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of renewing now and then my little book, | lent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance. In truth I found myself incorrigible with respect to Order; and now I am grown old, and my memory bad, I feel very sensibly the want of But on the whole, though I never arrived it. at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was by the endeavour, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been, if I had not attempted it; as those who aim at perfect writing by imitating the engraved copies, though they never reach the wished-for ex

It may be well my posterity should be informed, that to this little artifice, with the blessing of God, their ancestor owed the con

which by scraping out the marks on the paper of old faults to make room for new ones in a new course, became full of holes, I transferred my tables and precepts to the ivory leaves of a memorandum book, on which the lines were drawn with red ink, that made a durable stain; and on those lines I marked my faults with a black lead pencil; which marks I could easily wipe out with a wet sponge. After a while I went through one course only in a year; and afterwards only one in several years; till at length I omitted them entirely, being employed in voyages and business abroad, with a multi-cellence of those copies, their hand is mended plicity of affairs, that interfered; but I always by the endeavour, and is tolerable while it carried my little book with me. My scheme continues fair and legible. of Order gave me the most trouble; and I found that though it might be practicable where a man's business was such as to leave him the disposition of his time, that of a journey-stant felicity of his life down to his 79th year, man printer for instance, it was not possible to in which this is written. What reverses may be exactly observed by a master, who must attend the remainder is in the hand of Provimix with the world, and often receive people dence: but if they arrive, the reflection on of business at their own hours. Order too, past happiness enjoyed, ought to help his with regard to places for things, papers, &c. bearing them with more resignation. To I found extremely difficult to acquire. I had Temperance he ascribes his long continued not been early accustomed to method, and health, and what is still left to him of a good having an exceeding good memory, I was not constitution. To Industry and Frugality, so sensible of the inconvenience attending the early casiness of his circumstances, and want of method. This article therefore cost acquisition of his fortune, with all that knowme much painful attention, and my faults in it ledge that enabled him to be an useful citizen vexed me so much, and I made so little pro-and obtained for him some degree of reputagress in amendment, and had such frequent tion among the learned. To Sincerity and relapses, that I was almost ready to give up Justice, the confidence of his country, and the attempt, and content myself with a faulty the honourable employs it conferred upon character in that respect. Like the man who him: and to the joint influence of the whole in buying an axe of a smith my neighbour, de- mass of the virtues, even in the imperfect sired to have the whole of its surface as bright state he was able to acquire them, all that as the edge: the smith consented to grind it evenness of temper and that cheerfulness in bright for him if he would turn the wheel: he conversation which makes his company still turned while the smith pressed the broad face sought for, and agreeable even to his young of the axe hard and heavily on the stone, acquaintance: I hope therefore that some of which made the turning of it very fatiguing. my descendants may follow the example and The man came every now and then from the reap the benefit. It will be remarked that, though my scheme wheel to see how the work went on; and at length would take his axe as it was, without was not wholly without religion, there was further grin ling. No, said the smith, turn in it no mark of any of the distinguishing on, turn on, we shall have it bright by and tenets of any particular sect; I had purposeby; as yet 'tis only speckled. Yes, said the ly avoided them; for being fully persuaded man, but "I think I like a speckled axe best." of the utility and excellency of my method, And I believe this may have been the case and that it might be serviceable to people in with many, who having for want of some all religions, and intending some time or other such means as I employed, found the difficulty to publish it, I would not have any thing in of obtaining good and breaking bad habits in it, that should prejudice any one, of any sect, other points of vice and virtue, have given up against it. I proposed writing a little comthe struggle, and concluded that “a speckled | ment on each virtue, in which I would have axe was best." For something, that pretend-shown the advantages of possessing it, and ed to be reason, was every now and then sug-the mischiefs attending its opposite vice; I gesting to me, that such extreme nicety as I exacted of myself might be a kind of foppery in morals, which if it were known, would make me ridiculous; that a perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated; and that a benevo

should have called my book The Art of Virtue, because it would have shown the means and manner of obtaining virtue, which would have distinguished it from the mere exhortation to be good, that does not instruct and indicate the means; but is like the apos

But it so happened that my intention of writing and publishing this comment was never fulfilled. I had indeed from time to time put down short hints of the sentiments, reasonings, &c. to be made use of in it; some of which I have still by me: but the necessary close attention to private business, in the earlier part of life; and public business since, have occasioned my postponing it. For it being connected in my mind with a great and extensive project, that required the whole man to execute, and which an unforeseen succession of employs prevented my attending to, it has hitherto remained unfinished.

tle's man of verbal charity, who without some absurdity in his proposition; and in showing to the naked and hungry, how or answering I began by observing, that in cerwhere they might get clothes or victuals, tain cases or circumstances, his opinion would only exhorted them to be fed and clothed. be right, but in the present case there apJames ii. 15, 16. peared, or seemed to me, some difference, &c. I soon found the advantage of this change in my manners; the conversations I engaged in went on more pleasantly. The modest way in which I proposed my opinions, procured them a readier reception and less contradiction; I had less mortification when I was found to be in the wrong, and I more easily prevailed with others to give up their mistakes and join with me when I happened to be in the right. And this mode, which I at first put on with some violence to natural inclination, became at length easy, and so habitual to me, that perhaps for the fifty years past no one has ever heard a dogmatical expression escape me. And to this habit (after my character of integrity) I think it principally owing, that I had early so much weight with my fellow-citizens, when I proposed new institutions, or alterations in the old; and so much influence in public councils, when I became a member for I was but a bad speaker, never eloquent, subject to much hesitation in my choice of words, hardly correct in language, and yet I generally carried my point.

In this piece it was my design to explain and enforce this doctrine, that vicious actions are not hurtful, because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful; the nature of man alone considered: that it was therefore every one's interest to be virtuous, who wished to be happy even in this world: and I should from this circumstance, (there being always in the world a number of rich merchants, nobility, states and princes who have need of honest instruments for the management of their affairs, and such being so rare) have endeavoured to convince young persons, that no qualities are so likely to make a poor man's fortune, as those of probity and integrity.

In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as Pride; disguise it, struggle with it, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it perhaps often in this history. For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.

[Here concludes what was written at Passy, near Paris.]

MEMORANDUM.

I am now about to write at home (Philadelphia,) August 1788, but cannot have the help expected from my papers, many of them being lost in the war. I have however found the following;

My list of virtues contained at first but twelve but a quaker friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud; that my pride showed itself frequently in conversation; that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing, and rather insolent; (of which he convinced me by mentioning several instances) I determined to endeavour to cure myself if I could of this vice or folly among the rest; and I added Humility to my list, giving an extensive meaning to the word. I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue, but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it. I Having mentioned a great and extensive made it a rule to forbear all direct contradic-project which I had conceived, it seems protion to the sentiments of others, and all posi-per, that some account should be here given tive assertion of mine own. I even forbid of that project and its object. Its first rise in myself, agreeably to the old laws of our Junto, my mind appears in the abovementioned little the use of every word or expression in the paper, accidentally preserved, viz. language that imported a fixed opinion; such as certainly, undoubtedly, &c. and I adopted instead of them, I conceive, I apprehend, or I imagine, a thing to be so, or so; or it so appears to me at present. When another assertel some thing that I thought an error, I denied myself the pleasure of contradicting him abruptly, and of showing immediately to be such.

OBSERVATIONS, on my reading history, in library, May 9, 1731.

"That the great affairs of the world, the wars, revolutions, &c. are carried on and effected by parties.

"That the view of these parties is their present general interest; or what they take

"That the different views of these different | for the admission of improper persons; but parties occasion all confusion.

"That/while a party is carrying on a general design, each man has his particular private interest in view.

“That as soon as a party has gained its general point, each member becomes intent upon his particular interest, which thwarting others, breaks that party into divisions, and

occasions more confusion.

"That few in public affairs act from a mere view of the good of their country, whatever they may pretend; and though their actings bring real good to their country, yet men primarily considered that their own and their country's interest were united, and so did not act from a principle of benevolence.

"That fewer still, in public affairs, act with a view to the good of mankind.

"There seems to me at present to be great occasion for raising an United Party for Virtue, by forming the virtuous and good men of all nations into a regular body, to be governed by suitable good and wise rules, which good and wise men may probably be more unanimous in their obedience to, than common people are to common laws.

"I at present think, that whoever attempts this aright, and is well qualified, cannot fail of pleasing God, and of meeting with success." B. F. Revolving this project in my mind, as to be undertaken hereafter, when my circumstances should afford me the necessary leisure, I put down from time to time on pieces of paper such thoughts as occurred to me respecting

it.

Most of these are lost, but I find one purporting to be the substance of an intended creed, containing as I thought the essentials of every known religion, and being free of every thing that might shock the professors of any religion. It is expressed in these words; viz.

"That there is one God, who made all things.

That he governs the world by his providence.

"That he ought to be worshipped by adoration, prayer, and thanksgiving.

"But that the most acceptable service to God, is doing good to man."

"That the soul is immortal. "And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice, either here or hereafter."

that the members should, each of them, search among his acquaintance for ingenious, welldisposed youths, to whom, with prudent caution, the scheme should be gradually communicated. That the members should engage to afford their advice, assistance, and support to each other in promoting one another's interest, business, and advancement in life: that for distinction, we should be called THE Society of the FREE AND EASY. Free, as being by the general practice and habits of the virtues, free from the dominion of vice; and particularly by the practice of industry and frugality, free from debt, which exposes a man to constraint, and a species of slavery to his creditors.

This is as much as I can now recollect of the project, except that I communicated it in part to two young men, who adopted it with enthusiasm: but my then narrow circumstances, and the necessity I was under of sticking close to my business, occasioned my postponing the further prosecution of it at that time, and my multifarious occupations, public and private, induced me to continue postponing, so that it has been omitted, till I have no longer strength or activity left sufficient for such an enterprise. Though I am still of opinion it was a practicable scheme, and might have been very useful, by forming a great number of good citizens: and I was not discouraged by the seeming magnitude of the undertaking, as I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities, may work great changes, and accomplish great affairs among mankind, if he first forms a good plan; and cutting off all amusements or other employments that would divert his attention, makes the execution of that same plan, his sole study and business.

In 1732, I first published my Almanack under the name of Richard Saunders; it was continued by me about twenty-five years, and commonly called Poor Richard's Almanack. I endeavoured to make it both entertaining and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand that I reaped considerable profit from it; vending annually near ten thousand. And observing that it was generally read, (scarce any neighbourhood in the province being without it,) I considered it as a proper vehicle for conveying instruction among the common people, who bought scarcely any My ideas at that time were, that the sect other books. I therefore filled all the little should be begun and spread at first, among spaces that occurred between the remarkable young and single men only; that each person days in the Calendar, with proverbial sentento be initiated should not only declare his as- ces, chiefly such as inculcated industry and sent to such creed, but should have exercised frugality, as the means of procuring wealth, himself with the thirteen weeks' examination and thereby securing virtue; it being more and practice of the virtues, as in the before-difficult for a man in want to act always mentioned model; that the existence of such honestly, as (to use here one of those proa society should be kept a secret, till it was verbs) "it is hard for an empty sack to stand become considerable, to prevent solicitations. upright." These proverbs which contained

the wisdom of many ages and nations, I as- tion to young printers, and that they be ensembled and formed into a connected discourse couraged not to pollute the presses, and disprefixed to the Almanack of 1757, as the grace their profession by such infamous pracharangue of a wise old man to the people at- tices, but refuse steadily, as they may see by tending an auction: the bringing all these my example, that such a course of conduct scattered counsels thus into a focus, enabled will not on the whole be injurious to their them to make greater impression. The piece interests. being universally approved, was copied in all In 1733, I sent one of my journeymen to the newspapers of the American Continent, Charleston, South Carolina, where a printer reprinted in Britain on a large sheet of paper was wanting. I furnished him with a press to be stuck up in houses; two translations and letters, on an agreement of partnership were made of it in France, and great num- by which I was to receive one third of the bers bought by the clergy and gentry to dis-profits of the business, paying one third of the tribute gratis among their poor parishioners expense. He was a man of learning, but igand tenants. In Pennsylvania, as it dis-norant in matters of account; and though he couraged useless expense in foreign super- sometimes made me remittances, I could get fluities, some thought it had its share of in- no account from him, nor any satisfactory state fluence in producing that growing plenty of of our partnership while he lived. On his money which was observable for several decease the business was continued by his years after its publication. widow, who being born and bred in Holland, where, (as I have been informed,) the knowledge of accounts makes a part of female education; she not only sent me as clear a statement as she could find of the transactions past, but continued to account with the greatest regularity and exactness every quarter afterwards; and managed the business with such success, that she not only reputably brought up a family of children, but at the expiration of the term, was able to purchase of me the printing-house, and establish her son in it. I mention this affair chiefly for the sake of recommending that branch of education for our young women, as likely to be of more use to them and their children in case of widowhood, than either music or dancing; by preserving them from losses by imposition of crafty men, and enabling them to continue, perhaps, a profitable mercantile house, with established correspondence, till a son is grown up fit to undertake and go on with it; to the lasting advantage and enriching of the family.

I considered my newspaper also as another means of communicating instruction, and in that view frequently reprinted in it extracts from the Spectator, and other moral writers; and sometimes published little pieces of mine own which had been first composed for reading in our Junto. Of these are a Socratic dialogue, tending to prove, that whatever might be his parts and abilities, a vicious man could not properly be called a man of sense; and a discourse on self-denial, showing that virtue was not secure till its practice became a habitude, and was free from the opposition of contrary inclinations: these may be found in the papers about the beginning of 1735. In the conduct of my newspaper, I carefully excluded all libelling and personal abuse, which is of late years become so disgraceful to our country. Whenever I was solicited to insert any thing of that kind, and the writers pleaded (as they generally did) the liberty of the press; and that a newspaper was like a stage-coach, in which any one who would pay had a right to a place; my answer was, that I would print the piece separately if desired, and the author might have as many copies as he pleased to distribute himself; but that I would not take upon me to spread his detraction; and that having contracted with my subscribers to furnish them with what might be either useful or entertaining, I could not fill their papers with private altercation in which they had no concern, without doing them manifest injustice. Now, many of our printers make no scruple of gratifying the malice of individuals, by false accusations of the fairest characters among ourselves, augmenting animosity even to the producing of duels; and are morcover so indiscreet as to print scurrilous reflections on the government of neighbouring states, and even on the conduct of our best national allies, which may be attended with the most pernicious consequences. These things I mention as a cau

About the year 1734, there arrived among us a young Presbyterian preacher, named Hemphill, who delivered with a good voice, and apparently extempore, most excellent discourses; which drew together considerable numbers of different persuasions, who joined in admiring them. Among the rest, I became one of his constant hearers, his sermons pleas ing me, as they had little of the dogmatical kind, but inculcated strongly the practice of virtue, or what in the religious style are called good works. Those, however, of our congregation who considered themselves as orthodox Presbyterians, disapproved his doctrine, and were joined by most of the old ministers, who arraigned him of heterodoxy before the synod, in order to have him silenced. I became his zealous partisan, and contributed all I could to raise a party in his favour, and combated for him awhile with some hopes of success. There was much scribbling pro and con upon the occasion; and finding, that