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Transcriber's note:
The total number of questions at the end of each chapter
does not necessarily correspond to the total number of
paragraphs in the chapter.
Text is missing from the printed book at the end of
Paragraph 19 in Chapter X.
[Illustration: Franklin taking home his paper.]
[Illustration: Reconciliation of Franklin with his Brother.]
THE LIFE
OF
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
ILLUSTRATED BY TALES, SKETCHES, AND ANECDOTES.
ADAPTED TO THE USE OF SCHOOLS.
WITH ENGRAVINGS.
PHILADELPHIA:
DESILVER, THOMAS & CO.,
No. 253 MARKET STREET.
1836.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1832, by SAMUEL
G. GOODRICH, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of
Massachusetts.
Transcriber's Notes:
The total number of questions at the end of each chapter does not
necessarily correspond to the total number of paragraphs in the
chapter.
Text is missing from the printed book at the end of Paragraph 19 in
Chapter X.
PREFACE.
The following Preface to the Life of Columbus will explain the plan of
the series, of which this is the third volume:--
"There is no kind of reading more attractive than biography, and, if
properly treated, there is none more instructive. It appears,
therefore, to be peculiarly fitted to the purposes of education; it
readily excites the curiosity and awakens the interest of the pupil,
and, while it stores his mind with facts, dates and events, displays
to his view the workings of the human heart, and makes him better
acquainted with himself and mankind.
"In the selection of subjects for a biographical series of works for
youth, the editor has been led, by two considerations, to prefer those
which belong to our own country. In the first place, it is more
particularly necessary that our youth should be made acquainted with
the lives of those men who were associated with the history of their
native land; and, in the second place, no country can afford happier
subjects for biography than this. There are few such lives as those of
Columbus, Washington, and Franklin, in the annals of any nation.
"In the preparation of the work, the author has sought to adapt it to
youth, by the use of a simple style, and by the introduction of many
illustrative tales, sketches, anecdotes and adventures. Questions for
examining the pupils are printed in the pages, which may be used, or
not, at the choice of the Teacher."
The Life of Columbus and the Life of Washington, on a plan similar to
this, have been already published; and other volumes, containing the
lives of celebrated Indian Chiefs, celebrated American Statesmen, &c.,
will appear hereafter, if those already in progress should meet with
success.
CONTENTS.
Page
CHAPTER I.
Birth of Franklin. Early Education. Anecdote. Choice of a Trade. He
is placed with a Cutler. His Fondness for Reading. Bound Apprentice
to his Brother. Makes a Couple of Ballads. His Friend Collins. Reads
the Spectator. 11
CHAPTER II.
Franklin gives up eating Meat. His Economy of Time. Studies
Arithmetic. James Franklin establishes a Newspaper. Benjamin writes
for it. His Brother is imprisoned. Benjamin manages the Paper.
Leaves his Brother. Goes to New York. Sails thence for Philadelphia.
Anecdote of the Dutchman. 19
CHAPTER III.
His Journey. His Dinner with the old Gingerbread Woman. Arrives in
Philadelphia. Anecdote of the Rolls. Attends the Meeting House of
the Quakers. Suspected of being a Runaway. Employed by Keimer.
Noticed by Governor Keith. Visit to Boston. Return. 27
CHAPTER IV.
Finds his Friend Collins in New York. Visit to the Governor.
Promises from Governor Keith. Project of a new religious Sect.
Anecdote of Keimer and the roast Pig. His principal Acquaintance. A
literary Trick. Prepares to go to London. The Governor's Deception.
Arrival in London. 35
CHAPTER V.
Troubled by his Friend Ralph. Obtains Employment. Ralph turns
Schoolmaster, and begins an Epic Poem. Franklin teaches some of his
Friends to swim. Anecdote of Mr. Denham. Return to Philadelphia.
Story of George Webb. Franklin quarrels with Keimer. Returns to work
for him. Employed at Burlington. Leaves Keimer. 43
CHAPTER VI.
The Junto. A new Paper started by Keimer. Franklin purchases it.
Difficulties in their Business. A Dissolution of the Partnership.
Franklin assisted by his Friends. David Harry. Match-making.
Marriage with Miss Read. 50
CHAPTER VII.
Library of the Junto. A public Library established. Franklin
studies. His Frugality. Anecdote of the Bowl and Spoon. His Scheme
of arriving at Moral Perfection. Table of Precepts. Franklin's
Remarks upon it. Poor Richard's Almanac. 57
CHAPTER VIII.
Management of his Newspaper. Study of the Languages. Chess-playing.
The Preacher Hemphill. Stealing Sermons. Visit to Boston. Visits his
Brother James at Newport. Usefulness of the Junto. Formation of new
Clubs. Franklin chosen Clerk of the General Assembly. Anecdote. 65
CHAPTER IX.
Reform of the City Watch. Fire Companies. Rev. Mr. Whitefield.
Effects of his Preaching. His Project of building an Orphan House
in Georgia. Anecdotes. Franklin's Opinion of him. Franklin's
Prosperity. Military Defence of the Province. Formation of
Companies. 72
CHAPTER X.
Anecdote. William Penn. Education of Youth. Subscription for an
Academy. Franklin overloaded with public Offices. Member of the
Assembly. Treaty with the Indians at Carlisle. Public Hospital.
Anecdote. 82
CHAPTER XI.
Spence's Experiments in Electricity. Franklin repeats them. Makes
important Discoveries. Letters to Collinson. Experiment with the
Kite. Publication of his Letters. Anecdote of the Abbe Nollet. Fame
of Franklin. Elected a Member of the Royal Society. 90
CHAPTER XII.
Appointed Postmaster-General. Journey to New England. Receives
Degrees from two Colleges. Story of the Visit to his Mother. 97
CHAPTER XIII.
Congress at Albany. Plan for a Union of the Colonies. Arrival of
General Braddock. Franklin sent to him by the Assembly. Want of
Wagons. Franklin undertakes to procure them. His Advertisement.
Anecdote of Braddock. Battle with the Indians. Retreat. 105
CHAPTER XIV.
Settlement for the Loss of Wagons. Anecdote. Preparations for
Defence. Franklin appointed to a military Command. Assembles the
Troops at Bethlehem. Farmers killed by Indians. Building Forts.
Extracts from Franklin's Journal. Indian Cunning. Anecdotes of the
Moravians. 113
CHAPTER XV.
Disputes with the Proprietaries. Franklin sent by the Assembly to
London. Appointed general Agent for the Colonies. University Honors.
The Armonica. Murder of the friendly Indians. 124
CHAPTER XVI.
Franklin appointed Agent at the Court of Great Britain. Visits
Germany and France. Returns to Philadelphia. Appointed Delegate to
Congress. Interview with Lord Howe. Sent as Ambassador to France.
Asks to be recalled. Chosen President of the Supreme Council of
Philadelphia. Death. Character. 130
ESSAYS OF DR. FRANKLIN.
The Whistle. 136
Handsome and Deformed Leg. 138
Advice to a young Tradesman. 142
Necessary Hints to those that would be rich. 145
Paper, a Poem. 146
On the art of Swimming. 149
Preliminary Address to the Pennsylvania Almanac, entitled,
"Poor Richard's Almanac, for the year 1758." 153
Observations on War. 167
The Way to make Money plenty in every Man's Pocket. 169
Morals of Chess. 171
Conversation of a Company of Ephemerae. 177
LIFE OF FRANKLIN.
CHAPTER I.
_Birth of Franklin. Early Education. Anecdote. Choice of a Trade. He
is placed with a Cutler. His Fondness for Reading. Bound Apprentice to
his Brother. Makes a couple of Ballads. His Friend Collins. Reads the
Spectator._
1. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, New England, on the
seventeenth of January, 1706. He was the youngest son in a family of
seventeen children. His elder brothers were, at an early age, put
apprentices to different trades; for their father was a man of honest
industry, but with little or no property, and unable to support the
expense of keeping them long at school.
2. Benjamin, however, was intended for the church, and at eight years
of age was put to a grammar school. His readiness in learning, and his
attention to study, confirmed the first intention of his parents. The
plan also met with the approbation of his uncle Benjamin, who promised
to give him some volumes of sermons that he had taken down in short
hand, from the lips of the most eminent preachers of the day.
3. He continued at the grammar school, however, only about a year,
though he had risen to the head of his class, and promised to be a
very fine scholar. His father was burthened with a numerous family,
and could not carry him through a course of college education. He
accordingly changed his first purpose, and sent Benjamin to a school
for writing and arithmetic, kept by Mr. George Brownwell.
4. This master was quite skilful in his profession, being mild and
kind to his scholars, but very successful in teaching them. Benjamin
learned to write a good hand in a short time, but he could not manage
arithmetic so easily. At ten years of age he was taken from school to
help his father in the business of a tallow-chandler; and was employed
in cutting the wick for the candles, going errands, and tending the
shop.
5. Benjamin disliked the trade, and had a strong inclination to go to
sea; but his father opposed his wishes in this respect, and determined
to keep him at home. The house in which he lived happened to be near
the water, and Benjamin was always playing with boats, and swimming.
When sailing with other boys, he was usually the leader, and he
confesses that he sometimes led them into difficulties.
6. There was a salt marsh which bounded part of the mill-pond, on the
edge of which the boys used to stand to fish for minnows. They had
trampled it so much, however, as to make it a mere quagmire. Franklin
proposed to his friends to build a wharf there, for them to stand
upon; and showed them a large heap of stones, which were intended for
a new house near the marsh, and would answer their purpose exactly.
7. Accordingly, that evening, when the workmen were gone home, he
assembled a number of his playfellows, and they worked diligently,
like so many emmets, sometimes two or three to a stone, till they had
brought them all to make their little wharf. On the next morning, the
workmen were surprised on missing the stones. The authors of the
removal were detected, complained of, and punished by their parents.
Franklin attempted to show the usefulness of their work; but his
father took that occasion to convince him, that _that which was not
truly honest could not be truly useful_.
8. Benjamin continued employed in the business of his father about two
years, that is, till he was twelve years old. His brother John, who
had also been brought up to the trade, had left his father, married,
and set up for himself in Rhode Island. There was now every appearance
that Benjamin was destined to become a tallow-chandler. As his dislike
to the trade continued, his father was afraid that, if he did not put
Benjamin to one that was more agreeable, he would run away, and go to
sea, as an elder brother of his had done. In consequence of this
apprehension, he used to take him to walk, to see joiners,
bricklayers, turners and braziers at their work, that he might observe
his inclination, and fix it on some trade or profession that would
keep him on land.
9. His father at length determined on the cutler's trade, and placed
him for some days on trial with his cousin Samuel, who was bred to
that trade in London, and had just established himself in Boston. It
was then usual to ask a sum of money for receiving an apprentice, and
the cutler charged so much for taking Benjamin, that his father was
displeased, and put him to his old business again.
10. From his infancy Benjamin had been passionately fond of reading;
and all the money that he could get was laid out in purchasing books.
He was very fond of voyages and travels. The dangers and adventures of
sailors in the different parts of the world, and stories of the
strange people and customs they met with, he would always read with
delight.
11. The first books that he was able to buy were the works of a famous
old English writer, named John Bunyan. These he afterwards sold, in
order to purchase some volumes of Historical Collections. His father's
library consisted principally of works on divinity, most of which he
read at an early age. Beside these, there was a book by De Foe, the
author of Robinson Crusoe; and another called _An Essay to do Good_,
by Dr. Mather, an old New England divine.
12. This fondness for books at length determined his father to bring
him up as a printer, though he had already one son in that employment.
In 1717, this son returned from England with a press and letters to
set up his business in Boston. Benjamin liked this trade much better
than that of his father, but still had a desire to go to sea. To
prevent this step, his father was impatient to have him bound
apprentice to his brother, and at length persuaded him to consent to
it.
13. He was to serve as apprentice till he was twenty-one years of age,
and during the last year was to be allowed the wages of a journeyman.
In a little time, he made great progress in the business, and became
quite useful. He was now able to obtain better books. An acquaintance
with the apprentices of the booksellers sometimes enabled him to
borrow a small one, which he was careful to return clean and in good
season. He often sat up in his chamber the greater part of the night,
to read a book that he was obliged to return in the morning.
[Illustration: Franklin reading at night.]
14. After some time, an ingenious and sensible merchant, Mr. Matthew
Adams, who had a pretty collection of books, took notice of Franklin
at the printing office, and invited him to see his library. He very
kindly offered to lend him any work that he might like to read.
15. He now took a strong inclination for poetry, and wrote some little
pieces. His brother supposed that he might use this talent to
advantage, and encouraged him to cultivate it. About this time, he
produced two ballads. One was called the Light-House Tragedy, and
contained an account of the shipwreck of Captain Worthilake, with his
two daughters; the other was a sailor's song, on the taking of the
famous Blackbeard, the pirate.
16. They were written in the doggerel street-ballad style, and when
they were printed, his brother sent Benjamin about the town to sell
them. The first sold very rapidly, as the event on which it was
founded had recently occurred, and made a great deal of noise. This
success flattered his vanity very much, but his father discouraged him
by criticising his ballads, and telling him that verse-makers were
generally beggars.
17. This prevented him from giving any further attention to poetry,
and led him to devote more time and care to prose compositions. He was
at this time intimately acquainted with another lad very fond of
books, named John Collins. They sometimes discussed different
questions together, and had become very apt to indulge in arguments
and disputes.
18. A question was once started between them, on the propriety of
educating the female sex in learned studies, and their abilities for
these studies. As they parted without settling the point, and were not
to see one another again for a long time, Franklin sat down to put his
arguments in writing. He then made a fair copy of them, and sent it to
Collins.
19. Three or four letters passed between them on the subject, when the
father of Franklin happened to find the papers, and read them. Without
entering into the subject in dispute, he took occasion to talk to him
about his manner of writing. He marked the defects in his expressions,
and in the arrangement of his sentences, but gave him the credit of
spelling and pointing with great correctness. This he had learned in
the printing office, but he had never before been taught any thing
about manner and style.
20. About this time, he met with an odd volume of the Spectator, a
very famous work, published by several English wits in the year 1711.
He bought it, read it over and over, and was much delighted with it.
This book was now his continual study, and he himself tried to write
as much as possible in its very pleasant and popular style. The
improvement which he made was encouraging, and led him to hope he
might some day become a good English writer; a distinction of which he
was very ambitious.
* * * * *
1. Where was Franklin born? When?
2. For what profession did his parents intend to educate him?
3. What induced his father to change his intention?
4. To what trade was Benjamin put, and when?
6. Relate the anecdote about Franklin and his companions.
7. What maxim did his father teach him in consequence of this
adventure?
8. What were his father's fears in relation to his new occupation?
9. On what trade did his father finally determine?
10. Describe his early fondness for reading, and the books of which he
was most fond.
11. What books did he first buy?
12. What induced his father to bring up Benjamin as a printer? To whom
was he bound apprentice?
13. How did he succeed in his new trade?
14. What advantages did it afford him for pursuing his studies?
15. Relate the account of his first attempts in poetry.
16. How did his ballads succeed?
17. How did his father discourage his new taste?
18. What was the subject of his discussion with his friend Collins?
19. What praise and advice did his father give him on this occasion?
20. With what book was Franklin at this time so much pleased? Did he
attempt to imitate it?