in tippling.  I thereupon wrote a paper, to be read in Junto,
+representing these irregularities, but insisting more particularly
+on the inequality of this six-shilling tax of the constables,
+respecting the circumstances of those who paid it, since a poor
+widow housekeeper, all whose property to be guarded by the watch
+did not perhaps exceed the value of fifty pounds, paid as much as
+the wealthiest merchant, who had thousands of pounds worth of goods
+in his stores.
+
+On the whole, I proposed as a more effectual watch, the hiring
+of proper men to serve constantly in that business; and as a more
+equitable way of supporting the charge the levying a tax that
+should be proportion'd to the property.  This idea, being approv'd
+by the Junto, was communicated to the other clubs, but as arising
+in each of them; and though the plan was not immediately carried
+into execution, yet, by preparing the minds of people for the change,
+it paved the way for the law obtained a few years after,
+when the members of our clubs were grown into more influence.
+
+About this time I wrote a paper (first to be read in Junto, but it
+was afterward publish'd) on the different accidents and carelessnesses
+by which houses were set on fire, with cautions against them,
+and means proposed of avoiding them.  This was much spoken of as a
+useful piece, and gave rise to a project, which soon followed it,
+of forming a company for the more ready extinguishing of fires,
+and mutual assistance in removing and securing the goods when in danger.
+Associates in this scheme were presently found, amounting to thirty.
+Our articles of agreement oblig'd every member to keep always in
+good order, and fit for use, a certain number of leather buckets,
+with strong bags and baskets (for packing and transporting of goods),
+which were to be brought to every fire; and we agreed to meet once
+a month and spend a social evening together, in discoursing and
+communicating such ideas as occurred to us upon the subject of fires,
+as might be useful in our conduct on such occasions.
+
+The utility of this institution soon appeared, and many more desiring
+to be admitted than we thought convenient for one company, they were
+advised to form another, which was accordingly done; and this went on,
+one new company being formed after another, till they became so numerous
+as to include most of the inhabitants who were men of property;
+and now, at the time of my writing this, tho' upward of fifty years
+since its establishment, that which I first formed, called the Union
+Fire Company, still subsists and flourishes, tho' the first members
+are all deceas'd but myself and one, who is older by a year than I am.
+The small fines that have been paid by members for absence at the monthly
+meetings have been apply'd to the purchase of fire-engines, ladders,
+fire-hooks, and other useful implements for each company, so that I
+question whether there is a city in the world better provided with
+the means of putting a stop to beginning conflagrations; and, in fact,
+since these institutions, the city has never lost by fire more
+than one or two houses at a time, and the flames have often been
+extinguished before the house in which they began has been half consumed.
+
+In 1739 arrived among us from Ireland the Reverend Mr. Whitefield,
+who had made himself remarkable there as an itinerant preacher.
+He was at first permitted to preach in some of our churches;
+but the clergy, taking a dislike to him, soon refus'd him their pulpits,
+and he was oblig'd to preach in the fields.  The multitudes of all
+sects and denominations that attended his sermons were enormous,
+and it was matter of speculation to me, who was one of the number,
+to observe the extraordinary influence of his oratory on his hearers,
+and how much they admir'd and respected him, notwithstanding his
+common abuse of them, by assuring them that they were naturally half
+beasts and half devils.  It was wonderful to see the change soon
+made in the manners of our inhabitants.  From being thoughtless
+or indifferent about religion, it seem'd as if all the world
+were growing religious, so that one could not walk thro' the town
+in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of
+every street.
+
+And it being found inconvenient to assemble in the open air,
+subject to its inclemencies, the building of a house to meet in was
+no sooner propos'd, and persons appointed to receive contributions,
+but sufficient sums were soon receiv'd to procure the ground and erect
+the building, which was one hundred feet long and seventy broad,
+about the size of Westminster Hall; and the work was carried on
+with such spirit as to be finished in a much shorter time than could
+have been expected.  Both house and ground were vested in trustees,
+expressly for the use of any preacher of any religious persuasion
+who might desire to say something to the people at Philadelphia;
+the design in building not being to accommodate any particular sect,
+but the inhabitants in general; so that even if the Mufti of
+Constantinople were to send a missionary to preach Mohammedanism to us,
+he would find a pulpit at his service.
+
+Mr. Whitefield, in leaving us, went preaching all the way thro'
+the colonies to Georgia.  The settlement of that province
+had lately been begun, but, instead of being made with hardy,
+industrious husbandmen, accustomed to labor, the only people fit
+for such an enterprise, it was with families of broken shop-keepers
+and other insolvent debtors, many of indolent and idle habits,
+taken out of the jails, who, being set down in the woods, unqualified for
+clearing land, and unable to endure the hardships of a new settlement,
+perished in numbers, leaving many helpless children unprovided for.
+The sight of their miserable situation inspir'd the benevolent heart
+of Mr. Whitefield with the idea of building an Orphan House there,
+in which they might be supported and educated.  Returning northward,
+he preach'd up this charity, and made large collections,
+for his eloquence had a wonderful power over the hearts and purses
+of his hearers, of which I myself was an instance.
+
+I did not disapprove of the design, but, as Georgia was then
+destitute of materials and workmen, and it was proposed to send
+them from Philadelphia at a great expense, I thought it would have
+been better to have built the house here, and brought the children
+to it.  This I advis'd; but he was resolute in his first project,
+rejected my counsel, and I therefore refus'd to contribute.
+I happened soon after to attend one of his sermons, in the course
+of which I perceived he intended to finish with a collection,
+and I silently resolved he should get nothing from me, I had in my
+pocket a handful of copper money, three or four silver dollars,
+and five pistoles in gold.  As he proceeded I began to soften,
+and concluded to give the coppers.  Another stroke of his oratory
+made me asham'd of that, and determin'd me to give the silver;
+and he finish'd so admirably, that I empty'd my pocket wholly into
+the collector's dish, gold and all.  At this sermon there was also
+one of our club, who, being of my sentiments respecting the building
+in Georgia, and suspecting a collection might be intended, had,
+by precaution, emptied his pockets before he came from home.
+Towards the conclusion of the discourse, however, he felt a strong
+desire to give, and apply'd to a neighbour, who stood near him,
+to borrow some money for the purpose.  The application was
+unfortunately [made] to perhaps the only man in the company who had
+the firmness not to be affected by the preacher.  His answer was,
+"At any other time, Friend Hopkinson, I would lend to thee freely;
+but not now, for thee seems to be out of thy right senses."
+
+Some of Mr. Whitefield's enemies affected to suppose that he would
+apply these collections to his own private emolument; but I who was
+intimately acquainted with him (being employed in printing his Sermons
+and Journals, etc.), never had the least suspicion of his integrity,
+but am to this day decidedly of opinion that he was in all his conduct
+a perfectly honest man, and methinks my testimony in his favour
+ought to have the more weight, as we had no religious connection.
+He us'd, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never
+had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard.
+Ours was a mere civil friendship, sincere on both sides, and lasted
+to his death.
+
+The following instance will show something of the terms on which
+we stood.  Upon one of his arrivals from England at Boston,
+he wrote to me that he should come soon to Philadelphia,
+but knew not where he could lodge when there, as he understood
+his old friend and host, Mr. Benezet, was removed to Germantown.
+My answer was, "You know my house; if you can make shift with
+its scanty accommodations, you will be most heartily welcome."
+He reply'd, that if I made that kind offer for Christ's sake,
+I should not miss of a reward.  And I returned, "Don't let me
+be mistaken; it was not for Christ's sake, but for your sake."
+One of our common acquaintance jocosely remark'd, that, knowing it
+to be the custom of the saints, when they received any favour,
+to shift the burden of the obligation from off their own shoulders,
+and place it in heaven, I had contriv'd to fix it on earth.
+
+The last time I saw Mr. Whitefield was in London, when he consulted
+me about his Orphan House concern, and his purpose of appropriating
+it to the establishment of a college.
+
+He had a loud and clear voice, and articulated his words and
+sentences so perfectly, that he might be heard and understood at
+a great distance, especially as his auditories, however numerous,
+observ'd the most exact silence.  He preach'd one evening from the top
+of the Court-house steps, which are in the middle of Market-street,
+and on the west side of Second-street, which crosses it at right angles.
+Both streets were fill'd with his hearers to a considerable distance.
+Being among the hindmost in Market-street, I had the curiosity
+to learn how far he could be heard, by retiring backwards down
+the street towards the river; and I found his voice distinct till I
+came near Front-street, when some noise in that street obscur'd it.
+Imagining then a semi-circle, of which my distance should be the radius,
+and that it were fill'd with auditors, to each of whom I allow'd
+two square feet, I computed that he might well be heard by more
+than thirty thousand.  This reconcil'd me to the newspaper accounts
+of his having preach'd to twenty-five thousand people in the fields,
+and to the antient histories of generals haranguing whole armies,
+of which I had sometimes doubted.
+
+By hearing him often, I came to distinguish easily between sermons
+newly compos'd, and those which he had often preach'd in the course
+of his travels.  His delivery of the latter was so improv'd by frequent
+repetitions that every accent, every emphasis, every modulation
+of voice, was so perfectly well turn'd and well plac'd, that,
+without being interested in the subject, one could not help being
+pleas'd with the discourse; a pleasure of much the same kind with that
+receiv'd from an excellent piece of musick.  This is an advantage
+itinerant preachers have over those who are stationary, as the latter
+can not well improve their delivery of a sermon by so many rehearsals.
+
+His writing and printing from time to time gave great advantage
+to his enemies; unguarded expressions, and even erroneous opinions,
+delivered in preaching, might have been afterwards explain'd
+or qualifi'd by supposing others that might have accompani'd them,
+or they might have been deny'd; but litera scripta monet.
+Critics attack'd his writings violently, and with so much appearance
+of reason as to diminish the number of his votaries and prevent
+their encrease; so that I am of opinion if he had never written
+any thing, he would have left behind him a much more numerous
+and important sect, and his reputation might in that case have been
+still growing, even after his death, as there being nothing of his
+writing on which to found a censure and give him a lower character,
+his proselytes would be left at liberty to feign for him as great
+a variety of excellence as their enthusiastic admiration might wish
+him to have possessed.
+
+My business was now continually augmenting, and my circumstances growing
+daily easier, my newspaper having become very profitable, as being
+for a time almost the only one in this and the neighbouring provinces.
+I experienced, too, the truth of the observation, "that after
+getting the first hundred pound, it is more easy to get the second,"
+money itself being of a prolific nature.
+
+The partnership at Carolina having succeeded, I was encourag'd
+to engage in others, and to promote several of my workmen,
+who had behaved well, by establishing them with printing-houses
+in different colonies, on the same terms with that in Carolina.
+Most of them did well, being enabled at the end of our term, six years,
+to purchase the types of me and go on working for themselves,
+by which means several families were raised.  Partnerships often
+finish in quarrels; but I was happy in this, that mine were all
+carried on and ended amicably, owing, I think, a good deal to
+the precaution of having very explicitly settled, in our articles,
+every thing to be done by or expected from each partner, so that
+there was nothing to dispute, which precaution I would therefore
+recommend to all who enter into partnerships; for, whatever esteem
+partners may have for, and confidence in each other at the time
+of the contract, little jealousies and disgusts may arise, with ideas
+of inequality in the care and burden of the business, etc., which
+are attended often with breach of friendship and of the connection,
+perhaps with lawsuits and other disagreeable consequences.
+
+I had, on the whole, abundant reason to be satisfied with my being
+established in Pennsylvania.  There were, however, two things
+that I regretted, there being no provision for defense, nor for
+a compleat education of youth; no militia, nor any college.
+I therefore, in 1743, drew up a proposal for establishing an academy;
+and at that time, thinking the Reverend Mr. Peters, who was out
+of employ, a fit person to superintend such an institution,
+I communicated the project to him; but he, having more profitable
+views in the service of the proprietaries, which succeeded,
+declin'd the undertaking; and, not knowing another at that time
+suitable for such a trust, I let the scheme lie a while dormant.
+I succeeded better the next year, 1744, in proposing and establishing
+a Philosophical Society.  The paper I wrote for that purpose will
+be found among my writings, when collected.
+
+With respect to defense, Spain having been several years at war
+against Great Britain, and being at length join'd by France,
+which brought us into great danger; and the laboured and long-continued
+endeavour of our governor, Thomas, to prevail with our Quaker Assembly
+to pass a militia law, and make other provisions for the security
+of the province, having proved abortive, I determined to try what might
+be done by a voluntary association of the people.  To promote this,
+I first wrote and published a pamphlet, entitled PLAIN TRUTH, in which I
+stated our defenceless situation in strong lights, with the necessity
+of union and discipline for our defense, and promis'd to propose in
+a few days an association, to be generally signed for that purpose.
+The pamphlet had a sudden and surprising effect.  I was call'd upon
+for the instrument of association, and having settled the draft
+of it with a few friends, I appointed a meeting of the citizens
+in the large building before mentioned.  The house was pretty full;
+I had prepared a number of printed copies, and provided pens and ink
+dispers'd all over the room.  I harangued them a little on the subject,
+read the paper, and explained it, and then distributed the copies,
+which were eagerly signed, not the least objection being made.
+
+When the company separated, and the papers were collected, we found
+above twelve hundred hands; and, other copies being dispersed
+in the country, the subscribers amounted at length to upward
+of ten thousand.  These all furnished themselves as soon as they
+could with arms, formed themselves into companies and regiments,
+chose their own officers, and met every week to be instructed
+in the manual exercise, and other parts of military discipline.
+The women, by subscriptions among themselves, provided silk colors,
+which they presented to the companies, painted with different devices
+and mottos, which I supplied.
+
+The officers of the companies composing the Philadelphia regiment,
+being met, chose me for their colonel; but, conceiving myself unfit,
+I declin'd that station, and recommended Mr. Lawrence, a fine
+person, and man of influence, who was accordingly appointed.
+I then propos'd a lottery to defray the expense of building
+a battery below the town, and furnishing it with cannon.
+It filled expeditiously, and the battery was soon erected, the merlons
+being fram'd of logs and fill'd with earth.  We bought some old
+cannon from Boston, but, these not being sufficient, we wrote to
+England for more, soliciting, at the same time, our proprietaries
+for some assistance, tho' without much expectation of obtaining it.
+
+Meanwhile, Colonel Lawrence, William Allen, Abram Taylor,
+Esqr., and myself were sent to New York by the associators,
+commission'd to borrow some cannon of Governor Clinton.  He at first
+refus'd us peremptorily; but at dinner with his council, where there
+was great drinking of Madeira wine, as the custom of that place
+then was, he softened by degrees, and said he would lend us six.
+After a few more bumpers he advanc'd to ten; and at length he
+very good-naturedly conceded eighteen.  They were fine cannon,
+eighteen-pounders, with their carriages, which we soon transported
+and mounted on our battery, where the associators kept a nightly
+guard while the war lasted, and among the rest I regularly took
+my turn of duty there as a common soldier.
+
+My activity in these operations was agreeable to the governor and council;
+they took me into confidence, and I was consulted by them in every
+measure wherein their concurrence was thought useful to the association.
+Calling in the aid of religion, I propos'd to them the proclaiming
+a fast, to promote reformation, and implore the blessing of Heaven on
+our undertaking.  They embrac'd the motion; but, as it was the first
+fast ever thought of in the province, the secretary had no precedent
+from which to draw the proclamation.  My education in New England,
+where a fast is proclaimed every year, was here of some advantage:
+I drew it in the accustomed stile, it was translated into German,
+printed in both languages, and divulg'd thro' the province.  This gave
+the clergy of the different sects an opportunity of influencing their
+congregations to join in the association, and it would probably have
+been general among all but Quakers if the peace had not soon interven'd.
+
+It was thought by some of my friends that, by my activity in
+these affairs, I should offend that sect, and thereby lose my interest
+in the Assembly of the province, where they formed a great majority.
+A young gentleman who had likewise some friends in the House,
+and wished to succeed me as their clerk, acquainted me that it
+was decided to displace me at the next election; and he, therefore,
+in good will, advis'd me to resign, as more consistent with my honour
+than being turn'd out.  My answer to him was, that I had read or heard
+of some public man who made it a rule never to ask for an office,
+and never to refuse one when offer'd to him.  "I approve,"
+says I, "of his rule, and will practice it with a small addition;
+I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever resign an office.
+If they will have my office of clerk to dispose of to another,
+they shall take it from me.  I will not, by giving it up, lose my
+right of some time or other making reprisals on my adversaries."
+I heard, however, no more of this; I was chosen again unanimously
+as usual at the next election.  Possibly, as they dislik'd my late
+intimacy with the members of council, who had join'd the governors
+in all the disputes about military preparations, with which the House
+had long been harass'd, they might have been pleas'd if I would
+voluntarily have left them; but they did not care to displace me
+on account merely of my zeal for the association, and they could
+not well give another reason.
+
+Indeed I had some cause to believe that the defense of the country
+was not disagreeable to any of them, provided they were not requir'd
+to assist in it.  And I found that a much greater number of them
+than I could have imagined, tho' against offensive war, were clearly
+for the defensive.  Many pamphlets pro and con were publish'd
+on the subject, and some by good Quakers, in favour of defense,
+which I believe convinc'd most of their younger people.
+
+A transaction in our fire company gave me some insight into their
+prevailing sentiments.  It had been propos'd that we should encourage
+the scheme for building a battery by laying out the present stock,
+then about sixty pounds, in tickets of the lottery.  By our rules,
+no money could be dispos'd of till the next meeting after the proposal.
+The company consisted of thirty members, of which twenty-two
+were Quakers, and eight only of other persuasions.  We eight
+punctually attended the meeting; but, tho' we thought that some of
+the Quakers would join us, we were by no means sure of a majority.
+Only one Quaker, Mr. James Morris, appear'd to oppose the measure.
+He expressed much sorrow that it had ever been propos'd, as he said
+Friends were all against it, and it would create such discord as might
+break up the company.  We told him that we saw no reason for that;
+we were the minority, and if Friends were against the measure,
+and outvoted us, we must and should, agreeably to the usage
+of all societies, submit.  When the hour for business arriv'd
+it was mov'd to put the vote; he allow'd we might then do it
+by the rules, but, as he could assure us that a number of members
+intended to be present for the purpose of opposing it, it would
+be but candid to allow a little time for their appearing.
+
+While we were disputing this, a waiter came to tell me two gentlemen
+below desir'd to speak with me.  I went down, and found they were two
+of our Quaker members.  They told me there were eight of them assembled
+at a tavern just by; that they were determin'd to come and vote with us
+if there should be occasion, which they hop'd would not be the case,
+and desir'd we would not call for their assistance if we could do
+without it, as their voting for such a measure might embroil them
+with their elders and friends.  Being thus secure of a majority,
+I went up, and after a little seeming hesitation, agreed to a delay
+of another hour.  This Mr. Morris allow'd to be extreamly fair.
+Not one of his opposing friends appear'd, at which he express'd
+great surprize; and, at the expiration of the hour, we carry'd
+the resolution eight to one; and as, of the twenty-two Quakers,
+eight were ready to vote with us, and thirteen, by their absence,
+manifested that they were not inclin'd to oppose the measure,
+I afterward estimated the proportion of Quakers sincerely against
+defense as one to twenty-one only; for these were all regular members
+of that society, and in good reputation among them, and had due
+notice of what was propos'd at that meeting.
+
+The honorable and learned Mr. Logan, who had always been of that sect,
+was one who wrote an address to them, declaring his approbation of
+defensive war, and supporting his opinion by many strong arguments.
+He put into my hands sixty pounds to be laid out in lottery tickets
+for the battery, with directions to apply what prizes might be drawn
+wholly to that service.  He told me the following anecdote of his
+old master, William Penn, respecting defense.  He came over from England,
+when a young man, with that proprietary, and as his secretary.
+It was war-time, and their ship was chas'd by an armed vessel,
+suppos'd to be an enemy.  Their captain prepar'd for defense;
+but told William Penn and his company of Quakers, that he did
+not expect their assistance, and they might retire into the cabin,
+which they did, except James Logan, who chose to stay upon deck,
+and was quarter'd to a gun.  The suppos'd enemy prov'd a friend,
+so there was no fighting; but when the secretary went down to
+communicate the intelligence, William Penn rebuk'd him severely for
+staying upon deck, and undertaking to assist in defending the vessel,
+contrary to the principles of Friends, especially as it had not been
+required by the captain.  This reproof, being before all the company,
+piqu'd the secretary, who answer'd, "I being thy servant, why did
+thee not order me to come down?  But thee was willing enough that I
+should stay and help to fight the ship when thee thought there
+was danger."
+
+My being many years in the Assembly, the majority of which were
+constantly Quakers, gave me frequent opportunities of seeing
+the embarrassment given them by their principle against war,
+whenever application was made to them, by order of the crown,
+to grant aids for military purposes.  They were unwilling to offend
+government, on the one hand, by a direct refusal; and their friends,
+the body of the Quakers, on the other, by a compliance contrary
+to their principles; hence a variety of evasions to avoid complying,
+and modes of disguising the compliance when it became unavoidable.
+The common mode at last was, to grant money under the phrase of its
+being "for the king's use," and never to inquire how it was applied.
+
+But, if the demand was not directly from the crown, that phrase was
+found not so proper, and some other was to be invented.  As, when powder
+was wanting (I think it was for the garrison at Louisburg), and the
+government of New England solicited a grant of some from Pennsilvania,
+which was much urg'd on the House by Governor Thomas, they could
+not grant money to buy powder, because that was an ingredient of war;
+but they voted an aid to New England of three thousand pounds,
+to he put into the hands of the governor, and appropriated it
+for the purchasing of bread, flour, wheat, or other grain.  Some of
+the council, desirous of giving the House still further embarrassment,
+advis'd the governor not to accept provision, as not being the thing
+he had demanded; but be reply'd, "I shall take the money, for I
+understand very well their meaning; other grain is gunpowder,"
+which he accordingly bought, and they never objected to it.<10>
+
+     <10> See the votes.--[Marg. note.]
+
+It was in allusion to this fact that, when in our fire company we
+feared the success of our proposal in favour of the lottery, and I
+had said to my friend Mr. Syng, one of our members, "If we fail,
+let us move the purchase of a fire-engine with the money; the Quakers
+can have no objection to that; and then, if you nominate me and I
+you as a committee for that purpose, we will buy a great gun,
+which is certainly a fire-engine." "I see," says he, "you have
+improv'd by being so long in the Assembly; your equivocal project
+would be just a match for their wheat or other grain."
+
+These embarrassments that the Quakers suffer'd from having
+establish'd and published it as one of their principles that
+no kind of war was lawful, and which, being once published,
+they could not afterwards, however they might change their minds,
+easily get rid of, reminds me of what I think a more prudent
+conduct in another sect among us, that of the Dunkers.  I was
+acquainted with one of its founders, Michael Welfare, soon after it
+appear'd. He complain'd to me that they were grievously calumniated
+by the zealots of other persuasions, and charg'd with abominable
+principles and practices, to which they were utter strangers.
+I told him this had always been the case with new sects, and that,
+to put a stop to such abuse, I imagin'd it might be well to publish
+the articles of their belief, and the rules of their discipline.
+He said that it had been propos'd among them, but not agreed to,
+for this reason:  "When we were first drawn together as a society,"
+says he, "it had pleased God to enlighten our minds so far as to see
+that some doctrines, which we once esteemed truths, were errors;
+and that others, which we had esteemed errors, were real truths.
+From time to time He has been pleased to afford us farther light,
+and our principles have been improving, and our errors diminishing.
+Now we are not sure that we are arrived at the end of this progression,
+and at the perfection of spiritual or theological knowledge;
+and we fear that, if we should once print our confession of faith,
+we should feel ourselves as if bound and confin'd by it, and perhaps
+be unwilling to receive farther improvement, and our successors still
+more so, as conceiving what we their elders and founders had done, to be
+something sacred, never to be departed from."
+
+This modesty in a sect is perhaps a singular instance in the history
+of mankind, every other sect supposing itself in possession
+of all truth, and that those who differ are so far in the wrong;
+like a man traveling in foggy weather, those at some distance
+before him on the road he sees wrapped up in the fog, as well as
+those behind him, and also the people in the fields on each side,
+but near him all appears clear, tho' in truth he is as much
+in the fog as any of them.  To avoid this kind of embarrassment,
+the Quakers have of late years been gradually declining the public
+service in the Assembly and in the magistracy, choosing rather
+to quit their power than their principle.
+
+In order of time, I should have mentioned before, that having, in 1742,
+invented an open stove for the better warming of rooms, and at the same
+time saving fuel, as the fresh air admitted was warmed in entering,
+I made a present of the model to Mr. Robert Grace, one of my early
+friends, who, having an iron-furnace, found the casting of the plates
+for these stoves a profitable thing, as they were growing in demand.
+To promote that demand, I wrote and published a pamphlet, entitled "An
+Account of the new-invented Pennsylvania Fireplaces; wherein their
+Construction and Manner of Operation is particularly explained;
+their Advantages above every other Method of warming Rooms demonstrated;
+and all Objections that have been raised against the Use of them
+answered and obviated," etc.  This pamphlet had a good effect.
+Gov'r. Thomas was so pleas'd with the construction of this stove,
+as described in it, that he offered to give me a patent for the sole
+vending of them for a term of years; but I declin'd it from a principle
+which has ever weighed with me on such occasions, viz., That, as we
+enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be
+glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours;
+and this we should do freely and generously.
+
+An ironmonger in London however, assuming a good deal of my pamphlet,
+and working it up into his own, and making some small changes
+in the machine, which rather hurt its operation, got a patent
+for it there, and made, as I was told, a little fortune by it.
+And this is not the only instance of patents taken out for my
+inventions by others, tho' not always with the same success, which I
+never contested, as having no desire of profiting by patents myself,
+and hating disputes.  The use of these fireplaces in very many houses,
+both of this and the neighbouring colonies, has been, and is,
+a great saving of wood to the inhabitants.
+
+Peace being concluded, and the association business therefore at
+an end, I turn'd my thoughts again to the affair of establishing
+an academy.  The first step I took was to associate in the design
+a number of active friends, of whom the Junto furnished a good part;
+the next was to write and publish a pamphlet, entitled Proposals
+Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania.  This I
+distributed among the principal inhabitants gratis; and as soon
+as I could suppose their minds a little prepared by the perusal
+of it, I set on foot a subscription for opening and supporting
+an academy; it was to be paid in quotas yearly for five years;
+by so dividing it, I judg'd the subscription might be larger,
+and I believe it was so, amounting to no less, if I remember right,
+than five thousand pounds.
+
+In the introduction to these proposals, I stated their publication,
+not as an act of mine, but of some publick-spirited gentlemen,
+avoiding as much as I could, according to my usual rule, the presenting
+myself to the publick as the author of any scheme for their benefit.
+
+The subscribers, to carry the project into immediate execution,
+chose out of their number twenty-four trustees, and appointed
+Mr. Francis, then attorney-general, and myself to draw up constitutions
+for the government of the academy; which being done and signed,
+a house was hired, masters engag'd, and the schools opened, I think,
+in the same year, 1749.
+
+The scholars increasing fast, the house was soon found too small,
+and we were looking out for a piece of ground, properly situated,
+with intention to build, when Providence threw into our way a large
+house ready built, which, with a few alterations, might well
+serve our purpose.  This was the building before mentioned,
+erected by the hearers of Mr. Whitefield, and was obtained for us
+in the following manner.
+
+It is to be noted that the contributions to this building being
+made by people of different sects, care was taken in the nomination
+of trustees, in whom the building and ground was to be vested,
+that a predominancy should not be given to any sect, lest in time that
+predominancy might be a means of appropriating the whole to the use
+of such sect, contrary to the original intention.  It was therefore
+that one of each sect was appointed, viz., one Church-of-England man,
+one Presbyterian, one Baptist, one Moravian, etc., those, in case
+of vacancy by death, were to fill it by election from among
+the contributors.  The Moravian happen'd not to please his colleagues,
+and on his death they resolved to have no other of that sect.
+The difficulty then was, how to avoid having two of some other sect,
+by means of the new choice.
+
+Several persons were named, and for that reason not agreed to.
+At length one mention'd me, with the observation that I was merely
+an honest man, and of no sect at all, which prevail'd with them
+to chuse me.  The enthusiasm which existed when the house was built
+had long since abated, and its trustees had not been able to procure
+fresh contributions for paying the ground-rent, and discharging
+some other debts the building had occasion'd, which embarrass'd
+them greatly.  Being now a member of both sets of trustees,
+that for the building and that for the Academy, I had a good
+opportunity of negotiating with both, and brought them finally
+to an agreement, by which the trustees for the building were to cede
+it to those of the academy, the latter undertaking to discharge
+the debt, to keep for ever open in the building a large hall
+for occasional preachers, according to the original intention,
+and maintain a free school for the instruction of poor children.
+Writings were accordingly drawn, and on paying the debts the
+trustees of the academy were put in possession of the premises;
+and by dividing the great and lofty hall into stories, and different
+rooms above and below for the several schools, and purchasing some
+additional ground, the whole was soon made fit for our purpose,
+and the scholars remov'd into the building.  The care and trouble
+of agreeing with the workmen, purchasing materials, and superintending
+the work, fell upon me; and I went thro' it the more cheerfully,
+as it did not then interfere with my private business, having the
+year before taken a very able, industrious, and honest partner,
+Mr. David Hall, with whose character I was well acquainted, as he
+had work'd for me four years.  He took off my hands all care of
+the printing-office, paying me punctually my share of the profits.
+This partnership continued eighteen years, successfully for us both.
+
+The trustees of the academy, after a while, were incorporated
+by a charter from the governor; their funds were increas'd by
+contributions in Britain and grants of land from the proprietaries,
+to which the Assembly has since made considerable addition;
+and thus was established the present University of Philadelphia.
+I have been continued one of its trustees from the beginning,
+now near forty years, and have had the very great pleasure of seeing
+a number of the youth who have receiv'd their education in it,
+distinguish'd by their improv'd abilities, serviceable in public
+stations and ornaments to their country.
+
+When I disengaged myself, as above mentioned, from private business,
+I flatter'd myself that, by the sufficient tho' moderate fortune
+I had acquir'd, I had secured leisure during the rest of my life
+for philosophical studies and amusements.  I purchased all
+Dr. Spence's apparatus, who had come from England to lecture here,
+and I proceeded in my electrical experiments with great alacrity;
+but the publick, now considering me as a man of leisure, laid hold
+of me for their purposes, every part of our civil government,
+and almost at the same time, imposing some duty upon me.
+The governor put me into the commission of the peace; the corporation
+of the city chose me of the common council, and soon after an alderman;
+and the citizens at large chose me a burgess to represent them
+in Assembly.  This latter station was the more agreeable to me,
+as I was at length tired with sitting there to hear debates,
+in which, as clerk, I could take no part, and which were often
+so unentertaining that I was induc'd to amuse myself with making
+magic squares or circles, or any thing to avoid weariness; and I
+conceiv'd my becoming a member would enlarge my power of doing good.
+I would not, however, insinuate that my ambition was not flatter'd by all
+these promotions; it certainly was; for, considering my low beginning,
+they were great things to me; and they were still more pleasing,
+as being so many spontaneous testimonies of the public good opinion,
+and by me entirely unsolicited.
+
+The office of justice of the peace I try'd a little, by attending
+a few courts, and sitting on the bench to hear causes; but finding
+that more knowledge of the common law than I possess'd was necessary
+to act in that station with credit, I gradually withdrew from it,
+excusing myself by my being oblig'd to attend the higher duties
+of a legislator in the Assembly.  My election to this trust was
+repeated every year for ten years, without my ever asking any
+elector for his vote, or signifying, either directly or indirectly,
+any desire of being chosen.  On taking my seat in the House,
+my son was appointed their clerk.
+
+The year following, a treaty being to be held with the Indians
+at Carlisle, the governor sent a message to the House, proposing that
+they should nominate some of their members, to be join'd with some
+members of council, as commissioners for that purpose.<11> The House
+named the speaker (Mr. Norris) and myself; and, being commission'd,
+we went to Carlisle, and met the Indians accordingly.
+
+     <11> See the votes to have this more correctly.
+          --[Marg. note.]
+
+As those people are extreamly apt to get drunk, and, when so,
+are very quarrelsome and disorderly, we strictly forbad the selling
+any liquor to them; and when they complain'd of this restriction,
+we told them that if they would continue sober during the treaty,
+we would give them plenty of rum when business was over.
+They promis'd this, and they kept their promise, because they could get
+no liquor, and the treaty was conducted very orderly, and concluded
+to mutual satisfaction.  They then claim'd and receiv'd the rum; this was
+in the afternoon; they were near one hundred men, women, and children,
+and were lodg'd in temporary cabins, built in the form of a square,
+just without the town.  In the evening, hearing a great noise
+among them, the commissioners walk'd out to see what was the matter.
+We found they had made a great bonfire in the middle of the square;
+they were all drunk, men and women, quarreling and fighting.
+Their dark-colour'd bodies, half naked, seen only by the gloomy light
+of the bonfire, running after and beating one another with firebrands,
+accompanied by their horrid yellings, form'd a scene the most
+resembling our ideas of hell that could well be imagin'd; there was
+no appeasing the tumult, and we retired to our lodging.  At midnight
+a number of them came thundering at our door, demanding more rum,
+of which we took no notice.
+
+The next day, sensible they had misbehav'd in giving us that disturbance,
+they sent three of their old counselors to make their apology.
+The orator acknowledg'd the fault, but laid it upon the rum;
+and then endeavored to excuse the rum by saying, "The Great Spirit,
+who made all things, made every thing for some use, and whatever use
+he design'd any thing for, that use it should always be put to.
+Now, when he made rum, he said 'Let this be for the Indians to get
+drunk with,' and it must be so."  And, indeed, if it be the design
+of Providence to extirpate these savages in order to make room
+for cultivators of the earth, it seems not improbable that rum may
+be the appointed means.  It has already annihilated all the tribes
+who formerly inhabited the sea-coast.
+
+In 1751, Dr. Thomas Bond, a particular friend of mine, conceived the idea
+of establishing a hospital in Philadelphia (a very beneficent design,
+which has been ascrib'd to me, but was originally his), for the reception
+and cure of poor sick persons, whether inhabitants of the province
+or strangers.  He was zealous and active in endeavouring to procure
+subscriptions for it, but the proposal being a novelty in America,
+and at first not well understood, he met with but small success.
+
+At length he came to me with the compliment that he found there
+was no such thing as carrying a public-spirited project through
+without my being concern'd in it.  "For," says he, "I am often
+ask'd by those to whom I propose subscribing, Have you consulted
+Franklin upon this business?  And what does he think of it?
+And when I tell them that I have not (supposing it rather out of your
+line), they do not subscribe, but say they will consider of it."
+I enquired into the nature and probable utility of his scheme,
+and receiving from him a very satisfactory explanation, I not only
+subscrib'd to it myself, but engag'd heartily in the design of procuring
+subscriptions from others.  Previously, however, to the solicitation,
+I endeavoured to prepare the minds of the people by writing on the
+subject in the newspapers, which was my usual custom in such cases,
+but which he had omitted.
+
+The subscriptions afterwards were more free and generous;
+but, beginning to flag, I saw they would be insufficient without
+some assistance from the Assembly, and therefore propos'd to
+petition for it, which was done.  The country members did not at
+first relish the project; they objected that it could only be
+serviceable to the city, and therefore the citizens alone should
+be at the expense of it; and they doubted whether the citizens
+themselves generally approv'd of it.  My allegation on the contrary,
+that it met with such approbation as to leave no doubt of our
+being able to raise two thousand pounds by voluntary donations,
+they considered as a most extravagant supposition, and utterly impossible.
+
+On this I form'd my plan; and asking leave to bring in a bill for
+incorporating the contributors according to the prayer of their petition,
+and granting them a blank sum of money, which leave was obtained
+chiefly on the consideration that the House could throw the bill out
+if they did not like it, I drew it so as to make the important clause
+a conditional one, viz., "And be it enacted, by the authority aforesaid,
+that when the said contributors shall have met and chosen their
+managers and treasurer, and shall have raised by their contributions
+a capital stock of ----- value (the yearly interest of which is to be
+applied to the accommodating of the sick poor in the said hospital,
+free of charge for diet, attendance, advice, and medicines), and
+shall make the same appear to the satisfaction of the speaker of
+the Assembly for the time being, that then it shall and may be lawful
+for the said speaker, and he is hereby required, to sign an order
+on the provincial treasurer for the payment of two thousand pounds,
+in two yearly payments, to the treasurer of the said hospital,
+to be applied to the founding, building, and finishing of the same."
+
+This condition carried the bill through; for the members, who had
+oppos'd the grant, and now conceiv'd they might have the credit
+of being charitable without the expence, agreed to its passage;
+and then, in soliciting subscriptions among the people, we urg'd
+the conditional promise of the law as an additional motive to give,
+since every man's donation would be doubled; thus the clause
+work'd both ways.  The subscriptions accordingly soon exceeded
+the requisite sum, and we claim'd and receiv'd the public gift,
+which enabled us to carry the design into execution.  A convenient
+and handsome building was soon erected; the institution has
+by constant experience been found useful, and flourishes to
+this day; and I do not remember any of my political manoeuvres,
+the success of which gave me at the time more pleasure, or wherein,
+after thinking of it, I more easily excus'd myself for having made
+some use of cunning.
+
+It was about this time that another projector, the Rev. Gilbert Tennent,
+came to me with a request that I would assist him in procuring
+a subscription for erecting a new meeting-house. It was to be for
+the use of a congregation he had gathered among the Presbyterians,
+who were originally disciples of Mr. Whitefield.  Unwilling to
+make myself disagreeable to my fellow-citizens by too frequently
+soliciting their contributions, I absolutely refus'd. He then
+desired I would furnish him with a list of the names of persons I
+knew by experience to be generous and public-spirited. I thought
+it would be unbecoming in me, after their kind compliance with
+my solicitations, to mark them out to be worried by other beggars,
+and therefore refus'd also to give such a list.  He then desir'd I
+would at least give him my advice.  "That I will readily do," said I;
+"and, in the first place, I advise you to apply to all those whom
+you know will give something; next, to those whom you are uncertain
+whether they will give any thing or not, and show them the list
+of those who have given; and, lastly, do not neglect those who you
+are sure will give nothing, for in some of them you may be mistaken."
+He laugh'd and thank'd me, and said he would take my advice.
+He did so, for he ask'd of everybody, and he obtained a much
+larger sum than he expected, with which he erected the capacious
+and very elegant meeting-house that stands in Arch-street.
+
+Our city, tho' laid out with a beautiful regularity, the streets large,
+strait, and crossing each other at right angles, had the disgrace
+of suffering those streets to remain long unpav'd, and in wet
+weather the wheels of heavy carriages plough'd them into a quagmire,
+so that it was difficult to cross them; and in dry weather the dust
+was offensive.  I had liv'd near what was call'd the Jersey Market,
+and saw with pain the inhabitants wading in mud while purchasing
+their provisions.  A strip of ground down the middle of that
+market was at length pav'd with brick, so that, being once
+in the market, they had firm footing, but were often over shoes
+in dirt to get there.  By talking and writing on the subject,
+I was at length instrumental in getting the street pav'd with stone
+between the market and the brick'd foot-pavement, that was on each
+side next the houses.  This, for some time, gave an easy access
+to the market dry-shod; but, the rest of the street not being
+pav'd, whenever a carriage came out of the mud upon this pavement,
+it shook off and left its dirt upon it, and it was soon cover'd
+with mire, which was not remov'd, the city as yet having no scavengers.
+
+After some inquiry I found a poor industrious man, who was willing
+to undertake keeping the pavement clean, by sweeping it twice
+a week, carrying off the dirt from before all the neighbours'
+doors, for the sum of sixpence per month, to be paid by each house.
+I then wrote and printed a paper setting forth the advantages
+to the neighbourhood that might be obtain'd by this small expense;
+the greater ease in keeping our houses clean, so much dirt not being
+brought in by people's feet; the benefit to the shops by more custom,
+etc., etc., as buyers could more easily get at them; and by not having,
+in windy weather, the dust blown in upon their goods, etc., etc.
+I sent one of these papers to each house, and in a day or two went
+round to see who would subscribe an agreement to pay these sixpences;
+it was unanimously sign'd, and for a time well executed.
+All the inhabitants of the city were delighted with the cleanliness
+of the pavement that surrounded the market, it being a convenience
+to all, and this rais'd a general desire to have all the streets paved,
+and made the people more willing to submit to a tax for that purpose.
+
+After some time I drew a bill for paving the city, and brought it
+into the Assembly.  It was just before I went to England, in 1757,
+and did not pass till I was gone.<12> and then with an alteration
+in the mode of assessment, which I thought not for the better,
+but with an additional provision for lighting as well as paving
+the streets, which was a great improvement.  It was by a private person,
+the late Mr. John Clifton, his giving a sample of the utility of lamps,
+by placing one at his door, that the people were first impress'd
+with the idea of enlighting all the city.  The honour of this
+public benefit has also been ascrib'd to me but it belongs truly
+to that gentleman.  I did but follow his example, and have only
+some merit to claim respecting the form of our lamps, as differing
+from the globe lamps we were at first supply'd with from London.
+Those we found inconvenient in these respects:  they admitted
+no air below; the smoke, therefore, did not readily go out above,
+but circulated in the globe, lodg'd on its inside, and soon
+obstructed the light they were intended to afford; giving, besides,
+the daily trouble of wiping them clean; and an accidental stroke
+on one of them would demolish it, and render it totally useless.
+I therefore suggested the composing them of four flat panes,
+with a long funnel above to draw up the smoke, and crevices
+admitting air below, to facilitate the ascent of the smoke; by this
+means they were kept clean, and did not grow dark in a few hours,
+as the London lamps do, but continu'd bright till morning,
+and an accidental stroke would generally break but a single pane,
+easily repair'd.
+
+     <12> See votes.
+
+I have sometimes wonder'd that the Londoners did not, from the
+effect holes in the bottom of the globe lamps us'd at Vauxhall
+have in keeping them clean, learn to have such holes in their
+street lamps.  But, these holes being made for another purpose,
+viz., to communicate flame more suddenly to the wick by a little
+flax hanging down thro' them, the other use, of letting in air,
+seems not to have been thought of; and therefore, after the lamps have
+been lit a few hours, the streets of London are very poorly illuminated.
+
+The mention of these improvements puts me in mind of one I propos'd, when
+in London, to Dr. Fothergill, who was among the best men I have known,
+and a great promoter of useful projects.  I had observ'd that the streets,
+when dry, were never swept, and the light dust carried away;
+but it was suffer'd to accumulate till wet weather reduc'd it to mud,
+and then, after lying some days so deep on the pavement that there
+was no crossing but in paths kept clean by poor people with brooms,
+it was with great labour rak'd together and thrown up into carts
+open above, the sides of which suffer'd some of the slush at every
+jolt on the pavement to shake out and fall, sometimes to the annoyance
+of foot-passengers. The reason given for not sweeping the dusty
+streets was, that the dust would fly into the windows of shops and houses.
+
+An accidental occurrence had instructed me how much sweeping might
+be done in a little time.  I found at my door in Craven-street,
+one morning, a poor woman sweeping my pavement with a birch broom;
+she appeared very pale and feeble, as just come out of a fit
+of sickness.  I ask'd who employ'd her to sweep there; she said,
+"Nobody, but I am very poor and in distress, and I sweeps before
+gentlefolkses doors, and hopes they will give me something."  I bid
+her sweep the whole street clean, and I would give her a shilling;
+this was at nine o'clock; at 12 she came for the shilling.
+From the slowness I saw at first in her working, I could scarce believe
+that the work was done so soon, and sent my servant to examine it,
+who reported that the whole street was swept perfectly clean,
+and all the dust plac'd in the gutter, which was in the middle;
+and the next rain wash'd it quite away, so that the pavement and even
+the kennel were perfectly clean.
+
+I then judg'd that, if that feeble woman could sweep such a street in
+three hours, a strong, active man might have done it in half the time.
+And here let me remark the convenience of having but one gutter
+in such a narrow street, running down its middle, instead of two,
+one on each side, near the footway; for where all the rain that
+falls on a street runs from the sides and meets in the middle,
+it forms there a current strong enough to wash away all the mud it
+meets with; but when divided into two channels, it is often too weak
+to cleanse either, and only makes the mud it finds more fluid,
+so that the wheels of carriages and feet of horses throw and dash it
+upon the foot-pavement, which is thereby rendered foul and slippery,
+and sometimes splash it upon those who are walking.  My proposal,
+communicated to the good doctor, was as follows:
+
+"For the more effectual cleaning and keeping clean the streets of
+London and Westminster, it is proposed that the several watchmen be
+contracted with to have the dust swept up in dry seasons, and the mud
+rak'd up at other times, each in the several streets and lanes
+of his round; that they be furnish'd with brooms and other proper
+instruments for these purposes, to be kept at their respective stands,
+ready to furnish the poor people they may employ in the service.
+
+"That in the dry summer months the dust be all swept up into heaps
+at proper distances, before the shops and windows of houses are
+usually opened, when the scavengers, with close-covered carts,
+shall also carry it all away.
+
+"That the mud, when rak'd up, be not left in heaps to be spread
+abroad again by the wheels of carriages and trampling of horses,
+but that the scavengers be provided with bodies of carts, not plac'd
+high upon wheels, but low upon sliders, with lattice bottoms, which,
+being cover'd with straw, will retain the mud thrown into them,
+and permit the water to drain from it, whereby it will become
+much lighter, water making the greatest part of its weight;
+these bodies of carts to be plac'd at convenient distances, and the
+mud brought to them in wheel-barrows; they remaining where plac'd
+till the mud is drain'd, and then horses brought to draw them away."
+
+I have since had doubts of the practicability of the latter part
+of this proposal, on account of the narrowness of some streets,
+and the difficulty of placing the draining-sleds so as not to encumber
+too much the passage; but I am still of opinion that the former,
+requiring the dust to be swept up and carry'd away before the shops
+are open, is very practicable in the summer, when the days are long;
+for, in walking thro' the Strand and Fleet-street one morning at
+seven o'clock, I observ'd there was not one shop open, tho' it had
+been daylight and the sun up above three hours; the inhabitants
+of London chusing voluntarily to live much by candle-light,
+and sleep by sunshine, and yet often complain, a little absurdly,
+of the duty on candles and the high price of tallow.
+
+Some may think these trifling matters not worth minding or relating;
+but when they consider that tho' dust blown into the eyes
+of a single person, or into a single shop on a windy day,
+is but of small importance, yet the great number of the instances
+in a populous city, and its frequent repetitions give it weight
+and consequence, perhaps they will not censure very severely those
+who bestow some attention to affairs of this seemingly low nature.
+Human felicity is produc'd not so much by great pieces of good
+fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur
+every day.  Thus, if you teach a poor young man to shave himself,
+and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness
+of his life than in giving him a thousand guineas.  The money may be
+soon spent, the regret only remaining of having foolishly consumed it;
+but in the other case, he escapes the frequent vexation of waiting
+for barbers, and of their sometimes dirty fingers, offensive breaths,
+and dull razors; he shaves when most convenient to him, and enjoys
+daily the pleasure of its being done with a good instrument.
+With these sentiments I have hazarded the few preceding pages,
+hoping they may afford hints which some time or other may be useful
+to a city I love, having lived many years in it very happily,
+and perhaps to some of our towns in America.
+
+Having been for some time employed by the postmaster-general
+of America as his comptroller in regulating several offices,
+and bringing the officers to account, I was, upon his death
+in 1753, appointed, jointly with Mr. William Hunter, to succeed him,
+by a commission from the postmaster-general in England.  The American
+office never had hitherto paid any thing to that of Britain.
+We were to have six hundred pounds a year between us, if we could make
+that sum out of the profits of the office.  To do this, a variety
+of improvements were necessary; some of these were inevitably at
+first expensive, so that in the first four years the office became
+above nine hundred pounds in debt to us.  But it soon after began
+to repay us; and before I was displac'd by a freak of the ministers,
+of which I shall speak hereafter, we had brought it to yield three times
+as much clear revenue to the crown as the postoffice of Ireland.
+Since that imprudent transaction, they have receiv'd from it--
+not one farthing!
+
+The business of the postoffice occasion'd my taking a journey this
+year to New England, where the College of Cambridge, of their
+own motion, presented me with the degree of Master of Arts.
+Yale College, in Connecticut, had before made me a similar compliment.
+Thus, without studying in any college, I came to partake
+of their honours.  They were conferr'd in consideration of my
+improvements and discoveries in the electric branch of natural philosophy.
+
+In 1754, war with France being again apprehended, a congress
+of commissioners from the different colonies was, by an order
+of the Lords of Trade, to be assembled at Albany, there to confer
+with the chiefs of the Six Nations concerning the means of defending
+both their country and ours.  Governor Hamilton, having receiv'd
+this order, acquainted the House with it, requesting they would
+furnish proper presents for the Indians, to be given on this occasion;
+and naming the speaker (Mr. Norris) and myself to join Mr. Thomas Penn
+and Mr. Secretary Peters as commissioners to act for Pennsylvania.
+The House approv'd the nomination, and provided the goods for the present,
+and tho' they did not much like treating out of the provinces;
+and we met the other commissioners at Albany about the middle of June.
+
+In our way thither, I projected and drew a plan for the union
+of all the colonies under one government, so far as might be
+necessary for defense, and other important general purposes.
+As we pass'd thro' New York, I had there shown my project to Mr. James
+Alexander and Mr. Kennedy, two gentlemen of great knowledge
+in public affairs, and, being fortified by their approbation,
+I ventur'd to lay it before the Congress.  It then appeared that
+several of the commissioners had form'd plans of the same kind.
+A previous question was first taken, whether a union should
+be established, which pass'd in the affirmative unanimously.
+A committee was then appointed, one member from each colony,
+to consider the several plans and report.  Mine happen'd
+to be preferr'd, and, with a few amendments, was accordingly reported.
+
+By this plan the general government was to be administered by a
+president-general, appointed and supported by the crown, and a grand
+council was to be chosen by the representatives of the people
+of the several colonies, met in their respective assemblies.
+The debates upon it in Congress went on daily, hand in hand with
+the Indian business.  Many objections and difficulties were started,
+but at length they were all overcome, and the plan was unanimously
+agreed to, and copies ordered to be transmitted to the Board
+of Trade and to the assemblies of the several provinces.
+Its fate was singular:  the assemblies did not adopt it, as they
+all thought there was too much prerogative in it, and in England
+it was judg'd to have too much of the democratic.
+
+The Board of Trade therefore did not approve of it, nor recommend it
+for the approbation of his majesty; but another scheme was form'd,
+supposed to answer the same purpose better, whereby the governors
+of the provinces, with some members of their respective councils,
+were to meet and order the raising of troops, building of forts,
+etc., and to draw on the treasury of Great Britain for the expense,
+which was afterwards to be refunded by an act of Parliament laying
+a tax on America.  My plan, with my reasons in support of it,
+is to be found among my political papers that are printed.
+
+Being the winter following in Boston, I had much conversation with
+Governor Shirley upon both the plans.  Part of what passed between us
+on the occasion may also be seen among those papers.  The different
+and contrary reasons of dislike to my plan makes me suspect that it
+was really the true medium; and I am still of opinion it would
+have been happy for both sides the water if it had been adopted.
+The colonies, so united, would have been sufficiently strong to have
+defended themselves; there would then have been no need of troops
+from England; of course, the subsequent pretence for taxing America,
+and the bloody contest it occasioned, would have been avoided.
+But such mistakes are not new; history is full of the errors of states
+and princes.
+
+          Look round the habitable world, how few
+          Know their own good, or, knowing it, pursue!
+
+Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not
+generally like to take the trouble of considering and carrying into
+execution new projects.  The best public measures are therefore
+seldom adopted from previous wisdom, but forc'd by the occasion.
+
+The Governor of Pennsylvania, in sending it down to the Assembly,
+express'd his approbation of the plan, "as appearing to him
+to be drawn up with great clearness and strength of judgment,
+and therefore recommended it as well worthy of their closest and
+most serious attention."  The House, however, by the management
+of a certain member, took it up when I happen'd to be absent,
+which I thought not very fair, and reprobated it without paying
+any attention to it at all, to my no small mortification.
+
+In my journey to Boston this year, I met at New York with our
+new governor, Mr. Morris, just arriv'd there from England, with whom
+I had been before intimately acquainted.  He brought a commission
+to supersede Mr. Hamilton, who, tir'd with the disputes his proprietary
+instructions subjected him to, had resign'd. Mr. Morris ask'd me
+if I thought he must expect as uncomfortable an administration.
+I said, "No; you may, on the contrary, have a very comfortable one,
+if you will only take care not to enter into any dispute with
+the Assembly."  "My dear friend," says he, pleasantly, "how can
+you advise my avoiding disputes?  You know I love disputing;
+it is one of my greatest pleasures; however, to show the regard
+I have for your counsel, I promise you I will, if possible,
+avoid them."  He had some reason for loving to dispute, being eloquent,
+an acute sophister, and, therefore, generally successful in
+argumentative conversation.  He had been brought up to it from a boy,
+his father, as I have heard, accustoming his children to dispute with
+one another for his diversion, while sitting at table after dinner;
+but I think the practice was not wise; for, in the course of
+my observation, these disputing, contradicting, and confuting people
+are generally unfortunate in their affairs.  They get victory sometimes,
+but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.
+We parted, he going to Philadelphia, and I to Boston.
+
+In returning, I met at New York with the votes of the Assembly,
+by which it appear'd that, notwithstanding his promise to me,
+he and the House were already in high contention; and it was a
+continual battle between them as long as he retain'd the government.
+I had my share of it; for, as soon as I got back to my seat in
+the Assembly, I was put on every committee for answering his speeches
+and messages, and by the committees always desired to make the drafts.
+Our answers, as well as his messages, were often tart, and sometimes
+indecently abusive; and, as he knew I wrote for the Assembly,
+one might have imagined that, when we met, we could hardly avoid
+cutting throats; but he was so good-natur'd a man that no personal
+difference between him and me was occasion'd by the contest, and we
+often din'd together.
+
+One afternoon, in the height of this public quarrel, we met in
+the street.  "Franklin," says he, "you must go home with me and spend
+the evening; I am to have some company that you will like;" and,
+taking me by the arm, he led me to his house.  In gay conversation
+over our wine, after supper, he told us, jokingly, that he much
+admir'd the idea of Sancho Panza, who, when it was proposed to give
+him a government, requested it might be a government of blacks,
+as then, if he could not agree with his people, he might sell them.
+One of his friends, who sat next to me, says, "Franklin, why
+do you continue to side with these damn'd Quakers?  Had not you
+better sell them?  The proprietor would give you a good price."
+"The governor," says I, "has not yet blacked them enough."
+He, indeed, had labored hard to blacken the Assembly in all
+his messages, but they wip'd off his coloring as fast as he
+laid it on, and plac'd it, in return, thick upon his own face;
+so that, finding he was likely to be negrofied himself, he, as well
+as Mr. Hamilton, grew tir'd of the contest, and quitted the government.
+
+<13>These public quarrels were all at bottom owing to the proprietaries,
+our hereditary governors, who, when any expense was to be incurred
+for the defense of their province, with incredible meanness instructed
+their deputies to pass no act for levying the necessary taxes,
+unless their vast estates were in the same act expressly excused;
+and they had even taken bonds of these deputies to observe
+such instructions.  The Assemblies for three years held out against
+this injustice, tho' constrained to bend at last.  At length
+Captain Denny, who was Governor Morris's successor, ventured to disobey
+those instructions; how that was brought about I shall show hereafter.
+
+     <13> My acts in Morris's time, military, etc.--[Marg. note.]
+
+But I am got forward too fast with my story:  there are still some
+transactions to be mention'd that happened during the administration
+of Governor Morris.
+
+War being in a manner commenced with France, the government of
+Massachusetts Bay projected an attack upon Crown Point, and sent
+Mr. Quincy to Pennsylvania, and Mr. Pownall, afterward Governor Pownall,
+to New York, to solicit assistance.  As I was in the Assembly,
+knew its temper, and was Mr. Quincy's countryman, he appli'd to me
+for my influence and assistance.  I dictated his address to them,
+which was well receiv'd. They voted an aid of ten thousand pounds,
+to be laid out in provisions.  But the governor refusing his
+assent to their bill (which included this with other sums granted
+for the use of the crown), unless a clause were inserted exempting
+the proprietary estate from bearing any part of the tax that would
+be necessary, the Assembly, tho' very desirous of making their grant
+to New England effectual, were at a loss how to accomplish it.
+Mr. Quincy labored hard with the governor to obtain his assent,
+but he was obstinate.
+
+I then suggested a method of doing the business without the governor,
+by orders on the trustees of the Loan Office, which, by law,
+the Assembly had the right of drawing.  There was, indeed, little or
+no money at that time in the office, and therefore I propos'd that
+the orders should be payable in a year, and to bear an interest
+of five per cent.  With these orders I suppos'd the provisions might
+easily be purchas'd. The Assembly, with very little hesitation,
+adopted the proposal.  The orders were immediately printed, and I
+was one of the committee directed to sign and dispose of them.
+The fund for paying them was the interest of all the paper currency
+then extant in the province upon loan, together with the revenue
+arising from the excise, which being known to be more than sufficient,
+they obtain'd instant credit, and were not only receiv'd in payment
+for the provisions, but many money'd people, who had cash lying by them,
+vested it in those orders, which they found advantageous, as they bore
+interest while upon hand, and might on any occasion be used as money;
+so that they were eagerly all bought up, and in a few weeks none of them
+were to be seen.  Thus this important affair was by my means compleated.
+My Quincy return'd thanks to the Assembly in a handsome memorial,
+went home highly pleas'd with the success of his embassy, and ever
+after bore for me the most cordial and affectionate friendship.
+
+The British government, not chusing to permit the union of the colonies
+as propos'd at Albany, and to trust that union with their defense,
+lest they should thereby grow too military, and feel their own strength,
+suspicions and jealousies at this time being entertain'd of them,
+sent over General Braddock with two regiments of regular English
+troops for that purpose.  He landed at Alexandria, in Virginia,
+and thence march'd to Frederictown, in Maryland, where he halted
+for carriages.  Our Assembly apprehending, from some information,
+that he had conceived violent prejudices against them, as averse
+to the service, wish'd me to wait upon him, not as from them,
+but as postmaster-general, under the guise of proposing to settle
+with him the mode of conducting with most celerity and certainty
+the despatches between him and the governors of the several provinces,
+with whom he must necessarily have continual correspondence, and of
+which they propos'd to pay the expense.  My son accompanied me on
+this journey.
+
+We found the general at Frederictown, waiting impatiently for
+the return of those he had sent thro' the back parts of Maryland
+and Virginia to collect waggons.  I stayed with him several days,
+din'd with him daily, and had full opportunity of removing
+all his prejudices, by the information of what the Assembly had
+before his arrival actually done, and were still willing to do,
+to facilitate his operations.  When I was about to depart, the returns
+of waggons to be obtained were brought in, by which it appear'd
+that they amounted only to twenty-five, and not all of those were
+in serviceable condition.  The general and all the officers were
+surpris'd, declar'd the expedition was then at an end, being impossible,
+and exclaim'd against the ministers for ignorantly landing them in a
+country destitute of the means of conveying their stores, baggage,
+etc., not less than one hundred and fifty waggons being necessary.
+
+I happened to say I thought it was a pity they had not been landed
+rather in Pennsylvania, as in that country almost every farmer had
+his waggon.  The general eagerly laid hold of my words, and said,
+"Then you, sir, who are a man of interest there, can probably
+procure them for us; and I beg you will undertake it."  I ask'd
+what terms were to be offer'd the owners of the waggons; and I was
+desir'd to put on paper the terms that appeared to me necessary.
+This I did, and they were agreed to, and a commission and instructions
+accordingly prepar'd immediately.  What those terms were will appear
+in the advertisement I publish'd as soon as I arriv'd at Lancaster,
+which being, from the great and sudden effect it produc'd, a piece
+of some curiosity, I shall insert it at length, as follows:
+
+               "ADVERTISEMENT.
+                        "LANCASTER, April 26, 1755.
+
+"Whereas, one hundred and fifty waggons, with four horses to each waggon,
+and fifteen hundred saddle or pack horses, are wanted for the service
+of his majesty's forces now about to rendezvous at Will's Creek,
+and his excellency General Braddock having been pleased to empower
+me to contract for the hire of the same, I hereby give notice
+that I shall attend for that purpose at Lancaster from this day
+to next Wednesday evening, and at York from next Thursday morning
+till Friday evening, where I shall be ready to agree for waggons
+and teams, or single horses, on the following terms, viz.: I. That
+there shall be paid for each waggon, with four good horses and
+a driver, fifteen shillings per diem; and for each able horse
+with a pack-saddle, or other saddle and furniture, two shillings
+per diem; and for each able horse without a saddle, eighteen pence
+per diem.  2.  That the pay commence from the time of their joining
+the forces at Will's Creek, which must be on or before the 20th
+of May ensuing, and that a reasonable allowance be paid over and
+above for the time necessary for their travelling to Will's Creek
+and home again after their discharge.  3.  Each waggon and team,
+and every saddle or pack horse, is to be valued by indifferent
+persons chosen between me and the owner; and in case of the loss of
+any waggon, team, or other horse in the service, the price according
+to such valuation is to be allowed and paid.  4.  Seven days'
+pay is to be advanced and paid in hand by me to the owner of each
+waggon and team, or horse, at the time of contracting, if required,
+and the remainder to be paid by General Braddock, or by the paymaster
+of the army, at the time of their discharge, or from time to time,
+as it shall be demanded.  5.  No drivers of waggons, or persons
+taking care of the hired horses, are on any account to be called
+upon to do the duty of soldiers, or be otherwise employed than in
+conducting or taking care of their carriages or horses.  6.  All oats,
+Indian corn, or other forage that waggons or horses bring to the camp,
+more than is necessary for the subsistence of the horses, is to be
+taken for the use of the army, and a reasonable price paid for the same.
+
+"Note.--My son, William Franklin, is empowered to enter into like
+contracts with any person in Cumberland county.
+                                        "B. FRANKLIN."
+
+     "To the inhabitants of the Counties of Lancaster,
+                    York and Cumberland.
+
+"Friends and Countrymen,
+
+"Being occasionally at the camp at Frederic a few days since,
+I found the general and officers extremely exasperated on account
+of their not being supplied with horses and carriages, which had
+been expected from this province, as most able to furnish them;
+but, through the dissensions between our governor and Assembly,
+money had not been provided, nor any steps taken for that purpose.
+
+"It was proposed to send an armed force immediately into these counties,
+to seize as many of the best carriages and horses as should be wanted,
+and compel as many persons into the service as would be necessary
+to drive and take care of them.
+
+"I apprehended that the progress of British soldiers through these
+counties on such an occasion, especially considering the temper
+they are in, and their resentment against us, would be attended
+with many and great inconveniences to the inhabitants, and therefore
+more willingly took the trouble of trying first what might be done
+by fair and equitable means.  The people of these back counties
+have lately complained to the Assembly that a sufficient currency
+was wanting; you have an opportunity of receiving and dividing
+among you a very considerable sum; for, if the service of this
+expedition should continue, as it is more than probable it will,
+for one hundred and twenty days, the hire of these waggons
+and horses will amount to upward of thirty thousand pounds,
+which will be paid you in silver and gold of the king's money.
+
+"The service will be light and easy, for the army will scarce march
+above twelve miles per day, and the waggons and baggage-horses, as
+they carry those things that are absolutely necessary to the welfare
+of the army, must march with the army, and no faster; and are,
+for the army's sake, always placed where they can be most secure,
+whether in a march or in a camp.
+
+"If you are really, as I believe you are, good and loyal subjects
+to his majesty, you may now do a most acceptable service, and make it
+easy to yourselves; for three or four of such as can not separately
+spare from the business of their plantations a waggon and four
+horses and a driver, may do it together, one furnishing the waggon,
+another one or two horses, and another the driver, and divide the pay
+proportionately between you; but if you do not this service to your
+king and country voluntarily, when such good pay and reasonable
+terms are offered to you, your loyalty will be strongly suspected.
+The king's business must be done; so many brave troops, come so far
+for your defense, must not stand idle through your backwardness
+to do what may be reasonably expected from you; waggons and horses
+must be had; violent measures will probably be used, and you
+will be left to seek for a recompense where you can find it,
+and your case, perhaps, be little pitied or regarded.
+
+"I have no particular interest in this affair, as, except the
+satisfaction of endeavoring to do good, I shall have only my labour
+for my pains.  If this method of obtaining the waggons and horses
+is not likely to succeed, I am obliged to send word to the general
+in fourteen days; and I suppose Sir John St. Clair, the hussar,
+with a body of soldiers, will immediately enter the province
+for the purpose, which I shall be sorry to hear, because I
+am very sincerely and truly your friend and well-wisher, B. FRANKLIN."
+
+
+I received of the general about eight hundred pounds, to be
+disbursed in advance-money to the waggon owners, etc.; but, that sum
+being insufficient, I advanc'd upward of two hundred pounds more,
+and in two weeks the one hundred and fifty waggons, with two hundred
+and fifty-nine carrying horses, were on their march for the camp.
+The advertisement promised payment according to the valuation,
+in case any waggon or horse should be lost.  The owners, however,
+alleging they did not know General Braddock, or what dependence
+might be had on his promise, insisted on my bond for the performance,
+which I accordingly gave them.
+
+While I was at the camp, supping one evening with the officers
+of Colonel Dunbar's regiment, he represented to me his concern
+for the subalterns, who, he said, were generally not in affluence,
+and could ill afford, in this dear country, to lay in the stores
+that might be necessary in so long a march, thro' a wilderness,
+where nothing was to be purchas'd. I commiserated their case,
+and resolved to endeavor procuring them some relief.  I said nothing,
+however, to him of my intention, but wrote the next morning to the
+committee of the Assembly, who had the disposition of some public money,
+warmly recommending the case of these officers to their consideration,
+and proposing that a present should be sent them of necessaries
+and refreshments.  My son, who had some experience of a camp life,
+and of its wants, drew up a list for me, which I enclos'd in my letter.
+The committee approv'd, and used such diligence that, conducted by
+my son, the stores arrived at the camp as soon as the waggons.
+They consisted of twenty parcels, each containing
+
+6 lbs. loaf sugar.                1 Gloucester cheese.
+6 lbs. good Muscovado do.         1 kegg containing 20 lbs. good
+1 lb. good green tea.             butter.
+1 lb. good bohea do.              2 doz. old Madeira wine.
+6 lbs. good ground coffee.        2 gallons Jamaica spirits.
+6 lbs. chocolate.                 1 bottle flour of mustard.
+1-2 cwt. best white biscuit.      2 well-cur'd hams.
+1-2 lb. pepper.                   1-2 dozen dry'd tongues.
+1 quart best white wine vinegar   6 lbs. rice.
+                                  6 lbs. raisins.
+
+These twenty parcels, well pack'd, were placed on as many horses,
+each parcel, with the horse, being intended as a present for
+one officer.  They were very thankfully receiv'd, and the kindness
+acknowledg'd by letters to me from the colonels of both regiments,
+in the most grateful terms.  The general, too, was highly satisfied
+with my conduct in procuring him the waggons, etc., and readily
+paid my account of disbursements, thanking me repeatedly,
+and requesting my farther assistance in sending provisions after him.
+I undertook this also, and was busily employ'd in it till we heard
+of his defeat, advancing for the service of my own money, upwards of
+one thousand pounds sterling, of which I sent him an account.
+It came to his hands, luckily for me, a few days before the battle,
+and he return'd me immediately an order on the paymaster for the round
+sum of one thousand pounds, leaving the remainder to the next account.
+I consider this payment as good luck, having never been able
+to obtain that remainder, of which more hereafter.
+
+This general was, I think, a brave man, and might probably have
+made a figure as a good officer in some European war.  But he had
+too much self-confidence, too high an opinion of the validity of
+regular troops, and too mean a one of both Americans and Indians.
+George Croghan, our Indian interpreter, join'd him on his march
+with one hundred of those people, who might have been of great use
+to his army as guides, scouts, etc., if he had treated them kindly;
+but he slighted and neglected them, and they gradually left him.
+
+In conversation with him one day, he was giving me some account
+of his intended progress.  "After taking Fort Duquesne," says he,
+"I am to proceed to Niagara; and, having taken that, to Frontenac,
+if the season will allow time; and I suppose it will, for Duquesne
+can hardly detain me above three or four days; and then I see nothing
+that can obstruct my march to Niagara."  Having before revolv'd
+in my mind the long line his army must make in their march by a
+very narrow road, to be cut for them thro' the woods and bushes,
+and also what I had read of a former defeat of fifteen hundred French,
+who invaded the Iroquois country, I had conceiv'd some doubts and some
+fears for the event of the campaign.  But I ventur'd only to say,
+"To be sure, sir, if you arrive well before Duquesne, with these
+fine troops, so well provided with artillery, that place not yet
+compleatly fortified, and as we hear with no very strong garrison,
+can probably make but a short resistance.  The only danger I apprehend
+of obstruction to your march is from ambuscades of Indians, who,
+by constant practice, are dexterous in laying and executing them;
+and the slender line, near four miles long, which your army must make,
+may expose it to be attack'd by surprise in its flanks, and to be
+cut like a thread into several pieces, which, from their distance,
+can not come up in time to support each other."
+
+He smil'd at my ignorance, and reply'd, "These savages may, indeed,
+be a formidable enemy to your raw American militia, but upon
+the king's regular and disciplin'd troops, sir, it is impossible
+they should make any impression."  I was conscious of an impropriety
+in my disputing with a military man in matters of his profession,
+and said no more.  The enemy, however, did not take the advantage
+of his army which I apprehended its long line of march expos'd it to,
+but let it advance without interruption till within nine miles
+of the place; and then, when more in a body (for it had just passed
+a river, where the front had halted till all were come over), and
+in a more open part of the woods than any it had pass'd, attack'd
+its advanced guard by a heavy fire from behind trees and bushes,
+which was the first intelligence the general had of an enemy's
+being near him.  This guard being disordered, the general hurried
+the troops up to their assistance, which was done in great confusion,
+thro' waggons, baggage, and cattle; and presently the fire came upon
+their flank:  the officers, being on horseback, were more easily
+distinguish'd, pick'd out as marks, and fell very fast; and the soldiers
+were crowded together in a huddle, having or hearing no orders,
+and standing to be shot at till two-thirds of them were killed;
+and then, being seiz'd with a panick, the whole fled with precipitation.
+
+The waggoners took each a horse out of his team and scamper'd;
+their example was immediately followed by others; so that all
+the waggons, provisions, artillery, and stores were left to the enemy.
+The general, being wounded, was brought off with difficulty;
+his secretary, Mr. Shirley, was killed by his side; and out
+of eighty-six officers, sixty-three were killed or wounded,
+and seven hundred and fourteen men killed out of eleven hundred.
+These eleven hundred had been picked men from the whole army;
+the rest had been left behind with Colonel Dunbar, who was to follow
+with the heavier part of the stores, provisions, and baggage.
+The flyers, not being pursu'd, arriv'd at Dunbar's camp,
+and the panick they brought with them instantly seiz'd him
+and all his people; and, tho' he had now above one thousand men,
+and the enemy who had beaten Braddock did not at most exceed
+four hundred Indians and French together, instead of proceeding,
+and endeavoring to recover some of the lost honour, he ordered
+all the stores, ammunition, etc., to be destroy'd, that he might
+have more horses to assist his flight towards the settlements,
+and less lumber to remove.  He was there met with requests from
+the governors of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, that he would
+post his troops on the frontiers, so as to afford some protection
+to the inhabitants; but he continu'd his hasty march thro'
+all the country, not thinking himself safe till he arriv'd
+at Philadelphia, where the inhabitants could protect him.  This whole
+transaction gave us Americans the first suspicion that our exalted
+ideas of the prowess of British regulars had not been well founded.
+
+In their first march, too, from their landing till they got beyond
+the settlements, they had plundered and stripped the inhabitants,
+totally ruining some poor families, besides insulting, abusing,
+and confining the people if they remonstrated.  This was enough
+to put us out of conceit of such defenders, if we had really
+wanted any.  How different was the conduct of our French friends
+in 1781, who, during a march thro' the most inhabited part of our
+country from Rhode Island to Virginia, near seven hundred miles,
+occasioned not the smallest complaint for the loss of a pig,
+a chicken, or even an apple.
+
+Captain Orme, who was one of the general's aids-de-camp, and,
+being grievously wounded, was brought off with him, and continu'd
+with him to his death, which happen'd in a few days, told me that
+he was totally silent all the first day, and at night only said,
+"Who would have thought it?"  That he was silent again the following day,
+saying only at last, "We shall better know how to deal with them
+another time;" and dy'd in a few minutes after.
+
+The secretary's papers, with all the general's orders,
+instructions, and correspondence, falling into the enemy's hands,
+they selected and translated into French a number of the articles,
+which they printed, to prove the hostile intentions of the British
+court before the declaration of war.  Among these I saw some letters
+of the general to the ministry, speaking highly of the great service
+I had rendered the army, and recommending me to their notice.
+David Hume, too, who was some years after secretary to Lord Hertford,
+when minister in France, and afterward to General Conway, when secretary
+of state, told me he had seen among the papers in that office,
+letters from Braddock highly recommending me.  But, the expedition
+having been unfortunate, my service, it seems, was not thought
+of much value, for those recommendations were never of any use to me.
+
+As to rewards from himself, I ask'd only one, which was, that he would
+give orders to his officers not to enlist any more of our bought servants,
+and that he would discharge such as had been already enlisted.
+This he readily granted, and several were accordingly return'd
+to their masters, on my application.  Dunbar, when the command
+devolv'd on him, was not so generous.  He being at Philadelphia,
+on his retreat, or rather flight, I apply'd to him for the discharge
+of the servants of three poor farmers of Lancaster county that he
+had enlisted, reminding him of the late general's orders on that bead.
+He promised me that, if the masters would come to him at Trenton,
+where he should be in a few days on his march to New York,
+he would there deliver their men to them.  They accordingly were at
+the expense and trouble of going to Trenton, and there he refus'd
+to perform his promise, to their great loss and disappointment.
+
+As soon as the loss of the waggons and horses was generally known,
+all the owners came upon me for the valuation which I had given bond
+to pay.  Their demands gave me a great deal of trouble, my acquainting
+them that the money was ready in the paymaster's hands, but that
+orders for paying it must first be obtained from General Shirley,
+and my assuring them that I had apply'd to that general by letter;
+but, he being at a distance, an answer could not soon be receiv'd,
+and they must have patience, all this was not sufficient to satisfy,
+and some began to sue me.  General Shirley at length relieved me
+from this terrible situation by appointing commissioners to examine
+the claims, and ordering payment.  They amounted to near twenty
+thousand pound, which to pay would have ruined me.
+
+Before we had the news of this defeat, the two Doctors Bond came
+to me with a subscription paper for raising money to defray
+the expense of a grand firework, which it was intended to exhibit
+at a rejoicing on receipt of the news of our taking Fort Duquesne.
+I looked grave, and said it would, I thought, be time enough
+to prepare for the rejoicing when we knew we should have occasion
+to rejoice.  They seem'd surpris'd that I did not immediately
+comply with their proposal.  "Why the d--l!" says one of them,
+"you surely don't suppose that the fort will not be taken?"
+"I don't know that it will not be taken, but I know that the events
+of war are subject to great uncertainty."  I gave them the reasons
+of my doubting; the subscription was dropt, and the projectors thereby
+missed the mortification they would have undergone if the firework
+had been prepared.  Dr. Bond, on some other occasion afterward,
+said that he did not like Franklin's forebodings.
+
+Governor Morris, who had continually worried the Assembly with message
+after message before the defeat of Braddock, to beat them into
+the making of acts to raise money for the defense of the province,
+without taxing, among others, the proprietary estates, and had
+rejected all their bills for not having such an exempting clause,
+now redoubled his attacks with more hope of success, the danger
+and necessity being greater.  The Assembly, however, continu'd firm,
+believing they had justice on their side, and that it would
+be giving up an essential right if they suffered the governor
+to amend their money-bills. In one of the last, indeed, which was
+for granting fifty thousand pounds, his propos'd amendment was
+only of a single word.  The bill expressed "that all estates,
+real and personal, were to be taxed, those of the proprietaries
+not excepted."  His amendment was, for not read only:  a small,
+but very material alteration.  However, when the news of this
+disaster reached England, our friends there, whom we had taken care
+to furnish with all the Assembly's answers to the governor's messages,
+rais'd a clamor against the proprietaries for their meanness and
+injustice in giving their governor such instructions; some going
+so far as to say that, by obstructing the defense of their province,
+they forfeited their right to it.  They were intimidated by this,
+and sent orders to their receiver-general to add five thousand
+pounds of their money to whatever sum might be given by the Assembly
+for such purpose.
+
+This, being notified to the House, was accepted in lieu of their share
+of a general tax, and a new bill was form'd, with an exempting clause,
+which passed accordingly.  By this act I was appointed one of the
+commissioners for disposing of the money, sixty thousand pounds.
+I had been active in modelling the bill and procuring its passage,
+and had, at the same time, drawn a bill for establishing
+and disciplining of a voluntary militia, which I carried thro'
+the House without much difficulty, as care was taken in it to
+leave the Quakers at their liberty.  To promote the association
+necessary to form the militia, I wrote a dialogue,<14> stating
+and answering all the objections I could think of to such a militia,
+which was printed, and had, as I thought, great effect.
+
+     <14> This dialogue and the militia act are in the
+          "Gentleman's Magazine" for February and March, 1756.
+           --[Marg. note.]
+
+While the several companies in the city and country were forming
+and learning their exercise, the governor prevail'd with me to take
+charge of our North-western frontier, which was infested by the enemy,
+and provide for the defense of the inhabitants by raising troops and
+building a line of forts.  I undertook this military business, tho' I did
+not conceive myself well qualified for it.  He gave me a commission
+with full powers, and a parcel of blank commissions for officers,
+to be given to whom I thought fit.  I had but little difficulty
+in raising men, having soon five hundred and sixty under my command.
+My son, who had in the preceding war been an officer in the army
+rais'd against Canada, was my aid-de-camp, and of great use to me.
+The Indians had burned Gnadenhut, a village settled by the Moravians,
+and massacred the inhabitants; but the place was thought a good
+situation for one of the forts.
+
+In order to march thither, I assembled the companies at Bethlehem,
+the chief establishment of those people.  I was surprised to find
+it in so good a posture of defense; the destruction of Gnadenhut
+had made them apprehend danger.  The principal buildings were
+defended by a stockade; they had purchased a quantity of arms and
+ammunition from New York, and had even plac'd quantities of small
+paving stones between the windows of their high stone houses,
+for their women to throw down upon the heads of any Indians
+that should attempt to force into them.  The armed brethren, too,
+kept watch, and reliev'd as methodically as in any garrison town.
+In conversation with the bishop, Spangenberg, I mention'd this
+my surprise; for, knowing they had obtained an act of Parliament
+exempting them from military duties in the colonies, I had
+suppos'd they were conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms.
+He answer'd me that it was not one of their established principles,
+but that, at the time of their obtaining that act, it was thought
+to be a principle with many of their people.  On this occasion,
+however, they, to their surprise, found it adopted by but a few.
+It seems they were either deceiv'd in themselves, or deceiv'd
+the Parliament; but common sense, aided by present danger,
+will sometimes be too strong for whimsical opinions.
+
+It was the beginning of January when we set out upon this business
+of building forts.  I sent one detachment toward the Minisink,
+with instructions to erect one for the security of that upper part of
+the country, and another to the lower part, with similar instructions;
+and I concluded to go myself with the rest of my force to Gnadenhut,
+where a fort was tho't more immediately necessary.  The Moravians
+procur'd me five waggons for our tools, stores, baggage, etc.
+
+Just before we left Bethlehem, eleven farmers, who had been driven
+from their plantations by the Indians, came to me requesting a supply
+of firearms, that they might go back and fetch off their cattle.
+I gave them each a gun with suitable ammunition.  We had not march'd
+many miles before it began to rain, and it continued raining all day;
+there were no habitations on the road to shelter us, till we arriv'd
+near night at the house of a German, where, and in his barn,
+we were all huddled together, as wet as water could make us.
+It was well we were not attack'd in our march, for our arms were of
+the most ordinary sort, and our men could not keep their gun locks dry.
+The Indians are dextrous in contrivances for that purpose, which we
+had not.  They met that day the eleven poor farmers above mentioned,
+and killed ten of them.  The one who escap'd inform'd that his and
+his companions' guns would not go off, the priming being wet with
+the rain.
+
+The next day being fair, we continu'd our march, and arriv'd at
+the desolated Gnadenhut.  There was a saw-mill near, round which were
+left several piles of boards, with which we soon hutted ourselves;
+an operation the more necessary at that inclement season, as we
+had no tents.  Our first work was to bury more effectually the dead
+we found there, who had been half interr'd by the country people.
+
+The next morning our fort was plann'd and mark'd out, the circumference
+measuring four hundred and fifty-five feet, which would require
+as many palisades to be made of trees, one with another,
+of a foot diameter each.  Our axes, of which we had seventy,
+were immediately set to work to cut down trees, and, our men
+being dextrous in the use of them, great despatch was made.
+Seeing the trees fall so fast, I had the curiosity to look at my watch
+when two men began to cut at a pine; in six minutes they had it upon
+the ground, and I found it of fourteen inches diameter.  Each pine
+made three palisades of eighteen feet long, pointed at one end.
+While these were preparing, our other men dug a trench all round,
+of three feet deep, in which the palisades were to be planted;
+and, our waggons, the bodys being taken off, and the fore and hind
+wheels separated by taking out the pin which united the two parts
+of the perch, we had ten carriages, with two horses each, to bring
+the palisades from the woods to the spot.  When they were set up,
+our carpenters built a stage of boards all round within, about six
+feet high, for the men to stand on when to fire thro' the loopholes.
+We had one swivel gun, which we mounted on one of the angles,
+and fir'd it as soon as fix'd, to let the Indians know, if any
+were within hearing, that we had such pieces; and thus our fort,
+if such a magnificent name may be given to so miserable a stockade,
+was finish'd in a week, though it rain'd so hard every other day
+that the men could not work.
+
+This gave me occasion to observe, that, when men are employ'd, they
+are best content'd; for on the days they worked they were good-natur'd
+and cheerful, and, with the consciousness of having done a good
+day's work, they spent the evening jollily; but on our idle days
+they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault with their pork,
+the bread, etc., and in continual ill-humor, which put me in mind
+of a sea-captain, whose rule it was to keep his men constantly
+at work; and, when his mate once told him that they had done
+every thing, and there was nothing further to employ them about,
+"Oh," says he, "Make them scour the anchor."
+
+This kind of fort, however contemptible, is a sufficient defense
+against Indians, who have no cannon.  Finding ourselves now posted
+securely, and having a place to retreat to on occasion, we ventur'd
+out in parties to scour the adjacent country.  We met with no Indians,
+but we found the places on the neighboring hills where they had lain
+to watch our proceedings.  There was an art in their contrivance
+of those places, that seems worth mention.  It being winter, a fire
+was necessary for them; but a common fire on the surface of the ground
+would by its light have discovered their position at a distance.
+They had therefore dug holes in the ground about three feet diameter,
+and somewhat deeper; we saw where they had with their hatchets cut
+off the charcoal from the sides of burnt logs lying in the woods.
+With these coals they had made small fires in the bottom of
+the holes, and we observ'd among the weeds and grass the prints
+of their bodies, made by their laying all round, with their legs
+hanging down in the holes to keep their feet warm, which, with them,
+is an essential point.  This kind of fire, so manag'd, could not
+discover them, either by its light, flame, sparks, or even smoke:
+it appear'd that their number was not great, and it seems they saw
+we were too many to be attacked by them with prospect of advantage.
+
+We had for our chaplain a zealous Presbyterian minister, Mr. Beatty,
+who complained to me that the men did not generally attend his prayers
+and exhortations.  When they enlisted, they were promised, besides pay
+and provisions, a gill of rum a day, which was punctually serv'd
+out to them, half in the morning, and the other half in the evening;
+and I observ'd they were as punctual in attending to receive it;
+upon which I said to Mr. Beatty, "It is, perhaps, below the dignity
+of your profession to act as steward of the rum, but if you were to deal
+it out and only just after prayers, you would have them all about you."
+He liked the tho't, undertook the office, and, with the help of a
+few hands to measure out the liquor, executed it to satisfaction,
+and never were prayers more generally and more punctually attended;
+so that I thought this method preferable to the punishment inflicted
+by some military laws for non-attendance on divine service.
+
+I had hardly finish'd this business, and got my fort well stor'd
+with provisions, when I receiv'd a letter from the governor,
+acquainting me that he had call'd the Assembly, and wished my
+attendance there, if the posture of affairs on the frontiers
+was such that my remaining there was no longer necessary.
+My friends, too, of the Assembly, pressing me by their letters to be,
+if possible, at the meeting, and my three intended forts being
+now compleated, and the inhabitants contented to remain on their farms
+under that protection, I resolved to return; the more willingly,
+as a New England officer, Colonel Clapham, experienced in Indian war,
+being on a visit to our establishment, consented to accept the command.
+I gave him a commission, and, parading the garrison, had it
+read before them, and introduc'd him to them as an officer who,
+from his skill in military affairs, was much more fit to command them
+than myself; and, giving them a little exhortation, took my leave.
+I was escorted as far as Bethlehem, where I rested a few days to
+recover from the fatigue I had undergone.  The first night, being in
+a good bed, I could hardly sleep, it was so different from my hard
+lodging on the floor of our hut at Gnaden wrapt only in a blanket or two.
+
+While at Bethlehem, I inquir'd a little into the practice of
+the Moravians:  some of them had accompanied me, and all were very
+kind to me.  I found they work'd for a common stock, eat at common
+tables, and slept in common dormitories, great numbers together.
+In the dormitories I observed loopholes, at certain distances all
+along just under the ceiling, which I thought judiciously placed
+for change of air.  I was at their church, where I was entertain'd
+with good musick, the organ being accompanied with violins, hautboys,
+flutes, clarinets, etc.  I understood that their sermons were not
+usually preached to mixed congregations of men, women, and children,
+as is our common practice, but that they assembled sometimes
+the married men, at other times their wives, then the young men,
+the young women, and the little children, each division by itself.
+The sermon I heard was to the latter, who came in and were plac'd in rows
+on benches; the boys under the conduct of a young man, their tutor,
+and the girls conducted by a young woman.  The discourse seem'd
+well adapted to their capacities, and was deliver'd in a pleasing,
+familiar manner, coaxing them, as it were, to be good.  They behav'd
+very orderly, but looked pale and unhealthy, which made me suspect
+they were kept too much within doors, or not allow'd sufficient exercise.
+
+I inquir'd concerning the Moravian marriages, whether the report
+was true that they were by lot.  I was told that lots were us'd
+only in particular cases; that generally, when a young man found
+himself dispos'd to marry, he inform'd the elders of his class,
+who consulted the elder ladies that govern'd the young women.
+As these elders of the different sexes were well acquainted
+with the tempers and dispositions of their respective pupils,
+they could best judge what matches were suitable, and their judgments
+were generally acquiesc'd in; but if, for example, it should happen
+that two or three young women were found to be equally proper
+for the young man, the lot was then recurred to.  I objected,
+if the matches are not made by the mutual choice of the parties,
+some of them may chance to be very unhappy.  "And so they may,"
+answer'd my informer, "if you let the parties chuse for themselves;"
+which, indeed, I could not deny.
+
+Being returned to Philadelphia, I found the association went
+on swimmingly, the inhabitants that were not Quakers having pretty
+generally come into it, formed themselves into companies, and chose
+their captains, lieutenants, and ensigns, according to the new law.
+Dr. B. visited me, and gave me an account of the pains he had taken
+to spread a general good liking to the law, and ascribed much to
+those endeavors.  I had had the vanity to ascribe all to my Dialogue;
+however, not knowing but that he might be in the right, I let him enjoy
+his opinion, which I take to be generally the best way in such cases.
+The officers, meeting, chose me to be colonel of the regiment,
+which I this time accepted.  I forget how many companies we had,
+but we paraded about twelve hundred well-looking men, with a company
+of artillery, who had been furnished with six brass field-pieces,
+which they had become so expert in the use of as to fire twelve times
+in a minute.  The first time I reviewed my regiment they accompanied me
+to my house, and would salute me with some rounds fired before my door,
+which shook down and broke several glasses of my electrical apparatus.
+And my new honour proved not much less brittle; for all our
+commissions were soon after broken by a repeal of the law in England.
+
+During this short time of my colonelship, being about to set out on
+a journey to Virginia, the officers of my regiment took it into their
+heads that it would be proper for them to escort me out of town,
+as far as the Lower Ferry.  Just as I was getting on horseback they
+came to my door, between thirty and forty, mounted, and all in
+their uniforms.  I had not been previously acquainted with the project,
+or I should have prevented it, being naturally averse to the assuming
+of state on any occasion; and I was a good deal chagrin'd at
+their appearance, as I could not avoid their accompanying me.
+What made it worse was, that, as soon as we began to move,
+they drew their swords and rode with them naked all the way.
+Somebody wrote an account of this to the proprietor, and it gave him
+great offense.  No such honor had been paid him when in the province,
+nor to any of his governors; and he said it was only proper to
+princes of the blood royal, which may be true for aught I know,
+who was, and still am, ignorant of the etiquette in such cases.
+
+This silly affair, however, greatly increased his rancour against me,
+which was before not a little, on account of my conduct in the
+Assembly respecting the exemption of his estate from taxation,
+which I had always oppos'd very warmly, and not without severe
+reflections on his meanness and injustice of contending for it.
+He accused me to the ministry as being the great obstacle to
+the king's service, preventing, by my influence in the House,
+the proper form of the bills for raising money, and he instanced
+this parade with my officers as a proof of my having an intention
+to take the government of the province out of his hands by force.
+He also applied to Sir Everard Fawkener, the postmaster-general,
+to deprive me of my office; but it had no other effect than to procure
+from Sir Everard a gentle admonition.
+
+Notwithstanding the continual wrangle between the governor
+and the House, in which I, as a member, had so large a share,
+there still subsisted a civil intercourse between that gentleman
+and myself, and we never had any personal difference.  I have
+sometimes since thought that his little or no resentment against me,
+for the answers it was known I drew up to his messages, might be
+the effect of professional habit, and that, being bred a lawyer,
+he might consider us both as merely advocates for contending clients
+in a suit, he for the proprietaries and I for the Assembly.
+He would, therefore, sometimes call in a friendly way to advise
+with me on difficult points, and sometimes, tho' not often,
+take my advice.
+
+We acted in concert to supply Braddock's army with provisions;
+and, when the shocking news arrived of his defeat, the governor sent
+in haste for me, to consult with him on measures for preventing
+the desertion of the back counties.  I forget now the advice
+I gave; but I think it was, that Dunbar should be written to,
+and prevail'd with, if possible, to post his troops on the frontiers
+for their protection, till, by re-enforcements from the colonies,
+he might be able to proceed on the expedition.  And, after my return
+from the frontier, he would have had me undertake the conduct
+of such an expedition with provincial troops, for the reduction
+of Fort Duquesne, Dunbar and his men being otherwise employed; and he
+proposed to commission me as general.  I had not so good an opinion
+of my military abilities as he profess'd to have, and I believe his
+professions must have exceeded his real sentiments; but probably he
+might think that my popularity would facilitate the raising of the men,
+and my influence in Assembly, the grant of money to pay them,
+and that, perhaps, without taxing the proprietary estate.  Finding me
+not so forward to engage as he expected, the project was dropt,
+and he soon after left the government, being superseded by Captain Denny.
+
+Before I proceed in relating the part I had in public affairs under
+this new governor's administration, it may not be amiss here to give
+some account of the rise and progress of my philosophical reputation.
+
+In 1746, being at Boston, I met there with a Dr. Spence, who was lately
+arrived from Scotland, and show'd me some electric experiments.
+They were imperfectly perform'd, as he was not very expert; but, being on
+a subject quite new to me, they equally surpris'd and pleased me.
+Soon after my return to Philadelphia, our library company receiv'd
+from Mr. P. Collinson, Fellow of the Royal Society of London,
+a present of a glass tube, with some account of the use of it
+in making such experiments.  I eagerly seized the opportunity
+of repeating what I had seen at Boston; and, by much practice,
+acquir'd great readiness in performing those, also, which we had
+an account of from England, adding a number of new ones.  I say
+much practice, for my house was continually full, for some time,
+with people who came to see these new wonders.
+
+To divide a little this incumbrance among my friends, I caused
+a number of similar tubes to be blown at our glass-house,
+with which they furnish'd themselves, so that we had at length
+several performers.  Among these, the principal was Mr. Kinnersley,
+an ingenious neighbor, who, being out of business, I encouraged
+to undertake showing the experiments for money, and drew up for him
+two lectures, in which the experiments were rang'd in such order,
+and accompanied with such explanations in such method, as that
+the foregoing should assist in comprehending the following.
+He procur'd an elegant apparatus for the purpose, in which all
+the little machines that I had roughly made for myself were nicely
+form'd by instrument-makers. His lectures were well attended,
+and gave great satisfaction; and after some time he went thro'
+the colonies, exhibiting them in every capital town, and pick'd up
+some money.  In the West India islands, indeed, it was with difficulty
+the experiments could be made, from the general moisture of the air.
+
+Oblig'd as we were to Mr. Collinson for his present of the tube, etc., I
+thought it right he should be inform'd of our success in using it,
+and wrote him several letters containing accounts of our experiments.
+He got them read in the Royal Society, where they were not at first
+thought worth so much notice as to be printed in their Transactions.
+One paper, which I wrote for Mr. Kinnersley, on the sameness of
+lightning with electricity, I sent to Dr. Mitchel, an acquaintance
+of mine, and one of the members also of that society, who wrote me
+word that it had been read, but was laughed at by the connoisseurs.
+The papers, however, being shown to Dr. Fothergill, he thought them
+of too much value to be stifled, and advis'd the printing of them.
+Mr. Collinson then gave them to Cave for publication in his
+Gentleman's Magazine; but he chose to print them separately in
+a pamphlet, and Dr. Fothergill wrote the preface.  Cave, it seems,
+judged rightly for his profit, for by the additions that arrived
+afterward they swell'd to a quarto volume, which has had five editions,
+and cost him nothing for copy-money.
+
+It was, however, some time before those papers were much taken notice
+of in England.  A copy of them happening to fall into the hands
+of the Count de Buffon, a philosopher deservedly of great reputation
+in France, and, indeed, all over Europe, he prevailed with M. Dalibard
+to translate them into French, and they were printed at Paris.
+The publication offended the Abbe Nollet, preceptor in Natural Philosophy
+to the royal family, and an able experimenter, who had form'd and
+publish'd a theory of electricity, which then had the general vogue.
+He could not at first believe that such a work came from America,
+and said it must have been fabricated by his enemies at Paris, to decry
+his system.  Afterwards, having been assur'd that there really existed
+such a person as Franklin at Philadelphia, which he had doubted,
+he wrote and published a volume of Letters, chiefly address'd to me,
+defending his theory, and denying the verity of my experiments,
+and of the positions deduc'd from them.
+
+I once purpos'd answering the abbe, and actually began the answer;
+but, on consideration that my writings contain'd a description
+of experiments which any one might repeat and verify, and if not
+to be verifi'd, could not be defended; or of observations offer'd
+as conjectures, and not delivered dogmatically, therefore not
+laying me under any obligation to defend them; and reflecting
+that a dispute between two persons, writing in different languages,
+might be lengthened greatly by mistranslations, and thence
+misconceptions of one another's meaning, much of one of the abbe's
+letters being founded on an error in the translation, I concluded
+to let my papers shift for themselves, believing it was better
+to spend what time I could spare from public business in making
+new experiments, than in disputing about those already made.
+I therefore never answered M. Nollet, and the event gave me no
+cause to repent my silence; for my friend M. le Roy, of the Royal
+Academy of Sciences, took up my cause and refuted him; my book
+was translated into the Italian, German, and Latin languages;
+and the doctrine it contain'd was by degrees universally adopted
+by the philosophers of Europe, in preference to that of the abbe;
+so that he lived to see himself the last of his sect, except Monsieur
+B----, of Paris, his eleve and immediate disciple.
+
+What gave my book the more sudden and general celebrity,
+was the success of one of its proposed experiments, made by Messrs.
+Dalibard and De Lor at Marly, for drawing lightning from the clouds.
+This engag'd the public attention every where.  M. de Lor,
+who had an apparatus for experimental philosophy, and lectur'd
+in that branch of science, undertook to repeat what he called
+the Philadelphia Experiments; and, after they were performed before
+the king and court, all the curious of Paris flocked to see them.
+I will not swell this narrative with an account of that capital
+experiment, nor of the infinite pleasure I receiv'd in the success
+of a similar one I made soon after with a kite at Philadelphia,
+as both are to be found in the histories of electricity.
+
+Dr. Wright, an English physician, when at Paris, wrote to a friend,
+who was of the Royal Society, an account of the high esteem my
+experiments were in among the learned abroad, and of their wonder
+that my writings had been so little noticed in England.  The society,
+on this, resum'd the consideration of the letters that had been read
+to them; and the celebrated Dr. Watson drew up a summary account
+of them, and of all I had afterwards sent to England on the subject,
+which be accompanied with some praise of the writer.  This summary
+was then printed in their Transactions; and some members of the society
+in London, particularly the very ingenious Mr. Canton, having verified
+the experiment of procuring lightning from the clouds by a pointed rod,
+and acquainting them with the success, they soon made me more than
+amends for the slight with which they had before treated me.
+Without my having made any application for that honor, they chose me
+a member, and voted that I should be excus'd the customary payments,
+which would have amounted to twenty-five guineas; and ever since
+have given me their Transactions gratis.  They also presented
+me with the gold medal of Sir Godfrey Copley for the year 1753,
+the delivery of which was accompanied by a very handsome speech
+of the president, Lord Macclesfield, wherein I was highly honoured.
+
+Our new governor, Captain Denny, brought over for me the before-mentioned
+medal from the Royal Society, which he presented to me at an
+entertainment given him by the city.  He accompanied it with very
+polite expressions of his esteem for me, having, as he said, been long
+acquainted with my character.  After dinner, when the company,
+as was customary at that time, were engag'd in drinking, he took
+me aside into another room, and acquainted me that he had been
+advis'd by his friends in England to cultivate a friendship with me,
+as one who was capable of giving him the best advice, and of
+contributing most effectually to the making his administration easy;
+that he therefore desired of all things to have a good understanding
+with me, and he begg'd me to be assur'd of his readiness on all
+occasions to render me every service that might be in his power.
+He said much to me, also, of the proprietor's good disposition
+towards the province, and of the advantage it might be to us all,
+and to me in particular, if the opposition that had been so long
+continu'd to his measures was dropt, and harmony restor'd between
+him and the people; in effecting which, it was thought no one could
+be more serviceable than myself; and I might depend on adequate
+acknowledgments and recompenses, etc., etc.  The drinkers,
+finding we did not return immediately to the table, sent us
+a decanter of Madeira, which the governor made liberal use of,
+and in proportion became more profuse of his solicitations and promises.
+
+My answers were to this purpose:  that my circumstances, thanks to God,
+were such as to make proprietary favours unnecessary to me;
+and that, being a member of the Assembly, I could not possibly accept
+of any; that, however, I had no personal enmity to the proprietary,
+and that, whenever the public measures he propos'd should appear
+to be for the good of the people, no one should espouse and forward
+them more zealously than myself; my past opposition having been
+founded on this, that the measures which had been urged were evidently
+intended to serve the proprietary interest, with great prejudice
+to that of the people; that I was much obliged to him (the governor)
+for his professions of regard to me, and that he might rely on every
+thing in my power to make his administration as easy as possible,
+hoping at the same time that he had not brought with him the same
+unfortunate instruction his predecessor had been hamper'd with.
+
+On this he did not then explain himself; but when he afterwards came
+to do business with the Assembly, they appear'd again, the disputes
+were renewed, and I was as active as ever in the opposition,
+being the penman, first, of the request to have a communication
+of the instructions, and then of the remarks upon them, which may
+be found in the votes of the time, and in the Historical Review I
+afterward publish'd. But between us personally no enmity arose;
+we were often together; he was a man of letters, had seen much of
+the world, and was very entertaining and pleasing in conversation.
+He gave me the first information that my old friend Jas.  Ralph was
+still alive; that he was esteem'd one of the best political writers
+in England; had been employ'd in the dispute between Prince Frederic
+and the king, and had obtain'd a pension of three hundred a year;
+that his reputation was indeed small as a poet, Pope having damned
+his poetry in the Dunciad; but his prose was thought as good as any
+man's.
+
+<15>The Assembly finally finding the proprietary obstinately persisted
+in manacling their deputies with instructions inconsistent not only
+with the privileges of the people, but with the service of the crown,
+resolv'd to petition the king against them, and appointed me their
+agent to go over to England, to present and support the petition.
+The House had sent up a bill to the governor, granting a sum
+of sixty thousand pounds for the king's use (ten thousand pounds
+of which was subjected to the orders of the then general,
+Lord Loudoun), which the governor absolutely refus'd to pass,
+in compliance with his instructions.
+
+     <15> The many unanimous resolves of the Assembly--
+          what date?-- [Marg. note.]
+
+I had agreed with Captain Morris, of the paquet at New York,
+for my passage, and my stores were put on board, when Lord Loudoun
+arriv'd at Philadelphia, expressly, as he told me, to endeavor
+an accommodation between the governor and Assembly, that his
+majesty's service might not be obstructed by their dissensions.
+Accordingly, he desir'd the governor and myself to meet him, that he
+might hear what was to be said on both sides.  We met and discuss'd
+the business.  In behalf of the Assembly, I urg'd all the various
+arguments that may be found in the public papers of that time,
+which were of my writing, and are printed with the minutes of
+the Assembly; and the governor pleaded his instructions; the bond he
+had given to observe them, and his ruin if he disobey'd, yet seemed
+not unwilling to hazard himself if Lord Loudoun would advise it.
+This his lordship did not chuse to do, though I once thought I
+had nearly prevail'd with him to do it; but finally he rather chose
+to urge the compliance of the Assembly; and he entreated me to use
+my endeavours with them for that purpose, declaring that he would
+spare none of the king's troops for the defense of our frontiers,
+and that, if we did not continue to provide for that defense ourselves,
+they must remain expos'd to the enemy.
+
+I acquainted the House with what had pass'd, and, presenting them
+with a set of resolutions I had drawn up, declaring our rights,
+and that we did not relinquish our claim to those rights, but only
+suspended the exercise of them on this occasion thro' force,
+against which we protested, they at length agreed to drop that bill,
+and frame another conformable to the proprietary instructions.
+This of course the governor pass'd, and I was then at liberty
+to proceed on my voyage.  But, in the meantime, the paquet
+had sailed with my sea-stores, which was some loss to me,
+and my only recompense was his lordship's thanks for my service,
+all the credit of obtaining the accommodation falling to his share.
+
+He set out for New York before me; and, as the time for dispatching
+the paquet-boats was at his disposition, and there were two then
+remaining there, one of which, he said, was to sail very soon,
+I requested to know the precise time, that I might not miss her
+by any delay of mine.  His answer was, "I have given out that she
+is to sail on Saturday next; but I may let you know, entre nous,
+that if you are there by Monday morning, you will be in time,
+but do not delay longer."  By some accidental hinderance at a ferry,
+it was Monday noon before I arrived, and I was much afraid
+she might have sailed, as the wind was fair; but I was soon
+made easy by the information that she was still in the harbor,
+and would not move till the next day.  One would imagine that I
+was now on the very point of departing for Europe.  I thought so;
+but I was not then so well acquainted with his lordship's character,
+of which indecision was one of the strongest features.  I shall
+give some instances.  It was about the beginning of April that I
+came to New York, and I think it was near the end of June before
+we sail'd. There were then two of the paquet-boats, which had
+been long in port, but were detained for the general's letters,
+which were always to be ready to-morrow. Another paquet arriv'd;
+she too was detain'd; and, before we sail'd, a fourth was expected.
+Ours was the first to be dispatch'd, as having been there longest.
+Passengers were engag'd in all, and some extremely impatient
+to be gone, and the merchants uneasy about their letters,
+and the orders they had given for insurance (it being war time)
+for fall goods! but their anxiety avail'd nothing; his lordship's
+letters were not ready; and yet whoever waited on him found him
+always at his desk, pen in hand, and concluded he must needs
+write abundantly.
+
+Going myself one morning to pay my respects, I found in his antechamber
+one Innis, a messenger of Philadelphia, who had come from thence
+express with a paquet from Governor Denny for the General.
+He delivered to me some letters from my friends there, which occasion'd
+my inquiring when he was to return, and where be lodg'd, that I
+might send some letters by him.  He told me he was order'd to call
+to-morrow at nine for the general's answer to the governor, and should
+set off immediately.  I put my letters into his hands the same day.
+A fortnight after I met him again in the same place.  "So, you
+are soon return'd, Innis?"  "Returned! no, I am not gone yet."
+"How so?"  "I have called here by order every morning these two
+weeks past for his lordship's letter, and it is not yet ready."
+"Is it possible, when he is so great a writer? for I see him
+constantly at his escritoire."  "Yes," says Innis, "but he is like
+St. George on the signs, always on horseback, and never rides on!"
+This observation of the messenger was, it seems, well founded; for,
+when in England, I understood that Mr. Pitt gave it as one reason
+for removing this general, and sending Generals Amherst and Wolfe,
+that the minister never heard from him, and could not know what he
+was doing.
+
+This daily expectation of sailing, and all the three paquets going
+down to Sandy Hook, to join the fleet there, the passengers thought
+it best to be on board, lest by a sudden order the ships should sail,
+and they be left behind.  There, if I remember right, we were about
+six weeks, consuming our sea-stores, and oblig'd to procure more.
+At length the fleet sail'd, the General and all his army on board,
+bound to Louisburg, with intent to besiege and take that fortress;
+all the paquet-boats in company ordered to attend the General's ship,
+ready to receive his dispatches when they should be ready.
+We were out five days before we got a letter with leave to part,
+and then our ship quitted the fleet and steered for England.  The other
+two paquets he still detained, carried them with him to Halifax,
+where he stayed some time to exercise the men in sham attacks
+upon sham forts, then alter'd his mind as to besieging Louisburg,
+and return'd to New York, with all his troops, together with the two
+paquets above mentioned, and all their passengers!  During his
+absence the French and savages had taken Fort George, on the frontier
+of that province, and the savages had massacred many of the garrison
+after capitulation.
+
+I saw afterwards in London Captain Bonnell, who commanded one
+of those paquets.  He told me that, when he had been detain'd
+a month, he acquainted his lordship that his ship was grown foul,
+to a degree that must necessarily hinder her fast sailing, a point
+of consequence for a paquet-boat, and requested an allowance
+of time to heave her down and clean her bottom.  He was asked
+how long time that would require.  He answer'd, three days.
+The general replied, "If you can do it in one day, I give leave;
+otherwise not; for you must certainly sail the day after to-morrow."
+So he never obtain'd leave, though detained afterwards from day
+to day during full three months.
+
+I saw also in London one of Bonnell's passengers, who was so enrag'd
+against his lordship for deceiving and detaining him so long
+at New York, and then carrying him to Halifax and back again,
+that he swore he would sue for damages.  Whether he did or not,
+I never heard; but, as he represented the injury to his affairs,
+it was very considerable.
+
+On the whole, I wonder'd much how such a man came to be intrusted
+with so important a business as the conduct of a great army;
+but, having since seen more of the great world, and the means
+of obtaining, and motives for giving places, my wonder is diminished.
+General Shirley, on whom the command of the army devolved upon
+the death of Braddock, would, in my opinion, if continued in place,
+have made a much better campaign than that of Loudoun in 1757,
+which was frivolous, expensive, and disgraceful to our nation
+beyond conception; for, tho' Shirley was not a bred soldier, he was
+sensible and sagacious in himself, and attentive to good advice
+from others, capable of forming judicious plans, and quick and active
+in carrying them into execution.  Loudoun, instead of defending
+the colonies with his great army, left them totally expos'd while
+he paraded idly at Halifax, by which means Fort George was lost,
+besides, he derang'd all our mercantile operations, and distress'd
+our trade, by a long embargo on the exportation of provisions,
+on pretence of keeping supplies from being obtain'd by the enemy,
+but in reality for beating down their price in favor of the contractors,
+in whose profits, it was said, perhaps from suspicion only, he had
+a share.  And, when at length the embargo was taken off, by neglecting
+to send notice of it to Charlestown, the Carolina fleet was detain'd
+near three months longer, whereby their bottoms were so much damaged
+by the worm that a great part of them foundered in their passage home.
+
+Shirley was, I believe, sincerely glad of being relieved from
+so burdensome a charge as the conduct of an army must be to a man
+unacquainted with military business.  I was at the entertainment
+given by the city of New York to Lord Loudoun, on his taking upon him
+the command.  Shirley, tho' thereby superseded, was present also.
+There was a great company of officers, citizens, and strangers, and,
+some chairs having been borrowed in the neighborhood, there was one among
+them very low, which fell to the lot of Mr. Shirley.  Perceiving it
+as I sat by him, I said, "They have given you, sir, too low a seat."
+"No matter," says he, "Mr. Franklin, I find a low seat the easiest."
+
+While I was, as afore mention'd, detain'd at New York, I receiv'd
+all the accounts of the provisions, etc., that I had furnish'd
+to Braddock, some of which accounts could not sooner be obtain'd
+from the different persons I had employ'd to assist in the business.
+I presented them to Lord Loudoun, desiring to be paid the ballance.
+He caus'd them to be regularly examined by the proper officer, who,
+after comparing every article with its voucher, certified them
+to be right; and the balance due for which his lordship promis'd
+to give me an order on the paymaster.  This was, however, put off
+from time to time; and, tho' I call'd often for it by appointment,
+I did not get it.  At length, just before my departure, he told me
+he had, on better consideration, concluded not to mix his accounts
+with those of his predecessors.  "And you," says he, "when in England,
+have only to exhibit your accounts at the treasury, and you will be
+paid immediately."
+
+I mention'd, but without effect, the great and unexpected expense I
+had been put to by being detain'd so long at New York, as a reason
+for my desiring to be presently paid; and on my observing that it was
+not right I should be put to any further trouble or delay in obtaining
+the money I had advanc'd, as I charged no commission for my service,
+"O, sir," says he, "you must not think of persuading us that you are
+no gainer; we understand better those affairs, and know that every
+one concerned in supplying the army finds means, in the doing it,
+to fill his own pockets."  I assur'd him that was not my case,
+and that I had not pocketed a farthing; but he appear'd clearly
+not to believe me; and, indeed, I have since learnt that immense
+fortunes are often made in such employments.  As to my ballance,
+I am not paid it to this day, of which more hereafter.
+
+Our captain of the paquet had boasted much, before we sailed,
+of the swiftness of his ship; unfortunately, when we came to sea,
+she proved the dullest of ninety-six sail, to his no small mortification.
+After many conjectures respecting the cause, when we were near
+another ship almost as dull as ours, which, however, gain'd upon us,
+the captain ordered all hands to come aft, and stand as near the ensign
+staff as possible.  We were, passengers included, about forty persons.
+While we stood there, the ship mended her pace, and soon left her
+neighbour far behind, which prov'd clearly what our captain suspected,
+that she was loaded too much by the head.  The casks of water,
+it seems, had been all plac'd forward; these he therefore order'd
+to be mov'd further aft, on which the ship recover'd her character,
+and proved the sailer in the fleet.
+
+The captain said she had once gone at the rate of thirteen knots,
+which is accounted thirteen miles per hour.  We had on board,
+as a passenger, Captain Kennedy, of the Navy, who contended that it
+was impossible, and that no ship ever sailed so fast, and that
+there must have been some error in the division of the log-line,
+or some mistake in heaving the log.  A wager ensu'd between the
+two captains, to be decided when there should be sufficient wind.
+Kennedy thereupon examin'd rigorously the log-line, and,
+being satisfi'd with that, he determin'd to throw the log himself.
+Accordingly some days after, when the wind blew very fair and fresh,
+and the captain of the paquet, Lutwidge, said he believ'd she then
+went at the rate of thirteen knots, Kennedy made the experiment,
+and own'd his wager lost.
+
+The above fact I give for the sake of the following observation.
+It has been remark'd, as an imperfection in the art of ship-building,
+that it can never be known, till she is tried, whether a new ship will
+or will not be a good sailer; for that the model of a good-sailing
+ship has been exactly follow'd in a new one, which has prov'd, on
+the contrary, remarkably dull.  I apprehend that this may partly be
+occasion'd by the different opinions of seamen respecting the modes
+of lading, rigging, and sailing of a ship; each has his system;
+and the same vessel, laden by the judgment and orders of one captain,
+shall sail better or worse than when by the orders of another.
+Besides, it scarce ever happens that a ship is form'd, fitted for
+the sea, and sail'd by the same person.  One man builds the hull,
+another rigs her, a third lades and sails her.  No one of these has
+the advantage of knowing all the ideas and experience of the others,
+and, therefore, can not draw just conclusions from a combination
+of the whole.
+
+Even in the simple operation of sailing when at sea, I have
+often observ'd different judgments in the officers who commanded
+the successive watches, the wind being the same.  One would have
+the sails trimm'd sharper or flatter than another, so that they
+seem'd to have no certain rule to govern by.  Yet I think a set
+of experiments might be instituted, first, to determine the most
+proper form of the hull for swift sailing; next, the best dimensions
+and properest place for the masts:  then the form and quantity
+of sails, and their position, as the wind may be; and, lastly,
+the disposition of the lading.  This is an age of experiments,
+and I think a set accurately made and combin'd would be of great use.
+I am persuaded, therefore, that ere long some ingenious philosopher
+will undertake it, to whom I wish success.
+
+We were several times chas'd in our passage, but outsail'd every thing,
+and in thirty days had soundings.  We had a good observation,
+and the captain judg'd himself so near our port, Falmouth, that,
+if we made a good run in the night, we might be off the mouth
+of that harbor in the morning, and by running in the night might
+escape the notice of the enemy's privateers, who often crus'd near
+the entrance of the channel.  Accordingly, all the sail was set
+that we could possibly make, and the wind being very fresh and fair,
+we went right before it, and made great way.  The captain,
+after his observation, shap'd his course, as he thought, so as to
+pass wide of the Scilly Isles; but it seems there is sometimes
+a strong indraught setting up St. George's Channel, which deceives
+seamen and caused the loss of Sir Cloudesley Shovel's squadron.
+This indraught was probably the cause of what happened to us.
+
+We had a watchman plac'd in the bow, to whom they often called,
+"Look well out before there," and he as often answered, "Ay ay;
+" but perhaps had his eyes shut, and was half asleep at the time,
+they sometimes answering, as is said, mechanically; for he did not
+see a light just before us, which had been hid by the studdingsails
+from the man at the helm, and from the rest of the watch,
+but by an accidental yaw of the ship was discover'd, and occasion'd
+a great alarm, we being very near it, the light appearing
+to me as big as a cart-wheel. It was midnight, and our captain
+fast asleep; but Captain Kennedy, jumping upon deck, and seeing
+the danger, ordered the ship to wear round, all sails standing;
+an operation dangerous to the masts, but it carried us clear,
+and we escaped shipwreck, for we were running right upon the rocks
+on which the light-house was erected.  This deliverance impressed
+me strongly with the utility of light-houses, and made me resolve
+to encourage the building more of them in America, if I should live
+to return there.
+
+In the morning it was found by the soundings, etc., that we were near
+our port, but a thick fog hid the land from our sight.  About nine
+o'clock the fog began to rise, and seem'd to be lifted up from
+the water like the curtain at a play-house, discovering underneath,
+the town of Falmouth, the vessels in its harbor, and the fields
+that surrounded it.  This was a most pleasing spectacle to those
+who had been so long without any other prospects than the uniform
+view of a vacant ocean, and it gave us the more pleasure as we
+were now free from the anxieties which the state of war occasion'd.
+
+I set out immediately, with my son, for London, and we only stopt
+a little by the way to view Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, and Lord
+Pembroke's house and gardens, with his very curious antiquities
+at Wilton.  We arrived in London the 27th of July, 1757.<16>
+
+     <16> Here terminates the Autobiography, as published by
+          Wm. Temple Franklin and his successors.  What follows
+          was written in the last year of Dr. Franklin's life,
+          and was first printed (in English) in Mr. Bigelow's
+          edition of 1868.--ED.
+
+AS SOON as I was settled in a lodging Mr. Charles had provided for me,
+I went to visit Dr. Fothergill, to whom I was strongly recommended,
+and whose counsel respecting my proceedings I was advis'd to obtain.
+He was against an immediate complaint to government, and thought
+the proprietaries should first be personally appli'd to, who might
+possibly be induc'd by the interposition and persuasion of some
+private friends, to accommodate matters amicably.  I then waited
+on my old friend and correspondent, Mr. Peter Collinson, who told
+me that John Hanbury, the great Virginia merchant, had requested
+to be informed when I should arrive, that he might carry me to Lord
+Granville's, who was then President of the Council and wished to see
+me as soon as possible.  I agreed to go with him the next morning.
+Accordingly Mr. Hanbury called for me and took me in his carriage
+to that nobleman's, who receiv'd me with great civility; and after
+some questions respecting the present state of affairs in America
+and discourse thereupon, he said to me:  "You Americans have wrong
+ideas of the nature of your constitution; you contend that the king's
+instructions to his governors are not laws, and think yourselves
+at liberty to regard or disregard them at your own discretion.
+But those instructions are not like the pocket instructions given
+to a minister going abroad, for regulating his conduct in some
+trifling point of ceremony.  They are first drawn up by judges
+learned in the laws; they are then considered, debated, and perhaps
+amended in Council, after which they are signed by the king.
+They are then, so far as they relate to you, the law of the land,
+for the king is the LEGISLATOR OF THE COLONIES."  I told his
+lordship this was new doctrine to me.  I had always understood
+from our charters that our laws were to be made by our Assemblies,
+to be presented indeed to the king for his royal assent,
+but that being once given the king could not repeal or alter them.
+And as the Assemblies could not make permanent laws without
+his assent, so neither could he make a law for them without theirs.
+He assur'd me I was totally mistaken.  I did not think so, however,
+and his lordship's conversation having a little alarm'd me as to
+what might be the sentiments of the court concerning us, I wrote
+it down as soon as I return'd to my lodgings.  I recollected that
+about 20 years before, a clause in a bill brought into Parliament
+by the ministry had propos'd to make the king's instructions laws
+in the colonies, but the clause was thrown out by the Commons,
+for which we adored them as our friends and friends of liberty,
+till by their conduct towards us in 1765 it seem'd that they had
+refus'd that point of sovereignty to the king only that they might
+reserve it for themselves.
+
+After some days, Dr. Fothergill having spoken to the proprietaries,
+they agreed to a meeting with me at Mr. T. Penn's house in Spring Garden.
+The conversation at first consisted of mutual declarations
+of disposition to reasonable accommodations, but I suppose each
+party had its own ideas of what should be meant by reasonable.
+We then went into consideration of our several points of complaint,
+which I enumerated.  The proprietaries justify'd their conduct
+as well as they could, and I the Assembly's. We now appeared
+very wide, and so far from each other in our opinions as to
+discourage all hope of agreement.  However, it was concluded
+that I should give them the heads of our complaints in writing,
+and they promis'd then to consider them.  I did so soon after,
+but they put the paper into the hands of their solicitor,
+Ferdinand John Paris, who managed for them all their law business
+in their great suit with the neighbouring proprietary of Maryland,
+Lord Baltimore, which had subsisted 70 years, and wrote for them
+all their papers and messages in their dispute with the Assembly.
+He was a proud, angry man, and as I had occasionally in the answers
+of the Assembly treated his papers with some severity, they being
+really weak in point of argument and haughty in expression,
+he had conceived a mortal enmity to me, which discovering itself
+whenever we met, I declin'd the proprietary's proposal that he
+and I should discuss the heads of complaint between our two selves,
+and refus'd treating with any one but them.  They then by his advice
+put the paper into the hands of the Attorney and Solicitor-General
+for their opinion and counsel upon it, where it lay unanswered
+a year wanting eight days, during which time I made frequent demands
+of an answer from the proprietaries, but without obtaining any other
+than that they had not yet received the opinion of the Attorney
+and Solicitor-General.  What it was when they did receive it I
+never learnt, for they did not communicate it to me, but sent a long
+message to the Assembly drawn and signed by Paris, reciting my paper,
+complaining of its want of formality, as a rudeness on my part,
+and giving a flimsy justification of their conduct, adding that they
+should be willing to accommodate matters if the Assembly would send
+out some person of candour to treat with them for that purpose,
+intimating thereby that I was not such.
+
+The want of formality or rudeness was, probably, my not having
+address'd the paper to them with their assum'd titles of True
+and Absolute Proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania,
+which I omitted as not thinking it necessary in a paper,
+the intention of which was only to reduce to a certainty by writing,
+what in conversation I had delivered viva voce.
+
+But during this delay, the Assembly having prevailed with Gov'r
+Denny to pass an act taxing the proprietary estate in common with
+the estates of the people, which was the grand point in dispute,
+they omitted answering the message.
+
+When this act however came over, the proprietaries, counselled
+by Paris, determined to oppose its receiving the royal assent.
+Accordingly they petition'd the king in Council, and a hearing was
+appointed in which two lawyers were employ'd by them against the act,
+and two by me in support of it.  They alledg'd that the act was
+intended to load the proprietary estate in order to spare those
+of the people, and that if it were suffer'd to continue in force,
+and the proprietaries who were in odium with the people, left to their
+mercy in proportioning the taxes, they would inevitably be ruined.
+We reply'd that the act had no such intention, and would have no
+such effect.  That the assessors were honest and discreet men under
+an oath to assess fairly and equitably, and that any advantage each
+of them might expect in lessening his own tax by augmenting that of
+the proprietaries was too trifling to induce them to perjure themselves.
+This is the purport of what I remember as urged by both sides,
+except that we insisted strongly on the mischievous consequences
+that must attend a repeal, for that the money, L100,000, being printed
+and given to the king's use, expended in his service, and now spread
+among the people, the repeal would strike it dead in their hands
+to the ruin of many, and the total discouragement of future grants,
+and the selfishness of the proprietors in soliciting such a
+general catastrophe, merely from a groundless fear of their estate
+being taxed too highly, was insisted on in the strongest terms.
+On this, Lord Mansfield, one of the counsel rose, and beckoning me
+took me into the clerk's chamber, while the lawyers were pleading,
+and asked me if I was really of opinion that no injury would be done
+the proprietary estate in the execution of the act.  I said certainly.
+"Then," says he, "you can have little objection to enter into
+an engagement to assure that point."  I answer'd, "None at all."
+He then call'd in Paris, and after some discourse, his lordship's
+proposition was accepted on both sides; a paper to the purpose was
+drawn up by the Clerk of the Council, which I sign'd with Mr. Charles,
+who was also an Agent of the Province for their ordinary affairs,
+when Lord Mansfield returned to the Council Chamber, where finally
+the law was allowed to pass.  Some changes were however recommended
+and we also engaged they should be made by a subsequent law,
+but the Assembly did not think them necessary; for one year's tax
+having been levied by the act before the order of Council arrived,
+they appointed a committee to examine the proceedings of the assessors,
+and on this committee they put several particular friends of
+the proprietaries.  After a full enquiry, they unanimously sign'd
+a report that they found the tax had been assess'd with perfect equity.
+
+The Assembly looked into my entering into the first part of
+the engagement, as an essential service to the Province, since it
+secured the credit of the paper money then spread over all the country.
+They gave me their thanks in form when I return'd. But the proprietaries
+were enraged at Governor Denny for having pass'd the act, and turn'd
+him out with threats of suing him for breach of instructions
+which he had given bond to observe.  He, however, having done it
+at the instance of the General, and for His Majesty's service,
+and having some powerful interest at court, despis'd the threats
+and they were never put in execution.  . . . [Unfinished].
+
+
+CHIEF EVENTS IN FRANKLIN'S LIFE
+
+Ending, as it does, with the year 1757, the autobiography leaves
+important facts un-recorded.  It has seemed advisable, therefore, to
+detail the chief events in Franklin's life, from the beginning, in
+the following list:
+
+1706    He is born, in Boston, and baptized in the Old South Church.
+
+1714    At the age of eight, enters the Grammar School.
+
+1716    Becomes his father's assistant in the tallow-chandlery business.
+
+1718    Apprenticed to his brother James, printer.
+
+1721    Writes ballads and peddles them, in printed form, in the
+        streets; contributes, anonymously, to the "New England
+        Courant," and temporarily edits that paper; becomes a
+        free-thinker, and a vegetarian.
+
+1723    Breaks his indenture and removes to Philadelphia; obtaining
+        employment in Keimer's printing-office; abandons vegetarianism.
+
+1724    Is persuaded by Governor Keith to establish himself independently,
+        and goes to London to buy type; works at his trade there, and
+        publishes "Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity,
+        Pleasure and Pain."
+
+1726    Returns to Philadelphia; after serving as clerk in a dry goods
+        store, becomes manager of Keimer's printing-house.
+
+1727    Founds the Junto, or "Leathern Apron" Club.
+
+1728    With Hugh Meredith, opens a printing-office.
+
+1729    Becomes proprietor and editor of the "Pennsylvania Gazette";
+        prints, anonymously, "Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency";
+        opens a stationer's shop.
+
+1730    Marries Rebecca Read.
+
+1731    Founds the Philadelphia Library.
+
+1732    Publishes the first number of "Poor Richard's Almanac" under
+        the pseudonym of "Richard Saunders." The Almanac, which
+        continued for twenty-five years to contain his witty,
+        worldly-wise sayings, played a very large part in bringing
+        together and molding the American character which was at
+        that time made up of so many diverse and scattered types.
+
+1738    Begins to study French, Italian, Spanish, and Latin.
+
+1736    Chosen clerk of the General Assembly; forms the Union Fire
+        Company of Philadelphia.
+
+1737    Elected to the Assembly; appointed Deputy Postmaster-General;
+        plans a city police.
+
+1742    Invents the open, or "Franklin," stove.
+
+1743    Proposes a plan for an Academy, which is adopted 1749 and
+        develops into the University of Pennsylvania.
+
+1744    Establishes the American Philosophical Society.
+
+1746    Publishes a pamphlet, "Plain Truth," on the necessity for
+        disciplined defense, and forms a military company; begins
+        electrical experiments.
+
+1748    Sells out his printing business; is appointed on the
+        Commission of the Peace, chosen to the Common Council,
+        and to the Assembly.
+
+1749    Appointed a Commissioner to trade with the Indians.
+
+1751    Aids in founding a hospital.
+
+1752    Experiments with a kite and discovers that lightning is an
+        electrical discharge.
+
+1753    Awarded the Copley medal for this discovery, and elected a
+        member of the Royal Society; receives the degree of M.A.
+        from Yale and Harvard.  Appointed joint Postmaster-General.
+
+1754    Appointed one of the Commissioners from Pennsylvania to the
+        Colonial Congress at Albany; proposes a plan for the union
+        of the colonies.
+
+1755    Pledges his personal property in order that supplies may be
+        raised for Braddock's army; obtains a grant from the Assembly
+        in aid of the Crown Point expedition; carries through a bill
+        establishing a voluntary militia; is appointed Colonel,
+        and takes the field.
+
+1757    Introduces a bill in the Assembly for paving the streets of
+        Philadelphia; publishes his famous "Way to Wealth"; goes to
+        England to plead the cause of the Assembly against the
+        Proprietaries; remains as agent for Pennsylvania; enjoys the
+        friendship of the scientific and literary men of the kingdom.
+
+  [HERE THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY BREAKS OFF]
+
+1760    Secures from the Privy Council, by a compromise, a decision
+        obliging the Proprietary estates to contribute to the public
+        revenue.
+
+1762    Receives the degree of LL.D. from Oxford and Edinburgh; returns
+        to America.
+
+1763    Makes a five months' tour of the northern colonies for the
+        Purpose of inspecting the post-offices.
+
+1764    Defeated by the Penn faction for reelection to the Assembly;
+        sent to England as agent for Pennsylvania.
+
+1765    Endeavors to prevent the passage of the Stamp Act.
+
+1766    Examined before the House of Commons relative to the
+        passage of the Stamp Act; appointed agent of Massachusetts,
+        New Jersey, and Georgia; visits Gottingen University.
+
+1767    Travels in France and is presented at court.
+
+1769    Procures a telescope for Harvard College.
+
+1772    Elected Associe Etranger of the French Academy.
+
+1774    Dismissed from the office of Postmaster-General; influences
+        Thomas Paine to emigrate to America.
+
+1775    Returns to America; chosen a delegate to the Second Continental
+        Congress; placed on the committee of secret correspondence;
+        appointed one of the commissioners to secure the cooperation
+        of Canada.
+
+1776    Placed on the committee to draft a Declaration of Independence;
+        chosen president of the Constitutional Committee of Pennsylvania;
+        sent to France as agent of the colonies.
+
+1778    Concludes treaties of defensive alliance, and of amity and
+        commerce; is received at court.
+
+1779    Appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France.
+
+1780    Appoints Paul Jones commander of the "Alliance."
+
+1782    Signs the preliminary articles of peace.
+
+1783    Signs the definite treaty of peace.
+
+1785    Returns to America; is chosen President of Pennsylvania;
+        reelected 1786.
+
+1787    Reelected President; sent as delegate to the convention for
+        framing a Federal Constitution.
+
+1788    Retires from public life.
+
+1790    April 17, dies.  His grave is in the churchyard at Fifth and
+        Arch streets, Philadelphia.  Editor.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
+by Benjamin Franklin
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ***
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