Meredith--Struggles
of the firm--Unexpected assistance--Dissolves partnership with
Meredith--Franklin's energetic conduct--His courtship, and
marriage--Character of Mrs. Franklin--Increase of luxury--Plans for
a library--Prosperity of Pennsylvania--Customs in Philadelphia--Style
of dress in 1726--Franklin's social position in Philadelphia--His
success--A hard student. 101

CHAPTER VI.

_Religious and Philosophic Views._

Studious habits--New religion--Personal habits--Church of the Free
and Easy--His many accomplishments--The career of Hemphall--Birth
and Death of Franklin's son--The Ministry of Whitefield--Remarkable
friendship between the philosopher and the preacher--Prosperity of
Franklin--His convivial habits--The defense of Philadelphia--Birth of
a daughter--The Philadelphia Academy. 126

CHAPTER VII.

_The Tradesman becomes a Philosopher._

Franklin appointed Indian commissioner--Effects of Rum--Indian
logic--Accumulating honors--Benevolent enterprises--Franklin's
counsel to Tennent--Efforts for city improvement--Anecdotes--Franklin
appointed postmaster--Rumors of War--England enlists the Six Nations
in her cause--Franklin plans a Confederacy of States--Plans
rejected--Electrical experiments--Franklin's increase of
income--Fearful experiments--The kite--New honors--Views of the
French philosopher--Franklin's Religious views--His counsel to a
young pleader--Post-office Reforms. 147

CHAPTER VIII.

_The Rising Storms of War._

Aristocracy--Anecdote--Conflicting laws of Nations--Franklin's scheme
of colonization--Proposal of the British Court--The foresight of
Franklin--Braddock's campaign--Remonstrances of Franklin and
Washington--Franklin's interviews with Braddock--Franklin's
efficiency--Confidence of Braddock--The conflict with the
Proprietaries--The non-resistant Quakers--Fate of the
Moravian villages--The winter campaign--The camp of
Gaudenhutton--Anecdote--Renewal of the strife with the
Proprietaries--Franklin recalled to assist the Assembly--Destruction
of the Fort--Claim of the Proprietaries--The great controversy. 168

CHAPTER IX.

_Franklin's Mission to England._

New marks of respect--Lord Loudoun--Gov. Denny and Franklin--Visit
the Indians--Franklin commissioner to England--His constant good
nature--Loudoun's delays--Wise action of a