7. “What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed?
12. “Has any deserving stranger arrived in town since your last meeting?
16. “Has anybody attacked your reputation lately?
23. “Is there any difficulty which you would gladly have discussed at this time?”
Debates, declamation, and the reading of essays added to the entertainment of these gatherings. Stories were told, and bacchanal songs sung. No man could tell a better story, and few men could sing a better song than Benjamin Franklin. No one was deemed a suitable member of the club, who would not contribute his full quota to the entertainment or instruction. The questions proposed by Franklin for discussion, developed the elevated intellectual region his thoughts were accustomed to range. We give a few as specimens.
“Can any one particular form of government suit all mankind?
“Should it be the aim of philosophy to eradicate the passions?
“Is perfection attainable in this life?
“What general conduct of life is most suitable for men in such circumstances as most of the members of the Junto are?”
The Junto was limited to twelve members. It soon became so popular that applications for admission became very frequent. Six months passed rapidly away, when Keimer, who was an exceedingly immoral and worthless man, and was fast going to ruin, in some fit of drunkenness, or ungovernable irritation, entered the office, and assailed Franklin with such abuse, that he took his hat, and repaired to his lodgings, resolved never to return.