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"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 31
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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
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