A TRAP FOR OSBORNE.

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anything of mine," said Ralph, "but makes a thousand criticisms out of mere envy. He is not so jealous of you. I wish, therefore, you would produce this piece as yours. I will pretend not to have had time, and will produce nothing. We shall then hear what he will say to it." This was agreed to; and Franklin transcribed the piece, so that it should appear in his own hand-writing. The result is given in Franklin's own words, as follows:

"We met; Watson's performance was read; there were some beauties in it, but many defects. Osborne's was much better; Ralph did it justice; remarked some faults, but applauded the beauties. He had himself nothing to produce. I was backward, seemed desirous of being excused, had not had sufficient time to correct, &c.; but no excuse could be admitted; produce I must. It was read and repeated; Watson and Osborne gave up the contest, and joined in applauding it. Ralph only made a few criticisms, and proposed some amendments; but I defended the text. Osborn was severe against Ralph, and told him he was no better able to criticise than compose verses. As these two were returning home, Osborne expressed himself still more strongly in favor of what he thought my production, having before refrained, as he said, lest I should think he meant to flatter me. 'But who could have imagined,' said he, 'that Franklin was capable of such a performance; such painting, such force, such fire! In common conversation he seems to have no choice of words; he hesitates and blunders; yet how he writes!' When we next met, Ralph disclosed the trick, and Osborne was laughed at." A sufficiently efficacious remedy, one would think, this must have been, against the further exhibition of Osborne's hypercritical spleen, at least in presence of the same circle of companions.

In the absence of any recorded notice of the particu lar studies of young Franklin, at this period of his life, these anecdotes may furnish some indication that his course of reading must probably have been as varied and extensive, as the intervals of his regular employment, and the access to books, at that day, in the city where he dwelt, would permit; and they seem to claim insertion, not only for that reason, nor merely as amusing incidents, but still more as illustrations of character and of some of the influences under which his own was then unfolding.

Of the young men just introduced to the reader, as the names of Watson and Osborne do not occur, in connection with the subject of our narrative, at any subsequent stage of its progress, it may be interesting to state, that Watson, to use the words of Franklin, "died in his arms a few years later, much lamented, being the best of the set ;" and that Osborne established himself as a lawyer, in the West Indies, where he acquired both distinction and wealth, and yet died in the prime of manhood.

The connection of Ralph, with young Franklin, continued much longer, and was attended by more serious consequences, which, however, do not yet call for notice. It will be sufficient to state, here, that his inclination to give himself to poetry, was naturally and not a little strengthened by the incident already related; and, in spite of dissuasion, "he continued scribbling verses," says Franklin, 'till Pope cured him." He went, as will be seen, with Franklin, in the Annis, to London, where he afterward passed most of his life. He acquired considerable prominence as a prose writer, and lived by his pen, which he employed frequently in the service of the ministerial party. Besides numerous political pamphlets, and some more elaborate historical

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RALPH

-KEITH'S LETTERS

MISS READ.

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performances of conceded ability, he produced various dramatic pieces and poems of less merit. Among these last, was a poem entitled " Night," and one called Sawney," the latter containing some abuse of Pope and Swift; and the cure above alluded to, was administered in the celebrated "Dunciad," in the following couplet :

"Silence, ye wolves, while Ralph to Cynthia howls,

Making Night hideous; answer him, ye owls!"

These particulars are gathered chiefly from a note compiled by the vigilant and learned editor of the latest, most complete and valuable edition of the writings of Franklin, where it is also stated that Ralph was, "for many years, the confidential associate of ministers and courtiers ;" and that a little before his death, which occurred in 1762, the moderate pension, on which he had long lived, was increased to six hundred pounds sterling, through the influence of Lord Bute.

While Franklin was thus working for Keimer, and occupying the greater part of his leisure with books, and with the companions mentioned, Sir William Keith continued his friendly attentions to him, inviting him frequently to his house, often adverting to the plan of setting him up in business, and always treating it as “a fixed thing," awaiting only the coming on of time, to be fully accomplished. Sir William was to furnish him, not only with various recommendatory letters to efficient and influential friends in London, but also with a letter of credit, on which the money to pay for the press, types, and other requisite materials for the new printing-office, was to be obtained.

These very essential documents, however, though often promised, were as often delayed, from time to time, till the Annis was on the very eve of sailing; and even then, when Benjamin made his last call, to receive the

letters and take leave of the governor, instead of being enabled to do either, Sir William sent out his secretary to say that he was just then extremely busy, but that he would be down at Newcastle sooner than the ship, and that the letters should there be delivered to him.

Benjamin, therefore, after exchanging pledges of affection and fidelity, with Miss Read, and bidding his other friends good-by, went on board, and the packet dropped down the Delaware to Newcastle. Governor Keith was, indeed, there; but when Benjamin once more went to his lodgings, his secretary again presented himself, with the deep regrets of the governor, that business of the utmost importance, demanding his whole attention and immediate execution, so engrossed him, that it would prevent his seeing his young friend, but that he would send the letters for him on board in good season, and wished him a pleasant voyage and a speedy return. With this parting message, Benjamin, not a little puzzled, but still confiding, repaired on board the Annis.

The other persons, who had taken passage for England in the same vessel, were Andrew Hamilton, an eminent lawyer of Philadelphia, and his son James, who, some years after, became governor of the province of Pennsylvania; a Quaker merchant named Denham; Messrs. Oniam and Russell, iron-masters, whose works were situated in Maryland; and James Ralph, with whom we already have some acquaintance. The entire cabin of the Annis had been engaged by these persons, except Ralph; so that he and Benjamin had to bestow themselves in the steerage, and being unknown to the other passengers, they were supposed to be persons of little consequence.

While the packet was waiting at Newcastle, however, the Hamiltons returned to Philadelphia, the father having been drawn back "by a great fee, to plead for a seized