第4章

Inyouth，therefore，theturnisgiven；inyouththeeducationevenofthenextgenerationisgiven；inyouththeprivateandpubliccharacterisdetermined；andthetermoflifeextendingbutfromyouthtoage，lifeoughttobeginwellfromyouth，andmoreespeciallybeforewetakeourpartyastoourprincipalobjects。Butyourbiographywillnotmerelyteachself—education，buttheeducationofawiseman；andthewisestmanwillreceivelightsandimprovehisprogress，byseeingdetailedtheconductofanotherwiseman。

Andwhyareweakermentobedeprivedofsuchhelps，whenweseeourracehasbeenblunderingoninthedark，almostwithoutaguideinthisparticular，fromthefarthesttraceoftime？Showthen，sir，howmuchistobedone，bothtosonsandfathers；andinviteallwisementobecomelikeyourself，andothermentobecomewise。

Whenweseehowcruelstatesmenandwarriorscanbetothehumanrace，andhowabsurddistinguishedmencanbetotheiracquaintance，itwillbeinstructivetoobservetheinstancesmultiplyofpacific，acquiescingmanners；andtofindhowcompatibleitistobegreatanddomestic，enviableandyetgood—humored。

"Thelittleprivateincidentswhichyouwillalsohavetorelate，willhaveconsiderableuse，aswewant，aboveallthings，rulesofprudenceinordinaryaffairs；anditwillbecurioustoseehowyouhaveactedinthese。Itwillbesofarasortofkeytolife，andexplainmanythingsthatallmenoughttohaveonceexplainedtothem，togive，themachanceofbecomingwisebyforesight。

Thenearestthingtohavingexperienceofone’sown，istohaveotherpeople’saffairsbroughtbeforeusinashapethatisinteresting；

thisissuretohappenfromyourpen；ouraffairsandmanagementwillhaveanairofsimplicityorimportancethatwillnotfailtostrike；

andIamconvincedyouhaveconductedthemwithasmuchoriginalityasifyouhadbeenconductingdiscussionsinpoliticsorphilosophy；

andwhatmoreworthyofexperimentsandsystem（itsimportanceanditserrorsconsidered）thanhumanlife？

"Somemenhavebeenvirtuousblindly，othershavespeculatedfantastically，andothershavebeenshrewdtobadpurposes；

butyou，sir，Iamsure，willgiveunderyourhand，nothingbutwhatisatthesamemoment，wise，practicalandgood，youraccountofyourself（forIsupposetheparallelIamdrawingforDr。Franklin，willholdnotonlyinpointofcharacter，butofprivatehistory）

willshowthatyouareashamedofnoorigin；athingthemoreimportant，asyouprovehowlittlenecessaryalloriginistohappiness，virtue，orgreatness。Asnoendlikewisehappenswithoutameans，soweshallfind，sir，thatevenyouyourselfframedaplanbywhichyoubecameconsiderable；butatthesametimewemayseethatthoughtheeventisflattering，themeansareassimpleaswisdomcouldmakethem；thatis，dependinguponnature，virtue，thoughtandhabit。Anotherthingdemonstratedwillbetheproprietyofeveryman’swaitingforhistimeforappearinguponthestageoftheworld。

Oursensationsbeingverymuchfixedtothemoment，weareapttoforgetthatmoremomentsaretofollowthefirst，andconsequentlythatmanshouldarrangehisconductsoastosuitthewholeofalife。

Yourattributionappearstohavebeenappliedtoyourlife，andthepassingmomentsofithavebeenenlivenedwithcontentandenjoymentinsteadofbeingtormentedwithfoolishimpatienceorregrets。

Suchaconductiseasyforthosewhomakevirtueandthemselvesincountenancebyexamplesofothertrulygreatmen，ofwhompatienceissooftenthecharacteristic。YourQuakercorrespondent，sir（forhereagainIwillsupposethesubjectofmyletterresemblingDr。Franklin），praisedyourfrugality，diligenceandtemperance，whichheconsideredasapatternforallyouth；butitissingularthatheshouldhaveforgottenyourmodestyandyourdisinterestedness，withoutwhichyounevercouldhavewaitedforyouradvancement，orfoundyoursituationinthemeantimecomfortable；whichisastronglessontoshowthepovertyofgloryandtheimportanceofregulatingourminds。IfthiscorrespondenthadknownthenatureofyourreputationaswellasIdo，hewouldhavesaid，YourformerwritingsandmeasureswouldsecureattentiontoyourBiography，andArtofVirtue；andyourBiographyandArtofVirtue，inreturn，wouldsecureattentiontothem。Thisisanadvantageattendantuponavariouscharacter，andwhichbringsallthatbelongstoitintogreaterplay；anditisthemoreuseful，asperhapsmorepersonsareatalossforthemeansofimprovingtheirmindsandcharacters，thantheyareforthetimeortheinclinationtodoit。Butthereisoneconcludingreflection，sir，thatwillshewtheuseofyourlifeasamerepieceofbiography。Thisstyleofwritingseemsalittlegoneoutofvogue，andyetitisaveryusefulone；andyourspecimenofitmaybeparticularlyserviceable，asitwillmakeasubjectofcomparisonwiththelivesofvariouspubliccutthroatsandintriguers，andwithabsurdmonasticself—tormentorsorvainliterarytriflers。

Ifitencouragesmorewritingsofthesamekindwithyourown，andinducesmorementospendlivesfittobewritten，itwillbeworthallPlutarch’sLivesputtogether。Butbeingtiredoffiguringtomyselfacharacterofwhicheveryfeaturesuitsonlyonemanintheworld，withoutgivinghimthepraiseofit，Ishallendmyletter，mydearDr。Franklin，withapersonalapplicationtoyourproperself。

Iamearnestlydesirous，then，mydearsir，thatyoushouldlettheworldintothetraitsofyourgenuinecharacter，ascivilbroilsnayotherwisetendtodisguiseortraduceit。Consideringyourgreatage，thecautionofyourcharacter，andyourpeculiarstyleofthinking，itisnotlikelythatanyonebesidesyourselfcanbesufficientlymasterofthefactsofyourlife，ortheintentionsofyourmind。

Besidesallthis，theimmenserevolutionofthepresentperiod，willnecessarilyturnourattentiontowardstheauthorofit，andwhenvirtuousprincipleshavebeenpretendedinit，itwillbehighlyimportanttoshewthatsuchhavereallyinfluenced；and，asyourowncharacterwillbetheprincipalonetoreceiveascrutiny，itisproper（evenforitseffectsuponyourvastandrisingcountry，aswellasuponEnglandanduponEurope）thatitshouldstandrespectableandeternal。Forthefurtheranceofhumanhappiness，Ihavealwaysmaintainedthatitisnecessarytoprovethatmanisnotevenatpresentaviciousanddetestableanimal；

andstillmoretoprovethatgoodmanagementmaygreatlyamendhim；

anditisformuchthesamereason，thatIamanxioustoseetheopinionestablished，thattherearefaircharactersexistingamongtheindividualsoftherace；forthemomentthatallmen，withoutexception，shallbeconceivedabandoned，goodpeoplewillceaseeffortsdeemedtobehopeless，andperhapsthinkoftakingtheirshareinthescrambleoflife，oratleastofmakingitcomfortableprincipallyforthemselves。Takethen，mydearsir，thisworkmostspeedilyintohand：shewyourselfgoodasyouaregood；

temperateasyouaretemperate；andaboveallthings，proveyourselfasone，whofromyourinfancyhavelovedjustice，libertyandconcord，inawaythathasmadeitnaturalandconsistentforyoutohaveacted，aswehaveseenyouactinthelastseventeenyearsofyourlife。

LetEnglishmenbemadenotonlytorespect，buteventoloveyou。

Whentheythinkwellofindividualsinyournativecountry，theywillgonearertothinkingwellofyourcountry；andwhenyourcountrymenseethemselveswellthoughtofbyEnglishmen，theywillgonearertothinkingwellofEngland。Extendyourviewsevenfurther；

donotstopatthosewhospeaktheEnglishtongue，butafterhavingsettledsomanypointsinnatureandpolitics，thinkofbetteringthewholeraceofmen。AsIhavenotreadanypartofthelifeinquestion，butknowonlythecharacterthatlivedit，Iwritesomewhatathazard。Iamsure，however，thatthelifeandthetreatiseIalludeto（ontheArtofVirtue）willnecessarilyfulfilthechiefofmyexpectations；andstillmoresoifyoutakeupthemeasureofsuitingtheseperformancestotheseveralviewsabovestated。

Shouldtheyevenproveunsuccessfulinallthatasanguineadmirerofyourshopesfromthem，youwillatleasthaveframedpiecestointerestthehumanmind；andwhoevergivesafeelingofpleasurethatisinnocenttoman，hasaddedsomuchtothefairsideofalifeotherwisetoomuchdarkenedbyanxietyandtoomuchinjuredbypain。

Inthehope，therefore，thatyouwilllistentotheprayeraddressedtoyouinthisletter，Ibegtosubscribemyself，mydearestsir，etc。，etc。，"Signed，BENJ。VAUGHAN。"

ContinuationoftheAccountofmyLife，begunatPassy，nearParis，1784。

ItissometimesinceIreceiv’dtheaboveletters，butIhavebeentoobusytillnowtothinkofcomplyingwiththerequesttheycontain。

Itmight，too，bemuchbetterdoneifIwereathomeamongmypapers，whichwouldaidmymemory，andhelptoascertaindates；butmyreturnbeinguncertainandhavingjustnowalittleleisure，IwillendeavortorecollectandwritewhatIcan；ifIlivetogethome，itmaytherebecorrectedandimprov’d。

Nothavinganycopyhereofwhatisalreadywritten，IknownotwhetheranaccountisgivenofthemeansIusedtoestablishthePhiladelphiapubliclibrary，which，fromasmallbeginning，isnowbecomesoconsiderable，thoughIremembertohavecomedowntonearthetimeofthattransaction（1730）。Iwillthereforebeginherewithanaccountofit，whichmaybestruckoutiffoundtohavebeenalreadygiven。

AtthetimeIestablish’dmyselfinPennsylvania，therewasnotagoodbookseller’sshopinanyofthecoloniestothesouthwardofBoston。

InNewYorkandPhilad’atheprinterswereindeedstationers；theysoldonlypaper，etc。，almanacs，ballads，andafewcommonschool—books。Thosewholov’dreadingwereoblig’dtosendfortheirbooksfromEngland；

themembersoftheJuntohadeachafew。Wehadleftthealehouse，wherewefirstmet，andhiredaroomtoholdourclubin。

Ipropos’dthatweshouldallofusbringourbookstothatroom，wheretheywouldnotonlybereadytoconsultinourconferences，butbecomeacommonbenefit，eachofusbeingatlibertytoborrowsuchashewish’dtoreadathome。Thiswasaccordinglydone，andforsometimecontentedus。

Findingtheadvantageofthislittlecollection，Ipropos’dtorenderthebenefitfrombooksmorecommon，bycommencingapublicsubscriptionlibrary。Idrewasketchoftheplanandrulesthatwouldbenecessary，andgotaskilfulconveyancer，Mr。CharlesBrockden，toputthewholeinformofarticlesofagreementtobesubscribed，bywhicheachsubscriberengag’dtopayacertainsumdownforthefirstpurchaseofbooks，andanannualcontributionforincreasingthem。

SofewwerethereadersatthattimeinPhiladelphia，andthemajorityofussopoor，thatIwasnotable，withgreatindustry，tofindmorethanfiftypersons，mostlyyoungtradesmen，willingtopaydownforthispurposefortyshillingseach，andtenshillingsperannum。

Onthislittlefundwebegan。Thebookswereimported；thelibrarywagopenedonedayintheweekforlendingtothesubscribers，ontheirpromissorynotestopaydoublethevalueifnotdulyreturned。

Theinstitutionsoonmanifesteditsutility，wasimitatedbyothertowns，andinotherprovinces。Thelibrarieswereaugmentedbydonations；readingbecamefashionable；andourpeople，havingnopublickamusementstodiverttheirattentionfromstudy，becamebetteracquaintedwithbooks，andinafewyearswereobserv’dbystrangerstobebetterinstructedandmoreintelligentthanpeopleofthesamerankgenerallyareinothercountries。

Whenwewereabouttosigntheabove—mentionedarticles，whichweretobebindinguponus，ourheirs，etc。，forfiftyyears，Mr。Brockden，thescrivener，saidtous，"Youareyoungmen，butitisscarcelyprobablethatanyofyouwilllivetoseetheexpirationofthetermfix’dintheinstrument。"Anumberofus，however，areyetliving；

buttheinstrumentwasafterafewyearsrenderednullbyacharterthatincorporatedandgaveperpetuitytothecompany。

TheobjectionsandreluctancesImetwithinsolicitingthesubscriptions，mademesoonfeeltheimproprietyofpresentingone’sselfastheproposerofanyusefulproject，thatmightbesuppos’dtoraiseone’sreputationinthesmallestdegreeabovethatofone’sneighbors，whenonehasneedoftheirassistancetoaccomplishthatproject。

IthereforeputmyselfasmuchasIcouldoutofsight，andstateditasaschemeofanumberoffriends，whohadrequestedmetogoaboutandproposeittosuchastheythoughtloversofreading。

Inthiswaymyaffairwentonmoresmoothly，andIeverafterpractis’ditonsuchoccasions；and，frommyfrequentsuccesses，canheartilyrecommendit。Thepresentlittlesacrificeofyourvanitywillafterwardsbeamplyrepaid。Ifitremainsawhileuncertaintowhomthemeritbelongs，someonemorevainthanyourselfwillbeencouragedtoclaimit，andthenevenenvywillbedisposedtodoyoujusticebypluckingthoseassumedfeathers，andrestoringthemtotheirrightowner。

Thislibraryaffordedmethemeansofimprovementbyconstantstudy，forwhichIsetapartanhourortwoeachday，andthusrepair’dinsomedegreethelossofthelearnededucationmyfatheronceintendedforme。ReadingwastheonlyamusementIallow’dmyself。

Ispentnotimeintaverns，games，orfrolicksofanykind；

andmyindustryinmybusinesscontinu’dasindefatigableasitwasnecessary。Iwasindebtedformyprinting—house；

Ihadayoungfamilycomingontobeeducated，andIhadtocontendwithforbusinesstwoprinters，whowereestablishedintheplacebeforeme。Mycircumstances，however，grewdailyeasier。

Myoriginalhabitsoffrugalitycontinuing，andmyfatherhaving，amonghisinstructionstomewhenaboy，frequentlyrepeatedaproverbofSolomon，"Seestthouamandiligentinhiscalling，heshallstandbeforekings，heshallnotstandbeforemeanmen，"Ifromthenceconsideredindustryasameansofobtainingwealthanddistinction，whichencourag’dme，tho’IdidnotthinkthatIshouldeverliterallystandbeforekings，which，however，hassincehappened；

forIhavestoodbeforefive，andevenhadthehonorofsittingdownwithone，theKingofDenmark，todinner。

WehaveanEnglishproverbthatsays，"Hethatwouldthrive，mustaskhiswife。"ItwasluckyformethatIhadoneasmuchdispos’dtoindustryandfrugalityasmyself。Sheassistedmecheerfullyinmybusiness，foldingandstitchingpamphlets，tendingshop，purchasingoldlinenragsforthepapermakers，etc。，etc。Wekeptnoidleservants，ourtablewasplainandsimple，ourfurnitureofthecheapest。Forinstance，mybreakfastwasalongtimebreadandmilk（notea），andIateitoutofatwopennyearthenporringer，withapewterspoon。Butmarkhowluxurywillenterfamilies，andmakeaprogress，inspiteofprinciple：beingcall’donemorningtobreakfast，IfounditinaChinabowl，withaspoonofsilver！

Theyhadbeenboughtformewithoutmyknowledgebymywife，andhadcosthertheenormoussumofthree—and—twentyshillings，forwhichshehadnootherexcuseorapologytomake，butthatshethoughtherhusbanddeserv’dasilverspoonandChinabowlaswellasanyofhisneighbors。ThiswasthefirstappearanceofplateandChinainourhouse，whichafterward，inacourseofyears，asourwealthincreas’d，augmentedgraduallytoseveralhundredpoundsinvalue。

IhadbeenreligiouslyeducatedasaPresbyterian；andtho’

someofthedogmasofthatpersuasion，suchastheeternaldecreesofGod，election，reprobation，etc。，appearedtomeunintelligible，othersdoubtful，andIearlyabsentedmyselffromthepublicassembliesofthesect，Sundaybeingmystudyingday，Ineverwaswithoutsomereligiousprinciples。Ineverdoubted，forinstance，theexistenceoftheDeity；thathemadetheworld，andgovern’ditbyhisProvidence；thatthemostacceptableserviceofGodwasthedoinggoodtoman；thatoursoulsareimmortal；andthatallcrimewillbepunished，andvirtuerewarded，eitherhereorhereafter。

TheseIesteem’dtheessentialsofeveryreligion；and，beingtobefoundinallthereligionswehadinourcountry，Irespectedthemall，tho’withdifferentdegreesofrespect，asIfoundthemmoreorlessmix’dwithotherarticles，which，withoutanytendencytoinspire，promote，orconfirmmorality，serv’dprincipallytodivideus，andmakeusunfriendlytooneanother。Thisrespecttoall，withanopinionthattheworsthadsomegoodeffects，induc’dmetoavoidalldiscoursethatmighttendtolessenthegoodopinionanothermighthaveofhisownreligion；andasourprovinceincreas’dinpeople，andnewplacesofworshipwerecontinuallywanted，andgenerallyerectedbyvoluntarycontributions，mymiteforsuchpurpose，whatevermightbethesect，wasneverrefused。

Tho’Iseldomattendedanypublicworship，Ihadstillanopinionofitspropriety，andofitsutilitywhenrightlyconducted，andIregularlypaidmyannualsubscriptionforthesupportoftheonlyPresbyterianministerormeetingwehadinPhiladelphia。

Heus’dtovisitmesometimesasafriend，andadmonishmetoattendhisadministrations，andIwasnowandthenprevail’dontodoso，onceforfiveSundayssuccessively。Hadhebeeninmyopinionagoodpreacher，perhapsImighthavecontinued，notwithstandingtheoccasionIhadfortheSunday’sleisureinmycourseofstudy；buthisdiscourseswerechieflyeitherpolemicarguments，orexplicationsofthepeculiardoctrinesofoursect，andwerealltomeverydry，uninteresting，andunedifying，sincenotasinglemoralprinciplewasinculcatedorenforc’d，theiraimseemingtoberathertomakeusPresbyteriansthangoodcitizens。

AtlengthhetookforhistextthatverseofthefourthchapterofPhilippians，"Finally，brethren，whatsoeverthingsaretrue，honest，just，pure，lovely，orofgoodreport，iftherebeanyvirtue，oranypraise，thinkonthesethings。"AndIimagin’d，inasermononsuchatext，wecouldnotmissofhavingsomemorality。

Butheconfin’dhimselftofivepointsonly，asmeantbytheapostle，viz。：1。KeepingholytheSabbathday。2。BeingdiligentinreadingtheholyScriptures。3。Attendingdulythepublickworship。

4。PartakingoftheSacrament。5。PayingaduerespecttoGod’sministers。Thesemightbeallgoodthings；but，astheywerenotthekindofgoodthingsthatIexpectedfromthattext，Idespairedofevermeetingwiththemfromanyother，wasdisgusted，andattendedhispreachingnomore。Ihadsomeyearsbeforecompos’dalittleLiturgy，orformofprayer，formyownprivateuse（viz。，in1728），entitled，ArticlesofBeliefandActsofReligion。

Ireturn’dtotheuseofthis，andwentnomoretothepublicassemblies。

Myconductmightbeblameable，butIleaveit，withoutattemptingfurthertoexcuseit；mypresentpurposebeingtorelatefacts，andnottomakeapologiesforthem。

ItwasaboutthistimeIconceiv’dtheboldandarduousprojectofarrivingatmoralperfection。Iwish’dtolivewithoutcommittinganyfaultatanytime；Iwouldconquerallthateithernaturalinclination，custom，orcompanymightleadmeinto。AsIknew，orthoughtIknew，whatwasrightandwrong，IdidnotseewhyI

mightnotalwaysdotheoneandavoidtheother。ButIsoonfoundIhadundertakenataskofmoredifficultythanIbadimagined。

Whilemycarewasemploy’dinguardingagainstonefault，Iwasoftensurprisedbyanother；habittooktheadvantageofinattention；

inclinationwassometimestoostrongforreason。Iconcluded，atlength，thatthemerespeculativeconvictionthatitwasourinteresttobecompletelyvirtuous，wasnotsufficienttopreventourslipping；

andthatthecontraryhabitsmustbebroken，andgoodonesacquiredandestablished，beforewecanhaveanydependenceonasteady，uniformrectitudeofconduct。ForthispurposeIthereforecontrivedthefollowingmethod。

InthevariousenumerationsofthemoralvirtuesIhadmetwithinmyreading，Ifoundthecataloguemoreorlessnumerous，asdifferentwritersincludedmoreorfewerideasunderthesamename。

Temperance，forexample，wasbysomeconfinedtoeatinganddrinking，whilebyothersitwasextendedtomeanthemoderatingeveryotherpleasure，appetite，inclination，orpassion，bodilyormental，eventoouravariceandambition。Ipropos’dtomyself，forthesakeofclearness，touserathermorenames，withfewerideasannex’dtoeach，thanafewnameswithmoreideas；andIincludedunderthirteennamesofvirtuesallthatatthattimeoccurr’dtomeasnecessaryordesirable，andannexedtoeachashortprecept，whichfullyexpress’dtheextentIgavetoitsmeaning。

Thesenamesofvirtues，withtheirprecepts，were：

1。TEMPERANCE。Eatnottodullness；drinknottoelevation。

2。SILENCE。Speaknotbutwhatmaybenefitothersoryourself；

avoidtriflingconversation。

3。ORDER。Letallyourthingshavetheirplaces；leteachpartofyourbusinesshaveitstime。

4。RESOLUTION。Resolvetoperformwhatyouought；performwithoutfailwhatyouresolve。

5。FRUGALITY。Makenoexpensebuttodogoodtoothersoryourself；

i。e。，wastenothing。

6。INDUSTRY。Losenotime；bealwaysemploy’dinsomethinguseful；

cutoffallunnecessaryactions。

7。SINCERITY。Usenohurtfuldeceit；thinkinnocentlyandjustly，and，ifyouspeak，speakaccordingly。

8。JUSTICE。Wrongnonebydoinginjuries，oromittingthebenefitsthatareyourduty。

9。MODERATION。Avoidextreams；forbearresentinginjuriessomuchasyouthinktheydeserve。

10。CLEANLINESS。Toleratenouncleanlinessinbody，cloaths，orhabitation。

11。TRANQUILLITY。Benotdisturbedattrifles，orataccidentscommonorunavoidable。

12。CHASTITY。Rarelyusevenerybutforhealthoroffspring，nevertodulness，weakness，ortheinjuryofyourownoranother’speaceorreputation。

13。HUMILITY。ImitateJesusandSocrates。

Myintentionbeingtoacquirethehabitudeofallthesevirtues，Ijudg’ditwouldbewellnottodistractmyattentionbyattemptingthewholeatonce，buttofixitononeofthematatime；and，whenI

shouldbemasterofthat，thentoproceedtoanother，andsoon，tillIshouldhavegonethro’thethirteen；and，asthepreviousacquisitionofsomemightfacilitatetheacquisitionofcertainothers，Iarrang’dthemwiththatview，astheystandabove。Temperancefirst，asittendstoprocurethatcoolnessandclearnessofhead，whichissonecessarywhereconstantvigilancewastobekeptup，andguardmaintainedagainsttheunremittingattractionofancienthabits，andtheforceofperpetualtemptations。Thisbeingacquir’dandestablish’d，Silencewouldbemoreeasy；andmydesirebeingtogainknowledgeatthesametimethatIimprov’dinvirtue，andconsideringthatinconversationitwasobtain’dratherbytheuseoftheearsthanofthetongue，andthereforewishingtobreakahabitIwasgettingintoofprattling，punning，andjoking，whichonlymademeacceptabletotriflingcompany，IgaveSilencethesecondplace。Thisandthenext，Order，Iexpectedwouldallowmemoretimeforattendingtomyprojectandmystudies。

Resolution，oncebecomehabitual，wouldkeepmefirminmyendeavorstoobtainallthesubsequentvirtues；FrugalityandIndustryfreeingmefrommyremainingdebt，andproducingaffluenceandindependence，wouldmakemoreeasythepracticeofSincerityandJustice，etc。，etc。

Conceivingthen，that，agreeablytotheadviceofPythagorasinhisGoldenVerses，dailyexaminationwouldbenecessary，Icontrivedthefollowingmethodforconductingthatexamination。

Imadealittlebook，inwhichIallottedapageforeachofthevirtues。

Irul’deachpagewithredink，soastohavesevencolumns，oneforeachdayoftheweek，markingeachcolumnwithaletterfortheday。Icross’dthesecolumnswiththirteenredlines，markingthebeginningofeachlinewiththefirstletterofoneofthevirtues，onwhichline，andinitspropercolumn，Imightmark，byalittleblackspot，everyfaultIfounduponexaminationtohavebeencommittedrespectingthatvirtueuponthatday。

Formofthepages。

|TEMPERANCE。|

|EATNOTTODULNESS；|

|DRINKNOTTOELEVATION。|

Ideterminedtogiveaweek’sstrictattentiontoeachofthevirtuessuccessively。Thus，inthefirstweek，mygreatguardwastoavoideverytheleastoffenceagainstTemperance，leavingtheothervirtuestotheirordinarychance，onlymarkingeveryeveningthefaultsoftheday。Thus，ifinthefirstweekIcouldkeepmyfirstline，markedT，clearofspots，Isuppos’dthehabitofthatvirtuesomuchstrengthen’danditsoppositeweaken’d，thatImightventureextendingmyattentiontoincludethenext，andforthefollowingweekkeepbothlinesclearofspots。

Proceedingthustothelast，Icouldgothro’acoursecompleatinthirteenweeks，andfourcoursesinayear。Andlikehimwho，havingagardentoweed，doesnotattempttoeradicateallthebadherbsatonce，whichwouldexceedhisreachandhisstrength，butworksononeofthebedsatatime，and，havingaccomplish’dthefirst，proceedstoasecond，soIshouldhave，Ihoped，theencouragingpleasureofseeingonmypagestheprogressImadeinvirtue，byclearingsuccessivelymylinesoftheirspots，tillintheend，byanumberofcourses，Ishouldhehappyinviewingacleanbook，afterathirteenweeks’dailyexamination。

ThismylittlebookhadforitsmottotheselinesfromAddison’sCato：

"HerewillIhold。Ifthere’sapoweraboveus（AndthatthereisallnaturecriesaloudThro’allherworks），Hemustdelightinvirtue；

Andthatwhichhedelightsinmustbehappy。"

AnotherfromCicero，"OvitaePhilosophiadux！Ovirtutumindagatrixexpultrixquevitiorum！Unusdies，beneetexpraeceptistuisactus，peccantiimmortalitatiestanteponendus。"

AnotherfromtheProverbsofSolomon，speakingofwisdomorvirtue：

"Lengthofdaysisinherrighthand，andinherlefthandrichesandhonour。Herwaysarewaysofpleasantness，andallherpathsarepeace。"iii。16，17。

AndconceivingGodtobethefountainofwisdom，Ithoughtitrightandnecessarytosolicithisassistanceforobtainingit；

tothisendIformedthefollowinglittleprayer，whichwasprefix’dtomytablesofexamination，fordailyuse。

"OpowerfulGoodness！bountifulFather！mercifulGuide！

increaseinmethatwisdomwhichdiscoversmytruestinterest。

strengthenmyresolutionstoperformwhatthatwisdomdictates。

Acceptmykindofficestothyotherchildrenastheonlyreturninmypowerforthycontinualfavorstome。"

IusedalsosometimesalittleprayerwhichItookfromThomson’sPoems，viz。：

"Fatheroflightandlife，thouGoodSupreme！

Oteachmewhatisgood；teachmeThyself！

Savemefromfolly，vanity，andvice，Fromeverylowpursuit；andfillmysoulWithknowledge，consciouspeace，andvirtuepure；

Sacred，substantial，never—fadingbliss！"

ThepreceptofOrderrequiringthateverypartofmybusinessshouldhaveitsallottedtime，onepageinmylittlebookcontain’dthefollowingschemeofemploymentforthetwenty—fourhoursofanaturalday：

THEMORNING。{5}Rise，wash，andaddress{}PowerfulGoodness！ContriveQuestion。Whatgoodshall{6}day’sbusiness，andtaketheIdothisday？{}resolutionoftheday；prose—

{7}cutethepresentstudy，and{}breakfast。

8}

9}Work。

10}

11}

NOON。{12}Read，oroverlookmyac—

{1}counts，anddine。

2}

3}Work。

4}

5}

EVENING。{6}Putthingsintheirplaces。

{7}Supper。Musicordiversion，Question。Whatgoodhave{8}orconversation。ExaminationIdoneto—day？{9}oftheday。

{10}

{11}

{12}

NIGHT。{1}Sleep。

{2}

{3}

{4}

Ienter’dupontheexecutionofthisplanforself—examination，andcontinu’ditwithoccasionalintermissionsforsometime。

Iwassurpris’dtofindmyselfsomuchfulleroffaultsthanI

hadimagined；butIhadthesatisfactionofseeingthemdiminish。

Toavoidthetroubleofrenewingnowandthenmylittlebook，which，byscrapingoutthemarksonthepaperofoldfaultstomakeroomfornewonesinanewcourse，becamefullofholes，Itransferr’dmytablesandpreceptstotheivoryleavesofamemorandumbook，onwhichthelinesweredrawnwithredink，thatmadeadurablestain，andonthoselinesImark’dmyfaultswithablack—leadpencil，whichmarksIcouldeasilywipeoutwithawetsponge。AfterawhileIwentthro’onecourseonlyinayear，andafterwardonlyoneinseveralyears，tillatlengthIomittedthementirely，beingemploy’dinvoyagesandbusinessabroad，withamultiplicityofaffairsthatinterfered；butIalwayscarriedmylittlebookwithme。

MyschemeofORDERgavemethemosttrouble；andIfoundthat，tho’

itmightbepracticablewhereaman’sbusinesswassuchastoleavehimthedispositionofhistime，thatofajourneymanprinter，forinstance，itwasnotpossibletobeexactlyobservedbyamaster，whomustmixwiththeworld，andoftenreceivepeopleofbusinessattheirownhours。Order，too，withregardtoplacesforthings，papers，etc。，Ifoundextreamlydifficulttoacquire。Ihadnotbeenearlyaccustomedtoit，and，havinganexceedinggoodmemory，Iwasnotsosensibleoftheinconvenienceattendingwantofmethod。

Thisarticle，therefore，costmesomuchpainfulattention，andmyfaultsinitvexedmesomuch，andImadesolittleprogressinamendment，andhadsuchfrequentrelapses，thatIwasalmostreadytogiveuptheattempt，andcontentmyselfwithafaultycharacterinthatrespect，likethemanwho，inbuyinganaxofasmith，myneighbour，desiredtohavethewholeofitssurfaceasbrightastheedge。

Thesmithconsentedtogrinditbrightforhimifhewouldturnthewheel；heturn’d，whilethesmithpress’dthebroadfaceoftheaxhardandheavilyonthestone，whichmadetheturningofitveryfatiguing。Themancameeverynowandthenfromthewheeltoseehowtheworkwenton，andatlengthwouldtakehisaxasitwas，withoutfarthergrinding。"No，"saidthesmith，"turnon，turnon；

weshallhaveitbrightby—and—by；asyet，itisonlyspeckled。"

"Yes，"saidtheman，"butIthinkIlikeaspeckledaxbest。"

AndIbelievethismayhavebeenthecasewithmany，who，having，forwantofsomesuchmeansasIemploy’d，foundthedifficultyofobtaininggoodandbreakingbadhabitsinotherpointsofviceandvirtue，havegivenupthestruggle，andconcludedthat"aspeckledaxwasbest"；forsomething，thatpretendedtobereason，waseverynowandthensuggestingtomethatsuchextreamnicetyasI

exactedofmyselfmightbeakindoffopperyinmorals，which，ifitwereknown，wouldmakemeridiculous；thataperfectcharactermightbeattendedwiththeinconvenienceofbeingenviedandhated；

andthatabenevolentmanshouldallowafewfaultsinhimself，tokeephisfriendsincountenance。

Intruth，IfoundmyselfincorrigiblewithrespecttoOrder；

andnowIamgrownold，andmymemorybad，Ifeelverysensiblythewantofit。But，onthewhole，tho’IneverarrivedattheperfectionIhadbeensoambitiousofobtaining，butfellfarshortofit，yetIwas，bytheendeavour，abetterandahappiermanthanIotherwiseshouldhavebeenifIhadnotattemptedit；

asthosewhoaimatperfectwritingbyimitatingtheengravedcopies，tho’theyneverreachthewish’d—forexcellenceofthosecopies，theirhandismendedbytheendeavor，andistolerablewhileitcontinuesfairandlegible。

Itmaybewellmyposterityshouldbeinformedthattothislittleartifice，withtheblessingofGod，theirancestorow’dtheconstantfelicityofhislife，downtohis79thyear，inwhichthisiswritten。WhatreversesmayattendtheremainderisinthehandofProvidence；but，iftheyarrive，thereflectiononpasthappinessenjoy’doughttohelphisbearingthemwithmoreresignation。

ToTemperanceheascribeshislong—continuedhealth，andwhatisstilllefttohimofagoodconstitution；toIndustryandFrugality，theearlyeasinessofhiscircumstancesandacquisitionofhisfortune，withallthatknowledgethatenabledhimtobeausefulcitizen，andobtainedforhimsomedegreeofreputationamongthelearned；

toSincerityandJustice，theconfidenceofhiscountry，andthehonorableemploysitconferreduponhim；andtothejointinfluenceofthewholemassofthevirtues，evenintheimperfectstatehewasabletoacquirethem，allthatevennessoftemper，andthatcheerfulnessinconversation，whichmakeshiscompanystillsoughtfor，andagreeableeventohisyoungeracquaintance。

Ihope，therefore，thatsomeofmydescendantsmayfollowtheexampleandreapthebenefit。

Itwillberemark’dthat，tho’myschemewasnotwhollywithoutreligion，therewasinitnomarkofanyofthedistingishingtenetsofanyparticularsect。Ihadpurposelyavoidedthem；for，beingfullypersuadedoftheutilityandexcellencyofmymethod，andthatitmightbeserviceabletopeopleinallreligions，andintendingsometimeorothertopublishit，Iwouldnothaveanythinginitthatshouldprejudiceanyone，ofanysect，againstit。

Ipurposedwritingalittlecommentoneachvirtue，inwhichI

wouldhaveshowntheadvantagesofpossessingit，andthemischiefsattendingitsoppositevice；andIshouldhavecalledmybookTHE

ARTOFVIRTUE，<7>becauseitwouldhaveshownthemeansandmannerofobtainingvirtue，whichwouldhavedistinguisheditfromthemereexhortationtobegood，thatdoesnotinstructandindicatethemeans，butisliketheapostle’smanofverbalcharity，whoonlywithoutshowingtothenakedandhungryhoworwheretheymightgetclothesorvictuals，exhortedthemtobefedandclothed。——Jamesii。15，16。

<7>Nothingsolikelytomakeaman’sfortuneasvirtue。

——[Marg。note。]

Butitsohappenedthatmyintentionofwritingandpublishingthiscommentwasneverfulfilled。Idid，indeed，fromtimetotime，putdownshorthintsofthesentiments，reasonings，etc。，tobemadeuseofinit，someofwhichIhavestillbyme；butthenecessarycloseattentiontoprivatebusinessintheearlierpartofthylife，andpublicbusinesssince，haveoccasionedmypostponingit；for，itbeingconnectedinmymindwithagreatandextensiveproject，thatrequiredthewholemantoexecute，andwhichanunforeseensuccessionofemployspreventedmyattendingto，ithashithertoremain’dunfinish’d。

Inthispieceitwasmydesigntoexplainandenforcethisdoctrine，thatviciousactionsarenothurtfulbecausetheyareforbidden，butforbiddenbecausetheyarehurtful，thenatureofmanaloneconsidered；thatitwas，therefore，everyone’sinteresttobevirtuouswhowish’dtobehappyeveninthisworld；andIshould，fromthiscircumstance（therebeingalwaysintheworldanumberofrichmerchants，nobility，states，andprinces，whohaveneedofhonestinstrumentsforthemanagementoftheiraffairs，andsuchbeingsorare），haveendeavoredtoconvinceyoungpersonsthatnoqualitiesweresolikelytomakeapoorman’sfortuneasthoseofprobityandintegrity。

Mylistofvirtuescontain’datfirstbuttwelve；butaQuakerfriendhavingkindlyinformedmethatIwasgenerallythoughtproud；

thatmyprideshow’ditselffrequentlyinconversation；thatI

wasnotcontentwithbeingintherightwhendiscussinganypoint，butwasoverbearing，andratherinsolent，ofwhichheconvinc’dmebymentioningseveralinstances；Ideterminedendeavouringtocuremyself，ifIcould，ofthisviceorfollyamongtherest，andIaddedHumilitytomylist）givinganextensivemeaningtotheword。

Icannotboastofmuchsuccessinacquiringtherealityofthisvirtue，butIhadagooddealwithregardtotheappearanceofit。

Imadeitaruletoforbearalldirectcontradictiontothesentimentsofothers，andallpositiveassertionofmyown。

Ievenforbidmyself，agreeablytotheoldlawsofourJunto，theuseofeverywordorexpressioninthelanguagethatimportedafix’dopinion，suchascertainly，undoubtedly，etc。，andIadopted，insteadofthem，Iconceive，Iapprehend，orIimagineathingtobesoorso；oritsoappearstomeatpresent。WhenanotherassertedsomethingthatIthoughtanerror，Ideny’dmyselfthepleasureofcontradictinghimabruptly，andofshowingimmediatelysomeabsurdityinhisproposition；andinansweringIbeganbyobservingthatincertaincasesorcircumstanceshisopinionwouldberight，butinthepresentcasethereappear’dorseem’dtomesomedifference，etc。Isoonfoundtheadvantageofthischangeinmymanner；

theconversationsIengag’dinwentonmorepleasantly。ThemodestwayinwhichIpropos’dmyopinionsprocur’dthemareadierreceptionandlesscontradiction；IhadlessmortificationwhenIwasfoundtobeinthewrong，andImoreeasilyprevail’dwithotherstogiveuptheirmistakesandjoinwithmewhenIhappenedtobeintheright。

Andthismode，whichIatfirstputonwithsomeviolencetonaturalinclination，becameatlengthsoeasy，andsohabitualtome，thatperhapsforthesefiftyyearspastnoonehaseverheardadogmaticalexpressionescapeme。Andtothishabit（aftermycharacterofintegrity）IthinkitprincipallyowingthatI

hadearlysomuchweightwithmyfellow—citizenswhenIproposednewinstitutions，oralterationsintheold，andsomuchinfluenceinpubliccouncilswhenIbecameamember；forIwasbutabadspeaker，nevereloquent，subjecttomuchhesitationinmychoiceofwords，hardlycorrectinlanguage，andyetIgenerallycarriedmypoints。

Inreality，thereis，perhaps，nooneofournaturalpassionssohardtosubdueaspride。Disguiseit，strugglewithit，beatitdown，stifleit，mortifyitasmuchasonepleases，itisstillalive，andwilleverynowandthenpeepoutandshowitself；

youwillseeit，perhaps，ofteninthishistory；for，evenifI

couldconceivethatIhadcompleatlyovercomeit，Ishouldprobablybeproudofmyhumility。

[ThusfarwrittenatPassy，1741。]

["Iamnowabouttowriteathome，August，1788，butcannothavethehelpexpectedfrommypapers，manyofthembeinglostinthewar。

Ihave，however，foundthefollowing。"]<8>

<8>Thisisamarginalmemorandum。——B。

HAVINGmentionedagreatandextensiveprojectwhichIhadconceiv’d，itseemsproperthatsomeaccountshouldbeheregivenofthatprojectanditsobject。Itsfirstriseinmymindappearsinthefollowinglittlepaper，accidentallypreserv’d，viz。：

Observationsonmyreadinghistory，inLibrary，May19th，1731。

"Thatthegreataffairsoftheworld，thewars，revolutions，etc。，arecarriedonandaffectedbyparties。

"Thattheviewofthesepartiesistheirpresentgeneralinterest，orwhattheytaketobesuch。

"Thatthedifferentviewsofthesedifferentpartiesoccasionallconfusion。

"Thatwhileapartyiscarryingonageneraldesign，eachmanhashisparticularprivateinterestinview。

"Thatassoonasapartyhasgain’ditsgeneralpoint，eachmemberbecomesintentuponhisparticularinterest；which，thwartingothers，breaksthatpartyintodivisions，andoccasionsmoreconfusion。

"Thatfewinpublicaffairsactfromameerviewofthegoodoftheircountry，whatevertheymaypretend；and，tho’theiractingsbringrealgoodtotheircountry，yetmenprimarilyconsideredthattheirownandtheircountry’sinterestwasunited，anddidnotactfromaprincipleofbenevolence。

"Thatfewerstill，inpublicaffairs，actwithaviewtothegoodofmankind。

"ThereseemstomeatpresenttobegreatoccasionforraisingaUnitedPartyforVirtue，byformingthevirtuousandgoodmenofallnationsintoaregularbody，tobegovern’dbysuitablegoodandwiserules，whichgoodandwisemenmayprobablybemoreunanimousintheirobedienceto，thancommonpeoplearetocommonlaws。

"Iatpresentthinkthatwhoeverattemptsthisaright，andiswellqualified，cannotfailofpleasingGod，andofmeetingwithsuccess。B。F。"

Revolvingthisprojectinmymind，astobeundertakenhereafter，whenmycircumstancesshouldaffordmethenecessaryleisure，Iputdownfromtimetotime，onpiecesofpaper，suchthoughtsasoccurr’dtomerespectingit。Mostofthesearelost；butIfindonepurportingtobethesubstanceofanintendedcreed）containing，asIthought，theessentialsofeveryknownreligion，andbeingfreeofeverythingthatmightshocktheprofessorsofanyreligion。

Itisexpress’dinthesewords，viz。：

"ThatthereisoneGod，whomadeallthings。

"Thathegovernstheworldbyhisprovidence。

"Thatheoughttobeworshipedbyadoration，prayer，andthanksgiving。

"ButthatthemostacceptableserviceofGodisdoinggoodtoman。

"Thatthesoulisimmortal。

"AndthatGodwillcertainlyrewardvirtueandpunishviceeitherhereorhereafter。"<9>

<9>IntheMiddleAges，Franklin，ifsuchaphenomenonasFranklinwerepossibleintheMiddleAges，wouldprobablyhavebeenthefounderofamonasticorder。——B。

Myideasatthattimewere，thatthesectshouldbebegunandspreadatfirstamongyoungandsinglemenonly；thateachpersontobeinitiatedshouldnotonlydeclarehisassenttosuchcreed，butshouldhaveexercisedhimselfwiththethirteenweeks’

examinationandpracticeofthevirtues）asinthebefore—mention’dmodel；

thattheexistenceofsuchasocietyshouldhekeptasecret，tillitwasbecomeconsiderable，topreventsolicitationsfortheadmissionofimproperpersons，butthatthemembersshouldeachofthemsearchamonghisacquaintanceforingenuous，well—disposedyouths，towhom，withprudentcaution，theschemeshouldbegraduallycommunicated；thatthemembersshouldengagetoaffordtheiradvice，assistance，andsupporttoeachotherinpromotingoneanother’sinterests，business，andadvancementinlife；that，fordistinction，weshouldbecall’dTheSocietyoftheFreeandEasy：free，asbeing，bythegeneralpracticeandhabitofthevirtues，freefromthedominionofvice；andparticularlybythepracticeofindustryandfrugality，freefromdebt，whichexposesamantoconfinement，andaspeciesofslaverytohiscreditors。

ThisisasmuchasIcannowrecollectoftheproject，exceptthatIcommunicateditinparttotwoyoungmen，whoadopteditwithsomeenthusiasm；butmythennarrowcircumstances，andthenecessityIwasunderofstickingclosetomybusiness，occasion’dmypostponingthefurtherprosecutionofitatthattime；

andmymultifariousoccupations，publicandprivate，induc’dmetocontinuepostponing，sothatithasbeenomittedtillIhavenolongerstrengthoractivityleftsufficientforsuchanenterprise；

tho’Iamstillofopinionthatitwasapracticablescheme，andmighthavebeenveryuseful，byformingagreatnumberofgoodcitizens；andIwasnotdiscourag’dbytheseemingmagnitudeoftheundertaking，asIhavealwaysthoughtthatonemanoftolerableabilitiesmayworkgreatchanges，andaccomplishgreataffairsamongmankind，ifhefirstformsagoodplan，and，cuttingoffallamusementsorotheremploymentsthatwoulddiverthisattention，makestheexecutionofthatsameplanhissolestudyandbusiness。

In1732Ifirstpublish’dmyAlmanack，underthenameofRichardSaunders；

itwascontinu’dbymeabouttwenty—fiveyears，commonlycall’dPoorRichard’sAlmanac。Iendeavor’dtomakeitbothentertaininganduseful，anditaccordinglycametobeinsuchdemand，thatIreap’dconsiderableprofitfromit，vendingannuallyneartenthousand。

Andobservingthatitwasgenerallyread，scarceanyneighborhoodintheprovincebeingwithoutit，Iconsider’ditasapropervehicleforconveyinginstructionamongthecommonpeople，whoboughtscarcelyanyotherbooks；Ithereforefilledallthelittlespacesthatoccurr’dbetweentheremarkabledaysinthecalendarwithproverbialsentences，chieflysuchasinculcatedindustryandfrugality，asthemeansofprocuringwealth，andtherebysecuringvirtue；itbeingmoredifficultforamaninwant，toactalwayshonestly，as，tousehereoneofthoseproverbs，itishardforanemptysacktostandup—right。

Theseproverbs，whichcontainedthewisdomofmanyagesandnations，Iassembledandform’dintoaconnecteddiscourseprefix’dtotheAlmanackof1757，astheharangueofawiseoldmantothepeopleattendinganauction。Thebringingallthesescatter’dcounselsthusintoafocusenabledthemtomakegreaterimpression。

Thepiece，beinguniversallyapproved，wascopiedinallthenewspapersoftheContinent；reprintedinBritainonabroadside，tobestuckupinhouses；twotranslationsweremadeofitinFrench，andgreatnumbersboughtbytheclergyandgentry，todistributegratisamongtheirpoorparishionersandtenants。InPennsylvania，asitdiscourageduselessexpenseinforeignsuperfluities，somethoughtithaditsshareofinfluenceinproducingthatgrowingplentyofmoneywhichwasobservableforseveralyearsafteritspublication。

Iconsideredmynewspaper，also，asanothermeansofcommunicatinginstruction，andinthatviewfrequentlyreprintedinitextractsfromtheSpectator，andothermoralwriters；andsometimespublish’dlittlepiecesofmyown，whichhadbeenfirstcompos’dforreadinginourJunto。OftheseareaSocraticdialogue，tendingtoprovethat，whatevermightbehispartsandabilities，aviciousmancouldnotproperlybecalledamanofsense；andadiscourseonself—denial，showingthatvirtuewasnotsecuretillitspracticebecameahabitude，andwasfreefromtheoppositionofcontraryinclinations。

ThesemaybefoundinthepapersaboutthebeginningOf1735。

Intheconductofmynewspaper，Icarefullyexcludedalllibellingandpersonalabuse，whichisoflateyearsbecomesodisgracefultoourcountry。WheneverIwassolicitedtoinsertanythingofthatkind，andthewriterspleaded，astheygenerallydid，thelibertyofthepress，andthatanewspaperwaslikeastagecoach，inwhichanyonewhowouldpayhadarighttoaplace，myanswerwas，thatIwouldprintthepieceseparatelyifdesired，andtheauthormighthaveasmanycopiesashepleasedtodistributehimself，butthatIwouldnottakeuponmetospreadhisdetraction；

andthat，havingcontractedwithmysubscriberstofurnishthemwithwhatmightbeeitherusefulorentertaining，Icouldnotfilltheirpaperswithprivatealtercation，inwhichtheyhadnoconcern，withoutdoingthemmanifestinjustice。Now，manyofourprintersmakenoscrupleofgratifyingthemaliceofindividualsbyfalseaccusationsofthefairestcharactersamongourselves，augmentinganimosityeventotheproducingofduels；andare，moreover，soindiscreetastoprintscurrilousreflectionsonthegovernmentofneighboringstates，andevenontheconductofourbestnationalallies，whichmaybeattendedwiththemostperniciousconsequences。

ThesethingsImentionasacautiontoyoungprinters，andthattheymaybeencouragednottopollutetheirpressesanddisgracetheirprofessionbysuchinfamouspractices，butrefusesteadily，astheymayseebymyexamplethatsuchacourseofconductwillnot，onthewhole，beinjurioustotheirinterests。

In1733IsentoneofmyjourneymentoCharleston，SouthCarolina，whereaprinterwaswanting。Ifurnish’dhimwithapressandletters，onanagreementofpartnership，bywhichIwastoreceiveone—thirdoftheprofitsofthebusiness，payingone—thirdoftheexpense。

Hewasamanoflearning，andhonestbutignorantinmattersofaccount；and，tho’hesometimesmademeremittances，Icouldgetnoaccountfromhim，noranysatisfactorystateofourpartnershipwhilehelived。Onhisdecease，thebusinesswascontinuedbyhiswidow，who，beingbornandbredinHolland，where，asIhavebeeninform’d，theknowledgeofaccountsmakesapartoffemaleeducation，shenotonlysentmeasclearastateasshecouldfindofthetransactionspast，butcontinuedtoaccountwiththegreatestregularityandexactnesseveryquarterafterwards，andmanagedthebusinesswithsuchsuccess，thatshenotonlybroughtupreputablyafamilyofchildren，but，attheexpirationoftheterm，wasabletopurchaseofmetheprinting—house，andestablishhersoninit。

Imentionthisaffairchieflyforthesakeofrecommendingthatbranchofeducationforouryoungfemales，aslikelytobeofmoreusetothemandtheirchildren，incaseofwidowhood，thaneithermusicordancing，bypreservingthemfromlossesbyimpositionofcraftymen，andenablingthemtocontinue，perhaps，aprofitablemercantilehouse，withestablish’dcorrespondence，tillasonisgrownupfittoundertakeandgoonwithit，tothelastingadvantageandenrichingofthefamily。

Abouttheyear1734therearrivedamongusfromIrelandayoungPresbyterianpreacher，namedHemphill，whodeliveredwithagoodvoice，andapparentlyextempore，mostexcellentdiscourses，whichdrewtogetherconsiderablenumbersofdifferentpersuasion，whojoin’dinadmiringthem。Amongtherest，Ibecameoneofhisconstanthearers，hissermonspleasingme，astheyhadlittleofthedogmaticalkind，butinculcatedstronglythepracticeofvirtue，orwhatinthereligiousstilearecalledgoodworks。