The Delaware herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1850-1854, 1851-05-28

lnlah.
Il can boast,' replied Ben, 'of having read
great deal beyond that, myself; but still |
should be sorry If | could not get trunk full
to read every six MONTHS
AT this, the Governor, regarding him with
a look of surprise. said l.:
'You must then, though SO young, be a
scholar-perhaPs teacher of the langua-
ges =
'No, sir, replied Ben, Il know no language
but my own.'
what, not Latin or Greckr
mo, sir, not word Of either"
'Why, don't you think them necessarily
Il don't set myself up as judge-but
should not suppose them necessary -
AYE? well should like to hear your rea-
sons.' :.
'Why, sirs am not competent to give rea.
sons that may satisfy gentleman of your
learning. but the following are the reasons
with which satisfy myself look on Ian.
guage, sir, merely as arbitrary sounds or
characters, whereby men communicate their
ideas to each other. Now already possess
language which is capable Of conveying
more ideas than shall ever acquire. Were
it not wiser in mo 10 improve my time in
sense through that one language, than waste
it in getting mere sounds through fifty Ian.
guages, even if could learn as many
Here the Governor paused moment,
though not without little red on his cheeks,
for having put Ben and chapter tenth of Ne
hcmiah SO close together. However, catching
new idea he took another start.
well, but my dear sir, you certainly diff.
fer from the learned world, which is, you
know, decidedly in faver of the languages
4 would not wish wantoniy to differ from
tho learned world said Ben, especially when
| they maintain opinions that seem to be found
ed on truth. But when this is not the case,
10 differ from them lhave ever thought my
duty; and especially, since l studied Locke" !"
Locke = cried the Governor with surprise,
| you studied Locke
Yes, sir, ] studied Locke, on the Under
standing, three years ago, when | was thir-
teen !"
you amaze me, sir. You study Locke
on the Understanding at thirtecn?"
Yes, sir, did,
'Well, and pray at what college did you
study Locke at thirteen? for at Cambridge
college, in old England, where got my edu-
cation, they never allowed the senior class to
look at Locke until eighteen
'Why, sir, it was my misfortune never to
be at college or even at grammar school, ex-
cept nine months when was child
Here the Governor sprang from his seat
and staring at Ben, cried out:
sNevor at college well, and wherc-whcre
did you get your education, pray 2
Sat home, sir, in tallow chandler's shop.
Sin tallow chandler's shop y screamed the
Governor.
sYcs, sir, my father was poor old tallow
chandler with sixteen children, and was the
youngest Of all; at eight years of age he put
me to school, but finding he could not spare
the money from the rest of the children 10
keep me there, he took me home in the shop
where assisted him by twisting the candle
wicls and filing the mouLls all day, and at
night read by myself At twelve, my faith
er bound me TO my brother, printer, in Bos-
ton, and then worked there all day at the
case and press, and again read by myself at
night
Here the Governor spanked his hands TO.
gcther, and put up loud whistle, while his
eye-bals, wild with surprise, rolled about in
their sockets as if in mighty mind to mop out
Impossible, young manP' he exclaimed.
, impossible, you are only sounding my cre-
dulity. can never believe the one half ol
this" Then turning to the Captain, he said
J "Captain, you are an intelligent man, ant
: from Boston; pray tell me, can this young mar
here be aiming at anything but to quiz me?'
mo, indeed, please your excellency,' repli
$ cd the captain, 'Mr. Franklin is not quizzine
: you; he is saying what is really true, for | an
: acquainted with his father and family
!, The Governor then turning to Ben, said
9 more moderately 'well, my dear wonderful
boy, Il ask your pardon; and now pray tell me
c for feel stronger desire than ever TO hea
n your objection to learning the dead langua
gcs.'
why. sir, object to it principally on ac
:, count Of the'shortncss Of human life. TakiD,