_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._
1. At New York Franklin found his friend Collins, who had arrived
there some time before him. They had been intimate from childhood, and
he had been sober and industrious. But during Franklin's absence in
Philadelphia, Collins had fallen into bad habits, and become a
drunkard. He gamed, and lost his money, and borrowed of his friend, to
pay his expenses on the road.
2. The governor of New York, hearing from the captain that one of his
passengers had a great many books on board, requested that he might be
brought to see him. Franklin, accordingly, waited upon him. He was
received with great civility. The governor showed him his library,
which was a considerable one, and they had a good deal of conversation
about books and authors. This attention was very pleasing to Franklin.
3. When they arrived at Philadelphia, Collins continued to drink, and
was, consequently, unable to procure any business. He continued to
borrow money of Franklin, and finally quarrelled with him, and went to
the West Indies. Franklin never heard of him afterwards.
4. Sir William Keith received the young printer, on his return, with a
great show of kindness, and large promises. "Since your father will
not set you up," he said to him, "I will do it myself. Give me a list
of the things necessary to be had from England, and I will send for
them. You shall repay me when you are able. I am resolved to have a
good printer here, and I am sure you must succeed." This was spoken
with an air of perfect sincerity, and Franklin had not the least doubt
but that he meant what he said.
5. He accordingly made a list of all the articles that would be wanted
for a printing house, the cost of which was about one hundred pounds.
The governor liked it, and asked whether it would not be well for him
to go to England himself, in order to select the types, and see that
every thing was of the best kind. "When there," he added, "you may
make acquaintance, and establish correspondence in the bookselling and
stationery way."
6. Franklin thought that it might be advantageous. "Then," said he,
"get yourself ready to go in the Annis," which was the annual ship,
and at that time the only one passing between London and Philadelphia.
But, as it would be some months before the Annis sailed, Franklin
continued to work with Keimer.
7. They agreed together very well, and lived on quite a familiar
footing. Franklin used sometimes to argue with his master, and would
most frequently beat him. This gave him so great an idea of Franklin's
ability in disputation, that he proposed to him to become his
assistant in a new religious sect which he proposed to establish. One
was to preach the doctrines, and the other to confound all opponents.
8. When they came to explain with each other upon their doctrines,
Keimer was desirous of introducing certain customs, which did not
entirely meet the wishes of his colleague. Among other things, he wore
his beard at full length; because, somewhere in the Mosaic law, it is
said, "Thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard." He likewise kept
the seventh day sabbath, instead of the first; and both of these
points he considered essential.
9. Franklin disliked both, but agreed to them on condition of his
adopting the doctrine not to use animal food. Keimer was a great
eater, and was not much pleased with the idea of being starved; but he
consented to try the practice a few weeks, and see how it agreed with
his constitution.
10. They held to this plan for three months. Their provisions were
purchased, cooked, and brought to them regularly by a woman in the
neighborhood, who prepared, at different times, forty dishes, in which
there were neither fish, flesh, nor fowl. Franklin went on well
enough, but poor Keimer suffered grievously, grew tired of the
project, and ordered a roast pig. He invited some friends to dine with
him upon the occasion, but the pig being brought too soon upon the
table, he could not resist the temptation, but ate the whole before
his company came.
11. During this time, Franklin had contracted an affection for Miss
Read, and believed that she was not altogether indifferent in her
feelings towards him. As he was about to take a long voyage, however,
and as they were both very young, her mother thought it most prudent
to defer the matter till his return from England.
12. His chief acquaintance, at this period, were Charles Osborne,
Joseph Watson, and James Ralph, all lovers of reading. In one of their
meetings, it was proposed that at a certain time each of them should
produce a piece of his own composition, in order to improve, by mutual
observations and corrections. They agreed that this task should be to
turn the eighteenth psalm into verse.
13. When the time of the meeting drew nigh, Ralph called upon
Franklin, and told him that his piece was ready. "Now," said he,
"Osborne never will allow the least merit in any thing of mine, but
makes a thousand criticisms, out of mere envy. I wish, therefore, you
would take this piece and produce it as yours; we shall then hear what
he will say to it."
14. It was agreed. At the meeting, Watson's performance was read
first; there were some beauties in it and many defects. Osborne's
piece was then read, and was much better. Ralph had nothing to
produce. It was now Franklin's turn. He was backward, wished to be
excused, but no excuse would be received. The piece he brought with
him was read, and repeated. Osborne was delighted with it, and praised
it in the highest terms.
15. As he was returning home with Ralph, he expressed himself still
more strongly. "Who would have imagined," said he, "that Franklin was
capable of such a performance! such painting, such force, such fire!
He has even improved on the original. In common conversation he seems
to have no choice of words; he hesitates and blunders; and yet how he
writes!" When they next met, the trick was discovered, and Osborne was
laughed at for praising Ralph, by mistake.
16. The governor sent for Franklin frequently to his house, and always
spoke of setting him up in business, as a settled thing. He was to be
furnished with letters to the governor's friends in England, and with
an order for the money to purchase a press, types, and paper. For
these letters he was to call at a certain time, when they would be
ready. They were delayed, however, again and again, till the ship was
on the point of sailing.
17. When Franklin went to take leave, and receive the letters, the
secretary came out and said, that the governor was very busy on
business of importance, but that he would send the letters on board,
wishing him a good voyage and a speedy return.
18. Understanding that despatches had been brought on board, from the
governor, Franklin asked the captain for the letters that were to be
under his care. The captain told him that they had all been put into
the bag together, and he could not then come at them; but that before
they landed in England, he should have an opportunity of picking them
out. This satisfied him for the present, and he thought nothing more
of it during the voyage.
19. When they arrived in the Channel, the captain kept his word, and
permitted him to examine the bag, for the governor's letters. He found
some upon which his name was put, and picked out six or seven, which
he thought might be the promised letters. One of these was addressed
to Basket, the king's printer, and another to some stationer.
20. They reached London on the twenty-fourth of December, 1724.
Franklin waited upon the stationer, who came first in his way, and
delivered the letter as from Governor Keith. "I don't know such a
person," said he; but opening the letter--"O! this is from Riddlesden;
I have lately found him to be a complete rascal, and I will have
nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters from him." Returning
the letter, he turned upon his heel and went to wait upon some
customer.
21. It turned out that the governor had sent no letters by Franklin,
but had completely deceived him. With no intention of giving him any
assistance, he had blinded him with brilliant promises and false
hopes. But Franklin was able to assist himself. He determined to
procure employment among the printers in London, and acquire a
thorough knowledge of his profession before he returned to America.
* * * * *
1. What happened to his friend Collins?
2. What attention did Franklin receive from the governor of New York?
4. What was Sir William Keith's conduct?
5. What was the proposed visit to England?
7. What started the scheme of a new sect?
8. Why did it fail?
10. Relate the anecdote of Keimer and the roast pig.
12. Who were his chief acquaintance at this period? What was the task
proposed among them?
14. What was the trick played upon Osborne?
17. What was the conduct of the governor?
18. Did Franklin receive the letters promised by the governor?
20. What was the fate of Franklin's first letter of introduction?
21. What course did Franklin determine to pursue?
[Illustration: Franklin delivering his letter to the Stationer in
London.]