1. IN the golden book in which are written the names of those who have benefited and blessed mankind no name shines with a brighter luster than that of Benjamin Franklin. As a patriot he rendered unequaled services to his country, as a philosopher he rendered unsurpassed services to the whole human race. He was a wise, a great, a good man.

2. Benjamin, born in Boston in the year 1706, was the youngest son of Josiah Franklin, an Englishman who had settled in Boston, where he carried on the business of making soap and candles.

3. From his earliest years Benjamin showed a great fondness for books, and his father wished that he should have a good education. Accordingly when eight years old he was sent to the grammar school, where by his readiness and application he soon reached the head of the class.

4. But the elder Franklin having a very large family to support, found he could not bear the expense of keeping the lad at school, and when ten years of age Franklin's school life was over for ever. All the great

learning which he afterwards gained was won by his own effort.

5. So now we find young Benjamin set to help in his father's shop, where his work was to cut wicks and fill the dipping-mold. He disliked the occupation very much indeed, and had a strong wish to go to sea. His father would not listen to this; but being a kind man he allowed the lad plenty of time for play. Benjamin was a leader among the Boston boys of his own age; he could handle a boat with great skill, and when very young was a wonderfully expert swimmer.

6. After two years spent in his father's shop, his distaste for the trade had become so strong that the elder Franklin judged it best to put him at something more to his liking. About this time an older brother, James Franklin, had set up as a printer in Boston. To him Benjamin was at the age of twelve bound apprentice.

7. Franklin liked his new occupation much better than cutting candle-wicks and ladling melted grease. It brought him nearer to books, and for these he had a craving that could not be satisfied. He became acquainted in the course of business with the booksellers' apprentices, who frequently lent him books. Often, he tells us, he sat up in his bedroom reading the greater part of the night, when the volume borrowed in the evening had to be returned in the morning, lest the master of the shop should miss it.

8. Young Franklin not only read a great deal, but

he also took much pains to learn the art of composition. In his life, written by himself, he tells us of the many ingenious exercises he practiced to acquire a good style. His efforts were rewarded, for he became one of the most beautiful writers of English.

9. Remember that this laborious student was a boy of fifteen, busy at his trade during the long working day. How did he find the hours for these studies? He stole them from the hours of sleep and meals.

10. When Franklin was sixteen years old his brother James began the publication of a weekly newspaper. Benjamin felt a great desire to contribute to it, but he was sure that his brother would print nothing which he knew to be written by the boyish apprentice.

11. Accordingly he disguised his hand-writing, and one night pushed his piece under the door of the printing-office. Next morning when James found it he read it to his friends, who were warm in their praises, and the apprentice had the pleasure of hearing them guess what noted writer could be its author.

12. James Franklin was a harsh master, and treated Benjamin, not as a brother, but as an apprentice to be scolded and abused. One day a quarrel more violent than any that had gone before took place between the brothers. From words James proceeded to blows, though Benjamin was seventeen years old.

13. Glowing with indignation, the high-spirited youth declared that he would no longer endure such

tyranny. He resolved to run away. And this he did secretly, for fear his friends should prevent him.

14. There were at this time in the colonies only two towns besides Boston that could boast of a printingoffice, New York and Philadelphia. To New York he went first; but finding no work there, he made his way, partly by water but mostly on foot, to Philadelphia, where he arrived on a Sunday morning.

15. "I was," says he, "in my working dress, my best clothes being to come round by sea. I was dirty from my journey, my pockets were stuffed out with shirts and stockings, and I knew no soul nor where to look for lodging. I was fatigued with traveling, rowing, and want of rest; I was very hungry, and my whole stock of cash consisted of a Dutch dollar, and about a shilling in copper.

16. "Then I walked up the street, gazing about, till, near the market-house, I met a boy with bread. I had made many a meal on bread, and inquiring where he got it, I went immediately to the baker's he directed. me to, and asked for biscuit, intending such as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in Philadelphia. Then I asked for a three-penny loaf, and was told they had none such. So, not considering or knowing the difference of money and the greater cheapness nor the names of his bread, I bade him give me threepenny worth of any sort. He gave me, accordingly, three great puffy rolls.

17. "I was surprised at the quantity, but took it, and, having no room in my pockets, walked off with a roll under each arm, and eating the other. Thus I went up Market street as far as Fourth street, passing by the door of Mr. Read, my future wife's father; when she, standing at the door, saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance.".

HEADS FOR COMPOSITION.

I. BOYHOOD OF FRANKLIN : place and date of his birth facts about his father- his love of books his schooling.