About this time there was a cry among the people for more paper money, only fifteen thousand pounds being extant in the province, and that soon to be sunk. The wealthy inhabitants oppos'd any addition, being against all paper currency, from an apprehension that it would depreciate, as it had done in New England, to the prejudice of all creditors. We had discuss'd this point in our Junto, where I was on the side of an addition, being persuaded that the first small sum struck in 1723 had done much good by increasing the trade, employment, and number of inhabitants in the province, since I now saw all the old houses inhabited, and many new ones building: whereas I remembered well, that when I first walk'd about the streets of Philadelphia, eating my roll, I saw most of the houses in Walnut Street, between Second and Front streets, with bills on their doors, "To be let"; and many likewise in Chestnut-street and other streets, which made me then think the inhabitants of the city were deserting it one after another.
Around this time people were demanding more paper money. Only fifteen thousand pounds were in the province, and that would soon be gone. Wealthy residents opposed any increase. They were against paper money. They feared it would depreciate, as it had in New England, and harm all creditors. We discussed the issue in our Junto. I supported issuing more. I believed the small amount first issued in 1723 had done much good. It had increased trade, created jobs, and brought more people to the province. I could see this because the old houses were now occupied and many new ones were being built. I remembered well when I first walked the streets of Philadelphia eating my roll. Most houses on Walnut Street, between Second and Front streets, had "To be let" signs. Many houses in Chestnut Street and other streets were the same. I then thought the city's residents were leaving one by one.
Called back to be redeemed.
This area of Philadelphia is now the center of the wholesale business district.
Our debates possess'd me so fully of the subject, that I wrote and printed an anonymous pamphlet on it, entitled "The Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency." It was well receiv'd by the common people in general; but the rich men dislik'd it, for it increas'd and strengthen'd the clamor for more money, and they happening to have no writers among them that were able to answer it, their opposition slacken'd, and the point was carried by a majority in the House. My friends there, who conceiv'd I had been of some service, thought fit to reward me by employing me in printing the money; a very profitable jobb and a great help to me. This was another advantage gain'd by my being able to write.
Our debates so fully occupied me that I wrote and printed an anonymous pamphlet on the subject. It was titled The Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency. It was well received by the common people. The rich disliked it because it increased and strengthened the demand for more money. They had no writers who could answer it, so their opposition weakened. The measure passed by a majority in the House. My friends there, who believed I had been of some service, rewarded me by hiring me to print the money. That was a very profitable job and a great help to me. This was another advantage gained by my ability to write.
The utility of this currency became by time and experience so evident as never afterwards to be much disputed; so that it grew soon to fifty-five thousand pounds, and in 1739 to eighty thousand pounds, since which it arose during war to upwards of three hundred and fifty thousand pounds, trade, building, and inhabitants all the while increasing, tho' I now think there are limits beyond which the quantity may be hurtful.
The usefulness of this currency became, over time and with experience, so obvious that it was hardly disputed afterward. It soon grew to fifty-five thousand pounds, and by 1739 to eighty thousand pounds. During the war it rose to over three hundred and fifty thousand pounds. Trade, building, and inhabitants all increased during that time. However, I now think there are limits beyond which that quantity may be harmful.
Paper money is a promise to pay its face value in gold or silver. When a state or nation issues more promises than it can likely redeem, the paper currency loses value. Before the Colonies' success in the Revolution was assured, their paper money lost much of its value. It took hundreds of dollars of their paper money to buy a pair of boots.
I soon after obtain'd, thro' my friend Hamilton, the printing of the Newcastle paper money, another profitable jobb as I then thought it; small things appearing great to those in small circumstances; and these, to me, were really great advantages, as they were great encouragements. He procured for me, also, the printing of the laws and votes of that government, which continu'd in my hands as long as I follow'd the business.
Soon after, through my friend Hamilton, I got the printing of the Newcastle paper money. I thought it another profitable job at the time, since small things seem great to those in small circumstances. And these really were great advantages to me, because they were great encouragements. He also got me the printing of the laws and votes of that government at Newcastle. That work stayed in my hands as long as I followed the business.
I now open'd a little stationer's shop. I had in it blanks of all sorts, the correctest that ever appear'd among us, being assisted in that by my friend Breintnal. I had also paper, parchment, chapmen's books, etc. One Whitemash, a compositor I had known in London, an excellent workman, now came to me, and work'd with me constantly and diligently; and I took an apprentice, the son of Aquilla Rose.
I then opened a small stationery shop. I stocked blanks of all kinds. They were the most accurate available here, thanks to help from my friend Breintnal. I also sold paper, parchment, chapmen's books, and other supplies. A compositor named Whitemash, whom I had known in London, joined me. He was an excellent workman and worked with me constantly and diligently. I also took an apprentice, the son of Aquilla Rose.
I was under for the printing-house. In order to secure my credit and character as a tradesman, I took care not only to be in reality industrious and frugal, but to avoid all appearances to the contrary. I drest plainly; I was seen at no places of idle diversion. I never went out a fishing or shooting; a book, indeed, sometimes debauch'd me from my work, but that was seldom, snug, and gave no scandal; and, to show that I was not above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper I purchas'd at the stores thro' the streets on a wheelbarrow. Thus being esteem'd an industrious, thriving young man, and paying duly for what I bought, the merchants who imported stationery solicited my custom; others proposed supplying me with books, and I went on swimmingly. In the meantime, Keimer's credit and business declining daily, he was at last forc'd to sell his printing-house to satisfy his creditors. He went to Barbadoes, and there lived some years in very poor circumstances.
I was in debt for the printing house. To secure my credit and character as a tradesman, I took care not only to be industrious and frugal in reality, but also to avoid all appearances to the contrary. I dressed plainly. I was seen at no places of idle amusement. I never went fishing or shooting. A book, indeed, sometimes lured me away from my work, but that was seldom, done in private, and caused no scandal. To show that I was not above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper I bought at the stores, pushing it through the streets in a wheelbarrow. So I came to be thought an industrious, thriving young man, and I paid promptly for what I bought. The merchants who imported stationery sought my custom. Others offered to supply me with books, and I went on swimmingly. Meanwhile Keimer's credit and business declined daily. At last he was forced to sell his printing house to satisfy his creditors. He went to Barbados and lived there some years in very poor circumstances.
His apprentice, David Harry, whom I had instructed while I work'd with him, set up in his place at Philadelphia, having bought his materials. I was at first apprehensive of a powerful rival in Harry, as his friends were very able, and had a good deal of interest. I therefore propos'd a partnership to him, which he, fortunately for me, rejected with scorn. He was very proud, dress'd like a gentleman, liv'd expensively, took much diversion and pleasure abroad, ran in debt, and neglected his business; upon which, all business left him; and, finding nothing to do, he followed Keimer to Barbadoes, taking the printing-house with him. There this apprentice employ'd his former master as a journeyman; they quarrell'd often; Harry went continually behindhand, and at length was forc'd to sell his types and return to his country work in Pennsylvania. The person that bought them employ'd Keimer to use them, but in a few years he died.
His apprentice, David Harry, whom I had trained while I worked with him, set up in his place in Philadelphia after buying the materials. At first I feared he would be a strong rival, because his friends were influential. I therefore offered him a partnership. He, fortunately for me, rejected it with scorn. He was very proud and dressed like a gentleman. He lived expensively and enjoyed many amusements away from work. He ran up debts and neglected his business. As a result, customers left him. Finding nothing to do, he followed Keimer to Barbados and took the printing shop with him. There the apprentice employed his former master as a journeyman. They quarreled often. Harry fell increasingly behind in his accounts and was finally forced to sell his types. He then returned to his country work in Pennsylvania. The man who bought the types employed Keimer to use them, but Keimer died a few years later.
There remained now no competitor with me at Philadelphia but the old one, Bradford; who was rich and easy, did a little printing now and then by straggling hands, but was not very anxious about the business. However, as he kept the post-office, it was imagined he had better opportunities of obtaining news; his paper was thought a better distributer of advertisements than mine, and therefore had many more, which was a profitable thing to him, and a disadvantage to me; for, tho' I did indeed receive and send papers by the post, yet the publick opinion was otherwise, for what I did send was by bribing the riders, who took them privately, Bradford being unkind enough to forbid it, which occasion'd some resentment on my part; and I thought so meanly of him for it, that, when I afterward came into his situation, I took care never to imitate it.
There was now no competitor with me in Philadelphia except the old one, Bradford. He was rich and lived comfortably. He did a little printing now and then through stray hands, but he was not very concerned about the business. Because he ran the post office, people thought he had better opportunities to get news. His paper was seen as a better place to distribute advertisements than mine. So he had many more ads. That was profitable for him and a disadvantage for me. Although I did receive and send papers by post, public opinion thought otherwise. What I sent went by bribing the riders to take them privately. Bradford was unkind enough to forbid this. That caused some resentment in me. I thought so poorly of him for it that when I later took his position, I made sure never to imitate him.
I had hitherto continu'd to board with Godfrey, who lived in part of my house with his wife and children, and had one side of the shop for his glazier's business, tho' he worked little, being always absorbed in his mathematics. Mrs. Godfrey projected a match for me with a relation's daughter, took opportunities of bringing us often together, till a serious courtship on my part ensu'd, the girl being in herself very deserving. The old folks encourag'd me by continual invitations to supper, and by leaving us together, till at length it was time to explain. Mrs. Godfrey manag'd our little treaty. I let her know that I expected as much money with their daughter as would pay off my remaining debt for the printing-house, which I believe was not then above a hundred pounds. She brought me word they had no such sum to spare; I said they might mortgage their house in the loan-office. The answer to this, after some days, was, that they did not approve the match; that, on inquiry of Bradford, they had been informed the printing business was not a profitable one; the types would soon be worn out, and more wanted; that S. Keimer and D. Harry had failed one after the other, and I should probably soon follow them; and, therefore, I was forbidden the house, and the daughter shut up.
Until then I had boarded with Godfrey, who lived in part of my house with his wife and children. He had one side of the shop for his glazier's business, though he worked little because he was always absorbed in his mathematics. Mrs. Godfrey planned a match between me and a relative's daughter. She often brought us together until my courtship became serious. The girl herself was very deserving. The old couple encouraged me with frequent invitations to supper and by leaving us alone, until it was time to explain. Mrs. Godfrey handled our little arrangement. I told her I expected a dowry that would pay off my remaining debt for the printing-house, which I believed was not more than one hundred pounds. She told me they had no such sum to spare. I suggested they might mortgage their house in the loan-office. After a few days they answered that they did not approve the match. They had asked Bradford about the business. He had told them the printing trade was not profitable. The types would soon wear out and more would be needed. S. Keimer and D. Harry had failed one after the other. They thought I would probably follow them. Therefore I was forbidden the house and the daughter was shut up.
Whether this was a real change of sentiment or only artifice, on a supposition of our being too far engaged in affection to retract, and therefore that we should steal a marriage, which would leave them at liberty to give or withhold what they pleas'd, I know not; but I suspected the latter, resented it, and went no more. Mrs. Godfrey brought me afterward some more favorable accounts of their disposition, and would have drawn me on again; but I declared absolutely my resolution to have nothing more to do with that family. This was resented by the Godfreys; we differed, and they removed, leaving me the whole house, and I resolved to take no more inmates.
I did not know whether this was a real change of feeling or only a trick. They might have supposed we were too deeply attached to back out. They might have expected we would elope, leaving them free to give or withhold what they pleased. I suspected the latter. I was offended and stopped going. Mrs. Godfrey later brought me more favorable news about their attitude and tried to get me to go again. But I firmly declared that I would have nothing more to do with that family. The Godfreys took offense. We quarreled, and they moved away, leaving me the whole house. I resolved to take no more boarders.
But this affair having turned my thoughts to marriage, I look'd round me and made overtures of acquaintance in other places; but soon found that, the business of a printer being generally thought a poor one, I was not to expect money with a wife, unless with such a one as I should not otherwise think agreeable. A friendly correspondence as neighbours and old acquaintances had continued between me and Mrs. Read's family, who all had a regard for me from the time of my first lodging in their house. I was often invited there and consulted in their affairs, wherein I sometimes was of service. I piti'd poor Miss Read's unfortunate situation, who was generally dejected, seldom chearful, and avoided company. I considered my giddiness and inconstancy when in London as in a great degree the cause of her unhappiness, tho' the mother was good enough to think the fault more her own than mine, as she had prevented our marrying before I went thither, and persuaded the other match in my absence. Our mutual affection was revived, but there were now great objections to our union. The match was indeed looked upon as invalid, a preceding wife being said to be living in England; but this could not easily be prov'd, because of the distance; and, tho' there was a report of his death, it was not certain. Then, tho' it should be true, he had left many debts, which his successor might be call'd upon to pay. We ventured, however, over all these difficulties, and I took her to wife, September 1st, 1730. None of the inconveniences happened that we had apprehended; she proved a good and faithful helpmate, assisted me much by attending the shop; we throve together, and have ever mutually endeavour'd to make each other happy. Thus I corrected that great erratum as well as I could.
This affair turned my thoughts to marriage. I looked around me and made overtures of acquaintance elsewhere. But I soon found that, since printing was generally thought a poor business, I could not expect money with a wife. The only exception would be a wife I would not otherwise find agreeable. A friendly relationship, as neighbors and old acquaintances, had continued between me and Mrs. Read's family. They all had a regard for me from the time I first lodged in their house. I was often invited there and consulted about their affairs, in which I was sometimes of use. I pitied poor Miss Read's unfortunate situation. She was generally dejected, seldom cheerful, and avoided company. I considered my giddiness and inconstancy in London to be in great part the cause of her unhappiness. Her mother, though, was good enough to think the fault more her own than mine. She had prevented our marrying before I went there, and she had urged the other match while I was away. Our mutual affection revived, but there were now great objections to our union. Her marriage to Rogers was indeed regarded as invalid, because he was said to have a previous wife living in England. But this could not easily be proved, because of the distance. And though there was a report of his death, it was not certain. Then, even if it were true, he had left many debts, which his successor might be called on to pay. We ventured past all these difficulties, however, and I took her as my wife on September 1, 1730. None of the troubles we had feared came about. She proved a good and faithful helpmate, and helped me a great deal by attending the shop. We prospered together, and we have always both tried to make each other happy. In this way I corrected that great erratum as well as I could.
Mrs. Franklin survived her marriage by over forty years. Franklin's correspondence is full of evidence that their union was a happy one. "We are grown old together, and if she has any faults, I am so used to them that I don't perceive them." Below is a stanza from one of Franklin's songs written for the Junto:
About this time, our club meeting, not at a tavern, but in a little room of Mr. Grace's, set apart for that purpose, a proposition was made by me, that, since our books were often referr'd to in our disquisitions upon the queries, it might be convenient to us to have them altogether where we met, that upon occasion they might be consulted; and by thus clubbing our books to a common library, we should, while we lik'd to keep them together, have each of us the advantage of using the books of all the other members, which would be nearly as beneficial as if each owned the whole. It was lik'd and agreed to, and we fill'd one end of the room with such books as we could best spare. The number was not so great as we expected; and tho' they had been of great use, yet some inconveniences occurring for want of due care of them, the collection, after about a year, was separated, and each took his books home again.
About this time our club no longer met at a tavern. We met in a small room Mr. Grace had set aside for us. I proposed that we keep our books where we met. We often referred to them during our discussions of the queries. It would be convenient to have them on hand to consult. I suggested pooling our books into a common library. If we kept them together, each of us could use the others' books. This would be almost as good as each person owning all the books. They liked the idea and agreed. We filled one end of the room with the books we could spare. The number of books was not as large as we expected. Though the books were very useful, some problems arose because they were not properly cared for. After about a year the collection was broken up. Each man took his books home again.
And now I set on foot my first project of a public nature, that for a subscription library. I drew up the proposals, got them put into form by our great scrivener, Brockden, and, by the help of my friends in the Junto, procured fifty subscribers of forty shillings each to begin with, and ten shillings a year for fifty years, the term our company was to continue. We afterwards obtain'd a charter, the company being increased to one hundred: this was the mother of all the North American subscription libraries, now so numerous. It is become a great thing itself, and continually increasing. These libraries have improved the general conversation of the Americans, made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries, and perhaps have contributed in some degree to the stand so generally made throughout the colonies in defense of their privileges.
And now I started my first project of a public nature, a subscription library. I drew up the proposals and had our great scrivener, Brockden, put them into proper form. With the help of my friends in the Junto, I got fifty subscribers to begin with. Each paid forty shillings at the start and ten shillings a year for fifty years, the term our company was to last. We later obtained a charter, when the company had grown to one hundred. This was the mother of all the North American subscription libraries, now so numerous. It has become a great thing in itself, and it keeps growing. These libraries have improved the general conversation of Americans. They have made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries. And perhaps they have contributed in some degree to the stand made so generally throughout the colonies in defense of their privileges.
Here ends the first part of the Autobiography, written at Twyford in 1771. The second part that follows was written at Passy in 1784.
Mem°. Thus far was written with the intention express'd in the beginning and therefore contains several little family anecdotes of no importance to others. What follows was written many years after in compliance with the advice contain'd in these letters, and accordingly intended for the public. The affairs of the Revolution occasion'd the interruption.
Mem. This part was written with the purpose stated at the beginning. For that reason it contains several small family anecdotes that are of no importance to others. What follows was written many years later in response to the advice in those letters. It was therefore intended for the public. The affairs of the Revolution caused the interruption.
After this memorandum, Franklin inserted letters from Abel James and Benjamin Vaughan. The letters urged him to continue his Autobiography.
[Continuation of the Account of my Life, begun at Passy, near Paris, 1784.]
Continuation of the account of my life, begun at Passy, near Paris, in 1784.
It is some time since I receiv'd the above letters, but I have been too busy till now to think of complying with the request they contain. It might, too, be much better done if I were at home among my papers, which would aid my memory, and help to ascertain dates; but my return being uncertain, and having just now a little leisure, I will endeavour to recollect and write what I can; if I live to get home, it may there be corrected and improv'd.
Some time has passed since I received the letters above. I have been too busy until now to comply with their request. It would also be much better if I were at home among my papers. They would jog my memory and help me check the dates. My return is uncertain, and I have a little leisure now. I will try to remember and write what I can. If I live to get home, I may correct and improve it there.
Not having any copy here of what is already written, I know not whether an account is given of the means I used to establish the Philadelphia public library, which, from a small beginning, is now become so considerable, though I remember to have come down to near the time of that transaction (1730). I will therefore begin here with an account of it, which may be struck out if found to have been already given.
I do not have a copy here of what I have already written. I do not know whether I gave an account of the means I used to establish the Philadelphia public library. It began from a small start and has now become quite considerable. I remember my narrative came down almost to that event in 1730. I will therefore begin here with an account of it. It may be omitted if I have already given one.
At the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston. In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers; they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books. Those who lov'd reading were obliged to send for their books from England; the members of the Junto had each a few. We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in. I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home. This was accordingly done, and for some time contented us.
When I settled in Pennsylvania, there was no good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies south of Boston. In New York and Philadelphia the printers acted as stationers. They sold only paper and the like, almanacs, ballads, and a few common schoolbooks. People who loved reading had to order their books from England. Each member of the Junto owned a few. We had left the alehouse where we first met and rented a room for our club. I proposed that we all bring our books to that room. They would be ready to consult during our meetings and would serve as a shared library. Each member could borrow any book to read at home. We did this, and it satisfied us for some time.
Finding the advantage of this little collection, I propos'd to render the benefit from books more common, by commencing a public subscription library. I drew a sketch of the plan and rules that would be necessary, and got a skilful conveyancer, Mr. Charles Brockden, to put the whole in form of articles of agreement to be subscribed, by which each subscriber engag'd to pay a certain sum down for the first purchase of books, and an annual contribution for increasing them. So few were the readers at that time in Philadelphia, and the majority of us so poor, that I was not able, with great industry, to find more than fifty persons, mostly young tradesmen, willing to pay down for this purpose forty shillings each, and ten shillings per annum. On this little fund we began. The books were imported; the library was opened one day in the week for lending to the subscribers, on their promissory notes to pay double the value if not duly returned. The institution soon manifested its utility, was imitated by other towns, and in other provinces. The libraries were augmented by donations; reading became fashionable; and our people, having no publick amusements to divert their attention from study, became better acquainted with books, and in a few years were observ'd by strangers to be better instructed and more intelligent than people of the same rank generally are in other countries.
Seeing the benefit of this little collection, I proposed to spread the benefit of books more widely by starting a public subscription library. I drew up a sketch of the plan and the rules that would be needed. I got a skillful conveyancer, Mr. Charles Brockden, to put the whole thing into the form of articles of agreement for subscribers to sign. By these, each subscriber pledged to pay a certain sum down for the first purchase of books, and a yearly contribution to add to them. So few people read in Philadelphia at that time, and most of us were so poor, that even with great effort I could find no more than fifty persons willing to pay. They were mostly young tradesmen, and each paid forty shillings down and ten shillings a year. We began on this little fund. The books were imported. The library was opened one day a week for lending to the subscribers. Each borrower gave a promissory note to pay double the value if the book was not duly returned. The institution soon showed its usefulness and was imitated by other towns and in other provinces. The libraries grew through donations, and reading became fashionable. Our people had no public amusements to divert their attention from study, so they became better acquainted with books. In a few years, strangers observed that they were better instructed and more intelligent than people of the same rank generally are in other countries.
When we were about to sign the above mentioned articles, which were to be binding on us, our heirs, etc., for fifty years, Mr. Brockden, the scrivener, said to us, "You are young men, but it is scarcely probable that any of you will live to see the expiration of the term fix'd in the instrument." A number of us, however, are yet living; but the instrument was after a few years rendered null by a charter that incorporated and gave perpetuity to the company.
We were about to sign the articles mentioned above. They were to bind us and our heirs for fifty years. Mr. Brockden, the scrivener, said to us, "You are young men, but it is scarcely probable that any of you will live to see the expiration of the term fixed in the instrument." Several of us are still alive. A few years later the instrument was made void by a charter that incorporated the company and gave it perpetual existence.
The objections and reluctances I met with in soliciting the subscriptions, made me soon feel the impropriety of presenting one's self as the proposer of any useful project, that might be suppos'd to raise one's reputation in the smallest degree above that of one's neighbours, when one has need of their assistance to accomplish that project. I therefore put myself as much as I could out of sight, and stated it as a scheme of a number of friends, who had requested me to go about and propose it to such as they thought lovers of reading. In this way my affair went on more smoothly, and I ever after practis'd it on such occasions; and, from my frequent successes, can heartily recommend it. The present little sacrifice of your vanity will afterwards be amply repaid. If it remains a while uncertain to whom the merit belongs, someone more vain than yourself will be encouraged to claim it, and then even envy will be disposed to do you justice by plucking those assumed feathers, and restoring them to their right owner.
The objections and reluctance I met while asking for subscriptions soon made me feel how improper it is to present yourself as the proposer of any useful project. Doing so might be thought to raise your reputation even the smallest degree above your neighbors', just when you need their help to accomplish the project. I therefore kept myself out of sight as much as I could. I presented it as a scheme of a number of friends, who had asked me to go around and propose it to people they thought lovers of reading. In this way my business went on more smoothly. I always practiced this afterward on such occasions, and from my frequent successes I can heartily recommend it. The small sacrifice of your vanity now will later be amply repaid. If it remains uncertain for a while who deserves the credit, someone vainer than you will be encouraged to claim it. And then even envy will be inclined to do you justice, by plucking out those borrowed feathers and restoring them to their rightful owner.
This library afforded me the means of improvement by constant study, for which I set apart an hour or two each day, and thus repair'd in some degree the loss of the learned education my father once intended for me. Reading was the only amusement I allow'd myself. I spent no time in taverns, games, or frolicks of any kind; and my industry in my business continu'd as indefatigable as it was necessary. I was indebted for my printing-house; I had a young family coming on to be educated, and I had to contend with for business two printers, who were established in the place before me. My circumstances, however, grew daily easier. My original habits of frugality continuing, and my father having, among his instructions to me when a boy, frequently repeated a proverb of Solomon, "Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men," I from thence considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction, which encourag'd me, tho' I did not think that I should ever literally stand before kings, which, however, has since happened; for I have stood before five, and even had the honor of sitting down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner.
This library gave me the means to improve through constant study. I set aside an hour or two each day for this. In that way I partly made up for the loss of the formal education my father had planned for me. Reading was the only entertainment I allowed myself. I spent no time in taverns, games, or frolics of any kind. My work in the business remained as tireless as it needed to be. I was in debt from buying my printing shop. I had a young family to educate. I also had to compete with two printers who were already established in the town. However, my circumstances grew easier every day. I kept my early habit of frugality. When I was a boy my father often repeated a proverb of Solomon: "Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men." From that I took industry to be a way to gain wealth and distinction. That encouraged me, though I did not think I would ever literally stand before kings. That, however, has since happened. I have stood before five, and I even had the honor of sitting down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner.
We have an English proverb that says, "He that would thrive, must ask his wife." It was lucky for me that I had one as much dispos'd to industry and frugality as myself. She assisted me chearfully in my business, folding and stitching pamphlets, tending shop, purchasing old linen rags for the paper-makers, etc., etc. We kept no idle servants, our table was plain and simple, our furniture of the cheapest. For instance, my breakfast was a long time break and milk (no tea), and I ate it out of a twopenny earthen porringer, with a pewter spoon. But mark how luxury will enter families, and make a progress, in spite of principle: being call'd one morning to breakfast, I found it in a China bowl, with a spoon of silver! They had been bought for me without my knowledge by my wife, and had cost her the enormous sum of three-and-twenty shillings, for which she had no other excuse or apology to make, but that she thought her husband deserv'd a silver spoon and China bowl as well as any of his neighbors. This was the first appearance of plate and China in our house, which afterward, in a course of years, as our wealth increas'd, augmented gradually to several hundred pounds in value.
We have an English proverb that says, "He that would thrive, must ask his wife." It was lucky for me that I had one as much inclined to industry and frugality as I was. She helped me cheerfully in my business, folding and stitching pamphlets, tending the shop, buying old linen rags for the papermakers, and so on. We kept no idle servants. Our table was plain and simple, and our furniture was of the cheapest kind. For instance, my breakfast for a long time was bread and milk (no tea), and I ate it out of a two-penny earthenware porringer with a pewter spoon. But notice how luxury will enter families and make progress, in spite of principle. Called to breakfast one morning, I found it in a China bowl, with a silver spoon! My wife had bought them for me without my knowledge, and they had cost her the enormous sum of twenty-three shillings. She had no other excuse or apology to make than that she thought her husband deserved a silver spoon and China bowl as much as any of his neighbors. This was the first appearance of silver and China in our house. Over the years, as our wealth increased, it gradually grew to several hundred pounds in value.
I had been religiously educated as a Presbyterian; and though some of the dogmas of that persuasion, such as the eternal decrees of God, election, reprobation, etc., appeared to me unintelligible, others doubtful, and I early absented myself from the public assemblies of the sect, Sunday being my studying day, I never was without some religious principles. I never doubted, for instance, the existence of the Deity; that he made the world, and govern'd it by his Providence; that the most acceptable service of God was the doing good to man; that our souls are immortal; and that all crime will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter. These I esteem'd the essentials of every religion; and, being to be found in all the religions we had in our country, I respected them all, tho' with different degrees of respect, as I found them more or less mix'd with other articles, which, without any tendency to inspire, promote, or confirm morality, serv'd principally to divide us, and make us unfriendly to one another. This respect to all, with an opinion that the worst had some good effects, induc'd me to avoid all discourse that might tend to lessen the good opinion another might have of his own religion; and as our province increas'd in people, and new places of worship were continually wanted, and generally erected by voluntary contribution, my mite for such purpose, whatever might be the sect, was never refused.
I had been brought up religiously as a Presbyterian. Some of the dogmas of that faith, such as the eternal decrees of God, election, reprobation, etc., seemed unintelligible to me, and others doubtful. Early on I stopped attending the public assemblies of the sect, Sunday being my day for study. Yet I was never without some religious principles. For instance, I never doubted the existence of the Deity, or that he made the world and governed it by his Providence. Nor did I doubt that the most acceptable service of God was doing good to man, that our souls are immortal, and that all crime will be punished and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter. I considered these the essentials of every religion. Since they were found in all the religions we had in our country, I respected them all. But I respected them in different degrees, as I found them more or less mixed with other articles of belief. Those other articles had no tendency to inspire, promote, or confirm morality, and served mainly to divide us and make us unfriendly to one another. This respect for all, along with my opinion that even the worst had some good effects, led me to avoid all talk that might lessen another's good opinion of his own religion. As our province grew in people, new places of worship were constantly needed. They were generally built by voluntary contribution, and my mite for such a purpose was never refused, whatever the sect.
Tho' I seldom attended any public worship, I had still an opinion of its propriety, and of its utility when rightly conducted, and I regularly paid my annual subscription for the support of the only Presbyterian minister or meeting we had in Philadelphia. He us'd to visit me sometimes as a friend, and admonished me to attend his administrations, and I was now and then prevail'd on to do so, once for five Sundays successively. Had he been in my opinion a good preacher, perhaps I might have continued, notwithstanding the occasion I had for the Sunday's leisure in my course of study; but his discourses were chiefly either polemic arguments, or explications of the peculiar doctrines of our sect, and were all to me very dry, uninteresting, and unedifying, since not a single moral principle was inculcated or enforc'd, their aim seeming to be rather to make us Presbyterians than good citizens.
Although I seldom attended public worship, I still thought it proper and useful when done rightly. I regularly paid my annual subscription to support the only Presbyterian minister or meeting we had in Philadelphia. He used to visit me as a friend and urged me to attend his services. I was sometimes persuaded to go, once for five Sundays in a row. If he had been, in my opinion, a good preacher, I might have continued, despite needing Sundays free for my studies. But his sermons were mainly polemical arguments or explanations of the peculiar doctrines of our sect. They were, to me, very dry, uninteresting, and not edifying. Not a single moral principle was taught or enforced. Their aim seemed more to make us Presbyterians than to make us good citizens.
Later, Franklin changed his view on the duty to attend church.
At length he took for his text that verse of the fourth chapter of Philippians, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good report, if there be any virtue, or any praise, think on these things." And I imagin'd, in a sermon on such a text, we could not miss of having some morality. But he confin'd himself to five points only, as meant by the apostle, viz.: 1. Keeping holy the Sabbath day. 2. Being diligent in reading the holy Scriptures. 3. Attending duly the publick worship. 4. Partaking of the Sacrament. 5. Paying a due respect to God's ministers. These might be all good things; but, as they were not the kind of good things that I expected from that text, I despaired of ever meeting with them from any other, was disgusted, and attended his preaching no more. I had some years before compos'd a little Liturgy, or form of prayer, for my own private use (viz., in 1728), entitled, Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion. I return'd to the use of this, and went no more to the public assemblies. My conduct might be blameable, but I leave it, without attempting further to excuse it; my present purpose being to relate facts, and not to make apologies for them.
At length he used as his text the verse from Philippians chapter four: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good report, if there be any virtue, or any praise, think on these things. I imagined a sermon on that text could not fail to be moral. But he confined himself to five points only, which he said the apostle meant, namely: 1. Keeping the Sabbath holy. 2. Being diligent in reading the Holy Scriptures. 3. Attending public worship regularly. 4. Partaking of the Sacrament. 5. Showing proper respect to God's ministers. These might all be good things, but they were not the kind I expected from that text. I despaired of finding such teachings in any other sermon. I grew disgusted and stopped attending his preaching. Some years earlier I had composed a small liturgy, a form of prayer, for my private use (in 1728). It was titled Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion. I returned to using this, and no longer attended public assemblies. My conduct may have been blameworthy, but I offer no excuse. My purpose here is to state facts, not to apologize for them.