the autobiography of ben franklin(本富兰克林自传)-第29节
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none of those he preach'd were his own； adding； that his memory was such
as enabled him to retain and repeat any sermon after one reading only。 On
our defeat； he left us in search elsewhere of better fortune； and I quitted
the congregation； never joining it after； tho' I continu'd many years my
subscription for the support of its ministers。
I had begun in 1733 to study languages； I soon made myself so much a
master of the French as to be able to read the books with ease。 I then
undertook the Italian。 An acquaintance； who was also learning it； us'd
often to tempt me to play chess with him。 Finding this took up too much of
the time I had to spare for study； I at length refus'd to play any more；
unless on this condition； that the victor in every game should have a right
to impose a task； either in parts of the grammar to be got by heart； or in
translations； etc。； which tasks the vanquish'd was to perform upon honour；
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before our next meeting。 As we play'd pretty equally； we thus beat one
another into that language。 I afterwards with a little painstaking； acquir'd
as much of the Spanish as to read their books also。
I have already mention'd that I had only one year's instruction in a
Latin school； and that when very young； after which I neglected that
language entirely。 But； when I had attained an acquaintance with the
French； Italian； and Spanish； I was surpriz'd to find； on looking over a
Latin Testament； that I understood so much more of that language than I
had imagined； which encouraged me to apply myself again to the study of
it； and I met with more success； as those preceding languages had greatly
smooth'd my way。
From these circumstances； I have thought that there is some
inconsistency in our common mode of teaching languages。 We are told
that it is proper to begin first with the Latin； and； having acquir'd that； it
will be more easy to attain those modern languages which are deriv'd from
it； and yet we do not begin with the Greek； in order more easily to acquire
the Latin。 It is true that； if you can clamber and get to the top of a staircase
without using the steps； you will more easily gain them in descending； but
certainly； if you begin with the lowest you will with more ease ascend to
the top； and I would therefore offer it to the consideration of those who
superintend the education of our youth； whether； since many of those who
begin with the Latin quit the same after spending some years without
having made any great proficiency； and what they have learnt becomes
almost useless； so that their time has been lost； it would not have been
better to have begun with the French； proceeding to the Italian； etc。； for；
tho'； after spending the same time； they should quit the study of languages
and never arrive at the Latin； they would； however； have acquired another
tongue or two； that； being in modern use； might be serviceable to them in
common life。
After ten years' absence from Boston； and having become easy in my
circumstances； I made a journey thither to visit my relations； which I could
not sooner well afford。 In returning； I call'd at Newport to see my brother；
then settled there with his printing…house。 Our former differences were
forgotten； and our meeting was very cordial and affectionate。 He was fast
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declining in his health； and requested of me that； in case of his death；
which he apprehended not far distant； I would take home his son； then but
ten years of age； and bring him up to the printing business。 This I
accordingly perform'd； sending him a few years to school before I took
him into the office。 His mother carried on the business till he was grown
up； when I assisted him with an assortment of new types； those of his
father being in a manner worn out。 Thus it was that I made my brother
ample amends for the service I had depriv'd him of by leaving him so
early。
In 1736 I lost one of my sons； a fine boy of four years old； by the
small…pox； taken in the common way。 I long regretted bitterly； and still
regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation。 This I mention for the
sake of parents who omit that operation； on the supposition that they
should never forgive themselves if a child died under it； my example
showing that the regret may be the same either way； and that； therefore；
the safer should be chosen。
Our club； the Junto； was found so useful； and afforded such
satisfaction to the members； that several were desirous of introducing their
friends； which could not well be done without exceeding what we had
settled as a convenient number； viz。； twelve。 We had from the beginning
made it a rule to keep our institution a secret； which was pretty well
observ'd； the intention was to avoid applications of improper persons for
admittance； some of whom； perhaps； we might find it difficult to refuse。 I
was one of those who were against any addition to our number； but；
instead of it； made in writing a proposal； that every member separately
should endeavor to form a subordinate club； with the same rules respecting
queries； etc。； and without informing them of the connection with the Junto。
The advantages proposed were； the improvement of so many more young
citizens by the use of our institutions； our better acquaintance with the
general sentiments of the inhabitants on any occasion； as the Junto
member might propose what queries we should desire； and was to report
to the Junto what pass'd in his separate club； the promotion of our
particular interests in business by more extensive recommendation； and
the increase of our influence in public affairs； and our power of doing
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good by spreading thro' the several clubs the sentiments of the Junto。
The project was approv'd； and every member undertook to form his
club； but they did not all succeed。 Five or six only were compleated； which
were called by different names； as the Vine； the Union； the Band； etc。 They
were useful to themselves； and afforded us a good deal of amusement；
information； and instruction； besides answering； in some considerable
degree； our views of influencing the public opinion on particular occasions；
of which I shall give some instances in course of time as they happened。
My first promotion was my being chosen； in 1736； clerk of the
General Assembly。 The choice was made that year without opposition； but
the year following； when I was again propos'd （the choice； like that of the
members； being annual）； a new member made a long speech against me； in
order to favour some other candidate。 I was； however； chosen； which was
the more agreeable to me； as； besides the pay for the immediate service as
clerk； the place gave me a better opportunity of keeping up an interest
among the members； which secur'd to me the business of printing the
votes； laws； paper money； and other occasional jobbs for the public； that；
on the whole； were very profitable。
I therefore did not like the opposition of this new member； who was a
gentleman of fortune and education； with talents that were likely to give
him； in time； great influence in the House； which； indeed； afterwards
happened。 I did not； however； aim at gaining his favour by paying any
servile respect to him； but； after some time； took this other method。
Having heard that he had in his library a certain very scarce and curious
book； I wrote a note to him； expressing my desire of perusing that book；
and requesting he
