tors were inured to hardships, and I myself am not altogether a stranger to them. I had bu

"for in this new country, and these hard times, you ca

f worshipping God according to the dictates of conscience, is one of the riches

igours of intolerance there

y, and were often in great danger from the bitter hatred of the Papists. I somet

, at the same time they could enjoy the reading of it, they 'fastened it open with tapes under and within the cover of a joint-stool.' When our great-grandfather desired to read it to his family, according to his daily custom, 'he placed the joint-stool on his knees, and then turned over the leaves under the tapes.' While he was reading, one of the childr

t thus persecuted, was

en brother Josias and myself did not escape. Our father's family continued in the Church of England till about the end

, and frequently our religious meetings were disturbed, as they were forbidden by law. On this a

g ago wa

re long enough to witness many changes, and have no desire to return to my native country. My childre

tion he had listened to over and over, and had heard his Uncle Benjamin tell the story of the Bible and stool a number of times. He

od set before them, and perhaps the reader himself has more than once fretted over an unpalatable dish, and murmured for something else. Sometimes they beg for an article of food that is not on the table, declining to eat what is furnished for the family. It was not so at Mr. Franklin's table. He did not allow one of his children to complain of the food, however simple it might be; and his principal method of calling off their attention from the quality of their victuals was, as we have said, to converse upon some sensible theme. Their atte

he country, the oppressive measures of the English government, and the means of future prosperity, were among the topics which they heard discussed. Although it seems like a small, unimportant in

mes nearly, some one of the ministerial fraternity would be stopping there. His sons were thus brought into their society, and they listened to long discussions upon subjects of a scientific, political, and religious character, though public measures received a large share of attention. The boys acquired some valuable information by li

think that he was too particular about some things, such as behaviour at the table, "although nothing can re

icular about their victuals. They destroy their health by eating too much and too rich food. Plain, simple, wholes

d drinking, for which he was distinguished all through his life. In his manhood, he wrote and talked upon the subject, and reduced his principles to practice. When he worked as a printer in England, his fellow-labourers were hard drinkers of strong beer, really be

not entertained for a moment. Reformatory movements, in this respect, did not commence until nearly one hundred years after the time referred to. Yet Benjamin was fully persuaded in his youth that he ought to be temperate in all things. Probably there was not one of his associates who believed as he did on the subject. But he began early to thi

n profitable conversation, was a good one, we think no one can deny. It was very different, however, from much of t

it," exclaimed Henry. "I should think yo

chicken and plum pudding?" inquires his mother,

can eat. You know I don't

t what they don't like, especially such pa

e, at any rate," continues Hen

r no more complaint about your food. You ar

calling for some art

tongue, and get it your

mes, a younger brother; "I don't like

etting up her plea. "I mu

the sum total of the conversation, and family joys are embittered for the remai

of anything else at the family board? If the review of the past reveals an error in this respect, let him learn a valuable lesson from this part of Benjamin Frankl