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"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 87
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far distant, I would take home his son, then but ten years of age, and bring him
up to the printing business. This I accordingly perform'd, sending him a few
years to school before I took him into the office. His mother carried on the
business till he was grown up, when I assisted him with an assortment of new
types, those of his father being in a manner worn out. Thus it was that I made
my brother ample amends for the service I had depriv'd him of by leaving him so
early.
In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the small-pox,
taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had
not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who
omit that operation, on the supposition that they should never forgive
themselves if a child died under it; my example showing that the regret may be
the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should be chosen.
Our club, the Junto, was found so useful, and afforded such satisfaction to the
members, that several were desirous of introducing their friends, which could
not well be done without exceeding what we had settled as a convenient number,
viz., twelve. We had from the beginning made it a rule to keep our institution a
secret, which was pretty well observ'd; the intention was to avoid applications
of improper persons for admittance, some of whom, perhaps, we might find it
difficult to refuse. I was one of those who were against any addition to our
number, but, instead of it, made in writing a proposal, that every member
separately should endeavor to form a subordinate club, with the same rules
respecting queries, etc., and without informing them of the connection with the
Junto. The advantages proposed were, the improvement of so many more young
citizens by the use of our institutions; our better acquaintance with the
general sentiments of the inhabitants on any occasion, as the Junto member might
propose what queries we should desire, and was to report to the Junto what
pass'd in his separate club; the promotion of our particular interests in
business by more extensive recommendation, and the increase of our influence in
public affairs, and our power of doing good by spreading thro' the several clubs
the sentiments of the Junto.
The project was approv'd, and every member undertook to form his club, but they
did not all succeed. Five or six only were compleated, which were called by
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