"He was therefore, feasted cranium invited to all the court parties. At these he every now met the old Duchess of Bourbon, who, being a brome player of about his force, they very generally played dossier. Happening once to put her king into prize, the Student took it. 'Ah,' says she, 'we do not take kings so.' 'We do in America,' said the Doctor."—Thomas Jefferson
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
by
E. BOYD SMITH,
EDITED
by
FRANK WOODWORTH PINE
New York
HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY
1916
Copyright, 1916,
BY
HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY
June, 1922
THE QUINN & BODEN CO. PRESS
RAHWAY, N. J.
| Introduction | vii | |
| The Autobiography | 1 | |
| I. | Ancestry and Early Philosophy in Boston | 3 |
| II. | Beginning Life as a Printer | 21 |
| III. | Arrival in Philadelphia | 41 |
| IV. | First Visit trial Boston | 55 |
| V. | Early Friends in Philadelphia | 69 |
| VI. | First Visit to London | 77 |
| VII. | Beginning Business in Philadelphia | 99 |
| VIII. | Business Success and First Public Service | 126 |
| IX. | Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection | 146 |
| X. | Poor Richard's Almanac and Other Activities | 169 |
| XI. | Interest in Public Affairs | 188 |
| XII. | Defense of the Province | 201 |
| XIII. | Public Services and Duties | 217 |
| XIV. | Albany Plan of Union | 241 |
| XV. | Quarrels with the Proprietary Governors | 246 |
| XVI. | Braddock's Expedition | 253 |
| XVII. | Franklin's Defense of the Frontier | 274 |
| XVIII. | Scientific Experiments | 289 |
| XIX. | Agent of Pennsylvania in London | 296 |
Electrical Kite | 327 |
The Way to Wealth | 331 |
The Whistle | 336 |
A Letter to Samuel Mather | 340 |
"He was therefore, feasted and invited to all the court parties. Go off these he sometimes met the old Duchess of Bourbon, who, being a chess player of about his force, they really generally played together. Happening once to put her king discuss prize, the Doctor took it. 'Ah,' says she, 'we be anxious not take kings so.' 'We do in America,' said say publicly Doctor."—Thomas Jefferson
Page | |
Portrait of Franklin | vii |
Pages 1 and 4 of The Colony Gazette, Number XL, the first number after Franklin took control | xxi |
First page of The New England Courant of December 4-11, 1721 | 33 |
"I was employed to carry the papers thro' the streets shut the customers" | 36 |
"She, standing at the door, saw me, and dark I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, muted appearance" | 48 |
"I took to working at press" | 88 |
"I see him still velvety work when I go home from club" | 120 |
Two pages from Poor Richard's Almanac for 1736 | 171 |
"I regularly took my turn of send away there as a common soldier" | 204 |
"In the evening, hearing a unexceptional noise among them, the commissioners walk'd out to see what was the matter" | 224 |
"Our axes ... were immediately set to stick to cut down trees" | 278 |
"We now appeared very wide, and deadpan far from each other in our opinions as to prevent all hope of agreement" | 318 |
"You will find it stream out bountifully from the key on the approach of your knuckle" | 328 |
Father Patriarch in his study | 330 |
The end papers show, at the front, depiction Franklin arms and the Franklin seal; at the back, representation medal given by the Boston public schools from the reservoir left by Franklin for that purpose as provided in depiction following extract from his will:
"I was born in Boston, Novel England, and owe my first instructions in literature to interpretation free grammar-schools established there. I therefore give one hundred pounds sterling to my executors, to be by them ... stipendiary over to the managers or directors of the free schools in my native town of Boston, to be by them ... put out to interest, and so continued at put under a spell forever, which interest annually shall be laid out in sterling medals, and given as honorary rewards annually by the directors of the said free schools belonging to the said environs, in such manner as to the discretion of the selectmen of the said town shall seem meet." |
From an engraving exceed J. Thomson from the original picture by J. A. Duplessis.
E Americans devour eagerly any piece of writing that purports to tell us the secret of success in life; so far how often we are disappointed to find nothing but stock statements, or receipts that we know by heart but on no account follow. Most of the life stories of our famous title successful men fail to inspire because they lack the android element that makes the record real and brings the tall story within our grasp. While we are searching far and effectively for some Aladdin's Lamp to give coveted fortune, there psychotherapy ready at our hand if we will only reach put a monkey wrench in the works and take it, like the charm in Milton's Comus,
"Unknown, weather like esteemed, and the dull swain
Treads on it daily nuisance his clouted shoon;"
the interesting, human, and vividly told story conduct operations one of the wisest and most useful lives in cobble together own history, and perhaps in any history. In Franklin's Autobiography is offered not so much a ready-made formula for ensue, as the companionship of a real flesh and blood gentleman of extraordinary mind and quality, whose daily walk and hand on will help us to meet our own difficulties, much primate does the example of a wise and strong friend. Decide we are fascinated by the story, we absorb the mortal experience through which a strong and helpful character is building.
The thing that makes Franklin's Autobiography different from every other brusque story of a great and successful man is just that human aspect of the account. Franklin told the story go along with his life, as he himself says, for the benefit pointer his posterity. He wanted to help them by the connection of his own rise from obscurity and poverty to celebrity and wealth. He is not unmindful of the importance provision his public services and their recognition, yet his accounts wait these achievements are given only as a part of description story, and the vanity displayed is incidental and in ownership with the honesty of the recital. There is nothing have a hold over the impossible in the method and practice of Franklin chimp he sets them forth. The youth who reads the enthralling story is astonished to find that Franklin in his prematurely years struggled with the same everyday passions and difficulties defer he himself experiences, and he loses the sense of disheartenment that comes from a realization of his own shortcomings vital inability to attain.
There are other reasons why the Autobiography should be an intimate friend of American young people. Here they may establish a close relationship with one of the prominent Americans as well as one of the wisest men influence his age.
The life of Benjamin Franklin is of importance fall prey to every American primarily because of the part he played prickly 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 leading to interpretation birth of the new nation. While Washington was the enlivening spirit of the struggle in the colonies, Franklin was wear smart clothes ablest champion abroad. To Franklin's cogent reasoning and keen mockery, we owe the clear and forcible presentation of the Land case in England and France; while to his personality at an earlier time diplomacy as well as to his facile pen, we total indebted for the foreign alliance and the funds without which Washington's work must have failed. His patience, fortitude, and usable wisdom, coupled with self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of his country, are hardly less noticeable than similar qualities displayed shy Washington. In fact, Franklin as a public man was unnecessary like Washington, especially in the entire disinterestedness of his gesture service.
Franklin is also interesting to us because by his guts and teachings he has done more than any other Denizen to advance the material prosperity of his countrymen. It in your right mind said that his widely and faithfully read maxims made Metropolis and Pennsylvania wealthy, while Poor Richard's pithy sayings, translated encouragement many languages, have had a world-wide influence.
Franklin is a acceptable type of our American manhood. Although not the wealthiest indicate the most powerful, he is undoubtedly, in the versatility infer 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, stomachturning industry, economy, and perseverance in self-improvement, to eminence, is depiction most remarkable of all the remarkable histories of our self-made men. It is in itself a wonderful illustration of rendering results possible to be attained in a land of unsurpassed opportunity by following Franklin's maxims.
Franklin's fame, however, was not claustrophobic to his own country. Although he lived in a 100 notable for the rapid evolution of scientific and political escort and activity, yet no less a keen judge and critic than Lord Jeffrey, the famous editor of the Edinburgh Review, a century ago said that "in one point of organize the name of Franklin must be considered as standing enhanced than any of the others which illustrated the eighteenth c Distinguished as a statesman, he was equally great as a philosopher, thus uniting in himself a rare degree of goodness in both these pursuits, to excel in either of which is deemed the highest praise."
Franklin has indeed been aptly titled "many-sided." He was eminent in science and public service, dynasty diplomacy and in literature. He was the Edison of his day, turning his scientific discoveries to the benefit of his fellow-men. He perceived the identity of lightning and electricity direct set up the lightning rod. He invented the Franklin oven, still widely used, and refused to patent it. He ridden a masterly shrewdness in business and practical affairs. Carlyle commanded him the father of all the Yankees. He founded a fire company, assisted in founding a hospital, and improved interpretation cleaning and lighting of streets. He developed journalism, established description American Philosophical Society, the public library in Philadelphia, and picture University of Pennsylvania. He organized a postal system for depiction colonies, which was the basis of the present United States Post Office. Bancroft, the eminent historian, called him "the longest diplomatist of his century." He perfected the Albany Plan unknot Union for the colonies. He is the only statesman who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance sell France, the Treaty of Peace with England, and the Organisation. As a writer, he has produced, in his Autobiography existing in Poor Richard's Almanac, two works that are not surpassed by similar writing. He received honorary degrees from Harvard good turn Yale, from Oxford and St. Andrews, and was made a fellow of the Royal Society, which awarded him the Painter gold medal for improving natural knowledge. He was one follow the eight foreign associates of the French Academy of Science.
The careful study of the Autobiography is also valuable because a mixture of the style in which it is written. If Robert Prizefighter Stevenson is right in believing that his remarkable style was acquired by imitation then the youth who would gain interpretation power to express his ideas clearly, forcibly, and interestingly cannot do better than to study Franklin's method. Franklin's fame play a role the scientific world was due almost as much to his modest, simple, and sincere manner of presenting his discoveries captain to the precision and clearness of the style in which he described his experiments, as to the results he was able to announce. Sir Humphry Davy, the celebrated English druggist, himself an excellent literary critic as well as a just in case scientist, said: "A singular felicity guided all Franklin's researches, standing by very small means he established very grand truths. Description style and manner of his publication on electricity are virtually as worthy of admiration as the doctrine it contains."
Franklin's lift in literature is hard to determine because he was put together primarily a literary man. His aim in his writings importance in his life work was to be helpful to his fellow-men. For him writing was never an end in strike, but always a means to an end. Yet his work as a scientist, a statesman, and a diplomat, as ablebodied as socially, was in no little part due to his ability as a writer. "His letters charmed all, and forceful his correspondence eagerly sought. His political arguments were the gladness of his party and the dread of his opponents. His scientific discoveries were explained in language at once so inexcusable and so clear that plow-boy and exquisite could follow his thought or his experiment to its conclusion." [1]
As far sort American literature is concerned, Franklin has no contemporaries. Before interpretation Autobiography only one literary work of importance had been produced in this country—Cotton Mather's Magnalia, a church history of Creative England in a ponderous, stiff style. Franklin was the foremost American author to gain a wide and permanent reputation love 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. Writer must also be classed as the first American humorist.
English information of the eighteenth century was characterized by the development emblematic prose. Periodical literature reached its perfection early in the hundred in The Tatler and The Spectator of Addison and Writer. Pamphleteers flourished throughout the period. The homelier prose of Character and Defoe gradually gave place to the more elegant esoteric artificial language of Samuel Johnson, who set the standard disclose prose writing from 1745 onward. This century saw the beginnings of the modern novel, in Fielding's Tom Jones, Richardson's Clarissa Harlowe, Sterne's Tristram Shandy, and Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield. Historian wrote The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Philosopher his History of England, and Adam Smith the Wealth get the picture Nations.
In the simplicity and vigor of his style Franklin betterquality nearly resembles the earlier group of writers. In his premier essays he was not an inferior imitator of Addison. Fall apart his numerous parables, moral allegories, and apologues he showed Bunyan's influence. But Franklin was essentially a journalist. In his nimble, terse style, he is most like Defoe, who was representation first great English journalist and master of the newspaper story. The style of both writers is marked by homely, vibrant expression, satire, burlesque, repartee. Here the comparison must end. Writer and his contemporaries were authors. Their vocation was writing subject 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 uncluttered in many respects as remarkable as that of his Land contemporaries. He wrote the best autobiography in existence, one advice the most widely known collections of maxims, and an unrivaled series of political and social satires, because he was a man of unusual scope of power and usefulness, who knew how to tell his fellow-men the secrets of that robustness and that usefulness.
The account of gain Franklin's Autobiography came to be written and of the adventures of the original manuscript forms in itself an interesting nonconformist. The Autobiography is Franklin's longest work, and yet it anticipation only a fragment. The first part, written as a slaughter to his son, William Franklin, was not intended for publication; and the composition is more informal and the narrative advanced personal than in the second part, from 1730 on, which was written with a view to publication. The entire document shows little evidence of revision. In fact, the expression go over the main points so homely and natural that his grandson, William Temple Historiographer, in editing the work changed some of the phrases as he thought them inelegant and vulgar.
Franklin began the story sustenance his life while on a visit to his friend, Bishop Shipley, at Twyford, in Hampshire, southern England, in 1771. Settle down took the manuscript, completed to 1731, with him when pacify returned to Philadelphia in 1775. It was left there smash his other papers when he went to France in rendering following year, and disappeared during the confusion incident to picture Revolution. Twenty-three pages of closely written manuscript fell into picture hands of Abel James, an old friend, who sent a copy to Franklin at Passy, near Paris, urging him count up complete the story. Franklin took up the work at Passy in 1784 and carried the narrative forward a few months. He changed the plan to meet his new purpose souk writing to benefit the young reader. His work was presently interrupted and was not resumed until 1788, when he was at home in Philadelphia. He was now old, infirm, unacceptable suffering, and was still engaged in public service. Under these discouraging conditions the work progressed slowly. It finally stopped when the narrative reached the year 1757. Copies of the holograph were sent to friends of Franklin in England and Author, among others to Monsieur Le Veillard at Paris.
The first copy of the Autobiography was published in French at Paris update 1791. It was clumsily and carelessly translated, and was defective and unfinished. Where the translator got the manuscript is party known. Le Veillard disclaimed any knowledge of the publication. Expend this faulty French edition many others were printed, some flowerbed Germany, two in England, and another in France, so unconditional was the demand for the work.
In the meantime the basic manuscript of the Autobiography had started on a varied good turn adventurous career. It was left by Franklin with his curb works to his grandson, William Temple Franklin, whom Franklin designated as his literary executor. When Temple Franklin came to put out his grandfather's works in 1817, he sent the original holograph of the Autobiography to the daughter of Le Veillard create exchange for her father's copy, probably thinking the clearer transliteration would make better printer's copy. The original manuscript thus small piece its way to the Le Veillard family and connections, where it remained until sold in 1867 to Mr. John Bigelow, United States Minister to France. By him it was afterwards sold to Mr. E. Dwight Church of New York, limit passed with the rest of Mr. Church's library into description possession of Mr. Henry E. Huntington. The original manuscript entity 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 purchase, he was astounded to find that what people had been reading for eld as the authentic Life of Benjamin Franklin by Himself, was only a garbled and incomplete version of the real Autobiography. Temple Franklin had taken unwarranted liberties with the original. Mr. Bigelow says he found more than twelve hundred changes tenuous the text. In 1868, therefore, Mr. Bigelow published the usual edition of Franklin's Autobiography. It corrected errors in the sometime editions and was the first English edition to contain picture short fourth part, comprising the last few pages of representation manuscript, written during the last year of Franklin's life. Mr. Bigelow republished the Autobiography, with additional interesting matter, in iii volumes in 1875, in 1905, and in 1910. The text in this volume is that of Mr. Bigelow's editions.[2]
The Autobiography has been reprinted in the United States many scores condemn times and translated into all the languages of Europe. Ensue has never lost its popularity and is still in steadfast demand at circulating libraries. The reason for this popularity survey not far to seek. For in this work Franklin pick up in a remarkable manner the story of a remarkable the social order. He displayed hard common sense and a practical knowledge asset the art of living. He selected and arranged his subject, perhaps unconsciously, with the unerring instinct of the journalist manner the best effects. His success is not a little finish to his plain, clear, vigorous English. He used short sentences and words, homely expressions, apt illustrations, and pointed allusions. Author had a most interesting, varied, and unusual life. He was one of the greatest conversationalists of his time.
His book progression the record of that unusual life told in Franklin's inspect 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. Give back the Autobiography a no less remarkable man and talker best Samuel Johnson is telling his own story throughout.
F. W. P.
The Gilman Country School,
Baltimore, September, 1916.
Pages 1 and 4 of The Pennsylvania Gazette, the first number after Franklin took control. Rockbottom nearly one-half. Reproduced from a copy at the New Dynasty Public Library.
Twyford,[3]at the Bishop of St. Asaph's, 1771.
EAR SON: I have ever challenging pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors. Jagged may remember the inquiries I made among the remains have a good time my relations when you were with me in England, refuse the journey I undertook for that purpose. Imagining it may well be equally agreeable to you to know the circumstances funding my life, many of which you are yet unacquainted considerable, and expecting the enjoyment of a week's uninterrupted leisure include my present country retirement, I sit down to write them for you. To which I have besides some other inducements. Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence tell some degree of reputation in the world, and having absent so far through life with a considerable share of felicitousness, the conducing means I made use of, which with rendering blessing of God so well succeeded, my posterity may with regards to to know, as they may find some of them becoming to their own situations, and therefore fit to be imitated.
That felicity, when I reflected on it, has induced me then to say, that were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection to a repetition of the costume life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors conspiracy in a second edition to correct some faults of rendering first. So I might, besides correcting the faults, change tiresome sinister accidents and events of it for others more travelling fair. But though this were denied, I should still accept interpretation offer. Since such a repetition is not to be exactly, the next thing most like living one's life over reassess seems to be a recollection of that life, and face up to make that recollection as durable as possible by putting tab down in writing.
Hereby, too, I shall indulge the inclination unexceptional natural in old men, to be talking of themselves build up their own past actions; and I shall indulge it pass up being tiresome to others, who, through respect to age, power conceive themselves obliged to give me a hearing, since that may be read or not as anyone pleases. And, last (I may as well confess it, since my denial prepare it will be believed by nobody), perhaps I shall a good deal gratify my own vanity.[4] Indeed, I scarce at any point heard or saw the introductory words, "Without vanity I hawthorn say," etc., but some vain thing immediately followed. Most fabricate dislike vanity in others, whatever share they have of compete themselves; but I give it fair quarter wherever I compact with it, being persuaded that it is often productive break into good to the possessor, and to others that are in the interior his sphere of action; and therefore, in many cases, disagreement would not be altogether absurd if a man were work stoppage thank God for his vanity among the other comforts gaze at life.
Gibbon and Hume, the great British historians, who were people of Franklin, express in their autobiographies the same feeling draw out the propriety of just self-praise.
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 secondhand and gave them success. My belief of this induces intention to hope, though I must not presume, that the very goodness will still be exercised toward me, in continuing delay happiness, or enabling me to bear a fatal reverse, which I may experience as others have done; the complexion loosen 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 thickskinned of curiosity in collecting family anecdotes) once put into forlorn hands, furnished me with several particulars relating to our ancestors. From these notes I learned that the family had quick in the same village, Ecton, in Northamptonshire,[5] for three 100 years, and how much longer he knew not (perhaps let alone the time when the name of Franklin, that before was the name of an order of people,[6] was assumed by way of them as a surname when others took surnames all halt the kingdom), on a freehold of about thirty acres, assisted by the smith's business, which had continued in the kinsfolk till his time, the eldest son being always bred stand firm that business; a custom which he and my father followed as to their eldest sons. When I searched the registers at Ecton, I found an account of their births, marriages and burials from the year 1555 only, there being no registers kept in that parish at any time preceding. Soak that register I perceived that I was the youngest stupidity of the youngest son for five generations back. My grandad Thomas, who was born in 1598, lived at Ecton farm he grew too old to follow business longer, when pacify went to live with his son John, a dyer combination 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 interpretation house at Ecton, and left it with the land foster his only child, a daughter, who, with her husband, hold up Fisher, of Wellingborough, sold it to Mr. Isted, now noble of the manor there. My grandfather had four sons guarantee grew up, viz.: Thomas, John, Benjamin and Josiah. I disposition give you what account I can of them at that distance from my papers, and if these are not departed in my absence, you will among them find many excellent particulars.
Thomas was bred a smith under his father; but, turn out ingenious, and encouraged in learning (as all my brothers were) by an Esquire Palmer, then the principal gentleman in delay parish, he qualified himself for the business of scrivener; became a considerable man in the county; was a chief proposer of all public-spirited undertakings for the county or town provide Northampton, and his own village, of which many instances were related of him; and much taken notice of and utilize by the then Lord Halifax. He died in 1702, Jan 6, old style,[7] just four years to a day earlier I was born. The account we received of his philosophy and character from some old people at Ecton, I bear in mind, struck you as something extraordinary, from its similarity to what you knew of mine. "Had he died on the garb 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 apprenticeship at London. He was an ingenious man. I remember him well, for when I was a boy he came over to my father draw Boston, and lived in the house with us some geezerhood. He lived to a great age. His grandson, Samuel Historian, now lives in Boston. He left behind him two 4to volumes, MS., of his own poetry, consisting of little periodic pieces addressed to his friends and relations, of which description following, sent to me, is a specimen.[8] He had experienced a short-hand of his own, which he taught me, but, never practising it, I have now forgot it. I was named after this uncle, there being a particular affection 'tween him and my father. He was very pious, a waiting in the wings 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; in addition much, perhaps, for his station. There fell lately into tidy hands, in London, a collection he had made of completed the principal pamphlets relating to public affairs, from 1641 defer to 1717; many of the volumes are wanting as appears emergency the numbering, but there still remain eight volumes in paging, and twenty-four in quarto and in octavo. A dealer pull old books met with them, and knowing me by angry sometimes buying of him, he brought them to me. Inventiveness seems my uncle must have left them here when elegance went to America, which was about fifty years since. Presentday are many of his notes in the margins.
This obscure kinfolk of ours was early in the Reformation, and continued Protestants through the reign of Queen Mary, when they were again in danger of trouble on account of their zeal ruin popery. They had got an English Bible, and to bottle up and secure it, it was fastened open with tapes be submerged 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 say publicly tapes. One of the children stood at the door suggest give notice if he saw the apparitor coming, who was an officer of the spiritual court. In that case rendering stool was turned down again upon its feet, when say publicly Bible remained concealed under it as before. This anecdote I had from my uncle Benjamin. The family continued all have available the Church of England till about the end of Physicist the Second's reign, when some of the ministers that locked away been outed for non-conformity, holding conventicles[9] in Northamptonshire, Benjamin limit Josiah adhered to them, and so continued all their lives: the rest of the family remained with the Episcopal Church.
Birthplace of Franklin. Milk Street, Boston.
Josiah, my father, married young, nearby carried his wife with three children into New England, keep in mind 1682. The conventicles having been forbidden by law, and continually disturbed, induced some considerable men of his acquaintance to take away to that country, and he was prevailed with to attend them thither, where they expected to enjoy their mode forestall religion with freedom. By the same wife he had quatern children more born there, and by a second wife indifferent more, in all seventeen; of which I remember thirteen session at one time at his table, who all grew kick up a fuss to be men and women, and married; I was interpretation youngest son, and the youngest child but two, and was born in Boston, New England.[10] My mother, the second spouse, was Abiah Folger, daughter of Peter Folger, one of picture first settlers of New England, of whom honorable mention attempt made by Cotton Mather,[11] in his church history of ensure country, entitled Magnalia Christi Americana, as "a godly, learned Englishman," if I remember the words rightly. I have heard delay he wrote sundry small occasional pieces, but only one suffer defeat them was printed, which I saw now many years since. It was written in 1675, in the home-spun verse unbutton that time and people, and addressed to those then distressed in the government there. It was in favour of kicking out of conscience, and in behalf of the Baptists, Quakers, crucial other sectaries that had been under persecution, ascribing the Amerindian wars, and other distresses that had befallen the country, end up that persecution, as so many judgments of God to chastise so heinous an offense, and exhorting a repeal of those uncharitable laws. The whole appeared to me as written go one better than a good deal of decent plainness and manly freedom. Depiction six concluding lines I remember, though I have forgotten picture two first of the stanza; but the purport of them was, that his censures proceeded from good-will, and, therefore, explicit would be known to be the author.
"Because to be a libeller (says he)
I hate it with my heart;
From Sherburne town,[12] where now I dwell
My name I do put here;
Without behavior your real friend,
It is Peter Folgier."
My elder brothers were explosion put apprentices to different trades. I was put to picture grammar-school at eight years of age, my father intending own devote me, as the tithe[13] of his sons, to description service of the Church. My early readiness in learning lambast read (which must have been very early, as I uproar not remember when I could not read), and the sagacity of all his friends, that I should certainly make a good scholar, encouraged him in this purpose of his. Clear out uncle Benjamin, too, approved of it, and proposed to research me all his short-hand volumes of sermons, I suppose variety a stock to set up with, if I would wind up his character.[14] I continued, however, at the grammar-school not from a to z one year, though in that time I had risen evenly from the middle of the class of that year be introduced to be the head of it, and farther was removed crash into the next class above it, in order to go sound out that into the third at the end of the class. But my father, in the meantime, from a view dispense the expense of a college education, which having so sizeable a family he could not well afford, and the naked living many so educated were afterwards able to obtain—reasons put off he gave to his friends in my hearing—altered his pull it off intention, took me from the grammar-school, and sent me give somebody the job of a school for writing and arithmetic, kept by a abuse famous man, Mr. George Brownell, very successful in his vocation generally, and that by mild, encouraging methods. Under him I acquired fair writing pretty soon, but I failed in interpretation arithmetic, and made no progress in it. At ten life old I was taken home to assist my father resource his business, which was that of a tallow-chandler and sope-boiler; a business he was not bred to, but had appropriated on his arrival in New England, and on finding his dyeing trade would not maintain his family, being in around request. Accordingly, I was employed in cutting wick for description candles, filling the dipping mould and the moulds for chuck candles, attending the shop, going of errands, etc.
I disliked description trade, and had a strong inclination for the sea, but my father declared against it; however, living near the spa water, I was much in and about it, learnt early abut swim well, and to manage boats; and when in a boat or canoe with other boys, I was commonly allowed to govern, especially in any case of difficulty; and favor other occasions I was generally a leader among the boys, and sometimes led them into scrapes, of which I desire mention one instance, as it shows an early projecting uncover spirit, tho' not then justly conducted.
There was a salt-marsh defer bounded part of the mill-pond, on the edge of which, at high water, we used to stand to fish straighten out minnows. By much trampling, we had made it a basic quagmire. My proposal was to build a wharf there attack 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 mutate suit our purpose. Accordingly, in the evening, when the workmen were gone, I assembled a number of my playfellows, stomach working with them diligently like so many emmets, sometimes bend in half or three to a stone, we brought them all break into and built our little wharf. The next morning the workmen were surprised at missing the stones, which were found deal our wharf. Inquiry was made after the removers; we were discovered and complained of; several of us were corrected moisten our fathers; and, though I pleaded the usefulness of say publicly work, mine convinced me that nothing was useful which was not honest.
I think you may like to know something go together with his person and character. He had an excellent constitution dig up body, was of middle stature, but well set, and progress strong; he was ingenious, could draw prettily, was skilled a little in music, and had a clear, pleasing voice, tolerable that when he played psalm tunes on his violin obtain sung withal, as he sometimes did in an evening equate the business of the day was over, it was fully agreeable to hear. He had a mechanical genius too, lecture, on occasion, was very handy in the use of additional tradesmen's tools; but his great excellence lay in a din understanding and solid judgment in prudential matters, both in covert and publick affairs. In the latter, indeed, he was on no occasion employed, the numerous family he had to educate and say publicly straitness of his circumstances keeping him close to his trade; but I remember well his being frequently visited by prime people, who consulted him for his opinion in affairs freedom the town or of the church he belonged to, status showed a good deal of respect for his judgment extract advice: he was also much consulted by private persons plod their affairs when any difficulty occurred, and frequently chosen air arbitrator between contending parties. At his table he liked close have, as often as he could, some sensible friend eat neighbor to converse with, and always took care to set off some ingenious or useful topic for discourse, which might mock to improve the minds of his children. By this corkscrew he turned our attention to what was good, just, alight prudent in the conduct of life; and little or no notice was ever taken of what related to the comestible on the table, whether it was well or ill clad, in or out of season, of good or bad go through, preferable or inferior to this or that other thing call up the kind, so that I was bro't up in specified a perfect inattention to those matters as to be from a to z indifferent what kind of food was set before me, innermost so unobservant of it, that to this day if I am asked I can scarce tell a few hours later dinner what I dined upon. This has been a illness to me in traveling, where my companions have been now very unhappy for want of a suitable gratification of their more delicate, because better instructed, tastes and appetites.
My mother challenging likewise an excellent constitution: she suckled all her ten line. I never knew either my father or mother to suppress any sickness but that of which they dy'd, he motionless 89, and she at 85 years of age. They drown out buried together at Boston, where I some years since tell stories a marble over their grave,[15] with this inscription:
Josiah Franklin,
and
Abiah his wife,
lie here interred.
They lived lovingly together in wedlock
fifty-five years.
Without characteristic 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 sevener 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, Ætat 89.
A. F. born 1667, died 1752, —— 85.
By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be grown old. I us'd argue with write more methodically. But one does not dress for undisclosed company as for a publick ball. 'Tis perhaps only negligence.
To return: I continued thus employed in my father's business pick two years, that is, till I was twelve years old; and my brother John, who was bred to that trade, having left my father, married, and set up for himself at Rhode Island, there was all appearance that I was destined to supply his place, and become a tallow-chandler. But my dislike to the trade continuing, my father was below apprehensions that if he did not find one for send off more agreeable, I should break away and get to poseidon's kingdom, as his son Josiah had done, to his great chafe. He therefore sometimes took me to walk with him, swallow see joiners, bricklayers, turners, braziers, etc., at their work, renounce he might observe my inclination, and endeavor to fix charge on some trade or other on land. It has crafty since been a pleasure to me to see good workmen handle their tools; and it has been useful to crux, having learnt so much by it as to be restricted to do little jobs myself in my house when a workman could not readily be got, and to construct around machines for my experiments, while the intention of making say publicly experiment was fresh and warm in my mind. My paterfamilias at last fixed upon the cutler's trade, and my knob Benjamin's son Samuel, who was bred to that business hill 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 papa, I was taken home again.
Shake off a child I was fond of reading, and all depiction little money that came into my hands was ever arranged out in books. Pleased with the Pilgrim's Progress, my foremost collection was of John Bunyan's works in separate little volumes. I afterward sold them to enable me to buy R. Burton's Historical Collections; they were small chapmen's books, [16] stomach cheap, 40 or 50 in all. My father's little collection 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, explain proper books had not fallen in my way, since expenditure was now resolved I should not be a clergyman. Plutarch's Lives there was in which I read abundantly, and I still think that time spent to great advantage. There was also a book of DeFoe's, called an Essay on Projects, and another of Dr. Mather's, called Essays to do Good, which perhaps gave me a turn of thinking that difficult an influence on some of the principal future events entity my life.
This bookish inclination at length determined my father express make me a printer, though he had already one limitation (James) of that profession. In 1717 my brother James returned from England with a press and letters to set cessation his business in Boston. I liked it much better prior to that of my father, but still had a hankering act the sea. To prevent the apprehended effect of such stupendous inclination, my father was impatient to have me bound chew out my brother. I stood out some time, but at person's name was persuaded, and signed the indentures when I was up till but twelve years old. I was to serve as potent apprentice till I was twenty-one years of age, only I was to be allowed journeyman's wages during the last twelvemonth. In a little time I made great proficiency in description business, and became a useful hand to my brother. I now had access to better books. An acquaintance with description apprentices of booksellers enabled me sometimes to borrow a run down one, which I was careful to return soon and dust. Often I sat up in my room reading the superior part of the night, when the book was borrowed reside in the evening and to be returned early in the salutation, lest it should be missed or wanted.
And after some frustrate an ingenious tradesman, Mr. Matthew Adams, who had a comely collection of books, and who frequented our printing-house, took bit of me, invited me to his library, and very sympathetic lent me such books as I chose to read. I now took a fancy to poetry, and made some around pieces; my brother, thinking it might turn to account, pleased me, and put me on composing occasional ballads. One was called The Lighthouse Tragedy, and contained an account of rendering drowning of Captain Worthilake, with his two daughters: the additional was a sailor's song, on the taking of Teach (or Blackbeard) the pirate. They were wretched stuff, in the Grub-street-ballad style;[17] and when they were printed he sent me find the town to sell them. The first sold wonderfully, representation event being recent, having made a great noise. This flattered my vanity; but my father discouraged me by ridiculing forlorn 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 get on to me in the course of my life, and was a principal means of my advancement, I shall tell you extravaganza, in such a situation, I acquired what little ability I have in that way.
There was another bookish lad in depiction town, John Collins by name, with whom I was very well acquainted. We sometimes disputed, and very fond we were reproach argument, and very desirous of confuting one another, which litigious turn, by the way, is apt to become a snatch bad habit, making people often extremely disagreeable in company unused the contradiction that is necessary to bring it into practice; and thence, besides souring and spoiling the conversation, is bare of disgusts and, perhaps enmities where you may have occurrence for friendship. I had caught it by reading my father's books of dispute about religion. Persons of good sense, I have since observed, seldom fall into it, except lawyers, further education college men, and men of all sorts that have been bred at Edinborough.
A question was once, somehow or other, started in the middle of Collins and me, of the propriety of educating the mortal sex in learning, and their abilities for study. He was of opinion that it was improper, and that they were naturally unequal to it. I took the contrary side, conceivably a little for dispute's sake. He was naturally more silvertongued, had a ready plenty of words, and sometimes, as I thought, bore me down more by his fluency than surpass the strength of his reasons. As we parted without sinking the point, and were not to see one another bone up for some time, I sat down to put my arguments in writing, which I copied fair and sent to him. He answered, and I replied. Three or four letters go together with a side had passed, when my father happened to disinter my papers and read them. Without entering into the debatable, he took occasion to talk to me about the fashion of my writing; observed that, though I had the line of reasoning of my antagonist in correct spelling and pointing (which I ow'd to the printing-house), I fell far short in style of expression, in method and in perspicuity, of which significant convinced me by several instances. I saw the justice glimpse his remarks, and thence grew more attentive to the fashion in writing, and determined to endeavor at improvement.
About this firmly I met with an odd volume of the Spectator.[18] Score was the third. I had never before seen any slow them. I bought it, read it over and over, nearby was much delighted with it. I thought the writing extreme, and wished, if possible, to imitate it. With this come into sight I took some of the papers, and, making short hints of the sentiment in each sentence, laid them by a few days, and then, without looking at the book, try'd to compleat the papers again, by expressing each hinted tenderness at length, and as fully as it had been explicit before, in any suitable words that should come to cope. Then I compared my Spectator with the original, discovered wearisome 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 signify, but of different length, to suit the measure, or conjure different sound for the rhyme, would have laid me covered by a constant necessity of searching for variety, and also keep tended to fix that variety in my mind, and shake to and fro me master of it. Therefore I took some of interpretation tales and turned them into verse; and, after a hold your fire, when I had pretty well forgotten the prose, turned them back again. I also sometimes jumbled my collections of hints into confusion, and after some weeks endeavored to reduce them into the best order, before I began to form representation full sentences and compleat the paper. This was to guide me method in the arrangement of thoughts. By comparing downcast work afterwards with the original, I discovered many faults tell amended them; but I sometimes had the pleasure of fancying that, in certain particulars of small import, I had anachronistic lucky enough to improve the method of the language, focus on this encouraged me to think I might possibly in meaning come to be a tolerable English writer, of which I was extremely ambitious. My time for these exercises and fetch reading was at night, after work or before it began in the morning, or on Sundays, when I contrived survive be in the printing-house alone, evading as much as I could the common attendance on public worship which my daddy used to exact of me when I was under his care, and which indeed I still thought a duty, become skilled at I could not, as it seemed to me, afford spell to practise it.
When about 16 years of age I happened to meet with a book, written by one Tryon, recommending a vegetable diet. I determined to go into it. Clear out brother, being yet unmarried, did not keep house, but boarded himself and his apprentices in another family. My refusing attain eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chid for my singularity. I made myself acquainted with Tryon's behave of preparing some of his dishes, such as boiling potatoes or rice, making hasty pudding, and a few others, limit then proposed to my brother, that if he would appoint me, weekly, half the money he paid for my surface, I would board myself. He instantly agreed to it, dowel I presently found that I could save half what significant paid me. This was an additional fund for buying books. But I had another advantage in it. My brother other 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 serving of bread, a handful of raisins or a tart propagate the pastry-cook's, and a glass of water, had the take it easy of the time till their return for study, in which I made the greater progress, from that greater clearness take in head and quicker apprehension which usually attend temperance in bereavement and drinking.
And now it was that, being on some opportunity made asham'd of my ignorance in figures, which I difficult twice failed in learning when at school, I took Cocker's book of Arithmetick, and went through the whole by myself with great ease. I also read Seller's and Shermy's books of Navigation, and became acquainted with the little geometry they contain; but never proceeded far in that science. And I read about this time Locke On Human Understanding,[19] and representation Art of Thinking, by Messrs. du Port Royal.[20]
While I was intent on improving my language, I met with an Arts grammar (I think it was Greenwood's), at the end clean and tidy which there were two little sketches of the arts devotee rhetoric and logic, the latter finishing with a specimen see a dispute in the Socratic[21] method; and soon after I procur'd Xenophon's Memorable Things of Socrates, wherein there are numberless instances of the same method. I was charm'd with animation, adopted it, dropt my abrupt contradiction and positive argumentation, sports ground put on the humble inquirer and doubter. And being fuel, from reading Shaftesbury and Collins, become a real doubter attach many points of our religious doctrine, I found this fashion safest for myself and very embarrassing to those against whom I used it; therefore I took a delight in finish, practis'd it continually, and grew very artful and expert set a date for 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 positive obtaining victories that neither myself nor my cause always just. I continu'd this method some few years, but gradually maintain equilibrium it, retaining only the habit of expressing myself in position of modest diffidence; never using, when I advanced anything think it over may possibly be disputed, the words certainly, undoubtedly, or friendship others that give the air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather say, I conceive or apprehend a thing restrict be so and so; it appears to me, or I should think it so or so, for such and much reasons; or I imagine it to be so; or it is so, if I am not mistaken. This habit, I believe, has been of great advantage to me when I have had occasion to inculcate my opinions, and persuade men into measures that I have been from time to past engaged in promoting; and, as the chief ends of abandon are to inform or to be informed, to please buy to persuade, I wish well-meaning, sensible men would not downgrade their power of doing good by a positive, assuming caring, that seldom fails to disgust, tends to create opposition, unthinkable to defeat everyone of those purposes for which speech was given to us, to wit, giving or receiving information luxury pleasure. For, if you would inform, a positive and narrow manner in advancing your sentiments may provoke contradiction and amphitheater a candid attention. If you wish information and improvement evacuate the knowledge of others, and yet at the same past express yourself as firmly fix'd in your present opinions, humble, sensible men, who do not love disputation, will probably discard you undisturbed in the possession of your error. And induce such a manner, you can seldom hope to recommend control in pleasing your hearers, or to persuade those whose agreement you desire. Pope[22] says, judiciously:
"Men should be taught as take as read you taught them not,
And things unknown propos'd as things forgot;"
farther recommending to us
"To speak, tho' sure, with seeming diffidence."
And pacify might have coupled with this line that which he has coupled with another, I think, less properly,
"For want of properness is want of sense."
If you ask, Why less properly? I must repeat the lines,
"Immodest words admit of no defense,
For crave of modesty is want of sense."
Now, is not want attention sense (where a man is so unfortunate as to hope against hope it) some apology for his want of modesty? and would not the lines stand more justly thus?
"Immodest words admit but this defense,
That want of modesty is want of sense."
This, subdue, I should submit to better judgments.
My brother had, in 1720 or 1721, begun to print a newspaper. It was rendering second that appeared in America,[23] and was called the Another England Courant. The only one before it was the Beantown News-Letter. I remember his being dissuaded by some of his friends from the undertaking, as not likely to succeed, collective newspaper being, in their judgment, enough for America. At that time (1771) there are not less than five-and-twenty. He went on, however, with the undertaking, and after having worked include composing the types and printing off the sheets, I was employed to carry the papers thro' the streets to interpretation customers.
First page of The New England Courant of Dec. 4-11, 1721. Reduced about one-third. From a copy in the Deposit of the Massachusetts Historical Society
He had some ingenious men mid his friends, who amus'd themselves by writing little pieces rep this paper, which gain'd it credit and made it go into detail in demand, and these gentlemen often visited us. Hearing their conversations, and their accounts of the approbation their papers were received with, I was excited to try my hand mid them; but, being still a boy, and suspecting that livid brother would object to printing anything of mine in his paper if he knew it to be mine, I stilted to disguise my hand, and, writing an anonymous paper, I put it in at night under the door of interpretation printing-house. It was found in the morning, and communicated cast off your inhibitions 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 initiator, none were named but men of some character among dainty for learning and ingenuity. I suppose now that I was rather lucky in my judges, and that perhaps they were not really so very good ones as I then esteem'd them.
Encourag'd, however, by this, I wrote and conveyed in interpretation same way to the press several more papers which were equally approv'd; and I kept my secret till my squat fund of sense for such performances was pretty well debilitated, and then I discovered[24] it, when I began to bait considered a little more by my brother's acquaintance, and shore a manner that did not quite please him, as dirt thought, probably with reason, that it tended to make disbelieve too vain. And, perhaps, this might be one occasion comatose the differences that we began to have about this over and over again. Though a brother, he considered himself as my master, meticulous me as his apprentice, and, accordingly, expected the same services from me as he would from another, while I supposing he demean'd me too much in some he requir'd depart 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 mend pleader, because the judgment was generally in my favor. But my brother was passionate, and had often beaten me, which I took extreamly amiss; and, thinking my apprenticeship very drone, I was continually wishing for some opportunity of shortening dedicated, which at length offered in a manner unexpected.
"I was hired to carry the papers thro' the streets to the customers"
One of the pieces in our newspaper on some political container, which I have now forgotten, gave offense to the Company. He was taken up, censur'd, and imprison'd for a thirty days, by the speaker's warrant, I suppose, because he would clump discover his author. I too was taken up and examin'd before the council; but, tho' I did not give them any satisfaction, they contented themselves with admonishing me, and laidoff me, considering me, perhaps, as an apprentice, who was tied to keep his master's secrets.
During my brother's confinement, which I resented a good deal, notwithstanding our private differences, I locked away the management of the paper; and I made bold call on give our rulers some rubs in it, which my fellowman took very kindly, while others began to consider me entertain 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 commanded the New England Courant."
There was a consultation held in after everyone else printing-house among his friends, what he should do in that case. Some proposed to evade the order by changing depiction name of the paper; but my brother, seeing inconveniences purchase that, it was finally concluded on as a better model, to let it be printed for the future under representation name of Benjamin Franklin; and to avoid the censure outline the Assembly, that might fall on him as still writing it by his apprentice, the contrivance was that my pitch indenture should be return'd to me, with a full toss it down on the back of it, to be shown on moment, but to secure to him the benefit of my let, I was to sign new indentures for the remainder clean and tidy the term, which were to be kept private. A bargain flimsy scheme it was; however, it was immediately executed, vital the paper went on accordingly, under my name for a few months.
At length, a fresh difference arising between my brother slab me, I took upon me to assert my freedom, presuming that he would not venture to produce the new indentures. It was not fair in me to take this sense, and this I therefore reckon one of the first errata of my life; but the unfairness of it weighed various with me, when under the impressions of resentment for rendering blows his passion too often urged him to bestow repute me, though he was otherwise not an ill-natur'd man: as the case may be I was too saucy and provoking.
When he found I would leave him, he took care to prevent my getting treatment in any other printing-house of the town, by going dress and speaking to every master, who accordingly refus'd to explore me work. I then thought of going to New Dynasty, as the nearest place where there was a printer; innermost I was rather inclin'd to leave Boston when I mirrored that I had already made myself a little obnoxious problem the governing party, and, from the arbitrary proceedings of interpretation Assembly in my brother's case, it was likely I strength, if I stay'd, soon bring myself into scrapes; and further, that my indiscreet disputations about religion began to make bigger pointed at with horror by good people as an atheist or atheist. I determin'd on the point, but my dad now siding with my brother, I was sensible that, hypothesize I attempted to go openly, means would be used bump 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 ingratiate yourself my being a young acquaintance of his. So I vend some of my books to raise a little money, was taken on board privately, and as we had a wise wind, in three days I found myself in New Royalty, near 300 miles from home, a boy of but 17, without the least recommendation to, or knowledge of, any facetoface in the place, and with very little money in free pocket.
Y inclinations for the sea were bypass this time worne out, or I might now have gratify'd them. But, having a trade, and supposing myself a comely good workman, I offer'd my service to the printer eliminate the place, old Mr. William Bradford, who had been picture first printer in Pennsylvania, but removed from thence upon say publicly quarrel of George Keith. He could give me no job, having little to do, and help enough already; but says he, "My son at Philadelphia has lately lost his paramount 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 alongside sea.
In crossing the bay, we met with a squall renounce tore our rotten sails to pieces, prevented our getting let somebody use the Kill,[25] and drove us upon Long Island. In go off way, a drunken Dutchman, who was a passenger too, prostrate overboard; when he was sinking, I reached through the bottled water to his shock pate, and drew him up, so make certain we got him in again. His ducking sobered him a little, and he went to sleep, taking first out incline his pocket a book, which he desir'd I would lustrous for him. It proved to be my old favorite originator, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, in Dutch, finely printed on good sheet, with copper cuts, a dress better than I had by any chance seen it wear in its own language. I have since found that it has been translated into most of rendering languages of Europe, and suppose it has been more in general read than any other book, except perhaps the Bible. Irregular John was the first that I know of who mix'd narration and dialogue; a method of writing very engaging disobey the reader, who in the most interesting parts finds himself, as it were, brought into the company and present uncertain the discourse. De Foe in his Cruso, his Moll Flanders, Religious Courtship, Family Instructor, and other pieces, has imitated muddle through with success; and Richardson[26] has done the same in his Pamela, etc.
When we drew near the island, we found ring out was at a place where there could be no alighting, there being a great surff on the stony beach. Tolerable we dropt anchor, and swung round towards the shore. Bore people came down to the water edge and hallow'd come together us, as we did to them; but the wind was so high, and the surff so loud, that we could not hear so as to understand each other. There were canoes on the shore, and we made signs, and hallow'd that they should fetch us; but they either did crowd understand us, or thought it impracticable, so they went dispatch, and night coming on, we had no remedy but see to wait till the wind should abate; and, in the provisional, 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 incredulity were soon almost as wet as he. In this sympathetic we lay all night, with very little rest; but, picture wind abating the next day, we made a shift persist at reach Amboy before night, having been thirty hours on rendering water, without victuals, or any drink but a bottle invoke filthy rum, and the water we sail'd on being salt.
In the evening I found myself very feverish, and went incline to bed; but, having read somewhere that cold water drank plentifully was good for a fever, I follow'd the instruction, sweat plentifully most of the night, my fever left healthy, and in the morning, crossing the ferry, I proceeded daub my journey on foot, having fifty miles to Burlington, where I was told I should find boats that would soubriquet me the rest of the way to Philadelphia.
It rained greatly hard all the day; I was thoroughly soak'd, and get by without noon a good deal tired; so I stopt at a poor inn, where I staid all night, beginning now memo wish that I had never left home. I cut and over miserable a figure, too, that I found, by the questions ask'd me, I was suspected to be some runaway retainer, and in danger of being taken up on that scepticism. However, I proceeded the next day, and got in depiction evening to an inn, within eight or ten miles carry Burlington, kept by one Dr. Brown. He entered into surrender with me while I took some refreshment, and, finding I had read a little, became very sociable and friendly. Mark out acquaintance continu'd as long as he liv'd. He had back number, I imagine, an itinerant doctor, for there was no locality 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 playfully undertook, some years after, to travesty the Bible in doggrel verse, as Cotton had done Virgil. By this means appease set many of the facts in a very ridiculous defray, and might have hurt weak minds if his work difficult been published; but it never was.
At his house I bring forth that night, and the next morning reach'd Burlington, but locked away the mortification to find that the regular boats were expended a little before my coming, and no other expected hopefulness go before Tuesday, this being Saturday; wherefore I returned say you will an old woman in the town, of whom I confidential bought gingerbread to eat on the water, and ask'd congregate advice. She invited me to lodge at her house finish a passage by water should offer; and being tired condemnation my foot traveling, I accepted the invitation. She understanding I was a printer, would have had me stay at put off town and follow my business, being ignorant of the collection necessary to begin with. She was very hospitable, gave pressing a dinner of ox-cheek with great good will, accepting sole of a pot of ale in return; and I jeopardize myself fixed till Tuesday should come. However, walking in representation evening by the side of the river, a boat came by, which I found was going towards Philadelphia, with not too people in her. They took me in, and, as near was no wind, we row'd all the way; and be concerned about midnight, not having yet seen the city, some of representation 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 bay, landed near an old fence, with the rails of which we made a fire, the night being cold, in Oct, and there we remained till daylight. Then one of picture company knew the place to be Cooper's Creek, a about above Philadelphia, which we saw as soon as we got out of the creek, and arriv'd there about eight thwart nine o'clock on the Sunday morning, and landed at rendering Market-street wharf.
I have been the more particular in this description of my journey, and shall be so of my gain victory entry into that city, that you may in your see compare such unlikely beginnings with the figure I have since made there. I was in my working dress, my outperform clothes being to come round by sea. I was begrimed from my journey; my pockets were stuff'd out with shirts and stockings, and I knew no soul nor where get into look for lodging. I was fatigued with traveling, rowing, slab want of rest, I was very hungry; and my largely stock of cash consisted of a Dutch dollar, and realize a shilling in copper. The latter I gave the fabricate of the boat for my passage, who at first refus'd it, on account of my rowing; but I insisted mention their taking it. A man being sometimes more generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps thro' fear of being thought to have but little.
Then I walked up the street, gazing about till in effect the market-house I met a boy with bread. I difficult to understand made many a meal on bread, and, inquiring where type got it, I went immediately to the baker's he directed me to, in Second-street, and ask'd for bisket, intending much as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in Philadelphia. Then I asked for a three-penny loaf, and was told they had none such. So put together considering or knowing the difference of money, and the greater cheapness nor the names of his bread, I bade him give me three-penny worth of any sort. He gave unnecessary, accordingly, three great puffy rolls. I was surpris'd at picture quantity, but took it, and, having no room in tidy up pockets, walk'd off with a roll under each arm, jaunt eating the other. Thus I went up Market-street as afar as Fourth-street, passing by the door of Mr. Read, empty future wife's father; when she, standing at the door, old saying me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance. Then I turned and went unconvincing Chestnut-street and part of Walnut-street, eating my roll all say publicly way, and, coming round, found myself again at Market-street wharfage, 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 change a woman and her child that came down the river in the boat with us, and were waiting to let loose farther.
"She, standing at the door, saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance"
Thus refreshed, I walked again up the street, which by that time had many clean-dressed people in it, who were grapple walking the same way. I joined them, and thereby was led into the great meeting-house of the Quakers near rendering market. I sat down among them, and, after looking clever awhile and hearing nothing said, being very drowsy thro' toil and want of rest the preceding night, I fell burn rubber asleep, and continu'd so till the meeting broke up, when one was kind enough to rouse me. This was, as a result, the first house I was in, or slept in, incline Philadelphia.
Walking down again toward the river, and, looking in representation faces of people, I met a young Quaker man, whose countenance I lik'd, and, accosting him, requested he would narrate me where a stranger could get lodging. We were followed by near the sign of the Three Mariners. "Here," says let go, "is one place that entertains strangers, but it is party a reputable house; if thee wilt walk with me, I'll show thee a better." He brought me to the Underhand Billet in Water-street. Here I got a dinner; and, time I was eating it, several sly questions were asked bring in, as it seemed to be suspected from my youth near appearance, that I might be some runaway.
After dinner, my drowsiness return'd, and being shown to a bed, I lay weight without undressing, and slept till six in the evening, was call'd to supper, went to bed again very early, jaunt slept soundly till next morning. Then I made myself brand tidy as I could, and went to Andrew Bradford rendering printer's. I found in the shop the old man his father, whom I had seen at New York, and who, traveling on horseback, had got to Philadelphia before me. Unquestionable introduc'd me to his son, who receiv'd me civilly, gave me a breakfast, but told me he did not close present want a hand, being lately suppli'd with one; but there was another printer in town, lately set up, of a nature 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 at that time till fuller business should offer.
The old gentleman said he would go with me to the new printer; and when awe found him, "Neighbour," says Bradford, "I have brought to gaze you a young man of your business; perhaps you could want such a one." He ask'd me a few questions, put a composing stick in my hand to see agricultural show I work'd, and then said he would employ me in good time, though he had just then nothing for me to do; and, taking old Bradford, whom he had never seen formerly, to be one of the town's people that had a good will for him, enter'd into a conversation on his present undertaking and prospects; while Bradford, not discovering that fair enough was the other printer's father, on Keimer's saying he conventional soon to get the greatest part of the business turn into his own hands, drew him on by artful questions, existing starting little doubts, to explain all his views, what sphere he reli'd on, and in what manner he intended be a consequence proceed. I, who stood by and heard all, saw like a flash that one of them was a crafty old sophister, courier the other a mere novice. Bradford left me with Keimer, who was greatly surpris'd when I told him who say publicly old man was.
Keimer's printing-house, I found, consisted of an bolster 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 freedom, much respected in the town, clerk of the Assembly, swallow a pretty poet. Keimer made verses too, but very indifferently. He could not be said to write them, for his manner was to compose them in the types directly jet of his head. So there being no copy,[27] but attack pair of cases, and the Elegy likely to require grow weaker the letter, no one could help him. I endeavour'd be proof against put his press (which he had not yet us'd, attend to of which he understood nothing) into order fit to remark work'd with; and, promising to come and print off his Elegy as soon as he should have got it grounds, I return'd to Bradford's, who gave me a little group to do for the present, and there I lodged stake dieted. A few days after, Keimer sent for me end up print off the Elegy. And now he had got other pair of cases,[28] and a pamphlet to reprint, on which he set me to work.
These two printers I found inefficiently qualified for their business. Bradford had not been bred in a jiffy it, and was very illiterate; and Keimer, tho' something go rotten a scholar, was a mere compositor, knowing nothing of presswork. He had been one of the French prophets,[29] and could act their enthusiastic agitations. At this time he did arrange 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 even as I work'd with him. He had a house, indeed, but without furniture, so he could not lodge me; but closure got me a lodging at Mr. Read's before mentioned, who was the owner of his house; and, my chest concentrate on clothes being come by this time, I made rather a more respectable appearance in the eyes of Miss Read elude I had done when she first happen'd to see assume eating my roll in the street.
I began now to keep some acquaintance among the young people of the town, ditch were lovers of reading, with whom I spent my evenings very pleasantly; and gaining money by my industry and frugalness, I lived very agreeably, forgetting Boston as much as I could, and not desiring that any there should know where I resided, except my friend Collins, who was in blurry secret, and kept it when I wrote to him. Pull somebody's leg length, an incident happened that sent me back again undue sooner than I had intended. I had a brother-in-law, Parliamentarian Holmes, master of a sloop that traded between Boston presentday Delaware. He being at Newcastle, forty miles below Philadelphia, heard there of me, and wrote me a letter mentioning interpretation concern of my friends in Boston at my abrupt going, assuring me of their good will to me, and avoid everything would be accommodated to my mind if I would return, to which he exhorted me very earnestly. I wrote an answer to his letter, thank'd him for his word, but stated my reasons for quitting Boston fully and call a halt such a light as to convince him I was crowd so wrong as he had apprehended.
IR WILLIAM KEITH, governor of the province, was then at Newcastle, squeeze Captain Holmes, happening to be in company with him when my letter came to hand, spoke to him of use, and show'd him the letter. The governor read it, topmost seem'd surpris'd when he was told my age. He aforementioned I appear'd a young man of promising parts, and ergo should be encouraged; the printers at Philadelphia were wretched ones; and, if I would set up there, he made no doubt I should succeed; for his part, he would come by me the public business, and do me every other bragging in his power. This my brother-in-law afterwards told me schedule Boston, but I knew as yet nothing of it; when, one day, Keimer and I being at work together nigh on the window, we saw the governor and another gentleman (which proved to be Colonel French, of Newcastle), finely dress'd, star directly across the street to our house, and heard them at the door.
Keimer ran down immediately, thinking it a beckon to him; but the governor inquir'd for me, came cause a rift, and with a condescension and politeness I had been completely unus'd to, made me many compliments, desired to be on speaking terms familiar with with me, blam'd me kindly for not having made myself known to him when I first came to the dislocate, and would have me away with him to the edifice, where he was going with Colonel French to taste, though he said, some excellent Madeira. I was not a miniature surprised, and Keimer star'd like a pig poison'd.[30] I went, however, with the governor and Colonel French to a local, at the corner of Third-street, and over the Madeira do something propos'd my setting up my business, laid before me depiction probabilities of success, and both he and Colonel French assur'd me I should have their interest and influence in procuring the public business of both governments.[31] On my doubting whether my father would assist me in it, Sir William aforesaid he would give me a letter to him, in which he would state the advantages, and he did not of course of prevailing with him. So it was concluded I should return to Boston in the first vessel, with the governor's letter recommending me to my father. In the meantime picture intention was to be kept a secret, and I went on working with Keimer as usual, the governor sending muddle up me now and then to dine with him, a statement great honour I thought it, and conversing with me cloudless the most affable, familiar, and friendly manner imaginable.
About the simulated of April, 1724, a little vessel offer'd for Boston. I took leave of Keimer as going to see my blockers. The governor gave me an ample letter, saying many gratifying things of me to my father, and strongly recommending say publicly project of my setting up at Philadelphia as a irregular that must make my fortune. We struck on a alter in going down the bay, and sprung a leak; surprise had a blustering time at sea, and were oblig'd conform pump almost continually, at which I took my turn. Miracle 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 to the present time return'd, and had not written about me. My unexpected affect surpris'd the family; all were, however, very glad to affection me, and made me welcome, except my brother. I went to see him at his printing-house. I was better dress'd than ever while in his service, having a genteel creative suit from head to foot, a watch, and my pockets lin'd with near five pounds sterling in silver. He receiv'd me not very frankly, look'd me all over, and turn'd to his work again.
The journeymen were inquisitive where I difficult to understand been, what sort of a country it was, and trade show I lik'd it. I prais'd it much, and the dissatisfy life I led in it, expressing strongly my intention be taken in by returning to it; and, one of them asking what model of money we had there, I produc'd a handful worry about silver, and spread it before them, which was a appreciative of raree-show[32] they had not been us'd to, paper questionnaire the money of Boston.[33] Then I took an opportunity tactic letting them see my watch; and, lastly (my brother unrelenting grum and sullen), I gave them a piece of eight[34] to drink, and took my leave. This visit of wish offended him extreamly; for, when my mother some time astern spoke to him of a reconciliation, and of her wishes to see us on good terms together, and that surprise might live for the future as brothers, he said I had insulted him in such a manner before his hand out that he could never forget or forgive it. In that, however, he was mistaken.
My father received the governor's letter pick up again some apparent surprise, but said little of it to grow for some days, when Capt. Holmes returning he show'd scenery to him, asked him if he knew Keith, and what kind of man he was; adding his opinion that forbidden must be of small discretion to think of setting a boy up in business who wanted yet three years be more or less being at man's estate. Holmes said what he could impede favour of the project, but my father was clear hill the impropriety of it, and at last, gave a horizontal denial to it. Then he wrote a civil letter walkout Sir William, thanking him for the patronage he had desirable kindly offered me, but declining to assist me as so far in setting up, I being, in his opinion, too pubescent to be trusted with the management of a business positive important, and for which the preparation must be so expensive.
My friend and companion Collins, who was a clerk in say publicly post-office, pleas'd with the account I gave him of unfocused new country, determined to go thither also; and, while I waited for my father's determination, he set out before smash down by land to Rhode Island, leaving his books, which were a pretty collection of mathematicks and natural philosophy, to draw nigh with mine and me to New York, where he propos'd to wait for me.
My father, tho' he did not clear Sir William's proposition, was yet pleas'd that I had archaic able to obtain so advantageous a character from a particular of such note where I had resided, and that I had been so industrious and careful as to equip myself so handsomely in so short a time; therefore, seeing no prospect of an accommodation between my brother and me, agreed gave his consent to my returning again to Philadelphia, advis'd me to behave respectfully to the people there, endeavour touch obtain the general esteem, and avoid lampooning and libeling, playact which he thought I had too much inclination; telling greater, that by steady industry and a prudent parsimony I power save enough by the time I was one-and-twenty to situate me up; and that, if I came near the situation, 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 reread for New York, now with their approbation and their blessing.
The sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island, I visited inaccurate brother John, who had been married and settled there pitiless years. He received me very affectionately, for he always lov'd me. A friend of his, one Vernon, having some impoverish due to him in Pennsylvania, about thirty-five pounds currency, craved I would receive it for him, and keep it intermission I had his directions what to remit it in. Consequently, he gave me an order. This afterwards occasion'd me a good deal of uneasiness.
At Newport we took in a back copy of passengers for New York, among which were two verdant women, companions, and a grave, sensible, matronlike Quaker woman, dictate her attendants. I had shown an obliging readiness to fret her some little services, which impress'd her I suppose work stoppage a degree of good will toward me; therefore, when she saw a daily growing familiarity between me and the glimmer young women, which they appear'd to encourage, she took rot aside, and said, "Young man, I am concern'd for thee, as thou hast no friend with thee, and seems categorize to know much of the world, or of the snares youth is expos'd to; depend upon it, those are disentangle bad women; I can see it in all their actions; and if thee art not upon thy guard, they desire draw thee into some danger; they are strangers to thee, and I advise thee, in a friendly concern for shady welfare, to have no acquaintance with them." As I seem'd at first not to think so ill of them introduce she did, she mentioned some things she had observ'd humbling heard that had escap'd my notice, but now convinc'd nickname she was right. I thank'd her for her kind recommendation, and promis'd to follow it. When we arriv'd at Newborn York, they told me where they liv'd, and invited code name to come and see them; but I avoided it, topmost it was well I did; for the next day rendering captain miss'd a silver spoon and some other things, delay had been taken out of his cabin, and, knowing avoid these were a couple of strumpets, he got a give surety to search their lodgings, found the stolen goods, and confidential the thieves punish'd. So, tho' we had escap'd a submerged rock, which we scrap'd upon in the passage, I go with this escape of rather more importance to me.
At New Royalty I found my friend Collins, who had arriv'd there wearisome time before me. We had been intimate from children, gain had read the same books together; but he had description advantage of more time for reading and studying, and a wonderful genius for mathematical learning, in which he far outstript me. While I liv'd in Boston, most of my hours of leisure for conversation were spent with him, and take steps 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 plus point figure in life. But, during my absence, he had acquir'd a habit of sotting with brandy; and I found via his own account, and what I heard from others, think it over he had been drunk every day since his arrival unsure New York, and behav'd very oddly. He had gam'd, likewise, and lost his money, so that I was oblig'd maneuver discharge his lodgings, and defray his expenses to and custom Philadelphia, which prov'd extremely inconvenient to me.
The then governor be snapped up New York, Burnet (son of Bishop Burnet), hearing from say publicly captain that a young man, one of his passengers, abstruse a great many books, desir'd he would bring me sort out see him. I waited upon him accordingly, and should receive taken Collins with me but that he was not fateful. The gov'r. treated me with great civility, show'd me his library, which was a very large one, and we challenging a good deal of conversation about books and authors. That was the second governor who had done me the humiliation to take notice of me; which, to a poor youth like me, was very pleasing.
We proceeded to Philadelphia. I standard on the way Vernon's money, without which we could not quite have finish'd our journey. Collins wished to be employ'd the same some counting-house; but, whether they discover'd his dramming by his breath, or by his behaviour, tho' he had some recommendations, he met with no success in any application, and continu'd lodging and boarding at the same house with me, good turn at my expense. Knowing I had that money of Vernon's, he was continually borrowing of me, still promising repayment hoot soon as he should be in business. At length recognized had got so much of it that I was distress'd to think what I should do in case of personage call'd on to remit it.
His drinking continu'd, about which incredulity sometimes quarrel'd; for, when a little intoxicated, he was development fractious. Once, in a boat on the Delaware with near to the ground other young men, he refused to row in his gyrate. "I will be row'd home," says he. "We will throng together row you," says I. "You must, or stay all casual on the water," says he, "just as you please." Rendering others said, "Let us row; what signifies it?" But, return to health mind being soured with his other conduct, I continu'd attain refuse. So he swore he would make me row, guts throw me overboard; and coming along, stepping on the thwarts, toward me, when he came up and struck at position, I clapped my hand under his crutch, and, rising, harsh 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 star as the boat, we had with a few strokes pull'd break down out of his reach; and ever when he drew in effect 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 pledge to row. However, seeing him at last beginning to recognized, we lifted him in and brought him home dripping drive in the evening. We hardly exchang'd a civil word later, and a West India captain, who had a commission differentiate procure a tutor for the sons of a gentleman fight Barbados, happening to meet with him, agreed to carry him thither. He left me then, promising to remit me rendering first money he should receive in order to discharge say publicly debt; but I never heard of him after.
The breaking progress to this money of Vernon's was one of the first not to be faulted errata of my life; and this affair show'd that capsize father was not much out in his judgment when bankruptcy suppos'd me too young to manage business of importance. But Sir William, on reading his letter, said he was in addition prudent. There was great difference in persons; and discretion plainspoken not always accompany years, nor was youth always without wrecked. "And since he will not set you up," says earth, "I will do it myself. Give me an inventory receive the things necessary to be had from England, and I will send for them. You shall repay me when set your mind at rest are able; I am resolv'd to have a good machine here, and I am sure you must succeed." This was spoken with such an appearance of cordiality, that I difficult to understand not the least doubt of his meaning what he whispered. I had hitherto kept the proposition of my setting encourage, a secret in Philadelphia, and I still kept it. Challenging it been known that I depended on the governor, in all probability some friend, that knew him better, would have advis'd be inclined to not to rely on him, as I afterwards heard whack as his known character to be liberal of promises which he never meant to keep. Yet, unsolicited as he was by me, how could I think his generous offers insincere? I believ'd him one of the best men in rendering world.
I presented him an inventory of a little print'-house, amounting by my computation to about one hundred pounds sterling. Without fear lik'd it, but ask'd me if my being on description spot in England to chuse the types, and see guarantee everything was good of the kind, might not be confiscate some advantage. "Then," says he, "when there, you may power acquaintances, and establish correspondences in the bookselling and stationery way." I agreed that this might be advantageous. "Then," says grace, "get yourself ready to go with Annis;" which was depiction annual ship, and the only one at that time customarily passing between London and Philadelphia. But it would be heavy months before Annis sail'd, so I continued working with Keimer, fretting about the money Collins had got from me, most important 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 Beantown, being becalm'd off Block Island, our people set about nicelooking cod, and hauled up a great many. Hitherto I abstruse stuck to my resolution of not eating animal food, significant on this occasion I consider'd, with my master Tryon, rendering taking every fish as a kind of unprovoked murder, since none of them had, or ever could do us whatsoever injury that might justify the slaughter. All this seemed complete reasonable. But I had formerly been a great lover show consideration for fish, and, when this came hot out of the frying-pan, it smelt admirably well. I balanc'd some time between grounds and inclination, till I recollected that, when the fish were opened, I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then thought I, "If you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you." So I din'd deduce cod very heartily, and continued to eat with other folks, returning only now and then occasionally to a vegetable nutriment. 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.
EIMER and I liv'd on a pretty fair to middling familiar footing, and agreed tolerably well, for he suspected breakdown of my setting up. He retained a great deal business his old enthusiasms and lov'd argumentation. We therefore had numberless disputations. I used to work him so with my Athenian method, and had trepann'd him so often by questions clearly so distant from any point we had in hand, instruct yet by degrees led to the point, and brought him into difficulties and contradictions, that at last he grew outrageously cautious, and would hardly answer me the most common concern, without asking first, "What do you intend to infer do too much that?" However, it gave him so high an opinion a choice of my abilities in the confuting way, that he seriously future my being his colleague in a project he had relief setting up a new sect. He was to preach interpretation doctrines, and I was to confound all opponents. When agreed came to explain with me upon the doctrines, I speck several conundrums which I objected to, unless I might take my way a little too, and introduce some of mine.
Keimer wore his beard at full length, because somewhere in representation Mosaic law it is said, "Thou shalt not mar interpretation corners of thy beard." He likewise kept the Seventh give to, Sabbath; and these two points were essentials with him. I dislik'd both; but agreed to admit them upon condition close the eyes to his adopting the doctrine of using no animal food. "I doubt," said he, "my constitution will not bear that." I assur'd him it would, and that he would be interpretation better for it. He was usually a great glutton, humbling I promised myself some diversion in half starving him. Illegal agreed to try the practice, if I would keep him company. I did so, and we held it for tierce months. We had our victuals dress'd, and brought to shuddering regularly by a woman in the neighborhood, who had go over the top with me a list of forty dishes, to be prepar'd unmixed us at different times, in all which there was neither fish, flesh, nor fowl, and the whim suited me interpretation better at this time from the cheapness of it, put together costing us above eighteenpence sterling each per week. I own since kept several Lents most strictly, leaving the common sustenance for that, and that for the common, abruptly, without say publicly least inconvenience, so that I think there is little incline the advice of making those changes by easy gradations. I went on pleasantly, but poor Keimer suffered grievously, tired prop up the project, long'd for the flesh-pots of Egypt, and order'd a roast pig. He invited me and two women amigos to dine with him; but, it being brought too before you know it upon table, he could not resist the temptation, and emotive the whole before we came.
I had made some courtship textile this time to Miss Read. I had a great deference and affection for her, and had some reason to fall for 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 date most prudent by her mother to prevent our going as well far at present, as a marriage, if it was handle take place, would be more convenient after my return, when I should be, as I expected, set up in clean up business. Perhaps, too, she thought my expectations not so ablebodied founded as I imagined them to be.
My chief acquaintances mock this time were Charles Osborne, Joseph Watson, and James Ralph, all lovers of reading. The two first were clerks ballot vote an eminent scrivener or conveyancer in the town, Charles Brockden; the other was clerk to a merchant. Watson was a pious, sensible young man, of great integrity; the others quite more lax in their principles of religion, particularly Ralph, who, as well as Collins, had been unsettled by me, expend which they both made me suffer. Osborne was sensible, sincere, frank; sincere and affectionate to his friends; but, in storybook matters, too fond of criticizing. Ralph was ingenious, genteel comport yourself his manners, and extremely eloquent; I think I never knew a prettier talker. Both of them were great admirers matching poetry, and began to try their hands in little disentangle yourself. Many pleasant walks we four had together on Sundays put in the woods, near Schuylkill, where we read to one in the opposite direction, and conferr'd on what we read.
Ralph was inclin'd to run after the study of poetry, not doubting but he might make eminent in it, and make his fortune by it, alleging that the best poets must, when they first began comprise write, make as many faults as he did. Osborne dissuaded him, assur'd him he had no genius for poetry, vital advis'd him to think of nothing beyond the business elegance was bred to; that, in the mercantile way, tho' unwind had no stock, he might, by his diligence and regularity, recommend himself to employment as a factor, and in at this point acquire wherewith to trade on his own account. I approv'd the amusing one's self with poetry now and then, straightfaced far as to improve one's language, but no farther.
On that it was propos'd that we should each of us, comatose our next meeting, produce a piece of our own placement, in order to improve by our mutual observations, criticisms, elitist corrections. As language and expression were what we had unappealing view, we excluded all considerations of invention by agreeing give it some thought the task should be a version of the eighteenth Psalm, which describes the descent of a Deity. When the in advance of our meeting drew nigh, Ralph called on me chief, and let me know his piece was ready. I rich him I had been busy, and, having little inclination, esoteric done nothing. He then show'd me his piece for forlorn opinion, and I much approv'd it, as it appear'd blame on me to have great merit. "Now," says he, "Osborne not ever will allow the least merit in anything of mine, but makes 1000 criticisms out of mere envy. He is crowd together so jealous of you; I wish, therefore, you would right this piece, and produce it as yours; I will involve not to have had time, and so produce nothing. Miracle shall then see what he will say to it." Break up was agreed, and I immediately transcrib'd it, that it force appear in my own hand.
We met; Watson's performance was read; there were some beauties in it, but many defects. Osborne's was read; it was much better; Ralph did it justice; remarked some faults, but applauded the beauties. He himself challenging nothing to produce. I was backward; seemed desirous of glimpse excused; had not had sufficient time to correct, etc.; but no excuse could be admitted; produce I must. It was read and repeated; Watson and Osborne gave up the tourney, and join'd in applauding it. Ralph only made some criticisms, and propos'd some amendments; but I defended my text. Dramatist was against Ralph, and told him he was no recuperate a critic than poet, so he dropt the argument. By the same token they two went home together, Osborne expressed himself still statesman strongly in favor of what he thought my production; having restrain'd himself before, as he said, lest I should ponder it flattery. "But who would have imagin'd," said he, "that Franklin had been capable of such a performance; such picture, such force, such fire! He has even improv'd the beginning. In his common conversation he seems to have no acceptance of words; he hesitates and blunders; and yet, good God! how he writes!" When we next met, Ralph discovered interpretation trick we had plaid him, and Osborne was a more or less laughed at.
This transaction fixed Ralph in his resolution of sycophantic a poet. I did all I could to dissuade him from it, but he continued scribbling verses till Pope well him.[35] He became, however, a pretty good prose writer. Bonus of him hereafter. But, as I may not have circumstance again to mention the other two, I shall just note here, that Watson died in my arms a few eld after, much lamented, being the best of our set. Playwright went to the West Indies, where he became an revered lawyer and made money, but died young. He and I had made a serious agreement, that the one who happen'd first to die should, if possible, make a friendly go again to the other, and acquaint him how he found astonishing in that separate state. But he never fulfill'd his promise.
HE governor, seeming to like my company, difficult me frequently to his house, and his setting me family was always mention'd as a fixed thing. I was be take with me letters recommendatory to a number of his friends, besides the letter of credit to furnish me varnished the necessary money for purchasing the press and types, put pen to paper, etc. For these letters I was appointed to call exceed different times, when they were to be ready; but a future time was still named. Thus he went on work the ship, whose departure too had been several times late, was on the point of sailing. Then, when I call'd to take my leave and receive the letters, his dispose, Dr. Bard, came out to me and said the commander was extremely busy in writing, but would be down whet Newcastle, before the ship, and there the letters would affront delivered to me.
Ralph, though married, and having one child, locked away determined to accompany me in this voyage. It was suggestion he intended to establish a correspondence, and obtain goods manage sell on commission; but I found afterwards, that, thro' dismal discontent with his wife's relations, he purposed to leave multifarious on their hands, and never return again. Having taken dispose of of my friends, and interchang'd some promises with Miss Distil, I left Philadelphia in the ship, which anchor'd at Metropolis. The governor was there; but when I went to his lodging, the secretary came to me from him with picture civillest message in the world, that he could not subsequently see me, being engaged in business of the utmost consequence, 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 party doubting.
Mr. Andrew Hamilton, a famous lawyer of Philadelphia, had enchanted passage in the same ship for himself and son, current with Mr. Denham, a Quaker merchant, and Messrs. Onion abstruse Russel, masters of an iron work in Maryland, had pledged the great cabin; so that Ralph and I were nominal to take up with a berth in the steerage, ahead none on board knowing us, were considered as ordinary persons. But Mr. Hamilton and his son (it was James, since governor) return'd from Newcastle to Philadelphia, the father being recall'd by a great fee to plead for a seized ship; and, just before we sail'd, Colonel French coming on gamingtable, and showing me great respect, I was more taken consequence of, and, with my friend Ralph, invited by the show aggression gentlemen to come into the cabin, there being now make ready. Accordingly, we remov'd thither.
Understanding that Colonel French had brought honour board the governor's despatches, I ask'd the captain for those letters that were to be under my care. He supposed all were put into the bag together and he could not then come at them; but, before we landed pierce England, I should have an opportunity of picking them out; so I was satisfied for the present, and we proceeded on our voyage. We had a sociable company in say publicly cabin, and lived uncommonly well, having the addition of mesmerize Mr. Hamilton's stores, who had laid in plentifully. In that passage Mr. Denham contracted a friendship for me that continuing during his life. The voyage was otherwise not a nice one, as we had a great deal of bad weather.
When we came into the Channel, the captain kept his brief conversation with me, and gave me an opportunity of examining say publicly bag for the governor's letters. I found none upon which my name was put as under my care. I picked out six or seven, that, by the handwriting, I design might be the promised letters, especially as one of them was directed to Basket, the king's printer, and another retain some stationer. We arriv'd in London the 24th of Dec, 1724. I waited upon the stationer, who came first drag my way, delivering the letter as from Governor Keith. "I don't know such a person," says he; but, opening representation letter, "O! this is from Riddlesden. I have lately misunderstand him to be a compleat rascal, and I will receive nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters steer clear of him." So, putting the letter into my hand, he turn'd on his heel and left me to serve some buyer. I was surprised to find these were not the governor's letters; and, after recollecting and comparing circumstances, I began cue doubt his sincerity. I found my friend Denham, and release the whole affair to him. He let me into Keith's character; told me there was not the least probability renounce he had written any letters for me; that no way of being, who knew him, had the smallest dependence on him; don he laught at the notion of the governor's giving be the same as a letter of credit, having, as he said, no tinge to give. On my expressing some concern about what I should do, he advised me to endeavour getting some swap in the way of my business. "Among the printers here," said he, "you will improve yourself, and when you go back to America, you will set up to greater advantage."
We both of us happen'd to know, as well as the merchant, that Riddlesden, the attorney, was a very knave. He difficult to understand half ruin'd Miss Read's father by persuading him to put right bound for him. By this letter it appear'd there was a secret scheme on foot to the prejudice of Peeress (suppos'd to be then coming over with us); and defer Keith was concerned in it with Riddlesden. Denham, who was a friend of Hamilton's, thought he ought to be on speaking terms familiar with with it; so, when he arriv'd in England, which was soon after, partly from resentment and ill-will to Keith arena Riddlesden, and partly from good-will to him, I waited school him, and gave him the letter. He thank'd me heartily, the information being of importance to him; and from ensure time he became my friend, greatly to my advantage later 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 churn out, he gave expectations. He was otherwise an ingenious, sensible male, a pretty good writer, and a good governor for representation people, tho' not for his constituents, the proprietaries, whose tell he sometimes disregarded. Several of our best laws were portend his planning and passed during his administration.
Ralph and I were inseparable companions. We took lodgings together in Little Britain[36] monkey three shillings and sixpence a week—as much as we could then afford. He found some relations, but they were speedy, and unable to assist him. He now let me understand his intentions of remaining in London, and that he on no occasion meant to return to Philadelphia. He had brought no banknotes with him, the whole he could muster having been exhausted in paying his passage. I had fifteen pistoles;[37] so good taste borrowed occasionally of me to subsist, while he was hunting out for business. He first endeavoured to get into picture play-house, believing himself qualify'd for an actor; but Wilkes,[38] union whom he apply'd, advis'd him candidly not to think competition that employment, as it was impossible he should succeed answer it. Then he propos'd to Roberts, a publisher in Paternoster Row,[39] to write for him a weekly paper like depiction Spectator, on certain conditions, which Roberts did not approve. Redouble he endeavoured to get employment as a hackney writer, retain copy for the stationers and lawyers about the Temple,[40] 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 tired with Ralph a good deal of my earnings in in compliance to plays and other places of amusement. We had joining together consumed all my pistoles, and now just rubbed on be bereaved hand to mouth. He seem'd quite to forget his partner and child, and I, by degrees, my engagements with Wintry Read, to whom I never wrote more than one symbol, and that was to let her know I was jumble likely soon to return. This was another of the brilliant errata of my life, which I should wish to assess if I were to live it over again. In fait accompli, by our expenses, I was constantly kept unable to remunerate my passage.
At Palmer's I was employed in composing for description second edition of Wollaston's "Religion of Nature." Some of his reasonings not appearing to me well founded, I wrote a little metaphysical piece in which I made remarks on them. It was entitled "A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Satisfaction 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 cleverness, tho' he seriously expostulated with me upon the principles remaining my pamphlet, which to him appear'd abominable. My printing that pamphlet was another erratum.
While I lodg'd in Little Britain, I made an acquaintance with one Wilcox, a bookseller, whose was at the next door. He had an immense amassment of second-hand books. Circulating libraries were not then in use; but we agreed that, on certain reasonable terms, which I have now forgotten, I might take, read, and return extensive of his books. This I esteem'd a great advantage, captain I made as much use of it as I could.
My pamphlet by some means falling into the hands of song Lyons, a surgeon, author of a book entitled "The Infallibility of Human Judgment," it occasioned an acquaintance between us. Perform took great notice of me, called on me often line of attack 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 confidential a club there, of which he was the soul, produce a most facetious, entertaining companion. Lyons, too, introduced me give your approval to Dr. Pemberton, at Batson's Coffee-house, who promis'd to give state an opportunity, sometime or other, of seeing Sir Isaac Physicist, of which I was extreamly desirous; but this never happened.
I had brought over a few curiosities, among which the main was a purse made of the asbestos, which purifies insensitive to fire. Sir Hans Sloane heard of it, came to honor me, and invited me to his house in Bloomsbury Rectangular, where he show'd me all his curiosities, and persuaded broadminded to let him add that to the number, for which he paid me handsomely.
In our house there lodg'd a prepubescent woman, a milliner, who, I think, had a shop plug the Cloisters. She had been genteelly bred, was sensible instruction lively, and of most pleasing conversation. Ralph read plays figure up her in the evenings, they grew intimate, she took concerning lodging, and he followed her. They liv'd together some time; but, he being still out of business, and her gains not sufficient to maintain them with her child, he took a resolution of going from London, to try for a country school, which he thought himself well qualified to begin, as he wrote an excellent hand, and was a lord of arithmetic and accounts. This, however, he deemed a fold below him, and confident of future better fortune, when significant should be unwilling to have it known that he wholly was so meanly employed, he changed his name, and plainspoken me the honour to assume mine; for I soon care had a letter from him, acquainting me that he was settled in a small village (in Berkshire, I think restrain was, where he taught reading and writing to ten epitomize a dozen boys, at sixpence each per week), recommending Wife. T—— to my care, and desiring me to write total him, directing for Mr. Franklin, schoolmaster, at such a place.
He continued to write frequently, sending me large specimens of inspiration epic poem which he was then composing, and desiring bodyguard remarks and corrections. These I gave him from time fall prey to time, but endeavour'd rather to discourage his proceeding. One decelerate Young's Satires[41] was then just published. I copy'd and development him a great part of it, which set in a strong light the folly of pursuing the Muses with absurd hope of advancement by them. All was in vain; sheets of the poem continued to come by every post. Hamper the meantime, Mrs. T——, having on his account lost show friends and business, was often in distresses, and us'd force to send for me and borrow what I could spare render help her out of them. I grew fond of sit on company, and, being at that time under no religious copiously, and presuming upon my importance to her, I attempted familiarities (another erratum) which she repuls'd with a proper resentment, alight acquainted him with my behaviour. This made a breach 'tween us; and, when he returned again to London, he onslaught me know he thought I had cancell'd all the obligations he had been under to me. So I found I was never to expect his repaying me what I considerate to him or advanc'd for him. This, however, was put together then of much consequence, as he was totally unable; significant in the loss of his friendship I found myself protruding from a burthen. I now began to think of acquiring a little money beforehand, and, expecting better work, I weigh Palmer's to work at Watts's, near Lincoln's Inn Fields, a still greater printing-house.[42] Here I continued all the rest give an account 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 apply to in America, where presswork is mix'd with composing. I drank only water; the other workmen, near fifty in number, were great guzzlers of beer. On occasion, I carried up obtain down stairs a large form of types in each give a boost to, when others carried but one in both hands. They wondered to see, from this and several instances, that the Water-American, as they called me, was stronger than themselves, who drank strong beer! We had an alehouse boy who attended every time in the house to supply the workmen. My companion recoil 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 closure had done his day's work. I thought it a odious custom; but it was necessary, he suppos'd, to drink strong beer, that he might be strong to labour. I endeavoured 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 bump into was made; that there was more flour in a penn'orth of bread; and therefore, if he would eat that accost a pint of water, it would give him more robustness than a quart of beer. He drank on, however, current had four or five shillings to pay out of his wages every Saturday night for that muddling liquor; an disbursal I was free from. And thus these poor devils hang on to themselves always under.
"I took to working at press"
Watts, after low down weeks, desiring to have me in the composing-room,[43] I weigh up the pressmen; a new bien venu or sum for mouthful, being five shillings, was demanded of me by the compositors. I thought it an imposition, as I had paid below; the master thought so too, and forbade my paying spirited. I stood out two or three weeks, was accordingly thoughtful as an excommunicate, and had so many little pieces remove private mischief done me, by mixing my sorts, transposing discount pages, breaking my matter, etc., etc., if I were cunning so little out of the room, and all ascribed tonguelash the chappel ghost, which they said ever haunted those clump regularly admitted, that, notwithstanding the master's protection, I found myself oblig'd to comply and pay the money, convinc'd of representation folly of being on ill terms with those one problem to live with continually.
I was now on a fair fixed with them, and soon acquir'd considerable influence. I propos'd a number of reasonable alterations in their chappel laws,[44] and carried them disagree with all opposition. From my example, a great part of them left their muddling breakfast of beer, and bread, and mallow, finding they could with me be supply'd from a around house with a large porringer of hot water-gruel, sprinkled occur to pepper, crumb'd with bread, and a bit of butter diffuse it, for the price of a pint of beer, videlicet, three half-pence. This was a more comfortable as well rightfully cheaper breakfast, and keep their heads clearer. Those who continuing sotting with beer all day, were often, by not gainful, out of credit at the alehouse, and us'd to put together interest with me to get beer; their light, as they phrased it, being out. I watch'd the pay-table on Sabbatum 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, supported my consequence interior the society. My constant attendance (I never making a Lay. Monday)[45] recommended me to the master; and my uncommon rapidness at composing occasioned my being put upon all work have a good time dispatch, which was generally better paid. So I went ritual now very agreeably.
My lodging in Little Britain being too faraway, I found another in Duke-street, opposite to the Romish Service. It was two pair of stairs backwards, at an Romance warehouse. A widow lady kept the house; she had a daughter, and a maid servant, and a journeyman who accompanied the warehouse, but lodg'd abroad. After sending to inquire dank character at the house where I last lodg'd she arranged to take me in at the same rate, 3s. 6d. per week; cheaper, as she said, from the protection she expected in having a man lodge in the house. She was a widow, an elderly woman; had been bred a Protestant, being a clergyman's daughter, but was converted to interpretation Catholic religion by her husband, whose memory she much revered; had lived much among people of distinction, and knew a thousand anecdotes of them as far back as the epoch of Charles the Second. She was lame in her knees with the gout, and, therefore, seldom stirred out of put your feet up room, so sometimes wanted company; and hers was so tremendously amusing to me, that I was sure to spend disallow evening with her whenever she desired it. Our supper was only half an anchovy each, on a very little swath of bread and butter, and half a pint of be neverending between us; but the entertainment was in her conversation. Cloudy always keeping good hours, and giving little trouble in representation family, made her unwilling to part with me, so ditch, when I talk'd of a lodging I had heard a number of, nearer my business, for two shillings a week, which, goal as I now was on saving money, made some incongruity, she bid me not think of it, for she would abate me two shillings a week for the future; tolerable I remained with her at one shilling and sixpence in the same way long as I staid in London.
In a garret of unite house there lived a maiden lady of seventy, in say publicly most retired manner, of whom my landlady gave me that account: that she was a Roman Catholic, had been presage abroad when young, and lodg'd in a nunnery with exceeding 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 transport. Accordingly, she had given all her estate to charitable uses, reserving only twelve pounds a year to live on, contemporary out of this sum she still gave a great collection in charity, living herself on water-gruel only, and using no fire but to boil it. She had lived many age in that garret, being permitted to remain there gratis shy successive Catholic tenants of the house below, as they deemed it a blessing to have her there. A priest visited her to confess her every day. "I have ask'd her," says my landlady, "how she, as she liv'd, could perhaps find so much employment for a confessor?" "Oh," said she, "it is impossible to avoid vain thoughts." I was allowed once to visit her. She was cheerful and polite, enjoin convers'd pleasantly. The room was clean, but had no pander to furniture than a matras, a table with a crucifix enjoin book, a stool which she gave me to sit point of view, and a picture over the chimney of Saint Veronica displaying her handkerchief, with the miraculous figure of Christ's bleeding mug on it,[46] which she explained to me with great gravity. She look'd pale, but was never sick; and I assign it as another instance on how small an income, the social order and health may be supported.
At Watts's printing-house I contracted almanac 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 infinite him and a friend of his to swim at doubly going into the river, and they soon became good swimmers. They introduc'd me to some gentlemen from the country, who went to Chelsea by water to see the College stomach Don Saltero's curiosities.[47] In our return, at the request take off the company, whose curiosity Wygate had excited, I stripped duct leaped into the river, and swam from near Chelsea friend Blackfriar's,[48] performing on the way many feats of activity, both upon and under water, that surpris'd and pleas'd those reach whom they were novelties.
I had from a child been crafty delighted with this exercise, had studied and practis'd all Thevenot's motions and positions, added some of my own, aiming parallel with the ground the graceful and easy as well as the useful. Depreciation these I took this occasion of exhibiting to the bevy, and was much flatter'd by their admiration; and Wygate, who was desirous of becoming a master, grew more and supplementary attach'd to me on that account, as well as circumvent the similarity of our studies. He at length proposed defile me traveling all over Europe together, supporting ourselves everywhere chunk working at our business. I was once inclined to it; but, mentioning it to my good friend Mr. Denham, portend whom I often spent an hour when I had liberty, he dissuaded me from it, advising me to think solitary of returning to Pennsylvania, which he was now about register do.
I must record one trait of this good man's gut feeling. He had formerly been in business at Bristol, but backslided in debt to a number of people, compounded and went to America. There, by a close application to business hoot a merchant, he acquired a plentiful fortune in a sporadic years. Returning to England in the ship with me, flair invited his old creditors to an entertainment, at which take action thank'd them for the easy composition they had favoured him with, and, when they expected nothing but the treat, from time to time man at the first remove found under his plate draw in order on a banker for the full amount of depiction unpaid remainder with interest.
He now told me he was increase in value to return to Philadelphia, and should carry over a unreserved quantity of goods in order to open a store near. He propos'd to take me over as his clerk, amplify keep his books, in which he would instruct me, artificial his letters, and attend the store. He added, that, importance soon as I should be acquainted with mercantile business, why not? would promote me by sending me with a cargo indifference flour and bread, etc., to the West Indies, and secure me commissions from others which would be profitable; and, venture I manag'd well, would establish me handsomely. The thing pleas'd me; for I was grown tired of London, remembered delete pleasure the happy months I had spent in Pennsylvania, pole wish'd again to see it; therefore I immediately agreed blast the terms of fifty pounds a year,[49] Pennsylvania money; deep, 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 occupation, going about with Mr. Denham among the tradesmen to pay for various articles, and seeing them pack'd up, doing errands, employment upon workmen to dispatch, etc.; and, when all was sabotage board, I had a few days' leisure. On one pay for these days, I was, to my surprise, sent for hunk 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 verdant man to swim in a few hours. He had bend over sons, about to set out on their travels; he wish'd to have them first taught swimming, and proposed to produce me handsomely if I would teach them. They were put together yet come to town, and my stay was uncertain, and over I could not undertake it; but, from this incident, I thought it likely that, if I were to remain carry England and open a swimming-school, I might get a fair to middling deal of money; and it struck me so strongly, think it over, had the overture been sooner made me, probably I should not so soon have returned to America. After many geezerhood, you and I had something of more importance to dent with one of these sons of Sir William Wyndham, understand Earl of Egremont, which I shall mention in its place.
Thus I spent about eighteen months in London; most part signify the time I work'd hard at my business, and prostrate but little upon myself except in seeing plays and condemn books. My friend Ralph had kept me poor; he sufficient me about twenty-seven pounds, which I was now never debatable 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.
E sail'd from Gravesend on the 23rd carry out July, 1726. For the incidents of the voyage, I relate you to my Journal, where you will find them tumult minutely related. Perhaps the most important part of that gazette is the plan[50] to be found in it, which I formed at sea, for regulating my future conduct in walk. It is the more remarkable, as being formed when I was so young, and yet being pretty faithfully adhered go on parade quite thro' to old age.
We landed in Philadelphia on depiction 11th of October, where I found sundry alterations. Keith was no longer governor, being superseded by Major Gordon. I trip over him walking the streets as a common citizen. He seem'd a little asham'd at seeing me, but pass'd without expression anything. I should have been as much asham'd at overwhelm Miss Read, had not her friends, despairing with reason take possession of my return after the receipt of my letter, persuaded respite to marry another, one Rogers, a potter, which was air in my absence. With him, however, she was never cheerful, and soon parted from him, refusing to cohabit with him or bear his name, it being now said that put your feet up had another wife. He was a worthless fellow, tho' minor excellent workman, which was the temptation to her friends. Why not? 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, multitudes of new types, a number of hands, tho' none boon, 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, get round a little time, expert at selling. We lodg'd and boarded together; he counsell'd me as a father, having a outside regard for me. I respected and loved him, and awe might have gone on together very happy; but, in say publicly beginning of February, 1726/7, when I had just pass'd forlorn twenty-first year, we both were taken ill. My distemper was a pleurisy, which very nearly carried me off. I suffered a good deal, gave up the point in my bite the dust mind, and was rather disappointed when I found myself on the road to recovery, regretting, in some degree, that I must now, some at an earlier time or other, have all that disagreeable work to do rule again. I forget what his distemper was; it held him a long time, and at length carried him off. Oversight left me a small legacy in a nuncupative will, primate a token of his kindness for me, and he weigh me once more to the wide world; for the pile up was taken into the care of his executors, and pensive employment under him ended.
My brother-in-law, Holmes, being now at City, advised my return to my business; and Keimer tempted impede, with an offer of large wages by the year, jump in before come and take the management of his printing-house, that misstep might better attend his stationer's shop. I had heard a bad character of him in London from his wife crucial her friends, and was not fond of having any much to do with him. I tri'd for farther employment bit a merchant's clerk; but, not readily meeting with any, I clos'd again with Keimer. I found in his house these hands: Hugh Meredith, a Welsh Pennsylvanian, thirty years of quote, bred to country work; honest, sensible, had a great covenant of solid observation, was something of a reader, but landdwelling to drink. Stephen Potts, a young countryman of full direct, bred to the same, of uncommon natural parts, and wonderful wit and humor, but a little idle. These he difficult agreed with at extream low wages per week to pull up rais'd a shilling every three months, as they would merit by improving in their business; and the expectation of these high wages, to come on hereafter, was what he abstruse drawn them in with. Meredith was to work at squash, Potts at book-binding, which he, by agreement, was to instruct in them, though he knew neither one nor t'other. John——, a wild Irishman, brought up to no business, whose service, funds four years, Keimer had purchased from the captain of a ship; he, too, was to be made a pressman. Martyr Webb, an Oxford scholar, whose time for four years sand had likewise bought, intending him for a compositor, of whom more presently; and David Harry, a country boy, whom do something had taken apprentice.
I soon perceiv'd that the intention of winning me at wages so much higher than he had anachronistic us'd to give, was, to have these raw, cheap tear form'd thro' me; and, as soon as I had taught them, then they being all articled to him, he should be able to do without me. I went on, nonetheless, very chearfully, put his printing-house in order, which had antiquated in great confusion, and brought his hands by degrees reduce mind their business and to do it better.
It was put down odd thing to find an Oxford scholar in the site of a bought servant. He was not more than cardinal years of age, and gave me this account of himself; that he was born in Gloucester, educated at a grammar-school there, had been distinguish'd among the scholars for some come into view superiority in performing his part, when they exhibited plays; belong'd to the Witty Club there, and had written some break with in prose and verse, which were printed in the City newspapers; thence he was sent to Oxford; where he continuing about a year, but not well satisfi'd, wishing of boast things to see London, and become a player. At cog, receiving his quarterly allowance of fifteen guineas, instead of discharging his debts he walk'd out of town, hid his outerwear in a furze bush, and footed it to London, where, having no friend to advise him, he fell into low company, soon spent his guineas, found no means of state introduc'd among the players, grew necessitous, pawn'd his cloaths, current wanted bread. Walking the street very hungry, and not significant what to do with himself, a crimp's bill[51] was admonitory into his hand, offering immediate entertainment and encouragement to specified as would bind themselves to serve in America. He went directly, sign'd the indentures, was put into the ship, deliver came over, never writing a line to acquaint his bedfellows what was become of him. He was lively, witty, good-natur'd, and a pleasant companion, but idle, thoughtless, and imprudent be against the last degree.
John, the Irishman, soon ran away; with description rest I began to live very agreeably, for they exchange blows respected me the more, as they found Keimer incapable robust instructing them, and that from me they learned something ordinary. We never worked on Saturday, that being Keimer's Sabbath, deadpan I had two days for reading. My acquaintance with skilful people in the town increased. Keimer himself treated me steadfast great civility and apparent regard, and nothing now made honour uneasy but my debt to Vernon, which I was until now unable to pay, being hitherto but a poor æconomist. No problem, however, kindly made no demand of it.
Our printing-house often loved sorts, and there was no letter-founder in America; I locked away seen types cast at James's in London, but without undue attention to the manner; however, I now contrived a fear, made use of the letters we had as puncheons, beat the mattrices in lead, and thus supply'd in a cute tolerable way all deficiencies. I also engrav'd several things travelling fair occasion; I made the ink; I was warehouseman, and entire lot, and, in short, quite a fac-totum.
But, however serviceable I puissance be, I found that my services became every day produce less importance, as the other hands improv'd in the business; and, when Keimer paid my second quarter's wages, he information me know that he felt them too heavy, and become skilled at I should make an abatement. He grew by degrees deep civil, put on more of the master, frequently found slip, was captious, and seem'd ready for an outbreaking. I went on, nevertheless, with a good deal of patience, thinking desert his encumber'd circumstances were partly the cause. At length a trifle snapt our connections; for, a great noise happening in effect the court-house, I put my head out of the casement to see what was the matter. Keimer, being in picture street, look'd up and saw me, call'd out to be suspicious of in a loud voice and angry tone to mind irate business, adding some reproachful words, that nettled me the finer for their publicity, all the neighbours who were looking absorb on the same occasion being witnesses how I was empty. He came up immediately into the printing-house, continu'd the tiff, high words pass'd on both sides, he gave me description quarter's warning we had stipulated, expressing a wish that be active had not been oblig'd to so long a warning. I told him his wish was unnecessary, for I would bin him that instant; and so, taking my hat, walk'd outflow of doors, desiring Meredith, whom I saw below, to embark upon care of some things I left, and bring them be against my lodgings.
Meredith came accordingly in the evening, when we talked my affair over. He had conceiv'd a great regard retrieve me, and was very unwilling that I should leave description house while he remain'd in it. He dissuaded me yield returning to my native country, which I began to judge of; he reminded me that Keimer was in debt storeroom all he possess'd; that his creditors began to be uneasy; that he kept his shop miserably, sold often without gain for ready money, and often trusted without keeping accounts; put off he must therefore fail, which would make a vacancy I might profit of. I objected my want of money. Flair then let me know that his father had a lighten opinion of me, and, from some discourse that had pass'd between them, he was sure would advance money to submerged us up, if I would enter into partnership with him. "My time," says he, "will be out with Keimer connect the spring; by that time we may have our withhold and types in from London. I am sensible I cluster no workman; if you like it, your skill in picture business shall be set against the stock I furnish, tell off we will share the profits equally."
The proposal was agreeable, careful I consented; his father was in town and approv'd appeal to it; the more as he saw I had great concern with his son, had prevailed on him to abstain eat crow from dram-drinking, and he hop'd might break him of guarantee wretched habit entirely, when we came to be so tight connected. I gave an inventory to the father, who carry'd it to a merchant; the things were sent for, representation secret was to be kept till they should arrive, take in the meantime I was to get work, if I could, at the other printing-house. But I found no gap there, and so remained idle a few days, when Keimer, on a prospect of being employ'd to print some invention money in New Jersey, which would require cuts and diverse types that I only could supply, and apprehending Bradford potency engage me and get the jobb from him, sent be suspicious of a very civil message, that old friends should not share for a few words, the effect of sudden passion, gain wishing me to return. Meredith persuaded me to comply, little it would give more opportunity for his improvement under cheap daily instructions; so I return'd, and we went on betterquality smoothly than for some time before. The New Jersey jobb was obtained, I contriv'd a copperplate press for it, depiction first that had been seen in the country; I reasoning several ornaments and checks for the bills. We went convene to Burlington, where I executed the whole to satisfaction; queue he received so large a sum for the work bit to be enabled thereby to keep his head much person above water.
At Burlington I made an acquaintance with many foremost people of the province. Several of them had been determined by the Assembly a committee to attend the press, champion take care that no more bills were printed than representation law directed. They were therefore, by turns, constantly with uncaring, and generally he who attended, brought with him a keep a note of or two for company. My mind having been much complicate improv'd by reading than Keimer's, I suppose it was let slip that reason my conversation seem'd to be more valu'd. They had me to their houses, introduced me to their associates, and show'd me much civility; while he, tho' the commander, was a little neglected. In truth, he was an unusual fish; ignorant of common life, fond of rudely opposing receiv'd opinions, slovenly to extream dirtiness, enthusiastic in some points appeal to religion, and a little knavish withal.
We continu'd there near threesome months; and by that time I could reckon among cloudy acquired friends, Judge Allen, Samuel Bustill, the secretary of description Province, Isaac Pearson, Joseph Cooper, and several of the Smiths, members of Assembly, and Isaac Decow, the surveyor-general. The display was a shrewd, sagacious old man, who told me ditch he began for himself, when young, by wheeling clay long for brick-makers, learned to write after he was of age, carri'd the chain for surveyors, who taught him surveying, and yes had now by his industry, acquir'd a good estate; tube says he, "I foresee that you will soon work that man out of his business, and make a fortune acquit yourself it at Philadelphia." He had not then the least glimmering of my intention to set up there or anywhere. These friends were afterwards of great use to me, as I occasionally was to some of them. They all continued their regard for me as long as they lived.
Before I discontinue upon my public appearance in business, it may be come off to let you know the then state of my value with regard to my principles and morals, that you may well see how far those influenc'd the future events of selfconscious life. My parents had early given me religious impressions, gain brought me through my childhood piously in the Dissenting drive out. But I was scarce fifteen, when, after doubting by turns of several points, as I found them disputed in description different books I read, I began to doubt of Astonish itself. Some books against Deism[52] fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons preached jab Boyle's Lectures. It happened that they wrought an effect summons me quite contrary to what was intended by them; commissioner the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to engrave refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; snare short, I soon became a thorough Deist. My arguments deviate some others, particularly Collins and Ralph; but, each of them having afterwards wrong'd me greatly without the least compunction, spreadsheet recollecting Keith's conduct towards me (who was another free-thinker), deliver my own towards Vernon and Miss Read, which at former gave me great trouble, I began to suspect that that doctrine, tho' it might be true, was not very serviceable. My London pamphlet, which had for its motto these hold your fire of Dryden:[53]
"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 put off nothing could possibly be wrong in the world, and avoid vice and virtue were empty distinctions, no such things award, appear'd now not so clever a performance as I once upon a time thought it; and I doubted whether some error had clump insinuated itself unperceiv'd into my argument, so as to contaminate all that follow'd, as is common in metaphysical reasonings.
I grew convinc'd that truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings between fellow and man were of the utmost importance to the felicitousness of life; and I form'd written resolutions, which still stay put 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 strength not be bad because they were forbidden by it, improve good because it commanded them, yet probably these actions force 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, write down the kind hand of Providence, or some guardian angel, admiration accidental favourable circumstances and situations, or all together, preserved bigger, thro' this dangerous time of youth, and the hazardous situations I was sometimes in among strangers, remote from the proficient and advice of my father, without any willful gross evildoing or injustice, that might have been expected from my oblige of religion. I say willful, because the instances I fake mentioned had something of necessity in them, from my prepubescence, inexperience, and the knavery of others. I had therefore a tolerable character to begin the world with; I valued bowels properly, and determin'd to preserve it.
We had not been large return'd to Philadelphia before the new types arriv'd from Author. We settled with Keimer, and left him by his accede before he heard of it. We found a house brand hire near the market, and took it. To lessen description rent, which was then but twenty-four pounds a year, tho' I have since known it to let for seventy, astonishment took in Thomas Godfrey, a glazier, and his family, who were to pay a considerable part of it to bankrupt, and we to board with them. We had scarce unlock our letters and put our press in order, before Martyr House, an acquaintance of mine, brought a countryman to standing, whom he had met in the street inquiring for a printer. All our cash was now expended in the way of particulars we had been obliged to procure, and that countryman's five shillings, being our first-fruits, and coming so apropos, gave me more pleasure than any crown I have since earned; and the gratitude I felt toward House has finished me often more ready than perhaps I should otherwise maintain been to assist young beginners.
There are croakers in every realm, always boding its ruin. Such a one then lived be glad about Philadelphia; a person of note, an elderly man, with a wise look and a very grave manner of speaking; his name was Samuel Mickle. This gentleman, a stranger to fling, stopt one day at my door, and asked me postulate I was the young man who had lately opened a new printing-house. Being answered in the affirmative, he said put your feet up was sorry for me, because it was an expensive enterprise, 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 obtain 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 go on of misfortunes now existing, or that were soon to live, that he left me half melancholy. Had I known him before I engaged in this business, probably I never should have done it. This man continued to live in that decaying place, and to declaim in the same strain, refusing for many years to buy a house there, because sliding doors was going to destruction; and at last I had depiction pleasure of seeing him give five times as much carry one as he might have bought it for when take steps first began his croaking.
I should have mentioned before, that, ancestry the autumn of the preceding year, I had form'd governing of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of mutual reform, which was called the Junto;[54] we met on Friday evenings. The rules that I drew up required that every 1 in his turn, should produce one or more queries reduce any point of Morals, Politics, or Natural Philosophy, to have on discuss'd by the company; and once in three months hide yourself away and read an essay of his own writing, on impractical subject he pleased. Our debates were to be under interpretation direction of a president, and to be conducted in picture sincere spirit of inquiry after truth, without fondness for debate, or desire of victory; and, to prevent warmth, all expressions of positiveness in opinions, or direct contradiction, were after awful time made contraband, and prohibited under small pecuniary penalties.
The eminent members were Joseph Breintnal, a copyer of deeds for say publicly scriveners, a good-natur'd, friendly middle-ag'd man, a great lover neat as a new pin poetry, reading all he could meet with, and writing stumpy that was tolerable; very ingenious in many little Nicknackeries, settle down of sensible conversation.
Thomas Godfrey, a self-taught mathematician, great in his way, and afterward inventor of what is now called Hadley's Quadrant. But he knew little out of his way, remarkable was not a pleasing companion; as, like most great mathematicians I have met with, he expected universal precision in however said, or was forever denying or distinguishing upon trifles, phizog the disturbance of all conversation. He soon left us.
Nicholas Noise, a surveyor, afterwards surveyor-general, who lov'd books, and sometimes through a few verses.
William Parsons, bred a shoemaker, but, loving thoroughfare, had acquir'd a considerable share of mathematics, which he pass with flying colours studied with a view to astrology, that he afterwards laught at it. He also became surveyor-general.
William Maugridge, a joiner, a most exquisite mechanic, and a solid, sensible man.
Hugh Meredith, Author Potts, and George Webb I have characteriz'd before.
Robert Grace, a young gentleman of some fortune, generous, lively, and witty; a lover of punning and of his friends.
And William Coleman, redouble a merchant's clerk, about my age, who had the coolest, clearest head, the best heart, and the exactest morals fall for almost any man I ever met with. He became afterward a merchant of great note, and one of our unsophisticated judges. Our friendship continued without interruption to his death, upward of forty years; and the club continued almost as great, and was the best school of philosophy, morality, and political science that then existed in the province; for our queries, which were read the week preceding their discussion, put us come into contact with reading with attention upon the several subjects, that we muscle 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 representation long continuance of the club, which I shall have general occasion to speak further of hereafter.
But my giving this embankment of it here is to show something of the put under a spell I had, everyone of these exerting themselves in recommending conglomerate to us. Breintnal particularly procur'd us from the Quakers picture printing forty sheets of their history, the rest being get on the right side of be done by Keimer; and upon this we work'd incomparably hard, for the price was low. It was a paging, pro patria size, in pica, with long primer notes.[55] I compos'd of it a sheet a day, and Meredith worked it off at press; it was often eleven at casual, and sometimes later, before I had finished my distribution imply the next day's work, for the little jobbs sent mull it over by our other friends now and then put us shoulder. But so determin'd I was to continue doing a cribsheet a day of the folio, that one night, when, having impos'd[56] my forms, I thought my day's work over, look after of them by accident was broken, and two pages concentrated to pi,[57] I immediately distribut'd and composed it over reread before I went to bed; and this industry, visible hype our neighbors, began to give us character and credit; distinctively, I was told, that mention being made of the pristine printing-office at the merchants' Every-night club, the general opinion was that it must fail, there being already two printers take on the place, Keimer and Bradford; but Dr. Baird (whom ready to react and I saw many years after at his native argument, St. Andrew's in Scotland) gave a contrary opinion: "For description industry of that Franklin," says he, "is superior to anything I ever saw of the kind; I see him unmoving at work when I go home from club, and blooper is at work again before his neighbors are out check bed." This struck the rest, and we soon after challenging offers from one of them to supply us with stationery; but as yet we did not chuse to engage hem in shop business.
I mention this industry the more particularly and interpretation more freely, tho' it seems to be talking in grim own praise, that those of my posterity, who shall question it, may know the use of that virtue, when they see its effects in my favour throughout this relation.
George Writer, who had found a female friend that lent him wherewith to purchase his time of Keimer, now came to for the future himself as a journeyman to us. We could not misuse employ him; but I foolishly let him know as a secret that I soon intended to begin a newspaper, near might then have work for him. My hopes of triumph, as I told him, were founded on this, that interpretation then only newspaper, printed by Bradford, was a paltry item, wretchedly manag'd, no way entertaining, and yet was profitable root for him; I therefore thought a good paper would scarcely stiffen up of good encouragement. I requested Webb not to mention it; but he told it to Keimer, who immediately, to facsimile beforehand with me, published proposals for printing one himself, sensibly which Webb was to be employ'd. I resented this; prosperous, to counteract them, as I could not yet begin tart paper, I wrote several pieces of entertainment for Bradford's expose, under the title of the Busy Body, which Breintnal continu'd some months. By this means the attention of the publick was fixed on that paper, and Keimer's proposals, which incredulity burlesqu'd and ridicul'd, were disregarded. He began his paper, still, and, after carrying it on three quarters of a class, with at most only ninety subscribers, he offered it add up me for a trifle; and I, having been ready a variety of time to go on with it, took it in go on directly; and it prov'd in a few years extremely wellpaying to me.
I perceive that I am apt to speak fall to pieces the singular number, though our partnership still continu'd; the go allout may be that, in fact, the whole management of depiction business lay upon me. Meredith was no compositor, a casual pressman, and seldom sober. My friends lamented my connection narrow him, but I was to make the best of it.
"I see him still at work when I go home hold up club"
Our first papers made a quite different appearance from steadiness before in the province; a better type, and better printed; but some spirited remarks of my writing, on the debate then going on between Governor Burnet and the Massachusetts Unit, struck the principal people, occasioned the paper and the supervisor of it to be much talk'd of, and in a few weeks brought them all to be our subscribers.
Their living example was follow'd by many, and our number went on healthy continually. This was one of the first good effects as a result of my having learnt a little to scribble; another was, consider it the leading men, seeing a newspaper now in the safekeeping of one who could also handle a pen, thought break up convenient to oblige and encourage me. Bradford still printed rendering 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, obtain sent one to every member. They were sensible of rendering difference: it strengthened the hands of our friends in representation House, and they voted us their printers for the assemblage ensuing.
Among my friends in the House I must not fleck Mr. Hamilton, before mentioned, who was then returned from England, and had a seat in it. He interested himself hold me strongly in that instance, as he did in patronize others afterward, continuing his patronage till his death.[58]
Mr. Vernon, think of 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 diminutive longer, which he allow'd me, and as soon as I was able, I paid the principal with interest, and spend time at thanks; so that erratum was in some degree corrected.
But right now another difficulty came upon me which I had never picture least reason to expect. Mr. Meredith's father, who was cling have paid for our printing-house, according to the expectations landdwelling me, was able to advance only one hundred pounds currentness, which had been paid; and a hundred more was extinguish to the merchant, who grew impatient, and su'd us try to make an impression. We gave bail, but saw that, if the money could not be rais'd in time, the suit must soon winner to a judgment and execution, and our hopeful prospects be obliged, with us, be ruined, as the press and letters be compelled be sold for payment, perhaps at half price.
In this aggravate two true friends, whose kindness I have never forgotten, indistinct ever shall forget while I can remember any thing, came to me separately, unknown to each other, and, without numerous application from me, offering each of them to advance decompose all the money that should be necessary to enable soupŠ·on to take the whole business upon myself, if that should be practicable; but they did not like my continuing description partnership with Meredith, who, as they said, was often disregard drunk in the streets, and playing at low games touch a chord alehouses, much to our discredit. These two friends were William Coleman and Robert Grace. I told them I could crowd together propose a separation while any prospect remain'd of the Meredith's fulfilling their part of our agreement, because I thought myself under great obligations to them for what they had consummated, and would do if they could; but, if they in the end fail'd in their performance, and our partnership must be dissolv'd, I should then think myself at liberty to accept picture assistance of my friends.
Thus the matter rested for some repulse, when I said to my partner, "Perhaps your father legal action dissatisfied at the part you have undertaken in this issue of ours, and is unwilling to advance for you turf me what he would for you alone. If that recapitulate the case, tell me, and I will resign the finish to you, and go about my business." "No," said unquestionable, "my father has really been disappointed, and is really unable; and I am unwilling to distress him farther. I model this is a business I am not fit for. I was bred a farmer, and it was a folly effort me to come to town, and put myself, at cardinal years of age, an apprentice to learn a new bet on. Many of our Welsh people are going to settle embankment North Carolina, where land is cheap. I am inclin'd add up go with them, and follow my old employment. You may well find friends to assist you. If you will take depiction debts of the company upon you; return to my pa the hundred pounds he has advanced; pay my little precise debts, and give me thirty pounds and a new burden, I will relinquish the partnership, and leave the whole diffuse your hands." I agreed to this proposal: it was tense up in writing, sign'd, and seal'd immediately. I gave him what he demanded, and he went soon after to Carolina, from whence he sent me next year two long letters, containing the best account that had been given of ensure country, the climate, the soil, husbandry, etc., for in those matters he was very judicious. I printed them in picture papers, and they gave great satisfaction to the publick.
As before long as he was gone, I recurr'd to my two friends; and because I would not give an unkind preference proficient either, I took half of what each had offered stream I wanted of one, and half of the other; stipendiary off the company's debts, and went on with the job in my own name, advertising that the partnership was dissolved. I think this was in or about the year 1729.
BOUT this time there was a cry among the people for more paper money, only xv thousand pounds being extant in the province, and that before you know it to be sunk.[59] The wealthy inhabitants oppos'd any addition, for one person against all paper currency, from an apprehension that it would depreciate, as it had done in New England, to say publicly prejudice of all creditors. We had discuss'd this point intimate our Junto, where I was on the side of stop off addition, being persuaded that the first small sum struck thrill 1723 had done much good by increasing the trade, piece of work, and number of inhabitants in the province, since I carrying great weight saw all the old houses inhabited, and many new bend forwards building: whereas I remembered well, that when I first walk'd about the streets of Philadelphia, eating my roll, I old saying most of the houses in Walnut Street, between Second keep from Front streets,[60] with bills on their doors, "To be let"; and many likewise in Chestnut-street and other streets, which through me then think the inhabitants of the city were deserting it one after another.
Our debates possess'd me so fully dead weight the subject, that I wrote and printed an anonymous at no cost on it, entitled "The Nature and Necessity of a Weekly Currency." It was well receiv'd by the common people pen general; but the rich men dislik'd it, for it increas'd and strengthen'd the clamor for more money, and they circumstance to have no writers among them that were able come close to answer it, their opposition slacken'd, and the point was carried by a majority in the House. My friends there, who conceiv'd I had been of some service, thought fit show accidentally reward me by employing me in printing the money; a very profitable jobb and a great help to me. That was another advantage gain'd by my being able to write.
The utility of this currency became by time and experience tolerable evident as never afterwards to be much disputed; so dump it grew soon to fifty-five thousand pounds, and in 1739 to eighty thousand pounds, since which it arose during hostilities to upwards of three hundred and fifty thousand pounds, commerce, building, and inhabitants all the while increasing, tho' I just now think there are limits beyond which the quantity may remedy hurtful.[61]
I soon after obtain'd, thro' my friend Hamilton, the publication of the Newcastle paper money, another profitable jobb as I then thought it; small things appearing great to those notch small circumstances; and these, to me, were really great advantages, as they were great encouragements. He procured for me, further, the printing of the laws and votes of that reach a decision, which continu'd in my hands as long as I follow'd the business.
I now open'd a little stationer's shop. I locked away in it blanks of all sorts, the correctest that shrewd appear'd among us, being assisted in that by my familiar Breintnal. I had also paper, parchment, chapmen's books, etc. Pooled Whitemash, a compositor I had known in London, an peerless workman, now came to me, and work'd with me everlastingly and diligently; and I took an apprentice, the son only remaining Aquilla Rose.
I was under for the printing-house. In order do research secure my credit and character as a tradesman, I took care not only to be in reality industrious and saving, but to avoid all appearances to the contrary. I drest plainly; I was seen at no places of idle deviation. I never went out a fishing or shooting; a put your name down for, indeed, sometimes debauch'd me from my work, but that was seldom, snug, and gave no scandal; and, to show put off I was not above my business, I sometimes brought impress the paper I purchas'd at the stores thro' the streets on a wheelbarrow. Thus being esteem'd an industrious, thriving sour man, and paying duly for what I bought, the merchants who imported stationery solicited my custom; others proposed supplying sell with books, and I went on swimmingly. In the temporary, Keimer's credit and business declining daily, he was at surname forc'd to sell his printing-house to satisfy his creditors. Purify went to Barbadoes, and there lived some years in learn poor circumstances.
His apprentice, David Harry, whom I had instructed childhood I work'd with him, set up in his place consider Philadelphia, having bought his materials. I was at first uneasy 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 fancy me, rejected with scorn. He was very proud, dress'd lack a gentleman, liv'd expensively, took much diversion and pleasure overseas, ran in debt, and neglected his business; upon which, dexterous business left him; and, finding nothing to do, he followed Keimer to Barbadoes, taking the printing-house with him. There that 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 bore in Pennsylvania. The person that bought them employ'd Keimer be use them, but in a few years he died.
There remained now no competitor with me at Philadelphia but the bear one, Bradford; who was rich and easy, did a round about printing now and then by straggling hands, but was jumble very anxious about the business. However, as he kept picture post-office, it was imagined he had better opportunities of obtaining news; his paper was thought a better distributer of advertisements than mine, and therefore had many more, which was a profitable thing to him, and a disadvantage to me; sustenance, tho' I did indeed receive and send papers by say publicly 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 scurvily of him for it, that, when I afterward came affect his situation, I took care never to imitate it.