James Baquet

Some people are surprised to learn that Benjamin Franklin was never president of the United States. He was, however, a “Founding Father,” as well as an ambassador, the postmaster general, and a shameless self-promoter. He was a writer and publisher, giving us many maxims such as “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”; “God helps them that help themselves”; and “No gains without pains.”

Among his best-known works is his “Autobiography.” He writes that, after a falling-out with his brother (and boss), the printer James Franklin, in their native Boston, he sneaked away to New York and then Philadelphia, his main city of residence for the rest of his long life.

One scene about his arrival in Philadelphia is among the most famous (and amusing) in the “Autobiography.” He had sent his best clothes around by ship as he rowed upriver with a few others in a smaller boat, a distance of about 25 kilometers. He had stuffed spare shirts and stockings in his pockets, and when he landed was wearing old clothes which were quite dirty from his journey.

He was very hungry and had very little money. Walking up the street, he saw a boy with some bread. He asked where the baker’s shop was, and requested “three-penny worth of any sort” of bread. To his surprise, he received “three great puffy rolls.” He writes, “I was surprised at the quantity, but took it, and, having no room in my pockets, walked off with a roll under each arm, and eating the other.”

He must have made quite a sight! As it happened, he passed the house of a Mr. Read, where he was later to board. Read’s daughter — the future Mrs. Franklin, as it happened — saw him and “thought I made ... a most awkward, ridiculous appearance.” Quite a first meeting for one’s future wife! He gave the two extra rolls to a woman and her child who had been on the small boat with him, and were waiting for another boat to take them further. Though he lived to be 84, the “Autobiography” only covers Franklin’s life up to age 52, in 1758, long before Franklin became a “Founding Father” and the group of colonies became a nation.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. bold, unembarrassed

2. extra

3. a representative from one country to another

4. three cents

5. a disagreement; an argument

6. lacking social skills

7. long socks once worn by men

8. the CEO of a country’s postal service

9. an account of one’s life

10. proverbs, wise sayings