Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume 2 (of 2): A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings — John Shaqi
Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume 2 (of 2): A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own WritingsBruce, Wiliam Cabell
History
Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume 2 (of 2): A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings
Bruce, Wiliam Cabell
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Finding that his lodgings in Little Britain were rather remote from his
work, he obtained others in Duke Street, opposite the Romish Chapel, with a
widow, who had been bred a Protestant, but had been converted to
Catholicism by her husband, whose memory she deeply revered. It is a
pleasing face that looks out at us from the portrait painted of her by
Franklin in the _Autobiography_. She
had lived much among people of distinction, and knew a
thousand anecdotes of them as far back as the time of
Charles the Second. She was lame in her knees with the
gout, and, therefore, seldom stirred out of her room,
so sometimes wanted company; and hers was so highly
amusing to me, that I was sure to spend an evening with
her whenever she desired it. Our supper was only half
an anchovy each, on a very little strip of bread and
butter, and half a pint of ale between us; but the
entertainment was in her conversation. My always
keeping good hours, and giving little trouble in the
family, made her unwilling to part with me; so that,
when I talk'd of a lodging I had heard of, nearer my
business, for two shillings a week, which, intent as I
now was on saving money, made some difference, she bid
me not think of it, for she would abate me two
shillings a week for the future, so I remained with her
at one shilling and six pence as long as I staid in
London.
It was in the garret of this house that the nun mentioned by us in
connection with the religious opinions of Franklin passed her secluded
life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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