Copyright. 1876, hv D. I.OTHROP & Co.

CONTENTS.

F8C76
1876

CHAPTER I.

Franklin's Ancestry.-His Father.- Population of Massa-

chusetts. - Boston in 1680.- Franklin's Home. - His

Father's Second Marriage. - Peter Folger.- His Moth-

er.

CHAPTER II.

13

Franklin's Birth.-Dr. Willard. - Uncle Benjamin.- His

Father's House.-Family Scene.-Population of Massa-

chusetts and of Boston.-Commerce of Boston.-Its So-

cial Character.- Madame Knight.-Franklin in his boy-

hood. "Paying too much for the Whistle. "- - Sent to

Grammer School.-In his Father's Shop.- Building a

Wharf. Gets into Trouble. -Fond of Swimming.

Learning to Swim.-Swimming with a Kite.-Sleeping

on the Water in 1785.

CHAPTER III.

18

His Brother John.- Dislikes his Father's Trade.-Looking

for a Trade.-Fond of Books.-The Books he Read.-

Cotton Mather.- Becomes a Printer's Apprentice to his

Brother James.-Borrowing Books.-Writing Poetry and

Prose.-Improving his Style.—How he Bought Books.—

His Diet.-The Character of his Reading.-Fond of Dis-

cussions.

CHAPTER IV.

28

The Newspaper in Franklin's Day.-A Newsboy.- Writing

for a Newspaper.- His Brother James a Hard Master.-

Benjamin becomes Manager of the Courant.- Resolves to

Break his Engagement.

CHAPTER V.

35

Runs Away.- Goes in a Sloop to New York.- Vegetarian

Principles Tested.-Eating Fish.-In New York.-Seeks

Employment at his Trade.-Goes to Philadelphia.— The

(1)

Voyage.-A Dutchman Overboard.-Stops at Burlington.

-Dr. Brown.-Reaches Philadelphia. - Description of

the City.-Walking the Streets. Eating Rolls.- Falls

Asleep in a Meeting-house. -Bradford the Printer.

Keimer.

40

CHAPTER VI.

In Philadelphia.- Keimer.- Hears from Home.- Sir Wil-

liam Keith.-Keith becomes Franklin's Patron.-Keith's

Proposal to Franklin.- Brilliant Prospects.

CHAPTER VII.

50

A New Plan.- Returns to Boston.-Welcomed Home.-

Ill-treated by James.- Visits his Brother's Office.-Calls

on Cotton Mather.-Stooping.-His Father Disapproves

of Governor Keith's Plan.- Consents to his Return to

Philadelphia.- He Embarks for New York.- Visits his

Brother at Newport.- Mr. Vernon.- At New York.—

Collins.- Governor Burnet.- Incident on the Deleware.-

A Green Meadow.—Sad Experience with Collins.— Rup-

55

In Philadelphia. Calls on Governor Keith.-New Prom-

ises. Plan for Setting up in Business.-Vernon's Money.

- Keimer. — Thoughts of Marriage. - Miss Read. —A

Prudent Mother.

-

CHAPTER IX.

64

Governor Keith.- Great Promises.- Never Ready.- Frank-

lin sails for England.- No Letters.-Discovers the Decep-

tion.- A Stranger in London.- Mr. Denham.- Franklin's

Opinion of Sir William Keith.-Ralph Again.- Frank-

lin Finds Employment.

68

CHAPTER X.

Relieved of a Burden. - A New Printing-Office. - The Wa-

ter-American.-Beer-Drinkers.- Initiation-Fee. - Frugal

Living.- New Lodgings.-A Catholic Lady.-Wygate.-

Denham. Hls Proposal to Franklin.

CHAPTER XI.

74

Leaves England.- His Journal,- An Adventure.- Playing

Cards. A Dutchman. Talking to a Foreigner. - A

Trial.- A Weary Bird.-Dolphins.- A Shark.— Land.—

Cape Henlopen.- Welcomed at Newcastle. A Happy

Day.-At Home.

-

80

CHAPTER XII.

In Philadelphia.- A New Governor.- Sir William Keith.-

Miss Read.-Franklin in Business.-Mr. Denham.-Out

of Business.- Returns to Keimer.-Larger Wages.- The

Workmen.-George Webb.-Franklin Invents a Mould for

Casting Types.-Engraving.-Leaves Keimer.- Meredith.

-A New Plan.-New Engagement with Keimer.-Print-

ing Paper money. - Franklin's Inventive Genius. - At

Burlington.-A Favorite.- New and Valuable Acquaint-

ances.-Isaac Decow.-A Croaker.-Samuel Nickle.

Letter to his Sister.

CHAPTER XIII.

89

The Junto.-Its Members.-Queries. - Terms of Admis-

sion. Origin of American Philosophical Society. - His

Diligence. Dr. Baird.

CHAPTER XIV

99

His Newspaper Prospers. - Obtains the Public Printing.

Hears from Mr. Vernon. A Difficulty. - Fear of Fail-

nre.-Trouble from Meredith.-Separation. Relief from

Friends.-Discussions in the Junto.-Demand for Paper

Money.- Writes on the Nature and Necessity of a Paper

Currency.- Prints the Money.-Adds a Stationer's Shop.-

His Business Principles.- Uses a Wheelbarrow.- Keimer

goes to Barbadoes.—Mr. Bradford the only Rival.- Frank-

lin's Method of Resentment. - Thinks of Matrimony.

Mrs. Godfrey as a Matchmaker.-"A Deserving Girl."-

Failure of the Plan.-Thinks of Miss Read.- Marriage.-

Letter to Mr. Mecum.- Remedy for Cancer.

-

CHAPTER XV.

105

Book-sellers.-A Library. — Readers of Books in Philadel-

phia Public Library. -How he obtained Subscribers.-

Standing before Kings. -Improved Circumstances. -A

Good Wife.-A China Bowl and Silver Spoon.-Form of

Prayer.- Plan of Moral Perfection.- Catalogue of Moral

Virtues. Speckled Axe. - A Prayer.- Temperance and

other Virtues.-On Humility.-On Pride.-Good Reso-

lutions.-A United Party for Virtue.- A Creed. 115

CHAPTER XVI.

Poor Richard's Almanac. -Address to the Reader. - Enig-

matical I'rophecies.- Harangue at an Auction. 129

CHAPTER XVII.

Employment for Women.-Establishes a Printing-office in

Charleston. What a Woman did.- Foreign Languages.

-Playing Chess.-The Study of Languages.-Visits Bos-

ton. Calls at Newport.- James Franklin.-A Reconcili-

ation. Death of his Son Francis. - The Junto. - New

Clubs. In Public Life. -Clerk of the Assembly. - Sub-

duing a Foe. - Becomes Deputy-Postmaster. - New Pros-

perity. His Newspaper. Municipal Improvements.

-

-

City Watch.- Fire Company.

CHAPTER XVI

-

138

George Whitfield.- A Meeting-house.-Orphan House in

Georgia. Franklin's Pockets Emptied. The Quaker's

Reply. — Franklin's Intimacy with Whitfield. — Whit-

field's Voice. - His Old and New Sermons. - Letter to

Whitfield. Franklin's Religious Views.- Prosperity in

Business. Views of Partnership.- Franklins Store.-In

Boston. Dr. Spence.-Electrical Kiss.-Magical Picture.

- The Conspirators.- Electrical Pic-nic.- Electricity and

Lightning. His Reputation in England.- The Royal So-

ciety.

CHAPTER XIX.

143

A Proposal for a College.-Philosophical Society. - Its Ob-

jects. American Philosophical Society.-Defense of the

Province.-Designs of France. Louisburg. A Quaker

Colony. A Voluntary Malitia.-"Plain Truth.".

Elected Colonel. A Battery. A Lottery. - Procuring

Cannon. Governor Clinton. The Proprietaries Dis-

pleased. Proposes a Fast. -Writes a Proclamation.

His Rule about Offices.-Re-elected Clerk.- The Quak-

ers on Defensive War.
159

CHAPTER XX.

-

Peace Concluded.— An Academy.-"Proposals Relating to

the Education of Youth."-Plan of Education. — How

Franklin became a Member of the Board. —A Charity

School. Philosophical Studies.-Buys Dr. Spence's Ap-

paratus.- Commissioner of Peace.- Alderman.- Member

of the Assembly.-Letter from his Mother.-Postscript

from his Sister.-Charles Sumner.- His Son elected Clerk.

-One of a Commission to treat with the Indians.-Conduct

of the Indians.- Effect of Ardent Spirits.- A Hospital.—

How he obtained a Subscription.-The Subject in the As-

sembly. His Views about caring for the Poor. - Im-

provement of the Streets.-Becomes Postmaster General.

Receives the Degree of Master of Arts. - Dignity of La-

bor.-On Luxury.- The Farmer of Cape May.

167