THEAUTOBIOGRAPHYOF
BENJAMINFRANKLIN
INTRODUCTORYNOTE
BENJAMINFRANKLINwasborninMilkStreet，Boston，onJanuary6，1706。Hisfather，JosiahFranklin，wasatallowchandlerwhomarriedtwice，andofhisseventeenchildrenBenjaminwastheyoungestson。Hisschoolingendedatten，andattwelvehewasboundapprenticetohisbrotherJames，aprinter，whopublishedthe\"NewEnglandCourant。\"Tothisjournalhebecameacontributor，andlaterwasforatimeitsnominaleditor。Butthebrothersquarreled，andBenjaminranaway，goingfirsttoNewYork，andthencetoPhiladelphia，wherehearrivedinOctober，1723。Hesoonobtainedworkasaprinter，butafterafewmonthshewasinducedbyGovernorKeithtogotoLondon，where，findingKeith’spromisesempty，heagainworkedasacompositortillhewasbroughtbacktoPhiladelphiabyamerchantnamedDenman，whogavehimapositioninhisbusiness。OnDenman’sdeathhereturnedtohisformertrade，andshortlysetupaprintinghouseofhisownfromwhichhepublished\"ThePennsylvaniaGazette，\"
towhichhecontributedmanyessays，andwhichhemadeamediumforagitatingavarietyoflocalreforms。In1732hebegantoissuehisfamous\"PoorRichard’sAlmanac\"fortheenrichmentofwhichheborrowedorcomposedthosepithyutterancesofworldlywisdomwhicharethebasisofalargepartofhispopularreputation。In1758，theyearinwhichheceaseswritingfortheAlmanac，heprintedinit\"FatherAbraham’sSermon，\"nowregardedasthemostfamouspieceofliteratureproducedinColonialAmerica。
MeantimeFranklinwasconcerninghimselfmoreandmorewithpublicaffairs。HesetforthaschemeforanAcademy，whichwastakenuplaterandfinallydevelopedintotheUniversityofPennsylvania；
andhefoundedan\"AmericanPhilosophicalSociety\"forthepurposeofenablingscientificmentocommunicatetheirdiscoveriestooneanother。Hehimselfhadalreadybegunhiselectricalresearches，which，withotherscientificinquiries，hecalledonintheintervalsofmoney—makingandpoliticstotheendofhislife。In1748hesoldhisbusinessinordertogetleisureforstudy，havingnowacquiredcomparativewealth；andinafewyearshehadmadediscoveriesthatgavehimareputationwiththelearnedthroughoutEurope。Inpoliticsheprovedveryablebothasanadministratorandasacontroversialist；buthisrecordasanoffice—holderisstainedbytheusehemadeofhispositiontoadvancehisrelatives。Hismostnotableserviceinhomepoliticswashisreformofthepostalsystem；
buthisfameasastatesmanrestschieflyonhisservicesinconnectionwiththerelationsoftheColonieswithGreatBritain，andlaterwithFrance。In1757hewassenttoEnglandtoprotestagainsttheinfluenceofthePennsinthegovernmentofthecolony，andforfiveyearsheremainedthere，strivingtoenlightenthepeopleandtheministryofEnglandastoColonialconditions。OnhisreturntoAmericaheplayedanhonorablepartinthePaxtonaffair，throughwhichhelosthisseatintheAssembly；butin1764hewasagaindespatchedtoEnglandasagentforthecolony，thistimetopetitiontheKingtoresumethegovernmentfromthehandsoftheproprietors。
InLondonheactivelyopposedtheproposedStampAct，butlostthecreditforthisandmuchofhispopularitythroughhissecuringforafriendtheofficeofstampagentinAmerica。Evenhiseffectiveworkinhelpingtoobtaintherepealoftheactlefthimstillasuspect；buthecontinuedhiseffortstopresentthecasefortheColoniesasthetroublesthickenedtowardthecrisisoftheRevolution。
In1767hecrossedtoFrance，wherehewasreceivedwithhonor；butbeforehisreturnhomein1775helosthispositionaspostmasterthroughhisshareindivulgingtoMassachusettsthefamousletterofHutchinsonandOliver。OnhisarrivalinPhiladelphiahewaschosenamemberoftheContinentalCongressandin1777hewasdespatchedtoFranceascommissionerfortheUnitedStates。Hereheremainedtill1785，thefavoriteofFrenchsociety；andwithsuchsuccessdidheconducttheaffairsofhiscountrythatwhenhefinallyreturnedhereceivedaplaceonlysecondtothatofWashingtonasthechampionofAmericanindependence。HediedonApril17，1790。
ThefirstfivechaptersoftheAutobiographywerecomposedinEnglandin1771，continuedin1784—5，andagainin1788，atwhichdatehebroughtitdownto1757。Afteramostextraordinaryseriesofadventures，theoriginalformofthemanuscriptwasfinallyprintedbyMr。JohnBigelow，andisherereproducedinrecognitionofitsvalueasapictureofoneofthemostnotablepersonalitiesofColonialtimes，andofitsacknowledgedrankasoneofthegreatautobiographiesoftheworld。
BENJAMINFRANKLIN
HISAUTOBIOGRAPHY
1706—1757
TWYFORD，attheBishopofSt。Asaph’s，1771。
Thecountry—seatofBishopShipley，thegoodbishop，asDr。Franklinusedtostylehim。——B。
DEARSON：Ihaveeverhadpleasureinobtaininganylittleanecdotesofmyancestors。YoumayremembertheinquiriesImadeamongtheremainsofmyrelationswhenyouwerewithmeinEngland，andthejourneyIundertookforthatpurpose。Imaginingitmaybeequallyagreeabletoyoutoknowthecircumstancesofmylife，manyofwhichyouareyetunacquaintedwith，andexpectingtheenjoymentofaweek’suninterruptedleisureinmypresentcountryretirement，Isitdowntowritethemforyou。TowhichIhavebesidessomeotherinducements。HavingemergedfromthepovertyandobscurityinwhichIwasbornandbred，toastateofaffluenceandsomedegreeofreputationintheworld，andhavinggonesofarthroughlifewithaconsiderableshareoffelicity，theconducingmeansImadeuseof，whichwiththeblessingofGodsowellsucceeded，myposteritymayliketoknow，astheymayfindsomeofthemsuitabletotheirownsituations，andthereforefittobeimitated。
Afterthewords\"agreeableto\"thewords\"someof\"wereinterlinedandafterwardeffaced。——B。
Thatfelicity，whenIreflectedonit，hasinducedmesometimestosay，thatwereitofferedtomychoice，Ishouldhavenoobjectiontoarepetitionofthesamelifefromitsbeginning，onlyaskingtheadvantagesauthorshaveinasecondeditiontocorrectsomefaultsofthefirst。SoImight，besidescorrectingthefaults，changesomesinisteraccidentsandeventsofitforothersmorefavorable。
Butthoughthisweredenied，Ishouldstillaccepttheoffer。
Sincesucharepetitionisnottobeexpected，thenextthingmostlikelivingone’slifeoveragainseemstobearecollectionofthatlife，andtomakethatrecollectionasdurableaspossiblebyputtingitdowninwriting。
Hereby，too，Ishallindulgetheinclinationsonaturalinoldmen，tobetalkingofthemselvesandtheirownpastactions；andIshallindulgeitwithoutbeingtiresometoothers，who，throughrespecttoage，mightconceivethemselvesobligedtogivemeahearing，sincethismaybereadornotasanyonepleases。And，lastly（Imayaswellconfessit，sincemydenialofitwillbebelievedbynobody），perhapsIshallagooddealgratifymyownvanity。Indeed，Iscarceeverheardorsawtheintroductorywords，\"WithoutvanityImaysay，\"
&c。，butsomevainthingimmediatelyfollowed。Mostpeopledislikevanityinothers，whateversharetheyhaveofitthemselves；
butIgiveitfairquarterwhereverImeetwithit，beingpersuadedthatitisoftenproductiveofgoodtothepossessor，andtoothersthatarewithinhissphereofaction；andtherefore，inmanycases，itwouldnotbealtogetherabsurdifamanweretothankGodforhisvanityamongtheothercomfortsoflife。
AndnowIspeakofthankingGod，IdesirewithallhumilitytoacknowledgethatIowethementionedhappinessofmypastlifetoHiskindprovidence，whichleadmetothemeansIusedandgavethemsuccess。Mybeliefofthisinducesmetohope，thoughImustnotpresume，thatthesamegoodnesswillstillbeexercisedtowardme，incontinuingthathappiness，orenablingmetobearafatalreverse，whichImayexperienceasothershavedone：thecomplexionofmyfuturefortunebeingknowntoHimonlyinwhosepoweritistoblesstousevenourafflictions。
Thenotesoneofmyuncles（whohadthesamekindofcuriosityincollectingfamilyanecdotes）onceputintomyhands，furnishedmewithseveralparticularsrelatingtoourancestors。
FromthesenotesIlearnedthatthefamilyhadlivedinthesamevillage，Ecton，inNorthamptonshire，forthreehundredyears，andhowmuchlongerheknewnot（perhapsfromthetimewhenthenameofFranklin，thatbeforewasthenameofanorderofpeople，wasassumedbythemasasurnamewhenotherstooksurnamesalloverthekingdom），onafreeholdofaboutthirtyacres，aidedbythesmith’sbusiness，whichhadcontinuedinthefamilytillhistime，theeldestsonbeingalwaysbredtothatbusiness；
acustomwhichheandmyfatherfollowedastotheireldestsons。
WhenIsearchedtheregistersatEcton，Ifoundanaccountoftheirbirths，marriagesandburialsfromtheyear1555only，therebeingnoregisterskeptinthatparishatanytimepreceding。
BythatregisterIperceivedthatIwastheyoungestsonoftheyoungestsonforfivegenerationsback。MygrandfatherThomas，whowasbornin1598，livedatEctontillhegrewtoooldtofollowbusinesslonger，whenhewenttolivewithhissonJohn，adyeratBanbury，inOxfordshire，withwhommyfatherservedanapprenticeship。Theremygrandfatherdiedandliesburied。
Wesawhisgravestonein1758。HiseldestsonThomaslivedinthehouseatEcton，andleftitwiththelandtohisonlychild，adaughter，who，withherhusband，oneFisher，ofWellingborough，soldittoMr。Isted，nowlordofthemanorthere。Mygrandfatherhadfoursonsthatgrewup，viz。：Thomas，John，BenjaminandJosiah。
IwillgiveyouwhataccountIcanofthem，atthisdistancefrommypapers，andifthesearenotlostinmyabsence，youwillamongthemfindmanymoreparticulars。
Thomaswasbredasmithunderhisfather；but，beingingenious，andencouragedinlearning（asallmybrotherswere）byanEsquirePalmer，thentheprincipalgentlemaninthatparish，hequalifiedhimselfforthebusinessofscrivener；becameaconsiderablemaninthecounty；wasachiefmoverofallpublic—spiritedundertakingsforthecountyortownofNorthampton，andhisownvillage，ofwhichmanyinstanceswererelatedofhim；andmuchtakennoticeofandpatronizedbythethenLordHalifax。Hediedin17O2，January6，oldstyle，justfouryearstoadaybeforeIwasborn。
TheaccountwereceivedofhislifeandcharacterfromsomeoldpeopleatEcton，Iremember，struckyouassomethingextraordinary，fromitssimilaritytowhatyouknewofmine。
\"Hadhediedonthesameday，\"yousaid，\"onemighthavesupposedatransmigration。\"
Johnwasbredadyer，Ibelieveofwoolens。Benjaminwasbredasilkdyer，servinganapprenticeshipatLondon。Hewasaningeniousman。
Irememberhimwell，forwhenIwasaboyhecameovertomyfatherinBoston，andlivedinthehousewithussomeyears。Helivedtoagreatage。Hisgrandson，SamuelFranklin，nowlivesinBoston。
Heleftbehindhimtwoquartovolumes，MS。，ofhisownpoetry，consistingoflittleoccasionalpiecesaddressedtohisfriendsandrelations，ofwhichthefollowing，senttome，isaspecimen。Hehadformedashort—handofhisown，whichhetaughtme，but，neverpractisingit，Ihavenowforgotit。Iwasnamedafterthisuncle，therebeingaparticularaffectionbetweenhimandmyfather。Hewasverypious，agreatattenderofsermonsofthebestpreachers，whichhetookdowninhisshort—hand，andhadwithhimmanyvolumesofthem。
Hewasalsomuchofapolitician；toomuch，perhaps，forhisstation。
Therefelllatelyintomyhands，inLondon，acollectionhehadmadeofalltheprincipalpamphlets，relatingtopublicaffairs，from1641to1717；manyofthevolumesarewantingasappearsbythenumbering，buttherestillremaineightvolumesinfolio，andtwenty—fourinquartoandinoctavo。Adealerinoldbooksmetwiththem，andknowingmebymysometimesbuyingofhim，hebroughtthemtome。Itseemsmyunclemusthaveleftthemhere，whenhewenttoAmerica，whichwasaboutfiftyyearssince。
Therearemanyofhisnotesinthemargins。
Herefollowinthemarginthewords，inbrackets，\"hereinsertit，\"butthepoetryisnotgiven。Mr。Sparksinformsus（LifeofFranklin，p。6）thatthesevolumeshadbeenpreserved，andwereinpossessionofMrs。Emmons，ofBoston，great—granddaughteroftheirauthor。
ThisobscurefamilyofourswasearlyintheReformation，andcontinuedProtestantsthroughthereignofQueenMary，whentheyweresometimesindangeroftroubleonaccountoftheirzealagainstpopery。TheyhadgotanEnglishBible，andtoconcealandsecureit，itwasfastenedopenwithtapesunderandwithinthecoverofajoint—stool。Whenmygreat—great—grandfatherreadittohisfamily，heturnedupthejoint—stooluponhisknees，turningovertheleavesthenunderthetapes。Oneofthechildrenstoodatthedoortogivenoticeifhesawtheapparitorcoming，whowasanofficerofthespiritualcourt。Inthatcasethestoolwasturneddownagainuponitsfeet，whentheBibleremainedconcealedunderitasbefore。ThisanecdoteIhadfrommyuncleBenjamin。
ThefamilycontinuedalloftheChurchofEnglandtillabouttheendofCharlestheSecond’sreign，whensomeoftheministersthathadbeenoutedfornonconformityholdingconventiclesinNorthamptonshire，BenjaminandJosiahadheredtothem，andsocontinuedalltheirlives：
therestofthefamilyremainedwiththeEpiscopalChurch。
Josiah，myfather，marriedyoung，andcarriedhiswifewiththreechildrenintoNewEngland，about1682。Theconventicleshavingbeenforbiddenbylaw，andfrequentlydisturbed，inducedsomeconsiderablemenofhisacquaintancetoremovetothatcountry，andhewasprevailedwithtoaccompanythemthither，wheretheyexpectedtoenjoytheirmodeofreligionwithfreedom。Bythesamewifehehadfourchildrenmorebornthere，andbyasecondwifetenmore，inallseventeen；ofwhichIrememberthirteensittingatonetimeathistable，whoallgrewuptobemenandwomen，andmarried；
Iwastheyoungestson，andtheyoungestchildbuttwo，andwasborninBoston，NewEngland。Mymother，thesecondwife，wasAbiahFolger，daughterofPeterFolger，oneofthefirstsettlersofNewEngland，ofwhomhonorablementionismadebyCottonMatherinhischurchhistoryofthatcountry，entitledMagnaliaChristiAmericana，as’agodly，learnedEnglishman，\"ifIrememberthewordsrightly。
Ihaveheardthathewrotesundrysmalloccasionalpieces，butonlyoneofthemwasprinted，whichIsawnowmanyyearssince。
Itwaswrittenin1675，inthehome—spunverseofthattimeandpeople，andaddressedtothosethenconcernedinthegovernmentthere。
Itwasinfavoroflibertyofconscience，andinbehalfoftheBaptists，Quakers，andothersectariesthathadbeenunderpersecution，ascribingtheIndianwars，andotherdistressesthathadbefallenthecountry，tothatpersecution，assomanyjudgmentsofGodtopunishsoheinousanoffense，andexhortingarepealofthoseuncharitablelaws。Thewholeappearedtomeaswrittenwithagooddealofdecentplainnessandmanlyfreedom。ThesixconcludinglinesIremember，thoughIhaveforgottenthetwofirstofthestanza；
butthepurportofthemwas，thathiscensuresproceededfromgood—will，and，therefore，hewouldbeknowntobetheauthor。
\"Becausetobealibeller（sayshe）
Ihateitwithmyheart；
FromSherburnetown，wherenowIdwellMynameIdoputhere；
Withoutoffenseyourrealfriend，ItisPeterFolgier。\"
Myelderbrotherswereallputapprenticestodifferenttrades。
Iwasputtothegrammar—schoolateightyearsofage，myfatherintendingtodevoteme，asthetitheofhissons，totheserviceoftheChurch。Myearlyreadinessinlearningtoread（whichmusthavebeenveryearly，asIdonotrememberwhenIcouldnotread），andtheopinionofallhisfriends，thatIshouldcertainlymakeagoodscholar，encouragedhiminthispurposeofhis。MyuncleBenjamin，too，approvedofit，andproposedtogivemeallhisshort—handvolumesofsermons，Isupposeasastocktosetupwith，ifIwouldlearnhischaracter。Icontinued，however，atthegrammar—schoolnotquiteoneyear，thoughinthattimeIhadrisengraduallyfromthemiddleoftheclassofthatyeartobetheheadofit，andfartherwasremovedintothenextclassaboveit，inordertogowiththatintothethirdattheendoftheyear。Butmyfather，inthemeantime，fromaviewoftheexpenseofacollegeeducation，whichhavingsolargeafamilyhecouldnotwellafford，andthemeanlivingmanysoeducatedwereafterwardsabletoobtain——reasonsthatbegavetohisfriendsinmyhearing——alteredhisfirstintention，tookmefromthegrammar—school，andsentmetoaschoolforwritingandarithmetic，keptbyathenfamousman，Mr。GeorgeBrownell，verysuccessfulinhisprofessiongenerally，andthatbymild，encouragingmethods。UnderhimIacquiredfairwritingprettysoon，butIfailedinthearithmetic，andmadenoprogressinit。
AttenyearsoldIwastakenhometoassistmyfatherinhisbusiness，whichwasthatofatallow—chandlerandsope—boiler；abusinesshewasnotbredto，buthadassumedonhisarrivalinNewEngland，andonfindinghisdyingtradewouldnotmaintainhisfamily，beinginlittlerequest。Accordingly，Iwasemployedincuttingwickforthecandles，fillingthedippingmoldandthemoldsforcastcandles，attendingtheshop，goingoferrands，etc。
Idislikedthetrade，andhadastronginclinationforthesea，butmyfatherdeclaredagainstit；however，livingnearthewater，Iwasmuchinandaboutit，learntearlytoswimwell，andtomanageboats；andwheninaboatorcanoewithotherboys，Iwascommonlyallowedtogovern，especiallyinanycaseofdifficulty；
anduponotheroccasionsIwasgenerallyaleaderamongtheboys，andsometimesledthemintoscrapes，ofwhichIwillmentiononeinstance，asitshowsanearlyprojectingpublicspirit，tho’
notthenjustlyconducted。
Therewasasalt—marshthatboundedpartofthemill—pond，ontheedgeofwhich，athighwater，weusedtostandtofishforminnows。Bymuchtrampling，wehadmadeitamerequagmire。
Myproposalwastobuildawharfftherefitforustostandupon，andIshowedmycomradesalargeheapofstones，whichwereintendedforanewhousenearthemarsh，andwhichwouldverywellsuitourpurpose。Accordingly，intheevening，whentheworkmenweregone，Iassembledanumberofmyplay—fellows，andworkingwiththemdiligentlylikesomanyemmets，sometimestwoorthreetoastone，webroughtthemallawayandbuiltourlittlewharff。
Thenextmorningtheworkmenweresurprisedatmissingthestones，whichwerefoundinourwharff。Inquirywasmadeaftertheremovers；
wewerediscoveredandcomplainedof；severalofuswerecorrectedbyourfathers；andthoughIpleadedtheusefulnessofthework，mineconvincedmethatnothingwasusefulwhichwasnothonest。
Ithinkyoumayliketoknowsomethingofhispersonandcharacter。
Hehadanexcellentconstitutionofbody，wasofmiddlestature，butwellset，andverystrong；hewasingenious，coulddrawprettily，wasskilledalittleinmusic，andhadaclearpleasingvoice，sothatwhenheplayedpsalmtunesonhisviolinandsungwithal，ashesometimesdidinaneveningafterthebusinessofthedaywasover，itwasextremelyagreeabletohear。Hehadamechanicalgeniustoo，and，onoccasion，wasveryhandyintheuseofothertradesmen’stools；
buthisgreatexcellencelayinasoundunderstandingandsolidjudgmentinprudentialmatters，bothinprivateandpublickaffairs。
Inthelatter，indeed，hewasneveremployed，thenumerousfamilyhehadtoeducateandthestraitnessofhiscircumstanceskeepinghimclosetohistrade；butIrememberwellhisbeingfrequentlyvisitedbyleadingpeople，whoconsultedhimforhisopinioninaffairsofthetownorofthechurchhebelongedto，andshowedagooddealofrespectforhisjudgmentandadvice：
hewasalsomuchconsultedbyprivatepersonsabouttheiraffairswhenanydifficultyoccurred，andfrequentlychosenanarbitratorbetweencontendingparties。
Athistablehelikedtohave，asoftenashecould，somesensiblefriendorneighbortoconversewith，andalwaystookcaretostartsomeingeniousorusefultopicfordiscourse，whichmighttendtoimprovethemindsofhischildren。Bythismeansheturnedourattentiontowhatwasgood，just，andprudentintheconductoflife；andlittleornonoticewasevertakenofwhatrelatedtothevictualsonthetable，whetheritwaswellorilldressed，inoroutofseason，ofgoodorbadflavor，preferableorinferiortothisorthatotherthingofthekind，sothatIwasbro’tupinsuchaperfectinattentiontothosemattersastobequiteindifferentwhatkindoffoodwassetbeforeme，andsounobservantofit，thattothisdayifIamaskedIcanscarcetellafewhoursafterdinnerwhatIdinedupon。Thishasbeenaconveniencetomeintravelling，wheremycompanionshavebeensometimesveryunhappyforwantofasuitablegratificationoftheirmoredelicate，becausebetterinstructed，tastesandappetites。
Mymotherhadlikewiseanexcellentconstitution：shesuckledallhertenchildren。Ineverkneweithermyfatherormothertohaveanysicknessbutthatofwhichtheydy’d，heat89，andsheat85yearsofage。TheylieburiedtogetheratBoston，whereIsomeyearssinceplacedamarbleovertheirgrave，withthisinscription：
JOSIAHFRANKLIN，andABIAHhisWife，liehereinterred。
Theylivedlovinglytogetherinwedlockfifty—fiveyears。
Withoutanestate，oranygainfulemployment，Byconstantlaborandindustry，withGod’sblessing，Theymaintainedalargefamilycomfortably，andbroughtupthirteenchildrenandsevengrandchildrenreputably。
Fromthisinstance，reader，Beencouragedtodiligenceinthycalling，AnddistrustnotProvidence。
Hewasapiousandprudentman；
She，adiscreetandvirtuouswoman。
Theiryoungestson，Infilialregardtotheirmemory，Placesthisstone。
J。F。born1655，died1744，AEtat89。
A。F。born1667，died1752，—————95。
BymyramblingdigressionsIperceivemyselftobegrownold。
Ius’dtowritemoremethodically。Butonedoesnotdressforprivatecompanyasforapublickball。’Tisperhapsonlynegligence。
Toreturn：Icontinuedthusemployedinmyfather’sbusinessfortwoyears，thatis，tillIwastwelveyearsold；andmybrotherJohn，whowasbredtothatbusiness，havingleftmyfather，married，andsetupforhimselfatRhodeIsland，therewasallappearancethatI
wasdestinedtosupplyhisplace，andbecomeatallow—chandler。
Butmydisliketothetradecontinuing，myfatherwasunderapprehensionsthatifhedidnotfindoneformemoreagreeable，Ishouldbreakawayandgettosea，ashissonJosiahhaddone，tohisgreatvexation。Hethereforesometimestookmetowalkwithhim，andseejoiners，bricklayers，turners，braziers，etc。，attheirwork，thathemightobservemyinclination，andendeavortofixitonsometradeorotheronland。Ithaseversincebeenapleasuretometoseegoodworkmenhandletheirtools；andithasbeenusefultome，havinglearntsomuchbyitastobeabletodolittlejobsmyselfinmyhousewhenaworkmancouldnotreadilybegot，andtoconstructlittlemachinesformyexperiments，whiletheintentionofmakingtheexperimentwasfreshandwarminmymind。Myfatheratlastfixeduponthecutler’strade，andmyuncleBenjamin’ssonSamuel，whowasbredtothatbusinessinLondon，beingaboutthattimeestablishedinBoston，Iwassenttobewithhimsometimeonliking。
Buthisexpectationsofafeewithmedispleasingmyfather，Iwastakenhomeagain。
FromachildIwasfondofreading，andallthelittlemoneythatcameintomyhandswaseverlaidoutinbooks。PleasedwiththePilgrim’sProgress，myfirstcollectionwasofJohnBunyan’sworksinseparatelittlevolumes。IafterwardsoldthemtoenablemetobuyR。Burton’sHistoricalCollections；theyweresmallchapmen’sbooks，andcheap，40or50inall。Myfather’slittlelibraryconsistedchieflyofbooksinpolemicdivinity，mostofwhichIread，andhavesinceoftenregrettedthat，atatimewhenI
hadsuchathirstforknowledge，moreproperbookshadnotfalleninmywaysinceitwasnowresolvedIshouldnotbeaclergyman。
Plutarch’sLivestherewasinwhichIreadabundantly，andIstillthinkthattimespenttogreatadvantage。TherewasalsoabookofDeFoe’s，calledanEssayonProjects，andanotherofDr。Mather’s，calledEssaystodoGood，whichperhapsgavemeaturnofthinkingthathadaninfluenceonsomeoftheprincipalfutureeventsofmylife。
Thisbookishinclinationatlengthdeterminedmyfathertomakemeaprinter，thoughhehadalreadyoneson（James）ofthatprofession。
In1717mybrotherJamesreturnedfromEnglandwithapressandletterstosetuphisbusinessinBoston。Ilikeditmuchbetterthanthatofmyfather，butstillhadahankeringforthesea。
Topreventtheapprehendedeffectofsuchaninclination，myfatherwasimpatienttohavemeboundtomybrother。Istoodoutsometime，butatlastwaspersuaded，andsignedtheindentureswhenIwasyetbuttwelveyearsold。IwastoserveasanapprenticetillIwastwenty—oneyearsofage，onlyIwastobeallowedjourneyman’swagesduringthelastyear。InalittletimeImadegreatproficiencyinthebusiness，andbecameausefulhandtomybrother。Inowhadaccesstobetterbooks。Anacquaintancewiththeapprenticesofbooksellersenabledmesometimestoborrowasmallone，whichI
wascarefultoreturnsoonandclean。OftenIsatupinmyroomreadingthegreatestpartofthenight，whenthebookwasborrowedintheeveningandtobereturnedearlyinthemorning，lestitshouldbemissedorwanted。
Andaftersometimeaningenioustradesman，Mr。MatthewAdams，whohadaprettycollectionofbooks，andwhofrequentedourprinting—house，tooknoticeofme，invitedmetohislibrary，andverykindlylentmesuchbooksasIchosetoread。Inowtookafancytopoetry，andmadesomelittlepieces；mybrother，thinkingitmightturntoaccount，encouragedme，andputmeoncomposingoccasionalballads。
OnewascalledTheLighthouseTragedy，andcontainedanaccountofthedrowningofCaptainWorthilake，withhistwodaughters：
theotherwasasailor’ssong，onthetakingofTeach（orBlackbeard）
thepirate。Theywerewretchedstuff，intheGrub—street—balladstyle；
andwhentheywereprintedhesentmeaboutthetowntosellthem。
Thefirstsoldwonderfully，theeventbeingrecent，havingmadeagreatnoise。Thisflatteredmyvanity；butmyfatherdiscouragedmebyridiculingmyperformances，andtellingmeverse—makersweregenerallybeggars。SoIescapedbeingapoet，mostprobablyaverybadone；butasprosewritingbadbeenofgreatusetomeinthecourseofmylife，andwasaprincipalmeansofmyadvancement，Ishalltellyouhow，insuchasituation，IacquiredwhatlittleabilityIhaveinthatway。
Therewasanotherbookishladinthetown，JohnCollinsbyname，withwhomIwasintimatelyacquainted。Wesometimesdisputed，andveryfondwewereofargument，andverydesirousofconfutingoneanother，whichdisputatiousturn，bytheway，isapttobecomeaverybadhabit，makingpeopleoftenextremelydisagreeableincompanybythecontradictionthatisnecessarytobringitintopractice；
andthence，besidessouringandspoilingtheconversation，isproductiveofdisgustsand，perhapsenmitieswhereyoumayhaveoccasionforfriendship。Ihadcaughtitbyreadingmyfather’sbooksofdisputeaboutreligion。Personsofgoodsense，Ihavesinceobserved，seldomfallintoit，exceptlawyers，universitymen，andmenofallsortsthathavebeenbredatEdinborough。
Aquestionwasonce，somehoworother，startedbetweenCollinsandme，oftheproprietyofeducatingthefemalesexinlearning，andtheirabilitiesforstudy。Hewasofopinionthatitwasimproper，andthattheywerenaturallyunequaltoit。Itookthecontraryside，perhapsalittlefordispute’ssake。Hewasnaturallymoreeloquent，hadareadyplentyofwords；andsometimes，asIthought，boremedownmorebyhisfluencythanbythestrengthofhisreasons。
Aswepartedwithoutsettlingthepoint，andwerenottoseeoneanotheragainforsometime，Isatdowntoputmyargumentsinwriting，whichIcopiedfairandsenttohim。Heanswered，andIreplied。
Threeorfourlettersofasidehadpassed，whenmyfatherhappenedtofindmypapersandreadthem。Withoutenteringintothediscussion，hetookoccasiontotalktomeaboutthemannerofmywriting；
observedthat，thoughIhadtheadvantageofmyantagonistincorrectspellingandpointing（whichIow’dtotheprinting—house），Ifellfarshortineleganceofexpression，inmethodandinperspicuity，ofwhichheconvincedmebyseveralinstances。Isawthejusticeofhisremark，andthencegrewmoreattentivetothemannerinwriting，anddeterminedtoendeavoratimprovement。
AboutthistimeImetwithanoddvolumeoftheSpectator。
Itwasthethird。Ihadneverbeforeseenanyofthem。Iboughtit，readitoverandover，andwasmuchdelightedwithit。Ithoughtthewritingexcellent，andwished，ifpossible，toimitateit。
WiththisviewItooksomeofthepapers，and，makingshorthintsofthesentimentineachsentence，laidthembyafewdays，andthen，withoutlookingatthebook，try’dtocompleatthepapersagain，byexpressingeachhintedsentimentatlength，andasfullyasithadbeenexpressedbefore，inanysuitablewordsthatshouldcometohand。ThenIcomparedmySpectatorwiththeoriginal，discoveredsomeofmyfaults，andcorrectedthem。ButIfoundIwantedastockofwords，orareadinessinrecollectingandusingthem，whichIthoughtIshouldhaveacquiredbeforethattimeifI
hadgoneonmakingverses；sincethecontinualoccasionforwordsofthesameimport，butofdifferentlength，tosuitthemeasure，orofdifferentsoundfortherhyme，wouldhavelaidmeunderaconstantnecessityofsearchingforvariety，andalsohavetendedtofixthatvarietyinmymind，andmakememasterofit。ThereforeItooksomeofthetalesandturnedthemintoverse；and，afteratime，whenIhadprettywellforgottentheprose，turnedthembackagain。
Ialsosometimesjumbledmycollectionsofhintsintoconfusion，andaftersomeweeksendeavoredtoreducethemintothebestorder，beforeIbegantoformthefullsentencesandcompleatthepaper。
Thiswastoteachmemethodinthearrangementofthoughts。
Bycomparingmyworkafterwardswiththeoriginal，Idiscoveredmanyfaultsandamendedthem；butIsometimeshadthepleasureoffancyingthat，incertainparticularsofsmallimport，Ihadbeenluckyenoughtoimprovethemethodorthelanguage，andthisencouragedmetothinkImightpossiblyintimecometobeatolerableEnglishwriter，ofwhichIwasextremelyambitious。
Mytimefortheseexercisesandforreadingwasatnight，afterworkorbeforeitbeganinthemorning，oronSundays，whenIcontrivedtobeintheprinting—housealone，evadingasmuchasIcouldthecommonattendanceonpublicworshipwhichmyfatherusedtoexactonmewhenIwasunderhiscare，andwhichindeedIstillthoughtaduty，thoughIcouldnot，asitseemedtome，affordtimetopractiseit。
Whenabout16yearsofageIhappenedtomeetwithabook，writtenbyoneTryon，recommendingavegetablediet。Ideterminedtogointoit。Mybrother，beingyetunmarried，didnotkeephouse，butboardedhimselfandhisapprenticesinanotherfamily。Myrefusingtoeatfleshoccasionedaninconveniency，andIwasfrequentlychidformysingularity。ImademyselfacquaintedwithTryon’smannerofpreparingsomeofhisdishes，suchasboilingpotatoesorrice，makinghastypudding，andafewothers，andthenproposedtomybrother，thatifhewouldgiveme，weekly，halfthemoneyhepaidformyboard，Iwouldboardmyself。Heinstantlyagreedtoit，andIpresentlyfoundthatIcouldsavehalfwhathepaidme。Thiswasanadditionalfundforbuyingbooks。ButIhadanotheradvantageinit。
Mybrotherandtherestgoingfromtheprinting—housetotheirmeals，Iremainedtherealone，and，despatchingpresentlymylightrepast，whichoftenwasnomorethanabisketorasliceofbread，ahandfulofraisinsoratartfromthepastry—cook’s，andaglassofwater，hadtherestofthetimetilltheirreturnforstudy，inwhichI
madethegreaterprogress，fromthatgreaterclearnessofheadandquickerapprehensionwhichusuallyattendtemperanceineatinganddrinking。
Andnowitwasthat，beingonsomeoccasionmadeasham’dofmyignoranceinfigures，whichIhadtwicefailedinlearningwhenatschool，ItookCocker’sbookofArithmetick，andwentthroughthewholebymyselfwithgreatease。IalsoreadSeller’sandShermy’sbooksofNavigation，andbecameacquaintedwiththelittlegeometrytheycontain；butneverproceededfarinthatscience。
AndIreadaboutthistimeLockeOnHumanUnderstanding，andtheArtofThinking，byMessrs。duPortRoyal。
WhileIwasintentonimprovingmylanguage，ImetwithanEnglishgrammar（IthinkitwasGreenwood’s），attheendofwhichthereweretwolittlesketchesoftheartsofrhetoricandlogic，thelatterfinishingwithaspecimenofadisputeintheSocraticmethod；
andsoonafterIprocur’dXenophon’sMemorableThingsofSocrates，whereintherearemanyinstancesofthesamemethod。Iwascharm’dwithit，adoptedit，droptmyabruptcontradictionandpositiveargumentation，andputonthehumbleinquireranddoubter。
Andbeingthen，fromreadingShaftesburyandCollins，becomearealdoubterinmanypointsofourreligiousdoctrine，IfoundthismethodsafestformyselfandveryembarrassingtothoseagainstwhomIusedit；
thereforeItookadelightinit，practis’ditcontinually，andgrewveryartfulandexpertindrawingpeople，evenofsuperiorknowledge，intoconcessions，theconsequencesofwhichtheydidnotforesee，entanglingthemindifficultiesoutofwhichtheycouldnotextricatethemselves，andsoobtainingvictoriesthatneithermyselfnormycausealwaysdeserved。Icontinu’dthismethodsomefewyears，butgraduallyleftit，retainingonlythehabitofexpressingmyselfintermsofmodestdiffidence；neverusing，whenIadvancedanythingthatmaypossiblybedisputed，thewordscertainly，undoubtedly，oranyothersthatgivetheairofpositivenesstoanopinion；butrathersay，Iconceiveorapprehendathingtobesoandso；itappearstome，orIshouldthinkitsoorso，forsuchandsuchreasons；
orIimagineittobeso；oritisso，ifIamnotmistaken。
Thishabit，Ibelieve，hasbeenofgreatadvantagetomewhenI
havehadoccasiontoinculcatemyopinions，andpersuademenintomeasuresthatIhavebeenfromtimetotimeengag’dinpromoting；
and，asthechiefendsofconversationaretoinformortobeinformed，topleaseortopersuade，Iwishwell—meaning，sensiblemenwouldnotlessentheirpowerofdoinggoodbyapositive，assumingmanner，thatseldomfailstodisgust，tendstocreateopposition，andtodefeateveryoneofthosepurposesforwhichspeechwasgiventous，towit，givingorreceivinginformationorpleasure。For，ifyouwouldinform，apositiveanddogmaticalmannerinadvancingyoursentimentsmayprovokecontradictionandpreventacandidattention。
Ifyouwishinformationandimprovementfromtheknowledgeofothers，andyetatthesametimeexpressyourselfasfirmlyfix’dinyourpresentopinions，modest，sensiblemen，whodonotlovedisputation，willprobablyleaveyouundisturbedinthepossessionofyourerror。
Andbysuchamanner，youcanseldomhopetorecommendyourselfinpleasingyourhearers，ortopersuadethosewhoseconcurrenceyoudesire。Popesays，judiciously：
\"Menshouldbetaughtasifyoutaughtthemnot，Andthingsunknownpropos’dasthingsforgot；\"
fartherrecommendingtous\"Tospeak，tho’sure，withseemingdiffidence。\"
Andhemighthavecoupledwiththislinethatwhichhehascoupledwithanother，Ithink，lessproperly，\"Forwantofmodestyiswantofsense。\"
Ifyouask，Whylessproperly？Imustrepeatthelines，\"Immodestwordsadmitofnodefense，Forwantofmodestyiswantofsense。\"
Now，isnotwantofsense（whereamanissounfortunateastowantit）
someapologyforhiswantofmodesty？andwouldnotthelinesstandmorejustlythus？
\"Immodestwordsadmitbutthisdefense，Thatwantofmodestyiswantofsense。\"
This，however，Ishouldsubmittobetterjudgments。
Mybrotherhad，in1720or1721，beguntoprintanewspaper。
ItwasthesecondthatappearedinAmerica，andwascalledtheNewEnglandCourant。TheonlyonebeforeitwastheBostonNews—Letter。I
rememberhisbeingdissuadedbysomeofhisfriendsfromtheundertaking，asnotlikelytosucceed，onenewspaperbeing，intheirjudgment，enoughforAmerica。Atthistime（1771）therearenotlessthanfive—and—twenty。Hewenton，however，withtheundertaking，andafterhavingworkedincomposingthetypesandprintingoffthesheets，Iwasemployedtocarrythepapersthro’thestreetstothecustomers。
Hehadsomeingeniousmenamonghisfriends，whoamus’dthemselvesbywritinglittlepiecesforthispaper，whichgain’ditcreditandmadeitmoreindemand，andthesegentlemenoftenvisitedus。
Hearingtheirconversations，andtheiraccountsoftheapprobationtheirpaperswerereceivedwith，Iwasexcitedtotrymyhandamongthem；
but，beingstillaboy，andsuspectingthatmybrotherwouldobjecttoprintinganythingofmineinhispaperifheknewittobemine，Icontrivedtodisguisemyhand，and，writingananonymouspaper，Iputitinatnightunderthedooroftheprinting—house。Itwasfoundinthemorning，andcommunicatedtohiswritingfriendswhentheycall’dinasusual。Theyreadit，commentedonitinmyhearing，andI
hadtheexquisitepleasureoffindingitmetwiththeirapprobation，andthat，intheirdifferentguessesattheauthor，nonewerenamedbutmenofsomecharacteramongusforlearningandingenuity。
IsupposenowthatIwasratherluckyinmyjudges，andthatperhapstheywerenotreallysoverygoodonesasIthenesteem’dthem。
Encourag’d，however，bythis，Iwroteandconvey’dinthesamewaytothepressseveralmorepaperswhichwereequallyapprov’d；andI
keptmysecrettillmysmallfundofsenseforsuchperformanceswasprettywellexhaustedandthenIdiscoveredit，whenIbegantobeconsideredalittlemorebymybrother’sacquaintance，andinamannerthatdidnotquitepleasehim，ashethought，probablywithreason，thatittendedtomakemetoovain。And，perhaps，thismightbeoneoccasionofthedifferencesthatwebegantohaveaboutthistime。
Thoughabrother，heconsideredhimselfasmymaster，andmeashisapprentice，andaccordingly，expectedthesameservicesfrommeashewouldfromanother，whileIthoughthedemean’dmetoomuchinsomeherequir’dofme，whofromabrotherexpectedmoreindulgence。Ourdisputeswereoftenbroughtbeforeourfather，andIfancyIwaseithergenerallyintheright，orelseabetterpleader，becausethejudgmentwasgenerallyinmyfavor。
Butmybrotherwaspassionate，andhadoftenbeatenme，whichI
tookextreamlyamiss；and，thinkingmyapprenticeshipverytedious，Iwascontinuallywishingforsomeopportunityofshorteningit，whichatlengthofferedinamannerunexpected。
Ifancyhisharshandtyrannicaltreatmentofmemightbeameansofimpressingmewiththataversiontoarbitrarypowerthathasstucktomethroughmywholelife。
Oneofthepiecesinournewspaperonsomepoliticalpoint，whichI
havenowforgotten，gaveoffensetotheAssembly。Hewastakenup，censur’d，andimprison’dforamonth，bythespeaker’swarrant，Isuppose，becausehewouldnotdiscoverhisauthor。Itoowastakenupandexamin’dbeforethecouncil；but，tho’Ididnotgivethemanysatisfaction，theycontent’dthemselveswithadmonishingme，anddismissedme，consideringme，perhaps，asanapprentice，whowasboundtokeephismaster’ssecrets。
Duringmybrother’sconfinement，whichIresentedagooddeal，notwithstandingourprivatedifferences，Ihadthemanagementofthepaper；andImadeboldtogiveourrulerssomerubsinit，whichmybrothertookverykindly，whileothersbegantoconsidermeinanunfavorablelight，asayounggeniusthathadaturnforlibellingandsatyr。Mybrother’sdischargewasaccompany’dwithanorderoftheHouse（averyoddone），that\"JamesFranklinshouldnolongerprintthepapercalledtheNewEnglandCourant。\"
Therewasaconsultationheldinourprinting—houseamonghisfriends，whatheshoulddointhiscase。Someproposedtoevadetheorderbychangingthenameofthepaper；butmybrother，seeinginconveniencesinthat，itwasfinallyconcludedonasabetterway，toletitbeprintedforthefutureunderthenameofBENJAMINFRANKLIN；andtoavoidthecensureoftheAssembly，thatmightfallonhimasstillprintingitbyhisapprentice，thecontrivancewasthatmyoldindentureshouldbereturn’dtome，withafulldischargeonthebackofit，tobeshownonoccasion，buttosecuretohimthebenefitofmyservice，Iwastosignnewindenturesfortheremainderoftheterm，whichweretobekeptprivate。
Averyflimsyschemeitwas；however，itwasimmediatelyexecuted，andthepaperwentonaccordingly，undermynameforseveralmonths。
Atlength，afreshdifferencearisingbetweenmybrotherandme，Itookuponmetoassertmyfreedom，presumingthathewouldnotventuretoproducethenewindentures。Itwasnotfairinmetotakethisadvantage，andthisIthereforereckononeofthefirsterrataofmylife；buttheunfairnessofitweighedlittlewithme，whenundertheimpressionsofresentmentfortheblowshispassiontoooftenurgedhimtobestowuponme，thoughhewasotherwisenotanill—natur’dman：perhapsIwastoosaucyandprovoking。
WhenhefoundIwouldleavehim，hetookcaretopreventmygettingemploymentinanyotherprinting—houseofthetown，bygoingroundandspeakingtoeverymaster，whoaccordinglyrefus’dtogivemework。
IthenthoughtofgoingtoNewYork，asthenearestplacewheretherewasaprinter；andIwasratherinclin’dtoleaveBostonwhenIreflectedthatIhadalreadymademyselfalittleobnoxioustothegoverningparty，and，fromthearbitraryproceedingsoftheAssemblyinmybrother’scase，itwaslikelyImight，ifIstay’d，soonbringmyselfintoscrapes；andfarther，thatmyindiscretedisputationsaboutreligionbegantomakemepointedatwithhorrorbygoodpeopleasaninfideloratheist。Idetermin’donthepoint，butmyfathernowsidingwithmybrother，Iwassensiblethat，ifIattemptedtogoopenly，meanswouldbeusedtopreventme。
MyfriendCollins，therefore，undertooktomanagealittleforme。
HeagreedwiththecaptainofaNewYorksloopformypassage，underthenotionofmybeingayoungacquaintanceofhis，thathadgotanaughtygirlwithchild，whosefriendswouldcompelmetomarryher，andthereforeIcouldnotappearorcomeawaypublicly。
SoIsoldsomeofmybookstoraisealittlemoney，wastakenonboardprivately，andaswehadafairwind，inthreedaysIfoundmyselfinNewYork，near300milesfromhome，aboyofbut17，withouttheleastrecommendationto，orknowledgeofanypersonintheplace，andwithverylittlemoneyinmypocket。
Myinclinationsfortheseawerebythistimeworneout，orI
mightnowhavegratify’dthem。But，havingatrade，andsupposingmyselfaprettygoodworkman，Ioffer’dmyservicetotheprinterintheplace，oldMr。WilliamBradford，whohadbeenthefirstprinterinPennsylvania，butremovedfromthenceuponthequarrelofGeorgeKeith。Hecouldgivemenoemployment，havinglittletodo，andhelpenoughalready；butsayshe，\"MysonatPhiladelphiahaslatelylosthisprincipalhand，AquilaRose，bydeath；
ifyougothither，Ibelievehemayemployyou。\"Philadelphiawasahundredmilesfurther；Isetout，however，inaboatforAmboy，leavingmychestandthingstofollowmeroundbysea。
Incrossingthebay，wemetwithasquallthattoreourrottensailstopieces，preventedourgettingintotheKillanddroveusuponLongIsland。Inourway，adrunkenDutchman，whowasapassengertoo，felloverboard；whenhewassinking，Ireachedthroughthewatertohisshockpate，anddrewhimup，sothatwegothiminagain。
Hisduckingsoberedhimalittle，andhewenttosleep，takingfirstoutofhispocketabook，whichhedesir’dIwoulddryforhim。
Itprovedtobemyoldfavoriteauthor，Bunyan’sPilgrim’sProgress，inDutch，finelyprintedongoodpaper，withcoppercuts，adressbetterthanIhadeverseenitwearinitsownlanguage。IhavesincefoundthatithasbeentranslatedintomostofthelanguagesofEurope，andsupposeithasbeenmoregenerallyreadthananyotherbook，exceptperhapstheBible。HonestJohnwasthefirstthatIknowofwhomix’dnarrationanddialogue；amethodofwritingveryengagingtothereader，whointhemostinterestingpartsfindshimself，asitwere，broughtintothecompanyandpresentatthediscourse。
DeFoeinhisCruso，hisMollFlanders，ReligiousCourtship，FamilyInstructor，andotherpieces，hasimitateditwithsuccess；
andRichardsonhasdonethesame，inhisPamela，etc。
Whenwedrewneartheisland，wefounditwasataplacewheretherecouldbenolanding，therebeingagreatsurffonthestonybeach。
Sowedroptanchor，andswungroundtowardstheshore。Somepeoplecamedowntothewateredgeandhallow’dtous，aswedidtothem；
butthewindwassohigh，andthesurffsoloud，thatwecouldnothearsoastounderstandeachother。Therewerecanoesontheshore，andwemadesigns，andhallow’dthattheyshouldfetchus；
buttheyeitherdidnotunderstandus，orthoughtitimpracticable，sotheywentaway，andnightcomingon，wehadnoremedybuttowaittillthewindshouldabate；and，inthemeantime，theboatmanandI
concludedtosleep，ifwecould；andsocrowdedintothescuttle，withtheDutchman，whowasstillwet，andthespraybeatingovertheheadofourboat，leak’dthro’tous，sothatweweresoonalmostaswetashe。Inthismannerwelayallnight，withverylittlerest；but，thewindabatingthenextday，wemadeashifttoreachAmboybeforenight，havingbeenthirtyhoursonthewater，withoutvictuals，oranydrinkbutabottleoffilthyrum，andthewaterwesail’donbeingsalt。
IntheeveningIfoundmyselfveryfeverish，andwentintobed；
but，havingreadsomewherethatcoldwaterdrankplentifullywasgoodforafever，Ifollow’dtheprescription，sweatplentifulmostofthenight，myfeverleftme，andinthemorning，crossingtheferry，Iproceededonmyjourneyonfoot，havingfiftymilestoBurlington，whereIwastoldIshouldfindboatsthatwouldcarrymetherestofthewaytoPhiladelphia。
Itrainedveryhardalltheday；Iwasthoroughlysoak’d，andbynoonagooddealtired；soIstoptatapoorinn，whereIstaidallnight，beginningnowtowishthatIhadneverlefthome。Icutsomiserableafigure，too，thatIfound，bythequestionsask’dme，Iwassuspectedtobesomerunawayservant，andindangerofbeingtakenuponthatsuspicion。However，Iproceededthenextday，andgotintheeveningtoaninn，withineightortenmilesofBurlington，keptbyoneDr。Brown。HeenteredintoconversationwithmewhileI
tooksomerefreshment，and，findingIhadreadalittle，becameverysociableandfriendly。Ouracquaintancecontinu’daslongasheliv’d。Hehadbeen，Iimagine，anitinerantdoctor，fortherewasnotowninEngland，orcountryinEurope，ofwhichhecouldnotgiveaveryparticularaccount。Hehadsomeletters，andwasingenious，butmuchofanunbeliever，andwickedlyundertook，someyearsafter，totravestietheBibleindoggrelverse，asCottonhaddoneVirgil。
Bythismeanshesetmanyofthefactsinaveryridiculouslight，andmighthavehurtweakmindsifhisworkhadbeenpublished；
butitneverwas。
AthishouseIlaythatnight，andthenextmorningreach’dBurlington，buthadthemortificationtofindthattheregularboatsweregonealittlebeforemycoming，andnootherexpectedtogobeforeTuesday，thisbeingSaturday；whereforeIreturnedtoanoldwomaninthetown，ofwhomIhadboughtgingerbreadtoeatonthewater，andask’dheradvice。Sheinvitedmetolodgeatherhousetillapassagebywatershouldoffer；andbeingtiredwithmyfoottravelling，Iacceptedtheinvitation。SheunderstandingIwasaprinter，wouldhavehadmestayatthattownandfollowmybusiness，beingignorantofthestocknecessarytobeginwith。Shewasveryhospitable，gavemeadinnerofox—cheekwithgreatgoodwill，acceptingonlyapotofaleinreturn；andIthoughtmyselffixedtillTuesdayshouldcome。However，walkingintheeveningbythesideoftheriver，aboatcameby，whichIfoundwasgoingtowardsPhiladelphia，withseveralpeopleinher。Theytookmein，and，astherewasnowind，werow’dalltheway；andaboutmidnight，nothavingyetseenthecity，someofthecompanywereconfidentwemusthavepassedit，andwouldrownofarther；theothersknewnotwherewewere；soweputtowardtheshore，gotintoacreek，landednearanoldfence，withtherailsofwhichwemadeafire，thenightbeingcold，inOctober，andthereweremainedtilldaylight。
ThenoneofthecompanyknewtheplacetobeCooper’sCreek，alittleabovePhiladelphia，whichwesawassoonaswegotoutofthecreek，andarriv’dthereabouteightornineo’clockontheSundaymorning，andlandedattheMarket—streetwharf。
Ihavebeenthemoreparticularinthisdescriptionofmyjourney，andshallbesoofmyfirstentryintothatcity，thatyoumayinyourmindcomparesuchunlikelybeginningswiththefigureIhavesincemadethere。Iwasinmyworkingdress，mybestcloathsbeingtocomeroundbysea。Iwasdirtyfrommyjourney；
mypocketswerestuff’doutwithshirtsandstockings，andI
knewnosoulnorwheretolookforlodging。Iwasfatiguedwithtravelling，rowing，andwantofrest，Iwasveryhungry；
andmywholestockofcashconsistedofaDutchdollar，andaboutashillingincopper。ThelatterIgavethepeopleoftheboatformypassage，whoatfirstrefus’dit，onaccountofmyrowing；
butIinsistedontheirtakingit。Amanbeingsometimesmoregenerouswhenhehasbutalittlemoneythanwhenhehasplenty，perhapsthro’fearofbeingthoughttohavebutlittle。
ThenIwalkedupthestreet，gazingabouttillnearthemarket—houseImetaboywithbread。Ihadmademanyamealonbread，and，inquiringwherehegotit，Iwentimmediatelytothebaker’shedirectedmeto，inSecondstreet，andask’dforbisket，intendingsuchaswehadinBoston；butthey，itseems，werenotmadeinPhiladelphia。ThenIaskedforathree—pennyloaf，andwastoldtheyhadnonesuch。Sonotconsideringorknowingthedifferenceofmoney，andthegreatercheapnessnorthenamesofhisbread，Imadehimgivemethree—pennyworthofanysort。
Hegaveme，accordingly，threegreatpuffyrolls。Iwassurpriz’datthequantity，buttookit，and，havingnoroominmypockets，walk’doffwitharollundereacharm，andeatingtheother。ThusI
wentupMarket—streetasfarasFourth—street，passingbythedoorofMr。Read，myfuturewife’sfather；whenshe，standingatthedoor，sawme，andthoughtImade，asIcertainlydid，amostawkward，ridiculousappearance。ThenIturnedandwentdownChestnut—streetandpartofWalnut—street，eatingmyrollalltheway，and，corninground，foundmyselfagainatMarket—streetwharf，neartheboatIcamein，towhichIwentforadraughtoftheriverwater；and，beingfilledwithoneofmyrolls，gavetheothertwotoawomanandherchildthatcamedowntheriverintheboatwithus，andwerewaitingtogofarther。
Thusrefreshed，Iwalkedagainupthestreet，whichbythistimehadmanyclean—dressedpeopleinit，whowereallwalkingthesameway。
Ijoinedthem，andtherebywasledintothegreatmeeting—houseoftheQuakersnearthemarket。Isatdownamongthem，and，afterlookingroundawhileandhearingnothingsaid，beingverydrowsythro’
laborandwantofresttheprecedingnight，Ifellfastasleep，andcontinuedsotillthemeetingbrokeup，whenonewaskindenoughtorouseme。Thiswas，therefore，thefirsthouseIwasin，orsleptin，inPhiladelphia。
Walkingdownagaintowardtheriver，and，lookinginthefacesofpeople，ImetayoungQuakerman，whosecountenanceIlik’d，and，accostinghim，requestedhewouldtellmewhereastrangercouldgetlodging。WewerethennearthesignoftheThreeMariners。
\"Here，\"sayshe，\"isoneplacethatentertainsstrangers，butitisnotareputablehouse；iftheewiltwalkwithme，I’llshowtheeabetter。\"HebroughtmetotheCrookedBilletinWater—street。HereIgotadinner；and，whileIwaseatingit，severalslyquestionswereaskedme，asitseemedtobesuspectedfrommyyouthandappearance，thatImightbesomerunaway。
Afterdinner，mysleepinessreturn’d，andbeingshowntoabed，Ilaydownwithoutundressing，andslepttillsixintheevening，wascall’dtosupper，wenttobedagainveryearly，andsleptsoundlytillnextmorning。ThenImademyselfastidyasIcould，andwenttoAndrewBradfordtheprinter’s。Ifoundintheshoptheoldmanhisfather，whomIhadseenatNewYork，andwho，travellingonhorseback，hadgottoPhiladelphiabeforeme。
Heintroduc’dmetohisson，whoreceiv’dmecivilly，gavemeabreakfast，buttoldmehedidnotatpresentwantahand，beinglatelysuppli’dwithone；buttherewasanotherprinterintown，latelysetup，oneKeimer，who，perhaps，mightemployme；
ifnot，Ishouldbewelcometolodgeathishouse，andhewouldgivemealittleworktodonowandthentillfullerbusinessshouldoffer。
Theoldgentlemansaidhewouldgowithmetothenewprinter；
andwhenwefoundhim，\"Neighbor，\"saysBradford，\"Ihavebroughttoseeyouayoungmanofyourbusiness；perhapsyoumaywantsuchaone。\"Heask’dmeafewquestions，putacomposingstickinmyhandtoseehowIwork’d，andthensaidhewouldemploymesoon，thoughhehadjustthennothingformetodo；and，takingoldBradford，whomhehadneverseenbefore，tobeoneofthetown’speoplethathadagoodwillforhim，enter’dintoaconversationonhispresentundertakingandprojects；whileBradford，notdiscoveringthathewastheotherprinter’sfather，onKeimer’ssayingheexpectedsoontogetthegreatestpartofthebusinessintohisownhands，drewhimonbyartfulquestions，andstartinglittledoubts，toexplainallhisviews，whatinterestshereli’don，andinwhatmannerheintendedtoproceed。I，whostoodbyandheardall，sawimmediatelythatoneofthemwasacraftyoldsophister，andtheotheramerenovice。BradfordleftmewithKeimer，whowasgreatlysurpris’dwhenItoldhimwhotheoldmanwas。
Keimer’sprinting—house，Ifound，consistedofanoldshatter’dpress，andonesmall，worn—outfontofEnglishwhichhewasthenusinghimself，composinganElegyonAquilaRose，beforementioned，aningeniousyoungman，ofexcellentcharacter，muchrespectedinthetown，clerkoftheAssembly，andaprettypoet。Keimermadeversestoo，butveryindifferently。Hecouldnotbesaidtowritethem，forhismannerwastocomposetheminthetypesdirectlyoutofhishead。
Sotherebeingnocopy，butonepairofcases，andtheElegylikelytorequirealltheletter，noonecouldhelphim。
Iendeavor’dtoputhispress（whichhehadnotyetus’d，andofwhichheunderstoodnothing）intoorderfittobework’dwith；
and，promisingtocomeandprintoffhisElegyassoonasheshouldhavegotitready，Ireturn’dtoBradford’s，whogavemealittlejobtodoforthepresent，andthereIlodgedanddieted，Afewdaysafter，KeimersentformetoprintofftheElegy。
Andnowhehadgotanotherpairofcases，andapamphlettoreprint，onwhichhesetmetowork。
ThesetwoprintersIfoundpoorlyqualifiedfortheirbusiness。