The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin with an introduction and notes

Chapter I. Page

Franklin and Genealogy of his Family — His Birth — His Mother — Employments in his Boyhood — Anecdote — Character of his Father— Epitaph of his Father and Mother — Fond of Reading — Apprenticed to his Brother to learn the Printer's Trade — Writes Ballads — Intimacy with Collins — Practises Composition — Adopts a Vegetable Diet — Studies the Socratic Metliod of Disputation — Concerned in publishing a Newspaper — Disagrees with his Brother — Leaves Boston and takes Passage in a Sloop for New York, 17

Chapter II

Journey to Philadelphia — Adventure in a Boat— Dr. Brown— Burlington — His first Appearance in Philadelphia — Quaker Meeting — Seeks for Employment as a Printer — Commences Work in Keimer's Office — Forms Acquaintances — Patronised by Sir William Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania — First Interview with him — Keith proposes to set him up in Business — Returns to Boston— His Father disap-

CONTENTS.

proves Keith's Plan — Voyage to New York — Incident on the Passage from Newport — Meets his Friend Collins in New York — They go together to Philadelphia — Collins's ill Conduct causes a Separation — Keith insists on executing his original Plan, and proposes sending him to London to purchase Types — Returns to the use of Animal Food — Anecdotes of Keimer — His Associates, Osborne. Watson, Ralph — Their Exercises in Composition — Resolves to visit England, as advised by Governor Keith, . 52

CHAPTER in.

Sails for London, accompanied by Ralph — On his Arrival delivers Letters supposed to be written by the Governor — Discovers that Keith had deceived him — His Money exhausted — Engages to work as a Printer at Palmer's in Bartholomew Close — Writes and prints a metaphysical Tract — Frequents a Club, consisting of Dr. Mandeville and others — Disagreement with Ralph, and Separation — Removes to Watt's Printing-house near Lincoln's Inn Fields — Habits of the Workmen — His Expenses of Living — Feats of Activity in Swimming — Enters into Mercantile Business with Mr. Denham — Sir William Wyndham 82

Chapter IV

Voyage from London to Philadelphia — His Mercantile Plans defeated by the Death of Mr. Denham — Accepts an Offer from Keimer to superintend his Printing Establishment — Description of the Workmen in the Printing-house — Resolves to separate

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from Keimer and commence Business on his own Account — Engraves the Plates for Paper Money in New Jersey and prints the Bills — His Views of Religion — Account of his London Pamphlet — A New "Version of the Lord 's Prayer, with Explanatory Remarks — Forms a Partnership with Hugh Meredith in the Printing Business, 98

Chapter V

The Junto—Description of its original Members — Franklin writes the "Busy Body" — Establishes a Newspaper — Partnership with Meredith dissolved — Writes a Tract on the Necessity of a Paper Currency — Opens a Stationer's Shop — His habits of Industry and Frugality— Courtship— Marriage, . . 116

Chapter VI

Origin of the Philadelphia Library — Mode of obtaining Subscriptions — Thrives in his Business — Anecdote of the Silver Spoon and China Bowl — Religious Sentiments, and Remarks on Preaching — Scheme for arriving at Moral Perfection — Explanation of the SchemG--Lists of Virtues enumerated, and Rules for Practising them — Division of Time and the Occupation of each Hoar — Amusing Anecdote — The Art of Virtue — A Treatise on that Subject proposed, 138

Chapter VII

Scheme of a Society for extending the Influence of Virtue —Belief in one God, the Immortality of the

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Soul, and future Rewards and Punishments — Poor Richard's Almanac — Rules for conducting a Newspaper — Controversy concerning Hemphill the Preacher — Studies the French, Italian, and Spanish Languages — Visits Boston — The Junto— Chosen Clerk of the Assembly — Appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia — Suggests Improvements in the City Watch — Establishes a Fire Company, . . . 164

Chapter VIII

Forms an Intimacy with Whitefield — Building erected for Preachers of all Denominations — Character of Whitefield, his Oratory and Writings — Partnerships in the Printing Business — Proposes a Philoosphical Society — Takes an active Part in providing Means of Defence in the Spanish War — Forms an Association for that Purpose — Sentiments of the Quakers — James Logan — Anecdote of William Penn — The Sect called Dunkers — Religious Creeds — New-invented Fireplace, 185

Chapter IX

Proposals relating to the Education of Youth — Subscriptions for that Object — An Academy established — Appointed one of the Trustees for managing it — Partnership with David Hall — Electrical Experiments — Chosen a Member of the Assembly— A Commissioner for making a Treaty with the Indians — Pennsylvania Hospital — Writes in favour of it, and procures Subscriptions — Advice to Gilbert Tennent— Suggests Plans for cleaning, paving,

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and lighting the Streets of Philadelphia — Project for cleaning the Streets of London — Appointed Postmaster-general for America — Receives the Degree of Master of Arts from Harvard and Yale Colleges, 20&

Chapter X

Attends a General Convention at Albany, as a Delegate from Pennsylvania — Proposes a Plan of Union for the Colonies, which is adopted by the convention — Interview with Governor Shirley at Boston — Conversations with Governor Morris on Pennsylvania Affairs — Assists Mr. Quincy in procuring Aids for New England — Visits General Braddock's Army in Maryland — Procures Horses and Waggons to facilitate the March of the Army — Obtains Supplies for the Officers — Character of Braddock — Account of his Defeat in the Battle of the Monongahela — Braddock commends his Services in Letters to the Government — These Services poorly rewarded — Society for the Relief and Instruction of Germans in Pennsylvania, 230

CHAPTER XL

Appointed one of the Commissioners for appropriating the Public Money for Military Defence — Proposes • a Militia Bill, which passes the Assembly' — Commissioned to take Charge of the Frontier and build a Line of Forts — Marches at the Head of a Body of Troops — Account of the March — Operations at Gnadenhut — Indian Massacres — Moravians at Bethlehem — Returns to Philadelphia — Chosen Colo-

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nel of a Regiment — Journey to Virginia— Declines accepting the Governor's Proposal to lead an Expedition against Fort Duquesne — Account of his Electrical Discoveries — Chosen a Member of the Royal Society — Receives the Copley Medal, . . 253

Chapter XII

Conversations with Governor Denny — Disputes between the Governor and Assembly — Deputed by the Assembly to present a Petition to the King and to act in England as an Agent for Pennsylvania — Meets Lord Loudoun in New York — Anecdotes illustrating his Character — Sails from New York — Incidents of the Voyage — Arrives in England, . . 273