England either are not in possession of civil and religious liberty, or are in danger of losing it. (Hear.) I confess I cannot, for the life of me, see that either of these evils is in the least degree to be apprehended, provided only we keep to our present laws and constitution. I have never in my life found myself prevented from doing what my conscience told me was right; and what was wrong I do not wish to have the liberty of doing. Once, indeed, I remember thinking myself very hardly used, when Lever and I were locked up during a half-holyday, for going out of bounds. But that is the greatest outrage which was ever offered to my liberty. I live perfectly free. There is nothing which I am prevented doing, except what is contrary to my welfare, or that of my neighbours, or repugnant to the divine law. I get up when I like, go to bed when I like, go a journey when I like, come home when I like, speak when I like, am silent when I like, in short, I do every thing that I like. True, I am not at liberty to transgress the laws of God or man; but that I have no wish to do. If I had, it would be right that I should be restrained. I may not trespass on my neighbour's land, because that would be doing what he does not like, and infringing on his liberty. For the same reason I may not take possession of his house, or goods, or cattle, unless I give him a sum which he would like to accept for them. For the same reason, I do not think I should be justified in being idle, and becoming chargeable on my neigh

bours. If I were, it would be quite right that I should be made to work. With the exception, therefore, of those things which would interfere with the rights of my neighbours, I feel myself at perfect liberty to do whatsoever my conscience towards God approves.

"So, again, with regard to what is called religious liberty. I go to church, because I believe it is according to the law of God; others go to the dissenting meeting-house, and some nowhere at all. In my opinion they are wrong. Still I do not wish to force them by any compulsion to worship God contrary to their own conviction. I do not think that human rulers have a right to do this. Nor do they in England. Therefore I really do not see, gentlemen, in what respect my liberty, or the liberty of any man in England, is interfered with—at least in the manner in which you seem to suppose. To say the truth, I

am inclined to think that the fault is on the other side, and that some people have too much liberty. It appears to me that persons are left at liberty to do things contrary to the law, which they ought not to be allowed to do. The publication of libels and calumnies in the newspapers, for instance, is a grievous social evil, which ought to be restrained. What can be a greater injury or wrong than to blacken an honest man's character by false representation? or, again, what can be more injurious than when a man, for selfish or interested purposes, misleads those who are not able to judge for themselves on divine

truth; or maliciously undermines their faith? He would be committing a much less injury to his neighbour by murdering him outright than by destroying his soul for ever. Such persons ought, in my opinion, to be restrained and punished by law, when the crime is clearly proved against them. I speak quite seriously, gentlemen, and do not think any one of you can deny the proposition.

"It would be well, therefore, for us to consider whether, instead of being unduly controlled, men are not left too much at liberty to do that which is contrary to law, and most injurious to their neighbours. However, let that pass. What I mean to say is, that every one amongst us is at liberty to do what he chooses, except when he chooses to do wrong; and as I have no apprehension whatever of being deprived of that liberty, and as I do not wish to see that liberty extended further, so as to allow people to do what is wrong,-much as I should like to join my old friends and schoolfellows in any society, the objects of which I could conscientiously approve,I must decline being a member of the Civil and Religious Liberty Club."

Franklin spoke with a tone of good humour which prevented the meeting from interrupting him, but at the same time with a firmness and warmth which shewed that he was quite resolved in his opinion. Some of the members of the club were a little inclined to be uncivil when he ended; but Lever was generous enough to prevent them.

'No,

gentlemen," said he ; " it was at our own desire that Franklin has made this statement of his opinions, and he has not said any thing which we have any right to consider discourteous. We ought not therefore to use any expression which may be offensive to him, however we may disagree from the opinions which he has expressed. I therefore move that the meeting do now adjourn."

As it was getting late, and the candles were beginning to burn somewhat low in their sockets, the Civil and Religious Liberty Club thought it best to follow Lever's advice, and so the meeting broke up. It need scarcely be added, that this was the last time that Lever pressed his friend to attend their meetings.

Indeed it would seem that his speech had considerable effect; for several of the members not long afterwards withdrew from the club.

CHAPTER VIII.

The Fruit of Education.

When the man you see,

You find him what you saw the boy would be;
Disguised a little-but we still behold

What pleased and what offended us of old.
Years from the mind no native stain remove,
But lay the varnish of the world above.

CRABBE.

FRANKLIN'S speech at the Civil and Religious Liberty Club was a good deal talked of in the little town of Laxington, where all people were pretty well acquainted with the sayings and doings of their neighbours.

"That's a fine fellow, that son of yours," said Mr. Morton to Joseph Franklin one day ; " he does credit to your training."

"You are very good to say so, sir, and I hope it is as you have said. I should be very sorry, however, to see him turn speechifier at public meetings."

"There is no harm in a man having the use of his tongue in these days," said Mr. Morton, "if he employ it discreetly. It is a gift which may be abused, and too often is abused; but that is no more than may be said of every other gift which God bestows