the autobiography of ben franklin(本富兰克林自传)-第21节
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wife； September 1st； 1730。 None of the inconveniences happened that we
had apprehended； she proved a good and faithful helpmate； assisted me
much by attending the shop； we throve together； and have ever mutually
endeavored to make each other happy。 Thus I corrected that great erratum
as well as I could。
About this time； our club meeting； not at a tavern； but in a little room
of Mr。 Grace's； set apart for that purpose； a proposition was made by me；
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that； since our books were often referr'd to in our disquisitions upon the
queries； it might be convenient to us to have them altogether where we
met； that upon occasion they might be consulted； and by thus clubbing our
books to a common library； we should； while we lik'd to keep them
together； have each of us the advantage of using the books of all the other
members； which would be nearly as beneficial as if each owned the whole。
It was lik'd and agreed to； and we fill'd one end of the room with such
books as we could best spare。 The number was not so great as we expected；
and tho' they had been of great use； yet some inconveniences occurring for
want of due care of them； the collection； after about a year； was separated；
and each took his books home again
And now I set on foot my first project of a public nature； that for a
subscription library。 I drew up the proposals； got them put into form by
our great scrivener； Brockden； and； by the help of my friends in the Junto；
procured fifty subscribers of forty shillings each to begin with； and ten
shillings a year for fifty years； the term our company was to continue。 We
afterwards obtain'd a charter； the company being increased to one hundred：
this was the mother of all the North American subscription libraries； now
so numerous。 It is become a great thing itself； and continually increasing。
These libraries have improved the general conversation of the Americans；
made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen
from other countries； and perhaps have contributed in some degree to the
stand so generally made throughout the colonies in defense of their
privileges。
Memo。 Thus far was written with the intention express'd in the
beginning and therefore contains several little family anecdotes of no
importance to others。 What follows was written many years after in
compliance with the advice contain'd in these letters； and accordingly
intended for the public。 The affairs of the Revolution occasion'd the
interruption。
Letter from Mr。 Abel James； with Notes of my Life （received in
Paris）。
〃MY DEAR AND HONORED FRIEND： I have often been desirous of
writing to thee； but could not be reconciled to the thought that the letter
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might fall into the hands of the British； lest some printer or busy…body
should publish some part of the contents； and give our friend pain； and
myself censure。
〃Some time since there fell into my hands； to my great joy； about
twenty…three sheets in thy own handwriting； containing an account of the
parentage and life of thyself； directed to thy son； ending in the year 1730；
with which there were notes； likewise in thy writing； a copy of which I
inclose； in hopes it may be a means； if thou continued it up to a later
period； that the first and latter part may be put together； and if it is not yet
continued； I hope thee will not delay it。 Life is uncertain； as the preacher
tells us； and what will the world say if kind； humane； and benevolent Ben。
Franklin should leave his friends and the world deprived of so pleasing
and profitable a work； a work which would be useful and entertaining not
only to a few； but to millions？ The influence writings under that class have
on the minds of youth is very great； and has nowhere appeared to me so
plain； as in our public friend's journals。 It almost insensibly leads the
youth into the resolution of endeavoring to become as good and eminent
as the journalist。 Should thine； for instance； when published （and I think it
could not fail of it）； lead the youth to equal the industry and temperance of
thy early youth； what a blessing with that class would such a work be！ I
know of no character living； nor many of them put together； who has so
much in his power as thyself to promote a greater spirit of industry and
early attention to business； frugality； and temperance with the American
youth。 Not that I think the work would have no other merit and use in the
world； far from it； but the first is of such vast importance that I know
nothing that can equal it。〃
The foregoing letter and the minutes accompanying it being shown to
a friend； I received from him the following：
Letter from Mr。 Benjamin Vaughan。 〃PARIS； January 31； 1783。
〃My DEAREST SIR： When I had read over your sheets of minutes of
the principal incidents of your life； recovered for you by your Quaker
acquaintance； I told you I would send you a letter expressing my reasons
why I thought it would be useful to complete and publish it as he desired。
Various concerns have for some time past prevented this letter being
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written； and I do not know whether it was worth any expectation；
happening to be at leisure； however； at present； I shall by writing； at least
interest and instruct myself； but as the terms I am inclined to use may tend
to offend a person of your manners； I shall only tell you how I would
address any other person； who was as good and as great as yourself； but
less diffident。 I would say to him； Sir； I solicit the history of your life from
the following motives： Your history is so remarkable； that if you do not
give it； somebody else will certainly give it； and perhaps so as nearly to do
as much harm； as your own management of the thing might do good。 It
will moreover present a table of the internal circumstances of your country；
which will very much tend to invite to it settlers of virtuous and manly
minds。 And considering the eagerness with which such information is
sought by them； and the extent of your reputation； I do not know of a more
efficacious advertisement than your biography would give。 All that has
happened to you is also connected with the detail of the manners and
situation of a rising people； and in this respect I do not think that the
writings of Caesar and Tacitus can be more interesting to a true judge of
human nature and society。 But these； sir； are small reasons； in my opinion；
compared with the chance which your life will give for the forming of
future great men； and in conjunction with your Art of Virtue （which you
design to publish） of improving the features of private character； and
consequently of aiding all happiness； both public and domestic。 The two
works I allude to； sir； will in particular give a noble rule and example of
self…education。 School and other education constantly proceed upon false
principles； and show a clumsy apparatus pointed at a false mark； but your
apparatus is simple； and the mark a true one； and while parents and young
persons are left destitute of other just means of estimating and becoming
prepared for a reasonable course in life； your discovery that the thing is in
many a man's private power； will be invaluable！ Influence upon the private
character； late in life； is not only an influence late in life； but a weak
influence。 It is in youth that we plant our chief habits and prejudices； it is
in youth that we take our party as to profession； pursuits and matrimony。
In youth； therefore； the turn is given； in youth the education even of the
next generation is given； in youth the private and public character is
