Then I walked up the street, gazing about till near the market-house I met a boy with bread. I had made many a meal on bread, and, inquiring where he got it, I went immediately to the baker's he directed me to, in Secondstreet, and ask'd for bisket, intending such as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in Philadelphia. Then I asked for a three-penny loaf, and was told they had none such. So not considering or knowing the difference of money, and the greater cheapness nor the names of his bread, I made him give me three-penny worth of any sort. He gave me, accordingly, three great puffy rolls. I was surpriz'd at the quantity, but took it, and, having no room in my pockets, walk'd off with a roll under each arm, and eating the other.

Thus I went up Market-street as far as Fourth-street, passing by the door of Mr. Read, my future wife's father; when she, standing at the door, saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance. Then I turned and went down Chestnut-street and part of Walnut-street, eating my roll all the way, and, corning round, found myself again at Market-street wharf, near the boat I came in, to which I went for a draught of the river water; and, being filled with one of my rolls, gave the other two to a woman and her child that came down the river in the boat with us, and were waiting to go farther.

Thus refreshed, I walked again up the street, which by this time had many clean-dressed people in it, who were all walking the same way. I joined them, and thereby was led into the great meeting-house of the Quakers near the market. I sat down among them, and, after looking round awhile and hearing nothing said, being very drowsy thro’labor and want of rest the preceding night, I fell fast asleep, and continued so till the meeting broke up, when one was kind enough to rouse me. This was, therefore, the first house I was in, or slept in, in Philadelphia.

Walking down again toward the river, and, looking in the faces of people, I met a young Quaker man, whose countenance I lik'd, and, accosting him, requested he would tell me where a stranger could get lodging. We were then near the sign of the Three Mariners.

"Here, " says he, "is one place that entertains strangers, but it is not a reputable house; if thee wilt walk with me, I'll show thee a better."

He brought me to the Crooked Billet in Water-street. Here I got a dinner; and, while I was eating it, several sly questions were asked me, as it seemed to be suspected from my youth and appearance, that I might be some runaway.

After dinner, my sleepiness return'd, and being shown to a bed, I lay down without undressing, and slept till six in the evening, was call'd to supper, went to bed again very early, and slept soundly till next morning. Then I made myself as tidy as I could, and went to Andrew Bradford the printer's. I found in the shop the old man his father, whom I had seen at New York, and who, travelling on horseback, had got to Philadelphia before me. He introduc'd me to his son, who receiv'd me civilly, gave me a breakfast, but told me he did not at present want a hand, being lately suppli'd with one; but there was another printer in town, lately set up, one Keimer, who, perhaps, might employ me; if not, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would give me a little work to do now and then till fuller business should offer.

The old gentleman said he would go with me to the new printer; and when we found him, "Neighbor, " says Bradford, "I have brought to see you a young man of your business; perhaps you may want such a one."

He ask'd me a few questions, put a composing stick in my hand to see how I work'd, and then said he would employ me soon, though he had just then nothing for me to do; and, taking old Bradford, whom he had never seen before, to be one of the town's people that had a good will for him, enter'd into a conversation on his present undertaking and projects; while Bradford, not discovering that he was the other printer's father, on Keimer's saying he expected soon to get the greatest part of the business into his own hands, drew him on by artful questions, and starting little doubts, to explain all his views, what interests he reli'd on, and in what manner he intended to proceed.

I, who stood by and heard all, saw immediately that one of them was a crafty old sophister, and the other a mere novice. Bradford left me with Keimer, who was greatly surpris'd when I told him who the old man was.

Keimer's printing-house, I found, consisted of an old shatter'd press, and one small, worn-out font of English which he was then using himself, composing an Elegy on Aquila Rose, before mentioned, an ingenious young man, of excellent character, much respected in the town, clerk of the Assembly, and a pretty poet. Keimer made verses too, but very indifferently. He could not be said to write them, for his manner was to compose them in the types directly out of his head. So there being no copy, but one pair of cases, and the Elegy likely to require all the letter, no one could help him. I endeavor'd to put his press (which he had not yet us'd, and of which he understood nothing) into order fit to be work'd with; and, promising to come and print off his Elegy as soon as he should have got it ready, I return'd to Bradford's, who gave me a little job to do for the present, and there I lodged and dieted, A few days after, Keimer sent for me to print off the Elegy. And now he had got another pair of cases, and a pamphlet to reprint, on which he set me to work.

These two printers I found poorly qualified for their business. Bradford had not been bred to it, and was very illiterate; and Keimer, tho’something of a scholar, was a mere compositor, knowing nothing of presswork. He had been one of the French prophets, and could act their enthusiastic agitations. At this time he did not profess any particular religion, but something of all on occasion; was very ignorant of the world, and had, as I afterward found, a good deal of the knave in his composition. He did not like my lodging at Bradford's while I work'd with him. He had a house, indeed, but without furniture, so he could not lodge me; but he got me a lodging at Mr. Read's, before mentioned, who was the owner of his house; and, my chest and clothes being come by this time, I made rather a more respectable appearance in the eyes of Miss Read than I had done when she first happen'd to see me eating my roll in the street.

I began now to have some acquaintance among the young people of the town, that were lovers of reading, with whom I spent my evenings very pleasantly; and gaining money by my industry and frugality, I lived very agreeably, forgetting Boston as much as I could, and not desiring that any there should know where I resided, except my friend Collins, who was in my secret, and kept it when I wrote to him.

At length, an incident happened that sent me back again much sooner than I had intended. I had a brother-in-law, Robert Holmes, master of a sloop that traded between Boston and Delaware. He being at Newcastle, forty miles below Philadelphia, heard there of me, and wrote me a letter mentioning the concern of my friends in Boston at my abrupt departure, assuring me of their good will to me, and that every thing would be accommodated to my mind if I would return, to which he exhorted me very earnestly. I wrote an answer to his letter, thank'd him for his advice, but stated my reasons for quitting Boston fully and in such a light as to convince him I was not so wrong as he had apprehended.

Sir William Keith, governor of the province, was then at Newcastle, and Captain Holmes, happening to be in company with him when my letter came to hand, spoke to him of me, and show'd him the letter.

The governor read it, and seem'd surpris'd when he was told my age. He said I appear'd a young man of promising parts, and therefore should be encouraged; the printers at Philadelphia were wretched ones; and, if I would set up there, he made no doubt I should succeed; for his part, he would procure me the public business, and do me every other service in his power. This my brother-in-law afterwards told me in Boston, but I knew as yet nothing of it; when, one day, Keimer and I being at work together near the window, we saw the governor and another gentleman (which proved to be Colonel French, of Newcastle), finely dress'd, come directly across the street to our house, and heard them at the door.

Keimer ran down immediately, thinking it a visit to him; but the governor inquir'd for me, came up, and with a condescension of politeness I had been quite unus'd to, made me many compliments, desired to be acquainted with me, blam'd me kindly for not having made myself known to him when I first came to the place, and would have me away with him to the tavern, where he was going with Colonel French to taste, as he said, some excellent Madeira.

I was not a little surprised, and Keimer star'd like a pig poison'd. I went, however, with the governor and Colonel French to a tavern, at the corner of Third-street,and over the Madeira he propos'd my setting up my business, laid before me the probabilities of success, and both he and Colonel French assur'd me I should have their interest and influence in procuring the public business of both governments. On my doubting whether my father would assist me in it, Sir William said he would give me a letter to him, in which he would state the advantages, and he did not doubt of prevailing with him.

So it was concluded I should return to Boston in the first vessel, with the governor's letter recommending me to my father. In the mean time the intention was to be kept a secret, and I went on working with Keimer as usual, the governor sending for me now and then to dine with him, a very great honor I thought it, and conversing with me in the most affable, familiar, and friendly manner imaginable.

About the end of April, 1724, a little vessel offer'd for Boston. I took leave of Keimer as going to see my friends. The governor gave me an ample letter, saying many flattering things of me to my father, and strongly recommending the project of my setting up at Philadelphia as a thing that must make my fortune.

We struck on a shoal in going down the bay, and sprung a leak; we had a blustering time at sea, and were oblig'd to pump almost continually, at which I took my turn. We arriv'd safe, however, at Boston in about a fortnight. I had been absent seven months,and my friends had heard nothing of me; for my br. Holmes was not yet return'd, and had not written about me. My unexpected appearance surpriz'd the family; all were, however, very glad to see me, and made me welcome, except my brother. I went to see him at his printing-house. I was better dress'd than ever while in his service, having a genteel new suit from head to foot, a watch, and my pockets lin'd with near five pounds sterling in silver. He receiv'd me not very frankly, look'd me all over, and turn'd to his work again.

The journeymen were inquisitive where I had been, what sort of a country it was, and how I lik'd it. I prais'd it much, the happy life I led in it, expressing strongly my intention of returning to it; and, one of them asking what kind of money we had there, I produc'd a handful of silver, and spread it before them, which was a kind of raree-show they had not been us'd to, paper being the money of Boston. Then I took an opportunity of letting them see my watch; and, lastly (my brother still grum and sullen), I gave them a piece of eight to drink, and took my leave.

This visit of mine offended him extreamly; for, when my mother some time after spoke to him of a reconciliation, and of her wishes to see us on good terms together, and that we might live for the future as brothers, he said I had insulted him in such a manner before his people that he could never forget or forgive it. In this, however, he was mistaken.

My father received the governor's letter with some apparent surprise, but said little of it to me for some days, when Capt. Holmes returning he showed it to him, ask'd him if he knew Keith, and what kind of man he was; adding his opinion that he must be of small discretion to think of setting a boy up in business who wanted yet three years of being at man's estate. Holmes said what he could in favor of the project, but my father was clear in the impropriety of it, and at last gave a flat denial to it. Then he wrote a civil letter to Sir William, thanking him for the patronage he had so kindly offered me, but declining to assist me as yet in setting up, I being, in his opinion, too young to be trusted with the management of a business so important, and for which the preparation must be so expensive.

My friend and companion Collins, who was a clerk in the post-office, pleas'd with the account I gave him of my new country, determined to go thither also; and, while I waited for my father's determination, he set out before me by land to Rhode Island, leaving his books, which were a pretty collection of mathematicks and natural philosophy, to come with mine and me to New York, where he propos'd to wait for me.

My father, tho’he did not approve Sir William's proposition, was yet pleas'd that I had been able to obtain so advantageous a character from a person of such note where I had resided, and that I had been so industrious and careful as to equip myself so handsomely in so short a time; therefore, seeing no prospect of an accommodation between my brother and me, he gave his consent to my returning again to Philadelphia, advis'd me to behave respectfully to the people there, endeavor to obtain the general esteem, and avoid lampooning and libeling, to which he thought I had too much inclination; telling me, that by steady industry and a prudent parsimony I might save enough by the time I was one-and-twenty to set me up; and that, if I came near the matter, he would help me out with the rest. This was all I could obtain, except some small gifts as tokens of his and my mother's love, when I embark'd again for New York, now with their approbation and their blessing.

The sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island, I visited my brother John, who had been married and settled there some years. He received me very affectionately, for he always lov'd me. A friend of his, one Vernon, having some money due to him in Pensilvania, about thirty-five pounds currency, desired I would receive it for him, and keep it till I had his directions what to remit it in. Accordingly, he gave me an order. This afterwards occasion'd me a good deal of uneasiness.

At Newport we took in a number of passengers for New York, among which were two young women, companions, and a grave, sensible, matron-like Quaker woman, with her attendants. I had shown an obliging readiness to do her some little services, which impress'd her I suppose with a degree of good will toward me; therefore, when she saw a daily growing familiarity between me and the two young women, which they appear'd to encourage, she took me aside, and said: "Young man, I am concern'd for thee, as thou has no friend with thee, and seems not to know much of the world, or of the snares youth is expos'd to; depend upon it, those are very bad women; I can see it in all their actions; and if thee art not upon thy guard, they will draw thee into some danger; they are strangers to thee, and I advise thee, in a friendly concern for thy welfare, to have no acquaintance with them."

As I seem'd at first not to think so ill of them as she did, she mentioned some things she had observ'd and heard that had escap'd my notice, but now convinc'd me she was right. I thank'd her for her kind advice, and promis'd to follow it. When we arriv'd at New York, they told me where they liv'd, and invited me to come and see them; but I avoided it, and it was well I did; for the next day the captain miss'd a silver spoon and some other things, that had been taken out of his cabbin, and, knowing that these were a couple of strumpets, he got a warrant to search their lodgings, found the stolen goods, and had the thieves punish'd. So, tho’we had escap'd a sunken rock, which we scrap'd upon in the passage, I thought this escape of rather more importance to me.

At New York I found my friend Collins, who had arriv'd there some time before me. We had been intimate from children, and had read the same books together; but he had the advantage of more time for reading and studying, and a wonderful genius for mathematical learning, in which he far outstript me. While I liv'd in Boston most of my hours of leisure for conversation were spent with him, and he continu'd a sober as well as an industrious lad; was much respected for his learning by several of the clergy and other gentlemen, and seemed to promise making a good figure in life. But, during my absence, he had acquir'd a habit of sotting with brandy; and I found by his own account, and what I heard from others, that he had been drunk every day since his arrival at New York, and behav'd very oddly. He had gam'd, too, and lost his money, so that I was oblig'd to discharge his lodgings, and defray his expenses to and at Philadelphia, which prov'd extremely inconvenient to me.

The then governor of New York, Burnet (son of Bishop Burnet), hearing from the captain that a young man, one of his passengers, had a great many books, desir'd he would bring me to see him. I waited upon him accordingly, and should have taken Collins with me but that he was not sober.

The gov'r. treated me with great civility, show'd me his library, which was a very large one, and we had a good deal of conversation about books and authors. This was the second governor who had done me the honor to take notice of me; which, to a poor boy like me, was very pleasing.

We proceeded to Philadelphia. I received on the way Vernon's money, without which we could hardly have finish'd our journey. Collins wished to be employ'd in some counting-house, but, whether they discover'd his dramming by his breath, or by his behaviour, tho’he had some recommendations, he met with no success in any application, and continu'd lodging and boarding at the same house with me, and at my expense. Knowing I had that money of Vernon's, he was continually borrowing of me, still promising repayment as soon as he should be in business. At length he had got so much of it that I was distress'd to think what I should do in case of being call'd on to remit it.

His drinking continu'd, about which we sometimes quarrell'd; , for, when a little intoxicated, he was very fractious. Once, in a boat on the Delaware with some other young men, he refused to row in his turn.

"I will be row'd home, " says he.

"We will not row you, " says I.

"You must, or stay all night on the water, " says he, "just as you please."

The others said, "Let us row; what signifies it? "

But, my mind being soured with his other conduct, I continu'd to refuse. So he swore he would make me row, or throw me overboard; and coming along, stepping on the thwarts, toward me, when he came up and struck at me, I clapped my hand under his crutch, and, rising, pitched him head-foremost into the river. I knew he was a good swimmer, and so was under little concern about him; but before he could get round to lay hold of the boat, we had with a few strokes pull'd her out of his reach;and ever when he drew near the boat, we ask'd if he would row, striking a few strokes to slide her away from him. He was ready to die with vexation, and obstinately would not promise to row. However, seeing him at last beginning to tire, we lifted him in and brought him home dripping wet in the evening. We hardly exchang'd a civil word afterwards, and a West India captain, who had a commission to procure a tutor for the sons of a gentleman at Barbadoes, happening to meet with him, agreed to carry him thither. He left me then, promising to remit me the first money he should receive in order to discharge the debt; but I never heard of him after.

The breaking into this money of Vernon's was one of the first great errata of my life; and this affair show'd that my father was not much out in his judgment when he suppos'd me too young to manage business of importance. But Sir William, on reading his letter, said he was too prudent. There was great difference in persons; and discretion did not always accompany years, nor was youth always without it.

"And since he will not set you up, " says he, "I will do it myself. Give me an inventory of the things necessary to be had from England, and I will send for them. You shall repay me when you are able; I am resolv'd to have a good printer here, and I am sure you must succeed."

This was spoken with such an appearance of cordiality, that I had not the least doubt of his meaning what he said. I had hitherto kept the proposition of my setting up, a secret in Philadelphia, and I still kept it. Had lt been known that I depended on the governor, probably some friend, that knew him better, would have advis'd me not to rely on him, as I afterwards heard it as his known character to be liberal of promises which he never meant to keep. Yet, unsolicited as he was by me, how could I think his generous offers insincere? I believ'd him one of the best men in the world.

I presented him an inventory of a little print'g-house, amounting by my computation to about one hundred pounds sterling. He lik'd it, but ask'd me if my being on the spot in England to chuse the types, and see that every thing was good of the kind, might not be of some advantage.

"Then, " says he, "when there, you may make acquaintances, and establish correspondences in the bookselling and stationery way." I agreed that this might be advantageous. "Then, " says he, "get yourself ready to go with Annis; " which was the annual ship, and the only one at that time usually passing between London and Philadelphia. But it would be some months before Annis sail'd, so I continu'd working with Keimer, fretting about the money Collins had got from me, and in daily apprehensions of being call'd upon by Vernon, which, however, did not happen for some years after.

I believe I have omitted mentioning that, in my first voyage from Boston, being becalm'd off Block Island, our people set about catching cod, and hauled up a great many. Hitherto I had stuck to my resolution of not eating animal food, and on this occasion consider'd, with my master Tryon, the taking every fish as a kind of unprovoked murder, since none of them had, or ever could do us any injury that might justify the slaughter. All this seemed very reasonable. But I had formerly been a great lover of fish, and, when this came hot out of the frying-pan, it smelt admirably well. I balanc'd some time between principle and inclination, till I recollected that, when the fish were opened, I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then thought I, "If you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you." So I din'd upon cod very heartily, and continued to eat with other people, returning only now and then occasionally to a vegetable diet. So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.

Keimer and I liv'd on a pretty good familiar footing, and agreed tolerably well, for he suspected nothing of my setting up. He retained a great deal of his old enthusiasms and lov'd argumentation. We therefore had many disputations.

I used to work him so with my Socratic method, and had trepann'd him so often by questions apparently so distant from any point we had in hand, and yet by degrees lead to the point, and brought him into difficulties and contradictions, that at last he grew ridiculously cautious, and would hardly answer me the most common question, without asking first, "What do you intend to infer from that? " However, it gave him so high an opinion of my abilities in the confuting way, that he seriously proposed my being his colleague in a project he had of setting up a new sect. He was to preach the doctrines, and I was to confound all opponents. When he came to explain with me upon the doctrines, I found several conundrums which I objected to, unless I might have my way a little too, and introduce some of mine.

Keimer wore his beard at full length, because somewhere in the Mosaic law it is said, "Thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard." He likewise kept the Seventh day, Sabbath; and these two points were essentials with him. I dislik'd both; but agreed to admit them upon condition of his adopting the doctrine of using no animal food.

"I doubt, " said he, "my constitution will not bear that." I assur'd him it would, and that he would be the better for it. He was usually a great glutton, and I promised myself some diversion in half starving him. He agreed to try the practice, if I would keep him company. I did so, and we held it for three months. We had our victuals dress'd, and brought to us regularly by a woman in the neighborhood, who had from me a list of forty dishes to be prepar'd for us at different times, in all which there was neither fish, flesh, nor fowl, and the whim suited me the better at this time from the cheapness of it, not costing us above eighteenpence sterling each per week.

I have since kept several Lents most strictly, leaving the common diet for that, and that for the common, abruptly, without the least inconvenience, so that I think there is little in the advice of making those changes by easy gradations.

I went on pleasantly, but poor Keimer suffered grievously, tired of the project, long'd for the flesh-pots of Egypt, and order'd a roast pig. He invited me and two women friends to dine with him; but, it being brought too soon upon table, he could not resist the temptation, and ate the whole before we came.

I had made some courtship during this time to Miss Read. I had a great respect and affection for her, and had some reason to believe she had the same for me; but, as I was about to take a long voyage, and we were both very young, only a little above eighteen,it was thought most prudent by her mother to prevent our going too far at present, as a marriage, if it was to take place, would be more convenient after my return, when I should be, as I expected, set up in my business. Perhaps, too, she thought my expectations not so well founded as I imagined them to be.

My chief acquaintances at this time were Charles Osborne, Joseph Watson, and James Ralph, all lovers of reading. The two first were clerks to an eminent scrivener or conveyancer in the town, Charles Brogden; the other was clerk to a merchant.

Watson was a pious, sensible young man, of great integrity; the others rather more lax in their principles of religion, particularly Ralph, who, as well as Collins, had been unsettled by me, for which they both made me suffer.

Osborne was sensible, candid, frank; sincere and affectionate to his friends; but, in literary matters, too fond of criticising. Ralph was ingenious, genteel in his manners, and extremely eloquent; I think I never knew a prettier talker. Both of them great admirers of poetry, and began to try their hands in little pieces.

Many pleasant walks we four had together on Sundays into the woods, near Schuylkill, where we read to one another, and conferr'd on what we read.

Ralph was inclin'd to pursue the study of poetry, not doubting but he might become eminent in it, and make his fortune by it, alleging that the best poets must, when they first began to write, make as many faults as he did. Osborne dissuaded him, assur'd him he had no genius for poetry, and advis'd him to think of nothing beyond the business he was bred to; that, in the mercantile way, tho’he had no stock, he might, by his diligence and punctuality, recommend himself to employment as a factor, and in time acquire wherewith to trade on his own account. I approv'd the amusing one's self with poetry now and then, so far as to improve one's language, but no farther.

On this it was propos'd that we should each of us, at our next meeting, produce a piece of our own composing, in order to improve by our mutual observations, criticisms, and corrections. As language and expression were what we had in view, we excluded all considerations of invention by agreeing that the task should be a version of the eighteenth Psalm, which describes the descent of a Deity. When the time of our meeting drew nigh, Ralph called on me first, and let me know his piece was ready. I told him I had been busy, and, having little inclination, had done nothing. He then show'd me his piece for my opinion, and I much approv'd it, as it appear'd to me to have great merit.

"Now, " says he, "Osborne never will allow the least merit in any thing of mine, but makes 1000 criticisms out of mere envy. He is not so jealous of you; I wish, therefore,you would take this piece, and produce it as yours; I will pretend not to have had time, and so produce nothing. We shall then see what he will say to it."

It was agreed, and I immediately transcrib'd it, that it might appear in my own hand.

We met; Watson's performance was read; there were some beauties in it, but many defects. Osborne's was read; it was much better; Ralph did it justice; remarked some faults, but applauded the beauties. He himself had nothing to produce. I was backward;seemed desirous of being excused; had not had sufficient time to correct, etc.; but no excuse could be admitted; produce I must. It was read and repeated; Watson and Osborne gave up the contest, and join'd in applauding it.

Ralph only made some criticisms, and propos'd some amendments; but I defended my text. Osborne was against Ralph, and told him he was no better a critic than poet, so he dropt the argument. As they two went home together, Osborne expressed himself still more strongly in favor of what he thought my production; having restrain'd himself before, as he said, lest I should think it flattery.

"But who would have imagin'd, " said he, "that Franklin had been capable of such a performance; such painting, such force, such fire! He has even improv'd the original. In his common conversation he seems to have no choice of words; he hesitates and blunders; and yet, good God! how he writes! "

When we next met, Ralph discovered the trick we had plaid him, and Osborne was a little laught at.

This transaction fixed Ralph in his resolution of becoming a poet. I did all I could to dissuade him from it, but he continued scribbling verses till Pope cured him. He became, however, a pretty good prose writer. More of him hereafter. But, as I may not have occasion again to mention the other two, I shall just remark here, that Watson died in my arms a few years after, much lamented, being the best of our set. Osborne went to the West Indies, where he became an eminent lawyer and made money, but died young. He and I had made a serious agreement, that the one who happen'd first to die should, if possible, make a friendly visit to the other, and acquaint him how he found things in that separate state. But he never fulfill'd his promise.

The governor, seeming to like my company, had me frequently to his house, and his setting me up was always mention'd as a fixed thing. I was to take with me letters recommendatory to a number of his friends, besides the letter of credit to furnish me with the necessary money for purchasing the press and types, paper, etc. For these letters I was appointed to call at different times, when they were to be ready, but a future time was still named. Thus he went on till the ship, whose departure too had been several times postponed, was on the point of sailing. Then, when I call'd to take my leave and receive the letters, his secretary, Dr. Bard, came out to me and said the governor was extremely busy in writing, but would be down at Newcastle before the ship, and there the letters would be delivered to me.

Ralph, though married, and having one child, had determined to accompany me in this voyage. It was thought he intended to establish a correspondence, and obtain goods to sell on commission; but I found afterwards, that, thro’some discontent with his wife's relations, he purposed to leave her on their hands, and never return again.

Having taken leave of my friends, and interchang'd some promises with Miss Read, I left Philadelphia in the ship, which anchor'd at Newcastle. The governor was there;but when I went to his lodging, the secretary came to me from him with the civillest message in the world, that he could not then see me, being engaged in business of the utmost importance, but should send the letters to me on board, wish'd me heartily a good voyage and a speedy return, etc. I returned on board a little puzzled, but still not doubting.

Mr. Andrew Hamilton, a famous lawyer of Philadelphia, had taken passage in the same ship for himself and son, and with Mr. Denham, a Quaker merchant, and Messrs.Onion and Russel, masters of an iron work in Maryland, had engag'd the great cabin;so that Ralph and I were forced to take up with a berth in the steerage, and none on board knowing us, were considered as ordinary persons. But Mr. Hamilton and his son (it was James, since governor) return'd from Newcastle to Philadelphia, the father being recall'd by a great fee to plead for a seized ship; and, just before we sail'd, Colonel French coming on board, and showing me great respect, I was more taken notice of, and, with my friend Ralph, invited by the other gentlemen to come into the cabin, there being now room. Accordingly, we remov'd thither.

Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board the governor's despatches, I ask'd the captain for those letters that were to be under my care. He said all were put into the bag together and he could not then come at them; but, before we landed in England, I should have an opportunity of picking them out; so I was satisfied for the present, and we proceeded on our voyage. We had a sociable company in the cabin, and lived uncommonly well, having the addition of all Mr. Hamilton's stores, who had laid in plentifully. In this passage Mr. Denham contracted a friendship for me that continued during his life. The voyage was otherwise not a pleasant one, as we had a great deal of bad weather.

然后，我走上街，四處游覽。直到我走到市場時，我遇見了一個手拿面包的男孩子。我曾好幾次以面包當飯吃，在問了他是從哪里買的之后，我立即跑到他指給我的位于第二街的一家面包店，要買我們在波士頓買過的那種硬面包，但是好像他們在費城不做這種面包。然后，我就要3便士一個的面包，卻被告知沒有。這樣，由于沒有考慮到或不知道貨幣價值的差異，在費城物價很低，而且我也不知道有什么面包，于是我就請他給我3便士的任何種類的面包。他給了我3個又大又肥的面包卷。我對這么多面包感到很驚異，但是接了過來。由于我的口袋裝不下，就兩個胳膊下各夾一個，邊走邊吃另外一個面包。

我就這樣沿著市場街一直走到第四街，經過了李德先生的門口，他后來成了我岳父；而我未來的妻子此時正巧站在門口，她看見了我，覺得我非常邋遢，而事實上也真的是這樣。接著，我拐了一個彎，走到了板栗街和胡桃街的一段，一路上吃著面包卷；又拐了一個彎之后，發(fā)現(xiàn)我又回到了市場街碼頭，緊靠著我剛才坐來的那艘船。我跑到碼頭上，喝了一口河水。由于一個面包卷就將肚子填飽了，我把剩余的兩個面包給了一個婦女和她的孩子，她和我們一同坐船來這里的，正等著繼續(xù)前進。

吃完飯之后，我又跑到了街上。這時，街上有許多穿戴整齊的人都在朝同一個方向走。我加入了他們的行列，這樣就被帶到了市場附近一個巨大的教友會會所。我在他們中間坐了下來，朝四周看了一下，沒有聽到人講話。由于第一天晚上的勞動和缺乏睡眠，我感到非常疲倦，很快就睡著了，直到散會才醒過來。這時，一個人好心地叫醒了我。因此，這個會所是我在費城踏進過或是睡過的第一間屋子。

我又朝河邊走去，觀察著人們的臉。我遇到了一位年輕的教友會教徒，他臉色和藹，我和他打了招呼，請他告訴我外地人在哪里可以找到住的地方。我們當時正好是在“三個水手”的招牌邊上。

“這兒，”他說，“正好是接待外地人的旅店，但是它的聲譽不好。如果你愿意跟我來，我可以告訴你一家更好的旅店。”

他把我?guī)У搅宋挥谒值摹皬澢玫辍薄Ｔ谶@里，我吃了一頓午餐。我在吃飯時，有人問了我?guī)讉€試探性的問題，因為從我的年輕和我的服裝來看，我好像被懷疑成一個私逃者。

午飯后，我又感到困了，他們給了我一張床，我衣服沒脫就躺下了，一直睡到晚上六點鐘，被叫去吃晚飯，晚上又很早上床，一直酣睡到第二天早上。接著，我把自己盡可能收拾得整整齊齊的，再到安得魯·勃拉福的印刷廠去。在店里，我看見了我在紐約曾見過的那個老人，也就是他的父親。由于他是騎馬來的，所以比我要早到費城。他把我介紹給了他的兒子，他兒子很客氣地接待了我，請我吃了早餐，但是告訴我他目前不需要人手，因為最近他剛增加了一個人；不過，他又說城里有另一家新開業(yè)的印刷廠，主人叫凱莫爾，或許可以雇用我；如果不能的話，我可以暫時住在他的店里，他會不時地給我一些零活，直到我找到全職工作。

那位老先生說，他愿意和我一同去見那家新印刷廠的老板。當我們找到了他時，勃拉福說：“朋友，我?guī)Я艘粋€年輕的印刷工來見你，或許你正需要這樣一個人。”

他問了我一些問題，并給了我一個排字架，看我如何工作。然后，他說雖然他暫時還沒有事情給我做，但是他不久就可以雇用我。雖然以前從未見過勃拉福，但是他卻把老勃拉福當作鎮(zhèn)上對他抱有善意的人，和他談起目前企業(yè)的進展和對未來的抱負。由于不知道勃拉福是城里另外一家印刷廠老板的父親，當聽到凱莫爾說他預期不久就可以接下城里絕大部分印刷事務時，勃拉福就通過一些巧妙的提問和一些小小的懷疑，就把對方的全部意圖誘了出來，例如他是依靠誰的勢力，他準備如何進行，等等。

我站在一旁，聽了全部談話，立刻看出他們中間有一個是一只狡猾的老狐貍，而另一個還是新手。勃拉福讓我留在凱莫爾那里。當我告訴凱莫爾那老人是誰的時候，他大為驚訝。

我發(fā)現(xiàn)凱莫爾的印刷廠只有一臺舊印刷機和一套磨損了的小號英文鉛字，他此時正在用這套鉛字排印一首前面已經提過的紀念阿克拉·羅斯的挽歌。羅斯是一個聰明的年輕人，有高尚的品德，在城里很受人們尊敬，是州議會的秘書，也是一個不作的詩人。凱莫爾也寫詩，但是非常差勁。他實際上不能說是在寫詩，因為他做詩的方式，就是把他頭腦中的東西直接排成鉛字。這樣，因為沒有稿子，而且又只有兩個活字盤，而挽歌又很可能用上全部的鉛字，所以沒有人能幫他。我設法把他的印刷機修整了一下（他還沒有用過它，他對印刷機一竅不通），使它能夠運行；而且我答應，等他把他的挽歌排好版，我就來印刷。然后，我就回到了勃拉福的廠子。勃拉福暫時給了我一點兒零活，我就在他那里住宿吃飯。幾天以后，凱莫爾來叫我去印挽歌。這時，他已經弄到了另外兩個活字盤，還有一個小冊子要重印，他就讓我做這工作。

我發(fā)現(xiàn)這兩個印刷廠老板對他們的業(yè)務都知之甚少。勃拉福原來不是學印刷的，文化程度也低。凱莫爾雖然有點兒學問，但也只能排字，卻不懂印刷業(yè)務。他曾是法國先知派教友之一，能像他們那樣熱烈和激動地行動。這時，他并不表明什么特殊的信仰，而只各種教派都相信一點。他完全不懂世故，而且后來我發(fā)現(xiàn)，在他性格里有許多無賴的成分。當我在他這里工作的時候，他不喜歡我住在勃拉福那里。他原來有一所房子，只是里面沒有家具，所以他不能讓我去住；不過，他替我在前面提過的李德先生家里找到了住的地方，他是他的房東。我的箱子和衣服這時已經運來了，在李德小姐的眼里，我的樣子比她第一次碰巧看見我在街上吃面包卷時體面得多了。

我現(xiàn)在開始認識城里一些喜歡讀書的年輕人，晚上和他們愉快地待在一起。靠著我的勤快和節(jié)儉，我賺了一點錢，生活過得很舒適。我盡可能地忘掉波士頓，而且除了我的朋友格林斯以外，我也不希望波士頓的任何人知道我的住處。格林斯知道我的地址，我寫信給他時，他保守了秘密。

最后，發(fā)生了一件偶然的事情，又使我重新回到那里，這比我原定的時間要早得多。我有一個姐夫羅伯特·荷麥斯，是一艘在波士頓和道拉瓦之間經商的帆船的船主。當他在費城南面64公里的紐卡斯特爾時，聽到了關于我的消息，就給我寫了一封信，說到了我突然出走后，在波士頓的朋友們對我的掛念，向我保證了他們對我的善意，而且只要我愿意回去，一切都可以按照我的心愿安排。他十分誠意地勸我回去。我給他寫了一封回信，感謝了他的忠告，但是我詳盡地敘述了我離開波士頓的理由，這樣就可以讓他相信，我的出走并不像他以前想象的那樣不近情理。

賓夕法尼亞的州長威廉·基夫爵士這時在紐卡斯特爾。當我的信送到我姐夫荷麥斯船主手上時，他正好和州長在一起，就和州長談到了我，并把我的信給州長看。

州長看了信，當他得知我的年齡時，好像感到很驚異。他說，看來我是一個有前途和才華的青年，因此應當?shù)玫焦膭睿欢屹M城的印刷廠質量低劣，如果我在那里開業(yè)，他敢肯定我一定會成功的；在他個人這方面，愿意設法替我招攬公家的生意，并在他的權力范圍之內，在任何其他方面都盡力幫助我。這是我姐夫后來在波士頓告訴我的，但我當時還一無所知。有一天，當我和凱莫爾一起在窗口工作的時候，我們看見州長和另外一位紳士（后來知道他是紐卡斯特爾的富蘭克上校）穿著華麗的衣服，穿過街徑直朝我們工廠走來，接著就聽見了敲門聲。

凱莫爾立刻跑下樓去，以為是來看他的；然而，州長要求見我，來到了樓上，用一種我以前不習慣的謙遜，非常禮貌地向我說了許多客氣話，表示愿意認識我，還善意地責怪我，說我剛到費城時不讓他知道，同時邀我和他同去酒館，他和富蘭克上校原來是想去那里，據他說是去品嘗一些上等白葡萄酒。

我驚訝之極，而凱莫爾卻呆了，但我還是陪著州長和富蘭克上校到了一家位于第三街拐角的酒館。州長一面喝著酒，一面勸我自己開業(yè)，并向我分析成功的可能性。他和富蘭克上校都向我保證，我可以利用他們的勢力和影響去承接軍隊和政府兩方面的公家生意。當我提出不知我父親是否愿意在這件事情上幫助我時，威廉爵士說他準備給我一封寫給我父親的信，在信里他會敘述這項計劃的優(yōu)點，而且確信他一定能說服我父親。

事情就這樣定下來了，我將坐下一班船回波士頓，帶上州長給我父親的推薦信。但在這期間，我們的計劃暫時保密，我還和往常一樣繼續(xù)到凱莫爾的印刷廠工作，州長還不時地邀請我去吃飯，當時我想這是一種極大的榮耀；同時，他用一種想象不到的殷勤、親密和友好的態(tài)度和我談話。

大約在1724年4月底，一艘開往波士頓的小船來了，我辭別了凱莫爾，理由是去看朋友。州長給了我一封厚厚的信，里面對我父親說了許多恭維我的話，極力推薦我在費城開業(yè)的計劃，認為這項事業(yè)必然會使我成功。

我們的船在駛入海灣時，碰到了沙洲，出現(xiàn)了裂痕，這時海上波濤洶涌，必須幾乎不斷地抽水，我也輪流上陣。但是，大約過了兩個星期，我們安全抵達波士頓。我已經離開7個月了，我的親友們聽不到我的任何消息，因為我姐夫荷麥斯還沒有回來，也沒有寫信提到我。我的意外出現(xiàn)，使全家很是驚異，但是大家看到我都很高興，除了我哥哥，大家都款待了我。我去他的印刷廠看他。我的服飾比我在他那里當學徒的任何時候都要好，從頭到腳穿了一套新的時髦西裝，還有一只表，而且我的口袋里裝了將近5英鎊的銀幣。他勉強接見了我，從頭到腳打量了我一番，然后又轉身工作去了。

廠里的工人很想知道我一直待在哪里，到了一個什么樣的地方，以及我是否喜歡那里。我極力地贊揚了那個地方和我在那里的愉快生活，強烈地表示了我打算回去的意圖。他們中間有一個人問，我們在那里用哪種錢，我就拿出一把銀幣，鋪在他們面前，這種銀幣是他們以前從來沒有見過的奇觀，因為波士頓用的是紙幣。然后，我又借機讓他們看了我的表；最后（我哥哥仍然繃著臉，很不高興），我送了他們一塊錢買酒喝，就離開了。

這次拜訪極大地激怒了我哥哥，因為當我母親過了一段時間向他提出和解，并表示她希望看到我們和睦相處，將來還能兄弟往來的時候，他卻說我在他的工人面前侮辱了他，用了一種他永遠不能忘記或饒恕的方式。但是，在這一點上他錯了。

我父親收到州長的信顯然有點兒驚奇，但是他好幾天都沒有向我提到這件事。當荷麥斯船主回來時，他把信給他看，問他是否認識基夫，以及他是哪種人；又補充他的觀點說，此人考慮事情一定欠妥，竟然讓一個離成年還差3歲的男孩子去經商。荷麥斯盡力表達了他對這項計劃的支持，但是我父親清楚地表示這項計劃不合適，最后直截了當?shù)胤駴Q了它。然后，他給威廉爵士寫了一封措辭委婉的信，感謝他對我的恩德和栽培，但是他不能資助我開業(yè)，因為在他看來，我還年紀太小，不相信我能經營管理這么一個需要巨額資金的重大企業(yè)。

我的朋友和伙伴格林斯，是郵局的一位職員，在聽了我對他講的關于我到的新地方的事情后非常高興，決定也要去那里。當我還在等我父親的決定時，他就在我之前先從陸路出發(fā)上羅德島了。他把他的一些書留了下來，這是一些關于數(shù)學和自然哲學的書，將它們和我自己的書以及我本人一同送到紐約，他準備在那里等我。

雖然我父親不贊同威廉爵士的計劃，但是他仍然感到欣慰的是，我能夠從我所在地如此有聲望的人那里獲得這樣一封飽受贊譽的推薦函，以及我在這么短的時間內通過自己的勤勞和謹慎而把自己打扮得如此體面。因此，既然看不到我和我哥哥之間和解的可能，他就答應讓我回費城，并且勸我對當?shù)厝耸繎斨t恭有禮，努力獲得人們普遍的好評，盡量避免諷刺和誹謗，他認為我非常喜歡這樣做。他還告訴我，通過不斷的辛勤勞動和謹慎節(jié)約，那么到我21歲時，我或許能攢足開業(yè)的資金；假如那時候我的積蓄接近所需數(shù)額的話，他會幫我湊齊剩余的錢款。除了我上船重返紐約時，他給我的表示父母愛子之心的一些小紀念品之外，這就是我所能得到的一切了。不過，我這次去紐約，是得到了他們的同意和祝福的。

帆船停靠在羅德島的新港，我去看了我哥哥約翰。他已經結了婚，已經在這里安家好幾年了。他很親熱地接待了我，因為他一直愛著我。他的一個朋友，一個叫弗朗斯的人，在賓夕法尼亞有人欠了他一筆錢，大約35英鎊，他希望我能代他收這筆錢，并代他保管，直到我接到他的通知，把款匯給他為止。因此，他給了我一張匯票。這件事后來給我?guī)順O大的不安。

在新港，我們船上來了好幾位去紐約的旅客，在他們中間有兩個年輕的女子（她們是一起的伙伴）和一位嚴肅、明智、管家婆似的教友會婦人及其仆人。我謙遜地對她表示，很樂意為她做些小事，我想這使她對我有了一些好感。因此，當她看到我和那兩個年輕女子的關系一天天變得親熱，而且她們好像也鼓勵這種發(fā)展時，她就把我拉到一邊，說：“年輕人，我真替你擔心，因為你身邊沒有朋友，而且你好像也不大懂得世事，或者是那些年輕人很容易上的圈套。要知道，那是些很壞的女人，我可以從她們的各種行動中看出來。假如你不提高警惕的話，她們將會置你于危險境地。你又不認識她們，為了對你的幸福表示友好的關懷，我勸你還是不要和她們來往。”

由于我起初好像對她們并沒有她那樣的厭惡感，她就提到了一些她觀察到和聽到的事情，而這些卻正是我疏忽了的。當時她使我相信她是對的，我就感謝了她的善意忠告，答應聽她的話。當我們到達紐約時，她們告訴我她們住在什么地方，還邀請我去看她們，但是我沒有去；也幸虧我這樣做了，因為第二天船主就丟失了一只銀勺子和其他一些東西，這些東西是從他的艙房里被偷走的。由于船主知道這兩個女子是妓女，就領了一張搜查證，搜查了她們的住所，找到了被偷的東西，讓這兩個小偷受到了處罰。所以，雖然我們在途中躲過了一塊沉在海底的暗礁——它曾擦過我們的船邊，但是我想這次避開這兩個女人，對我來說卻更重要。

在紐約，我找到了我的朋友格林斯，他比我先到那兒一段時間。我們從童年時代就很親密，而且在一起讀了一些相同的書；但是他有更多的時間來讀書和鉆研，同時在數(shù)學方面有極好的天賦，所以在這方面他遠遠跑在我前面。當我在波士頓的時候，我大部分空閑聊天的時間就是和他一起度過的。他當時不僅是個勤勞的小伙子，而且滴酒不沾，他的學識受到當?shù)貛讉€牧師和其他紳士們的高度尊敬，在人生道路上似乎是一個大有作為的青年。但是，當我不在波士頓的時候，他染上了酗酒的壞毛病。從他自己的敘述以及我從別人那里所聽到的，得知他自從到紐約以后，每天都喝得醉醺醺的，而且舉止怪異。他還賭博，并且輸?shù)袅隋X，這樣我就只好替他付房租，并承擔他去費城的路費和在費城生活的費用，這些后來給我?guī)砹藰O大的不便。

當時的紐約州州長博耐特（博耐特主教的兒子）從船主那里聽說在乘客中有一個年輕人，帶了一大堆書，就要求帶我去見他，因此我就去拜訪他。如果格林斯當時不是喝醉酒的話，我一定會帶他同去的。

州長非常熱情地招待了我，帶我參觀了他的藏書室，那是一個很大的藏書室，我們談了許多關于書和作家的話題。這是第二位賞識我的州長，對我而言是一種榮幸。對于像我這樣的窮小子來說，這種賞識是十分令人高興的。

我們向費城前進了。我在路上收到了弗朗斯的錢。假如沒有這筆錢，我們就幾乎無法走完我們的旅程。格林斯想從事會計工作，雖然他有一些推薦信，但人家或者是從他的呼吸中，或者是從他的舉止上看出了他喜歡喝酒，所以他一直沒有找到工作，只好繼續(xù)和我在同一個地方食宿，費用則由我承擔。由于知道我有弗朗斯的錢，他就不斷向我借錢，而且一直許諾說，只要他有了工作就還給我。到后來，他用了弗朗斯那么多錢，就使我焦慮地想，如果弗朗斯要我把這筆錢寄過去的話，我該如何是好。

他還是經常喝酒，我們有時候也為這件事而爭吵，因為當他稍微喝醉酒的時候，脾氣就會很壞。有一次，他和其他幾個年輕人在道拉瓦劃船，當輪到他劃船時，他不肯。

“我要你們把我劃回家去。”他說。

“我們決不替你劃。”我說。

“你們非劃不可，否則整個晚上就待在水上。隨你們的便。”他說。

其他人說：“就讓我們劃吧，有什么大不了的呢？”

但是，因為我正對他另外的事情生氣，就堅持不肯劃。于是，他發(fā)誓一定要我劃船，否則就把我扔進河里。他站在船板上，朝我走了過來。當他跑上來打我時，我伸手抓住他的腿，站了起來，把他頭朝下腳朝天拋進了水中。我知道他是個游泳高手，所以一點兒也不擔心他。但是在他回轉身來攀住船舷之前，我們劃了幾下船，使他抓不到；每當他游近船邊時，我們就問他是否愿意劃船，同時劃幾下船離開他。他氣得要死，固執(zhí)地不肯答應劃船。但是，當后來看到他開始疲憊時，我們將他拉上了船，在晚上將他濕淋淋地送回了家。后來，我們幾乎沒有好言好語說過一句話。一個西印度的船主受人之托，替巴巴多群島一個地主的兒子找一位家庭教師，正好遇到他，答應帶他去那兒。然后，他離開了我，答應等他領到第一筆錢就寄給我還債，但是此后我再也沒有聽到他的消息。

挪用弗朗斯這筆錢，是我一生中最大的錯誤之一。這件事說明我父親的判斷是相當正確的，當時他認為我太年輕，還不能經營重大企業(yè)。但是當威廉爵士讀了我父親的信時，他說我父親過分謹慎了，人與人之間存在很大差異，年長者不一定都很謹慎，而年輕人也不全都是不謹慎的。

“既然他不愿意幫你開業(yè)，”他說，“那我自己來得了。你把必須從英國購買的東西開一張單子給我，我去訂購。等你以后有能力時再還給我。我決定要讓這里有一家出色的印刷廠，我相信你一定會成功的。”

他這些話是以誠懇的態(tài)度說出來的，我深信他是很認真的。在那以前，我對于在費城開業(yè)的計劃是保密的，到這時我仍然沒有告訴別人。但是假如有人知道我把希望寄托在州長身上，也許一些知道他性格的友人會勸我不要指望他的，因為我后來聽說他有一個人盡皆知的脾氣，那就是隨意許下心愿卻又不打算履行諾言。不過，由于我根本沒有請他幫忙，我怎么能想到他那慷慨的支持是虛偽的呢？我還認為他是這個世界上最好的人呢。

我給他提供了一份小型印刷廠的設備清單。根據我的估計，大約需要100英鎊。州長很高興地接過清單，但是又問我，如果我自己在英國，親自到場選鉛字，并檢查各種器件的質量，是不是要更好些。

“那么，”他說，“你在那里的時候，可以認識一些人，在販賣書籍和文具方面建立一些聯(lián)系。”我同意這樣做或許會有幫助。“那好，”他說，“準備坐安妮斯號去那里。”

在當時，安妮斯號是每年經常往來于倫敦和費城之間的唯一船只。但是離安妮斯號起航還有好幾個月的時間，所以我繼續(xù)和凱莫爾在一起工作，一面憂慮格林斯從我這里拿走的錢，每天都在擔心弗朗斯來要錢；但是，好幾年過去了，這件事一直都沒有發(fā)生。

我相信我遺漏了這件事：在我第一次從波士頓來費城的旅途中，由于風浪太大而將船停靠在布洛克島，我們這些乘客開始捕捉鱈魚，而且打撈到了許多。直到這時，我還堅持不吃葷食的習慣，而且在這種場合下，我和我的老師特瑞昂一樣，認為每捉一條魚，就相當于一種無緣無故的謀殺，因為它們過去既沒有傷害我們，將來也不會，我們沒有正當?shù)睦碛扇⒑λ鼈儭＿@一切好像很有道理。但是我過去非常愛吃魚，所以當魚兒熱乎乎地從煎鍋里盛出來時，香味撲鼻。我會在原則和嗜好之間猶豫好長時間，直到我記起來，我看見剖魚時從魚肚子里拿出來的小魚，這時我就想：“如果你們都互相吞食，我就為什么不能吃你們呢？”于是，我痛痛快快地吃了一頓鱈魚，以后還繼續(xù)和別人一起吃魚，只是偶爾恢復一下素食。做一個有理性的生物原來是這么的方便，因為它能使人找到或者是制造出理由，去做人心里想做的事。

凱莫爾和我相處得很好，意見也合得來，因為他一點都不知道我開業(yè)的事。他還保持著他原來的極度虔誠，而且喜歡爭辯，所以我們有過很多次爭論。

我常常用我的蘇格拉底方法來和他辯論，用一些顯然離題很遠的問題，逐漸把他引入困境，誘進各種困難和矛盾之間，這種方法常常使他中圈套，最后甚至使他變得可笑般地謹慎，幾乎不愿意回答我最普通的問題了，而且總是先問“你究竟想從這一點引導出什么？”但是，這件事卻使他對我的辯才給予了很高的評價，以至于認真地提議要我成為他的同事，幫他成立一個新教派。他打算去講道，我將駁斥一切反對者。當他向我解釋那些教義時，我發(fā)現(xiàn)其中有一些莫名其妙的東西正是我所反對的，除非我也可以參加一點意見，介紹一些我自己對宗教的看法。

凱莫爾留著長長的胡子，因為在摩西律法中有一條說：“不得毀壞你胡須的邊緣。”他同樣也將星期六作為安息日，這兩點對他來說是必須遵守的，而我卻全都不喜歡；但是我同意遵守它們，假如他接受不吃葷食這一條的話。

“我擔心，”他說，“我的身體會支持不住。”我向他保證，身體不會受到影響，而且他的健康會因此而變得更好。他平常是個貪吃的人，因此我想他將來半饑半餓的樣子倒是很好玩。他同意試試，假如我愿意陪他的話。我陪了他，我們堅持了3個月。我們的食物經常是由一個鄰家婦女做好之后送來的，她從我這里拿去一張菜單，上面列了40種菜肴，在不同的時間為我們做好這些菜。這其中既沒有魚，也沒有雞鴨。這時，這種想入非非的念頭更適合我的要求，因為它省錢，我們每周的花費不超過18個便士。

從那以后，我曾好幾次十分嚴格地保持飲食習慣。突然從平常的食物改為吃齋，或從吃齋改為平常的伙食，對于我沒有一點兒不便，因此我認為，當有人勸我說吃齋應當依照易行原則逐漸改變時，是沒有什么道理的。

我很愉快地吃齋，但是可憐的凱莫爾卻痛苦難堪，厭倦了這項計劃，一心向往著美食佳肴，因此訂了一份烤豬肉。他請了我和兩位女友與他一同進餐，但是因為烤豬肉端上桌太早了，他抵擋不住那種誘惑，在我們到達之前就把它全吃光了。

在這期間，我和李德小姐戀愛了。我非常尊敬她，也很愛慕她；而且我有理由相信，她對我也是如此。但是，因為我即將去海外長途旅行，而且我們都很年輕，才剛過18歲，她母親認為最穩(wěn)妥的辦法就是我們目前不要操之過急，因為如果要結婚的話，最合適的時間是在我回來之后。到那時候，就像我所預料的那樣，我將自己開業(yè)。也許她也覺得，我的期望并不像我所想象的那樣有依據。

這時，我的主要朋友是查理·奧斯本、約瑟夫·沃特森和詹姆斯·拉爾夫，他們全都喜歡讀書，前兩人是鎮(zhèn)上一位有名的公證人查理·博洛戈登的書記，另一位是商店的職員。

沃特森是一個虔誠而聰明的年輕人，十分正直誠實；其他兩人在宗教信仰方面比較淡漠，尤其是拉爾夫，他就像格林斯，由于受了我的影響而動搖了宗教信仰，為此他們兩人都使我自食其果。

奧斯本通情達理、正直、坦率，對待朋友誠懇而富有熱情；但是，他在文筆方面過于喜歡批評。拉爾夫很有才華，舉止優(yōu)雅，而且十分雄辯，我想我從沒有見過比他更善于辭令的人。這兩個人都酷愛詩歌，并且試著寫了幾首小詩。

在星期天，我們四個人常常一起愉快地去斯古基河附近的森林中散步。我們在森林里相互朗讀作品，然后評論我們所讀的作品。

拉爾夫喜歡研究詩，而且深信他會因此而出名發(fā)財，還說即使是最出色的詩人，當他們剛開始寫詩時，也必定會像他一樣有許多缺點。奧斯本卻勸阻他，讓他相信他沒有詩人的天賦，建議他不要好高騖遠，而是專心致志地做好他的生意；他認為，拉爾夫在商業(yè)方面雖然沒有資金，但是靠他的勤奮和堅持，他可能當?shù)蒙弦粋€代理商，再經過適當?shù)腻憻挘梢元毩⒔浬獭Ｎ屹澇膳紶枌憣懺妬硐惨幌拢愿倪M自己的語言風格，但是除此之外別無他意。

關于寫詩，有人提議，為了相互觀摩、批評和提高，在下次見面時，我們每個人都要拿出一篇自己寫的詩來。因為我們只將目標限于語言和表達方式，而不去考慮虛構和幻想，因此我們都同意改寫詩篇第十八篇，這一篇描述的是上帝降臨。當我們的會期將到時，拉爾夫首先來拜訪我，告訴我說他的詩已經完成了。我告訴他我一直很忙，而且沒有興趣，因此什么也沒寫。然后，他將他的詩給我看，征求我的意見。我大大地贊揚了它，因為在我看來，它好像是一首非常優(yōu)秀的詩。

“但是，”他說，“奧斯本從來都不肯承認我的任何作品中一絲一毫的優(yōu)點，由于忌妒，他只會有上千條批評。他對你并不這么嫉妒，因此我希望你帶這首詩去，就當是你自己的；我則假裝沒有時間，什么也沒有寫。然后，我們就可以看他說些什么。”

這項提議得到了我的同意，我立刻把它謄寫下來，這樣它看起來就像是出自我的手。

我們開會了。沃特森的詩宣讀了，里面有一些妙語佳句，但是缺點也很多；奧斯本的詩也宣讀了，比沃特森的詩還要好；拉爾夫倒是很公道，指出了一些缺點，但是稱贊了里面的佳句。拉爾夫自己什么也沒有交。我很忸怩，好像想請求得到豁免似的，說我沒有時間修改等，但是他們不允許有任何借口，我必須宣讀我的詩。我就讀了出來，而且重復了一遍。沃特森和奧斯本自愧不如，就退出了比賽，和大家一起鼓掌稱贊。

拉爾夫只是提出了一些批評，并建議做一些修改；但是我替我的詩辯護。奧斯本反對拉爾夫，諷刺他說，他的批評比他的詩高明不了多少，所以拉爾夫也就不再爭辯了。當他們兩人一起回去時，奧斯本對于我的作品（他認為是我的）更加贊譽不絕，據他自己說，他在這之前控制了自己，免得我認為他是在拍馬屁。

“但是，誰能想得到，”他說，“富蘭克林竟然能寫出這樣的作品，如此繪聲繪色，如此堅強有力，如此火熱！他甚至改進了原來的詩篇。在他的日常談話中，他好像言詞枯燥乏味，他講話猶猶豫豫，錯誤百出。但是，天啊！他寫得太妙了！”

當我們下次碰頭時，拉爾夫揭穿了我們對他開的玩笑，奧斯本被大家嘲笑了好一陣子。

這件事使拉爾夫決心成為一位詩人。我盡我之所能地勸阻他，但是他繼續(xù)寫詩，直到蒲柏治了他。但是，他后來成了一位相當不錯的散文家，我后面還要提到他。但是，因為我以后也許再也不會有機會提到其他兩人了，所以我要在這里交代一下：幾年后，沃特森躺在我懷里死去了，我非常悲痛，他是我們當中最優(yōu)秀的一個。奧斯本去了西印度群島，在那里成為一位著名的律師，賺了許多錢，但是英年早逝。他和我曾認真地訂了一份合同：誰先死，如果可能的話，就應當向另外一個人做一次友好的探訪，告訴他死后的情況如何。但是他從來沒有履約。

州長看上去好像很愿意和我來往，經常讓我去他家，而且總是將他幫我開業(yè)之事當作已經定好的議題提出來。除了給我信用證，以便為我提供必要的資金購買印刷機、鉛字和紙張等之外，他說還要給我一些介紹信，將我介紹給他的一些朋友。他和我約定了好幾次，說是寫好信就讓我去取；但是，到了約定的時候，他總是指定一個更遠的日期。他就這樣一直拖著，直到那艘船也延期好幾次以后就要起航了。然后，當我去向他辭別取信時，他的秘書巴德博士出來見我，說州長正忙著寫信，但是在船開走之前，他會到紐卡斯特爾來，在那里把信交給我。

拉爾夫雖然已經結了婚，而且有了一個孩子，但仍然決定陪我出海。據我推測，他是想建立通信聯(lián)系，以便獲得代銷商品，提取傭金；但是我后來發(fā)現(xiàn)，由于他對他妻子的親戚不滿，他打算把他的妻子交給他們，而他永遠都不回來了。

辭別了我的朋友，和李德小姐交換了海誓山盟之后，我就坐船離開了費城，船停在了紐卡斯特爾。州長到了那里，當我到他的住所去的時候，秘書出來接見我，傳達了他的口信，其措辭之謙恭堪稱世界第一，說他因為有要務纏身，所以那時候不能見我，但是會把信送到船上來，還衷心地祝我一路順風，早日歸來，等等。我有些迷惑不解地回到船上，但是我仍然沒有懷疑。

費城一位著名的律師安德魯·漢彌爾頓先生帶了他的兒子乘坐同一艘船，他和丹尼先生（一個教友會商人）及安寧先生和賴瑟爾先生（馬里蘭一家鐵工廠的兩個老板）包下了正艙，所以拉爾夫和我只好坐三等艙。由于我們在船上不認識一個人，所以他們把我們當作普通人。但是漢彌爾頓先生和他的兒子（詹姆斯，后來當了州長）從紐卡斯特爾回費城去了，老漢彌爾頓為了替一艘被沒收的船進行辯護，而被人以重金請了回去。我們剛要起航，富蘭克上校來到船上，對我表示出極大的尊敬，我這才得以引起他們的注意，那些紳士就邀請我和我的朋友拉爾夫住到正艙，因為這時有地方騰出來了。于是，我們就搬進了正艙。

因為我猜想富蘭克上校已經把州長的公文送到船上來了，所以我就向船主要那些委托由我保管的信件。他說所有的信件全都放在信袋中，他這時還不好將它們拿出來，但是在我們到達英國之前，他會給我機會將信件挑出來。這樣，我暫時安下心來，我們繼續(xù)向前航行。我們艙中的乘客很喜歡交談，而且除了普通的伙食外，還額外有漢彌爾頓先生的物品，他原來貯備了很豐富的食物，所以我們的飲食非常豐盛。在這次旅途中，丹尼先生和我結成了朋友，這種友誼在他活著的時候一直持續(xù)著。但是，從另一方面來看，這次旅行并不舒適，因為我們遇到了許多惡劣的天氣。