Title: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

"He was therefore, feasted and invited to all the court parties. At these he sometimes met the old Duchess of Bourbon, who, being a chess player of about his force, they very generally played together. Happening once to put her king into prize, the Doctor took it. 'Ah,' says she, 'we do not take kings so.' 'We do in America,' said the Doctor."—Thomas Jefferson

A U T O B I O G R A P H Y

B E N J A M I N

F R A N K L I N

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

E. BOYD SMITH,

EDITED

FRANK WOODWORTH PINE

New York

HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY

1916

HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY

June, 1922

THE QUINN & BODEN CO. PRESS

RAHWAY, N. J.

CONTENTS

Page

Introduction vii

The Autobiography 1

I. Ancestry and Early Life in Boston

II. Beginning Life as a Printer

III. Arrival in Philadelphia

IV. First Visit to Boston

V. Early Friends in Philadelphia

VI. First Visit to London

VII. Beginning Business in Philadelphia

VIII. Business Success and First Public Service

126

IX. Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection

146

X. Poor Richard's Almanac and Other Activities

169

XI. Interest in Public Affairs

188

XII. Defense of the Province

201

XIII. Public Services and Duties

217

XIV. Albany Plan of Union

241

XV. Quarrels with the Proprietary Governors

246

XVI. Braddock's Expedition

253

XVII. Franklin's Defense of the Frontier

274

XVIII. Scientific Experiments

289

XIX. Agent of Pennsylvania in London

296

Appendix

Electrical Kite

327

The Way to Wealth

331

The Whistle

336

A Letter to Samuel Mather

340

Bibliography 343

ILLUSTRATIONS

Franklin at the Court of Louis XVI

Frontispiece

Table of Contents

Title: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin