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178

180

180

199

199

211

285

294

305

305

332

354

The parentage of Franklin-His parents emigrate to AmericaCharacter of his father-Abiah Folger, his mother-Birth and baptism-Influence of his Uncle Strong-Of the Whis tle-Childish exploits-Uncongenial employment-Skill in swimming-Early reading-Boston at that time-An indentured apprentice-Form of Indenture-Enters a printing office-Fondness for reading-Anecdotes-Habits of study-Fondness for argument-Adopts a vegetable dietThe two creeds....

PAGE

II

CHAPTER II.

Developments of Character.

Views of the Sabbath-Writings of Collins and Shaftsbury-The creed of Collins-Franklin at sixteen-The Courant-Denunciations of the paper-Franklin's mode of acquiring the art of composition-His success as a writer-The Editor prosecuted-Benjamin becomes Editor and Publisher-Jealousy of his brother-The runaway apprentice-The voyage to New York-Great disappointment-Eventful Journey to Philadelphia-Gloomy prospects-The dawn of brighter

days......

31

CHAPTER III.

Excursion to England.

Attention to dress-Receives a visit from Gov. Keith-His visit

to Boston-Collins returns to Philadelphia with him-Sir

William Keith's aid-Excursions on the Sabbath-Difficulty

with Collins-Spending Mr. Vernon's money-His three

friends-Engagement with Deborah Read-Voyage to Eng-

land-Keith's deceit-Ralph-Franklin enters a printing

house in London.....

ГАСЕ

52

CHAPTER IV.

Mental and Moral Conflicts.

Faithfulness to work-Neglect of Deborah Read-Treatise on

Liberty and Necessity-Skill in swimming-Return to

America-Marriage of Miss Read-Severe sickness-Death

of Mr. Denham-Returns to Keimer's employ-The Junto

-His Epitaph-Reformation of his treatise on Liberty and

Necessity-Franklin's creed..

75

CHAPTER V.

The Dawn of Prosperity.

Franklin takes a house-His first job-His industry-Plans a

Newspaper-Enters the list as a writer-Advocates a Paper

currency-Purchases Keimer's paper-Character of Meredith

-Struggles of the firm-Unexpected assistance-Dissolves

partnership with Meredith-Franklin's energetic conduct-

His courtship, and marriage-Character of Mrs. Franklin-

Increase of luxury-Plans for a library-Prosperity of Penn-

sylvania-Customs in Philadelphia-Style of dress in 1726—

Franklin's social position in Philadelphia-His success-A

hard student...

ΤΟΙ

CHAPTER VI.

Religious and Philosophic Views.

Studious habits-New religion-Personal habits-Church of the

Free and Easy-His many accomplishments-The career of

Hemphall-Birth and Death of Franklin's son-The Min-

istry of Whitefield-Remarkable friendship between the phil-

osopher and the preacher-Prosperity of Franklin-His con-

vivial habits-The defense of Philadelphia-Birth of a

daughter-The Philadelphia Academy....

PAGS

126

CHAPTER VII.

The Tradesman becomes a Philosopher.

Franklin appointed Indian commissioner-Effects of Rum-

Indian logic-Accumulating honors-Benevolent enterprises

-Franklin's counsel to Tennent-Efforts for city improve-

ment-Anecdotes-Franklin appointed postmaster-Rumors

of War-England enlists the Six Nations in her cause-

Franklin plans a Confederacy of States—Plans rejected—

Electrical experiments--Franklin's increase of income—

Fearful experiments-The kite-New honors-Views of the

French philosopher-Franklin's Religious views—His coun-

sel to a young pleader--Post office Reforms...

147

CHAPTER VIII.

The Rising Storms of War.

Aristocracy-Anecdote-Conflicting laws of Nations-Franklin's

scheme of colonization-Proposal of the British Court-The

foresight of Franklin-Braddock's campaign-Remonstran-

ces of Franklin and Washington - Franklin's interviews

with Braddock -Franklin's efficiency-Confidence of Brad-

dock-The conflict with the Proprietaries—The non-resis-