poe ae mba Pe P Gp es 7; Tek We : Setule att ‘A gs alae 2 Oe oy % Sr ee eh 3 eas Hers | aed 1 eye hs Sy et 7 Cae 45 8, aS rot ep Kc th ss - wate g as = a cs 7 os : ey» Se nes f : TPES SE : ee cue i Let % pation ; th eG, $25 2 $s ts uf te WES Ce es Ty : ~ : .% OP at Pes ane > tot Be : eo EC ©, Sweet t86.1 ; ‘ o> ar een te LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN B F831 1925 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN | Edited by _ FRANK WOODWORTH PINE GaRDEN CIiTy © New York GARDEN CITY PUBLISHING COMPANY 1925 CopyRriGHT, 1916, BY HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INTRODUCTION ‘be There are other reasons why the Autobiogra- phy should be an intimate friend of American young people. Here they may establish a close relationship with one of the foremost Ameri- cans as well as one of the wisest men of his age. The life of Benjamin Franklin is of impor- tance to every American primarily because of the part he played in securing the independence of the United States and in establishing it as a nation. Franklin shares with Washington the honors of the Revolution, and of the events lead- ing to the birth of the new nation. While Washington was the animating spirit of the struggle in the colonies, Franklin was its.ablest _ champion abroad. To Franklin’s cogent rea- soning and keen satire, we owe the clear and forcible presentation of the American case in England and France; while to his personality and diplomacy as well as to his facile pen, we ‘are indebted for the foreign alliance and the funds without which Washington’s work must have failed. His patience, fortitude, and prac- tical wisdom, coupled with self-sacrificing devo- tion to the Hopes his. country, are hardly less noticeable than similar qualities displayed by Washington. In fact, Franklin as a public man was much like Washington, especially in the en- tire disinterestedness of his public service. x ct INTRODUCTION Franklin is also interesting to us because by his life and teachings he has done more than any other American to advance the material pros- perity of his countrymen. It is said that his widely and faithfully read maxims made Phila- delphia and Pennsylvania wealthy, while Poor Richard’s pithy sayings, translated into many languages, have had a world-wide influence. Franklin is a good type of our American man- hood. Although not the wealthiest or the most powerful, he is undoubtedly, in the versatility of his genius and achievements, the greatest of | our self-made men. The simple yet graphic story in the Autobiography of his steady rise from humble boyhood in a tallow-chandler shop, by industry, economy, and perseverance in self- improvement, to eminence, is the most remark- able of all the remarkable histories of our self- made men. It is in itself a wonderful illustra- tion of the results possible to be attained in a land of unequaled opportunity by ae nes Franklin’s maxims. Franklin’s fame, however, was not confined to his own country. Although he lived in a cen- tury notable for the rapid evolution of scientific and political thought and activity, yet no less a keen judge and critic than Lord Jeffrey, the famous editor of the Edinburgh Review, a cen- INTRODUCTION éé tury ago said that “in one point of view the name of Franklin must be considered as stand- ing higher than any of the others which illus- trated the eighteenth century. Distinguished as a statesman, he was equally great as a_phi- losopher, thus uniting in himself a rare degree of excellence in both these pursuits, to excel in either of which is deemed the highest praise.” Franklin has indeed been aptly called “ many- sided.” He was eminent in science and public service, in diplomacy and in literature. He was the Edison of his day, turning his scientific dis- coveries to the benefit of his fellow-men. He perceived the identity of lightning and elec- tricity and set up the lightning rod. He in- vented the Franklin stove, still widely used, and refused to patent it. He possessed a masterly shrewdness in business and practical” affairs. Carlyle called him the father of all the Yankees. He founded a fire company, assisted in founding a hospital, and improved the cleaning and light- ing of streets.. He developed journalism, estab- lished the American Philosophical Society, the public library in Philadelphia, and the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. He organized a postal system for the colonies, which was the basis of the » present_ United States Post Office. Bancroft, the eminent historian, called him ‘ ‘the greatest INTRODUCTION diplomatist of his century.” He perfected the Albany Plan of Union for the colonies. He is the _only statesman who signed the Declaration of Tndependence, the Treaty of Alliance with _ France, the Treaty of Peace with England, and the Constitution.. As a writer, he has produced, in his Autobiography and in Poor Richard's Almanac, two works that are not surpassed by similar writing. He received honorary degrees from Harvard and Yale, from Oxford and St. Andrews, and was made a fellow of the Royal Society, which awarded him the Copley gold medal for improving natural knowledge. He was one of the eight foreign associates of the French Academy of Science. . The careful study of the Autobiography is also valuable because of the style in which it is written. If Robert Louis Stevenson is right in believing that his remarkable style was acquired by imitation then the youth who would gain the power to express his ideas clearly, forcibly, and interestingly cannot do better than to study Franklin’s method. Franklin’s fame in the scientific world was due almost as much to his modest, simple, and sincere manner of present- ing his discoveries and to the precision and clearness of the style in which he described his experiments, as to the results he was able to PN ROU CTO N hagas xiil announce. Sir Humphry Davy, the celebrated English chemist, himself an excellent literary critic as well as a great scientist, said: ‘ A-sin- gular felicity guided all Franklin’s researches, and by very small means he established very grand truths. The style and manner of his pub- lication on electricity are almost as worthy of admiration as the doctrine it contains.” Franklin’s place in literature is hard to deter- mine because he was not primarily a literary man. His aim in his writings as in his life work was to be helpful to his fellow-men. For him writing was never an end in itself, but always a means to anend. Yet his success as a scientist, a statesman, and a diplomat, as well as socially, was in no little part due to his ability as a writer. “ His letters charmed all, and made his correspondence eagerly sought. His political arguments were the joy of his party, and the dread of his opponents. His scientific discov- eries were explained in language at once so sim- ple and so clear that plow-boy and exquisite could follow his thought or his experiment to its conclusion.” * | As far as American literature is concerned, Franklin has no contemporaries. Before the Autobiography only one literary work of impor- 1 The Many-Sided Franklin. Paul L. Ford. xiv INTRODUCTION tance had been produced in this country—Cot- ton Mather’s Magnalia, a church history of New England in a ponderous, stiff style. Franklin was the first American author to gain a wide and permanent reputation in Europe. ‘The Autobiography, Poor Richard, Father Abraham’s Speech or The Way to Wealth, as well as some of the Bagatelles, are as widely known abroad as any American writings. Franklin must also be classed as the first American humorist. — English literature of the eighteenth century was characterized by the development of prose. Periodical literature reached its perfection early in the century in The Tatler and The Spectator of Addison and Steele. Pamphleteers flourished throughout the period. The homelier prose of Bunyan and Defoe gradually gave place to the more elegant and artificial language of Samuel Johnson, who set the standard for prose writing from 1745 onward. This century saw the be- ginnings of the modern novel, in Fielding’s Tom Jones, Richardson’s Clarissa Harlowe, Sterne’s Tristram Shandy, and Goldsmith’s Vicar of Wakefield... Gibbon wrote The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Hume his History of Eng- land, and Adam Smith the Wealth of Nations. In the simplicity and vigor of his style Frank- lin more nearly resembles the earlier group of INTRODUCTION xv writers. In his first essays he was not an in- ferior imitator of Addison. In his numerous parables, moral allegories, and apologues he showed Bunyan’s influence. But Franklin was essentially a journalist. In his swift, terse style, he is most like Defoe, who was the first great English journalist and master of the newspaper narrative. The style of both writers is marked by homely, vigorous expression, satire, burlesque, repartee. Here the comparison must end. Defoe and his contemporaries were authors. Their vocation was writing and their success rests on the imaginative or creative power they displayed. To authorship Franklin laid no claim. He wrote no work of the imagination. He developed only incidentally a style in many respects as remarkable as that of his English contemporaries. He wrote the best autobiogra- phy in existence, one of the most widely known collections of maxims, and an unsurpassed series’ of political and social satires, because he was a man of unusual scope of power and use- fulness, who knew how to tell his fellow-men the secrets of that power and that usefulness. THE STORY OF THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY The account of how Franklin’s Autobiography came to be written and of the adventures of the VEG INTRODUCTION original manuscript forms in itself an interesting story. The Autobiography is Franklin’s longest work, and yet it is only a fragment.. The first part, written as a letter to his son, William Franklin, was not intended for publication; and the composition is more informal and the narra- tive more personal than in the second part, from 1730 on, which was written with a view to pub- lication. The entire manuscript shows little evidence of revision. In fact, the expression is so homely and natural that his grandson, William Temple Franklin, in editing the work changed some of the phrases because he thought them inelegant and vulgar. \ Franklin began the story of his life while on a visit to his friend, Bishop Shipley, at Twyford, in Hampshire, southern England, in 1771. He took the manuscript, completed to 1731, with him when he returned to Philadelphia in 1775. It was left there with his other papers when he went to France in the following year, and dis- appeared during the confusion incident to the Revolution. Twenty-three pages of closely written manuscript fell into the hands of Abel James, an old friend, who sent a copy to Frank- lin at Passy, near Paris, urging him to complete the story. Franklin took up the work at Passy in 1784 and carried the narrative forward a few INTRODUCTION XVil months. He changed the plan to meet his new ‘purpose of writing to benefit the young reader. His. work was soon interrupted and was not re- sumed until 1788, when he was at home in Phila- delphia. He was now old, infirm, and suffering, and was still engaged in public service. Under these discouraging conditions the work pro- gressed slowly. It finally stopped when the narrative reached the year 1757. Copies of the manuscript were sent to friends of Franklin in England and France, among others to Monsieur Le Veillard at Paris. | | The first edition of the Autobiography was published in French at Paris in 1791. It was clumsily and carelessly translated, and was im- © perfect and unfinished. Where the translator got the manuscript is not known. Le Veillard disclaimed any knowledge of the publication. From this faulty French edition many others were printed, some in Germany, two in England, and another in France, so great was the demand for the work. _ In the meantime the original manuscript of the dutobiography had started on a varied and adventurous career. It was left by Franklin with his other works to his grandson, William Temple Franklin, whom Franklin designated as his literary executor. When Temple Franklin XVIii INTRODUCTION came to publish his grandfather’s works in 1817, he sent the original manuscript of the Autobiog- raphy to the daughter of Le Veillard in ex- change for her father’s copy, probably think- ing the clearer transcript would make better printer’s copy. The original manuscript thus found its way to the Le Veillard family and con- nections, where it remained until sold in 1867 to Mr. John Bigelow, United States Minister to France. By him it was later sold to Mr. E. Dwight Church of New York, and passed with the rest of Mr. Church’s library into the posses- sion of Mr. Henry E. Huntington. The original manuscript of Franklin’s Autobiography now rests in the vault in Mr. Huntington’s residence at Fifth Avenue and Fifty-seventh Street, New York City. When Mr. Bigelow came to examine his pur- chase, he was astonished to find that what peo- ple had been reading for years as the authentic Tife of Benjamin Franklin by Himself, was only a garbled and incomplete version of the real Autobiography. Temple Franklin had taken un- warranted liberties with the original. Mr. Bige- low says he found more than twelve hundred changes in the text. In 1868, therefore, Mr. Bigelow published the standard edition of Franklin’s Autobiography. It corrected errors INTRODUCTION xix in the previous editions and was the first Eng- lish edition to contain the short fourth part, comprising the last few pages of the manuscript, written during the last year of Franklin’s life. Mr. Bigelow republished the Autobiography, with additional interesting matter, in three vol- umes in 1875, in 1905, and in 1910. The text in this volume is that of Mr. Bigelow’s editions.” The Autobiography has been reprinted in the United States many scores of times and trans- lated into all the languages of Europe. It has never lost its popularity and is still in constant demand at circulating libraries. The reason for this popularity is not far to seek. For in this work Franklin told in a remarkable manner the story of a remarkable life. He displayed hard common sense and a practical knowledge of the art of living. He selected and arranged his ma- terial, perhaps unconsciously, with the unerring instinct of the journalist for the best effects. His success is not a little due to his plain, clear, vigorous English. He used short sentences and words, homely expressions, apt illustrations, and pointed allusions. Franklin had a most in- teresting, varied, and unusual life. He was one of the greatest conversationalists of his time. 1 ¥or the division into chapters and the chapter titles, however, the present editor is responsible. ® a INTRODUCTION His book is the record of that unusual life told in Franklin's own unexcelled conversational style. It is said that the best parts of Boswell’s famous biography of Samuel Johnson are those parts where Boswell permits Johnson to tell his own story. In the Autobiography a no less re- markable man and talker than Samuel Johnson is telling his own story throughout. | THE GILMAN CoUNTRY ScHOOL, Baltimore, September, 1916. Numb. XL. To eee Pennfylvania GAZETTE. Containing the frefheft Advices Foreign and DomesStick.. From Thurfday, Scptember 25. to Thurfday, October 2. 1729. HE Pennfyltvania Gazette being now to bs carry’d on by other Hands, the Reader may oxpe? fome Account of the Method we acfigg to proceed ite Upon a View of Chambers’s great DiZionaries, from whence were taken the Materials of the Univerfal Inftru@or in all Arts and Sciences, whith sfually made the Firft Part of this Paper, we find that befides their containing many Things abfirufe or infignificant to us, i will probably be fifty Years before the Whole can be gone thro’ in this Manner of Publication. There ars like= wife in thofo Books continual References from Things under one Letter agen Alpbabet to thofe pons reigns which relate to ey fame Subjed, Gna are neceffury to explain an. $ iy theft taken st thebe ie sass aebivste Ten Years Bipowrsd 4 WUD J1BLe bo 9 bIKETy ewe 2B, — Lo oy ik to acquaint han thoes with any particular rt or Science, would gladly bave the whole be- i'fors then in a much defs Time, we believe our Readers will not think uch a Method of commu=- _wicating Knowledge to be a proper One. However, the’ we do not intend to continue the Publication of thofe Dittonaries in a regular Alpbabeties! Method, as bas hitherto been done; get as feveral Things exhibited from them sn the Courfe of thefe Papers, have been entertaining 30 fuch of the Curious, who never bad and catie not have the Advantage of cood Libraries ; and as thers arc many Things fill bebind, which be- sng iu this Manner made generally known, may perbaps become of confiderable Ufe, by giving fuch Hints vo the excellent natural Genius’s of our Country, as may contribute either to the Ima provement of our prefeut ManufaGures, or tom wards the Invention of new Ones; we propofe from Time to Time to communicate fuch particu= Jar Parts as appear to be of the moft general wfequence, “4s to the Religious Courtthip, Part of which bas been retal’d to the Publick ix thefe Papers,, the Reader may be inform'd, that the whole Book will yrobably in a@ little Time be priuted and bound up by it.felf; and thofe who approve of it, will doubtlefs be better pleas'’d to bave it eutire, than in this broken interrupted Manner, There are many who have long defired to fee a godNews-Puper in Pennfylvania; avd we bope thofiGentlemen who are able, will contribute to~ warls the making This fuch. Weask Afifance, becave we are filly fenfible, that to publifh a good Nows-Taper is not fo eafy an Undertaking as many Poople smagiue it to be. The Author of aGasette (1 the Opinion of the Learned. J) ouxbt to be qualified with an extenfive Acquéintarice with ipsa lack a yreat Eafine/s and Command of Writing and Relating Things cleanly aud ine felligily, and in few Words x be foould be able to fpsak of War both by Land and Sea; be well acquainted with Geography, with the i; ory of the Time, with the fevecat Interefts of ‘Princes: and States, the Secrets of Courts, and the Mane wers and Cuftoms of al} Nations. BMen thus acu seorplitt’'d are very rare in this remote Part of the World, and it wonee ve weil tf the Writer of theft Papers contd make up amongwis Friends what is wanting in bimfelf. Upon the Whole, we may affure the Publick, that as far as the Encouragement we meat with will enable us, no Care and Pains ball be omit~ ted, that may make the Pennfyivania Gazette as agreeable aud ufeful an Entertaiament as the Natore of the Thing will allow. The Following is the laft Meffage fent by his Excetiency Governour Burvet, to the Houfe of Reprefentatives in Bofton. Geatlemen of the Houfe of Reprefentatives, T is not-with fo vain a Hope as to convince you, that I take the Trouble to anfwer your es, but, if haul lg jelly eg ent, whom you are at fo ns to hg: of the true State of their Affi, I need not blind for an undeniable Proof of this Endeavour to them, than your ordering the Leteer of Meflicurs. Wills and Beleber of the 7th of Fiero laft w your Speater to he pablithed. i is “faid (i our Pages 1 and 4 of The Pennsylvania Gazette, the first number after Franklin took control. Reduced nearly one-half. Reproduced from a copy at the New York Public Library, erred but thofe of 184. And iti remaable hat ll Arcempts of this Kind u * Money of this and the be teadue rsa i have beens pe and met with ill Succefs. ; Cuftom-Hou/e, Philadelpbia, Entred Towards. Sloop Hope, Elias Naudain, fronr Bofton. Sloop pee John beac. pew Antigua. *- Brigt Pennfwood, Thomas Braly, from Madera, Entred Outwards. Scooner John, ‘Thomas Wright, to Bofton. ‘Brigt. Richard and William, W. Mayle, for Lisboa, Ship Diligence, hehe Bayley, for Maryland teared for Departure. Ship London Hope, Thomas Annis, for London. Ship John and Anna, James Shesley, for Plymouth. (6969696 9695969596965596969b969b969696969 - Advertifements, © be Sold by Edward Shippen, choice Hard Soap, very Reafonable. ey RU N away on the 25th of September patt, trom Rice Prichard of Whiteland in Chefter County, & Servant Man named he Crefwel, of a middle Seature and ‘guddy Conntenance, ‘his Hair inclining to Red: He had on _ when he went away, 2 little white fhore Wig, an old Hat, ‘Drugget Waftcoar, the Body lined with Linnen ; coarfe rein Bieeches, grey w Stockings, and round toe’d OES Whoever fhall fecure the faid Servant fo that his Mafter may have him again, hall have Three Pounds Rewasd, and | seafonable Chasges paid, by pos richard. ‘RUN away on the roth of September patt, from Wiliam Dewees of Germantown Township, in ‘Philadelptia County, a Servant Man named Aéckbizedeb Arnold, of a rode! Sranwe, and tedatmn cusled Hair: He had on when he went away, a good Fele Hat, a dark Cinnamon-colour’d Coat, black Diugget Jacket, moufc- colour’ drugget bajiories td Stockings, and new Shoes. Whoever fecures the faid Runaway, fo that his Mafter may have him again, fhall have Teverty Shillings Reward, and reafonable by me arges pald, by William Dewers. ‘Lately Re-printed and Sold at the New Priute sng-Office near the Market. ‘THE PSALMS of David, Imita- ted in the Language of the New Teftament, and ap- ak to the Chriftian Scate and Worbhip By J, Watts, DM __ The Seventh Edition. NB. (his Work bas met with fuch a general good Reception exd Effeem among the Proteftant Differters in Great Britain, &e. whether Presbyterians, Independents, or Baptifts, #et Six Large Inrpreffions before This have heen fold off in a very front Time The chief Defien f this excellent Performance (as she Author Aconainis us in bis Advertifemem so the Reader) is ** to im- “* prove Pfalmody er Religious Singing, and to exccswige and. 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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ig ty aye Lee i > [ ANGESTRY ANDIEARLY YOUTH IN BOSTON Twyrorp,! at the Bishop of St. Asaph’s, 1771. ey) EAR SON: I have ever had pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors. You may remember the inquiries I made among the re- mains of my relations when you were with me in England, and the journey I undertook for that purpose. Imagining it may be equally agreeable to you.to know the circumstances of my life, many of which you are yet, unac- quainted with, and expecting the enjoyment of a week’s uninterrupted leisure in my_ present country retirement, I sit down to write them for you. To which I have besides some other inducements. Having emerged from the pov- 1A small village not far from Winchester in Hampshire, southern England. Here was the country seat of the Bishop of St. Asaph, Dr. Jonathan Shipley, the “good Bishop,” as Dr. Franklin used to style him. Their relations were intimate and confidential. In his pulpit, and in the House of Lords, as well as in society, the bishop always opposed the harsh measures of the Crown toward the Colonies.—Bigelow. 3 4 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY erty and obscurity i in which I was born and bred, ‘to a state of affluence and some degree of Poon in- the world, and having gone so far through ‘life with =e considerable share of felicity, the conducing means I made use ‘of, which with the blessing of God so well succeeded, my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own situ- ations, and therefore fit to be imitated. : “That felicity, when I reflected on it, has in- duced me sometimes to say, that were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults of the first. So I might, besides correcting the faults, change some sinister accidents and events of it for others more favourable. But though this were. denied, I should still accept the offer. Since such a repetition is not to be expected, the next thing most like living one’s life over again seems to be a recollection ofthat life, and to make that recollection as durable as possible by put- ting it down in writing. Hereby, too, I shall indulge’ the inclination | so natural in old men, to be talking of them- selves and their own past actions; and I shall indulge it without being tiresome to others, Ve Hi FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY = 5 who, through respect to age, might conceive tnemselves obliged to give me a hearing, since this may _be read or not as anyone pleases. And, lastly (I may as well confess it, since my denial ‘of it will be believed by nobody), perhaps I shall a good deal gratify my own vanity.’ In- deed, I scarce ever heard or saw the introduc- tory words, “ Without vanity I may say,’ etc., but some vain thing immediately followed. Most people dislike vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter wherever I meet with it, being per- suaded that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to others that are within his sphere of action; and therefore, in many cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the other comforts of life. And now I speak of thanking God, I desire ‘with all humility to acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past life to His kind providence, which lead me to the means I used 1Jn this connection Woodrow Wilson says, ‘And yet the sur- prising and delightful thing about this book (the Autobiography) is that, take it all in all, it has not the low tone of conceit, but is a staunch man’s sober and unaffected assessment of him- self and the circumstances of his career.” : Gibbon and Hume, the great British historians, who were contemporaries of Franklin, express in their autobiographies the same feeling about the propriety of just self-praise. ¢ 6 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY and gave them success. My belief of this in- duces me to hope, though I must not presume, that the same goodness will still be exercised toward me, in continuing that happiness, or enabling me to bear a fatal reverse, which I may experience as others have done; the complexion of my future fortune being known to Him only in whose power it is to bless to us even our afflictions. | The notes one of my uncles (who had the same kind of curiosity in collecting family anec- dotes) once put into my hands, furnished me with several particulars relating to our ances- tors. From these notes I learned that the fam- ily had lived in the same village, Ecton, in Northamptonshire,’ for three hundred years, and how much longer he knew not (perhaps from the time when the name of Franklin, that before was the name of an order of people,’ was as- sumed by them as a surname when others took surnames all over the kingdom), on a freehold | of about thirty acres, aided by the smith’s busi- ness, which had continued in the family till his time, the eldest son being always bred to that business; a custom which he and .my father followed as to their eldest sons. When f searched the registers at Ecton, I found an ac- 1See Introduction. 2A small landowner. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY § 7 count of their births, marriages and burials from the year 1555 only, there being no registers kept in that parish at any time preceding. By that register I perceived that I was the youngest son of the youngest son for five generations back. My grandfather Thomas, who was born in 1598, ” lived at Ecton till he grew too old to follow business longer, when he went to live with his son John, a dyer at Banbury, in Oxfordshire, with whom my father served an apprenticeship. There my grandfather died and lies buried. We saw his gravestone in 1758. His eldest son Thomas lived in the house at Ecton, and left it with the land to his only child, a daughter, who, with her husband, one Fisher, of. Welling- borough, sold it to Mr. Isted, now lord of the manor there. My grandfather had four sons that grew up, viz.: Thomas, John, Benjamin and Josiah. I will give you what account I can of them at, this distance from my papers, and if these are not lost in my absence, you will among them find many more particulars. Thomas was bred a smith under his father; but, being ingenious, and encouraged in learn- ing (as all my brothers were) by an Esquire Palmer, then the principal gentleman in that parish, he qualified himself for the business of scrivener; became a ‘considerable man in the 8 FRANKLIN’S. AUTOBIOGRAPHY. county; was a chief mover of all public-spirited undertakings for the county or town of North- ampton, and his own village, of which many instances were related of him; and much taken notice of and patronized by the then Lord Hali- fax. He died in 1702, January 6, old style,” just — four years to a day before I was born. . The account we received of his life and character from some old people at Ecton, I remember, struck you as something extraordinary, from its similarity to what you knew of mine. “ Had he died on the same day,” you said, “one might have supposed a transmigration.” — , John was bred a dyer, I believe of woollens, Benjamin was bred a silk dyer, serving an ap- prenticeship at London. He was an ingenious man. I remember him well, for when I was a boy he came over to my father in Boston, and lived in the house with us some years. He lived ijJanuary 17, new style. This change in the calendar was made in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, and adopted in England in 1752. Every year whose number in the common reckoning since Christ is not divisible by 4, as well as every year whose num- ber is divisible by 100 but not by 400, shall have 365 days, and all other years shall have 366 days. In the eighteenth century there was a difference of eleven days between the old and the new style of reckoning, which the English Parliament canceled by making the 3rd of September, 1752, the 14th. The Julian calendar, or “old style,” is still retained in Russia and Greece, whose dates consequently are now 13 days behind those of other Christian countries. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 9g toa great age. His grandson, Samuel Franklin, now lives in Boston. He left behind him two quarto volumes, MS., of his own poetry, con- sisting of little occasional pieces addressed to his friends and relations, of which the follow- ing, sent to me, is a specimen.’ He had formed a short-hand of his own, which he taught me, but, never practising it, I have now forgot it. I was named after this uncle, there being a par- ticular affection between him and my father. He was very pious, a great attender of sermons of the best preachers, which he took down in his short-hand, and had with him many volumes of them. He was also much of a politician; too much, perhaps, for his station. There fell lately into my hands, in London, a collection he had made of all the principal pamphlets relating to public affairs, from 1641 to 1717; many of the volumes are wanting as appears by the num- bering, but there still remain eight volumes in folio, and twenty-four in quarto and in octavo. © “a A dealer in old books met with them, and knowing me by my sometimes buying of him, he brought them to me. It seems my uncle must have left them here when he went to America, which was about fifty years. since. There are many of his notes in the margins. * The specimen is not in the manuscript of the Autobiography. \ 10 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY This obscure family of ours was early in the Reformation, and continued Protestants through the reign of Queen Mary, when they were some- times in danger of trouble on account of their zeal against popery. They had got an English Bible, and to conceal and secure it, it was fast- ened open with tapes under and within the cover of a joint-stool. When my great-great- grandfather read it to his family, he turned up the joint-stool upon his knees, turning over the leaves then under the tapes. One of the chil- drén stood at the door to give notice if he saw the apparitor coming, who was an officer of the spiritual court. In that case the stool was turned down again upon its feet, when the Bible remained concealed under it as before. ‘This anecdote I had from my uncle Benjamin. The family continued all of the Church of England till about the end of Charles the Second’s reign, when some of the ministers that had been outed for non-conformity, holding conventicles* in Northamptonshire, Benjamin and Josiah ad- hered to them, and so continued all their lives: the rest of the family remained with the Epis- copal Church. | Josiah, my father, married young, and carried his wife with three children into New England, 1Secret gatherings of dissenters from the established Church. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY about 1682. The conventicles having been for- bidden by law, and frequently disturbed, in- duced some considerable men of his acquaint- ance to remove to that country, and he was prevailed with to accompany them thither, where they expected to enjoy their. mode of re- ligion with freedom. By the same wife he had four children more born there, and by a second TO ic i" See A Pere ipa =") el sy are Birthplace of Franklin, Milk Street, Boston wife ten more, in all seventeen; of which I re- member thirteen sitting at one time at his table, who all grew up to be men and women, and married; I was the youngest son, and the youngest child but two, and was born in Bos- ton, New England.» My mother, the second 1Franklin was born on Sunday, January 6, old style, 1706, in a house on Milk Street, opposite the Old South Meeting House, where he was baptized on the day of his birth, during a snow- storm. The house where he was born was burned in 1810— Griffin. y FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY wife, was Abiah Folger, daughter of Peter Fol- ger, one of the first settlers of New England, of whom honorable mention is made by Cot- ton Mather,’ in his church history of that country, entitled Magnalia Christi Americana, as “a godly, learned Englishman,’ if 1 remem- ber the words rightly. I have heard that he wrote sundry small occasional pieces, but only one of them was printed, which I saw now many years since. It was written in 1675, in the home-spun verse of that time and people, and addressed to those then concerned in the gov- ernment there. It was in favour of liberty of conscience, and in behalf of the Baptists, Quak- ers, and other sectaries that had been under persecution, ascribing the Indian wars, and other distresses that had befallen the country, to that persecution, as so many judgments of God to punish so heinous an offense, and ex- horting a repeal of those uncharitable laws. The whole appeared to me as written with a good deal of decent plainness and manly freedom. The six concluding lines I remember, though I have forgotten the two first of the stanza; but the purport of them was, that his censures pro- 1Cotton Mather (1663-1728), clergyman, author, and scholar. Pastor of the North Church, Boston. He took an active part in the persecution of witchcraft. . ’ FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 33 ceeded from good-will, and, therefore, he would be known to be the author. 7 “Because to be a libeller (says he) I hate it with my heart; From Sherburne town,’ where now I dwell My name I do put here; . Without offense your real friend, It is Peter Folgier.” — My elder brothers were all put apprentices to different trades. I was put to the grammar- school at eight years of age, my father intend- ing to devote me, as the tithe* of his sons, to the service of the Church. My early readiness in learning to read (which must have been very early, as I do not remember when I could not read), and the opinion of all his friends, that IT should certainly make a good scholar, en- couraged him in this purpose of his. My uncle Benjamin, too, approved of it, and proposed to give me all his short-hand volumes of sermons, I suppose as a stock to set up with, if I would learn his character.* I continued, however, at the grammar-school not quite one year, though in that time I had risen gradually from the middle of the class of that year to be the head of it, and farther was removed into the next class above it, in order to go with that into « Nantucket. 2 Tenth. 3System of shorthand. 14 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY | the third at the end of the year. But my father, in the meantime, from a view of the expense of a college education, which having so large a family he could not well afford, and the mean living many so educated were afterwards able to obtain—reasons that he gave to his friends in my hearing—altered his first intention, took me from the grammar-school, and sent me to a school for writing and arithmetic, kept by a then famous man, Mr. George Brownell, very successful in his profession generally, and that by mild, encouraging methods. Under him I acquired fair writing pretty soon, but I failed in the arithmetic, and made no progress in it. At ten years old I was taken home to assist my father in his business, which was that of a tallow-chandler and sope-boiler; a business he was not bred to, but had assumed on his arrival in New England, and on finding his dyeing trade would not maintain his family, being in little request. Accordingly, I was employed in cutting wick for the candles, filling the dipping mould and the moulds for cast candles, attend- ing the shop, going of errands, etc." I disliked the trade, and had a strong inclina- tion for the sea, but my father declared against it; however, living near the water, I was much in and about it, learnt early to swim well, and PRANDDIN' S AUTOBIOGRAPHY." 15 to manage boats; and when in a boat or canoe with other boys, I was commonly allowed to govern, especially in any case of difficulty; and upon other occasions I was generally a leader among the boys, and sometimes led them into scrapes, of which I will mention one instance, as it shows an early projecting public spirit, tho’ not then justly conducted. There was a salt-marsh that bounded part of the mill-pond, on the edge of which, at high water, we used to stand to fish for minnows. By much trampling, we had made it a mere quagmire. My proposal was to build a wharf there fit for us. to stand upon, and I showed my comrades a large heap of stones, which were intended for a new house near the marsh, and which would very well suit our purpose. Ac- cordingly, in the evening, when the workmen were gone, I assembled a number of. my play- fellows, and working with them diligently like sO many emmets, sometimes two or three to a stone, we brought them all away and built our little wharf. The next morning the workmen were surprised at missing the stones, which were found in our-wharf. Inquiry was made after the removers; we were discovered and complained of; several of us were corrected by our fathers; and, though I pleaded the useful- 14 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY ness of the work, mine convinced me that nothing was useful which was not honest. I think you may like to know something of his person and character.. He had an excellent constitution of body, was of middle stature, but well set, and very strong; he was ingenious, could draw prettily, was skilled a little in music, and had a clear, pleasing voice, so that when he played psalm tunes on his violin and sung .- withal, as he sometimes did in an evening after — the business of the day was over, it was ex- tremely agreeable to hear. He had a mechani-— cal genius too, and, on occasion, was very handy in the use of other tradesmen’s tools; but his © great excellence lay in a sound understanding and solid judgment in prudential matters, both in private and publick affairs. In the latter, in- © deed, he was never employed, the numerous family he had to educate and the straitness of his circumstances keeping him close to his trade; but I remember well his being frequently visited by leading people, who consulted him for his opinion in affairs of the town or of the church he belonged to, and showed a good deal of respect for his judgment and advice: he was also much consulted by private persons about their affairs when any difficulty occurred, and frequently chosen an arbitrator between con- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 17 tending parties. At his table he liked to have, as often as he could, some sensible friend or neighbor to converse with, and always took care to start some ingenious or useful topic for discourse, which might tend to improve the minds of his children. By this means he turned our attention to what was good, just, and pru- dent in the conduct of life; and little or no notice was ever taken of what related to the victuals on the table, whether it was well or ill dressed, in or out of season, of good or bad flavor, preferable or inferior to this or that other thing of the kind, so that I was bro’t up in such a perfect inattention to those matters as to be quite indifferent what kind of food was set before me, and so unobservant of it, that to _ this day if I am asked I can scarce tell a few hours after dinner what I dined upon. This has been a convenience to me in traveling, where my companions have been sometimes very unhappy for want of a suitable gratifica- tion of their more delicate, because better in- structed, tastes and appetites. My mother had likewise an excellent consti- tution: she suckled all her ten children. I never knew either my father or mother to have any sickness but that of which they dy’d, he at 80, and she at 85 years of age. They lie buried to- 1% FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY gether at Boston, where I some years since placed a marble over their grave,’ with this inscription: JostanH FRANKLIN, and ABIAH his wife, lie here interred. They lived lovingly together in wedlock fifty-five years. Without an estate, or any gainful employment, By constant labor and industry, with God’s blessing, They maintained a large family comfortably, and brought up thirteen children and seven grandchildren reputably. | From this instance, reader, Be encouraged to diligence in thy calling, And distrust not Providence. He was a pious and prudent man; She, a discreet and virtuous woman. Their youngest son, In filial regard to their memory, Places this stone. J. F. born 1655, died 1744, AZtat 89. A. F. born 1667, died 1752, —— 85. By my rambling digressions I perceive my- self to be grown old. I us’d to write more me- 1This marble having decayed, the citizens of Boston in 1827 erected in its place a granite obelisk, twenty-one feet high, bearing the original inscription quoted in the text and another explaining the erection of the monument. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 19 thodically. But one does not dress for private company as for a publick ball. ’Tis perhaps only negligence. To return: I continued thus employed in my father’s business for two years, that’is, till I was twelve years old; and my brother John, who was bred to that business, having left my father, married, and set up for himself at Rhode Island, there was all appearance that I was des- tined to supply his place, and become a tallow- chandler. But my dislike to the trade continu- ing, my father was under apprehensions that if he did not find one for me more agreeable, I should break away and get to sea, as his son Josiah had done, to his great vexation. He therefore sometimes took me to walk with him, and see joiners, bricklayers, turners, braziers, etc., at their work, that he might observe my inclination, and endeavor to fix it on some trade or other on land. It has ever since been a pleas- ure to me to see good workmen handle their tools; and it has been useful to me, having learnt so much by it as to be able to do little jobs myself in my‘house when a workman could not readily be got, and to construct little ma- chines for my experiments, while the intention of making the experiment was fresh and warm in my mind. My father at last fixed upon 20 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY the cutler’s trade, and my uncle Benjamin’s son Samuel, who was bred to that business in London, being about that time established in Boston, I was sent to be with him some time on liking. But his expectations of a fee with me displeasing my father, I was taken home again. | | IT bEGINNING LIFE AS A PRINTER W/ROM a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came Bec M4] into my hands was ever laid out in 23) books. Pleased with the Pilgrim’s Progress, my first collection was of John Bun- yan’s works in separate little volumes. I after- ward sold them to enable me to buy R. Burton’s Historical Collections; they were small chap- men’s books,’ and cheap, 40 or 50 in all. My father’s little library consisted chiefly of books in polemic divinity, most of which I read, and have since often regretted that, at a time when I had such a thirst for knowledge, more proper books had not fallen in my way, since it was now re- solved I should not be a clergyman. Plutarch’s _ Lives there was in which I read abundantly, and I still think that time ‘spent to great advantage. There was also a book of DeFoe’s, called an Essay on Projects, and another of Dr. Mather’s, called Essays to do Good, which perhaps gave me 1 Small books, sold by chapmen or peddlers. 21 ree es 22 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY a turn of thinking that had an influence on some. of the principal future events of my life. This bookish inclination at length devermined my father to make me a printer, though he had already one son (James) of that profession. In 1717 my brother James returned from England with a press and letters to set up his business in Boston. I liked it much better than that of my father, but still had a hankering for the sea. To prevent the apprehended effect of such an in- clination, my father was impatient to have me bound to my brother. I stood out some time, but at last was persuaded, and signed the indentures when I was yet but twelve years old. I was to serve as an apprentice till I was twenty-one years of age, only I was to be allowed journey- man’s wages during the last year. Ina little time I made great proficiency in the business, and became a useful hand to my brother. I now had access to better books. An acquaintance with the apprentices of booksellers enabled me some- times to borrow a small one, which I was care- ful to return soon and clean. Often I sat up in my room reading the greatest part of the night, when the book was borrowed in the evening and to be returned early in the morning, lest it should be missed or wanted. And after some time an ingenious tradesman, | } FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 23 Mr. Matthew Adams, who had a pretty collec- tion of books, and who frequented our printing- house, took notice of me, invited me to his library, and very kindly lent me such books as I chose to read. I now took a fancy to poetry, and made some little pieces; my brother, thinking _ it might turn to account, encouraged me, and put me on composing occasional ballads. One was called The Lighthouse Tragedy, and contained an account of the drowning of Captain Worthilake, with his two daughters: the other was a sailor’s song, on the taking of Teach (or Blackbeard) the pirate. They were wretched stuff, in the Grub-street-ballad style;* and when they were printed he sent me about the town to sell them. (The first sold wonderfully, the event being recent, having made a great noise. - This flattered my vanity; but my father discouraged me by ridicul-' ing my performances, and telling me verse- makers were generally beggars. | So I escaped being a poet, most probably a very bad one; but “as prose writing has been of great use to me in the course of my life, and was a principal means of my advancement, I| shall tell you how, in such a situation, I acquired what little anny, I have in that way. 1 Grub-street: famous in English literature as the home of poor writers, 24 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY pe 2 There was another bookish lad in the town, John Collins by name, with whom I was inti- mately acquainted. We sometimes disputed, and very fond we were of argument, and very desirous of confuting one another, which disputatious turn, by the way, is apt to become a very bad habit, making people often extremely disagreeable in company by the con- tradiction that is necessary to bring it into practice; and thence, besides souring and spoil- ing the conversation, is productive of disgusts and, perhaps enmities where you may have oc- casion for friendship. I had caught it by read- ing my father’s books of dispute about religion. Persons of good sense, I have since observed, seldom fall into it, except lawyers, university men, and men of all sorts that have been bred at Edinborough. A question was once, somehow or other, started between Collins and me, of the pro- priety of educating the female sex in learning, and their abilities for study. He was of opin- ion that it was improper, and that they were - naturally unequal to it. I took the contrary side, perhaps. a little for dispute’s sake. He was naturally more eloquent, had a ready plenty of words, and sometimes, as I thought, bore me down more by his fluency than by the strength LFRANEDLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY) '25 of his reasons. As we parted without settling the point, and were not to see one another again for some time, I sat down to put my ar- guments in writing, which I copied fair and sent to him. He answered, and I replied. Three or four letters of a side had passed, when my father happened to find my papers and. read ‘them. Without entering into the discussion, he took occasion to talk to me about the man- ner of my writing; observed that, though I had the advantage of my antagonist in correct spell- ing and pointing (which I ow’d to the printing- house), I fell far short in elegance of expres- sion, in method and in perspicuity, of which he convinced me by several instances. I saw the justice of his remarks, and thence grew more attentive to the manner in writing, and deter- mined to endeavor at improvement. About this time I met with an odd volume of the Spectator. It was the third. I had never before seen any of them. I bought it, read it over and over, and was much delighted with it. I thought the writing excellent, and wished, if possible, to imitate it. With this view I took some of the papers, and, making short hints 1A daily London journal, comprising satirical essays on social subjects, published by Addison and Steele in 1711-1712. The Spectator and its predecessor, the Tatler (1709), marked the be- ginning of periodical literature. 26 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY of the sentiment in each sentence, laid them by a few days, and then, without looking at the book, try’d to compleat the papers again, by expressing each hinted sentiment at length, and as fully as it had been expressed before, in any suitable words that should come to hand. Then I compared my Spectator with the original, dis-. covered some of my faults, and corrected them. But I found I wanted a stock of words, or a readiness in recollecting and using them, which I thought I should have acquired ‘before that time if I had gone on making verses; since the continual occasion for words of the same im- port, but of different length, to suit the meas- ure, or of different sound for the rhyme, would have laid me under a constant necessity of searching for variety, and also have tended to fix that variety in my mind, and make me master of 1t. Therefore I took (Some Gf tne tales and turned them. into verse; and, after a time, when I had pretty well forgotten the prose, turned them back again. I also some- times jumbled my collections of hints into con- fusion, and after some weeks endeavored to re- duce them into the best order, before I began to form the full sentences and compleat the paper. This was to teach me method in the arrangement of thoughts. By comparing my FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 27 work afterwards with the original, I discovered many faults and amended them; but I some- times had the pleasure of fancying that, in cer- tain particulars of small import, I had been lucky enough to improve the method of the language, and this encouraged me to think I might possibly in time come to be a tolerable English writer, of which I was extremely am- bitious. My time for these exercises and for reading was at night, after work or before it began in the morning, or on Sundays, when I contrived to be in the printing-house alone, evading as much as I could the common at- tendance on public worship which my father used to exact of me when I was under his care, and which indeed I still thought a duty, thought I could not, as it seemed to me, afford time to practise it. When about 16 years of age I happened to meet with a book, written by one Tryon, rec- ommending a vegetablé diet. I determined to go into it. My brother, being yet unmarried, did not keep house, but boarded himself and his apprentices in another family. My refus- ing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chid for my singularity. I made myself acquainted with Tryon’s man- ner of preparing some of his dishes, such as 28 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY boiling potatoes or rice, making hasty pudding, and a few others, and then proposed to my , brother, that if he would give me, weekly, halt the money he paid for my board, I would board myself. He instantly agreed to it, and I pres- ently found that I could save half what he paid me. This was an additional fund for buying books. But I had another advantage in it. My brother and the rest going from the printing- house to their meals, I remained there alone, and, dispatching presently my light repast, which often was no more than a bisket or a slice of bread, a handful of raisins or a tart from the pastry-cook’s, and a glass of water, had the rest of the time till their return for study, in which I made the greater progress, from that greater clearness of head and quicker apprehen- sion which usually attend temperance in eating and drinking. And now it was that, being on some occa- sion made asham’d of my ignorance in figures, which I had twice failed in learning when at school, I took Cocker’s book of Arithmetick, and went through the whole by myself with great ease. I also read Seller’s and Shermy’s books of Navigation, and became acquainted with the little geometry they contain; but never proceeded far in that science. And I read about FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY _ 29 this time Locke On Human Understanding,* and the Art of Thinking, by Messrs. du Port Royal.’ While I was intent on improving my lan- guage, I met with an English grammar (I think it was Greenwood’s), at the end of which there were two little sketches of the arts of rhetoric and logic, the latter finishing with a specimen of a dispute in the Socratic * method; and soon after I procur’d Xenophon’s Mem-_ orable Things of Socrates, wherein there “are many instances of the same method. I was charm’d with it, adopted it, dropt my abrupt contradiction and positive argumentation, and put on the humble inquirer and doubter. And being then, from reading Shaftesbury and Col- lins, become a real doubter in many points of our religious doctrine, I found this method safest for myself and very embarrassing to those against whom I used it; therefore I took a de- light in it, practis’d it continually, and grew 1John Locke (1632-1704), a. celebrated English philosopher, founder of the so-called “common-sense” school of philosophers. He drew up a constitution for the colonists of Carolina. 2A noted society of scholarly and devout men occupying the abbey of Port Royal near Paris, who published learned works, among them the one here referred to, better known as the Port Royal Logic. 3 Socrates confuted his opponents in argument by asking ques- tions so skillfully devised that the answers would confirm the questioner’s position or show the error of the opponent. 30 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY very artful and expert in drawing people, even of superior knowledge, into concessions, the consequences of which they did not foresee, entangling them in difficulties out of which they could not» extricate themselves, and so obtain-_ i ing victories that neither myself nor my cause always deserved. I continu’d this method some. few years, but gradually left it, retaining only the habit of expressing Hie in terms of modest diffidence; neyerusing, when I ad- vanced anything that may pecotie be disputed, the words certainly, undoubtedly, or any others that give the air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather say, I conceive or apprehend a thing to be so and so; it appears to me, or L should think it So or 50, for such and_ such reasons; on T imagine 1t to be so; or 11:48 souay TE am not mistaken. This habit, I believe, has been of great advantage to me when I have had occa- sion to inculcate my opinions, and persuade men into measures that I have been from time to time engaged in promoting; and, _as the chief ends of conversation are to. inform or_to be informed, to ) please” or to persuade, I wish well- wee sensible men would not lessen their power of doing good by a positive, assuming manner, that seldom fails to disgust, tends to create opposition, and to defeat everyone of Prawn mul N'StAUTOBTOGRAPH Y) }’ 31 those purposes for which speech was given to us, to wit, giving or receiving information or pleasure. For, if you would inform, a positive and dogmatical manner in advancing your sen- timents may provoke contradiction and prevent a candid attention. If you wish information and improvement from the knowledge of others, and yet at the same time express yourself as firmly fix’d in your present opinions, modest, sensible men, who do not love disputation, will probably leave you undisturbed in the posses- sion of your error. And by such a manner, you can seldom hope to recommend yourself in pleasing your hearers, or tO persuade those whose concurrence you desire. Pope’ says, judiciously: | “ Men should be taught as if you taught them not, And things unknown propos'd as things forgot;”’ farther recommending to us “To speak, tho’ sure, with seeming diffidence.” And he might have coupled with this line that which he has coupled with another, I think, less properly, “For want of modesty is want of sense.” If you ask, Why less properly? I must repeat the lines, 1 Alexander Pope (1688-1744), the greatest English poet of the first half of the eighteenth century. 32 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY ° ““Immodest words admit of no defense, For want of modesty is want of sense.” Now, is not want of sense (where a man 1s so unfortunate as to want it) some apology for his want of modesty? and would not the lines stand more justly thus? | “TImmodest words admit but this defense, That want of modesty is want of sense.” This, however, I should submit to better judg- ments. : My brother had, in 1720 or 1721, begun to print a newspaper. It was the second that appeared in America,’ and was called the New England Courant. The only one before it was the Boston News-Letter. I remember his be- ing dissuaded by some of his friends from the undertaking, as not likely to succeed, one news- © paper being, in their judgment, enough for America. At this time (1771) there are not less than five-and-twenty. He went on, however, © with the undertaking, and after having worked in composing the types and printing off the 1Franklin’s memory does not serve him correctly here. The Courant was really the fifth newspaper established in America, although generally called the fourth, because the first, Public Oc- currences, published in Boston in 1690, was suppressed after the first issue. Following is the order in which the other four papers were published: Boston News Letter, 1704; Boston Ga- gette, December 21, 1719; The American Weekly Mercury, Phila- delphia, December 22, 1719; The New England Courant, 1721. THE New-England Courant. 5 From Monpay December 4. to Monpva ¢¥ December 11. 721, Ox SYLVIA the Fair. A Jingle. Swarm cof Sparks, young, gay, and bold, Lov’d Sylvia Jong, but the was cold 5 In’ureft and Pride the Nymph control’d, So they in vain their Palfion told. At laft came Dalman, he was old, Nay, he was ugly, but had Gold. He came, and faw, and took the Hold, While ocher Beaux their Lofs Condol'd. Some fay, the’s Wed; I fay, the's fold. The Letter againft Inoculating the Small Pox, ( Sign'd ~ Abfinthium ) grving an Account of the Number of Pafons who bave dy’d under that Operation, will be Infirted in our neat. FOREIGN AFFAIRS. Ifpstan, Maveh 6. The Confpiracy form'd by the Grand Vizis laft January was T welvemonth, with de- fign to make hunfelf King of Perfia, was feafonably difcover'd, and himfelf and Accomplices fecured ; fince which the State hath enjoy'd its former Tranquility, andanew Viziris appointed in his room, The old one’s Eyes being both put out, he is hept alive ( bur in Prifon ) to make him difcover ali his Riches ; which muft be immenfely great, fince they found in one of his Chefts four hundred thoufand Perfian Du- cats, befide Foreign Coin, and in another Place abun- dance of Jewels, Gold and Silver-; and fo in proporti- on among [everal of his Accomplices ; by the help of which Treafure they ae to compafs their Ends. Tripols, July 12. As foon as our Squadron fitred out againft the fainous Baffaw Gianur. Cogia, appear'd off Dasna and Bengan, with two thoufand five hundred Moorish Horfe, and a thoufand Foot, and skirmih’p alittle with his Squadron, he abandon’d both thofe Places, and fied tothe Ifland of Serby in the Territo- ties of Tunis; But the Bey of that Place having de- ny'd him Shelter, he fail’d farther away, ina French Barguc, we know not whether; and his own Galleys and Barques, are gone after him, fo that we ate now entirely tid of that troublefome Gueit. Our Rovers Keep all in Port, for feat of the Malteze. Cadiz, Aug. 12. The Flota is expected Home from the Weft-Indies before the End of this Month. Thirteen Pieces of Canon andtwo Mortars were late- Sy fent from hence to Ceuta. The three Spanith Men of War of $0 to 60 Guns each, which catried the Spa- nith Cardinals to Italy, are now at Alicant: It is faid they ate to join the Dutch Vice-Admiral, who isnow in this Bay with four Ships of his Squadron of so Guns each, and cruize againft the Algerines, Wheat and Parley being very cheap in thefe Parts, greae Quantities have been fent lately to the Canaries, where for fome Time paft the Inhabitants have been ingreat Wantof Com. On the oth Iuftant died Mr. Charles, His Britannfck Majefty’s Coaful at Se, Lucar, Ferne, Ang.20. The Deputies of this Canton who went to the Diet at Frawenfeldt, are now aflembled at Baden with thofe of Zurich and Glaris, to reguiate certain Affairs relating tothe Town and Counry of Baden, vhich formerly belonged to the Eight Eldeft Cantoas, but in the laft Swifs War was given up to Zurich and Berne in Propriety, with a Refervationto the Canton of Glaris( which is moftly Proteftant ) of the Shate it had berore in the Sovereignty of thar Diftrict. The three Deputies of Zurich, Lucern & Ury, who were coininiilioned by the lace General Dyet to go to Wilchingen, to try to compofe the Differ. ences which have been Jong {ftanding between the In- habitants of that Place and the Cancon of Schafhuy- fen whofe Subjects they are, have offered thofe Inha- bitonts a full Pardon for all paft Misbehaviour, and the Maintenance of their Piivileges for the future, Provided they forthwith return to their Duty; but it is advifed that thofe of Wilchingen petfift hitherto in their Ditobedience. ; Schaffhaufen Scpt. a. They write from Italy, thae the Plague is no longer obferv'd at Marfeilles, Aix, & feveral other Places; and thae at Toulon it is very much decreas’d: Butalas/ how fhould it be other- wife, when the Diftemper hath hardly any Objeés left to work upon? At Arles it is likewile abated, we fear for the fame Reafon. Mean while, it fpreads in the Gevaudan; and two large Villages in the Neighbourhood of Frejus were attack’d the begin- ning of this Month. The French Court hath prohi- bited all communicatioa with the Gevaudan upon fe- vere Penalties. The Plague is certainly got into the {mall Town of Marvegue in that Diftriét, which Town is fhut in by eight hundred Men. Letters from Geneva fay, the two Battalions employ’d in furroune ding La Canourgue, are infefted ; and that Maages is very much fufpected. The Marquis de Quelus had retired toa Caftle near Avignon; but the Sicknefs being got among his Dometfticks, he was fled farther, away. Paris, Sepe. §. The Diftri&t over which the Duke of Berwick is to have the Command, extends to the Borders of the Bourbonnois; and the Court puts 2 great Confidence in the Care of that Ceneral to hinder the Infection from {preading. The Marquis do Verceil is aftually drawing Lines to fhut in the Ge vaudan ; and twelve Regiments of Foot, and as many of Dragoons, are marching to reinforce the Troops already pofted on that fide. The Plague feems to have almof {pent itfelf ia Provence, Tho’ it is yer a great way off of us, Men talk neverthelefs of laying up Magazines of ail fort of Provifions here, and of ina- king twenty thoufand Beds, to be fet up in the Hofpi- tals and Tennis-Courts. Hague, Sept. 9. The Deputies of our Admiralties had, laft Saturday, an extraordinary Conference with thofe of the States General, upon che fpreading of a Report, that ten or twelve Perfons died daily at a cer- tain Place in Normandy, which was therefore fufpedct- ed to have received the Contagion ; But upon the matter, it doth not appear there was the Jeaft Foun- dation for fucha Report; tho’ it is too plain the Diftemper gains ground zpace in the Southern Parts of France. We can by no means penettate intothe Defigns of the Czar; who, notwithftanding ‘tis confidently written that the Peace between himand Sweden is as good’as concluded, hath a Fleet of thirty Men of War and two hundred Galleys at Sea near Aland. Hawe- ver, an Exprefs gone by from Stockholm, doth Si confism First page of The New England Courant of Dec. 4-11,1721. Re- duced about one-third. From a copy in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society y Desa te aaa Aik W TAs ‘ FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY © 35 sheets, I was employed to carry the papers -thro’ the streets to the customers. He had some ingenious men among his friends, who amus’d themselves by writing little pieces for this paper, which gain’d it credit and made it more in demand, and these gentle- men often visited us. Hearing their conversa- tions, and their accounts of the approbation their papers were received with, I was excited to try my hand among them; but, being still a boy, and suspecting that my brother would object to printing anything of mine in his pa- per if he knew it to be mine, I contrived to dis- guise my hand, and, writing an anonymous paper, I put it in at night under the door of the printing-house. It was found in the morn- ing, and communicated to his writing friends when they call’d in as usual. They read it, commented on it in my hearing, and I had the exquisite pleasure of finding it met with their approbation, and that, in their different guesses at the author, none were named but men of some character among us for learning and in- genuity. I suppose now that I was rather lucky in my judges, and that perhaps they were not really so very good ones as I then esteem’d them. | Encovrag’d, however, by this, I wrote and 36 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY conveyed in the same way to the press several more papers which were equally approvd; and I kept my secret till my small fund of sense | for such performances was pretty well ex- hausted, and then I discovered* it, when 1] began to be considered a little more by my brother’s acquaintance, and in a manner that did not quite please him, as he thought, prob- ably with reason, that it tended to make me too vain. And, perhaps, this might be one oc- casion of the differences that we began to have about this time. Though a brother, he con- sidered himself as my master, and me as his apprentice, and, accordingly, expected the same services from me as he would from another, while I thought he demean’d me too much in some he requir'd of me, who from a brother expected more indulgence. Our disputes were often brought before our father, and I fancy I was either generally in the right, or else a better pleader, because the judgment was gen- erally in my favor. But my brother was pas- sionate, and had often beaten me, which I took extreamly amiss; and, thinking my apprentice- ship very tedious, I was continually wishing for some opportunity of shortening it, which at length offered in a manner unexpected. 1 Disclosed. tk, PhRaniowiN oS AD TOBLOGRAPEHY «. 37 One of the pieces in gur newspaper on some political point, which I have now forgotten, gave offense to the Assembly. He was taken up, censur’d, and imprison’d for a month, by the speaker’s warrant, I suppose, because he would not discover his author. I too was taken up and examin’d before the council; but, tho’ I did not give them any satisfaction, they con- tented themselves with admonishing me, and dismissed me, considering me, perhaps, as an apprentice, who was bound to keep his mas- ter’s secrets. During my brother’s confinement, which I resented a good deal, notwithstanding our private differences, I had the management of the paper; and I made bold to give our rulers some rubs in it, which my brother took very kindly, while others began to consider me in an unfavorable light, as a young genius that had a turn for libeling and satyr. My brother’s discharge was accompany’d with an order of the House (a very odd one), that “ James Franklin should no longer print the paper called the New England Courant.” There was a consultation held in our print- ing-house among his friends, what he should do in this case. Some proposed to evade the order by changing the name of the paper; but 38 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY my brother, seeing inconveniences in that, it was finally concluded on as a better way, to let it be printed for the future under the name of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; and to avoid the cen- sure of the Assembly, that might fall on him as still printing it by his apprentice, the contriv- ance was that my old indenture should be re- turn’d to me, with a full discharge on the back of it, to be shown on occasion, but to secure to him the benefit of my service, I was to sign new indentures for the remainder of the term, which were to be kept private. A very flimsy scheme it was; however, it was immediately executed, and the paper went on accordingly, under my name for several months. At length, a fresh difference arising between my brother and me, I took upon me to assert my freedom, presuming that he would not ven- ture to produce the new indentures. It was not fair in me to take this advantage, and this { therefore reckon one of the first errata of my life; but the unfairness of it weighed little with me, when under the impressions of re- -sentment for the blows his passion too often urged him to bestow upon me, though he was otherwise not an ill-natur’d man: perhaps I was too saucy and provoking. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY © 39 When he found I would leave him; he took care to prevent my getting employment in any other printing-house of the town, by going round and speaking to every master, who ac- cordingly refus’d to give me work. I then thought of going to New York, as the nearest place where there was a printer; and I was rather in- clin’d to leave Boston when I reflected that I had already made myself a little obnoxious to the governing party, and, from the arbitrary proceedings of the Assembly in my brother’s case, it was likely I might, if I stay’d, soon bring myself into scrapes; and farther, that my indiscreet disputations about religion began to make me pointed at with horror by good people as an infidel or atheist. I determin’d on the point, but my father now siding with my brother, I was sensible that, if I attempted to go openly, means would be used to prevent me. My friend Collins, therefore, undertook to manage a little for me. He agreed with the captain of a New York sloop for my passage, under the notion of my being a young acquaintance of his. So I sold some of my books to raise a little money, was taken on board privately, ard as we had a fair wind, in three days I found myself in New York, 40 KFRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY near 300 miles from home, a boy of but 17, without the least recommendation to, or knowl- edge of, any person in the place, and with very little money in my pocket. {it ARRIVAL IN PHILADELPHIA 13 oH aie inclinations for the sea were by | Wy this time worne out, or I might Nica now have gratify’d them. But, hav- ing a trade, and supposing myself a pretty good workman, I offer’d my service to the printer in the place, old Mr. William Brad- ford, who had been the first printer in Penn- sylvania, but removed from thence upon the quarrel of George Keith. He could give me no employment, having little to do, and help enough already; but says he, “My son at Philadelphia has lately lost his principal hand, Aquilla Rose, by death; if you go thither, I believe he may employ you.” Philadelphia was a hundred miles further; I set out, however, in a boat for Amboy, leaving my chest and things to follow me round by sea. In crossing the bay, we met with a squall tore our rotten sails to pieces, prevented etting into the Kill,” and drove us upon van Kull, the channel separating Staten Island from New the north. OI anne oh nT ete ce ee nen a et amen es ee PS A AAT TAU ON Chie, 2 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Long Island. In our way, a drunken Dutch- man, who was a passenger too, fell overboard; when he was sinking, I reached through the water to his shock pate, and drew him up, so that we got him in again. His ducking sobered him a little, and he went to sleep, taking first: out of his pocket a book, which he desir’d I would dry for him. It proved to be my old favorite author, Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, in Dutch, finely printed on good paper, with copper. cuts, a. dress better than J) fag ever seen it wear in its own language. I have since found that it has been translated into most of the languages of Europe, and suppose it has been more generally read than any other book, except perhaps the Bible. Honest John was the first that I know of who mix’d narra- tion and dialogue; a method of writing very engaging to the reader, who in the most inter- esting parts finds himself, as it were, brought into the company and present at the discourse. De Foe in his Cruso, his Moll Flanders, Re- ligious Courtship, Family Instructor, and other pieces, has imitated it with success; and Rich- ardson* has done the same in his Pamela, 1Samuel Richardson, the father of the English nove’ Pamela, Clarissa Harlowe, and the History of Sir Charles, son, novels published in the form of letters. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 43 When we drew near the island, we found it was at a place where there could be no landing, there being a great surff on the stony beach. So we dropt anchor, and swung round towards the shore. Some people came down to the water edge and hallow’d to us, as we did to them; but the wind was so high, and the surff so loud, that we could not hear so as to understand edch other. There were canoes on the shore, and we made signs, and hallow’d that they should fetch us; but they either did not understand us, or thought it impracticable, so they went away, and night coming on, we had no remedy but to wait till the wind should abate; and, in the meantime, the boatman and I concluded to sleep, if we could; and so crowded into the scuttle, with the Dutchman, who was still wet, and the spray beating over the head of our boat, leak’d thro’ to us, so that we were soon almost as wet as he. In this man- ner we lay all night, with very little rest; but, the wind abating the next day, we made a shift to reach Amboy before night, having been thirty hours on the water, without victuals, or any drink but a bottle of filthy rum, and the water we sail’d on being salt. In the evening I found myself very feverish, and went in to bed; but, having read some- 44 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY where that cold water drank plentifully was ‘ good for a fever, I follow’d the prescription, sweat plentifully most of the night, my fever left me, and in the morning, crossing the ferry, I proceeded on my journey on foot, having fifty miles to Burlington, where I was told I should find boats that would carry me the rest of the way to Philadelphia. It rained very hard all the day; I was thoroughly soak’d, and by noon a good deal tired; so I stopt at a poor inn, where I staid all night, beginning now to wish that I had never left home. I cut so miserable a figure, too, that I found, by the questions ask’d me, I was suspected to be some runaway servant, and in danger of being taken up on that sus- picion. However, I proceeded the next day, FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 45 and got in the evening to an inn, within eight or ten miles of Burlington; kept by one Dr. Brown. He entered into conversation with me while I took some refreshment, and, find- ing I had read ‘a little, became very sociable and friendly. Our acquaintance continu’d as long as he liv’d. He had been, I imagine, an itinerant doctor, for there was no town in England, or country in Europe, of which he could not give a very particular account. He had some letters, and was ingenious, but much of an unbeliever, and wickedly undertook, some years after, to travesty the Bible in doggrel verse, as Cotton had done Virgil. By this means he set many of the facts in a very ridiculous light, and might have hurt weak minds if his work had been published; but it never was. At his house I lay that night, and the next morning reach’d Burlington, but had the mor- tification to find that the regular boats were gone a little before my coming, and no other expected to go before Tuesday, this being Sat- urday; wherefore I returned to an old woman in the town, of whom I had bought ginger- bread to eat on the water, and ask’d her advice. She invited me ‘to lodge at her house till a passage by water should offer; and being tired 46 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY with my foot traveling, I accepted the invita- tion. She understanding I was a printer, would have had me stay at that town and follow my business, being ignorant of the stock necessary to begin with. She was very hospitable, gave me a dinner of ox-cheek with great good will, accepting only of a.pot of ale in return; and | thought myself fixed till Tuesday should come. However, walking in the evening by the side of the river, a boat came by, which I found was going towards Philadelphia, with several people in her. They took me in, and, as there was no wind, we row’d all the way; and about mid- night, not having yet seen the city, some of the company were confident we must have passed it, and would row no farther; the others knew not where we were; so we put toward the shore, got into a creek, landed near an old fence, with the rails of which we made a fire, the night being cold, in October, and there we remained till daylight. Then one of the com- pany knew the place to be Cooper’s Creek, a little above Philadelphia, which we saw as soon as we got out of the creek, and arrivd there about eight or nine o’clock on the Sunday morning, and landed at the Market-street wharf. I have been the more particular in this de- Pena LN by AU LORTOGRAPR EY #7 scription of my journey, and shall be so of my first entry into that city, that you may in your mind compare such unlikely beginnings with the figure I have since made there. I was in my working dress, my best clothes be- ing to come round by sea. I was dirty from my journey; my pockets were stuff’d out with shirts and stockings, and I knew no soul nor where to look for lodging. I was fatigued with traveling, rowing, and want of rest, I was very hungry; and my whole stock of cash consisted of a Dutch dollar, and about a shilling in copper. The latter I gave the people of the boat for my passage, who at first refus’d it, on account of my rowing; but I insisted on their taking it. A man being sometimes more gen- erous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps thro’ fear of being thought to have but little. Then I walked up the street, gazing about till near the market-house I met a boy with bread. I had made many a meal on bread, and, inquiring where he got it, I went immedi- ately to the baker’s he directed me to, in Sec- ond-street, and ask’d for bisket, intending such as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in Philadelphia. Then I asked for a three-penny loaf, and was told they had 48 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY none such. So not considering or knowing the difference of money, and the greater cheap- ness nor the names of his bread, I bade him give me three-penny worth of any sort. He gave me, accordingly, three great puffy rolls. I was surpriz’d at the quantity, but took it, and, having no room in my pockets, walk’d off. with a roll under each arm, and eatme the other. Thus I went up Market-street as far as Fourth-street, passing by the door of Mr. Read, my future wife’s father; when she, standing at the door, saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance. Then I turned and went down Chestnut-street and part of Walnut- street, eating my roll all the way, and, com- ing round, found myself again at Market-street wharf, near the boat I came in, to which I went for a draught of the river water; and, being filled with one of my rolls, gave the other two to a woman and her child that came down the river in the boat with us, and were waiting to go farther. Thus refreshed, I walked again up the street, which by this time had many clean-dressed people in it, who were all walking the same way. I joined them, and thereby was led into the great meeting-house of the Quakers near FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY § 49 the market. I sat down among them, and, after looking round awhile and hearing nothing said, being very drowsy thro’ labour and want of rest the preceding night, I fell fast asleep, and continu’d so till the meeting broke up, when one was kind enough to rouse me. This was, therefore, the first house I was in, or slept in, in Philadelphia. Walking down again toward the river, and, looking in the faces of people, I met a young Quaker man, whose countenance I lik’d, and, accosting him, requested he would tell me where a stranger could get lodging. We were then near the: sign of the Three Mariners. mi tiere, says he, “is one place that enter- tains strangers, but it is “not a reputable house; if thee wilt walk with me, I’ll show thee a better.” He brought me to the Crooked Billet in Water-street. Here I got a dinner; and, while I was eating it, several sly ques- tions were asked me, as it seemed to be sus- pected from my youth and appearance, that I might be some runaway. After dinner, my sleepiness return’d, and being’ shown to a bed, I lay down without un- dressing, and slept till six in the evening, was call’d to supper, went to bed again very early, and slept soundly till next morning. 50 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Then I made myself as tidy as I could, and went to Andrew Bradford the printer’s. I found in the shop the old man his father, whom I had seen at New York, and who, traveling on horseback, had got to Philadel- phia before me. He introduc’d me to his son, who receiv’d me civilly, gave me a breakfast, but told me he did not at present want a hand, being lately suppli’d with one; but there was another printer in town, lately set up, one Keimer, who, perhaps, might employ me; if not, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would give me a little work to do now and then till fuller business should offer. The old gentleman said he would go with me to the new printer; and when we found him,. “ Neighbour,’ says. Bradford, “I have brought to see you a young man of your busi- ness; perhaps you may want such a one.” He ask’d me a few questions, put a composing stick in my hand to see how I work’d, and then said he would employ me soon, though he had just then nothing for me to do; and, tak- ing old Bradford, whom he had never seen before, to be one of the town’s people that had a good will for him, enter’d into a conversa- tion on his present undertaking and prospects; while Bradford, not discovering that he was FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY = 51 the other printer’s father, on Keimer’s saying he expected soon to get the greatest part of the business into his own hands, drew him on by artful questions, and starting little doubts, to explain all his views, what interest he reli’d on, and in what manner he intended to proceed. I, who stood by and heard all, saw immediately that one of them was a crafty old sophister, and the other a mere novice. Bradford left me with Keimer, who was greatly surpris’d when I told him who the old man was. | Keimer’s printing-house, I found, consisted of an old shatter’d press, and one small, worn- out font of English, which he was then using himself, composing an Elegy on Aquilla Rose, before mentioned, an ingenious young man, of excellent character, much respected in the town, clerk of the Assembly, and a pretty poet. Keimer made verses too, but very indif- _ferently. He could not be said to write them, for his manner was to compose them in the types directly out of his head. So there being no copy,’ but one pair of cases, and the Elegy likely to require all the letter, no one could help him. I endeavour’d to put his press (which he had not yet us’d, and of which he under- 1 Manuscript. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRAR 52 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY stood nothing) into order fit to be work’d with; and, promising to come and print off his Elegy as soon as he should have got it ready, I re- turn’d to Bradford’s, who gave me a little job to do for the present, and there I lodged and dieted. A few days after, Keimer sent for me to print off the Elegy. And now he had got another pair of cases," and a pamphlet to reprint, on which he set me to work. These two printers I found poorly qualified for their business. Bradford had not been bred to it, and was very illiterate; and Keimer, tho’ something of a scholar, was a mere compositor, knowing nothing of presswork. He had been one of the Freneh prophets,* and could act their enthusiastic agitations. At this time he did not profess any particular religion, but. something of all on occasion; was very ignorant of the world, and had, as I afterward found, a good deal of the knave in his composition. He did not like my lodging at Bradford’s while I work’d with him. He had a house, indeed, but without furniture, so he could not lodge * The frames for holding type are in two sections, the upper for capitals and the lower for small letters. * Protestants of the South of France, who became fanatical under the persecutions of Louis XIV, and thought they had the gift of prophecy. They had as mottoes “No Taxes” and “Lib- erty of Conscience.” | \ FRAN salen’ = we Lee “4 ‘Vor EEN ao 2 FRANKUIN’S AUTOBIOGRAT i Keimer ran down immediately, thinking it a visit to him; but the governor inquir’d for me, came up, and with a condescension and polite- ness I had been quite unus’d to, made me many compliments, desired to be acquainted with me, blam’d me kindly for not having made my- self known to him when I first came to the place, and would have me away with him to the tavern, where he was going with Colonel French to taste, as he said, some excellent Madeira. I was not a little surprised, and Keimer star’d like a pig poison’d.* I went, however, with the governor and Colonel French to a tavern, at the corner of Third-street, and over the Madeira he propos’d my setting up my business, laid before me the probabilities of success, and both he and Colonel French assurd me I should have their interest and influence in procuring the public business of both governments.” On my doubting whether — my father would assist me in it, Sir William said he would give me a letter to him, in which he would state the advantages, and he did not doubt of prevailing with him. So it was concluded I should return to Boston in > 1Temple Franklin considered this specific figure vulgar and changed it to ‘‘ stared with astonishment.” 2 Pennsylvania and Delaware. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 57 the first vessel, with the governor’s letter rec- ommending me to my father. In the mean- time the. intention was to be kept a secret, and I went on working with Keimer as usual, the governor sending for me now and then to dine with him, a very great honour I thought it, and conversing with me in the most affable, familiar, and friendly manner imaginable. About the end of April, 1724, a: little vessel offer’d for Boston. I took leave of Keimer as going to see my friends. The governor gave me an ample letter, saying many flatter- ing things of me to my father, and strongly recommending the project of my setting up at Philadelphia as a thing that must make my fortune. We struck on a shoal in going down the bay, and sprung a leak; we had a blus- tering time at sea, and were oblig’d to pump almost continually, at which I took my turn. We arriv’d safe, however, at Boston in about a fortnight. I had been absent seven months, and my friends had heard nothing of me; for my br. Holmes was not yet return’d, and had not written about me. My unexpected appear- ance surpriz’d the family; all were, however, very glad to see me, and made me welcome, except my brother. I went. to see him at his printing-house. I was better dress’d than ever 58 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY while in his service, having a genteel new suit from head to foot, a watch, and iny pockets lin’d with near five pounds sterling in silver. He receiv’ me not very frankly, look’d me all over, and turn’d to his work again. The journeymen were inquisitive where I had been, what sort of a country it was, and how I lik’d it. I prais’d it much, and the happy life I led in it, expressing strongly my inten- tion of returning to it; and, one of them ask- ing what kind of money we had there, I pro- duc’d a handful of silver, and spread it be- fore them, which was a kind of raree-show~* they had not been us’d to, paper being the money of Boston.* Then I took an ee. 1A peep-show in a box. 2 There were no mints in the colonies, so the metal money was of foreign coinage and not nearly so common as paper money, FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY _ 59 of letting them see my watch; and, lastly (my brother still grum and sullen), I gave them a piece of eight” to drink, and took my leave. This visit of mine offended him extreamly; for, when my mother some time after spoke to him of a reconciliation, and of her wishes to see us on good terms together, and that we might live for the future as brothers, he said I had insulted him in such a manner before his people that he could never forget or for- give it. In this, however, he was mistaken. My father received the governor’s letter with some apparent surprise, but said little of it to me for some days, when Capt. Holmes return- ing he show’d it to him, asked him if he knew Keith, and what kind of man he was; adding his opinion that he must be of small discre- tion to think of setting a boy up in business who wanted yet three years of being at man’s — estate. Holmes said what he could in favour of the project, but my father was clear in the impropriety of it, and at last, gave a flat denial to it... Then he wrote a civil letter to Sir William, thanking him for the patronage he had so kindly offered me, but declining to assist which was printed in large quantities in America, even in small _ denominations. *Spanish dollar about equivalent to our dollar. 60 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY me as yet in setting up, I being, in his opinion, too young to be trusted with the management of a business so important, and for which the preparation must be so expensive. My friend and companion Collins, who was a clerk in the post-office, pleas’d with the - account I gave him of my new country, deter- mined to go thither also; and, while I waited for my father’s determination, he set out be- fore me by land to Rhode Island, leaving his books, which were a pretty collection of mathe- maticks and natural philosophy, to come with ‘mine and me to New York, where he pro- pos’'d to wait for me. , My father, tho’ he did not approve Sir William’s proposition, was yet pleas’d that I had been able to obtain, so advantageous a character from a person of such note where I had resided, and that I had been so indus- trious and careful as to equip myself so hand- somely in so short a time; therefore, seeing no prospect of an accommodation between my brother and me, he gave his consent to my re- turning again to Philadelphia, advis’d me to behave respectfully to the people there, en- deavour to obtain the general esteem, and avoid lampooning and libeling, to which he thought I had too much inclination; telling me, that © FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 61 by steady industry and a prudent parsimony I might save enough by the time I was one- and-twenty to set me up; and that, if I came neat the matter, he would help me out with the rest. This was all I could: obtain, except some small gifts as tokens of his and my mother’s love, when I embark’d again for New York, now with their approbation and their blessing. The sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island, I visited my brother John, who had been married and settled there some years. He received me very affectionately, for he always lov'd me. A friend of his, one Vernon, having some money due to him in Pensilvania, about - thirty-five pounds currency, desired I would receive it for him, and keep it till I had his directions what to remit it in. Accordingly, he gave me an order. This afterwards occa- -sion’d me a good deal of uneasiness. At Newport we took in a number of pas- sengers for New York, among which were two young women, companions, and a grave, sen- sible, matronlike Quaker woman, with her attendants. I had shown an obliging readiness ‘to do her sorhe little services, which impress’d her I suppose with a degree of good will toward me; therefore, when she saw a daily 62 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY growing familiarity between me and the two young women, which they appear’d to en- courage, she took me aside, and said, “ Young man, I am concern’d for thee, as thou hast no friend with thee, and seems not to know much of the world, or of the snares youth is expos’d to; depend upon it, those are very bad women; .1 can {see (167 in au their actions; and if thee art nog upon thy guard, they will draw thee into some dan- ger; they are strangers to thee, and I advise thee, in a friendly concern for thy welfare, to have no acquaintance with them.” As I seem’d at first not to think so ill of them as she did, she mentioned some things she had observ’d and heard that had escap’d my notice, but now convine’d me she was right. I thank’d her for her kind advice, and promis’d to follow it. When we arrivd at New York, they told me where they liv’d, and invited me to come and see them; but I avoided it, and it was well I did; for the next day the captain miss’d a silver spoon and some other things, that had been taken out of his cabbin, and, knowing that these were a couple of strumpets, he got a warrant to search their lodgings, found the stolen goods, and had the thieves punish’d. So, tho’ we had escap’d a sunken rock, which FRANKUIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 63. we scrap’d upon in the passage, I thought this escape of rather more importance to me. At New York I found my friend Collins, who had arriv’d there some time before me. We had been intimate from children, and had read the same books together; but he had the advantage of more time for reading and study- ing, and a wonderful genius for mathematical learning, in which he far outstript me. While I liv’d in Boston, most of my hours of leisure for conversation were spent with him, and he continu’d a sober as well as an industrious lad; was much respected for his learning by several of the clergy and other gentlemen, and seemed to promise making a good figure in life. But, during my absence, he had acquir’d a habit of sotting with brandy; and I found by his own account, and what I heard from others, that he had been drunk every day since his arrival at New York, and behav’d very oddly. He had gam’d, too, and lost his money, so that I was oblig’d to discharge his lodgings, and defray his expenses to and at Philadelphia, which prov’d extremely inconvenient to me. The then governor of New York, Burnet (son of Bishop Burnet), hearing from the cap- tain that a young man, one of his passengers, had a great many books, desir’d he would bring 64 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY me to see him. I waited upon him accordingly, and should have taken Collins with me but that he was not sober. The govr. treated me with great civility, show’d me his library, which was a very large one, and we had a good deal of conversation about books and authors. This was the second governor who had done me the honour to take notice of me; which, to a poor boy like me, was very pleasing. We proceeded to Philadelphia. I received on the way Vernon’s money, without which we could hardly have finish’d our journey. Collins wished to be employ’d in some count- ing-house; but, whether they discover’d his dramming by his breath, or by his behaviour, tho’ he had some recommendations, he met with no success in any application, and continu’d lodging and boarding at the same house with me, and at my expense. Knowing I had that money of Vernon’s, he was continually bor- rowing of me, still promising repayment as soon as he should be in business. At length he had got so much of it that I was distress’d to think what I should do in case of Bite eall don ato remit: ‘it. His drinking continu’d, about which we some- times quarrel’d; for, when a little intoxicated, he was very fractious. Once, in a boat on the FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY § 65 Delaware with some other young men, he re-. fused to row in his turn. “I will be row’d home,” says he. “ We will not row you,” says I. “ You must, or stay all night on the water,” says he, “just as you please.” The others said, “Let us row; what signifies it?” But, my mind being soured with his other conduct, I continu’d to refuse. So he swore he would make me row, or throw me overboard; and coming along, stepping on the thwarts, toward me, when he came up and struck at me, I clapped my hand under his crutch, and, rising, pitched him head-foremost into the river. I knew he was a good swimmer, and so was under little concern about him; but before he could get round to lay hold of the boat, we had with a few strokes pull’d her out of his reach; and ever when he drew near the boat, we ask’d if he would row, striking a few strokes to slide her away from him. He was ready to die with vexation, and obstinately would not promise to row. However, seeing him at last beginning to tire, we lifted him in and brought him home dripping wet in the evening. We hardly ex- chane’d a civil word afterwards, and a West India captain, who had a commission to pro- cure a tutor for the sons of a gentleman at Barbados, happening to meet with him, agreed 4 % 66 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY to carry him thither. He left me then, prom- ising to remit me the first money he should receive in order to discharge the debt; but I never heard. of him after. | The breaking into this money of Vernon’s “was one of the first great errata of my life; _ and this affair show’d that my father was not much out in his judgment when he suppos’d me too young to manage business of impor- , tance. But Sir William, on reading his letter, said he was too prudent. There was great dif- ference in persons; and discretion did not always accompany years, nor was youth always without it. “ And since he will not set you up,” says he, “I will do it myself. Give me an inventory of the things necessary to be had from England, and I will-send for them. You _ shall repay me when you are able; I am resolv d | to have a good printer here, and I am sure you must succeed.” This was spoken with such an appearance of cordiality, that I had not the least doubt of his meaning what he said. I had hitherto kept the proposition of my setting up, a secret in Philadelphia, and I still kept it. Had it been known that I depended on the governor, probably some friend, that knew him better, would have advis’d me not to rely on him, as I afterwards heard it as his known — FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY character to be liberal of promises which he never meant to keep. Yet, unsolicited as he was by me, how could [I think his generous offers insincere? I believ’d him one of the best men in the world. I presented him an inventory of a little print’-house, amounting by my computation to about one hundred pounds sterling. He lik’d it, but ask’d me if my being on the spot in Eng- land to chuse the types, and see that everything was good of the kind, might not be of some advantage. “Then,’ says he, “when there, you may make acquaintances, and establish correspondences in the bookselling and _ sta- tionery way.” I agreed that this might be ad- vantageous. “Then,” says he, “get yourself ready to go with Annis;” which was the annual ship, and the only one at that time usually passing between London and Philadelphia. But it would be some months before Annis sail’d, so I continu’d working with Keimer, fretting about the money Collins had got from me, and in daily apprehensions of being call’d upon by Vernon, which, however, did not happen for some years after. I believe I have omitted mentioning that, in my first voyage from Boston, being becalm’d off Block Island, our people set about catching FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY cod, and hauled up a great many. Hitherto I had stuck to my resolution of not eating animal food,-and on this occasion I consider’d, with my master Tryon, the taking every fish as a kind of unprovoked murder, since none of them had, or ever could do us any injury that might justify the slaughter. All this seemed very reasonable. But I had formerly been a great lover of fish, and, when this came hot out of - the frying-pan, it smelt admirably well. I bal- anc’d some time between principle and inclina- tion, till I recollected that, when the fish were opened, I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then thought I, “If you eat one another, I don’t see why we mayn’t eat you.” So I din’d upon cod very heartily, and continued to eat with other people, returning only now and then occasionally to a vegetable diet. So convenient a thing is it to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do. a EARLY FRIENDS IN PHILADELPHIA ‘59.494 EIMER and I liv’d on a pretty good familiar footing, and agreed toler- ably well, for he suspected nothing | oDimy setting) up. de! retained) ‘a great deal of his old enthusiasms and lov’d argumentation. We therefore had many dis- putations. I used to work him so with my Socratic method, and had trepann’d him so often by questions apparently so distant from any point we had in hand, and yet by degrees led to the point, and brought him into difh- culties and contradictions, that at last he grew ridiculously cautious, and would hardly answer me the most common question, without asking first, “ What do you intend to infer from that?” However, it gave him so high an opinion of my | abilities in the confuting way, that he seriously proposed my being his colleague in a project he had of setting up a new sect. He was to preach the doctrines, and I was to confound all opponents. When he came to explain with i1e upon the doctrines, I found several conun-. 69 | | { i \ o FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY drums which I objected to, unless I might have my way a little too, and introduce some of © mine. ? Keimer wore his beard at full length, because somewhere in the Mosaic law it is said, “ Thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard.’ He likewise kept the Seventh day, Sabbath; and these two points were essentials with him. I dislik’d both; but agreed to admit them upon condition of his adopting the doctrine of using no animal food. “I doubt,” said he, “my con- stitution will not bear that.” I assur’d him it would, and that he would be the better for it. He was usually a great glutton, and I prom- ised myself some diversion in half starving him. He agreed to try the practice, if I would keep him company. I did so, and we held it for three months. We had our victuals dress’d, and brought to us regularly by a woman in the neighborhood, who had from me a list of forty dishes, to be prepar’d for us at different times, in all which there was neither fish, flesh, nor fowl, and the whim suited me the better at this time from the cheapness of it, not costing us above eighteenpence sterling each per week. I have since kept several Lents most strictly, leaving the common diet for that, and that for the common, abruptly, without the least incon- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 71. venience, so that I think there is little in the advice of making those changes by easy grada- tions: I went on pleasantly, but poor Keimer suffered grievously, tired of the project, long’d for the flesh-pots of Egypt, and order’d a roast pig. He invited me and two women friends to dine with him; but, it being brought too soon upon table, he could not resist the temptation, and ate the whole before we came. I had made some courtship during this time to Miss Read. I hada great respect and affection for her, and had some reason to believe she had the same for me; but, as I was about to take a long voyage, and we were both very young, only a little above eighteen, it was thought most prudent by her mother to prevent our going too far at present, as a marriage, if it was to take place, would be more convenient after my re- turn, when I should be, as I expected, set up in my business. Perhaps, too, she thought my ex- pectations not so well founded as I imagined them to be. : My chief acquaintances at this* time were Charles Osborne, Joseph Watson, and James Ralph, all lovers of reading. The two first were clerks to an eminent scrivener or conveyancer in the town, Charles Brogden; the .other was clerk to a merchant. Watson was a pious, FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 72 sensible young man, of great integrity; the others rather more lax in their principles of re- ligion, particularly Ralph, who, as well as Col- lins, had been unsettled by me, for which they both made me suffer. Osborne was _ sensible, candid, frank; sincere and affectionate to his friends; but, in literary matters, too fond of criticizing. Ralph was ingenious, genteel in his manners, and extremely eloquent; I think I never knew a prettier talker. Both or tucm were great admirers of poetry, and began to try their hands in little pieces. Many pleasant walks we four had together on Sundays into - the woods, near Schuylkill; where we read to one another, and conferr’d on what we read. Ralph was inclin’d to pursue the study of poetry, not doubting but he might become emi- ~ FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 73 N nent in it, and make his fortune by it, alleging that the best poets must, when they first began to ‘write, make as many faults as he did. Os- borne dissuaded him, assur’d him he had no genius for poetry, and advis’d him to think of nothing beyond the business he was bred to; that, in the mercantile way, tho’ he had no stock, he might, by his diligence and punctu- ality, recommend himself to employment as a factor, and in time acquire wherewith to trade on his own account. I approv’d the amusing one’s self with poetry now and then, so far as to improve one’s language, but.no farther. On this it was propos’d that we should each of us, at our next meeting, produce a piece of our own composing, in order to improve by our mutual observations, criticisms, and corrections. As language and expression were what we had in view, we excluded all considerations .of in- vention by agreeing that the task should be a version of the eighteenth Psalm, which de- scribes the descent of a Deity. When the time of our meeting drew nigh, Ralph called on me first, and let me know his piece was ready. I told him I had been busy, and, having little inclination, had done nothing. He then show’d me his piece for my opinion, and I much ap- - prov’d it, as it appear’d to me to have great ; 74 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY merit. ‘‘ Now,” says he, “Osborne never will allow the least merit in anything of mine, but makes 1000 criticisms out of mere envy. He is not so jealous of you; I wish, therefore, you would take this piece, and produce it as yours; I will pretend not to have had time, and so produce nothing. We shall then see what he will say to it.” It was agreed, and I immedi- ately transcrib’d it, that it might appear in my own hand. We met; Watson’s performance was read; there. were some beauties in it, but many de- fects. Osborne’s was read; it was much better; Ralph did it justice; remarked some faults, but applauded the beauties. He himself had nothing to produce. I was backward; seemed desirous of being excused; had not had sufficient time to correct, etc.; but no excuse could be ad- mitted; produce I must. It was read and re- peated; Watson and Osborne gave up the con- test, and join’d in applauding it. Ralph only made some criticisms, and propos’d some amendments; but I defended my text. Osborne was against Ralph, and told him he was no better a critic than poet, so he dropt the argu- ment. As they two went home together, Os- borne expressed himself still more strongly in favor of what he thought my production; hay- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY ing restrain’d himself before, as he said, fest I should think it flattery. ‘“ But who would have imagin’d,’ said he, “that Franklin had been capable of such a_ performance; such painting, such force, such fire! He has even improv’d the original. In his com- mon conversation he seems to have no choice of words; he hesitates and blunders; and yet, good God! how he writes!” When we next met, Ralph discovered the trick we had plaid him, and Osborne was a little laughed at. This transaction fixed Ralph in his resolu- tion of becoming a poet. I did all I could to dissuade him from it, but he continued scrib- bling verses till Pope cured him.* He became, — however, a pretty good prose writer. More of him hereafter. But, as I may not have occa- sion again to mention the other two, I shall just remark here, that Watson died in my arms a few years after, much lamented, being the best of our set. Osborne went to the West Indies, where he became an eminent lawyer and 1“Tn one of the later editions of the Dunciad occur the follow- ing lines: ‘Silence, ye wolves! while Ralph to Cynthia howls, And makes night hideous—answer him, ye owls.’ To this the poet adds the following note: ‘James Ralph, a name inserted after the first editions, not known till he writ a swearing-piece called Sawney, very abusive of Dr. Swift, Mr. Gay, and myself.’” FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY made money, but died young. He and I had made a serious agreement, that the one who happen’d first to die should, if possible, make a friendly visit to the other, and acquaint him how he found things in that separate state. But ° he never fulfill’d his promise. VE BURRS DVS TT LO-LONDON ca wea iE governor, seeming to like my UD company, had me frequently to his oS va i) house, and his setting me up was = always mention’d as a fixed thing. I was to take with me letters. recommendatory to a number of his friends, besides the letter of credit to furnish me with the necessary money for purchasing the press and types, paper, etc. For these letters I was appointed to call at different times, when they were to be ready; but a future time was still named. Thus he went on till the ship, whose departure too had been several times postponed, was on the point of sailing. Then, when I call’d to take my leave and receive the letters, his secre- tary, Dr. Bard, came out to me and said the governor was extremely busy in writing, but would be down at Newcastle, before the ship, and there the letters would be delivered to me. ~ Ralph, though married, and having one child, had determined to accompany me in this voy- age. It was thought he intended to establish 77 7 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY a correspondence, and obtain goods to sell on commission; but I found afterwards, that, thro’ some discontent with his wife’s relations, he purposed to leave her on their hands, and never return again. Having taken leave of my friends, and interchang’d some promises with Miss Read, I left Philadelphia in the ship, which anchor’d at Newcastle. The governor was there; but when I went to his lodging, the sec- retary came to me from him with the civillest message in the world, that he could not then see me, being engaged in business of the ut- most importance, but should send the letters to me on board, wished me heartily a good voyage and a speedy return, etc. I returned on board a little puzzled, but still not doubting. Mr. Andrew Hamilton, a famous lawyer of Philadelphia, had taken passage in the same ship for himself and son, and with Mr. Denham, a Quaker merchant, and Messrs. Onion and Russel, masters of an iron work in Maryland, had engaged the great cabin; so that Ralph and I were forced to take up with a berth in the steerage, and none on board knowing us, were considered as ordinary persons. But Mr. Ham- ilton and his son (it was James, since gov- ernor) return’d from Newcastle to Philadel- phia, the father being recall’d by a great fee FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 79 ‘to plead for a seized ship; and, just before we sail’d, Colonel French coming on board, and showing me great respect, I was more taken notice of, and, with my friend Ralph, in- vited by the other gentlemen to come into the cabin, there being now room. Accordingly, we remov’d thither. : Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board the governor’s despatches, I ask’d the captain for those letters that were to be under my care. He said all were put into the bag together and he could not then come at them; but, before we landed in Eng- land, I should have an opportunity of picking them out; so I was satisfied for the present, and we proceeded on our voyage. We had a sociable company in the cabin, and lived un- commonly well, having the addition of all Mr. Hamilton’s stores, who had laid in plentifully. In this passage Mr. Denham contracted a friend- ship for me that continued during his life. The voyage was otherwise not a pleasant one, as we had a great deal of bad weather. When we came into the Channel, the cap- tain kept his word with me, and gave me an opportunity of examining the bag for the gov- ernor’s letters. I found none upon which my name was put as under my care. I picked out 80 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY six or seven, that, by the handwriting, I thought might be the promised letters, especially as one of them was directed to Basket, the king’s printer, and another to some stationer. We arriv’d in London the 24th of December, 1724. I waited upon the ‘stationer, who cane first ' in my way, delivering the letter as from Goy- ernor Keith. “I don’t know such a ed _ Gl eG MM _ aay “ AS | rae mL —F ih ua sy. says he; but, opening the letter, “@! this’ is from Riddlesden. I have lately found him to be a compleat rascal, and I will have nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters from him.” So, putting the letter into my hand, he turn’d on his heel and left me to serve some customer. I was surprized to find these were- not the governor’s letters; and, after recollect- ing and comparing circumstances, I began to Phenol Ne AU TOBTOGRAPHY )’ '$ doubt his sincerity. I found my friend Den- ham, and opened the whole affair to him. He let me into Keith’s character; told me there was not the least probability that he had writ- ten any letters for me; that no one, who knew him, had the smallest dependence on him; and he laught at the notion of the governor’s giy- ing me a letter of credit, having, as he said, no credit to give. On my expressing some concern about what I should do, he advised me to endeavour getting some employment in the way,of my business. “ Among the printers here,’ said he, “ you will improve yourself, and when you return to America, you will set up to greater advantage.” _ We both of us happen’d to know, as well as the stationer, that Riddlesden, the attorney, was a very knave. He had half ruin’d Miss Read’s father by persuading him to be bound for him. By this letter it appear’d there was a secret scheme on foot to the prejudice of Hamilton (suppos’d to be then coming over with us); and that Keith was concerned in it with Riddlesden. Denham, who was a friend of Hamilton’s, thought he ought to be ac- *quainted with it; so, when he arriv’d in Eng- land, which was soon after, partly from resent- ment and ill-will to Keith and Riddlesden, and Pm FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY partly from good-will to him, I waited on him, and gave him the letter. He thankd me cordially, the information being of i1m- portance to him; and from that time he be- came my friend, greatly to my advantage after- wards on many occasions. But what shall we think of a - governor’s” playing such pitiful tricks, and imposing so grossly on a poor ignorant boy! It was a habit he had acquired. He wish’d to please everybody; and, having little to give, he gave expectations. He was otherwise an ingenious, sensible man, a pretty good writer, and a good governor for the people, tho’ not for his con- stituents, the proprietaries, whose instructions he sometimes disregarded. Several of our best laws were of his planning and passed olde his administration. Ralph and I were noe naaiia companions. We took lodgings together in Little Britain’ at three shillings and sixpence a week—as much as we could then afford. He found some relations, but they were poor, and unable to assist him. He now let me know his inten- © tions of remaining in London, and that he 1One of the oldest parts of London, north of St. Paul’s Ca- thedral, called “Little Britain’ because the Dukes of Brittany used to live there. See the essay entitled “Little Britain” in Washington. Irving’s Sketch Book. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY _ 83 never meant to return to Philadelphia. He had brought no money with him, the whole he could muster having been expended in pay- ing his passage. I had fifteen pistoles;* so he borrowed occasionally of me to subsist, while he was looking out for business. He first endeavoured to get into the play-house, believing himself qualify’d for an actor; but Wilkes,” to whom he apply’d, advis’d him can- didly not to think of that employment, as it was impossible he should succeed in it. Then he propos’d to Roberts, a publisher in Pater- noster Row, to write for him a weekly paper like the Spectator, on certain conditions, which Roberts did not approve. Then he endeav- oured to get employment as a hackney writer, to copy for the stationers and lawyers about the Temple,* but could find no vacancy. I immediately got into work at. Palmer’s, then a famous printing-house in Bartholomew Close, and here I continu’d near a year. I was pretty diligent, but spent with Ralph a good deal of my earnings in going to plays and - other places of amusement. We had together 2A gold coin worth about four dollars in our money. 2A popular comedian, manager of Drury Lane Theater. 3 Street north of St. Paul’s, occupied by publishing houses. *Law schools and lawyers’ residences situated southwest of St. Paul’s, between Fleet Street and the Thames. 84 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY consumed all my pistoles, and now just rubbed on from hand to mouth. He seem’d quite to forget his wife and child, and I, by degrees, my engagements with Miss Read, to whom I never wrote more than one letter, and that was to let her know I was not likely soon to return. This was another of the great errata of my life, which I should wish to cor- rect if I were to live it over again. In fact, by our expenses, I was constantly kept unable to pay my passage. At Palmer’s I was employed in composing for the second edition of Wollaston’s “ Re- ligion of Nature.” Some of his reasonings not appearing to me well founded, I wrote a little metaphysical piece in which I made remarks on them. It was entitled “A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain.” I inscribed it to my friend Ralph; I printed a small number. It occasion’d my being more consider’d by Mr. Palmer as a young man of some ingenuity, tho’ he seriously expostulated with me upon the principles of my pamphlet, which to him appear’d abominable, My print- ing this pamphlet was another erratum. While I lodg’d in Little Britain, I made an acquaintance with one Wilcox, a_ bookseller, whose shop was at the next door. He had an FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 85 immense collection of second-hand books. Cir- culating libraries were not then in use; but we agreed that, on certain reasonable terms, which I have now forgotten, I might take, read, and return any of his books. This I esteem’d a great advantage, and I made as much use of it as I could. My pamphlet by some means falling into the hands of one Lyons, a surgeon, author of a book entitled “ The Infallibility of Human Judg- ment,” it occasioned an acquaintance between us. He took great notice of me, called on me often to converse on those subjects, carried me to the Horns, a pale alehouse in Lane, Cheapside, and introduced me to Dr. Mandeville, author of the “ Fable of the Bees,” who had a club there, of which he was the soul, being a most facetious, entertaining com- panion. Lyons, too, introduced me to Dr. Pem- _berton, at Batson’s Coffee-house, who prom- isd to give me an opportunity, sometime or other, of seeing Sir Isaac Newton, of which I was extreamly desirous; but this never hap- pened. I had brought over a few curiosities, among which the principal was a purse made of the asbestos, which. purifies by fire. Sir Hans Sloane heard of it, came to see me, and in- 86 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY vited me to his house in Bloomsbury Square, where he show’d me all his curiosities, and persuaded me to let him add that to the num- ber, for which he paid me handsomely. In our house there lodg’d a young woman, a milliner, who, I think, had a shop in the Cloisters. She had been genteelly bred, was sensible and lively, and of most pleasing con- versation. Ralph read plays to her in the evenings, they grew intimate, she took another lodging, and he followed her. They liv’d to- gether some time; but, he being still out of business, and her income not sufficient to main- tain them with her child, he took a resolution of going from London, to try for a country school, which he thought himself well qualified to undertake, as he wrote an excellent- hand, and was a master of arithmetic and accounts. This, however, he deemed a business below him, and confident of future better fortune, when he should be unwilling to have it known that he once was so meanly employed, he changed his name, and did me the honour to assume mine; for I soon after had a letter from him, acquainting me that he was settled in a small village (in Berkshire, I think it was, where he taught reading and writing to ten or a dozen boys, at sixpence each per week), rec- PRN UENO AWLORB POGRAPHY |) 87 ommending Mrs. T to my care, and de- siring me to write to him, directing for Mr. Franklin, schoolmaster, at such a place. He continued to write frequently, sending me large specimens of an epic poem which he was then composing, and desiring my remarks and corrections. These I gave him from time to time, but endeavour’d rather to discourage his proceeding. One of Young’s Satires* was then just published. I copy’d and sent him a great part of it, which set in a strong light the folly of pursuing the Muses with any hope of advancement by them. All was in vain; sheets of the poem continued to come by every post. In the meantime, Mrs. T , having on his account lost her friends and business, was often in distresses, and us’d to send for me and borrow what I could spare to help her out of them. I grew fond of her company, and, being at that time under no religious re- straint, and presuming upon my importance to her, I attempted familiarities (another erratum) which she repuls’d with a proper resentment, and acquainted him with my be- haviour. This made a breach between us; and, when he returned again to London, he let 1Edward Young (1681-1765), an English poet. See his satires, Vol. III, Epist. ii, page 70. 88 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY me know he thought I had cancell’d all the obligations he had been under to’ me So" @ found I was never to expect his repaying me what I lent to him or advanc’d for him, This, however, was not then of much consequence, ~ as he was totally unable; and in the loss of his friendship I found myself relieved from a burthen. I now began to think of getting a little money beforehand, and, expecting bet- ter work, I left Palmer’s to work at Watts’s, near Lincoln’s Inn Fields, a still greater print- ing-house.’ Here I continued all the rest of my stay in London. | At my first admission into this printing- house I took to working at press, imagining I felt a want of the bodily exercise I had been us'd to in America, where presswork is mix’d with composing. I drank only water; the other workmen, near fifty in number, were great _guzzlers of beer. On occasion, I Carried ap and down stairs a large form of types in each hand, when others carried but one in both hands. They wondered to see, from this and several instances, that the Water-American, as they called me, was stronger than themselves, who drank strong beer! We had an alehouse boy * The printing press at which Franklin worked is preserved in the Patent Office at Washington. we ie ae PRANKUIN'S, AUTOBTOGRAPHY..”” $9 who attended always in the house to supply the workmen. My companion at the press drank every day a pint before breakfast, a pint at breakfast with his bread and cheese, a pint.. between breakfast and dinner, a pint at dinner, a pint in the afternoon about six o’clock, and another when he had done his day’s work. I thought it a detestable custom; but it was necessary, he suppos’d, to drink strong beer, that he might be strong to labour. I endeav- oured to convince him that the bodily strength afforded by beer could only be in proportion to the grain or flour of the barley dissolved in the water of which it was made; that there was more flour in a pennyworth of bread; and therefore, if he would eat that with a pint of water, it would give him more strength than a quart of beer. He drank on, however, and had four or five shillings to pay out of his wages every Saturday night for that muddling liquor; an expense I was free from. And thus these poor devils keep themselves always under. Watts, after some weeks, desiring to have me in the composing-room,’ I left the press- men; a new bien venu or sum for drink, being . 1Franklin now left the work of operating the printing presses, which was largely a matter of manual labor, and began setting type, which required more skill and intelligence. 90 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY five shillings, was demanded of me by the compositors. I thought it an imposition, as I had paid below; the master thought so: too, and forbade my paying it. I stood out two or three weeks, was accordingly considered as an excommunicate, and had so many little pieces of private mischief done me, by mixing my sorts, transposing my pages, breaking my matter, etc., etc., if I were ever so little out of the room, and all ascribed to the chappel ghost, which they said ever haunted those not regularly admitted, that, notwithstanding the master’s protection, I found myself oblig’d toe comply and pay the money, convine'd of the folly of being on ill terms with those one is to live with continually. I was now on a fair footing with them, and soon acquir’d considerable influence. I pro- pos’d some reasonable alterations in their chap- — pel laws,’ and carried them against all opposi- tion. From my example, a great part of them left their muddling breakfast of beer, and bread, and cheese, finding they could with me be sup-. ply’d from a neighbouring house with a large porringer of hot water-gruel, sprinkled with 1A printing house is called a chapel because Caxton, the first English printer, did his printing in a chapel connected with West- minster Abbey. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY | gor pepper, crumb’d with bread, and a bit of butter in it, for the price of a pint of beer, viz., three half-pence. This was a more comfortable as well as cheaper breakfast, and“keep their heads clearer. Those who continued sotting with beer all day, were often, by not paying, out of credit at the alehouse, and us’d to make in- terest with me to get beer; their /ight, as they phrased it, bezng out. I watch’d the pay-table on Saturday night, and collected what I stood engag’d for them, having to pay sometimes near thirty shillings a week on their accounts. This, and my being esteem’d a pretty good riggite, that is, a jocular verbal satirist, sup- ported my consequence in the society. My constant attendance (I never making a St. Monday)* recommended me to the master; and my. uncommon quickness at composing occa- -sioned my being put upon all work of dispatch, which was generally better paid. So I went on now very agreeably. | My lodging in Little Britain being too re- mote, I found another in Duke-street, oppo- site to the Romish Chapel. It was two pair of stairs backwards, at an Italian warehouse. A widow lady kept the house; she had a daugh- * ter, and a maid servant, and a journeyman who 2 A holiday taken to prolong the dissipation of Saturday’s wages. ° 92 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY attended the warehouse, but lodg’d abroad. After sending to inquire my character at the house where I. last lodg’d she agreed to take me in at the same rate, 3s. 6d. per week; cheaper, as she said, from the protection she expected in having a man lodge in the house. She was a widow, an elderly woman; had been bred a Protestant, being a clergyman’s daugh- ter, but was converted to the Catholic religion by her husband, whose memory she much re- vered; had lived much among people of dis- tinction, and knew a thousand anecdotes of them as far back as the times of Charles the Second. She was lame in her knees with the gout, and, therefore, seldom stirred out of her room, so sometimes wanted company; and hers was so highly amusing to me, that I was sure to spend an evening with her whenever she desired it. Our supper was only half an anchovy each, on a very little strip of bread and butter, and half a pint of ale between us; but the entertainment was in her conversation. My always keeping good hours, and giving little trouble in the family, made her unwilling to part with me, so that, when I talk’d of a lodg-— ing I had heard of, nearer my business, for two shillings a week, which, intent as I now was on saving money, made some difference, she FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY — 93 bid me not think of it, for she would abate me two shillings a week for the future; so I re- mained with her at one shilling and sixpence as long as I staid in London. In a garret of her house there lived a maiden lady of seventy, in the most retired manner, of whom my landlady gave me this account: that she was a Roman Catholic, had been sent abroad when young, and lodg’d in a nunnery with an intent of becoming a nun; but, the country not agreeing with her, she returned to England, where, there being no nunnery, she had vow’d to lead the life of a nun, as near as might be done in those circumstances. Ac- cordingly, she had given all her estate to charitable uses, reserving only twelve pounds a year to live on, and out of this sum she still gave a great deal in charity, living herself on water-gruel only, and using no fire but to boil it. She had lived many years in that garret, being permitted to remain there gratis by suc- cessive Catholic tenants of the house below, as they deemed it a blessing to have her there. A priest visited her to confess her every day. “I have ask’d her,” says my landlady, “how she, as she liv’d, could possibly find so much employment for a confessor?” ‘“ Oh,” said she, “it is impossible to avoid vain thoughts.’ I 94 jFFRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY was permitted once to visit her. She was cheerful and polite, and convers’d pleasantly. The room was clean, but had no other furni- ture than a matras, a table with a crucifix and book, a stool which she gave me to sit on, and a picture over the chimney of Saint Veronica displaying her handkerchief, with the mirac- ulous figure of Christ’s bleeding face on it,’ which she explained to me with great serious-! ness. She look’d pale, but was never sick; and I give it as another instance on how small an income, life and health may be supported. At Watts’s printing-house I contracted an acquaintance with an ingenious young man, one Wygate, who, having wealthy relations, had been better educated than most printers; was a tolerable Latinist, spoke French, and lov’d reading. I taught him and a friend of his to swim at twice going into the river, and they soon became good swimmers. They in- troduc’d me to some gentlemen from the coun- try, who went to Chelsea by water to see the College and Don Saltero’s curiosities.” In our 1The story is that she met Christ on His way to crucifixion and offered Him her handkerchief to wipe the blood from His — face, after which the handkerchief always bore the image of Christ’s bleeding face. 2 James Salter, a former servant of Hans Sloane, lived in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. “His house, a barber-shop, was known as ‘ Don Saltero’s Coffee-House.’ The curiosities were in glass cases and FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY _— 95 return, at the request of the company, whose curiosity Wygate had excited, I stripped and leaped into the river, and swam from near Chelsea to Blackfryar’s,, performing on the way many feats of activity, both upon and un- der water, that surpris’d and pleas’d those to whom they were novelties. I had from a child been ever delighted with this exercise, had studied and practis’d all Thevenot’s motions and positions, added some - of my own, aiming at the graceful and easy as well as the useful. All these I took this occasion of exhibiting to the company, and was much flatter’'d by their admiration; and Wygate, who was desirous of becoming a mas- ter, grew more and more attach’d to me on that account, as well as from the similarity of our studies. He at length proposed to me traveling all over Europe together, support- ing ourselves everywhere by working at our business. I was once inclined to it; but, men- tioning it to my good friend Mr. Denham, with whom I often spent an hour when I had leisure, he dissuaded me from it, advising me to think constituted an amazing and motley collection—a petrified crab. _ from China, a ‘lignified hog,’ Job’s tears, Madagascar lances, Wil- liam the Conqueror’s flaming sword, and Henry the Eighth’s coat of mail.”—Smyth. * About three miles. 96 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOQGERAt a. only of returning to Pennsilvania, which he was now about to do. I must record one trait of this good man’s character. He had formerly been in business at Bristol, but failed in debt to a number of people, compounded and went to America. - There, by a close application to business as a merchant, he acquir’d a plentiful fortune in a few years. Returning to England in the ship with me, he invited his old creditors to an en- tertainment, at which he thank’d them for the easy composition they had favoured him with, and, when they expected nothing but the treat, every man at the first remove found under his plate an order on a banker for the full amount of the unpaid remainder with interest. He now told me he was about to return to Philadelphia, and should carry over a great quantity of goods in order to open a store there. He propos’d to take me over as his clerk, to keep his books, in which he would instruct me, copy his letters, and attend the store. He added, that; as soon as I should be acquainted with mercantile business, he would promote me by sending me with a cargo of flour and bread, etc., to the West Indies, and procure me commissions from others which would be prontable; and, if I manag’d well, FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 97 would establish me handsomely. The thing pleas’d me; for I was grown tired of Lon- don, remembered with pleasure the happy months I had spent in Pennsylvania, and wish’d again to see it; therefore I immediately agreed on the terms of fifty pounds a year,’ Pennsyl- vania money; less, indeed, than my present gettings as a compositor, but affording a better prospect. I now took leave of printing, as I thought, forever, and was daily employed in my new business, going about with Mr. Denham among the tradesmen to purchase various articles, and seeing them pack’d up, doing errands, calling upon workmen to dispatch, etc.; and, when all was on board, I had a few days’ leisure. On one of these days, I was, to my surprise, sent for by a great man I knew only by name, a Sir William Wyndham, and I waited upon him. He had heard by some means or other of my swimming from Chelsea to Blackfriars, and of my teaching Wygate and another young man to swim ina few hours. He had two sons, about to set out on their travels; he wish’d to have them first taught swimming,’ and pro- posed to gratify me handsomely if I would teach them. They were not yet come to town, 1 About $167. 98 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY and my stay was uncertain, so I could not undertake it; but, from this incident, I thought it likely that, if I were to remain in England and open a swimming-school, I might get a good deal of money; and it struek. me se strongly, that, had the overture been sooner made me, probably I should not so soon have returned to: America. After many years, you _ and I had something of more importance to do with one of these sons of Sir William Wynd- ham, become Earl of Egremont, which I shall mention in its place. | Thus I spent about eighteen months in Lon- don; most part of the time I work’d hard at my business, and spent but little upon myself except in seeing plays and in books. . My friend Ralph had kept me poor; he owed me about twenty-seven pounds, which I was now never likely to receive; a great sum out of my small earnings! I lov’d him, notwithstanding, for he had many amiable qualities. I had by no means improv’d my fortune; but I had picked up some very ingenious acquaintance, whose conversation was of great advantage to me; and I had read considerably. vil BEGINNING BUSINESS IN PHILADELPHIA AiE sail’d from Gravesend on the 23rd 4, of July, 1726. For the incidents of Vas the voyage, I refer you to my Jour- =i nal, where you will find them all Be itely related. Perhaps the most important part of that journal is the plan‘ to be found in it, which I formed at sea, for regulating my future conduct in life. It is the more remark- able, as being formed when I was so young, and yet being pretty faithfully adhered to quite. thro’ to old age. We landed in Philadelphia on the 11th of October, where I found sundry alterations. Keith was no longer governor, being super- seded by Major Gordon. I met him walking the streets as a common citizen. He seem’d a little asham’d at seeing me, but pass’d with- out saying anything. I should have been as much asham’d at seeing Miss Read, had not 1“Not found in the manuscript journal, which was left among Franklin’s papers.’’—Bigelow. 99 10 FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY her friends, despairing with reason of my return after the receipt of my letter; perstaded her to marry another, one Rogers, a potter, which was done in my absence. With him, however, she was never happy, and soon parted from him, refusing to cohabit with him or bear his name, it being now said that he had another wife. He was a worthless fellow, tho’ an excellent workman, which was the temptation to her friends. He got into debt, ran away in 1727 or 1728, went to the West Indies, and died there. Keimer had got a better house, a shop well supply’d with stationery, plenty of new types, a number of hands, tho’ none good, and seem’d to have a great deal of business. | Mr. Denham took a store in Water-street, where we open’d our goods;.I attended the business diligently, studied accounts, and grew, in a little time, expert at selling. We lodg’d and boarded together; he counsell’d me as a father, having a sincere regard for mie, 14 respected and loved him, and we might have © gone on together very happy; but, in the be- ginning of February, 172%, when I had just passd my twenty-first year, we both were taken ill. My distemper was a pleurisy, which very nearly carried me off. I suffered a good FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY ~ 101 deal, gave up the point in my own mind, and was rather disappointed when I found myself recovering, regretting, in some degree, that I must now, sc’ne time or other, have all that disagreeable \york to do over again. I forget what his distemper was; it held him a long time, and at length carried him off. He left me a small legacy in a .nuncupative will, as a token of his kindness for me, and he left me once more to the wide world; for the store was taken into the care of his executors, and my employment under him ended. My brother-in-law, Holmes, being now at Philadelphia, advised my return to my busi- ness; and Keimer tempted me, with an offer of large wages by the year, to come and take the management of his printing-house, that he might better attend his stationer’s shop. 1022 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY I had heard a bad character of him in Lon- don from his wife: and her f1 ends, and was not fond of having any more tv do with him. I trid for farther employment as. a merchant’s clerk; but, not readily meeting wita any, I clos’d again with Keimer.. I found in his house these hands: Hugh Meredith, a Welsh Pensilvanian, thirty years of age, bred to country work; honest, sensible, had a great deal of solid observation, was something of a reader, but given to drink. Stephen Potts, a young coun- tryman of full age, bred to the same, of un- common natural parts, and great wit and humor, but a little idle. These he had agreed with at extream low wages per week to be rais'd a shilling every three months, .as they would deserve by improving in their business; and the expectation of these high wages, to come on hereafter, was what he had drawn them in with. Meredith was to work at press, Potts at book-binding, which he, by agreement, was to teach them, though he knew neither one nor t’other. John , oa -wikd’ “Ipishmen, brought up to no business, whose service, for four years, Keimer had purchased from the captain of a ship; he, too, was to be made a pressman. George Webb, an Oxford scholar. whose time for four years he had likewise FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 103 bought, intending him for a compositor, of whom more presently; and David Harry, a country boy, whom he had taken apprentice. I soon perceiv’d that the intention of engag- ing me at wages so much higher than he had been us’d to give, was, to have these raw, cheap hands form’d thro’ me; and, as soon as I had instructed them, then they being all articled to him, he should be able to do without me. I went on, however, very chearfully, put his. printing-house in order, which had been in great confusion, and brought his hands by degrees to mind their business and to do it better. It was an odd thing to find an Oxford scholar in the situation of a bought servant. He was not more than eighteen years of age, and gave me this account of himself; that he was born in Gloucester, educated at a grammar-school there, had been distinguish’d among the schol- ars for some apparent superiority in perform- _ ing his part, when they exhibited plays; belong’d to the Witty Club there, and had written some pieces in prose and verse, which were printed in the Gloucester newspapers; thence he was sent to Oxford; where he continued about a - year, but not well satisfi’d, wishing of all things to see London, and become a player. At 104 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY length, receiving his quarterly allowance of fifteen guineas, instead of discharging his debts he walk’d out of town, hid his gown in a furze bush, and footed it to London, where, having no friend to advise him, he fell into bad com- pany, soon spent his guineas, found no means of being introduc’d among the players, grew necessitous, pawn’d his cloaths,and wanted bread. Walking the street very hungry, and not know- ing what to do with himself, a crimp’s bill’ was put into his hand, offering immediate enter- tainment and encouragement to such as would bind themselves to serve in America. He went directly, sign’d the indentures, was put into the ship, and came over, never writing a line to acquaint his friends what was become of him. He was lively, witty, good-natur’d, and a pleasant companion, but idle, thoughtless, and imprudent to the last degree. John, the Irishman, soon ran away; with the. rest I began to live very: agrecabiy, tor they all respected me the more, as they found Keimer incapable of instructing them, and that from me they learned something daily. We never worked on Saturday, that being Keimer’s 1A crimp was the agent of a shipping company. Crimps were sometimes employed to decoy men into such service as is here mentioned. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 105 Sabbath, so I had two days for reading. My acquaintance with ingenious people in the town increased. Keimer himself treated me with great civility and apparent regard, and nothing now made me uneasy but my debt to Vernon, which I was yet unable to pay, being hitherto but a poor economist. He, however, kindly made no demand of it. Our printing-house often wanted sorts, and there was no letter-founder in America; I had ‘seen types cast at James’s in London, but without much attention to the manner; how- ever, | now contrived a mould, made use of the letters we had as puncheons, struck the mat- trices in lead, and thus supply’d in a pretty tolerable way all deficiencies. I also engrav’d several things on occasion; I made the ink; I was warehouseman, and everything, and, in short, quite a fac-totum. But, however serviceable I might be, I found that my services became every day of less importance, as the other hands improv’d in the business; and, when Keimer paid my sec- ond quarter’s wages, he let me know that he felt them too heavy, and thought I should make an abatement. He grew by degrees less civil, put on more of the master, frequently found fault, was captious, and seem’d ready 106 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY for an outbreaking. I went on, nevertheless, with a good deal of patience, thinking that his encumber’d circumstances were partly the cause. At length a trifle snapt our connec- tions; for, a great noise happening near the court-house, I put my head out of the win- dow to see what was the matter. Keimer, being in the street, look’d up and saw me, call’d out to me in a loud voice and angry tone to mind my business, adding some reproachful words, that nettled me the more for their pub- licity, all the neighbours who were looking out on the same occasion being witnesses how I was treated. He came up immediately: into the printing-house, continu’d the quarrel, high words pass’d on both sides, he gave me the quarter’s warning we had stipulated, express- ing a wish that he had not been oblig’d to so long a warning. I told him his wish was unnecessary, for I would leave him that instant; and so, taking my hat, walk’d out of doors, desiring Meredith, whom I saw below, to take care of some things I left, and bring them to my lodgings. Meredith came accordingly in the evening, when we talked my affair over. He had con- ceivd a great regard for me, and was very unwilling that I should leave the house while FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 107 he remain’d in it. He dissuaded me from returning to my native country, which I began to think of; he reminded me that Keimer was in debt for all he possess’d; that his creditors began to be uneasy; that he kept his shop miserably, sold often without profit for ready money, and often trusted without keeping ac- counts; that he must therefore fail, which would make a vacancy I might profit of. I objected my want of money. He then let mie know that his father had a high opinion of me, and, from some discourse that had pass’d between them, he was sure would advance money to set us up, if I would enter into part- nership with him. “My time,” says he, “ will be out with Keimer in the spring; by that time we may have our press and types in from Lon- don. I am sensible I am no workman; if you like it, your skill in the business shall be set against the stock I furnish, and we will share the profits equally.” , The proposal was agreeable, and I consented; his father was in town and approv’d of it; the more as he saw I had-great .influence with his son, had prevail’d on him to abstain long from .dram-drinking, and he hop’d might break him of that wretched habit entirely, when we came to be so closely connected. I gave an inventory 108 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY to the father, who carry’d it to a merchant; the things were sent for, the secret was to be kept till they should arrive, and in the meantime I was to get work, if I could, at the other printing-house. But I found no vacancy there, and so remain’d idle a few days, when Keimer, on a prospect of being employ’d to print some paper money in New Jersey, which would re- quire cuts and various types that I only could supply, and apprehending Bradford might en- gage me and get the jobb from him, sent me a very civil message, that old friends should not part for a few words, the effect of sud- den passion, and wishing me to return. Mere- dith persuaded me to comply, as it would give more opportunity for his improvement under my daily instructions; so I return’d, and we went on more smoothly than for some time before. The New Jersey jobb was obtained, I contriv’d a copperplate press for it, the first that had been seen in the country; I cut sev- eral ornaments and checks for the bills. We went together to Burlington, where I executed the whole to satisfaction; and he received so large a sum for the work as to be enabled thereby to keep his head much longer above water. : At Burlington I made an acquaintance with FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY many principal people of the province. Sev- eral of them had been appointed by the Assem- bly a committee to attend the press, and take care that no more bills were printed than the law directed. They were therefore, by turns, constantly with us, and generally he who attended, brought with him a friend or two for company. My mind having been much more improv’d by reading than Keimer’s, [I suppose it was for that reason my conversa- tion seem’d to be more valu’d. They had me to their houses, introduced me to their friends, and show’d me much civility; while he, tho’ the master, was a little neglected. In truth, he was an odd fish; ignorant of common life, fond of rudely opposing receiv’d opinions, slovenly to extream dirtiness, enthusiastic in some points of religion, and a little knavish withal. We continu’d there near three months; and by that time I could reckon among my acquired friends, Judge Allen, Samuel Bustill, the sec- retary of the Province, Isaac Pearson, Joseph Cooper, and several of the Smiths, members of Assembly, and Isaac Decow, the surveyor- general. The latter was a shrewd, sagacious old man, who told) me that he began for him- self, when young, by wheeling clay for brick- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY makers, learned to write after he ‘was of age, carri’d the chain for surveyors, who taught him surveying, and he had now by his industry, acquir’d a good estate; and says he, “I fore- see that you will soon work this man out of his business, and make a fortune in it at Phila- delphia.”” He had not then the least intima- tion of my intention to set up there or any- where. These friends were afterwards of great use to me, as I occasionally was to some of them. They all continued their regard for me as long as they lived. Before I enter upon my public appearance in business, it may be well to let you know the then state of my mind with regard to my principles and morals, that you may see how far those influenc’d the future events of my jlife. My parents had early given me religious ‘ impressions, and brought me through my child- hood piously in the Dissenting way. But I was scarce fifteen, when, after doubting by turns of several points, as I found them dis- puted in the different books I read, I began to doubt of Revelation itself. Some books against Deistn* fell into my hands; they were 1The creed of an eighteenth century theological sect which, while believing in God, refused to credit the possibility of miracles and to acknowledge the validity of revelation. g FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 111 said to be the substance of sermons preached av Doyle's: Lectures.) It happened : that’ they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the argu- ments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I. soon became a thorough Deist. My arguments perverted some others, particularly Collins and Ralph; but, each of them having afterwards wrong’d me greatly without the least compunction, and recollect- ing Keith’s conduct towards me (who was another free-thinker), and my own towards Vernon and Miss Read, which at times gave me great trouble, I began to suspect that this doctrine, tho’ it might be true, was not very useful. My London pamphlet, which had for its motto these lines of Dryden:? “Whatever is, is right. Though purblind man Sees but a part o’ the chain, the nearest link: His eyes not carrying to the equal beam, ° That poises all above;”’ and from the attributes of God, his infinite wisdom, goodness and power, concluded that nothing could possibly be wrong in the world, © jand that vice and virtue were empty distinc- 1A great English poet, dramatist, and critic (1631-1700). The lines are inaccurately quoted from Dryden’s Gdipus, Act III, Scene I, line 293. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 112 tions, no such things existing, appear'd now not so clever a performance as | once thought © it; and I doubted whether some error had not insinuated itself unperceiv’d into my argument, so as to infect all that follow’d, as is common in metaphysical reasonings. I grew convine’d that truth, sincerity and in- tegrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity. of life; and I form’d written resolutions, which still re- main in my journal book, to practice them ever while I lived. Revelation had indeed no weight with me, as such; but I entertain’d an opinion - that, though certain actions might not be bad because they were forbidden by it, or good because it commanded them, yet probably these actions might be forbidden because they were bad for us, or commanded because they were beneficial to us, in their own natures, all the — circumstances of things considered. And this persuasion, with the kind hand of Providence, — or some guardian angel, or accidental favour- | able circumstances and situations, or all to- gether, preserved me, thro’ this dangerous time — of youth, and the hazardous situations I was sometimes in among strangers, remote from — the eye and advice of my father, without any — willful gross immorality or injustice, that might — FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY have been expected from my want of religit I say willful, because the instances I have men‘ tioned had something of necessity in them, from my youth, inexperience, and the knavery of others. I had therefore a tolerable character to begin the world with; I valued it properly, and determin’d to preserve it. We had not been long return’d to Philadelphia before the new types arriv’d from London. We settled with Keimer, and left him by his con- sent before he heard of it. We found a house to hire near the market, and took it. To lessen the rent, which was then but twenty-four pounds a year, tho’ I have since known it to let for seventy, we took in Thomas Godfrey, a glazier, and his family, who were to pay a considerable part of it to us, and we to board with them. We had scarce opened our letters and put our press in order, before George House, an acquaintance of mine, brought a coun- tryman to us, whom he had met in the street inquiring for a printer. All our cash was now expended in the variety of particulars we had been obliged to procure, and this countryman’s five shillings, being our first-fruits, and coming | so seasonably, gave me more pleasure than any crown I have since earned; and the gratitude I felt toward House has made me often more RANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY ady than perhaps I should otherwise have een to assist young beginners. There are croakers in every country, always boding its ruin. Such a one then lived in Phila- delphia; a person of note, an elderly man, with a wise look and a very grave manner of speaking; his name was Samuel Mickle. This gentleman, a stranger to me, stopt one day at my door, and asked me if I was the young man who had lately opened a new print- ing-house. Being answered in the affirmative, he said he was sorry for me, because it was an expensive undertaking, and the expense would be lost; for Philadelphia was a sinking place, the people already half-bankrupts, or near being so; all appearances to the contrary, such as new buildings and the rise of rents, being to his certain knowledge fallacious; for they were, in‘fact, among the things that would soon ruin us. And he gave me such a detail of misfor- tunes now existing, or that were soon to exist, that he left me half melancholy. Had I known him before I engaged in this business, prob- ably I never should have done it. This man continued to live in this decaying place, and to declaim in the same strain, refusing for many years to buy a house there, because all was going to destruction; and at last I had FRANKLI the pleasure of seeing him give | much for one as he might have boughitvit when he first began his croaking. > wha I should have mentioned before, that, in the pei ee autumn of the preceding year, I had form’d o%§ most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of mutual improvement, which was called the JONTO:* we met’ on /riday evenings. ‘The rules that I drew up required that every mem- ber, in his turn, should produce one or more queries on any point of Morals, Politics, or Natural Philosophy, to be discuss’d by the company; and once in three months produce and read an essay of his own writing, on any subject he pleased. Our debates were to be under the direction of a president, and to be conducted in the sincere spirit of inquiry after truth, without fondness for dispute, or desire of victory; and, to prevent warmth, all expres- sions of positiveness in opinions, or direct con- tradiction, were after some time made contra- band, and prohibited under small pecuniary penalties. The first members were Joseph Breintnal, a copyer of deeds for the scriveners, a good- natur’d, friendly middle-ag’d man, a great lover 1A Spanish term meaning a combination for political intrigue; here a club or society. : mug ail he could meet with, and ~ . Pring some that was tolerable; very ingenious in many little Nicknackeries, and of sensible conversation. Thomas Godfrey, a self-taught mathemati- cian, great in his way, and afterward inventor of what is now called Hadley’s Quadrant. But he knew little out of his way, and was not a pleasing companion; as, like most great mathe- maticians I have met with, he expected uni- versal precision in everything said, or was for- ever denying or distinguishing upon trifles, to the disturbance of all conversation. He soon left us. Nicholas Scull, a surveyor, afterwards sur- veyor-general, who lov’d books, and sometimes made a few verses. William Parsons, bred a shoemaker, but, loving reading, had acquir’d a considerable share of mathematics, which he first studied with a view to astrology, that he afterwards laught at it. He also became surveyor-general. 3 William Maugridge, a joiner, a most exquisite mechanic, and a_ solid, sensible man. Hugh Meredith, Stephen Potts, and George Webb I have characteriz’d before. © Robert Grace, a young gentleman of some FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 117 fortune, generous, lively, and witty; a lover of punning and of his friends. And William Coleman, then a merchant’s ~ clerk, about my age, who had the coolest, clear- est head, the best heart, and the exactest. morals of almost any man I ever met with. He be- came afterwards a merchant of great note, and one of our provincial judges. Our friendship continued without interruption to his death, upwards of forty years; and the club continued almost as long, and was the best school of philosophy, morality, and politics that then existed in the province; for our queries, which were read the week preceding their discus- sion, put us upon reading with attention upon the several subjects, that we might speak more to the purpose; and here, too, we acquired better habits of conversation, everything being studied in our rules which might prevent our disgusting each other. From hence the long continuance of the club, which I shall have frequent occasion to. speak further of here- after. But my giving this account of it here is to show something of the interest I had, every- one of these exerting themselves in recom- mending business to us. Breintnal particu- larly procur’d us from the Quakers the print- 118 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBLOGRAPHY ing forty sheets of their history, the rest being to be done by Keimer; and upon this we work’d exceedingly hard, for the price was low. It was a folio, pro patria size, in pica, with long primer notes.’ 1] compos’d of 1t a sheet a day: and Meredith worked it off at press; it was often eleven at night, and sometimes later, before I had finished my distribution for the next day’s work, for the little jobbs sent in by our other friends now and then put us back. But so determin’d I was to continue doing a sheet a day of the folio, that one night, when, having impos’d* my forms, I thought my day’s work over, one of them by accident was broken, and two pages reduced to pi,’ I immediately distribut’d and composed it over again before I went to bed; and this industry, visible to our neighbors, began to give us character and credit; particularly, I was told, that mention — being made of the new printing-office at the merchants’ Every-night club, the general Opinion was that it must fail, there being already two printers in the place, Keimer and 1A sheet 8% by 13% inches, having the words pro patria in translucent letters in the body of the paper. Pica—a size of type; as, ABCD: Long Primer—a smaller size of type; as, ABCD. 2To arrange and lock up pages or columns of type in a rec- tangular iron frame, ready for printing. 3 Reduced to complete disorder. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY i119 Bradford; but Dr. Baird (whom you and I saw many years after at his native place, St. An- drew’s in Scotland) gave a contrary opinion: “For the industry of that Franklin,” says he, “is superior to anything I ever saw of the kind; I see him still at work when I go home from club, and he is at work again before his neighbors are out of bed.” This struck the rest, and we soon after had offers from one of them to supply us with stationery; but as yet we did not chuse to engage in shop busi- ness. I mention this industry the more particularly and the more freely, tho’ it seems to be talk- ing in my own praise, that those of my pos- terity, who shall read it, may know the use of that virtue, when they see its effects in my favour throughout this relation. George Webb, who had found a female friend that lent him wherewith to purchase his time of Keimer, now came to offer himself as a jour- neyman to us. We could not then imploy him; but I foolishly let him know as a secret that I soon intended to begin a newspaper, and might then have work for him. My hopes of success, as I told him, were founded on this, that the then only newspaper, printed by Bradford, was a paltry thing, wretchedly manag’d, no way: ~ 100 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY entertaining, and yet was profitable to him; I therefore thought a good paper would scarcely fail of good encouragement. I requested Webb not to mention it; but he told it to Keimer, who immediately, to be beforehand with me, published proposals for printing one himself, on which Webb was to be employ’d. I re- sented this; and, to counteract them, as I could not yet begin our paper, I wrote several pieces of entertainment for Bradford’s paper, under the title of the BUSY BoDY, which Breint- nal continu’d some months. By this means the attention of the publick was fixed on that paper, and Keimer’s proposals, which we bur- lesqu’d and ridicul’d, were disregarded. He began his paper, however, and, after carrying it on three quarters of a year, with at most only ninety subscribers, he offered it to me for a trifle; and I, having been ready some time to go on with it, took it in hand directly; and it prov’d in a few years extremely profit- able to me. PG. I perceive that I am apt to speak in the singular number, though our partnership still continu’d; the reason may be that, in fact, the whole management of the business lay upon me. Meredith was no compositor, a poor press- man, and seldom sober. My friends lamented FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 121 my connection with him, but I was to make the best of it. Our first papers made a quite different ap- pearance from any before in the province; a better type, and better printed; but some spirited remarks of my writing, on the dis- pute then going on between Governor Burnet and the Massachusets Assembly, struck the principal people, occasioned the paper and the manager of it to be much talk’d of, and in a few weeks brought them all to be our sub- _scribers. | Their example was follow’d by many, and our number went on growing continually. This was one of the first. good effects of my having learnt a little to scribble; another was, that the leading men, seeing a newspaper now in the hands of one who could also handle a pen, thought it convenient to oblige and encourage me. Bradford still printed the votes, and laws, and other publick business. He had printed an address of the House to the governor, in a coarse, blundering manner; we reprinted it elegantly and correctly, and sent one to every member. They were sensible of the differ- ence: it strengthened the hands of our friends in the House, and they voted us their printers for the year ensuing. 122 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Among my friends in the House I must not forget Mr. Hamilton, before mentioned, who was then returned from England, and had a seat in it. He interested himself for me strongly in that instance, as he did in many others afterward, continuing his patronage till his death." : Mr. Vernon, about this time, put me in mind of the debt I ow’d him, but did not press me. I wrote him an ingenuous letter of acknowledgment, crav’'d his forbearance a little longer, which he allow’d me, and as soon as I was able, I paid the principal with interest, and many thanks; so that erratum was in some degree corrected. | But now another difficulty came upon me which I had never the least. reason to expect. Mr. Meredith’s father, who was to have paid for our printing-house, according to the ex- pectations given me, was able to advance only one hundred pounds currency, which had been paid; and a hundred more was due to the mer- chant, who grew impatient, and sud us all. We gave bail, but saw that, if the money - could not be rais’d in time, the suit must soon come to a judgment and execution, and our hopeful prospects must, with us, be ruined, as 1T got his son once £500.—Marg. note. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 123 the press and letters must be sold for pay- ment, perhaps at half price. In this distress two true friends, whose kind- ness I have never forgotten, nor ever shall forget while I can remember any thing, came to me separately, unknown to each other, and, without any application from me, offering each of them to advance me all the money that should be necessary to enable me to take the whole business upon myself, if that should be practicable; but they did not like my con- tinuing the partnership with Meredith, who, as they said, was often seen drunk in the streets, and playing at low games in alehouses, much to our discredit. These two friends were William Coleman and Robert Grace. I told them I could not propose a separation while any prospect remain’d of the Meredith’s ful- filling their part of our agreement, because I thought myself under great obligations to them for what they had done, and would do if they could; but, if they finally fail’d in their per- formance, and our partnership must be dis- solv’d, I should then think myself at liberty to accept the assistance of my friends. Thus the matter rested for some time, when IT said to my partner, “ Perhaps your father is dissatisfied at the part you have undertaken 1244 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY in this affair of ours, and is unwilling to ad- vance for you and me what he would for you alone. If that is the case, tell me, and I will resign the whole to you, and go about my busi- ness.” “No,” said he, “my father has really been disappointed, and is really unable; and I am unwilling to distress him farther. I see this is a business I am not fit for. I was bred © a farmer, and it was a folly in me to come to town, and put myself, at thirty years of age, an apprentice to learn a new trade. Many of our Welsh people are going to settle in North Carolina, where land is cheap. I am inclin’d to go with them, and follow my old employ- ment. You may find friends to assist you. If you will take the debts of the company upon you; return to my father the hundred pounds he has advanced; pay my little personal debts, and give me thirty pounds and a new saddle, I will relinquish the partnership, and leave the whole in your hands.” I agreed to this proposal: it was drawn up in writing, sign’d, and seal’d immediately. I gave him what he demanded, and he went soon after to Caro- lina, from whence he sent me next year two long letters, containing the best account that had been given of.that country, the climate, the soil, husbandry, etc., for in those matters FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY § 125 he was very judicious. I printed them in the papers, and they gave great satisfaction to the publick. As soon as he was gone, I recurr’d to my two friends; and because I would not give an unkind preference to either, I took half of what each had offered and I wanted of one, and half of the other; paid off the company’s debts, and went on with the business in my own name, advertising that the partnership was dissolved. I think this was in or about the year 1720. VIVT shed et gh SUCCCESS AND FIRST PUBLIC SERVICE Bad Weg) BOUT this time there was a cry among the people for more paper that soon to be sunk.* The wealthy inhabi- tants oppos’d any addition, being against all paper currency, from an apprehension that it would depreciate, as it had done in New Eng- land, to. the prejudice of all creditors. We had discuss’d this point in our Junto, where I was on the side of an addition, being per- suaded that the first small sum struck in 1723 had done much good by increasing the trade, employment, and number of inhabitants in the province, since I now saw all the old houses inhabited, and many new _ ones building: whereas I remembered well, that when I first walk’d about the streets of Philadelphia, eat- ing my roll, I saw most of the houses in Wal- nut Street, between Second and Front streets,’ 1 Recalled to be redeemed. 2This part of Philadelphia is now the center of the wholesale ° business district. 126 VRAIN OUNS AU COB IOGRAP EY) 1a7 with bills on their doors, “To be let”; and many likewise in Chestnut-street and other streets, which made me then think the in- habitants of the city were deserting it one after another. | Our debates possess’d me so fully of the subject, that I wrote and printed an anonymous pamphlet on it, entitled “The Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency.” It was well receiv d by the common people in general; but the rich men dislik’d it, for it increas’d and strengthen’d the clamor for more money, and they happening to have no writers among them that were able to answer it, their opposition slacken’d, and the point was carried by a ma- jority in the House. My friends there, who —conceiv’d I had been of some service, thought fit to reward me by employing me in printing the money; a very profitable jobb and a great help to me. This was another advantage gain’d by my being able to write. The utility of this currency became by time and experience so evident as never afterwards to be much disputed; so that it grew soon to fifty-five thousand pounds, and in 1739 to eighty thousand pounds, since which it arose during war to upwards of three hundred and fifty thousand pounds, trade, building, and inhabi- 128 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY tants all the while increasing, tho’ I now think there are limits beyond which the quantity may be hurtful.’ I soon after obtain’d, thro’ my friend Ham- ilton, the printing of the Newcastle paper money, another profitable. jobb as I then thought it; small things appearing great to those in small circumstances; and these, to me, were really great advantages, as they were great encouragements. He procured for me, also, the printing of the laws and votes of that government, which continu’d in my hands as long as I follow’d the business. I now open’d a little stationer’s shop. I had in it blanks of all sorts, the correctest that ever appear’d among us, being assisted in that by my friend Breintnal. JI had also paper, parchment, chapmen’s books, etc. One White- mash, a compositor I had known in London, an excellent workman, now came to me, and work’d with me constantly and diligently; and I took an apprentice, the son of Aquilla Rose. I began now gradually to pay off the debt . 1 Paper money is a promise to pay its face value in gold or | silver. When a state or nation issues more such promises than there is a likelihood of its being able to redeem, the paper repre- \ senting the promises depreciates in value. Before the success of the Colonies in the Revolution was assured, it took hundreds of ~ -\ dollars of their paper money to buy a pair of boots. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 129 I was under for the printing-house. In order to secure my credit and character as a trades- man, I took care not only to be in reality industrious and frugal, but to avoid all appear- ances to the contrary. I drest plainly; I was seen at no places of idle diversion. I never went out a fishing or shooting; a book, indeed, sometimes debauch’d me from my work, but that was seldom, snug, and gave no scandal; and, to show that I was not above my busi- ness, I sometimes brought home the paper I purchas’d at the stores thro’ the streets on a wheelbarrow. Thus being esteem’d an indus- trious, thriving young man, and paying duly for what I bought, the merchants who im- ported stationery solicited my custom; others proposed supplying me with books, and I went on swimminegly. In the meantime, Keimer’s ‘ credit and business declining daily, he was at 1330 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY last force’d to sell his printing-house to satisfy his creditors. He went to Barbadoes, and there lived some years in very poor circum- stances. His apprentice, David Harry, whom I had instructed while I work’d with him, set up in his place at Philadelphia, having bought his materials. I was at first apprehensive of a powerful rival in Harry, as his friends were very able, and had a good deal of interest. I therefore propos’d a partnership to him, which he, fortunately for me, rejected with scorn. He was very proud, dress’d like a gentleman, liv’d expensively, took much diversion and pleasure abroad, ran in debt, and neglected his business; upon which, all business left him; and, finding nothing to do, he followed Keimer | to Barbadoes, taking the printing-house with him. There this apprentice employ’d his former master as a journeyman; they quarrell’d often; Harry went continually behindhand, and at length was forc’d to sell his types and return to his country work in Pensilvania. The per- son that bought them employ’d Keimer to use them, but in a few years he died. There remained now no competitor with me at Philadelphia but the old one, Bradford; who was rich and easy, did a little printing now and ~ FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAP then by straggling hands, but was not anxious about the business. However, as kept the post-office, it was imagined he had bet- ter opportunities of obtaining news; his paper was thought a better distributer of advertise- ments than mine, and therefore had many more, which was a profitable thing to him, and a disadvantage to me; for, tho’ I did indeed re- ceive and send papers by the post, yet the publick opinion was otherwise, for what I did send was by bribing the riders, who took them _ privately, Bradford being unkind enough to forbid it, which occasion’d some resentment on my part; and I thought so meanly of him for it, that, when I afterward came into his situation, I took care never to imitate it. I had hitherto continu’d to board with God- frey, who lived in part of my house with his wife and children, and had one side of the shop for his glazier’s business, tho’ he worked little, being always absorbed in his mathematics. Mrs. Godfrey projected a match for me with a relation’s daughter, took opportunities of bringing us often together, till a serious court- ship on my part ensu’d, the girl being in her- self very deserving. The old folks encourag’d me by continual invitations to supper, and by leaving us together, till at length it was time & , NKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. plain. Mrs. Godfrey manag’d our little aty. I let her know that | expected as much money with their daughter as would pay — off my remaining debt for the printing-house, _ which I believe was not then above a hundred pounds. She brought me word they had no such sum to spare; I said they might mort- gage their house in the loan-office. The answer to this, after some days, was, that they did not approve the match; that, on inquiry of Bradford, they had been informed the print= ing business was not a profitable one; the types would soon be worn out, and more wanted; that S. Keimer and D. Harry had failed one after the other, and I should probably soon follow them; and, therefore, I was forbidden the house, and the daughter shut up. Whether this was a real change of senti- ment or only artifice, on a supposition of our being too far engaged in affection to retract, and therefore that we should steal a mar- riage, which would leave them at liberty to give or withhold what they pleas’d, I know not; but I suspected the latter, resented it, and went no more. Mrs. Godfrey brought me afterward some more favorable accounts of their disposition, and would have drawn me on again; but I declared absolutely my reso- \ FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. (333 lution to have nothing more to do with that family. This was resented by the Godfreys; we differ’d, and they removed, leaving me the whole house, and I resolved to take no more inmates. But this affair having turned my thoughts to marriage, I look’d round me and made overtures of acquaintance in other places; but soon found that, the business of a printer be- ing generally thought a poor one, I was not to expect money with a wife, unless with such a one as I should not otherwise think agree- able. A friendly correspondence as neighbours and old acquaintances had continued between me and Mrs. Read’s family, who all had a regard for me from the time of my first lodging in their house. I was often invited there and consulted in their affairs, wherein I sometimes was of service. I piti’d poor Miss Read’s un- fortunate situation, who was generally dejected, seldom chearful, and avoided company. [I con- sidered my giddiness and inconstancy when in London as in a great degree the cause of her unhappiness, tho’ the mother was good enough to think the fault more her own than mine, as she had prevented our marrying before I went thither,.and persuaded the other match in my absence. Our mutual affection was revived, 1334 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY but there were now great objections to our union. The match was indeed looked upon as invalid, a preceding wife being said to be living in England; but this could not easily be provd, because of the -distance; and, tho there was a report of his death, it was not certain. ‘Then, tho’ it should be true, he had left many debts, which his successor might be call’d upon to pay. We ventured, however, over all these difficulties, and I” took her to wife, September 1st, 1730. None of the incon- veniences happened that we had apprehended; she proved a good and faithful helpmate,* assisted me much by attending the shop; we throve together, and have ever mutually en- deavour’d to make each other happy. Thus I corrected that great erratum as well as I could. About this time, our club meeting, not at a tavern, but in a little room of Mr. Grace’s, set apart for that purpose, a proposition was made 1Mrs. Franklin survived her marriage over forty years. Frank- lin’s correspondence abounds with evidence that their union was a - happy one. “We are grown old together, and if she has any faults, I am so used to them that I don’t perceive them.” The following is a stanza from one of Franklin’s own songs written for the Junto: _“QOf their Chloes and Phyllises poets may prate, I sing my plain country Joan, These twelve years my wife, still the joy of my life, Blest day that I made her my own.” \ FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY | 135 by me, that, since our books were often re- ferr’d to in our disquisitions upon the queries, it might be convenient to us to have them alto- gether where we met, that upon occasion they might be consulted; and by thus clubbing our books to a common library, we should, while we lik’d to keep them together, have each of us the advantage of using the books of all the other members, which would be nearly as beneficial as if each owned the whole. It was lik’d and agreed to, and we fill’d one end of the room with such books as we could best spare. The number was not so great as we expected; and tho’ they had been of great use, yet some inconveniences occurring for want of due care of them, the collection, after about a year, was. separated, and each took his books home again. And now I set on foot my first project of a public nature, that for a subscription library. I drew up the proposals, got them put into form by our great scrivener, Brockden, and, by the help of my friends in the Junto, procured fifty subscribers of forty shillings each to begin with, and ten shillings a year for fifty years, the term our company was to continue. We afterwards obtain’d a charter, the company being increased to one hundred: this was the 1336 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY mother of all the North American subscription libraries, now so numerous. It is become a great thing itself, and continually increasing. These libraries have improved the general con- versation of the Americans, made the com- mon tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as ‘most gentlemen from other countries, and per- haps have contributed in some degree to the stand so generally made throughout the col- onies in defense of their privileges.’ Mem°. Thus far was written with the inten- tion express’d in the beginning and therefore contains several little family anecdotes of no importance to others. What follows was writ- ten many years after in compliance with the advice contain’d in these letters, and accord- ingly intended for the public. The affairs of the Revolution occasion’d the interruption.* [Continuation of the Account of my Life, begun at Passy, near Paris, 1784.] It is some time since I receiv’d the above letters, but I have been too busy till now to 1 Here the first part of the Autobiography, written at Twyford in 1771, ends. The second part, which follows, was written at Passy in 1784. | _ 2 After this memorandum, Franklin inserted letters from Abel James and Benjamin Vaughan, urging him to continue his Autos biography. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY _ 137 think of complying with the request they con- tain. It might, too, be much better done if I were at home among my papers, which would aid my memory, and help to ascertain dates; but my return being uncertain, and having just now a little leisure, 1 will endeavour to recollect and write what I can; if I live to get home, it may there be corrected and im- _ proved. Not having any copy here of what is already written, I know not whether an account is given of the means I used to establish the Philadelphia public library, which, from a small beginning, is now become so _ considerable, though I remember to have come down to near the time of that transaction (1730). I will therefore begin here with an account of it, which may be struck out if found to have been already given. | At the time I establish’d myself in Pennsyl- vania, there was not a good bookseller’s shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston. In New York and Philad’a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common -school-books. Those who lov’d reading were oblig’d to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few. We 138 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in. I propos’d that we should all of us bring our books to that’ room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a id common benefit, each of us being at liberty | to borrow such as he wish’d to read at home. This was accordingly done, and for some time contented us. Finding the advantage of this little cones tion, I propos’d to render the benefit from books more common, by commencing a public subscription library. I drew a sketch of the plan and rules that would be necessary, and got a skilful conveyancer, Mr. Charles Brock- den, to put the whole in form of articles of agreement to be subscribed, by which each sub- scriber engag’d to pay a certain sum down for the first purchase of books, and an annual contribution for increasing them. So few were the readers at that time in Philadelphia, and the majority of us so poor, that I was not able, with great industry, to find more than fifty persons, mostly young tradesmen, willing to pay down for this purpose forty shillings each, and ten shillings per annum. On this little fund we began. The books were imported; the library was opened one day in the week FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY _ 139 for lending to the subscribers, on their prom- issory notes to pay double the value if not duly returned. The institution soon manifested its utility, was imitated by other towns, and in other provinces. The libraries were augmented by donations; reading became fashionable; and our people, having no publick amusements to divert their attention from study, became bet- ter acquainted with books, and in a few years were observd by strangers to be better instructed and more intelligent than people of the same rank generally are in other countries. When we were about to sign the above- mentioned articles, which were to be binding on us, our heirs, etc., for fifty years, Mr. Brock- den, the scrivener, said to us, “ You are young men, but it is scarcely probable that any of you will live to see the expiration of the term fix’d in the instrument.” A number of us, however, are yet living; but the instrument was after a few years rendered null by a charter that incorporated and gave perpetuity to the company. The objections and reluctances I met with in soltciting the subscriptions, made me soon feel the impropriety of presenting one’s self as the proposer of any useful project, that might be suppos’d to raise one’s reputation 140 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY in the smallest degree above that of one’s neighbours, when one has need of their assist- ance to accomplish that project. I therefore put myself as much as I could out of sight, and stated it as a scheme of a number of friends, who had requested me to go about and pro- pose it to such as they thought lovers of read- ing. In this way my affair went on more smoothly, and I ever after practis’d it on such occasions; and, from my frequent successes, can heartily recommend it. The present little sacrifice of your vanity will afterwards be amply repaid. If it remains a while uncertain to whom the merit belongs, someone more vain than yourself will be encouraged to claim it, and then even envy will be disposed to do you justice by plucking those assumed feathers, and restoring them to their right owner. This library afforded me the means of im- provement by constant study, for which I set apart an hour or two each day, and thus re- pair’d in some degree the loss of the learned education my father once intended for me. Reading was the only amusement I allowd myself. I spent no time in taverns, “games, or frolicks of any kind; and my industry in — my business continu’d as indefatigable as it was necessary. I was indebted for my print- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 11 ing-house; I had a young family coming on to be educated, and I had to contend with for business two printers, who were established in the place before me. My circumstances, however, grew daily easier. My original habits of frugality continuing, and my father having, among his instructions to me when a boy, frequently ~repeated a proverb of Solomon, “Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men,’ I from thence considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction, which encourag’d me, tho’ I did not think that I should ever literally stand before kings, which, however, has since hap- pened; for I have stood before five, and even had the honor of sitting down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner. We have an English proverb that says, “ He that would thrive, must ask his wife.” It was lucky for me that I had one as much dispos’d to industry and frugality ‘as myself. She assisted me chearfully in my business, folding and stitching pamphlets, tending shop, pur- chasing old linen rags for the paper-makers, etc, etc. We kept no idle servants, our table was plain and simple, our furniture of the cheapest. For instance, my breakfast was a j 1442 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY long time break and milk (no tea), and I ate it out of a twopenny earthen porringer, with a pewter spoon. But mark how luxury will enter families, and make a progress, in spite of principle: being call’d one morning to break- fast, I found it in a China bowl, with a spoon of silver! They had been bought for me with- out my knowledge by my wife, and had cost her the enormous sum of. three-and-twenty shillings, for which she had no other excuse or apology to make, but that she thought her husband deserv’d a silver spoon and China bowl as well as any of his neighbors. This was the © first appearance of plate and China in our house, which afterward, in a course of years, as our wealth increas’d, augmented ae to several hundred pounds in value. I had been religiously educated as a Presby- terian; and though some of the dogmas of that persuasion, such as the eternal decrees of God, election, reprobation, etc., appeared to me un- intelligible, others doubtful, and I early ab- sented myself from the public assemblies of the sect, Sunday being my studying day, I never was without some religious principles. I never doubted, for instance, the existence of the Deity; that he made the world, and govern'd it by his Providence; that the most = FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 143 acceptable service of God was the doing good to man; that our souls are immortal; and that all crime will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either Hore - Or sierearten) hese “1 esteemi¢ the essentials of every religion; and, being to be found in all the religions we had in our country, I respected them all, tho’ with differ- ent degrees of respect, as I found them more or less mix’d with other articles, which, with- out any tendency to inspire, promote, or con- firm morality, serv’d principally to divide us, and make us unfriendly to one another. This respect to all, with an opinion that the worst had some good effects, induc’d me to avoid all discourse that might tend to lessen the good opinion another might have of his own religion; and as our province increas’d in people, and new places of worship were continually wanted, and generally erected by voluntary contribu- tion, my mite for such purpose, whatever might be the sect, was never refused. Tho’ I seldom attended any public worship, I had still an opinion of its propriety, and of its utility when rightly conducted, and I regu- larly paid my annual subscription for the sup- port of the only Presbyterian minister or meet- _ ing we had in Philadelphia. He us’d to visit me sometimes as a friend, and admonished me 1444 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. to attend his administrations, and I was now and then prevail’d on to do so, once for five Sundays successively. Had he been in my opinion a good preacher, perhaps I might have continued,’ notwithstanding the occasion I had for the Sunday’s leisure in my course of study; but his discourses were chiefly either polemic arguments, or explications of the peculiar doc- trines of our sect, and were all to me very dry, uninteresting, and unedifying, since not a single moral principle was inculcated or enfore’d, their aim seeming to be rather to make us Presby- terians than good citizens. At length he took for his text that verse of the fourth chapter of Philippians, “ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good report, if there be any virtue, or any praise, think on these things.” And I imagin’d, in a sermon on such a text, we could not miss of having some morality. But he confin’d himself to five points only, as meant by the apostle, viz.: 1. Keeping holy the Sabbath day. 2. Being diligent in reading the holy Scriptures. 3. Attending duly the publick worship. 4. Partaking of the Sac- rament. 5. Paying a due respect to God’s min- 1¥Franklin expressed a different view about the duty of attending church later. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 145 isters. These might be all good things; but, as they were not the kind of good things that I expected from that text, I despaired of ever meeting with them from any other, was dis- gusted, and attended his preaching no more. I had some years before .compos’d a little Liturgy, or form of prayer, for my own private use (viz., in 1728), entitled, Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion. I return’d to the use of this, and went no more to the public assem- blies. My conduct might be blameable, but [ leave it, without attempting further to excuse it; my present purpose being to relate facts, and not to make apologies for them. {xX PLAN FOR ATTAINING MORAL PERFECTION T was about this time I conceived megthe bold and arduous project of aay arriving at moral perteenon, 7 eee wish’d to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other. But I soon found I had undertaken a, task of more difficulty than I had imagined.’ While my care was employ’d in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inatten- tion; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason. I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our slipping; and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any de- 1Compare Philippians iv, 8. 146 a FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY, /147,, pendence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct. For this purpose I therefore con- trived the following method. In the various enumerations of the moral virtues I had met with in my reading, I found the catalogue more or less numerous, as dif- ferent writers included more or fewer ideas under the same name. Temperance, for ex- ample, was by some confined to eating and drinking, while by others it was extended to mean the moderating every other pleasure, ap- petite, inclination, or passion, bodily or mental, even to our avarice and ambition. I propos'd to myself, for the sake of clearness, to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annex’d to each, than a few names with more ideas; and I included under thirteen names of vir- tues all that at that time occurr’d to me as necessary or desirable, and annexed to each a short precept, which fully express’d the extent I gave to its meaning. These names of virtues, ius their precepts, were: COP TOL | 7 Fd I. TEMPERANCE. Fat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. ‘204 SILENCE, Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. ty a 1448 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY f3. ORDER. ) Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 4 4, RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; per- form without fail what you resolve. 5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; 1. e., waste nothing. 6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in some- thing useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. 7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly. 8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty. ‘| 9. MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. ‘© 10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation. ' FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 149 ) © 11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. \312. CHASTITY. a 13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates. ™~, My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, I judg’d it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time; and, when I should be master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on, till I should have gone thro’ the thirteen; and, as the previous acquisition of some might facili- tate the acquisition of certain others, I arrang’d them with that view, as they stand above. Tem- perance first, as it tends to procure that cool- ness and clearness of head, which is so neces-. sary where constant vigilance was to be kept up, and guard maintained against the unremit- ting attraction of ancient habits, and the force of perpetual temptations. This being acquir’d and establish’d, Silence would be more easy; and my desire being to gain knowledge at the same time that I improv’d in virtue, and con- _ sidering that in conversation it was obtain’d rd 130 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY rather by the use of the ears than of the tongue, and therefore wishing to break a habit I was getting into of prattling, punning, and joking, which only made me acceptable to trifling com- pany, I gave Silence the second place. This and the next, Order, I expected would allow me more time for attending to my project and my studies. Resolution, once become habitual, would keep me firm in my endeavours to ob- tain all the subsequent virtues; Frugality and Industry freeing me from my remaining debt, and producing affluence and independence, would make more easy the practice of Sin- cerity and Justice, etc., etc. Conceiving then, that, agreeably to the advice of Pythagoras’ in his Golden Verses, daily examination would be necessary, I contrived the following method for conducting that examination. I made a little book, in which I allotted a page for each of the virtues.” I rul’d each page with red ink, so as to have seven columns. one for each day of the week, marking each column with a letter for the day. I cross’d 2A famous Greek philosopher, who lived about 582-500 B. Cc. The Golden Verses here ascribed to him are probably .of later origin. ‘The time which he recommends for this work is about even or bed-time, that we may conclude the action of the day with the judgment of conscience, making the examination of our con- — versation an evening song to God. 2This “little book” is dated July 1, 1733.—W. T. F. 7 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 151 these columns with thirteen red lines, mark- ing the beginning of each line with the first letter of one of the virtues, on which line, and in its proper column, I might mark, by a little black spot, every fault I found upon examina- tion to have been committed respecting that virtue upon that day. Form of the pages. TEMPERANCE. EAT NOT TO DULLNESS DRINE NOT TO ELEVATION. I determined to give a week’s strict attention to each of the virtues successively. Thus, in the 152 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. first week, my great guard was to avoid every the least offense against Temperance, leaving the other virtues to their ordinary chance, only marking every evening the faults of the day. Thus, if in the first week I could keep my first line, marked T, clear of spots, I suppos’d the habit of that virtue so much strengthen’d, and its opposite weaken’d, that I might venture extending my attention to include the next, and for the following week keep both lines clear of spots. Proceeding thus to the last, I could go thro’ a course compleat in thirteen weeks, and four courses in a year. And like him who, having a garden to weed, does not attempt to eradicate all the bad herbs at once, which would exceed his reach and his strength, but works on one of the beds at a time, and, having accomplish’d the first, proceeds to a second, so I should have, I hoped, the encour- aging pleasure of seeing on my pages the prog- ress | made in virtue, by clearing successively my lines of their spots, till in the end, by a number of courses, I should be happy in view- ing a clean book, after a thirteen weeks’ daily examination. This my little book had for its motto these lines from Addison’s Cato: We. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 183 “ Here will I hold. If there’s a power above us (And that there is, all nature cries aloud Thro’ all her works), He must delight in virtue; And that which he delights in must be happy.” Another from Cicero, “O vite Philosophia dux! O virtutum indagatrix ex- pultrixque vitiorum! Unus dies, bene et ex preceptis tuis actus, peccanti immortalitati est anteponendus.” 4 Another from the Proverbs of Solomon, speaking of wisdom or virtue: ef Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” iii. 16,17. , And conceiving God to be the fountain of wisdom, I thought it right and necessary to solicit his assistance for obtaining it; to this end I formed the following little prayer, which was prefix’d to my tables of examination, for daily use.. | “O powerful Goodness!. bountiful Father! merciful Guide! Increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. Strengthen my resolutions to perform what that wisdom dictates. Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favours to me.” 21“Q© philosophy, guide of life! O searcher out of virtue and exterminator of vice! One day spent well and in accordance with thy precepts is worth an immortality of sin.”—Tusculan In- quirtes, Book V. 154 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY I used also sometimes a little prayer Aghia I took from Thomson’s Poems, viz.: “Father of light and life, thou Good Supreme! O teach me what is good; teach me Thyself! Save me from folly, vanity, and vice, From every low pursuit; and fill my soul With knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure; Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss!” “The precept of Order requiring that every aie of my business should have its allotted time, one page in my little book contain’d the fol- lowing scheme of employment for the twenty- four hours of a natural day. % 5 Rise, wash, and ad- fp 6 dress Powerful Good- THE MorRNING. ness! Contrive day’s Question. What good y business, and take the shall I do this day? resolution of the day; prosecute the present study, and breakfast. Work. Naot | 12 } Read, or overlook my accounts, and dine. Work. -FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 155 Put things in their EVENING. places. Supper. Music Question. What good i or diversion, or conver- have I have done to-day? sation. Examination of 9 the day. 10 II 12 NIGHT. I Sleep. 2 3 4 I enter’d upon the execution of this plan for self-examination, and continu’d it with occa- sional intermissions for some time. I was sur- pris'd to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined; but I had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish.,“To avoid the trouble of renewing now and then my little book, which, by scraping out the marks on the paper of old faults to make room for new ones in a new course, became full of holes, I transferr’d my tables and precepts to the ivory leaves of a memorandum book, on which the lines were drawn with red ink, that made a durable stain, and on those lines I mark’d my faults with a black-lead pencil, which marks I could easily Wipe out with a wet sponge. After a while I went thro’ one course only in a year, and after- ‘156 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY ward only one in several years, till at length I omitted them entirely, being employ’d in — voyages and business abroad, with a multi- plicity of affairs that interfered; but I always carried my little book with me. My scheme of ORDER gave me the most -trouble;* and I found that, tho’ it might be practicable where a man’s business was such as to leave him the disposition of his time, that of a journeyman printer, for instance, it was not possible to be exactly observed by a master, who must mix with the world, and often re- ceive people of business at their own hours. Order, too, with regard to places for things, papers, etc., I found extreamly difficult to acquire. I had not been early accustomed to it, and, having an exceeding good memory, I was not so sensible of the inconvenience attend- ing want of method. This article, therefore, cost me so much painful attention, and my ~ faults in it vexed me so much, and I made so little progress in amendment, and had such frequent relapses, that I was almost ready to give up the attempt, and content myself with 1 Professor McMaster tells us that when Franklin was Ameri- can Agent in France, his lack of business order was a source of annoyance to his colleagues and friends. ‘‘ Strangers who came to see him were amazed to behold papers of the greatest importance scattered in the most careless way over the table and floor.” FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 157 a- faulty character in that respect, like the man who, in buying an ax of a smith, my neigh- bour, desired to have the whole of its surface as bright as the edge. The smith consented to grind it bright for him if he would turn the wheel; he turn’d, while the smith press’d the broad face of the ax hard and heavily on the x ON ZA SN es AWN Witt an} " == sh Eros Ny NI Aik Ane Hit stone, which made the turning of it very fatigu- ing. The man came every now and then from the wheel to see how the work went on, and at length would take his ax as it was, without farther grinding. “No,” said the smith, “turn on, turn on; we shall have it bright by-and-by; as yet, it is only speckled.” ‘“ Yes,’ says the man, “but I think I like a speckled ax best.’ And I believe this may have been the case with many, who,: having, for want of some such means as I employ’d, found the difficulty of obtaining good and breaking bad habits in 158 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY other points of vice and virtue, have given up the struggle, and concluded that “a speckled ax was best”; for something, that pretended to be reason, was every now and then sug- gesting to me that such extream nicety as I exacted of myself might be a kind of foppery in morals, which, if it were known, would make me ridiculous; that a perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated; and that a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance. In truth, I found myself incorrigible with respect to Order; and now I am grown old, and my memory bad, I feel very sensibly the want of it. But, on the whole, tho’ I never arrived at the perfection I had been so am- bitious of obtaining, but-fell far short of it, yet I was, by. the endeavour, a better and 2 happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it; as those who aim at perfect writing by imitating thé engraved copies, tho’ they never reach the wishd-for excellence of those copies, their hand is mended — by the endeavour, and is tolerable while it con- tinues fair and legible. : | It may be well my posterity should be informed that: to this little artifice, ~with the FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY § 159 blessing of God, their ancestor ow’d the con- stant felicity of his life, down to his 79th year, in which this is written. What reverses may attend the remainder is in the hand of Provi- erdence; but, 1f they arrive, the reflection on past happiness enjoy’d ought to help his bear- ing them with more resignation. To Tem- perance he ascribes his long-continued health, and what is still left to him of a good con- stitution; to Industry and Frugality, the early easiness of his circumstances and acquisition of his fortune, with all that knowledge that enabled him to be a useful citizen, and obtained for him some degree of reputation among the learned; to Sincerity and Justice, the confi- dence of his country, and the honorable em- ploys it conferred upon him; and to the joint influence of the whole mass of the virtues,’ even in the imperfect state he was able to acquire them, all that evenness of temper, and that cheerfulness in conversation, which makes his company. still sought for, and agreeable -1While there can be no question that Franklin’s moral improve- ment and happiness were due to the practice of these virtues, yet most people will agree that we shall have to go back of his plan for the impelling motive to a virtuous life. Franklin’s own sug- gestion that the scheme smacks of “ foppery in morals” seems jus- tified. Woodrow Wilson well puts it: ‘“ Men do not take fire from such thoughts, unless something deeper, which is missing here, shine through them. What may have seemed to the : ean 160 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY even to his younger acquaintance. I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit. - It will be remark’d that, tho’ my scheme was not wholly without religion, there was in it no mark of any of the distinguishing tenets of any particular sect. I had purposely avoided them; for, being fully persuaded of the utility and excellency of my method, and that it might be serviceable to people in all religions, and intending some.time or other to publish it, I would not have anything in it that should preju- dice anyone, of any sect, against it. I pur- posed writing a little comment on each virtue, in which I would have shown the advantages of possessing it, and the mischiefs attending its opposite vice; and I should have called my book THE ART OF VIRTUE,’ because it would have shown the means and manner of obtain- ing virtue, which would have distinguished it from the mere exhortation to be good, that does not instruct and indicate the means, but eighteenth century a system of morals seems to us nothing more vital than a collection of the precepts of good sense and sound conduct. What redeems it from pettiness:in this book is the scope of power and of usefulness to be seen in Franklin himself, who set these standards up in all seriousness and candor for his own life.” See Galatians, chapter V, for the Christian plan of moral perfection. 1 Nothing so likely to make a man’s fortune as virtue—Marg. note. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 161 is like the apostle’s man of verbal charity, who only without showing to the naked and hun- ery how or where they might get clothes or victuals, exhorted them to be fed and clothed. —James ii. 15, 16. But it so happened that my intention of writing and publishing this comment was never fulfilled. I did, indeed, from time to time, put — down short hints of the sentiments, reasonings, etc., to be made use of in it, some of which I have still by me; but the necessary close atten- tion to private business in the earlier part of my life, and public business since, have occa- sioned my postponing it; for, it. being con- nected in my mind with a great and extensive project, that required the whole man to execute, and which an unforeseen succession of employs prevented my attending to, it has hitherto re- main’d unfinish’d. In this: piece it was my design to explain and enforce this doctrine, that vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful, the nature of man alone considered; that it was, there- fore, everyone’s interest to be virtuous who wish’d to be happy even in this world; and 1 should, from this circumstance (there being always in the world a number of rich mer- 162 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY chants, nobility, states, and princes, who have need of honest instruments for the manage- ment of their affairs, and such being so rare), have endeavoured to convince young persons that no qualities were so likely to make a poor man’s fortune as those of probity and integrity. My list of virtues contain’d at first but twelve; but a Quaker friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud; that my pride show’d itself frequently in conversa- tion; that I was not content with being: in the right when discussing any point, but was — overbearing, and rather insolent, of which he convine’d me by mentioning several instances; I determined endeavouring to cure myself, if I could, of this vice or folly among the rest, and. added.__=Humility to my list, giving an extensive meaning to the word. I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue, but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it. I made it a rule to’ forbear all direct contradic- tion to the sentiments of others, and all posi- tive assertion of my own. I even forbid my- self, agreeably to the old laws of our Junto, the use of every word or expression in the language that imported a fix’d opinion, such as : certainly, undoubtedly, ete; and~I—adopted? , FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY |= 163 instead of them, J conceive, I apprehend, or I imagine a thing to be so or so; or it. so appears to me at present. When another asserted some- thing that I thought an error, I deny’d myself the pleasure of contradicting him abruptly, and of showing immediately some absurdity in his proposition; and in answering I began by ob- serving that in certain cases or circumstances his opinion would be right, but in the present case there appear’d or seem’d to me some dif- ference, etc. I soon found the advantage of this change in my manner; the conversations I engag’d in: went on more pleasantly. The modest way in which I propos’d my opinions procur’d them a readier reception and less con- tradiction; I had less mortification when I was found to be in the wrong, and I more easily prevail’d with others to give up their mistakes and join with me when I happened to be in the right. And this mode, which I at first put on with some violence to natural inclination, became at length so easy, and so habitual to me, that perhaps for these fifty years past no one has ever heard a dogmatical expression escape me. And to this habit (after my character of integ- rity) I think it principally owing that I had early so much weight with my fellow-citizens 1644 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY when I proposed new institutions, or altera- tions in the old, and so much influence in public councils when I became a member; for I was but a bad speaker, never eloquent, subject to much hesitation in my choice of words, hardly correct in language, and yet I generally carried my points. | In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could con- ceive that I had compleatly overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility. [Thus far written at Passy, 1784.] [“Z am now about to write at home, August, 1788, but cannot have the help expected from my papers, many of them being lost in the war. I have, however, found the following.” | * HAVING mentioned a great and extensive project which I had conceiv’d, it seems proper that some account should be here given of that project and its object. Its first rise in 1This is a marginal memorandum.—B. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY | 165. my mind appears in the following little paper, accidentally preserv’d, viz.: Observations on my reading history, in Library, May 19th, 1731. “That the great affairs of the world, the wars, revolutions, etc., are carried on and effected by parties. “That the view of these parties is their present general interest, or what they take to be such. “That the different, views of these different parties occasion all confusion. “That while a party is carrying on a gen- eral design, each man has his particular private interest in view. : “That as soon as a party has gain’d its general point, each member becomes intent upon his particular interest; which, thwarting others, breaks that party into divisions, and occasions more confusion. “That few in public affairs act from a meer view of the good of their country, whatever they may pretend; and, tho’ their actings bring real good to their country, yet men primarily considered that their own and their country’s interest was united, and did not act from a prin- ciple of benevolence. 16 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY “That fewer still, in public affairs, act with a view to the good of mankind. “There seems to me at present to be great occasion for raising a United Party for Virtue, by forming the virtuous and good men of all fhations into a regular body, to be govern’d by suitable good and wise rules, which good and wise men may probably be more unani- mous in their obedience to, than common people are to common laws. 3 “T at present think that whoever attempts this aright, and is well qualified, cannot fail of pleasing God, and of meeting with success. | bee nett: Revolving this project in my mind, as to be undertaken hereafter, when my circumstances should afford me the necessary leisure, I put down from time to time, on pieces of paper, such thoughts as occurr’d to me respecting it. — Most of these are lost; but I find one purport- ing to be the substance of an intended creed, containing, as I thought, the essentials of every known religion, and being free of everything that might shock the professors of any religion. It is express’d in these words, viz.: “That there is one God, who made all things. ‘That he governs the world by his providence. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY « 167 ~“That he ought to be worshiped by adora- tion, prayer, and thanksgiving. “ But that the most acceptable service of God is doing good to man. “That the soul is immortal. “And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice, either here or hereafter.” My ideas at that time were, that the sect should be begun and spread at first among young and single men only; that each person to be initiated should not only declare his assent to such creed, but should have exercised himself with the thirteen weeks’ examination and practice of the virtues, as in the before- mention’d model; that the existence of such a society should be kept a secret, till it was be- come considerable, to prevent solicitations for the admission of improper persons, but that the members should each of them search among his acquaintance for ingenuous, well-disposed youths, -.o whom, with prudent caution, the scheme should be gradually communicated; that ‘the members should engage to afford their advic», assistance, and support to each other in promoting one another’s interests, business, and advancement in life; that, for distinction, we should be call’d The Soctety of the Free and Easy: free, as being, by the general prac- ‘Al 168 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY tice and habit of the virtues, free from the dominion of vice; and particularly by the prac- tice of industry and frugality, free from debt, which exposes a man to confinement, and a species of slavery to his creditors. This is as much as I can now recollect of the project, except that I communicated it in part to two young men, who adopted it with some enthusiasm; but my then narrow circumstances, and the necessity I was under of sticking close to my business, occasion’d my postponing the further prosecution of it at that time; and my multifarious occupations, public and private, induc’d me to continue postponing, so that it has been omitted till I have no longer strength or activity left sufficient for such an enterprise; though I am still of opinion that it was a practicable scheme, and might have been very useful, by forming a great num- ber of good citizens; and I was not discourag’d by the seeming magnitude of the undertaking, as I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great chang*s, and accomplish great affairs among mank-nd, if he first forms a good plan, and, cutting off all amusements or other employments that would divert his attention, makes the execution of that same plan his sole study and busines... x POOR RICHARD’S ALMANAC AND OTHER ACTIVITIES N 1732 I first publish’d my Alma- nack, under the name of Richard x r Saunders; it was continu’d by me about twenty-five years, commonly call’d Poor Richard’s Almanac,’ I endeavour’d to make it both entertaining and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand, that I reap’d considerable profit from it, vending annually near ten thousand. And observing that it was generally read, scarce any neigh- borhood in the province being without it, I consider’d it as a proper vehicle for convey- ing instruction among the common people, who bought scarcely any other books; I therefore filled all the little spaces that occurr’d between the remarkable days in the calendar with pro- verbial sentences, chiefly such as inculcated industry and frugality, as the means of pro- 1The almanac at that time was a kind of periodical as well as a guide to natural phenomena and the weather. Franklin took his title from Poor Robin, a famous English almanac, and from Richard Saunders, a well-known almanac publisher. For the maxims of Poor Richard, see pages 331-335. 169 170 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY curing wealth, and thereby securing virtue; it being more difficult for a man in want, to act always honestly, as, to use here one of those proverbs, it 1s hard for an ema sack to stand upright. These proverbs, which contained the wis- dom of many ages and nations, I assembled and form’d into a connected discourse prefix’d to the Almanack of 1757, as the harangue of a wise old man to the people attending an. auction. The bringing all these scatter’d coun- cils thus into a focus enabled them to make greater impression. The piece, being univer- sally approved, was copied in all the news- papers of the Continent; reprinted in Britain on a broadside, to be stuck up in houses; two translations were made of it in French, and great numbers bought by the clergy and gentry, to distribute gratis among their poor parishion- ers and tenants. In Pennsylvania, as it dis- couraged useless expense in foreign superflu- ities, some thought it had its share of influence in producing that growing plenty of money which was observable for several years after: its publication. I considered my newspaper, also, as another means of communicating instruction, and in that view frequently reprinted in it extracts Two pages from Poor Richard’s Almanac for 1736. Size of original, Reproduced from a copy at the New York Public Library. IV Mon. June hath .xxx days. Things that\are bitter, bitterrer than Gall Phyficians fay are always phyfical : Now Women’s Tongues if into Powder beaten, re in a Posion or a Pill be eaten, And as there's nought more bitter, f do mufe, That Women’s Tongues in Phyfick they ne'er ufe. My felf and others. who lead reftlefs Lives, Would fpare rhat bitrcer Member of our Wives. 36 8) Jiet 10 12 aft 3§ 8) He shat can have 35 8|Patience, can 35 Sibave what he 35 8 Firft Quarter, 35 Siwill. 23439 thunder, 3] perbaps bail. } 47* rife 2 15 34 8imaking longe 34. Siday 14h. 51m. 34 8iFull @ 12day, 34 8} at I morn. | then vain. Whitfiundeap. 15 3|K-Gro. IT. procl |3 [1514 : ff. © h wind, rain, j2714 5\K hh & hail and j5 |X 35 35 Sibody bids megool / 35 Slnorresy. 1 thunder. 6 \2114 35 8|Deiferr 1oaf, 19 35 8 20 36 giLaft Quarter. 21 36 8iGod helps them 22 36 Sthat belp them- 36 Selves. 36 8D rife 2 mor. 37 8|Wby does the 37 Siblind man's wife 2a) sist. ohn Ban. : Ae rife 1 8 ‘i 2 2 frrange. 1 [1614 38 giNew 327 da 28 2|K h g bailand j2 |Q\4 38 8 near deci 2g] 3/St- Jeter Salih sig 39 8) Paint herfelf. 30] HOSS vain. — 3 Inpig go 8) Diets 9 30 V Mon. = July hath xxxi days. Who can charge Ebrio with Thirft of Wealth ? See he confumes his Money, Time and Health, In drunken Frolicks which will all confound, Negle&s his Farm, forgets to till his Ground, His Stock grows lefs that might be kept with eafe ; In noughr but Gurs and Debts he finds Encreafe. In Town reels as if he’d fhove down each Wall, Yer Walls muft ftand, poor Soul, or he muft fall. AE LD Se SHER ST eS 40 8|None preaches 5)Day fhort. 11 mif4 [1514 24 Slant, and foe fays 2OuUNd.p Crinit [ohm l4 42 SFist Quarter.’ * 7 11414 43 Spotbing. 4 44 8] dfers 12 3om 45 8\The abjent are 1012314. 46 Elever ewithout 1olvpla. 47 8] fale, nor the 1111814 48 8] prefext without 3 OUND. p.Trin.jr2jl4 49 8Full@ 11 day, I [1314 50 8} 2 afternoon. 3og-Days begini2 j2siq 50 8] Oin Days 14h. 20 mj2h}€lq 51 8} DrifeS 35 aff. 5\St. Sausthin. 3 11914 92 Slexcu/e, pleafant weather |8 27 Some days 16 Bris V4 53 8 17] 16 O8 rain 1314 54 8| Gifts barf 18 17* rife 11 40 = 16: 12514. 55. Slrocks 56 g|Laft Quarrer. 57 8 Drife 11 52 af 2a) 4i7* rife 11 18 18 |I14 57 S|Af wind blozws on 22 then high 9 11414 58 8|you thro’ a bole, 23 wind, 19}2 914 59 g Make jour evill 24] 7/8Ox 199514 59 Shand take care of 24 t. Yames. 11/2515 © 7} your foul. 2¢ hail =J12IQis5 1 7|New D 26day, 27) 3| Dnear cor §) I l24l5 2.7] -near8 aftern 28] 419 YP acleay |2 Impls 3 3] Dfets 8 aftern. 29 air, and fine|2bizals 4 7\The rotten Apple 30 weather 3 [15 «5 7) Spoils bis Com- 31 717* rife 10 go . 14 l2zls 6 9! panion, FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 175 from the Spectator, and other moral writers; and sometimes publish’d little pieces of my own, which had been first compos’d for read- ing in our Junto. Of these are a Socratic dia- logue, tending to prove that, whatever might be his parts and abilities, a vicious man could not properly be called a man of sense; and a discourse on self-denial, showing that virtue was not secure till its practice became a habi- tude, and was free from the opposition of con- trary inclinations. These may be found in the papers about the beginning of 1735.* In the conduct of my newspaper, I carefully excluded all libeling and personal abuse, which is of late years become so disgraceful to our country. Whenever I was solicited to insert anything of that kind, and the writers pleaded, as they generally did, the liberty of the press, and that a newspaper was like a stage-coach, in which anyone who would pay had a right to a place, my answer was, that I would print the piece separately if desired, and the author might have as many copies as he pleased to distrib- ute himself, but that I would not take upon me to spread his detraction; and that, having contracted with my subscribers to furnish them with what might be either useful or enter- 1June 23 and July 7, 1730.—Smyth. } 176 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY taining, I could not fill their papers with private altercation, in which they had no concern, with-. out doing them manifest injustice. Now, many of our printers make no scruple of gratifying the malice of individuals by false accusations of the fairest characters among ourselves, aug- menting animosity even to the producing of duels; and are, moreover, so indiscreet as to print scurrilous reflections on the government of neighboring states, and even on the con- duct of our best national allies, which may be attended with the most pernicious consequences. These things I mention as a caution to young printers, and that they may be encouraged not to pollute their presses and disgrace their profession by such infamous practices, but refuse steadily, as they may see by my example that such a course of conduct will not, on the whole, be injurious to their in- terests. oe In 1733 I sent one of my journeymen to Charleston, South Carolina, where a printer was wanting. I furnish’d him with a press and letters, on. an agreement of partnership, by which I was to receive one-third of the profits of the business, paying one-third of the expense. He was a man of learning, and hon- est but ignorant in matters of account; and, FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 177 tho’ he sometimes made me remittances, I could get no account from him, nor any satisfactory state of our partnership while he lived. On his decease, the business was continued by his widow, who, being born and bred in Holland, where, as I have been inform’d, the knowledge of accounts makes a part of female education, she not only sent me as clear a state as she could find of the transactions past, but con- tinued to account with the greatest regularity and exactness every quarter afterwards, and managed the business with such success, that she not only brought up reputably a family of children, but, at the expiration of the term, was able to purchase of me the printing-house, and establish her son in it. I mention this affair chiefly for the sake of recommending that branch of education for our young females, as likely to be of more use to them and their children, in case of widowhood, than either music or dancing, by preserving them from losses by imposition of crafty men, and enabling them to continue, perhaps, a profitable mercantile house, with - establish’d correspondence, till a son is grown up fit to undertake and go on with it, to the lasting advantage and enriching of the family. 178 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY About the year 1734 there arrived among us from Ireland a young Presbyterian preacher, named Hemphill, who delivered with a good voice, and apparently extempore, most excellent discourses, which drew together considerable numbers of different persuasions, who join’d in admiring them. Among the rest, I became one of his constant hearers, his sermons pleas- ing me, as they had little of the dogmatical — kind, but inculcated strongly the practice of virtue, or what in the religious stile are called good works. ‘Those, however, of our congre-. gation, who considered themselves as orthodox Presbyterians, disapprov’d his doctrine, and were join’d by most of the old clergy, who arraign’d him of heterodoxy before the synod, in order to have him silene’d. I became his zealous partisan, and contributed all I could to raise a party in his favour, and we com- bated for him awhile with some hopes of suc- cess. There was much scribbling pro and con upon the occasion; and finding that, tho’ an elegant preacher, he was but a poor writer, I lent him my pen and wrote for him two or three pamphlets, and one piece in the Gazette of April, 1735. Those pamphlets, as is gen- erally the case with controversial writings, tho’ . eagerly read at~the time, were soon out of FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 179 vogue, and [ question whether a single copy of them now exists." During the contest an unlucky occurrence hurt his cause exceedingly. One of our adver- saries having heard him preach a sermon that was much admired, thought he had somewhere read the sermon before, or at least a part of it. On search, he found that part quoted at length, in one of the British Reviews, from a dis- course of Dr. Foster’s.” This detection gave many of our party disgust, who accordingly abandoned his cause, and occasion’d our more speedy discomfiture in the synod. I stuck by him, however, as I rather approv’d his giving us good sermons composed by others, than bad ones of his own manufacture, tho’ the latter was the practice of our common teachers. He afterward acknowledg’d to me that none of those he preach’d were his own; adding, that his memory was such as enabled him to retain and repeat any sermon after one reading only. 1See “A List of Books written by, or relating to Benjamin Franklin,” by Paul Leicester Ford. 1889. p. 15.—Smyth. 2Dr. James Foster (1697-1753) :— “Let modest Foster, if he will excel Ten metropolitans in preaching well.” —Pope (Epilogue to the Satires, I, 132). “Those who had not heard Farinelli sing and Foster preach ' were not qualified to appear in genteel company,’ Hawkins. “ His- tory of Music.”—Smyth. yo FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY On our defeat, he. left us in search elsewhere of better fortune, and I quitted the congrega- tion, never joining it after, tho’ I continu’d — many years my subscription for the support of its ministers. I had begun in 1733 to study languages; I soon made myself so much a master of the French as to be able to read the books with ease. I then undertook the Italian. An ac- quaintance, who was also learning it, us’d often to tempt me to play chess with him. Finding this took up too much of the time I had to spare for study, I at length refus’d to play any more, unless on this condition, that the victor in every game should have a right to impose a task, either in parts of the grammar to be -got by heart, or in translations, etc., which tasks the vanquish’d was to perform upon honour, before our next meeting. As we play’d pretty equally, we thus beat one another into that language. I afterwards with a little painstaking, acquir’d as much of the Spanish as to read their books also. I have already mention’d that I had only:one year’s instruction in a Latin school, and that when very young, after which I neglected that language entirely. But, when I had attained an acquaintance with the French, Italian, and FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 181 Spanish, I was surpriz’d to find, on looking over a Latin Testament, that I understood so much more of that language than I had imagined, which encouraged me to apply my- self again to the study of it, and I met with more success, as those preceding languages had greatly smooth’d my way. From these circumstances, I have thought that there is some inconsistency in our com- mon mode of teaching languages. We are told that it is proper to begin first with the Latin, and, having acquir’d that, it will be more easy to attain those modern languages which are de- riv'd from it; and yet we do not begin with the Greek, in order more easily to acquire the Latin: It is true that, if you can clamber and get to the top of a staircase without using the steps, you will more easily gain them in descending; but certainly, if you begin with the lowest you will with more ease ascend to the top; and I would therefore offer it to the consideration of those who superintend the education of our — youth, whether, since many of those who begin with the Latin quit the same after spending some years without having made any great proficiency, and what they have learnt becomes almost useless, so that their time has been lost, it would not have been better to have 182 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY begun with the French, proceeding to the Italian, etc.; for, tho’, after spending the same time, they should quit the study of languages and never arrive at the Latin, they would, how- ever, have acquired another tongue or two, that, being in modern use, might be serviceable to them in common life.’ After ten years’ absence from Boston, and having become easy in my circumstances, I made a journey thither to visit my relations, which I could not sooner well afford. In re- turning, I call’d at Newport to see my brother, then settled there with his printing-house. Our former differences were forgotten, and our meeting was very cordial and affectionate. He was fast declining in his health, and requested of me that, in case of his death, which he ap- -prehended not far distant, I would take home his son, then but ten years. of age, and bring 1“ The authority of Franklin, the most eminently practical man of his age, in favor of reserving the study of the dead languages until the mind has reached a certain maturity, is confirmed by the confession of one of the most eminent scholars of any age. “Our seminaries of learning,’ says Gibbon, ‘do not exactly correspond with the precept of a Spartan king, that the child should be instructed in the arts which will be useful to the man; since a finished scholar may emerge from: the head of West- minster or Eton, in total ignorance of the business and con- versation of English gentlemen in the latter end of the eighteenth century. But these schools may assume the merit of teaching all that they pretend to teach, the Latin and Greek languages.’ ”— Bigelow. eae . Lf FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 183 him up to the printing business. This’ I accord- ingly perform’d, sending him a few years to school before I took him into the office. His mother carried on the business till he was grown up, when I assisted him with an assort- ment of new types, those of his father being in a manner worn out. Thus it was that I made depriv’d him of by leaving him so early. In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the small-pox, taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation, on the sup- position that they should never forgive them- selves if a child died indér it; my example show- ing that the regret may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should be chosen. Our club, the Junto, was found so useful, and 184 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY to: ere Sh a ers afforded such satisfaction to the members, that ; several. were desirous of introducing their friends, which could not well be done without exceeding what we had settled as a convenient number, viz., twelve. We had from the be- ginning made it a rule to keep our institu- tion a secret, which was pretty well observ d; the intention was to avoid applications of im- proper persons for admittance, some of whom, perhaps, we might find it difficult to refuse. I was one of those who were against any addi- tion to our number, but, instead of it, made in writing a proposal, that every member sep- arately should endeavour to form a subordinate club, with the same rules respecting queries, etc., and without informing them of the con- nection with the Junto. The advantages pro- posed were, the improvement of so many more - young citizens by the use of our institutions; our better acquaintance with the general senti- ments of the inhabitants on any occasion, as the Junto member might propose what queries we should desire, and was to report to the Junto what pass’d in his separate club; the promotion of our particular interests in. busi- ness by more extensive recommendation, and the increase of our influence in public affairs, — and our power of doing good by spreading f FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 185 thro’ the several clubs the sentiments of the Junto. The project was approv’d, and every mem- ber undertook to form his club, but they did not all succeed. Five or six only were com- pleated, which were called by different names, as the Vine, the Union, the Band, etc. They were useful to themselves, and afforded us a good deal of amusement, information, and in- struction, besides answering, in some consider- able degree, our views of influencing the public Opinion on particular occasions, of which I shall give some instances in course of time as they happened. : ! My first promotion was my being chosen, in 1736, clerk of the General Assembly. The choice was made that year without opposition; but the year following, when I was again pro- pos’d (the choice, like that of the members, being annual), a new member made a long speech against me, in order to favour some other candidate. , I was, however, chosen, which was the more agreeable to me, as, besides the pay for the immediate service as clerk, the place gave me a better opportunity of keep- ing up an interest among the members, which secur'd to me the business of printing the votes, laws, paper money, and other occasional jobbs. 186 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY for the public, that, on the whole, were very profitable. I therefore did not like the opposition of this new member, who was a gentleman of for- tune and education, with talents that were likely to give him, in time, great influence in the House, which, indeed, afterwards happened. I did not, however, aim at gaining his favour by paying any servile respect to him, but, after some time, took this other method. Having heard that he had in his library a certain very scarce and curious book, I wrote a note to him, expressing my desire of perusing that book, and requesting he would do me the favour of lending it to me for a few days. He sent it immediately, and I return’d it in about a week © with another note, expressing strongly my — sense of the favour. When we next met in the House, he spoke to: me (which he had © never done before), and with great civility; — and he ever after manifested a readiness to serve me on all occasions, so that we became great friends, and our friendship continued to his death. This is another instance of the truth of an old maxim I had learned, which says, “He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.’ And it shows how | FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 187 much more profitable it is prudently to re- move, than to resent, return, and continue inimical proceedings. In 1737, Colonel Spotswood, late governor of Virginia, and then postmaster-general, being dissatisfied with the conduct of his deputy at Philadelphia, respecting some negligence in rendering, and inexactitude of his accounts, took from him the commission and offered it to me. I accepted it readily, and found it of great advantage; for, tho’ the salary was small, it facilitated the correspondence that improv’d my newspaper, increas’d the number demanded, as well as the advertisements to be inserted, so that it came to afford me a considerable in- come. My old competitor’s newspaper declin’d proportionately, and I was satisfy’d without retaliating his refusal, while postmaster, to per- mit my papers being carried by the riders. Thus he suffer’d greatly from his neglect in due accounting; and I mention it as a lesson to those young men who may be employ’d in managing affairs for others, that they should always render accounts, and make remittances, with great clearness and punctuality. The char- acter of observing such a conduct is the most powerful of all recommendations to new em- ployments and increase of business. < XI INTEREST IN PUBLIC APTS. NCE) Y BEGAN _ now to turn my thoughts NewS Hl a little to public affairs, beginning, Bes | however, with small matters. The nea} City watch was one of the first things that I conceiv’d to want regulation. It was managed by the constables of the respect- ive wards in turn; the constable warned a num- ber of housekeepers to attend him for the night. Those who chose never to attend, paid him six shillings a year to be excus’d, which was suppos’d to be for hiring substitutes, but was, in reality, much more than was necessary for that purpose, and. made the constableship a place of profit; and the constable, for a little drink, often got such ragamuffins about him as a watch, that respectable housekeepers did not choose to mix with. Walking the rounds, too, was often neglected, and most of the nights spent in tippling. I thereupon wrote a paper to be read in Junto, representing these irregu- larities, but insisting more particularly on the inequality of this six-shilling tax of the con- 188 | ' FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 18 stables, respecting the circumstances of those who paid it, since a poor widow housekeeper, all whose property to be guarded by the watch did not perhaps exceed the value of fifty pounds, paid as much as the wealthiest merchant, who. had thousands of pounds’ worth of goods in his. stores. On the whole, I proposed as a more effec- tual watch, the hiring of proper men to serve ‘constantly in that business; and as a more equitable way of supporting the charge, the levying a tax that should be proportion’d to the property. This idea, being approv’d by the Junto, was communicated to the other clubs,, but as arising in each of them; and though the plan was not immediately carried into execu- tion, yet, by preparing the minds of people for the change, it paved the way for the law obtained a few years after, when the members. of our clubs were grown into more influence. About this time I wrote a paper (first to be read in Junto, but it was afterward publish’d) on the different accidents and carelessnesses by which houses were set on fire, with cautions against them, and means proposed of avoiding them. This was much spoken of as a useful piece, and gave rise to a project, which soon followed it, of forming a company for the more 190 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY weady extinguishing of fires, and mutual assist- ance in removing and securing of goods when in danger. Associates in this scheme were presently found, amounting to thirty. Our ‘articles of agreement oblig’d every member to keep always in good order, and fit for use, a certain number. of leather buckets, with strong bags and baskets (for packing and transport- ing of goods), which were to be brought to every fire; and we agreed to meet once a month and spend a social evening together, in dis- coursing and communicating such ideas as occurred to us upon the subjects of fires, as might be useful in our conduct on such occa- sions. | The utility of this institution soon appeared, and many more desiring to be admitted than ‘we thought convenient for one company, they ‘were advised to form another, which was accordingly done; and this went on, one new company being formed after another, till they ‘became so numerous as to include most of the inhabitants who were men of property; and now, at the time of my writing this, tho’ up- -ward of fifty years since its establishment, that ‘which I first formed, called the Union Fire Company, still stibsists and flourishes, tho’ the ‘first members are all deceas’d but myself and FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 101 one, who is older by a year than I am. The small fines that have been paid by members for absence at the monthly meetings have been apply’d to the purchase of fire-engines, ladders, fire-hooks, and other useful implements for each company, so that I question whether there is a city in the world better provided with the means of putting a stop to beginning conflagra- tions; and, in fact, since these institutions, the city has never lost by fire more than one or two houses at a time, and the flames have often been extinguished before the house in which they began has been half consumed. In 1739 arrived among us from Ireland the Reverend Mr. Whitefield,* who had made him- self remarkable there as an itinerant preacher. He was at first permitted to preach in some 1George Whitefield, pronounced Hwit’field (1714-1770), a cele- brated English clergyman and pulpit orator, one of the founders of Methodism. 192 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY of our churches; but the clergy, taking a dis- on like to him, soon refus’d him their pulpits, and he was oblig’d to preach in the fields. The multitudes of all sects and denominations that attended his sermons were enormous, and it was matter of speculation to me, who was one of the number, to observe the extraordinary influence of his oratory on his hearers, and how much they admir’d and respected him, notwithstanding his common abuse of them, by assuring them they were naturally half beasts — and half devils. It was wonderful to see the change soon made in the manners of our inhabi- — tants. From being thoughtless or indifferent — about religion, it seem’d as if all the world were growing religious, so that one could not walk — thro’ the town in an evening without hearing ~ psalms sung in different families of every street. And it being found inconvenient to assemble ~ in the open air, subject to its inclemencies, the building of a house to meet in was no sooner ~ propos’d, and persons appointed to receive con- tributions, but sufficient sums were soon receiv d — to procure the ground and erect the building, which was one hundred feet long and seventy broad, about the size of Westminster - Hall; * 1A part of the palace of Westminster, now forming the vesti- bule to the Houses of Parliament in London. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 193 and the work was carried on with such spirit as to be finished in a much shorter time than could have been expected. Both house and ground were vested in trustees, expressly for the use of any preacher of any religious per- suasion who might desire to say something to the people at Philadelphia; the design in build-. ing not being to accommodate any particular sect, but the inhabitants in general; so that even if the Mufti of Constantinople were to send a missionary to preach Mohammedanism to us, he would find a pulpit at his service. Mr. Whitefield, in leaving us, went preach- ing all the, way thro’ the colonies to Georgia. The settlement of that province had lately been begun, but, instead of being made with hardy, industrious husbandmen, accustomed to labour, the only people fit for such an enterprise, it was with families of broken shop-keepers and other insolvent debtors, many of indolent and idle habits, taken out of the jails, who, being set down in the woods, unqualified for clearing land, and unable to endure the hardships of a new settlement, perished in numbers, leaving many helpless children unprovided for. The sight of their miserable situation inspir’d the benevolent heart of Mr. Whitefield with the idea of building an Orphan House there, in 194 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Pts) leg * i : which they might be supported and educated. Returning northward, he preach’d up this char- — ity, and made large collections, for his eloquence ~ had a wonderful power over the hearts and © purses of his hearers, of witch I myself was an instance. I did not disapprove of the design, but, as Georgia was then destitute of materials and — workmen, and it was proposed to send them from Philadelphia at a great expense, I thought — it would have been better to have built the house here, and brought the children to it. This I advis’d; but he was resolute in his first project, rejected my counsel, and I therefore — refus’d to contribute. [I happened soon after — to attend one of his sermons, in the course — of which I perceived he intended to finish with a collection, and I silently resolved he should get nothing from me. I had in my pocket a handful of copper money, three or four silver dollars, and five pistoles in gold. As he pro- — ceeded I began to soften, and concluded to give the coppers. Another stroke of his oratory. made me asham’d of that, and determin’d me to give the silver; and he finish’d so admirably, that ] empty’d my pocket wholly into the col- lector’s dish, gold and all. At this sermon there was also one of our club, who, being of FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 1905 my sentiments respecting the building in Georgia, and suspecting a collection might be intended, had, by precaution, emptied his pock- ets before he came from home. Towards the conclusion of the discourse, however, he felt a strong desire to give, and apply’d to a neigh- bour. who stood near him, to borrow some money for the purpose. The application was unfortunately [made] to perhaps the only man in the company who had the firmness not. to be affected by the preacher. His answer was, “ At any other time, Friend Hopkinson, I would lend to thee freely; but not now, for thee seems to be out of thy right senses.” Some of Mr. Whitefield’s enemies affected to suppose that he would apply these collec- tions to his own private emolument; but I, who was intimately acquainted with him (being em- ployed in printing his Sermons and Journals, etc.), never had the least suspicion of his integ- rity, but am to this day decidedly of opinion that he was in all his conduct a _ perfectly honest man; and methinks my testimony in his favour ought to have the more weight, as we had no religious connection. He us’d, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard. Ours was a mere civil 1906 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY friendship, sincere on both sides, and lasted to his death. The following instance will show something of the terms on which we stood. Upon one of his arrivals from England at Boston, he wrote to me that he should come soon to Philadelphia, but ‘knew not where he could lodge when there, as he understood his old friend and host, Mr. Benezet was removed to Germantown. My answer was, “ You know my house; if you can make shift with its scanty accommodations, you will be most heartily wel- come.” He repby’d, that if I made that kind offer for Christ’s sake, I should not miss of a reward. And I returned, “ Don’t let me be mis- taken; it was not for Christ’s sake, but for your sake.’ One of our common acquaintance jo- cosely remark’d, that, knowing it to be the custom of the saints, when they received any favour, to shift the burden of the obligation from off their own shoulders, and place it in heaven, I had contriv’d to fix it on earth. The last time I saw Mr. Whitefield was in London, when he consulted me about his Or- phan House concern, and his purpose of appro- priating it to the establishment of a college. He had a loud and clear voice, and articu- lated his words and sentences so perfectly, that FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 197 he might be heard and understood at a great distance, especially as his auditories, however numerous, observ’d the most exact silence. He preach’d one evening from the top of the Court- house steps, which are in the middle of Market- street, and on the west side of Second-street, which crosses it at right angles. Both streets were fill’d with his hearers to a considerable distance. Being among the hindmost in Mar- ket-street, I had the curiosity to learn how far he could be heard, by retiring backwards | down the street towards the river; and I found his voice distinct till I came near Front-street, when some noise in that street obscur’d it. Imagining then a semicircle, of which my dis- tance should be the radius, and that it were fill’d with auditors, to each of whom I allow’d ‘two square feet, I computed that he might well be heard by more than thirty thousand. This reconcil’d me to the newspaper accounts of his having preach’d to twenty-five thousand people in the fields, and to the antient histories of generals haranguing whole armies, of which { had sometimes doubted. By hearing him often, I came to distinguish easily between sermons newly compos’d, and those which he had often preach’d in the course of his travels. His delivery of the latter was 1988 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY so improv’d by frequent repetitions that every ~ accent, every emphasis, every modulation of voice, was so perfectly well turn’d and well plac’d, that, without being interested in the subject, one could not help being pleas’d with the discourse; a pleasure of much the same kind with that receiv’d from an excellent piece of musick. This is an advantage itinerant preachers have over those who are stationary, as the latter cannot well improve their delivery’ of a sermon by so many rehearsals. His writing and printing from time to time gave great advantage to his enemies; un- guarded expressions, and even erroneous opin- ions, delivered in preaching, might have been afterwards explain’d or qualifiid by supposing others that might have accompani’d them, or they might have been deny’d; but litera scripta manet. Critics attack’d his writings violently, and with so much appearance of reason as to diminish the number of his votaries and pre- vent their increase; so that I am of opinion if he had never written anything, he would have © left behind him a much more numerous and important sect, and his reputation might in that case have been still growing, even after his death, as there being nothing of his writing on which to found a censure and give him a FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 199 lower character, his proselytes would be left at liberty to feign for him as great a variety of excellences as their enthusiastic admiration might wish him to have possessed. My business was now continually augment- ing, and my circumstances growing daily easier, my newspaper having become very profitable, as being for a time almost the only one in this and the neighbouring provinces. I experienced, too, the truth of the observation, “ that after getting the first hundred pound, it 1s more easy to get the second,’ money itself being of a pro- lific nature. | The partnership at Carolina having suc- ceeded, I was encourag’d to engage in others, and to promote several of my workmen, who had behaved well, by establishing them with printing-houses in different colonies, on the same terms with that in Carolina. Most of them did well, being enabled at the end of our term, six years, to purchase the types of me and go on working for themselves, by which means several families were raised. Partner- ships often finish in quarrels; but I was happy in this, that mine were all carried on and ended amicably, owing, I think, a good deal to the precaution of having very explicitly settled, in our articles, everything to be done by or ex- 200 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY pected from each partner, so that there was nothing to dispute, which precaution I would therefore recommend to all who enter into part- nerships; for, whatever esteem partners may have for, and confidence in each other at the time of the contract, little jealousies and dis- gusts may arise, with ideas of inequality in the care and burden of the business, etc., which are attended often with breach of friendship and of the connection, perhaps with lawsuits and other disagreeable consequences. XII DERN S EiORo DH PROVINCE HAD, on the whole, abundant rea- son to be satisfied with my being established in Pennsylvania. ‘There -were, however, two, things that I regretted, there being no provision for defense, nor for a compleat education of youth; no militia, nor any college. I therefore, in 1743, drew up a proposal for establishing an academy ; and at that time, thinking the Reverend Mr. Peters, who was out of employ, a fit person to superintend such an institution, ] communi- cated the project to him; but he, having more profitable views in the service of the proprie- taries, which succeeded, declin’d the undertak- ing; and, not knowing another at that time suitable for such a trust, I let the scheme lie awhile dormant. I succeeded better the next year, 1744, in proposing and establishing a Philosophical Society. The paper I wrote for that purpose will be found among my writings, when collected. With respect to defense, Spain. having been 201 202 FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAQi several years at war against Great Britain, and being at length join’d by France, which brought us into great danger; and the laboured and long-continued endeavour of our governor, Thomas, to prevail with our Quaker Assembly to pass a militia law, and make other pro- visions for the security of the province, having proved abortive, I determined to try what might be done by a voluntary association of the people. To promote this, I first wrote and / published a pamphlet, entitled PLAIN TRUTH, _ in which I stated our defenceless situation in \strong lights, with the necessity of union and ‘discipline for our defense, and promis’d to pro- | / pose ina few days an association, to be generally (4 signed for that purpose. The pamphlet had a sudden and surprising effect. I was call’d upon for the instrument of association, and having settled the draft of it with a few friends, I ap- pointed a meeting of the citizens in the large building before mentioned. The house was pretty full; I had prepared a number of printed copies, and provided pens and ink dispers’d all over the room. I harangued them a little on the subject, read the paper, and explained it, and then distributed the copies, which were eagerly signed, not the least objection being made. When the company separated, and the papers FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 203 were collected, we found above twelve hun- dred hands; and, other copies being dispersed in the country, the subscribers amounted at length to upward of ten thousand. These all furnished themselves as soon as they could with arms, formed themselves into companies One of the flags of the Pennsylvania Association, 1747. Designed by Franklin and made by the women of Philadelphia. and regiments, chose their own officers, and met every week to be instructed in the manual ex- ercise, and other parts of military discipline. The women, by subscriptions among them- selves, provided silk colours, which they pre- sented to the companies, painted with differ- ent devices and mottos, which I supplied. ia The officers of the companfes composing the Philadelphia regiment, being met, chose me for their colonel; but, conceiving myself unfit, 204 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY I declin’d that station, and recommended Mr, Lawrence, a fine person, and man of influence, who was accordingly appointed. I then pro- pos’d a lottery to defray the expense of build- ing a battery below the town, and furnishing it with cannon. It filled expeditiously, and the battery was soon erected, the merlons being fram’d of logs and fill’d with earth. We bought some old cannon from Boston, but, these not being sufficient, we wrote to England for more, soliciting, at the same time, our proprietaries for some assistance, tho’ without much expecta- tion of obtaining” it. Meanwhile, Colonel Lawrence, William Allen, Abram Taylor, Esqr., and myself were sent to New York by the associators, commission’d to borrow some cannon of Governor Clinton. He at first refus’d us peremptorily; but at dinner with his council, where there was great. drink- ing of Madeira wine, as the custom of that place then was, he softened by degrees, and said he would lend us six. After a few more bumpers he advanc’d to ten; and at length he very good-naturedly conceded eighteen. They were fine cannon, eighteen-pounders, with their carriages, which we soon transported and mounted on our battery, where the associators kept a nightly guard while the war lasted, and FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 205. among the rest I regularly took my turn of duty there as a common soldier. My activity in these operations was agree- able to the governor and council; they took me into confidence, and I was consulted by them in every measure wherein their concur- rence was thought useful to the association. Calling in the aid of religion, I propos’d to them the proclaiming a fast, to promote ref- _ormation, and implore the blessing of Heaven on our undertaking. They embrac’d the mo- tion; but, as it was the first fast ever thought of in the province, the secretary had no prece- dent from which to draw the proclamation. My education in New England, where a fast is proclaimed every year, was here of some ad- vantage: I drew it in the accustomed stile, it was translated into German,’ printed in both lan- guages, and divulg’d thro’ the province. This gave the clergy of the different sects an oppor- tunity of influencing their congregations to join in the association, and it would probably have been general among all but Quakers if the peace had not soon interven’d. It was thought by some of my friends that, 1Wm. Penn’s agents sought recruits for the colony of Penn- sylvania in the low countries of Germany, and there are still in eastern Pennsylvania many Germans, inaccurately called Penn- sylvania Dutch. Many of them use a Germanized English. 206 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY by my activity in these affairs, I should offend that sect, and thereby lose my interest in the Assembly of the province, where they formed a great majority. A young gentleman who had likewise some friends in the House, and wished to succeed me as their clerk, acquainted me that it was decided to displace me at the next election; and he, therefore, in good will, ad- vis'd me to resign, as more consistent with my honour than being turn’d out. My answer to him was, that I had read or heard of some public man who made it a rule never to ask for an office, and never to refuse one when offer’d to him. “1 approve,” says) 7 of ie rule, and will practice it with a small addition; I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever resign an office. If they will have my office of clerk to dispose of to another, they shall take it from me. I will not, by giving it up, lose my right of some time or other making reprisals on my adversaries.” J heard, however, no more of this; I was chosen again unanimously as usual at the next election. Possibly, as they dislik’d my late intimacy with the members of council, who had join’d the governors in all the dis- putes about military preparations, with which the House had long been harass’d, they might have been pleas’d if I would voluntarily have FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 207 left them; but they did not care to displace me on account merely of my zeal for the associa- tion, and they could not well give another reason. Indeed I had some cause to believe that the defense of the country was not disagreeable to any of them, provided they were not re- quir’d to assist in it. And I found that a much greater number of them than I could have imagined, tho’ against offensive war, were clearly for the defensive. Many pamphlets pro and con were publish’d on the subject, and some by good Quakers, in favour of defense, which I believe convince ed most of their younger people. : A transaction in our fire company gave me some insight into their prevailing sentiments. It had been propos’d that we should encourage the scheme for building a battery by laying out the present stock, then about sixty pounds, in tickets of the lottery. By our rules, no money could be dispos’d of till the next meet- ing after the proposal. The company con- sisted of thirty members, of which twenty-two were Quakers, and eight only of other persua- sions. We eight punctually attended the meet- ing; but, tho’ we thought that some of the Quakers would join us, we were by no means 208 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY sure of a majority. Only one Quaker, Mr. ' James Morris, appear’d to oppose the measure. He expressed much sorrow that it had ever been propos’d, as he said Friends were all against it, and it would create such discord as might break up the company. We told him that we saw no reason for that; we were the minority, and if Friends were against the meas- ure, and outvoted us,,we must and should, agreeably to the usage of all societies, submit. When the hour for business arrivd it was mov’'d to put the vote; he allowd we might then do it by the rules, but, as he could assure us that a number of members intended to be present for the purpose of opposing it, it would be but candid to allow a little time for their appearing. ; While we were disputing this, a waiter came to tell me two gentlemen below desir’d to speak with me. I went down, and found they were two of our Quaker members. They told me there were eight of them assembled at a tavern just by; that they were determin’d to come and vote with us if there should be occasion, which they hop’d would not be the case, and desir’d we would not call for their assistance if we could do without it, as their voting for such a measure might embroil them with their FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 209 elders and friends. Being thus secure of a majority, I went up, and after a little seeming hesitation, agreed to a delay of another hour. This Mr. Morris allow’d to be extreamly fair. Not one of his opposing friends appear’d, at which he express’d great surprize; and, at the expiration of the hour, we carri’d the resolution eight to one; and as, of the twenty-two Quakers, eight were ready to vote with us, and thirteen, by their absence, manifested that they were not inclin’d to oppose the measure, I afterward estimated the proportion of Quakers sincerely against defense as one to twenty-one only; for these were all regular members of that society, and in good reputation among them, and had due notice of what was propos’d at that meeting. The honorable and learned Mr. Logan, who had always been of that sect, was one who wrote an address to them, declaring his appro- bation of defensive war, and supporting his opinion by many strong arguments. He put into my hands sixty pounds to be laid out in lottery tickets for the battery, with directions to apply what prizes might be drawn wholly to that service. He told me the following anecdote of his old master, William Penn, re- specting defense. He came over from Eng- 210 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY land, when a young man, with that proprietary, and as his secretary. It was war-time, and their ship was chas’d by an armed vessel, sup- pos’d to be an enemy. Their captain prepar’d’ for defense; but told William Penn, and his company of Quakers, that he did not expect their assistance, and they might retire into the cabin, which they did, except James Logan,’ who chose to stay upon deck, and was quar- ter’'d to a gun. The suppos’d enemy prov’d a friend, so there was no fighting; but when the secretary went down to communicate the intel-_ ligence, William Penn rebuk’d him severely for staying upon deck, and undertaking to assist in defending the vessel, contrary to the principles of Friends, especially as it had not been required by the captain. This reproof, being before all the company, piqu’d the sec- retary, who answer’d, “I being thy servant, why did thee not order me to come down? But thee was willing enough that I should stay and help to fight the ship when thee thought there was danger.” My being many years in the Assembly, the majority of which were constantly Quakers, 1James Logan (1674-1751) came to America with William Penn in 1699, and was the business agent for the Penn family. He be- queathed his valuable library, preserved at his country seat, “ ene ton,” to the city of Philadelphia —Smyth. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY $21: gave me frequent opportunities of seeing the embarrassment given them by their principle against war, whenever application was made to them, by order of the crown, to grant aids for military purposes. They. were unwilling to offend government, on the one hand, by a direct refusal; and their friends, the body of the Quakers, on the other, by compliance con- trary to their principles; hence a variety of evasions to avoid complying, and modes of disguising the compliance when it became un- avoidable. The common mode at last was, to grant money under the phrase of its being “for the king’s use,’ and never to inquire how it was applied. But, if the demand was not directly from the crown, that phrase was found not so proper, and some other was to be invented. As, when powder was wanting (I think it was for the garrison at Louisburg), and the government of New England solicited a grant of some from Pennsilvania, which was much urg’d on the House by Governor Thomas, they could not grant money to buy powder, because that was an ingredient of war; but they voted an aid to New England of three thousand pounds, to be put into the hands of the governor, and appropriated it for the purchasing of bread, 212 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY flour, wheat or other grain. Some of the coun- cil, desirous of giving the House still further embarrassment, advis'd the governor not to accept provision, as not being the thing he had demanded; but he repli’d, “I shall take the money, for I understand very well their mean- ing; other grain is gunpowder,” which he ac- cordingly bought, and they never objected to it.* It was in allusion to this fact that, when in our fire company we feared the success of our proposal in favour of the lottery, and. I had said to my friend Mr. Syng, one of our mem- - bers, “If we fail, let us move the purchase of a fire-engine with the money; the Quakers can have no objection to that; and then, if you nominate me and I you as a committee for that purpose, we will buy a great gun, which is certainly a fire-engine.” “1 see” says ie “you have improv’d by being so long in the Assembly; your equivocal project would be just a match for their wheat or other grain.” These embarrassments that the Quakers suf- fer’d from having establish’d and published it as one of their principles that no kind of war was lawful, and which, being once published, they could not afterwards, however they might © change their minds, easily get rid of, reminds 1See the votes.—Marg. note. * FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 233 me of what I think a more prudent conduct in another sect among us, that of the Dunkers. I was acquainted with one of its founders, Michael Welfare, soon after it appear’d. He complain’d to me that they were grievously calumniated by the zealots of other persuasions, and charg’d with abominable principles and practices to which they were utter strangers. I told him this had always been the case with new sects, and that, to put a stop to such abuse, I imagin’d it might be well to publish the articles of their belief, and the rules of their discipline. He said that it had been pro- pos’d among them, but not agreed to, for this reason: ‘‘ When we were first drawn together as a society,’ says he, “it had pleased God to enlighten our minds so far as to see that some doctrines, which we once esteemed truths, were errors; and that others, which we had esteemed errors, were real truths. From time to time He has been pleased to afford us farther light, and our principles have been improving, and our er- rors diminishing. Now we are not sure that we are arrived at the end of this progression, and at the perfection of spiritual or theological knowledge; and we fear that, if we should once print our confession of faith, we should feel ourselves as if bound and confin’d by it, and 214. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY perhaps be unwilling to receive further im- provement, and our successors still more so, as conceiving what we their elders and founders had done, to be something sacred, never to be departed from.” This modesty in a sect is perhaps a singular instance in the history of mankind, every other sect supposing itself in possession of all truth, and that those who differ are so far in the wrong; like a man traveling in foggy weather, those at some distance before him on the road he sees wrapped up in the fog, as well as those behind him, and also the people in the fields on each side, but near him all appears clear, tho’ in truth he is as much in the fog as any of them. To avoid this kind of embarrass- ment, the Quakers have of late years been gradually declining the public service in the Assembly and in the magistracy, choosing rather to quit their power than their principle. In order of time, I should have mentioned before, that having, in 1742, invented an open stove* for the better warming of rooms, and at the same time saving fuel, as the fresh air admitted was warmed in entering, I made a present of the model to Mr. Robert Grace, one of my early friends, who, having an iron-fur- 1The Franklin stove is still in use. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 215 nace, found the casting of the plates for these stoves a profitable thing, as they were grow- ing in demand. To promote that demand, I wrote and published a pamphlet, entitled “ dn Account of the new-invented Pennsylvania Fire- places; wherein their Construction and Manner of Operation 1s particularly explained; their Ad- vantages above every other Method of warming Rooms demonstrated; and all Objections that have been raised against the Use of them an- swered and obviated,” etc. This pamphlet had a good effect. Gov’r. Thomas was so pleas’d with the construction of this stove, as described in it, that he offered to give me a patent for the sole vending of them for a term of years; but I declin’d it from a principle which has ever weighed with me on such occasions, viz., That, as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do. freely and gen- erously. An ironmonger in London however, assum- ing a good deal of my pamphlet, and work- ing it up into his own, and making some small changes in the machine, which rather hurt its *Warwick Furnace, Chester County, Pennsylvania, across the Schuylkill River from Pottstown. 21 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY operation, got a patent for it there, and made, as I was told, a little fortune by it. And this is not the only instance of patents taken out for my inventions by others, tho’ not always with the same success, which I never contested, as having no desire of profiting by patents myself, and hating disputes. The use of these fireplaces in very many houses, both of this and the neighbouring colonies, has been, and is, a great saving of wood to the inhabitants. XITI PUBLIC SERVICES AND DUTIES (1749-1753) wert) KACE being concluded, and the asso- ciation business therefore at an end, | I turn’d my thoughts again to the 4} affair of establishing an academy. The first step I took was to aSsociate in the design a number of active friends, of whom the Junto furnished a good part; the next was to write and publish a pamphlet, entitled Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania. This I distributed among the principal inhabi- tants gratis; and as soon as I could suppose their minds a little prepared by the perusal of it, I set on foot a subscription for opening and supporting an academy; it was to be paid in quotas yearly for five years; by so dividing it, I judg’d the subscription might be larger, and I believe it was so, amounting to no less, if I remember right, than five thousand pounds. In the introduction to these proposals, I stated their publication, not as an act of mine, but of some publick-spirited gentlemen, avoid- 217 218 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY ing as much as I could, according to my usual rule, the presenting myself to the publick as the author of any scheme for their benefit. The subscribers, to carry the project into immediate execution, chose out of their num- ber twenty-four trustees, and appointed Mr. Francis,’ then attorney-general, and myself to draw up constitutions for the government of the academy; which being done and signed, a house was hired, masters engag’d, and the schools opened, I think, in the same year, 1749. The scholars increasing fast, the house was soon found too small, and we were looking out for a piece of ground, properly situated, with intention to build, when Providence threw into our way a large house ready built, which, with a few alterations, might well serve our purpose. This was the building before men- tioned, erected by the hearers of Mr. Whitefield, and was obtained for us in the following manner. It is to be noted that the contributions to this building being: made by people of differ- ent sects, care was taken in the nomination of trustees, in whom the building and ground was Tench Francis, uncle of Sir Philip Francis, emigrated from England to Maryland, and became attorney for Lord Baltimore. He removed to Philadelphia and was attorney-general of Penn- sylvania from 1741 to 1755. He died in Philadelphia August 16, 1758.—Smyth. : FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 219 to be vested, that a predominancy should not be given to any sect, lest in time that predomi- nancy might be a means of appropriating the whole to the use of such sect, contrary to the original intention. It was therefore that one of each sect was appointed, viz., one Church- of-England man, one Presbyterian, one Baptist, one Moravian, etc., those, in case of vacancy by death, were to fill it by election from among the contributors. The Moravian happen’d not to please his colleagues, and on his death they resolved to have no other of that sect. The difficulty then was, how to avoid having two of some other sect, by means of the new choice. Several persons were named, and for that reason not agreed to. At length one men- tion’d me, with the observation that I was merely an honest man, and of no sect at all, which prevailed with them to chuse me. The enthusiasm which existed when -the house was built had long since abat’d, and its trustees had not been able to procure fresh contribu- tions for paying the ground-rent, and discharg- ing some other debts the building had occa- sion’d, which embarrass’d them greatly. Being now a member of both seets of trustees, that for the building and that for the academy, I had a good opportunity of negotiating with 220 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY both, and brought them finally to an agree- ment, by which the trustees for the building were to cede it to those of the academy, the latter undertaking to discharge the debt, to keep forever open in the building a large hall for occasional preachers, according to the orig- inal intention, and maintain a free-school for the instruction of poor children. Writings were accordingly drawn, and on paying the debts the trustees of the academy were put in posses- sion of the premises; and by dividing the great and lofty hall into stories, and different rooms above and below for the several schools, and purchasing some additional: ground, the whole was soon made fit for our purpose, and the scholars remov’d into the building. The care and trouble of agreeing with the workmen, purchasing materials, and superintending the work, fell upon me; and I went thro’ it the more cheerfully, as it did not then ‘mteriere with my private business, having the year be- fore taken a very able, industrious, and honest partner, Mr. David Hall, with whose character I was well acquainted, as he had work’d for me four years. He took off my hands all care of the printing-office, paying me punctually my share of the profits. The partnership con- tinued eighteen years, successfully for us both. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 221 The trustees of the academy, after a while, were incorporated by a charter from the gov- ernor; their funds were increas’d by contribu- tions in Britain and grants of land from the proprietaries, to which the Assembly has since made considerable addition; and thus was estab- lished the present University of Philadelphia.* I have been continued one of its trustees from the beginning, now near forty years, and have had the very great pleasure of seeing a num- ber of the youth who have receiv’d their edu- cation in it, distinguish’d by their improv’d abilities, serviceable in public stations, and or- naments to their country. When I disengaged myself, as above men- tioned, from private business, I flatter’d myself that, by the sufficient tho’ moderate fortune I had acquir’d, I had secured leisure during the rest of my life for philosophical studies and amusements. I purchased all Dr. Spence’s ap- paratus, who had come from England to lec- ture here, and I proceeded in my electrical ex- periments with great alacrity; but the publick, now considering me as a man of leisure, laid hold of me for their purposes, every part of our civil government, and almost at the same time, imposing some duty upon me. The governor 1Later called the University of Pennsylvania. 222 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY put me into the commission of the peace; the corporation of the city chose me of the com- mon council, and soon after an alderman; and the citizens at large chose me a burgess to rep- resent them in Assembly. This latter station was the more agreeable to me, as I was at length tired with sitting there to hear debates, in which, as clerk, I could take no part, and which were often so unentertaining that I was induc’d to amuse myself with making magic squares or circles, or anything to avoid weari- ness; and I conceiv’d my becoming a member would enlarge my power of doing good. f would not, however, insinuate that my ambi- tion was not flatter’d by all these promotions; it certainly was; for, considering my low be- ginning, they were great things to me; and they were still more pleasing, as being so many spontaneous testimonies of the public good opinion, and by me entirely unsolicited. The office of justice of the peace I try’d a little, by attending a few courts, and sitting on the bench to hear causes; but finding that more knowledge of the common law than I possess’'d was necessary to act in that station with credit, I gradually withdrew from it, ex-. cusing myself by my being oblig’d to attend the higher duties of a legislator in the Assem- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 223 bly. My election to this trust was repeated every year for ten years, without my ever ask- ing any elector for his vote, or signifying, either. directly or indirectly, any desire of being chosen. On taking my seat in the House, my son was appointed their clerk. The year following, a treaty being to be held with the Indians at Carlisle, the governor sent a message to the House, proposing that they should nominate some of their membefs, to be join’d with some members of council, as commissioners for that purpose.” The House named the speaker (Mr. Norris) and myself; and, being commission’d, we went to Carlisle, and met the Indians accordingly. As those people are extreamly apt to get drunk, and, when so, are very quarrelsome and disorderly, we strictly forbad the selling any liquor to them; and when they complain’d of this restriction, we told them that if they would continue sober during the treaty, we would give them plenty of rum when business was over. They promis’d this, and they kept their promise, because they could get no liquor, and the treaty was conducted very orderly, and concluded to mutual satisfaction. They then claim’d and receiv’d the rum; this was in the * See the votes to have this more correctly —Marg. note. aad FRANK EEN . AUTOBIOGRAPHY afternoon: they were near one hundred men, women, and children, and were lodg’d in tem- porary cabins, built in the form of a square, just without the town. In the evening, hear- ing a great noise among them, the commis- sioners walk’d out to see what was the matter. ‘We found they had made a great bonfire in the middle of the square; they were all drunk, men and women, quarreling and fighting. Their dark-colour’d bodies, half naked, seen only by > the gloomy light of the bonfire, running after and beating one another with firebrands, accom- panied by their horrid yellings, form’d a scene the most resembling our ideas of hell that could well be imagin’d; there was no appeasing the tumult, and we retired to our lodging. At midnight a number of them carne thundering at our door, demanding. more rum, of which we took no notice. The next day, sensible they had misbehav’d ° in giving us that disturbance, they sent three of their old counselors to make their apology. The orator acknowledg’d the fault, but laid it upon the rum; and then endeavoured to ex-— cuse the rum by saying, “ The Great Spirit, who made all things, made everything for some use, and whatever use he design’d anything for, that use it should always be put to. Now, when FRANKLIN’S. AUTOBIOGRAPHY 225 he made rum, he said, ‘Let this be for the Indians’ to get drunk with, and it must be so.’ And, indeed, if it be the design of Providence to extirpate these savages in order to make room for cultivators of the earth, it seems not improbable that rum may be the appointed means. It has already annihilated all the tribes who formerly inhabited the sea-coast. iner75i, Dr; Thomas Bond, a particular friend of mine, conceived the idea of establishing a hospital in Philadelphia (a very beneficent de- sign, which has been ascrib’d to me, but was orig- inally his), for the reception and cure of poor sick persons, whether inhabitants of the prov- ince or strangers. He was zealous and active in endeavouring to procure subscriptions for it, but the proposal being a novelty in America, and at first not well understood, he met but with small success. At length he came to me with the compli- ment that he found there was no such thing as carrying a public-spirited project through without my being concern’d in it. “ For,” says he, “I am often ask’d by those to whom I pro- pose subscribing, Have you consulted Frank- lin upon this business? And what does he think of it? And when I tell them that I have not (supposing it rather out of your line), 226 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY they do not subscribe, but say they will con- sider of it.” I enquired into the nature and prob- able utility of his scheme, and receiving from him a very satisfactory explanation, I not only subscrib’d to it myself, but engag’d heartily in the design of procuring subscriptions from others. Previously, however, to the solicita- tion, I endeavoured to prepare the minds of the people by writing on the subject in the newspapers, which was my usual custom in such cases, but which he had omitted. The subscriptions afterwards were more free and generous; but, beginning to flag, I saw they would be insufficient without some assist- ance from the Assembly, and therefore propos’d to petition for it, which was done. The coun- try members did not at first relish the project; — they objected that it could only be serviceable to the city, and therefore the citizens alone should be at the expense of it; and they doubted whether the citizens themselves generally ap- prov d of it. My allegation on the contrary, that it met with such approbation as to leave no doubt of our being able to raise two thousand pounds by voluntary donations, they consid- ered as a most extravagant supposition, and utterly impossible. On this I form’d my plan; and, asking leave Ty f { FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 227 to bring in a bill for incorporating the con- tributors according to the prayer of their peti- tion, and granting them a blank sum of money, which leave was obtained chiefly on the con- sideration that the House could throw the bill out if they did not like it, I drew it so as to make the important clause a conditional one, viz., ““ And be it enacted, by the authority afore- said, that when the said contributors shall have met and chosen their managers and treasurer, and shall have raised by their contributions a capital stock of value (the yearly interest of which is to be applied to the accommodating of the sick poor in the said hospital, free of charge for diet, attendance, advice, and medi- cines), and shall make the same appear to the satisfaction of the speaker of the Assembly for the time being, that then it shall and may be lawful for the said speaker, and he is hereby required, to sign an order on the provincial treasurer for the payment of two thousand pounds, in two yearly payments, to the treas- urer of the said hospital, to be applied to the founding, building, and finishing of the same.” This condition carried the bill through; for the members, who had oppos’d the grant, and now conceiv’d they might have the credit of being charitable without the expense, agreed to 228 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 47 its passage; and then, in soliciting subscrip- tions among the people, we urg’d the conditi- tional promise of the law as an additional motive to give, since every man’s donation would be doubled; thus the clause work’d both ways. The subscriptions accordingly soon ex- ceeded the requisite sum, and we claim’d and receiv’d the public gift, which enabled us to carry the design into execution. A convenient and handsome building was soon erected; the institution has by constant experience been found useful, and flourishes to this day; and I do mot. remember any of tly) pois manceuvers, the success of which gave me at the time more pleasure, or wherein, after think- “4 9 / ing of it, I more easily excus’d myself for having © made some use of cunning. It was about this time that another pro- jector, the Rev. Gilbert Tennent,’ came to me with a request that I would assist him in pro- curing a subscription for erecting a new meet- ing-house. It was to be for the use of a con- gregation he had gathered among the Presby- terians, who were originally disciples of Mr. Whitefield. Unwilling to make myself dis- 1 Gilbert Tennent (1703-1764) came to America with his father, Rev. William Tennent, and taught for a time in the “Log Col- lege,’ from which sprang the College of New Jersey——Smyth. i FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 229 agreeable to my fellow-citizens by too fre- quently soliciting their contributions, I abso- lutely refus’d. He then desired I would furnish him with a list of the names of persons I knew by experience to be generous and: public-spir- ited. I thought it would be unbecoming in me, after their kind compliance with my solici- tations, to mark them out to be worried by other beggars, and therefore refus’d also to give such a list. He then desir’d I would at least give him my advice. “ That I will readily Go, said LT} ‘and, in. the: first, place, 1 advise you to apply to all those whom you know will give something; next, to those whom you are © uncertain whether they will give anything or not, and show them the list of those who have given; and, lastly, do not neglect those who. you are sure will give nothing, for in some of them you may be mistaken.” He laugh’d and thank’d me, and said he would take my advice. He did so, for he ask’d of everybody, and he obtain’d a much larger sum than he expected, with which he erected the capacious and very elegant meeting-house that stands in Arch- street. i Our city, tho’ laid out with a beautifull regu- larity, the streets large, straight, and crossing each other at right angles, had the disgrace 230 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY of suffering those streets to remain long un- pav’d, and in wet weather the wheels of heavy carriages plough’d them into a quagmire, so that it was difficult to cross them; and in dry weather the dust was offensive. I had liv’d near what was call’d the Jersey Market, and saw with pain the inhabitants wading in mud while purchasing their provisions. A strip of ground down the middle of that market was at length pav’d with brick, so that, being once in the market, they had firm footing, but were often over shoes in dirt to get there. By talk- ing and writing on the subject, I was at length instrumental in getting the street pav’d with stone between the market and the brick’d foot- pavement, that was on each side next the houses. This, for some time, gave an easy access to the market dry-shod; but, the rest of the street not being pav’d, whenever a carriage came out of the mud upon this pavement, it shook off and left its dirt upon it, and it was soon coverd with mire, which was not re- mov’d, the city as yet having no scavengers. After some inquiry, I found a poor, industri- ous man, who was willing to undertake keeping the pavement clean, by sweeping it twice a week, carrying off the dirt from before all the neighbours’ doors, for the sum of sixpence per FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 231 month, to be paid by each house. I then wrote and printed a paper setting forth the advan- tages to the neighbourhood that might be ob- tain’d by this small expense; the greater ease in keeping our houses clean, so much dirt not being brought in by people’s feet; the benefit to the shops by more custom, etc., etc., as buy- ers could more easily get at them; and by not having, in windy weather, the dust blown in upon their goods, etc., etc. I sent one of these papers to each house, and in a day or two went round to see who would subscribe an agreement to pay these sixpences; it was unani- mously sign’d, and for a time well executed. All the inhabitants of the city were delighted with the cleanliness of the pavement that sur- rounded the market, it being a convenience to all, and this rais’d a general desire to have all the streets paved, and made the people more willing to submit to a tax for that pur- pose. After some time I drew a bill for paving the city, and brought it into the Assembly. It was just before I went to England, in 1757, and did not pass till I was gone,’ and then with an alteration in the mode of assessment, which I thought not for the better, but with an addi- 1 See votes. “4 232 FRANKUIN’S AUTOBIOGERAPAY tional provision for lighting as well as paving — the streets, which was a great improvement. It was by a private person, the late Mr. John Clifton, his giving a sample of the utility of lamps, by placing one at his door, that the people were first impress’d with the idea of en- lighting all the city. The honour of this public benefit has also been ascrib’d to me, but it belongs truly to that gentleman. I did but follow his example, and have only some merit to claim respecting the form of our lamps, as differing from the globe lamps we were at first supply’d with from London. Those we found inconvenient in these respects: they admitted - no air below; the smoke, therefore, did not readily go out above, but circulated in the globe, lodg’d on its inside, and soon obstructed the light they were intended to afford; giving, be- sides, the daily trouble of wiping them clean; and an accidental stroke on one of them would demolish it, and render it. totally useless. I therefore suggested the composing them of four flat panes, with a long funnel above to draw up the smoke, and crevices admitting air below, to facilitate the ascent of the smoke; by this means they were kept clean, and did not grow dark in a few hours, as the London lamps do, but continu’d bright till morning, and an acci- FRANKLIN: SAUTOBUOGRAPHY 233 dental stroke would generally break but a single pane, easily repair’d. I have sometimes wonder’d that the London- ers did not, from the effect holes in the bottom of the globe lamps us’d at Vauxhall’ have in keeping them clean, learn to have such holes in their street lamps. But, these holes being made for another purpose, viz., to communicate flame more suddenly to the wick by a little flax hanging down thro’ them, the other use, of letting in air, seems not to have been thought of; and therefore, after the lamps have been lit a few hours, the streets of London are very poorly illuminated. The mention of these improvements puts me in mind of one I propos’d, when in London, to Dr. Fothergill, who was among the best men I have known, and a great promoter of useful projects. I had observ’d that the streets, when dry, were never swept, and the light dust carried away; but it was suffer’d to accumulate till wet weather reduc’d it to mud, and then, after lying some days so deep on the pavement that there 1 Vauxhall Gardens, once a popular and fashionable London resort, situated on the Thames above Lambeth. The Gardens were closed in 1859, but they will always be remembered because of Sir Roger de Coverley’s visit to them in the Spectator and from the descriptions in Smollett’s Humphry Clinker and Thackeray’s Vanity Fair. \ 234 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY was no crossing but in paths kept clean by poor people with brooms, it was with great labour rak’d together and thrown up into carts open above, the sides of which suffer’d some of the slush at every jolt on the pavement to shake out and fall, sometimes to the annoyance of foot-passengers. The reason given for not sweeping the dusty streets was that the dust would fly into the windows of shops and houses. An accidental occurrence had instructed me how much sweeping might be done in a little time. J found at my door in Craven-street,” one morning, a poor woman sweeping my pave- ment with a birch broom; she appeared very pale and feeble, as just come out of a fit of sickness. I ask’d who employ’d her to sweep there; she said, “ Nobody, but I am very poor 2A short street near Charing Cross, London. a FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 235 and in distress, and I sweeps before gentle- folkses doors, and hopes they will give me something.” I bid her sweep the whole street clean, and I would give her a shilling; this was at nine o’clock; at 12 she came for the shilling. From the slowness I saw at first in her work- ing, I could scarce believe that the work was done so soon, and sent my servant to examine it, who reported that the whole street was swept perfectly clean, and all the dust plac’d in the gutter, which was in the middle; and the next rain wash’d it quite away, so that the pavement and even the kennel were perfectly clean. ; I then judg’d that, if that feeble woman could sweep such a street in three hours, a strong, active man might have done it in half the time. And here let me remark the convenience of hav- ing but one gutter in such a narrow street, running down its middle, instead of two, one on each side, near the footway; for where all the rain that falls on a street runs from the sides and meets in the middle, it forms there a current strong enough to wash away all the mud it meets with; but when divided into two channels, it is often too weak to cleanse either, and only makes the mud it finds more fluid, so that the wheels of carriages and feet of horses 236 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY throw and dash it upon the foot-pavement, which is thereby rendered foul and slippery, and sometimes splash it upon those who are walking. My proposal, communicated to the good doctor, was as follows: - “For the more effectual cleaning and keep- ing clean the streets of London and West- minster, it is proposed that the several watch- men be contracted with to have the dust swept up in dry seasons, and the mud rak’d up at other times, each in the several streets and lanes of his round; that they be furnish’d with brooms and other proper instruments for these purposes, to be kept at their respective stands, ready to furnish the poor people they may em- ploy in the service. “That in the dry summer months the dust be all swept up into heaps at proper distances, before the shops and windows of houses are usually opened, when the scavengers, with close-covered carts, shall also carry it all away. “That the mud, when rak’d up, be not left in heaps to be spread abroad again by the wheels of carriages and trampling of horses, but that the scavengers be provided with bodies of carts, not plac’d high upon wheels, but low upon sliders, with lattice bottoms, which, being cover'd with straw, will retain the mud thrown FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY § 237 into them, and permit the water to drain from it, whereby it will become much lighter, water making the greatest part of its weight; these bodies of carts to be plac’d at convenient dis- _ tances, and the mud brought to them in wheel- barrows; they remaining where plac’d till the mud is Grama and then horses brought to draw them -away.”’ I have since had doubts of the peactieanitts of the latter part of this proposal, on account of the narrowness of some streets, and the diff- culty of placing the draining-sleds so as not to encumber too much the passage; but I am still of opinion that the former, requiring the dust to be swept up and carry’d away before the shops are open, is very practicable in the sum- mer, when the days are long; for, in walking thro’ the Strand and Fleet-street one morning at seven o'clock, I observ’d there was not one shop open, tho’ it had been daylight and the sun up above three hours; the inhabitants of London chusing voluntarily to live much by _candle-light, and sleep by sunshine, and yet often complain, a little absurdly, of the duty on candles, and the high price of tallow. Some may think these trifling matters not worth minding or relating; but when they con- sider that tho’ dust blown into the eyes of a 238 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY single person, or into a single shop on a windy day, is but of small importance, yet the great number of the instances in a populous city, and its frequent repetitions give it weight and con- sequence, perhaps they will not censure very severely those who bestow some attention to affairs of this seemingly low nature. Human felicity is produc’d not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day. Thus, if you teach a poor young man to shave him- self, and keep his razor in order, you may con- tribute more to the happiness of his life than — in giving him a thousand guineas. The money may be soon spent, the regret only remaining of having foolishly consumed it; but in the other ease, he escapes the frequent vexation of wait- ing for barbers, and of their sometimes dirty fingers, offensive breaths, and dull razors; he shaves when most convenient to him, and en- joys daily the pleasure of its being done with a good instrument. With these sentiments I have hazarded the few preceding pages, hoping they may afford hints which some time or other may be useful to a city I love, having lived many years in it very happily, and perhaps to some of our towns in America. | Having been for some time employed by the FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 239 postmaster-general of America as his comp- troller in regulating several offices, and bring- ing the officers to account, I was, upon his death in 1753, appointed, jointly with Mr. William Hunter, to succeed him, by a commis- sion from the postmaster-general in England. The American office never had hitherto paid anything to that of Britain. We were to have six hundred pounds a year between us, if we could make that sum out of the profits of the office. To do this, a variety of improvements were necessary; some of these were inevitably at first expensive, so that in the first four years the office became above nine hundred pounds in debt to us. But it soon after began to repay us; and before I was displac’d by a freak of the ministers, of which I shall speak hereafter, we had brought it to yield, three times as much_ clear revenue to the crown as the post- office of Ireland. Since that imprudent trans- ‘action, they have receiv’d from it—not one farthing! The business of the postoffice occaston’d my taking a journey this year to New England, where the College of Cambridge, of their own motion, presented me with the degree of Mas- ter of Arts. Yale College, in Connecticut, had before made me a similar compliment. Thus, 240 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY without studying in any college, I came to par- take of their honours. They were conferr’d in consideration of my improvements and discoveries in the electric branch of natural philosophy. XIV ALBANY PLAN OF UNION ASTIN 1754, war with France being again Gil apprehended, a congress of com- | missioners from the different col- 224} onies was, by an order of the Lords of Trade, to be assembled at Albany, there to confer with the chiefs of the Six Nations con- cerning the means of defending both their country and ours. Governor Hamilton, hav- ing receiv’d this order, acquainted the House with it, requesting they would furnish proper presents for the Indians, to be given on this occasion; and naming the speaker (Mr. Norris) and myself to join Mr. Thomas Penn and Mr. Secretary Peters as commissioners to act for Pennsylvania. The House approv’d the nom- ination, and provided the goods for the present, and tho’ they did not much like treating out of the provinces; and’: we met the other com- ‘missioners at Albany about the middle of June. In our way thither, I projected and drew a plan for the union of all the colonies under one government, so far as might be necessary for 241 242 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY defense, and other important general purposes. As we pass’d thro’ New York, I had there shown my project to Mr. James Alexander and Mr. Kennedy, two gentlemen of great knowledge in public affairs, and, being fortified by their approbation, I ventur’d to lay it before the Con- gress. It then appeared that several of the commissioners had form’d plans of the same fe) Fy ; | J O I N, or D ] EK. 4 kind. A previous question was first taken, whether a union should be established, which pass’'d in the affirmative unanimously. A com- mittee was, then appointed, one member from each colony, to consider the several plans and report. Mine happen’d to be preferr’d, and, with a few amendments, was accordingly re- ported.- By this plan the general government was to be administered by a _ president-general, ap- pointed and supported by the crown, and a grand council was to be chosen by the repre- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 243 sentatives of the people of the several colonies, met in their respective assemblies. The debates upon it in Congress went on daily, hand in hand with the Indian business. Many objec- tions and difficulties were started, but at length they were all overcome, and the plan was unani- mously agreed to, and copies ordered to be transmitted to the Board of Trade and to the assemblies of the several provinces. Its fate was singular; the assemblies did not adopt it, as they all thought there was too much fpre-— rogative in it, and in England it was judg’d to have too much of the democratic. The Board of Trade therefore did not approve of it, nor recommend it for the approbation of his majesty; but another scheme was form’d, sup- . posed to answer the same purpose better, whereby the governors of the provinces, with some members of their respective councils, were to meet and order the raising of troops, build- ing of forts, etc., and to draw on the treasury of Great Britain for the expense, which was afterwards to be refunded by an act of Parlia- ment laying a tax on America. My plan, with my reasons in support of it, is to be found among my political papers that are printed. Being the winter following in Boston, I had much conversation with Governor Shirley upon 244 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY both the plans. Part of what passed between us on the occasion may also be seen among those papers. The different and contrary rea- sons of dislike to my plan makes me suspect that it was really the true medium; and I am still of opinion it would have been happy for both sides the water if it had been adopted. The colonies, so united, would have been suffi- ciently strong to have defended themselves; there would then have been no need of troops from England; of course, the subsequent pre- tence for taxing America, and the bloody con- test it occasioned, would have been avoided. But such mistakes are not new; history is full of the errors of states and princes. “ Look round the habitable world, how few Know their own good, or, knowing it, pursue! ” Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not generally like to take the - trouble of considering and carrying into execu- tion new projects. The best public measures are therefore seldom adopted from Pravies wisdom, but forc’d by the occasion. The Governor of Pennsylvania, in sending it down to the Assembly, express’d his appro- bation of the plan, “as appearing to him to be drawn up with great clearness and strength of -FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 245 judgment, and therefore recommended it as well worthy of their closest and most serious attention.” The House, however, by the man- agement of a certain member, took it up when I happen’ to be absent, which I thought not very fair, and reprobated it without paying any attention to it at all, to my no small morti- fication. XV QUARRELS WITH THE PROPRIETARY GOVERNORS A SVN my journey to Boston this year, yn I met at New York with our new sA\i governor, Mr. Morris, just arriv’d f#A\ there from England, with whom I had been before intimately acquainted. He brought a commission to supersede Mr. Ham- ilton, who, tir’d with the disputes his propri- etary instructions subjected him to, had re- sign’d. Mr. Morris ask’d me if | thought he must expect as uncomfortable an administra- tion. I said, “ No; you may, on the contrary, © have a very comfortable one, if you will only take care not to enter into any dispute with the Assembly.” “ My dear friend,” says he, pleas- antly, “how can you advise my- avoiding dis- putes? You know I love disputing; it is one of my greatest pleasures; however, to show the regard I have for your counsel, I promise you I will, if possible, avoid them.” He had some reason for loving to dispute, being eloquent, an acute sophister, and, therefore, generally suc- 246 vk FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 247 cessful in argumentative conversation. He had been brought up to it from a boy, his father, as I have heard, accustoming his children to dispute with one another for his diversion, while sitting at table after dinner; but I think the practice was not wise; for, in the course of my observation, these disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs.- They get victory sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them. We parted, he going to Philadelphia, and I to Boston. In returning, | met at New York with the votes of the Assembly, by which it appear’d that, notwithstanding his promise to me, he and the House were already in high contention; and it was a continual battle between them as long as he retain’d the government. I had my share of it; for, as soon as I got back to my seat in the Assembly, I was put on every com- mittee for answering his speeches and messages, and by the committees always desired to make the drafts. Our answers, as well as his mes- sages, were often tart, and sometimes indecently abusive; and, as he knew I wrote for the As- sembly, one might have imagined that, when we met, we could hardly avoid cutting throats; but he was so good-natur’d a man that no per- 248 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY sonal difference between him and me was occa- . sion’d by the contest, and we often din’d to- gether. | One afternoon, in the height of this pblte quarrel, we met in the street. “ Franklin,” says he, “ you must go home with me and spend the evening; I am to have some company that you will like;” and, taking me by the arm, he led me to his house. In gay conversation over our wine, after supper, he told us, jokingly, that he much admir’d the idea of Sancho Panza,’ who, when it was proposed to give him a gov- ernment, requested it might be a government of blacks, as then, if he could not agree with his people, he might sell them. One of his friends, who sat next to me, says, “ Franklin, why do you continue to side with these damn’d 1 The “round, selfish, and self-important ” squire of Don Quixote in Cervantes’ romance of that name. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 249 Quakers? Had not you better sell them? The proprietor would give you a good price.” “The governor,’ says I, “has not yet blacked them enough.” He, indeed, had laboured hard to blacken the Assembly in all his messages, but they wip’d off his colouring as fast as he laid it on, and plac’d it, in return, thick upon his own face; so that, finding he was likely to be negrofied himself, he, as well as Mr. Hamilton, grew tir'd of the contest, and quitted the gov- ernment. : These public quarrels* were all at bottom owing to the proprietaries, our hereditary governors, who, when any expense was to be incurred for the defense of their province, with incredible meanness instructed their deputies to pass no act for levying the necessary taxes, unless their vast estates were in the same act expressly excused; and they had even taken bonds of these deputies to observe such in- ‘structions. The Assemblies for three years held out against this injustice, tho’ constrained to bend at last. At length Captain Denny, who was Governor Morris’s successor, ventured to disobey those .instructions; how that was brought about I shall show hereafter. But I am got forward too fast with my story: 1 My acts in Morris’s time, military, etc—Marg. note. 250 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY there are still some transactions to be men- tion’d that happened during the administra- tion of Governor Morris. War being in a manner commenced with France, the government of Massachusetts Bay projected an attack upon Crown Point,’ and sent Mr. Quincy to Pennsylvania, and Mr. Pownall, afterward Governor Pownall, to New York, to solicit assistance. As I] was in the Assembly, knew its temper, and was Mr. . Quincy’s countryman, he appli’d to me for my influence and assistance. I dictated his address to them, which was well received. They voted an aid of ten thousand pounds, to be laid out in provisions. But the governor refusing his assent to their bill (which included this with other sums granted for the use of the crown), unless a clause were inserted exempting the proprietary estate from bearing any part of the tax that would be necessary, the Assembly, tho’ very desirous of making their grant to. New England effectual, were at a loss how to accomplish it. Mr. Quincy labored hard with the governor to obtain his assent, but he was obstinate. *Qn Lake Champlain, ninety miles north of Albany. It was captured by the French in 1731, attacked by the English in 1755 and 1756, and abandoned by the French in 1759. It was finally captured from the English by the Americans in 1775. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 251 I then suggested a method of doing the business without the governor, by orders on the trustees of the Loan office, which, by law, | the Assembly had the right of drawing. There was, indeed, little or no money at that time in the office, and therefore I propos’d that the orders should be payable in a year, and to bear an interest of five per cent. With these orders I suppos’d the provisions might easily be pur- chas’d. The Assembly, with very little hesi- tation, adopted the proposal. The orders were immediately printed, and I was one of the com- mittee directed to sign and dispose of them. . The fund for paying them was the interest of / all the paper currency then extant in the prov- / ince upon loan, together with the revenue aris- \ ing from the excise, which being known to be more than sufhcient, they obtain’d instant credit, and were not only receiv’d in payment for the provisions, but many money’d people, who had cash lying by them, vested it in those orders, which they found advantageous, as they bore interest while upon hand, and might on any occasion be used as money; so that they were eagerly all bought up, and in a few weeks none of them were to be seen. Thus this im- portant affair was by my means completed. Mr. Quincy return’d thanks to the Assembly in a 22 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY handsome memorial, went home highly pleas’d with this success of his embassy, and ever after bore for me the most cordial and affectionate friendship. XVI BRADDOCK’S EXPEDITION me ItE British government, not chusing to permit the union of the colonies as propos’d at Albany, and to trust that union with their defense, lest they should thereby grow too military, and feel their own strength, suspicions and jeal- ousies at this time being entertain’d of them, sent over General Braddock with two regiments of regular English troops for that purpose. He landed at Alexandria, in Virginia, and thence march’d to Frederictown, in Maryland, where he halted for carriages. Our Assembly apprehending, from some information, that he had conceived violent prejudices against them, as averse to the service, wish’d me to wait upon him, not as from them, but as postmaster-gen- eral, under the guise of proposing to settle with him the mode of conducting with most celerity and certainty the despatches between him and _the governors of the several provinces, with whom he must necessarily have continual cor- respondence, and of which they propos’d to 253 254 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY pay the expense. My son accompanied me this journey. : We found the general at Frederictown, vait-— ing impatiently for the return of those he had sent thro’ the back parts of Maryland and Vir- ginia to collect waggons. I stayed with him several days, din’d with him daily, and had full opportunity of removing all his prejudices, by the information of what the Assembly had be- fore his arrival actually done, and were still willing to-do, to facilitate his operations. | When I was about to depart, the returns of waggons to be obtained were brought in, by which it appear’d that they amounted only to twenty-five, and not all of those were in ser- viceable condition. The general and all the officers were surpris’d, declar’d the expedition was then at an end, being impossible, and ex- claim’d against the ministers for ignorantly landing. them in a country destitute of the ‘means of conveying their stores, baggage, etc., not. less than one hundred and fifty waggons being necessary. | I happen’d to say I thought it was pity they had not been landed rather in Pennsylvania, as in that country almost every farmer had his waggon. The general eagerly laid hold of my words, and said, “ Then you, sir, who are a FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 255 man of interest there, can probably procure them for us; and I beg you will undertake it.” [ ask’d what terms were to be offer’d the owners of the waggons, and I was desir’d to put on paper the terms that appeared to me necessary. This I did, and they were agreed to, and a commission and instructions accord- | ingly prepar’d immediately. What those terms were will appear in the advertisement I pub- lish’d as soon as I arriv’d at Lancaster, which being, from the great and sudden effect it pro- duc’d, a piece of some curiosity, I shall insert it at length, as follows: ‘* ADVERTISEMENT. “LANCASTER, April 26, 1755. “Whereas, one hundred and fifty waggons, with four horses to each waggon, and fifteen hundred saddle or pack horses, are wanted for the service of his majesty’s forces now about to rendezvous at Will’s Creek, and his excellency General Braddock having been pleased to em- power me to contract for the hire of the same, | I hereby give notice that I shall attend for that purpose at Lancaster from this day to next Wednesday evening, and at York from next Thursday morning till Friday evening, where I shall be ready to agree for waggons and 236 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY teams, or single horses, on the following terms, viz.: 1. That there shall be paid for each wag- gon, with four good horses and a driver, fifteen shillings per diem; and for each able horse with a pack-saddle, or other saddle and furniture, two shillings per diem; and for each able horse without a saddle, eighteen pence per diem. 2. That the pay commence from the time of their joining the forces at Will’s Creek, which must be on or before the 20th of May ensuing, and thdt a reasonable allowance be paid over and above for the time necessary for their trav- elling to Will’s Creek and home again after ~ their discharge. 3. Each waggon and team, and every saddle or pack horse, is to be valued by indifferent persons chosen between me and the owner; and in case of the loss of any wag- gon, team, or other horse in the service, the price according to such valuation is to be allowed and paid. 4. Seven days’ pay is to be advanced and paid in hand by me to the owner of each waggon and team, or horse, at the time’ of contracting, if required, and the re- mainder to be paid by General Braddock, or by the paymaster of the army, at the time of heir discharge, or from time to time, as it shall be demanded. 5. No drivers of waggons, ‘or persons taking care of the hired horses, are FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 257 on any account to be called upon to do the duty of soldiers, or be otherwise employed than in conducting or taking care of their carriages or horses. 6. All oats, Indian corn, or other for- age that waggons or horses bring to the camp, more than is necessary for the subsistence of the horses, is to be taken for the use of the army, and a reasonable price paid for the same. “Note.—My son, William Franklin, is em- powered to enter into like contracts with any Hgee in Cumberland county. “B. FRANKLIN.” “To the inhabitants of the Counties of Lan- caster, York, and Cumberland. “Friends and Countrymen, “Being occasionally * at the camp at Fred- eric a few days since, I found the general and officers extremely exasperated on account of their not being supplied with horses and car- riages, which had been expected from this prov- ince, as most able to furnish them; but, through the dissensions between our governor and As- sembly, money had not been provided, nor any steps taken for that purpose. “It was proposed to send an armed force immediately into these counties, to seize as 1 By chance. 258 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 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. ““T apprehended that the progress of British soldiers through these counties on such an Occasion, especially considering the temper they are in, and their resentment against us, would be attended with many and great inconveniences to the inhabitants, and therefore more willingly took the trouble of trying first what might be done by fair and equitable means. The people of these back counties have lately complained to the Assembly that a sufficient currency was wanting; you have an opportunity of receiving and dividing among you a very considerable sum; for, if the service of this expedition should continue, as it is more than probable it will, for one hundred and twenty days, the hire of these waggons and horses will amount to upward of thirty thousand pounds, which will be paid you in silver and gold of the king’s money. “The service will be light and easy, for the army will scarce march above twelve miles per day, and the waggons and baggage-horses, as they carry those things that are absolutely nec- essary to the welfare of the army, must march with the army, and no faster; and are, for FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 259 the army’s sake, always placed where they can be most secure, whether in a march or in a camp. ‘“ If you are really, as I believe you are, good and loyal subjects to his majesty, you may now do a most acceptable service, and make it easy to yourselves; for three or four of such as can- not separately spare from the business of their plantations a waggion and four horses and a driver, may do it together, one furnishing the - waggon, another one or two horses, and another the driver, and divide the pay proportionately between you; but if you do not this service to your king and country voluntarily, when such good pay and reasonable terms are offered to you, your loyalty will be strongly suspected. The king’s business must be done; so many brave troops, come so far for your defense, must not stand idle through your backward- ness to do what may be reasonably expected from you; waggons and horses must be had; violent measures will probably be used, and you will be left to seek for a recompense where you can find it, and your case, perhaps, be little pitied or regarded. “T have no particular interest in this affair, as, except the satisfaction of endeavouring to do good, I shall have only my labour for my pains. If this method of obtaining the wag- f aa 260 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY gons 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 hus- sar, with a body of soldiers, will immediately enter the province for the purpose, which I~ shall be sorry to hear, because I am very sin- cerely and truly your friend and well-wisher, “'B. FRANKLIN.” I received of the general about eight hun- dred pounds, to be disbursed in advance- money to the waggon owners, etc.; but that sum being insufficient, I advanc’d upward of two hundred pounds more, and in two weeks the one hundred and fifty waggons, with two hundred and fifty-nine carrying horses, were on their march for the camp. The advertise- ment promised payment according to the valu- ation, in case any waggon or horse should be lost. The owners, however, alleging they did not know General Braddock, or what depend- ence might be had on his promise, insisted on my bond for the performance, which I accord- ingly gave them. While I was at the camp, supping one even- ing with the officers of Colonel Dunbar’s regi- ment, he represented to me his concern for the subalterns, who, he said, were generally not in FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 261 affluence, and could ill afford, in this dear country, to lay in the stores that might be necessary in so long a march, thro’ a wilder- ness, where nothing was to be purchas’d. I commiserated their case, and resolved to en- deavour procuring them some relief. I said nothing, however, to him of my intention, but wrote the next morning to the committee of the Assembly, who had the disposition of some public money, warmly recommending the case of these officers to their consideration, and pro- posing that a present should be sent them of necessaries and refreshments. My son, who had some experience of a camp life, and of its wants, drew up a list for me, which I enclos’d in my letter. The committee approv’d, and used such diligence that, conducted by my son, the stores arrived at the camp as soon as the waggons. They consisted of twenty par- cels, each containing 6 lbs. loaf sugar. Ae 1 Gloucester cheese. 6 lbs. good Muscovado do. 1 kegg containing 20 lbs. 1 lb. good green tea. good butter. ! 1 Ib. good bohea do. 2 doz. old Madeira wine. 6 Ibs. good ground coffee. 2 gallons Jamaica spirits. 6 lbs. chocolate. 1 bottle flour of mustard. I-2 cwt. best white biscuit. 2 well-cur’d hams. 1-2 lb. pepper. 1-2 dozen dry’d tongues. I quart best .white wine 6 Ibs. rice. vinegar. 6 lbs. raisins. 262 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY These twenty parcels, well pack’d, were placed on as many horses, each parcel, with the horse, being intended as a present for one officer. They were very thankfully receiv’d, and the kindness acknowledg’d by letters to me from the colonels of both regiments, in the most grateful terms. The general, too, was highly satisfied with my conduct in procuring -him the waggons, etc., and readily paid my account of disbursements, thanking me repeat- edly, and requesting my farther assistance in sending provisions after him. I undertook this also, and was busily employ’d in it till we heard of his defeat, advancing for the service of my own money, upwards of one thousand pounds sterling, of which I sent him an account. It came to his hands, luckily for me, a few days before the battle, and he return’d me immedi- ately an order on the paymaster for the round | sum of one thousand pounds, leaving the re- — mainder to the next account. I consider this payment as good luck, having never been able to obtain that remainder, of which more here- after. | This general was, I think, a brave man, and might probably have made a figure as a good officer in some European war. But he had too much self-confidence, too high an opinion of FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 263 the validity of regular troops, and too mean a one of both Americans and Indians. George Croghan, our Indian interpreter, join’d him on his march with one hundred of those people, who might have been of great use to his army as guides, scouts, etc., if he had treated them kindly; but he slighted and neglected them, and they gradually left him. In conversation with him one day, he was giving me some account of his intended prog- ‘ress. “ After taking Fort Duquesne,’* says he, “I am to proceed to Niagara; and, hav- ing taken that, to Frontenac,’ if the season will allow time; and I suppose it will, for Duquesne can hardly detain me above three or four days; and then I see nothing that can obstruct my march to Niagara.” Having before revolv’d in my mind the long line his army must make in their march by a very narrow road, to be cut for them thro’ the woods and bushes, and also what I had read of a former defeat of fifteen hundred French, who invaded the Iro- quois country, I had conceiv’d some doubts and some fears for the event of the campaign. But I ventur’d only to say,“ To be sure, sir, if you arrive well before Duquesne, with these 1 Pittsburg. 2 Kingston, at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. — 264 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY fine troops, so well provided with artillery, that place not yet completely fortified, and as we hear with no very strong garrison, can prob- ably make but a short resistance. The only . danger I apprehend of obstruction to your march is from ambuscades of Indians, who, by constant practice, are dexterous in laying and executing them; and the slender line, near four miles long, which your army must make, may expose it to be attack’d by surprise in its flanks, and to be cut like a thread into several pieces, which, from their distance, cannot come up in time to support each other.” ey He smil’d at my ignorance, and reply d, “These savages may, indeed, be a formidable enemy to your raw American militia, but upon the king’s regular and disciplin’d troops, sir, it is impossible they should make any impres- sion.” JI was conscious of an impropriety in my disputing with a military man in matters of his profession, and said no more. The enemy, however, did not take the advantage of his army which I apprehended its long line of march expos’d it to, but let-it advance with- out interruption till within nine miles of the place; and then, when more in a body (for it had just passed a river, where the front had halted till all were come over), and in a more FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY , 265 open part of the woods than any it had pass’'d, attack’d its advanced guard by heavy fire from behind trees and bushes, which was the first intelligence the general had of an enemy’s be- ing near him. This guard being disordered, the general hurried the troops up to their assist- ance, which was done in great confusion, thro’ waggons, baggage, and cattle; and presently OH ! Ae it 4] i { | the fire came upon their flank: the officers, be- ing on.horseback, were more easily distin- guish’d, pick’d out as marks, and fell very fast; and the soldiers were crowded together in a huddle, having or hearing no orders, and stand- ing to be shot at till two-thirds of them were killed; and then, being seiz’d with a panick, the whole fled with precipitation. The waggoners took each a horse out of his 266 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY team and scamper’d; their example was im- mediately followed by others; so that all the wagegons, provisions, artillery, and stores were left to the enemy. The general, being wounded, was brought off with difficulty; his secretary, Mr. Shirley, was killed by his side; and out of eighty-six officers, sixty-three were killed or wounded, and seven hundred and fourteen men killed out of eleven hundred. These eleven hundred had been picked men from the whole army; the rest had been leit behimid wit Colonel Dunbar, who was to follow with the heavier part of the stores, provisions, and bag- gage. The flyers, not being pursu/d,’ arrvd at Dunbar’s camp, and the panick they brought with them instantly seiz’d him and all his people; and, tho’ he had now above one thou- sand men, and the enemy who had beaten Brad- dock did not at most exceed four hundred In- dians and French together, instead of pro- ceeding, and endeavouring to recover some of the lost honour, he ordered all the stores, am- munition, etc., to be destroy’d, that he might have more horses to assist his flight towards the settlements, and less lumber to remove. He was there met with requests from the gov- ernors of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsyl- vania, that he would post his troops on the / FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY § 267 frontier, so as to afford some protection to the inhabitants; but he continu’d his hasty march thro’ all the country, not thinking himself safe till he arriv’d at Philadelphia, where the inhabi- tants could protect him. This whole transac- tion gave us Americans the first suspicion that our exalted ideas of the prowess of British regulars had not been well founded.’ In their first march, too, from their landing till they got beyond the settlements, they had. plundered and stripped the inhabitants, totally ruining some poor families, besides insulting, abusing, and confining the people if they re- monstrated. This was enough to put us out of conceit of such defenders, if we had really wanted any. How different was the conduct of our French friends in 1781, who, during a march thro’ the most inhabited part of our country from Rhode Island to Virginia, near seven hundred miles, occasioned not the small- est complaint for the loss of a pig, a chicken, or even an apple. Captain Orme, who was one of the general’s aids-de-camp, and, being grievously wounded, was brought off with him, and continu’d with _* Other accounts of this expedition and defeat may be found in Fiske’s Washington and his Country, or Lodge’s George Wash- ington, Vol. I. 268 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY him to his death, which happen’d in a few days, told me that he was totally silent all the first day, and at night only said, “Who would have thought it?” That he was silent again the following day, saying only at last, “We shall better know how to deal with them another time’’, and dy’d in a few minutes after. The secretary’s papers, with all the general’s orders, instructions, and correspondence, fall- ing into the enemy’s hands, they selected and translated into French a number of the articles, which they printed, to prove the hostile inten- tions of the British court before the declaration of war. Among these I saw some letters of the general to the ministry, speaking highly of the great service I had rendered the army, and recommending me to their notice. David Hume,’ too, who was some years after secre- tary to Lord Hertford, when minister in France, and afterward to General Conway, when sec- retary of state, told me he had seen among the papers in that office, letters from Brad- dock highly recommending me. But, the ex- .pedition having been unfortunate, my service, it seems, was not thought of much value, for those recommendations were never of any use to (Mic. : 1A famous Scotch philosopher and historian (1711-1776). FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 269 As to rewards from himself, I ask’d only one, which was, that he would give orders to his officers not to enlist any more of our bought servants, and that he would discharge such as had been already enlisted. This he readily granted, and several were accordingly return’d to their masters, on my application. Dunbar, when the command devolv’d on him, was not so generous. .He being at Phila- delphia, on his retreat, or rather flight, I ap- ply’d to him for the discharge of the servants of three poor farmers of Lancaster county that he had enlisted, reminding him of the late general’s orders on that head. He promised me that, if the masters would come to him at Trenton, where he should be in a few days on his march to New York, he would thete de- liver their men to them. They accordingly were at the expense and trouble of going to Trenton, and there he refus’d to perform his promise, to their great loss and disappoint- ment. As soon as the loss of the waggons and horses was generally known, all the owners came upon me for the valuation which I had given bond to pay. Their demands gave me a great deal of trouble, my acquainting them that the money was ready in the paymaster’s 270 ‘“FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY hands, but that orders for paying it must first be obtained from General Shirley,’-and my as- suring them that I had apply’d to that general by letter; but, he being at a distance, an an- swer could not soon be receiv’d, and they must have patience, all this was not sufficient to sat- isfy, and some began to sue me. General Shirley at length relieved me from this terri- ble situation by appointing commissioners to examine the claims, and ordering payment. They amounted to near twenty thousand pound, which to pay would have ruined me. Before we had the news of this defeat, the two Doctors Bond came to me with a subscrip- tion paper for raising money to defray the ex- pense of a grand firework, which it was in- tended to exhibit at a rejoicing on receipt of the news of our taking Fort Duquesne. I looked grave, and said it would, I thought, be time enough to prepare for the rejoicing when we knew we should have occasion to rejoice. They seem’d surpris’d that I did not immedi- ately comply with their proposal. “ Why the d—I!” says one of them, “you surely don’t suppose that the fort will not be taken?” 1Governor of Massachusetts and commander of the British forces in America. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 271 “T don’t know that it will not be taken, but I know that the events of war are subject to great uncertainty.” I gave them the reasons of my doubting; the subscription was dropt, and the projectors thereby missed the mortifi- cation they would have undergone if the fire- work had been prepared. Dr. Bond, on some other occasion afterward, said that he did not like Franklin’s forebodings. Governor Morris, who had continually wor- ried the Assembly with message after mes- sage before the defeat of Braddock, to beat them into the making of acts to raise money for the defense of the province, without tax- ing, among others, the proprietary estates, and had rejected all their bills for not having such an exempting clause, now redoubled his at- tacks with more hope of success, the danger and necessity being greater. The Assembly, however, continu’d firm, believing they had justice on their side, and that it would be giv- ing up an essential right if they suffered the governor to amend their money-bills. In one of the last, indeed, which was for granting fifty thousand pounds, his propos’d amendment was only of a single word. The bill express’d “that all estates, real and personal, were to be taxed, those of the proprietaries not excepted.” 2972 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY His amendment was, for not read only: a small, but very material alteration. However, when the news of this disaster reached England, our friends there whom we had taken care to furnish with all the Assembly’s answers. to the governor’s messages, rais’'d a clamor against the proprietaries for their meanness and injus- tice in giving their governor such instructions; some going so far as to say that, by obstruct- ing the defense of their province, they for-— feited their right to it. They were intimidated by this, and sent orders to their receiver-gen- eral to add five thousand pounds of their money to whatever sum might be given by the Assembly for such purpose. This, being notified to the House, was ac- cepted in lieu of their share of a general tax, and a new bill was form’d, with an exempt- ing clause, which passed accordingly. By this act I was appointed one of the commissioners - for disposing of the money, sixty thousand pounds. I had been active in modelling the bill and procuring its passage, and had, at the same time, drawn a bill for establishing and disciplining a voluntary militia, which I carried thro’ the House without much difficulty, as care was taken in it to leave the Quakers at their liberty. To promote the association necessary PReawkGiuN S)sAU TOBIOGRAPHY’ +273 to form the militia, I wrote a dialogue,’ stating and answering all the objections I could think of to such a militia, which was printed, and had, as I thought, great effect. 1 This dialogue and the militia act are in the Gentleman’s Maga- zine for February and March, 1756.—Marg. note. XVIL FRANKLIN’S DEFENSE OF THE FRONTIER. eis charge of our North-western frontier, which was infested by the enemy, and provide for the defense of the inhabitants by raising troops and building a line of forts. I under- took this military business, tho’ I did not con- ceive myself well qualified for it. He gave me a commission with full powers, and a par- cel of blank commissions for officers, to be © given to whom I thought fit. I had. but lit- tle difficulty in raising men, having soon five hundred and sixty under my command. My son, who had in the preceding war been an of- ficer in the army rais’d against Canada, was my aid-de-camp, and of great use to me. The Indians had burned Gnadenhut,* a village set- tled by the Moravians, and massacred the in- * Pronounced Gna’-den-hoot. 274 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 275 habitants; but the place was thought a good situation for one of the forts. In order to march thither, I assembled the companies at Bethlehem, the chief establish- ment of those people. I was surprised to find it in so good a posture of defense; the destruc- tion of Gnadenhut had made them apprehend danger. The principal buildings were de- fended by a stockade; they had purchased a quantity of arms and ammunition from New York, and had even plac’d quantities of small ‘paving stones between the windows of their high stone houses, for their women to throw down upon the heads of any [Indians that should attempt to force into them. The armed brethren, too, kept watch, and reliev'd as methodically as in any garrison town. In con-— versation with the bishop, Spangenberg, I mention’d this my surprise; for, knowing they had obtained an act of Parliament exempting them from military duties in the colonies, I had suppos’d they were conscientiously scru- pulous of bearing arms. He answer’d me that it was not one of their established principles, but that, at the time of their obtaining that act, it was thought to be a principle with many of their people. On this occasion, how- ever, they, to their surprise, found it adopted 276 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY by but a few. It seems they were either de- ceivd in themselves, or deceiv’'d the Parlia- ment; but common sense, aided by present dan- ger, will sometimes be too strong for whimsi- cal opinions. It was the beginning of January when we set out upon this business of building forts. I sent one detachment toward the Muinisink, with instructions to erect one for the security of that upper part of the country, and another to the lower part, with similar instructions; and I concluded to go myself with the rest of my force to Gnadenhut, where a fort was tho’t more immediately necessary. The Moravians procur’d me five waggons for our tools, stores, baggage, etc. | Just before we left Bethlehem, eleven farm- ers, who had been driven from their planta- tions by the Indians, came to me requesting a supply of firearms, that they might go back and fetch off their cattle. I gave them each a gun with suitable ammunition. We had not march’d many miles before it began to rain, and it continued raining all day; there were no habitations on the road to shelter us, till we afrivd near night at the house of a Ger- man, where, and in his barn, we were all hud- dled together, as wet as water could make us. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 277 It was well we were not attack’d in our march, for our arms were of the most ordinary sort, and our men could not keep their gun locks * dry. The Indians are dexterous in contri- vances for that purpose, which we had not. They met that day the eleven poor farmers above mentioned, and killed ten of them. The WA to Wi Ses 7 V4 Vy Yn, iG ( He Uy hy } il i Ys . Z a , OCA <4) | ie Dysge DS OAL WZ sn An hi a a ae wh, sey a 0 yr he i nO Wy 7 (i Ma. i % p Vy if4 i Ons fp y Yo ; a Dy Ky OY f i Aha Sy Wa aN ; yi one who escap’d inform’d that his and his companions’ guns would not go off, the prim- ing being wet with the rain. The next day .being fair, we continu’d our march, and arriv’d at the desolated Gnadenhut. There was a saw-mill near, round which were left several piles of boards, with which we soon hutted ourselves; an operation the more neces- sary at that inclement season, as we had no + Flint-lock guns, discharged by means of a spark struck from flint and steel into powder (priming) in an open pan. 278 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY tents. Our first work was to bury more ef- fectually the dead we found there, who had been half interr’d by the country people. The next morning our fort was plann’d and mark’d out, the circumference measuring four hundred and fifty-five feet, which would re- quire as many palisades to be made of trees, one with another, of a foot diameter each. Our axes, of which we had seventy, were im- mediately set to work to cut down trees, and, our men being dexterous in the use of them, great despatch was made. Seeing the trees fall so fast, I had the curiosity to look at my watch when two men began to cut at a pine; in six minutes they had it upon the ground, and I found it of fourteen inches diameter. Each pine made three palisades of eighteen feet long, pointed at one end. While these were preparing, our other men dug a trench all round, of three feet deep, in which the pali- sades were to be planted; and, our waggons, the bodys being taken off, and the fore and hind wheels separated by taking out the pin which united the two parts of the perch, we had ten carriages, with two horses each, to bring the palisades from the woods to the spot. When they were set up, our carpenters built a stage 1 Here the pole connecting the front and rear wheels of a wagon. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 279 of boards all round within, about six feet high, for the men to stand on when to fire thro’ the loopholes. We had one swivel gun, which we mounted on one of the angles, and fir’d it as soon as fix’d, to let the Indians know, if any were within hearing, that we had such pieces; and thus our fort, if such a magnificent name may be given to so miserable a stockade, was finish’d in a week, though it rain’d so hard every other day that the men could not work. This gave me occasion to observe, that, when men are employ’d, they are best con- tent’d; for on the days they worked they were good-natur’d 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 their pork, the bread, etc., and in continual ill-humour, which put me in mind of a sea-captain, whose rule it was to keep his men constantly at work; and, when his mate once told him that they had done everything, and there was nothing further to employ them about, “Oh,” says he, “ make them scour the anchor.” This kind of fort, however contemptible, is a sufficient defense against Indians, who have no cannon. Finding ourselves now posted se- > 280 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY | curely, and having a place to retreat to on oc- casion, we ventur’d out in parties to scour the adjacent country. We met with no Indians, but we found the places on.the neighbouring hills — where they had lain to watch our proceedings. There was an art in their contrivance of those places that seems worth mention. It being winter, a fire was necessary for them; but a common fire on the surface of the ground would by its light have discover’d their posi- tion at a distance. They had therefore dug holes in the ground about three feet diameter, and somewhat deeper; we saw where they had with their hatchets cut off the charcoal from the sides of burnt logs lying in the woods. With these coals they had made small fires in the bot- tom of the holes, and we observ’'d among the weeds and grass the prints of their bodies, made by their laying all round, with their legs hanging down in the holes to keep their feet warm, which, with them, is an essential point. This kind of fire, so manag’d, could not discover them, either by its light, fame, sparks, or even smoke: it appear’d that their number was not great, and it seems they saw we were too many to be attacked by them with prpspee of advantage. : We had for our chaplain a zealous Presby- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY § 281 terian minister, Mr. Beatty, who complained to me that the men did not generally attend his prayers and exhortations. When they en- listed, they were promised, besides pay and’ provisions, a gill of rum a day, which was punctually servd out to them, half.in the ‘morning, and the other half in the evening; and I observ’d they were as punctual in at- tending to receive it; upon which I said to Mr. Beatty, “It is, perhaps, below the dignity of your profession to act as steward of the rum, but if you were to deal it out and only just after prayers, you would have them all about you.” He liked the tho’t, undertook the office, and, with the help of a few hands to meas- ure out the liquor, executed it to satisfaction, and never were prayers more generally and more punctually attended; so that I thought this method preferable to the punishment. in- flicted by some military laws for non-attend- ance on divine service. I had hardly finish’d this business, and got my fort well stor’d with provisions, when I receiv'd a letter from the governor, acquaint- ing me that he had call’d the Assembly, and wished my attendance there, if the posture of affairs on the frontiers was such that my re- maining there was no longer necessary. My 282 FRANKLIN'S ADO friends, too, of the Assembly, pressing me by their letters to be, if- possible, at the meeting, and my three intended forts being now com- pleated, and the inhabitants contented to re- main on their farms under that protection, | resolved to return; the more willingly, as a New England officer, Colonel Clapham, ex- perienced in Indian war, being on a visit to our establishment, consented to accept the command. I gave him a commission, and, pa- rading the garrison, had-it read before them, and introduc’d him to them as an officer who, — from his skill in military affairs, was much more fit to command them than myself; and, giving them a little exhortation, took mi leave. I was escorted as far as. Bethlehem, where I rested a few days to recover from the fatigue I had undergone. The first night, be- ing in a good bed, I could hardly sleep, it was ° so different from my hard lodging on tie floor of our hut at Gnaden bat only: in: a blanket or two. While at Bethlehem, I inquir’d a little into the practice of the Moravians: some of them had accompanied me, and all were very kind to me. I found they work’d for a common stock, ete at common tables, and slept in com- mon dormitories, great numbers together. In FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY | 283 the dormitories I observed loopholes, at cer- tain distances all along just under the ceiling, which I thought judiciously placed for change of air. I was at their church, where I was entertain’d with good musick, the organ being accompanied with violins, hautboys, flutes, clarinets, etc. I understood that their sermons were not usually preached to mixed congrega- tions 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 lat- ter, who came in and were plac’d in rows on benches; the boys under the conduct of a young man, their tutor, and the girls con- ducted by a young woman. The discourse seem'd well adapted to their capacities, and was deliver’d in a pleasing, familiar manner, coaxing them, as it were, to be good. They -behav’d very orderly, but looked pale and un- healthy, which made me suspect they were kept too much within doors, or not allow’d sufficient exercise. | I inquir’d concerning the Moravian mar- riages, whether the report was true that they were by lot. I was told that lots were us’d 284. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY only in particular cases; that generally, when a young man found himself dispos’d to marry, he inform’d the elders of his class, who con- sulted the elder ladies that govern’d the young women. As these elders of the different sexes were well acquainted with the tempers and dispositions of their respective pupils, they could best judge what matches were suitable, and their judgments were generally acquiesc’d in; but if, for example, it should happen that two or three young women were found to be equally proper for the young man, the lot was then recurred, to. I objected, if the matches. are not made by the mutual choice of the parties, some of them may chance to be very unhappy. “And so they may,’ answer’'d my informer, “if you let the parties *chuse for themselves;”’ which, indeed, I could not deny. Being returned to Philadelphia, I found the association went on swimmingly, the inhabi- tants that were not Quakers having pretty generally come into it, formed themselves into companies, and chose their captains, lieutenants, and ensigns, according to the new law. Dr. B. visited me, and gave me an account of the pains he had taken to spread a general good liking to the law, and ascribed much to those endeavours. I had had the vanity to asscribe FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY all to my Dialogue; however, not knowing but that he might be in the right, I let him enjoy his opinion, which I take to be generally the best way in such cases. The officers, meeting, chose me to be colonel of the regiment, which I this time accepted. I forget how many com- panies we had, but we paraded about twelve hundred well-looking men, with a company of artillery, who had been furnished with six brass field-pieces, which. they had become so expert in the use of as to fire twelve times in -a minute. The first time I reviewed my regi- ment they accompanied me to my house, and would salute me with some rounds fired be- fore my door, which shook down and broke several glasses of my electrical apparatus. And my new henour proved not much less brittle; for all our commissions were soon after broken by a repeal of the law in England. ‘ During this short time of my colonelship, being about to set out on a journey to Vir- ginia, the officers of my regiment took it into their heads that it would be proper for them to escort me out of town, as far as the Lower Ferry. Just as I was getting on horseback they came to my door, between thirty and forty, mounted, and all in their uniforms. I had not been previously acquainted with the FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY project, or I should have prevented it, being naturally averse to the assuming of state on any occasion; and I was a good deal chagrin’d at their appearance, as I could not avoid their accompanying me. What made it worse was, that, as soon as we began to move, they drew their swords and rode with them naked all the way. Somebody wrote an account of this to the proprietor, and it gave him great offense. No such honour had been paid him when in the province, nor to any of his governors; and he said it was only proper to princes of the blood royal, which may be true for aught I know, who was, and still am, ignorant of the etiquette in such cases. This silly affair, however, greatly increased his rancour against me, which was before not a little, on account of my conduct in the As- sembly respecting the exemption of his estate from taxation, which I had always oppos’d very warmly, and not without severe reflec- tions on his meanness and injustice of contend- ing for it. He accused me to the ministry as being the great obstacle to the King’s service, preventing, by my influence in the House, the proper form of the bills for raising money, and he instanced this parade with my officers as a proof of my having an intention to take the FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 287 government of the province out of his hands Byeiouce,; Tle) also. applied ‘to, Sir ;Everard Fawkener, the postmaster-general, to deprive me of my office; but it had no other effect than to procure from Sir Everard a gentle ad- monition. Notwithstanding the continual wrangle be- tween the governor and the House, in which iasea member; had so large a share, there still subsisted a civil intercourse between that gentleman and myself, and we never had any personal difference. I have sometimes since thought that his littl or no resentment against me, for the answers it was known I drew up to his messages, might be the effect of professional habit, and that, being bred a lawyer, he might consider us both as merely advocates for contending clients in a suit, he for the proprietaries and I for the Assembly. He would, therefore, sometimes call in a friendly way to advise with me on difficult points, and sometimes, tho’ not often, take my advice. We acted in concert to supply Braddock’s army with provisions; and, when the shock- ing news arrived of his defeat, the governor sent in haste for me, to consult with him on measures for preventing the desertion of the 288 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY back counties. I forget now the advice I gave; but I think it was, that Dunbar should be written to, and_prevail’d with, if possible, to post his troops on the frontiers for their pro- tection, till, by reenforcements from the col- onies, he might be able to proceed on the ex- pedition. And, after my return from the fron- tier, he would have had me undertake the con- duct of such an expedition with provincial troops, for the reduction of Fort Duquesne, Dunbar and his men being otherwise em- ployed; and he proposed to commission me as general. I had not so good an opinion of my military abilities as he profess’d to have, and [ believe his professions must have exceeded his real sentiments; but probably he might think that my popularity would facilitate the raising of the men, and my influence ‘in As- sembly, the grant of money to pay them, and that, perhaps, without taxing the proprietary estate. Finding me not so forward to engage as he expected, the project was dropt, and he soon after left the government, being superseded by Captain Denny. XVITIt SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS cree EFORE I proceed in relating the ) awe : ‘ part I had in public affairs under i bo ; —— yg Mc i} this new ___governor's administra- Sonim tion, it may not be amiss here to give some account of the rise and progress of my philosophical reputation. In 1746, being at Boston, I met there with a Dr. Spence, who was lately arrived from Scotland, and show’d me some electric experi- ments. They were imperfectly perform’d, as he was not very expert; but, being on a sub- ject quite new to me, they equally surpris’d and pleased me. Soon after my return to ' Philadelphia, our library company receiv’d from Mr. P. Collinson, Fellow of the Royal Society * of London, a present of a glass tube, with some account of the use of it in making such experiments. I eagerly seized the op- portunity of repeating what I had seen at Bos- ton; and, by much practice, acquir’d ‘great 1 The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge was founded in 1660 and holds the foremost place among English societies for the advancement of science. 289 290 FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY readiness in performing those, also, which we had an account of from England, adding a number of new ones. I say much practice, for my house was continually full, for some time, with people who came to see these new wonders. To divide a little this incumbrance among my friends, I caused a number of similar tubes to be blown at our glass-house, with which they furnish’d themselves, so that we had at length several performers. Among these, the principal was Mr. Kinnersley, an ingenious neighbour, who, being out of business, I encour- aged to undertake showing the experiments for money, and drew up for him two lectures, in which the experiments were rang’d in such order, and accompanied with such explanations in such method, as that the foregoing should assist in comprehending the following. He procur’d an elegant apparatus for the purpose, in which all the little machines that I-had roughly made for myself were nicely form’d by instrument- makers. His lectures were well attended, and gave great satisfaction; and after some time he went thro’ the colonies, exhibiting them in every capital town, and pick’d up some money. In the West India islands, indeed, it was with difficulty the experiments could be made, from the general moisture of the air. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 291 Oblig’d as wé were to Mr. Collinson for his present of the tube, etc., I thought it right he should be inform’d of our success in using it, and wrote him several letters containing ac- counts of our experiments. He got them read in the Royal Society, where they were not at first thought worth so much notice as to be printed in their Transactions. One paper, which I wrote for Mr. Kinnersley, on the sameness of lightning with electricity,’ I sent to Dr. Mitchel, an acquaintance of mine, and one of the members also of that society, who wrote me word that it had been read, but was laughed at by the connoisseurs. The papers, however, being shown to Dr. Fothergill, he thought them of too much value to be stifled, and advis’d the printing of them. Mr. Collin- son then gave them to Cave for publication in his Gentleman’s Magazine; but he chose to print them separately in a pamphlet, and Dr. Fothergill wrote the preface. Cave, it seems, judged rightly for his profit, for by the ad- ditions that arrived afterward, they swell’d to a quarto volume, which has had five editions, and cost him nothing for copy-money. It was, however, some time before those papers were much taken notice of in England, 1See page 327. 292 FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGR ATi A copy of them happening to fall into the hands of the Count de Buffon,’ a philosopher deservedly of great reputation in France, and, indeed, all over Europe, he prevailed with M. Dalibard? to translate them into French, and they were printed at Paris. The publication offended the Abbé Nollet, preceptor in Natural Philosophy to the royal family, and: an able experimenter, who had form’d and publish’d a theory of electricity, which then had the general vogue. He could not at first believe that such a work came from America, and said it must have been fabricated by his enemies at Paris, to decry his system. Afterwards, having been assur’d that there really existed such a person as Franklin at Philadelphia, which he had doubted, he wrote and published a volume of Letters, chiefly address’d to me, defending his theory, and denying the verity of my experi- ments, and of the positions deduc’d from them. I once purpos’d answering the abbé, and ac- tually began the answer; but, on consideration that my writings contain’d a description of ex- * A celebrated French naturalist (1707-1788). ? Dalibard, who had translated Franklin’s letters to Collinson into French, was the first to demonstrate, in a practical application of Franklin’s experiment, that lightning and electricity are the same. “This was May t1oth, 1752, one month before Franklin flew his famous kite at Philadelphia and proved the fact himself.”— McMaster. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 293 periments which anyone might repeat and verify, and if not to be verifi'd, could not be defended; or of observations offer’d as conjec- tures, and not delivered dogmatically, there- fore not laying me under any obligation to defend them; and reflecting that a dispute between two persons, writing in different lan- guages, might be lengthened greatly by mis- translations, and thence misconceptions of one another’s meaning, much of one of the abbé’s letters being founded on an error in the trans- lation, I concluded to let my papers shift for themselves, believing it was better to spend what time I could spare from public business in making new experiments, than in disputing about those already made. I therefore never answered M. Nollet, and the event gave me no cause to repent my silence; for my friend M. le Roy, of the Royal Academy of Sciences, took up my cause and refuted him; my book was translated into the Italian, German, and Latin languages; and the doctrine it contain’d was by degrees universally adopted by the philosophers of Europe, in preference to that of the abbé; so that he lived to see himself the last of his sect, except Monsieur B , of Paris, his é/éve and immediate disciple. What gave my book the more sudden and 2944 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY general celebrity, was the success of one of its proposed experiments, made by Messrs. Dali- bard and De Lor at Marly, for drawing light- ning from the clouds. This engag’d the pub- lic attention everywhere. M. de Lor, who had an apparatus for experimental philosophy, and ~ lectur’d in that branch of science, undertook to repeat what he called the Philadelphia Experi- ments; and, after they were performed before the king and court, all the curious of Paris flocked to see them. I will not swell this nar- rative with an account of that capital experi- ment, nor of the infinite pleasure I receiv'd in the success of a similar one I made soon after with a kite at Philadelphia, as both are to be found in the histories of electricity. Dr. Wright, an English physician, when at Paris, wrote to a friend, who was of the Royal Society, an account of the high esteem my ex- periments were in among the learned abroad, and of their wonder that my writings had been so little noticed in England. The society, on this, resum’d the consideration of the let- ters that had been read to them; and the cele- brated Dr. Watson drew up a summary ac- count of them, and of all I had afterwards sent to England on the subject, which he accom- panied with some praise of the writer. This FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 295 summary was then printed in their Transac- tions; and some members of the society in London, particularly the very ingenious Mr. Canton, having verified the experiment of pro- curing hightning from the clouds by a pointed rod, and acquainting them with the success, they soon made me more than amends for the slight with which they had before treated me. Without my having made any application for that honour, they chose me a member, and © voted that I should be excus’d the customary payments, which would have amounted to twenty-five guineas; and ever since have given me their Transactions gratis. They also. pre- sented me with the gold medal of Sir God- frey Copley * for the year 1753, the delivery of which was accompanied by a very handsome speech of the president, Lord Macclesfield, wherein I was highly honoured. 1An English baronet (died in 1709), donator of a fund of £100, “in trust for the Royal Society of London for improving natural knowledge.” XIX AGENT OF PENNSYLVANIA IN LONDON spre] UR new governor, Captain Denny, | brought over for me the before- mentioned medal from the Royal Society, which he presented to me at an entertainment given him by the city. He accompanied it with very polite expres- sions of his esteem for me, having, as he said, been long acquainted with my _ character. © After dinner, when the company, as was cus- tomary at that time, were engag’d in drink- ing, he took me aside into another room, and acquainted me that he had been advis’d by his friends in England to cultivate a friendship with me, as one who was capable of giving him the best advice, and of contributing most effectually to the making his administration easy; that he therefore desired of all things to have a good understanding with me, and he begged me to be assured of his readiness on all occasions to render me every service that might be in his power. He said much to me, 296 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 2 also, of the proprietor’s good disposition to- wards the province, and of the advantage it might be to us all, and to me in particular, if the opposition that had been so long continu’d to his measures was dropt, and harmony re- stord between him and the people; in effect- ing which, it was thought no one could be more serviceable than myself; and I might de- pend on adequate acknowledgments and recom- penses, etc., etc. The drinkers, finding we did not return immediately to the table, sent us a decanter of Madeira, which the governor made liberal use of, and in proportion became more profuse of his solicitations and promises. My answers were to this purpose: that my circumstances, thanks to God, were such as to make proprietary favours unnecessary to me; and that, being a member of the Assembly, I could not possibly accept of any; that, how- ever, I had no personal enmity to the propri- etary, and that, whenever the public measures he propos’d should appear to be for the good of the people, no one should espouse and for- ward them more zealously than myself; my past opposition having been founded on this, that the measures which had been urged were evidently intended to serve the proprietary in- terest, with great prejudice to that of the peo- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY ple; that I was much obliged to him (the gov- ernor) for his professions of regard to me, and that he might rely on everything in my power to make his administration as easy as possible, hoping at the same time that he had not brought with him the same unfortunate instruction his predecessor had been ham- pered with. On this he did not then explain himself; but when he afterwards came to do business with the Assembly, they appear’d again, the dis- putes were renewed, and I was as active as ever in the opposition, being the penman, first, of the request to have a communication of the instructions, and then of the remarks upon them, which may be found in the votes of the time, and in the Historical Review I after- ward publish’d. But between us personally no enmity arose; we were often together; he was a man of letters, had seen much of the world, and was very entertaining and pleasing in conversa- tion. He gave me the first information that my old friend Jas. Ralph was still alive; that he was esteem’d one of the best political writers in England; had been employed in the dispute’ between Prince Frederic and the king, and had | 1 Quarrel between George II and his son, Frederick, Prince of Wales, who died before his father. PRAMKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY: 299 obtain’d a pension of three hundred a year; that his reputation was indeed small as a poet, Pope having damned his poetry in the Dunciad,’ but his prose was thought as good as any man’s. The Assembly finally finding the proprietary obstinately persisted in manacling their depu- ties with instructions inconsistent not only with the privileges of the people, but with the service of the crown, resolv’d to petition the king against them, and appointed me their agent to go over to England, to present and support the petition. The House had sent up a bill to the governor, granting a sum of sixty thousand pounds for the king’s use (ten thou- sand pounds of which was subjected to the orders of the then general, Lord Loudoun), which the governor absolutely refus’d to pass, in compliance with his instructions. I had agreed with Captain Morris, of the packet at New York, for my passage, and my stores were put on board, when Lord Loudoun arrivd at Philadelphia, expressly, as he told me, to endeavour an accommodation between the governor and Assembly, that his majesty’s service might not be obstructed by their dis- 1A satirical poem by Alexander Pope directed aeeiict various contemporary writers. 300 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY -sensions. Accordingly, he desir’d the goy- ernor and myself to meet him, that he might hear what was to be said on both sides. We met and discussed the business. In behalf of the Assembly, I urged all the various argu- ments that may be found in the public papers of that time, which were of my writing, and are printed with the minutes of the Assembly; and the governor pleaded his instructions, the bond he had given to observe them, and his ruin if he disobey’d, yet seemed not unwilling to hazard himself if Lord Loudoun would ad- vise it. This his lordship did not chuse to do, though I once thought I had nearly prevail’d with him to do it; but finally he rather chose to urge the compliance of the Assembly; and he entreated me to use my endeavours with — them for that purpose, declaring that he would spare none of the king’s troops for the defense of our frontiers, and that, if we did not continue to provide for that defense our- selves, they must remain expos’d to the enemy. I acquainted the House with what had pass’'d. and, presenting them with a set of resolutions I had drawn up, declaring our rights, and that we did not relinquish our claim to those rights, but only suspended the FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY ) 301 exercise of them on this occasion thro’ force, against which we protested, they at length agreed to drop that bill, and frame another conformable to the proprietary instructions. This of course the governor pass’d, and I was then at liberty to proceed on my _ voyage. But, in the meantime, the packet had sailed with my sea-stores, which was some loss to me, and my only recompense was his _ lord- ship’s thanks for my service, all the credit of obtaining the accommodation falling to his share. He set out for New York before me; and, as the time for dispatching the packet-boats was at his disposition, and there were two then remaining there, one of which, he said, was to sail very soon, I requested to know the precise time, that I might not miss her by any delay of mine. His answer was, “I have given out that she is to sail on Saturday next; but I may let you know, entre nous, that if you are there by Monday morning, you will be in time, but do not delay longer.” By some accidental hindrance at a ferry, it was Mon- day noon before I arrived, and I was much afraid she might have sailed, as the wind was fair; but I was soon made easy by the in- formation that she was still in the harbor, and 302 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY would not move till the next day. One would imagine that I was now on the very point of departing for Europe. I thought so; but I was not then so well acquainted with his lord- ship’s character, of which indecision was one of the strongest features. I shall give some instances. It was about the beginning of April that I came to New York, and I think it was near the end of June before we sail’d. There were then two of the packet-boats, which had been long in port, but were de- tained for the general’s letters, which were al- ways to be ready to-morrow. Another packet arriv’'d; she too was detain’d; and, before we sail’d, a fourth was expected. Ours was the first to be dispatch’d, as having been there longest. Passengers were engaged in all, and some extremely impatient to be gone, and the merchants uneasy about their letters, and the orders they had given for insurance (it being war time) for fall goods; but their anxiety avail’d nothing; his lordship’s letters were not ready; and yet whoever waited on him found him always at his desk, pen in hand, and con- cluded he must needs write abundantly. Going myself one morning to pay my re-— spects, I found in his antechamber one Innis, — a messenger of Philadelphia, who had come FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 303 from thence express with a packet from Governor Denny for the general. He deliv- ered to me some letters from my _ friends there, which occasion’d my inquiring when he was to return, and where he lodg’d, that I might send some letters by him. He told me he was order’d to call to-morrow at nine for the general’s answer to the governor, and should set off immediately. I put my letters into his hands the same day. A fortnight after I met him again in the same place. “So, you are soon return’d, Innis?” “ Return’d! fee tam not gone yet.”. “How sor” “1! have called here by order every morning these two weeks past for his lordship’s letter, and it is not yet ready.” “Is it possible, when he is so great a writer? for I see him constantly me his escritoire.” “ Yes,’ says Innis, “ but he is like St. George on the signs, always on horseback, and never rides on.’ This observa- tion of the messenger was, it seems, well founded; for, when in England, I understood that Mr. Pitt* gave it as one reason for re- moving this general, and sending Generals Amherst and Wolfe, that the minister never 1 William Pitt, first Earl of Chatham (1708-1778), a great English statesman and orator. Under his able administration, England won Canada from France. He was a friend of America at the time of our Revolution. 304 FRANKLIN(S AUTOBIOGRAPin® heard from him, and could not know what he was doing. This daily expectation of sailing, and all the three packets going down to Sandy Hook, — to join the fleet there, the passengers thought — it best to be on board, lest by a sudden order the ships should sail, and they be left behind. There, if I remember right, we were about six weeks, consuming our sea-stores, and oblig’d to procure more. At length the fleet sail’d, the general and all his army on board, bound to Louisburg, with the intent to besiege and take that fortress; all the packet-boats in com- — pany ordered to attend the general’s ship, ready to receive his dispatches when they should be ready. We were out five days be- fore we got a letter with leave to part, and then our ship quitted the fleet and steered for — England. The other two packets he still de- — tained, carried them with him to Halifax, — where he stayed some time to exercise the men in sham attacks upon sham forts, then — altered: his mind as to besieging Louisburg, and returned to New York, with all his troops, — together with the two packets above men- © tioned, and all their passengers! During his absence the French and savages had taken® Fort George, on the frontier of that province, — FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY | 305 and the savages had massacred many of the garrison after capitulation. I saw afterwards in London Captain Bon- nell, who commanded one of those packets. He told me that, when he had been detain’d a month, he acquainted his lordship that his ship was grown foul, to a degree that must necessarily hinder her fast sailing, a point of consequence for a packet-boat, and requested an allowance of time to heave her down and clean her bottom. He was asked how long time that would require. He answered, three days. The general replied, “If you can do it in one day, I give leave; otherwise not; for you must certainly sail the day after to-mor- row.” So he never obtain’d leave, though de- tained afterwards from day to day during full three months. I saw also in London one of Bonnell’s pas- sengers, who was so enrag’d against his lord- ship for deceiving and detaining him so long at New York, and then carrying him to Hali- fax and back again, that he swore he would sue him for damages. Whether he did or not, I never heard; but, as he represented the injury to his affairs, it was very consider- able. On the whole, I wonder’d much how such 306 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY a man came to be intrusted* with so impor- tant a business as the conduct of a great army; but, having since’ seen more of the greag@ world, and the means of obtaining, and mo- — tives for giving places, my wonder is dimin- ished. General Shirley, on whom the com- mand of the army devolved upon the death of Braddock, would, in my opinion, if continued in place, have made a much better campaign than that ‘of Loudoun in) 1757) wineh wae frivolous, expensive, and disgraceful to our nation beyond conception; for, tho’ Shirley — was not a bred soldier, he was sensible and — sagacious in himself, and attentive to good ad- vice from others, capable of forming judicious plans, and quick and active in carrying them ~ into execution. Loudoun, instead of defend- ing the colonies with his great army, left them totally expos’d while he paraded idly at Hali- fax, by which means Fort George was lost, besides, he derang’d all our mercantile opera- — tions, and distress’'d our trade, by a long em- bargo on the exportation of provisions, on pretence of keeping supplies from being ob- tain’d by the enemy, but in reality for beat- 1 This relation illustrates the corruption that characterized Eng- lish public life in the eighteenth century. (See page 308). It was gradually overcome in the early part of the next century. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY _ 307 ing down their price in favour of the con- tractors, in whose profits, it was said, perhaps from suspicion only, he had a share. And, when at length the embargo was taken off, by neglecting to send notice of it to Charlestown, the Carolina fleet was detain’d near three months longer, whereby their bottoms were so much damaged by the worm that a great part of them foundered in their passage home. Shirley was, I believe, sincerely glad of be- ing relieved from so burdensome a charge as the conduct of an army must be to a man un- acquainted with military business. I was at the entertainment given by the city of New York to Lord Loudoun, on his taking upon him the command. Shirley, tho’ thereby su- perseded, was present also. There was a great company of officers, citizens, and strangers, and, some chairs having been borrowed in the neighborhood, there was one among them very low, which fell to the lot of Mr. Shirley. Perceiving it as I sat by him, I said, “ They have given you, sir, too low a seat.’ “No matter,’ says he, “Mr. Franklin, I find a low seat the easiest.” | While I was, as afore mention’d, detain’d at New York, I receiv’d all the accounts of the provisions, etc., that I had furnish’d to Brad- 3088 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY dock, some of which accounts could not sooner be obtain’d from the different persons I had employ’d to assist in the business. I pre-— sented them to Lord Loudoun, desiring to be paid the ballance. He caus’d them to be regu- larly examined by the proper officer, who, — after comparing every article with its voucher, certified them to be right; and the balance due for which his lordship promis’d to give me aan order on the paymaster. This was, how- ever, put off from time to time; and: tho 77 call’d often for it by appointment, I did not get it. At length, just before my departure, he told me he had, on better consideration, concluded not to mix his accounts with those of his predecessors. “And you,’ says he, “when in England, have only to exhibit your — accounts at the treasury, and you will be paid immediately.” | : I mention’d, but without effect, the great and unexpected expense I had been put to by being detain’d so long at New York, as a reason ~ for my desiring to be presently paid; and on my observing that it was not right I should — be put to any further trouble or delay in ob- taining the money I had. advaned) acy @ charged no commission for my service, “O, Sir,” says he, “you must not think of persuad- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY | 309 ing us that you are no gainer; we understand . better those affairs, and know that every one concerned in supplying the army finds means, in the doing it, to fill his own pockets.” I as- sur’d him that was not my case, and that I had not pocketed a farthing; but he appear’d clearly not to believe me; and, indeed, I have since learnt that immense fortunes are often made in such employments. As to my bal- lance, I am not paid it to this day, of which more hereafter. Our captain of the paquet had _ boasted much, before we sailed, of the swiftness of his ship; unfortunately, when we came to sea, she proved the dullest of ninety-six sail, to his no small mortification. After many conjectures respecting the cause, when we were near another ship almost as dull as ours, which, however, gain’d upon us, the captain ordered all hands to come aft, and stand as near the ensign staff as possible. We were, passengers in- cluded, about forty persons. While we stood there, the ship mended her pace, and soon left her neighbour far behind, which prov’d clearly what our captain suspected, that she was loaded too much by the head. The casks of water, it seems, had been all plac’d forward; these he therefore order’d to be mov’d further 4 a 310 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY aft, on which the ship recover’d her character, and proved the best sailer in the fleet. 4 The captain said she had once gone at the rate of thirteen knots, which is accounted thir- teen miles per hour. We had on board, as a passenger, Captain Kennedy, of the Navy, who contended that it was impossible, and that no ship ever sailed so fast, and that there must have been some error in the division of the log-line, or some mistake in heaving the log.’ A wager ensu’d between the two captains, to be decided when there should be sufficient wind. Kennedy thereupon examin’d rigor- ously the log-line, and, being satisfiid with that, he determin’d to throw the log himself. Accordingly some days after, when the wind blew very fair and fresh, and the captain of the paquet, Lutwidge, said he believ’d she then went at the rate of thirteen knots, Ken- nedy made the experiment, and own’d his wager lost. The above fact I give fot the sake of the following observation. It has been remark’d, as an imperfection in the art of ship-building, that it can never be known, till she is tried, 1A piece of wood shaped and weighted so as to keep it stable when in the water. To this is attached a line knotted at regular distances. By these devices it is possible to tell the speed of a ship. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 311 whether a new ship will or will not be a good sailer; for that the model of a good-sailing ship has been exactly follow’d in a new one, which has prov’d, on the contrary, remarka- bly dull. I apprehend that this may partly be ‘ occasion’d by the different opinions of seamen respecting the modes of lading, rigging, and sailing of a ship; each has his system; and the same vessel, laden by the judgment and orders of one captain, shall sail better or worse than when by the orders of another. Besides, it scarce ever happens that a ship is form’d, fit- ted for the sea, and sail’d by the same person. One man builds the hull, another rigs her, a third lades and sails her. No one of these has the advantage of knowing all the ideas and ex- perience of the others, and, therefore, cannot draw just conclusions from a combination of the whole. Even in the simple operation of sailing when at sea, I have often observ’d different judg- ments in the officers who commanded the suc- cessive watches, the wind being the same. One would have the sails trimm’d sharper or flatter than another, so that they seem’d to have no certain rule to govern by. Yet I think a set of experiments might be instituted; first, to determine the most proper form of 312 FRANKLUIN’S AUTOBIOGRATAY the hull for swift sailing; next, the best dimen- sions and properest place for the masts; then the form and quantity of sails, and their posi- tion, as the wind may be; and, lastly, the dis- position of the lading. This is an age of ex- periments, and I think a set accurately made and combin’d would be of great use.. | am persuaded, therefore, that ere long some in- genious philosopher will undertake it, to whom I wish success. We were several times chas’d in our pas- sage, but out-sail’d every thing, and in thirty days had soundings. We had a good observa- tion, and the captain judg’d himself so near our port, Falmouth, that, if we made a good run in the night, we might be off the mouth of that harbor in the morning, and by run- ning in the night might escape the notice of FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 313 the enemy’s privateers, who often cruis’d near the entrance of the channel. Accordingly, all the sail was set that we could possibly make, and the wind being very fresh and fair, we went right before it, and made great way. The captain, after his observation, shap’d his course, as he thought, so as to pass wide of the Scilly Isles;. but it seems there is some- dimes a strong indraught setting up St. George’s Channel, which deceives seamen and caused the loss of Sir Cloudesley Shovel’s squadron. This indraught was probably the cause of what happened to us. We had a watchman plac’d in the bow, to whom they often called, “ Look well out before there,’ and he as often answered, “ dy, ay’; but perhaps had his eyes shut, and was half asleep at the time, they sometimes answering, as is said, mechanically; for he did not see a light just before us, which had been hid by the studding-sails from the man at the helm, and from the rest of the watch, but by an ac- cidental yaw of the ship was discover’d, and occasion’d a great alarm, we being very near it, the light appearing to me as big as a cart- wheel. It was midnight, and our captain fast asleep; but Captain Kennedy, jumping upon deck, and seeing the danger, ordered the ship 314 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY to wear round, all sails standing; an operation dangerous to the masts, but it carried us clear, and we escaped shipwreck, for we were running right upon the rocks on which the lighthouse was erected. This deliverance im- pressed me strongly with the utility of light- houses, and made me resolve to encourage the building more of them in America if I should live to return there. In the morning it was found by the sound- ings, etc., that we were near our port, but a thick fog hid the land from our sight. About nine o’clock the fog began to rise, and seem’d to be lifted up from the water like the curtain at a play-house, discovering underneath, the town of Falmouth, the vessels in its harbor, and the fields that surrounded it. This was a most pleasing spectacle to those who had been so long without any other prospects than the uniform view of a vacant ocean, and it gave us the more pleasure as we were now free from the anxieties which the state of war oc- casion’d, I set out immediately, with my son, for Lon- don, and we only stopt a little by the way to view Stonehenge* on Salisbury Plain, and 1A celebrated prehistoric ruin, probably of a temple built by the early Britons, near Salisbury, England. It consists of inner FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Lord Pembroke’s house and gardens, with -his very curious antiquities at Wilton. We ar- rived in London the 27th of July, 1757.” As soon as I was settled in a lodging Mr. Charles had provided for me, I went to visit Dr. Fothergill, to whom I was strongly recom- mended, and whose counsel respecting my proceedings I was advis’d to obtain. He was against an immediate complaint to govern- ment, and thought the proprietaries should first be personally appli’d to, who might possi- bly be induc’d by the interposition and persua- sion of some.private friends, to accommodate matters amicably. I then waited on my old friend and correspondent, Mr. Peter Collinson, who told me that John Hanbury, the great Virginia merchant, had requested to be in- formed when I should arrive, that he might carry me to Lord Granville’s,> who was then President of the Council and wished to see me as soon as possible. I agreed to go with him and outer circles of enormous stones, some of which are con- nected by stone slabs. *“ Here terminates the Autobiography, as published by Wm. Temple Franklin and his successors. What follows was written in the last year of Dr. Franklin’s life, and was never before printed in English.’—Mr. Bigelow’s note in his edition of 1868. * George Granville or Grenville (1712-1770). As English premier from 1763 to 1765, he introduced the direct taxation of the Ameri- can Colonies and has sometimes been called the immediate cause of the Revolution. FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY the next morning. Accordingly Mr. Hanbury called for me and took me in his carriage to that nobleman’s, who receiv’d me with great civility; and after some questions respecting the present state of affairs in America and dis- course thereupon, he said to me: “ You Ameri- cans have wrong ideas of the nature of your constitution; you contend that the king’s in- structions to his governors are not laws, and _think yourselves at liberty to regard or disre- gard them at your own discretion. But those instructions are not like the pocket instruc- tions given to a minister going abroad, for regulating his conduct in some trifling point of ceremony. They are first drawn up by judges learned in the laws; they are then con- sidered, debated, and perhaps amended in Council, after which they are signed by the king. They are then, so far as they relate to you, the /aw of the land, for the king is the LEGISLATOR OF THE COLONIES,”* I told his lordship this was new doctrine to me. I had always understood from our charters that our 1 This whole passage shows how hopelessly divergent were the English and American views on the relations between the mother country and her colonies. Grenville here made clear that the Ameri- cans were to have no voice in making or amending their laws. Parliament and the king were to have absolute power over the colonies. No wonder Franklin was alarmed by this new doctrine. PRANEBKDIN’S*AUTOBIOGRAPHY ’ 317 laws were to be made by our Assemblies, to be presented indeed to the king for his royal assent, but that being once given the king could not repeal or alter them. And as the Assemblies could not make permanent laws without his assent, so neither could he make a law for them without theirs. He assur’d me I was totally mistaken. I did not think so, however, and -his lordship’s conversation hav- ing a little alarm’d me as to what might be the sentiments of the court concerning us, I wrote it down as-soon as I return’d to my lodgings. I recollected that about 20 years before, a clause in a bill brought into Parlia- ment by the ministry had propos’d to make . the king’s instructions laws in the colonies, but the clause was thrown out by the Com- mons, for which we adored them as our friends and friends of liberty, till by their con- duct towards us in 1765 it seem’d that they had refus’d that point of sovereignty to the king only that they might reserve it for them- selves. After some days, Dr. Fothergill having With his keen insight into human nature and his consequent knowledge of American character, he foresaw the inevitable result of such an attitude on the part of England. This conversation with Grenville makes these last pages of the Autobiography one of its most important parts. 318 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY spoken to the proprietaries, they agreed to a meeting with me at Mr. T. Penn’s house in Spring Garden. The conversation at first con- sisted of mutual declarations of disposition to reasonable accommodations, but I suppose each party had its own ideas of what should be meant by reasonable. We then went into con- sideration of our several points of complaint, which I enumerated. The proprietaries justi- fy’d their conduct as well as they could, and I the Assembly’s. We now appeared very wide, and so far from each other in our opin- ions as to discourage all hope of agreement. However, it was concluded that I should give them the heads of our complaints in writing, and they promis’d then to consider them. I did so soon after, but they put the paper into the hands of their solicitor, Ferdinand John Paris, who managed for them all their law _ business in their great suit with the neighbour- ing proprietary of Maryland, Lord Baltimore, which had subsisted 70 years, and wrote for them all their papers and messages in their dispute with the Assembly. He was a proud, angry man, and as I had occasionally in the answers of the Assembly treated his papers with some severity, they being really weak in point of argument and haughty in expression, FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 319 he had conceived a mortal enmity to me, which discovering itself whenever we met, I declin’d the proprietary’s proposal that he and I should discuss the heads of complaint be- tween our two selves, and refus’d treating with anyone but them. They then by his ad- vice put the paper into the hands of the At- torney and Solicitor-General for their opinion and counsel upon it, where it lay unanswered a year wanting eight. days, during which time I made frequent demands of an answer from the proprietaries, but without obtaining any other than that they had not yet received the opinion of the Attorney and Solicitor-General. What it was when they did receive it I never learnt, for they did not communicate it to me, but sent a long message to the Assembly drawn and signed by Paris, reciting my paper, complaining of its want of formality, as a rudeness on my part, and giving a flimsy justi- fication of their conduct, adding that they should be willing to:accommodate matters if the Assembly would send out some person of can- dour to treat with them for that purpose, in- timating thereby that I was not such. The want of formality or rudeness was, probably, my not having address’d the paper to them with their assum’d titles of True and 320 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Absolute Proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania, which I omitted as not thinking it necessary in a paper, the intention of which was only to reduce to a certainty by writing, what in conversation I had delivered viva voce. But during this delay, the Assembly having prevailed with Gov’r Denny to pass an act taxing the proprietary estate in common with the estates of the people, which was the grand point in dispute, they omitted answering the message. | When this act however came over, the pro- prietaries, counselled by Paris, determined -to oppose its receiving the royal assent. Accord-° ingly they petition’d the king in Council, and a hearing was appointed in which two lawyers were employ’d by them against the act, and two by me in support of it. They alledg’d that the act was intended to load the pro- prietary estate in order to spare those of the people, and that if it were suffer’d to continue in force, and the proprietaries, who were in odium with the people, left to their mercy in proportioning the taxes, they would inevitably be ruined. We reply’d that the act had no such intention, and would have no such effect. That the assessors were. honest and discreet men under an oath to assess fairly and equita- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 321 bly, and that any advantage each of them might expect in lessening his own tax by augmenting that of the proprietaries was too trifling to induce them to perjure themselves. This is the purport of what I remember as urged by both sides, except that we insisted strongly on the mischievous consequences miat) must) attend’ -a’ repeal, for’ that’ the money, £100,000, being printed and given to the king’s use, expended in his service, and now spread among the people, the repeal would strike it dead in their hands to the ruin of many, and the total discouragement of fu- ture grants, and: the selfishness of the pro- prietors in soliciting such a general catas- trophe, merely from a groundless fear of their estate being taxed too highly, was insisted on in the strongest terms. On this, Lord Mans- field, one of the counsel, rose, and beckoning me took me into the clerk’s chamber, while the lawyers were pleading, and asked me if I was really of opinion that no injury would be done the proprietary estate in the execution of the act. I said certainly. “Then,” says he, “you can have little objection to enter into an engagement to assure’ that point.” I. an- merc, None at ‘all.’ )° He then: ‘calldiin Paris, and after some discourse, his lordship’s 322 FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY proposition was accepted on both sides; a paper to the purpose was drawn up by the. Clerk of the Council, which I sign’d with Mr. Charles, who was also an Agent of the Prov- ince for ‘their’ ordinary affairs, when Lord Mansfield returned to the Council Chamber, © where finally the law was allowed to pass. Some changes were however recommended and we also engaged they should be made by a subsequent law, but the Assembly did not think them necessary; for one year’s tax hav- - ing been levied by the act before the order of Council arrived, they appointed a committee to examine the proceedings of the assessors, and on this committee they put several par- ticular friends of the proprietaries. After a full enquiry, they unanimously sign’d a report — that they found the tax had been assess’d with perfect equity. — | The Assembly looked into my entering into the first part of the engagement, as an essen- tial service to the Province, since it secured the credit of the paper money then spread over all the country. They gave me their thanks in form when I return’d. But the pro- prietaries were enraged at Governor Denny for having pass’d the act, and turn’d him out with threats of suing him for breach of in- FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 323 structions which he had given. bond to ob- “serve. He, however, having done it at the in- stance of the General, and for His Majesty’s service, and having some powerful interest at court, despis’d the threats and they were never put in execution. . . . [unfinished] PUBRCVRIOAL KUDE To Peter CoLuINson , [Philadelphia], Oct. 19, 1752. SIR, As frequent mention is made in public papers from Europe of the success of the Philadelphia experiment for drawing the electric fire from clouds by means of pointed rods of iron erected on high buildings, &c., it may be agreeable to the curious to be informed, that the same ex- periment has succeeded in Philadelphia, though made in a different and more easy manner, which is as follows: | Make a small cross of two light strips of cedar, the arms so long as to reach to the four corners of a large, thin silk handkerchief when extended; tie the corners of the handkerchief to the ex- tremities of the cross, so you have the body of a kite; which being properly accommodated with a tail, loop, and string, will rise in the air, like those made of paper; but this being of silk, is fitter to bear the wet and wind of a thunder- gust without tearing. To the top of the upright stick of the cross is to be fixed a very sharp- 327 a : ELECTRICAL KITE pointed v wire, rising a foot or more above the wood. To the end of the twine, next the hand, is to be tied a silk ribbon, and where the silk and twine join, a key may be fastened. This kite is to be raised when a thunder-gust appears to be coming on, and the person who holds the string must stand within a door or window, or under some cover, so that the silk ribbon may not be wet; and care must be taken that the twine does not touch the frame of the door or window. As soon as any of the thunder clouds come over the kite, the pointed wire will draw the electric fire from them, and the kite, with all the twine, will be electrified, and the loose filaments of the twine will stand out every way and be attracted by an approaching finger. And when the rain has wet the kite and twine, so that it can con- duct the electric fire freely, you will find it stream out plentifully from the key on the ap- proach of your knuckle. At this key the phial may be charged; and from electric fire thus ob- tained, spirits may be kindled, and all the elec- tric experiments be performed, which are usually done by the help of a rubbed glass globe or tube, and thereby the sameness of the electric matter with that of ee completely demon- strated. B. FRANKLIN, im wait : Hick-State : in Cla round h ‘ 3 Saat Judgment z Ja] Joy snoyeaz jnq ‘py ssurpey OL € ° ‘WeIFT Yossouy oyy pue “peofy Yorwsp> oy, '§ Si Ss ™ 2 co Bf ie a ” Be “GC # CG < Good--Nature, W, zm _Cenfare or in Praife : , well-bred ; “dod, ety yb fincere ; Modeftly bald and humanely fevere ; Who to a Friend his Faults can fweetly fhow. BY And Toad oe raife the Merit‘ of a Foe 3 | Ktere, there he fits, hus chearful Ard to Jend 5 A firm, onfhaken, uncorru Friend, fi | Averfe alike to- flatter or offend. “sheyy saupte Nofog MO oAlyap Wy MZ He’s rarely warm in Printed by Benjamin Mecom, at the New : Printing-Office, (ear the Town-Hovuset, ix Bofton) where SS BOOKS are Sold, and PRINTING-WORK dont va 2 LONE N VEN UO COVER USS, From ‘‘ Father Abraham’s Speech,”1760. Reproduced from a copy at the New York Public Library. THE WAY TO WEALTH (From “ Father Abraham’s Speech,” forming the preface to Poor Richard’s Almanac for 1758.) 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 Jdle- ness taxes many of us much more, if we reckon _all.that-1s-spent in_absolute Sloth, or doing of nothing, with that which is spent in idle Em- ployments er Amusements, that amount to nothing. Cloth, by bringing on Diseases, abso- lutely shortens Life. Sloth, like Rust, consumes faster than Labor wears; while the used key is al- ways bright, as Poor Richard says. But dost thou love Life, then do not squander Time, for that’s the stuff Life 1s 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 331 ane THE WAY TO WEALTH greatest Prodigality, since, as he elsewhere tells us, Lost Time 1s 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 difficult, 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 Lazt-— 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. Industry, need not wish, and he that lives ioe Hope will die fasting. There are no Gains without Pains, “He that hath a Trade hath an 2 Estate; and he. | ph 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. “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, and God. gives all Things to In- wenn — VEE WAY eT O:- WEAIT H 333 One To-day is worth two To-morrows, and far- ther, 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. Stick to it steadily; and you will see great Effects, for Constant Dropping wears away Stones, and by Diligence and Patience the Mouse ate in two the Cable; and Little Strokes fell great Oaks. Methinks I hear some of you say, Must a Man afford himself no Leisure? I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says, Employ thy Time well, if thou meanest to gain Leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a Minute, throw not away an Hour. Leisure, is Time for doing some- thing 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. Keep thy Shop, and thy Shop will keep thee; and again, Jf you would have your business done, go; if not, send. If you would have a faithful Servant, and one that you like, serve yourself. _A little Neglect may breed great Mischief; ~. 334 THE WAY TO WEALTSA , adding, for want of a Nail the Shoe was lost; for want of a Shoe the Horse was lost; and for want of a Horse the Rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the Enemy, all for the 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, q 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 /ittle more costly, Clothes a /itéle finer, and a little En- tertainment now and then, can be no great Mat- ter; but remember what Poor Richard says, Many a Little makes a Mickle. | Beware of little expenses, A small Leak will sink a great Ship; and again, W ho Dainties love, shall Beggars prove; and moreover, Fools make Feasts, and wise Men eat them. Buy what thou hast no Need of, and ere lake | thou shalt sell thy Necessartes. If you would know the Value of Mena go and try to borrow some, for, he that goes a borrowing a goes a sorrowing. The second Vice is Lying, the frst i is running — in Debt. Lying rides upon Debt’s Back. | Poverty often deprives a Man of all Spirit ‘ang 4 THE WAY TO WEALTH 335 Virtue: ’T1s hard for an empty Bag to stand up- right. And now to conclude, Experience keeps a 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 won't be counseled, can’t be helped, as ; Poor Richard says: and farther, That 1f you will not hear Rea- son, she'll surely rap your Knuckles. THE WHISTLE To MADAME BRILLON Passy, November 10, 1779. ‘Tam charmed with your description of Para- dise, and with your plan of living there; and I approve much of your conclusion, that, in the meantime, we should draw all the good we can from this world. In my opinion, we might all draw more good from it than we do, and suffer — less evil, if we would take care not to give too ‘much for whistles. For to me it seems, that most of the unhappy people we meet with, are become so by neglect of that caution. You ask what I mean? You love stories, and will excuse my telling one of myself. When I was a child of seven year old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pocket 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 and _ gave all my money for one. I then came home, — and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my whzstle, but disturbing all the 336 THE WHISTLE 337 family. My brothers, 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; put me in mind what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money; and laughed at me so much for my folly, that I cried with vexation; and the reflection gave me more chagrin than the whistle gave me pleasure. This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnec- essary thing, I said to myself, Don’t give too much for the whistle; and I saved my money. As I grew up, came into the world, and ob- served the actions of men, I thought I met with’ many, very many, who gave too much for the whistle. When I saw one too ambitious of court favor, sacrificing his time in attendance on levees, his repose, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends, to attain it, I have said to myself, Thzs man gives too much for his whistle. When I saw another fond of popularity, con- stantly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by neglect, He pays, indeed, said I, too much for his whistle. eee If I knew a miser who gave up every kind of 338 THE WHISTLE comfortable living, all the pleasure of doing — good to others, all the esteem of his fellow citi- zens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of accumulating wealth, Poor man, said I, you pay too much for your whistle. | When I met with a man of pleasure, sacrific- ing every laudable improvement of the mind, or of his fortune, to mere corporeal sensations, and ruining his health in their pursuit, Mistaken man, said I, you are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you give too much for your whistle. If I see one fond of appearance, or fine clothes, fine houses, fine furniture, fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which he contracts debts, and ends his career in a prison, Alas! say I,. he has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle. | When I see a beautiful, sweet-tempered girl married to an ill-natured brute of a husband, ~ What a pity, say 1, that she should pay so much — for a whistle! ’ In short, I conceive that great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by the false estimates they have made of the value of things, and by their giving too much for their whistles. | Yet I ought to have charity for these unhappy people, when [I consider, that, with all this wis- dom of which I am boasting, there are certain THE WHISTLE 339 things in the world so tempting, for example, the apples of King John, which happily are not to be bought; for if they were put to sale by auction, I might very easily be led to ruin my- self in the purchase, and find that I had once more given too much for the whistle. Adieu, my.dear friend, and believe me ever yours very sincerely and with unalterable affec- tion, B. FRANKLIN. A LETTER TO SAMUEL MATHER Passy, May 12, 1784. REVD SIR, | It is now more than 60 years since I left Bos- ton, but I remember well both your father and grandfather, having heard them both in the pulpit, and seen them in their houses. The last time I saw your father was in the beginning of 1724, when I visited him after my first trip to Pennsylvania. He received me in his library, and on my taking leave showed me a shorter way out of the house through a narrow passage, which was crossed by a beam overhead. We were still talking as I withdrew, he accompanying me be- hind, and I turning partly towards him, when _ he said hastily, “ Stoop, stoop!” I did not under- stand him, till I felt my head hit against the beam. He was a man that never missed any occasion of giving instruction, and upon this he said to me, “ You are young, and have the world before you; stoop as you go through it, and you will miss many hard thumps.” This advice, thus beat into my head, has frequently been of use 340 A LETTER TO SAMUEL MATHER 341 to me; and I often think of it, when I see pride mortified, and misfortunes brought upon people by their carrying their heads too high. B. FRANKLIN. THE END BIBLIOGRAPHY THE last and most complete edition of Franklin’s works is that by the late Professor Albert H. Smyth, published in ten volumes by the Macmillan Company, New York, under the title, The Writings of Benjamin. Franklin. The other standard edition is the Works of Benjamin Franklin by John Bigelow (New York, 1887). Mr. Bigelow’s first edition of the Autobiography in one volume was published by the J. B. Lippincott Company of Philadelphia in 1868. The life of Franklin as a writer is well treated by J. B. McMaster in a volume of The American Men of Letters Series; his life as a statesman and diplomat, by J. T. Morse, American Statesmen, Series, one volume; Houghton, Mifflin Com- pany publish both books. A more exhaustive account of the life and times of Franklin may be found in James Parton’s Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin (2 vols., New York, 1864). Paul Leicester Ford’s The Many- Sided Franklin is a most chatty and readable book, replete with anecdotes and excellently and fully illus- trated. An excellent criticism by Woodrow Wilson introduces an edition of the Autobiography in The Century Classics (Century Co., New York, 1go01). In- teresting magazine articles are those of E. E. Hale, Christian Examiner, 1xxi, 447; W. P. Trent, McClure’s Magazine, viii, 273; John Hay, The Century Magazine, Ixxi, 447. See also the histories of American literature by C. F. 343 | 344 - BIBLIOGRAPHY. Richardson, Moses Coit Tyler, Brander Matthews, John Nichol, and Barrett Wendell, as well as the various en- cyclopedias. An excellent bibliography of Franklin is that of Paul Leicester Ford, entitled 4 List of Books Written by, or Relating to Benjamin Franklin (New © York, 1889). The following list of Franklin’s works contains the more interesting publications, together with the dates of first issue.. 1722. Dogood Papers. Letters in the style of Addison’s Spectator, contributed to James Franklin’s newspaper and signed “Silence Do- good.” 1729. The Busybody. A series of essays published in Bradford’s Philadelphia Weekly Mercury, six of which only are ascribed to Frank- lin. They are essays on morality, philosophy and ons: similar to the Dogood Papers. 1729. A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and N ecessity of a Paper Currency. 1732. Prefaces to Poor Richard's Almanac. to Among these are Mi ints for those that would be Rich, 1737; 1757. and Plan for saving one hundred thousand pounds to New Jersey, 1756. 1743. A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge Among the British Plantations in America. “This paper appears to contafn the first” suggestion, in ues ee form, for an American Philosophical Society.” parks 1744. An Account of the New Invented Pennsylvania Fire-Places. 1749. Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsyl- vania, Contains the plan for the school which later became the _ University of Pennsylvania. 1752. Electrical Kite. A description of the famous kite experiment, first written in a letter to Peter Collinson, dated Oct. 19, 1752, which was published later in the same year in The Gentleman’s Maga- Zine. 1754. 1755. 1758. 1760. 1760. 1764. 1766. 1773. 1773. 1777. 1782. 1782, 1785. 1786. BIBLIOGRAPHY 34.5 Plan of Union. : A plan for the union of the colonies presented to the colonial convention at Albany. A Dialogue Between X, Y and Z. An appeal to enlist in the provincial army for the defense of Pennsylvania. Father Abraham’s Speech. Published as a preface to Poor Richard’s Almanac and gathering into one writing the maxims of Poor Richard, which had already appeared in previous numbers of the Almanac. The Speech was afterwards published in pam- phlet form as the Way to Wealth. Of the Means of disposing the Enemy to Peace. A satirical plea for the prosecution of the war against France. The Interest of Great Britain Considered, with regard to her Colonies, and the Acquisitions of Canada and Guadaloupe. Cool Thoughts on the Present Situation of eur Public Affairs. A pamphlet favoring a Royal Government for Pennsylvania in exchange for that of the Proprietors. The Examination of Doctor Benjamin Franklin, etc., in The British House of Commons, Relative to The Repeal of The American Stamp Act. Rules by which A Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One. Some twenty satirical rules embodying the line of conduct England was pursuing with America, An Edict of The King of Prussia. A satire in which the King of Prussia was made to treat England as England was treating America because England was originally settled by Germans. Comparison of Great Britain and the United States in Regard to the Basis of.Credit in The Two Countries. One of several similar pamphlets written to effect loans for the American cause. On the Theory of the Earth. The best of Franklin’s papers on geology. Letter purporting to emanate from a petty German Prince and to be addressed to his officer in Command in America. On the Causes and Cure of Smoky Chimneys. Retort Courteous. Sending Felons to America. Answers to the British clamor for the payment of Amer- ican debts. 346 - BIBLIOGRAPHY 1789. Address to the Public from the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting Abolition of Slavery. 1789. An Account of the Supremest Court of J udicature in Pennsyl- vania, vis. The Court of the Press. 1790. Martin’s Account of his Consulship. A parody of a pto-slavery speech in Congress. 1791. Autobiography. The first edition. 1818. Bagatelles. The Bagatelles were first published in 1818 in William Temple Franklin’s edition of his grandfather’s works. The following are the most famous of these essays and the dates when they were written: 1774? A Parable Against Persecution. Franklin called this the LI Chapter of Genesis. 1774? A Parable on Brotherly Love. 1778. The Ephemera, an Emblem of Human Life. A new rendition of an are essay on Human Vanity. 1779. The SEiey of the Whistle. 1779? The Levee. 1779? Proposed New Version of the Bible. Part of the first chapter of Job modernized. (1779. Published) The Morals of Chess. 1780? The Handsome and Deformed Leg. 1780. Dialogue between Franklin and the Gout. — (Published in 1802.) 1802. A Petition of the Left Hand. 1806. The Art of Procuring Pleasant Dreams. pet 24 9% APR 231996 — | APR 1.5 1998) ! OE 3) 9 MM % ¥ OON094 -~ UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA B.F8311925 C001 THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN N A OU 12 013362