第6章
《富兰克林自传》章节:第6章,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
2在卡莱罗纳州建立成功的合作关系后，我大受鼓舞，在其它州也尝试着这样做，并且提升一些做的好的工人，给他们提供一些资源，让他们按卡莱罗纳州的合作模式在其它殖民地建立印刷所。他们中的大多数都做的很成功，且在六年的合同期满后能从我这里购买铅字继续经营，许多的家庭也因此过的还好。许多合作关系最后都是在争吵中结束的，我很庆幸我的合作都在友善的氛围中进行，结局也很令人欣慰。我想这应归功于我的未雨绸缪，事先签订合同，在合同中非常明确地说明双方应尽的义务和应有的权利，这样发生争执的情况就很少了。因此，我想劝所有合伙创业的人都采取这种方式来预防争执，因为不管当初合作时双方多么尊敬，多么信任，日后也免不了小小的猜忌和抱怨，以及在照料业务和承担事物方面所产生的不平等之感等等，这样很容易引起友谊和合作关系的破裂，甚至发展到对簿公堂等其它不愉快的境地。
3总体上来说，我对我在宾西法尼亚建立的一切事业感到还算满意，不过，有两件事我觉得比较遗憾，那就是：这里没有安全防务，也没有一所教育青年的高等学府；没有民兵队，也没有大学。因此，1734年我就提议建立一所高等学校，当时有一个彼得斯牧师正失业，我就想，他当然会是管理这样一个学校的适当人选，所以就把这个计划告诉了他，但是他想替地主服务，赚大钱，而且成功地谋到了一个这样的职位，所以他拒绝了我的请求。因为当时想不出其他适合这个职位的人选，所以就把这个计划暂时搁置下来了。第二年，也就是1744年，我提议成立了一个哲学研究会，为此还写了篇论文，将来我的文集出版的时候你们会看到它。
4至于防务问题，西班牙跟大不列颠打了几年仗，最后法国终于也参加到西班牙那边去了，这使得我们的处境十分险恶。我们的州长托马斯曾经不辞辛劳地试图说服在教会控制下的州议会，通过一条民兵法和制定一些保障本州的安全措施，但是他的努力都付之东流。因此我就设法试着从民间征募义勇军。为了推进这件事，我首先撰写并发表了一本小册子，定名为《平凡的真理》。在这本小册子里我强调指出我们毫无防备的情形，指出为了我们的州防，我们必须征兵和训练军队，并且相约在几天之内组建义勇军，广泛征求队员来加强国防。这本小册子产生了令人意想不到的惊异的效果。有人向我提交要加入义勇军的志愿书，我跟几个朋友商定了一个志愿书草样后，就在前面提过的大教堂里召开了一个市民会议。教堂里差不多坐满了人。我预先印好了入队志愿书，在教堂各处也预备了笔墨。我向他们做了一些关于国防讲话，读了志愿书上的项目并加以解释，之后就把它们分发出去，大家便在志愿书上踊跃签名，一点反对的意思都没有。
5散会以后，志愿书收了上来，我们数了一下，大概有1200张以上。另外还有分发到其它各地去的志愿书，这样加起来大概有1万张以上。这些人尽速地自备枪械，自己编队，自选长官，每周集合一次，进行体力训练和其它的军事训练。妇女们自发捐献丝绸军旗，并在上面绣上了各种不同的图案和格言，这些图案和格言都是我提供的。
6组成费城联队的各团军官推举我做他们的团长，考虑到我对这个位置不合适，我就拒绝了他们的盛情，之后我推荐了劳伦斯，一个非常棒，且相当有影响力的人！于是军官们采纳了我的意见，请他做他们的长官。接着我提议发行奖券集资，在城南修建炮台和装配大炮。资金迅速地凑足了，炮台也不日完工，墙垛是用原木做成的，里面填上泥土。我们从波士顿买来了几尊旧大炮，光这几尊还是远远不够的，因此我们写信到英国去订购，同时向私人军火商求援，当然我们对此也没抱有太大的希望。
7同时，我和劳伦斯将军、威廉·艾伦先生、亚布拉罕·泰勒先生被派到纽约向克林顿州长借几尊大炮。他一开始坚决地拒绝了我们。后来按照当地的风俗，我们宴请了他和他的顾问班子，在餐桌上几杯烈性的白葡萄酒下肚后，他的态度逐步地软化了下来，他说愿意借给我们6尊。接着满饮几杯后，他把数目增至10尊，最后他十分优厚地答应让给我们18尊。他借给我们的是质地上乘的可以发射18磅的重磅大炮，还包括坚固的炮架。没过多久。我们便把它们运回来装在我们的炮台上。在战争期间，联合部队每夜在炮台上放哨守望，我跟其他队员像一个普通的士兵一样按时轮班值勤。
8我在这些活动中的表现受到了州长和他参议会的嘉许和欢迎。他们对我相当信任，总向我咨询有关有益于军团训练的措施。为了在宗教上得到支持，我建议他宣布一个斋戒日，以促进军队的改良和祈求上帝对我们所进行的事业的祝福。他们很拥护这一主张，但是因为在宾西法尼亚历史上没有举行过斋戒日，所以秘书找不到前例可循，不知道应该怎样起草这个文告。我在新英格兰求过学，在那里每年都会举行一个斋戒日，这点好处正好可以利用一下。所以，我就按那里的传统格式起草了一篇文告，译成德文，用德英两种文字印刷出来，向全州公布。这也就给各教派的牧师们提供了一个机会去鼓励他们的信徒们参加联合军队。假如不是因为战事很快地结束了的话，也许除了教友会以外的各个教派都会积极地参加联合军队呢！
9我的一些朋友认为，我在那些事件中的活动，会冒犯宗教，这样的话会丧失我在议会中的地位，因为教会的人在议会中占大多数。有一个年轻的绅士，在州议会里有些朋友，因而想把我挤走，继任我那个议会秘书的职位，于是就对我说，议员们已经决定在下次选举时把我免职，他好意劝我辞职，因为辞职比免职要体面些。我礼貌地回敬他：我曾经听说过一个政治家，他有一个处事原则，即他从不谋求职位，但是当别人请求他任职时，他也从不拒绝。我赞成他的原则只是还得往上再加一小点：我从不请求职位，从不拒绝职位，同时也从不辞职。假如他们把我这个秘书的职位交给别人，他们有权免我的职，我也不会因此感到难为情，但是我坚决不辞职，而放弃在适当时候向我的对手报复的权利。后来再也没听到过这样的事了，在接下来的选举中我还是当选了，而且像往常一样全体一致通过的。这件事我想可能是州议会的议员们不喜欢我近来跟州长的参议会走得太近，因为历任州长与他的参议会在军事准备问题上和州议会一向有分歧，州议会对此也比较头痛。议员们不愿意仅仅因为我热心办军事训练而把我免职，但是他们又找不到其它合适的借口，只好希望我自动离开议会。
10其实，我有理由相信假如参议会没要求州议会积极协助的话，他们双方也不会反对国防建设的。我发现有很多人，虽然反对侵略性的战争，但是不会反对防御性质的战事，实际上这样的人比我想象的还要多。关于国防问题双方发表了许多小册子，有一些赞成国防的小册子还是一些优秀的教友会的教友写的。这些文章说服了大多数年轻的教友会教友。
11有件事让我了解了消防队大多数人的看法。有人提议为了资助炮台的建设起见，我们想用当时消防队的约60镑的资金来购买彩票。根据当时我们的法律规章，动用资金必须在提案提出后的下一届会议中通过才行，消防队有30会员，其中22个是教友会的教友，仅仅8个会员属于其它教派。我们8个人准时出席了会议，虽然我们知道有些教友会教友将站在我们这一边，但是我们的主张最终究竟会不会获得通过，我们还没有十足的把握。只有一个教友会教友——詹姆士·莫里斯先生，出席反对这一提案。他对于这一提案的提出深表惋惜，因为这个提案所有教友会的教友都反对，它引起了各派的争执，这种纷争或许会导致消防队的解散。我们向他解释，这样的结果是不太可能的，因为我们是少数派，假如教友会的教友反对这一提案，在投票表决时票数多于我们，按照议事规则我们必须服从多数，而且别无选择。讨论提案的时候到了，于是有人提议进行表决，按规章我们可以在那个时候表决，但是他确信有许多教友会教友是会来投反对票的，为了公正起见，我们就应该等他们一小会儿。
12当我们正在争论时，一个侍者跑来告诉我楼下有两位绅士要见我。我跑下楼一看，原来是我们消防队的两个教友会教友，他告诉我还有8位会友在附近的一家酒馆里，如果有必要的话，他们会来参加会议和我们一起投赞成票，但是他不希望出现这样的局面。因为如果他们投赞成票的话，他们的长者和朋友们和会责难他们。所以我们如果可以不用他们出席而通过议案的话就不要叫他们来协助。这样一来，我们胜出的把握就又多了一成了，我回到楼上，假装犹豫了一阵后就同意延长一小时。莫里斯先生认为这样做是十分公正的，但是他的同盟者一个也没有来，这使他十分诧异也十分恼火。1小时以后我们就以8︰1的多数票通过了这一议案。因为在22个教友会成员中，8个愿意跟我们投赞成票，13人弃权，表示他们不愿意投反对票，所以按照我的估计，我认为真正反对国防的教友会教友的比例仅是1∶21。这些不愿投反对票的教友全是教友会的忠实信徒，在他们中间声誉颇佳，而且也都知道这次开会要讨论的议程。
13一位德高望重、博学多才的洛根先生，他一直是教友会教友，他写了一封致教友会教友的公开信，在信中他支持修建防御性工事，并且言之有理，持之有据。并且交给我60镑为炮台去购买奖券，并且言明如果彩票中奖，奖金全部捐作修建炮台之用。关于防御性工事，他随后告诉了我一个关于他以前的东家威廉·潘的故事。他年轻的时候，跟着他的老板威廉·潘从英国漂洋过海来到美洲，那时他只是个秘书。碰巧那时是个狼烟四起的多事之秋，有一只武装了的船紧紧地追赶着他们的船，他们猜想那是一条敌船。船长于是下令开始准备抵抗，但他告诉威廉·潘和他的教友会随从说，不指望得到他们协助，他们可以呆在甲板上也可以躲到舱里。于是他们都下去了，只有詹姆士·洛根一个人留了下来，他宁愿呆在甲板上。船长就命令他看守一尊炮。这个假想的敌船，实际上是一只友好的船只，所以没有爆发战争。但是当这位秘书下去报告消息的时候，威廉·潘严厉地责备他的行为，说他违反了教友会的教规，参加船的保卫工作，特别是因为船长并没有要求他这样做。威廉·潘当着众人的面责骂他，惹恼了这位秘书，他说：“我是你的仆人，你为什么不命令我下去呢？但是当情势危急时，你很乐意我留在上面协助保卫船只啊！”
14州议会中的成员绝大多数都是教友会的教友，而且一向都是教友会教友，我在议会多年，常常看到当国王命令他们通过增加军费预算时，由于他们原则上反对战争，所以他们做决定的时候左右为难。因为，一方面，他们不愿意得罪英王政府而直接了当地拒绝拨款，另一方面，他们也不愿意顺从国王的意旨，违背他们的原则，而触怒他们教友会的朋友。因此他们想出各种各样的托词来推脱，而每当无处可逃非顺从不可时，他们就会想出各种欲盖弥彰的方法来。最常用的方法是在“供国王的应用”的名义下通过拨款，但从不过问该款的具体用途。
15但是假如请求拨款的命令不是直接从国王那来的，这个借口就不太适用了，他们就不得不另外想出一些花样来。比如，新英格兰的政府因缺乏火药（我想是为了防守路易堡）请求宾西法尼亚拨给一些火药，托马斯州长极力主张州议会应当加以援助，但是州议会无法明目张胆地拨钱给其买火药，因为火药是战争的要素之一，但是他们可以在支援新英格兰购买粮食、面粉或其它粒状物的名义下拨款3000英镑，款项由州长掌握。有些参议会议员想给州议会更多的麻烦，劝州长不要接受这笔款项，因为它不符合要求，但是州长回答说：“我接受这笔钱，因为我了解它的实际意义。所谓其它粒状物就是指火药。”因此他拿来购买了火药，州议会也从不反对州长这样处理。
16在我们消防队里，当我们担心购买奖券的议案不能通过时，我就想到了这件事，我对我的朋友辛格先生（我们的一个队员）说：“假如我们的提议通不过的话，就让我们提议用这笔钱来购买一架防火机器吧，教友会教友不会反对这件事的，接着你就提我的名，我提你的名，我们俩就组成委员会去购买，到时就买他一尊火炮，这当然也是一架“防火机器”呀！”他说：“你在州议会呆了那么久，终于也有进步了。你这双关的计划简直可以与他们的‘粮食或其它粒状物’相媲美了”。
17教友会把反对任何战争作为他们信守不渝的一条原则肯定下来并把它向社会公布出去了，虽然在后来的活动中他们改变了主张，但是当时这些反战原则已经有言在先，所以不可能轻易地推翻它，免得在公众中落个出尔反尔的形象。教友会的进退维谷的窘境让我想起了我们中间的一个教派，叫做德国浸礼会，他们采取了一种在我看来是比较审慎的态度。这个教派成立后不久，我就认识了它的创始人之一的迈克尔·魏尔菲。他向我诉苦说，其他教派的狂热信徒无端地诬蔑他们，说他们有一些令人憎恶的信条和习惯，其实这完全是无中生有。我告诉他说，这对新教派是常有的事，为了消灭这些无端的污蔑，最好就是把你们的信条和教规公布一下。他说，这样的建议在他们中间也曾经有人提过，但是因为下面的缘故他们不愿意这样做。他说：“当我们这一教派刚成立时，蒙上帝的启示，使我们看到某些过去我们认为是真理的教条现在实在是谬误的，而有些我们过去认为是错误的现在看起来却是真理，上帝不时指引着我们，我们的教规在不断地改进，我们的错误在不断地减少。但是我们不敢断定我们的进步就已经登峰造极，我们心灵的或神学的知识就已经尽善尽美了。我们担心假如一旦把我们的教规公布的话，我们日后会受之束缚和限制，这可能会使我们不再愿意加以改进，而我们的子孙将会更加如此，因为他们会觉得他们祖辈创立的遗训是神圣不可侵犯的，是应当信守不渝的。”
18一个教派有这样谦逊的品质恐怕是人类历史上绝无仅有的吧！其他的教派总是以为自己真理在握，认为持有不同见解的人是完全错误的。像一个在漫天迷雾中行走的人一样，在他看来，他前面不远处的人完全是沉浸在大雾中，他后面的和两边的人也是如此，而他觉得自己周围是完全清晰的，没有被大雾包围，但实际上他跟其他人一样都在大雾中。为了避免陷入这种进退维谷的窘境，近年来越来越多的教友会教友辞去了州议会和政府中的职位，他们宁可放弃他们的权利也不愿在原则上让步。
19按照时间的先后来说，我早就应该提下面这件事了。1742年我发明了一种“壁炉”，冷空气在进入的过程中就被烘热了，因而这种壁炉能够更好地使房间变暖同时还可节省燃料。后来我就制造了一个模型送给我的一个老朋友罗伯特·格雷斯。他开了一家铁匠铺，他发现制造这种壁炉的铁板会有丰厚的利润，因为买这种壁炉的人越来越多了。为了推广销路，我撰写并发表了一本小册子，定名《新发明的宾西法尼亚壁炉说明书：本文特别说明它的构造和使用方法，证明它较其它取暖方法的优点，驳斥一切反对使用这种壁炉的议论》。这本小册子发行后起到了很好的效果，托马斯州长非常喜欢书中介绍的这种壁炉的结构，他甚至提议在若干年后给我专利权，但是我不想取得专利权，因为在这个问题上我心里一直坚持这样的原则：既然别人的发明给了我们巨大的便利，我们也该乐于让别人享用我们的发明，并且我们应当无偿的把我们的发明贡献给世人。
20但是，伦敦的一个铁器商人从我的小册子里窃取了许多东西，并把它改成自己的东西，只是在我的基础上做了些小小的变动，这些改动使得壁炉的效力降低了，他就在伦敦获得了专利，据说，他因此发了一笔不小的横财。别人从我的发明当中剽窃专利权已不仅限于这一个例子了，虽然有时候他们也不一定会获得成功，但我从不愿跟他们争讼，因为我自己无意利用专利权来获利，我也不喜欢争吵。这种壁炉的推行，不管是在宾西法尼亚还是在附近的殖民地，都给人们节约了大量的燃料。
21战争结束了，因此军事训练的工作也结束了，我的精力就转到开办学院这件事上来了。我的第一部计划是邀请我朋友中的一些积极分子参加这个计划，其中有相当数量是社团的会员；第二部是编写和发表一本小册子，叫做《有关宾西法尼亚青年教育的建议》。我把它们免费赠送给居民中有些地位的人，过了些时候我认为他们都已经看过这本小册子了，因而在思想上都有些准备了，我就为开办和维持这所学院开始募捐。捐款在五年内分5次缴纳。这种分期缴款的办法，我认为可以使得认捐数目大一些。事实上我相信也是如此，假如我没有记错的话，认捐总数不下于5000磅。
22在这些计划的前言中，我指出它的出版不是我一个人的功劳而是许多爱国绅士共同努力的结果。照我做事的一贯作风，我不愿把自己当做公益事业的发起人公布出去。
23为了尽快地实现这个计划，捐款人从他们自己中间推选了21个理事，并且指定我和当时的首席检查官法兰西斯先生替这个学院起草一个组织规程。规程拟订好了，校舍租好了，教师也请好了，我记得学校就在那一年（1749年）开学了。
24学院的人数不断地增加，原来的校舍很快就不够用了，当时我们正物色一块位置适中的地皮，打算修建校舍，但是这个时候上帝突然赐给我们一所现成的大厦，只须稍稍修改，就可以使用了。这就是上面提到过的，怀特菲尔德先生的信徒们出资修建的大教堂。我们就这样轻而易举地获得了校舍。
25我记得当初这所大教堂是由许多不同教派的人出资修建起来的，所以在推选保管该项房地产的理事时，规定不许任何教派占有优势，免得日后有人利用这种优势，把整所房屋拨给某一教派独用，而违反修建这所教堂的本意。因此他们每一个教派中都推举了一个人出来，即圣公会一人，长老会一人，浸礼会一人，弟兄会一人，等等。如果因死亡有空缺时，就由理事会从捐款人中推选一人给补上。碰巧这位弟兄会的理事和其他理事不和，在他死后，理事会决定不再选弟兄会的人做理事了。但是这样做问题就出现了，即在推举新理事的时候怎样避免一个教派有两个理事呢？
26理事们提出了几个候选人的名字，但是因为上述那个原因都没有被通过，后来一个理事提到了我的名字，他说我是一个诚实的人，不属于任何教派，这样才说服了其他理事，他们就推选了我做新理事。理事们当年修建教堂时的那股热情早就烟消云散了，理事会无法找到新的捐款来偿付地租和其它与教堂有关的债务，因此对教堂的发展感到忧心忡忡。现在我是两个理事会的理事了，既是教堂的理事也是学院的理事，因此我就有个很好的机会跟两方面的理事们商谈，最后使双方达成了一项协议。按照这项协议，教堂理事会把教堂让渡给学院理事会，后者承担偿还清债务的责任，不过要遵照修建该教堂时的原意——永远在教堂里划出一大间会堂听任传教士们的不时之需，并开办一所免费的供教育清贫弟子所用的学校。于是双方订了合同，学院理事会付清了债务以后，就接管了教堂的房产。我们把高大的教堂分成了两层，每层又隔成若干房间作为教室。另外又买了些地皮，整个场所不久就合乎我们的要求了。学生们不久就搬进了这所大楼。所有跟工人定合同、采购物资和监督工程等工作都落在了我肩上，可我还是很乐意去做这些工作，特别是因为它们并不和我的业务冲突。因为一年前我已经和我的一个伙计合了伙，他叫大卫·荷尔，非常能干、勤勉、诚实，他替我做了四年，所以我很了解他。他担负了管理印刷所的一切工作，使我得以抽身做其它的事，并按时付给我应得的红利。这一关系维持了18年之久，对双方都有无尽的好处。
27过了些时候，学院理事会从州长那领得了一张执照，组成了一个社团，从英国寄来了大量的捐款，地主们也捐了土地，州议会到现在为止也捐献了不少资金，理事会的基金多了起来。现在的费城大学就这样成立了。我从开始一直是其中的一个理事，到现在快40年了。看到许多青年在这所大学里受到教育，能够以卓越的才能显名扬姓，成为社会和国家的栋梁，我感到由衷的欣慰。
28正如前面所说的，我摆脱了私人业务的经营，当时我自认为已经获得了一笔财产，虽然数目很有限，但足够使我在未来的一生中获得空闲的时间，来从事哲理的探讨和欢度晚年。我从思朋斯博士那里购买了他全部的仪器，他是从英国到美洲来讲学的。我很快着手做电学的实验。但是公众却认为我是个悠闲的人，因而就抓住我来做事，政府各部门几乎同时要我效劳。州长任命我为治安推事；市政府选我做市议会议员，不久以后又选我做市参议员；全体人民又选我为州议员，在州议会中代表他们。州议员这个职位特别使我乐意，因为我厌倦了孤坐一旁听别人辩论的处境了。作为州议会的秘书，我不能参加辩论，而这些辩论又是多么的枯燥无味，我不得不在纸上画画数字方阵表、圆圈或是其它的任何东西来解闷。而做了州议员就不同了，我认为在这个职位上我可以作出我更大的贡献。当然，如果说我对这些荣誉无动于衷的话未免有点虚伪，这些社会地位对我这样出身低微的人来说是很了不起的，所以我确实感到很光荣，特别使我感到高兴的是这些职位代表着社会舆论对我的自发称赞，完全不是靠我自己沽名钓誉得来的。
29我试着做了一下治安法官，出了几次庭，也开庭听人诉讼，但是我发现要做好这个工作仅凭我那点肤浅的习惯法知识是远远不够的。因此，我渐渐避开这一职务，我的借口是我不得不在州议会中履行更重要的任务。每年我都当选州议会，连任10年之久。我从不请求任何选举人投我的票，也从不间接地表达我要求当选的愿望。在做州议员时，我的儿子当了州议会的秘书。
30接下来的一年，我们要与印第安人在卡莱尔谈判，州长送了个咨文给州议会，建议州议会从议员指定几位议员同参议会中的一部分参议员共同组成一个谈判委员会。州议会就指定了我和议会长（诺里斯先生）去，我们就奉命去卡莱尔会见了印第安人。
31印第安人十分好酒，喝醉了酒后就发酒疯，吵吵闹闹，无法无天，不守秩序，所以我们严格禁止卖任何酒给他们。当他们为这禁酒而抱怨时。我们就对他们说，如果在谈判期间不喝酒，谈判结束后我们愿意给他们大量的甜酒。他们答应了，也遵守了这一约定，因为他们除此之外买不到酒，所以不得不遵守。谈判进行得很安静，很顺利，结果也让双方满意。谈判结束后，我们遵守前面的约定给了他们甜酒，这是在下午。他们男女老幼加在一起大约有100来号人，住在城外临时性的四合院型的木屋里。到了晚上的时候，我们听到外面人声嘈杂，委员们就跑出去看个究竟。我们看见四合院的中央燃起了一个熊熊篝火，他们男男女女全喝的酩酊大醉，互相叫着，打着。在昏暗的篝火下，隐约可见他们半裸的淡黑色的身体，他们互相追逐着，拿着火把相互殴打着，口中发出可怕的喊叫声。这种情景让我们想起了想象中的地狱。喧嚣嘈杂声经久不息，我们没办法，回到了我们的寓所。午夜十分，几个印第安人跑来，像打雷一般地敲我们的门，要求更多的甜酒，我们理都不想理他们。
32第二天，他们发觉他们的行为过火了，不该打搅我们，所以派了3个酋长来道歉。声称他们错了，但是却把错误推到甜酒身上，接着又设法宽宥甜酒，说：“创造万物的大神使得物各有其用，既然神指定某种东西有某一用途，不管这用途是什么，就应该照着来用。当神创造甜酒时，神说：‘这酒是给印第安人喝醉用的’，所以我们必须执行神的旨意。”是呀，照他们这样的逻辑，假如上帝的旨意是要消灭这些生灵，给垦殖者让出地方，那么看来，甜酒很可能就是老天注定的手段和方法了。它已经消灭了所有以前住在沿海一带的部落了。
331751年，我的一个好友托马斯·邦德医生想要在费城开办一所医院（一个非常好的主意，有人说这个计划是我想出来的，但是这确实是他的主张），以便收容和治疗穷苦无依的病人，不问是否是本州的居民或是外地人。他热诚而又积极地为这一计划募捐，但是因为这样的计划在美洲尚属首创，人们还不是很了解它，因此他的努力收效不大。
34最后他到我这儿来，恭维我说，他发现了一个要实现公益事业的计划，没有我参加就不行。他说：“因为我去向人们募捐，人们常问我：‘这件事你跟富兰克林商量过没有？富兰克林怎么说？’当我告诉他们我还没有跟你谈过，因为我认为这件事多少有点非你所长，他们就拒绝捐款了，只说他们将考虑这个计划。”我问了他这个计划的性质和可能的用途，他的回答让我觉得非常有益。我不但自己捐了钱，而且热诚把这计划解释给人们听，还劝他们捐款支持这一计划。不过在向人们募捐之前，我在报上发表了有关这一计划的文章，以便让大家在思想上有所准备。在这样的事情上，这是我一贯的做法，但是他却忽略了这一关键的一步。
35后来人们捐款比开始踊跃多了。但是不久捐款就越来越少了，我知道如果州议会不加以援助，光靠民间的捐款是不够的。因此我就主张申请州议会津贴，接着就这样行动了。代表乡村的议员们起初并不赞成这个计划，他们提出了自己的不同的观点，说这样的医院只对城里人有好处，因此应该完全由城里的市民出资来开办。同时他们也怀疑究竟有多少市民赞成这样的计划。和他们观点正相反，我倒认为，它受到市民的普遍欢迎，这一点是毫无疑问的，因为我们已经募到了2000多镑的捐款。可他们还是认为我的想法是一种不切实际的奢望，是完全不可能实现的。
36我的计划就是在这样的情形下形成的。我请求州议会允许我提出这样一个议案，即按照捐款人的要求让他们组成一个社团并给一些津贴。州议会允许我这样提出，主要是考虑到如果他们不喜欢就可以把它否决掉。我将其中的一个重要的条款当做一个条件提出来，即：“当这一议案被州议会通过时，捐款人应组成一个社团，选出理事和司库，将募集起来的2000镑的基金（年息作为上述医院免费对穷苦病人提供食物、看护、诊治和医药所用）并向州议会议长提出适当的证明，州议长依法签字并通知州司库付与上述医院司库2000镑，分两年付清，每年一次，作为开办修缮和装修之用。”
37这一条件使得该议案获得通过，因为原先反对拨款的议员现在认为他们可以不费分文地获得慈善家的美名，他们就赞成了这议案。后来，在向人们募捐的时候，我们强调该议案中的有条件的诺言，这样人们就更乐于捐助了，因为每人的捐款将变成双倍。这样这个附带条件在两方面就都起了作用。因此捐款的总数没多久就超过了规定的必需的数目，我们提出获得政府津贴的要求，这一要求被接受了，这就帮助我们提早实现了这一计划。不久我们建造了一所适宜而又美观的大楼。后来的实践证明这一医院对人民是有益的，直到今天它还很兴旺。在我毕生的政治计划中，没有一桩事情的成功，按我的记忆，在当时能给我这么多的快慰，或者事后回想时，我也能原谅我曾经耍过的一个小小计谋。
38大概在这个时候，另外一个发起人吉尔伯特·谭那德牧师，来看我要求我帮助他募捐兴建一所新的教堂。这所教堂将归他手下的长老会使用，他们原来是怀特菲尔德先生的门徒。但我坚决地拒绝了他的请求，因为我不愿意过分频繁地向市民们募捐，致使他们对我不满。后来他又要我提供一张名单，列举以往在募捐中我认为是慷慨好施，热心公益事业的人的姓名。这样的名单我也拒绝给他，因为这些在以往募捐中好施的人们好心地答应了我募捐的请求，捐了款以后，我却把他们指出来使他们受其他募捐人员的纠缠，那我就太不讲道理了，所以这样的事我决不能做的。后来他要求我至少给他一些忠告，“这个我倒很乐意”，我说，“首先，你先向那些你知道一定会出钱的人募捐，第二，向那些你不知道究竟会不会捐款的人募捐，并把那些已经捐了钱的人的名单给他们看，最后，也不要忽略那些你认为不肯出钱的人，因为其中有些人可能你会看错的。”他笑着向我道了谢，他说他愿意接受我这些劝告。他真的按我所说的做了，向每个人募捐了，结果是他得到捐款的总数比他预料的多得多。他用这笔钱在拱门街修建了一所宏伟而又十分华丽的教堂。
39虽然，我们的城市规划的很美观整齐，我们的街道既宽且直，纵横交错，但是不幸的是这些街道年久失修，路面已经坏了，每逢雨季，沉重的马车就把路面碾得泥泞不堪，使人裹足不前，而晴天里尘土飞扬，让人难以忍受。我曾经一度在以前的泽西市场附近居住，当我看到市民们不得不在跋涉在污泥中购买食物时，颇感不安。后来在市场中央的一块长条的地方铺上了地砖，所以市民们一到市场就可以走上比较干净的地了，但是市场以外的街道还是泥泞不堪。我跟人们也谈论过这件事，也为它写过文章，终于使得从市场到住宅前面的人行道这一段街道铺上了石板。在一段时期内，使得人们不必弄脏鞋子就可以顺利到达市场了。但是，因为这条街的其它地方都未铺上石板，所以当一辆马车从泥路走上石板路时，就会把泥路上沾的泥路带到石板路上，所以石板路上不久就堆满了泥土，而又没有人去清除这些污泥。因为这时城里还没有清洁工呢！
40经过一番调查后，我找到了一个贫穷而又勤劳的人，他愿意做街道清洁的工作，每星期扫两次并把每家门前的垃圾搬走，每家每月出6便士作为酬劳。接着我就写了一张传单，把它印出来了，指出这一笔小小的费用可以替街上的人们带来的好处。例如，人们脚上带进来的污泥减少了，我们家里就可以比较容易干净了；街道清洁后，顾客更容易到店铺来，顾客增多了就可以给店家带来更多的生意了；而且在刮风的时候风沙不致吹到他们的货物上去等等。我给每家发了一张传单，一两天后我跑到各家去走访，看究竟有多少人愿意签定合同支付这6便士。各家都一致同意地签了合同，那段时期内，这个计划进展得很顺利。全体市民对于市场附近街道的清洁都感到很高兴，因为它便利了大家。这就使得人们普遍地要求把所有街道都铺起来。同时也使得人们更愿意为铺路纳税。
41过了一阵子，我起草了一个为费城筑路的议案，并在州议会中把它提了出来。这事在1757年，刚好在我去英国之前，离开美洲之后，这议案才被通过，当时在评估税额的方式方面作了某些变更，这些变动我认为是不妥的，但通过的议案还附带了有关路灯的条款，这倒是一个很大的改进。一个普通的老百姓，已故的约翰·克利夫敦先生，曾经把一盏灯装在了他的门口。这样，他就用实际的榜样说明了路灯的作用，从而使人们想到在全城各处都点上灯。有人把首创这一件公益事业的光荣归于我，但实在是属于那位先生的。我只是模仿了他的榜样，在改进路灯的形状方面略有微功。我们的路灯跟起初我们从伦敦买来的球状路灯是不同的。这些圆形的路灯有下列缺点：空气不能从下面进去，因此烟煤不能迅速地从上面出去，烟煤只能在圆球内打转，黏附在球壁上，不久就阻塞了路灯应发的光线，而且每天需要去擦拭灯罩，如果不小心一下就会被碰破了，那整个灯罩就没用了。因此我建议用4块平整的玻璃拼凑起来，上面装上一个长长的烟囱使烟煤上升，而灯下面露出的缝隙可以使空气进入，让烟煤进一步上升。这样，灯罩就可以保持清洁，路灯可以光明灿烂到天明，不至于像伦敦的路灯那样，在几小时内就变得昏暗无光。并且偶然碰到它，一般也只会敲破一块玻璃，重配很方便。
42伦敦伏克斯可花园的球状灯底下的孔洞使灯罩很干净。我有时候觉得奇怪，为什么伦敦的市民就没有想到也在他们的路灯底下同样开几个孔。果然他们的路灯底下也有孔，但是这些孔是有别的用途的，那就是，把麻线穿过这些孔悬挂下来，可以让火焰迅速地传递到灯心。至于放进空气的用途，他们好像并没有想到，因此，路灯点上几小时后，伦敦街上就已经黯然无光了。
43提起这些改进，使我想起我在伦敦时曾向富特吉尔博士建议的一件事。富特吉尔博士是我认识的人中最优秀的人之一，是公益事业的一个伟大的创始人。我看到在天晴的时候，伦敦的街道是从来没有人扫的，尘土飞扬，任其厚厚地积存下来，一下雨这些尘土就变成了泥浆，满街的泥浆，不堪涉足。除了穷人拿着扫帚扫出的一条小道外，试图穿越街道是不可能的事。这样过了几天后，人们费大力气把泥浆翻起来，倒进敞篷的马车中。当马车在路上颠簸时，车身两旁时时会颠出烂泥，飞溅四方，使过往路人苦恼不堪。而伦敦市民不扫街道的理由据说是怕尘土飞扬会进入商店和住宅的窗户。
44一件偶然发生的事情使我知道扫街原本花费不了多少时间。一天早晨，我在克雷文街寓所的门口，我看见一个穷苦的妇人拿着一把桦树枝扫帚在扫我门前的人行道。她看上去苍白瘦弱，好像大病初愈的样子。我问她是谁雇她来扫街的，她说，“谁也没有雇佣我，但是我很穷，我来富人门前扫地，希望他们会给我一点钱。”我要她把整条街都扫干净，并且答应付她1先令。当时是9点整，12点钟她来要工钱。起初我以为她动作迟缓，不可能做得这样快，就派我的仆人去看个究竟。仆人很快回来报告说整条街都扫得一干二净，所有的尘土都堆在了路中央的阴沟之中。在下次下雨的时候，雨水就可以把尘土冲走，所以人行道，甚至阴沟，都会十分干净。
45当时我认为若一个虚弱的妇人可以在3个小时之内扫完这条街，那么一个强壮的男子或许只需一半的时间就可以办到。这里让我说明，在这样狭窄的街道中，与其两边靠着人行道各有一个阴沟，不如在街道中间开一条沟来得方便。因为当一条街上的雨水从两旁集中到中央时，会在中央形成一股急流，它有足够大的力量冲洗掉路上所积的尘土。但是如果把它分为左右两条水路，那水流的力量不足以冲刷干净路上的积土，只能使它接触到的泥土更加稀烂，车轮和马脚就会把它们溅在人行道上，使道路变得泥泞肮脏，有时也会溅在行人身上。我曾经向这位善良的博士提出了以下的建议：
46为更有效地打扫和保持伦敦和韦斯敏斯德的街道清洁起见，本人建议雇佣看守若干名，负责在干旱的季节里扫除尘土，在雨季里做刮泥的工作。每名看守人负责巡逻几条大街小巷，他们要配置的扫帚和其它清道工具统一放置在固定的场所，以备他们所雇佣的清扫人员工作之用。
47耙集在一起，上午泥土不可堆积在街上，以免被车轮和马足扬起。清道人员应备有若干车辆，车身不是高高地装在车轮上，而是应该低低地装在滑盘上。车底由格子构成，上铺稻草，以保持倒入的泥浆的水分从车子底部排出。除去大量的水，泥浆的重量将大大减轻。这种车辆应放置在适当远的地方，泥浆先用手推车运送，而泥车在将泥中水分排干后，用马匹把它们拖走。
48之后我对这个建议后半部分的可行性有些怀疑，因为有些街道很狭窄，泥车放在那里就不能不占去太多的位置，以致阻塞交通，但是我还以为那建议的前半部（主张在商店营业前清扫街道运走垃圾），在夏天是切实可行的，因为夏天日子长。一天早晨7点钟，我走过伦敦河滨街和佛里特街，看见虽然天已经亮了，太阳已经出来3个多小时了，可是还没有一家店铺开门。伦敦的市民宁愿在烛光下生活，在白天睡觉，但是另一方面，他们常常抱怨烛税太高，烛价太贵，真有点荒唐啊！
49也许有人以为这些小事不值得留心或加以叙述。虽然在刮风的时候，灰沙吹进一个人的眼睛或是一家店铺是件小事，但是假如他们考虑到在人口众多的城市里有千千万万的人或者店铺受到灰沙的袭击，而且这样的情况时时发生，那他们就会认为这不是一件小事了，他们也不会妄加指责那些留意这些似乎微不足道的事情的人来了。人类幸福不是由偶然的巨大的机遇带来的，而是由每天的时时发生的好事所积累而来的。所以说，假如你教会一个贫穷的年轻人怎样修饰自己，怎样保养他的剃刀远比给他1000个金币要好得多。这就是授人以鱼不如授人以渔。这些钱总有一天会花光的，只会留下用钱不当的遗憾；但是另外一种情况，假如他学会了自己修面，他就会逃开时常因等待理发师恶心的剪刀，还有那粗重的呼吸，肮脏的手指所带来的不快，随心所欲地想在哪个高兴的时候做就在哪个时候做，而且器具也是令人感到舒适而又锋利的。本着这样的思想，我大胆冒昧地写下了上面的文字，希望他们能够对我所住的，所热爱的城市提供一些有用的参考意见，或是对美洲的其它城市也有这样的用处。
50曾经一度，我被美洲的邮政总局局长任命为他的审计员，管理几个邮政所和几个邮政官员，直到1753年他去世，我和威廉·亨特先生一同被英国邮政总局任命继任了他的职位。截止到我们上任时，美洲的邮政从来没有给英国邮政总局上缴过利润。假如我们能够创造利润，我们可以从中提取600英镑作为我们的年薪，为了做到这一点，许多一系列改进的工作就必须要做了，有些开支开始又是不可避免的要花很多钱，所以在最初的四年里，英国邮政总局欠我们900镑。但是不久都还清了；在我被一个行为怪诞的英国政府的大臣错误地卸职之前，在以后的文章里我还会提到此事，我们已经使得它给英国政府创造了比爱尔兰最高峰时的邮政收入还多3倍的纯利润。自从那次错误的解职后，他们再也没从美洲邮政局收到过一个子儿。
51这年，邮政局的事情给了我一个去新英格兰旅行的机遇。新英格兰的剑桥大学，出于他们的好意，授予了我一个文学硕士的学位。康涅狄格州的耶鲁大学，曾经也授予了一个同样的学位给我，因此，虽然我没有受过正规的大学教育，但是我凭着我的自学还是分享了大学的荣誉。他们也是由于我在自然学科中对电学方面的发现和成绩而授予我荣誉的。
Part 6
1My business was now continually augmenting, and my circumstances growing daily easier, my newspaper having become very profitable, as being for a time almost the only one in this and the neighbouring provinces. I experienced, too, the truth of the observation, \"that after getting the first hundred pound, it is more easy to get the second,\" money itself being of a prolific nature.
2The partnership at Carolina having succeeded, I was encourag'd to engage in others, and to promote several of my workmen, who had behaved well, by establishing them with printing-houses in different colonies, on the same terms with that in Carolina. Most of them did well, being enabled at the end of our term, six years, to purchase the types of me and go on working for themselves, by which means several families were raised. Partnerships often finish in quarrels; but I was happy in this, that mine were all carried on and ended amicably, owing, I think, a good deal to the precaution of having very explicitly settled, in our articles, every thing to be done by or expected from each partner, so that there was nothing to dispute, which precaution I would therefore recommend to all who enter into partnerships; for, whatever esteem partners may have for, and confidence in each other at the time of the contract, little jealousies and disgusts may arise, with ideas of inequality in the care and burden of the business, etc., which are attended often with breach of friendship and of the connection, perhaps with lawsuits and other disagreeable consequences.
3I had, on the whole, abundant reason to be satisfied with my being established in Pennsylvania. There were, however, two things that I regretted, there being no provision for defense, nor for a compleat education of youth; no militia, nor any college. I therefore, in 1743, drew up a proposal for establishing an academy; and at that time, thinking the Reverend Mr. Peters, who was out of employ, a fit person to superintend such an institution, I communicated the project to him; but he, having more profitable views in the service of the proprietaries, which succeeded, declin'd the undertaking; and, not knowing another at that time suitable for such a trust, I let the scheme lie a while dormant. I succeeded better the next year, 1744, in proposing and establishing a Philosophical Society. The paper I wrote for that purpose will be found among my writings, when collected.
4With respect to defense, Spain having been several years at war against Great Britain, and being at length join'd by France, which brought us into great danger; and the laboured and long-continued endeavour of our governor, Thomas, to prevail with our Quaker Assembly to pass a militia law, and make other provisions for the security of the province, having proved abortive, I determined to try what might be done by a voluntary association of the people. To promote this, I first wrote and published a pamphlet, entitled Plain Truth, in which I stated our defenceless situation in strong lights, with the necessity of union and discipline for our defense, and promis'd to propose in a few days an association, to be generally signed for that purpose. The pamphlet had a sudden and surprising effect. I was call'd upon for the instrument of association, and having settled the draft of it with a few friends, I appointed a meeting of the citizens in the large building before mentioned. The house was pretty full; I had prepared a number of printed copies, and provided pens and ink dispers'd all over the room. I harangued them a little on the subject, read the paper, and explained it, and then distributed the copies, which were eagerly signed, not the least objection being made.
5When the company separated, and the papers were collected, we found above twelve hundred hands; and, other copies being dispersed in the country, the subscribers amounted at length to upward of ten thousand. These all furnished themselves as soon as they could with arms, formed themselves into companies and regiments, chose their own officers, and met every week to be instructed in the manual exercise, and other parts of military discipline. The women, by subscriptions among themselves, provided silk colors, which they presented to the companies, painted with different devices and mottos, which I supplied.
6The officers of the companies composing the Philadelphia regiment, being met, chose me for their colonel; but, conceiving myself unfit, I declin'd that station, and recommended Mr. Lawrence, a fine person, and man of influence, who was accordingly appointed. I then propos'd a lottery to defray the expense of building a battery below the town, and furnishing it with cannon. It filled expeditiously, and the battery was soon erected, the merlons being fram'd of logs and fill'd with earth. We bought some old cannon from Boston, but, these not being sufficient, we wrote to England for more, soliciting, at the same time, our proprietaries for some assistance, tho' without much expectation of obtaining it.
7Meanwhile, Colonel Lawrence, William Allen, Abram Taylor, Esqr., and myself were sent to New York by the associators, commission'd to borrow some cannon of Governor Clinton. He at first refus'd us peremptorily; but at dinner with his council, where there was great drinking of Madeira wine, as the custom of that place then was, he softened by degrees, and said he would lend us six. After a few more bumpers he advanc'd to ten; and at length he very good-naturedly conceded eighteen. They were fine cannon, eighteen-pounders, with their carriages, which we soon transported and mounted on our battery, where the associators kept a nightly guard while the war lasted, and among the rest I regularly took my turn of duty there as a common soldier.
8My activity in these operations was agreeable to the governor and council; they took me into confidence, and I was consulted by them in every measure wherein their concurrence was thought useful to the association. Calling in the aid of religion, I propos'd to them the proclaiming a fast, to promote reformation, and implore the blessing of Heaven on our undertaking. They embrac'd the motion; but, as it was the first fast ever thought of in the province, the secretary had no precedent from which to draw the proclamation. My education in New England, where a fast is proclaimed every year, was here of some advantage: I drew it in the accustomed stile, it was translated into German, printed in both languages, and divulg'd thro' the province. This gave the clergy of the different sects an opportunity of influencing their congregations to join in the association, and it would probably have been general among all but Quakers if the peace had not soon interven'd.
9It was thought by some of my friends that, by my activity in these affairs, I should offend that sect, and thereby lose my interest in the Assembly of the province, where they formed a great majority. A young gentleman who had likewise some friends in the House, and wished to succeed me as their clerk, acquainted me that it was decided to displace me at the next election; and he, therefore, in good will, advis'd me to resign, as more consistent with my honour than being turn'd out. My answer to him was, that I had read or heard of some public man who made it a rule never to ask for an office, and never to refuse one when offer'd to him. \"I approve,\" says I, \"of his rule, and will practice it with a small addition; I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever resign an office. If they will have my office of clerk to dispose of to another, they shall take it from me. I will not, by giving it up, lose my right of some time or other making reprisals on my adversaries.\" I heard, however, no more of this; I was chosen again unanimously as usual at the next election. Possibly, as they dislik'd my late intimacy with the members of council, who had join'd the governors in all the disputes about military preparations, with which the House had long been harass'd, they might have been pleas'd if I would voluntarily have left them; but they did not care to displace me on account merely of my zeal for the association, and they could not well give another reason.
10Indeed I had some cause to believe that the defense of the country was not disagreeable to any of them, provided they were not requir'd to assist in it. And I found that a much greater number of them than I could have imagined, tho' against offensive war, were clearly for the defensive. Many pamphlets pro and con were publish'd on the subject, and some by good Quakers, in favour of defense, which I believe convinc'd most of their younger people.
11A transaction in our fire company gave me some insight into their prevailing sentiments. It had been propos'd that we should encourage the scheme for building a battery by laying out the present stock, then about sixty pounds, in tickets of the lottery. By our rules, no money could be dispos'd of till the next meeting after the proposal. The company consisted of thirty members, of which twenty-two were Quakers, and eight only of other persuasions. We eight punctually attended the meeting; but, tho' we thought that some of the Quakers would join us, we were by no means sure of a majority. Only one Quaker, Mr. James Morris, appear'd to oppose the measure. He expressed much sorrow that it had ever been propos'd, as he said Friends were all against it, and it would create such discord as might break up the company. We told him that we saw no reason for that; we were the minority, and if Friends were against the measure, and outvoted us, we must and should, agreeably to the usage of all societies, submit. When the hour for business arriv'd it was mov'd to put the vote; he allow'd we might then do it by the rules, but, as he could assure us that a number of members intended to be present for the purpose of opposing it, it would be but candid to allow a little time for their appearing.
12While we were disputing this, a waiter came to tell me two gentlemen below desir'd to speak with me. I went down, and found they were two of our Quaker members. They told me there were eight of them assembled at a tavern just by; that they were determin'd to come and vote with us if there should be occasion, which they hop'd would not be the case, and desir'd we would not call for their assistance if we could do without it, as their voting for such a measure might embroil them with their elders and friends. Being thus secure of a majority, I went up, and after a little seeming hesitation, agreed to a delay of another hour. This Mr. Morris allow'd to be extreamly fair. Not one of his opposing friends appear'd, at which he express'd great surprize; and, at the expiration of the hour, we carry'd the resolution eight to one; and as, of the twenty-two Quakers, eight were ready to vote with us, and thirteen, by their absence, manifested that they were not inclin'd to oppose the measure, I afterward estimated the proportion of Quakers sincerely against defense as one to twenty-one only; for these were all regular members of that society, and in good reputation among them, and had due notice of what was propos'd at that meeting.
13The honorable and learned Mr. Logan, who had always been of that sect, was one who wrote an address to them, declaring his approbation of defensive war, and supporting his opinion by many strong arguments. He put into my hands sixty pounds to be laid out in lottery tickets for the battery, with directions to apply what prizes might be drawn wholly to that service. He told me the following anecdote of his old master, William Penn, respecting defense. He came over from England, when a young man, with that proprietary, and as his secretary. It was war-time, and their ship was chas'd by an armed vessel, suppos'd to be an enemy. Their captain prepar'd for defense; but told William Penn and his company of Quakers, that he did not expect their assistance, and they might retire into the cabin, which they did, except James Logan, who chose to stay upon deck, and was quarter'd to a gun. The suppos'd enemy prov'd a friend, so there was no fighting; but when the secretary went down to communicate the intelligence, William Penn rebuk'd him severely for staying upon deck, and undertaking to assist in defending the vessel, contrary to the principles of Friends, especially as it had not been required by the captain. This reproof, being before all the company, piqu'd the secretary, who answer'd, \"I being thy servant, why did thee not order me to come down? But thee was willing enough that I should stay and help to fight the ship when thee thought there was danger.\"
14My being many years in the Assembly, the majority of which were constantly Quakers, gave me frequent opportunities of seeing the embarrassment given them by their principle against war, whenever application was made to them, by order of the crown, to grant aids for military purposes. They were unwilling to offend government, on the one hand, by a direct refusal; and their friends, the body of the Quakers, on the other, by a compliance contrary to their principles; hence a variety of evasions to avoid complying, and modes of disguising the compliance when it became unavoidable. The common mode at last was, to grant money under the phrase of its being \"for the king's use,\" and never to inquire how it was applied.
15But, if the demand was not directly from the crown, that phrase was found not so proper, and some other was to be invented. As, when powder was wanting (I think it was for the garrison at Louisburg), and the government of New England solicited a grant of some from Pennsilvania, which was much urg'd on the House by Governor Thomas, they could not grant money to buy powder, because that was an ingredient of war; but they voted an aid to New England of ?3,000, to he put into the hands of the governor, and appropriated it for the purchasing of bread, flour, wheat, or other grain. Some of the council, desirous of giving the House still further embarrassment, advis'd the governor not to accept provision, as not being the thing he had demanded; but be reply'd, \"I shall take the money, for I understand very well their meaning; other grain is gunpowder,\" which he accordingly bought, and they never objected to it.
16It was in allusion to this fact that, when in our fire company we feared the success of our proposal in favour of the lottery, and I had said to my friend Mr. Syng, one of our members, \"If we fail, let us move the purchase of a fire-engine with the money; the Quakers can have no objection to that; and then, if you nominate me and I you as a committee for that purpose, we will buy a great gun, which is certainly a fire-engine.\" \"I see,\" says he, \"you have improv'd by being so long in the Assembly; your equivocal project would be just a match for their wheat or other grain.\"
17These embarrassments that the Quakers suffer'd from having establish'd and published it as one of their principles that no kind of war was lawful, and which, being once published, they could not afterwards, however they might change their minds, easily get rid of, reminds me of what I think a more prudent conduct in another sect among us, that of the Dunkers. I was acquainted with one of its founders, Michael Welfare, soon after it appear'd. He complain'd to me that they were grievously calumniated by the zealots of other persuasions, and charg'd with abominable principles and practices, to which they were utter strangers. I told him this had always been the case with new sects, and that, to put a stop to such abuse, I imagin'd it might be well to publish the articles of their belief, and the rules of their discipline. He said that it had been propos'd among them, but not agreed to,for this reason: \"When we were first drawn together as a society,\" says he, \"it had pleased God to enlighten our minds so far as to see that some doctrines, which we once esteemed truths, were errors; and that others, which we had esteemed errors, were real truths. From time to time He has been pleased to afford us farther light, and our principles have been improving, and our errors diminishing. Now we are not sure that we are arrived at the end of this progression, and at the perfection of spiritual or theological knowledge; and we fear that, if we should once print our confession of faith, we should feel ourselves as if bound and confin'd by it, and perhaps be unwilling to receive farther improvement, and our successors still more so, as conceiving what we their elders and founders had done, to be something sacred, never to be departed from.\"
18This modesty in a sect is perhaps a singular instance in the history of mankind, every other sect supposing itself in possession of all truth, and that those who differ are so far in the wrong; like a man traveling in foggy weather, those at some distance before him on the road he sees wrapped up in the fog, as well as those behind him, and also the people in the fields on each side, but near him all appears clear, tho' in truth he is as much in the fog as any of them. To avoid this kind of embarrassment, the Quakers have of late years been gradually declining the public service in the Assembly and in the magistracy, choosing rather to quit their power than their principle.
19In order of time, I should have mentioned before, that having, in 1742, invented an open stove for the better warming of rooms, and at the same time saving fuel, as the fresh air admitted was warmed in entering, I made a present of the model to Mr. Robert Grace, one of my early friends, who, having an iron-furnace, found the casting of the plates for these stoves a profitable thing, as they were growing in demand. To promote that demand, I wrote and published a pamphlet, entitled An Account of the new-invented Pennsylvania Fireplaces; Wherein their Construction and Manner of Operation is Particularly Explained; their Advantages Above Every Other Method of Warming Rooms Demonstrated; and all Objections That Have Been Raised against the Use of Them Answered and Obviated, etc. This pamphlet had a good effect. Gov'r. Thomas was so pleas'd with the construction of this stove, as described in it, that he offered to give me a patent for the sole vending of them for a term of years; but I declin'd it from a principle which has ever weighed with me on such occasions, viz., that, as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.
20An ironmonger in London however, assuming a good deal of my pamphlet, and working it up into his own, and making some small changes in the machine, which rather hurt its operation, got a patent for it there, and made, as I was told, a little fortune by it. And this is not the only instance of patents taken out for my inventions by others, tho' not always with the same success, which I never contested, as having no desire of profiting by patents myself, and hating disputes. The use of these fireplaces in very many houses, both of this and the neighbouring colonies, has been, and is, a great saving of wood to the inhabitants.
21Peace being concluded, and the association business therefore at an end, I turn'd my thoughts again to the affair of establishing an academy. The first step I took was to associate in the design a number of active friends, of whom the Junto furnished a good part; the next was to write and publish a pamphlet, entitled Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania. This I distributed among the principal inhabitants gratis; and as soon as I could suppose their minds a little prepared by the perusal of it, I set on foot a subscription for opening and supporting an academy; it was to be paid in quotas yearly for five years; by so dividing it, I judg'd the subscription might be larger, and I believe it was so, amounting to no less, if I remember right, than ?5,000.
22In the introduction to these proposals, I stated their publication, not as an act of mine, but of some publick-spirited gentlemen, avoiding as much as I could, according to my usual rule, the presenting myself to the publick as the author of any scheme for their benefit.
23The subscribers, to carry the project into immediate execution, chose out of their number twenty-four trustees, and appointed Mr. Francis, then attorney-general, and myself to draw up constitutions for the government of the academy; which being done and signed, a house was hired, masters engag'd, and the schools opened, I think, in the same year, 1749.
24The scholars increasing fast, the house was soon found too small, and we were looking out for a piece of ground, properly situated, with intention to build, when Providence threw into our way a large house ready built, which, with a few alterations, might well serve our purpose. This was the building before mentioned, erected by the hearers of Mr. Whitefield, and was obtained for us in the following manner.
25It is to be noted that the contributions to this building being made by people of different sects, care was taken in the nomination of trustees, in whom the building and ground was to be vested, that a predominancy should not be given to any sect, lest in time that predominancy might be a means of appropriating the whole to the use of such sect, contrary to the original intention. It was therefore that one of each sect was appointed, viz., one Church-of-England man, one Presbyterian, one Baptist, one Moravian, etc., those, in case of vacancy by death, were to fill it by election from among the contributors. The Moravian happen'd not to please his colleagues, and on his death they resolved to have no other of that sect. The difficulty then was, how to avoid having two of some other sect, by means of the new choice.
26Several persons were named, and for that reason not agreed to. At length one mention'd me, with the observation that I was merely an honest man, and of no sect at all, which prevail'd with them to chuse me. The enthusiasm which existed when the house was built had long since abated, and its trustees had not been able to procure fresh contributions for paying the ground-rent, and discharging some other debts the building had occasion'd, which embarrass'd them greatly. Being now a member of both setts of trustees, that for the building and that for the Academy, I had a good opportunity of negotiating with both, and brought them finally to an agreement, by which the trustees for the building were to cede it to those of the academy, the latter undertaking to discharge the debt, to keep for ever open in the building a large hall for occasional preachers, according to the original intention, and maintain a free- school for the instruction of poor children. Writings were accordingly drawn, and on paying the debts the trustees of the academy were put in possession of the premises; and by dividing the great and lofty hall into stories, and different rooms above and below for the several schools, and purchasing some additional ground, the whole was soon made fit for our purpose, and the scholars remov'd into the building. The care and trouble of agreeing with the workmen, purchasing materials, and superintending the work, fell upon me; and I went thro' it the more cheerfully, as it did not then interfere with my private business, having the year before taken a very able, industrious, and honest partner, Mr. David Hall, with whose character I was well acquainted, as he had work'd for me four years. He took off my hands all care of the printing-office, paying me punctually my share of the profits. This partnership continued eighteen years, successfully for us both.
27The trustees of the academy, after a while, were incorporated by a charter from the governor; their funds were increas'd by contributions in Britain and grants of land from the proprietaries, to which the Assembly has since made considerable addition; and thus was established the present University of Philadelphia. I have been continued one of its trustees from the beginning, now near forty years, and have had the very great pleasure of seeing a number of the youth who have receiv'd their education in it, distinguish'd by their improv'd abilities, serviceable in public stations and ornaments to their country.
28When I disengaged myself, as above mentioned, from private business, I flatter'd myself that, by the sufficient tho' moderate fortune I had acquir'd, I had secured leisure during the rest of my life for philosophical studies and amusements. I purchased all Dr. Spence's apparatus, who had come from England to lecture here, and I proceeded in my electrical experiments with great alacrity; but the publick, now considering me as a man of leisure, laid hold of me for their purposes, every part of our civil government, and almost at the same time, imposing some duty upon me. The governor put me into the commission of the peace; the corporation of the city chose me of the common council, and soon after an alderman; and the citizens at large chose me a burgess to represent them in Assembly. This latter station was the more agreeable to me, as I was at length tired with sitting there to hear debates, in which, as clerk, I could take no part, and which were often so unentertaining that I was induc'd to amuse myself with making magic squares or circles, or any thing to avoid weariness; and I conceiv'd my becoming a member would enlarge my power of doing good. I would not, however, insinuate that my ambition was not flatter'd by all these promotions; it certainly was; for, considering my low beginning, they were great things to me; and they were still more pleasing, as being so many spontaneous testimonies of the public good opinion, and by me entirely unsolicited.
29The office of justice of the peace I try'd a little, by attending a few courts, and sitting on the bench to hear causes; but finding that more knowledge of the common law than I possess'd was necessary to act in that station with credit, I gradually withdrew from it, excusing myself by my being oblig'd to attend the higher duties of a legislator in the Assembly. My election to this trust was repeated every year for ten years, without my ever asking any elector for his vote, or signifying, either directly or indirectly, any desire of being chosen. On taking my seat in the House, my son was appointed their clerk.
30The year following, a treaty being to be held with the Indians at Carlisle, the governor sent a message to the House, proposing that they should nominate some of their members, to be join'd with some members of council, as commissioners for that purpose. The House named the speaker (Mr. Norris) and myself; and, being commission'd, we went to Carlisle, and met the Indians accordingly.
31As those people are extreamly apt to get drunk, and, when so, are very quarrelsome and disorderly, we strictly forbad the selling any liquor to them; and when they complain'd of this restriction, we told them that if they would continue sober during the treaty, we would give them plenty of rum when business was over. They promis'd this, and they kept their promise, because they could get no liquor, and the treaty was conducted very orderly, and concluded to mutual satisfaction. They then claim'd and receiv'd the rum; this was in the afternoon; they were near one hundred men, women, and children, and were lodg'd in temporary cabins, built in the form of a square, just without the town. In the evening, hearing a great noise among them, the commissioners walk'd out to see what was the matter. We found they had made a great bonfire in the middle of the square; they were all drunk, men and women, quarreling and fighting. Their dark-colour'd bodies, half naked, seen only by the gloomy light of the bonfire, running after and beating one another with firebrands, accompanied by their horrid yellings, form'd a scene the most resembling our ideas of hell that could well be imagin'd; there was no appeasing the tumult, and we retired to our lodging. At midnight a number of them came thundering at our door, demanding more rum, of which we took no notice.
32The next day, sensible they had misbehav'd in giving us that disturbance, they sent three of their old counselors to make their apology. The orator acknowledg'd the fault, but laid it upon the rum; and then endeavored to excuse the rum by saying, \"The Great Spirit, who made all things, made every thing for some use, and whatever use he design'd any thing for, that use it should always be put to. Now, when he made rum, he said 'Let this be for the Indians to get drunk with,' and it must be so.\" And, indeed, if it be the design of Providence to extirpate these savages in order to make room for cultivators of the earth, it seems not improbable that rum may be the appointed means. It has already annihilated all the tribes who formerly inhabited the sea-coast.
33In 1751, Dr. Thomas Bond, a particular friend of mine, conceived the idea of establishing a hospital in Philadelphia (a very beneficent design, which has been ascrib'd to me, but was originally his), for the reception and cure of poor sick persons, whether inhabitants of the province or strangers. He was zealous and active in endeavouring to procure subscriptions for it, but the proposal being a novelty in America, and at first not well understood, he met with but small success.
34At length he came to me with the compliment that he found there was no such thing as carrying a public-spirited project through without my being concern'd in it. \"For,\" says he, \"I am often ask'd by those to whom I propose subscribing, Have you consulted Franklin upon this business? And what does he think of it? And when I tell them that I have not (supposing it rather out of your line), they do not subscribe, but say they will consider of it.\" I enquired into the nature and probable utility of his scheme, and receiving from him a very satisfactory explanation, I not only subscrib'd to it myself, but engag'd heartily in the design of procuring subscriptions from others. Previously, however, to the solicitation, I endeavoured to prepare the minds of the people by writing on the subject in the newspapers, which was my usual custom in such cases, but which he had omitted.
35The subscriptions afterwards were more free and generous; but, beginning to flag, I saw they would be insufficient without some assistance from the Assembly, and therefore propos'd to petition for it, which was done. The country members did not at first relish the project; they objected that it could only be serviceable to the city, and therefore the citizens alone should be at the expense of it; and they doubted whether the citizens themselves generally approv'd of it. My allegation on the contrary, that it met with such approbation as to leave no doubt of our being able to raise ?2,000 by voluntary donations, they considered as a most extravagant supposition, and utterly impossible.
36On this I form'd my plan; and asking leave to bring in a bill for incorporating the contributors according to the prayer of their petition, and granting them a blank sum of money, which leave was obtained chiefly on the consideration that the House could throw the bill out if they did not like it, I drew it so as to make the important clause a conditional one, viz., \"And be it enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that when the said contributors shall have met and chosen their managers and treasurer, and shall have raised by their contributions a capital stock of ?2,000 value (the yearly interest of which is to be applied to the accommodating of the sick poor in the said hospital, free of charge for diet, attendance, advice, and medicines), and shall make the same appear to the satisfaction of the Speaker of the Assembly for the time being, that then it shall and may be lawful for the said speaker, and be is hereby required, to sign an order on the provincial treasurer for the payment of ?2,000, in two yearly payments, to the treasurer of the said hospital, to be applied to the founding, building, and finishing of the same.\"
37This condition carried the bill through; for the members, who had oppos'd the grant, and now conceiv'd they might have the credit of being charitable without the expence, agreed to its passage; and then, in soliciting subscriptions among the people, we urg'd the conditional promise of the law as an additional motive to give, since every man's donation would be doubled; thus the clause work'd both ways. The subscriptions accordingly soon exceeded the requisite sum, and we claim'd and receiv'd the public gift, which enabled us to carry the design into execution. A convenient and handsome building was soon erected; the institution has by constant experience been found useful, and flourishes to this day; and I do not remember any of my political manoeuvres, the success of which gave me at the time more pleasure, or wherein, after thinking of it, I more easily excus'd myself for having made some use of cunning.
38It was about this time that another projector, the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, came to me with a request that I would assist him in procuring a subscription for erecting a new meeting-house. It was to he for the use of a congregation he had gathered among the Presbyterians, who were originally disciples of Mr. Whitefield. Unwilling to make myself disagreeable to my fellow-citizens by too frequently soliciting their contributions, I absolutely refus'd. He then desired I would furnish him with a list of the names of persons I knew by experience to be generous and public-spirited. I thought it would be unbecoming in me, after their kind compliance with my solicitations, to mark them out to be worried by other beggars, and therefore refus'd also to give such a list. He then desir'd I would at least give him my advice. \"That I will readily do,\" said I; \"and, in the first place, I advise you to apply to all those whom you know will give something; next, to those whom you are uncertain whether they will give any thing or not, and show them the list of those who have given; and, lastly, do not neglect those who you are sure will give nothing, for in some of them you may be mistaken.\" He laugh'd and thank'd me, and said he would take my advice. He did so, for he ask'd of everybody, and he obtained a much larger sum than he expected, with which he erected the capacious and very elegant meeting-house that stands in Arch-street.
39Our city, tho' laid out with a beautiful regularity, the streets large, strait, and crossing each other at right angles, had the disgrace of suffering those streets to remain long unpav'd, and in wet weather the wheels of heavy carriages plough'd them into a quagmire, so that it was difficult to cross them; and in dry weather the dust was offensive. I had liv'd near what was call'd the Jersey Market, and saw with pain the inhabitants wading in mud while purchasing their provisions. A strip of ground down the middle of that market was at length pav'd with brick, so that, being once in the market, they had firm footing, but were often over shoes in dirt to get there. By talking and writing on the subject, I was at length instrumental in getting the street pav'd with stone between the market and the brick'd foot-pavement, that was on each side next the houses. This, for some time, gave an easy access to the market dry-shod; but, the rest of the street not being pav'd, whenever a carriage came out of the mud upon this pavement, it shook off and left its dirt upon it, and it was soon cover'd with mire, which was not remov'd, the city as yet having no scavengers.
40After some inquiry I found a poor industrious man, who was willing to undertake keeping the pavement clean, by sweeping it twice a week, carrying off the dirt from before all the neighbours' doors, for the sum of sixpence per month, to be paid by each house. I then wrote and printed a paper setting forth the advantages to the neighbourhood that might be obtain'd by this small expense; the greater ease in keeping our houses clean, so much dirt not being brought in by people's feet; the benefit to the shops by more custom, etc., etc., as buyers could more easily get at them; and by not having, in windy weather, the dust blown in upon their goods, etc., etc. I sent one of these papers to each house, and in a day or two went round to see who would subscribe an agreement to pay these sixpences; it was unanimously sign'd, and for a time well executed. All the inhabitants of the city were delighted with the cleanliness of the pavement that surrounded the market, it being a convenience to all, and this rais'd a general desire to have all the streets paved, and made the people more willing to submit to a tax for that purpose.
41After some time I drew a bill for paving the city, and brought it into the Assembly. It was just before I went to England, in 1757, and did not pass till I was gone, and then with an alteration in the mode of assessment, which I thought not for the better, but with an additional provision for lighting as well as paving the streets, which was a great improvement. It was by a private person, the late Mr. John Clifton, his giving a sample of the utility of lamps, by placing one at his door, that the people were first impress'd with the idea of enlighting all the city. The honour of this public benefit has also been ascrib'd to me but it belongs truly to that gentleman. I did but follow his example, and have only some merit to claim respecting the form of our lamps, as differing from the globe lamps we were at first supply'd with from London. Those we found inconvenient in these respects: they admitted no air below; the smoke, therefore, did not readily go out above, but circulated in the globe, lodg'd on its inside, and soon obstructed the light they were intended to afford; giving, besides, the daily trouble of wiping them clean; and an accidental stroke on one of them would demolish it, and render it totally useless. I therefore suggested the composing them of four flat panes, with a long funnel above to draw up the smoke, and crevices admitting air below, to facilitate the ascent of the smoke; by this means they were kept clean, and did not grow dark in a few hours, as the London lamps do, but continu'd bright till morning, and an accidental stroke would generally break but a single pane, easily repair'd.
42I have sometimes wonder'd that the Londoners did not, from the effect holes in the bottom of the globe lamps us'd at Vauxhall have in keeping them clean, learn to have such holes in their street lamps. But, these holes being made for another purpose, viz., to communicate flame more suddenly to the wick by a little flax hanging down thro' them, the other use, of letting in air, seems not to have been thought of; and therefore, after the lamps have been lit a few hours, the streets of London are very poorly illuminated.
43The mention of these improvements puts me in mind of one I propos'd, when in London, to Dr. Fothergill, who was among the best men I have known, and a great promoter of useful projects. I had observ'd that the streets,when dry, were never swept, and the light dust carried away; but it was suffer'd to accumulate till wet weather reduc'd it to mud, and then, after lying some days so deep on the pavement that there was no crossing but in paths kept clean by poor people with brooms, it was with great labour rak'd together and thrown up into carts open above, the sides of which suffer'd some of the slush at every jolt on the pavement to shake out and fall, sometimes to the annoyance of foot-passengers. The reason given for not sweeping the dusty streets was, that the dust would fly into the windows of shops and houses.
44An accidental occurrence had instructed me how much sweeping might be done in a little time. I found at my door in Craven-street, one morning, a poor woman sweeping my pavement with a birch broom; she appeared very pale and feeble, as just come out of a fit of sickness. I ask'd who employ'd her to sweep there; she said, \"Nobody, but I am very poor and in distress, and I sweeps before gentlefolkses doors, and hopes they will give me something.\" I bid her sweep the whole street clean, and I would give her a shilling; this was at nine o'clock; at 12 she came for the shilling. From the slowness I saw at first in her working, I could scarce believe that the work was done so soon, and sent my servant to examine it, who reported that the whole street was swept perfectly clean, and all the dust plac'd in the gutter, which was in the middle; and the next rain wash'd it quite away, so that the pavement and even the kennel were perfectly clean.
> 45I then judg'd that, if that feeble woman could sweep such a street in three hours, a strong, active man might have done it in half the time. And here let me remark the convenience of having but one gutter in such a narrow street, running down its middle, instead of two, one on each side, near the footway; for where all the rain that falls on a street runs from the sides and meets in the middle, it forms there a current strong enough to wash away all the mud it meets with; but when divided into two channels, it is often too weak to cleanse either, and only makes the mud it finds more fluid, so that the wheels of carriages and feet of horses throw and dash it upon the foot-pavement, which is thereby rendered foul and slippery, and sometimes splash it upon those who are walking. My proposal, communicated to the good doctor, was as follows:
46For the more effectual cleaning and keeping clean the streets of London and Westminster, it is proposed that the several watchmen be contracted with to have the dust swept up in dry seasons, and the mud rak'd up at other times, each in the several streets and lanes of his round; that they be furnish'd with brooms and other proper instruments for these purposes, to be kept at their respective stands, ready to furnish the poor people they may employ in the service. That in the dry summer months the dust be all swept up into heaps at proper distances, before the shops and windows of houses are usually opened, when the scavengers, with close-covered carts, shall also carry it all away.
47That the mud, when rak'd up, be not left in heaps to be spread abroad again by the wheels of carriages and trampling of horses, but that the scavengers be provided with bodies of carts, not plac'd high upon wheels, but low upon sliders, with lattice bottoms, which, being cover'd with straw, will retain the mud thrown into them, and permit the water to drain from it, whereby it will become much lighter, water making the greatest part of its weight; these bodies of carts to be plac'd at convenient distances, and the mud brought to them in wheel-barrows; they remaining where plac'd till the mud is drain'd, and then horses brought to draw them away.
48I have since had doubts of the practicability of the latter part of this proposal, on account of the narrowness of some streets, and the difficulty of placing the draining-sleds so as not to encumber too much the passage; but I am still of opinion that the former, requiring the dust to be swept up and carry'd away before the shops are open, is very practicable in the summer, when the days are long; for, in walking thro' the Strand and Fleet-street one morning at seven o'clock, I observ'd there was not one shop open, tho' it had been daylight and the sun up above three hours; the inhabitants of London chusing voluntarily to live much by candle-light, and sleep by sunshine, and yet often complain, a little absurdly, of the duty on candles and the high price of tallow.
49Some may think these trifling matters not worth minding or relating; but when they consider that tho' dust blown into the eyes of a single person, or into a single shop on a windy day, is but of small importance, yet the great number of the instances in a populous city, and its frequent repetitions give it weight and consequence, perhaps they will not censure very severely those who bestow some attention to affairs of this seemingly low nature. Human felicity is produc'd not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day. Thus, if you teach a poor young man to shave himself, and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness of his life than in giving him a thousand guineas. The money may be soon spent, the regret only remaining of having foolishly consumed it; but in the other case, he escapes the frequent vexation of waiting for barbers, and of their sometimes dirty fingers, offensive breaths, and dull razors; he shaves when most convenient to him, and enjoys daily the pleasure of its being done with a good instrument. With these sentiments I have hazarded the few preceding pages, hoping they may afford hints which some time or other may be useful to a city I love, having lived many years in it very happily—and perhaps to some of our towns in America.
50Having been for some time employed by the postmaster-general of America as his comptroller in regulating several offices, and bringing the officers to account, I was, upon his death in 1753, appointed, jointly with Mr. William Hunter, to succeed him, by a commission from the postmaster-general in England. The American office never had hitherto paid any thing to that of Britain. We were to have ?600 a year between us, if we could make that sum out of the profits of the office. To do this, a variety of improvements were necessary; some of these were inevitably at first expensive, so that in the first four years the office became above ?900 in debt to us. But it soon after began to repay us; and before I was displac'd by a freak of the ministers, of which I shall speak hereafter, we had brought it to yield three times as much clear revenue to the crown as the postoffice of Ireland. Since that imprudent transaction, they have receiv'd from it—not one farthing!
51The business of the postoffice occasion'd my taking a journey this year to New England, where the College of Cambridge, of their own motion, presented me with the degree of Master of Arts. Yale College, in Connecticut, had before made m