“As to your grandchildren, Will is now nineteen years of age, a tall, proper youth, and much of a beau. He acquired a habit of idleness on the Expedition, but begins of late to apply himself to business, and I hope will become an industrious man. He imagined his father had got enough for him, but I have assured him that I intend to spend what little I have myself, if it pleases God that I live long enough; and, as he by no means wants acuteness, he can see by my going on that I mean to be as good as my word. “Sally grows a fine girl, and is extremely industrious with her needle, and delights in her work. She is of a most affectionate temper, and perfectly dutiful and obliging to her parents, and to all. Perhaps I flatter myself too much, but I have hopes that she will prove an ingenious, sensible, notable and worthy woman like her aunt Jenny.” (Bigelow’s Works of Franklin, vol. ii. p. 154.) Over the grave of his parents in the Granary Burial-Ground in Boston he placed a stone, and prepared for it one of those epitaphs in which he was so skilful and which were almost poems: Josiah Franklin and Abiah his wife lie here interred. They lived together in wedlock fifty-five years; and without an estate or any gainful employment, by constant labour, and honest industry, (with God’s blessing,) maintained a large family comfortably; and brought up thirteen children and seven grandchildren reputably. From this instance, reader, be encouraged to diligence in thy calling, and distrust not Providence. He was a pious and prudent man, she a discreet and virtuous woman. Their youngest son, in filial regard to their memory, places this stone. J. F. born 1655--died 1744,--Æ. 89. A. F. born 1667--died 1752,--Æ. 85. FOOTNOTES: [5] Men, Women, and Manners in Colonial Times, vol. i. p. 210. [6] Men, Women, and Manners in Colonial Times, vol. i. p. 222. [7] Bigelow’s Works of Franklin, vol. i. p. 180. [8] Bigelow’s Works of Franklin, vol. v. p. 209. [9] H. W. Smith’s Life of Rev. William Smith, vol. ii. p. 174. [10] Some years afterwards, when he had become prosperous, he restored the money to Mr. Vernon, with interest to date. [11] Vol. v. p. 201. [12] Bigelow’s Works of Franklin, vol. iii. p. 216, note. [13] This verse Franklin also quotes against Smith in a letter to Miss Stevenson. (Bigelow’s Works of Franklin, vol. iii. p. 235.) [14] Bigelow’s Works of Franklin, vol. vii. p. 374. IV BUSINESS AND LITERATURE