Inyouth，therefore，theturnisgiven；inyouththeeducationevenofthenextgenerationisgiven；inyouththeprivateandpubliccharacterisdetermined；andthetermoflifeextendingbutfromyouthtoage，lifeoughttobeginwellfromyouth，andmoreespeciallybeforewetakeourpartyastoourprincipalobjects。Butyourbiographywillnotmerelyteachself—education，buttheeducationofawiseman；andthewisestmanwillreceivelightsandimprovehisprogress，byseeingdetailedtheconductofanotherwiseman。
Andwhyareweakermentobedeprivedofsuchhelps，whenweseeourracehasbeenblunderingoninthedark，almostwithoutaguideinthisparticular，fromthefarthesttraceoftime？Showthen，sir，howmuchistobedone，bothtosonsandfathers；andinviteallwisementobecomelikeyourself，andothermentobecomewise。
Whenweseehowcruelstatesmenandwarriorscanbetothehumanrace，andhowabsurddistinguishedmencanbetotheiracquaintance，itwillbeinstructivetoobservetheinstancesmultiplyofpacific，acquiescingmanners；andtofindhowcompatibleitistobegreatanddomestic，enviableandyetgood—humored。
\"Thelittleprivateincidentswhichyouwillalsohavetorelate，willhaveconsiderableuse，aswewant，aboveallthings，rulesofprudenceinordinaryaffairs；anditwillbecurioustoseehowyouhaveactedinthese。Itwillbesofarasortofkeytolife，andexplainmanythingsthatallmenoughttohaveonceexplainedtothem，togive，themachanceofbecomingwisebyforesight。
Thenearestthingtohavingexperienceofone’sown，istohaveotherpeople’saffairsbroughtbeforeusinashapethatisinteresting；
thisissuretohappenfromyourpen；ouraffairsandmanagementwillhaveanairofsimplicityorimportancethatwillnotfailtostrike；
andIamconvincedyouhaveconductedthemwithasmuchoriginalityasifyouhadbeenconductingdiscussionsinpoliticsorphilosophy；
andwhatmoreworthyofexperimentsandsystem（itsimportanceanditserrorsconsidered）thanhumanlife？
\"Somemenhavebeenvirtuousblindly，othershavespeculatedfantastically，andothershavebeenshrewdtobadpurposes；
butyou，sir，Iamsure，willgiveunderyourhand，nothingbutwhatisatthesamemoment，wise，practicalandgood，youraccountofyourself（forIsupposetheparallelIamdrawingforDr。Franklin，willholdnotonlyinpointofcharacter，butofprivatehistory）
willshowthatyouareashamedofnoorigin；athingthemoreimportant，asyouprovehowlittlenecessaryalloriginistohappiness，virtue，orgreatness。Asnoendlikewisehappenswithoutameans，soweshallfind，sir，thatevenyouyourselfframedaplanbywhichyoubecameconsiderable；butatthesametimewemayseethatthoughtheeventisflattering，themeansareassimpleaswisdomcouldmakethem；thatis，dependinguponnature，virtue，thoughtandhabit。Anotherthingdemonstratedwillbetheproprietyofeveryman’swaitingforhistimeforappearinguponthestageoftheworld。
Oursensationsbeingverymuchfixedtothemoment，weareapttoforgetthatmoremomentsaretofollowthefirst，andconsequentlythatmanshouldarrangehisconductsoastosuitthewholeofalife。
Yourattributionappearstohavebeenappliedtoyourlife，andthepassingmomentsofithavebeenenlivenedwithcontentandenjoymentinsteadofbeingtormentedwithfoolishimpatienceorregrets。
Suchaconductiseasyforthosewhomakevirtueandthemselvesincountenancebyexamplesofothertrulygreatmen，ofwhompatienceissooftenthecharacteristic。YourQuakercorrespondent，sir（forhereagainIwillsupposethesubjectofmyletterresemblingDr。Franklin），praisedyourfrugality，diligenceandtemperance，whichheconsideredasapatternforallyouth；butitissingularthatheshouldhaveforgottenyourmodestyandyourdisinterestedness，withoutwhichyounevercouldhavewaitedforyouradvancement，orfoundyoursituationinthemeantimecomfortable；whichisastronglessontoshowthepovertyofgloryandtheimportanceofregulatingourminds。IfthiscorrespondenthadknownthenatureofyourreputationaswellasIdo，hewouldhavesaid，YourformerwritingsandmeasureswouldsecureattentiontoyourBiography，andArtofVirtue；andyourBiographyandArtofVirtue，inreturn，wouldsecureattentiontothem。Thisisanadvantageattendantuponavariouscharacter，andwhichbringsallthatbelongstoitintogreaterplay；anditisthemoreuseful，asperhapsmorepersonsareatalossforthemeansofimprovingtheirmindsandcharacters，thantheyareforthetimeortheinclinationtodoit。Butthereisoneconcludingreflection，sir，thatwillshewtheuseofyourlifeasamerepieceofbiography。Thisstyleofwritingseemsalittlegoneoutofvogue，andyetitisaveryusefulone；andyourspecimenofitmaybeparticularlyserviceable，asitwillmakeasubjectofcomparisonwiththelivesofvariouspubliccutthroatsandintriguers，andwithabsurdmonasticself—tormentorsorvainliterarytriflers。
Ifitencouragesmorewritingsofthesamekindwithyourown，andinducesmorementospendlivesfittobewritten，itwillbeworthallPlutarch’sLivesputtogether。Butbeingtiredoffiguringtomyselfacharacterofwhicheveryfeaturesuitsonlyonemanintheworld，withoutgivinghimthepraiseofit，Ishallendmyletter，mydearDr。Franklin，withapersonalapplicationtoyourproperself。
Iamearnestlydesirous，then，mydearsir，thatyoushouldlettheworldintothetraitsofyourgenuinecharacter，ascivilbroilsnayotherwisetendtodisguiseortraduceit。Consideringyourgreatage，thecautionofyourcharacter，andyourpeculiarstyleofthinking，itisnotlikelythatanyonebesidesyourselfcanbesufficientlymasterofthefactsofyourlife，ortheintentionsofyourmind。
Besidesallthis，theimmenserevolutionofthepresentperiod，willnecessarilyturnourattentiontowardstheauthorofit，andwhenvirtuousprincipleshavebeenpretendedinit，itwillbehighlyimportanttoshewthatsuchhavereallyinfluenced；and，asyourowncharacterwillbetheprincipalonetoreceiveascrutiny，itisproper（evenforitseffectsuponyourvastandrisingcountry，aswellasuponEnglandanduponEurope）thatitshouldstandrespectableandeternal。Forthefurtheranceofhumanhappiness，Ihavealwaysmaintainedthatitisnecessarytoprovethatmanisnotevenatpresentaviciousanddetestableanimal；
andstillmoretoprovethatgoodmanagementmaygreatlyamendhim；
anditisformuchthesamereason，thatIamanxioustoseetheopinionestablished，thattherearefaircharactersexistingamongtheindividualsoftherace；forthemomentthatallmen，withoutexception，shallbeconceivedabandoned，goodpeoplewillceaseeffortsdeemedtobehopeless，andperhapsthinkoftakingtheirshareinthescrambleoflife，oratleastofmakingitcomfortableprincipallyforthemselves。Takethen，mydearsir，thisworkmostspeedilyintohand：shewyourselfgoodasyouaregood；
temperateasyouaretemperate；andaboveallthings，proveyourselfasone，whofromyourinfancyhavelovedjustice，libertyandconcord，inawaythathasmadeitnaturalandconsistentforyoutohaveacted，aswehaveseenyouactinthelastseventeenyearsofyourlife。
LetEnglishmenbemadenotonlytorespect，buteventoloveyou。
Whentheythinkwellofindividualsinyournativecountry，theywillgonearertothinkingwellofyourcountry；andwhenyourcountrymenseethemselveswellthoughtofbyEnglishmen，theywillgonearertothinkingwellofEngland。Extendyourviewsevenfurther；
donotstopatthosewhospeaktheEnglishtongue，butafterhavingsettledsomanypointsinnatureandpolitics，thinkofbetteringthewholeraceofmen。AsIhavenotreadanypartofthelifeinquestion，butknowonlythecharacterthatlivedit，Iwritesomewhatathazard。Iamsure，however，thatthelifeandthetreatiseIalludeto（ontheArtofVirtue）willnecessarilyfulfilthechiefofmyexpectations；andstillmoresoifyoutakeupthemeasureofsuitingtheseperformancestotheseveralviewsabovestated。
Shouldtheyevenproveunsuccessfulinallthatasanguineadmirerofyourshopesfromthem，youwillatleasthaveframedpiecestointerestthehumanmind；andwhoevergivesafeelingofpleasurethatisinnocenttoman，hasaddedsomuchtothefairsideofalifeotherwisetoomuchdarkenedbyanxietyandtoomuchinjuredbypain。
Inthehope，therefore，thatyouwilllistentotheprayeraddressedtoyouinthisletter，Ibegtosubscribemyself，mydearestsir，etc。，etc。，\"Signed，BENJ。VAUGHAN。\"
ContinuationoftheAccountofmyLife，begunatPassy，nearParis，1784。
ItissometimesinceIreceiv’dtheaboveletters，butIhavebeentoobusytillnowtothinkofcomplyingwiththerequesttheycontain。
Itmight，too，bemuchbetterdoneifIwereathomeamongmypapers，whichwouldaidmymemory，andhelptoascertaindates；butmyreturnbeinguncertainandhavingjustnowalittleleisure，IwillendeavortorecollectandwritewhatIcan；ifIlivetogethome，itmaytherebecorrectedandimprov’d。
Nothavinganycopyhereofwhatisalreadywritten，IknownotwhetheranaccountisgivenofthemeansIusedtoestablishthePhiladelphiapubliclibrary，which，fromasmallbeginning，isnowbecomesoconsiderable，thoughIremembertohavecomedowntonearthetimeofthattransaction（1730）。Iwillthereforebeginherewithanaccountofit，whichmaybestruckoutiffoundtohavebeenalreadygiven。
AtthetimeIestablish’dmyselfinPennsylvania，therewasnotagoodbookseller’sshopinanyofthecoloniestothesouthwardofBoston。
InNewYorkandPhilad’atheprinterswereindeedstationers；theysoldonlypaper，etc。，almanacs，ballads，andafewcommonschool—books。Thosewholov’dreadingwereoblig’dtosendfortheirbooksfromEngland；
themembersoftheJuntohadeachafew。Wehadleftthealehouse，wherewefirstmet，andhiredaroomtoholdourclubin。
Ipropos’dthatweshouldallofusbringourbookstothatroom，wheretheywouldnotonlybereadytoconsultinourconferences，butbecomeacommonbenefit，eachofusbeingatlibertytoborrowsuchashewish’dtoreadathome。Thiswasaccordinglydone，andforsometimecontentedus。
Findingtheadvantageofthislittlecollection，Ipropos’dtorenderthebenefitfrombooksmorecommon，bycommencingapublicsubscriptionlibrary。Idrewasketchoftheplanandrulesthatwouldbenecessary，andgotaskilfulconveyancer，Mr。CharlesBrockden，toputthewholeinformofarticlesofagreementtobesubscribed，bywhicheachsubscriberengag’dtopayacertainsumdownforthefirstpurchaseofbooks，andanannualcontributionforincreasingthem。
SofewwerethereadersatthattimeinPhiladelphia，andthemajorityofussopoor，thatIwasnotable，withgreatindustry，tofindmorethanfiftypersons，mostlyyoungtradesmen，willingtopaydownforthispurposefortyshillingseach，andtenshillingsperannum。
Onthislittlefundwebegan。Thebookswereimported；thelibrarywagopenedonedayintheweekforlendingtothesubscribers，ontheirpromissorynotestopaydoublethevalueifnotdulyreturned。
Theinstitutionsoonmanifesteditsutility，wasimitatedbyothertowns，andinotherprovinces。Thelibrarieswereaugmentedbydonations；readingbecamefashionable；andourpeople，havingnopublickamusementstodiverttheirattentionfromstudy，becamebetteracquaintedwithbooks，andinafewyearswereobserv’dbystrangerstobebetterinstructedandmoreintelligentthanpeopleofthesamerankgenerallyareinothercountries。
Whenwewereabouttosigntheabove—mentionedarticles，whichweretobebindinguponus，ourheirs，etc。，forfiftyyears，Mr。Brockden，thescrivener，saidtous，\"Youareyoungmen，butitisscarcelyprobablethatanyofyouwilllivetoseetheexpirationofthetermfix’dintheinstrument。\"Anumberofus，however，areyetliving；
buttheinstrumentwasafterafewyearsrenderednullbyacharterthatincorporatedandgaveperpetuitytothecompany。
TheobjectionsandreluctancesImetwithinsolicitingthesubscriptions，mademesoonfeeltheimproprietyofpresentingone’sselfastheproposerofanyusefulproject，thatmightbesuppos’dtoraiseone’sreputationinthesmallestdegreeabovethatofone’sneighbors，whenonehasneedoftheirassistancetoaccomplishthatproject。
IthereforeputmyselfasmuchasIcouldoutofsight，andstateditasaschemeofanumberoffriends，whohadrequestedmetogoaboutandproposeittosuchastheythoughtloversofreading。
Inthiswaymyaffairwentonmoresmoothly，andIeverafterpractis’ditonsuchoccasions；and，frommyfrequentsuccesses，canheartilyrecommendit。Thepresentlittlesacrificeofyourvanitywillafterwardsbeamplyrepaid。Ifitremainsawhileuncertaintowhomthemeritbelongs，someonemorevainthanyourselfwillbeencouragedtoclaimit，andthenevenenvywillbedisposedtodoyoujusticebypluckingthoseassumedfeathers，andrestoringthemtotheirrightowner。
Thislibraryaffordedmethemeansofimprovementbyconstantstudy，forwhichIsetapartanhourortwoeachday，andthusrepair’dinsomedegreethelossofthelearnededucationmyfatheronceintendedforme。ReadingwastheonlyamusementIallow’dmyself。
Ispentnotimeintaverns，games，orfrolicksofanykind；
andmyindustryinmybusinesscontinu’dasindefatigableasitwasnecessary。Iwasindebtedformyprinting—house；
Ihadayoungfamilycomingontobeeducated，andIhadtocontendwithforbusinesstwoprinters，whowereestablishedintheplacebeforeme。Mycircumstances，however，grewdailyeasier。
Myoriginalhabitsoffrugalitycontinuing，andmyfatherhaving，amonghisinstructionstomewhenaboy，frequentlyrepeatedaproverbofSolomon，\"Seestthouamandiligentinhiscalling，heshallstandbeforekings，heshallnotstandbeforemeanmen，\"Ifromthenceconsideredindustryasameansofobtainingwealthanddistinction，whichencourag’dme，tho’IdidnotthinkthatIshouldeverliterallystandbeforekings，which，however，hassincehappened；
forIhavestoodbeforefive，andevenhadthehonorofsittingdownwithone，theKingofDenmark，todinner。
WehaveanEnglishproverbthatsays，\"Hethatwouldthrive，mustaskhiswife。\"ItwasluckyformethatIhadoneasmuchdispos’dtoindustryandfrugalityasmyself。Sheassistedmecheerfullyinmybusiness，foldingandstitchingpamphlets，tendingshop，purchasingoldlinenragsforthepapermakers，etc。，etc。Wekeptnoidleservants，ourtablewasplainandsimple，ourfurnitureofthecheapest。Forinstance，mybreakfastwasalongtimebreadandmilk（notea），andIateitoutofatwopennyearthenporringer，withapewterspoon。Butmarkhowluxurywillenterfamilies，andmakeaprogress，inspiteofprinciple：beingcall’donemorningtobreakfast，IfounditinaChinabowl，withaspoonofsilver！
Theyhadbeenboughtformewithoutmyknowledgebymywife，andhadcosthertheenormoussumofthree—and—twentyshillings，forwhichshehadnootherexcuseorapologytomake，butthatshethoughtherhusbanddeserv’dasilverspoonandChinabowlaswellasanyofhisneighbors。ThiswasthefirstappearanceofplateandChinainourhouse，whichafterward，inacourseofyears，asourwealthincreas’d，augmentedgraduallytoseveralhundredpoundsinvalue。
IhadbeenreligiouslyeducatedasaPresbyterian；andtho’
someofthedogmasofthatpersuasion，suchastheeternaldecreesofGod，election，reprobation，etc。，appearedtomeunintelligible，othersdoubtful，andIearlyabsentedmyselffromthepublicassembliesofthesect，Sundaybeingmystudyingday，Ineverwaswithoutsomereligiousprinciples。Ineverdoubted，forinstance，theexistenceoftheDeity；thathemadetheworld，andgovern’ditbyhisProvidence；thatthemostacceptableserviceofGodwasthedoinggoodtoman；thatoursoulsareimmortal；andthatallcrimewillbepunished，andvirtuerewarded，eitherhereorhereafter。
TheseIesteem’dtheessentialsofeveryreligion；and，beingtobefoundinallthereligionswehadinourcountry，Irespectedthemall，tho’withdifferentdegreesofrespect，asIfoundthemmoreorlessmix’dwithotherarticles，which，withoutanytendencytoinspire，promote，orconfirmmorality，serv’dprincipallytodivideus，andmakeusunfriendlytooneanother。Thisrespecttoall，withanopinionthattheworsthadsomegoodeffects，induc’dmetoavoidalldiscoursethatmighttendtolessenthegoodopinionanothermighthaveofhisownreligion；andasourprovinceincreas’dinpeople，andnewplacesofworshipwerecontinuallywanted，andgenerallyerectedbyvoluntarycontributions，mymiteforsuchpurpose，whatevermightbethesect，wasneverrefused。
Tho’Iseldomattendedanypublicworship，Ihadstillanopinionofitspropriety，andofitsutilitywhenrightlyconducted，andIregularlypaidmyannualsubscriptionforthesupportoftheonlyPresbyterianministerormeetingwehadinPhiladelphia。
Heus’dtovisitmesometimesasafriend，andadmonishmetoattendhisadministrations，andIwasnowandthenprevail’dontodoso，onceforfiveSundayssuccessively。Hadhebeeninmyopinionagoodpreacher，perhapsImighthavecontinued，notwithstandingtheoccasionIhadfortheSunday’sleisureinmycourseofstudy；buthisdiscourseswerechieflyeitherpolemicarguments，orexplicationsofthepeculiardoctrinesofoursect，andwerealltomeverydry，uninteresting，andunedifying，sincenotasinglemoralprinciplewasinculcatedorenforc’d，theiraimseemingtoberathertomakeusPresbyteriansthangoodcitizens。
AtlengthhetookforhistextthatverseofthefourthchapterofPhilippians，\"Finally，brethren，whatsoeverthingsaretrue，honest，just，pure，lovely，orofgoodreport，iftherebeanyvirtue，oranypraise，thinkonthesethings。\"AndIimagin’d，inasermononsuchatext，wecouldnotmissofhavingsomemorality。
Butheconfin’dhimselftofivepointsonly，asmeantbytheapostle，viz。：1。KeepingholytheSabbathday。2。BeingdiligentinreadingtheholyScriptures。3。Attendingdulythepublickworship。
4。PartakingoftheSacrament。5。PayingaduerespecttoGod’sministers。Thesemightbeallgoodthings；but，astheywerenotthekindofgoodthingsthatIexpectedfromthattext，Idespairedofevermeetingwiththemfromanyother，wasdisgusted，andattendedhispreachingnomore。Ihadsomeyearsbeforecompos’dalittleLiturgy，orformofprayer，formyownprivateuse（viz。，in1728），entitled，ArticlesofBeliefandActsofReligion。
Ireturn’dtotheuseofthis，andwentnomoretothepublicassemblies。
Myconductmightbeblameable，butIleaveit，withoutattemptingfurthertoexcuseit；mypresentpurposebeingtorelatefacts，andnottomakeapologiesforthem。
ItwasaboutthistimeIconceiv’dtheboldandarduousprojectofarrivingatmoralperfection。Iwish’dtolivewithoutcommittinganyfaultatanytime；Iwouldconquerallthateithernaturalinclination，custom，orcompanymightleadmeinto。AsIknew，orthoughtIknew，whatwasrightandwrong，IdidnotseewhyI
mightnotalwaysdotheoneandavoidtheother。ButIsoonfoundIhadundertakenataskofmoredifficultythanIbadimagined。
Whilemycarewasemploy’dinguardingagainstonefault，Iwasoftensurprisedbyanother；habittooktheadvantageofinattention；
inclinationwassometimestoostrongforreason。Iconcluded，atlength，thatthemerespeculativeconvictionthatitwasourinteresttobecompletelyvirtuous，wasnotsufficienttopreventourslipping；
andthatthecontraryhabitsmustbebroken，andgoodonesacquiredandestablished，beforewecanhaveanydependenceonasteady，uniformrectitudeofconduct。ForthispurposeIthereforecontrivedthefollowingmethod。
InthevariousenumerationsofthemoralvirtuesIhadmetwithinmyreading，Ifoundthecataloguemoreorlessnumerous，asdifferentwritersincludedmoreorfewerideasunderthesamename。
Temperance，forexample，wasbysomeconfinedtoeatinganddrinking，whilebyothersitwasextendedtomeanthemoderatingeveryotherpleasure，appetite，inclination，orpassion，bodilyormental，eventoouravariceandambition。Ipropos’dtomyself，forthesakeofclearness，touserathermorenames，withfewerideasannex’dtoeach，thanafewnameswithmoreideas；andIincludedunderthirteennamesofvirtuesallthatatthattimeoccurr’dtomeasnecessaryordesirable，andannexedtoeachashortprecept，whichfullyexpress’dtheextentIgavetoitsmeaning。
Thesenamesofvirtues，withtheirprecepts，were：
1。TEMPERANCE。Eatnottodullness；drinknottoelevation。
2。SILENCE。Speaknotbutwhatmaybenefitothersoryourself；
avoidtriflingconversation。
3。ORDER。Letallyourthingshavetheirplaces；leteachpartofyourbusinesshaveitstime。
4。RESOLUTION。Resolvetoperformwhatyouought；performwithoutfailwhatyouresolve。
5。FRUGALITY。Makenoexpensebuttodogoodtoothersoryourself；
i。e。，wastenothing。
6。INDUSTRY。Losenotime；bealwaysemploy’dinsomethinguseful；
cutoffallunnecessaryactions。
7。SINCERITY。Usenohurtfuldeceit；thinkinnocentlyandjustly，and，ifyouspeak，speakaccordingly。
8。JUSTICE。Wrongnonebydoinginjuries，oromittingthebenefitsthatareyourduty。
9。MODERATION。Avoidextreams；forbearresentinginjuriessomuchasyouthinktheydeserve。
10。CLEANLINESS。Toleratenouncleanlinessinbody，cloaths，orhabitation。
11。TRANQUILLITY。Benotdisturbedattrifles，orataccidentscommonorunavoidable。
12。CHASTITY。Rarelyusevenerybutforhealthoroffspring，nevertodulness，weakness，ortheinjuryofyourownoranother’speaceorreputation。
13。HUMILITY。ImitateJesusandSocrates。
Myintentionbeingtoacquirethehabitudeofallthesevirtues，Ijudg’ditwouldbewellnottodistractmyattentionbyattemptingthewholeatonce，buttofixitononeofthematatime；and，whenI
shouldbemasterofthat，thentoproceedtoanother，andsoon，tillIshouldhavegonethro’thethirteen；and，asthepreviousacquisitionofsomemightfacilitatetheacquisitionofcertainothers，Iarrang’dthemwiththatview，astheystandabove。Temperancefirst，asittendstoprocurethatcoolnessandclearnessofhead，whichissonecessarywhereconstantvigilancewastobekeptup，andguardmaintainedagainsttheunremittingattractionofancienthabits，andtheforceofperpetualtemptations。Thisbeingacquir’dandestablish’d，Silencewouldbemoreeasy；andmydesirebeingtogainknowledgeatthesametimethatIimprov’dinvirtue，andconsideringthatinconversationitwasobtain’dratherbytheuseoftheearsthanofthetongue，andthereforewishingtobreakahabitIwasgettingintoofprattling，punning，andjoking，whichonlymademeacceptabletotriflingcompany，IgaveSilencethesecondplace。Thisandthenext，Order，Iexpectedwouldallowmemoretimeforattendingtomyprojectandmystudies。
Resolution，oncebecomehabitual，wouldkeepmefirminmyendeavorstoobtainallthesubsequentvirtues；FrugalityandIndustryfreeingmefrommyremainingdebt，andproducingaffluenceandindependence，wouldmakemoreeasythepracticeofSincerityandJustice，etc。，etc。
Conceivingthen，that，agreeablytotheadviceofPythagorasinhisGoldenVerses，dailyexaminationwouldbenecessary，Icontrivedthefollowingmethodforconductingthatexamination。
Imadealittlebook，inwhichIallottedapageforeachofthevirtues。
Irul’deachpagewithredink，soastohavesevencolumns，oneforeachdayoftheweek，markingeachcolumnwithaletterfortheday。Icross’dthesecolumnswiththirteenredlines，markingthebeginningofeachlinewiththefirstletterofoneofthevirtues，onwhichline，andinitspropercolumn，Imightmark，byalittleblackspot，everyfaultIfounduponexaminationtohavebeencommittedrespectingthatvirtueuponthatday。
Formofthepages。
TEMPERANCE。
EATNOTTODULNESS；
DRINKNOTTOELEVATION。
Ideterminedtogiveaweek’sstrictattentiontoeachofthevirtuessuccessively。Thus，inthefirstweek，mygreatguardwastoavoideverytheleastoffenceagainstTemperance，leavingtheothervirtuestotheirordinarychance，onlymarkingeveryeveningthefaultsoftheday。Thus，ifinthefirstweekIcouldkeepmyfirstline，markedT，clearofspots，Isuppos’dthehabitofthatvirtuesomuchstrengthen’danditsoppositeweaken’d，thatImightventureextendingmyattentiontoincludethenext，andforthefollowingweekkeepbothlinesclearofspots。
Proceedingthustothelast，Icouldgothro’acoursecompleatinthirteenweeks，andfourcoursesinayear。Andlikehimwho，havingagardentoweed，doesnotattempttoeradicateallthebadherbsatonce，whichwouldexceedhisreachandhisstrength，butworksononeofthebedsatatime，and，havingaccomplish’dthefirst，proceedstoasecond，soIshouldhave，Ihoped，theencouragingpleasureofseeingonmypagestheprogressImadeinvirtue，byclearingsuccessivelymylinesoftheirspots，tillintheend，byanumberofcourses，Ishouldhehappyinviewingacleanbook，afterathirteenweeks’dailyexamination。
ThismylittlebookhadforitsmottotheselinesfromAddison’sCato：
\"HerewillIhold。Ifthere’sapoweraboveus（AndthatthereisallnaturecriesaloudThro’allherworks），Hemustdelightinvirtue；
Andthatwhichhedelightsinmustbehappy。\"
AnotherfromCicero，\"OvitaePhilosophiadux！Ovirtutumindagatrixexpultrixquevitiorum！Unusdies，beneetexpraeceptistuisactus，peccantiimmortalitatiestanteponendus。\"
AnotherfromtheProverbsofSolomon，speakingofwisdomorvirtue：
\"Lengthofdaysisinherrighthand，andinherlefthandrichesandhonour。Herwaysarewaysofpleasantness，andallherpathsarepeace。\"iii。16，17。
AndconceivingGodtobethefountainofwisdom，Ithoughtitrightandnecessarytosolicithisassistanceforobtainingit；
tothisendIformedthefollowinglittleprayer，whichwasprefix’dtomytablesofexamination，fordailyuse。
\"OpowerfulGoodness！bountifulFather！mercifulGuide！
increaseinmethatwisdomwhichdiscoversmytruestinterest。
strengthenmyresolutionstoperformwhatthatwisdomdictates。
Acceptmykindofficestothyotherchildrenastheonlyreturninmypowerforthycontinualfavorstome。\"
IusedalsosometimesalittleprayerwhichItookfromThomson’sPoems，viz。：
\"Fatheroflightandlife，thouGoodSupreme！
Oteachmewhatisgood；teachmeThyself！
Savemefromfolly，vanity，andvice，Fromeverylowpursuit；andfillmysoulWithknowledge，consciouspeace，andvirtuepure；
Sacred，substantial，never—fadingbliss！\"
ThepreceptofOrderrequiringthateverypartofmybusinessshouldhaveitsallottedtime，onepageinmylittlebookcontain’dthefollowingschemeofemploymentforthetwenty—fourhoursofanaturalday：
THEMORNING。{5}Rise，wash，andaddress{}PowerfulGoodness！ContriveQuestion。Whatgoodshall{6}day’sbusiness，andtaketheIdothisday？{}resolutionoftheday；prose—
{7}cutethepresentstudy，and{}breakfast。
8}
9}Work。
10}
11}
NOON。{12}Read，oroverlookmyac—
{1}counts，anddine。
2}
3}Work。
4}
5}
EVENING。{6}Putthingsintheirplaces。
{7}Supper。Musicordiversion，Question。Whatgoodhave{8}orconversation。ExaminationIdoneto—day？{9}oftheday。
{10}
{11}
{12}
NIGHT。{1}Sleep。
{2}
{3}
{4}
Ienter’dupontheexecutionofthisplanforself—examination，andcontinu’ditwithoccasionalintermissionsforsometime。
Iwassurpris’dtofindmyselfsomuchfulleroffaultsthanI
hadimagined；butIhadthesatisfactionofseeingthemdiminish。
Toavoidthetroubleofrenewingnowandthenmylittlebook，which，byscrapingoutthemarksonthepaperofoldfaultstomakeroomfornewonesinanewcourse，becamefullofholes，Itransferr’dmytablesandpreceptstotheivoryleavesofamemorandumbook，onwhichthelinesweredrawnwithredink，thatmadeadurablestain，andonthoselinesImark’dmyfaultswithablack—leadpencil，whichmarksIcouldeasilywipeoutwithawetsponge。AfterawhileIwentthro’onecourseonlyinayear，andafterwardonlyoneinseveralyears，tillatlengthIomittedthementirely，beingemploy’dinvoyagesandbusinessabroad，withamultiplicityofaffairsthatinterfered；butIalwayscarriedmylittlebookwithme。
MyschemeofORDERgavemethemosttrouble；andIfoundthat，tho’
itmightbepracticablewhereaman’sbusinesswassuchastoleavehimthedispositionofhistime，thatofajourneymanprinter，forinstance，itwasnotpossibletobeexactlyobservedbyamaster，whomustmixwiththeworld，andoftenreceivepeopleofbusinessattheirownhours。Order，too，withregardtoplacesforthings，papers，etc。，Ifoundextreamlydifficulttoacquire。Ihadnotbeenearlyaccustomedtoit，and，havinganexceedinggoodmemory，Iwasnotsosensibleoftheinconvenienceattendingwantofmethod。
Thisarticle，therefore，costmesomuchpainfulattention，andmyfaultsinitvexedmesomuch，andImadesolittleprogressinamendment，andhadsuchfrequentrelapses，thatIwasalmostreadytogiveuptheattempt，andcontentmyselfwithafaultycharacterinthatrespect，likethemanwho，inbuyinganaxofasmith，myneighbour，desiredtohavethewholeofitssurfaceasbrightastheedge。
Thesmithconsentedtogrinditbrightforhimifhewouldturnthewheel；heturn’d，whilethesmithpress’dthebroadfaceoftheaxhardandheavilyonthestone，whichmadetheturningofitveryfatiguing。Themancameeverynowandthenfromthewheeltoseehowtheworkwenton，andatlengthwouldtakehisaxasitwas，withoutfarthergrinding。\"No，\"saidthesmith，\"turnon，turnon；
weshallhaveitbrightby—and—by；asyet，itisonlyspeckled。\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheman，\"butIthinkIlikeaspeckledaxbest。\"
AndIbelievethismayhavebeenthecasewithmany，who，having，forwantofsomesuchmeansasIemploy’d，foundthedifficultyofobtaininggoodandbreakingbadhabitsinotherpointsofviceandvirtue，havegivenupthestruggle，andconcludedthat\"aspeckledaxwasbest\"；forsomething，thatpretendedtobereason，waseverynowandthensuggestingtomethatsuchextreamnicetyasI
exactedofmyselfmightbeakindoffopperyinmorals，which，ifitwereknown，wouldmakemeridiculous；thataperfectcharactermightbeattendedwiththeinconvenienceofbeingenviedandhated；
andthatabenevolentmanshouldallowafewfaultsinhimself，tokeephisfriendsincountenance。
Intruth，IfoundmyselfincorrigiblewithrespecttoOrder；
andnowIamgrownold，andmymemorybad，Ifeelverysensiblythewantofit。But，onthewhole，tho’IneverarrivedattheperfectionIhadbeensoambitiousofobtaining，butfellfarshortofit，yetIwas，bytheendeavour，abetterandahappiermanthanIotherwiseshouldhavebeenifIhadnotattemptedit；
asthosewhoaimatperfectwritingbyimitatingtheengravedcopies，tho’theyneverreachthewish’d—forexcellenceofthosecopies，theirhandismendedbytheendeavor，andistolerablewhileitcontinuesfairandlegible。
Itmaybewellmyposterityshouldbeinformedthattothislittleartifice，withtheblessingofGod，theirancestorow’dtheconstantfelicityofhislife，downtohis79thyear，inwhichthisiswritten。WhatreversesmayattendtheremainderisinthehandofProvidence；but，iftheyarrive，thereflectiononpasthappinessenjoy’doughttohelphisbearingthemwithmoreresignation。
ToTemperanceheascribeshislong—continuedhealth，andwhatisstilllefttohimofagoodconstitution；toIndustryandFrugality，theearlyeasinessofhiscircumstancesandacquisitionofhisfortune，withallthatknowledgethatenabledhimtobeausefulcitizen，andobtainedforhimsomedegreeofreputationamongthelearned；
toSincerityandJustice，theconfidenceofhiscountry，andthehonorableemploysitconferreduponhim；andtothejointinfluenceofthewholemassofthevirtues，evenintheimperfectstatehewasabletoacquirethem，allthatevennessoftemper，andthatcheerfulnessinconversation，whichmakeshiscompanystillsoughtfor，andagreeableeventohisyoungeracquaintance。
Ihope，therefore，thatsomeofmydescendantsmayfollowtheexampleandreapthebenefit。
Itwillberemark’dthat，tho’myschemewasnotwhollywithoutreligion，therewasinitnomarkofanyofthedistingishingtenetsofanyparticularsect。Ihadpurposelyavoidedthem；for，beingfullypersuadedoftheutilityandexcellencyofmymethod，andthatitmightbeserviceabletopeopleinallreligions，andintendingsometimeorothertopublishit，Iwouldnothaveanythinginitthatshouldprejudiceanyone，ofanysect，againstit。
Ipurposedwritingalittlecommentoneachvirtue，inwhichI
wouldhaveshowntheadvantagesofpossessingit，andthemischiefsattendingitsoppositevice；andIshouldhavecalledmybookTHE
ARTOFVIRTUE，becauseitwouldhaveshownthemeansandmannerofobtainingvirtue，whichwouldhavedistinguisheditfromthemereexhortationtobegood，thatdoesnotinstructandindicatethemeans，butisliketheapostle’smanofverbalcharity，whoonlywithoutshowingtothenakedandhungryhoworwheretheymightgetclothesorvictuals，exhortedthemtobefedandclothed。——Jamesii。15，16。
Nothingsolikelytomakeaman’sfortuneasvirtue。
——[Marg。note。]
Butitsohappenedthatmyintentionofwritingandpublishingthiscommentwasneverfulfilled。Idid，indeed，fromtimetotime，putdownshorthintsofthesentiments，reasonings，etc。，tobemadeuseofinit，someofwhichIhavestillbyme；butthenecessarycloseattentiontoprivatebusinessintheearlierpartofthylife，andpublicbusinesssince，haveoccasionedmypostponingit；for，itbeingconnectedinmymindwithagreatandextensiveproject，thatrequiredthewholemantoexecute，andwhichanunforeseensuccessionofemployspreventedmyattendingto，ithashithertoremain’dunfinish’d。
Inthispieceitwasmydesigntoexplainandenforcethisdoctrine，thatviciousactionsarenothurtfulbecausetheyareforbidden，butforbiddenbecausetheyarehurtful，thenatureofmanaloneconsidered；thatitwas，therefore，everyone’sinteresttobevirtuouswhowish’dtobehappyeveninthisworld；andIshould，fromthiscircumstance（therebeingalwaysintheworldanumberofrichmerchants，nobility，states，andprinces，whohaveneedofhonestinstrumentsforthemanagementoftheiraffairs，andsuchbeingsorare），haveendeavoredtoconvinceyoungpersonsthatnoqualitiesweresolikelytomakeapoorman’sfortuneasthoseofprobityandintegrity。
Mylistofvirtuescontain’datfirstbuttwelve；butaQuakerfriendhavingkindlyinformedmethatIwasgenerallythoughtproud；
thatmyprideshow’ditselffrequentlyinconversation；thatI
wasnotcontentwithbeingintherightwhendiscussinganypoint，butwasoverbearing，andratherinsolent，ofwhichheconvinc’dmebymentioningseveralinstances；Ideterminedendeavouringtocuremyself，ifIcould，ofthisviceorfollyamongtherest，andIaddedHumilitytomylist）givinganextensivemeaningtotheword。
Icannotboastofmuchsuccessinacquiringtherealityofthisvirtue，butIhadagooddealwithregardtotheappearanceofit。
Imadeitaruletoforbearalldirectcontradictiontothesentimentsofothers，andallpositiveassertionofmyown。
Ievenforbidmyself，agreeablytotheoldlawsofourJunto，theuseofeverywordorexpressioninthelanguagethatimportedafix’dopinion，suchascertainly，undoubtedly，etc。，andIadopted，insteadofthem，Iconceive，Iapprehend，orIimagineathingtobesoorso；oritsoappearstomeatpresent。WhenanotherassertedsomethingthatIthoughtanerror，Ideny’dmyselfthepleasureofcontradictinghimabruptly，andofshowingimmediatelysomeabsurdityinhisproposition；andinansweringIbeganbyobservingthatincertaincasesorcircumstanceshisopinionwouldberight，butinthepresentcasethereappear’dorseem’dtomesomedifference，etc。Isoonfoundtheadvantageofthischangeinmymanner；
theconversationsIengag’dinwentonmorepleasantly。ThemodestwayinwhichIpropos’dmyopinionsprocur’dthemareadierreceptionandlesscontradiction；IhadlessmortificationwhenIwasfoundtobeinthewrong，andImoreeasilyprevail’dwithotherstogiveuptheirmistakesandjoinwithmewhenIhappenedtobeintheright。
Andthismode，whichIatfirstputonwithsomeviolencetonaturalinclination，becameatlengthsoeasy，andsohabitualtome，thatperhapsforthesefiftyyearspastnoonehaseverheardadogmaticalexpressionescapeme。Andtothishabit（aftermycharacterofintegrity）IthinkitprincipallyowingthatI
hadearlysomuchweightwithmyfellow—citizenswhenIproposednewinstitutions，oralterationsintheold，andsomuchinfluenceinpubliccouncilswhenIbecameamember；forIwasbutabadspeaker，nevereloquent，subjecttomuchhesitationinmychoiceofwords，hardlycorrectinlanguage，andyetIgenerallycarriedmypoints。
Inreality，thereis，perhaps，nooneofournaturalpassionssohardtosubdueaspride。Disguiseit，strugglewithit，beatitdown，stifleit，mortifyitasmuchasonepleases，itisstillalive，andwilleverynowandthenpeepoutandshowitself；
youwillseeit，perhaps，ofteninthishistory；for，evenifI
couldconceivethatIhadcompleatlyovercomeit，Ishouldprobablybeproudofmyhumility。
[ThusfarwrittenatPassy，1741。]
[\"Iamnowabouttowriteathome，August，1788，butcannothavethehelpexpectedfrommypapers，manyofthembeinglostinthewar。
Ihave，however，foundthefollowing。\"]
Thisisamarginalmemorandum。——B。
HAVINGmentionedagreatandextensiveprojectwhichIhadconceiv’d，itseemsproperthatsomeaccountshouldbeheregivenofthatprojectanditsobject。Itsfirstriseinmymindappearsinthefollowinglittlepaper，accidentallypreserv’d，viz。：
Observationsonmyreadinghistory，inLibrary，May19th，1731。
\"Thatthegreataffairsoftheworld，thewars，revolutions，etc。，arecarriedonandaffectedbyparties。
\"Thattheviewofthesepartiesistheirpresentgeneralinterest，orwhattheytaketobesuch。
\"Thatthedifferentviewsofthesedifferentpartiesoccasionallconfusion。
\"Thatwhileapartyiscarryingonageneraldesign，eachmanhashisparticularprivateinterestinview。
\"Thatassoonasapartyhasgain’ditsgeneralpoint，eachmemberbecomesintentuponhisparticularinterest；which，thwartingothers，breaksthatpartyintodivisions，andoccasionsmoreconfusion。
\"Thatfewinpublicaffairsactfromameerviewofthegoodoftheircountry，whatevertheymaypretend；and，tho’theiractingsbringrealgoodtotheircountry，yetmenprimarilyconsideredthattheirownandtheircountry’sinterestwasunited，anddidnotactfromaprincipleofbenevolence。
\"Thatfewerstill，inpublicaffairs，actwithaviewtothegoodofmankind。
\"ThereseemstomeatpresenttobegreatoccasionforraisingaUnitedPartyforVirtue，byformingthevirtuousandgoodmenofallnationsintoaregularbody，tobegovern’dbysuitablegoodandwiserules，whichgoodandwisemenmayprobablybemoreunanimousintheirobedienceto，thancommonpeoplearetocommonlaws。
\"Iatpresentthinkthatwhoeverattemptsthisaright，andiswellqualified，cannotfailofpleasingGod，andofmeetingwithsuccess。B。F。\"
Revolvingthisprojectinmymind，astobeundertakenhereafter，whenmycircumstancesshouldaffordmethenecessaryleisure，Iputdownfromtimetotime，onpiecesofpaper，suchthoughtsasoccurr’dtomerespectingit。Mostofthesearelost；butIfindonepurportingtobethesubstanceofanintendedcreed）containing，asIthought，theessentialsofeveryknownreligion，andbeingfreeofeverythingthatmightshocktheprofessorsofanyreligion。
Itisexpress’dinthesewords，viz。：
\"ThatthereisoneGod，whomadeallthings。
\"Thathegovernstheworldbyhisprovidence。
\"Thatheoughttobeworshipedbyadoration，prayer，andthanksgiving。
\"ButthatthemostacceptableserviceofGodisdoinggoodtoman。
\"Thatthesoulisimmortal。
\"AndthatGodwillcertainlyrewardvirtueandpunishviceeitherhereorhereafter。\"
IntheMiddleAges，Franklin，ifsuchaphenomenonasFranklinwerepossibleintheMiddleAges，wouldprobablyhavebeenthefounderofamonasticorder。——B。
Myideasatthattimewere，thatthesectshouldbebegunandspreadatfirstamongyoungandsinglemenonly；thateachpersontobeinitiatedshouldnotonlydeclarehisassenttosuchcreed，butshouldhaveexercisedhimselfwiththethirteenweeks’
examinationandpracticeofthevirtues）asinthebefore—mention’dmodel；
thattheexistenceofsuchasocietyshouldhekeptasecret，tillitwasbecomeconsiderable，topreventsolicitationsfortheadmissionofimproperpersons，butthatthemembersshouldeachofthemsearchamonghisacquaintanceforingenuous，well—disposedyouths，towhom，withprudentcaution，theschemeshouldbegraduallycommunicated；thatthemembersshouldengagetoaffordtheiradvice，assistance，andsupporttoeachotherinpromotingoneanother’sinterests，business，andadvancementinlife；that，fordistinction，weshouldbecall’dTheSocietyoftheFreeandEasy：free，asbeing，bythegeneralpracticeandhabitofthevirtues，freefromthedominionofvice；andparticularlybythepracticeofindustryandfrugality，freefromdebt，whichexposesamantoconfinement，andaspeciesofslaverytohiscreditors。
ThisisasmuchasIcannowrecollectoftheproject，exceptthatIcommunicateditinparttotwoyoungmen，whoadopteditwithsomeenthusiasm；butmythennarrowcircumstances，andthenecessityIwasunderofstickingclosetomybusiness，occasion’dmypostponingthefurtherprosecutionofitatthattime；
andmymultifariousoccupations，publicandprivate，induc’dmetocontinuepostponing，sothatithasbeenomittedtillIhavenolongerstrengthoractivityleftsufficientforsuchanenterprise；
tho’Iamstillofopinionthatitwasapracticablescheme，andmighthavebeenveryuseful，byformingagreatnumberofgoodcitizens；andIwasnotdiscourag’dbytheseemingmagnitudeoftheundertaking，asIhavealwaysthoughtthatonemanoftolerableabilitiesmayworkgreatchanges，andaccomplishgreataffairsamongmankind，ifhefirstformsagoodplan，and，cuttingoffallamusementsorotheremploymentsthatwoulddiverthisattention，makestheexecutionofthatsameplanhissolestudyandbusiness。
In1732Ifirstpublish’dmyAlmanack，underthenameofRichardSaunders；
itwascontinu’dbymeabouttwenty—fiveyears，commonlycall’dPoorRichard’sAlmanac。Iendeavor’dtomakeitbothentertaininganduseful，anditaccordinglycametobeinsuchdemand，thatIreap’dconsiderableprofitfromit，vendingannuallyneartenthousand。
Andobservingthatitwasgenerallyread，scarceanyneighborhoodintheprovincebeingwithoutit，Iconsider’ditasapropervehicleforconveyinginstructionamongthecommonpeople，whoboughtscarcelyanyotherbooks；Ithereforefilledallthelittlespacesthatoccurr’dbetweentheremarkabledaysinthecalendarwithproverbialsentences，chieflysuchasinculcatedindustryandfrugality，asthemeansofprocuringwealth，andtherebysecuringvirtue；itbeingmoredifficultforamaninwant，toactalwayshonestly，as，tousehereoneofthoseproverbs，itishardforanemptysacktostandup—right。
Theseproverbs，whichcontainedthewisdomofmanyagesandnations，Iassembledandform’dintoaconnecteddiscourseprefix’dtotheAlmanackof1757，astheharangueofawiseoldmantothepeopleattendinganauction。Thebringingallthesescatter’dcounselsthusintoafocusenabledthemtomakegreaterimpression。
Thepiece，beinguniversallyapproved，wascopiedinallthenewspapersoftheContinent；reprintedinBritainonabroadside，tobestuckupinhouses；twotranslationsweremadeofitinFrench，andgreatnumbersboughtbytheclergyandgentry，todistributegratisamongtheirpoorparishionersandtenants。InPennsylvania，asitdiscourageduselessexpenseinforeignsuperfluities，somethoughtithaditsshareofinfluenceinproducingthatgrowingplentyofmoneywhichwasobservableforseveralyearsafteritspublication。
Iconsideredmynewspaper，also，asanothermeansofcommunicatinginstruction，andinthatviewfrequentlyreprintedinitextractsfromtheSpectator，andothermoralwriters；andsometimespublish’dlittlepiecesofmyown，whichhadbeenfirstcompos’dforreadinginourJunto。OftheseareaSocraticdialogue，tendingtoprovethat，whatevermightbehispartsandabilities，aviciousmancouldnotproperlybecalledamanofsense；andadiscourseonself—denial，showingthatvirtuewasnotsecuretillitspracticebecameahabitude，andwasfreefromtheoppositionofcontraryinclinations。
ThesemaybefoundinthepapersaboutthebeginningOf1735。
Intheconductofmynewspaper，Icarefullyexcludedalllibellingandpersonalabuse，whichisoflateyearsbecomesodisgracefultoourcountry。WheneverIwassolicitedtoinsertanythingofthatkind，andthewriterspleaded，astheygenerallydid，thelibertyofthepress，andthatanewspaperwaslikeastagecoach，inwhichanyonewhowouldpayhadarighttoaplace，myanswerwas，thatIwouldprintthepieceseparatelyifdesired，andtheauthormighthaveasmanycopiesashepleasedtodistributehimself，butthatIwouldnottakeuponmetospreadhisdetraction；
andthat，havingcontractedwithmysubscriberstofurnishthemwithwhatmightbeeitherusefulorentertaining，Icouldnotfilltheirpaperswithprivatealtercation，inwhichtheyhadnoconcern，withoutdoingthemmanifestinjustice。Now，manyofourprintersmakenoscrupleofgratifyingthemaliceofindividualsbyfalseaccusationsofthefairestcharactersamongourselves，augmentinganimosityeventotheproducingofduels；andare，moreover，soindiscreetastoprintscurrilousreflectionsonthegovernmentofneighboringstates，andevenontheconductofourbestnationalallies，whichmaybeattendedwiththemostperniciousconsequences。
ThesethingsImentionasacautiontoyoungprinters，andthattheymaybeencouragednottopollutetheirpressesanddisgracetheirprofessionbysuchinfamouspractices，butrefusesteadily，astheymayseebymyexamplethatsuchacourseofconductwillnot，onthewhole，beinjurioustotheirinterests。
In1733IsentoneofmyjourneymentoCharleston，SouthCarolina，whereaprinterwaswanting。Ifurnish’dhimwithapressandletters，onanagreementofpartnership，bywhichIwastoreceiveone—thirdoftheprofitsofthebusiness，payingone—thirdoftheexpense。
Hewasamanoflearning，andhonestbutignorantinmattersofaccount；and，tho’hesometimesmademeremittances，Icouldgetnoaccountfromhim，noranysatisfactorystateofourpartnershipwhilehelived。Onhisdecease，thebusinesswascontinuedbyhiswidow，who，beingbornandbredinHolland，where，asIhavebeeninform’d，theknowledgeofaccountsmakesapartoffemaleeducation，shenotonlysentmeasclearastateasshecouldfindofthetransactionspast，butcontinuedtoaccountwiththegreatestregularityandexactnesseveryquarterafterwards，andmanagedthebusinesswithsuchsuccess，thatshenotonlybroughtupreputablyafamilyofchildren，but，attheexpirationoftheterm，wasabletopurchaseofmetheprinting—house，andestablishhersoninit。
Imentionthisaffairchieflyforthesakeofrecommendingthatbranchofeducationforouryoungfemales，aslikelytobeofmoreusetothemandtheirchildren，incaseofwidowhood，thaneithermusicordancing，bypreservingthemfromlossesbyimpositionofcraftymen，andenablingthemtocontinue，perhaps，aprofitablemercantilehouse，withestablish’dcorrespondence，tillasonisgrownupfittoundertakeandgoonwithit，tothelastingadvantageandenrichingofthefamily。
Abouttheyear1734therearrivedamongusfromIrelandayoungPresbyterianpreacher，namedHemphill，whodeliveredwithagoodvoice，andapparentlyextempore，mostexcellentdiscourses，whichdrewtogetherconsiderablenumbersofdifferentpersuasion，whojoin’dinadmiringthem。Amongtherest，Ibecameoneofhisconstanthearers，hissermonspleasingme，astheyhadlittleofthedogmaticalkind，butinculcatedstronglythepracticeofvirtue，orwhatinthereligiousstilearecalledgoodworks。