Bradfordhadnotbeenbredtoit，andwasveryilliterate；
andKeimer，tho’somethingofascholar，wasamerecompositor，knowingnothingofpresswork。HehadbeenoneoftheFrenchprophets，andcouldacttheirenthusiasticagitations。Atthistimehedidnotprofessanyparticularreligion，butsomethingofallonoccasion；
wasveryignorantoftheworld，andhad，asIafterwardfound，agooddealoftheknaveinhiscomposition。HedidnotlikemylodgingatBradford’swhileIwork’dwithhim。Hehadahouse，indeed，butwithoutfurniture，sohecouldnotlodgeme；buthegotmealodgingatMr。Read’s，beforementioned，whowastheownerofhishouse；and，mychestandclothesbeingcomebythistime，ImaderatheramorerespectableappearanceintheeyesofMissReadthanIhaddonewhenshefirsthappen’dtoseemeeatingmyrollinthestreet。
Ibegannowtohavesomeacquaintanceamongtheyoungpeopleofthetown，thatwereloversofreading，withwhomIspentmyeveningsverypleasantly；andgainingmoneybymyindustryandfrugality，Ilivedveryagreeably，forgettingBostonasmuchasIcould，andnotdesiringthatanythereshouldknowwhereIresided，exceptmyfriendCollins，whowasinmysecret，andkeptitwhenI
wrotetohim。Atlength，anincidenthappenedthatsentmebackagainmuchsoonerthanIhadintended。Ihadabrother—in—law，RobertHolmes，masterofasloopthattradedbetweenBostonandDelaware。HebeingatNewcastle，fortymilesbelowPhiladelphia，heardthereofme，andwrotemealettermentioningtheconcernofmyfriendsinBostonatmyabruptdeparture，assuringmeoftheirgoodwilltome，andthateverythingwouldbeaccommodatedtomymindifIwouldreturn，towhichheexhortedmeveryearnestly。
Iwroteananswertohisletter，thank’dhimforhisadvice，butstatedmyreasonsforquittingBostonfullyandinsuchalightastoconvincehimIwasnotsowrongashehadapprehended。
SirWilliamKeith，governoroftheprovince，wasthenatNewcastle，andCaptainHolmes，happeningtobeincompanywithhimwhenmylettercametohand，spoketohimofme，andshow’dhimtheletter。
Thegovernorreadit，andseem’dsurpris’dwhenhewastoldmyage。
HesaidIappear’dayoungmanofpromisingparts，andthereforeshouldbeencouraged；theprintersatPhiladelphiawerewretchedones；
and，ifIwouldsetupthere，hemadenodoubtIshouldsucceed；
forhispart，hewouldprocuremethepublicbusiness，anddomeeveryotherserviceinhispower。Thismybrother—in—lawafterwardstoldmeinBoston，butIknewasyetnothingofit；when，oneday，KeimerandIbeingatworktogethernearthewindow，wesawthegovernorandanothergentleman（whichprovedtobeColonelFrench，ofNewcastle），finelydress’d，comedirectlyacrossthestreettoourhouse，andheardthematthedoor。
Keimerrandownimmediately，thinkingitavisittohim；
butthegovernorinquir’dforme，cameup，andwithacondescensionofpolitenessIhadbeenquiteunus’dto，madememanycompliments，desiredtobeacquaintedwithme，blam’dmekindlyfornothavingmademyselfknowntohimwhenIfirstcametotheplace，andwouldhavemeawaywithhimtothetavern，wherehewasgoingwithColonelFrenchtotaste，ashesaid，someexcellentMadeira。
Iwasnotalittlesurprised，andKeimerstar’dlikeapigpoison’d。
Iwent，however，withthegovernorandColonelFrenchtoatavern，atthecornerofThird—street，andovertheMadeirahepropos’dmysettingupmybusiness，laidbeforemetheprobabilitiesofsuccess，andbothheandColonelFrenchassur’dmeIshouldhavetheirinterestandinfluenceinprocuringthepublicbusinessofbothgovernments。
Onmydoubtingwhethermyfatherwouldassistmeinit，SirWilliamsaidhewouldgivemealettertohim，inwhichhewouldstatetheadvantages，andhedidnotdoubtofprevailingwithhim。
SoitwasconcludedIshouldreturntoBostoninthefirstvessel，withthegovernor’sletterrecommendingmetomyfather。
Inthemeantimetheintentionwastobekeptasecret，andI
wentonworkingwithKeimerasusual，thegovernorsendingformenowandthentodinewithhim，averygreathonorIthoughtit，andconversingwithmeinthemostaffable，familiar，andfriendlymannerimaginable。
AbouttheendofApril，1724，alittlevesseloffer’dforBoston。
ItookleaveofKeimerasgoingtoseemyfriends。Thegovernorgavemeanampleletter，sayingmanyflatteringthingsofmetomyfather，andstronglyrecommendingtheprojectofmysettingupatPhiladelphiaasathingthatmustmakemyfortune。Westruckonashoalingoingdownthebay，andsprungaleak；wehadablusteringtimeatsea，andwereoblig’dtopumpalmostcontinually，atwhichItookmyturn。
Wearriv’dsafe，however，atBostoninaboutafortnight。Ihadbeenabsentsevenmonths，andmyfriendshadheardnothingofme；
formybr。Holmeswasnotyetreturn’d，andhadnotwrittenaboutme。
Myunexpectedappearancesurpriz’dthefamily；allwere，however，verygladtoseeme，andmademewelcome，exceptmybrother。
Iwenttoseehimathisprinting—house。Iwasbetterdress’dthaneverwhileinhisservice，havingagenteelnewsuitfromheadtofoot，awatch，andmypocketslin’dwithnearfivepoundssterlinginsilver。
Hereceiv’dmenotveryfrankly，look’dmeallover，andturn’dtohisworkagain。
ThejourneymenwereinquisitivewhereIhadbeen，whatsortofacountryitwas，andhowIlik’dit。Iprais’ditmuch，thehappylifeIledinit，expressingstronglymyintentionofreturningtoit；and，oneofthemaskingwhatkindofmoneywehadthere，Iproduc’dahandfulofsilver，andspreaditbeforethem，whichwasakindofraree—showtheyhadnotbeenus’dto，paperbeingthemoneyofBoston。ThenItookanopportunityoflettingthemseemywatch；and，lastly（mybrotherstillgrumandsullen），Igavethemapieceofeighttodrink，andtookmyleave。Thisvisitofmineoffendedhimextreamly；for，whenmymothersometimeafterspoketohimofareconciliation，andofherwishestoseeusongoodtermstogether，andthatwemightliveforthefutureasbrothers，hesaidIhadinsultedhiminsuchamannerbeforehispeoplethathecouldneverforgetorforgiveit。Inthis，however，hewasmistaken。
Myfatherreceivedthegovernor’sletterwithsomeapparentsurprise，butsaidlittleofittomeforsomedays，whenCapt。Holmesreturningheshowedittohim，ask’dhimifheknewKeith，andwhatkindofmanhewas；addinghisopinionthathemustbeofsmalldiscretiontothinkofsettingaboyupinbusinesswhowantedyetthreeyearsofbeingatman’sestate。Holmessaidwhathecouldinfavoroftheproject，butmyfatherwasclearintheimproprietyofit，andatlastgaveaflatdenialtoit。ThenhewroteacivillettertoSirWilliam，thankinghimforthepatronagehehadsokindlyofferedme，butdecliningtoassistmeasyetinsettingup，Ibeing，inhisopinion，tooyoungtobetrustedwiththemanagementofabusinesssoimportant，andforwhichthepreparationmustbesoexpensive。
MyfriendandcompanionCollins，whowasaclerkinthepost—office，pleas’dwiththeaccountIgavehimofmynewcountry，determinedtogothitheralso；and，whileIwaitedformyfather’sdetermination，hesetoutbeforemebylandtoRhodeIsland，leavinghisbooks，whichwereaprettycollectionofmathematicksandnaturalphilosophy，tocomewithmineandmetoNewYork，wherehepropos’dtowaitforme。
Myfather，tho’hedidnotapproveSirWilliam’sproposition，wasyetpleas’dthatIhadbeenabletoobtainsoadvantageousacharacterfromapersonofsuchnotewhereIhadresided，andthatI
hadbeensoindustriousandcarefulastoequipmyselfsohandsomelyinsoshortatime；therefore，seeingnoprospectofanaccommodationbetweenmybrotherandme，hegavehisconsenttomyreturningagaintoPhiladelphia，advis’dmetobehaverespectfullytothepeoplethere，endeavortoobtainthegeneralesteem，andavoidlampooningandlibeling，towhichhethoughtIhadtoomuchinclination；
tellingme，thatbysteadyindustryandaprudentparsimonyImightsaveenoughbythetimeIwasone—and—twentytosetmeup；andthat，ifIcamenearthematter，hewouldhelpmeoutwiththerest。
ThiswasallIcouldobtain，exceptsomesmallgiftsastokensofhisandmymother’slove，whenIembark’dagainforNewYork，nowwiththeirapprobationandtheirblessing。
ThesloopputtinginatNewport，RhodeIsland，IvisitedmybrotherJohn，whohadbeenmarriedandsettledtheresomeyears。Hereceivedmeveryaffectionately，forhealwayslov’dme。Afriendofhis，oneVernon，havingsomemoneyduetohiminPensilvania，aboutthirty—fivepoundscurrency，desiredIwouldreceiveitforhim，andkeepittillIhadhisdirectionswhattoremititin。Accordingly，hegavemeanorder。Thisafterwardsoccasion’dmeagooddealofuneasiness。
AtNewportwetookinanumberofpassengersforNewYork，amongwhichweretwoyoungwomen，companions，andagrave，sensible，matron—likeQuakerwoman，withherattendants。Ihadshownanobligingreadinesstodohersomelittleservices，whichimpress’dherI
supposewithadegreeofgoodwilltowardme；therefore，whenshesawadailygrowingfamiliaritybetweenmeandthetwoyoungwomen，whichtheyappear’dtoencourage，shetookmeaside，andsaid：
"Youngman，Iamconcern’dforthee，asthouhasnofriendwiththee，andseemsnottoknowmuchoftheworld，orofthesnaresyouthisexpos’dto；dependuponit，thoseareverybadwomen；Icanseeitinalltheiractions；andiftheeartnotuponthyguard，theywilldrawtheeintosomedanger；theyarestrangerstothee，andIadvisethee，inafriendlyconcernforthywelfare，tohavenoacquaintancewiththem。"AsIseem’datfirstnottothinksoillofthemasshedid，shementionedsomethingsshehadobserv’dandheardthathadescap’dmynotice，butnowconvinc’dmeshewasright。
Ithank’dherforherkindadvice，andpromis’dtofollowit。
Whenwearriv’datNewYork，theytoldmewheretheyliv’d，andinvitedmetocomeandseethem；butIavoidedit，anditwaswellIdid；
forthenextdaythecaptainmiss’dasilverspoonandsomeotherthings，thathadbeentakenoutofhiscabbin，and，knowingthatthesewereacoupleofstrumpets，hegotawarranttosearchtheirlodgings，foundthestolengoods，andhadthethievespunish’d。So，tho’
wehadescap’dasunkenrock，whichwescrap’duponinthepassage，Ithoughtthisescapeofrathermoreimportancetome。
AtNewYorkIfoundmyfriendCollins，whohadarriv’dtheresometimebeforeme。Wehadbeenintimatefromchildren，andhadreadthesamebookstogether；buthehadtheadvantageofmoretimeforreadingandstudying，andawonderfulgeniusformathematicallearning，inwhichhefaroutstriptme。WhileIliv’dinBostonmostofmyhoursofleisureforconversationwerespentwithhim，andhecontinu’dasoberaswellasanindustriouslad；wasmuchrespectedforhislearningbyseveraloftheclergyandothergentlemen，andseemedtopromisemakingagoodfigureinlife。But，duringmyabsence，hehadacquir’dahabitofsottingwithbrandy；andIfoundbyhisownaccount，andwhatIheardfromothers，thathehadbeendrunkeverydaysincehisarrivalatNewYork，andbehav’dveryoddly。
Hehadgam’d，too，andlosthismoney，sothatIwasoblig’dtodischargehislodgings，anddefrayhisexpensestoandatPhiladelphia，whichprov’dextremelyinconvenienttome。
ThethengovernorofNewYork，Burnet（sonofBishopBurnet），hearingfromthecaptainthatayoungman，oneofhispassengers，hadagreatmanybooks，desir’dhewouldbringmetoseehim。
Iwaiteduponhimaccordingly，andshouldhavetakenCollinswithmebutthathewasnotsober。Thegov’r。treatedmewithgreatcivility，show’dmehislibrary，whichwasaverylargeone，andwehadagooddealofconversationaboutbooksandauthors。
Thiswasthesecondgovernorwhohaddonemethehonortotakenoticeofme；which，toapoorboylikeme，wasverypleasing。
WeproceededtoPhiladelphia。IreceivedonthewayVernon’smoney，withoutwhichwecouldhardlyhavefinish’dourjourney。Collinswishedtobeemploy’dinsomecounting—house，but，whethertheydiscover’dhisdrammingbyhisbreath，orbyhisbehaviour，tho’hehadsomerecommendations，hemetwithnosuccessinanyapplication，andcontinu’dlodgingandboardingatthesamehousewithme，andatmyexpense。KnowingIhadthatmoneyofVernon’s，hewascontinuallyborrowingofme，stillpromisingrepaymentassoonasheshouldbeinbusiness。AtlengthhehadgotsomuchofitthatIwasdistress’dtothinkwhatIshoulddoincaseofbeingcall’dontoremitit。
Hisdrinkingcontinu’d，aboutwhichwesometimesquarrell’d；，for，whenalittleintoxicated，hewasveryfractious。Once，inaboatontheDelawarewithsomeotheryoungmen，herefusedtorowinhisturn。"Iwillberow’dhome，"sayshe。"Wewillnotrowyou，"saysI。"Youmust，orstayallnightonthewater，"
sayshe，"justasyouplease。"Theotherssaid，"Letusrow；
whatsignifiesit？"But，mymindbeingsouredwithhisotherconduct，Icontinu’dtorefuse。Sohesworehewouldmakemerow，orthrowmeoverboard；andcomingalong，steppingonthethwarts，towardme，whenhecameupandstruckatme，Iclappedmyhandunderhiscrutch，and，rising，pitchedhimhead—foremostintotheriver。
Iknewhewasagoodswimmer，andsowasunderlittleconcernabouthim；butbeforehecouldgetroundtolayholdoftheboat，wehadwithafewstrokespull’dheroutofhisreach；andeverwhenhedrewneartheboat，weask’difhewouldrow，strikingafewstrokestoslideherawayfromhim。Hewasreadytodiewithvexation，andobstinatelywouldnotpromisetorow。However，seeinghimatlastbeginningtotire，weliftedhiminandbroughthimhomedrippingwetintheevening。Wehardlyexchang’dacivilwordafterwards，andaWestIndiacaptain，whohadacommissiontoprocureatutorforthesonsofagentlemanatBarbadoes，happeningtomeetwithhim，agreedtocarryhimthither。Heleftmethen，promisingtoremitmethefirstmoneyheshouldreceiveinordertodischargethedebt；
butIneverheardofhimafter。
ThebreakingintothismoneyofVernon’swasoneofthefirstgreaterrataofmylife；andthisaffairshow’dthatmyfatherwasnotmuchoutinhisjudgmentwhenhesuppos’dmetooyoungtomanagebusinessofimportance。ButSirWilliam，onreadinghisletter，saidhewastooprudent。Therewasgreatdifferenceinpersons；anddiscretiondidnotalwaysaccompanyyears，norwasyouthalwayswithoutit。
"Andsincehewillnotsetyouup，"sayshe，"Iwilldoitmyself。
GivemeaninventoryofthethingsnecessarytobehadfromEngland，andIwillsendforthem。Youshallrepaymewhenyouareable；
Iamresolv’dtohaveagoodprinterhere，andIamsureyoumustsucceed。"Thiswasspokenwithsuchanappearanceofcordiality，thatIhadnottheleastdoubtofhismeaningwhathesaid。
Ihadhithertokeptthepropositionofmysettingup，asecretinPhiladelphia，andIstillkeptit。HadltbeenknownthatI
dependedonthegovernor，probablysomefriend，thatknewhimbetter，wouldhaveadvis’dmenottorelyonhim，asIafterwardshearditashisknowncharactertobeliberalofpromiseswhichhenevermeanttokeep。Yet，unsolicitedashewasbyme，howcouldIthinkhisgenerousoffersinsincere？Ibeliev’dhimoneofthebestmenintheworld。
Ipresentedhimaninventoryofalittleprint’g—house，amountingbymycomputationtoaboutonehundredpoundssterling。Helik’dit，butask’dmeifmybeingonthespotinEnglandtochusethetypes，andseethateverythingwasgoodofthekind，mightnotbeofsomeadvantage。"Then，"sayshe，"whenthere，youmaymakeacquaintances，andestablishcorrespondencesinthebooksellingandstationeryway。"
Iagreedthatthismightbeadvantageous。"Then，"sayshe，"getyourselfreadytogowithAnnis；"whichwastheannualship，andtheonlyoneatthattimeusuallypassingbetweenLondonandPhiladelphia。ButitwouldbesomemonthsbeforeAnnissail’d，soIcontinu’dworkingwithKeimer，frettingaboutthemoneyCollinshadgotfromme，andindailyapprehensionsofbeingcall’duponbyVernon，which，however，didnothappenforsomeyearsafter。
IbelieveIhaveomittedmentioningthat，inmyfirstvoyagefromBoston，beingbecalm’doffBlockIsland，ourpeoplesetaboutcatchingcod，andhauledupagreatmany。HithertoIhadstucktomyresolutionofnoteatinganimalfood，andonthisoccasionconsider’d，withmymasterTryon，thetakingeveryfishasakindofunprovokedmurder，sincenoneofthemhad，orevercoulddousanyinjurythatmightjustifytheslaughter。
Allthisseemedveryreasonable。ButIhadformerlybeenagreatloveroffish，and，whenthiscamehotoutofthefrying—pan，itsmeltadmirablywell。Ibalanc’dsometimebetweenprincipleandinclination，tillIrecollectedthat，whenthefishwereopened，Isawsmallerfishtakenoutoftheirstomachs；thenthoughtI，"Ifyoueatoneanother，Idon’tseewhywemayn’teatyou。"SoI
din’duponcodveryheartily，andcontinuedtoeatwithotherpeople，returningonlynowandthenoccasionallytoavegetablediet。
Soconvenientathingitistobeareasonablecreature，sinceitenablesonetofindormakeareasonforeverythingonehasamindtodo。
KeimerandIliv’donaprettygoodfamiliarfooting，andagreedtolerablywell，forhesuspectednothingofmysettingup。
Heretainedagreatdealofhisoldenthusiasmsandlov’dargumentation。
Wethereforehadmanydisputations。IusedtoworkhimsowithmySocraticmethod，andhadtrepann’dhimsooftenbyquestionsapparentlysodistantfromanypointwehadinhand，andyetbydegreesleadtothepoint，andbroughthimintodifficultiesandcontradictions，thatatlasthegrewridiculouslycautious，andwouldhardlyanswermethemostcommonquestion，withoutaskingfirst，"Whatdoyouintendtoinferfromthat？"However，itgavehimsohighanopinionofmyabilitiesintheconfutingway，thatheseriouslyproposedmybeinghiscolleagueinaprojecthehadofsettingupanewsect。
Hewastopreachthedoctrines，andIwastoconfoundallopponents。
Whenhecametoexplainwithmeuponthedoctrines，IfoundseveralconundrumswhichIobjectedto，unlessImighthavemywayalittletoo，andintroducesomeofmine。
Keimerworehisbeardatfulllength，becausesomewhereintheMosaiclawitissaid，"Thoushaltnotmarthecornersofthybeard。"
HelikewisekepttheSeventhday，Sabbath；andthesetwopointswereessentialswithhim。Idislik’dboth；butagreedtoadmitthemuponconditionofhisadoptingthedoctrineofusingnoanimalfood。
"Idoubt，"saidhe，"myconstitutionwillnotbearthat。"Iassur’dhimitwould，andthathewouldbethebetterforit。Hewasusuallyagreatglutton，andIpromisedmyselfsomediversioninhalfstarvinghim。
Heagreedtotrythepractice，ifIwouldkeephimcompany。
Ididso，andwehelditforthreemonths。Wehadourvictualsdress’d，andbroughttousregularlybyawomanintheneighborhood，whohadfrommealistoffortydishestobeprepar’dforusatdifferenttimes，inallwhichtherewasneitherfish，flesh，norfowl，andthewhimsuitedmethebetteratthistimefromthecheapnessofit，notcostingusaboveeighteenpencesterlingeachperweek。
IhavesincekeptseveralLentsmoststrictly，leavingthecommondietforthat，andthatforthecommon，abruptly，withouttheleastinconvenience，sothatIthinkthereislittleintheadviceofmakingthosechangesbyeasygradations。Iwentonpleasantly，butpoorKeimersufferedgrievously，tiredoftheproject，long’dfortheflesh—potsofEgypt，andorder’daroastpig。
Heinvitedmeandtwowomenfriendstodinewithhim；but，itbeingbroughttoosoonupontable，hecouldnotresistthetemptation，andatethewholebeforewecame。
IhadmadesomecourtshipduringthistimetoMissRead。Ihadagreatrespectandaffectionforher，andhadsomereasontobelieveshehadthesameforme；but，asIwasabouttotakealongvoyage，andwewerebothveryyoung，onlyalittleaboveeighteen，itwasthoughtmostprudentbyhermothertopreventourgoingtoofaratpresent，asamarriage，ifitwastotakeplace，wouldbemoreconvenientaftermyreturn，whenIshouldbe，asIexpected，setupinmybusiness。Perhaps，too，shethoughtmyexpectationsnotsowellfoundedasIimaginedthemtobe。
MychiefacquaintancesatthistimewereCharlesOsborne，JosephWatson，andJamesRalph，allloversofreading。Thetwofirstwereclerkstoaneminentscrivenerorconveyancerinthetown，CharlesBrogden；
theotherwasclerktoamerchant。Watsonwasapious，sensibleyoungman，ofgreatintegrity；theothersrathermorelaxintheirprinciplesofreligion，particularlyRalph，who，aswellasCollins，hadbeenunsettledbyme，forwhichtheybothmademesuffer。
Osbornewassensible，candid，frank；sincereandaffectionatetohisfriends；but，inliterarymatters，toofondofcriticising。
Ralphwasingenious，genteelinhismanners，andextremelyeloquent；
IthinkIneverknewaprettiertalker。Bothofthemgreatadmirersofpoetry，andbegantotrytheirhandsinlittlepieces。
ManypleasantwalkswefourhadtogetheronSundaysintothewoods，nearSchuylkill，wherewereadtooneanother，andconferr’donwhatweread。
Ralphwasinclin’dtopursuethestudyofpoetry，notdoubtingbuthemightbecomeeminentinit，andmakehisfortunebyit，allegingthatthebestpoetsmust，whentheyfirstbegantowrite，makeasmanyfaultsashedid。Osbornedissuadedhim，assur’dhimhehadnogeniusforpoetry，andadvis’dhimtothinkofnothingbeyondthebusinesshewasbredto；that，inthemercantileway，tho’hehadnostock，hemight，byhisdiligenceandpunctuality，recommendhimselftoemploymentasafactor，andintimeacquirewherewithtotradeonhisownaccount。Iapprov’dtheamusingone’sselfwithpoetrynowandthen，sofarastoimproveone’slanguage，butnofarther。
Onthisitwaspropos’dthatweshouldeachofus，atournextmeeting，produceapieceofourowncomposing，inordertoimprovebyourmutualobservations，criticisms，andcorrections。
Aslanguageandexpressionwerewhatwehadinview，weexcludedallconsiderationsofinventionbyagreeingthatthetaskshouldbeaversionoftheeighteenthPsalm，whichdescribesthedescentofaDeity。Whenthetimeofourmeetingdrewnigh，Ralphcalledonmefirst，andletmeknowhispiecewasready。
ItoldhimIhadbeenbusy，and，havinglittleinclination，haddonenothing。Hethenshow’dmehispieceformyopinion，andImuchapprov’dit，asitappear’dtometohavegreatmerit。
"Now，"sayshe，"Osborneneverwillallowtheleastmeritinanythingofmine，butmakes1000criticismsoutofmereenvy。Heisnotsojealousofyou；Iwish，therefore，youwouldtakethispiece，andproduceitasyours；Iwillpretendnottohavehadtime，andsoproducenothing。Weshallthenseewhathewillsaytoit。"
Itwasagreed，andIimmediatelytranscrib’dit，thatitmightappearinmyownhand。
Wemet；Watson’sperformancewasread；thereweresomebeautiesinit，butmanydefects。Osborne’swasread；itwasmuchbetter；
Ralphdiditjustice；remarkedsomefaults，butapplaudedthebeauties。Hehimselfhadnothingtoproduce。Iwasbackward；
seemeddesirousofbeingexcused；hadnothadsufficienttimetocorrect，etc。；butnoexcusecouldbeadmitted；produceImust。
Itwasreadandrepeated；WatsonandOsbornegaveupthecontest，andjoin’dinapplaudingit。Ralphonlymadesomecriticisms，andpropos’dsomeamendments；butIdefendedmytext。OsbornewasagainstRalph，andtoldhimhewasnobetteracriticthanpoet，sohedropttheargument。Astheytwowenthometogether，Osborneexpressedhimselfstillmorestronglyinfavorofwhathethoughtmyproduction；havingrestrain’dhimselfbefore，ashesaid，lestIshouldthinkitflattery。"Butwhowouldhaveimagin’d，"
saidhe，"thatFranklinhadbeencapableofsuchaperformance；
suchpainting，suchforce，suchfire！Hehasevenimprov’dtheoriginal。
Inhiscommonconversationheseemstohavenochoiceofwords；
hehesitatesandblunders；andyet，goodGod！howhewrites！"
Whenwenextmet，Ralphdiscoveredthetrickwehadplaidhim，andOsbornewasalittlelaughtat。
ThistransactionfixedRalphinhisresolutionofbecomingapoet。
IdidallIcouldtodissuadehimfromit，buthecontinuedscribblingversestillPopecuredhim。Hebecame，however，aprettygoodprosewriter。Moreofhimhereafter。But，asImaynothaveoccasionagaintomentiontheothertwo，Ishalljustremarkhere，thatWatsondiedinmyarmsafewyearsafter，muchlamented，beingthebestofourset。OsbornewenttotheWestIndies，wherehebecameaneminentlawyerandmademoney，butdiedyoung。
HeandIhadmadeaseriousagreement，thattheonewhohappen’dfirsttodieshould，ifpossible，makeafriendlyvisittotheother，andacquainthimhowhefoundthingsinthatseparatestate。Butheneverfulfill’dhispromise。
Thegovernor，seemingtolikemycompany，hadmefrequentlytohishouse，andhissettingmeupwasalwaysmention’dasafixedthing。
Iwastotakewithmelettersrecommendatorytoanumberofhisfriends，besidestheletterofcredittofurnishmewiththenecessarymoneyforpurchasingthepressandtypes，paper，etc。
FortheselettersIwasappointedtocallatdifferenttimes，whentheyweretobeready，butafuturetimewasstillnamed。
Thushewentontilltheship，whosedeparturetoohadbeenseveraltimespostponed，wasonthepointofsailing。Then，whenIcall’dtotakemyleaveandreceivetheletters，hissecretary，Dr。Bard，cameouttomeandsaidthegovernorwasextremelybusyinwriting，butwouldbedownatNewcastlebeforetheship，andtheretheletterswouldbedeliveredtome。
Ralph，thoughmarried，andhavingonechild，haddeterminedtoaccompanymeinthisvoyage。Itwasthoughtheintendedtoestablishacorrespondence，andobtaingoodstoselloncommission；butI
foundafterwards，that，thro’somediscontentwithhiswife’srelations，hepurposedtoleaveherontheirhands，andneverreturnagain。
Havingtakenleaveofmyfriends，andinterchang’dsomepromiseswithMissRead，IleftPhiladelphiaintheship，whichanchor’datNewcastle。Thegovernorwasthere；butwhenIwenttohislodging，thesecretarycametomefromhimwiththecivillestmessageintheworld，thathecouldnotthenseeme，beingengagedinbusinessoftheutmostimportance，butshouldsendtheletterstomeonboard，wish’dmeheartilyagoodvoyageandaspeedyreturn，etc。
Ireturnedonboardalittlepuzzled，butstillnotdoubting。
Mr。AndrewHamilton，afamouslawyerofPhiladelphia，hadtakenpassageinthesameshipforhimselfandson，andwithMr。Denham，aQuakermerchant，andMessrs。OnionandRussel，mastersofanironworkinMaryland，hadengag’dthegreatcabin；sothatRalphandIwereforcedtotakeupwithaberthinthesteerage，andnoneonboardknowingus，wereconsideredasordinarypersons。
ButMr。Hamiltonandhisson（itwasJames，sincegovernor）
return’dfromNewcastletoPhiladelphia，thefatherbeingrecall’dbyagreatfeetopleadforaseizedship；and，justbeforewesail’d，ColonelFrenchcomingonboard，andshowingmegreatrespect，Iwasmoretakennoticeof，and，withmyfriendRalph，invitedbytheothergentlementocomeintothecabin，therebeingnowroom。
Accordingly，weremov’dthither。
UnderstandingthatColonelFrenchhadbroughtonboardthegovernor’sdespatches，Iask’dthecaptainforthoselettersthatweretobeundermycare。Hesaidallwereputintothebagtogetherandhecouldnotthencomeatthem；but，beforewelandedinEngland，Ishouldhaveanopportunityofpickingthemout；
soIwassatisfiedforthepresent，andweproceededonourvoyage。
Wehadasociablecompanyinthecabin，andliveduncommonlywell，havingtheadditionofallMr。Hamilton’sstores，whohadlaidinplentifully。InthispassageMr。Denhamcontractedafriendshipformethatcontinuedduringhislife。Thevoyagewasotherwisenotapleasantone，aswehadagreatdealofbadweather。
WhenwecameintotheChannel，thecaptainkepthiswordwithme，andgavemeanopportunityofexaminingthebagforthegovernor’sletters。
Ifoundnoneuponwhichmynamewasputasundermycare。Ipickedoutsixorseven，that，bythehandwriting，Ithoughtmightbethepromisedletters，especiallyasoneofthemwasdirectedtoBasket，theking’sprinter，andanothertosomestationer。Wearriv’dinLondonthe24thofDecember，1724。Iwaiteduponthestationer，whocamefirstinmyway，deliveringtheletterasfromGovernorKeith。
"Idon’tknowsuchaperson，"sayshe；but，openingtheletter，"O！thisisfromRiddlesden。Ihavelatelyfoundhimtobeacompleatrascal，andIwillhavenothingtodowithhim，norreceiveanylettersfromhim。"So，puttingtheletterintomyhand，heturn’donhisheelandleftmetoservesomecustomer。Iwassurprizedtofindthesewerenotthegovernor’sletters；and，afterrecollectingandcomparingcircumstances，Ibegantodoubthissincerity。
IfoundmyfriendDenham，andopenedthewholeaffairtohim。
HeletmeintoKeith’scharacter；toldmetherewasnottheleastprobabilitythathehadwrittenanylettersforme；thatnoone，whoknewhim，hadthesmallestdependenceonhim；andhelaughtatthenotionofthegovernor’sgivingmealetterofcredit，having，ashesaid，nocredittogive。OnmyexpressingsomeconcernaboutwhatIshoulddo，headvisedmetoendeavorgettingsomeemploymentinthewayofmybusiness。"Amongtheprintershere，"
saidhe，"youwillimproveyourself，andwhenyoureturntoAmerica，youwillsetuptogreateradvantage。"
Webothofushappen’dtoknow，aswellasthestationer，thatRiddlesden，theattorney，wasaveryknave。Hehadhalfruin’dMissRead’sfatherbypersuadinghimtobeboundforhim。
Bythisletteritappear’dtherewasasecretschemeonfoottotheprejudiceofHamilton（suppos’dtobethencomingoverwithus）；
andthatKeithwasconcernedinitwithRiddlesden。Denham，whowasafriendofHamilton’sthoughtheoughttobeacquaintedwithit；
so，whenhearriv’dinEngland，whichwassoonafter，partlyfromresentmentandill—willtoKeithandRiddlesden，andpartlyfromgood—willtohim，Iwaitedonhim，andgavehimtheletter。
Hethank’dmecordially，theinformationbeingofimportancetohim；
andfromthattimehebecamemyfriend，greatlytomyadvantageafterwardsonmanyoccasions。
Butwhatshallwethinkofagovernor’splayingsuchpitifultricks，andimposingsogrosslyonapoorignorantboy！Itwasahabithehadacquired。Hewish’dtopleaseeverybody；and，havinglittletogive，hegaveexpectations。Hewasotherwiseaningenious，sensibleman，aprettygoodwriter，andagoodgovernorforthepeople，tho’notforhisconstituents，theproprietaries，whoseinstructionshesometimesdisregarded。Severalofourbestlawswereofhisplanningandpassedduringhisadministration。
RalphandIwereinseparablecompanions。WetooklodgingstogetherinLittleBritainatthreeshillingsandsixpenceaweek——
asmuchaswecouldthenafford。Hefoundsomerelations，buttheywerepoor，andunabletoassisthim。HenowletmeknowhisintentionsofremaininginLondon，andthathenevermeanttoreturntoPhiladelphia。Hehadbroughtnomoneywithhim，thewholehecouldmusterhavingbeenexpendedinpayinghispassage。
Ihadfifteenpistoles；soheborrowedoccasionallyofmetosubsist，whilehewaslookingoutforbusiness。Hefirstendeavoredtogetintotheplayhouse，believinghimselfqualify’dforanactor；
butWilkes，towhomheapply’d，advis’dhimcandidlynottothinkofthatemployment，asitwasimpossiblebeshouldsucceedinit。
Thenhepropos’dtoRoberts，apublisherinPaternosterRow，towriteforhimaweeklypaperliketheSpectator，oncertainconditions，whichRobertsdidnotapprove。Thenheendeavoredtogetemploymentasahackneywriter，tocopyforthestationersandlawyersabouttheTemple，butcouldfindnovacancy。
IimmediatelygotintoworkatPalmer’s，thenafamousprinting—houseinBartholomewClose，andhereIcontinu’dnearayear。Iwasprettydiligent，butspentwithRalphagooddealofmyearningsingoingtoplaysandotherplacesofamusement。Wehadtogetherconsumedallmypistoles，andnowjustrubbedonfromhandtomouth。
Heseem’dquitetoforgethiswifeandchild，andI，bydegrees，myengagementswithMissRead，towhomIneverwrotemorethanoneletter，andthatwastoletherknowIwasnotlikelysoontoreturn。Thiswasanotherofthegreaterrataofmylife，whichIshouldwishtocorrectifIweretoliveitoveragain。
Infact，byourexpenses，Iwasconstantlykeptunabletopaymypassage。
AtPalmer’sIwasemployedincomposingforthesecondeditionofWollaston’s"ReligionofNature。"Someofhisreasoningsnotappearingtomewellfounded，IwrotealittlemetaphysicalpieceinwhichImaderemarksonthem。Itwasentitled"A
DissertationonLibertyandNecessity，PleasureandPain。"
IinscribedittomyfriendRalph；Iprintedasmallnumber。
Itoccasion’dmybeingmoreconsider’dbyMr。Palmerasayoungmanofsomeingenuity，tho’heseriouslyexpostulatedwithmeupontheprinciplesofmypamphlet，whichtohimappear’dabominable。
Myprintingthispamphletwasanothererratum。WhileIlodg’dinLittleBritain，ImadeanacquaintancewithoneWilcox，abookseller，whoseshopwasatthenextdoor。Hehadanimmensecollectionofsecond—handbooks。Circulatinglibrarieswerenottheninuse；
butweagreedthat，oncertainreasonableterms，whichIhavenowforgotten，Imighttake，read，andreturnanyofhisbooks。
ThisIesteem’dagreatadvantage，andImadeasmuchuseofitasIcould。
MypamphletbysomemeansfallingintothehandsofoneLyons，asurgeon，authorofabookentitled"TheInfallibilityofHumanJudgment，"
itoccasionedanacquaintancebetweenus。Hetookgreatnoticeofme，calledonmeoftentoconverseonthosesubjects，carriedmetotheHorns，apalealehousein————Lane，Cheapside，andintroducedmetoDr。Mandeville，authorofthe"FableoftheBees，"whohadaclubthere，ofwhichhewasthesoul，beingamostfacetious，entertainingcompanion。Lyons，too，introducedmetoDr。Pemberton，atBatson’sCoffee—house，whopromis’dtogivemeanopportunity，sometimeorother，ofseeingSirIsaacNewton，ofwhichIwasextreamelydesirous；butthisneverhappened。
Ihadbroughtoverafewcuriosities，amongwhichtheprincipalwasapursemadeoftheasbestos，whichpurifiesbyfire。
SirHansSloaneheardofit，cametoseeme，andinvitedmetohishouseinBloomsburySquare，whereheshow’dmeallhiscuriosities，andpersuadedmetolethimaddthattothenumber，forwhichhepaidmehandsomely。
Inourhousetherelodg’dayoungwoman，amilliner，who，Ithink，hadashopintheCloisters。Shehadbeengenteellybred，wassensibleandlively，andofmostpleasingconversation。Ralphreadplaystoherintheevenings，theygrewintimate，shetookanotherlodging，andhefollowedher。Theyliv’dtogethersometime；but，hebeingstilloutofbusiness，andherincomenotsufficienttomaintainthemwithherchild，hetookaresolutionofgoingfromLondon，totryforacountryschool，whichhethoughthimselfwellqualifiedtoundertake，ashewroteanexcellenthand，andwasamasterofarithmeticandaccounts。This，however，hedeemedabusinessbelowhim，andconfidentoffuturebetterfortune，whenheshouldbeunwillingtohaveitknownthatheoncewassomeanlyemployed，hechangedhisname，anddidmethehonortoassumemine；forIsoonafterhadaletterfromhim，acquaintingmethathewassettledinasmallvillage（inBerkshire，Ithinkitwas，wherehetaughtreadingandwritingtotenoradozenboys，atsixpenceeachperweek），recommendingMrs。T————tomycare，anddesiringmetowritetohim，directingforMr。Franklin，schoolmaster，atsuchaplace。
Hecontinuedtowritefrequently，sendingmelargespecimensofanepicpoemwhichhewasthencomposing，anddesiringmyremarksandcorrections。TheseIgavehimfromtimetotime，butendeavor’drathertodiscouragehisproceeding。OneofYoung’sSatireswasthenjustpublished。Icopy’dandsenthimagreatpartofit，whichsetinastronglightthefollyofpursuingtheMuseswithanyhopeofadvancementbythem。Allwasinvain；
sheetsofthepoemcontinuedtocomebyeverypost。Inthemeantime，Mrs。T————，havingonhisaccountlostherfriendsandbusiness，wasoftenindistresses，andus’dtosendforme，andborrowwhatIcouldsparetohelpheroutofthem。Igrewfondofhercompany，and，beingatthattimeundernoreligiousrestraint，andpresuminguponmyimportancetoher，Iattemptedfamiliarities（anothererratum）whichsherepuls’dwithaproperresentment，andacquaintedhimwithmybehaviour。Thismadeabreachbetweenus；
and，whenhereturnedagaintoLondon，heletmeknowhethoughtIhadcancell’dalltheobligationshehadbeenundertome。
SoIfoundIwasnevertoexpecthisrepayingmewhatIlenttohim，oradvanc’dforhim。This，however，wasnotthenofmuchconsequence，ashewastotallyunable；andinthelossofhisfriendshipIfoundmyselfrelievedfromaburthen。Inowbegantothinkofgettingalittlemoneybeforehand，and，expectingbetterwork，IleftPalmer’stoworkatWatts’s，nearLincoln’sInnFields，astillgreaterprinting—house。HereIcontinuedalltherestofmystayinLondon。
Atmyfirstadmissionintothisprinting—houseItooktoworkingatpress，imaginingIfeltawantofthebodilyexerciseIhadbeenus’dtoinAmerica，wherepressworkismix’dwithcomposing。
Idrankonlywater；theotherworkmen，nearfiftyinnumber，weregreatguzzlersofbeer。Onoccasion，Icarriedupanddownstairsalargeformoftypesineachhand，whenotherscarriedbutoneinbothhands。Theywonderedtosee，fromthisandseveralinstances，thattheWater—American，astheycalledme，wasstrongerthanthemselves，whodrankstrongbeer！Wehadanalehouseboywhoattendedalwaysinthehousetosupplytheworkmen。
Mycompanionatthepressdrankeverydayapintbeforebreakfast，apintatbreakfastwithhisbreadandcheese，apintbetweenbreakfastanddinner，apintatdinner，apintintheafternoonaboutsixo’clock，andanotherwhenhehaddonehisday’swork。
Ithoughtitadetestablecustom；butitwasnecessary，hesuppos’d，todrinkstrongbeer，thathemightbestrongtolabor。Iendeavoredtoconvincehimthatthebodilystrengthaffordedbybeercouldonlybeinproportiontothegrainorflourofthebarleydissolvedinthewaterofwhichitwasmade；thattherewasmoreflourinapennyworthofbread；andtherefore，ifhewouldeatthatwithapintofwater，itwouldgivehimmorestrengththanaquartofbeer。
Hedrankon，however，andhadfourorfiveshillingstopayoutofhiswageseverySaturdaynightforthatmuddlingliquor；
anexpenseIwasfreefrom。Andthusthesepoordevilskeepthemselvesalwaysunder。
Watts，aftersomeweeks，desiringtohavemeinthecomposing—room，Ileftthepressmen；anewbienvenuorsumfordrink，beingfiveshillings，wasdemandedofmebythecompositors。Ithoughtitanimposition，asIhadpaidbelow；themasterthoughtsotoo，andforbadmypayingit。
Istoodouttwoorthreeweeks，wasaccordinglyconsideredasanexcommunicate，andbadsomanylittlepiecesofprivatemischiefdoneme，bymixingmysorts，transposingmypages，breakingmymatter，etc。，etc。，ifIwereeversolittleoutoftheroom，andallascribedtothechappelghost，whichtheysaideverhauntedthosenotregularlyadmitted，that，notwithstandingthemaster’sprotection，Ifoundmyselfoblig’dtocomplyandpaythemoney，convinc’dofthefollyofbeingonilltermswiththoseoneistolivewithcontinually。
Iwasnowonafairfootingwiththem，andsoonacquir’dconsiderableinfluence。Ipropos’dsomereasonablealterationsintheirchappellaws，andcarriedthemagainstallopposition。
Frommyexample，agreatpartofthemlefttheirmuddlingbreakfastofbeer，andbread，andcheese，findingtheycouldwithmebesuppli’dfromaneighboringhousewithalargeporringerofhotwater—gruel，sprinkledwithpepper，crumbl’dwithbread，andabitofbutterinit，forthepriceofapintofbeer，viz。，threehalf—pence。Thiswasamorecomfortableaswellascheaperbreakfast，andkepttheirheadsclearer。Thosewhocontinuedsottingwithbeerallday，wereoften，bynotpaying，outofcreditatthealehouse，andus’dtomakeinterestwithmetogetbeer；theirlight，astheyphrasedit，beingout。Iwatch’dthepay—tableonSaturdaynight，andcollectedwhatIstoodengag’dforthem，havingtopaysometimesnearthirtyshillingsaweekontheiraccount。This，andmybeingesteem’daprettygoodriggite，thatis，ajocularverbalsatirist，supportedmyconsequenceinthesociety。Myconstantattendance（InevermakingaSt。Monday）recommendedmetothemaster；
andmyuncommonquicknessatcomposingoccasionedmybeingputuponallworkofdispatch，whichwasgenerallybetterpaid。
SoIwentonnowveryagreeably。
"Aprinting—houseisalwayscalledachapelbytheworkmen，theoriginofwhichappearstohavebeenthatprintingwasfirstcarriedoninEnglandinanancientchapelconvertedintoaprinting—house，andthetitlehasbeenpreservedbytradition。Thebienvenuamongtheprintersanswerstothetermsentranceandfootingamongmechanics；thusajourneyman，onenteringaprinting—house，wasaccustomedtopayoneormoregallonsofbeerforthegoodofthechapel；thiscustomwasfallingintodisusethirtyyearsago；itisveryproperlyrejectedentirelyintheUnitedStates。"——W。T。F。
MylodginginLittleBritainbeingtooremote，IfoundanotherinDuke—street，oppositetotheRomishChapel。Itwastwopairofstairsbackwards，atanItalianwarehouse。Awidowladykeptthehouse；shehadadaughter，andamaidservant，andajourneymanwhoattendedthewarehouse，butlodg’dabroad。AftersendingtoinquiremycharacteratthehousewhereIlastlodg’dsheagreedtotakemeinatthesamerate，3s。6d。perweek；cheaper，asshesaid，fromtheprotectionsheexpectedinhavingamanlodgeinthehouse。
Shewasawidow，anelderlywoman；hadbeenbredaProtestant，beingaclergyman’sdaughter，butwasconvertedtotheCatholicreligionbyherhusband，whosememoryshemuchrevered；hadlivedmuchamongpeopleofdistinction，andknewathousandanecdotesofthemasfarbackasthetimesofCharlestheSecond。Shewaslameinherkneeswiththegout，and，therefore，seldomstirredoutofherroom，sosometimeswantedcompany；andherswassohighlyamusingtome，thatIwassuretospendaneveningwithherwhenevershedesiredit。
Oursupperwasonlyhalfananchovyeach，onaverylittlestripofbreadandbutter，andhalfapintofalebetweenus；buttheentertainmentwasinherconversation。Myalwayskeepinggoodhours，andgivinglittletroubleinthefamily，madeherunwillingtopartwithme；sothat，whenItalk’dofalodgingIhadheardof，nearermybusiness，fortwoshillingsaweek，which，intentasInowwasonsavingmoney，madesomedifference，shebidmenotthinkofit，forshewouldabatemetwoshillingsaweekforthefuture；soI
remainedwithheratoneshillingandsixpenceaslongasIstaidinLondon。
Inagarretofherhousetherelivedamaidenladyofseventy，inthemostretiredmanner，ofwhommylandladygavemethisaccount：
thatshewasaRomanCatholic，hadbeensentabroadwhenyoung，andlodg’dinanunnerywithanintentofbecominganun；but，thecountrynotagreeingwithher，shereturnedtoEngland，where，therebeingnonunnery，shehadvow’dtoleadthelifeofanun，asnearasmightbedoneinthosecircumstances。Accordingly，shehadgivenallherestatetocharitableuses，reservingonlytwelvepoundsayeartoliveon，andoutofthissumshestillgaveagreatdealincharity，livingherselfonwater—gruelonly，andusingnofirebuttoboilit。Shehadlivedmanyyearsinthatgarret，beingpermittedtoremaintheregratisbysuccessiveCatholictenantsofthehousebelow，astheydeemeditablessingtohaveherthere。
Apriestvisitedhertoconfesshereveryday。"Ihaveask’dher，"
saysmylandlady，"howshe，assheliv’d，couldpossiblyfindsomuchemploymentforaconfessor？""Oh，"saidshe，"itisimpossibletoavoidvainthoughts。"Iwaspermittedoncetovisither，Shewaschearfulandpolite，andconvers’dpleasantly。Theroomwasclean，buthadnootherfurniturethanamatras，atablewithacrucifixandbook，astoolwhichshegavemetositon，andapictureoverthechimneyofSaintVeronicadisplayingherhandkerchief，withthemiraculousfigureofChrist’sbleedingfaceonit，whichsheexplainedtomewithgreatseriousness。Shelook’dpale，butwasneversick；andIgiveitasanotherinstanceonhowsmallanincomelifeandhealthmaybesupported。
AtWatts’sprinting—houseIcontractedanacquaintancewithaningeniousyoungman，oneWygate，who，havingwealthyrelations，hadbeenbettereducatedthanmostprinters；wasatolerableLatinist，spokeFrench，andlov’dreading。Itaughthimandafriendofhistoswimattwicegoingintotheriver，andtheysoonbecamegoodswimmers。
Theyintroduc’dmetosomegentlemenfromthecountry，whowenttoChelseabywatertoseetheCollegeandDonSaltero’scuriosities。
Inourreturn，attherequestofthecompany，whosecuriosityWygatehadexcited，Istrippedandleapedintotheriver，andswamfromnearChelseatoBlackfryar’s，performingonthewaymanyfeatsofactivity，bothuponandunderwater，thatsurpris’dandpleas’dthosetowhomtheywerenovelties。
Ihadfromachildbeeneverdelightedwiththisexercise，hadstudiedandpractis’dallThevenot’smotionsandpositions，addedsomeofmyown，aimingatthegracefulandeasyaswellastheuseful。
AlltheseItookthisoccasionofexhibitingtothecompany，andwasmuchflatter’dbytheiradmiration；andWygate，whowasdesirousofbecomingamaster，grewmoreandmoreattach’dtomeonthataccount，aswellasfromthesimilarityofourstudies。
HeatlengthproposedtometravellingalloverEuropetogether，supportingourselveseverywherebyworkingatourbusiness。Iwasonceinclinedtoit；but，mentioningittomygoodfriendMr。Denham，withwhomIoftenspentanhourwhenIhadleisure，hedissuadedmefromit，advisingmetothinkonlyofreturningtoPennsilvania，whichhewasnowabouttodo。
Imustrecordonetraitofthisgoodman’scharacter。HehadformerlybeeninbusinessatBristol，butfailedindebttoanumberofpeople，compoundedandwenttoAmerica。There，byacloseapplicationtobusinessasamerchant，heacquir’daplentifulfortuneinafewyears。
ReturningtoEnglandintheshipwithme，heinvitedhisoldcreditorstoanentertainment，atwhichhethank’dthemfortheeasycompositiontheyhadfavoredhimwith，and，whentheyexpectednothingbutthetreat，everymanatthefirstremovefoundunderhisplateanorderonabankerforthefullamountoftheunpaidremainderwithinterest。
HenowtoldmehewasabouttoreturntoPhiladelphia，andshouldcarryoveragreatquantityofgoodsinordertoopenastorethere。
Hepropos’dtotakemeoverashisclerk，tokeephisbooks，inwhichhewouldinstructme，copyhisletters，andattendthestore。Headdedthat，assoonasIshouldbeacquaintedwithmercantilebusiness，hewouldpromotemebysendingmewithacargoofflourandbread，etc。，totheWestIndies，andprocuremecommissionsfromotherswhichwouldbeprofitable；and，ifI
manag’dwell，wouldestablishmehandsomely。Thethingpleas’dme；
forIwasgrowntiredofLondon，rememberedwithpleasurethehappymonthsIhadspentinPennsylvania，andwish’dagaintoseeit；
thereforeIimmediatelyagreedonthetermsoffiftypoundsayear，Pennsylvaniamoney；less，indeed，thanmypresentgettingsasacompositor，butaffordingabetterprospect。
Inowtookleaveofprinting，asIthought，forever，andwasdailyemployedinmynewbusiness，goingaboutwithMr。Denhamamongthetradesmentopurchasevariousarticles，andseeingthempack’dup，doingerrands，callinguponworkmentodispatch，etc。；and，whenallwasonboard，Ihadafewdays’leisure。Ononeofthesedays，Iwas，tomysurprise，sentforbyagreatmanIknewonlybyname，aSirWilliamWyndham，andIwaiteduponhim。HehadheardbysomemeansorotherofmyswimmingfromChelseatoBlackfriar’s，andofmyteachingWygateandanotheryoungmantoswiminafewhours。