FRANKLIN BE ENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Boston, Mass., in 1706. In his eighth year he was sent to school, but taken from it two years later in order to assist his father in the business of tallow-chandler and soap-boiler. In his twelfth year he was apprenticed to his elder brother James, who had returned from England with a printing-press and font of type, and who in 1720–21 started a newspaper called "The New England Courant." For this paper a number of articles were written by Benjamin, who had acquired a good style by making himself thoroughly familiar with the "Pilgrim's Progress," with Locke "On the Understanding?? and with some odd volumes of the "Spectator." The relations of the brothers having become inharmonious, Benjamin determined to leave New England, and in 1723 found his way to the city of Philadelphia. Here he was fortunate enough to get employment with a Jew printer named Keimer, and soon found opportunities of securing the goodwill of conspicuous citizens, including Sir William Keith, the governor of the province. Sir William offered to give him the means of going to England and purchasing the material needed for a printing-office, and Franklin, relying on the promise, went to London, only to discover that he had been the dupe of the provincial governor, and must toil for his daily bread. He worked as a printer in London until 1726, when he returned to Philadelphia, and went back to his old employer Keimer. Subsequently he managed to establish a printing business for himself, and in 1729 he bought the "Pennsylvania Gazette," and eventually placed it at the head of American journals. In 1731 he established the first circulating library on the Continent, and in the following year began the publication of the "Poor Richard's Almanacs," which were continued for a quarter of a century. It was at this period of his life that Franklin by private study acquired considerable familiarity with the Latin, French, Italian and Spanish languages. In 1736 he was chosen a clerk of the General Assembly, and was reëlected in the following year. He was then elected a member of the Assembly, and held that post for ten successive years. In 1737 he was appointed Deputy Postmaster of the colonies under the Crown. About this time he organized the first police force and fire company in the colony, and a few years later initiated the movements which led to the paving of the streets, to the creation of a hospital, to the organization of a military force and to the foundation of the University of Pennsylvania and of the American Philosophical Society. It was while he was engaged in these miscellaneous † 1—Vol. VI.—Orations (1) |