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"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 45
of 154
agreed with at extream low wages per week, to be rais'd a shilling every three
months, as they would deserve by improving in their business; and the
expectation of these high wages, to come on hereafter, was what he had drawn
them in with. Meredith was to work at press, Potts at book-binding, which he, by
agreement, was to teach them, though he knew neither one nor t'other. John ----,
a wild Irishman, brought up to no business, whose service, for four years,
Keimer had purchased from the captain of a ship; he, too, was to be made a
pressman. George Webb, an Oxford scholar, whose time for four years he had
likewise bought, intending him for a compositor, of whom more presently; and
David Harry, a country boy, whom he had taken apprentice.
I soon perceiv'd that the intention of engaging me at wages so much higher than
he had been us'd to give, was, to have these raw, cheap hands form'd thro' me;
and, as soon as I had instructed them, then they being all articled to him, he
should be able to do without me. I went on, however, very cheerfully, put his
printing-house in order, which had been in great confusion, and brought his
hands by degrees to mind their business and to do it better.
It was an odd thing to find an Oxford scholar in the situation of a bought
servant. He was not more than eighteen years of age, and gave me this account of
himself; that he was born in Gloucester, educated at a grammar-school there, had
been distinguish'd among the scholars for some apparent superiority in
performing his part, when they exhibited plays; belong'd to the Witty Club
there, and had written some pieces in prose and verse, which were printed in the
Gloucester newspapers; thence he was sent to Oxford; where he continued about a
year, but not well satisfi'd, wishing of all things to see London, and become a
player. At length, receiving his quarterly allowance of fifteen guineas, instead
of discharging his debts he walk'd out of town, hid his gown in a furze bush,
and footed it to London, where, having no friend to advise him, he fell into bad
company, soon spent his guineas, found no means of being introduc'd among the
players, grew necessitous, pawn'd his cloaths, and wanted bread. Walking the
street very hungry, and not knowing what to do with himself, a crimp's bill was
put into his hand, offering immediate entertainment and encouragement to such as
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