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〃For want of modesty is want of sense。〃
If you ask； Why less properly？ I must repeat the lines；
〃Immodest words admit of no defense； For want of modesty is want
of sense。〃
Now； is not want of sense （where a man is so unfortunate as to want it）
some apology for his want of modesty？ and would not the lines stand
more justly thus？
〃Immodest words admit but this defense； That want of modesty is
want of sense。〃
This； however； I should submit to better judgments。
My brother had； in 1720 or 1721； begun to print a newspaper。 It was
the second that appeared in America； and was called the New England
Courant。 The only one before it was the Boston News…Letter。 I remember
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his being dissuaded by some of his friends from the undertaking； as not
likely to succeed； one newspaper being； in their judgment； enough for
America。 At this time （1771） there are not less than five…and…twenty。 He
went on； however； with the undertaking； and after having worked in
composing the types and printing off the sheets； I was employed to carry
the papers thro' the streets to the customers。
He had some ingenious men among his friends； who amus'd
themselves by writing little pieces for this paper； which gain'd it credit and
made it more in demand； and these gentlemen often visited us。 Hearing
their conversations； and their accounts of the approbation their papers
were received with； I was excited to try my hand among them； but； being
still a boy； and suspecting that my brother would object to printing
anything of mine in his paper if he knew it to be mine； I contrived to
disguise my hand； and； writing an anonymous paper； I put it in at night
under the door of the printing…house。 It was found in the morning； and
communicated to his writing friends when they call'd in as usual。 They
read it； commented on it in my hearing； and I had the exquisite pleasure of
finding it met with their approbation； and that； in their different guesses at
the author； none were named but men of some character among us for
learning and ingenuity。 I suppose now that I was rather lucky in my judges；
and that perhaps they were not really so very good ones as I then esteem'd
them。
Encourag'd； however； by this； I wrote and convey'd in the same way to
the press several more papers which were equally approv'd； and I kept my
secret till my small fund of sense for such performances was pretty well
exhausted and then I discovered it； when I began to be considered a little
more by my brother's acquaintance； and in a manner that did not quite
please him； as he thought； probably with reason； that it tended to make me
too vain。 And； perhaps； this might be one occasion of the differences that
we began to have about this time。 Though a brother； he considered himself
as my master； and me as his apprentice； and accordingly； expected the
same services from me as he would from another； while I thought he
demean'd me too much in some he requir'd of me； who from a brother
expected more indulgence。 Our disputes were often brought before our
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THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
father； and I fancy I was either generally in the right； or else a better
pleader； because the judgment was generally in my favor。 But my brother
was passionate； and had often beaten me； which I took extreamly amiss；
and； thinking my apprenticeship very tedious； I was continually wishing
for some opportunity of shortening it； which at length offered in a manner
unexpected。
I fancy his harsh and tyrannical treatment of me might be a
means of impressing me with that aversion to arbitrary power that has
stuck to me through my whole life。
One of the pieces in our newspaper on some political point； which I
have now forgotten； gave offense to the Assembly。 He was taken up；
censur'd； and imprison'd for a month； by the speaker's warrant； I suppose；
because he would not discover his author。 I too was taken up and examin'd
before the council； but； tho' I did not give them any satisfaction； they
content'd themselves with admonishing me； and dismissed me；
considering me； perhaps； as an apprentice； who was bound to keep his
master's secrets。
During my brother's confinement； which I resented a good deal；
notwithstanding our private differences； I had the management of the
paper； and I made bold to give our rulers some rubs in it； which my
brother took very kindly； while others began to consider me in an
unfavorable light； as a young genius that had a turn for libelling and satyr。
My brother's discharge was accompany'd with an order of the House （a
very odd one）； that 〃James Franklin should no longer print the paper called
the New England Courant。〃
There was a consultation held in our printing…house among his friends；
what he should do in this case。 Some proposed to evade the order by
changing the name of the paper； but my brother； seeing inconveniences in
that； it was finally concluded on as a better way； to let it be printed for the
future under the name of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN； and to avoid the
censure of the Assembly； that might fall on him as still printing it by his
apprentice； the contrivance was that my old indenture should be return'd to
me； with a full discharge on the back of it； to be shown on occasion； but to
secure to him the benefit of my service； I was to sign new indentures for
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the remainder of the term； which were to be kept private。 A very flimsy
scheme it was； however； it was immediately executed； and the paper went
on accordingly； under my name for several months。
At length； a fresh difference arising between my brother and me； I took
upon me to assert my freedom； presuming that he would not venture to
produce the new indentures。 It was not fair in me to take this advantage；
and this I therefore reckon one of the first errata of my life； but the
unfairness of it weighed little with me； when under the impressions of
resentment for the blows his passion too often urged him to bestow upon
me； though he was otherwise not an ill…natur'd man： perhaps I was too
saucy and provoking。
When he found I would leave him； he took care to prevent my getting
employment in any other printing…house of the town； by going round and
speaking to every master； who accordingly refus'd to give me work。 I then
thought of going to New York； as the nearest place where there was a
printer； and I was rather inclin'd to leave Boston when I reflected that I
had already made myself a little obnoxious to the governing party； and；
from the arbitrary proceedings of the Assembly in my brother's case； it
was likely I might； if I stay'd； soon bring myself into scrapes； and farther；
that my indiscrete disputations about religion began to make me pointed at
with horror by good people as an infidel or atheist。 I determin'd on the
point； but my father now siding with my brother； I was sensible that； if I
attempted to go openly； means would be used to prevent me。 My friend
Collins； therefore； undertook to manage a little for me。 He agreed with the
captain of a New York sloop for my passage； under the notion of my being
a young acquaintance of his； that had got a naughty girl with child； whose
friends would compel me to marry her； and therefore I could not appear or
come away publicly。 So I sold some of my books to raise a little money；
was taken on board privately； and as we had a fair wind； in three days I
found myself in New York； near 300 miles from home