# IV: First Visit to Boston explained — The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

> Chapter companion for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin.

## What happens

Franklin returns to Boston after seven months, bearing a letter from Governor Keith recommending that his father set him up in the printing business. His father refuses, judging him too young. Franklin then returns to Philadelphia, but not before a falling out with his brother James and a troubling incident involving money entrusted to him by Mr. Vernon. Governor Keith then promises to finance the venture himself, proposing that Franklin travel to England to select equipment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Mobility and the American Dream

Franklin's return to Boston with a fine suit, watch, and silver demonstrates his rapid rise from apprentice to a young man of means, embodying the promise of self-made success.

### Practical Wisdom and Common Sense

Josiah Franklin's refusal to support his son's premature business venture reflects practical wisdom, while Franklin's later rationalization for eating fish shows his pragmatic reasoning.

### The Value of Networking and Reputation

Governor Keith's patronage and the letter of recommendation illustrate how strategic relationships and a good reputation could open doors for advancement.

## Character check-ins

### Benjamin Franklin

Returns to Boston after seven months, better dressed and with money, seeking his father's support for a printing business.

### Sir William Keith

Governor of Pennsylvania who writes a letter to Franklin's father recommending he set up Franklin in business, and later promises to finance the venture himself.

### Josiah Franklin

Franklin's father, who refuses Governor Keith's proposal, judging Franklin too young to manage a business.

### James Ralph

Franklin's companion who decides to go to Philadelphia, but later abandons him after a quarrel and leaves for Barbados.

### Samuel Vernon

A friend of Franklin's brother John, who entrusts Franklin with collecting about thirty-five pounds in Pennsylvania, which Franklin later misuses.

### Deborah Read

Mentioned indirectly as Franklin's future wife; she is not directly involved in this chapter's events.

## Key lines

> So convenient a thing is it to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.

Being rational is very handy because it lets you justify whatever you want to do.

_Franklin humorously reflects on his own ability to rationalize breaking his vegetarian principles._

> He said I appeared a young man of promising parts, and therefore should be encouraged; the printers at Philadelphia were wretched ones; and, if I would set up there, he made no doubt I should succeed.

Governor Keith praised Franklin as a promising young man and encouraged him to start his own printing business in Philadelphia, predicting success.

_Keith's flattering assessment sets the stage for Franklin's ambitious return to Philadelphia._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/iv-first-visit-to-boston
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters