that is neither wise nor good?" "Whence comes the dew that stands on the outside of a tankard that has cold water in it, in the summer time?" "Can a man arrive at perfection in life?" "Can any particular 5 form of government suit all mankind?" "How shall we judge of the goodness of a writing?" "Does it not require as much pains, study, and application to become truly wise and strictly virtuous as to become rich?" You see they had plenty of important ques10 tions to occupy their time at these meetings. Franklin took great pleasure in this club for many years, and he found that the other members enjoyed it so much that he proposed that each member of the Junto should start another club to which no other 15 member of the Junto could belong. So out of this boys' club grew a number of others, to their own and other people's benefit. Out of the Junto, too, as Franklin suggested, grew another great movement. There were so many ques20 tions to be discussed and answered which required reading and study, that he suggested a subscription library, so that members and their friends could have the use of books. After much hard work and the raising of some money which was also hard work — 25 about two hundred dollars was obtained, and the books desired were ordered from London. This was in March, 1732, and this was the foundation of a library which has grown and grown until to-day it is the great Philadelphia Library. The Pennsylvania Gazette, which was the name of Franklin's paper, was the most wide-awake and "newsy" newspaper in all America. Through its columns, too, Franklin proposed and started many things that were of great benefit to his town and colony. 5 He wrote the news, wrote the editorials, wrote the jokes, wrote everything, except what came from outside contributors. He would start all sorts of discussions. One week he would write a letter "to Mr. Franklin," as if it came 10 from some one else, asking some question, or proposing some plan; and the next week he would answer it himself, as editor. This would set other folks to thinking or writing; and in that manner, very often some bad way would be bettered, some good reform started, 15 or some excellent improvement begun. In this way the Gazette was built up to success, and Philadelphia was benefited. It was Franklin who, through his newspaper, improved the city watchthe old form of the police department; he started the 20 first fire company in the town, had the streets lighted, the pavements swept, the militia organized, and the fire department established. So you see, from small beginnings, but with pluck and brains and plenty of hard work, the candle-maker's 25 son grew to be a person of value and help to the community in which he lived. While working for himself he worked for others also; and while, by saving and shrewdness, he put money into his own pocket, he put good thoughts, noble suggestions, and wise plans for improvement, into the heads and hearts of those about him. This was being a philosopher to some purpose, was 5 it not? For, as people saw this very young printer making a success of his life, they saw, too, that he was doing good to other people, and came gradually to look up to him as to a leader, guide, and friend. And so, at the early age of forty-two, Benjamin 10 Franklin was able to retire from business, and devote his time to wise and worthy objects. QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 1. Tell about Franklin's club. How did this help others? What were some of the 4. questions the members discussed? What did each member have to do? 5. How did the club grow 6. into other clubs? What 7. kinds of fun did they have? 2. How did he start the Philadelphia Library? 3. What was the name of his 8. paper? Name the kinds of work he did upon it. How did he improve the police force of Philadelphia? What things did he invent? What lessons does his life I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man's happiness; glad of other men's good, content with my harm. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE SONG OF THE SUMMER WINDS GEORGE DARLEY Read the poem over carefully, trying to see the pictures. Then turn back and study what follows here. Shut your eyes and try to see a "dale " (a little valley), with a "bourn" (bōrn), a stream, running through it. Try to think of a summer wind blowing softly "Up the dale and down the bourn." Follow the wind over the meadow, and watch it move the tall grass. Hear it sing, then hear it turn to a soft mourning sound. Then hear it whistle and sigh. Read stanza 2 again, and follow the wind along the river, hearing the reeds rustle and murmur. Try to hear this. Think of the wind as it quivers among the lily leaves. Try to get the beautiful picture in stanza 3. In stanza 4, can you hear the leaves of the groves rustle and see the branches moving? See the wind, in its "bustle," or noisy movement, as it carelessly kisses every bud. Now see a glen or shaded valley, some mountains, then a heath (a meadow) covered with yellow flowers, and a fountain stirred by a wind. Can you see all these with a warm summer wind blowing over them one after the other? Follow the wind as it bends the weeping willow, singing to it a soft vesper, or evening, hymn. Follow the wind over the ocean far away into the golden sunset whose clouds are the "rosy pillows" where the winds sleep. Think of the winds sleeping in the west and dreaming of playing again the next evening where they played the evening before. Now read the poem again. It will mean much more to you. Just take a trip with the summer winds." Learn the meanings of the following words: deeming thinking; consider-hie (hī): go. ing; believing. frolic things: gay, merry things. from waking we refrain: we kcep from waking. 5 10 SONG OF THE SUMMER WINDS 1 Up the dale and down the bourn, 2 By the grassy-fringèd river Through the murmuring reeds we sweep, Mid the lily-leaves we quiver, To their very hearts we creep. 3 Now the maiden rose is blushing |