mother a very

considerable property. The different offices he holds are very lucrative; and the various sums which are known to have been given for his works, are beyond all precedent. A very large portion of his property he has expended on his estates in Roxburgshire, where he resides. He is one of the principal landed proprietors in that part of the country, and enjoys the blessings of a rural life, to which his disposition is evidently inclined. He rises early, and though he is lame, he frequently, both in walking and riding, tires out his stoutest guests; in fact, as a pedestrian or equestrian, there are few equal to him. Near his mansion are many scenes dear alike to the antiquary, the patriot, and the poet :these he is particularly delighted in contemplating. In general society he is rather reserved in his manners.

In political opinion, although he has vigorously supported the present administration, and is undoubtedly a very loyal subject and magistrate, he is known to be warmly attached to the Stuarts.

As a man, Sir Walter is known to be prudent without being avaricious, and generous without being prodigal. Many circumstances

of his life are recorded in the hearts of his friends, exemplifying the noblest and purest benevolence; and he is always solicitous that the honey-dew of his charity should fall in silence on its object, and not be ostentatiously blazoned by the trump of fame. Posterity only will know its full extent, and that his generous actions deserve as noble a monument as his literary compositions.

ANECDOTE.

GAMBLING was invented by the Lydians, when under the pressure of a great famine. To divert themselves from dwelling on their sufferings, they contrived dice, balls, tables, &c. It is added, that, to bear their calamity the better, they used to play a whole day without intermission, that they might not feel the effects of the want of food. The invention intended as a remedy for hunger is now a very common cause of that evil.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,

A CELEBRATED philosopher and statesman, was born in Boston, January 17, 1706. At the age of eight years he was put to the Boston grammar school, and from the aptness which he displayed, his father conceived the idea of educating him for the church, but wanting the means, he took him home at the age of ten, to assist him in his business. At the age of twelve he was put an apprentice to his elder brother, J. Franklin, who then published the Boston Gazette. This paper was the second which appeared in America.

It was, however, the paper called the 'Courant,' afterwards emitted by his brother, which became so famous for the effusions of his brother Benjamin. Young Franklin early evinced an uncommon taste for reading, and an attachment to books. His writings brought him into notice, and gave him encouragement to continue his literary labours.-When only seventeen years of age, he left his native town and went to Philadelphia, an entire stranger,

without letters, and with but a slender provision of money. He made his entrance on Sunday morning, and sauntered through the streets in search for lodgings, his pockets stuffed with shirts and stockings, and a large roll of bread under each arm, and eating a third. 'Who would have dreamed,' exclaimed Brissot de Warville in his panegyric, 'that this miserable wanderer would become one of the legislators of America; the ornament of the new world; the pride of modern philosophy; and an ambassador to one of the richest, most powerful, and enlightened nations of the universe?' His active mind and habits of industry soon procured for him employment as a compositor in one of the two printing establishments in Philadelphia at that time. Sir William Keith, the governor, having been informed that Franklin was a young man of promising talents, invited him to come to his house, and treated him in the most friendly manner. He advised him to enter into business for himself, and assured him of his assistance. At his request he went to London to complete his knowledge of the business, and to purchase a set of types. On his arrival there he found himself deceived, and was left

to find subsistence by his own exertions. Undismayed by misfortune and disappointment, he obtained employment as a journeyman printer, and by living economically, he saved a greater part of his wages.

After a residence of eighteen months in London, he returned to Philadelphia, in October, 1726, as a clerk to Mr Denham, a merchant. On the death of his friend in the following year, he engaged with Mr Keimer, as foreman in his printing office.

It was not long before a disagreement took place with Keimer, whom he left, and entered into partnership with Mr Meredith; but in 1729, he dissolved the connexion with him. He then purchased of Keimer a paper, and by the assistance of friends, was enabled to conduct it in such a manner as attracted much attention. In 1730, he married a Miss Read. In 1731, he carried into effect the plan of forming a library, which afterwards became the foundation of that noble institution the present Library Company of Philadelphia. In 1732, he began to publish 'Poor Richard's Almanac.' The wise sayings of Poor Richard have been repeated, and copied, and printed in many works. They have also been trans