The Life of Benjamin Franklin, Illustrated by Tales, Sketches, and Anecdotes — John Shaqi
The Life of Benjamin Franklin, Illustrated by Tales, Sketches, and AnecdotesGoodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
History
The Life of Benjamin Franklin, Illustrated by Tales, Sketches, and Anecdotes
Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790; Statesmen -- United States -- Biography
13. Instead of adding to their number, he proposed that every member,
separately, should endeavor to form another club, with the same rules
and on the same plan, without informing them of the existence of the
Junto. The project was approved, and every member undertook to form
his club; but they did not all succeed. Five or six only were
completed, which were called by different names, as the _Vine_, the
_Union_, the _Band_. These clubs were useful, and afforded their
members a good deal of amusement and information.
14. In 1736, Franklin was chosen clerk of the General Assembly. The
choice was made that year without any opposition, but, on the next, a
new member of that body made a long speech against him. This, however,
did not prevent his second election. The place was one of some credit,
and, by giving Franklin an opportunity to make friends among the
members, enabled him to secure the business of printing the public
laws, votes, and paper money.
15. The new member, who had opposed Franklin, was a man of education
and talents, and it was desirable to gain his good opinion. Franklin
was too proud to pay any servile respect to him, but was too prudent
not to wish for his favor. After some time, with his usual shrewdness
and knowledge of human nature, he hit upon the following expedient.
16. Having heard that this gentleman had in his library a very scarce
and curious book, he wrote a note, requesting that he would do him the
favor of lending it for a few days. The book was immediately sent, and
in about a week was returned by the borrower, with a short note,
expressive of his sincere thanks for the favor.
17. The next time they met in the house, the gentleman spoke to
Franklin with a great deal of civility. He ever after manifested a
readiness to serve him, and they became great friends. "This is
another instance," observes Franklin, "of the truth of an old maxim I
had learned, which says--'He that has done you a kindness will be more
ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.' And
it shows how much more profitable it is prudently to remove than to
resent, return, and continue inimical proceedings."
18. In 1737, Colonel Spotswood, at that time postmaster-general, being
dissatisfied with his deputy at Philadelphia, took away his
commission, and offered it to Franklin. He accepted it with readiness,
and found it of great advantage. Though the salary was small, the
office gave him the means of increasing the subscribers to his paper,
and in this way increased his advertisements. His paper now began to
afford him a very considerable income.
* * * * *
1. How did he make his newspaper serviceable in circulating
instruction?
2. What was he very careful to avoid?
3. Describe the conduct of the woman whose husband Franklin had
established in business.
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