equally great as a philosopher, thus uniting in himself a rare degree of excellence in both those pursuits, to excel in either of which is deemed the highest praise. Nor was his pre-eminence in the one pursuit of that doubtful kind which derives its value from such an uncommon conjunction. His efforts in each were sufficient to have made him greatly famous had he done nothing in the other. We regard De Witt's mathematical tracts as a curiosity, and even admire them when we reflect that their author was a distinguished patriot and a sufferer in the cause of his country. But Franklin would have been entitled to the glory of a first-rate discoverer in science-one who had largely extended the bounds of human knowledge — although he had not stood second to Washington alone in gaining for human liberty the most splendid and guiltless of its triumphs. It is hardly a less rare, certainly not a less glorious, felicity that, much as has been given to the world of this great man's works, each successive publication increases our esteem for his virtues, and our admiration of his understanding. 2. The distinguishing feature of his understanding was great soundness and sagacity, combined with extraordinary quickness of penetration. He possessed also a strong and lively imagination, which gave his speculations, as well as his conduct, a singularly original turn. The peculiar charm of his writings, and his great merit, also, in action, consisted in the clearness with which he saw his object, and the bold and steady pursuit of it by the surest and the shortest road. He never suffered himself in conduct to be turned aside by the seductions of interest or vanity, or to be scared by hesitation and fear, or to be misled by the arts of his adversaries. Neither did he, in discussion, ever go out of his way in search of ornament, or stop short from dread of the consequences. He never could be caught, in short, acting absurdly or writing nonsensically. At all times, and in every thing he undertook, the vigor of an understanding at once original and practical was distinctly perceivable. 3. But it must not be supposed that his writings are devoid of ornament or amusement. The latter especially abounds in almost all he ever composed; only nothing is sacrificed to them. On the contrary, they come most naturally into their places; and they uniformly help on the purpose in hand, of which neither writer nor reader ever loses sight for an instant. Thus, his style has all the vigor, and even conciseness, of Swift, without any of his harshness. It is in no degree more flowery, yet both elegant and lively. The wit, or rather humor, which prevails in his works varies with the subject. Sometimes he is bitter and sarcastic; oftener gay, and even droll, reminding us in this respect far more frequently of Addison than of Swift, as might be naturally expected from his admirable temper or the happy turn of his imagination. When he rises into vehemence or severity, it is only when his country or the rights of men are attacked, or when the sacred ties of humanity are violated by unfeeling or insane rulers. 4. There is nothing more delightful than the constancy with which those amiable feelings, those sound principles, those truly profound views of human affairs make their appearance at every opportunity, whether the immediate subject be speculative or practical, of a political or of a more general description. It is refreshing to find such a mind as Franklin's-worthy of a place near to Newton and to Washington-filled with those pure and exalted sentiments of concern for the happiness of mankind which the petty wits of our times amuse themselves with laughing at, and their more cunning and calculating employers seek by every means to discourage, sometimes by ridicule, sometimes by invective, as truly incompatible with all plans of misgovern ment. FROM FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [INTRODUCTION. The following extract is from Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, which, as he himself informs us in it, was written in his "seventyninth year;" that is, in 1785, the year he returned from Paris, where he had lived for several years as American plenipotentiary, and where, in 1782, he signed the Treaty of Peace. This work, as first brought out in London, was garbled by his grandson, William Temple Franklin; and it was not until a few years ago that an edition which follows the original with literal exactness was published, under the supervision of Mr. John Bigelow. In the extract here given this text is followed, with the single exception that the spelling is modernized.] 1. I was put to the grammar-school at eight years of age, my father intending to devote me, as the tithe of his sons, to the service of the church. My early readiness in learning to read (which must have been very early, as I do not remember when I could not read), and the opinion of all his friends that I should 5 certainly make a good scholar, encouraged him in this purpose of his. My uncle Benjamin, too, approved of it, and proposed to give me all his short-hand volumes of sermons, I suppose as a NOTES.-Line 1. grammar-school. This was, of course, the grammar- vol. ii., page 263.-eight years of age. This must have been in 1714, as Franklin was born in 1706. of common schools in Massa- 2. the tithe. The "tithe" is the tenth chusetts dates from 1647; that part, and specifically the tenth part of the increase arising from the profits of land and stock, allotted to the clergy for their support. The Franklin family included seventeen children, of whom ten were sons. short-hand, etc. His "uncle Benja. min" had been in the habit of listening to the best preachers, both in the Old Country and in Boston, and taking down their discourses in a short-hand of his own invention. LITERARY ANALYSIS.-1-31. What is the distinguishing quality of Franklin's style? (See Def. 49.)-Is there a single uncommon word in the first paragraph? Is there a single periodic sentence in this paragraph? stock to set up with, if I would learn his character. I continued, however, at the grammar-school not quite one year, though in 10 that time I had risen gradually from the middle of the class of that year to be the head of it, and, farther, was removed into the next class above it, in order to go with that into the third at the end of the year. But my father, in the meantime, from a view of the expense of a college education, which, having so large a 15 family, he could not well afford, and the mean living many so educated were afterwards able to obtain — reasons that he gave to his friends in my hearing-altered his first intention, took me from the grammar-school, and sent me to a school for writing and arithmetic, kept by a then famous man, Mr. George Brownell, 20 very successful in his profession generally, and that by mild, encouraging methods. Under him I acquired fair writing pretty soon, but I failed in the arithmetic, and made no progress in it. At ten years old I was taken home to assist my father in his business, which was that of a tallow-chandler and soap-boiler—a 23 business he was not bred to, but had assumed on his arrival in New England, and on finding his dyeing trade would not maintain his family, being in little request. Accordingly, I was employed in cutting wick for the candles, filling the dipping-mould and the moulds for cast candles, attending the shop, going of 3 errands, etc. 30 2. I disliked the trade, and had a strong inclination for the sea, but my father declared against it. However, living near the water, I was much in and about it, learned early to swim well, and to manage boats; and when in a boat or canoe with other 35 boys, I was commonly allowed to govern, especially in any case of difficulty. And upon other occasions I was generally a leader among the boys, and sometimes led them into scrapes, of which 9. his character: that is, his method | 26, 27. arrival in New England. Frank of short-hand. 12. farther. More correctly further. lin's father emigrated from Old to New England in 1682. LITERARY ANALYSIS.-32, 33. inclination for the sea. of speech? (See Def. 29.) What is the figure I will mention one instance, as it shows an early projecting public spirit, though not then justly conducted. 40 3. There was a salt marsh that bounded part of the mill-pond, on the edge of which, at high-water, we used to stand to fish for minnows. By much trampling, we had made it a mere quagmire. My proposal was to build a wharf there fit for us to stand upon, and I showed my comrades a large heap of stones 45 which were intended for a new house near the marsh, and which would very well suit our purpose. Accordingly, in the evening, when the workmen were gone, I assembled a number of my playfellows, and working with them diligently like so many emmets, sometimes two or three to a stone, we brought them all away, 50 and built our little wharf. The next morning the workmen were surprised at missing the stones, which were found in our wharf. Inquiry was made after the removers; we were discovered, and complained of; several of us were corrected by our fathers; and, though I pleaded the usefulness of the work, mine convinced me 55 that nothing was useful which was not honest. 4. I think you may like to know something of his person and character. He had an excellent constitution of body, was of middle stature, but well set, and very strong. He was ingenious, could draw prettily, was skilled a little in music, and had a clear, 60 pleasing voice; so that when he played psalm tunes on his violin and sung withal, as he sometimes did in an evening after the business of the day was over, it was extremely agreeable to hear. He had a mechanical genius too, and, on occasion, was very handy in the use of other tradesmen's tools; but his great exce!- 65 lence lay in a sound understanding and solid judgment in prudential matters, both in private and public affairs. In the latter, 39. projecting, enterprising. 66, 67. prudential matters = matters re quiring the exercise of pru dence or foresight. LITERARY ANALYSIS. 39, 40. it... conducted. Substitute synonymous terms for the following italicized words: "It shows an early projecting public spirit, though not then justly conducted.” 41-43. There was... minnows. Analyze this sentence. 43, 44. minnows... quagmire. What is the derivation of "minnow?" "quagmire?" 49. like so many emmets. What is the figure of speech? (See Def. 19.) Modernize this form. 62. sung. Of |