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CONTRIBUTIONS TO HEROGRAPHY.

to perceive the advantage of a good education, and that it cannot be obtained without patient application. On a reconsideration of his resolution to give Benjamin a liberal education, his father concluded that the incident expenses would be beyond his limited means. Accordingly he changed his mind, and with the intention of preparing him for business-life, transfered him to a school for writing and arithmetic. Doubtless master Franklin must have been much disappointed with this change in the plan of his life. Perhaps he was as much chagrined at the prospect of a. necessary renunciation of his collegiate course, as the writer well remembers that he once was; but the sequel of this history proves that college instruction is not indispensable; that without its discipline a man. may arise to the highest eminence and usefulness, by a resolute and persevering effort to do for himself what he is unable to procure tutors to do for him. Let no young man painfully regret that narrow circumstances prevent him from completing an academic course of study in the university. His inability so to do calls on him only for increased effort, for labor which he might, if blessed with every educational advantage, be tempted to forego. He might indulge himself in a ruinous mental sloth, an enervating indolence, which has been a self-inflicted curse and injury to many better men. Not that I would at all disparage the collegiate course of study, which is admirably calculated to afford almost inestimable assistance to a man in his efforts to educate himself: my recommendation to every young man is, by all means to avail himself of this aid, if able in any manner so to do, and to make great effort and many sacrifices in order to accomplish this truly desirable object; but if, after all his exertions, it is still beyond his reach, let him not despair but resolve heartily that he will be a man and

a well educated man, and Franklin's example shall be to him a model and an inspiring hope.

In the new school to which we have seen him removed, Benjamin learned sufficient of the chirographic, indispensable as a useful, frivolous as an ornamental art. In arithmetic his failure was complete-another instance of great intellect almost destitute of the faculty by the phrenologists called number. At the age of ten years, he was taken from school to assist his father in his business-that of a tallow-chandler and soap.boiler; a respectable but somewhat unpleasant occupation, with which we cannot wonder he soon became dissatisfied, and like many unexperienced boys wished ardently to try the sea. Strange fascination has a sailor's life for the young! Its activity, danger and excitement, are ever grateful as narrated by the old ocean-loving tar, or in the pages of those numerous nautical tales which abound in every popular library. The darker side of the picture, the unintermitting, exhausting labor, the innu. merable fearful perils, the fearful and severe suffering from hunger, thirst and cold, are forgotten or unthought of; and the boy, if unrestrained by a superior power, heedlessly rushes to the ship, bidding his home and native land farewell too often, alas! he bids a simultaneous and final adieu to all rational hope of future intellectual and moral advancement, and to all prospect of domestic or true social enjoyment. Wisely did old Franklin veto his son's mad project, and retain him in his own employ for the space of two years: wearisome years, perhaps they were, but not without their invaluable lessons of patience and submission. To obey legitimate authority, however severe its requirements, and to endure our inevitable fortune with equanimity, however disagreeable to our desires, are very necessary but very seldom well-learned lessons.

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In the year 1717, his brother James returned from England with a printing press and other articles, preparatory to establishing himself in the publishing business at Boston. After considerable reluctance on his part, Benjamin was bound to his brother as an apprentice. The custom of indenturing has become less common in this country than it formerly was: boys are very disinclined to anything like regular business, and fathers are foolishly indulgent. No better thing can be done for a son than to apprentice him, for a proper length of time, to some good mechanie; and no father should hesitate so tond his boys, having first made a careful selection of the man to whom he thus intrusts so much. While with his brother, young Franklin filled up his leisure time by reading attentively such books as were accessible. He thus acquired an immense store of valuable information, and formed the habit worth more than any other to a young man. No man reads much and studiously, without becoming great. It is as impossible as that he should daily and judiciously train his muscles without becoming strong. Let every youth read, read, read, carefully-and his manhood will not fail to exhibit the harvest of golden thought. During his apprenticeship, Franklin published two little poems, which, though he afterwards became sadly ashamed of them, as men are quite likely to be of their juvenile productions, may be regarded as the first of his literary works. In 1720 his brother commenced the publication of a newspaper, for which the little typo wrote certain articles. Fearing these would not be published if their origin was known, he privately slipped them under the office door, where being found, they were readily printed, and the young author had the exquisite pleasure of hearing them universally praised. Becoming more and more displeased with his situation, he eloped and

went to New York-a bold step for a boy of fourteen, alone, without friends or money; giving indications of, and in its consequences contributing to strengthen, a disposition free, independent and fearless. Not finding employment in New York, instead of repenting and returning as most of his timorous age would have done, he bravely pushed on to Philadelphia, where at the end of his journey, he found himself a perfect stranger, young and inexperienced. But he was economical and industrious, and he soon found work, and by his habits of perseverance and order rapidly gained friends. No man, in any condition, should despair, says this part of Franklin's life. Let him look about him, and what his hands find to do, do it with his might. Being advised by some to commence business as a master he decided to return and consult his father on the subject. How different in this was his from the conduct of most young men! Instead of rashly presuming himself equal to any task, because it was of desirable accomplishment, he modestly and prudently distrusts his own judgment and appeals to an older and a wiser man. A young person should hardly decide on any important step, before the age of twenty-one years, without the concurrence of parental opinion. Such a deference to our natural guardians is becoming, and will save from innumerable imprudences that would not cease to be deplored long after they had become irremediable. Old Mr. Franklin dissuaded his son from this project, and it was for the time laid aside. But the temptation was too strong to be entirely subdued, and a short time after, in accordance with the advice and with the promised assistance of Governor Keith, who proposed to advance the requisite funds, he sailed for England to procure his press and other indispensables. What was his disappointment, on arriving at Lon

don, to find that his letters of credit were entirely worthless; that he had been deceived and was three thousand miles from home, in a foreign country and destitute of money! Surprising and discouraging as was the reve lation, he lost no time in anger or despondency, but, like a man as he was, ever ready for any emergency, he immediately took the only course that opened before him, and seeking found employment in his customary avocation. About eighteen months' diligent labor enabled him to return again to Philadelphia, not indeed with his printing apparatus as expected, but with his brave heart, which had nobly conquered by patiently enduring a most trying misfortune.

Soon after his return he established the famous "Junto," a literary club composed of himself and eleven of his most intimate friends, who met weekly for the discussion of miscellaneous questions. This may be regarded as the parent of debating societies in this country, which have since become so common and productive doubtless of great good. It is too generally the case that men feel, when they leave school and enter upon the more active business of life, that their education is ended, and give up all care for a future cultivation of their minds. No notion is more foolish or fraught with worse consequences. All life is our school. Each day should have its lesson. And to aid us in learning this, nothing can afford us greater assistance than scientific and literary associations. Every man should be a member, and an active member, of at least one such. Its beneficial influence on his character will soon become apparent. Not long after the Junto, Franklin instituted a public library, which had been previously wanted in Philadelphia. It is to be regretted that such libraries are not more common and better sustained where they do exist. Few men, compared with the number who ought