In 1732 I first publish'd my Almanack, under the name of Richard Saunders; it was continu'd by me about twenty-five years, commonly call'd Poor Richard's Almanac. I endeavour'd to make it both entertaining and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand, that I reap'd considerable profit from it, vending annually near ten thousand. And observing that it was generally read, scarce any neighborhood in the province being without it, I consider'd it as a proper vehicle for conveying instruction among the common people, who bought scarcely any other books; I therefore filled all the little spaces that occurr'd between the remarkable days in the calendar with proverbial sentences, chiefly such as inculcated industry and frugality, as the means of procuring wealth, and thereby securing virtue; it being more difficult for a man in want, to act always honestly, as, to use here one of those proverbs, it is hard for an empty sack to stand upright.
In 1732 I first published my Almanack under the name of Richard Saunders. It was continued by me for about twenty-five years and commonly called Poor Richard's Almanac. I tried to make it both entertaining and useful. It became so popular that I made a considerable profit from it. I sold nearly ten thousand copies each year. Noticing it was widely read and that hardly any neighborhood in the province lacked a copy, I considered it a good way to teach the common people. They bought almost no other books. I therefore filled the small spaces between the marked days in the calendar with proverbs. These mainly encouraged industry and frugality as ways to acquire wealth and thus secure virtue. It is harder for a man in want to act honestly all the time, as one of those proverbs says, it is hard for an empty sack to stand upright.
In Franklin's day, an almanac was both a periodical and a guide to natural phenomena and the weather. Franklin took his title from Poor Robin, a famous English almanac, and from Richard Saunders, a well-known almanac publisher. For the maxims of Poor Richard, see pages 331-335.
These proverbs, which contained the wisdom of many ages and nations, I assembled and form'd into a connected discourse prefix'd to the Almanack of 1757, as the harangue of a wise old man to the people attending an auction. The bringing all these scatter'd councils thus into a focus enabled them to make greater impression. The piece, being universally approved, was copied in all the newspapers of the Continent; reprinted in Britain on a broadside, to be stuck up in houses; two translations were made of it in French, and great numbers bought by the clergy and gentry, to distribute gratis among their poor parishioners and tenants. In Pennsylvania, as it discouraged useless expense in foreign superfluities, some thought it had its share of influence in producing that growing plenty of money which was observable for several years after its publication.
I collected these proverbs, which held the wisdom of many ages and nations. I formed them into a connected discourse prefixed to the Almanack of 1757. It was written as the harangue of a wise old man to people attending an auction. Bringing these scattered pieces of advice together made them more effective. The piece was universally approved. It was copied in all the newspapers of the Continent. In Britain it was reprinted on broadsides for posting in houses. Two French translations were made. Many copies were bought by the clergy and gentry. They distributed them free to poor parishioners and tenants. In Pennsylvania, because it discouraged useless spending on foreign luxuries, some thought it helped produce the growing abundance of money observed for several years after its publication.
I considered my newspaper, also, as another means of communicating instruction, and in that view frequently reprinted in it extracts from the Spectator, and other moral writers; and sometimes publish'd little pieces of my own, which had been first composed for reading in our Junto. Of these are a Socratic dialogue, tending to prove that, whatever might be his parts and abilities, a vicious man could not properly be called a man of sense; and a discourse on self-denial, showing that virtue was not secure till its practice became a habitude, and was free from the opposition of contrary inclinations. These may be found in the papers about the beginning of 1735.
I also saw my newspaper as another way to teach people. For that reason I often reprinted extracts from the Spectator and other moral writers. I sometimes published short pieces of my own, which I had first written to read to our Junto. These include a Socratic dialogue. It tries to show that, whatever a man's talents or abilities, a vicious man cannot properly be called a man of sense. There is also a discourse on self-denial. It shows that virtue is not secure until its practice becomes a habit. It must also be free from the pull of contrary inclinations. These pieces can be found in the papers from about the beginning of 1735.
June 23 and July 7, 1730. Smyth.
In the conduct of my newspaper, I carefully excluded all libeling and personal abuse, which is of late years become so disgraceful to our country. Whenever I was solicited to insert anything of that kind, and the writers pleaded, as they generally did, the liberty of the press, and that a newspaper was like a stage-coach, in which anyone who would pay had a right to a place, my answer was, that I would print the piece separately if desired, and the author might have as many copies as he pleased to distribute himself, but that I would not take upon me to spread his detraction; and that, having contracted with my subscribers to furnish them with what might be either useful or entertaining, I could not fill their papers with private altercation, in which they had no concern, without doing them manifest injustice. Now, many of our printers make no scruple of gratifying the malice of individuals by false accusations of the fairest characters among ourselves, augmenting animosity even to the producing of duels; and are, moreover, so indiscreet as to print scurrilous reflections on the government of neighboring states, and even on the conduct of our best national allies, which may be attended with the most pernicious consequences. These things I mention as a caution to young printers, and that they may be encouraged not to pollute their presses and disgrace their profession by such infamous practices, but refuse steadily, as they may see by my example that such a course of conduct will not, on the whole, be injurious to their interests.
In running my newspaper, I carefully excluded all libel and personal abuse. Such abuse has, in recent years, become a disgrace to our country. When people asked me to print such pieces, they usually pleaded the liberty of the press. They compared a newspaper to a stage-coach, where anyone who pays has a right to a seat. I answered that I would print the piece separately if desired. The author could have as many copies as he wanted to distribute himself. But I would not take on the duty of spreading his slanders. I told them I had promised subscribers content that would be useful or entertaining. I could not fill their papers with private quarrels that did not concern them. Doing so would be a clear injustice to my readers. Many printers now have no scruple in gratifying malice by printing false accusations against the fairest characters among us. They increase animosity, sometimes causing duels. They are also so indiscreet as to print scurrilous remarks about neighboring states' governments. They even attack the conduct of our best national allies. These actions can have the most harmful consequences. I mention these things as a warning to young printers. I want to encourage them not to pollute their presses or disgrace their profession with such infamous practices. They should refuse such material steadily. My example shows that this course will not, on the whole, harm their interests.
In 1733 I sent one of my journeymen to Charleston, South Carolina, where a printer was wanting. I furnish'd him with a press and letters, on an agreement of partnership, by which I was to receive one-third of the profits of the business, paying one-third of the expense. He was a man of learning, and honest but ignorant in matters of account; and, tho' he sometimes made me remittances, I could get no account from him, nor any satisfactory state of our partnership while he lived. On his decease, the business was continued by his widow, who, being born and bred in Holland, where, as I have been inform'd, the knowledge of accounts makes a part of female education, she not only sent me as clear a state as she could find of the transactions past, but continued to account with the greatest regularity and exactness every quarter afterwards, and managed the business with such success, that she not only brought up reputably a family of children, but, at the expiration of the term, was able to purchase of me the printing-house, and establish her son in it.
In 1733 I sent one of my journeymen to Charleston, South Carolina, where a printer was needed. I furnished him with a press and type and made a partnership agreement. I would receive one-third of the profits and pay one-third of the expenses. He was educated and honest, but ignorant of bookkeeping. Although he sometimes sent me payments, I could not get any accounts from him. I never received a clear statement of our partnership while he lived. When he died, his widow continued the business. She had been born and raised in Holland. I have been told that there women learn bookkeeping as part of their education. She sent me the clearest statement she could find of past transactions. After that she kept accounts with the greatest regularity and accuracy each quarter. She ran the business so successfully that she raised her children respectably. At the end of the term she was able to buy the printing house from me. She then established her son in it.
I mention this affair chiefly for the sake of recommending that branch of education for our young females, as likely to be of more use to them and their children, in case of widowhood, than either music or dancing, by preserving them from losses by imposition of crafty men, and enabling them to continue, perhaps, a profitable mercantile house, with establish'd correspondence, till a son is grown up fit to undertake and go on with it, to the lasting advantage and enriching of the family.
I mention this affair chiefly to recommend that branch of education for our young women. In case of widowhood, it is likely to be of more use to them and their children than either music or dancing. It protects them from losses through the tricks of crafty men. It enables them to carry on, perhaps, a profitable trading house with established correspondence, until a son is grown and fit to take it over and continue it. That would be to the lasting advantage and enrichment of the family.
About the year 1734 there arrived among us from Ireland a young Presbyterian preacher, named Hemphill, who delivered with a good voice, and apparently extempore, most excellent discourses, which drew together considerable numbers of different persuasions, who join'd in admiring them. Among the rest, I became one of his constant hearers, his sermons pleasing me, as they had little of the dogmatical kind, but inculcated strongly the practice of virtue, or what in the religious stile are called good works. Those, however, of our congregation, who considered themselves as orthodox Presbyterians, disapprov'd his doctrine, and were join'd by most of the old clergy, who arraign'd him of heterodoxy before the synod, in order to have him silenc'd. I became his zealous partisan, and contributed all I could to raise a party in his favour, and we combated for him awhile with some hopes of success. There was much scribbling pro and con upon the occasion; and finding that, tho' an elegant preacher, he was but a poor writer, I lent him my pen and wrote for him two or three pamphlets, and one piece in the Gazette of April, 1735. Those pamphlets, as is generally the case with controversial writings, tho' eagerly read at the time, were soon out of vogue, and I question whether a single copy of them now exists.
Around 1734 a young Presbyterian preacher named Hemphill arrived from Ireland. He delivered excellent sermons in a pleasant voice and seemingly without notes. They drew large and diverse audiences who admired them. I became one of his regular listeners. His sermons pleased me because they were not very dogmatic. They strongly urged the practice of virtue, or what religion calls good works. However, members of our congregation who saw themselves as orthodox Presbyterians disapproved of his teachings. Most of the older clergy joined them. They accused him of heterodoxy before the synod to try to silence him. I became one of his zealous supporters and did all I could to build a party in his favor. We defended him for a while with some hope of success. There was much writing for and against the issue. Finding that, though an elegant preacher, he was a poor writer, I lent him my pen. I wrote two or three pamphlets for him and one piece in the Gazette of April 1735. Those pamphlets, as often happens with controversial writings, were eagerly read at the time but soon fell out of favor. I doubt whether a single copy still exists.
See "A List of Books written by, or relating to Benjamin Franklin," by Paul Leicester Ford. 1889. p. 15. Smyth.
During the contest an unlucky occurrence hurt his cause exceedingly. One of our adversaries having heard him preach a sermon that was much admired, thought he had somewhere read the sermon before, or at least a part of it. On search, he found that part quoted at length, in one of the British Reviews, from a discourse of Dr. Foster's. This detection gave many of our party disgust, who accordingly abandoned his cause, and occasion'd our more speedy discomfiture in the synod. I stuck by him, however, as I rather approv'd his giving us good sermons composed by others, than bad ones of his own manufacture, tho' the latter was the practice of our common teachers. He afterward acknowledg'd to me that none of those he preach'd were his own; adding, that his memory was such as enabled him to retain and repeat any sermon after one reading only. On our defeat, he left us in search elsewhere of better fortune, and I quitted the congregation, never joining it after, tho' I continu'd many years my subscription for the support of its ministers.
During the contest an unlucky event harmed his cause greatly. One of our opponents had heard him preach a sermon that many admired. He thought he had read that sermon before, or at least part of it. When he looked into it, he found that part quoted at length in one of the British Reviews, from a discourse by Dr. Foster. This discovery disgusted many in our party. They abandoned his cause, which led to our quicker defeat in the synod. I stayed with him, however. I preferred that he give us good sermons written by others, rather than poor ones of his own, though most of our regular ministers did the opposite. He later acknowledged to me that none of the sermons he preached were his own. He added that his memory allowed him to retain and repeat any sermon after only one reading. After our defeat, he left to seek better fortune elsewhere. I quit the congregation and never joined it again, though I continued my subscription for the support of its ministers for many years.
Dr. James Foster (1697-1753).
I had begun in 1733 to study languages; I soon made myself so much a master of the French as to be able to read the books with ease. I then undertook the Italian. An acquaintance, who was also learning it, us'd often to tempt me to play chess with him. Finding this took up too much of the time I had to spare for study, I at length refus'd to play any more, unless on this condition, that the victor in every game should have a right to impose a task, either in parts of the grammar to be got by heart, or in translations, etc., which tasks the vanquish'd was to perform upon honour, before our next meeting. As we play'd pretty equally, we thus beat one another into that language. I afterwards with a little painstaking, acquir'd as much of the Spanish as to read their books also.
I began studying languages in 1733. I soon learned enough French to read books easily. Then I started Italian. An acquaintance who was also learning it often tempted me to play chess with him. I found this took too much of my spare study time. I finally refused to play unless we agreed to a condition. The winner of each game could assign a task. It could be memorizing parts of the grammar, doing translations, or similar work. The loser had to complete the task in good faith before our next meeting. We were evenly matched, so we forced each other to learn the language. With a little effort afterward, I acquired enough Spanish to read their books as well.
I have already mention'd that I had only one year's instruction in a Latin school, and that when very young, after which I neglected that language entirely. But, when I had attained an acquaintance with the French, Italian, and Spanish, I was surpris'd to find, on looking over a Latin Testament, that I understood so much more of that language than I had imagined, which encouraged me to apply myself again to the study of it, and I met with more success, as those preceding languages had greatly smooth'd my way.
I have already mentioned that I had only one year of instruction at a Latin school, and that was when I was very young. After that I neglected the language entirely. When I had learned French, Italian, and Spanish, I was surprised to find, while looking over a Latin Testament, that I understood much more Latin than I had imagined. That encouraged me to study it again. I had more success because those earlier languages had greatly smoothed my way.
From these circumstances, I have thought that there is some inconsistency in our common mode of teaching languages. We are told that it is proper to begin first with the Latin, and, having acquir'd that, it will be more easy to attain those modern languages which are deriv'd from it; and yet we do not begin with the Greek, in order more easily to acquire the Latin. It is true that, if you can clamber and get to the top of a staircase without using the steps, you will more easily gain them in descending; but certainly, if you begin with the lowest you will with more ease ascend to the top; and I would therefore offer it to the consideration of those who superintend the education of our youth, whether, since many of those who begin with the Latin quit the same after spending some years without having made any great proficiency, and what they have learnt becomes almost useless, so that their time has been lost, it would not have been better to have begun with the French, proceeding to the Italian, etc.; for, tho', after spending the same time, they should quit the study of languages and never arrive at the Latin, they would, however, have acquired another tongue or two, that, being in modern use, might be serviceable to them in common life.
From this I think there is some inconsistency in how we usually teach languages. We are told to begin with Latin. Once we have acquired it, modern languages derived from it will be easier. Yet we do not begin with Greek to make Latin easier. It is true that if you can climb to the top of a staircase without using the steps, you can more easily go down. But certainly, if you start at the bottom, it is easier to climb to the top. I therefore offer this for the consideration of those who oversee the education of our youth. Many who begin with Latin give it up after years without much progress. What they have learned becomes almost useless, and their time is wasted. Would it not be better to begin with French, then proceed to Italian, and so on? Even if, after the same time, they abandoned language study and never reached Latin, they would still have learned one or two modern tongues. Those languages are in current use and would be useful in everyday life.
"The authority of Franklin, the most eminently practical man of his age, in favor of reserving the study of the dead languages until the mind has reached a certain maturity, is confirmed by the confession of one of the most eminent scholars of any age.
Franklin's practical authority supports delaying study of dead languages until the mind is mature. That view is backed by a confession from a leading scholar.
After ten years' absence from Boston, and having become easy in my circumstances, I made a journey thither to visit my relations, which I could not sooner well afford. In returning, I call'd at Newport to see my brother, then settled there with his printing-house. Our former differences were forgotten, and our meeting was very cordial and affectionate. He was fast declining in his health, and requested of me that, in case of his death, which he apprehended not far distant, I would take home his son, then but ten years of age, and bring him up to the printing business. This I accordingly perform'd, sending him a few years to school before I took him into the office. His mother carried on the business till he was grown up, when I assisted him with an assortment of new types, those of his father being in a manner worn out. Thus it was that I made my brother ample amends for the service I had depriv'd him of by leaving him so early.
After ten years away from Boston, and once I had become comfortable in my circumstances, I went there to visit my relatives. I could not have afforded the trip sooner. On my way back, I stopped in Newport to see my brother, who was then settled there with his printing shop. We had put our earlier disagreements behind us, and our meeting was warm and affectionate. His health was failing, and he asked me, since he thought his death was near, to take his son if he died. The boy was only ten years old. He wanted me to train him in the printing business. I agreed. I sent the boy to school for a few years before bringing him into the shop. His mother ran the business until he grew up. Then I helped him by providing an assortment of new type, since his father's were nearly worn out. In this way, I made ample amends to my brother for the service I had deprived him of by leaving him so early.
In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the small-pox, taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation, on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a child died under it; my example showing that the regret may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should be chosen.
In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine four-year-old boy, to smallpox. He caught it in the usual way. I regretted it bitterly for a long time. I still regret that I had not had him inoculated. I mention this for parents who omit inoculation because they think they would never forgive themselves if a child died from it. My example shows the regret can be the same either way. Therefore choose the safer option.
Our club, the Junto, was found so useful, and afforded such satisfaction to the members, that several were desirous of introducing their friends, which could not well be done without exceeding what we had settled as a convenient number, viz., twelve. We had from the beginning made it a rule to keep our institution a secret, which was pretty well observ'd; the intention was to avoid applications of improper persons for admittance, some of whom, perhaps, we might find it difficult to refuse. I was one of those who were against any addition to our number, but, instead of it, made in writing a proposal, that every member separately should endeavour to form a subordinate club, with the same rules respecting queries, etc., and without informing them of the connection with the Junto. The advantages proposed were, the improvement of so many more young citizens by the use of our institutions; our better acquaintance with the general sentiments of the inhabitants on any occasion, as the Junto member might propose what queries we should desire, and was to report to the Junto what pass'd in his separate club; the promotion of our particular interests in business by more extensive recommendation, and the increase of our influence in public affairs, and our power of doing good by spreading thro' the several clubs the sentiments of the Junto.
Our club, the Junto, was found so useful, and gave the members such satisfaction, that several wanted to bring in their friends. This could not well be done without going beyond what we had settled on as a convenient number, namely twelve. From the beginning we had made it a rule to keep our institution secret, and the rule was fairly well observed. The purpose was to avoid applications for admission from unsuitable persons, some of whom, perhaps, we might find it hard to refuse. I was one of those who opposed any addition to our number. Instead, I made a written proposal that each member separately should try to form a subordinate club. It would have the same rules regarding queries and so on, and would not be told of its connection with the Junto. The proposed advantages were these. Many more young citizens would improve by using our institutions. We would learn better what the inhabitants generally felt on any occasion, because the Junto member could put to his club whatever queries we wished, and was to report to the Junto what happened in his separate club. Our particular interests in business would be promoted by wider recommendation. And our influence in public affairs, and our power of doing good, would increase as the sentiments of the Junto spread through the several clubs.
The project was approv'd, and every member undertook to form his club, but they did not all succeed. Five or six only were compleated, which were called by different names, as the Vine, the Union, the Band, etc. They were useful to themselves, and afforded us a good deal of amusement, information, and instruction, besides answering, in some considerable degree, our views of influencing the public opinion on particular occasions, of which I shall give some instances in course of time as they happened.
The project was approved, and every member undertook to form his club, but not all of them succeeded. Only five or six were completed, and they were called by different names, such as the Vine, the Union, the Band, and so on. They were useful to their own members, and they gave us a good deal of amusement, information, and instruction. Besides that, they served to a considerable degree our aim of influencing public opinion on particular occasions. I shall give some instances of this in due course, as they happened.
My first promotion was my being chosen, in 1736, clerk of the General Assembly. The choice was made that year without opposition; but the year following, when I was again propos'd (the choice, like that of the members, being annual), a new member made a long speech against me, in order to favour some other candidate. I was, however, chosen, which was the more agreeable to me, as, besides the pay for the immediate service as clerk, the place gave me a better opportunity of keeping up an interest among the members, which secur'd to me the business of printing the votes, laws, paper money, and other occasional jobbs for the public, that, on the whole, were very profitable.
My first promotion came in 1736, when I was chosen clerk of the General Assembly. The choice was made that year without opposition. The following year I was nominated again because the choice, like that of the members, was annual. A new member made a long speech against me to favor another candidate. I was, however, chosen. This pleased me more. The job paid for my clerk duties and it also let me keep up an interest among the members. That influence secured me the work of printing votes, laws, paper money, and other occasional public jobs. These contracts were, on the whole, very profitable.
I therefore did not like the opposition of this new member, who was a gentleman of fortune and education, with talents that were likely to give him, in time, great influence in the House, which, indeed, afterwards happened. I did not, however, aim at gaining his favour by paying any servile respect to him, but, after some time, took this other method. Having heard that he had in his library a certain very scarce and curious book, I wrote a note to him, expressing my desire of perusing that book, and requesting he would do me the favour of lending it to me for a few days. He sent it immediately, and I return'd it in about a week with another note, expressing strongly my sense of the favour. When we next met in the House, he spoke to me (which he had never done before), and with great civility; and he ever after manifested a readiness to serve me on all occasions, so that we became great friends, and our friendship continued to his death. This is another instance of the truth of an old maxim I had learned, which says, "He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged." And it shows how much more profitable it is prudently to remove, than to resent, return, and continue inimical proceedings.
I therefore did not like the opposition of this new member. He was a gentleman of fortune and education. His talents would likely give him great influence in the House over time. Indeed that later happened. I did not try to win his favor by paying him excessive deference. After a while I used another method. I heard he had in his library a very scarce and curious book. I wrote him a note asking to borrow the book for a few days so I could read it. He sent it at once. I returned it in about a week with another note strongly expressing my gratitude. When we next met in the House he spoke to me. He had never spoken to me before, and he did so with great civility. He afterward showed a willingness to help me on all occasions. We became great friends. Our friendship lasted until his death. This is another example of an old maxim I had learned. It says, "He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged." It shows how much more profitable it is to remove hostility prudently. That is better than resenting, retaliating, and continuing hostile actions.
In 1737, Colonel Spotswood, late governor of Virginia, and then postmaster-general, being dissatisfied with the conduct of his deputy at Philadelphia, respecting some negligence in rendering, and inexactitude of his accounts, took from him the commission and offered it to me. I accepted it readily, and found it of great advantage; for, tho' the salary was small, it facilitated the correspondence that improv'd my newspaper, increas'd the number demanded, as well as the advertisements to be inserted, so that it came to afford me a considerable income. My old competitor's newspaper declin'd proportionately, and I was satisfy'd without retaliating his refusal, while postmaster, to permit my papers being carried by the riders. Thus he suffer'd greatly from his neglect in due accounting; and I mention it as a lesson to those young men who may be employ'd in managing affairs for others, that they should always render accounts, and make remittances, with great clearness and punctuality. The character of observing such a conduct is the most powerful of all recommendations to new employments and increase of business.
In 1737 Colonel Spotswood was the former governor of Virginia and the postmaster-general. He was unhappy with his deputy in Philadelphia because of negligence and inaccuracies in his accounts. He took the commission away from him and offered it to me. I accepted readily and found it very useful. Though the salary was small, it helped my correspondence, which improved my newspaper. It increased the number of copies demanded and the advertisements to be inserted. As a result it provided me with a considerable income. My old competitor's newspaper declined accordingly. I was satisfied without retaliating when, as postmaster, he refused to have my papers carried by the riders. He therefore suffered greatly from his failure to keep proper accounts. I mention this as a lesson to young men who may be employed managing affairs for others. They should always render accounts and make remittances with clarity and punctuality. A reputation for such conduct is the most powerful recommendation for new positions and more business.