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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Franklin's Autobiography, 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: Franklin's Autobiography
+       (Eclectic English Classics)
+
+Author: Benjamin Franklin
+
+Editor: O. Leon Reid
+
+Release Date: May 18, 2011 [EBook #36151]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Larry B. Harrison and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  ECLECTIC ENGLISH CLASSICS
+
+  FRANKLIN'S
+  AUTOBIOGRAPHY
+
+  EDITED BY
+  O. LEON REID
+
+  HEAD OF ENGLISH DEPARTMENT, LOUISVILLE MALE
+  HIGH SCHOOL, LOUISVILLE, KY.
+
+  NEW YORK . CINCINNATI . CHICAGO
+  AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+  Copyright, 1896 and 1910, by
+  AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY
+
+  BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
+
+  W. P. 12
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+When Franklin was born, in 1706, Queen Anne was on the English throne,
+and Swift and Defoe were pamphleteering. The one had not yet written
+"Gulliver's Travels," nor the other "Robinson Crusoe;" neither had
+Addison and Steele and other wits of Anne's reign begun the
+"Spectator." Pope was eighteen years old.
+
+At that time ships bringing news, food and raiment, and laws and
+governors to the ten colonies of America, ran grave chances of falling
+into the hands of the pirates who infested the waters of the shores.
+In Boston Cotton Mather was persecuting witches. There were no stage
+coaches in the land,--merely a bridle path led from New York to
+Philadelphia,--and a printing press throughout the colonies was a
+raree-show.
+
+Only six years before Franklin's birth, the first newspaper report for
+the first newspaper in the country was written on the death of Captain
+Kidd and six of his companions near Boston, when the editor of the
+"News-Letter" told the story of the hanging of the pirates, detailing
+the exhortations and prayers and their taking-off. Franklin links us
+to another world of action.
+
+His boyhood in Boston was a stern beginning of the habit of hard work
+and rigid economy which marked the man. For a year he went to the
+Latin Grammar School on School Street, but left off at the age of ten
+to help his father in making soap and candles. He persisted in showing
+such "bookish inclination," however, that at twelve his father
+apprenticed him to learn the printer's trade. At seventeen he ran off
+to Philadelphia and there began his independent career.
+
+In the main he led such a life as the maxims of "Poor Richard"[1]
+enjoin. The pages of the Autobiography show few deviations from such a
+course. He felt the need of school training and set to work to educate
+himself. He had an untiring industry, and love of the approval of his
+neighbor; and he knew that more things fail through want of care than
+want of knowledge. His practical imagination was continually forming
+projects; and, fortunately for the world, his great physical strength
+and activity were always setting his ideas in motion. He was
+human-hearted, and this strong sympathy of his, along with his
+strength and zeal and "projecting head" (as Defoe calls such a
+spirit), devised much that helped life to amenity and comfort. In
+politics he had the outlook of the self-reliant colonist whose
+devotion to the mother institutions of England was finally alienated
+by the excesses of a power which thought itself all-powerful.
+
+In this Autobiography Franklin tells of his own life to the year 1757,
+when he went to England to support the petition of the legislature
+against Penn's sons. The grievance of the colonists was a very
+considerable one, for the proprietaries claimed that taxes should not
+be levied upon a tract greater than the whole State of Pennsylvania.
+
+Franklin was received in England with applause. His experiments in
+electricity and his inventions had made him known, and the sayings of
+"Poor Richard" were already in the mouths of the people. But he
+waited nearly three years before he could obtain a hearing for the
+matter for which he had crossed the sea.
+
+During the delay he visited the ancient home of his family, and made
+the acquaintance of men of mark, receiving also that degree of Doctor
+of Civil Law by which he came to be known as Dr. Franklin. In this
+time, too, he found how prejudiced was the common English estimate of
+the value of the colonies. He wrote Lord Kames in 1760, after the
+defeat of the French in Canada: "No one can more sincerely rejoice
+than I do on the reduction of Canada; and this is not merely as I am a
+colonist, but as I am a Briton. I have long been of opinion that the
+_foundations of the future grandeur and stability of the British
+empire lie in America_; and though, like other foundations, they are
+low and little now, they are, nevertheless, broad and strong enough to
+support the greatest political structure that human wisdom ever yet
+erected. I am, therefore, by no means for restoring Canada. If we keep
+it all the country from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi will in
+another century be filled with British people. Britain itself will
+become vastly more populous by the immense increase of its commerce;
+the Atlantic sea will be covered with your trading ships; and your
+naval power, thence continually increasing, will extend your influence
+round the whole globe and awe the world!... But I refrain, for I see
+you begin to think my notions extravagant, and look upon them as the
+ravings of a madman."
+
+At last Franklin won the king's signature to a bill by the terms of
+which the surveyed lands of the proprietaries should be assessed, and,
+his business accomplished, he returned to Philadelphia. "You require
+my history," he wrote to Lord Kames, "from the time I yet sail for
+America. I left England about the end of August, 1762, in company
+with ten sail of merchant ships, under a convoy of a man-of-war. We
+had a pleasant passage to Madeira.... Here we furnished ourselves with
+fresh provisions, and refreshments of all kinds; and, after a few
+days, proceeded on our voyage, running southward until we got into the
+trade winds, and then with them westward till we drew near the coast
+of America. The weather was so favorable that there were few days in
+which we could not visit from ship to ship, dining with each other and
+on board of the man-of-war; which made the time pass agreeably, much
+more so than when one goes in a single ship; for this was like
+traveling in a moving village, with all one's neighbors about one.
+
+"On the 1st of November I arrived safe and well at my own home, after
+an absence of near six years, found my wife and daughter well,--the
+latter grown quite a woman, with many amiable accomplishments acquired
+in my absence,--and my friends as hearty and affectionate as ever,
+with whom my house was filled for many days to congratulate me on my
+return. I had been chosen yearly during my absence to represent the
+city of Philadelphia in our Provincial Assembly; and on my appearance
+in the House, they voted me three thousand pounds sterling for my
+services in England, and their thanks, delivered by the Speaker. In
+February following, my son arrived with my new daughter; for, with my
+consent and approbation, he married, soon after I left England, a very
+agreeable West India lady, with whom he is very happy. I accompanied
+him to his government [New Jersey], where he met with the kindest
+reception from the people of all ranks, and has lived with them ever
+since in the greatest harmony. A river only parts that province and
+ours, and his residence is within seventeen miles of me, so that we
+frequently see each other.
+
+"In the spring of 1763 I set out on a tour through all the northern
+colonies to inspect and regulate the post offices in the several
+provinces. In this journey I spent the summer, traveled about sixteen
+hundred miles, and did not get home till the beginning of November.
+The Assembly sitting through the following winter, and warm disputes
+arising between them and the governor, I became wholly engaged in
+public affairs; for, besides my duty as an Assemblyman, I had another
+trust to execute, that of being one of the commissioners appointed by
+law to dispose of the public money appropriated to the raising and
+paying an army to act against the Indians and defend the frontiers.
+And then, in December, we had two insurrections of the back
+inhabitants of our province.... Governor Penn made my house for some
+time his headquarters, and did everything by my advice; so that for
+about forty-eight hours I was a very great man, as I had been once
+some years before, in a time of public danger.[2]
+
+"But the fighting face we put on and the reasoning we used with the
+insurgents ... having turned them back and restored quiet to the city,
+I became a less man than ever; for I had by this transaction made
+myself many enemies among the populace; and the governor, ... thinking
+it a favorable opportunity, joined the whole weight of the proprietary
+interest to get me out of the Assembly; which was accordingly effected
+at the last election by a majority of about twenty-five in four
+thousand voters. The House, however, when they met in October,
+approved of the resolutions taken, while I was Speaker, of petitioning
+the Crown for a change of government, and requested me to return to
+England to prosecute that petition; which service I accordingly
+undertook, and embarked at the beginning of November last, being
+accompanied to the ship, sixteen miles, by a cavalcade of three
+hundred of my friends, who filled our sails with their good wishes,
+and I arrived in thirty days at London."
+
+Instead of giving his efforts to the proposed change of government
+Franklin found greater duties. The debt which England had incurred
+during the war with the French in Canada she now looked to the
+colonists for aid in removing. At home taxes were levied by every
+device. The whole country was in distress and laborers starving. In
+the colonies there was the thrift that comes from narrowest means; but
+the people refused to answer parliamentary levies and claimed that
+they would lay their own taxes through their own legislatures. They
+resisted so successfully the enforcement of the Stamp Act that
+Parliament began to discuss its repeal. At this juncture Franklin was
+examined before the Commons in regard to the results of the act.
+
+     _Q._ Do you not think the people of America would submit to pay
+     the stamp duty if it was moderated?
+
+     _A._ No, never, unless compelled by force of arms....
+
+     _Q._ What was the temper of America toward Great Britain before
+     the year 1763?[3]
+
+      _A._ The best in the world. They submitted willingly to the
+     government of the Crown, and paid, in their courts, obedience to
+     the acts of Parliament. Numerous as the people are in the several
+     old provinces, they cost you nothing in forts, citadels, garrisons,
+     or armies, to keep them in subjection. They were governed by this
+     country at the expense only of a little pen, ink, and paper; they
+     were led by a thread. They had not only a respect but an affection
+     for Great Britain, for its laws, its customs and manners, and even
+     a fondness for its fashions that greatly increased the commerce.
+     Natives of Britain were always treated with particular regard; to
+     be an "Old England man" was, of itself, a character of some
+     respect, and gave a kind of rank among us.
+
+     _Q._ And what is their temper now?
+
+     _A._ Oh, very much altered....
+
+     _Q._ If the Stamp Act should be repealed, would it induce the
+     assemblies of America to acknowledge the right of Parliament to
+     tax them, and would they erase their resolutions?
+
+     _A._ No, never.
+
+     _Q._ Are there no means of obliging them to erase those
+     resolutions?
+
+     _A._ None that I know of; they will never do it unless compelled
+     by force of arms.
+
+     _Q._ Is there a power on earth that can force them to erase them?
+
+     _A._ No power, how great soever, can force men to change their
+     opinions....
+
+     _Q._ What used to be the pride of the Americans?
+
+     _A._ To indulge in the fashions and manufactures of Great Britain.
+
+     _Q._ What is now their pride?
+
+     _A._ To wear their old clothes over again, till they can make new
+     ones.
+
+After the repeal of the act, Franklin wrote to his wife: "I am willing
+you should have a new gown, which you may suppose I did not send
+sooner as I knew you would not like to be finer than your neighbors
+unless in a gown of your own spinning. Had the trade between the two
+countries totally ceased, it was a comfort to me to recollect that I
+had once been clothed from head to foot in woolen and linen of my
+wife's manufacture, that I never was prouder of any dress in my life,
+and that she and her daughter might do it again if it was necessary."
+
+Franklin stayed ten years in England. In 1774 he presented to the king
+the petition of the first Continental Congress, in which the
+petitioners, who protested their loyalty to Great Britain, claimed the
+right of taxing themselves. But, finding this and other efforts at
+adjustment of little avail, he returned to Philadelphia in May, 1775.
+On the 5th of July he wrote to Mr. Strahan, an old friend in London:
+"You are a member of Parliament, and one of that majority which has
+doomed my country to destruction. You have begun to burn our towns and
+murder our people. Look upon your hands; they are stained with the
+blood of your relations! You and I were long friends; you are now my
+enemy, and I am yours."
+
+After the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the
+States as a nation, Franklin was chosen as representative to France.
+"I am old and good for nothing," he said, when told of the choice,
+"but, as the storekeepers say of their remnants of cloth, I am but a
+fag-end; you may have me for what you please."
+
+It was a most important post. France was the ancient enemy of England,
+and the contingent of men and aid of money which Franklin gained served
+to the successful issue of the Revolution. He lived while in France at
+Passy, near Paris, from which he wrote to a friend in England: "You are
+too early ... in calling me rebel; you should wait for the event which
+will determine whether it is a rebellion or only a revolution.... I know
+you wish you could see me; but, as you cannot, I will describe myself to
+you. Figure me in your mind as jolly as formerly, and as strong and
+hearty, only a few years older; very plainly dressed, wearing my thin,
+gray, straight hair, that peeps out under my only coiffure, a fine fur
+cap which comes down my forehead almost to my spectacles. Think how this
+must appear among the powdered heads of Paris! I wish every lady and
+gentleman in France would only be so obliging as to follow my fashion,
+comb their own heads as I do mine, dismiss their friseurs, and pay me
+half the money they pay to them."
+
+At last, in 1785, he came home, old and broken in health. He was
+chosen president, or governor, of Pennsylvania, and the faith of the
+people in his wisdom made him delegate to the convention which framed
+the Constitution in 1787. He died in 1790, and was buried by his wife
+in the graveyard of Christ Church, Philadelphia.
+
+The epitaph which he had written when a printer was not put upon his
+tomb:
+
+    THE BODY
+
+    OF
+
+    BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
+
+    PRINTER
+
+    (Like the cover of an old book,
+    Its contents torn out,
+    And stript of its lettering and gilding,)
+    Lies here, food for worms.
+    But the work shall not be lost,
+    For it will (as he believed) appear once more
+    In a new and elegant edition,
+    Revised and corrected
+    by
+    The Author.
+
+[Footnote 1: See pp. 198-206.]
+
+[Footnote 2: The time of Braddock's defeat.]
+
+[Footnote 3: When the old duties "upon all rum, spirits, molasses,
+syrups, sugar," etc., were renewed, and extended to other articles.]
+
+
+
+
+THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
+
+
+
+
+Sec. 1. PARENTAGE AND BOYHOOD.
+
+
+    TWYFORD,[4] _at the Bishop of St. Asaph's, 1771_.
+
+Dear Son:[5] 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 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.
+
+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 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,"
+etc., but some vain thing immediately followed. Most people dislike
+vanity in others, whatever share they may 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 led 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,[n] 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,[6] 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, namely,
+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[7]
+Palmer, then the principal gentleman in that parish, he qualified
+himself for the business of scrivener;[8] 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, Jan. 6, old style,[9] 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."[10]
+
+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, in manuscript, 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.[11] He
+had formed a shorthand of his own, which he taught me, but, never
+practicing 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 shorthand, 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 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
+above fifty years since. There are many of his notes in the margins.
+
+This obscure family of ours was early in the Reformation, and
+continued Protestants through the reign of Queen Mary,[12] when they
+were sometimes in danger of trouble on account of their zeal against
+the queen's religion. 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.[13] 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 II.'s reign, when some of the ministers that had been outed
+for nonconformity,[14] 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.[15] 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 goodly
+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 homespun 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,[16] 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 libeler [says he]
+    I hate it with my heart;
+    From Sherburne[17] town, where now I dwell,
+      My name I do put here;
+    Without offense your real friend,
+      It is Peter Folgier."[18]
+
+My elder brothers were all put apprentices to different trades. I was
+put to the grammar school[19] 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 shorthand volumes of sermons, I suppose as a
+stock to set up with, if I would learn his character.[20] 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, further, 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 mean time, 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 afterward 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 soap boiler, a business he was not bred to, but
+had assumed on his arrival in New England, and on finding his dyeing
+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,[21] 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, learned 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, though 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
+wharf 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 playfellows,
+and working with them diligently like so many emmets,[22] sometimes
+two or three to a stone, we brought them all away and built our little
+wharf. The next morning the workmen were surprised at missing the
+stones, which were found in our wharf. 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 public 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 brought 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 traveling, 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. I never knew either
+my father or mother to have any sickness but that of which they died,
+he at eighty-nine and she at eighty-five years of age. They lie buried
+together at Boston, where I some years since placed a marble[23] 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[24] 89.
+    A. F. born 1667, died 1752, ---- 85.
+
+By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be grown old. I used
+to write more methodically. But one does not dress for private company
+as for a public 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, brasiers,[25] 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 learned 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[26] books, and
+cheap, forty or fifty 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 Defoe'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[27] 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[28] 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 has 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 each other; which
+disputatious turn, by the way, is apt to become a very bad habit,[n]
+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 Edinburgh.
+
+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 each other 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. He observed that, though I had the advantage of my
+antagonist in correct spelling and pointing (which I owed 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 remarks, 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."[29] 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, tried to complete 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 complete the
+paper. This was to teach me method in the arrangement of thoughts. By
+comparing my work afterward 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 of 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 practice it.
+
+When about sixteen 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 refusal 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, dispatching presently my light repast, which often was no
+more than a biscuit 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 ashamed of my
+ignorance in figures, which I had twice failed in learning when at
+school, I took Cocker's book of arithmetic, 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 the Human Understanding," and the "Art of
+Thinking," by Messrs. du Port Royal.[30]
+
+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;[31]
+and soon after I procured Xenophon's "Memorable Things of Socrates,"
+wherein there are many instances of the same method. I was charmed
+with it, adopted it, dropped 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, practiced 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 continued 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 anything that may possibly be
+disputed, the words "certainly," "undoubtedly," or any others that
+give the air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather saying, "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 engaged 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 fixed 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 must be taught as if you taught them not,
+    And things unknown propos'd as things forgot;"
+
+further recommending to us to
+
+    "Speak, though 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."[32]
+
+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."[33] 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 through the streets to the customers.
+
+He had some ingenious men among his friends, who amused themselves by
+writing little pieces for this paper, which gained 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 called 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 esteemed them.
+
+Encouraged, however, by this, I wrote and conveyed in the same way to
+the press several more papers, which were equally approved; and I kept
+my secret till my small fund of sense for such performances was pretty
+well exhausted, and then I discovered[34] 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 demeaned[35] me too much in some he required 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 extremely 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.
+
+One of the pieces in our newspaper, on some political point which I
+have now forgotten, gave offense to the Assembly.[36] He was taken up,
+censured, and imprisoned for a month, by the Speaker's warrant, I
+suppose, because he would not discover his author. I, too, was taken
+up and examined before the council; but, though I did not give them
+any satisfaction, they contented 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 libeling and
+satire. My brother's discharge was accompanied 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 returned 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[37] 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-natured 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 refused 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 inclined 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 stayed, soon bring
+myself into scrapes; and, further, that my indiscreet disputations
+about religion began to make me pointed at with horror by good people
+as an infidel or atheist. I determined 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 into trouble, 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
+three hundred miles from home, a boy of but seventeen, without the
+least recommendation to, or knowledge of, any person in the place, and
+with very little money in my pocket.
+
+[Footnote 4: A village near Winchester, Hampshire, England, where Dr.
+Jonathan Shipley had his country house. Dr. Shipley was Bishop of St.
+Asaph's in Wales, and Franklin's friend.]
+
+[Footnote 5: Franklin's only living son, William, who in 1762 had been
+made royal governor of New Jersey, with the hope of detaching Franklin
+from the cause of the colonists.]
+
+[Footnote 6: A franklin was a freeman, or freeholder, or owner of the
+land on which he dwelt. The franklins were by their possessions fitted
+for becoming sheriffs, knights, etc. After the Norman Conquest, men in
+England took, in addition to the first name, another which was
+suggested by their condition in life, their trade, or some personal
+peculiarity. See Note, p. 203.]
+
+[Footnote 7: A title given in England in Franklin's time to the
+descendants of knights and noblemen.]
+
+[Footnote 8: A writer whose duties were similar to those of our notary.]
+
+[Footnote 9: "Old style," i.e., the method of reckoning time which
+formerly prevailed and which had caused an error of eleven days. The
+new style of reckoning was adopted in England in 1752.]
+
+[Footnote 10: The passage of the soul into another body; one might
+have supposed that the soul of the uncle had taken up abode in
+Franklin's body.]
+
+[Footnote 11: Franklin omitted the verses.]
+
+[Footnote 12: Who was queen from 1553 to 1558.]
+
+[Footnote 13: "Joint stool," i.e., a stool made of parts fitted
+together.]
+
+[Footnote 14: "Outed for nonconformity," i.e., turned out of the
+church for not conforming to the usages of the Church of England and
+for holding meetings of dissenters for public worship.]
+
+[Footnote 15: Franklin was born Sunday, Jan. 17, 1706 (Jan. 6, old
+style). The family then lived in a small house on Milk Street, near
+the Old South Church, where the Boston Post building now stands.]
+
+[Footnote 16: The persecution which the first settlers practiced
+against all who differed with them in religious doctrines.]
+
+[Footnote 17: Sherburne is now called Nantucket.]
+
+[Footnote 18: The lines which Dr. Franklin had forgotten are these:
+
+    "I am for peace and not for war,
+      And that's the reason why
+    I write more plain than some men do,
+      That used to daub and lie.
+    But I shall cease, and set my name
+      To what I here insert,
+    Because to be a libeler
+      I hate it with my heart."
+]
+
+[Footnote 19: In Franklin's time the grammar school was a school for
+teaching Latin, which was begun by committing the grammar to memory.]
+
+[Footnote 20: Characters, or method of writing shorthand.]
+
+[Footnote 21: Candles were made by dipping wicks in the fat a number
+of times, and also by setting the wicks in a mold and pouring the fat
+round them.]
+
+[Footnote 22: Ants.]
+
+[Footnote 23: The marble having crumbled, a larger stone was placed
+over the grave in 1827, and Franklin's inscription repeated. It stands
+in the Granary Burying Ground.]
+
+[Footnote 24: Aged.]
+
+[Footnote 25: A joiner is a mechanic who does the woodwork of houses,
+etc.; a turner, one who works with a lathe; a brasier, a worker in
+brass.]
+
+[Footnote 26: A chapman was a peddler.]
+
+[Footnote 27: Agreements written upon sheets, the edges of which were
+cut or indented to match each other, for security and identification.]
+
+[Footnote 28: A street in London in which many writers of small
+ability or reputation, or of unhappy fortune, had lodgings. "Grub
+Street style," therefore, means poor or worthless in literary value.
+The term, which always implied a sneer, was made current by Pope and
+Swift and their coterie.]
+
+[Footnote 29: A paper published in London every week day from the 1st
+of March, 1711, to the 6th of December, 1712, and made up for the most
+part of essays by Addison, Steele, and their friends. It held aloof
+from politics, and dealt with the manners of the time and with
+literature.]
+
+[Footnote 30: These gentlemen of Port Royal lived in the old convent
+of Port Royal des Champs, near Paris. They were learned men who, with
+other works, prepared schoolbooks, among which was the "Art of
+Thinking," a logic.]
+
+[Footnote 31: "The Socratic method," i.e., the method of modest
+questioning, which Socrates used with pupils and opponents alike, and
+by which he led them to concessions and unforeseen conclusions.]
+
+[Footnote 32: These lines are not Pope's, but Lord Roscommon's,
+slightly modified.]
+
+[Footnote 33: "The New England Courant was the fourth newspaper that
+appeared in America. The first number of the Boston News-Letter was
+published April 24, 1704. This was the first newspaper in America. The
+Boston Gazette commenced Dec. 21, 1719; the American Weekly Mercury,
+at Philadelphia, Dec. 22, 1719; the New England Courant, Aug. 21,
+1721. Dr. Franklin's error of memory probably originated in the
+circumstance of his brother having been the printer of the Boston
+Gazette when it was first established. This was the second newspaper
+published in America."--SPARKS.]
+
+[Footnote 34: Told.]
+
+[Footnote 35: Lowered; put down.[n]]
+
+[Footnote 36: The legislature.]
+
+[Footnote 37: Errors; mistakes.]
+
+
+
+
+Sec. 2. SEEKS HIS FORTUNE.
+
+
+My inclinations for the sea were by this time worn out, or I might now
+have gratified them. But, having a trade, and supposing myself a
+pretty good workman, I offered 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 farther; 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,[38] 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 desired 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[39] was the first that I know of who mixed
+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. Defoe[n] in his
+"Crusoe," 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 surf on the stony beach. So
+we dropped anchor, and swung round toward the shore. Some people came
+down to the water edge and hallooed to us, as we did to them; but the
+wind was so high and the surf so loud that we could not hear so as to
+understand each other. There were canoes on the shore, and we made
+signs, and hallooed 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. In the mean time, 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 leaked
+through 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, the water we sailed on being salt.
+
+In the evening I found myself very feverish, and went in to bed; but,
+having read somewhere that cold water, drunk plentifully, was good for
+a fever, I followed the prescription, sweat plentifully 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,[40]
+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 soaked, and by noon a
+good deal tired, so I stopped at a poor inn, where I stayed 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 asked 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 continued as long as he lived.[n] 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,[41] and was ingenious, but much of an unbeliever, and
+wickedly undertook, some years after, to travesty the Bible in doggerel
+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 reached
+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 asked her advice. She invited me to lodge at her house till
+a passage by water should offer; and, being tired with my foot
+traveling, 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 of 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 toward
+Philadelphia, with several people in her. They took me in, and, as
+there was no wind, we rowed 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, and 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
+arrived 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 clothes being to come
+round by sea. I was dirty from my journey; my pockets were stuffed out
+with shirts and stockings, and I knew no soul, nor where to look for
+lodging. I was fatigued with traveling, 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.[42] The latter I gave the
+people of the boat for my passage, who at first refused 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 through 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 Second Street, and asked for biscuit, intending
+such as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in
+Philadelphia. Then I asked for a threepenny 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 bade him give
+me threepenny worth of any sort. He gave me, accordingly, three great
+puffy rolls. I was surprised at the quantity, but took it, and, having
+no room in my pockets, walked 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 meetinghouse of the
+Quakers near the market.[43] I sat down among them, and, after looking
+round awhile and hearing nothing said, being very drowsy through 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 liked, 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 returned; and, being shown to a bed, I lay
+down without undressing and slept till six in the evening, was called 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, traveling on horseback, had got to
+Philadelphia before me. He introduced me to his son, who received me
+civilly, and gave me a breakfast, but told me he did not at present want
+a hand, being lately supplied 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
+asked me a few questions, put a composing stick[44] in my hand to see
+how I worked, 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 townspeople that had a good will
+for him, he entered into a conversation on his present undertaking and
+prospects; 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 interest he relied 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,[45] and the other a mere novice.
+Bradford left me with Keimer, who was greatly surprised when I told
+him who the old man was.
+
+Keimer's printing house, I found, consisted of an old shattered press
+and one small, worn-out font of English,[46] 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,[47] but one pair of cases, and the elegy
+likely to require all the letters, no one could help him. I endeavored
+to put his press (which he had not yet used and of which he understood
+nothing) into order fit to be worked with; and, promising to come and
+print off his elegy as soon as he should have got it ready, I returned
+to Bradford's, who gave me a little job to do for the present, and
+there I lodged and dieted.[48] 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,
+though something of a scholar, was a mere compositor, knowing nothing
+of press work. He had been one of the French prophets,[49] 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 worked 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 happened 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 everything would be
+accommodated to my mind if I would return, to which he exhorted me
+very earnestly. I wrote an answer to his letter, thanked 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 showed him the letter. The
+governor read it, and seemed surprised when he was told my age. He
+said I appeared 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 afterward 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 dressed, 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 inquired for me, came up, and with a condescension and
+politeness I had been quite unused to, made me many compliments,
+desired to be acquainted with me, blamed 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 stared like a pig poisoned. I went, however,
+with the governor and Colonel French to a tavern at the corner of
+Third Street, and over the Madeira he proposed my setting up my
+business, laid before me the probabilities of success, and both he and
+Colonel French assured me I should have their interest and influence
+in procuring the public business of both governments.[50] 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 offered 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 obliged to pump almost continually, at which I took my turn. We
+arrived safe, however, at Boston in about a fortnight. I had been
+absent seven months, and my friends had heard nothing of me; for my
+brother Holmes was not yet returned, and had not written about me. My
+unexpected appearance surprised 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 dressed than ever while in his
+service, having a genteel new suit from head to foot, a watch, and my
+pockets lined with near five pounds sterling in silver. He received me
+not very frankly, looked me all over, and turned to his work again.
+
+The journeymen were inquisitive where I had been, what sort of a
+country it was, and how I liked it. I praised it much, and 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 produced a
+handful of silver and spread it before them, which was a kind of
+raree-show[51] they had not been used 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[52] to drink, and took my leave. This visit of mine offended him
+extremely; 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 several days, when, Captain Holmes
+returning, he showed it to him, asked 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,
+pleased 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 mathematics and natural philosophy, to
+come with mine and me to New York, where he proposed to wait for me.
+
+My father, though he did not approve Sir William's proposition, was
+yet pleased 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, advised 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 embarked 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 loved me. A friend of his, one
+Vernon, having some money due to him in Pennsylvania, 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 afterward occasioned 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, matronlike
+Quaker woman, with her attendants. I had shown an obliging readiness
+to do her some little services, which impressed 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 appeared to
+encourage, she took me aside, and said, "Young man, I am concerned for
+thee, as thou hast no friend with thee, and seems not to know much of
+the world, or of the snares youth is exposed 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 seemed at first not
+to think so ill of them as she did, she mentioned some things she had
+observed and heard that had escaped my notice, but now convinced me
+she was right. I thanked her for her kind advice, and promised to
+follow it. When we arrived at New York, they told me where they lived,
+and invited me to come and see them; but I avoided it, and it was well
+I did; for the next day the captain missed a silver spoon and some
+other things, that had been taken out of his cabin, and he got a
+warrant to search their lodgings, found the stolen goods, and had the
+thieves punished. So, though we had escaped a sunken rock, which we
+scraped upon in the passage, I thought this escape of rather more
+importance to me.
+
+At New York I found my friend Collins, who had arrived 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 outstripped me. While I lived in Boston most of my hours of
+leisure for conversation were spent with him, and he continued 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 acquired
+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 behaved very oddly. He had gamed, too, and
+lost his money, so that I was obliged to discharge his lodgings, and
+defray his expenses to and at Philadelphia, which proved 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, desired 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 governor treated me with great civility, showed 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 finished our journey. Collins
+wished to be employed in some countinghouse; but, whether they
+discovered his dramming by his breath or by his behavior, though he
+had some recommendations he met with no success in any application,
+and continued 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 distressed to
+think what I should do in case of being called on to remit it.
+
+His drinking continued, about which we sometimes quarreled; 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 rowed 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 continued to refuse. So he swore he would make
+me row, or throw me overboard; and coming along, stepping on the
+thwarts,[53] toward me, when he came up and struck at me I clutched him,
+and, rising, pitched him headforemost 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
+pulled her out of his reach; and ever when he drew near the boat, we
+asked 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
+exchanged a civil word afterward, 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 showed that my father was not much
+out in his judgment when he supposed 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 resolved 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 advised me not to rely on him, as I
+afterward 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 believed him one of the
+best men in the world.[54]
+
+I presented him an inventory of a little printing house, amounting, by
+my computation, to about one hundred pounds sterling. He liked it, but
+asked me if my being on the spot in England to choose the types, and
+see that everything 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,"[55] 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 sailed, so I
+continued working with Keimer, fretting about the money Collins had
+got from me, and in daily apprehensions of being called 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 becalmed off Block Island, our people set about catching
+cod, and hauled up a good many. Hitherto I had stuck to my resolution of
+not eating animal food; and on this occasion I considered, 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 smelled admirably well. I balanced 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 dined
+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 lived 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 loved argumentation. We
+therefore had many disputations. I used to work him so with my
+Socratic method, and had trepanned[56] him so often by questions
+apparently so distant from any point we had in hand and yet by degrees
+led 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."[57] He
+likewise kept the seventh day Sabbath; and these two points were
+essentials with him. I disliked 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 assured him
+it would, and that he would be 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 dressed and brought
+to us regularly by a woman in the neighborhood, who had from me a list
+of forty dishes, to be prepared 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
+eighteen pence 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, longed for the flesh pots of Egypt, and ordered
+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 were 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 conferred on what we read.
+
+Ralph was inclined 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, assured him he had no genius
+for poetry, and advised him to think of nothing beyond the business he
+was bred to; that, in the mercantile way, though he had no stock, he
+might, by his diligence and punctuality, recommend himself to
+employment as a factor,[58] and in time acquire wherewith to trade on
+his own account. I approved 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 proposed 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 Deity. When the time
+of our meeting grew 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 showed me his piece for my
+opinion, and I much approved it, as it appeared to me to have great
+merit. "Now," says he, "Osborne never will allow the least merit in
+anything of mine, but makes a thousand 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 transcribed 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
+would be admitted; produce I must. It was read and repeated; Watson
+and Osborne gave up the contest, and joined in applauding it. Ralph
+only made some criticisms, and proposed some amendments; but I
+defended my text. Osborne was against Ralph, and told him he was no
+better a critic than poet, so he dropped the argument. As they two
+went home together, Osborne expressed himself still more strongly in
+favor of what he thought my production, having restrained himself
+before, as he said, lest I should think it flattery. "But who would
+have imagined," said he, "that Franklin had been capable of such a
+performance; such painting, such force, such fire! He has even
+improved the original. In his common conversation he seems to have no
+choice of words; he hesitates and blunders; and yet, good heavens! how
+he writes!" When we next met, Ralph discovered the trick we had played
+him, and Osborne was a little laughed 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.[59] 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 happened 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 fulfilled his promise.
+
+The governor, seeming to like my company, had me frequently to his
+house, and his setting me up was always mentioned 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 called to take my leave and receive the
+letters, his secretary, Dr. Baird, 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 on this voyage. It was thought he intended to establish a
+correspondence, and obtain goods to sell on commission; but I found
+afterward that, through some discontent with his wife's relations, he
+proposed to leave her on their hands, and never return again. Having
+taken leave of my friends, and interchanged some promises with Miss
+Read, I left Philadelphia in the ship, which anchored at Newcastle.
+The governor was there; but when I went to his lodging, the secretary
+came to me from him with the civilest 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, and wished me
+heartily a good voyage and a speedy return, etc. I returned on board a
+little puzzled, but still not doubting.
+
+[Footnote 38: Kill von Kull, the strait between Staten Island and New
+Jersey.]
+
+[Footnote 39: That is, John Bunyan, the author of the book.]
+
+[Footnote 40: In New Jersey.]
+
+[Footnote 41: Learning.]
+
+[Footnote 42: English penny pieces. The coin money used by the
+colonists was at this time of foreign make.]
+
+[Footnote 43: This market stood on the southwest corner of Second and
+Market Streets.]
+
+[Footnote 44: A composing stick is a small tray which the compositor
+holds in his left hand and in which he arranges the type that he picks
+out of the cases with his right hand.]
+
+[Footnote 45: A false reasoner, and hence a deceiver.]
+
+[Footnote 46: The name of a kind of type.]
+
+[Footnote 47: Manuscript or printing of original matter.]
+
+[Footnote 48: Boarded.]
+
+[Footnote 49: The Camisards, who broke away from the state religion of
+France, and suffered persecution at the hands of Louis XIV. They
+showed their spiritual zeal by the prophetic mania and by working
+miracles, as well as by a stout attachment to their creed.]
+
+[Footnote 50: "Both governments," i.e., both Pennsylvania and Delaware.]
+
+[Footnote 51: Peep show.]
+
+[Footnote 52: "Piece of eight," i.e., the Spanish dollar, containing
+eight reals. The present value of a real is about five cents.]
+
+[Footnote 53: The seats across the boat on which the oarsmen sit.]
+
+[Footnote 54: For Governor Keith's character and popularity, see p. 58.]
+
+[Footnote 55: Captain Annis, commander of the ship, is here referred to.]
+
+[Footnote 56: Entrapped.]
+
+[Footnote 57: Lev. xix. 27.]
+
+[Footnote 58: An agent or commission merchant.]
+
+[Footnote 59: In 1728 Alexander Pope published his Dunciad, and in Book
+III. lines 165, 166, he refers to Ralph, who was then living in London:
+
+    "Silence, ye wolves! while Ralph to Cynthia howls.
+    And makes night hideous--answer him, ye owls!"
+
+Later, his History of England during the Reigns of King William, Queen
+Anne, and King George I. was highly praised (see pp. 177, 178).]
+
+
+
+
+Sec. 3. FIRST VISIT TO LONDON.
+
+
+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 engaged 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) returned from Newcastle to
+Philadelphia, the father being recalled by a great fee to plead for a
+seized ship; and, just before we sailed, 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 removed thither.
+
+Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board the governor's
+dispatches, I asked the captain for those letters that were to be put
+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 arrived 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, "Oh! this is from Riddlesden. I have lately found him to
+be a complete rascal, and I will have nothing to do with him, nor
+receive any letters from him." So, putting the letter into my hand, he
+turned on his heel and left me, to serve some customer. I was
+surprised 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 laughed 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 happened to know, as well as the stationer, that
+Riddlesden, the attorney, was a very knave. He had half ruined Miss
+Read's father by persuading him to be bound[60] for him. By this
+letter it appeared there was a secret scheme on foot to the prejudice
+of Hamilton (supposed 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
+arrived 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 thanked me cordially, the
+information being of importance to him; and from that time he became
+my friend, greatly to my advantage afterward 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 wished 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, though not for
+his constituents, the proprietaries,[61] 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[62] 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;[63] 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 qualified for an actor; but Wilkes,[64] to whom he applied,
+advised him candidly not to think of that employment, as it was
+impossible he should succeed in it. Then he proposed 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,[65] to copy for the
+stationers and lawyers about the Temple,[66] but could find no vacancy.
+
+I immediately got into work at Palmer's, then a famous printing house
+in Bartholomew Close, and here I continued 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 seemed 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[67] 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, "Dissertation on Liberty and
+Necessity, Pleasure and Pain." I inscribed it to my friend Ralph; I
+printed a small number. It occasioned my being more considered by Mr.
+Palmer as a young man of some ingenuity, though he seriously
+expostulated with me upon the principles of my pamphlet, which to him
+appeared abominable. My printing this pamphlet was another erratum.
+
+While I lodged 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 secondhand 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
+esteemed a great advantage, and I made as much use of it as I could.
+
+My pamphlet 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-ale house 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 promised to give me an opportunity, some time or
+other, of seeing Sir Isaac Newton, of which I was extremely 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[68]
+heard of it, came to see me, and invited me to his house in Bloomsbury
+Square, where he showed 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 lodged 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 lived 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 endeavored rather
+to discourage his proceeding. One of Young's[n] satires was then just
+published. I copied 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.
+
+A breach at last arose between us; and, when he returned again to
+London, he let me know he thought I had canceled 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 advanced 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 burden. 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,[69] imagining I felt a want of the bodily exercise I had been
+used to in America, where press work is mixed 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
+supposed, 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_,[70] 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
+forbade 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,[71] transposing my
+pages, breaking my matter, etc., if I were ever so little out of the
+room, and all ascribed to the chapel[72] ghost, which they said ever
+haunted those not regularly admitted, that, notwithstanding the
+master's protection, I found myself obliged to comply and pay the
+money, convinced 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 acquired considerable
+influence. I proposed some reasonable alterations in their chapel 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 supplied from a neighboring house with a
+large porringer of hot water gruel, sprinkled with pepper, crumbed with
+bread, and a bit of butter in it, for the price of a pint of beer,
+namely, three halfpence. 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 used to make interest with me to get beer, their "light,"
+as they phrased it, "being out." I watched the pay table on Saturday
+night, and collected what I stood engaged for them, having to pay
+sometimes near thirty shillings a week on their accounts. This, and my
+being esteemed a pretty good "riggite,"--that is, a jocular verbal
+satirist,--supported my consequence in the society. My constant
+attendance (I never making a Saint Monday[73]) 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.
+
+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
+backward, at an Italian warehouse. A widow lady kept the house; she
+had a daughter, and a maidservant, and a journeyman who attended the
+warehouse, but lodged abroad. After sending to inquire my character at
+the house where I last lodged, she agreed to take me in at the same
+rate, three shillings and sixpence 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 time of Charles II. 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
+talked 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 stayed 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: she was
+a Roman Catholic, had been sent abroad when young, and lodged 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 vowed 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 asked her," says my landlady, "how she,
+as she lived, 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 cheerful and polite, and
+conversed pleasantly. The room was clean, but had no other furniture
+than a mattress, a table with a crucifix and book, a stool which she
+gave me to sit on, and a picture over the chimney of St. Veronica[74]
+displaying her handkerchief, with the miraculous figure of Christ's
+bleeding face on it, which she explained to me with great seriousness.
+She looked 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 loved reading. I taught him and a friend of his to
+swim at twice going into the river, and they soon became good
+swimmers. They introduced me to some gentlemen from the country, who
+went to Chelsea[75] by water to see the college and Don Saltero's[76]
+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 Blackfriar's,[77] performing on the way
+many feats of activity, both upon and under the water, that surprised
+and pleased those to whom they were novelties.
+
+I had from a child been ever delighted with this exercise, had studied
+and practiced all Thevenot's motions and positions, and 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
+flattered by their admiration; and Wygate, who was desirous of
+becoming a master, grew more and more attached to me on that account,
+as well as from the similarity of our studies. He at length proposed
+to me traveling 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 Pennsylvania, 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 acquired 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 thanked them for the easy
+composition[78] 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
+proposed 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 managed well, would establish me handsomely. The
+thing pleased me, for I was grown tired of London, remembered with
+pleasure the happy months I had spent in Pennsylvania, and wished 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, forever, and was daily
+employed in my new business, going about with Mr. Denham among the
+tradesmen to purchase various articles, and seeing them packed 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 wished to have them first taught
+swimming, and proposed to gratify[79] 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
+worked 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 loved him,
+notwithstanding, for he had many amiable qualities. I had by no means
+improved 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 sailed 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[80] 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
+through to old age.
+
+[Footnote 60: Responsible for the payment of a note.]
+
+[Footnote 61: The owners or proprietors of Pennsylvania, which Charles
+II. had given William Penn, were Penn's sons. They lived in England.]
+
+[Footnote 62: A street in London.]
+
+[Footnote 63: A pistole was a Spanish gold coin worth about four
+dollars.]
+
+[Footnote 64: A comedian of some note.]
+
+[Footnote 65: A hackney writer, or hack writer, is one employed to
+write according to direction.]
+
+[Footnote 66: Inns of Court in London, occupied by lawyers.]
+
+[Footnote 67: Setting type.]
+
+[Footnote 68: A celebrated physician and naturalist. To him Franklin
+wrote:
+
+"SIR: Having lately been in the northern parts of America, I have
+brought from thence a purse made of the asbestos, ... called by the
+inhabitants 'salamander cotton.' As you are noted to be a lover of
+curiosities, I have informed you of this; and if you have any
+inclination to purchase or see it, let me know your pleasure by a line
+for me at the Golden Fan, Little Britain, and I will wait upon you
+with it. I am, sir, your most humble servant,
+
+    "B. FRANKLIN."
+]
+
+[Footnote 69: This press is now preserved at the Patent Office in
+Washington.]
+
+[Footnote 70: A French expression meaning "welcome."]
+
+[Footnote 71: Pieces in a font of type.]
+
+[Footnote 72: "A printing house used to be called a chapel by the
+workmen, and a journeyman, on entering a printing house, was
+accustomed to pay one or more gallons of beer 'for the good of the
+chapel,'"--W. F. FRANKLIN, quoted by Bigelow.]
+
+[Footnote 73: "Never making," etc., i.e., never making a holiday of
+Monday. The heavy drinkers of Saturday night and Sunday needed Monday
+to recover from their excesses.]
+
+[Footnote 74: The woman who, according to legend, wiped the face of
+Jesus on his way to Calvary, and carried away the likeness of his
+face, which had been miraculously printed on the cloth.]
+
+[Footnote 75: A suburb of London, north of the Thames.]
+
+[Footnote 76: Don Saltero had been a servant to Sir Hans Sloane, and
+had learned from him to treasure curiosities. He now had a coffeehouse
+at Chelsea.]
+
+[Footnote 77: A name given to a part of London. The distance Franklin
+swam was about three miles.]
+
+[Footnote 78: Settlement.]
+
+[Footnote 79: Pay.]
+
+[Footnote 80: This plan has never been found.]
+
+
+
+
+4. IN PHILADELPHIA AND IN BUSINESS FOR HIMSELF.
+
+
+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 seemed a
+little ashamed at seeing me, but passed without saying anything. I
+should have been as much ashamed 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 bear his name, it being now said
+that he had another wife. He was a worthless fellow, though 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 supplied with
+stationery, plenty of new types, a number of hands, though none good,
+and seemed to have a great deal of business.
+
+Mr. Denham took a store in Water Street, where we opened our goods; I
+attended the business diligently, studied accounts, and grew, in a
+little time, expert at selling. We lodged and boarded together; he
+counseled me as a father, having a sincere regard for me. I respected
+and loved him, and we might have gone on together very happy; but, in
+the beginning of February, 1726/7,[81] when I had just passed my
+twenty-first year, we were both 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[82]
+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 tried for further
+employment as a merchant's clerk; but, not readily meeting with any, I
+closed again with Keimer. I found in his house these hands: Hugh
+Meredith, a Welsh Pennsylvanian, 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 extremely low wages per week, to be raised 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
+bookbinding, which he, by agreement, was to teach them, though he knew
+neither one nor the other. John ----, a wild Irishman, brought up to
+no business, whose service, for four years, Keimer had purchased[83]
+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 perceived that the intention of engaging me at wages so much
+higher than he had been used to give was to have these raw, cheap
+hands formed through me; and, as soon as I had instructed them, then
+they being all articled[84] 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: he was born in Gloucester, educated at a
+grammar school there, and had been distinguished among the scholars for
+some apparent superiority in performing his part when they exhibited
+plays. He belonged 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 satisfied, wishing of all things to see London, and become a
+player. At length, receiving his quarterly allowance of fifteen
+guineas,[85] instead of discharging his debts he walked out of town, hid
+his gown in a furze bush, and footed it to London, where, having no
+friends to advise him, he fell into bad company, soon spent his guineas,
+found no means of being introduced among the players, grew necessitous,
+pawned his clothes, and wanted bread. Walking the street very hungry,
+and not knowing what to do with himself, a crimp's[86] bill was put into
+his hand, offering immediate entertainment and encouragement to such as
+would bind themselves to serve in America. He went directly, signed 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-natured, 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 economist.
+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 mold, made
+use of the letters we had as puncheons, struck the matrices[87] in
+lead, and thus supplied in a pretty tolerable way all deficiencies. I
+also engraved several things on occasion; I made the ink; I was
+warehouseman,[88] 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 improved 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 seemed ready for an
+outbreaking. I went on, nevertheless, with a good deal of patience,
+thinking that his encumbered circumstances were partly the cause. At
+length a trifle snapped our connections; for, a great noise happening
+near the courthouse, I put my head out of the window to see what was
+the matter. Keimer, being in the street, looked up and saw me, and
+called 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; continued the quarrel; high words passed on
+both sides. He gave me the quarter's warning we had stipulated,
+expressing a wish that he had not been obliged to so long a warning. I
+told him that his wish was unnecessary, for I would leave him that
+instant; and so, taking my hat, walked 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 conceived a great regard for me, and was very unwilling
+that I should leave the house while he remained 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 possessed; 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 fail, 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 passed 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 approved of it, the more as he saw I had great influence with his
+son, had prevailed on him to abstain long from dram drinking, and he
+hoped might break him of that wretched habit entirely when we came to
+be so closely connected. I gave an inventory to the father, who
+carried 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 remained idle a few days, when Keimer, on a prospect of
+being employed 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 job 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 returned, and we
+went on more smoothly than for some time before. The New Jersey job
+was obtained, I contrived a copperplate press for it, the first that
+had been seen in the country; I cut several ornaments and checks[89]
+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 improved by
+reading than Keimer's, I suppose it was for that reason my
+conversation seemed to be more valued. They had me to their houses,
+introduced me to their friends, and showed me much civility; while he,
+though the master, was a little neglected. In truth, he was an odd
+fish; ignorant of common life, fond of rudely opposing received
+opinions, slovenly to extreme dirtiness, enthusiastic in some points
+of religion, and a little knavish withal.
+
+We continued 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 brickmakers, learned to write after
+he was of age, carried the chain for surveyors, who taught him
+surveying, and he had now by his industry acquired a good estate; and
+says he, "I foresee that you will soon work this man out of his
+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 afterward 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 influenced the future
+events of my life. My parents had early given me religious
+impressions, and brought me through my childhood piously in the
+Dissenting[90] 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[91] 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 afterward
+wronged me greatly without the least compunction, and recollecting
+Keith's conduct toward me (who was another freethinker), and my own
+toward Vernon and Miss Read, which at times gave me great trouble, I
+began to suspect that this doctrine, though 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;"[92]
+
+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, appeared now not so clever a performance as I once thought
+it; and I doubted whether some error had not insinuated itself
+unperceived into my argument, so as to infect all that followed, as is
+common in metaphysical reasonings.
+
+I grew convinced that truth, sincerity, and integrity in dealings
+between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity of
+life; and I formed 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 entertained an opinion that,
+though certain actions might not be bad because they were forbidden by
+it, or good because it commanded them, yet probably those 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, through
+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 determined to preserve it.
+
+We had not been long returned to Philadelphia before the new types
+arrived 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, though 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, stopped 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 formed most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of
+mutual improvement, which we called the "Junto."[93] 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 discussed 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.[n]
+
+The first members were: Joseph Breintnal, a copier of deeds for the
+scriveners, a good-natured, friendly, middle-aged man, a great lover
+of poetry, reading all he could meet with, and writing some that was
+tolerable; very ingenious in many little knick-knackeries, 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.[94] 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
+forever denying or distinguishing upon trifles, to the disturbance of
+all conversation. He soon left us. Nicholas Scull, a surveyor,
+afterward surveyor general, who loved books, and sometimes made a few
+verses. William Parsons, bred a shoemaker, but loving reading, had
+acquired a considerable share of mathematics, which he first studied
+with a view to astrology that he afterward laughed at. 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 characterized 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, clearest head, the best
+heart, and the exactest morals of almost any man I ever met with. He
+became afterward 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, everything 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 procured us from the Quakers
+the printing forty sheets of their history, the rest being to be done
+by Keimer; and upon this we worked exceedingly hard, for the price was
+low. It was a folio, pro patria size, in pica, with long primer notes.
+I composed 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[95] for the next day's work, for the little
+jobs sent in by our other friends now and then put us back. But so
+determined I was to continue doing a sheet a day of the folio that one
+night, when, having imposed[96] my forms, I thought my day's work
+over, one of them by accident was broken, and two pages reduced to
+pi,[97] I immediately distributed and composed 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 anything 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 choose to engage in shop business.
+
+I mention this industry the more particularly and the more freely,
+though 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 favor 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 managed, 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 this; 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 employed.
+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 continued some
+months. By this means the attention of the public was fixed on that
+paper, and Keimer's proposals, which were burlesqued and ridiculed,
+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 proved in a few years
+extremely profitable to me.[98]
+
+I perceive that I am apt to speak in the singular number, though our
+partnership still continued; 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[99] 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 talked
+of, and in a few weeks brought them all to be our subscribers.
+
+Their example was followed by many, and our number went on growing
+continually. This was one of the first good effects of my having
+learned a little to scribble;[n] 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 public 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.[100]
+
+Mr. Vernon, about this time, put me in mind of the debt I owed him, but
+did not press me. I wrote him an ingenuous letter of acknowledgment,
+craved his forbearance a little longer, which he allowed me, and as soon
+as I was able I paid the principle, 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 sued us
+all. We gave bail, but saw that, if the money could not be raised 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 anything, 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 remained
+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 failed in their
+performance, and our partnership must be dissolved, 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 further. 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 inclined 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 pounds 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, signed, and sealed 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 public.
+
+As soon as he was gone, I recurred 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 opposed 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 discussed 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 walked 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 possessed 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 received by the common
+people in general; but the rich men disliked it, for it increased and
+strengthened the clamor for more money, and they, happening to have no
+writers among them that were able to answer it, their opposition
+slackened, and the point was carried by a majority in the House. My
+friends there, who conceived I had been of some service, thought fit
+to reward me by employing me in printing the money,--a very profitable
+job and a great help to me. This was another advantage gained by my
+being able to write.
+
+The utility of this currency became by time and experience so evident
+as never afterward to be much disputed; so that it grew soon to
+fifty-five thousand pounds, and in 1739 to eighty thousand pounds,
+since which it rose during war to upward of three hundred and fifty
+thousand pounds, trade, building, and inhabitants all the while
+increasing, though I now think there are limits, beyond which the
+quantity may be hurtful.[101]
+
+I soon after obtained, through my friend Hamilton, the printing of the
+Newcastle paper money, another profitable job, 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,[102] which continued in my hands as long as
+I followed the business.
+
+I now opened a little stationer's shop. I had in it blanks of all
+sorts, the correctest that ever appeared 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 worked 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 dressed plainly; I was seen
+at no places of idle diversion; I never went out a-fishing or
+shooting; a book, indeed, sometimes debauched me from my work, but
+that was seldom, snug,[103] and gave no scandal; and, to show that I
+was not above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper I
+purchased at the stores through the streets on a wheelbarrow. Thus,
+being esteemed 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 forced 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 worked 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
+proposed a partnership to him, which he, fortunately for me, rejected
+with scorn. He was very proud, dressed like a gentleman, lived
+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 employed his former
+master as a journeyman; they quarreled often; Harry went continually
+behindhand, and at length was forced to sell his types and return to
+his country work in Pennsylvania. The person that bought them employed
+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,
+though I did indeed receive and send papers by post, yet the public
+opinion was otherwise, for what I did send was by bribing the
+riders,[104] who took them privately, Bradford being unkind enough to
+forbid it, which occasioned 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 continued 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, though he worked little, being always absorbed
+in his mathematics. Mrs. Godfrey projected a match for me with a
+relation's daughter, and took opportunities of bringing us often
+together, till a serious courtship on my part ensued, the girl being
+in herself very deserving. The old folks encouraged me by continual
+invitations to supper, and by leaving us together, till at length it
+was time to explain. Mrs. Godfrey managed our little treaty. I let her
+know that I expected as much money[n] with their daughter as would pay
+off my remaining debt for the printing house, which I believe was 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 informed 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 pleased, 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 differed, 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 looked 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 a friendly
+correspondence as neighbors and old acquaintances had continued
+between me and Mr. 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
+pitied 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, though 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[105] was indeed looked upon as invalid, a
+preceding wife being said to be living in England; but this could not
+easily be proved because of the distance; and though there was a
+report of his death, it was not certain. Then, though it should be
+true, he had left many debts, which his successor might be called upon
+to pay. We ventured, however, over all these difficulties, and I took
+her to wife Sept. 1, 1730. None of the inconveniences happened that we
+had apprehended; she proved a good and faithful helpmate, assisted me
+much by attending 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.[106]
+
+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 referred to in our disquisitions
+upon the queries, it might be convenient to us to have them all
+together where we met, that upon occasion they might be consulted; and
+by thus clubbing our books to a common library, we should, while we
+liked 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 liked and agreed to, and
+we filled one end of the room with such books as we could best spare.
+The number was not so great as we expected; and though 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.[n] 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 afterward obtained 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.[107]
+
+
+CONTINUATION OF THE ACCOUNT OF MY LIFE, BEGUN AT PASSY, NEAR PARIS,
+1784.
+
+It is some time since I received the above letters,[108] 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 improved.
+
+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 established 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 Philadelphia the printers were indeed stationers; they
+sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common
+schoolbooks. Those who loved reading were obliged 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 proposed 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 wished to read at home. This was accordingly
+done, and for some time contented us.
+
+Finding the advantage of this little collection, I proposed 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 skillful conveyancer, Mr. Charles Brockden, to
+put the whole in form of articles of agreement to be subscribed, by
+which each subscriber engaged 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 public
+amusements to divert their attention from study, became better
+acquainted with books, and in a few years were observed 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 on 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 fixed 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.[109]
+
+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 supposed 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 practiced it on such
+occasions, and, from my frequent successes, can heartily recommend it.
+The present little sacrifice of your vanity will afterward be amply
+repaid. If it remains awhile 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 repaired in
+some degree the loss of the learned education my father once intended
+for me. Reading was the only amusement I allowed myself. I spent no
+time in taverns, games, or frolics of any kind; and my industry in my
+business continued 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 for business with 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
+business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean
+men,"[110] I from thence considered industry as a means of obtaining
+wealth and distinction, which encouraged me, though 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.[n]
+
+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 disposed 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 paper makers, 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 two-penny earthen porringer, with a pewter spoon. But
+mark how luxury will enter families and make a progress in spite of
+principle. Being called 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 deserved 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 increased, augmented gradually to
+several hundred pounds in value.
+
+I had been religiously educated as a Presbyterian; and, though 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 governed 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 esteemed the essentials of every religion; and
+being to be found in all the religions we had in our country, I
+respected them all, though with different degrees of respect as I
+found them more or less mixed with other articles which, without any
+tendency to inspire, promote, or confirm morality, served 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, induced me
+to avoid all discourse that might tend to lessen the good opinion
+another might have of his own religion; and as our province increased
+in people, and new places of worship were continually wanted, and
+generally erected by voluntary contribution, my mite for such
+purpose, whatever might be the sect, was never refused.
+
+Though 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 used to
+visit me sometimes as a friend, and admonish me to attend his
+administrations, and I was now and then prevailed 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 enforced, 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,
+whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
+things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are
+of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
+think on these things;" and I imagined, in a sermon on such a text, we
+could not miss of having some morality. But he confined himself to
+five points only, as meant by the apostle: 1. Keeping holy the Sabbath
+day. 2. Being diligent in reading the holy Scriptures. 3. Attending
+duly the public 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
+composed a little liturgy, or form of prayer, for my own private use
+(in 1728), entitled "Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion." I
+returned to the use of this, and went no more to the public
+assemblies. My conduct might be blamable, but I leave it without
+attempting further to excuse it, my present purpose being to relate
+facts, and not to make apologies for them.
+
+[Footnote 81: This method of expression was adopted on the reformation
+of the calendar in England in 1752. It shows in this case that the
+February was of the year 1726 according to the old style, and 1727
+according to the new calendar. The year 1751 began on the 25th of
+March, the former New-Year's Day, and ended, by act of Parliament, at
+the 1st of January, 1752.]
+
+[Footnote 82: Declared by word of mouth, not written.]
+
+[Footnote 83: Those who were unable to pay for their passage by ship
+from one country to another, sometimes sold their service for a term
+of years to the captain who brought them over.]
+
+[Footnote 84: Bound by articles of apprenticeship.]
+
+[Footnote 85: The guinea contains twenty-one shillings, while the
+pound has twenty.]
+
+[Footnote 86: A crimp is one who brings recruits to the army or
+sailors to ships by false inducements.]
+
+[Footnote 87: Molds.]
+
+[Footnote 88: Here used for salesman.]
+
+[Footnote 89: Marks or registers by which a bill may be identified.]
+
+[Footnote 90: See Note 3, p. 19.]
+
+[Footnote 91: Belief in the existence of a personal God, but denying
+revelation.]
+
+[Footnote 92:
+
+    "Whatever is, is in its causes just,
+    Since all things are by fate. But purblind man
+    Sees but a part o' the chain, the nearest links;
+    His eyes not carrying to the equal beam
+    That poises all above."
+
+    DRYDEN, _[OE]dipus_, act iii. sc. I.
+]
+
+[Footnote 93: The word means an assembly of persons engaged for a
+common purpose. It is from the Spanish _junta_ ("a council").]
+
+[Footnote 94: An instrument used in navigation for measuring the
+altitude of the sun.]
+
+[Footnote 95: Putting the types no longer needed for printing into the
+proper boxes.]
+
+[Footnote 96: Set up for printing.]
+
+[Footnote 97: Type in a jumbled mass.]
+
+[Footnote 98: "This paper was called The Universal Instructor in all
+Arts and Sciences and Pennsylvania Gazette. Keimer printed his last
+number--the thirty-ninth--on the twenty-fifth day of September,
+1729."--BIGELOW.]
+
+[Footnote 99: The governor brought instructions from the king that his
+salary should be one thousand pounds. The legislature claimed the
+liberty of fixing the sum themselves. Franklin ended his article with
+this sentence: "Their happy mother country will perhaps observe with
+pleasure that, though her gallant cocks and matchless dogs abate their
+natural fire and intrepidity when transported to a foreign clime (as
+this nation is), yet her sons in the remotest part of the earth, and
+even to the third and fourth descent, still retain that ardent spirit
+of liberty, and that undaunted courage, which has in every age so
+gloriously distinguished Britons and Englishmen from the rest of
+mankind."]
+
+[Footnote 100: FRANKLIN'S NOTE.--I got his son once five hundred
+pounds.]
+
+[Footnote 101: This money had not the full value of the pound sterling.]
+
+[Footnote 102: That is, the government of Delaware.]
+
+[Footnote 103: In secret.]
+
+[Footnote 104: Men on horseback who carried the mail.]
+
+[Footnote 105: Miss Read's first marriage.]
+
+[Footnote 106: Mrs. Franklin died Dec. 19, 1774. Franklin celebrated
+his wife in a song, of which the following verses are a part:
+
+    "Of their Chloes and Phyllises poets may prate,
+      I sing my plain country Joan,
+    These twelve years my wife, still the joy of my life,
+      Blest day that I made her my own.
+
+           *       *       *       *       *
+
+    "Am I loaded with care, she takes off a large share,
+      That the burden ne'er makes me to reel;
+    Does good fortune arrive, the joy of my wife
+      Quite doubles the pleasure I feel.
+
+           *       *       *       *       *
+
+    "Some faults have we all, and so has my Joan,
+      But then they're exceedingly small;
+    And, now I'm grown used to them, so like my own,
+      I scarcely can see them at all.
+
+    "Were the finest young princess with millions in purse,
+      To be had in exchange for my Joan,
+    I could not get better wife, might get a worse,
+      So I'll stick to my dearest old Joan."
+]
+
+[Footnote 107: FRANKLIN'S MEMORANDUM.--Thus far was written with the
+intention expressed 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 contained in
+these letters (see p. 192), and accordingly intended for the public.
+The affairs of the Revolution occasioned the interruption.]
+
+[Footnote 108: See Note 1.]
+
+[Footnote 109: The Philadelphia Library was incorporated in 1742. In
+its building is a tablet which reads as follows:
+
+    Be it remembered,
+    in honor of the Philadelphia youth
+    (then chiefly artificers),
+    that in MDCCXXXI.
+    they cheerfully,
+    at the instance of Benjamin Franklin,
+    one of their number,
+    instituted the Philadelphia Library,
+    which, though small at first,
+    is become highly valuable and extensively useful,
+    and which the walls of this edifice
+    are now destined to contain and preserve;
+    the first stone of whose foundation
+    was here placed
+    the thirty-first day of August, 1789.
+
+The inscription, save the mention of himself, was prepared by Franklin.]
+
+[Footnote 110: See Prov. xxii. 29.]
+
+
+
+
+Sec.5. CONTINUED SELF-EDUCATION.
+
+
+It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of
+arriving at moral perfection. I wished 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 employed 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 proposed to myself, for the sake of clearness,
+to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annexed to each, than a few
+names with more ideas; and I included under thirteen names of virtues
+all that at that time occurred to me as necessary or desirable, and
+annexed to each a short precept, which fully expressed 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 employed 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 extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they
+deserve.
+
+10. CLEANLINESS.
+
+Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
+
+11. TRANQUILLITY.
+
+Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
+
+12. CHASTITY.
+
+13. HUMILITY.
+
+Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
+
+My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, I
+judged 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 through the thirteen; and, as the previous
+acquisition of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain
+others, I arranged 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 acquired and
+established, Silence would be more easy; and my desire being to gain
+knowledge at the same time that I improved in virtue, and considering
+that in conversation it was obtained 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. Conceiving then that,
+agreeably to the advice of Pythagoras in his "Golden Verses,"[111]
+daily examination would be necessary, I contrived the following method
+for conducting that examination.
+
+I made a little book,[112] in which I allotted a page for each of the
+virtues. I ruled 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 crossed 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.
+
+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) offense 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 supposed the habit of that virtue
+so much strengthened, and its opposite weakened, 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 through a course complete 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
+
+                   _FORM OF THE PAGES._
+
+    -----------------------------------------------------
+    |                    TEMPERANCE.                    |
+    |---------------------------------------------------|
+    |                EAT NOT TO DULLNESS;               |
+    |              DRINK NOT TO ELEVATION.              |
+    |---------------------------------------------------|
+    |                | S. | M. | T. | W. | T. | F. | S. |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | T[emperance]   |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | S[ilence]      |  * |  * |    |  * |    |  * |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | O[rder]        | ** |  * |  * |    |  * |  * |  * |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | R[esolution]   |    |    |  * |    |    |  * |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | F[rugality]    |    |  * |    |    |  * |    |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | I[ndustry]     |    |    |  * |    |    |    |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | S[incerity]    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | J[ustice]      |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | M[oderation]   |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | C[leanliness]  |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | T[ranquillity] |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | C[hastity]     |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
+    |----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
+    | H[umility]     |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
+    -----------------------------------------------------
+
+herbs at once, which would exceed his reach and his strength, but
+works on one of the beds at a time, and, having accomplished 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. 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."[113]
+
+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 honor. 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 prefixed 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:
+
+    "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 contained the
+following scheme of employment for the twenty-four hours of a natural
+day.
+
+          THE MORNING.          { 5}   Rise, wash, and address Powerful
+    _Question._ What good shall { 6} Goodness![n] Contrive day's
+    I do this day?              {  } business, and take the resolution
+                                { 7} of the day; prosecute the present
+                                {  } study, and breakfast.
+
+                                  8}
+                                  9}
+                                 10}   Work.
+                                 11}
+
+               NOON.            {12}   Read, or overlook my accounts,
+                                { 1} and dine.
+
+                                  2}
+                                  3}   Work.
+                                  4}
+                                  5}
+
+             EVENING.           { 6}   Put things in their places.
+    _Question._ What good have  { 7} Supper. Music or diversion, or
+    I done to-day?              { 8} conversation. Examination of
+                                { 9} the day.
+
+                                {10}
+                                {11}
+                                {12}
+              NIGHT.            { 1}   Sleep.
+                                { 2}
+                                { 3}
+                                { 4}
+
+I entered upon the execution of this plan for self-examination, and
+continued it, with occasional intermissions, for some time. I was
+surprised 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 transferred 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 marked my faults with a black lead pencil, which marks I could
+easily wipe out with a wet sponge. After a while I went through one
+course only in a year, and afterward only one in several years, till
+at length I omitted them entirely, being employed 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, though
+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 extremely 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 neighbor, 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
+turned, while the smith pressed 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," says 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
+employed, 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 extreme 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, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been
+so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the
+endeavor, 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, though they never reach the wished-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 owed the constant
+felicity of his life, down to his seventy-ninth 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
+enjoyed 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 remarked that, though 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 anything 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,"[114]
+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.)
+
+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 my life, and
+public business since, has 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 remained unfinished.
+
+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 wished
+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 contained at first but twelve; but a Quaker friend
+having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud; that my
+pride showed 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 convinced me by mentioning several
+instances,--I determined endeavoring 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 forbade
+myself, agreeably to the old laws of our Junto, the use of every word
+or expression in the language that imported a fixed 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 denied 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 "appeared" or "seemed" to me some difference, etc. I soon
+found the advantage of this change in my manner: the conversations I
+engaged in went on more pleasantly; the modest way in which I proposed
+my opinions procured them a readier reception and less contradiction;
+I had less mortification when I was found to be in the wrong; and I
+more easily prevailed 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 completely
+overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.[115]
+
+     ["I AM NOW ABOUT TO WRITE AT HOME, AUGUST, 1788, BUT CANNOT HAVE
+     THE HELP EXPECTED FROM MY PAPERS, MANY OF THEM BEING LOST IN THE
+     WAR.[116] I HAVE, HOWEVER, FOUND THE FOLLOWING."]
+
+Having mentioned a great and extensive project which I had conceived,
+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 preserved:
+
+_Observations on my Reading History, in Library, May 19, 1731._
+
+     "That the great affairs of the world,--the wars, revolutions,
+     etc.,--are carried on and effected 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 gained 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 mere view of the good of
+     their country, whatever they may pretend; and though their
+     actings bring real good to their country, yet men primarily
+     consider that their own and their country's interest is united,
+     and do 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 governed 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, cannot 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 occurred 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 everything that
+might shock the professors of any religion. It is expressed in these
+words:
+
+"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."
+
+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-mentioned 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 called "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, occasioned my postponing the
+further prosecution of it at that time; and my multifarious
+occupations, public and private, induced me to continue postponing, so
+that it has been omitted till I have no longer strength or activity
+left sufficient for such an enterprise; though 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 discouraged 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 published my Almanac,[117] under the name of "Richard
+Saunders;" it was continued by me about twenty-five years, and
+commonly called "Poor Richard's Almanac." I endeavored to make it both
+entertaining and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand
+that I reaped 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 considered 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 occurred between the remarkable days in the calendar with
+proverbial sentences,[118] 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 upright."
+
+These proverbs, which contained the wisdom of many ages and nations, I
+assembled and formed into a connected discourse,[119] prefixed to the
+Almanac of 1757 as the harangue of a wise old man to the people
+attending an auction. The bringing all these scattered 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 broadside,[120] 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 published
+little pieces of my own, which had been first composed 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 is not secure till its practice becomes a
+habitude, and is 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 libeling 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 furnished 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,
+though 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 informed, the knowledge of
+accounts makes a part of female education,[n] she not only sent me as
+clear a state[121] as she could find of the transactions past, but
+continued to account with the greatest regularity and exactness every
+quarter afterward, 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 women, 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
+established 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 persuasions, who joined 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 style are called "good works." Those, however, of our
+congregation who considered themselves as orthodox Presbyterians,
+disapproved his doctrine, and were joined by most of the old clergy,
+who arraigned him of heterodoxy[122] before the synod, in order to
+have him silenced. I became his zealous partisan, and contributed all
+I could to raise a party in his favor, and we combated for him awhile
+with some hopes of success. There was much scribbling pro and con[123]
+upon the occasion; and finding that, though 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,
+though 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 occasioned our more speedy discomfiture in the synod. I stuck by
+him, however, as I rather approved his giving us good sermons
+composed by others than bad ones of his own manufacture, though the
+latter was the practice of our common teachers. He afterward
+acknowledged to me that none of those he preached 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, though I continued 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, used
+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 refused 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 task the
+vanquished was to perform on honor before our next meeting. As we
+played pretty equally, we thus beat one another into that language. I
+afterward, with a little painstaking, acquired as much of the Spanish
+as to read their books also.
+
+I have already mentioned 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 surprised 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 smoothed my way.
+
+From these circumstances, I have thought that there is some
+inconsistency in our common mode of teaching languages.[n] We are told
+that it is proper to begin first with the Latin, and, having acquired
+that, it will be more easy to attain those modern languages which are
+derived 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 the 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 learned 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, though, 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 called 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 performed, 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 deprived him of by leaving him so early.
+
+In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the
+smallpox, taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly, and
+still regret, that I had not given it to him by inoculation.[124]
+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, namely, twelve. We had from the
+beginning made it a rule to keep our institution a secret, which was
+pretty well observed. 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 passed 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 through the several clubs the sentiments of the Junto.
+
+The project was approved, and every member undertook to form his club,
+but they did not all succeed. Five or six only were completed, 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.
+
+[Footnote 111: The following is taken from the commentary of Hierocles
+upon the Golden Verses of Pythagoras. The English version is given by
+Bigelow in his edition of the Autobiography:
+
+"He [Pythagoras, who lived in the sixth century B.C.] requires also
+that this examination be daily repeated. The time which he recommends
+for this work is about even or bedtime, that we may conclude the
+action of the day with the judgment of conscience, making the
+examination of our conversation an evening song to God. Wherein have I
+transgressed? What have I done? What duty have I omitted? So shall we
+measure our lives by rules.
+
+"We should have our parents and relations in high esteem, love and
+embrace good men, raise ourselves above corporeal affections,
+everywhere stand in awe of ourselves, carefully observe justice,
+consider the frailty of riches and momentary life, embrace the lot
+which falls to us by divine judgment, delight in a divine frame of
+spirit, convert our mind to what is most excellent, love good
+discourses, not lie open to impostures, not be servilely affected in
+the possession of virtue, advise before action to prevent repentance,
+free ourselves from uncertain opinions, live with knowledge, and
+lastly, that we should adapt our bodies and the things without to the
+exercise of virtue. These are the things which the lawgiving mind has
+implanted in the souls of men."]
+
+[Footnote 112: It is dated July 1, 1733.]
+
+[Footnote 113: "O philosophy, thou guide of life! O thou searcher
+after virtue and banisher of vice! One day lived well and in obedience
+to thy precepts should be preferred to an eternity of sin."]
+
+[Footnote 114: FRANKLIN'S NOTE.--Nothing so likely to make a man's
+fortune as virtue.]
+
+[Footnote 115: Thus far written at Passy, 1784.]
+
+[Footnote 116: The Revolution.]
+
+[Footnote 117: Almanacs were the first issues of the American press.
+It is not easy in our day to understand their importance to the early
+colonists, and their consequent popularity. The makers, philomaths
+("lovers of learning") as Franklin called them, set out their wares in
+every attractive form the taste and ingenuity of the age could devise.
+They made them a diary, a receipt book, a jest book, and a weather
+prophet, as well as a calendar book of dates. The household was poor
+indeed which could not scrape up a twopence or a sixpence for the
+annual copy. Once bought, it hung by the big chimney-piece, or lay
+upon the clock shelf with the Bible and a theological tract or two. It
+was read by the light that shone from the blazing logs of the
+fireplace or the homemade tallow dip. Its recipes helped the mother in
+her dyeing or weaving or cooking. Its warnings of "cold storms,"
+"flurries of snow," cautioned the farmer against too early planting of
+corn; and its perennial jokes flavored the mirth of many a corn
+husking or apple paring.]
+
+[Footnote 118: See p. 201.]
+
+[Footnote 119: See pp. 193-200.]
+
+[Footnote 120: A sheet printed on one side only and without
+arrangement in columns.]
+
+[Footnote 121: Statement.]
+
+[Footnote 122: Departure from the faith held by the members of the
+synod or assembly.]
+
+[Footnote 123: "Pro and con," i.e., for and against.]
+
+[Footnote 124: Vaccination was not at this time known. By inoculation
+the smallpox poison was introduced into the arm, and produced a milder
+form of the disease.]
+
+
+
+
+Sec. 6. ENTERS PUBLIC LIFE.
+
+
+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 proposed, (the choice, like that of the
+members, being annual,) a new member made a long speech against me, in
+order to favor 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 secured to me the business of printing
+the votes, laws, paper money, and other occasional jobs 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,
+afterward happened. I did not, however, aim at gaining his favor 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 favor of
+lending it to me for a few days. He sent it immediately, and I
+returned it in about a week with another note, expressing strongly my
+sense of the favor. 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,
+though the salary was small, it facilitated the correspondence that
+improved my newspaper and increased 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 declined
+proportionably, and I was satisfied without retaliating his refusal,
+while postmaster, to permit my papers being carried by the riders.
+Thus he suffered greatly from his neglect in due accounting; and I
+mention it as a lesson to those young men who may be employed 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 conceived 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 excused, which
+was supposed 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 them.[n] 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 proportioned to the property. This idea, being approved 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 published,) 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 of goods when in danger.
+Associates in this scheme were presently found, amounting to thirty.
+Our articles of agreement obliged 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,[n] 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, though upward of
+fifty years since its establishment, that which I first formed, called
+the "Union Fire Company," still subsists and flourishes, though the
+first members are all deceased but myself and one who is older by a
+year than I am. The small fines that have been paid by members for
+absence from the monthly meetings have been applied 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 Rev. Mr. Whitefield,[125]
+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 refused him their pulpits, and he was
+obliged 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 admired and respected him, notwithstanding his common abuse of
+them by assuring them 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 seemed as if all the world were growing religious, so
+that one could not walk through 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
+proposed, and persons appointed to receive contributions, but
+sufficient sums were soon received to procure the ground and erect the
+building, which was one hundred feet long and seventy broad, about the
+size of Westminster Hall;[126] 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 of 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 through 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 shopkeepers 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.[127] The sight of their
+miserable situation inspired the benevolent heart of Mr. Whitefield
+with the idea of building an orphan house[128] there, in which they
+might be supported and educated. Returning northward, he preached 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
+advised; but he was resolute in his first project, rejected my
+counsel, and I therefore refused 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 ashamed of that, and determined
+me to give the silver; and he finished so admirably that I emptied 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. Toward the conclusion of the discourse, however, he felt a
+strong desire to give, and applied to a neighbor who stood near him,
+to borrow some money for the purpose. The application was
+unfortunately 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 favor ought
+to have the more weight as we had no religious connection. He used,
+indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but he 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 replied 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 own
+sake." One of our common acquaintance remarked that, knowing it to be
+the custom of the saints, when they received any favor, to shift the
+burden of the obligation from off their own shoulders and place it in
+heaven, I had contrived 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 auditors, however numerous, observed the
+most exact silence. He preached one evening from the top of the
+courthouse 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 filled 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 backward down the street toward the
+river; and I found his voice distinct till I came near Front Street,
+when some noise in that street obscured it. Imagining then a
+semicircle, of which my distance should be the radius, and that it
+were filled with auditors, to each of whom I allowed two square feet,
+I computed that he might well be heard by more than thirty thousand.
+This reconciled me to the newspaper accounts of his having preached to
+twenty-five thousand people in the fields, and to the ancient
+histories of generals haranguing whole armies, of which I had
+sometimes doubted.
+
+By hearing him often, I could distinguish easily between sermons newly
+composed and those which he had often preached in the course of his
+travels. His delivery of the latter was so improved by frequent
+repetitions that every accent, every emphasis, every modulation of
+voice, was so perfectly well turned and well placed that, without
+being interested in the subject, one could not help being pleased with
+the discourse; a pleasure of much the same kind with that received
+from an excellent piece of music. This is an advantage itinerant
+preachers have over those who are stationary, as the latter cannot
+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 afterward explained or qualified by
+supposing others that might have accompanied them, or they might have
+been denied; but _litera scripta manet_.[129] Critics attacked his
+writings violently, and with so much appearance of reason as to
+diminish the number of his votaries and prevent their increase; so
+that I am of opinion if he had never written anything, 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 excellences 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 neighboring
+provinces. I experienced, too, the truth of the observation that
+"after getting the first hundred pounds it is more easy to get the
+second," money itself being of a prolific nature.
+
+The partnership at Carolina having succeeded, I was encouraged 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 as 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, everything 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 partnership; 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 which I
+regretted,--there being no provision for defense, nor for a complete
+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 Rev. 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, declined the undertaking; and, not
+knowing another at that time suitable for such a trust, I let the
+scheme lie awhile dormant. I succeeded better the next year, 1744, in
+proposing and establishing a philosophical society.[130] 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 joined by France, which
+brought us into great danger, and the labored and long-continued
+endeavor of our governor, Thomas, to prevail with our Quaker
+Assembly[131] 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 defenseless situation in strong lights,
+with the necessity of union and discipline for our defense, and
+promised 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 called 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 dispersed 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 mottoes which I supplied.
+
+The officers of the companies composing the Philadelphia regiment,
+being met, chose me for their colonel; but, conceiving myself unfit, I
+declined that station, and recommended Mr. Lawrence, a fine person and
+man of influence, who was accordingly appointed. I then proposed a
+lottery[132] 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[133] being framed of logs and
+filled 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, though without much
+expectation of obtaining it.
+
+Meanwhile Colonel Lawrence, William Allen, Abram Taylor, Esq., and
+myself were sent to New York by the associators, commissioned to borrow
+some cannon of Governor Clinton. He at first refused 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
+advanced 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 proposed to them the
+proclaiming a fast, to promote reformation and implore the blessing of
+Heaven on our undertaking. They embraced 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 style. It was translated into
+German, printed in both languages, and divulged through 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 intervened.
+
+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,
+advised me to resign, as more consistent with my honor than being
+turned 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 offered 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[134] on my adversaries." I heard, however, no more of this;
+I was chosen again unanimously, as usual, at the next election.
+Possibly, as they disliked my late intimacy with the members of
+council, who had joined the governors in all the disputes about
+military preparations with which the House had long been harassed,
+they might have been pleased 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 required to
+assist in it. And I found that a much greater number of them than I
+could have imagined, though against offensive war, were clearly for
+the defensive. Many pamphlets pro and con were published on the
+subject, and some by good Quakers in favor of defense, which I believe
+convinced most of their younger people.
+
+A transaction in our fire company gave me some insight into their
+prevailing sentiments. It had been proposed 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 disposed 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 though 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, appeared to oppose the measure. He expressed
+much sorrow that it had ever been proposed, 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 arrived it was moved to put the vote. He allowed
+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 desired to speak with me. I went down and found they were two of
+our Quaker members. They told me that there were eight of them
+assembled at a tavern just by; that they were determined to come and
+vote with us if there should be occasion, which they hoped would not
+be the case, and desired 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 allowed to be extremely fair. Not one of
+his opposing friends appeared, at which he expressed great surprise,
+and at the expiration of the hour we carried 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
+inclined 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 proposed 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 chased by an armed vessel, supposed to be
+an enemy. Their captain prepared 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 quartered to a gun. The
+supposed enemy proved a friend, so there was no fighting; but when
+the secretary went down to communicate the intelligence, William Penn
+rebuked 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, piqued the secretary, who answered: "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[135]), and the
+government of New England solicited a grant of some from Pennsylvania,
+which was much urged 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, advised the governor not
+to accept provision, as not being the thing he had demanded; but he
+replied: "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.
+
+It was in allusion to this fact that, when in our fire company we
+feared the success of our proposal in favor 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 improved 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 suffered from having established
+and published it as one of their principles that no kind of war was
+lawful, and which, being once published, they could not afterward,
+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.[136] I was acquainted with one of its founders,
+Michael Welfare, soon after it appeared. He complained to me that they
+were grievously calumniated by the zealots of other persuasions, and
+charged 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 imagined it might be
+well to publish the articles of their belief and the rules of their
+discipline. He said that it had been proposed 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 have esteemed errors, were real
+truths. From time to time He has been pleased to afford us further
+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 confined by it, and
+perhaps be unwilling to receive further 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, though 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[137] 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.[n] 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.
+Governor Thomas was so pleased 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 declined it from a
+principle which has ever weighed with me on such occasions; namely,
+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,--though 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 neighboring colonies, has been and is a great saving
+of wood to the inhabitants.
+
+[Footnote 125: George Whitefield, one of the founders of Methodism,
+who was born in Gloucester, England, in 1714, and died in Newburyport,
+Mass., in 1770.[n]]
+
+[Footnote 126: In London.]
+
+[Footnote 127: General Oglethorpe founded an English colony in Georgia
+in 1732. He wished to make an asylum to which debtors, whose liberty
+the laws of England put into the hands of the creditor, (see Way to
+Wealth, p. 204,) might escape, and where those fleeing from religious
+persecution might be safe from their pursuers.]
+
+[Footnote 128: This institution was established in Savannah, and
+called Bethesda.]
+
+[Footnote 129: Written words endure.]
+
+[Footnote 130: This society continues. The plan of it was discussed by
+the Junto, from which came six of the nine original members. Its
+investigations were to be in botany, medicine, mineralogy and mining,
+mathematics, chemistry, mechanics, arts, trades and manufactures,
+geography, topography, agriculture, and "all philosophical experiments
+that let light into the nature of things, tend to increase the power
+of man over matter, and multiply the conveniences and pleasures of
+life." "Benjamin Franklin, the writer of this proposal, offers himself
+to serve the society as their secretary till they shall be provided
+with one more capable."]
+
+[Footnote 131: The Pennsylvania legislature.]
+
+[Footnote 132: At this time lotteries were used for raising money to
+support the government, to carry on wars, and to build churches,
+colleges, roads, etc. They were not then looked upon as fostering
+gambling.]
+
+[Footnote 133: The walls of defense between the openings for the
+cannon.]
+
+[Footnote 134: Retaliation.]
+
+[Footnote 135: See Note 2, p. 181.]
+
+[Footnote 136: A sect of German-American Baptists, whose name comes
+from the German _tunken_ ("to immerse").]
+
+[Footnote 137: It is still used, and called the "Franklin stove."]
+
+
+
+
+Sec. 7. PROJECTS FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD.
+
+
+Peace being concluded, and the association business therefore at an
+end, I turned 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 judged 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 "public-spirited gentlemen," avoiding
+as much as I could, according to my usual rule, the presenting myself
+to the public 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 engaged, 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,[138] 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; namely, one Church of England man, one
+Presbyterian, one Baptist, one Moravian,[139] etc.; those, in case of
+vacancy by death, were to fill it by election from among the
+contributors. The Moravian happened 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 mentioned me, with the observation that I was merely an
+honest man and of no sect at all, which prevailed with them to choose
+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 occasioned, which embarrassed 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 forever 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 removed into the building. The care and
+trouble of agreeing with the workmen, purchasing materials, and
+superintending the work, fell upon me; and I went through 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 worked 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 government; their funds were increased 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 received their
+education in it distinguished by their improved abilities, serviceable
+in public stations, and ornaments to their country.
+
+When I disengaged myself as above mentioned from private business, I
+flattered myself that, by the sufficient though moderate fortune I had
+acquired, 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 public, 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[140] 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 induced to
+amuse myself with making magic squares[141] or circles, or anything to
+avoid weariness; and I conceived my becoming a member would enlarge my
+power of doing good. I would not, however, insinuate that my ambition
+was not flattered 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 tried 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 possessed was necessary to act in
+that station with credit, I gradually withdrew from it, excusing
+myself by my being obliged 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 joined with some
+members of council, as commissioners for that purpose. The House named
+the speaker (Mr. Norris) and myself; and, being commissioned, we went
+to Carlisle and met the Indians accordingly.
+
+As those people are extremely apt to get drunk, and when so are very
+quarrelsome and disorderly, we strictly forbade the selling any liquor
+to them; and when they complained 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 promised 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 claimed and received the rum.
+
+This was in the afternoon; they were near one hundred men, women, and
+children, and were lodged 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 walked 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 colored 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, formed a scene the most
+resembling our ideas of hell that could well be imagined, There was no
+appeasing the tumult, and we retired to our lodging. At midnight a
+number of them came thundering to our door, demanding more rum, of
+which we took no notice.
+
+The next day, sensible they had misbehaved in giving us that
+disturbance, they sent three of their old counselors to make their
+apology. The orator acknowledged 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 everything for some use, and whatever use he
+designed anything 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
+seacoast.
+
+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 ascribed 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 endeavoring 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 concerned in it. "For," says he, "I am often asked 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 inquired into the
+nature and probable utility of his scheme, and receiving from him a
+very satisfactory explanation, I not only subscribed to it myself, but
+engaged heartily in the design of procuring subscriptions from others.
+Previously, however, to the solicitation, I endeavored 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 afterward were more free and generous; but,
+beginning to flag, I saw they would be insufficient without some
+assistance from the Assembly, and therefore proposed 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 approved 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 formed my plan; and, asking leave to bring in a bill[142]
+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, namely: "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
+opposed the grant, and now conceived they might have the credit of
+being charitable without the expense, agreed to its passage; and then,
+in soliciting subscriptions among the people, we urged the conditional
+promise of the law as an additional motive to give, since every man's
+donation would be doubled; thus the clause worked both ways. The
+subscriptions accordingly soon exceeded the requisite sum, and we
+claimed and received 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 maneuvers the success of which gave me at the time more
+pleasure, or wherein, after thinking of it, I more easily excused
+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 meetinghouse. 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 refused. 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 refused also to give
+such a list. He then desired 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 anything 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 laughed and thanked me, and said he would
+take my advice. He did so, for he asked of everybody, and he obtained
+a much larger sum than he expected, with which he erected the
+capacious and very elegant meetinghouse that stands in Arch Street.[143]
+
+Our city, though laid out with a beautiful regularity, the streets
+large, straight, and crossing each other at right angles, had the
+disgrace of suffering those streets to remain long unpaved, and in wet
+weather the wheels of heavy carriages plowed them into a quagmire, so
+that it was difficult to cross them, and in dry weather the dust was
+offensive. I had lived near what was called 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 paved 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 paved with stone between the market and the bricked 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
+paved, whenever a carriage came out of the mud upon this pavement, it
+shook off and left its dirt upon it, and it was soon covered with mire,
+which was not removed, 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 neighbors' doors for the sum
+of sixpence per month to be paid by each house.[n] I then wrote and
+printed a paper setting forth the advantages to the neighborhood that
+might be obtained 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., as buyers could more
+easily get at them, and by not having, in windy weather, the dust
+blown in upon their goods, 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 signed, 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 raised 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, 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 impressed with the idea of enlighting
+all the city. The honor of this public benefit has also been ascribed 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 supplied 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, lodged 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
+continued bright till morning, and an accidental stroke would generally
+break but a single pane, easily repaired.
+
+I have sometimes wondered that the Londoners did not, from the effect
+holes in the bottom of the globe lamps used at Vauxhall[144] have in
+keeping them clean, learn to have such holes in their street lamps.
+But, these holes being made for another purpose, namely, to
+communicate flame more suddenly to the wick by a little flax hanging
+down through 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 proposed,
+when in London, to Dr. Fothergill, who was among the best men I have
+known, and a great promoter of useful projects. I had observed that
+the streets, when dry, were never swept, and the light dust carried
+away; but it was suffered to accumulate till wet weather reduced 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 labor raked together and thrown up into
+carts open above, the sides of which suffered 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[145] 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
+asked who employed 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 twelve 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 placed in the gutter, which was in the middle;
+and the next rain washed it quite away, so that the pavement, and even
+the kennel,[146] were perfectly clean.
+
+I then judged 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[147] it is proposed that the several watchmen
+be contracted with to have the dust swept up in dry seasons, and the
+mud raked up at other times, each in the several streets and lanes of
+his round; that they be furnished 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 raked 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 placed high upon
+wheels, but low upon sliders, with lattice bottoms, which, being
+covered 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
+placed at convenient distances, and the mud brought to them in
+wheelbarrows, they remaining where placed till the mud is drained, 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 carried away before the shops are open, is
+very practicable in summer, when the days are long; for, in walking
+through the Strand and Fleet Street one morning at seven o'clock, I
+observed there was not one shop open, though it had been daylight and
+the sun up above three hours, the inhabitants of London choosing
+voluntarily to live much by candlelight and sleep by sunshine; and yet
+they 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 though 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 produced 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.[148] 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[149] 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 anything to that of Great 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 displaced by a freak of the ministers,[150] of which I shall
+speak hereafter, we had brought it to yield three times as much clear
+revenue to the Crown as the post office of Ireland. Since that
+imprudent transaction they have received from it--not one farthing!
+
+The business of the post office occasioned my taking a journey this
+year to New England, where the College of Cambridge,[151] 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 honors. They were
+conferred 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,[152] to be assembled at Albany, there to confer with
+the chiefs of the Six Nations[153] concerning the means of defending
+both their country and ours. Governor Hamilton, having received 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 approved the nomination, and provided the goods for the present,
+though 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 passed through 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 ventured to lay it before the
+congress. It then appeared that several of the commissioners had
+formed plans of the same kind. A previous question was first taken,
+whether a union should be established, which passed in the affirmative
+unanimously. A committee was then appointed, one member from each
+colony, to consider the several plans and report. Mine happened to be
+preferred, 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[154]
+in it, and in England it was judged to have too much of the
+democratic.[155] The Board of Trade, therefore, did not approve of it
+nor recommend it for the approbation of his Majesty; but another
+scheme was formed, 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 afterward 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 make 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 defend themselves;
+there would then have been no need of troops from England. Of course
+the subsequent pretense 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 forced by the occasion.
+
+The governor of Pennsylvania, in sending it down to the Assembly,
+expressed 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 happened 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 arrived there from England, with whom I had
+been before intimately acquainted. He brought a commission to
+supersede Mr. Hamilton, who, tired with the disputes his proprietary
+instructions subjected him to, had resigned. Mr. Morris asked 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 appeared 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 retained 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-natured a man that no personal difference between him
+and me was occasioned by the contest, and we often dined 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 admired the idea of
+Sancho Panza,[156] 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
+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 wiped off his coloring as fast as he laid it
+on, and placed 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 tired of the contest, and quitted the government.
+
+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[157] 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, though 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 will show hereafter.
+
+But I am got forward too fast with my story. There are still some
+transactions to be mentioned that happened during the administration
+of Governor Morris.
+
+[Footnote 138: It stood on Fourth Street, below Arch.]
+
+[Footnote 139: A member of a denomination which has its name from
+Moravia, a division of Austria-Hungary. For an account of their home
+and practices, see pp. 168-170.]
+
+[Footnote 140: A representative in the lower house of the legislature.]
+
+[Footnote 141: "Magic squares," i.e., square figures of a series of
+numbers so disposed that the sums of each row or line, taken in any
+direction, are equal. Magic squares are also formed of words or
+phrases so arranged as to read the same in all directions. The magic
+circle is a modification of the magic square, one form of which was
+devised by Franklin.]
+
+[Footnote 142: A form or draft of the law, presented to the
+legislature for adoption.]
+
+[Footnote 143: The church of this society is now on the corner of
+Walnut and Twenty-first Streets.]
+
+[Footnote 144: Pleasure gardens in the London of Franklin's day.]
+
+[Footnote 145: A street in London in which Franklin had apartments.]
+
+[Footnote 146: Little channel or gutter.]
+
+[Footnote 147: Now a part of London, but formerly a separate
+corporation.]
+
+[Footnote 148: "From the manuscript journal of Mr. Andrew Ellicott,"
+says Mr. John Bigelow in one of his editions of the Autobiography, "I
+have been kindly favored by Mr. J. C. G. Kennedy, of Washington, one
+of his descendants, with the following extract, which was written
+three years before the preceding paragraph in the Autobiography:
+
+"'I found him [Franklin] in his little room among his papers. He
+received me very politely, and immediately entered into conversation
+about the western country. His room makes a singular appearance, being
+filled with old philosophical instruments, papers, boxes, tables, and
+stools. About ten o'clock he placed some water on the fire, but not
+being expert through his great age, I desired him to give me the
+pleasure of assisting him. He thanked me, and replied that he ever
+made it a point to wait upon himself, and, although he began to find
+himself infirm, he was determined not to increase his infirmities by
+giving way to them. After the water was hot, I observed his object was
+to shave himself, which operation he performed without a glass and
+with great expedition. I asked him if he ever employed a barber; he
+answered: "No; I think happiness does not consist so much in
+particular pieces of good fortune, which perhaps occasionally fall to
+a man's lot, as to be able in his old age to do those little things
+which, being unable to perform himself, would be done by others with a
+sparing hand."'"]
+
+[Footnote 149: That is, he examined the accounts and managed the
+financial affairs.]
+
+[Footnote 150: The ministers of the Crown in London.]
+
+[Footnote 151: The college in Cambridge, Harvard College.]
+
+[Footnote 152: The commissioners of trade, who lived in England, and
+to whom the colonial governors made their reports and returns. Their
+duty was "to put things into a form and order of government that
+should always preserve these countries in obedience to the Crown."]
+
+[Footnote 153: A union of six of the more considerable Indian tribes.]
+
+[Footnote 154: The power of the king.]
+
+[Footnote 155: The government of the people.]
+
+[Footnote 156: The squire of Don Quixote, to whom a duke jokingly
+granted the government of an island for a few days. This is one of the
+best-known episodes in that amusing history.]
+
+[Footnote 157: The governors of the provinces, who were appointed by
+the proprietaries (see Note 1, p. 58).]
+
+
+
+
+Sec. 8. FRANKLIN ACTS IN CONCERT WITH BRADDOCK'S ARMY.
+
+ORGANIZATION OF MILITIA.
+
+
+War being in a manner commenced with France,[158] the government of
+Massachusetts Bay projected an attack upon Crown Point,[159] 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,[160] he applied to me for my
+influence and assistance. I dictated his address to them, which was well
+received. 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[161] from
+bearing any part of the tax that would be necessary, the Assembly,
+though 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,[162] 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 proposed that the
+orders should be payable in a year, and to bear an interest of five
+per cent. With these orders I supposed the provisions might easily be
+purchased. 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,[163] which being known to be more than sufficient, they
+obtained instant credit, and were not only received in payment for the
+provisions, but many moneyed people who had cash lying by them
+invested 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 completed. Mr. Quincy returned thanks to the Assembly in a
+handsome memorial, went home highly pleased with the success of his
+embassy, and ever after bore for me the most cordial and affecting
+friendship.
+
+The British government, not choosing to permit the union of the
+colonies as proposed 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 entertained of
+them, sent over General Braddock with two regiments of regular English
+troops for that purpose. He landed at Alexandria, in Virginia, and
+thence marched to Fredericktown, in Maryland, where he halted for
+carriages.[164] Our Assembly, apprehending from some information that
+he had conceived violent prejudices against them as averse to the
+service, wished 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 dispatches
+between him and the governors of the several provinces, with whom he
+must necessarily have continual correspondence, and of which they
+proposed to pay the expense. My son accompanied me on this journey.
+
+We found the general at Fredericktown, waiting impatiently for the
+return of those he had sent through the back parts of Maryland and
+Virginia to collect wagons. I stayed with him several days, dined 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 wagons to be obtained were
+brought in, by which it appeared that they amounted only to
+twenty-five, and not all of those were in serviceable condition. The
+general and all the officers were surprised, declared the expedition
+was then at an end, being impossible, and exclaimed against the
+ministers[165] for ignorantly landing them in a country destitute of
+the means of conveying their stores, baggage, etc., not less than one
+hundred and fifty wagons being necessary.
+
+I happened to say I thought it was pity they had not been landed
+rather in Pennsylvania, as in that country almost every farmer had his
+wagon. 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 asked what terms were to be
+offered the owners of the wagons, and I was desired 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 prepared
+immediately. What those terms were will appear in the advertisement I
+published as soon as I arrived at Lancaster, which being, from the
+great and sudden effect it produced, a piece of some curiosity, I
+shall insert it at length as follows:
+
+ADVERTISEMENT.
+
+    LANCASTER, April 26, 1755.
+
+     Whereas, one hundred and fifty wagons, with four horses to each
+     wagon, 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 wagons and teams, or single horses, on the
+     following terms, viz.: 1. That there shall be paid for each
+     wagon, with four good horses and a driver, fifteen shillings per
+     diem;[166] 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, eighteenpence 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 traveling to Will's Creek and home again
+     after their discharge. 3. Each wagon and team, and every saddle
+     or pack horse, is to be valued by indifferent[167] persons chosen
+     between me and the owner; and in case of the loss of any wagon,
+     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 wagon 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 wagons, 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 wagons 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
+     Frederick, 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 wagons 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 wagons 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 cannot
+     separately spare from the business of their plantations a wagon
+     and four horses and a driver, may do it together, one furnishing
+     the wagon, 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; wagons 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
+     labor for my pains. If this method of obtaining the wagons 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,[168] 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 wellwisher,
+
+    B. FRANKLIN.
+
+I received of the general about eight hundred pounds, to be disbursed
+in advance money to the wagon owners, etc.; but that sum being
+insufficient, I advanced upward of two hundred pounds more, and in two
+weeks the one hundred and fifty wagons, with two hundred and
+fifty-nine carrying horses,[169] were on their march for the camp. The
+advertisement promised payment according to the valuation, in case any
+wagon 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,[170] 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 through a wilderness, where
+nothing was to be purchased. 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 inclosed in my letter. The
+committee approved, and used such diligence that, conducted by my son,
+the stores arrived at the camp as soon as the wagons. They consisted
+of twenty parcels, each containing
+
+    6 lbs. loaf sugar,
+    6 lbs. good Muscovado[171] do.,
+    1 lb. good green tea,
+    1 lb. good bohea do.,
+    6 lbs. good ground coffee,
+    6 lbs. chocolate,
+    1/2 cwt. best white biscuit,
+    1/2 lb. pepper,
+    1 quart best white wine vinegar,
+    1 Gloucester cheese,
+    1 keg containing 20 lbs. good
+      butter,
+    2 doz. old Madeira wine,
+    2 gals. Jamaica spirits,
+    1 bottle flour of mustard,
+    2 well-cured hams,
+    1/2 doz. dried tongues,
+    6 lbs. rice,
+    6 lbs. raisins.
+
+These twenty parcels, well packed, were placed on as many horses, each
+parcel, with the horse, being intended as a present for one officer.
+They were very thankfully received, and the kindness acknowledged 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 wagons, etc., and readily paid my account of
+disbursements, thanking me repeatedly, and requesting my further
+assistance in sending provisions after him. I undertook this also, and
+was busily employed in it till we heard of his defeat, advancing for
+the service, of my own money, upward 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 returned 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, joined 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,"[172] 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 revolved in my mind the
+long line his army must make in their march by a very narrow road, to
+be cut for them through 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 conceived some doubts and some fears for the event of
+the campaign. But I ventured 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 completely 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
+attacked by surprise in its flanks, and to be cut like a thread into
+several pieces, which, from their distance, cannot come up in time to
+support each other."
+
+He smiled at my ignorance, and replied: "These savages may, indeed, be
+a formidable enemy to your raw American militia, but upon the king's
+regular and disciplined 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 exposed 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 had come over), and in a more open part of the
+woods than any it had passed, attacked its advance 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, through wagons, baggage, and
+cattle; and presently the fire came upon their flank. The officers,
+being on horseback, were more easily distinguished, picked 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 seized with a panic,
+the whole fled with precipitation.
+
+The wagoners took each a horse out of his team, and scampered; their
+example was immediately followed by others, so that all the wagons,
+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 pursued, arrived at
+Dunbar's camp, and the panic they brought with them instantly seized
+him and all his people; and though 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 honor, he ordered all the
+stores, ammunition, etc., to be destroyed, that he might have more
+horses to assist his flight toward 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
+continued his hasty march through all the country, not thinking
+himself safe till he arrived 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
+through 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 continued with him to
+his death, which happened 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 died 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,[173] 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 asked only one, which was that he would
+give orders to his officers not to enlist any more of our bought
+servants,[174] and that he would discharge such as had been already
+enlisted. This he readily granted, and several were accordingly
+returned to their masters on my application. Dunbar, when the command
+devolved on him, was not so generous. He being at Philadelphia, on his
+retreat, or rather flight, I applied 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 refused to perform his
+promise, to their great loss and disappointment.
+
+As soon as the loss of the wagons 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 applied to that general by letter, but, he
+being at a distance, an answer could not soon be received, 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 pounds,
+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 seemed surprised
+that I did not immediately comply with their proposal. "Why," 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 dropped, 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, continued 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
+proposed 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, raised 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 formed, 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 modeling the bill and procuring its passage, and
+had, at the same time, drawn a bill for establishing and disciplining
+a voluntary militia, which I carried through 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,[175] stating and answering all the objections I
+could think of to such a militia, which was printed, and had, as I
+thought, great effect.
+
+While the several companies in the city and country were forming, and
+learning their exercise, the governor prevailed with me to take charge
+of our northwestern 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, though 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 raised 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,[176] 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 placed 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
+relieved[177] as methodically as in any garrison town. In conversation
+with the bishop, Spangenberg, I mentioned this my surprise; for,
+knowing they had obtained an act of Parliament exempting them from
+military duties in the colonies, I had supposed they were
+conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms. He answered 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 deceived in
+themselves or deceived 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,[178] 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 thought more immediately necessary. The Moravians procured
+me five wagons 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 marched 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 arrived, 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 attacked in our march, for our arms were of the most ordinary
+sort, and our men could not keep their gunlocks dry. The Indians are
+dexterous 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 escaped informed us that his and his companions'
+guns would not go off, the priming[179] being wet with the rain.
+
+The next day being fair, we continued our march, and arrived at the
+desolated Gnadenhut. There was a sawmill 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 interred by the country people.
+
+The next morning our fort was planned and marked 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
+dexterous in the use of them, great dispatch 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 wagons, the
+bodies being taken off, and the fore and hind wheels separated by
+taking out the pin which united the two parts of the perch,[180] 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 through the loopholes. We had one swivel
+gun,[181] which we mounted on one of the angles, and fired it as soon
+as fixed, 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 finished in a week, though it
+rained so hard every other day that the men could not work.
+
+This gave me occasion to observe that, when men are employed, they
+are best contented; for on the days they worked they were good-natured
+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 everything, 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 ventured
+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 in
+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 observed among the weeds and grass the prints of
+their bodies, made by their lying 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 managed, could not discover
+them, either by its light, flame, sparks, or even smoke. It appeared
+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 served out
+to them, half in the morning, and the other half in the evening, and I
+observed 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 thought, 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 nonattendance on divine service.
+
+I had hardly finished this business, and got my fort well stored with
+provisions, when I received a letter from the governor, acquainting me
+that he had called 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 completed, 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 introduced 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, wrapped only in a
+blanket or two.
+
+While at Bethlehem, I inquired a little into the practice of the
+Moravians; some of them had accompanied me, and all were very kind to
+me. I found they worked for a common stock,[182] ate 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 entertained with good music,
+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 placed 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 seemed well adapted to their capacities,
+and was delivered in a pleasing, familiar manner, coaxing them, as it
+were, to be good. They behaved very orderly, but looked pale and
+unhealthy, which made me suspect they were kept too much within doors,
+or not allowed sufficient exercise.
+
+I inquired concerning the Moravian marriages, whether the report was
+true that they were by lot. I was told that lots were used only in
+particular cases; that generally, when a young man found himself
+disposed to marry, he informed the elders of his class, who consulted
+the elder ladies that governed 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 acquiesced 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," answered my informer, "if you let the parties choose 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 chosen
+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 fieldpieces,[183]
+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 honor 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 chagrined 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 rancor 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 opposed 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, though 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 prevailed with, if
+possible, to post his troops on the frontiers for their protection,
+till, by reenforcements 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
+professed 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 dropped, 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.
+
+[Footnote 158: In 1752 the French began connecting their settlements
+on the Lakes and on the Mississippi by a chain of forts on the Ohio.
+The English warned off the intruders upon what they deemed their
+territory, and sent General Braddock to the colonists' aid. War was
+declared in 1756.]
+
+[Footnote 159: A French fort upon the west side of Lake Champlain.]
+
+[Footnote 160: That is, he was born in Boston.]
+
+[Footnote 161: The estate of the Penn family.]
+
+[Footnote 162: Through which the people loaned money to the government.]
+
+[Footnote 163: A tax or duty on certain home productions.]
+
+[Footnote 164: Gun carriages, transport wagons, etc.]
+
+[Footnote 165: Of the government at London, as on p. 147.]
+
+[Footnote 166: "Per diem," i.e., a day, or per day.]
+
+[Footnote 167: Disinterested.]
+
+[Footnote 168: A member of the light cavalry.]
+
+[Footnote 169: "Carrying horses," i.e., carrying packs or burdens upon
+the back.]
+
+[Footnote 170: Junior and subordinate officers.]
+
+[Footnote 171: Muscovado sugar is brown sugar.]
+
+[Footnote 172: Upon the site of this fort Pittsburg is built. The French
+were also fortified at Niagara and at Frontenac on Lake Ontario.]
+
+[Footnote 173: The historian and philosopher. He was born in 1711 and
+died in 1776.]
+
+[Footnote 174: "Bought servants," i.e., those whose service had been
+bought for a term of years (see Note 2, p. 69).]
+
+[Footnote 175: This dialogue and the militia act are in the
+Gentleman's Magazine for February and March, 1756.]
+
+[Footnote 176: Fifty-five miles north of Philadelphia.]
+
+[Footnote 177: Relieved one another in military duty.]
+
+[Footnote 178: The exact location is not known.]
+
+[Footnote 179: The powder used to fire the charge. It was ignited by a
+spark from the flintlock.]
+
+[Footnote 180: Pole.]
+
+[Footnote 181: "Swivel gun," i.e., a gun turning upon a swivel or
+pivot in any direction.]
+
+[Footnote 182: Fund.]
+
+[Footnote 183: Light cannon mounted on carriages.]
+
+
+
+
+Sec. 9. THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENTS.
+
+
+In 1746, being at Boston, I met there with a Dr. Spence, who was lately
+arrived from Scotland, and showed me some electric experiments. They
+were imperfectly performed, as he was not very expert; but, being on a
+subject quite new to me, they equally surprised and pleased me. Soon
+after my return to Philadelphia, our library company received from Mr.
+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, acquired 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 glasshouse, with which they
+furnished 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 ranged in such order, and accompanied with such explanations in
+such method, as that the foregoing should assist in comprehending the
+following. He procured an elegant apparatus for the purpose, in which
+all the little machines that I had roughly made for myself were nicely
+formed by instrument makers. His lectures were well attended, and gave
+great satisfaction; and after some time he went through the colonies,
+exhibiting them in every capital town, and picked 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.
+
+Obliged as we were to Mr. Collinson for his present of the tube, etc.,
+I thought it right he should be informed 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 advised the printing of them. Mr.
+Collinson then gave them to Cave[184] 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 swelled to a quarto volume, which has had five editions, and cost
+him nothing for copy money.[185]
+
+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.[186]
+Dalibard to translate them into French, and they were printed at
+Paris. The publication offended the Abbe[187] Nollet, preceptor in
+natural philosophy to the royal family and an able experimenter, who
+had formed and published 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. Afterward, having been assured that there
+really existed such a person as Franklin at Philadelphia, which he had
+doubted, he wrote and published a volume of "Letters," chiefly
+addressed to me, defending his theory, and denying the verity of my
+experiments, and of the positions deduced from them.
+
+I once purposed answering the abbe, and actually began the answer;
+but, on consideration that my writings contained a description of
+experiments which any one might repeat and verify, and if not to be
+verified, could not be defended; or of observations offered 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 contained 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_[188] 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
+engaged the public attention everywhere. M. de Lor, who had an
+apparatus for experimental philosophy, and lectured 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 received 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[n] were in among the learned abroad, and of their wonder
+that my writings had been so little noticed in England. The society,
+on this, resumed 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 afterward 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,[189] 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 excused 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 honored.
+
+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 engaged in drinking, he took me aside
+into another room, and acquainted me that he had been advised 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
+begged me to be assured 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 toward 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 continued to his measures was
+dropped, and harmony restored 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. 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 favors 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 proposed 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 everything 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
+instructions his predecessor had been hampered with.
+
+On this he did not then explain himself; but when he afterward came to
+do business with the Assembly, they appeared 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
+published. 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 James Ralph was still alive; that he
+was esteemed one of the best political writers in England; had been
+employed in the dispute between Prince Frederic and the king, and had
+obtained 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.
+
+The Assembly, finally finding the proprietary obstinately persisted in
+manacling their deputies[190] with instructions inconsistent not only
+with the privileges of the people but with the service of the Crown,
+resolved 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 refused to pass, in compliance with his
+instructions.
+
+[Footnote 184: The publisher, Edward Cave (1691-1754), was the founder
+of the Gentleman's Magazine, the earliest literary journal of the kind.]
+
+[Footnote 185: "Copy money," i.e., money paid for the copy or article.]
+
+[Footnote 186: Monsieur.]
+
+[Footnote 187: A title formerly assumed in France by a class of men
+who had slight connections with the church, and were employed as
+teachers or engaged in some literary pursuit.]
+
+[Footnote 188: Pupil.]
+
+[Footnote 189: The iron rod was on the kite which Franklin flew in a
+thunderstorm in 1752. A hemp cord conducted the electricity to a key
+near his hand, and from this he received the shock which proved the
+truth of his theory that lightning and electricity are one and the
+same.]
+
+[Footnote 190: See Note 2, p. 151.]
+
+
+
+
+Sec. 10. MISSION TO ENGLAND.
+
+
+I had agreed with Captain Morris, of the packet[191] at New York, for
+my passage, and my stores were put on board, when Lord Loudoun arrived
+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
+desired the governor and myself to meet him, that he might hear what
+was to be said on both sides. We met and discussed the business. In
+behalf of the Assembly, I urged 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 disobeyed, yet seemed not unwilling to hazard himself if Lord
+Loudoun would advise it. This his lordship did not choose to do,
+though I once thought I had nearly prevailed with him to do it; but
+finally he rather chose to urge the compliance of the Assembly, and he
+entreated me to use my endeavors 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 exposed to the enemy.
+
+I acquainted the House with what had passed, and, presenting them with
+a set of resolutions I had drawn up, declaring our rights, and that we
+did not relinquish our claims to those rights, but only suspended the
+exercise of them on this occasion through 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 passed, and I was then at liberty to proceed on my voyage.
+But, in the mean time, the packet 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 packet 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_,[192] that if
+you are there by Monday morning, you will be in time, but do not delay
+longer." By some accidental hindrance 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 sailed. There were then two of the packet boats, which had
+been long in port, but were detained for the general's letters, which
+were always to be ready to-morrow. Another packet arrived; she too was
+detained; and, before we sailed, a fourth was expected. Ours was the
+first to be dispatched, as having been there longest. Passengers were
+engaged 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
+availed 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 packet from Governor Denny for the general. He
+delivered to me some letters from my friends there, which occasioned
+my inquiry when he was to return, and where he lodged, that I might
+send some letters by him. He told me he was ordered 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 returned,
+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[193]
+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 packets 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 obliged to procure more. At
+length the fleet sailed, the general and all his army on board, bound
+to Louisburg,[194] with intent to besiege and take that fortress; all
+the packet 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 packets 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 altered
+his mind as to besieging Louisburg, and returned to New York with all
+his troops, together with the two packets 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 afterward in London Captain Bonnell, who commanded one of those
+packets. He told me that, when he had been detained 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
+packet 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
+answered, "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 obtained leave, though detained
+afterward from day to day during full three months.
+
+I saw also in London one of Bonnell's passengers, who was so enraged
+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 him 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 wondered 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, though 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 exposed, while he paraded idly at Halifax, by which means Fort
+George was lost. Besides, he deranged all our mercantile operations,
+and distressed our trade, by a long embargo[195] on the exportation of
+provisions, on pretense of keeping supplies from being obtained 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 Charleston, the Carolina fleet was
+detained near three months longer, whereby their bottoms were so much
+damaged by the worm[196] 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, though 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 mentioned, detained at New York, I received all
+the accounts of the provisions, etc., that I had furnished to Braddock,
+some of which accounts could not sooner be obtained from the different
+persons I had employed to assist in the business. I presented them to
+Lord Loudoun, desiring to be paid the balance. He caused 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 promised to give me an order on the
+paymaster. This was, however, put off from time to time; and, though I
+called 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 mentioned, but without effect, the great and unexpected expense I
+had been put to by being detained 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 advanced, 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 assured him that was not my case, and that I had
+not pocketed a farthing, but he appeared clearly not to believe me;
+and, indeed, I have since learned that immense fortunes are often made
+in such employments. As to my balance, I am not paid it to this day,
+of which more hereafter.
+
+Our captain of the packet 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, gained upon us, the captain
+ordered all hands to come aft, and stand as near the ensign staff[197]
+as possible. We were, passengers included, about forty persons. While
+we stood there, the ship mended her pace, and soon left her neighbor
+far behind, which proved clearly what our captain suspected, that she
+was loaded too much by the head. The casks of water, it seems, had
+been all placed forward; these he therefore ordered to be moved
+farther aft, on which the ship recovered her character, and proved the
+best 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, that no ship ever sailed so fast, and that there must have
+been some error in the division of the log line,[198] or some mistake
+in heaving the log. A wager ensued between the two captains, to be
+decided when there should be sufficient wind. Kennedy thereupon
+examined rigorously the log line, and, being satisfied with that, he
+determined to throw the log himself. Accordingly, some days after,
+when the wind blew very fair and fresh, and the captain of the packet,
+Lutwidge, said he believed she then went at the rate of thirteen
+knots, Kennedy made the experiment, and owned his wager lost.
+
+The above fact I give for the sake of the following observation. It
+has been remarked, 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 followed in a new one, which has proved, on the
+contrary, remarkably dull. I apprehend that this may partly be
+occasioned 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 formed, fitted for the sea, and
+sailed 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
+cannot draw just conclusions from a combination of the whole.
+
+Even in the simple operation of sailing when at sea, I have often
+observed different judgments in the officers who commanded the
+successive watches,[199] the wind being the same. One would have the
+sails trimmed sharper or flatter than another, so that they seemed 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 combined 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 chased[200] in our passage, but outsailed
+everything, and in thirty days had soundings.[201] We had a good
+observation,[202] and the captain judged 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,[203] who often
+cruised 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, shaped his course, as he thought, so as to pass wide
+of the Scilly Isles; but it seems there is sometimes a strong
+indraught[204] 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 placed in the bow, to whom they often called, "Look
+well out before there," and he as often answered, "Ay, ay;" but
+perhaps he 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 studding sails[205]
+from the man at the helm, and from the rest of the watch, but by an
+accidental yaw of the ship was discovered and occasioned 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 lighthouse was erected. This
+deliverance impressed me strongly with the utility of lighthouses, and
+made me resolve to encourage the building of 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 seemed to be lifted up from the
+water like the curtain at a playhouse, 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 occasioned.
+
+I set out immediately, with my son, for London, and we only stopped 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.[206]
+
+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 advised to obtain. He was
+against an immediate complaint to government, and thought the
+proprietaries should first be personally applied to, who might possibly
+be induced 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 received 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 assured me I was totally
+mistaken. I did not think so, however, and his lordship's conversation
+having a little alarmed me as to what might be the sentiments of the
+court concerning us, I wrote it down as soon as I returned to my
+lodgings. I recollected that about twenty years before, a clause in a
+bill brought into Parliament by the ministry had proposed 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 toward us in 1765 it seemed that they had
+refused 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 justified 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 promised 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 neighboring proprietary of
+Maryland, Lord Baltimore, which had subsisted seventy years, and who
+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 declined the proprietaries' proposal that he and I should
+discuss the heads of complaint between our two selves, and refused
+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
+learned, 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 candor" 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
+addressed the paper to them with their assumed 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_.[207]
+
+But during this delay, the Assembly having prevailed with Governor
+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, counseled by
+Paris, determined to oppose its receiving the royal assent.
+Accordingly they petitioned the king in Council, and a hearing was
+appointed in which two lawyers were employed by them against the act,
+and two by me in support of it. They alleged that the act was intended
+to load the proprietary estate in order to spare those of the people,
+and that if it were suffered 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
+replied 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, one hundred thousand pounds,
+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 answered, "None at all." He then
+called 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 signed 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
+inquiry, they unanimously signed a report that they found the tax had
+been assessed with perfect equity.
+
+The Assembly looked upon 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 returned. But the proprietaries
+were enraged at Governor Denny for having passed the act, and turned
+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, despised the threats, and they were never
+put in execution.
+
+[Footnote 191: A vessel starting at some set time and conveying
+letters and passengers from country to country.]
+
+[Footnote 192: Between ourselves.]
+
+[Footnote 193: William Pitt (1708-78). See Macaulay's Essay on the
+Earl of Chatham (Eclectic English Classics, American Book Company).]
+
+[Footnote 194: A possession of the French in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
+It was taken by the English in 1758.]
+
+[Footnote 195: A prohibition to prevent ships leaving port.]
+
+[Footnote 196: The worm which eats into the wood bottoms of ships.]
+
+[Footnote 197: "Ensign staff," i.e., flagstaff.]
+
+[Footnote 198: The log line is a line fastened to the log-chip, by
+which, when it is thrown over the side of a vessel, the rate of speed
+is found.]
+
+[Footnote 199: A watch is a certain part of a vessel's officers and
+crew who have the care and working of her for a period of time,
+commonly for four hours.]
+
+[Footnote 200: By French vessels.]
+
+[Footnote 201: Measurements of the depth of the water with a plummet
+and line.]
+
+[Footnote 202: Of the sun's altitude in order to calculate the
+latitude (see Note 2, p. 77).]
+
+[Footnote 203: Vessels armed and officered by private persons, but
+acting under a commission from government.]
+
+[Footnote 204: An inward current.]
+
+[Footnote 205: Studding sails are sails set between the edges of the
+chief square sails during a fair wind.]
+
+[Footnote 206: "Here terminates the Autobiography, as published by
+William Temple Franklin and his successors. What follows was written
+the last year of Dr. Franklin's life, and was never before printed in
+English."--BIGELOW'S _Autobiography of Franklin_, 1868, p. 350, note.]
+
+[Footnote 207: By word of mouth.]
+
+
+
+
+LETTERS REFERRED TO ON PAGE 89.
+
+
+FROM MR. ABEL JAMES (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 busybody 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 other letter, from Mr. Benjamin Vaughan, gave similar advice.
+
+
+
+
+THE WAY TO WEALTH,
+
+AS CLEARLY SHOWN IN THE PREFACE OF AN OLD PENNSYLVANIA ALMANAC
+ENTITLED "POOR RICHARD IMPROVED."
+
+
+COURTEOUS READER: I have heard that nothing gives an author so great
+pleasure as to find his works respectfully quoted by other learned
+authors. This pleasure I have seldom enjoyed; for, though I have been,
+if I may say it without vanity, an eminent author (of almanacs)
+annually, now a full quarter of a century, my brother authors in the
+same way, for what reason I know not, have ever been very sparing in
+their applauses and no other author has taken the least notice of me;
+so that, did not my writings produce me some solid pudding, the great
+deficiency of praise would have quite discouraged me.
+
+I concluded at length that the people were the best judges of my merit,
+for they buy my works; and, besides, in my rambles where I am not
+personally known, I have frequently heard one or other of my adages
+repeated with "As Poor Richard says" at the end of it. This gave me some
+satisfaction, as it showed not only that my instructions were regarded,
+but discovered likewise some respect for my authority; and I own that,
+to encourage the practice of remembering and reading those wise
+sentences, I have sometimes quoted myself with great gravity.
+
+Judge, then, how much I must have been gratified by an incident I am
+going to relate to you. I stopped my horse lately where a great number
+of people were collected at an auction of merchants' goods. The hour
+of the sale not being come, they were conversing on the badness of the
+times; and one of the company called to a plain, clean old man with
+white locks, "Pray, Father Abraham, what think you of the times? Will
+not these heavy taxes quite ruin the country? How shall we ever be
+able to pay them? What would you advise us to do?" Father Abraham
+stood up and replied, "If you would have my advice, I will give it to
+you in short; for A word to the wise is enough, as Poor Richard says."
+They joined in desiring him to speak his mind, and gathering round
+him, he proceeded as follows:
+
+"Friends," said he, "the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those
+laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might
+more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more
+grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness,
+three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly;
+and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by
+allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and
+something may be done for us; God helps them that help themselves, as
+Poor Richard says.
+
+I. "It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people
+one tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service; but
+idleness taxes many of us much more; sloth, by bringing on diseases,
+absolutely shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor
+wears, while The used key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. But
+dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff
+life is made of, as Poor Richard says. How much more than is necessary
+do we spend in sleep, forgetting that the sleeping fox catches no
+poultry, and that there will be sleeping enough in the grave, as Poor
+Richard says. If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time
+must be, as Poor Richard says, the greatest prodigality; since, as he
+elsewhere tells us, Lost time is never found again, and what we call
+time enough always proves little enough. Let us, then, be up and be
+doing, and doing to the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with
+less perplexity. Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry, all
+easy; and, He that riseth late must trot all day and shall scarce
+overtake his business at night; while Laziness travels so slowly that
+Poverty soon overtakes him. Drive thy business, let not that drive
+thee; and, Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy,
+wealthy, and wise, as Poor Richard says.
+
+"So what signifies wishing and hoping for better times? We make these
+times better if we bestir ourselves. Industry need not wish, and he
+that lives upon hopes will die fasting. There are no gains without
+pains; then help, hands, for I have no lands; or, if I have, they are
+smartly taxed. He that hath a trade hath an estate; and he that hath a
+calling, hath an office of profit and honor, as Poor Richard says; but
+then the trade must be worked at and the calling followed, or neither
+the estate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are
+industrious, we shall never starve; for, At the workingman's house
+hunger looks in, but dares not enter. Nor will the bailiff or the
+constable enter; for Industry pays debts, while Despair increaseth
+them. What though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich
+relation left you a legacy; Diligence is the mother of good luck, and
+God gives all things to Industry. Then plow deep while sluggards
+sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep. Work while it is
+called to-day, for you know not how much you may be hindered
+to-morrow. One to-day is worth two to-morrows, as Poor Richard says;
+and, further, Never leave that till to-morrow which you can do to-day.
+If you were a good servant, would you not be ashamed that a good
+master should catch you idle? Are you, then, your own master? Be
+ashamed to catch yourself idle, when there is so much to be done for
+yourself, your family, your country, your kin. Handle your tools
+without mittens; remember that The cat in gloves catches no mice, as
+Poor Richard says. It is true there is much to be done, and perhaps
+you are weak-handed; but stick to it steadily, and you will see great
+effects; for, Constant dropping wears away stones; and, By diligence
+and patience the mouse ate in two the cable; and, Little strokes fell
+great oaks.
+
+"Methinks I hear some of you say, Must a man afford himself no leisure?
+I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says: Employ thy time
+well, if thou meanest to gain leisure; and since thou art not sure of a
+minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something
+useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man
+never; for, A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things.
+Many, without labor, would live by their wits only, but they break for
+want of stock; whereas industry gives comfort and plenty and respect.
+Fly pleasures and they will follow you. The diligent spinner has a large
+shift; and now I have a sheep and a cow, every one bids me good morrow.
+
+II. "But with our industry we must likewise be steady and careful, and
+oversee our own affairs with our own eyes, and not trust too much to
+others; for, as Poor Richard says:
+
+    I never saw an oft-removed tree,
+    Nor yet an oft-removed family,
+    That throve so well as those that settled be.
+
+And again, Three removes are as bad as a fire; and again, Keep thy
+shop, and thy shop will keep thee; and again, If you would have your
+business done, go; if not, send; and again:
+
+    He that by the plow would thrive,
+    Himself must either hold or drive.
+
+And again, The eye of the master will do more work than both his
+hands; and again, Want of care does us more damage than want of
+knowledge; and again, Not to oversee workmen is to leave them your
+purse open. Trusting too much to others' care is the ruin of many;
+for, In the affairs of this world men are saved, not by faith, but by
+the want of it. But a man's own care is profitable; for, If you would
+have a faithful servant and one that you like, serve yourself. A
+little neglect may breed great mischief; for want of a nail the shoe
+was lost, for want of a shoe the horse was lost, and for want of a
+horse the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the enemy; all
+for want of a little care about a horseshoe nail.
+
+III. "So much for industry, my friends, and attention to one's own
+business; but to these we must add frugality, if we would make our
+industry more certainly successful. A man may, if he knows not how to
+save as he gets, keep his nose all his life to the grindstone, and die
+not worth a groat at last. A fat kitchen makes a lean will; and
+
+    Many estates are spent in the getting,
+    Since women forsook spinning and knitting,
+    And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting.
+
+If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as of getting. The
+Indies have not made Spain rich, because her outgoes are greater than
+her incomes.
+
+"Away, then, with your expensive follies, and you will not then have
+so much cause to complain of hard times, heavy taxes, and chargeable
+families; for
+
+    Pleasure and wine, game and deceit,
+    Make the wealth small, and the want great.
+
+And further, What maintains one vice would bring up two children. You
+may think, perhaps, that a little tea or a little punch now and then,
+diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little
+entertainment now and then, can be no great matter; but remember, Many a
+little makes a mickle. Beware of little expenses; A small leak will sink
+a great ship, as Poor Richard says; and again, Who dainties love shall
+beggars prove; and moreover, Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.
+
+"Here you are all got together at this sale of fineries and
+knick-knacks. You call them goods; but, if you do not take care, they
+will prove evils to some of you. You expect they will be sold cheap,
+and perhaps they may for less than they cost; but, if you have no
+occasion for them, they must be dear to you. Remember what Poor
+Richard says: Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt
+sell thy necessaries. And again, At a great pennyworth pause awhile.
+He means that perhaps the cheapness is apparent only, and not real;
+or, the bargain, by straitening thee in thy business, may do thee more
+harm than good. For in another place he says, Many have been ruined by
+buying good pennyworths. Again, It is foolish to lay out money in a
+purchase of repentance; and yet this folly is practiced every day at
+auctions for want of minding the Almanac.[208] Many for the sake of
+finery on the back have gone hungry and half-starved their families.
+Silks and satins, scarlet and velvets, put out the kitchen fire, as
+Poor Richard says.
+
+"These are not the necessaries of life; they can scarcely be called
+the conveniences; and yet, only because they look pretty, how many
+want to have them. By these and other extravagances the genteel are
+reduced to poverty, and forced to borrow of those whom they formerly
+despised, but who, through industry and frugality, have maintained
+their standing; in which case it appears plainly that, A plowman on
+his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees, as Poor Richard
+says. Perhaps they have a small estate left them which they knew not
+the getting of; they think, It is day and it never will be night; that
+a little to be spent out of so much is not worth minding; but, Always
+taking out of the meal tub and never putting in, soon comes to the
+bottom, as Poor Richard says; and then, When the well is dry, they
+know the worth of water. But this they might have known before, if
+they had taken his advice. If you would know the value of money, go
+and try to borrow some; for, He that goes a-borrowing goes
+a-sorrowing, as Poor Richard says; and, indeed, so does he that lends
+to such people, when he goes to get it in again. Poor Dick further
+advises and says:
+
+    Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse;
+    Ere fancy you consult, consult your purse.
+
+And again, Pride is as loud a beggar as Want, and a great deal more
+saucy. When you have bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more,
+that your appearance may be all of a piece; but Poor Dick says, It is
+easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow
+it. And it is as truly folly for the poor to ape the rich, as for the
+frog to swell in order to equal the ox.
+
+
+    Vessels large may venture more,
+    But little boats should keep near shore.
+
+It is, however, a folly soon punished; for, as Poor Richard says,
+Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt. Pride breakfasted with
+Plenty, dined with Poverty, and supped with Infamy. And, after all, of
+what use is this pride of appearance, for which so much is risked, so
+much is suffered? It cannot promote health nor ease pain; it makes no
+increase of merit in the person; it creates envy; it hastens misfortune.
+
+"But what madness must it be to run in debt for these superfluities?
+We are offered by the terms of this sale six months' credit; and that,
+perhaps, has induced some of us to attend it, because we cannot spare
+the ready money, and hope now to be fine without it. But ah! think
+what you do when you run in debt; you give to another power over your
+liberty. If you cannot pay at the time, you will be ashamed to see
+your creditor; you will be in fear when you speak to him; you will
+make poor, pitiful, sneaking excuses, and by degrees come to lose your
+veracity, and sink into base, downright lying; for, The second vice is
+lying, the first is running in debt, as Poor Richard says; and again
+to the same purpose, Lying rides upon debt's back; whereas a freeborn
+Englishman ought not to be ashamed nor afraid to see or speak to any
+man living. But poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue.
+It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
+
+"What would you think of that prince, or of that government, who
+should issue an edict forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or
+gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude? Would you not say
+that you are free, have a right to dress as you please, and that such
+an edict would be a breach of your privileges and such a government
+tyrannical? And yet you are about to put yourself under such tyranny,
+when you run in debt for such dress. Your creditor has authority, at
+his pleasure, to deprive you of your liberty by confining you in jail
+till you shall be able to pay him. When you have got your bargain,
+you may, perhaps, think little of payment; but, as Poor Richard says,
+Creditors have better memories than debtors; creditors are a
+superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times. The day
+comes round before you are aware, and the demand is made before you
+are prepared to satisfy it; or, if you bear your debt in mind, the
+term, which at first seemed so long, will, as it lessens, appear
+extremely short. Time will seem to have added wings to his heels as
+well as his shoulders. Those have a short Lent who owe money to be
+paid at Easter. At present, perhaps, you may think yourselves in
+thriving circumstances, and that you can bear a little extravagance
+without injury; but
+
+    For age and want save while you may;
+    No morning sun lasts a whole day.
+
+Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever, while you live, expense
+is constant and certain; and, It is easier to build two chimneys than
+to keep one in fuel, as Poor Richard says; so, Rather go to bed
+supperless than rise in debt.
+
+    Get what you can, and what you get, hold,
+    'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold.
+
+And when you have got the philosopher's stone, be sure you will no
+longer complain of bad times or the difficulty of paying taxes.
+
+IV. "This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but, after all,
+do not depend too much upon your own industry and frugality and
+prudence, though excellent things; for they may all be blasted,
+without the blessing of Heaven; and, therefore, ask that blessing
+humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at present seem to want
+it, but comfort and help them. Remember Job suffered, and was
+afterward prosperous.
+
+"And now, to conclude, Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will
+learn in no other, as Poor Richard says, and scarce in that; for, it
+is true, we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct. However,
+remember this: They that will not be counseled cannot be helped; and
+further that, If you will not hear Reason, she will surely rap your
+knuckles, as Poor Richard says."
+
+Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and
+approved the doctrine, and immediately practiced the contrary, just
+as if it had been a common sermon; for the auction opened and they
+began to buy extravagantly. I found the good man had thoroughly
+studied my almanacs, and digested all I had dropped on these topics
+during the course of twenty-five years. The frequent mention he made
+of me must have tired any one else; but my vanity was wonderfully
+delighted with it, though I was conscious that not a tenth part of the
+wisdom was my own which he ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings
+that I had made of the sense of all ages and nations. However, I
+resolved to be the better for the echo of it; and, though I had at
+first determined to buy stuff for a new coat, I went away resolved to
+wear my old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the same, thy
+profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever, thine to serve thee,
+
+    RICHARD SAUNDERS.
+
+[Footnote 208: Poor Richard's maxims in the Almanac.]
+
+
+
+
+PROVERBS FROM POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC.
+
+
+The noblest question in the world is, What good may I do in it?
+
+The masterpiece of man is to live to the purpose.
+
+The nearest way to come at glory is to do that for conscience which we
+do for glory.
+
+Do not do that which you would not have known.
+
+Well done is better than well said.
+
+Who has deceived thee so oft as thyself?
+
+Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.
+
+He that can have patience, can have what he will.
+
+After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser.
+
+In a discreet man's mouth a public thing is private.
+
+Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
+
+No better relation than a prudent and faithful friend.
+
+He that can compose himself is wiser than he that composes books.
+
+He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.
+
+None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or
+acknowledge himself in error.
+
+Read much, but not too many books.
+
+None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.
+
+Forewarned, forearmed.
+
+    To whom thy secret thou dost tell,
+    To him thy freedom thou dost sell.
+
+Don't misinform your doctor or your lawyer.
+
+He that pursues two hens at once, does not catch one and lets the
+other go.
+
+The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
+
+There are no gains without pains.
+
+If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's
+stone.
+
+Every little makes a mickle.
+
+He that can travel well a-foot keeps a good horse.
+
+He is no clown that drives the plow, but he that doth clownish things.
+
+
+
+
+NOTES AND SUGGESTIONS
+
+
+Though he did not consider himself a man of letters, Franklin was
+throughout his long life a writer. His writing was incidental to his
+business as a journalist and statesman. He also corresponded widely
+with various classes of people. Fortunately many of these writings
+have been preserved, and from these and the _Autobiography_ a number
+of valuable lives have been written. The student will find pleasure in
+referring to the Franklin volumes of the American Statesmen Series and
+of the American Men of Letters Series. The three volume life by Mr.
+John Bigelow and the one volume, _The Many-sided Franklin_, by Paul
+Leicester Ford, will supply the years of Franklin's life not included
+in his autobiography, the writing of which was several times
+interrupted by public business of the greatest importance, and finally
+cut short by the long illness that preceded his death.
+
+Read the pages devoted to Franklin in Brander Matthews' _Introduction
+to American Literature_. Matthews says of him, "He was the first great
+American--for Washington was twenty-six years younger." "He was the
+only man who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of
+Alliance with France, the Treaty of Peace with England, and the
+Constitution under which we still live."
+
+As you read Franklin's pages be on the alert for material to support
+Mr. Matthews' statement, "Franklin was the first of American
+humorists, and to this day he has not been surpassed in his own line."
+Will one of you report to the class on "Franklin's Humor"?
+
+Franklin was far in advance of his times on many questions. In 1783,
+when concluding the Treaty of Peace with England, he tried to secure the
+adoption of a clause protecting the property of non-belligerents in
+subsequent wars. England would not accept this advanced idea, but
+Frederick II of Prussia agreed to it, and since that time all civilized
+governments have united in embodying it in the Law of Nations.
+
+Franklin was one of the first and, in proportion to his means, one of
+the greatest of American philanthropists. He said that he had "a trick
+for doing a deal of good with a little money." In lending some money
+to one who had applied to him for assistance, he instructed the
+borrower to pass it on to some one else in distress as soon as he
+could afford to repay it. "I hope it may thus go through many hands,
+before it meets with a knave that will stop its progress."
+
+Mr. Bigelow's Life of Franklin reproduces the philosopher's exact
+spelling. He was one of the early spelling reformers. See his
+"Petition of the Letter Z," p. 116, _The Many-sided Franklin_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+(_In the following notes the numerals refer to the pages of the text._)
+
+=Page 17.= "Ecton, in Northamptonshire." In 1657 George Washington's
+grandfather emigrated to Virginia from this same English county.
+
+"Franklin, ... an order of people." Do you recall one of the titles of
+Cedric, the Saxon, in Scott's _Ivanhoe_?
+
+=27.= Notice his judgment regarding controversy. It will be
+profitable, from time to time, to consider his remarks as throwing
+light on the subject, "Franklin, a Manager of Men."
+
+=28.= Read carefully the paragraph opening with a reference to _The
+Spectator_, and using Franklin's method, reproduce that paragraph.
+Apply this method to other good English selections and try to adapt it
+to your translations from other languages.
+
+As you read Franklin's account of his self-education, ask yourself
+what quality it is in the student that gives best assurance of final
+success in securing a real education.
+
+=34.= Is Franklin's use of the word "demeaned" good?
+
+=37.= In his reference to Bunyan and Defoe, Franklin proves himself
+one of the first critics to recognize those writers as the fathers of
+the modern novel.
+
+=38.= "Our acquaintance continued as long as he lived." Few men have
+placed a higher value on friends than did Franklin. He took the
+trouble necessary to make friends and to keep them.
+
+=61.= Read parts of Young's _Night Thoughts_.
+
+=77.= Carefully observe the plan of the Junto and its subordinate
+branches, and consider the value of such organizations for yourself and
+friends. By referring to Bigelow's Life of Franklin, Vol. I, p, 185, you
+will find detailed information concerning the rules of the Junto.
+
+=81.= Years later, while in London in 1773, Franklin showed his
+ability with his pen and put through a successful journalistic hoax.
+He published in _The Public Advertiser_ what was for a time accepted
+by many as an authentic edict of the King of Prussia. In this the king
+held that the English were German colonists settled in Britain, and
+that they should be taxed for the benefit of the Prussian coffers.
+
+What claims were the English making in 1773? By looking through other
+lives of Franklin, you may find an account of another literary hoax by
+which he helped the American cause.
+
+=86.= Franklin's original determination to secure money with his wife
+should be judged by the standards of his time.
+
+=89.= Beginning with the establishment of the Philadelphia public
+library, keep a list of Franklin's plans and achievements for the
+public good.
+
+=92.= The high honors accorded to Franklin by foreign nations have
+never been extended to any other American, with the possible exception
+of Theodore Roosevelt.
+
+=101.= "Address Powerful Goodness." Thomas Paine submitted the
+manuscript of his _Age of Reason_ to Franklin for criticism. Franklin
+advised him to burn it and concluded, "If men are so wicked with
+religion, what would they be _without it_?"
+
+A facsimile of Franklin's motion for prayers in the Federal Convention
+of 1787, when agreement on the Constitution seemed hopeless, will be
+found on page 168 of _The Many-sided Franklin_. The convention, though
+much given to acting on Franklin's advice, was all but unanimous in
+defeating this motion.
+
+=111.= Franklin's boyhood debate on the subject of the education of
+young women is reflected here as a settled conviction.
+
+=113.= The great scholar and historian, Gibbon, agreed with Franklin
+concerning the languages.
+
+=115.= "Inoculation." Will you volunteer to make a report to the class
+on inoculation and vaccination? The two combine in making one of the
+most interesting chapters in the history of medical science.
+
+=117.= You will be interested in comparing the constable's watch of
+ragamuffins with the watch in Shakespeare's _Much Ado About Nothing_.
+
+=118.= In many towns and cities there is much of interest connected
+with the fire department. "The History of Our Fire Department," "Fire
+Fighting," and many other subjects may suggest themselves to you for
+written or oral reports. Possibly some one in the class may be able to
+tell in this connection how Crassus, the friend of Julius Caesar,
+gained a great part of his wealth.
+
+=119.= Have you read of the work of Whitefield and his associates in
+England? See "The Methodist Movement" in Halleck's _History of English
+Literature_, or in some good English history.
+
+=132.= Your classmates will be interested in a report on the Franklin
+stove. Make some simple drawings to illustrate its principles.
+
+=141.= Find out definitely what system of street cleaning prevails in
+your home town. Write a feature article on that system, as if for a
+magazine. Some member of the class who has a camera will secure
+illustrations for you. Also write an editorial for a newspaper, an
+editorial inspired by the disclosures of the feature article.
+
+=175.= Will several of you take up the subject of "Franklin's
+Electrical Experiments" and make reports to the class?
+
+=185.= Notice Franklin's alertness in suggesting the application of
+scientific methods to practical affairs. Do you think that Emerson's
+definition of "genius" as given in the first paragraph of his essay on
+"Self-Reliance" can be justly applied to Franklin?
+
+You will be interested in following Franklin's experiments in
+determining the value of oil in stilling the waves, and also his
+investigations of the Gulf Stream and of the nature of storms. He
+asked, "What signifies philosophy that does not apply to some use?"
+Yet he had a wonderful imagination back of his practical nature.
+
+Emerson says that the chief use of a book is to inspire. On this basis
+how do you rank the _Autobiography_ in usefulness?
+
+
+
+
+ECLECTIC ENGLISH CLASSICS
+
+
+  =Addison's= Sir Roger de Coverley Papers (Underwood)
+
+  =Arnold's= Sohrab and Rustum (Tanner)
+
+  =Bunyan's= Pilgrim's Progress (Jones and Arnold)
+
+  =Burke's= Conciliation with America (Clark)
+     Speeches at Bristol (Bergin)
+
+  =Burns's= Poems--Selections (Venable)
+
+  =Byron's= Childe Harold (Canto IV), Prisoner of Chillon, Mazeppa,
+       and other Selections (Venable)
+
+  =Carlyle's= Essay on Burns (Miller)
+
+  =Chaucer's= Prologue and Knighte's Tale (Van Dyke)
+
+  =Coleridge's= Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Garrigues)
+
+  =Cooper's= Pilot (Watrous)
+     The Spy (Barnes)
+
+  =Defoe's= History of the Plague in London (Syle)
+     Robinson Crusoe (Stephens)
+
+  =De Quincey's= Revolt of the Tartars
+
+  =Dickens's= Christmas Carol and Cricket on the Hearth (Wannamaker)
+     Tale of Two Cities (Pearce)
+
+  =Dryden's= Palamon and Arcite (Bates)
+
+  =Eliot's= Silas Marner (McKitrick)
+
+  =Emerson's= American Scholar, Self-Reliance, Compensation
+       (Smith)
+
+  =Franklin's= Autobiography (Reid)
+
+  =Goldsmith's= Vicar of Wakefield (Hansen)
+     Deserted Village (See Gray's Elegy)
+
+  =Gray's= Elegy in a Country Churchyard, and =Goldsmith's= Deserted
+       Village (Van Dyke)
+
+  =Hughes's= Tom Brown's School Days (Gosling).
+
+  =Irving's= Sketch Book--Selections (St. John)
+  Tales of a Traveler (Rutland)
+
+  =Lincoln's= Addresses and Letters (Moores)
+     Address at Cooper Union (See =Macaulay's= Speeches on Copyright)
+
+  =Macaulay's= Essay on Addison (Matthews)
+     Essay on Milton (Mead)
+     Essays on Lord Clive and Warren Hastings
+       (Holmes)
+     Lays of Ancient Rome and other Poems (Atkinson)
+     Life of Johnson (Lucas)
+     Speeches on Copyright, and Lincoln's Address at Cooper
+       Union (Pittenger)
+
+  =Milton's= L'Allegro, Il Penseroso, Comus, Lycidas (Buck)
+     Paradise Lost. Books I and II (Stephens)
+
+  =Old Ballads= (Morton).
+
+  =Old Testament Narratives= (Baldwin)
+
+  =Poe's= Selected Poems and Tales (Stott)
+
+  =Pope's= Homer's Iliad. Books I, VI, XXII, and XXIV
+       Rape of the Lock and Essay on Man (Van Dyke)
+
+  =Ruskin's= Sesame and Lilies (Rounds)
+
+  =Scott's= Abbot
+     Ivanhoe (Schreiber)
+     Lady of the Lake (Bacon)
+     Marmion (Coblentz)
+     Quentin Durward (Norris)
+     Woodstock
+
+  =Shakespeare's= As You Like It (North)
+     Hamlet (Shower)
+     Henry V (Law)
+     Julius Caesar (Baker)
+     Macbeth (Livengood)
+     Merchant of Venice (Blakely)
+     Midsummer Night's Bream (Haney)
+     The Tempest (Barley)
+     Twelfth Night (Weld)
+
+  =Southey's= Life of Nelson
+
+  =Stevenson's= Inland Voyage and Travels with a Donkey
+       (Armstrong)
+     Treasure Island (Fairley)
+
+  =Swift's= Gulliver's Travels (Gaston)
+
+  =Tennyson's= Idylls of the King--Selections (Willard)
+     Princess (Shryock)
+
+  =Thackeray's= Henry Esmond (Bissell)
+
+  =Washington's= Farewell Address, and =Webster's= First Bunker
+       Hill Oration (Lewis)
+
+  =Webster's= Bunker Hill Orations (See also Washington's
+       Farewell Address)
+
+  =Wordsworth's= Poems--Selections (Venable)
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note
+
+
+    * Obvious punctuation and spelling errors repaired.
+
+    * Footnotes moved to the end of the appropriate chapters.
+
+    * Text enclosed between equal signs was in bold face in the
+      original (=bold=).
+
+    * Notes [n] are at the end of the book as originally published.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Franklin's Autobiography, by Benjamin Franklin
+
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