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。