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Printing Experiences




PRINTER, AUTHOR, DIPLOMAT
HONORED OF ALL MEN



DRAWN BV COCHIN, 1777



ENGRAVED BY RITCHIE






MY PRINTING
EXPERIENCES

By BENJAMIN FRANKLIN



a Short
BIOGRAPHY of FRANKLIN

by GEO. E. WRAY




Published by

PORTE PUBLISHING COMPANY

FRANKLIN PRINTERS SERVICE

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH



COPYRIGHT
PORTE PUBLISHING COMPANY
SALT LAKE CITY

UTAH
K

First Edition
OCTOBER, 1921

Second Edition
APRIL, 1921



TABLE OF CONTENTS



Foreword - - - - - 7

From Boston to Philadelphia - - - - - 1 1

Franklin Meets Keimer - 21

A Quakeress Befriends Him - - - 29

Trust Not in Promises - - - - - -35

Gets Work in London - - - - 47

Philosophizes on Beer Drinking - - - - - 53

Franklin Returns to Philadelphia - 61

Keimer Quarrels with Franklin - 70

Franklin Starts in Business 77

Franklin and the Junto - - - -83

A Printer Too Poor to Marry - - - 92

The Way to Wealth - 103

Early Life of Franklin - - - - - - -121

Inventory of Franklin's Printing Plant - - - 128
Other Printing Experiences - - - - - -133

Franklin's Partnerships - - - 136

Franklin as Typefounder - - - - - - 142

Franklin's Pennsylvania Activities - 157

Scientific^and Mechanical Experiments - - - 163
Later Life of Franklin - - - 168

Franklin Becomes a Diplomat - - - - 173

His Mission to France - - - 175

Franklin's Own Epitaph - - - - - -180



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS



Printer, Author, Diplomat - Frontispiece

Franklin at Philadelphia, 1723 - - - - - 1 8

Franklin and the Watts' Press - - - 45

Ben's "Sweet Retreat" in England - 109

Franklin Surprises the World - - - - 125

Plassman's Franklin - - - - 141

Bon Homme Richard - - - - - - - ! 73

Franklin's Epitaph - - - - - - - 181



IT MAY seem somewhat presumptuous to
offer to the world a part of the Autobiog-
raphy of Benjamin Franklin. This would
not now be done but for the fact that print-
ers generally are less interested in Franklin as
a statesman, or a diplomat, than in Franklin as
a printer. True it is that printers are always
ready to honor this great man he who towers
above all other Americans of all time whether
he is considered as a scientist, as a philosopher,
or as a patriot but nevertheless, it is as a printer
that printers are drawn to study Franklin.

This, then, is the reason for the reproduction
of that portion of Franklin's Autobiography
dealing with his connection with the printing
business in Colonial times. Much of the matter
here presented is as familiar to many as house-
hold words. There is little that is new in this
book. But it is filled with the sound practical
sense abounding in nearly all of Franklin's
writings. His homely philosophy has led thous-
ands of people to do a little thinking for them-
selves. The recital of his experiences has urged
many hundreds of young men onward and up-
ward in the path of life. Franklin 's struggles



8 FOREWORD

and Franklin's "errata" have alike served to
guide others in a better way, pointing out ad-
vantages and opportunities as well as dangers
and bitter experiences in journeying along.

All printers should know Franklin from en-
trance to exit, and they should be especially
well acquainted with his ups and downs, his
successes and failures, as a printer.

An appendix to this volume contains Franklin 's
"Way to Wealth" first published in 1758, or
164 years ago. Its quaint and homely talk carries
conviction just as far as when Richard Saunders
delivered his alleged talk to those assembled
in the Philadelphia market place. And that is
to say: "They practised the contrary just as if
it had been a common sermon."

A brief sketch by Mr.Geo.E.Wray, of Frank-
lin 's early life, of his closing years, and of some
of the material things he accomplished for the
benefit of humanity, is given in the Appendix.

That this little volume will prove brimful of
encouragement to the young printer, helpful to
the printer of mature years, cheering to the
printer in the prime of life, strengthening to
those printers who have passed the meridian,
and entertaining and comforting to all printers
of both sexes is the hope of the compilers.

Tt^T.Torte

SALT LAKE CITY, OCTOBER, 1921




My Printing Experiences

By BENJAMIN FRANKLIN



Chapter One
FROM BOSTON TO PHILADELPHIA

MY inclinations for the sea were by
this time (1723) worn out, or I might
have gratify'd them. But, having a
trade, and supposing myself a pretty
good workman, offered my services to the New
York printer, old Mr. William Bradford, who
had been the first printer in Pennsylvania, but
removed from thence upon the quarrel of George
Keith. He could give me no employment, hav-
ing little to do and help enough already; but
says he, "My son at Philadelphia has recently
lost his principal hand, Aquila Rose, by death;
if you go thither, I believe he may employ you. "
Philadelphia was a hundred miles further; I
set out, however, in a boat for Amboy, leaving
my chest and things to follow me round by sea.

II



12 MY PRINTING EXPERIENCES

In crossing the bay, we met with a squall
that tore our rotten sails to pieces, prevented
our getting into the Kill, and drove us upon
Long Island. In our way, a drunken Dutchman,
who was a passenger, too, fell overboard; when
he was sinking I reached through the water to
his shock pate and drew him up, so that we got
him in again.

His ducking sobered him a little and he went
to sleep, taking first out of his pocket a book,
which he desired I should dry for him. It proved
to be my old favorite author, Bunyan's "Pil-
grim's Progress," in Dutch, finely printed on
good paper, with copper cuts, a dress better
than I had ever seen it wear in its own language.
I have since found that it has been translated
into most of the languages of Europe, and expect
it has been more generally read than any other
book, except the Bible.

Honest John was the first that I know of who
mixed narration and dialogue; a method of
writing very engaging to the reader, who in the
most interesting parts finds himself, as it were,
brought into company and present at the dis-
course. De Foe in his "Crusoe," his "Moll
Flanders," "Religious Courtship," "Family
Instructor," and other pieces has imitated it
with success; and Richardson has done the same
in his "Pamela," etc.



FROM BOSTON TO PHILADELPHIA 13

When we drew near the island, we found it
was a place where there could be no landing,
there being a great surf on the stony beach. So
we dropt anchor and swung round towards the
shore. Some people came down to the water
edge and hallow 'd at us, as we did to them; but
the wind was so high and the surf so loud that
we could not hear so as to understand each
other. There were canoes on the shore, and we
made signs and hallow 'd that they should fetch
us; but they either did not understand us or
thought it was impracticable, so they went away
and, night coming on, we had no remedy but
to wait till the wind should abate; and in the
meantime the boatman and I concluded to
sleep, if we could; and so we crowded into the
scuttle with the Dutchman, who was still wet,
and the spray, beating over the head of our
boat, leak'd through to us, so that we were soon
almost as wet as he. In this manner we lay all
night, with very little rest; but the wind abating
the next day, we made shift to reach Amboy
before night, having been thirty hours on the
water, without victuals, or any drink but a
bottle of filthy rum, the water we sailed on
being salt.

In the evening I found myself very feverish,
and went in to bed; but, having read somewhere
that cold water drank plentifully was good for



14 MY PRINTING EXPERIENCES

a fever, I follow 'd the prescription, sweat plen-
tifully most of the night, my fever left me, and
in the morning, crossing to the ferry, I pro-
ceeded on my journey on foot, having fifty
miles to Burlington, where I was told I should
find boats that would carry me the rest of the
way to Philadelphia.

It rained very hard all the day: I was thor-
oughly soak'd and by noon a good deal tired; so
I stopt at a poor inn, where I staid all night, be-
ginning now to wish that I had never left home.
I cut so miserable a figure, too, that I found by
the questions ask'd me, I was suspected to be
some runaway servant and in danger of being
taken up on that suspicion. However, I proceed-
ed the next day, and got in the evening to an
inn, within eight or ten miles of Burlington,
kept by one Doctor Brown. He entered into
conversation with me while I took some re-
freshment and, finding I had read a little, be-
came very sociable and friendly.

Our acquaintance continued as long as he
lived. He had been, I imagine, an itinerant
doctor, for there was no town in England, or
country in Europe of which he could not give
a very particular account. He had some letters,
and was ingenious, but much of an unbeliever,
and wickedly undertook some years after, to
travestie the Bible in doggerel verse, as Cotton



FROM BOSTON TO PHILADELPHIA 15

had done Virgil. By this means he set many of
the facts in a very ridiculous light, and might
have hurt weak minds if his work had been
published; but it never was.

At his house I lay that night, and the next
morning reach 'd Burlington, but had the morti-
fication to find that the regular boats were gone
a little before my coming, and no other expected
to go before Tuesday, this being Saturday;
wherefore I returned to an old woman in the
town, of whom I had bought gingerbread to eat
on the water, and ask'd her advice. She invited
me to lodge at her house till a passage by water
should offer; and being tired with my foot
travelling, I accepted the invitation. She, un.
derstanding I was a printer, would have had me
stay at that town and follow my business, being
ignorant of the stock necessary to begin with.
She was very hospitable, gave me a dinner
of oxcheek with great good will, accepting only
a pot of ale in return; and I thought myself
fixed till Tuesday should come.

However, walking in the evening by the side
of the river, a boat came by, which I found was
going toward Philadelphia, with several people
in her. They took me in, and, as there was no
wind, we row'd all the way, and about mid-
night, not having seen the city, some of the com-
pany were confident we must have passed it,



l6 MY PRINTING EXPERIENCES

and would row no farther; the others knew not
where we were; so we put towards the shore,
got into a creek, landed near an old fence, with
the rails of which we made a fire, the night
being cold in October, and there we remained
till daylight. Then one of the company knew the
place to be Cooper's creek, a little above Phila-
delphia, which we saw as soon as we got out of
the creek, and arriv'd there about eight or nine
o'clock on the Sunday morning, and landed at
the Market street wharf.

I have been the more particular in this de-
scription of my journey and shall be so of my
first entry into that city, that you may in your
mind compare such unlikely beginnings with
the figure I have since made there. I was in my
working dress, my best clothes being to come by
sea. I was dirty from my journey; my pockets
were stuff'd out with shirts and stockings, and
I knew no soul nor where to look for lodging.
I was fatigued with traveling, rowing and want
of rest, I was very hungry; and my whole stock
of cash consisted of a Dutch dollar and about a
shilling in copper. The latter I gave the people
of the boat for my passage, who at first refus 'd
it on account of my rowing; but I insisted on
their taking it; a man being sometimes more
generous when he has but a little money than



FROM BOSTON TO PHILADELPHIA 17

when he has plenty, perhaps thro' fear of
being thought to have but little.

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 Second street
and ask'd for a biscuit, intending such as we had
in Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in
Philadelphia. Then I asked for a three-penny
loaf, and was told they had none such. So not
considering or knowing the difference of money
and the greater cheapness nor the names of his
bread, I had him give me three-penny worth
of any sort. He gave me, accordingly, three
great puffy rolls. I was surpris '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 most certainly did a most awkward and
ridiculous appearance.

Then I turned and went down Chestnut
street and part of Walnut street, eating my roll
all the way, and, coming round, found myself
again in Market street wharf, near the boat I



FROM BOSTON TO PHILADELPHIA 1 9

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.

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 asleep, and con-
tinu'd 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.

While walking down 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
will walk with me I'll show thee a better."



Chapter Two
FRANKLIN MEETS KEIMER.

E BROUGHT me to the Crooked Bil-
let in Water street. Here I got a din-
ner; and while I was eating it, several
sly questions were asked of me, as it
seemed to be suspected from my youth and ap-
pearance that I might be some runaway.

After dinner my sleepiness return 'd, and be-
ing shown to a bed I lay down without undress-
ing, 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.



22 MY PRINTING EXPERIENCES

V

The old gentleman said he would go with me
to the new printer; and when he found him:

"Neighbor," says Bradford, "I have brought
to see you a young man of your business; per-
haps you may want such a one."

He ask'd me a few questions, put a composing
stick into 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, entered into a conversation on his
present undertaking and prospects; while Brad-
ford, not discovering that he was another print-
er's father, on Keimer's saying he expected to
get the greatest part of the business into his
own hands, drew him out by artful questions,
and starting little doubts, to explain all his
views, what interest he reli'd on, and in what
manner he expected to proceed.

I, who stood by and heard all, saw immed-
iately that one of them was a crafty old sophis-
ter, and the other was 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 him-
self, composing an Elegy on Aquila Rose, before



FRANKLIN MEETS KEIMER 2J

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 indifferent-
ly. He could not be said to write them, for his
manner was to compose them in the types di-
rectly 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 used, and of which he understood noth-
ing) into order fit to be work'd with; and, prom-
ising to come and print off his Elegy as soon as
he should have got it ready, I return 'd to Brad-
ford 's who gave me a little job to do for the
present, and there I lodged and dieted.

A few days later, Keimer sent for me to print
off the Elegy. And now he had 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
for it, and was very illiterate; and Keimer, tho'
seeming to be 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



24 MY PRINTING EXPERIENCES

ignorant of the world and had, as I afterward
found, a good deal of the knave in his composi-
tion. He did not like my lodging at Bradford 's
while I worked 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 even-
ings 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 New Castle, 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



FRANKLIN MEETS KEIMER 25

of their good will to me, and that everything
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
the advice but stated my reasons for quitting
Boston fully and in such light as to convince
him I was not so wrong as he had apprehended.

Sir William Keith, governor of the province,
was then at New Castle, 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
seemed 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 set up there he had 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 New Castle,) finely dress 'd,
coming directly across the street to our house,
and heard them at the door.



26 MY PRINTING EXPERIENCES

Keimer ran down immediately thinking it a
visit to him; but the governor inquired for me,
came up, and with a condescension and polite-
ness I had been quite unused to, made me many
compliments, desired to be acquainted with
me, blam 'd me kindly for not having made my-
self 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 surpris'd, and Keimer star'd
like a pig poisoned.

I went, however, with the governor and Colo-
nel French to a tavern, at the corner of Third
street, and over the Madeira he propos'd my
setting up in 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. So it was concluded that I
should return to Boston in the first vessel, with
the governor's letter recommending me to my
father. In the meantime 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



FRANKLIN MEETS KEIMER 2J

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 brother-
in-law Holmes was not yet returned and had not
written about me. My unexpected appearance
surpris'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 received me
not very frankly, look'd me all over, and turn'd
to his work again.



28 MY PRINTING EXPERIENCES

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

This visit of mine offended him extremely;
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 in-
sulted him in such a manner before his people
that he could never forget or forgive it. In this,
however, he was mistaken.




Chapter Three

A QUAKERESS BEFRIENDS HIM

Y FATHER received the governor's
letter with some apparent surprise,
but said little of it to me for some
days, when, Captain Holmes return-
ing, he showed it to him, asked him if he knew
Keith, and what kind of a man he was; adding
his opinion that he must be a man of small
discretion to think of setting a boy up in busi-