Hehadtwosons，abouttosetoutontheirtravels；hewish’dtohavethemfirsttaughtswimming，andproposedtogratifymehandsomelyifIwouldteachthem。Theywerenotyetcometotown，andmystaywasuncertain，soIcouldnotundertakeit；but，fromthisincident，Ithoughtitlikelythat，ifIweretoremaininEnglandandopenaswimming—school，Imightgetagooddealofmoney；anditstruckmesostrongly，that，hadtheoverturebeensoonermademe，probablyI
　　shouldnotsosoonhavereturnedtoAmerica。Aftermanyyears，youandIhadsomethingofmoreimportancetodowithoneofthesesonsofSirWilliamWyndham，becomeEarlofEgremont，whichIshallmentioninitsplace。
　　ThusIspentabouteighteenmonthsinLondon；mostpartofthetimeIwork’dhardatmybusiness，andspentbutlittleuponmyselfexceptinseeingplaysandinbooks。MyfriendRalphhadkeptmepoor；heowedmeabouttwenty—sevenpounds，whichIwasnowneverlikelytoreceive；agreatsumoutofmysmallearnings！
　　Ilov’dhim，notwithstanding，forhehadmanyamiablequalities。
　　Ihadbynomeansimprov’dmyfortune；butIhadpickedupsomeveryingeniousacquaintance，whoseconversationwasofgreatadvantagetome；
　　andIhadreadconsiderably。
　　Wesail’dfromGravesendonthe23dofJuly，1726。Fortheincidentsofthevoyage，Ireferyoutomyjournal，whereyouwillfindthemallminutelyrelated。Perhapsthemostimportantpartofthatjournalistheplantobefoundinit，whichIformedatsea，forregulatingmyfutureconductinlife。Itisthemoreremarkable，asbeingformedwhenIwassoyoung，andyetbeingprettyfaithfullyadheredtoquitethro’tooldage。
　　The"Journal"wasprintedbySparks，fromacopymadeatReadingin1787。ButitdoesnotcontainthePlan。
　　——Ed。
　　WelandedinPhiladelphiaonthe11thofOctober，whereIfoundsundryalterations。Keithwasnolongergovernor，beingsupersededbyMajorGordon。Imethimwalkingthestreetsasacommoncitizen。
　　Heseem’dalittleasham’datseeingme，butpass’dwithoutsayinganything。Ishouldhavebeenasmuchasham’datseeingMissRead，hadnotherfriends，despairingwithreasonofmyreturnafterthereceiptofmyletter，persuadedhertomarryanother，oneRogers，apotter，whichwasdoneinmyabsence。Withhim，however，shewasneverhappy，andsoonpartedfromhim，refusingtocohabitwithhimorbearhisname，itbeingnowsaidthathebadanotherwife。Hewasaworthlessfellow，tho’anexcellentworkman，whichwasthetemptationtoherfriends。Hegotintodebt，ranawayin1727or1728，wenttotheWestIndies，anddiedthere。
　　Keimerhadgotabetterhouse，ashopwellsupply’dwithstationery，plentyofnewtypes，anumberofhands，tho’nonegood，andseem’dtohaveagreatdealofbusiness。
　　Mr。DenhamtookastoreinWater—street，whereweopen’dourgoods；
　　Iattendedthebusinessdiligently，studiedaccounts，andgrew，inalittletime，expertatselling。Welodg’dand，boardedtogether；
　　hecounsell’dmeasafather，havingasincereregardforme。
　　Irespectedandlov’dhim，andwemighthavegoneontogetherveryhappy；but，inthebeginningofFebruary，1726—7，whenI
　　hadjustpass’dmytwenty—firstyear，webothweretakenill。
　　Mydistemperwasapleurisy，whichverynearlycarriedmeoff。
　　Isufferedagooddeal，gaveupthepointinmyownmind，andwasratherdisappointedwhenIfoundmyselfrecovering，regretting，insomedegree，thatImustnow，sometimeorother，haveallthatdisagreeableworktodooveragain。Iforgetwhathisdistemperwas；
　　itheldhimalongtime，andatlengthcarriedhimoff。Heleftmeasmalllegacyinanuncupativewill，asatokenofhiskindnessforme，andheleftmeoncemoretothewideworld；forthestorewastakenintothecareofhisexecutors，andmyemploymentunderhimended。
　　Mybrother—in—law，Holmes，beingnowatPhiladelphia，advisedmyreturntomybusiness；andKeimertemptedme，withanofferoflargewagesbytheyear，tocomeandtakethemanagementofhisprinting—house，thathemightbetterattendhisstationer’sshop。IhadheardabadcharacterofhiminLondonfromhiswifeandherfriends，andwasnotfondofhavinganymoretodowithhim。Itri’dforfartheremploymentasamerchant’sclerk；but，notreadilymeetingwithany，Iclos’dagainwithKeimer。Ifoundinhishousethesehands：
　　HughMeredith，aWelshPensilvanian，thirtyyearsofage，bredtocountrywork；honest，sensible，hadagreatdealofsolidobservation，wassomethingofareader，butgiventodrink。StephenPotts，ayoungcountrymanoffullage，bredtothesame，ofuncommonnaturalparts，andgreatwitandhumor，butalittleidle。Thesehehadagreedwithatextreamlowwagesperweek，toberais’dashillingeverythreemonths，astheywoulddeservebyimprovingintheirbusiness；
　　andtheexpectationofthesehighwages，tocomeonhereafter，waswhathehaddrawntheminwith。Meredithwastoworkatpress，Pottsatbook—binding，whichhe，byagreement，wastoteachthem，thoughheknewneitheronenort’other。John————，awildIrishman，broughtuptonobusiness，whoseservice，forfouryears，Keimerhadpurchasedfromthecaptainofaship；he，too，wastobemadeapressman。GeorgeWebb，anOxfordscholar，whosetimeforfouryearshehadlikewisebought，intendinghimforacompositor，ofwhommorepresently；andDavidHarry，acountryboy，whomhehadtakenapprentice。
　　Isoonperceiv’dthattheintentionofengagingmeatwagessomuchhigherthanhehadbeenus’dtogive，was，tohavetheseraw，cheaphandsform’dthro’me；and，assoonasIhadinstructedthem，thentheybeingallarticledtohim，heshouldbeabletodowithoutme。
　　Iwenton，however，verycheerfully，puthisprinting—houseinorder，whichhadbeeningreatconfusion，andbroughthishandsbydegreestomindtheirbusinessandtodoitbetter。
　　ItwasanoddthingtofindanOxfordscholarinthesituationofaboughtservant。Hewasnotmorethaneighteenyearsofage，andgavemethisaccountofhimself；thathewasborninGloucester，educatedatagrammar—schoolthere，hadbeendistinguish’damongthescholarsforsomeapparentsuperiorityinperforminghispart，whentheyexhibitedplays；belong’dtotheWittyClubthere，andhadwrittensomepiecesinproseandverse，whichwereprintedintheGloucesternewspapers；thencehewassenttoOxford；wherehecontinuedaboutayear，butnotwellsatisfi’d，wishingofallthingstoseeLondon，andbecomeaplayer。Atlength，receivinghisquarterlyallowanceoffifteenguineas，insteadofdischarginghisdebtshewalk’doutoftown，hidhisgowninafurzebush，andfootedittoLondon，where，havingnofriendtoadvisehim，hefellintobadcompany，soonspenthisguineas，foundnomeansofbeingintroduc’damongtheplayers，grewnecessitous，pawn’dhiscloaths，andwantedbread。Walkingthestreetveryhungry，andnotknowingwhattodowithhimself，acrimp’sbillwasputintohishand，offeringimmediateentertainmentandencouragementtosuchaswouldbindthemselvestoserveinAmerica。
　　Hewentdirectly，sign’dtheindentures，wasputintotheship，andcameover，neverwritingalinetoacquainthisfriendswhatwasbecomeofhim。Hewaslively，witty，good—natur’d，andapleasantcompanion，butidle，thoughtless，andimprudenttothelastdegree。
　　John，theIrishman，soonranaway；withtherestIbegantoliveveryagreeably，fortheyallrespectedmethemore，astheyfoundKeimerincapableofinstructingthem，andthatfrommetheylearnedsomethingdaily。WeneverworkedonSaturday，thatbeingKeimer’sSabbath，soIhadtwodaysforreading。
　　Myacquaintancewithingeniouspeopleinthetownincreased。
　　Keimerhimselftreatedmewithgreatcivilityandapparentregard，andnothingnowmademeuneasybutmydebttoVernon，whichI
　　wasyetunabletopay，beinghithertobutapooroeconomist。
　　He，however，kindlymadenodemandofit。
　　Ourprinting—houseoftenwantedsorts，andtherewasnoletter—founderinAmerica；IhadseentypescastatJames’sinLondon，butwithoutmuchattentiontothemanner；however，Inowcontrivedamould，madeuseoftheletterswehadaspuncheons，struckthematricesinlead，Andthussupply’dinaprettytolerablewayalldeficiencies。
　　Ialsoengrav’dseveralthingsonoccasion；Imadetheink；
　　Iwaswarehouseman，andeverything，and，inshort，quiteafactotum。
　　But，howeverserviceableImightbe，Ifoundthatmyservicesbecameeverydayoflessimportance，astheotherhandsimprov’dinthebusiness；and，whenKeimerpaidmysecondquarter’swages，heletmeknowthathefeltthemtooheavy，andthoughtIshouldmakeanabatement。Hegrewbydegreeslesscivil，putonmoreofthemaster，frequentlyfoundfault，wascaptious，andseem’dreadyforanoutbreaking。Iwenton，nevertheless，withagooddealofpatience，thinkingthathisencumber’dcircumstanceswerepartlythecause。
　　Atlengthatriflesnaptourconnections；for，agreatnoisehappeningnearthecourt—house，Iputmyheadoutofthewindowtoseewhatwasthematter。Keimer，beinginthestreet，look’dupandsawme，call’douttomeinaloudvoiceandangrytonetomindmybusiness，addingsomereproachfulwords，thatnettledmethemorefortheirpublicity，alltheneighborswhowerelookingoutonthesameoccasionbeingwitnesseshowIwastreated。Hecameupimmediatelyintotheprinting—house，continu’dthequarrel，highwordspass’donbothsides，hegavemethequarter’swarningwehadstipulated，expressingawishthathehadnotbeenoblig’dtosolongawarning。
　　Itoldhimhiswishwasunnecessary，forIwouldleavehimthatinstant；
　　andso，takingmyhat，walk’doutofdoors，desiringMeredith，whomIsawbelow，totakecareofsomethingsIleft，andbringthemtomylodgings。
　　Meredithcameaccordinglyintheevening，whenwetalkedmyaffairover。
　　Hehadconceiv’dagreatregardforme，andwasveryunwillingthatIshouldleavethehousewhileheremain’dinit。Hedissuadedmefromreturningtomynativecountry，whichIbegantothinkof；
　　heremindedmethatKeimerwasindebtforallhepossess’d；
　　thathiscreditorsbegantobeuneasy；thathekepthisshopmiserably，soldoftenwithoutprofitforreadymoney，andoftentrustedwithoutkeepingaccounts；thathemustthereforefall，whichwouldmakeavacancyImightprofitof。Iobjectedmywantofmoney。Hethenletmeknowthathisfatherhadahighopinionofme，and，fromsomediscoursethathadpass’dbetweenthem，hewassurewouldadvancemoneytosetusup，ifIwouldenterintopartnershipwithhim。
　　"Mytime，"sayshe，"willbeoutwithKeimerinthespring；
　　bythattimewemayhaveourpressandtypesinfromLondon。
　　IamsensibleIamnoworkman；ifyoulikeit，yourskillinthebusinessshallbesetagainstthestockIfurnish，andwewillsharetheprofitsequally。"
　　Theproposalwasagreeable，andIconsented；hisfatherwasintownandapprov’dofit；themoreashesawIhadgreatinfluencewithhisson，hadprevail’donhimtoabstainlongfromdram—drinking，andhehop’dmightbreakhimoffthatwretchedhabitentirely，whenwecametobesocloselyconnected。Igaveaninventorytothefather，whocarry’dittoamerchant；thethingsweresentfor，thesecretwastobekepttilltheyshouldarrive，andinthemeantimeIwastogetwork，ifIcould，attheotherprinting—house。ButI
　　foundnovacancythere，andsoremain’didleafewdays，whenKeimer，onaprospectofbeingemploy’dtoprintsomepapermoneyinNewJersey，whichwouldrequirecutsandvarioustypesthatIonlycouldsupply，andapprehendingBradfordmightengagemeandgetthejobbfromhim，sentmeaverycivilmessage，thatoldfriendsshouldnotpartforafewwords，theeffectofsuddenpassion，andwishingmetoreturn。
　　Meredithpersuadedmetocomply，asitwouldgivemoreopportunityforhisimprovementundermydailyinstructions；soIreturn’d，andwewentonmoresmoothlythanforsometimebefore。TheNewjerseyjobbwasobtain’d，Icontriv’dacopperplatepressforit，thefirstthathadbeenseeninthecountry；Icutseveralornamentsandchecksforthebills。WewenttogethertoBurlington，whereI
　　executedthewholetosatisfaction；andhereceivedsolargeasumfortheworkastobeenabledtherebytokeephisheadmuchlongerabovewater。
　　AtBurlingtonImadeanacquaintancewithmanyprincipalpeopleoftheprovince。SeveralofthemhadbeenappointedbytheAssemblyacommitteetoattendthepress，andtakecarethatnomorebillswereprintedthanthelawdirected。Theyweretherefore，byturns，constantlywithus，andgenerallyhewhoattended，broughtwithhimafriendortwoforcompany。Mymindhavingbeenmuchmoreimprov’dbyreadingthanKeimer’s，Isupposeitwasforthatreasonmyconversationseem’dtohemorevalu’d。Theyhadmetotheirhouses，introducedmetotheirfriends，andshow’dmemuchcivility；
　　whilehe，tho’themaster，wasalittleneglected。Intruth，hewasanoddfish；ignorantofcommonlife，fondofrudelyopposingreceiv’dopinions，slovenlytoextreamdirtiness，enthusiasticinsomepointsofreligion，andalittleknavishwithal。
　　Wecontinu’dtherenearthreemonths；andbythattimeIcouldreckonamongmyacquiredfriends，JudgeAllen，SamuelBustill，thesecretaryoftheProvince，IsaacPearson，JosephCooper，andseveraloftheSmiths，membersofAssembly，andIsaacDecow，thesurveyor—general。Thelatterwasashrewd，sagaciousoldman，whotoldmethathebeganforhimself，whenyoung，bywheelingclayforthebrick—makers，learnedtowriteafterbewasofage，carri’dthechainforsurveyors，whotaughthimsurveying，andhehadnowbyhisindustry，acquir’dagoodestate；andsayshe，"Iforeseethatyouwillsoonworkthismanoutofbusiness，andmakeafortuneinitatPhiladelphia。"Hehadnotthentheleastintimationofmyintentiontosetupthereoranywhere。
　　Thesefriendswereafterwardsofgreatusetome，asIoccasionallywastosomeofthem。Theyallcontinuedtheirregardformeaslongastheylived。
　　BeforeIenteruponmypublicappearanceinbusiness，itmaybewelltoletyouknowthethenstateofmymindwithregardtomyprinciplesandmorals，thatyoumayseehowfarthoseinfluenc’dthefutureeventsofmylife。Myparentshadearlygivenmereligiousimpressions，andbroughtmethroughmychildhoodpiouslyintheDissentingway。
　　ButIwasscarcefifteen，when，afterdoubtingbyturnsofseveralpoints，asIfoundthemdisputedinthedifferentbooksIread，IbegantodoubtofRevelationitself。SomebooksagainstDeismfellintomyhands；theyweresaidtobethesubstanceofsermonspreachedatBoyle’sLectures。Ithappenedthattheywroughtaneffectonmequitecontrarytowhatwasintendedbythem；
　　fortheargumentsoftheDeists，whichwerequotedtoberefuted，appearedtomemuchstrongerthantherefutations；inshort，IsoonbecameathoroughDeist。Myargumentspervertedsomeothers，particularlyCollinsandRalph；but，eachofthemhavingafterwardswrong’dmegreatlywithouttheleastcompunction，andrecollectingKeith’sconducttowardsme（whowasanotherfreethinker），andmyowntowardsVernonandMissRead，whichattimesgavemegreattrouble，Ibegantosuspectthatthisdoctrine，tho’itmightbetrue，wasnotveryuseful。MyLondonpamphlet，whichhadforitsmottotheselinesofDryden：
　　"Whateveris，isright。ThoughpurblindmanSeesbutaparto’thechain，thenearestlink：
　　Hiseyesnotcarryingtotheequalbeam，Thatpoisesallabove；"
　　andfromtheattributesofGod，hisinfinitewisdom，goodnessandpower，concludedthatnothingcouldpossiblybewrongintheworld，andthatviceandvirtuewereemptydistinctions，nosuchthingsexisting，appear’dnownotsocleveraperformanceasIoncethoughtit；
　　andIdoubtedwhethersomeerrorhadnotinsinuateditselfunperceiv’dintomyargument，soastoinfectallthatfollow’d，asiscommoninmetaphysicalreasonings。
　　Igrewconvinc’dthattruth，sincerityandintegrityindealingsbetweenmanandmanwereoftheutmostimportancetothefelicityoflife；andIform’dwrittenresolutions，whichstillremaininmyjournalbook，topracticethemeverwhileIlived。
　　Revelationhadindeednoweightwithme，assuch；butIentertain’danopinionthat，thoughcertainactionsmightnotbebadbecausetheywereforbiddenbyit，orgoodbecauseitcommandedthem，yetprobablytheseactionsmightbeforbiddenbecausetheywerebadforus，orcommandedbecausetheywerebeneficialtous，intheirownnatures，allthecircumstancesofthingsconsidered。Andthispersuasion，withthekindhandofProvidence，orsomeguardianangel，oraccidentalfavorablecircumstancesandsituations，oralltogether，preservedme，thro’thisdangeroustimeofyouth，andthehazardoussituationsI
　　wassometimesinamongstrangers，remotefromtheeyeandadviceofmyfather，withoutanywillfulgrossimmoralityorinjustice，thatmighthavebeenexpectedfrommywantofreligion。Isaywillful，becausetheinstancesIhavementionedhadsomethingofnecessityinthem，frommyyouth，inexperience，andtheknaveryofothers。
　　Ihadthereforeatolerablecharactertobegintheworldwith；
　　Ivalueditproperly，anddetermin’dtopreserveit。
　　Wehadnotbeenlongreturn’dtoPhiladelphiabeforethenewtypesarriv’dfromLondon。WesettledwithKeimer，andlefthimbyhisconsentbeforeheheardofit。Wefoundahousetohirenearthemarket，andtookit。Tolessentherent，whichwasthenbuttwenty—fourpoundsayear，tho’Ihavesinceknownittoletforseventy，wetookinThomasGodfrey，aglazier，andhisfamily，whoweretopayaconsiderablepartofittous，andwetoboardwiththem。
　　Wehadscarceopenedourlettersandputourpressinorder，beforeGeorgeHouse，anacquaintanceofmine，broughtacountrymantous，whomhehadmetinthestreetinquiringforaprinter。
　　Allourcashwasnowexpendedinthevarietyofparticularswehadbeenobligedtoprocure，andthiscountryman’sfiveshillings，beingourfirst—fruits，andcomingsoseasonably，gavememorepleasurethananycrownIhavesinceearned；andthegratitudeIfelttowardHousehasmademeoftenmorereadythanperhapsIshouldotherwisehavebeentoassistyoungbeginners。
　　Therearecroakersineverycountry，alwaysbodingitsruin。
　　SuchaonethenlivedinPhiladelphia；apersonofnote，anelderlyman，withawiselookandaverygravemannerofspeaking；hisnamewasSamuelMickle。Thisgentleman，astrangertome，stoptonedayatmydoor，andaskedmeifIwastheyoungmanwhohadlatelyopenedanewprinting—house。Beingansweredintheaffirmative，hesaidhewassorryforme，becauseitwasanexpensiveundertaking，andtheexpensewouldbelost；forPhiladelphiawasasinkingplace，thepeoplealreadyhalf—bankrupts，ornearbeingso；allappearancestothecontrary，suchasnewbuildingsandtheriseofrents，beingtohiscertainknowledgefallacious；fortheywere，infact，amongthethingsthatwouldsoonruinus。Andhegavemesuchadetailofmisfortunesnowexisting，orthatweresoontoexist，thatheleftmehalfmelancholy。HadIknownhimbeforeI
　　engagedinthisbusiness，probablyInevershouldhavedoneit。
　　Thismancontinuedtoliveinthisdecayingplace，andtodeclaiminthesamestrain，refusingformanyyearstobuyahousethere，becauseallwasgoingtodestruction；andatlastIhadthepleasureofseeinghimgivefivetimesasmuchforoneashemighthaveboughtitforwhenhefirstbeganhiscroaking。
　　Ishouldhavementionedbefore，that，intheautumnoftheprecedingyear，Ihadform’dmostofmyingeniousacquaintanceintoaclubofmutualimprovement，whichwecalledtheJUNTO；wemetonFridayevenings。
　　TherulesthatIdrewuprequiredthateverymember，inhisturn，shouldproduceoneormorequeriesonanypointofMorals，Politics，orNaturalPhilosophy，tobediscuss’dbythecompany；andonceinthreemonthsproduceandreadanessayofhisownwriting，onanysubjecthepleased。Ourdebatesweretobeunderthedirectionofapresident，andtobeconductedinthesincerespiritofinquiryaftertruth，withoutfondnessfordispute，ordesireofvictory；
　　and，topreventwarmth，allexpressionsofpositivenessinopinions，ordirectcontradiction，wereaftersometimemadecontraband，andprohibitedundersmallpecuniarypenalties。
　　ThefirstmemberswereJosephBreintnal，acopyerofdeedsforthescriveners，agood—natur’d，friendly，middle—ag’dman，agreatloverofpoetry，readingallhecouldmeetwith，andwritingsomethatwastolerable；veryingeniousinmanylittleNicknackeries，andofsensibleconversation。
　　ThomasGodfrey，aself—taughtmathematician，greatinhisway，andafterwardinventorofwhatisnowcalledHadley’sQuadrant。
　　Butheknewlittleoutofhisway，andwasnotapleasingcompanion；
　　as，likemostgreatmathematiciansIhavemetwith，heexpecteduniversalprecisionineverythingsaid，orwasforeverdenyingordistinguishingupontrifles，tothedisturbanceofallconversation。
　　Hesoonleftus。
　　NicholasScull，asurveyor，afterwardssurveyor—general，wholov’dbooks，andsometimesmadeafewverses。
　　WilliamParsons，bredashoemaker，butlovingreading，hadacquir’daconsiderableshareofmathematics，whichhefirststudiedwithaviewtoastrology，thatheafterwardslaughtatit。
　　Healsobecamesurveyor—general。
　　WilliamMaugridge，ajoiner，amostexquisitemechanic，andasolid，sensibleman。
　　HughMeredith，StephenPotts，andGeorgeWebbIhavecharacteriz’dbefore。
　　RobertGrace，ayounggentlemanofsomefortune，generous，lively，andwitty；aloverofpunningandofhisfriends。
　　AndWilliamColeman，thenamerchant’sclerk，aboutmyage，whohadthecoolest，dearesthead，thebestheart，andtheexactestmoralsofalmostanymanIevermetwith。Hebecameafterwardsamerchantofgreatnote，andoneofourprovincialjudges。Ourfriendshipcontinuedwithoutinterruptiontohisdeath，upwardoffortyyears；
　　andtheclubcontinuedalmostaslong，andwasthebestschoolofphilosophy，morality，andpoliticsthatthenexistedintheprovince；
　　forourqueries，whichwerereadtheweekprecedingtheirdiscussion，putusuponreadingwithattentionupontheseveralsubjects，thatwemightspeakmoretothepurpose；andhere，too，weacquiredbetterhabitsofconversation，everythingbeingstudiedinourruleswhichmightpreventourdisgustingeachother。Fromhencethelongcontinuanceoftheclub，whichIshallhavefrequentoccasiontospeakfurtherofhereafter。
　　ButmygivingthisaccountofithereistoshowsomethingoftheinterestIhad，everyoneoftheseexertingthemselvesinrecommendingbusinesstous。Breintnalparticularlyprocur’dusfromtheQuakerstheprintingfortysheetsoftheirhistory，therestbeingtobedonebyKeimer；
　　anduponthiswework’dexceedinglyhard，forthepricewaslow。
　　Itwasafolio，propatriasize，inpica，withlongprimernotes。
　　Icompos’dofitasheetaday，andMeredithworkeditoffatpress；
　　itwasoftenelevenatnight，andsometimeslater，beforeIhadfinishedmydistributionforthenextday’swork，forthelittlejobbssentinbyourotherfriendsnowandthenputusback。
　　Butsodetermin’dIwastocontinuedoingasheetadayofthefolio，thatonenight，when，havingimpos’dmyforms，Ithoughtmyday’sworkover，oneofthembyaccidentwasbroken，andtwopagesreducedtopi，Iimmediatelydistributedandcompos’ditoveragainbeforeIwenttobed；andthisindustry，visibletoourneighbors，begantogiveuscharacterandcredit；particularly，Iwastold，thatmentionbeingmadeofthenewprinting—officeatthemerchants’
　　Every—nightclub，thegeneralopinionwasthatitmustfail，therebeingalreadytwoprintersintheplace，KeimerandBradford；
　　butDr。Baird（whomyouandIsawmanyyearsafterathisnativeplace，St。Andrew’sinScotland）gaveacontraryopinion："FortheindustryofthatFranklin，"sayshe，"issuperiortoanythingIeversawofthekind；IseehimstillatworkwhenIgohomefromclub，andheisatworkagainbeforehisneighborsareoutofbed。"
　　Thisstrucktherest，andwesoonafterhadoffersfromoneofthemtosupplyuswithstationery；butasyetwedidnotchusetoengageinshopbusiness。
　　Imentionthisindustrythemoreparticularlyandthemorefreely，tho’itseemstobetalkinginmyownpraise，thatthoseofmyposterity，whoshallreadit，mayknowtheuseofthatvirtue，whentheyseeitseffectsinmyfavourthroughoutthisrelation。
　　GeorgeWebb，whohadfoundafemalefriendthatlenthimwherewithtopurchasehistimeofKeimer，nowcametoofferhimselfasajourneymantous。Wecouldnotthenemployhim；butIfoolishlylethimknowasasecretthatIsoonintendedtobeginanewspaper，andmightthenhaveworkforhim。Myhopesofsuccess，asItoldhim，werefoundedonthis，thatthethenonlynewspaper，printedbyBradford，wasapaltrything，wretchedlymanag’d，nowayentertaining，andyetwasprofitabletohim；Ithereforethoughtagoodpaperwouldscarcelyfailofgoodencouragement。IrequestedWebbnottomentionit；
　　buthetoldittoKeimer，whoimmediately，tobebeforehandwithme，publishedproposalsforprintingonehimself，onwhichWebbwastobeemploy’d。Iresentedthis；and，tocounteractthem，asIcouldnotyetbeginourpaper，IwroteseveralpiecesofentertainmentforBradford’spaper，underthetitleoftheBUSYBODY，whichBreintnalcontinu’dsomemonths。Bythismeanstheattentionofthepublickwasfixedonthatpaper，andKeimer’sproposals，whichweburlesqu’dandridicul’d，weredisregarded。Hebeganhispaper，however，and，aftercarryingitonthreequartersofayear，withatmostonlyninetysubscribers，heofferedittomeforatrifle；andI，havingbeenreadysometimetogoonwithit，tookitinhanddirectly；anditprov’dinafewyearsextremelyprofitabletome。
　　IperceivethatIamapttospeakinthesingularnumber，thoughourpartnershipstillcontinu’d；thereasonmaybethat，infact，thewholemanagementofthebusinesslayuponme。
　　Meredithwasnocompositor，apoorpressman，andseldomsober。
　　Myfriendslamentedmyconnectionwithhim，butIwastomakethebestofit。
　　Ourfirstpapersmadeaquitedifferentappearancefromanybeforeintheprovince；abettertype，andbetterprinted；butsomespiritedremarksofmywriting，onthedisputethengoingonbetweenGovernorBurnetandtheMassachusettsAssembly，strucktheprincipalpeople，occasionedthepaperandthemanagerofittobemuchtalk’dof，andinafewweeksbroughtthemalltobeoursubscribers。
　　Theirexamplewasfollow’dbymany，andournumberwentongrowingcontinually。Thiswasoneofthefirstgoodeffectsofmyhavinglearntalittletoscribble；anotherwas，thattheleadingmen，seeinganewspapernowinthehandsofonewhocouldalsohandleapen，thoughtitconvenienttoobligeandencourageme。
　　Bradfordstillprintedthevotes，andlaws，andotherpublickbusiness。
　　HehadprintedanaddressoftheHousetothegovernor，inacoarse，blunderingmanner，wereprinteditelegantlyandcorrectly，andsentonetoeverymember。Theyweresensibleofthedifference：
　　itstrengthenedthehandsofourfriendsintheHouse，andtheyvotedustheirprintersfortheyearensuing。
　　AmongmyfriendsintheHouseImustnotforgetMr。Hamilton，beforementioned，whowasthenreturnedfromEngland，andhadaseatinit。Heinterestedhimselfformestronglyinthatinstance，ashedidinmanyothersafterward，continuinghispatronagetillhisdeath。
　　IgothissononceL500。——[Marg。note。]
　　Mr。Vernon，aboutthistime，putmeinmindofthedebtIow’dhim，butdidnotpressme。Iwrotehimaningenuousletterofacknowledgment，crav’dhisforbearancealittlelonger，whichheallow’dme，andassoonasIwasable，Ipaidtheprincipalwithinterest，andmanythanks；sothaterratumwasinsomedegreecorrected。
　　ButnowanotherdifficultycameuponmewhichIhadnevertheleastreasontoexpect。Mr。Meredith’sfather，whowastohavepaidforourprinting—house，accordingtotheexpectationsgivenme，wasabletoadvanceonlyonehundredpoundscurrency，whichhadbeenpaid；
　　andahundredmorewasduetothemerchant，whogrewimpatient，andsu’dusall。Wegavebail，butsawthat，ifthemoneycouldnotberais’dintime，thesuitmustsooncometoajudgmentandexecution，andourhopefulprospectsmust，withus，beruined，asthepressandlettersmustbesoldforpayment，perhapsathalfprice。
　　Inthisdistresstwotruefriends，whosekindnessIhaveneverforgotten，norevershallforgetwhileIcanrememberanything，cametomeseparately，unknowntoeachother，and，withoutanyapplicationfromme，offeringeachofthemtoadvancemeallthemoneythatshouldbenecessarytoenablemetotakethewholebusinessuponmyself，ifthatshouldbepracticable；buttheydidnotlikemycontinuingthepartnershipwithMeredith，who，astheysaid，wasoftenseendrunkinthestreets，andplayingatlowgamesinalehouses，muchtoourdiscredit。ThesetwofriendswereWilliamColemanandRobertGrace。
　　ItoldthemIcouldnotproposeaseparationwhileanyprospectremain’doftheMerediths’fulfillingtheirpartofouragreement，becauseIthoughtmyselfundergreatobligationstothemforwhattheyhaddone，andwoulddoiftheycould；but，iftheyfinallyfail’dintheirperformance，andourpartnershipmustbedissolv’d，Ishouldthenthinkmyselfatlibertytoaccepttheassistanceofmyfriends。
　　Thusthematterrestedforsometime，whenIsaidtomypartner，"Perhapsyourfatherisdissatisfiedatthepartyouhaveundertakeninthisaffairofours，andisunwillingtoadvanceforyouandmewhathewouldforyoualone。Ifthatisthecase，tellme，andIwillresignthewholetoyou，andgoaboutmybusiness。"
　　"No，"saidhe，"myfatherhasreallybeendisappointed，andisreallyunable；andIamunwillingtodistresshimfarther。
　　IseethisisabusinessIamnotfitfor。Iwasbredafarmer，anditwasafollyinmetocometotown，andputmyself，atthirtyyearsofage，anapprenticetolearnanewtrade。ManyofourWelshpeoplearegoingtosettleinNorthCarolina，wherelandischeap。
　　Iaminclin’dtogowiththem，andfollowmyoldemployment。
　　Youmayfindfriendstoassistyou。Ifyouwilltakethedebtsofthecompanyuponyou；returntomyfatherthehundredpoundhehasadvanced；paymylittlepersonaldebts，andgivemethirtypoundsandanewsaddle，Iwillrelinquishthepartnership，andleavethewholeinyourhands。"Iagreedtothisproposal：
　　itwasdrawnupinwriting，sign’d，andseal’dimmediately。
　　Igavehimwhathedemanded，andhewentsoonaftertoCarolina，fromwhencehesentmenextyeartwolongletters，containingthebestaccountthathadbeengivenofthatcountry，theclimate，thesoil，husbandry，etc。，forinthosemattershewasveryjudicious。
　　Iprintedtheminthepapers，andtheygavegreatsatisfactiontothepublick。
　　Assoonashewasgone，Irecurr’dtomytwofriends；andbecauseI
　　wouldnotgiveanunkindpreferencetoeither，ItookhalfofwhateachhadofferedandIwantedofone，andhalfoftheother；
　　paidoffthecompany’sdebts，andwentonwiththebusinessinmyownname，advertisingthatthepartnershipwasdissolved。
　　Ithinkthiswasinorabouttheyear1729。
　　Aboutthistimetherewasacryamongthepeopleformorepapermoney，onlyfifteenthousandpoundsbeingextantintheprovince，andthatsoontobesunk。Thewealthyinhabitantsoppos’danyaddition，beingagainstallpapercurrency，fromanapprehensionthatitwoulddepreciate，asithaddoneinNewEngland，totheprejudiceofallcreditors。
　　Wehaddiscuss’dthispointinourJunto，whereIwasonthesideofanaddition，beingpersuadedthatthefirstsmallsumstruckin1723
　　haddonemuchgoodbyincreasingthetrade，employment，andnumberofinhabitantsintheprovince，sinceInowsawalltheoldhousesinhabited，andmanynewonesbuilding；whereasIrememberedwell，thatwhenIfirstwalk’daboutthestreetsofPhiladelphia，eatingmyroll，IsawmostofthehousesinWalnut—street，betweenSecondandFrontstreets，withbillsontheirdoors，"Tobelet"；
　　andmanylikewiseinChestnut—streetandotherstreets，whichmademethenthinktheinhabitantsofthecityweredesertingitoneafteranother。
　　Ourdebatespossess’dmesofullyofthesubject，thatIwroteandprintedananonymouspamphletonit，entitled"TheNatureandNecessityofaPaperCurrency。"Itwaswellreceiv’dbythecommonpeopleingeneral；buttherichmendislik’dit，foritincreas’dandstrengthen’dtheclamorformoremoney，andtheyhappeningtohavenowritersamongthemthatwereabletoanswerit，theiroppositionslacken’d，andthepointwascarriedbyamajorityintheHouse。
　　Myfriendsthere，whoconceiv’dIhadbeenofsomeservice，thoughtfittorewardmebyemployingmeinprintingthemoney；
　　averyprofitablejobbandagreathelptome。Thiswasanotheradvantagegain’dbymybeingabletowrite。
　　Theutilityofthiscurrencybecamebytimeandexperiencesoevidentasneverafterwardstobemuchdisputed；sothatitgrewsoontofifty—fivethousandpounds，andin1739toeightythousandpounds，sincewhichitaroseduringwartoupwardsofthreehundredandfiftythousandpounds，trade，building，andinhabitantsallthewhileincreasing，tillInowthinktherearelimitsbeyondwhichthequantitymaybehurtful。
　　Isoonafterobtain’d，thro’myfriendHamilton，theprintingoftheNewcastlepapermoney，anotherprofitablejobbasIthenthoughtit；
　　smallthingsappearinggreattothoseinsmallcircumstances；
　　andthese，tome，werereallygreatadvantages，astheyweregreatencouragements。Heprocuredforme，also，theprintingofthelawsandvotesofthatgovernment，whichcontinu’dinmyhandsaslongasIfollow’dthebusiness。
　　Inowopen’dalittlestationer’sshop。Ihadinitblanksofallsorts，thecorrectestthateverappear’damongus，beingassistedinthatbymyfriendBreintnal。Ihadalsopaper，parchment，chapmen’sbooks，etc。OneWhitemash，acompositorIhadknowninLondon，anexcellentworkman，nowcametome，andwork’dwithmeconstantlyanddiligently；andItookanapprentice，thesonofAquilaRose。
　　IbegannowgraduallytopayoffthedebtIwasunderfortheprinting—house。Inordertosecuremycreditandcharacterasatradesman，Itookcarenotonlytobeinrealityindustriousandfrugal，buttoavoidallappearancestothecontrary。Idrestplainly；
　　Iwasseenatnoplacesofidlediversion。Ineverwentoutafishingorshooting；abook，indeed，sometimesdebauch’dmefrommywork，butthatwasseldom，snug，andgavenoscandal；and，toshowthatI
　　wasnotabovemybusiness，IsometimesbroughthomethepaperIpurchas’datthestoresthro’thestreetsonawheelbarrow。
　　Thusbeingesteem’danindustrious，thrivingyoungman，andpayingdulyforwhatIbought，themerchantswhoimportedstationerysolicitedmycustom；othersproposedsupplyingmewithbooks，andIwentonswimmingly。Inthemeantime，Keimer’screditandbusinessdecliningdaily，hewasatlastforc’dtosellhisprintinghousetosatisfyhiscreditors。HewenttoBarbadoes，andtherelivedsomeyearsinverypoorcircumstances。
　　Hisapprentice，DavidHarry，whomIhadinstructedwhileIwork’dwithhim，setupinhisplaceatPhiladelphia，havingboughthismaterials。IwasatfirstapprehensiveofapowerfulrivalinHarry，ashisfriendswereveryable，andhadagooddealofinterest。Ithereforepropos’dapartner—shiptohimwhichhe，fortunatelyforme，rejectedwithscorn。Hewasveryproud，dress’dlikeagentleman，liv’dexpensively，tookmuchdiversionandpleasureabroad，ranindebt，andneglectedhisbusiness；
　　uponwhich，allbusinesslefthim；and，findingnothingtodo，hefollowedKeimertoBarbadoes，takingtheprinting—housewithhim。
　　Therethisapprenticeemploy’dhisformermasterasajourneyman；
　　theyquarrel’doften；Harrywentcontinuallybehindhand，andatlengthwasforc’dtosellhistypesandreturntohiscountryworkinPensilvania。Thepersonthatboughtthememploy’dKeimertousethem，butinafewyearshedied。
　　ThereremainednownocompetitorwithmeatPhiladelphiabuttheoldone，Bradford；whowasrichandeasy，didalittleprintingnowandthenbystragglinghands，butwasnotveryanxiousaboutthebusiness。However，ashekeptthepost—office，itwasimaginedhehadbetteropportunitiesofobtainingnews；hispaperwasthoughtabetterdistributerofadvertisementsthanmine，andthereforehadmany，more，whichwasaprofitablethingtohim，andadisadvantagetome；for，tho’Ididindeedreceiveandsendpapersbythepost，yetthepublickopinionwasotherwise，forwhatIdidsendwasbybribingtheriders，whotookthemprivately，Bradfordbeingunkindenoughtoforbidit，whichoccasion’dsomeresentmentonmypart；andIthoughtsomeanlyofhimforit，that，whenIafterwardcameintohissituation，Itookcarenevertoimitateit。
　　Ihadhithertocontinu’dtoboardwithGodfrey，wholivedinpartofmyhousewithhiswifeandchildren，andhadonesideoftheshopforhisglazier’sbusiness，tho’heworkedlittle，beingalwaysabsorbedinhismathematics。Mrs。Godfreyprojectedamatchformewitharelation’sdaughter，tookopportunitiesofbringingusoftentogether，tillaseriouscourtshiponmypartensu’d，thegirlbeinginherselfverydeserving。Theoldfolksencourag’dmebycontinualinvitationstosupper，andbyleavingustogether，tillatlengthitwastimetoexplain。Mrs。Godfreymanag’dourlittletreaty。
　　IletherknowthatIexpectedasmuchmoneywiththeirdaughteraswouldpayoffmyremainingdebtfortheprinting—house，whichI
　　believewasnotthenaboveahundredpounds。Shebroughtmewordtheyhadnosuchsumtospare；Isaidtheymightmortgagetheirhouseintheloan—office。Theanswertothis，aftersomedays，was，thattheydidnotapprovethematch；that，oninquiryofBradford，theyhadbeeninform’dtheprintingbusinesswasnotaprofitableone；
　　thetypeswouldsoonbewornout，andmorewanted；thatS。KeimerandD。Harryhadfailedoneaftertheother，andIshouldprobablysoonfollowthem；and，therefore，Iwasforbiddenthehouse，andthedaughtershutup。
　　Whetherthiswasarealchangeofsentimentoronlyartifice，onasuppositionofourbeingtoofarengagedinaffectiontoretract，andthereforethatweshouldstealamarriage，whichwouldleavethematlibertytogiveorwithholdwhattheypleas’d，Iknownot；
　　butIsuspectedthelatter，resentedit，andwentnomore。
　　Mrs。Godfreybroughtmeafterwardsomemorefavorableaccountsoftheirdisposition，andwouldhavedrawnmeonagain；butIdeclaredabsolutelymyresolutiontohavenothingmoretodowiththatfamily。
　　ThiswasresentedbytheGodfreys；wediffer’d，andtheyremoved，leavingmethewholehouse，andIresolvedtotakenomoreinmates。
　　Butthisaffairhavingturnedmythoughtstomarriage，Ilook’droundmeandmadeoverturesofacquaintanceinotherplaces；
　　butsoonfoundthat，thebusinessofaprinterbeinggenerallythoughtapoorone，Iwasnottoexpectmoneywithawife，unlesswithsuchaoneasIshouldnototherwisethinkagreeable。
　　Inthemeantime，thathard—to—be—governedpassionofyouthhurriedmefrequentlyintointrigueswithlowwomenthatfellinmyway，whichwereattendedwithsomeexpenseandgreatinconvenience，besidesacontinualrisquetomyhealthbyadistemperwhichofallthingsIdreaded，thoughbygreatgoodluckIescapedit。
　　AfriendlycorrespondenceasneighborsandoldacquaintanceshadcontinuedbetweenmeandMrs。Read’sfamily，whoallhadaregardformefromthetimeofmyfirstlodgingintheirhouse。
　　Iwasofteninvitedthereandconsultedintheiraffairs，whereinIsometimeswasofservice。Ipiti’dpoorMissRead’sunfortunatesituation，whowasgenerallydejected，seldomcheerful，andavoidedcompany。IconsideredmygiddinessandinconstancywheninLondonasinagreatdegreethecauseofherunhappiness，tho’themotherwasgoodenoughtothinkthefaultmoreherownthanmine，asshehadpreventedourmarryingbeforeIwentthither，andpersuadedtheothermatchinmyabsence。Ourmutualaffectionwasrevived，buttherewerenowgreatobjectionstoourunion。
　　Thematchwasindeedlookeduponasinvalid，aprecedingwifebeingsaidtobelivinginEngland；butthiscouldnoteasilybeprov’d，becauseofthedistance；and，tho’therewasareportofhisdeath，itwasnotcertain。Then，tho’itshouldbetrue，hehadleftmanydebts，whichhissuccessormightbecall’dupontopay。
　　Weventured，however，overallthesedifficulties，andItookhertowife，September1st，1730。Noneoftheinconvenienceshappenedthatwehadapprehended，sheprovedagoodandfaithfulhelpmate，assistedmemuchbyattendingtheshop；wethrovetogether，andhaveevermutuallyendeavoredtomakeeachotherhappy。ThusIcorrectedthatgreaterratumaswellasIcould。
　　Aboutthistime，ourclubmeeting，notatatavern，butinalittleroomofMr。Grace’s，setapartforthatpurpose，apropositionwasmadebyme，that，sinceourbookswereoftenreferr’dtoinourdisquisitionsuponthequeries，itmightbeconvenienttoustohavethemaltogetherwherewemet，thatuponoccasiontheymightbeconsulted；
　　andbythusclubbingourbookstoacommonlibrary，weshould，whilewelik’dtokeepthemtogether，haveeachofustheadvantageofusingthebooksofalltheothermembers，whichwouldbenearlyasbeneficialasifeachownedthewhole。Itwaslik’dandagreedto，andwefill’doneendoftheroomwithsuchbooksaswecouldbestspare。Thenumberwasnotsogreatasweexpected；andtho’
　　theyhadbeenofgreatuse，yetsomeinconveniencesoccurringforwantofduecareofthem，thecollection，afteraboutayear，wasseparated，andeachtookhisbookshomeagainAndnowIsetonfootmyfirstprojectofapublicnature，thatforasubscriptionlibrary。Idrewuptheproposals，gotthemputintoformbyourgreatscrivener，Brockden，and，bythehelpofmyfriendsintheJunto，procuredfiftysubscribersoffortyshillingseachtobeginwith，andtenshillingsayearforfiftyyears，thetermourcompanywastocontinue。Weafterwardsobtain’dacharter，thecompanybeingincreasedtoonehundred：thiswasthemotherofalltheNorthAmericansubscriptionlibraries，nowsonumerous。
　　Itisbecomeagreatthingitself，andcontinuallyincreasing。
　　TheselibrarieshaveimprovedthegeneralconversationoftheAmericans，madethecommontradesmenandfarmersasintelligentasmostgentlemenfromothercountries，andperhapshavecontributedinsomedegreetothestandsogenerallymadethroughoutthecoloniesindefenseoftheirprivileges。
　　Memo。Thusfarwaswrittenwiththeintentionexpress’dinthebeginningandthereforecontainsseverallittlefamilyanecdotesofnoimportancetoothers。Whatfollowswaswrittenmanyyearsafterincompliancewiththeadvicecontain’dintheseletters，andaccordinglyintendedforthepublic。TheaffairsoftheRevolutionoccasion’dtheinterruption。
　　LetterfromMr。AbelJames，withNotesofmyLife（receivedinParis）。
　　"MYDEARANDHONOREDFRIEND：Ihaveoftenbeendesirousofwritingtothee，butcouldnotbereconciledtothethoughtthatthelettermightfallintothehandsoftheBritish，lestsomeprinterorbusy—bodyshouldpublishsomepartofthecontents，andgiveourfriendpain，andmyselfcensure。
　　"Sometimesincetherefellintomyhands，tomygreatjoy，abouttwenty—threesheetsinthyownhandwriting，containinganaccountoftheparentageandlifeofthyself，directedtothyson，endingintheyear1730，withwhichtherewerenotes，likewiseinthywriting；acopyofwhichIinclose，inhopesitmaybeameans，ifthoucontinuedituptoalaterperiod，thatthefirstandlatterpartmaybeputtogether；andifitisnotyetcontinued，Ihopetheewillnotdelayit。Lifeisuncertain，asthepreachertellsus；
　　andwhatwilltheworldsayifkind，humane，andbenevolentBen。
　　Franklinshouldleavehisfriendsandtheworlddeprivedofsopleasingandprofitableawork；aworkwhichwouldbeusefulandentertainingnotonlytoafew，buttomillions？Theinfluencewritingsunderthatclasshaveonthemindsofyouthisverygreat，andhasnowhereappearedtomesoplain，asinourpublicfriend’sjournals。
　　Italmostinsensiblyleadstheyouthintotheresolutionofendeavoringtobecomeasgoodandeminentasthejournalist。Shouldthine，forinstance，whenpublished（andIthinkitcouldnotfailofit），leadtheyouthtoequaltheindustryandtemperanceofthyearlyyouth，whatablessingwiththatclasswouldsuchaworkbe！
　　Iknowofnocharacterliving，normanyofthemputtogether，whohassomuchinhispowerasthyselftopromoteagreaterspiritofindustryandearlyattentiontobusiness，frugality，andtemperancewiththeAmericanyouth。NotthatIthinktheworkwouldhavenoothermeritanduseintheworld，farfromit；butthefirstisofsuchvastimportancethatIknownothingthatcanequalit。"
　　Theforegoingletterandtheminutesaccompanyingitbeingshowntoafriend，Ireceivedfromhimthefollowing：
　　LetterfromMr。BenjaminVaughan。
　　"PARIS，January31，1783。
　　"MyDEARESTSIR：WhenIhadreadoveryoursheetsofminutesoftheprincipalincidentsofyourlife，recoveredforyoubyyourQuakeracquaintance，ItoldyouIwouldsendyoualetterexpressingmyreasonswhyIthoughtitwouldbeusefultocompleteandpublishitashedesired。Variousconcernshaveforsometimepastpreventedthisletterbeingwritten，andIdonotknowwhetheritwasworthanyexpectation；happeningtobeatleisure，however，atpresent，Ishallbywriting，atleastinterestandinstructmyself；butasthetermsIaminclinedtousemaytendtooffendapersonofyourmanners，IshallonlytellyouhowIwouldaddressanyotherperson，whowasasgoodandasgreatasyourself，butlessdiffident。
　　Iwouldsaytohim，Sir，Isolicitthehistoryofyourlifefromthefollowingmotives：Yourhistoryissoremarkable，thatifyoudonotgiveit，somebodyelsewillcertainlygiveit；
　　andperhapssoasnearlytodoasmuchharm，asyourownmanagementofthethingmightdogood。Itwillmoreoverpresentatableoftheinternalcircumstancesofyourcountry，whichwillverymuchtendtoinvitetoitsettlersofvirtuousandmanlyminds。
　　Andconsideringtheeagernesswithwhichsuchinformationissoughtbythem，andtheextentofyourreputation，Idonotknowofamoreefficaciousadvertisementthanyourbiographywouldgive。
　　Allthathashappenedtoyouisalsoconnectedwiththedetailofthemannersandsituationofarisingpeople；andinthisrespectIdonotthinkthatthewritingsofCaesarandTacituscanbemoreinterestingtoatruejudgeofhumannatureandsociety。
　　Butthese，sir，aresmallreasons，inmyopinion，comparedwiththechancewhichyourlifewillgivefortheformingoffuturegreatmen；andinconjunctionwithyourArtofVirtue（whichyoudesigntopublish）ofimprovingthefeaturesofprivatecharacter，andconsequentlyofaidingallhappiness，bothpublicanddomestic。
　　ThetwoworksIalludeto，sir，willinparticulargiveanobleruleandexampleofself—education。Schoolandothereducationconstantlyproceeduponfalseprinciples，andshowaclumsyapparatuspointedatafalsemark；butyourapparatusissimple，andthemarkatrueone；andwhileparentsandyoungpersonsareleftdestituteofotherjustmeansofestimatingandbecomingpreparedforareasonablecourseinlife，yourdiscoverythatthethingisinmanyaman’sprivatepower，willbeinvaluable！
　　Influenceupontheprivatecharacter，lateinlife，isnotonlyaninfluencelateinlife，butaweakinfluence。Itisinyouththatweplantourchiefhabitsandprejudices；itisinyouththatwetakeourpartyastoprofession，pursuitsandmatrimony。