"Much obliged for your opinion, so frankly expressed," added Benjamin, as Mr. Watts turned to answer a call.
A short time after the publication of the foregoing Dissertation, a
London surgeon, by the name of Lyons, called at Watts' office.
"Is there a man at work in your printing house by the name of
Franklin—Benjamin Franklin?" he inquired of Mr. Watts.
"There is."
"Can I see him?"
"Yes, I will call him."
Benjamin was called and introduced to the gentleman, who said, holding a pamphlet in his hand:
"Are you the author of this 'Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity,
Pleasure and Pain'?"
"I am, sir." Benjamin had received such a trimming from his employer, that he was almost sure the stranger had come to stigmatize him for writing that pamphlet. But he was soon relieved by the remark of Lyons:
"I have read it with great interest, and have been very much profited by it. I did not dream, however, that it was written by so young a person as you are."