This 20-page history of the history of Benjamin Franklin’s autobiographical manuscript was fascinating. In 1771, Benjamin Franklin began his autobiography as suggested by a friend. At 84 pages, he set it aside. Years later, his French admirers, of which he had many, urged him to complete the story of his life and his writings, which he did in the late summer of 1788. He soon died, and the 199 page manuscript fell into the hands of his estranged grandson, William Temple Franklin, an anglophile. Franklin was admired in America, and in certain circles, worshipped in France. His story would not be published until 1817. W. MacDonald’s history of England. Here’s one quote to illustrate the horror among Franklin’s French admirer’s in regard to Temple Franklin’s reluctance to publish his grandfather’s work. “If feelings against him (Temple) was high in this country, it was higher still in France. There, the admirers of Franklin were filled with that peculiar horror with which the Latin races regard parricide. That was the word used to describe the conduct of this young man…”

MacDonald closes with a statement bearing on judgment of Franklin, “As to sympathy, that will depend on whether they agree with the Gods or Cato, for on this occasion, I agree with the Gods.”

I would like to include two quotes from Milton that were worked into the title pages of this Everyman’s Library edition. This represents a very different regard for books than what we see today. “A good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed & treasured upon purpose to a life beyond life.”

“Every man I will go with thee be thy guide in thy most need to go by thy side.”