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whole issue, and bringing him into contradictions and other difficulties, that at last, says Franklin, he grew so ridiculously cautious, that he would hardly answer the most common question, without first askingdo you mean by that?—What do you intend to infer from that?"

"What

The readiness with which Benjamin, in these debates, vanquished his antagonist, co-operating with the exalted self-esteem of the latter, led to a singular result. Keimer received so profound a conviction of the subtlety and skill which had discomfited him and which must, therefore, his self-complacency inferred, yet more surely overmaster others, that he now announced, with much gravity, a scheme he had, he said, been long meditating, for founding a new sect in religion; and he zealously urged his young journeyman to unite with him to carry it into effect. What the particular vagaries of Keimer's brain were, which were to constitute the fundamental articles of the new faith, Franklin has very properly deemed not worth recording; but whatever they may have been, Keimer himself was to be the great propounder and teacher of the new doctrines, while his young associate was to do the controversial part and shut the mouth of cavil.

Of course Benjamin's native common sense did not permit him to give a moment's serious thought to the crazy project; but thinking it fair game for ridicule, he affected to listen to it, with the view of extracting some amusement from its projector. Among the external badges, which were to mark the disciples of the new creed, Keimer proposed to adopt two of his own personal customs, that of wearing the beard entire, and that of observing the seventh day of the week as the sabbath.

Benjamin, even at that early age, entertained but a

NEW SECT-CHANGE OF DIET.

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poor opinion of all those eccentric whimsies about things merely external and formal, which contain no germ of moral improvement, to compensate for the inconvenience they occasion, by clashing with the prevalent usages of society; and still less did he value anything merely for its oddity. A stipulation, however, not to 66 mar the corners of the beard," could not much embarrass a youth of eighteen; and the observance of Saturday as a day of rest, could occasion little inconvenience, while he continued at work where he then was; so he allowed himself to accede to the two propositions mentioned, but only on the condition, however, that the destined founder of the new sect should, on his part, renounce all animal food.

Keimer winced at this condition, for he was, as it appears, uncommonly partial to meat, and a voracious feeder. "I doubt my constitution will not bear a total abstinence from flesh"-said the meat-loving and reluctant Keimer. "O, yes it will, and you will be the better for it"—said Benjamin. For the sake of the new religion and the general welfare, however, the Reformer, after some hesitation, consented to make the proposed trial, provided his fellow-laborer would join him in it; to which the latter promptly agreed.

The compact thus made, was adhered to, as Franklin states, for three months; the provisions being procured, cooked, and served to them, by a woman dwelling near by, pursuant to a list, furnished by Benjamin, describing "forty dishes into which there entered neither fish, flesh, nor fowl." This diet had the further recommendation that it cost them barely "eighteen-pence sterling each, per week." Benjamin went on very comfortably under the new victualling compact; "but poor Keimer suffered grievously, grew tired of the project, longed for the flesh-pots of Egypt, and ordered a roast

pig." Benjamin and two other acquaintances were invited to the feast on this occasion; but the dinner happening to be served rather early, Keimer was unable to resist the savory temptation, and before the guests arrived, eat up the pig.

In relating these incidents Franklin states that, in the subsequent course of his life, he "kept Lent," at various times, in the strictest manner, abruptly quitting his ordinary diet, and as abruptly returning to it; and having done so without any injury whatever, he concluded that the usual advice to make such changes gradually, was of little value.

Another affair, however, was going on, at this period, of far more serious import to the parties, than anything connected with the fantastic Keimer. This was Benjamin's courtship of Miss Read, for whom he had begun to cherish "a great respect and affection, and had some reasons to believe that she had the same" for him. But they were yet very young, each having seen little more than eighteen years, and he being about to undertake a distant voyage, uncertain as to its results.

Under such circumstances, the prudent mother of Miss Read interposed so far as to caution the young people against involving themselves in any needless engagements, which would, at that time, be deemed injudicious, and which might subsequently become the occasion of embarrassment and regret; adding that, however much disposed they might be to marry, and however unobjectionable such a union might be ultimately considered, it would be best, at least, to defer it, until after Benjamin's return from England, when his condition would be more settled, and he would better understand his own prospects. The mother's advice was substantially followed.

HIS ASSOCIATES.

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CHAPTER VIII.

BENJAMIN'S WAY OF LIFE-SAILS FOR ENGLAND.

By this time, also, Benjamin had formed several valuable as well as agreeable acquaintances among persons of his own sex and time of life. Of the young men, who had become his principal and most intimate associates, he has given the names of Charles Osborne, Joseph Watson, and James Ralph "all lovers of reading”—and obviously, from his account of them, all of them possessing more than ordinary abilities and attainments. Osborne and Watson, it appears, were clerks in the office of Charles Brockden, a very reputable conveyancer; and Ralph was a clerk in a respectable mercantile house.

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Of Watson he relates that he "was a pious, sensible young man, of great integrity; and although the other two were more lax in their principles of religion," yet, in other respects, they seem clearly to have been attractive companions. Osborne is described as sensible, candid, frank; sincere and affectionate to his friends; but, in literary matters, too fond of criticism;" Ralph as being easy and graceful in his manners, ingenious, eloquent, and a particularly agreeable talker; and both, not only great lovers of poetry, but occasionally trying their own skill in verse.

In the occasional conversation of these young men,

respecting their tastes, and views in life, Ralph, it appears, showed a strong predilection for poetry, and declared his confident belief that, by cultivating it assiduously, he could win both fame and fortune. Osborne thought differently, and urged his friend to apply himself strictly to business; insisting that he had no true genius for poetry, but that by making himself an accomplished merchant and accountant, he might, though without capital, obtain the agency of some wealthy house, and in time become a partner, or acquire the means of trading on his own account. Franklin adhered to the opinion, which, as has been seen, he had formed years before, that it was useful to cultivate poetry, or practise versification, for the sake of acquiring a readier command of language and a more varied power of expression; but no further.

The declaration of these opinions led to a proposal that they should, at their next meeting, each present a performance in verse, composed by himself, to be submitted to their respective critical remarks, for the sake of mutual improvement. The object being improvement in language and style simply, it was agreed that invention, or originality of conception, was not to be considered; and, in order to confine themselves strictly to the end in view, they appointed for their task, the eighteenth psalm, describing the descent of Deity, to be rendered in verse.

A day or two before the next meeting, Ralph called on Franklin, showed him his performance, which was exceedingly well done, and finding that Franklin had been too busy to prepare anything himself for the meeting, Ralph proposed a trap for Osborne, to expose his hypercritical spirit, and bring home, to his own consciousness, a clear perception of his undue propensity to cavil.

"Osborne will never allow the least merit in