the place, though a poor thing and most unskilfully managed in all respects, nevertheless paid well; and he felt therefore, the strongest confidence that a well-conducted paper-that should present its readers with, not only a general and well-compiled summary of news, but sensible and intelligent views of public affairs, and other matters worth reading, on subjects in which people generally took an interest- would be certain to find a lib

eral and growing support.

This communication was made to Webb in strict confidence; but he was base enough to disclose the whole project, without delay, to Keimer, who still more dishonorably went immediately to work, without scruple, to avail himself of Franklin's ideas, and to pilfer for himself the advantages justly due to another, by forthwith issuing proposals for publishing a newspaper himself, and Webb was engaged to assist him.

For

This treachery excited the just indignation of Franklin, who, with characteristic promptitude and energy, but by fair and legitimate means, straightway set himself to thwart the base interlopers, by giving to Bradford's paper attractions it had never before possessed. this purpose he commenced a series of communications, under the title of the " Busy-Body;" and Bradford extended the demand for his "Weekly Mercury," by inserting them.

This series was commenced in the forepart of February, 1729—not many days after Franklin had completed the twenty-third year of his age. The first five numbers, with the eighth, being unquestionably from his pen, are included in the last and fullest collection of Franklin's writings, edited by Dr. Sparks. The other twenty-four numbers of the series, thirty-two in all, are said to have been written chiefly, if not exclusively, by Franklin's worthy friend Brientnall, already known as

THE BUSY-BODY-THE NEWSPAPER.

155

a member of the Junto. In this way the two friends drew the public curiosity and attention to Bradford's Mercury so effectually, that Keimer's proposals were slighted and neglected. Still, notwithstanding the ridicule and contempt which he brought upon himself, Keimer, with the obstinate and perverse temper which formed so large an ingredient in his nature, persisted in starting his paper. After forcing it along, however, with great difficulty for several months, with a list of subscribers never exceeding ninety in number, he at last came, long before the end of the first year, with an offer to sell out, for a very small consideration, to Franklin, who, being now entirely prepared to go forward with his original design, closed with Keimer at once, and soon made the paper productive property.

Franklin's numbers of the Busy-Body were his first attempt at essay-writing; and they do him credit. He takes the office of a censor morum; not, however, in the narrow modern sense, confining his strictures to mere manners; but in the old and wider sense, including all the ways of men, and aiming at such notions and practices, whether commonly prevalent or occurring occasionally, as offer fair subjects for either grave admonition or ridicule and satire; and both his matter and style indicate, not only unusual talents, but a degree of culture altogether surprising in a young mechanic of twentythree, who had been compelled to earn his living with the labor of his hands. The matter gives ample evidence of an observant mind, capable of nice discrimination, abounding with good sense, and nourished by reading; while the style is natural, simple, and pureflowing on smoothly, aiming only to convey the author's ideas in appropriate language, without straining after ornament, or that exaggerated force of expression which is so apt to run into bombast or fustian, from which

never was writer more entirely free. It may be added, moreover, that the practical test, when applied to these pieces, not less than judicious criticism, bears witness to their merit; for they were successful in accomplishing their purpose.

From a passage in the 5th number of the Busy-Body it seems that Keimer had entitled his paper, "The Instructor. On passing to the new proprietors, they changed the title to "Pennsylvania Gazette," but retained the numbering, and their first issue was numbered 40, dated September 25th, 1729; and though Meredith was at best but an indifferent workman, and had become a very intemperate drinker, yet Franklin, who had in fact the whole control of their business, took care that the paper should, on first coming from their press, exhibit, with its new type and workmanlike execution, an appearance much superior to anything of the kind yet seen in that community.

The improved aspect of the paper, and the character of its contents, at once attracted general attention. Some remarks from Franklin's pen, relative to a controversy then existing in Massachusetts, between the governor and the assembly of that colony, made such an impression upon the leading men in Philadelphia, that the paper and its new conductor became the frequent subject of their conversation, and in a few weeks their names were all on the subscription-list of the Gazette. This example of the leading men proved contagious, and "the list went on growing continually" a result in which Franklin could recognise, much to his satisfaction, some of the advantages, as he modestly expresses it, "of having learned a little to scribble."

The controversy mentioned, between the Massachusetts assembly, and Burnet, then governor of that colony, related to the settlement of a salary for that officer; and

COLONIAL RIGHTS ASSERTED.

157

as it involved substantially the same leading principles, which, forty-seven years later, produced the Declaration. of Independence, and the war by which it was vindicated, it will be interesting to see that the same man, who, when his head was whitening with age, assisted to make that Declaration, had, in the bloom of his first manhood, maintained the chartered rights and liberties of his country.

It was not the amount of salary, but the authority under which it was claimed, and the manner in which the permanent settlement of it was demanded, that caused the controversy in question. Governor Burnet, by virtue of his instructions from the British cabinet, required of the assembly an immediate and permanent grant of a thousand pounds sterling yearly, to him and his successors. This the assembly refused, on the ground that such demand was repugnant both to the English constitution and to the charter of the colony; that no grant of their own money could be rightfully made, but by their own free will, and in such measure, and for such time, as they should consider just, or expedient; that thus only had their grants of money been made in time past, and thus only should they be made in time to come; that as the governor was appointed by the king, if his salary were to be fixed in amount and permanent, he would be rendered too independent of the colony to consult its welfare; for they judged, to use Franklin's words, that "there should be a mutual dependence between the governor and the governed, and that to make the governor independent, would be dangerous to their liberties, and the ready way to establish tyranny;" and he holds up the assembly to commendation for continuing "thus resolutely to abide by what they think their right and that of the people they represent," notwithstanding the threats, or intrigues of the governor, or

his means of influence derived from the numerous posts of honor and profit at his disposal.

Franklin was now beginning to reap the recompense of his early and persevering industry in training himself as a writer; and the men of intelligence and foresight in the community about him, "seeing a newspaper now in the hands of those who could also handle a pen," deemed it expedient to give it their countenance. In doing this, however, there is reason to believe that they were not all influenced by a purely disinterested desire to promote the success of the young tradesman, simply because he deserved it, or from a liberal public spirit only. Their own advantage, immediate, or remote, seems to have had place among the motives of some; and very properly too, if such advantage was to be sought by none but worthy means. At all events, it was probably not long before all were permitted to understand, whatever might have been the inducements of any to favor the new paper and its conductor, that neither of these could be used for any purpose not consistent with truth, or justice, or a manly and candid freedom.

There is an anecdote that strikingly exemplifies what has last been said; and though its date is not very exactly ascertained, it may be as fitly told in this connection as in any. It is not related by Franklin himself, but it has obtained such currency, is so well worthy of record for the lesson it teaches, and has so much characteristic, if not literal truth, that it should not be omitted. It runs substantially as follows:

Having made in his paper some rather free and pungent strictures on the public acts of certain leading men of the city, some of Franklin's patrons thought fit to reprove him for so doing, and told him that others of his friends also disliked the strain of his remarks. Having calmly heard what they had to say, he invited them