YOUNG FRANKLIN AND DEBORAH READ (Frontispiece) BRADDOCK'S FORCE ATTACKED BY SAVAGES . . 178 TAKING SCALPS . . . . . . . 180 AN INDIAN RAID . . . . . . 180 PORTRAIT OF FRANKLIN.

• · 199 “ AT THIS PRESS I WORKED ” . . . . SETTLERS MURDERED BY INDIANS . . . 211 INDIGNATION MEETING OF BOSTONIANS, AT LIBERTY

TREE . . . . . . . . 285 FANEUIL HALL, BOSTON . . . . . 294 ADMIRAL LORD HOWE . . . . . . 305 View of Boston . . . . . . . 305 SURRENDER OF CURGOYNE's ARMY · · · 332 THE HOUSE AT BOSTON WHERE THE FIRST AMERICAN

FLAG WAS MADE · · · · · · 354

Parentage and Early Life.

PAGE The parentage of Franklin-His parents emigrate to America

Character of his father-Abiah Folger, his mother-Birth and baptism-Influence of his Uncle Strong-Of the Whis tle-Childish exploits—Uncongenial employment-Skill in swimming—Early reading-Boston at that time-An indentured apprentice-Form of Indenture-Enters a printing office-Fondness for reading—Anecdotes-Habits of study-Fondness for argument-Adopts a vegetable dietThe two creeds

.....

II

CHAPTER II.

Developments of Character.
Views of the Sabbath-Writings of Collins and Shaftsbury – The

creed of Collins-Franklin at sixteen—The Courant-De-
nunciations of the paper-Franklin's mode of acquiring the
art of composition–His success as a writer—The Editor
prosecuted—Benjamin becomes Editor and Publisher-Jeal-
ousy of his brother—The runaway apprentice-The voyage
to New York-Great disappointment-Eventful Journey to
Philadelphia — Gloomy prospects—The dawn of brighter
days..........

.........

..........

31

CHAPTER III.

Excursion to England.

Attention to dress—Receives a visit from Gov. Keith-His visit

to Boston-Collins returns to Philadelphia with him-Sir

William Keith's aid-Excursions on the Sabbath-Difficulty

with Collins-Spending Mr. Vernon's money–His three

friends-Engagement with Deborah Read-Voyage to Eng.

land- Keith's deceit-Ralph—Franklin enters a printing

house in London......

........

CHAPTER IV.

Mental and Moral Conflicts.

Faithfulness to work-Neglect of Deborah Read— Treatise on

Liberty and Necessity-Skill in swimming-Return to

America—Marriage of Miss Read-Severe sickness-Death

of Mr. Denham-Returns to Keimer's employ—The Junto

-His Epitaph—Reformation of his treatise on Liberty and

Necessity-Franklin's creed....

.........

CHAPTER V.

The Dawn of Prosperity.

Franklin takes a house—His first job-His industry-Plans a

Newspaper-Enters the list as a writer-Advocates a Paper

currency-Purchases Keimer's paper-Character of Meredith

- Struggles of the firm-Unexpected assistance-Dissolves

partnership with Meredith-Franklin's energetic conduct-

His courtship, and marriage-Character of Mrs. Franklin-

Increase of luxury—Plans for a library-Prosperity of Penn-

sylvania-Customs in Philadelphia-Style of dress in 1726–

Franklin's social position in Philadelphia--His success—A

hard student.........

......... JOI

CHAPTER VI.

Religious and Philosophic Views.

PAGS

Studious habits—New religion-Personal habits—Church of the

Free and Easy-His many accomplishments—The career of

Hemphall-Birth and Death of Franklin's son-The Min-

istry of Whitefield-Remarkable friendship between the phil.

osopher and the preacher-Prosperity of Franklin-His con-

vivial habits — The defense of Philadelphia,Birth of a

daughter- The Philadelphia Academy.................... 126

CHAPTER VII.

The Tradesman becomes a Philosopher.

Franklin appointed Indian commissioner-Effects of Rum-

Indian logic-Accumulating honors—Benevolent enterprises

-Franklin's counsel to Tennent-Efforts for city improve.

ment-Anecdotes-Franklin appointed postmaster-Rumors

of War-England enlists the Six Nations in her cause-

Franklin plans a Confederacy of States-Plans rejected-

Electrical experiments--Franklin's increase of income-

Fearful experiments—The kite-New honors—Views of the

French philosopher_Franklin's Religious views-His coun-

sel to a young pleader--Post office Reforms.............. 147

CHAPTER VIII.

The Rising Storms of War.

Aristocracy-Anecdote-Conflicting laws of Nations-Franklin's

scheme of colonization-Proposal of the British Court-The

foresight of Franklin-Braddock's campaign-Remonstran-

ces of Franklin and Washington - Franklin's interviews

with Braddock -Franklin's efficiency-Confidence of Brad-

dock-The conflict with the Proprietaries—The non-resis-