The youth of benjamin franklin

Benjamin Franklin was born on Milk Street in Boston. His parents were poor, but brought up a family of seventeen children. Benjamin was the tenth son in the family. His father, Josiah, earned a living by making soap and candles. Josiah wanted Benjamin to become a minister and enrolled him in Boston Grammar School.

Josiah's plans turned out to be too ambitious. Benjamin had to leave school and work for his father. In those days even little children helped to support the family. Working in his father's shop, Benjamin had to cut the wicks for candles as well as fill the moulds with hot tallow. The work he did was very monotonous. Poor Benjamin began to dream about running away from home. He used to say he hated his father's business and often threatened to run away to sea. It was quite a natural desire. When a boy, Benjamin was fond of swimming and managing boats. Like many boys, he wanted to be a sailor.

His father told him he would never do for a sailor. Somehow he managed to persuade Benjamin to think about another job. At the age of twelve Benjamin was apprenticed to his brother James, a printer. For a time Benjamin was happy. He loved books and reading, and was glad to learn the printer's trade.

James Franklin printed a newspaper called the "New England Courant". Benjamin saw many people coming to James and bringing him articles for his newspaper. He wanted to write an article himself. Soon he began to write some pieces for it.

He did not want James to know about it. The elder brother would laugh at him. So Benjamin decided not to sign his articles. He used to slip them at night under the door of the office. He was very glad to see them published in the newspaper.

Notes:

Benjamin Franklin — Бенджамин Франклин (1706—1790)

earned a living by making soap and candles — зарабаты­вал на жизнь изготовлением мыла и свечей

minister — священнослужитель

enrolled him in Boston Grammar School — определил его в Бостонскую классическую школу

to support the family — содержать семью

to cut the wicks for candles — нарезать фитили для свечей

to fill the moulds with hot tallow — наполнять формы горячим салом (речь идет об изготовлении сальных свечей)

Benjamin was apprenticed to his brother James, a printer — Бенджамин стал учеником у своего брата Джеймса, печатника

the printer's trade — ремесло печатника

"New England Courant" — "Газета Новой Англии"

articles for his newspaper — статьи для его газеты

to sign — подписывать

to slip — незаметно подсовывать

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

Josiah's plans, had to leave school and work for his father, to support the family, the tenth son in the family, a family of seventeen children.

2. Выпишите из текста предложения, содержащие следующие словосочетания и переведите их на русский язык:

Working in his father's shop, poor Benjamin, Benjamin was fond of swimming, to learn the printer's trade.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

Earned a living, soap and candles, printed a newspaper, many people, to write some pieces, to know about it.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. Where was Benjamin Franklin born?

2. Why did he leave school?

3. Where did he begin to work?

4. Did he run away from home?

5. How did he become a printer?

6. How were his first articles published?

FRANKLIN MAKES HIS WAY IN THE WORLD

Unfortunately, the brothers did not get along well together. James often abused Benjamin, and in 1723 the young apprentice broke with his master and ran away to Philadelphia.

At the age of seventeen, with little money in his pocket but already an expert printer, Benjamin Franklin proceeded to make his way in the world. He worked hard and studied hard. He taught himself French, Spanish, Italian and Latin. He was never idle, and spent his spare moments in study and reading.

In 1724 he went to England and came back to America in 1726. In 1729, when he was twenty-three years old, he became a sole owner of a printing shop and began to publish a newspaper of his own, called the "Pennsylvania Gazette". In 1732 it was followed by his famous annual, the "Poor Richard's Almanac". His wife Deborah Read, who he had married in 1730, was his good and faithful helpmate and assisted him much in his business. Benjamin Franklin lived to a good old age, and served his country in many ways.

Before he retired from business at the age of forty-two, Franklin had founded a library, invented a stove, subscribed to an academy that was to become the University of Pennsylvania, and served as secretary to the American Philosophical Society.

Notes:

the brothers did not get along well together — братья не ладили между собой

to abuse — плохо обращаться

an expert printer — опытный печатник

a sole owner of a printing shop — единоличный владе­лец печатной мастерской

famous annual, the "Poor Richard's Almanac" — знаме­нитый календарь, "Альманах простака Ричарда"

faithful helpmate — преданная помощница

lived to a good old age — дожил до преклонного возраста

to retire from business — удалиться от дел

the American Philosophical Society — Американское фи­лософское общество

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

Unfortunately, the young apprentice, at the age of seventeen, with little money in his pocket, to publish a newspaper of his own, to make his way in the world.

2. Выпишите из текста предложения, содержащие следующие словосочетания и переведите их на русский язык:

And in 1723 the young apprentice, Benjamin Franklin proceeded to make, his wife Deborah Read, served his country in many way, the University of Pennsylvania.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

… worked hard, studied hard, …spent his spare moments, study and reading, a sole owner, good and faithful helpmate.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. Why did Franklin run away to Philadelphia?

2. What languages did he learn?

3. When did he become a sole owner of a printing shop?

4. What did he publish?

5. In what ways did Franklin serve his country?

6. Learn Franklin's favourite proverbs by heart and try to find their Russian equivalents.