"A poor one, I guess," quickly added John. "We will see, the next time we meet, who can make out a case." "It will be some time before we meet again," replied Benjamin, "and our ardor will be cooled before that time, I am thinking. But it will do us no harm to discuss the subject." "If we keep our temper," said John, tacking his sentence to the last word of Benjamin's reply. And so saying, they parted. After Benjamin had revolved the subject still more in his mind, he became anxious to commit his argument to writing. Accordingly, with pen and paper in hand, he sat down to frame the best argument he could in favor of educating the female sex. He wrote it in the form of a letter, addressed to his friend Collins, and, after having completed, he copied it in a fair hand, and sent it to him. This brought back a long reply, which made it necessary for Benjamin to pen an answer. In this way the correspondence continued, until several letters had passed between them, and each one had gained the victory in his own estimation. Benjamin was anxious that his father should read this correspondence, as he would be a good judge of its quality; and, after a little, he took it to him, saying: "John and I have had some correspondence, and I want you should read our letters." There is little question that Benjamin was so well satisfied with his own argument that he expected his father would give him much credit. Perhaps his father believed, with most men of that day, that the education of females was an unnecessary expense, and Benjamin expected to convert him to his belief. Whether it was so or not, his father replied: "I should like to read it; what is it about?" "You will find out when you read the letters." Mr. Franklin improved the first opportunity to read the correspondence, and report to Benjamin. "I have been very much pleased and profited by this correspondence. It is able for two boys like you and John; but I think John has the advantage of you." "John the advantage!" exclaimed Benjamin, with considerable surprise and anxiety. "How so?" "In some respects, not in all, I mean," added his father. "Tell me of one thing in which he has advantage," and Benjamin manifested disappointment when he made the request. "Well, John's style of composition seems to me more finished, and he expresses himself with more clearness." "I rather think you are prejudiced, father" Benjamin said this for the want of something better to say. "_I_ rather think not," answered his father. "You have the advantage of John in correct spelling, and in punctuation, which is the consequence of working in the printing office. But I can convince you that less method and clearness characterize your letters than his." "I am ready to be convinced," answered Benjamin. "I hardly think I have attained perfection in writing yet."