PREFACE.
The following Preface to the Life of Columbus will explain the plan of the series, of which this is the third volume:—
"There is no kind of reading more attractive than biography, and, if properly treated, there is none more instructive. It appears, therefore, to be peculiarly fitted to the purposes of education; it readily excites the curiosity and awakens the interest of the pupil, and, while it stores his mind with facts, dates and events, displays to his view the workings of the human heart, and makes him better acquainted with himself and mankind.
"In the selection of subjects for a biographical series of works for youth, the editor has been led, by two considerations, to prefer those which belong to our own country. In the first place, it is more particularly necessary that our youth should be made acquainted with the lives of those men who were associated with the history of their native land; and, in the second place, no country can afford happier subjects for biography than this. There are few such lives as those of Columbus, Washington, and Franklin, in the annals of any nation.
"In the preparation of the work, the author has sought to adapt it to youth, by the use of a simple style, and by the introduction of many illustrative tales, sketches, anecdotes and adventures. Questions for examining the pupils are printed in the pages, which may be used, or not, at the choice of the Teacher."
The Life of Columbus and the Life of Washington, on a plan similar to this, have been already published; and other volumes, containing the lives of celebrated Indian Chiefs, celebrated American Statesmen, &c., will appear hereafter, if those already in progress should meet with success.
CONTENTS.
| Page | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Birth of Franklin. Early Education. Anecdote. Choice of a Trade. Heis placed with a Cutler. His Fondness for Reading. Bound Apprenticeto his Brother. Makes a Couple of Ballads. His Friend Collins. Readsthe Spectator. | [11] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Franklin gives up eating Meat. His Economy of Time. StudiesArithmetic. James Franklin establishes a Newspaper. Benjamin writesfor it. His Brother is imprisoned. Benjamin manages the Paper.Leaves his Brother. Goes to New York. Sails thence for Philadelphia.Anecdote of the Dutchman. | [19] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| His Journey. His Dinner with the old Gingerbread Woman. Arrives inPhiladelphia. Anecdote of the Rolls. Attends the Meeting House ofthe Quakers. Suspected of being a Runaway. Employed by Keimer.Noticed by Governor Keith. Visit to Boston. Return. | [27] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Finds his Friend Collins in New York. Visit to the Governor.Promises from Governor Keith. Project of a new religious Sect.Anecdote of Keimer and the roast Pig. His principal Acquaintance. Aliterary Trick. Prepares to go to London. The Governor's Deception.Arrival in London. | [35] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Troubled by his Friend Ralph. Obtains Employment. Ralph turnsSchoolmaster, and begins an Epic Poem. Franklin teaches some of hisFriends to swim. Anecdote of Mr. Denham. Return to Philadelphia.Story of George Webb. Franklin quarrels with Keimer. Returns to workfor him. Employed at Burlington. Leaves Keimer. | [43] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| The Junto. A new Paper started by Keimer. Franklin purchases it.Difficulties in their Business. A Dissolution of the Partnership.Franklin assisted by his Friends. David Harry. Match-making.Marriage with Miss Read. | [50] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Library of the Junto. A public Library established. Franklinstudies. His Frugality. Anecdote of the Bowl and Spoon. His Schemeof arriving at Moral Perfection. Table of Precepts. Franklin'sRemarks upon it. Poor Richard's Almanac. | [57] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Management of his Newspaper. Study of the Languages. Chess-playing.The Preacher Hemphill. Stealing Sermons. Visit to Boston. Visits hisBrother James at Newport. Usefulness of the Junto. Formation of newClubs. Franklin chosen Clerk of the General Assembly. Anecdote. | [65] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Reform of the City Watch. Fire Companies. Rev. Mr. Whitefield.Effects of his Preaching. His Project of building an Orphan House inGeorgia. Anecdotes. Franklin's Opinion of him. Franklin'sProsperity. Military Defence of the Province. Formation ofCompanies. | [72] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| Anecdote. William Penn. Education of Youth. Subscription for anAcademy. Franklin overloaded with public Offices. Member of theAssembly. Treaty with the Indians at Carlisle. Public Hospital.Anecdote. | [82] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| Spence's Experiments in Electricity. Franklin repeats them. Makesimportant Discoveries. Letters to Collinson. Experiment with theKite. Publication of his Letters. Anecdote of the Abbé Nollet. Fameof Franklin. Elected a Member of the Royal Society. | [90] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| Appointed Postmaster-General. Journey to New England. ReceivesDegrees from two Colleges. Story of the Visit to his Mother. | [97] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| Congress at Albany. Plan for a Union of the Colonies. Arrival ofGeneral Braddock. Franklin sent to him by the Assembly. Want ofWagons. Franklin undertakes to procure them. His Advertisement.Anecdote of Braddock. Battle with the Indians. Retreat. | [105] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| Settlement for the Loss of Wagons. Anecdote. Preparations forDefence. Franklin appointed to a military Command. Assembles theTroops at Bethlehem. Farmers killed by Indians. Building Forts.Extracts from Franklin's Journal. Indian Cunning. Anecdotes of theMoravians. | [113] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| Disputes with the Proprietaries. Franklin sent by the Assembly toLondon. Appointed general Agent for the Colonies. University Honors.The Armonica. Murder of the friendly Indians. | [124] |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| Franklin appointed Agent at the Court of Great Britain. VisitsGermany and France. Returns to Philadelphia. Appointed Delegate toCongress. Interview with Lord Howe. Sent as Ambassador to France.Asks to be recalled. Chosen President of the Supreme Council ofPhiladelphia. Death. Character. | [130] |
| ESSAYS OF DR. FRANKLIN. | |
| The Whistle. | [136] |
| Handsome and Deformed Leg. | [138] |
| Advice to a young Tradesman. | [142] |
| Necessary Hints to those that would be rich. | [145] |
| Paper, a Poem. | [146] |
| On the art of Swimming. | [149] |
| Preliminary Address to the Pennsylvania Almanac, entitled,"Poor Richard's Almanac, for the year 1758." | [153] |
| Observations on War. | [167] |
| The Way to make Money plenty in every Man's Pocket. | [169] |
| Morals of Chess. | [171] |
| Conversation of a Company of Ephemeræ. | [177] |