words: I am a poor, unhappy woman, who have no money to fee
lawyers to plead for me, being hard put to it to get a
living. I shall not trouble your honours with long speeches;
for I have not the presumption to expect that you may, by any
means, be prevailed on to deviate in your Sentence from the
law, in my favour. All I humbly hope is, that your honours
would charitably move the governor's goodness on my behalf,
that my fine may be remitted. This is the fifth time,
gentlemen, that I have been dragg'd before your court on the
same account; twice I have paid heavy fines, and twice have
been brought to publick punishment, for want of money to pay
those fines. This may have been agreeable to the laws, and I
don't dispute it; but since laws are sometimes unreasonable
in themselves, and therefore repealed; and others bear too
hard on the subject in particular circumstances, and
therefore there is left a power somewhere to dispense with
the execution of them; I take the liberty to say, that I
think this law, by which I am punished, both unreasonable in
itself, and particularly severe with regard to me, who have
always lived an inoffensive life in the neighbourhood where I
was born, and defy my enemies (if I have any) to say I ever
wrong'd any man, woman, or child. Abstracted from the law, I
cannot conceive (may it please your honours) what the nature
of my offense is. I have brought five fine children into the
world, at the risque of my life; I have maintain'd them well
by my own industry, without burthening the township, and
would have done it better, if it had not been for the heavy
charges and fines I have paid. Can it be a crime (in the
nature of things, I mean) to add to the king's subjects, in a
new country, that really wants people? I own it, I should
think it rather a praiseworthy than a punishable action. I
have debauched no other woman's husband, nor enticed any
other youth; these things I never was charg'd with; nor has
any one the least cause of complaint against me, unless,
perhaps, the ministers of justice, because I have had
children without being married, by which they have missed a
wedding fee. But can this be a fault of mine? I appeal to
your honours. You are pleased to allow I don't want sense;
but I must be stupified to the last degree, not to prefer
the honourable state of wedlock to the condition I have lived
in. I always was, and still am willing to enter into it; and
doubt not my behaving well in it, having all the industry,
frugality, fertility, and skill in economy appertaining to a
good wife's character. I defy any one to say I ever refused
an offer of that sort: on the contrary, I readily consented
to the only proposal of marriage that ever was made me, which
was when I was a virgin, but too easily confiding in the
person's sincerity that made it, I unhappily lost my honour
by trusting to his; for he got me with child, and then
forsook me.
"That very person, you all know, he is now become a
magistrate of this country; and I had hopes he would have
appeared this day on the bench, and have endeavoured to
moderate the Court in my favour; then I should have scorn'd
to have mentioned it; but I must now complain of it, as
unjust and unequal, that my betrayer and undoer, the first
cause of all my faults and miscarriages (if they must be
deemed such), should be advanced to honour and power in this
government that punishes my misfortunes with stripes and
infamy. I should be told, 'tis like, that were there no act
of Assembly in the case, the precepts of religion are
violated by my transgressions. If mine is a religious
offense, leave it to religious punishments. You have already
excluded me from the comforts of your church communion. Is
not that sufficient? You believe I have offended heaven, and
must suffer eternal fire: Will not that be sufficient? What
need is there then of your additional fines and whipping? I
own I do not think as you do, for, if I thought what you call
a sin was really such, I could not presumptuously commit it.
But, how can it be believed that heaven is angry at my having
children, when to the little done by me towards it, God has
been pleased to add his divine skill and admirable
workmanship in the formation of their bodies, and crowned the
whole by furnishing them with rational and immortal souls?
"Forgive me, gentlemen, if I talk a little extravagantly on
these matters; I am no divine, but if you, gentlemen, must be
making laws, do not turn natural and useful actions into
crimes by your prohibitions. But take into your wise
consideration the great and growing number of batchelors in
the country, many of whom, from the mean fear of the expences
of a family, have never sincerely and honourably courted a
woman in their lives; and by their manner of living leave
unproduced (which is little better than murder) hundreds of
their posterity to the thousandth generation. Is not this a
greater offense against the publick good than mine? Compel
them, then, by law, either to marriage, or to pay double the
fine of fornication every year. What must poor young women
do, whom customs and nature forbid to solicit the men, and
who cannot force themselves upon husbands, when the laws take
no care to provide them any, and yet severely punish them if
they do their duty without them; the duty of the first and
great command of nature and nature's God, _encrease and
multiply_; a duty, from the steady performance of which
nothing has been able to deter me, but for its sake I have
hazarded the loss of the publick esteem, and have frequently
endured publick disgrace and punishment; and therefore ought,
in my humble opinion, instead of a whipping, to have a statue
erected to my memory."
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD, 1747
COURTEOUS READER,
This is the 15th Time I have entertain'd thee with my annual
Productions; I hope to thy Profit as well as mine. For besides the
astronomical Calculations, and other Things usually contain'd in
Almanacks, which have their daily Use indeed while the Year continues,
but then become of no Value, I have constantly interspers'd _moral_
Sentences, _prudent_ Maxims, and _wise_ Sayings, many of them containing
_much good Sense_ in _very few_ Words, and therefore apt to leave
_strong_ and _lasting_ Impressions on the Memory of young Persons,
whereby they may receive Benefit as long as they live, when both
Almanack and Almanack-maker have been long thrown by and forgotten. If I
now and then insert a Joke or two, that seem to have little in them, my
Apology _is_ that such may have their Use, since perhaps for their Sake
light airy Minds peruse the rest, and so are struck by somewhat of more
Weight and Moment. The Verses on the Heads of the Months are also
generally design'd to have the same Tendency. I need not tell thee that
not many of them are of my own Making. If thou hast any Judgment in
Poetry, thou wilt easily discern the Workman from the Bungler. I know as
well as thee, that I am no _Poet born_; and it is a Trade I never
learnt, nor indeed could learn. _If I make Verses, 'tis in Spight--of
Nature and my Stars, I write._ Why then should I give my Readers _bad
Lines_ of my own, when _good Ones_ of other People's are so plenty? 'Tis
methinks a poor Excuse for the bad Entertainment of Guests, that the
Food we set before them, tho' coarse and ordinary, _is of one's own
Raising, off one's own Plantation_, &c. when there is Plenty of what is
ten times better, to be had in the Market.--On the contrary, I assure
ye, my Friends, that I have procur'd the best I could for ye, and _much
Good may't do ye...._
_I am thy poor Friend, to serve thee,_
R. SAUNDERS.
TO PETER COLLINSON
Philad^a Aug^t 14, 1747.
SIR
I have lately written two long Letters to you on the Subject of
Electricity, one by the Governor's Vessel, the other per Mesnard. On
some further Experiments since I have observ'd a Phenomenon or two, that
I cannot at present account for on the Principle laid down in those
Letters, and am therefore become a little diffident of my Hypothesis,
and asham'd that I have express'd myself in so positive a manner. In
going on with these Experiments how many pretty Systems do we build
which we soon find ourselves oblig'd to destroy! If there is no other
Use discover'd of Electricity this however is something considerable,
that it may _help to make a vain man humble_.
I must now request that you would not Expose those Letters; or if you
communicate them to any Friends you would at least conceal my Name. I
have not Time to add but that I am, Sir,
Your obliged and most hum^e Serv^t
B. FRANKLIN.
PREFACE TO POOR RICHARD IMPROVED, 1748
KIND READER
The favourable Reception my annual Labours have met with from the
Publick these 15 Years past, has engaged me in Gratitude to endeavour
some Improvements of my Almanack. And since my Friend _Taylor_ is no
more, whose _Ephemerides_ so long and so agreeably serv'd and
entertain'd these Provinces, I have taken the Liberty to imitate his
well-known Method, and give two Pages for each Month; which affords me
Room for several valuable Additions, as will best appear on Inspection
and Comparison with former Almanacks. Yet I have not so far follow'd his
Method, as not to continue my own when I thought it preferable; and thus
my Book is increas'd to a Size beyond his, and contains much more
Matter.
Hail Night serene! thro' Thee where'er we turn
Our wond'ring Eyes, Heav'n's Lamps profusely burn;
And Stars unnumber'd all the Sky adorn.
But lo!--what's that I see appear?
It seems far off a pointed flame;
From Earthwards too the shining Meteor came:
How swift it climbs th' etherial Space!
And now it traverses each Sphere,
And seems some knowing Mind, familiar to the Place,
Dame, hand my Glass, the longest, strait prepare;
'Tis He--'tis TAYLOR'S Soul, that travels there.
O stay! thou happy Spirit, stay,
And lead me on thro' all th' unbeaten Wilds of Day;
Where Planets in pure Streams of Ether driven,
Swim thro' the blue Expanse of Heav'n.
There let me, thy Companion, stray
From Orb to Orb, and now behold
Unnumber'd Suns, all Seas of molten Gold,
And trace each Comet's wandring Way.--
Souse down into Prose again, my Muse; for Poetry's no more thy Element,
than Air is that of the Flying-Fish; whose Flights, like thine, are
therefore always short and heavy.--
ADVICE TO A YOUNG TRADESMAN
[1748]
TO MY FRIEND, A. B.:
As you have desired it of me, I write the following hints, which have
been of service to me, and may, if observed, be so to you.
Remember, that _time_ is money. He that can earn ten shillings a day by
his labour, and goes abroad, or sits idle, one half of that day, though
he spends but sixpence during his diversion or idleness, ought not to
reckon _that_ the only expense; he has really spent, or rather thrown
away, five shillings besides.
Remember, that _credit_ is money. If a man lets his money lie in my
hands after it is due, he gives me the interest, or so much as I can
make of it during that time. This amounts to a considerable sum where a
man has good and large credit, and makes good use of it.
Remember, that money is of the prolific, generating nature. Money can
beget money, and its offspring can beget more, and so on. Five shillings
turned is six, turned again it is seven and three-pence, and so on till
it becomes an hundred pounds. The more there is of it, the more it
produces every turning, so that the profits rise quicker and quicker. He
that kills a breeding sow, destroys all her offspring to the thousandth
generation. He that murders a crown, destroys all that it might have
produced, even scores of pounds.
Remember, that six pounds a year is but a groat a day. For this little
sum (which may be daily wasted either in time or expense unperceived) a
man of credit may, on his own security, have the constant possession and
use of an hundred pounds. So much in stock, briskly turned by an
industrious man, produces great advantage.
Remember this saying, _The good paymaster is lord of another man's
purse_. He that is known to pay punctually and exactly to the time he
promises, may at any time, and on any occasion, raise all the money his
friends can spare. This is sometimes of great use. After industry and
frugality, nothing contributes more to the raising of a young man in the
world than punctuality and justice in all his dealings; therefore never
keep borrowed money an hour beyond the time you promised, lest a
disappointment shut up your friend's purse for ever.
The most trifling actions that affect a man's credit are to be regarded.
The sound of your hammer at five in the morning, or nine at night, heard
by a creditor, makes him easy six months longer; but, if he sees you at
a billiard-table, or hears your voice at a tavern, when you should be at
work, he sends for his money the next day; demands it, before he can
receive it, in a lump.
It shows, besides, that you are mindful of what you owe; it makes you
appear a careful as well as an honest man, and that still increases your
credit.
Beware of thinking all your own that you possess, and of living
accordingly. It is a mistake that many people who have credit fall into.
To prevent this, keep an exact account for some time, both of your
expenses and your income. If you take the pains at first to mention
particulars, it will have this good effect: you will discover how
wonderfully small, trifling expenses mount up to large sums, and will
discern what might have been, and may for the future be saved, without
occasioning any great inconvenience.
In short, the way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to
market. It depends chiefly on two words, _industry_ and _frugality_;
that is, waste neither _time_ nor _money_, but make the best use of
both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them
every thing. He that gets all he can honestly, and saves all he gets
(necessary expenses excepted), will certainly become _rich_, if that
Being who governs the world, to whom all should look for a blessing on
their honest endeavours, doth not, in his wise providence, otherwise
determine.
AN OLD TRADESMAN.
TO GEORGE WHITEFIELD
Philadelphia, July 6, 1749.
DEAR SIR
Since your being in England, I have received two of your favours and a
box of books to be disposed of. It gives me great pleasure to hear of
your welfare and that you purpose soon to return to America.
We have no news here worth writing to you. The affair of the building
remains in _statu quo_, there having been no new application to the
Assembly about it, or anything done in consequence of the former.
I have received no money on your account from Mr. Thanklin, or from
Boston. Mrs. Read and your other friends here, in general, are well, and
will rejoice to see you again.
I am glad to hear that you have frequent opportunities of preaching
among the great. If you can gain them to a good and exemplary life,
wonderful changes will follow in the manners of the lower ranks; for _ad
exemplum regis_, etc. On this principle, Confucius, the famous Eastern
reformer, proceeded. When he saw his country sunk in vice, and
wickedness of all kinds triumphant, he applied himself first to the
grandees; and having, by his doctrine, won _them_ to the cause of
virtue, the commons followed in multitudes. The mode has a wonderful
influence on mankind; and there are numbers who, perhaps, fear less the
being in hell, than out of the fashion. Our most western reformations
began with the ignorant mob; and when numbers of them were gained,
interest and party views drew in the wise and great. Where both methods
can be used, reformations are likely to be more speedy. O that some
method could be found to make them lasting! He who discovers that will,
in my opinion, deserve more, ten thousand times, than the inventor of
the longitude.
My wife and family join in the most cordial salutations to you and good
Mrs. Whitefield.
I am, dear Sir, your very affectionate friend, and most obliged humble
Servant
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH IN PENSILVANIA
PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED IN THE YEAR, MDCCXLIX[33]
"Advertisement to the Reader.
"It has long been regretted as a Misfortune to the Youth of
this Province, that we have no ACADEMY, in which they might
receive the Accomplishments of a regular Education. The
following Paper of Hints towards forming a Plan for that
Purpose, is so far approv'd by some publick-spirited
Gentlemen, to whom it has been privately communicated, that
they have directed a Number of Copies to be made by the Press,
and properly distributed, in order to obtain the Sentiments
and Advice of Men of Learning, Understanding, and Experience
in these Matters; and have determined to use their Interest
and best Endeavours, to have the Scheme, when compleated,
carried gradually into Execution; in which they have Reason to
believe they shall have the hearty Concurrence and Assistance
of many who are Wellwishers to their Country. Those who
incline to favour the Design with their Advice, either as to
the Parts of Learning to be taught, the Order of Study, the
Method of Teaching, the OEconomy of the School, or any other
Matter of Importance to the Success of the Undertaking, are
desired to communicate their Sentiments as soon as may be, by
Letter directed to B. FRANKLIN, _Printer_, in PHILADELPHIA."
PROPOSALS
The good Education of Youth has been esteemed by wise Men in all Ages,
as the surest Foundation of the Happiness both of private Families and
of Commonwealths. Almost all Governments have therefore made it a
principal Object of their Attention, to establish and endow with proper
Revenues, such Seminaries of Learning, as might supply the succeeding
Age with Men qualified to serve the Publick with Honour to themselves,
and to their Country.
Many of the first Settlers of these Provinces were Men who had received
a good Education in _Europe_, and to their Wisdom and good Management we
owe much of our present Prosperity. But their Hands were full, and they
could not do all Things. The present Race are not thought to be
generally of equal Ability: For though the _American_ Youth are allow'd
not to want Capacity; yet the best Capacities require Cultivation, it
being truly with them, as with the best Ground, which unless well tilled
and sowed with profitable Seed, produces only ranker Weeds.
That we may obtain the Advantages arising from an Increase of Knowledge,
and prevent as much as may be the mischievous Consequences that would
attend a general Ignorance among us, the following _Hints_ are offered
towards forming a Plan for the Education of the Youth of _Pennsylvania_,
viz.
It is propos'd,
That some Persons of Leisure and publick Spirit apply for a CHARTER, by
which they may be incorporated, with Power to erect an ACADEMY for the
Education of Youth, to govern the same, provide Masters, make Rules,
receive Donations, purchase Lands, etc., and to add to their Number,
from Time to Time such other Persons as they shall judge suitable.
That the Members of the Corporation make it their Pleasure, and in some
Degree their Business, to visit the Academy often, encourage and
countenance the Youth, countenance and assist the Masters, and by all
Means in their Power advance the Usefulness and Reputation of the
Design; that they look on the Students as in some Sort their Children,
treat them with Familiarity and Affection, and, when they have behav'd
well, and gone through their Studies, and are to enter the World,
zealously unite, and make all the Interest that can be made to establish
them, whether in Business, Offices, Marriages, or any other Thing for
their Advantage, preferably to all other Persons whatsoever even of
equal Merit.
And if Men may, and frequently do, catch such a Taste for cultivating
Flowers, for Planting, Grafting, Inoculating, and the like, as to
despise all other Amusements for their Sake, why may not we expect they
should acquire a Relish for that _more useful_ Culture of young Minds.
_Thompson_ says,
"'Tis Joy to see the human Blossoms blow,
When infant Reason grows apace, and calls
For the kind Hand of an assiduous Care.
Delightful Task! to rear the tender Thought,
To teach the young Idea how to shoot;
To pour the fresh Instruction o'er the Mind,
To breathe th' enliv'ning Spirit, and to fix
The generous Purpose in the glowing Breast."
That a House be provided for the ACADEMY, if not in the Town, not many
Miles from it; the Situation high and dry, and if it may be, not far
from a River, having a Garden, Orchard, Meadow, and a Field or two.
That the House be furnished with a Library (if in the Country, if in the
Town, the Town Libraries may serve) with Maps of all Countries, Globes,
some mathematical Instruments, an Apparatus for Experiments in Natural
Philosophy, and for Mechanics; Prints, of all Kinds, Prospects,
Buildings, Machines, &c.
That the Rector be a Man of good Understanding, good Morals, diligent
and patient, learn'd in the Languages and Sciences, and a correct pure
Speaker and Writer of the _English_ Tongue; to have such Tutors under
him as shall be necessary.
That the boarding Scholars diet together, plainly, temperately, and
frugally.
That, to keep them in Health, and to strengthen and render active their
Bodies, they be frequently exercis'd in Running, Leaping, Wrestling, and
Swimming, &c.
That they have peculiar Habits to distinguish them from other Youth, if
the Academy be in or near the Town; for this, among other Reasons, that
their Behaviour may be the better observed.
As to their STUDIES, it would be well if they could be taught _every
Thing_ that is useful, and _every Thing_ that is ornamental: But Art is
long, and their Time is short. It is therefore propos'd that they learn
those Things that are likely to be _most useful_ and _most ornamental_.
Regard being had to the several Professions for which they are intended.
All should be taught to write a _fair Hand_, and swift, as that is
useful to All. And with it may be learnt something of _Drawing_, by
Imitation of Prints, and some of the first Principles of Perspective.
_Arithmetick_, _Accounts_, and some of the first Principles of
_Geometry_ and _Astronomy_.
The _English_ Language might be taught by Grammar; in which some of our
best Writers, as _Tillotson_, _Addison_, _Pope_, _Algernoon Sidney_,
_Cato's Letters_, &c; should be Classicks: the _Stiles_ principally to
be cultivated, being the _clear_ and the _concise_. Reading should also
be taught, and pronouncing, properly, distinctly, emphatically; not with
an even Tone, which _under-does_, nor a theatrical, which _over-does_
Nature.
To form their Stile they should be put on Writing Letters to each other,
making Abstracts of what they read; or writing the same Things in their
own Words; telling or writing Stories lately read, in their own
Expressions. All to be revis'd and corrected by the Tutor, who should
give his Reasons, and explain the Force and Import of Words, &c.
To form their Pronunciation, they may be put on making Declamations,
repeating Speeches, delivering Orations, &c.; The Tutor assisting at the
Rehearsals, teaching, advising, correcting their Accent, &c.
But if History be made a constant Part of their Reading, such as the
Translations of the _Greek_ and _Roman_ Historians, and the modern
Histories of ancient _Greece_ and _Rome_, &c. may not almost all Kinds
of useful Knowledge be that Way introduc'd to Advantage, and with
Pleasure to the Student? As
GEOGRAPHY, by reading with Maps, and being required to point out the
Places _where_ the greatest Actions were done, to give their old and new
Names, with the Bounds, Situation, Extent of the Countries concern'd,
&c.
CHRONOLOGY, by the Help of _Helvicus_ or some other Writer of the Kind,
who will enable them to tell _when_ those Events happened; what Princes
were Cotemporaries, what States or famous Men flourish'd about that
Time, &c. The several principal Epochas to be first well fix'd in their
Memories.
ANTIENT CUSTOMS, religious and civil, being frequently mentioned in
History, will give Occasion for explaining them; in which the Prints of
Medals, Basso-Relievos, and antient Monuments will greatly assist.