OF

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

BY

JEREMIAH CHAPLIN,

AUTHOR OF THE "LIFE OF HENRY DUNSTER, FIRST
PRESIDENT OF HARVARD COLLEGE,” “LIFE
OF CHARLES SUMNER," AND
OTHER WORKS.

Boston:
Published by D. Lothrop & Co.
Dover, N. H.: G. T. Day & Co.

HARVARD
COLLEGE
LIBRARY

Copyright, 1876, by D. LOTHROP & Co.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Franklin's Ancestry.- His Father.- Population of Massa-

chusetts. Boston in 1680.- Franklin's Home. -His

Father's Second Marriage. Peter Folger.- His Moth-

er.

CHAPTER II.

13

Franklin's Birth.-Dr. Willard. - Uncle Benjamin.- His

Father's House.-Family Scene.-Population of Massa-

chusetts and of Boston.- Commerce of Boston.-Its So-

cial Character.-Madame Knight.- Franklin in his boy-

hood."Paying too much for the Whistle. "- - Sent to

Grammer School.-In his Father's Shop.- Building a

Wharf. Gets into Trouble. -Fond of Swimming.

Learning to Swim.—Swimming with a Kite.—Sleeping

on the Water in 1785.

CHAPTER III.

18

His Brother John.- Dislikes his Father's Trade.-Looking

for a Trade.-Fond of Books.-The Books he Read.-

Cotton Mather.- Becomes a Printer's Apprentice to his

Brother James.-Borrowing Books.-Writing Poetry and

Prose.-Improving his Style.-How he Bought Books.-

His Diet.-The Character of his Reading.-Fond of Dis-

cussions.

CHAPTER IV.

28

The Newspaper in Franklin's Day.-A Newsboy.- Writing

for a Newspaper.- His Brother James a Hard Master.-

Benjamin becomes Manager of the Courant. Resolves to

Break his Engagement.

35

CHAPTER V.

Runs Away.- Goes in a Sloop to New York.-Vegetarian

Principles Tested.-Eating Fish.-In New York.-Seeks

Employment at his Trade.- Goes to Philadelphia.- The

(1)

Voyage. - A Dutchman Overboard.- Stops at Burlington.

-Dr. Brown.-Reaches Philadelphia. -Description of

the City-Walking the Streets.-Eating Rolls.- Falls

Asleep in a Meeting-house. -Bradford the Printer.

Keimer.

40

CHAPTER VI.

In Philadelphia.- Keimer.- Hears from Home.- Sir Wil-

liam Keith.-Keith becomes Franklin's Patron. -Keith's

Proposal to Franklin.— Brilliant Prospects.
50

CHAPTER VII.

A New Plan.- Retnrns to Boston.-Welcomed Home.-

Ill-treated by James.- Visits his Brother's Office.-Calls

on Cotton Mather.-Stooping.- His Father Disapproves

of Governor Keith's Plan.- Consents to his Return to

Philadelphia.- He Embarks for New York.- Visits his

Brother at Newport.- Mr. Vernon.-At New York.—

Collins.-Governor Burnet.- Incident on the Deleware.—

A Green Meadow.-Sad Experience with Collins.-Rup-

ture.

-

CHAPTER VIII.

55

In Philadelphia.- Calls on Governor Keith.-New Prom-

ises. Plan for Setting up in Business.- Vernon's Money.

Keimer. Thoughts of Marriage. · Miss Read. A

Prudent Mother.

CHAPTER IX.

64

Governor Keith.-Great Promises.- Never Ready.- Frank-

lin sails for England.- No Letters.-Discovers the Decep-

tion.- A Stranger in London.- Mr. Denham.- Franklin's

Opinion of Sir William Keith.- Ralph Again.-Frank-

lin Finds Employment.

CHAPTER X.

68

Relieved of a Burden. - A New Printing-Office. — The Wa-

ter-American.-Beer-Drinkers.-Initiation-Fee. — Frugal

Living.-New Lodgings.-A Catholic Lady.—Wygate.-

Denham. Hls Proposal to Franklin.

CHAPTER XI.

74

Leaves England.- His Journal,- An Adventure.- Playing

Cards. A Dutchman. — Talking to a Foreigner. - A

Trial. A Weary Bird.-Dolphins.- A Shark.— Land.—

Cape Henlopen.- Welcomed at Newcastle. - A Happy

Day.- At Home.

80