and disciplined troops, sir, it is impossible they should make any impression." I was conscious of an impropriety in my disputing with a military man in matters of his profession, and said no more. The enemy, however, did not take the advantage of his army, which I apprehended its long line of march exposed it to, but let it advance without interruption till within nine miles of the place; and then, when more in a body (for it had just passed a river, where the front had halted till all were come over), and in a more open part of the woods than any it had passed, attacked its advanced guard by a heavy fire from behind trees and bushes, which was the first intelligence the General had of an enemy's being near him. This guard being disordered, the General hurried the troops up to their assistance, which was done in great confusion through wagons, baggage, and cattle; and presently the fire came upon their flank; the officers being on horseback were more easily distinguished, picked out as marks, and fell very fast; and the soldiers were crowded together in a huddle, having or hearing no orders, and standing to be shot at till two-thirds of them were killed; and then, being seized with a panic, the remainder fled with precipitation. The wagoners took each a horse out of his team and scampered; their example was immediately followed by others; so that all the wagons, provisions, artil lery, and stores were left to the enemy. The General, being wounded, was brought off with difficulty; his secretary, Mr. Shirley, was killed by his side, and out of eighty-six officers sixty-three were killed or wounded, and seven hundred and fourteen men killed of eleven hundred. These eleven hundred had been picked men from the whole army, the rest had been left behind with Colonel Dunbar, who was to follow with the heavier part of the stores, provisions, and baggage. The flyers, not being pursued, arrived at Dunbar's camp, and the panic they brought with them instantly seized him and all his people. And, though he had now above one thousand men, and the enemy who had beaten Braddock did not at most exceed four hundred Indians and French together, instead of proceeding, and endeavouring to recover some of the lost honour, he ordered all the stores, ammunition, &c., to be destroyed, that he might have more horses to assist his flight towards the settlements, and less lumber to remove. He was there met with requests from the governors of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, that he would post his troops on the frontiers so as to afford some protection to the inhabitants; but he continued his hasty march through all the country, not thinking himself safe till he arrived at Philadelphia, where the inhabitants could protect him. This whole transaction gave us Americans the first suspicion, that our exalted ideas CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Introduction, Franklin and Genealogy of his Family-His Birth-His Mother-Employments in his Boyhood-Anecdote -Character of his Father-Epitaph of his Father and Mother-Fond of Reading-Apprenticed to his Brother to learn the Printer's Trade-Writes Ballads-Intimacy with Collins-Practises Composi tion-Adopts a Vegetable Diet-Studies the Socratic Method of Disputation-Concerned in publishing a Newspaper-Disagrees with his BrotherLeaves Boston and takes Passage in a Sloop for New York, CHAPTER II. Journey to Philadelphia-Adventure in a Boat-Dr. Brown-Burlington-His first Appearance in Philadelphia-Quaker Meeting-Seeks for Employment as a Printer-Commences Work in Keimer's Office -Forms Acquaintances-Patronised by Sir William Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania-First Interview with him-Keith proposes to set him up in Business-Returns to Boston-His Father disap PAGE 9 17 proves Keith's Plan-Voyage to New York-Inci- CHAPTER III. Sails for London, accompanied by Ralph-On his Arrival delivers Letters supposed to be written by the Governor-Discovers that Keith had deceived him -His Money exhausted-Engages to work as a Printer at Palmer's in Bartholomew Close-Writes and prints a metaphysical Tract-Frequents a Club, consisting of Dr. Mandeville and others— Disagreement with Ralph, and Separation-Removes to Watt's Printing-house near Lincoln's Inn Fields-Habits of the Workmen-His Expenses of Living-Feats of Activity in Swimming-Enters into Mercantile Business with Mr. Denham-Sir William Wyndham, CHAPTER IV. Voyage from London to Philadelphia-His Mercantile Plans defeated by the Death of Mr. Denham-Accepts an Offer from Keimer to superintend his Printing Establishment-Description of the Work· men in the Printing-house-Resolves to separate PAGE 52 82 from Keimer and commence Business on his own CHAPTER V. The Junto-Description of its original Members- CHAPTER VI. Origin of the Philadelphia Library-Mode of obtaining Subscriptions-Thrives in his Business-Anecdote of the Silver Spoon and China Bowl-Religious Sentiments, and Remarks on Preaching-Scheme for arriving at Moral Perfection-Explanation of the Scheme-Lists of Virtues enumerated, and Rules for Practising them-Division of Time and the Occupation of each Hour-Amusing Anecdote -The Art of Virtue-A Treatise on that Subject proposed, PAGE ..98 116 138 CHAPTER VII. Scheme of a Society for extending the Influence of |