the autobiography of ben franklin(本富兰克林自传)-第15节
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that surpris'd and pleas'd those to whom they were novelties。
I had from a child been ever delighted with this exercise； had studied
and practis'd all Thevenot's motions and positions； added some of my own；
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aiming at the graceful and easy as well as the useful。 All these I took this
occasion of exhibiting to the company； and was much flatter'd by their
admiration； and Wygate； who was desirous of becoming a master； grew
more and more attach'd to me on that account； as well as from the
similarity of our studies。 He at length proposed to me travelling all over
Europe together； supporting ourselves everywhere by working at our
business。 I was once inclined to it； but； mentioning it to my good friend
Mr。 Denham； with whom I often spent an hour when I had leisure； he
dissuaded me from it； advising me to think only of returning to
Pennsilvania； which he was now about to do。
I must record one trait of this good man's character。 He had formerly
been in business at Bristol； but failed in debt to a number of people；
compounded and went to America。 There； by a close application to
business as a merchant； he acquir'd a plentiful fortune in a few years。
Returning to England in the ship with me； he invited his old creditors to an
entertainment； at which he thank'd them for the easy composition they had
favored him with； and； when they expected nothing but the treat； every
man at the first remove found under his plate an order on a banker for the
full amount of the unpaid remainder with interest。
He now told me he was about to return to Philadelphia； and should
carry over a great quantity of goods in order to open a store there。 He
propos'd to take me over as his clerk； to keep his books； in which he would
instruct me； copy his letters； and attend the store。 He added that； as soon as
I should be acquainted with mercantile business； he would promote me by
sending me with a cargo of flour and bread； etc。； to the West Indies； and
procure me commissions from others which would be profitable； and； if I
manag'd well； would establish me handsomely。 The thing pleas'd me； for I
was grown tired of London； remembered with pleasure the happy months I
had spent in Pennsylvania； and wish'd again to see it； therefore I
immediately agreed on the terms of fifty pounds a year； Pennsylvania
money； less； indeed； than my present gettings as a compositor； but
affording a better prospect。
I now took leave of printing； as I thought； for ever； and was daily
employed in my new business； going about with Mr。 Denham among the
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tradesmen to purchase various articles； and seeing them pack'd up； doing
errands； calling upon workmen to dispatch； etc。； and； when all was on
board； I had a few days' leisure。 On one of these days； I was； to my
surprise； sent for by a great man I knew only by name； a Sir William
Wyndham； and I waited upon him。 He had heard by some means or other
of my swimming from Chelsea to Blackfriar's； and of my teaching Wygate
and another young man to swim in a few hours。 He had two sons； about to
set out on their travels； he wish'd to have them first taught swimming； and
proposed to gratify me handsomely if I would teach them。 They were not
yet come to town； and my stay was uncertain； so I could not undertake it；
but； from this incident； I thought it likely that； if I were to remain in
England and open a swimming…school； I might get a good deal of money；
and it struck me so strongly； that； had the overture been sooner made me；
probably I should not so soon have returned to America。 After many years；
you and I had something of more importance to do with one of these sons
of Sir William Wyndham； become Earl of Egremont； which I shall
mention in its place。
Thus I spent about eighteen months in London； most part of the time I
work'd hard at my business； and spent but little upon myself except in
seeing plays and in books。 My friend Ralph had kept me poor； he owed
me about twenty…seven pounds； which I was now never likely to receive； a
great sum out of my small earnings！ I lov'd him； notwithstanding； for he
had many amiable qualities。 I had by no means improv'd my fortune； but I
had picked up some very ingenious acquaintance； whose conversation was
of great advantage to me； and I had read considerably。
We sail'd from Gravesend on the 23d of July； 1726。 For the incidents
of the voyage； I refer you to my journal； where you will find them all
minutely related。 Perhaps the most important part of that journal is the
plan to be found in it； which I formed at sea； for regulating my future
conduct in life。 It is the more remarkable； as being formed when I was so
young； and yet being pretty faithfully adhered to quite thro' to old age。
The 〃Journal〃 was printed by Sparks； from a copy made at
Reading in 1787。 But it does not contain the Plan。 Ed。
We landed in Philadelphia on the 11th of October； where I found
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sundry alterations。 Keith was no longer governor； being superseded by
Major Gordon。 I met him walking the streets as a common citizen。 He
seem'd a little asham'd at seeing me； but pass'd without saying anything。 I
should have been as much asham'd at seeing Miss Read； had not her
friends； despairing with reason of my return after the receipt of my letter；
persuaded her to marry another； one Rogers； a potter； which was done in
my absence。 With him； however； she was never happy； and soon parted
from him； refusing to cohabit with him or bear his name； it being now said
that he bad another wife。 He was a worthless fellow； tho' an excellent
workman； which was the temptation to her friends。 He got into debt； ran
away in 1727 or 1728； went to the West Indies； and died there。 Keimer had
got a better house； a shop well supply'd with stationery； plenty of new
types； a number of hands； tho' none good； and seem'd to have a great deal
of business。
Mr。 Denham took a store in Water…street； where we open'd our goods； I
attended the business diligently； studied accounts； and grew； in a little time；
expert at selling。 We lodg'd and； boarded together； he counsell'd me as a
father； having a sincere regard for me。 I respected and lov'd him； and we
might have gone on together very happy； but； in the beginning of February；
1726…7； when I had just pass'd my twenty…first year； we both were taken ill。
My distemper was a pleurisy； which very nearly carried me off。 I suffered
a good deal； gave up the point in my own mind； and was rather
disappointed when I found myself recovering； regretting； in some degree；
that I must now； some time or other； have all that disagreeable work to do
over again。 I forget what his distemper was； it held him a long time； and at
length carried him off。 He left me a small legacy in a nuncupative will； as
a token of his kindness for me； and he left me once more to the wide world；
for the store was taken into the care of his executors； and my employment
under him ended。
My brother…in…law； Holmes； being now at Philadelphia； advised my
return to my business； and Keimer tempted me； with an offer of large
wages by the year； to come and take the management of his printing…house；
that he might better attend his stationer's shop。 I had heard a bad character
of him in London from his wife and her friends； and was not fond of
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having any more to do with him。 I tri'd for farther employment as a
merchant's clerk； but； not readi
