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flfc JtFranklin taking home his paper. 
 
 Reconciliation of Franklin with his Brother 
 
THE 
 
 LIFE 
 
 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 
 
 TALES, SKETCHES, AND ANECDOTES. 
 
 ADAPTED TO THE USE OF SCHOOLS. 
 
 WITH ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 ~- 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 
 THOMAS, COWPERTHWAIT & CO. 
 
 NO. 253 MARKET STREET. 
 
 1838. 
 
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand 
 eight hundred and thirty-two, by SAMUEL G. GOODRICH, in the 
 Clerk s Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 
 
 +fo 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THE following Preface to the Life of Columbus will 
 explain the plan of the series, of which this is the third 
 volume : 
 
 " There is no kind of reading more attractive than biogra 
 phy, and, if properly treated, there is none more instructive. 
 It appears, therefore, to be peculiarly fitted to the purposes 
 of education ; it readily excites the curiosity and awakens 
 the interest of the pupil, and, while it stores his mind with 
 facts, dates and events, displays to his view the workings 
 of the human heart, and makes him better acquainted with 
 himself and mankind. 
 
 " In the selection of subjects for a biographical series of 
 works for youth, the editor has been led, by two consider 
 ations, to prefer those which .belong to our own country. 
 In the first place, it is more particularly necessary that our 
 youth should be made acquainted with the lives of those 
 men who were associated with the history of their native 
 
 land ; and, in the second j^ace, no country tan afford hap- 
 
 * 
 
6 PREFACE. 
 
 pier subjects for biography than this. There are few such 
 lives as those of Columbus, Washington, and Franklin, in 
 the annals of any nation. 
 
 " In the preparation of the work, the author has sought 
 to adapt it to youth, by the use of a simple style, and by 
 the introduction of many illustrative tales, sketches, anec 
 dotes and adventures. Questions for examining the pupils 
 are printed in the pages, which may be used, or not, at the 
 choice of the Teacher." 
 
 The Life of Columbus and the Life of Washington, on a 
 plan similar to this, have been already published ; and other 
 volumes, containing the lives of celebrated Indian Chiefs, 
 celebrated American Statesmen, &c., will appeal here 
 after, if those already in progress should meet with suc 
 cess. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Page 
 
 Birth of Franklin. Early Education. Anecdote. 
 Choice of a Trade. He is placed with a Cutler. His 
 Fondness for Reading. Bound Apprentice to his 
 Brother. Makes a Couple of Ballads. His Friend 
 Collins. Reads the Spectator 11 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Franklin gives up eating Meat. His Economy of 
 Time. Studies Arithmetic. James Franklin estab 
 lishes a Newspaper. Benjamin writes for it. His 
 Brother is imprisoned. Benjamin manages the 
 Paper. Leaves his Brother. Goes to New York 
 Sails thence for Philadelphia. Anecdote of the 
 Dutchman 19 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 His Journey. His Dinner with the old Ginger 
 bread Woman. Arrives in Philadelphia. Anec 
 dote of the Rolls. Attends the Meeting House of 
 the Quakers. Suspected of being a Runaway. 
 Employed by Keimer. Noticed by Governor Keith. 
 Visit to Boston. Return 27 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Finds his Friend Collins in New York. Visit, to the 
 Governor. Promises from Governor Keith. Pro 
 ject of a new rejigious Sect. Anecdote of Keimer 
 and the roast Pig. His principal Acquaintance. 
 A literary Trick. Prepares to go to London. The 
 Governor s Deception. Arrival in London 35 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Troubled by his Friend Ralph. Obtains Employ 
 ment. Ralph turns Schoolmaster, and begins an 
 Epic Poem. Franklin teaches some of his Friends 
 to swim. Anecdote of Mr. Denham. Return to 
 Philadelphia. Story of George Webb. Franklin 
 quarrels with Keimer. Returns to work for him. 
 Employed at Burlington. Leaves Keimer 43 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 The Junto. A new Paper started by Keimer. Frank 
 lin purchases it. Difficulties in their Business. A 
 Dissolution of the Partnership. Franklin assisted 
 by his Friends. David Harry. Match-making. 
 Marriage with Miss Read 50 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Library of the Junto. A public Library estab 
 lished. Franklin studies. His Frugality. Anec 
 dote of the Bowl and Spoon. His Scheme of 
 arriving at Moral Perfection. Table of Precepts. 
 Franklin s Remarks upon it. Poor Richard s Al 
 manac 57 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Management of his Newspaper. Study of the Lan 
 guages. Chess-playing. The Preacher Hemphill. 
 Stealing Sermons, visit to Boston Visits his 
 Brother James at Newport. Usefulness of the 
 Junto. Formation of new Clubs. Franklin chosen 
 Clerk of the General Assembly. Anecdote 65 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Reform of the City Watch. Fire Companies. Rev. 
 Mr. Whitefield. Effects of his Preaching. His Pro 
 ject of building an Orphan House in Georgia. An 
 ecdotes. Franklin s Opinion of him. Franklin s 
 Prosperity. Military Defence of the Province. 
 Formation of Companies 72 
 
CONTENTS, 9 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Anecdote. William Penn. Education of Youth. 
 Subscription for an Academy. Franklin overloaded 
 with public Offices. Member of the Assembly. 
 Treaty with the Indians at Carlisle. Public Hospi 
 tal. Anecdote 82 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Spence s Experiments in Electricity. Franklin re 
 peats them. Makes important Discoveries. Letters 
 to Collinson. Experiment with the Kite. Publica 
 tion of his Letters. Anecdote of the Abbe Nollet. 
 Fame of Franklin. Elected a Member of the Royal 
 Society 90 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Appointed Postmaster-General. Journey to New 
 England. Receives Degrees from two Colleges. 
 Story of the Visit to his Mother 97 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Congress at Albany. Plan for a Union of the Col 
 onies. Arrival of General Braddock. Franklin 
 sent to him by the Assembly. Want of Wagons. 
 Franklin undertakes to procure them. His Adver 
 tisement. Anecdote of Braddock. Battle with the 
 Indians. Retreat 105 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Settlement for the Loss of Wagons. Anecdote. 
 Preparations for Defence. Franklin appointed to a 
 military Command. Assembles the Troops at Beth 
 lehem. Farmers killed by Indians. Building Forts. 
 Extracts from Franklin s Journal. Indian Cunning. 
 Anecdotes of the Moravians 113 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Disputes with the Proprietaries. Franklin sent by the 
 Assembly to London. Appointed general Agent for 
 the Colonies. University Honors. The Armonica. 
 
 Murder of the friendly Indians 124 
 
 A2 
 
10 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Franklin reappointed Agent at the Court of Great 
 Britain. Visits Germany and France. Returns to 
 Philadelphia. Appointed Delegate to Congress. 
 Interview with Lord Howe. Sent as Ambassador 
 to France. Asks to be recalled. Chosen President 
 of the Supreme Council of Philadelphia. Death. 
 Character 
 
 130 
 
 ESSAYS OF DR. FRANKLIN. 
 
 The Whistle 136 
 
 Handsome and Deformed Leg 138 
 
 Advice to a young Tradesman 142 
 
 Necessary Hints to those that would be rich 145 
 
 Paper, a Poem 146 
 
 On the art of Swimming 149 
 
 Preliminary Address to the Pennsylvania Almanac, en 
 titled, " Poor Richard s Almanac, for the year 1758." 153 
 
 Observations on War 167 
 
 The Way to make Money plenty in every Man s 
 
 Pocket 169 
 
 Morals of Chess 171 
 
 Conversation of a Company of Ephemera 177 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Birth of Franklin. Early Education. Anecdote. 
 Choice of a Tirade. He is placed with a Cutler. His 
 Fondness for Reading. Bound Apprentice to his 
 Brother. Makes a couple of Ballads. His Friend 
 Collins. Reads the Spectator. 
 
 1. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Boston, New 
 England, on the seventeenth of January, 1706. He 
 was the youngest son in a family of seventeen chil 
 dren. His elder brothers were, at an early age, put 
 apprentices to different trades ; for their father was 
 a man of honest industry, but with little or no 
 property, and unable to support the expense of 
 keeping them long at school. 
 
 2. Benjamin, however, was intended for the f 
 church, and at eight years of age was put to a gram- * 
 
 1. Where was Franklin born ? When ? 2. For what profession 
 did his parents intend to educate him ? 
 
12 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 mar school. His readiness in learning, and his 
 attention to study, confirmed the first intention of 
 his parents. The plan also met with the approba 
 tion of his uncle Benjamin, who promised to give 
 him some volumes of sermons that he had taken 
 down in short hand, from the lips of the most emi 
 nent preachers of the day. 
 
 3. He continued at the grammar school, however, 
 only about a year, though he had risen to the head 
 of his class, and promised to be a very fine scholar. 
 His father was burthened with a numerous family, 
 and could not carry him through a course of college 
 education. He accordingly changed his first pur 
 pose, and sent Benjamin to a school for writing and 
 arithmetic, kept by Mr. George Brownwell. 
 
 4. This master was quite skilful in his profession, 
 being mild and kind to his scholars, but very suc 
 cessful in teaching them. Benjamin learned to 
 write a good hand in a short time, but he could not 
 manage arithmetic so easily. At ten years of age 
 he was taken from school to help his father in 
 the business of a tallow-chandler ; and was employed 
 in cutting the wick for the candles, going errands, 
 and tending the shop. 
 
 5. Benjamin disliked the trade, and had a strong 
 inclination to go to sea ; but his father opposed his 
 wishes in this respect, and determined to keep him 
 at home. The house in which he lived happened 
 
 3. What induced his father to change his intention? 4. To 
 what trade was Benjamin put, and when ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN 13 
 
 to be near the water, and Benjamin was always 
 playing with boats, and swimming. When sailing 
 with other boys, he was usually the leader, and he 
 confesses that he sometimes led them into diffi 
 culties. 
 
 6. There was a salt marsh which bounded part 
 of the mill-pond, on the edge of which the boys used 
 to stand to fish for minnows. They had trampled 
 it so much, however, as to make it a mere quagmire. 
 Franklin proposed to his friends to build a wharf 
 there, for them to stand upon ; and showed them a 
 large heap of stones, which were intended for a new 
 house near the marsh, and would answer their pur 
 pose exactly. 
 
 7. Accordingly, that evening, when the workmen 
 were gone home, he assembled a number of his 
 playfellows, and they worked diligently, like so 
 many emmets, sometimes two or three to a stone, 
 till they had brought them all to make their little 
 wharf. On the next morning, the workmen were 
 surprised on missing the stones. The authors of 
 the removal were detected, complained of, and pun 
 ished by their parents. Franklin attempted to show 
 the usefulness of their work ; but his father took 
 that occasion to convince him, that that which was 
 not truly honest could not be truly useful. 
 
 8. Benjamin continued employed in the business 
 
 6. Relate the anecdote about Franklin and his companions. 7. 
 What maxim did his father teach him in consequence of this ad 
 venture ? 
 
 2 
 
14 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 of his father about two years, that is, till he was 
 twelve years old. His brother John, who had also 
 been brought up to the trade, had left his father, 
 married, and set up for himself in Rhode Island 
 There was now every appearance that Benjamin 
 Was destined to become a tallow-chandler. As his 
 dislike to the trade continued, his father was afraid 
 that, if he did not put Benjamin to one that was more 
 agreeable, he would run away, and go to sea, as an 
 elder brother of his had done. In consequence of 
 this apprehension, he used to take him to walk, to 
 see joiners, bricklayers, turners and braziers at 
 their work, that he might observe his inclination, 
 and fix it on some trade or profession that would 
 keep him on land. 
 
 9. His father at length determined on the cutler s 
 trade, and placed him for some days on trial with 
 his cousin Samuel, who was bred to that trade in 
 London, and had just established himself in Boston. 
 It was then usual to ask a sum of money for receiv 
 ing an apprentice, and the cutler charged so much 
 for taking Benjamin, that his father was displeased, 
 and put him to his old business again. 
 
 10. From his infancy Benjamin had been pas 
 sionately fond of reading ; and all the money that 
 he could get was laid out in purchasing books. He 
 was very fond of voyages and travels. The dangers 
 
 8. What were his father s fears in relation to his new occupation ? 
 9. On what trade did his father finally determine ? 10. Describe 
 his early fondness for reading, and the books of which Le waa 
 most fond. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 15 
 
 and adventures of sailors in the different parts of the 
 world, and stories of the strange people and customs 
 they met with, he would always read with delight. 
 
 11. The first books that he was able to buy were 
 the works of a famous old English writer, named 
 John Bunyan. These he afterwards sold, in order 
 to purchase some volumes of Historical Collections. 
 His father s library consisted principally of works 
 on divinity, most of which he read at an early age. 
 Beside these, there was a book by De Foe, the au 
 thor of Robinson Crusoe ; and another called An 
 Essay to do Good, by Dr. Mather, an old New 
 England divine. 
 
 12. This fondness for books at length determined 
 his father to bring him up as a printer, though he 
 had already one son in that employment. In 1717, 
 this son returned from England with a press and 
 letters to set up his business in Boston. Benjamin 
 liked this trade much better than that of his father, 
 but still had a desire to go to sea. To prevent this 
 step, his father was impatient to have him bound 
 apprentice to his brother, and at length persuaded 
 him to consent to it. 
 
 13. He was to serve as apprentice till he was 
 twenty-one years of age, and during the last year 
 was to be allowed the wages of a journeyman. In 
 a little time, he made great progress in the business, 
 
 11. What books did he first buy ? 12. What induced his father 
 to bring up Benjamin as a printer ? To whom was he bound ap 
 prentice ? 13. How did he succeed in his new trade 7 
 
16 
 
 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 ,. ,. ,;,,; 
 
 Franklin reading at niyhu 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 17 
 
 and became quite useful. He was now able to ob 
 tain better books. An acquaintance with the ap 
 prentices of the booksellers sometimes enabled him 
 to Borrow a small one, which he was careful to re 
 turn clean and in good season. He often sat up in 
 his chamber the greater part of the night, to read 
 a book that he was obliged to return in the morning. 
 
 14. After some time, an ingenious and sensible 
 merchant, Mr. Matthew Adams, who had a pretty 
 collection of books, took notice of Franklin at the 
 printing office, and invited him to see his library. 
 He very kindly offered to lend him any work that 
 he might like to read. 
 
 15. He now took a strong inclination for poetry, 
 and wrote some little pieces. His brother supposed 
 that he might use this talent to advantage, and en 
 couraged him to cultivate it. About this time, he 
 produced two 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 the 
 taking of the famous Blackbeard, the pirate. 
 
 16. They were written in the doggerel street-bal 
 lad style, and when they were printed, his brother 
 sent Benjamin about the town to sell them. The 
 first sold very rapidly, as the event on which it was 
 founded had recently occurred, and made a great 
 
 What advantages did it afford him for pursuing his studies ? 15. 
 Relate the account of his first attempts in poetry. 16. How did 
 his ballads succeed ? 
 
 2* 
 
19 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 deal of noise. This success flattered his vanity very 
 much, but his father discouraged him by criticising 
 his ballads, and telling him that verse-makers were 
 generally beggars. 
 
 17. This prevented him from giving any further 
 attention to poetry, and led him to devote more time 
 and care to prose compositions. He was at this 
 time intimately acquainted with another lad very 
 fond of books, named John Collins. They some 
 times discussed different questions together, and 
 had become very apt to indulge in arguments and 
 disputes. 
 
 18. A question was once started between them, 
 on the propriety of educating the female sex in 
 learned studies, and their abilities for these studies. 
 As they parted without settling the point, and were 
 not to see one another again for a long time, Frank 
 lin sat down to put his arguments in writing. He 
 then made a fair copy of them, and sent it to Collins. 
 
 19. Three or four letters passed between them 
 on the subject, when the father of Franklin hap 
 pened to find the papers, and read them. Without 
 entering into the subject in dispute, he took occa 
 sion to talk to him about his manner of writing. 
 He marked the defects in his expressions, and in 
 the arrangement of his sentences, but gave him the 
 credit of spelling and pointing with great correct- 
 How did his father discourage his new taste ? 18. What was 
 
 the subject of his discussion with his friend Collins? 19. What 
 praise and advice did his father give him on this occasion ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 19 
 
 ness. This he had learned in the printiwg office, 
 but he had never before been taught any thing 
 about manner and style. 
 
 20. About this time, he met with an odd volume 
 of the Spectator, a very famous work, published by 
 several English wits in the year 1711. He bought 
 it, read it over and over, and was much delighted 
 with it. This book was now his continual study, 
 and he himself tried to write as much as possible in 
 its very pleasant and popular style. The improve 
 ment which he made was encouraging, and led him 
 to hope he might some day become a good English 
 writer; a distinction of which he was very ambi 
 tious. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Franklin gives up eating Meat. His Economy of Time. 
 Studies Arithmetic. James Franklin establishes a 
 Newspaper. Benjamin writes for it. His Brother is 
 imprisoned. Benjamin manages the Paper. Leaves 
 his Brother. Goes to Neiv York. Sails thence for 
 Philadelphia. Anecdote of the Dutchman. 
 
 1. WHEN about sixteen years of age, Franklin 
 happened to meet with a book that recommended 
 a vegetable diet. He determined to adopt it. His 
 
 20. With what book was Franklin at this time so much pleased ? 
 Did he attempt to imitate it ? 
 
 1. What induced Franklin to adopt a vegetable diet? 
 
20 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 brother, being unmarried, did not keep house, but 
 boarded himself and his apprentices in another 
 family. By refusing to eat meat, Franklin occa 
 sioned a good deal of inconvenience ; and he was 
 frequently chid for his singularity. He accordingly 
 learned the manner of boiling potatoes and rice, and 
 of making hasty-pudding, and then proposed to his 
 brother, if he would give him, weekly, half the money 
 he paid for his board, to board himself. His brother 
 instantly agreed to it, and Franklin soon found that 
 he could save half of what he received. 
 
 2. This was a new fund for buying books. But 
 this was not the only advantage. When his brother 
 and the apprentices had gone to their meals, he was 
 left in the printing office alone. He immediately 
 despatched his slight repast, which was often no 
 more than a biscuit, or a slice of bread and a hand 
 ful of raisins, or a tart from the pastry cook s, and 
 a glass of water, and had the rest of the time till 
 their return for study. By being thus economical 
 of his time, he was able to make considerable prog 
 ress in his books. 
 
 3. He now began to feel the want of a knowl 
 edge of figures, and was once very much mortified 
 by his ignorance of them. As he had entirely failed 
 of learning them at school, he took Cocker s Arith 
 metic, and went through the whole of it by himself 
 
 What arrangement did he make with his brother on this ac 
 count ? 2. What advantage resulted from this ? Describe Ben 
 jamin s economy of time. 3. How did he learn arithmetic ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 21 
 
 with the greatest ease. The mortification he had 
 met with induced him to make great exertions ; and 
 we can succeed in any thing to which we give our 
 earnest attention. 
 
 4. While he was intent on improving his lan 
 guage and style, Franklin met with an English 
 grammar, at the end of which were two little 
 sketches on the arts of rhetoric and logic. The 
 latter of these finished with a dispute in the manner 
 of Socrates, a very famous philosopher of Greece. 
 Franklin was charmed with this modest and artful 
 manner, and cured himself of the tricks of contra 
 diction and too much positiveness. These habits 
 are very disagreeable, and no one should allow him 
 self to fall into them. 
 
 5. " In fact, if you wish to instruct others," says 
 Franklin, " a positive and dogmatical manner in 
 advancing your sentiments may occasion opposition, 
 arid prevent a candid attention. If you desire im 
 provement from others, you should not at the same 
 time express yourself fixed in your present opinions. 
 Modest and sensible men, who do not love disputa 
 tion, will leave you undisturbed in the possession of 
 your errors. In adopting such a manner, you can 
 seldom expect to please your hearers, or obtain the 
 concurrence you desire." 
 
 6. In the year 1720, or 21, James Franklin be- 
 
 4. With what treatise was Franklin so much pleased ? Of what 
 disagreeable habits did it cure him ? 5. What advice does he 
 give on the manner of conversation ? 
 
22 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 gan to print a newspaper. It was the second that 
 appeared in America, and was called the New 
 England Courant. The only one before it was the 
 Boston News Letter. Some of his friends endeav 
 ored to dissuade him from the undertaking. They 
 thought it would not succeed, as, in their opinion, 
 one newspaper was sufficient for all America. 
 There are now in the United States alone, over 
 eight hundred newspapers. 
 
 7. The undertaking, however, went on. Benja 
 min assisted in setting the types, helped to print off 
 the sheets, and was then employed in carrying the 
 papers to the subscribers. Several men of informa 
 tion and talents wrote little pieces for the paper, 
 which were amusing, and gained considerable credit. 
 These gentlemen often visited the printing office. 
 
 8. Hearing their conversations, and their accounts 
 of the praise their pieces received from the public, 
 Benjamin was excited to try his fortune among 
 them. He was afraid, however, as he was still a 
 boy, his brother would object to print any thing of 
 his composition in the paper. It was necessary, 
 therefore, to disguise his hand-writing, and to send 
 his piece to the office in such a way that it should 
 not be known from whom it came. 
 
 9. When his friends came in, James showed them 
 the communication from an unknown writer. They 
 
 6. Who printed the second newspaper in New England ? What 
 was it called ? 7. How was Benjamin connected with it ? 8. 
 What first induced him to write for it ? Describe his first attempt. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 23 
 
 read it, praised it, and made several guesses as to 
 the author. In these guesses none were named but 
 men of some character for talents and learning. 
 They never once suspected it was written by the 
 little printer s boy who stood at their elbows, chuck 
 ling in silence over the secret. * 
 
 10. Encouraged by the success of this attempt, 
 he continued to write, and send other pieces in the 
 same way to the press. He kept his secret as long 
 as he saw fit, and then confessed himself the author 
 of the writings they had been so long guessing 
 about. Benjamin now began to be more noticed 
 by his brother s acquaintance, which made him a 
 little vain, and led to some serious difficulties. 
 
 11. His brother, notwithstanding the relationship 
 between them, considered himself as master, and 
 Benjamin as his apprentice, and accordingly ex 
 pected the same services from him that he would 
 from another. In some of these services the young 
 printer felt himself degraded, and thought that he 
 Should receive greater indulgence. His brother was 
 passionate, and frequently beat him ; and, finding the 
 apprenticeship exceedingly tedious, Benjamin was 
 looking forward for an opportunity to shorten it. 
 This at length happened in a very unexpected 
 manner. 
 
 12. One of the pieces in the paper, on some po- 
 
 9. How was his communication received ? 10. What was the 
 consequence of his success? 11. What were the difficulties be 
 tween the brothers 1 
 
24 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 litical subject, gave offence to the Assembly, one 
 of the most important branches of the government 
 of Massachusetts. James Franklin was taken up, 
 censured, and imprisoned for a month, because he 
 would not discover the author. Benjamin was also 
 called up arid examined before the council ; but, con 
 sidering him as an apprentice, who was bound to 
 keep his master s secret, they dismissed him with 
 out punishment. 
 
 13. During his brother s confinement, Benjamin 
 had the management of the paper, and indulged in 
 very smart remarks upon the gpvernment. This 
 pleased his brother, though it made others look upon 
 him in an unfavorable light, as a youth who had a 
 turn for satire and libeling. The discharge of the 
 imprisoned printer was accompanied with an order 
 that " James Franklin should no longer print the 
 newspaper called the New England Courant." 
 
 14. On a consultation held at the printing office, it 
 was proposed to change the name of the paper, and 
 in this manner elude the order of the council. As 
 there were many difficulties in the way of this pro 
 ject, it was determined to let the paper for the future 
 be printed in the name of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 
 
 15. When apprentices are bound outf it is usual 
 to have certain agreements drawn up between them 
 
 12. What happened at this time to James Franklin ? 13. How 
 did Benjamin conduct the paper? What was the -order of the 
 council ? 11. How was it evadt 15. What is the custom in 
 binding out apprentices ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 25 
 
 and their masters, sealed and signed according to 
 certain forms required by law. These papers are 
 called indentures. James was afraid that the cen 
 sure of the Assembly would fall on him, as still 
 printing the paper by his apprentice, and contrived 
 that hj,s old indenture should be returned to Benja 
 min, with a discharge on the back of it. 
 
 16. This was to be shown only in case of neces 
 sity ; and in order to secure his services for the re 
 mainder of the time, it was agreed that Benjamin 
 should sign new indentures. These were to be 
 kept private. This was a very flimsy scheme, but 
 the paper continued to be printed in this manner for . 
 several months. At length fresh difficulties arose, 
 and Benjamin determined to take advantage of his 
 discharge ; thinking that his brother would be afraid 
 to produce the new indentures. It was unfair to 
 take this advantage, but he was urged to it by very 
 unkind and even cruel treatment. 
 
 17. When his brother found out his intentions, he 
 went round to every master printer in town to pre 
 vent his getting employment. In consequence of 
 this, he concluded to remove to New York ; that 
 being the nearest place where there was another 
 printer. His father opposed his removal, and took 
 side with his brother in the dispute. Benjamin sold 
 his books to furnish the means of paying his passage, 
 
 How was Benjamin discharged from his indentures ? 16. What 
 unfair advantage did he take of this discharge ? 17. What course 
 did his broiier pursue on this occasion ? His father ? Berjamin ? 
 
 3 B 
 
26 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 went privately on board of a sloop, had a fair wind, 
 and in three days found himself in New York, three 
 hundred miles from home, at the age of seventeen. 
 There was no one in the place whom he knew ; he 
 was without any recommendations, and had very 
 little money in his pocket. 
 
 18. By this time he had entirely lost all his love 
 for the sea, or he might have been induced to 
 gratify it. Having another profession, and consid 
 ering himself a good workman, he offered his ser 
 vices to a printer of the place, old Mr. W. Bradford. 
 This man had been the first printer in Pennsylvania, 
 and had removed from there in consequence of a 
 quarrel with the governor, General Keith. 
 
 19. He had a sufficient number of workmen, and 
 little to do, and could give Franklin no employment. 
 But he said, " My son, at Philadelphia, has lately 
 lost his principal hand, Aquila Rose, by death, and 
 if you go thither, I believe he may employ you." 
 
 20. Philadelphia was one hundred miles farther, 
 but Franklin concluded to go there. In crossing 
 the bay, a squall struck the little vessel he was in, 
 and tore her rotten sails to pieces. She was driven 
 upon Long Island. 
 
 21. On the way, a drunken Dutchman, who was 
 a passenger in the boat, tumbled overboard. As he 
 was sinking, Franklin reached out and caught him 
 
 18. To whom did he apply for employment? 19. With what 
 success? 20. Where did he determine to go? 21. Whatisth* 
 anecdote of the Dutchman 7 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 27 
 
 by a very bushy head of hair, and drew him up 
 again. This sobered him a little, and he went to 
 sleep, having first taken a book out of his pocket, 
 which he desired Franklin to dry for him. It 
 proved to be a Dutch copy of his old favorite book, 
 Bunyan s Pilgrim s Progress, and he carefully 
 complied with the wish of the sleepy owner. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 His Journey. His Dinner with the old Gingerbread 
 Woman. Arrives in Philadelphia. Anecdote of the 
 Rolls. Attends the Meeting House of the Quakers. 
 Suspected of being a Runaway. Employed by Keimer. 
 Noticed by Governor Keith. Visit to Boston. Return, 
 
 1. ON approaching the island, the crew found 
 themselves in a place where there could be no land 
 ing, as it was a stony beach, and a violent surf was 
 rolling. They cast anchor, and remained in that 
 situation through the night. As the spray dashed 
 over the boat, they were all, in a very short time, 
 as wet as the unfortunate Dutchman. The wind 
 went down on the next morning, and they were 
 able to reach Amboy before night; having been 
 thirty hours on the water, without victuals, or any 
 drink but a bottle of dirty rum. 
 
 2. In the evening, Franklin found himself fever- 
 
 1. What was the situation of the crew on the water ? 
 
28 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 ish, and went to bed. As he drank plentifully of 
 cold water, his fever left him, and in the morning 
 he proceeded on his journey. After crossing the 
 ferry, he travelled on foot, notwithstanding a violent 
 rain, till noon. Being now thoroughly soaked and 
 tired, he stopped at a poor inn, where he spent the 
 ainder of the day, and all night. 
 
 3. He now began to wish that he had never left 
 home. His prospect of procuring employment, even 
 when he should arrive at Philadelphia, was uncer 
 tain. He thought of the distress his sudden disap- 
 pearance must have occasioned to his parents. 
 Besides all this, he made such a sorry figure that 
 he was suspected of being a runaway servant, and 
 in danger of being taken up on that suspicion. 
 
 4. On the next day, however, he continued his 
 journey, and arrived that night at an inn, within 
 eight or ten miles of Burlington. The next morn 
 ing he reached Burlington, where he expected to 
 find boats to sail immediately for Philadelphia. It 
 was Saturday, and he had the mortification to find 
 that the regular boats had just gone, and that no 
 others were expected to sail before Tuesday. 
 
 5. Franklin returned to the shop of an old woman, 
 of whom he had bought some gingerbread to eat on 
 his passage, and asked her where he had better go 
 to find lodgings. She proposed to lodge him in her 
 
 2. How did Franklin pursue his journey ? 3. What were his 
 fears ? 6. Describe the treatment Franklin received from the old 
 woman. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 29 
 
 own house, tin a passage, by some other boat, of 
 fered itself. He accepted the invitation, and dined 
 with the old woman that day on ox-cheek. All that 
 she would take in return was a pot of ale. 
 
 6. Franklin had supposed himself fixed till the 
 next Tuesday, but as he was walking, in the even 
 ing, by the side of the river, a boat passed by, with 
 several people, going to Philadelphia. They took 
 him in, and proceeded on their voyage. The 
 weather was very calm, without a breath of wind 
 stirring. They were obliged to row all the way. 
 Reaching Philadelphia about eight or nine o clock 
 on Sunday morning, they landed at Market street 
 wharf. 
 
 7. Our young traveller had sent his best clothes 
 by another conveyance from New York, and he 
 was in his old working dress. His pockets were 
 stuffed out with shirts and stockings, and he knew 
 not where to look for lodgings. He was tired with 
 walking, rowing, and want of sleep, and was, besides, 
 very hungry. His whole stock of cash was a single 
 silver dollar and about a shilling in copper coin. 
 The copper he gave to the boatmen for his passage. 
 
 8. As he walked along the street, gazing at the 
 new things he saw, and wondering what would be 
 the end of his trouble, he met a boy with some bread. 
 Inquiring where he had bought it, Franklin went 
 immediately to the place where he was directed, 
 
 6. How did he get to Philadelphia ? 7. Describe his appear 
 ance on his first arrival there. 
 
 3* 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN 
 
 Franklin walking in the streets of Philadelphia. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 31 
 
 and asked for three-pence worth of bread. He re 
 ceived three large puffy rolls, and, having no room 
 in his pockets, walked off, with a roll under each 
 arm, and eating the third. 
 
 9. In this manner he walked up Market street, 
 as far as Fourth street, passing by the house of Mr. 
 Read, whose daughter he afterwards married. This 
 young lady was standing at the door as he went by, 
 and probably thought he made rather an awkward 
 appearance. After walking about the streets some 
 time, eating his roll, he found himself again in the 
 neighborhood of the wharf where he had landed. 
 He went on board of the boat, and gave his two 
 remaining rolls to a woman and child that had been 
 his fellow-passengers down the river. 
 
 10. He again walked up the street, which was, 
 by that time, filled with a large number of neat, 
 well-dressed people, who were all walking the same 
 way. He joined them, and was led into the great 
 meeting house of the Quakers, near the market. 
 Sitting down among them, he looked round awhile, 
 and, as nothing was said, fell fast asleep from drow 
 siness. His nap continued till the meeting broke 
 up, when some one was kind enough to awake him. 
 
 11. He then walked down towards the river, and 
 meeting a young Quaker, whose countenance 
 pleased him, he asked where a stranger could get 
 lodgings. They were then near a house with the 
 sign of the Three Mariners. "Here," said the 
 
 10. Relate his adventure in the meeting house. 
 
32 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 Quaker, " is a house where they receive strangers, 
 but it is not a reputable one ; if thou wilt walk with 
 me, I ll show thee a better." He conducted Frank 
 lin to the Crooked Billet, in Water street. 
 
 12. There he dined, and during the dinner sev 
 eral questions were put to him, by persons who sup 
 posed him to be a runarway. On the next morning, 
 he dressed himself as neatly as he could, and went 
 to see Andrew Bradford, the printer. Here he 
 found the old gentleman, whom he had met in New 
 York, and who, travelling on horseback, had got to 
 Philadelphia before him. 
 
 13. Mr. Bradford received him very kindly, but, 
 as he was not at that time in want of a hand, could 
 only recommend him to a printer, who had lately 
 set up in town, tff the name of Ksiioer. This man 
 had then nothing for him to do, but promised him 
 employment soon. Meanwhile, he was invited to 
 
 * lodge with Mr. Bradford, and to assist when there 
 "iras any extra work in the printing office. 
 
 14. Franklin soon found that neither of the print 
 ers knew any thing about their business. Keimer 
 was, before long, able to give him c^nstarjt employ 
 ment. He did not like, however, that any one 
 should live with his rival, Bradford, while he worked 
 for him. Lodgings were, therefore, procured for 
 Franklin, with Mr. Read, whose house he had 
 
 m nassed on his first arrival, while eating his roll. 
 
 w 
 
 11. Where did he first lodge in Philadelphia ? 13. Where did 
 obtain employment ? 
 
 1 
 
..IFE OF FRANKLIN. 33 
 
 15. He had now made some acquaintances about 
 town, and passed his time very pleasantly. By in 
 dustry and frugality he gained money, and gave up 
 all thoughts of returning to Boston. The governor 
 of the province, Sir William Keith, had accidentally 
 become acquainted with him, and was desirous that 
 he should set up in business for himself, in Phila 
 delphia. He promised to procure for him the pub 
 lic printing of the government, and to assist him, as 
 much as possible, by his influence and patronage. 
 
 16. It was concluded that Franklin should return 
 to Boston, with a letter from the governor, to prevail 
 upon his father to assist him in the establishment. 
 Towards the end of April, in 1724, he left Phila 
 delphia for this purpose. 
 
 17. He sailed in a little vessel that was bound for 
 Boston, and, in about a fortnight, was safe in his 
 father s house. His sudden appearance surprised 
 the family very much, but they were all delighted 
 to see him, and treated him with great kindness. 
 
 18. Soon after his arrival, he paid a visit to his 
 brother, at the printing office. He had on a new 
 suit of clothes, wore a watch, and had about five 
 pounds, in silver, in his pockets. Feeling rather 
 elated by the success he had met with, he made 
 quite a display of all his good fortune before his 
 brother s apprentices and journeymen, and ended 
 
 15. How did Franklin succeed, and how did he pass his time ? 
 What was the promise of Sir William Keith ? 16. Why did 
 Franklin go to Boston ? 18. Describe his visit to his brother. 
 
 * B2 
 
34 LIFE OF FRA1NKMN 
 
 by giving them a dollar to drink his health with. 
 This visit offended his brother very much, for he 
 thought it was intended to mortify him. 
 
 19. The letter of the governor was without any 
 effect. His father was very glad that Benjamin had 
 been able to gain the confidence of so eminent a 
 man, but would not consent to his request. He 
 wrote a civil letter, thanking Sir William for his 
 promise of patronage, but saying, that his son was 
 altogether too young to be intrusted with the man 
 agement of so important and expensive an under 
 taking. 
 
 20. Franklin gave so pleasant an account of 
 Philadelphia, that his old friend Collins determined 
 to go on and try his fortune there. Seeing no pros 
 pect of restoring harmony between the two brothers, 
 his father consented that Benjamin should return to 
 Philadelphia. He advised him to steady industry 
 and frugality, and promised to assist in setting him 
 up in business, when he should reach the age of 
 twenty-one. With the approbation and blessing of 
 his parents to follow him, he embarked for New 
 York, on the way to his future home. 
 
 19. How did his father receive the governor s letter ? 20. 
 What were his advice and promise to Benjamin ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 35 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Finds his Friend Collins in New York. Visit to the 
 Governor. Promises from Governor Keith. Project 
 of a neio religious Sect. Anecdote of Keimcr and the 
 roast Pig. His principal Acquaintance. A lite 
 rary Trick. Prepares to go to London. The Gov 
 ernor s Deception. Arrival in London. 
 
 1 . AT New York Franklin found his friend Col 
 lins, who had arrived there some time before him. 
 They had been intimate from childhood, and he 
 had been sober and industrious. But during Frank 
 lin s absence in Philadelphia, Collins had fallen into 
 bad habits, and become a drunkard. He gamed, 
 and lost his money, and borrowed of his friend, to 
 pay his expenses on the road. 
 
 2. The governor of New York, hearing from the 
 captain that one of his passengers had a great many 
 books on board, requested that he might be brought 
 to see him. Franklin, accordingly, waited upon 
 him. He was received with great civility. The 
 governor showed him his library, which was a con 
 siderable one, and they had a good deal of conver 
 sation about books and authors. This attention 
 was very pleasing to Franklin. 
 
 3. When they arrived at Philadelphia, Collins 
 
 1. What happened to his friend Collins ? 2. What attention did 
 Franklin receive from the governor of New York ? 
 
36 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 continued to drink, and was, consequently, unable 
 to procure any business. He continued to borrow 
 money of Franklin, and finally quarrelled with him, 
 and went to the West Indies. Franklin never 
 heard of him afterwards. 
 
 4. Sir William Keith received the young printer, 
 on his return, with a great show of kindness, and 
 large promises. " Since your father will not set 
 you up," he said to him, " I will do it myself. Give 
 me a list of the things necessary to be had from 
 England, and I will send for them. You shall re 
 pay me when you are able. I am resolved to have 
 a good printer here, and I am sure you must suc 
 ceed." This was spoken with an air of perfect 
 sincerity, and Franklin had not the least doubt but 
 that he meant what he said. 
 
 6. He accordingly made a list of all the articles 
 that would be wanted for a printing house, the cos^t 
 of which was about one hundred pounds. Thg 
 governor liked it, and asked whether it would not 
 be well for him to go to England himself, in order 
 to select the types, and see that every thing was of 
 the best kind. "When there," he added, "you 
 may make acquaintance, and establish correspond 
 ence in the bookselling and stationery way." 
 
 6. Franklin thought that it might be advan 
 tageous. " Then," said he, " get yourself ready to 
 go in the Annis," which- was the annual ship, and 
 
 4. What was Sir William Keith s conduct ? 5. What was the 
 proposed visit to England ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 37 
 
 at that time the only one passing between London 
 and Philadelphia. But, as it would be some months 
 before the Annis sailed, Franklin continued to work 
 with Keimer. 
 
 7. They agreed together very well, and lived on 
 quite a familiar footing. Franklin used sometimes " 
 to argue witj^Jjja master, and would most frequently 
 beat him. This gave him so great an idea of 
 Franklin s ability in disputation, that he proposed 
 to him to become his assistant in a new religious 
 sect which he proposed to establish. One was to 
 preach the doctrines, and the other to confound all 
 opponents. 
 
 8. When they came to explain with each other 
 upon their doctrines, Keimer was desirous of intro 
 ducing certain customs, which did not entirely meet 
 the wishes of his colleague. Among other things, 
 he wore his beard at full length; because, some 
 where in the Mosaic law, it is said, " Tho u shalt 
 not mar the comers of thy beard." He likewise 
 kept the seventh day sabbath, instead of the first ; 
 and both of these points he considered essential. 
 
 t). Franklin disliked both, but agreed to them on 
 condition of his adopting the doctrine not to use 
 animal food. Keimer was a great eater, and was 
 not much pleased with the idea of being starved ; 
 but he consented to try the practice a few weeks 
 and see how it agreed with his constitution. 
 
 7. What started the scheme of a new sect ? 8. Why did it 
 fail? 
 
 4 
 
38 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 10. They held to this plan for three months. 
 Their provisions were purchased, cooked, and 
 brought to them regularly by a woman in the neigh 
 borhood, who prepared, at different times, forty 
 dishes, in which there were neither fish, flesh, nor 
 fowl. Franklin went on well enough, but poor 
 Keimer suffered grievously, gre-w tired of the project, 
 and orde?d a roast pig. He invited some friends 
 to dine with him upon the occasion, but the pig 
 being brought too soon upon the table, he could not 
 resist the temptation, but ate the whole before his 
 company came. 
 
 / 11. During this time, Fran Win had contracted 
 * an affection for Miss Read, and believed that she 
 was not altogether indifferent in her feelings towards 
 him. As he was about to take a long voyage, how 
 ever, and as they were both very young, her mother 
 thought it most prudent to defer the matter till his 
 return from England. 
 
 12. His chief acquaintance, at this period, were 
 Charles Osborne, Joseph Watson, and James Ralph, 
 
 vail lovers of reading. In one of their meetings, it 
 was proposed that at a certain time each of them 
 should produce a piece of his own composition, in 
 order to improve, by mutual observations and cor 
 rections. They agreed that this task should be to 
 turn the eighteenth psalm into verse. 
 
 10. Relate the anecdote of Kjeimer and the roast pig. 12. Who 
 were his chief acquaintance at this period ? What was the task 
 proposed among them ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 39 
 
 13. When the time of the meeting drew nign, 
 Ralph called upon Franklin, and told him that his 
 piece was ready. " Now," said he, " Osborne 
 never will allow the least merit in any thing of mine, 
 but makes a thousand criticisms, out of mere envy. 
 I wish, therefore, you would take this piece and 
 produce it as yours: we shall then hear what he 
 will say to it." 
 
 14. It was agreed. At the meeting, Watson s 
 performance was read first ; there were some beau 
 ties in it and many defects. Osborne s piece was 
 then read, and was much better. Ralph had nothing 
 to produce. It was now Franklin s turn. He was 
 backward, wished to be excused, but no excuse 
 would be received. The piece he brought with him 
 was read, and repeated. Osborne was delighted 
 with it, and praised it in the highest terms. 
 
 15. As he was returning home with Ralph, he 
 expressed himself still more strongly. " Who would 
 have imagined," said he, "that Franklin was ca 
 pable of such a performance ! such painting, such 
 force, such fire! He has even improved on the 
 original. In common conversation he seems to 
 have no choice of words ; he hesitates and blunders ; 
 and yet how he writes !" When they next met, the 
 trick was discovered, and Osborne was laughed at 
 for praising Ralph, by mistake. 
 
 16. The governor sent for Franklin frequency to 
 his house, and always spoke of setting him up in 
 
 14. What was the trick played upon Osborne ? 
 
40 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 business, as a settled thing. He was to be furnished 
 with letters to the governor s friends in England, 
 and with an order for the money to purchase a press, 
 types, and paper. For these letters he was to call 
 at a certain time, when they would be ready. They 
 were delayed, however, again and again, till the 
 ehip was on the point of sailing. 
 
 17. When Franklin went to take leave, and re 
 ceive the letters, the secretary came out and said, 
 that the governor was very busy on business of im 
 portance, but that he would send the letters on board, 
 wishing him a good voyage and a speedy return. 
 
 18. Understanding that despatches had been 
 brought on board, from the governor, Franklin asked 
 the captain for the letters that were to be under his 
 care. The captain told him that they had all been 
 put into the bag together, and he could not then 
 come at them ; but that before they landed in Eng 
 land, he should have an opportunity of picking them 
 out. This satisfied him for the present, and he 
 thought nothing more of it during the voyage. 
 
 19. When they arrived in the Channel, the cap 
 tain kept his word, and permitted him to examine 
 the bag, for the governor s letters. He found some 
 upon which his name was put, and picked out six 
 or seven, which he thought might be the promised 
 letters. One of these was addressed to Basket, the 
 king s printer, and another to some stationer. 
 
 17. What was the conduct of the governor? 18. Did Franklin 
 receive the letters promised by the governor 7 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 41 
 
 20. They reached London on the twenty-fourth 
 of December, 1724. Franklin waited upon the sta 
 tioner, who came first in his way, and delivered the 
 letter as from Governor Keith. " I don t know such 
 a person," said he; but opening the letter "O! 
 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." Re 
 turning the letter, he turned upon his heel and went 
 to wait upon some customer. 
 
 21. It turned out that the governor had sent no 
 letters by Franklin, but had completely deceived 
 him. With no intention of giving him any assist 
 ance, he had blinded him with brilliant promises * 
 and false hopes. But Franklin was able to assist\ 
 himself. He determined to procure employment 
 among the printers in London, and acquire a thor 
 ough knowledge of his profession before he returned 
 
 to America. 
 
 20. What was the fate of Franklin s first letter of introduction ? 
 21. What course did Franklin determine to pursue ? 
 4* 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 Franklin delivering his letter to the Stationer in London. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 43 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Troubled by his Friend Ralph. Obtains Employment. 
 Ralph turns Schoolmaster, and begins an Epic Poem. 
 Franklin teaches some of his Friends to swim. Anec 
 dote of Mr. Denham. Return to Philadelphia. Story 
 of George Webb. Franklin quarrels with Keimer. 
 Returns to work for him. Employed at Burlington. 
 Leaves Keimer. 
 
 1. His friend Ralph had accompanied Franklin to 
 London, and they were now inseparable companions. 
 They took lodgings together, at three shillings and 
 sixpence a week. Ralph appears to have been a 
 conceited and helpless character, and made several 
 attempts to get in the way of procuring a livelihood. 
 But all his plans were unsuccessful. 
 
 2. Franklin immediately procured employment 
 at an extensive printing house, where he remained 
 nearly a year. He was diligent in work, but his 
 shiftless companion consumed a good share of his 
 earnings. His engagements with Miss Read he 
 was thoughtless and heartless enough to forget, and 
 never wrote to her but once during his absence. 
 This conduct he afterwards considered among the 
 greatest faults of his life. 
 
 3. Ralph finally determined to leave London, and 
 
 2. Where did Franklin procure employment ? 3. What waa 
 th course of his friend Ralph t 
 
44 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 take a school in the country. As he was very vain, 
 and confident of rising to literary eminence, he was 
 rather ashamed of what he was silly enough to con 
 sider a mean occupation. He accordingly changed 
 his name, and took that of his companion ; desiring 
 him to address his letters to " Mr. Franklin, school 
 master." 
 
 4. Ralph continued to write, and, from time to 
 time, troubled his friend with long extracts from an 
 epic poem, which he was then composing, request 
 ing his remarks and corrections. Franklin en 
 deavored to discourage him from this undertaking, 
 but in vain. Sheet after sheet continued to come 
 by every post. Some difficulties at length broke out 
 between the two friends, and Franklin was fortu 
 nately relieved of a burdensome dependent. 
 
 5. He now began to think of laying up a little 
 money; and, in expectation of better employment, 
 entered a still larger printing house, near Lincoln s 
 Inn Fields. His new employer was named Watts. 
 At this place he became acquainted with a man by 
 the name of Wygate, who had been well educated, 
 read French and Latin, and loved reading. 
 
 6. This man and $. friend of his were desirous of 
 learning to swim. (Franklin had been an expert 
 swimmer from his childhood, and was very fond of 
 displaying his feats of activity in the water) He 
 taught them to swim, after twice going Into the 
 river, and they soon became quite skilful. Wygate 
 
 5. What new friend did Franklin makel 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 45 
 
 soon became attached to Franklin, and, at length, 
 proposed that they should travel all over Europe 
 together, supporting themselves on the way by work 
 ing at their trade. Franklin was inclined to this 
 plan, but was dissuaded from it by his friend, Mr. 
 Denham, who advised him to think of returning to 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 7. Mr. Denham was an excellent man, and very 
 kindly disposed towards Franklin. He had formerly 
 been in business in Bristol, a city of England, but 
 failing, and making a settlement with his creditors, 
 he went to America. He had obtained a discharge 
 from all his debts, by giving up all his property. 
 By great industry and economy, he was able to ac 
 quire a large fortune, in a few years. 
 
 8. He had returned to England, in the same ship 
 with Franklin, and immediately visited his old place 
 of business. While here, he invited all his old 
 creditors to an entertainment. He then thanked 
 them for the easy settlement they had favored him 
 with ; and, when they expected nothing but the din 
 ner, every man found, under his plate, an order on 
 the banker, for the full amount of the unpaid re 
 mainder, with interest. 
 
 9. Mr. Denham was now about to return to Phil 
 adelphia, and proposed to take Franklin over as his 
 clerkc He promised him, as soon as he became 
 
 6. Whai proposition did he make to Franklin ? Why was not 
 the plan carried into execution ? 7. Who was Mr. Denham ? 
 8 Oescnoe his honorable conduct towards his old creditors. 9. 
 \Vhai iwoposal did he make to Franklin ? 
 
46 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 acquainted with mercantile business, to promote 
 him, and finally establish him in some profitable 
 situation. The plan pleased Franklin, for he had 
 become heartily tired of London, and was anxious 
 to return home. A satisfactory arrangement was 
 made, and Franklin took leave of printing, as he 
 thought, forever. 
 
 10. He had thus spent about eighteen months in 
 London, and, during this time, had increased his 
 knowledge, though he had not improved his fortune. 
 They sailed from Gravesend, near the mouth of the 
 river Thames, on the 23d of July, and arrived in 
 Philadelphia early in October. Franklin here found 
 several alterations. Keith was no longer governor, 
 and his place had been supplied by Major Gordon. 
 Miss Read, despairing of his return, had been per 
 suaded by her friends to marry a man by the name 
 of Rogers, a worthless fellow, who left her, and ran 
 away to the West Indies.^/ 
 
 -"11. Mr. Denham took a store, and Franklin at 
 tended diligently to the business. Affairs were go 
 ing on prosperously, when they were both taken vi 
 olently ill, in the beginning of the year 1727. Mr. 
 Denham died, after a long sickness, and Franklin 
 was again thrown upon the world. He tried for 
 some time to obtain a situation as a merchant s clerk, 
 but, failing in this attempt, he again made an en 
 gagement with his old master, Keimer. 
 
 10. How long was Franklin in London ? What changes had 
 taken place during his absence ? 11. How was Franklin again 
 thrown upon the world ? What employment did he obtain 7 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 47 
 
 12. Keimer was anxious to obtain Franklin s 
 services, as most of his hands were ignorant and 
 needed his instruction. Among these workmen 
 was George Webb, who had been an Oxford scholar, 
 and whose story was an uncommon instance of op 
 portunities neglected and thrown away. 
 
 13. He was about eighteen years of age. His 
 birthplace was Gloucester, in England, where he 
 was educated at a grammar school, and had been 
 distinguished when they exhibited plays. From 
 here, he was sent to Oxford, where he continued 
 about a year, but not contentedly ; wishing, of all 
 things, to see London, and become a player. 
 
 14. At length, receiving his quarterly allowance 
 of fifteen guineas, instead of discharging his debts, 
 he went out of town, hid his gown in a bush, and 
 walked to London. When here, having no friend 
 to advise him, he fell into bad company, soon spent 
 his guineas, found no means of being introduced 
 among the players, grew poor, pawned his clothes, 
 and wanted bread. 
 
 15. Walking about the streets, very hungry, and 
 not knowing what to do, a bill was put into his hands, 
 offering immediate entertainment and encourage 
 ment to such as would bind themselves to serve in 
 America. He went directly to sign the indentures, 
 was put into the ship, and sailed without writing a 
 line to his friends, to tell them what had become of 
 him. As a companion, he was lively, witty, and 
 
 12. Who was George Webb ? 13, 14, 15. What was his story ? 
 
48 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 good-natured ; but idle, thoughtless, and imprudent 
 to the last degree. 
 
 16. After continuing a while with Keimer, Frank 
 lin found that his services became every day of less 
 importance. At length a trifle snapped their con 
 nection. A great noise happening near the printing 
 office, Franklin put his head out of the window to 
 see what was the matter. Keimer, being in the 
 street, looked up, and called out to him, in a loud 
 and angry tone, to mind his business. A number 
 of neighbors, who were standing by, saw the inso 
 lent manner in which he was treated, and it vexed 
 him exceedingly. An open quarrel ensued, and 
 Franklin left the printing house. 
 
 17. Keimer was very desirous of persuading him 
 to return ; and, as it was for the interest of both that 
 harmony should be restored, the quarrel was soon 
 forgotten. A job was now obtained in New Jersey, 
 to print some paper money. Franklin contrived a 
 copperplate press for the purpose, the first that had 
 been seen in the country ; he also cut several orna 
 ments and checks for the bills. 
 
 18. To execute this job, Franklin and his em 
 ployer went to Burlington. They performed it to 
 the satisfaction of the government, and received a 
 large compensation. During his short residence 
 here, Franklin made many acquaintance and 
 
 16. How did Franklin quarrel with Keimer? 17. Who con 
 trived the first copperplate press ever seen in this country ? 18. 
 For what purpose did Franklin visit Burlington ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 49 
 
 friends. One of them was Isaac Decon, the sur 
 veyor-general, a shrewd, sagacious old man, who 
 began, when young, by wheeling clay for the brick- 
 makers. He learned to write after he was twenty- 
 one years of age, afterwards learned surveying, and 
 had now acquired, by his industry, a considerable 
 property. 
 
 19. What had chiefly induced Franklin to return 
 to Keimer, after his quarrel, was the persuasion of 
 a fellow-workman, by the name of Meredith. The 
 father of this young man had promised to advance 
 money to establish him in business, in the ensuing 
 spring, and he was desirous to set Franklin s skill 
 against his own capital, and form a copartnership. 
 The proposal was a fair one, and acceptable upon 
 both sides. 
 
 20. A short time after their return from Burling 
 ton, the types that Meredith had ordered arrived 
 from London. They settled with Keimer, and left 
 him, by his consent, before he knew any thing about 
 their project. 
 
 19. What induced Franklin to return to Keimer, after the sep 
 aration 1 What was the proposal of Meredith 7 20. When did 
 they leave Keimer 1 
 
 5 C 
 
50 LIFE OF FRANKLIN 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Junto. A new Paper started by Keimer. Frank 
 lin purchases it. Difficulties in their Business. A 
 Dissolution of the Partnership. Franklin assisted by 
 his Friends. David Harry. Match-making. Mar 
 riage ivith Miss Read. 
 
 1. IN the autumn of the preceding year, Franklin 
 had formed, among his acquaintance, a small club for 
 mutual improvement, which they termed the Junto. 
 They met on Friday evenings. The rules required 
 that each member, in his turn, should produce one 
 or more questions on any point of politics, morals or 
 natural philosophy, to be discussed by the company, 
 and once in three months produce and read an 
 essay of his own writing on any subject he pleased. 
 
 2. This club answered many good purposes for a 
 great length of time. It introduced better habits 
 of conversation, and drew attention to the most in 
 teresting subjects of general inquiry. The mem 
 bers of the club now assisted in bringing business 
 to the young printers. Their industry was un 
 wearied, and soon began to be noticed by their 
 neighbors. This gave them character and credit. 
 
 3. George Webb now came to offer them his 
 services, as a journeyman. They were not then 
 
 1. What was the Junto T What did the rules of this club re 
 quire f 2. What pood purposes did it answer ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 51 
 
 able to give film employment, but Franklin let him 
 know, as a secret, that he soon intended to begin a 
 newspaper, and would then probably have work for 
 him. He told him his plan and expectations. His 
 hopes of success were founded on this ; that the only 
 newspaper at that time printed there, by Bradford, 
 was a miserable affair, badly managed, not enter 
 taining, and yet profitable. 
 
 4. Franklin requested Webb not to mention the 
 project ; but he told it to Keimer, who immediately 
 issued proposals for publishing one himself. This 
 vexed Franklin, and, as he was at that time unable 
 to commence his paper, he wrote several amusing 
 pieces for Bradford, under the title of the BUSY 
 BODY, which were continued by one of his friends 
 for several months. By this means the attention of 
 the public was fixed on that paper, and Keimer s 
 proposals were neglected. He began his paper, 
 however, and carried it on about nine months, with 
 only ninety subscribers. At this time, he offered it, 
 at a very low price, to Franklin, who purchased it, 
 and in a few years made it very profitable. 
 
 5. The partnership still continued, though the 
 whole management of the business was confided to 
 Franklin. Meredith knew very little about setting 
 types, or working at the press, and was seldom 
 sober. The connection between them was to be 
 
 3. What project did Franklin communicate to George Webb ? 
 4 What was the consequence of this communication ? What 
 course did Franklin pursue ? 
 
52 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 regretted, on many accounts, but Meredith had es 
 tablished the business, and it was now necessary to 
 make the best of it. 
 
 6. Their first papers made a better appearance 
 than any that had been before printed in the prov 
 ince. The number of subscribers continually in 
 creased, and the leading men found it convenient 
 to oblige and encourage the printers. Bradford 
 still printed the votes, and laws, and public docu 
 ments; but this business soon fell into the hands of 
 Franklin. 
 
 7. A difficulty now occurred, which had been 
 little expected. Mr. Meredith s father, who was to 
 have paid for the printing house, was able to advance 
 only one hundred pounds ; and one hundred more 
 were due to the merchant, who became impatient, 
 and sued them all. They gave bail, but unless the 
 money could have been raised in season, they must 
 have sold their press and types, for payment. 
 
 8. In this distress, two friends came forward to 
 Franklin, and offered to advance the money, if he 
 would discontinue the partnership with Meredith. 
 Each made the proposition separately, and without 
 the knowledge of the other. These friends were 
 William Coleman and Robert Grace. Franklin 
 told them that he considered himself under obliga 
 tions tathe Merediths, and if they should be able to 
 
 6. How did the paper succeed under Franklin s management ? 
 7. What difficulty arose at this time ? 8. Who offered Franklin 
 their assistance f 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 53 
 
 fulfil their part of the agreement, he could not think 
 of proposing a separation. If they should finally 
 fail in their performance, and the partnership should 
 be dissolved, he would then think himself at liberty 
 to accept the assistance of his friends. 
 
 9. Meredith finally proposed a dissolution of the 
 partnership. Franklin consented, and the whole 
 business was left in his hands. He then recurred 
 to his friends, and took half of what he wanted from 
 one, and half from the other. The separation was 
 then publicly advertised, the old debts were paid 
 off, and the business went on in the name of Frank 
 lin. This was in or about the year 1729. 
 
 10. He now obtained several jobs from the gov 
 ernment, and was employed in printing the paper 
 money. A stationer s shop was soon added to his 
 establishment, and he began to pay off gradually 
 the debt he was under for the printing house. In 
 order to secure his character and credit as a trades 
 man, he was not only industrious and frugal in re 
 ality, but avoided any appearance to the contrary. 
 He dressed plainly, and was seen at no places of 
 amusement. To show that he was not above his 
 business, he himself sometimes brought home, on a 
 wheel-barrow, the paper he purchased at the stores 
 
 11. Being thus considered an industrious and 
 thriving young man, the merchants who imported 
 
 9. What did Meredith propose ? How was Franklin relieved ? 
 10. Describe the increase of his business, and his character and 
 conduct as a tradesman. 
 
 5* 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 Franklin taking home his paper. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 55 
 
 stationery were desirous of his custom. Others 
 proposed supplying him with books, and he went on 
 prosperously. In the mean time, Keimer s business 
 and credit declined daily, and he was at last obliged 
 to sell his printing house, to satisfy his creditors. 
 He went to Barbadoes, and there lived, some years, 
 in great poverty. 
 
 12. An apprentice of Keimer s, David Harry, 
 bought his materials, and set up, in his place, in 
 Philadelphia. His friends were rich, and possessed 
 considerable influence, and Franklin was afraid 
 that he would find Harry a powerful rival. He, 
 therefore, proposed a partnership, which was fortu 
 nately rejected. Harry was proud, dressed and 
 lived expensively, neglected his business, and ran 
 in debt. Losing credit, and finding nothing to do, 
 he followed Keimer to Barbadoes, taking his print 
 ing materials with him. Here he employed his old 
 master as a journeyman, and was at last obliged to 
 sell his types and return to work in Philadelphia. 
 
 13. There now remained no other printer in the 
 place but Bradford. He, however, was rich and 
 easy, and was not anxious about doing much busi 
 ness. His situation as post-master, at that time, was 
 supposed to give him some advantages in obtaining 
 news, and distributing the papers ; and he was, on 
 that account, able to procure a great many more 
 
 11. What became of Keimer ? 12. Who was David Harry ? 
 What became of him ? 13. Who was now the only rival of 
 Franklin ? 
 
56 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 advertisements than Franklin. This was of great 
 service to Bradford, and prevented his rival from 
 gaming upon him so rapidly as he otherwise would 
 have done. 
 
 14. Franklin had hitherto boarded with Mr. God 
 frey, a glazier, who was very much distinguished 
 for his knowledge of mathematics. The wife of 
 Mr. Godfrey was desirous of making a match for the 
 young printer, and fixed upon the daughter of a 
 neighbor, as a suitable person. She contrived, in 
 several ways, to bring them together, and at length 
 Franklin made proposals of marriage. 
 
 15. Franklin appears to have been equally pru 
 dent and cautious in this affair, as in every thing 
 else. He gave Mrs. Godfrey to understand, and 
 carry to the parents, that he expected one hundred 
 pounds with their daughter. She brought him word 
 that they had no such sum to spare. Franklin sent 
 back, in reply, that they might mortgage their 
 house. 
 
 16. The answer to this, after a few days, was, 
 that they did not approve the match ; that, on inquiry 
 of Mr. Bradford, they had been informed the print 
 ing business was not a profitable one ; that Keimer 
 and Harry had failed, and that he would probably 
 soon follow them. The daughter was, accordingly, 
 shut up, and Franklin was forbidden the house. 
 
 17. He suspected that this was merely a trick of 
 
 14. Describe Mrs. Godfrey s desire of match-making. 15. Did 
 Franklin show his usual prudence ? 16. What was the result t 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 57 
 
 the parents, to induce him to run away with the 
 young lady, and leave them at liberty to make what 
 terms they pleased. He immediately broke off the 
 connection. The Godfreys were angry, quarrelled 
 with him, and he left the house. 
 
 18. He had always continued on friendly terms 
 with the family of the young lady to whom he had 
 been engaged before his visit to London. Her un 
 fortunate marriage made her very dejected and mis 
 erable. Franklin saw her, and could not help at 
 tributing her unhappiness, in a great measure, to 
 his own misconduct. 
 
 19. Their mutual affection was revived, but there 
 were now great objections to the union. Her for 
 mer husband had not been heard of, and was sup 
 posed to be dead. All difficulties were finally sur 
 mounted, and he JJi^rjy^ Miss Read on the first of 
 September, 1730 J 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Library of the Junto. A public Library established. 
 Franklin studies. His Frugality. Anecdote of the 
 Bowl and Spoon. His Scheme of arriving at Moral 
 Perfection. Table of Precepts. Franklin s Remarks 
 upon it. Poor Richard s Almanac. 
 
 1. AT the time Franklin first established himself 
 in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller s 
 19. Whom did Franklin marry ? When ? 
 
 C2 
 
58 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 shop any where to the south of Boston. In New 
 York and Philadelphia, the printers were stationers, 
 but they kept only paper, almanacs, ballads, and a 
 few common school books. Those who loved read 
 ing were obliged to send for their books from Eng 
 land. 
 
 2. The members of the Junto had, each of them, 
 a few volumes. They had hired a room, in which 
 to hold their meetings, and Franklin proposed that 
 they should all bring their books to that room. In 
 this manner they would not only be ready for them 
 to consult and refer to, but would become a common 
 benefit, by allowing each one to borrow such as he 
 wished to read at home. 
 
 3. This was accordingly done, and for a while 
 answered their purpose very well. Finding the ad 
 vantage and convenience^fthis little collection, 
 
 ^^^^^**^^ 
 
 Franklin proposed to rentier the benefit more gen 
 eral, by commencing a public subscription library. 
 He drew a sketch of the plan and rules that would 
 be necessary, and had them put into the form of 
 articles to be subscribed. By these articles, each 
 subscriber agreed to pay a certain sum for the first 
 purchase of the books, and a yearly contribution for 
 increasing them. 
 
 4. The number of readers, at that time, in Phila 
 delphia, was so small, that it was with great diffi- 
 
 2. What plan did Franklin propose for the formation of a 
 library ? 3. How did it succeed ? How did Franklin propose to 
 extend its advantages ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 59 
 
 culty Franklin was able to procure fifty subscribers, 
 willing to pay forty shillings to begin with, and ten 
 shillings a year for a contribution. With this num 
 ber the library was commenced. The books were 
 imported, and lent out to subscribers. Great ad 
 vantages were derived from the institution, and it 
 was soon imitated in other places. 
 
 5. In this library, Franklin found means of con 
 tinual improvement. He set apart an hour or two 
 in each day for study, and in this way, in some de 
 gree, made up for the loss of a learned education. 
 Reading was his only amusement. His attention 
 to business was as strict as it was necessary. He 
 was in debt for his printing house, and had an in 
 creasing family ; with two rivals in his business, 
 who had been established before him. Notwith 
 standing all this, however, he grew more easy in his 
 circumstances evety day^ 
 
 6. His early habits of frugality continued. He 
 often thought of the proverb of Solomon, which his 
 father had impressed on him while a boy " Seest 
 thou a man diligent in his calling ? he shall stand 
 before kings, he shall not stand before mean men." 
 Industry appeared a means of obtaining wealth and 
 distinction, and the thought encouraged him to new 
 exertions. We shall see, by and by, that little as 
 
 4. How many subscribers were obtained ? 5. Did Franklin 
 Btill pursue his studies, and how ? Did his early habits continue 1 
 What was the proverb so often repeated by his father ? 
 
60 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 his father expected it, the son really came to stand, 
 with honor, in the presence of monarchs. 
 
 7. His wife was, fortunately, as well inclined to 
 industry and frugality as he was himself. She as 
 sisted him in his business, folding and stitching 
 pamphlets, tending shop, and purchasing old linen 
 rags for the paper-makers. They kept no idle ser 
 vants, their table was simply furnished, and their 
 furniture was plain and cheap. 
 
 8. " My breakfast," says Franklin, " was for a 
 long time bread and milk (no tea), and I ate it out 
 of a twopenny earthen porringer, with a pewter 
 spoon : but mark how luxury will enter families, 
 and make a progress in spite of principle ; being 
 called one morning to breakfast, I found it in a 
 china bowl, with a spoon of silver. They had been 
 bought for me, without my knowledge, by my wife, 
 and had cost her the enormous sum of three and 
 twenty shillings ; for which she had no other ex 
 cuse or apology to make, but that she thought her 
 husband deserved a silver spoon and china bowl as 
 well as any of his neighbors. This was the first 
 appearance of plate and china in our house, which 
 afterwards, in a course of years, as our wealth in 
 creased, augmented gradually to several hundred 
 pounds in value." 
 
 9. It was about this time that Franklin formed 
 
 7. What was the conduct of his wife ? 8. Describe Franklin s 
 breakfast, and give his humorous account of the first appearance 
 of luxury in his house. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 61 
 
 the bold and difficult project of arriving at moral 
 perfection. As he knew, or thought he knew, what 
 was right and wrong, he did not see why he might 
 not always do the one and avoid the other. For 
 this purpose, he made a table of the different virtues, 
 with certain rules and precepts annexed to them. 
 Some of these were as follows : 
 
 1. Temperance. Eat not to dulness : drink ijptLto elr 
 Y ovation. 
 
 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 o^ 
 
 perform, without faiL what you^reso.lve. 
 
 I Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to 
 
 1 owners or yourself; that is ? waste^nothipg-. 
 
 6. Industry. ^pse, no time: be alwaysemployed in 
 
 somethmaij^ejpl :^u^.o^all unnecessary^ac- 
 
 7. Sincerity. f se noffiurtful deceit : think innocently 
 l^ and justly : and if you speak, speak accordingly. 
 
 8. Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omit- 
 ^ ting the benefits that are your duty. 
 
 9. Moderation tAvoid extremes ; forbear resenting 
 */ injuries so much as youthink they deserve. 
 
 10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, 
 ^ clothes, or habitation. 
 
 11. Tranquillity. Be not disturbed at trifles, nor at 
 
 accidents common or unavoidable. 
 
 9. What was Franklin s favorite project at this time ? Repeal 
 the table of virtues, and the precepts annexed to them. 
 
 6 
 
62 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 10. To acquire a habit of practising these virtues, 
 he determined to give a week s strict attention to 
 each of them in succession. Thus, in the first 
 week, he took care to avoid even the slightest of 
 fence against temperance, and strictly marked every 
 fault in a little book he kept for that purpose. This 
 book he continued to keep for a great number of 
 years ; till, in the pressure of public business, he 
 was obliged to give it up entirely. 
 
 11. ** It is well," he wrote in his old age, "my 
 posterity should be informed that to this little artifice 
 their ancestor owed the constant felicity of his life, 
 down to his seventy-ninth year, in which this is 
 wi^ten. What reverses may attend the remainder 
 is m the hand of Providence ; but if they arrive, ttye 
 reflection on past happiness enjoyed ought to help* 
 his bearing them with more resignation." 
 
 12. "To TemperancAhe ascribes his long con 
 tinued health, and what is still left to him of a good 
 constitution. To Industry and Frugality, the early 
 easiness of his- circumstances, and acquisition of , 
 his fortune, with all that knowledge that enabled 
 him to be an useful citizen, and obtained for him 
 some degree of reputation among the learned. To 
 Sincerity and Justice, the confidence of his country, 
 and the honorable employs it conferred upon him : 
 
 10. How did he attempt to acquire a habit of these virtues ? 
 12. To what does Franklin ascribe his long continued health? 
 the ease of his circumstances ? the confidence and honor he 
 received from his country ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 63 
 
 and to the joint influence of the whole mass of the 
 virtues, even in the imperfect state he was able to 
 acquire them, all that evenness of temper and that 
 cheerfulness in conversation, which makes his com 
 pany still sought for, and agreeable even to his young 
 acquaintance : I hope, therefore, that some of my 
 descendants may follow the example, and reap the 
 benefit." 
 
 13. In 1732, Franklin first published his alma 
 nac, under the name of Richard Saunders. It was 
 continued by him about twenty-five years, and was 
 commonly called Poor Richard s Almanac. He en 
 deavored to make it both entertaining and useful, and 
 it accordingly came to be in great demand, ^p it 
 was generally read, and as the poor people bought 
 hardly any other books, Franklin thought it would 
 be a good means to circulate instruction among 
 them. He, therefore, filled all the odd spaces with 
 proverbs and wise sayings. 
 
 14. These proverbs contained the experience and 
 wisdom of many nations and ages. In 1757, 
 Franklin collected them into a discourse prefixed 
 to the almanac for that year. In this discourse, he 
 represented an old man talking to a number of peo 
 ple who were attending a sale at auction. The 
 hour for the sale not having come, the company 
 were conversing on the badness of the times. 
 
 13. When did he first publish his almanac? How long was it 
 continued ? How did he endeavor to make it useful ? 14. What 
 was prefixed to the almanac for 1757 ? 
 
64 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 15. One of them called out to a plain, clean old 
 man, with white locks, " Pray, father Abraham, 
 what think ye of the times? Won t these heavy 
 taxes quite ruin the country ? How shall we be 
 ever able to pay them ? What would you advise us 
 to do?" Father Abraham stood up, and replied, 
 " If you d have my advice, I ll give it to you in 
 short ; * for a word to the wise is enough ; and many 
 words won t fill a bushel, as Poor Richard says." 
 
 16. The old man then went on to advise them to 
 be industrious and economical ; and, in the course 
 of his advice, repeated all of the wise sayings of 
 Poor Richard. In this manner they were all col- 
 lec^d into a single paper, called The Way to 
 Wealth. This piece was very much approved, 
 copied into all the American newspapers, reprinted 
 in Great Britain, and translated into the French 
 language. Large numbers of it were, in this man 
 ner, distributed, and undoubtedly did a good deal 
 of service. 
 
 16. How was The Way to Wealth approved t 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 65 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Management of his Newspaper. Study of the Lan 
 guages. Chess-playing. The Preacher HemphUl. 
 Stealing Sermons. Visit to Boston. Visits his 
 Brother James at Newport. Usefulness of the Junto. 
 Formation of new Clubs. Franklin chosen Clerk of 
 the General Assembly. Anecdote. 
 
 1. BESIDES his almanac, Franklin considered his 
 newspaper as a very valuable means of circulating 
 instruction and good advice among the people. For 
 this purpose he frequently reprinted in it extracts 
 from the Spectator, a work written a good many 
 years ago, by several distinguished English authors. 
 It is a collection of pieces on moral and popular 
 subjects, in a very pleasant style, and first published 
 in single numbers of a few pages each. 
 
 2. In conducting his paper, Franklin was very 
 careful to avoid all abuse of particular persons. 
 Whenever he was requested to publish any thing of 
 the kind, his answer was, that he would print th 
 piece by itself, and give the author as many copie j 
 for his own use as he desired. He very wisely con 
 sidered that his subscribers expected him to furnisL 
 them with useful and entertaining pieces, and not 
 
 1. How did he make his newspaper serviceable in circulating 
 instruction ? 2. What was he very careful to avoid ? 
 
 6* 
 
66 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 with abuse and violent discussions about things with 
 which they had nothing to do. 
 
 3. In 1733, Franklin sent one of his apprentices 
 to Charleston, South Carolina, where a printer was 
 wanted. He furnished him with a press and types, 
 and was to receive one third of the profits of the 
 business. After the death of this man, who was 
 very irregular in settling his affairs with Franklin, 
 the business was continued by his widow. This 
 woman had been born and educated in Holland, 
 where females were taught a knowledge of accounts. 
 She managed the establishment with a great deal 
 of prudence and success, and was in time able to 
 purchase the printing office, and establish her son 
 in it. 
 
 4. In 1733, Franklin began the study of foreign 
 languages. He soon obtained such a knowledge of 
 the French, as to read books in that language with 
 perfect ease. After this he undertook the Italian. 
 An acquaintance, who was also learning it, often 
 tempted him to play chess. Finding this took up 
 too much time, Franklin refused to play any more, 
 except upon one condition. This was, that which 
 ever of them should beat, should have a right to im 
 pose a task upon the other ; either of part of the 
 grammar to be got by heart, or in translations. 
 
 3. Describe the conduct of the woman whose husband Franklin 
 had established in business. 4. When did Franklin begin the 
 tudy of foreign languages? What languages did he study? 
 Relate the anecdote about chess-playing. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 37 
 
 5. These tasks they were bound in honor to per 
 form before the next meeting. The two friends 
 played with about equal skill and success, and in 
 this way soon beat each other into a pretty good 
 knowledge of the Italian. Franklin next under 
 took Spanish, and learned enough to read books in 
 that language with considerable ease. 
 
 6. About the year 1734, a young preacher arrived 
 in Philadelphia, by the name of Hemphill. He had 
 a good voice, and delivered very excellent sermons. 
 Large numbers were attracted by his eloquence, of 
 different doctrines and belief. Among the rest, 
 Franklin became a very constant hearer. He was 
 pleased with his sermons, because they impressed 
 the love and the practice of virtue and goodness, 
 without quarrelling about hard questions of doctrinal 
 religion. 
 
 7. Some of the congregation, however, disap 
 proved of his preaching, and united with the old 
 ministers to attempt to put him down. Franklin 
 took sides with him very warmly, and did all he 
 could to raise a party in his favor. He wrote two 
 or three pamphlets in his defence. 
 
 8. During this contest the unlucky preacher hurt 
 his own cause by a very unpardonable meanness. 
 One of his enemies heard him preach a very elo 
 quent sermon, and thought he had somewhere heard 
 or read parts of it before. On looking into the mat- 
 
 6. Who was Hemphill ? 7. What did Franklin write in hi* 
 behalf? 8. How did the prachr ruin hit own cauit? 
 
68 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 ter, he found the preacher had stolen several pas 
 sages from a discourse delivered by a celebrated 
 English divine. This discovery induced many of 
 his friends to desert him, and he was obliged to go 
 in search of a congregation less inquisitive. 
 
 9. After ten years absence from Boston, Frank 
 lin determined to make a journey there to visit his 
 relations. He was now doing very good business, 
 and was in quite easy circumstances. He had seen 
 a good many changes in his fortunes, since he first 
 ran away from his native place ; and his industry 
 and good sense were to bring about still greater 
 changes. 
 
 10. In returning to Philadelphia, he stopped at 
 Newport, to see his brother James, who was, at that 
 time, settled there with his printing office. Their 
 former differences were at once forgotten, and the 
 meeting was very cordial and affectionate. James 
 was at that time in very ill health, and in expecta 
 tion of a speedy death. He, accordingly, requested 
 Benjamin, when that event should happen, to take 
 home his son, then but ten years of age, and bring 
 him up to the printing business. 
 
 11. This he accordingly performed, sending him 
 a few years to school before he took him into the 
 office. When James died, his widow carried on 
 
 9. How long had Franklin been absent from Boston when he 
 determined to revisit it ? 10. How was the interview between the 
 brothers at Newport ? What request did James make respecting 
 hit son ? 11. How did Franklin comply with this request? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 Reconciliation of Franklin with his Brother. 
 
70 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 the business till her son was grown up. At that 
 time, Benjamin assisted them with an assortment of 
 new types, and they were, in this manner, enabled 
 to continue the establishment. 
 
 12. The club which Franklin had founded 
 proved to be so useful, and afforded so much satis 
 faction to the members, that they proposed to intro 
 duce their friends, and increase their number. 
 They had, from the beginning, determined to keep 
 the Junto a secret, and the secret was kept better 
 than such things usually are. Franklin was of 
 opinion that twelve members formed a club suffi 
 ciently large, and that it would be inconvenient to 
 increase it. 
 
 13. Instead of adding to their number, he pro 
 posed that every member, separately, should en 
 deavor to form another club, with the same rules 
 and on the same plan, without informing them of 
 the existence of the Junto. The project was ap 
 proved, and every member undertook to form his 
 club ; but they did not all succeed. Five or six 
 only were completed, which were called by different 
 names, as the Vine, the Union, the Band. These 
 clubs were useful, and afforded their members a 
 good deal of amusement and information. 
 
 14. In 1736, Franklin was chosen clerk of the 
 General Assembly. The choice was made that 
 
 12. How did the Junto flourish ? 13. What new clubs were 
 formed ? How ? 14. To what office was Frzmkliii elected in 
 17S6? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 71 
 
 year without any opposition, but, on the next, a new 
 member of that body made a long speech against 
 him. This, however, did not prevent his second 
 election. The place was one of some credit, and, 
 by giving Franklin an opportunity to make friends 
 among the members, enabled him to secure the 
 business of printing the public laws, votes, and pa 
 per money. 
 
 15. The new member, who had opposed Frank 
 lin, was a man of education and talents, and it was 
 desirable to gain his good opinion. Franklin was 
 too proud to pay any servile respect to him, but was 
 too prudent not to wish for his favor. After seme 
 time, with his usual shrewdness and knowledge of 
 human nature, he hit upon the following expedient. 
 
 16. Having heard that this gentleman had in his 
 library a very scarce and curious book, he wrote a 
 note, requesting that he would do him the favor of 
 lending it for a few days. The book was imme 
 diately sent, and in about a week was returned by 
 the borrower, with a short note, expressive of his 
 sincere thanks for the favor. 
 
 17. The next time they met in the house, the 
 gentleman spoke to Franklin with a great deal of 
 civility. He ever after manifested a readiness to 
 serve him, and they became great friends. " This 
 is another instance," observes Franklin, " of the 
 truth of an old maxim I had learned, which says 
 
 16. How did Franklin conciliate a member who was opposed to 
 him ? 
 
72 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 He that has done you a kindness will be more 
 ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself 
 have obliged. And it shows how much more profit 
 able it is prudently to remove than to resent, return, 
 and continue inimical proceedings." 
 
 18. In 1737, Colonel Spotswood, at that time 
 postmaster-general, being dissatisfied with his dep 
 uty at Philadelphia, took away his commission, and 
 offered it to Franklin. He accepted it with readi 
 ness, and found it of great advantage. Though the 
 salary was small, the office gave him the means of 
 increasing the subscribers to his paper, and in this 
 way increased his advertisements. His paper now 
 began to afford him a very considerable income. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Reform of the City Watch. Fire Companies. Rev. Mr. 
 Whitefidd. Effects of his Preaching. His Project of 
 building an Orphan House in Georgia. Anecdotes. 
 Franklin s Opinion of him. Franklin s Prosperity. 
 Military Defence of the Province. Formation of 
 Companies. 
 
 1. FRANKLIN now began to turn his attention to 
 public affairs. One of his first efforts in this way 
 was to reform the city watch. This was managed 
 
 17. What is the old maxim quoted by Franklin ? 18. To what 
 office was Franklin appointed in 1737 ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 73 
 
 in the different wards by the constables, who as 
 sembled a certain number of housekeepers to attend 
 them for the night. Those who did not choose to 
 attend paid six shillings a year to be excused. This 
 made the constableship an office of profit : for, in 
 stead of spending the money thus received in hiring 
 other watchmen, it was spent in liquors, by which 
 the constables were able to get a parcel of raga 
 muffins about them, instead of decent and orderly 
 men. 
 
 2. These fellows seldom went the rounds of the 
 watch, but spent most of the night in tippling. In 
 the course of a few years, by the exertions of Frank 
 lin and his friends, an entire alteration was produced 
 in the laws upon this subject. About the same 
 time that he began to converse at the Junto on the 
 abuses of the watch, he wrote a paper on the differ 
 ent accidents by which houses were set on fire, and 
 means proposed of avoiding them. 
 
 3. This gave rise to a project, which soon follow 
 ed, of forming a company to assist, with readiness, 
 at fires. Thirty persons were immediately found, 
 willing to join in the scheme. Their articles of 
 agreement obliged every member to keep, always in 
 order and fit for use, a certain number of leathern 
 buckets, with strong bags and baskets for packing 
 
 1. What reform did Franklin introduce, when he first turned his 
 attention to public affairs ? 2. On what subject did he write a 
 paper for the Junto ! 3. To what project did this give ris T 
 How did it succeed ? 
 
 7 D 
 
74 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 and carrying goods, which were to be brought at 
 every fire. They also held a monthly meeting, to 
 converse upon the subject of fires, and communicate 
 such ideas as might be useful in their conduct on 
 such occasions. 
 
 4. This company proved so useful, that another 
 was soon formed ; and thus went on, one new com 
 pany after another, till they included most of the 
 inhabitants who were men of property. The club 
 first formed was called the UNION FIRE COMPANY, 
 and, we believe, still exists. These institutions have 
 been exceedingly useful in extinguishing fires and 
 preserving property. 
 
 5. In 1739, the Reverend Mr. Whitefield arrived 
 in Philadelphia, from Ireland. This man had made 
 himself very remarkable as a preacher, going about 
 the country and discoursing, sometimes in churches, 
 sometimes in the fields, to crowds of people, with 
 great effect. He was, at first, permitted to preach 
 in some of the churches in Philadelphia, but the 
 clergy soon took a dislike to him, and refused him 
 their pulpits. This obliged him again to discourse 
 in the streets and open fields. 
 
 6. Large multitudes collected to hear his sermons. 
 " It was wonderful," says Franklin, " to see the 
 change soon made in the manners of our inhabitants. 
 From being thoughtless or indifferent about religion, 
 
 4. Was it useful ? What was it called ? 5. What is stated of 
 the Reverend Mr. Whitefield ? 6. What does Franklin say of 
 the change in the manners of the inhabitants T 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 7/> 
 
 it seemed as if all the world were growing religious, 
 so that one could not walk through the town in an 
 evening, without hearing psalms sung in different 
 families of every street. And it being found incon 
 venient to assemble in the open air, subject to its 
 inclemencies, the building of a house to meet in 
 was no sooner proposed, and persons appointed to 
 receive contributions, but sufficient sums were soon 
 received to procure the ground and erect the build 
 ing, which was one hundred feet long and seventy 
 broad ; and the work was carried on with such 
 spirit, as to be finished in a much shorter time than 
 could be expected." 
 
 7. On leaving Philadelphia, Mr. Whitefield went 
 preaching all the way through the colonies to 
 Georgia. The settlement of that province had then 
 been recently commenced, and was made with peo 
 ple entirely unfit for such a service. They were 
 unable to endure hardships, and perished in great 
 numbers, leaving many helpless children, with noth 
 ing to feed or shelter them. 
 
 8. " The sight of their miserable situation," says 
 Franklin, " inspired the benevolent heart of Mr. 
 Whitefield with the idea of building an orphan house 
 there, in which they might be supported and edu 
 cated. Returning northward, he preached up this 
 charity, and made large collections; for his elo 
 quence had a wonderful power over the hearts and 
 
 7. Where did Mr. Whitefield go on leaving Philadelphia ? 8. 
 What charitable design did he form at this period ? 
 
76 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 purses ot his hearers, of which I myself was an 
 instance. 
 
 9. " I did not disapprove of the design, but as 
 Georgia was then destitute of materials and work 
 men, and it was proposed to send them from Phila 
 delphia, at a great expense, I thought it would have 
 been better to have built the house at Philadelphia, 
 and brought the children to it. This I advised, but 
 he was resolute in his first project, rejected my 
 counsel, and I, therefore, refused to contribute. 
 
 10. " I happened, soon after, to attend one of his 
 sermons, in the course of which, I perceived he in 
 tended to finish with a collection, and I silently 
 resolved he should get nothing from me. I had in 
 my pocket a handful of copper money, three or four 
 silver dollars, and five pistoles in gold ; as he pro 
 ceeded, I began to soften, and concluded to give 
 the copper. Another stroke of his oratory made me 
 ashamed of that, and determined me to give the 
 silver ; and he finished so admirably, that I emptied 
 my pocket wholly into the collector s dish, gold and 
 all! 
 
 11. "At this sermon there was also one of our 
 club, who, being of my sentiments respecting the 
 building in Georgia, and suspecting a collection 
 might be intended, had,- by precaution, emptied his 
 pockets before he came from home ; towards the 
 
 9. What was Franklin s opinion upon the subject ? 10. What 
 anecdote does Franklin relate of the collection? 11. What an 
 ecdote of a member of the club ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 77 
 
 conclusion of the discourse, however, he felt a strong 
 inclination to give, and applied to a neighbor who 
 stood near him, to lend him some money for the 
 purpose. The request was fortunately made to per 
 haps the only man in the company who had the 
 firmness not to be affected by the preacher. His 
 answer was, At any other time, friend Hopkinson, 
 I would lend to thee freely ; but not now, for thee 
 seems to me to be out of thy right senses. 
 
 12. " Some of Mr. Whitefield s enemies affected 
 to suppose that he would apply these collections to 
 his own private emolument ; but I, who was inti 
 mately acquainted with him (being employed in 
 printing his sermons, journals, &,c.), never had the 
 least suspicion of his integrity, but am to this day 
 decidedly of opinion, that he was, in all his conduct, 
 a perfectly honest man ; and methinks my testimony 
 in his favor ought to have the more weight, as we 
 had no religious connection. Ours was a mere 
 civil friendship, sincere on both sides, and lasted to 
 his death. 
 
 13. " The last time I saw Mr. Whiten 1 eld was in 
 London, when he consulted me about his orphan 
 house concern, and his purpose of appropriating it 
 to the establishment of a college. 
 
 14. "He had a loud and clear voice, and articu 
 lated his words so perfectly that he might be heard 
 
 12. What does Franklin say of Mr. Whitefit d s character ? 13. 
 Where did Franklin see him for the last time 14. What does he 
 say of his eloquence ? 
 7* 
 
78 LIFE OF.FKANKLltf. 
 
 and understood at a great distance ; especially as 
 his auditories observed the most perfect silence. 
 He preached one evening from the top of the court 
 house steps, which are in the middle of Market 
 street, and on the west side of Second street, which 
 crosses it at right angles. Both streets were filled 
 with hearers to a considerable distance ; being 
 among the hindmost in Market street, I had the 
 curiosity to learn how far he could be heard, by re 
 tiring backwards down the street towards the river, 
 and I found his voice distinct till I came near Front 
 street, when some noise in that street obscured it. 
 I computed that he might well be heard by more 
 than thirty thousand. This reconciled me to the 
 newspaper accounts of his having preached to 
 25,000 people in the fields, and to the history of 
 generals haranguing whole armies, of which I had 
 sometimes doubted." 
 
 15. Franklin s business was now constantly in 
 creasing, and his newspaper had become very profit 
 able. He began to feel the truth of the old proverb, 
 " that after getting the first hundred pounds, it is 
 more easy to get the second." Those of his work 
 men who behaved well, he established in printing 
 houses in different colonies, on easy terms. Most 
 of them did well, and were able to repay him what 
 he had advanced, and go on working for themselves. 
 
 16. At this period, there were no preparations 
 
 By how many did he compute that he might be heard at a time ? 
 15. How were Franklin s affairs succeeding at this time ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 79 
 
 for military defence in Pennsylvania. The inhab 
 itants were mostly Quakers, and had neglected to 
 take any suitable measures against the enemies to 
 whom they might be exposed. There was also no 
 college in the state, nor any proper provision for the 
 complete education of youth. Franklin accord 
 ingly turned his attention to these very important 
 subjects. 
 
 17. Spain had been several years at war with 
 Great Britain, and had now been recently joined by 
 France. From the French possessions in Canada, 
 Pennsylvania was exposed to continual danger. 
 The governor of the province had been some time 
 trying to prevail upon the Quaker assembly to pass 
 a militia law, and take other necessary steps for 
 their security. He tried, however, in vain. 
 
 18. Franklin thought something might be done 
 by a subscription among the people. To promote 
 this plan, he wrote and published a pamphlet called 
 PLAIN TRUTH. In this he stated their exposed and 
 helpless situation, and represented the necessity of 
 union for their defence. The pamphlet had a sud 
 den and surprising effect. A meeting of the citizens 
 was appointed, and attended by a considerable 
 number. Proposals of the intended union had been 
 
 16. To what very important subjects did Franklin now turn his 
 attention ? 17. How was Pennsylvania exposed to danger ? 
 What obstacle was there to the passage of a militia law ? 18. 
 What did Franklin write on the subject ? What did he propose 
 for their defence ? 
 
80 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 printed, and distributed about the room, to be signed 
 by those who approved them. When the company 
 separated, the papers were collected and found to 
 contain above twelve hundred signatures. 
 
 19. Other copies were scattered about the country, 
 and the subscribers at length amounted to upwards 
 of ten thousand. All these furnished themselves, 
 as soon as they could, with arms, formed themselves 
 into companies and regiments, chose their own offi 
 cers, and met every week to be instructed in mili 
 tary exercises. The women made subscriptions 
 among themselves, and provided silk colors, which 
 they presented to the companies, painted with dif 
 ferent ornaments and mottoes, supplied by Franklin. 
 
 20. The officers of the companies that formed 
 the Philadelphia regiment chose Franklin for their 
 colonel. Not considering himself fit for the office, 
 he declined ; and recommended that Mr. Lawrence, 
 a man of influence and of a fine person, should be 
 chosen in his place. This gentleman was accord 
 ingly elected. 
 
 21. Franklin now proposed a lottery, to pay the 
 expense? of building a battery below the town, and 
 of furnishing it with cannon. The lottery was 
 rapidly filled, and the battery soon erected. They 
 brought some old cannon from Boston, and these 
 
 19. How many subscribers were obtained to these proposals 1 
 What measures did they take 1 20. To what office was Frank 
 lin now chosen, and why did he decline 1 21. By what means was 
 the batterv erected and furnished 1 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 81 
 
 not proving sufficient, they sent to London for more. 
 The associates kept a nightly guard at the battery, 
 and Franklin regularly took his turn of duty, as a 
 common soldier. 
 
 22. His activity in these measures was agreeable 
 to the governor and council, and secured their fa 
 vor. They took him into their confidence, and 
 consulted him on all operations in respect to the 
 military. Franklin took the opportunity to propose 
 a public fast, to promote reformation, and implore 
 the blessing of Heaven on their undertaking. They 
 embraced the motion, but as this was the first fast 
 ever thought of in the province, there was no form 
 for the proclamation. Franklin drew it up in the 
 style of the New England proclamation; it was 
 translated into German, printed in both languages, 
 and circulated through the province. This gave 
 the clergy of the different sects an opportunity of 
 influencing their hearers to join the association ; 
 and it would, probably, have been general among 
 all but the Quakers, if it had not been for the news 
 of peace. 
 
 22. What did Franklin propose ? How was the proclamation 
 for fast drawn up and circulated ? What news was brought at 
 this time ? 
 
 D2 
 
82 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Anecdote. William Penn. Education of Youth. Sub 
 scription for an Academy. Franklin overloaded ivith 
 public Offices. Member of the Assembly. Treaty unth 
 the Indians at Carlisle. Public Hospital. Anecdote. 
 
 1. IT was thought by some of the friends of 
 Franklin, that he would offend the peace-loving sect 
 of Quakers, by his activity in these warlike prepara 
 tions. A young man, who had some friends in the 
 assembly, and wished to succeed him as their clerk, 
 told him, in a quiet way, that it was intended to dis 
 place him at the next election, and that, as a friend, 
 he should advise him to resign. 
 
 2. The answer which Franklin made to this 
 obliging young man was in the following words : 
 " I have heard or read of some public man, who 
 made it a rule never to ask for an office, and never 
 to refuse one when offered to him. I approve of 
 this rule, and shall practise it with a small addition ; 
 I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever RESIGN an 
 office. If they will have my office of clerk to dis 
 pose of it to another, they shall take it from me. I 
 will not give it up." At the next election, Frank 
 lin was unanimously elected clerk. 
 
 1. What advice did Franklin receive at this time ? 2. What 
 answer did he return ? W T hat was the result of the election ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 83 
 
 8. Notwithstanding the general sentiments of the 
 Quakers, Franklin thought the military defence of 
 the country not disagreeable to any of them. One 
 of their number, the learned and honorable Mr. 
 Logan, wrote an address to them, declaring his ap 
 probation of defensive war, and supporting his opin 
 ion by very strong arguments. This gentleman 
 related an anecdote of his old master, William Penn, 
 in respect to the subject of defence, which is quite 
 amusing. 
 
 4. "He came over from England, when a young 
 man, as secretary to this distinguished Quaker. It 
 was war time, and their ship was chased by an 
 armed vessel, supposed to be an enemy. Their 
 captain prepared for defence, but told William Penn 
 and his company of Quakers, that he did not ex 
 pect their assistance, and they might retire into the 
 cabin. They all retired except James Logan, who 
 chose to stay upon deck, and was quartered to a 
 gun. 
 
 5. "The supposed enemy proved a friend, so 
 there was no fighting. When the secretary went to 
 carry the information to his friends in the cabin, 
 William Penn spoke to him in severe language for 
 staying upon deck, and undertaking to assist in the 
 defence of the vessel, contrary to the principles of 
 the Friends. This reproof, being before all the 
 
 3. What did Franklin consider the opinion of Quakers on the 
 subject of defence ? 4. What anecdote is related of William 
 Penn? 
 
84 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 company, vexed the secretary, who replied * I 
 being thy servant, why did thee not order me to 
 come down ; but thee was willing enough that I 
 should stay and help to fight the ship, when thee 
 thought there was danger. " 
 
 6. Peace being concluded, and the business of 
 defence at an end, Franklin next turned his thoughts 
 to the affair of establishing an academy. The first 
 step he took was to associate in the design a num 
 ber of his active friends ; the next was to write and 
 publish a pamphlet, entitled " Proposals relating to 
 the Education of Youth in Philadelphia." This he 
 distributed among the principal inhabitants, and in 
 a short time opened a subscription, for supporting an 
 academy. The subscribers were desirous of carry 
 ing the plan into immediate execution. The con 
 stitutions for the government of the academy were 
 soon drawn up and signed, a house was hired, mas 
 ters engaged, and the school opened. This was in 
 the year 1749. 
 
 7. The scholars increased rapidly, the house was 
 soon found too small, when accident threw in their 
 way a large house, ready built, which, with a few 
 alterations, would exactly answer their purpose. 
 This was the building erected by the hearers of Mr. 
 Whitefield. Some difficulty had been found by the 
 trustees in paying the expenses of this church, and 
 
 6. To wnat did Franklin turn his attention on the declaration of 
 peace ? In what year was the academy founded ? 7. What 
 building was taken for the school house ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 85 
 
 they were prevailed upon to give it up for the acad 
 emy. It was soon made fit for that purpose, and 
 the scholars were removed into the building. The 
 whole care and trouble of superintending this work 
 fell upon Franklin, who found sufficient leisure to 
 attend to it, from having taken a very able and in 
 dustrious partner in his printing business. 
 
 8. Franklin now thought that he should find 
 leisure, during the rest of his life, to pursue his 
 philosophical studies and amusements. He pur 
 chased all the instruments and apparatus of Dr. 
 Spence, who had come from England to lecture on 
 philosophy in Philadelphia. His intention was to 
 proceed with diligence in his experiments in elec 
 tricity. But the public now considered him a man 
 of leisure, and laid hold of him for their purposes. 
 
 9. He seems to have been quite overloaded with 
 offices. The governor made him a justice of the 
 peace. The city corporation chose him a member 
 of the common council, and shortly after alderman. 
 The citizens elected him to represent them in the 
 assembly, of which he had so long been clerk. All 
 these offices were signs of the esteem and respect 
 in which he was held among his fellow citizens. 
 
 10. Franklin tried the office of justice of the 
 peace a little while, by attending a few courts, and 
 sitting on the bench to hear causes. Finding, how- 
 
 8. To what pursuits did he now intend to devote himself? 
 What did the public consider him ? 9. What offices did he re 
 ceive at this time ? 
 
 8 
 
86 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 ever, that it required more knowledge of the law 
 than he possessed, he gradually withdrew from it ; 
 excusing himself by being obliged to attend his du 
 ties as member of the assembly. To this office he 
 was chosen for ten years in succession, without ever 
 asking any elector for his vote, or signifying, di- 
 ectly or indirectly, any desire of the honor. On 
 taking his seat in the house, his son was appointed 
 their clerk. 
 
 11. During the next year, a treaty was to be held 
 with the Indians at Carlisle. The governor sent a 
 message to the house, requesting that they should 
 nominate some of their members, to be joined with 
 some members of council, for that purpose. The 
 house named the speaker, Mr. Norris, and Dr. 
 Franklin; and being commissioned, they went to 
 Carlisle to treat with the Indians. 
 
 12. As the Indians were very apt to drink to 
 excess, and when drunk were very quarrelsome and 
 disorderly, the commissioners strictly forbade the 
 sale of any liquor to them. When they complained 
 of this, they were told that, on condition of their 
 remaining perfectly sober during the treaty, they 
 should have plenty of rum when the business was 
 over. They accordingly promised this, and kept 
 their promise for the very best reason in the world 
 because they were unable to break it. The treaty 
 
 10. Why did he retire from the office of justice of the peace ? 
 11. Who were appointed to treat with the Indians ? 12. What 
 is related of the Indians ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 87 
 
 was conducted with perfect order, and concluded 
 to the satisfaction of both parties. 
 
 13. They then claimed and received the rum. 
 This was in the afternoon. The Indians were about 
 one hundred in number, men, women and children, 
 and were lodged in cabins, built in the form of a 
 square, just without the town. In the evening there 
 was a great noise among them, and the commission 
 ers walked out to see what was the matter. They 
 found a great bonfire built in the middle of the 
 square, and the men and women, in a state of in 
 toxication, fighting and quarrelling around it. The 
 tumult could not be stilled, and the commissioners 
 retired to their lodgings. 
 
 14. At midnight, a number of the Indians came 
 thundering at their door, demanding more rum ; but 
 the commissioners took no notice of them. The 
 next day they were sensible of their misbehavior, and 
 sent three of their old counsellors to make an 
 excuse. The orator acknowledged the fault, but 
 laid it upon the rum ; and then endeavored to ex 
 cuse the rum, by saying " The Great Spirit, who 
 made all things, made every thing for some use, and 
 whatever use he designed any thing for, that use it 
 should always be put to : now, when he made rum, 
 he said, Let this be for the Indians to get drunk 
 with, and it must be so." It is a sad truth that 
 
 How was the treaty concluded ? 13. What happened in the 
 evening ? 14. What course did they pursue the next day 1 How 
 <lid the commissioners excuse themselves ? 
 
88 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 among all savage nations, the introduction of spir 
 ituous liquor has been the most severe curse that 
 ever fell upon them. 
 
 15. In 1751, Dr. Thomas Bond formed a plan to 
 establish an hospital in Philadelphia, for the recep 
 tion and cure of poor sick persons, whether inhab 
 itants of the province or strangers. He was very 
 active in endeavoring to procure subscriptions for it, 
 but the proposal being new in America, and at first 
 not well understood, he met with but little success. 
 At length he came to Franklin with the compliment 
 that there was no such a thing as carrying a public- 
 spirited thing through, without his being concerned 
 in it. " For," said he, " I am often asked by those 
 to whom I propose subscribing, Have you consulted 
 Franklin on this business 1 And what does he think 
 of it ? And when I tell them I have not, they do 
 not subscribe, but say, they will consider it" 
 
 16. Franklin inquired into the nature and prob 
 able usefulness of the scheme, and being satisfied in 
 respect to it, not only subscribed himself, but was 
 active in procuring subscriptions from others. Some 
 aid was obtained from the assembly of the province. 
 A convenient and handsome building was soon 
 erected, the institution was found useful, and flour 
 ishes to the present day. 
 
 17. It was about this time that another projector, 
 
 15. Who proposed the plan for the Philadelphia hospital ? 
 What compliment did he pay to Franklin ? 16. Did Franklin 
 approve of the scheme and assist in it ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 89 
 
 the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, came to Franklin with a 
 request that he would assist him in procuring sub 
 scriptions to erect a new meeting-house. It was to 
 be devoted to the use of a congregation he had gath 
 ered among the original disciples of Mr. Whitefield. 
 Franklin was too wise to make himself disagreeable 
 to his fellow citizens, by such frequent calls upon 
 their generosity, and absolutely refused. The gen 
 tleman then desired he would furnish him with a 
 list of the names of persons he knew by experience 
 to be generous and public-spirited. This, also, was 
 refused ; for it was hard that their kind compliance 
 with a request of charity should mark them out to 
 be worried by all who chose to call upon them. 
 
 18. Franklin was then asked to give his advice. 
 " That I will do," he replied ; " and in the first 
 place, I advise you to apply to all those who you 
 know will give something ; next, to those of whom 
 you are uncertain whether they will give any thing 
 or not, and show them the list of those who have 
 given ; and lastly, do not neglect those who you are 
 sure will give nothing ; for in some of them you may 
 be mistaken." The clergyman laughed, and prom 
 ised to take his advice. He did so, for he asked of 
 every body, and soon obtained money enough to 
 erect a spacious and elegant meeting-house. 
 
 19. Franklin now exerted himself in several mat 
 ters that, however small they may seem, affected the 
 
 17. What did Mr. Gilbert Tennent request of Franklin ? How 
 was his request treated ? 18. What advice did Franklin give ? 
 8* 
 
90 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 convenience and comfort of his fellow citizens in a 
 great degree. This was in respect to cleaning, 
 paving, and lighting the streets. By talking, and 
 writing in the papers, he was able to introduce great 
 changes in these matters, which were very impor 
 tant to the cleanliness and good appearance of the 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Spence s Experiments in Electricity. Franklin repeats 
 them. Makes important Discoveries. Letters to Col- 
 linson. Experiment with the Kite. Publication of 
 his Letters. Anecdote of the Mbe JYollct. Fame of 
 Franklin. Elected a Member of the Royal Society. 
 
 1. IT was in the year 1746, that Franklin first 
 attended to the branch of philosophy in which he 
 afterwards became so distinguished. During that 
 year he was in Boston, and there met with a Dr. 
 Spence, who showed him some experiments in elec 
 tricity. It was a subject altogether new to him, 
 and, though the experiments were not very well per 
 formed, they surprised and pleased him. 
 
 2. If you take a stick of sealing-wax, or a glass 
 tube, or a piece of amber which has been a long 
 
 19. To what smaller matters of public interest did Franklin now 
 attend ? 
 
 1. When did Franklin first attend to electricity ? 2. Relate the 
 substance of the second paragraph. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 91 
 
 time untouched, and bring it near some small pieces 
 of paper, chaff, or other light substance, it produces 
 no impression upon them. But if you first rub 
 lightly and briskly the wax, the tube, or the amber, 
 with a piece of dry woollen cloth, or cat skin, and 
 then bring it near any of these light substances, you 
 will find that they fly to it, and remain upon it. 
 The power which attracts these substances, and 
 which is excited by the rubbing, is called electricity. 
 
 3. It is so called from a Greek word which sig 
 nifies amber, the substance in which this power was 
 first observed.. Amber is a brittle mineral sub 
 stance, of a yellow, and sometimes a reddish brown 
 color. It is found in several countries in Europe, 
 and has recently been found in the United States, 
 at Cape Sable, in Maryland. This is the substance 
 with which the first electrical experiment was per 
 formed, ages ago, by a Greek philosopher of the 
 name of Thales. 
 
 4. Several centuries passed without any thing 
 being known upon this subject, beyond the fact that 
 these substances possessed this power. At length 
 it began to attract the attention of modern philoso 
 phers. In 1742, several ingenious Germans en 
 gaged in the subject, and the results of their re 
 searches astonished all Europe. They obtained 
 large apparatus, by means of which they were en- 
 
 3. From what is the word electricity derived ? What is amber ? 
 Where is it found ? 4. When was the subject first examined by 
 modern philosophers ? 
 
92 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 abled to collect large quantities of the electric fluid, 
 and produce several wonders which had been before 
 unobserved. 
 
 5. These experiments excited the curiosity of 
 other philosophers. Mr. Peter Collinson, fellow of 
 the Royal Society of London, about the year 1745, 
 sent to the library company of Philadelphia a glass 
 tube, with some account of its use in making such 
 experiments. Franklin eagerly seized the oppor 
 tunity of repeating those which he had seen at Bos 
 ton, and, by much practice, acquired great readiness 
 in performing those of which they had an account 
 from England. 
 
 6. He was soon enabled to make a number of 
 important discoveries, and his house was, for some 
 time, continually full of people who came to see the 
 new wonders. His observations upon the subject 
 were, from time to time, communicated to his friend 
 Collinson, in a series of letters, the first of which 
 is dated March 28, 1747. These were read before 
 the Royal Society, where they were not at first 
 thought worthy of much attention. 
 
 7. In the year 1749, Franklin first suggested the 
 idea of explaining the sameness of electricity with 
 lightning. A paper upon this subject, which he 
 wrote for Mr. Kinnersly, was read before the mem 
 bers of the Royal Society, and excited a hearty 
 
 5. What did Mr. Collinson send to Philadelphia ? 7. When 
 did Franklin first suggest that electricity and lightning were the 
 game 7 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 93 
 
 laugh. But it was the lot of this neglected theory 
 to be generally adopted by philosophers, and to bid 
 fair to endure for ages. 
 
 8. It was in the same year, that Franklin started 
 the plan of proving the truth of his doctrine, by 
 actually drawing down the lightning, by means of 
 sharp-pointed iron rods raised high into the clouds. 
 It was not until the summer of 1752, that he was 
 enabled to complete his grand discovery by actual 
 experiment. 
 
 9. The plan which he had first proposed was, to 
 erect a box on some high tower, or other elevated 
 place, from which should rise a pointed iron rod. 
 He thought that electrified clouds, passing over it, 
 would impart a portion of their electricity, which 
 would be made evident by presenting a key or the 
 knuckle to it. There was atr this time, in Phila 
 delphia, no opportunity of trying an experiment of 
 the kind. But while Franklin was waiting for the 
 erection of a spire, it occurred to him that he might 
 have a more ready access to the clouds by means 
 of a common kite. 
 
 10. He prepared a kite by fastening two cross 
 sticks to a silk handkerchief, which would not suffer 
 from the rain so much as paper. To the upright 
 stick he affixed an iron point. The string was, as 
 
 8. How did he propose to prove the truth of his doctrine ? 
 When did he prove it by actual experiment ? 9. What plans had 
 he at first proposed? What occurred to him afterwards? 10. 
 How did he prepare the kite ? 
 
94 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 usual, of hemp, excepting the lower end, which was 
 made of silk, because this substance does not give 
 a free passage to the electricity. 
 
 11. With this kite, on the appearance of a thun 
 der storm, he went out into the commons with his 
 son, to whom alone he had communicated his in 
 tentions. He placed himself under a shed to avoid 
 the rain ; his kite was raised a thunder cloud 
 passed over it, but no sign of electricity appeared. 
 The experiment had almost been given up in despair, 
 when he perceived, in the loose fibres of the string, 
 evident appearances of electricity. By continued 
 observation the fact was most clearly proved ; and 
 the honor of establishing the sameness of electricity 
 and lightning was won by Franklin. 
 
 12. The letters which Franklin had sent to Mr. 
 Collinson were published by that gentleman in a 
 separate volume, under the title of New Experi 
 ments and Observations on Electricity, made at 
 Philadelphia, in America." They were read with 
 great eagerness, and soon translated into different 
 languages. A very incorrect French translation 
 fell into the hands of the celebrated Buffon, who was 
 much pleased with it, and performed the experi 
 ments with success. A more correct translation 
 was undertaken at his request, and contributed much 
 towards spreading a knowledge of Franklin s prin- 
 
 11. Relate the progress of the experiment. 12. Under what 
 title were Franklin s letters on the subject printed ? How were 
 they received ? By whose request was a correct French translation 
 made? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 95 
 
 ciples in France. His experiments were repeated 
 by most of the distinguished philosophers through 
 out Europe. 
 
 13. By these experiments, the truth of Franklin s 
 doctrine was established in the firmest manner. 
 When it could no longer be doubted, some men 
 were anxious to take away from its merit. It was 
 considered at that time rather mortifying to the Eu 
 ropean philosophers, to admit that an American 
 could make important discoveries which had escaped 
 their notice. 
 
 14. The Abbe Nollet, preceptor in natural phi 
 losophy to the royal family of France, was exceed 
 ingly offended at the publication of Franklin s let 
 ters. He had himself written about electricity, and 
 could not at first believe that such a work had really 
 come from America. He s-aid it must have been 
 composed by his enemies in Paris, to oppose his 
 system. Afterwards, having been assured that there 
 really existed such a person as Franklin at Phila 
 delphia, he published a volume of letters, in defence 
 of his own ideas upon the subject, and denying the 
 propositions of the American philosopher. 
 
 15. Franklin thought at one time of writing a 
 letter in reply to the abbe, and actually began one. 
 But on considering that any one might repeat his 
 experiments, and ascertain for himself whether or 
 
 13. What was the result of the establishment of Franklin s doc 
 trine ? 14. What was the conduct of the Abbe Nollet? 15. What 
 course did Franklin pursue on the subject ? 
 
96 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 not they were true, he concluded to let his papers 
 shift for themselves ; believing it was better to spend 
 what time he could spare in making new experi 
 ments than in disputing about those already made. 
 
 16. The event gave him no cause to repent of 
 his silence. His friend, Monsieur Le Roy, of the 
 Royal Academy of Sciences, took up his cause, and 
 refuted the abbe. Franklin s volume was trans 
 lated into the Italian, German and Latin languages j 
 and the doctrine it contained was, by degrees, gen 
 erally adopted by the philosophers of Europe, in 
 preference to that of Nollet. 
 
 17. What gave his book the more sudden and 
 general celebrity was the success of one of its pro 
 posed experiments, made at Marly, for drawing 
 lightning from the clouds. This engaged the pub 
 lic attention every where. The " Philadelphia ex 
 periments," as they were called, were performed 
 before the king and court, and all the curious of 
 Paris flocked to see them. 
 
 18. Dr. Wright, an English physician, was at 
 Paris when they were the talk and wonder of the 
 day. He wrote to a member of the Royal Society 
 an account of the high esteem in which the experi 
 ments of Franklin were held by learned men abroad 
 and of their surprise that his writings had been so 
 
 16. Did he regret his silence ? State the substance of this par 
 agraph. 17. What gave the book the more general celebrity ? 
 18. Who was Dr. Wright ? \Vhat communication did he make 
 to the Royal Society ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 97 
 
 little noticed in England. The society, on this, 
 resumed the consideration of the letters that had 
 been read to them, and a summary account of their 
 doctrines was drawn up and published among their 
 philosophical essays and transactions. 
 
 19. To make Franklin some amends for the slight 
 with which they had before treated him, the society 
 chose him a member, without his having made the 
 usual application. They also presented him with 
 the gold medal of Sir Godfrey Copley for the year 
 1753, the delivery of which was accompanied by a 
 very complimentary speech from the president, Lord 
 Macclesfield. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Appointed Postmaster- General. Journey to New Eng 
 land. Receives Degrees from two Colleges. Story of 
 the Visit to his Mother. 
 
 1. HAVING been some time employed by the post 
 master-general of America in regulating the several 
 offices, and bringing the officers to account, upon 
 his death, in 1753, Franklin was appointed, jointly 
 with another gentleman, to succeed him. The 
 American office had before this time never paid any 
 thing to that of Great Britain ; and the new post- 
 19. What honors did the society confer upon him ? 
 1. What appointment did Franklin receive at this time. 
 
 9 E 
 
98 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 masters were to have six hundred pounds between 
 them, if they could make that sum out of the profits 
 of the office. 
 
 2. To do this, a variety of improvements were 
 necessary, some of which were at first very expen 
 sive ; so that, for the first four years, the office became 
 more than nine hundred pounds in debt to them. 
 Afterwards they began to be repaid, and before 
 Franklin was displaced, they had brought it to yield 
 three times as much clear profit to the crown, as the 
 post-office of Ireland. After Franklin s dismission, 
 they never received a farthing from it. 
 
 3. The business of the post-office occasioned his 
 taking a journey to New England, where the Col 
 lege of Cambridge presented him with the degree 
 of Master of Arts. Yale College, in Connecticut, 
 had before paid him a similar compliment. Thus, 
 without studying in any college, he came to partake 
 of their honors. They were conferred in consider 
 ation of his discoveries and improvements in natural 
 philosophy. 
 
 4. It was either during this or his former journey 
 that the story of the visit to his mother originated. 
 He had been some years absent from his native city, 
 and was at that period of life when the greatest and 
 most rapid alteration is made in the human appear 
 ance. Franklin was sensible that his person had 
 
 2. Was the post-office, under Franklin, a source of revenue to 
 the crown ? 3. What honors did Franklin receive from the col- 
 leges ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 99 
 
 been so much changed that his mother would not 
 know him, unless there were some instinct to point 
 out, at a single glance, the child to its parent. 
 
 5. To discover the existence of this instinct by 
 actual experiment, Franklin determined to intro 
 duce himself to his mother as a stranger, and to 
 watch narrowly for the moment in which she should 
 discover her son. On the afternoon of a sullen cold 
 day, in the month of January, he knocked at his 
 mother s door, and asked to speak with Mrs. Frank 
 lin. He found the old lady knitting before the par 
 lor fire, introduced himself, by observing that he had 
 been informed she entertained travellers, and re 
 quested a night s lodging. 
 
 6. She eyed him with coldness, and assured him 
 that he had been misinformed that she did not 
 keep a tavern ; though, to oblige some members of 
 the legislature, she took a number of them into her 
 family during the session ; and at that time had four 
 members of the council and six of the house of 
 representatives who boarded with her. She added 
 that all her beds were full, and went on knitting 
 with a great deal of vehemence. 
 
 7. Franklin wrapped his coat around him, pre 
 tending to shiver with the cold, and observing that 
 it was very chilly weather. It was, of course, noth 
 ing more than civil for the old lady to ask him to 
 
 5. Why did Franklin introduce himself to his mother as a 
 stranger ? In what situation did he find her? 6. How did she 
 receive him ? 
 
100 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 stop and warm himself. She pointed to a chair, 
 and he drew himself up to the fire. 
 
 8. The entrance of her boarders prevented any 
 further conversation. Coffee was soon served, and 
 the stranger partook with the rest of the family. 
 To the coffee, according to the custom of the times, 
 succeeded a plate of apples, pipes, and a paper of 
 tobacco. A pleasant circle of smokers was then 
 formed about the fire. Agreeable conversation fol 
 lowed. Jokes were cracked, stories told, and 
 Franklin was so sensible and entertaining as to 
 attract the attention of the whole company. 
 
 9. In this manner the moments passed pleasantly 
 and swiftly along, and it was eight o clock before 
 any of them expected it. This was the hour of 
 supper, and Mrs. Franklin was always as punctual 
 as the clock. Busied with family affairs, she sup 
 posed the stranger had quitted the house imme 
 diately after coffee. Imagine her surprise, when 
 she saw him, with the utmost coolness and impu 
 dence, taking his seat with the family at the supper 
 table ! 
 
 10. Immediately after supper, she called an el 
 derly gentleman, a member of the council, with 
 whom she was in the habit of consulting, into an 
 other room ; complained of the rudeness of the 
 stranger, told the manner of his coming into the 
 house, observed that he appeared like a foreigner, 
 and she thought had something about him very sus- 
 
 8. What was the evening custom at that time ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 101 
 
 picious. The old gentleman assured her that she 
 need not be under any alarm, that the stranger was 
 a man of education and agreeable manners, and was, 
 probably, unaware of the lateness of the hour. He 
 added, that it would be well to call him aside, and 
 repeat to him that she was unable to give him 
 lodgings. 
 
 11. She accordingly sent her maid to him, and 
 then repeated the account of their situation, observed 
 that it grew late, and gently hinted that he would 
 do well to seek out other accommodations. The 
 stranger replied that he should be very sorry to put 
 her to any inconvenience, and would retire after 
 smoking one more pipe with her boarders. He re 
 turned to the company, filled his pipe, and began 
 talking as pleasantly and forcibly as ever. He re 
 counted the hardships, and praised the piety and 
 wisdom of their ancestors. 
 
 12. A gentleman present mentioned the subject 
 of the day s debate in the house of representatives. 
 A bill had been introduced to extend the powers of 
 the royal governor. The stranger immediately en 
 tered upon the subject, supported the rights of the 
 colonies with many arguments and much eloquence, 
 and showed a great familiarity with the names of 
 influential members of the house in the time of 
 Governor Dudley. 
 
 13. The conversation was so animated and in 
 teresting that the clock struck eleven, unnoticed by 
 the delighted circle. The patience of Mrs. Frank- 
 
 9* 
 
102 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 lin was by this time completely exhausted. She 
 now entered the room, and, before the whole com 
 pany, addressed the stranger with much anger ; told 
 him plainly that she thought herself imposed upon ; 
 hat she was a lone woman, but had friends who 
 would protect her ; and concluded by telling him to 
 leave the house. Franklin made a slight apology, 
 put on his great coat and hat, took a polite leave of 
 the company, and approached the street door, lighted 
 by the maid, and attended by the mistress. 
 
 14. While the company had been enjoying them 
 selves within, a most tremendous snow storm had 
 filled the streets, knee-deep ; and no sooner had 
 the maid lifted the latch, than a roaring wind forced 
 open the door, put out the light, and almost filled 
 the entry with drifted snow and hail. As soon as 
 the candle was relighted, the stranger cast a mourn 
 ful look on the lady of the mansion, and said " My 
 dear madam, if you turn me out of your house in 
 this dreadful storm, I am a stranger in the town, 
 and shall certainly perish in the streets. You look 
 like a charitable lady ; I should not think you could 
 refuse shelter to a dog on such a night." 
 
 15. " Don t tell me of charity," said the offended 
 matron ; " charity begins at home. It is your own 
 fault that you staid so long. In short, sir, I do 
 not like your looks, or your conduct in thus forcing 
 yourself upon my family, and I fear you have some 
 bad designs." 
 
 16. The good lady had grown so angry as to raise 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 103 
 
 her voice much above its ordinary pitch, and the 
 noise drew all the company into the entry. They 
 did not agree with Mrs. Franklin in respect to the 
 stranger at all. He seemed to them to be a very 
 honest, clever-looking fellow, and so far from wish 
 ing to turn him out of the house, there was not one 
 of them but would have been glad to have him for a 
 fellow-boarder. They thought him very sensible 
 and pleasant, and could not account for their land 
 lady s aversion. 
 
 17. At length, by their united interference, the 
 stranger was permitted to remain in the house. 
 There was no bed or part of a bed unoccupied, and 
 he was obliged to sleep all night in an easy chair, 
 before the parlor fire. Although her boarders ap 
 peared to have perfect confidence in his honesty, it 
 was not so with Mrs. Franklin. She very carefully 
 collected her silver spoons, pepper box and porrin 
 ger from her closet, and, after securing the parlor 
 door, by sticking a fork over the latch, carried them 
 to her chamber. She charged the negro man to 
 sleep with his clothes on to take the great cleaver 
 to bed with him, and to wake up and seize the va 
 grant at the first noise he made in plundering the 
 house. The good lady then retired to bed with her 
 maid, whom she compelled to sleep in the same 
 room. 
 
 18. After a very restless night, Mrs. Franklin 
 rose before the sun. She called her domestics, 
 proceeded with them in a body to unfasten the par- 
 
)04 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 lor door. To her great astonishment, she found her 
 guest quietly sleeping in his chair. She now began 
 to feel sorry for her suspicions. Awaking him with 
 a cheerful good morning, she inquired how he had 
 rested, and invited him to partake of her breakfast, 
 which was always served before that of the boarders. 
 
 19. " Pray, sir," said the old lady, as they were 
 sipping their chocolate at the breakfast table, " as 
 you appear to be a stranger here, to what distant 
 country do you belong ?" 
 
 20. Franklin put a little more sugar into his 
 chocolate, and, helping himself to a slice of toast, 
 replied, that he belonged to the city of Philadelphia. 
 At the mention of this word, the old lady, for the 
 first time, exhibited emotion. " Philadelphia ?" 
 said she "if you live in Philadelphia, perhaps you 
 know our Ben ?" 
 
 21. Who, madam ?" replied Franklin, in the 
 came cool and undisturbed manner that he had put 
 on ever since he entered the house. " Why, Ben 
 Franklin," said the mother ; " my Ben oh ! he is 
 the dearest child that ever blessed a mother !" 
 
 22. " What," said the stranger, " is Ben Frank 
 lin, the printer, your son ? Why, he is my most inti 
 mate friend : he and I lodge in the same room." 
 " O ! Heaven forgive me!" exclaimed the old lady ; 
 " and have I suffered an acquaintance of my Benny 
 to sleep on this hard chair, while I myself rested 
 on a good bed !" 
 
 23. We can well imagine that the mother was 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 105 
 
 very much astonished when she found that it was 
 not an acquaintance of her son, but her son him 
 self, whose countenance and person had been so 
 much changed, that she had even been on the point 
 of turning him out of doors ! She was delighted to 
 embrace him once more before she died, and was 
 quite pleased that the members of the council had 
 found him so agreeable a fellow as to insist that he 
 should remain all night in the house. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Congress at Many. Plan for a Union of the Colonies. 
 Arrival of General Braddock. Franklin sent to him 
 by the Assembly. Want of Wagons. Franklin un 
 dertakes to procure them. His Advertisement. Anec 
 dote of Braddock. Battle with the Indians. Retreat. 
 
 1. IN 1754, there was again a prospect of war 
 with France. A congress of commissioners from 
 the different colonies was ordered to be assembled 
 at Albany, to confer with the chiefs of the Six Na 
 tions of Indians, in respect to the defence of the 
 country. The governor of Pennsylvania communi 
 cated this order to the assembly, and nominated 
 Franklin, with Mr. Norris, Mr. Penn, and Mr. Pe 
 ters, to act as commissioners. Presents were pro- 
 
 1. Why were commissioners from the colonies ordered to as 
 semble at Albany ? Who were sent from Pennsylvania? 
 
 E2 
 
106 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 vided for the Indians, and they all met at Albany 
 about the middle of June. 
 
 2. On his way thither, Franklin projected and 
 drew up a plan for the union of all the colonies un 
 der one government, so far as might be necessary 
 for defence and other important services. This 
 plan was shown to two or three of his friends, and, 
 having met with their approbation, was submitted 
 to congress. It then appeared that several of the 
 commissioners had formed projects of the same kind. 
 A committee was appointed to consider the several 
 plans, and report. That proposed by Franklin was 
 finally adopted with a few alterations : copies of it 
 were sent to the British government and to the as 
 semblies of the several provinces. 
 
 3. The British government were unwilling to 
 permit the union proposed at Albany, from a fear 
 that the colonies would become too military and feel 
 their own strength. They accordingly sent over 
 General Braddock, with two regiments of regular 
 English troops, for the purpose of protecting them. 
 This officer, with his forces, landed at Alexandria, 
 and marched thence to Fredericktown in Maryland, 
 where he halted for carriages. Franklin was sent 
 by the assembly to wait upon him at this place, in 
 order to arrange some matters which had occurred 
 to excite serious misunderstanding. 
 
 2. What plan did Franklin draw up ? 3. Why did the British 
 government disapprove of the proposed union ? What course did 
 they pursue ? Why was Franklin sent to Fredericktown ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 107 
 
 4. His son accompanied him upon this journey. 
 They found the general at Fredericktown, waiting, 
 impatiently, for the return of those whom he had 
 sent through the back parts of Maryland and Vir 
 ginia to collect wagons. Franklin staid with him 
 several days, dined with him daily, and had full 
 opportunity of removing his prejudices. When he 
 was about to depart, it had been ascertained that 
 only twenty-five wagons could be procured, and not 
 all of them fit for use. 
 
 5. The general and all the officers were very 
 much surprised, and declared that the expedition 
 was entirely at dn end. They exclaimed bitterly 
 against their government for sending them into a 
 country destitute of the means of carrying their 
 stores and baggage, for which no less than one hun 
 dred and fifty wagons wero necessary. Franklin 
 remarked that it was a pity they had not been landed 
 in Pennsylvania, as in that country almost every 
 farmer had his wagon. The general caught at his 
 words, and eagerly said " Then you, sir, who are 
 a man of interest there, can possibly procure them 
 for us ; and I beg you will undertake it." 
 
 6. Franklin asked what terms were to be offered 
 to the owners of the wagons ; and he was desired to 
 put on paper the terms that appeared to him neces 
 sary. This he did ; and they were accepted. He 
 
 5. What impeded the progress of the expedition ? How did 
 General Braddock obviate this difficulty ? 6. What step did 
 Franklin take to procure the wagons ? 
 
108 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 soon after published an advertisement, offering to 
 contract for certain wagons and horses, on specified 
 terms ; and to this added an address to the inhabit 
 ants of the counties of York, Lancaster and Cum 
 berland. The address was in the following words: 
 
 7. Friends and Countrymen, Being occasion 
 ally at the camp at Frederick, a few days since, I 
 found the general and officers exceedingly exasper 
 ated on account of their not being supplied with 
 horses and carriages, which had been expected from 
 this province, as most able to furnish them ; but, 
 through the dissensions between our governor and 
 assembly, money had not been provided, nor any 
 steps taken for that purpose. 
 
 8. It was proposed to send an armed force im 
 mediately into these counties, to seize as many of 
 the best carriages and horses as should be wanted, 
 and compel as many persons into the service, as 
 would be necessary to drive and take care of them. 
 
 * * * * * 
 
 9. " If you are really, as I believe you are, good 
 and loyal subjects to his majesty, you may now do 
 a most acceptable service, and make it easy to your 
 selves ; for three or four of such as cannot separate 
 ly spare, from the business of their plantations, a 
 wagon and four horses and a driver, may do it to 
 gether ; one furnishing the wagon, another one or 
 two horses, and another the driver, and divide the 
 pay proportionably between you. 
 
 10. " But if you do not this service to your king 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 10^ 
 
 and country voluntarily, when such good pay and 
 reasonable terms are offered to you, your loyalty will 
 be strongly suspected. The king s business must 
 be done. So many brave troops, come so far for 
 your defence, must not stand idle through your 
 backwardness to do what may be reasonably ex 
 pected from you. Wagons and horses must be had ; 
 violent measures will probably be used ; and you 
 will be left to seek for recompense where you can 
 find it, and your case, perhaps, be little pitied or 
 regarded. 
 
 11. "I have no particular interest in this affair, 
 as (except the satisfaction of endeavoring to do good) 
 I shall have only my labor for my pains. If this 
 method of obtaining the wagons and horses is not 
 likely to succeed, I am obliged to send word to the 
 general in fourteen days ; and I suppose Sir John 
 St. Clair, the hussar, with a body of soldiers, will 
 immediately enter the province for the purpose; 
 which I shall be very sorry to hear, because I am, 
 very sincerely and truly, 
 
 " Your friend and well-wisher, 
 
 " B. FRANKLIN." 
 
 12. Eight hundred pounds were furnished by the 
 general, to be paid out as advance money to the own 
 ers of the wagons and horses. This sum not being 
 large enough, Franklin advanced upwards of two 
 
 12. How much was furnished by the British general to be paid 
 in advance to the owners of the wagons and horses ? How much 
 did Franklin furnish ? 
 
 10 
 
1 10 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 hundred pounds more. In two weeks, the one hun 
 dred and fifty wagons, with two hundred and fifty- 
 nine carrying horses, were on their way to the camp. 
 The advertisement promised payment in case any 
 wagons or horses should be lost ; and as the owners 
 knew nothing about the dependence to be placed 
 on General Braddock, they insisted on Franklin s 
 bond for the performance. This he accordingly 
 gave them. 
 
 13. General Braddock was a brave man, but had 
 too much self-confidence, too high an opinion of the 
 power of regular troops, and too mean an idea of 
 both Americans and Indians. About one hundred 
 Indians joined him on his march, who might have 
 been of great use to him as guides and scouts, if he 
 had treated them kindly. He neglected and slighted 
 them, however, and they gradually left him. 
 
 14. In conversation one day with Franklin, he 
 gave an account of his intended progress. " After 
 taking Fort Duquesne," said he, " I am to proceed 
 to Niagara ; and, having taken that, to Frontenac, 
 if the season will allow time, and I suppose it will ; 
 for Duquesne can hardly detain me above three or 
 four days ; and then I see nothing that can obstruct 
 my march to Niagara." 
 
 15. Franklin knew something about marches 
 through the woods, and the tricks of the Indians, 
 
 13. What was the character of General Braddock ? How did 
 be treat the Indians who joined him on his march ? H. What 
 werr tb general s plans ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. Ill 
 
 and entertained serious doubts in respect to the 
 success of the campaign. He only ventured, how 
 ever, to say " To be sure, sir, if you arrive well 
 before Duquesne with the fine troops, so well pro 
 vided with artillery, the fort, though completely for 
 tified, and assisted with a very strong garrison, can 
 probably make but a short resistance. The only 
 danger I apprehend of obstruction to your march, is 
 from the ambuscades of the Indians, who, by con 
 stant practice, are dexterous in laying and executing 
 them ; and the slender line, near four miles long, 
 which your army must make, may expose it to be 
 attacked by surprise in its flanks, and to be cut like 
 a thread into several pieces, which, from their dis 
 tance, cannot come up in time to support each 
 other." 
 
 16. Braddock smiled at his ignorance, and re 
 plied " These savages may, indeed, be a formidable 
 enemy to your raw American militia; but upon the 
 king s regular and disciplined troops, sir, it is im 
 possible they should make any impression." 
 
 17. The enemy did not take that advantage of 
 the army under Braddock which Franklin antici 
 pated. They suffered it to approach without inter 
 ruption till within nine miles of Fort Duquesne. 
 The troops had just crossed a river, were in a more 
 open part of the woods than any they passed, and 
 moving forward in a compact form. Their ad- 
 
 15. What did Franklin tell him ? 16. What was Braddock g 
 irply ? 17. Where were the British troops first attacked ? 
 
112 LIFE OF FRANKLIX. 
 
 vanced guard was suddenly attacked by a heavy 
 fire from behind trees and bushes. This was the 
 first intelligence which the general had of the ap 
 proach of an enemy. 
 
 18. The guard being disordered, the general 
 hurried the troops up to their assistance. This was 
 done in great confusion, through wagons, baggage, 
 and cattle. They were now attacked also from be 
 hind. The officers were on horseback, and easily 
 distinguished and picked out as marks by the ene 
 my. The soldiers were thrown together in great 
 disorder, having or hearing no orders, and standing 
 to be shot at, till two thirds of them were killed ; 
 then, being seized with a panic, the remainder fled 
 in precipitation. 
 
 19. The wagoners took each a horse out of his 
 team, and scampered. Their example was imme 
 diately followed by others, so that all the wagons, 
 provisions, artillery and stores were left to the ene 
 my. The general, being wounded, was brought off 
 with difficulty ; out of eighty-six officers, sixty-three 
 were killed or wounded ; and seven hundred and 
 fourteen men killed, of eleven hundred. 
 
 20. These men had been picked from the whole 
 army ; the rest had been left behind with Colonel 
 Dunbar, who was to follow with the heavier parts 
 of the baggage. The fugitives arrived at Dunbar s 
 camp, and communicated their own panic to him 
 
 18. What was the prop-ess of the battle ? 19. What became 
 of the wagon^ and artillery? 20. Where did the fugitives resort? 
 
LIFE OF FRAl>ivLLN. 113 
 
 and all his people. Though he had now above a 
 thousand men, he determined not to meddle with 
 the enemy, but to make the best of his way to the 
 settlements. Notwithstanding requests from the 
 governor of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, 
 that he would post his troops on the frontiers to pro 
 tect the inhabitants, he continued his hasty and dis 
 graceful march till he had arrived at snug quarters in 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Settlement for the I^ossof Wagons. Anecdote. Prepara 
 tions for Defence. Franklin appointed to a military 
 Command. .Assembles the Troops at Bethlehem. 
 Farmers killed by Indians. Building Forts. Ex 
 tracts from Franklin s Journal. Indian Cunning. 
 Anecdotes of the Moravians. 
 
 1. As soon as the loss of the wagons and horses 
 was generally known, all the owners came upon 
 Franklin for the valuation which he had given bond 
 to pay. Their demands troubled him exceedingly. 
 He informed them that the money was ready in the 
 paymaster s hands, but the order for paying it must 
 first be obtained from General Shirley ; that he had 
 applied for it ; and they must have patience till he 
 
 What was Colonel Dunbar s conduct ? 
 
 1. To what embarrassment was Franklin now exposed t 
 
 10* 
 
114 LIFE OF FRANKLIN 
 
 could receive it. All this, however, was not suffi 
 cient, and some began to sue him. General Shirley 
 at length released him from this disagreeable situa 
 tion, by appointing commissioners to examine the 
 claims, and order payment. They amounted to 
 nearly twenty thousand pounds. 
 
 2. Before receiving news of the defeat, two gen 
 tlemen came to Franklin with a subscription paper 
 for raising money to pay the expense of a grand fire 
 work, which it was intended to exhibit on receiving 
 the news of taking Fort Duquesne. Franklin told 
 them gravely, that he thought it would be time 
 enough to prepare for rejoicing when they knew 
 they should have occasion to rejoice. They seemed 
 surprised that he did not immediately comply with 
 their proposal. " Why," said one of them, " you 
 surely do not suppose that the fort will not be taken ?" 
 * I don t know," replied Franklin, " that it will not 
 be taken ; but I know that the events of war are 
 subject to great uncertainty." The plan was for 
 tunately abandoned. 
 
 3. The assembly now laid a tax, to raise money 
 for the defence of the province, and Franklin was 
 appointed one of the commissioners to dispose of it. 
 He had also carried a bill through the house for 
 establishing and disciplining a voluntary militia. 
 To promote the association necessary to form the 
 
 How was he relieved ? 2. Relate the anecdote in respect to 
 the subscription for fire-works. 3. What tax was now laid by 
 the assembly ? \Yhat bill did Franklin carry through the house T 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 115 
 
 militia, he wrote a dialogue upon the subject, which 
 was extensively circulated, and thought to have 
 great effect. 
 
 4. While the several companies in the city and 
 country were forming, and learning their exercise, 
 the governor prevailed upon Franklin to take charge 
 of the north-western frontier, which was infested by 
 the enemy, and provide for the defence of the in 
 habitants, by raising troops, and building a line of 
 forts. Franklin did not think himself very well 
 qualified for the military, but was willing to be of 
 all the service in his power. He received a com 
 mission from the governor, with full authority, and 
 a parcel of blank commissions for officers, to be 
 given to whom he thought fit. Five hundred and 
 sixty men were soon raised and placed under his 
 command. 
 
 5. The place first selected for a fort was Gnaden- 
 hutten, a village settled by the Moravians, and which 
 had recently been the scene of terrible destruction 
 and death. In order to march thither, Franklin 
 assembled the companies at Bethlehem, the chief 
 establishment of those people. He was surprised 
 to find this place in a good state of defence. The 
 destruction of Gnadenhutten had made them appre 
 hensive of danger. 
 
 6. They had purchased a quantity of arms and 
 
 4. What charge was now committed to Franklin ? How many 
 men were placed under his command ? 5. What place was se 
 lected for a fort ? By whom was Gnadenhutten settled ? 
 
116 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 ammunition from New York, and had even placed 
 quantities of small paving stones between the win 
 dows of their high houses, to be thrown down upon 
 the heads of any Indians that should attempt to force 
 into them. The armed brethren kept watch, and 
 relieved each other as regularly as in any garrison 
 town. 
 
 7. In conversation with their bishop, Spangen- 
 6erg, Franklin mentioned his surprise ; for, know 
 ing they had obtained an act of parliament excusing 
 them from military duties in the colonies, he sup 
 posed they had motives of conscience which forbade 
 their bearing arms. The bishop answered " That 
 it was not one of their established principles ; but 
 that at the time of their obtaining that act it was 
 thought to be a principle with many of their people. 
 On this occasion, however, to their surprise they 
 found it adopted but by a few." A strong sense of 
 danger very soon overcomes such notions. 
 
 8. It was the beginning of January when they 
 set out upon the business of building forts. One 
 detachment was sent towards the Minisink, with 
 directions to erect one for the upper part of the 
 counlvy, and another to the lower part, with similar 
 directions. Franklin went in person, with the re 
 maining troops, to Gnadenhutten, where a force was 
 thought more immediately necessary. The Mora- 
 
 6. What measures had the inhabitants of Bethlehem taken for 
 Defence T 7. What was the conversation of Franklin with the 
 nishop Spangenberg? 8. Where were the forts built ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 117 
 
 vians procured him five wagons for their tools, stores, 
 and baggage. 
 
 9. Just before they left Bethlehem, eleven farm 
 ers, who had been driven from their homes by the 
 Indians, came to Franklin, requesting a supply of 
 fire-arms, that they might go back and bring off 
 their cattle. He gave them each a gun with suit 
 able ammunition. 
 
 10. They had not marched many miles when it 
 began to rain, and it continued raining all day. 
 There were no habitations on the road to shelter 
 them, till they reached, about night, the house of a 
 German. Here, in the barn and shed, they were 
 all huddled together as wet as water could make 
 them. It was well for them that they were not at 
 tacked upon the march, for their arms were of the 
 poorest sort, and it was impossible to keep the locks 
 of their guns dry. The poor farmers, before men 
 tioned, suffered on this account. They met with 
 the Indians, and, the primings being wet with rain, 
 their guns would not go off, so that only one of them 
 escaped with his life. 
 
 11. The next day was fair. The companies con 
 tinued their march, and arrived at the desolate Gna- 
 denhutten. There was a mill in the neighborhood, 
 round which several pine boards had been left. 
 With these they soon built themselves huts. Their 
 next work was to bury the dead they found there. 
 
 9. Relate the substance of the ninth and tenth paragraphs. 11. 
 What was done on arriving at Gnadenhutten ? 
 
118 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 On the following morning their fort was planned 
 and marked out, with a circumference measuring 
 four hundred and fifty-five feet. Their axes, of 
 which they had severity, were immediately set to 
 work to cut down trees for palisades ; and, as the 
 men were very skilful in the use of them, they made 
 great despatch. 
 
 12. Seeing the trees fall so fast, Franklin had 
 the curiosity to look at his watch when two men 
 began to cut at a pine. In six minutes they had it 
 upon the ground, and it was fourteen inches in di 
 ameter. Each pine made three palisades of eigh 
 teen feet long, pointed at one end. While these 
 were preparing, other men dug a trench all round, 
 of three feet deep, in which the palisades were to 
 be planted. When these were set up, the carpenters 
 built within them a platform of boards all round, 
 about six feet high, for the men to stand on and fire 
 through the loopholes. They had one swivel gun, 
 which they mounted, and fired as soon as it was 
 fixed, that the Indians might know they had such 
 pieces. Thus their fort, such as it was, was finished 
 in a week, though it rained so hard every other day 
 that the men were almost unable to work. 
 
 13. "This gave me occasion to observe," says 
 Franklin, " that when men are employed they are 
 best contented. For on the days they worked they 
 
 12. How was the fort constructed ? How long did it take to 
 build it 1 13. What remarks does Franklin make about keeping 
 employed ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 119 
 
 were good-natured and cheerful, and, with the con 
 sciousness of having done a good day s work, they 
 spent the evening jollily. But, on our idle days, 
 they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault 
 with the pork and the bread, and were continually 
 in bad humor ; which put me in mind of a sea cap* 
 tain, whose rule it was to keep his men constantly 
 at work; and when his mate once told him that 
 they had done every thing, and there was nothing 
 further to employ them about, 4 O, said he, make 
 them scour the anchor. " 
 
 14. " This kind of fort," he continues, " however 
 contemptible, is a sufficient defence against Indians 
 who have no cannon. Finding ourselves now posted 
 securely, and having a place to retreat to on occa 
 sion, we ventured out in parties to scour the adja 
 cent country. We met with no Indians, but we 
 found the places, on the neighboring hills, where 
 they had lain to watch our proceedings. There 
 was an art in their contrivance of those places that 
 seems worth mentioning. 
 
 15. " It being winter, a fire was necessary for them ; 
 but a common fire, on the surface of the ground, 
 would, by its light, have discovered their position at 
 a distance; they had, therefore, dug holes in the 
 ground about three feet in diameter, and somewhat 
 deeper ; we found where they had, with their hatch 
 ets, cut off the charcoal from the side of burnt logs 
 
 14. What does Franklin say of the fort ? 15. How did they 
 manage to conceal their fires ? 
 
120 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 lying in the woods. With these coals they had 
 made small fires in the bottom of the holes, and we 
 observed, among the weeds and grass, the prints of 
 their bodies, made by their lying all round, with their 
 legs hanging down in the holes, to keep their feet 
 warm ; which, with them, is an essential point. 
 This kind of fire, so managed, could not discover 
 them either by its light, flame, sparks, or even 
 smoke ; it appeared that the number was not great, 
 and it seems they saw we were too many to be at 
 tacked by them with prospect of advantage. 
 
 16. " We had for our chaplain a zealous Presby 
 terian minister, Mr. Beatty, who complained to me 
 that the men did not generally attend his prayers 
 and exhortations. When they enlisted they were 
 promised, besides pay and provisions, a gill of rum a 
 day, which was punctually served out to them, half 
 in the morning and half in the evening, and I observ 
 ed they were punctual in attending to receive it. 
 
 17. " Upon which I said to Mr. Beatty, It is per 
 haps below the dignity of your profession to act as 
 steward of the rum ; but if you were to distribute it 
 out only just after prayers, you would have them all 
 about you. He liked the thought, undertook the 
 task, and, with the help of a few hands to measure 
 out the liquor, executed it to satisfaction ; and never 
 were prayers more generally and more punctually 
 attended. So that I think this method preferable 
 to the punishment inflicted by some military laws 
 for non-attendance on divine service. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 121 
 
 18. " I had hardly finished this business, and got 
 my fort well stored with provisions, when I received 
 a letter from the governor, acquainting me that he 
 had called the assembly, and wished my attendance 
 there, if the posture of aifairs on the frontiers was 
 such that my remaining there was no longer neces 
 sary. My friends, too, of the assembly pressing me 
 by their letters to be, if possible, at the meeting, 
 and my three intended forts being now completed, 
 and the inhabitants contented to remain on their 
 farms under that protection, I resolved to return ; 
 the more willingly, as a New-England officer, 
 Colonel Clapham, experienced in Indian war, be 
 ing on a visit to our establishment, consented to 
 accept the command. 
 
 19. " I gave him a commission, and, parading the 
 garrison, had it read before them, and introduced 
 him to them as an officer, who, from his skill in 
 military affairs, was much more fit to command 
 them than myself; and giving them a little exhorta 
 tion, took my leave. I was escorted as far as Beth 
 lehem, where I rested a few days to recover from 
 the fatigue I had undergone. The first night, lying 
 on a good bed, I could hardly sleep, it was so differ 
 ent from my hard lodging on the floor of a hut at 
 Gnadenhutten, with only a blanket or two. 
 
 20. " While at Bethlehem, I inquired a little into 
 the practices of the Moravians; some of them had 
 
 8. Why did Franklin leave the fort ? Who succeeded him 7 
 
 11 F 
 
122 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 accompanied me, and all were very kind to me. I 
 found they worked for a common stock, ate at com 
 mon tables, and slept in common dormitories, great 
 numbers together. In the dormitories I observed 
 loop-holes at certain distances, all along just under 
 he ceiling, which I thought judiciously placed for 
 hange of air. I went to their church, where I was 
 entertained with good music, the organ being ac 
 companied with violins, hautboys, flutes, and clar 
 ionets. 
 
 21. " I understood their sermons were not usually 
 preached to mixed congregations of men, women 
 and children, as is our common practice ; but that 
 they assembled sometimes the married men, at other 
 times their wives, then the young men, the young 
 women, and the little children ; each division by 
 itself. The sermon I heard was to the latter, who 
 came in and were placed in rows on benches, the 
 boys under the conduct of a young man, their tutor ; 
 and the girls conducted by a young woman. The 
 discourse seemed well adapted to their capacities, 
 and was delivered in a pleasing, familiar manner, 
 coaxing them, as it were, to be good. They be 
 haved very orderly, but looked pale and unhealthy, 
 which made me suspect they were kept too much 
 within doors, or not allowed sufficient exercise. 
 
 22. " I inquired concerning the Moravian mar- 
 
 20. What does Franklin say of the practice of the Moravians T 
 Of their dormitories? Of their church? 21. What is said of 
 their congregation ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 123 
 
 riages, whether the report was true that they were 
 by lot. I was told that lots were used only in par 
 ticular cases, that generally, when a young man 
 found himself disposed to marry, he informed the 
 elders of his class, who consulted the elder ladies 
 that governed the young women. As these elders 
 of the different sexes were well acquainted with the 
 tempers and dispositions of their respective pupils, 
 they could best judge what matches were suitable, 
 and their judgments were generally acquiesced in. 
 23. " But if, for example, it should happen that 
 two or three young women were found to be equally 
 proper for the young man, the lot was then recurred to. 
 I objected, if the matches are not made by the mu 
 tual choice of the parties, some of them may chance 
 to be very unhappy. * And so they may, answered 
 my informer, l if you let the parties choose for them 
 selves. Which, indeed, I could not deny." 
 
 22. How are the Moravian marriages conducted ? 23. What 
 did Franklin suggest on this subject ? What was the reply ? 
 
124 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Disputes with the Proprietaries. Franklin sent by the 
 Assembly to London. Appointed general Agent for 
 the Colonies. University Honors. The Jlrmonica. 
 Murder of the friendly Indians. 
 
 1. SOON after his return to Philadelphia, Frank 
 lin was appointed by the assembly upon a very im 
 portant mission. From the earliest establishment 
 of Pennsylvania, there seems to have been a spirit 
 of dispute among its inhabitants. During the life 
 time of William Penn, the constitution had been 
 three times altered. After this time quarrels were 
 continually arising between the proprietaries or 
 their governors and the assembly. 
 
 2. The proprietaries were the descendants of 
 those to whom the lands were originally granted by 
 the king. They claimed particular privileges for 
 their estates ; and among other Ihings that they 
 should be free from taxes. To this the assembly 
 would by no means consent. This subject of dis 
 pute interfered in almost every question, and pre 
 vented the passage of the most necessary laws. 
 
 3. The assembly at length resolved to appeal to 
 the king against the unjust claims of the proprie 
 taries, and appointed Franklin as their agent, to go 
 
 2. Who were the proprietaries ? What did they claim ? How 
 <hd the assembly treat their claim ? 3. What course did the 
 assembly pursue 7 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 125 
 
 over to England and present their petition. After 
 some delay and detention by the governor, under 
 the pretence of bringing about an accommodation, 
 Franklin sailed from New York towards the end of 
 June, and arrived in London on the twenty-seventh 
 of July, 1757. 
 
 4. According to the instructions which he had 
 received from the legislature, Franklin had a meet 
 ing with the proprietaries who then resided in Eng 
 land, and endeavored to prevail on them to give up 
 their pretensions. Finding it impossible to derive 
 any satisfaction from them, he laid his petition be 
 fore the council. During this time, the governor 
 of Pennsylvania had consented to a law imposing a 
 tax, in which no distinction was made in favor of 
 the estates of the Penn family. 
 
 5. Alarmed at this intelligence, and by Franklin s 
 exertions, they used their utmost endeavors to pre 
 vent this law from receiving the royal approbation. 
 They represented it as highly unjust, designed to 
 throw the burden of supporting government upon 
 them, and tending to produce the most ruinous con 
 sequences to them and their posterity. 
 
 6. The cause was very fully examined before the 
 king s privy council. The Penn family here found 
 
 Why was Franklin sent to England ? When did he arrive in 
 London ? 4. What course did Franklin pursue in respect to the 
 petition ? What law had been passed in Pennsylvania ? 5. How 
 did the Penn family represent this law ? 6 Where was the cause 
 examined ? 
 
 11 * 
 
126 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 some very earnest advocates, while those were not 
 wanting ready to espouse the side of the people. 
 After some time spent in debate, a proposal was 
 made that Franklin should solemnly engage that the 
 tax should be so made, that the proprietary estates 
 should pay no more than a fair proportion. This 
 he agreed to perform, and the Penn family withdrew 
 their opposition to the passage of the law. 
 
 7. After this business was thus happily concluded, 
 Franklin remained at the court of Great Britain, as 
 agent for the province of Pennsylvania. The ex 
 tensive knowledge which he possessed of the situa 
 tion of the colonies, and the regard which he had 
 always shown for their interests, occasioned his ap 
 pointment to the same office by the colonies of Mas 
 sachusetts, Maryland and Georgia. His conduct 
 in this situation increased the reputation and esteem 
 in which he was held among his countrymen. 
 
 8. Franklin was now in the midst of those friends 
 whom he had acquired by his fame as a philosopher. 
 He was very much sought after by them. Honors 
 from learned societies and colleges were continually 
 heaped upon him. The university of St. Andrew s, 
 in Scotland, conferred on him the degree of doctor 
 of laws. Its example was followed by the univer 
 sities of Edinburgh and Oxford. His correspond 
 ence was sought by the most distinguished philoso 
 phers of Europe. 
 
 How was it settled ? 7. In what capacity did Franklin remain 
 in London after the conclusion of this business ? 8. How was 
 Franklin received ? What honors were conferred upon him ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 127 
 
 9. Although Franklin was now principally occu 
 pied with political pursuits, he found time for his 
 favorite studies. He extended his researches in 
 electricity, and in other interesting subjects of nat 
 ural philosophy. 
 
 10. The tone produced by rubbing the brim of a 
 drinking-glass with a wet finger is familiar to every 
 one. An Irish gentleman, by the name of Pucker- 
 idge, by placing on a table a number of glasses of 
 different sizes, and tuning them by partly filling 
 them with water, endeavored to form an instrument 
 upon which he could play tunes. He died before 
 he had completed his invention. Some improve 
 ments were afterwards made upon his plan. The 
 sweetness of the tones induced Franklin to try a 
 number of experiments, and he at length formed the 
 instrument which he has called the Armonica 
 
 11. In the summer of 1762 he returned to Amer 
 ica. He received the thanks of the assembly of 
 Pennsylvania, " as well for the faithful discharge of 
 his duty to that province in particular, as for the 
 many and important services done to America in 
 general, during his residence in Great Britain." 
 A compensation of five thousand pounds, Pennsyl 
 vania currency, was decreed him for his services 
 during six years. 
 
 9. How was Franklin chiefly occupied at this time ? 10. What 
 was the musical instrument which Franklin formed ? 11. When 
 did he return to America ? How was he received by the assem 
 bly 1 What compensation did they allow him ? 
 
128 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 2. During his absence, Franklin had been an 
 nually elected member of the assembly. On his 
 return to Philadelphia, he again took his seat in that 
 body, and continued steadily to protect the rights 
 and interests of the people. 
 
 13. In December, 1762, great alarm was excited 
 in the province by the following circumstance. 
 Several Indians resided in the county of Lancaster, 
 who had always conducted themselves as friends to 
 the white men. A number of inhabitants upon the 
 frontiers, who had been irritated by repeated inju 
 ries, determined to seek revenge on all the Indians 
 who fell in their way. 
 
 14. About a hundred and twenty persons assem 
 bled, and proceeded on horseback to the settlements 
 of the defenceless Indians. These were now re 
 duced in number to about twenty. They had 
 received information of the intended attack, but did 
 not believe it. As the white people had always 
 been their friends, they feared no danger from them. 
 When the party arrived at the Indian settlement, 
 they found only some women and children and a 
 few old men. The rest were absent at work. The 
 wretches murdered all whom they found, and among 
 others the chief Shahehas, who had been always 
 distinguished for his friendship to the whites. 
 
 15. The remainder of these unfortunate Indians, 
 who, by their absence, had escaped the massacre, 
 
 13. What alarm was excited in the province in 1762 7 14. Re- 
 Uue the substance of this paragraph. 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 129 
 
 were conducted to Lancaster, and lodged in the jail 
 as a place of security. Large rewards were offered 
 by the governor for the discovery of the murderers. 
 But notwithstanding this, a party of the same men 
 marched to Lancaster, broke open the jail, and in 
 humanly butchered the innocent Indians who had 
 been placed there for protection. 
 
 16. Another proclamation was issued by the 
 governor, but in vain. A party even marched 
 down to Philadelphia, for the purpose of murdering 
 some friendly Indians, who had been removed to 
 the city for safety. The citizens armed to protect 
 them. The Quakers, notwithstanding they are 
 opposed to righting even in their own defence, were 
 most active upon the occasion. The rioters ad 
 vanced to Germantown, and the governor fled for 
 safety to the house of Dr. Franklin. It was by his 
 assistance and influence that the disturbance was 
 quelled, and the rioters prevailed upon to return to 
 their homes. 
 
 15. What became of the remaining Indians 1 16. Was the 
 governor s proclamation of any effect 1 How were the rioters 
 persuaded to return home 1 
 
 F2 
 
130 LIFE UF FRANKLIN 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Franklin reappointed Jlgent at the Court of Great 
 Britain. Visits Germany and France. Returns to 
 Philadelphia. Appointed Delegate to Congress. In 
 terview with Lord Howe. Sent as Ambassador to 
 France. Asks to be recalled. Chosen President of 
 the Supreme Council of Philadelphia. Death. Char 
 acter. 
 
 1. THE disputes between the proprietaries and 
 the assembly, which had for a long time subsided, 
 again revived. At the election for a new assembly 
 in 1764, the friends of the proprietaries made great 
 exertions to keep out all those of the opposite party. 
 They obtained a small majority in the city of Phila 
 delphia, and Franklin lost the seat which he had 
 now held for fourteen years. 
 
 2. On the meeting of the assembly, it appeared 
 that there was still a majority of Franklin s friends. 
 He was again appointed agent of the provinces at 
 the court of Great Britain. His enemies were sadly 
 vexed at this appointment, and made a solemn pro 
 test against \t, which they wished to have entered 
 upon the journals. This, however, was refused, 
 and it was consequently published in the newspa 
 pers. It drew from him a spirited reply. 
 
 1. How did Franklin lose his seat in the assembly T 2. What 
 appointment did he immediately receive ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 131 
 
 3. The opposition to his reappointment seems to 
 have greatly affected his feelings, as it came from 
 men with whom he had long been connected, both 
 in public and private life. In his last publication, 
 he took a pathetic leave of Pennsylvania. " I am 
 now," he says, " to take leave^ (perhaps a last leave) 
 of the country I love, and in which I have spent the 
 greatest part of my life. Esto perpetua /* I wish 
 every kind of prosperity to my friends, and I forgive 
 my enemies." 
 
 4. During his residence in England, he consulted, 
 with unremitting industry, the best interests of 
 his native country. He was every where received 
 with respect, on account of his reputation as a 
 writer and philosopher. In 1766 he made a visit to 
 Holland and Germany, and received the greatest 
 marks of attention from men of science. In the 
 following year he travelled into France, where he 
 was received with much kindness and favor. He 
 became acquainted with a number of literary men, 
 and was introduced to the king, Louis XV. 
 
 5. Difficulties had now commenced between 
 Great Britain and her provinces in America. Frank 
 lin was unwearied in his efforts to bring about a 
 reconciliation. He had frequent interviews with 
 
 J. How did the opposition to his reappointment affect him ? 4. 
 What was his reception in England ? What countries did he 
 visit in 1766 ? In 1767 ? 5. What were Franklin s efforts to bring 
 about a reconciliation between Great Britain and the provinces ? 
 
 * May it exist for ever ! 
 
132 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 Lord Howe and Lord Chatham, and other distin 
 guished English statesmen, who entertained for him 
 the highest respect and esteem. Most of the time 
 during his present residence in England was occu 
 pied in these vain efforts. The violent conduct of 
 the parent state drove the colonies to war, and 
 Franklin returned to America in the year 1775. 
 
 6. The day after his return he was elected, by the 
 legislature of Pennsylvania, a delegate to congress. 
 Not long after his election, a committee was ap 
 pointed, consisting of Mr. Lynch, Mr. Harrison and 
 himself, to visit the camp at Cambridge. They 
 here united their efforts with those of the commander 
 in chief, to convince the soldiers of the necessity of 
 remaining in the field, and persevering in the cause 
 of their country. 
 
 7. When Lord Howe came to America in 1776, 
 with powers to effect an accommodation with the 
 colonists, a correspondence on the subject took place 
 between him and Dr. Franklin. John Adams, 
 Edward Rutledge and Dr. Franklin were afterwards 
 appointed to wait upon Lord Howe, and learn the 
 extent of his powers. These were found to be con 
 fined to the liberty of granting pardons, on sub 
 mission. The Americans, at that time, would not 
 thank the king for a thousand pardons, and the 
 
 6. What appointment did he receive on his return ? What 
 committee was chosen to visit the camp at Cambridge ? 7. Witn 
 what powers was Lord Howe invested ? Who were appointed 
 to wait on him ? 
 
LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 133 
 
 interview terminated without effecting any thing 
 towards a reconciliation. 
 
 8. Dr. Franklin was an earnest advocate for the 
 entire separation of the colonies from Great Britain, 
 and his writings upon the subject had great influ 
 ence on the public mind. In 1776, he was presi 
 dent of a convention, which assembled for the pur 
 pose of establishing a new form of government for 
 the state of Pennsylvania. In the latter part of this 
 year, he was appointed to assist Mr. Silas Deane in 
 managing the affairs of the colonies at the court of 
 France. 
 
 9. No one could have rendered more service to 
 the United States, in this situation, than Dr. Frank 
 lin. His character was much honored in France, 
 and as a philosopher he was held in very high 
 esteem. He was received with respect by all the 
 celebrated literary men of the day ; and this respect 
 naturally extended itself to all classes. His political 
 negotiations were of the greatest importance to his 
 native country. 
 
 10. When the independence of the United States 
 was acknowledged by Great Britain, Franklin be 
 came desirous of returning home. The infirmities 
 of age and disease had fallen upon him, and the 
 situation of his country rendered his services no 
 longer indispensably necessary. He applied to 
 
 8. Of what convention was Franklin the president in 1776 ? To 
 what office was he appointed ? 9. How was he esteemed in 
 France 1 How were his political negotiations ? 
 
 12 
 
134 LIFE OF FRANKLIN. 
 
 congress to be recalled, and Mr. Jefferson was ap 
 pointed to succeed him in 1785. In September of 
 the same year, Franklin arrived in Philadelphia. 
 He was shortly after chosen a member of the su 
 preme council for the city, and was soon elected 
 president of the same body. 
 
 11. For the next three years Franklin still de 
 voted himself to public business, and to his political 
 and philosophical studies. He retained his desire 
 of being useful to the last of his life. In 1788, his 
 increasing infirmities compelled him to retire from 
 public office. His complaints continued, and he 
 suffered very severely from his sickness. He still, 
 however, remained good-natured and cheerful, was 
 perfectly resigned to his situation, acknowledging 
 the justice and kindness of that Being who had seen 
 fit that he should be thus afllicted. 
 
 12. On the 17th of April, 1790, about eleven 
 o clock at night, Dr. Franklin quietly expired. He 
 had reached an honored and a happy old age. From 
 small beginnings, by a uniform course of prudence 
 and honesty, he had raised himself to high station, 
 wealth and distinction. 
 
 13. In considering the character of Franklin, we 
 perceive that the most marked trait was his habit 
 of economy. By economy we do not mean merely 
 
 10. When did Franklin return to Philadelphia ? What honor 
 was immediately conferred on him ? 11. When did he retire from 
 public office ? On what account ? 12. When did Dr. Franklin 
 die ? 13. What was the marked trait in Fraukliu s character t 
 14. What other traits were conspicuous 
 
LIFE OF FRAJfKLDI. ] \ t 
 
 care in gaining and keeping of his money. We 
 mean care of time, of labor; frugality, 
 jsirm. method in all his hnsmenk To this we 
 add economy of his heahj) ; avoiding all excess and 
 unnecessary exposure. 
 
 14. His cheerfulness and good natare were also 
 remarkable. He was erer happy and entertaining. 
 His anecdotes and jests were always to the point, 
 and his manner of con rersing and lilini, was at 
 once pleasing and enecdre. 
 
 1" Fnr VIM rwiMu* WCT~w*,fHK )IM r^vnrfrv nvmikiBi lw 
 
 respect and gratitude; white his phifceophical discov 
 eries hare excited the admiiatioa of to His 
 name wiflUre iiith the names of the few great men 
 who have conferred endnrmg benefits on mankind. 
 The ioDowmg epitaph on himself was wzjtlen by 
 him many years pferioos to his death: 
 
 ---.--. -.-,--- 
 of 
 
 [Eke tie eater rf U WA, 
 
 -,- -- -- : -- -- -r 1: : J -- I _ 
 
 lies hoe food for vonw; 
 
 jt ne wk itodf dbafl aat W Wt, 
 
 farhwill(hai.i l irri) H ^r i n 
 
 -: 
 A 
 
ESSAYS OF DR. FRANKLIN 
 
 We are acquainted with no writer who inculcates lessons 
 of practical wisdom in a more agreeable and popular 
 manner than Dr. Franklin. His writings abound with 
 infinite good sense, and a singular shrewdness, not at all 
 inconsistent with the highest integrity and purity. We 
 have selected a few of his lighter essays as a sequel to 
 the Biography; desirable, both as displaying somewhat 
 of the character of their author, and conveying common 
 Bensffmaxims likely to be of much service to the young. 
 
 A True Story Written to his Nephew. 
 
 WHEN I was a child, at seven years old, my 
 friends, on a holyday, filled my pockets with cop 
 pers. 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 him all 
 rny money for one. I then came home, and went 
 whistling all over the house, much pleased with my 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 137 
 
 whistle, but disturbing all the family. My broth 
 ers, and sisters, and cousins, understanding the 
 bargain I had made, told me I had given four times 
 as much for it as it was worth. This put me in 
 mind what good things I might have bought with 
 the rest of the money ; and they laughed at me so 
 much for my folly, that I cried with vexation ; and 
 the reflection gave me more chagrin than the whis 
 tle 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 
 *hing, I said to myself, Don t give too much for 
 the whistle ; and so I saved my money. 
 
 A.S 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 their wfatle. 
 
 When I saw any one too ambitious of court fa 
 vor, 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, constant 
 ly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting 
 his own affairs, and ruining them by that neglect, 
 He pays, indeed, says 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 accu- 
 
 12* 
 
138 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 mulatmg wealth, Poor man, says I, you do indeed 
 pay too much for your whistle. 
 
 When I meet a man of pleasure, sacrificing 
 every laudable improvement of the mind, or of his 
 fortune, to mere corporeal sensations, Mistaken 
 man, says I, you are providing pain for yourself 
 instead of pleasure ; you give too much for your 
 whistle. 
 
 If I see one fond of fine clothes, fine furniture, 
 fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which lie 
 contracts debts, and ends his career in prison, 
 Alas, says 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 it is, says I, that she has paid so much for 
 
 In short, I conceived that great part of the mise 
 ries of mankind were brought upon them by the 
 false estimates they had made of the value of things, 
 and by their giving too much for their whistles. 
 
 HANDSOME AND DEFORMED LEG. 
 
 THERE are two sorts of people in the world, who, 
 with equal degrees of health and wealth, and the 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 139 
 
 other comforts of life, become, the one happy, and 
 the other miserable This arises very much from 
 the different views in which they consider things, 
 persons, and events ; and the effect of those differ 
 ent views upon their own minds. 
 
 In whatever situation men can be placed, they 
 may find conveniences and inconveniences : in 
 whatever company, they may find persons and con 
 versation more or less pleasing : at whatever table, 
 they may meet with meats and drinks of better and 
 worse taste, dishes better and worse dressed : in 
 whatever climate, they will find good and bad 
 weather : under whatever government, they may 
 find good and bad laws, and good and bad adminis 
 tration of those laws : in whatever poem, or work 
 of genius, they may see faults and beauties : in 
 almost every face, and every person, they may dis 
 cover fine features and defects, good and bad qual 
 ities. 
 
 Under these circumstances, the two sorts of peo 
 ple above mentioned fix their attention ; those who 
 are disposed to be happy, on the conveniences of 
 things, the pleasant parts of conversation, the well- 
 dressed dishes, the goodness of the wines, the fine 
 weather, &c., and enjoy all with cheerfulness. 
 Those who are to be unhappy, think and speak 
 only of the contrarieties. Hence they are contin 
 ually discontented themselves, and, by their remarks, 
 sour the pleasures of society ; offend personally 
 many people, and make themselves every where 
 
140 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 disagreeable. If this turn of mind was founded 
 in nature, such unhappy persons would be the 
 more to be pitied. But as the disposition to 
 criticise, and to be disgusted, is, perhaps, taken 
 up originally by imitation, and is, unawares, grown 
 into a habit, which, though at present strong, may, 
 nevertheless, be cured, when those who have it 
 are convinced of its bad eifect on their felicity ; I 
 hope this little admonition may be of service to 
 them, and put them on changing a habit which, 
 though in the exercise it is chiefly an act of imagi 
 nation, yet has serious consequences in life, as it 
 brings on real griefs and misfortunes. For, as 
 many are offended by, and nobody loves, this sort 
 of people, no one shows them more than the most 
 common civility and respect, and scarcely that ; 
 and this frequently puts them out of humor, and 
 draws them into disputes and contentions. If they 
 aim at obtaining some advantage in rank or for 
 tune, nobody wishes them success, or will stir a step 
 or speak a wovd to favor their pretensions. If they 
 incur public censure or disgrace, no one will de 
 fend or excuse, and many join to aggravate their 
 misconduct, and render them completely odious 
 . f these people will not change this bad habit, ana 
 condescend to be pleased with what is pleasing, 
 without fretting themselves or others about the con 
 trarieties, it is good for others to avoid an acquaint 
 ance with them, which is always disagreeable, and 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one 
 finds one s self entangled in their quarrels. 
 
 An old philosophical friend of mine was grown, 
 from experience, very cautious in this particular, 
 and carefully avoided any intimacy with such 
 people. He had, like other philosophers, a ther 
 mometer to show him the heat of the weather ; and 
 a barometer to mark when it was likely to prove 
 good or bad ; but there being no instrument invent 
 ed to discover, at first sight, this unpleasing dis 
 position in a person, he, for that purpose, made use 
 of his legs ; one of which was remarkably hand 
 some; the other, by some accident, crooked and 
 deformed. If a stranger, at first interview, regard 
 ed his ugly leg more than his handsome one, he 
 doubted him. If he spoke of it, and took no notice 
 of the handsome leg, that was sufficient to deter 
 mine my philosopher to have no further acquaint 
 ance with him. Every body has not this two- 
 legged instrument; but every one, with a little 
 attention, may observe signs of that carping, fault 
 finding disposition, and take the same resolution of 
 avoiding the acquaintance of those infected with it 
 I therefore advise those critical, querulous, dis 
 contented, unhappy people, if they wish to be re 
 spected and beloved by others, and happy in them 
 selves, they should leave off looking at the ugly leg. 
 
142 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 ADVICE TO A YOUNG TRADESMAN. 
 
 Written Anno 1748. 
 TO MY FRIEND, A. B. 
 
 As you have desired it of me, I write the following 
 hints, which have been of service to me, and may, 
 if observed, be so to you. 
 
 REMEMBER that time is money. He that can 
 earn ten shillings a day by his labor, and goes 
 abroad, or sits idle one half of that day, though he 
 spends but six pence during his diversion or idle 
 ness, ought not to reckon that the only expense ; 
 he has really spent, or rather thrown away, five 
 shillings besides. 
 
 Remember that credit is money. If a man lets 
 his money lie in my hands after it is due, he gives 
 me the interest, or so much as I can make of it 
 during that time. This amounts to a considerable 
 sum where a man has good and large credit, and 
 makes good use of it. 
 
 Remember that money is of a prolific, generating 
 nature. Money can beget money, and its offspring 
 can beget more, and so on. Five shillings turned 
 is six ; turned again is seven and three pence ; and 
 BO on till it becomes a hundred pounds. The 
 more there is of it, the more it produces every 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 143 
 
 turning, so that the profits rise quicker and quicker. 
 He that kills a breeding sow, destroys all her 
 offspring to the thousandth generation. He that 
 murders a crown, destroys all that it might have 
 produced, even scores of pounds. 
 
 Remember that six pounds a year is but a groat 
 a day. For this little sum (which may be daily 
 wasted either in time or expense, unperceived), a 
 man of credit may, on his own security, have the 
 constant possession and use of a hundred pounds. 
 So much in stock, briskly turned by an industrious 
 man, produces great advantage. 
 
 Remember this saying, " The good paymaster 
 is lord of another man s purse." He that is known 
 to pay punctually and exactly to the time he 
 promises, may at any time, and on any occasion, 
 raise all the money his friends can spare. This 
 is sometimes of great use. After industry and 
 frugality, nothing contributes more to the raising 
 of a young man in the world, than punctuality and 
 justice in all his dealings : therefore never keep 
 borrowed money an hour beyond the time you 
 promised, lest a disappointment shut up your 
 friend s purse for ever. 
 
 The most trifling actions that affect a man s 
 credit are to be regarded. 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 
 
144 FRANKLLVS WORKS. 
 
 at work, he sends for his money the next day ; 
 demands it before he can receive it in a lump. 
 
 It shows, besides, that you are mindful of what 
 you owe ; it makes you appear a careful as well 
 as an honest man, and that still increases your 
 credit. 
 
 Beware of thinking all your own that you pos 
 sess, and of living accordingly. It is a mistake 
 that many people who have credit fall into. To 
 prevent this, keep an exact account, for some time, 
 both of your expenses and your income. If you 
 take the pains at first to mention particulars, it 
 will have this good effect ; you will discover how 
 wonderfully small, trifling expenses mount up 
 to large sums, and will discern what might have 
 been, and may for the future be saved, without 
 occasioning any great inconvenience. 
 
 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 noth 
 ing will do, and with them every thing. He that 
 gets all he can honestly, and saves all he gets 
 (necessary expenses excepted), will certainly be 
 come 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. 
 
 AN OLD TRADESMAN. 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 145 
 
 NECESSARY HINTS TO THOSE THAT 
 WOULD BE RICH// 
 
 Written Anno 1786. 
 
 THE use of money is all the advantage there 13 
 in having money. 
 
 For six pounds a year you may have the use of 
 one hundred pounds, provided you are a man of 
 known prudence and honesty. 
 
 He that spends a groat a day idly, spends idly 
 above six pounds a yea/, which is the price for the 
 use of one hundred pounds. 
 
 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 year. 
 
 He that idly loses five shillings worth of time, 
 loses five shillings, and might as prudently throw 
 five shillings into the sea. 
 
 He that loses five shillings, not only loses that 
 sum, but all the advantages that might be made by 
 turning it in dealing ; which, by the time that a 
 young man becomes old, will amount to a con 
 siderable sum of money. 
 
 Again ; he that sells upon credit, asks a price for 
 what he sells equivalent to the principal and inter 
 est of his money for the time he is to be kept out of 
 it ; therefore, he that buys upon credk, pays inter 
 est for what he buys; and he that pays ready 
 13 G 
 
146 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 money, might let that money out to use ; so that 
 he that possesses any thing he has bought, pays 
 interest for the use of it. 
 
 Yet, in buying goods, it is best to pay ready 
 money, because, he that sells upon credit, expects 
 to lose five per cent, by bad debts ; therefore he 
 charges, on all he sells upon credit, an advance 
 that shall make up that deficiency. 
 
 Those who pay for what they buy upon credit, 
 pay their share of this advance. 
 
 He that pays ready money, escapes, or may 
 escape, that charge. 
 
 A penny saved is twopence clear ; 
 A pin a day s a groat a year. 
 
 PAPER. 
 
 A POEM. 
 
 SOME wits of old, such wits of old there were, 
 Whose hints showed meaning, whose allusions care, 
 By one brave stroke to mark all human kind, 
 Called clear blank paper every infant mind ; 
 When still, as opening sense her dictates wrote, 
 Fair Virtue put a seal, or Vice a blot. 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 147 
 
 The thought was happy, pertinent and true ; 
 Methinks a genius might the plan pursue. 
 I (can you pardon my presumption ?) I 
 No wit, no genius, yet for once will try. 
 
 Various the papers various wants produce, 
 The wants of fashion, elegance and use. 
 Men are as various ; and if right I scan, 
 Each sort of paper represents some man. 
 
 Pray note the fop half powder and half lace 
 Nice as a band-box were his dwelling-place : 
 He s the gilt-paper, which apart you store, 
 And lock from vulgar hands in the scrutoire 
 
 Mechanics, servants, farmers, and so forth, 
 Are copy-paper, of inferior worth ; 
 Less prized, more useful, for your desk decreed. 
 Free to all pens, and prompt at every need. 
 
 The wretch whom av rice bids to pinch and spare, 
 Starve, cheat, and pilfer, to enrich an heir, 
 Is coarse brown-paper ; such as pedlers choose 
 To wrap up wares, which better men will use. 
 
 Take next the miser s contrast, who destroys 
 Health, fame, and fortune, in a round of joys. 
 Will any paper match him 1 Yes, throughout 
 He s a true sinking-paper, past all doubt. 
 
148 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 The retail politician s anxious thought 
 Deems this side always right, and that stark naught ; 
 He foams with censure ; with applause he raves 
 A dupe to rumors, and a tool of knaves ; 
 He ll want no type his weakness to proclaim, 
 While such a thing as fools-cap has a name. 
 
 The hasty gentleman, whose blood runs high, 
 Who picks a quarrel if you step awry, 
 Who can t a jest, or hint, or look, endure : 
 What s he 1 What ? . Touch-paper, to be sure. 
 
 What are our poets, take them as they fall, 
 Good, bad, rich, poor, much read, not read at/all ? 
 Them and their works in the same class you ll find 
 They are the mere waste-paper of mankind. 
 
 Observe the maiden, innocently sweet ; 
 She s fair white-paper, an unsullied sheet; 
 On which the happy man, whom Fate ordains, 
 May write his name, and take her for his pains. 
 
 One instance more, and only one I ll bring; 
 Tis the great man who scorns a little thing, 
 Whose thoughts, whose deeds, whose maxims are 
 
 his own, 
 
 Formed on the feelings of his heart alone : 
 True, genuine royal-paper is his breast, 
 Of all the kinds most precious, purest, best. 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 149 
 
 ON THE ART OF SWIMMING. 
 
 In Answer to some Inquiries of M. Dubourg* on the 
 Subject. 
 
 I AM apprehensive that I shall not be able to find 
 leisure for making all the disquisitions and exper 
 iments which would be desirable on this subject. 
 I must, therefore, content myself with a few 
 remarks. 
 
 The specific gravity of some human bodies, in 
 comparison to that of water, has been examined by 
 M. Robinson, in our Philosophical Transactions, 
 volume 50, page 30, for the year 1757. He asserts, 
 that fat persons, with small bones, float most easily 
 upon water. 
 
 The diving bell is accurately described in our 
 Transactions. 
 
 When I was a boy, I made two oval pallets, 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 pal 
 lets. In swimming, I pushed the edges of these 
 forward, and I struck the water with their flat sur 
 faces as I drew them back : I remember I swam 
 faster by means of these pallets, but they fatigued 
 my wrists. I also fitted to the soles of my feet a 
 
 * Translator of Dr. Franklin s works into French 
 
 13* 
 
160 FRANKLTN S WORKS. 
 
 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. 
 
 We have here waistcoats for swimming, which 
 are made of double sail cloth, with small pieces of 
 cork quilted in between them. 
 
 I know by experience, that it is a great comfort 
 to a swimmer who has a considerable distance to 
 go, to turn himself sometimes on his back, and to 
 vary in other respects the means of procuring a 
 progressive motion. 
 
 When he is seized with the cramp in the leg, 
 the method of driving it away is to give to the parts 
 affected a sudden, vigorous and violent shock ; 
 which he may do in the air as he swims on his 
 back. 
 
 During the great heats of summer, there is no dan 
 ger in bathing, however warm we may be, in rivers 
 which have been thoroughly warmed by the sun. 
 But to throw one s self into cold spring water, when 
 the body has been heated by exercise in the sun, 
 is an imprudence which may prove fatal. I once 
 knew an instance of four young men, who, having 
 worked at harvest in the heat of the day, with a 
 view of refreshing themselves, plunged into a spring 
 of cold water ; two died upon the spot, a third the 
 next morning, and the fourth recovered with great 
 difficulty. A copious draught of cold water, in 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 151 
 
 similar circumstances, is frequently attended with 
 the same effect in North America. 
 
 The exercise of swimming is one of the most 
 healthy and agreeable in the world. After having 
 swam for an hour or two in the evening, one sleeps 
 coolly the whole night, even during the most ar 
 dent heat of summer. Perhaps, the pores being 
 cleansed, the insensible perspiration increases, and 
 occasions this coolness. It is certain, that much 
 swimming is the means of stopping a diarrhoea, 
 and even of producing a constipation. With re 
 spect to those who do not know how to swim, or 
 who are affected with a diarrhoea at a season which 
 does not permit them to use that exercise, a warm 
 bath, by cleansing and purifying the skin, is found 
 very salutary, and often effects a radical cure. I 
 speak from my own experience, frequently repeated, 
 and that of others, to whom I have recommended 
 this. 
 
 You will not be displeased if I conclude these 
 hasty remarks by informing you, that as the ordi 
 nary 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 dis 
 tances 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 
 
152 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 with flying a paper kite ; and approaching the back 
 of a pond, which was near 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 round 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. 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 153 
 
 PRELIMINARY ADDRESS TO THE PENN 
 SYLVANIA ALMANAC, ENTITLED, "POOR 
 RICHARD S ALMANAC, FOR THE YEAR 
 
 1758." 
 
 I HAVE heard, that nothing gives an author so 
 great pleasure as to find his works respectfully 
 quoted by other learned authors. This pleasure I 
 have seldom enjoyed ; for though I have been, if 
 I may say it without vanity, an eminent author 
 (of almanacs) annually, now a full quarter of a cen 
 tury, my brother authors in the same way (for what 
 reason I know not) have ever been very sparing in 
 their applauses; and no other author has taken 
 the least notice of me ; so that, did not my writings 
 produce me some solid pudding, the great deficien 
 cy of praise would have quite discouraged me. 
 
 I concluded, at length, that the people were the 
 best judges of my merit, for they buy my works ; 
 and besides, in my rambles, where I am not per 
 sonally known, I have frequently heard one or 
 ther of my adages repeated, with "as poor Richard 
 ays," at the end on t. This gave me some satis 
 faction, as it showed not only that my instructions 
 were regarded, but discovered likewise some re 
 spect for my authority ; and I own, that to encour 
 age the practice of remembering and repeating 
 
 G2 
 
154 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 those wise sentences, I have sometimes quoted 
 myself with great gravity. 
 
 Judge, then, how much 1 have been gratified by 
 an incident which I am going to relate to you. I 
 stopped my horse lately where a great number of 
 people were collected at an auction of merchants 
 goods. The hour of sale not being come, they 
 were conversing on the badness of the times ; and 
 one of the company called to a plain, clean, old 
 man, with white locks, " Pray, father Abraham, 
 what think ye of the times 1 Won t these heavy 
 taxes quite ruin the country 1 How shall we ever 
 be able to pay them? What would you advise 
 us to ?" Father Abraham stood up, and replied, 
 " If you have my advice, I ll give it to you in short ; 
 for a word to the wise is enough ; and many words 
 won t fill a bushel, as poor Richard says." They 
 joined in desiring him to speak his mind; and, 
 gathering round him, he proceeded as follows : 
 
 " Friends (says he) and neighbors, the taxes are 
 indeed very heavy ; and if those laid on by the gov 
 ernment were the only ones we had to pay, we 
 might more easily discharge them : but we have 
 many others, and much more grievous to some of 
 us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, 
 three times as much by our pride, and four times 
 as much by our folly : and from these taxes the 
 commissioners cannot ease or deliver us, by allow 
 ing an abatement. However, let us hearken to 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 155 
 
 good advice, and something may be done for us ; 
 God helps them that help themselves/ as poor 
 Richard says in his Almanac. 
 
 " It would be thought a hard government that 
 should tax its people one tenth part of their time, 
 to be employed in its service ; but idleness taxes 
 many of us much more, if we reckon all that is 
 spent in absolute sloth, or doing of nothing, with 
 that which is spent in idle employments, or 
 amusements that amount to nothing. Sloth, by 
 bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens life. 
 Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, 
 while the key often used is always bright/ as poor 
 Richard says. But dost thou love life 1 then do 
 not squander time, for that s the stuff life is made 
 of/ as poor Richard says. How much more than 
 is necessary do we spend in sleep ! forgetting that 
 the sleeping fox catches no poultry, and that 
 there will be sleeping enough in the grave/ as poor 
 Richard says. If time be of all things the most 
 precious, wasting time must be (as poor Richard 
 says) the greatest prodigality / since, as he else 
 where tells us, Lost time is never found again; 
 and what we call time enough, always proves little 
 enough. Let us then up and be doing, and [doing 
 to the purpose : so by diligence shall we do more 
 with less perplexity. Sloth makes all things dif 
 ficult, but industry all easy/ as poor Richard says ; 
 and He that riseth late must trot all day, and shall 
 scarce overtake his business at night ; while lazi- 
 
156 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 ness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes 
 him, as we read in poor Richard ; who adds, 
 Drive thy business, let not that drive thee ; and, 
 
 Early to bed, and early to rise, 
 Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. 
 
 " So what signifies wishing and hoping for bette 
 times 1 We make these times better if we bestir 
 ourselves. Industry needs not wish/ as poor Rich 
 ard says ; He that lives upon hope will die fasting. 
 There are* noTgauiii Wlllioul pains ; tlien help, 
 hands, for I have no lands : or if I have, they are 
 smartly taxed ; and (as poor Richard likewise ob 
 serves) * He that hath a trade hath an estate, and 
 he that hath a calling hath an office of profit and 
 honor; but then the trade must be worked at, 
 and the calling well followed, or neither the estate 
 nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we 
 are industrious, we shall never starve ; for, as poor 
 Richard says, At the working-man s tiouse hunger 
 looks in, but ffar fis not pntnr., Nor will the bailiff 
 or the constable enter ; for, Industry pays debts, 
 but despair increased! them, says poor Richard. 
 What though you have found no treasure, nor has 
 any rich relation left you a legacy ? Diligence is 
 the mother of good luck, as poor Richard says : 
 amPXr od gives all things to industry : then plough 
 deep while sluggards sleep, and you will have corn 
 to sell and to keep, says poor Dick. Work while it 
 is called to-day ; for you know not how much you 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 157 
 
 may be hindered to-morrow ; which makes poor 
 Richard say, One to-day is worth two to-morrows ; 
 and, further, Have you somewhat to do to-morrow, 
 do it to-day. If you were a servant, would you 
 not be ashamed that a good master should catch 
 you idle ? Are you then your own master ? be 
 ashamed to catch yourself idle, as poor Dick says 
 When there is so much to be done for yourself, 
 your family, and your gracious king, be up by peep 
 of day : Let not the sun look down, and say, In 
 glorious here he lies ! Handle your tools without 
 mittens ; remember, that the cat in gloves catches 
 no mice, as poor Richard says. It is true, there 
 is much to be done, and perhaps you are weak- 
 handed ; but stick to it steadily, and you will see 
 great effects; for continual dropping wears away 
 stones, and by diligence and patience the mouse 
 ate into the cable ; and light strokes fell great oaks, 
 as poor Richard says in his Almanac, the year I 
 cannot just now remember. 
 
 " Methinks I hear some of you say, Must a man 
 afford himself no leisure ? I will tell thee, my 
 friend, what poor Richard says ; Employ thy time 
 well, if thou meanest to gain leisure; and since 
 thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an 
 hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful ; 
 this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the 
 lazy man never; so that, as poor Richard says, 
 * A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two 
 things. Do you imagine that sloth will afford you 
 14 
 
158 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 more comfort than labor 1 No ; for, as poor Rich 
 ard says, Troubles spring from idleness, and 
 grievous toils from needless ease : many without 
 labor would live by their own wits only ; but they 
 break for want of stock. Whereas industry gives 
 comfort, and plenty, and respect. Fly pleasures, 
 and they ll follow you ; the diligent spinner has a 
 large shift ; and now I have a sheep and a cow, 
 every body bids me good-morrow ; all which is 
 well said by poor Richard. 
 
 " But with our industry, we must likewise be 
 steady, and settled, and careful, and oversee our 
 own affairs with our own eyes, and not trust too 
 much to others ; for, as poor Richard says, 
 
 I never saw an oft-removed tree, 
 
 Nor yet an oft-removed family, 
 
 That throve so well as one that settled be. 
 
 " And again, Three removes are as bad as a 
 fire : and again, Keep thy shop, and thy shop will 
 keep thee : and again, Ijpu would have your 
 go; if not .send. And again, 
 
 He that by the plough would thrive, 
 Himself must either hold or drive. 
 
 " And again, The eye of the master will do 
 more work than both his hands ; and again, Want 
 of care does us more damage than want of knowl 
 edge ; and again, Not to oversee workmen is to 
 your purse open. Trusl mg^oo much 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 169 
 
 to others care is the ruin of many ; for, as the 
 Almanac says, In the affairs of the world, men 
 are saved not by faith, but by the want of it ; but a 
 man s own care is profitable ; for, saith poor Dick, 
 Learning is to the studious and riches to the care 
 ful, as well as power to the bold, and heaven to the 
 virtuous. And, further, If you would have a 
 faithful servant, and one that you like, serve 
 yoursglf. And again, he adviseth to circumspec 
 tion and care, even in the smallest matters, because 
 sometimes, A little neglect may breed great mis 
 chief; adding, f For want of a nail the shoe was 
 lost ; for want of a shoe the horse was lost ; and for 
 wa"nt of aliorse the rider was lost : being overtaken 
 and slain by the enemy, all for want of care about 
 a horse-shoe nail. 
 
 " So much for industry, my friends, and atten 
 tion to one s own business ; but to these we must 
 add frugality, if we would make our industry more 
 certainly successful. A man may, if he knows not 
 how to save as he gets, keep. his nose all his life 
 to the grindstone, and die not worth a groat at last. 
 A fat kitchen makes a lean will/ as poor Richard 
 says; and, 
 
 Many estates are spent in the getting; 
 
 Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting, 
 
 And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting. 
 
 " If you would be wealthy (says he, in another 
 Almanac), think of saving, as well as of getting: 
 
160 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 the Indies have not made Spain rich, because her 
 outgoes are greater than her incomes. 
 
 "Away then with your expensive follies, and 
 you will not have much cause to complain of hard 
 times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families; for, 
 as poor Dick says, 
 
 Women and wine, game and deceit, 
 Make the wealth small, and the want great. 
 
 " And, further, What maintains one vice, would 
 bring up two children. You may think, perhaps, 
 that a little tea, or a little punch now and then, diet 
 a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little 
 entertainment now and then, can be no great mat 
 ter ; but remember what poor Richard says Many 
 a little makes a mickle ; and further, * Beware of 
 littk^expensns : a sipalHnak will sink a great ship ; 
 and again, Who daintieslove shall beggars~prove ; 
 and moreover, Fools make feasts, and wise men 
 eat them. 
 
 " Here you are all got together at this sale of 
 fineries and nick-nacks. You call them goods; 
 but if you do not take care, they will prove evils to 
 some of you. You expect they will be sold cheap, 
 and perhaps they may for less than they cost ; but if 
 you have no occasion for them, they must be dear 
 to you. Remember what poor Richard says Buy 
 what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt 
 sell thy necessaries. And again, At a great pen 
 nyworth pause awhile. He means, that perhaps 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 161 
 
 the cheapness is apparent only, or not real ; or the 
 bargain, by straitening thee in thy business, may do 
 thee more harm than good. For in another place 
 he says, Many have been ruined by buying good 
 pennyworths. Again, as poor Richard says, * I 
 is foolish to lay out money in a purchase of repent 
 ance : and yet this folly is practised every day at 
 auctions, for want of minding the Almanac. Wise 
 men (as poor Dick says) learn by others harms, 
 fools scarcely by their own ; but Felix quern faciunt 
 aliena pcricula cautum. Many a one, for the sake of 
 finery on the back, have gone with a hungry belly, 
 and half starved their families : Silk and satins, 
 scarlet and velvets (as poor Richard says), pu^out 
 the kitchen^fire.. These are not the necessaries 
 of life ; they can scarcely be called the conveni 
 ences ; and yet only because they look pretty, how 
 many want to have them ! The artificial wants of 
 mankind thus become more numerous than the 
 natural ; and as poor Dick says, For one poor per 
 son there are a hundred indigent. By these and 
 other extravagances the genteel are reduced to 
 poverty, and forced to borrow of those whom they 
 formerly despised, but who, through industry and 
 frugality, have maintained their standing ; in which 
 case it appears plainly, A ploughman on his legs 
 is higher than a gentleman on his knees, as poor 
 Richard says. Perhaps they have had a small es 
 tate left them, which they knew not the getting of; 
 they think It is day, and will never be night ; 
 14* 
 
162 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 that a little to be spent out of so much, is not worth 
 minding. A child and a fool (as poor Richard 
 says) imagine twenty shillings and twenty years can 
 never be spent ; but always be taking out of the 
 meal-tub, and never putting in, soon comes to the 
 bottom : then, as poor Dick says, When the well is 
 dry, they know the worth of water. But this they 
 might have known before, if they had taken his 
 advice : * if you would know the value j)f money. 
 go jmd try to borrow some ; for he that goes jj. bor- 
 ro\yjng goes ajsojrro wirier ; and, indeed, so does he 
 that lends to such people, when he goes to get it in 
 again. Poor Dick further advises, and says, 
 
 Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse : 
 Ere fancy you consult, consult your purse. 
 
 And again, Pride is as loud a beggar as Want, 
 and a great deal more saucy/ When you have 
 bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more, that 
 your appearance may be all of a piece ; but poor 
 Dick says, It is easier to suppress the first desire, 
 than to satisfy all that follow it. And it is as 
 truly folly for the poor to ape the rich, as the frog 
 to swell in order to equal the ox. 
 
 Vessels large may venture more, 
 But little boats should keep near shore. 
 
 Tis, however, a folly soon punished ; for Pride 
 that dines on vanity, sups on contempt, as poor 
 Richard says. And in another place, Pride break- 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 163 
 
 fasted with Plenty, dined with Poverty, and supped 
 with Infamy. And, after all, of what use is this 
 pride of appearance, for which so much is risked, 
 so much is suffered 1 It cannot promote health, or 
 ease pain; it makes no increase of merit in the 
 person ; it hastens misfortune. 
 
 What is a butterfly ? At best, 
 He s but a caterpillar drest ; 
 The gaudy fop s his picture just, 
 
 as poor Richard says. 
 
 " But what madness must it be to run in debt 
 for these superfluities! We are offered, by the 
 terms of this sale, six months credit, and that per 
 haps has induced some of us to attend it, because 
 we cannot spare the ready money, and hope now to 
 be fine without it. But, ah ! think what you do 
 when you run in debt. You give to another power 
 over your liberty. If you cannot pay at the time, 
 you will be ashamed to see your creditor : you will 
 be in fear when you speak to him ; you will make 
 poor, pitiful, sneaking excuses, and by degrees 
 come to lose your veracity, and sink into base, 
 downright lying ; for, as poor Richard says, The 
 second vice is lying ; the first is running in debt. 
 And again, to the same purpose, Lying rides upon 
 debt s back; whereas a free-born Englishman 
 ought not to be ashamed nor afraid to speak to any 
 man living. But poverty often deprives a man of 
 all spirit and virtue : It is hard for an empty bag 
 
164 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 to stand upright, as poor Richard truly says. 
 What would you think of that prince, or that gov 
 ernment, who would issue an edict, forbidding you 
 to dress like a gentleman or gentlewoman, on pain 
 of imprisonment or servitude ? Would you not say, 
 that you were free, have a right to dress as you 
 please, and that such an edict would be a breach 
 of your privileges, and such a government tyranni 
 cal ? And yet you are about to put yourself under 
 that tyranny when you run in debt for such dress ! 
 Your creditor has authority, at his pleasure, to de 
 prive you of your liberty, by confining you in jail 
 for life, or by selling you for a servant, if you should 
 not be able to pay him. When you have got your 
 bargain, you may, perhaps, think little of payment; 
 but Creditors (poor Richard tells us) have better 
 memories than debtors; and in another place he 
 says, Creditors are a superstitious sect, great ob 
 servers of set days and times. The day comes 
 round before you are aware, and the demand is made 
 before you are prepared to satisfy it ; or, if you 
 bear your debt in mind, the term which at first 
 seemed so long, will, as it lessens, appear extremely 
 short. Time will seem to have added wings to his 
 heels as well as at his shoulders. Those have a 
 short Lent (saith poor Richard) who owe money to 
 be paid at Easter. Then since, as he says, The 
 borrower is a slave to the lender, and the debtor to 
 the creditor, disdain the chain, preserve your free 
 dom, and maintain your independency : be indus- 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 165 
 
 trious and free; be frugal and free. At present, 
 perhaps, you may think yourselves in thriving cir 
 cumstances, and that you can bear a little extrava 
 gance without injury ; but 
 
 For age and want save while you may, 
 No morning sun lasts a whole day/ 
 
 as poor Richard says. Gain may be temporary and 
 uncertain ; but ever, while you live, expense is con 
 stant and certain : and It is easier to build two 
 chimneys, than to keep one in fuel, as poor Rich 
 ard says. So Rather go to bed supperless than 
 rise in debt/ 
 
 Get what you can, and what you get hold, 
 
 ; Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold/ 
 
 as poor Richard says. And when you have got 
 the philosopher s stone, sure you will no longer 
 complain of bad times, or the difficulty of paying 
 taxes. 
 
 " This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom ; 
 but, after all, do not depend too much upon your 
 own industry, and frugality, and prudence, though 
 excellent things ; for they may be blasted, without 
 the blessing of Heaven : and therefore ask that 
 blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those 
 that at present seem to want it, but comfort and 
 help them. Remember Job suffered, and was after 
 wards prosperous. 
 
 "And now, to conclude, Experience keeps a 
 
166 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 dear school ; but fools will learn in no other, and 
 scarce in that ; for it is true, we may give advice, 
 but we cannot give conduct, as poor Richard says. 
 However, remember this, They that will not be 
 counseled cannot be helped, as poor Richard 
 says ; and further, that If you will not hear Rea 
 son, she will surely rap your knuckles. " 
 
 Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. 
 The people heard it, and approved the doctrine, and 
 immediately practised the contrary, just as if it had 
 been a common sermon; for the auction opened, 
 and they began to buy extravagantly, notwithstand 
 ing all his cautions, and their own fear of taxes. I 
 found the good man had thoroughly studied my Al 
 manacs, and digested all I had dropped on those 
 topics, during the course of twenty-five years. The 
 frequent mention he made of me, must have tired 
 every one else ; but my vanity was wonderfully de 
 lighted with it, though I was conscious that not a 
 tenth part of the wisdom was my own, which he as 
 cribed to me, but rather the gleanings that I had 
 made of the sense of all ages and nations. How 
 ever, I resolved to be the better for the echo of it ; 
 and though I had at first determined to buy stuff 
 for a new coat, I went away, resolved to wear my 
 old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the 
 same, thy profit will be as great as mine. 
 
 I am, as ever, thine to serve thee, 
 
 RICHARD SAUNDERS. 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 167 
 
 OBSERVATIONS ON WAR. 
 
 BY the original laws of nations, war and extirpa 
 tion were the punishment of injury. Humanizing 
 by degrees, it admitted slavery instead of death; a 
 further step was the exchange of prisoners instead 
 of slavery ; another, to respect more the property 
 of private persons under conquest, and be content 
 with acquired dominion. Why should not this law 
 of nations go on improving? Ages have inter 
 vened between its several steps ; but as knowledge 
 of late increases rapidly, why should not those steps 
 be quickened ? Why should it not be agreed to, 
 as the future law of nations, that in any war here 
 after, the following description of men should be 
 undisturbed, have the protection of both sides, 
 and be permitted to follow their employments in se 
 curity ? viz. 
 
 1. Cultivators of the earth, because they labor 
 for the subsistence of mankind. 
 
 2. Fishermen, for the same reason. 
 
 3. Merchants and traders in unarmed ships, who 
 accommodate different nations by communicating 
 and exchanging the necessaries and conveniences 
 of life. 
 
 4. Artists and mechanics, inhabiting and work 
 ing in open towns. 
 
 It is hardly necessary to add that the hospitals of 
 
168 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 enemies should be unmolested ; they ought to be 
 assisted. It is for the interest of humanity in gen 
 eral, that the occasions of war, and the induce 
 ments to it, should be diminished. If rapine be 
 abolished, one of the encouragements to war is 
 taken away ; and peace, therefore, more likely to 
 continue and be lasting. 
 
 The practice of robbing merchants on the high 
 seas a remnant of the ancient piracy though it 
 may be accidentally beneficial to particular persons, 
 is far from being profitable to all engaged in it, or to 
 the nation that authorizes it. In the beginning of a 
 war, some rich ships are surprised and taken. This 
 encourages the first adventurers to fit out more 
 armed vessels ; and many others to do the same. 
 But the enemy at the same time become more care 
 ful, arm their merchant ships better, and render 
 them not so easy to be taken ; they go also more 
 under the protection of convoys. Thus, while the 
 privateers to take them are multiplied, the vessels 
 subjected to be taken and the chances of profit 
 are diminished; so that many cruises are made 
 wherein the expenses overgo the gains ; and, as is 
 the case in other lotteries, though particulars have 
 got prizes, the mass of adventurers are losers, the 
 whole expense of fitting out all the privateers dur 
 ing a war being much greater than the whole 
 amount of goods taken. 
 
 Then there is the national loss of all the labor of 
 so many men during the time they have been em 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 169 
 
 ployed in robbing ; who, besides, spend what they 
 get in riot, drunkenness, and debauchery; lose 
 their habits of industry ; are rarely fit for any sober 
 business after a peace, and serve only to increase 
 the number of highwaymen and house-breakers. 
 Even the undertakers who have been fortunate are, 
 by sudden wealth, led into expensive living, the 
 habit of which continues when the means of sup 
 porting it cease, and finally ruins them; a just 
 punishment for their having wantonly and unfeel 
 ingly ruined many honest, innocent traders and 
 their families, whose substance was employed in 
 serving the common interests of mankind. 
 
 THE WAY TO MAKE MONEY PLENTY IN 
 EVERY MAN S POCKET. 
 
 AT this time, when the general complaint is that 
 " money is scarce," it will be an act of kindness 
 to inform the moneyless how they may reinforce 
 their pockets. I will acquaint them with the true 
 secret of money-catching, the certain way to fill 
 empty purses, and how to keep them always full. 
 Two simple rules, well observed, will do the busi 
 ness. 
 
 First, Let honesty and industry be thy constant 
 companions; and, 
 
 15 H 
 
170 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 Secondly, Spend one penny less than thy clear 
 gains. 
 
 Then shall thy hide-bound pocket soon begin to 
 thrive, and will never again cry with the empty 
 belly-ache ; neither will creditors insult thee, nor 
 want oppress, nor hunger bite, nor nakedness freeze 
 thee. The whole hemisphere will shine brighter, 
 and pleasure springupin_gvery corner oj^thy heart. 
 
 re, embrace these rules and be 
 Banish the bleak winds of sorrow from thy mind, 
 and live independent. Then shalt thou be a man, 
 and not hide thy face at the approach of the rich, 
 nor suffer the pain of feeling little when the sons of 
 fortune walk at thy right hand I for independency, 
 whether with little or much, is* good fortune, and 
 placeth thee on even ground with the proudest of 
 the golden fleece. Oh, then, be wise, and let indus 
 try walk with thee in the morning, and attend thee 
 until thou readiest the evening hour for rest. Let 
 honesty be as the breath of thy soul, and never for 
 get to have a penny, when all thy expenses are 
 enumerated and paid; then shalt thou reach the 
 point of happiness, and independence shall be thy 
 shield and buckler, thy helmet and crown; then 
 shall thy soul walk upright, nor stoop to the silken 
 wretch because he hath riches, nor pocket an abuse 
 because the hand which offers it wears a ring set 
 with diamonds. 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 171 
 
 MORALS OF CHESS. 
 
 PLAYING at chess is the most ancient and univer 
 sal game known among men ; for its original is be 
 yond the memory of history, and it has, for num 
 berless ages, been the amusement of all the civil 
 ized nations of Asia the Persians, the Indians, 
 and the Chinese. Europe has had it above a thou 
 sand years ; the Spaniards have spread it over their 
 parts of America, and it begins to make its appear 
 ance in these States. It is so interesting in itself 
 as not to need the view of gain to induce engaging 
 in it; and thence it is never played for money. 
 Those, therefore, who have leisure for such diver 
 sions, cannot find one that is more innocent ; and 
 the following piece, written with a view to correct 
 (among a few young friends) some little improprie 
 ties in the practice of it, shows, at the same time, 
 that it may, in its effects on the mind, be not merely 
 innocent, but advantageous, to the vanquished as 
 well as the victor. 
 
 The game of chess is not merely an idle amuse 
 ment. Several very valuable qualities of the mind, 
 useful in the course of human life, are to be ac 
 quired or strengthened by it, so as to become habits 
 ready on all occasions. For life is a kind of chess, 
 in which we have points to gain, and competitors 
 or adversaries to contend with, and in which there 
 
172 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 is a vast variety of good and ill events, that are, in 
 some degree, the effects of prudence or the want of 
 it. By playing at chess, then, we learn, 
 
 I. Porcsight, which looks a little into futurity, 
 considers the consequences that may attend an ac 
 tion : for it is continually occurring to the player, 
 " If I move this piece, what will be the advan 
 tage of my new situation ? What use can my ad 
 versary make of it to annoy me ? What other 
 moves can I make to support it, and to defend my 
 self from his attacks 1" 
 
 II. Circumspection, which surveys the whole 
 chessboard, or scene of action, the relations of .the 
 several pieces and situation, the dangers they are 
 respectively exposed to, the several possibilities of 
 their aiding each other, the probabilities that the 
 adversary may take this or that move, and attack 
 this or the other piece, and what different means 
 can be used to avoid his stroke, or turn its conse 
 quences against him. 
 
 III. Caution, not to make your moves too hasti 
 ly. This habit is best acquired by observing 
 strictly the laws of the game, such as, " If you touch 
 a piece, you must move it somewhere ; if you set it 
 down, you must let it stand :" and it is therefore best 
 that these rules should be observed ; as the game 
 thereby becomes more the image of human life, and 
 particularly of war : in which, if you have incau 
 tiously put yourself into a bad and dangerous posi 
 tion, you cannot obtain your enemy s leave to with- 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 173 
 
 draw your troops, and place them more securely, 
 but you must abide all the consequences of your 
 rashness. 
 
 And, lastly, we learn by chess the habit of not 
 being discouraged by present bad appearances in 
 the state of our affairs, the habit of hoping for a 
 favorable change, and that of persevering in the 
 search of resources. The game is so full of events, 
 there is such a variety of turns in it, the fortune of 
 it is so subject to sudden vicissitudes, and one so 
 frequently, after long contemplation, discovers the 
 means of extricating one s self from a supposed in 
 surmountable difficulty, that one is encouraged to 
 continue the contest to the last, in hope of victory 
 by our own skill, or at least of giving a stale mate, 
 by the negligence of our adversary. And whoever 
 considers, what in chess he often sees instances of, 
 that particular pieces of success are apt to produce 
 presumption, and its consequent inattention, by 
 which the loss may be recovered, will learn not to 
 be too much discouraged by the present success of 
 his adversary, nor to despair of final good fortune, 
 upon every little check he receives in the pursuit 
 of it. 
 
 That we may, therefore, be induced more fre 
 quently to choose this beneficial amusement, in 
 preference to others, which are not attended with 
 the same advantages, every circumstance which 
 may increase the pleasure of it should be regarded ; 
 and every action or word that is unfair, disrespect- 
 15* 
 
174 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 fill, or that in any way may give uneasiness, should 
 be avoided, as contrary to the immediate intention 
 of both the players, which is to pass the time agree 
 ably. 
 
 Therefore, first, If it is agreed to play according 
 to the strictest rules, then those rules are to be ex 
 actly observed by both parties, and should not be 
 insisted on for one side, while deviated from by the 
 other for this is not equitable. 
 
 Secondly, If it is agreed not to observe the rules 
 exactly, but one party demands indulgences, he 
 should, then, be as willing to allow them to the 
 other. 
 
 Thirdly, No false move should ever be made to 
 extricate yourself out of a difficulty, or to gain an 
 advantage. There can be no pleasure in playing 
 with a person once detected in such unfair prac 
 tices. 
 
 Fourthly, If your adversary is long in playing, 
 you ought not to hurry him, or to express any un 
 easiness at his delay. You should not sing, nor 
 whistle, nor look at your watch, nor take up a book 
 to read, nor make a tapping with your feet on the 
 floor, or with your fingers on the table, nor do any 
 thing that may disturb his attention. For all these 
 things displease ; and they do not show your skill 
 in playing, but your craftiness or your rudeness. 
 
 Fifthly, You ought not to endeavor to amuse and 
 deceive your adversary, by pretending to have made 
 bad moves, and saying that you have now lost the 
 
FRANKLLN S WORKS. 175 
 
 game, in order to make him secure and careless, 
 and inattentive to your schemes ; for this is fraud 
 and deceit, not skill in the game. 
 
 Sixthly, You must not, when you have gained a 
 victory, use any triumphing or insulting expression, 
 nor show too much pleasure ; but endeavor to con 
 sole your adversary, and make him less dissatisfied 
 with himself, by every kind of civil expression that 
 may be used with truth ; such as, " You understand 
 the game better then I, but you are a little inatten 
 tive ;" or, " You play too fast;" or, " You had the 
 best of the game, but something happened to divert 
 your thoughts, and that turned it in mv favor." 
 
 Seventhly, If you are a spectator while others 
 play, observe the most perfect silence. For if you 
 give advice, you offend both parties; him against 
 whom you give it, because it may cause the loss of 
 his game; and him in whose favor you gave it, 
 because, though it be good, and he follows it, he 
 loses the pleasure he might have had, if you had 
 permitted him to think until it had occurred to him 
 self. Even after a move, or moves, you must not, 
 by replacing the pieces, show how it might have 
 been placed better; for that displeases, and may 
 occasion disputes and doubts about their true situa 
 tion. All talking to the players lessens or diverts 
 their attention, and is therefore unpleasing. Nor 
 should you give the least hint to either party, by 
 any kind of noise or motion. If you do, you are 
 unworthy to be a spectator. If you have a mind to 
 
176 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 exercise or show your judgment, do it in playing 
 your own game, when you have an opportunity, 
 not in criticising, or meddling with, or counseling 
 the play of others. 
 
 Lastly, If the game is not to be played rigorously, 
 according to the rules above-mentioned, then moder 
 ate your desire of victory over your adversary, and 
 be pleased with one over yourself. Snatch not 
 eagerly at every advantage offered by his unskilful- 
 ness or inattention ; but point out to him kindly, 
 that by such a move he places or leaves a piece in 
 danger and unsupported ; that by another he will 
 put his king in a perilous situation, &c. By this 
 generous civility (so opposite to the unfairness 
 above forbidden), you may, indeed, happen to lose 
 the game to your own opponent, but you will win 
 what is better, his esteem, his respect, and his affec 
 tion ; together with the silent approbation and good 
 will of impartial spectators. 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. 177 
 
 CONVERSATION OF A COMPANY OF 
 EPHEMERAE ; 
 
 WITH THE SOLILOQUY OF ONE ADVANCED IN AGE. 
 TO MADAME BRILLIANT. 
 
 You may remember, my dear friend, that when 
 we lately spent that happy day, in the delightful 
 garden and sweet society of the Moulin Joly, I 
 stopped a little in one of our walks, and staid some 
 time behind the company. We had been shown 
 numberless skeletons of a kind of little fly, called 
 an ephemera, whose successive generations, we 
 were told, were bred and expired within the day. 
 I happened to see a living company of them on a 
 leaf, who appeared to be engaged in conversation. 
 You know I understand all the inferior animal 
 tongues ; my too great application to the study of 
 them is the best excuse I can give for the little prog 
 ress I have made in your charming language. I 
 listened through curiosity to the discourse of these 
 little creatures; but as they, in their national vivaci 
 ty, spoke three or four together, I could make but 
 little of their conversation. I found, however, by 
 some broken expressions that I heard now and 
 then, they were disputing warmly on the merit of 
 
 H2 
 
178 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 two foreign musicians, one a cousin, the other a 
 moschcto : in which dispute they spent their time, 
 seeming as regardless of the shortness of their life as 
 if they had been sure of living a month. Happy 
 people, thought I ; you live certainly under a wise, 
 just, and mild government, since you have no pub 
 lic grievances to complain of, nor any other subject 
 of contention but the perfections or imperfections 
 of foreign music. I turned my head from them to 
 an old gray-headed one, who was single on another 
 leaf, and talking to himself. Being amused with 
 his soliloquy, I put it down in writing, in hopes it 
 will likewise amuse her to whom I am so much in 
 debted for the most pleasing of all amusements, her 
 delicious company and heavenly harmony. 
 
 " It was," says he, " the opinion of learned philos 
 ophers of our race, who lived and flourished long 
 before my time, that this vast world, the Moulin 
 July, could not itself subsist more than eighteen 
 hours : and I think there was some foundation for 
 that opinion ; since, by the apparent motion of the 
 great luminary, that gives life to all nature, and 
 which in my time has evidently declined consider 
 ably towards the ocean at the end of the earth, it 
 must then finish its course, be extinguished in 
 the waters that surround us, and leave the world in 
 cold and darkness, necessarily producing universal 
 death and destruction. I have lived seven of those 
 hours; a great age, being no less than 420 min- 
 
FRANKLIN S WORKS. |?<J 
 
 utes of time ! How very few of us continue so 
 long! I have seen generations born, flourish and 
 expire. My present friends are children and grand 
 children of the friends of my youth, who are now, 
 alas, no more ! And I must soon follow them ; for 
 by the common course of nature, though still in 
 health, I cannot expect to live above seven or eight 
 minutes longer. What now avails all my toil and 
 labor, in amassing the honey dew on this leaf, 
 which I cannot live to enjoy 1 What my political 
 struggles I have been engaged in, for the good of 
 my compatriot inhabitants of this bush, or my phil 
 osophical studies, for the benefit of our race in gen 
 eral ; for in politics (what can laws do without mor 
 als?) our present race of ephemeras will in a course 
 of minutes become corrupt like those of other and 
 older bushes, and consequently as wretched ! And 
 in philosophy how small our progress ! Alas ! art 
 is long, and life is short ! My friends would com 
 fort me with the idea of a name, they say, I shall 
 leave behind me ; and they tell me I have lived 
 long enough to nature and to glory. But what will 
 fame be to an ephemera who no longer exists ? 
 and what will become of all history in the eighteenth 
 hour, when the world itself, even the whole Moulin 
 Joly, shall come to its end, and be buried in a 
 universal ruin 1" 
 
 To me, after all my eager pursuits, no solid pleas 
 ures now remain, but the reflection of a long fife 
 
180 
 
 FRANKLIN S WORKS. 
 
 spent in meaning well, the sensible conversation of 
 a few good lady ephemerae, and now and then a 
 kind smile and a tune from the ever amiable Bril 
 liant 
 
 B. FRANKLIN. 
 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 BERKELEY 
 
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 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
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