FRANKLIN IN PHILADELPHIA
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN，who lived from 1706to 1790，is well known as the printer’s boy，the editor，the philosopher，the statesman，and the patriot.His exertions and influence contributed in no small degree to the success of our Revolutionary contest；and he stands unquestionably at the head of the scientific men of his day.His contributions to literature，serious and comic，are also valuable.
1.I HAVE entered into the particulars of my voyage，and shall，in like manner，describe my first entrance into this city，that you may be able to compare beginnings so little auspicious with the figure I have since made.On my arrival at Philadelphia，I was in my working dress；my best clothes being to come by sea.I was covered with dirt；my pockets were filled with shirts and stockings；I was unacquainted with a single soul in the place，and knew not where to seek a lodging.Fatigued with walking，rowing，and having passed the night without sleep，I was extremely hungry，and all my money consisted of a Dutch dollar，and about a shilling‘s worth of coppers，which I gave to the boat men for my passage.As I had assisted them in rowing，they refused it at first；but I insisted on their taking it.
2.A man is sometimes more generous when he has little than when he has much money；probably because，in the first case，he is desirous of concealing his poverty.I walked toward the top of the street，looking eagerly on both sides，till I came to Market Street，where I met with a child with a loaf of bread.Often had I made my dinner on dry bread.
I inquired where he had bought it，and went straight to the baker’sshop，which he pointed out to me.
3.I asked for some biscuits，expecting to find such as we had at Boston；but they made，it seems，none of that sort at Philadelphia.I then asked for a three-penny loaf.They made no loaves of that price.Finding myself ignorant of the prices，as well as of the different kinds of bread，I desired him to let me have three penny-worth of bread of some kind or other.He gave me three large rolls.I was surprised at receiving so much.I took them，however，and，having no room in my pockets，I walked on with a roll under each arm，eating a third.
4.In this manner，I went through Market Street to Fourth Street，and passed the house of Mr.Read，the father of my future wife.She was standing at the door，observed me，and thought，with reason，that I made a very singular and grotesque appearance.I then turned the corner，and went through Chestnut Street，eating my roll all the way；and，having made this round，I found myself again on Market Streetwharf，near the boat in which I arrived.I stepped into it to take a draught of water；and，finding myself satisfied with my first roll，I gave the other two to a woman and her child，who had come down with us in the boat，and was waiting to continue her journey.
5.Thus refreshed，I regained the street，which was now full of well dressed people，all going the same way.I joined them，and was thus led to a large Quaker meetinghouse near the market-place.I sat down with the rest，and，after looking round me for some time，hearing nothing said，and being drowsy from my last night‘s labor and want of rest，I fell into a sound sleep.In this state I continued till the assembly dispersed，when one of the congregation had the goodness to wake me.This was consequently，the first house I entered，or in which I slept，at Philadelphia.
（FROM FRANKLIN ）
中文阅读
本杰明·富兰克林（1706-1790），以印刷童工、编辑、哲学家、政治家和爱国者而闻名。他的努力和影响力对美国革命的成功做出过巨大贡献。同时，毫无疑问他也是当时杰出的科学家。他对严肃文学和喜剧文学也有突出贡献。
1.我对这次旅程叙述得特别详尽，同样，我对这次初次进入费城的经历也要详细交代，你可以把我这个开端和此后塑造的人物做个比较。来到费城时，我穿的是工作服，因为我最好的衣服正从海上运来。我浑身邋里邋遢，口袋里装满了衬衫和袜子。在这里我一个熟人也没有，也不知道去哪里找住处。因为走路、划船，再加上一夜没睡，我感到筋疲力尽。我饿极了，但身上只有一元荷兰币和大约一先令的铜币。我把铜币付给船家作为船费，起初他们不肯收，因为我帮忙划船了，但是我坚持要他们把钱收下了。
2.当一个人钱少的时候，反而会比钱多的时候大方，或许是因为特别想掩饰自己的穷酸的缘故吧。我向街口走去，急切地看着街道两侧。当我来到市场街的时候，看见一个手里拿着一个面包的孩子。以往我就经常把干面包当正餐吃。我问他面包是从哪里买来的，然后就径直走向他指给我的那家面包店。
3.我要某种饼干，就像我们在波士顿买的那种，但是费城好像根本不做这种饼干。我又要一个三便士的面包，他们也说没有。我发现自己对价格一无所知，也不知道有什么种类的面包，就让他给我三便士的面包，哪种都没关系。于是，他给了我三个很大的面包卷。量这么大，让我感到很惊讶，但我还是收了下来。因为我的口袋里装不下了，我就两肋下各夹一个，一边走一边吃着第三个。
4.就这样我从市场街一直走到第四街，路过我未来的岳丈里德先生的家门口。我未来的妻子当时就站在门口，看着我，她完全有理由认为我既奇特又可笑。我拐了一个弯，来到了板栗街，一路都在吃着面包。走了这么一圈以后，我发现我又回到了市场街的码头，我坐的船就在附近。我上了船，喝了口水，发现自己已经吃饱了，就把剩下的两个面包给了和我一块乘船的一个女人和她的孩子，她们正在等待开船继续前行。
5.恢复精神后，我又来到街上，这时候街上已有许多衣冠整洁的人，都朝同一个方向走去。我加入了他们的行列，被带到市场附近一个巨大的教友会的会所。我跟别人一样坐了下来，朝四周看了看，没有人在说话。由于前一个晚上干的活儿太累了，加上又缺觉，我迷迷糊糊地就睡着了，还睡得挺香。我就这么睡着睡着，直到散会时，有个好心的教徒把我叫醒了。因此，这个会所是我在进入费城后踏进的第一幢房子，或许应该说是我睡过的第一幢房子。
（富兰克林）