The young adventurer had no difficulty in finding employment as a
printer, for printers were in demand in that Quaker city. He prospered
from the first, and at the age of twenty-four, had a little business of
his own, and was editing the _Pennsylvania Gazette_. Two years later, he
began the publication of an almanac purporting to be written by one
Richard Saunders, and which soon won an immense reputation as "Poor
Richard's Almanac." As an almanac, it did not differ much from others,
but, in addition to the usual information about the tides and changes of
the moon and seasons of the year, it contained a wealth of wise and
witty sayings, many of which have passed into proverbs and are in common
use to-day. Here are a few of them:

Virtue and a trade are a child's best portions.

Write injuries in dust, benefits in marble.

The way to be safe is never to be secure.

When you are good to others, you are best to yourself.

Well done is better than well said.

God helps them that help themselves.

Wish not so much to live long as to live well.

He that won't be counselled can't be helped.

That he was a philosopher in deed as well as in word was soon to be
proved, for, at the age of forty-two, he did the wisest thing a man can
do, but for which very few have courage. He had won an established
position in the world and as much wealth as he felt he needed, so he
sold his business, intending to devote the remainder of his life to
science, of which he had always been passionately fond. Already he had
founded the Philadelphia Library and the American Philosophical Society,
had invented the Franklin stove, and served as postmaster of
Philadelphia, and a few years later, he established the institution
which is now the University of Pennsylvania. It was at about this time
that, by experimenting with a kite, he proved lightning to be a
discharge of electricity, and suggested the use of lightning rods.

[Illustration: FRANKLIN]

But his scientific studies were destined to be interrupted, for his
country called him, and the remainder of his life was passed in her
service, first as agent in London for Pennsylvania, where he did
everything possible to avert the Revolution; then as a member of the
Continental Congress, and one of the committee of five which drew up the
Declaration of Independence; then as ambassador to France, where,
practically unaided, he succeeded in effecting the allianc