PUBLISHER'S ADVERTISEMENT.

The autobiography of Dr Franklin narrates his life
till 1757, when he was in his 51st year. This is
contained in the following volume, together with a
continuation, by another hand, of the history of his
remarkable career till his death.

It is a singular fact, that the original autobiography
of Franklin has been but comparatively little circu-
lated, though numerous professed editions of his life,
as written by himself, have been widely published.
He commenced his autobiography while on a visit to
the Bishop of St. Asaph's, in 1772, and added to it
from time to time while in England; as his leisure
would permit. After he had taken up his residence
at the Court of Versailles, as Minister Plenipotentiary
from the United States, he continued his narration
to a still later period in his life. The favor with
which he was regarded by the higher circles in
France, led to the publication there of a translation
of his autobiography. This has been re-translated
in English, and widely circulated in England and the
United States as the original work. The translation

PUBLISHER'S ADVERTISEMENT.

failed to preserve the freshness and charming ease
which characterized the narrative as it originally
flowed from the author's pen, and the publishers of
the present edition believe that they are rendering
an acceptable service to the reading public, by offer
ing them this, the original autobiography.

It is believed that the value of the work has been
much enhanced, by appending a selection of some of
the best of Franklin's inimitable essays.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE FAMILY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - His Birth and early Boyhood
Character of his Father-Epitaph on his Parents

-

His

early fondness for reading-Apprenticed to his Brother to
learn the Printer's Trade- Efforts for intellectual improve-
ment - Practices writing Ballads and Composition - Intimacy
with Collins-Adopts a vegetable Diet — Disputations — Pub-
lishes a Newspaper - Disagrees with his Brother-Leaves
Boston and starts for New York,

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PAGE

CHAPTER II.

Franklin goes to Philadelphia - Incidents on the way- His first
appearance there-Seeks for Employment-Commences work
at his Trade-Acquaintances formed - Interview with Sir
William Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania, who proposes to set
him up in Business - Returns to Boston to consult his Father
respecting the plan- His Father disapproves of it and he
returns to Philadelphia - Meets his friend Collins
- His asso-
ciates-Governor Keith advises him to visit England,

30

CHAPTER III.

-

Eails for London - Finds that he has been deceived by Keith —
His destitution - Finds work as a Printer at Palmer's, in Bar-
tholomew Close-Writes and Prints a Metaphysical Tract -
His companions in London - Removes to Watts' Printing
House, near Lincoln's Inn Fields - His Expenses of living-
Habits of his Fellow Workmen - Enters into Mercantile
Business His feats of swimming procure him an interview
with Sir William Windham,

51

CHAPTER IV.

Returns to America- His mercantile plans defeated by the death
of his partner-Returns again to Printing-His description
of the Workmen in the Printing House - Determines to com-
mence business on his own account - He gives his views
upon the subject of Religion-Account of his London Pam-
phlet Forms a Partnership with Hugh Meredith in the
Printing Business,

PAGE

63

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CHAPTER V.

The Junto Club-Its original Members-Franklin's great indus-
try-He writes the "Busy Body"- Establishes a Newspaper
- Partnership with Meredith dissolved - Writes a Tract on
the Necessity of a Paper Currency - Its reception - He opens
a Stationer's Shop - Prosperity of his Business - His Court-
ship and Marriage — His first project of a public nature,

73

CHAPTER VI.

Result of this project — Foundation of the Philadelphia Library—
Mode of obtaining subscriptions-Success-The Silver Spoon
and China Bowl-Remarks on Preaching-Religious and
Moral Sentiments- His method for self examination and dis-
cipline - Division of time and occupation of each hour-Anec-
dote-Proposes a Treatise on the Art of Virtue,

- 86

CHAPTER VII.

Plan for raising a "United Party for Virtue "- The intended creed
for this party- Poor Richard's Almanac - Rules for conduct-
ing a Newspaper-Engages in a controversy in behalf of
Hemphill, a Preacher — Studies the French, Italian, and Span-
ish Languages-Visits Boston - Death of one of his sons
Widening influence of the Junto - Chosen Clerk of the Gen-
eral Assembly-Appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia ·
Suggests Improvements in the City Watch- Establishes a
Fire Company,

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CHAPTER VIII.

Mr. Whitefield arrives in Philadelphia-Effect of his Preaching-
Franklin's intimacy with him- Building erected for Preachers
of all Denominations - Partnerships in the Printing Business
-Proposes and establishes a Philosophical Society - Writes
the pamphlet entitled "Plain Truth"- Forms an Association
for the purpose of providing means of Defense in the Spanish
War-The Quakers-William Penn - The Dunkers-Reli-
gious creeds-New invented Fireplace,

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PAGE

. 116

CHAPTER IX.

Writes and publishes the pamphlet entitled, “Proposals relating to
the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania ❞— Subscriptions for
this object-An Academy established — Franklin is appointed
one of the Trustees - Electrical Experiments - Chosen a
member of the Assembly-Appointed a Commissioner for
making a Treaty with the Indians - Pennsylvania Hospital -
Advice to Gilbert Tennent-Appointed Postmaster General
for America Receives the Degree of Master of Arts from
Harvard and Yale Colleges,

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. 131

CHAPTER X.

Appointed Delegate by Pennsylvania, to attend at Albany a Gen-
eral Congress of Commissioners from the different Colonies-
Plan for the Union of the Colonies -Visits Boston- Quarrels
between the Province and Proprietaries— Conversations with
Governor Morris upon this subject-Visits General Braddock's
army in Maryland-His efforts in facilitating the march of the
army and obtaining supplies for the officers - Character of
Braddock-Account of his Defeat - Franklin's services poorly
rewarded,

.145

CHAPTER XI.

Appointed one of the Commissioners for appropriating the public
Money for Military Defense-Draws up a Militia Bill which
passes the Assembly- Commissioned to take charge of the