the autobiography of ben franklin(本富兰克林自传)-第13章
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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 to improve one's language；
but no farther。
On this it was propos'd that we should each of us； at our next meeting；
produce a piece of our own composing； in order to improve by our mutual
observations； criticisms； and corrections。 As language and expression were
what we had in view； we excluded all considerations of invention by
agreeing that the task should be a version of the eighteenth Psalm； which
describes the descent of a Deity。 When the time of our meeting drew nigh；
Ralph called on me first； and let me know his piece was ready。 I told him I
had been busy； and； having little inclination； had done nothing。 He then
show'd me his piece for my opinion； and I much approv'd it； as it appear'd
to me to have great merit。 〃Now；〃 says he； 〃Osborne never will allow the
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least merit in any thing of mine； but makes 1000 criticisms out of mere
envy。 He is not so jealous of you； I wish； therefore； you would take this
piece； and produce it as yours； I will pretend not to have had time； and so
produce nothing。 We shall then see what he will say to it。〃 It was agreed；
and I immediately transcrib'd it； that it might appear in my own hand。
We met； Watson's performance was read； there were some beauties in
it； but many defects。 Osborne's was read； it was much better； Ralph did it
justice； remarked some faults； but applauded the beauties。 He himself had
nothing to produce。 I was backward； seemed desirous of being excused；
had not had sufficient time to correct； etc。； but no excuse could be
admitted； produce I must。 It was read and repeated； Watson and Osborne
gave up the contest； and join'd in applauding it。 Ralph only made some
criticisms； and propos'd some amendments； but I defended my text。
Osborne was against Ralph； and told him he was no better a critic than
poet； so he dropt the argument。 As they two went home together； Osborne
expressed himself still more strongly in favor of what he thought my
production； having restrain'd himself before； as he said； lest I should think
it flattery。 〃But who would have imagin'd；〃 said he； 〃that Franklin had
been capable of such a performance； such painting； such force； such fire！
He has even improv'd the original。 In his common conversation he seems
to have no choice of words； he hesitates and blunders； and yet； good God！
how he writes！〃 When we next met； Ralph discovered the trick we had
plaid him； and Osborne was a little laught at。
This transaction fixed Ralph in his resolution of becoming a poet。 I did
all I could to dissuade him from it； but he continued scribbling verses till
Pope cured him。 He became； however； a pretty good prose writer。 More of
him hereafter。 But； as I may not have occasion again to mention the other
two； I shall just remark here； that Watson died in my arms a few years
after； much lamented； being the best of our set。 Osborne went to the West
Indies； where he became an eminent lawyer and made money； but died
young。 He and I had made a serious agreement； that the one who happen'd
first to die should； if possible； make a friendly visit to the other； and
acquaint him how he found things in that separate state。 But he never
fulfill'd his promise。
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The governor； seeming to like my company； had me frequently to his
house； and his setting me up was always mention'd as a fixed thing。 I was
to take with me letters recommendatory to a number of his friends； besides
the letter of credit to furnish me with the necessary money for purchasing
the press and types； paper； etc。 For these letters I was appointed to call at
different times； when they were to be ready； but a future time was still
named。 Thus he went on till the ship； whose departure too had been
several times postponed； was on the point of sailing。 Then； when I call'd to
take my leave and receive the letters； his secretary； Dr。 Bard； came out to
me and said the governor was extremely busy in writing； but would be
down at Newcastle before the ship； and there the letters would be
delivered to me。
Ralph； though married； and having one child； had determined to
accompany me in this voyage。 It was thought he intended to establish a
correspondence； and obtain goods to sell on commission； but I found
afterwards； that； thro' some discontent with his wife's relations； he
purposed to leave her on their hands； and never return again。 Having taken
leave of my friends； and interchang'd some promises with Miss Read； I
left Philadelphia in the ship； which anchor'd at Newcastle。 The governor
was there； but when I went to his lodging； the secretary came to me from
him with the civillest message in the world； that he could not then see me；
being engaged in business of the utmost importance； but should send the
letters to me on board； wish'd me heartily a good voyage and a speedy
return； etc。 I returned on board a little puzzled； but still not doubting。
Mr。 Andrew Hamilton； a famous lawyer of Philadelphia； had taken
passage in the same ship for himself and son； and with Mr。 Denham； a
Quaker merchant； and Messrs。 Onion and Russel； masters of an iron work
in Maryland； had engag'd the great cabin； so that Ralph and I were forced
to take up with a berth in the steerage； and none on board knowing us；
were considered as ordinary persons。 But Mr。 Hamilton and his son （it was
James； since governor） return'd from Newcastle to Philadelphia； the father
being recall'd by a great fee to plead for a seized ship； and； just before we
sail'd； Colonel French coming on board； and showing me great respect； I
was more taken notice of； and； with my friend Ralph； invited by the other
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gentlemen to come into the cabin； there being now room。 Accordingly； we
remov'd thither。
Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board the
governor's despatches； I ask'd the captain for those letters that were to be
under my care。 He said all were put into the bag together and he c
