PART ONE

(TWYFORD, at the Bishop of St. Asaph's, 1771.)

DEAR SON: I have ever had pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors. You may remember the inquiries I made among the remains of my relations when you were with me in England, and the journey I undertook for that purpose. Imagining it may be equally agreeable to (After the words "agreeable to" the words "some of " were interlined and afterward effaced.—B.) you to know the circumstances of my life, many of which you are yet unacquainted with, and expecting the enjoyment of a week's uninterrupted leisure in my present country retirement, I sit down to write them for you. To which I have besides some other inducements. Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through life with a considerable share of felicity, the conducing means I made use of, which with the blessing of God so well succeeded, my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit to be imitated.

That felicity, when I reflected on it, has induced me sometimes to say, that were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults of the first. So I might, besides correcting the faults, change some sinister accidents and events of it for others more favorable. But though this were denied, I should still accept the offer. Since such a repetition is not to be expected, the next thing most like living one's life over again seems to be a recollection of that life, and to make that recollection as durable as possible by putting it down in writing.

第一部分

(1771年写于特怀福德的圣阿萨夫主教家中)

亲爱的孩子：我历来喜欢搜集我祖先的点滴趣闻轶事。你也许还记得和我同在英国的时候，我曾为此长途跋涉，拜访仍然在世的亲戚。想来你可能也同样想了解我生活的经历，其中许多你还并不熟悉；想到将在乡下度过一周清净无扰的闲暇时光，我就坐下来为你写下这些事情。除此之外，我提笔写作还有其他一些原因。我出身贫寒卑微，童年在穷困中度过，后来竟过上了富足生活，在世界上也有了些名望。我的人生走到今天，经历中有很多运气的成分，承蒙上帝眷顾，我的处世之道还算成功。我的子孙们也许希望对此有所了解，以便日后遇到适宜情况或许可以效仿一二。

当我回忆起那种幸运的时候，我有时忍不住想说，如果有机会选择，我会毫不介意从头至尾再过一遍这样的人生；但只恳求能拥有作家的特权，可以在再版时纠正第一版的一些错误。除此之外，我还想改变某些不幸遭遇，让人生更顺利些。不过，即使这个愿望实现不了，我还是会接受让人生重来一次的提议。但由于这样的重演是不会实现的，而与重演人生最相近的似乎就是回顾人生的一切境遇，并提笔写下这些回忆，让它经久不衰。

Hereby, too, I shall indulge the inclination so natural in old men, to be talking of themselves and their own past actions; and I shall indulge it without being tiresome to others, who, through respect to age, might conceive themselves obliged to give me a hearing, since this may be read or not as any one pleases. And, lastly (I may as well confess it, since my denial of it will be believed by nobody), perhaps I shall a good deal gratify my own vanity. Indeed, I scarce ever heard or saw the introductory words, "Without vanity I may say," etc., but some vain thing immediately followed. Most people dislike vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to others that are within his sphere of action; and therefore, in many cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the other comforts of life.

And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all humility to acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past life to His kind providence, which lead me to the means I used and gave them success. My belief of this induces me to hope, though I must not presume, that the same goodness will still be exercised toward me, in continuing that happiness, or enabling me to bear a fatal reverse, which I may experience as others have done: the complexion of my future fortune being known to Him only in whose power it is to bless to us even our afflictions.

The notes one of my uncles (who had the same kind of curiosity in collecting family anecdotes) once put into my hands, furnished me with several particulars relating to our ancestors. From these notes I learned that the family had lived in the same village, Ecton, in Northamptonshire, for three hundred years, and how much longer he knew not (perhaps from the time when the name of Franklin, that before was the name of an order of people, was assumed by them as a surname when others took surnames all over the kingdom), on a freehold of about thirty acres, aided by the smith's business, which had continued in the family till his time, the eldest son being always bred to that business; a custom which he and my father followed as to their eldest sons. When I searched the registers at Ecton, I found an account of their births, marriages and burials from the year 1555 only, there being no registers kept in that parish at any time preceding. By that register I perceived that I was the youngest son of the youngest son for five generations back. My grandfather Thomas, who was born in 1598, lived at Ecton till he grew too old to follow business longer, when he went to live with his son John, a dyer at Banbury, in Oxfordshire, with whom my father served an apprenticeship. There my grandfather died and lies buried. We saw his gravestone in 1758. His eldest son Thomas lived in the house at Ecton, and left it with the land to his only child, a daughter, who, with her husband, one Fisher, of Wellingborough, sold it to Mr. Isted, now lord of the manor there. My grandfather had four sons that grew up, viz.: Thomas, John, Benjamin and Josiah. I will give you what account I can of them, at this distance from my papers, and if these are not lost in my absence, you will among them find many more particulars.

因此，我也会沉浸在老年人的自然爱好中，那就是谈论自己，谈论自己的旧事；我会沉浸其中，但不会使听者厌烦，他们出于对年长者的尊敬不得不听我诉说，而如果把这些事情写下来，读与不读就悉听尊便了。最后（我也承认这一点，因为即使我否认也没人相信），也许我的虚荣心能从中得到极大的满足。的确，我很少听到或看到这样的开场白：“我不存一点虚荣心”等，而自负之语随即就出现了。不管人们自己自负的程度如何，他们大多不喜欢他人狂妄自负；但每当我遇到自负之人，都能予以宽容和理解，因为我相信，这自负不管对于自负者本人，还是与他相处的旁人，都颇有裨益；因此在许多情况下，如果人们因为属于人生诸多慰藉之一的自负心而感谢上帝，倒也并不荒唐。

既然提到感谢上帝，我想非常谦卑地承认，我所提及的过去生活中的幸福都来自上帝的眷顾，是他让我悟出了处世之道并取得成功。这一信念让我怀抱期望，尽管我不应妄定他仍将施与我同样的恩惠，使我继续先前的幸福，或者让我在像他人一样遭遇致命的人生逆境时，依然能够承受得住：只有上帝知道我未来的命运，他会祝福我们，即使这种祝福是以施与苦难的形式。

我的一位伯父曾交给我一些笔记（他和我一样爱好搜集家族趣闻），让我对我们家族先人的某些事情有了了解。从这些笔记中我得知，我们家族在北安普敦郡的埃克顿村居住了300年，在这之前还有多少年他不得而知（“富兰克林”原本是一个社会阶层的名字，后来全国各地的人们都开始采用姓氏时，“富兰克林”开始被他们当作姓，也许我们家族从那时起就在此居住了），我们的家族拥有约30英亩的自由土地，并以铁匠生意为副业，一直经营到伯父那个时候，都是由家里的长子继承这门生意的，伯父和我父亲都遵循了这一传统。我查询了埃克顿的登记册，发现只有1555年以后关于他们出生、婚嫁和丧葬的记录，此前的记录在该教区均已无据可考。从那本登记册上我了解到，我是家族里五代人中最小儿子的最小儿子。我的祖父托马斯生于1598年，一直住在埃克顿，直到因年老而不能打理生意才搬到牛津郡的班伯里和儿子约翰一起住。约翰是个染工，我父亲还曾给他当过学徒。祖父后来在牛津郡去世，并葬在了那里。我们曾于1758年见过他的墓碑。他的长子托马斯住在埃克顿的房子里，后来把房子与土地留给了他的独生女。女儿的丈夫是韦灵伯勒一个叫费希尔的人，他们把土地卖给了伊斯特先生，他现在是那块领地的主人。祖父有四个儿子长大成人，他们是托马斯、约翰、本杰明和乔赛亚。我没把关于他们的记录带在身边，我只能尽我所能向你描述他们的状况，如果那些记录在我不在时不会丢失的话，你可以从中了解到更多细节。

Thomas was bred a smith under his father; but, being ingenious, and encouraged in learning (as all my brothers were) by an Esquire Palmer, then the principal gentleman in that parish, he qualified himself for the business of scrivener; became a considerable man in the county; was a chief mover of all public-spirited undertakings for the county or town of Northampton, and his own village, of which many instances were related of him; and much taken notice of and patronized by the then Lord Halifax. He died in 1702, January 6, old style, just four years to a day before I was born. The account we received of his life and character from some old people at Ecton, I remember, struck you as something extraordinary, from its similarity to what you knew of mine.

"Had he died on the same day," you said, "one might have supposed a transmigration."

John was bred a dyer, I believe of woolens. Benjamin was bred a silk dyer, serving an apprenticeship at London. He was an ingenious man. I remember him well, for when I was a boy he came over to my father in Boston, and lived in the house with us some years. He lived to a great age. His grandson, Samuel Franklin, now lives in Boston. He left behind him two quarto volumes, MS., of his own poetry, consisting of little occasional pieces addressed to his friends and relations, of which the following, sent to me, is a specimen. (Here follow in the margin the words, in brackets, "here insert it," but the poetry is not given.) He had formed a short-hand of his own, which he taught me, but, never practising it, I have now forgot it. I was named after this uncle, there being a particular affection between him and my father. He was very pious, a great attender of sermons of the best preachers, which he took down in his short-hand, and had with him many volumes of them. He was also much of a politician; too much, perhaps, for his station. There fell lately into my hands, in London, a collection he had made of all the principal pamphlets, relating to public affairs, from 1641 to 1717; many of the volumes are wanting as appears by the numbering, but there still remain eight volumes in folio, and twenty-four in quarto and in octavo. A dealer in old books met with them, and knowing me by my sometimes buying of him, he brought them to me. It seems my uncle must have left them here, when he went to America, which was about fifty years since. There are many of his notes in the margins.

大儿子托马斯跟着他的父亲学了打铁，但他天资聪颖，当时教区的大绅士帕尔默先生鼓励他（我的其他兄弟们也都一样）继续学习。后来他获得了文书资格，在郡里颇有影响，还是北安普敦郡、乡镇以及本村所有公益事业的主要推动者。我听人们讲述了他的许多事迹，他还得到了哈利法克斯勋爵的赏识和资助。托马斯于旧历1702年1月6日去世，而我恰好在他去世四年后的那一天出生了。我记得当时我们听完埃克顿的一些老人讲述他的生平和性格后，你着实吃惊不小，因为这和你所了解的我很相似。

“如果他在你出生的日子去世，”你说，“人们会以为你是他的转世。”

二儿子约翰学做了染工，好像是染羊毛的。三儿子本杰明成了丝绸染工，在伦敦当学徒。他是个聪慧灵巧的人。我很清楚地记得他，因为在我还小的时候他来波士顿找过我父亲，和我们一起住了几年。他活得年岁很高，他的孙子塞缪尔·富兰克林现居波士顿。本杰明死后留下两卷四开本的诗集手稿，都是他自己创作的，其中有些是题赠给朋友和亲戚的应景小诗，下面这首写给我的小诗就是个例子。（在此页空白处有个括号，里面有“在此插入”的字样，但没有给出小诗。）他还自创了一种速记方法，并把它教给了我，只是我从未练习过，现在都忘了。当时他和我父亲感情特别好，所以我的名字也是随他起的。本杰明是个虔诚的教徒，一直坚持去听当时最了不起的牧师布道，并用自创的速记法记下来，他还留有好几卷这样的布道笔记。他还是位出色的政治家，也许就他的地位而言，他在政治上倾注的精力过多了。我最近在伦敦得到一本他搜集的集子，涵盖了1641年至1717年间所有关于公共事务的重要论文。从编号来看，文集中的许多卷已经缺失了，但是仍然留下了8卷对开本、24卷四开本和八开本。一位旧书商偶然得到它们，因为我有时在他那儿买书，所以他认识我，于是就把这些书送到了我这里。这似乎是我伯父去美洲时留在这里的，距今大约已有50年了。书页空白处还留有许多他做的笔记。

This obscure family of ours was early in the Reformation, and continued Protestants through the reign of Queen Mary, when they were sometimes in danger of trouble on account of their zeal against popery.^[1] They had got an English Bible, and to conceal and secure it, it was fastened open with tapes under and within the cover of a joint-stool. When my great-great-grandfather read it to his family, he turned up the joint-stool upon his knees, turning over the leaves then under the tapes. One of the children stood at the door to give notice if he saw the apparitor coming, who was an officer of the spiritual court. In that case the stool was turned down again upon its feet, when the Bible remained concealed under it as before. This anecdote I had from my uncle Benjamin. The family continued all of the Church of England till about the end of Charles the Second's reign, when some of the ministers that had been outed for nonconformity holding conventicles in Northamptonshire, Benjamin and Josiah adhered to them, and so continued all their lives; the rest of the family remained with the Episcopal Church^[2]

我们这个卑微的家庭很早就响应了宗教改革，玛丽女王统治时期也始终信仰新教，他们有时还因强烈反对天主教而陷入险境。家里有一本英文《圣经》，为了隐藏和保住这本《圣经》，他们把它打开，用胶带绑在折叠凳的背面。高祖父向全家颂读《圣经》时，便把折凳翻过来放在膝盖上，再翻开藏在胶带下的书页。这时会有一个孩子站在门口把风，如果看见宗教法庭官员来了就赶紧报信儿，高祖父就把折凳翻转回来放在地上，于是《圣经》仍像先前一样藏在折凳下面了。这则轶事我是从本杰明伯父那儿听来的。直到查理二世统治末期，家人都一直信仰英国国教，后来有些因不信国教被开除教籍的牧师在北安普敦郡举行秘密集会，本杰明和乔赛亚改信了他们的教派且终生不渝，家里其他人则始终信仰国教。

Josiah, my father, married young, and carried his wife with three children into New England, about 1682. The conventicles having been forbidden by law, and frequently disturbed, induced some considerable men of his acquaintance to remove to that country, and he was prevailed with to accompany them thither, where they expected to enjoy their mode of religion with freedom. By the same wife he had four children more born there, and by a second wife ten more, in all seventeen; of which I remember thirteen sitting at one time at his table, who all grew up to be men and women, and married; I was the youngest son, and the youngest child but two, and was born in Boston, New England. My mother, the second wife, was Abiah Folger, daughter of Peter Folger, one of the first settlers of New England, of whom honorable mention is made by Cotton Mather in his church history of that country, entitled Magnalia Christi Americana^[3], as "a godly, learned Englishman," if I remember the words rightly. I have heard that he wrote sundry small occasional pieces, but only one of them was printed, which I saw now many years since. It was written in 1675, in the home-spun verse of that time and people, and addressed to those then concerned in the government there. It was in favor of liberty of conscience, and in behalf of the Baptists, Quakers, and other sectaries that had been under persecution, ascribing the Indian wars, and other distresses that had befallen the country, to that persecution, as so many judgments of God to punish so heinous an offense, and exhorting a repeal of those uncharitable laws. The whole appeared to me as written with a good deal of decent plainness and manly freedom. The six concluding lines I remember, though I have forgotten the two first of the stanza; but the purport of them was, that his censures proceeded from good-will, and, therefore, he would be known to be the author.

"Because to be a libeller (says he) I hate it with my heart; From Sherburne town, where now I dwell My name I do put here; Without offense your real friend, It is Peter Folger."

小儿子乔赛亚是我父亲，娶妻很早，1682年左右携妻子和三个孩子迁到了新英格兰。当时非国教的集会均被法律禁止，活动常常受到干扰，这使得与父亲相识的几位颇有影响的人迁往了新英格兰，而父亲也经他们劝说同意一起走，希望在新英格兰能享有他们的宗教信仰自由。他的第一位妻子在新英格兰又生了4个孩子，第二位妻子生下10个孩子，一共17个；我还记得其中13个一同坐在桌边的情景，他们后来都长大成人，各自成家。我是最小的儿子，出生在新英格兰的波士顿，下面还有两个妹妹。我母亲，也就是我父亲的第二个妻子，名叫艾比亚·福尔杰，是新英格兰第一批移民彼得·福尔杰的女儿，科顿·马瑟曾在其所著的《新英格兰宗教史》这本讲述美洲基督教历史的书中提到过他。如果我没记错的话，马瑟在书里称他是“一个虔诚、博学的英国人”。我听说外祖父曾写下过各类应景小诗，但只有一篇付印，我许多年前曾经读过。那首诗写于1675年，是用当时的朴实诗体写成的，写给当时当地的政府人士。诗中的观点主张宗教信仰自由，支持浸信会、贵格会和其他受迫害的教派，将印第安人战争和其他降临于这片土地的不幸归咎于宗教迫害，称上帝给了如此多的审判就是为了惩罚人们可恶的罪行。诗中还力主废除残酷的法律。在我看来，全诗是以大气直白和颇具男子气概的自由风格写就。我仍然记得结尾的六行，尽管诗节的头两句我已经忘了；那几行大概是说他的指责乃出于好意，因此他愿意让别人知道自己是诗的作者。

“诋毁诽谤他人，我满心憎恶；我住在舍本镇，我的名字也定留在这里；无意冒犯，我是你们真正的朋友，彼得·福尔杰。”

My elder brothers were all put apprentices to different trades. I was put to the grammar-school at eight years of age, my father intending to devote me, as the tithe of his sons, to the service of the Church. My early readiness in learning to read (which must have been very early, as I do not remember when I could not read), and the opinion of all his friends, that I should certainly make a good scholar, encouraged him in this purpose of his. My uncle Benjamin, too, approved of it, and proposed to give me all his short-hand volumes of sermons, I suppose as a stock to set up with, if I would learn his character. I continued, however, at the grammar-school not quite one year, though in that time I had risen gradually from the middle of the class of that year to be the head of it, and farther was removed into the next class above it, in order to go with that into the third at the end of the year. But my father, in the meantime, from a view of the expense of a college education, which having so large a family he could not well afford, and the mean living many so educated were afterwards able to obtain—reasons that he gave to his friends in my hearing—altered his first intention, took me from the grammar-school, and sent me to a school for writing and arithmetic, kept by a then famous man, Mr. George Brownell, very successful in his profession generally, and that by mild, encouraging methods. Under him I acquired fair writing pretty soon, but I failed in the arithmetic, and made no progress in it. At ten years old I was taken home to assist my father in his business, which was that of a tallow-chandler and soap-boiler; a business he was not bred to, but had assumed on his arrival in New England, and on finding his dying trade would not maintain his family, being in little request. Accordingly, I was employed in cutting wick for the candles, filling the dipping mold and the molds for cast candles, attending the shop, going of errands, etc.

我的兄长们都被送到不同行业去当学徒，我则于八岁时进了文法学校，因为父亲希望我——他的第十个儿子——成为牧师。我很小就学会阅读（一定很小，因为我不记得自己有过不识字的时候），加之父亲所有的朋友都认为我一定能成为一位优秀的学者，这也让他对此抱了更大的希望。本杰明伯父对此也很赞同，还提议说，如果我能认识他的字，就把他所有速记下来的布道笔记留给我，作为知识积累的开始。但我在文法学校学习还不到一年，父亲便决定让我转学，去上了一所学习写作和算术的学校。而那时我已逐渐从班上中等水平进步到名列前茅，还进入了更高的年级，准备年终时升入三年级读书。不过，父亲当时考虑到家里人口众多，很难再承担昂贵的大学学费，而且许多受过良好教育的人后来也过得相当穷困——我亲耳听他对朋友们这么说过——这些都使他改变了初衷。我后来去的那所学校是由当时的知名人士乔治·布朗威尔先生办的。布朗威尔先生对学生采取温和、鼓励性的教学方法，因此把教育办得非常成功。在他那里我很快学会了写一手好字，但算术学得不好，没取得什么进步。10岁时，父亲让我回家协助他做生意，卖油烛和肥皂；他以前没有学过这行，是到新英格兰之后才开始干的，因为他发现在这里做染工没什么生意，养不了家。就这样，我开始给蜡烛剪烛芯，填灌蜡烛模子，照管店铺，跑跑腿什么的。

I disliked the trade, and had a strong inclination for the sea, but my father declared against it; however, living near the water, I was much in and about it, learnt early to swim well, and to manage boats; and when in a boat or canoe with other boys, I was commonly allowed to govern, especially in any case of difficulty; and upon other occasions I was generally a leader among the boys, and sometimes led them into scrapes, of which I will mention one instance, as it shows an early projecting public spirit, tho' not then justly conducted.

There was a salt-marsh that bounded part of the mill-pond, on the edge of which, at high water, we used to stand to fish for minnows. By much trampling, we had made it a mere quagmire. My proposal was to build a wharff there fit for us to stand upon, and I showed my comrades a large heap of stones, which were intended for a new house near the marsh, and which would very well suit our purpose. Accordingly, in the evening, when the workmen were gone, I assembled a number of my play-fellows, and working with them diligently like so many emmets, sometimes two or three to a stone, we brought them all away and built our little wharff. The next morning the workmen were surprised at missing the stones, which were found in our wharff. Inquiry was made after the removers; we were discovered and complained of; several of us were corrected by our fathers; and though I pleaded the usefulness of the work, mine convinced me that nothing was useful which was not honest.

我不喜欢这一行，反而很想去航海，可父亲却明确反对。不过，由于住在沿海一带，我常去海边和水中玩耍，很早就学会了游泳，游得还很好，也学会了划船。我和其他男孩在船上或独木舟上时，他们一般都让我来当头儿，尤其是遇到困难时。在其他时候我一般也是同伴中的头儿，尽管有时我也会把大家带入窘境。我来举一个例子吧，从中可以看出我很早就具有突出的公益精神！只是当时用错了地方。

磨房的贮水池旁边有一片盐沼地，水位升高时，我们常常站在旁边钓米诺鱼。因为过度踩踏，这儿已经被我们弄成一片泥地了。于是我提议修一个码头，好让我们站在上面，还把一大堆石块指给同伴们看，那本是人家要用来在沼泽边建新房子的，但非常符合我们的需要。于是，等晚上工匠们离开后，我召集了许多同伴，像蚂蚁一样努力工作起来，有时两三个人搬一块石头，直到全部搬完，建起了我们的小码头。第二天早上，工匠们发现石块不见了，大吃一惊，后来发现石块已被我们用来建了码头。经过一番调查，发现我们就是搬走石头的人，就向我们各自家里告状，有几个同伴被自己父亲教训了一顿；尽管我向父亲辩解我们建的码头很有用，但他告诉我说，如果不诚实，什么都没有用。

I think you may like to know something of his person and character. He had an excellent constitution of body, was of middle stature, but well set, and very strong; he was ingenious, could draw prettily, was skilled a little in music, and had a clear pleasing voice, so that when he played psalm tunes on his violin and sung withal, as he sometimes did in an evening after the business of the day was over, it was extremely agreeable to hear. He had a mechanical genius too, and, on occasion, was very handy in the use of other tradesmen's tools; but his great excellence lay in a sound understanding and solid judgment in prudential matters, both in private and publick affairs. In the latter, indeed, he was never employed, the numerous family he had to educate and the straitness of his circumstances keeping him close to his trade; but I remember well his being frequently visited by leading people, who consulted him for his opinion in affairs of the town or of the church he belonged to, and showed a good deal of respect for his judgment and advice: he was also much consulted by private persons about their affairs when any difficulty occurred, and frequently chosen an arbitrator between contending parties.

At his table he liked to have, as often as he could, some sensible friend or neighbor to converse with, and always took care to start some ingenious or useful topic for discourse, which might tend to improve the minds of his children. By this means he turned our attention to what was good, just, and prudent in the conduct of life; and little or no notice was ever taken of what related to the victuals on the table, whether it was well or ill dressed, in or out of season, of good or bad flavor, preferable or inferior to this or that other thing of the kind, so that I was bro't up in such a perfect inattention to those matters as to be quite indifferent what kind of food was set before me, and so unobservant of it, that to this day if I am asked I can scarce tell a few hours after dinner what I dined upon. This has been a convenience to me in travelling, where my companions have been sometimes very unhappy for want of a suitable gratification of their more delicate, because better instructed, tastes and appetites.

我想你可能希望了解我父亲的为人和个性。他身板很好，中等身材，体格健壮；天资聪颖，擅长绘画，也稍通音乐，声音清朗动听，因此有的晚上，他会在忙完一天的工作后，拉起小提琴，唱起圣歌，十分悦耳动听。他也是机械方面的好手，有时使用其他工匠的工具也非常得心应手；但他最杰出的才能还在于处理公私事务中的重大问题时那种良好的理解力和可靠的判断力。的确，从没有人正式聘用他去参与公共事务，由于家里众多子女需要教育，经济又困难，因此他只能围着自己的生意转。但我记得很清楚，当时经常有头面人物拜访他，向他请教镇上或是本教区的公共事务，且他们对他的判断和建议都表现出十分的尊重；也经常有人在私事上遇到困难时向父亲咨询，他还经常被选作某事争议双方的仲裁人。

他常常喜欢请些明练通达的朋友或邻居一起围坐在餐桌旁聊天，而且总是有意谈些睿智或是有用的话题，以提高孩子们的心智。通过这样的方法，他将我们的注意力转向行为操守中善良、正直、谨慎的品德，而很少或完全不去留意餐桌上的食物，不管它们烹调得好不好、合不合时令、味道如何、与同类的其他食物相比有何优劣，因此我从小便受教导对眼前摆放的是何食物这些事情一向不十分在意，也不去观察；所以到了现在，即使刚吃完饭几个小时，要是有人问我刚吃了什么，我很少能答得上来。这让我在旅途中倒挺方便，而我的同伴们有时会因为没法满足自幼养成的更为精细的味觉和挑剔的胃口而十分不悦。

My mother had likewise an excellent constitution: she suckled all her ten children. I never knew either my father or mother to have any sickness but that of which they dy'd, he at 89, and she at 85 years of age. They lie buried together at Boston, where I some years since placed a marble over their grave, with this inscription:

JOSIAH FRANKLIN,

and

ABIAH his Wife,

lie here interred.

They lived lovingly together in wedlock

fifty-five years.

Without an estate, or any gainful employment,

By constant labor and industry,

with God's blessing,

They maintained a large family

comfortably,

and brought up thirteen children

and seven grandchildren

reputably.

From this instance, reader,

Be encouraged to diligence in thy calling,

And distrust not Providence.

He was a pious and prudent man;

She, a discreet and virtuous woman.

Their youngest son,

In filial regard to their memory,

Places this stone.

J. F. born 1655, died 1744, AEtat 89.

A. F. born 1667, died 1752, — 85.

By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be grown old. I us'd to write more methodically. But one does not dress for private company as for a public ball. 'Tis perhaps only negligence.

我母亲也同样有着很好的体格：她哺育了自己的10个孩子。父亲于89岁、母亲于85岁时因病去世，在此之前我从没见过他们生病。父母去世后合葬在波士顿，几年前，我在他们的墓前立了一块大理石石碑，上面刻着这样的碑文：

乔赛亚·富兰克林

和

他的妻子艾比亚·富兰克林

合葬于此。

他们婚后相亲相爱共同生活了

55年。

他们没有田产，没有收入可观的职业，

但凭着不懈的劳动和勤勉，

还有上帝的祝福，

养育了一个大家庭，

平安幸福，

养大了13个儿女

和7个孙子

孙女，

声誉卓著。

看到这块墓碑的人啊，

希望受此激励，

勤勉劳作，勿疑上帝。

他是虔诚而审慎的男子，她是谨慎而贤淑的女子。

他们的幼子，

心存孝心，追忆双亲，

特立此碑。

乔赛亚·富兰克林，生于1655年，卒于1744年，享年89岁。

艾比亚·富兰克林，生于1667年，卒于1752年，享年85岁。

我又不知不觉跑题了，由此看来自己真是老了，我以前写作要更有条理些。但是就像一个人不会为参加私人聚会而身着盛装，好似出席舞会，这也许只是疏忽罢了。

To return: I continued thus employed in my father's business for two years, that is, till I was twelve years old; and my brother John, who was bred to that business, having left my father, married, and set up for himself at Rhode Island, there was all appearance that I was destined to supply his place, and become a tallow-chandler. But my dislike to the trade continuing, my father was under apprehensions that if he did not find one for me more agreeable, I should break away and get to sea, as his son Josiah had done, to his great vexation. He therefore sometimes took me to walk with him, and see joiners, bricklayers, turners, braziers, etc., at their work, that he might observe my inclination, and endeavor to fix it on some trade or other on land. It has ever since been a pleasure to me to see good workmen handle their tools; and it has been useful to me, having learnt so much by it as to be able to do little jobs myself in my house when a workman could not readily be got, and to construct little machines for my experiments, while the intention of making the experiment was fresh and warm in my mind. My father at last fixed upon the cutler's trade, and my uncle Benjamin's son Samuel, who was bred to that business in London, being about that time established in Boston, I was sent to be with him some time on liking. But his expectations of a fee with me displeasing my father, I was taken home again.

From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books. Pleased with the Pilgrim's Progress, my first collection was of John Bunyan's^[4] works in separate little volumes. I afterward sold them to enable me to buy R. Burton's^[5] Historical Collections; they were small chapmen's books, and cheap, 40 or 50 in all. My father's little library consisted chiefly of books in polemic divinity, most of which I read, and have since often regretted that, at a time when I had such a thirst for knowledge, more proper books had not fallen in my way since it was now resolved I should not be a clergyman. Plutarch's^[6] Lives there was in which I read abundantly, and I still think that time spent to great advantage. There was also a book of Defoe's^[7], called An Essay on Projects, and another of Dr. Mather's^[8], called Essays to do Good, which perhaps gave me a turn of thinking that had an influence on some of the principal future events of my life.

言归正传：我在父亲那儿干了两年，直到我12岁；我的哥哥约翰本是学做油烛和肥皂的，他此时已经离开父亲，娶了妻，并在罗得岛立了脚，这样看来我注定是要子承父业成为一名油烛匠了。但我仍然不喜欢这一行，父亲很担心，怕如果找不到我喜欢的工作，我就要像他的儿子乔赛亚一样离家去航海了，这让他很烦恼。因此他有时会让我和他一块儿去散步，带我去看木匠、砖匠、车工、铜匠等人的工作，以便观察我的喜好，努力想把我的兴趣固定在陆地上的某个行业里。自那以后，看手艺灵巧的工匠们操持工具对我来说是种乐趣，而且也很有用，我从中学到许多，以致后来家中一时找不到工匠时，零星小活我自己也能干些，而且在我做实验的兴致颇高时，我还能为我的实验制造些小机器。父亲最终决定让我当一名刀匠，本杰明伯父的儿子塞缪尔曾在伦敦学这行，当时他已在波士顿独立门户，我被送去给他当了一阵子学徒，试试看是否喜欢。但是他希望我掏钱付学徒费，这让父亲很不高兴，于是又把我带回了家。

从孩提时代起我就喜欢看书，我所有的那点儿零用钱都花在了书本上。我喜爱《天路历程》，我买的第一套书籍就是约翰·班扬的作品，都是单独发行的小文集。后来我把它们卖了，用卖得的钱又买了伯顿的《历史记录》，我是从小贩那儿买的，很便宜，总共有四五十册。我父亲的小书屋里收藏的主要是关于神学论辩的书，大多我都读过，我后来常常觉得遗憾，在我对知识如饥似渴、孜孜以求的时候，没能读到更多合适的书，因为那时已经确定我不会成为牧师了。我读了普卢塔克的《希腊罗马名人比较列传》，读得很仔细，直到现在也依然觉得花在此书上的时间非常值得。还有一本笛福的书，名叫《论计划》，以及一本马瑟博士的《论行善》，这些书也许让我的思想有了转变，对我后来人生中的某些重要事件产生了影响。

This bookish inclination at length determined my father to make me a printer, though he had already one son (James) of that profession. In 1717 my brother James returned from England with a press and letters to set up his business in Boston. I liked it much better than that of my father, but still had a hankering for the sea. To prevent the apprehended effect of such an inclination, my father was impatient to have me bound to my brother. I stood out some time, but at last was persuaded, and signed the indentures when I was yet but twelve years old. I was to serve as an apprentice till I was twenty-one years of age, only I was to be allowed journeyman's wages during the last year. In a little time I made great proficiency in the business, and became a useful hand to my brother. I now had access to better books. An acquaintance with the apprentices of booksellers enabled me sometimes to borrow a small one, which I was careful to return soon and clean. Often I sat up in my room reading the greatest part of the night, when the book was borrowed in the evening and to be returned early in the morning, lest it should be missed or wanted.

And after some time an ingenious tradesman, Mr. Matthew Adams, who had a pretty collection of books, and who frequented our printing-house, took notice of me, invited me to his library, and very kindly lent me such books as I chose to read. I now took a fancy to poetry, and made some little pieces; my brother, thinking it might turn to account, encouraged me, and put me on composing occasional ballads. One was called The Lighthouse Tragedy, and contained an account of the drowning of Captain Worthilake, with his two daughters: the other was a sailor's song, on the taking of Teach (or Blackbeard) the pirate. They were wretched stuff, in the Grub-street-ballad style; and when they were printed he sent me about the town to sell them. The first sold wonderfully, the event being recent, having made a great noise. This flattered my vanity; but my father discouraged me by ridiculing my performances, and telling me verse-makers were generally beggars. So I escaped being a poet, most probably a very bad one; but as prose writing had been of great use to me in the course of my life, and was a principal means of my advancement, I shall tell you how, in such a situation, I acquired what little ability I have in that way.

我对读书的热爱最终使我父亲决定让我当一名印刷工，尽管他已经有个儿子在干这一行了（詹姆斯）。1717年，我哥哥詹姆斯从英国回来，带回了一台印刷机和一套铅字，打算在波士顿创立自己的生意。比起我父亲那一行来，我对印刷业要喜欢得多，但我还是渴望去航海。为了避免这种渴望带来令人忧虑的后果，我父亲迫不及待地想把我拴在哥哥那里。我反对了一段时间，但最终还是同意了，签了学徒契约，当时我还只有12岁。我当学徒一直要当到21岁，只有学徒期的最后一年才能拿熟练工的工资。我很快就熟悉了印刷工的工作，成了哥哥的得力助手。现在我可以读到更好的书了。我认识了书店老板的学徒，有时能从他们那儿借本小书，每次我都很小心，要很快归还，还要保持书面整洁。如果书是在晚上借到，第二天一早就要归还，那么常常大半个晚上我都会在房间里读书，怕人家发现丢了书或是有人要买。

过了些时日，一位藏书丰富的精明商人马修·亚当斯先生经常光顾我们的印刷店，他注意到了我，邀我去他的图书室，还非常好心地把我想读的书借给我。当时我迷上了诗歌，也写了几首小诗。我哥哥认为写诗或许有用，于是鼓励我，让我写几首应景叙事诗。我写了一首，叫做《灯塔的悲剧》，讲述沃斯雷克船长和他的两个女儿溺亡的故事，另一首是水手之歌，讲述水手擒获海盗蒂奇（又叫黑胡子）的故事。这两首诗写得很差劲，都是低俗的街头风格，哥哥把它们印出来后，让我去镇上卖。第一首诗卖得很不错，因为那一事件刚发生不久，也很轰动。这满足了我的虚荣心，但父亲却打击我，嘲笑我的诗作，还告诫我说写诗的人通常都穷得叮当响。因此我没有成为诗人，即使成了，也很可能只是三流诗人，但是散文写作却在我的人生历程中大为有用，也是我取得进步的主要方法，我要告诉你，在这种情况下，我是怎样获得我在这方面的一点小小才能的。

There was another bookish lad in the town, John Collins by name, with whom I was intimately acquainted. We sometimes disputed, and very fond we were of argument, and very desirous of confuting one another, which disputatious turn, by the way, is apt to become a very bad habit, making people often extremely disagreeable in company by the contradiction that is necessary to bring it into practice; and thence, besides souring and spoiling the conversation, is productive of disgusts and, perhaps enmities where you may have occasion for friendship. I had caught it by reading my father's books of dispute about religion. Persons of good sense, I have since observed, seldom fall into it, except lawyers, university men, and men of all sorts that have been bred at Edinborough.

A question was once, somehow or other, started between Collins and me, of the propriety of educating the female sex in learning, and their abilities for study. He was of opinion that it was improper, and that they were naturally unequal to it. I took the contrary side, perhaps a little for dispute's sake. He was naturally more eloquent, had a ready plenty of words; and sometimes, as I thought, bore me down more by his fluency than by the strength of his reasons. As we parted without settling the point, and were not to see one another again for some time, I sat down to put my arguments in writing, which I copied fair and sent to him. He answered, and I replied. Three or four letters of a side had passed, when my father happened to find my papers and read them. Without entering into the discussion, he took occasion to talk to me about the manner of my writing; observed that, though I had the advantage of my antagonist in correct spelling and pointing (which I ow'd to the printing-house), I fell far short in elegance of expression, in method and in perspicuity, of which he convinced me by several instances. I saw the justice of his remark, and thence grew more attentive to the manner in writing, and determined to endeavor at improvement.

镇上还有个小伙子也爱读书，叫约翰·柯林斯，我和他关系很好。我们有时会发生争论，且深得其乐，都很想驳倒对方。顺便说一句，争辩这种嗜好容易成为一个坏毛病，要争辩，人们就必须提出反驳意见，这常常会让其他人非常不悦。因此，争辩除了破坏谈话气氛以外，还让人心生厌恶，或许还让原本可能产生的友谊化作了敌意。我是从父亲那些讲述宗教论辩的书中学会争辩的。后来我发现，除了律师、大学里的人，还有在爱丁堡长大的形形色色的人之外，智者很少与人争辩。

不知何故，有一次我和柯林斯讨论起女性接受教育是否合适以及她们的学习能力的问题。他认为女性接受教育是不适宜的，她们天生缺乏学习能力。我的意见则恰恰相反，也许有些刻意为了争辩而争辩吧。他天生口才比我要好，现成的词汇丰富，有时我想，他之所以更胜一筹，更多是因为他表达流利，而非其论证强而有力。我们分开时还没有就这个问题达成一致，而且将有一段时间见不了面，于是我坐下来写下我的观点，工工整整地抄好寄给他。他回了信，我又提笔答复，双方各写了三四封的时候，我父亲偶然发现了我的信，读了起来。他没有参与我们的讨论，只是借机和我谈了谈我的写作风格。他评论道，尽管在单词拼写和标点方面我要比我的对手更胜一筹（这得益于印刷店的工作），但在措词的文雅程度、论述方法和条理清晰方面，我都远不如他，父亲还举了几个例子向我证明。我意识到他说得很公正，从那以后特别注意写作风格，决心努力改进。

About this time I met with an odd volume of the Spectator. It was the third. I had never before seen any of them. I bought it, read it over and over, and was much delighted with it. I thought the writing excellent, and wished, if possible, to imitate it. With this view I took some of the papers, and, making short hints of the sentiment in each sentence, laid them by a few days, and then, without looking at the book, try'd to compleat the papers again, by expressing each hinted sentiment at length, and as fully as it had been expressed before, in any suitable words that should come to hand. Then I compared my Spectator with the original, discovered some of my faults, and corrected them. But I found I wanted a stock of words, or a readiness in recollecting and using them, which I thought I should have acquired before that time if I had gone on making verses; since the continual occasion for words of the same import, but of different length, to suit the measure, or of different sound for the rhyme, would have laid me under a constant necessity of searching for variety, and also have tended to fix that variety in my mind, and make me master of it. Therefore I took some of the tales and turned them into verse; and, after a time, when I had pretty well forgotten the prose, turned them back again. I also sometimes jumbled my collections of hints into confusion, and after some weeks endeavored to reduce them into the best order, before I began to form the full sentences and compleat the paper. This was to teach me method in the arrangement of thoughts. By comparing my work afterwards with the original, I discovered many faults and amended them; but I sometimes had the pleasure of fancying that, in certain particulars of small import, I had been lucky enough to improve the method or the language, and this encouraged me to think I might possibly in time come to be a tolerable English writer, of which I was extremely ambitious. My time for these exercises and for reading was at night, after work or before it began in the morning, or on Sundays, when I contrived to be in the printing-house alone, evading as much as I could the common attendance on public worship which my father used to exact on me when I was under his care, and which indeed I still thought a duty, though I could not, as it seemed to me, afford time to practise it.

大约就在这时，我看到一本单册的《旁观者》杂志，是第三期。以前我从未读过这本杂志。我买下它，反复阅读，非常喜欢。我觉得它的文笔很好，可能的话想要模仿它。抱着这种想法，我挑了其中一些文章，对文中每句话的观点作了些简短概括当作提示，然后把它们放在一边。几天后，我试着不看原文，用所能想到的合适字词把概括之后的文章观点详尽地表达出来，尽可能和原来一样完整，使之成文。然后我把我写的《旁观者》与原文进行对照，发现了自己的几处错误，便进行改正。但我发现自己词汇贫乏，或者说不能及时想起它们并加以运用，我想如果当初我继续写诗的话，我应该早就会用那些词了。因为写诗时总要搜寻同义但长度不同的单词以符合诗的音步，或是同义但读音不同的单词以配合诗的韵律，这会让我时时需要搜寻各种不同的单词，并使它们嵌入我的脑海，做到可以信手拈来。于是我将其中一些故事改写成诗歌，过了一段时间，当我把原文忘得差不多的时候，我又把它们改写回去。有时我会把记下的文章概要打乱，几个星期后又努力把它们编排出最合适的次序，然后再将它们扩充成完整的句子与文章。这种做法旨在教会我整理思绪的方法。随后，通过将自己的文章与原文比较，我发现了自己的许多错误，并进行了修改；但有时我也喜欢幻想在某些次要的细节上，我十分有幸改进了原文的论述方法或是语言，这鼓励了我，认为自己将来或许也能成为一位还不赖的英语作家，我对此抱有极大的雄心。我做这些练习及读书都是在夜里工作结束之后或是早上开工之前，或者是在周日，周日我总是争取单独呆在印刷店，尽力避免那些大家都出席的公共礼拜。在我还由父亲照顾时他总是一定要我参加，确实我仍然认为参加礼拜是应尽的义务，尽管在我看来我实在没有时间去实践这个义务。

When about 16 years of age I happened to meet with a book, written by one Tryon, recommending a vegetable diet. I determined to go into it. My brother, being yet unmarried, did not keep house, but boarded himself and his apprentices in another family. My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chid for my singularity. I made myself acquainted with Tryon's manner of preparing some of his dishes, such as boiling potatoes or rice, making hasty pudding, and a few others, and then proposed to my brother, that if he would give me, weekly, half the money he paid for my board, I would board myself. He instantly agreed to it, and I presently found that I could save half what he paid me. This was an additional fund for buying books. But I had another advantage in it. My brother and the rest going from the printing-house to their meals, I remained there alone, and, despatching presently my light repast, which often was no more than a bisket or a slice of bread, a handful of raisins or a tart from the pastry-cook's, and a glass of water, had the rest of the time till their return for study, in which I made the greater progress, from that greater clearness of head and quicker apprehension which usually attend temperance in eating and drinking.

And now it was that, being on some occasion made asham'd of my ignorance in figures, which I had twice failed in learning when at school, I took Cocker's^[9] book of Arithmetick, and went through the whole by myself with great ease. I also read Seller's and Shermy's books of Navigation, and became acquainted with the little geometry they contain; but never proceeded far in that science. And I read about this time Locke^[10] On Human Understanding, and the Art of Thinking, by Messrs. du Port Royal.

大概16岁那年我偶然看到一本书，作者是个叫特赖恩的人，介绍素食饮食。我决定仔细阅读此书。哥哥当时尚未娶妻，自己也不操持家务，他和学徒们食宿都在别人家里。我不吃荤腥给他们带来了不便，也常常因这种特立独行遭到责备。我自学了特赖恩的一些烹饪方法，比如煮土豆、煮饭、制作速食布丁以及一些其他菜式，然后向哥哥提出，如果他每周把我食宿费的一半给我，我可以自己开伙。他立即同意了，而我发现我还能从他给我的钱中省下一半，于是这些钱便成了我买书的额外基金。但我从中还得到了另一个好处。哥哥和其他人离开印刷店去吃饭时，我可以单独留在那里，迅速吃完自己清淡的一餐，常常只是一块饼干或者一片面包，一把葡萄干或者从糕点店买来的一块馅饼，还有一杯白开水。在他们回来之前，余下的时间里我都在学习，因为饮食清淡节制，头脑更加清醒，理解力也增强，因此进步也比以前大了。

我在学校时算术这科曾经两次不及格，后来又因某事羞愧于自己在数字方面的无知，于是我拿起柯克的《算术》，轻松地从头至尾自学了一遍。我还读了塞拉和舍米合著的《航海学》，对其中包含的浅显的几何学知识也有了了解，但我后来再未深入学习这门科学。我那时还读了洛克的《人类悟性论》和波尔罗亚尔隐修院修士的《思维的艺术》。

While I was intent on improving my language, I met with an English grammar (I think it was Greenwood's), at the end of which there were two little sketches of the arts of rhetoric and logic, the latter finishing with a specimen of a dispute in the Socratic method; and soon after I procur'd Xenophon's^[11] Memorable Things of Socrates, wherein there are many instances of the same method. I was charm'd with it, adopted it, dropt my abrupt contradiction and positive argumentation, and put on the humble inquirer and doubter. And being then, from reading Shaftesbury and Collins, become a real doubter in many points of our religious doctrine, I found this method safest for myself and very embarrassing to those against whom I used it; therefore I took a delight in it, practis'd it continually, and grew very artful and expert in drawing people, even of superior knowledge, into concessions, the consequences of which they did not foresee, entangling them in difficulties out of which they could not extricate themselves, and so obtaining victories that neither myself nor my cause always deserved. I continu'd this method some few years, but gradually left it, retaining only the habit of expressing myself in terms of modest diffidence; never using, when I advanced anything that may possibly be disputed, the words certainly, undoubtedly, or any others that give the air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather say, I conceive or apprehend a thing to be so and so; it appears to me, or I should think it so or so, for such and such reasons; or I imagine it to be so; or it is so, if I am not mistaken. This habit, I believe, has been of great advantage to me when I have had occasion to inculcate my opinions, and persuade men into measures that I have been from time to time engag'd in promoting; and, as the chief ends of conversation are to inform or to be informed, to please or to persuade, I wish well-meaning, sensible men would not lessen their power of doing good by a positive, assuming manner, that seldom fails to disgust, tends to create opposition, and to defeat every one of those purposes for which speech was given to us, to wit, giving or receiving information or pleasure. For, if you would inform, a positive and dogmatical manner in advancing your sentiments may provoke contradiction and prevent a candid attention. If you wish information and improvement from the knowledge of others, and yet at the same time express yourself as firmly fix'd in your present opinions, modest, sensible men, who do not love disputation, will probably leave you undisturbed in the possession of your error. And by such a manner, you can seldom hope to recommend yourself in pleasing your hearers, or to persuade those whose concurrence you desire. Pope^[12] says, judiciously:

"Men should be taught as if you taught them not,

And things unknown propos'd as things forgot;"

farther recommending to us

"To speak, tho' sure, with seeming diffidence."

And he might have coupled with this line that which he has coupled with another, I think, less properly,

"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.

当我一心要提高自己的语言水平时，我偶然得到一本英语语法书（我想那是格林伍德写的），书末有两篇对修辞学和逻辑学的简略介绍，逻辑学那篇以苏格拉底式的论辩实例结尾。不久之后我又得到了色诺芬的《回忆苏格拉底》这本书，其中有许多使用同种方法的例子。我为之深深着迷，于是采用它，放弃了自己突兀的驳论和独断的论证，而是谦卑地提问和质疑。后来我又读了沙夫茨伯里和柯林斯的书，开始真正质疑我们宗教学说中的许多观点。我觉得这种方法对我而言最有把握，运用时使我的对手非常犯难，因此我十分高兴，便不断练习和运用，逐渐变得十分在行和熟练，致使即使知识比我渊博的人也作出让步，他们又预料不到这种让步的后果如何，因此陷入自己无法解脱的困境里，我就这样取得论辩的胜利，尽管这胜利是我和我的论辩主张并不应得的。这种方法我用了几年，后来渐渐不用了，只保留了在陈述观点时保持谦虚态度的习惯。在提出任何可能有争议的问题时，我从不使用“当然”、“毫无疑问”或其他类似表达肯定语气的字眼；而会说，“我以为或按我的理解，这个问题是这样的”，“在我看来好像是或者我想应该是如何如何的，因为什么什么原因”，或者“我想象它是这样的”，或者“如果我没弄错的话，它是这样的”等。我认为在我要使他人接受我的观点，劝服他人采取我时常提倡的措施时，这个习惯于我大有裨益。因为谈话的主要目的是告知或获得信息、取悦或劝服他人，所以我希望，善意明智的人们不要因自己独断不逊的语气而削弱自己行善的能力，这种语气常常令人反感，引起对立，使上述谈话的目的，即思辨、交流信息、相互打趣都流于失败。因为如果你想传递信息，提出观点时绝对、武断的态度可能会引起他人的反对，因而得不到应有的注意力；如果你希望从他人的知识中获得信息并改进自己，但同时又执囿于自己的观点，那么谦虚明智的人因为不爱争辩，很可能让你死守自己的错误。同样地，持这样的态度，你也不太可能取悦你的听众，或说服他人接受你的意见。蒲柏说得很有见地：

“要想教人，则不应摆出教人的姿态；

要想告知未知之事，最好将其当成遗忘之事来告知。”

他进一步建议我们说：

“尽管深信不疑，说话时也要有谦虚的姿态。”

蒲柏此处可能想用下面这句对刚才那句，但最终却对了另一句，我认为，对得不太合适：

“因为缺乏谦逊，就是缺乏理智。”

如果你问，为什么对得不太合适呢？我只好重复原诗了：

“既然口出狂言，也就不容辩解；

因为缺乏谦逊就是缺乏理智。”

你看，“缺乏理智”（人缺乏理智可真不幸）不正是对“缺乏谦逊”的辩解吗？这样下面两句不是更恰当吗？

“既然口出狂言，只有此种辩解，

即为缺乏谦逊就是缺乏理智。”

但这样到底是否更好，只有留待高明之士判断了。

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 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.

1720年或1721年，我哥哥开始出版报纸。那是美洲出现的第二份报纸，名叫《新英格兰报》。在它之前的那一份叫做《波士顿通讯》。我记得他的一些朋友认为办报纸很可能不会成功，曾劝他放弃，在他们看来美洲有一份报纸就够了，而现在（1771年），这里发行的报纸已经不下25份。但当时我哥哥还是办了下去，报纸排好版面并印刷好后，他就差我上街把报纸送到订户家里。

哥哥的朋友中有些睿智、机敏的人，他们给报纸写些小短文，以资消遣，这提高了报纸的声誉，销量也增加了。这些朋友常常来拜访我们，听了他们的谈话，听到他们说报纸受到欢迎后，我非常兴奋，跃跃欲试想要投稿。但我那时还是个孩子，担心哥哥如果知道是我写的文章，不会同意在报上发表，于是我努力掩饰自己的笔迹，写了一篇匿名文章，夜里把它塞在印刷店的门下。第二天早上，有人发现了这篇文章，并在哥哥那些写文章的朋友照例拜访时交给了他们。他们读了文章，并对它作了点评，当时我也在场。他们对文章作了充分肯定，还纷纷猜测文章的作者是谁，提到的都是一些我们之中颇有学识和智慧的杰出人物，听到这些，我别提有多高兴了。现在想起来，我觉得当时能听到他们评价我的文章是相当幸运的，也许他们也不像我当时所想的那样眼力高明。

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^[13] 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 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 extremely 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."

但我从中得到了很大鼓励，又写了几篇文章，并以同样方法向报纸投稿，都获得了好评。我一直保守着这个秘密，直到自己写文章的那点有限的才华行将枯竭时才公布自己的名字，于是我哥哥的朋友开始对我稍加留意了。这让我哥哥不太高兴，他觉得这会让我骄傲自满，也许他也是有道理的吧。大概从这时起我们之间有了分歧，可能这件事也是起因之一。尽管他是我哥哥，但他把自己看成我的主人，而我是他的学徒，因此他期望我也像其他学徒一样为他尽力，而我却觉得他要求我做的某些事情过于贬低了我的身份，从兄弟的角度来说我期待更多的宽待。我们之间的争吵常常交由父亲裁决，我想也许我一般都在理，或者我比哥哥更善于求情，父亲的裁决总是对我有利。但哥哥脾气急躁，常常打我，这让我非常生气。另外，我觉得学徒生活冗长，令人生厌，常常希望有机会能将它缩短，终于，这样的机会出人意料地来了。（我认为，他对我的严苛与专横可能是使我终生厌恶专制权力的原因之一。）

我们报纸上登的一篇表达某种政治观点的文章冒犯了州议会，具体是何观点我现在已经忘了。议长一纸命令，哥哥被抓起来接受责罚，入狱一个月，我想也许这是因为他不肯透露文章作者的姓名吧。我也被他们抓了去，还在会议上接受审讯，但我的回答没让他们满意，他们仅仅教训了我一番，就放我走了，也许 他们认为我作为一名学徒，为主人保守秘密是理所应当的吧。

尽管我和哥哥私下里有分歧，但他被关押一事还是让我非常愤慨，在这期间，我掌管了报社。我在报纸上大胆批评当权者，这些文章受到哥哥的喜爱，但其他人对我的印象却开始转坏，认为我这样一个有些才华的年轻人变得喜欢诽谤讥讽。哥哥被释放了，但议会同时下了这样一道命令（非常奇怪的命令）：“詹姆斯·富兰克林不得继续出版名叫《新英格兰报》的报纸。”

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 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, a boy of but 17, without the least recommendation to, or knowledge of any person in the place, and with very little money in my pocket.

哥哥和几个朋友在我们的印刷店开了个会，商量这种情况下他该怎么办。有人提议更改报纸名称来规避议会命令，但哥哥认为这样做会带来诸多不便，最终决定采用一个更好的办法，那就是今后以本杰明·富兰克林的名义继续发行报纸。为避免因学徒仍在出版这份报纸而受到议会责难，哥哥想了这样一个办法，那就是把我以前的学徒契约归还给我，并在背面写明雇佣关系完全解除，需要时我可以把这份契约拿出来给人看。但为了保证我继续为他效力，我要就学徒期余下的时间签一份新的契约，这份契约我们私下保存不予公开。这是一个非常蹩脚的计划，但很快得到实行，报纸也因而以我的名字继续出版了好几个月。

终于，我和哥哥之间产生了新的矛盾，我认定哥哥不会冒险拿出这份新契约，便借此机会争取自己的自由。我钻这个空子的做法对他不太公平，因此我把这件事看成我人生中最初犯下的错误之一。但他脾气暴躁，常常打我，我对此十分厌恶，因此这种不公平并未让我感到多少内疚。他在其他方面并不是个性情恶劣的人，也有可能是我当时太无礼、太让他生气了。

哥哥意识到我要离开他后，便刻意阻止我在镇上其他印刷店找到工作。他到店老板那里到处游说，于是他们都拒绝雇我。我就想到了去纽约，那里离波士顿最近，也有一家印刷店，而且我也倾向于离开波士顿，我想到我给当局已经留下了极恶劣的名声，从州议会处理哥哥案子的恣意专横可以看出如果我留在波士顿，很可能很快就会给自己带来麻烦。此外，我关于宗教的轻率论辩，已开始让自己成为善男信女的众矢之的，他们心怀恐惧，把我看成异教徒或者无神论者。于是我决意离开，但父亲此刻已站在哥哥一边了。我意识到，如果我公开出走，他们会想办法来阻止我。因此我的朋友柯林斯帮我想了个办法，他和一艘纽约帆船的船长说好，让我搭乘他的船。柯林斯把我说成是他的一个年轻朋友，因为让一个轻佻的姑娘怀了孕，她的朋友强迫我娶她，因此我不能公开露面，只能悄悄离开。于是我卖了些书换了点钱，悄悄上了船，因为一路顺风，三天后我就到达了纽约这个离家近300英里的地方。当时我只有17岁，在这里既无人举荐，亦无亲无故，口袋里也只剩下很少的一点钱。

My inclinations for the sea were by this time worne out, or I might now have gratify'd them. But, having a trade, and supposing myself a pretty good workman, I offer'd my service to the printer in the place, old Mr. William Bradford, who had been the first printer in Pennsylvania, but removed from thence upon the quarrel of George Keith. He could give me no employment, having little to do, and help enough already; but says he, "My son at Philadelphia has lately lost his principal hand, Aquila Rose, by death; if you go thither, I believe he may employ you." Philadelphia was a hundred miles further; I set out, however, in a boat for Amboy, leaving my chest and things to follow me round by sea.

In crossing the bay, we met with a squall that tore our rotten sails to pieces, prevented our getting into the Kill and drove us upon Long Island. In our way, a drunken Dutchman, who was a passenger too, fell overboard; when he was sinking, I reached through the water to his shock pate, and drew him up, so that we got him in again. His ducking sobered him a little, and he went to sleep, taking first out of his pocket a book, which he desir'd I would dry for him. It proved to be my old favorite author, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, in Dutch, finely printed on good paper, with copper cuts, a dress better than I had ever seen it wear in its own language. I have since found that it has been translated into most of the languages of Europe, and suppose it has been more generally read than any other book, except perhaps the Bible. Honest John^[14] was the first that I know of who mix'd narration and dialogue; a method of writing very engaging to the reader, who in the most interesting parts finds himself, as it were, brought into the company and present at the discourse. De Foe in his Cruso, his Moll Flanders, Religious Courtship, Family Instructor, and other pieces, has imitated it with success; and Richardson^[15] has done the same, in his Pamela, etc.

这时我对航海的兴趣已经消磨殆尽，不然这时的我倒是可以如愿以偿了。但因为有一门手艺，而且觉得自己干得还不错，我到当地印刷店老板老威廉·布拉德福德先生那里找工作，他开了宾夕法尼亚的第一家印刷店，因为和乔治·基思发生争执才搬来这里。他那儿活儿不多，而且人手已够，所以没能雇我，但他说：“我儿子在费城，他的主要助手阿奎拉·罗斯最近去世了，如果你去那儿，我想他会雇你的。”费城离纽约还有100英里，但我还是乘船向安博伊出发了，留下箱子和其他物什随后由海路运来。

穿越海湾时，我们遇上了狂风，破烂的船帆被撕成了碎片，我们未能驶入基尔河，风把我们吹向长岛去了。途中，一位喝醉的荷兰乘客从船上跌了下去，他正往下沉时，我连忙伸手抓住了他头顶上的头发，把他从水中拉了上来，这样他又重回到了船上。落入水中倒让他清醒了一点儿，他从口袋里掏出一本书给我，让我帮他弄干，便去睡觉了。这本书恰是我之前最喜欢的作家班扬的《天路历程》的荷兰语译本，书的纸质很好，还附有铜版插图，装订比我所见过的原本还要精美。后来我发现这本书已被译成了欧洲大多数语言，我认为也许这是除了《圣经》之外读者群最广泛的一本书。“诚实的约翰”是我所知的作家中第一个将叙述和对话两种写作手法穿插使用的，这种写作手法很能吸引读者，在作品最有趣的部分，读者仿佛能身临其境，亲耳听到人物的谈话。笛福在他的《鲁宾逊漂流记》、《摩尔·弗兰德斯》、《宗教求爱》、《家庭教师》及其他作品中成功模仿了这种写作手法，理查森在他的《帕美勒》等作品中也使用了这种手法。

When we drew near the island, we found it was at a place where there could be no landing, there being a great surff on the stony beach. So we dropt anchor, and swung round towards the shore. Some people came down to the water edge and hallow'd to us, as we did to them; but the wind was so high, and the surff so loud, that we could not hear so as to understand each other. There were canoes on the shore, and we made signs, and hallow'd that they should fetch us; but they either did not understand us, or thought it impracticable, so they went away, and night coming on, we had no remedy but to wait till the wind should abate; and, in the meantime, the boatman and I concluded to sleep, if we could; and so crowded into the scuttle, with the Dutchman, who was still wet, and the spray beating over the head of our boat, leak'd thro' to us, so that we were soon almost as wet as he. In this manner we lay all night, with very little rest; but, the wind abating the next day, we made a shift to reach Amboy before night, having been thirty hours on the water, without victuals, or any drink but a bottle of filthy rum, and the water we sail'd on being salt.

In the evening I found myself very feverish, and went in to bed; but, having read somewhere that cold water drank plentifully was good for a fever, I follow'd the prescription, sweat plentiful most of the night, my fever left me, and in the morning, crossing the ferry, I proceeded on my journey on foot, having fifty miles to Burlington, where I was told I should find boats that would carry me the rest of the way to Philadelphia.

It rained very hard all the day; I was thoroughly soak'd, and by noon a good deal tired; so I stopt at a poor inn, where I staid all night, beginning now to wish that I had never left home. I cut so miserable a figure, too, that I found, by the questions ask'd me, I was suspected to be some runaway servant, and in danger of being taken up on that suspicion. However, I proceeded the next day, and got in the evening to an inn, within eight or ten miles of Burlington, kept by one Dr. Brown. He entered into conversation with me while I took some refreshment, and, finding I had read a little, became very sociable and friendly. Our acquaintance continu'd as long as he liv'd. He had been, I imagine, an itinerant doctor, for there was no town in England, or country in Europe, of which he could not give a very particular account. He had some letters, and was ingenious, but much of an unbeliever, and wickedly undertook, some years after, to travestie the Bible in doggrel verse, as Cotton had done Virgil. By this means he set many of the facts in a very ridiculous light, and might have hurt weak minds if his work had been published; but it never was.

船近长岛时，我们发现海滩上波涛汹涌，乱石丛立，无法靠岸登陆。于是我们抛了锚，向岸边侧转船身。有人来到海边，冲我们大声打招呼，我们也冲他们大声打招呼，但是风大浪高，听不清对方说什么。岸边有些独木舟，我们向他们打手势，大喊请他们驾舟来接我们，但他们要么没领会，要么觉得做不到，就离开了。天色渐晚，我们依然束手无策，只能等风势减弱，于是我和船夫决定睡觉去，只要我们能睡得着。我们和那位全身依然湿着的荷兰人挤在小船舱里，盖过船头的浪花溅了下来，我们很快就几乎和他一样身上全湿了。我们就这样躺了一晚上，没怎么睡着，但第二天风势减弱了，我们想尽力在入夜前抵达安博伊，这时我们已在水上航行了30个小时，没吃没喝，只有一瓶不干净的朗姆酒，连船下的水也是咸的。

晚上我发现自己烧得厉害，就躺到床上，但我曾记得在哪里读过，喝足够多的冷水能有助于退烧，于是采用了这种方法，出了大半夜汗，终于退了烧。早上我跨过渡口上了岸，徒步继续我的行程，此时离伯灵顿还有50英里，有人告诉我在那里可以找到船送我去费城。

大雨下了一整天，我浑身都湿透了，到了中午已是非常疲惫，于是就在一个破败的小旅馆停了下来，并在那里住了一夜，这时我开始后悔真不该离家出走。因为外表狼狈，我从别人的盘问中发现自己被怀疑是逃跑的仆人，因此有被抓捕的危险。但我第二天就上了路，晚上歇在一个叫布朗医生开的旅馆里，当时离伯灵顿只有8到10英里了。吃点心时布朗医生和我聊了一会儿，发现我读过些书后，他对我的态度变得非常友善。我们后来一直保持着联系，直至他去世。我想他以前应该是个江湖游医，因为他对英国或欧洲其他国家的每个城镇都能详尽描述。他有些学问，也很聪明，但他不信教，几年后还恶作剧式地把《圣经》改写成拙劣的韵文诗，就像科顿改写维吉尔的诗一样。布朗医生的改写使得许多事实变得非常荒谬，如果其作品得以出版的话，恐怕会伤害那些意志薄弱的人，但它从未出版。

At his house I lay that night, and the next morning reach'd Burlington, but had the mortification to find that the regular boats were gone a little before my coming, and no other expected to go before Tuesday, this being Saturday; wherefore I returned to an old woman in the town, of whom I had bought gingerbread to eat on the water, and ask'd her advice. She invited me to lodge at her house till a passage by water should offer; and being tired with my foot travelling, I accepted the invitation. She understanding I was a printer, would have had me stay at that town and follow my business, being ignorant of the stock necessary to begin with. She was very hospitable, gave me a dinner of ox-cheek with great good will, accepting only a pot of ale in return; and I thought myself fixed till Tuesday should come. However, walking in the evening by the side of the river, a boat came by, which I found was going towards Philadelphia, with several people in her. They took me in, and, as there was no wind, we row'd all the way; and about midnight, not having yet seen the city, some of the company were confident we must have passed it, and would row no farther; the others knew not where we were; so we put toward the shore, got into a creek, landed near an old fence, with the rails of which we made a fire, the night being cold, in October, and there we remained till daylight. Then one of the company knew the place to be Cooper's Creek, a little above Philadelphia, which we saw as soon as we got out of the creek, and arriv'd there about eight or nine o'clock on the Sunday morning, and landed at the Market-street wharf.

我在布朗医生的旅馆过了一夜，第二天早上抵达了伯灵顿，却很懊恼地发现班船已经在我到之前一小会儿开走了，下一班要到星期二，而这时才星期六。于是我回到镇上一位老妇人那里，我刚在她那儿买了准备在船上吃的姜饼，这时回来询问她的建议，她留我住在她家，直到有船可以使我成行。我当时因长途跋涉，双脚已十分劳累，便接受了她的邀请。老妇人知道我是个印刷工后，让我留在这里开个印刷铺，殊不知开印刷铺是需要些资本的。她非常好客，还极为好心地招待我吃了牛颊当晚餐，并只接受一小罐麦芽酒作为回报，我于是想下周二前就留在这里吧。但傍晚我在河边散步的时候，一艘船驶了过来，我发现是去往费城的，船上有几个人。他们让我上了船，因为无风，我们一路划船前进。大约半夜时分，还是没有望见费城，我们中有些人很肯定地认为我们已经过了费城，不肯再划，其他人也不知道我们到底在哪儿，于是我们划向岸边，进入一条小河道，在一道旧栅栏旁登陆。我们取了栅栏的木头生了火，十月的夜晚很冷，我们就这样呆到天亮。一位同伴认出这里是库珀河，位于费城北边不远。我们驶出小河后马上望见了费城，星期天早上大约八九点到了那里，并在市场街码头上了岸。

I have been the more particular in this description of my journey, and shall be so of my first entry into that city, that you may in your mind compare such unlikely beginnings with the figure I have since made there. I was in my working dress, my best cloaths being to come round by sea. I was dirty from my journey; my pockets were stuff'd out with shirts and stockings, and I knew no soul nor where to look for lodging. I was fatigued with travelling, rowing, and want of rest, I was very hungry; and my whole stock of cash consisted of a Dutch dollar, and about a shilling in copper. The latter I gave the people of the boat for my passage, who at first refus'd it, on account of my rowing; but I insisted on their taking it. A man being sometimes more generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps thro' fear of being thought to have but little.

Then I walked up the street, gazing about till near the market-house I met a boy with bread. I had made many a meal on bread, and, inquiring where he got it, I went immediately to the baker's he directed me to, in Secondstreet, and ask'd for bisket, intending such as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in Philadelphia. Then I asked for a three-penny loaf, and was told they had none such. So not considering or knowing the difference of money, and the greater cheapness nor the names of his bread, I made him give me three-penny worth of any sort. He gave me, accordingly, three great puffy rolls. I was surpriz'd at the quantity, but took it, and, having no room in my pockets, walk'd off with a roll under each arm, and eating the other. Thus I went up Market-street as far as Fourth-street, passing by the door of Mr. Read, my future wife's father; when she, standing at the door, saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance. Then I turned and went down Chestnut-street and part of Walnut-street, eating my roll all the way, and, corning round, found myself again at Market-street wharf, near the boat I came in, to which I went for a draught of the river water; and, being filled with one of my rolls, gave the other two to a woman and her child that came down the river in the boat with us, and were waiting to go farther.

我对这段旅程记述得特别详细，对我初次来到这座城市的情景也要细细描写一番，好让你在心里能将我初来乍到时的窘况与我后来在此地取得的成就作个比较。我当时穿着以前的工作服，我最好的衣服还没从海上运来。我一路奔波，身上很脏，口袋里塞满了衬衫和长袜，在这里又无亲无故，不知上哪儿找住宿的地方。这些天的奔波、划船，又缺乏休息，我已经十分疲惫，并且饥肠辘辘。我所有的现金只有一元荷兰币，还有约值一先令的铜币。我把那块铜币当作旅费给了船上的人，他们起初不收，因为我帮他们划船了，但我执意他们收下。有时候，人手上只有一点钱反而会比富有时更慷慨，可能因为怕被人当成穷人吧。

然后我上街逛去了，一路四下张望，在市场附近遇见一个拿着面包的男孩。我有好多顿饭只吃面包，问了他在哪儿买的，就立刻去了他指给我的那家在第二街上的面包房。我想买在波士顿买过的那种面包，但费城好像没有，我又想买一块三便士的面包，他们说也没有。于是，我不考虑也不清楚物价的差别，不了解费城物价很低，也不知道店里各种面包的名字，就让他卖给我价值三便士的面包，他给了我三个很大的面包卷。我很惊讶居然能买这么多，但还是买下了，兜里放不下，就两只胳膊各夹一个，嘴里还吃着一个。我就这副模样沿着市场街走到了第四街，路过了我未来岳父里德先生家门口，当时我未来的妻子站在门口看见了我，觉得我当时的样子既难看又可笑，也的确如此。我转身走过栗子街，来到核桃街上，一路啃着面包卷，转过弯来，发现自己又到了市场街的码头，而且就在我所乘的船附近。我上码头去喝了口河水，因为吃了一个面包卷已经很饱了，就把剩下两个给了一位和我们一起乘船到此的妇人和她的孩子，他们还等着去更远的地方。

Thus refreshed, I walked again up the street, which by this time had many clean-dressed people in it, who were all walking the same way. I joined them, and thereby was led into the great meeting-house of the Quakers near the market. I sat down among them, and, after looking round awhile and hearing nothing said, being very drowsy thro' labor and want of rest the preceding night, I fell fast asleep, and continued so till the meeting broke up, when one was kind enough to rouse me. This was, therefore, the first house I was in, or slept in, in Philadelphia.

Walking down again toward the river, and, looking in the faces of people, I met a young Quaker man, whose countenance I lik'd, and, accosting him, requested he would tell me where a stranger could get lodging. We were then near the sign of the Three Mariners. "Here," says he, "is one place that entertains strangers, but it is not a reputable house; if thee wilt walk with me, I'll show thee a better." He brought me to the Crooked Billet in Water-street. Here I got a dinner; and, while I was eating it, several sly questions were asked me, as it seemed to be suspected from my youth and appearance, that I might be some runaway.

After dinner, my sleepiness return'd, and being shown to a bed, I lay down without undressing, and slept till six in the evening, was call'd to supper, went to bed again very early, and slept soundly till next morning. Then I made myself as tidy as I could, and went to Andrew Bradford the printer's. I found in the shop the old man his father, whom I had seen at New York, and who, travelling on horseback, had got to Philadelphia before me. He introduc'd me to his son, who receiv'd me civilly, gave me a breakfast, but told me he did not at present want a hand, being lately suppli'd with one; but there was another printer in town, lately set up, one Keimer, who, perhaps, might employ me; if not, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would give me a little work to do now and then till fuller business should offer.

吃了面包恢复了精神，我又溜达上街了，这回我看见许多衣着干净的人，他们都朝一个方向走着。我加入了他们，结果被带到了市场附近贵格会的大会堂里。我在他们中间坐下，四下里望了望，没听见任何人说话。因为前一晚非常劳累又缺乏休息，此时已觉很困，于是我沉沉地睡了过去，直到散会时有人好心叫醒了我。于是这里就成了我在费城走进去或在里面睡觉的第一间房子。

我又朝着河的方向走去，观察路上行人的面庞。我遇见一位年轻的贵格会信徒，看上去面容和善，就上前和他说话，请他告诉我外地人在哪儿能找到住宿的地方。我们当时就在“三个水手”旅馆的招牌附近，他说：“这里就是一个招待外地人的地方，但名声不怎么好。如果你愿意跟我走，我可以把你带到一个更好的地方去。”他领着我来到水街的克鲁克德旅馆，我在那里吃了饭。吃饭时店家拐弯抹角地问了我几个问题，可能因为我很年轻，又是这副模样，让人怀疑是逃亡出来的吧。

吃过饭后，我的困意再次袭来，店家把我带到一张床跟前，我就和衣而睡了，一直到晚上六点，他们叫我起来吃晚饭。饭后我又早早上了床，安然睡到第二天早上。起床后，我努力把自己打扮整洁，去了安德鲁·布拉德福德的印刷店。在店里，我见到了店主的父亲，就是我在纽约见过的那位老人，他当时骑马过来，在我之前到了费城。他把我介绍给他儿子，小布拉德福德待我很有礼貌，还请我吃了早饭。但他告诉我最近刚找了个伙计，暂时不需要帮手，但城里还有一家新近开张的印刷店，老板叫凯默，他也许会雇我；如果他不雇我的话，我可以先在布拉德福德店里住下，他会不时给我些零活儿干，直到我找到正式工作。

The old gentleman said he would go with me to the new printer; and when we found him, "Neighbor," says Bradford, "I have brought to see you a young man of your business; perhaps you may want such a one." He ask'd me a few questions, put a composing stick in my hand to see how I work'd, and then said he would employ me soon, though he had just then nothing for me to do; and, taking old Bradford, whom he had never seen before, to be one of the town's people that had a good will for him, enter'd into a conversation on his present undertaking and projects; while Bradford, not discovering that he was the other printer's father, on Keimer's saying he expected soon to get the greatest part of the business into his own hands, drew him on by artful questions, and starting little doubts, to explain all his views, what interests he reli'd on, and in what manner he intended to proceed. I, who stood by and heard all, saw immediately that one of them was a crafty old sophister, and the other a mere novice. Bradford left me with Keimer, who was greatly surpris'd when I told him who the old man was.

Keimer's printing-house, I found, consisted of an old shatter'd press, and one small, worn-out font of English which he was then using himself, composing an Elegy on Aquila Rose, before mentioned, an ingenious young man, of excellent character, much respected in the town, clerk of the Assembly, and a pretty poet. Keimer made verses too, but very indifferently. He could not be said to write them, for his manner was to compose them in the types directly out of his head. So there being no copy, but one pair of cases, and the Elegy likely to require all the letter, no one could help him. I endeavor'd to put his press (which he had not yet us'd, and of which he understood nothing) into order fit to be work'd with; and, promising to come and print off his Elegy as soon as he should have got it ready, I return'd to Bradford's, who gave me a little job to do for the present, and there I lodged and dieted. A few days after, Keimer sent for me to print off the Elegy. And now he had got another pair of cases, and a pamphlet to reprint, on which he set me to work.

老布拉德福德说他陪我一起去那家新开的印刷店。找到店主后，布拉德福德对凯默说：“邻居，我给你带来个干你这行的小伙子，也许你正想要这样一个人吧。”凯默问了我几个问题，又给我个排字盘要看看我活儿干得如何，然后说他不久后能雇用我，但这时还没什么工作让我做。他此前从未见过布拉德福德，以为他是镇上一个对他心怀善意的人，就和他谈起了自己现在的事业和计划。布拉德福德听凯默说希望很快把费城大部分的印刷业务抢到自己手里，便没说自己是城里另一家印刷店老板的父亲，而是巧妙地问了些问题，提了些小小的疑惑，引着凯默详细地讲了自己的全部想法，还谈到他所依靠的势力以及他打算怎样开展业务。我站在一旁，听见了他们全部的谈话，立刻看出他们一个精明老到，另一个则只是个新手。布拉德福德离开时把我留在凯默店里，我告诉凯默这位老人是谁时，他大吃了一惊。

我发现凯默的印刷店里只有一台破旧的印刷机和一套已经磨损的小号英文铅字，他正用这套铅字排一首纪念阿奎拉·罗斯的挽歌。阿奎拉·罗斯在前文提到过，这个年轻人品行端正，才思敏捷，在城里很受尊敬，既是州议会的秘书，又是一位不错的诗人。凯默也作诗，但作得不好。其实不能说他是在写诗，因为他一般是把脑子里想出的诗句直接用铅字排出来，因此他的作品没有手稿，而排字盘只有一副，写一首挽歌可能要用上所有的铅字，所以没人能帮他的忙。我尽力想把那台印刷机（他还没有使用过，对它也一无所知）修好以便开始工作，还答应他一等他排好那首挽歌就过来把它印出来。我先回了布拉德福德店里，布拉德福德给我临时安排了些零活儿，我食宿也都在那里。几天后，凯默派人叫我去印那首挽歌，那时他又弄到了一副排字盘，还有一本小册子需要重印，他把这活儿也派给了我。

These two printers I found poorly qualified for their business. Bradford had not been bred to it, and was very illiterate; and Keimer, tho' something of a scholar, was a mere compositor, knowing nothing of presswork. He had been one of the French prophets, and could act their enthusiastic agitations. At this time he did not profess any particular religion, but something of all on occasion; was very ignorant of the world, and had, as I afterward found, a good deal of the knave in his composition. He did not like my lodging at Bradford's while I work'd with him. He had a house, indeed, but without furniture, so he could not lodge me; but he got me a lodging at Mr. Read's, before mentioned, who was the owner of his house; and, my chest and clothes being come by this time, I made rather a more respectable appearance in the eyes of Miss Read than I had done when she first happen'd to see me eating my roll in the street.

I began now to have some acquaintance among the young people of the town, that were lovers of reading, with whom I spent my evenings very pleasantly; and gaining money by my industry and frugality, I lived very agreeably, forgetting Boston as much as I could, and not desiring that any there should know where I resided, except my friend Collins, who was in my secret, and kept it when I wrote to him. At length, an incident happened that sent me back again much sooner than I had intended. I had a brother-in-law, Robert Holmes, master of a sloop that traded between Boston and Delaware. He being at Newcastle, forty miles below Philadelphia, heard there of me, and wrote me a letter mentioning the concern of my friends in Boston at my abrupt departure, assuring me of their good will to me, and that every thing would be accommodated to my mind if I would return, to which he exhorted me very earnestly. I wrote an answer to his letter, thank'd him for his advice, but stated my reasons for quitting Boston fully and in such a light as to convince him I was not so wrong as he had apprehended.

我发现这两位印刷店老板都不大是干印刷行业的料。布拉德福德没有学过印刷，又没念过什么书，而凯默尽管像个学者的样子，却只会排字，对于印刷则一无所知。凯默曾是法国先知派教徒，言行举止可以装得像他们那样热情激动。这时凯默并没宣称信仰某个特定宗教，而是见风使舵，对各个教派都信一点。他对人情世故一无所知，我后来发现，他的脾性里还颇有些无赖气。凯默不喜欢我在他那儿工作却住在布拉德福德店里，他倒是有间房子，但里头没家具，因此不能让我寄宿。但他帮我在前面提过的里德先生家里找了个住宿的地方，里德先生也是他的房东。这时我的箱子和衣服都已运到费城，因此在里德小姐眼中，我的模样已比她第一次碰巧看见我在街上啃面包卷时要体面得多了。

此时我逐渐结识了城里的一些年轻人，他们也热爱阅读，我和他们一起度过了很多愉快的夜晚。因为勤奋节俭，我赚了些钱，过得也很不错。我尽量忘记波士顿，不想波士顿有谁知道我现在住在哪里。只有我的朋友柯林斯知道这个秘密，我写信给他，要他别说出去。后来发生了一件事，使我大大早于我的预期回去了。我有个姐夫叫罗伯特·霍尔姆斯，他有一艘帆船在波士顿和特拉华之间开展贸易往来。当时他正在费城南面40英里的纽卡斯尔，听说我在费城就给我写了封信，说我突然离开，波士顿的朋友都非常挂念。他向我保证他们对我都是心怀善意的，如果我能回去，一切都会遂我心愿，他极力劝我回去。我回信感谢他的建议，但也向他充分说明了我离开波士顿的原因，让他明白我不像他所想的那样犯了大错。

Sir William Keith, governor of the province, was then at Newcastle, and Captain Holmes, happening to be in company with him when my letter came to hand, spoke to him of me, and show'd him the letter. The governor read it, and seem'd surpris'd when he was told my age. He said I appear'd a young man of promising parts, and therefore should be encouraged; the printers at Philadelphia were wretched ones; and, if I would set up there, he made no doubt I should succeed; for his part, he would procure me the public business, and do me every other service in his power. This my brother-in-law afterwards told me in Boston, but I knew as yet nothing of it; when, one day, Keimer and I being at work together near the window, we saw the governor and another gentleman (which proved to be Colonel French, of Newcastle), finely dress'd, come directly across the street to our house, and heard them at the door.

Keimer ran down immediately, thinking it a visit to him; but the governor inquir'd for me, came up, and with a condescension of politeness I had been quite unus'd to, made me many compliments, desired to be acquainted with me, blam'd me kindly for not having made myself known to him when I first came to the place, and would have me away with him to the tavern, where he was going with Colonel French to taste, as he said, some excellent Madeira^[16]. I was not a little surprised, and Keimer star'd like a pig poison'd. I went, however, with the governor and Colonel French to a tavern, at the corner of Third-street, and over the Madeira he propos'd my setting up my business, laid before me the probabilities of success, and both he and Colonel French assur'd me I should have their interest and influence in procuring the public business of both governments. On my doubting whether my father would assist me in it, Sir William said he would give me a letter to him, in which he would state the advantages, and he did not doubt of prevailing with him. So it was concluded I should return to Boston in the first vessel, with the governor's letter recommending me to my father. In the mean time the intention was to be kept a secret, and I went on working with Keimer as usual, the governor sending for me now and then to dine with him, a very great honor I thought it, and conversing with me in the most affable, familiar, and friendly manner imaginable.

本州的总督威廉·基思爵士当时也在纽卡斯尔，霍尔姆斯船长收到我的回信时恰好和他在一起，就向他提到了我，并把信给他看了。读完信之后，总督又知道了我的年龄，似乎很惊讶。他说我看来是个有前途的年轻人，应该加以鼓励。费城的印刷店都很糟糕，他认为如果我在费城开印刷店，一定会成功，而且就他而言，会把政府部门的生意招揽给我，还会尽其所能给我其他帮助。这是我姐夫后来在波士顿告诉我的，当时我并不知道。有一天我和凯默在窗前一块儿工作，我们看见总督和另一位绅士（后来知道他是纽卡斯尔的弗伦奇上校）穿戴得体面精致，穿过街道径直朝我们的房子走来，接着就听见他们在门口的声音。

凯默立即跑了下去，以为他俩是来拜访他的，但总督却问起了我，然后走上楼，对我赞许有加，说想要多认识我，又和善地责备我初到费城时没让他知道，还邀我和他一起去酒馆喝杯上好的马德拉白葡萄酒，他说他和弗伦奇上校正要去品尝品尝，言辞之间透露的谦卑恳切和彬彬有礼，让我非常不习惯。我对此十分诧异，凯默则惊得呆若木鸡。但我还是和总督还有弗伦奇上校去了第三街街角的一家酒馆，喝着白葡萄酒时，总督提议我自己开家印刷店，并给我讲了成功的可能性，他和上校两人都向我保证会利用自己的关系和影响帮我揽得政府和军队这两方面的生意。我对我父亲是否会帮我心存疑虑，威廉爵士说他会让我给我父亲带封信，向他详细说说这些有利条件，他毫不怀疑这样一定能够说服我的父亲。最后我们敲定，由我带着总督写给我父亲的推荐信，乘第一班轮船回到波士顿。同时，总督的这种意图不会公开，我还像往常一样在凯默店里上班，总督不时派人邀我去和他吃饭，我认为这是我莫大的荣耀，他还总是用想象得到的最和蔼、最亲切和最友好的方式与我谈话。

About the end of April, 1724, a little vessel offer'd for Boston. I took leave of Keimer as going to see my friends. The governor gave me an ample letter, saying many flattering things of me to my father, and strongly recommending the project of my setting up at Philadelphia as a thing that must make my fortune. We struck on a shoal in going down the bay, and sprung a leak; we had a blustering time at sea, and were oblig'd to pump almost continually, at which I took my turn. We arriv'd safe, however, at Boston in about a fortnight. I had been absent seven months, and my friends had heard nothing of me; for my br. Holmes was not yet return'd, and had not written about me. My unexpected appearance surpriz'd the family; all were, however, very glad to see me, and made me welcome, except my brother. I went to see him at his printing-house. I was better dress'd than ever while in his service, having a genteel new suit from head to foot, a watch, and my pockets lin'd with near five pounds sterling^[17] in silver. He receiv'd me not very frankly, look'd me all over, and turn'd to his work again.

The journeymen were inquisitive where I had been, what sort of a country it was, and how I lik'd it. I prais'd it much, the happy life I led in it, expressing strongly my intention of returning to it; and, one of them asking what kind of money we had there, I produc'd a handful of silver, and spread it before them, which was a kind of raree-show they had not been us'd to, paper being the money of Boston. Then I took an opportunity of letting them see my watch; and, lastly (my brother still grum and sullen), I gave them a piece of eight to drink, and took my leave. This visit of mine offended him extreamly; for, when my mother some time after spoke to him of a reconciliation, and of her wishes to see us on good terms together, and that we might live for the future as brothers, he said I had insulted him in such a manner before his people that he could never forget or forgive it. In this, however, he was mistaken.

大约在1724年4月底，有艘小船要开往波士顿去。我向凯默告别，说要去看望朋友。总督交给我一封长信，信里向我父亲大大夸奖了我一番，还极力建议让我在费城开印刷店，认为这一定会让我赚大钱的。我们的船驶出海湾时碰上了沙洲，船身裂了一条缝；在海上行驶时狂风大作，我们只得频繁地抽水，我也轮班承担了这一工作。大约两周以后，我们终于平安抵达波士顿。此时我离开波士顿已经七个月了，朋友们都没有我的消息，因为我姐夫霍尔姆斯还没回来，也没有写信提到我的情况。我的突然出现让我家人惊讶不已，但大家见到我都很高兴，除了我哥哥外他们都欢迎我回来。我去哥哥的印刷店见了他，当时我穿得比在他店里当学徒的任何时候都要好多了，从头到脚都穿着体面的新衣服，还戴着表，口袋里有近五镑银币。他勉为其难地接待了我，将我全身打量了一番，然后又去工作了。

店里的伙计都很好奇我去了哪里，那是什么样的地方，我觉得那里怎么样等等。我对费城称赞有加，说在那里生活得很快乐，还强调了要回费城的打算。他们其中一个问我费城用什么样的钱，我掏出一把银币给他们看，这样的稀奇物他们可没怎么见过，因为波士顿使用的是纸币。后来我又借机让他们看了我的表，最后（我哥哥还是阴沉着脸）还给了他们一块银币让他们买酒喝，这才告辞。我的这次拜访让我哥哥极为不快，后来我母亲向他提到让我们和解，说希望看到我们和睦相处，以后依然手足情深时，他说我在他的伙计面前对他如此羞辱，他永远不会忘记也不能原谅。但是这一点，他弄错了。

My father received the governor's letter with some apparent surprise, but said little of it to me for some days, when Capt. Holmes returning he showed it to him, ask'd him if he knew Keith, and what kind of man he was; adding his opinion that he must be of small discretion to think of setting a boy up in business who wanted yet three years of being at man's estate. Holmes said what he could in favor of the project, but my father was clear in the impropriety of it, and at last gave a flat denial to it. Then he wrote a civil letter to Sir William, thanking him for the patronage he had so kindly offered me, but declining to assist me as yet in setting up, I being, in his opinion, too young to be trusted with the management of a business so important, and for which the preparation must be so expensive.

My friend and companion Collins, who was a clerk in the postoffice, pleas'd with the account I gave him of my new country, determined to go thither also; and, while I waited for my father's determination, he set out before me by land to Rhode Island, leaving his books, which were a pretty collection of mathematicks and natural philosophy, to come with mine and me to New York, where he propos'd to wait for me.

My father, tho' he did not approve Sir William's proposition, was yet pleas'd that I had been able to obtain so advantageous a character from a person of such note where I had resided, and that I had been so industrious and careful as to equip myself so handsomely in so short a time; therefore, seeing no prospect of an accommodation between my brother and me, he gave his consent to my returning again to Philadelphia, advis'd me to behave respectfully to the people there, endeavor to obtain the general esteem, and avoid lampooning and libeling, to which he thought I had too much inclination; telling me, that by steady industry and a prudent parsimony I might save enough by the time I was one-and-twenty to set me up; and that, if I came near the matter, he would help me out with the rest. This was all I could obtain, except some small gifts as tokens of his and my mother's love, when I embark'd again for New York, now with their approbation and their blessing.

我父亲读完总督的信后明显很惊讶，但好几天他都没怎么和我说起此事。霍尔姆斯船长回来后，父亲把信给他看，问他是否认识基思，他是怎样的人，另外父亲还说，这人提出让一个离成年还差三岁的孩子创业，一定考虑得不太周全。霍尔姆斯极力说他支持让我开店的计划，但父亲态度明确，认为此事并不恰当，最终直接否决了它。然后他给威廉爵士写了封措词委婉的信，向他对我的好心帮助表示了感谢，但不同意资助我开店，他认为我还太年轻，还无法把如此重要的事业经营托付于我，且要开家印刷店，前期成本也太高了。

我的朋友和伙伴柯林斯当时在邮局里当职员，他听了我对那个新地方的描述，非常高兴，决定和我一起去那里，于是当我还在等父亲作出决定时，他已先我由陆路去了罗得岛。他收藏了很多数学和自然哲学方面的书，也交给了我，由我连同自己的书一起带至纽约，他说他在那里等我。

我父亲尽管不赞成威廉爵士的提议，但仍然很高兴我能得到当地这样一位知名人士对我赞誉有加的推荐信，且我勤奋细心，在这么短的时间里便把自己打扮得如此得体。因此，当父亲意识到我和哥哥无法和睦相处后，便同意我回到费城去，还建议我对那里的人要以礼相待，努力得到大家的尊重，不要嘲讽和诽谤他人，父亲认为我很有此种倾向。父亲说，只要我一直勤奋工作，审慎节俭，到21岁时我也许能攒够钱开店，等我的积蓄接近所需资金时，他会帮我凑齐不足的那部分。除了些表达父母之爱的小礼物，这就是我所得到的一切，我再次动身前往纽约时，是带着他们的赞许和祝福走的。

The sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island, I visited my brother John, who had been married and settled there some years. He received me very affectionately, for he always lov'd me. A friend of his, one Vernon, having some money due to him in Pensilvania, about thirty-five pounds currency, desired I would receive it for him, and keep it till I had his directions what to remit it in. Accordingly, he gave me an order. This afterwards occasion'd me a good deal of uneasiness.

At Newport we took in a number of passengers for New York, among which were two young women, companions, and a grave, sensible, matron-like Quaker woman, with her attendants. I had shown an obliging readiness to do her some little services, which impress'd her I suppose with a degree of good will toward me; therefore, when she saw a daily growing familiarity between me and the two young women, which they appear'd to encourage, she took me aside, and said: "Young man, I am concern'd for thee, as thou has no friend with thee, and seems not to know much of the world, or of the snares youth is expos'd to; depend upon it, those are very bad women; I can see it in all their actions; and if thee art not upon thy guard, they will draw thee into some danger; they are strangers to thee, and I advise thee, in a friendly concern for thy welfare, to have no acquaintance with them." As I seem'd at first not to think so ill of them as she did, she mentioned some things she had observ'd and heard that had escap'd my notice, but now convinc'd me she was right. I thank'd her for her kind advice, and promis'd to follow it. When we arriv'd at New York, they told me where they liv'd, and invited me to come and see them; but I avoided it, and it was well I did; for the next day the captain miss'd a silver spoon and some other things, that had been taken out of his cabbin, and, knowing that these were a couple of strumpets, he got a warrant to search their lodgings, found the stolen goods, and had the thieves punish'd. So, tho' we had escap'd a sunken rock, which we scrap'd upon in the passage, I thought this escape of rather more importance to me.

帆船驶入了罗得岛的新港，我去拜访了我哥哥约翰，他已成家，定居在此好几年了。他热情地招待了我，因为他一直都很喜欢我。约翰哥哥有个朋友叫弗农，宾夕法尼亚州有人欠他些钱，大约35镑，弗农希望我能代他收下欠款并代为保管，直到他通知我这笔钱的用处，他还为此给我开了一张付款委托书。后来这件事给我带来了诸多不安。

我们的船在新港上了好些去纽约的乘客，其中有两位年轻女性是同伴，还有一位表情严肃、明白事理、看起来像位主妇的贵格会女士和她的随从。我表现出随时乐于为她帮点小忙的意思，我想这给她留下了一定的好印象。因此，当她见我和两位年轻女士日渐熟络且她们似乎热衷与我相熟时，便把我拉到一旁，说：“年轻人，我很关心你，因为你没有和朋友一起，似乎也不太了解世事，不了解年轻会面对多少陷阱。相信我，这两个女人很坏，我能从她们的举动中看出来，如果你不提防着些，她们会让你陷入危险中的。你并不认识她们，我如此善意地劝告你是为了你好，不要和她们来往。”我开始时并不像她一样对那两位女士如此反感，直到她提到一些她看到和听到而我没有注意到的事情，我才相信她是对的。我感谢她好心的建议，保证一定会听她的话。我们到达纽约时，那两位年轻女士告诉了我她们的住所，邀我前去探望她们，但我没有去，这个决定很明智。因为第二天船长丢了一把银勺还有其他一些物品，这些都是在他的房间里被偷出去的。船长知道这两位女士是妓女，他得到搜查证后搜查了她们的住所，找到了被盗物品，并使小偷受到了处罚。因此，尽管我们在航行中躲过了暗礁，但我认为没有落入她们的陷阱，对我的意义更为重大。

At New York I found my friend Collins, who had arriv'd there some time before me. We had been intimate from children, and had read the same books together; but he had the advantage of more time for reading and studying, and a wonderful genius for mathematical learning, in which he far outstript me. While I liv'd in Boston most of my hours of leisure for conversation were spent with him, and he continu'd a sober as well as an industrious lad; was much respected for his learning by several of the clergy and other gentlemen, and seemed to promise making a good figure in life. But, during my absence, he had acquir'd a habit of sotting with brandy; and I found by his own account, and what I heard from others, that he had been drunk every day since his arrival at New York, and behav'd very oddly. He had gam'd, too, and lost his money, so that I was oblig'd to discharge his lodgings, and defray his expenses to and at Philadelphia, which prov'd extremely inconvenient to me.

The then governor of New York, Burnet (son of Bishop Burnet), hearing from the captain that a young man, one of his passengers, had a great many books, desir'd he would bring me to see him. I waited upon him accordingly, and should have taken Collins with me but that he was not sober. The gov'r. treated me with great civility, show'd me his library, which was a very large one, and we had a good deal of conversation about books and authors. This was the second governor who had done me the honor to take notice of me; which, to a poor boy like me, was very pleasing.

We proceeded to Philadelphia. I received on the way Vernon's money, without which we could hardly have finish'd our journey. Collins wished to be employ'd in some counting-house, but, whether they discover'd his dramming by his breath, or by his behaviour, tho' he had some recommendations, he met with no success in any application, and continu'd lodging and boarding at the same house with me, and at my expense. Knowing I had that money of Vernon's, he was continually borrowing of me, still promising repayment as soon as he should be in business. At length he had got so much of it that I was distress'd to think what I should do in case of being call'd on to remit it.

在纽约我见到了我的朋友柯林斯，他比我早到一些。我们从孩提时代起就很要好，曾一起阅读同样的书籍，但他比我有优势，他有更多时间用来阅读和学习，他还在数学上有极高的天赋，在这一点上远超于我。我还在波士顿的时候，大部分空闲时间都是和他聊天，他那时还是一个滴酒不沾、勤奋刻苦的少年，因颇有学识而受到好几位牧师和其他绅士的尊敬，似乎以后要出人头地。但在我离开波士顿以后，他染上了酗饮白兰地的习惯，我从他自己和其他人口中得知，他到纽约后，每天都喝得醉醺醺的，且行为怪异。他还参与赌博，把钱都输了，我只得帮他支付住宿费，还得承担他去费城的旅费和在费城的开销，这给我带来了极大的麻烦。

当时纽约的总督伯内特先生（伯内特主教的儿子）听船长说他的乘客中有个年轻人有很多藏书，希望能够见我。于是我前去拜访他，本来要带柯林斯和我一起去，但他那天喝醉了。总督很有礼貌地接待了我，还带我参观了他的藏书室，那间藏书室很大，我们就书籍和作家谈了很多。这是第二位注意到我的总督，让我觉得很荣幸，这对于像我这样的穷孩子来说，是件令人非常高兴的事情。

我们继续向费城进发。在路上我收回了弗农的欠款，要是没这笔钱，我们可能都回不到费城。柯林斯想去某家会计房找活干，尽管他有些推荐信，但人家或是通过他的呼吸或是他的行为发现他爱饮酒，所以他的求职全都失败了，只能继续和我吃住在一起，费用都由我承担。知道我收了弗农的欠款后，柯林斯不断向我借钱，许诺他一找到工作就立刻还给我。终于，他把那笔钱借走了很大一部分，使我极为苦恼万一弗农让我把钱汇回去该怎么办。

His drinking continu'd, about which we sometimes quarrell'd, for, when a little intoxicated, he was very fractious. Once, in a boat on the Delaware with some other young men, he refused to row in his turn. "I will be row'd home," says he. "We will not row you," says I. "You must, or stay all night on the water," says he, "just as you please." The others said, "Let us row; what signifies it?" But, my mind being soured with his other conduct, I continu'd to refuse. So he swore he would make me row, or throw me overboard; and coming along, stepping on the thwarts, toward me, when he came up and struck at me, I clapped my hand under his crutch, and, rising, pitched him head-foremost into the river. I knew he was a good swimmer, and so was under little concern about him; but before he could get round to lay hold of the boat, we had with a few strokes pull'd her out of his reach; and ever when he drew near the boat, we ask'd if he would row, striking a few strokes to slide her away from him. He was ready to die with vexation, and obstinately would not promise to row. However, seeing him at last beginning to tire, we lifted him in and brought him home dripping wet in the evening. We hardly exchang'd a civil word afterwards, and a West India captain, who had a commission to procure a tutor for the sons of a gentleman at Barbados, happening to meet with him, agreed to carry him thither. He left me then, promising to remit me the first money he should receive in order to discharge the debt; but I never heard of him after.

柯林斯还是经常喝酒，我们有时为此争吵，因为他一旦有些醉意，就变得非常暴躁。有一次我们和其他几个年轻人乘船在特拉华河上航行，轮到他划船时，他不肯划。“你们划船带我回家吧。”他说。“我们不会代你划船的。”我回答。“你们必须得划，要不然就在这河上呆一夜吧，”他说，“随你们便。”其他人说道：“我们自己划吧，这有什么关系呢？”当时我心里正因他的其他行为生气，所以坚持拒绝划船。于是他狠狠地说一定要让我划，不然就把我扔下河去。他踩到坐板上，向我走了过来，他走到我面前要打我时，我一把托住他胯下，站起身，将他头朝下扔下了河。我知道他水性很好，所以不怎么担心他，但在他游过来要抓住船之前，我们又划了几下，让他够不着，每次他游得离船很近时，我们一边问他愿不愿意划船，一边又划几下让船离他远些。他恼羞成怒，还是一意孤行地不肯答应划船。但我们见他已经有些疲乏了，就把他拽了上来，晚上才把全身湿透的他送回家。此后，我们再难和颜悦色地说话。一位西印度的船长受托为巴巴多斯一位绅士的儿子们找一位家庭教师，恰好遇见了他，便同意带他去那里。于是柯林斯离开了我，承诺把拿到的第一笔工资汇给我还债，但我此后再没他的消息。

The breaking into this money of Vernon's was one of the first great errata of my life; and this affair show'd that my father was not much out in his judgment when he suppos'd me too young to manage business of importance. But Sir William, on reading his letter, said he was too prudent. There was great difference in persons; and discretion did not always accompany years, nor was youth always without it. "And since he will not set you up," says he, "I will do it myself. Give me an inventory of the things necessary to be had from England, and I will send for them. You shall repay me when you are able; I am resolv'd to have a good printer here, and I am sure you must succeed." This was spoken with such an appearance of cordiality, that I had not the least doubt of his meaning what he said. I had hitherto kept the proposition of my setting up, a secret in Philadelphia, and I still kept it. Had it been known that I depended on the governor, probably some friend, that knew him better, would have advis'd me not to rely on him, as I afterwards heard it as his known character to be liberal of promises which he never meant to keep. Yet, unsolicited as he was by me, how could I think his generous offers insincere? I believ'd him one of the best men in the world.

I presented him an inventory of a little print'g-house, amounting by my computation to about one hundred pounds sterling. He lik'd it, but ask'd me if my being on the spot in England to chuse the types, and see that every thing was good of the kind, might not be of some advantage. "Then," says he, "when there, you may make acquaintances, and establish correspondences in the bookselling and stationery way." I agreed that this might be advantageous. "Then," says he, "get yourself ready to go with Annis;" which was the annual ship, and the only one at that time usually passing between London and Philadelphia. But it would be some months before Annis sail'd, so I continu'd working with Keimer, fretting about the money Collins had got from me, and in daily apprehensions of being call'd upon by Vernon, which, however, did not happen for some years after.

动用弗农那笔钱是我人生中最早犯下的大错之一，从这件事可以看出，我父亲当时认为我太年轻，还没有能力经营重要的事业并没有错。但威廉爵士读了我父亲的信之后，认为他太过谨慎了。各人性格迥异，谨慎的品质不一定年长的人才有，而年轻人也并非全都行事鲁莽。“既然他不肯帮你开店，”威廉爵士说，“那我来帮你吧。你把需在英国购买的东西列个清单，我派人去买。等你有能力了,再把这钱还给我，我一定要让费城有家像样的印刷店，我也相信你一定会成功的。”他说这话时非常诚恳，我一点也不怀疑他是确有此意。我要开店的计划在费城一直是个秘密，我至今也还对此守口如瓶。要是别人知道我依靠总督，也许一些更了解他的朋友会劝我不要指望他，如我后来所闻，众人皆知他爱随意许下承诺却从不兑现。但并不是我主动求他帮忙，又怎能想到他如此慷慨地提出帮我并非真心实意的呢？我当时还相信他是世界上最好的人之一呢。

我给威廉爵士列了张开家小印刷店所需物品的清单，我算了算大概需要100镑吧。他很高兴，又说如果我亲自去英国挑选铅字，确保每件物品都质量上乘是否会更好一些。他说：“那样的话，你可以在那里结交一些朋友，建立书籍和文具生意方面的往来。”我对他的话表示同意，认为这样应该是有利的。“那么，”他又说，“做好准备乘坐安妮斯号出发吧。”安妮斯号是当时唯一一艘航行于伦敦和费城之间的轮船，每年在两座城市之间往来一次。但那时离安妮斯号启航还有几个月，因此我仍旧在凯默的店里工作，心里总为柯林斯从我这儿拿走的钱烦恼，每天都担心弗农让我汇钱给他，但这事直到好几年之后才发生。

I believe I have omitted mentioning that, in my first voyage from Boston, being becalm'd off Block Island, our people set about catching cod, and hauled up a great many. Hitherto I had stuck to my resolution of not eating animal food, and on this occasion consider'd, with my master Tryon, the taking every fish as a kind of unprovoked murder, since none of them had, or ever could do us any injury that might justify the slaughter. All this seemed very reasonable. But I had formerly been a great lover of fish, and, when this came hot out of the frying-pan, it smelt admirably well. I balanc'd some time between principle and inclination, till I recollected that, when the fish were opened, I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then thought I, "If you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you." So I din'd upon cod very heartily, and continued to eat with other people, returning only now and then occasionally to a vegetable diet. So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.

Keimer and I liv'd on a pretty good familiar footing, and agreed tolerably well, for he suspected nothing of my setting up. He retained a great deal of his old enthusiasms and lov'd argumentation. We therefore had many disputations. I used to work him so with my Socratic method, and had trepann'd him so often by questions apparently so distant from any point we had in hand, and yet by degrees lead to the point, and brought him into difficulties and contradictions, that at last he grew ridiculously cautious, and would hardly answer me the most common question, without asking first, "What do you intend to infer from that?" However, it gave him so high an opinion of my abilities in the confuting way, that he seriously proposed my being his colleague in a project he had of setting up a new sect. He was to preach the doctrines, and I was to confound all opponents. When he came to explain with me upon the doctrines, I found several conundrums which I objected to, unless I might have my way a little too, and introduce some of mine.

我想我忘了提一件事，在我第一次离开波士顿的旅途中，船曾因无风在布洛克岛附近停航，我们船上的人开始捕鳕鱼，捕上来许多。那时我还是坚持不沾荤腥的决定，在此情景下，我赞同我的导师特赖恩，认为每捕一条鱼就等于一次无端谋杀，因为没有哪条鱼曾经给我们造成任何伤害，它们也没有这种能力，所以我们捕鱼并没有什么正当理由。这些话似乎都很有道理。但我以前很爱吃鱼，当热气腾腾的鱼出锅时，香味四溢，非常诱人。我在原则和爱好之间徘徊了好一阵，后来想起鱼被剖开时，曾见人们从鱼肚中拿出小鱼来，于是我想，“如果你们可以互相吃掉对方，我不懂为什么我们就不能吃你们。”就这样，我津津有味地吃起鳕鱼来，后来还照样和其他人一起吃，只是偶尔才恢复食素的习惯。做一个拥有理性的生物是多么便利啊，因为不管想做什么事，他都能找到或者编造出一个理由来。

凯默和我变得熟悉起来，两人相处得还不错，因为他对我开店的计划一无所知。他很大程度上保留着以前对宗教的热忱，很喜欢论辩，因此我们曾经辩论过很多次。我常用苏格拉底的方法同他辩论，问一些与我们的论题明显风马牛不相及的问题，逐渐引入辩题，使他陷入窘境与矛盾之中，中我的圈套。后来凯默变得非常谨慎，竟到了一种可笑的地步，即使问他最普通的问题，他也会首先问我：“你想从中推出什么呢？”不过，这也让他对我的辩才大为赏识，他打算成立一个新教派时，竟郑重提出希望我做他的同事，由他来布道，我则负责反驳所有的反对者。后来他向我说明他的教义时，我发现他有一些难以理解的观点我并不赞成，除非我也可以有自己的理解，或加入一些我自己的看法。

Keimer wore his beard at full length, because somewhere in the Mosaic law it is said, "Thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard." He likewise kept the Seventh day, Sabbath; and these two points were essentials with him. I dislik'd both; but agreed to admit them upon condition of his adopting the doctrine of using no animal food. "I doubt," said he, "my constitution will not bear that." I assur'd him it would, and that he would be the better for it. He was usually a great glutton, and I promised myself some diversion in half starving him. He agreed to try the practice, if I would keep him company. I did so, and we held it for three months. We had our victuals dress'd, and brought to us regularly by a woman in the neighborhood, who had from me a list of forty dishes to be prepar'd for us at different times, in all which there was neither fish, flesh, nor fowl, and the whim suited me the better at this time from the cheapness of it, not costing us above eighteenpence sterling each per week. I have since kept several Lents^[18] most strictly, leaving the common diet for that, and that for the common, abruptly, without the least inconvenience, so that I think there is little in the advice of making those changes by easy gradations. I went on pleasantly, but poor Keimer suffered grievously, tired of the project, long'd for the flesh-pots of Egypt, and order'd a roast pig. He invited me and two women friends to dine with him; but, it being brought too soon upon table, he could not resist the temptation, and ate the whole before we came.

凯默胡子很长，因为摩西律法中有一处说过：“不可修剪胡须。”同样，他还遵守每星期第七天为安息日的习惯。这两件事对他至关重要，我却都不喜欢，只因他同意采纳不食荤腥的教义才同意将这两条也作为新教派的教义。凯默说：“我担心我的身体承受不住。”我向他保证一定承受得住，而且他的身体会因食素变得更好。他常常大吃大喝，我心里想到他半饥半饱的样子，觉得很有趣。他答应如果我和他一起的话，他也愿意尝试。我同意了，我们将这个饮食习惯保持了三个月。我们让街坊上一位妇人为我们准备食物，做好了之后给我们送来。我给她开了一张单子，上面列了40种菜式，以备更换，其中既无鱼肉，也无鸡鸭。这办法非常省钱，对此时的我来说正合适，这样我们每人每周最多只用花18便士的伙食费了。后来我曾经好几次极为严格地遵守四旬斋，不管是突然不吃普通食物改为吃斋，还是突然停止吃斋改吃普通食物，都没有任何不舒服，所以我觉得膳食的改变要循序渐进的建议并没什么可取之处。我吃素吃得很舒心，而可怜的凯默则吃尽了苦头，他厌倦了这个计划，极渴望吃埃及做法的肉，于是买了一只烤乳猪。凯默本来邀我和两位女性朋友同吃，但这烤乳猪端上桌太早，他抵挡不了诱惑，在我们赶到之前就全都吃完了。

I had made some courtship during this time to Miss Read. I had a great respect and affection for her, and had some reason to believe she had the same for me; but, as I was about to take a long voyage, and we were both very young, only a little above eighteen, it was thought most prudent by her mother to prevent our going too far at present, as a marriage, if it was to take place, would be more convenient after my return, when I should be, as I expected, set up in my business. Perhaps, too, she thought my expectations not so well founded as I imagined them to be.

My chief acquaintances at this time were Charles Osborne, Joseph Watson, and James Ralph, all lovers of reading. The two first were clerks to an eminent scrivener or conveyancer in the town, Charles Brockden; the other was clerk to a merchant. Watson was a pious, sensible young man, of great integrity; the others rather more lax in their principles of religion, particularly Ralph, who, as well as Collins, had been unsettled by me, for which they both made me suffer. Osborne was sensible, candid, frank; sincere and affectionate to his friends; but, in literary matters, too fond of criticising. Ralph was ingenious, genteel in his manners, and extremely eloquent; I think I never knew a prettier talker. Both of them great 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.

这段时间里，我向里德小姐求爱了。我对她非常尊重和爱慕，也有理由相信她对我怀有同样的感觉。但因我不久就要出远门，而且我们都还年轻，才18岁出头，她母亲认为我俩暂时不要走得太近才更为妥当，如果考虑婚事，也要等我回来才更方便，我想那时我应该已经有了自己的事业。也许她对我的期望并不像我自己想的那样根基牢靠吧。

我当时主要交往的伙伴有查尔斯·奥斯本、约瑟夫·沃森和詹姆斯·拉尔夫，他们都热爱阅读。前两位是城上有名的公证人或者转让事务代办人查尔斯·布罗克登的书记员，另一位是一位商人的职员。沃森是个虔诚、明智的年轻人，非常正直，其他两位在宗教信仰上较为松懈，尤其是拉尔夫，他和柯林斯一样受到我的影响而信仰动摇，这也给我惹来麻烦。奥斯本明白事理，直率坦诚，对待朋友真挚亲切，但他太爱对文学作品评头论足。拉尔夫天性聪颖，举止优雅，口才出众，我想我再也找不到比他更健谈的人了。他们两人都非常热爱诗歌，也写了一些小诗试手。星期天的时候，我们四个经常一起去斯库尔基尔河附近的树林里散步，在那儿轮流朗读作品，并就其进行讨论，非常美好。

拉尔夫想要研究诗学，他毫不怀疑自己会在写诗上有所成就，并能因此致富，他断言最优秀的诗人刚开始写诗时，犯过的错误也不比他少。奥斯本劝阻他，说他并没有写诗的天赋，劝他心无旁骛地从事他的本行，这样在经商方面，即使他暂时没有资本，通过自己的勤奋和守时可靠，一定能成为代理商，再假以时日，便能独立门户。我也赞成偶尔写写诗自娱自乐，但我只是为了锤炼自己的语言，没有别的目的。

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 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.

关于学习写诗一事，我们提议每人都创作一首诗，下次聚会时带来，相互品读、评论并提出修改意见，以便取得进步。鉴于诗歌的语言和表现力是我们着意提高的，因此我们一致同意改写描写神祗降临人间的《诗篇》第18章，这样我们完全不用考虑诗歌的创意。我们聚会的时间临近了，拉尔夫先来找了我，告诉我他已经把那首诗改写好了。我告诉他我很忙，也不太想写，所以还没动笔。拉尔夫把他改写的诗拿给我看，让我评论一下，我对那首诗大加赞赏，因为在我看来它很有价值。他说：“你看，奥斯本从不承认我的任何作品有一丝一毫的优点，他对我千般挑剔，这完全是出于嫉妒罢了。他对你倒是没什么嫉妒之心，所以我希望你能把这首诗当成是你写的，我呢就假装没有时间，什么也没写，我们来看看他会对这首诗作何评价吧。”我同意就这么办，于是立即把这首诗誊抄了一遍，让它看起来像出自我的手笔。

聚会的时间到了。我们首先读了沃森的作品，这首诗有些闪光之处，但也有许多缺点。然后我们读了奥斯本的诗，写得比沃森的好得多，拉尔夫对其作了公正的评价，指出了诗的一些毛病，但对其优美之处也不吝溢美之词，但他说自己什么也没有写。我有些退缩，似乎想为自己找借口，说没有足够的时间对诗进行修改等等。但是他们不听我的辩解，一定要我把诗拿出来。于是我朗读了这首诗，还重复了一遍。沃森和奥斯本自认写得不如我，退出了比赛，还齐声赞美我的诗。拉尔夫对诗稍稍作了些批评，还提出一些修改意见，而我则为自己的作品辩护。奥斯本不同意拉尔夫的看法，说他的评论和他的诗作一样平庸，于是拉尔夫就不再争辩了。他们两人一起回家时，奥斯本对“我的诗”更是大加赞赏，说先前他克制着自己，以免我觉得他在奉承我。“但谁能想到，”奥斯本说，“富兰克林能写得如此生动出色、如此掷地有声、如此激情澎湃！他写得甚至比原诗还要好！他平常谈话似乎并不讲究词句，说话支支吾吾，多有谬误，但我的天啊，他居然写得出这么好的诗！”我们第二次见面时，拉尔夫揭穿了我们开的玩笑，奥斯本被大家笑话了一番。

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.

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.

这件事让拉尔夫坚定了成为诗人的决心。我竭尽所能劝他放弃，但他依然坚持写诗，直到蒲柏阻止了他。但他还是成为了一名很好的散文家。我稍后会提到更多关于他的事。但其他两位此后可能没有机会再提，所以这里要交代一下。沃森数年之后在我怀中去世了，我感到十分悲痛，认为他是我们之中最出色的一个。奥斯本去了西印度群岛，在那里成了一名杰出的律师，赚了很多钱，但英年早逝。我和他曾郑重约定，如果可能，我俩中先一步离开人世的要去友好地拜访另一位，告诉他另一个世界是什么样子。但他从未履行这个约定。

总督似乎很喜欢与我为伴，常常邀我去他的寓所，也经常向我提及帮助我开店的事，似乎这事已成定局。他答应除了给我开一封信用证明，以让我获得购买印刷机、铅字、纸张等物品所需的款项，还给我写几封推荐信给他的朋友。为了去取这些信，我按约定的时间去拜访了他好几次，但他总是往后推，再约一个靠后的时间。就这样他一直拖延着，那艘船的启程日期也推迟了好几次，直到它真要启航了，我去向总督辞行，并去取那些信件，他的秘书巴德博士出来接待了我，说总督正忙着写信，他会在那艘船抵达纽卡斯尔之前到那里，可以在那里把信交给我。

拉尔夫虽然已经成家，还有一个孩子，但他决定和我一同出海航行。我原以为他打算设立一个代理处，进货销售，从中得到佣金。但我后来发现，他是因为和妻子的亲戚关系不和，打算把妻子留给他们，自己再也不回来了。我和朋友们告了别，又和里德小姐山盟海誓了一番，然后乘船离开了费城。船停靠纽卡斯尔时，总督果然在那里，但我去他的住处拜访时，他的秘书代他出来见我，以极其客气的语气告诉我，总督正在处理极为重要的公务，不能见我，但一定会把那几封信送到船上，还衷心祝我一路顺风，早日返回等等。我回到船上，心里有些不解，但还是没有产生怀疑。

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 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 could not then come at them; but, before we landed in England, I should have an opportunity of picking them out; so I was satisfied for the present, and we proceeded on our voyage. We had a sociable company in the cabin, and lived uncommonly well, having the addition of all Mr. Hamilton's stores, who had laid in plentifully. In this passage Mr. Denham contracted a friendship for me that continued during his life. The voyage was otherwise not a pleasant one, as we had a great deal of bad weather.

费城一位著名律师安德鲁·汉密尔顿先生和他的儿子也在这艘船上，还有一位贵格会商人德纳姆先生，以及马里兰一家铸铁厂的厂主奥尼恩先生和罗素先生，他们几个包下了头等舱，因此我和拉尔夫只得在末等舱里找个铺位。船上没有人认识我们，人们只把我们当成普通人罢了。但汉密尔顿先生和他的儿子（名叫詹姆斯，后来当了总督）从纽卡斯尔又回了费城，因为汉密尔顿先生被人用重金请回去为一艘被扣留的船作辩护。船快开的时候，弗伦奇上校上了船，对我尊敬有加，人们这才对我多加注意，其他绅士请我和拉尔夫搬去头等舱，因为恰好有地方空出来了。于是，我们就搬到了头等舱。

我以为弗伦奇上校把总督的信件带上船了，于是就去找船长要那些将由我保管的信。船长说所有信件都放在信件袋里了，一时取不出来，但我们抵达英国前，我会有机会把它们拣出来。于是我暂时安了心，继续我们的行程。我们在船舱里聊得很愉快，船上的生活也很好，因为汉密尔顿先生把他为此次航行储备的所有东西都留了下来，非常丰富。这次航行让我和德纳姆先生成了朋友，我们的友谊一直持续到他去世为止。但从另一方面看，这次航行也并不愉快，因为很多时候天气都很糟糕。

When we came into the Channel, the captain kept his word with me, and gave me an opportunity of examining the bag for the governor's letters. I found none upon which my name was put as under my care. I picked out six or seven, that, by the handwriting, I thought might be the promised letters, especially as one of them was directed to Basket, the king's printer, and another to some stationer. We arriv'd in London the 24^th of December, 1724. I waited upon the stationer, who came first in my way, delivering the letter as from Governor Keith. "I don't know such a person," says he; but, opening the letter, "O! This is from Riddlesden. I have lately found him to be a compleat rascal, and I will have nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters from him." So, putting the letter into my hand, he turn'd on his heel and left me to serve some customer. I was surprized to find these were not the governor's letters; and, after recollecting and comparing circumstances, I began to doubt his sincerity. I found my friend Denham, and opened the whole affair to him. He let me into Keith's character; told me there was not the least probability that he had written any letters for me; that no one, who knew him, had the smallest dependence on him; and he laught at the notion of the governor's giving me a letter of credit, having, as he said, no credit to give. On my expressing some concern about what I should do, he advised me to endeavor getting some employment in the way of my business. "Among the printers here," said he, "you will improve yourself, and when you return to America, you will set up to greater advantage."

We both of us happen'd to know, as well as the stationer, that Riddlesden, the attorney, was a very knave. He had half ruin'd Miss Read's father by persuading him to be bound for him. By this letter it appear'd there was a secret scheme on foot to the prejudice of Hamilton (suppos'd to be then coming over with us); and that Keith was concerned in it with Riddlesden. Denham, who was a friend of Hamilton's thought he ought to be acquainted with it; so, when he arriv'd in England, which was soon after, partly from resentment and ill-will to Keith and Riddlesden, and partly from good-will to him, I waited on him, and gave him the letter. He thank'd me cordially, the information being of importance to him; and from that time he became my friend, greatly to my advantage afterwards on many occasions.

我们的船驶入英吉利海峡后，船长遵守和我的约定，给了我一次机会，让我从信件袋里取出总督的信。我并未发现署名由我保管的信。我从中挑了六七封出来，从信封上的笔迹推测应该是承诺为我写的信，特别是其中有一封是写给英国皇家印刷所巴斯克特的，还有一封是写给某位文具商的。我们于1724年12月24日抵达伦敦。因为顺路，我先去拜访了那位文具商，把基思总督的信交给他。“我不认识这样一个人”，那位文具商说道，但打开信之后，又说，“哦，是那个里德斯登写来的。我最近发现他完全是个骗子，我不会跟他有任何往来了，也不会再收他任何信件。”就这样，他把信交还给我，转身去招呼别的顾客了。我非常惊讶地发现这不是总督写的信。经过仔细回想，认真比较前后发生的事，我开始怀疑总督的诚意了。我找到我的朋友德纳姆先生，把整件事一五一十地告诉了他。德纳姆先生和我讲了基思总督的为人，说他是绝无可能给我写什么推荐信的，还说了解基思的人里没有谁会信赖他。听说基思总督给了我一封信用证明，德纳姆先生笑了，说基思自己连信用都不能保证。我表达了自己的忧虑，不知该怎么办，德纳姆先生建议我尽力在这里的印刷店找个活儿干，他说：“通过在这里的印刷店里干活，你能够提高自己，等你回美洲了，开起店来也更有优势。”

我和德纳姆先生像那位文具商一样，知道那个里德斯登律师是个十足的骗子。他曾骗得里德小姐的父亲和他立约，使她父亲几乎破产。从这封信来看，似乎有人在密谋陷害汉密尔顿（他本来是要和我们一起来英国的），而基思也与里德斯登一起参与其中。德纳姆先生是汉密尔顿的朋友，认为应把这件事告知汉密尔顿。因此过了不久，当汉密尔顿先生来到英国时，我去拜访了他，将这封信交给了他，这一半是出于我对基思和里德斯登的憎恶，一半是出于对汉密尔顿先生的好意。汉密尔顿先生衷心地感谢了我，说这一消息对他非常重要。从此，他成了我的朋友，后来多次给我很大帮助。

But what shall we think of a governor's playing such pitiful tricks, and imposing so grossly on a poor ignorant boy! It was a habit he had acquired. He wish'd to please everybody; and, having little to give, he gave expectations. He was otherwise an ingenious, sensible man, a pretty good writer, and a good governor for the people, tho' not for his constituents, the proprietaries, whose instructions he sometimes disregarded. Several of our best laws were of his planning and passed during his administration.

Ralph and I were inseparable companions. We took lodgings together in Little Britain at three shillings and sixpence a week—as much as we could then afford. He found some relations, but they were poor, and unable to assist him. He now let me know his intentions of remaining in London, and that he never meant to return to Philadelphia. He had brought no money with him, the whole he could muster having been expended in paying his passage. I had fifteen pistoles^[19]; so he borrowed occasionally of me to subsist, while he was looking out for business. He first endeavored to get into the playhouse, believing himself qualify'd for an actor; but Wilkes, to whom he apply'd, advis'd him candidly not to think of that employment, as it was impossible he should succeed in it. Then he propos'd to Roberts, a publisher in Paternoster Row, to write for him a weekly paper like the Spectator, on certain conditions, which Roberts did not approve. Then he endeavored to get employment as a hackney writer, to copy for the stationers and lawyers about the Temple, but could find no vacancy.

I immediately got into work at Palmer's, then a famous printing-house in Bartholomew Close, and here I continu'd near a year. I was pretty diligent, but spent with Ralph a good deal of my earnings in going to plays and other places of amusement. We had together consumed all my pistoles, and now just rubbed on from hand to mouth. He seem'd quite to forget his wife and child, and I, by degrees, my engagements with Miss Read, to whom I never wrote more than one letter, and that was to let her know I was not likely soon to return. This was another of the great errata of my life, which I should wish to correct if I were to live it over again. In fact, by our expenses, I was constantly kept unable to pay my passage.

但一位总督竟然玩这种可憎的把戏，如此卑鄙地陷害一个可怜无知的少年，我们又该作何感想呢！这是他已经养成的习惯，他希望取悦每一个人，但又没什么可赠与的，于是就空口给出许诺。但另一方面，他天资聪颖，通情达理，写得一手好文章，对于人民来说也是一个好总督，尽管对他的选民——殖民地领主来说并非如此，因为他有时会忽视他们的意见。我们一些最公正的法律就是由他规划制定，并在他的任期内通过的。

我和拉尔夫成了形影不离的朋友。我们在小不列颠街住了下来，住宿费为每周3先令6便士——这是我们当时出得起的最高价格了。拉尔夫找到一些亲戚，但他们也很穷，帮不了他。这时他告诉我他打算留在伦敦，再也不回费城了。拉尔夫没有带钱来，筹到的所有钱都已用作旅费了。我有15个皮斯托尔，所以他在外找活儿干时，有时会向我借钱维持生活。一开始他想进入戏院，认为自己够格当一名演员，但他向威尔克斯申请戏院的工作时，威尔克斯坦白地告诉他不要作此打算了，他不可能成功的。后来他又联系了帕特诺斯特街上一位叫罗伯茨的出版商，自荐为他编《旁观者》那样的周报，但罗伯茨没有答应他提出的某些条件。随后拉尔夫还想找文员的工作，为圣殿教堂附近的文具商和律师抄写东西，但也没找到。

我很快就在帕尔默印刷所找到了工作。那是巴塞洛缪巷上一家著名的印刷所，我在那里干了将近一年。我干活儿很勤快，但我收入中的很大一部分都花在和拉尔夫一起去看戏或者去其他娱乐场所了。我们还一起花完了我那15个皮斯托尔，当时的收入仅能糊口而已。他似乎已经忘了自己的妻儿，而我，也渐渐不记得和里德小姐的约定了，我只给她写过一封信，而且是告诉她我不会很快回去。这是我人生中的又一大错误，如果能够从头再来，我希望能改正这个错误。事实上，因为我们花钱大手大脚，我一直没钱支付回程的旅费。

At Palmer's I was employed in composing for the second edition of Wollaston's "Religion of Nature." Some of his reasonings not appearing to me well founded, I wrote a little metaphysical piece in which I made remarks on them. It was entitled "A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain." I inscribed it to my friend Ralph; I printed a small number. It occasion'd my being more consider'd by Mr. Palmer as a young man of some ingenuity, tho' he seriously expostulated with me upon the principles of my pamphlet, which to him appear'd abominable. My printing this pamphlet was another erratum. While I lodg'd in Little Britain, I made an acquaintance with one Wilcox, a bookseller, whose shop was at the next door. He had an immense collection of second-hand books. Circulating libraries were not then in use; but we agreed that, on certain reasonable terms, which I have now forgotten, I might take, read, and return any of his books. This I esteem'd a great advantage, and I made as much use of it as I could.

My pamphlet by some means falling into the hands of one Lyons, a surgeon, author of a book entitled "The Infallibility of Human Judgment," it occasioned an acquaintance between us. He took great notice of me, called on me often to converse on those subjects, carried me to the Horns, a pale alehouse in — Lane, Cheapside, and introduced me to Dr. Mandeville^[20], author of the "Fable of the Bees," who had a club there, of which he was the soul, being a most facetious, entertaining companion. Lyons, too, introduced me to Dr. Pemberton, at Batson's Coffee-house, who promis'd to give me an opportunity, some time or other, of seeing Sir Isaac Newton, of which I was extreamely desirous; but this never happened.

I had brought over a few curiosities, among which the principal was a purse made of the asbestos, which purifies by fire. Sir Hans Sloane heard of it, came to see me, and invited me to his house in Bloomsbury Square, where he show'd me all his curiosities, and persuaded me to let him add that to the number, for which he paid me handsomely.

在帕尔默印刷所，我当时在为沃拉斯顿的《自然宗教》的第二版排版。我认为他的一些推理并没有充分的论据，于是写了一篇简短的哲学论文对其进行评论，文章名字叫《论自由与穷困、快乐与痛苦》。我把这篇文章题赠给我的朋友拉尔夫，还印刷了若干份。这使帕尔默先生对我稍加重视了，认为我是一个有些天分的年轻人，尽管他严肃地跟我争辩小册子里的那些观点，它们在他看来很是可恶。印刷这本小册子是我的又一大错误。我在小不列颠街寄住时，认识了一个叫威尔科克斯的书商，他的书店就在我住所的隔壁。他收集了大量旧书，当时还没有流通图书馆，但我们约定，我付一笔合理的费用后——具体数目我已经忘了——我可以借阅他的任何书籍，读完后归还。这在我看来是个极大的好处，于是就极尽所能地加以利用。

我的小册子辗转到了一位叫莱昂斯的外科医生手里，他写了一本书，叫做《人类判断的正确性》，我们因此结识了。他对我非常重视，经常前来拜访，并就某些问题和我展开讨论。莱昂斯还带我去了齐普赛街某条巷子里一家叫“霍恩斯”的酒馆，把我介绍给《蜜蜂的寓言》一书的作者曼德维尔博士。曼德维尔博士幽默风趣，在这家酒馆有个俱乐部，他是俱乐部的灵魂人物。在巴特森咖啡馆，莱昂斯又把我介绍给了彭伯顿博士，他答应我过些时候找个机会带我去见见艾萨克·牛顿爵士，我极希望能有这个机会，但从未实现。

我从美洲带来了几件珍品，其中为首的一件是一个石棉制成的钱包，经火烧后能变干净。汉斯·斯隆爵士听说后来见我，邀请我去他在布卢姆斯伯里广场的寓所，向我展示了他收藏的所有珍宝，劝说我把那个钱包让给他，以增加他的藏品，他为此付给了我一大笔钱。

In our house there lodg'd a young woman, a milliner, who, I think, had a shop in the Cloisters. She had been genteelly bred, was sensible and lively, and of most pleasing conversation. Ralph read plays to her in the evenings, they grew intimate, she took another lodging, and he followed her. They liv'd together some time; but, he being still out of business, and her income not sufficient to maintain them with her child, he took a resolution of going from London, to try for a country school, which he thought himself well qualified to undertake, as he wrote an excellent hand, and was a master of arithmetic and accounts. This, however, he deemed a business below him, and confident of future better fortune, when he should be unwilling to have it known that he once was so meanly employed, he changed his name, and did me the honor to assume mine; for I soon after had a letter from him, acquainting me that he was settled in a small village (in Berkshire, I think it was, where he taught reading and writing to ten or a dozen boys, at sixpence each per week), recommending Mrs. T— to my care, and desiring me to write to him, directing for Mr. Franklin, schoolmaster, at such a place.

He continued to write frequently, sending me large specimens of an epic poem which he was then composing, and desiring my remarks and corrections. These I gave him from time to time, but endeavor'd rather to discourage his proceeding. One of Young's^[21] Satires was then just published. I copy'd and sent him a great part of it, which set in a strong light the folly of pursuing the Muses with any hope of advancement by them. All was in vain; sheets of the poem continued to come by every post. In the mean time, Mrs. T—, having on his account lost her friends and business, was often in distresses, and us'd to send for me, and borrow what I could spare to help her out of them. I grew fond of her company, and, being at that time under no religious restraint, and presuming upon my importance to her, I attempted familiarities (another erratum) which she repuls'd with a proper resentment, and acquainted him with my behaviour. This made a breach between us; and, when he returned again to London, he let me know he thought I had cancell'd all the obligations he had been under to me. So I found I was never to expect his repaying me what I lent to him, or advanc'd for him. This, however, was not then of much consequence, as he was totally unable; and in the loss of his friendship I found myself relieved from a burthen. I now began to think of getting a little money beforehand, and, expecting better work, I left Palmer's to work at Watts's, near Lincoln's Inn Fields, a still greater printing-house. Here I continued all the rest of my stay in London.

我们的寓所里还住着一位年轻妇女，是个做帽子生意的，我想她在修道院附近有家店面。她修养很好，知书达理，聪颖敏慧，和她谈话非常愉快。晚上的时候，拉尔夫会朗读剧本给她听，他们的关系逐渐亲密起来。她另找了住处，拉尔夫也跟着搬了过去，他们同居了一段时间。但由于拉尔夫还是没有找到工作，而她的收入也不足以维持他们两人还有她的孩子的生活，拉尔夫决心离开伦敦去一所乡下学校教书，他认为自己完全能胜任那份工作，因为他写得一手好字，又精通算术和会计。但他认为自己做那份工作太大材小用了，他相信自己将来定能有所成就，到那时不想让别人知道他曾经干过这么卑微的活儿，就改换了姓名，使用了我的名字，很给我面子。因为过了不久，我收到拉尔夫的一封来信，告诉我他住在一个小村子（我想是在伯克郡，他在那儿为10到12个孩子教授阅读和写作，每人每周6便士学费），他还托我照顾一位T夫人，并希望我给他写信，把信按所给地址寄给教师富兰克林先生。

拉尔夫还是经常给我写信，还把他写的长篇史诗寄给我，请我加以评论和修改。我修改过好几次，但也试图说服他不要继续写下去了。当时杨的一部讽刺诗刚出版不久，这首诗语词激烈地指出，抱着在诗歌创作上取得进步的希望继续写诗，继续追逐诗神缪斯的行为是愚蠢的，于是我把这首诗的大部分誊抄下来，寄给了他。但一切都是徒劳，他每次写信，还是会把自己一页页的诗稿一同寄来。这时，那位T夫人因为拉尔夫已经众叛亲离，丢了买卖，常常陷于穷困中，因此她经常叫我去看她，还问我借我手头上多余的钱来救急。我慢慢地喜欢上和她在一起，当时也没有宗教的约束，又仗着自己对她很重要，试图和她发展更亲密的关系（又一个大错）。她相当愤怒地拒绝了，然后把这件事告诉了拉尔夫，这使我们之间的友谊破裂了。拉尔夫回到伦敦后，说他认为我的行为已使他将他先前受之于我的恩惠一笔勾销。于是我明白，我再也不要指望他会把借给他和替他垫付的钱还给我了。但当时，这对我来说并没多大影响，因为他本来就没有能力还钱，而且没了他这个朋友，我觉得自己反而少了个负担。这时，我开始打算先攒点儿钱，而且也希望得到一份更好的工作，于是我离开了帕尔默印刷所，来到林肯因河广场附近的沃茨印刷所工作。这家印刷所规模要更大一些，我后来一直在这里工作，直到离开伦敦。

At my first admission into this printing-house I took to working at press, imagining I felt a want of the bodily exercise I had been us'd to in America, where presswork is mix'd with composing. I drank only water; the other workmen, near fifty in number, were great guzzlers of beer. On occasion, I carried up and down stairs a large form of types in each hand, when others carried but one in both hands. They wondered to see, from this and several instances, that the Water-American, as they called me, was stronger than themselves, who drank strong beer! We had an alehouse boy who attended always in the house to supply the workmen. My companion at the press drank every day a pint^[22] before breakfast, a pint at breakfast with his bread and cheese, a pint between breakfast and dinner, a pint at dinner, a pint in the afternoon about six o'clock, and another when he had done his day's work. I thought it a detestable custom; but it was necessary, he suppos'd, to drink strong beer, that he might be strong to labor. I endeavored to convince him that the bodily strength afforded by beer could only be in proportion to the grain or flour of the barley dissolved in the water of which it was made; that there was more flour in a pennyworth of bread; and therefore, if he would eat that with a pint of water, it would give him more strength than a quart of beer. He drank on, however, and had four or five shillings to pay out of his wages every Saturday night for that muddling liquor; an expense I was free from. And thus these poor devils keep themselves always under.

Watts, after some weeks, desiring to have me in the composing-room, I left the pressmen; a new bien venu or sum for drink, being five shillings, was demanded of me by the compositors. I thought it an imposition, as I had paid below; the master thought so too, and forbad my paying it. I stood out two or three weeks, was accordingly considered as an excommunicate, and had so many little pieces of private mischief done me, by mixing my sorts, transposing my pages, breaking my matter, etc., etc., if I were ever so little out of the room, and all ascribed to the chappel ghost, which they said ever haunted those not regularly admitted, that, notwithstanding the master's protection, I found myself oblig'd to comply and pay the money, convinc'd of the folly of being on ill terms with those one is to live with continually.

初进这家印刷所时，我在印刷机旁工作。我当时觉得缺乏身体锻炼，因为原来在美洲的时候，操作印刷机和排版的工作是在一块儿的，我已经习惯了那种劳作。我平时只喝水，而其他工人，有近50人，全都嗜饮啤酒。有时候，我上下楼梯时两只手各拿一大版铅字，而其他人双手才能捧住一版。从这件事还有其他一些例子中，他们很惊讶地发现，只喝水的美洲人——他们是这么叫我的——比喝浓啤酒的他们还要强壮！有个酒馆的孩子一直给我们印刷店的工人送酒。与我同在印刷机旁工作的伙伴每天早餐前要喝一品脱酒，早餐时就着面包和奶酪要喝一品脱酒，早餐和午餐之间要喝一品脱，午餐时喝一品脱，下午六点左右喝一品脱，一天工作结束时还要再喝一品脱。我觉得这是个恶习，但他认为喝浓啤酒十分必要，因为这样他才有力气工作。我试图说服他，说啤酒给人提供的体力与其原材料——溶解在水中的大麦粒或大麦粉——成正比，价值一便士的面包里有更多面粉，因此，他吃块面包再喝一品脱水所能获得的体力比喝一夸脱啤酒还要多。但他还是坚持喝酒，每周六晚上都要从工资里拿出四五个先令去买那浑浊的液体，而我就不用花这笔钱。就这样，这些可怜鬼就让自己一直这么穷困潦倒。

几个星期以后，沃茨希望我去排版室工作，于是我告别了这些印刷工人。新到排版室，排字工人们让我出五先令的入室费或说是酒钱，我觉得这是敲我的竹杠，因为我原先已经出过了。老板也这么认为，就不让我出这笔钱。我坚持了两三个星期没交，于是就被他们当成了圈外人，私下里对我做了许多小恶作剧。我要是出去一小会儿，他们就会弄乱我的铅字，颠倒页码，破坏我的物品等等，然后把这一切都归咎于教堂里的鬼魂，说这些鬼魂就是爱萦绕在那些不按规矩交纳入室费的人周围。因此，虽然有老板的保护，我发现自己不得不遵从他们，出这笔钱，我也从中意识到，和自己要长期相处的人关系闹得很僵是件愚蠢的事。

I was now on a fair footing with them, and soon acquir'd considerable influence. I propos'd some reasonable alterations in their chappel laws, and carried them against all opposition. From my example, a great part of them left their muddling breakfast of beer, and bread, and cheese, finding they could with me be suppli'd from a neighboring house with a large porringer of hot water-gruel, sprinkled with pepper, crumbl'd with bread, and a bit of butter in it, for the price of a pint of beer, viz., three half-pence. This was a more comfortable as well as cheaper breakfast, and kept their heads clearer. Those who continued sotting with beer all day, were often, by not paying, out of credit at the alehouse, and us'd to make interest with me to get beer; their light, as they phrased it, being out. I watch'd the pay-table on Saturday night, and collected what I stood engag'd for them, having to pay sometimes near thirty shillings a week on their account. This, and my being esteem'd a pretty good riggite, that is, a jocular verbal satirist, supported my consequence in the society. My constant attendance (I never making a St. Monday^[23]) recommended me to the master; and my uncommon quickness at composing occasioned my being put upon all work of dispatch, which was generally better paid. So I went on now very agreeably.

后来，我和他们的关系相当不错，没多久就在他们中间获得了很大的影响力。我对他们的印刷所规矩提出了一些合理修改，并驳倒了一切反对意见使它们得以通过。很多人以我为榜样，不再把啤酒、面包和奶酪混在一起当早餐，而是和我一样从隔壁商店里买一大碗热气腾腾的稀粥，撒上点胡椒粉，再加上碎面包，涂点黄油，加起来才一品脱啤酒的价钱，也就是一个半便士。这样的早餐吃起来更舒服，也更便宜，还能保持头脑清醒。那些仍然整天酗饮啤酒的，经常因为付不起账，在酒店失去了信用而赊不到酒，就来找我以付利息为前提借钱买啤酒，按照他们的说法，他们已经能量耗尽黯淡无光了。星期六晚上，我就查阅工资表，把他们欠我的钱收齐，有时候我一周得替他们垫付将近30先令呢。因为这个原因，加上人们认为我是一个幽默诙谐的讽刺家，我在他们之中的地位越来越高。我工作始终保持全勤（从不休圣星期一），老板对此非常赞赏，而且我排版速度非常快，因此所有的急件都交给我做，这种活儿的报酬一般会高一些。因此这时我的日子过得很舒服。

My lodging in Little Britain being too remote, I found another in Duke-street, opposite to the Romish Chapel. It was two pair of stairs backwards, at an Italian warehouse. A widow lady kept the house; she had a daughter, and a maid servant, and a journeyman who attended the warehouse, but lodg'd abroad. After sending to inquire my character at the house where I last lodg'd she agreed to take me in at the same rate, 3s. 6d. per week; cheaper, as she said, from the protection she expected in having a man lodge in the house. She was a widow, an elderly woman; had been bred a Protestant, being a clergyman's daughter, but was converted to the Catholic religion by her husband, whose memory she much revered; had lived much among people of distinction, and knew a thousand anecdotes of them as far back as the times of Charles the Second. She was lame in her knees with the gout, and, therefore, seldom stirred out of her room, so sometimes wanted company; and hers was so highly amusing to me, that I was sure to spend an evening with her whenever she desired it. Our supper was only half an anchovy each, on a very little strip of bread and butter, and half a pint of ale between us; but the entertainment was in her conversation. My always keeping good hours, and giving little trouble in the family, made her unwilling to part with me; so that, when I talk'd of a lodging I had heard of, nearer my business, for two shillings a week, which, intent as I now was on saving money, made some difference, she bid me not think of it, for she would abate me two shillings a week for the future; so I remained with her at one shilling and sixpence as long as I staid in London.

In a garret of her house there lived a maiden lady of seventy, in the most retired manner, of whom my landlady gave me this account: that she was a Roman Catholic, had been sent abroad when young, and lodg'd in a nunnery with an intent of becoming a nun; but, the country not agreeing with her, she returned to England, where, there being no nunnery, she had vow'd to lead the life of a nun, as near as might be done in those circumstances. Accordingly, she had given all her estate to charitable uses, reserving only twelve pounds a year to live on, and out of this sum she still gave a great deal in charity, living herself on water-gruel only, and using no fire but to boil it. She had lived many years in that garret, being permitted to remain there gratis by successive Catholic tenants of the house below, as they deemed it a blessing to have her there. A priest visited her to confess her every day. "I have ask'd her," says my landlady, "how she, as she liv'd, could possibly find so much employment for a confessor?" "Oh," said she, "it is impossible to avoid vain thoughts." I was permitted once to visit her, She was chearful and polite, and convers'd pleasantly. The room was clean, but had no other furniture than a matras, a table with a crucifix and book, a stool which she gave me to sit on, and a picture over the chimney of Saint Veronica^[24] displaying her handkerchief, with the miraculous figure of Christ's bleeding face on it, which she explained to me with great seriousness. She look'd pale, but was never sick; and I give it as another instance on how small an income life and health may be supported.

我在小不列颠街的住处离印刷所太远了，于是就在公爵街另找了一处住所，正对着罗马教堂，在一家意大利仓库背后的三层楼上。一位寡妇守着这房子，她有个女儿和一个女仆，还有个工人照看仓库，但他住在外面。这位妇人派人去我上家寄宿的地方了解了我的人品之后，同意我以同样的价格在她这儿寄宿，即每周3先令6便士。她说这租金比较低廉，因为她指望有个男人住在这屋里，可以保护她们。她是个寡妇，又上了岁数，曾接受过新教教育，因为她父亲是个牧师，但后来随着丈夫改信了天主教，现在对逝去的丈夫依然怀念敬重。她从前结交的都是知名人士，知道他们的许多趣闻轶事，有些轶闻甚至要追溯到查理二世时期呢。她膝部患了痛风，腿脚不便，极少离开卧室，因此有时需要人陪伴。和她在一起很有意思，所以只要她需要，我一定陪她一晚上。我们晚餐只各吃半条凤尾鱼，加上一小条抹了黄油的面包，再各喝半品脱啤酒，但乐趣却在于和她交谈。我总是早睡早起，生活规律，没给她家添什么麻烦，因此她不想让我离开。后来我听说离印刷所更近的地方能以每周两先令的价格租到房子，当时我一心攒钱，这差价对我来说不是小数。我提到要搬到那儿去住时，她让我不要做此打算，她以后从我的租金中减去两先令就是了。就这样，我一直住在她那里，每周1先令6便士，直到离开伦敦。

她房子的阁楼上住着一位70岁的老处女，深居简出，我的房东给我讲了以下这个故事：她信仰天主教，年轻时被送去国外，住在一家修道院里立志成为修女，但在当地水土不服，只好回到英国。可英国没有修道院，她已立誓要过修女的生活，在这样的环境下也要使自己的生活尽可能与修女的生活接近。因此，她把自己的全部财产都用于了慈善目的，只给自己留下每年12英镑的生活费，就连这12英镑，也还要从中拿出许多用于救济施舍。她自己只喝稀粥，除了煮粥以外从不生火。她在那个阁楼上生活了很多年，一位又一位的天主教租户都不要她交房租，他们认为她住在那里，是会带来福气的。一位牧师每天都来拜访她，听她忏悔。我的房东说：“我曾问过她，像她这样生活，怎会需要经常向人忏悔呢？”她答道：“哦，有些毫无意义的想法总是难以避免啊。”有一次，我得到允许前去拜访她，她很高兴，待我彬彬有礼，和我愉快地交谈。她的房间干净整洁，没有什么家具，只有一个垫子，一张放着十字架和书的桌子，还有张她给我坐的凳子。阁楼烟囱上挂着圣维罗妮卡展示手帕的画像，那手帕上是耶稣满脸流血的奇异情景，她还郑重其事地把这画的含义解释给我听。她面色苍白，但从不生病，我把她当成又一个实例：微薄的收入一样可以维持生活，并保持健康的身体。

At Watts's printing-house I contracted an acquaintance with an ingenious young man, one Wygate, who, having wealthy relations, had been better educated than most printers; was a tolerable Latinist, spoke French, and lov'd reading. I taught him and a friend of his to swim at twice going into the river, and they soon became good swimmers. They introduc'd me to some gentlemen from the country, who went to Chelsea by water to see the College and Don Saltero's^[25] curiosities. In our return, at the request of the company, whose curiosity Wygate had excited, I stripped and leaped into the river, and swam from near Chelsea to Blackfryar's, performing on the way many feats of activity, both upon and under water, that surpris'd and pleas'd those to whom they were novelties.

I had from a child been ever delighted with this exercise, had studied and practis'd all Thevenot's motions and positions, added some of my own, aiming at the graceful and easy as well as the useful. All these I took this occasion of exhibiting to the company, and was much flatter'd by their admiration; and Wygate, who was desirous of becoming a master, grew more and more attach'd to me on that account, as well as from the similarity of our studies. He at length proposed to me travelling all over Europe together, supporting ourselves everywhere by working at our business. I was once inclined to it; but, mentioning it to my good friend Mr. Denham, with whom I often spent an hour when I had leisure, he dissuaded me from it, advising me to think only of returning to Pennsilvania, which he was now about to do.

在沃茨印刷所，我结识了一位机灵聪颖的年轻人，叫瓦格特。他有很富有的亲戚，因此所受教育比大多数印刷工都要好一些，拉丁文还不错，还会说法语，热爱阅读。我曾教他和他的一个朋友在河里游泳，只教了两次，他们很快就游得很好了。他们介绍我认识了乡下的一些绅士，这些绅士是乘船去切尔西参观学院和唐·索尔特洛咖啡馆的珍玩的。在我们回来的路上，瓦格特激发了大家对我游泳的好奇心，于是应他们的要求，我脱掉衣服，跳入河中，从切尔西附近一直游到布莱克法尔。一路上展示了许多游泳的花样，时而浮在河面，时而潜入水中，这在他们看来很新奇，感到又惊讶又开心。

我从小就喜爱游泳这项运动，曾经学习和练习过戴丰乐所有的动作和姿势，还加入了一些自己的动作，希望既能做到实用，又能姿势优美、来去自如。我利用这个机会把这些都表演给大家看，他们对此赞赏不已，我也感到非常满足。瓦格特希望能成为游泳好手，加上我俩的知识背景非常相似，他与我的关系日益密切了。后来，瓦格特提议我们一起周游欧洲，在各地印刷店工作以维持生活。我一度颇为动心，但当我把这个计划告诉了我的好朋友德纳姆先生后——我一闲下来就常常去和他聊天——他劝我不要去，建议我只考虑回宾夕法尼亚的事，他当时也要回去了。

I must record one trait of this good man's character. He had formerly been in business at Bristol, but failed in debt to a number of people, compounded and went to America. There, by a close application to business as a merchant, he acquir'd a plentiful fortune in a few years. Returning to England in the ship with me, he invited his old creditors to an entertainment, at which he thank'd them for the easy composition they had favored him with, and, when they expected nothing but the treat, every man at the first remove found under his plate an order on a banker for the full amount of the unpaid remainder with interest.

He now told me he was about to return to Philadelphia, and should carry over a great quantity of goods in order to open a store there. He propos'd to take me over as his clerk, to keep his books, in which he would instruct me, copy his letters, and attend the store. He added that, as soon as I should be acquainted with mercantile business, he would promote me by sending me with a cargo of flour and bread, etc., to the West Indies, and procure me commissions from others which would be profitable; and, if I manag'd well, would establish me handsomely. The thing pleas'd me; for I was grown tired of London, remembered with pleasure the happy months I had spent in Pennsylvania, and wish'd again to see it; therefore I immediately agreed on the terms of fifty pounds a year, Pennsylvania money; less, indeed, than my present gettings as a compositor, but affording a better prospect.

我得记下反映出德纳姆先生这位好人的品质的一则轶事。他以前在布里斯托尔做生意，但生意失败了，欠了很多人钱，好歹还上了一些之后，就去了美洲。他在那儿一心一意地经商，只几年的工夫就积累了很大一笔财富。和我同船回到英国之后，德纳姆先生邀请了所有他昔日的债主前来赴宴。席间，他对当年他们没有向他催讨欠款表示了感谢，而债主们除了一顿大餐之外也并无其他期待，但当他们刚一移动碗盘时，却发现所有人的盘子下都放着一张银行支票，除了将当年的欠款完全付清之外，还支付了利息。

德纳姆先生当时告诉我，他要回费城了，还要带大量货物回去在那儿开店。他提出让我当他的职员，负责管理账簿（这点他可以教我）、抄写信件，还有照管店铺。他还说，等我了解如何经商后，他就提拔我，派我带着一船面粉和面包等去西印度群岛，并使我从其他有利可图的方面得到佣金，如果我经营得当的话，我能积累很大一笔财富。这让我非常高兴，因为我已经厌倦了伦敦，回想在宾夕法尼亚那快乐的日子时总是备感愉悦，希望能够再回到那里。于是我立即接受了这一职位，每年工资为50镑宾夕法尼亚货币，这比我当时当排版工挣的的确要少，但前景要更好一些。

I now took leave of printing, as I thought, for ever, and was daily employed in my new business, going about with Mr. Denham among the tradesmen to purchase various articles, and seeing them pack'd up, doing errands, calling upon workmen to dispatch, etc.; and, when all was on board, I had a few days' leisure. On one of these days, I was, to my surprise, sent for by a great man I knew only by name, a Sir William Wyndham, and I waited upon him. He had heard by some means or other of my swimming from Chelsea to Blackfriar's, and of my teaching Wygate and another young man to swim in a few hours. He had two sons, about to set out on their travels; he wish'd to have them first taught swimming, and proposed to gratify me handsomely if I would teach them. They were not yet come to town, and my stay was uncertain, so I could not undertake it; but, from this incident, I thought it likely that, if I were to remain in England and open a swimming-school, I might get a good deal of money; and it struck me so strongly, that, had the overture been sooner made me, probably I should not so soon have returned to America. After many years, you and I had something of more importance to do with one of these sons of Sir William Wyndham, become Earl of Egremont, which I shall mention in its place.

那时我就离开了印刷业，我想是永远离开了这一行。我每天都忙于新的差事，与德纳姆先生一起来往于各色生意人之中，采购各类商品，亲自监督他们包装，外出办事，找工人发送货物等等，待所有货物都上船之后，我还能歇息几天。其中某一天，有位我只闻其名、并未谋面的大人物——威廉·温德姆爵士派人来找我，让我非常惊讶，于是我去拜访了他。他不知从哪里听说了我从切尔西游泳游到布莱克法尔，还在几个小时里教会了瓦格特和另一位年轻人游泳的事。他有两个儿子，即将外出旅行，他希望他俩能先学会游泳，说如果我愿意教他们的话会给我丰厚的报酬。当时他两个儿子还没到城里来，我能在那儿停留多久也不确定，因此我没有揽下这个活儿。但从这件事中，我意识到如果我留在英国开一所游泳学校的话，或许能大赚一笔。这个想法在我脑海中非常强烈，如果他早些向我提出这件事的话，我很可能不会这么早就回到美洲来。多年以后，你我还与这位威廉·温德姆爵士的一个儿子（后来已是埃格雷蒙特伯爵）因更重要的事情打过交道，这些我会在适当的地方提到。

Thus I spent about eighteen months in London; most part of the time I work'd hard at my business, and spent but little upon myself except in seeing plays and in books. My friend Ralph had kept me poor; he owed me about twenty-seven pounds, which I was now never likely to receive; a great sum out of my small earnings! I lov'd him, notwithstanding, for he had many amiable qualities. I had by no means improv'd my fortune; but I had picked up some very ingenious acquaintance, whose conversation was of great advantage to me; and I had read considerably.

We sail'd from Gravesend on the 23d of July, 1726. For the incidents of the voyage, I refer you to my journal, where you will find them all minutely related. Perhaps the most important part of that journal is the plan to be found in it, which I formed at sea, for regulating my future conduct in life. It is the more remarkable, as being formed when I was so young, and yet being pretty faithfully adhered to quite thro' to old age.

We landed in Philadelphia on the 11th of October, where I found sundry alterations. Keith was no longer governor, being superseded by Major Gordon. I met him walking the streets as a common citizen. He seem'd a little asham'd at seeing me, but pass'd without saying anything. I should have been as much asham'd at seeing Miss Read, had not her friends, despairing with reason of my return after the receipt of my letter, persuaded her to marry another, one Rogers, a potter, which was done in my absence. With him, however, she was never happy, and soon parted from him, refusing to cohabit with him or bear his name, it being now said that he had another wife. He was a worthless fellow, tho' an excellent workman, which was the temptation to her friends. He got into debt, ran away in 1727 or 1728, went to the West Indies, and died there. Keimer had got a better house, a shop well supply'd with stationery, plenty of new types, a number of hands, tho' none good, and seem'd to have a great deal of business.

就这样，我在伦敦生活了约18个月的时间。大部分时候我都在印刷所努力地干活，除了看戏和读书外，其他花销非常少。我的朋友拉尔夫让我一直很穷，他欠我大约27英镑，不会再还了，对于收入微薄的我来说，这是多么大的一笔钱啊！尽管如此，我还是很喜欢他，因为他有许多讨人喜欢的品质。我在这里虽然没有积累什么财富，但认识了不少聪明的朋友，和他们谈话使我受益匪浅，而且我在这儿读了很多书。

1726年7月23日，我们从格雷夫森德启航离开了英国。关于这次航行中所发生的事情，你可以去读我的日志，那上面有非常详细的记载。也许那本日志最重要的部分是其中记录的一个计划，那是我在船上制定的，用来调整规范我未来生活中的行为。这个计划的不寻常之处在于，我年纪轻轻就制定了它，到年老的时候还是一如既往地严格执行着。

10月11日，我们在费城登陆，这时的费城已发生了许多变化。基思已不再是总督了，戈登少校已经取而代之。我看见基思在街上走着，只是个普通市民而已。他见到我有些羞愧，但一言不发地走了过去。其实我见到里德小姐本该一样感到羞愧，好在收到我的信后，她的朋友有理由相信我不会回来了，说服她嫁给了一个叫罗杰斯的制陶工。婚事是我不在的时候办的。但里德小姐和他在一起并不幸福，很快就离开了他，不肯再和他共同生活，也不愿随他的姓氏。据说他现在已经另娶了一个妻子。罗杰斯这人没什么可称道之处，只是制陶的手艺不错，当初里德小姐的朋友就是看中了他这一点。他后来欠了债，于1727或是1728年逃走了，去了西印度群岛，并死在了那里。凯默的印刷店规模扩大了，还开了家文具店，添了不少新铅字，还请了很多帮手，只是他们技术都不好，但看起来生意很不错。

Mr. Denham took a store in Water-street, where we open'd our goods; I attended the business diligently, studied accounts, and grew, in a little time, expert at selling. We lodg'd and, boarded together; he counsell'd me as a father, having a sincere regard for me. I respected and lov'd him, and we might have gone on together very happy; but, in the beginning of February, 1726-7, when I had just pass'd my twenty-first year, we both were taken ill. My distemper was a pleurisy, which very nearly carried me off. I suffered a good deal, gave up the point in my own mind, and was rather disappointed when I found myself recovering, regretting, in some degree, that I must now, some time or other, have all that disagreeable work to do over again. I forget what his distemper was; it held him a long time, and at length carried him off. He left me a small legacy in a nuncupative will, as a token of his kindness for me, and he left me once more to the wide world; for the store was taken into the care of his executors, and my employment under him ended.

My brother-in-law, Holmes, being now at Philadelphia, advised my return to my business; and Keimer tempted me, with an offer of large wages by the year, to come and take the management of his printing-house, that he might better attend his stationer's shop. I had heard a bad character of him in London from his wife and her friends, and was not fond of having any more to do with him. I tri'd for farther employment as a merchant's clerk; but, not readily meeting with any, I clos'd again with Keimer. I found in his house these hands: Hugh Meredith, a Welsh Pensilvanian, thirty years of age, bred to country work; honest, sensible, had a great deal of solid observation, was something of a reader, but given to drink. Stephen Potts, a young countryman of full age, bred to the same, of uncommon natural parts, and great wit and humor, but a little idle. These he had agreed with at extream low wages per week, to be rais'd a shilling every three months, as they would deserve by improving in their business; and the expectation of these high wages, to come on hereafter, was what he had drawn them in with. Meredith was to work at press, Potts at book-binding, which he, by agreement, was to teach them, though he knew neither one nor t'other. John—, a wild Irishman, brought up to no business, whose service, for four years, Keimer had purchased from the captain of a ship; he, too, was to be made a pressman. George Webb, an Oxford scholar, whose time for four years he had likewise bought, intending him for a compositor, of whom more presently; and David Harry, a country boy, whom he had taken apprentice.

德纳姆先生在水街开了家店，我们把货物都陈列在那里。我勤快地照管店铺，学习记账，没多久就成了推销货物的好手。我和德纳姆先生食宿都在一起，他像父亲一样教导我，真心地关怀我，我对他也非常敬重和爱戴。我们本可以这样快乐地相处下去，可惜1727年2月初，我刚过了21岁生日，我俩就都病倒了。我得了胸膜炎，这病差点要了我的命。我受尽了疾病的折磨，心里几乎已经放弃了生的希望，后来发现自己身体好转倒还有些失望了，因为想到今后早晚还得再忍受一遍走向死亡的痛苦，便感到有些懊悔。我忘了德纳姆先生得的是什么病，只记得这病拖了很长时间，最终还是夺去了他的生命。他在口头遗嘱里给我留下了一小笔遗产，表示对我的关爱。就这样，他的离去让我再次失业，重新回到这个广袤无垠的世界里，因为这家店铺由他的继承人接管了，而我在他店里的工作也就结束了。

我姐夫霍尔姆斯当时正在费城，他建议我回到印刷业去干老本行。凯默也用丰厚的年薪诱惑我，希望我帮他管理印刷所，这样他可以更好地照管文具店。在伦敦的时候，我从他妻子和他妻子的朋友那里听说他为人卑劣，因此不想再与他打交道。我想找个商店职员的工作，但没有找到，只好又去了凯默那里。我在他店里结识了这样一些人：休·梅雷迪斯，一个威尔士裔的宾夕法尼亚人，30岁，从小就做农活，诚实明理，观察敏锐，喜欢读点书，但嗜好饮酒；史蒂芬·波茨，一个年轻的乡下人，已经成年，也是从小务农，很有天分，机智幽默，但有点闲散。凯默每周给他们极低的工资，随着他们业务能力的长进每三个月增长一先令。许诺未来给他们高额工资是凯默引诱他们在此工作的手段。梅雷迪斯操作印刷机，波茨负责装订书本。根据合同，凯默要教他们这两项技术，但他自己一项都不懂。约翰，我忘记了他的姓，是个粗野的爱尔兰人，没学过什么技术，在印刷所的雇佣期为四年，是凯默从一个船长那儿花钱买来的，凯默也答应把他培养成印刷工。乔治·韦伯，一位牛津的学生，他四年的雇佣期也是凯默买来的，凯默打算让他当一名排字工人，关于他的事情，我下面还要讲到；大卫·哈里，一个乡下来的孩子，在店里当学徒。

I soon perceiv'd that the intention of engaging me at wages so much higher than he had been us'd to give, was, to have these raw, cheap hands form'd thro' me; and, as soon as I had instructed them, then they being all articled to him, he should be able to do without me. I went on, however, very cheerfully, put his printing-house in order, which had been in great confusion, and brought his hands by degrees to mind their business and to do it better.

It was an odd thing to find an Oxford scholar in the situation of a bought servant. He was not more than eighteen years of age, and gave me this account of himself; that he was born in Gloucester, educated at a grammar-school there, had been distinguish'd among the scholars for some apparent superiority in performing his part, when they exhibited plays; belong'd to the Witty Club there, and had written some pieces in prose and verse, which were printed in the Gloucester newspapers; thence he was sent to Oxford; where he continued about a year, but not well satisfi'd, wishing of all things to see London, and become a player. At length, receiving his quarterly allowance of fifteen guineas, instead of discharging his debts he walk'd out of town, hid his gown in a furze bush, and footed it to London, where, having no friend to advise him, he fell into bad company, soon spent his guineas, found no means of being introduc'd among the players, grew necessitous, pawn'd his cloaths, and wanted bread. Walking the street very hungry, and not knowing what to do with himself, a crimp's bill was put into his hand, offering immediate entertainment and encouragement to such as would bind themselves to serve in America.

我很快看出，凯默之所以付给我比往常高许多的工资，是想让我培训这些廉价的生手，因为他们都和他订了约，一旦我教会他们，他也就不需要我了。但我还是干得很愉快，把凯默原本混乱不堪的印刷所管理得井井有条，也使他的工人们对自己的活儿渐渐地多花心思，并加以改进。

一位牛津的学生被买来当雇工，这是件很奇怪的事。乔治·韦伯还不到18岁，他给我讲述了自己的过去：他出生于英国格洛斯特，在那儿上的文法学校，学生们演出戏剧时，他因在表演上明显高人一筹而引人注目。他参加了当地的“诙谐社”，也写过一些散文和诗歌发表在格洛斯特的报纸上，后来就被送到牛津学习。他在牛津学习约一年，并不满足，特别希望去伦敦看看并成为一名演员。后来，他拿到了三个月补助金，共15几尼。他没有先去还债，而是出了城，把他的学生袍藏在荆豆丛里，花钱去了伦敦。他在伦敦没有朋友规劝，认识了坏人，很快就把钱花光了，但又没有办法被引荐入演员的圈子，日渐拮据，只好把衣服都典当了，而且连面包也买不起。走在街上，饥肠辘辘，无所适从，一张诱骗人当兵的宣传单塞到了他手中，上面说凡愿去美洲服役的可以马上提供食宿并给予奖励。

He went directly, sign'd the indentures, was put into the ship, and came over, never writing a line to acquaint his friends what was become of him. He was lively, witty, good-natur'd, and a pleasant companion, but idle, thoughtless, and imprudent to the last degree.

John, the Irishman, soon ran away; with the rest I began to live very agreeably, for they all respected me the more, as they found Keimer incapable of instructing them, and that from me they learned something daily. We never worked on Saturday, that being Keimer's Sabbath, so I had two days for reading. My acquaintance with ingenious people in the town increased. Keimer himself treated me with great civility and apparent regard, and nothing now made me uneasy but my debt to Vernon, which I was yet unable to pay, being hitherto but a poor economist. He, however, kindly made no demand of it.

Our printing-house often wanted sorts, and there was no letter-founder in America; I had seen types cast at James's in London, but without much attention to the manner; however, I now contrived a mould, made use of the letters we had as puncheons, struck the matrices in lead, And thus supply'd in a pretty tolerable way all deficiencies. I also engrav'd several things on occasion; I made the ink; I was warehouseman, and everything, and, in short, quite a factotum.

韦伯立即就去了，与他们签了服务契约，然后上了船，来到了美洲，从来没有给朋友写过只言片语告诉他们自己的近况。他活泼幽默，性情和善，与他在一起很快乐，但他不够勤快，做事欠考虑，而且极度鲁莽轻率。

那个爱尔兰人约翰不久就逃跑了，我和其他人都相处得很愉快，因为他们发现凯默什么也教不了他们，从我这儿倒每天都能学些东西，于是他们对我愈发尊敬。我们星期六从不工作，因为那是凯默的安息日，因此我有两天的时间可以用来读书。我在城里认识的贤达人士也多了起来。凯默对我也彬彬有礼，颇为敬重。这时，除了欠弗农的钱，没有什么事让我心情不安了。我依旧还不起这笔钱，因为我一直不擅理财。但弗农很好，没有向我提起还钱的事。

我们印刷所经常缺铅字，而美洲又没有造铅字的铸造所。在伦敦时，我曾在詹姆斯的店里见过别人浇铸铅字，可没有多加留心，不知道具体方法是什么。但我发明了一种模具，以我们已有的铅字为模板，把铅铸成铅字模型，这基本上还算补齐了我们缺少的铅字。我有时还雕刻些东西，制作油墨，还负责管理仓库和其他很多事情。简而言之，我就是个勤杂工。

But, however serviceable I might be, I found that my services became every day of less importance, as the other hands improv'd in the business; and, when Keimer paid my second quarter's wages, he let me know that he felt them too heavy, and thought I should make an abatement. He grew by degrees less civil, put on more of the master, frequently found fault, was captious, and seem'd ready for an outbreaking. I went on, nevertheless, with a good deal of patience, thinking that his encumber'd circumstances were partly the cause. At length a trifle snapt our connections; for, a great noise happening near the court-house, I put my head out of the window to see what was the matter. Keimer, being in the street, look'd up and saw me, call'd out to me in a loud voice and angry tone to mind my business, adding some reproachful words, that nettled me the more for their publicity, all the neighbors who were looking out on the same occasion being witnesses how I was treated. He came up immediately into the printing-house, continu'd the quarrel, high words pass'd on both sides, he gave me the quarter's warning we had stipulated, expressing a wish that he had not been oblig'd to so long a warning. I told him his wish was unnecessary, for I would leave him that instant; and so, taking my hat, walk'd out of doors, desiring Meredith, whom I saw below, to take care of some things I left, and bring them to my lodgings.

Meredith came accordingly in the evening, when we talked my affair over. He had conceiv'd a great regard for me, and was very unwilling that I should leave the house while he remain'd in it. He dissuaded me from returning to my native country, which I began to think of; he reminded me that Keimer was in debt for all he possess'd; that his creditors began to be uneasy; that he kept his shop miserably, sold often without profit for ready money, and often trusted without keeping accounts; that he must therefore fall, which would make a vacancy I might profit of. I objected my want of money. He then let me know that his father had a high opinion of me, and, from some discourse that had pass'd between them, he was sure his father would advance money to set us up, if I would enter into partnership with him. "My time," says he, "will be out with Keimer in the spring; by that time we may have our press and types in from London. I am sensible I am no workman; if you like it, your skill in the business shall be set against the stock I furnish, and we will share the profits equally."

不过，不管我多能干，随着其他人在业务上的日益进步，我发觉我在印刷所里的重要性日见降低。凯默付我第二季度的工资时，说他给我的钱太多，认为我应该降低薪水。他对我渐渐不再那么有礼貌，摆出了一副老板的架子，常常找茬，吹毛求疵，随时准备和我大吵一架。但我还是继续耐心对待，认为他之所以这样，部分是因为他现在负担太重了。终于，一件小事使我们的关系彻底破裂了。那天，法院附近突然喧哗起来，我把头伸出窗外看发生了什么事。凯默当时正在街上，抬头看见了我，冲我气愤地大声吼叫让我别管闲事，还说了些责骂的话。这样公开指责我，让我十分恼怒，当时也在往外看热闹的邻居都见证了我受到了怎样的对待。凯默还立刻冲进了印刷所，上楼继续和我吵，于是我们双方都高声吵嚷起来，他说要解雇我，按照合同规定提前三个月给我解雇通知，还说当初要没规定须提前这么久通知就好了。我告诉他大可不必这么遗憾，因为我马上就走，于是我拿着帽子就出了门。我在楼下碰见了梅雷迪斯，请他帮我打点我留下的东西，然后送到我的住所来。

晚上梅雷迪斯按我说的来到了我的住处，我们说了说我的事情。他对我非常敬重，极不愿意看到我离开印刷所，而他自己还要在那儿干下去。我原本打算回波士顿，但他劝我别回去，他说凯默所欠的债务已与其财产相当，现在那些债主们已经不太放心了，他把印刷店管理得非常糟糕，经常为了得到现钱做些不赚钱的生意，还常把货物赊出去，又不记账，所以他的印刷店一定会垮的，这样我就有可乘之机了。我说我没有资金，开不了店，梅雷迪斯告诉我他的父亲对我评价很高，通过他和父亲之间的谈话，他相信只要我能和他合作，他父亲会出钱帮我们开店的。梅雷迪斯说：“我和凯默之间的合同春天就会到期，到时候我们可以从伦敦购买印刷机和铅字。我知道自己印刷手艺不好，如果你愿意，你出技术，我出钱备货，利润我们平分。”

k him off that wretched habit entirely, when we came to be so closely connected. I gave an inventory to the father, who carry'd it to a merchant; the things were sent for, the secret was to be kept till they should arrive, and in the mean time I was to get work, if I could, at the other printing-house. But I found no vacancy there, and so remain'd idle a few days, when Keimer, on a prospect of being employ'd to print some paper money in New Jersey, which would require cuts and various types that I only could supply, and apprehending Bradford might engage me and get the jobb from him, sent me a very civil message, that old friends should not part for a few words, the effect of sudden passion, and wishing me to return. Meredith persuaded me to comply, as it would give more opportunity for his improvement under my daily instructions; so I return'd, and we went on more smoothly than for some time before. The New Jersey jobb was obtain'd, I contriv'd a copperplate press for it, the first that had been seen in the country; I cut several ornaments and checks for the bills. We went together to Burlington, where I executed the whole to satisfaction; and he received so large a sum for the work as to be enabled thereby to keep his head much longer above water.

At Burlington I made an acquaintance with many principal people of the province. Several of them had been appointed by the Assembly a committee to attend the press, and take care that no more bills were printed than the law directed. They were therefore, by turns, constantly with us, and generally he who attended, brought with him a friend or two for company. My mind having been much more improv'd by reading than Keimer's, I suppose it was for that reason my conversation seem'd to be more valu'd. They had me to their houses, introduced me to their friends, and show'd me much civility; while he, tho' the master, was a little neglected. In truth, he was an odd fish; ignorant of common life, fond of rudely opposing receiv'd opinions, slovenly to extream dirtiness, enthusiastic in some points of religion, and a little knavish withal.

他这个提议很不错，我同意了。他父亲当时正在城里，也对我们的计划表示赞同，尤其是他看见我对他儿子产生了这么大的影响，让他很久都没有沾酒。他希望我们通过这样密切的合作，我能帮梅雷迪斯彻底改掉这个坏习惯。我开了一张所需物品的清单给他父亲，他父亲交给一个商人去采购了，货物运到之前我们说好要保守秘密，在此期间如果可能的话，我先去另一家印刷所找工作。但那里没有空缺职位，因此我闲了好些日子。当时凯默正在争取印刷新泽西纸币的生意，需要有刻版和各种铅字，只有我能制作，他担心布拉德福德雇了我之后会把这笔生意抢走，于是给我写了一封措词礼貌的信，说老朋友不要因为几句话就分道扬镳，那都是一时冲动而已，希望我能回到他的印刷店工作。梅雷迪斯劝我答应，因为这样他就能每天接受我的指导，有更多进步的机会。于是我回去了，我和凯默相处得比以前顺利得多。凯默揽到了新泽西的生意，我为此设计了一部铜版印刷机，这在美洲还是第一次见到呢，另外我还为纸币设计了一些花纹和符号。我们一起去了趟伯灵顿，在那里我所有的工作都让人非常满意，凯默也因此得到一大笔钱，这使他能维持更长一段时间不会破产了。

在伯灵顿，我认识了新泽西的许多重要人物，其中有几位是州议会指定成立的一个委员会的成员，负责监督纸币印刷，保证其印刷数量不超过法律规定的数量。因此，他们轮流和我们呆在一起，一般来监督的人会带上一两个朋友作伴。因为我读过很多书，见识比凯默要多得多，我想他们正因如此更喜欢和我聊天吧。他们邀请我去他们家里，把我介绍给他们的朋友，对我很有礼貌，而我的老板却有些被忽略了。事实上，凯默这人很古怪，对公共生活一无所知，却又喜欢粗鲁地反对大家公认的意见，平时不修边幅，非常邋遢，对宗教中的有些观点十分狂热，此外还有些无赖。

The proposal was agreeable, and I consented; his father was in town and approv'd of it; the more as he saw I had great influence with his son, had prevail'd on him to abstain long from dram-drinking, and he hop'd might breaWe continu'd there near three months; and by that time I could reckon among my acquired friends, Judge Allen, Samuel Bustill, the secretary of the Province, Isaac Pearson, Joseph Cooper, and several of the Smiths, members of Assembly, and Isaac Decow, the surveyor-general. The latter was a shrewd, sagacious old man, who told me that he began for himself, when young, by wheeling clay for the brick-makers, learned to write after he was of age, carri'd the chain for surveyors, who taught him surveying, and he had now by his industry, acquir'd a good estate; and says he, "I foresee that you will soon work this man out of business, and make a fortune in it at Philadelphia." He had not then the least intimation of my intention to set up there or anywhere. These friends were afterwards of great use to me, as I occasionally was to some of them. They all continued their regard for me as long as they lived.

Before I enter upon my public appearance in business, it may be well to let you know the then state of my mind with regard to my principles and morals, that you may see how far those influenc'd the future events of my life. My parents had early given me religious impressions, and brought me through my childhood piously in the Dissenting way. But I was scarce fifteen, when, after doubting by turns of several points, as I found them disputed in the different books I read, I began to doubt of Revelation itself. Some books against Deism fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at Boyle's Lectures. It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist. My arguments perverted some others, particularly Collins and Ralph; but, each of them having afterwards wrong'd me greatly without the least compunction, and recollecting Keith's conduct towards me (who was another freethinker), and my own towards Vernon and Miss Read, which at times gave me great trouble, I began to suspect that this doctrine, tho' it might be true, was not very useful. My London pamphlet, which had for its motto these lines of Dryden^[26]:

"Whatever is, is right. Though purblind man

Sees but a part o' the chain, the nearest link:

His eyes not carrying to the equal beam,

That poises all above;"

and from the attributes of God, his infinite wisdom, goodness and power, concluded that nothing could possibly be wrong in the world, and that vice and virtue were empty distinctions, no such things existing, appear'd now not so clever a performance as I once thought it; and I doubted whether some error had not insinuated itself unperceiv'd into my argument, so as to infect all that follow'd, as is common in metaphysical reasonings.

我们在新泽西呆了近三个月，那段时间我结交了这样一些朋友：艾伦法官；州务卿塞缪尔·巴斯蒂尔；艾萨克·皮尔逊、约瑟夫·库柏和几个姓史密斯的人，他们都是州议员；还有测绘局长艾萨克·迪考。迪考是一位精明睿智的老人，他告诉我，他年轻时从为砖匠运送黏土起步，成年后才学会写字，后来去为测量员扛链子，他们教他测量，他凭着自己的勤奋努力，现在已赚得了一份可观的家产。迪考说：“我预计你很快就会让凯默在印刷业失去立足之地，而且你将靠印刷生意在费城发财起家。”说这番话时，迪考对我在费城或别处开店的打算一无所知。这些朋友后来对我帮助很大，有时我也能帮上他们的忙。终其一生，他们对我始终关心敬重。

在我谈到正式开店前，最好先给你讲讲当时我在原则和道德方面的看法，这样你就知道它们对我后来人生中的重大事件产生了多么深远的影响。我的父母很早就让我对宗教有所了解，并在我的整个童年时期都让我虔诚地接受不顺从国教的教育。我在不同的书中读到对一些教条的争辩，对它们产生了怀疑，后来连对《启示录》本身都开始怀疑了，当时我还不到15岁。那时我得到一些反对自然神论的书，据说这些书是博伊尔讲道时的主要内容。它们对我产生的作用却与其目的恰好相反，因为书中引用了自然神论的观点以便对其加以驳斥，但这些观点在我看来却比驳斥强有力得多。简言之，我很快便成了一位彻底的自然神论者。我的观点将一些人引入歧途，尤其是柯林斯和拉尔夫，不过他们二人后来对我如此恶劣，毫无良心可言；我又回想起基思（他也是个自由思想家）对我的所作所为，还有我自己对弗农和里德小姐的行为，这些都不时让我深陷烦恼之中，我开始怀疑，尽管这种学说可能正确，但并不是很实用。我在伦敦所著的小册子里就引用了德莱顿的这些诗句作为箴言：

“存在即为合理；半盲的人

　只见到链条的一部分——那最近的链环；

　他的眼睛看不到处于一切之上的

　公平的秤杆。”

我在文章中还从上帝的品质、他无穷的智慧、善良和力量中得出结论：世上一切都是正确的，罪恶和美德的区分毫无意义，它们根本就不存在。以前我认为这篇文章写得精妙至极，现在看来却不是如此了，我怀疑是否已有某些谬误潜入了我的论证中，而我还不自知，以致影响了后面的所有推论，这种现象在形而上学的推论中是非常常见的。

I grew convinc'd that truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity of life; and I form'd written resolutions, which still remain in my journal book, to practice them ever while I lived. Revelation had indeed no weight with me, as such; but I entertain'd an opinion that, though certain actions might not be bad because they were forbidden by it, or good because it commanded them, yet probably these actions might be forbidden because they were bad for us, or commanded because they were beneficial to us, in their own natures, all the circumstances of things considered. And this persuasion, with the kind hand of Providence, or some guardian angel, or accidental favorable circumstances and situations, or all together, preserved me, thro' this dangerous time of youth, and the hazardous situations I was sometimes in among strangers, remote from the eye and advice of my father, without any willful gross immorality or injustice, that might have been expected from my want of religion. I say willful, because the instances I have mentioned had something of necessity in them, from my youth, inexperience, and the knavery of others. I had therefore a tolerable character to begin the world with; I valued it properly, and determin'd to preserve it.

我逐渐相信，人际交往中的真实、诚恳和正直对于获得人生幸福至关重要，于是我写下了我的决心，这决心仍保留在我的日志中，在我有生之年打算不断对其身体力行。的确，《启示录》对我倒不太重要，但我怀抱一种观点，即有些行为并不因《启示录》禁止就真正恶劣，也不因《启示录》命令我们执行就是善行，而应考虑到所有的因素，很可能这些行为就其本质而言对我们是有害的，所以遭到禁止，或对我们有利才被规定执行。这种信念，加之上帝的恩惠或某位守护天使的保佑，或偶然的有利环境和局面，或者所有这些因素的共同作用，使我得以在没有父亲监督和教导的情况下，安然度过这危险的青年时期，并且在偶尔身处异乡的困境中全身而退，没有故意犯下任何严重的不道德或违法行为；因为我缺乏宗教信仰，这种行为原本是很可能发生的。我说“故意”，是因为上面提到的例子都有某种必然性，我年纪轻轻，涉世不深，别人又做了那些无赖的事情。因此，我在涉世之初就有着较好的品行，我对此颇为珍惜，决定将其保持下去。

We had not been long return'd to Philadelphia before the new types arriv'd from London. We settled with Keimer, and left him by his consent before he heard of it. We found a house to hire near the market, and took it. To lessen the rent, which was then but twenty-four pounds a year, tho' I have since known it to let for seventy, we took in Thomas Godfrey, a glazier, and his family, who were to pay a considerable part of it to us, and we to board with them. We had scarce opened our letters and put our press in order, before George House, an acquaintance of mine, brought a countryman to us, whom he had met in the street inquiring for a printer. All our cash was now expended in the variety of particulars we had been obliged to procure, and this countryman's five shillings, being our first-fruits, and coming so seasonably, gave me more pleasure than any crown^[27] I have since earned; and the gratitude I felt toward House has made me often more ready than perhaps I should otherwise have been to assist young beginners.

There are croakers in every country, always boding its ruin. Such a one then lived in Philadelphia; a person of note, an elderly man, with a wise look and a very grave manner of speaking; his name was Samuel Mickle. This gentleman, a stranger to me, stopt one day at my door, and asked me if I was the young man who had lately opened a new printing-house. Being answered in the affirmative, he said he was sorry for me, because it was an expensive undertaking, and the expense would be lost; for Philadelphia was a sinking place, the people already half-bankrupts, or near being so; all appearances to the contrary, such as new buildings and the rise of rents, being to his certain knowledge fallacious; for they were, in fact, among the things that would soon ruin us. And he gave me such a detail of misfortunes now existing, or that were soon to exist, that he left me half melancholy. Had I known him before I engaged in this business, probably I never should have done it. This man continued to live in this decaying place, and to declaim in the same strain, refusing for many years to buy a house there, because all was going to destruction; and at last I had the pleasure of seeing him give five times as much for one as he might have bought it for when he first began his croaking.

我们回到费城不久，新的印刷机就从伦敦运来了。我们和凯默协商好，经他同意离开了他的印刷所，但还没告诉他我们开店的事情。我们在市场附近找了间房子，租了下来。当时的房租是每年24镑，据我所知现在已经要70镑了。当时为了减轻房租负担，我们让玻璃工托马斯·戈弗雷一家住了进来，他们向我们支付房租的一大部分，而我们就把伙食包给他家。我们刚把铅字拆封打开，整理好印刷机，我一个朋友乔治·豪斯就把一个乡下人带了进来。这个人是他在街上遇见的，当时他正在找印刷店。此前我们所有的现金都用来买各类必备物品了，这个乡下人的五先令，是我们赚得的第一笔钱，它来得这么及时，带给我的快乐比我后来赚到的任何一个克朗都要多。我对豪斯的感激使我后来常常十分热衷于帮助刚创业的年轻人，不然我可能没有这么热心呢。

每个地方都有预言毁灭即将到来的人，费城也不例外。那是一位知名的长者，面相睿智，说话时态度十分严肃，名叫塞缪尔·米克尔。我并不认识这位老人，但他有天来到我门前，问我是否是那位新开了家印刷店的年轻人。我回答是，他说他为我深感遗憾，因为开印刷店成本很高，这些花费会亏损掉的，因为费城是个正在衰落的地方，这里的人都已经半破产或即将破产了。所有与此相反的繁荣景象，如新的建筑、租金的上涨等，就他所知都是假的，因为它们其实都是即将给我们带来毁灭的东西。他还详细讲述了当前存在或即将发生的种种不幸，他走后我有些闷闷不乐。如果我在开店之前认识他，很可能就不会开店了。这位老人现在仍然住在这个正在衰落的地方，仍然用他一贯的语调预言着，多年以来一直不肯在费城买所房子，因为他觉得一切都将走向灭亡。但最终，我颇为自得地发现他还是买了房子，出的价钱是他最初开始不祥预言时的五倍。

I should have mentioned before, that, in the autumn of the preceding year, I had form'd most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of mutual improvement, which we called the JUNTO; we met on Friday evenings. The rules that I drew up required that every member, in his turn, should produce one or more queries on any point of Morals, Politics, or Natural Philosophy, to be discuss'd by the company; and once in three months produce and read an essay of his own writing, on any subject he pleased. Our debates were to be under the direction of a president, and to be conducted in the sincere spirit of inquiry after truth, without fondness for dispute, or desire of victory; and, to prevent warmth, all expressions of positiveness in opinions, or direct contradiction, were after some time made contraband, and prohibited under small pecuniary penalties.

The first members were Joseph Breintnal, a copyer of deeds for the scriveners, a good-natur'd, friendly, middle-ag'd man, a great lover of poetry, reading all he could meet with, and writing some that was tolerable; very ingenious in many little Nicknackeries, and of sensible conversation.

Thomas Godfrey, a self-taught mathematician, great in his way, and afterward inventor of what is now called Hadley's Quadrant. But he knew little out of his way, and was not a pleasing companion; as, like most great mathematicians I have met with, he expected universal precision in everything said, or was for ever denying or distinguishing upon trifles, to the disturbance of all conversation. He soon left us.

Nicholas Scull, a surveyor, afterwards surveyor-general, who lov'd books, and sometimes made a few verses.

William Parsons, bred a shoemaker, but loving reading, had acquir'd a considerable share of mathematics, which he first studied with a view to astrology, that he afterwards laught at it. He also became surveyor-general.

William Maugridge, a joiner, a most exquisite mechanic, and a solid, sensible man.

Hugh Meredith, Stephen Potts, and George Webb I have characteriz'd before.

我本应早些提到，在我开店前一年的秋天，我和我大多数富有才华的朋友成立了一个相互学习、相互促进的俱乐部，叫做“互助学习社”，每周五晚上聚会一次。我起草的会规中要求每位社员轮流提出关于道德、政治学或自然哲学任何方面的一个或多个问题，供大家讨论；每三个月要写一篇文章并在聚会时朗读，题目自拟。我们的讨论由会长主持，大家秉着真诚探寻真理的精神，不得以争论为好，不得执拗取胜。为了避免讨论过于激烈，后来又规定所有太过绝对的肯定意见或是针锋相对的反驳都是不允许的，违规者要处以少量的罚金。

最初的会员有约瑟夫·布莱恩特纳尔，他是公证处的契约书誊写人，是个脾气好、待人友善的中年人。他非常热爱诗歌，读过所有他能找到的诗，自己也写过一些还算可以的作品。他会做很多精巧的小玩意儿，谈话也很有见地。

托马斯·戈弗雷，一位自学成才的数学家，在数学方面造诣很深，后来发明了现在我们称为“哈德利象限仪”的东西。但他对数学以外的方面了解很少，和他在一起并不令人愉快，就像我遇到过的大多数伟大的数学家一样，他要求所说的每一句话都绝对精确，总是纠缠于细枝末节，从而妨碍了所有谈话的进行。他不久就离开了我们。

尼古拉斯·斯卡尔，一位测量员，后来成了测绘局长，他热爱读书，有时会写些诗歌。

威廉·帕森斯，以前是个鞋匠，但他热爱阅读，学过相当多的数学知识。最初他学习数学是为了以后学习占星术，后来对自己的想法一笑置之。他也成了测绘局长。

威廉·毛格里治，一位细木匠，技艺极其精湛，为人明智可靠。

休·梅雷迪斯、史蒂芬·波茨和乔治·韦伯，他们三人我已在前面描述过。

Robert Grace, a young gentleman of some fortune, generous, lively, and witty; a lover of punning and of his friends.

And William Coleman, then a merchant's clerk, about my age, who had the coolest, dearest head, the best heart, and the exactest morals of almost any man I ever met with. He became afterwards a merchant of great note, and one of our provincial judges. Our friendship continued without interruption to his death, upward of forty years; and the club continued almost as long, and was the best school of philosophy, morality, and politics that then existed in the province; for our queries, which were read the week preceding their discussion, put us upon reading with attention upon the several subjects, that we might speak more to the purpose; and here, too, we acquired better habits of conversation, every thing being studied in our rules which might prevent our disgusting each other. From hence the long continuance of the club, which I shall have frequent occasion to speak further of hereafter.

But my giving this account of it here is to show something of the interest I had, every one of these exerting themselves in recommending business to us. Breintnal particularly procur'd us from the Quakers the printing forty sheets of their history, the rest being to be done by Keimer; and upon this we work'd exceedingly hard, for the price was low. It was a folio, pro patria size, in pica, with long primer notes. I compos'd of it a sheet a day, and Meredith worked it off at press; it was often eleven at night, and sometimes later, before I had finished my distribution for the next day's work, for the little jobbs sent in by our other friends now and then put us back. But so determin'd I was to continue doing a sheet a day of the folio, that one night, when, having impos'd my forms, I thought my day's work over, one of them by accident was broken, and two pages reduced to pi, I immediately distributed and compos'd it over again before I went to bed; and this industry, visible to our neighbors, began to give us character and credit; particularly, I was told, that mention being made of the new printing-office at the merchants' Every-night club, the general opinion was that it must fail, there being already two printers in the place, Keimer and Bradford; but Dr. Baird (whom you and I saw many years after at his native place, St. Andrew's in Scotland) gave a contrary opinion: "For the industry of that Franklin," says he, "is superior to any thing I ever saw of the kind; I see him still at work when I go home from club, and he is at work again before his neighbors are out of bed." This struck the rest, and we soon after had offers from one of them to supply us with stationery; but as yet we did not chuse to engage in shop business.

罗伯特·格雷丝，一位有些家产的年轻绅士，慷慨大方，活泼睿智，爱使用双关语，也爱朋友。

威廉·科尔曼，当时在一个商人那儿当职员，和我年龄相仿，在我认识的几乎所有人里，他是头脑最为冷静清晰、心地最为善良、品行最为端正的一个。他后来成为一位非常知名的商人，也是我们州法院的法官之一。我们的友谊一直延续了40年，从未中断，直至他离开人世。我们的俱乐部也持续了几乎同样长的时间，是当时我们州最好的哲学、道德和政治学团体。因为我们的问题会在讨论前一周公布，这让我们能就这些问题用心阅读，这样在讨论时才更能抓住要点，我们也因此养成了更好的谈话习惯。一切讨论都遵循我们的社规，以免彼此之间产生嫌隙。这个俱乐部也因此得以长期存在，我后面还有很多地方会讲到它。

我在这里讲述我们这个俱乐部，是想告诉你我从中得到的一些好处，因为俱乐部里的每个人都尽力帮我们介绍生意。尤其是布莱恩特纳尔，他从贵格会成员那里帮我们揽到印刷他们40页历史的生意，其余部分由凯默来印。这桩生意我们做得极为辛苦，因为交易价格很低。书是对开本，正文字号为12磅，注释为10磅。我每天排一大张纸，再由梅雷迪斯印出来。这时往往已经夜里11点了，有时更晚，因为其他朋友偶尔介绍些小生意给我们，会耽搁些时间，印刷完成后我再进行拆版还字，以备第二天继续排版。但我还是决意每天完成一大张的排版，有天夜里，我已完成排版，以为这天的工作结束了，但一不小心碰坏了其中一版，有两页的活字完全弄乱了，于是我立即拆版，重新再排一遍，全部完成才上床睡觉。我工作如此勤奋，邻居们都看在眼里，于是开始给予我们好评和信任，尤其是别人告诉我，商人们的“夜间俱乐部”里有人提到我们新开的印刷店时，人们普遍认为我们会失败，因为城里已经有凯默和布拉德福德两家印刷店了，但贝尔德博士（很多年后，你和我曾在他的家乡——苏格兰的圣安德鲁斯见过他）却有着不同意见，他说：“富兰克林是我见过的最勤奋的人，我从俱乐部回家时，看见他还在工作，而早上邻居们还没起床，他又开始工作了。”他的话让四座印象深刻，于是很快他们其中一位就提出向我们提供文具让我们经销，但我们当时还没有打算涉足商店零售。

I mention this industry the more particularly and the more freely, tho' it seems to be talking in my own praise, that those of my posterity, who shall read it, may know the use of that virtue, when they see its effects in my favor throughout this relation.

George Webb, who had found a female friend that lent him wherewith to purchase his time of Keimer, now came to offer himself as a journeyman to us. We could not then employ him; but I foolishly let him know as a secret that I soon intended to begin a newspaper, and might then have work for him. My hopes of success, as I told him, were founded on this, that the then only newspaper, printed by Bradford, was a paltry thing, wretchedly manag'd, no way entertaining, and yet was profitable to him; I therefore thought a good paper would scarcely fail of good encouragement. I requested Webb not to mention it; but he told it to Keimer, who immediately, to be beforehand with me, published proposals for printing one himself, on which Webb was to be employ'd. I resented this; and, to counteract them, as I could not yet begin our paper, I wrote several pieces of entertainment for Bradford's paper, under the title of the BUSY BODY, which Breintnal continu'd some months. By this means the attention of the publick was fixed on that paper, and Keimer's proposals, which we burlesqu'd and ridicul'd, were disregarded. He began his paper, however, and, after carrying it on three quarters of a year, with at most only ninety subscribers, he offered it to me for a trifle; and I, having been ready some time to go on with it, took it in hand directly; and it prov'd in a few years extremely profitable to me.

I perceive that I am apt to speak in the singular number, though our partnership still continu'd; the reason may be that, in fact, the whole management of the business lay upon me. Meredith was no compositor, a poor pressman, and seldom sober. My friends lamented my connection with him, but I was to make the best of it.

我这样着重、这样直率地提到这种勤奋，尽管看起来有些自吹自擂，但阅读我文字的后人们，当你在我的全部叙述中看到勤奋对我的帮助时，就知道这种美德有多大益处了。

乔治·韦伯找了个女朋友，她借给他些钱，使他可以向凯默赎回自己务工期限的合同，然后韦伯来了我们店里，希望当个印刷工。我们当时雇不了他，但我愚蠢地告诉了他我不久后打算办张报纸的秘密，那时可能会雇用他。我还告诉他，我成功的希望尽在于此：当时唯一的报纸是由布拉德福德办的，办得很糟糕，经营混乱，索然无味，但却还有钱可赚，于是我认为，办得好的报纸不可能无利可图。我请韦伯不要向别人提起我的计划，但他却告诉了凯默，于是凯默抢在我之前，宣布他要办一份报纸，还为此雇用了韦伯。我非常恼怒，因为自己当时还不能办报，为了抨击他们，就以《好事者》为题，写了几篇饶有趣味的文章发表在布拉德福德的报纸上，布莱恩特纳尔还续写了好几个月。通过这种方法，人们的注意力都被吸引到布拉德福德的报纸上，而被我们嘲讽取笑的凯默的办报计划，也没什么人理会了。但凯默的报纸还是办了，在连续发行三个季度，最多只有90位订户之后，他把报纸廉价卖给了我，而我早已准备接手，就直接承办了过来，数年后证明经营报纸给我带来了极大的收益。

我意识到我往往只提到我一个人，尽管我和梅雷迪斯当时仍处于合作关系之中，这可能因为事实上，整个印刷店的管理都由我来负责。他不会排字，印刷也干得不好，因为喝酒很少保持头脑清醒。我的朋友们都为我和这样的人合作感到惋惜，但我还是想让我们的合作产生最好的结果。

Our first papers made a quite different appearance from any before in the province; a better type, and better printed; but some spirited remarks of my writing, on the dispute then going on between Governor Burnet and the Massachusetts Assembly, struck the principal people, occasioned the paper and the manager of it to be much talk'd of, and in a few weeks brought them all to be our subscribers.

Their example was follow'd by many, and our number went on growing continually. This was one of the first good effects of my having learnt a little to scribble; another was, that the leading men, seeing a newspaper now in the hands of one who could also handle a pen, thought it convenient to oblige and encourage me. Bradford still printed the votes, and laws, and other publick business. He had printed an address of the House to the governor, in a coarse, blundering manner, we reprinted it elegantly and correctly, and sent one to every member. They were sensible of the difference: it strengthened the hands of our friends in the House, and they voted us their printers for the year ensuing.

Among my friends in the House I must not forget Mr. Hamilton, before mentioned, who was then returned from England, and had a seat in it. He interested himself for me strongly in that instance, as he did in many others afterward, continuing his patronage till his death. (I got his son once L500.—[Marg. note.])

Mr. Vernon, about this time, put me in mind of the debt I ow'd him, but did not press me. I wrote him an ingenuous letter of acknowledgment, crav'd his forbearance a little longer, which he allow'd me, and as soon as I was able, I paid the principal with interest, and many thanks; so that erratum was in some degree corrected.

我们刚出版的报纸与本州以往的报纸大不相同，我们的报纸字体漂亮，印刷精美，当时伯内特总督和马萨诸塞议会之间正有些争论，我就这些争论写了些言辞激烈的评论文章，这引起了当时重要人物的注意，这份报纸和它的经营者成为人们经常讨论的话题。几个星期之内，他们全都订了我们的报纸。

于是许多人跟进订阅我们的报纸，报纸的发行量持续上升。这是我曾学了点写作的好处之一；另外一个好处，就是当时的领导人物见这家报纸是由一个自己也能写作的人经营的，认为应当鼓励和资助我。布拉德福德仍然印刷选票、法典还有其他政府交印的东西，他曾把一篇议会给总督的文章印得粗糙不堪、错误百出，我们拿来重新印刷，印得既美观又准确，并将文章送至每位议员手中。他们从中看出了我们的不同，这增强了议会里的朋友为我们讲话的分量，于是接下来这一年，他们选定我们来做印刷任务。

在议会里的朋友中，我决不能忘记汉密尔顿先生，我在前面提到过他，他当时已从英国回来，是州议会议员。他在这件事上非常支持我，后来还帮过我很多次，一直对我十分关怀和爱护，直至去世（我曾帮他的儿子得到500镑——旁注）。

这时，弗农先生提醒我还欠他的钱，但并未催促我。我给他写了封信，坦白承认自己曾经的行为，恳请他再宽限些时日，他答应了。我攒够钱之后，立即连本带息还给了他，并向他表示感谢，这样我的大错才在某种程度上得以纠正。

But now another difficulty came upon me which I had never the least reason to expect. Mr. Meredith's father, who was to have paid for our printing-house, according to the expectations given me, was able to advance only one hundred pounds currency, which had been paid; and a hundred more was due to the merchant, who grew impatient, and su'd us all. We gave bail, but saw that, if the money could not be rais'd in time, the suit must soon come to a judgment and execution, and our hopeful prospects must, with us, be ruined, as the press and letters must be sold for payment, perhaps at half price.

In this distress two true friends, whose kindness I have never forgotten, nor ever shall forget while I can remember any thing, came to me separately, unknown to each other, and, without any application from me, offering each of them to advance me all the money that should be necessary to enable me to take the whole business upon myself, if that should be practicable; but they did not like my continuing the partnership with Meredith, who, as they said, was often seen drunk in the streets, and playing at low games in alehouses, much to our discredit. These two friends were William Coleman and Robert Grace. I told them I could not propose a separation while any prospect remain'd of the Merediths' fulfilling their part of our agreement, because I thought myself under great obligations to them for what they had done, and would do if they could; but, if they finally fail'd in their performance, and our partnership must be dissolv'd, I should then think myself at liberty to accept the assistance of my friends.

Thus the matter rested for some time, when I said to my partner, "Perhaps your father is dissatisfied at the part you have undertaken in this affair of ours, and is unwilling to advance for you and me what he would for you alone. If that is the case, tell me, and I will resign the whole to you, and go about my business." "No," said he, "my father has really been disappointed, and is really unable; and I am unwilling to distress him farther. I see this is a business I am not fit for. I was bred a farmer, and it was a folly in me to come to town, and put myself, at thirty years of age, an apprentice to learn a new trade. Many of our Welsh people are going to settle in North Carolina, where land is cheap. I am inclin'd to go with them, and follow my old employment. You may find friends to assist you. If you will take the debts of the company upon you; return to my father the hundred pound he has advanced; pay my little personal debts, and give me thirty pounds and a new saddle, I will relinquish the partnership, and leave the whole in your hands." I agreed to this proposal: it was drawn up in writing, sign'd, and seal'd immediately. I gave him what he demanded, and he went soon after to Carolina, from whence he sent me next year two long letters, containing the best account that had been given of that country, the climate, the soil, husbandry, etc., for in those matters he was very judicious. I printed them in the papers, and they gave great satisfaction to the publick.

但此时，我又遇到了另一个困难，这是我万万没有料到的。根据我的预期，梅雷迪斯先生的父亲要为我们的印刷店出资，但他只预付了100镑现金，我们还欠着商人100镑，这个商人失去了耐心，到法院告了我们。我们交了保释金，但知道如果不能及时筹到钱的话，法院很快就会对这桩官司进行裁决并命令执行，那么我们大有希望的前途就会和我们自己一起毁于一旦，因为印刷机和铅字一定会被售卖以清偿债务，也许还会以半价出卖。

在这样的困境中，两位真正的朋友向我伸出了援手，他们的善心我从未忘记，只要我的记忆尚存，我也永志不忘。他俩互不认识，各自来找我，主动提出如果行得通的话，他们可以帮我垫付独自经营印刷店所需的款项，但希望我不要再和梅雷迪斯继续合作，说经常见到梅雷迪斯醉醺醺地走在街上，还在酒馆里进行低级的娱乐，这实在影响我们的名声。这两位朋友就是威廉·科尔曼和罗伯特·格雷斯。我告诉他们，只要梅雷迪斯父子还有可能履行协议中规定的义务，我就不能提出中断合作，因为我觉得自己过去受过他们很大的恩惠，如果他们可以的话，他们还会愿意帮我很多忙，但如果他们没能尽到自己的职责，那么我们的合作关系就必须结束，那时我认为自己就可以自由地接受朋友们的帮助了。

就这样，这件事在一段时期内悬而未决，我对我的合伙人说：“也许你父亲对你在我们合伙关系中承担的工作并不满意，因此不愿意为我们的合伙出资，如果是你一个人的话，他会乐意出钱的。如果的确是这个原因，请告诉我，我会退出，把一切都让给你，我再另找工作吧。”他说：“不是，我的父亲真的非常失望，他的确无力继续出资，我也不想让他愈加难过了。我觉得自己并不适合这个行业，我从小就是务农的，后来来到城里，到了30岁又从头学习一个新的行业，真是犯傻。我们很多威尔士人去了北卡罗来纳定居，那里土地便宜。我也想和他们一起去，重新拾起我的老行当。你可以找些朋友帮你，如果你愿意承担印刷所的债务，把我父亲垫付的100镑还给他，帮我还清我个人的小额欠款，并给我30镑和一副新马鞍，我愿退出合伙，把整个印刷所留给你。”我同意了他的提议，我们立即写下了书面协议，并签字盖章。我把他要求的东西给了他，他不久就去了卡罗来纳，第二年还给我写了两封很长的信，信里对那个地方有着极为详尽丰富的描写，讲述了那里的气候、土地、农业状况等，他对这些方面是非常了解的。我把他的信刊登在报纸上，受到大众的极大欢迎。

As soon as he was gone, I recurr'd to my two friends; and because I would not give an unkind preference to either, I took half of what each had offered and I wanted of one, and half of the other; paid off the company's debts, and went on with the business in my own name, advertising that the partnership was dissolved. I think this was in or about the year 1729.

About this time there was a cry among the people for more paper money, only fifteen thousand pounds being extant in the province, and that soon to be sunk. The wealthy inhabitants oppos'd any addition, being against all paper currency, from an apprehension that it would depreciate, as it had done in New England, to the prejudice of all creditors. We had discuss'd this point in our Junto, where I was on the side of an addition, being persuaded that the first small sum struck in 1723 had done much good by increasing the trade, employment, and number of inhabitants in the province, since I now saw all the old houses inhabited, and many new ones building; whereas I remembered well, that when I first walk'd about the streets of Philadelphia, eating my roll, I saw most of the houses in Walnut-street, between Second and Front streets, with bills on their doors, "To be let" ; and many likewise in Chestnut-street and other streets, which made me then think the inhabitants of the city were deserting it one after another.

Our debates possess'd me so fully of the subject, that I wrote and printed an anonymous pamphlet on it, entitled "The Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency." It was well receiv'd by the common people in general; but the rich men dislik'd it, for it increas'd and strengthen'd the clamor for more money, and they happening to have no writers among them that were able to answer it, their opposition slacken'd, and the point was carried by a majority in the House. My friends there, who conceiv'd I had been of some service, thought fit to reward me by employing me in printing the money; a very profitable jobb and a great help to me. This was another advantage gain'd by my being able to write.

梅雷迪斯一离开，我就向我那两位朋友求助了。我不想在他们二人中表现出偏爱，以免让他们不高兴，于是我从他们给我提供的，也正是我需要的钱中，两人各借一半，还清了印刷所的债务，然后就以我个人的名义继续经营，并登报说明我和梅雷迪斯的合作关系已经解除。我想这大概是1729年发生的事。

大约这个时候，民众中产生了增发纸币的呼声，当时本州库存纸币只有15,000镑，而且就连这个数字也在不断减少。富有的居民反对增发纸币，甚至反对所有的纸币，因为他们担心纸币如在新英格兰一样贬值，这会对所有债权人不利。我们在互助学习社里讨论过这个问题，我当时赞成增加纸币发行量，因为我认为1723年发行的那一小部分纸币产生了很大好处，扩大了贸易，增加了就业，使本州居民人数上升，因为我见到所有的老房子里都住满了人，许多新建筑也正在建造中。但我也记得很清楚，我第一次走在费城街头吃着我的面包卷时，看见核桃街上以及第二街和前街之间大多数房子的大门上都贴着“招租”的告示，栗子街和其他街道上也有许多，这当时让我觉得居民们正在相继离开本市。

我们的讨论使我时时思考着这个议题，于是我提笔写了一篇匿名文章，并将它印发成小册子，题目为《论纸币的本质和必要性》。这本小册子在普通民众中反响很好，但富人们不喜欢它，因为它增强了对加大纸币发行量的呼声，而富人阶层中又刚好没人能写文章反驳我的观点，于是他们的反对意见削弱了，因此议会以多数赞成通过了增发纸币的议案。我在议会里的朋友认为我也为此出了力，应该让我的印刷所承印纸币，作为对我的奖励。这桩生意利润丰厚，对我产生了很大帮助，这是写作给我带来的又一好处。

The utility of this currency became by time and experience so evident as never afterwards to be much disputed; so that it grew soon to fifty-five thousand pounds, and in 1739 to eighty thousand pounds, since which it arose during war to upwards of three hundred and fifty thousand pounds, trade, building, and inhabitants all the while increasing, till I now think there are limits beyond which the quantity may be hurtful.

I soon after obtain'd, thro' my friend Hamilton, the printing of the Newcastle paper money, another profitable jobb as I then thought it; small things appearing great to those in small circumstances; and these, to me, were really great advantages, as they were great encouragements. He procured for me, also, the printing of the laws and votes of that government, which continu'd in my hands as long as I follow'd the business.

I now open'd a little stationer's shop. I had in it blanks of all sorts, the correctest that ever appear'd among us, being assisted in that by my friend Breintnal. I had also paper, parchment, chapmen's books, etc. One Whitemash, a compositor I had known in London, an excellent workman, now came to me, and work'd with me constantly and diligently; and I took an apprentice, the son of Aquila Rose.

纸币的效用随着时间的流逝和经验的验证变得显而易见，后来再也没有多少争论了。纸币发行量很快达到55,000镑，1739年达到80,000镑，后来战争期间又增加到35万镑，贸易、建筑和居民数量都随之增加。我现在认为纸币发行量应该有个限度，否则也会带来害处。

不久之后，我通过朋友汉密尔顿先生获得了印刷纽卡斯尔纸币的任务，这在当时的我看来又是一笔利润丰厚的生意。对于小生意人来说，一笔小买卖也显得意义重大，而这些生意确实给我带来了很大好处，因为它们对我是莫大的鼓舞。汉密尔顿先生还介绍我承印政府的法律文书和选票，且这些业务在我做印刷这一行时一直是由我来做的。

这时我开了家小文具店。店里卖各式各样的空白单据，是市面上单据中最为准确的，这有赖于我的朋友布莱恩特纳尔的帮助。我的店里还卖纸张、羊皮纸、小贩的账簿等等。我在伦敦认识的一位叫怀特马什的排字工人来到我的店里工作，他干活非常出色，而且始终勤勤恳恳。我还招了个学徒，是阿奎拉·罗斯的儿子。

I began now gradually to pay off the debt I was under for the printing-house. In order to secure my credit and character as a tradesman, I took care not only to be in reality industrious and frugal, but to avoid all appearances to the contrary. I drest plainly; I was seen at no places of idle diversion. I never went out a fishing or shooting; a book, indeed, sometimes debauch'd me from my work, but that was seldom, snug, and gave no scandal; and, to show that I was not above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper I purchas'd at the stores thro' the streets on a wheelbarrow. Thus being esteem'd an industrious, thriving young man, and paying duly for what I bought, the merchants who imported stationery solicited my custom; others proposed supplying me with books, and I went on swimmingly. In the mean time, Keimer's credit and business declining daily, he was at last forc'd to sell his printing house to satisfy his creditors. He went to Barbados^[28], and there lived some years in very poor circumstances.

His apprentice, David Harry, whom I had instructed while I work'd with him, set up in his place at Philadelphia, having bought his materials. I was at first apprehensive of a powerful rival in Harry, as his friends were very able, and had a good deal of interest. I therefore propos'd a partnership to him which he, fortunately for me, rejected with scorn. He was very proud, dress'd like a gentleman, liv'd expensively, took much diversion and pleasure abroad, ran in debt, and neglected his business; upon which, all business left him; and, finding nothing to do, he followed Keimer to Barbados, taking the printing-house with him. There this apprentice employ'd his former master as a journeyman; they quarrel'd often; Harry went continually behindhand, and at length was forc'd to sell his types and return to his country work in Pensilvania. The person that bought them employ'd Keimer to use them, but in a few years he died.

此时我开始逐渐偿付印刷所欠的债务。为了维护我作为商人的信用和声誉，我不仅切实做到勤奋节俭，还尽力避免与之相反的种种表现。我穿着朴素，从不光顾打发时光的娱乐场所。我从不外出钓鱼或者打猎，有时读书的确会让我忘记工作，但这种情况很少发生，且非常保险，不会引起流言蜚语。为了表明我没有瞧不起印刷业，我有时会把在商店购买的纸张放在手推车里，自己推着车穿过街道带回家来。因此，我被大家认为是个勤奋有前途的年轻人，买东西总是按时付账，进口文具的商人都希望与我做生意，还有人提出给我供书让我代销，总之我的生意进行得非常顺利。同时，凯默的信誉和生意都日渐衰落，最终被迫把自己的印刷所卖了还债。后来他去了巴巴多斯，在那里窘困地生活了几年。

我在凯默的店里工作时，曾经指导过他的学徒大卫·哈利，现在他买了凯默的印刷设备，也在费城开了印刷店。我起初担心哈利会成为我强有力的对手，因为他的朋友们都非常能干，也很有势力。因此，我向哈利提出要与他合作，但他轻蔑地拒绝了，这对我倒是好事。他为人傲慢，穿得像个绅士，生活奢侈，经常在外面寻欢作乐，还欠下了债务，也不打理自己的生意。因此，他所有的生意都丢了，无事可做之后，就追随凯默去了巴巴多斯，把印刷所也搬了过去。在巴巴多斯，曾经的学徒把从前的老板雇为了工人，他们常常吵架。哈利的债务越来越多，最终不得不卖掉铅字，回到宾夕法尼亚继续务农。买下那些印刷设备的人又雇了凯默来工作，但过了没几年凯默就去世了。

There remained now no competitor with me at Philadelphia but the old one, Bradford; who was rich and easy, did a little printing now and then by straggling hands, but was not very anxious about the business. However, as he kept the postoffice, it was imagined he had better opportunities of obtaining news; his paper was thought a better distributer of advertisements than mine, and therefore had many, more, which was a profitable thing to him, and a disadvantage to me; for, tho' I did indeed receive and send papers by the post, yet the publick opinion was otherwise, for what I did send was by bribing the riders, who took them privately, Bradford being unkind enough to forbid it, which occasion'd some resentment on my part; and I thought so meanly of him for it, that, when I afterward came into his situation, I took care never to imitate it.

I had hitherto continu'd to board with Godfrey, who lived in part of my house with his wife and children, and had one side of the shop for his glazier's business, tho' he worked little, being always absorbed in his mathematics. Mrs. Godfrey projected a match for me with a relation's daughter, took opportunities of bringing us often together, till a serious courtship on my part ensu'd, the girl being in herself very deserving. The old folks encourag'd me by continual invitations to supper, and by leaving us together, till at length it was time to explain. Mrs. Godfrey manag'd our little treaty. I let her know that I expected as much money with their daughter as would pay off my remaining debt for the printing-house, which I believe was not then above a hundred pounds. She brought me word they had no such sum to spare; I said they might mortgage their house in the loan-office. The answer to this, after some days, was, that they did not approve the match; that, on inquiry of Bradford, they had been inform'd the printing business was not a profitable one; the types would soon be worn out, and more wanted; that S. Keimer and D. Harry had failed one after the other, and I should probably soon follow them; and, therefore, I was forbidden the house, and the daughter shut up.

此时，除了布拉德福德这位老对手外，费城再没有人和我竞争了。布拉德福德很有钱，生活安逸，偶尔雇些零工做些印刷生意，对此并不是很操心。但是，因为他管理邮局，人们认为他有更好的机会获得新闻，觉得他的报纸在刊登广告方面比我的报纸更有效些，所以他报纸上的广告比我的多，这给他带来很多利润，对我来说非常不利。尽管我的确也是通过邮局发行报纸，但公众却不这么看，因为我发行报纸是通过贿赂邮差，由邮差秘密发送才得以实现，而布拉德福德竟恶意禁止他们这样做。这让我非常愤恨，认为他这么做太可耻了，将来邮局若由我管理，我决不效仿他的做法。

那时我的伙食还是寄在戈弗雷家。戈弗雷和他的妻小住着我房子的一部分，印刷店的一边是他做玻璃生意的地方，但他并不怎么开工，总是埋头于数学之中。戈弗雷夫人想撮合我与她一个亲戚的女儿，经常找机会让我们见面，后来我正式开始追求她，这位女孩儿倒是值得追求的。她父母鼓励我的追求，经常邀请我去吃晚饭，还留下我们单独相处，直到该要谈婚论嫁了。戈弗雷夫人从中大力撮合我们。我告诉她，希望他们女儿陪嫁的财产能帮我付清印刷所剩下的债务，我想那时已经不到100镑了。她给我带话说他们没有那么多钱，我说他们可以去当铺抵押房子。过了些日子，他们那边答复说不赞成我们的婚事了。在询问了布拉德福德之后，他们了解到印刷所并不是很赚钱的生意，铅字磨损得很快，常要购买新的，凯默和哈利的生意都相继失败了，我可能很快也要步他们的后尘，所以，他们不再让我进他们家门，他们的女儿也被锁在了屋子里。

Whether this was a real change of sentiment or only artifice, on a supposition of our being too far engaged in affection to retract, and therefore that we should steal a marriage, which would leave them at liberty to give or withhold what they pleas'd, I know not; but I suspected the latter, resented it, and went no more. Mrs. Godfrey brought me afterward some more favorable accounts of their disposition, and would have drawn me on again; but I declared absolutely my resolution to have nothing more to do with that family. This was resented by the Godfreys; we differ'd, and they removed, leaving me the whole house, and I resolved to take no more inmates.

But this affair having turned my thoughts to marriage, I look'd round me and made overtures of acquaintance in other places; but soon found that, the business of a printer being generally thought a poor one, I was not to expect money with a wife, unless with such a one as I should not otherwise think agreeable. In the mean time, that hard-to-be-governed passion of youth hurried me frequently into intrigues with low women that fell in my way, which were attended with some expense and great inconvenience, besides a continual risque to my health by a distemper which of all things I dreaded, though by great good luck I escaped it. A friendly correspondence as neighbors and old acquaintances had continued between me and Mrs. Read's family, who all had a regard for me from the time of my first lodging in their house. I was often invited there and consulted in their affairs, wherein I sometimes was of service. I piti'd poor Miss Read's unfortunate situation, who was generally dejected, seldom cheerful, and avoided company. I considered my giddiness and inconstancy when in London as in a great degree the cause of her unhappiness, tho' the mother was good enough to think the fault more her own than mine, as she had prevented our marrying before I went thither, and persuaded the other match in my absence. Our mutual affection was revived, but there were now great objections to our union. The match was indeed looked upon as invalid, a preceding wife being said to be living in England; but this could not easily be prov'd, because of the distance; and, tho' there was a report of his death, it was not certain. Then, tho' it should be true, he had left many debts, which his successor might be call'd upon to pay. We ventured, however, over all these difficulties, and I took her to wife, September 1st, 1730. None of the inconveniences happened that we had apprehended, she proved a good and faithful helpmate, assisted me much by attending the shop; we throve together, and have ever mutually endeavored to make each other happy. Thus I corrected that great erratum as well as I could.

这是他们情感的真正改变还是只是计谋，以为我们用情已深无法自拔，会想办法偷偷结为连理，从而使他们随心所欲地给些陪嫁财产或是什么也不给，这个我就不得而知了，我怀疑是后者，于是心里忿忿不平，再也不去她家了。戈弗雷夫人后来告诉我他们的想法有所改变，希望我能回头，但我断然宣布说决心不再与那户人家往来了。这让戈弗雷一家非常气愤，我们之间产生了裂痕，于是他们搬出了印刷所。我一人住在这所大房子里，决心再也不找人合租了。

但这件事情让我开始考虑自己的婚姻大事了。我开始在自己身边留意，也认识了其他地方的一些人，但我很快发现，人们一般认为开印刷店不是什么赚钱的生意，所以我不能指望未来的妻子会带着财产陪嫁过来，而但凡有钱陪嫁的，她的人又不合我意。这段时间，那难以抑制的年轻人的欲念让我常和偶然遇见的粗俗女人厮混，花费了不少金钱，带来了很大不便，最让我害怕的是有染上疾病的危险，不过很幸运，我没有染上。当时，作为邻居和老朋友，我和里德小姐一家还有着友好来往，从我起初在他们家寄宿时起，他们一家就对我非常关心。他们常常邀我去家里，和我商量他们的事情，有时我也能帮上些忙。我很同情可怜的里德小姐的处境，她郁郁寡欢，极少开怀，还处处躲着人。我认为她的不幸在很大程度上是我在伦敦时的轻率和缺乏定性所致，尽管她母亲善意地把责任归咎于自己身上，因为她那时不许我们在我离开前结婚，我走之后又劝女儿嫁给了别人。我和里德小姐旧情复燃了，但当时我们之间还是有很大阻力。她和她丈夫的婚姻虽然已被认为失效，他的妻子据说现在生活在英国，但这些事情因为距离的原因不易证实，还有尽管有人说他已经去世，但这也是不确定的。另外，即使这些消息都属实，他还留下许多债务，可能要由他妻子的下一任丈夫来还。但我们还是不顾一切，毅然于1730年9月1日结婚了。我们担心的麻烦事都没有发生，她是一位善良忠实的好帮手，在照管店铺上给了我很大帮助。我们幸福地生活在一起，努力让对方过得快乐。就这样，我算是尽力改正了我的这个大错。

About this time, our club meeting, not at a tavern, but in a little room of Mr. Grace's, set apart for that purpose, a proposition was made by me, that, since our books were often referr'd to in our disquisitions upon the queries, it might be convenient to us to have them altogether where we met, that upon occasion they might be consulted; and by thus clubbing our books to a common library, we should, while we lik'd to keep them together, have each of us the advantage of using the books of all the other members, which would be nearly as beneficial as if each owned the whole. It was lik'd and agreed to, and we fill'd one end of the room with such books as we could best spare. The number was not so great as we expected; and tho' they had been of great use, yet some inconveniences occurring for want of due care of them, the collection, after about a year, was separated, and each took his books home again.

And now I set on foot my first project of a public nature, that for a subscription library. I drew up the proposals, got them put into form by our great scrivener, Brockden, and, by the help of my friends in the Junto, procured fifty subscribers of forty shillings each to begin with, and ten shillings a year for fifty years, the term our company was to continue. We afterwards obtain'd a charter, the company being increased to one hundred: this was the mother of all the North American subscription libraries, now so numerous. It is become a great thing itself, and continually increasing. These libraries have improved the general conversation of the Americans, made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries, and perhaps have contributed in some degree to the stand so generally made throughout the colonies in defense of their privileges.

大约这个时候，我们学习社的聚会从酒馆搬到了格雷斯先生家为此分开的一个小房间里，搬迁是我提议的，因为我们讨论问题时经常要参阅书籍，如果能把这些书集中在我们聚会的地方，那就很方便了，需要时我们就能随时参考。我们把各自的书合并为一个普通图书馆，集中保管，我们每个人都能使用其他成员的书，这样就像我们每个人都拥有所有藏书一样了。这个提议得到了大家的支持和赞同，于是我们在这个房间的一端放满了我们能拿出来的所有书籍。书的数目没有我们原先预料得那么多，尽管它们十分有用，但因为缺乏对书籍的适当照管，有些麻烦事发生，大约一年以后，我们又把藏书分开，各自把书搬回了家。

这时我开始着手进行我第一个带有公共性质的计划，就是建立一个会员图书馆。我起草了规划，由大公证人布罗克登帮我整理成型，在我互助学习社的朋友们的帮助下，我征集到了50位会员，每人先交40先令，以后50年每年再交10先令，这是我们图书馆打算维持的期限。后来我们获得了特许状，会员也增加到了100位，这是北美所有会员图书馆的前身，现在这样的图书馆已经为数众多了。图书馆本身成为一项伟大的事业，而且在持续扩大。这些图书馆改善了美洲人的谈吐，使得一般的商人和农民也和其他国家大多数绅士一样拥有智慧，也许在某种程度上，它们对全殖民地人民纷纷奋起保卫自身权益也作出了贡献。

[1] 玛丽女王统治时期，强行恢复天主教，血腥镇压新教徒，天主教有了短暂的复苏。

[2] 圣公会，为英国国教。

[3] 《新英格兰宗教史》（The Ecclesiastical History of New England），此处为拉丁文。

[4] 约翰·班扬（1628—1688），英国散文作家、清教牧师，反对王政复辟，因传教违反国教规定，曾被囚禁12年，代表作为《天路历程》。

[5] 罗伯特·伯顿（1577—1640），英国圣公会牧师、学者和作家，以内容博大的《忧郁的剖析》一书而闻名于世。

[6] 普卢塔克（约46—约120），古希腊传记作家、哲学家，一生写有大量作品，其中最著名的为《希腊罗马名人比较列传》。

[7] 丹尼尔·笛福（1660—1731），英国小说家、报刊撰稿人，写过讽刺诗和大量政论小册子，曾自办《评论》杂志，后从事冒险小说创作，代表作为《鲁宾逊漂流记》。

[8] 科顿·马瑟（1663—1728），牧师，推广天花疫苗接种，著有《美洲志异》一书，共发表著作四百多种。

[9] 爱德华·柯克（1631—1676），英国著名算术家，著名教科书《柯克算术》的作者。

[10] 约翰·洛克（1632—1704），英国经验主义哲学家，反对“天赋观念”论，提出人类知识起源于感性世界的经验论学说，主张君主立宪政体，著有《政府论》、《人类悟性论》等。

[11] 色诺芬（约公元前435—约前354），古希腊将领、历史学家，苏格拉底的学生，著有 《远征记》、《希腊史》、《回忆苏格拉底》等。

[12] 亚历山大·蒲柏（1688—1744），英国诗人，长于讽刺，善用英雄偶体，著有长篇讽刺诗《夺发记》、《群愚史诗》等，并翻译荷马史诗《伊里亚特》和《奥德赛》。

[13] 古用法，discover在这里指“泄露、透露”，而非“发现”。

[14] “诚实的约翰”指《天路历程》的作者约翰·班扬。

[15] 塞缪尔·理查森（1689—1761），英国小说家，其书信体小说《帕美勒》、《克拉丽莎》和《查尔斯·葛兰迪森爵士》对18世纪西欧文学影响深远，《帕美勒》被称为英国第一部小说。

[16] 马德拉白葡萄酒，一种烈酒，产于北大西洋马德拉岛。

[17] pound sterling即pound，英镑。

[18] （基督教的）四旬斋，指复活节前为期40天的斋戒和忏悔，以纪念耶稣在荒野禁食。

[19] 皮斯托尔：早先用于西班牙的一种金币，欧洲某些国家一直用到19世纪末。

[20] 伯纳德·曼德维尔（1670—1733），荷兰裔英国医生、作家，著有《蜜蜂的寓言》等。

[21] 爱德华·杨（1683—1765），英国诗人、剧作家，以长篇讽喻诗《哀怨：或夜里》著称，还写有剧本《报复》、论文《试论独创性作品》等。

[22] 品脱，液量或某些干量的计量单位，等于0.568升。

[23] 圣星期一，源自爱尔兰制鞋工人因星期天饮乐过度，星期一干活便无精打采，犹如又一个星期天。

[24] 圣维罗妮卡是在耶稣受难途中为耶稣擦脸的人，而后来耶稣的影像神奇般地在布上显现。

[25] 唐·索尔特洛咖啡馆，位于伦敦切尔西，1695年由詹姆斯·索尔特建立。

[26] 约翰·德莱顿（1631—1700），英国诗人、戏剧家、评论家，以喜剧《时髦的婚姻》和悲剧《一切为了爱情》最为有名。

[27] 克朗，1克朗=5先令。

[28] 巴巴多斯，拉丁美洲国家。