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diff --git a/9607.txt b/9607.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ea5cc6 --- /dev/null +++ b/9607.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14975 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of From Boyhood to Manhood, by William M. Thayer + +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: From Boyhood to Manhood + +Author: William M. Thayer + +Posting Date: November 5, 2011 [EBook #9607] +Release Date: January, 2006 +First Posted: October 9, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Beth Trapaga, and Project +Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + + + + +FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD + +LIFE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN + +By William M. Thayer + +Author of "From Farm House to White House," "From Log Cabin to White +House," "From Pioneer Home to White House," "From Tannery to White +House," etc., etc. + + +ILLUSTRATED + +1889. + + + + + + + +PREFACE + +The life of Benjamin Franklin is stranger than fiction. Its realities +surpass the idealities of novelists. Imagination would scarcely venture +to portray such victories over poverty, obscurity, difficulties, and +hardships. The tact, application, perseverance, and industry, that he +brought to his life-work, make him an example for all time. He met with +defeats; but they inspired him to manlier efforts. His successes +increased his desire for something higher and nobler. He was satisfied +only with _going up still higher_. He believed that "one to-day is +worth two to-morrows"; and he acted accordingly, with the candle-shop +and printing office for his school-room, and Observation for his +teacher. His career furnishes one of the noblest examples of success +for the young of both sexes to study. We offer his life as one of the +brightest and best in American history to inspire young hearts with +lofty aims. + +The first and principal source of material for this book was Franklin's +"Autobiography." No other authority, or treasure of material, can take +the place of that. Biographies by Sparks, Sargent, Abbott, and Parton +have freely consulted together with "Franklin in France," and various +eulogies and essays upon his life and character. + +That Franklin was the real father of the American Union, is the view +which the author of this biography presents. It is the view of +Bancroft, as follows:-- + +"Not half of Franklin's merits have been told. He was the true father +of the American Union. It was he who went forth to lay the foundation +of that great design at Albany; and in New York he lifted up his voice. +Here among us he appeared as the apostle of the Union. It was Franklin +who suggested the Congress of 1774; and but for his wisdom, and the +confidence that wisdom inspired, it is a matter of doubt whether that +Congress would have taken effect. It was Franklin who suggested the +bond of the Union which binds these States from Florida to Maine. +Franklin was the greatest diplomatist of the eighteenth century. He +never spoke a word too soon; he never spoke a word too much; he never +failed to speak the right word at the right season." + +The closing years of Franklin's life were so identified with the Union +of the States, and the election and inauguration of Washington as the +first President, that his biography becomes a fitting companion to the +WHITE HOUSE SERIES. + + +CONTENTS + +I. +FROM OLD ENGLAND TO NEW ENGLAND. + +Persecution Driving Franklin and Others Away--Discussion about +Emigrating--Josiah Franklin--His Trade--Benjamin Franklin--Doctor +Franklin's Account of His Ancestors--Meetings of Dissenters Broken +Up--Why Josiah Decided to Go--Account of Their Family Bible--The Final +Decision--The Franklin Family Influential--Thomas Franklin--The +Franklin Poet--Doctor Franklin about His Father--What Boston was Then +and Now--Exploring the Wilderness--Influence of Franklins in Boston. + +II. +THE FIFTEENTH GIFT. + +Birth of Benjamin Franklin on Sunday--The Fifteenth Child--God's +Gift--Proposition to Baptize Him the Same Day--Discussion over +It--Baptized on That Day by Doctor Willard--The Church Record--House +in Which He was Born--Josiah's Children--Death of Wife and Second +Marriage--The Folger Family--Name for Uncle Benjamin--Personal +Beauty--Words of Parton--Josiah Took Up Trade of Tallow-chandler--The +Business and Place Described--Sons Apprenticed--Josiah a Good +Musician--Condition of the World When Benjamin was Born in 1706. + +III. +PAYING TOO DEAR FOR THE WHISTLE. + +Seven Years Old--First Money to Spend as He Pleased--Advice Gratis--Boy +with Whistle--Benjamin Buys a Whistle--Going into the Concert +Business--Scene in the Family--Tormented by John for Paying All His +Money--Ben Breaks Down--Father and Mother Takes His Part--The Lesson +He Learned--What He Wrote about It at Seventy-two Years of Age--When +Boys Pay Too Dear for the Whistle--Dickens--Keeping the Secret--How +the Secret Came Out. + +IV. +IN SCHOOL. + +Uncle Benjamin and His Poetry--His Family--His Letter about Ben--Plans +for School and Doctor Willard--Goes to School at Eight Years of +Age--Description of His Father--Of His Mother--Inscription on Their +Monument--Nathaniel Williams, Teacher--Description of School-house--His +Scholarship High--His Teacher Praises Him--Led the School--Prophecies +about Him--Webster--Rittenhouse--Stephenson. + +V. +OUT OF SCHOOL. + +Poverty Forces Him to Leave School--His Mother's View--Hard Time for +Ministers--Brownell's School of Penmanship--How Ben Could Help His +Father--Boys Put to Work Young Then--His Obedience--A Well-Disciplined +Boy--Incident of His Manhood to Rebuke a Landlord--Robert Peel and +Harry Garland--The Eight Hall Brothers--His Progress. + +VI. +FROM SCHOOL TO CANDLE-SHOP. + +Arrival of Uncle Benjamin--Opposed to Taking His Nephew Out of School-- +Thinks Ben is Very Talented--Prospects of the Business--Benjamin's +Talk with His Mother--Blessings of Industry--Doctor Franklin's +Proverbs--Became Wiser Than His Father--Tallow-Chandler at Ten Years +of Age--His Father Saw His Dissatisfaction--Josiah, the Runaway Son, +Returns--Wanted to Go to Sea--The Proposition Vetoed--Uncle Benjamin +Against It. + +VII. +CHOOSING A TRADE AND STEALING SPORT. + +Love of a Trade Necessary to Success--Following "Natural Bent"--Square +Boys in Round Holes--Smeaton--Benjamin Pleased with a New Plan-- +Examining Different Trades--The Cutler, Brazier, etc.--Chooses Cutler's +Trade--Enters Shop on Trial--Disagreement on Terms--The Good It Did +Him--Sport on the Water--An Evil Proposition--Stealing Stones--The +Wharf Built--The Thieves Detected--How Benjamin's Father Found Him +Out--Benjamin's Confession and Promise--The End. + +VIII. +BECOMING PRINTER-BOY. + +James Franklin Returns from England a Printer--His Father's Talk About +Learning That Trade--Benjamin Likes It--Arrangement with James-- +Printing in Its Infancy Then--Censorship over Printing--Bound to +His Brother--Form of Indenture--William Tinsley--White Slavery--Poor +Children Sold at Auction--A Printer-boy and How He Liked--Time for +Reading--Budget!--The Printing-office, Where and What--Being on +Time--After a Book Before Breakfast--Washington's Punctuality-- +Franklin's Like It. + +IX. +TABLE-TALK EDUCATION. + +What Franklin Said of Table-talk--What Heard at Table Now--Its +Moulding Influence--That of His Grandfather--The Franklins Good in +Conversation--Extract from Parton--Letter of Franklin to His Wife in +1758--Pythagoras--Cicero--Josiah Franklin--His Wise Counsels--Origin +of His Temperance Principles--No Temperance Cause Then--The Washburne +Family--The Way the Twig is Bent. + +X. +LEADER OF SPORTS AND THOUGHTS. + +Love of Reading and Fun--The Best Swimmer, etc.--Invention to Promote +Swimming--His Secret of Success--The Trial of the Apparatus--Hard on +the Wrists--Another Experiment Proposed--Swimming Promoted by a +Kite--Delight of the Boys--What Franklin Said of It in Manhood--The +Seed Thought of Drawing Lightning from a Cloud with a Kite--His +Experiment and Joy--What He Wrote about It--Advocate of Liberal Female +Education--Correspondence with Collins--His Father's Opinion--How +Benjamin Tried to Improve--How He Gained Time--Wise Maxims in +Age--Maxims--C.G. Frost and One Hour a Day--What Spare Moments Did +for Benjamin. + +XI. +STARTING A NEWSPAPER. + +Only Three Newspapers in America--Created a Stir--What Newspaper +Business is in Boston Now--How to Estimate It--Benjamin Manages the +Printing of It--His Interest in It--Its Warm Reception--Proposition +to Board Himself--What He Gained by It--His Object Self-improvement-- +James Selfish, Benjamin Generous--Their Talk about the Plan--What His +Bill-of-Fare Was--How Come to Adopt Vegetable Diet--More Maxims-- +Cocker's Arithmetic--His Success. + +XII. +THE RUSE, AND WHAT CAME OF IT. + +What Parton Says of _Courant_--The Knot of Liberals--Ben's First +Anonymous Article, and His Ruse--Discussion over It by the _Courant_ +Club--Decided to Publish It--Benjamin Puts It in Type--It Created a +Sensation--The Second Article, Better Than First--Excitement over It +Still Greater--Ben's Exultation--James' Astonishment--Surprise of the +"Knot"--Ben a Favorite Now--How the Autobiography Tells the Story-- +Decided Ben's Career--Canning and Microcosm--Examples of Industry, +Tact, etc.--Boy without a Name. + +XIII. +BOOKS OF HIS BOYHOOD. + +Four Classes of Readers--Ben after Diamonds--Hungry Mind--Words of +Thomas Hood--What Franklin Said--First Book Pilgrim's Progress--Talk +with His Father--What Franklin Said of Narrative--Plutarch's Lives--Easy +to Do Good--What They Were--Incident by Parton--Plan to Buy Burton's +Historical Collections--Describes Them--Boyle's Lectures--Kind Offer +of Matthew Adams--Borrowing Books of Booksellers' Clerks--Great +Favor--Books Very Scarce Then--Greenwood's English Grammar--Talk with +Collins--Other Books Read--Habit of Taking Notes--Letter of Franklin +about It--Professor Atkinson's Words--Garfield Had Same Habit. + +XIV. +LEARNING THE ART OF COMPOSITION. + +Began to Write Poetry at Seven--Had Practised Putting Thoughts +Together--James Praised His Pieces--Proposition to Write, Print, +and Sell Verses--Wrote Two--Sold Well--His Father's Severe Rebuke-- +After-talk with James--Best Writers Deficient at First--Reporting to +James--Benefit to Ben--One of His Verses Preserved--What Franklin +Said of It in Manhood--How He Used the _Spectator_--Determined to +Improve--His Own Description of His Literary Work--How He Acquired +Socratic Method--Rhetoric and Logic--How a Single Book Made Wesley, +Martin, Pope, Casey, Lincoln, and Others What They Were--A Striking +Case. + +XV. +THE "COURANT" IN TROUBLE. + +The Startling News from the Assembly--A Discussion--A Sarcastic Letter +the Cause--James and Benjamin Summoned before the Council--James +Defiant--Benjamin Dismissed--How Mather Assailed the _Courant_--How +James Answered Him--James in Prison--Benjamin Editing the Paper-- +Quotation from Parton--Persecution of Printers in the Old Country--A +Horrible Case--James Released, and Still Defiant--Inoculation a Remedy +for Small Pox--The _Mercury_ Denouncing James' Imprisonment--James +Still for Freedom of the Press--Secured It for All Time. + +XVI. +THE BOY EDITOR. + +Attacking the Government--The Council Exasperated--Action of the +_Courant_ Club--Plan to Evade Order of the Council--Benjamin, the +Boy-editor--His Address in _Courant_--Quotations from _Courant_ of +January 14, 1723--Not Libelous--Extract from Parton's Life--When +Newspapers Ceased to be Carried Free--How Long Ben Was in Printing +Office--Remarks by Mr. Sparks--What He Says of General Court--How the +Experience Developed Benjamin--Right Boy in Right Place--Extract from +_Courant_ about Bears. + +XVII. +THE YOUNG SKEPTIC. + +Reading Shaftesbury's Work--Discussion with Collins--Ben's Orthodoxy in +Peril--Benjamin a Thinker--Saying Grace over the Pork Barrel--Reading +from Collins--Several Paragraphs Repugnant to Orthodoxy--Shaftesbury +Attacking Miracles--Ben's Influence over John--Charged with Being +Atheist--His Confession--Letter to His Father--Letter to Sister--Seeing +His Folly--His Prayer--Sad Experience with Infidel Books--Similar to +Lincoln's and Garfield's--Lincoln's Farewell. + +XVIII. +HOW HE QUIT BOSTON. + +Decision to Leave James--Cruelty of the Latter--The Indenture-- +Discussion over It with Collins--Advised to Get Place in Another +Printing Office in Boston--James Had Warned Them against Hiring +Him--Discloses His Decision to James--Unfair Use of Indenture--What +Benjamin Said of It Afterwards--Resolved to Run Away--Planned The +Method With Collins--Why Go by Water--How He Obtained Money--Collins +Engages His Passage--Collins' Deliberate Lie--On the Road to +Ruin--Collins' Report to Benjamin--Final Arrangements--Boarding the +Sloop--Scene off Block Island--Ben Converted to Flesh--Benjamin +Franklin's Experience Like William Hutton's. + +XIX. +TRIALS OF A RUNAWAY. + +Applies for Work in New York--Bradford's Advice and Kindness--Starts +for Philadelphia--The Drunken Dutch man--Driven on Shore by a Squall-- +A Fearful Night--At Amboy--Benjamin Sick--A Young Man Travelling in +Maine--Advantage of Reading--Sir Walter Scott's Advice--Going in +Rain to Burlington--Landlord Suspected He Was a Runaway--At Doctor +Brown's--A Fine Time with the Doctor--Buying Gingerbread of Old +Woman--His Disappointment--Way out of It--Unexpected Deliverance--His +Skill at Rowing Again Useful--Finally Reaches Philadelphia. + +XX. +THE WALKING COMEDY. + +Meeting a Boy Eating--Buys Three Loaves--His Surprise--A Walking +Comedy--Sees His Future Wife--His Generosity to Mother and Child--A +Trait of His Life--Back to the Boat--On the Street Again and in Quaker +Church--Sleeping in Church--The Kind Quaker--The Crooked Billet-- +Suspected of being a Runaway--Meeting the New York Bradford--Interview +with Young Bradford--Interview with Keimer--Showing His Skill at +Type-setting--Senior Bradford's Ruse--Giving Account of His Boston +Life--Doing Things Well--Case of Budgett--What Parton Said to Maydoll. + +XXI. +GETTING ON. + +Repairing the Old Printing Press--Caution to Keep Secrets--Repairing +for Bradford--Conversation with Bradford about Work in Boston-- +Unbelief--Changing Boarding-place--Talk with Boarding-master Read-- +Study and Companions There--High Rank of Printing Then--Letter from +Collins--Found by His Brother-in-law, Captain Homes--Letter from +the Captain--Benjamin's Reply--His Letter Read by Governor Keith--His +History Told Keith--The Latter's Promise--Colonel French--Two Traits +of Ben's Character, Observation and Humility. + +XXII. +GOING UP HIGHER. + +Governor Keith and Colonel French Call on Benjamin--Keimer's +Surprise--Benjamin's Interview with Them--Proposition to Establish +Printing House--Keith Proposed He Should See His Father--Keimer Very +Inquisitive about the Interview--Waiting for Vessel to Boston--Letter +to Collins--How Long Take to Start Printing House--Tells Keimer He is +Going to Boston--Sails for Boston--A Great Storm--Experience in +Reaching Boston. + +XXIII. +THE SURPRISE, AND ITS RESULTS. + +Hastens to See His Parents--Joyful Meeting--Account of Correspondence +with Homes--Going to See James--Delight of Journeymen--Many Inquiries-- +Proposition to Treat Them--Report of James' Treatment to Parents--His +Mother's Counsel--Meets Collins--The Latter Intemperate--Counsels Him +to Let Strong Drink Alone--His Father's Opinion of Keith's Letter-- +Arrival of Captain Homes--Approves Plans of Benjamin--Calling on +Friends--Seeing Doctor Mather--An Incident and Its Lesson--Collins +Decides to Go to Philadelphia--Benjamin's Father Declines to Help +Him--About _Courant_--Bidding Parents Farewell and Returning. + +XXIV. +HIS RETURN, AND WHAT CAME OF IT. + +Leaves Boston for New York--Collins to Meet Him There--Calls at Newport +to See His Brother John--Takes a Debt to Collect--Finds Collins Drunk +in New York--Talk with Landlord--Governor Burnett Sends for Him-- +Benjamin's Words about It--Rebukes John Drunk--Arrival in Philadelphia-- +Called on Governor Keith--The Governor Proposes to Set Him up--Amusing +Talk with Keimer--Collins Can Not Get Work--Trouble with Collins on +the Delaware--End of Collins--Governor Keith Sends for Him--Going to +England to Buy Outfit. + +XXV. +WORKING, READING, AND COURTING. + +Keimer's Religious Creed--Argument with Benjamin--Establishing a New +Sect and Foregoing a Good Dinner--Benjamin's Three Literary +Associates--Literary Club Formed--Discussion on Ralph as a +Poet--Benjamin's Views--Each One Writing Poetry--Paraphrase of 18th +Psalm--Benjamin Reading Ralph's--Plan to Outwit Osborne--Its +Success--Osborne's Mortification--The Club a Good One--Benjamin and +Deborah Read--The Result. + +XXVI. +A BOGUS SCHEME. + +Ralph Going to England with Benjamin--Time to Sail--Governor Keith +Promises Letters--No Suspicion of Keith--Letters Not Ready as +Promised--Second Application for Letters--Final Promise--Bag of Letters +Come on Board--Looked over Letters in English Channel--The Revelation +of Rascality--Benjamin's Situation Alone in London--Ralph Discloses +that He Has Abandoned His Wife--Rebuked by Benjamin--Advice of +Denham--Governor Keith a Fraud--Finds Work at Palmer's Printing +House--Had Ralph to Support--Ralph a Schoolmaster--Accepting Trouble +Philosophically. + +XXVII. +"OUR WATER DRINKER." + +Letter from Ralph to Benjamin--Ralph's Epic Poem--Assisted Ralph's +Wife--How He and Ralph Separated--Kindness of Wilcox, the Bookseller-- +Loaning Books--Benjamin Reviews "Religion of Nature"--Talk with Watts, +and His Opinion of It--Interview with Doctor Lyons--Doctor Pemberton-- +Lived to See His Folly--Interview with Sir Hans Sloane--Benjamin's +Attack on Beer Drinking--His Sound Argument--Jake, the Ale Boy--Called +"A Water Drinker"--Discussion with Watts--Refused to Treat the Company-- +Visits His Old Press Forty Years After. + +XXVIII. +AT HOME AGAIN. + +What Became of Ralph--Benjamin Teaching Two Companions to Swim--Who Was +Wygate?--The Excursion to Chelsea--Benjamin Swims Four Miles--Antics in +the Water--Sir W. Wyndham Proposes He Should Open a Swimming School-- +Wygate's Proposition to Travel--Denham's Advice--Cheaper Board--Incident +Showing Denham's Character--Denham Offers to Employ Him as Clerk in +Philadelphia--Leaves Printing House for Warehouse--Returns to +Philadelphia. + +XXIX. +UPS AND DOWNS OF LIFE. + +Visits Keimer's Printing Office--Calls on Deborah Read--Her Marriage to +Rogers, and Divorce--Visit to Deborah Leads to Re-engagement--Now a +Merchant's Clerk--Denham and Benjamin Both Sick--Denham Died and Left +Legacy to Benjamin--Arrival of Captain Homes--Working for Keimer +Again--The Latter Making Trouble--Benjamin Leaves Him--Interview with +Meredith--Proposition to Go into Company in Printing Business--Meredith's +Father Loans Capital. + +XXX. +THE LEATHERN APRON CLUB. + +Reflecting on His Religious Belief--Rules He Wrote on the _Berkshire_ +and Introduction to Them--The Leathern Apron Club--Patterned after +Cotton Mather's--The Questions Asked--Benjamin's Explanation--The +Compact Signed--Bringing in Books They Owned--Establishing the First +Library in the Land--Questions Discussed by the Club--No Improvement +on This Club--Benjamin's View of It in Age--Organizing Other Clubs-- +Studying the Languages--Benjamin's Success. + +XXXI. +BRIGHTER DAYS. + +Proposition from Keimer--Discussion of It with Meredith--Returns to +Keimer--Printing Money for New Jersey at Burlington--The Surveyor +General's Life--His Talk with Benjamin--Starting New Firm, Franklin +and Meredith--The First Job--Predictions of Its Failure by Nickle +and Merchants' Club--Doctor Baird Differed--A Proposition from a +Stationer--Interview with Webb--Plan for Starting a Paper Made Known-- +Keimer's Paper--Benjamin's Articles in _Mercury_--Buys Keimer's +Paper--Dissolves Partnership--Rum the Cause--The _Gazette_ a Success. + +XXXII. +NO LONGER A SKEPTIC. + +Time is Money--The Lounger Rebuked--Maxims--Avoiding Slander and +Abuse--Revising His Religious Belief--Articles of Belief--Code of +Morals Adopted--Creed for "United Party of Virtue "--Letters to +Friends--Proposed Prayers in Congress and Speech--Epitaph for His +Tombstone Written at Twenty-three. + +XXXIII. +POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC. + +Publishing an Almanac--Discussion about It--When It Was Started-- +Maxims Found in It--Very Popular, and Great Circulation--Franklin's +Fame Spreading--The Junto Pleased--Franklin's Account of Success-- +How He Conducted His Paper--The Libeller Suppressed--Success of His +Stationer's Shop--Visit to Boston--Visits His Brother James-- +Reconciliation--Takes His Son Home--He Buries a Child--His Defense +of Rev. George Whitefield--Building a House of Worship for Him. + +XXXIV. +MORE HONORS AND MORE WORK. + +Clerk of the Assembly--Postmaster--Night-watch Discussed in the +Junto--Plan of a Fire Department--Many Fire Companies Formed--Plan +to Pave the Streets--Paper on Smoky Chimneys--Franklin Invents a +Stove--Gives Away the Patent--Franklin Founds the University of +Philadelphia--Its Great Success--Franklin Organized Militia--Influence +of Quakers against It--Eighty Companies Formed--Franklin Secured Fast +Day--Peace. + +XXXV. +PHILOSOPHER AND STATESMAN. + +Entering into Partnership with Hall--His Large Income--Time for Study +and Research--Rapid Progress in Science--His Fame in Both Hemispheres-- +What Mignet Said of His Labors--Kimmersley on His Lightning Rod-- +Called Again to Political Life--List of Offices He Filled--Drafting +Declaration of Independence--Hanging Separately--Anecdote--His First +Labors at Court of England--Minister to England--Source of Troubles-- +Hatred of Tories--Firm before House of Commons--Death of Mrs. Franklin-- +Famous Letter to Strahan--The Eight Years' War--Franklin Author of the +Union--First Name in History--Library and Letters of Franklin, Mass.-- +His Death--Bequest to Washington. + + + + +BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD. + + +I. + +FROM OLD ENGLAND TO NEW ENGLAND. + +"I am tired of so much persecution under the reign of our corrupt king," +said a neighbor to Josiah Franklin, one day in the year 1685, in the +usually quiet village of Banbury, England, "and I believe that I shall +pull up stakes and emigrate to Boston. That is the most thriving port +in America." + +"Well, I am not quite prepared for that yet," replied Franklin. "Our +king is bad enough and tyrannical enough to make us all sick of our +native land. But it is a great step to leave it forever, to live among +strangers; and I could not decide to do it without a good deal of +reflection." + +"Nor I; but I have reflected upon it for a whole year now, and the more +I reflect the more I am inclined to emigrate. When I can't worship God +here as my conscience dictates, I will go where I can. Besides, I think +the new country promises much more to the common people than the old in +the way of a livelihood." + +"Perhaps so; I have not given the subject much attention. Dissenters +have a hard time here under Charles II, and we all have to work hard +enough for a livelihood. I do not think you can have a harder time in +Boston." + +Josiah Franklin was not disposed to emigrate when his neighbor first +opened the subject. He was an intelligent, enterprising, Christian +man, a dyer by trade, was born in Ecton, Leicestershire, in 1655, but +removed to Banbury in his boyhood, to learn the business of a dyer of +his brother John. He was married in Banbury at twenty-two years of age, +his wife being an excellent companion for him, whether in prosperity or +adversity, at home among kith and kin, or with strangers in New +England. + +"You better consider this matter seriously," continued the neighbor, +"for several families will go, I think, if one goes. A little colony of +us will make it comparatively easy to leave home for a new country." + +"Very true; that would be quite an inducement to exchange countries, +several families going together," responded Franklin. "I should enjoy +escaping from the oppression of the Established Church as much as +you; but it is a too important step for me to take without much +consideration. It appears to me that my business could not be as good +in a new country as it is in this old country." + +"I do not see why, exactly. People in a new country must have dyeing +done, perhaps not so much of it as the people of an old country; but +the population of a new place like Boston increases faster than the +older places of our country, and this fact would offset the objection +you name." + +"In part, perhaps. If Benjamin could go, I should almost feel that I +must go; but I suppose it is entirely out of the question for him to +go." + +Benjamin was an older brother of Josiah, who went to learn the trade of +a dyer of his brother John before Josiah did. The Benjamin Franklin of +this volume, our young hero, was named for him. He was a very pious +man, who rendered unto God the things that are God's with full as much +care as he rendered unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. He was a +very intelligent, bright man, also quite a poet for that day, and he +invented a style of short-hand writing that he used in taking down +sermons to which he listened. In this way he accumulated several +volumes of sermons, which he held as treasures. + +"I have not spoken with your brother about the matter," replied the +neighbor. "I think it would be more difficult for him to arrange to go +than for most of us, at least for the present. I intend to speak with +him about it." + +"He will not want me to go if he can not," added Josiah, "and I shall +think about it a good while before I should conclude to go without him. +We have been together most of our lives, and to separate now, probably +never to meet again, would be too great a trial." + +"You will experience greater trials than that if you live long, no +doubt," said the neighbor, "but I want you should think the matter +over, and see if it will not be for your interest to make this change. +I will see you again about it." + +While plans are being matured, we will see what Doctor Franklin said, +in his "Autobiography," about his ancestors at Ecton: + +"Some notes, which one of my uncles, who had the same curiosity in +collecting family anecdotes, once put into my hands, furnished me with +several particulars relative to our ancestors. From these notes I learned +that they lived in the same village, Ecton, in Northamptonshire, on a +freehold of about thirty acres, for at least three hundred years, and +how much longer could not be ascertained. This small estate would not +have sufficed for their maintenance without the business of a smith +[blacksmith] which had continued in the family down to my uncle's +time, the eldest son being always brought up to that employment, a +custom which he and my father followed with regard to their eldest +sons. When I searched the records in Ecton, I found an account of +their marriages and burials from the year 1555 only, as the registers +kept did not commence previous thereto. I, however, learned from it +that I was the youngest son of the youngest son for five generations +back. My grandfather, Thomas, who was born in 1598, lived in Ecton +till he was too old to continue his business, when he retired to +Banbury, Oxfordshire, to the house of his son John, with whom my +father served an apprenticeship. There my uncle died and lies buried. +We saw his grave-stone in 1758. His eldest son, Thomas, lived in the +house at Ecton, and left it with the land to his only daughter, who, +with her husband, one Fisher, of Wellingborough, sold it to Mr. Ioted, +now lord of the manor there. My grandfather had four sons, who grew +up, viz.: Thomas, John, Benjamin, and Josiah." + +"I do not know how you like it, but it arouses my indignation to have +our meeting broken up, as it was last week," remarked Josiah Franklin +to the aforesaid neighbor, a short time after their previous interview. +"If anything will make me exchange Banbury for Boston it is such +intolerance." + +"I have felt like that for a long time, and I should not have thought +of leaving my native land but for such oppression," replied the +neighbor, "and what is worse, I see no prospect of any improvement; +on the other hand, it appears to me that our rights will be infringed +more and more. I am going to New England if I emigrate alone." + +"Perhaps I shall conclude to accompany you when the time comes. There +do not appear to be room in this country for Dissenters and the +Established Church. I understand there is in New England. I may +conclude to try it." + +"I am glad to hear that. We shall be greatly encouraged if you decide +to go. I discussed the matter with Benjamin since I did with you, and +he would be glad to go if his business and family did not fasten him +here. I think he would rather justify your going." + +"Did he say so?" + +"No, not in so many words. But he did say that he would go if his +circumstances favored it as much as your circumstances favor your +going." + +"Well, that is more than I supposed he would say. I expected that he +would oppose any proposition that contemplated my removal to Boston. +The more I think of it the more I am inclined to go." + +The Franklins, clear back to the earliest ancestors, had experienced +much persecution. Some of them could keep and read their Bible only by +concealing it and reading it in secret. The following, from Franklin's +"Autobiography," is an interesting and thrilling incident: + +"They had an English Bible, and, to conceal it and place it in safety, +it was fastened open with tapes under and within the cover of a +joint-stool. When my great-grandfather wished to read it to his family, +he placed the joint-stool on his knees, and then turned over the leaves +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 Uncle Benjamin." + +The Dissenters from the Established Church loved their mode of worship +more, if any thing, than members of their mother church. But under +the tyrannical king, Charles II, they could not hold public meetings +at the time to which we refer. Even their secret meetings were often +disturbed, and sometimes broken up. + +"It is fully settled now that we are going to New England," said the +aforesaid neighbor to Josiah Franklin subsequently, when he called upon +him with two other neighbours, who were going to remove with him; "and +we have called to persuade you to go with us; we do not see how we can +take no for an answer." + +"Well, perhaps I shall not say no; I have been thinking the matter +over, and I have talked with Benjamin; and my wife is not at all averse +to going. But I can't say _yes_ to-day; I may say it to-morrow, or +sometime." + +"That is good," answered one of the neighbors; "we must have one of +the Franklins with us to be well equipped. Banbury would not be well +represented in Boston without one Franklin, at least." + +"You are very complimentary," replied Franklin; "even misery loves +company, though; and it would be almost carrying home with us for +several families to emigrate together. The more the merrier." + +"So we think. To escape from the intolerant spirit that pursues +Dissenters here will make us merry, if nothing else does. Home is no +longer home when we can worship God as we please only in secret." + +"There is much truth in that," continued Franklin. "I am much more +inclined to remove to New England than I was a month ago. The more I +reflect upon the injustice and oppression we experience, the less I +think of this country for a home. Indeed, I have mentally concluded to +go if I can arrange my affairs as I hope to." + +"Then we shall be content; we shall expect to have you one of the +company. It will be necessary for us to meet often to discuss plans and +methods of emigration. We shall not find it to be a small matter to +break up here and settle there." + +It was settled that Josiah Franklin would remove to New England with +his neighbors, and preparations were made for his departure with them. + +These facts indicate the standing and influence of the Franklins. They +were of the common people, but leading families. Their intelligence, +industry, and Christian principle entitled them to public confidence +and respect. Not many miles away from them were the Washingtons, +ancestors of George Washington, known as "the father of his country." +The Washingtons were more aristocratic than the Franklins, and +possessed more of the world's wealth and honors. Had they been near +neighbors they would not have associated with the Franklins, as they +belonged to a different guild. Such were the customs of those times. + +Thomas Franklin was a lawyer, and "became a considerable man in the +county,--was chief mover of all public-spirited enterprises for the +county or town of Northampton, as well as of his own village, of which +many instances were related of him; and he was much taken notice of +and patronized by Lord Halifax." Benjamin was very ingenious, not only +in his own trade as dyer, but in all other matters his ingenuity +frequently cropped out. He was a prolific writer of poetry, and, when +he died, "he left behind him two quarto volumes of manuscript of his +own poetry, consisting of fugitive pieces addressed to his friends." An +early ancestor, bearing the same Christian name, was imprisoned for a +whole year for writing a piece of poetry reflecting upon the character +of some great man. Note, that he was not incarcerated for writing bad +poetry, but for libelling some one by his verse, though he might have +been very properly punished for writing such stuff as he called poetry. +It is nothing to boast of, that his descendant, Uncle Benjamin, was not +sent to prison for producing "two quarto volumes of his own poetry," as +the reader would believe if compelled to read it. + +Dr. Franklin said, in his "Autobiography": "My father married young, +and carried his wife with three children to New England about 1685. The +conventicles [meetings of Dissenters] being at that time forbidden by +law, and frequently disturbed in the meetings, some considerable men of +his acquaintance determined to go to that country, and he was prevailed +with to accompany them thither, where they expected to enjoy their +religion with freedom." + +Boston was not then what it is now, and no one living expected that it +would ever become a city of great size and importance. It contained +less than six thousand inhabitants. The bay, with its beautiful +islands, spread out in front, where bears were often seen swimming +across it, or from one island to another. Bear-hunting on Long Wharf +was a pastime to many, and twenty were killed in a week when they were +numerous. + +In the rear of the town stood the primeval forests, where Red Men and +wild beasts roamed at their pleasure. It is claimed that an Indian or +pioneer might have traveled, at that time, through unbroken forests +from Boston to the Pacific coast, a distance of more than three +thousand miles, except here and there where western prairies stretched +out like an "ocean of land," as lonely and desolate as the forest +itself. That, in two hundred years, and less, sixty millions of people +would dwell upon this vast domain, in cities and towns of surprising +wealth and beauty, was not even thought of in dreams. That Boston would +ever grow into a city of three hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, +with commerce, trade, wealth, learning, and influence to match, the +wildest enthusiast did not predict. A single fact illustrates the +prevailing opinion of that day, and even later. The town of Boston +appointed a commission to explore the country along Charles River, to +learn what prospects there were for settlers. The commissioners +attended to their duty faithfully, and reported to the town that they +had explored ten miles west, as far as settlers would ever penetrate +the forest, and found the prospects as encouraging as could be +expected. + +It was to this Boston that Josiah Franklin emigrated in 1685, thinking +to enjoy liberty of conscience, while he supported his growing family +by his trade of dyer. There is no record to show that he was ever sorry +he came. On the other hand, there is much to prove that he always had +occasion to rejoice in the change. Certainly his family, and their +posterity, exerted great influence in building up the nation. Next to +Washington Josiah's son Benjamin ranked in his efforts to secure +American Independence, and all the blessings that followed. + + + + +II. + + +THE FIFTEENTH GIFT. + +"The fifteenth!" remarked Josiah Franklin to a relative, as he took the +fifteenth child into his arms. "And a son, too; he must bear the name +of his Uncle Benjamin." + +"Then, we are to understand that his name is Benjamin?" answered the +relative, inquiringly. + +"Yes, that is his name; his mother and I settled that some time ago, +that the next son should bear the name of my most beloved brother, +who, I hope, will remove to this country before long." + +"Well, a baby is no curiosity in your family," remarked the relative, +laughing. "Some men would think that fifteen was too much of a good +thing." + +"A child is God's gift to man, as I view it, for which parents should +be thankful, whether it is the first or fifteenth. Each child imposes +an additional obligation upon parents to be true to the Giver as well +as to the gift. I am poor enough, but no man is poorer for a large +family of children. He may have to labor harder when they are young +and helpless, but in age they are props on which he can lean." + +Mr. Franklin spoke out of the depths of his soul. He was a true +Christian man, and took the Christian view of a child, as he did +of any thing else. While some men are annoyed by the multiplicity +of children, he found a source of comfort and contentment in the +possession. The seventeenth child, which number he had, he hailed with +the same grateful recognition of God's providence that he did when the +first was born. Yet he was poor, and found himself face to face with +poverty most of the time. Each child born was born to an inheritance +of want. But to him children were God's gift as really as sunshine or +showers, day or night, the seventeenth just as much so as the first. +This fact alone marks Josiah Franklin as an uncommon man for his day +or ours. + +"If more men and women were of your opinion," continued the relative, +"there would be much more enjoyment and peace in all communities. The +most favorable view that a multitude of parents indulge is, that +children are troublesome comforts." + +"What do you think of the idea of taking this baby into the house of +God to-day, and consecrating him to the Lord?" Mr. Franklin asked, as +if the thought just then flashed upon his mind. "It is only a few +steps to carry him." + +It was Sunday morning, Jan. 6, 1706, old style; and the "Old South +Meeting House," in which Dr. Samuel Willard preached, was on the other +side of the street, scarcely fifty feet distant. + +"I should think it would harmonize very well with your opinion about +children as the gift of God, and the Lord may understand the matter so +well as to look approvingly upon it, but I think your neighbors will +say that you are rushing things somewhat. It might be well to let the +little fellow get used to this world before he begins to attend +meeting." + +The relative spoke thus in a vein of humor, though she really did not +approve of the proposed episode in the new comer's life. Indeed it +seemed rather ridiculous to her, to carry a babe, a few hours old, to +the house of God. + +"I shall not consult my neighbors," Mr. Franklin replied. "I shall +consult my wife in this matter, as I do in others, and defer to her +opinion. I have always found that her judgment is sound on reducing it +to practice." + +"That is so; your wife is a woman of sound judgment as well as of +strong character, and you are wise enough to recognize the fact, and +act accordingly. But that is not true of many men. If your wife +approves of taking her baby into the meeting-house for consecration +to-day, then do it, though the whole town shall denounce the act." + +There is no doubt his relative thought that Mrs. Franklin would veto +the proposition at once, and that would end it. But in less than a +half hour he reported that she approved of the proposition. + +"Benjamin will be consecrated to the Lord in the afternoon; my wife +approves of it as proper and expressive of our earnest desire that he +should be the Lord's. I shall see Mr. Willard at once, and nothing but +his disapproval will hinder the act." + +"And I would not hinder it if I could," replied his relative, "if your +wife and Pastor Willard approve. I shall really be in favor of it if +they are, because their judgment is better than mine." + +"All the difference between you and me," continued Mr. Franklin, with +a smile playing over his face, "appears to be that you think a child +may be given to the Lord too soon, and I do not; the sooner the +better, is my belief. With the consecration come additional +obligations, which I am willing to assume, and not only willing, but +anxious to assume." + +"You are right, no doubt; but you are one of a thousand in that view, +and you will have your reward." + +"Yes; and so will that contemptible class of fathers, who can endure +_five_ children, but not _fifteen_,--too irresponsible to see that one +of the most inconsistent men on earth is the father who will not +accept the situation he has created for himself. The Franklins are not +made of that sort of stuff; neither are the Folgers [referring to his +wife's family], whose fervent piety sanctifies their good sense, so +that they would rather please the Lord than all mankind." + +Mr. Willard was seen, and he endorsed the act as perfectly proper, +and in complete harmony with a felt sense of parental obligation. +Therefore, Benjamin was wrapped closely in flannel blankets, and +carried into the meeting-house in the afternoon, where he was +consecrated to the Lord by the pastor. + +On the "Old Boston Town Records of Births," under the heading, "Boston +Births Entered 1708," is this: "Benjamin, son of Josiah Franklin, and +Abiah, his wife, born 6 Jan. 1706." + +From some mistake or oversight the birth was not recorded until two +years after Benjamin was born; but it shows that he was born on Jan. +6, 1706. + +Then, the records of the "Old South Church," among the baptism of +infants, have this: "1706, Jan. 6, Benjamin, son of Josiah and Abiah +Franklin." + +Putting these two records together, they establish beyond doubt the +fact that Benjamin Franklin was born and baptized on the same day. The +Old South Church had two pastors then, and it is supposed that Dr. +Samuel Willard officiated instead of Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton, because +the record is in the handwriting of Doctor Willard. + +We are able to furnish a picture of the house in which he was born. It +measured twenty feet in width, and was about thirty feet long, +including the L. It was three stories high in appearance, the third +being the attic. On the lower floor of the main house there was only +one room, which was about twenty feet square, and served the family +the triple purpose of parlor, sitting-room, and dining-hall. It +contained an old-fashioned fire-place, so large that an ox might have +been roasted before it. The second and third stories originally +contained but one chamber each, of ample dimensions, and furnished in +the plainest manner. The attic was an unplastered room, which might +have been used for lodgings or storing trumpery. The house stood about +one hundred years after Josiah Franklin left it, and was finally +destroyed by fire, on Saturday, Dec. 29, 1810. The spot on which it +stood is now occupied by a granite warehouse bearing the inscription, +"BIRTHPLACE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN." + +Mr. Franklin had three children when he left Banbury, and four more +were given to him during the first four years of his residence in +Boston, one of whom died. Soon after the birth of the seventh child +Mrs. Franklin died. + +So young and large a family needed a mother's watch and care, as +Josiah Franklin found to his sorrow. The additional burden laid upon +him by the death of his wife interfered much with his business, and he +saw fresh reasons each day for finding another help-mate as soon as +possible. To run his business successfully, and take the whole charge +of his family, was more than he could do. In these circumstances he +felt justified in marrying again as soon as possible, and, with the +aid of interested friends, he made a fortunate choice of Abiah Folger, +of Nantucket, a worthy successor of the first Mrs. Franklin. He married +her a few months after the death of his first wife. The second Mrs. +Franklin became the mother of ten children, which, added to those +of the first Mrs. Franklin, constituted a very respectable family of +seventeen children, among whom was Benjamin, the fifteenth child. His +"Autobiography" says: "Of the seventeen children I remember to have +seen thirteen sitting together at the table, who all grew up to years +of maturity and were married." Of the second wife it says: "My mother, +the second wife of my father, 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 ecclesiastical history of that +country, 'as a godly and learned Englishman.'" + +Josiah Franklin was an admirer not only of his wife, Abiah, but of +the whole Folger family, because they were devoutly pious, and as +"reliable as the sun, or the earth on its axis." They were unpolished +and unceremonial, and he liked them all the more for that. He wrote to +his sister in a vein of pleasantry, "They are wonderfully shy. But I +admire their honest plainness of speech. About a year ago I invited +two of them to dine with me; their answer was that they would if they +could not do better. I suppose they did better, for I never saw them +afterwards, and so had no opportunity of showing my miff if I had +any." + +We have said that Benjamin was named for his uncle in England, and, +possibly some of the other children were named for other relatives in +the mother country. Certainly there were enough of them to go round +any usual circle of relatives, taking them all in. Uncle Benjamin was +very much pleased with the honor conferred upon him, and he always +manifested great interest in his namesake, though he did not dream +that he would one day represent the country at the court of St. James. +It is claimed that the uncle's interest in his namesake brought him to +this country, a few years later, where he lived and died. Be that as +it may, he ever manifested a lively interest in a protege, and +evidently regarded him as an uncommonly bright boy, who would some day +score a creditable mark for the family. + +Benjamin was more than a comely child; he was handsome. From babyhood +to manhood he was so fine-looking as to attract the attention of +strangers. His eye beamed with so much intelligence as to almost +compel the thought, "There are great talents behind them." Mr. Parton +says: "It is probable that Benjamin Franklin derived from his mother +the fashion of his body and the cast of his countenance. There are +lineal descendants of Peter Folger who strikingly resemble Franklin in +these particulars; one of whom, a banker in New Orleans, looks like a +portrait of Franklin stepped out of its frame." + +Josiah Franklin did not enter upon the trade of a dyer when he settled +in Boston, as he expected. The new country was very different from the +old in its fashions and wants. There was no special demand for a dyer. +If people could earn money enough to cover their nakedness, they cared +little about the color of their covering. One color was just as good +as another to keep them warm, or to preserve their decency. There was +no room for Josiah Franklin as a dyer. There was room for him, however, +as a "tallow-chandler," and he lost no time in taking up this new but +greasy business. He must work or starve; and, of the two, he preferred +work, though the occupation might not be neat and congenial. + +The word "chandler" is supposed to have been derived from the French +_chandelier_, so that a tallow candle-maker was a sort of chandelier +in society at that early day. He furnished light, which was more +necessary than color to almost every one. The prevailing method of +lighting dwellings and stores was with tallow candles. Candles and +whale oil were the two known articles for light, and the latter was +expensive, so that the former was generally adopted. Hence, Josiah +Franklin's business was honorable because it was necessary; and by it, +with great industry and economy, he was able to keep the wolf of +hunger from his door. + +The place where he manufactured candles was at the corner of Hanover +and Union streets. The original sign that he selected to mark his +place of business was a blue ball, half as large as a man's head, +hanging over the door, bearing the name "Josiah Franklin" and the date +"1698." The same ball hangs there still. Time has stolen its blue, but +not the name and date. Into this building, also, he removed his family +from Milk street, soon after the birth of Benjamin. + +In his "Autobiography," Franklin says: "My elder brothers were all put +apprentices to different trades." Several of them were apprenticed +when Benjamin was born. John worked with his father, and learned the +"tallow-chandler's" trade well, setting up the business for himself +afterwards in Providence. This was the only method that could be +adopted successfully in so large a family, except where wealth was +considerable. + +We must not omit the fact that the father of Benjamin was a good +singer and a good player of the violin. After the labors of the day +were over, and the frugal supper eaten, and the table cleared, and the +room put in order for the evening, he was wont to sing and play for +the entertainment of his family. He was sure of a good audience every +night, if his performance opened before the younger children retired. +There is no doubt that this custom exerted a molding influence upon +the household, although the music might have been like Uncle +Benjamin's poetry, as compared with the music of our day. + +For the reader, now familiar with the manners, customs, rush of business, +inventions, wealth, and fashion of our day, it is difficult to understand +the state of society at the time of Franklin's birth. Parton says of it: +"1706, the year of Benjamin Franklin's birth, was the fourth of the +reign of Queen Anne, and the year of Marlborough's victory at Ramillies. +Pope was then a sickly dwarf, four feet high and nineteen years of age, +writing, at his father's cottage in Windsor Forest the 'Pastorals' +which, in 1709, gave him his first celebrity. Voltaire was a boy of ten, +in his native village near Paris. Bolingbroke was a rising young member +of the House of Commons, noted, like Fox at a later day, for his +dissipation and his oratory. Addison, aged thirty-four, had written his +Italian travels, but not the 'Spectator' and was a thriving politician. +Newton, at sixty-four, his great work all done, was master of the mint, +had been knighted the year before, and elected president of the Royal +Society in 1703 Louis XIV was king of France, and the first king of +Prussia was reigning. The father of George Washington was a Virginia boy +of ten; the father of John Adams was just entering Harvard College; and +the father of Thomas Jefferson was not yet born." + + + + +III. + + +PAYING TOO DEAR FOR THE WHISTLE. + +When Benjamin was seven years old he had not been to school a day. +Yet he was a good reader and speller. In manhood he said: "I do not +remember when I could not read, so it must have been very early." He +was one of those irrepressible little fellows, whose intuition and +observation are better than school. He learned more out of school than +he could or would have done in it. His precocity put him in advance +of most boys at seven, even without schooling. It was not necessary +for him to have school-teachers to testify that he possessed ten +talents,--his parents knew that, and every one else who was familiar +with him. + +The first money he ever had to spend as he wished was on a holiday +when he was seven years old. It was not the Fourth of July, when +torpedoes and firecrackers scare horses and annoy men and women, for +Benjamin's holiday was more than sixty years before the Declaration +of Independence was declared, and that is what we celebrate now on +the Fourth of July. Indeed, his holiday was a hundred years before +torpedoes and fire-crackers were invented. It was a gala-day, however, +in which the whole community was interested, including the youngest boy +in the Franklin family. + +"See that you spend your money well," remarked his mother, who +presented him with several coppers; "and keep out of mischief." + +"And here is some more," added his father, giving him several coppers +to add to his spending money; "make wise investments, Ben, for your +reputation depends upon it"; and the latter facetious remark was made +in a way that indicated his love for the boy. + +"What are you going to buy, Ben?" inquired an older brother, who wanted +to draw out some bright answer from the child; "sugar-plums, of +course," he added. + +Benjamin made no reply, though his head was crammed with thoughts about +his first holiday. + +"I shall want to know how well you spend your money, Ben," said his +mother; "remember that 'all is not gold that glitters'; you've got all +the money you can have to-day." + +All the older members of the family were interested in the boy's +pastime, and while they were indulging in various remarks, he bounded +out of the house, with his head filled with bewitching fancies, +evidently expecting such a day of joy as he never knew before. Perhaps +the toy-shop was first in his mind, into which he had looked wistfully +many times as he passed, and perhaps it was not. We say toy-shop, +though it was not such a toy-shop as Boston has to-day, where thousands +of toys of every description and price are offered for sale. But it was +a store in which, with other articles, toys were kept for sale, very +few in number and variety compared with the toys offered for sale at +the present day. Benjamin had seen these in the window often, and, no +doubt, had wished to possess some of them. But there were no toys in +the Franklin family; there were children instead of toys, so many of +them that money to pay for playthings was out of the question. + +Benjamin had not proceeded far on the street when he met a boy blowing +a whistle that he had just purchased. The sound of the whistle, and the +boy's evident delight in blowing it, captivated Benjamin at once. He +stopped to listen and measure the possessor of that musical wonder. He +said nothing, but just listened, not only with his ears, but with his +whole self. He was delighted with the concert that one small boy could +make, and, then and there, he resolved to go into that concert business +himself. So he pushed on, without having said a word to the owner of +the whistle, fully persuaded to invest his money in the same sort of a +musical instrument. Supposing that the whistle was bought at the store +where he had seen toys in the window, he took a bee line for it. + +"Any whistles?" he inquired, almost out of breath. + +"Plenty of them, my little man," the proprietor answered with a smile, +at the same time proceeding to lay before the small customer quite a +number. + +"I will give you all the money I have for one," said Benjamin, without +inquiring the price. He was so zealous to possess a whistle that the +price was of no account, provided he had enough money to pay for it. + +"Ah! all you have?" responded the merchant; "perhaps you have not as +much as I ask for them. They are very nice whistles." + +"Yes, I know they are, and I will give you all the money I have for one +of them," was Benjamin's frank response. The fact was, he began to +think that he had not sufficient money to purchase one, so valuable did +a whistle appear to him at that juncture. + +"How much money have you?" inquired the merchant. + +Benjamin told him honestly how many coppers he had, which was more than +the actual price of the whistles. The merchant replied: + +"Yes, you may have a whistle for that. Take your pick." + +Never was a child more delighted than he when the bargain was closed. +He tried every whistle, that he might select the loudest one of all, +and when his choice was settled, he exchanged his entire wealth for the +prize. He was as well satisfied as the merchant when he left the store. +"Ignorance is bliss," it is said, and it was to Benjamin for a brief +space. + +He began his concert as soon as he left the store. He wanted nothing +more. He had seen all he wanted to see. He had bought all he wanted to +buy. The whole holiday was crowded into that whistle. To him, that was +all there was of it. Sweetmeats and knick-knacks had no attractions for +him. Military parade had no charm for him, for he could parade himself +now. A band of music had lost its charm, now that he had turned himself +into a band. + +At once he started for home, instead of looking after other sights and +scenes. He had been absent scarcely half an hour when he reappeared, +blowing his whistle lustily as he entered the house, as if he expected +to astonish the whole race of Franklins by the shrillness, if not by +the sweetness, of his music. + +"Back so quick!" exclaimed his mother. + +"Yes! seen all I want to see." That was a truth well spoken, for the +whistle just commanded his whole being, and there was room for nothing +more. A whistle was all the holiday he wanted. + +"What have you there, Ben?" continued his mother; "Something to make us +crazy?" + +"A whistle, mother," stopping its noise just long enough for a decent +reply, and then continuing the concert as before. + +"How much did you give for the whistle?" asked his older brother, John. + +"All the money I had." Benjamin was too much elated with his bargain to +conceal any thing. + +"What!" exclaimed John with surprise, "did you give all your money for +that little concern?" + +"Yes, every cent of it." + +"You are not half so bright as I thought you were. It is four times as +much as the whistle is worth." + +"Did you ask the price of it?" inquired his mother. + +"No, I told the man I would give him all the money I had for one, and +he took it." + +"Of course he did," interjected John, "and if you had had four times as +much he would have taken it for the whistle. You are a poor trader, +Ben." + +"You should have asked the price of it in the first place," remarked +his mother to him, "and then, if there was not enough, you could have +offered all the money you had for the whistle. That would have been +proper." + +"If you had paid a reasonable price for it," continued John, "you might +had enough money left to have bought a pocket full of good things." + +"Yes, peppermints, candy, cakes, nuts, and perhaps more," added a +cousin who was present, desiring most of all to hear what the bright +boy would say for himself. + +"I must say that you are a smart fellow, Ben, to be taken in like +that," continued John, who really wanted to make his seven-year-old +brother feel bad, and he spoke in a tone of derision. "All your money +for that worthless thing, that is enough to make us crazy! You ought to +have known better. If you had five dollars I suppose that you would +have given it just as quick for the whistle." + +Of course he would. The whistle was worth that to him, and he bought it +for himself, not for any one else. + +By this time Benjamin, who had said nothing in reply to their taunts +and reproofs, was running over with feeling, and he could hold in no +longer. Evidently he saw his mistake, and he burst into tears, and made +more noise by crying than he did with his whistle. Their ridicule, and +the thought of having paid more than he should for the whistle, +overcame him, and he found relief in tears. His father came to his +rescue. + +"Never mind, Ben, you will understand how to trade the next time. We +have to live and learn; I have paid too much for a whistle more than +once in my life. You did as well as other boys do the first time." + +"I think so too, Ben," joined in his mother, to comfort him. "John is +only teasing you, and trying to get some sport out of his holiday. +Better wipe up, and go out in the street to see the sights." + +Benjamin learned a good lesson from this episode of his early life. He +only did what many grown-up boys have done, over and over again; pay +too much for a whistle. Men of forty, fifty, and sixty years of age do +this same thing, and suffer the consequences. It is one of the common +mistakes of life, and becomes a benefit when the lesson it teaches is +improved as Franklin improved it. + +In the year 1779, November 10th, Franklin wrote from Passy, France, to +a friend, as follows: + +"I am charmed with your description of Paradise, and with your plan of +living there; and I approve much of your conclusion, that, in the mean +time, we should draw all the good we can from this world. In my +opinion, we might all draw more good from it than we do, and suffer +less evil, if we would take care not to give too much for _whistles_. +For to me it seems that most of the unhappy people we meet with are +become so by neglect of that caution. You ask what I mean? You love +stories, and will excuse my telling one of myself. + +"When I was a child of seven years old my friends, on a holiday, +filled my pocket with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they +sold toys for children; and, being charmed with the sound of a +_whistle_, that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I +voluntarily offered and gave all my money for one. I then came home, +and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my _whistle_, +but disturbing all the family. My brothers, sisters, and cousins, +understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times +as much for it as it was worth; put me in mind what good things I +might have bought with the rest of the money, and laughed at me so +much for my folly that I cried with vexation, and the reflection gave +me more chagrin than the _whistle_ gave me pleasure. + +"This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing +on my mind; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary +thing, I said to myself, _Don't give too much for the whistle_; and I +saved my money. + +"As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I +thought I met with many, very many, _who gave too much for the +whistle_. + +"When I saw one too ambitious of court favor, sacrificing his time in +attendance on levees, his repose, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps +his friends, to attain it, I have said to myself, _This man gives too +much for his whistle_. + +"When I saw another fond of popularity, constantly employing himself +in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by +that neglect, _He pays, indeed_, said I, _too much for his whistle_. + +"If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all +the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his +fellow-citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake +of accumulating wealth, _Poor man_, said I, _you pay too much for your +whistle_. + +"When I met with a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laudable +improvement of the mind, or his fortune, to mere corporeal sensations, +and ruining his health in their pursuit, _Mistaken man_, said I, _you +are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you give too +much for your whistle_. + +"If I see one fond of appearance, or fine clothes, fine houses, + fine furniture, fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which he +contracts debts, and ends his career in a prison, _Alas!_ say I, _he +has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle_. + +"When I see a beautiful, sweet-tempered girl, married to an +ill-natured brute of a husband, _What a pity_, say I, _that she should +pay so much for a whistle_. + +"In short, I conceive that great part of the miseries of mankind are +brought upon them by the false estimates they have made of the value +of things, and by their _giving too much for their whistles_. + +"Yet I ought to have charity for these unhappy people, when I consider +that, with all this wisdom of which I am boasting, there are certain +things in the world so tempting,--for example, the apples of King +John, which happily are not to be bought; for, if they were put to +sale by auction, I might very easily be led to ruin myself in the +purchase, and find that I had once more given too much for the +_whistle_." + +Thus Benjamin made good use of one of the foolish acts of his boyhood, +which tells well both for his head and heart. Many boys are far less +wise, and do the same foolish thing over and over again. They never +learn wisdom from the past. + +When a boy equivocates, or deceives, to conceal some act of disobedience +from his parents or teachers, and thereby lays the foundation of habitual +untruthfulness, he pays too dear for the whistle, and he will learn the +truth of it when he becomes older, and can not command the confidence of +his friends and neighbors, but is branded by them as an unreliable, +dishonest man. + +In like manner the boy who thinks it is manly to smoke and drink beer, +will find that he has a very expensive whistle, when he becomes "a hale +fellow well met" among a miserable class of young men, and is discarded +by the virtuous and good. + +So, in general, the young person who is fascinated by mere pleasure, +and supposes that wealth and honor are real apples of gold to the +possessor, thinking less of a good character than he does of show and +glitter, will find that he has been blowing a costly whistle when it is +too late to recall his mistake. + + + + +IV. + + +IN SCHOOL. + +Uncle Benjamin was so deeply interested in his namesake that he wrote +many letters about him. Nearly every ship that sailed for Boston +brought a letter from him to the Franklin family, and almost every +letter contained a piece of poetry from his pen. One of his letters +about that time contained the following acrostic on Benjamin's name: + + "Be to thy parents an obedient son; + Each day let duty constantly be done; + Never give way to sloth, or lust, or pride, + If free you'd be from thousand ills beside. + Above all ills be sure avoid the shelf, + Man's danger lies in Satan, sin and self. + In virtue, learning, wisdom, progress make; + Ne'er shrink at suffering for thy Savior's sake. + + "Fraud and all falsehood in thy dealings flee; + Religious always in thy station be; + Adore the maker of thy inward part; + Now's the accepted time; give him thine heart; + Keep a good conscience, 'tis a constant friend, + Like judge and witness this thy acts attend, + In heart, with bended knee, alone, adore + None but the Three in One for evermore." + +The sentiment is better than the poetry, and it shows that the hero of +our tale had a treasure in the uncle for whom he was named. Doubtless +"Uncle Benjamin's" interest was largely increased by the loss of his +own children. He had quite a number of sons and daughters, and one +after another of them sickened and died, until only one son remained, +and he removed to Boston. It was for these reasons, probably, that +"Uncle Benjamin" came to this country in 1715. + +Among his letters was one to his brother Josiah, our Benjamin's father, +when the son was seven years old, from which we extract the following: + +"A father with so large a family as yours ought to give one son, at +least, to the service of the Church. That is your tithe. From what you +write about Benjamin I should say that he is the son you ought to +consecrate specially to the work of the ministry. He must possess +talents of a high order, and his love of learning must develop them +rapidly. If he has made himself a good reader and speller, as you say, +without teachers, there is no telling what he will do with them. By +all means, if possible, I should devote him to the Church. It will be +a heavy tax upon you, of course, with so large a family on your hands, +but your reward will come when you are old and gray-headed. Would that +I were in circumstances to assist you in educating him." + +"He does not know how much thought and planning we have given to this +subject," remarked Mr. Franklin to his wife, when he read this part of +the letter. "I would do any thing possible to educate Benjamin for the +Church, and I think he would make the most of any opportunities we can +give him." + +"There is no doubt of that," responded Mrs. Franklin. "Few parents +ever had more encouragement to educate a son for the ministry than we +have to educate him." + +"Doctor Willard said as much as that to me," added Mr. Franklin, "and +I think it is true. I do not despair of giving Benjamin an education +yet, though I scarcely see how it ever can be done." + +"That is the way I feel about it," responded Mrs. Franklin. "Perhaps +God will provide a way; somehow I trust in Providence, and wait, +hoping for the best." + +"It is well to trust in Providence, if it is not done blindly," +remarked Mr. Franklin. "Providence sometimes does wonders for people +who trust. It is quite certain that He who parted the waters of the +Red Sea for the children of Israel to pass, and fed them with manna +from the skies, can provide a way for our Benjamin to be educated. But +it looks to me as if some of his bread would have to drop down from +heaven." + +"Well, if it drops that is enough," replied Mrs. Franklin. "I shall be +satisfied. If God does any thing for him he will do it in his own time +and way, and I shall be content with that. To see him in the service +of the Church is the most I want." + +"Uncle Benjamin's" letter did not introduce a new subject of +conversation into the Franklin family; it was already an old theme +that had been much canvassed. Outside of the family there was an +interest in Benjamin's education. He was the kind of a boy to put +through Harvard College. This was the opinion of neighbors who knew +him. Nothing but poverty hindered the adoption and execution of that +plan. + +"Uncle Benjamin's" letter did this, however: it hastened a favorable +decision, though Benjamin was eight years old when his parents decided +that he might enter upon a course of education. + +They had said very little to their son about it, because they would +not awaken his expectations to disappoint them. And finally the +decision was reached with several ifs added. + +"I do not know how I shall come out," added Mr. Franklin, "he may begin +to study. It won't hurt him to begin, if I should not be able to put +him through a course." + +The decision to send him to school was arrived at in this doubtful +way, and it was not laid more strongly than this before Benjamin for +fear of awakening too high hopes in his heart. + +"I have decided to send you to school," said his father to him, "but +whether I shall be able to send you as long as I would like is not +certain yet. I would like to educate you for the ministry if I could; +how would you like that?" + +"I should like to go to school; I should like nothing better," +answered Benjamin. "About the rest of it I do not know whether I +should like it or not." + +"Well, it may not be best to discuss that," continued his father, "as +I may not be able to carry out my plan to the end. It will cost a good +deal to keep you in school and educate you, perhaps more than I can +possibly raise with so large a family to support. I have to be very +industrious now to pay all my bills. But if you are diligent to +improve your time, and lend a helping hand at home, out of school +hours, I may be able to do it." + +"I will work all I can out of school, if I can only go," was +Benjamin's cheerful pledge in the outset. "When shall I begin?" + +"Begin the next term. It is a long process to become educated for the +ministry, and the sooner you begin the better. But you must understand +that it is not certain I can continue you in school for a long time. +Make the most of the advantages you have, and we will trust in +Providence for the future." + +Josiah Franklin's caution was proverbial. He was never rash or +thoughtless. He weighed all questions carefully. He was very +conscientious, and would not assume an obligation that he could not +see his way clear to meet. He used the same careful judgment and +circumspection about the education of his son that he employed in all +business matters. For this reason he was regarded as a man of sound +judgment and practical wisdom, and his influence was strong and wide. +When his son reached the height of his fame, he wrote as follows of +his father: + +"I suppose you may like to know what kind of a man my father was. He +had an excellent constitution, was of a middle stature, well set, and +very strong. He could draw prettily and was skilled a little in music. +His voice was sonorous and agreeable, so that when he played on his +violin, and sung withal, as he was accustomed to do after the business +of the day was over, it was extremely agreeable to hear. He had some +knowledge of mechanics, and on occasion was handy with other tradesmen's +tools. But his great excellence was his sound understanding, and his +solid judgment in prudential matters, both in private and public affairs. +It is true he was never employed in the latter, 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 men, who consulted him for his opinion in public affairs, +and those of the church he belonged to; and who showed a great respect +for his judgment and advice. He was also consulted much by private +persons about their affairs, when any difficulty occurred, and +frequently chosen an arbitrator between contending parties." + +Of his mother he wrote, at the same time: + +"My mother had likewise an excellent constitution; she suckled all her +ten children. I never knew either my father or mother to have any +sickness, but that of which they 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 over their grave, with this +inscription: + + JOSIAH FRANKLIN + AND + ABIAH, HIS WIFE, + LIE HERE INTERRED. + + THEY LIVED LOVINGLY TOGETHER, IN WEDLOCK, FIFTY-FIVE YEARS, + AND WITHOUT AN ESTATE, OR ANY GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT, BY CONSTANT + LABOR AND HONEST INDUSTRY (WITH GOD'S BLESSING), 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, AET. 89. + A.F., BORN 1667, DIED 1752, AET. 85." + +We may say here that the stone which Doctor Franklin erected, as above, +became so dilapidated that in 1827, the citizens of Boston replaced it +by a granite obelisk. The bodies repose in the old Granary cemetery, +beside Park-street church. + + * * * * * + +It was arranged that Benjamin should begin his school-days, and enjoy +the best literary advantages which the poverty of his father could +provide. He acceded to the plan with hearty good-will, and commenced +his studies with such zeal and enthusiasm as few scholars exhibit. + +The school was taught by Mr. Nathaniel Williams, successor of the +famous Boston teacher, Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, who was instructor +thirty-five years, and who discontinued teaching, as Cotton Mather +said, "only when mortality took him off." The homely old wooden +school-house, one story and a half high, stood near by the spot on +which the bronze statue of Franklin is now seen, and there was the +"school-house green" where "Ben" and his companions played together. +Probably it was the only free grammar school that Boston afforded at +that time; for the town could not have numbered a population of over +eight thousand. + +From his first day's attendance at school Benjamin gave promise of +high scholarship. He went to work with a will, improving every moment, +surmounting every difficulty, and enjoying every opportunity with a +keen relish. Mr. Williams was both gratified and surprised. That a lad +so young should take hold of school lessons with so much intelligence +and tact, and master them so easily, was a surprise to him, and he so +expressed himself to Mr. Franklin. + +"Your son is a remarkable scholar for one so young. I am more than +gratified with his industry and progress. His love of knowledge is +almost passionate." + +"Yes, he was always so," responded Mr. Franklin. "He surprised us +by reading well before we ever dreamed of such a thing. He taught +himself, and a book has always been of more value to him than any +thing else." + +"You will give him an education, I suppose?" said Mr. Williams, +inquiringly. "Such a boy ought to have the chance." + +"My desire to do it is strong, much stronger than my ability to pay +the bills. It is not certain that I shall be able to continue him long +at school, though I shall do it if possible." + +"Such love of knowledge as he possesses ought to be gratified," +continued Mr. Williams. "He excels by far any scholar of his age in +school. He will lead the whole school within a short time. His +enthusiasm is really remarkable." + +Within a few months, as the teacher predicts, Benjamin led the school. +He was at the head of his class in every study except arithmetic. Nor +did he remain at the head of his class long, for he was rapidly +promoted to higher classes. He so far outstripped his companions that +the teacher was obliged to advance him thus, that his mental progress +might not be retarded. Of course, teachers and others were constantly +forecasting his future and prophesying that he would fill a high +position in manhood. It is generally the case that such early +attention to studies, in connection with the advancement that follows, +awakens high hopes of the young in the hearts of all observers. These +things foreshadow the future character, so that people think they can +tell what the man will be from what the boy is. So it was with +Franklin, and so it was with Daniel Webster. Webster's mother inferred +from his close attention to reading, and his remarkable progress in +learning, that he would become a distinguished man, and so expressed +herself to others. She lived to see him rise in his profession, until +he became a member of Congress, though she died before he reached the +zenith of his renown. The same was true of David Rittenhouse, the +famous mathematician. When he was but eight years old, he constructed +various articles, such as a miniature water-wheel, and at seventeen +years of age he made a complete clock. His younger brother declared +that he was accustomed to stop, when he was plowing in the field, and +solve problems on the fence, and sometimes cover the plow handles with +figures. The highest expectations of his friends were more than +realized in his manhood. The peculiar genius which he exhibited in his +boyhood gave him his world-wide fame at last. + +Also George Stephenson, the great engineer, the son of a very poor +man, who fired the engine at Wylam colliery, began his life-labor when +a mere boy. Besides watching the cows, and barring the gates after the +coal-wagons had passed, at four cents a day, he amused himself during +his leisure moments, in making clay engines, in imitation of that +which his father tended. Although he lived in circumstances so humble +that ordinarily he would have been entirely unnoticed, his intense +interest in, and taste for, mechanical work, attracted the attention +of people and led them to predict his future success and fame. + +In like manner, the first months of Benjamin Franklin's school days +foreshadowed the remarkable career of his manhood. Relatives and +friends believed that he would one day fill a high place in the land; +and in that, their anticipations were fully realized. + + + + +V. + + +OUT OF SCHOOL. + +Mr. Franklin's finances did not improve. It was clearer every day to +him that he would not be able to keep Benjamin in school. Besides, in +a few months, John, who had learned the tallow-chandler's business of +his father, was going to be married, and establish himself in that +trade in Providence. Some body must take his place. It was quite +impossible for his father to prosecute his business alone. + +"I see no other way," remarked Mr. Franklin to his wife; "I shall be +obliged to take Benjamin out of school to help me. My expenses +increase from month to month, and must continue to increase for some +years, so far as I can see. They will increase heavily if I am obliged +to hire a man in John's place." + +"I am not surprised at all that you have come to that conclusion," +replied Mrs. Franklin. "I expected it, as I have intimated to you. +Parents must be better off than we are to be able to send a son to +college." + +"If they have as many children to support as we have, you might add. I +could easily accomplish it with no larger family than most of my +neighbors have. Yet I find no fault with the number. I accept all the +Lord sends." + +"I am sorry for Benjamin," continued Mrs. Franklin. "He will be +dreadfully disappointed. I am afraid that he will think little of work +because he thinks so much of his school. What a pity that boys who +want an education, as he does, could not have it, and boys who do not +want it should do the work." + +"That is the way we should fix it, no doubt, if the ordering were left +to us," said Mr. Franklin; "but I never did have my own way, and I +never expect to have it, and it is fortunate, I suppose, that I never +did have it. If I could have it now, I should send Benjamin to +college." + +"It has been my prayer that he might give his life and his services to +the Church," added Mrs. Franklin; "but Providence appears to indicate +now that he should make candles for a livelihood, and it is not in me +to rebel against the ordering. If frustrated in this plan, I mean to +believe that Providence has some thing better in store for him and +us." + +"I was never so reluctant to adopt a conclusion as I have been to take +Benjamin out of school," continued Mr. Franklin. "Yet, there has been +one thought that reconciled me in part to the necessity, and that is, +that there is less encouragement to a young man in the Church now than +formerly. It is more difficult to suit the people, and, consequently, +there are more trials and hardships for ministers; and many of them +appear to be peculiar." + +"If ministers have a harder time than you do I pity them," rejoined +Mrs. Franklin. "I suppose as that is concerned, we are all in the same +boat. If we meet them with Christian fortitude, as we should, so much +the better for us." + +"True, very true, and my uppermost desire is to put Benjamin where +duty points. But it is clear to me now that Providence has blocked his +way to the ministry." + +"You will not take him out of school until John leaves, will you?" +inquired Mrs. Franklin. + +"I shall have him leave the public school at the close of this term, +and that will give him a full year's schooling. And then I shall put +him into Mr. Brownwell's school for a while to improve him in +penmanship and arithmetic. By that time I must have him in the +factory." + +Mr. Brownwell had a private school, in which he taught penmanship and +arithmetic. It was quite a famous school, made so by his success as a +teacher in these departments. + +Benjamin had received no intimation, at this time, that he would be +taken out of school. His father shrunk from disclosing his final plan +to him because he knew it would be so disappointing. But as the close +of the school year drew near, he was obliged to open the subject to +him. It was an unpleasant revelation to Benjamin, although it was not +altogether unexpected. For, in the outset, his father had said that +such might be the necessity. + +"You are a poor penman and deficient in your knowledge of numbers," +said his father; "and improvement in these branches will be of great +service to you in my business. You will attend Mr. Brownwell's school +for a while in order to perfect yourself in these studies." + +"I shall like that," answered Benjamin; "but why can I not attend +school until I am old enough to help you?" + +"You are old enough to help me. There are many things you can do as +well as a man." + +"I should like to know what?" said Benjamin, rather surprised that he +could be of any service in the candle business at nine years of age. +"John had to learn the trade before he could help you much." + +"You can cut the wicks, fill the moulds for cast-candles, keep the +shop in order, run hither and thither with errands, and do other +things that will save my time, and thus assist me just as much as a +man could in doing the same things." + +"I am sure that is inducement enough for any boy, but a lazy one, to +work," remarked his mother, who had listened to the conversation. +"Your father would have to pay high wages to a man to do what you can +do as well, if I understand it." + +"In doing errands you will aid as much, even perhaps more, than in +doing any thing else," added Mr. Franklin. "I have a good deal of such +running to do, and if you do it I can be employed in the more +important part of my business, which no one else can attend to. +Besides, your nimble feet can get over the ground much quicker than my +older and clumsier ones, so that you can perform that part of the +business better than I can myself." + +This was a new view of the case to Benjamin, and he was more favorably +impressed with candle-making by these remarks. He desired to be of +good service to his father, and here was an opportunity--a +consideration that partially reconciled him to the inevitable change. + +At that time--about one hundred and seventy-five years ago--boys were +put to hard work much earlier than they are now. They had very small +opportunities for acquiring knowledge, and the boys who did not go to +school after they were ten years old were more in number than those +who did. Besides, the schools were very poor in comparison with those +of our day. They offered very slim advantages to the young. It was not +unusual, therefore, for lads as young as Benjamin to be made to work. + +Benjamin was somewhat deficient in arithmetic, as his father said, and +he had given little attention to penmanship. He did not take to the +science of numbers as he did to other studies. He allowed his dislike +to interpose and hinder his progress. + +"I do not like arithmetic very well," he said to his father. + +"Perhaps not; but boys must study some things they do not like," his +father replied. "It is the only way of preparing them for usefulness. +You will not accomplish much in any business without a good knowledge +of arithmetic. It is of use almost everywhere." + +"I know that," said Benjamin, "and I shall master it if I can, whether +I like it or not. I am willing to do what you think is best." + +"I hope you will always be as willing to yield to my judgment. It is a +good sign for any boy to accept cheerfully the plans of his father, +who has had more experience." + +Benjamin was usually very prompt to obey his parents, even when he did +not exactly see the necessity of their commands. He understood full +well that obedience was a law of the household, which could not be +violated with impunity; therefore, he wisely obeyed. His father was +quite rigid in his requirements, a Puritan of the olden stamp, who +ruled his own house. Among other things, he required his children to +observe the Sabbath by abstaining from labor and amusements, reading +the Scriptures, and attending public worship. A walk in the streets, a +call upon a youthful friend, or the reading of books not strictly +religious, on Sunday, were acts not tolerated in his family. A child +might wish to stay away from the house of God on the Sabbath, but it +was not permitted. "Going to meeting" was a rule in the family as +irrevocable as the laws of the Medes and Persians. + +It was fortunate for Benjamin that he belonged to such a family; for +he possessed an imperious will, that needed to be brought into +constant subjection. Though of a pleasant and happy disposition, the +sequel will show that, but for his strict obedience, his great talents +would have been lost to the world. Nor did he grow restless and +impatient under these rigid parental rules, nor cherish less affection +for his parents in consequence. He accepted them as a matter of +course. We have no reason to believe that he sought to evade them; and +there can be no doubt that the influence of such discipline was good +in forming his character. He certainly honored his father and mother +as long as he lived. In ripe manhood, when his parents were old and +infirm, and he lived in Philadelphia, he was wont to perform frequent +journeys from that city to Boston, to visit them. It was on one of +these journeys that the following incident is related of him: + +Landlords, and other people, were very inquisitive at that time. They +often pressed their inquiries beyond the bounds of propriety. At a +certain hotel the landlord had done this to Franklin, and he resolved, +on his next visit, to administer a sharp rebuke to the innkeeper. So, +on his next visit, Franklin requested the landlord to call the members +of his family together, as he had something important to communicate. +The landlord hastened to fulfill his request, and very soon the family +were together in one room, when Franklin addressed them as follows: + +"My name is Benjamin Franklin; I am a printer by trade; I live, when +at home, in Philadelphia; in Boston I have a father, a good old man, +who taught me, when I was a boy, to read my Bible and say my prayers; +I have ever since thought it my duty to visit and pay my respects to +such a father, and I am on that errand to Boston now. This is all I +can recollect at present of myself that I think worth telling you. But +if you can think of any thing else that you wish to know about me, I +beg you to out with it at once, that I may answer, and so give you an +opportunity to get me something to eat, for I long to be on my journey +that I may return as soon as possible to my family and business, where +I most of all delight to be." + +A more cutting rebuke was never administered. The landlord took in the +full significance of the act, and learned a good lesson therefrom. It +is doubtful if his inquisitiveness ever ran away with him again. But +the narrative is given here to show that the strict rules of his +father's house did not diminish filial affection, but rather +solidified and perpetuated it. + +It is good for boys, who are likely to want their own way, to be +brought under exact rules. Franklin would have gone to ruin if he had +had his way. The evil tendencies of boyhood need constant restraint. +Obedience at home leads to obedience in the school and State. + +Sir Robert Peel ascribed his success in life to such a home; and he +related the following interesting incident to illustrate the sort of +obedience that was required and practised in it: A neighbor's son +called one day to solicit his company and that of his brothers upon an +excursion. He was a young man of fine address, intelligent, smart, and +promising, though fond of fun and frolic. He was a fashionable young +man, too; we should call him a _dude_ now. He wore "dark brown hair, +tied behind with blue ribbon; had clear, mirthful eyes; wore boots +that reached above his knees, and a broad-skirted scarlet coat, with +gold lace on the cuffs, the collar, and the skirts; with a long +waistcoat of blue silk. His breeches were buckskin; his hat was +three-cornered, set jauntily higher on the right than on the left +side." His name was Harry Garland. To his request that William, Henry, +and Robert might go with him, their father replied: + +"No, they can not go out. I have work for them to do, and they must +never let pleasure usurp the place of labor." + +The boys wanted to go badly, but there was no use in teasing for the +privilege; it would only make a bad matter worse. "Our father's yea +was yea, and his nay, nay; and that was the end of it." + +The three brothers of the Peel family became renowned in their +country's brilliant progress. But Harry Garland, the idle, foppish +youth, who had his own way, and lived for pleasure, became a ruined +spendthrift. The fact verifies the divine promise, "Honor thy father +and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), that it may +be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." True +filial love appears to conciliate the whole world by its consistent +and beautiful expression. Such an act as that of the great engineer, +George Stephenson, who took the first one hundred and sixty dollars he +earned, saved from a year's wages, and paid his blind old father's +debts, and then removed both father and mother to a comfortable +tenement at Killingworth, where he supported them by the labor of his +hands, awakens our admiration, and leads us to expect that the author +will achieve success. + +When the statue of Franklin was unveiled in Boston, in 1856, a +barouche appeared in the procession which carried eight brothers, all +of whom received Franklin medals at the Mayhew school in their +boyhood, sons of Mr. John Hall. All of them were known to fame by +their worth of character and wide influence. As the barouche in which +they rode came into State street, from Merchants' row, these brothers +rose up in the carriage, and stood with uncovered heads while passing +a window at which their aged and revered mother was sitting--an act of +filial regard so impressive and beautiful as to fill the hearts of all +beholders with profound respect for the obedient and loving sons. They +never performed a more noble deed, in the public estimation, than this +one of reverence for a worthy parent. + +We have made this digression to show that Franklin's home, with its +rigid discipline, was the representative home of his country, in which +the great and good of every generation laid the foundation of their +useful careers. + + * * * * * + +Benjamin was taken out of school, as his father decided, and was put +under Mr. Brownwell's tuition in arithmetic and penmanship. As he had +endeared himself to Mr. Williams, teacher of the public school, so he +endeared himself to Mr. Brownwell by his obedience, studious habits, +and rapid progress. He did not become an expert in arithmetic, though, +by dint of persistent effort, he made creditable progress in the +study. In penmanship he excelled, and acquired an easy, attractive +style that was of great service to him through life. + + + + +VI. + + +FROM SCHOOL TO CANDLE-SHOP. + +While Benjamin was attending Mr. Brownwell's school, his "Uncle +Benjamin," for whom he was named, came over from England. His wife and +children were dead, except his son Samuel, who had immigrated to this +country. He had been unfortunate in business also, and lost what +little property he possessed. With all the rest, the infirmities of +age were creeping over him, so that nearly all the ties that bound him +to his native land were sundered; and so he decided to spend the +remnant of his days in Boston, where Samuel lived. + +Samuel Franklin was an unmarried young man, intelligent and +enterprising, willing and anxious to support his father in this +country. But having no family and home to which to introduce his aged +parent, "Uncle Benjamin" became a member of his brother Josiah's +family, and continued a member of it about four years, or until Samuel +was married, when he went to live with him. + +"Uncle Benjamin" was very much pained to find that his namesake had +relinquished the purpose of becoming a minister. His heart was set on +his giving his life-service to the Church. + +"Any body can make candles," he said, "but talents are required for +the ministry, and, from all I learn, Benjamin has the talents." + +"Partly right and partly wrong," rejoined Josiah, who seemed to think +that his brother's remark was not altogether complimentary. "Talents +are required for the ministry, as you say, but judgment, tact, and +industry are required to manufacture candles successfully. A fool +would not make much headway in the business." + +"I meant no reflection upon Boston's tallow-chandler," and a smile +played over his face as "Uncle Benjamin" said it; "but I really think +that Benjamin is too talented for the business. Five talents can make +candles well enough; let ten talents serve the Church." + +"Well, that is sound doctrine; I shall not object to that," replied +Josiah; "but if poverty makes it impossible for ten talents to serve +the Church, it is better that they make candles than to do nothing. +Candle-making is indispensable; it is a necessary business, and +therefore it is honorable and useful." + +"The business is well enough; a man can be a man and make candles. +This way of lighting dwellings is really a great invention; and it +will be a long time, I think, when any thing better will supersede it. +This new country is fortunate in having such a light, so cheap and +convenient, so that the business is to be respected and valued. But +Benjamin is greater than the business." + +The last remark set forth "Uncle Benjamin's" views exactly. He really +supposed that no improvement could be made in the method of lighting +houses and shops by candles. That was the opinion of all the +Franklins. To them a tallow-candle was the climax of advancement on +that line. If a prophet had arisen, and foretold the coming of gas and +electricity for the lighting of both houses and streets, in the next +century, he would have been regarded as insane--too crazy even to make +candles. Progress was not a prevailing idea of that day. It did not +enter into any questions of the times as a factor. If succeeding +generations should maintain the standard of theirs, enjoying as many +privileges, it would be all that could be reasonably expected. Candles +would be needed until the "new heaven and new earth" of Revelation +appeared. Possibly they would have believed that their method of +lighting would be popular in "that great city, the Holy Jerusalem," +had it not been declared in the Bible that they will "need no candle," +because "there shall be no night there." + +"Uncle Benjamin" added, what really comforted Josiah: "Of course, if +you are not able to send Benjamin to college, he can't go, and that +ends it. If I were able to pay the bills, I should be only too glad to +do it. Benjamin is a remarkable boy, and his talents will manifest +themselves whatever his pursuit may be. He will not always make +candles for a living; you may depend on that." + +"Perhaps not," responded Josiah; "if Providence introduces him into a +better calling, I shall not object; but I want he should be satisfied +with this until the better one comes." + +As the time drew near for Benjamin to exchange school for the +candle-factory, his disappointment increased. To exchange school, +which he liked so well, for a dirty business that he did not like at +all, was almost too much for his flesh and blood. His feelings +revolted against the uncongenial trade. + +"You do not know how I dread to go into the candle-factory to make it +my business for life," he said to his mother. "I feel worse and worse +about it." + +"We are all sorry that you are obliged to do it," replied Mrs. +Franklin. "I am sure that your father would have made any sacrifice +possible to send you to college, but it was simply impossible. You +will have to make the best of it. God may open the way to employment +that will be more congenial to you some time. For the present he means +that you should help your father, I have no doubt of that; and you +must do the best for him that you can." + +"That is what I intend to do, however much I dislike the business. I +want to help father all I can; he has a hard time enough to provide +for us." + +Benjamin expressed himself as frankly to his father, adding, "I really +wish you would engage in some other business." + +"And starve, too?" rejoined his father. "In such times as these we +must be willing to do what will insure us a livelihood. I know of no +other business that would give me a living at present--certainly none +that I am qualified to pursue." + +"Well, I should rather make soap and candles than starve, on the +whole," Benjamin remarked in reply; "but nothing short of starvation +could make me willing to follow the business." + +"One other thing ought to make you willing to do such work," added his +father; "a determination to be industrious. Idleness is the parent of +vice. Boys like you should be industrious even if they do not earn +their salt. It is better for them to work for nothing than to be +idle." + +"I think they better save their strength till they can earn +something," said Benjamin. "People must like to work better than I do, +to work for nothing." + +"You do not understand me; I mean to say that it is so important for +the young to form industrious habits, that they better work for +nothing than to be idle. If they are idle when they are young, they +will be so when they become men, and idleness will finally be their +ruin. 'The devil tempts all other men, but idle men tempt the devil'; +and I hope that you will never consent to verify the proverb." + +Mr. Franklin had been a close observer all his life, and he had +noticed that industry was characteristic of those who accomplished any +thing commendable Consequently he insisted that his children should +have employment. He allowed no drones in his family hive. All must be +busy as bees. All had some thing to do as soon as they were old enough +to toil. Under such influences Benjamin was reared, and he grew up to +be as much in love with industry as his father was. Some of his best +counsels and most interesting sayings, when he became a man, related +to this subject. There is no doubt that his early discipline on this +line gave to the world his best sayings on this and other subjects. +The following are some of his counsels referred to: + +"Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used +key is always bright." + +"But dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the +stuff life is made of." + +"If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the +greatest prodigality." + +"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." + +"At the working-man's house hunger looks in but dares not enter." + +"Diligence is the mother of good luck, and God gives all things to +industry." + +"One to-day is worth two to-morrows." + +"Drive thy business! let not thy business drive thee." + +"God helps those that help themselves." + +He wrote to a young tradesman as follows: + +"Remember that time is money. He that can earn ten shillings a day by +his labor, and goes abroad or sits idle one-half that day, though he +spend but sixpence during his diversion or idleness, ought not to +reckon _that_ the only expense; he has really spent, or rather thrown +away, five shillings besides. + +"The sound of your hammer at five in the morning, or nine at night, +heard by a creditor, makes him easy six months longer; but, if he sees +you at a billiard-table, or hears your voice at a tavern, when you +should be at work, he sends for his money the next day; demands it +before he can receive it in a lump." + +Benjamin became a better teacher than his father; and, no doubt, was +indebted to his father for the progress. Had he gone to college +instead of the candle-shop, the world might not have received his +legacy of proverbial wisdom. For these were the outcome of secular +discipline, when he was brought into direct contact with the realities +of business and hardship. Colleges do not teach proverbs; they do not +make practical men, but learned men. Practical men are made by +observation and experience in the daily work of life. In that way +Franklin was made the remarkable practical man that he was. + +Had "Uncle Benjamin" lived to read such words of wisdom from the pen +of his namesake, when his reputation had spread over two hemispheres, +he would have said, "I told you so. Did I not say that Benjamin would +not always make candles? Did I not prophesy that he would make his +mark in manhood?" + +Benjamin became a tallow-chandler when he was ten years old; and he +meant to make a good one, though the business was repulsive to his +feelings. At first his industry and tact were all that his father +could desire. He devoted the hours of each workday closely to the +trade, though his love for it did not increase at all. If any thing, +he disliked it more and more as the weeks and months dragged on. +Perhaps he became neglectful and somewhat inefficient, for he said, in +his manhood, that his father often repeated to him this passage from +the Bible: + +"Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before +kings; he shall not stand before mean men." + +When Benjamin became the famous Dr. Franklin, and was in the habit of +standing before kings, he often recalled this maxim of Solomon, which +his father dinged rebukingly in his ear. It was one of the pleasantest +recollections of his life. + +Mr. Franklin watched his boy in the candle-trade closely, to see +whether his dislike for it increased or diminished. His anxiety for +him was great. He did not wish to compel him to make candles against +an increasing desire to escape from the hardship. He had great +sympathy for him, too, in his disappointment at leaving school. And it +was a hard lot for such a lover of school and study to give them up +forever at ten years of age. No more school after that! Small +opportunity, indeed, in comparison with those enjoyed by nearly every +boy at the present day! Now they are just beginning to learn at this +early age. From ten they can look forward to six, eight, or ten years +in school and college. + +Mr. Franklin saw from month to month that his son more and more +disliked his business, though little was said by either of them. +"Actions speak louder than words," as Mr. Franklin saw to his regret; +for it was as clear as noonday that Benjamin would never be contented +in the candle-factory. He did his best, however, to make the boy's +situation attractive; allowed him frequent opportunities for play, and +praised his habit of reading in the evening and at all other times +possible. Still, a tallow-candle did not attract him. It shed light, +but it was not the sort of light that Benjamin wanted to radiate. One +day, nearly two years after he engaged in the candle-business, he said +to his father: + +"I wish I could do something else; I can never like this work." + +"What else would you like to do?" inquired his father. + +"I would like to go to sea," was the prompt and straight reply; and it +startled Mr. Franklin. It was just what he feared all along. He was +afraid that compulsion to make him a tallow-chandler might cause him +to run away and go to sea, as his eldest son, Josiah, did. +Emphatically his father said: + +"Go to sea, Benjamin! Never, never, with my consent. Never say another +word about it, and never think about it, for that is out of the +question. I shall never give my consent, and I know your mother never +will. It was too much for me when your brother broke away from us and +went to sea. I can not pass through another such trial. So you must +not persist in your wish, if you would not send me down to the grave." + +Josiah, the eldest son, named for his father, became dissatisfied with +his home when Benjamin was an infant, ran away, and shipped as a +sailor. The parents knew not where he had gone. Month after month they +waited, in deep sorrow, for tidings from their wayward boy, but no +tidings came. Years rolled on, and still the wanderer was away +somewhere--they knew not where. Morning, noon, and night the memory of +him lay heavy upon their hearts, turning their cup of earthly joy to +bitterness, and furrowing their faces with anxiety and grief. He might +be dead. He might be alive and in want in a strange land. The +uncertainty and suspense hanging over his fate magnified their sorrow. +The outlook was unpleasant; there was no comfort in it. They appealed +to God. Before Him they pleaded for their prodigal son--for his +safety, his return, his salvation. + +Not long after Benjamin had expressed his longing for the sea, when +almost the last hope of seeing the lost son again had vanished, Josiah +returned and startled his parents by his sudden and unexpected +presence. They could scarcely believe their eyes. Twelve years, and +hard service before the mast, had wrought a great change in his +appearance. He was a youth when he ran away,--he was a man now, +toughened by exposure, dark as an Indian, stalwart and rough; but +still the eldest son and brother, Josiah Franklin, Jr. They were glad +to see him. They rejoiced more over this one returning prodigal than +they did over the sixteen that went not astray. "The father said: +Bring forth the best robe and put it on him; and put a ring on his +finger, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and +kill it; and let us eat and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is +alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry." + +It was the first time in twelve years that family had been "merry." +Past sorrows were forgotten in the joy of their meeting. On that day a +new life began around that hearthstone. Father and mother began to +live again. As if they had never shed a tear or felt a pang, they +looked into the future with cheerful hope and expectation. + +To return to Benjamin. His father's quick and sharp reply left no room +for doubt. If he went to sea it must be against his father's will. He +turned to his mother, but was repulsed with equal decision. + +"You surprise me, Benjamin. Want to go to sea! You must not harbor +such a thought. Is it not enough that we have lost one son in that +way? You might have known that I should never give my consent. I +should almost as lief bury you. How can you want to leave your good +home, and all your friends, to live in a ship, exposed to storms and +death all the time?" + +"It is not because I do not love my home and friends; but I have a +desire to sail on a voyage to some other country. I like the water, +and nothing would suit me better than to be a cabin-boy." + +"You surprise and pain me, Benjamin. I never dreamed of such a thing. +If you do not like work in the candle-factory, then choose some other +occupation, but never think of going to sea." + +"I would choose any other occupation under the sun than +candle-making," replied Benjamin. "I have tried to like it for two +years, but dislike it more and more. If I could have my own way, I +would not go to the factory another day." + +Perhaps the opposition of his parents would have prevented his going +to sea, but the return of Josiah, with no words of praise for the +calling, might have exerted a decided influence in leading him to +abandon the idea altogether. + +"Uncle Benjamin," of course, could not tolerate the idea of his nephew +becoming a sailor. With his poor opinion of the candle-trade, he would +have him pursue the business all his life rather than become a sailor. + +"Do any thing rather than follow the seas," he said. "If you want to +throw yourself away, body and soul, go before the mast. But if you +want to be somebody, and do something that will make you respectable +and honored among men, never ship for a voyage, long or short. A boy +of one talent can be a cabin-boy, but a boy of ten talents ought to be +above that business, and find his place on a higher plane of life." + + + + +VII. + + +CHOOSING A TRADE AND STEALING SPORT. + +Mr. and Mrs. Franklin canvassed the subject thoroughly, and wisely +decided that Benjamin might engage in some other pursuit. + +"To be successful a man must love his calling," remarked Mr. Franklin, +"and Benjamin hates his. He appears to go to each day's work with a +dread, and as long as he feels so he will not accomplish any thing." + +"You have come to a wise decision, I think," responded "Uncle +Benjamin." "Ordinarily a boy should choose his own occupation. He may +be instructed and assisted by his parents, but if he makes his own +selection he is likely to choose what he has tact and taste for. +Certainly, I would not compel a son to follow a business that he hates +as Benjamin does candle-making." + +"That is true on the whole, but circumstances alter cases," remarked +Mr. Franklin. "I believe I shall take him around to examine different +trades in town, and he can see for himself and choose what he likes +best." + +"He has seemed to be interested in my son's business," added "Uncle +Benjamin." + +His son Samuel was a cutler, and he had established the cutlery +business in Boston, in which he was quite successful. + +"Well, he can look into that; I have no objections to it; it is a good +business. I will let him examine others, however, and take his choice. +I want he should settle the matter of occupation now for life. I do not +want to go through another experience with him, such as I have been +through two years in the candle-factory." + +Mr. Franklin had evidently acquired new views about boys, judging from +his last remarks. He saw but one way out of the difficulty. Choice of +an occupation was a more important matter than he had dreamed of. +However, he had acted in accordance with the custom of that day, to +choose occupations for sons without the least regard to fitness or +their preferences. Boys must not have their own way in that matter any +more than they should in other things, was the opinion of that age. +But progress has been made on this line. It is thought now that the +more nearly the aptitudes of the person fit the occupation, the more +congenial and successful is the career. To follow the "natural bent," +whenever it is possible, appears to be eminently wise. For square men +should be put into square holes and round men into round holes. +Failing to regard the drift of one's being in the choice of an +occupation, is almost sure to put square men into round holes, and +round men into square holes. In this way good mechanics have been +spoiled to make poor clergymen or merchants, and a good minister +spoiled to make a commonplace artisan. + +The celebrated English engineer, Smeaton, displayed a marvellous +ability for mechanical pursuits even in his childhood. Before he had +donned jacket and pants in the place of short dress, his father +discovered him on the top of the barn, putting up a windmill that he +had made. But he paid no regard to the boy's aptitude for this or that +position. He was determined to make a lawyer of him, and sent him to +school with that end in view. But the boy thought more of windmills +and engines than he did of Euclid or Homer, and the result was +unfavorable. His father was trying to crowd a square boy into a round +hole, and it was repugnant to the born engineer. + +Josiah Franklin tried to do with Benjamin just what Smeaton tried to +do with his son, squeeze a square boy into a round hole. That was a +mistake. The son did not like the operation, and rebelled against the +squeezing. This created trouble for both, until, with the aid of +"Uncle Benjamin," Josiah discovered the way out of the difficulty. + +Benjamin was delighted when his father disclosed to him his new plan. + +"Anything is preferable to making candles," he said. "It will not take +me long to choose something in place of a soap-factory." + +"You have considerable mechanical ingenuity," his father said; "you +like to work with tools, and you can see how tools are handled in +different trades. How would you like your Cousin Samuel's business?" + +"I should like it vastly better than making candles, though I have not +examined it much. I can tell better when have looked in upon other +trades When shall we go?" + +"Begin to-morrow, and first call upon your Cousin Samuel. His cutlery +trade is good, and it must increase as the population grows. Then we +will examine other kinds of business. It will take some time to go the +rounds." + +On the morrow, as agreed upon, they went forth upon the memorable +errand. Benjamin felt like an uncaged bird, and was highly elated by +his prospects. Their first call was at Samuel's shop, where they could +see a line of cutlery that was quite ample for that day. Samuel +explained his methods, use of tools, etc., and Benjamin listened. He +was well pleased with the trade, as Samuel saw at once, who encouraged +him to choose it. + +"I was never sorry that I learned the business," he said. "There is no +easier way of getting a living, and the work is interesting, because +it requires some ingenuity and skill. Benjamin has both, and will +succeed." + +"But I want he should examine other trades," replied his father. "When +he has taken in several he will know more what he wants." + +"Perhaps he will not know as well what he wants," rejoined Samuel. "If +he is like some boys he will be less settled in his mind what to +choose than he is now." + +"My mind is partly settled now," said Benjamin. "I should choose any +trade on earth in preference to making candles and boiling soap. I +should be content with your business." + +Next they called on a brazier, who manufactured many articles in +brass. This was entirely new to Benjamin; he had never seen any thing +of the kind before, and he examined the methods of work with much +interest. The brazier was communicative, and explained matters fully +and clearly, at the same time assuring Benjamin that he would like to +teach a boy like him. + +In like manner they visited a joiner, or carpenter, as he is called in +New England now; also, a turner, who formed various things with a +lathe; also, a silversmith, bricklayer, and stone-mason. A part of +several days was occupied in this examination; and it was time well +spent, for it put much information into Benjamin's head, and enlarged +his ideas. Referring to the matter when he had become an old man, he +said: "It has ever since been a pleasure to me to see good workmen +handle their tools. And it has often been useful to me to have learned +so much by it as to be able to do some trifling jobs in the house when +a workman was not at hand, and to construct little machines for my +experiments at the moment when the intention of making these was warm +in my mind." + +"I like Samuel's trade as well as any," Benjamin remarked, after the +trips of examination were concluded; and his father rejoiced to hear +it. From the start Mr. Franklin showed that none of the trades suited +him so well as his nephew's; so that he was particularly gratified to +hear the above remark. + +"Do you like it well enough to choose it, Benjamin?" + +"Yes, father; on the whole, I think I shall like it best of any; and +cutlery will always be needed." + +"We will understand, then, that you choose that trade, and I will see +Samuel at once. It may be best for you to go into the shop for a short +time before I make a bargain with him. Then he will know what you can +do, and you will know how you like it." + +At that time it was customary to bind boys to their employers, in +different pursuits, until twenty-one years of age. Benjamin was +twelve, and, if he should be bound to his cousin, as was the custom, +it would be for nine years. For this reason it was a step not to be +hastily taken. If a short service in the shop should prove favorable +for both sides, the long apprenticeship could be entered upon more +intelligently and cheerfully. + +Mr. Franklin lost no time in securing a place in Samuel's shop. Both +parties agreed that it would be best for Benjamin to spend a brief +period in the business before settling the terms of apprenticeship. +Accordingly he entered upon his new trade immediately, and was much +pleased with it. It was so different from the work of candle-making, +and required so much more thought and ingenuity, that he enjoyed it. +He went to each day's work with a light and cheerful heart. He was +soon another boy in appearance, contented, happy, and hopeful. Samuel +recognized his ingenuity and willingness to work, and prophesied that +he would become an expert cutler. He was ready to receive him as an +apprentice, and Benjamin was willing to be bound to him until he was +twenty-one years of age. + +But when Mr. Franklin conferred with Samuel as to the terms of the +apprenticeship, they could not agree. The latter demanded an +exorbitant fee for his apprenticeship, which the former did not feel +able to pay. With good nature they discussed the subject, with +reference to an agreement on the terms; but Samuel was immovable. He +had but one price. Benjamin might stay or go. Very much to the +disappointment of both father and son, the plan failed and was +abandoned. + +Benjamin was afloat again. He had no disposition to return to +candle-making, nor did his father desire that he should. He must +choose an occupation again. As it turned out, it would have been +better to settle the terms of apprenticeship in the first place. + +It has been said that "there is no loss without some gain." So there +was some gain to Benjamin. He was sadly disappointed; and he had given +some time to a trade that amounted to nothing, but it was not all +loss. He had learned much about the trades: the importance of a trade +to every boy, and its necessity as a means of livelihood, and he never +lost the lesson which he learned at that time. In his ripe manhood he +wrote,-- + + "He that hath a trade hath an estate. + He that hath a calling hath an office of honor." + +He believed that a trade was as good as a farm for a livelihood, and +that a necessary calling was as honorable as a public office of +distinction. How much his early discipline about trades had to do with +these noble sentiments of his mature life, we may not say, but very +much, without doubt. + +While Benjamin was waiting for something to turn up, an incident +occurred which may be rehearsed in this place. He was already an +expert in swimming and rowing, and he loved the water and a boat +passionately. He was fond of fishing, also; and there was a marsh, +flooded at high tides, where the boys caught minnows. Here they +repaired for a fine time one day, Benjamin and several companions. + +"All aboard!" exclaimed Benjamin, as he bounded into the boat lying at +the water's edge. "Now for a ride; only hurry up, and make the oars +fly"; and several boys leaped in after him from the shaky, trampled +quagmire on which they stood. + +"We shall be heels over head in mud yet," said one of the number, +"unless we try to improve this marsh. There is certainly danger that +we shall go through that shaky place, and we do not know where we shall +stop when we begin to go down." + +"Let us build a wharf; that will get rid of the quagmire," suggested +Benjamin. "It won't be a long job, if all take hold." + +"Where will you get your lumber?" inquired John. + +"Nowhere. We do not want any lumber; stones are better." + +"That is worse yet, to bring stones so far, and enough of them," said +John. "You must like to lift better than I do, and strain your gizzard +in tugging stones here." + +"Look there," continued Benjamin, pointing to a heap of stones only a +few rods distant, "there are stones enough for our purpose, and one or +two hours is all the time we want to build a wharf with them." + +"Those stones belong to the man who is preparing to build a house +there," said Fred. "The workmen are busy there now." + +"That may all be, but they can afford to lend them to us for a little +while; they will be just as good for their use after we have done with +them." There was the rogue's sly look in Benjamin's eye when he made +the last remark. + +"Then you expect they will loan them to you; but I guess you will be +mistaken," responded Fred. + +"I will borrow them in this way: We will go this evening, after the +workmen have gone home, and tug them over here, and make the wharf +before bedtime." Benjamin made this proposition for the purpose of +adding to their sport. + +"And get ourselves into trouble thereby," answered a third boy. "I +will agree to do it if you will bear all the blame of stealing them." + +"Stealing!" exclaimed Benjamin, who was so bent on sport that he had +no thought of stealing. "It is not stealing to take stones. A man +could not sell a million tons of them for a copper." + +"Well, anyhow, the man who has borne the expense of drawing them there +won't thank you for taking them." + +"I do not ask them to thank me. I do not think the act deserves any +thanks." And a roguish twinkle of the eye showed that Benjamin knew he +was doing wrong for the sake of getting a little sport. "Wouldn't it +be a joke on those fellows if they should find their pile of stones +missing in the morning?" + +"Let us do it," said John, who was taken with the idea of playing off +a joke. "I will do my part to put it through." + +"And I will do mine." + +"And so will I." + +"And I, too." + +By this time all were willing to follow Benjamin, their leader. +Perhaps some of them were afraid to say "No," as their consciences +suggested, now that the enterprise was endorsed by one or two of their +number. Both boys and men are quite disposed to "go with the multitude +to do evil." They are too cowardly to do what they know is right. + +The salt marsh bounding a part of the mill-pond where their boat lay +was tramped into a quagmire. The boys were wont to fish there at high +water, and so many feet treading on the spot reduced it to a very soft +condition. It was over this miry marsh that they proposed to build a +wharf. The evening was soon there, and the boys, too, upon their +rogues' errand. They surveyed the pile of stones, and found it ample +for their purpose, though it appeared to be a formidable piece of work +to remove them. + +"Two of us can't lift and carry some of them," said Fred. + +"Then three of us will hitch on and carry them," replied Benjamin. +"They must all be worked into a wharf this evening. Let us +begin--there is no time to lose." + +"The largest must go first," suggested John. "They are capital stones +for the foundation. Come, boys, let us make quick work of it." + +So they went to work with a will and "where there's a will there's a +way," in evil as well as good. It was unfortunate for Benjamin that he +did not hate such an enterprise as much as he did candle-making. If he +had, he would have given a wide berth to the salt marsh and the wharf +project. But neither he nor his companions disliked the evil work in +which there was sport. We say that they worked with a will; and their +perseverance was the only commendable thing about the affair. +Sometimes three or four of them worked away at a stone, rolling it +along or lifting, as necessity required. Then one alone would catch up +a smaller one, and convey it to the wharf at double-quick. Half their +zeal, tact, and industry, in doing this wrong, would have made the +candle-trade, or any other business, a success. + +The evening was not quite spent when the last stone was carried away, +and the wharf finished,--a work of art that answered their purpose +very well, though it was not quite as imposing as Commercial Wharf is +now, and was not calculated to receive the cargo of a very large +Liverpool packet. + +"A capital place now for fishing!" exclaimed Fred. "It is worth all it +cost for that." + +"It may cost more than you think for before we get through with it," +suggested John. "We sha'n't know the real cost of it until the owner +finds his stones among the missing." + +"I should like to hear his remarks to-morrow morning, when he +discovers his loss," remarked Benjamin; "they will not be very +complimentary, I think." + +"I am more anxious to know what he will do about it," responded John. + +"We shall find out before long, no doubt," said Benjamin. "But I must +hurry home, or I shall have more trouble there than anywhere else. +Come, boys, let us go." + +They hastened to their homes, not designing to divulge the labors of +the evening, if they could possibly avoid interrogation. They knew +that their parents would disapprove of the deed, and that no excuse +could shield them from merited censure. Not one of their consciences +was at ease. Their love of sport had got the better of their love of +right-doing. And yet they were both afraid and ashamed to tell of what +they had done. They were at home and in bed and asleep about as early +as usual. + +Twenty-four hours passed away, during which Benjamin's fears had +increased rather than diminished. He was all the while thinking about +the stones--what the owner would say and do--whether he would learn +who took his stones away. His conscience was on duty. + +It was evening, and Mr. Franklin took his seat at the fireside. +Benjamin was reading, the unattractive tallow candle furnishing him +light. + +"Benjamin," said Mr. Franklin, after a little, "where were you last +evening?" + +If his father had fired off a pistol he could not have been more +disturbed. His heart leaped into his throat. He thought of the stones. +He knew something was up about them--that trouble was ahead. + +"I was down to the water," Benjamin replied, with as much coolness as +he could muster. + +"What were you doing there?" + +"Fixing up a place for the boat." He suspected, from his father's +appearance, that he would have to tell the whole story. + +"Benjamin, see that you tell me the truth, and withhold nothing. I +wish to know exactly what you did there." + +"We built a wharf." + +"What did you build it with?" + +"We built it of stones." + +"Where did you get your stones?" + +"There was a pile of them close by." + +"Did they belong to you?" + +"No, sir." + +"Then you stole them, did you?" + +"It isn't stealing to take stones." + +"Why, then, did you take them in the evening, after the workmen had +gone home? Why did you not go after them when the workmen were all +there? It looks very much as if you thought taking them was stealing +them." + +Benjamin saw that he was fairly cornered. Such a catechetical exercise +was somewhat new to him. The Westminster Assembly's Catechism never +put him into so tight a place as that. Bright as he was, he could not +discover the smallest hole out of which to crawl. It was a bad scrape, +and he could see no way out of it except by telling the truth. We +dislike very much to say it, but, judging from all the circumstances, +he would have told a lie, could he have seen a place to put one in. +But there was no chance for a falsehood. He was completely shut up to +the truth. He saw that the wharf cost more than he estimated--that +stealing stones violated a principle as really as stealing dollars. He +was so completely cornered that he made no reply. His father +continued: + +"I see plainly how it is. It is the consequence of going out in the +evening with the boys, which I must hereafter forbid. I have been +willing that you should go out occasionally in the evening, because I +thought it might be better for you than so much reading. But you have +now betrayed my confidence, and I am more than ever satisfied that +boys should spend their evenings at home, trying to improve their +minds. You are guilty of an act that is quite flagrant, although it +may have been done thoughtlessly. You should have known better after +having received so much instruction at home." + +"I did know better," was Benjamin's frank confession, determined to +make a clean breast of it. + +"And that makes your guilt so much the greater. Will you learn a +lesson from this, and never do the like again?" + +"I promise that I never will." + +Thus frankly Benjamin confessed his wrong-doing; and, in mature life, +he often referred to it as his "_first wrong act_" from which he +learned a lesson for life. It was another way of _paying too dear for +a whistle_. What the whistle was to him at seven, the wharf of stones +was to him at twelve years of age--sport. The first was innocent +sport, however; the last was guilty. + +It appears that the workmen missed their stones when they first +reached the spot in the morning, and soon discovered them nicely laid +into a wharf. The proprietor was indignant, and set about learning who +were the authors of the deed. In the course of the day he gained the +information he sought, and very properly went to the parents of each +boy with his complaint. In this way the boys were exposed, and +received just rebuke for their misdemeanor. Benjamin was convinced, as +he said of it many years thereafter, "that that which is not honest +could not be truly useful." + + + + +VIII. + + +BECOMING PRINTER-BOY. + +At the time Benjamin was in the candle-factory his brother James was +in England learning the printer's trade. He spent several years there, +until he had mastered the business, intending to return to Boston and +establish that trade. He returned about the time that Benjamin was +concluding his disgust with candle-making, and was well under way at +the time he abandoned the cutler's trade. James brought press, type, +and all the _et ceteras_ of a complete outfit with him from England. + +"How would you like to learn the printer's trade with your brother +James?" inquired his father, a short time after Benjamin left the +cutler's shop. "I have been thinking it over, and I really believe +that you have more qualifications for it than you have for any other +trade. Your love of learning will have a better chance there, too." + +"How is that?" answered Benjamin. "I do not quite see in what respect +I am better qualified to be a printer than a cutler." + +"Well, you are a good reader, and have an intellectual turn, being +fond of books; and a printing office must have more opportunities for +mental improvement than the shop of a cutler. A type-setter can be +acquiring new and valuable ideas when he is setting up written +articles." + +"If that is so I should like it well; and I should think it might be +as you say," Benjamin answered. "I might have a better chance to +read." + +"Of course you would. You may have matter to put in type that is as +interesting and profitable as any thing you find in books. Indeed, +James will no doubt have pamphlets and books to publish before long. +All that you read in books went through the printer's hand first." + +"I had not thought of that," said Benjamin, quite taken with his +father's ideas about the printing business. "I think I should like it +better than almost any thing else. How long will it take to learn the +trade?" + +"I suppose that it will take some time, though I know very little +about it. You are twelve years of age now, and you can certainly +acquire the best knowledge of the trade by the time you are +twenty-one." + +"That is a long time," suggested Benjamin; "nine years ought to make +the best printer there is. But that is no objection to me; I shall do +as you think best." + +"I want _you_ should think it best, too," rejoined his father. "If you +have no inclination to be a printer, I do not want you should +undertake it. You will not succeed in any business you dislike." + +"I do think it best to try this," replied Benjamin. "If James thinks +well of it, I shall, for he knows all about the trade." + +"I will speak with him about it and learn his opinion," said his +father. "If he thinks well of it, I will see what arrangements can be +made with him. The prospects of the business are not flattering now, +but I think the day is coming when it will prosper." + +Mr. Franklin lost no time in conferring with James, who favored the +plan without any reserve. He proposed to take Benjamin as an +apprentice, to serve until he was twenty-one years old, according to +the custom of the times, receiving twenty pounds for the same, and +giving him board and clothes until the last year, when he would be +paid journeyman's wages. This was a good opportunity on the whole, for +printing was in its infancy in our country at that time. Not more than +six or eight persons had been in the business in Boston before James +Franklin commenced, in the year 1717. The demand for printing must +have been very small indeed. + +The first printing press in the United States was set up in Cambridge +in 1639 by Rev. Jesse Glover, who gave it to Harvard University. The +first thing printed was the "Freeman's oath"; the next, the almanac +for New England, calculated by William Pierce, a mariner; the next, a +metrical version of the Psalms. + +It is claimed that ten years later than Benjamin's entering his +brother's printing office, there were but three or four printers in +our country. Whether that was so or not, it is certain that then, and +for many years afterwards, printers were very scarce. In 1692, Old +Style, the council of New York adopted the following resolution: + +"It is resolved in council, that if a printer will come and settle in +the city of New York, for the printing of our acts of assembly and +public papers, he shall be allowed the sum of forty pounds, current +money of New York, per annum, for his salary, and have the benefit of +his printing, besides what serves to the public." + +It is said, also, that when Benjamin Franklin wanted to marry the +daughter of Mr. Reed, of Philadelphia, her mother said, "I do not know +about giving my daughter to a printer; for there are already four in +the United States, and it is doubtful if more could get a living." + +It is worthy of note here, also, as showing how slowly the printing +business advanced in the infancy of our country, that Great Britain +did not allow the American Colonies to print the English Bible. Hence, +the first Bible printed in this country was published in 1782, a +little more than a hundred years ago. For this reason most of the +pulpit Bibles in the Congregational and other churches of New England, +before that time, were the Oxford editions, in which the Book of +Common Prayer and the Psalms were included, and the Articles of Faith +of the English Church. Some of these are still preserved as relics. + +"It will be necessary for you to be bound to your brother, according +to law," remarked Mr. Franklin. "These things must be done legally, +and such is the law and custom, too." + +"And I am to board with him, also, if I understand you, father?" +Benjamin was thinking of leaving his home, and that would be a trial. +True, he would not be far from his father's house; he could step into +it every night if he wished; but it was leaving home, nevertheless. +"It does not seem quite right for one brother to be bound to another +for nine years," added Benjamin, thoughtfully, and after some +hesitation. + +"But such is the custom, however it may appear, and it must be done so +to have every thing right and legal. We do not know what may happen in +the nine years. It is better to have things in black and white, +whether the bargain is with a brother or any one else." + +Mr. Franklin added more to the last remarks, in order to remove an +objection which Benjamin seemed to have to being bound to his brother; +and he was successful. The last objection was removed, and cheerfully +and gladly Benjamin consented to become a printer-boy. + +The following was the form of the indenture of apprenticeship that +bound Benjamin to his brother for nine years: + +"This indenture witnesseth that Benjamin Franklin, son of Josiah +Franklin, and of Abiah, his wife, of Boston, in the colony of +Massachusetts Bay, with the consent of his parents, doth put himself +apprentice to his brother, James Franklin, printer, to learn his art, +and with him after the manner of an apprentice from the ---- day of +----, in the year of our Lord, 1718, until he shall have fully +completed the twenty-first year of his age. During which term the said +apprentice his master faithfully shall or will serve, his secrets +keep, his lawful commands everywhere gladly do. He shall do no damage +to his said master, nor see it to be done of others, but to his power +shall let, or forthwith give notice to his said master of the same. +The goods of his said master he shall not waste, nor the same without +license of him to any give or lend. Hurt to his said master he shall +not do, cause, nor procure to be done. He shall neither buy nor sell +without his master's license. Taverns, inns, and ale houses he shall +not haunt. At cards, dice, tables, or any other unlawful game he shall +not play. Matrimony he shall not contract; nor from the service of his +said master day nor night absent himself; but in all things as an +honest and faithful apprentice shall and will demean and behave +himself towards his said master and all his during the said term. And +the said James Franklin, the master, for and in consideration of the +sum of ten pounds of lawful British money to him in hand paid by the +said Josiah Franklin, the father, the receipt of which is hereby +acknowledged, the said apprentice in the art of a printer, which he +now useth, shall teach and instruct, or cause to be taught and +instructed, the best way and manner that he can, finding and allowing +unto the said apprentice meat, drink, washing, lodging, and all other +necessaries during the said term. And for the true performance of all +and every the covenants and agreements aforesaid, either of the said +parties bindeth himself unto the other finally by these presents. In +witness whereof, the parties aforesaid to these indentures +interchangeably have set their hands and seals this ---- day of ----, +in the fifth year of our Sovereign Lord, George the First, by the +grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of +the Faith, and in the year of our Lord, 1718." + +To this document Benjamin signed his name, with his father and brother, +thereby having his liberty considerably abridged. + +A boy by the name of William Tinsley took the place of Benjamin in Mr. +Franklin's candle-shop. He was bound to Mr. Franklin as Benjamin was +bound to his brother. But he liked the business no better than +Benjamin did, and, finally, to escape from his thraldom, he ran away; +whereupon his master inserted the following advertisement in the _New +England Courant_ of July, 1722, which reads very much like +advertisements for runaway slaves, in that and later days; and, +probably, young Tinsley thought he was escaping from a sort of white +slavery: + +"Ran away from his Master, Mr. Josiah Franklin, of Boston, Tallow-chandler, +on the first of this instant July, an Irish Man-servant, named William +Tinsley, about 20 years of age, of a middle Stature, black Hair, lately +cut off, somewhat fresh-colored Countenance, a large lower Lip, of a +mean Aspect, large Legs, and heavy in his Going. He had on, when he went +away, a felt Hat, a white knit Cap, striped with red and blue, white +Shirt, and neck-cloth, a brown-coloured Jacket, almost new, a frieze +Coat, of a dark colour, grey yarn Stockings, leather Breeches, trimmed +with black, and round to'd Shoes. Whoever shall apprehend the said +runaway Servant, and him safely convey to his above said Master, at +the Blue Ball in Union street, Boston, shall have Forty Shillings +Reward, and all necessary Charges paid." + +There is no evidence that Tinsley was ever found. He hated the +candle-trade so lustily that he put the longest possible distance +between himself and it. Had Benjamin been compelled to continue the +unpleasant business, he might have escaped from the hardship in a +similar way. + +These facts, together with the foregoing documents, show that, in some +respects, many white youth of that day were subjected to an experience +not wholly unlike that of the colored youth. Often the indentured +parties became the victims of cruelty. Sometimes they were half +clothed and fed. Sometimes they were beaten unmercifully. They were +completely in the hands of the "master," and whether their experience +was pleasant or sad depended upon his temper. + +Add another fact to the foregoing about the indenture of apprenticeship, +and the similarity of white to Negro slavery, in that day, is quite +remarkable. No longer than seventy-five years ago, a poor child, left +to the town by the death of the father, was put up at auction, and +the man who bid the lowest sum was entitled to him. The town paid the +amount to get rid of the incumbrance, without much regard to the future +treatment of the orphan. + +A near neighbor of the author, eighty-three years of age, was sold in +this manner three times in his early life, suffering more and more +with each change, until he was old enough to defend himself and run +away. His first buyer, for some reason, wanted to dispose of him, and +he sold him at auction to another. The second buyer was heartless and +cruel, against which the boy rebelled, and, for this reason, he was +sold to a third "master," who proved to be the worst tyrant of the +three, subjecting the youth to all sorts of ill-treatment, to escape +which he took to his heels. He was not given a day's schooling by +either master, nor one holiday, nor the privilege of going to meeting +on the Sabbath, nor was he half fed and clothed. At twenty-one he +could neither read nor write. + +We have turned aside from our narrative to record a somewhat barbaric +custom of our forefathers, that the reader may appreciate all the more +the higher civilization and more congenial experiences of this age. + +Benjamin had become a printer-boy as fully equipped for duty as +documents, pledges, and promises could make him. His _heart_ entered +into this new work, and his _head_ also. The business set him to +thinking. He liked it. Indeed, he could find no fault with it. The +business liked him, too; that is, he had a tact for it--he was adapted +to it. The boy and the trade were suited to each other. Hence, he +became even fascinated with it. + +"I like it better than I thought I should," he said to his mother. "I +have to use my brains more in putting a single paragraph into type +than I did in filling a whole regiment of candle-moulds. I like it +better and better." + +"I am glad to hear that, though I rather expected as much. If you like +it as well as James does, you will like it well enough. He is +thoroughly satisfied with his trade, and I think he will find it to be +a profitable one by and by. In a new country it takes time to build up +almost any trade." + +Mrs. Franklin spoke from a full heart, for she had great interest in +Benjamin's chosen pursuit, because she believed that he possessed +remarkable talents. She still expected that he would make his mark, +though prevented from entering the ministry. + +"I get some time to read," continued Benjamin, "and I mean to get +more, though there is much confusion at my boarding-place." + +"You must not gain time for reading at the expense of neglecting your +work," suggested his mother. "Your time is your brother's, and, first +of all, you must fulfill your obligations to him. Fidelity is a +cardinal virtue, remember." + +"Of course," replied Benjamin. "I know what I am in duty bound to do, +and I shall do it. James has not found me a minute behind time yet, +nor lazy in the printing office; and I mean that he never shall." + +"That is a good resolution, very good, indeed; and I hope you will +keep it. At the same time, do not neglect your Bible, nor cease to +attend public worship on the Sabbath. A boy can't get along without +these any more than his parents can. As soon as you begin to neglect +these you are exposed to danger, and the very worst sort of danger." + +To those who are determined to succeed, time can be found for reading +without interfering with business. Budgett, the rich English merchant, +was a great reader. He would not allow his time for reading to +interfere with his business, nor his time for business to interfere +with his reading. He prepared a time-table by which his work was +regulated each day. From an examination of it we learn the number of +hours and pages he read the first two weeks of January, 1849. He spent +fifty-nine hours in his library, and read _seven hundred_ pages of +Josephus' History, _six hundred and sixty_ pages of Milner's Church +History, _three hundred and eighty_ pages of Baxter's Saints' Rest, +and spent a fair proportion of the time in studying Townsend's Old and +New Testaments. Such is what the busiest man can do when he regulates +his time for it. + +James Franklin's printing office, where Benjamin worked, was at the +corner of Franklin avenue and Court street. As his brother was +unmarried he boarded at a place near by, which James secured. Probably +the large family and want of room were the reason he did not continue +to board at his father's. The family were always in a strait for room. +A vacancy only left room which the remaining members sorely needed, +and they occupied it so readily and naturally that the former occupant +was scarcely missed. + +The printer's trade embraced some kinds of work at that time which it +does not embrace now, as we judge from the advertisement of James +Franklin in the _Boston Gazette_, when he commenced business, as +follows: "The printer hereof prints linens, calicoes, silks, etc., in +good figures, very lively and durable colors, and without the +offensive smell which commonly attends the linens printed here." + +Such printing was done for ladies who were in need of what there was +no manufactory to supply, at that time. + +When Benjamin had served two years at his trade, he had become +indispensable to his brother. He had devoted himself to his work with +all his heart, and had made rapid improvement. He had acquired a good +understanding of the trade. He was a superior compositor. His judgment +was excellent. He was industrious--there was not a lazy bone in him. +And he was punctual. + +The habit of reading that Benjamin had formed tended to make him +punctual. In order to command the more time he was promptly at his +work, and efficiently discharged every duty. It was this well-formed +habit of punctuality that made him so reliable in the printing office. +His brother knew that he would be there at such a time, and that he +would remain just so many hours. This habit won his confidence, as it +does the confidence of every one. There is no quality that does more +to gain a good name for an individual, and inspire the confidence of +his fellow-men, than this one of being on time. It is so generally +found in company with other excellent traits of character, that it +seems to be taken for granted, usually, that the punctual person is +worthy in other respects. + +A ripe scholar was the neighbor of Dr. Adam Clarke, the commentator, +when the latter had become quite renowned. On the same evening both +saw a copy of the Greek Testament by Erasmus advertised. As soon as +the ripe scholar had swallowed his breakfast, on the next morning, he +hastened to the book-store to purchase the volume. "You are too late; +the book is sold," replied the book-seller to the inquiry of the +gentleman. "Too late!" exclaimed the scholar; "why, I came as soon as +I had eaten my breakfast;" "Yes, but Adam Clarke came _before +breakfast_," responded the merchant. The incident shows that the man +who is on time has the inside track; and the inside track is nearest +the goal. It is the wide-awake man who is prompt, not the dull, sleepy +procrastinator. The best qualities of manhood must be on the alert to +secure promptness; the poorest qualities will secure the opposite. The +prize is taken by the worker who is _on time_. It is lost by him who +is _behind time_, as the aforesaid scholar was. He planned to make +sure of his breakfast before he did of the book; but Adam Clarke made +sure of the book before he did of his breakfast, and he won. + +In 1788, Washington visited Boston, and he decided to leave for Salem +on the morning of a certain day, at eight o'clock, precisely. A +company of cavalry volunteered to escort him to Salem. While the clock +of the Old South Church was striking eight, Washington mounted his +horse and started, though his escort had not put in an appearance. A +few minutes later, however, they arrived, and were greatly mortified +to find that Washington had gone. Putting spurs to their horses, they +galloped forward, and overtook him at Charles river bridge. When they +came up, Washington said: "Major, I thought you had been in my family +too long not to know when it was eight o'clock." + +The habit of punctuality which Franklin formed in his youth, +distinguished him in his manhood as much as the same habit did +Washington. There is no doubt that it exerted a large influence in +placing him next to Washington among the founders of our republic. One +of the maxims that he wrote in mature life was: "He that riseth late +must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night." + + + + +IX. + + +TABLE-TALK EDUCATION. + +We delay the narrative, at this point, to introduce a subject that +Franklin often referred to as influencing his early life. In his +"Autobiography," he said: + +"At his table he [his father] 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. Indeed, I am so +unobservant of it, that to this day I can scarce tell, a few hours +after dinner, of what dishes it consisted. This has been a great +convenience to me in travelling, where my companions have been +sometimes very unhappy for want of a suitable gratification of their +more delicate, because better instructed, tastes and appetites." + +This was different from much of the table-talk that is heard in many +families now. + +"I do not want any of that, I do not love it," exclaims one child. "I +should think you might have a better dinner than this." + +"What would you have if you could get it; roast chicken and plum +pudding?" his mother replies, in a facetious way, instead of reproving +him. + +"I would have something I could eat. You know I do not love that, and +never did." + +"Well, it does boys good, sometimes, to eat what they do not love, +especially such particular ones as you are," adds his father. + +"I sha'n't eat what I do not like, anyhow; I shall go hungry first." + +"There, now, let me hear no more complaint about your food," adds his +father, more sharply. "You are scarcely ever suited with your +victuals." + +"May I have some?" calling for something that is not on the table. + +"If you will hold your tongue, and get it yourself, you can have it." + +"And let me have some, too," shouts another child. "I do not love this, +neither. May I have some, pa?" + +"And I, too," exclaims still another. "I must have some if Henry and +James do." + +In this way the table-talk proceeds, until fretting, scolding, crying, +make up the sum total of the conversation, and family joy are +embittered for the remainder of the day. In contrast with the +discipline of instructive conversation, such schooling at the fireside +is pitiable indeed. + +Franklin claimed that this feature of family government exerted a +moulding influence upon his life and character. It caused him to value +profitable conversation in boyhood and youth. In manhood he frequently +found himself posted upon subjects made familiar to him by +conversation at the table and hearthstone of his boyhood, especially +topics relating to the mother country. He was more particularly +edified by conversation at home during the four years that "Uncle +Benjamin" was a member of his father's family. For this favorite +"Uncle" was a very instructive talker, having been educated by the +conversation of his father at home in England, as his nephew Benjamin +was by his father in Boston. When "Uncle Benjamin" was very old, he +could even recall the expressions which his father used in prayer at +the family altar, and he wrote some of them in one of his books of +poetry, as follows: + + "Holy Father, into thy hand we commit our spirits, for thou hast + redeemed them, O Lord God of Truth." + + "Command thine angel to encamp round about our habitation." + + "Give thine angels charge over us, that no evil may come nigh our + dwelling." + + "Thou knowest our down-lying and rising-up, thou art acquainted + with all our ways, and knowest our tho'ts afar off." + + "We know that in us, that is, in our flesh, there dwelleth no good + thing." + + "Holy Father, keep through thine own name all those that are thine, + that none of them be lost." + + "We thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth. Tho' thou hast + hid these things from the wise and prudent, yet thou hast revealed + them unto babes. Even so, Holy Father, for so it seemed good in thy + sight." + +We have copied the language just as it was written by "Uncle Benjamin," +and it is chiefly Bible language, showing marked familiarity with the +Scriptures. + +We infer, from the foregoing, that useful conversation was +characteristic of the Franklins of each generation, indicating a good +degree of intelligence and talents of high order. Ignorance does not +indulge in improving conversation; it could not if it would. Nor do +small mental powers show themselves in excellence of conversation. So +that it is quite evident that talents in the Josiah Franklin family +were not limited to Benjamin. They reached back to former generations. + +Mr. Parton says: "Thomas Franklin, the elder, had four sons: Thomas, +John, Benjamin, and Josiah. There lived at Ecton, during the boyhood +of these four sons, a Mr. John Palmer, the squire of the parish and +lord of an adjacent manor, who, attracted by their intelligence and +spirit, lent them books, assisted them to lessons in drawing and +music, and, in various ways, encouraged them to improve their minds. +All the boys appear to have been greatly profited by Squire Palmer's +friendly aid; but none of them so much as Thomas, the eldest, +inheritor of the family forge and farm." + +It was this Thomas who became grandfather of our Benjamin, and whose +expressions in prayer we have quoted. Mr. Parton discovers such +talents there as make profitable conversation at the table and +elsewhere, and are transmitted to posterity. For he says, still +further: + +"In families destined at length to give birth to an illustrious +individual, Nature seems sometimes to make an essay of her powers with +that material, before producing the consummate specimen. There was a +remarkable Mr. Pitt before Lord Chatham; there was an extraordinary +Mr. Fox before the day of the ablest debater in Europe; there was a +witty Sheridan before Richard Brinsley; there was a Mirabeau before +the Mirabeau of the French Revolution. And, to cite a higher instance, +Shakespeare's father was, at least, extraordinarily fond of dramatic +entertainments, if we may infer any thing certain from the brief +records of his mayoralty of Stratford, for he appears to have given +the players the kind of welcome that Hamlet admonished Polonius to +bestow upon them. Thomas Franklin, the eldest uncle of our Benjamin, +learned the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop, but, aided by +Squire Palmer and his own natural aptitude for affairs, became, as his +nephew tells us, 'a conveyancer, something of a lawyer, clerk of the +county court, and clerk to the archdeacon; a very leading man in all +county affairs, and much employed in public business.'" + +The quotation Mr. Parton makes, in his closing lines, is from a letter +of Benjamin Franklin, addressed to Mrs. Deborah Franklin, dated +London, 6 September, 1758. We quote still further from it, as it is +interesting matter relating to the prominence and intelligence of the +Franklin ancestors: + +"From Wellingborough we went to Ecton, about three or four miles, +being the village where my father was born, and where his father, +grandfather, and great-grandfather had lived, and how many of the +family before them we know not. We went first to see the old house and +grounds; they came to Mr. Fisher with his wife, and, after letting +them for some years, finding his rent something ill-paid, he sold +them. The land is now added to another farm, and a school is kept in +the house. It is a decayed old stone building, but still known by the +name of Franklin House. Thence we went to visit the rector of the +parish, who lives close by the church--a very ancient building. He +entertained us very kindly, and showed us the old church register, in +which were the births, marriages, and burials of our ancestors for two +hundred years, as early as his book began. His wife, a good-natured, +chatty old lady (granddaughter of the famous Archdeacon Palmer, who +formerly had that parish and lived there), remembered a great deal +about the family; carried us out into the church-yard and showed us +several of their grave-stones, which were so covered with moss that we +could not read the letters till she ordered a hard brush and a basin +of water, with which Peter scoured them clean, and then Billy copied +them. She entertained and diverted us highly with stories of Thomas +Franklin, Mrs. Fisher's father, who was a conveyancer, something of a +lawyer, clerk of the county courts, and clerk to the archdeacon in his +visitations; a very leading man in all county affairs, and much +employed in public business. He set on foot a subscription for +erecting chimes in their steeple and completed it, and we heard them +play. He found out an easy method of saving their village meadows from +being drowned, as they used to be sometimes by the river, which method +is still in being; but, when first proposed, nobody could conceive how +it could be, 'but, however,' they said, 'if Franklin says he knows how +to do it, it will be done.' His advice and opinion were sought for on +all occasions, by all sorts of people, and he was looked upon, she +said, by some, as something of a conjurer. He died just four years +before I was born, on the same day of the same month." + +Such kind of men are not given to foolish conversation. They are too +sensible to indulge in mere twaddle about the weather. Their talents +raise them to a higher plane of thought and remark. Josiah Franklin +only observed the custom of his ancestors, no doubt unwittingly, when +he sought to improve the minds and hearts of his children by +instructive conversation at the table and fireside. Benjamin had a +right to claim for it a decided educational influence in the family. + +Pythagoras set so great value upon useful conversation that he +commanded his disciples to maintain silence during the first two years +of their instruction. He would have their minds thoroughly furnished, +that their conversation might be worthy of the pupils of so +illustrious a teacher. He was wont to say: "Be silent, or say +something better than silence." No men ever put this wise counsel into +practice more thoroughly than Josiah Franklin and his son Benjamin. + +Cicero said of the mother of the Gracchi: "We have read the letters of +Cornelia, the mother of the Gracchi, from which it appears that the +sons were educated not so much in the lap of the mother as by her +_conversation_." Josiah Franklin had as poor an opinion of the _lap_ +as an educator of his sons, in comparison with _conversation_, as +Cornelia had. + +The poet Cowper wrote: + + "Though conversation in its better part + May be esteemed a gift, and not an art; + Yet much depends, as in the tiller's toil, + On culture and the sowing of the soil." + +Josiah Franklin was enough of a poet to understand this and reduce it +to practice. As his son said, he delighted to have some intelligent +man or woman for a guest at his table, for the improvement of his +children. But when there was no guest at the table, he led the way +alone by calling the attention of his sons and daughters to some +subject of interest and profit. He thought it would divert their +attention from the quality of their food, so that they would not be so +apt to complain of it, and, at the same time, impart information and +set them thinking. He did not allow one of his children to complain of +the food on the table, and he would have prevented it by severe +measures, if necessary. Before he found the method cited a wise one, +and therefore persevered in it. He often made this remark: + +"You must give heed to little things, although nothing can be +considered small that is important. It is of far more consequence how +you behave than what you eat and wear." + +Another remark he would make when the meal was unusually plain was +this: + +"Many people are too particular about their victuals. They destroy +their health by eating too much and too rich food. Plain, simple, +wholesome fare is all that Nature requires, and young persons who are +brought up in this way will be best off in the end." + +Here is found the origin of Benjamin's rigid temperance principles in +eating and drinking, for which he was distinguished through life. In +his manhood he wrote and talked upon the subject, and reduced his +principles to practice. There scarcely ever lived a man who was so +indifferent as to what he ate and drank as he was. When he worked in a +printing-office in England, his fellow-printers were hard drinkers of +strong beer, really believing that it was necessary to give them +strength to endure. They were astonished to see a youth like Benjamin +able to excel the smartest of them in the printing office, while he +drank only cold water, and they sneeringly called him "The Water +American." + +The temperate habits which Benjamin formed in his youth were the more +remarkable because there were no temperance societies at that time, +and it was generally supposed to be necessary to use intoxicating +drinks. The evils of intemperance were not viewed with so much +abhorrence as they are now, and the project of removing them from +society was not entertained for a moment. Reformatory movements of +this kind did not begin until nearly a century after the time referred +to. Yet Benjamin was fully persuaded in his youth that he ought to be +temperate in all things. It was a theme of conversation at his +father's table and fireside. That conversation instructed him then, as +temperance lectures, books, and societies instruct the young now; and +it accomplished its purpose. In the sequel we shall learn still more +of the moulding power of home lessons, in conversation, to make him +the man he became. + +It is related of the Washburne family, so well known in the public +affairs of our country, four or five brothers having occupied posts of +political distinction, that, in their early life, their father's house +was open to ministers, and was sometimes called "the ministers' +hotel." Mr. Washburne was a great friend of this class, and enjoyed +their society much. Nearly all the time some one of the ministerial +fraternity would be stopping there. His sons were thus brought into +their society, and they listened to long discussions upon subjects of +a scientific, political, and religious character, though public +measures received a large share of attention. The boys acquired +valuable information by listening to their remarks, and this created a +desire to read and learn more; and so they were started off in a +career that "led them on to fame." Their early advantages were few, +but the conversation of educated gentlemen, upon important subjects, +laid the foundation of their eminence in public life. + +Benjamin was young, and his heart easily impressed, when he listened +to profitable conversation in the home of his boyhood. The way the +twig is bent the tree is inclined. His father gave the twig the right +bent, and the tree was comely and fruitful. It was a very easy and +cheap mode of instruction, always at hand, needing neither text-book +nor blackboard, yet pleasant and uplifting. + + + +X. + + +LEADER OF SPORTS AND THOUGHT. + +It is unusual that the same boy should be a leader in nearly all +innocent sports, and, at the same time, the most thoughtful and +studious boy of all. Generally, the fun-loving youth is an indifferent +scholar,--having little taste for reading and study. But it was +otherwise with Benjamin. He was as much of an expert in sport as he +was in reading,--the best jumper, runner, swimmer, and rower of his +age in Boston. And he enjoyed it, too. Perhaps he enjoyed being the +best more than any part of the sport. Certainly, when he was in +school, he enjoyed being the _best_ scholar more than any part of a +pupil's experience; and he so managed to continue the best to the end, +though the end came much too soon for him. + +Swimming was his favorite sport. It was claimed for him that, any time +between twelve and sixteen years of age, he could have swam across the +Hellespont. Here, as well as elsewhere, his inventive genius was +devising ways to promote more rapid swimming. + +"I believe that I can double my speed in swimming by an invention I +have in mind," he said to John Collins, one day. + +"What sort of an invention? You are always up to something of that +sort. I think that arms and legs are all the invention that will ever +promote swimming, slow or fast." + +"Well, you see, John, if I do not invent something to greatly increase +speed in swimming," continued Benjamin. "I have been studying on it +for some time, and I think I have it." + +"You do not need anything to increase your speed, Ben; you can beat +everybody now, and you ought to be satisfied with that." + +"I am not satisfied. I want to do better yet. I never did so well in +anything yet that I did not want to do better." + +Right here was really the secret of Benjamin's success,--trying to do +better to-morrow than to-day, not satisfied with present attainments, +pressing forward to something more desirable, going up higher. Such +boys and girls succeed. Difficulties do not alarm or discourage +them--they serve to draw them out and make them more invincible. But +youth who are satisfied to be just what they are to-day, no larger, +broader, or better, live and die mere ciphers. They are destitute of +ambition and the spirit of enterprise. They have no just conception of +their mission in this world. They do not understand themselves,--what +they are for and what they can be if they choose. What is worse, they +have no desire to know these things; the effort to know them is too +much for their easy, indifferent natures. + +"I guess that is so," replied John, to Benjamin's last remark. "I +never saw a boy just like you; and I think you are right. I want to +know more than I do about many things, and I mean to. But what sort of +a swimming apparatus have you in mind?" + +"Well, a sort of palette for the hands and sandals for the feet, +fastened tightly so as to be used readily. I have an idea that I can +throw myself forward with far greater speed." + +"I will wait to see it before I pass judgment on it," answered John. +"It is risking more than I want to risk to say you can't do it; for +there is no telling what you can do." + +"You will see it in a few days; it will not take long to make it. I +will notify you when it is ready, and we will try it. In the mean time +keep it a secret, and we will astonish the boys." + +Within a few days John Collins was notified that the swimming +apparatus was ready, and would be tried at a certain time appointed. +Other boys were invited to meet at the pond at the same time. + +Benjamin appeared on the scene with two oval palettes of wood, +resembling those used by painters, ten inches long and six broad. A +hole was cut in each for the thumb, so that they could be bound to the +palms of the hands. A kind of sandal, shaped somewhat like the +palettes, was fastened tightly to each foot. When rigged for a swim, +Benjamin presented a very singular appearance, and the boys looked on +astonished. + +"That is _you_, all over, Ben," exclaimed Fred; "no one in creation +except you would ever have thought of such an apparatus. But I +wouldn't wish myself in the water with such a rig. You are a sort of +skipper on legs, now." + +"I do not expect to skip much on the water, but I expect to swim much +faster with this device than would be possible without it," replied +Benjamin. + +"It is different from what I thought it was from your description," +said John Collins, who had been looking on with particular interest. +"It looks as if you might do something with it. Go ahead, Ben, sink or +swim, spread your sails and prove that your ingenuity is genuine." + +Benjamin plunged into the water, and a more interested and excited +company did not watch Robert Fulton when he started up Hudson river +with his new steamer, eighty years later, than watched him with his +new mode of swimming. He struck right out into deep water easily, and +moved forward much more rapidly than he ever did before, the cheers +and shouts of the boys making the welkin ring. Taking a circuit around +the pond for a fair trial, the boys had a good opportunity to watch +every movement and to judge of the practicability of such an +invention. + +"That is wonderful," exclaimed one, as he came around to the shore +where they stood. + +"You are a genius, Ben," shouted another. + +"Capital," added John Collins. "King George ought to make a duke of +you. But does it work easy?" + +"Not so easily as I expected," answered Benjamin. "The apparatus is +hard on the wrists, and makes them ache. The sandals on the feet do +not help much. I think I could swim just as well without them." + +"Then you do not consider it a complete success?" said John, +inquiringly. + +"Not entirely so. I can swim very much faster with it, but it is +harder work, and the wrists will not hold out long. I do not think I +shall apply to King George for a patent." + +The swimming invention was pretty thoroughly discussed by the boys, +one and another suggesting improvements, Benjamin evidently satisfied +that swimming at less speed in the usual way was preferable to these +artificial paddles and increased rapidity. But their interest was +awakened anew when Benjamin informed them that he had another +invention that he proposed to try at a future day. + +"What is it?" inquired two or three at the same time. + +"You shall see; it is more simple than this apparatus," replied +Benjamin. "It will not be so tiresome to use." + +"When will you let us see it on trial?" asked John Collins, who, +perhaps, appreciated Benjamin's spirit and talents more than any of +the boys. + +"Any time you will all agree to be here. You will not know what it is +until you see it." + +The time was appointed for the trial of the unknown device, and the +boys separated with their curiosity on tiptoe as to the nature of the +other improved method of swimming. They had no idea that it was a +humbug, for "Ben" never practised sham. He was so much of a genius +that, no doubt, he had something that would surprise them. + +John Collins was more like Benjamin than other boys in Boston, and he +was his most intimate companion. John was talented, and a great +reader. He had a craving thirst for knowledge, and used his leisure +moments to improve his mind. He frequently discussed profitable +subjects with Benjamin, who enjoyed his company very much for this +reason. In their tastes, love of books, and high aims, they were +suited to each other. Benjamin thought as highly of John as John did +of Benjamin. + +When the time for trying the other device arrived, Benjamin appeared +on the scene with a new kite. + +"A kite!" exclaimed John Collins, in surprise. "I see it now. That +_is_ simple." He saw at once that Benjamin was going to make a sail of +his kite, and cross the pond. + +"'T will hinder more than it will help, I think," remarked one of the +boys. + +"We shall know whether it will or not, very soon," responded another. +"Ben isn't hindered very often." + +While this parleying was going on, Benjamin was disrobing and getting +ready for the trial. + +"Fred, you carry my clothes around to the other side of the pond, and +I will swim across," said Benjamin, as he sent his kite up into the +air. + +"All right," answered Fred; "I will do it to the best of my ability; +and I will be there to see you land." So saying he caught up the +clothes and started off upon the run. + +The kite was high up in the air, when, holding the string with both +hands, Benjamin dropped into the water upon his back, and at once +began to skim the surface. Without an effort on his part, not so much +as the moving of a muscle, the sailing kite pulled him along faster +than his arms and feet could have done in the old way of swimming. + +"That is better than the paddles and sandals," shouted John Collins, +who was intensely interested in the simplicity of the method. "Ben is +only a ship, now, and the kite is his sail. Nobody but him would ever +thought of such a thing." + +"Not much skill in that way of swimming," suggested another youth; +"nor much fatigue, either. Nothing to do but to keep on breathing and +swim." + +"And hold on to the kite," added another. "He must not let go of his +sail; he and his kite must be close friends." + +The boys kept up their watch and conversation while Benjamin crossed +the pond, which he accomplished in a few minutes. Dressing himself, +while Fred drew in his kite, he hastened to join his companions and +receive their congratulations. The boys were extravagant in their +expressions of delight, and some of them predicted that so "cute" a +mode of swimming would become universal, while others thought that the +lack of skill in the method would lead many to discard it. Benjamin +said: + +"The motion is very pleasant indeed, and I could swim all day without +becoming fatigued. But there is no skill in it, as you say." + +Benjamin expressed no opinion as to the adoption of the method by +others, and the boys separated to tell the story of Benjamin's +exploits on the water over town. Many years afterwards, when Benjamin +was a public man, famous in his own country and Europe, he wrote to a +Frenchman by the name of Dubourg, of both of these experiments as +follows: + +"When I was a boy, I made two oval palettes, each about ten inches +long and six broad, with a hole for the thumb, in order to retain it +fast in the palm of my hand. They much resembled a painter's palettes. +In swimming, I pushed the edges of these forward, and I struck the +water with their flat surfaces as I drew them back. I remember I swam +faster by means of these palettes, but they fatigued my wrists. I also +fitted to the soles of my feet a kind of sandals; but I was not +satisfied with them, because I observed that the stroke is partly +given by the inside of the feet and the ankles, and not entirely with +the soles of the feet. + + * * * * * + +"You will not be displeased if I conclude these hasty remarks by +informing you that, as the ordinary method of swimming is reduced to +the act of rowing with the arms and legs, and is consequently a +laborious and fatiguing operation when the space of water to be +crossed is considerable, there is a method in which a swimmer may pass +to great distances with, much facility, by means of a sail. This +discovery I fortunately made by accident, and in the following manner. + +"When I was a boy I amused myself one day with flying a paper kite; +and, approaching the bank of a pond, which was nearly a mile broad, I +tied the string to a stake, and the kite ascended to a very +considerable height above the pond, while I was swimming. In a little +time, being desirous of amusing myself with my kite, and enjoying at +the same time the pleasure of swimming, I returned; and, loosing from +the stake the string with the little stick which was fastened to it, +went again into the water, where I found that, lying on my back and +holding the stick in my hands, I was drawn along the surface of the +water in a very agreeable manner. Having then engaged another boy to +carry my clothes around the pond, to a place which I pointed out to +him on the other side, I began to cross the pond with my kite, which +carried me quite over without the least fatigue, and with the greatest +pleasure imaginable. I was only obliged occasionally to halt a little +in my course, and resist its progress, when it appeared that, by +following too quick, I lowered the kite too much; by doing which +occasionally, I made it rise again. I have never since that time +practised this singular mode of swimming, though I think it not +impossible to cross in this manner from Dover to Calais. The +packet-boat, however, is still preferable." + +Doctor Franklin wrote another long letter to a man in mature life, +advising him to learn to swim. The man was not inclined to do it on +account of his age, whereupon Doctor Franklin wrote: + +"I can not be of opinion with you, that it is too late in life for you +to learn to swim. The river near the bottom of your garden affords a +most convenient place for the purpose. And, as your new employment +requires your being often on the water, of which you have such a +dread, I think you would do well to make the trial; nothing being so +likely to remove those apprehensions as the consciousness of an +ability to swim to the shore in case of an accident, or of supporting +yourself in the water till a boat could come to take you up." + +It is probable that Benjamin's experiment with his kite in swimming +was the seed-thought of his experiment in drawing lightning from the +clouds with a kite, thirty years thereafter,--an experiment that +startled and electrified the scientific world. The story is a familiar +one, and should be repeated here. + +He believed that lightning and electricity were identical. Experiments +for six years had led him to this conclusion. But how could he prove +it? He conceived the idea of an electrical kite by which he could +settle the truth or falsity of his theory. Having prepared the kite, +he waited for a thunder-shower; nor did he wait long. Observing one +rising, he took the kite, and with his son, twenty-one years of age, +stole away into a field near by, where there was an old cow-shed. He +had not informed any one but his son of his purpose, because he wished +to avoid ridicule in case the experiment proved a failure. + +The kite was sent up in season for the coming storm to catch, and, +with intense anxiety, Franklin held the string, which was hempen, +except the part in the hand, which was silk. He was so confident of +success that he brought along with him a Leyden bottle, in which to +collect electric fluid from the clouds for a shock. It was a moment of +great suspense. His heart beat like a trip-hammer. At first a cloud +seemed to pass directly over the kite, and the thunder rattled, and +the lightnings played around it, and yet there was no indication of +electricity. His heart almost failed him. But in silence he continued +the experiment as the storm increased and drew nearer, and the +artillery of heaven grew louder and more vivid. Another moment, and he +beheld the fibers of the hempen cord rise as the hair of a person does +on the insulated stool. What a moment it was! The electric fluid was +there! His experiment was successful! Electricity and lightning are +identical! Pen nor poesy can describe his emotion. Eagerly he applied +his knuckles to the key, attached to the extremity of the hempen cord, +and drew a spark therefrom. His joy was immeasurable! Another spark, +and then another, and still another, until further confirmation was +unnecessary! The Leyden bottle was charged with the precious fluid, +from which both father and son received a shock as unmistakable as +that from his electric battery at home. Franklin's fame was secured +throughout the world. He went home with feelings of indescribable +satisfaction. + +Doctor Franklin was a very modest man, and he wrote a letter to Peter +Collinson, member of the Royal Society of London, dated Philadelphia, +Oct. 16, 1752, describing the experiment without even hinting that he +was the experimenter. As that letter described his electrical kite, +and his method of using it, we insert it here: + +"As frequent mention is made in public papers from Europe of the +success of the Philadelphia experiment for drawing the electric fire +from clouds by means of pointed rods of iron erected on high +buildings, etc., it may be agreeable to the curious to be informed +that the same experiment has succeeded in Philadelphia, though made in +a different and more easy manner, which is as follows: + +"Make a small cross of two light strips of cedar, the arms so long as +to reach the four corners of a large thin silk handkerchief when +extended; tie the corners of the handkerchief to the extremities of +the cross, so you have the body of a kite; which being properly +accommodated with a tail, loop, and string, will rise in the air like +those made of paper; but this, being of silk, is fitter to bear the +wet and wind of a thunder-gust without tearing. To the top of the +upright stick of the cross is to be fixed a very sharp-pointed wire, +rising a foot or more above the wood. To the end of the twine next the +hand is to be tied a silk ribbon, and where the silk and twine join a +key may be fastened. + +"This kite is to be raised when a thunder-gust appears to be coming +on, and the person who holds the string must stand within a door or +window, or under some cover, so that the silk ribbon may not be wet; +and care must be taken that the twine does not touch the frame of the +door or window. As soon as any of the thunder-clouds come over the +kite, the pointed wire will draw the electric fire from them, and the +kite, with all the twine, will be electrified, and the loose filaments +of the twine will stand out every way, and be attracted by an +approaching finger. And when the rain has wetted the kite and twine, +so that it can conduct the electric fire freely, you will find it +stream out plentifully from the key on the approach of your knuckle. +At this key the vial may be charged; and from the electric fire thus +obtained spirits may be kindled, and all other electric experiments be +performed which are usually done by the help of a rubbed glass globe +or tube, and thereby the sameness of the electric matter with that of +lightning completely demonstrated." + +We have spoken of the discussions between Benjamin and John Collins +upon important subjects. When other boys were accustomed to spend +their time in foolish talking and jesting, they were warmly discussing +some question in advance of their years, and well suited to improve +their minds. One of the subjects was a singular one for that +day--female education. Legislators, statesmen, ministers, and teachers +did not believe that girls should be educated as thoroughly as boys. +Fewer advantages should be accorded to them. John Collins accepted the +general view; but Benjamin struck out boldly in favor of liberal +female education, being about a hundred years in advance of his times. + +"It would be a waste of money to attempt to educate girls as +thoroughly as boys are educated," said John; "for the female sex are +inferior to the male in intellectual endowment." + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed Benjamin; "you know better than that. The girls are +not as simple as you think they are. I believe that females are not a +whit inferior to males in their mental qualities." + +"I would like to know where you discover evidence of it?" replied +John. "There is no proof of it in the works they have written." + +"That may be true, and still they stand upon an equality in respect to +intellect. For not half as much is done to educate them as there is to +educate the male sex. How can you tell whether they are mentally +inferior or not, until they are permitted to enjoy equal advantages?" + +"As we tell other things," answered John. "Females do not need so high +mental endowments as males, since they are not required to lead off in +the different branches of business, or to prosecute the sciences. I +can see no wisdom in bestowing talents upon them which they never use, +and it is often said that 'nothing is made in vain.'" + +"Well, I must go," said Benjamin; "but I think you have a weak cause +to defend. If I had the time I could make out a case." + +"A poor one, I guess," quickly added John. "We will see, the next time +we meet, who can make out a case." + +"It will be some time before we meet again," replied Benjamin, "and +our ardor will be cooled before that time, I am thinking. But it will +do us no harm to discuss the subject." + +"If we keep our temper," said John, tacking his sentence to the last +word of Benjamin's reply. And so saying, they parted. + +After Benjamin had revolved the subject still more in his mind, he +became anxious to commit his argument to writing. Accordingly, with +pen and paper in hand, he sat down to frame the best argument he could +in favor of educating the female sex. He wrote it in the form of a +letter, addressed to his friend Collins, and, after having completed, +he copied it in a fair hand, and sent it to him. This brought back a +long reply, which made it necessary for Benjamin to pen an answer. In +this way the correspondence continued, until several letters had +passed between them, and each one had gained the victory in his own +estimation. + +Benjamin was anxious that his father should read this correspondence, +as he would be a good judge of its quality; and, after a little, he +took it to him, saying: "John and I have had some correspondence, and +I want you should read our letters." + +There is little question that Benjamin was so well satisfied with his +own argument that he expected his father would give him much credit. +Perhaps his father believed, with most men of that day, that the +education of females was an unnecessary expense, and Benjamin expected +to convert him to his belief. Whether it was so or not, his father +replied: + +"I should like to read it; what is it about?" + +"You will find out when you read the letters." + +Mr. Franklin improved the first opportunity to read the +correspondence, and report to Benjamin. + +"I have been very much pleased and profited by this correspondence. It +is able for two boys like you and John; but I think John has the +advantage of you." + +"John the advantage!" exclaimed Benjamin, with considerable surprise +and anxiety. "How so?" + +"In some respects, not in all, I mean," added his father. + +"Tell me of one thing in which he has advantage," and Benjamin +manifested disappointment when he made the request. + +"Well, John's style of composition seems to me more finished, and he +expresses himself with more clearness." + +"I rather think you are prejudiced, father" Benjamin said this for the +want of something better to say. + +"_I_ rather think not," answered his father. "You have the advantage +of John in correct spelling, and in punctuation, which is the +consequence of working in the printing office. But I can convince you +that less method and clearness characterize your letters than his." + +"I am ready to be convinced," answered Benjamin. "I hardly think I +have attained perfection in writing yet." + +His father proceeded to read from the letters of each, with the design +of showing that John's composition was more perspicuous, and that +there was more method in his argument. Nor was it a very difficult +task. + +"I am convinced," acknowledged Benjamin, before his father had read +all he intended to read. "I can make improvement in those things +without much trouble. There is certainly a good chance for it." + +"That is what I want you should see. I am very much pleased with your +letters, for they show that you have talents to improve, and that you +are an original, independent thinker. My only reason in calling your +attention to these defects is to assist you in mental improvement." + +Benjamin was just the boy to be benefited by such friendly criticism. +It would discourage some boys, and they would despair of any future +excellence. The rank and file of boys would not be aroused by it to +overcome the difficulty and go up higher. But Benjamin was aroused, +and he resolved that his composition should yet be characterized by +elegance and perspicuity. He set about that improvement at once. We +shall see, in another chapter, how he purchased an old copy of the +_Spectator_ for a model, and set about improving his style. + +It is quite evident that Mr. Franklin thought well of Benjamin's +argument on female education, for he did not criticise it. Perhaps it +was here that he found proof that his son was "an original and +independent thinker." It is somewhat remarkable that a boy at that +time should hold and advocate views of female education that have not +been advanced generally until within forty years. Looking about now, +we see that females stand side by side with males, in schools and +colleges, in ability and scholarship; that they constitute a large +proportion of teachers in our land now, when, before the American +Revolution, it was not thought proper to employ them at all; that many +of them are now classed with the most distinguished authors, editors, +and lecturers; and that not a few occupy places of distinction in the +learned professions, while many others are trusty clerks, +book-keepers, saleswomen, and telegraph-operators. Young Franklin's +views, the Boston printer-boy, a hundred and seventy years ago, are +illustrated and confirmed to-day by the prominence and value of +educated females. + +That a printer-boy of fifteen years could accomplish so much when he +was obliged to work from twelve to fifteen hours each day at his +trade, seems almost incredible. But he allowed no moments to run to +waste. He always kept a book by him in the office, and every spare +moment was employed over its pages. In the morning, before he went to +work, he found some time for reading and study. He was an early riser, +not, perhaps, because he had no inclination to lie in bed, but he had +more time to improve his mind. He gained time enough in the morning, +by this early rising, to acquire more knowledge than some youth and +young men do by going constantly to school. In the evening he found +still more time for mental improvement, extending his studies often +far into the night. It was his opinion that people generally consume +more time than is necessary in sleep, and one of his maxims, penned in +ripe manhood, was founded on that opinion: "The sleeping fox catches +no poultry." + +It is not surprising that a boy who subjected himself to such +discipline for a series of years should write some of the best maxims +upon this subject when he became a man. The following are some of +them: + +"There are no gains without pains; then help, hands, for I have no +lands." + +"Industry pays debts, while despair increaseth them." + +"Never leave that till to-morrow which you can do to-day." + +"Leisure is time for doing something useful." + +"A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things." + +"Be ashamed to catch yourself idle." + +"Handle your tools without mittens; remember, a cat in gloves catches +no mice." + +"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 into +the cable." + +We have spoken of what the printer-boy accomplished as remarkable. And +yet it is not remarkable when we consider the work some men have done +in leisure hours alone. Just here is one of the most important lessons +to be learned from the example and life of Benjamin Franklin. A +similar example is before us here in New England; that of Charles G. +Frost, of Brattleboro', Vermont, who was a shoemaker by trade. He died +a few years since. He wrote of his own life: + +"When I went to my trade, at fourteen years of age, I formed a +resolution, which I have kept till now--extraordinary preventives only +excepted--that I would faithfully devote _one hour each day_ to +study, in some useful branch of knowledge." + +Here was the secret of his success--one hour a day. Almost any boy can +have that. He was forty-five when he wrote the above, a married man, +with three children, still devoting one hour a day, at least, to +study, and still at work at his trade. He had made such attainments in +mathematical science, at forty-five, it was claimed for him that not +more than ten mathematicians could be found in the United States in +advance of him. He wrote further of himself: + +"The first book which fell into my hands was Hutton's Mathematics, an +English work of great celebrity, a complete mathematical course, which +I then commenced, namely, at fourteen. I finished it at nineteen +without an instructor. I then took up those studies to which I could +apply my knowledge of mathematics, as mechanics and mathematical +astronomy. I think I can say that I possess, and have successfully +studied, _all_ the most approved English and American works on these +subjects." + +After this he commenced natural philosophy and physical astronomy; +then chemistry, geology, and mineralogy, collecting and arranging a +cabinet. Mr. Frost continues: + +"Next, natural philosophy engaged my attention, which I followed up +with close observation, gleaning my information from a great many +sources. The works that treat of them at large are rare and expensive. +But I have a considerable knowledge of geology, ornithology, +entomology, and conchology." + +Not only this; he added to his store of knowledge the science of +botany, and made himself master of it. He made extensive surveys in +his own state, of the trees, shrubs, herbs, ferns, mosses, lichens, +and fungi. He had the _third_ best collection of ferns in the United +States. He, also, directed his attention to meteorology, and devoted +much of his time to acquire a knowledge of the law of storms, and the +movements of the erratic and extraordinary bodies in the air and +heavens. He took up the study of Latin, and pursued it until he could +read it fluently. He read all the standard poets, and had copies of +their works in his library. Also, he became proficient in history, +while his miscellaneous reading was very extensive. Of his books he +wrote: + +"I have a library which I divide into three departments--scientific, +religious, literary--comprising the standard works published in this +country, containing five or six hundred volumes. I have purchased +these books from time to time with money saved for the purpose by some +small self-denials." + +Benjamin Franklin's record, on the whole, may surpass this. Both of +them show, however, what the persistent and systematic improvement of +spare moments will accomplish. If a girl or boy can command one hour a +day for reading, twenty pages could be read thoughtfully in that time, +or one hundred and forty pages in a week. In a single year more than +seven thousand pages, which is equal to eighteen large duodecimo +volumes! In twenty years, one hundred and fifty thousand pages, or +three hundred and sixty-five volumes of the size named above! Divide +this amount of reading among history, philosophy, chemistry, +biography, and general literature, and the reader will be well versed +in these several departments of knowledge. + +The old adage is, "Time is money," but the leisure time of Franklin +was worth vastly more than money, as it is to every youth; for it was +culture, usefulness, and character. + + + + +XI. + + +STARTING A NEWSPAPER. + +Benjamin had been in the printing office about three years when his +brother decided to publish a newspaper. It was a doubtful enterprise +from the outset, and friends tried to dissuade him from it. But he +viewed the matter from his own standpoint, as the Franklins were wont +to do, and the paper was started. It was called "THE NEW ENGLAND +COURANT," and the first number was issued Aug. 21, 1721. Only three +papers in the whole country were published before this. The first one +was _The Boston News-letter_, established April 24, 1704, two years +before the birth of Benjamin. It was only a half-sheet of paper, about +the size of an eight by twelve inch pane of glass, "in two pages +folio, with two columns on each page." It could not have contained +more printed matter than is now compressed into one-third or one-half +page of one of our Boston dailies. The other papers were _The Boston +Gazette_, established Dec. 21, 1719; and _The American Weekly +Mercury_, of Philadelphia, Dec. 22, 1719. + +There was not a little commotion when James Franklin launched _The New +England Courant_. It was regarded generally as a wild project. It was +not thought that three newspapers could live in America. The field was +not large enough. This fact, considered in contrast with the supply of +papers and journals now, daily, weekly, and monthly, shows the +wonderful growth of the country. At that time, there was not a daily +paper in the land; now, there are over one thousand,--eight of them in +the city of Boston, having a daily circulation of from three to four +hundred thousand. The papers and magazines of the United States, of +all descriptions, reach the surprising aggregate of nearly twenty +thousand, and their circulation is almost fabulous. One hundred +thousand, and even two hundred thousand, daily, is claimed for some +journals. Some weekly issues reach three hundred thousand, and even +four and five hundred thousand. Bind the daily issues of Boston into +volumes, containing one hundred sheets each, and we have an enormous +library of daily newspapers, numbering about ONE MILLION VOLUMES, the +annual production of the Boston daily press now! And this is the +aggregate of only the eight dailies, while Boston has nearly two +hundred papers and periodicals of all sorts, and the State of +Massachusetts nearly four hundred! + +If the eight Boston dailies measure one yard each in width, when +opened, on the average, and they are laid end to end, we have more +than three hundred thousand yards of newspapers laid each day, which +is equal to _one hundred and seventy miles_ daily, over _one thousand +miles_ in a week, and FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX +in a year! More than enough papers to reach twice around the earth! + +Or, suppose we weigh these papers: If ten of them weigh a single +pound, then each day's issue weighs _thirty thousand pounds_, each +week's issue _one hundred and eighty thousand_, the aggregate of the +year amounting to NINE MILLION POUNDS! Load this yearly production +upon wagons, one ton on each, and we have a procession of FOUR +THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED wagons, that reaches, allowing one rod to a +team, over FOURTEEN MILES! + +And the _New England Courant_ third in the procession! Benjamin was +much given to prophesying, but no prophecy from his lips ever covered +such a growth as this. He was in favor of starting the paper, but he +could not have had the faintest conception of what was going to +follow. + +"I want to set up the paper," he said to James; "I think I can make +the best looking paper." + +"I think you can; and it is going to require much attention and +planning to make it a success. I may fail in the attempt, but I'll +have the satisfaction of trying." + +"I will do all I can to make it succeed, if I have to sit up nights," +Benjamin continued. "It will give your office notoriety to publish a +paper. But how will you dispose of it?" + +"Sell it on the street; and you will be a good hand to do that. No +doubt there will be some regular subscribers, and you can deliver +copies to them from week to week." + +"And be collector, too, I suppose," added Benjamin, who had no +objection to any part of the work named. + +"As you please about that. Doubtless it will be convenient to have you +attend to that, at times at least." + +"You won't make me editor yet, I conclude," remarked Benjamin, +facetiously, thinking that about all the work on the paper, except the +editorship, had been assigned to him. + +"Not yet, I think," responded James; "printer, news-dealer, +news-carrier, and collector will be as much honor as any one of the +Franklins can withstand at once"; and he had as little idea of the +part Benjamin would play in the enterprise as the boy himself. + +There is no doubt that Benjamin had an idea that the paper might have +in its columns some of his fugitive pieces, sooner or later. He had +been cultivating his talents in this direction, and never was enjoying +it more than he was at the time the _New England Courant_ was +established. + +"How many copies shall you publish in the first issue?" inquired +Benjamin. + +"I am not quite decided about that; anywhere from two to three +hundred. We will see how it goes first." + +"How about articles for it? Will you have any trouble about getting +articles?" + +"None at all. I am to have several articles at once for the first +number, from parties who can write well; and when the paper is well +under way there will be a plenty of volunteer contributors. I have no +fears about that." + +Benjamin might have responded, "Here is one," for there is no doubt +that he was already flattering himself with the idea that he would be +a contributor to its columns, known or unknown. Here was the real +secret of his enthusiastic interest in the enterprise. + +On the day mentioned the new paper was issued, as had been announced, +and great was the anxiety of the publisher. Many citizens awaited its +coming with lively anticipations; and, on the whole, it was a +memorable occasion. No one's interest surpassed that of the +printer-boy, Benjamin, who had no hesitation in selling the paper on +the street, and rather liked that part of the business. In his view, +it was an honorable and enterprising venture, that challenged the +respect and support of every citizen. + +The reception of the _Courant_ was all that James anticipated. It sold +as well as he expected, and the comments upon its ability and +character were as favorable as the times and circumstances would +warrant. There were criticisms, of course, and severe ones, too, for, +in that day, all sorts of projects were subjected to a crucial test. +The _Courant_ was no exception to the rule. + +Now that the newspaper is launched, and there is new interest and +activity in consequence in the printing office, we will recur to an +episode in Benjamin's career, that occurred two years before; for it +sustains a very close relation to the newspaper enterprise and what +followed: + +Benjamin had been in the printing office about a year when he +surprised his brother by the inquiry: + +"How much will you allow me a week if I will board myself?" + +"Do you think I pay more for your board than it is worth?" replied +James, Yankee-like, by asking another question, instead of answering +the one propounded. + +"No more than you will be obliged to pay in any other family, but more +than I shall ask you. It costs you now more than you need to pay." +James was still boarding Benjamin in a family near by. + +"Then you think of opening a boarding-house for the special +accommodation of Benjamin Franklin, I see," which was treating the +subject rather lightly. + +"I propose to board myself," answered Benjamin, distinctly and +emphatically. "I do not eat meat of any kind, as you know, so that I +can board myself easily, and I will agree to do it if you will give me +weekly one-half the money you pay for my board." + +"Of course I will agree to it," answered James. "It will be so much in +my pocket, and the bargain is made. When will you begin to keep your +boarder?" + +"To-morrow," was Benjamin's quick reply. "A vegetarian can open a +boarding-house for himself without much preparation." + +"To-morrow it is, then; but it will not take you long to become sick +of that arrangement. Keeping boarders is not a taking business, even +if you have no boarder but yourself." + +"That is my lookout," continued Benjamin. "I have my own ideas about +diet and work, play and study, and some other things; and I am going +to reduce them to practice." + +Benjamin had been reading a work on "vegetable diet," by one Tryon, +and it was this which induced him to discard meats as an article of +food. He was made to believe that better health and a clearer head +would be the result, though from all we can learn he was not lacking +in either. Mr. Tryon, in his work, gave directions for cooking +vegetables, such dishes as a vegetarian might use, so that the matter +of boarding himself was made quite simple. + +The great object which Benjamin had in view was to save money for +buying books. It seemed to be the only way open to get money for that +purpose. At the same time, he would have more hours to read. He had +been trying the "vegetable diet" at his boarding place for some time, +and he liked it. He was really one of Tryon's converts. Other boarders +ridiculed his diet, and had considerable sport over his "oddity"; but +he cared nothing for that. They could eat what they pleased, and so +could he. He was as independent on the subject of diet as he was on +any other. He did not pin his faith in any thing upon the sleeve of +another; he fastened it to his own sleeve, and let it fly. + +The incident illustrates the difference between the two brothers. If +James had been as unselfish and generous as Benjamin was, he would +have paid the latter the full amount of his board weekly. He would +have said: + +"You have a passion for reading and study. You do this for +self-improvement. You want to know more, and make the most of yourself +that you can. In these circumstances I will not make any money out of +you. If I give you the whole amount I pay for board I shall lose +nothing, and you will gain considerable. It will help you, and I shall +be kept whole in my finances. You shall have it all." + +But the fact was, James was avaricious, and was bent on making money, +though he made it out of his younger brother. On the other hand, +Benjamin was large-hearted and generous, or he never would have +offered, in the outset, to take half James paid for his board. Had he +been as niggardly as James, he could have made a better bargain than +that for himself. But it was not a good bargain that he was after; he +was after the books. + +James was curious to see how Benjamin would succeed with his new +method of living. So he watched him closely, without saying any thing +in particular about it; perhaps expecting that his brother would soon +tire of boarding himself. Weeks passed by, and still Benjamin was +hale, strong, and wide-awake as ever. His actions indicated that he +was well satisfied both with his bargain and his board. Finally, +however, James' curiosity grew to such proportions that he inquired +one day,-- + +"Ben, how much do you make by boarding yourself?" + +"I save just half the money you pay me, so that it costs me just +one-quarter as much as you paid for my board." + +"You understand economy, I must confess," remarked James. "However, I +ought to be satisfied if you are." Perhaps his conscience might have +troubled him somewhat, and caused him to think how much better off his +young brother would have been, if he had given him the full amount of +the board, as he should have done. If Benjamin had been a common boy, +without high aspirations and noble endeavors, or a spendthrift, or +idler, there might have been some excuse for driving a close bargain +with him; but, in the circumstances, the act was unbrotherly and +ungenerous. + +"The money I save is not the best part of it," added Benjamin after a +little. "I save a half-hour and more usually every noon for reading. +After I have eaten my meal, I usually read as long as that before you +return from dinner." + +"Not a very sumptuous dinner, I reckon; sawdust pudding, perhaps, with +cold water sauce! When I work I want something to work on. Living on +nothing would be hard on me." James indicated by this remark that he +had no confidence in that sort of diet. + +"I live well enough for me. A biscuit or a slice of bread, with a tart +or a few raisins, and a glass of water, make a good dinner for me; and +then my head is all the lighter for study." + +"Yes, I should think you might have a light head with such living," +retorted James, "and your body will be as light before many weeks, I +prophesy." + +"I will risk it. I am on a study now that requires a clear head, and I +am determined to master it." + +"What is that?" + +"Cocker's Arithmetic." + +"Begin to wish that you knew something of arithmetic by this time! +Making up for misspent time, I see. Paying old debts is not +interesting business." + +James meant this last remark for a fling at Benjamin's dislike for +arithmetic when he attended school. Not devoting himself to it with +the enthusiasm he gave to more congenial studies, he was more +deficient in that branch of knowledge than in any other. He regretted +his neglect of the study now, and was determined to make up his loss. +This was very honorable, and showed a noble aim, which merited praise, +instead of a fling, from his brother. + +"I think it must be a sort of luxury to pay old debts, if one has any +thing to pay them with," remarked Benjamin. "If I can make up any loss +of former years now, I enjoy doing it, even by the closest economy of +time." + +"Well, you estimate time as closely as a miser counts his money, Ben." + +"And I have a right to do it. As little time as I have to myself +requires that I should calculate closely. Time is money to you, or +else you would allow me a little more to myself; and it is more than +money to me." + +"How so?" + +"It enables me to acquire knowledge, which I can not buy with money. +Unless I were saving of my time, I should not be able to read or study +at all, having to work so constantly." + +Perhaps, at this time, Benjamin laid the foundation for that economy +which distinguished him in later life, and about which he often wrote. +Among his wise sayings, in the height of his influence and fame, were +the following: + +"If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as of getting." + +"What maintains one vice would bring up two children." + +"Many a little makes a mickle." + +"A small leak will sink a ship." + +"At a great penny worth pause awhile." + +"Silks and satins, scarlets and velvets, put out the kitchen fire." + +"Always taking out of the meal-tub, and never putting in, soon comes +to the bottom." + +"It is easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel." + +"A penny saved is a penny earned." + +"A penny saved is two-pence clear." + +"A pin a day is a groat a year." + +"He that wastes idly a groat's worth of his time per day, one day with +another, wastes the privilege of using one hundred pounds each day." + +"In short, the way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way +to market. It depends chiefly on two words, _industry_ and +_frugality_; that is, waste neither _time_ nor _money_, but make the +best use of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and +with them every thing. He that gets all he can honestly, and saves all +he gets (necessary expenses excepted), will certainly become +_rich_--if that Being who governs the world, to whom all should look +for a blessing on their honest endeavors, doth not, in his wise +providence, otherwise determine." + +The reader may desire to know just how Franklin himself speaks of the +"vegetable diet" experiment in his "Autobiography"; so we quote it +here: + +"I happened to meet with a book, written by one Tryon, recommending a +vegetable diet. I determined to go into it. My brother, being yet +unmarried, did not keep house, but boarded himself and his apprentices +in another family. My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconvenience, +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 of books; but I had another advantage in +it. My brother and the rest going from the printing house to their +meals, I remained there alone, and, despatching presently my light +repast (which was often 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 generally attend temperance in eating +and drinking. Now it was, that, being on some occasion made ashamed of +my ignorance in figures, which I had twice failed learning when at +school, I took Cocker's book on arithmetic, and went through the whole +by myself with the greatest ease." + + + + +XII. + + +THE RUSE, AND WHAT CAME OF IT. + +Mr. Parton says of the _Courant_, "It was a most extraordinary sheet. +Of all the colonial newspapers, it was the most spirited, witty, and +daring. The Bostonians, accustomed to the monotonous dullness of the +_News-letter_, received, some with delight, more with horror, all with +amazement, this weekly budget of impudence and fun. A knot of liberals +gathered around James Franklin, physicians most of them, able, +audacious men, who kept him well supplied with squibs, essays, and +every variety of sense and nonsense known in that age. The _Courant_ +was, indeed, to borrow the slang of the present day, a 'sensational +paper.' Such a tempest did it stir up in Boston that the noise thereof +was heard in the remote colony of Pennsylvania." + +The "knot of liberals" who wrote articles for it, met often at the +office to discuss their contributions, and the state of public +sentiment more or less affected by this venture. The _News-letter_ +came in for a large share of the opposition, and they declared war +against many of the existing customs,--governmental, political, and +social. The scope and circulation of the paper was a frequent topic of +remark. + +Benjamin's ears were always open to their conversation. He heard the +merits of different articles set forth, and learned that certain ones +were quite popular and elicited favorable remarks from readers +generally. This excited his ambition, and he strongly desired to try +his own ability in writing for the paper. He feared, however, that his +composition would not be regarded favorably, if it were known who was +the author; so he resorted to the following expedient: + +"I will write an anonymous article," he said within himself, "in the +best style I can, and get it into James' hand in some way that will +not arouse his suspicions. I will disguise my handwriting, and give it +some fictitious name, so that he will not dream that it was written in +the office." + +Accordingly the article was prepared, describing his ideal of +character, and that was the character he himself formed, and was +forming then; and he signed it SILENCE DOGOOD. This article he slipped +under the printing office door at night, where James found it in the +morning, and read it with evident satisfaction, as Benjamin thought, +who narrowly watched him. In a little while some of the "knot of +liberals" came in, and the article was read to them. + +"It is a good article, and it was slipped under the door last night," +said James. "It is signed 'Silence Dogood.'" + +"You have no idea who wrote it, then?" inquired one. + +"Not the least whatever." + +"It is capital, whoever the author may be," remarked one of the +critics. + +"Somebody wrote it who knows how to wield his pen," said another. + +"Ordinarily I shall not publish articles without knowing who the +author is," remarked James; "but this is so good that I shall not +stop to inquire. I shall put it into the next issue." + +"By all means, of course," replied one. "No doubt we shall soon learn +who the author is; it is a difficult matter to keep such things secret +for a long time." + +"The author is evidently a person of ability," added another; "every +sentence in the article is charged with thought. I should judge that +he needed only practice to make him a writer of the first class." + +"Publishing the article will be as likely as any thing to bring out +the author," suggested James. + +"That is so; and the sooner it is published the better," remarked one +of the company approvingly. + +Much more was said in praise of the article. The names of several +prominent citizens of Boston were mentioned as the possible author. +James himself named one or two, who were Boston's most intelligent and +influential citizens, as the possible author. + +All approved the insertion of the article in the next issue of the +paper, much to the satisfaction of Benjamin, who was the most deeply +interested party in the office. He scarcely knew how to act in regard +to the article, whether to father it at once, or still conceal its +parentage. On the whole, however, he decided to withhold its +authorship for the present, and try his hand again in the same way. + +The reader may judge of Benjamin's emotions when he came to put his +own article in type for the paper. It was almost too good to be real. +Fact was even stranger than fiction to him. In the outset he dreamed +that somehow and sometime the columns of the _Courant_ might contain a +contribution of his own; and here he was setting up his first article +with the approval of James and the whole "knot of liberals." This was +more than he bargained for; and his heart never came so near beating +through his jacket as then. Never was a printer-boy so happy before. +He was happy all over and all through--a lump of happiness. Not one +boy in a hundred could have managed to keep the secret as he did, in +the circumstances. Their countenances would have exposed it on the +spot. But Benjamin possessed his soul in patience, and carried out his +ruse admirably. + +The issue containing Benjamin's article appeared on time, and was +greatly praised. "Who is 'Silence Dogood'?" was the most common +inquiry. "I wonder who 'Silence Dogood' can be," was a frequent +remark, showing that the article attracted much attention. Benjamin +wondered as much as any of them. "A queer signature to put to an +article," he said. "What in the world could suggest such a _nom de +plume_ to a writer?" He enjoyed his ruse more and more: it became the +choicest fun of his life. It was so crammed with felicity that he +resolved to continue it by writing more articles as well-chosen and +good. + +He was able to prepare a better article for the second one, because he +brought to its preparation the enthusiasm and encouragement awakened +by the favorable reception of the first. Besides, the many remarks he +had heard about it gave him points for another communication, so as to +make it sharper, better adapted to the times, and hence more timely. +Within a short time, the second article was slipped under the door at +night for James to pick up in the morning. + +"Another article from 'Silence Dogood,'" exclaimed James, as he opened +it and read the signature. + +"I thought we should hear from that writer again," was all the remark +that Benjamin vouchsafed. + +"A good subject!" added James, as he read the caption. "I will read +it," and he proceeded to read the article to Benjamin. + +The latter listened with attention that was somewhat divided between +the excellent reception the article was having and the grand success +of his ruse. + +"Better even than the first article," remarked James after having read +it. "We must not rest until we find out who the author is. It is +somebody of note." + +The second article was submitted to the "knot of liberals," the same +as the first one, and all approved it highly. + +"It is sharper than the first one, and hits the nail on the head every +time," said one of the number. "Dogood is a good name for such a +writer." + +"And we shall have more of them, no doubt," suggested James; "it is +quite evident that the writer means to keep on." + +"I hope he will; such articles will call attention to the paper, and +that is what we want," added another. + +"In the mean time, let us find out if possible who the writer is," +suggested still another. "It will be a help to the paper to have it +known who is the author, if it is one of the scholars." + +Charles Dickens was a poorer boy than Benjamin ever was, knowing what +it was to go to bed hungry and cold; but his young heart aspired after +a nobler life, and, while yet a boy, he wrote an article for the +press, disclosing the fact not even to his mother, and then, on a dark +night, he dropped it "into a dark letter box, in a dark office, up a +dark court in Fleet street." His joy was too great for utterance when +he saw it in print. It was the beginning of a career as a writer +unparalleled in English or American history. And he told the secret of +it when he wrote, "While other boys played, I read Roderick Random, +Tom Jones, The Vicar of Wakefield, Don Quixote, Gil Bias, and other +books. They kept alive my fancy, and my hope of something beyond that +place and time." + +Benjamin heard all that was said, and still kept his secret. It would +not have been strange if his vanity had been inflated by these +complimentary remarks. Ordinary humanity could scarcely be exposed to +so high praise without taking on a new sense of its importance. But +Benjamin kept down his pride, and his heart continued to abide under +his jacket though it beat mightily. Was it any wonder? + +Without stopping to narrate details, it is sufficient to say that +Benjamin wrote several articles, and sent them forward to James under +the door; and they were all pronounced good by James and his friends. +He began to think that it was almost time to let out the secret. James +was fairly committed to the excellence of all the articles, and so +were the other critics. This was important to the success of +Benjamin's plan. He had feared, as he had continued industriously to +set up type, that a disclosure would knock all his plans into "pi"; +but he had no fears now. But how should he disclose? That was the +question. It was not long, however, before the question was settled. +His brother made some remark about the last article slipped under the +door, and wondered that the author had not become known. + +"I know who the author is," said Benjamin under such a degree of +excitement as even an older person would experience on the eve of an +important revelation. + +"You know!" exclaimed James in great surprise. "If you know, why have +you not disclosed it before?" + +"Because I thought it was not wise. It is not best to tell all we know +always." + +"But you have heard us discuss this matter over and over, and take +measures to discover the author, and yet you have never intimated that +you knew any thing about it." + +"Well, the author did not wish to be known until the right time came, +and that is a good reason for keeping the matter secret, I think." + +"Will you tell who the author is now?" asked James, impatient to +obtain the long-sought information. + +"Perhaps I will if you are very anxious to know." + +"Of course I am, and every one else who is interested in the paper." + +That was the crisis to James. We can scarcely conceive of its interest +to the boy-writer. His time of triumph had come. James had not treated +him very well, and we think he enjoyed that moment of victory a little +more for that reason. That would have been human, and Benjamin was +human. His ruse had proved successful, and his talents, too. Now he +could startle his brother as much as would a thunder-bolt out of a +clear sky. So he answered his inquiry by saying,-- + +"Benjamin Franklin "; and he said it with emphasis and an air of +triumph. + +If James' countenance could have been photographed at that moment, it +would have shown a mixture of amazement, incredulity, and wonder. It +was several moments before he so far recovered from the shock as to be +able to speak. + +"What! Do you mean to say that you wrote those articles?" Benjamin +might have discovered some doubt in James' tone and appearance when he +spoke. + +"Certainly I do." + +"But it is not your handwriting." + +"It is my handwriting disguised. I wa' n't fool enough to let you have +the articles in my own handwriting without disguise, when I wished to +conceal the authorship." + +"What could possibly be your object in doing so?" + +"That the articles might be fairly examined. If I had proposed to +write an article for your paper, you would have said that I, a +printer-boy, could write nothing worthy of print." + +"But if I had seen and read the articles, knowing them to be yours, I +should have judged them fairly," James insisted, evidently feeling +somewhat hurt by his brother's last remark. Nevertheless, Benjamin was +right. It is probable that his articles would have been rejected, had +he offered them in his own name to the critics. + +"Well, that was my plan, and the articles have had a fair show, and I +am satisfied, whether you are or not," was Benjamin's reply in an +independent spirit. + +Here the conversation dropped. James bestowed no words of commendation +upon his brother's ability. Perhaps he thought that he had praised the +articles enough when he did not know who the author was. But he +appeared to be abstracted in thought until some of the "knot of +liberals" came in. + +"I have discovered who 'Silence Dogood' is," he said. + +"You have? Who can it be?" and the speaker was very much surprised. + +"No one that you have dreamed of." + +"Is that so? I am all the more anxious to learn who it is," he +continued. + +"There he is," replied James, pointing to Benjamin, who was setting +type a little more briskly than usual, as if he was oblivious to what +was going on. + +"What! Benjamin? You are joking, surely," replied one. + +"Your brother out there!" exclaimed another, pointing to Benjamin; +"you do not mean it!" + +"Yes, I do mean it. He is the author, and he has satisfied me that he +is. You can see for yourselves." + +The "knot of liberals" was never so amazed, and now they all turned to +Benjamin, and he had to speak for himself. They were not entirely +satisfied that there was not some mistake or deception about the +matter. But he found little difficulty in convincing them that he was +the real author of the communications, whereupon they lavished their +commendations upon him to such an extent as to make it perilous to one +having much vanity in his heart. + +From that time Benjamin was a favorite with the literary visitors at +the office. They showed him much more attention than they did James, +and said so much in his praise, as a youth of unusual promise, that +James became jealous and irritable. He was naturally passionate and +tyrannical, and this sudden and unexpected exaltation of Benjamin +developed his overbearing spirit. He found more fault with him, and +became very unreasonable in his treatment. Probably he had never +dreamed that Benjamin possessed more talents than other boys of his +age. Nor did he care, so long as his brother was an apprentice, and he +could rule over him as a master. He did not appear to regard the +blood-relationship between them, but only that of master and +apprentice. In other words, he was a poor specimen of a brother, and +we shall learn more about him in the sequel. + +In his "Autobiography," Franklin tells the story of his ruse as +follows: + +"James 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 any thing 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 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 that I +was rather lucky in my judges, and that they were not really so very +good as I then believed them to be. Encouraged, however, by this +attempt, I wrote and sent in the same way to the press several other +pieces, that were equally approved; and I kept my secret till all my +fund of sense for such performances was exhausted, and then discovered +it, when I began to be considered a little more by my brother's +acquaintance. + +"However, that did not quite please him, as he thought it tended to +make me too vain. This might be one occasion of the differences 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 +degraded me too much in some he required of me, who from a brother +expected more indulgence." + +The foregoing was one of the incidents of Benjamin's boyhood that +decided his future eminent career. It was a good thing to bring out +his talents as a writer thus early, and it introduced him to an +exercise that was of the first importance in the improvement of his +mind. From the time he wrote the first article for the _Courant_, he +did not cease to write for the public. Probably no other American boy +began his public career so early--sixteen. He had written much before, +but it was not for the press. It was done for self-improvement, and +not for the public eye. The newspaper opened a new and unexpected +channel of communication with the public that was well suited to +awaken his deepest interest and inspire his noblest efforts. + +The incident reminds us of Canning's _Microcosm_. He, the great +English statesman, was scarcely as old as Benjamin when he established +a boy's periodical in the school at Eton, whither he was sent. It was +christened _Microcosm_, which means, literally, "the little world." It +was a weekly publication issued from Windsor. It was conducted "after +the plan of the _Spectator_"--a work that was of immense value to +Benjamin, as we shall see,--"the design being to treat the +characteristics of the boys at Eton as Addison and his friends had +done those of general society." In this paper several members of the +school figured with credit to themselves, though no one was more +prominent and capable than Canning. + +It became one of the prominent influences that decided his future +course, as he always affirmed, developing his talents, and stimulating +his mind to labor in this honorable way. It also exerted a decided +influence upon the character of another boy, named Frere, who +afterwards shone as a writer on the pages of the _Anti-Jacobin_. + +Examples of industry, enterprise, despatch, promptness, punctuality, +and circumspection are inspiring to both old and young; and nowhere do +these noble qualities appear to better advantage than they do where +busy brains and hands make the newspaper in the printing office. It is +a remarkably useful school. It was so when Benjamin was a boy. It was +a far better school for him than that of Williams or Brownwell. Here +he laid the foundation of his learning and fame. The same was true of +Horace Greeley, who founded the _New York Tribune_, and of Henry J. +Raymond, who made the _Times_ what it is. The late Vice-President +Schuyler Colfax was schooled in a printing office for his honorable +public career; and the same was true of other distinguished statesmen. +But none of these examples are so remarkable as the following, that +was made possible by Benjamin Franklin's example. + +A waif two years of age was taken from a benevolent institution in +Boston, and given to a childless sailor, on his way from a voyage to +his home in Maine on the Penobscot River. The sailor knew not from +what institution the child was taken, nor whence he came. He carried +it home, without a name, or the least clue to his ancestry. The +sailor's wife was a Christian woman, and had prayed for just such a +gift as that. She resolved to train him for the Lord. At twelve years +of age he became a Christian, and, from that time, longed to be a +minister. But poverty stood in his way, and there was little prospect +of his hopes being realized. + +At length, however, he read the life of Benjamin Franklin; and he +learned how the printing office introduced him into a noble life-work. +"I will go through the printing office into the ministry," he said to +his adopted mother. So, at fifteen, he became a printer in Boston. +After a while, his health broke down, and the way to regain it seemed +to be through service to a wealthy man on his farm in the country. +There his health was restored, and his benevolent employer got him +into Andover Academy, where he led the whole class. Near the close of +his preparatory course, on a Saturday night, the author met him under +the following circumstances: + +He was then nineteen years of age. On that day he had learned from +what institution he was taken, and, going thither, he ascertained that +he had a sister three years older than himself, living thirty miles +north of Boston. It was the first knowledge he had received about any +of his relatives. He was ten years old when his adopted parents +informed him that he was taken, a waif, from an institution in Boston. +From that time he was curious to find the institution and learn +something of his ancestry. He was too young, when he was taken away, +to remember that he had a sister. But on that day he learned the fact; +and he took the first train to meet her. The author took the train, +also, to spend the Sabbath with the minister who reared the sister. We +met in the same family. What a meeting of brother and sister! The +latter had mourned, through all these years, that she knew not what +had become of her baby-brother, whom she well remembered and loved; +but here he was, nineteen years of age, a manly, noble, Christian +young man! Could she believe her eyes? Could we, who were lookers on, +think it real? We received the story of his life from his own lips. + +He was the best scholar in his class through academy, college, and +theological seminary, and is now an able and useful minister of the +Gospel, indebted TO THE EXAMPLE AND EXPERIENCE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN IN +THE PRINTING OFFICE FOR WHAT HE IS! + + + + +XIII. + + +BOOKS OF HIS BOYHOOD. + +Coleridge divided readers into four classes, thus: "The first may be +compared to an hour-glass, their reading being as the sand; it runs +in, and it runs out, and leaves not a vestige behind. A second class +resembles a sponge, which imbibes every thing, and returns it merely +in the same state, only a little dirtier. A third class is like a +jelly-bag, which allows all that is pure to pass away, and retains +only the refuse and the dregs. The fourth class may be compared to the +slave in the diamond mines of Golconda, who, casting aside all that is +worthless, preserves only the pure gem." + +Benjamin belonged to the fourth class, which is the smallest class of +all. The "hour-glass" class, who simply let what they read "run in and +run out," is very large. It is not entitled to much respect, however, +for it will bring no more to pass than the class who do not read at +all. + +Benjamin sought the "pure gem." If he had any thing, he wanted +diamonds. Nor did he accept "a stone for bread." He knew what bread +was, which is not true of many readers; and so he had bread or +nothing. His mind was a voracious eater, much more of an eater than +his body. It demanded substantial food, too, the bread, meat, and +potato of literature and science. It did not crave cake and +confectionery. There was no mincing and nibbling when it went to a +meal. It just laid in as if to shame starvation; it almost gobbled up +what was on the table. It devoured naturally and largely. It was +fortunate for him that his mind was so hungry all the time; otherwise, +his desire to go to sea, his love of sport, and his unusual social +qualities might have led him astray. Thousands of boys have been +ruined in this way, whom passionate fondness of reading might have +made useful and eminent. Thomas Hood said: "A natural turn for reading +and intellectual pursuits probably preserved me from the moral +shipwrecks so apt to befall those who are deprived in early life of +their parental pilotage. My books kept me from the ring, the dog-pit, +the tavern, and saloon. The closet associate of Pope and Addison, the +mind accustomed to the noble though silent discourse of Shakespeare +and Milton, will hardly seek or put up with that sort of company." + +It was probably as true of Benjamin Franklin as it was of Thomas Hood, +that reading saved him from a career of worldliness and worthlessness. +In his manhood he regarded the habit in this light, and said: "From my +infancy I was passionately fond of reading, and all the money that +came into my hands was laid out in the purchasing of books." If he had +laid out his money in billiards, boating, theatre-going, and kindred +pleasures, as so many do, he might have been known in manhood as Ben, +the Bruiser, instead of "Ben, the Statesman and Philosopher." + +The first book Benjamin read was "Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress." He was +fascinated with it, and read it over and over, much to the +gratification of his parents. + +"What is there about it that interests you so much?" inquired his +father, hoping that it might be the subject alone. + +"The dialogues that are carried on in it," replied Benjamin. + +"Then you think more of the style than you do of the matter?" remarked +his father, evidently somewhat disappointed that he was not specially +taken with Christian's journey. + +"It is all interesting. I should never get tired of reading such a +book." This reply reassured his father, and he got considerable +comfort out of it, after having set before the boy the true idea of +Christian's flight from the City of Destruction. + +"It was written in Bedford jail, England," continued his father. +"There was much persecution in his day, and he was thrust into prison +to keep him from preaching the Gospel; but the plan did not succeed +very well, for he has been preaching it ever since through that book, +that he never would have written had he not been imprisoned." + +"Then he was a minister, was he?" said Benjamin. + +"No, he was not a minister; he was a tinker, and a very wicked man, so +profane that he was a terror to good people. But he was converted and +became a Christian, and went about doing good, as Christ did, +preaching the Gospel in his way, in houses, by the way side, anywhere +that he could, until he was sent to prison for doing good." + +"A strange reason for sending a man to jail," remarked Benjamin. + +"They thought that he was doing evil, no doubt. I mean the enemies of +the Gospel. They did not believe in the Christian religion which +Bunyan had embraced; they thought it would stir up the people to +strife and contention, and prove a curse instead of a blessing." Mr. +Franklin knew that such information would increase the interest of his +son in the book; and it did. The impression wrought upon him by +reading this book lasted through his life, and led him to adopt its +style in much of his writing when he became a man. He said in manhood: + +"Narrative mingled with dialogue is very engaging, not only to the +young, but to adults, also. It introduces the reader directly into the +company, and he listens to the conversation, and seems to see the +parties. Bunyan originated this colloquial style, and Defoe and +Richardson were his imitators. It is a style so attractive, conveying +instruction so naturally and pleasantly, that it should never be +superseded." + +Mr. Franklin owned all of Bunyan's works, his "Grace Abounding to the +Chief of Sinners," and his "Holy War," and "Pilgrim's Progress" just +spoken of. Benjamin read them all, but "Pilgrim's Progress" was the +one that charmed his soul and more or less influenced his life. + +"Defoe's Essay upon Projects" was another volume of his father's, +written in the same style as "Pilgrim's Progress," and, for that +reason, very interesting to him. He devoured its contents. Its +subject-matter was much above the capacity of most boys of his age; +but the dialogue method of imparting instruction made it clear and +attractive to him. One subject which it advocated was the liberal +education of girls; and it was here, without doubt, that Benjamin +obtained his views upon advanced female education, which he advocated +in his discussion with John Collins. + +"Plutarch's Lives" was still another volume his father owned, one of +the most inspiring books for the young ever published. He read this so +much and carefully that he was made very familiar with the characters +therein--information that was of great service to him, later on, in +his literary labors and public services. + +"There was another book in my father's little library, by Doctor +Mather, called, 'An Essay to do Good,'" said Doctor Franklin, in his +"Autobiography," "which, perhaps, gave me a turn of thinking that had +an influence on some of the principal future events of my life." He +wrote to a son of Doctor Mather about it, late in life, as follows: + +"When I was a boy, I met with a book, entitled 'Essays to do Good,' +which I think was written by your father (Cotton Mather). It had been +so little regarded by a former possessor that several leaves of it +were torn out; but the remainder gave me such a turn of thinking as to +have an influence on my conduct through life; for I have always set a +greater value on the character of a doer of good than on any other +kind of reputation; and if I have been, as you seem to think, a useful +citizen, the public owe the advantage of it to that book." + +The "Essays to do Good" consisted of twenty-two short essays of a +practical character, inculcating benevolence as a duty and privilege, +and giving directions to particular classes. It had lessons for +ministers, lawyers, doctors, merchants, magistrates, teachers, +mechanics, husbands, wives, gentlemen, deacons, sea-captains, and +others. The style was quaint, earnest, and direct, exactly suited to +appeal to such a boy as Benjamin; and withal it was so practical that +it won his heart. + +Mr. Parton records a singular incident about this Doctor Mather, as +follows: "How exceedingly strange that such a work as this should have +been written by the man who, in 1692, at Salem, when nineteen people +were hanged and one was pressed to death for witchcraft, appeared +among the crowd, openly exulting in the spectacle! Probably his zeal +against the witches was as much the offspring of his benevolence as +his 'Essays to do Good.' Concede his theory of witches, and it had +been cruelty to man not to hang them. Were they not in league with +Satan, the arch-enemy of God and man? Had they not bound themselves by +solemn covenant to aid the devil in destroying human souls and +afflicting the elect? Cotton Mather had not the slightest doubt of +it." + +When Benjamin had exhausted the home stock of reading, he showed his +sound judgment by saying to his father: + +"I wish I could have 'Burton's Historical Collections'; it would be a +great treat to read those books." + +"It would, indeed; they are very popular, and I should like to have +you read them. But how to get them is more than I can tell." + +"Would you be willing that I should exchange Bunyan's works for them?" + +"I did not suppose that you would part with 'Pilgrim's Progress' for +Burton's books or any others," was Mr. Franklin's reply. + +"I should rather keep both; but I have read 'Pilgrim's Progress' until +I know it by heart, so that I would be willing to part with it for +Burton's books, if I can get them in no other way." + +"Well, you can see what you can do. I am willing to do 'most any thing +to keep you in good books, for they are good companions. I know of no +better ones, from all I have heard and read about them, than 'Burton's +Collections.'" + +"Perhaps I can sell Bunyan's books for enough to buy Burton's," +suggested Benjamin. Doubtless he had canvassed the matter, and knew of +some opportunity for a trade like that. + +"Well, you may do that, if you can; I have no objection. I hope you +will succeed." + +The result was that Benjamin sold the works of Bunyan, and bought +Burton's books in forty small volumes, quite a little library for that +day. He was never happier than when he became the owner of "Burton's +Historical Collections," famous in England and America, and +extensively sold, not only by book-sellers, but also by pedlars. They +contained fact, fiction, history, biography, travels, adventures, +natural history, and an account of many marvels, curiosities, and +wonders, in a series of "twelve-penny books." + +Doctor Johnson referred to these books in one of his letters: "There +is in the world a set of books which used to be sold by the +book-sellers on the bridge, and which I must entreat you to procure +me. They are called Burton's books. The title of one is, 'Admirable +Curiosities, Rarities, and Wonders in England.' They seem very proper +to allure backward readers." + +He might have added, also, _forward_ readers; for they lured Benjamin, +who was, perhaps, the most thoughtful and ready reader of his age in +Boston In them he discovered a rich mine of thought and information, +and he delved there. He found even nuggets of gold to make his mind +richer and his heart gladder. + +His father's books were chiefly theological; yet Benjamin's love of +reading caused him to read them. He possessed, also, a collection of +religious tracts, called the "Boyle Lectures," because Robert Boyle, +the youngest son of an Irish earl, a very pious man, originated them, +"designed to prove the truth of the Christian religion among +infidels." Benjamin read all of these, and his father was delighted to +have him read them at the time, thinking that the moral results would +be good. But the sequel will show that the effect of reading them was +bad. In order to refute the arguments of deists, it was necessary to +print them in the tracks. So Benjamin read both sides, and he thought, +in some respects, that the deists had the best argument. + +Not long after Benjamin became a printer, a prominent citizen of +Boston, Matthew Adams, who had heard of his talents and love of +reading, met him in the printing office, and entered into conversation +with him. + +"You are a great reader, I learn," he said. + +"Yes, sir, I read considerable every day." + +"Do you find all the books you want to read?" + +"Not all. I should like to read some books I can't get." + +"Perhaps you can find them in my library; you can come and take out of +it any book you would like." + +"Thank you very much," answered Benjamin, exceedingly gratified by +this unexpected offer. "I shall take the first opportunity to call." + +"Boys who like to read as well as you do, ought to have books enough," +continued Mr. Adams. "I think you will find quite a number of +entertaining and useful ones. You will know when you examine for +yourself." + +"That I shall do very soon, and be very grateful for the privilege," +answered Benjamin. + +Within a few days, the printer-boy paid Mr. Adams a visit. The latter +gave him a cordial welcome, causing him to feel at ease and enjoy his +call. He examined the library to his heart's content, and found many +books therein he desired to read. + +"Come any time: take out any and all the books you please, and keep +them till you have done with them," was Mr. Adams' generous offer. He +had great interest in the boy, and wanted to assist him; and Benjamin +fully appreciated his interest and kindness, and paid the library many +visits. As long as he lived he never forgot the generous aid of this +man, of whom he wrote in his "Autobiography": + +"After some time, a merchant, an ingenious, sensible man, Mr. Matthew +Adams, who had a pretty collection of books, frequented our printing +office, took notice of me, and invited me to see his library, and very +kindly proposed to lend me such books as I chose to read." + +The printing office was frequented by book-sellers' apprentices, whose +employers wanted jobs of printing done. Benjamin made their +acquaintance, and they invited him to call at their stores to examine +the books. There were several book-stores in Boston at that time, +although the number of books was very limited as compared with the +present time. + +"I will lend you that book to-night," said one of these apprentices to +Benjamin, who was manifesting a deep interest in a certain volume. +"You can return it in the morning before customers come in." + +"Very much obliged. I shall be glad to read it. I think I can read it +through before I go to bed, and I can leave it when I go to the office +in the morning." + +"You won't have much time for sleep if you read that book through +before going to bed. But you are used to short naps, I expect." + +"I can afford to have a short nap whenever I have the reading of such +a book as this," answered Benjamin. "I shall return it in just as good +a condition as it is now." + +"The book is for sale, and we might have a customer for it to-morrow, +or I would let you have it longer. If you do not read it through +to-night, and we do not sell it to-morrow, you can take it again +to-morrow night. I frequently read a volume through, a little at a +time, before we have a chance to sell it." + +This offer of the apprentice was very generous, and Benjamin suitably +expressed his appreciation of it. + +"Your favor is so great that I shall feel myself under special +obligation to return the book in season for any customer to-morrow who +may want it. If I were in a book-store, as you are, I fear that my +love of reading would overcome my love of work. It would just suit me +to be in the company of so many books all the time." + +"You could not have your evenings here for reading, as you do now. Our +busiest time is in the evening; so that I catch only fragments of time +to read--pretty small fragments, some days," said the apprentice. + +"Well, it might be only an aggravation to live among so many books, +without time to read them," responded Benjamin. "I am content where I +am,--a printing office has some advantages over all other places for +me." + +Benjamin made the most of this new opportunity. Borrowing the first +book was followed by borrowing many of the apprentices at the +book-stores. All the stores were patronized by him, and many a night +was shortened at both ends, that he might devour a book. He fairly +gorged himself with book-knowledge. + +The reader must not forget that books were very few in number at that +time, and it was long before a public library was known in the land. +In Boston there were many literary people, who had come hither from +England, and they had a limited supply of books. So that Boston was +then better supplied with books than any other part of the country, +though its supply was as nothing compared with the supply now. +Book-stores, instead of being supplied with thousands of volumes to +suit every taste in the reading world, offered only a meagre +collection of volumes, such as would be scarcely noticed now. There +were no large publishing houses, issuing a new book each week-day of +the year, as there are at the present time, manufacturing hundreds of +cords of them every year, and sending them all over the land. Neither +were there any libraries then, as we have before said. Now the Public +Library of Boston offers three or four hundred thousand volumes, free +to all the citizens, and that number is constantly increasing. With +the Athenaeum, and other large libraries for public use, Boston +offers a MILLION volumes, from which the poor printer-boy, and all +other boys, can make their choice. In almost every town, too, of two +thousand inhabitants, a public library is opened, where several +hundred or thousand volumes are found from which to select, while +private libraries of from one to thirty thousand volumes are counted +by the score. The trouble with boys now is, not how to get books to +read, but what they shall select from the vast number that load the +shelves of libraries and book-stores. Benjamin had no trouble about +selecting books; he took all he could get, and was not overburdened at +that. + +Another book that was of great benefit to Benjamin was an old English +grammar which he bought at a book-store. He said of it, in manhood: + +"While I was intent on improving my language, I met with an English +grammar (I think it was Greenwood's), having at the end of it two +little sketches on the Arts of Rhetoric and Logic, the latter +finishing with a dispute on the Socratic method." + +"What do you want of such a book as that?" inquired John Collins, when +he saw it in the printing office. + +"To study, of course; I did not study grammar at school, and I want to +know something about it," was Benjamin's answer. + +"I expect that some knowledge of it will not come amiss," said John. +"You mean to make the most of these things you can." + +"I wanted the volume, too, for the chapters on Rhetoric and Logic at +the end," added Benjamin. + +"Of what use are Rhetoric and Logic? Perhaps they may be of service to +you; they would not be to me." John spoke thus because he knew nothing +about them; he had never studied them. + +"Every body ought to know something about them, even a printer," added +Benjamin. "They have already helped me to form a better opinion of the +style and value of some things I have read." + +"Well, I can't get time to learn every thing. You seem to learn 'most +all there is to learn, with very little time. I wish I could, but I +can't, and so I won't try." John was always thus complimentary to +Benjamin. He gave him full credit for all his achievements. + +"I mean to learn to speak and write the English language with +propriety," continued Benjamin, "and I do not know how it can be done +without a knowledge of grammar; do you?" + +"I know nothing about it, any way whatever. I shall not begin now; am +too old. Can't teach old dogs new tricks." John's remark expressed his +real views of these things. Although he was a bookish fellow, he was +not inclined to go deep into literature or science. + +Other books that Benjamin read were Locke's "Essay on the +Understanding"; "The Art of Thinking," by Messrs. de Port-Royal; +Sellers & Stumey's book on "Navigation," with many others of equal +merit. + +Benjamin cultivated the habit of taking notes when he read, jotting +down notable facts and striking thoughts for future use. It is a +capital practice, and one that has been followed by nearly all +learners who have distinguished themselves in scholarship. He realized +the advantages of the method to such a degree that, in manhood, he +addressed the following letter from London to a bright girl in whose +education he was very much interested: + + "CRAVEN STREET, May 16, 1760. + + "I send my good girl the books I mentioned to her last night. I beg + her to accept of them as a small mark of my esteem and friendship. + They are written in the familiar, easy manner for which the French + are so remarkable, and afford a good deal of philosophic and + practical knowledge, unembarrassed with the dry mathematics used by + more exact reasoners, but which is apt to discourage young + beginners. + + "I would advise you to read with a pen in your hand, and enter in a + little book short hints of what you find that is curious, or that + may be useful; for this will be the best method of imprinting such + particulars in your memory, where they will be ready, either for + practice on some future occasion, if they are matters of utility, + or, at least, to adorn and improve your conversation, if they are + rather points of curiosity; and, as many of the terms of science + are such as you can not have met with in your common reading, and + may therefore be unacquainted with, I think it would be well for + you to have a good dictionary at hand, to consult immediately when + you meet with a word you do not comprehend the precise meaning of. + + "This may, at first, seem troublesome and interrupting; but it is a + trouble that will daily diminish, as you will daily find less and + less occasion for your dictionary, as you become more acquainted + with the terms; and, in the mean time, you will read with more + satisfaction, because with more understanding. When any point + occurs in which you would be glad to have further information than + your book affords you, I beg you would not in the least apprehend + that I should think it a trouble to receive and answer your + questions. It will be a pleasure, and no trouble. For though I may + not be able, out of my own little stock of knowledge, to afford you + what you require, I can easily direct you to the books where it may + most readily be found. + + "Adieu, and believe me ever, my dear friend, + + "B. FRANKLIN." + +Reading with pen or pencil in hand fixes the attention, assists +method, strengthens purpose, and charges memory with its sacred trust. +A note-book for this purpose is the most convenient method of +preserving these treasures. Professor Atkinson, of the Massachusetts +Institute of Technology, advises students thus: + +"Gather up the scraps and fragments of thought on whatever subject you +may be studying--for, of course, by a note-book I do not mean a mere +receptacle for odds and ends, a literary dust-bin--but acquire the +habit of gathering every thing, whenever and wherever you find it, +that belongs in your lines of study, and you will be surprised to see +how such fragments will arrange themselves into an orderly whole by +the very organizing power of your own thinking, acting in a definite +direction. This is a true process of self-education; but you see it is +no mechanical process of mere aggregation. It requires activity of +thought--but without that what is any reading but mere passive +amusement? And it requires method. I have myself a sort of literary +bookkeeping. I keep a day-book, and, at my leisure, I post my literary +accounts, bringing together in proper groups the fruits of much casual +reading." + +The late President Garfield began this method when he began to study, +with a view to a liberal education, at about seventeen years of age. +He continued it as long as he lived. His notes and references, +including scrap-books, filled several volumes before his Congressional +career closed, on a great variety of subjects. A large number of +books, in addition to those in his own library, were made available in +this way. It was said that his notes were of great service to him in +Congress, in the discussion of almost any public question. + + + + +XIV. + + +LEARNING THE ART OF COMPOSITION. + +Having delayed the narrative to learn of the books that helped to make +him the man he became, it is necessary to delay further to see how he +practised writing composition, both prose and poetry, in his early +life, thus laying the foundation for the excellence of his writings in +manhood. + +Benjamin was not more than seven years old when he began to write +poetry. His "Uncle Benjamin's" frequent poetic addresses to him +inspired him to try his hand at the art, and he wrote something and +forwarded to his uncle in England. Whatever it was, it has not been +preserved. But we know that he wrote a piece, doggerel of course, and +sent to him, from the fact that his uncle returned the following reply: + + "'T is time for me to throw aside my pen, + When hanging sleeves read, write, and rhyme like men. + This forward spring foretells a plenteous crop; + For, if the bud bear grain, what will the top? + If plenty in the verdant blade appear, + What may we not soon hope for in the ear! + When flowers are beautiful before they're blown, + What rarities will afterwards be shown! + + "If trees good fruit uninoculated bear, + You may be sure 't will afterwards be rare. + If fruits are sweet before they've time to yellow, + How luscious will they be when they are mellow! + If first-year's shoots such noble clusters send, + What laden boughs, Engedi-like, may we expect in end!" + +There was no time, from the above date, when Benjamin did not indulge, +to some extent, his inclination to write. It was done for his own +amusement and profit, so that he was not in the habit of showing or +speaking of his productions. None of them were preserved. + +But his talent for composition developed rapidly from the time he was +fairly settled in the printing business. He practised putting original +thoughts, and thoughts culled from books, into sentences and +paragraphs, a very sensible method of self-improvement. He often tried +his hand at poetry, if it was only a couplet at a time. Longer +compositions he wrote, for no one to see and read but himself. One day +his brother James, curious to see what Benjamin was writing so much +about, looked over his shoulder. + +"What have you there, Ben?" he said. "Writing a sermon or your will? +Ay! poetry is it?" catching a glimpse of it. "Then you are a poet are +you?" + +"Seeing what I can do," Benjamin replied. "We do not know what we can +do till we try. It is not much any way." + +"Let me read it, and I will tell you whether it is much or not. +Authors are not good judges of their own productions. They are like +parents, who think their own children handsomest and most promising; +they think their articles are better than they are." + +James was in a happy mood for him when he thus spoke. He knew nothing +about Benjamin's ability in writing composition; for this was quite a +while before the newspaper was started for which he wrote. + +"I have been reading much poetry of late," added Benjamin, "and I am +anxious to know if I can write it. I like to read it, and I have read +several of the poets since I had access to Mr. Adams' library," This +was after Mr. Adams invited him take books from his library, of which +we have already given an account. + +"So much the more reason that I should read what you have written," +added James. "I do not expect it will be quite equal to Shakespeare." + +"Well, read it, I do not care." And Benjamin passed it over to his +brother without further hesitation. + +James read it over carefully, and then he re-read it before making a +remark, as if to be sure that he was not mistaken in the quality of +the composition. + +"That is good, Ben. It is really good, much better than I supposed you +could write. Indeed, I did not know that you could write poetry at +all. It is not quite equal to Virgil or Homer, but good for a +printer-boy to write. Have you any other pieces?" + +James was honest in these last remarks, and felt more kindly at the +time than he often did towards his brother. + +"Yes, I have two or three pieces more which I am going to improve +somewhat. You had better wait till I have rewritten them before you +read them." Benjamin was greatly encouraged by his brother's favorable +opinion of his literary venture, when he made this reply. + +"No need of that. Let me see them now, and I can tell you whether they +are worth making better. Some things are not worth making better; and +I think this must be particularly true of poetry. Poor poetry is poor +stuff; better write new than to try to improve it." + +James' last plea prevailed, and Benjamin produced the articles for his +examination. They were read with as much interest as the first one, +and they were re-read too, that there might be no mistake in his +judgment. Then his enthusiasm broke out. + +"I tell you what it is, Ben, these are good, and I believe that you +can write something worthy of print if you try hard; and if you will +undertake it, you may print and sell a sheet on the street. I have no +doubt that it will sell well." + +"I will see what I can do," Benjamin replied, very much elated over +his success. "I hardly think my poetry will read well in print, +though. I have not been writing for the press." + +"We can tell best when we read it in print. Get up something as soon +as you can, and let us see," said James. + +"I will go right about it, and I will not be long in getting up +something, good, bad, or indifferent." + +Within a few days Benjamin produced two street ballads, after the +style of that day. They were better than any thing he had written, but +still susceptible of great improvement. One was entitled "The +Light-house Tragedy," and was founded on the shipwreck of Captain +Worthilake and his two daughters. The other was a sailor's song on the +capture of the famous _Teach_, or "Blackbeard, the Pirate." James read +them critically, to see if it would do to put them in print and offer +them to the public. + +"These are really better than what I read the other day," he remarked, +when he had examined them all he desired. "Now, you may put them into +type, and sell them about the town, if you are willing. I think a good +number of them may be disposed of." + +"How many copies will you print?" + +"We can print a few to begin with, and let the type remain standing +until we see how they go Then we shall run no risk." + +"Shall I do it immediately?" + +"Just as soon as you can. The quicker the better. I am anxious to see +how they take with the public." + +Benjamin was not long in printing the two ballads, and having them +ready for sale. Under the direction of his brother, he went forth, in +due time, to offer them about the town. Whether he cried them on the +streets as the newsboys do the daily papers now, we have no means of +knowing. But he was successful in selling his wares, whatever his +method was. "The Light-house Tragedy" sold the most readily. That +commemorated an event of recent occurrence, and which excited much +public feeling and sympathy at the time, so that people were quite +prepared to purchase it. It sold even beyond his expectations, and +seemed to develop what little vanity there was in his soul. He began +to think that he was a genuine born poet, and that distinction and a +fortune were before him. If he had not been confronted by his father +on the subject, it is possible that the speculation might have proved +a serious injury to him. But Mr. Franklin learned of his enterprise, +and called him to an account. Perhaps he stepped into his shop, as he +was selling them about town, and gave him a copy. Whether so or not, +his father learned of the fact, and the following interview will show +what he thought of it: + +"I am ashamed to see you engaged in such a business, Benjamin. It is +unworthy of a son of Josiah Franklin." + +"Why so, father? I can't understand you." + +"Because it is not an honorable business. You are not a poet, and can +write nothing of that sort worth printing." + +"James approved of the pieces, and proposed that I should print and +sell them," Benjamin pleaded. + +"James is not a good judge of poetry, nor of the propriety of hawking +them about town. It is wretched stuff, and I am ashamed that you are +known as the author. Look here; let me show you wherein it is +defective." + +Benjamin was so dumbfounded that he could not say much in reply; and +his father proceeded to expose the faults of the poetical effusion. He +did not spare the young author at all; nor was he cautious and lenient +in his criticisms. On the other hand, he was severe. And he went on +until Benjamin began to feel sorry that he had ever written a scrap of +poetry. + +"There, I want you should promise me," continued his father, "that you +will never deal in such wares again, and that you will stick to your +business of setting up type." + +"Perhaps I may improve by practice," suggested Benjamin, whose +estimation of his literary venture was modified considerably by this +time. "Perhaps I may yet write something worthy of being read. You +could not expect me to write like Pope to begin with." + +"No; nor to end with," retorted his father. "You are not a poet, and +there is no use in your trying to be. Perhaps you can learn to write +prose well; but poetry is another thing. Even if you were a poet I +should advise you to let the business alone, for poets are usually +beggars--poor, shiftless members of society." + +"That is news to me," responded Benjamin. "How does it happen, then, +that some of their works are so popular?" + +"Because a true poet can write something worthy of being read, while a +mere verse-maker, like yourself, writes only doggerel, that is not +worth the paper on which it was printed. Now I advise you to let +verse-making alone, and attend closely to your business, both for your +own sake and your brother's." + +Mr. Franklin was rather severe upon his son, although what he said of +his verses was substantially true, as his son freely admitted in +manhood. He overlooked the important fact that it was a commendable +effort of the boy to try to improve his mind. Some of the best poets +who have lived wrote mere doggerel when they began. Also, many of our +best prose writers were exceedingly faulty at first. It is a noble +effort for a boy to put his thoughts into language, and Mr. Franklin +ought to have recognized it as such. If he does not succeed in the +first instance, by patience, industry, and perseverance, he may +triumph at last. Benjamin might not have acted wisely in selling his +verses about town; but his brother, so much older and more experienced +than himself, should have borne the censure of that, since it was done +by his direction. Doubtless, his brother regarded the propriety of the +act less, because he had an eye on the pecuniary profits of the +scheme. + +The decided opposition that Mr. Franklin showed to verse-making put a +damper upon Benjamin's poetic aspirations. The air-castle that his +youthful imagination had built, in consequence of the rapid sale of +his wares, tumbled in ruins. He went back to the office and his work +quite crestfallen. + +The reader must bear in mind that this incident occurred before the +discussion of Benjamin with John Collins upon female education, +related in a former chapter. We shall see that his father's criticisms +on his arguments in that discussion proved of great value to him. + +"What has happened now, Ben?" inquired James, observing that his +brother looked despondent and anxious. "Are you bringing forth more +poetry?" + +"Father doesn't think much of my printing and selling verses of my +own," answered Benjamin. "He has given me such a lecture that I am +almost ashamed of myself." + +"How is that? Don't he think they are worthy of print?" + +"No. He do not see any merit in them at all. He read them over in his +way, and counted faults enough to show that there is precious little +poetry in me. A beggar and a poet mean about the same thing to him." + +"He ought to remember that you are not as old as you will be, if you +live; and you will make improvement from year to year. You can't +expect to write either prose or verse well without beginning and +trying." + +"All the trial in the world can do nothing for me, I should judge from +father's talk. You ought to have heard him; and he did not spare you +for suggesting the printing and sale of the pieces on the street." +Benjamin said this in a tone of bitter disappointment. + +"Well, I suppose that he has heard of two men disagreeing on a +matter," remarked James. "All is, he and I do not agree. I consider +the whole thing wise and proper, and he does not. That is all there is +to it." + +Perhaps it was a good thing for Benjamin to meet with this obstacle in +his path to success. Rather discouraging, it is true, nevertheless +suited to keep him humble. Benjamin confessed in manhood, that his +vanity was inflated by the sale of his ballads, and he might have been +puffed up to his future injury, had not his father thus unceremoniously +taken the wind out of his sails. That removed the danger. After such a +severe handling he was not inclined to over-rate his poetical talents. +It had the effect, also, to turn his attention almost wholly to prose +writing, in which he became distinguished, as we shall see hereafter. + +A single verse of these ballads only has descended to our times. It is +from the second mentioned--the capture of the pirate, as follows: + + "Come, all you jolly sailors, + You all so stout and brave; + Come, hearken, and I'll tell you + What happened on the wave. + Oh! 't is of that bloody Blackbeard + I'm going now to tell; + How as to gallant Maynard + He soon was sent to hell-- + With a down, down, down, derry down." + +Franklin said of this ballad episode: + +"I now took a strong inclination for poetry, and wrote some little +pieces. My brother, supposing it might turn to account, encouraged me, +and induced me to compose two occasional ballads. One was called 'The +Light-house Tragedy,' and contained an account of the shipwreck of +Captain Worthilake with his two daughters; the other was a sailor's +song, on taking the famous _Teach_, or 'Blackbeard, the Pirate.' They +were wretched stuff, in street-ballad style; and when they were +printed, my brother sent me about the town selling them. The first +sold prodigiously, the event being recent, and having made a great +noise. This success flattered my vanity; but my father discouraged me +by criticising my performances and telling me that verse-makers were +generally beggars. Thus I escaped being a poet, and probably a very +bad one." + +From the time that Mr. Franklin criticised his son's argument with +John Collins on female education, Benjamin made special efforts to +improve his style. He knew that Addison's style was regarded as a +model, so he purchased an old volume of his 'Spectator,' and set +himself to work with a determination to make his own style Addisonian. +He subjected himself to the severest test in order to improve, and +counted nothing too hard if he could advance toward that standard. +His own account of his perseverance and industry in studying his +model, as it appears in his "Autobiography," will best present the +facts. + +"About this time I met with an odd volume of the 'Spectator.' 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 that view I took some of the +papers, and making short hints of the sentiments 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 occur to me. Then I compared my Spectator with the +original, discovered some of my faults, and corrected them. But I +found that I wanted a stock of words, or 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 search 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 in the 'Spectator,' 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 collection 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 subject. This was +to teach me method in the arrangement of the thoughts. By comparing my +work with the original, I discovered many faults, and corrected them; +but I sometimes had the pleasure to fancy that, in certain particulars +of small consequence, I had been fortunate enough to improve the +method or the language, and this encouraged me to think that I might +in time come to be a tolerable English writer; of which I was +extremely ambitious. The time I allotted for writing exercises, and +for reading, was at night, or before work began in the morning, or on +Sundays, when I contrived to be in the printing house, avoiding as +much as I could the constant attendance at public worship, which my +father used to exact of me when I was under his care, and which I +still continued to consider a duty, though I could not afford time to +practise it." + +Let any boy of even moderate abilities subject himself to such rigid +discipline for intellectual improvement as Benjamin did, and his +progress will be rapid, and his attainments remarkable. Such +application and persistent effort win always. + +In a similar manner Benjamin acquired the Socratic method of +reasoning, which he found at the end of the English grammar that he +studied. Subsequently he purchased "Xenophon's Memorabilia" because it +would afford him assistance in acquiring the Socratic style. He +committed to memory, wrote, practised doing the same thing over and +over, persevering, overcoming, conquering. He acquired the method so +thoroughly as to be expert therein, and practised it with great +satisfaction to himself. Many years thereafter he spoke of the fact as +follows: + +"While I was intent on improving my language, I met with an English +grammar (I think it was Greenwood's), having at the end of it two +little sketches on the Arts of Rhetoric and Logic, the latter +finishing with a dispute in the Socratic method. And, soon after, I +procured Xenophon's 'Memorable Things of Socrates,' wherein there are +many examples 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 being then, from reading Shaftesbury and +Collins, made a doubter, as I already was in many points of our +religious doctrines, I found this method the safest for myself, and +very embarrassing to those against whom I used it; therefore I took +delight in it, practised 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 any thing that may possibly +be disputed, the words _certainly, undoubtedly_, or any others that +give the air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather saying, _I +conceive_, or _apprehend_, a thing to be so and so; _It appears to +me_, or _I should not 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." + +This and the preceding chapter show that a book may decide the future +character and destiny of a man, by inspiring thought, kindling +ambition and a lofty aim, stimulating the mental powers, inspiring +practical and, perhaps, elegant composition, and consecrating the +whole being to a definite purpose. All this was true of Benjamin +Franklin. + +Rev. John Sharp said, "Shakespeare and the Bible have made me bishop +of York." Wesley claimed that the "Imitation of Christ" and "Taylor's +Holy Living and Dying" determined his calling and character. Henry +Martyn was made a missionary by reading the lives of Brainard and +Carey. Pope was indebted to Homer for his poetical inspiration, and it +was the origin of his English "Iliad." Bentham read "Telemachus" in +his youth, and, many years afterwards, he said, "That romance may be +regarded as the foundation-stone of my whole character." Goethe became +a poet in consequence of reading the "Vicar of Wakefield." Carey was +fired to go on a mission to the heathen by reading "Voyages of Captain +Cook." Samuel Drew credited his eminent career to reading Locke's +"Essay on the Understanding." The lives of Washington and Henry Clay +awakened aspirations in Lincoln's soul, that impelled him forward and +gave direction to his life. The national system of education in Great +Britain grew out of a book. Joseph Lancastar read "Clarkson on the +Slave Trade," when he was fourteen years of age, and it awakened his +enthusiasm to teach the blacks in the West Indies. Without the +knowledge of his parents he went thither, and commenced labors for +their mental and moral improvement. His parents learned where he was +and sent for him; but his heart was thoroughly in sympathy with +benevolent work, and he opened a school for the poor at home. So great +was his success that the town, after a few years, erected a commodious +building for his school; and here was the foundation of the present +system of education in the mother-country. + +The author once advised a youth of fourteen to read certain books, +accustoming himself to write down in a note-book striking facts and +thoughts for preservation. At the same time he was advised to procure +a blank book and write therein a sentence or short paragraph each day, +without omission, the sentence or paragraph to contain the development +of some thought that was waiting utterance. At that time there was no +prospect that the youth would ever receive a liberal education. He was +a farmer's son, and his father was unable to educate him. The most the +author had in view was to provide him,--a bright, active, promising +boy, fond of reading,--with a source of improving entertainment and +profit. But he caught the idea with so much enthusiasm, and reduced it +to practice so thoroughly, that an unquenchable desire for an +education was nursed into controlling power; and he went through +college, studied theology, became pastor of one of the largest +Congregational churches in the country, stood among the most eloquent +preachers in the land at thirty, received the degree of Doctor of +Divinity at forty, and now, at a little more than fifty, is the +beloved and able pastor of a large church in a New England city. This +result was brought about by the discipline of reading and writing in +his youth, very similar to that which made Benjamin a statesman and +philosopher. + + + + +XV. + + +THE "COURANT" IN TROUBLE. + +"The Legislature is calling you to an account," said a customer to +James Franklin, as he entered the office. "The officials can't put up +with your cutting criticisms." + +"I am aware of that. I heard that they were going to haul the +_Courant_ over the coals; but I do not see what they can do about it." + +"They can stop your printing it, I suppose. It would be an intolerant +act, of course; but governments have never been tolerant towards the +press, you know." + +"The day is coming when they will be," responded James. "A free press +is indispensable to human progress. So long as I run the _Courant_ it +shall speak plainly of intolerance and hypocrisy of every form. I +shall hit the corruption of the times in high places or low." + +"That is sound doctrine," replied the customer. "I endorse it, but +government officials do not. They feel very sore, and will make +trouble for you if they can." + +At that moment Benjamin came rushing into the office under +considerable excitement. + +"The Assembly are having a hot debate over the _Courant_," he said. "I +heard a gentleman say that they would stop the publication of the +paper, if possible." + +"Perhaps they will, but I doubt it," replied James. "The _Courant_ +will not be muzzled so long as I own it." + +"It ought not to be," responded the customer. "We need an outspoken +paper that will rebuke corruption and shams everywhere." + +"And that is all the trouble," said Benjamin. "That is what the +Assembly and the ministers denounce. They are better friends of the +British government than they are of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay." + +"True, very true," rejoined the customer. "The tyrannical control of +the English press is a shame; and yet these officials who truckle to +the English government want to try it on here. But such intolerance +ought not to be borne." + +The _Courant_ was exceedingly sarcastic, and no writer was more so +than Benjamin, young as he was. This was the real cause of the action +of the Assembly. A letter appeared in the _Courant_, justly rebuking +the government for dilatoriness in looking after a piratical craft off +Block Island. The letter purported to come from Newport, and +represented that the Colony were fitting out two vessels to capture +her. It concluded thus: + +"We are advised from Boston that the government of the Massachusetts +are fitting out a ship (the _Flying Horse_) to go after the pirates, +to be commanded by Capt. Peter Papillon, and it is thought he will +sail sometime this month, wind and weather permitting." + +This thrust at the government for tardiness would be regarded as a +good joke now, but it was a crime then, and the aristocracy of the +Province, always working in harmony with the King and Parliament, was +stirred up by it to intolerance. + +James was summoned before the Council, and his apprentice also, both +of whom stood upon their dignity, refusing to answer some of the +questions put. Benjamin was dismissed, because it was found that he +was only an apprentice. But James was put on trial and pelted with +questions. The legislators were determined to find out who wrote the +"scurrilous article aforesaid," as they called it, but James refused +to tell. He placed himself squarely upon his personal rights as a +citizen, and heroically stood by his guns. Come what might, he +resolved to defend his course before this august tribunal. + +The Council became more exasperated by his defiant spirit, and +threatened him with incarceration. But James stood his ground like a +martyr, without thinking he would soon become one. Benjamin was +equally defiant, and refused to answer some questions, but was excused +on the ground that "an apprentice was bound not to betray his master's +secrets." James was convicted of "a high affront to the government," +and the sheriff was directed to commit him to the Boston jail. These +new quarters were unexpected to him, but he went thither with the +consciousness that he was suffering for a brave effort to correct +public wrongs. + +We have called attention to a single paragraph reflecting upon the +government in the _Courant_. It should be told that such criticisms +were frequent in its columns. The Governor, Council, and nearly all +the ruling class of the Province were in full sympathy with Great +Britain, while others were restive under what they regarded as +oppressive rule. Most of the ministers belonged to the first class, +and so came in for a share of the _Courant's_ sarcastic utterances. +The _Courant_ represented the second class--the common people--who +read its columns gladly. + +Dr. Cotton Mather attacked the paper in a paragraph that shows what +the paper contained: + +"We find a notorious, scandalous paper called _The Courant_, full +freighted with nonsense, unmanliness, raillery, profaneness, +immorality, arrogance, calumnies, lies, contradictions, and what not, +all tending to quarrels and divisions, and to debauch and corrupt the +mind and manners of New England." + +Increase Mather, also, assailed the _Courant_ over his own signature, +denouncing it as a "wicked libel," because it represented him as one +of its supporters, using language uncommonly expressive. + +"I do hereby declare," he said, "that, although I had paid for two or +three of them, I sent him word I was extremely offended with it. In +special, because in one of his _vile Courants_, he insinuates, that if +a _minister of God approve of a thing, it is a sign it is of the +Devil_; which is a horrid thing to be related! And he doth frequently +abuse the Ministers of Religion, and many other worthy persons, in a +manner which is intolerable. For these and such like reasons I +signified to the Printer that I would have no more of their _Wicked +Courants_. I, that have known what New England was from the Beginning, +cannot but be troubled to see the Degeneracy of this Place. I can well +remember when the Civil Government would have taken an effectual +Course to suppress such a _Cursed Libel_! which if it be not done I am +afraid that some _Awful Judgment_ will come upon this Land, and the +_Wrath of God will arise, and there will be no Remedy_. I cannot but +pity poor _Franklin_, who, though but a Young Man, it may be +_Speedily_ he must appear before the Judgment Seat of God, and what +answer will he give for printing things so vile and abominable?" + +It is quite evident that neither James nor Benjamin had that respect +for the "Judgment Seat," which became Christians; but James replied in +the _Courant_ to this onslaught, maintaining that Mather had garbled +his quotations from the paper, or based his opinion on parts of +paragraphs which did not convey the full and correct meaning. He +turned the tables upon him, also, by declaring that, while Mather +ceased to be a subscriber to his paper, "he sent his grandson every +week to buy it; and, paying in this way a higher price, he was more of +a supporter of the paper than ever." In the same issue, too, James +said: + +"I would likewise advise the enemies of the _Courant_ not to publish +any thing more against me unless they are willing to have the paper +continued. What they have already done has been resented by the Town +so much to my advantage, that above forty persons have subscribed for +the _Courant_ since the first of January, many of whom were before +subscribers to the other papers. And by one Advertisement more, the +Anti-Couranters will be in great danger of adding forty more to my +list before the first of March." + +James showed that he did not say "if the Ministers of God approve of a +thing, it is a Sign it is of the Devil"; but that he did say, "Most of +the Ministers are for it, and that induces me to think it is from the +Devil; for he often makes use of good men as instruments to obtrude +his delusions on the world." There would be decided objection to the +first utterance, at that time or since; but the second one, what the +_Courant_ did say, was as near the truth as either side was found in +most matters. + +To return to James in prison. He was confined in a cell, and was very +uncomfortable. It was a dirty, dismal place, meant to be a place of +punishment, indeed. James found it so, and he soon was ready to do +almost any thing for freedom of the yard. He sat down and addressed a +very humble petition to the Council, confessing his wrong, and +imploring forgiveness and release from his cell. + +"I am truly sensible of and heartily sorry for the offense I have +given to the Court in the late _Courant_, relating to the fitting out +of a ship by the government, and I truly acknowledge my inadvertency +and folly therein in affronting the government, as also my +indiscretion and indecency when before the Court; for all of which I +intreat the Court's forgiveness, and pray for a discharge from the +stone prison, where I am confined by order of the Court, and that I +may have the liberty of the yard, being much indisposed, and suffering +in my health by the said confinement." + +While the Council are considering this petition, we will see what has +become of the _Courant_. The whole charge of it devolved on Benjamin +from the time his brother was imprisoned, and he fearlessly and ably +met the emergency. It was truly wonderful that a boy of sixteen should +shoulder the responsibility of such an enterprise, in such +circumstances, and carry it with so much courage and ease. + +"I can look after it; there's no trouble in that," said Benjamin to +the "liberal club," who assembled as soon as possible after James was +incarcerated. "The action of the Court will increase our subscribers; +and I propose to make the paper more spicy than ever." + +"Glad to hear that," responded one of the club. "Let us defy such +intolerance, though all the magistrates and ministers in Boston +support it; the mass of the people are with us." + +"That is so," remarked another; "and more are coming over to our side +every day. Intimidation does not become us now. We must continue to be +outspoken; and if Benjamin can look after the paper, we are all +right." + +"That I can do, and I want no better sport," replied the plucky +printer-boy. "You may be sure that such persecution will not be +sustained by a great majority of New England people. We are living in +_New_ England, and not in _Old_ England, and the people know it." + +"I think Benjamin understands it," added a third member of the club; +"and his courage and ability will meet the occasion. For one I want +the _Courant_ to continue to be what it has been, the General Court to +the contrary notwithstanding." + +Benjamin did understand it, and edited the paper on the same line. He +forgot all his disagreements with his brother in his sympathy with him +under persecution, and in his utter contempt for the action of the +Court. In these circumstances, his attacks upon the administration +were rather more severe than ever. "The proceedings of the Council +were assailed by argument, eloquence, and satire, in prose and verse, +in squib and essay. One number, issued just after James Franklin's +release, was nearly filled with passages from 'Magna Charta,' and +comments upon the same, showing the unconstitutionality of the +treatment to which he had been subjected. It is evident that a +considerable number of the people of Boston most heartily sympathized +with the _Courant_ in its gallant contest for the liberty of the +press, and that the issue of the number was, to these and to others, +the most interesting event of the week."[1] + +The authorities considered James' petition, and granted it, but they +kept him four weeks in prison before they let him out. He returned to +his printing office, resolved to make the _Courant_ more outspoken +still for the freedom of the press. The club met him with warm +congratulations. + +"A great many printers have suffered more than you have," said one of +the number; "for you have not lost your head, not even an ear. In Old +England persecution of printers has been in order for a long time. +Less than two years ago, one John Matthews, a youth nineteen years of +age, was executed at Tyburn for writing and publishing a tract in +favor of the expelled Stuarts." + +"But such things do not fit our country," answered James. "My father +came here to escape that spirit of caste and intolerance that abounds +in England, and so did those who came long before he did. To repeat +them here is a greater abomination than to act them there." + +"Let me read to you," interrupted Benjamin, "an account of a printer's +execution in England, about twenty years before my father emigrated to +this country. I came across it in this book, a few days ago. It is +horrible." Benjamin read as follows: + +"The scene is in a court-room in the Old Bailey, Chief Justice Hyde +presiding. The prisoner at the bar was a printer, named John Gwyn, a +poor man, with a wife and three children. Gwyn was accused of printing +a piece which criticised the conduct of the government, and which +contained these words and others similar: 'If the magistrates pervert +judgment, the people are bound, by the law of God, to execute judgment +without them, _and upon them_.' This was all his offense; but it was +construed as a justification of the execution of Charles I, as well as +a threat against Charles II, then king of England. The poor man +protested he had never read the offensive matter; it was brought to +him by a maid-servant; he had earned forty shillings by printing it. + +"When he was pronounced guilty, he humbly begged for mercy, pleading +poverty, his young children, and his ignorance of the contents of the +paper. 'I'll tell you what you shall do,' roared the brutal wretch who +sat on the bench, 'ask mercy of them that can give it--that is, of God +and the king.' The prisoner said, 'I humbly beseech you to intercede +with his majesty for mercy.' 'Tie him up, executioner,' cried the +judge; 'I speak it from my soul: I think we have the greatest +happiness in the world in enjoying what we do under so good and +gracious a king; yet you, Gwyn, in the rancor of your heart, thus to +abuse him, deserve no mercy.' In a similar strain he continued for +several minutes, and then passed upon the prisoner the following +sentence: He was to be drawn to the place of execution upon a hurdle, +and there hanged by the neck. While still alive he was to be cut down, +castrated, and disemboweled. 'And you still living,' added the judge, +'your entrails are to be burnt before your eyes, your head to be cut +off, and your head and quarters to be disposed of at the pleasure of +the king's majesty.' The printer was overwhelmed with terror, and in +his great agony he cried to the judge again to intercede for him. The +heartless magistrate replied, 'I would not intercede for my own father +in this case.' The prisoner was removed and executed. His head and +limbs were set up over the gates of the city." + +"That was in 1663," said Benjamin as he closed the account; "and, +though we have no record of another so fiendish affair, it is a fact +that within a few years some printers and editors in England have had +their ears cropped, others have been flogged publicly, and others +still put into the stocks and pillory. We have not come to that yet." + +"Not quite," answered one of the club; "but the authorities who would +please the king and suppress liberty of the press will go as far as +they dare to go in that direction; depend on that. It becomes us to +vindicate our rights fearlessly, or we shall yet share the fate of +Gwyn." + +"I do not propose to spike one of my guns," said James, who listened +to the last remarks with profound emotion. "We are right, and +Americans will support us. The _Courant_ was started for a purpose, +and we must not lose sight of it." + +"Benjamin has run the paper to suit while you were in jail, so that I +think both of you together will satisfy us perfectly in the future," +added another of the club. "I fully believe, with the rest of you, +that it is no time now to cringe before the authorities. A stand for +the right is more necessary now than ever before." + +We should have stated before that, in the infancy of the _Courant_, +Lady Mary Wortley Montagu returned from Turkey with the remedy for the +small-pox--inoculation. This disease had prevailed fearfully in +Boston. When the town had but five or six thousand inhabitants, seven +hundred of them died of small-pox in six months. In 1721, when +Benjamin was in the printing office, and the population of the town +was twelve thousand, the number of deaths by small-pox was eight +hundred and fifty. Many persons attacked with it died within two or +three days, so that it was a terror to the people. Of course +inoculation was received with delight by many. Cotton Mather examined +its claims, and so did his father, Increase Mather; and both endorsed +it. But the _Courant_, for some reason, opposed it, and brought all +its resources of ridicule and sarcasm to make it appear ridiculous. A +writer in its columns called it the "minister's remedy," because the +clergy favored it. Week after week it denounced the method, and warned +the people. Finally, Increase Mather publicly called attention to the +scandalous sheet, and besought the people to crush it, lest the +judgments of God be brought down upon the land for its highhanded +wickedness. + +That the treatment of James Franklin by the authorities was not +justified by thoughtful citizens in other parts of the country is +evident from the following extract from the _Philadelphia Mercury_: + +"The injustice of imprisoning a man without a hearing must be apparent +to all. An indifferent person would judge from this conduct, that the +Assembly of Massachusetts are oppressors and bigots, who make religion +only an engine of destruction to the people. We pity the people who +are compelled to submit to the tyranny of priestcraft and hypocrisy." +Then followed a sarcastic postscript, over which the reader may smile: +"P.S. By private letter from Boston, we are informed, that the bakers +are under great apprehensions of being forbid baking any more bread, +unless they will submit to the Secretary as supervisor general and +weigher of the dough, before it is baked into bread and offered to +sale." + +The closing sentence referred to the action of the Legislature in +enacting that Franklin should publish nothing more without first +submitting it to the Secretary of the Province and receiving his +endorsement--legislation that will be quoted in the next chapter. + +Franklin continued to issue the _Courant_ after his imprisonment with +more plainness and exposure of public wrongs than he did before. For +several months he handled the governor and public officers severely, +never forgetting those ministers who supported the cause of the king +instead of the cause of New England. He little thought that he was +fighting a battle for the ages to come. From his day the press in our +country began to enjoy liberty. He began a conflict which did not end +until liberty of speech and press was proclaimed throughout the land. + +Men have often contended for right, and started enterprises, the +results of which the divinest prophet could never have foretold. When +John Pounds, the poor Portsmouth shoemaker, with a passion for doing +good to those who needed it most, gathered a few street-arabs into his +shanty to teach them something good, while he hammered his leather and +mended shoes, he did not dream that he was inaugurating a benevolent +enterprise that would spread throughout the Christian world. But he +did, and to-day the fifteen millions of old and young in the Sabbath +schools of our Republic are but the growth and development he began in +his shop. In like manner, the Franklin brothers inaugurated a measure +that culminated in the complete freedom of the press. + +[1] Parton's Life of Franklin, vol. i, p. 88. + + + + +XVI. + + +THE BOY EDITOR. + +For six months the _Courant_ continued its attacks upon the +government, after the editor came out of prison. It took up also, the +inconsistencies of church members, and discussed them with great +plainness. But the number of the paper for Jan. 14, 1723, was too much +for aristocratic flesh and blood, and almost too much for blood that +was not aristocratic. The Council was incensed, and adopted the +following order: + +"IN COUNCIL, Jan. 14, 1723. + +"WHEREAS, The paper, called _The New England Courant_ of this day's +date, contains many passages in which the Holy Scriptures are +perverted, and the Civil Government, Ministers, and People of the +Province highly reflected on, + +"_Ordered_, That William Tailer, Samuel Sewell, and Penn Townsend, +Esqrs., with such as the Honorable House of Representatives shall +join, be a committee to consider and report what is proper for the +Court to do thereon." + +The House of Representatives concurred in the measure, and it was +rushed through, as measures are likely to be when the dander of +legislators is up, and the committee reported as follows: + +"That James Franklin, the printer and publisher thereof, be strictly +forbidden by the Court to print or publish _The New England Courant_, +or any other pamphlet or paper of the like nature, except that it is +first supervised by the Secretary of the Province; and the Justices of +His Majesty's Sessions of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, at +their next adjournment, be directed to take sufficient bonds of the +said Franklin for twelve months' time." + +As soon as the Council took this action, the _Courant_ club was called +together, and the whole matter canvassed. + +"The next thing will be an order that no one of us shall have a pair +of breeches without permission from the Secretary of the Province," +remarked one, sarcastically. "The Secretary has not brains enough to +pass judgment upon some of our articles, and he is too English to +judge rightly of New England necessities." + +"We should appear smart, tugging our articles over to the Secretary +each week for his permission to print them," suggested James. "I shall +never do it as long as my name is James Franklin." + +"Nor I," added one of the club. + +"Nor I," another. + +"Nor I," another still. + +There was but one mind in the company; and all were disposed to fight +it out on the line of freedom of the press. + +"But, do you notice," added one of the club, "that no one but James +Franklin is forbidden to publish the _Courant_? Some other person can +publish it." + +"Sure enough, that is so," responded James, "and here is our way out +of the difficulty." + +"Of course you can not publish it yourself," addressing James, "in +defiance of this order of the Council." + +"Of course not; but Benjamin Franklin can do it, as he is not +forbidden. How would that do?" + +"That can not be done, because he is only an apprentice," suggested a +former speaker. "They can prove that he is your apprentice readily." + +"Well, I can meet that difficulty without any trouble," said James, +who was intent upon evading the order of the Court. + +"Pray, tell us how? By changing the name of the paper?" + +"Not by any means. Now is not the time to part with a name that the +magistrates and ministers are so much in love with." + +"How, then, can you meet the difficulty?" + +"Well, I can return his indenture, with his discharge upon the back of +it, and he can show it in case of necessity. At the same time he can +sign a new indenture that will be kept a secret." + +"Capital!" exclaimed one; "I never thought of that. The measure is a +practical one, and I move that we reduce it to practice at once." + +"I support it with all my heart, not only as practical, but +ingenious," added another. "It is honorable to meet the tyranny of the +Council with an innocent subterfuge like that." + +All agreed to the plan, and adopted it enthusiastically. + +"Benjamin Franklin, Editor of the _Courant_," exclaimed a member of +the club, rising from his seat and patting Benjamin on the shoulder. +"Don't that sound well, my boy? Rather a young fellow to have in +charge such an enterprise, but a match, I guess, for the General Court +of the Province." + +"The youngest editor, proprietor, and publisher of a paper in the +whole land, no doubt," suggested another. "But it is as true here as +it is in other things, 'Old men for counsel, young men for war.' We +are at war now, and we do not want an editor who will cry peace, when +there is no peace." + +"A free man, too," suggested another facetiously, "an apprentice no +longer, to be knocked about and treated as an underling. At the top, +with the laurels of manhood on the brow of sixteen!" + +Benjamin had not spoken, but he had listened. Affairs had taken an +unexpected turn. In the morning he had no idea of becoming +editor-in-chief of the paper that made more stir in Boston than the +other two combined. The promotion rather startled him. Not that he +shrank from the responsibility; for he had no hesitation in assuming +that; but the promotion was wholly unexpected. The honors came upon +him suddenly, in a way he never dreamed of. It is not strange that he +was somewhat dumbfounded, though not confounded. He maintained +silence, because, in the circumstances, he could say nothing better +than silence. + +The plan of James having been adopted, all hastened to carry out the +details. Benjamin received his indenture, with the endorsement that +constituted him a free man, and he was announced as the publisher of +the _Courant_, and as such his name appeared upon the paper, also as +editor. + +In the next issue James inserted the following in the _Courant_: + +"The late publisher of this paper, finding so many inconveniences +would arise, by his carrying the manuscripts and the public news to be +supervised by the Secretary, as to render his carrying it on +unprofitable, has entirely dropped the undertaking." + +Benjamin inserted an amusing salutatory, as if the _Courant_ was +appearing before the public for the first time. It was as follows: + +"Long has the press groaned in bringing forth a hateful brood of +pamphlets, malicious scribbles, and billingsgate ribaldry. No generous +and impartial person then can blame the present undertaking, which is +designed purely for the diversion and merriment of the reader. Pieces +of pleasantry and mirth have a secret charm in them to allay the heats +and tumults of our spirits, and to make a man forget his restless +resentment. The main design of this weekly paper will be to entertain +the town with the most comical and diverting incidents of human life, +which, in so large a place as Boston, will not fail of a universal +exemplification. Nor shall we be wanting to fill up these papers with +a grateful interspersion of more serious words, which may be drawn +from the most ludicrous and odd parts of life." + +Pretty good for a boy of sixteen! Good sense, tact, humor, and +rhetoric combined in one brief paragraph! Not only the youngest editor +in 1723, but the youngest editor of a city paper from that day to +this, so far as we know. On the fact hangs a tale of the wonderful +powers of a boy who can occupy such a place, and fill it. + +We have said that the _Courant_ of Jan. 14, 1723, was filled with +matter that exasperated officials of the Province. The reader will +want to know what some of those utterances were. We will copy a few: + +"Religion is indeed the principal thing, but too much of it is worse +than none at all. The world abounds with knaves and villains; but, of +all knaves, the religious knave is the worst, and villainies acted +under the cloak of religion the most execrable. Moral honesty, though +it will not itself carry a man to heaven, yet I am sure there is no +going thither without it." + +"But are there such men as these in thee, O New England? Heaven forbid +there should be any; but, alas, it is to be feared the number is not +small. '_Give me an honest man_,' say some, '_for all a religious +man_'; a distinction which I confess I never heard of before. The +whole country suffers for the villainies of a few such wolves in +sheep's clothing, and we are all represented as a pack of knaves and +hypocrites for their sakes." + +"In old Time it was no disrespect for Men and Women to be called by +their own Names. _Adam_ was never called _Master_ Adam; we never heard +of Noah, _Esquire_, Lot, _Knight_ and _Baronet_, nor the _Right +Honorable_ Abraham, _Viscount_ Mesopotamia, _Baron_ of Canaan. No, no; +they were plain Men, honest Country Graziers, that took care of their +Families and their Flocks. _Moses_ was a great Prophet, and _Aaron_ a +priest of the Lord; but we never read of the _Reverend_ Moses, nor the +_Right Reverend Father in God_, Aaron, by Divine Providence, _Lord +Arch-Bishop_ of Israel. Thou never sawest _Madam_ Rebecca in the +Bible, _My Lady_ Rachel, nor _Mary_, tho' a Princess of the Blood +after the death of _Joseph_, called the _Princess Dowager_ of +Nazareth. No; plain _Rebecca, Rachel, Mary_, or the _Widow_ Mary, or +the like. It was no Incivility then to mention their naked Names as +they were expressed. + +"Yet, one of our Club will undertake to prove, that tho' _Abraham_ was +not styled _Right Honorable_, yet he had the Title of _Lord_ given him +by his Wife _Sarah_, which he thinks entitles her to the Honour of _My +Lady_ Sarah; and _Rachel_, being married into the same Family, he +concludes that she may deserve the Title of _My Lady_ Rachel. But this +is but the Opinion of one Man; it was never put to vote in the +Society." + +"On the whole, Friend James, we may conclude, that the +_Anti-Couranteers_ [opponents of the _Courant_] are a sort of +_Precisians_, who, mistaking Religion for the peculiar Whims of their +own distemp'rd Brain, are for cutting or stretching all Men to their +own Standard of Thinking. I wish Mr. Symmes' Character may secure him +from the Woes and Curses they are so free of dispensing among their +dissenting neighbours, who are so unfortunate as to discover a +Cheerfulness becoming Christianity." + +It is not questioned that Benjamin wrote these paragraphs, among +others; and for keen satire they are very remarkable as the +composition of a boy of sixteen. At the present day they would be +regarded as quaint, able and truthful, without awakening opposition. +But, in 1723, no doubt there were tender consciences among the +official sycophants of the English Government, that made a just +application of these cutting words, so as to become exasperated and +bitter. Hence, their tyrannical and unjustifiable legislation. + +Mr. Parton mentions a fact that should be noted here: "Until the +Revolution, the business of publishing newspapers in America was +carried on almost exclusively by postmasters. Newspapers went free of +postage in the colonies as late as 1758. Until that time, the +postmasters had not only the privilege of sending papers through the +mail free, but the still more valuable right of excluding from the +mail papers published by others. Accordingly, we find that nearly all +the pioneers of the press, in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, were +postmasters. When a postmaster lost his office he generally sold out +his newspaper, and a new postmaster soon bought or established one. +John Campbell, however, feeling himself aggrieved by his removal, did +not dispose of the _News-letter_ [first paper in this country]; which +induced his successor, William Brocker, to set up a paper of his own, +the _Boston Gazette_, which appeared in December, 1719. Mr. Brocker +expressly says, in his prospectus, that he started the new paper at +the request of several merchants, and others, who 'have been +_prevented_ from having their newspaper sent them by the post, ever +since Mr. Campbell was removed from being postmaster.'"[2] + +It is a significant fact that, in 1758, newspapers ceased to be +carried free in the mails, and a charge of ninepence a year for each +fifty miles of carriage was assessed; and our Benjamin brought about +the change. He was then known as Deputy Postmaster General, and made +the change in the interest of the public welfare. We think that, at +the time, he must have recalled his tussle with the General Court, +when, at sixteen, he edited the _Courant_. + +Benjamin continued in his brother's printing office eight months after +the occurrence just narrated, editor and publisher of the _Courant_. +His brother never run the paper again in his own name, and, +subsequently, he removed to Newport, R.I., where he established the +_Rhode Island Gazette_ in 1732. + +Benjamin kept up his running fire against the truckling +representatives of the British government, including ministers who +were not outspoken against oppression and the censorship of the press. +The blade of his satire became brighter and keener, and the +circulation of the paper increased largely, showing that the portion +of the population having the true American spirit, were in sympathy +with the purpose of the paper. Mr. Sparks says of it: + +"It touched with great freedom the vices and follies of the time. The +weapon of satire was used with an unsparing hand. Neither the +government nor the clergy escaped. Much caution was practised, +however, in regard to individuals, and names were seldom introduced. +There are some severe and humorous criticisms on the poets of the day, +which may be classed with the best specimens of this kind of +composition in the modern reviews. The humor sometimes degenerates +into coarseness, and the phraseology is often harsh; but, bating these +faults, the paper contains nothing, which in later times would have +been deemed reprehensible." + +Of the action of the General Court, imprisoning James Franklin, Mr. +Sparks says: "He was sentenced by a vote of the Assembly, without any +specification of offensive passages, or any trial before a court of +justice. This was probably the first transaction, in the American +Colonies, relating to the freedom of the press; and it is not less +remarkable for the assumption of power on the part of the legislature, +than for their disregard of the first principles and established forms +of law." + +This is a fair and just estimate of the affair. Probably officials saw +their mistake, and concluded not to repeat it; for Benjamin was not +molested in his business, though he continued to be as saucy and +sarcastic as ever. From that day freedom of the press was assured in +this country. + +This narrative of Benjamin's connection with the printing office, at +the time a new paper was to be established, shows that the +circumstances called out a certain kind of talent he possessed, and +thus helped to make him what he became. Success depends in a great +measure on early directing the young in the path to which their +natural endowments point. Square men should be put into square holes, +and round men into round holes. Many careers are spoiled by reversing +this law of nature, getting square men into round holes, and round men +into square holes. A good mechanic has often been spoiled to make an +indifferent clergyman or merchant, and a good minister has been +spoiled to make a commonplace artisan. Overlooking the "natural bent," +the youth has selected an occupation (or his father for him) for which +he has no special aptitude, and he brings little to pass. + +Benjamin was a square youth, and he got into a square hole, which he +just fitted. He was not there by his own election; he was there by the +lead of Providence, and he cheerfully acquiesced. Becoming the right +boy in the right place, he grew into stalwart manhood and a useful +life, as naturally as the sapling on congenial soil grows into the +thrifty, fruit-bearing tree. + +In the second chapter we spoke of Boston, in the infancy of Benjamin, +as a place where bears were plenty, and other wild animals roamed. The +_Courant_ contained the following paragraph, about the time of its +contest with the Court, and we copy it as a fitting close to this +chapter: + +"It is thought that not less than twenty Bears have been killed in +about a week's time within two miles of Boston. Two have been killed +below the Castle, as they were swimming from one island to another, +and one attempted to board a boat out in the bay, but the men defended +themselves so well with the boat-hook and oars, that they put out her +eyes, and then killed her. On Tuesday last two were killed at +Dorchester, one of which weighed sixty pounds a quarter. We hear from +Providence that the bears appear to be very thick in those parts." + +[2] Vol. i, p. 78. + + + + +XVII. + + +THE YOUNG SKEPTIC. + +"What book have you there, Ben?" inquired John Collins, some time +before the newspaper enterprise was started. + +"Lord Shaftesbury's work. I have been looking into it for some time; +and Anthony Collins' work, too," answered Benjamin. "I suppose that my +father would say they are not quite Orthodox; but they are very +interesting, and I think their views are reasonable." + +"I have been questioning your Orthodoxy for some time, Ben, but I +thought you would come out all right in the end, and so I have said +nothing. I do not know about your coming out right if you become a +disciple of Shaftesbury." John made this reply more in jest than in +earnest, for he cared little whether Benjamin was a skeptic or not. +Perhaps he was skeptical himself at that time; some things indicate as +much. + +"I think it is rather difficult to tell how I shall come out, John; +but I do not propose to believe any thing in religion, science, or any +thing else, just because my father does," responded Benjamin. "I know +that I have accepted some religious dogmas because I was taught them, +and for no other reason." + +"Then you do not now believe all that you have been taught about +religion, if I understand you?" + +"No, I am free to say that I do not. There is neither reason nor +wisdom in portions of the creed of the Church." + +"Why, Ben, you surprise me. You are getting to be quite an infidel for +a boy. It won't do for you to read Shaftesbury and Collins any more, +if you are so easily upset by them. I do not know any thing about them, +only from what I hear. I never read a paragraph of either." + +"One thing is sure," continued Benjamin. "I mean to be classed among +the few people who think for themselves. It is a small company I shall +be found in, but it is an independent one. Most people are religious +because they are so instructed. They embrace the religion of their +fathers and mothers, without asking what is true or false. I will not +be of that class. I will not be Orthodox or Heterodox because my +ancestors were." + +"There is not much danger that you will do that, Ben. Present +appearances rather indicate that the religious opinions of your father +will be blown sky-high." John did not mean quite as much as his +language in this reply denoted. + +"You do not understand me. I respect my parents and their religious +opinions, though I doubt some of the doctrines they have taught me. I +never examined them until I began to read Shaftesbury and Collins, but +accepted them as correct because my father and grandfather believed +them. I shall do that no more, that is all I meant." + +"Well, I can not say that you are wrong, Ben. If you make half as good +a man as your father is, by believing half the truths he believes and +advocates, you will stand pretty well in the world. I expect that we +ought to avoid religious cant, bigotry, and intolerance." + +"I expect so, too; and there is much of all three existing to-day," +Benjamin answered. "A bigot may be a well-meaning man, but so much the +worse for him. There is so much bigotry in Boston to-day, that the +minister of each denomination thinks his denomination has all the +truth and all the religion there is. I think that idea is a falsehood, +to begin with." + +"I shall agree with you there, Ben. I have no question that a man may +be a Christian without believing half that most denominations profess +to believe. And I suppose that the main thing is to be Christians, and +not theologians." + +"You are drifting to my side as fast as is necessary," remarked +Benjamin, laughing. "You will come clear over in due time. I am sure +you will, if you read Shaftesbury." + +"Well, I must drift home in a hurry," responded John. "Whether I shall +drift to you, the future will reveal. You are now in too deep water +for me. I should drown if I got in where you are." + +John left, and Benjamin went on thinking, as he was wont. He put more +thinking into every twenty-four hours than any three boys together in +Boston. At this time he was quite a doubter,--really a young skeptic. +In the printing office he drifted in that direction faster and faster. +He was a kind of speculator from childhood. He loved to argue. He +enjoyed being on the opposite side, to indulge his propensity to +argue. After he learned the Socratic method of reasoning, he was more +inclined to discuss religion with different parties. Perhaps he did it +to practise the method, rather than to show his aversion to religion. +But, judging from what followed, in the next three or four years, he +grew decidedly unbelieving. We can discover his lack of reverence for +the Christian religion, and want of confidence in it, in articles he +wrote for the _Courant_. Nothing very marked, it is true, but some of +his articles lean in that direction. + +Besides, Benjamin was one of those talented, independent boys, who +think it is manly to break away from ancestral creeds. When he was +eleven years old he was assisting his father to pack a barrel of pork +for winter use. When the work was done he said to his father: + +"Father, it would save time if you would say grace over the whole +barrel now, instead of saying it over a piece at a time." + +Whether his father flogged him for such irreverence, we are not told; +nevertheless, the fact is suggestive of an element in the boy's +make-up to which the ingenious skeptic may appeal with success. +Possibly it was only the native humor of the boy, which, with his love +of fun, cropped out on that occasion. It was irreverence, however, +whatever may have been his motive. + +Many were the conversations that Benjamin had with his friend, John +Collins, upon religion, after becoming thoroughly poisoned by reading +Shaftesbury and Collins. + +"By the way, John, I should like to read to you what your namesake +says on the subject. Perhaps you descended straight from this +illustrious infidel." + +"Perhaps so; but I shall not spend time in tracing my pedigree," John +replied. "I never dared to trace my ancestors far back, for fear I +should run into some disreputable family." + +"It is probably an accident that you are a Collins, so that we can't +lay it up against you, John; but I should really like to read two or +three paragraphs from Collins' work, that you may judge of him." + +"Go ahead, and I will give you respectful attention. If it is above my +capacity to understand, I will not hold you responsible." + +Benjamin proceeded to read from Collins' work as follows: + +"Opinions, how erroneous soever, when the Effect of an impartial +Examination, will never hurt Men in the sight of God, but will +recommend Men to his Favour. For impartial Examination in the Matter +of Opinion is the best that a Man can do towards obtaining Truth, and +God, who is a wise, good, and just Being, can require no more of Men +than to do their best, and will reward them when they do their best; +and he would be the most unjust Being imaginable, if he punished Men, +who had done their best endeavor to please him. Besides, if men were +to be punished by God for mistaken Opinions, all men must be damned; +for all Men abound in mistaken Opinions." + +"While Rome was in the Height of its glory for Arms, Learning, and +Politeness, there were _six hundred different Religions_ professed and +allowed therein. And this groat Variety does not appear to have had +the least Effect on the Peace of the State, or on the Temper of Men; +but, on the contrary, a very good Effect, for there is an entire +Silence of History, about the Actions of those ancient Professors, +who, it seems, lived so quietly together as to furnish no Materials +for an _Ecclesiastical History_, such as Christians have given an +Occasion for, which a Reverend Divine thus describes: '_Ecclesiastical +History_' says he, 'is chiefly spent in reciting the wild Opinions of +Hereticks (that is, in belying Hereticks); the Contentions between +Emperors and Popes; the idle and superstitious Canons, and ridiculous +Decrees and Constitutions of packed Councils; their Debates about +frivolous Matters, and playing the Fool with Religion; the +Consultations of Synods about augmenting the Revenues of the Clergy, +and establishing their Pride and Grandure; the impostures of Monks and +Fryars; the Schisms and Factions of the Church; the Tyranny, Cruelty, +and Impiety of the Clergy; insomuch that the excellent _Grotius_ says, +'_He that reads Ecclesiastical history_ reads nothing but the +_Roguery and Folly of Bishops and Churchmen_.'" + +"Matthew says, Jesus _came and dwelt at_ Nazareth _that it might_ be +fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet saying, 'He shall be called +a Nazarene.' Which Citation does not expressly occur in any Place of +the Old Testament, and therefore cannot be literally fulfilled." + +"In fine, the Prophecies, cited from the Old Testament by the Authors +of the New, do plainly relate, in their obvious and primary Sense, to +other Matters than those which they are produced to prove." + +"Well," said John, interrupting, "I think that will do for my +namesake. There is nothing very wonderful to me about that. True +enough, I guess, but nothing remarkable. But how about Shaftesbury? +What has he written?" + +"He disproves the miracles of the New Testament. His 'Inquiry +Concerning Virtue' and his 'Essay on the Freedom of Wit and Humour' +are interesting as novels to me." + +"I prefer the novels," interrupted John. + +"Perhaps you do; but Shaftesbury is one of the most ingenious and +pleasant writers known. He does not discard religion; he assails +spurious religion only." + +"And spurious religion is all religion that he do not believe in, I +suppose," suggested John, "come from above or below? When a man does +not believe the Bible he tries to show it up; and so when a man do not +believe any religion but his own, he tries to explode all others." + +"Read Shaftesbury, and judge for yourself," added Benjamin. "You will +fall in love with him, as I have. He is one of the most graceful and +fascinating writers I know of." + +"Perhaps I will read him sometime," replied John. "I must go now; and +when I am ready for it I will call for the book." + +We have not time to follow the companionship of these two youth. It +was intimate, and Benjamin succeeded in making a Shaftesbury disciple +of John, so that one was about as much of an unbeliever as the other. +In his "Autobiography," Benjamin confesses that he "_was made a +doubter by reading Shaftesbury and Collins_," although he began to +dissent from his father, as we have already seen, in his boyhood, when +he read the religious tracts of Boyle. + +We know that Benjamin was charged with being an atheist by his +brother. True, it was when his brother was angry because he left him; +still, he would not have been likely to make such a statement to +others without some foundation for it. Franklin himself gives one +reason for his leaving Boston (in his "Autobiography"): "My indiscreet +disputations about religion began to make me pointed at with horror by +good people as an infidel and atheist." + +Another admission in his "Autobiography" reflects upon this subject: + +"The time I allotted for writing exercises and for reading, was at +night, or before work began in the morning, _or on Sundays_, when I +contrived to be in the printing house, avoiding as much as I could the +constant attendance upon public worship, which my father used to exact +of me when I was under his care, and which I still continued to +consider a duty, though I could not afford time to practise it." + +There is an intimate connection between loose religious views and the +non-observance of the Sabbath. Skeptics are not friendly to the +Sabbath as a class. It is an institution they inveigh against with +much spirit. No doubt the change going on in Benjamin's opinions had +much to do with his ceasing to attend public worship. + +Fifteen years afterwards, when Benjamin was fully established in +business in Philadelphia, his parents became very anxious about his +skeptical ideas, and wrote to him about it. Their letter is not +preserved, but we have his in reply, which, while it confirms the +fact, shows him to be more reverent and thoughtful than they feared. +It is, also, evidence of a filial regard for his father and mother +that is always as beautiful as it is honorable. We furnish the letter +below: + + "PHILADELPHIA, April 13, 1738. + + "_Honored Father_,--I have your favors of the 21st of March, in + which you both seem concerned lest I have imbibed some erroneous + opinions. Doubtless I have my share, and when the natural weakness + and imperfection of human understanding is considered, the + unavoidable influence of education, custom, books, and company, + upon our ways of thinking, I imagine a man must have a good deal of + vanity who believes, and a good deal of boldness who affirms, that + all the doctrines he holds are true, and all he rejects are false. + And, perhaps, the same may be justly said of every sect, church, + and society of men, when they assume to themselves that + infallibility which they deny to the pope and councils. + + "I think opinions should be judged of by their influences and + effects; and if man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous + or more vicious, it may be concluded he holds none that are + dangerous,--which, I hope, is the case with me. + + "I am sorry you should have any uneasiness on my account, and, if + it were a thing possible for one to alter his opinions in order to + please another's, I know none whom I ought more willingly to oblige + in that respect than yourselves. But, since it is no more in a + man's power to _think_ than to _look_ like another, methinks all + that should be expected from me is to keep my mind open to + conviction; to hear patiently, and examine attentively, whatever is + offered me for that end; and, if after all I continue in the same + errors, I believe your usual charity will induce you rather to pity + and excuse than blame me; in the mean time your care and concern + for me is what I am very thankful for. + + "My mother grieves that one of her sons is an Arian, another an + Arminian; what an Arminian or an Arian is, I can not say that I + very well know. The truth is, I make such distinctions very little + my study. I think vital religion has always suffered when orthodoxy + is more regarded than virtue; and the Scriptures assure me that at + the last day we shall not be examined what we _thought_, but what + we _did_; and our recommendation will not be that we said, _Lord! + Lord_! but that we did good to our fellow-creatures. See Matt. xx. + + "As to the free masons, I know no way of giving my mother a better + account of them than she seems to have at present (since it is not + allowed that women should be admitted into that secret society). + She has, I must confess, on that account, some reason to be + displeased with it; but, for any thing else, I must entreat her to + suspend her judgment till she is better informed, unless she will + believe me when I assure her that they are in general a very + harmless sort of people, and have no principles or practices that + are inconsistent with religion and good manners. + + "B. FRANKLIN." + +His sister also, later on, in her great anxiety for his spiritual +welfare, wrote to him, and he replied as follows: + + "PHILADELPHIA, July 28, 1743. + + "_Dearest Sister Jenny_,--I took your admonition very kindly, and + was far from being offended at you for it. If I say any thing about + it to you, 't is only to rectify some wrong opinions you seem to + have entertained of me; and this I do only because they give you + some uneasiness, which I am unwilling to be the occasion of. You + express yourself as if you thought I was against worshipping of + God, and doubt that good works would merit heaven; which are both + fancies of your own, I think, without foundation. I am so far from + thinking that God is not to be worshipped, that I have composed and + wrote a whole book of devotions for my own use; and I imagine there + are few if any in the world so weak as to imagine that the little + good we can do here can merit so vast a reward hereafter. + + "There are some things in your New England doctrine and worship + which I do not agree with; but I do not therefore condemn them, or + desire to shake your belief or practice of them. We may dislike + things that are nevertheless right in themselves; I would only have + you make me the same allowance, and have a better opinion both of + morality and your brother. Read the pages of Mr. Edwards' late + book, entitled, 'Some Thoughts concerning the present Revival of + Religion in New England,' from 367 to 375, and, when you judge of + others, if you can perceive the fruit to be good, do not terrify + yourself that the tree may be evil; be assured it is not so, for + you know who has said, 'Men do not gather grapes off thorns, and + figs off thistles.' + + "I have not time to add, but that I shall always be your + affectionate brother, + + "B. FRANKLIN. + + "P.S. It was not kind in you, when your sister commended good + works, to suppose she intended it a reproach to you. 'T was very + far from her thoughts." + +The sequel will show much more concerning the skepticism of Franklin; +and that the time came when he saw the folly of such unbelief, and +gave his adherence to the Christian religion. At the same time, he +learned from experience the danger of reading infidel publications, +and warned the young against following his example. Indeed, there is +good reason to believe that, as early as 1728, when he was but +twenty-two years of age, he was not so much of an infidel as some of +his friends supposed; for then he prepared a code of morals and belief +for his own use, entitled "Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion." +In this document he avows his belief in "One Supreme, most perfect +Being," and prays to "be preserved from atheism, impiety, and +profaneness." Under the head of "Thanks" occur the following: + +"For peace and liberty, for food and raiment, for corn, and wine, and +milk, and every kind of healthful nourishment,--Good God, I thank +Thee! + +"For the common benefits of air and light, for useful fire and +delicious water,--Good God, I thank Thee! + +"For knowledge, and literature, and every useful art, for my friends +and their prosperity, and for the fewness of my enemies,--Good God, I +thank Thee! + +"For all my innumerable benefits, for life, and reason, and the use of +speech; for health, and joy, and every pleasant hour,--Good God, I +thank Thee!" + +It is true, there is not much religion in these things; and though +they may have been adopted to satisfy the demands of conscience only, +they prove that he was not an atheist, as many supposed. + +Benjamin's experience with skeptical and infidel books recalls the +experience of two young men, when about the same age, with +publications of kindred character, which came very near depriving the +United States of two good Presidents. + +Before Abraham Lincoln began the study of law, he was connected with a +clique or club of young men, who made light of religion, and read +books that treated it as a delusion. It was at this time that he read +Paine's "Age of Reason" and Volney's "Ruins," through which he was +influenced to array himself against the Bible for a time,--as much of +a skeptic, almost, as any one of his boon companions. But his early +religious training soon asserted itself, and we hear no more of +hostility to religion as long as he lived. On the other hand, when he +was elected President, he spoke as follows to his friends and +neighbors, who had assembled at the station to bid him adieu on +leaving for Washington, on the eve of the late bloody Civil war: + +"My Friends: No one not in my position can appreciate the sadness I +feel at this parting. To this people I owe all that I am. Here I have +lived more than a quarter of a century. Here my children were born, +and here one of them lies buried. I know not how soon I shall see you +again. A duty devolves on me, which is greater, perhaps, than that +which has devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington. He +never would have succeeded except for the aid of Divine Providence, +upon which he at all times relied. I feel that I can not succeed +without the same Divine aid which sustained him, and on the same +Almighty Being I place my reliance for support; and I hope you, my +friends, will pray that I may receive that Divine assistance, without +which I can not succeed, but with which success is certain. Again I +bid you all an affectionate farewell." + +When James A. Garfield became a member of the "Black Salter's" family, +he found "Marryatt's Novels," "Sinbad the Sailor," "The Pirates' Own +Book," "Jack Halyard," "Lives of Eminent Criminals," "The Buccaneers +of the Caribbean Seas"; and being a great reader, he sat up nights to +read these works. Their effect upon him was to weaken the ties of home +and filial affection, diminish his regard for religious things, and +create within him an intense desire for a seafaring life. Nothing but +a long and painful sickness, together with the wise counsels of his +mother and a popular teacher, saved him from a wild and reckless life +upon the sea, by leading him to Christ and a nobler life, in +consequence of which his public career was one of honor, and closed in +the highest office of the land. + +Neither Lincoln nor Garfield would have been President of the United +States if the spell, with which the influence of corrupt books bound +them for the time, had not been broken by juster views of real life +and nobler aims. + + + + +XVIII. + + +HOW HE QUIT BOSTON. + +"I tell you how it is, John," exclaimed Benjamin, under great +excitement; "I have withstood my brother's ill treatment as long as I +am going to. I shall leave him." + +"How is that, Ben? I thought your brother would treat you with more +consideration after you immortalized yourself as an editor. I knew you +had a hard time with him before the _Courant_ was started." John +Collins knew somewhat of Benjamin's troubles, the first two years of +his apprenticeship. + +"He has been worse since my prominence on the _Courant_; that is, at +times. I think my success aroused his jealousy, so that it fretted him +to see me, his apprentice, occupy a higher position than himself. Once +in a while he has seemed to be pleased with my prominence on the +paper, and then again it annoyed him." + +"I should think you had helped him out of trouble enough to stir up +his gratitude a little, even if he had no pride in possessing so +bright a brother." + +"Brother! brother!" exclaimed Benjamin. "He never thought of that +relation. I was his apprentice, to be lorded over until twenty-one +years of age. I do not think he would have treated the greatest +stranger as an apprentice more unkindly than he has me. He seemed to +think that the relation of master to an apprentice obliterates all +blood relationship." + +"That is unfortunate for both of you," remarked John, "but most +unfortunate for him, whom public opinion will judge as a brother, and +not as a master. But how will you get along with your indenture if you +leave him?" + +"I am justified by the circumstances in using the indenture, on the +back of which is his own endorsement of my freedom. He released me +from all obligations to him, that I might run the paper when he could +not." + +"But the understanding between you was, if I remember, that it was +only a formality to evade the action of the General Court. He did not +mean that you should take advantage of it and refuse to serve him." + +"That is true; but I say the circumstances justify me in using it as +if he really meant to give me my freedom. He has another indenture +which I signed, designed to be kept private, but he won't dare to +bring that out to the light of day, because it may get him into +further trouble with the General Court." + +"You have the advantage of him there, I see, if you see fit to avail +yourself of it. Does James know how you feel about it?" + +"He ought to know, for I have told him that I should leave him if he +continued to treat me as he has done. Probably he does not believe +that I shall quit, but I am not responsible for that. He ought to see +that such treatment would cause any apprentice to leave his master." + +"What does he do that is so bad?" inquired John. + +"He undertook to flog me, the other day. He did strike me, but I +showed him that I believed in self-defense, and he desisted. He has +beaten me often. I did not like the looks of an elder brother licking +a younger one, and so I put myself in a position to make such a scene +impossible." + +"Well, I do not think that such a scene is particularly attractive," +responded John in his droll way. "Such a scene in the theatre would be +tragedy, I think; it could not be comedy in a civilized land." + +"That is no worse than other things he does. If he would get mad and +beat me, and then be kind and considerate for a while, I should be +quite well satisfied. But he is constantly domineering over me, as if +he meant I should realize all the while that he is my legal master." + +"Does your father know about it?" + +"Yes, and he has been decidedly in my favor until now. We have often +laid our differences before him, and in nearly every instance, he has +supported me. But for some reason, since the last trouble he has +upheld James. Perhaps it was because I did not allow James to beat me +as masters often do their apprentices." + +"What do you propose to do if you leave your brother?" continued John. + +"Go to New York. I can find work there. If there is nothing there for +an extra printer to do, I will turn my hand to something else. I shall +leave Boston." + +"Why not get into one of the other printing offices in town? I do not +want you should quit Boston until I do." + +"For two good reasons. The first is that my connection with the +_Courant_ stirred up the officials of the government, so that I am +obnoxious to them; and the second is, that my religious opinions have +become so well known, and have been so misrepresented, that ministers +and other good people consider me no better than an atheist. I prefer +to go among strangers, where I can have a chance to make a record for +myself." + +"Better make a record here,--the best chance in the world. Here people +know who you are, or they ought to know by this time. Take my advice, +and secure a place in another printing office in Boston." + +The result of this interview with John was, that Benjamin resolved to +secure a position in Boston if he could. But when he applied, +subsequently, for a situation, each printer declined to employ him. +James had been to them, anticipating that he might take this step, and +warned them against making any bargain with him. He assured them that +he should take legal steps, under the indenture of apprenticeship, to +maintain his rights if they employed him. Besides, he told them that +Benjamin did not believe the Christian religion, and he had no respect +for those who did; that, in short, he was "no better than an atheist." + +James meant to compel Benjamin to continue to work for him; and he +thought if no other printer would hire him, that would end the +trouble. But the opposite effect was produced. It determined Benjamin +to quit Boston as soon as he could arrange for the change, though he +did not make known his decision to his brother. Probably his brother +did not dream of his leaving Boston for New York, or any other place. +However, Benjamin embraced the first opportunity to announce to him +that he should quit. + +"I am my own man from this time," he cried, holding up his indenture +which his brother had returned to him. "This paper makes me free, and +I shall take advantage of it to leave you," and he shook the document +in James' face. + +"You know that I never gave up the indenture because I relinquished +the bargain we had made. If you use it to assert and establish your +freedom, you will be guilty of a mean, contemptible act." + +"I shall so use it!" and Benjamin was very defiant when he said it. "I +have borne your abuse long enough, and I will bear it no longer." + +"We shall see about that. Father will have a word to say about it, you +will find. You are not of age yet." James spoke with remarkable +coolness for him, in the circumstances. He probably realized that +Benjamin had the advantage of him. + +"Neither father nor any other man can force me to work for you any +longer. You have even been around to other printers, to influence them +not to employ me; and you have lied about me, telling them that I am +an atheist, and other things as bad." + +"I told them nothing but the truth," replied James. "You know as well +as I do, that you believe Shaftesbury instead of the Bible." + +"Well, no matter what I believe. I shall not work for you another day. +I will resort to the most menial employment for my bread and butter +before I will serve a man who will treat his own brother like a +slave." And again Benjamin flourished his indenture before the eyes of +James, defiantly. + +It was not fair in Benjamin to take this advantage of his brother, and +he knew it; but his resentment triumphed over his regard for right at +the time. James returned his indenture only that he might be able to +publish the _Courant_ unmolested. It was a deceitful arrangement in +the first place, and Benjamin's use of the indenture to assert his +liberty was no more unfair and sinful than was James' device to make +him the proprietor of the paper, and thus evade the law. James was +paid in his own coin. He laid a plan to cheat the government, and he +got cheated himself. He was snared in the work of his own hands. This, +however, did not justify Benjamin in his course, as he afterwards saw +and frankly confessed. In his "Autobiography" he said: + +"At length, a fresh difference arising between my brother and me, I +took upon me to assert my freedom, presuming that he would not venture +to produce the new indentures. It was not fair in me to take this +advantage, and this I therefore reckon one of the first _errata_ of my +life; but the unfairness of it weighed little with me when under the +impressions of resentment for the blows his passion too often urged +him to bestow upon me, though he was otherwise not an ill-natured man. +Perhaps I was too saucy and provoking." + +There is no doubt that Benjamin erred in the matter. He was by nature +headstrong and independent; and, perhaps, he was more self-willed on +account of his success in the business. But, after all allowances are +made, James must be regarded as the chief offender in the troubles, +and on him the responsibility for it rests in a large measure. + +Benjamin lost no time in reporting his decision to John. + +"I am going to New York as soon as I can get away," he said. "What do +you suppose that fellow has done? He has been around to the other +printers and threatened to enforce his claim to my services if they +hire me; and he lied about me, also. It is settled that I shall go to +New York. I am not going to be banged about any more." + +"Well, it seems rather necessary for you to go somewhere if you can't +get work here," answered John. "But how am I going to get along +without you, Ben? Couldn't you turn your hand to something else?" + +"I could, but I won't. I am fully resolved to quit Boston soon, and I +am satisfied that I must leave clandestinely, or I shall not get +away." + +"How is that? Expect that your brother will lay violent hands upon you +to prevent?" + +"I expect that he and father together will prevent my leaving, if +possible." + +"Have you spoken with your father about it?" + +"No, I have not; nor do I intend to. He sides with James now, and that +is enough for me. I shall say nothing to him about the matter." + +"Perhaps he thinks you will leave Boston if you leave James," +suggested John. "He may think that you will clear out and go to sea. +He has not forgotten your old hankering for a life on the wave." + +"Possibly; but I have no desire now to go to sea. I have a trade that +I like, and I shall stick to it until I am forced out of it." + +"How do you propose to get to New York? Got any plans ahead?" + +"Yes, a plan is all that I have got. It remains to be seen how I can +carry it out. I do not think I can accomplish my purpose without your +help." + +"I am at your service now, Ben, as ever before; only I would like to +understand just what I can do." + +"That is what I want to talk with you about. I am not yet clear as to +my best way of escape. If I go by land, on foot, they may send +officers after me, and overtake me before I get half way there." + +"Of course it would be poor policy for you to go by land, if you can +possibly go by water. There is a New York sloop in the harbor, and no +doubt it will return soon." + +"But how can I get aboard? The captain will want to know who I am, and +if he knows that I am a runaway apprentice, he will refuse me a +passage." + +"I can manage that," said John. "I know the captain, and I think I can +arrange with him to take you." + +"Yes, but he will want large pay for it. Of course he will not take me +to New York without some money arrangement, and I have precious little +money to give him." + +"You can sell some of your books," suggested John. "You will not take +them to New York with you, and you can sell them readily." + +"That is a good idea, John; I will reduce it to practice at once. I +shall not want much money anyway. But suppose the captain is very +inquisitive about me, how will you get along with the case? He must be +somewhat suspicious when a Boston boy wants to be taken to New York on +the sly." + +"You leave that to me; I have no doubt that I can smuggle you through. +He shall not know even that your name is Franklin." + +"Well, then, I will commit myself to your care. See that you manage +adroitly, even if you have to make a package of me for transportation. +I am going to New York if I am obliged to walk there." + +"I will go to see the captain at once, Ben; and I will be back with my +report in two hours. Be on hand, and see if I do not make a good +bargain for your passage. You always have succeeded, and I think you +will succeed now." + +"Be off, then, in a jiffy, and I will run out to see where I can +dispose of my books. I will be back in two hours, and meet you here." + +They parted, and John hurried away to see the captain. He found him on +board his sloop. + +"Can you take a friend of mine to New York?" he asked. + +"That depends on circumstances," replied the captain. "Who is your +friend? Can't take a pauper or a criminal, you know." + +"He is neither one nor the other. He is a young man about my age, a +printer by trade, and he is going to New York to find work." + +"Why doesn't he find work in Boston? There are more printers in Boston +than there are in New York." + +"That may be; but he prefers to work in New York. He's tired of +Boston." + +"Perhaps Boston is tired of him--is that so? I want to accommodate, +but I don't want to get anybody into trouble, nor get there myself." + +John saw that there was no evading the captain's questions, and so he +resolved to tell the false story he had thought of on his way to the +sloop. + +"Well," said John, "if I must tell you the whole story, the case is +this: He is a young fellow who has been flirting with a girl, who +wants to marry him, and now her parents are determined that he shall +marry her, and he is as determined that he will not; and he proposes +to remove secretly to New York. He would have come to see you himself, +but his coming might awaken suspicion on the part of some one +acquainted with the affair, who might see him and know him. So I came +to do the business for him." + +"He is in a fix, sure," answered the captain; "if there is any man in +the world I would help, it is the man who is trying to escape from the +girl he don't want to marry. How much will he pay for his passage?" + +"He will pay your price if it is reasonable. He is not a pauper, +though he has not much of a money surplus. He will satisfy you as to +that." + +"Send him along, then; this sloop will sail on Saturday at two +o'clock, P.M. He better not come aboard until just before we sail, or +somebody may upset his plans, and the girl get him, after all." + +"All right; he will be here on the mark, and I shall be with him to +see him off," answered John, as he turned upon his heels to report his +success to Benjamin. + +A youth who can fabricate a falsehood so unblushingly as John did the +foregoing is already on the road to ruin. The reader will not be +surprised to learn, before the whole story is told, that he became a +miserable, reckless sort of a man. This lie proved that he was +destitute of moral principle and would do almost any thing to carry +his point. + +That the captain should have been taken in by such a ruse is +inexplicable. But, no doubt, the thought of receiving good pay for his +passage led him to receive the passenger. It was so much gain to +receive a few dollars from an unexpected source. + +"The bargain is made, and your passage to New York is assured," +exclaimed John to Benjamin, when they met, at the end of two hours. + +"Have any trouble to accomplish it? You did not awaken his suspicion, +did you?" replied Benjamin, evidently relieved of considerable anxiety +by the announcement. + +"No trouble, of course; I did not mean to have any, if lying would +prevent it." + +"Then you had to resort to falsehood to carry your point, did you? How +was that, John?" + +"Well, you see, he questioned me pretty closely, and seemed to be +suspicious that you might be a pauper or criminal. He wouldn't want to +carry you if you were a pauper, for he would get no pay for it; and he +would not carry a criminal, for fear of getting into trouble with the +authorities. So I had to originate a little love story, in which you +are represented as fleeing from a girl and her parents, who are +determined that you shall marry her." + +"You are more original than I thought you were, John. You might write +a novel out of the affair." + +"Yes; and it would be no worse than half the novels that are written," +rejoined John. "I had a plot to get you to New York, and the novel +writer often has a plot that is not half so important, nor half so +much truth in it." + +"How soon will the sloop sail?" + +"Next Saturday, at two o'clock in the afternoon, so you will not have +to wait long. You must not go aboard until just before the sloop +sails; for the girl might get wind of it, and be after you. The +captain will be on the lookout for her; he evidently don't want you to +fall into her hands." + +Benjamin laughed at this way of putting the matter; and, in the +circumstances, was not disposed to criticise John's method. But he +inquired: + +"How about the price to be paid for the passage?" + +"That is left for you and him to adjust," replied John. "I told him +that you was not over-burdened with money, but had enough to pay him +for your passage. How about your books--can you sell them?" + +"Yes, and quite as favorably as I had supposed. I see nothing why I +shall not be all ready for the sloop on Saturday. I will send my chest +of clothes down just before I go myself." + +"I will be on hand to go to the sloop with you," said John, as they +parted, each with a clear understanding as to the future. + +The plan was carried out to the letter, and Benjamin and John were on +their way to the sloop in due time. + +"Tell no tales out of school," remarked Benjamin. "I prefer that no +one should know my whereabouts at present." + +"They will find out nothing from me; I shall be profoundly ignorant of +your movements," answered John. "Perhaps I shall be the most +astonished person in Boston over your sudden departure; there's no +telling. But I shall want to hear from you, Ben,--can't you write?" + +"Sha'n't make any pledges. I shall want to hear from you as much as +you will from me, and a little more, I guess. For I shall want to hear +what is said and done about my unauthorized departure. I suppose that +a _runaway_ can not expect many favorable remarks." + +"Perhaps the _Gazette_ will say that the editor of the _Courant_ has +run away," suggested John, in a vein of pleasantry. "There will be +considerable more truth in that than I told the captain. It is rather +of a singular occurrence, however, Ben, that so popular an editor as +you have been should be running away from the editorial chair." + +By this time the sloop was boarded, and the captain was almost ready +to sail. + +"My friend," said John to the captain, presenting Benjamin. "You will +find him good company; he is no fool or knave." + +"He might be a goner if that girl should be after him before we get +under way," suggested the captain. "However, we'll soon be off." + +"Good luck to you, old friend," said John, as he shook hands with +Benjamin. "We shall be nigh each other, though three hundred miles +apart." + +"Good-bye, John; a thousand thanks for what you have done for me," +replied Benjamin, with a heavy heart, just beginning to feel that he +was going away from home. "Good-bye." + +Thus they parted, and the sloop sailed for New York. Benjamin avoided +conversation with the captain as much as was possible, lest he might +ask questions it would be embarrassing to answer. The captain, too, +refrained from too much freedom with his youthful passenger, lest he +might make it painful for him, now that he was running away from a +girl. + +The sloop was becalmed off Block Island for several hours, when the +sailors resorted to catching cod for a pastime, and slapping them down +one after another on the deck. + +"Cruel! Inhumanity!" cried Benjamin, who entertained the singular idea +that it was murder to take the life of any harmless creature; and for +this reason he would not touch animal food. + +"What is cruel?" inquired one of the crew. + +"Taking the life of codfish that never did you any harm." + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed the captain; "how you goin' to eat 'em before you +catch 'em?" + +"Don't eat them, and then there will be no need of catching them," +responded Benjamin. "They are in their native element now; let them +stay there, and you keep in yours. They are in as great misery on this +deck as you would be down there in the water." + +"What put such a queer notion as that into your head?" said the +captain, who was surprised that a sane man should hold such an +opinion. "Don't _you_ eat fish?" + +"No, nor any other kind of meat; I have not touched a particle for +more than two years." + +"Because you think it is wicked to kill harmless animals of any kind?" +remarked another sailor, who had been listening in utter astonishment. + +"Yes, that is the principal reason, though I do not think that man +needs flesh for a diet." + +"You think that God made beasts, birds, and fish to look at, and not +to eat," suggested the captain. "In my opinion, the world would be +overrun with dumb animals in time if none were killed for food." + +"And I think the human family would perish for want of food, if flesh +were denied them," added one of the crew. + +While this conversation was going on, the cook was frying fresh cod, +and the sailors were enjoying the odor therefrom. + +"Don't they smell good?" said one, addressing Benjamin; "I shouldn't +want to risk you with one of those fellows if there was no more than I +wanted." + +"I once ate fish, and had a special liking for them, and they smell +well enough now in the frying-pan," replied Benjamin. "But I have my +own opinions about killing such animals." + +"I should think you had," responded one of the sailors, laughing; "no +one else would ever think of such a thing." + +Soon the whole crew were eating cod, and in the jolliest manner making +remarks at Benjamin's expense. + +"Look here, my friend," said the cook; "when these fish were opened, I +found smaller ones in their stomachs; now, if they can eat one +another, I don't see why we can't eat them; do you?" + +"You must be joking, young man," continued the captain; "better send +all such notions adrift and sit down with us to dine on fish; they are +splendid." + +One and another remarked, keeping up a continual fire at Benjamin, +with jokes and arguments and ridicule, until he sat down and went to +devouring a cod with the rest of them. That was the end of his queer +notion about killing fish; it was buried there in the sea; and +Benjamin never again resurrected it, but ate what other people did. +But the episode furnished sport for the sailors all the way from Block +Island to New York, where they arrived in about three days from the +time the sloop left Boston. + +Benjamin did not know a person in the city of New York, nor had he a +single letter of recommendation to any one, and the money in his +pocket but a trifle. It was in October, 1723, that he arrived in New +York, a youth of seventeen years, a runaway in a city, without a +solitary acquaintance, and scarcely money enough to pay a week's +board! Perhaps, with all the rest, he carried an upbraiding conscience +under his jacket, more discomforting than to be a stranger in a +strange land. + +At this crisis of Benjamin's life, he appeared to be on the highway to +ruin. There is scarcely one similar case in ten, where the runaway +escapes the vortex of degradation. Benjamin would have been no +exception, but for his early religious training and his love of books. + +The case of William Hutton, who was the son of very poor parents, is +very similar to that of Benjamin Franklin. He was bound to his uncle +for a series of years, but he was treated so harshly that he ran away, +at seventeen years of age. The record is, that "on the 12th day of +July, 1741, the ill-treatment he received from his uncle in the shape +of a brutal flogging, with a birch-broom handle of white hazel, which +almost killed him, caused him to run away." A dark prospect was before +him, since "he had only twopence in his pocket, a spacious world +before him, and no plan of operation." Yet he became an author of much +celebrity, and a most exemplary and influential man. He lived to the +age of ninety, his last days being gladdened by the reflection of +having lived a useful life, and the consciousness of sharing the +confidence of his fellow-men. + +This description of Hutton would apply almost equally well to +Franklin. + + + + +XIX. + + +TRIALS OF A RUNAWAY. + +On arriving at New York, Benjamin's first thought was of work. His +pocket was too near empty to remain idle long; so he called upon Mr. +William Bradford, an old printer, who removed from Philadelphia to New +York some months before. + +"Can I find employment in your printing office?" he inquired. + +"I am not in need of extra help, I am sorry to say," answered Mr. +Bradford. "My business is light, and will continue to be so for the +present, I think. Are you a printer?" + +"Yes, sir. I have worked at the business over three years." + +"Where?" + +"In Boston." + +"You ought to understand it well by this time. I wish I had work for +you, or for any other young man who is enterprising enough to go from +Boston to New York for work." + +"Do you think I should be likely to find work at some other printing +office in town?" + +"I am sorry to say that I hardly think you can. Very dull times, +indeed, my son. But I think you can get work in Philadelphia. My son +runs a printing house in that city, and one of his men on whom he +relied much recently died. I think he would be glad to employ you." + +"How far is it to Philadelphia?" + +"About a hundred miles." + +"A long distance," was Benjamin's reply, evidently disappointed to +find that he was still a hundred miles from work. + +"It is only one-third as far as you have already traveled for work. If +you can find employment by traveling a hundred miles further, in these +dull times, you will be fortunate." + +"Well, I suppose that is so," replied Benjamin, musing on his +situation. "What is the conveyance there?" + +"You can take a boat to Amboy, and there you will find another boat to +Philadelphia. A pleasant trip, on the whole." And Mr. Bradford added, +for Benjamin's encouragement, "Philadelphia is a better place for a +printer than New York, in some respects." + +Benjamin thanked him for his kindness, expressing much pleasure in +making his acquaintance, and bade him good-bye. He took the first boat +to Amboy, sending his chest by sea around to Philadelphia. The more he +reflected upon his situation, in connection with Mr. Bradford's +encouraging words, the more cheerful and hopeful he grew. If he could +get work "by going a hundred miles further" he ought to be well +satisfied, he said to himself. So he cheered up his almost desponding +heart, in Franklin fashion, as he proceeded upon the next hundred +miles. + +But more trials awaited him, however, somewhat different from those +already experienced. The boat had been under way but a short time +before it was struck by a sudden squall, tearing the rotten sails to +pieces, and driving the craft pell-mell upon Long Island. It was the +first squall of that sort Benjamin had ever experienced. Other squalls +had struck him, and he was fleeing from one at that time, but this +squall of wind and rain was altogether a new experience, and he wilted +under it. The condition was made more tragic by a drunken Dutchman +falling overboard. + +"Seize him! seize him!" cried the captain; and that was what Benjamin +was waiting to do when the miserable fellow should rise to the +surface. As soon as he came up from the depths into which he had sunk, +Benjamin seized him by the hair of his head and pulled him on board. + +"There, you fool," exclaimed Benjamin. "I hope that ducking will sober +you. You came within sight of eternity that time." + +"He may thank you for saving his life," remarked one of the boatmen. + +"He is too drunk for that," replied Benjamin. "He will never know how +near he came to his own place. Strange that any man will be so foolish +as to drink stuff that will steal away his brains." + +"Don't you ever drink it?" asked the captain in reply. + +"Not one drop," his young passenger replied with emphasis, as he +rolled over the Dutchman to get the water out of him. "There, are you +all right now?" + +The Dutchman mumbled over something, no one could tell what. It was +probably about a book in his jacket; for he took one therefrom, and +signified to Benjamin that he wanted it dried; and then he dropped +into a sound sleep. + +"I declare, if it is not my old friend, The Pilgrim's Progress," +exclaimed Benjamin; "in Dutch, too! A queer companion for a drunken +man to have, though a good one." + +"Knows more about the bottle than he does about that, I bet," said the +captain. "I don't suppose that it makes much difference to him whether +he is under the water or on top." + +"Not just now," replied Benjamin; "but what chance is there for +landing on such a rocky shore?" + +"Not much; we'll drop anchor, and swing out the cable towards the +shore," said the captain. + +"I see men on the shore, and there are boats there; perhaps they can +come to our rescue, though the wind is blowing a little too hard for +them." + +The captain hallooed to them, and they returned an answer, but the +wind howled so that they could not be understood. + +"A boat! A boat!" shouted the captain. Others of the crew joined in +the call for aid, and made various signs indicating their need of +assistance. But neither party could understand the other. + +"What now?" inquired Benjamin, when he saw the men on shore turning +their steps homeward. "A pretty dark night before us." + +"Yes, dark and perilous, though I have seen a worse one," answered the +captain. "When we find ourselves in such a predicament, there is only +one thing to be done." + +"What is that?" asked Benjamin, who was quite nervous and anxious. + +"Do nothing but wait patiently for the wind to abate." The captain was +cool and self-reliant when he spoke. + +"Then let us turn in with the Dutchman," said one of the boatmen. "I +don't want he should have all the sleep there is. He is not in +condition to appreciate it as I am." + +"As you please," said the captain; "might as well improve the time by +getting a little rest. We shall be all right in the morning." + +So all crowded into the hatches, including Benjamin. But the spray +broke over the head of the boat so much that the water leaked through +upon them. + +"A wet berth for you, friend," said one of the boatmen to Benjamin. +"You are not accustomed to sleeping in such wet blankets. You may get +as wet as the Dutchman before morning." + +"There is only one thing to do in these circumstances," said Benjamin +in reply, "take things as they come, and make the best of it." + +"If you can," added the boatman in a suggestive way. "If _you_ can, I +oughter. I've been in this business longer than you have lived." + +The crew slept soundly; but Benjamin found no rest in such an unusual +plight. Sleep was out of the question, and he had all the more time to +_think_, and his active mind improved the opportunity, so that Boston, +home, the printing office, and his parents were dwelt upon until he +began to think he was _paying too dear for the whistle_ again. It is +not strange that runaways feel thus, sooner or later, since few of +them ever realize their anticipations. + +The cold, dreary night wore away slowly, and the wind continued to +howl, and the breakers to dash and rear, until after the dawn of +morning. Benjamin was never more rejoiced to see daylight than he was +after that dismal and perilous night. It was the more pleasant to him, +because the wind began to abate, and there was a fairer prospect of +reaching their destination. As soon as the tumult of the winds and +waves had subsided, they weighed anchor, and steered for Amboy, where +they arrived just before night, "having been thirty hours on the water +without victuals, or any drink but a bottle of filthy rum." + +In the evening Benjamin found himself feverish, having taken a severe +cold by the exposure of the previous night. With a hot head and a +heavy heart he retired to rest, first, however, drinking largely of +cold water, because he had somewhere read that cold water was good for +fever. This was one of the advantages he derived from his early habit +of reading. But for his taste for reading, which led him to spend his +leisure moments in poring over books, he might never have known this +important fact, that, perhaps, saved him a fit of sickness. Availing +himself of this knowledge, he drank freely of water before he retired, +and the result was a thorough sweating; and he arose in the morning +fully restored, so as to continue his journey. + +A few years ago, a young man was traveling in the state of Maine, +soliciting subscribers for a newspaper. On passing a certain farm, he +observed some bricks of a peculiar color, and he traced them to their +clay-bed, and satisfied himself that the material could be applied to +a more valuable purpose than that of making bricks. He at once +purchased the farm for fifteen hundred dollars, and, on his return to +Boston, sold one-half of it for four thousand dollars. The secret of +his success lay in a bit of knowledge he acquired at school. He had +given some attention to geology and chemistry, and the little +knowledge he had gained therefrom enabled him to discover the nature +of the clay on the said farm. Thus even a little knowledge that may be +gleaned from a book in a simple leisure half-hour, will sometimes +prove the way to a valuable treasure; much more valuable than the farm +which the young man purchased. This pecuniary benefit is, after all, +the least important advantage derived from reading. The discipline of +the mind and heart, and the refined and elevated pleasure which it +secures, are far more desirable than any pecuniary advantage gained. A +little reading, also, as we have seen, sometimes gives an impulse to +the mind in the direction of learning and renown. It was the reading +of Echard's Roman History, which Gibbon met with while on a visit to +Miltshire, that opened before him the historic path to distinction. + +Sir Walter Scott warned the young against under valuing the knowledge +to be acquired at odd moments by reading and study. He wrote: + +"If it should ever fall to the lot of youth to peruse these pages, let +such readers remember that it is with the deepest regret that I +recollect, in my manhood, the opportunities of learning which I +neglected in my youth; that through every part of my literary career I +have felt pinched and hampered by my own ignorance; and I would this +moment give half the reputation I have had the good fortune to +acquire, if by so doing I could rest the remaining part upon a sound +foundation of learning and science." + +But we have lost sight of Benjamin. We left him at the "tavern" in +Amboy, after having spent the night in a cold-water sweat, about ready +to start on his journey. Burlington was fifty miles from Amboy, and +there was no public conveyance, so that he was obliged to go on foot, +expecting to find a boat there bound for Philadelphia. + +"Rather a tough day for walking," remarked the landlord, as Benjamin +was leaving his house. "Better stay unless your business is driving." + +"Rain or shine, I must push on," responded Benjamin cheerfully. "I +want to be in Philadelphia as soon as possible. Can't melt, as I am +neither sugar nor salt." + +"Well, that is a very encouraging view to take of the situation, and +it is a sensible one, too," said the landlord. "There's nothing like +taking things as they come." + +"I have lived long enough to find that out, young as I am," replied +Benjamin; "and I expect to find constant use of that spirit in future. +Good-bye, sir." + +"Good luck to you, wherever you go," added the landlord in a friendly +tone. + +Benjamin was wet through before he had traveled a mile, and he began +to wish that he had never left Boston; still he hastened on until he +reached a "poor inn" about noon. His own description of that day is as +follows: + +"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 staid all +night, _beginning now to wish I had never left home_. I made so +miserable a figure, too, that I found, by the questions asked me, I +was suspected to be some runaway indentured servant, and in danger of +being taken up on that suspicion." + +"Where are you from, young man?" + +"From Boston, sir." + +"Ah! you are a long way from home for such a youngster. What is your +name?" + +"My name is Benjamin Franklin, and I am going to Philadelphia after +work." + +"No work in Boston, I s'pose, hey? How long since you left?" + +"About a week. I did not expect to come further this way than New +York, but I could find no work there." + +"No work in New York, hey? What sort of work do you do, that you find +it so scarce?" + +"I am a printer by trade, and I hope to get into a printing office in +Philadelphia." + +"Wall, you are a pretty young one to take such a trip; I should hardly +be willing my son should go so far from home, printer or no printer." + +"I can afford to make such a trip, and even a longer one, if I can +find steady work," suggested Benjamin. + +"Your father and mother living?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"How did they feel about your going so far from home?" + +"A father who loves to work as well as my father does always wants his +sons to have enough to do," Benjamin replied, shrewdly evading the +close question. "Nothing my father hates so much as idleness." + +"We all ought to hate it; but many men do not. In these times, can't +keep above water without work." The landlord's last words indicated +that his suspicions were somewhat allayed. + +Benjamin managed to answer all the questions of the innkeeper without +increasing his suspicions. He ate and slept there, and on the +following morning proceeded on his journey, and by night was within +eight or ten miles of Burlington. Here he stopped at an inn kept by +one Doctor Brown, "an ambulating quack-doctor" and a very social man. + +"How much further you going?" he inquired of Benjamin. + +"I am going to Philadelphia." + +"Where are you from?" + +"Boston." + +"Ah! I would like to see Boston; I never did. I have been in South +America, England, and some other countries, but I was never in +Boston." + +"It is a good town, and has many educated, intelligent citizens; it is +a thriving place," said Benjamin. "I should like to see as much of the +world as you have." + +"I enjoyed it, though my knocking about subjected me to many +hardships," replied the doctor. "You would like to see London, and +Paris, and Rome; I have seen them all. They are marvellous cities." + +"I suppose so. My father came from England to Boston less than forty +years ago," continued Benjamin. "He enjoys this country more than he +did his own." + +Benjamin had a good time at Doctor Brown's. The latter soon discovered +that his youthful guest was very intelligent, so he entered into an +account of his travels abroad somewhat in detail to interest him. +Benjamin enjoyed the interview very much, and forgot, for the time +being, that he was a runaway encountering many hardships. He was sorry +to leave him on the next day. + +"I have enjoyed every minute of my stay here," he said, "and I shall +not forget it soon. Perhaps we shall meet again sometime." + +"I hope we shall. I am glad to make your acquaintance, and I wish you +great success. I hope you will become the most successful printer in +America. Good-bye." + +They parted the best of friends, and Benjamin pushed on to Burlington, +where he expected to find a boat. In the suburbs of the town he bought +some gingerbread of an old woman who kept a shop, and walked on, +eating it as he went. To his great disappointment, on reaching the +wharf, he found the boat had gone, and there would not be another +until Tuesday. It was Saturday, and his money would not hold out if he +should get boarded at a hotel till then. What should he do? He was in +great trouble about it for a short time, but finally concluded that he +would return to the old lady of whom he bought the gingerbread, as he +liked her appearance very well, and ask her advice. So back he went. + +"Ah! back again?" she said, as he entered her shop. "Want more +gingerbread?" + +"No. I was going to take the boat to Philadelphia, but it has gone, +and there is not another to go until Tuesday." + +"Lor', me!" exclaimed the kind-hearted woman; "if that ain't too bad! +What kin ye du?" + +"That is what I want to ask you. Is there any other conveyance to +Philadelphia?" + +"Lor', no; and all ye has to du is to make the best on 't." + +"And what is that? That is just what I want to know. How can I make +the best on 't?" + +"What ye goin' to Philadelphy for?" she replied, instead of answering +his question. + +"I am going after work. I am a printer, and want to find work in a +printing office." + +"A printer, lor'! Dear me, yer fortin is made to set up business in +this 'ere town. There's nothin' of the like here." + +"I have nothing to set up the business with," said Benjamin. "I would +as lief work here as in Philadelphia, if the way was open." + +The woman did not know what was necessary in establishing a printing +house. That types and a press were indispensable articles in such +business she did not dream. She thought, doubtless, that he carried +all necessary fixtures with him in his pockets. + +"Lor', then, I'll lodge ye till Tuesday for ----," naming the sum. + +"I will stay with you, then, and make the best of it," he replied. + +He found himself in very good quarters, and his hostess proved herself +to be very kind and hospitable. He took dinner with her, and remained +about the shop until towards night, when he walked forth to view the +place. In his walk he came around to the river, and, as he approached +it, he discovered a boat with several people in it, and he hailed +them: + +"Whither bound?" + +"To Philadelphia." + +"Can you take me in? I was too late for the boat to-day." + +"Just as well as not," and the boat was turned at once to receive the +additional passenger. + +There was no wind, so that they had to depend upon their oars for +progress. Benjamin now had an opportunity to show his skill in rowing +which he acquired in his boyhood, in Boston. He was so elated with +proceeding on his journey to Philadelphia that he thought neither of +the fatigue of rowing nor of the wonder of the old lady in the shop at +the unexpected disappearance of her boarder. He did not mean to treat +her disrespectfully, for he considered her a very clever woman; but +the boat could not wait for him to return and pay the old lady his +compliments. Whether she ever learned what became of him, or that he +grew up to be Doctor Franklin, the philosopher and statesman, we have +no means of knowing. Doubtless she concluded that she had not +"entertained an angel unawares," but rather had aided an undeserving +fellow in pursuing a vicious course, which was not true. + +The boat moved on. Benjamin rowed with strong resolution, taking his +turn with others, and impressing them by his tact and skill, until +midnight, when one of the company said: + +"We must have passed the city. It can't be that we have been so long +getting to it." + +"That is impossible," answered one of the men; "we must have seen it +if we had passed it." + +"Well, I shall row no more," said the first speaker. "I know that +Philadelphia is not so far off as this." + +"Then, let us put for the shore," said a third, "and find out where we +are, if possible." + +All agreed to the last proposition, and at once rowed towards the +shore, entering a small creek, where they landed near an old fence, +the rails of which furnished them fuel for a fire. They were very +chilly, it being a frosty night of October, and they found the fire +very grateful. They remained there till daylight, when one of the +company knew that the place was "Cooper's Creek," a few miles above +Philadelphia. Immediately they made preparations to continue their +journey, which had not been altogether unpleasant, and they were soon +in full view of the city, where they arrived between eight and nine +o'clock on Sunday morning. They landed at Market-street Wharf. Taking +out his money, which consisted of one unbroken dollar and a shilling +in copper coin, he offered the latter to the boatman for his passage. + +"Not a cent, my good fellow! You worked your passage, and did it well, +too. You row as if you were an old hand at it. Put your money back in +your pocket." + +"But you _must_ take it," insisted Benjamin. "You are quite welcome to +all the rowing I have done. I am glad enough to get here by rowing and +paying my passage, too. But for your coming along to take me in, I +should have been obliged to stay in Burlington until next Tuesday," +and he fairly forced the money upon the boatman. + +Bidding them good morning, he walked up Market Street. + + + + +XX. + + +THE WALKING COMEDY. + +Benjamin was very hungry, and he was considering how he could appease +his hunger, when he met a boy who was eating a piece of bread. + +"That is what I want," he said to the boy; "where did you get that?" + +"Over there, at the bake-shop," the boy replied, pointing to it. + +"Thank you," and Benjamin hurried on. + +He had eaten nothing since he dined with the shop-woman in Burlington, +on the day before. Besides, bread was a staple article with him. He +had made many a meal of plain bread in his brother's printing office +in Boston. Although he knew well which side his bread was buttered, +his appetite for unbuttered bread never failed him. Entering the +bake-shop, he inquired: + +"Have you biscuit?" He was thinking of what he had in Boston. + +"We make nothing of the kind." + +"Give me a three-penny loaf, then." + +"We have none." + +Benjamin began to think he should have to go hungry still, for, +evidently, he did not know the names used to designate the different +sorts of bread in Philadelphia. But, soon recovering himself, he said: + +"Then give me three-penny worth of any kind." To his surprise, the +baker passed three great puffy rolls to him, enough for three men to +eat at one meal. At first, he was puzzled to know what to do with +them, whether to take all three or not. + +"What! All that?" he said, scarcely knowing what he did say. + +"Yes, there's three-penny worth; that is what you said, was it not?" + +"It was," and Benjamin paid the money and took the loaves, trying to +conceal his surprise, without exposing his ignorance of methods in the +Quaker City. He was a boy of remarkable tact, as we have seen, so that +he was never put to his wits long without finding a way out. It was so +in this case. He put a roll under each arm, and taking the third one +in his hand, he proceeded up the street, eating as he went. + +Recollect that it was Sunday morning, and people were already swarming +in the streets, arrayed in their best clothes. Benjamin was clad in +his poorest clothes, and they were very shabby. His best suit was in +his chest, and that was sent from New York by water. He was a sight to +behold as he trudged up Market Street with his three loaves of bread, +and his large pockets stuffed with shirts and stockings. He preferred +pockets to the usual "bandanna bundle"; they were more convenient for +storing away his wardrobe, but contributed largely to his comical +appearance. He was a walking comedy. People gazed at him inquiringly +and smiled. No doubt, many of them wondered where he came from and +where he was going. He was seedy enough, but no one saw the seed of a +philosopher or statesman about him. There was no promise in that +direction. He was an embryo "Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of +France"; but his appearance was that of a shack, or modern tramp, to +whom Sunday is like all other days, and whose self-respect is at a +large discount. + +On he went, however, regardless of opinions concerning the figure he +cut, stowing away in his stomach the baker's loaf in his hand. He +passed by the residence of one Mr. Read, whose daughter, in her teens, +Miss Deborah Read, was standing at the door. She gazed in wonder at +the singular specimen of humanity passing before her; thought he was +the most awkward and comical creature in the form of a man she had +ever seen; and turned away with a laugh to tell her people in the +house of the queer spectacle. She little thought that she was taking a +bird's eye view of her future husband, as the young man with the rolls +under his arms turned out to be. But just then he cared more for bread +than he did for her; some years thereafter, the case was reversed, and +he cared more for her than he did for bread. + +He turned down Chestnut Street, and walked on until he came round to +the wharf where he landed. Being thirsty, he went to the boat for +water, where he found the woman and child, who came down the river +with them on the previous night, waiting to go further. + +"Are you hungry?" he said to the little one, who looked wistfully at +the bread. + +"We are both very hungry," replied the mother quickly for herself and +child. + +"Well, I have satisfied my hunger with one loaf, and you may have the +other two if you want them"; and Benjamin passed the two rolls under +his arms to her. "It appears that, in Philadelphia, three-penny worth +of bread is three times as much as a man can eat. If other things can +be had in the same proportion, the last dollar I have left will go a +great way." + +"I thank you a thousand times; you are very kind indeed," responded +the woman, with a heart overflowing with gratitude, which was as good +pay for the bread as Benjamin wanted. "May you never want for bread." + +"No one would want for bread if they who have it will divide with +those who have none, as they should." + +In the last reply was incorporated a leading virtue of Benjamin's +character--a trait that manifested itself, as we shall see, all +through his life. His generosity was equal to his wisdom. An American +statesman said of him, in a eulogy delivered in Boston: + +"No form of personal suffering or social evil escaped his attention, +or appealed in vain for such relief or remedy as his prudence could +suggest, or his purse supply. From that day of his early youth, when, +a wanderer from his home and friends in a strange place, he was seen +sharing the rolls with a poor woman and child, to the last act of his +public life, when he signed that well-known memorial to Congress, a +spirit of earnest and practical benevolence runs like a golden thread +along his whole career." + +"I must be after finding a boarding place," said Benjamin to the owner +of the boat, as he was about leaving. "I do not know where to go any +more than the man in the moon. Are you acquainted here?" + +"Scarcely at all; could not be of any service to you any way on that +line," the owner answered. "Goin' to stop some time in Philadelphy?" + +"I am going to live here if I can find work, as I expect to, and +become a citizen of this town." + +"Wall, you'll make a good one, I know. May you never have reason to +repent of your choice. Goodbye." + +"Good-bye"; and Benjamin walked up the street again. The people were +on their way to meeting, so that he was reminded of divine worship, +which he had partially forsaken in Boston. Being very tired, in +consequence of a hard time on the boat and a wakeful night, he +concluded to follow the people to church. They entered a large +old-fashioned meeting-house, and he followed them and took a seat near +the door. His appearance attracted much attention, as his dress was +not exactly that of a Quaker, and otherwise he was not quite of the +Quaker type; and it was a Quaker church in which he was. But he wasted +no thoughts upon his apparel, and did not stop to think or care +whether he was arrayed in shoddy or fine linen. + +Whether he did not know that he was in a Quaker congregation, or +knowing that fact, was ignorant of the Quaker worship, does not +appear; but he waited for something to be said. While waiting for +this, he dropped into a sound sleep, and slept through the entire +service, and would have slept on, and been fastened into the +meeting-house, had not the sexton discovered him. + +"Hulloo, stranger! Meeting's over; going to shut up the house," +shouted the sexton, shaking the sleeper thoroughly. + +"I was very tired," responded Benjamin, trying to get his eyes open. +"I was on the boat last night and got no sleep." + +"Where did you come from?" + +"Boston; I came here for work." + +"Well, Philadelphy is a great place for work; what sort of work do you +want?" + +"I am a printer by trade, and hope to find work in a printing office." + +"And I hope you will. Sorry to disturb your nap, but I have to lock up +the house." + +Benjamin thanked the sexton for waking him instead of locking him in, +and went out into the street. He had not proceeded far before he met a +Quaker whose face indicated a man of amiable and generous heart, and +Benjamin ventured to speak to him. + +"I am a stranger in this town; arrived here this morning; can you tell +me where I can get a night's lodging?" + +"Certainly I can; I suppose thee wants a respectable place." The +gentleman spoke so kindly as to draw Benjamin to him at once. + +"Yes, sir; but not an expensive one; my purse will not permit of any +extra expense." + +"Thee going to remain here some time?" + +"Permanently, if I can get work; I am a printer by trade." + +"I wish thee success," added the Quaker. "But here we are close by the +'Three Mariners'; but it is not exactly a reputable house, and thee +wants a better one." + +"Yes; I want one that has a good reputation if there is such a one," +said Benjamin. + +"Well, if thee will follow me, I will show thee a better one; it is +not far away." + +Benjamin followed him into Water Street, where he pointed out a public +house. + +"There's the 'Crooked Billet,'" said the Quaker, "a tavern that is +reputable, where thee can find board and lodgings for a day or a +year." + +"Thank you, sir, for your kindness," said Benjamin; "I shall not +forget you. May every body be as friendly to you as you have been to +me." + +At the same time, Benjamin thought it was a very queer name for a +public house. He did not like either part of it, and he said to +himself, "'Crooked Billet'!--crookedness and a cudgel to strike down +the turbulent with, are suggested." The name did not suggest any thing +pleasant to him. But he went in, and engaged lodging and board until +Monday. + +"Where are you from?" asked the landlord, scanning him from head to +foot. + +"I am from Boston." + +"Boston, hey? How long have you been on the way?" + +"Two weeks." + +"Got friends in Philadelphia?" + +"Not one; all strangers to me." + +"What did you come here for?" + +"I came to secure work in a printing office. I am a printer by trade." + +"How old are you?" + +"Seventeen." + +"And came all the way from Boston alone?" + +"Yes, sir." + +Benjamin saw by this time that the landlord suspected him of being a +runaway apprentice. This class of characters was large at that day, +for apprentices were often subjected to cruelty that made them +runaways. So he closed the conversation as soon as possible and went +to his room, where he slept until six o'clock, when he was called to +supper. Not long after supper he went to bed and slept soundly until +morning. + +He arose early, took special pains to make himself as presentable as +possible, paid his bill without waiting for breakfast, perhaps because +he was reducing his cash so nearly to the last cent, and sallied forth +in search of Mr. Bradford. He experienced no trouble in finding the +printing office; but was very much surprised to find Mr. Bradford of +New York there, father of the young printer Bradford of Philadelphia, +to whom the father sent him. + +"Glad to see you, my young friend. I got here first, after all, as you +see," remarked Mr. Bradford, the father, as he welcomed Benjamin with +a hearty shake of the hand. "Had any ill-luck on your way?" + +"Not exactly bad luck, for I considered myself quite lucky to get here +at all; but a slow, tedious trip, with delays and storms and +disappointments most of the time," was Benjamin's answer, and he +entered somewhat into details. + +"Well, you are here, and I am glad to meet you; and, now, you want +work." Then, turning to his son, Mr. Bradford continued: "My son, let +me introduce this young man to you. He is a printer by trade, from +Boston, in search of work: Benjamin Franklin. He called upon me in New +York, and I advised him to come to you, knowing that your leading +printer had died." + +The young printer and the runaway were soon acquainted,--young +Bradford being as genial and friendly as the senior. + +"I regret that I have no work for you now. I have filled the place +made vacant by the death of Bolder." + +"There is another printer here, is there not?" asked the senior +Bradford. + +"Yes, Keimer; it is possible he may want a man. But it is breakfast +time now; let us all go to breakfast, and then we'll see what can be +done." + +Benjamin was invited to breakfast with them, and there learned that +Mr. Bradford of New York came all the way on horseback, starting very +unexpectedly the next day after Benjamin left New York. He was +somewhat surprised, also, to learn that Philadelphia had only seven +thousand inhabitants at that time--five thousand less than Boston. + +"I will go with you to see Mr. Keimer," said the senior Bradford, +after breakfast. "Perhaps I may be of service to you." + +"I shall feel myself under great obligations to you if you will," +answered Benjamin. "It is quite necessary that I should get work, as +my money is nearly gone." + +"We can fix that, I think," said young Bradford. "I may be able to +give you a little something to do, if Keimer don't want you, so that +you won't starve. You can lodge at my house." + +"Thanks," replied Benjamin. "I appreciate your kindness, and hope to +be able to make some return for it in the future. I am sorry not to +appear before you in more respectable apparel, but my chest of clothes +comes by water from New York, and I have not received it yet." + +"Clothes don't make the man," responded the elder Bradford, who had +discovered a remarkably bright and intelligent youth in Benjamin. +"Brains take the precedence of clothes in New York and Philadelphia." + +Benjamin found himself among good friends, so he cheerfully accepted +their counsel. The senior Bradford accompanied him to Keimer's. + +"Neighbor," said Bradford, "I have brought to you a young man from +Boston, a printer by trade; he is after work. Perhaps you can employ +him." + +"That depends on his qualifications," answered Mr. Keimer. "I want +some one who is acquainted with the business." + +"You will find him all right, I think; he appears to know what he is +about." + +"How long have you worked at the business?" inquired Keimer, turning +to Benjamin. + +"Over three years." + +"Do you understand all parts of it so that you can go on with it?" + +"Yes, I think I do; you can ascertain by trying me." + +"Take this composing-stick and try your hand; let me see what you can +do." + +Benjamin proceeded to give an exhibition of his skill at type-setting, +which he did so rapidly and easily that Keimer was delighted. + +"Very well done, indeed. I think you told the truth; you must have had +considerable experience. I will employ you as soon as I have +sufficient work. At present, I have nothing for you to do." + +"It is not often, Mr. Keimer, that you have the opportunity to employ +a skilled hand like this young man," suggested Bradford. "If you could +give him enough to do to pay his board, until you are full of work, it +may be for your interest and his, too." + +"That is true. I am at work now upon this Elegy on Aquila Rose, who +was clerk of the Pennsylvania Legislature; and I may want him to print +it. I shall have it ready in three or four days. I am expecting other +work soon, also." + +"You can return to my son's house to eat and sleep," said Mr. Bradford +to Benjamin. "I think Mr. Keimer will want you before long. He expects +to have business." + +"What do you think of my prospects here, sir?" inquired Keimer of Mr. +Bradford, supposing him to be a citizen of Philadelphia. "I have +hardly got under way yet; it is only a few weeks since I began." + +"That will depend upon your own exertions and business talents. +Philadelphia is a growing town, where industry and perseverance will +do wonders." + +"I shall do all in my power to draw the business of the town; and I +think I can do it by industry and giving first-class work." + +"How can you expect to get all the business when there is another +printer here, who has been established some time?" + +Keimer answered the last inquiry by disclosing his plans, as Bradford +artfully drew him out on every point, until he learned how he was +calculating to command all the business, and run his son out of it. +Nor did Keimer dream that he was conversing with the father of the +other printer, whom he designed to deprive of his livelihood. All the +while Benjamin stood and listened to their conversation, perceiving +that Bradford was shrewdly learning Keimer's plans for the benefit of +his son. + +"You did not know that man, did you?" inquired Benjamin, after +Bradford left. + +"No; but I concluded he was some business man of the town, who would +be interested to see a printing office successful, and so took pains +to introduce you to me." + +"Then you will be surprised to learn who he is, when I tell you. That +was the father of Andrew Bradford, your neighbor, the printer. He +carries on printing in New York." + +"Can that be?" exclaimed Keimer, astonished over the bit of news, and +startled at the thought of having made known his plans to a +competitor. + +"Yes, it is even so. That was Mr. Bradford, the New York printer, +father of Andrew Bradford, the printer of your town; and not his +apparition." + +"How in the world did he happen to come here with you?" + +"I can tell you in a few words," replied Benjamin. "I called on him +for work in New York, and he directed me to his son here, who had just +lost a good hand by death. Very unexpectedly, on the next day, he +started for Philadelphia on horseback, and, when I called upon his +son, this morning, I found him there. His son had just hired a man; +and so he directed me to you, and his father offered to come and +introduce me." + +"Well, all that is natural enough, but it is pretty hard on me," +answered Keimer. "If I had known that was Bradford's father, I should +have kept my mouth shut, of course." + +"You opened it pretty wide to him, and he took advantage of it, as +most men will do. But I guess no harm is done. He and his son both +appear to be friendly to you; they would not have proposed that I +should come here for work, if they had not been." + +"That looks so, I must confess," said Keimer; "but I have learned one +good lesson from it: never to divulge secrets to a stranger. When I do +that again I shall not be in my right mind. But I wanted to ask you +about your Boston experience in a printing office; what office was you +in?" + +"My brother's, James Franklin. He published a paper, the _New England +Courant_. He did a large business." + +"Yes, our paper here gave some account of it. The editor had some +trouble with the Government, did he not?" + +"Yes, and a serious trouble it was. He believed in the freedom of the +press, and the officials did not; so there was a collision. He +determined to fight the censorship of the press, and he was imprisoned +for it. Then I edited and published the paper in my own name." + +"You run it!" exclaimed Keimer in a tone of wonder and unbelief. + +"Yes, I run it,--without letting up one jot in attacking the +intolerant Government. It was a hot contest, but the common people, +true Americans, rallied to our support, and left the aristocratic +officials to toady to the English Government." + +"A new order of things when a boy edits and publishes a paper in a +straight fight with Great Britain," was all that Keimer said, in +reply, evidently not believing a word of Benjamin's story about the +_Courant_. However, the more he talked with the new comer, the more he +was impressed with his intelligence and manly character. He found that +his clothes were the poorest part of him, that underneath his shabby +garments there dwelt a soul of large possessions and aspirations. + +Benjamin learned at Keimer's office what a blessing it was to him to +have practised _doing things well_. Thoroughness in learning the +printer's art, as well as in studying the use of language and +composition, characterized him in Boston, as we have seen. Now he was +reaping the benefits of it. He handled the composing-stick so +dexterously, and answered every question so intelligently and +promptly, that Keimer saw at once he was really an expert. Many boys +are satisfied if they can only "pass muster." Their ambition rises no +higher than that. But not so with Benjamin. He sought to understand +the business to which he attended, and to do as well as possible the +work he undertook. The consequence was that he was a thorough workman, +and, in five minutes, he was able to satisfy Keimer of the fact. This +was greatly in his favor; and such a young man is never long out of +business. Doctor Johnson said, "What is worth doing at all, is worth +doing well." + +Samuel Budgett said, "In whatever calling a man is found, he ought to +strive to be the best in that calling; if only a shoe-black, he should +try to be the best shoe-black in the neighborhood." Budgett conducted +his immense business, in which he employed six hundred men, on this +principle. When a boy was introduced into his warehouse he was set to +straightening old nails. If he straightened nails well, he was +promoted to bag-mending; if he did not do it well, he was dismissed. +The thorough nail-straightener and bag-mender moved upwards into +larger and higher fields of work; and so the great English merchant +could boast of having the most efficient and faithful class of +employes in the British realm. Training them to do their best did it. + +James Parton said to David Maydole, inventor of the modern hammer and +manufacturer of the best hammers in the world, "By this time you ought +to be able to make a pretty good hammer." Maydole replied, "No, I +can't. I can't make a pretty good hammer, I make the best that's +made." Once a party applied for several hammers, to whom Maydole was +indebted for some favor, and the party said to him, "You ought to make +my hammer a little better than the others." Maydole responded, "I +can't make any better ones. When I make a thing, I make it as well as +I can, no matter whom it is for." Doing his best every time led him on +to fortune. He never pushed his business. He never advertised. Making +the best hammer in the market created all the business he wanted. + + + + +XXI. + + +GETTING ON. + +"Your press is rather dilapidated, I see," remarked Benjamin to Mr. +Keimer, after he had looked it over. "Second-hand, I conclude?" + +"Yes, I had to buy what I could get cheap, as I had little money to +begin with. I guess it can be fixed up to answer my purpose." + +"That is so; it can be improved very much with little expense," +replied Benjamin. + +"Do you understand a printing press well enough to repair it?" + +"I can repair that one well enough; I see what is wanted. You can't do +good work with it as it is," Benjamin answered. + +"Then I can employ you at once, and you may go right about putting it +in order if you please." + +"I will do it," Benjamin replied in his emphatic way. "It is not a +long job, by any means." + +"Perhaps you will have it done by the time I get the Elegy set up, and +then you may print it." Keimer's interest was deepening since he found +that the Boston printer-boy could repair a printing press. He was +getting more than he bargained for. + +Benjamin went to work upon the old press, saying "I may as well go +about it at once, and work till dinner time. Mr. Bradford will expect +me back then; but I will keep at it until it is done." + +"Well, I hope you will not expose any secrets as I did," remarked Mr. +Keimer, humorously. "Old Bradford will be on the lookout for capital, +no doubt. See that he don't make as much out of you as he did out of +me." + +Benjamin met the Bradfords, senior and junior, at the dinner table, +where they gave him a cordial welcome. + +"How does Philadelphia compare with Boston?" inquired the senior +Bradford of him. + +"It is smaller, and I can't tell yet whether it is duller or not. When +I have been here a week I can tell more about it." + +"And what are your prospects at Keimer's?" inquired the junior +Bradford. + +"Well, I have begun to repair his old press. It is a dilapidated +affair, and I told him that I could improve it very much." + +"Do you understand that part of the business?" + +"I understand it sufficiently to make what repairs that machine +requires just now." + +"Then you can probably do some repairs for me," said the junior +Bradford "My press needs some tutoring." + +"I shall be happy to be its tutor," replied Benjamin, with a smile. "I +shall finish Keimer's to-morrow, and then I will take yours in hand. I +shall be glad to do something to repay you for your kindness." + +"You must have had good school advantages in Boston," remarked the +elder Bradford to him. "Your conversation indicates that you are +well-read and well-informed." + +"But I am not indebted to the schools for it; I never went to school +but two years in my life. But I have studied and read as much as any +body of my age, in leisure hours and nights; and I have written more +for the press, probably, than any one of my age in Boston." + +This last remark caused the Bradfords to look at each other with +wonder for a moment. But the senior broke the silence by saying: + +"You write for the press? How is that?" His astonishment charged his +questions with peculiar emphasis. + +"Yes, sir; I wrote much for nearly a year for the _New England +Courant_, one of the newspapers in Boston." + +"And only seventeen years old now?" + +"I was only sixteen when I wrote the most." + +That was as far as Benjamin dared to disclose his history, lest he +might make trouble for himself. He had disclosed enough, however, to +set his host to thinking. Neither of the Bradfords really believed his +story about his writing for the press; and yet there was something +about him, composed of intelligence, refinement, and manliness, that +impressed them. The more they conversed with him, the more were they +satisfied that he was an uncommon youth. While that conviction +awakened their curiosity to know more of his history, it served, also, +to cause them to respect his boy-manhood, and so not to ply him with +too many or close questions. Thus Benjamin escaped the necessity of +exposing the objectionable part of his career, and left his good +friends wondering over the mysterious young printer they were +befriending. + +Benjamin repaired Keimer's press, and then attended to Bradford's, +before the Elegy was ready to be printed. By that time, Keimer had +engaged to print a pamphlet and do some other small jobs, so that he +needed Benjamin's services all the time. + +"I shall want you right along, now, I think; but you must change your +boarding-place. I don't want you should board with a man who knows so +much about my business." And Keimer laughed as he made this last +remark. + +"Of course, I shall change. I only intended to stay there until I got +work. Mr. Bradford kindly invited me to stay there till I found a +place, and I shall not take any advantage of his generosity. I shall +always be grateful to him for it." + +"He was a good friend to you, a stranger," continued Keimer, "and I +would have you appreciate his friendship; but, in the circumstances, I +think another boarding-place is best." + +"And now I can make a more respectable appearance," responded +Benjamin; "for my chest of clothes has come." + +"The man who owns this building lives a short distance away, and I am +thinking I can get you boarded there; it will be a good place," added +Mr. Keimer. + +"As you please; I can make myself at home any where. I am not used to +much style and luxury." + +"His name is Read, and he has an interesting daughter of eighteen, +which may be some attraction to you." The last remark was intended +more for pleasantry than any thing. + +"Work will have to be the chief attraction for me, whose fortune is +reduced to the last shilling," responded Benjamin. "It takes money to +pay respectful attention to young ladies; and, besides, my _forte_ +does not lie in that direction." + +The result was, that he went to board at Mr. Read's, the father of the +young lady who stood in the door when he passed on Sunday morning with +a roll of bread under each arm. His appearance was much improved by +this time, so that even Miss Read saw that he was an intelligent, +promising young man. + +Benjamin received good wages, attended closely to his work, improved +his leisure moments by reading and study, as he did in Boston, and +spent his evenings in systematic mental culture. + +"You appear to be fond of books," said Mr. Read to him. "I think you +must have enjoyed good advantages at home. Where is your home?" + +"Boston. I was born there seventeen years ago." + +"Only seventeen! I supposed you were older. Your parents living?" + +"Yes, both of them, as good people as there are in Boston." + +"Got brothers and sisters?" + +"Plenty of them. I am the fifteenth child, and have two sisters +younger than I am; only one of the whole number is dead." + +"You surprise me; yours must have been the largest family in Boston," +continued Mr. Read. "I am sure we have no family as large as that in +Philadelphia. Your father ought to be worth some money to provide for +such a family." + +"He is not, he is a poor man; so poor that he kept me in school less +than two years. I went into the shop to work with him when I was ten +years old, and have not been to school since. All my brothers were +apprenticed at ten or twelve years of age. I was a printer's +apprentice at twelve years of age." + +"And what was your father's business, if I may be permitted to ask? +Your story is a very interesting one, and I want to know more about +it." + +"My father is a tallow-chandler. He emigrated to Boston in 1685, from +Banbury, England, where he worked at the trade of a dyer. There was no +room for that business in Boston, so he took up the business of +candle-making." + +"But you did not work at the candle business long, if you became a +printer at twelve?" + +"No; I disliked the business so thoroughly that I was ready to engage +in almost any thing if I could get out of that. The printer's trade +has afforded me excellent opportunities for reading and study, and I +like it." + +"Well, printers are generally an intelligent class, and their pursuit +is highly respected. One of our printers in Philadelphia is an +ignorant man, and not very familiar with the business." + +"I found that out some time ago," answered Benjamin; "and ignorance is +a great drawback to a person in any business whatever. There is no +need of a man being ignorant, so long as he can command fragments of +time to read and study. What I call my leisure hours are my most +profitable and enjoyable hours." + +Mr. Read had already concluded that Benjamin was never so happy as +when he had a book in his hand, or was with some intelligent companion +conversing upon a useful topic. He had formed a high estimate of his +talents and character in the few weeks he had been a boarder at his +house. He saw in him a rising young man, and predicted for him a +remarkable career. His daughter, too, was as favorably impressed by +acquaintance with him. She learned that he was the youth, who cut such +a comical figure on the street, eating his roll of bread, on a Sunday +morning a short time before, and she could scarcely believe her eyes. +The transformation in him was almost too great for belief. That such a +shack in appearance should turn out to be the brightest and +best-informed young man who ever boarded at her father's, was an +impressive fact. She was gratified at his appearance, and enjoyed +conversation with him. + +Benjamin was well pleased with his boarding-place, and enjoyed himself +with the family; especially with the daughter, who was rather a +graceful, good-looking, bright girl. Several young men, also, boarded +there, whom he made companions. These, with others, whose acquaintance +he made within three or four months, became the source of so much +pleasure to him that he fast became weaned from Boston. + +As soon as Benjamin was fairly settled in business, he wrote to his +old friend, John Collins, of Boston, giving him a full account of his +trip to Philadelphia, his trials and successes, and closing by +charging him with secrecy as to his whereabouts. + +He had given such unjustifiable scope to his resentment of his +brother's harsh treatment, and his father's final endorsement of that +brother, that he did not stop to think of the sorrow he was bringing +upon his parents by his wayward course. For the time being, his filial +affection appeared to be sacrificed to his revengeful spirit. + +At that time, the printer's trade ranked higher, in public estimation, +than any other mechanical business. All editors in the country were +printers, and most of the printers were better educated than any other +artisans; hence their social standing was higher. On this account, a +talented and brilliant boy like Benjamin took a high rank at once, and +readily found access to the respect and confidence of all who made his +acquaintance. + +In due time, Benjamin received a letter from Collins, detailing the +excitement that followed his sudden disappearance from Boston, what +was said, the sorrow among his friends over his disgraceful exit, how +his brother was getting on, and many other matters about which he was +glad to hear. The letter closed by assuring him that no person in +Boston was apparently so ignorant of the runaway's whereabouts as +himself, from which he inferred that Collins was keeping the secret +well. + +While Benjamin was flattering himself that his friends were entirely +ignorant of his place of residence, except John Collins, his +brother-in-law, Robert Homes, "master of a sloop that traded between +Boston and Delaware," was at Newcastle, forty miles from Philadelphia. +There he met a citizen of the latter place, of whom he made inquiries +as to the business of the town. Among other things, he said: + +"A young printer from Boston has settled there recently, who ranks +high as a workman and as a talented young man." + +"Do you know his name?" inquired Captain Homes, startled by the +revelation. + +"Benjamin Franklin." + +With an effort to conceal his surprise and interest, he asked: + +"For whom does he work?" + +"For Mr. Keimer, our new printer." + +"Are you acquainted with him?" + +"Not particularly; I have met him." + +"Is he a young man of standing and good habits?" + +"He is. It is said that he is very talented, and that he wrote for the +press in Boston before he came to Philadelphia." + +"Is that so?" responded the captain, to conceal that he was any +acquaintance of his. + +"Yes; and, as a matter of course, such a young man is much thought of. +He is not set up at all, but appears to be modest and unassuming. He +is very much liked by all." + +"Do you think he means to make Philadelphia his home in the future?" + +"That is what he intends, as I understand it." In this way, Captain +Homes gained whatever information he wanted, without disclosing that +Benjamin Franklin was his brother-in-law. Then he embraced the first +opportunity to write and forward to him the following letter from +Newcastle: + + "DEAR BROTHER,--I have just learned from a citizen of Philadelphia + that you reside in that town. It is the first knowledge that any of + us have had of your whereabouts since you ran away from Boston. You + can have no idea of the sorrow you caused the family by your unwise + and thoughtless act. It well-nigh broke your mother's heart, and + added several years to your father's appearance. But I write to + advise and entreat you to return to Boston. I am confident that + your parents, and all other friends, will receive you with open + arms, forgetting the past in their joy over your presence. They do + not know even that you are alive; and your return will be to them + as one risen from the dead. I trust that this letter will find you + well, and disposed to heed my advice, and go back to Boston. It + will be the best thing for you and the whole family. Let me hear + from you; direct your letter to this place; if sent at once it will + reach me here. + + "Yours affectionately, + + "ROBERT HOMES." + +The reader may very properly infer that Benjamin was taken by surprise +by this letter. Now his friends would know where he was. How did +Captain Homes discover his place of residence? This question kept +uppermost in his mind. His letter did not tell. Benjamin pondered the +matter through the day, and finally resolved to answer it squarely and +promptly in the evening. That night he wrote the following: + + "CAPTAIN ROBERT HOMES: + + "_Dear Brother_,--I received your letter to-day, and it was a + genuine surprise to me. How in the world you discovered my + whereabouts is a mystery to me; but it is all well and will turn + out for the best, no doubt. To answer your letter affords me an + opportunity to state exactly the cause of my sudden departure from + Boston, which I do not think you understand. The sole cause of my + leaving was the unjust and harsh treatment of James. Instead of + seeing in me a brother, he saw only an apprentice, indentured to + him until I was twenty-one, over whom he held the iron rod of a + master, and from whom he expected the most servile obedience. At + times I may have been saucy and provoking, but it was when I was + receiving more than flesh and blood could bear. For, in letting + loose his violent temper, he not only lashed me unmercifully with + his tongue, but he resorted to blows; and you ought to know enough + of the Franklins by this time to understand that no one of them + would submit to such oppression. Then, to cap the climax, father, + who had always sided with me whenever our difficulties were laid + before him, now gave his decision, for some reason, in favor of + James. That was the last straw on the camel's back. Nothing but + harsh treatment by a master, who asserted his rights under the law, + awaited me. To remain was to be trod upon, and suffer, and become a + slave instead of a man. To leave was impossible, unless I left + clandestinely. For many days a mighty contest was waged in my soul + between love of home and escape from a bondage as bad as Negro + slavery. + + "After all I had done for James, in his great trouble with the + Government, that he should treat me, his own brother, as a menial + to be abused, seemed hard indeed. Under such a burden of trial, + scarcely knowing whither to look for a friend, I resolved to + escape, and I do not now regret the step. I knew that I should be + misjudged--that I should be called a runaway, and thought to be on + the road to ruin. But I am not. I mean to make the most of myself + possible. I am now among good friends, who kindly second all my + efforts at self-improvement, and my business prospects were never + so good. If industry, economy, temperance, honesty, and + perseverance will win, then I shall win; you may be sure of that. + + "Yours affectionately, + + "BENJAMIN." + +Captain Homes was a strong, good man, used to roughing it in a +seafaring life; but when he read Benjamin's letter, tears stood in his +eyes, and his lips quivered with emotion, as his great heart went out +in sympathy for his wife's young brother. + +"Read that letter," he said to Governor Keith, who was present, "and +then I will tell you about the author of it." + +Governor Keith read it, with moistened eyes, although he was a +stranger to the writer and his romantic history. + +"A touching letter," he remarked, returning it to the captain. + +"The author of it is my wife's youngest brother, only a boy now." + +"How old?" inquired the governor. + +"Only seventeen." + +"Indeed, he must be a remarkable boy." + +"He is. The most gifted boy ever raised in Boston." + +"Then he ran away from Boston?" + +"Yes; his father's family is a prominent one in the city, and the +eldest son is a printer, to whom this youngest son was apprenticed." + +"I see now," responded the governor. "That explains the letter. And he +is settled now in Philadelphia?" + +"He is. I accidentally learned where he was, a few days ago, and wrote +to him; and this letter is his answer. Let me tell you more about +him." And the captain rehearsed his connection with the _Courant_, as +correspondent and editor, dwelling upon his ability and power as an +independent thinker, capable of canvassing and writing upon almost any +public question. + +"Remarkable, for one so young!" exclaimed the governor, after +listening to the detailed account. "Such a young man should be +encouraged in his business." + +"So I think," responded the captain. "His letter has opened my eyes, +and I see now that he had good reason to run away. I believe that he +will make his mark, live where he may." + +"Of course he will," replied the governor. "His success is certain, +only give him a chance. I will assist him to establish a printing +house of his own in Philadelphia, and he shall have the government +printing to do." + +"He is abundantly qualified to do it, and I think any aid of that sort +you can give him will be for your interest as well as his. He is +reliable and will do his best." The captain said this in the honesty +of his heart, having a strong desire to see Benjamin rise. + +"We have two printing houses in Philadelphia now; but they are poor +affairs," continued the governor. "Neither proprietor understands his +business, and one of them is very ignorant. I think that this young +man would take the lead at once." + +"I think that I can secure the government printing of Delaware for +him," interrupted Colonel French, of Newcastle, who had listened to +the conversation with the deepest interest. + +"Captain Homes, I will see your brother-in-law as soon as I return to +Philadelphia," added Governor Keith. "We must not let such a young man +be buried up in a one-horse printing house." + +"I am going to Philadelphia with the governor," interjected Colonel +French, "and I will accompany him to see the young man." + +"I thank you both very much, and I think that neither of you will ever +regret your decision." Captain Homes spoke so warmly and approvingly +that both governor and colonel felt reassured as they separated. + +The foregoing discloses two good traits of Benjamin's character, which +the reader may consider with profit. First, he must have been very +observing. He understood the construction of a printing-press so well, +that he could put an old one into running order, young as he was, when +its proprietor was unable to do it. This is more remarkable, because +he was not obliged to study the mechanism of a printing-press in order +to work it. Many persons operate machines without understanding their +construction at all. But a class of minds are never satisfied until +they understand whatever commands their attention. They are +inquisitive, and wish to know the philosophy of things. It was so with +Benjamin; and this quality proved a valuable element of his success. +It was the secret of his discoveries and inventions in his manhood, as +we shall see, just as it was with Stephenson. As soon as he was +appointed plugman of an engine, at seventeen years of age, he began to +study its construction. In his leisure hours, he took it to pieces, +and put it together again several times, in order to understand it. + +In the second place, Benjamin was not proud. "Pride goeth before +destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." He never came under +this condemnation. A sight of him passing up Market Street, with a +loaf of bread under each arm, while devouring the third one in his +hand, in apparel that was less comely than that of many modern tramps, +is proof that pride had no dominion over him. Many boys of seventeen, +in such poverty and apparel, would have avoided a public street, and +even a Quaker meetinghouse. But these were small matters to Benjamin. +He was thinking of greater things--employment and a livelihood. He had +a destiny to work out, and in working that he must do as he could, and +not as he would. He cared not for the laughs and jeers of those who +could dress better and live more sumptuously than himself, since it +was absolutely necessary for him to dress as he did in order "to make +his ends meet." He might have followed the example of some young men, +and incurred a debt, in order "to cut a dash," but he believed then, +as he wrote afterwards, that "lying rides on debt's back," and that it +is "better to go to bed supperless than to rise in debt"; or, as he +expressed himself in other maxims, "Those have a short Lent who owe +money to be paid at Easter," and "It is easier to build two chimneys +than to keep one in fuel." + + + + +XXII. + + +GOING UP HIGHER. + +Not many days after Benjamin replied to the letter of Captain Homes, +an unusual scene transpired at Keimer's office. + +"There's Governor Keith on the other side of the street," said Keimer +to Benjamin, as they stood looking out of the window. "That tall man +with a gentleman walking with him." + +"I see," replied Benjamin. "I should think they were coming here." + +"Sure enough, they are crossing the street; they must be coming here; +I wonder what for." And Keimer ran down stairs to meet them before the +last words, as above, were off his lips. He supposed, of course, that +they were coming to see him. He met them politely at the door, for it +was not every day that he had the privilege of welcoming a governor to +his printing office, but was somewhat taken aback when the governor +inquired: + +"Does Benjamin Franklin work here?" + +"He does; do you wish to see him?" Keimer was almost bewildered when +he answered. "What can the governor want of that boy?" he thought. + +"Can I see him?" + +"Certainly, walk in." + +They walked in and took seats. Benjamin was called. + +"This is the young man you wanted to see," said Keimer, introducing +him. "Governor Keith, Benjamin." + +"I am very happy to make your acquaintance," responded the governor." +I met your brother-in-law, Captain Homes, at Newcastle, the other day, +and I promised to call and see you. And this is Colonel French, of +Newcastle, who, also, promised Captain Homes to call with me," +introducing the colonel. + +Benjamin was too much astonished to feel at ease. He would not have +been so amazed if an officer from Boston had called to arrest him as a +runaway. What the governor of Pennsylvania could want of him was +beyond his wildest dreams. + +"If Mr. Keimer can spare you a short time, we would like you to go +with us for an interview, as we promised Captain Homes," added the +governor. + +"I am at your service," Benjamin replied, collecting his scattered and +wondering thoughts. "Mr. Keimer can spare me, no doubt." + +Within a few minutes, he was with the governor and Colonel French at a +tavern on the corner of Third Street, in a room by themselves. + +"I am very glad to meet a young man of your abilities," remarked the +governor, "and I want to talk with you about setting up the printing +business for yourself in this town. Captain Homes told me of your +experience and ability, on this and other lines, and I am sure that +you can start a printing house of your own, and make a success of it." + +"But I have nothing to start such a business with. It requires +capital." + +"True, very true; but I think we can arrange that. Perhaps your father +could give you a start, judging from what Captain Homes says." + +"I suppose that he might if he was so disposed; but I doubt whether he +would do it." Benjamin was querying, as he spoke, whether Captain +Homes had disclosed the fact of his being a runaway. + +"I can write a letter to him, setting before him the excellent +opportunity for a printer here who understands the business as you do, +and advise him to render you aid." The governor did not hint that he +knew about his leaving home clandestinely. + +"That is very kind on your part; but is it not true, that two printing +houses are as many as this town can support well?" + +"It would be if they were first-class; but they are not. The +proprietors do not understand their business; they have poor +equipments, too; and their outfit does not enable them to do +first-class work." + +"The governor will see that you have the government printing of +Pennsylvania to do," suggested Colonel French; "and I have no question +that I can secure the government printing of Delaware for you, also. +This will give you patronage as well as business." + +"I thank you both very much for your kindness and confidence; and I +should like nothing better than to have a printing house of my own." + +"How would this plan do?" continued the governor. "You return to +Boston by the first vessel that goes, taking a letter from me to your +father, in which I will lay the whole matter before him, so that he +can understand it, recommending that he set you up in business here." + +"Well," replied Benjamin, after some hesitation, "the plan is good +enough; but I fear it will not work." + +"It will do no hurt to try it," retorted the governor; "and you will +have an opportunity to see your friends, and they will have an +opportunity to see you." + +"Yes, and I shall enjoy that; but I could not honorably leave Mr. +Keimer at present." + +"It will not be necessary to leave him at present. It may be three +months before a vessel is billed for Boston. You can work for him at +present, notifying him that you shall return to Boston on a visit by +the first vessel that goes." + +"Yes, I can do that," said Benjamin. + +"You will not, of course, divulge your plan of establishing a printing +house of your own," suggested the governor. "Keep that a secret. Your +plan may not work, so that it will be wise to keep it a secret for the +present." + +"Well, I will defer to your judgment, and return to Boston by the +first vessel that sails. If the plan works, and Benjamin Franklin +should run a successful business house in this town, the credit of it +will belong to you." + +They separated, with the understanding that Benjamin would return to +Boston by the first vessel sailing for that port. The governor and his +friend retired, and Benjamin returned to his work at the printing +office. + +The reader will make special note of this unusual scene. Here was the +governor of Pennsylvania and a leading public man of Delaware in +conference with a boy of seventeen years, about establishing a +printing house of his own in Philadelphia, with the promise of the +government patronage! What sort of a boy must he be? Not one of common +mould or capacity; but one, as the sequel will show, who shall rule in +the councils of the nation! + +Keimer's curiosity was on tiptoe; he wanted to know what business +Governor Keith could have with his young employe. + +"Why," replied Benjamin, "he met my brother-in-law, who is captain of +a sloop, at Newcastle, and learned of him that I was working in this +town, and so he called." + +"All that may be; but governors are not in the habit of calling upon +boys as a matter of courtesy." And Keimer looked very unbelieving when +he said it. + +"He told my brother-in-law that he should call, and my brother-in-law +urged him to do so. Colonel French was a personal friend, who came +with him; and he, too, promised Captain Homes that he would call." + +"That is all right; but you are the first boy that ever lived in +Philadelphia, who has attracted the governor's patronage to himself." +Keimer was somewhat jocose, while, at the same time, he was evidently +suspicious that Benjamin was withholding the real object of the +governor's visit. + +"My brother-in-law had written to me to take the first opportunity I +could to make a trip to Boston to see my friends," continued Benjamin, +"and he talked with the governor about it. The governor thinks as he +does." + +"Going?" + +"Not at present. If I go, I must go by sea, and not by land. Can't +afford to go by land; and I am told that vessels do not often sail +from here to Boston. I shall have to wait to get more money than I +have now before I go." + +"Perhaps the governor will charter a vessel to take you there if you +ask him," suggested Keimer, who was evidently chagrined that the +governor called to see his employe instead of himself. + +"Perhaps I shall ask him when I become more familiar with him," +Benjamin replied, with a twinkle in his eye. "When I get to be a +member of his staff I may be cheeky enough to suggest it." + +Keimer found that he could not make out much by quizzing his young +printer, so he dropped it and dismissed the subject for the time +being. + +Benjamin's thoughts were all the while concentrated on this unexpected +turn of affairs. It would not be strange if such interest in his +welfare by the highest officer in the state appealed to his vanity +somewhat, although Keimer could discover nothing of the kind. The +latter gentleman, however, concluded that he had a mysterious +character in his employ, and he was greatly puzzled to know just what +he was. He might be the son of some great man, for whose sake the +governor interested himself in his welfare. Possibly he might have +left Boston in some trouble, and his influential friends, together +with Captain Homes, induced the governor to look after him. Many +theories, by way of explanation, occupied his thoughts. At any rate, +he was an enigma to his employer, who was becoming more and more +interested in him. The governor's visit served to magnify his +abilities and worth in Keimer's view. He thought more of him than he +did before. He discovered more talent and efficiency in him. But he +could get little satisfaction out of him. Once in a while he would +indulge in a spasm of quizzing, and then he would subside into silent +musing over the curious boy who was setting type for him. + +Benjamin continued to work early and late, interesting himself in +Keimer's business as if it were his own, thereby becoming an +indispensable assistant to him. But he embraced the first opportunity +to write to his boon companion in Boston, John Collins, and disclose +the unexpected change in his affairs, as follows: + + "DEAR JOHN: You will be surprised to learn that I expect to make a + visit to Boston by the first vessel that sails for that port. It + may be three or four months before one sails, but look for me on + board. I will tell you how this new order of things was brought + about. My brother-in-law, Capt. Robert Homes, was at Newcastle, + Delaware, and found out, in some way, that I was living in + Philadelphia; and he wrote to me. I replied to his letter, and he + showed it to Governor Keith of Pennsylvania, who lives in this + town, and told him about me, and interested him in my welfare. So + the governor came to see me, and urged me to establish a printing + house of my own here, promising me the state printing, and offering + to write a letter to my father that I shall take with me when I go + to Boston, in which he will set forth the prospects of my success, + and urge him to furnish me with money to start. This is the + substance of the story, the details of which I will rehearse when I + see you. In the mean time continue to keep the secret. I suppose + that Captain Homes will disclose the place of my residence, so that + it will be a mystery to them no longer; but do not let any thing + get abroad from you. When we meet I shall have much to tell you. + Until then, good-bye. + + "Your old friend, + + "B. FRANKLIN." + +Governor Keith sent for Benjamin to dine with him. + +"I wanted to talk with you a little more about your visit to Boston," +he remarked at the dinner-table. "How long will you be gone?" + +"That will depend upon the voyage. There and back will occupy from +three to four weeks on the vessel. I do not care about spending over a +week in Boston. I shall want to get back as soon as I can to start in +business." + +"Does Mr. Keimer suspect that any thing in particular is on the tapis? +I did not know but my visit might awaken his curiosity to learn what +it was for." + +"It did, and he plied me with questions in order to find out for some +time. Once in a while now, he is very inquisitive, evidently thinking +that I am withholding something from him. He is quite an intelligent +man, without any surplus of honesty." + +"So I understand. Bradford is very ignorant, but honest; while Keimer +is bright and well-informed, but unscrupulous." + +"That is about as near the truth as one can get," continued Benjamin. +"I have a pleasant time with Mr. Keimer, however, and have nothing to +complain of on that line." + +"Can you give me any idea of the time it will take, after you return, +to get a printing house in running order?" + +"Not exactly. If my plans succeed, and I bring back a printing-press +and materials with me, I think a month will be ample time to put the +whole thing in running order." + +The enterprise was canvassed at the table, the governor conversing +with his young guest in the most familiar manner, dropping many +complimentary words. Whenever he wanted to see him thereafter, he +invited him to dine, which was quite often; all of which Benjamin +enjoyed very much. In his old age, referring to these interviews with +Governor Keith, Franklin said: "The governor sent for me now and then +to dine with him, which I considered a great honor; more particularly +as he conversed with me in the most affable, familiar, and friendly +manner." + +A novelist would portray the advantages of running away from home when +representing Benjamin, the runaway, at the governor's table. If he had +remained in Boston, attacking the officials of the English Government +with his pen, the governor might have put him in prison, as he did his +brother. But Benjamin never justified the use he made of his legs at +that time--that is, he never excused it in his years of maturity. He +always spoke of it regretfully. Very few runaways possess as much +talent and character as he did, and few ever had so much cause for +running away; and here is found the only reason that the act was +overruled to his advantage. + +At length a small vessel was announced to sail for Boston. + +"I am ready to go in her," he said to Governor Keith. "She sails in +about a week." + +"I am very glad," answered the governor; "you have waited long enough +for it. I will have my letter to your father ready in time; and I hope +your mission will be successful. Is there any thing more I can do for +you?" + +"Nothing; I have been getting myself in readiness all along, so that I +have little to do now. As the time draws near I am very anxious to go. +My father and mother will be very happy in looking into my face +again." + +"And I think you will be as happy in looking into their faces again," +responded the governor. "Captain Homes spoke in the highest terms of +your parents, and of your standing in Boston." + +Benjamin wondered more than ever whether his brother, Homes, disclosed +the fact of his leaving home clandestinely to the governor. No words +were dropped to indicate that he did. But Governor Keith was a wise +man, and thought it was not best to divulge his acquaintance with that +part of the affair. + +Benjamin improved the first opportunity to announce his departure to +Mr. Keimer. + +"Going to see my parents," he said; "a vessel sails for Boston in +about a week." + +"You have not been away from home long yet. I should think that you +might wait a year, at least." + +"No, I can't wait longer, though I do not intend to stay long. I am +attached to Philadelphia, and I shall want to return as soon as I can +after letting my father and mother look me over a few days." + +"Has the governor of the Massachusetts Province sent for you?" Keimer +asked jocosely. The fact was he could not get over Governor Keith's +interest in Benjamin, because he could not yet understand it. As the +weeks rolled on, his employee grew to be more and more an object of +curiosity. + +"No; nor any body else," answered Benjamin. "I shall take the governor +by surprise, so that he will have no time to get up a reception. I +prefer the governor of Pennsylvania to the governor of Massachusetts." + +If Keimer had known all the circumstances, he might have replied, "You +have reason to feel so; for the governor of Massachusetts would rather +see you in prison than running a printing house." + +Benjamin purchased a nice suit of clothes, also a watch, before +starting on his trip; and then had quite a sum of pocket money to take +with him. He bade Mr. Keimer good-bye, took leave of the governor with +many thanks for his kindness, receiving from him a long, complimentary +letter to his father; nor did he forget to call upon the Bradford +family, to make known his purpose and thank them again for their +hospitality; and, of course, Mr. Read and family received a good share +of his thankfulness, especially the daughter, in whom Benjamin had +become quite interested. + +Once on board the vessel, under way, Benjamin began to reflect upon +his novel experiences. It appeared to him somewhat like a dream. He +could hardly realize that he was on his way back to his home, by the +governor's patronage. He took out the governor's letter to his father +and read it. He found that it was very complimentary to himself, fully +as much so as he had expected; and the prospects of a new printing +house, under his care, were set forth strongly. He had scarcely +finished reading the letter, when the vessel struck on a shoal; for +they were not out of the bay yet. She sprung a leak, and there was +considerable excitement on board before the crew could remedy the +accident. + +"A hard storm is near by," said the captain. "You will have a rough +passage this time, young man," addressing Benjamin. + +"Well, I am used to it; I have encountered as many storms as any body +of my age," replied Benjamin figuratively, which the captain did not +quite understand. + +"Then you have followed the sea, have you?" + +"No; I have followed the land mostly; but there are hard storms on the +land, are there not?" + +"Of course"; and the captain thought only of rain storms and snow +storms when he answered. + +"All I meant was," added Benjamin by way of explanation, "that I have +had rather of a rough life so far; have seen a good deal of trouble +for one of my years; and have rather got accustomed to rough usage. A +storm at sea will only vary the experience a little. I think I can +withstand it." + +"You will have to stand it any way. Not much chance to choose when a +storm overtakes us out to sea. If I am any judge of weather, a +terrible storm is brewing, and it will be on us in a hurry." + +"Well, I like the water; I meant to have become a sailor once, but my +father put his veto on it. If I had been allowed my own way, I should +have been serving before the mast now." Benjamin never spoke truer +words than these. + +"Hard life," responded the captain; "if I could live my life over +again I should chose any thing on land rather than the best on the +sea. I would not command a vessel another day, if there was any thing +else I could do; but this is all I know." + +They had scarcely emerged from the bay when the storm burst upon them. +It was the beginning of a long, violent, tempestuous spell of weather, +such as mariners encounter on the sea; a new and exciting experience +to Benjamin. + +"I have heard a great deal about storms at sea, and----" + +"And you will _see_ one now," interrupted the captain. "What you have +_heard_ about it gives you a poor idea of the reality, compared with +_seeing_ it." + +"I confess to a kind of desire to see a real hard one," answered +Benjamin coolly. "If I should be frightened half out of my wits, I +shall be as well off as the rest of you." + +"The vessel is leaking badly," cried out one of the crew. + +"Man the pumps," replied the captain. "Enough for all hands to do +now." + +"Including me," responded Benjamin. "I can do as much as any of you at +the pump," and he went to work with the crew. + +Suffice it to say, that the storm continued for days, tossing their +small craft about like a shell, keeping all hands busy, night and day, +sometimes the sea threatening to swallow the vessel and all it +contained in its hungry maw. The vessel was two weeks on its way to +Boston, encountering stormy weather nearly the whole time. Most of the +voyage the leaky craft was kept from sinking by pumping, in which +Benjamin took his turn, proving himself as efficient as any one of the +crew; and he was as cool and self-possessed as any one of the number. + +At the end of two weeks they sailed into Boston harbor; and Benjamin +was at home. + + + + +XXIII. + + +THE SURPRISE, AND ITS RESULTS. + +Benjamin hastened to the corner of Hanover and Union Streets, where +the sign of the familiar blue ball hung, and entered with a fluttering +heart. + +"Benjamin!" exclaimed his father, "can that be you?" and he grasped +one of his hands in both of his. "How glad I am to see you!" + +"No more glad than I am to see you," responded the son, shaking his +father's hand heartily. "I am glad to get home." + +The words were scarcely off his tongue when his mother appeared upon +the scene. + +"Mother!" + +"O, Benjamin!" + +And his mother threw her arms about his neck, weeping tears of joy. +Benjamin wept, too. He began to realize what months of agony his +absence had caused the woman who bore him. + +"Can it be you, my son? I have mourned for you as dead," she said, as +soon as she could command her feelings. "Where have you been?" + +"In Philadelphia. Has not Captain Homes told you where I was?" + +"Not a word from him about it." + +"He wrote to me from Newcastle three months ago, and I replied to his +letter. I supposed that you had heard all about it before this time." + +"We have not heard the least thing from you since you left," said his +father; "and they have been seven very long and painful months." + +"How painful, Benjamin, you can never know," added his mother. +"Sometimes it has seemed as if my old heart would break with grief; +but I have tried to cast my burden on the Lord. If you had staid at +home and died, my sorrow could not have been so great." + +"Let it end now," replied Benjamin, with a smile, "for I am here +again." + +"Yes, I thank my God, for 'this my son was dead, and is alive again; +he was lost, and is found.'" And his mother came almost as near to +death with joy, as she had been before with sorrow. + +They sat down together, when Benjamin rehearsed his experience since +leaving Boston, not omitting to state the cause of his sudden +departure, and the reason of his return. And then he put the letter of +Governor Keith into his father's hand. + +"How is James? I suppose he is at the printing office? I must go to +see him." + +Benjamin's words and tone of speech indicated only good will towards +his brother. + +"I am glad to hear you say that, Benjamin. It has grieved me terribly +that he should treat you so unbrotherly; I do hope that you will now +be reconciled to each other." His mother spoke with much feeling. + +"I trust we shall; I am ready to forgive and forget. I have learned a +good lesson from experience since leaving Boston." + +So saying, he started for the printing office, not knowing what sort +of a reception awaited him there He hoped for the best, however. + +"James!" He extended his hand as he spoke. James would not have been +more astonished over one who rose from the dead, but he took his hand +in a cold, reserved sort of a way, merely saying: + +"Benjamin!" + +After surveying him from head to foot a few moments, he turned back to +his work again, without another word. The act pierced Benjamin's +heart, it was so unkind and cruel. But soon he rose above the +situation, and seemed to say, by actions, "I can stand it if you can." + +The journeymen were delighted to see him. Leaving their work, they +pressed around him with a whole catechism of questions. + +"Where have you been, Ben?" + +"In Philadelphia." + +"What kind of a place is it?" + +"It is a fine place; I like it better than Boston." + +"Going back?" + +"Yes; very soon, too. No place like that for the printing business." + +"Good pay?" + +"Yes, better pay than in Boston." + +"How large is the place?" + +"Seven thousand inhabitants; smaller than Boston, but smarter." + +"What kind of money do you have there?" + +There was no established currency in the country at that time, and +paper money only was used in Boston. His interrogator wanted to know +what they used in Philadelphia. + +"They use that," replied Benjamin, taking from his pocket nearly five +pounds sterling in silver and laying it on the table. "Rather heavier +stuff to carry than your Boston paper money." + +"It looks as if you had struck a silver mine, Ben," remarked one. + +"Some lucky hit, Ben," said another. "The printing business bring you +that?" + +"No other did. I was a printer when I left, and I am now, and I expect +to be in the future. And, what is more, I have no desire for another +business." + +"You sport a watch, I see," said one of the number. + +"Yes, such as it is; a good companion, though." + +"Let us see it," one suggested. + +"You can." And Benjamin passed it to him, and all examined it. + +"Can't afford such luxuries in Boston," one printer remarked. + +"It is not a luxury by any means; it is a necessity," replied +Benjamin. "I should not know how to get along without a watch now." + +"Well, Ben, you can afford to have a watch," added one; "for you can +live on bread and water, and never want a day of pleasure, and never +drink liquors." + +"And he can afford to treat us all, since he has fared so well," +suggested one of the men. + +"I always did treat you well, and always intend to," was Benjamin's +answer, as if he did not understand that treating with intoxicating +liquors was meant. + +"That is so, Ben; but now just treat us with something stronger than +water, for old acquaintance' sake." + +At that time the use of intoxicating liquors was almost universal. +Benjamin did not use them, and, once in a while was found a person who +did not. Most people were habitual drinkers, and there was little or +no opposition to the custom; and the habit of treating was general. + +"There is a dollar," replied Benjamin, throwing out a dollar in +silver. "Take that and drink what you want for old acquaintance' +sake." + +Replacing his watch and money, he left the office with the promise to +come around again. While this interview with the men was going on, +James would occasionally look up from his work "grim and sullen," as +Benjamin said, evidently as unreconciled to his brother as ever. The +next day James said to his father and mother, at their house: + +"It was an insult. He meant to insult me when he came to the office." + +"No, James," replied his mother; "Benjamin meant no such thing. He +told us that he was ready to forgive and forget." + +"He has a poor way of showing it, then," retorted James, who was too +revengeful to be reasonable. + +"Well, you are brothers," interrupted his father, "and you should act +as brothers toward each other. It has a bad look for one brother to be +resentful toward another." + +"And it not only has the _look_" added his mother, "but it is a most +wicked state of heart to cherish. You will never prosper, James, so +long as you treat your brother so; and you never ought to prosper." + +Mrs. Franklin spoke with great plainness. She had never justified +James at all in his treatment of Benjamin; and now that the former was +adding injury to injury by falsely accusing the latter, she could not +suppress her feelings. She magnified the severity of her words, by +quoting: + +"Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in +danger of the judgment." + +"My advice to you, James, is to let the dead past bury the dead. It +will do no good to revive old memories. Make the future as bright as +you can--that is the only wise course. I am quite sure that Benjamin +will meet you more than half way, in erasing old scores." + +Mr. Franklin spoke this with much feeling as he turned away to his +work. James continued to be resentful, and failed to reduce his +father's counsel to practice. + +Benjamin soon found his old friend, John Collins; and there was mutual +satisfaction in their meeting. As soon, however, as the first pleasure +of meeting was over, Benjamin discovered that his friend had become +intemperate, and he was both surprised and grieved. However, he +gratified John with a detailed account of his experience, from the +time they separated, not omitting a glowing description of his +prospects in Philadelphia. + +"How soon will you return?" John inquired. + +"I want to leave here within two weeks if I can. I ought not to stay +but a week." + +"How will it do for me to return with you?" + +"I think it will do well if you stick closely to business. That is the +only way we can succeed in any thing." + +"I can do that. Work never hurt me, or any thing else." John did not +take the hint in Benjamin's last remark. + +"But strong drink has hurt a great many. I should never expect to +succeed in any thing if I used it as many do." + +"Nor I," answered John, who was blind to his own danger, as all +intemperate men are. + +"We have no need of any such beverage at all," continued Benjamin. "I +discard it entirely now, as you know that I did when I lived here in +Boston. Water is the best beverage for us both." + +"You may be right, Ben; you are, generally. But are you not a little +odd in discarding what nearly every one uses?" John was trying to find +an excuse for himself. + +"Better be odd than to be disqualified for business. You know, as well +as I do, that rum disqualifies more men for business than all other +evils put together. Once you were of my opinion, John; but your habits +have been changing your opinion." + +"Well, that is neither here nor there," replied John, who found that +Benjamin was becoming rather personal. "What do you think of my going +to Philadelphia with you?" + +"If your habits now are what your personal appearance indicates, you +will not succeed in Philadelphia any better than you can in Boston. An +intemperate man is a failure anywhere." + +"Then you don't think I am good enough to go back with you?" said +John, with a degree of warmth. + +"I did not say so, John. To tell you the plain truth, I am shocked at +the change drink has wrought in your appearance. You are fast becoming +a wreck, I should say; and I don't want a wreck of a friend on my +hands." + +"Then you don't want I should go with you?" + +"Not if you continue to drink as you do now. Sober John Collins I +should delight to have accompany me, especially if he looks upon +strong drink as the enemy of mankind. I am your friend now, as much as +ever; but I am disappointed, and even shocked, by your appearance. You +are fast becoming a wreck." + +"You are complimentary, Ben, I must confess; but I can't say that you +are wrong. You have been about right so far in life; perhaps your +views are correct about drink." + +"I don't ask you to accept my views; but I entreat you to let strong +drink alone for your own sake, and my sake, too. If you can give a +wide berth to all sorts of intoxicating liquors, as I do, I should be +delighted to have you return to Philadelphia with me." + +"That is, become a water-drinker, you mean, Ben?" + +"I did not say so; become a reasonable being and not indulge to +excess. I do not ask any body to live exactly as I do, though I +believe that every person who discards liquors will be better off." + +At that day, when the temperance cause was not born, and the use of +intoxicants was universal, it was generally believed that moderate +drinking could be followed without leading to excessive drinking. It +is plain that Benjamin had that idea. For himself, he practised entire +abstinence from intoxicants, because he thought it was better for him. +Another person might drink moderately, in his view, and be just as +well off. But intemperance he abhorred, and he thought that every body +else ought to abhor it. + +"I will tell you what it is, Ben," continued John. "There is some +sense in what you say; you did not leave it all in Philadelphia when +you came away, that is sure. I want to go back with you badly; and I +will think it over." + +"That is it, John. Sober John Collins is an old friend of mine, and I +shall enjoy his society in Philadelphia, or any other part of the +world. Think it over, and I will see you again." + +Mr. Franklin read the letter of Governor Keith over and over. It was a +good letter to cheer a father's heart, if it was genuine. Evidently he +had some doubts whether the affair was all right. While he was +querying about the genuineness of the letter from Governor Keith, +Captain Homes arrived in Boston, and first of all called upon his +father Franklin. + +"Benjamin is here," said Mr. Franklin, "and according to his story, he +has a good prospect before him in Philadelphia. And here is a letter +from Sir William Keith, governor of Pennsylvania, that he brought with +him"; and he passed the letter to the captain. + +"I met Governor Keith at Newcastle, and showed him a letter I received +from Benjamin," replied Captain Homes, "which satisfied me that he had +more reason than I had supposed for running away. I interested the +governor in his welfare. On his return to Philadelphia, after having +met Benjamin, he wrote to me how much pleased he was with him, and +what he had proposed." + +Captain Homes read the governor's letter through and remarked, "That +is substantially what he wrote to me; and it appears to me that there +is a good opening for him in Philadelphia." + +"You think that Sir William Keith is reliable, do you?" + +"He ought to be. I can't think of any reason why a man in his position +should be saying and doing what he don't mean." + +"Nor I. And yet it seems almost strange that he should favor a boy of +eighteen engaging in such an enterprise, without money and without +experience." + +"You are wrong, father," answered the captain; "very few young men +twenty-two years of age have had the experience he has had. He has +occupied positions and met emergencies every time with the promptness +and ability of one ten years older." + +"That may be so. I think it is so; and it gives me great pleasure that +Sir William Keith can write as he does about him. But it can't be +expected that a boy of eighteen can have the judgment and wisdom to +conduct business for himself, as he will at twenty-two." + +"I think it can be expected, and should be expected, if these +qualities are as fully developed at eighteen as they are in other +young men at twenty-two." The captain was emphatic in his endorsement +of Benjamin. + +This conversation was interrupted by Benjamin's appearance. He was +delighted to meet Captain Homes, and this gentleman was delighted to +meet him. The satisfaction was mutual. One of the first questions that +Benjamin asked was: + +"How did you learn that I was living in Philadelphia?" + +"From a citizen of that town, of whom I was inquiring about the +business of the place. Incidentally he spoke of a young printer from +Boston, who had come there. I met him in Newcastle. He even knew your +name." + +"'Murder will out' is an old maxim that finds confirmation in my +case," responded Benjamin. "But it is all for the best, I think. I am +glad that the way was opened for me to return to Boston." + +"I have just read Governor Keith's letter to your father, and I hope +that he will be able to give you a start in Philadelphia." The captain +said this in the presence of Mr. Franklin. + +While Mr. Franklin was considering the proposition contained in +Governor Keith's letter, Benjamin was busy in calling upon old friends +and visiting old resorts. He had been absent seven months, and, in +that time, had added two or three times that number of months to his +personal appearance. He appeared like a young man twenty-one years of +age, and his new apparel imparted to him a grace and comeliness that +he lacked when he left Boston. He had developed into a handsome, +gentlemanly, intelligent, and witty young man. + +It was during this visit to Boston that he called upon Dr. Increase +Mather, to whose preaching he listened when a resident of the town. +The doctor received him cordially and invited him into his library, +where they chatted for some time about books, Philadelphia, and other +matters. When Benjamin arose to go, the doctor said: + +"Come this way, and I will show you a nearer way out," pointing to a +narrow passage with a beam crossing it overhead. They were still +talking, the doctor following behind Benjamin, when the latter turned +partly about to speak to the former. + +"_Stoop! Stoop_!" shouted the doctor. + +Benjamin did not understand what he meant until his head struck the +beam overhead with considerable force. + +"There," said the doctor, laughing, "you are young and have the world +before you; stoop as you go through it, and you may miss many hard +thumps." + +Nearly seventy years afterwards the recipient of this counsel wrote as +follows: + +"This advice, thus beaten into my head, has frequently been of use +to me; and I often think of it when I see pride mortified, and +misfortunes brought upon people by carrying their heads too high." + +John Collins was a clerk in the post-office. He revolved the matter of +going to Philadelphia with Benjamin a sober youth, or remaining in +Boston a drunken one. The more he pondered the more he was inclined to +accept Benjamin's advice. The appeal from Collins drunk to Collins +sober finally met his approval. + +"I have decided to go with you," he said to Benjamin, the next time +they met. + +"Glad to hear it, John, if you take my advice and leave the +drink-habit in Boston. I shall enjoy your company hugely." + +"You shall have it. I have given up my position in the post-office, +and am packing up now. I want to carry my books with the rest of my +traps." + +"And I shall take my books this time. I shall ship to New York, where +I have some business, and thence to Philadelphia." + +"And I want to go by the way of Providence, Rhode Island, to visit +friends, and will meet you in New York," responded John. + +"Agreed; but remember, John, that you and I are going to steer clear +of strong drink. Give it a wide berth, and the way is open before you +to success." + +"I see it, and mean to act accordingly." John really meant what he +said, but the poor fellow did not understand how weak he was. Neither +was Benjamin aware that the drink habit was fastened upon him so +tightly. + +Mr. Franklin had taken a plenty of time to consider the advice of +Governor Keith, and Benjamin was getting uneasy to return. + +"I have considered the matter long and carefully," said Mr. Franklin +to Benjamin, "having a desire to aid you if possible; but have come to +the conclusion, finally, that I can not do it at present." + +"I told Governor Keith that I doubted whether you would assist me now, +so that your conclusion is not altogether unexpected." Benjamin's +reply was cool--almost indifferent. + +"When you become twenty-one years of age, and need assistance to start +in business for yourself, I will gladly render it; but it is hardly +safe for a boy of eighteen to engage in such an enterprise. Get more +experience." These words were indicative of Mr. Franklin's caution. + +"Well, I have no great desire to rule a printing house. I am content +to serve," and these words expressed Benjamin's real feelings. + +"At the same time," continued his father, "I am highly gratified that +you have conducted yourself so well as to gain the good opinion of +even the governor. I trust that you will continue to conduct yourself +with propriety. At twenty-one you will save money enough to set up +business for yourself, if your economy holds out." + +"I think it will," responded Benjamin. "My wants are few, and so my +expenses are small. And I like work as well as ever." + +"There is one thing I hope you will avoid, Benjamin. You will, no +doubt, be writing for the public press, as you did here. My advice is +to avoid lampooning and libeling. You erred in that way here, and +furnished occasion for just and severe criticism." + +"We have not time to discuss that matter now," answered Benjamin; "but +if I were to live my life over again, and edit the _Courant_ in the +same circumstances, I should repeat the same thing. But for that fight +there would be a censorship over the press of Boston to-day." + +"Possibly," rejoined his father; "but I think there is a wiser course. +You must live and learn." + +"I regret exceedingly that James can not be reconciled to you," +interrupted his mother. "He is indulging a very bad spirit, and my +prayer is that he may see the folly of it, before you leave, and be at +peace with you." + +"I met him more than half way," replied Benjamin, "and he seemed to +stand aloof all the more. Whenever he returns to reason he will find +me ready and waiting to forget the past." + +"It is so painful to see brothers disagree!" And a deep, doleful sigh +escaped her heart as his mother said it. + +Benjamin's separation from his parents was tender and affectionate. +They scarcely expected to see his face again on this side of the +River, and they presented him with several gifts as tokens of their +undying love. With their sincere blessing upon him he turned away from +the old home, where so many of his happiest hours had been spent, and, +wiping unbidden tears from his eyes, found himself again out on the +world's great highway alone, seeking his fortune. + + + + +XXIV. + + +HIS RETURN, AND WHAT CAME OF IT. + +John left Boston two or three days before Benjamin. The sloop in which +Benjamin sailed stopped at Newport, where his brother John lived, +affording him the opportunity to visit him. John was well-nigh +overcome by the sight of Benjamin, for whom he ever had the most +sincere affection. Their meeting was as glad to him as it was +unexpected. There he met a Mr. Vernon, who said: + +"I have a bill of thirty-five pounds currency in New York, which I +have no doubt can be collected readily--could you collect it for me?" + +"I will do it with pleasure," replied Benjamin. + +"You can collect and keep it until I write what disposition to make of +it. I am not quite certain just now." + +"Very well; I will hold it subject to your direction." + +"And I will give you an order for the money, which will be necessary." + +"Yes, I suppose that is the business way." + +His stay in Newport was very brief. On returning to the sloop in +season to sail, he found that several passengers had been taken on +board from that town. Among them was a motherly sort of a Quaker lady, +and, also, two young women traveling together. Benjamin was a polite +young man, and sought to be of service to them. The old Quaker lady +was attended by two servants, yet Benjamin found an opportunity to be +of some service to her, and she appreciated his kindness. Nor was he +indifferent towards the two young women. He made their acquaintance, +and showed them some attention; and they, in turn, showed him +attention, with interest. The Quaker lady looked on, understanding the +situation better than he did; and finally she called him aside, by +some kind of a motion, and said: + +"Young man, beware of those girls, or they will lead you astray." + +"How so?" inquired Benjamin, considerably surprised. + +"They are bad girls, and thee is not much acquainted with the ways of +the world." + +"You are right, madam; I am not much acquainted with the women world, +and I dare say they might easily lead me astray." Benjamin did not +exactly believe what the Quakeress said, but he was a little given to +humor, and so he spoke as he did. + +"It is a serious matter, young man; thee may depend on that. I know +that they are bad girls by their actions. They mean to set a snare for +thee." + +"Well, I assure you that I will not fall into it. They have not caught +me yet." + +"And I hope they won't," added the good lady. "If I were in your place +I would cut their acquaintance at once. And she stated some things she +had observed of their acts, and a remark one of them made, all of +which convinced Benjamin that she was right. + +"I thank you for your interest," said Benjamin "I will not keep up an +acquaintance with them, but will follow your advice." + +The good lady kept her eye on Benjamin, and so did the girls. The +latter plied their arts with considerable ingenuity to lure him on, +but his eyes were opened now, and he avoided them as much as he could. +Before reaching New York, however, the girls managed to inform him +where they lived, and gave him a very pressing invitation to call. The +outcome was as follows, given in his own language, as related in his +"Autobiography": + +"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, knowing that these +were a couple of strumpets, 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." + +When Benjamin arrived in New York, John Collins was waiting there for +him, but it was John Collins drunk. + +"Waitin' for you, Ben, old fellow," said John, patting him on the +back, too much under the power of drink to know exactly what the said +or did. "Goin' to Philadelphy; come on." + +Benjamin was taken by surprise, and scarcely knew what to say. +Rallying himself, however, he replied: + +"You are not the John Collins I invited to accompany me to +Philadelphia. I don't wish for _your_ company." + +"You are joking, Ben, old fellow"; and another pat on his back. + +"I invited John Collins _sober_ to go to Philadelphia with me; you are +John Collins _drunk_." + +"Complimentary again," answered John, with a show of temper. + +"It is time," retorted Benjamin, "It is putting me into an +embarrassing situation to be tied to a drunken companion. I rather be +excused." + +"Don't see how I can 'scuse you, Ben. It is too late now." And the +boozy fellow appeared not to imagine that he was making a fool of +himself. + +On reaching John's boarding place, the landlord said: + +"He has been drunk ever since he reached New York; and he has gambled, +too, I judge." + +"What makes you think he has gambled?" + +"Because he is out of money now; every cent he had is gone, I think." + +"And he owes you for board and lodgings?" + +"Yes; he has not paid me any thing. His appetite is complete master of +him." + +"Well, I scarcely know what to do," remarked Benjamin thoughtfully; +and he rehearsed to the inn-keeper the circumstances of his +connection with John, not omitting to repeat his fair promises. + +"Promises!" retorted the landlord. "What does he care for promises! A +fellow with no more control over his appetite than he has don't care +for any thing. He's a goner, if I am any judge." + +Benjamin embraced the first opportunity to canvass the matter with +John; and, from his own account, he was satisfied that the case was +full as bad as the landlord had represented. John had not a cent left, +and he was in a maudlin state of mind, such as Benjamin did not +observe in Boston. His self-respect was gone, and he appeared to glory +in his shame. + +While Benjamin was considering what to do, and attending to some +matters of business, particularly collecting the thirty-five pounds +for Mr. Vernon, the captain of the sloop came to him, saying: + +"Governor Burnet wants to see you." + +"Who is Governor Burnet, that he should want to see me?" responded +Benjamin in surprise. One governor had been after him, and now that +another was seeking his patronage was almost too much to believe. + +"Governor of New York," answered the captain. "I had some business +with him, and I happened to say that a passenger on board my sloop had +a large quantity of books with him; and this interested him so much +that he wanted I should bring you to his house." + +"I will go," replied Benjamin; "and I must go at once if I go at all." + +They posted off, Benjamin querying on the way whether the governor of +New York would prove as friendly to him as the governor of +Pennsylvania. + +It was a pleasant call he had upon the governor. This dignitary gave +him a cordial welcome, took him into his library, conversed with him +about books and authors, complimented him for his love of learning and +his evident high aims, and invited him to call whenever he should +visit New York. Benjamin began to think that governors had a +particular passion for him; and what little vanity he possessed became +inflated. Many years thereafter, referring to the experience, he said: +"This was the second governor who had done me the honor to take notice +of me; and, for a poor boy like me, it was very pleasing." If he had +been as foolish as some youth, and some men, too, he would have +concluded that it pays to run away, since the only boy that two +governors were known to patronize especially was a runaway. But we +repeat what we have said before, that Benjamin, the wise son, never +concluded that it pays to run away from home. He met with some +pleasant experiences, but they came, not through his runaway +qualities, but through his aspiring and noble aims. + +Collins was not too drunk to understand that Benjamin went to see the +governor by invitation, and he was on tiptoe to learn what it all +meant. + +"Been to see the governor, hey?" he said. + +"Yes; and I should have taken you if you had not been drunk." + +"Good on you, Ben; you'll be governor yourself yet." And John laughed +at his own suggestion as only a silly drinker will. + +"_You_ will not, John, unless you change your course. I have a mind to +leave you here in New York; then I shall not be disgraced by you in +Philadelphia. If you can't keep sober for your own sake nor mine, I +want nothing more to do with you." + +This was a revelation to John. He had not dreamed of being left +penniless and friendless in New York. So he was ready to make promises +of the most flattering kind, in order to proceed with Benjamin to +Philadelphia. + +"But you promised me as squarely as possible in Boston that you would +not drink any more," continued Benjamin. "Your promise is not worth +any thing to me, when it is worth nothing to you; and it is not worth +as much to you as a glass of brandy. I am tempted to leave you and all +your truck in the sloop here in New York." + +John begged and entreated Benjamin not to desert him now, and promised +by all that was great and good that he would stop drinking and lead a +sober life. In the circumstances, Benjamin could scarcely do otherwise +than to pay his bill at the inn and take him along with him, though he +very reluctantly decided to do so. Having collected the thirty-five +pounds for Mr. Vernon, paid John's bill, and transacted some other +business, by the time the sloop was ready to sail, they proceeded to +Philadelphia. + +There is no record preserved of his experience on the sloop between +New York and Philadelphia, except a paragraph in a letter written by +Doctor Franklin to Doctor Priestley, in 1780, when the former was +seventy-four years of age. He related the experience in order to +illustrate the truth, "that all situations in life have their +inconveniences." The paragraph is as follows: + +"In my youth, I was passenger in a little sloop, descending the river +Delaware. There being no wind, we were obliged, when the ebb was +spent, to cast anchor and wait for the next. The heat of the sun on +the vessel was excessive, the company strangers to me, and not very +agreeable. Near the river-side I saw what I took to be a pleasant +green meadow, in the middle of which was a large shady tree, where, it +struck my fancy, I could sit and read (having a book in my pocket), +and pass the time agreeably till the tide turned. I therefore +prevailed with the captain to put me ashore. Being landed, I found the +greatest part of my meadow was really a marsh, in crossing which, to +come at my tree, I was up to my knees in mire; and I had not placed +myself under its shade five minutes, before the mosquitoes in swarms +found me out, attacked my legs, hands, and face, and made my reading +and my rest impossible; so that I returned to the beach, and called +for the boat to come and take me on board again, where I was obliged +to bear the heat I had strove to quit, and also the laugh of the +company. Similar cases in the affairs of life have since frequently +fallen under my observation." + +In these modern days, it would be said that, when Benjamin arrived in +Philadelphia, he "had an elephant on his hands." The most +unmanageable and dangerous sort of an elephant on one's hands is a +dissolute friend. Benjamin scarcely knew what to do with John. It +troubled him exceedingly. But he was wont to make the best of +everything, and so he did in this case. + +He took John with him to his boarding place, promising to pay his +bills until he could find work in some counting-room. John was well +qualified for such business, and Benjamin supposed that he could +readily find a situation. His estimate of Collins, before and after +he began to drink to excess, is given by his own pen, as follows: + +"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 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 drinking brandy and I found by his own +account, as well as that of others, that he had been drunk every day +since his arrival at New York, and behaved himself in a very +extravagant manner. He had gamed, too, and lost his money, so that I +was obliged to discharge his lodgings, and defray his expenses on the +road and at Philadelphia; which proved a great burden to me." + +Benjamin called upon Governor Keith as soon as possible, with a letter +from his father, in which the governor was thanked and praised for his +kindness to his son. + +"Your father is too cautious," remarked the governor, after reading +the letter. "Some young men are better qualified to do business for +themselves at eighteen than others are at twenty-one." + +"He said that he would assist me at twenty-one if I should need +assistance," replied Benjamin. + +"Yes; he says so in this letter. But I think you will be established +in a good business three years from now, and need no help. Some aid +now will do more for you than at any future time." + +"I dare say that is true; but, as father declines to do it, that ends +the matter, I suppose." + +"No; not by any means," replied the governor, earnestly. "If your +father will not set you up in business, I'll see what I can do for +you. I want a first-class printing house in this town; and a young man +like you, capable of running it, should be encouraged." + +"That is more than I expected, and I shall feel myself under great +obligations to you for aid of that kind, if you deem it best." +Benjamin spoke in a tone of grateful feeling, but without the least +show of importunity. + +"I do deem it best; and I will give you a start in business. You can +keep the matter a secret; continue at work for Keimer, and use your +first leisure moments to make out an inventory of what a first-class +printing establishment requires. That will be the first thing." + +"How soon will you want the inventory of articles?" + +"As soon as you can make it out. I shall be obliged to send to England +for them, and that will take considerable time." + +It was a lengthy interview that Benjamin had with the governor, and he +was very much elated by this turn of affairs. It looked now as if he +would start the printing business in Philadelphia under the patronage +of the governor himself! That seemed to promise more than to go into +business by the aid of only a tallow-chandler. + +He reported next to Keimer, who was glad to welcome him back, +especially so because he had considerable work on hand, and no person +could turn it off like Benjamin. + +"Glad to see you, Ben. I suppose the governor will be round to see you +when he hears of your arrival." Keimer spoke in a vein of pleasantry +rather than as a fling. + +"Possibly, unless he should send for me to call on him. The governor +of New York sent for me--Governor Burnet--what do you think of that?" + +"You are joking now, Ben; it can't be that all the governors are after +you." + +"Well, the governor of New York was, and I went to see him." And +Benjamin went on to describe his interview with Governor Burnet in +detail, and how it came about, to which Keimer listened with the +greatest interest and wonder. + +"Governor Burnet has the largest library in this country," continued +Benjamin, "and judging from the number of books I had on the sloop, he +concluded that I loved books, and so wanted to show me his." + +"Well," answered Keimer, after being in a sort of reverie some +minutes, "if this thing goes on, you will not be willing to associate +long with us fellows in the printing business." + +"I will give you due notice when I get to that. I will not cut your +acquaintance suddenly." Benjamin could treat the matter jocosely as +well as Keimer. + +To return to John Collins. He sought a position as clerk or bookkeeper +in several stores; but was unsuccessful. Then he tried other kinds of +work; but no one appeared to want him. Benjamin went with him to +several places, to introduce him and intercede for him; but there was +no opening for him. Days passed away, and still he was without a +position; and he kept on drinking, too, not so beast-like as he did in +New York, but enough to be more or less disguised. + +"It is your disgusting habit of intemperance; they smell your breath +or study your face, and then don't want you around. I told you in +Boston, that no one wants a drinking employee about." Benjamin's +patience was nearly exhausted, and he spoke as he felt. + +"That is your surmise; you are a fanatic on drink, and are not capable +of exercising sound judgement when you come to that," John replied +with considerable temper. + +"And you would not be capable of keeping your soul and body together +if it were not for my money. You have no regard at all for your word; +a promise amounts to nothing with you, and never will until you stop +drinking." + +"I shall not stop drinking until I get ready," retorted John, becoming +very angry. "You are an insulting dog, when you get to attacking +brandy." + +Brandy was John's favorite beverage in Philadelphia, as it was in +Boston. He frequently borrowed money of Benjamin; the latter not +having the heart to deny him, with which he continued to gratify his +appetite. Benjamin often remonstrated with him, and threatened to +complain of him; but the old friendship of former days always came in +to favor John. Frequently they had serious difficulties, for John was +very irritable, and daily grew more so. Yet, Benjamin continued to pay +his board, and loan him a little money from time to time, though +Collins continued unsuccessful in his search for a position. + +Several young men were enjoying a pastime on the Delaware one day, +boating, among them Benjamin and John. The latter was under the +influence of drink sufficiently to be very irritable; and he refused +to take his turn rowing. + +"I will be rowed home," he said in anger. + +"No, you won't, unless you do your part," replied Benjamin, who +thought it was quite time to teach the boozy fellow a lesson. + +"Then we will stay here all night on the water," snapped out John. + +"Just as you please; I can stay as long as you can," said Benjamin, +who had endured about as much of John's impudence as he could. + +"Come, Ben, let us row him; he don't know what he is about," said one +of the other boys; "what signifies it?" + +"Not one stroke," replied Benjamin emphatically; "it is his turn to +row, and he _shall_ row, if he is full of brandy." + +"I'll make you row, you insulting dog," exclaimed John, as he rose and +made for Benjamin. "I'll throw you overboard if you don't row." + +Approaching Benjamin with the vehemence of a mad bull, determined to +throw him into the river, Benjamin clapped his head under his thighs, +when he came up and struck at him, and, rising, pitched him head +foremost into the river. + +"He'll drown," shouted one. + +"No, he won't," answered Benjamin, "he is a good swimmer, and he is +not too drunk to swim." + +"Will you row, John?" shouted another. + +"No, you ----," he shouted back, with an oath. + +"We'll take you in when you will promise to row," said Benjamin. + +"I shall not promise to row; I'll drown first." He turned about to +reach the boat, but just as he was ready to grasp it with his hand, +the rowers pushed it forward out of his reach. + +"Will you row now?" shouted Benjamin. + +"No; but I will give you a thrashing when I can get at you." And he +continued to swim after the boat, the rowers pushing it forward out of +his reach, whenever he got near enough to seize it. Then Benjamin +would cry out: + +"Will you row now, John?" and back the defiant answer would come: + +"Never; but I'll throw you into the river if I can get at you." + +Then forward the rowers would push the boat beyond his reach. For +twenty minutes this game was played with the miserable fellow in the +water, when one of the number said: + +"He is giving out, we must take him in, or he'll drown." + +"Well, we don't want to drown him," replied Benjamin; "I guess we +better take him in." Then, turning to John, he continued: + +"Say, John, we'll take you in now; you are soaked outside as much as +you were inside," and, stopping the boat, they hauled the poor fellow +in, too much exhausted to throw Benjamin or any one else overboard. + +"John!" shouted Benjamin, as they laid him down, dripping wet, on the +bottom of the boat, "it don't pay to drink too much brandy. You are +the only one in the crowd who can't take care of himself." + +Benjamin was rather severe, but then he had endured insult and +ingratitude so long from his old friend, that his patience was +exhausted. The outcome of this scrape on the Delaware Benjamin shall +tell in his own words: + +"We hardly exchanged a civil word after this adventure. At length a +West India captain, who had a commission to procure a preceptor for +the sons of a gentleman at Barbadoes, met with him and proposed to +carry him thither to fill the situation. He accepted, and promised to +remit what he owed me out of the first money he should receive; but I +never heard of him after." + +Probably he died, a miserable sot, in Barbadoes, without a friend to +mark his grave or write the story of his shame. Benjamin lost, of +course, all the money he had loaned him. In later life he referred to +the end of John Collins, and said that he (Benjamin) received +retribution for his influence over Collins, when he made him as much +of a skeptic as himself in Boston. It was there that he unsettled his +mind as to the reality of religion. At that time he was industrious, +temperate, and honest. But, losing his respect for religion, he was +left without restraint and went rapidly to ruin. Benjamin was the +greatest sufferer by his fall, and thus was terribly rebuked for +influencing him to treat religion with contempt. + +Governor Keith frequently sent for Benjamin to dine with him, that he +might converse with him about the proposed printing house. At length +Benjamin was able to take with him an inventory of all the articles +necessary for establishing a printing house. + +"It is not on a large scale," said Benjamin. "I think I better begin +moderately. I can enlarge as business increases." + +"That is wise," answered the governor; "but you want a suitable outfit +for a first-class printing office." + +"Yes; and my inventory contemplates that. The cost will be about one +hundred pounds sterling, I judge." + +"Not so expensive as I supposed," remarked Governor Keith. "I have +been thinking whether you better not go to England to purchase these +articles. You understand what is wanted." + +"I had not thought of that," replied Benjamin, both surprised and +pleased by the proposition to visit London. "I should defer to your +judgment in that as in other things." + +"If you go it will be necessary for you to sail with Captain Annis, +who makes a trip once a year from here to London. It will be some +months before he will sail, so that you have plenty of time to think +and plan." + +"I think favorably of the proposition now," continued Benjamin. "I +could select the types and see that every thing ordered was good of +the kind, and this would be of advantage." + +"That is what I thought. And more than that; while there you can +establish correspondences in the book-selling and stationery line." + +"I think I could; and such acquaintance might prove of advantage to me +in other respects." + +"It certainly would; and I decide that you get yourself ready to sail +with Captain Annis. You can continue to work for Keimer, still keeping +the secret, but completing your plans." + +This was the final agreement, and Benjamin never dreamed that Governor +Keith was not honest. If he had divulged to Mr. Read, or Bradford, or +even to Mr. Keimer, what the governor proposed, they would have +exposed his deceitful, unreliable character, and the enterprise would +have been abandoned. + + + + +XXV. + + +WORKING, READING, AND COURTING. + +Benjamin continued to work for Keimer, who did not suspect that his +employee was planning to set up business for himself. Keimer was a +very singular, erratic man, believing little in the Christian +religion, and yet given to a kind of fanaticism on certain lines. + +"_Thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard_," he quoted from the +Mosaic law, as a reason for wearing a long beard, when Benjamin +inquired of him: + +"Then you think that passage means 'Thou shalt not shave,' if I +understand you?" asked Benjamin. + +"Yes, that is about it; and I feel religiously bound to observe it." + +"Well, I prefer a religion that is seated in the heart instead of the +beard." And there was a twinkle in Benjamin's eye when he said it. + +He enjoyed arguing with Keimer, and frequently had a contest with him +in argument. Keimer had come to respect his abilities. Indeed, he +considered Benjamin the most remarkable young man he ever met. + +"It is the religion of the heart that settles the length of the beard, +my youthful Socrates." By this reference to Socrates, Keimer meant to +slap Benjamin's Socratic method of argument, about which he talked +much. "Can't you see it?" + +"And it ought to settle the appetite, also; and the quantity and kind +of food that goes into the stomach," rejoined Benjamin, quickly. + +Keimer was a large eater--never more satisfied than when devouring a +good dinner that was exactly to his taste. On the other hand, while +Benjamin had abandoned his "vegetable diet," he cared very little +about a good dinner, and seemed to eat one thing with about as good +relish as another. He often discussed the subject with Keimer, and +always maintained that most people ate too much meat. His last remark +hit, and Keimer knew where. + +"I shall not dispute you on that point," Keimer answered; "if we had +religion enough in our hearts, I suppose it would regulate all our +acts." + +"It ought to; but there is not much prospect of its regulating you and +me at present. Neither of us has much to boast of in that respect." + +"Perhaps not. I don't propose to carry my religion so far as many +people do, and be fanatical," replied Keimer. + +"Not much danger of it, I think," retorted Benjamin. "You and I will +never be charged with that." + +Benjamin was as much of a skeptic as Keimer, only his skepticism took +a different turn. Keimer believed two things thoroughly: first, to +wear the beard long, and, second, to keep the seventh day of the week +as the Sabbath. Benjamin, on the other hand, regarded these and +kindred dogmas as of little consequence, compared with morality and +industry. He believed in work, self-improvement, and uprightness; and +that was more than Keimer believed or practised. So their disputes +were frequent and animated. Of the two, Benjamin's skepticism was the +less dangerous. + +"I am seriously thinking of establishing a new sect," continued +Keimer; "if you will join me, I will. I can preach my doctrines, and +you can confound all opponents by your Socratic method." + +"I shall want some latitude if I join you. It is narrowing down a +little too much when a creed contains but two articles, like yours, +and both of those grave errors." + +"In starting a sect I should not insist upon those two articles alone; +minor doctrines will naturally gather about them. But I am really in +earnest about a new sect, Ben; and I am only waiting to win you over." + +"Well, perhaps I will join you after you adopt my creed, to use no +animal food. Your head will be clearer for running your sect, and such +respect for your stomach will show more religion than a long beard +does." + +"My constitution would not withstand that sort of a diet; it would +undermine my health." + +"Temperance in eating and drinking never undermined any body's +constitution," retorted Benjamin. "You will live twenty years longer +to practise it, and possess a much larger per cent, of self-respect." + +"Perhaps I will try it, if you will; and also, if you will adopt my +creed, and go for a new sect." + +"I am ready to join you any time in discarding animal food; and, if +you succeed well, then I will talk with you about the rest of it." + +"Agreed," responded Keimer, thinking that Benjamin was really inclined +to embrace his scheme, whereas he was only laying his plans for sport. +He knew that a man, who liked a good meal as well as Keimer did, would +have a hard time on the diet he proposed. Referring to it in his +"Autobiography" he said: + +"He was usually a great eater, and I wished to give myself some +diversion in half-starving him. He consented to try the practice, if I +would keep him company. I did so, and we held it for three months. Our +provisions were purchased, cooked, and brought to us regularly by a +woman in the neighborhood, who had from me a list of forty dishes, +which she prepared for us at different times, in which there entered +neither fish, flesh, nor fowl. This 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, grew 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 the table, he could not resist the temptation, +and ate the whole before we came." + +The trial resulted about as Benjamin anticipated, and he got out of it +as much fun as he expected. Keimer proved himself a greater pig than +the one he swallowed. At the same time, the result left Keimer without +a claim on Benjamin to advocate the new sect. So the scheme was +dropped. + +Keimer was no match for Benjamin in disputation. With the use of the +Socratic way of reasoning, Benjamin discomfited him every time; so +that he grew shy and suspicious. In his ripe years, Benjamin wrote of +those days, and said: + +"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 enthusiasm, and loved argumentation. We +therefore had many disputations. I used to work him so with my +Socratic method, and had trepanned him so often by questions +apparently so distant from any point we had in hand, yet by degrees +leading to the point and bringing 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." + +Benjamin found pleasant literary associates in Philadelphia. A gifted +young man usually attracts to himself bright young men near his age. +Such was the case with Benjamin. Three young men especially became his +boon companions, all of them great readers. Their literary tendencies +attracted Benjamin, though their characters were not deficient in high +aims and integrity. Their names were Charles Osborne, Joseph Matson, +and James Ralph. The first two were clerks of Charles Brockden, an +eminent conveyancer of the town, and the other was a merchant's clerk. +Matson was a pious young man of sterling integrity, while the others +were more lax in their religious opinions and principles. All were +sensible young men, much above the average of this class in +intellectual endowments. Osborne and Ralph were imaginative and +poetical, and frequently tried their talents at verse-making. + +They formed a literary club, and spent their leisure time together, +reading to each other, discussing questions, and, in other ways, +seeking self-improvement. Sundays they devoted chiefly to intellectual +pastime, strolling along the banks of the Schuylkill, except Matson, +who was too much of a Christian to desecrate the Sabbath. He always +went to the house of God on Sundays; nor was he esteemed any less +highly by his skeptical associates for so doing. + +"You estimate your talent for poetry too highly," said Osborne to +Ralph, at one of their literary interviews. "Poets are born, not made; +and I hardly think you was born one." + +"Much obliged for your compliment," replied Ralph, not at all +disconcerted by Osborne's rather personal remark; "but I may become +poet enough for my own use. All poets are not first-best when they +begin. It is practice that makes perfect, you know." + +"Practice can't make a poet out of a man who is not born one; and you +are not such," continued Osborne. "That piece that you just read is +not particularly poetical. It is good rhyme, but it lacks the real +spirit of poesy." + +"I agree with you; I do not call it good poetry; but every poet must +begin; and his first piece can not be his best. Poets improve as well +as clerks." + +"Real poets!" responded Osborne, with a peculiar smile at the corners +of his mouth. And he continued: + +"You seem to think that a fortune awaits a poet, too; but you are +laboring under a great mistake. There is no money in poetry in our +day, and there never was." + +"Perhaps not; nevertheless I am confident that a poet may readily win +popularity and a livelihood. At any rate, I am determined to try it, +in spite of your decidedly poor opinion of my abilities." + +"Well, my advice is that you stick to the business for which you were +bred, if you would keep out of the poor-house." Osborne said it more +to hector Ralph than any thing. "A good clerk is better than a poor +poet; you will agree to that." + +Benjamin listened with a good deal of interest to the foregoing +discussion, and he saw that, from jealousy or some other cause, +Osborne was not according to Ralph the credit to which he was +entitled; and so he interrupted, by saying: + +"You set yourself up for a critic, Osborne; but I think more of Ralph +as a poet than I do of you as a critic. You are unwilling to grant +that his productions have any merit at all; but I think have. +Moreover, it is a good practice for him, and for all of us, to write +poetry, even if it does not come quite up to Milton. It will improve +us in the use of language." + +"Fiddlesticks! It is simply wasting time that might be spent in +profitable reading; and good reading will improve the mind more than +rhyming." Osborne spoke with much earnestness. + +"Not half so much as your empty criticisms are wasting your breath," +replied Benjamin, with a smile. "But, look here, I have just thought +of a good exercise that we better adopt. At our next meeting each one +of us shall bring in a piece of poetry of our own composition, and +we'll compare notes and criticise each other." + +"I should like that," responded Ralph; "it is a capital proposition. +Perhaps Osborne may think it will be a waste of time and breath." + +"Not at all," answered Osborne; "I agree to the plan, provided the +subject shall be selected now, so that all shall have fair play." + +"We will do that, of course," said Benjamin. "Have you a subject to +suggest?" + +"None whatever, unless it is a paraphrase of the Eighteenth Psalm, +which describes the descent of the Deity." + +"That is a grand subject," responded Benjamin. "What do you say to +taking that, Ralph?" + +"I think it is an excellent subject, and I am in favor of adopting +it." + +Thus it was understood that each one should write a poetical +paraphrase of the Eighteenth Psalm for their next meeting, and, with +this understanding, they separated. + +Just before the time of their next meeting Ralph called upon Benjamin +with his paraphrase, and asked him to examine it. + +"I have been so busy," remarked Benjamin, "that I have not been able +to write any thing, and I shall be obliged to say 'unprepared' when my +turn comes to read. But I should like to read yours." + +Benjamin read Ralph's article over, and then reread it. + +"It is excellent; better than any poetry you have ever written," +remarked Benjamin, when he had finished reading. "Osborne will have to +praise that." + +"But he won't; you see if he does. Osborne never allows the least +merit in any thing I write. His envy, or jealousy, or something else, +hatches severe criticism, whether there is reason for it or not. He +will do that with this article; see if he don't." + +"If he does, it will be proof that he is prejudiced against you, or is +no judge of poetry," replied Benjamin. + +"Suppose we try a little game," continued Ralph. "I think we can put +his judgment to a test. He is not so jealous of you as he is of me. +Now you take this article, and produce it as your own, and I will make +some excuse for not being prepared. We shall then get at his real +opinion of the composition." + +"A very ingenious test, Ralph," exclaimed Benjamin. "I will enter into +the plan with all my heart. But I must transcribe the article, so that +he will see that it is in my own handwriting." + +"Certainly; and be careful that you do not let the secret out." + +So they waited, almost impatiently, for the time of meeting, both +feeling almost sure that Osborne would fall into their net. The +appointed time came. Matson was the first to read his production. +Osborne came next; and his piece was much better than Matson's. Ralph +noticed two or three blemishes, but pointed out many beauties in it. + +Next it was Ralph's turn to read. "I am sorry to confess that I have +nothing to read; but I promise to atone for this failure by doing my +part faithfully in future." + +"Poets ought to be ready at any time," remarked Osborne humorously, +looking at Ralph. + +"It is in order for them to fail sometimes, I think," replied Ralph; +"especially if they are not _born_ poets." + +"Well, Ben, we must have yours, then. You will not disappoint us." + +"I think you must excuse me this time," Benjamin answered, feigning an +unwillingness to read. + +"No, Ben, no excuse for you," said Osborne. "You have it written; I +saw it in your hand." + +"That is true; but after listening to such fine productions as we have +heard, I am not ambitious to read mine. I think I must correct it, and +dress it up a little before I submit it for criticism." + +"That was not in the arrangement, Ben, when you suggested the +exercise," remarked Ralph. + +"You are prepared, and, of course, we shall not excuse you." + +After much bantering and urging, Benjamin proceeded to read his, +apparently with much diffidence; and all listened with profound +attention. + +"You must read that again," said Osborne, when he finished reading it. +"Two readings of such a poem as that are none too much. Come, read it +again." + +Benjamin read the article again, apparently with more confidence than +at first. + +"You surprise me, Ben," exclaimed Osborne, when the second reading was +finished. "You are a genuine poet. I had no idea that you could write +like that." + +"Nor I," added Matson. "It is better than half the poetry that is +printed. If the subject had not been given out, I don't know but I +should have charged you with stealing it." + +"What do you say, Ralph?" inquired Osborne. "You are a poet, and poets +ought to be good judges of such matters." Another fling at Ralph's +claim to poetical ability. + +"I don't think it is entirely faultless," remarked Ralph, after some +hesitation. "I think you have commended it full as highly as it +deserves. Not being a _born_ poet, however, I may not be a good +judge," glancing his eye at Osborne. + +"Well done, Ralph!" exclaimed Osborne. "Your opinion of that +production is proof positive that you are destitute of real poetical +taste, as I have told you before." + +Osborne was fairly caught. Ralph and Benjamin exchanged glances, as +if to inquire if their time of avowed triumph had not come; but both +appeared to conclude to keep the secret a little longer. They +controlled their risibles successfully, and allowed Osborne to go on +and express himself still more strongly in favor of the composition. + +Ralph walked home with Osborne, in order to play the game a little +more, and their conversation was very naturally about Benjamin's +poetry. + +"I had no idea," remarked Osborne, "that Ben could write poetry like +that. I was ashamed of my own when I heard his. I knew him to be a +talented fellow; but I had no idea that he was a poet. His production +was certainly very fine. In common conversation he seems to have no +choice of words; he hesitates and blunders; and yet, how he writes!" + +"Possibly he might not have written it," suggested Ralph; a very +natural suggestion in the circumstances, though Osborne thought it was +an outrageous reflection. + +"That is the unkindest cut of all," retorted Osborne; "to charge him +with plagiarism. Ben would never descend to so mean a thing as that." + +They separated for that night; but Ralph embraced the first +opportunity to call on Benjamin, to exult over the success of their +little scheme. They laughed to their hearts' content, and discussed +the point of revealing the secret. They concluded finally, that the +real author of the article should be known at their next meeting. + +Accordingly, the affair was managed so as to bring the facts of the +case before their companions at their next gathering. Osborne was +utterly confounded when the revelation was made, and knew not what to +say for himself. Matson shook his whole frame with convulsive laughter +at poor Osborne's expense, and Benjamin joined him with a keen relish. +Never was a fellow in a more mortifying predicament than this would-be +critic, since it was now perfectly manifest that he was influenced by +blind prejudice in his criticisms of Ralph's poetry. For now, disarmed +of prejudice, he had given it his most emphatic endorsement. + +A few years later, Matson died in Benjamin's arms, much lamented by +all of his companions, who regarded him as "the best of their set." +Osborne removed to the West Indies, where he became an eminent lawyer, +but died just past middle life. Of the others we shall have occasion +to speak hereafter. + +Benjamin always spoke well of that literary club. It was an excellent +way of using leisure time. It contributed much to his self-advancement, +as it did to that of his companions. Such an arrangement converts spare +moments into great blessings. + +The time was drawing near for Benjamin to leave for England; and there +was one thing above all others, that he wished to do, viz.: to be +betrothed to Deborah Read. They had fallen in love with each other, +but were not engaged. He had not opened the subject to her parents; +but he must, if he would win her hand before going to England. So he +ventured. + +"Both of you are too young," replied Deborah's mother. "You are only +eighteen! You can not tell what changes may occur before you are old +enough to be married." + +"But that need not interfere with an engagement," suggested Benjamin. +"We only pledge each to the other against the time we are ready to be +married. Sometimes parties are engaged for years before they are +married." + +"It is not a good plan, however. And why, Benjamin, do you deem an +engagement necessary in the circumstances?" + +"Simply because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," answered +Benjamin, laughing. Mrs. Read laughed, too. + +"I have not quite satisfied myself that it is best to give up my +daughter to a printer," she added. + +"How so?" inquired Benjamin with some anxiety. + +"Because there are already several printing houses in the country, and +I doubt whether another can be supported." + +"If I can not support her by the printing business, then I will do it +by some other," responded Benjamin, emphatically. + +"I do not call in question your good intentions, by any means; but you +may not realize the fulfillment of your hopes. I think you had better +leave the matter as it is until you return from England, and see how +you are prospered." + +"Of course, I shall yield to your judgment in the matter," said +Benjamin, very politely, "though I shall be somewhat disappointed." + +"You and Deborah can have such understanding with each other as you +wish; but I object to a formal engagement. Leave that until you +return." Mrs. Read was decided in her opinions. Her husband died five +or six weeks before this interview. + +So Benjamin had to leave his bird in the bush, instead of having it in +hand. And the bird promised to stay there, and sing for him on his +return. + + + + +XXVI. + + +A BOGUS SCHEME. + +"I'm thinking of going to England with you," said Ralph to Benjamin, one +day in October, 1724. + +"You don't mean it." + +"I do mean it. I am thinking seriously of going." + +"I shall be delighted to have your company, but the news is almost too +good to be true," continued Benjamin. + +"I have been looking the matter over ever since you told me that you +expected to go; and now it is settled in my own mind that I shall go." + +"Going out for your employer?" + +"No, going out to establish a correspondence, if possible, and arrange +to obtain goods to sell on commission." + +"That is a capital scheme, it seems to me, Ralph. I think you can +establish a good business with your tact and experience. You'll have +to hurry up; for I expect that Captain Annis will sail in three +weeks." Benjamin's words showed his gladness that one of his intimate +companions would accompany him. + +"It won't take me long to get ready; I have been arranging matters for +some time with reference to going, though I have spoken to no one +about it." Ralph was careful not to divulge the real reason of his +going, lest Benjamin should disapprove. + +At length it was announced that the _London Hope_, Captain Annis, +master, would sail about the 10th of November. And now, Benjamin was +full of business. He made known his intentions to Keimer and other +friends, without disclosing the real object of his trip, or that he +was going under the patronage of Governor Keith. Considerable surprise +and regret were expressed by several friends that he was going, and +yet they were free to say that it would prove an excellent school for +such a young man as Benjamin. Governor Keith was lavish in his +attentions and interest. + +"You will want letters of introduction from me; and I shall have some +instructions, which I will write out carefully," he said. + +"The letters will be indispensable; and the instructions I shall most +surely need to relieve my lack of experience," Benjamin replied. + +"I will have them all ready two or three days before Captain Annis +sails," added the governor, "and you can call for them. I may want to +see you again before I get them ready, and I will send for you." + +Benjamin thanked Governor Keith for his great kindness, assuring him +that he should always feel himself under a heavy debt of gratitude, +never dreaming that the scheming politician was luring him into a +snare. He put his whole heart and soul into preparation to leave. To +him it was the great event of his life; and it would have been, if Sir +William Keith had been an honest man instead of a rogue. For an +American youth, eighteen years of age, to represent the governor of +Pennsylvania in the city of London, to consummate a business +enterprise of the greatest importance to a thriving American town, was +an unusual occurrence. Any youth of considerable ability and ambition +must have realized the value and dignity of the enterprise; but to +such a youth as Benjamin was,--talented, aspiring, coveting success, +striving for the best,--the opportunity of this business enterprise, +proposed and patronized by the highest officer in the colony, must +have appealed strongly to his manly and noble nature. We shall see, +however, as it turned out, that all the honesty and high-minded +purpose that invested it was in Benjamin's soul. Treachery, +dishonesty, and perfidy blackened the soul of his patron, loading him +down with infamy almost without a parallel. + +Three days before Captain Annis set sail, Benjamin called for his +letters. + +"My time has been so thoroughly occupied by public business that I +have not been able to prepare them, but I will attend to it." + +"I can call again without any trouble," answered Benjamin, exceedingly +grateful for the governor's patronage. + +"I am sorry that I have not been able to prepare them; but I will not +disappoint you again. Call day after to-morrow." The more the governor +said and promised, the more thankful Benjamin felt that he had fallen +into such generous hands. + +"I will call in the afternoon, day after to-morrow," replied Benjamin; +and thanking him again for his great kindness, took his leave. + +He called as he promised for the letters and other papers. Instead of +being ushered into the governor's presence, as usual, his secretary, +Colonel French, came out to announce: + +"The governor regrets exceedingly that he has not the documents ready +yet, and desires that you shall call again to-morrow, just before the +vessel sails." + +"Very well, I will call," replied Benjamin, without the least +suspicion that any trouble was brewing for him. + +On the next day, with all his baggage on board, and the "good-bye" +said to all his friends, he hastened to the governor's head-quarters +for his papers. Again Colonel French met him with the announcement: + +"The governor desires me to say that he is really ashamed to +disappoint you again; but a constant pressure of business has +prevented. But the vessel will stop at Newcastle, and he will meet you +and deliver yours with other letters he has to send; and he hopes that +you will have a pleasant voyage and meet with great success." + +"Please convey my thanks to him for his many kindnesses and present +good wishes," answered Benjamin, "and say to him that I will execute +his commands to the very best of my ability, and report at the +earliest possible time." + +So saying, Benjamin returned and boarded the vessel, which soon +dropped down the Delaware, thinking all the while of his good fortune +in having so great and good a man as Governor Keith for his friend. + +At Newcastle, Benjamin landed and hastened to see the governor, whom +he expected to be there, as Colonel French said; but he met only the +secretary, who announced again: + +"The governor is now writing the last dispatch, and will send your +documents, with others, on board before the ship weighs anchor. He +would be glad to see you again before you leave, but requires me to +say that every moment of his time will be occupied to the very last +minute, so he must content himself with sending to you, by me, his +last words of confidence and his best wishes." + +"Convey mine, also, to him," Benjamin replied, as he turned away to go +to the vessel. + +Just as the ship was about to sail, a bag of letters and other +documents came on board from the governor. Benjamin supposed that it +contained his indispensable letters, and, at a suitable time, he went +to the captain and said: + +"Governor Keith was to furnish me with letters of introduction to +friends in London, and I suppose they are in the bag which he sent +aboard. Can I look them over for my letters?" + +"Just now I am too busy to give the matter any attention," Captain +Annis said; "but I assure you that, long before we reach London, you +shall have the opportunity to examine and take what belongs to you." + +"That will do; I thank you," replied Benjamin, perfectly satisfied +that all was right; and he settled down to enjoy the voyage. + +When the vessel entered the English Channel, Captain Annis brought out +the bag of documents from the governor for Benjamin to inspect. He was +surprised beyond measure not to find any letters addressed to himself. +He found several addressed to other parties with his name written upon +them, as under his care, but not one addressed to himself. It was very +singular, he thought, but he concluded that one of the number was +devoted to his mission, as it was addressed to Baskett, the king's +printer. He found seven or eight letters addressed to different +parties, "Care of Benjamin Franklin," and he took them all from the +bag. He still supposed that every thing about his mission was correct. + +They arrived in London on the 24th of December, when Benjamin lacked +about a month of being nineteen years old. With Ralph, he proceeded to +find lodgings at once; and just as soon as that arrangement was made, +he hastened to deliver the letters submitted to his care. The first +party upon whom he called was a stationer. + +"I have the honor of bringing a letter to you, sir, from Governor +Keith of Pennsylvania, America," he said, with considerable assurance. + +"I have not the honor of his acquaintance," answered the stationer. +"Pray, tell me who Governor Keith may be." + +"The letter will inform you, no doubt," replied Benjamin, giving him +the letter. + +The stationer opened it; but read scarcely three lines before he +exclaimed, to Benjamin's consternation: + +"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," and he handed the letter back to Benjamin without +reading all of it, turned upon his heel and went back to his work. + +Benjamin's feelings can be imagined better than described. He was +well-nigh dumbfounded to learn that the letter was not from Governor +Keith. And then it was that the first flash of suspicion that he had +been deceived entered his mind. He was still more surprised to learn, +on examination, that not one of the letters he had taken from the bag +was written by Governor Keith. There he was without one letter of +introduction to any person in London, the scheme of establishing a +printing house in Philadelphia discovered to be a myth, a mere boy, +friendless and without work, in a great city, three thousand miles +from home. If another American youth was ever lured into a baser trap, +by a baser official, his name has never been recorded. Benjamin was at +his wits' end--he knew not what to do. His feelings bordered upon +despair. Had he not been a wonderful youth to rise superior to +difficulties, he must have yielded to overwhelming discouragement. + +To add to his troubles, when he disclosed his situation to Ralph, he +learned that his old companion had abandoned his wife and child, never +intending to return to America. + +"You are a hard-hearted wretch; I never would have thought such a +thing of you, Ralph," he exclaimed. "Such meanness ought to be left to +baser men than you are." + +"I suppose that you would never look with any favor upon such a plan +as mine, and so I did not tell you," replied Ralph. + +"It is lucky for you that you did not; for I never would have +consented to be the companion of a young man running away from his +wife and child." + +"Well, I have never been treated well by one member of my wife's +family from the day I was married, and before, too. I have borne it +without complaining to any one, until I could bear it no longer. Now +let them reflect." + +"But that is no excuse for a man to abandon his family, no excuse +whatever. Why, Ralph, I am almost as much deceived in you as I have +been in Governor Keith. I did not think that you were capable of such +meanness." Benjamin meant every word he uttered; and he was not +disposed to spare his old friend at all. Another bit of information +just here magnified his sorrows. + +"I am out of funds entirely, Ben, so that I have begun to be cursed +already, you see, without yours." Ralph spoke as if the remarks of Ben +cut him to the quick. + +"Out of money!" exclaimed Ben. "Come here dead broke? You must be +crazy, Ralph. Abandon your family, and shove yourself upon me to +support in London! I am shocked." + +"I am afraid that both of us will be more shocked than that before we +get through," answered Ralph with the utmost coolness. "You have been +too good a friend to desert me now, Ben." + +The last remark touched a tender spot in Benjamin's heart. He and +Ralph had been true friends, and passed many happy hours together. He +abhorred his inhumanity to his wife and child, and his deceitfulness +in claiming to go to London to secure goods to sell on commission and +establish correspondence; but he had no heart to abandon him in a +strange city. + +"Get work, Ralph, as soon as possible, or we shall be in a bad plight; +for I have only fifteen pistoles in all, which will not keep up a +connection between soul and body long." This remark of Benjamin's +implied that he should divide what he had with Ralph as long as it +lasted. + +"I shall do that, Ben, you may rest assured; for I will not take +advantage of your generosity any longer than I can help. I mean to +continue a good friend of yours whether you continue to be a good +friend of mine or not." This was a shrewd way of putting it. Ralph +knew the young man he was talking with thoroughly. + +Benjamin resolved to seek the advice of Mr. Denham. He was a Quaker +merchant who sailed from Philadelphia with him. He was a stranger to +him; but, when Colonel French came on board with letters from the +governor at Newcastle, he introduced Benjamin to Denham. For this +reason Denham became deeply interested in Benjamin, and showed him +many favors. Now his advice would be specially useful to Benjamin; so +he sought and found him. + +"I find, Mr. Denham, that Governor Keith has been deceiving me. I came +here under his auspices, and he promised me letters of introduction to +parties, and the means to purchase an outfit for a first-class +printing house in Philadelphia; and he has not fulfilled either +promise. There are no letters for me among the dispatches he sent on +board at Newcastle. He has proved himself a fraud and a cheat." + +"He always did that," Mr. Denham replied. "If I had known that you +were depending on Keith for any thing, I could have opened your eyes +to his rascality at once. Keith is an official scamp." + +"Here is a letter from Riddlesden to a stationer here," and passing +the letter to Denham, he rehearsed his interview with the stationer. + +"Riddlesden!" exclaimed Denham; "so base an attorney-at-law never +cursed Pennsylvania. He is matched in perfidy only by Keith. Two worse +rogues never occupied important positions in any country." + +Then, reading the letter through, he went on: + +"And this very letter proves that he is an arrant knave. For here is +proof of a conspiracy against Mr. Hamilton, who was booked to sail +with Captain Annis, and Keith is in it." Denham read the letter to +Benjamin, explaining its meaning as he went along, for he was well +posted about Keith and the villainous attorney. + +"You should keep this letter, Franklin, and show it to Mr. Hamilton +when he comes," added Denham. "Hamilton will come just as soon as he +can. He came aboard our ship with his son, intending to come; but a +party appeared, offering him a very large fee to wait and conduct a +case in court, and he consented. He is the greatest lawyer in +Pennsylvania. Keep the letter and give it to him." + +We may say here, once for all, that Benjamin did keep the letter until +the arrival of Mr. Hamilton, several months later, when he presented +it to him, for which favor Hamilton was very grateful, and became +Benjamin's life-long friend. + +"But what can I do, Mr. Denham?" asked Benjamin. "I am here a stranger +in a strange city, with very little money. What would you advise me to +do?" + +"I do not see but one thing that you can do just now. You are a +printer, and you can get work without doubt in some printing office +until you see fit to return." + +"I thought of that; but it occurred to me that an American printer +would be at a discount here, where the printing business is so much +better understood," suggested Benjamin. + +"You can get over that difficulty quickly by showing them what you can +do," answered Mr. Denham. "You have more intelligence and culture than +most of the English printers; and that will help you." + +"I will lose no time in making an application for a place," said +Benjamin. "I am under obligations to you for your interest in me." + +"It may prove of great advantage to you to have this opportunity to +become familiar with printing in London," continued Mr. Denham. "You +can perfect yourself in the art against the time you return, and set +up business in Philadelphia. So you may get some good out of your +trials, after all. 'It is an ill wind that blows no one any good.'" + +"It looks so, certainly," Benjamin answered. "I will accept your +advice, and see what I can do." + +Benjamin had _paid too dear for the whistle_ again; but he made the +best of it. First of all, he found a permanent boarding-place for +himself and Ralph, where the charges were in proportion to his +pecuniary ability. It was in Little Britain Street; and the weekly +charge was only three shillings and sixpence. Then both started out in +search of work. Benjamin went direct to Palmer's famous printing house +in Bartholomew Close, where fifty hands were then employed, and +applied for a situation. + +"What experience have you had?" inquired the overseer. + +"Several years. I learned the business of my brother, James Franklin, +in Boston, America; and he came to your country and learned it, before +setting up the business in his own country." + +"You ought to understand it, then. But why do you seek work in this +country?" + +"I did not come to London for work, but for an outfit with which to +establish the business in Philadelphia." And Benjamin rehearsed his +arrangement with Governor Keith, and the treachery which had been +practised upon him, which interested the manager very much, and, at +the same time, won his sympathy. + +"Though Governor Keith proved so treacherous to you, the facts show +his confidence in your ability as a printer," he remarked; "and, +surely, in these misfortunes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. I +think I can find something for you to do." + +"You can try me, and I shall be very thankful for the chance," +Benjamin answered. "I have no desire to work for any man unless I can +suit him." + +"That is an honorable view of the matter; and I have no doubt of your +ability to satisfy me. You can come at once, and I will give you a +position." + +They agreed upon wages that were satisfactory to Benjamin, and the +next day he went to work. The truth was, that the boss of Palmer's +printing house was very much pleased with Benjamin's appearance. He +saw at once that he was a young man of uncommon ability. He was +surprised to learn that he was not quite nineteen years of age, since +his appearance was that of a young man of twenty-two. Therefore, he +was not only desirous of aiding him in his embarrassing situation, but +he was glad to employ a young man of so much promise. + +Ralph was not so successful. Here and there he applied for work, but +no one appeared to want him. Benjamin rendered him all the assistance +possible evenings; but his efforts met with no success. In advanced +life, Benjamin spoke of Ralph's efforts as follows: + +"He first endeavored to get into the playhouse, believing himself +qualified for an actor; but Wilkes, 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 +Pater Noster Row, to write for him a weekly paper like the +_Spectator_, on certain conditions; which Roberts did not approve. +Then he endeavored to get employment as a hackney writer, to copy for +the stationers and lawyers about the Temple; but could not find a +vacancy." + +Ralph possessed considerable ability as an amateur player of tragedy +or comedy; and he was quite a racy writer, also; hence his application +for a situation as above. Benjamin was familiar with his +qualifications on the lines mentioned, and seconded his efforts as +best he could; but all to no purpose. + +As Ralph had no money or work, Benjamin was obliged to support him. He +paid his board, and loaned him small sums from time to time, so that +he could maintain the appearance of a respectable citizen. But he was +another elephant on Benjamin's hands. The weeks multiplied, and still +Ralph had no employment. He was a constant bill of expense. Willing to +work, abhorring a life of idleness, his condition and prospects were a +torment to himself. He was more troubled even than Benjamin over his +misfortune. At length, however, he announced: + +"I am going to put an end to this sort of a life, Ben. I have stood it +as long as I can. I am going out into the country to find a school to +teach. I am told that I can easily find one." + +"Not a bad idea, in the circumstances," replied Benjamin. "Teaching is +an honorable and useful business; and it will make you friends." + +"I should much prefer to remain in this city and find a more congenial +situation; but beggars can't be choosers, and so I have concluded to +make the best of it. I am completely discouraged in trying for work in +London." Ralph spoke as he felt, for he had become disheartened. + +"It seems strange, almost," continued Benjamin "that you can find no +situation of any sort in this great city, where----" + +"I was not born under a lucky star, as you were, Ben," interrupted +Ralph. + +"My experience with Governor Keith doesn't show much of a star any +way," rejoined Benjamin. "Certainly, it is not a lucky one, nor a +morning star; if it is a star at all, it must be an _evening_ star, +seen only when it is getting dark." + +"I wish I could accept disappointment and defeat as philosophically as +you can, Ben; but I can't. It is quite impossible for me to make the +best out of the worst; but you can." + +"It is the way I am made, no doubt," said Benjamin in reply. "I never +could make any thing by fretting." + +"Nor any body else," quickly answered Ralph, "and still I fret and +worry as if thereby I could mend the matter. But I am going to strike +out for a school, and leave London to suffer the consequences of not +employing me." + +"That is philosophical, sure," added Benjamin. + +The school was secured within a short time, and Ralph became a +schoolmaster a few miles out of London. Benjamin continued to serve in +the Palmer printing house, where he gave satisfaction, and made his +mark, as we shall see. + + + + +XXVII. + + +"OUR WATER-DRINKER." + +A letter from Ralph to Benjamin informed the latter that the former +was settled in a small village called Berkshire, where he was teaching +about a dozen boys in reading and writing at a sixpence each per week, +--not a very flattering position, but, in the circumstances, better +than none. + +What surprised Benjamin, however, was that Ralph had changed his name, +and was known in that village as Franklin. He had assumed Franklin's +name, thinking that such a position was not honorable for James Ralph +to occupy. At first, Benjamin was somewhat displeased to find himself +scattered about in such a way, printer and schoolmaster, and he knew +not what next. But, on the whole, he concluded to let the matter rest; +and, if his old friend could get success out of his name, allow him to +do it. So he corresponded with him from time to time, directing his +letters to "Mr. Franklin, schoolmaster," as Ralph desired. + +It was not long before Benjamin began to receive instalments of an +epic poem which Ralph was composing, with the request to examine and +return remarks and corrections. Benjamin did examine and return it, +with the advice to cease writing epic poems and attend to his +legitimate business or get into some other. But it was of no use, the +poem continued to come by instalments. + +At this juncture, too, another trial was added to his singular +experience. Ralph's English wife called upon him for help. The +following is Franklin's account of the manner in which Ralph came into +these new relations: + +"In our house lodged a young woman, a milliner, who, I think, had a +shop in the Cloisters. She had been genteelly bred, was sensible, +lively, and of a 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." + +"I need help, and know not where to go except to you," said Mrs. +Ralph; "indeed, James told me to apply to you." + +"I recall," replied Benjamin, "that he asked me in one of his letters +to see that you were not in want. I am not in circumstances to do much +for you, but I will cheerfully do what I can." + +"I shall be very much obliged for the smallest favor. My wants are +few, and I can make a little assistance go a good way." + +Benjamin relieved her wants, and from that time continued to call upon +her, to see that she was made comfortable and to enjoy her company. +These demands upon his purse kept it drained to the last cent all the +time, so that he could lay nothing by for himself. He could see no way +out of his trouble. He must continue penniless, or let Ralph and his +family suffer. But just then an indiscreet act on his part offended +Ralph, who, coming to London for a day or two, said to Benjamin: + +"I consider myself under no obligations to you whatever from this +time. I shall ask no more favors of you for myself or family, and will +have nothing more to do with you." + +"Very well," replied Benjamin, "I will so understand it." + +In this way Benjamin was relieved of a great burden unexpectedly. +Incumbrances thus removed, he devoted himself with remarkable energy +and industry to his business and self-improvement. + +About this time Benjamin was offered larger pay at Watts' printing +house, near Lincoln's Inn Fields, and he removed thither. He changed +his boarding-place, also, to Duke Street, opposite the Romish chapel. + +Next door to Benjamin's lodgings was a bookstore kept by one Wilcox. +He had an immense collection of second-hand books, in which, of +course, Benjamin became much interested, spending his leisure time +here. + +"I have not the money to make purchases," he said to Wilcox. "I wish I +had. There are so many valuable books here, and they are so cheap, +that I wish I was able to make many of them my own." + +"Well, you are at liberty to spend all the time you can reading them +here," answered Wilcox, who had already formed a high opinion of his +abilities. "Perhaps some day you will be able to own some of them." + +"You are very kind indeed, Mr. Wilcox, and I shall avail myself of +your generosity to make the acquaintance of some of these authors." + +Benjamin had already rehearsed the story of the fraud through which he +became a London printer, so that Wilcox understood the reason that he +was penniless. + +"Glad to see you here any time; feel perfectly at home, and get all +the good you can out of these books," Wilcox added with great +kindness. + +It was not long before an original idea about the use of those books +took possession of Benjamin's mind, and he made it known to the +bookseller. + +"A new idea has struck me, Mr. Wilcox. I do not want to take so much +advantage of your generosity, and it has occurred to me that I can pay +you a sum we can agree upon to take out and read such books as I may +select. I mean, pay you a given amount on each book I read." + +"I had not thought of that; it is an excellent plan, I think. We will +have no difficulty about the price," answered Wilcox. + +"It will take me longer, of course, to read some books than it will +others," continued Benjamin; "but I am a rapid reader, and shall be as +expeditious as possible with each volume. And, also, I pledge myself +that each volume shall be returned in as good a condition as when I +take it out." + +"That is fair; I accept the proposition." + +The price per volume was agreed upon, and Benjamin reveled in books +every night. He never advanced more rapidly in intellectual +attainments than he did after this arrangement with Wilcox. + +This is the first instance of loaning books for a price on record--a +practice that has become well-nigh universal since that day. + +He had not been at Palmer's long before he was employed in composing +for the second edition of Wollaston's "Religion of Nature," which was +just the kind of a treatise to arouse his intellect, and to set him to +thinking and also to speculating. + +"Poor reasoning!" he said to Mr. Watts; "very fallacious and +superficial, too." + +"Ah!" replied Mr. Watts, considerably surprised that his new employee, +just over from a new and uncultivated country, should handle a +treatise like that so gingerly; "how is that? Rather a popular work, +that of Wollaston's." + +"Popular enough it may be, but error is often popular. The work is +illogical, and not altogether in harmony with facts." Benjamin's +criticisms impressed Mr. Watts somewhat, though he thought he was +laboring under a mistake. + +"Perhaps the trouble is in your own mind, and not in Wollaston's," he +suggested. + +"That may be; but I am going to review it for my own satisfaction and +benefit," answered Benjamin. + +"Then I will suspend judgment until I can read your review," said Mr. +Watts, at the same time being still more surprised that a youth of his +age should be so familiar with such topics. + +Within a short time Benjamin had his review of "Religion of Nature" +prepared and printed, bearing the somewhat dignified title, "A +Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain," and it was +inscribed to his friend, James Ralph. A copy was submitted to Mr. +Watts for examination, and his opinion awaited with some anxiety. + +"I confess that it is a remarkable production for a youth like you to +father--remarkable in its plan, thought, and reasoning--but it is no +credit to your principles," Mr. Watts said. + +"How so?" + +"It is really deistical in its position. You remember that I suggested +the trouble might be in yourself, instead of Wollaston; and it is, in +my judgment." + +"Wherein is my reasoning illogical or incorrect?" Benjamin's use of +the Socratic method of reasoning still adhered to him. + +"Any reasoning is illogical and fallacious that takes it for granted +that there is no God," answered Mr. Watts. "Without a God, we are +nowhere; and that is where your pamphlet is. There is ingenuity in it, +I grant; but it is false." + +"From your standpoint, you mean, Mr. Watts?" + +"Yes, if you please; but my standpoint is the Bible. Any reasoning +that ignores the Bible is fallacious. To pretend to understand the +things of this world without a God is abominable. 'The _fool_ hath +said in his heart, There is no God.'" + +"Well, you are getting rather personal," Benjamin answered, roguishly. + "I suspect that you are rather puritanical in your notions; but I am +not." + +"No, that is quite evident; nothing puritanical about your +Dissertation, but a plenty that is fanatical," retorted Mr. Watts. + +"Much obliged for your opinion, so frankly expressed," added Benjamin, +as Mr. Watts turned to answer a call. + +A short time after the publication of the foregoing Dissertation, a +London surgeon, by the name of Lyons, called at Watts' office. + +"Is there a man at work in your printing house by the name of +Franklin--Benjamin Franklin?" he inquired of Mr. Watts. + +"There is." + +"Can I see him?" + +"Yes, I will call him." + +Benjamin was called and introduced to the gentleman, who said, holding +a pamphlet in his hand: + +"Are you the author of this 'Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, +Pleasure and Pain'?" + +"I am, sir." Benjamin had received such a trimming from his employer, +that he was almost sure the stranger had come to stigmatize him for +writing that pamphlet. But he was soon relieved by the remark of +Lyons: + +"I have read it with great interest, and have been very much profited +by it. I did not dream, however, that it was written by so young a +person as you are." + +Benjamin thanked him for his complimentary words, and the surgeon went +on: + +"I am the author of the book entitled, 'The Infallibility of Human +Judgment,' and I think our views harmonize in the main. I should be +pleased to loan you a copy if you care to read it." + +"It will afford me real pleasure to read it, Doctor Lyons, and I shall +appreciate your favor." + +"And when you have read it, I shall be glad to meet you, and compare +notes, and discuss the topics." + +"Nothing will suit me better than that," added Benjamin. + +Doctor Lyons frequently called on Benjamin to converse upon the +subject-matter of his pamphlet, and, at one time, he says, "He carried +me to the Horns, a pale-ale house in ------ Lane, Cheapside, and +introduced me to Doctor 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." + +The religion in Benjamin's pamphlet, and that in Lyons' book, was well +suited to a "pale-ale house." It was so _pale_ as scarcely to be +discernible in either book or pamphlet--almost entirely faded out. +That was why Benjamin's pamphlet pleased Lyons so much--the religion +in it was not too much for a "pale-ale house." + +Doctor Lyons introduced him, also, to one Doctor Pemberton, "at +Batson's Coffee-house," a kindred spirit, whose coffee was stronger +than his religion--a quick-witted, lively sort of a man. He was very +familiar with Benjamin. + +"Glad to know that your mind is interested in subjects of so grave +importance," he said. "In a youth of your age it is evidence of a +strong mind and expanding intellect." + +"Most of my friends do not regard my views with the favor you express; +they see evidence, rather, of mental weakness and distortion," said +Benjamin in reply. + +"It is because they do not investigate for themselves. They are +content to receive opinions secondhand, labelled and fixed. How would +you like to number Sir Isaac Newton among your friends?" Doctor +Pemberton spoke as a man of authority. + +"I should feel myself highly honored," answered Benjamin. "Do you know +him?" + +"I have the honor of his acquaintance; and I will give you an +introduction at some future time." + +"I shall accept your favor with thanks"; and Benjamin waited and +waited for the opportunity, but it never came, probably because Newton +could never be found in "an ale-house." + +This was the outcome of Benjamin's literary venture; and the +pleasantest part of the whole was that he lived to see the folly of +his effort, especially its non-religious character. He became +satisfied that Mr. Watts was right when he declared the principles of +his Dissertation "abominable." + +At another time, while Benjamin worked at Watts', Sir Hans Sloane +called upon him,--another notable London character of that day. +Benjamin was taken aback when he met him,--he could scarcely divine +what this titled Englishman could want of him. + +"I have heard of you, Mr. Franklin, as recently from America, and I +have called to make your acquaintance," he said. + +"Glad to meet you, Sir Hans," replied Benjamin, fully equal to the +occasion. "I am at your service." + +"You are the author of a pamphlet called," and he gave the title, "are +you?" + +"I am." + +"I have not read it; but I have heard it discussed, and I concluded +that a youth of your age must possess a strong mind to undertake such +a treatise. And I understand that you brought many curiosities with +you to this country." Now, Sir Hans was getting to the subject that +was near to his heart; for he was a curiosity-hunter. + +"A few only--very few," replied Benjamin. + +"You have a purse, I understand, made of the _asbestos_, which +purifies by fire?" + +"Yes, sir, I have." + +"I should be delighted to have you call upon me in Bloomsbury Square, +and bring the purse; and I will show you _my_ great collection of +curiosities. I think you can spend a pleasant and profitable evening +in that way." + +"I will do it with the greatest pleasure, and be obliged for the +opportunity," Benjamin answered. + +And he did. The first opportunity he improved to take the asbestos +purse to Bloomsbury Square, where he had a splendid time examining the +best collection of curiosities he had ever dreamed of, and where he +discussed various topics of interest with the entertaining Sir Hans. + +"Now," said the host, as Benjamin was about to leave, "I should be +glad to add the asbestos purse to my collection, and I will pay you +well for it," naming the amount. + +"I will accommodate you and leave it." Benjamin was happy to add to +Sir Hans' collection, in the circumstances. + +Benjamin felt the need of more physical exercise, so that when he +entered the printing house, he "took to working at press." He drank +water only; all other employees, about fifty of them, drank strong +beer. He was really a curiosity to them. + +"Beer-guzzling is a detestable habit," he said to a fellow-workman, +"and it is a very expensive one, too, for a poor fellow like you." + +"I could not do a decent day's work without beer. I drink it for +strength." + +"So much the worse for you; beer strength is the worst sort of +weakness," continued Benjamin. "Just stop a moment and think what a +beer-barrel you make of yourself; a pint before breakfast, a pint at +breakfast, a pint between breakfast and dinner, a pint at dinner, a +pint in the afternoon, a pint at six o'clock, and a pint when you have +done work--almost a gallon each day! Why, I could not hold half as +much as that; I should run over." + +"Then you don't believe a man can do more work for drinking strong +beer?" + +"Of course I don't. I can do more work than any man in the +establishment, and I can lift more than any other man here; and I +drink nothing but water. If beer imparts the strength you imagine, any +one of you ought to do more work and lift more than I can; isn't that +so?" + +The workmen had good reason to believe this; for Benjamin had kept his +eyes and ears open from the time he entered the printing house, and he +had learned just what the men thought about beer, why they drank it, +how much work they did, and how much they could lift. Without saying a +word about it, he took special pains to turn off a large amount of +work, and to lift more than his fellow-workmen. For example, he would +carry two forms of type, one in each hand, up and down stairs, while +the other workmen carried but one with both hands. Therefore, Watts +(the name of the workman) knew that every thing Benjamin claimed about +strength was true. + +"Are all Americans like you?" inquired the workman. + +"No; too many of them are like you, I am sorry to say; they drink beer +and other intoxicants, that disqualify them for business. If more of +them would drink water, as I do, they would be far better off +physically and pecuniarily." + +"Some of our best doctors claim that there is much nutriment in beer," +he suggested. + +"And every one of them knows that there is more nutriment in a +pennyworth of bread than there is in a whole gallon of beer. +Therefore, if you eat the bread and drink the water, you get more +strength." + +The printer acknowledged that there was something in that. + +"You see," continued Benjamin, "that all the nutriment there is in the +barley is destroyed to convert it into beer. Your beer is very dirty +water made bitter with malt, out of which nearly every particle of +nutriment has been squeezed. There is as much nourishment in dishwater +as there is in that stuff." + +"Here, Jake, where are you?" called out another workman. "Bring on the +beer." + +Jake was the ale-boy, whose business it was to supply the men with +beer from the ale-house. + +"Another nuisance required by your beer business," exclaimed Benjamin. +"Better by far pay a boy double price to bring water from the well, +instead of bringing that stuff to absorb your money and sodden your +brain." + +"A _Water-American_, indeed!" said Mr. Watts, who heard much of the +conversation. "But will you not allow some comfort to hard-working +men?" + +"Certainly; that is what I am after. There is more comfort in one +glass of pure water than there is in a whole barrel of beer. Here is +Watts, paying out four or five shillings every week for beer, when +water would cost him nothing, and he would have that amount to spend +for genuine comforts. Besides, beer unfits him to get real comfort out +of any thing, even out of his home." + +"You are about right on that," replied Watts; "beer does make a class +of men most miserable. But must I discard it because some men use it +to their injury?" + +"Of course you must," Benjamin answered quickly and triumphantly. +"There is where duty and right come in. The strong must bear the +infirmities of the weak, or they won't amount to much in the world." + +"Many of them won't amount to much any way, beer or no beer," +responded Watts. + +"Any of them will amount to more with water than they will with beer," +retorted Benjamin, who felt competent to support his side of the +question. He went on: + +"Look here: I am supplied with a large porringer of hot-water gruel, +sprinkled with pepper, crumbled with bread, and a bit of butter in it, +for just the price of a pint of beer, three half-pence. Now, honestly, +is not this much better for me, or for yourself, than the same amount +of filthy beer?" + +"Possibly; it is a new view of the case to me," was all that Mr. Watts +could say, evidently conceding that Benjamin was about right. + +Benjamin exchanged the press-room for the composing-room, after a few +weeks. + +"A treat now, Ben; that is the condition of admission here," said the +men. + +"I guess not; I fulfilled that condition in the press-room," answered +Benjamin. "Once will do in this establishment." + +"But you _will_," retorted a fellow-worker, enforced by a dozen +voices. "The rule is irrevocable." + +"We will see about that," replied Benjamin, with coolness, but +determination. + +"Yes, we _will_ see," chimed in a resolute voice. + +"And after all your seeing and blustering I shall not do it," added +Benjamin, in a tone that indicated he meant what he said. + +"Ben is right," interrupted Mr. Watts, who had listened to the +colloquy; "he has met that condition once in the press-room, and he +will not be required to repeat it. I forbid his doing it." + +"It is a very foolish custom any way," said Benjamin, "and the sooner +it is abandoned in England or anywhere else the better." + +After all he did not carry his point. His own words about the affair +were as follows: + +"I stood out two or three weeks, was accordingly considered as an +excommunicate, and had so many little pieces of private malice +practised on me, by mixing my sorts, transposing and breaking my +matter, etc., etc., if ever I stepped out of the room,--and all +ascribed to the _chapel 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." + +Benjamin kept up the fight against beer-drinking until he fairly +conquered. One after another yielded to his example and arguments, and +abandoned the old habit of swilling down beer, until a thorough +reformation was wrought in the printing office. The strength, health, +tact, and enterprise of the "_water-drinker_" convinced them that he +was right. The title, "_Our Water-drinker_" bandied about the printing +house, came to be really an appellation of esteem. + +The printing press, on which Benjamin worked at Watts' printing house, +is now in the Patent Office at Washington, where many visitors go to +see it. Forty years after he worked on it, Franklin was in London, +where his fame was greater than that of any other man, and he called +at the old printing house, and going up to the familiar press, he said +to the employees: + +"It is just forty years since I worked at this press, as you are +working now." + +[Illustration: FRANKLIN'S LONDON PRINTING PRESS] + +The announcement rather startled them. That a public man of so much +fame should ever have even served in a printing office as they were +serving, was almost too much for them to believe. + +The publisher of this volume has in his possession _fac-simile_ +letters from different gentlemen in England, fully verifying the press +the engraving of which appears above. + + + + +XXVIII. + + +AT HOME AGAIN. + +We have seen that James Ralph and Benjamin parted company. Ralph had +more brains than heart. His intellectual powers were greater than his +principles. The reader may ask what became of him. After continuing +poor and unsuccessful, engaging in several literary ventures that did +little more than aggravate his poverty, and changing from one kind of +work to another, good fortune seemed to become his portion. Mr. Parton +says: + +"As a political writer, pamphleteer, and compiler of booksellers' +history, he flourished long. Four ministers thought his pen worth +purchasing: Sir Robert Walpole, Mr. Pelham, Lord Bute, and the Duke of +Bedford. The nobleman last named evidently held him in high esteem, +and furnished the money for one of Ralph's political periodicals. Lord +Bute, it is said, settled upon him an annuity of six hundred pounds. +Fox praises the fairness, and Hallam the diligence, displayed in his +two huge folios of the 'History of William III.' His works may be +examined by the curious in the library of Harvard University and in +the Philadelphia city library. In estimating the career of this erring +man, we should not forget that many of the noblemen and statesmen with +whom he associated, and for whose advancement he toiled, had less +principle than he, and had not his excuse."[3] + +"Swimming is one of the fine arts, I think," said Benjamin to Wygate, +a printer with whom he was on the most intimate terms. "I feel about +as much at home in the water as I do on the land." + +"Well, I should go to the bottom pretty quick if I should venture +where the water is over my head, for I can't swim any more than this +printing-press can," answered Wygate. + +"Why don't you learn? It might be of great use to you sometime." + +"I should like to know how, but I never tried to learn." + +"And that is a good reason for not knowing how to swim. You can't +expect to know any thing without learning. I can teach you without any +trouble." + +"I accept your offer, and will try my best to learn; and Hall will try +with me, I think. You can teach two as well as one, can't you?" + +"Yes, a dozen, so far as that goes; the more the merrier." + +"When will you go?" + +"Just when you please. You and Hall fix the time, and I will be on +hand." + +The result was that Benjamin was in the water with his two pupils +within a few days, and he taught both of them to swim well in two +lessons. At the same time, he gave them an exhibition of what an +expert swimmer can do in the water, performing different feats on and +under the water, that filled his two companions with surprise. + +"You are a water-American in more senses than one," remarked Wygate, +in admiration of Benjamin's pranks in the water. "You could live in +the water about as well as on the land." + +"That is not strange," responded Hall; "he believes in water, inside +and outside; he only practises what he preaches, and that is what he +ought to do." + +"Some people can't practise what they preach if they try ever so hard, +in business or in morals," rejoined Wygate. + +Wygate was the son of a wealthy man, who educated him quite +thoroughly. He could read Latin and French about as well as he could +English, and he could write very entertaining articles. He was fond of +reading, too, and loved to discuss important questions. Such a young +man was not often found in a printing office, and he just suited +Benjamin in his literary tastes, so that they became boon companions. +Their mutual attachment was strengthened by this experience in the art +of swimming. + +Not long after Wygate learned to swim, and while the feats that +Benjamin performed in the water were still a subject of remark, some +gentlemen proposed an excursion by water to Chelsea, several miles +from London. + +"Wouldn't you like to go, Ben?" + +"Of course I would, if you are going." + +"I will go if you go. I will call round with some of the party and +introduce you to them." + +This was done in due time, and Benjamin learned from them that they +were going to Chelsea "to see the college and Don Saltero's +curiosities," which object of the excursion more than doubled his +interest. + +On the trip Wygate talked much with some of the party about Benjamin's +feats in the water as almost too wonderful to be believed. On +returning, one of the gentlemen said: + +"Franklin, why can you not give us an exhibition of your antics in the +water?" + +"Yes, Ben, do; let them see that what I have told them is literally +true," entreated Wygate. + +"Come, Ben, do it," added Hall; "it will put Saltero's curiosities +into the shade. These gentlemen will be so interested in your +performances that they will forget all other curiosities." + +"Well, I am always ready to accommodate," replied Benjamin, "and it +will not cross my disposition to have a little frolic in the water, so +I will consent." + +So saying, he took off his clothing and leaped into the river, and was +soon as much at home there as a water-fowl. Sometimes he was under the +water, and sometimes on it; it did not seem to make much difference to +him which. He swam from Chelsea to Blackfriars, four miles, +entertaining the company with many manoeuvres all the way. Then he got +on board, arrayed himself in his apparel to hear such words of praise +as these: + +"Wonderful! I had no idea that any man could attain to such skill in +the water." + +"No one in London who can do that!" + +"Nor in all England and Wales." + +"Couldn't drown you, Franklin, if you were left in the middle of the +Atlantic ocean." + +"You could make a fortune, if you chose to exhibit your skill." + +As this brief experience, together with his teaching Wygate and Hall +to swim, won him quite a reputation on this line, we may state here, +that after Benjamin had decided to return to Philadelphia and arranged +therefor, he received a note from Sir William Wyndham, a noted public +man, who was Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Bolingbroke +administration, inviting him to pay him a visit. Benjamin was again +perplexed to know what this great man could want of him; but he went +to see him. + +"I am happy to see you, Mr. Franklin, and I hope it has been no +inconvenience to you to call at this time." + +"None at all," answered Benjamin. "On the other hand, I consider +myself highly honored by your invitation to call; and I have gladly +embraced the first opportunity to do so." + +"I have heard of your great skill in the art of swimming," continued +Sir Wyndham; "and how quickly you taught two young printers to swim." + +"Yes," modestly answered Benjamin, "I have some skill in the water, +and I did teach two of my companions the art of swimming, so that they +are excellent swimmers now." + +"That is what I heard; and I have two sons who are soon to start upon +extensive travels, and I want they should learn to swim before they +go. It may be of great service to them." + +"I have no doubt it would prove a benefit to them," responded +Benjamin. "I should not want to part with my skill for any +consideration whatever." + +"Can you teach my two sons the art at once?" + +"I regret to say that I can not, for the reason that I am soon to +leave London and return to America." + +"Sorry for that, very sorry indeed. Allow me to suggest that, if you +could prolong your stay here, you might make a real pecuniary success +of establishing a swimming school. I should be willing to pay almost +any price for the instruction of my two sons." Sir Wyndham was very +earnest in his counsel, and made this suggestion sincerely. + +"I really feel under great obligations for your interest and good +opinions," Benjamin answered; "but I have already accepted an +invitation to engage in business in Philadelphia, my home, and may +leave within a few days." + +"That settles the matter, of course; but I am sorry that it is so," +added Sir Wyndham. "I trust that you may prosper wherever you are." + +Benjamin thanked him heartily for his complimentary words and good +wishes, and left him, almost wishing that he could cancel his +engagement with Mr. Denham and open a swimming school. Wygate and Hall +assured him that he could do well in that business. + +Soon after the excursion to Chelsea, Wygate made known to Benjamin a +scheme that was in his mind. + +"I want to travel extensively over Europe," he said, "and I have +decided to do it if you will become my traveling companion. We can +stop as necessity requires, from time to time, and work at our +business, so as to pay our way." + +"I should like nothing better than to travel all over Europe," +answered Benjamin. "I have a desire to see more than I have seen of +this part of the world." + +"Well, what do you think of the plan?" + +"I should say that it is practicable, although the suggestion is +entirely new to me. Could we get work at our business?" + +"I took it for granted that we could," replied Wygate. "I have no more +means of knowing than you have." + +"I should take it for granted that we could, too," said Benjamin; +"still I shall want to consider it; it is quite an enterprise to +undertake." + +"Somewhat of a scheme; but a very interesting and instructive one if +successfully prosecuted." + +"That is so, and I think favorably of it. I will consult my good +friend, Denham, about it. He has seen more of the world than we have." + +Benjamin was evidently favorably impressed with the proposition; for +he embraced the first opportunity to lay the subject before Mr. +Denham. + +"It does not strike me favorably," said Mr. Denham. + +"We could both see and learn a great deal," remarked Benjamin. + +"That is true; but other things are to be considered, which are of +equal importance. What might do for Wygate, whose home is here, might +not do for you, whose home is in America." + +"That may be." Benjamin's brief reply indicated that he was not quite +certain on that point. + +"It appears to me," continued Mr. Denham, "that your first thoughts +should be concerned about returning to Philadelphia, that you may set +up business for yourself there." + +"I do not see much prospect of that at present. Of course I should be +glad to return home; for there is no place I prefer to Philadelphia." + +"So far as prospects of which you speak are concerned, we can not +always judge; unexpected opportunities sometimes offer; and you do not +want to put yourself where you can not accept and use them." + +"Of course not," Benjamin answered, evidently disappointed that his +friend did not endorse the scheme. + +"I should recommend decidedly that you abandon the project entirely, +and think no more about it. Then you can continue your work with the +intention of returning to America whenever a favorable opportunity +occurs." + +Benjamin accepted the advice of Mr. Denham, and reported to Wygate, to +the no small disappointment of the latter; and both discarded the +scheme and devoted themselves to honest labor. + +Benjamin heard of a place where he could get boarded at two shillings +a week, when he was paying three shillings and sixpence a week in Duke +Street. + +"I think I shall be under the necessity of changing," he said to the +widow with whom he was boarding. "I want to save all the money I can, +so as to return to America." + +"I shall be very sorry to have you leave, Mr. Franklin, if I can +possibly arrange with you to remain." + +"I have no desire to leave, except to save a little in my expenses, +that I may return to America sooner: that is all." + +"Rather than have you go, I will deduct two shillings a week from what +you are paying me now." + +"That is, you propose to board me for one shilling and sixpence a +week?" + +"Yes, that is it, and it is a bargain if you say so." + +"It is a bargain, then." And Benjamin continued to board there as long +as he remained in London. + +Before this woman received him for a boarder in the first place, she +sent to the printing house to inquire about his character. The report +was so favorable that she took him to board. And now she had tried +him, and was a greater admirer of his character than ever. + +It is one of the things to be said in Benjamin's favor, that, with all +his faults, he always pleased and satisfied his employers and +boarding-house keepers. + +Benjamin records the following interesting incident respecting his +friend Denham, of whom we have spoken, and to whom we shall refer +again: + +"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 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." + +It was this excellent man and friend, who finally approached Benjamin +with a proposition. + +"How would you like to return to Philadelphia?" he said to Benjamin. + +"I should like nothing better, if the way was open for me to go." + +"I will open a way for you if you will go." + +"How?" + +"I am going myself. I intend to open a store of goods in Philadelphia, +and will employ you in the business, if you will go." + +"I should like to go; but that will be a new business for me; perhaps +I shall not succeed in it." + +"That is _my_ lookout. I think you will succeed; at any rate, I am +prepared to take the risk." + +"And I am prepared to go if you will." Benjamin was really delighted +with the proposition. + +"I will pay you fifty pounds for one year, and increase your wages +thereafter as you become familiar with the business." + +"That offer is satisfactory, though it is not as much as I make at my +trade now." + +"It will be better if you succeed. When you become well acquainted +with the business, I will send you with a cargo of bread and flour to +the West Indies, and I will procure you commissions from others that +will be profitable. In this way you can establish a good business for +yourself." + +"That is a very generous offer on your part, and I hope that I shall +merit your kindness." + +"It will be necessary for you to close up your business at the +printing house at once, as I want you to assist me in purchasing, +packing, and shipping goods. My purpose is to carry a large stock to +Philadelphia." + +"I shall accept your proposition, and resign my position at Watts' +immediately, and be at your service early and late." + +Benjamin, no doubt, was more interested to return to America on +account of his relation to Miss Deborah Read. He had written to her +but once, and that was directly after he began work at Palmer's +printing house. He told her of Keith's fraud practised upon him, +leaving him in London a stranger and nearly penniless, so that he +could not return until he had earned money enough to pay his passage. +He did not write to her again, and his conscience had condemned him, +so that, at times, he dwelt sadly upon his unfaithfulness. He +neglected to write for so long a time, that he became ashamed to write +at all; and so the correspondence dropped. Yet, he did not forget Miss +Read, nor cast her off; and he blamed himself every time his thoughts +dwelt upon his sin of omission. + +Benjamin's employer was very sorry to part with him. + +"I am glad to have you as long as I have," he said, "but I wish you +would stay. I feel safe to commit work or business to your care. If +ever I can do you a favor, let me know, and I will only be too glad to +do it." + +"I thank you for your confidence. I have done the best for you I +could, as I always mean to do for every employer. I regret to leave +you, and my companions with whom I have spent so many hours. But I +have a strong desire to return home." Benjamin spoke with considerable +feeling. + +"That is an honorable desire," answered Mr. Watts, "and I have no +doubt that you will be prospered in gratifying it. At any rate, I hope +you will." + +So Benjamin separated from his old friends on the best of terms, and +commenced work for Mr. Denham. Nor was it light work. He accompanied +his employer from warehouse to warehouse, packing goods that he +bought, and forwarding them to the ship _Berkshire_, which would sail +on July 21st. It was new business for him, but he liked it all the +more for its novelty; and he performed the labors with his accustomed +tact and industry. + +Benjamin had been nineteen months in London when he sailed on the 21st +of July, 1726. A few months before, he made the acquaintance of Peter +Collinson, a young man of noble English birth, whose talents gave him +nearly as much standing as his ancestry. Collinson heard of Benjamin +and sought him out, forming a life-long friendship. Collinson +accompanied Benjamin to the ship. Just before the vessel weighed +anchor, he handed his walking-stick to Benjamin, saying, "Let us +exchange." + +Benjamin exchanged, replying, "And let it be a pledge of friendship +forever." + +"And a pledge, also, of faithful correspondence with each other," +added Collinson, as they shook hands and parted. + +The _Berkshire_, Henry Clark, master, was eighty-two days on its +voyage to Philadelphia. Benjamin landed there on the 11th day of +October, 1726: and he was at home again. + +[3] "Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin," vol. i. p. 136. + + + + +XXIX. + + +UPS AND DOWNS OF LIFE. + +One of the first places that Benjamin visited was the printing house +of Keimer, where he worked before leaving the country. Keimer had made +up his mind that Benjamin would never return to America, so that when +he entered the printing office he was startled. + +"Why, Ben! can it be you?" he exclaimed in wonder. "I began to think +that you would never be seen in Philadelphia again." + +"Why did you think so?" + +"Because you planned to be back here a long time ago; I concluded that +you had forsaken us." + +"Not yet; I have seen no place abroad quite equal to Philadelphia. I +did not return as soon as I expected." And Benjamin rehearsed to +Keimer substantially his experience with Governor Keith, that he might +understand why his return was delayed. + +"That is what you got for concealing your purpose," said Keimer. "I +could have told you that Keith was wholly unreliable, and so could a +good many other people. He has been turned out of office because of +his rascality." + +"I am glad to hear that. I am a little curious to see how he will act, +and hear what he will say, when I meet him." + +"He won't meet you if he can help it. I see him occasionally on the +street, and he looks crestfallen." + +"He will look more so, I imagine, when he meets me. I propose to talk +matters over very plainly with him." + +"That can do no good. The less breath you waste in that way, the +better for you," replied Keimer. "But I suppose you want to go to work +at your old trade? Plenty of work here, and you are just the man to do +it." + +Keimer's business had increased largely, and he had added many +facilities for doing work, so that the establishment presented a more +attractive appearance. + +"No; I am a printer no longer," answered Benjamin. "I am booked for +the mercantile business in Philadelphia" + +"How is that? Were you not a printer in London?" + +"Yes, I followed my trade there, and learned more about it than I ever +knew before. London is a great place for printing. Two printing houses +there, with more than fifty hands in each." + +"Think you can do better in trading than printing?" asked Keimer, who +was really anxious for Benjamin's services. + +"Not exactly so. But I should be in London now, had not Mr. Denham's +offer to become his clerk brought me home." And Benjamin told the +story of his acquaintance with Mr. Denham and the outcome, which was +his offer to make him his business manager. + +"A good opportunity, I should think, if you like that business," +answered Keimer; "but I should like to put you in manager of my +printing office. You have had the experience, and understand the +business much better than any man I have." + +"That is out of the question now, of course, as I am under obligations +to Mr. Denham." + +"Of course; I only meant to tell you what I would do if you were at +liberty." + +Benjamin was anxious to learn about Miss Read, whom he was quite +ashamed to meet because of his neglect. Keimer was acquainted with the +family, and first introduced him to them, as was stated in a former +chapter. So that he had no doubt he would know all about Deborah. He +ventured to inquire: + +"What can you tell me about Mrs. Read and her daughter?" + +"Mrs. Read lives where she did, and continues to take a few boarders. +Her daughter was married to a miserable fellow, nearly a year ago, but +lived with him only a few weeks, when she left him." + +"Indeed! That was unfortunate for her," Benjamin answered. "She +deserves a better experience than that." + +"She would not have married, had she been left to her own choice, but +her mother and other friends persuaded her. Rogers was her husband's +name, and he was a potter by trade, a first-class workman; and they +thought he was capable of getting a good living, I suppose." + +"A good character would have been of more service to him," suggested +Benjamin; "a very unfortunate affair." + +"I was going to sway," continued Keimer, "that she had been married +but a few weeks before she found that Rogers had another wife. Of +course her marriage was not legal, and she left him at once." + +"Probably her mother made no inquiry about Rogers' character +beforehand," remarked Benjamin. "Mothers ought to be wiser than that." + +"We all have to live and learn, and experience is our best +schoolmaster," added Keimer. + +Keimer knew nothing of Benjamin's relation to Deborah Read, so that he +spoke freely. The revelation was startling to Benjamin, and it set him +to thinking. He concluded that Mrs. Read inferred from his first and +only letter to Deborah that he would never return, or never be in a +situation to support a wife and family; and, as time went on, and no +other letters were received, she became fixed in her conclusion that +he would not return. Benjamin took all the blame upon himself; and the +honest sympathy of his heart asserted itself for the girl. He resolved +to call upon her as soon as possible and confess his wrong-doing, ask +her forgiveness, and renew his attentions. + +"I should have said," Keimer added, "that Deborah has not changed her +name. She refuses to be called Mrs. Rogers, and is still called Miss +Read by her friends. This is all right, I suppose, because her +marriage was illegal." + +"Very wise for her, I think," responded Benjamin. "But she may +consider herself fortunate to get released from such a bondage." + +He improved the first opportunity to call at Mrs. Read's, to whom he +appeared as one from the dead. She had not heard of his arrival, nor +that he was expected. The _American Weekly Mercury_, the only +newspaper of the town, announced, "Entered inwards, ship _Berkshire_, +Henry Clark, from London." That was all; nothing was said about any +passengers. + +"Benjamin Franklin!" exclaimed Mrs. Read in great astonishment, +throwing up her hands at first, as if fearing it was his ghost, and +then giving him a most cordial welcome. "Can it be you?" + +"It can be," Benjamin replied, with his old-time familiarity, being +reassured by Mrs. Read's friendly appearance. "If I know myself, this +is Benjamin Franklin." + +Deborah made her appearance before the last words were fairly off the +lips of the new comer, equally surprised and glad to see her old +friend. + +"I am really ashamed to meet you, Deborah, after my inexcusable +neglect," he said, "and first of all I ask you to forgive me. It +scarcely seems possible to myself that I should treat you so." + +Before Deborah had time to reply her mother spoke: + +"If there is any blame to be attached to any one, it is to me; for I +opposed your engagement, and entreated Deborah to marry that apology +for a man Rogers." + +"But all that does not excuse me for not writing to Deborah," +responded Benjamin "It was very wrong in me to treat her with such +neglect. And I did not intend to do so; I meant to continue the +correspondence, but one thing and another prevented for so long a +time, that I really was ashamed to write." + +"Well, it is all over now, and there is no help for what has been +done, except to learn a good lesson from it for the future, if we are +all bright enough to do that." + +Mrs. Read swept the deck by these last remarks. There was no obstacle +now to consummate an engagement with Deborah. She did not tell +Benjamin to go ahead and make sure of his bird now, that she would not +interpose the slightest objection; but she might as well have said so; +and he so understood it, so that he felt perfectly at ease. + +Deborah Read had never lost her first love, and never wholly abandoned +the idea that her lover would return. She had no love for Rogers when +she married him; she married him to please her mother. Now, her love +for Benjamin was as fresh and strong as ever; and so was his love for +her. Their intimacy was renewed, an engagement consummated. + +Benjamin was twenty years old--a fine-appearing, handsome young man. +Mr. Denham thought so, and so did Deborah Read. The first was +fortunate in securing him for his clerk, and the second was equally +fortunate in securing him for her future husband. And Benjamin himself +was as fortunate as either of them in having such an employer as +Denham, and such a betrothed as Deborah. It was a tidal wave of good +fortune now. + +"And I am prepared to go to work at once." + +"I will pay you extra wages to take the whole charge of the printing +office, so that I can give my attention to the stationer's shop." + +"I can do that, or any thing else you desire; am not at all +particular. I am now twenty-one years old, and ought to be a man any +way, and do the best I can wherever I am put." + +Keimer's offer was liberal, and Benjamin accepted it, and entered upon +his work as superintendent of the printing house, a very responsible +position. But, in a short time, he had good reason to believe that +Keimer paid him so liberal wages because he wanted the poor printers +to improve under his superintendence; and when that end was +accomplished, he would cut down his wages, or hire another man for +less money. However, he went to work with a will, as he always did, +resolved to do the best he could for his employer. + +As the workmen improved under Benjamin's supervision, Keimer evidently +began to think of discharging him, or cutting down his wages. On +paying his second quarter's wages, he told him that he could not +continue to pay him so much. He became uncivil in his treatment, +frequently found fault with him, and plainly tried to make his +situation uncomfortable so that he would leave. At length a rare +opportunity offered for him to make trouble. An unusual noise in the +street one day caused Benjamin to put his head out of the window to +learn what was the matter. Keimer happened to be in the street, and +seeing him, cried out: + +"Put your head in and attend to your business," adding some +reproachful words which all the people around him heard. Then +hastening up stairs into the office, he continued his insulting +language. + +"Men who work for me must give better heed to their business. If they +care more for a noise in the street than they do for their work, it is +high time they left." + +"I am ready to leave any time you please," retorted Benjamin, nettled +by such uncalled-for treatment. "I am not dependent on you for a +living, and I shall not bear such treatment long, I assure you." + +"That, indeed!" replied Keimer, derisively. "You would not stay +another day were it not for our agreement, in accordance with which I +now warn you that, at the end of this quarter, I shall cease to employ +you." + +"And I will notify you that I shall not work another minute for you. A +man who is neither honest, nor a gentleman, does not deserve the +service of decent men." Benjamin was aroused. + +And, as he spoke these last cutting words, he took his hat and left. +As he passed down, he said to Meredith: + +"Bring all my things to my lodgings." + +In the evening, Meredith carried all the articles belonging to +Benjamin to his boarding-place, where he had a long interview. + +"Keimer lost the last claim for respect that he had on his men +to-day," said Meredith. "Not a man in his establishment, who does not +condemn his course." + +"Just what I expected. He does not want to pay me my price, now that +the men have learned their business. This was the first occasion he +has had to drive me off." Benjamin spoke with the utmost coolness. + +"It is the worst act for himself that he has done," continued +Meredith. "Every man he employs would leave him if work could be had +elsewhere." + +"I think I shall return to Boston, whether I remain there or not. It +is a good time for me to visit my friends." + +"I have something better than that to suggest. My thoughts have been +busy on it all day, and I wanted to see you about it to-night before +you laid any plans." Meredith's manner indicated something of +importance. + +"What have you to propose? I am ready for any practicable enterprise +you can name." + +"I want to set up the printing business for myself, and I am not +sufficiently acquainted with it, and you are. Can we not arrange to go +into business together?" + +Meredith's proposition took Benjamin by surprise, and evidently seemed +impracticable to him. + +"And have poverty for our capital?" replied Benjamin with a laugh. "I +am about as rich as you are." + +"No; have money for our capital, all that is necessary to start us +well in business," answered Meredith. + +"That would be fine, I declare; but I would like to see the money +first," added Benjamin, before Meredith could explain. + +"Hold on a minute, let me explain, and you will see that my plan is +not so impracticable as you seem to think. My father has money; and he +has always said that he would start me in business whenever I got a +good knowledge of it. He knows, of course, that I have not that +knowledge yet; but he knows, too, that a man who can run Keimer's +establishment has the requisite knowledge, and would be a good partner +for me." + +"But your father will never advance the necessary capital," +interrupted Benjamin. "If I was ten years older he might do it." + +"I am confident that he will; at any rate, I will consult him about +the matter, and learn just what he will do. I have told him all about +you, and he will think it is a good opportunity for me." + +Meredith consulted his father, and received the prompt answer: + +"Yes, I will do it gladly. I know of no young man I would select for +your partner in preference to Franklin." + +In a subsequent interview with Benjamin, Mr. Meredith said: + +"I am all the more ready to furnish the capital, because your +influence over my son has been so good. You influenced him to stop +drinking when he was fast becoming intemperate, and I shall always +feel grateful for it. You are just the one to be intimately associated +with him." + +It was settled that they should enter into partnership, and start +their business as soon as the necessary outfit could be obtained from +England. + + + + +XXX. + + +THE LEATHERN-APRON CLUB. + +Benjamin began to reflect much upon his religious opinions (or, +rather, irreligious), on his return voyage from England, as related to +the errors and mistakes of his life. He had much time, during those +three long, wearisome months, to study himself, past and present. +Evidently he came to possess a more correct knowledge of himself on +that voyage than he ever had before. He was so sincere in the matter +that he drew up a number of rules by which to regulate his future +life. A year and more afterwards he enlarged and perfected this code +of morals. The rules which he adopted on the _Berkshire_ were prefaced +with the following paragraph: + +"Those who write of the art of poetry teach us that, if we would write +what may be worth reading, we ought always, before we begin, to form a +regular plan and design of our piece, otherwise we shall be in danger +of incongruity. I am apt to think it is the same as to life. I have +never fixed a regular design of life, by which means it has been a +confused variety of different scenes. I am now entering upon a new +one; let me, therefore, make some resolutions, and form some scheme of +action, that thenceforth I may live like a rational creature." + +The closing sentence shows that his conscience was making him +considerable trouble, and that he concluded his life had been very +irrational. Perhaps he thought of Collins, whom he made a free +thinker, and of Ralph, whom he corrupted in the same way. One of them +became a drunkard, and the other a polygamist; both of them cheating +him out of a sum of money; might not their free thinking be related to +their immoralities? He could not help thinking of these things, and so +he wrote down the following rules: + +"1. It is necessary for me to be extremely frugal for some time till I +have paid what I owe. + +"2. To endeavor to speak truth in every instance; to give nobody +expectations that are not likely to be answered, but aim at sincerity +in every word and action; the most amiable excellence in a rational +being. + +"3. To apply myself industriously to whatever business I take in hand, +and not divert my mind from my business by any foolish project of +growing suddenly rich; for industry and patience are the surest means +of plenty. + +"4. I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a matter of +truth; but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear charged upon +others, and, upon proper occasions, speak all the good I know of every +body." + +This was not all he wrote to guide his future career; but we have +cited enough to show the current of Benjamin's thoughts at the time of +which we are speaking. We shall see hereafter that he did not cease to +reflect upon his career, and resolve upon a nobler life. + +Soon after his return from England, perhaps after the death of Mr. +Denham, Benjamin organized a literary club, composed, at first, of +eleven members, all of them more or less talented and desirous of +self-improvement, and nearly all of them mechanics, which fact caused +the institution to be christened "THE LEATHERN-APRON CLUB," although +the real name of it, as suggested by Franklin, was "THE JUNTO." + +The society was patterned after one formed by Cotton Mather in Boston. +The first thing done at their meetings was to read the following +questions, pausing after reading each for any remarks or propositions +members might desire to make. The principal questions were as follows: + +"1. Is there any remarkable disorder in the place that requires our +endeavor for the suppression of it? And in what fair, likely way may +we endeavor it? + +"2. Is there any particular person, whose disorderly behavior may be +so scandalous and notorious that we may do well to send unto the said +person our charitable admonitions? Or, are there any contending +persons whom we should admonish to quench their contentions? + +"3. Is there any special service to the interest of Religion which we +may conveniently desire our ministers to take notice of? + +"4. Is there any thing we may do well to mention unto the justices for +the further promoting good order? + +"5. Is there any sort of officers among us to such a degree unmindful +of their duty that we may do well to mind them of it? + +"6. Can any further methods be devised that ignorance and wickedness +may be chased from our people in general, and that household piety in +particular may flourish among them? + +"7. Does there appear any instance of oppression or fraudulence in the +dealings of any sort of people that may call for our essays to get it +rectified? + +"8. Is there any matter to be humbly moved unto the Legislative Power, +to be enacted into a Law for the public benefit? + +"9. Do we know of any person languishing under sore and sad +affliction; and is there any thing we can do for the succor of such an +afflicted neighbor? + +"10. Has any person any proposal to make for our own further advantage +and assistance, that we ourselves may be in a probable and regular +capacity to pursue the intention before us?" + +"I should pronounce that an ingenious society for doing good and +getting good," said Coleman, after the questions were read. + +"It was so, and Cotton Mather himself was a member of twenty of these +societies," said Benjamin. "They became very popular, and I recall +with what interest my father participated in the meetings. I often +accompanied him, and, young as I was, they were very interesting to +me. It was that fact which suggested the questions I have reported for +our club." + +When a person united with the Junto, he was required to stand up, lay +his hand on his heart, and answer the following questions: + +"1. Have you any particular disrespect to any present member? + +"_Answer_. I have not. + +"2. Do you sincerely declare that you love mankind in general, of what +profession or religion soever? + +"_Answer_. I do. + +"3. Do you think any person ought to be harmed in his body, name, or +goods, for mere speculative opinion, or his external way of worship? + +"_Answer_. No. + +"4. Do you love truth for truth's sake; and will you endeavor +impartially to find and receive it yourself, and communicate it to +others? + +"_Answer_. Yes." + +At one of their earliest meetings Benjamin proposed that each member +(the number of members was limited to twelve) should bring his books +to the club-room for reference during their discussions. + +"A capital idea," said Coleman, "and I would suggest that each member +have the privilege of reading the books belonging to other members." + +"Another good idea," rejoined Benjamin; "I second that motion with all +my heart." + +"It will not take any one of us a great while to read all the books we +can muster," suggested Potts. + +At that time there was no bookstore in Philadelphia, nor was there one +of considerable note anywhere in the Colonies, except in Boston. The +people of Philadelphia sent to England for the books they wanted, +which was expensive and inconvenient. + +After this plan had been successfully used for several months, +Benjamin made another proposition. + +"I propose that we establish a library, interesting parties outside to +join us in the enterprise." + +"Raising money for the same by subscription, do you mean?" inquired +Maugridge. + +"Yes; unless there is a better way of doing it." + +"I doubt if outsiders can be interested to join us in such a project," +said Grace. "Few people care enough about books to put money into such +an enterprise." + +"Perhaps so; but we can try; if we fail we shall still be as well off +as we are now," was Benjamin's answer. "Unless we make the effort we +shall never know what we can do." + +"And you are the one to solicit subscriptions, Ben," remarked Godfrey. +"If anybody can succeed, you can. If I should undertake and fail, as I +should, it would not prove that the scheme is impracticable." + +"I am perfectly willing to solicit subscriptions, and I will begin at +once and be able to report success or failure at the next meeting," +was Benjamin's generous offer. + +At the following meeting he was able to report success, so far as he +had been able to work; and he continued until fifty young tradesmen +had pledged forty shillings each as a subscription, and, in addition, +ten shillings per annum. This was unexpected success, and the members +of the Junto were highly elated. Thus was established the first +circulating library in this country. Benjamin Franklin was the author +of it; and that library numbers now one hundred thousand volumes. +Since that day the library scheme has proved so beneficial to +individuals and the public, that there are thousands of circulating +libraries in the land. Almost every town of two or three thousand +inhabitants has one. It must not be forgotten, however, that Benjamin +Franklin conceived and reduced the idea to practice. + +The following are some of the questions discussed by members of the +Junto: + +"Is sound an entity or body? + +"How may the phenomenon of vapors be explained? + +"Is self-interest the rudder that steers mankind, the universal +monarch to whom all are tributaries? + +"Which is the best form of government, and what was that form which +first prevailed among mankind? + +"Can any one particular form of government suit all mankind? + +"What is the reason that the tides rise higher in the Bay of Fundy +than the Bay of Delaware? + +"Is the emission of paper money safe? + +"What is the reason that men of the greatest knowledge are not the +most happy? + +"How may the possession of the lakes be improved to our advantage? + +"Why are tumultuous, uneasy sensations united with our desires? + +"Whether it ought to be the aim of philosophy to eradicate the +passions? + +"How may smoky chimneys be best cured? + +"Why does the flame of a candle tend upwards in a spire? + +"Which is the least criminal, a _bad_ action joined with a _good_ +intention, or a _good_ action with a _bad_ intention? + +"Is it inconsistent with the principles of liberty in a free +government, to punish a man as a libeller when he speaks the truth?" + +The foregoing Rules and Questions show that it could not have been an +ordinary class of young men to meet and discuss such subjects. +Benjamin's talent is manifest both in the organization and the themes +considered. + +Improvements have been the order of the day since the Junto was +organized; but we doubt if there has been much improvement upon the +Junto in literary organizations for the young. It is not surprising, +that, of the original twelve members, two became surveyors-general; +one the inventor of a quadrant; one a distinguished mechanic and +influential man; one a merchant of great note and a provincial judge, +and all but one respected and honored men. At the same time, Benjamin, +the founder, became "Minister to the Court of St. James," "Minister +Plenipotentiary to France," and the greatest Statesman and Philosopher +of America, in the eighteenth century. + +In old age Doctor Franklin said of the Junto: "It 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 on the several +subjects, that we might speak more to the purpose; and here, too, we +acquired better habits of conversation, every thing being studied in +our rules which might prevent our disgusting each other." + +The Junto was copied in England fifty years after Benjamin organized +it in Philadelphia, by Cleming Jenkinson (who became Earl of +Liverpool) and others; and, within it, they began careers that became +illustrious. It has been copied in different parts of our own land +down to the present day, blessing the people and the country in more +ways than one. + +"I can tell you how to get over the difficulty," said Benjamin: "let +each member get up a club of twelve, and that will give a chance for +one hundred and forty-four members." + +"And when that number is attained, I suppose you will have each one of +the one hundred and forty-four organize a Junto, and that will make +the membership seventeen hundred and twenty-eight, enough to +constitute a good township," suggested Coleman, who did not endorse +Benjamin's plan. + +"One Junto will be of more service to members, as well as to the +public, than a dozen can be, only abolish the limit to twelve members, +and allow all who desire to join," was Coleman's view. + +"More interesting, also, to have a larger number of members," +suggested Parsons. "Numbers create enthusiasm." + +"And numbers often create friction, too," retorted Benjamin; "we want +to avoid both shoals and rocks." + +"Another thing that I object to very much is this: if each one of us +organizes another Junto, we no longer associate with each other--the +very thing for which this Junto was organized." This was the strongest +objection that Coleman urged. + +"That is the selfish side of the question," suggested Benjamin. "On +the other hand, there will be twelve times as many persons to be +benefited. If we twelve are benefited, how much better and grander to +have one hundred and forty-four benefited!" + +"Ben is right; and I am of the opinion that the sooner we adopt this +plan the better. It will be unpleasant to sacrifice our social +connections to form new ones, but the new ones may become equally +pleasant." Scull thus supported Benjamin's proposition; and so did +Meredith, Maugridge, and others. + +This discussion arose from the popularity of the Junto. It became so +popular that large numbers of persons wanted to join it, and besought +the members to abolish the rule limiting the membership to twelve. +Hence, Benjamin's proposition to meet the exigency, which was carried, +with this amendment: + +"The new clubs shall be auxiliary to this, the original one, each +reporting its proceedings to the parent society, that one harmonious +purpose and plan may characterize all." + +All the members did not organize a club, but five or six did, and +these clubs flourished for many years, blessing the town and the whole +colony. + +The Junto was not many months old, when Benjamin made another +proposition. + +"The books we read have words and phrases in other languages, and I do +not know their meaning. I studied Latin some in Boston, before I was +ten years old, and Latin words I can guess at, but French I can't. +Suppose we study French." + +"You can study it if you want to," replied Scull, "but I have not the +time for another study." + +"And I have not the taste for it," said Meredith. "One language is all +that I can handle, and I can't handle that as I want to." + +"I like the suggestion," responded Coleman "and can give a little time +to French, though not a great deal. If Ben becomes an expert linguist +he can translate the foreign words and phrases for us." + +"That last suggestion is best of all," remarked Parsons. "Ben can go +ahead and become a linguist for our benefit. That is the benevolent +side of this question," punning on his argument for the benevolent +side of the club question. + +Whether other members of the Junto studied the languages we have no +means of knowing, but Benjamin did, with remarkable success. First he +studied French, and when he could read it quite well, he took up +Italian and Spanish. By this time he became so interested in foreign +languages that he revived his acquaintance with Latin, becoming quite +a good scholar therein. It was a mystery to his companions how he +found time to accomplish so much; but he did it by method and +industry, improving the smallest fragments of time, working early and +late. He was very fond of playing chess; but he denied himself the +pleasure wholly in order that he might have the more time for study. +While at Keimer's he found more time for reading and hard study, +because his employer observed Saturday as his Sabbath, giving only +five days in the week to work. + + + + +XXXI. + + +BRIGHTER DAYS. + +It would require several months for the printing outfit ordered from +England to reach Philadelphia. In the mean time, Benjamin was +considering what to do; and, while canvassing the field, he received +the following note from Keimer: + + "PHILADELPHIA, 10 Dec., 1727. + + "MR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: + + "_Dear Sir_,--It is not wise for old friends like you and I to + separate for a few words spoken in passion. I was very hasty, and + am sorry for it. I want my old foreman back again at the old price. + I have plenty of work, and if you think well of my proposition, + come and see me. + + "Yours truly, + + "SAMUEL KEIMER." + +Benjamin's first impulse was to destroy the letter and take no further +notice of it. But the second, sober thought led him to consult +Meredith, who continued to work for Keimer. Meredith read the letter, +and said: + +"I should advise you to accept his proposition, as you have nothing to +do." + +"But can you tell me what selfish end he has in view, for Keimer would +never come down like that unless he had an axe to grind?" Benjamin +said. + +"Most certainly I can. He can have a government job if he can do the +work. The Province of New Jersey is going to make a new issue of paper +money, and he can get the job; but you are the only printer in +Philadelphia who can do that work, so he wants you." + +"I knew there must be something of that sort, or he never would have +asked for my work again. He is too contemptible a man to work for." +Benjamin spoke with much feeling; and he was right, too. + +"But here is the point," continued Meredith. "I am poorly equipped to +set up business for myself, and you can teach me. It will be anywhere +from six to eight months before our outfit arrives from England, so +here is a good opportunity for me to improve." + +"I suppose that is the best way of looking at it; but Keimer has so +little manhood about him that I have no respect for him. I dislike to +work for a man whom I despise, and can't help it." Benjamin's language +showed that it was almost too much to ask him to return to Keimer's +printing office; but Meredith persevered. + +"For my sake, I want you should decide to accept the proposition. +Keimer has made an apology, so that you can return without +compromising your manhood at all. It looks to me as if it were wiser +to accept his proposal than to decline it." + +"I will sleep over it to-night before I decide, and let you know in +the morning," replied Benjamin, as he took his leave. + +In the morning Benjamin put in his appearance at Keimer's office, +ready for work. He received a hearty welcome, and was at once apprized +of the paper-money job of New Jersey. + +Benjamin succeeded in contriving and completing a copper-plate press; +and when cuts and ornaments were all ready, Keimer and he proceeded to +Burlington, N.J., where they remained three months to fulfill the +contract. It proved a rare school for Benjamin. It brought him in +contact with many prominent men, who were of much assistance to him +afterwards. He was so much more intelligent than Keimer, that the +latter was of little consequence, as very little notice was taken of +him. One day Isaac Decon, the surveyor-general, said to him: + +"You are complete master of your business, and success is before you." + +"I have improved my opportunities," modestly answered Benjamin, "and +done the best I could to learn my trade. I don't like the half-way +method of doing business." + +"I commenced business in a very humble way," continued Decon, "without +dreaming that I should ever possess such an estate as I do now." + +"What was your business?" + +"I wheeled clay for the brickmakers, and had no opportunity of going +to school in my boyhood. I did not learn to write until I became of +age. I acquired my knowledge of surveying when I carried a chain for +surveyors, who were pleased with my desire to learn the business, and +assisted me. By constant industry, and close application, and not a +little perseverance, I have succeeded in reaching the place where you +now see me." + +"That is the only way any person ever reached an honorable position," +remarked Benjamin, after listening to the interesting story of +success. + +"You are right in that view, and one-half of the battle is fought when +correct views of life are fixed. When an employer like Keimer is +inferior to his employee in ability, tact, and enterprise, there is a +very poor show for him. If you set up for yourself in Philadelphia, +you will work him completely out of his business." + +Late in the spring of 1728 the printing outfit arrived from England. +Benjamin and Meredith had settled with Keimer, who was unusually happy +because his profits on his paper-money job in New Jersey had tided him +over very discouraging embarrassments. Keimer knew nothing of their +plans, however, when a settlement was consummated, as both had kept +the secret. The first intimation that he, or the public, had of such +an enterprise, was the opening of their printing house in the lower +part of Market Street--"FRANKLIN & MEREDITH." + +"Here's a man looking for a printer," said George House, an old friend +of Benjamin. "He inquired of me where he could get a job done, and I +told him that here was the place above all others." + +"Thank you for the advertisement, George. Yes, sir, we can serve you +here at short notice. What will you have done?" Benjamin won the +customer over at once by his genial, familiar way. + +The man made known his wants; and it proved to be a five-shilling job, +all the more acceptable because it was the first. + +With the members of the Junto all interested in his success, and the +public men of New Jersey, who made his acquaintance at Burlington, +Benjamin's business was soon well advertised. Many people were taken +by surprise, and most of them predicted a failure, since there were +two printers in town already. One day Samuel Nickle, an old citizen of +the town, known somewhat as a croaker, was passing by, and, looking +up, he read the sign. + +"Another printing house!" he said to himself. "And two in town +already! Who can be so thoughtless?" He stopped and mused a few +moments, and then entered. + +"Are you the young man who has opened this printing house?" he +inquired of Benjamin. + +"I am, sir." + +"I am very sorry for you. You are throwing away your money; you can't +succeed with two old printing houses here. You will fail." + +"What makes you think so?" + +"Because Philadelphia is degenerating, and half the people are now +bankrupt, or nearly so, and how can they support so many printers?" + +"But the appearance of Philadelphia indicates thrift," answered +Benjamin. "See how many buildings are going up, and how rents are +rising every month. This does not look like going backward, it seems +to me." + +"These are the very things that will ruin us," responded Nickle. "They +are no evidence of prosperity, but of extravagance, that will bring +disaster sooner or later." + +"That sort of disaster is what we want," suggested Benjamin; "the more +of it the better. If Philadelphia ever becomes much of a town, it will +be in just that way." Benjamin saw at once that he was talking with a +croaker and treated him accordingly. + +There was an organization of business men in Philadelphia at that +time, known as the "Merchants' Every-Night Club," answering, perhaps, +to a "Board of Trade" of our day. Its purpose was to advance the +business interests of the town. A member raised the question, "Can +another printing house prosper in town?" + +"Not with the present population," was the view of one member. + +"It will be a long time before three printing houses will be +required," remarked another. + +"They could not have had very discreet advisers, it seems to me," +still another remarked. + +In this manner the subject was canvassed, every member but one +predicting the failure of the enterprise. That one was Doctor Baird, a +prominent physician, and he said: + +"It will prove a success. For the industry of that Franklin is +superior to any thing I ever saw of the kind. I see him still at work +when I go home from club, and he is at work again before his neighbors +are out of bed." + +"Doctor, I guess you are right, I did not think of that when I spoke," +remarked one who had predicted failure. This member was so much +impressed by Doctor Baird's remark that he subsequently went to +Benjamin and made this proposition: + +"I think you can add a stationer's department to your business, and +thus increase your profits; and if you think so, I will furnish you +with stock on credit." + +"Your offer is a very generous one, and I thank you for it," answered +Benjamin; "but I think we had better stick to our trade at present and +not put too many irons in the fire at once." + +"That is a wise caution, I think, and I am all the more impressed that +you are a young man of sound judgment, and you will succeed." + +He had no doubt now that the printing house would succeed. + +"Your good opinion encourages me very much, and I shall do my best to +have it realized," replied Benjamin. "I thank you very much for your +generous offer, and, perhaps, at some future day, I shall wish to +accept it." + +"Let me know whenever you are ready for it," said the gentleman as he +took his departure. + +"We will start a weekly paper as soon as we are able," said Benjamin +to Meredith one day; "the _Mercury_ is as near nothing as it can be. I +believe that an able paper here, abreast with the times, will +succeed." + +"You can make it succeed if any one can," replied Meredith, to whom +his partner had given a full account of his connection with the _New +England Courant_ in Boston. + +They canvassed the subject until it was decided to start a weekly +paper as soon as their pecuniary condition would permit. Just then the +Oxford student, whose time Keimer had bought, called upon Benjamin. + +"Will you employ me as journeyman printer?" he asked. + +"Employ you?" responded Benjamin with much surprise. "I thought your +time was Keimer's for four years." + +"It was; but it is not now; I have bought it back." + +"I am glad to hear that; you will be more of a man for it; and, before +long, I think we should like your work; just now we are not in want of +more help." + +"Your work is increasing, I suppose?" said Webb; "hope I shall not +have to wait long." + +"If you can keep a secret, Webb, I will let you into it," continued +Benjamin. "I expect to start a weekly paper before many weeks have +passed; and then I shall have plenty of work." + +"How long shall I have to wait?" + +"I can't say. It is possible I may want you before I start the +newspaper; work is coming in very well. But you must not let Keimer +know about the paper. When it starts I want it should be a surprise to +him and the public." + +"I will not divulge your secret," was Webb's ready promise. + +Nevertheless, Webb did disclose the secret to Keimer himself, who +proceeded to start a paper of his own, called the _Pennsylvania +Gazette_, and he hired Webb, at good wages, to work on it. It proved +to be a miserable affair, without ability or intelligent enterprise, +so that a sharp, witty young man like Benjamin could readily make it a +"laughing-stock." + +"I will show up his ignorance and conceit in the _Mercury_" (name of +the paper already published by Bradford), he said to Meredith. "See if +I don't." + +"A good idea, Ben; go ahead; it will create a sensation. Bradford will +be glad to publish any thing you may write." + +"I will see him at once." And Benjamin hastened to the office of the +_Mercury_, made known his purpose to Bradford, who caught at it at +once." + +"Just the thing I want," responded Bradford. "Let me have something +for the next issue." + +"Certainly; you shall have the first article to-morrow morning." + +Benjamin hurried away with his mind completely absorbed upon the +subjects he should take up. The result was a series of amusing +articles, in which he burlesqued Keimer's proposals, and ridiculed his +editorials, which really deserved nothing better. He continued to +write in this way several months, signing all his articles "_Busy +Body_." The public were greatly interested in the communications, +because of their real merit. They were bright, even sparkling, full of +humor, logical to sharpness, and charged with ability. They drew +public attention to Bradford's paper, and public ridicule to Keimer's; +so that the subscription list of the former increased, while that of +the latter never had over ninety subscribers. People on every hand +inquired, "Who is _Busy Body_?" And, finally, the public learned that +it was "that young Franklin, the printer." Keimer learned who his +critic was; and, after the lapse of six or eight months from the time +the first number was issued, who should appear before Benjamin at his +office but him, saying: + +"I understand that you think of starting a weekly newspaper; and I +have come to sell you mine." + +"How is that? Can't you make it go?" Benjamin replied in a familiar +way. + +"No, not as I want to. I don't think I am exactly qualified to run a +newspaper." + +"How many subscribers have you?" + +"Ninety." + +"Only ninety?" exclaimed Benjamin. "That number will be of no aid in +starting a paper; might as well start new; new paper, new title, new +editor, new every thing." + +The conclusion of the interview was, however, that Benjamin purchased +the paper, took possession immediately, advertised his literary +enterprise, and "it proved," as he said, "in a few years extremely +profitable to me." + +His economy was equal to his industry. He arrayed himself in the +plainest manner, although he aimed to look neat and tidy. His board +was simple and cheap, and every thing about his business was conducted +on the most economical principles. He wheeled home the paper which he +bought, boarded himself some of the time, sleeping in the office, and +never stopped to consider whether it was compromising the dignity of a +printer to do such things. + +Keimer left no stone unturned to secure business and cripple Franklin +and Meredith. He was never half so active and enterprising as he +became after these two young men set up for themselves. One day Keimer +was in Benjamin's printing office to transact some business, when the +latter said to him: + +"Look here, Keimer; come with me into the back room." + +"What you got there?" Keimer answered, following. + +"See that!" Benjamin said, pointing to a half-devoured loaf and +pitcher of water, that he had just made a meal off. + +"What of that?" said Keimer, not comprehending the drift of Benjamin's +remark. + +"Unless you can live cheaper than I can, it is no use for you to +attempt to run me out of business." + +Both laughed, and Keimer departed. + +The _Gazette_ flourished finely from the time it came under Benjamin's +management. He was able to discuss public questions of importance with +manifest ability, and his articles created interest and discussion +among public men, who became subscribers in consequence. A dispute was +going on between Governor Burnett and the Massachusetts Assembly, and +Benjamin commented upon it with so much wisdom and originality that +his intimate acquaintance was sought by the most distinguished men. + +Benjamin's work as a printer excelled that of either Keimer or +Bradford. The latter did the government printing, and often it was +done in a very bungling manner. This was notably so when he printed an +address of the House to the Governor. It was a very inferior job; +whereupon Benjamin printed it elegantly and correctly and sent a copy +to each member of the House. The House voted to give him the +government printing thereafter. By his method of doing the _best_ he +could every time, he built up a business rapidly, and won a reputation +for industry, integrity, and ability that was worth more than money. + +To return to Meredith. He had become more intemperate than ever. His +father, too, did not find relief from pecuniary embarrassment as he +expected. He was to pay two hundred pounds currency for the printing +house, and had paid one-half of it. But the other half was not paid +when due, for which all three were sued. + +"Perhaps your father is not pleased with your partner," said Benjamin +to Meredith. "If that is the reason he does not advance the money, I +will retire, and you shall run the whole thing." + +"No; my father is well satisfied with my partner, and so am I; so that +you need not think he is withholding money for the purpose of getting +rid of you. He is really embarrassed." + +"Then he could not take the concern into his own hands for you to +run?" + +"No, indeed; that would be quite impossible. Besides, I do not want it +on my hands." + +"Why?" inquired Benjamin. + +"Because I am satisfied that I am not adapted to this business. I was +bred a farmer, and ought not to have left that occupation." + +"Drink water, as I do, and you may succeed as well at printing as +farming. A farmer who drinks to excess never succeeds." + +"Drink or no drink," retorted Meredith, "I am sick of this business +and shall quit. Many of our Welsh people are going to settle in North +Carolina, where land is cheap, and I am going with them, and shall +follow my old employment." + +"Then you will sell out your interest to me, if I understand you?" +That was what Benjamin wanted. + +"Certainly; you can get enough friends to help 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 will accept your proposition, and we will draw up the papers at +once," said Benjamin. + +The bargain was consummated; and the proper papers were prepared, +signed, and sealed. Benjamin accepted the generous aid of Coleman and +Grace, and became sole proprietor of the printing house and +_Pennsylvania Gazette_. This was near the close of the year 1729, a +few months after the _Gazette_ came into his hands. + +A few months more elapsed, when he concluded to accept the offer of +the gentleman, spoken of on a previous page, to provide a stock of +stationery, and opened a stationer's shop in his building. This proved +a good investment, and led to his marriage, September 1, 1730, to Miss +Deborah Read. + +While Benjamin was thus prospering, Keimer was going to the wall; and +finally his printing office, with all its furniture, was sold under +the hammer to pay his creditors; and he went to Barbadoes, where he +lived in poverty. + +Thus changes brought Benjamin to the front, and his printing house was +the best, doing the most business, of any one in the whole country, +except Boston. True, Bradford continued his business and paper; but in +a very small way, in no sense a rival to our hero. He stood at the +head. + + + + +XXXII. + + +NO LONGER A SKEPTIC. + +"Time is money," Doctor Franklin wrote in age. It was what he +practised when he conducted his printing business in Philadelphia. One +day a lounger stepped into his shop, and, after looking over the +articles, asked: + +"What is the price of that book?" holding it up in his hand. Benjamin +had commenced to keep a few books on sale. + +"One dollar," answered the apprentice in attendance. + +"One dollar," repeated the lounger; "can't you take less than that?" + +"No less; one dollar is the price." + +Waiting a few moments, and still looking over the book, he said, at +length: + +"Is Mr. Franklin at home?" + +"He is in the printing office." + +"I want to see him; will you call him?" + +Franklin was called. + +"Mr. Franklin, what is the lowest price you will take for this book?" +at the same time holding up the book. + +"One dollar and a quarter," answered Franklin, who had heard the +lounger's parleying with his apprentice. + +"One dollar and a quarter! Your young man asked but a dollar." + +"True," answered Franklin, "and I could have better afforded to take a +dollar then, than to have been called from my business." + +The Customer seemed puzzled for a few moments, but, finally, concluded +that the proprietor was joking. He had not been wont to place so great +value upon time. + +"Come, now, tell me just the lowest you will take for it," he said. + +"One dollar and a half." + +"A dollar and a half! Why you offered it yourself for a dollar and a +quarter." + +"True, and I had better taken the price then, than a dollar and a half +now," retorted Benjamin with a good deal of spirit. + +The buyer got the truth into his head at last, paid the price of the +book, and sneaked away, with the rebuke lying heavily on his heart. + +Benjamin wrote of his industry at that time, as follows: + +"My circumstances, however, grew daily easier. My original habits of +frugality continuing, and my father having, among his instructions to +me when a boy, frequently repeated a proverb of Solomon, "_Seest thou +a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before kings, he shall +not stand before mean men_." I 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." + +It is not strange that such a young man should write such maxims as +the following, in his riper years: + +"Pride breakfasts with plenty, dines with poverty, and sups with +infamy." + +"It is as truly folly for the poor to ape the rich, as for the frog to +swell in order to equal the ox." + +"It is easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that +follow it." + +His integrity was no less marked. Strict honesty characterized all his +dealings with men. An exalted idea of justice pervaded his soul. His +word of honor was as good as his note of hand. Even his disposition to +castigate and censure in his writings, so manifest in Boston, at +sixteen years of age, and which his father rebuked, was overcome. +After he had set up a paper in Philadelphia, a gentleman handed him an +article for its columns. + +"I am very busy now," said Benjamin, "and you will confer a favor by +leaving it for perusal at my leisure." + +"That I will do, and call again to-morrow." + +The following day the author put in his appearance quite early. + +"What is your opinion of my article?" he asked. + +"Why, sir, I am sorry to say that I can not publish it." + +"Why not? What is the matter with it?" + +"It is highly scurrilous and defamatory," replied Benjamin; "but being +at a loss, on account of my poverty, whether to reject it or not, I +thought I would put it to this issue. At night when my work was done, +I bought a twopenny loaf, on which I supped heartily, and then, +wrapping myself in my great coat, slept very soundly on the floor +until morning, when another loaf and mug of water afforded a pleasant +breakfast. Now, sir, since I can live very comfortably in this manner, +why should I prostitute my press to personal hatred or party passion +for a more luxurious living?" + +We have seen that Benjamin began to revise his religious opinions on +his return voyage from England. He continued to reflect much upon his +loose ways; and there is no doubt that his integrity, industry, +economy, and desire to succeed in business had something to do with +his moral improvement. He confessed that, along from 1725 to 1730 he +was immoral, and was sometimes led astray; but his conscience made him +much trouble, and, finally, it asserted its supremacy, and he came off +conqueror over his evil propensities. A change from skepticism or +deism to a decided belief in the Christian Religion, no doubt exerted +the strongest influence in making him a better man. + +In 1728 he prepared "_Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion_" for +his own use every day. This was his ritual, beginning and closing with +an humble prayer. + +Three or four years later, he appears to have taken up this thought of +a religious life anew; and he prepared a code of morals, perhaps a +revision of his former Articles of Faith, wrote them out carefully in +a blank book for use, as follows: + + "1. TEMPERANCE.--Eat not to dulness; 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; +that is, 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. TRANQUILITY.--Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common +or unavoidable. + +"12. CHASTITY.... + +"13. HUMILITY.--Imitate Jesus and Socrates." + +At one time he seriously thought of organizing a "United Party for +Virtue," in connection with which he prepared this religious creed: + +"That there is one God, who made all things. + +"That he governs the world by his providence. + +"That he ought to be worshipped by adoration, prayer and thanksgiving. + +"But that the most acceptable service to 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." + +His letters to relatives and friends, from this time, contained strong +words for the Christian Religion, and for the imitation of the virtues +practised by its Author. Through his long and useful life, he +continued to observe the doctrines and precepts that he named in the +foregoing extracts. He was a delegate to the convention for forming a +Constitution of the United States, which met at Philadelphia, May, +1787, and he introduced the motion for daily prayers, with remarks +thus: + +"In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible +of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine +protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard; and they were graciously +answered. All of us, who were engaged in the struggle, must have +observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our +favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of +consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national +felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we +imagine we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long +time; and, the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this +truth, _that_ GOD _governs in the affairs of men_. And, if a sparrow +can not fall to the ground without his notice, is it probably that an +empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the +sacred writings, that 'except the Lord build the house, they labor in +vain that build it.' I firmly believe this; and I also believe that, +without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political +building no better than the builders of Babel; we shall be divided by +our little, partial, local interests, our projects will be confounded, +and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a by-word down to future +ages." + +We will only add here an epitaph that he wrote for his own monument at +twenty-three years of age, supposed to have been a paper for the Junto: + +"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 ITSELF SHALL NOT BE LOST, FOR +IT WILL, AS HE BELIEVED, APPEAR ONCE MORE, IN A NEW AND MORE ELEGANT +EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED BY THE AUTHOR." + + + + +XXXIII. + + +POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC. + +"I shall have to publish an almanac to be in fashion," remarked +Franklin to his old friend Coleman. "Every printer in this country +issues one, so far as I know." + +From this point, we shall drop the Christian name, Benjamin, and use +the surname, Franklin. + +"A good theme to discuss in the Junto," replied Coleman. "You would +publish a better one than the country ever had, if you should +undertake it." + +"I shall make one that differs from all issued hitherto, in some +respects. I have devoted considerable thought to the subject, and have +formed a plan, although it has not taken an exact shape yet in my own +mind. I think I will bring it up in the Junto." + +"By all means do it," added Coleman; "two or more heads may be better +than one alone, even if the one contains more than all the rest." + +"Much obliged," answered Franklin. "It will aid me essentially to +mature my plans, to exchange views with the members of the Junto. I +will introduce it at the very next meeting." + +The subject was introduced into the Junto, as proposed, and every +member hailed the project with delight. Franklin's paper had become +the most popular one in the country, in consequence of the ability +with which it discussed public questions, and the sharp, crisp wisdom +and wit that made every issue entertaining; and the members believed +that he could make an almanac that would take the lead. The discussion +in the Junto settled the question of issuing the almanac. Its +appearance in 1732 proved a remarkable event in Franklin's life, much +more so than his most sanguine friends anticipated. + +The Almanac appeared, with the title-page bearing the imprint: "By +Richard Saunders, Philomat. Printed and sold by B. Franklin." + +From the opening to the close of it proverbial sayings, charged with +wisdom and wit, were inserted wherever there was space enough to +insert one. The following is a sample: + +"Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used +key is always bright." + +"Lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough always +proves little enough." + +"Drive thy business, let not that drive thee." + +"Industry need not hope, and he that lives upon hope will die +fasting." + +"He that hath a trade hath an estate; and he that hath a calling hath +an office of profit and honor." + +"At the working-man's house hunger looks in, but dares not enter." + +"Never leave that till to-morrow, which you can do to-day." + +"A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things." + +"If you would have your business done, go--if not, send." + +"What maintains one vice would bring up two children." + +"When the well is dry they know the worth of water." + +"Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy." + +"Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other." + +"The good paymaster is lord of another man's purse." + +These jets of wisdom made the Almanac sparkle. The mechanical +execution of the work excelled that of any of its predecessors; but +this literary feature marked the Almanac as marvellous. It became +popular at once. Every body who saw it, admired and bought it. The +Philadelphians were proud that such a document originated in their +town. Copies were sent to friends in other parts of the country, until +"Poor Richard's Almanac" was known throughout the land. Three editions +were exhausted in about a month. For twenty-five years Franklin +continued to publish a similar Almanac, the average annual circulation +of which was ten thousand copies. + +The large stock of wisdom and wit which the Almanac contained added +wonderfully to Franklin's fame. From the first issue his mental powers +were widely praised. He was only twenty-six years of age, but now his +intellectual ability was considered superior to that of any other +living man under fifty years of age. The members of the Junto were +greatly elated over his success. + +"You have beaten yourself," remarked Coleman to him, "exceeded by far +what I expected, high as my expectations were. Nothing has been +published yet, that has created so profound interest as the Almanac." + +"That is all true," said Grace. "Franklin is the theme of remark now +everywhere. People seem to be surprised that he could produce a +document of so much value. Both his business and newspaper will be +advanced by this stroke of wisdom." + +"And the Junto, too," suggested Parsons; "the father of the Junto can +not receive so much applause without benefiting his child. Every body +will want to join now, to meet him here." + +Each member present was too much elated to remain silent. No words +were too extravagant to express their admiration of Franklin's +ability. To their decided friendship and respect was now added an +honorable pride in being able to point to such a friend and associate. + +The success of his newspaper and Almanac provided Franklin with a +supply of money, which he wisely invested. His own words about it +were: + +"My business was now constantly 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." + +Franklin was aided very much, in the conduct of his paper, by the +Junto, where different features of journalism were often discussed. + +"In Boston I made a mistake," he said. "I was but a boy then, without +experience or discretion, and found great delight in personalities. I +mean to steer clear of libelling and personal abuse." + +"You have so far," replied Coleman; "and thereby you have added to the +dignity and influence of your paper. There is a kind of sharpness and +critical remark that ought to characterize a good paper; and the +_Gazette_ is not deficient in that." + +"That is what makes it sparkle, in my judgment," remarked Scull. "It +is not best to be too cautious; some things ought to be hit hard; and +that is true of some men, not to say women." + +"That is one thing a newspaper is for," interjected Parsons, "to +expose and remove social and public evils, and, in doing that, some +men will get hit." + +"You do not quite understand me," answered Franklin; "I accept all +that Scull and Parsons say, which is not what I mean by libelling and +personal abuse. Here is a case. A few days ago a gentleman called with +an article for the _Gazette_, I looked it over, and found it very +objectionable. + +"'I can not publish that,' I said to him. + +"'Why not?' he asked. + +"'Because it deals in personal abuse, if not in downright libelling.' + +"'I will pay for its insertion,' he said. + +"'So much the worse for me, to insert a libelous article for money,' I +said. 'On the face of it it appears a personal pique against the +party.' + +"'But we have a free press in this country,' he insisted. + +"'Free to do right, and be just and honorable toward all men, and not +free to injure or abuse them,' I retorted. + +"'I supposed that a newspaper was like a stage coach, in which any +one, who pays for a place, has it,' he continued. + +"'That is true of some newspapers, but not of mine,' I answered. 'But +I will do this: I will print your article separately, and furnish you +with as many copies as you want, and you can distribute them where you +please, but I will not lumber my columns with detraction, and insult +patrons to whom I am pledged to furnish a good paper for their +families.' The party did not accept my proposition, but left in high +temper." + +Every member acquiesced in Franklin's views, and encouraged him to +continue the conduct of his paper on that line. It was an age of +vituperation and libelling. Probably there never has been a time since +when so many editors, in proportion to the number of papers, believed +that the newspaper was for that purpose. The gentleman of whom +Franklin spoke wanted to abuse another; but would have complained +bitterly, no doubt, to have been the object of abuse himself. + +Franklin's stationer's shop proved a success; and very soon he added a +small collection of books. From 1733 he imported books from London, +and aimed to keep the market supplied with all that were popular +there. His trade in books grew to considerable proportions. + +With all his business, and the improvement of odd moments in reading +and study, he found time to attend to music, and became quite an +accomplished player on the harp, guitar, and violin. His family and +company were often entertained by his musical performances. + +In 1733 Franklin resolved to visit Boston. He had not visited there +for ten years. + +"I must go now," he said to his foreman, "because my brother at +Newport is so feeble that he is not expected to live long. I shall +stop at Newport on my way back." + +"And when will you return?" + +"As soon as possible. It is only a flying visit I propose to make. I +have some business in Boston, and wish to spend a little time with my +parents, who are getting old and infirm." + +He put every thing into a good condition for his foreman to handle in +his absence, and then left for Boston, where his parents embraced him +with tears of joy. There was no trace of the boy left on him now,--he +was a man in the noblest sense of the word. + +Necessity compelled Franklin to cut short his visit and return, +stopping at Newport to see his brother. This was his brother James, +the printer to whom he was apprenticed in Boston. He had a prosperous +printing business in that town. + +"I am very glad to see you," said James, giving his brother a cordial +and tender welcome. "You find me very feeble; and I was afraid that I +should never see you again." + +"I hear of your sickness, and felt that I must come to see you at +once," Franklin replied. "I hope that your prospects are more +favorable than you appear to think they are." + +"It is only a question of time; and short time, too. My disease is +incurable, and I am waiting for the end. We will let by-gones be +by-gones; I have only love for you now, my dear brother." + +"You can hardly conceive how glad I am to hear you say that; for I +cherish only the sincerest affection for you. I am truly sorry for any +wrong I did you in Boston." + +"That is all blotted out now," continued James, "I have one request to +make, and, if you can grant it, I shall be very happy." + +"What is it?" + +"My son is now ten years old, and the loss of his father will, indeed, +be a great loss to him. I had intended to instruct him in my trade; +and, after my death, I want you should take him to your home in +Philadelphia, where he can learn the printer's trade, and, when he +understands the business well, return him to his mother and sisters, +who will continue the printing house here." + +"With all my heart I will do it; and I am glad to grant this favor, +not only for your sake, but for my own," responded Benjamin. "He shall +be one of my family, and I will be to him as a father, and he shall be +to me as a son." + +Thus, at the grave's side, the two brothers were thoroughly reconciled +to each other, and it was not long before Franklin had James' son in +his own family. + +In 1736 Franklin buried a son, four years old, a child so bright and +beautiful that strangers would stop on the street to behold him. It +was a terrible blow to the parents. He was laid in Christ Church +burying ground, where the defaced and much-broken headstone still +bears this inscription: + +"FRANCIS F., +SON OF BENJAMIN AND DEBORAH FRANKLIN, +DECEASED NOV. 21, 1736, +AGED 4 YEARS, 1 MONTH, AND 1 DAY. +THE DELIGHT OF ALL THAT KNEW HIM." + +Franklin proved a staunch friend of the celebrated George Whitefield +when he visited Philadelphia in 1739. There was great opposition to +his work. At first, one or two pastors admitted him to their pulpits; +but the opposition grew so intense, that all the churches were closed +against him, and he was obliged to preach in the fields. Franklin +denounced this treatment in his paper and by his voice, in the Junto +and on the street. + +"You talk about being called to the work of the ministry," he said to +one of the Philadelphia clergy; "if ability and great power in the +pulpit are evidence of being called of God, then Whitefield must have +had a louder call than any of you." + +"But he is very peculiar in his methods, and harsh in his treatment of +sinners," suggested the minister. + +"But if we sinners do not object, why should you saints? We have heard +him say nothing but the truth yet." + +"All that may be true," continued the preacher, "but so much +excitement is not healthy for the spiritual growth of the people." + +"When did you, or any one else, ever see so great moral and spiritual +improvement of the people," said Franklin, "as we have seen since +Whitefield has been preaching here? The whole population appears to be +thinking about religion." + +"Excitement! excitement!" exclaimed the minister; "and when Whitefield +is gone, there will be a reaction, and the last state of the people +will be worse than the first." + +So Franklin supported Whitefield, was a constant attendant upon his +ministrations, and a lasting friendship grew up between them. + +"Let us put up a building for him to preach in, now that he is +excluded from the churches," proposed Franklin to a number of +Whitefield's friends, who were discussing the situation. "A preacher +of so much power and self-denial should be sustained." + +"A capital suggestion!" answered one of the number, "and you are the +man to carry the measure into effect." + +"A rough building is all that is necessary for our purpose; the finish +will be in the preaching," added Franklin. "A preacher of any +denomination whatever, who comes here to instruct the people, without +money and without price, should be provided with a place for worship." + +"Yes, even if the Mufti of Constantinople were to send a missionary +here, I would provide a place for him to hold forth and not turn him +into the street," responded Coleman. + +"I will announce in the _Gazette_ at once what our purpose is, and +call a meeting," continued Franklin. "The announcement will test the +feelings of the people on the subject." + +"Let it be done in a hurry, too," said Coleman. "Public sentiment is +ripe for something now, and I think the citizens will endorse the +scheme." + +The project was announced, a meeting called, and subscriptions +obtained with little effort, to erect a building one hundred feet long +and seventy wide. In an almost incredibly short time the house of +worship was completed, and Whitefield occupied it. + + + + +XXXIV. + + +MORE HONORS AND MORE WORK. + +Franklin, in 1736, was chosen Clerk of the General Assembly, and in +1737 appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia. The first position assured +him all the Government printing, and introduced him to influential +men, who would very naturally become the patrons of his printing +house. The second position was of great value to his newspaper, as it +"facilitated the correspondence that improved it, and increased its +circulation" quite largely, thus making it a source of considerable +income. Members of the Junto were as much pleased with his promotion +as Franklin himself. + +"We are not at all surprised," said Coleman to Colonel Spotswood; "we +are familiar with Franklin; I mean, we members of the Junto, as no +other persons are. He will fill ably any position you can give him." + +"That was my estimate of the man," answered Spotswood, who was +Postmaster-General; "and so I appointed him my deputy here. From all I +could learn of him, I thought he would be exact in his way of doing +business and reporting to the Government. His predecessor was +careless, and even neglectful, so that it was difficult to get any +sort of a report from him." + +"You will find no trouble with Franklin on that score," rejoined +Coleman. "He is one of the most exact men I ever knew, and his +judgment is remarkable for one of his years. He appears to succeed in +whatever he undertakes because of his sound judgment, and great +capacity for work. His appointment as Postmaster of Philadelphia gives +great satisfaction." + +"I thought it would," continued Spotswood. "The position should be +occupied by a wise man, who challenges public confidence and respect." + +"And Franklin is the wisest man I ever knew," interjected Coleman. "We +see him in this role, in the Junto, as men outside do not. For he lays +before us his plans, and reads important articles that he writes, on +various subjects, for criticism, before they are published. He has +just read a paper on the 'Night-watch,' exposing the worthlessness of +the present system, and proposing a remedy; also, another paper on +establishing a fire-department for the town. When made public, both of +these measures will commend themselves to the people." + +The discussion over the night-watch and fire-department in the Junto +was both animated and instructive. Both projects were entirely new, +and were born of Franklin's fertile brain. + +"The most cumbersome and awkward arrangement I ever heard of," said +Franklin, in the Junto; "to have the constable of each ward, in turn, +summon to his aid several housekeepers for the night, and such +ragamuffins as most of them summon to their assistance!" + +"A glass of grog will enlist some of them for a whole night," remarked +Parsons. "I think the town is safer without any watchmen, unless more +responsible men can be employed." + +"Of course it is," responded Coleman; "the six shillings paid annually +to the constable by each man who does not wish to serve is a +corruption fund. The constable can pocket three-fourths of it, and, +with the other fourth, he can employ the irresponsible characters he +does. I wonder the people don't rebel." + +"That is not all, nor the worst," remarked Breintnal. "A poor widow, +with less than fifty pounds to her name, must pay the six shillings +just as the wealthiest citizen, with thousands of pounds in his own +right, does. It is very unjust." + +"And my plan removes all of these difficulties and burdens," added +Franklin. "I propose to hire suitable men, whose business shall be to +watch at night, levying a tax to pay for the same in proportion to +property. A man who makes it his business to watch is worth much more +than one who occasionally serves under the present system." + +Franklin ventilated the subject in the _Gazette_, eliciting remarks +pro and con, gradually educating the people; and finally, after +several years, he had the satisfaction of seeing his plan adopted. +Franklin was the author of the "Night-watch" system of our land. + +His paper on the frequency of fires, from carelessness and accidents, +with suggestions as to preventing them and, also, extinguishing them, +elicited equal interest in the Junto. + +"Your suggestion to organize a company to extinguish fires is a +capital one," remarked Potts, after listening to Franklin's paper. "It +is not only practical, but it can be done very easily; every citizen +must appreciate the measure." + +"If I understand the plan," remarked Maugridge, "each member will be +obliged to keep several leathern buckets, in order for instant use, +and strong bags, for receiving goods to be conveyed to a place of +safety, will be provided." + +"Yes; and the members must be so well organized and drilled, that when +a fire breaks out, each will know just what to do," added Franklin. +"It will be necessary for the members of the company to meet monthly, +or oftener, to exchange views and make suggestions as to the best way +of conducting the organization. Experience will teach us very much." + +"How many members should the organization embrace?" inquired Scull. + +"That is immaterial," replied Coleman; "a large or small number can be +used to advantage, I should say." + +"The company must not be too large," responded Franklin. "I should +think that thirty members would be as many as could work to advantage. +If double that number desire to become members it would be better to +organize two companies, to work in different wards." + +"And how about money? Can't maintain such an organization without +money," suggested Potts. + +"We can raise money for the outfit of leathern buckets and bags by +subscription," replied Franklin; "and we can impose a fine upon +members for being absent from meetings." + +"Then, why is not the whole subject fairly before us?" remarked +Coleman. "I move that we proceed to organize a fire-company of thirty +members at once." + +Coleman's proposition was adopted unanimously. Franklin discussed the +plan in the _Gazette_, and all the members of the Junto worked hard +for it outside. Within a short time the first company was organized, +then another, and another, the good work continuing until a large part +of the property-owners in town belonged to fire-companies. And this +method continued until the invention of fire-engines, fire-hooks, and +ladders, with other modern implements to assist in extinguishing +fires. Franklin was the originator of fire-companies. + +"It is high time that our people were thinking of paving the streets," +said Franklin, at a meeting of the Junto. "It will facilitate cleaning +them wonderfully." + +"You must give us a paper on the subject, and write it up in the +_Gazette_," replied Parsons. "People must be enlightened before they +will adopt the measure. The mass of them know nothing about it now." + +"You are right," responded Franklin; "and it will take a good while to +enlighten them. The expense of the measure will frighten them." + +"How expensive will such a measure be? What does paving cost a square +yard?" + +"I am not able to say now; I have not examined that part of it yet; +but I shall. I will prepare a paper for the Junto at the earliest +possible date." + +Franklin had canvassed the subject considerably before he introduced +it to the members of the Junto. In wet weather the mud in the streets +was trodden into a quagmire, and quantities of it carried on the feet +into stores and houses. In dry weather the wind blew the abundance of +dust into the faces and eyes of pedestrians, and into the doors and +windows of dwellings and shops. In his paper, read at the Junto, +Franklin set forth these discomforts, with others, and showed how the +evil would be remedied by pavement. The members of the Junto were +unanimous in supporting his views. + +From week to week he discussed the subject in the _Gazette_, literally +giving line upon line and precept upon precept. Nor did he seem to +make much of an impression for many months. But, finally, a strip of +brick pavement having been laid down the middle of Jersey Market, he +succeeded in getting the street leading thereto paved. + +"Now I have a project to enlist citizens in paving all the streets," +he said at the Junto. "I have hired a poor man to sweep the pavement +now laid, and keep it as clean and neat as a pin, that citizens may +see for themselves the great benefit of paving the streets." + +"That is practical," exclaimed Coleman. "You are always practical, +Franklin; and you will make a success of that." + +"I expect to succeed. After two or three weeks I shall address a +circular to all housekeepers enjoying the advantages of the pavement, +asking them to join with me in paying a sixpence each per month to +keep the pavement clean." + +"A _sixpence_ a month only!" responded Potts, who had listened to +Franklin's plan; "is that all it will cost?" + +"Yes, that is all; and I think that all will be surprised that the +work can be done for that price; and, for that reason, they will +readily join in the measure." + +Franklin went forward with his enterprise, and every citizen appealed +to accepted his proposition; and out of it grew a general interest to +pave the streets of the city. Franklin drafted a bill to be presented +to the General Assembly, authorizing the work to be done; and, through +the influence of another party, the bill was amended by a provision +for lighting the streets at the same time, all of which was agreeable +to Franklin. Here, again, we see that Franklin was the originator of +another method of adding to the comfort and beauty of cities and large +towns. + +"I will read you a paper to-night upon smoky chimneys," remarked +Franklin at the Junto, as he drew from his pocket a written document. + +"Smoky chimneys!" ejaculated Grace. "I wonder what will command your +attention next. A fruitful theme, though I never expected we should +discuss it here." + +"It is, indeed, a fruitful theme," responded Franklin; "for more +chimneys carry some of the smoke into the room than carry the whole +out of the top; and nobody can tell why." + +"I had supposed it was because masons do not understand the philosophy +of chimney-building," remarked Coleman. + +"That is it exactly. The subject is not understood at all, because it +has not been examined. Men build chimneys as they do, not because they +know it is the best way, but because they do not know any thing about +it. For instance, nearly every one thinks that smoke is lighter than +air, when the reverse is true." + +"I always had that idea," remarked Potts; "not because I knew that it +was, but somehow I got that impression. But let us have your paper, +and then we will discuss it." + +Franklin read his paper, which was more elaborate and exhaustive than +any thing of the kind ever published at that time. It named several +definite causes of smoky chimneys, and furnished a remedy for each. +What is still more remarkable, it suggested a plan of a fire-place or +stove, that might remedy the smoking evil of some chimneys, and save +much fuel in all. Subsequently, he invented what is known as the +Franklin stove, or fire-place, though it was sometimes called the +"Pennsylvania stove." It was regarded as a very useful invention, and, +for many years, was in general use. + +"Apply for a patent on your stove," suggested Coleman; "there is much +money in it; and you ought to have it if any one." + +"Not I," responded Franklin. "I am not a believer in patents. If the +invention is a real public benefit, the people should have the +advantage of it." + +"Nonsense," retorted Coleman; "no one but you harbors such an idea. I +do not see why a man should not receive pay for his invention as much +as another does for a day's work." + +"And there is no reason why the inventor should not give the public +the benefit of it, if he chooses," answered Franklin. "Governor Thomas +offered to give me a patent on it, but I told him this: As we enjoy +great advantages from the invention 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." + +"And nobody will ever thank you for it," added Coleman. + +"I don't ask them to thank me for it; I give it to them without asking +one thank-you for it," replied Franklin, who was in a very happy mood. + +"Well," added Coleman, "the more I see of you, the more I am satisfied +that there is but one Ben Franklin in these parts." + +In brief, we may add here, that Franklin presented the model to a +member of the Junto, Robert Grace, who run a furnace, and, for many +years, "he found the casting of the plates for these stoves a +profitable thing." + +Still another enterprise which Franklin brought to the attention of +the Junto was the founding of an Academy or University for the higher +education of youth. He wrote often and much for the _Gazette_ upon +doing more for the education of the young. At last, he prepared and +printed a pamphlet, entitled "Proposals Relating to the Education of +Youth in Pennsylvania." It was published at his own expense and +gratuitously distributed, after it had been read in the Junto, where +he disclosed his purpose. + +"It is the greatest enterprise you have conceived yet," remarked +Parsons, after listening to the paper, "and it will be the most +difficult one to push forward to success, I think." + +"Five thousand pounds is a great amount of money to raise," said +Breintnal. "I should not want to be the one to raise it." + +"I should, if I could," retorted Franklin. "To be the author of so +great a blessing to the young is pay enough without any salary. At any +rate, that is all the pay any man will get for such service." + +"Do you propose to raise the money yourself?" inquired Coleman. + +"Chiefly. I expect that interested parties may assist on that line. +The fact that the enterprise is to bless their own children, gives me +access to them at once. First of all, however, I propose to send this +pamphlet, printed, to a long list of persons upon whom I shall call +for aid, after ample time for them to read and digest it has elapsed." + +It is sufficient to say that Franklin successfully prosecuted his +purpose, raised all the money necessary, and the academy was founded. +Scholars multiplied so rapidly that larger quarters were soon +demanded; and now came into use the building which Franklin caused to +be erected for the use of Rev. Mr. Whitefield. With some alterations, +it was just the building necessary to meet the wants of the popular +institution. Franklin was glad when he secured the building for +Whitefield; but he was more glad now because it could be used for the +"University of Philadelphia," as his school was named afterwards. + +Perhaps the Junto did not give attention to a more important measure +in its whole history than that of establishing militia for public +security. Franklin read a paper, having the caption, "Plain Truth," in +which he expatiated upon the defenseless condition of Pennsylvania; +that, while New England was all aglow with enthusiasm for armed +defense against foreign invasion, and some of the southern colonies as +well, Pennsylvania was utterly defenseless. + +"There is not a battery, fort, or gun, on the banks of the Delaware," +he said; "not a volunteer company in the whole Province; and what is +still more alarming, not guns enough to arm one." + +"Our people don't believe in resistance, you know," responded Coleman. +"Quaker influence is decidedly against shot-guns and batteries." + +"And that is the trouble," retorted Franklin. "The Legislatures of +other Provinces have established public defenses; but the Quaker +influence in the Assembly of Pennsylvania has defeated every measure +of the kind." + +"And will continue to do so until a French privateer seizes and sacks +this town, as one could very easily," added Parsons. + +"Or a tribe of savages, so easily set on by French politicians, shall +plunder and burn us," added Franklin. + +"But John Penn and Thomas Penn are not Quakers, like their father, I +have been told," remarked Potts; "and certainly the Province has not +had Quaker governors." + +"That is very true; but so many of the people are Quakers that the +Assembly is under their control," answered Franklin. "But I think the +appearance of a privateer in the river, or an attack by a band of +blood-thirsty savages, would knock the non-resistance out of many of +them." + +"Nothing short of that will," responded Coleman; "but Franklin's plan +of raising a volunteer militia, and all necessary funds by +subscription, will not call out any opposition from them. I believe +that many of them will be glad to have such defense if they are not +expected to engage in it." + +"It is not true, even now, that all the Quakers oppose defensive war: +for some of them do not; they have told me so," continued Franklin. +"They oppose aggressive warfare; but let a privateer come up the +river, or savages attack our town, and they will fight for their homes +as hard as any of us." + +"But how do you propose to reach the public, and interest them in your +plan?" inquired Maugridge. + +"I shall publish the paper I have read, with some additions, suggested +by our discussion, and distribute it freely throughout the town. At +the same time, I shall discuss it in the _Gazette_, and appeal to +Quakers themselves, on Bible grounds, to co-operate for the public +defense. And when they have had time to read the pamphlet and weigh +the proposition, I shall call a public meeting." + +"Wise again, Franklin," answered Coleman, who was delighted with the +plan. "Your scheme will work to a charm; I have no doubt of it. But +just what will you do at your public meeting?" + +"Organize an 'Association for Defense,' after I have harangued the +audience upon the perils of the hour. I shall urge every man present, +as he values his home and life, to join the league, of whatever sect +or party." + +"Each man to arm himself at his own expense, I suppose?" inquired +Grace. + +"As far as possible," answered Franklin; "and to raise money for a +battery, I have thought of a lottery." Lotteries were generally +resorted to, at that day, for raising money. + +"That scheme for raising a battery will succeed, too," said Coleman +with a smile. "I can not see why the whole thing will not carry the +public by storm." + +The plan of Franklin succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectations. +His pamphlet and articles in the _Gazette_ moved the public to great +enthusiasm. When the public meeting was called, there was a general +rush to it. It was held in the large building erected for Rev. Mr. +Whitefield, and it was filled to overflowing. Twelve hundred men +joined the "Association for Public Defense" on that night, and the +number was increased to ten thousand within a few days. Within a few +weeks, eighty companies were organized in the Province, armed, and +drilled, ready to march to any point of danger at a moment's warning. +The companies in Philadelphia united to form a regiment, and Franklin +was elected Colonel--an honor which he declined because he "considered +himself unfit," and recommended a Mr. Lawrence, who was a prominent +and influential citizen. + +The lottery scheme succeeded, also, and eighteen cannon were borrowed +of the Governor of New York until the authorities could import the +requisite number from England. Not a few Quakers approved of these +measures for the public defense. + +In the midst of the excitement Franklin intensified the feeling, by +inducing the Governor to appoint a day of fasting and prayer. Such a +day had never been observed in Pennsylvania, and so the Governor and +his associates were too ignorant of the measure to undertake it alone. +Hence, Franklin, who was familiar with Fast Days in Massachusetts, +wrote the proclamation for the Governor, and secured the co-operation +of ministers in the observance of the day. + +It is claimed that Quakers often lent their influence to defensive +warfare in an indirect manner. As, for example, when the Assembly made +appropriations for the army, "for the purchase of bread, flour, wheat +and _other grain_," the latter phrase covered _gunpowder_. Perhaps +this suggested to Franklin, when trying to get an appropriation +through the Assembly, the following remark: "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_." + +The fears of the colonists were allayed, and these warlike +preparations discontinued, when the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle was +declared, and signed by the British Commissioners, Oct. 7, 1748. + + + + +XXXV. + + +PHILOSOPHER AND STATESMAN. + +"I have a proposition to make to you, an important one," remarked +Franklin to David Hall, who had worked for him four years. "Come into +the office, and I will tell you what it is." + +Hall followed him into the office, wondering what the proposition +could be. When they were seated, Franklin continued: + +"I must have a partner in this business; and I think you are just the +man I want, if we can agree upon the terms. I desire to be released +from the care of the printing office, that I may pursue my scientific +studies more thoroughly and satisfactorily." + +"Your proposition is very unexpected to me, and I feel very much +flattered by it," answered Hall; "but I hardly know what to say, for I +have no capital to put into the business." + +"And you need none," interrupted Franklin. "My plan is that you take +the office just as it is, pay me one thousand pounds a year, for +eighteen years, releasing me from all care of the business, and, at +the close of eighteen years, the whole business shall be yours, +without further consideration." + +"Well, I ought to be satisfied with that offer, if you are; it is +certainly a generous one, and I shall accept it." + +"And you will get out of it three or four times the amount of your +present salary every year," suggested Franklin. "I mean it shall be a +profitable enterprise for you; for your long service here has +satisfied me that you are the partner I want." + +This plan was carried into effect, and Franklin was no longer obliged +to visit the printing office daily, whither he had been for over +twenty years. His printing and newspaper business had been very +profitable, so that he was comparatively wealthy for that day. His +investments had proved fortunate; and these, with the thousand pounds +annually from Hall, and five hundred pounds from two public offices he +held, gave him an annual income of about fifteen thousand dollars, +which was large for those times--one hundred and forty years ago. + +"Now I can pursue my studies to my heart's content," Franklin said to +his wife. "I have only had fragments of time to devote to electricity +and other studies hitherto; but now I can command time enough to make +research an object." + +"I am very glad that you are able to make so favorable arrangements," +Mrs. Franklin replied. "You have had altogether too much on your hands +for ten years and more. You ought to have less care." + +"And I have an intense desire to investigate science, especially +electricity," Franklin continued. "I see a wide field for research and +usefulness before me. But I have time enough to prosecute my plans." + +Franklin was forty-two years old at this time; and it is a singular +fact that his career as a philosopher did not begin really until he +had passed his fortieth birthday. But from the time he was released +from the care of the printing office, his advancement in science was +rapid. His fame spread abroad, both in this country and Europe, so +that, in a few years, he became one of the most renowned philosophers +in the world. In a former chapter we described his experiment with a +kite, to prove that lightning and the electric fluid are identical; +and this discovery established his fame as the greatest electrician of +the world. + +The Royal Society of London elected him a member by a unanimous vote, +and the next year bestowed upon him the Copley medal. Yale College +conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts; and Harvard +University did the same. Suddenly Franklin found himself the most +conspicuous character in American history--a philosopher of the most +honored type. + +Mignet said of him, "Thus all at once distinguished, the Philadelphia +sage became the object of universal regard, and was abundantly loaded +with academic honors. The Academy of Sciences of Paris made him an +associate member, as it had Newton and Leibnitz. All the learned +bodies of Europe eagerly admitted him into their ranks. Kant, the +celebrated German philosopher, called him 'the Prometheus of modern +times.' To this scientific glory, which he might have extended if he +had consecrated to his favorite pursuits his thoughts and his time, he +added high political distinction. To this man, happy because he was +intelligent, great because he had an active genius and a devoted +heart, was accorded the rare felicity of serving his country, +skilfully and usefully, for a period of fifty years; and after having +taken rank among the immortal founders of the positive sciences, of +enrolling himself among the generous liberators of the nations." + +A few years later, the three Universities of St. Andrew's, Oxford, and +Edinburgh, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. Europe +vied with America in tributes of honor and praise. + +His electrical experiments made him the author of several useful +inventions, among which the LIGHTNING ROD was the foremost. It came +into general use, not only in our country, but also in Europe. The +celebrated Kinnersley wrote to him, "May this method of security from +the destructive violence of one of the most awful powers of Nature +meet with such further success as to induce every good and grateful +heart to bless God for the important discovery! May the benefit +thereof be diffused over the whole globe! May it extend to the latest +posterity of mankind, and make the name of Franklin, like that of +Newton, IMMORTAL!" + +Franklin did not intend to continue in political life, when he entered +into partnership with Mr. Hall; and he so announced to his friends. At +that time he had served as Councilman in the city, been a member of +the General Assembly, acted as Commissioner on several important +occasions, and served the public in various other ways; but now he +designed to stop and devote himself entirely to scientific pursuits. + +Within five years, however, he found himself more deeply involved in +political plans and labors than ever before. He was as wise in +statesmanship as he was in philosophy; and the services of such a man +were in constant demand. The following list of public offices he +filled shows that he stood second to no statesman in the land in +public confidence and ability in public service: + +A LEGISLATOR OF PENNSYLVANIA AT TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF AGE, CONTINUED FOR +TWENTY YEARS. + +FOUNDER AND LEADING TRUSTEE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. + +COLONEL OF MILITIA, WHICH HE ORIGINATED. + +LEADER OF COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR YEARS, IN TIME OF WAR. + +POSTMASTER-GENERAL. + +AGENT OF PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW JERSEY, AND GEORGIA TO THE +KING OF ENGLAND. + +MINISTER TO THE COURT OF ENGLAND IN 1764. + +ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS IN 1775, AND A MEMBER +OF IT. + +MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY TO FRANCE IN 1776. + +AUTHOR OF FIRST TREATY FOR AMERICA IN 1778. + +MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY TO FRANCE IN 1778. + +ONE OF FIVE TO DRAFT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. + +A LEADER IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. + +ONE OF THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. + +LIKE WASHINGTON, "FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, AND FIRST IN THE +HEARTS OF HIS COUNTRYMEN." + +Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston +were associated with Franklin in drafting the Declaration of +Independence, which Congress adopted, July 4, 1776. The original draft +was by Jefferson, but it contained many interlineations in the +hand-writing of Franklin. When they were signing the memorable +document, after its passage by Congress, John Hancock remarked: + +"We must be unanimous,--we must all hang together." + +"Yes, if we would not hang separately," replied Franklin. + +Jefferson was viewing, with evident disappointment, the mutilation of +his draft of the Declaration in Franklin's hand-writing, when the +latter remarked: + +"I have made it a rule, whenever in my power, to avoid becoming the +draftsman of papers to be reviewed by a public body. I took my lesson +from an incident which I will relate to you. When I was a +journeyman-printer, one of my companions, an apprentice-hatter, having +served out his time, was about to open shop for himself. His first +concern was to have a handsome sign-board, with a proper inscription. +He composed it in these words: _John Thompson, hatter, makes and sells +hats for ready money_, with a figure of a hat subjoined. But he +thought he would submit to his friends for their amendments. The first +he showed it to thought the word _hatter_ tautologous, because +followed by the words _makes hats_, which showed he was a hatter. It +was struck out. The next observed that the word _makes_ might as well +be omitted, because his customers would not care who made the hats; if +good and to their mind, they would buy, by whomsoever made. He struck +it out. A third said he thought the words _for ready money_ were +useless, as it was not the custom of the place to sell on credit. +Every one who purchased expected to pay. They were parted with, and +the inscription now stood: _John Thompson sells hats_. '_Sells_ hats?' +says his next friend; 'why, nobody will expect you to give them away. +What, then, is the use of that word?' It was stricken out, and _hats_ +followed, the rather as there was one painted on the board. So his +inscription was reduced, ultimately, to _John Thompson_, with the +figure of a hat subjoined." + +It is doubtful if American Independence would have been achieved when +it was, but for the services of Franklin at the Court of England. His +first appearance there was when his fame as a philosopher was at its +zenith, and the greatest men of that country sought his acquaintance. +William Strahan, a member of Parliament, wrote to Mrs. Franklin, "I +never saw a man who was, in every respect, so perfectly agreeable to +me. Some are able in one view, some in another, he in all." + +The Tories, who meant to keep the Colonies in subjection and burden +them with taxes, were the leaders in governmental affairs and the +majority in numbers. Of course, the Colonies could not expect many +favors from them without the mediation of their strongest statesmen; +and Franklin was the one above all others on whom they depended. His +first diplomatic career in England, when he was the Agent of +Pennsylvania and other Colonies, lasted from 1757 to 1762. He remained +at home only a year and a half, when he was appointed "Minister to +England," whither he went in 1764, remaining there ten years, a long, +stormy period of political troubles, culminating in the Declaration of +Independence and the American Revolution. + +We have only to mention the Boston Port Bill, the Stamp Act, +quartering British troops in the public buildings of Boston, and other +measures which the Colonies considered oppressive, and even +tyrannical, to show the line of Franklin's intercession in behalf of +his countrymen, and how they came to throw off the yoke of bondage. + +The Tory hatred towards Franklin was something fearful at times, +exceeded only by their hatred towards the people whom he represented. +"I am willing to love all mankind except an American," exclaimed Dr. +Johnson. And when rebuked for his unchristian disposition, "his +inflammable corruption bursting into horrid fire," says Boswell, "he +breathed out threatenings and slaughter, calling them rascals, +robbers, pirates, and exclaiming that he would burn and destroy them." +When Mr. Barclay hinted to Franklin that he might have almost any +place of honor if he would consent to a certain line of action, our +loyal hero spurned the bribe, saying, "The ministry, I am sure, would +rather give me a place in a cart to Tyburn [prison] than any other +place whatever." He could neither be coaxed nor frightened into +submission to the British crown. + +In February, 1766, he was summoned before the House of Commons, where +he met the enemies of his country face to face, and stood firm through +the searching examination. + +"Will the Americans consent to pay the stamp duty if it is lessened?" +he was asked. + +"No, never; unless compelled by force of arms," he answered. + +"May not a military force carry the Stamp Act into execution?" + +"Suppose a military force sent into America; they will find nobody in +arms; what are they, then, to do? Then can not force a man to take +stamps who chooses to do without them. They will not _find_ a +rebellion; they may, indeed, _make_ one." + +"If the Stamp Act is enforced, will ill-humor induce the Americans to +give as much for the worse manufactures of their own, and use them in +preference to our better ones?" + +"_Yes. People will pay as freely to gratify one passion as +another,--their resentment as their pride_." + +"Would the people of Boston discontinue their trade?" + +"The merchants of Boston are a very small number, and must discontinue +their trade, if nobody will buy their goods." + +"What are the body of the people in the Colonies?" + +"They are farmers, husbandmen, or planters." + +"Would they suffer the produce of their lands to rot?" + +"No; but they would not raise so much. They would manufacture more and +plow less. I do not know a single article imported into the Northern +Colonies that they can not do without, or make themselves." + +To Lord Kames he said, "America must become a great country, populous +and mighty; and will, _in a less time than is generally conceived_, be +able to shake off any shackles that may be imposed upon her, and +perhaps place them on the imposers." + +But his labors availed nothing, although Chatham, Pitt, Burke, Fox, +and others, espoused the cause of the Colonies. Affairs hastened to +the crisis of 1775, and Franklin returned to Philadelphia, reaching +that city soon after the battles of Lexington and Concord were fought, +in 1776. + +A few months before he left England for America, his wife died. Her +death occurred on Dec. 17, 1774, though the sad tidings did not reach +Franklin until a short time before he took passage for home. + +It was at this time that his famous letter to his old English friend, +William Strahan, was written, of which we are able to furnish a +_fac-simile_. + +The scenes of the Revolution followed. Through the agency of Franklin, +as Minister Plenipotentiary to France, the French Government formed an +alliance with the Colonies, and the eight years' war was waged to the +surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown; and Freedom was achieved. + +No American exerted greater influence in securing the independence of +the Colonies than Franklin. He was one of the originators of the +Continental Congress, and was the author of the plan for a Union of +the States. On his way to the Albany Conference in 1754 he drew up a +plan of Union, which he presented to said Conference, composed of +delegates from seven Northern Colonies. Other members presented plans, +but his was preferred and adopted, with some amendments, and commended +to the favorable consideration of the King and Parliament of England. +Franklin's plan of Union was substantially that which, subsequently, +united the thirteen States into one nation. + +No name is more conspicuous in history than that of Franklin. At one +time in France, "prints, medallion portraits, and busts of him were +multiplied throughout that country." In England, the most renowned +statesmen and scholars acknowledged his abilities and praised his +remarkable career. In America, his statue was set up in halls of +learning and legislation, literary societies and institutions were +founded in his name, and numerous towns were called after him. Perhaps +the author's native town--Franklin, Mass.--was the first to +appropriate his name. A few years thereafter, a nephew called his +attention to this fact, suggesting that the present of a bell from him +would be very acceptable, as the people were erecting a house of +worship. Franklin was in Passy, France, at the time, and he +immediately addressed the following letter to his old friend, Dr. +Price, asking him to select and forward a library: + + "PASSY, 18 March, 1785. + + "DEAR FRIEND,--My nephew, Mr. Williams, will have the honor of + delivering you this line. It is to request from you a list of a few + books, to the value of about twenty-five pounds, such as are most + proper to inculcate principles of sound religion and just + government. A new town in the State of Massachusetts having done me + the honor of naming itself after me, and proposing to build a + steeple to their meeting-house if I would give them a bell, I have + advised the sparing themselves the expense of a steeple for the + present, and that they would accept of books instead of a bell, + sense being preferable to sound. These are, therefore, intended as + the commencement of a little parochial library for the use of a + society of intelligent, respectable farmers, such as our country + people generally consist of. Besides your own works, I would only + mention, on the recommendation of my sister, Stennett's 'Discourses + on Personal Religion,' which may be one book of the number, if you + know and approve it. + + "With the highest esteem and respect, I am ever, my dear friend, + yours most affectionately, + + "B. FRANKLIN." + +The inhabitants of Franklin got _sense_ instead of _sound_, and were +never sorry. + +Doctor Price, in the course of a letter dated at Newington Green, June +3, 1785, in which he speaks of Mr. Williams' visit, says: "I have, +according to your desire, furnished him with a list of such books on +religion and government as I think some of the best, and added a +present to the parish that is to bear your name, of such of my own +publications as I think may not be unsuitable. Should this be the +commencement of parochial libraries in the States, it will do great +good." + +The books were duly forwarded to the town of Franklin. The Rev. +Nathaniel Emmons, clergyman of the parish for which the library was +designed, preached a sermon in commemoration of this bounty, entitled +"The Dignity of Man: a Discourse Addressed to the Congregation in +Franklin upon the Occasion of their Receiving from Doctor Franklin the +Mark of his Respect in a Rich Donation of Books, Appropriated to the +Use of a Parish Library." This sermon was printed in the year 1787, +with the following dedication: "To his Excellency Benjamin Franklin, +President of the State of Pennsylvania, the Ornament of Genius, the +Patron of Science, and the Boast of Man, this Discourse is Inscribed, +with the Greatest Deference, Humility, and Gratitude, by his Obliged +and Most Humble Servant, the Author." + +The library contained one hundred and sixteen volumes, chiefly +relating to Government, Science, and Religion, of which about ninety +volumes are still in a good state of preservation. + +On the 17th of April, 1790, Franklin expired, mourned by a grateful +nation and honored by the world. For two years he had lived in +anticipation of this event. One day he rose from his bed, saying to +his daughter, "Make up my bed, that I may die in a decent manner." + +"I hope, father, that you will yet recover, and live many years," +replied his daughter. + +"I hope not," was his answer. + +When told to change his position in bed, that he might breathe more +easily, he replied: + +"A dying man can do nothing easy." + +His sufferings were so great as to extort a groan from him at one +time, whereupon he said: + +"I fear that I do not bear pain as I ought. It is designed, no doubt, +to wean me from the world, in which I am no longer competent to act my +part." + +To a clerical friend, who witnessed one of his paroxysms as he was +about to retire, he said: + +"Oh, no; don't go away. These pains will soon be over. They are for my +good; and, besides, what are the pains of a moment in comparison with +the pleasures of eternity?" + +He had a picture of Christ on the cross placed so that he could look +at it as he lay on his bed. "That is the picture of one who came into +the world to teach men to love one another," he remarked. His last +look, as he passed away, was cast upon that painting of Christ. + +In a codicil to his will was this bequest. + +"My fine crab-tree walking-stick, with a gold head, curiously wrought +in the form of a cap of liberty, I give to my friend, and the friend +of mankind, _George Washington_. If it were a sceptre, he has merited +it, and would become it." + +Philanthropist, Scholar, Philosopher, Statesman, were the titles won +by the Boston Printer Boy! + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's From Boyhood to Manhood, by William M. 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